A label printing device and its control method

Abstract

This disclosure provides a label printing device and its control method. The label printing device includes a frame and multiple printing units, which are mounted on the frame and perform label printing on different working planes. Each printing unit includes a ribbon module, a printhead module, and a label module. The ribbon module is used to deliver the ribbon. The printhead module includes a printing cassette positioned along the ribbon's path. The label module delivers a release paper strip with a label attached and includes a guide mechanism for guiding the release paper strip as it passes under the printing cassette. The printing cassette drives the ribbon to contact the label on the release paper strip and completes the label printing operation. This label printing device increases the number of printing units, with multiple printing units arranged side-by-side. One or more printing units can be used individually, improving production efficiency.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure relates to the field of printing equipment, and more particularly to a label printing device and its control method. Background Technology

[0002] Chinese patent CN109484041B discloses a label printer, which describes the method of peeling the ribbon off the label paper, the label printing process, and the method of smoothly outputting the label paper after printing.

[0003] However, including the aforementioned patents and other label printing equipment on the market, when encountering work orders or product changes during the printing process, it is necessary to readjust the equipment parameters and change materials. Frequent material changes and adjustments can easily lead to a decrease in production efficiency. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The main objective of this disclosure is to provide a label printing device and its control method to at least solve the above-mentioned technical problems existing in the prior art.

[0005] To achieve the above objectives, a first aspect of this disclosure provides a label printing apparatus, comprising: a frame and a plurality of printing units disposed on the frame and performing label printing on different working planes; each printing unit includes: a ribbon module, a printhead module, and a label module; the ribbon module is used to deliver the ribbon; the printhead module includes a printing cassette disposed on the ribbon's travel path; the label module is used to deliver a release paper tape with a label, including a guide mechanism for guiding the release paper tape to pass under the printing cassette; the printing cassette is capable of driving the ribbon to contact the label on the release paper tape and completing the label printing operation.

[0006] In one embodiment, the ribbon module includes a ribbon shaft and a ribbon take-up shaft. The ribbon has a first winding end and a first unwinding end. The ribbon shaft is used to couple to the first unwinding end, and the ribbon take-up shaft is used to couple to the first winding end. A drive mechanism is provided on the frame, and the drive mechanism is used to drive the rotation of the ribbon take-up shaft.

[0007] In one embodiment, the drive mechanism includes multiple ribbon drive motors, each ribbon recovery shaft being driven by a different ribbon drive motor.

[0008] In one embodiment, the ribbon recovery shafts of multiple printing units are arranged coaxially.

[0009] In one embodiment, the ribbon shafts of multiple printing units are arranged coaxially.

[0010] In one embodiment, the superscript module includes a superscript shaft, a guiding mechanism, and a release paper collection mechanism. The release paper tape has a second unwinding end and a second winding end. The second unwinding end is coupled to the superscript shaft. The guiding mechanism is used to guide the second winding end to the release paper collection mechanism after it passes through the printing space.

[0011] In one embodiment, the release paper collection mechanism includes a release paper recovery shaft, and the second winding end is coupled to the release paper recovery shaft.

[0012] In one embodiment, the driving mechanism further includes a superscript drive motor, the superscript shaft is connected to the release paper recycling shaft via a belt, and the output shaft of the superscript drive motor is connected to the superscript shaft or the release paper recycling shaft via a belt.

[0013] In one possible implementation, a control mechanism is included, which is communicatively connected to the ribbon module, superscript module, and printhead module of each printing unit.

[0014] A second aspect of this disclosure provides a control method applied to the label printing apparatus described in the first aspect of this disclosure, characterized in that the label printing apparatus includes at least three printing units, and the method includes at least:

[0015] In the first printing mode, the control mechanism controls the first printing unit to perform a printing job on the first working plane;

[0016] In the second printing mode, the control mechanism controls the second printing unit to perform a printing job on the second working plane.

[0017] In the third printing mode, the control mechanism controls the third printing unit to perform printing operations on the third working plane.

[0018] A combined printing mode in which at least two of the first printing mode, the second printing mode, and the third printing mode operate simultaneously.

[0019] This disclosed label printing device increases the number of printing units, with multiple units arranged side-by-side. During operation, a single printing unit can be used for label printing, or multiple units can be used simultaneously. When work orders or product changes occur, parameters can be pre-set, reducing the frequency of equipment parameter adjustments and material changes, thus improving production efficiency.

[0020] It should be understood that the description in this section is not intended to identify key or essential features of the embodiments of this disclosure, nor is it intended to limit the scope of this disclosure. Other features of this disclosure will become readily apparent from the following description. Attached Figure Description

[0021] The above and other objects, features, and advantages of this disclosure will become readily apparent from the following detailed description of exemplary embodiments, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Several embodiments of this disclosure are illustrated in the drawings by way of example and not limitation, in which:

[0022] In the accompanying drawings, the same or corresponding reference numerals indicate the same or corresponding parts.

[0023] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a label printing device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0024] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a label printing device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, with the frame concealed.

[0025] Figure 3 yes Figure 2 A structural diagram from another perspective;

[0026] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a label printing device with the frame hidden, according to another embodiment of this disclosure.

[0027] The above figures include the following reference numerals:

[0028] 1. Frame; 2. Printing unit; 3. Ribbon module; 31. Ribbon shaft; 32. Ribbon take-up shaft; 41. Label shaft; 42. Guiding mechanism; 421. Label printing roller; 422. Release paper guide roller; 43. Release paper collection mechanism; 431. Release paper take-up shaft; 5. Print head module; 51. Printing box; 511. Print head; 512. Ribbon inlet; 513. Ribbon outlet; 6. Ribbon; 61. First winding end; 62. First unwinding end; 7. Release paper tape; 71. Second unwinding end; 72. Second winding end; 8. Drive mechanism; 81. Ribbon drive motor; 82. Label drive motor; 9. Tension roller. Detailed Implementation

[0029] To make the objectives, features, and advantages of this disclosure more apparent and understandable, the technical solutions in the embodiments of this disclosure will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only a part of the embodiments of this disclosure, and not all of them. All other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art based on the embodiments of this disclosure without creative effort are within the scope of protection of this disclosure.

[0030] Reference Figures 1-3This embodiment discloses a label printing device, which includes a frame 1. Multiple printing units 2 are arranged on one side of the frame 1, and the multiple printing units 2 can be used to print labels on different working surfaces. A drive mechanism 8 is arranged on the other side of the frame 1, and the drive mechanism 8 includes multiple sub-drive components, which provide power support to each printing unit 2. The multiple printing units 2 can operate separately or simultaneously according to specific printing conditions, resulting in high operating efficiency, diverse operating modes, and high controllability.

[0031] In the embodiments of this disclosure, multiple printing units 2 are stacked in parallel on the frame 1, ensuring that the working planes of each printing unit 2 do not interfere with each other. If any one printing unit 2 stops operating, it will not affect the normal operation of the other printing units 2.

[0032] Reference Figure 2 In the embodiments of this disclosure, the printing unit 2 includes a ribbon module 3, a superscript module and a print head module 5. The ribbon module 3 is used to convey the ribbon 6, the superscript module is used to convey the release paper tape 7 with the label, and the print head module 5 is disposed on the travel path of the ribbon 6 and can drive the ribbon 6 to contact the label on the release paper tape 7, thereby completing the label printing operation.

[0033] Reference Figure 2 and Figure 3 As shown, multiple printing units 2 are installed on the first side of the frame 1, and all drive mechanisms 8 are installed on the second side of the frame 1. Considering the label exit height and the recycling position of the release paper tape 7, in order to make the operator's picking up of labels and storage and collection of release paper conform to human-machine functions, the ribbon module 3 is set on the upper side of the frame 1, and the superscript module is set on the lower side of the frame 1.

[0034] In the embodiments of this disclosure, the ribbon module 3 includes a ribbon shaft 31 and a ribbon take-up shaft 32. The ribbon 6 has a first take-up end 61 and a first unwind end 62. The first unwind end 62 of the ribbon 6 is fixedly connected to the ribbon shaft 31, and the first take-up end 61 of the ribbon 6 is fixedly connected to the ribbon take-up shaft 32. During the flow of the ribbon 6, the ribbon 6 passes through the printhead module 5.

[0035] Reference Figure 2In the embodiments disclosed herein, the superscript module includes a superscript shaft 41, a guiding mechanism 42, and a release paper collection mechanism 43. The release paper tape 7 has a second unwinding end 71 and a second winding end 72. The second unwinding end 71 is fixedly connected to the superscript shaft 41. The guiding mechanism 42 is used to guide the second winding end 72 to the release paper collection mechanism 43 after it passes through the guiding mechanism 42. The release paper collection mechanism 43 includes a release paper recycling shaft 431. The second winding end 72 is fixedly connected to the release paper recycling shaft 431. Labels are evenly arranged on the release paper tape 7 along its length direction.

[0036] Reference Figure 2 In the embodiments disclosed herein, the guiding mechanism 42 includes a label printing roller 421 and a release paper guiding roller 422. The label printing roller 421 is disposed on the lower side of the print head module 5 and is used to cooperate with the print head module 5 to print labels. After the release paper tape 7 with the label passes around the label printing roller 421, the print head module 5 can print the label on the release paper tape 7.

[0037] Reference Figure 2 and Figure 4 In the embodiments of this disclosure, the printhead module 5 includes a print box 51, on which a ribbon inlet 512 and a ribbon outlet 513 are provided. The ribbon 6 enters through the ribbon inlet 512 and exits through the ribbon outlet 513. The end of the print box 51 near the label printing roller 421 is the printhead 511. A printing space is formed between the printhead 511 and the label printing roller 421. The ribbon inlet 512 is located at the printhead 511, and the opening direction of the ribbon inlet 512 faces the printing space. The plane where the ribbon inlet 512 is located is the shortest distance from the top stop point of the label printing roller 421, which can ensure the normal flow of the ribbon 6 and the normal printing of the label on the release paper by the printhead 511. The specific distance between the plane where the ribbon inlet 512 is located and the top stop point of the label printing roller 421 is determined according to the model of the print box 51.

[0038] Reference Figure 2 and Figure 4 In the embodiments of this disclosure, tension rollers 9 are provided on both the conveying paths of the carbon ribbon 6 and the release paper tape 7 to tension the carbon ribbon 6 and the release paper tape 7.

[0039] In embodiments of this disclosure, the label printing device further includes a control mechanism that can control the stopping and running of the drive mechanism 8.

[0040] During the process of the ribbon 6 and release paper 7 passing through the printing space, the ribbon 6 and release paper 7 remain parallel to each other. When printing the label, the control mechanism controls the drive mechanism 8 to stop briefly, and the print head 511 drives the ribbon 6 to contact and adhere to the label to complete the label printing operation. After each label printing operation is completed, the control mechanism controls the drive mechanism 8 to continue running. Specifically, the duration of the brief stop of the drive mechanism 8 is set according to the model of the print box 51; the duration of the continued operation of the drive mechanism 8 is determined by the running speed of the drive mechanism 8 and the distance between the labels.

[0041] In the embodiments of this disclosure, the label printing device includes an outer casing that covers the outside of the frame 1. A label outlet is provided on the outer casing. A release paper guide roller 422 is provided on the first side of the frame 1. After the release paper passes the upper label shaft 41, it continues to pass around the release paper guide roller 422. The label outlet is provided corresponding to the release paper guide roller 422. The radius of the release paper guide roller 422 is set relatively large. After the label is printed, during the process of the release paper passing around the release paper guide roller 422, due to the large angle change of the release paper, the label will form an opening on the release paper strip 7 when the release paper suddenly changes direction and gradually separates from the release paper strip 7. The label outlet is located on the upper tangential surface of the release paper guide roller 422 and the upper label shaft 41. Thus, when the label forms an opening on the release paper, as the release paper continues to flow downward, the label can be exported from the label outlet for the operator to pick up and stick onto the device where the label needs to be pasted.

[0042] In the embodiments of this disclosure, the drive mechanism 8 includes a ribbon drive motor 81 and a superscript drive motor 82. The ribbon recovery shaft 32 is driven by the ribbon drive motor 81, thereby realizing the circulation of the entire ribbon 6 when the ribbon recovery shaft 32 rotates actively and the ribbon shaft 31 rotates passively. The superscript shaft 41 and the release paper recovery shaft 431 are connected by a belt, and the output shaft of the superscript drive motor 82 is connected to the release paper recovery shaft 431 by a belt, thereby realizing the circulation of the entire release paper tape 7 when the release paper recovery shaft 431 rotates actively and the superscript shaft 41 rotates passively, and realizing the collection and sorting of the release paper tape 7 during the operator's label pasting work.

[0043] In an undisclosed embodiment, the output shaft of the superscript drive motor 82 can also directly drive the superscript shaft 41 to achieve active rotation of the superscript shaft 41 and complete the uploading operation of the release paper tape 7.

[0044] Reference Figure 2 and Figure 4 In the embodiments of this disclosure, the drive mechanism 8 can be configured in various driving modes, including but not limited to the following:

[0045] 1. The ribbon take-up shafts 32 of multiple printing units 2 are arranged coaxially. Specifically, the ribbon take-up shafts 32 are hollow shafts, and multiple ribbon take-up shafts 32 are nested in sequence. Each ribbon take-up shaft 32 is driven by a ribbon drive motor 81. This arrangement reduces the space occupied by the ribbon module 3 in the frame 1.

[0046] 2. The ribbon recovery shafts 32 of multiple printing units 2 are set separately, and each ribbon recovery shaft 32 is driven individually by a ribbon drive motor 81;

[0047] 3. The ribbon shafts 31 of multiple printing units 2 are coaxially arranged. Specifically, the ribbon shafts 31 are hollow shafts, and multiple ribbon shafts 31 are nested in sequence.

[0048] 4. The ribbon shafts 31 of multiple printing units 2 are set separately;

[0049] 5. The release paper recycling shafts 431 of multiple printing units 2 are arranged coaxially. Specifically, the release paper recycling shafts 431 are hollow shafts, and multiple release paper recycling shafts 431 are nested in sequence. Each release paper recycling shaft 431 is driven by a superscript drive motor 82. This arrangement reduces the space occupied by the superscript module in the frame 1.

[0050] 6. The release paper recycling shafts 431 of multiple printing units 2 are set separately, and each release paper recycling shaft 431 is driven individually by a superscript drive motor 82;

[0051] 7. The superscript axes 41 of multiple printing units 2 are set as coaxial lines. Specifically, the superscript axes 41 are set as hollow axes, and multiple superscript axes 41 are nested in sequence.

[0052] 8. The superscript axis 41 of multiple printing units 2 are set separately.

[0053] The above-mentioned carbon ribbon recovery shaft 32, carbon ribbon shaft 31, release paper recovery shaft 431, and superscript shaft 41 can be arranged in any combination.

[0054] In the embodiments of this disclosure, the control mechanism is communicatively connected to the ribbon module 3, superscript module, and printhead module 5 of each printing unit 2. Specifically, the control mechanism is communicatively connected to the ribbon drive motor 81 and superscript drive motor 82 of each printing unit 2.

[0055] This embodiment also discloses a control method applied to the aforementioned label printing equipment, which includes at least three printing units 2, to... Figure 2For example, the first printing unit is the printing unit far from the rack, the second printing unit is the printing unit located in the middle, and the third printing unit is the printing unit located close to the rack. The label printing work is completed by printing unit 2 in each working plane, which is called a working mode. This control method includes at least the following working modes:

[0056] In the first printing mode, the control mechanism controls the first printing unit to perform a printing job on the first working plane;

[0057] In the second printing mode, the control mechanism controls the second printing unit to perform a printing job on the second working plane.

[0058] In the third printing mode, the control mechanism controls the third printing unit to perform printing operations on the third working plane.

[0059] Combined printing modes, where at least two of the first, second, and third printing modes operate simultaneously.

[0060] Depending on the actual work situation, more printing units can be set up. Multiple printing units can print jobs individually, or two or more can be combined for printing in a combined printing mode.

[0061] It should be understood that the various forms of processes shown above can be used to rearrange, add, or delete steps. For example, the steps described in this disclosure can be executed in parallel, sequentially, or in different orders, as long as the desired result of the technical solution disclosed in this invention can be achieved, and this is not limited herein.

[0062] Furthermore, the terms "first" and "second" are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly specifying the number of technical features indicated. Thus, a feature defined as "first" or "second" may explicitly or implicitly include at least one of that feature. Terms relating to direction, such as "first direction" and "second direction," refer to a straight line direction unless otherwise explicitly specified. In the description of this disclosure, "a plurality of" means two or more, unless otherwise explicitly specified.

[0063] The above description is merely a specific embodiment of this disclosure, but the scope of protection of this disclosure is not limited thereto. Any variations or substitutions that can be easily conceived by those skilled in the art within the scope of the technology disclosed in this disclosure should be included within the scope of protection of this disclosure. Therefore, the scope of protection of this disclosure should be determined by the scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A label printing apparatus characterized by comprising: The application relates to a label printing machine, comprising: a rack (1); a plurality of printing units (2) arranged on the rack (1) and used for printing labels at different work planes respectively; wherein the plurality of printing units (2) can be operated separately or synchronously; the printing unit (2) comprises: a carbon tape module (3) used for transmitting a carbon tape (6); a print head module (5) comprising a print cartridge (51) arranged on a running path of the carbon tape (6); a top label module used for transmitting a release paper tape (7) with labels, and comprising a guide mechanism (42) used for guiding the release paper tape (7) to pass from the lower side of the print cartridge (51); wherein the guide mechanism (42) comprises a label printing roller (421) and a release paper turning roller (422); the label printing roller (421) is arranged on the lower side of the print head module (5) and is used for cooperating with the print head module (5) to print labels; the release paper turning roller (422) is used for forming an opening on the release paper tape (7) when the release paper tape (7) passes around the release paper turning roller (422), so that the label is separated from the release paper tape (7); the print cartridge (51) can drive the carbon tape (6) to contact the label on the release paper tape (7) and complete a label printing operation.

2. The label printing apparatus according to claim 1, characterized by The carbon tape module (3) comprises a carbon tape shaft (31) and a carbon tape recovery shaft (32), the carbon tape (6) has a first winding end (61) and a first unwinding end (62), the carbon tape shaft (31) is used for coupling the first unwinding end (62), the carbon tape recovery shaft (32) is used for coupling the first winding end (61), and a driving mechanism (8) is arranged on the rack (1) and used for driving the rotation of the carbon tape recovery shaft (32).

3. The label printing apparatus according to claim 2, characterized by The driving mechanism (8) comprises a plurality of carbon tape driving motors (81), and each carbon tape recovery shaft (32) is driven by a different carbon tape driving motor (81).

4. The label printing apparatus according to claim 3, characterized by The carbon tape recovery shafts (32) of the plurality of printing units (2) are coaxially arranged.

5. The label printing apparatus according to claim 2, characterized by The carbon tape shafts (31) of the plurality of printing units (2) are coaxially arranged.

6. The label printing apparatus according to claim 2, characterized by The top label module comprises a top label shaft (41), a guide mechanism (42) and a release paper collecting mechanism (43), the release paper tape (7) has a second unwinding end (71) and a second winding end (72), the second unwinding end (71) is coupled to the top label shaft (41), and the guide mechanism (42) is used for guiding the second winding end (72) to the release paper collecting mechanism (43) after the second winding end (72) passes through a printing space.

7. The label printing apparatus according to claim 6, characterized by The release paper collecting mechanism (43) comprises a release paper recovery shaft (431), and the second winding end (72) is coupled to the release paper recovery shaft (431).

8. The label printing apparatus according to claim 7, characterized by The driving mechanism (8) further comprises a top label driving motor (82), the top label shaft (41) and the release paper recovery shaft (431) are connected by a belt, and an output shaft of the top label driving motor (82) is connected to the top label shaft (41) or the release paper recovery shaft (431) by a belt.

9. The label printing apparatus according to claim 1, characterized by The control mechanism is in communication connection with the carbon tape module (3), the superscript module and the print head module (5) of each print unit (2) respectively.

10. A control method characterized by, The method is applied to the label printing device of any one of claims 1-9, and the label printing device comprises at least three print units (2), and the method comprises at least: In the first printing mode, the control mechanism controls the first print unit to perform a printing task in a first task plane; In the second printing mode, the control mechanism controls the second print unit to perform a printing task in a second task plane; In the third printing mode, the control mechanism controls the third print unit to perform a printing task in a third task plane; In the combined printing mode, at least two of the first printing mode, the second printing mode and the third printing mode are simultaneously operated.

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