Recording device and control method for recording device

Abstract

To solve the problem that there is a risk of improper conveyance of a medium when the medium is stretched too loosely or too much.SOLUTION: A printer 10 includes a housing part 14, a recording part 20, a feeding roller pair 42, an intermediate roller pair 46, a second motor 54 and a third motor 56, and a control unit 28. The housing part 14 houses roll paper PR. The feeding roller pair 42 is placed upstream of the recording part 20 in the conveyance direction, and nips the roll paper PR. The intermediate roller pair 46 is rotatably placed between the feeding roller pair 42 and the housing part 14 and nips the roll paper PR. The second motor 54 and the third motor 56 apply tension to the roll paper PR between the intermediate roller pair 46 and the housing part 14. The control unit 28 can switch between a first mode for applying a first tension T1 and a second mode for applying a second tension T2 that is smaller than the first tension T1 to the roll paper PR between the intermediate roller pair 46 and the housing part 14.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a recording apparatus and a method for controlling the recording apparatus. [Background technology]

[0002] The printing device described in Patent Document 1 includes a recording unit that prints on the medium sent out from the roller pair, a feeding unit that feeds the medium to the roller pair, and a winding unit that winds up the printed medium. The feeding unit adjusts the back tension that acts on the medium between the roller pair and the feeding unit in accordance with changes in the front tension that acts on the medium between the roller pair and the winding unit. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2017-218238 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In the printing device of Patent Document 1, if slack occurs in the medium between the roller pair and the feeding section, the medium may skew or wrinkle. Furthermore, if the medium is excessively tensioned between the roller pair and the feeding section, the roller pair may not be able to transport the medium completely, which may reduce the accuracy of medium transport. Thus, both when slack occurs in the medium and when the medium is excessively tensioned, there is a risk of poor medium transport. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] In order to solve the above problem, the recording device of the present invention comprises a storage unit that stores a portion of a wound long medium so that it can be sent out in the transport direction, a recording unit that is arranged downstream of the storage unit in the transport direction and records on the long medium, a first pair of rollers that are rotatably arranged upstream of the recording unit in the transport direction and nip the long medium, a second pair of rollers that are rotatably arranged between the first pair of rollers and the storage unit and nip the long medium, a first tension applying mechanism that applies tension in the transport direction to the long medium between the second pair of rollers and the storage unit, and a control unit that controls the rotational operation of the first roller pair, the rotational operation of the second roller pair, and the operation of the first tension applying mechanism, and is characterized in that the control unit is capable of switching between a first mode in which a first tension is applied to the long medium between the second pair of rollers and the storage unit and a second mode in which a second tension smaller than the first tension is applied by controlling the operation of the first tension applying mechanism.

[0006] A control method for a recording device according to the present invention is a control method for a recording device having a storage section that stores a portion of a wound long medium so that it can be fed in the transport direction, a recording section that is arranged downstream of the storage section in the transport direction and performs recording on the long medium, a first pair of rollers that are rotatably arranged upstream of the recording section in the transport direction and nip the long medium, a second pair of rollers that are rotatably arranged between the first pair of rollers and the storage section and nip the long medium, and a first applying mechanism that applies tension in the transport direction to the long medium between the second pair of rollers and the storage section, and is characterized by having the steps of: switching between a first mode in which the first applying mechanism applies a first tension to the long medium between the second pair of rollers and the storage section, and a second mode in which the first applying mechanism applies a second tension that is smaller than the first tension, depending on set conditions; transporting the long medium to which the first tension or the second tension has been applied to a position opposite the recording section; and recording on the transported long medium by the recording section. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0007] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating the overall configuration of a printer according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing each part of the printer according to the embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram showing tension acting on the roll paper between the first roller pair and the second roller pair in the printer according to the embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram showing tension acting on the roll paper from the delivery roller to the first roller pair in the printer according to the embodiment. [Figure 5] 6 is a flowchart showing the flow of each process executed in the printer according to the embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0008] The recording apparatus according to the first to eleventh aspects of the present invention will be briefly described below. A recording device according to a first aspect of the present invention for solving the above problem comprises a storage section that stores a portion of a wound long medium so that it can be fed out in the transport direction, a recording section that is arranged downstream of the storage section in the transport direction and performs recording on the long medium, a first pair of rollers that are rotatably arranged upstream of the recording section in the transport direction and nip the long medium, a second pair of rollers that are rotatably arranged between the first pair of rollers and the storage section and nip the long medium, a first tension applying mechanism that applies tension in the transport direction to the long medium between the second pair of rollers and the storage section, and a control section that controls the rotational operation of the first roller pair, the rotational operation of the second roller pair, and the operation of the first tension applying mechanism, and is characterized in that the control section is capable of switching between a first mode in which a first tension is applied to the long medium between the second pair of rollers and the storage section and a second mode in which a second tension smaller than the first tension is applied by controlling the operation of the first tension applying mechanism.

[0009] According to this aspect, the second roller pair nips the long medium, making it easier to change the tension acting on the long medium between the second roller pair and the storage unit. In the first mode, the control unit controls the operation of the first tension applying mechanism to apply the first tension to the long medium between the second roller pair and the storage unit, thereby increasing the adhesion between the portion of the long medium wound around the second roller pair and the second roller pair, thereby suppressing skew and wrinkles in the long medium on the second roller pair. In the second mode, the control unit controls the operation of the first tension applying mechanism to apply the second tension, which is smaller than the first tension, to the long medium between the second roller pair and the storage unit. This prevents excessive tension from being applied to the long medium, thereby preventing the eccentricity of the portion where the long medium is wound into a roll from affecting the long medium at the second roller pair. In this way, it is possible to prevent the long medium from being transported improperly both when slack occurs in the long medium and when the long medium is excessively stretched.

[0010] The recording device of the second aspect is characterized in that, in the first aspect, it is provided with a second tension applying mechanism that applies a third tension to the long medium between the first roller pair and the second roller pair, and the control unit controls the operation of the second tension applying mechanism to apply the third tension to the long medium between the first roller pair and the second roller pair in both the first mode and the second mode. According to this aspect, in both the first mode and the second mode, the third tension acts on the long medium between the first roller pair and the second roller pair, which causes the second roller pair to rotate in unison with the rotation of the first roller pair, thereby reducing the phase difference between the rotations of the first roller pair and the second roller pair, thereby preventing a decrease in the transport accuracy of the long medium on the first roller pair.

[0011] The recording apparatus according to a third aspect is the recording apparatus according to the second aspect, characterized in that in the first mode, the third tension is greater than the first tension. According to this aspect, in the first roller pair that transports the long medium to which the third tension is applied, the third tension is greater than the first tension, thereby increasing the adhesion between the long medium and the first roller pair and preventing the long medium from being pulled excessively upstream of the second roller pair, thereby preventing a decrease in the transport accuracy of the long medium on the first roller pair.Furthermore, in the second roller pair that transports the long medium to which the first tension is applied, the long medium is pulled upstream with the first tension, which is smaller than the third tension, preventing sagging of the long medium, thereby preventing skewing and wrinkles of the long medium on the second roller pair.

[0012] A recording device according to a fourth aspect is characterized in that, in the second or third aspect, the control unit is capable of receiving input of information on a first thickness of the long medium and information on a second thickness that is thinner than the first thickness, and when the information on the second thickness is input, the control unit operates at least the second providing mechanism out of the first providing mechanism and the second providing mechanism. According to this aspect, when the thickness of the long medium is relatively thin, the third tension is applied to the long medium by the second applying mechanism, thereby preventing the long medium from being pressed against the first roller pair in a slack state, thereby preventing wrinkles from occurring in the long medium.

[0013] A recording device according to a fifth aspect is any one of the second to fourth aspects, wherein the control unit is capable of receiving input of information on a first conveying accuracy, which is the positional accuracy when conveying the long medium, and information on a second conveying accuracy, which is higher in positional accuracy than the first conveying accuracy, and when information on the second conveying accuracy is input, the control unit reduces the tension applied to the long medium in both the first applying mechanism and the second applying mechanism. According to this aspect, the tension applied to the long medium is reduced, and therefore the fluctuation in tension is smaller than when the tension is large, thereby improving the transport accuracy of the long medium.

[0014] A recording device according to a sixth aspect is any one of the second to fifth aspects, wherein the control unit is capable of receiving input of information on a first width in a width direction of the long medium that intersects with the conveying direction and information on a second width that is narrower than the first width, and the control unit increases the tension applied to the long medium in both the first and second applying mechanisms when the first width information is input, and decreases the tension applied to the long medium when the second width information is input. According to this aspect, when transporting a long medium having the second width narrower than the first width, the tension applied to the long medium is reduced, thereby reducing tension fluctuations compared to when the tension is high, thereby improving the transport accuracy of the long medium. Since the long medium having the second width narrower than the first width is less likely to wrinkle than the long medium having the first width, the tension is reduced to prioritize the transport accuracy of the long medium. Furthermore, when transporting a long medium having the first width wider than the second width, wrinkles are more likely to occur than the long medium having the second width. However, by increasing the tension applied to the long medium, the long medium is less likely to sag in the transport direction, thereby suppressing wrinkles in the long medium.

[0015] The recording device of the seventh aspect is any one of the second to sixth aspects, wherein the storage unit comprises a first storage unit in which the length of the transport path to the second roller pair is a first length and which stores the long medium, and a second storage unit in which the length of the transport path to the second roller pair is a second length longer than the first length and which stores the long medium, and the control unit is capable of inputting first usage information for using the first storage unit and second usage information for using the second storage unit, and the control unit increases the tension applied to the long medium in both the first and second application mechanisms when the first usage information is input, and decreases the tension applied to the long medium when the second usage information is input. According to this aspect, when the first usage information is input, the length of the transport path is the first length, which is shorter than the second length. Here, when the length of the transport path is short, the transport load acting on the long medium is small. Therefore, by increasing the tension applied to the long medium, it is possible to suppress sagging of the long medium. On the other hand, when the second usage information is input, the length of the transport path becomes the second length, which is longer than the first length. Here, when the length of the transport path is long, the transport load acting on the long medium becomes large. Therefore, by reducing the tension applied to the long medium, it is possible to prevent the transport load when transporting the long medium from becoming excessively large.

[0016] The recording device of the eighth aspect is characterized in that, in any one of the first to seventh aspects, the control unit executes the first mode when first priority information that prioritizes suppressing skew and wrinkles in the long medium is input. According to this aspect, the first tension is applied to the long medium between the second roller pair and the storage section, which increases the adhesion between the second roller pair and the portion of the long medium wound around the second roller pair and also reduces sagging of the long medium between the second roller pair and the storage section, thereby reducing skew and wrinkles in the long medium on the second roller pair.

[0017] The recording device of the ninth aspect is characterized in that, in any one of the first to eighth aspects, the control unit executes the second mode when second priority information that prioritizes the transport accuracy of the long medium is input. According to this aspect, the second tension, which is smaller than the first tension, is applied to the long medium between the second roller pair and the storage section, thereby preventing excessive tension from being applied to the long medium and suppressing the influence of eccentricity of the rolled portion of the long medium on the second roller pair, thereby improving the transport accuracy of the long medium.

[0018] A recording device according to a tenth aspect is any one of the first to ninth aspects, characterized in that the control unit is set to the first mode as a mode at startup. According to this aspect, the first tension is applied to the long medium between the second roller pair and the storage section, so that the adhesion between the portion of the long medium wrapped around the second roller pair and the second roller pair can be increased from the time of startup, and sagging of the long medium between the second roller pair and the storage section can be suppressed from the time of startup.

[0019] A method for controlling a recording device according to an eleventh aspect includes a storage unit that stores a portion of a wound long medium so that the portion can be fed in a transport direction, a recording unit that is arranged downstream of the storage unit in the transport direction and performs recording on the long medium, a first roller pair that is rotatably arranged upstream of the recording unit in the transport direction and nip the long medium, a second roller pair that is rotatably arranged between the first roller pair and the storage unit and nip the long medium, and a device that applies tension in the transport direction to the long medium between the second roller pair and the storage unit. a first tension applying mechanism for applying a first tension to the long medium between the second roller pair and the storage section, the method comprising the steps of: switching, depending on set conditions, between a first mode in which the first tension applying mechanism applies a first tension to the long medium between the second roller pair and the storage section, and a second mode in which the first tension applying mechanism applies a second tension that is smaller than the first tension; transporting the long medium to which the first tension or the second tension has been applied to a position opposite the recording section; and recording on the transported long medium by the recording section. According to this aspect, it is possible to obtain the same functions and effects as the recording device according to the first aspect.

[0020] An example of the recording apparatus and the method for controlling the recording apparatus according to the present invention will now be described in detail. FIG. 1 shows a printer 10 as an example of a recording apparatus according to an embodiment. In each figure, the X direction along the X axis is an example of the device width direction of the printer 10, which is also the width direction of the roll paper PR, which will be described later. When the front of the device faces the user, the -X direction is to the left as seen by the user, and the +X direction is to the right. The Y direction along the Y axis is an example of the device depth direction of the printer 10. The +Y direction is the direction from the back of the device to the front, and is an example of the transport direction of roll paper PR in the platen unit 30, which will be described later. The -Y direction is the direction from the front of the device to the back. The X and Y directions are horizontal directions. The Z direction along the Z axis is the device height direction and vertical direction of the printer 10, with the +Z direction being vertically upward and the -Z direction being vertically downward. The X direction, Y direction, and Z direction are perpendicular to each other.

[0021] The printer 10 uses roll paper PR as an example of a long medium that is long in one direction. A portion of the roll paper PR is configured as a roll section 15 wound around a core metal (not shown), and is rotatably stored in a storage section 14 (described below). The portion of the roll paper PR other than the roll section 15 is pulled out from the roll section 15. The roll paper PR is cut by a cutting section 24 (described below) to form sheet-like cut papers PS.

[0022] A stacking device (not shown) on which cut papers PS are stacked is provided in the +Y direction relative to the printer 10. The printer 10 has a housing 12 in the shape of a rectangular parallelepiped. The housing 12 has a side wall 13 that forms the +Y direction wall of the housing 12. An outlet 19 that penetrates the side wall 13 in the Y direction is formed in the side wall 13. The outlet 19 is large enough to allow all paper sheets P that can be used in the printer 10 to pass through.

[0023] As an example, printer 10 is configured as an inkjet printer capable of printing on paper P ranging in size from A4 to A0. Printer 10 is capable of recording on both plain paper and photo paper. Specifically, printer 10 includes an operation panel 11 (FIG. 2), a storage unit 14, a recording unit 20, a platen unit 22, a cutting unit 24, an ejection unit 26, a control unit 28, a paper sensor 39 (FIG. 2), and a transport unit 40. A transport path K is formed from the storage section 14 to the stacking device, along which roll paper PR or cut sheets PS are transported.

[0024] The operation panel 11 can be set to either a first mode or a second mode, which will be described later. The operation panel 11 can be set to a first thickness of the roll paper PR, or a second thickness that is thinner than the first thickness. The operation panel 11 can be set to either a first transport accuracy, which is the positional accuracy when transporting the roll paper PR, or a second transport accuracy that is higher in positional accuracy than the first transport accuracy. The operation panel 11 can be set to either a first width in the width direction that intersects with the transport direction of the roll paper PR, or a second width that is narrower than the first width. The operation panel 11 can be set to either a first storage section 16 or a second storage section 18, which will be described later.

[0025] The storage section 14 stores a portion of the wound roll paper PR so that it can be fed out in the transport direction. The storage section 14 is made up of, for example, a first storage section 16 and a second storage section 18 aligned in the Z direction. The first storage section 16 is located in the housing 12 in the -Z direction from the center in the Z direction. The first storage section 16 stores one roll of paper PR. On the transport path K, the transport path of the roll of paper PR sent out from the first storage section 16 is referred to as transport path K1. Furthermore, the position in the first storage section 16 from which a portion of the roll of paper PR is sent out is referred to as the first sending-out position P1.

[0026] The second storage section 18 is located in the housing 12 in the -Z direction relative to the first storage section 16. The second storage section 18 stores another roll of paper PR. On the transport path K, the transport path of the roll of paper PR sent out from the second storage section 18 is referred to as transport path K2. Furthermore, the position in the second storage section 18 from which a portion of the roll of paper PR is sent out is referred to as the second sending-out position P2. The transport path K1 and the transport path K2 are formed as different paths up to the joining position P3, and share a common transport path K3 downstream from the joining position P3. In the conveyance path K3, the center position of the nip portion where the intermediate roller pair 46 (described later) nip the roll paper PR is defined as nip position P4.

[0027] The length from the first feed position P1 to the joining position P3 is LA (mm), the length from the second feed position P2 to the joining position P3 is LB (mm), and the length from the joining position P3 to the nip position P4 is LC (mm). Note that the lengths LA, LB, and LC are lengths obtained based on the respective imaginary lines that are set so that the roll paper PR does not come into contact with other components. Here, the sum of the length of the conveying path K1 from the first storage section 16 to the intermediate roller pair 46 and the length of the conveying path K3 is defined as the first length L1 (mm). The first length L1 = LA + LC. The sum of the length of the conveying path K2 from the second storage section 18 to the intermediate roller pair 46 and the length of the conveying path K3 is defined as the second length L2 (mm). The second length L2 = LB + LC. The second length L2 is longer than the first length L1.

[0028] The recording unit 20 is located downstream of the storage unit 14 in the transport direction of the roll paper PR, and performs recording on the roll paper PR. Specifically, the recording unit 20 performs recording by ejecting ink Q, an example of droplets, onto the roll paper PR transported by the transport unit 40, which will be described later. The roll paper PR is transported in the +Y direction in the area facing the recording unit 20. The recording unit 20 is also located in the +Z direction relative to the roll paper PR. In other words, recording is performed on the top surface of the roll paper PR in the +Z direction.

[0029] The platen unit 22 is disposed in the −Z direction relative to the recording unit 20, and supports a portion of the roll paper PR. The cutting unit 24 cuts the roll paper PR recorded by the recording unit 20 into cut sheets PS. The discharge unit 26 discharges the cut paper PS from the discharge opening 19 to the outside. The control unit 28 controls the rotational operation of the supply roller pair 42, the rotational operation of the intermediate roller pair 46, and the operations of the first motor 52, the second motor 54, and the third motor 56. Specific control details of the control unit 28 will be described later.

[0030] 2, the control unit 28 functions as a computer. Specifically, the control unit 28 includes a central processing unit (CPU) 32, a read-only memory (ROM) 34, a random access memory (RAM) 36, and a storage 38. The ROM 34 stores various data including programs executed by the CPU 32. The programs are programs that cause the CPU 32 to execute each step in the printer 10, which will be described later.

[0031] As an example, the paper sensor 39 is located near the merging position P3 (Figure 1) and detects the sagging state of the roll paper PR as it heads toward the intermediate roller pair 46. The paper sensor 39 is also composed of, as an example, a light-emitting unit such as a laser diode, and a light-receiving unit that receives light reflected from the object being measured. The distance between the paper sensor 39 and the roll paper PR can be determined by triangulation or distance measurement based on time difference. Note that the distance can also be measured using ultrasound.

[0032] 1 and 2, the conveying unit 40 is configured to include, for example, a supply roller pair 42, an intermediate roller pair 46, a first motor 52, a second motor 54, and a third motor 56. The conveying unit 40 conveys the roll paper PR pulled out of the storage unit 14 downstream along the conveying path K.

[0033] 3, the supply roller pair 42 is an example of a first roller pair, and is rotatably disposed upstream of the recording unit 20 in the transport direction of the roll paper PR, and nips the roll paper PR. Specifically, the supply roller pair 42 has a lower roller 43 and an upper roller 44. The lower roller 43 is disposed in the −Z direction with respect to the transport path K, and is provided so as to be rotatable about a central axis along the X direction. The lower roller 43 is also driven to rotate by a first motor 52, which will be described later. The upper roller 44 is disposed in the +Z direction with respect to the conveying path K, and is provided rotatable about a central axis along the X direction. The upper roller 44 is rotated in accordance with the rotation of the lower roller 43. The diameter of the upper roller 44 is, for example, smaller than the diameter of the lower roller 43.

[0034] The intermediate roller pair 46 is an example of a second roller pair, and is rotatably disposed between the supply roller pair 42 and the storage unit 14 to nip the roll paper PR. Specifically, the intermediate roller pair 46 has a drive roller 47 and a driven roller 48. The drive roller 47 is disposed in the −Z direction with respect to the transport path K, and is provided so as to be rotatable about a central axis along the X direction. The drive roller 47 is also driven to rotate by a second motor 54, which will be described later. The driven roller 48 is disposed in the +Z direction with respect to the transport path K, and is provided rotatable around a central axis along the X direction. The driven roller 48 is rotated in accordance with the rotation of the drive roller 47. The diameter of the driven roller 48 is, for example, smaller than the diameter of the drive roller 47.

[0035] As shown in FIG. 4, the first motor 52 is energized by a power supply (not shown) to drive the lower roller 43 to rotate via a gear (not shown). The second motor 54 is energized by a power supply unit, and thereby drives the drive roller 47 to rotate via a gear (not shown). The third motor 56 is energized by a power supply unit to drive and rotate the roll portion 15 of the roll paper PR via gears (not shown).

[0036] The second motor 54 and the third motor 56 are an example of a first tension applying mechanism, and apply tension in the transport direction to the roll paper PR between the intermediate roller pair 46 and the storage unit 14. Specifically, the second motor 54 and the third motor 56 are configured to be able to apply a first tension T1 in the transport direction or a second tension T2 that is smaller than the first tension T1 to the roll paper PR between the intermediate roller pair 46 and the storage unit 14.

[0037] The third motor 56 functions as a first adjustment unit that adjusts the tension acting on the roll paper PR between the intermediate roller pair 46 and the storage unit 14. In other words, while the second motor 54 drives the drive roller 47 at a fixed setting, the third motor 56 changes the drive state of the roll unit 15, thereby adjusting the tension acting on the roll paper PR between the intermediate roller pair 46 and the storage unit 14. This makes it possible to switch between the first tension T1 and the second tension T2.

[0038] The first motor 52 and the second motor 54 are an example of a second tension applying mechanism, and apply a third tension T3 in the transport direction to the roll paper PR between the supply roller pair 42 and the intermediate roller pair 46. The second motor 54 functions as a second adjustment unit that adjusts the third tension T3 acting on the roll paper PR between the supply roller pair 42 and the intermediate roller pair 46. In other words, while the first motor 52 drives the lower roller 43 at a constant setting, the second motor 54 changes the drive state of the drive roller 47, thereby adjusting the third tension T3.

[0039] 3, a method for adjusting the third tension T3 acting on the roll paper PR between the supply roller pair 42 and the intermediate roller pair 46 will be described. For simplicity, a description of the driven roller 48 will be omitted. The load required for the second motor 54 to rotate the drive roller 47 is defined as Fr. The reduction ratio of the drive roller 47 is defined as m, and the radius of the drive roller 47 is defined as r. Furthermore, the assist torque when the drive roller 47 is rotated by the driving of the second motor 54 is defined as Fa.

[0040] The third tension T3A in an unassisted state, where no current is passed through the second motor 54 to rotate the drive roller 47 in the transport direction, is T3A = Fr × m / r. The third tension T3B in an assisted state, where a current is passed through the second motor 54 to rotate the drive roller 47 in the transport direction, is T3B = (Fr - Fa) × m / r. The current passed through the second motor 54 in an assisted state may be a current that rotates the drive roller 47, but it may also be a current that assists the supply roller pair 42 in transporting the roll paper PR without rotating the drive roller 47. Here, when the value of the current flowing through the second motor 54 is small, Fa becomes small. In this case, the third tension T3B becomes close to the third tension T3A, and therefore the tension becomes large. On the other hand, Fa increases when the value of the current flowing through the second motor 54 is large. In this case, the third tension T3B becomes smaller than the third tension T3A, and becomes 0 at its smallest. In this way, by changing the current value of the second motor 54, the assist torque Fa is changed, and the third tension T3 can be adjusted. When adjusting the tension acting on the roll paper PR between the intermediate roller pair 46 and the storage unit 14, in the above description, the supply roller pair 42 is replaced with the intermediate roller pair 46, and the intermediate roller pair 46 is replaced with the roll unit 15, and adjustment is performed using the third motor 56. Therefore, the description will be omitted.

[0041] Next, the control by the control unit 28 will be specifically described with reference to FIGS. The control unit 28 can switch between a first mode in which a first tension T1 is applied and a second mode in which a second tension T2 is applied to the roll paper PR between the intermediate roller pair 46 and the storage unit 14 by controlling the operation of the second motor 54 and the third motor 56. For example, by operating the third motor 56 to increase the amount of roll paper PR fed out of the storage unit 14, the first tension T1 can be changed to the second tension T2. Furthermore, in both the first and second modes, the control unit 28 controls the operation of the first motor 52 and the second motor 54 to apply a third tension T3 to the roll paper PR between the supply roller pair 42 and the intermediate roller pair 46. In the first mode, the control unit 28 controls the third tension T3 so that it is greater than the first tension T1.

[0042] Information about the first thickness d1 of the roll paper PR and information about the second thickness d2, which is thinner than the first thickness d1, can be input to the control unit 28 via the operation panel 11. The first thickness d1 and second thickness d2 are not shown in the figures. When information on the second thickness d2 is input from the operation panel 11, the control unit 28 operates at least the first motor 52 and the second motor 54 out of the first motor 52, the second motor 54, and the third motor 56.

[0043] Information about the first transport accuracy, which is the positional accuracy when transporting the roll paper PR, and information about the second transport accuracy, which is higher in positional accuracy than the first transport accuracy, can be input to the control unit 28 via the operation panel 11. In other words, the operation panel 11 makes it possible to select between a normal mode, which provides normal positional accuracy, and a high-precision mode, which provides high positional accuracy, regarding the positional accuracy of the roll paper PR. When the information on the second conveying accuracy is input, the control unit 28 reduces the tension applied to the paper P in both the first motor 52 and the second motor 54, and the second motor 54 and the third motor 56, compared to when the information on the first conveying accuracy is input. In other words, the first tension T1 or the second tension T2 and the third tension T3 are reduced.

[0044] Information about the first width W1 in the X direction, which intersects with the transport direction of the roll paper PR, and information about the second width W2, which is narrower than the first width W1, can be input to the control unit 28 via the operation panel 11. The first width W1 and second width W2 are not shown in the figure. When information about the first width W1 is input, the control unit 28 increases the tension applied to the roll paper PR for both the first motor 52 and the second motor 54, and the second motor 54 and the third motor 56. When information about the second width W2 is input, the control unit 28 decreases the tension applied to the roll paper PR. In other words, when the first width W1 is input, the first tension T1 or the second tension T2 and the third tension T3 are increased, and when the second width W2 is input, the first tension T1 or the second tension T2 and the third tension T3 are decreased.

[0045] First use information for using the first storage section 16 and second use information for using the second storage section 18 can be input to the control section 28 from the operation panel 11. The control unit 28 increases the tension applied to the roll paper PR when the first usage information is input, and decreases the tension applied to the roll paper PR when the second usage information is input, for both the first motor 52 and the second motor 54, and the second motor 54 and the third motor 56. In other words, when the first usage information is input, the first tension T1 or the second tension T2 and the third tension T3 are increased, and when the second usage information is input, the first tension T1 or the second tension T2 and the third tension T3 are decreased. The above-mentioned increase and decrease may be performed on a preset tension, or may be performed on the tension that is acting at the time the various information is input.

[0046] When first priority information that prioritizes suppressing skew and wrinkles in the roll paper PR is input via the operation panel 11, the control unit 28 executes the first mode described above. Furthermore, when second priority information that prioritizes the transport accuracy of the roll paper PR is input via the operation panel 11, the control unit 28 executes the second mode described above. Furthermore, the control unit 28 is set to the first mode described above as the mode at startup.

[0047] Next, the operation of the printer 10 and the control method for the printer 10 according to the embodiment will be described. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the flow of each process in the printer 10. 1 to 4, and individual drawing numbers will be omitted for the various parts and components that make up the printer 10. Each process shown in Fig. 5 is performed by the CPU 32 reading the program PR from the ROM 34, expanding it into the RAM 36, and executing it.

[0048] In step S10, the CPU 32 acquires various setting information set on the operation panel 11. The various setting information includes selection information between the first mode and the second mode, selection information between the first thickness d1 and the second thickness d2, selection information between the normal mode and the high-precision mode, selection information between the first width W1 and the second width W2, selection information between the first use information and the second use information, and selection information between the first priority information and the second priority information. Note that the first mode is set in the initial state. Then, the process proceeds to step S12.

[0049] In step S12, the CPU 32 determines, based on the setting information, whether or not to use the first housing section 16. If the first housing section 16 is to be used (S12: Yes), the process proceeds to step S14. If the second housing section 18 is to be used (S12: No), the process proceeds to step S16. In step S14, the CPU 32 increases the target set tension among the first tension T1, the second tension T2, and the third tension T3, and then proceeds to step S18. In step S16, the CPU 32 reduces the target set tension among the first tension T1, the second tension T2, and the third tension T3, and then proceeds to step S18.

[0050] In step S18, the CPU 32 operates the motor to be operated from among the first motor 52, the second motor 54, and the third motor 56, based on the setting information, and then proceeds to step S20. In step S20, the CPU 32 determines whether or not there has been a switch between the first mode and the second mode based on the setting information. If there has been a switch between the first mode and the second mode (S20: Yes), the process proceeds to step S22. If there has not been a switch between the first mode and the second mode (S20: No), the process proceeds to step S26.

[0051] In step S22, the CPU 32 determines whether the second mode is selected. If the second mode is selected (S22: Yes), the CPU 32 switches from the first mode to the second mode and proceeds to step S24. If the first mode is selected (S22: No), the CPU 32 remains in the first mode and proceeds to step S26. In step S24, the CPU 32 executes the second mode, and then proceeds to step S28. In step S26, the CPU 32 executes the first mode, and then proceeds to step S28. In step S28, the CPU 32 transports the unrecorded portion of the roll paper PR to a position opposite the recording unit 20. Then, the process proceeds to step S30.

[0052] In step S30, the CPU 32 causes the recording unit 20 to record on the transported roll paper PR, and then the process proceeds to step S32. In step S32, the CPU 32 cuts the roll paper PR by operating the cutting unit 24. Then, the process proceeds to step S34. In step S34, CPU 32 checks whether the number of cut slips PS formed has reached the set number, and further checks whether additional information has been input from operation panel 11 to determine whether to end the program without changing any of the settings. If the program is to end the program without changing any of the settings (S34: Yes), the program ends. If the program is to change any of the settings (S34: No), the program proceeds to step S10.

[0053] According to the printer 10, the tension acting on the roll paper PR between the intermediate roller pair 46 and the storage unit 14 can be easily changed by the intermediate roller pair 46 nipping the roll paper PR. In the first mode, the control unit 28 controls the operation of the second motor 54 and the third motor 56, thereby applying a first tension T1 to the roll paper PR between the intermediate roller pair 46 and the storage unit 14. This increases the adhesion between the intermediate roller pair 46 and the portion of the roll paper PR that is wrapped around the intermediate roller pair 46, thereby preventing the roll paper PR from skewing or wrinkling at the intermediate roller pair 46. Furthermore, in the second mode, the control unit 28 controls the operation of the second motor 54 and the third motor 56, so that a second tension T2, which is smaller than the first tension T1, is applied to the roll paper PR between the intermediate roller pair 46 and the storage unit 14. This prevents excessive tension from being applied to the roll paper PR, and therefore prevents the eccentricity of the roll unit 15, which is the part around which the roll paper PR is wound in a roll, from affecting the roll paper PR at the intermediate roller pair 46. In this way, it is possible to prevent transport problems with the roll paper PR both when slack occurs in the roll paper PR and when the roll paper PR is excessively tensioned.

[0054] In both the first and second modes of the printer 10, a third tension T3 acts on the roll paper PR between the supply roller pair 42 and the intermediate roller pair 46. This causes the intermediate roller pair 46 to rotate in unison with the rotation of the supply roller pair 42, reducing the phase difference between the rotations of the supply roller pair 42 and the intermediate roller pair 46, thereby preventing a decrease in the transport accuracy of the roll paper PR on the supply roller pair 42. According to the printer 10, the third tension T3 acts on the supply roller pair 42 that transports the roll paper PR, and because the third tension T3 is greater than the first tension T1, this increases the adhesion between the roll paper PR and the supply roller pair 42 and prevents the roll paper PR from being pulled excessively upstream of the intermediate roller pair 46, thereby preventing a decrease in the transport accuracy of the roll paper PR at the supply roller pair 42. Furthermore, the first tension T1 acts on the intermediate roller pair 46 that transports the roll paper PR, and because the roll paper PR is pulled upstream with the first tension T1, which is smaller than the third tension T3, this prevents sagging of the roll paper PR, and therefore prevents skewing and wrinkles of the roll paper PR at the intermediate roller pair 46.

[0055] According to the printer 10, when the thickness of the roll paper PR is relatively thin, the first motor 52 and the second motor 54 apply a third tension T3 to the roll paper PR, which prevents the roll paper PR from being pressed against the supply roller pair 42 in a slack state, thereby preventing wrinkles from occurring in the roll paper PR. According to the printer 10, when information on the second transport accuracy is input, the tension applied to the roll paper PR is reduced, which reduces the fluctuation in tension compared to when the tension is high, thereby improving the transport accuracy of the roll paper PR.

[0056] According to the printer 10, when transporting roll paper PR with a second width W2 narrower than the first width W1, the tension applied to the roll paper PR is reduced, which reduces tension fluctuations compared to when the tension is high, thereby improving the transport accuracy of the roll paper PR. Roll paper PR with a second width W2 narrower than the first width W1 is less likely to wrinkle than roll paper PR with the first width W1, so the tension is reduced to prioritize transport accuracy of the roll paper PR. Furthermore, when transporting roll paper PR with the first width W1 wider than the second width W2, wrinkles are more likely to occur than with roll paper PR with the second width W1, but by increasing the tension applied to the roll paper PR, the roll paper PR is less likely to sag in the transport direction, which reduces the occurrence of wrinkles in the roll paper PR.

[0057] According to the printer 10, when the first usage information is input, the length of the transport path K is a first length L1, which is shorter than the second length L2. Here, when the length of the transport path K is short, the transport load acting on the roll paper PR is reduced. As a result, the tension applied to the roll paper PR is increased, which can reduce sagging of the roll paper PR. On the other hand, when the second usage information is input, the length of the transport path K becomes a second length L2, which is longer than the first length L1. Here, if the length of the transport path K is long, the transport load acting on the roll paper PR becomes large. Therefore, by reducing the tension applied to the roll paper PR, it is possible to prevent the transport load when transporting the roll paper PR from becoming excessively large.

[0058] According to the printer 10, a first tension T1 is applied to the roll paper PR between the intermediate roller pair 46 and the storage unit 14. This increases the adhesion between the portion of the roll paper PR wrapped around the intermediate roller pair 46 and the intermediate roller pair 46, and also reduces sagging of the roll paper PR between the intermediate roller pair 46 and the storage unit 14, thereby reducing skewing and wrinkling of the roll paper PR at the intermediate roller pair 46. According to the printer 10, a second tension T2, which is smaller than the first tension T1, is applied to the roll paper PR between the intermediate roller pair 46 and the storage unit 14. This prevents excessive tension from being applied to the roll paper PR, and reduces the effects of eccentricity of the roll unit 15, which is the part around which the roll paper PR is wound in a roll, on the roll paper PR at the intermediate roller pair 46, thereby improving the transport accuracy of the roll paper PR.

[0059] According to the printer 10, a first tension T1 is applied to the roll paper PR between the intermediate roller pair 46 and the storage section 14, so that the adhesion between the portion of the roll paper PR wrapped around the intermediate roller pair 46 and the intermediate roller pair 46 can be improved from the start-up, and sagging of the roll paper PR between the intermediate roller pair 46 and the storage section 14 can be suppressed from the start-up. According to the control method for the printer 10, the same actions and effects as those of the printer 10 can be obtained.

[0060] The printer 10 according to the embodiment of the present invention is based on the configuration described above, but it is of course possible to modify or omit parts of the configuration within the scope of the gist of the present invention.

[0061] In the printer 10, the third tension T3 in the first mode may be set to a different magnitude than the third tension T3 in the second mode. In the first mode, the third tension T3 may be equal to the first tension T1. For the second thickness d2, only the second motor 54 and the third motor 56 may be operated. When information about the second conveying accuracy is input, the tension applied to the roll paper PR by only one of the first tension applying mechanism and the second tension applying mechanism may be reduced.

[0062] In the printer 10, the same tension may be applied to the roll paper PR whether it is at the first width W1 or the second width W2. When switching between the first storage section 16 and the second storage section 18, the tension applied to the roll paper PR does not need to be changed. The first mode and second mode may be switched regardless of the first priority information and second priority information. The second mode may be set at startup.

[0063] In the printer 10, multiple rolls of paper PR may be arranged in the X direction. The first and second applying mechanisms are not limited to those that change the assist torque by controlling the current flowing through the motor, but may, for example, change the tension acting on the roll paper PR by displacing the pair of rollers that nip the roll paper PR. The first and second applying mechanisms may also be configured to include tension rollers. As another example of the first applying mechanism, the second motor 54 may be mainly operated. As another example of the second applying mechanism, the first motor 52 may be mainly operated.

[0064] The printer 10 may switch between the first mode and the second mode based on the recording density of the roll paper PR, for example, the average recording density on one side. For example, if the average recording density is high, the rigidity of the roll paper PR may decrease. For this reason, if suppressing sagging of the roll paper PR is a priority, the tension may be increased, or if tearing of the roll paper PR is to be prevented, the tension may be decreased. [Explanation of symbols]

[0065] 10...printer, 11...operation panel, 12...casing, 13...side wall, 14...accommodation section, 15...roll section, 16...first storage section, 18...second storage section, 19...discharge port, 20...recording section, 22...platen unit, 24...cutting unit, 26...discharge unit, 28...control unit, 30...Platen unit, 32...CPU, 34...ROM, 36...RAM, 38...storage, 39...paper sensor, 40...transport unit, 42...supply roller pair, 43...lower roller, 44...upper roller, 46...intermediate roller pair, 47...drive roller, 48...driven roller, 52...first motor, 54...second motor, 56...third motor, d1...first thickness, d2...second thickness, K...transport path, K1...transport path, K2...transport path, K3...Transport path, L1...First length, L2...Second length, LA...Length, LB...Length, LC...length, P1...first delivery position, P2...second delivery position, P3...merging position, P4...nip position, T1...first tension, T2...second tension, T3...third tension, T3A...Third tension, T3B...Third tension, W1...First width, W2...Second width

Claims

1. a storage section that stores a portion of the wound long medium so that the portion can be fed in a transport direction; a recording unit that is disposed downstream of the storage unit in the transport direction and that records on the long medium; a first roller pair rotatably disposed upstream of the recording unit in the transport direction and configured to nip the long medium; a second roller pair rotatably disposed between the first roller pair and the storage section and configured to nip the long medium; a first tension applying mechanism that applies tension in the transport direction to the long medium between the second roller pair and the storage unit; a control unit that controls a rotational operation of the first roller pair, a rotational operation of the second roller pair, and an operation of the first applying mechanism; Equipped with the control unit is capable of switching between a first mode in which a first tension is applied to the long medium between the second roller pair and the storage unit and a second mode in which a second tension less than the first tension is applied to the long medium by controlling the operation of the first tension applying mechanism; a second tension applying mechanism that applies a third tension to the elongated medium between the first roller pair and the second roller pair; the control unit controls the operation of the second tension applying mechanism to apply the third tension to the elongated medium between the first roller pair and the second roller pair in both the first mode and the second mode; The control unit is configured to be able to input information on a first conveyance accuracy, which is a positional accuracy when conveying the long medium, and information on a second conveyance accuracy, which is a positional accuracy higher than the first conveyance accuracy, When the information on the second conveying accuracy is input, the control unit reduces the tension applied to the long medium in both the first tension applying mechanism and the second tension applying mechanism. A recording device characterized by:

2. a storage section that stores a portion of the wound long medium so that the portion can be fed in a transport direction; a recording unit that is disposed downstream of the storage unit in the transport direction and that records on the long medium; a first roller pair rotatably disposed upstream of the recording unit in the transport direction and configured to nip the long medium; a second roller pair rotatably disposed between the first roller pair and the storage section and configured to nip the long medium; a first tension applying mechanism that applies tension in the transport direction to the long medium between the second roller pair and the storage unit; a control unit that controls a rotational operation of the first roller pair, a rotational operation of the second roller pair, and an operation of the first applying mechanism; Equipped with the control unit is capable of switching between a first mode in which a first tension is applied to the long medium between the second roller pair and the storage unit and a second mode in which a second tension less than the first tension is applied to the long medium by controlling the operation of the first tension applying mechanism; a second tension applying mechanism that applies a third tension to the elongated medium between the first roller pair and the second roller pair; the control unit controls the operation of the second tension applying mechanism to apply the third tension to the elongated medium between the first roller pair and the second roller pair in both the first mode and the second mode; The control unit is configured to be able to input information about a first width of the long medium in a width direction intersecting the conveying direction and information about a second width narrower than the first width, The control unit increases the tension applied to the long medium when the first width information is input, and decreases the tension applied to the long medium when the second width information is input, in both the first tension applying mechanism and the second tension applying mechanism. A recording device characterized by:

3. a storage section that stores a portion of the wound long medium so that the portion can be fed in a transport direction; a recording unit that is disposed downstream of the storage unit in the transport direction and that records on the long medium; a first roller pair rotatably disposed upstream of the recording unit in the transport direction and configured to nip the long medium; a second roller pair rotatably disposed between the first roller pair and the storage section and configured to nip the long medium; a first tension applying mechanism that applies tension in the transport direction to the long medium between the second roller pair and the storage unit; a control unit that controls a rotational operation of the first roller pair, a rotational operation of the second roller pair, and an operation of the first applying mechanism; Equipped with the control unit is capable of switching between a first mode in which a first tension is applied to the long medium between the second roller pair and the storage unit and a second mode in which a second tension less than the first tension is applied to the long medium by controlling the operation of the first tension applying mechanism; a second tension applying mechanism that applies a third tension to the elongated medium between the first roller pair and the second roller pair; the control unit controls the operation of the second tension applying mechanism to apply the third tension to the elongated medium between the first roller pair and the second roller pair in both the first mode and the second mode; the storage unit includes a first storage unit in which the length of the transport path to the second roller pair is a first length and in which the long medium is stored, and a second storage unit in which the length of the transport path to the second roller pair is a second length longer than the first length and in which the long medium is stored, First use information for using the first storage unit and second use information for using the second storage unit can be input to the control unit, The control unit increases the tension applied to the long medium in both the first application mechanism and the second application mechanism when the first usage information is input, and decreases the tension applied to the long medium when the second usage information is input. A recording device characterized by:

4. a storage section that stores a portion of the wound long medium so that the portion can be fed in a transport direction; a recording unit that is disposed downstream of the storage unit in the transport direction and that records on the long medium; a first roller pair rotatably disposed upstream of the recording unit in the transport direction and configured to nip the long medium; a second roller pair rotatably disposed between the first roller pair and the storage section and configured to nip the long medium; a first tension applying mechanism that applies tension in the transport direction to the long medium between the second roller pair and the storage unit; a control unit that controls a rotational operation of the first roller pair, a rotational operation of the second roller pair, and an operation of the first applying mechanism; Equipped with the control unit is capable of switching between a first mode in which a first tension is applied to the long medium between the second roller pair and the storage unit and a second mode in which a second tension less than the first tension is applied to the long medium by controlling the operation of the first tension applying mechanism; the control unit executes the first mode when first priority information that prioritizes suppression of skew and wrinkles of the long medium is input. A recording device characterized by:

5. a storage section that stores a portion of the wound long medium so that the portion can be fed in a transport direction; a recording unit that is disposed downstream of the storage unit in the transport direction and that records on the long medium; a first roller pair rotatably disposed upstream of the recording unit in the transport direction and configured to nip the long medium; a second roller pair rotatably disposed between the first roller pair and the storage section and configured to nip the long medium; a first tension applying mechanism that applies tension in the transport direction to the long medium between the second roller pair and the storage unit; a control unit that controls a rotational operation of the first roller pair, a rotational operation of the second roller pair, and an operation of the first applying mechanism; Equipped with the control unit is capable of switching between a first mode in which a first tension is applied to the long medium between the second roller pair and the storage unit and a second mode in which a second tension less than the first tension is applied to the long medium by controlling the operation of the first tension applying mechanism; the control unit executes the second mode when second priority information that prioritizes the conveyance accuracy of the long medium is input. A recording device characterized by:

6. a storage section that stores a portion of the wound long medium so that the portion can be fed in a transport direction; a recording unit that is disposed downstream of the storage unit in the transport direction and that records on the long medium; a first roller pair rotatably disposed upstream of the recording unit in the transport direction and configured to nip the long medium; a second roller pair rotatably disposed between the first roller pair and the storage section and configured to nip the long medium; a first tension applying mechanism that applies tension in the transport direction to the long medium between the second roller pair and the storage unit; a control unit that controls a rotational operation of the first roller pair, a rotational operation of the second roller pair, and an operation of the first applying mechanism; Equipped with the control unit is capable of switching between a first mode in which a first tension is applied to the long medium between the second roller pair and the storage unit and a second mode in which a second tension less than the first tension is applied to the long medium by controlling the operation of the first tension applying mechanism; The control unit is set to the first mode as a mode at startup. A recording device characterized by:

7. 7. The recording apparatus according to claim 4, a second tension applying mechanism that applies a third tension to the elongated medium between the first roller pair and the second roller pair; the control unit controls the operation of the second tension applying mechanism to apply the third tension to the long medium between the first roller pair and the second roller pair in both the first mode and the second mode. A recording device characterized by:

8. 4. The recording apparatus according to claim 1, In the first mode, the third tension is greater than the first tension. A recording device characterized by:

9. 10. The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein: The control unit is configured to be able to input information about a first thickness of the long medium and information about a second thickness that is thinner than the first thickness, the control unit, when the information on the second thickness is input, operates at least the second applying mechanism out of the first applying mechanism and the second applying mechanism. A recording device characterized by:

10. a storage section that stores a portion of the wound long medium so that the portion can be fed in a transport direction; a recording unit that is disposed downstream of the storage unit in the transport direction and that records on the long medium; a first roller pair rotatably disposed upstream of the recording unit in the transport direction and configured to nip the long medium; a second roller pair rotatably disposed between the first roller pair and the storage section and configured to nip the long medium; a first tension applying mechanism that applies tension in the transport direction to the long medium between the second roller pair and the storage unit; A control method for a recording device comprising: The first mode is set as the startup mode, a step of switching between the first mode in which the first tension applying mechanism applies a first tension to the long medium between the second roller pair and the storage unit and a second mode in which the first tension applying mechanism applies a second tension that is smaller than the first tension, according to set conditions; conveying the elongated medium to which the first tension or the second tension has been applied to a position facing the recording unit; a step of recording on the conveyed long medium by the recording unit; having A method for controlling a recording apparatus.

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