JP2007190873A - Printer apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a printer apparatus which enables warning in the case when a residual quantity of an ink sheet is small while an increase of the parts count is suppressed. <P>SOLUTION: The thermal transfer printer is equipped with a printer body, a stepping motor 15, and a sheet head locating sensor 34. An ink sheet cartridge 22 in which an ink sheet 32 with an ink sheet head locating identifying part 32f is stored and which has a winding bobbin 22b for winding the ink sheet 32 already used is set detachably to the printer body. The stepping motor 15 is fixed in the printer body for winding the ink sheet 32 to the winding bobbin 22b. The sheet head locating sensor 34 is installed in the printer body and detects the ink sheet head locating identifying part 32f of the ink sheet 32. When a step number of the stepping motor 15 while the ink sheet head locating identifying part 32f is detected by the sheet head locating sensor 34 is smaller than 85, the thermal transfer printer warns the user that the residual quantity of the ink sheet 32 is small. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a printer apparatus, and more particularly to a printer apparatus that warns when an ink sheet is low.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, printer devices that warn when an ink sheet is low are known (see, for example, Patent Documents 1 to 4).

  Patent Documents 1 and 2 disclose a printer device that detects the rotation speed of a supply bobbin and warns that the remaining amount of ink sheet is low when the detected rotation speed is higher than a predetermined speed. Has been. In the printer devices disclosed in Patent Documents 1 and 2, since the speed at which the ink sheet passes between the print head and the platen roller is constant, the outer diameter of the ink sheet wound around the supply bobbin is small. In consideration of this, the rotational speed of the supply bobbin is taken into consideration, and rotational speed detection means for detecting the rotational speed of the supply bobbin is provided. Based on the detection result of the rotation speed detecting means, when the rotation speed of the supply bobbin becomes faster than a predetermined speed, a warning is given that the remaining amount of the ink sheet is low.

  Patent Document 3 includes a rotary encoder that includes a rotating member that rotates in conjunction with a delivery-side bobbin (supply bobbin) and a count unit that counts the amount of rotation of the rotating member as the number of pulses. A printing mechanism (printer device) is disclosed that counts the number of pulses per unit amount of ink sheet) and warns that the remaining amount of ink ribbon is low when the number of pulses exceeds a predetermined value. ing. In the printing mechanism disclosed in Patent Document 3, in consideration of the fact that the number of pulses per unit delivery amount of the ink ribbon increases as the outer diameter of the ink ribbon wound around the delivery-side bobbin decreases, the unit of the ink ribbon When the number of pulses per delivery amount becomes larger than a predetermined value, it is configured to warn that the remaining amount of the ink ribbon is low.

  Further, the above-mentioned Patent Document 4 includes a rotation detection reflection type sensor that detects the number of rotations of the ribbon core (supply bobbin), and the ribbon is based on the amount of ribbon (ink sheet) delivered relative to the number of rotations of the ribbon core (supply bobbin). An image printing apparatus (printer apparatus) that detects the remaining amount of the ribbon and warns that the remaining amount of the ribbon is low when the remaining amount of the ribbon becomes less than a predetermined value is disclosed. In the image printing apparatus disclosed in Patent Document 4, the winding outer diameter of the ribbon wound around the ribbon core (supply bobbin) is calculated based on the number of rotations of the ribbon core (supply bobbin) and the amount of ribbon delivered, and the ribbon The remaining amount of the ribbon is calculated from the winding outer diameter.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-6628 JP 2003- 211765 A JP 2001-105704 A JP-A-2005-411163

  However, in the printer devices disclosed in Patent Documents 1 and 2, the rotation speed detection means for detecting the rotation speed of the supply bobbin is provided in order to enable a warning when the remaining amount of the ink sheet is low. Since it needs to be provided separately, there is a problem that the number of parts increases accordingly.

  Further, in the printing mechanism disclosed in Patent Document 3, it is necessary to separately provide a rotary encoder for counting the number of pulses on the sending side bobbin in order to be able to warn when the remaining amount of the ink ribbon is low. Therefore, there is a problem that the number of parts increases accordingly.

  Further, in the image printing apparatus disclosed in Patent Document 4, a rotation detection reflection type sensor for detecting the number of rotations of the ribbon core is separately provided in order to be able to warn when the remaining amount of the ribbon is low. Since it needs to be provided, there is a problem that the number of parts increases accordingly.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and one object of the present invention is to warn when the remaining amount of the ink sheet is low while suppressing an increase in the number of parts. It is to provide a possible printer device.

Means for Solving the Problems and Effects of the Invention

  In the printer device according to the first aspect of the present invention, an ink sheet cartridge that stores an ink sheet having an identification portion and a plurality of color sheets and has a winding bobbin for winding up a used ink sheet, A printer main body that is detachably mounted, a stepping motor that is provided in the printer main body and winds up an ink sheet on a take-up bobbin, and a detection unit that is provided in the printer main body and detects an identification portion of the ink sheet. In the printer apparatus, the ink sheet identification unit includes a light shielding unit, and an ink sheet cue identification unit provided at the boundary between the first printed color sheet and the last printed color sheet. A plurality of color cue identifying parts provided at the boundary portions of the plurality of colors, and the detection means is disposed so as to sandwich the ink sheet. A pair of transmissive sensors that are provided in the printer main body and that warn the user that the remaining amount of the ink sheet is low; and provided in the printer main body to control the printing operation and a pair of transmissive sensors When the number of steps of the stepping motor is smaller than a predetermined value while the ink sheet cue identification unit of the ink sheet is detected by the control unit, the control unit causes the warning unit to warn the user that the remaining amount of the ink sheet is low And further comprising.

  In the printer device according to the first aspect of the present invention, as described above, the stepping motor for winding the ink sheet onto the take-up bobbin and the detection means for detecting the identification portion of the ink sheet are provided, and the detection means When the number of steps of the stepping motor during the detection of the ink sheet identification unit is smaller than a predetermined value, the printing progress is configured to warn the user that the remaining amount of the ink sheet is low. As the outer diameter of the printed ink sheet wound around the take-up bobbin gradually increases, the number of steps of the stepping motor per unit delivery amount of the ink sheet gradually decreases. The number of steps of the stepping motor is gradually reduced while the identification part of the ink sheet is detected by the detection means. Therefore, it is possible to easily determine that the remaining amount of the ink sheet has decreased because the number of steps becomes smaller than the predetermined value, and as a result, the user is warned that the remaining amount of the ink sheet is small. can do. In addition, since the number of steps of the stepping motor may be measured by the control unit or the like while the ink sheet identification unit is detected by the detecting unit for cueing the ink sheet, the remaining amount of the ink sheet is measured. There is no need to provide a separate member. For this reason, while suppressing an increase in the number of parts, the user may be warned that the remaining amount of the ink sheet is low when the number of steps of the stepping motor per unit amount of ink sheet is smaller than a predetermined value. it can.

  In the first aspect, the warning unit that warns the user that the remaining amount of the ink sheet is low, and the stepping motor that controls the printing operation and detects the ink sheet identification unit by the detection unit. When the number of steps is smaller than a predetermined value, the warning unit and the control unit easily provide a warning unit and a control unit that warns the user that the remaining amount of the ink sheet is low. The user can be warned that the remaining amount is low. In addition, a detection unit including a pair of transmissive sensors arranged so as to sandwich the ink sheet is provided in the printer body, and an identification portion including a light-shielding portion is provided in the ink sheet of the ink sheet cartridge. By detecting the light-shielding portion, the identification portion of the ink sheet can be easily detected. In addition, the step of the stepping motor while the ink sheet cueing identification unit provided at the boundary between the first color sheet printed and the last color sheet printed is detected by the detection means. When the number is smaller than the predetermined value, the user is warned that the remaining amount of the ink sheet is low, so that when the sheets of a plurality of colors are printed on one sheet of paper, The remaining amount can be determined only once.

  In the printer device according to the second aspect of the present invention, an ink sheet having an identification portion is accommodated, and an ink sheet cartridge having a take-up bobbin for taking up a used ink sheet is detachably mounted. A printer main body, a stepping motor provided in the printer main body for winding the ink sheet on the take-up bobbin, and a detection means provided in the printer main body for detecting the identification part of the ink sheet, the ink sheet being detected by the detection means When the number of steps of the stepping motor is smaller than a predetermined value while the identification unit is detected, the user is warned that the remaining amount of the ink sheet is small.

  In the printer device according to the second aspect, as described above, the stepping motor for winding the ink sheet onto the take-up bobbin and the detection means for detecting the identification portion of the ink sheet are provided, and the ink sheet is detected by the detection means. When the number of steps of the stepping motor is smaller than a predetermined value while the identification part is detected, the user is warned that the remaining amount of the ink sheet is low. The detection means is caused by the fact that the number of steps of the stepping motor per unit amount of ink sheet gradually decreases as the outer diameter of the printed ink sheet wound around the winding bobbin gradually increases. As a result, the number of steps of the stepping motor is gradually reduced while the identification part of the ink sheet is detected. Since the number of steps becomes smaller than a predetermined value, it can be easily determined that the remaining amount of the ink sheet has decreased, and as a result, the user is warned that the remaining amount of the ink sheet is small. Can do. In addition, since the number of steps of the stepping motor may be measured by the control unit or the like while the ink sheet identification unit is detected by the detecting means for performing cueing of the ink sheet, the remaining amount of the ink sheet is measured. There is no need to provide a separate member. For this reason, the user is warned that the remaining amount of the ink sheet is low when the number of steps of the stepping motor per unit amount of the ink sheet is smaller than a predetermined value while suppressing the increase in the number of parts. it can.

  In the printer device according to the second aspect, preferably provided in the printer main body, warning means for warning the user that the remaining amount of the ink sheet is low, and provided in the printer main body for controlling the printing operation, A control unit for causing the warning unit to warn the user that the remaining amount of the ink sheet is low when the number of steps of the stepping motor is smaller than a predetermined value while the identification unit of the ink sheet is detected by the detection unit; Further prepare. If comprised in this way, a warning means and a control part can warn a user easily that there is little remaining amount of ink sheets.

  In the printer device according to the second aspect, preferably, the detection unit includes a pair of transmissive sensors arranged so as to sandwich the ink sheet, and the identification unit of the ink sheet includes a light shielding unit. If comprised in this way, the identification part of an ink sheet can be easily detected by detecting a light shielding part with a pair of transmission type sensors.

  In the printer apparatus according to the second aspect, preferably, the ink sheet includes a plurality of color sheets, and the identification unit of the ink sheet includes a color sheet printed first and a color sheet printed last. And an ink sheet cue identifying unit provided at the boundary of a plurality of colors, and the ink sheet cue identifying unit of the ink sheet is detected by the detecting means. When the number of steps of the stepping motor is smaller than a predetermined value, the user is warned that the remaining amount of the ink sheet is small. According to this configuration, when a plurality of color sheets are printed on one sheet, the remaining amount of the ink sheet can be determined only once.

  DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Embodiments embodying the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a thermal transfer printer according to an embodiment of the present invention with a housing removed. 2 is a block diagram showing a circuit configuration of a circuit unit included in the thermal transfer printer according to the embodiment shown in FIG. 3 to 9 are views showing the detailed structure of the thermal transfer printer according to the embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. First, the structure of a thermal transfer printer according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. In the present embodiment, a case where the present invention is applied to a thermal transfer printer which is an example of a printer apparatus will be described.

  As shown in FIG. 1, a thermal transfer printer according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a metal chassis 1, a print head 2 for performing printing, and a platen roller 3 ( 8), a metal feed roller 4 (see FIG. 8), a feed roller gear 5, a metal pressing roller 6 (see FIG. 8) that presses the feed roller 4 with a predetermined pressing force, and a resin Lower paper guide 7a, resin upper paper guide 7b, rubber paper feed roller 8, paper feed roller gear 9, rubber paper discharge roller 10, paper discharge roller gear 11, and ink sheet take-up A reel 12, a motor bracket 13, a stepping motor 15 for conveying the paper 14, a stepping motor 16 for rotating the print head 2, a swingable swing gear 17, and a plurality of intermediate gears 8 to 21 (see FIG. 4), an ink sheet cartridge support portion 23 that supports the ink sheet cartridge 22 (see FIG. 3), and a circuit board that constitutes a circuit portion 24 (see FIG. 2) that controls the operation of the thermal transfer printer. 25, a top plate 26, and a housing 27 (see FIG. 3) for housing the chassis 1 therein. In addition, as shown in FIG. 3, the thermal transfer printer according to the present embodiment includes an ink sheet cartridge 22 in which an ink sheet 32 capable of printing 20 sheets of paper 14 is stored, and a sheet 14 supplied to the thermal transfer printer. A paper tray 28 for storing the paper is detachably mounted.

  Moreover, as shown in FIG. 1, the chassis 1 has one side surface 1a, the other side surface 1b, and a bottom surface 1c. Further, the above-described motor bracket 13 is attached to one side surface 1 a of the chassis 1. An insertion hole 1 d for inserting the ink sheet cartridge 22 is provided on the other side surface 1 b of the chassis 1. Two attachment portions 1e for attaching the wiring board 25 are formed on the upper end portion of the one side surface 1a and the upper end portion of the other side surface 1b, respectively. The attachment portion 1e is formed with a screw hole 1f into which a screw 29 for fixing the wiring board 25 is screwed. Also, as shown in FIG. 8, on the bottom surface 1c of the chassis 1, paper sensors 30a and 30b for detecting the front end portion and the rear end portion of the paper 14 are provided.

  As shown in FIG. 8, the print head 2 includes a support shaft 2a, an arm portion 2b, a head portion 2c, and a resin head cover 2d attached to the head portion 2c. Further, as shown in FIG. 1, the print head 2 is attached to the inside of both side surfaces of the chassis 1 so as to be rotatable about a support shaft 2 a. Further, as shown in FIG. 6, a plurality of heating elements 2e that generate heat when a voltage pulse is applied to the head portion 2c of the print head 2 along the width direction (X direction) of the paper 14 of the head portion 2c. They are arranged in a row at a predetermined interval. Further, the heating element 2e is configured such that one heating element 2e forms one dot during printing. Further, a temperature detection element chip 31 for detecting the temperature in the vicinity of the heating element 2 e of the print head 2 is provided in the vicinity of the heating element 2 e on the bottom surface of the print head 2.

  Further, the platen roller 3 (see FIG. 5) is rotatably disposed inside both side surfaces of the chassis 1. Further, as shown in FIG. 4, the feed roller 4 has a feed roller gear insertion portion 4 a that is inserted into the feed roller gear 5. The feed roller 4 is rotatably supported by a feed roller bearing (not shown) attached to the chassis 1. The pressing roller 6 (see FIG. 8) is rotatably supported by a pressing roller bearing (not shown).

  In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4, a motor gear 15 a is attached to the shaft portion of the stepping motor 15 attached to the motor bracket 13. Further, the stepping motor 15 has a function as a drive source for driving the gear portion 12 a of the ink sheet take-up reel 12, the paper feed roller gear 9, the paper discharge roller gear 11, and the feed roller gear 5. The stepping motor 16 serves as a drive source for a pressing member (not shown) that presses the upper surface of the print head 2 so as to press the print head 2 (see FIG. 8) against the platen roller 3 (see FIG. 8). It has a function.

  In this embodiment, the ink sheet take-up reel 12 (see FIG. 4) is disposed on a take-up bobbin 22b that is rotatably arranged inside the take-up portion 22a of the ink sheet cartridge 22, as shown in FIG. By being engaged, the ink sheet 32 supplied from the supply bobbin 22c is wound around the take-up bobbin 22b. As a result, the outer diameter of the printed ink sheet 32 wound around the winding bobbin 22b increases as the number of times of printing increases (see FIG. 9), so the ink sheet 32 having the same length (unit delivery amount). In this case, the amount of rotation of the ink sheet take-up reel 12 decreases as printing is performed. That is, the number of steps of the stepping motor 15 necessary for conveying the unit-feed amount of the ink sheet 32 is reduced as the number of times of printing increases. Specifically, in the present embodiment, the number of steps of the stepping motor 15 necessary for conveying an ink sheet cueing identifying portion 32f (unit delivery amount) of the ink sheet 32 to be described later is the first printing. The time was 137, the 17th print was 87, the 18th print was 84, the 19th print was 81, the 20th print was 78 . Further, as shown in FIG. 4, the gear portion 12a of the ink sheet take-up reel 12 is disposed so as to be engaged when the swing gear 17 swings.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 8, the lower sheet guide 7 a is installed in the vicinity of the feed roller 4 and the pressing roller 6. The lower paper guide 7a is provided with a paper size recognition switch 33 having two switch portions 33a (see FIG. 1) for recognizing the size of the paper 14 stored in the paper tray 28. Further, as shown in FIG. 8, the upper paper guide 7b is attached to the upper part of the lower paper guide 7a. The upper sheet guide 7b guides the sheet 14 to the feeding path to the printing unit so that the sheet 14 passes the lower surface side when feeding, and discharges the sheet 14 so that it passes the upper surface side when discharging. It has a function to guide the paper path.

  Further, the ink sheet cartridge support portion 23 is disposed inside both side surfaces of the chassis 1 as shown in FIGS. 1 and 8. The ink sheet cartridge support portion 23 is provided with a light receiving portion 34a of a transmissive sheet cueing sensor 34. The light emitting part 34b of the sheet cueing sensor 34 is attached to the wiring board 25 so as to face the light receiving part 34a of the sheet cueing sensor 34 with the ink sheet 32 interposed therebetween. The sheet cueing sensor 34 is an example of the “detecting means” and “transmission type sensor” of the present invention.

  Moreover, the wiring board 25 is attached to the attachment part 1e of the chassis 1 via the top plate 26, as shown in FIG. Specifically, the wiring board 25 fastens the four screws 29 passed through the four holes 25a of the wiring board 25 and the four holes 26a of the top plate 26 to the screw holes 1f of the mounting portion 1e of the chassis 1. It is fixed by. In addition, the electronic component 25b constituting the circuit unit 24 and the light emitting unit 34b of the above-described sheet cueing sensor 34 are attached to the wiring board 25. Further, the top plate 26 is formed with a notch portion 26b for exposing a light emitting portion 34b constituting a sheet cueing sensor 34 attached to the wiring board 25 to the chassis 1 side.

  In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 8, the sheet cueing sensor 34 is a color cueing identifying unit 32e (see FIG. 7) of an ink sheet 32 (described later) disposed between the light receiving unit 34a and the light emitting unit 34b. And an ink sheet cue identifying section 32f (see FIG. 7), and is provided to cue the ink sheet 32.

  In the present embodiment, the housing 27 includes lid members 27a and 27b and an LED (light emitting diode) 27c as shown in FIG. The lid member 27a of the casing 27 is provided for mounting the paper tray 28 on the thermal transfer printer. The lid member 27b of the casing 27 is provided for mounting the ink sheet cartridge 22 on the thermal transfer printer. The LED 27c of the housing 27 is provided to warn the user by blinking when the remaining amount of the ink sheet 32 of the ink sheet cartridge 22 is low. The LED 27c is an example of the “warning unit” in the present invention.

  Further, the ink sheet cartridge 22 is provided with a supply unit 22d in which a supply bobbin 22c around which the ink sheet 32 is wound is rotatably arranged. As shown in FIG. 7, the ink sheet 32 includes three sheets of Y (yellow) print sheet 32a, M (magenta) print sheet 32b, and C (cyan) print sheet 32c, and printed paper. There are 20 sets of transparent OP (overcoat) sheets 32d for protecting the 14 printing surfaces. That is, the ink sheet cartridge 22 can print on 20 sheets of paper 14.

  Also, each color head identifying part 32e is located at the boundary of the Y color (yellow) print sheet 32a, the M color (magenta) print sheet 32b, the C color (cyan) print sheet 32c, and the OP (overcoat) sheet 32d. Is provided. Each color cue identifying portion 32e includes a light shielding portion and has a length along the printing direction of about 5 mm. Further, each color cue identifying unit 32e is detected by the sheet cue sensor 34, whereby a Y color (yellow) print sheet 32a, a M color (magenta) print sheet 32b, a C color (cyan) print sheet 32c, and OP. An (overcoat) sheet 32d is provided for transporting each sheet to the print start position of each sheet. Each color cue identifying unit 32e is an example of the “identifying unit” in the present invention.

  In the present embodiment, an ink sheet cue identifying portion 32f is provided on the OP (overcoat) sheet 32d side at the boundary between the OP (overcoat) sheet 32d and the Y color (yellow) print sheet 32a. Yes. In addition, the ink sheet cue identifying portion 32f is formed of a light shielding portion and has a length along the printing direction of about 5 mm. The ink sheet cue identifying unit 32f detects the color cue identifying unit 32f and each color cue identifying unit 32e at the head of the Y (yellow) print sheet 32a by the sheet cue sensor 34. The ink sheet 32 is provided for transporting to the printing start position. The ink sheet cue identifying unit 32f is an example of the “identifying unit” in the present invention.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 5, an abutting portion 22 e provided with one or two concave portions is provided at the end of the supply portion 22 d of the ink sheet cartridge 22. The concave portion of the contact portion 22e is provided so as to correspond to one or two switch portions 35a of the ink sheet recognition switch 35. As a result, when the ink sheet cartridge 22 is mounted on the thermal transfer printer, the switch portion 35a of the ink sheet recognition switch 35 corresponding to the concave portion does not enter the input state, so that a combination of the input switch portion 35a and the non-input switch portion 35a is used. The type of ink sheet cartridge 22 and the type of ink sheet 32 are configured to be recognized.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the end surface portion of the paper tray 28 is provided with a contact portion 28 a having one or two concave portions. The concave portion of the contact portion 28 a is provided so as to correspond to one or two switch portions 33 a of the paper size recognition switch 33. As a result, when the paper tray 28 is attached to the thermal transfer printer, the switch portion 33a of the paper size recognition switch 33 corresponding to the concave portion does not enter the input state. Therefore, depending on the combination of the switch portion 33a that is input and the switch portion 33a that is not input, The type of the paper tray 28 and the size of the paper 14 are configured to be recognized.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the circuit unit 24 includes a control unit 24a having a counter 24g, a head controller 24b for controlling the temperature of the heating element 2e of the print head 2, two motor drivers 24c, and an A / D. A conversion unit 24d, a ROM 24e, and a RAM 24f are included. The control unit 24a has a function of controlling the entire printing operation. The head controller 24b has a function of controlling the temperature of the heating element 2e by applying a voltage pulse to the heating element 2e of the print head 2. The motor driver 24c has a function of controlling the rotation of the stepping motors 15 and 16 by applying voltage pulses. The A / D converter 24d has a function of converting an analog voltage value from the temperature detecting element chip 31 provided in the vicinity of the heating element 2e of the print head 2 into a digital voltage value. The counter 24g has a function of counting the number of steps of the stepping motor 15 based on the number of voltage pulses applied to the stepping motor 15 by the control unit 24a.

  Here, in the present embodiment, the control unit 24a has a function of performing a warning process for the user by blinking the LED 27c of the housing 27 when the remaining amount of the ink sheet 32 is low by performing the remaining ink sheet determination process. is doing. Specifically, the control unit 24a detects the stepping motor 15 by using the counter 24g of the control unit 24a while the ink sheet heading identification unit 32f (see FIG. 7) of the ink sheet 32 is detected by the sheet heading sensor 34. A function of counting the number of steps and storing in the RAM 24f that the remaining amount of the ink sheet 32 is small when the counted number of steps is smaller than a predetermined value (85 in the present embodiment) stored in the ROM 24e. Have The control unit 24a also has a function of blinking the LED 27c when it is stored in the RAM 24f that the remaining amount of the ink sheet 32 is low. That is, when the number of steps of the stepping motor 15 necessary for transporting the ink sheet cue identification unit 32f is smaller than a predetermined value (85 in the present embodiment), the control unit 24a blinks the LED 27c to make the user blink. It is configured to warn that the remaining amount of the ink sheet 32 is low. Further, as described above, the number of steps of the stepping motor 15 necessary for conveying the ink sheet cueing identifying portion 32f is 137 when the first printing is performed and 87 when the 17th printing is performed. Since the time when the 18th sheet is printed is 84, the control unit 24a indicates that the remaining amount of the ink sheet 32 is small for the user while the 17th sheet having the number of steps of 87 or more is being printed. This is configured so that the user is warned that the remaining amount of the ink sheet 32 is low only when the 18th print with the number of steps of less than 85 (84) is performed.

  10 and 11 are cross-sectional views for explaining the printing operation of the thermal transfer printer according to the present embodiment shown in FIG. FIG. 12 is a flowchart for explaining the printing operation of the thermal transfer printer according to the present embodiment shown in FIG. The printing operation of the thermal transfer printer according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 4, 6 to 8, and FIGS. 10 to 12.

  First, in step S1 in FIG. 12, the control unit 24a reads image data. Thereafter, in step S2, after the read image data is developed in the RAM 24f (see FIG. 2) by the control unit 24a, the control unit 24a converts the image data from RGB data to CMY data. RGB data is composed of the three primary colors of light (R: red, G: green, B: blue), and the CMY data is composed of the three primary colors (C: cyan, M: magenta, Y: yellow). Has been.

  Next, in step S3, the ink sheet 32 of the ink sheet cartridge 22 and the paper 14 in the paper tray 28 (see FIG. 1) are conveyed to the print start position. As shown in FIG. 8, the sheet 14 is fed in step S3. First, the sheet cue sensor 34 detects the ink sheet cue identifying unit 32f (see FIG. 7) and the leading portion of the Y color (yellow) print sheet 32a. The ink sheet 32 is wound up until each color cue identifying section 32e (see FIG. 7) is recognized. As a result, the Y-color (yellow) print sheet 32a is cued and the remaining ink sheet determination process is performed. The ink sheet remaining amount determination process will be described in detail later.

  At the time of paper feeding, as shown in FIG. 4, as the stepping motor 15 is driven, the motor gear 15a attached to the stepping motor 15 rotates in the direction of the arrow C3 in FIG. Thus, the feed roller gear 5 rotates in the direction of arrow C1 in FIG. Then, as the feed roller gear 5 rotates in the direction of arrow C1 in FIG. 4, the paper feed roller gear 9 rotates in the direction of arrow C4 in FIG. 4 via the intermediate gears 20 and 21. As a result, as shown in FIG. 8, the paper feed roller 8 rotates in the direction of arrow C4 in FIG. 8, so that the paper 14 in contact with the lower surface side of the paper feed roller 8 is in the paper feed direction (direction of arrow T1 in FIG. 8). To be transported. As a result, as shown in FIG. 10, the paper 14 is guided to the lower paper guide 7 a and conveyed to the printing start position by the feed roller 4 and the pressing roller 6.

  At this time, as shown in FIG. 4, the swing gear 17 is swung in a direction away from the gear portion 12 a of the take-up reel 12 (in the direction of arrow C <b> 2 in FIG. 4), and the gear portion of the take-up reel 12. It does not engage with 12a. As a result, since the gear portion 12a of the take-up reel 12 does not rotate during paper feeding, the ink sheet 32 wound around the take-up bobbin 22b and the supply bobbin 22c (see FIG. 8) is not taken up.

  Next, in step S4, a printing operation is performed. In the printing operation in step S4, the stepping motor 16 (see FIG. 1) is driven by the control unit 24a via the motor driver 22c (see FIG. 2). Then, when the pressing member (not shown) is rotated by the stepping motor 16, the head portion 2 c of the print head 2 is rotated in the direction of the platen roller 3 as shown in FIG. 10. As a result, the heating element 2e (see FIG. 6) of the print head 2 presses the platen roller 3 through the ink sheet 32 and the paper 14.

  Then, as shown in FIG. 4, as the stepping motor 15 is driven, the motor gear 15a attached to the stepping motor 15 rotates in the direction of arrow D3, and the feed roller gear 5 is moved via the intermediate gears 18 and 19. It rotates in the direction of arrow D1. As a result, the feed roller 4 rotates in the direction of arrow D1 in FIG. 10 as the feed roller gear 5 that rotates in the direction of arrow D1 rotates, so that the paper 14 is conveyed in the paper discharge direction (in the direction of arrow U1 in FIG. 10). Is done. The swingable swing gear 17 is swung in a direction (arrow D2 direction) to engage with the gear portion 12a of the ink sheet take-up reel 12, and is engaged with the gear portion 12a of the ink sheet take-up reel 12. Match. As a result, the gear portion 12a of the ink sheet take-up reel 12 (see FIG. 4) rotates in the direction of arrow D4, so that the ink sheet 32 wound around the supply bobbin 22c is applied to the take-up bobbin 22b as shown in FIG. It is wound up.

  At this time, the paper 14 is conveyed in the paper discharge direction (in the direction of the arrow U1) and the ink sheet 32 is wound up, and the Y-color (yellow) print sheet 32a is applied to the paper 14 by the heating element 2e (see FIG. 6) of the print head 2. The ink (see FIG. 7) is printed. When the printing of the Y (yellow) print sheet 32a is completed, as shown in FIG. 11, the paper 14 is conveyed to a position where it can be conveyed by the paper discharge roller 10 while being guided by the upper paper guide 7b. It has become.

  Next, when a pressing member (not shown) is rotated upward by the stepping motor 16 (see FIG. 1), the head portion 2c of the print head 2 is rotated in a direction away from the platen roller 3. Then, the ink sheet 32 is wound up until each color cue identifying section 32e (see FIG. 7) at the head of the M (magenta) print sheet 32b is recognized by the sheet cue sensor 34. Thereby, the head of the M color (magenta) print sheet 32b is cued. Then, in the same manner as described above, the paper 14 is conveyed to the printing start position, and a printing operation is performed. Thereafter, the paper feeding operation and the printing operation similar to the above are performed on the paper 14 also in the C color (cyan) printing sheet 32c and the OP (overcoat) sheet 32d.

  Then, as shown in FIG. 11, the printed paper 14 is discharged by the paper discharge roller 10 while being guided by the upper paper guide 7b. At this time, the stepping motor 15 (see FIG. 4) and various gears perform the same operation as when the paper 14 is conveyed in the paper discharge direction (the direction of the arrow U1 in FIG. 10) during printing. As a result, the paper discharge roller gear 11 (see FIG. 4) rotates in the direction of arrow D5.

  In step S5, the controller 24a determines whether or not the RAM 24f stores that the remaining amount of ink is low. When the control unit 24a determines that the remaining amount of ink is not stored in the RAM 24f, the printing operation of the thermal transfer printer is terminated. On the other hand, if the controller 24a determines that the remaining amount of ink is stored in the RAM 24f, the process proceeds to step S6, and the LED 27c (see FIG. 3) provided on the housing 27 is controlled by the controller 24a. ) Flashes and the printing operation of the thermal transfer printer is completed.

  FIG. 13 is a flowchart for explaining the ink sheet remaining amount determination process of the thermal transfer printer according to the present embodiment shown in FIG. With reference to FIG. 1, FIG. 2, FIG. 7, and FIG. 13, the remaining ink sheet determination process of the thermal transfer printer according to the present embodiment will be described.

  First, in step S7 of FIG. 13, the control unit 24a counts the counter 24g (see FIG. 2) when the ink sheet cue identifying unit 32f (see FIG. 7) is detected by the sheet cue sensor 34. The step number (X1) of the existing stepping motor 15 (see FIG. 1) is detected. Next, in step S8, the step number (X2) of the stepping motor 15 counted by the counter 24g when the control unit 24a no longer detects the ink sheet cueing identification unit 32f by the sheet cueing sensor 34 is obtained. Detected.

  In step S9, the control unit 24a detects the number of steps (X2) of the stepping motor 15 when the ink sheet cueing identification unit 32f is no longer detected by the sheet cueing sensor 34, and the ink sheet cueing identification unit 32f It is determined whether or not the difference from the step number (X1) of the stepping motor 15 when detected by the sheet cueing sensor 34 is smaller than a predetermined value (85 in the present embodiment). That is, the number of steps (= X2−X1) of the stepping motor 15 necessary for conveying the ink sheet cueing identifying portion 32f (unit delivery amount) is 137 when the first printing is performed as described above. When the 17th sheet is printed 87 and the 18th sheet is printed 84, it is determined whether or not the 18th and subsequent sheets are printed. When the control unit 24a determines that the difference between X2 and X1 is larger than a predetermined value (85 in the present embodiment) (printing before the 17th sheet), the remaining ink sheet amount is determined. Processing is terminated. On the other hand, if the control unit 24a determines that the difference between X2 and X1 is smaller than the predetermined value (85 in the present embodiment) (printing on the 18th and subsequent sheets), the process proceeds to step S10. Then, the controller 24a stores that the ink sheet remaining amount is small in the RAM 24f, and the ink sheet remaining amount determining process is ended.

  In the present embodiment, as described above, the stepping motor 15 for winding the ink sheet 32 onto the take-up bobbin 22b, the sheet cue sensor 34 for detecting the ink sheet cue identifying unit 32f and each color cue identifying unit 32e. And when the number of steps of the stepping motor 15 is smaller than a predetermined value (85 in the present embodiment) while the ink sheet heading identification unit 32f is detected by the sheet heading sensor 34, the ink sheet By configuring so as to warn the user that the remaining amount of 32 is small, the outer diameter of the printed ink sheet 32 wound around the take-up bobbin 22b gradually increases as the printing progresses. The number of steps of the stepping motor 15 per unit delivery amount of the ink sheet 32 is gradually reduced. Therefore, since the number of steps of the stepping motor 15 is gradually reduced while the ink sheet heading identification unit 32f of the ink sheet 32 is detected by the sheet heading sensor 34, the number of steps is reduced to a predetermined value (this In the embodiment, since it is smaller than 85), it can be easily determined that the remaining amount of the ink sheet 32 has decreased, and as a result, the user is warned that the remaining amount of the ink sheet 32 is small. Can do. Further, the number of steps of the stepping motor 15 may be measured by the control unit 24a while detecting the ink sheet cueing identifying unit 32f by the sheet cueing sensor 34 for cueing the ink sheet 32. Therefore, the ink sheet 32 may be measured. There is no need to separately provide a member for measuring the remaining amount. Therefore, when the number of steps of the stepping motor 15 per unit delivery amount of the ink sheet 32 is smaller than a predetermined value (85 in this embodiment) while suppressing an increase in the number of parts, the remaining amount of the ink sheet 32 It is possible to warn the user that there is little.

  Further, in the present embodiment, the LED 27c that warns the user that the remaining amount of the ink sheet 32 is low and the printing operation are controlled, and the ink sheet cue identifying unit 32f is detected by the sheet cue sensor 34. When the number of steps of the stepping motor 15 in the meantime is smaller than a predetermined value (85 in the present embodiment), the LED 27c is provided with a control unit 24a that warns the user that the remaining amount of the ink sheet 32 is low, The LED 27c and the control unit 24a can easily warn the user that the remaining amount of the ink sheet 32 is low.

  In the present embodiment, the sheet transfer sensor 34 including the light receiving unit 34a and the light emitting unit 34b disposed so as to sandwich the ink sheet is provided in the thermal transfer printer, and the ink sheet search identifying unit 32f including the light shielding unit is provided as the ink. By providing the ink sheet 32 of the sheet cartridge 22 and detecting the light shielding portion by the sheet cueing sensor 34 including the light receiving unit 34a and the light emitting unit 34b, the ink sheet cueing identifying unit 32f of the ink sheet 32 can be easily provided. Can be detected.

  The embodiment disclosed this time should be considered as illustrative in all points and not restrictive. The scope of the present invention is shown not by the above description of the embodiment but by the scope of claims for patent, and all modifications within the meaning and scope equivalent to the scope of claims for patent are included.

  For example, in the above-described embodiment, an example in which the present invention is applied to a thermal transfer printer has been described.

  In the above embodiment, the ink sheet cartridge capable of printing 20 sheets is configured to warn the user that the remaining amount of ink sheet is low when performing printing on the 18th sheet. Not limited to this, the user may be warned that the remaining amount of ink sheet is low when the 17th sheet is printed. Specifically, when the number of steps of the stepping motor is smaller than 85 while the ink sheet cueing identification unit is detected by the sheet cueing sensor (step number 84 when printing the 18th sheet), Although it is configured to warn that the remaining amount is low, when the number of steps of the stepping motor is smaller than 88 while the ink sheet cueing identification unit is detected by the sheet cueing sensor (17th sheet) When printing is performed, the number of steps 87) may be configured to warn that the ink sheet is low.

  Moreover, in the said embodiment, although it comprised so that a user might be warned that the residual amount of an ink sheet is low by blinking LED provided in the housing | casing, this invention is not limited to this, LED in a housing | casing is comprised. Alternatively, a display unit may be provided in the housing, and the display unit may display that the remaining amount of the ink sheet is low.

  In the above embodiment, the ink sheet cartridge capable of printing 20 sheets is configured to warn the user that the remaining amount of ink sheet is low when printing the 18th sheet. The invention is not limited to this, and the control unit may change the number of printed sheets that warns the user that the remaining amount of the ink sheet is low based on the types of the ink sheet cartridge and the ink sheet. For example, in a thermal transfer printer capable of mounting an ink sheet cartridge capable of printing 20 sheets and an ink sheet cartridge capable of printing 40 sheets, an ink sheet capable of printing 20 sheets by an ink sheet recognition switch When it is detected that the cartridge is mounted, the control unit warns the user that the remaining amount of ink sheet is low when printing the 18th sheet, and 40 sheets can be printed by the ink sheet recognition switch. When it is detected that the ink sheet cartridge is mounted, the control unit may warn the user that the remaining amount of the ink sheet is low when the 38th sheet is printed.

1 is an exploded perspective view of a thermal transfer printer according to an embodiment of the present invention with a housing removed. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a circuit configuration of a circuit unit included in the thermal transfer printer according to the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1. FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing an overall configuration of the thermal transfer printer according to the embodiment shown in FIG. 1. It is the figure which showed the arrangement position of the gear contained in the thermal transfer printer by one Embodiment shown in FIG. It is a top view of the thermal transfer printer by one Embodiment shown in FIG. FIG. 2 is a plan view showing the periphery of a print head of the thermal transfer printer according to the embodiment shown in FIG. 1. It is the top view which showed the ink sheet used for the thermal transfer printer by one Embodiment shown in FIG. It is sectional drawing of the thermal transfer printer by one Embodiment shown in FIG. It is sectional drawing of the thermal transfer printer by one Embodiment shown in FIG. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view for explaining a printing operation of the thermal transfer printer according to the embodiment shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view for explaining a printing operation of the thermal transfer printer according to the embodiment shown in FIG. 1. 2 is a flowchart for explaining a printing operation of the thermal transfer printer according to the embodiment shown in FIG. 1. 3 is a flowchart for explaining ink sheet remaining amount determination processing of the thermal transfer printer according to the embodiment shown in FIG. 1.

Explanation of symbols

15 Stepping motor 22 Ink sheet cartridge 22b Winding bobbin 24a Control unit 27c LED (warning means)
32 Ink sheet 32e Each color cue identification part (identification part)
32f Ink sheet cue identification part (identification part)
34 Sheet cueing sensor (detection means, transmission type sensor)

Claims (5)

A printer main body in which an ink sheet having an identification section and a plurality of color sheets is stored, and an ink sheet cartridge having a winding bobbin for winding the used ink sheet is detachably mounted; In a printer apparatus comprising a stepping motor provided in a printer main body for winding the ink sheet on the take-up bobbin, and a detection means provided in the printer main body for detecting an identification portion of the ink sheet,
The ink sheet identification unit includes a light shielding unit, an ink sheet cue identification unit provided at a boundary between a first printed color sheet and a last printed color sheet, and a plurality of each color Each color cue identification part provided in the boundary part,
The detection means includes a pair of transmissive sensors arranged to sandwich the ink sheet,
Warning means provided in the printer main body for warning the user that the remaining amount of the ink sheet is low, and provided in the printer main body for controlling the printing operation, and the ink sheet by the pair of transmissive sensors A control unit for causing the warning means to warn the user that the remaining amount of the ink sheet is low when the number of steps of the stepping motor is smaller than a predetermined value while the ink sheet cueing identification unit is detected And a printer device. A printer main body in which an ink sheet having an identification unit is stored and an ink sheet cartridge having a winding bobbin for winding the used ink sheet is detachably mounted;
A stepping motor provided in the printer body for winding the ink sheet onto the winding bobbin;
A detection unit provided in the printer body for detecting an identification part of the ink sheet;
A printer device that warns the user that the remaining amount of the ink sheet is low when the number of steps of the stepping motor is smaller than a predetermined value while the identification unit of the ink sheet is being detected by the detection unit . Warning means provided in the printer body for warning the user that the remaining amount of the ink sheet is low;
The warning is provided when the number of steps of the stepping motor is smaller than a predetermined value provided in the printer main body to control a printing operation and while the identification unit of the ink sheet is detected by the detection unit. The printer apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising: a control unit that causes the user to warn that the remaining amount of the ink sheet is low. The detection means includes a pair of transmissive sensors arranged to sandwich the ink sheet,
The printer apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the ink sheet identification unit includes a light shielding unit. The ink sheet has a plurality of color sheets;
The ink sheet identification unit is provided at an ink sheet cue identification unit provided at a boundary between a first printed color sheet and a last printed color sheet, and at a plurality of color boundary units. Each color cue identification part,
When the number of steps of the stepping motor is smaller than a predetermined value while the ink sheet cueing identifying part of the ink sheet is detected by the detection means, a warning is given to the user that the remaining amount of the ink sheet is low The printer device according to any one of claims 2 to 4.

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