coating unit

Abstract

To provide a coating unit capable of being post-fitted to various printers, without requiring complicated control.SOLUTION: According to a coating unit of one embodiment relating to the present disclosure, the coating unit for coating paste onto a recording paper sheet after being connected to a printer comprises a conveyor roller for conveying the recording paper sheet discharged from the printer, a sensor for detecting bending of the recording paper sheet, a coating part for coating the paste onto the recording paper sheet, and a control device that adjusts rotation speed of the conveyor roller according to a detection value of the sensor.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] This disclosure relates to a coating unit. [Background technology]

[0002] A printer is known that includes a printing mechanism for printing on recording paper and a transfer mechanism for transferring an adhesive onto the recording paper. [Prior art documents] [Patent Documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2020-019582 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2014-097851 [Patent Document 3] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2011-235595 [Patent Document 4] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2001-018478 [Overview of the project] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0004] In printers that do not have an adhesive transfer mechanism, if the adhesive needs to be transferred after printing on the recording paper, it is conceivable to add such a mechanism to the printer retrofit. However, retrofitting a printer with a transfer mechanism is not easy and involves complex control.

[0005] Therefore, there is a need for a coating unit that does not require complex control and can be retrofitted to various printers. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] An application unit according to one aspect of the present disclosure is an application unit connected to a printer for applying adhesive to recording paper, comprising a transport roller for transporting the recording paper discharged from the printer, and a device provided between the printer and the transport roller for deflecting the recording paper.Size A sensor for detecting, a coating unit for applying glue to the recording paper conveyed by the conveying roller, a pressing unit provided in the conveying path of the recording paper between the printer and the conveying roller for bending the recording paper, and a control device for adjusting the rotational speed of the conveying roller according to the detection value of the sensor. death , The control device determines the degree of deflection by comparing the sensor's detected value with a predetermined deflection determination value. If it determines that the deflection is large, it increases the rotation speed of the conveyor roller; if it determines that the deflection is small, it decreases the rotation speed of the conveyor roller. .

Advantages of the Invention

[0007] According to the present invention, a coating unit that does not require complex control and can be retrofitted to various printers can be provided.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0008] [Figure 1] Perspective view of the printer to which the coating unit of the present embodiment is attached [Figure 2] Side view of the printer to which the coating unit is attached [Figure 3] Side view showing the internal structure of the printer [Figure 4] Perspective view showing the internal structure of the coating unit [Figure 5] Side view showing the internal structure of the coating unit [Figure 6] Front view showing the internal structure of the coating unit [Figure 7] Figure showing an example of the output waveform of the sensor [Figure 8] Figure showing an example of the functional configuration of the control device [Figure 9] Figure (1) showing an operation example of the coating unit [Figure 10] Figure (2) showing an operation example of the coating unit [Figure 11] Figure (3) showing an operation example of the coating unit [Figure 12] Figure (4) showing an operation example of the coating unit [Figure 13] Figure (5) showing an operation example of the coating unit [Figure 14] Figure (6) showing an operation example of the coating unit

Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0009] Hereinafter, non-limiting exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In all the accompanying drawings, the same or corresponding members or components are denoted by the same or corresponding reference numerals, and redundant descriptions are omitted.

[0010] Referring to FIGS. 1 to 3, an example of a printer to which the coating unit of the present embodiment is attached will be described.

[0011] The printer 10 is, for example, a thermal printer and is mounted on an ATM (Automated Teller Machine), a ticket vending machine, a kiosk terminal, etc. However, the type of the printer is not limited to a thermal printer, and it may be an inkjet printer, a laser printer, etc.

[0012] The printer 10 includes a thermal head 11, a platen roller 12, a motor 13, a movable blade 14, a fixed blade 15, a frame 16, and a control board 17. The printer 10 sandwiches a recording paper P between the thermal head 11 and the platen roller 12, and performs printing on the recording paper P by paper feeding due to the rotation of the platen roller 12 and pressure bonding to the thermal head 11. The motor 13 rotates the platen roller 12. The movable blade 14 and the fixed blade 15 constitute a cutter, and the recording paper P is cut by moving the movable blade 14 toward the fixed blade 15. The control board 17 is attached to the frame 16. The control board 17 controls the operation of the printer 10.

[0013] Referring to FIGS. 4 to 8, an example of the coating unit of the present embodiment will be described. In the figures, the X direction indicates the width direction of the paper, and the Z direction indicates the vertical direction with respect to the paper surface.

[0014] The coating unit 20 includes a housing 21, a conveyance roller 22, a gear train 23, a motor 24, a pressing portion 25, a sensor 26, a coating portion 27, and a control device 28.

[0015] The housing 21 houses the transport rollers 22, gear train 23, motor 24, pressing unit 25, sensor 26, coating unit 27, and control device 28. The frame 16 is screwed to the housing 21 with screws 18. This connects the coating unit 20 to the printer 10. The housing 21 includes a paper feed opening 21a and a paper output opening 21b. The paper feed opening 21a is an opening for loading recording paper P discharged from the printer 10 into the housing 21. The paper output opening 21b is an opening for discharging the recording paper P outside the housing 21.

[0016] The transport rollers 22 transport the recording paper P discharged from the printer 10. In this embodiment, the transport rollers 22 include upper rollers 22a and lower rollers 22b. The upper rollers 22a are provided in pairs near both ends of the recording paper P in the width direction. The lower rollers 22b are provided below the upper rollers 22a in pairs so as to be in contact with the upper rollers 22a. The lower rollers 22b are connected to the motor 24 via a gear train 23, and when the motor 24 rotates, the gear train 23 rotates, and this rotation is transmitted to rotate the lower rollers 22b. As a result, the recording paper P that is fed into the housing 21 from the paper feed opening 21a is transported with both ends sandwiched between the upper rollers 22a and the lower rollers 22b, and is discharged outside the housing 21 from the paper discharge opening 21b. Alternatively, the upper roller 22a may be rotated by connecting a motor to the upper roller 22a via a gear train, or the upper roller 22a and the lower roller 22b may be rotated by connecting motors to each of the upper roller 22a and lower roller 22b via gear trains.

[0017] The gear train 23 includes multiple gears and transmits power from the motor 24 to the lower roller 22b.

[0018] Motor 24 rotates the lower roller 22b via the gear train 23. The rotation of motor 24 is controlled based on commands from the control device 28. Motor 24 is, for example, a servo motor.

[0019] The pressing section 25 is provided in the transport path of the recording paper P between the paper feed opening 21a and the transport roller 22. The pressing section 25 biases the recording paper P being transported by the transport roller 22 in a direction away from the sensor 26, pressing and bending the recording paper P in the +Z direction. The pressing section 25 is provided with an opening 25a that allows light emitted by the sensor 26 to pass through. The shape of the opening 25a is, for example, rectangular. The pressing section 25 is, for example, a leaf spring.

[0020] Sensor 26 is, for example, a photoelectric sensor and is positioned corresponding to the aperture 25a. Sensor 26 projects light toward the aperture 25a, detects the light reflected from the recording paper P, converts the change in the detected light amount into a voltage signal, and transmits it to the control device 28. Figure 7 shows an example of the sensor's output waveform, with the horizontal axis showing the distance from sensor 26 to the recording paper P and the vertical axis showing the voltage output by sensor 26 (sensor voltage). As shown in Figure 7, sensor 26 has the characteristic of showing its maximum value when the distance from sensor 26 to the recording paper P is equal to the distance d from sensor 26 to the wall of the transport path on the +Z side (see Figure 5). When the recording paper P being transported by the transport roller 22 is most deflected, the distance from sensor 26 to the recording paper P is equal to distance d, so the sensor voltage shows its maximum value. Conversely, when the deflection of the transported recording paper P is small, the distance from sensor 26 to the recording paper P is shorter than distance d, so the sensor voltage is smaller than the maximum value. The transport path is made of a material that reflects less light than the recording paper P, such as black resin, and when the recording paper P is not present at the detection position of the sensor 26, the sensor voltage becomes smaller than when the distance from the sensor 26 to the recording paper P is d. Note that the characteristics of the sensor 26 are not limited to those described above, and for example, the sensor voltage may be smaller or larger as the distance from the sensor 26 to the recording paper P increases.

[0021] The coating section 27 is provided between a pair of lower rollers 22b. The coating section 27 applies adhesive to the underside of the recording paper P being transported by the transport rollers 22. In this embodiment, the coating section 27 includes a holding section 27a, an adhesive section 27b, and a pressing section 27c. The holding section 27a holds the recording paper P with the adhesive section 27b exposed on the upper side (the side of the recording paper P). The adhesive section 27b is a solid adhesive. However, the adhesive section 27b may be a liquid adhesive. The pressing section 27c applies adhesive to the underside of the recording paper P by pressing the adhesive section 27b against the holding section 27a in an upward direction. The pressing section 27c is, for example, a coil spring.

[0022] The control device 28 adjusts the rotation speed of the lower roller 22b according to the value detected by the sensor 26. The control device 28 includes a determination unit 28a, a storage unit 28b, and a control unit 28c.

[0023] The determination unit 28a determines that there is recording paper P in the coating unit 20 if the detected value of the sensor 26 is equal to or greater than the occupancy determination value. On the other hand, the determination unit 28a determines that there is no recording paper P in the coating unit 20 if the detected value of the sensor 26 is less than the occupancy determination value. The occupancy determination value is a value that is set in advance.

[0024] Furthermore, the determination unit 28a determines that the recording paper P is bent if the detected value of the sensor 26 is greater than or equal to the deflection determination value. On the other hand, the determination unit 28a determines that the recording paper P is not bent or has only slight deflection if the detected value of the sensor 26 is less than the deflection determination value. The deflection determination value is a preset value that is greater than the occupancy determination value and less than the sensor voltage when the recording paper P is at a distance d.

[0025] The storage unit 28b stores various types of information. These types of information include occupancy determination values ​​and deflection determination values.

[0026] The control unit 28c adjusts the rotation speed of the lower roller 22b based on the determination result of the determination unit 28a. If the control unit 28c determines that there is no recording paper P in the coating unit 20, it stops the motor 24 to stop the lower roller 22b.

[0027] Furthermore, if the control unit 28c determines that the recording paper P is flexing, it increases the rotation speed of the motor 24 according to the difference between the sensor voltage and the flex determination value, causing the lower roller 22b to rotate at high speed. This brings the transport speed of the recording paper P in the coating unit 20 closer to the transport speed in the printer 10, and reduces the flexing of the recording paper P. On the other hand, if the control unit 28c determines that the recording paper P being transported by the transport roller 22 is not flexing or has only slight flexing, it reduces the rotation speed of the motor 24 according to the difference between the sensor voltage and the flex determination value, causing the lower roller 22b to rotate at a low speed. This brings the transport speed in the coating unit 20 closer to the transport speed in the printer 10.

[0028] Referring to Figures 9 to 14, an example of the operation of the coating unit 20 when the printer 10 prints on the upper surface of the recording paper P and the coating unit 20 applies adhesive to the lower surface of the recording paper P will be explained. Figures 9 to 14 are diagrams that illustrate the state of the coating unit 20 from printing on the recording paper P by the printer 10, to the application of adhesive to the recording paper P by the coating unit 20, to the discharge of the recording paper P from the coating unit 20. In each of Figures 9 to 14, (a) is a schematic diagram showing the internal structure of the coating unit 20, and (b) is a diagram showing the detected value of the sensor 26.

[0029] Figure 9 illustrates the state of the coating unit 20 at the start of operation of the printer 10. As shown in Figure 9(a), at the start of operation of the printer 10, no recording paper P is being transported to the transport roller 22 of the coating unit 20. At this time, as shown in Figure 9(b), the sensor 26 has a presence determination value V th1 It outputs a voltage value V1 that is smaller than the value of the sensor 26. Based on the output of the sensor 26, the control device 28 determines that there is no recording paper P in the coating unit 20.

[0030] Figure 10 illustrates the state of the coating unit 20 at the time the recording paper P is transferred from the printer 10 to the coating unit 20. As shown in Figure 10(a), at the time the recording paper P is transferred from the printer 10 to the coating unit 20, the pressing part 25 presses the recording paper P in a direction away from the sensor 26, the distance from the sensor 26 to the recording paper P becomes d, and the recording paper P is transported in the direction of the transport roller 22. At this time, as shown in Figure 10(b), the sensor 26 has an occupancy determination value V th1 and deflection judgment value V th2 It outputs a voltage value V2 that is greater than the value of the sensor 26. Based on the output of the sensor 26, the control device 28 determines that there is recording paper P in the coating unit 20 and that the recording paper P is flexed. In response to this determination, the control device 28 increases the rotational speed of the motor 24 to rotate the lower roller 22b at high speed and reduce the flexing of the recording paper P.

[0031] Figure 11 illustrates the state of the coating unit 20 when the transport speed of the recording paper P in the coating unit 20 is faster than the transport speed in the printer 10. As shown in Figure 11(a), when the transport speed in the coating unit 20 is faster than the transport speed in the printer 10, the recording paper P is pulled by the transport roller 22, the pressing part 25 is pushed down in the -Z direction, and the recording paper P approaches the sensor 26. At this time, as shown in Figure 11(b), the sensor 26 detects the presence determination value V th1 Larger than and with a deflection judgment value V th2 It outputs a voltage value V3 that is smaller than the value of the sensor 26. Based on the output of the sensor 26, the control device 28 determines that there is recording paper P in the coating unit 20 and that the recording paper P is not flexing or is only slightly flexing. In response to this determination, the control device 28 reduces the rotation speed of the motor 24 to rotate the lower roller 22b at a low speed. As a result, the transport speed in the coating unit 20 approaches the transport speed in the printer 10, and the flexing of the recording paper P is reduced. The recording paper P is coated with adhesive A by the coating unit 27 and transported toward the paper output port 21b.

[0032] Figure 12 is a diagram for explaining the state of the coating unit 20 when the conveyance speed of the recording paper P in the coating unit 20 is slower than the conveyance speed of the recording paper P in the printer 10. As shown in Fig. 12(a), when the conveyance speed in the coating unit 20 is slower than the conveyance speed in the printer 10, the tension of the recording paper P between the printer 10 and the conveyance roller 22 weakens, and the recording paper P is pressed in the direction of separating from the sensor 26 by the pressing portion 25. Therefore, the recording paper P moves away from the sensor 26. At this time, as shown in Fig. 12(b), the sensor 26 outputs a voltage value V4 that is larger than the presence determination value V th1 and the deflection determination value V th2 . Based on the output of the sensor 26, the control device 28 determines that there is the recording paper P in the coating unit 20 and the recording paper P is deflected. Further, upon receiving this determination result, the control device 28 increases the rotation speed of the motor 24 to rotate the lower roller 22b at a high speed. As a result, the conveyance speed in the coating unit 20 approaches the conveyance speed in the printer 10.

[0033] While the recording paper P is being conveyed by the conveyance roller 22, the control device 28 repeatedly controls the rotation speed of the motor 24 shown in Figs. 11 and 12. Thereby, regardless of the conveyance speed in the printer 10, the conveyance speed in the coating unit 20 can be made to follow the conveyance speed in the printer 10. Therefore, even when the coating unit 20 is connected to various printers, glue can be uniformly applied to the recording paper P. That is, it is possible to provide a coating unit 20 with high versatility that does not require complex control and can be retrofitted to various printers.

[0034] Figure 13 is a diagram for explaining the state of the coating unit 20 when the recording paper P is cut in the printer 10. As shown in Fig. 13(a), at the moment when the recording paper P is cut, the recording paper P is pressed in the direction of separating from the sensor 26 by the biasing force of the pressing portion 25, so the distance from the sensor 26 to the recording paper P is d. At this time, as shown in Fig. 13(b), the sensor 26 has the presence determination value V th1 and the deflection determination value V th2It outputs a voltage value V5 that is greater than the value of the sensor 26. Based on the output of the sensor 26, the control device 28 determines that there is recording paper P in the coating unit 20 and that the recording paper P is bent. In response to this determination, the control device 28 increases the rotation speed of the motor 24 to the speed just before the recording paper P is cut, and rotates the lower roller 22b at high speed. As a result, the recording paper P coated with adhesive A is discharged from the paper discharge port 21b.

[0035] Figure 14 illustrates the state of the coating unit 20 when the recording paper P is ejected from the coating unit 20. As shown in Figure 14(a), at the time the recording paper P is ejected from the coating unit 20, the recording paper P is not present at the detection position of the sensor 26. Therefore, as shown in Figure 14(b), the sensor 26 detects the presence value V th1 It outputs a voltage value V6 that is smaller than the specified value. Based on the output of the sensor 26, the control device 28 determines that there is no recording paper P in the coating unit 20. Upon receiving this determination, the control device 28 transports the recording paper P for a distance longer than the distance from the sensor 26 to the transport roller 22, and then stops the rotation of the lower roller 22b. Alternatively, the control device may stop the recording paper P at a position where it is gripped by the transport roller 22, allowing the user to pull out the recording paper P.

[0036] As a result, a label paper is created with printing on the top surface and adhesive A applied to the bottom surface.

[0037] As described above, with the coating unit 20 of this embodiment, the control device 28 adjusts the rotation speed of the transport roller 22 according to the deflection of the recording paper P discharged from the printer 10 detected by the sensor 26. This makes it possible to make the transport speed in the coating unit 20 follow the transport speed in the printer 10, regardless of the transport speed of the recording paper P. Therefore, even when the coating unit 20 is connected to the printer, adhesive can be applied to the recording paper P. In other words, it is possible to provide a highly versatile coating unit 20 that can be retrofitted to various printers without requiring complex control such as synchronizing the printer and the coating unit.

[0038] Furthermore, the coating unit 20 of this embodiment applies adhesive to the recording paper P after the printer 10 has cut the recording paper P. Therefore, since the adhesive is not transferred to the recording paper P when it is cut, the adhesive does not adhere to the movable blade 14 and fixed blade 15 of the printer 10. As a result, the frequency of cleaning and replacing the movable blade 14 and fixed blade 15 can be reduced.

[0039] Furthermore, according to the coating unit 20 of this embodiment, the control device 28 determines the presence or absence of recording paper P and adjusts the transport speed of the lower roller 22b based on the detection value of one sensor 26, so the number of parts does not increase.

[0040] Furthermore, according to the coating unit 20 of this embodiment, the adhesive is transferred to the recording paper P by pressing the adhesive portion 27b against the recording paper P being conveyed by the transport roller 22. Therefore, commercially available solid or liquid adhesives can be used without using special adhesives such as tape-type adhesives.

[0041] The embodiments disclosed herein should be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive. The above embodiments may be omitted, replaced, or modified in various ways without departing from the scope and spirit of the appended claims.

[0042] In the above embodiment, a case was described in which the deflection of the recording paper being transported by the transport roller is detected by a photoelectric sensor, but the invention is not limited to this. For example, the deflection of the recording paper may be detected by another sensor, such as a mechanical sensor.

[0043] Furthermore, although the above embodiment describes a case where the coating unit applies adhesive to the lower surface of the recording paper, the invention is not limited to this. For example, by providing the coating unit between a pair of upper rollers, adhesive may be applied to the upper surface of the recording paper being transported by the transport rollers. Alternatively, by providing the coating unit between a pair of upper rollers and between a pair of lower rollers, adhesive may be applied to both sides of the recording paper being transported by the transport rollers.

[0044] Furthermore, although the above embodiment describes a case where the coating section is provided separately from the conveyor roller, the invention is not limited to this. For example, the upper roller itself and / or the lower roller itself may be configured as the adhesive section. [Explanation of symbols]

[0045] 10 Printer, 20 Coating unit, 22 Transport roller, 26 Sensor, 27 Coating section, 28 Control device

Claims

1. A coating unit that connects to a printer and applies adhesive to recording paper, A transport roller for transporting the recording paper discharged from the printer, A sensor is provided between the printer and the transport roller to detect the degree of deflection of the recording paper, An application unit for applying adhesive to the recording paper conveyed by the conveyor roller, A pressing section is provided in the transport path of the recording paper between the printer and the transport roller, which flexes the recording paper, A control device that adjusts the rotation speed of the transport roller according to the value detected by the sensor, It has, The control device determines the degree of deflection by comparing the detected value of the sensor with a predetermined deflection determination value, increases the rotation speed of the conveyor roller if it is determined that the deflection is large, and decreases the rotation speed of the conveyor roller if it is determined that the deflection is small, in a coating unit.

2. A coating unit that connects to a printer and applies adhesive to recording paper, A transport roller for transporting the recording paper discharged from the printer, A sensor is provided between the printer and the transport roller to detect the degree of deflection of the recording paper, An application unit for applying adhesive to the recording paper conveyed by the conveyor roller, The system includes a control device that adjusts the rotation speed of the transport roller according to the value detected by the sensor, The coating portion is A holding part that exposes the adhesive on the side of the recording paper to hold it, A pressing part that presses the holding part in a direction toward the recording paper, Includes, The control device determines the degree of deflection by comparing the detected value of the sensor with a predetermined deflection determination value, increases the rotation speed of the conveyor roller if it is determined that the deflection is large, and decreases the rotation speed of the conveyor roller if it is determined that the deflection is small, in a coating unit.

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