Image forming device

Abstract

To provide an image forming device that can record an image on a proper position in a recording medium to be conveyed.SOLUTION: An image forming device is configured so that a reference guide 801 which acts as a positional reference of a roll sheet 200 during recording can be moved to a plurality of positions.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 8

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus. [Background technology]

[0002] There is a line print type image forming apparatus in which a roll sheet, which is a sheet wound in a roll shape around a hollow paper tube, is held inside the image forming apparatus, and a recording head records on the sheet that is transported while being pulled out from the roll sheet. Patent Document 1 discloses a line print type recording apparatus that records on the sheet while being pulled out from the roll sheet. Patent Document 1 further discloses a configuration that can accommodate sheets of different width sizes, in which guides are provided on both sides of the sheet to determine the position in the width direction, which is a direction intersecting the direction in which the sheet is pulled out, and one reference side is a fixed reference guide and the other is a movable variable guide. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2015-120587 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] For example, when used as a label printer, in the configuration of Patent Document 1, in a mount that is wide in the width direction and aligned based on the reference guide, the distance from the reference side edge of the mount in the width direction to the reference side edge of the label in the width direction becomes long. As a result, a part of the non-reference side of the label attached to the mount may be out of the area that can be recorded by the recording head, narrowing the area that can be recorded on the label. In other words, in the configuration of Patent Document 1, the conveying position in the width direction of the labels arranged on the mount may not be optimized with respect to the recording area of ​​the recording head.

[0005] Therefore, the present invention provides an image forming apparatus capable of recording an image at an appropriate position in the width direction of a recording medium being conveyed. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] Therefore, the image forming apparatus of the present invention is an image forming apparatus comprising a recording means for forming an image on a recording medium, a transport means for transporting the recording medium in a transport direction to an area where the recording means forms an image, and a guide means for guiding the position of the recording medium in a width direction that intersects with the transport direction, wherein the guide means has a reference guide that regulates the position of one end of the recording medium in the width direction at a reference position that serves as a reference for the width direction when the recording medium is recorded by the recording means, and a non-reference guide that is arranged opposite the reference guide and can move in the width direction, and regulates the position of the other end of the recording medium in the width direction, and is characterized in that the reference guide is movable between a first reference position and a second reference position that has a different width direction position from the first reference position. Effect of the Invention

[0007] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an image forming apparatus capable of recording an image at an appropriate position on a recording medium being conveyed. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an external appearance of an image forming apparatus. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the configuration of a roll sheet. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating an internal configuration of the image forming apparatus. [Figure 4] 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a control unit that controls the operation of the image forming apparatus. [Diagram 5] FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a conveying roller and a conveying belt. [Figure 7]7 is a diagram showing the conveyor roller and the conveyor belt in FIG. 6 as viewed from a different angle. [Figure 8] FIG. 2 is a top view showing a sheet guide of the image forming apparatus. [Figure 9] FIG. [Figure 10] FIG. [Figure 11] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a transport unit equipped with a reference guide. [Figure 12] 13 is a diagram showing a spool set in a roll sheet holder. FIG. [Figure 13] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a spool and a lock ring. [Figure 14] FIG. 13 is a perspective view of the flange with the lock ring removed. [Figure 15] 13 is a diagram showing a part of a spool setting section that receives a spool. FIG. [Figure 16] 13 is a diagram showing a spool set in a spool setting section. FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0009] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0010] 1 is a perspective view showing the appearance of an image forming apparatus 100 of this embodiment connected to a host computer 104. The image forming apparatus 100 includes an apparatus main body 101 provided with an LCD / touch panel 102, which is an operation unit having an LCD and a touch panel, and a roll sheet holder 103 into which a roll sheet on which a recording medium is wound in a roll shape is loaded. The image forming apparatus 100 records image data transmitted from the host computer 104 onto the roll sheet while conveying the roll sheet by a conveying means. The image forming apparatus 100 and the host computer 104 are connected by a printer cable 105.

[0011] 2 is a configuration diagram showing a roll sheet 200 as a recording medium used in this embodiment. The roll sheet 200 is composed of a continuous backing 701 and labels 702 attached at equal intervals on the backing 701, and the image forming apparatus 100 records on the labels 702. In the following description, except when the labels 702 and the backing 701 are specifically mentioned, the labels 702 and the backing 701 are not distinguished from each other and are described as the roll sheet 200.

[0012] 3 is a schematic diagram showing the internal configuration of an image forming apparatus 100 of this embodiment. In the image forming apparatus 100, a rolled sheet 200 loaded in a rolled sheet holder 103 is transported in the Y direction by a transport unit 201, which is a transport means. The transport unit 201 includes a transport roller 202, a pinch roller 203, a transport belt 207, and a fan 208. The rolled sheet 200 is transported while being pressed against the transport belt 207 by negative pressure generated by the fan 208. The transport roller 202 is driven by a transport motor 206.

[0013] The image forming apparatus 100 of this embodiment is an inkjet recording apparatus equipped with an image forming unit that forms an image by ejecting liquid (hereinafter, also referred to as ink). A recording head 210 having a number of nozzles that eject ink is provided so as to face a roll sheet 200 that is transported by a transport belt 207. An ink tank (not shown) is connected to the recording head 210, and an image is formed by ejecting ink from the recording head 210 onto the roll sheet 200 that is transported by a transport unit 201. The image forming apparatus 100 is also provided with a cap (not shown) that can cover the nozzles of the recording head 210. A pump unit (not shown) is connected to the cap, and the ink in the nozzles can be sucked by creating a negative pressure inside the cap. This allows the ink inside the nozzles to be discharged, and clogging of the nozzles can be suppressed.

[0014] A media sensor 209 that detects the presence or absence of a label affixed to the rolled sheet 200 is disposed upstream of the recording head 210 in the transport direction (Y direction) of the rolled sheet 200.

[0015] 4 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a control unit that controls the operation of the image forming apparatus 100 of this embodiment. The image forming apparatus 100 executes a recording operation and a cleaning operation, which will be described later, in response to a control signal from the control unit.

[0016] 4, main controller 301 controls the entire image forming apparatus, and has functions as a storage means for storing data, a data control means, and a setting means for changing the operation of the main body based on setting data. Main controller 301 is connected to host computer 104, and exchanges signals with host computer 104. Control programs and the like are stored in ROM 302 connected to main controller 301. Furthermore, main controller 301 uses RAM 303 as a working memory according to the programs stored in ROM 302. Image data transmitted from host computer 104 is stored in image buffer memory 304.

[0017] The head driving circuit 305 is a circuit that drives a heating element (not shown) built into the print head 210. A driver controller 306 connected to the main controller 301 controls the head driving circuit 305 according to image data in a bitmap format stored in an image buffer to record an image. The driving circuit 307 is a circuit that drives a conveying motor 206 provided in a conveying unit or the like, and is controlled by the main controller 301. The main controller 301 also controls the screen displayed on the LCD of the LCD / touch panel 102, which is an operation unit, and the behavior when a user operates the touch panel. In addition, a sensor circuit 309 controls a media sensor 209, an end sensor described later, and the like.

[0018] 5 is a top view showing the transport unit 201. The transport unit 201 transports the rolled sheet 200 in the Y direction during recording. The transport unit 201 includes a sheet guide 800, a transport roller 202, a pinch roller 203, a transport belt 207, and a platen 402.

[0019] The sheet guide 800 is disposed upstream of the transport roller 202 and the pinch roller 203 in the transport unit 201 in the transport direction, and positions the rolled sheet 200 fed from the rolled sheet holder 103 in the X direction.

[0020] In this embodiment, the surface of the transport roller 202 is coated with ceramic to increase the frictional force with the transported rolled sheet 200. In addition, by using a roller whose surface has been subjected to blasting treatment as the transport roller 202, it is possible to increase the frictional force with the rolled sheet 200. A plurality of transport rollers 202 are attached to a transport roller shaft, which will be described later.

[0021] The pinch roller 203 is biased by the elastic force of a spring toward the conveying roller 202. The rolled sheet 200 is conveyed while being sandwiched between the conveying roller 202 and the pinch roller 203.

[0022] The conveyor belt 207 is stretched along the conveying direction (Y direction) downstream of the conveying roller 202. The conveyor belt 207 has a plurality of openings, and is configured to suck air from the openings by negative pressure generated by a fan 208 (see FIG. 3) provided inside the conveying unit 201. Therefore, when the rolled sheet 200 is set in the conveying unit 201, the back surface of the rolled sheet 200 is sucked onto the upper surface of the conveyor belt 207 by the intake air from the openings of the conveyor belt 207.

[0023] The upper surface of the platen 402 is configured to be at the same height as the upper surface of the conveyor belt 207. Similarly to the conveyor belt 207, the upper surface of the platen 402 is provided with a plurality of openings. Since the platen 402 is configured so that air is sucked in from the openings by the negative pressure generated by the fan 208, the back surface of the rolled sheet 200 is also sucked to the upper surface of the platen 402. Therefore, when the rolled sheet 200 is conveyed, the back surface of the rolled sheet 200 is in contact with the upper surface of the platen 402 while being conveyed.

[0024] 5 is the area on the platen 402 where recording is performed on the rolled sheet 200 by the recording head 210. By suctioning the area on the platen 402 indicated by the arrow A, the area on the rolled sheet 200 where recording is performed is sucked onto the surface of the platen 402. By preventing the rolled sheet 200 from floating up, the rolled sheet 200 is prevented from coming into contact with the recording head 210, and deterioration in image quality caused by a narrow gap between the rolled sheet 200 and the recording head 210 is prevented.

[0025] FIG. 6 is a diagram showing the conveying roller 202 and the conveying belt 207. The conveying roller 202 and the conveying belt 207 are driven by a conveying motor 206, which is a common driving source. The conveying belt 207 is stretched between a belt pulley 501 and a driven roller 502, and the belt pulley 501 is attached to a belt driving shaft 503. The driving force of the conveying motor 206 is transmitted to the belt driving shaft 503 by a first driving belt 505, and is transmitted to the conveying belt 207 by the rotation of the belt pulley 501 attached to the belt driving shaft 503. Note that the belt pulley 501 has a built-in one-way clutch (not shown), and the belt pulley 501 rotates together with the belt driving shaft 503 only when the belt driving shaft 503 rotates in a rotation direction that conveys the roll sheet 200 in the conveying direction. When the belt driving shaft 503 rotates in the opposite direction, only the belt driving shaft 503 rotates, and the belt pulley 501 does not rotate.

[0026] The conveying roller 202 is attached to a conveying roller shaft 504. When the conveying motor 206 rotates the belt driving shaft 503 via a first driving belt 505, the belt driving shaft 503 rotates the conveying roller shaft 504 via a second driving belt 506. Then, the conveying roller 202 attached to the conveying roller shaft 504 rotates.

[0027] 7 is a view of the transport roller 202 and transport belt 207 of FIG. 6 viewed from a different angle. The transport unit 201 (see FIG. 3) is equipped with a rotary encoder 601 and a media sensor 209. The code wheel of the rotary encoder 601 is attached to the transport roller shaft 504. The output of the rotary encoder 601 is monitored by a sensor circuit 309 (see FIG. 4) to detect the amount of rotation and the rotation speed of the transport roller shaft 504. The detected amount of rotation and the rotation speed of the transport roller shaft 504 are used to control the transport of the roll sheet 200.

[0028] The media sensor 209 detects a label 702 (see FIG. 2) affixed to the roll sheet 200 set in the image forming apparatus 100. The media sensor 209 uses an optical transmission type sensor or a reflection type sensor to detect the presence or absence of the label 702. The output of the media sensor 209 is used to control the timing of starting recording by the recording head 210 (see FIG. 3).

[0029] In this embodiment, the power transmission from the conveying motor 206 to the belt drive shaft 503 and from the belt drive shaft 503 to the conveying roller shaft 504 are performed by a combination of a toothed pulley and a cog belt (not shown). The first drive belt 505 and the second drive belt 506 are cog belts. It is also possible to use a combination of a flat belt and a pulley. However, in order to transmit the drive of the conveying motor 206 to the conveying roller 202 without loss and to improve the conveying accuracy of the roll sheet 200 by the conveying roller 202, it is desirable to use a combination of a toothed pulley and a cog belt, which are less likely to slip.

[0030] In this embodiment, the conveying speed of the rolled sheet 200 by the conveying belt 207 is set faster than the conveying speed of the rolled sheet 200 by the conveying roller 202. The conveying roller 202 conveys the rolled sheet 200 while the conveying roller 202 and the pinch roller 203 pinch the rolled sheet. On the other hand, the conveying belt 207 conveys the rolled sheet 200 while sucking the rolled sheet 200 onto the conveying belt 207 by a negative pressure generated by a fan 208 (see FIG. 3). Therefore, the holding force of the conveying roller 202 and the pinch roller 203 on the rolled sheet 200 exceeds the holding force of the conveying belt 207 on the rolled sheet 200. Then, slippage occurs between the rolled sheet 200 and the conveying belt 207, eliminating the difference between the moving speed of the rolled sheet 200 and the conveying speed of the conveying belt 207.

[0031] The conveyor belt 207 is located downstream of the conveyor roller 202 in the conveying direction, and the conveying speed of the conveyor belt 207 is set faster than the conveying speed of the conveyor roller 202, so that the rolled sheet 200 is conveyed while being pulled downstream in the conveying direction. By conveying the rolled sheet 200 while pulling it in this way, it is possible to prevent slack from occurring in the rolled sheet 200 on the platen 402.

[0032] If the difference in conveying speed between the conveyor belt 207 and the conveyor roller 202 is too small, the effect of suppressing slack in the rolled sheet 200 on the platen 402 becomes weak. On the other hand, if the difference in conveying speed between the conveyor belt 207 and the conveyor roller 202 is too large, friction between the back surface of the rolled sheet 200 and the front surface of the conveyor belt may leave scratches on the back surface of the rolled sheet 200 or may cause wear on the front surface of the conveyor belt 207. For this reason, it is desirable to set the conveying speed by the conveyor belt 207 to be about 3 to 5% faster than the conveying speed by the conveyor roller 202.

[0033] The conveying speed of the conveyor belt 207 is set by the number of teeth of the toothed pulley and the outer diameter of the belt pulley 501, in addition to the rotation speed of the conveyor motor 206. The conveying speed of the conveyor roller 202 is set by the number of teeth of the toothed pulley and the outer diameter of the conveyor roller 202, in addition to the rotation speed of the conveyor motor 206. In this embodiment, the conveyor motor 206 is a common drive source that drives the conveyor belt 207 and the conveyor roller 202, and the toothed pulley is a common component. Therefore, the conveying speed is adjusted by making the outer diameter of the belt pulley 501 larger than the outer diameter of the conveyor roller 202.

[0034] When the rolled sheet 200 is set in the image forming apparatus 100, or when the leading end of the label 702 is moved to a recording start position for recording on the rolled sheet 200, the image forming apparatus 100 performs backfeeding to move the rolled sheet 200 in the direction opposite to the conveying direction. When performing backfeeding, if the conveying speed of the conveying belt 207 is set faster than the conveying speed of the conveying roller 202, there is a risk that the rolled sheet 200 may become loose. This is because the conveying speed on the upstream side in the moving direction is faster than the conveying speed on the downstream side. In this embodiment, since the belt pulley 501 has a built-in one-way clutch, when performing backfeeding, the conveying belt 207 does not convey the rolled sheet 200. Therefore, when performing backfeeding, the rolled sheet 200 is conveyed only by the conveying roller 202 and the pinch roller 203, so that it is possible to prevent the rolled sheet 200 from becoming loose.

[0035] FIG. 8 is a top view showing a sheet guide 800 of the image forming apparatus 100 in this embodiment. FIG. 8(a) shows a guide position corresponding to the maximum sheet width, FIG. 8(b) shows a standard guide position, and FIG. 8(c) shows a guide position corresponding to the minimum sheet width. The sheet guide 800 includes a reference guide 801 and a non-reference guide 802, which are mounted on a transport unit 201. The rolled sheet 200 set in the rolled sheet holder 103 is transported in the Y direction while an image is formed. When the rolled sheet 200 is transported in the Y direction, the sheet end in the width direction, which is the X direction, is guided by the reference guide 801 and the non-reference guide 802.

[0036] The reference guide 801 is a guide that serves as a reference for the transport position when transporting the rolled sheet 200. The reference guide 801 is configured to be movable in ±X directions, and in this embodiment, it can be placed at a first reference position shown in FIG. 8(a) and a second reference position shown in FIG. 8(b). In this way, the reference guide 801 is configured to be movable, and a plurality of reference positions are provided when transporting the rolled sheet 200. This makes it possible to transport the rolled sheet 200 in accordance with the position of the recording head 210 even for rolled sheets 200 with different width sizes, and allows recording to be performed without straying from the recording area.

[0037] The non-reference guide 802 is configured to be movable in the ±X directions from the guide position shown in Fig. 8(a) (the position farthest from the reference guide 802) to the guide position shown in Fig. 8(c) (the position closest to the reference guide 802). The reference guide 801 and the non-reference guide 802 are moved manually by the user. The reference guide 801 and the non-reference guide 802 can be moved independently of each other.

[0038] In this embodiment, the reference guide 801 is described as being movable to two positions, a first reference position and a second reference position, but this is not limited to this and the reference guide 801 may be configured to be movable to three or more positions.

[0039] In this way, by configuring not only the non-reference guide 802 but also the reference guide 801 to be movable in the ±X directions, the degree of freedom in the X direction of the transport position of the rolled sheet can be increased. As a result, the degree of freedom in the relative positions of the recording head 210 and the rolled sheet in the X direction is also increased, making it possible to record an image at a desired position on the transported recording medium. In other words, in the label printer, it is possible to record an image at the position where the label is arranged, regardless of the width of the backing paper, etc.

[0040] FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing the reference guide 801, FIG. 9(a) shows the state of the reference guide 801 when it is moved, and FIG. 9(b) shows the state of the reference guide 801 when it is fixed. When the reference guide 801 is moved, one end of the reference guide 801 in the X direction is moved in the Z direction to tilt the reference guide 801 as shown in FIG. 9(a), and the reference guide 801 is moved in the ±X direction in a state where the reference guide 801 is tilted. FIG. 9(a) shows the state where the reference guide 801 is moved from the first reference position to the second reference position. When the reference guide 801 is moved from the first reference position to the second reference position, one end of the reference guide 801 in the X direction is moved in the -Z direction as shown in FIG. 9(b), and the reference guide 801 is fixed to the second reference position by the lock lever 900. The same applies to the fixing to the first reference position. The reference guide 801 has a boss 901 used for positioning, and the position of the reference guide 801 is determined by the boss 901 entering the boss hole 902.

[0041] Fig. 10 is a diagram showing a reference guide 801. Fig. 10(a) is a side view of the reference guide 801 of Fig. 9(a) seen from the Y direction, Fig. 10(b) is a perspective view of the reference guide 801 of Fig. 9(a), and Fig. 10(c) is a side view of the reference guide 801 of Fig. 9(b) seen from the Y direction. A boss 901 used for positioning is provided on the bottom surface of the reference guide 801, and by lowering one end of the reference guide 801 in the X direction in the -Z direction as shown in Fig. 10(c), the boss 901 enters the boss hole 902, and the position of the reference guide 801 is determined.

[0042] The transport unit 201 also includes a slide shaft 1000, and the slide shaft 1000 is provided through a U-shaped retaining member 1001 provided on the reference guide 801. As a result, the reference guide 801 moves along the slide shaft 1000 during movement, preventing the reference guide 801 from coming off the transport unit 201 during movement. Furthermore, the reference guide 801 includes an engagement portion 1002, which engages with an engagement hole of the transport unit 201 described later, thereby preventing an end of the reference guide 801 in the -X direction from coming off the transport unit 201. In this way, during movement, one end of the reference guide 801 in the X direction is moved in the Z direction to tilt the reference guide 801, and the boss 901 comes off the boss hole 902, but the reference guide 801 can be moved without coming off the transport unit 201.

[0043] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing the back surface of the transport unit 201 equipped with the reference guide 801. As shown in the figure, the transport unit 201 includes a boss hole 902a for positioning the reference guide 801 at a first reference position and a boss hole 902b for positioning the reference guide 801 at a second reference position. Furthermore, the transport unit 201 includes a lock hole 1101 for fixing the reference guide 801 at the first reference position and a lock hole 1102 for fixing the reference guide 801 at the second reference position. The reference guide 801 is fixed at the first reference position by the engagement of the lock hole 1101 with the lock lever 900, and is fixed at the second reference position by the engagement of the lock hole 1102 with the lock lever 900. Note that the user manually operates the lock lever 900 to engage each lock hole with the lock lever 900, thereby fixing the reference guide 801.

[0044] The reference guide 801 includes an end sensor 1100, and the transport unit 201 includes an end sensor hole 1103. The end sensor 1100 is an optical sensor that includes a transmitter and a receiver. The transmitter emits light, and if the rolled sheet 200 is present, the receiver receives the light reflected by the rolled sheet 200. If the rolled sheet 200 is not present, the receiver does not receive the reflected light. The end sensor hole 1103 includes two holes, one for a first reference position and the other for a second reference position. The reference guide 801 is configured so that the end sensor 1100 can detect the presence or absence of the rolled sheet 200 when the reference guide 801 is positioned at the first reference position and when the reference guide 801 is positioned at the second reference position. When the media sensor 209 (see FIG. 7) detects the label 702 and the end sensor 1100 of the reference guide 801 detects the presence of the rolled sheet 200, transport operation is permitted. When the end sensor 1100 of the reference guide 801 detects that the rolled sheet 200 is not present, the conveying operation is stopped.

[0045] In this way, by configuring the reference guide 801 to be movable between the first reference position and the second reference position, even when a backing paper 701 that is wide in the X direction is used, recording can be performed without the label 702 straying from the recording area.

[0046] Fig. 12 is a diagram showing a spool 1200 set in the rolled sheet holder 103 (see Figs. 1 and 3) used in the image forming apparatus 100. Fig. 12(a) corresponds to a rolled sheet 200 having a width dimension of 120 mm, Fig. 12(b) corresponds to a rolled sheet 200 having a width dimension of 100 mm, and Fig. 12(c) corresponds to a rolled sheet 200 having a width dimension of 130 mm. The spool 1200 holds the rolled sheet 200 by passing a spool shaft 1201 through the paper tube of the rolled sheet 200 and arranging flanges at both ends of the rolled sheet 200 in the X direction.

[0047] The spool 1200 includes a reference side flange 1202 that is the reference position side, and a non-reference side flange 1203. Both the reference side flange 1202 and the non-reference side flange 1203 are configured to be movable in the X direction along the spool shaft 1201. The reference side flange 1202 and the non-reference side flange 1203 are configured to be compatible with rolled sheets 200 of various widths by moving the reference side flange 1202 and the non-reference side flange 1203 according to the width of the rolled sheet 200 on which image formation is performed.

[0048] FIG. 13(a) is a diagram showing the spool 1200. FIG. 13(b) is a diagram showing the lock ring 1204 provided on the reference side flange 1202. The reference side flange 1202 includes the lock ring 1204, and the lock ring 1204 is used when moving the reference side flange 1202. The lock ring 1204 includes a release button 1205 and is configured to be rotatable together with the reference side flange 1202 around the spool shaft 1201 as an axis. When moving the reference side flange 1202 to correspond to the roll sheet 200 to be used, the user presses the release button 1205 to manually rotate the lock ring 1204 around the spool shaft 1201 as an axis. This allows the reference side flange 1202 to be moved along the spool shaft 1201.

[0049] FIG. 14(a) is a perspective view showing the flange 1202 corresponding to the rolled sheet 200 of 120 mm width with the lock ring 1204 removed, and FIG. 14(b) is a front view. FIG. 14(c) is a perspective view showing the flange 1202 corresponding to the rolled sheet 200 of 130 mm width with the lock ring 1204 removed, and FIG. 14(d) is a front view. In FIG. 14, a part of the spool shaft 1201 is removed from the connection part for easy understanding. A parallel pin 1400, which can be confirmed by removing the lock ring 1204 from the reference side flange 1202, is provided so as to penetrate the spool shaft 1201. The reference side flange 1202 is fixed to the spool shaft 1201 by the parallel pin 1400 and is configured to rotate with the rotation of the spool shaft 1201. Furthermore, depending on the position of the parallel pin 1400 relative to the reference side flange 1202, the position of the reference side flange 1202 in the X direction (axial direction) relative to the spool shaft 1201 can be changed.

[0050] When the parallel pin 1400 is in a first position shown in Figs. 14(a) and (b) with respect to the reference side flange 1202, the reference side flange 1202 is located at a position corresponding to the rolled sheet 200 having a width of 120 mm. When the parallel pin 1400 is in a second position shown in Figs. 14(c) and (d) with respect to the reference side flange 1202, the reference side flange 1202 is located at a position corresponding to the rolled sheet 200 having a width of 130 mm. In other words, by moving the parallel pin 1400 from the first position to the second position, the reference side flange 1202 can be moved 10 mm in the axial direction (X direction) of the spool shaft 1201. By rotating the lock ring 1204, the user can change the position of the parallel pin 1400 with respect to the reference side flange 1202. In other words, by rotating the lock ring 1204, the user can move the reference side flange 1202 in the axial direction of the spool shaft 1201.

[0051] In this embodiment, the parallel pin 1400 is moved to the first position and the second position, but this is not limited thereto, and the parallel pin 1400 may be moved to three or more positions, thereby moving the reference side flange 1202 to three or more corresponding positions. The positions of the reference side flange 1202 and the non-reference side flange 1203 of the spool 1200 are set according to the positions of the reference guide 801 and the non-reference guide 802 of the sheet guide 800.

[0052] As described above, the spool 1200 is configured so that the non-reference side flange 1203 can also move in the axial direction of the spool shaft 1201. The method of movement and positioning of the non-reference side flange 1203 differs from that of the reference side flange 1202. The non-reference side flange 1203 is configured so as to be freely movable along the spool shaft 1201. The non-reference side flange 1203 is provided with a lock button (not shown), and while the user presses the lock button, the non-reference side flange 1203 can be moved along the spool shaft 1200 in a direction to increase the distance from the reference side flange 1202. Conversely, when moving the non-reference side flange 1203 along the spool shaft 1201 in a direction to decrease the distance from the reference side flange 1202, it can be moved without pressing the lock button.

[0053] In other words, the non-reference side flange 1203 is equipped with a one-way clutch, and can be moved without restriction in a direction to shorten the distance from the reference side flange 1202, but movement is restricted by a lock button in a direction to increase the distance from the reference side flange 1202. This mechanism prevents the non-reference side flange 1203 from moving and coming off the spool shaft 1201 when the roll sheet 200 is set on the spool 1200.

[0054] FIG. 15 is a diagram showing a part of the spool setting unit 1500 to which the spool 1200 is attached. A sheet (recording medium) is supplied from the rolled sheet 200 of the spool 1200 attached to the spool setting unit 1500 to an area where recording is performed. The spool setting unit 1500 includes a position detection unit 1501 that detects the position of the reference side flange 1202. The position detection unit 1501 can detect whether the reference side flange 1202 is in a position corresponding to the rolled sheet 200 having a width of 120 mm or in a position corresponding to the rolled sheet 200 having a width of 130 mm. In addition, based on the size information of the rolled sheet 200 being used and the detection result of the position detection unit 1501, it can detect whether the reference side flange 1202 and the non-reference side flange 1203 are in a position corresponding to the rolled sheet 200 having a width of 100 mm. The size information of the rolled sheet 200 is based on the information of the recording medium input or selected by the user as information at the time of recording. In addition, a guide may be provided in the spool setting section 1500 so that the spool 1200 can be smoothly set in the spool setting position of the spool setting section 1500.

[0055] Fig. 16(a) is a diagram showing a state in which the reference side flange 1202 is in a position corresponding to the 120 mm wide rolled sheet 200, and Fig. 16(b) is a diagram showing a state in which the reference side flange 1202 is in a position corresponding to the 130 mm wide rolled sheet 200. In Fig. 16(a), the position detection unit 1501 is not in contact with the reference side flange 1202, and in Fig. 16(b), the position detection unit 1501 is in contact with the reference side flange 1202. In this way, the position detection unit 1501 can detect the position of the reference side flange 1202 depending on whether the position detection unit 1501 is in contact with the reference side flange 1202 or not.

[0056] In the image forming apparatus 100, it is confirmed whether or not the position of the flange of the spool 1200 matches the position of the guide of the sheet guide 800 based on the detection result of the end sensor 1100, the size information of the roll sheet 200 being used, and the detection result of the position detection unit 1501. If the result of the confirmation shows that the position of the flange of the spool 1200 does not match the position of the guide of the sheet guide 800, it is notified to that effect. In this embodiment, the position of the flange of the spool 1200 and the position of the guide of the sheet guide 800 are detected electrically, but the present invention is not limited to this. At least one of the position of the flange of the spool 1200 and the position of the guide of the sheet guide 800 may be detected electrically.

[0057] In this embodiment, an example will be described in which the roll sheet 200 is used as the recording medium, but the present invention is not limited to this, and recording media that are not rolled up like the roll sheet 200 can also be applied.

[0058] In this way, not only the non-reference guide 802 but also the reference guide 801, which is the reference for the position of the rolled sheet 200 during recording, is configured to be movable to multiple positions. This makes it possible to provide an image forming apparatus that can record an image at a desired position on a recording medium, regardless of the size of the recording medium being transported.

[0059] In the above, a label printer has been described as an example, but the image forming apparatus of the present invention is not limited to this. Also, although a roll sheet has been described as the recording medium, the present invention is also applicable to cut paper. Even if the recording medium is not a label printer or a roll sheet, it is expected that the width of the recording medium being transported and the appropriate position for recording an image on the recording medium will vary in various ways. With the image forming apparatus of this embodiment, it is possible to record an image at an appropriate position on the recording medium.

[0060] The disclosure of this embodiment includes the following configuration.

[0061] (Configuration 1) A recording means for forming an image on a recording medium; a conveying means for conveying the recording medium in a conveying direction to an area where the recording means forms an image; a guide means for guiding a position of the recording medium in a width direction intersecting a conveying direction, the width direction being intersected by the conveying means, the guide means has a reference guide that regulates the position of one end of the recording medium in the width direction at a reference position that serves as a reference for the width direction when the recording medium is recorded by the recording means, and a non-reference guide that is provided opposite the reference guide and movable in the width direction and regulates the position of the other end of the recording medium in the width direction, The image forming apparatus, wherein the reference guide is movable between a first reference position and a second reference position that is different in position in the width direction from the first reference position.

[0062] (Configuration 2) the recording medium is a roll sheet formed by wrapping a sheet around a tube, A spool for holding the roll sheet can be attached to the tube through a shaft, 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the guide means guides the position of the sheet supplied from the spool.

[0063] (Configuration 3) 3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the roll sheet is composed of a continuous backing and a plurality of labels attached to the backing in a line in the transport direction, and the recording means forms images on the labels.

[0064] (Configuration 4) the spool has a reference side flange that is a reference position side when the spool is attached to the image forming apparatus, and a non-reference side flange that is provided opposite the reference side flange, 4. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the reference side flange and the non-reference side flange are movable along the shaft.

[0065] (Configuration 5) 5. The image forming apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the reference side flange is movable in a direction along the shaft between a first position and a second position different from the first position.

[0066] (Configuration 6) 6. The image forming apparatus according to any one of configurations 1 to 5, wherein the reference guide and the non-reference guide are independently movable.

[0067] (Configuration 7) 7. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the reference guide has a detection means for detecting the presence or absence of the recording medium.

[0068] (Configuration 8) 8. The image forming apparatus according to any one of configurations 1 to 7, wherein the reference guide has a locking means for fixing the reference guide at the first reference position and the second reference position.

[0069] (Configuration 9) 6. The image forming apparatus according to configuration 5, further comprising a detection unit for detecting the position of the reference side flange.

[0070] (Configuration 10) The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the width dimension in the width direction of the recording medium regulated by the reference guide at the first reference position is different from the width dimension in the width direction of the recording medium regulated by the reference guide at the second reference position.

[0071] (Configuration 11) 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the reference guide moves along a slide shaft provided in the transport means. [Explanation of symbols]

[0072] 100 Image forming device 200 roll sheets 201 Transport unit 701 Mount 702 Label 800 seat guide 801 Standard Guide 802 Movable guide 900 Lock lever 1000 Slide shaft 1200 spool 1202 Reference side flange

Claims

1. A recording means for forming an image on a recording medium; a conveying means for conveying the recording medium in a conveying direction to an area where the recording means forms an image; a guide means for guiding a position of the recording medium in a width direction intersecting a conveying direction, the width direction being intersected by the conveying means, the guide means has a reference guide that regulates the position of one end of the recording medium in the width direction at a reference position that serves as a reference for the width direction when the recording medium is recorded by the recording means, and a non-reference guide that is provided opposite the reference guide and movable in the width direction and regulates the position of the other end of the recording medium in the width direction, The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the reference guide is movable between a first reference position and a second reference position that is different in position in the width direction from the first reference position.

2. the recording medium is a roll sheet formed by wrapping a sheet around a tube, A spool for holding the roll sheet can be attached to the tube through a shaft, 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the guide means guides the position of the sheet fed from the spool.

3. 3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the roll sheet is composed of a continuous backing and a plurality of labels attached to the backing in a line in the transport direction, and the recording means forms an image on the labels.

4. the spool has a reference side flange that is a reference position side when the spool is attached to the image forming apparatus, and a non-reference side flange that is provided opposite the reference side flange, 3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the reference side flange and the non-reference side flange are movable along the shaft.

5. 5. The image forming apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the reference side flange is movable in a direction along the shaft between a first position and a second position different from the first position.

6. 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the reference guide and the non-reference guide are independently movable.

7. 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the reference guide has a detection means for detecting the presence or absence of the recording medium.

8. 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the reference guide has a locking means for fixing the reference guide at the first reference position and the second reference position.

9. 6. The image forming apparatus according to claim 5, further comprising a detection unit for detecting a position of the reference side flange.

10. 2. An image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the width dimension in the width direction of the recording medium regulated by the reference guide at the first reference position is different from the width dimension in the width direction of the recording medium regulated by the reference guide at the second reference position.

11. 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the reference guide moves along a slide shaft provided on the transport means.

Images