JPH024563A - serial printer - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] This bulletin contains application data before electronic filing, so abstract data is not recorded.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention r Industrial Field of Application The present invention relates to a serial printer such as a wire dot printer, an inkjet printer, or a thermal transfer printer. Cables are connected to fixed parts, and each cable has a bent portion extending in the direction of movement of the carriage to draw an arc. This invention relates to a serial printer whose parts are movable.

[Prior Art] In recent years, the demand for printers as output devices for office computers, personal computers, word processors, etc. has been increasing at a remarkable rate, and among these, various serial printers account for a large proportion as low-priced printers. Serial printers include wire dot printers, inkjet printers, and thermal transfer printers, but it is desirable for all printers to improve print quality.
, the density of recording dots is increasing. Along with this, the capacity of flat cables and flexible cables that connect print (recording) heads and circuit boards has increased, and the number and thickness of these cables have tended to increase. In addition to cables, inkjet printers are also equipped with ink supply tubes for supplying ink from the ink supply section to the printing (recording head). First, there is a tendency for the number of ink supply tubes to increase.

FIG. 13 is a schematic perspective view of a conventional inkjet type serial printer.

A carriage 4 equipped with a recording (print) head 1 and movably held on guide shafts 51 and 52 has a timing belt 10 supported by a drive pulley 9 and a driven pulley 7.
The carriage 4 is driven by a motor 8 that rotates a drive pulley 9 to convey the recording paper 2.
It reciprocates in the longitudinal direction of the platen 6 (in the direction of the arrow X) along the recording surface 0 . This recording paper 20 is supported by a recording paper guide 19 and is moved between the platen 6 and the recording head 1 by a feed roller 11 having a driven gear 14 fixed at one end that meshes with the drive gear 13 of the feed motor 12. Guided conveyance. On the other hand, the recording head 1 is formed with nozzles (not shown) that eject ink droplets toward the recording paper 20.
, this nozzle (not shown) includes an ink cassette 18, an ink remaining amount detector 17 connected to the ink cassette 18 with a needle,
Ink is supplied through the ink supply tubes 22 and 23 and the sub-ink tank 3 on the carriage 4. In addition, a discharge means (not shown) provided in a nozzle (not shown) includes a connector 16□, a flat cable 24,
An ink supply signal is selectively provided via the printhead live circuit 2. The ink supply tubes 22 and 23, which are cables, pass through the chassis 21 and are formed with bent portions 221 and 231 so as to extend in the reciprocating direction of the carriage 4 (in the direction of the arrow X) and draw an arc. 1. One end is fixed to the carriage 4 with a stopper 41, and the other end is fixed to the chassis 21 with an unillustrated stopper. The bent portion 231 extends in the direction to draw an arc,
241 is formed 1, ink supply tube 22゜2
It is located next to 3. A head recovery mechanism 15 having a cap is provided near one end of the platen 6.
The recording head 1 is moved to the home position (HP), and recovery operations such as ink suction and preliminary ejection to prevent nozzle clogging are performed.

Note that all of the above-mentioned components are housed within a not-shown exterior of a substantially hollow rectangular body.

[Problem to be solved by the invention]

In the above-mentioned conventional serial printer, the ink supply tube and flat cable, which are cables, each extend in the direction of reciprocating movement of the carriage and form a bent part so as to draw an arc, and one end connects to the sub ink tank on the carriage, Because it is connected to the print head drive circuit,
When the carriage is located at the center or near one end of the reciprocating range, the radius of curvature of the bent portion may be large (1), the ink supply tube or flat cable may be worn out or broken by hitting the top plate of the exterior (1), or Since the carriage may not move smoothly, it is necessary to make the exterior larger than necessary1, which increases the dead space inside the exterior, making the entire printer larger and reducing reliability. There is a drawback.

The present invention relates to cables that connect a recording head provided on a reciprocally movable carriage and a component fixed inside the exterior, the cables extending in the moving direction of the carriage to draw an arc. A bent part is formed in 1,
In a serial printer in which the bent portion moves following the reciprocating movement of the carriage, cables such as ink supply tubes and flat cables do not come into contact with the top plate of the exterior, and the carriage moves smoothly. The aim is to provide a small and highly reliable serial printer.

[Means to solve the problem]

The serial printer of the present invention includes cables that connect a recording head provided on a reciprocally movable carriage and a component fixed inside the exterior, the cables extending in the direction of movement of the carriage and extending in a circular arc. In a serial printer in which a bent part is formed so as to draw the line 1, and the bent part moves in accordance with the reciprocating movement of the carriage, a bracket is provided on the top surface of the carriage, and a bracket is provided on the top surface of the carriage to connect the cables. An arm consisting of two or more sub-arms connected so as to be bendable in the same direction as the bending direction of the bending part,
One end of the arm is fixed to the bracket so that the free end side of the arm presses against the upper surface of the cables.

The arm has a plurality of substantially rectangular sub-arms each having a pair of shafts protruding from both sides of one end and a pair of holes having a diameter larger than the diameter of the shaft on both sides of the other end. , are connected by fitting the shaft into the hole.

Furthermore, the arm is a substantially U-shaped wire that is wound around both ends to form a winding part, and has a plurality of sub-arms each having both ends bent approximately vertically outward. The two ends are connected by fitting into the holes.

Further, the arm is constituted by a plurality of plastic rectangular sub-arms, and the lower ends of both side surfaces of adjacent sub-arms are connected to each other.

Additionally, a torsion coil spring is provided on the shaft of the sub-arm to bias the arm so that it wraps around cables.

Further, an arm is fixed to the cables along the cables.

Further, one end of the chassis is cut off so that the free end of the arm does not come into contact with the chassis when the carriage is located near the other end of the reciprocating range of the carriage.

The free end of the arm is secured to the chassis such that the arm covers most of the cables.

[Function] In the present invention configured as described above, the free end side of the arm consisting of two or more sub-arms connected so as to be bendable in the same direction as the bending direction of the bent portion of the cables is connected to the upper surface of the cables. By pressing with own weight, 1. The radius of curvature of the bent portion is kept almost constant and does not increase.

The arm, which is composed of a plurality of substantially rectangular sub-arms connected through shaft holes, presses the top surface of the cables, thereby moving the carriage to the center of its reciprocating range.
When the cable is located near one end and the radius of curvature of the bent part of the cable is large (the arc-shaped bulge is large), the entire arm rests on the cable 1, while the carriage is near the other end. When the radius of curvature of the bent part of the cables is small, a part of the free end side of the arm bends downward under its own weight, so the radius of curvature of the bent part of the cables is small, without narrowing the range of reciprocating movement of the carriage. increase is prevented.

Furthermore, a plurality of sub-arms each having a winding part formed at both ends of a substantially U-shaped wire and bent almost vertically outward at both ends are connected through holes in the winding part and both sides. By pressing the upper surface of the cables, the arm consisting of
When the carriage is located in the center of the reciprocating movement range, near one end, and the radius of curvature of the bending part of the cables is large (the arc-shaped bulge is large), the entire arm rests on the cables. 1. On the other hand, when the carriage is located near the other end and the radius of curvature of the bending part of the cables is small, a part of the free end of the arm bends downward due to its own weight, so the range of reciprocating movement of the carriage is not narrowed. In addition, the radius of curvature of the bent portion of the cables is prevented from increasing, and the arm can be manufactured at low cost.

In addition, a plurality of sub-arms made of rectangular plastic bodies are connected to each other at the lower ends of both sides of the adjacent sub-arms, and the constructed arm presses the top surface of the cables.
, when the carriage is located in the center of the reciprocating range, near one end, and the radius of curvature of the bending part of the cables is large (the arcuate bulge is large), the entire arm is placed on the cables. On the other hand, when the carriage is located near the other end and the radius of curvature of the bending part of the cable is small, a part of the free end of the arm bends downward under its own weight, which reduces the range of reciprocating movement of the carriage. The radius of curvature of the bent portion of the cables is prevented from increasing without causing any damage, and the configuration of the arm is simple.6 In addition, a torsion coil spring is provided on the shaft of the sub-arm to bias the arm to wrap around the cables. 1. An increase in the radius of curvature of the bent portion of the cables can be further prevented without narrowing the reciprocating range of the carriage.

Furthermore, since the arm is fixed along the cables, the arm is held and does not move in the direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction.

Furthermore, one end of the chassis is cut off so that the free end of the arm does not come into contact with the carriage when the carriage is located near the other end of the reciprocating range of the carriage. This makes it possible to reliably prevent the radius of curvature of the bent portion of the cables from increasing without narrowing the range of reciprocating movement of the carriage.

Since the free end of the arm is fixed to the chassis so that the arm covers most of the cables, it is possible to reduce the radius of curvature of the bending part of the cables without narrowing the range of reciprocating movement of the carriage. Growth is further prevented and the arms are also retained.

[Example] Next, an example of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of a first embodiment of the serial printer of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view showing a state in which the carriage 4 is located near both ends of the reciprocating range in FIG. 1. , FIG. 3 is a schematic perspective view of the arm 261 in FIGS. 1 and 2, and FIG. 4 is a cross section of a part of FIG. It is a schematic sectional view showing a state where it is located.

As shown in FIGS. 1 to 4, the serial printer of this embodiment has a carriage 4 similar to the conventional example shown in FIG.
A bracket 42 is fixed to one top end through which the ink supply tubes 22 and 23 pass, and a pair of shafts 29 are formed on both sides of one end to protrude from the both sides, and the diameter of the shaft 29 is formed on both sides of the other end. A plurality of substantially rectangular sub-arms 251 each having a pair of holes 30 having a larger diameter are connected by fitting the shaft 29 into the hole 30, and one end of the constructed arm 261 is connected to the The arm 261 is fixed to the bracket 42 so as to press the upper surfaces of the ink supply tubes 22, 23 and the flat cable 24.

As shown in FIG. 3, the front surface 28a of this sub-arm 251 has a two-stage shape, and the upper surface of the front surface 28a is in contact with the rear surface 28b of the corresponding sub-arm 251. 251 is the arrow Y from the state shown in Figure 3.
It is rotatable only in one direction by a predetermined angle about the shaft 29 as a fulcrum.

Next, the operation of this embodiment will be explained with reference to FIG.

The carriage 4 is located at the center of the reciprocating range, near one end, and the ink supply tubes 22, 23 and the bent portion 22 of the flat cable 24. ．． 23. .

When the radius of curvature of the arm 241 is large (the arcuate bulge is large), most of the arm 261 is placed on the ink supply tubes 22, 23 and the flat cable 24, while the carriage 4 moves back and forth. When the radius of curvature of the ink supply tubes 22, 23 and the bent portions 221, 23+, 24i of the flat cable 24 is small near the other end of the range, only the portion of the arm 261 near the bracket 42 is connected to the ink supply tube 22.゜23 Comes into contact with the flat cable 24, and a part of the free end side of the arm 26□ bends downward under its own weight.

Therefore, the bent portions 221, 231 of the ink supply tubes 22, 23 and the flat cable 24 can be removed without narrowing the reciprocating range of the carriage 4.

241 is prevented from increasing, the ink supply tubes 22, 23, and flat cable 24 do not come into contact with the top plate 271 of the exterior 27, allowing smooth movement of the carriage 4, and preventing dead objects inside the exterior 27. Space is reduced and the exterior 27 can be made smaller.

FIG. 5 shows a second embodiment of the present invention, and is a schematic cross-sectional view, partially cut away.

In the serial printer of this embodiment, the arm 262 is composed of two sub-arms 252 having a length greater than the length of the sub-arm 251 of the serial printer shown in FIG.

Therefore, without narrowing the reciprocating range of the carriage 4, the ink supply tube 22, 23, the bent portion 221, 23 of the flat cable 24, . 241 is prevented from increasing, and the ink supply tubes 22, 23 and flat cable 24 do not come into contact with the top plate 271 of the exterior 27.
Smooth movement of the carriage 4 is possible, dead space in the exterior 27 is reduced, the exterior 27 can be made smaller, and the production cost of the arm 262 is low, so the cost of the entire printer is also reduced.

FIG. 6 shows a third embodiment of the present invention, and is a schematic cross-sectional view, partially cut away.

In the serial printer of this embodiment, in the serial printer shown in FIG. 1, when the carriage 4 is located near the other end of the reciprocating range of the carriage 4, the arm 263
Chassis 2 so that the free end of
1 with one end removed.

Therefore, compared to the example shown in FIG.
, 23, bent portion 22 of the flat cable 24. ．． 23.
．． An increase in the radius of curvature of 231 and 241 is reliably prevented,
Ink supply tubes 22, 23, flat goople 24
is the top plate 27 of the exterior 27. The carriage 4 can move smoothly without contacting the outer case 27, and the dead space inside the outer case 27 is reduced, so that the outer case 27 can be made smaller.

FIG. 7 shows a fourth embodiment of the present invention, and is a schematic cross-sectional view partially cut away, and FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing details of the vicinity of the connecting portion of the arm 264 in FIG. 7.

The serial printer of this embodiment is the same as that of the serial printer shown in FIG. 1 by cutting out the vicinity of the shaft 29 of the sub-arm 254 and installing a torsion coil spring 34 on the shaft 29 to bias each sub-arm 254 in the direction of arrow Y. , arm 26
4 is entirely wound around ink supply tubes 22, 23 and flat cable 24.

The torsion coil springs 34 may be provided corresponding to all the shafts 29, but the torsion coil springs 34 may be provided between the chassis 21 of the arm 264 and the cables 22, 23, 24 when the carriage 4 is near the other end. 22+, 23t, 24
Only the part that contacts the semicircular part of s is sufficient.

Therefore, the ink supply tubes 22, 23 and the bent portion 22 of the flat cable 24 can be moved without narrowing the reciprocating range of the carriage 4. ．． 23. .

241 is further prevented from increasing, and the ink supply tubes 22, 23 and flat cable 24 are
The carriage 4 can move smoothly without contacting the top plate 271 of the housing 27, and the dead space inside the exterior 27 is reduced, allowing the exterior 27 to be made smaller.

FIG. 9 shows a fifth embodiment of the present invention, and is a schematic cross-sectional view with a portion cut away.

The serial printer of this embodiment differs from the serial printer shown in FIG. 1 in that the free end of the arm 265 has a slight gap 36 between the ink supply tubes 2 and 3.
2, 23, it is fixed to the chassis 21 so as to cover most of the flat cable 24.

Therefore, the ink supply tubes 22, 23 and the bent portions 221, 231 of the flat cable 24 can be bent without narrowing the reciprocating range of the carriage 4.

241 is further prevented from increasing the radius of curvature of arm 26.
5 is also held, the ink supply tubes 22 and 23 and the flat cable 24 do not come into contact with the top plate 271 of the exterior 27, allowing smooth movement of the carriage 4, and the dead space inside the exterior 27 is reduced. can be made smaller.

FIG. 10 is a schematic perspective view of an arm 266 applied to a sixth embodiment of the serial printer of the present invention.

This arm 266 is made of a substantially U-shaped wire and has a winding part 25a formed at both ends thereof, and a plurality of sub-arms 256, each of which has both ends bent approximately vertically outward, are inserted into the hole of the winding part 25a. They are connected by fitting the tips. This arm 266 is rotatable in the direction of arrow Y from the state shown in FIG. 10 using the winding portion to which each sub-arm 266 corresponds as a fulcrum, and presses the free end side or the upper surface of an ink supply tube (not shown) or a flat cable. One end is fixed to a bracket on a carriage (not shown).

Therefore, it is easy to manufacture the arm 263, and the radius of curvature of the bending portion of the ink supply tube and flat cable is prevented from increasing without sagging the reciprocating range of the carriage. The carriage can move smoothly without contacting the top plate, and the put space inside the exterior is reduced, allowing the exterior to be made smaller.

FIG. 11 shows the arm 2 applied to the seventh embodiment of the present invention.
67 is a schematic perspective view.

This arm 267 is composed of a plurality of sub-arms 257 made of a rectangular plastic body, and the lower ends of both side surfaces of adjacent sub-arms 257 are connected to each other, and can be manufactured by integral molding. This arm 267 is connected to each sub-arm 25
7 is rotatable in the direction of arrow Y with the front lower end as a fulcrum as shown in FIG. It is fixed to the upper bracket.

Therefore, it is easy to manufacture the arm 267, and the radius of curvature of the bent portion of the ink supply tube and flat cable is prevented from increasing without sagging the reciprocating range of the carriage. The carriage can move smoothly without contacting the top plate, and the dead space inside the exterior is reduced, allowing the exterior to be made smaller.

FIG. 12 is a schematic perspective view showing essential parts of an eighth embodiment of the present invention.

The serial printer of this embodiment has an ink supply tube 2
2.23 is inserted into the ink supply tube guide 37, and the ink supply tube guide 37 has a plurality of plastic rectangular sub-arms 25B, and adjacent sub-arms 25.23 are inserted into the ink supply tube guide 37. An arm 26 is fixed by connecting the lower ends of both sides of the arm 26 to each other. In addition, this arm 26
One end of the tube is fixed to a bracket on a carriage (not shown). On the other hand, a flat cable (not shown) has a first end fixed to a bracket on a carriage (not shown).
The same arm as shown in Figure 1 is fixed.

Therefore, the arm 26 is held and does not move in the direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction, the range of reciprocating movement of the carriage is not narrowed, and the radius of curvature of the bent part of the ink supply tube and flat cable is prevented from increasing. The ink supply tube and flat cable do not come into contact with the top plate of the exterior, allowing smooth movement of the carriage, and the dead space inside the exterior is reduced, allowing the exterior to be made smaller.

[Effects of the Invention] Since the present invention is configured as described above, it produces the following effects.

In the serial printer according to claim 1, the free end side of the arm consisting of two or more sub-arms connected so as to be bendable in the same direction as the bending direction of the bent portion of the cables or the upper surface of the cables is pressed by its own weight. In particular, 1. The radius of curvature of the bent part of the cables is kept almost constant and does not increase, so the cables do not come into contact with the top plate of the exterior, preventing cable wear and disconnection, and furthermore, The cost is low because the dead space is reduced and the exterior can be made smaller.

In the serial printer according to the second aspect of the present invention, in addition to the above-mentioned effects, the reciprocating range of the carriage is not narrowed, so that reliability is further improved.

In the serial printer according to the third aspect of the present invention, in addition to the above-mentioned effects, the arm can be manufactured at a lower cost.

In the serial printer according to the fourth aspect of the present invention, in addition to the above-mentioned effects, the configuration of the arm is simple, so that reliability is further improved.

In the serial printer according to the fifth aspect of the present invention, it is possible to further prevent an increase in the radius of curvature of the bent portion of the cables.

In the serial printer according to the sixth aspect of the present invention, the arm is held and does not move in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction, thereby improving reliability.

In the serial printer according to the seventh aspect, since the length of the arm can be increased, the radius of curvature of the bent portion of the cables can be further prevented from increasing, and reliability is improved.

In the serial printer according to claim 8, the arm is held and does not move in the direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a first embodiment of the serial printer of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view showing a state in which the carriage 4 is located near the other end of the reciprocating range in FIG. 3 is a schematic perspective view of the arm 261 in FIGS. 1 and 2, FIG. 4 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a part of FIG. 1, and FIG.
The figure shows a second embodiment of the invention, a schematic sectional view with a part cut away, FIG. 6 shows a third embodiment of the invention, a schematic sectional view with a part cut away, and FIG. Embodiment 4 of the present invention; FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing details of the vicinity of the connecting portion of the arm 264 in FIG. 7; FIG. A schematic cross-sectional view of the embodiment,
FIG. 10 shows the arm 2 applied to the sixth embodiment of the present invention.
66, FIG. 11 is a schematic perspective view of arm 267 applied to the seventh embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 12 is a schematic perspective view of arm 26B applied to the eighth embodiment of the present invention. 13 are schematic perspective views of a conventional example. 1... Recording head, 2... Print head drive circuit, 3...
・Sub ink tank, 4... Carriage, 41... Stopper, 42... Bracket, 54, 52... Guide shaft, 6... Platen, 7. ... Driven pulley, 8 ... Motor, 9 ... Drive pulley, 10 ... Timing belt, 11 ... Feed roller, 12. ...Feeding motor, 3...Driving gear, 4...Driven gear, 5...Head recovery mechanism, 6...Circuit board , 61...Connector, 7...Remaining ink level detector, 8...Ink cassette, 9...Recording paper guide, 20...Recording paper , 21... Chassis, 22, 23... Ink supply tube, 24...
...Flat cable, 22,. 23,. 24, ... bending part, 25
□～25B・・・・・・・・・・・・Sub arm, 2B,～26th・・・・・・・・・・・・Arm, 27・・・・・・・・・...Exterior, 27, ......Top plate, 28a...Front, 28b...Rear, 29... .......shaft, 30........hole, 25a... winding part, 34........ ...Torsion coil spring, 36
・・・・・・・・・Gap, 37・・・・・・・・・Ink supply tube guide.

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1) A recording head (1) provided on a reciprocally movable carriage (4) and parts (16, 17) fixed inside the exterior.
), the cables (22, 23, 24) connect the carriage (
4) The bent portions (22_1, 23_1, 24_1) are formed so as to extend in the movement direction and draw a circular arc,
The bending portion (2) follows the reciprocating movement of the carriage (4).
In a serial printer in which the carriage (2_1, 23_1, 24_1) is movable, the bracket (4_
2), the arm is composed of two or more sub-arms connected so as to be bendable in the same direction as the bending direction of the bending portions (22_1, 23_1, 24_1) of the cables (22, 23, 24), The arm is arranged such that its free end side presses the upper surface of the cables (22, 23, 24).
A serial printer characterized in that one end is fixed to the bracket (4_2). 2) The arm (26_1) has a pair of shafts (29) protruding from both sides of one end and the shafts (29) on both sides of the other end.
A plurality of substantially rectangular sub-arms (25_1) in which a pair of holes (30) having a diameter larger than the diameter of the sub-arm (25_1) are formed are connected by fitting the shaft (29) into the hole (30). The serial printer according to claim 1, wherein the serial printer is configured as follows. 3) The arm (26_6) is a substantially U-shaped wire that is wound at both ends to form a winding part (25a), and the sub-arm (25_6) has both ends bent approximately vertically outward.
2. The serial printer according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of the winding parts 6) are connected by fitting the ends of the winding parts into the holes of the winding part (25a). 4) The arm (26_7) has a plurality of sub-arms (25_7) made of rectangular plastic bodies, and the adjacent surfarm (
2. The serial printer according to claim 1, wherein the lower ends of both sides of the printer 25_7) are connected to each other. 5) Claim 1 or 5, wherein a torsion coil spring (34) is provided on the shaft (29) of the sub-arm (25_4) so that the arm (26_4) is biased to wrap around the cables (22, 23, 24). Serial printer described in 2. 6) The serial printer according to claim 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5, wherein the arm (26_8) is fixed to the cables along the cables. 7) When the carriage (4) is located near the other end of the reciprocating range of the carriage (4), the arm (26_3)
Claims 1 and 2, wherein one end of the chassis (21) is cut off so that the free end of the chassis (21) does not come into contact with the chassis (21).
The serial printer described in 3, 4 or 5. 8) Arm (26_5) connects cables (22, 23, 2
4) so as to cover most of the arm (26_5)
Claim 1 wherein the free end of is fixed to the chassis (21).
, 2, 3, 4 or 5.