printer

Abstract

To improve workability when component replacing work is performed on a printer so that a printing medium having a Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) inlay can be issued.SOLUTION: A printer according to one aspect of the present invention is a printer comprising: a printer body; carrier rollers installed in the printer body and carrying a print medium having an RFID inlay; a print head printing information onto the print medium; a medium support part having a support surface supporting the print medium carried by the carrier rollers from an opposite side to a print surface of the print medium; and an RFID communication unit built-in the medium support part and performing read / write of data on the RFID inlay.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 13

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a printer.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, a printer that prints on a label (RFID label) in which an RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) inlay having an IC chip and an antenna (hereinafter simply referred to as "inlay") is incorporated is known (Patent Document 1). In such a printer, when printing on a label, data is read from and written to the inlay incorporated in the label by an RFID communication unit mounted on the printer. In the printer described in Patent Document 1, the RFID reader / writer is disposed below the conveyance surface of the continuous paper at a position downstream of the conveyance roller of the continuous paper in the conveyance direction and upstream of the platen roller in the conveyance direction (see FIG. 1).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] By the way, in a printer that issues RFID labels (hereinafter referred to as "RFID-compatible printer") and a printer that issues normal labels that do not include an inlay (hereinafter referred to as "standard printer"), most parts are common. Therefore, in order to manufacture an RFID-compatible printer, the operation of replacing some parts of the standard printer with parts including an RFID communication unit may be performed at the time of factory shipment. Also, when a user wishes to use RFID labels after the factory shipment of the standard printer, a service technician may perform the above operation at the user's place.

[0005] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to improve workability when performing a component replacement operation on a printer so that a printing medium having an RFID inlay can be issued.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] One aspect of the present invention includes a printer main body, a transport roller attached to the printer main body and configured to transport a printing medium having an RFID inlay, a printing head configured to print information on the printing medium, a medium support portion having a support surface that supports the printing medium transported by the transport roller from the side opposite to the printing surface of the printing medium, and being removably attached to the printer main body, and an RFID communication unit built in the medium support portion and configured to read and write data to and from the RFID inlay.

Effects of the Invention

[0007] According to one aspect of the present invention, workability is improved when performing a component replacement operation on a printer so that a printing medium having an RFID inlay can be issued.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0008]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Figure 8

Figure 9

Figure 10

Figure 11

Figure 12

Figure 13

Figure 14

MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

[0009] The embodiments described below are not limited to the drawings explained by the simple explanation of the drawings.

[0010] A first aspect of an aspect of the present invention is a printer main body, a transport roller attached to the printer main body and transporting a printing medium having an RFID inlay, a printing head for printing information on the printing medium, a medium support part having a support surface for supporting the printing medium conveyed by the transport roller from the side opposite to the printing surface of the printing medium, and removably attached to the printer main body, and an RFID communication unit incorporated in the medium support part and performing reading and writing of data with respect to the RFID inlay.

[0011] According to the first aspect of an embodiment of the present invention, since the medium support unit incorporating the RFID communication unit is removable from the printer main body, the workability when performing a component replacement operation on the printer so as to be able to issue a printing medium having an RFID inlay is improved.

[0012] According to the second aspect of an embodiment of the present invention, the conveyance roller conveys a continuous body including a strip-shaped backing paper and a plurality of the printing media detachably attached at intervals on the backing paper. The printer is the printer according to the first aspect, further including a sensor unit incorporated in the medium support unit for detecting an end portion of each printing medium in the conveyance direction of the continuous body.

[0013] According to the second aspect of an embodiment of the present invention, since the sensor unit is incorporated in the medium support unit, the workability when performing a component replacement operation on the printer so as to be able to issue a printing medium having an RFID inlay is improved. That is, since both the sensor unit for detecting the end portion of the printing medium and the RFID communication unit are arranged in the vicinity of the upstream side of the conveyance roller, in terms of component layout, the sensor unit often becomes a dedicated design for an RFID-compatible printer. In that case, it becomes possible to attach a sensor unit of a dedicated design for an RFID-compatible printer only by attaching the medium support unit.

[0014] According to the third aspect of an embodiment of the present invention, the printer is the printer according to the first or second aspect, wherein the medium support unit is configured to be removable from the printer main body by sliding in a direction along the mounting shaft of the conveyance roller.

[0015] According to the third aspect of an embodiment of the present invention, since it can be removed by sliding the medium support unit in the lateral direction, the workability is further improved.

[0016] According to the fourth aspect of an embodiment of the present invention, the printer main body a first compartment in which the conveying roller, the printing head, and the medium support portion are disposed; a second compartment in which a control unit connected to the RFID communication unit by wiring is disposed; The printer according to any one of the first to third aspects, further comprising a partition wall separating the two compartments, and a connector provided in the partition wall for electrically connecting a wiring extending from the RFID communication unit and a wiring extending from the control unit.

[0017] According to a fourth aspect of an embodiment of the present invention, since an operator does not need to access the second compartment to connect the RFID communication unit and the control unit, the workability of the wiring connection is improved.

[0018] A fifth aspect of an embodiment of the present invention includes a head unit that holds the printing head and is swingable between a first position where the printing head is separated from the conveying roller and a second position where the printing head and the conveying roller sandwich the printing medium. The printer according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, further comprising an antenna unit electrically connected to the RFID communication unit, having a first antenna capable of communicating with the RFID inlay, and attached to the head unit so as to be close to the support surface when the head unit is in the second position.

[0019] According to a fifth aspect of an embodiment of the present invention, when printing on a printing medium, the antenna unit is disposed on the printing surface side of the printing medium. With this antenna unit, communication with the RFID inlay is possible even when a metal sheet is provided on the side opposite to the printing surface of the printing medium.

[0020] A sixth aspect of an embodiment of the present invention further includes a wiring connecting the antenna unit and the RFID communication unit, and the wiring extends toward the RFID communication unit so as to go around the outside of the swing axis of the head unit when viewed from the antenna unit.

[0021] According to a sixth aspect of an aspect of the present invention, for the wiring connecting the antenna unit and the RFID communication unit, it is not necessary to provide an extra length considering the swinging of the head unit.

[0022] According to a seventh aspect of an aspect of the present invention, the conveying roller conveys a continuous body including a strip-shaped backing paper and a plurality of the printing media detachably attached to the backing paper at intervals, The printer, a peeling unit that peels each printing medium from the continuous body, and a winding unit that winds up the backing paper from which each printing medium has been peeled by the peeling unit, and further includes, a gap through which the backing paper from the peeling unit to the winding unit passes is formed on the side opposite to the side where the continuous body is located with respect to the medium support unit, and the printer according to any one of the first to sixth aspects.

[0023] According to a seventh aspect of an aspect of the present invention, the gap formed below the medium support unit can secure a passage for the backing paper after the printing medium is peeled to the winding unit.

[0024] According to an eighth aspect of an aspect of the present invention, the RFID communication unit has a second antenna and an antenna driving unit for displacing the second antenna along the support surface, and the printer according to any one of the first to seventh aspects.

[0025] According to an eighth aspect of an aspect of the present invention, calibration can be performed to displace the second antenna to an optimal position for communication with the RFID inlay.

[0026] According to a ninth aspect of an aspect of the present invention, the conveying roller conveys a continuous body including a plurality of the printing media, The printer further includes a cutting unit that cuts each printing medium from the continuous medium, and a gap for arranging the cutting unit is formed on the side opposite to the side where the continuous medium is located with respect to the medium support unit. The printer according to any one of the first to eighth aspects.

[0027] According to a ninth aspect of an aspect of the present invention, the cutting unit can be arranged by a gap formed below the medium support unit.

[0028] A tenth aspect of an aspect of the present invention is that the medium support unit includes a main body unit having the support surface, and a wiring provided between the sensor unit and the main body unit. The sensor unit is attached to the main body unit so as to be slidable in the width direction of the continuous medium. The wiring is configured such that no tension is generated when moving along with the sliding operation of the sensor unit. The printer according to any one of the first to ninth aspects.

[0029] According to a tenth aspect of an aspect of the present invention, when the sensor unit slides in the width direction of the continuous medium, it is possible to prevent tension from being generated in the wiring provided on the medium support unit and connected to the sensor unit.

[0030] Hereinafter, embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 shows the appearance of a printer 1 according to an embodiment. Hereinafter, for convenience of explanation, as shown in FIG. 1, XYZ coordinates are defined. That is, +X and -X respectively indicate the left-right direction of the printer 1, +Y and -Y respectively indicate the front-rear direction of the printer 1, and +Z and -Z respectively indicate the up-down direction of the printer 1. An issuing port 5 for issuing (discharging) a printed label is provided in a front cover 2 on the front surface of the printer 1. An open cover 6 is attached to one side surface of the printer 1 in a state where it can be opened and closed in the vertical direction by two hinges 7.

[0031] FIG. 2 is a side view of the main part of the printer 1 with its interior visible. FIGS. 3 and 4 are partial cross-sectional views of the printer 1, respectively. FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the printing unit 11 when the print head unit 13 is in an open state. As shown in FIG. 2, inside the printer 1, there are installed a paper supply unit 10a and a backing paper winding unit 10b arranged at the rear, a printing unit 11 arranged at the front, and an ink ribbon unit 12 arranged above. The paper supply unit 10a and the backing paper winding unit 10b are attached to the side wall 52.

[0032] The paper supply unit 10a holds the roll paper R and supplies the continuous paper CP fed out from the roll paper R to the printing unit 11. As shown in FIG. 2, the roll paper R has the continuous paper CP wound in a roll shape. The continuous paper CP includes a strip-shaped backing paper PM and a plurality of labels PL (an example of a printing medium) detachably attached to the backing paper PM at intervals. On the surface (front surface) of the backing paper PM where the adhesive surface of the label PL contacts, a release agent such as silicone is coated, enabling the label PL to be easily peeled off. The label PL incorporates an RFID inlay IL (hereinafter simply referred to as "inlay IL"). On the surface (back surface) of the backing paper PM where the label PL is not pasted, position detection marks IM indicating the positions of the labels may be formed at predetermined intervals along the longitudinal direction. The label PL can be a thermal paper or a plain paper. In the case of thermal paper, a thermal coloring layer that colors to a specific color (such as black or red) when reaching a predetermined temperature range is formed on its surface. Although not shown, the paper supply unit 10a can also be loaded with a roll paper wound with a label without a backing paper having an adhesive surface coated with an adhesive on the back side of the printing surface.

[0033] The printing unit 11 includes a print head unit 13, a damper 15, a head lock lever 16, and a label support mechanism unit 70 (an example of a medium support unit), and prints on the label PL of the continuous paper CP. The printing head unit 13 is installed inside the printer 1 in a state where it can be opened and closed as will be described later. The printing head unit 13 holds a thermal head 18 (an example of a printing head) and can swing between an open position (an example of a first position) and a closed position (an example of a second position). When the printing head unit 13 is in the open state, the thermal head 18 is separated from the platen roller 23. When the printing head unit 13 is in the closed state, the thermal head 18 and the platen roller 23 sandwich the continuous paper CP (see Fig. 3). The head lock lever 16 is configured to maintain the closed state of the printing head unit 13 when the printing head unit 13 is in the closed state. When the head lock lever 16 is operated, the closed state of the printing head unit 13 is released, and as shown in Fig. 5, the front part of the printing head unit 13 is lifted, and the printing head unit 13 opens (the thermal head 18 is separated from the platen roller 23). The damper 15 is installed in a swingable state so as to be able to apply tension to the continuous paper CP.

[0034] As shown in Figs. 2 and 3, the continuous paper CP is conveyed from the damper 15 through the label support mechanism unit 70 and discharged from the issuing port 5 (Fig. 1) after printing. The label support mechanism unit 70 is installed upstream of the thermal head 18 and the platen roller 23 in the conveyance path of the continuous paper CP.

[0035] The ink ribbon unit 12 includes a ribbon supply unit 12a and a ribbon take-up unit 12b, and supplies and winds up an ink ribbon RB coated with printing ink. The ribbon supply unit 12a supports the ink ribbon RB wound in a roll shape in a rotatable state. The ribbon take-up unit 12b winds up and collects the printed ink ribbon RB. When using the ink ribbon RB, the ink ribbon RB pulled out from the ribbon supply unit 12a is passed under the printing head unit 13 and wound up by the ribbon take-up unit 12b. The ribbon supply unit 12a and the ribbon take-up unit 12b are attached to the side wall 51 of the housing of the printer 1.

[0036] In the printer 1, the continuous paper CP fed out from the roll paper R in the paper supply unit 10a is conveyed through the damper 15 to the paper passage route provided in the label support mechanism unit 70, and printing processing is performed on the label PL of the continuous paper CP. At this time, the thermal head 18 prints on each label PL of the continuous paper CP while sandwiching the continuous paper CP and the ink ribbon RB between the heating unit and the platen roller 23. In one embodiment, the printer 1 includes a peeling mechanism having a peeling unit 24, nip rollers 25a and 25b, and a backing paper winding unit 10b to peel each label PL from the continuous paper CP. As shown in FIG. 3, a peeling unit 24 is installed on the downstream side in the conveyance direction of the continuous paper CP with respect to the platen roller 23. In the peeling unit 24, the label PL is peeled from the continuous paper CP and discharged from the printer 1 to the outside through the issuing port 5, and the path of the backing paper PM is directed downward. The backing paper PM directed downward is sandwiched by the nip rollers 25a and 25b and then travels toward the rear backing paper winding unit 10b, where it is wound up by the backing paper winding unit 10b (an example of a winding unit). As shown in FIG. 3, a gap through which the backing paper PM passes from the peeling unit 24 to the backing paper winding unit 10b is formed below the label support mechanism unit 70. In other words, the label support mechanism unit 70 is arranged so as to ensure a gap through which the backing paper PM passes.

[0037] In one embodiment, instead of the peeling mechanism shown in FIG. 3, a cutting unit is installed. FIG. 4 is a diagram similar to FIG. 3, but is different from FIG. 3 in that a cutting unit CU (an example of a cutting portion) is installed instead of the peeling mechanism. The cutting unit CU is provided on the downstream side in the conveyance direction of the continuous paper CP with respect to the platen roller 23, and cuts each label PL from the printed continuous paper CP. Note that when the cutting unit CU is installed, the continuous paper is not limited to the one with a backing paper shown in FIG. 2, and may be a label without a backing paper. As shown in FIG. 4, the cutting unit CU includes a lower portion 33 disposed on the lower side (opposite to the printing surface side) of the discharged label PL, and an upper portion 35 disposed on the upper side (printing surface side) of the discharged label PL. The lower portion 33 houses a movable blade (not shown) and includes a drive mechanism such as a motor 34 for moving the movable blade upward (+Z direction) and a circuit board. The upper portion 35 houses a fixed blade (not shown). When the leading label of the continuous paper CP is printed on the thermal head 18, the movable blade housed in the lower portion 33 extends upward, and the label is cut by the movable blade and the fixed blade. The movable blade returns to its original position after cutting. Here, in the printer 1, a gap is formed below the label support mechanism portion 70 (that is, on the side opposite to the side where the continuous paper CP is located with respect to the label support mechanism portion 70) for disposing the cutting unit CU. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 4, the motor 34 for driving the movable blade can be disposed so as to protrude rearward.

[0038] Next, the configuration of the printing unit 11 described above will be described with reference to FIG. 5. As shown in FIG. 5, the printing head unit 13 is supported by a side wall 51 (see FIG. 2), which is also an internal frame of the printer 1, so as to be swingable (i.e., openable and closable) about a swing axis S1 provided rearward.

[0039] The lower surface (the surface facing the paper passage route) of the printing head unit 13 is provided with the thermal head 18 installed with the heat generating portion facing the paper passage route. The heat generating portion of the thermal head 18 includes a plurality of heating resistors (heating elements) that generate heat upon energization and print on the label PL of the continuous paper CP. The plurality of heating resistors are arranged side by side along the width direction of the continuous paper CP (the direction orthogonal to the conveyance direction of the continuous paper CP).

[0040] A pair of engaging claws 19 (see FIG. 5) are provided on the front lower surface of the printing head unit 13 so as to sandwich the thermal head 18. Pins 20 protruding outward from both side surfaces of the printing head unit 13 are provided behind the engaging claws 19 in the printing head unit 13.

[0041] The printing head unit 13 is biased in the opening direction by a torsion spring 21 (see FIG. 5) attached to the swing axis S1. However, when a pair of locking claws 22 of the support base 14 are respectively hooked on a pair of pins 20 at the lower part of the printing head unit 13, the closed state is maintained. When the printing head unit 13 is in the closed state, a pair of engaging claws 19 of the printing head unit 13 are fitted to both ends of the rotation axis of the platen roller 23. When the locking claw 22 is operated backward by operating the head lock lever 16, it moves backward in conjunction with it and disengages from the pin 20. When the locking claw 22 disengages from the pin 20, as shown in FIG. 5, the printing head unit 13 automatically opens by the biasing force of the torsion spring 21.

[0042] The platen roller 23 conveys the continuous paper CP fed out from the paper supply unit 10a along the paper path to the issuing port 5 (see FIG. 1). The platen roller 23 is installed on a frame 40 (described later) in a state where it can rotate in both forward and reverse directions, and rotates while sandwiching the continuous paper CP together with the thermal head 18 during printing. When the continuous paper CP is plain paper, the platen roller 23 rotates while sandwiching the continuous paper CP and the ink ribbon RB together with the thermal head 18 during printing. In this case, the ink ribbon RB is conveyed from the ribbon supply unit 12a through ribbon rollers 121 and 122 (see FIG. 5) provided in the printing head unit 13, and is wound up by the ribbon take-up unit 12b.

[0043] The label support mechanism unit 70 is arranged on a frame 40 (described later). Hereinafter, the label support mechanism unit 70 will be described with reference to FIGS. 6 to 10. FIG. 6 shows a perspective view and a front view of the label support mechanism unit 70. FIG. 7 shows a plan view and a bottom view of the label support mechanism unit 70. FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view showing the A-A cross section and the B-B cross section of FIG. 7.

[0044] As shown in FIG. 6, the label support mechanism unit 70 includes a label support portion 71, a sensor assembly 72 (an example of a sensor unit), and a label guide portion 73. The label support portion 71 has a support surface 711 that supports the continuous paper CP toward the platen roller 23 from below (the side opposite to the printing surface of the label PL), and incorporates a second label sensor 75 (see FIG. 8) that detects the position detection mark IM of the continuous paper CP. Further, the label support portion 71 incorporates an RFID communication unit 80 described later. The RFID communication unit 80 has a function of writing data to or reading data from the inlay IL incorporated in the label PL under the instruction from the control unit 60 (see FIG. 14). The sensor assembly 72 is attached to the label support portion 71 in a state of being engaged with a guide groove (not shown) of the label support portion 71, and is slidable in the width direction of the continuous paper CP with respect to the label support portion 71. Further, the sensor assembly 72 incorporates a first label sensor 74 (see FIG. 8) that detects the end portions of the respective labels PL of the continuous paper CP. As shown in FIG. 5, since the sensor assembly 72 protrudes in the +X direction, a through hole 51h for passing the sensor assembly 72 is formed in the side wall 51 (see FIG. 14). The label guide portion 73 is attached to the sensor assembly 72, and sandwiches the continuous paper CP conveyed toward the platen roller 23 between the support surface 711 of the label support portion 71, and serves to guide the continuous paper CP from above (the front side). A slight gap g1 (see the front view of FIG. 6) is formed between the lower surface of the label guide portion 73 and the support surface 711 of the label support portion 71, and this gap g1 serves as the conveyance path of the continuous paper CP.

[0045] As shown in the front view of FIG. 6, the sensor assembly 72 has a swing axis 723 and is configured to be swingable around the swing axis 723 (swingable counterclockwise and clockwise in FIG. 6). Since the label guide portion 73 is attached to the sensor assembly 72, the sensor assembly 72 and the label guide portion 73 are integrated, and the label guide portion 73 swings in a direction approaching the support surface 711 of the label support portion 71 and a direction away from the support surface 711. By this swinging operation, a new continuous paper CP can be set in the printer 1. Even when the label guide portion 73 swings to the position closest to the support surface 711, a gap g1 for smoothly conveying the continuous paper CP is ensured.

[0046] As shown in the front view of FIG. 6, two mounting holes 715 and 716 for attaching the label support mechanism portion 70 to a frame 40 (described later) are formed in the label support portion 71.

[0047] The A-A cross section of FIG. 8 is a cross section when the label support mechanism portion 70 is cut along a plane orthogonal to the paper surface of the conveyed continuous paper CP and including the position of the first label sensor 74 incorporated in the sensor assembly 72. As shown in FIG. 8, the first label sensor 74 is a light transmission type sensor having a light emitting element 741 mounted on a substrate 743, a light receiving element 742 mounted on a substrate 744, and a light guide plate 745. Since the substrate 743 is arranged in a direction orthogonal to the continuous paper CP, the emitted light of the light emitting element 741 travels in the light guide plate 745 along the continuous paper CP (that is, travels in the right direction of the paper surface of FIG. 8). The light guide plate 745 is formed to face upward directly below the light receiving element 742 so that the emitted light of the light emitting element 741 is received by the light receiving element 742. When the first label sensor 74 receives the emitted light of the light emitting element 741 with the light receiving element 742, based on the difference in the received light intensity between the light transmitted through the label PL and the backing paper PM and the light transmitted through only the backing paper PM, the first label sensor 74 detects the end portions of the respective labels PL in the conveyance direction of the continuous paper CP. The detection result (output signal) of the first label sensor 74 is used for the conveyance control of the continuous paper CP.

[0048] The B-B cross-section of FIG. 8 is a cross-section obtained by cutting the label support mechanism portion 70 in a plane orthogonal to the plane of the continuous paper CP to be conveyed and including the position of the second label sensor 75 built in the label support portion 71. As shown in FIG. 8, the second label sensor 75 is a light reflection type sensor having a light emitting element 751 and a light receiving element 752 mounted adjacent to the substrate 753. The light receiving element 752 receives the reflected light obtained by reflecting the emitted light of the light emitting element 751 from the back surface of the continuous paper CP (the surface opposite to the printing surface of the label PL). When the second label sensor 75 receives the reflected light from the continuous paper CP by the light receiving element 752, the second label sensor 75 detects the position detection mark IM of the continuous paper CP based on the difference in the received light intensity between the light reflected by the position detection mark IM of the continuous paper CP and the light reflected by the surface other than the position detection mark IM of the continuous paper CP. The detection result (output signal) of the second label sensor 75 is used for the conveyance control of the continuous paper CP.

[0049] Referring to the bottom view of FIG. 7, the RFID module 81 of the RFID communication unit 80 and the substrates 82 to 86 are exposed on the bottom surface of the label support mechanism portion 70. The RFID module 81 communicates with the control unit 60 (see FIG. 14) and controls the entire RFID communication unit 80 under the control command from the control unit 60. The substrates 82 to 86 are electrically connected to the RFID module 81, an antenna drive unit 90 (described later), and an antenna assembly 31 (described later). A wiring 94 extends from the substrate 82, and this wiring 94 is connected to the control unit 60 (see FIG. 14). As also shown in FIG. 6, the wiring 95 is a wiring for electrically connecting each of the first label sensor 74 and the second label sensor 75 to the control unit 60.

[0050] As described above, the sensor assembly 72 is attached to the label support portion 71 (an example of the main body portion) so as to be slidable in the width direction of the continuous paper CP. The wiring 95 is configured so that no tension is generated when it moves along with the sliding operation of the sensor assembly 72. This point will be described with reference to FIG. 9. FIG. 9 shows a partial front view of the sensor assembly 72 when the sensor assembly 72 is at position P1 and position P2 along with the sliding operation of the sensor assembly 72. Position P1 is the same position as the position shown in the front view of FIG. 6 (the position displaced most to the left in FIG. 9). Position P2 is the position when the sensor assembly 72 is displaced in the -X direction with respect to position P1 (the position displaced most to the right in FIG. 9). The sensor assembly 72 can take any position between position P1 and position P2 along with the sliding operation. As shown in FIG. 9, the wiring 95 is exposed between the wiring outlet 951 leading out from the sensor assembly 72 and the wiring inlet 952 entering the label support portion 71. In the vicinity of the wiring outlet 951 and the wiring inlet 952, the wiring 95 is fixed. Here, the distance between the wiring outlet 951 and the wiring inlet 952 varies with the movement of the sensor assembly 72, but the wiring 95 is set to a length equal to or greater than the maximum value of the said distance (that is, a length with an extra length portion). Therefore, while accommodating the wiring 95 within the label support mechanism portion 70, it is configured such that the wiring 95 does not stretch (that is, no tension is generated) when moving along with the sliding operation of the sensor assembly 72.

[0051] Although not visible in FIG. 6, the RFID communication unit 80 further includes an antenna driving portion 90 built in the label support mechanism portion 70. FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the antenna driving portion 90. The antenna driving portion 90 has an RFID antenna 91 (an example of a second antenna), a first direction driving portion 92 and a second direction driving portion 93 for two-dimensionally displacing the RFID antenna 91 along the support surface 711. The first direction driving portion 92 displaces the RFID antenna 91 in the first direction by a motor, and the second direction driving portion 93 displaces the RFID antenna 91 in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction by a motor. The control unit 60 (see FIG. 14) of the printer 1 operates the first direction driving portion 92 and the second direction driving portion 93, and executes calibration for determining the optimal position of the RFID antenna 91 when communicating with each label PL. In addition, when adopting a method of transporting the label in calibration to determine the optimal label position with respect to the antenna, it is not essential to provide the first direction drive unit 92 and the second direction drive unit 93 for displacing the antenna.

[0052] In one embodiment, the RFID communication unit 80 includes an RFID antenna different from the RFID antenna 91 built in the label support mechanism unit 70, and is provided on the side opposite to the RFID antenna 91 (that is, the label printing surface side of the continuous paper CP) with the continuous paper CP interposed therebetween. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 5, an antenna assembly 31 (an example of an antenna unit) including an RFID antenna 311 (described later; see FIG. 11A) is installed in the print head unit 13.

[0053] The reason why the RFID antenna 311 is arranged on the label printing surface side of the continuous paper CP is as follows. When attaching the label PL to a conductive material such as metal, a metal sheet may be provided on the side of the adhesive layer with respect to the inlay IL in order to prevent the phenomenon that the electromagnetic wave with respect to the inlay IL is canceled. In this case, the label PL is configured such that the inlay IL and the thermal layer are laminated in this order on the upper surface side of the base material, and the metal sheet (for example, an aluminum sheet) and the adhesive layer are laminated in this order on the lower surface side of the base material. Therefore, the RFID antenna 311 is arranged on the label printing surface side of the continuous paper CP so as to enable communication with the inlay IL by the electromagnetic wave radiated from the RFID antenna 311.

[0054] FIG. 11A is a perspective view of the antenna assembly 31 and the label support mechanism unit 70 when the print head unit 13 is in a closed state. In FIG. 11A, the antenna assembly 31 is shown in a state where it is temporarily removed from the print head unit 13. As shown in FIG. 11A, the antenna assembly 31 includes an RFID antenna 311, a housing 312, an antenna cover 313, and a ground terminal 314. The RFID antenna 311, the antenna cover 313, the ground terminal 314, and the wiring connecting the antenna cover 313 are partially fixed to the housing 312. The entire antenna assembly 31 is attached to the print head unit 13 by fastening the housing 312 to the print head unit 13 with a mounting screw 315. The ground terminal 314 is fixed to a conductor portion (not shown) of the print head unit 13. As shown in FIG. 11A, when the print head unit 13 is in the closed state, the antenna assembly 31 is disposed close to the support surface 711 of the label support mechanism portion 70.

[0055] Next, with reference to FIGS. 11A and 11B, the wiring path of the wiring 32 between the RFID communication unit 80 built in the label support mechanism portion 70 and the RFID antenna 311 of the antenna assembly 31 will be described. As shown in FIG. 11A, the wiring path of the wiring 32 is configured to go toward the label support mechanism portion 70 so as to wrap around the outside of the swing axis S1 of the print head unit 13 as viewed from the antenna assembly 31.

[0056] FIG. 11B is a schematic side view for explaining the wiring path of the wiring 32 between the label support mechanism portion 70 and the antenna assembly 31. In FIG. 11B, for the antenna assembly 31 and the wiring 32 attached to the print head unit 13, the state when the print head unit 13 is in the closed state is shown by a solid line, and the state when the print head unit 13 is in the open state is shown by a virtual line. As shown in FIG. 11B, since the wiring 32 is provided so as to wrap around the outside of the swing axis S1, there is an advantage that it is not necessary to provide an extra length in consideration of the swing of the print head unit 13. That is, in FIG. 11B, if the wiring 32 were provided so as to wrap around the inside of the swing axis S1, it would be necessary to provide an extra length so that the wiring 32 does not become taut when the print head unit 13 is opened, and there would be a possibility of disconnection and a problem with appearance.

[0057] Next, the attachment and detachment of the label support mechanism unit 70 will be described. The label support mechanism unit 70 is attached to the frame 40 (an example of the printer main body) of the printer 1. FIG. 12 shows the frame 40. FIG. 12 includes a front view of the frame 40 (the topmost view) and perspective views of two frames 40 with different viewpoints (the second and third views from the top). As shown in FIG. 12, the frame 40 has side wall portions 41L and 41R provided on both sides, and a connecting portion 44 extending horizontally between the two side wall portions. At the upper part of each of the side wall portions 41L and 41R, platen attachment portions 42L and 42R to which the platen roller 23 is attached are formed. An opening 43 is formed in the side wall portion 41R. As will be described later, the opening 43 is formed to allow the passage of wirings 94 and 95 (see FIG. 6) extending from the RFID communication unit 80 incorporated in the label support mechanism unit 70. A mounting hole 45 is formed in the connecting portion 44, and a mounting hole 46 is formed in the side wall portion 41L. The mounting axis of the mounting hole 45 is slightly obliquely upward in the front direction, and the mounting axis of the mounting hole 46 is also slightly obliquely upward in the front direction. The mounting holes 715 and 716 (see FIG. 6) of the label support mechanism unit 70 are respectively positioned with respect to these two mounting holes 45 and 46 and fixed with screws.

[0058] The attachment and detachment of the label support mechanism unit 70 from the printer 1 can be easily performed. In a state where the front cover 2 is removed as described later, the two screws inserted into the mounting holes 715 and 716 of the label support mechanism unit 70 are exposed. In this state, it is possible to remove the screws, but the label support mechanism unit 70 cannot be removed from the frame 40 because it interferes with the platen roller 23. Therefore, when removing the label support mechanism unit 70 from the frame 40, it is necessary to remove the platen roller 23 in advance. To remove the platen roller 23, open the open cover 6, further open the print head unit 13, and rotate the platen lock lever 26 (see FIG. 5) around its axis. Note that the order of removing the two screws and removing the platen roller 23 may be either one first.

[0059] Fig. 13 shows the printer 1 with the platen roller 23 removed. Fig. 13 is a view of the printer 1 when viewed from the front and slightly above with the front cover 2 removed after the platen roller 23 is removed. In this state, as shown in Fig. 13, the screws SC1 and SC2 are exposed when viewed from the front. Also, the connectors 94c and 95c at the tips of the wirings 94 and 95 extending from the label support mechanism section 70 are connected to the connectors 534c and 535c provided on the partition plate 53, as shown in Fig. 13. The wirings 94 and 95 penetrate through the opening 43 of the frame 40 and an opening (not shown) in the side wall 51.

[0060] Therefore, when removing the label support mechanism section 70 from the printer 1, first, pull out the connectors 94c and 95c of the wirings 94 and 95 from the connectors 534c and 535c, and then remove the exposed screws SC1 and SC2. Thereby, the label support mechanism section 70 becomes movable in the lateral direction (i.e., movable in the front direction in Fig. 2) and can be removed from the printer 1. Conversely, when attaching the label support mechanism section 70 to the printer 1, insert the label support mechanism section 70 in the lateral direction, fix it to the frame 40 with the two screws SC1 and SC2, and then insert the wirings 94 and 95 into the opening 43 of the frame 40 and an opening (not shown) in the side wall 51, and insert the connectors 94c and 95c of the wirings 94 and 95 into the connectors 534c and 535c of the partition plate 53, respectively. As described above, since the label support mechanism section 70 is configured to be removable from the frame 40 by sliding it in the lateral direction (i.e., the direction along the mounting axis of the platen roller 23), the workability is good.

[0061] FIG. 14 is a schematic plan view showing the routing of the wiring connecting the RFID communication unit 80 and the control unit 60 incorporated in the label support mechanism section 70 of the printer 1. Here, as also shown in FIG. 2, side walls 51 and 52 are provided in the front-rear direction of the printer 1, and the partition plate 53 shown in FIG. 13 is provided in the lateral direction. Therefore, the internal space of the printer 1 is divided into a region R1 on the -X side of the side walls 51 and 52, a region R2 on the +X side of the side walls 51 and 52 and on the +Y side of the partition plate 53, and a region R3 on the +X side of the side walls 51 and 52 and on the -Y side of the partition plate 53.

[0062] Here, in the region R1 (an example of the first compartment), the platen roller 23, the thermal head 18, and the label support mechanism section 70 are arranged. In the region R3 (an example of the second compartment), as shown in FIG. 14, the control unit 60 is arranged. The region R1 is an area where the operator of the printer 1 can easily access by opening the open cover 6. The region R2 is an area where the operator can relatively easily access by removing the front cover 2 (FIG. 1). On the other hand, the region R3 is surrounded by the side walls 51 and 52, the partition plate 53, and an outer wall (not shown), and is an area where it is difficult for the operator to access. Note that the side walls 51 and 52 and the partition plate 53 are an example of partition walls. As shown in FIG. 14, the connectors 534c and 535c provided on the partition plate 53 are electrically connected to the wiring extending to the control unit 60 in the region R3. When electrically connecting or disconnecting the RFID communication unit 80 and the control unit 60, the operator only needs to insert or remove the connectors 94c and 95c of the wirings 94 and 95 respectively from the front with respect to the connectors 534c and 535c of the partition plate 53 with the front cover 2 removed, and there is no need to access the inside of the region R3. Therefore, the workability of the wiring is good.

[0063] As described above, in the printer 1, the RFID communication unit 80 that reads and writes data to and from the RFID inlay is built into the label support mechanism unit 70, and this label support mechanism unit 70 is detachably attached to the frame 40 by two screws. Then, when the front cover 2 is removed, these two screws are exposed, so the screws can be removed. Further, by opening the open cover 6, opening the print head unit 13, and removing the platen roller 23, the label support mechanism unit 70 can be easily attached and detached. Therefore, the workability when performing the replacement work of parts for modifying the standard printer into an RFID-compatible printer is improved.

[0064] In addition, since the label support mechanism unit 70 incorporates a sensor assembly 72 that detects the ends of each label PL in the conveyance direction of the continuous paper CP, the workability when performing the replacement work of parts for modifying the standard printer into an RFID-compatible printer is further improved. That is, since both the sensor assembly and the RFID communication unit are arranged in the vicinity of the upstream side of the platen roller, in terms of the component layout, the sensor assembly often has a dedicated design for the RFID-compatible printer. In the printer 1, by simply attaching the label support mechanism unit 70, it becomes possible to mount the sensor assembly 72 with a dedicated design for the RFID-compatible printer on the printer 1.

[0065] The embodiments of the printer of the present invention have been described above, but the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments. Also, various improvements and modifications are possible within the scope without departing from the gist of the present invention.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0066] 1... Printer 2... Front cover 3... Input button 4... Display panel 5... Issuing port 6... Open cover 7... Hinge 10a... Paper support part, 10b... Mounting part for backing paper roll 11... Printing part 12… Ink ribbon section 12a… Ribbon supply section, 12b… Ribbon take-up section, 121, 122… Ribbon rollers 13… Printing head unit 15… Damper 16… Head lock lever 17… Support plate 18… Thermal head 19… Engagement claw 20… Pin 21… Twisting spring 22… Lock claw 23… Platen roller 24… Peeling section 25a, 25b… Nip rollers 26… Platen lock lever 31… Antenna assembly 311… RFID antenna, 312… Housing, 313… Antenna cover, 314… Grounding terminal, 315… Mounting screw 32… Wiring 40… Frame 41L, 41R… Side wall parts, 42L, 42R… Platen mounting parts, 43… Opening, 44… Connecting part, 45, 46… Mounting holes 51, 52… Side walls, 53… Partition board, 534c, 535c… Connectors 60… Control unit 70… Label support mechanism section 71… Label support section, 711… Support surface, 72… Sensor assembly, 723… Rocking shaft, 73… Label guide section, 74… First label sensor, 75… Second label sensor, 715, 716… Mounting holes, 741… Light emitting element, 742… Light receiving element, 743, 744… Substrate, 745… Light guide plate, 751… Light emitting element, 752… Light receiving element, 753… Substrate 80… RFID communication unit 81… RFID module, 82 - 86… Substrates, 90… Antenna drive section, 91… RFID antenna, 92… First direction drive section, 93… Second direction drive section, 94, 95… Wiring, 94c, 95c… Connectors CP… Continuous paper, PM… Mounting paper, PL… Label, IL… RFID inlay, IM… Position detection mark, RB… Ink ribbon, R… Roll paper CU... Cutting unit, 33... Lower part, 34... Motor, 35... Upper part S1... Rocking shaft

Claims

1. A printer main body, a transport roller attached to the printer main body and configured to transport a printing medium having an RFID inlay, a printing head configured to print information on the printing medium, a medium support portion having a support surface configured to support the printing medium transported by the transport roller from the side opposite to the printing surface of the printing medium, and removably attached to the printer main body, an RFID communication unit built in the medium support portion and configured to read and write data to and from the RFID inlay, and a printer comprising the same.

2. The transport roller transports a continuous body including a strip-shaped backing paper and a plurality of the printing media removably attached to the backing paper at intervals, The printer, further comprises a sensor unit built in the medium support portion and configured to detect an end portion of each printing medium in the transport direction of the continuous body, The printer according to claim 1.

3. The medium support portion is configured to be removable from the printer main body by sliding in a direction along the mounting axis of the transport roller, The printer according to claim 1.

4. The printer main body, has a first section in which the transport roller, the printing head, and the medium support portion are disposed, a second section in which a control unit connected to the RFID communication unit by wiring is disposed, and a partition wall separating the two sections, wherein a connector for electrically connecting a wiring extending from the RFID communication unit and a wiring extending from the control unit is provided in the partition wall, The printer according to claim 1.

5. a head unit configured to hold the printing head and swingable between a first position where the printing head is separated from the transport roller and a second position where the printing head and the transport roller sandwich the printing medium, and an antenna unit electrically connected to the RFID communication unit, having a first antenna capable of communicating with the RFID inlay, and attached to the head unit so as to be close to the support surface when the head unit is in the second position, The printer according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

6. further comprises a wiring connecting the antenna unit and the RFID communication unit, and the wiring extends toward the RFID communication unit so as to go around the outside of the swing axis of the head unit when viewed from the antenna unit. The printer according to claim 5.

7. The conveying roller conveys a continuous body including a strip-shaped backing sheet and a plurality of the printing media detachably attached to the backing sheet at intervals. The printer further includes a peeling unit that peels each printing medium from the continuous body, and a winding unit that winds up the backing sheet from which each printing medium has been peeled by the peeling unit. A gap through which the backing sheet passes from the peeling unit toward the winding unit is formed on the side opposite to the side where the continuous body is with respect to the medium support unit. A gap through which the backing sheet passes from the peeling unit toward the winding unit is formed on the side opposite to the side where the continuous body is with respect to the medium support unit. The printer according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

8. The RFID communication unit includes a second antenna and an antenna driving unit for displacing the second antenna along the support surface. The printer according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

9. The conveying roller conveys a continuous body including a plurality of the printing media. The printer further includes a cutting unit that cuts each printing medium from the continuous body, and a gap for arranging the cutting unit is formed on the side opposite to the side where the continuous body is with respect to the medium support unit. The printer according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

10. The medium support unit includes a main body having the support surface, and a wiring provided between the sensor unit and the main body. The sensor unit is attached to the main body so as to be slidable in the width direction of the continuous body. The wiring is configured such that no tension is generated when it moves along with the sliding operation of the sensor unit. The printer according to claim 2.

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