Printer

Abstract

This printer includes: a first printing mode in which a first printing medium is conveyed along a conveyance path and subjected to printing; and a second printing mode in which a second printing medium is sandwiched and held between a first roller and a second roller, conveyed along the same conveyance path as the aforementioned conveyance path, and subjected to printing. In the first printing mode, the first and second rollers are disposed, by a roller moving unit, at a first position at which the rollers are retracted from the conveyance path. In the second printing mode, the first and second rollers are disposed at a second position at which the rollers sandwich the conveyance path and are separated so that the second printing medium can be loaded. The first and second rollers are disposed at a third position so that the second printing medium which was loaded is sandwiched and held between the first roller and the second roller.

Description

printer

[0001] The present invention relates to a printer.

[0002] Conventionally, printers have been developed for directly printing terminal numbers and symbols used in electrical equipment onto consumables such as tubular members called resin tubes or sleeves, and sheet-like members such as plates and tapes. As an example of such a printer, the present applicant has proposed a printer having a transport path for transporting tubular print media and a transport path for transporting sheet-like print media (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

[0003] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2018-108679

[0004] However, using different transport paths depending on the type of print medium results in an increase in the size of the device. Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a printer that can transport both tubular and sheet-shaped print media along the same transport path.

[0005] The present disclosure provides a printer capable of printing on a first print medium formed in a tube shape and a second print medium formed in a sheet shape, the printer having a first print mode for transporting the first print medium along a transport path and printing on it, and a second print mode for transporting the second print medium along the same transport path as the first print medium while sandwiched between a first roller and a second roller and printing on it. The first roller and the second roller are disposed by a roller movement unit at a first position (retracted position) retracted from the transport path in the first print mode, at a second position (set position) separated across the transport path to set the second print medium in the second print mode, and at a third position (clamping position) closely facing each other across the transport path to sandwich the second print medium set between the first roller and the second roller in the second print mode.

[0006] Alternatively, the present disclosure relates to a printer that transports a first printing medium formed in a tube shape and a second printing medium formed in a sheet shape along the same transport path and is capable of printing on the first printing medium and the second printing medium, and is equipped with a first roller and a second roller that can clamp and transport the second printing medium, and a roller moving unit that moves the first roller and the second roller to one of a first position (retracted position) retracted from the transport path, a second position (set position) spaced apart across the transport path, and a third position (clamping position) closely facing each other across the transport path.

[0007] The present invention can provide a printer that can transport both a tube-shaped print medium and a sheet-shaped print medium along the same transport path.

[0008] FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a roller assembly according to an embodiment, as viewed from the side (left-right direction). FIG. 2A is a perspective view of a roller assembly according to an embodiment. FIG. 2B is a perspective view of a roller assembly according to an embodiment. FIG. 2C is a perspective view of a roller assembly according to an embodiment. FIG. 2D is a perspective view of a roller assembly according to an embodiment. FIG. 3 is a side view of a roller assembly according to an embodiment. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of a roller assembly according to an embodiment, as viewed from the side (left-right direction). FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a printer according to an embodiment. FIG. 6A is an enlarged perspective view of a printer according to an embodiment. FIG. 6B is an enlarged perspective view of a printer according to an embodiment. FIG. 7A is a perspective view of a roller assembly according to an embodiment. FIG. 7B is a perspective view of a lever of a roller assembly according to an embodiment. FIG. 8 is a side view showing various states of a roller assembly according to an embodiment. FIG. 9 is a side view showing various states of a roller assembly according to an embodiment. FIG. 10A is an enlarged perspective view of a printer according to an embodiment. FIG. 10B is an enlarged perspective view of a printer according to an embodiment. FIG. 10C is an enlarged perspective view of a printer according to an embodiment. FIG. 10D is an enlarged perspective view of a printer according to an embodiment. FIG. 10E is an enlarged perspective view of a printer according to an embodiment.

[0009] [First Embodiment] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The following embodiment is an example for explaining the present invention, and is not intended to limit the present invention to only the embodiment.

[0010] 1 is referred to as the rear X1, the opposite direction to the right of the paper as the front X2, and collectively referred to as the front-to-back direction X; the direction perpendicular to the paper toward you is referred to as the left Y1, the opposite direction toward the back is referred to as the right Y2, and collectively referred to as the left-to-right direction Y; the upward direction on the paper is referred to as the upward Z1, and the opposite direction downward on the paper as the downward Z2, and collectively referred to as the up-down direction Z. The forward X2 corresponds to the transport direction of the print medium (sometimes referred to as "consumables"). The rotational axes of the first roller 11, which is a feed amount detection roller, and the second roller 12, which is a pressure roller, are parallel to the left-to-right direction Y.

[0011] [Roller Assembly] When printing on sheet-like print media such as plates or tapes, high-precision print distance control is required, so a feed amount detection roller is needed to detect the amount of feed of the print media. High-precision print distance control is possible by using an encoder to detect the amount of rotation of the feed amount detection roller while transporting the print medium in a state where the print medium is sandwiched between the feed amount detection roller and the pressure roller.

[0012] However, depending on the print medium, there are problems such as increased transport resistance when the print medium is sandwiched between the feed amount detection roller and the pressure roller, and it is difficult to set the print medium between the feed amount detection roller and the pressure roller. For this reason, when printing on print media formed into a hollow tubular shape (sometimes called a "cylindrical shape") called a resin tube or sleeve, a roller for detecting the feed amount of the print medium may not be used.

[0013] Therefore, a printer capable of printing on multiple types of print media must be configured so that it is possible to change whether or not to place a feed amount detection roller and a pressure roller in the transport path depending on the type of print media.

[0014] The inventors of the present application have devised a roller assembly that allows a first printing medium formed in a tube shape and a second printing medium formed in a sheet shape to be transported along the same transport path, and that is configured so that a feed amount detection roller and a pressure roller can be placed in the transport path or retracted from the transport path depending on the type of printing medium.

[0015] Therefore, the configuration of the roller assembly 10 according to this embodiment will be described first. The roller assembly according to this disclosure can be disposed anywhere along the print medium transport path and is not limited to the location described in this embodiment. The roller assembly according to this disclosure may also be detachable from the printer. For example, the roller assembly may be configured to be removed from the printer when printing a first print medium that does not require the roller assembly.

[0016] First, the positional relationship between the feed amount detection roller 11 and the pressure roller 12 in each state of the roller assembly 10 will be described with reference to FIG. 1, and then a specific configuration for realizing such a positional relationship will be described with reference to FIG. 2 and other figures.

[0017] 1 is a cross-sectional view of a main portion of a roller assembly 10 as seen from the side (left-right direction Y). As shown in the figure, the roller assembly 10 includes a feed amount detection roller 11, a feed amount detection roller frame 11F that protects the feed amount detection roller 11 and is configured to move integrally with the feed amount detection roller 11, a pressure roller 12, and a pressure roller frame 12F that protects the pressure roller 12 and is configured to move integrally with the pressure roller 12. Note that the feed amount detection roller 11 may be referred to as the first roller 11, its frame as the first frame 11F, the pressure roller 12 as the second roller 12, and its frame as the second frame 12F.

[0018] FIG. 1A is a cross-sectional view of the roller assembly 10 from the side in a retracted state in which the first roller 11 and the second roller 12 are retracted from the transport path TR in a first printing mode for printing on a first printing medium.

[0019] As described above, in the first print mode for printing on the first print medium, the first roller 11 and the second roller 12 are not used. Therefore, the first roller 11 and the second roller 12 are disposed in a retracted position (an example of a "first position") retracted from the transport path TR. In this embodiment, the first roller 11 and the second roller 12 are disposed in the retracted position Z2 below the transport path TR.

[0020] 1A and other figures, the roller assembly 10 may be arranged so that the upper surface 12FS of the second frame 12F (i.e., the upper surface of the roller assembly 10) coincides with the transport path TR in the first printing mode. With this configuration, the upper surface 12FS of the second frame 12F can be used as a support surface for the first print medium in the first printing mode. As shown in the figure, the first roller 11 and the second roller 12 are closely opposed to each other in the retracted state in this embodiment.

[0021] Figure 1B is a cross-sectional view of the essential parts of the roller assembly 10 seen from the side in a pulled-up state in which the first roller 11 and the second roller 12, which are in a retracted position, are pulled up upward Z1 to set the second printing medium in the second printing mode for printing the second printing medium.

[0022] As described above, in the present invention, the transport path TR in the first printing mode and the transport path TR in the second printing mode are the same, so in the second printing mode, the two rollers that were positioned in a retracted position below Z2 of the transport path TR in the first printing mode are moved above Z1, so that the first roller 11 and the second roller 12 above Z1 the first roller 11 are positioned so as to face each other and spaced apart across the transport path TR.

[0023] 1C is a cross-sectional side view of the roller assembly 10 in a locked state in the second printing mode, in which the first roller 11 and the second roller 12 are pulled up to the upper Z1 and then locked by rotating a lever frame 14F (FIG. 2), as described below. As described below, in the locked state, the user sets the second print medium between the first roller 11 and the second roller 12. Therefore, the locked state is sometimes referred to as a set state, and the positions of the first roller 11 and the second roller 12 in the set state are sometimes referred to as a set position (an example of a "second position"). Note that in this embodiment, the positions of the first roller 11 and the second roller 12 are the same in the pulled-up state and the locked state, and even in the locked state, the first roller 11 and the second roller 12 are arranged to face each other and spaced apart across the transport path TR.

[0024] 1D is a cross-sectional side view of the roller assembly 10 in the second print mode, in which the rollers are in a clamping state, sandwiching the second print medium between them. In the clamping state, the first roller 11 and the second roller 12 are positioned closely facing each other to clamp the second print medium. The position of the first roller 11 and the second roller 12 in this state is sometimes referred to as the clamping position (an example of the "third position").

[0025] According to the above configuration, it is possible to transport a printing medium formed in a tube shape and a printing medium formed in a sheet shape along the same transport path, thereby making it possible to prevent the printer from becoming larger.

[0026] In addition, the first roller 11 and the second roller 12 are assembled and both are retracted from the transport path TR during the first print mode, making it easier to set the first print medium. Furthermore, compared to conventional technology in which the feed amount detection roller was exposed to the transport path, this makes it possible to prevent dirt and other particles from adhering to the feed amount detection roller, which can prevent the print distance accuracy from deteriorating due to dirt and other particles adhering to the feed amount detection roller.

[0027] In addition, since the first roller 11 and the second roller 12 are spaced apart and facing each other in the pull-up state of this embodiment, the second printing medium may be set between the first roller 11 and the second roller 12 in the pull-up state shown in Figure 1B, and the subsequent locking state may be omitted and the system may transition to a clamped state.

[0028] 1A to 1D, a specific example of a configuration for changing the positions of the first roller 11 and the second roller 12 will be described below. However, the present invention is not limited to the configuration described in this embodiment, and may be realized by other known configurations.

[0029] 2A to 2D are perspective views of the roller assembly 10 in the retracted state (FIG. 1A), the pulled-up state (FIG. 1B), the locked state (set state) (FIG. 1C), and the clamped state (FIG. 1D), respectively, and FIG. 3 is a side view of the roller assembly 10 in each state as viewed from the side (left-right direction Y).

[0030] As described above, the roller assembly 10 includes the first roller 11, the second roller 12, and the first frame 11F and the second frame 12F that protect them. The first roller 11 is equipped with an encoder coaxially therewith, and the rotation amount of the first roller is detected by counting the number of times light from an optical sensor passes through a slit in the rotating encoder ( FIG. 2B ). Furthermore, the roller assembly 10 of this embodiment includes a lever frame 14F (an example of a “lever”) that is provided with a lever 14 (an example of a “roller moving portion”) that a user can grip to pull the first roller 11 and the second roller 12 upward Z1, a first pin 11P that engages with the first frame 11F, a first roller pin 11RP that is inserted through the first roller 11 and engages with the first frame 11F, a second pin 12P that is inserted through the second roller 12 and engages with the second frame 12F, and a guide frame 16F (an example of a “frame”).

[0031] The first pin 11P is formed in a cylindrical shape extending in the left-right direction Y, and is inserted into a hole formed in the first frame 11F to engage with the first frame 11F and be movable integrally with the first frame 11F. Since the first frame 11F is configured to be movable integrally with the first roller 11, the first pin 11P is configured to be movable integrally with the first roller 11.

[0032] The first pin 11P is further inserted through a first hole 141H formed in the lever frame 14F and a first guide hole 161FH formed in the guide frame 16F. Here, the first guide hole 161FH is formed to extend in the up-down direction Z.

[0033] On the other hand, the first roller pin 11RP is formed in a cylindrical shape extending in the left-right direction Y, and is inserted through the first roller 11 to rotatably support the first roller 11, and is engaged with the first frame 11F by being inserted at both ends through holes formed in the first frame 11F. The first roller pin 11RP is also inserted through a roller hole 14RH formed in the lever frame 14F and a second guide hole (not shown) formed in the guide frame 16F. Here, the second guide hole is formed to extend in the up-down direction Z and open at its upper end.

[0034] With this configuration, the user can grasp the lever 14 and move the lever frame 14F, thereby moving the first roller 11 via the first pin 11P, the first frame 11F, and the first roller pin 11RP. Here, the first pin 11P is also inserted through the first guide hole 161FH extending in the up-down direction Z, so the user can use the lever 14 to move the first roller 11 in the up-down direction Z along the first guide hole 161FH.

[0035] Here, in the retracted state, the first pin 11P is located at the lower Z2 end of the first guide hole 161FH (an example of a "first pin position away from the transport path TR"). When a user grips the lever 14 and lifts the lever frame 14F upward Z1 in the retracted state, the first pin 11P moves upward Z1 along the first guide hole 161FH and reaches and stops at the upper Z1 end of the first guide hole 161FH. Therefore, by adjusting the length of the first guide hole 161FH in the up-down direction Z, it is possible to adjust the position (height) of the first roller 11 in the pull-up state.

[0036] The second pin 12P is formed in a cylindrical shape extending in the left-right direction Y. It is inserted into the second roller 12 to rotatably support the second roller 12, and is engaged with the second frame 12F by being inserted at both ends into holes formed in the second frame 12F. Therefore, the second pin 12P and the second roller 12 are configured to be able to move integrally. The second pin 12P is also inserted into a second hole 142H formed in the lever frame 14F.

[0037] With this configuration, the user can grip the lever 14 and move the lever frame 14F, thereby moving the second roller 12 via the lever frame 14F and the second pin 12P.

[0038] The lever frame 14F has a plate-shaped frame portion that has a thickness in the left-right direction Y and extends in the up-down direction Z, and a lever 14 that is provided above the frame portion Z1, and is arranged, for example, on the side of the roller assembly 10 facing left Y1.

[0039] As shown in Figure 2A, etc., the lever frame 14F is formed with a first hole 141H, a roller hole 14RH, and a second hole 142H, which are configured to allow the ends of the first pin 11P, the first roller pin 11RP, and the second pin 12P to be inserted therethrough, respectively.

[0040] The first hole 141H is formed to have substantially the same diameter as the first pin 11P, so that the lever frame 14F, the first pin 11P, and the first roller 11 are integrally provided.

[0041] The roller hole 14RH is oval in shape and is larger than the diameter of the first roller pin 11RP in both the up-down direction Z and the front-to-back direction X, allowing relative movement between the first frame 11F (and first roller 11) and the second frame 12F (and second roller 12). For example, when a user grasps the lever 14 and lifts the lever frame 14F upward Z1 to transition from the retracted state to the pull-up state, even after the first pin 11P reaches the upper end of the first guide hole 161FH and the upward Z1 movement of the first frame 11F stops, the first roller pin 11RP moves downward Z2 within the roller hole 14RH relative to the first frame 12F (and second roller 12), allowing the second frame 12F (and second roller 12) to further move upward Z1. This allows the first roller 11 and the second roller 12 to be arranged so as to face each other and be spaced apart in the up-down direction Z.

[0042] In addition, by rotating the lever frame 14F when transitioning from the pull-up state to the locked state, and by moving the lever frame 14F downward Z2 when transitioning from the locked state to the clamped state, it is possible to move only the second roller 12 of the first roller 11 and the second roller 12 downward Z2 and position both rollers so that they are closely facing the first roller 11.

[0043] The first hole 141H has a horizontal hole portion HH (FIG. 3) extending substantially in the front-rear direction X, and an upper hole portion VH extending upward Z1 from the front end X2 of the horizontal hole portion HH. This configuration allows for rotational movement of the lever frame 14F when transitioning from the pulled-up state to the locked state, as will be described later, and allows for relative movement of the second frame 12F with respect to the first frame 11F when transitioning from the locked state to the clamping state.

[0044] The lever 14 is formed at an incline so as to face forward X2 and upward Z1, and is disposed at a position X2 forward of an imaginary line that passes through the second pin 12P and is parallel to the up-down direction Z in the side view shown in Fig. 3. With this configuration, when a user grips the lever 14 and lifts the lever frame 14F upward Z1 to transition to the pull-up state (Figs. 2B and 3B), a rotational moment is generated in the lever frame 14F to rotate the lever frame 14F counterclockwise on the page of Fig. 3.

[0045] As described above, the first hole 141H has the horizontal hole HH extending in the forward X2 direction, so that the lever frame 14F rotates counterclockwise on the paper surface of Fig. 3 around the second pin 12P as the rotation center, as shown in Fig. 2C and Fig. 3C. At this time, the lever frame 14F moves relatively along the first pin 11P from the forward X2 end of the horizontal hole HH to the rear X1 end.

[0046] A stopper 16FS is provided at the front end X2 of the guide frame 16F to come into contact with the rotated lever frame 14F and stop the rotation in the counterclockwise direction on the drawing.

[0047] Therefore, in the roller assembly 10 of this embodiment, when a user grasps the lever 14 and lifts the lever frame 14F, the lever frame 14F naturally rotates and abuts against the stopper 16FS of the guide frame 16F, thereby locking. Therefore, a user can move the first roller 11 and the second roller 12 from the retracted position ( FIG. 1A ) to the set position ( FIG. 1C ) by grasping the lever 14 and lifting it upward Z1. The horizontal hole HH may be formed to extend substantially in the front-to-rear direction X so as to form an arc centered on the second pin 12P. The rotation angle of the lever frame 14F in the locked state can be adjusted by the length of the horizontal hole HH and the configuration of the stopper 16FS. In this embodiment, the lever frame 14F is configured to rotate an angle of 5 degrees to 15 degrees (e.g., 10 degrees) when transitioning from the pull-up state to the locked state.

[0048] 1C , in the locked state, the first roller 11 and the second roller 12 are positioned in a set position where they are spaced apart and facing each other in the vertical direction Z. In this state, the lever frame 14F is fixed, and therefore the second roller 12 is fixed via the second pin 12P, and the first roller 11 is fixed via the first pin 11P at the rear end X1 of the horizontal hole HH. This allows the user to set the second print medium between the first roller 11 and the second roller 12.

[0049] After the user sets the second printing medium, when the user presses the lever 14 downward Z2, a rotational moment is generated in the lever frame 14F in the opposite direction (i.e., clockwise on the paper in Figure 3), causing the lever frame 14F to rotate in the opposite direction, and as a result, the lever frame 14F moves relatively in the forward direction X2 along the first pin 11P from the rear X1 end of the horizontal hole portion HH to the front X2 end.

[0050] The first hole 141H has an upper hole VH extending upward (Z1) from the front X2 end of the horizontal hole HH. Therefore, when the user presses the lever frame 14F downward (Z2), the lever frame 14F moves downward (Z2). As a result, the first pin 11P moves from the lower Z2 end of the upper hole VH to the upper Z1 end (FIGS. 2D and 3D). When the lever frame 14F moves downward (Z2), the second pin 12P inserted through the lever frame 14F also moves downward (Z2). Therefore, as shown in FIG. 1D, the first roller 11 and the second roller 12 can be positioned close to each other to sandwich the second print medium set by the user.

[0051] As described above, after setting the second printing medium, the user can move the first roller 11 and the second roller 12 from the set position (Figure 1C) to the clamping position (Figure 1D) by pressing the lever 14 downward Z2.

[0052] In this embodiment, when the first pin 11P reaches the upper Z1 end of the first guide hole 161FH (an example of a "second pin position closer to the transport path TR than the first pin position"), it cannot move any further upward in the Z1 direction, whereas the second pin 12P can move further upward in the Z1 direction, making it possible to move the first roller 11 and the second roller 12, which were closely opposed to each other in the retracted state, apart from each other. However, the present invention is not limited to the above configuration, and for example, the first roller 11 and the second roller 12 may be arranged so as to be opposed to each other but apart from each other in the retracted state.

[0053] The roller assembly 10 may further include an up-down spring UDS (sometimes referred to as the "first spring UDS"), which is a compression spring connected to the guide frame pin 16FP fixed to the guide frame 16F and the first pin 11P, and a pressure roller spring PRS (sometimes referred to as the "second spring PRS"), which is a tension spring connected to the first frame 11F and the second frame 12F.

[0054] 4A and 4D are cross-sectional views of essential parts of the first spring UDS and the second spring PRS in the retracted state and the clamping state, respectively, as viewed from the side (left-right direction Y).

[0055] As shown in Fig. 4A, in the retracted state, the first pin 11P is located below the guide frame pin 16FP by Z2, so the first spring UDS extends obliquely downward from the guide frame pin 16FP to connect to the first pin 11P. In the retracted state, the first spring UDS applies a force to the first pin 11P in the forward direction X2 and downward direction Z2, pressing the first frame 11F against the lower end of the first guide hole 161FH via the first pin 11P, thereby supporting the first frame in the standby state. On the other hand, as shown in Fig. 4D, in the clamped state, the first pin 11P is located above the guide frame pin 16FP by Z1, so the first spring UDS extends obliquely upward from the guide frame pin 16FP to connect to the first pin 11P.

[0056] 4D , the first spring UDS applies a force toward the front X2 and the upper Z1 to the first pin 11P located at the upper Z1 end of the upper hole VH, thereby pressing the first frame 11F against the upper end of the first guide hole 161FH via the first pin 11P, thereby supporting the first frame 11F in a clamped state. The second spring PRS supports the second frame 12F from below Z2 by connecting to the first frame 11F supported by the first spring UDS. This configuration allows the first roller 11 and the second roller to be positioned in a clamping position where they clamp the second print medium.

[0057] When the user presses the lever frame 14F downward Z2 against the elastic force of these springs, the roller assembly 10 returns to the retracted state.

[0058] As described above, according to this embodiment, a roller assembly 10 can be provided that enables a printing medium formed in a tube shape and a printing medium formed in a sheet shape to be transported along the same transport path TR.

[0059] [Printer] The following describes a printer 100 equipped with the roller assembly 10. However, the present invention can also be applied to printers with a different configuration from the printer 100 of this embodiment.

[0060] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the printer 100 with the tube S1 set therein as an example of the first print medium, viewed from above at a slight angle toward the front with the cover 2 open.

[0061] In addition to the roller assembly 10, the printer 100 also includes a platen unit 110, a positioning guide 120, and a cutting unit 140, which are mainly provided on the main body 1 side, as well as an ink ribbon unit 150 and a printer head 160, which are provided on the lid 2 side.

[0062] The platen unit 110 is rotatably and detachably supported by a bearing provided downstream in the forward transport direction (direction from the right side surface 1SR to the left side surface 1SL of the main body 1) of the first print medium, such as the tube S1, in the first printing mode. In this state, the platen unit 110 is driven to rotate (forward or reverse) by driving a transport motor (not shown). As a result, the tube S1 is transported along the forward transport direction during normal transport, and, as necessary, the tube S1 is transported along the reverse transport direction (direction from the left side surface 1SL to the right side surface 1SR of the main body 1) during reverse transport.

[0063] The positioning guide 120 is provided along the conveying direction of the tube S1 and has two different types of guides 121 and 122 that support the tube S1 so as to position it from both sides. These guides 121 and 122 are arranged on the upstream and downstream sides, respectively, in the forward conveying direction of the tube S1.

[0064] A roller assembly 10 is disposed between guide 121 and guide 122. As described above, when the print medium is the second print medium formed in a sheet shape, a feed amount detection roller is used to detect the feed amount (movement amount) of the print medium. On the other hand, when the print medium is the tube S1 (first print medium) formed in a tubular shape, a feed amount detection roller is not used, and therefore the roller assembly 10 is stored in the lower part of the main body 1 so as to be retracted from the transport path.

[0065] The cutting unit 140 is provided downstream of the platen unit 110 and the printer head 160 in the forward transport direction of the tube S1, and has a half cutter and its receiving base for half-cutting the upper surface side of the tube S1, and a pair of full cutters arranged further downstream of these for full-cutting the tube S1.

[0066] The ink ribbon unit 150 includes the ink ribbon R, a bobbin 151 that is detachably attached to both sides of the printer head 160, and a cassette 152 that accommodates the ink ribbon R in a wound state.

[0067] The printer head 160 is disposed opposite the platen unit 110, and prints predetermined characters, symbols, designs, etc. on the printing surface of the tube S1 by applying recording energy supplied from a head drive circuit (not shown) to the ink ribbon R. The printer head 160 is moved toward or away from the platen unit 110 by an appropriate head movement mechanism (not shown). The printer head 160 is pressed against the platen unit 110 with a predetermined pressure by a head pressing mechanism 161, and is configured to abut against the platen unit 110 via the ink ribbon R, when the tube S1 is transported in the forward transport direction and printing is performed.

[0068] Figure 6A is a partially enlarged oblique view showing the roller assembly 10 in a retracted state (however, the tube S1 has been omitted for the sake of explanation), and Figure 6B is a partially enlarged oblique view showing the roller assembly 10 in a locked state with tape S2, an example of a second printing medium, set on it.

[0069] 6A , in the retracted state, the roller assembly 10 is retracted downward Z2. At this time, the top surface 12FS of the second frame 12F is exposed above the transport path so as to be flush with the transport path. This configuration allows the top surface 12FS of the second frame 12F to be used as a support surface for the first print medium in the first print mode.

[0070] 6B , in the first print mode, the roller assembly 10 moves upward Z1, allowing the user to set a second print medium such as tape S2 between the first roller 11 and the second roller 12. When the user then presses the lever 14 downward Z2, the lever 14 moves downward Z2, transitioning to a clamping state in which the first roller 11 and the second roller 12 clamp the second print medium, making it possible to perform printing in the second print mode.

[0071] As described above, according to this embodiment, it is possible to provide a printer that can transport both a tube-shaped print medium and a sheet-shaped print medium along the same transport path.

[0072] Second Embodiment A roller assembly 30 according to this embodiment will be described below. However, for components that a person skilled in the art would understand to have the same or similar configurations or functions as those in the first embodiment, the same or similar names will be used and descriptions thereof will be omitted or simplified.

[0073] [Roller Assembly] The first roller 11 and second roller 12 of the roller assembly 30 are similar to the roller assembly 10 in that they are disposed in a first position retracted from the transport path TR in the first printing mode, disposed in a second position spaced apart from the transport path TR in the second printing mode to set a sheet-like second print medium therebetween, and disposed in a third position closely facing the first roller 11 and the second roller 12 across the transport path TR to sandwich the second print medium set between them. The positional relationships between the first roller 11 and the second roller 12 in the retracted state, pulled-up state, locked state, and sandwiched state of the roller assembly 30 are the same as those of the roller assembly 10 shown in FIG. 1 , and therefore will not be described here.

[0074] However, the roller assembly 10 is equipped with a lever 14 (an example of a "roller moving portion") and a lever frame 14F (an example of a "lever portion") that a user can grasp to pull the first roller 11 and the second roller 12 upward Z1, whereas the roller assembly 30 is equipped with two parts, a first lever 341 (an example of a "first roller moving portion" and a "first gripping portion") and a first lever frame 34F1 (an example of a "first lever portion"), and a second lever 342 (an example of a "first roller moving portion" and a "second gripping portion") and a second lever frame 34F2 (an example of a "second lever portion"), as shown in FIG. 7B, which are components that a user can grasp to pull the first roller 11 and the second roller 12 upward Z1.

[0075] With this configuration, a user can easily pull up the first roller 11 and the second roller 12, which are in the retracted position, upward Z1 by, for example, placing their index finger on the first lever 341 and their thumb on the second lever 342, and easily rotate the first lever frame 34F1.

[0076] As will be described later, the roller assembly 30 differs from the roller assembly 10 in that the rotation direction of the first lever frame 34F1 is configured to be opposite to the rotation direction of the lever frame 14F of the roller assembly 10, and further in that the first lever frame 34F1 and the second lever frame 34F2 are configured to engage with each other in the locked state.

[0077] With this configuration, it is possible to stably support the first lever frame 34F1 in the locked state.

[0078] Specific configurations are described below. Fig. 7A is a perspective view of the roller assembly 30 according to this embodiment. Fig. 7B is a perspective view showing a first lever frame 34F1 provided with a first lever 341 and a second lever frame 34F2 provided with a second lever 342. The first lever frame 34F1 is a component corresponding to the lever frame 14F and includes the first lever 341 to be grasped by a user. In this embodiment, the first lever 341 extends in a direction inclined upward Z1 and backward X1. Therefore, a user can easily reach out from the upward Z1 direction and hook a finger, such as an index finger, on the first lever 341.

[0079] Furthermore, the first lever frame 34F1 is formed with a first hole 341H through which the first pin 11P is inserted, a first roller hole 34RH1 through which the first roller pin 11RP is inserted, and a second hole 342H through which the second pin 12P is inserted. Here, the first hole 341H through which the first pin 11P is inserted has a shape larger than the cross section of the first pin 11P, and the second roller hole 34RH2 through which the first roller pin 11RP is inserted has a shape larger than the cross section of the first roller pin 11RP. Therefore, as will be described later, the first lever frame 34F1 is provided so as to be movable relative to the first roller 11. On the other hand, the second hole 342H through which the second pin 12P is inserted has a circular shape with a diameter equal to or slightly larger than the diameter of the second pin 12P. Therefore, the relative positional relationship between the second roller 12 and the first lever frame 34F1 is generally constant regardless of the state of the roller assembly 30, and the two are integrally provided and configured to be movable integrally.

[0080] As in the first embodiment, the first pin 11P is inserted through a hole formed in the first frame 11F and a first guide hole 161FH formed in the guide frame 16F (an example of a "frame"), and the first roller pin 11RP is inserted through a hole formed in the first frame 11F and a second guide hole formed in the guide frame 16F. Therefore, as in the first embodiment, a user can grasp the first lever 341 and move the first lever frame 34F1 to move the first roller 11 via the first pin 11P, the first frame 11F, and the first roller pin 11RP. Here, as in the first embodiment, the first pin 11P is also inserted through the first guide hole 161FH extending in the up-down direction Z, and therefore the user can use the first lever 341 to move the first roller 11 in the up-down direction Z along the first guide hole 161FH.

[0081] On the other hand, the second lever frame 34F2 includes a second lever 342 to be gripped by a user. In this embodiment, the second lever 342 extends in a direction inclined upward Z1 and forward X2. Therefore, the second lever 342 extends forward X2, which is opposite to the rear X1 direction in which the first lever 341 extends.

[0082] With this configuration, the user can extend his / her fingers from above Z1 to hook the index finger or other finger on the first lever 341 and hook the thumb or other finger on the second lever 342 to pinch it, thereby making it easy to grip the roller assembly 30.

[0083] Furthermore, the second lever frame 34F2 is formed with a third hole 343H through which the first pin 11P is inserted, a second roller hole 34RH2 through which the first roller pin 11RP is inserted, and a fourth hole 344H through which the second pin 12P is inserted.

[0084] The third hole 343H through which the first pin 11P is inserted is circular and has a diameter equal to or slightly larger than the diameter of the first pin 11P, and the second roller hole 34RH2 through which the first roller pin 11RP is inserted is circular and has a diameter equal to or slightly larger than the diameter of the first roller pin 11RP. Therefore, the relative positional relationship between the first roller 11 and the second lever frame 34F2 is generally constant regardless of the state of the roller assembly 30, and the two are integrally formed and configured to be movable integrally. On the other hand, the fourth hole 344H through which the second pin 12P is inserted is formed to extend in the vertical direction Z. Therefore, as will be described later, the second roller 12 and the first lever frame 34F1 are configured to be movable relative to the second lever frame 34F2. Specifically, the first lever frame 34F1 is configured to be movable upward Z1 relative to the second lever frame 34F2.

[0085] The operation of the roller assembly 30 will be described below with reference to the drawings. Figures 8 and 9 are side views showing the positional relationship between the first lever frame 34F1 and the second lever frame 34F2 in the retracted state A, the first pull-up state B1, the second pull-up state B2, the locked state C, and the clamped state D. For clarity, however, some components such as the first roller 11 and the second roller 12 are omitted from the illustration, and the second lever frame 34F2 is represented by a dashed line in Figure 9. Figures 10A, 10B, 10C, 10D, and 10E are perspective views showing the roller assembly 30 mounted on the printer 100 in the retracted state A, the first pull-up state B1, the second pull-up state B2, the locked state C, and the clamped state D, respectively.

[0086] 8A and 9A, in the retracted state (FIG. 1A), the first pin 11P is located at the lower Z2 end of the first guide hole 161FH (an example of a "first pin position away from the transport path TR") and at the upper end of the first hole 341H, the first roller pin 11RP is located at the upper end of the first roller hole 34RH1, and the second pin 12P is located at the lower end of the fourth hole 344H.

[0087] In this state, by aligning the upper surface 12FS of the second frame 12F, through which the first print medium can pass, with the transport path TR, the first print medium can be transported along the transport path TR in the first print mode. In this embodiment, as shown in Fig. 10A etc., by aligning the upper surface 12FS of the second frame 12F with the transport path TR, the first print medium can be transported along the transport path TR in the first print mode.

[0088] In the retracted state, when the user places their index finger and thumb on the first lever 341 and the second lever 342, respectively, and lifts the first lever frame 34F1 and the second lever frame 34F2 upward Z1, the roller assembly 30 transitions from the retracted state to the first pull-up state B1, as shown in Fig. 10B . As the first lever frame 34F1 and the second lever frame 34F2 move upward Z1, the first pin 11P inserted through the third hole 343H, the first roller pin 11RP inserted through the second roller hole RH2, the second pin 12P inserted through the second hole 342H, the first roller 11, and the second roller 12 all move upward Z1. The first pin 11P moves upward Z1 along the first guide hole 161FH and stops at the upper Z1 end of the first guide hole 161FH (an example of a "second pin position closer to the transport path TR than the first pin position"). In this first pull-up state B1, the first pin 11P, which moves integrally with the second lever frame 34F2, is located at the upper end of the first hole 341H, and the first roller pin 11RP is located at the upper end of the first roller hole 34RH1 (FIG. 9B). The second pin 12P, which moves integrally with the first lever frame 34F1, is located at the lower end of the fourth hole 344H (FIG. 8A).

[0089] The first hole 341H, the first roller hole 34RH1, and the fourth hole 344H are formed to have diameters larger in the up-down direction Z than the diameters of the first pin 11P, the first roller pin 11RP, and the second pin 12P, respectively. Therefore, even after the first pin 11P reaches the upper end of the first guide hole 161FH and the upward Z1 movement of the first frame 11F and the second lever frame 34F2 stops, the first pin 11P and the first roller pin 11RP can still move relatively downward Z2 within the first hole 341H and the first roller hole 34RH1, respectively, while the second pin 12P can move relatively upward Z1 within the fourth hole 344H.

[0090] Therefore, when the user applies a force to the first lever 341 in the upward Z1 direction in the first pull-up state B1 shown in Figures 8B1, 9B1, and 10B, the first lever frame 34F1, the second frame 12F, and the second roller 12 are configured to move further upward Z1. As a result, the roller assembly 30 transitions from the first pull-up state in which the first roller 11 and the second roller 12 are closely opposed to each other to the second pull-up state B2 shown in Figure 1B in which the first roller 11 and the second roller 12 are spaced apart in the vertical direction Z. In this second pull-up state B2, the first pin 11P is located at the lower end of the first hole 341H, the first roller pin 11RP is located at the lower end of the first roller hole 34RH1 (Figure 9B2), and the second pin 12P is located at the upper end of the fourth hole 344H (Figure 8B2). The first lever 341 is also located above the second lever 342 in the Z1 direction.

[0091] When the user lifts the first lever 341 and the first lever frame 34F1 upward Z1 to transition to the second pull-up state B2, a rotational moment is generated in the first lever frame 34F1 that rotates the first lever frame 34F1 in the clockwise direction as viewed in FIG. 8B2 (an example of the "second rotational direction." Note that in this embodiment, the rotational direction is different from that in the first embodiment, and therefore the rotational direction of the first lever frame 34F1 is referred to as the second rotational direction to distinguish it from the first rotational direction, but the "second rotational direction" may also be referred to as the "first rotational direction," and the "first rotational direction" may also be referred to as the "second rotational direction."). As a result, the first lever frame 34F1 rotates in the second rotational direction around the second pin 12P as the rotation axis. In order to allow rotational movement, i.e., not to interfere with the first pin 11P and the first roller pin 11RP, the first hole 341H has a horizontal hole portion extending from the lower end in the first rotational direction or approximately in the front-to-back direction X, and an upper hole portion extending upward Z1 from one end of the horizontal hole portion, and the first roller hole 34RH1 is formed large in both the up-down direction Z and the front-to-back direction X.

[0092] The guide frame 16F abuts against the rotated first lever frame 34F1 to stop the rotation of the first lever 341 when it is raised to the second pull-up state B2, and includes a stopper 36FS for locking the first lever 341 in the locked state C. Therefore, when the abutment portion 34FT of the first lever frame 34F1 abuts against the stopper 36FS, the roller assembly 30 transitions to the locked state. At this time, the other end of the horizontal hole portion of the first hole 341H abuts against the first pin 11P, stopping the rotation of the first lever frame 34F1. At this time, as shown in FIGS. 8C, 9C, and 10D, the first lever frame 34F1 engages with the upper surface of the second lever frame 34F2, thereby further stabilizing the locked state.

[0093] Therefore, similar to the roller assembly 10, the roller assembly 30 of this embodiment is also configured so that when a user grasps the first lever 341 and the second lever 342 and lifts the first lever frame 34F1 and the second lever frame 34F2, the first lever frame 34F1 naturally rotates and abuts against the stopper 36FS of the guide frame 16F, becoming locked. In the locked state, the user can place a second print medium (e.g., the second print medium S2 shown in FIG. 10D ) between the first roller 11 and the second roller 12.

[0094] After the user loads the second print medium, if the user then presses the first lever 341 downward Z2, a rotational moment is generated in the first lever frame 34F1 in the opposite direction (i.e., counterclockwise in FIGS. 8C and 9C ), causing the first lever frame 34F1 to rotate in the opposite direction and then move downward Z2, similar to the first embodiment. When the first lever frame 34F1 moves downward Z2, the second roller 12 also moves downward Z2, causing the roller assembly 30 to transition from the locked state to the clamping state shown in FIGS. 8D , 9D , and 10E . Therefore, as shown in FIG. 1D , the first roller 11 and the second roller 12 can be positioned closely opposite each other to clamp the second print medium loaded by the user.

[0095] To stabilize the movement of each component, the roller assembly 30 may further include an up-down spring UDS (sometimes referred to as the "first spring UDS"), which is a compression spring connected to the guide frame pin 16FP fixed to the guide frame 16F and the first pin 11P, and a pressure roller spring PRS (sometimes referred to as the "second spring PRS"), which is a tension spring connected to the first frame 11F and the second frame 12F. These configurations are the same as those in the first embodiment, so a description thereof will be omitted.

[0096] Furthermore, the present invention can be modified in various ways without departing from the spirit of the invention. For example, some components in a certain embodiment can be replaced with other known components within the scope of ordinary creativity of a person skilled in the art.

[0097] This application is based on a Japanese patent application filed on February 29, 2024 (Patent Application No. 2024-030234) and a Japanese patent application filed on December 10, 2024 (Patent Application No. 2024-215501), the contents of which are incorporated by reference into this application.

[0098] A printer can be provided that can transport both a tube-shaped print medium and a sheet-shaped print medium along the same transport path.

[0099] 10, 30 Roller assembly 11 Feed amount detection roller (first roller) 11F Feed amount detection roller frame (first frame) 11P First pin 11RP First roller pin 12 Pressure roller (second roller) 12F Pressure roller frame (second frame) 12P Second pin 14 Lever (roller moving portion) 14F Lever frame (lever portion) 16F Guide frame (frame body) 34F1 First lever frame (first lever portion) 34F2 Second lever frame (second lever portion) 34FT Contact portion 100 Printer 110 Platen unit 120 Guide 140 Cutting unit 150 Ink ribbon unit 160 Printer head 341 First lever (first roller moving portion) 342 Second lever (second roller moving portion) R Ink ribbon S1 Tube (first printing medium) S2 Tape (second printing medium) TR Transport path

Claims

1. A printer capable of printing on a first print medium formed in a tube shape and a second print medium formed in a sheet shape, the printer having a first print mode for transporting the first print medium along a transport path and printing on it, and a second print mode for transporting the second print medium along the transport path while sandwiched between a first roller and a second roller and printing on it, wherein the first roller and the second roller are moved by a roller movement unit to: in the first print mode, located at a first position retracted from the transport path; in the second print mode, located at a second position separated from the transport path in order to set the second print medium; and in the second printing mode, located at a third position closely facing each other across the transport path in order to sandwich the second print medium set between the first roller and the second roller.

2. A printer capable of transporting a first print medium formed in a tube shape and a second print medium formed in a sheet shape along the same transport path and printing on the first print medium and the second print medium, comprising: a first roller and a second roller capable of sandwiching and transporting the second print medium; and a roller moving unit that moves the first roller and the second roller to one of a first position retracted from the transport path, a second position spaced apart across the transport path, and a third position closely facing each other across the transport path.

3. The printer according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the roller moving unit moves the first roller and the second roller from the first position to the second position.

4. The printer according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the roller moving unit moves the first roller and the second roller from the second position to the third position.

5. A printer as described in claim 1 or 2, comprising: a first pin configured to be movable integrally with the first roller; a second pin configured to be movable integrally with the second roller; and a lever portion on which the roller moving portion is provided and in which a first hole through which the first pin is inserted and a second hole through which the second pin is inserted are formed; wherein by moving the roller moving portion, the first roller can be moved via the first pin and the second roller can be moved via the second pin.

6. A printer as described in claim 5, comprising a frame body in which a first guide hole is formed, through which the first pin is inserted and which extends in a direction approaching the transport path, wherein when the first pin is at a first pin position within the first guide hole away from the transport path, the first roller and the second roller are positioned at the first position, and when the first pin is at a second pin position closer to the transport path than the first pin position, the first roller and the second roller are positioned at the second position.

7. A printer as described in claim 6, wherein when a force is applied to the roller moving part in a direction from the first pin position toward the second pin position while the first pin is at the second pin position, the lever part rotates in a first rotation direction relative to the frame body.

8. The printer according to claim 7, wherein when a force is applied to the roller moving section from the second pin position toward the first pin position after the lever section has rotated relative to the frame in the first rotational direction, the second roller approaches the first roller.

9. The printer according to claim 7, wherein the lever portion has a contact portion that contacts the frame body to stop rotation in the first rotation direction.

10. A printer as described in claim 1 or 2, comprising: a first pin configured to be movable integrally with the first roller; a second pin configured to be movable integrally with the second roller; a first lever portion having a first roller moving portion that constitutes the roller moving portion and having a first hole through which the first pin is inserted and a second hole through which the second pin is inserted; and a second lever portion having a second roller moving portion that constitutes the roller moving portion and having a third hole through which the first pin is inserted and a fourth hole through which the second pin is inserted; and wherein by moving the roller moving portion, the first roller can be moved via the first pin and the second roller can be moved via the second pin.

11. A printer as described in claim 10, comprising a frame body in which a first guide hole is formed, through which the first pin is inserted and which extends in a direction approaching the transport path, wherein when the first pin is at a first pin position within the first guide hole away from the transport path, the first roller and the second roller are positioned at the first position, and when the first pin is at a second pin position closer to the transport path than the first pin position, the first roller and the second roller are positioned at the second position.

12. A printer as described in claim 11, wherein when a force is applied to the first roller moving portion in a direction from the first pin position toward the second pin position while the first pin is at the second pin position, the first lever portion is configured to rotate in a second rotational direction relative to the frame body.

13. The printer according to claim 12, wherein when a force is applied to the roller moving section from the second pin position toward the first pin position after the first lever section has rotated relative to the frame in the second rotational direction, the second roller approaches the first roller.

14. The printer according to claim 13, wherein the first lever portion has an abutment portion that abuts against the frame body to stop rotation in the second rotation direction.

15. A printer as described in any one of claims 11 to 14, wherein the first lever portion has a first gripping portion that constitutes the first roller moving portion, the second lever portion has a second gripping portion that constitutes the second roller moving portion, and the first gripping portion and second gripping portion extend in opposite directions to each other.

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