U.S. patent application number 15/906719 was filed with the patent office on 2018-08-30 for medium supply apparatus.
The applicant listed for this patent is Oki Data Corporation. Invention is credited to Hiromi TAKAHASHI.
Application Number | 20180244485 15/906719 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 63246062 |
Filed Date | 2018-08-30 |
United States Patent
Application |
20180244485 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
TAKAHASHI; Hiromi |
August 30, 2018 |
MEDIUM SUPPLY APPARATUS
Abstract
A medium supply apparatus supplying a rolled medium includes a
tension member contacts to the medium to apply a tension to the
medium, a state switching part that switches states of the tension
member between first and second states, and a control unit. The
tension member is swingable between a first position at which a
first corner angle (.theta.1) and a second position at which a
second corner angle (.theta.2) is formed, the second corner angle
(.theta.2) being greater than the first corner angle (.theta.1).
The control unit causes the state switching part to switch the
state of the tension member to the fixed state in the first
position when the medium is supplied, the control unit causes the
state switching part to switch the state of the tension member to
the releasing state in the first position when the control unit
does not receive an image forming start signal for a predetermined
period, and the control unit causes the state switching part to
switch the state of the tension member to the fixed state when the
tension member reaches the second position.
Inventors: |
TAKAHASHI; Hiromi; (Tokyo,
JP) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Oki Data Corporation |
Tokyo |
|
JP |
|
|
Family ID: |
63246062 |
Appl. No.: |
15/906719 |
Filed: |
February 27, 2018 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65H 2513/11 20130101;
B65H 2511/212 20130101; B65H 2403/942 20130101; B65H 23/16
20130101; B65H 23/1825 20130101; B65H 2553/51 20130101; B65H 23/048
20130101; B65H 2511/112 20130101; B65H 2801/12 20130101; B65H 16/10
20130101; B65H 2404/147 20130101; B65H 2513/108 20130101; B65H
23/185 20130101; B65H 2511/112 20130101; B65H 2220/02 20130101;
B65H 2513/11 20130101; B65H 2220/01 20130101 |
International
Class: |
B65H 23/182 20060101
B65H023/182; B65H 16/10 20060101 B65H016/10; B65H 23/04 20060101
B65H023/04 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Feb 28, 2017 |
JP |
2017-037350 |
Claims
1. A medium supply apparatus, comprising: a holder that is
configured to rotatably support a medium, which is wound in a
rolled shape and to be rotated by a drive part, a conveyance part
that conveys the medium in a conveyance direction, and is disposed
in a downstream side with respect to the holder in the conveyance
direction, a tension member that is disposed between the holder and
the conveyance part, and contacts to the medium, which is
positioned between the holder and the conveyance part, to apply a
tension to the medium, a state switching part that has a detection
sensor that detects a position of the tension member and switches
states of the tension member between two states in correspondence
with a detection result by the detection sensor, one state being a
fixed state where the tension member is locked such that the
tension member is not movable, and the other state being releasing
state where the tension members is not locked such that the tension
member is movable, a control unit that controls the drive part for
the holder, conveyance part, and the state switching part, wherein
the tension member is swingable between a first position at which a
first corner angle (.theta.1) is formed and a second position at
which a second corner angle (.theta.2) is formed, the first and
second corner angles being determined with two tangent lines formed
on the tension member which are seen from a rotational axis view of
the holder, one tangent line being at an upstream contact point
(UCP) where the medium comes in first contact with the tension
member, and the other tangent line being at a downstream contact
point (DCP) where the medium, which curves around an outer
peripheral of the tension member, departs from the outer peripheral
of the tension member, the second corner angle (.theta.2) being
greater than the first corner angle (.theta.1), the control unit
causes the state switching part to switch the state of the tension
member to the fixed state in the first position when the medium is
supplied, and the control unit causes the state switching part to
switch the state of the tension member to the releasing state in
the first position when the control unit does not receive an image
forming start signal, which is a signal to start an image forming
process, for a predetermined period after the conveyance part stops
conveying the medium so that the tension medium is moved to the
second position as the drive part drives the holder to rotate in an
opposite direction to the conveyance direction, and the control
unit causes the state switching part to switch the state of the
tension member to the fixed state when the tension member reaches
the second position.
2. The medium supply apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the
control unit causes the state switching part to switch the state of
the tension member to the releasing state in the second position
when the control unit does not receive the image forming start
signal, which is the signal to start an image forming process, for
another predetermined period after the conveyance part stops
conveying the medium.
3. The medium supply apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a
conveyance length of the medium that is determined between the
holder and the conveyance part through the tension member when the
tension member is at the first position is longer than another
conveyance length of the medium when the tension member is at the
second position.
4. The medium supply apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the
second position of the tension member is determined to cause the
conveyance length to be the shortest.
5. The medium supply apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the
second corner angle ranges from 150.degree. to 180.degree..
6. The medium supply apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the
second corner angle ranges from 170.degree. to 180.degree..
7. The medium supply apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the
drive part conveys the medium in the conveyance direction by
rotating the rolled medium in a first direction, and the drive part
winds up the medium, which was once supplied, around the holder by
rotating the rolled medium in a second direction that is opposite
to the first direction.
8. The medium supply apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the
drive part moves the tension member from the second position to the
first position by rotating the medium in the first direction, and
the drive part moves the tension member, which is in the releasing
state, from the first position to the second position by rotating
the medium in the second direction.
9. The medium supply apparatus according to claim 1, further
comprising: a first position sensor that detects the first position
of the tension member, and a second position sensor that detects
the second position of the tension member, wherein when the first
position sensor detects the first position, the control unit causes
the state switching part to switch the state of the tension member
from the releasing state to the fixed state, when the second
position sensor detects the second position, the control unit
causes the state switching part to switch the state of the tension
member from the releasing state to the fixed state.
10. The medium supply apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the
conveyance part is configured with a pair of rollers sandwiching
the medium.
11. The medium supply apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the
tension member includes a contact portion that contacts to the
medium, a supporting member that supports the contact part and a
supporting shaft that is provided in an apparatus body and
rotatably supports the supporting member, and the contact portion
swings between the first position and the second position by the
supporting member rotating around the support shaft.
12. The medium supply apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the
contact portion includes a roller that is rotatably disposed at a
tip of the support member.
13. A medium supply apparatus, comprising: a holder that is
configured to rotatably support a medium, which is wound in a
rolled shape and to be rotated by a drive part, a conveyance part
that conveys the medium in a conveyance direction, and is disposed
in a downstream side with respect to the holder in the conveyance
direction, a medium guide part that has a curved portion, is
disposed in a upstream side with the conveyance part in the
conveyance direction, a tension member that is disposed between the
holder and the medium guide part along the conveyance path and
applies a tension to the medium by contacting, the tension member
being swingable between a first position and a second position,
when the tension member is at the first position, the medium being
curved by the curved portion of the medium guide part so that the
medium is in a curved shape, seen from a side view of the medium
being conveyed, the side view being perpendicular to the conveyance
direction and to flat surfaces of the medium, when the tension
member is at the second position, the medium not contacting to the
curved portion of the medium guide part so that the medium is in a
linear shape, seen from the side view of the medium, the tension
applied by the tension member being oriented from the second
position to the first position, a state switching part that has a
detection sensor that detects a position of the tension member and
switches states of the tension member between two states in
correspondence with a detection result by the detection sensor, one
state being a fixed state where the tension member is locked such
that the tension member is not movable, and the other state being
releasing state where the tension members is not locked such that
the tension member is movable, a control unit that controls the
drive part for the holder, conveyance part, and the state switching
part, wherein the control unit causes the state switching part to
switch the state of the tension member to the fixed state in the
first position when the medium is conveyed to the downstream side
for an image forming process, and the control unit causes the state
switching part to switch the state of the tension member to the
releasing state in the first position when the control unit does
not receive print data for the image forming process for a
predetermined period after the conveyance part stops conveying the
medium so that the tension medium is moved to the second position
as the drive part drives the holder to rotate in an opposite
direction to the conveyance direction, and the control unit causes
the state switching part to switch the state of the tension member
to the fixed state when the tension member reaches the second
position.
14. The medium supply apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the
tension member is configured to be biased by a spring, which
consistently pushes the tension member toward the first position,
when the state switching part switches the state of the tension
member, which is in the second position, from the fixed state to
the releasing state, the tension member is moved toward the first
position due to the spring, and the control unit causes the state
switching part to switch the state of the tension member to the
fixed state when the tension member reaches the first position.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present invention relates to a medium supply apparatus
for supplying a medium which is wound into a roll shape.
BACKGROUND
[0002] A printer featuring a roll sheet guide member provided has
been proposed (see patent number 1). In the printer, the roll sheet
guide member guides the roll sheet to a roller, the roll sheet
being pulled from a roll sheet support part. When performing a
printing, the roll sheet guide member is advanced by a driving unit
to a advancing position at which a roll sheet path is bent so that
the roll sheet comes to contact with the roller for a predetermined
length. When not performing the printing, the roller paper guide
member is retrieved by the driving unit to a releasing position at
which the roller paper is released. In the printer in patent
document 1, the roller paper is prevented from having a curved
habit (a curved portion) by retrieving the roll sheet guide member
when not printing.
RELATED ART
[0003] [Patent Document 1]
[0004] JP Laid Open Patent Publication H10-297043 (e.g., paragraphs
0012-paragraph 0019, FIG. 2)
[0005] It is noted that, in the specification, a "retracted
position" and a "releasing position" of a tension roller are used
for a similar meaning in correspondence with contexts.
[0006] However, according to the technique of Patent Document 1,
the roll sheet guide member is merely retrieved to the releasing
position for releasing the roll sheet, and the roll sheet passed
between the roll sheet support part and the roller is held while
being curved. It is impossible to avoid that the roll sheet is
curved.
[0007] The present invention is made to solve the above-described
drawback. It aims to provide a medium supply apparatus capable of
avoiding a curved habit that affects transportation of a medium
wound in a roll shape.
SUMMARY
[0008] A medium supply apparatus, disclosed in the application,
includes a holder that is configured to rotatably support a medium,
which is wound in a rolled shape and to be rotated by a drive part,
a conveyance part that conveys the medium in a conveyance
direction, and is disposed in a downstream side with respect to the
holder in the conveyance direction, a tension member that is
disposed between the holder and the conveyance part, and contacts
to the medium, which is positioned between the holder and the
conveyance part, to apply a tension to the medium, a state
switching part that has a detection sensor that detects a position
of the tension member and switches states of the tension member
between two states in correspondence with a detection result by the
detection sensor, one state being a fixed state where the tension
member is locked such that the tension member is not movable, and
the other state being releasing state where the tension members is
not locked such that the tension member is movable, a control unit
that controls the drive part for the holder, conveyance part, and
the state switching part, wherein the tension member is swingable
between a first position at which a first corner angle (.theta.1)
is formed and a second position at which a second corner angle
(.theta.2) is formed, the first and second corner angles being
determined with two tangent lines formed on the tension member
which are seen from a rotational axis view of the holder, one
tangent line being at an upstream contact point (UCP) where the
medium comes in first contact with the tension member, and the
other tangent line being at a downstream contact point (DCP) where
the medium, which curves around an outer peripheral of the tension
member, departs from the outer peripheral of the tension member,
the second corner angle (.theta.2) being greater than the first
corner angle (.theta.1), the control unit causes the state
switching part to switch the state of the tension member to the
fixed state in the first position when the medium is supplied, and
the control unit causes the state switching part to switch the
state of the tension member to the releasing state in the first
position when the control unit does not receive an image forming
start signal, which is a signal to start an image forming process,
for a predetermined period after the conveyance part stops
conveying the medium so that the tension medium is moved to the
second position as the drive part drives the holder to rotate in an
opposite direction to the conveyance direction, and the control
unit causes the state switching part to switch the state of the
tension member to the fixed state when the tension member reaches
the second position.
[0009] Also, another medium supply apparatus, which is disclosed in
the application, includes a holder that is configured to rotatably
support a medium, which is wound in a rolled shape and to be
rotated by a drive part, a conveyance part that conveys the medium
in a conveyance direction, and is disposed in a downstream side
with respect to the holder in the conveyance direction, a medium
guide part that has a curved portion, is disposed in a upstream
side with the conveyance part in the conveyance direction, a
tension member that is disposed between the holder and the medium
guide part along the conveyance path and applies a tension to the
medium by contacting, the tension member being swingable between a
first position and a second position, when the tension member is at
the first position, the medium being curved by the curved portion
of the medium guide part so that the medium is in a curved shape,
seen from a side view of the medium being conveyed, the side view
being perpendicular to the conveyance direction and to flat
surfaces of the medium, when the tension member is at the second
position, the medium not contacting to the curved portion of the
medium guide part so that the medium is in a linear shape, seen
from the side view of the medium, the tension applied by the
tension member being oriented from the second position to the first
position, a state switching part that has a detection sensor that
detects a position of the tension member and switches states of the
tension member between two states in correspondence with a
detection result by the detection sensor, one state being a fixed
state where the tension member is locked such that the tension
member is not movable, and the other state being releasing state
where the tension members is not locked such that the tension
member is movable, a control unit that controls the drive part for
the holder, conveyance part, and the state switching part, wherein
the control unit causes the state switching part to switch the
state of the tension member to the fixed state in the first
position when the medium is conveyed to the downstream side for an
image forming process, and the control unit causes the state
switching part to switch the state of the tension member to the
releasing state in the first position when the control unit does
not receive print data for the image forming process for a
predetermined period after the conveyance part stops conveying the
medium so that the tension medium is moved to the second position
as the drive part drives the holder to rotate in an opposite
direction to the conveyance direction, and the control unit causes
the state switching part to switch the state of the tension member
to the fixed state when the tension member reaches the second
position.
[0010] According to the present invention, it is possible to
prevent the curved habit of the medium wound into the roll shape,
which affects the transportation.
BRIEF DESCRIPTIONS OF THE DRAWINGS
[0011] FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing a schematic
configuration of the roll sheet supply apparatus according to an
embodiment of the present invention.
[0012] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration
of a control system of the roll sheet supply apparatus according to
the embodiment.
[0013] FIG. 3A to FIG. 3C are diagrams for explaining the
operations of the roll sheet supply apparatus according to the
embodiment.
[0014] FIG. 4A to FIG. 4C are diagrams for explaining the
operations of the roll sheet supply apparatus according to the
embodiment, sequential operations shown in FIG. 3A to FIG. 3C.
[0015] FIG. 5A to FIG. 5C are diagrams for explaining the
operations of the roll sheet supply apparatus according to the
embodiment, sequential operations shown in FIG. 4A to FIG. 4C.
[0016] FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a series of operations of the
roll sheet supply apparatus according to the embodiment.
[0017] FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a series of operations of the
roll sheet supply apparatus according to the embodiment, sequential
operations following step S10 in FIG. 6.
[0018] FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a series of operations of the
roll sheet supply apparatus according to the embodiment, sequential
operations following step S21 in FIG. 7
[0019] FIG. 9A shows an enlarged, simplified view of a first corner
angle (.theta.1) where the tension member is in the first position.
FIG. 9B shows an enlarged, simplified view of a second corner angle
(.theta.2) where the tension member is in the second position.
DETAILED DESCRIPTIONS OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
Embodiments
<<1>> Configuration
[0020] FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing a schematic
configuration of a roll sheet supply device 100 as a medium supply
apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.
Hereinafter, the roll sheet supply device 100 according to the
embodiment will be described from the upstream side in the
transport direction E of roll sheet (continuous sheet). In FIG. 1,
the conveying direction E of roll sheet (continuous sheet) is
indicated by arrows. In FIG. 1, the upstream side in the conveying
direction E is the right side in the drawing, and the downstream
side in the conveying direction E is the left side.
[0021] The roll sheet supply device 100 according to the embodiment
feeds a continuous sheet 101a from the roll sheet 101 formed of the
continuous sheet (medium) 101a, which is wound in a roll form, and
supplies the continuous sheet 101a to the printing device 200,
which is an external apparatus. Note that the printing device 200
is an example of the external apparatus, and that the external
apparatus is not limited to the printing device 200. In the present
application, the roll sheet 101 is configured with a portion wound
in a roll form and a portion drawn out from the wound portion in
the roll form. The drawn portion is referred to as the "continuous
sheet 101a."
[0022] FIG. 1 illustrates the roll sheet supply device 100 that is
connected to the printing device 200 receiving a supply of the roll
sheet 101. The roll sheet supply device 100 is connected to the
printing device 200 by being inserted in the mounting part of the
printing device 200, for example. Note that the structure for
connecting the roll sheet supply device 100 and the printing device
200 varies as long as the continuous sheet 101a supplied from the
roll sheet supply device 100 is conveyed to a printing position of
the printing device 200.
[0023] As shown in FIG. 1, the roll sheet supply device 100
includes a roll sheet holder 10 as a holder for rotatably
supporting the roll sheet 101, a tension roller part 20 serving as
a tension member, and a conveyance roller 40 serving as a
conveyance part for conveying the continuous sheet 101a in the
conveyance direction E. The tension roller part 20 is disposed
between the roll sheet holder 10 and the conveyance roller 40, and
provides a tension to the continuous sheet 101a by abutting on the
continuous sheet 101, which is positioned between the roll sheet
holder 10 and the conveyance roller 40. The roll sheet supply
device 100 may include an upper sensor 31 and a lower sensor 32
serving as position sensors for detecting the position of the
tension roller part 20, a sheet sensor 33, a sheet end sensor 34, a
holder rotation sensor 35, a cutter unit 50, and a supply roller
60.
[0024] As shown in FIG. 1, at the roll sheet supply device 100, the
roll sheet 101 is set in a rotatable state in the roll sheet holder
10. The roll sheet 101 is configured, for example, by a web medium
being wound on a roll core 102 in the roll form.
[0025] The roll sheet holder 10 rotates clockwise or
counter-clockwise by a rotational driving force generated by a
holder drive motor 117 as a driving part. The Roll sheet holder 10
feeds the continuous sheet 101a from the roll sheet 101 which is
supported on the roll sheet holder 10 by rotating counterclockwise,
which is the first direction in FIG. 1.
[0026] Further, the roll sheet holder 10, in a state where the
leading end 101b of the fed continuous sheet 101a is sandwiched by
the conveyance rollers 40, rotates such that the continuous sheet
101a is wound to the rearward (or opposite direction of the
conveyance direction E of the continuous sheet 101a), and pulls the
continuous sheet 101a rearwardly, and operates so as to provide a
tension (hereinafter referred to as "back tension") to the
continuous sheet 101a. The roll sheet holder 10 rewinds the
continuous sheet 101a by rotating in the clockwise direction which
is the second direction in FIG. 1.
[0027] When applying the back tension against the continuous sheet
101a, for example, it is preferred not to apply a load, which is
the predetermined upper limit value or more (pulling force), to the
continuous sheet 101a by a mechanical torque limiter. Further, it
is preferred that the upper limit value set in the torque limiter
is equal to or larger than the self weight of the tension roller
part 20.
[0028] As shown in FIG. 1, at the upper portion of the roll sheet
holder 10, a holder rotation sensor 35 for detecting the rotation
of the roll sheet holder 10 is provided. The holder rotation sensor
35 detects the rotation of the roll sheet holder 10 by detecting
slits which rotates together with the roll sheet holder 10.
[0029] As shown in FIG. 1, at the downstream of the conveyance
direction E of the roll sheet holder 10, a tension roller part 20
is provided. The tension roller part 20 is a means to apply a
predetermined tension to the continuous sheet 101a by contacting
the continuous sheet 101a fed from the roll sheet holder 10. By the
tension roller part 20 applying the predetermined tension to the
continuous sheet 101a, it is possible to enhance a conveyance
accuracy of the continuous sheet 101a (or to realize a stable
conveyance).
[0030] A sheet guide part 401 (or medium guide part) is disposed
between the tension roller 25 and the conveyance roller 40 (or
nipping point NP) on the medium conveyance path. The sheet guide
part has a curved portion along which the sheet is curved and held
in the curved shape while the tension roller 25 stays at a first
position discussed below. With the structure, a certain tension
provided by the tension roller to the sheet is maintained between
the conveyance roller and the tension roller in order to enhance
the conveyance accuracy. In other words, a steady conveyance of
sheet is achieved.
[0031] As shown in FIG. 1, the tension roller part 20 includes a
tension roller support shaft 21, a bar 22, a bar 23, a spring 24,
and a roller 25. The tension roller part 20 is able to rotate at a
predetermined angle around the tension roller support shaft 21. The
tension roller part 20 includes a roller 25 as a contact part which
abuts against the continuous sheet 101a between the roll sheet 101
supported by the roll sheet holder 10 and the conveyance roller 40
as a conveyance part, and is movable between following first and
second positions by a rotation of the tension roller part 20. The
first position (the position shown in FIG. 1) is distant away from
the conveyance roller 40. The second position (the position shown
in FIG. 4 (c) which will be described later) is close to the
conveyance roller 40. FIG. 1 shows a state in which the roller 25
of the tension roller part 20 is in the first position away from
the conveyance roller 40. More specifically, in FIG. 1, assuming an
imaginary linear line connecting DP and NP, the first position is
farther to the imaginary linear line than the second position.
[0032] When the tension roller is positioned at the first position,
the sheet, which is between the nipping portion and the tension
roller, is in contact with the curved portion of the sheet guide
part 401 such that the sheet is curved along the sheet guide part
401. On the other hand, when the tension roller is positioned at
the second position, the sheet, which is between the nipping
portion and the tension roller, is not in contact with the curved
portion of the sheet guide part 401. The sheet between them has a
linear shape in the side view. The linear shape of the sheet is
illustrated in FIG. 4C. At the second position of the tension
roller, the roller may contact to the sheet or may not contact to
the sheet. In a case where the tension roller contacts to the sheet
at the second position, the sheet is guided with the tension roller
as well as the sheet guide part.
[0033] At the tension roller shaft 21, a solenoid 119 is provided
to hold or release the position of the tension roller part 20
(fixed) (shown in FIG. 2 to be described later). The tension roller
support shaft 21 is switched between a fixed state for restricting
the movement of the tension roller part 20 and a released state for
allowing the tension roller part 20 to move by controlling the
energization of the solenoid 119. The solenoid 119 and the solenoid
drive driver 115 constitute a state switching part for switching
the tension roller part 20 to either at the fixed state or at the
released state. When the solenoid 119 is energized (or electrically
powered), the position of the tension roller part 20 is released.
On the other hand, when the energization to the solenoid 119 is
interrupted (or shut down), the position of the tension roller part
20 is held (fixed).
[0034] The bar 22 is fixed to the tension roller support shaft 21.
The bar 22 is provided with the spring 24, and the bar 22 is
connected to the bar 23 as a support member via the spring 24. At
one end of the bar 23, the roller 25 as a contact part is rotatably
provided with respect to the bar 23. The continuous sheet 101a
contacts to the lower portion of the roller 25. The roller 25 is
driven to rotate in correspondence with the conveyance of the
continuous sheet 101a.
[0035] As shown in FIG. 1, a tension is always applied in the
direction of the arrow in the figure to the continuous sheet 101a
that is in contact with the lower portion of the roller 25 by the
force of the spring 24. As a result, a frictional force is
generated between the continuous sheet 101a and the roller 25, and
the conveyance accuracy of the continuous sheet 101a is improved.
The continuous sheet 101a that is in contact with the roller 25 has
a first corner angle .theta.1 at the contact portion with the
roller 25. The first corner angle .theta.1 is smaller than the
second corner angle .theta.2 as shown in FIG. 4(c), which is
described later.
[0036] As shown in FIG. 1, above or below the tension roller
support shaft 21, the upper sensor 31 as a second position sensor
for detecting the position of the tension roller part 20 and the
lower sensor 32 the first position sensor are provided. The upper
sensor 31 and the lower sensor 32 are sensors for detecting the
positions of the tension roller part 20. The upper sensor 31
detects the second position of the tension roller part 20. The
lower sensor 32 detects the first position of the tension roller
part 20. The output states of the sensors 31 and 32 (for example, a
detection signal including a detection state and a non-detection
state) are monitored, the solenoid 119 provided with the tension
roller support shaft 21 is controlled with respect to its
energization based on these output states.
[0037] As shown in FIG. 1, the conveyance roller 40 is provided on
the downstream side of the conveyance direction E with respect to
the tension roller part 20. The conveyance roller 40 is a conveying
means for conveying the continuous sheet 101a toward the printing
device 200 in which the roll sheet supply device 100 is equipped.
The conveyance roller 40 is connected to a roller drive motor 118
(shown in FIG. 2 to be described later) via a drive force
transmission mechanism such as gears, and is configured to be
rotatable. The conveyance roller 40 draws the continuous sheet 101a
from the roll sheet 101 set in the roll sheet holder 10 and conveys
the drawn out continuous sheet 101a toward the cutter unit 50.
[0038] As shown in FIG. 1, the cutter unit 50 is provided on the
downstream side of the conveying direction E with respect to the
conveyance roller 40. The cutter unit 50 cuts the continuous sheet
101a passing through the cutter unit 50 and separates a portion
that is on the leading end 101b side of the continuous sheet 101a
from the continuous sheet 101a drawn from the roll sheet 101. The
cutter unit 50 cuts the continuous sheet 101a when the passed
continuous sheet 101a reaches the printing length that corresponds
to the print data.
[0039] As shown in FIG. 1, the supply roller 60 is provided on the
downstream side of the conveying direction E with respect to the
cutter unit 50. The supply roller 60 is a conveying means for
conveying the continuous sheet 101a toward the printing device 200.
The supply roller 60 is connected to the roller drive motor 118 via
a driving force transmission mechanism such as gears and configured
to be rotatable. The supply roller 60 conveys the continuous sheet
101a that is cut into a predetermined length by the cutter unit 50
toward the printing device 200.
[0040] As shown in FIG. 1, the sheet sensor 33 is provided on the
upstream side of the conveying direction E with respect to the
conveyance roller 40. When the operator sets the leading end 101b
of the continuous sheet 101a at the sheet setting position 33a, the
sheet sensor 33 detects the presence or absence of paper (or
continuous sheet 101a) at the sheet setting position 33a on the
upstream side of the conveying direction E with respect to the
conveyance roller 40.
[0041] As shown in FIG. 1, the sheet end sensor 34 is provided
downstream of the conveying direction E of the conveyance roller
40. The sheet end sensor 34 is a sensor that detects the cueing of
the paper (continuous sheet 101a) at the sheet standby position 34a
on the downstream side of the conveying direction E with respect to
the conveyance roller 40 (that is, detects the presence or absence
of the leading end 101b).
[0042] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration
of a control system of the roll sheet supply device 100 according
to the embodiment. As shown in FIG. 2, the control unit 107 of the
roll sheet supply device 100 includes a CPU (Central Processing
Unit) 108, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 110, and a RAM (Random Access
Memory) 111. As shown in FIG. 2, the CPU 108 is connected to the
ROM 110, the RAM 111, and the IO port (Input Output Port) 112 with
the CPU bus 109.
[0043] As shown in FIG. 2, the control unit 107 is connected to the
holder drive motor driver 113 for driving the holder drive motor
117 via the IO port 112. In addition, the control unit 107 is
connected to a roller drive motor driver 114 for driving the roller
drive motor 118 via the IO port 112. In addition, the control unit
107 is connected to a solenoid driving driver 115 for driving the
solenoid 119 via the IO port 112. Further, the control unit 107 is
connected to a cutter unit drive driver 116 for driving the cutter
unit 50 via the IO port 112. Operations of the holder drive motor
117, the roller drive motor 118, the solenoid 119, and the cutter
unit 50 are controlled by the control unit 107.
[0044] As shown in FIG. 2, the control unit 107 is connected to a
lower sensor 32 and to an upper sensor 31 via the IO port 112, and
is able to detect the position of the tension roller part 20.
Further, the control unit 107 is connected to the sheet sensor 33
via the IO port 112.
[0045] As shown in FIG. 2, the control unit 107 is connected to the
sheet end sensor 34 on the downstream side with respect to the
conveyance roller 40 via the IO port 112. Further, the control unit
107 is connected to the holder rotation sensor 35 and can detect
the rotation of the roll sheet holder 10.
[0046] As shown in FIG. 2, the control unit 107 is connected to the
interface circuit 120 via the IO port 112. The interface circuit
120 is connected to the print part 201 of the printing device 200
via the interface cable 121.
[0047] <<2>> Operations
[0048] FIG. 3A to FIG. 3C are diagrams for explaining the
operations of the roll sheet supply device 100 according to the
embodiment. It is noted that descriptions of the printing device
200 are omitted in FIG. 3A to FIG. 3C.
[0049] As shown in FIG. 3A, in order to set the continuous sheet
101a at a predetermined position, the operator first pulls the
continuous sheet 101a from the roll sheet 101, passed it under the
tension roller part 20, and sets it on the conveyance roller
40.
[0050] As shown in FIG. 3B, when the sheet sensor 33 detects the
leading end 101b of the continuous sheet 101a, the holder drive
motor 117 is driven to start conveying the continuous sheet 101a.
When the sheet end sensor 34 detects the presence of sheet, the
continuous sheet 101a is conveyed by a preset predetermined
distance, and the rotation of the holder drive motor 117 stops.
[0051] As shown in FIG. 3C, in order to apply tension by the
tension roller part 20 against the continuous sheet 101a that is
drawn too much by the operator when setting the continuous sheet
101a, the roll sheet holder 10 connected to the holder drive motor
117 is rotated in the back feed direction (BFD), and the continuous
sheet 101a is wound up so that a slack portion of the continuous
sheet 101a is eliminated.
[0052] FIG. 4A to FIG. 4C are diagrams for explaining the
operations of the roll sheet supply device 100 according to the
embodiment, showing the operations following the operations shown
in FIG. 3A to FIG. 3C. It is noted that the description of the
printing device 200 is omitted in FIG. 4A to FIG. 4C.
[0053] As shown in FIG. 4 (a), when the output state of the holder
rotation sensor 35 has not been changed, it is determined that the
winding of the slack portion of the continuous sheet 101a is
completed, the control unit stops the rotation of the holder drive
motor 117. At this time, the electric power to the solenoid 119 (or
energization of the solenoid) is interrupted, and the position of
the tension roller part 20 is held (Lock state). At this time, a
tension is given to the continuous sheet 101a by the tension roller
part 20, and a tension is applied to the continuous sheet 101a that
is between the conveyance roller 40 and the roll sheet holder
10.
[0054] As shown in FIG. 4 (b), when the print data has been
received within a set time (or predetermined period), the roll
sheet supply device 100 determines that it is now in the supply
period of the roll sheet 101, conveys the continuous sheet 101a to
the printing device 200. The printing device 200 performs printing.
At the time of printing, by rotating the roll sheet holder 10
connected to the holder drive motor 117 in the back feed direction
(or clockwise arrow direction shown in the roll sheet holder 10 in
FIG. 4B (b)), unnecessary feeding of the continuous sheet 101a is
prevented, which is caused by the conveying of the conveyance
roller 40, the supply roller 60, and a conveying mechanism inside
the printing device 200. Such print data is a signal that starts
executing an image forming process. The signal may be called an
image forming start signal.
[0055] As shown in FIG. 4C, when print data are not received within
the set time, the roll sheet supply device 100 enters the supply
stop period of the roll sheet 101, electrically powers the solenoid
119 that is provided with the tension roller support shaft 21, and
releases the lock, and the tension roller section 20 is released so
as to be able to rotate up and down. Then, in order to move the
tension roller part 20 to the highest position which is the
retracted position at the time of non-printing, the roll sheet
holder 10 connected to the holder drive motor 117 is rotated in the
back feed direction, and the continuous sheet 101a is wound up. At
this time, the tension roller part 20 is in the second position
that is close to the conveyance roller 40. Being The first position
of the tension roller part means a state where the medium is being
conveyed, and the continuous sheet 101a is being styled along the
roller 25 and the sheet guide part 401 and able to be conveyed
while maintaining the conveyance accuracy. Being the second
position of the tension roller part manes another state where the
styling of the continuous sheet 101a is released (or a state where
the sheet does not contact to the sheet guide part). In other
words, that is a state where the sheet is nipped only with the
conveyance roller and the roller 25. In the state, since a back
tension is applied to the roll sheet holder 10, the sheet is
basically in a linear state, as seen in FIG. 4C. Here, the length
(medium length) of the continuous sheet 101a that is determined by
between the roll sheet holder 10 and the conveyance roller 40 in
the case where the tension roller part 20 is in the first position
(see FIG. 1) is longer than the length (medium length) of the
continuous sheet 101a that is determined by between the roll sheet
holder 10 and the conveyance roller 40 in the case where the
tension roller part 20 is in the second position. The second
position of the tension roller section 20 is desirably a position
at which the length of the continuous sheet 101a determined by
between the roll sheet holder 10 and the conveyance roller 40 is
minimized.
[0056] Here, the medium lengths between the roll sheet holder 10
and conveyance roller 40 are more specifically defined by lengths
along the conveyance path starting at departing point DP on the
roll sheet up to nipping point NP on the conveyance roller 40. The
departing point DP is a surface point of the roll sheet where a
conveyed continuous sheet departs from the remaining roll sheet,
see DPs in FIG. 1 and FIG. 4C. The nipping point is a surface point
of the conveyance roller where the roller contacts to the
continuous sheet 101a first. The medium lengths between point DP
and point NP may be defined as conveyance lengths.
[0057] The tension roller part 20 is detected with the upper sensor
31 when reaching the second position.
[0058] When the roll sheet holder 10 is rotated in the back feed
direction, which is opposite to the conveyance direction E, under a
condition where the sheet 101a is nipped by the conveyance roller
40 (or sandwiched by a pair of rollers), the continuous sheet 101a,
which has been fed to the conveyance path from the rolled sheet
101, is wound around the roll sheet holder 10. In correspondence
with such a motion of the sheet, the tension roller part 20, which
is at the first position and contacts to the sheet, is moved upward
(or toward the second position). When the tension roller part 20 is
detected by the upper sensor 31, it is shut down to energize the
solenoid 119 so that the tension roller part 20 is held at the
second position (in a lock state).
[0059] As shown in FIG. 4C, when the tension roller part 20 is in
the second position, the continuous sheet 101a at a contact portion
where the continuous sheet ss in contact with the roller 25 between
the transport roller 40 and the roll sheet holder 10 has a second
bending angle .theta.2. The bending angle of the continuous sheet
101a is defined as an angle formed by a straight portion of the
continuous sheet 101a on the upstream side of the roller 25 (or a
portion in which the cross-sectional shape in FIG. 1 and FIG. 4C is
linear) and another straight line portion of the continuous sheet
on the downstream side of the roller 25 (a portion in which the
cross-sectional shape in FIG. 1 and FIG. 4C is linear). The second
bending angle .theta.2 is larger than the first bending angle
.theta. 1. The second bending angle .theta.2 is desirably in the
range of 150.degree. to 180.degree.. More desirably, the second
bending angle .theta.2 is preferably in the range of 170.degree. to
180.degree..
[0060] By maintaining the second bending angle .theta.2 close to
180.degree., the continuous sheet 101a is held in a substantially
horizontal state (or no curved state), it is possible to prevent
the curling habit from being put of the roll sheet 101 while
non-printing period (sheet feeding period). It is noted that the
second bending angle .theta.2 becomes larger as the remaining
amount of the rolled paper 101 becomes smaller and the sheet
feeding spot (DP) of the continuous sheet 101a (or where a fed
sheet departs from the remaining roller sheet) approaches the roll
core 102. The second bending angle .theta.2 is eventually close to
180.degree..
[0061] In order to achieve the above range of the corner angle, the
second position of the roller 25 may be on or closer to a
connecting line that connects the conveyance roller 40 and a
rotational shaft of the holder 10 than the first position. Also,
when the first position is located on one side with respect to the
connecting line. The second position may be located on the other
side with respect to the connecting line.
[0062] As the roll sheet is conveyed to the conveyance path, the
roll diameter of the roll sheet decreases. In the embodiment, the
second bending angle .theta.2 is designed to be equal to or less
than 180.degree. at any time of the sheet conveyance.
[0063] FIG. 5A to FIG. 5C are diagrams for explaining the
operations of the roll sheet supply device 100 according to the
embodiment, showing the operations following the operations shown
in FIG. 4A to FIG. 4C. It is noted that the description of the
printing device 200 is omitted in FIG. 5A to FIG. 5C.
[0064] As shown in FIG. 5A, when the print data is received from an
upper host (e.g., a computer (not shown)) by the printing device
200, the solenoid 119 provided in the tension roller support shaft
21 is electrically powered, the lock is released, and the tension
roller part 20 is released so as to be able to rotate up and down.
Then, in order to move the tension roller part 20 to the lowest
position (first position) at the printing time, the roll sheet
holder 10 connected to the holder drive motor 117 is rotated in the
roll sheet feeding direction, and the continuous sheet 101a is fed
from the roll sheet 101.
[0065] As shown in FIG. 5B, when the lower sensor 32 detects the
lowest position of the tension roller part 20, the electrical power
for the solenoid 119 provided in the tension roller support shaft
21 is shut down, and becoming the lock state. The tension roller
part 20 is held at the position at the printing, which is the
lowest position.
[0066] As shown in FIG. 5C, for performing to wind the slack of the
continuous sheet 101a, while monitoring the detection information
from the holder rotation sensor 35, the roll sheet holder 10 which
is connected to the holder drive motor 117 rotates in the back feed
direction again, and winds up the continuous sheet 101a.
[0067] FIG. 6 to FIG. 8 are flowchart showing a series of
operations of the roll sheet supply device 100 according to the
embodiment. FIG. 7 shows sequential steps following step S10 in
FIG. 6, and FIG. 8 shows sequential steps following step S21 in
FIG. 8. Hereinafter, the operation of the roll sheet supply device
100 according to the embodiment will be described from a condition
where the operator sets the continuous sheet 101a.
[0068] As shown in FIG. 6, in step S1, the operator pulls the
continuous sheet 101a from the roll sheet 101, passed the sheet
under the tension roller part 20, and set the sheet to the
conveyance roller 40 (see FIG. 3A).
[0069] Next, in the process of step S2, the sheet sensor 33 detects
a presence of sheet, and, when the lower sensor 32 detects the
lowest position (YES in step S2), it proceeds to step S3, the
energization of the solenoid 119 (or electrically powering the
solenoid) provided in the tension roller support shaft 21 is cut
off and locked so that the tension roller part 20 is held at a
position at the printing time, which is the lowest position.
[0070] Next, it proceeds to step S4, the roll sheet holder 10 which
is connected to the holder drive motor 117 rotates to convey the
continuous sheet 101a. Then, in the process of step S5, when the
sheet end sensor 34 detects the presence (or existence) of sheet
(YES in step S5), it proceeds to step S6. In the step, the
continuous sheet 101a is conveyed by a predetermined distance and
it stops driving rotation of the holder drive motor 117 (see FIG.
3B).
[0071] Then, it proceeds to step S7, as a tension is applied by the
tension roller part 20 against the continuous sheet 101a that is
drawn too largely by the operator while setting the continuous
sheet 101a, while monitoring the detection information from the
holder rotation sensor 35, the roll sheet holder 10 which is
connected to the holder drive motor 117 is rotated in the backward
feed direction, and the winding of the continuous sheet 101a is
performed (see FIG. 3C).
[0072] Next, in the process of step S8, when the output state of
the holder rotation sensor 35 (detection information) becomes
stable (YES in step S8), and it proceeds to step S9. The continuous
sheet 101a is determined as fully wound and the rotation of the
holder drive motor 117 stops. At this time, a tension by the
tension roller part 20 is applied to the continuous sheet 101a, the
tension is applied to the continuous sheet 101a that is positioned
between the conveyance roller 40 and the roll sheet holder 10 (FIG.
4A).
[0073] Then, it proceeds to step S10, and waits until the print
data is received from an upper host (or upper host device) within a
predetermined t period. When the print data within the
predetermined period is received (YES in step S10), it proceeds to
step S11, performing printing by conveying the continuous sheet
101a to the printing device 200. In this embodiment, it starts to
count the predetermined period at a timing when the rotation of the
holder drive motor 117 stops (or conveyance part stops to convey
the medium).
[0074] At the printing time, by rotating the roll sheet holder 10
which is connected to the holder drive motor 117 in the back feed
direction, unnecessary feeding of the continuous sheet 101a is
prevented, which is caused by the conveying of the conveyance
roller 40, the supply roller 60, and a conveying mechanism inside
the printing device 200. When the printing is finished, the holder
drive motor stops driving (see FIG. 4B).
[0075] When the print data is not received within the preset period
(NO in step S10), it proceeds to step S12 in FIG. 7. In the step,
an energization of the solenoid 119 provided in the tension roller
support shaft 21 is performed and the tension roller support shaft
21 is unlocked and the tension roller 20 is released to rotate the
tension roller part 20 up and down.
[0076] Then, it proceeds to step S13. In order to move the tension
roller part 20 at the highest position, which is a retracted
position during non-printing (second position), while detection
information from the holder rotation sensor 35 and the highest
position detection information of the upper sensor 31, the roll
sheet holder 10 which is connected to the holder drive motor 117 is
rotated in the back feed direction, winding the continuous sheet
101a.
[0077] At this time, the roll sheet holder 10 connected to the
holder drive motor 117 is rotated in the back feed direction until
the upper sensor 31 detects the highest position. The driving force
for moving the tension roller part 20 in the upward direction is a
tension of the continuous sheet 101a which is meshed with the
conveyance roller 40 and is wound and conveyed with the holder
drive motor 117.
[0078] Next, in the process in step S14, when the upper sensor 31
detects the highest position (YES in step S14), it proceeds to step
S15. The energization of the solenoid 119 provided in the tension
roller support shaft 21 is shut down, and locked. The tension
roller part 20 is held at the highest position that is the
retracted position during non-printing.
[0079] Then, it proceeds to step S16, the output state of the
holder rotation sensor 35 is monitored to make sure if the output
state of the holder rotation sensor 35 is constantly changing. When
the output state of the holder rotation sensor 35 is stable (YES in
step S16), and it proceeds to step S18. It determines that the
continuous sheet 101a is wound, and stops the rotation of the
holder drive motor 117. At this time, the continuous sheet 101a
between the conveyance roller 40 and the roll sheet holder 10 is
held in a substantially horizontal state with respect to the
tension roller part 20 and in a state where a tension is applied
(see FIG. 4C).
[0080] When the output state of the holder rotation sensor 35 is
constantly changing (NO in step S16), it determines that the
continuous sheet 101a is still being wound. it continues the
rotation of the holder drive motor 117 (step S17).
[0081] Next, in the processing in step S19, it waits until the
print data is received from the upper host (upper host device).
When the print data from the upper host is received (YES in step
S19), it proceeds to step S20. The solenoid 119 provided in the
tension roller support shaft 21 is energized, and unlocked to
rotate the tension roller part 20 up and down.
[0082] Next, it proceeds to step S21, in order to move the tension
roller part 20 to the lowermost position at the printing time,
while monitoring the lowest position detection information of the
lower sensor 32, it causes the holder drive motor 117 to rotate in
the feeding direction of the continuous sheet 101a, and performs
the feeding of the continuous sheet 101a.
[0083] Next, in the processing in step S22, it keeps rotating the
holder drive motor 117 until the lower sensor 32 detects the lowest
position. The driving force for moving the tension roller part 20
in the downward direction is a tension of the continuous sheet 101a
which is meshed with the conveyance roller 40 and is fed and
conveyed by the holder drive motor 117 (see FIG. 5A).
[0084] When the lower sensor 32 detects the lowest position (YES in
step S22), it proceeds to step S23 in FIG. 8. The energization of
the solenoid 119 provided in the tension roller support shaft 21 is
shut down and it is locked. The tension roller part 20 is held in a
position during printing, which is the lowest position (see FIG.
5B).
[0085] Next, in the process of step S24, in order to perform to
wind up the slack of the continuous sheet 101a, while monitoring
the detection information from the holder rotation sensor 35, the
roll sheet holder 10 which is connected to the holder drive motor
117 again rotate in the back feed direction, and to wind the
continuous sheet 101a (see FIG. 5C).
[0086] Next, in the process of step S25, it monitors the output
state of the holder rotation sensor 35 (detection information) to
determine if the output state of the holder rotation sensor 35 is
constantly changing. When the output state of the holder rotation
sensor 35 is stable (YES in step S25), it proceeds to step S26,
determines that the continuous sheet 101a is wound, and stops the
rotation of the holder drive motor 117.
[0087] Next, in the process of step S27, the printing device 200
which received the supply of the continuous sheet 101a from the
roll sheet supply device 100 performs printing on the continuous
sheet 101a. After the printing operation is completed, it proceeds
to step S10 in FIG. 6, and performs the process of step S10.
[0088] <<3>> Effects
[0089] As described above, with the roll sheet supply device 100
according to the embodiment, when print data is not received within
a preset waiting period from the upper host, as shown in FIG. 1,
the tension roller part 20 which is held in the lowest position is
unlocked. As shown in FIG. 4C, the tension roller part 20 is moved
to the highest position that is a retracted position such that the
continuous sheet the 101a is held in a substantially horizontal
state with respect to the conveyance path and in a state state
where a tension is applied to the continuous sheet. Thus, during
the supply stop period for which the continuous sheet 101a is not
conveyed, it is possible to prevent the tension roller part 20 from
putting the curved habit (or wrinkle) affecting the conveying
efficiency on the continuous sheet 101a.
[0090] With the roll sheet supply device 100 according to the
embodiment, the solenoid 119 provided in the tension roller support
shaft 21 is configured to hold the position of the tension roller
part 20 when the electric power is shut down (or deenergized). Even
when the apparatus entirely turns off, the tension roller part 20
does not fall, holding the position. Therefore, when the power to
the entire apparatus is turned OFF, it can also continue the effect
of preventing the curved habit of the continuous sheet 101a.
[0091] Also, based on conventional device in which a tension is
always applied to a roll sheet which is fed between a roll sheet
support part and a roller by a tension mechanism such as the
tension roller or the like, and the conveyance accuracy of the roll
sheet is improved by using friction against the tension mechanism,
because the tension roller is moved to a releasing position during
non-printing period, and a necessary tension is not provided to the
paper roll, which is fed between the roll sheet support part and
the roller, resulting that the roll sheet is kept in a curved
state. Therefore, as the transport interruption time (non-printing
period) is longer, the roll sheet is curved more large amount,
adversely affecting on the conveyance accuracy of the roll sheet
after the conveyance restarts. In contrast, according to the roll
sheet supply device 100 of the embodiment, the continuous sheet
101a is held in a substantially straight state (or horizontal to
the conveyance path) during a period of which the conveyance sheet
101a is not conveyed, preventing to put the curved habit (curl) to
the sheet. In the case where there is conveyance suspension, it can
also prevent the conveyance accuracy of the roll sheet 101 from
being deteriorated after the conveyance restarts.
[0092] In the invention, the first corner angle (.theta.1) is
formed when the tension member (or contact portion 25) is in the
first position. The second corner angle (.theta.2) is formed when
the tension member (or contact portion 25) is in the second
position. Regardless of its position, these corner angles are
defined by two tangent lines. The first tangent line is formed at
an upstream contact point where the medium comes in contact with
the contact portion 25 first after fed from the rolled sheet. In
FIGS. 9A and 9B, the points are denoted with UCP. The second
tangent line is formed at a downstream contact point where the
medium, which runs along the outer peripheral of the contact
portion as being curved, departs from the outer peripheral to move
to the conveyance part. The points are denoted with DCP.
DESCRIPTION OF REFERENCES
[0093] 10 roll sheet holder, [0094] 20 a tension roller section
(tension member), [0095] 21 a tension roller support shaft, [0096]
22 bars, [0097] 23 bars, [0098] 24 spring, [0099] 25 roller
(contact portion), [0100] 31 upper sensor, [0101] 32 lower sensor,
[0102] 33 sheet sensor, [0103] 34 sheet end sensor, [0104] 35
holder rotation sensor, [0105] 40 conveyance roller, [0106] 50
cutter unit, [0107] 60 supply roller, [0108] 100 roll sheet supply
device, [0109] 101 roll sheet, [0110] 101a continuous sheet, [0111]
102 roll core, [0112] 107 control unit, [0113] 108 CPU, [0114] 109
CPU bus, [0115] 110 RAM, [0116] 111 ROM, [0117] 112 IO ports,
[0118] 113 holder drive motor driver, [0119] 114 roller drive motor
driver, [0120] 115 solenoid drive driver, [0121] 116 cutter unit
driver, [0122] 117 holder drive motor (drive unit), [0123] 118
roller drive motor, [0124] 119a solenoid, [0125] 120 interface
circuit, [0126] 121 interface cable, [0127] 200 printing device,
[0128] 201 printing unit
* * * * *