Winder and printer

Abstract

To provide a winder capable of suppressing damage of a heater arranged inside a guide member, and to provide a printer thereof.SOLUTION: The winder is provided with: a winding roller for winding a medium; a tubular winding guide member 44 that extends along a Y-axis and around which the medium before being wound around the winding roller is wound; a heater 45 that extends along the Y-axis inside the winding guide member 44 to heat the winding guide member 44; a frame 46 for supporting both ends of the winding guide member 44 and both ends of the heater 45; and a regulation member that is attachable / detachable to / from the winding guide member 44 and regulates movement of the heater 45 in a direction crossing the Y-axis. The winding guide member 44 is formed with a slit 44a reaching an inner face from an outer face. The regulation member that is inserted into the winding guide member 44 from the slit 44a regulates the movement of the heater 45.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a winding device that winds up a long medium, and a printing device that includes the winding device. [Background technology]

[0002] In a device that uses long rollers to transport a medium to be printed on, etc., a configuration is known in which the medium is heated by a long heater built into the roller while being transported in order to prevent the occurrence of wrinkles, etc. (see, for example, Patent Document 1). If such a heater is supported inside the roller, the temperature of the roller will become uneven due to heat transfer from there, so the heater is usually supported by a frame or the like at both ends of the roller. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2018-134792 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, in a configuration in which the heater extending inside the roller is supported only at both ends in the extension direction, the heater is prone to moving in the radial direction of the roller in the center of the extension direction, and therefore, if the device is subjected to an impact during transportation or installation, the heater may collide with the inner surface of the roller and be damaged. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] The winding device comprises a winding section that winds up a medium, a tubular guide member that extends along a first direction and around which the medium is wound before being wound onto the winding section, a heater that extends along the first direction inside the guide member and heats the guide member, a frame that supports both ends of the guide member and both ends of the heater, and a regulating member that is detachable from the guide member and regulates movement of the heater in a direction intersecting the first direction, wherein the guide member has a hole formed therein that extends from the outer surface to the inner surface, and the regulating member is inserted into the guide member through the hole to regulate movement of the heater.

[0006] The printing device comprises a printing unit that prints on a long medium, a winding unit that winds up the medium that has been printed by the printing unit, a tubular guide member that extends along a first direction and around which the medium is wound before being wound onto the winding unit, a heater that extends along the first direction inside the guide member and heats the guide member, a frame that supports both ends of the guide member and both ends of the heater, and a regulating member that is detachable from the guide member and regulates movement of the heater in a direction intersecting the first direction, wherein the guide member has a hole formed therein that extends from the outer surface to the inner surface, and the regulating member is inserted into the guide member through the hole to regulate movement of the heater. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0007] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a configuration of a printer. [Diagram 2] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a printer. [Diagram 3] FIG. 4 is a plan view of the winding guide member as viewed from the -Z side. [Figure 4] FIG. [Diagram 5] FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. 13 is a perspective view showing a state in which two regulating members are stacked on top of each other. [Figure 7A] 13 is a perspective view showing a state in which the two regulating members have begun to be inserted into the take-up guide member. FIG. [Figure 7B] FIG. 13 is a front view showing a state in which the two regulating members have begun to be inserted into the take-up guide member. [Figure 8A] FIG. 13 is a perspective view showing a state in which the two regulating members have been completely inserted into the take-up guide member. [Figure 8B] FIG. 13 is a front view showing a state in which the two regulating members have been completely inserted into the take-up guide member. [Figure 9A] 13 is a perspective view showing a state in which the two regulating members inserted into the winding guide member are rotated. FIG. [Figure 9B] FIG. 13 is a front view showing a state in which the two regulating members inserted into the winding guide member are rotated. [Figure 10] FIG. 4 is a front view showing a state in which two regulating members are fixed. [Figure 11] FIG. 13 is a perspective view showing a state in which two restricting members according to a modified example are stacked on top of each other. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0008] The printer 10 of this embodiment will be described below. FIG. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the configuration of a printer 10. As shown in Fig. 1, the printer 10 is an inkjet printer that prints by ejecting liquid ink onto a medium M. The printer 10 includes a printing unit 20 that prints on the long medium M, a supply unit 30 that sends the medium M to the printing unit 20, and a winding unit 40 that winds up the medium M after printing. The printer 10 corresponds to a printing device, and the printing unit 20 corresponds to a printing section. The winding unit 40 corresponds to a winding device.

[0009] 1 shows an X-axis, a Y-axis, and a Z-axis which are orthogonal to one another. The X-axis is parallel to the installation surface of the printer 10 and corresponds to the width direction of the printer 10. The Y-axis is parallel to the installation surface of the printer 10 and corresponds to the depth direction of the printer 10 and the width direction of the medium M. The Z-axis is perpendicular to the installation surface of the printer 10 and corresponds to the height direction of the printer 10.

[0010] Hereinafter, the +X direction parallel to the X axis is the direction from the supply unit 30 to the winding unit 40. In the case of FIG. 1, the +X direction is the direction toward the left in the figure. The -X direction parallel to the X axis is the opposite direction to the +X direction. The +Y direction parallel to the Y axis is the direction from the back of the printer 10 toward the front when the winding unit 40 is disposed to the left of the supply unit 30. In the case of FIG. 1, the +Y direction is the direction toward the front in the figure. The -Y direction parallel to the Y axis is the opposite direction to the +Y direction. The +Z direction parallel to the Z axis is the direction toward the top from the installation surface of the printer 10. In the case of FIG. 1, the +Z direction is the direction toward the top in the figure. The -Z direction parallel to the Z axis is the opposite direction to the +Z direction. The +Y direction corresponds to the first direction. In other words, being along the Y axis is synonymous with being along the first direction, and intersecting the Y axis is synonymous with intersecting the first direction.

[0011] The printing unit 20 includes a supply guide frame 21 , a transport roller pair 22 , a platen 23 , a print head 24 , a carriage 25 , a transport roller drive mechanism 28 , a discharge guide frame 29 , and a control unit 50 .

[0012] Supply guide frame 21 guides medium M sent out from supply unit 30 to transport roller pair 22. Supply guide frame 21 guides medium M in an oblique direction having a +X component and a +Z component. Supply guide frame 21 may be composed of one member, or may be composed of multiple members.

[0013] The transport roller pair 22 has a first transport roller 22a and a second transport roller 22b, and transports the medium M. The first transport roller 22a is disposed in the -Z direction with respect to the medium M, and the second transport roller 22b is disposed in the +Z direction with respect to the medium M. The first transport roller 22a or the second transport roller 22b is driven to rotate by a driving force from a transport roller drive mechanism 28. The first transport roller 22a and the second transport roller 22b are pressed against each other to sandwich the medium M, and the rotational drive of one of the rollers transports the medium M in the +X direction where the print head 24 is located.

[0014] The platen 23 is provided at a position in the -Z direction relative to the print head 24. The platen 23 is a flat member that supports the medium M transported by the transport roller pair 22. A suction fan may be provided at a position in the -Z direction relative to the platen 23. In this case, the platen 23 is provided with a through hole that allows airflow to pass through, and the medium M is attracted to the platen 23 by the airflow of the suction fan.

[0015] The print head 24 forms an image, i.e., prints, on the medium M supported by the platen 23. The print head 24 in this embodiment is an inkjet head in which a plurality of nozzles are formed. The print head 24 forms an image on the medium M by ejecting ink from the nozzles onto the medium M based on a drive signal output from a print head drive mechanism 61 (see FIG. 2).

[0016] The carriage 25 supports the print head 24. The carriage 25 is capable of reciprocating movement along the Y axis by being driven by a carriage drive mechanism 62 (see FIG. 2). While the carriage 25 moves over the medium M along the Y axis, the print head 24 ejects ink onto the medium M, thereby forming an image along the Y axis. Then, by alternately repeating this operation and an operation of transporting the medium M by a predetermined amount in the +X direction, an image is formed over a wide area of ​​the medium M.

[0017] The discharge guide frame 29 guides the medium M, on which printing has been performed by the print head 24, to the winding unit 40. The discharge guide frame 29 guides the medium M in an oblique direction having a +X component and a -Z component. The discharge guide frame 29 may be composed of a single member, or may be composed of multiple members.

[0018] A drying unit may be provided at a position facing the discharge guide frame 29 across the medium M. The drying unit heats the medium M on the discharge guide frame 29 to promote fixation of the ejected ink on the medium M.

[0019] The control unit 50 performs various controls such as transport control of the medium M and printing control on the medium M. For example, the control unit 50 acquires print data from an external computer (not shown) and executes printing based on the acquired print data. The control unit 50 may be composed of multiple units. Details of the control unit 50 will be described later.

[0020] The supply unit 30 includes a supply roller 31, a supply roller drive mechanism 32, a supply guide member 33, and a supply bar member 34. The supply unit 30 is fitted with a medium roll 60 on which a long medium M is wound in a roll shape.

[0021] The supply roller 31 extends along the Y axis and supports the medium roll 60. The supply roller 31 is rotatable about an axis of rotation along the Y axis, and rotates clockwise when viewed from the side in Fig. 1 to pay out the medium M from the medium roll 60 towards the printing unit 20. The supply roller 31 is rotatably supported by frames or the like (not shown) that are disposed at the end of the supply unit 30 in the +Y direction and the end in the -Y direction.

[0022] The supply roller drive mechanism 32 rotates the supply roller 31 under the control of the control unit 50. The supply roller drive mechanism 32 includes a drive source such as a motor (not shown), a transmission mechanism that transmits the drive force from the drive source, and a control circuit that operates the drive source based on a control signal from the control unit 50.

[0023] The supply guide member 33 is disposed in the +X direction of the supply roller 31, and extends along the Y axis, similar to the supply roller 31. The medium M unwound from the supply roller 31 is wound around the supply guide member 33. The supply guide member 33 guides the wound medium M in an oblique direction having a +X component and a -Z component. The supply guide member 33 comes into contact with the medium M directly or via a cover member (not shown). The supply guide member 33 is, for example, a cylindrical member. The supply guide member 33 is rotatably supported by a frame (not shown) or the like of the supply unit 30, and rotates in response to the transport of the medium M.

[0024] The supply bar member 34 is disposed in the +X direction of the supply guide member 33, and extends along the Y axis, similar to the supply roller 31. The medium M, which is guided and transported by the supply guide member 33, is wound around the supply bar member 34, and tension is applied to the medium M. The supply bar member 34 guides the wound medium M in an oblique direction having a +X component and a +Z component so that the wound medium M is transported to the transport roller pair 22 via the supply guide frame 21. The supply bar member 34 contacts the medium M directly or via a cover member (not shown). The supply bar member 34 can be swung in the ±Z direction by the drive of the supply bar drive mechanism 35 (see FIG. 2), and the tension applied to the medium M is adjusted by the swinging of the supply bar member 34. The shape of the supply bar member 34 is not important as long as it is possible to apply tension to the medium M, but it is preferable that the shape is cylindrical.

[0025] The winding unit 40 includes a winding roller 41, a winding roller drive mechanism 42, a winding bar member 43, a winding guide member 44, a heater 45, a frame 46 (see FIG. 3), and a regulating member 80 (see FIG. 4). The winding unit 40 winds up the medium M transported from the printing unit 20, i.e., the medium M on which printing has been performed by the printing unit 20.

[0026] The winding roller 41 is a cylindrical roller extending along the Y axis, and winds the printed medium M being conveyed onto the roll core 71 attached to the winding roller 41. That is, the winding roller 41 can rotate around a rotation axis along the Y axis, and rotates clockwise in the side view of FIG. 1 to wind the medium M printed by the printing unit 20 onto the roll core 71. The medium M wound onto the roll core 71 becomes a roll-shaped print medium roll 70, and as the winding proceeds, the roll diameter, i.e., the diameter, of the print medium roll 70 increases. The print medium roll 70 shown by the dashed line in FIG. 1 shows a state in which the entire medium M is wound up. The winding roller 41 is rotatably supported by a frame 46 disposed at the end of the winding unit 40 in the +Y direction and the end of the winding unit 40 in the -Y direction. Note that the configuration is not limited to one in which the medium M is wound onto the roll core 71, and the medium M may be directly wound onto the winding roller 41. The winding roller 41 is an example of a winding section.

[0027] The winding roller drive mechanism 42 rotates the winding roller 41 based on the control of the control unit 50. The winding roller drive mechanism 42 includes a drive source such as a motor (not shown), a transmission mechanism that transmits driving force from the drive source, and a control circuit that operates the drive source based on a control signal from the control unit 50. The winding roller drive mechanism 42 rotates the winding roller 41, causing the winding roller 41 to wind up the medium M.

[0028] The winding bar member 43 is disposed in the -X direction of the winding roller 41, and extends along the Y axis, similar to the winding roller 41. The medium M printed by the print head 24 is wound around the winding bar member 43, and tension is applied to the medium M. The winding bar member 43 guides the wound medium M toward the winding guide member 44 in an oblique direction having a +X component and a +Z component. The winding bar member 43 contacts the printed surface of the medium M directly or via a cover member (not shown). The winding bar member 43 can be swung in the ±Z directions by the drive of the winding bar drive mechanism 47 (see FIG. 2), and the tension applied to the medium M is adjusted by the swinging of the winding bar member 43. The shape of the winding bar member 43 is not important as long as it is possible to apply tension to the medium M, but it is preferable that the shape is cylindrical.

[0029] The winding guide member 44 is disposed in the +X direction of the winding bar member 43 and in the -X direction of the winding roller 41. That is, the winding guide member 44 is disposed between the winding bar member 43 and the winding roller 41 in the ±X direction. The winding guide member 44 is a cylindrical member formed using a metal material such as aluminum or SUS, and extends along the Y axis. The medium M that passes through the winding bar member 43 and is not yet wound by the winding roller 41 is wound around the winding guide member 44. The winding guide member 44 guides the wound medium M in an oblique direction having a +X component and a -Z component toward the winding roller 41. The winding guide member 44 comes into contact with the back surface of the medium M, i.e., the surface opposite the printing surface. Both ends of the winding guide member 44 in the ±Y direction are supported by a frame 46. The take-up guide member 44 of the present embodiment is non-rotatable, and the medium M wound around the take-up guide member 44 is transported so as to slide along the outer surface of the take-up guide member 44. The take-up guide member 44 is an example of a guide member.

[0030] The heater 45 is disposed inside the cylindrical winding guide member 44. The heater 45 is cylindrical with a diameter smaller than the inner diameter of the winding guide member 44, and extends along the Y axis inside the winding guide member 44. Both ends of the heater 45 in the ±Y direction are supported by a frame 46. The heater 45 generates heat under the control of a heater control device 48 (see FIG. 2) and heats the winding guide member 44. This heats the medium M wound around the winding guide member 44, thereby preventing wrinkles from occurring in the medium M when it is wound around the winding roller 41.

[0031] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the printer 10. 2, the control unit 50 includes a control unit 51, a storage unit 52, an interface unit 53, an operation unit 54, and a notification unit 55. The storage unit 52 and the interface unit 53 are connected to the control unit 51.

[0032] The control unit 51 has a processor such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit). The control unit 51 operates according to a control program (not shown) stored in the storage unit 52 to control various operations of the printer 10.

[0033] The storage unit 52 includes a semiconductor memory such as a Read Only Memory (ROM) or a Random Access Memory (RAM), or a storage such as a Hard Disk Drive (HDD) or a Solid State Drive (SSD). The storage unit 52 stores various information in addition to the above-mentioned control programs.

[0034] The interface unit 53 is connected to each of the drive mechanisms and the like provided in the printer 10. Specifically, the transport roller drive mechanism 28, print head drive mechanism 61, and carriage drive mechanism 62 of the printing unit 20 are connected to the interface unit 53. The interface unit 53 is also connected to the supply roller drive mechanism 32 and supply bar drive mechanism 35 of the supply unit 30, and further connected to the winding roller drive mechanism 42, winding bar drive mechanism 47, and heater control device 48 of the winding unit 40. The control unit 51 transmits control signals to each of these components via the interface unit 53, and controls the operation of each component.

[0035] The interface unit 53 is connected to an operation unit 54 and a notification unit 55. The operation unit 54 is configured with an operation button or the like, and receives an input operation performed by a user and transmits information corresponding to the input operation to the control unit 51. The notification unit 55 is configured with a display device such as a liquid crystal display or an organic EL (Electro Luminescence) display, and notifies information based on the control of the control unit 51 by characters or images. The operation unit 54 may be configured integrally with the display device of the notification unit 55, such as a touch panel. The notification unit 55 may be configured with a sound generating device instead of a display device. In this case, the notification unit 55 notifies information based on the control of the control unit 51 by sound. The notification unit 55 may be configured with a communication device. In this case, the notification unit 55 transmits information based on the control of the control unit 51 to a terminal device or the like held by the user.

[0036] In addition, the control unit 50 is not limited to being provided in the printing unit 20, but may be provided in the supply unit 30 or the winding unit 40, or may be configured independent of the printing unit 20, the supply unit 30, and the winding unit 40.

[0037] Next, how the heater 45 is held by the winding guide member 44 will be described. FIG. 3 is a plan view of the take-up guide member 44 as viewed from the -Z side. As described above, the winding guide member 44 is a cylindrical member extending along the Y axis, and the long heater 45 extends along the Y axis inside the winding guide member 44. Both ends of the winding guide member 44 in the ±Y direction and both ends of the heater 45 in the ±Y direction are supported by the frame 46 of the winding unit 40.

[0038] A long and narrow slit 44a is formed along the X-axis on the lower surface facing the -Z direction at the center of the winding guide member 44 in the ±Y direction. The length of the slit 44a, i.e., the dimension of the slit 44a in the ±X direction, is L1, and the width of the slit 44a, i.e., the dimension of the slit 44a in the ±Y direction, is W1. The slit 44a is a hole that extends from the outer surface to the inner surface of the winding guide member 44, and communicates the outside and the inside of the winding guide member 44. When the winding unit 40 is transported or installed, a regulating member 80 (see FIG. 4) that is detachable from the winding guide member 44 is inserted through the slit 44a so that the heater 45 does not collide with the inner surface of the winding guide member 44 due to an impact or the like. The heater 45 is held by the regulating member 80, thereby regulating the heater 45 from moving in a direction perpendicular to the extension direction. In this manner, the regulating member 80 is inserted into the inside of the winding guide member 44 through the slit 44a, and regulates the movement of the heater 45 in a direction intersecting with the Y axis.

[0039] FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing the regulating member 80, and FIG. 5 is a front view showing the regulating member 80. As shown in FIG. The regulating member 80 is formed of a plate-like member obtained by foaming a resin material such as polypropylene. The regulating member 80 has a base portion 81 that is inserted into the inside of the take-up guide member 44 through the slit 44a, and a knob portion 82 that is connected to the base portion 81. The knob portion 82 is a portion that protrudes to the outside of the take-up guide member 44 when the regulating member 80 is inserted into the take-up guide member 44.

[0040] In FIG. 4 and FIG. 5, the u-axis, v-axis, and w-axis are shown as coordinate axes for explaining the shape of the regulating member 80, which are perpendicular to each other. In FIG. 5, the +u direction parallel to the u-axis is the direction toward the left of the figure. The -u direction parallel to the u-axis is the opposite direction to the +u direction. The +v direction parallel to the v-axis is the direction toward the front of the figure. The -v direction parallel to the v-axis is the opposite direction to the +v direction. The +w direction parallel to the w-axis is the direction toward the top of the figure. The -w direction parallel to the w-axis is the opposite direction to the +w direction. The +w direction is an example of a second direction. The v-axis is an axis corresponding to the thickness direction of the regulating member 80, and FIG. 5 is a front view seen from the +v side. Hereinafter, the +v side surface of the regulating member 80 is also referred to as the first surface 80s1, and the opposite surface, the -v side surface, is also referred to as the second surface 80s2.

[0041] The base 81 has an elongated shape extending along the ±w direction as a whole. The width of the base 81, i.e., the dimension U1 of the base 81 in the ±u direction, is slightly smaller than the length of the slit 44a, i.e., the dimension L1 of the slit 44a in the ±X direction. In other words, the width of the base 81 is set to a size that allows it to be inserted into the slit 44a.

[0042] The base 81 has a first protrusion 81a protruding in the +w direction and a second protrusion 81b protruding in the +w direction. When the center of the base 81 is a reference point P, the first protrusion 81a is disposed in the +u direction of the reference point P, and the second protrusion 81b is disposed in the -u direction of the reference point P. In the ±w direction, the second protrusion 81b is shorter than the first protrusion 81a. Between the first protrusion 81a and the second protrusion 81b, a recess 81c that opens in the +w direction is formed. The shape of the recess 81c is an arc with a radius R1 centered on the reference point P. The radius R1 of the recess 81c is slightly larger than the radius of the cross section of the heater 45. When the base 81 is inserted into the winding guide member 44, the heater 45 abuts against the recess 81c and is covered on three sides by the first protrusion 81a, the second protrusion 81b, and the recess 81c. In other words, the reference point P corresponds to the center of the cross section of the heater 45 when the base 81 is inserted into the winding guide member 44. The first protrusion 81a and the second protrusion 81b are arranged to sandwich the heater 45 when the base 81 is inserted into the winding guide member 44.

[0043] The end of the base 81 in the +w direction, i.e., the end of the first protrusion 81a in the +w direction, is formed in an arc shape with a radius R2 centered on the reference point P. The end of the base 81 in the -w direction is also formed in an arc shape with a radius R2 centered on the reference point P. Here, R2 is slightly smaller than half the inner diameter of the take-up guide member 44. In other words, the size of the base 81 is set to be able to fit inside the take-up guide member 44.

[0044] 5, if the clockwise rotation direction around reference point P is defined as the +a direction and the counterclockwise rotation direction, i.e., the opposite direction to the +a direction, is defined as the -a direction, knob portion 82 is the -w direction end of base portion 81 and is connected to the -a direction end. The +a direction is an example of the third direction.

[0045] When viewed from reference point P, knob portion 82 protrudes in the +b direction intersecting with the ±w directions. The +b direction is rotated an acute angle θ in the -a direction with respect to the -w direction. In other words, the angle between the -w direction and the +b direction is θ. Base 81 is the -b direction end of knob portion 82, and is connected to the +a direction end. The +b direction is an example of a fourth direction.

[0046] The -b-direction end of knob portion 82 is formed into an arc shape with a radius R3 and a center at reference point P. The +b-direction end of knob portion 82 is formed into an arc shape with a radius R4 and a center at reference point P. In other words, the length of knob portion 82 in the ±b directions is R4-R3. Here, R3 is slightly larger than half the outer diameter of take-up guide member 44. For this reason, when base portion 81 is inserted inside take-up guide member 44, knob portion 82 is located outside take-up guide member 44.

[0047] In this embodiment, when the movement of the heater 45 needs to be restricted during transportation of the winding unit 40, two restricting members 80 having the above-described shape are attached to the winding guide member 44 in a stacked state.

[0048] 6 is a perspective view showing two regulating members 80 stacked on top of each other. Hereinafter, when distinguishing between the two regulating members 80, one regulating member 80 will also be referred to as a first regulating member 80A, and the other regulating member 80 will also be referred to as a second regulating member 80B. That is, the winding unit 40 of this embodiment includes, as the regulating members 80 for regulating the movement of the heater 45, a first regulating member 80A and a second regulating member 80B having the same shape.

[0049] 6, the two regulating members 80 are overlapped with their second surfaces 80s2 facing each other, and further, with the extending directions of their bases 81 aligned, they are inserted into the inside of the winding guide member 44 through the slit 44a. Note that the width of the slit 44a, i.e., the dimension W1 of the slit 44a in the ±Y directions, is slightly larger than the thickness of two regulating members 80, allowing insertion of two regulating members 80 stacked on top of each other.

[0050] The two restricting members 80 are overlapped with their second surfaces 80s2 facing each other, so that when viewed from the ±Y direction, the first protruding portion 81a of the first restricting member 80A overlaps with the second protruding portion 81b of the second restricting member 80B, and the second protruding portion 81b of the first restricting member 80A overlaps with the first protruding portion 81a of the second restricting member 80B. In addition, when the orientations of the bases 81 are aligned, the extension directions of the knob portions 82 do not match. In other words, the knob portions 82 are spaced apart from each other.

[0051] FIG. 7A is a perspective view showing a state where two regulating members 80 have just started to be inserted into the slits 44a of the winding guide member 44, and FIG. 7B is a front view showing this state. FIG. 8A is a perspective view showing a state where two regulating members 80 have completely been inserted into the slits 44a of the winding guide member 44, and FIG. 8B is a front view showing this state. FIG. 9A is a perspective view showing a state where the two regulating members 80 inserted into the winding guide member 44 have rotated, and FIG. 9B is a front view showing this state. Note that FIGS. 7A, 8A, and 9A show a state where the winding guide member 44 and the heater 45 are cut off near the slits 44a so that the regulating members 80 can be seen.

[0052] 7A and 7B, the two regulating members 80 are inserted in the +Z direction from the slit 44a with their +w directions aligned with the +Z direction, their u axes parallel to the X axis, and their v axes parallel to the Y axis. When the two regulating members 80 are then further inserted in the +Z direction, each regulating member 80 sandwiches the heater 45 between its first protrusion 81a and second protrusion 81b.

[0053] 8A and 8B, when the entire base 81 of each regulating member 80 is inserted into the inside of the take-up guide member 44, the heater 45 comes into contact with the recessed portion 81c of each regulating member 80. Then, the +w-direction end of each regulating member 80, i.e., the +w-direction end of the first protrusion 81a, comes into contact with the inner surface of the take-up guide member 44.

[0054] In addition, in a state where the entire base 81 is inserted inside the winding guide member 44, each of the regulating members 80 can rotate in the +a direction around the heater 45 as an axis. Specifically, the two regulating members 80 are rotated in the +a direction by the user by an angle θ. The rotation angle θ is the same as the angle between the -w direction and the +b direction. Here, since the second surfaces 80s2 of the two regulating members 80 face each other, the +a directions of the two regulating members 80 are opposite to each other when viewed from the same direction. For example, when viewed from the +Y side as in FIG. 8B, the first regulating member 80A located on the near side is rotated clockwise by an angle θ, and the second regulating member 80B located on the far side is rotated counterclockwise by an angle θ. In this way, the first regulating member 80A and the second regulating member 80B are rotated in opposite directions to each other around the heater 45 as an axis.

[0055] 9A and 9B, when the two regulating members 80 rotate by angle θ in the +a direction, the +w direction end of the base 81 moves in the circumferential direction while abutting against the inner surface of the winding guide member 44. Accordingly, the -w direction end of the base 81 also moves in the circumferential direction. The -w direction end then abuts against a portion of the inner surface of the winding guide member 44 where the slit 44a is not formed. In other words, when the regulating members 80 rotate by angle θ in the +a direction, both the +w direction end and the -w direction end of the base 81 abut against the inner surface of the winding guide member 44.

[0056] Furthermore, in a state where the two regulating members 80 are simply inserted in the +Z direction, the +Z direction of the heater 45 is open, and therefore the heater 45 can move in the +Z direction. In contrast, by rotating the two regulating members 80 in opposite directions, the heater 45 is surrounded by the two first protrusions 81a and the two second protrusions 81b, and cannot move in either direction. In other words, the heater 45 is held by the two bases 81 abutting against the inner surface of the winding guide member 44, and thus the movement of the heater 45 in a direction perpendicular to the extension direction is restricted.

[0057] Furthermore, because the knob portions 82 are inclined by the angle θ in the -a direction with respect to the -w direction, by rotating each regulating member 80 by the angle θ in the +a direction, both knob portions 82 face the -Z direction. In other words, the two knob portions 82 that were separated before rotation approach each other as they rotate in the +a direction, and after rotation, they overlap so that their second surfaces 80s2 face each other.

[0058] FIG. 10 is a front view showing a state in which the two restricting members 80 are fixed. As shown in FIG. 10, in a state where the gripping portions 82 of the two regulating members 80 overlap each other, the two gripping portions 82 are fixed by an adhesive tape 85. That is, in a state where the first regulating member 80A and the second regulating member 80B rotate in opposite directions around the heater 45, the adhesive tape 85 fixes the gripping portions 82 to each other. This fixes the posture of the two regulating members 80, and also restricts the rotation of the regulating members 80. In this state, both the end portion in the +w direction and the end portion in the -w direction of the base 81 are in contact with the inner surface of the winding guide member 44, so that the regulating member 80 does not fall off the winding guide member 44 due to its own weight or the like. The adhesive tape 85 is an example of a fixing portion.

[0059] As described above, when the winding unit 40 is transported or installed, the two regulating members 80 are inserted through the slits 44a of the winding guide member 44, and the heater 45 is held by the regulating members 80. After the winding unit 40 is installed, the adhesive tape 85 is removed from the regulating members 80. The two regulating members 80 are then rotated in the -a direction around the heater 45 as an axis, so that they are in the state shown in Figs. 8A and 8B, that is, in which their +w and +Z directions are aligned, and then they are pulled out in the -Z direction. The winding unit 40 is then used in a state in which the heater 45 is not held by the regulating members 80.

[0060] As described above, the winding unit 40 and printer 10 of this embodiment have the following advantages.

[0061] According to this embodiment, the movement of the heater 45 in a direction intersecting the extension direction of the heater 45 is restricted by the restricting member 80, so that it is possible to prevent the heater 45 from colliding with the inner surface of the winding guide member 44 and causing damage to the heater 45. In addition, since the restricting member 80 is detachable, it is possible to remove the restricting member 80 when using the winding unit 40. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the temperature distribution of the winding guide member 44 from becoming uneven due to heat transfer via the restricting member 80.

[0062] Furthermore, according to this embodiment, when the regulating member 80 inserted inside the take-up guide member 44 is rotated, the base 81 abuts against the inner surface of the take-up guide member 44 at both ends in the +w direction and the -w direction. This makes it possible to stabilize the regulating member 80 inside the take-up guide member 44, and more reliably regulate the movement of the heater 45.

[0063] Furthermore, according to this embodiment, when the base 81 is inserted inside the winding guide member 44, the heater 45 is sandwiched between the first protrusion 81a and the second protrusion 81b, thereby more reliably restricting the movement of the heater 45.

[0064] Furthermore, according to this embodiment, since the second protrusion 81b is shorter than the first protrusion 81a, when the restricting member 80 is inserted into the take-up guide member 44, the heater 45 can be inserted while being in contact with the inside of the first protrusion 81a, i.e., the -u side of the first protrusion 81a. This makes it easy to position the heater 45 between the first protrusion 81a and the second protrusion 81b.

[0065] Furthermore, according to this embodiment, the slit 44a for inserting the regulating member 80 is formed in the center in the ±Y direction of the take-up guide member 44. That is, the regulating member 80 regulates the movement of the heater 45 at the center in the extension direction of the heater 45, i.e., at the position where the amount of movement in the direction intersecting the extension direction is maximum, so that the movement of the heater 45 can be effectively suppressed.

[0066] Furthermore, according to this embodiment, the movement of the heater 45 is restricted by the two restricting members 80 that rotate in opposite directions, so that the movement of the heater 45 can be restricted more reliably.

[0067] Furthermore, according to this embodiment, since the knob portions 82 are fixed to each other with the adhesive tape 85, the state in which the two regulating members 80 are rotated in the opposite directions to each other can be easily maintained.

[0068] According to this embodiment, the knob portion 82 is an end portion of the base portion 81 in the -w direction, is connected to an end portion in the -a direction, and protrudes in the +b direction intersecting with the ±w direction. Therefore, when the two regulating members 80 inserted into the take-up guide member 44 with the second surfaces 80s2 facing each other are rotated in the +a direction, the knob portions 82 approach each other. As a result, it becomes easy to fix the knob portions 82 to each other with the adhesive tape 85.

[0069] Furthermore, according to this embodiment, the angle θ between the -w direction and the +b direction is the same as the angle at which the regulating member 80 is rotated in the +a direction. Therefore, when the two regulating members 80 inserted into the take-up guide member 44 with the second surfaces 80s2 facing each other are rotated in the +a direction, the knob portions 82 overlap each other. As a result, it becomes easier to fix the knob portions 82 to each other with the adhesive tape 85.

[0070] The above embodiments may be modified as follows.

[0071] In the above embodiment, after the two regulating members 80 are attached to the take-up guide member 44, the two regulating members 80 are fixed with the adhesive tape 85, but the fixing portion that fixes the two regulating members 80 is not limited to the adhesive tape 85. For example, the two regulating members 80 may be fixed with a fixing portion formed of a metal material, a resin material, or the like.

[0072] Alternatively, a convex portion protruding in the -v direction may be provided on the second surface 80s2 of the knob portion 82 of one of the regulating members 80, and a concave portion or hole recessed in the +v direction may be provided on the second surface 80s2 of the knob portion 82 of the other regulating member 80. If the convex portion and the concave portion or hole are fitted together when the two regulating members 80 rotate in opposite directions and the knob portions 82 overlap each other, it becomes possible to fix the two regulating members 80 together without preparing a member just for fixing the two regulating members 80 together.

[0073] 11, a configuration may be used in which a convex portion 86 and a hole portion 87 are arranged side by side along the ±a direction on the second surface 80s2 of the knob portion 82 of each of the regulating members 80. Then, when the knob portions 82 are overlapped with each other, the two sets of the convex portions 86 and the hole portion 87 may be fitted together. With this configuration, it is not necessary to prepare a member only for fixing, and it is possible to use members of the same shape as the two regulating members 80. In this configuration, the convex portion 86 and the hole portion 87 correspond to the fixing portion. Also, instead of forming the hole portion 87, a recess recessed in the +v direction may be formed on the second surface 80s2.

[0074] In the above embodiment, the two regulating members 80 are overlapped and simultaneously inserted through the slits 44a. However, the two regulating members 80 may be inserted through the slits 44a separately at different times.

[0075] In the above embodiment, the movement of the heater 45 is restricted by two restricting members 80, but the number of restricting members 80 is not limited to two, and may be one, or three or more. In a configuration using a plurality of restricting members 80, the number of slits 44a is not limited to one. For example, a configuration may be adopted in which a plurality of slits 44a are formed in the winding guide member 44 along the ±Y directions, and one restricting member 80 is inserted into each slit 44a. In addition, a plurality of slits 44a into which a plurality of restricting members 80 can be inserted may be formed.

[0076] In the above embodiment, the restricting member 80 is formed of a plate-shaped member formed by foaming a resin material such as polypropylene, but the material of the restricting member 80 is not limited to this. For example, the restricting member 80 may be formed of another resin material or a metal material. However, it is preferable to use a material having elasticity in order to reduce impact on the heater 45.

[0077] In the above embodiment, the two regulating members 80 are inserted into the take-up guide member 44 with their second surfaces 80s2 facing each other, but the two regulating members 80 may be inserted into the take-up guide member 44 with their first surfaces 80s1 facing each other. In other words, it is sufficient that the same surfaces face each other.

[0078] In the above embodiment, both ends of the winding guide member 44 and both ends of the heater 45 are supported by the frame 46, but this is not limited to a configuration in which they are directly supported by the frame 46, and they may be supported by the frame 46 via other members.

[0079] In the above embodiment, the winding roller 41 is cylindrical, but as long as it is possible to support and rotate the roll core 71, it does not have to be cylindrical.

[0080] In the above embodiment, tension is applied to the medium M by the supply bar member 34 and the take-up bar member 43, but the present invention is not limited to this configuration. For example, tension may be applied to the medium M by pressing the medium M with a member that makes line contact or point contact.

[0081] In the above embodiment, the printer 10 is a device that prints on a medium M, and may be a serial printer, a lateral printer, a line printer, a page printer, etc. The printing method is not limited to the inkjet type, and may be a thermal type, a dot impact type, a laser type, etc.

[0082] The following describes what can be derived from the embodiments.

[0083] The winding device comprises a winding section that winds up a medium, a tubular guide member that extends along a first direction and around which the medium is wound before being wound onto the winding section, a heater that extends along the first direction inside the guide member and heats the guide member, a frame that supports both ends of the guide member and both ends of the heater, and a regulating member that is detachable from the guide member and regulates movement of the heater in a direction intersecting the first direction, wherein the guide member has a hole formed therein that extends from the outer surface to the inner surface, and the regulating member is inserted into the guide member through the hole to regulate movement of the heater.

[0084] According to this configuration, the movement of the heater in a direction intersecting the extension direction of the heater is restricted by the restricting member, so that the heater can be prevented from colliding with the inner surface of the guide member and being damaged. In addition, since the restricting member is detachable, the restricting member can be removed when using the winding device. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the temperature distribution of the guide member from becoming uneven due to heat transfer through the restricting member.

[0085] In the above winding device, it is desirable that the regulating member has a base that extends along the second direction and is inserted into the guide member, and a knob portion that protrudes outside the guide member, and when the base is inserted into the guide member, the regulating member is rotatable in a third direction around the heater as an axis, and when the regulating member is rotated in the third direction, the base abuts against the inner surface of the guide member at both the end in the second direction and the end in the opposite direction to the second direction.

[0086] According to this configuration, when the restricting member inserted inside the guide member is rotated, the base abuts against the inner surface of the guide member at both ends in the second direction and the opposite direction, which makes it possible to stabilize the restricting member inside the guide member and more reliably restrict the movement of the heater.

[0087] In the above winding device, it is desirable that the base has a first protrusion and a second protrusion protruding in the second direction, and that the first protrusion and the second protrusion are arranged to sandwich the heater when the base is inserted inside the guide member.

[0088] According to this configuration, when the base portion is inserted inside the guide member, the heater is sandwiched between the first protruding portion and the second protruding portion, so that movement of the heater can be more reliably restricted.

[0089] In the winding device described above, it is preferable that the second protrusion is shorter than the first protrusion.

[0090] According to this configuration, since the second protrusion is shorter than the first protrusion, when the restricting member is inserted into the guide member, the heater can be inserted while being in contact with the inside of the first protrusion, which makes it easy to position the heater between the first protrusion and the second protrusion.

[0091] In the winding device, it is preferable that the hole is formed in the center of the guide member in the first direction.

[0092] According to this configuration, the regulating member regulates the movement of the heater at the center of the guide member in the first direction, i.e., at the position where the amount of movement in the direction intersecting the first direction is maximum, thereby effectively suppressing the movement of the heater.

[0093] In the above winding device, it is preferable that the regulating members include a first regulating member and a second regulating member having the same shape, the first regulating member and the second regulating member are inserted into the inside of the guide member from the hole portion with the same surfaces facing each other, and are rotated in opposite directions around the heater as an axis.

[0094] According to this configuration, the movement of the heater is restricted by two restricting members that rotate in opposite directions, so that the movement of the heater can be restricted more reliably.

[0095] In the winding device described above, it is preferable to further include a fixing portion that fixes the knob portions to each other in a state in which the first regulating member and the second regulating member rotate in opposite directions about the heater as an axis.

[0096] According to this configuration, since the knob portions are fixed to each other by the fixing portion, the state in which the two regulating members are rotated in the opposite directions to each other can be easily maintained.

[0097] In the above winding device, it is desirable that the knob portion is an end portion of the base portion opposite the second direction, connected to an end portion opposite the third direction, and protrudes in a fourth direction intersecting the second direction.

[0098] According to this configuration, the knob portion is an end portion of the base portion opposite the second direction, is connected to an end portion of the base portion opposite the third direction, and protrudes in a fourth direction intersecting the second direction. Therefore, when the two regulating members inserted into the guide member with the same faces facing each other are rotated in the third direction, the knob portions approach each other. As a result, it becomes easy to fix the knob portions to each other by the fixing portion.

[0099] In the winding device described above, it is desirable that an angle between the direction opposite to the second direction and the fourth direction is the same as an angle by which the regulating member is rotated in the third direction.

[0100] According to this configuration, the angle between the direction opposite to the second direction and the fourth direction is the same as the angle at which the regulating member is rotated in the third direction. Therefore, when the two regulating members inserted into the guide member with the same faces facing each other are rotated in the third direction, the knob portions overlap each other. As a result, it becomes easier to fix the knob portions to each other by the fixing portion.

[0101] The printing device comprises a printing unit that prints on a long medium, a winding unit that winds up the medium that has been printed in the printing unit, a tubular guide member that extends along a first direction and around which the medium is wound before being wound onto the winding unit, a heater that extends along the first direction inside the guide member and heats the guide member, a frame that supports both ends of the guide member and both ends of the heater, and a regulating member that is detachable from the guide member and regulates movement of the heater in a direction intersecting the first direction, wherein the guide member has a hole formed therein that extends from the outer surface to the inner surface, and the regulating member is inserted into the guide member through the hole to regulate movement of the heater.

[0102] According to this configuration, the movement of the heater in a direction intersecting the extension direction of the heater is restricted by the restricting member, so that the heater can be prevented from colliding with the inner surface of the guide member and being damaged. In addition, since the restricting member is detachable, the restricting member can be removed when using the printing device. This makes it possible to prevent the temperature distribution of the guide member from becoming uneven due to heat transfer through the restricting member. [Explanation of symbols]

[0103] 10... printer, 20... printing unit, 21... supply guide frame, 22... transport roller pair, 22a... first transport roller, 22b... second transport roller, 23... platen, 24... print head, 25... carriage, 28... transport roller drive mechanism, 29... discharge guide frame, 30... supply unit, 31... supply roller, 32... supply roller drive mechanism, 33... supply guide member, 34... supply bar member, 35... supply bar drive mechanism, 40... winding unit, 41... winding roller, 42... winding roller drive mechanism, 43... winding bar member, 44... winding guide member, 44a... slit, 45... heater , 46...frame, 47...winding bar drive mechanism, 48...heater control device, 50...control unit, 51...control section, 52...memory section, 53...interface section, 54...operation section, 55...alarm section, 60...medium roll, 61...print head drive mechanism, 62...carriage drive mechanism, 70...printing medium roll, 71...roll core, 80...regulating member, 80A...first regulating member, 80B...second regulating member, 80s1...first surface, 80s2...second surface, 81...base, 81a...first protrusion, 81b...second protrusion, 81c...recess, 82...grip portion, 85...adhesive tape, 86...convex portion, 87...hole, M...medium, P...reference point.

Claims

1. a take-up unit that takes up the medium; a cylindrical guide member extending along a first direction and around which the medium is wound before being wound into the winding section; a heater extending along the first direction inside the guide member and configured to heat the guide member; a frame supporting both ends of the guide member and both ends of the heater; a restricting member that is detachable from the guide member and restricts movement of the heater in a direction intersecting the first direction, The guide member has a hole formed therein that extends from an outer surface to an inner surface, The winding device, wherein the regulating member is inserted into the guide member through the hole to regulate movement of the heater.

2. The winding device according to claim 1, The regulating member is a base portion extending along a second direction and inserted into the guide member, and a knob portion protruding from the guide member; When the base portion is inserted into the guide member, the base portion is rotatable in a third direction around the heater as an axis, A winding device characterized in that, when the regulating member is rotated in the third direction, the base abuts against the inner surface of the guide member at both the end in the second direction and the end in the opposite direction to the second direction.

3. The winding device according to claim 2, The base portion has a first protruding portion and a second protruding portion protruding in the second direction, The winding device, wherein the first protrusion and the second protrusion are arranged to sandwich the heater when the base is inserted inside the guide member.

4. The winding device according to claim 3, The winding device, wherein the second protrusion is shorter than the first protrusion.

5. The winding device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, The winding device, wherein the hole is formed in the center of the guide member in the first direction.

6. The winding device according to claim 2, The restricting member includes a first restricting member and a second restricting member having the same shape, A winding device characterized in that the first regulating member and the second regulating member are inserted into the inside of the guide member through the hole portion with the same surfaces facing each other, and rotated in opposite directions to each other around the heater as an axis.

7. The winding device according to claim 6, A winding device comprising: a fixing portion that fixes the knob portions to each other when the first regulating member and the second regulating member are rotated in opposite directions about the heater as an axis.

8. The winding device according to claim 7, The knob portion is an end portion of the base portion opposite the second direction and connected to an end portion of the base portion opposite the third direction; A winding device that protrudes in a fourth direction intersecting the second direction.

9. The winding device according to claim 8, A winding device, wherein an angle between a direction opposite to the second direction and the fourth direction is the same as an angle by which the regulating member is rotated in the third direction.

10. A printing unit that prints on a long medium; a take-up unit that takes up the medium on which printing has been performed by the printing unit; a cylindrical guide member extending along a first direction and around which the medium is wound before being wound into the winding section; a heater extending along the first direction inside the guide member and configured to heat the guide member; a frame supporting both ends of the guide member and both ends of the heater; a restricting member that is detachable from the guide member and restricts movement of the heater in a direction intersecting the first direction, The guide member has a hole formed therein that extends from an outer surface to an inner surface, The printing apparatus, wherein the regulating member is inserted into the guide member through the hole to regulate movement of the heater.

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