Printing device

Abstract

A printing device capable of stably conveying a printing medium is provided. A printing device (100) includes a thermal head (121) that performs printing on a printing tape (PT), a platen roller (122) that conveys the printing tape (PT) by rotating while holding the printing tape (PT) between the thermal head (121) and the platen roller (122), and a tape guide portion (1211b) that guides the printing tape (PT) discharged from between the thermal head (121) and the platen roller (122) in the same direction as a discharge direction. The thermal head (121) is fixedly arranged, and the platen roller (122) is arranged so as to be movable in a direction perpendicular to the discharge direction of the printing tape (PT).

Description

[0001] Citation of relevant applications

[0002] This application claims priority to Japanese Patent Application No. 2021-155076, filed on September 24, 2021, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field

[0003] This invention relates to printing apparatus. Background Technology

[0004] Previously, it was known that there were printing devices that printed text, graphics, etc. on strip-shaped printing media to make labels.

[0005] For example, in the printing apparatus described in Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2008-239259, a pressure roller is pressed against a thermal head to perform printing. The printed portion of the strip label is conveyed to the outside of the printing apparatus via a label conveyor. Summary of the Invention

[0006] The problem to be solved by the present invention

[0007] In printing apparatuses like those in Patent Document 1, there are various types of printing media with different materials and thicknesses. However, due to the shape of the transport path of the printing media in the printing apparatus, it is sometimes difficult to transport the printing media stably.

[0008] Therefore, the present invention was made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and its object is to provide a printing apparatus capable of stably conveying the printing medium.

[0009] Problem-solving methods

[0010] To achieve the above objectives, the printing apparatus of the present invention comprises:

[0011] The printing head prints on the tape;

[0012] A pressure roller, while holding the belt between itself and the print head, transports the belt by rotating; and

[0013] The belt guides the belt exiting between the print head and the pressure roller in the same direction as the exit direction.

[0014] The printing head is fixedly configured.

[0015] The pressure roller is configured to move in a direction perpendicular to the discharge direction of the belt.

[0016] The effects of the invention

[0017] According to the present invention, a printing apparatus capable of stably conveying the printing medium can be provided. Attached Figure Description

[0018] Figure 1 This is a perspective view of a printing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0019] Figure 2A This is a 3D view of the label manufacturing department.

[0020] Figure 2B From and Figure 2A A three-dimensional view of the label-making department from different viewpoints.

[0021] Figure 3A It is a 3D diagram of the label-making department that houses the box.

[0022] Figure 3B yes Figure 3A A magnified view of the X-section.

[0023] Figure 4A It is a three-dimensional view of the arm with the pressure roller installed.

[0024] Figure 4B yes Figure 4A An exploded 3D diagram.

[0025] Figure 5 This is a 3D view of the head retainer.

[0026] Figure 6 This is a diagram showing the head retainer from one side.

[0027] Figure 7 It is a three-dimensional view showing the installation state of the head retainer.

[0028] Figure 8A This is a magnified view showing the conveying state of a printing tape in the prior art.

[0029] Figure 8B This is a partially enlarged view showing the conveying state of the printing tape in this embodiment. Detailed Implementation

[0030] Hereinafter, a printing apparatus for carrying out the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Furthermore, in the following description, the X-axis is the direction of the printing belt discharge, the Y-axis is the rotation axis direction of the cam (described later), and the Z-axis is the rotation axis direction of the pressure roller, as indicated by the arrows in the respective figures.

[0031] The printing apparatus 100 of the embodiments of the present invention is used to print text, numbers, symbols, graphic characters and graphics (hereinafter referred to as "printed patterns") on a printing tape. Figure 1The appearance shown is that of a tape printer (label printer).

[0032] Printing apparatus 100 in use Figure 3B The tape cassette 200 shown contains a printing tape PT and an ink tape IR (tape recording medium TM) for printing, and prints on the printing tape PT.

[0033] (Structure of the printing apparatus)

[0034] like Figure 1 As shown, the printing apparatus 100 includes a keyboard 101 for inputting printing patterns, a display 102 for displaying the input printing patterns, and an opening / closing cover 103 for housing the cartridge 200 within the printing apparatus 100. Additionally, although not shown, the printing apparatus 100 also includes input / output terminals for connecting to external devices such as personal computers, a battery compartment for housing power terminals or batteries connected to a power cord, and an insertion slot for inserting storage media such as memory cards.

[0035] Keyboard 101 accepts key input from the user. Keyboard 101 consists of pattern input keys for inputting pattern data, printing keys for indicating the start of printing, cursor keys for moving the cursor on the display screen of monitor 102, and various function keys for setting printing modes and various setting processes.

[0036] The display 102 functions as the main display screen in the printing apparatus 100, and displays images related to the input data, selection menus for various settings, messages related to various processes, etc. The display 102 is, for example, composed of a liquid crystal display panel. Alternatively, the keyboard 101 and the display 102 may also be composed of a component that combines input and display functions, such as a touch panel with touch switch functionality.

[0037] The opening and closing cover 103 is a cover that covers the label making section 110, which is formed inside the printing device 100 and is used to fill the tape box 200 and make labels with printed patterns.

[0038] like Figure 1 and Figure 3A As shown, a label making section 110 for loading tape cassette 200 is formed in the printing apparatus 100. The label making section 110 includes: a tape printing mechanism 120 for printing on the printing tape contained in the tape cassette 200; and a cassette receiving section 130 for positioning the tape cassette 200 in a predetermined position.

[0039] like Figure 1 , Figure 2A and Figure 2BAs shown, the printing mechanism 120 and the box receiving part 130 are mounted on the printing apparatus 100 via a mounting part 111, a camshaft mounting part 112 and an arm mounting part 113 of a generally U-shaped plate. The mounting part 111 has components such as the camshaft mounting part 112 and the arm mounting part 113 (described later) arranged on the main surface of the +Z side. The camshaft mounting part 112 is erected along the side end of the mounting part 111 in the +Y direction. The arm mounting part 113 is erected near the center of the mounting part 111 and supports the arm 123 (described later) so that it can swing (rotate).

[0040] The mounting section 111 includes a camshaft mounting section 112, an arm mounting section 113, a box receiving section 130, a motor (not shown) for rotating the cam 124 (described later), and a gear (not shown) for rotating the pressure roller 122 (described later). See Figure 2. Figure 3A As shown, gears 114 and worm gears 115, which transmit motor power to the cam 124, are rotatably mounted on the camshaft mounting section 112 around the Y-axis, contributing to space-saving in the label making section 110. The motor also transmits power to... Figure 3B The cutting and printing process shown is powered by the semi-cutting mechanism and the full-cutting mechanism described later, which are equipped with a PT. The arm 123 is mounted on the arm mounting part 113 in a manner that allows it to swing about the Z-axis via the arm rotation axis 1234.

[0041] The printing mechanism 120 includes: a thermal head (print head) 121, which is linearly equipped with multiple heating elements for heating the ink ribbon IR and the thermal recording medium; and a pressure roller (conveyor section) 122, which is positioned opposite the thermal head 121 and holds the strip-shaped recording medium TM (printing tape PT) with the thermal head 121. Figure 3B (Illustrated by thick lines) and ink ribbon IR (in) Figure 3B The tape is shown in the dashed line diagram. It is conveyed towards the tape outlet 140 described later. The arm 123 rotatably supports the pressure roller 122. The cam 124 isolates the arm 123 from the thermal head 121 and presses the arm 123 toward the thermal head 121. The spring (elastic member) 125 presses the pressure roller 122 toward the thermal head 121. The tape winding shaft 126 winds the ink tape IR used in printing into the tape winding core 204 described later in the tape cassette 200.

[0042] The thermal head 121 has multiple heating elements arranged in a direction orthogonal to the length direction (Z-axis direction) of the tape-shaped recording medium TM. When the tape cassette 200 is loaded into the label making unit 110, as detailed later, the pressure roller 122 is pressed toward the thermal head 121 with a predetermined pressing force by a control unit (not shown) of the printing apparatus 100, thereby... Figure 3BAs shown, the thermal head 121 is brought into contact with the surface (printing surface) of the printing tape PT via the ink ribbon IR. Based on printing data generated from data input by the user from the keyboard 101, the thermal head 121 selectively heats multiple heating elements, transferring the heat from the ink ribbon IR to the printing tape PT. The thermal head 121 is erected on the main surface of the mounting portion 111 along the +Z direction via a die-cast aluminum thermal head fixing portion (printing head fixing portion) 1211, and is configured such that the main surface of the thermal head 121 is parallel to the main surface of the camshaft mounting portion 112.

[0043] The pressure roller 122 is a roller used to feed the strip recording medium TM toward the tape discharge port 140 in the direction (+X direction, discharge direction), and is used to press the strip recording medium TM toward the thermal head 121 with appropriate pressure during printing. Figure 4A , Figure 4B The main body 1221 of the pressure roller 122 shown is, for example, a cylinder whose outer peripheral surface is covered by an elastic member such as rubber. Insertion shafts 1222, protruding from both ends along the long axis (Z-axis direction) of the pressure roller 122, are rotatably inserted into roller insertion holes 1232, 1238, etc., described later in the arm 123. Furthermore, the pressure roller 122 is configured to reciprocate in the vertical direction shown in the figure, that is, in a direction perpendicular to the transport direction of the printing tape PT and perpendicular to the short side direction of the strip-shaped recording medium TM.

[0044] like Figure 4A , Figure 4B As shown, the arm 123 has: a main body 1231, on which an inverted T-shaped component protrudes in the +Y direction from a generally U-shaped component viewed from the X-axis direction; a roller insertion through hole 1232, formed near the end of the main body 1231 on the side of the thermal head 121; and an arm rotation shaft insertion through hole 1233, formed near the end of the main body 1231 in the -X direction (away from the side with the discharge port 140). The arm 123 also has: an arm rotation shaft 1234, which is inserted into the arm rotation shaft insertion through hole 1233 and... Figure 3A In the arm mounting portion 113 shown, the arm rotation shaft insertion hole 1131 includes: a locking portion 1235 that engages with the cam 124; a pressing portion 1236 that is pressed by the cam 124; and a pressure roller pressing member 1237 that presses the insertion shaft 1222 of the pressure roller 122 in the -Y direction (the direction in which the thermal head 121 is disposed) by the pressing force of the spring 125. The roller insertion hole 1232 is generally formed into an elliptical shape with the Y-axis as its major axis. The roller insertion hole 1238 is formed into a circle and has a diameter slightly larger than that of the arm rotation shaft 1234.

[0045] In addition, such as Figures 1 to 3A , Figure 3BAs shown, a tape discharge outlet 140 communicating with the outside of the printing apparatus 100 is formed near the +X direction side of the label making section 110. Although not shown, a full cutting mechanism and a half cutting mechanism are built into the tape discharge outlet 140. The full cutting mechanism cuts the printing tape PT and the peel tape of the tape-shaped recording medium TM in the width direction, and the half cutting mechanism only cuts the printing tape PT of the tape-shaped recording medium TM.

[0046] like Figure 3A As shown, the cassette 200 includes a cassette housing 201. A roll of [unclear text - possibly a product name] is housed within the cassette housing 201. Figure 3B The illustrated components include a printing core 202 with a PT (Potential Printing Material), a tape supply core 203 containing unused ink tape IR, and a tape winding core 204 with used ink tape IR. Furthermore, a head mounting section 210 is formed in the cartridge housing 201, and the thermal head 121 is located in this head mounting section 210 when the tape cartridge 200 is loaded into the label making section 110.

[0047] In addition, such as Figure 3A As shown, engaging portions 205 are formed at the four corners of the cartridge housing 201. These engaging portions 205 engage with and are supported by the cartridge receiving portion 130 of the label making unit 110. Although not shown, the engaging portions 205 of the cartridge housing 201 have predefined protrusions and recesses corresponding to the type of cartridge 200. Furthermore, a predefined recording width detection switch (not shown) is disposed in the cartridge receiving portion 130 of the label making unit 110. This predefined recording width detection switch is used to detect the protrusions and recesses formed in the engaging portions 205 of the cartridge housing 201 when the cartridge 200 is loaded.

[0048] When the tape cassette 200 is loaded into the label making unit 110, the engaging portion 205 of the cassette housing 201 engages with some or all of the recording width detection switches disposed in the cassette receiving portion 130 of the label making unit 110. The recording width detection switches engaged with the engaging portion 205 are pressed. The control unit of the printing apparatus 100 determines the type of tape cassette 200 by the combination of recording width detection switches that are in the ON state.

[0049] The control unit, not shown, consists of a processor or other processing device. The control unit operates according to a program stored in a ROM (Read Only Memory), not shown, to perform tasks such as generating printing data, executing the printing of printing patterns, controlling the rotation angle of the cam, and controlling the full-cutting and half-cutting mechanisms.

[0050] Next, refer to Figures 5-7 The structure of the mounting component 150, such as the thermal head, in this embodiment will be described. Furthermore, in Figure 7The printing apparatus 100 is omitted from the display.

[0051] The mounting component 150 for the thermal head includes a base 151, an arm mounting portion 113, and a thermal head fixing portion 1211. The mounting component 150 is made of a metal such as an aluminum die-casting and is integrally formed. The arm mounting portion 113 and the thermal head fixing portion 1211 extend from the base 151 in the same direction.

[0052] The base 151 is formed into an irregularly shaped plate. The base 151 has through holes 151a and 151b for mounting to the mounting portion 111. In addition, the arm rotation shaft 1234 is inserted into the through hole 151a. Furthermore, holes of arbitrary purpose are provided.

[0053] The arm mounting portion 113 has a generally square bar shape and multiple cutouts 113 on its surface for weight reduction. At the front end of the arm mounting portion 113, opposite to the through hole 151a, there is a... Figure 3A The arm rotation shaft insertion hole 1131 is shown. The arm rotation shaft 1234 is supported by the arm rotation shaft insertion hole 1131.

[0054] The thermal head fixing part 1211 is formed into a generally elongated plate shape. The connection between the base 151 and the thermal head fixing part 1211 is relatively wide, and triangular ribs 1211d are provided at three locations shown in the figure. A shallow groove-shaped recess 1211a, slightly longer than the length of the pressure roller 122, is provided on the front end side of the thermal head fixing part 1211. The thermal head 121 is placed in the recess 1211a and fixed by fasteners. A belt guide part 1211b, approximately the same length as the recess 1211a, is provided on the edge of the recess 1211a in the belt discharge direction.

[0055] The upper end of the belt guide portion 1211b is formed flat. The position of the upper end is approximately the same as the height of the thermal head 121 when it is placed in the recess 1211a. An inclined surface 1211c is formed at the boundary between the belt guide portion 1211b and the recess 1211a. The inclined surface 1211c has an inclined surface that rises in the belt discharge direction. The edge of the belt guide portion 1211b in the belt discharge direction is perpendicular to the upper end of the belt guide portion 1211b.

[0056] Figure 8A , Figure 8B This indicates the transport state of the printing belt PT in the prior art and this embodiment. In an example of a prior art printing apparatus, such as... Figure 8AAs shown, the thermal head 521 is configured to move vertically in the direction indicated by the double arrow Ar1, while the pressure roller 522 is positioned in a fixed position. The lower end of the pressure roller 522 is higher than the front end of the arrow Ar2, which indicates the transport direction of the printing tape PT, i.e., higher than the discharge position from the printing unit 100. In this configuration, since the thermal head 521 is vertically movable, a corresponding space is required. During printing, by moving the thermal head 521 upward, the printing tape PT printed by the thermal head 521 and the pressure roller 522 bends downward as shown by arrow Ar2. As a result, the printing tape PT separates from the tape at a distance L1 directly below the pressure roller 522, and the pressure roller 522 then discharges, for example, in an S-shaped transport path as shown by arrow Ar2.

[0057] In contrast, in this embodiment, such as Figure 8B As shown, the thermal head 121 is positioned in a fixed location, and the pressure roller 122 is configured to move vertically as indicated by the double arrow Ar3. As shown, the lower end of the pressure roller 122 during printing is approximately at the same height as the tip of the arrow Ar2, which indicates the transport direction of the printing tape PT, i.e., the discharge position from the printing apparatus 100. In this configuration, the printing tape PT, sandwiched between the thermal head 121 and the pressure roller 122 and being printed, is held directly below the pressure roller 122 by the tape guide 1211b of the mounting member 150, such as the thermal head. That is, the printing tape PT is guided by the tape guide 1211b and transported linearly, separating from the tape at a distance L2, and then discharged along a linear transport path as indicated by the solid arrow Ar2. Furthermore, in this specification, "linear" means that the printing tape PT fed between the thermal head 121 and the pressure roller 122 maintains the same direction as the transport direction.

[0058] In addition, even when towards and Figure 8B When the printing tape PT is fed in the opposite direction, the printing tape PT will also be guided by the tape guide 1211b and fed in a straight line. For example, the leading end of the printing tape PT is fed in the opposite direction to the vicinity of the pressure roller 122. Here, there is a problem: without the tape guide 1211b, when feeding in the forward direction again, the tape is fed downward in such a way that it is submerged in the space 160 between the thermal head 121 and the tape cassette 200, causing tape blockage. To solve this problem, it is preferable to provide the tape guide 1211b.

[0059] In existing label printers, the "S" shape, as described above, raises concerns about placing unnecessary load on the tape for printing on various media such as embossed, thick-walled, and release dies. Furthermore, this leads to problems such as peeling or clogging of the release liner. Additionally, because the tape is peeled off near the gap of the pressure rollers, it cannot be peeled off during cooling, contributing to deterioration of print quality.

[0060] In this embodiment, the position of the thermal head 121 is fixed, allowing the position of the pressure roller 122 to move in a direction perpendicular to the discharge direction of the printing tape PT discharged between the thermal head 121 and the pressure roller 122. Furthermore, a tape guide 1211b is provided on the mounting member 150, such as the thermal head. According to the above structure, in this embodiment, the position of the thermal head 121 is fixed, instead of allowing the pressure roller 122 to move up and down. Therefore, unlike the prior art, there is no need for space for the printing head to move. As a result, such as Figure 8B As shown, it becomes easier to make the belt transport path straight. This allows for stable transport of various printing media, such as those with uneven surfaces, thick walls, and mold rods. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the belt peeling timing is delayed; that is, the peeling point from the printing position where the printed medium (belt) and ink ribbon are peeled is lengthened. This ensures sufficient time for cooling after printing, enabling stable peeling during cooling. As a result, according to this embodiment, a printing apparatus that improves print quality by stably transporting the printed medium can be provided.

[0061] (Modified Example)

[0062] In the above embodiments, the printing apparatus 100 includes a keyboard 101 and a display 102, but it may also be a printing apparatus without a keyboard or a printing apparatus without a keyboard and a display that is connected to a personal computer, tablet computer, smartphone, etc. in a wired or wireless manner.

[0063] In the above embodiments, a tape-shaped recording medium TM having an ink ribbon IR and a printing tape PT was used, but thermal recording media that does not use an ink ribbon can also be used.

[0064] In addition, in the above embodiment, the spring 125 of the printing apparatus 100 presses the pressure roller 122 against the thermal head 121, but it is also possible that the pressure roller 122 is moved away from or pressed against the thermal head 121 by a cam without using a spring.

[0065] In the above embodiment, the printing apparatus 100 uses two springs 125 to press the pressure roller 122 toward the thermal head 121, but three or more springs or one spring may also be used, or rubber or other elastic components may be used instead of springs.

[0066] As described above, this embodiment can be applied to a variety of printing media such as embossed, thick-walled, and mold-forming media.

[0067] In this embodiment, a head retainer 150 is used, wherein the arm mounting portion 113 and the thermal head fixing portion 1211 are integrally formed as identical components. Alternatively, the arm mounting portion 113 and the thermal head fixing portion 1211 can be separately configured, or they can be further integrally configured with other components.

[0068] In this embodiment, the thermal head fixing part 1211 and the belt guide part 1211b of the head holder 150 are preferably the same components, but otherwise, the belt guide part 1211b can be provided as different components.

[0069] In this embodiment, the printing tape PT is conveyed linearly in the horizontal direction, but it can also be used in a manner with a certain angle in the horizontal direction.

[0070] In this embodiment, although it is directed to Figure 8B The printing tape PT can be conveyed in the opposite direction of the conveying direction, but it may not be conveyed in the opposite direction. In this case, the tape guide 1211b may not be provided.

[0071] The preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described above, but the present invention is not limited to the specific embodiments described above. The present invention includes the invention as described in the claims and its equivalents.

Claims

1. A printing apparatus, wherein, have: The printing head prints on the tape; The tape has an outlet for discharging the printed tape. The pressure roller, while the belt is held between the pressure roller and the printing head, rotates to convey the belt in the discharge direction toward the belt discharge outlet; as well as The belt guides the belt exiting between the print head and the pressure roller in the same direction as the exit direction. The lower end of the pressure roller is at the same height as the outlet of the belt. The discharge direction is from the lower end of the pressure roller toward the discharge outlet. The printing head is fixedly configured. The pressure roller is configured to move in a direction perpendicular to the discharge direction of the belt.

2. The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein, It also includes a print head fixing part for fixing the print head. The guide portion is disposed on the printhead fixing portion and has an inclined surface at least on the side near the printhead.

3. The printing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein, The guide portion is a component made of the same material as the printhead fixing portion and is a part that protrudes from the printhead fixing portion.

4. The printing apparatus according to claim 2 or 3, wherein, The inclined surface is an inclined surface that rises toward the discharge direction of the belt.

5. The printing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein, The pressure roller is configured to move in a direction perpendicular to the discharge direction of the belt and in a direction perpendicular to the width direction of the belt.

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