JP4284059B2 - Card processing device - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a card processing apparatus that performs printing on a card or erasing processing for printing.
[0002]
[Prior art]
The card processing device takes the rewritable card from the card insertion slot, contacts the thermal head for erasing and erases the print, and then performs the predetermined printing with the thermal head for printing and reverses the direction of taking in. In general, it is conveyed to the card and discharged from the card insertion slot. Erasing and printing are both performed by applying heat to the rewritable card. The erasing temperature and the printing (coloring) temperature differ depending on the coloring member used for the rewritable card. When a commonly used leuco-type coloring member is used, the erasing temperature is about 160 ° C., and the coloring temperature is about 220 ° C. Once the coloring member has reached the erasing or coloring temperature, the colored state will be maintained unless new heating or heating above the coloring temperature is applied. The rewritable card that has been printed or erased is processed until the next processing. The printing state is maintained.
[0003]
The erasing thermal head is provided with a thermistor and one heating element. During the erasing process, the thermal head is heated and maintained at a predetermined temperature by energizing the heating element according to the head temperature detected by the thermistor. Further, the thermal head for printing has a plurality of heating elements in dot units in the width direction. During the printing process, desired heating is performed by selectively heating these heating elements while conveying the card.
[0004]
Incidentally, there is a demand in the card processing apparatus that it is desired to cope with a plurality of types of rewritable cards (coloring members). In that case, if you try to process a rewritable card with a lower processing temperature next to a rewritable card with a higher processing temperature, you must wait until the thermal head falls below the lower processing temperature before processing to the next rewritable card. There was a problem that could not.
[0005]
On the other hand, there is a configuration in which a special cooling member for cooling the thermal head is provided and cooled by bringing it into contact with the thermal head immediately before printing (for example, see Patent Document 1).
[0006]
[Patent Document 1]
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2001-239688 [Problems to be Solved by the Invention]
[0007]
However, the provision of a special cooling member for cooling increases the size of the card processing device and increases the cost of the card processing device.
[0008]
Further, since the contact position between the cooling member and the thermal head does not change during the cooling period, the contact portion of the cooling member with the thermal head is heated, and there is a problem that the cooling effect is reduced as the cooling time increases.
[0009]
In the conventional card processing apparatus, the thermal head is cooled only before printing. However, the card processing apparatus may perform cleaning using a cleaning card in order to remove dust and dirt attached to the thermal head. In this case, if the cleaning is performed while the thermal head temperature is high, there is a problem that the thermal head heat may adversely affect the cleaning member on the card surface, or the cleaning liquid applied to the cleaning card may be evaporated by the heat. is there.
[0011]
The present invention has been improved in view of the above points. The object of the present invention is to accelerate the cooling of the thermal head with a simple configuration, perform the following process quickly, and perform cleaning when cleaning the thermal head. An object of the present invention is to provide a card processing apparatus capable of suppressing card damage and evaporation of a cleaning liquid applied to a cleaning card.
[0012]
A card processing apparatus according to the present invention includes a thermal head that has a temperature detection means for detecting a head temperature and that prints or erases a card by heating, a conveyance roller provided opposite to the thermal head, and the thermal head. From a normal processing mode for printing or erasing on the card, comprising: a moving unit that moves in the direction of the conveying roller; and a determining unit that determines whether or not the head temperature detected by the temperature detecting unit is equal to or higher than a predetermined value. The determination by the determination unit is performed when the cleaning mode is performed in which the thermal head is cleaned by the cleaning card to which the cleaning liquid is applied, and prior to the cleaning operation when the determination unit is determined to be a predetermined value or more. The thermal head is moved in the direction of the transport roller by the moving means. Moving to and executes the cooling operation for contacting the conveying roller and the thermal head.
[0013]
According to the present invention, it is possible to quickly cool the thermal head without providing a special member for cooling, and the cost and size of the apparatus can be increased. In addition, damage to the cleaning card and evaporation of the cleaning liquid can be suppressed, and cleaning can be performed quickly without impairing the cleaning effect.
[0014]
The card processing apparatus of the present invention further includes a drive unit that rotationally drives the transport roller and a drive control unit that controls the drive unit, and the determination unit determines that the head temperature is equal to or higher than a predetermined value. In this case, the thermal head is brought into contact with the transport roller, and the drive control means rotationally drives the transport roller.
[0015]
According to the present invention, since the heat can be absorbed by the entire transport roller, the cooling effect can be further enhanced, and the transport roller is not damaged.
[0020]
Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a side sectional view showing a main part of a card processing apparatus showing an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing its electrical configuration. First, the configuration of the main part of the card processing apparatus will be described mainly with reference to FIG. The card processing apparatus includes a lower base 1, an upper base 2, an exterior cover 3, and a mechanical unit 4. The lower base 1 and the upper base 2 are formed of a resin molded product, and a claw (not shown) provided on the upper base 2 is fitted into the lower base so that the lower base 1 and the upper base 2 are coupled. ing. An exterior hinge 5 is provided at one end of the upper base 2. The exterior cover 3 is rotatable with respect to the upper base 2 around the exterior hinge 5 and is configured to be movable between a closed position indicated by a solid line and an open position indicated by a broken line in FIG. Further, the outer cover 3 is provided with a protrusion 3 a, and the outer base switch 2 is attached to the upper base 2. When the exterior cover 3 is in the closed position, the protrusion 3a presses the exterior cover switch 6. When the exterior cover 3 is located at the closed position, the exterior cover 3 is engaged with the upper base 2 by the action of the claw portion 3b.
[0021]
An insertion port 10 for inserting a rewritable card is formed at one end of the card processing apparatus. The card inserted from the insertion slot 10 is taken into the card processing apparatus and conveyed to the back side (right side in FIG. 1) through the conveyance path 11 formed in the mechanical unit 4, and then erased and printed. While being carried, it is conveyed in the direction of the insertion port 10 and discharged. A side wall (not shown) is erected on the conveyance path 11 in the width direction of the rewritable card. The rewritable card is conveyed in the conveyance path 11 with its width direction regulated by the side wall.
[0022]
The mechanical unit 4 includes a frame 12 and a mechanical cover 13, and a mechanical hinge 14 is provided at one end of the frame 12. The mechanical cover 13 is rotatable with respect to the frame 12 around the mechanical hinge 14. A mechanical cover switch 15 is attached to the frame 12. When the mechanical cover 13 is in the closed position in FIG. 1, the mechanical cover 13 presses the mechanical cover switch 15. FIG. 3 shows a state in which the mechanical cover 13 is rotated and the conveyance path 11 is opened. When a conveyance failure of the rewritable card occurs, the user can remove the rewritable card by sequentially rotating the exterior cover 3 and the mechanical cover 13 to the state shown in FIG.
[0023]
In the frame 12, a first transport roller 20, a second transport roller 21, a third transport roller 22, and a fourth transport roller 23 are arranged in order from the insertion port 10 side at a predetermined interval shorter than the card length. . Each transport roller is made of a cylindrical rubber that generates appropriate friction, and is fixed to each drive shaft 24, 25, 26, 27 that is rotatably supported perpendicular to the transport path 11. , Rotate with the drive shaft. Each transport roller is connected to the transport motor 28 via each drive shaft and a gear (not shown), and rotates forward and backward according to the rotation of the transport motor 28.
[0024]
Above the first conveyance roller 20 and the fourth conveyance roller 23, driven rollers 29 and 30 are provided at positions facing the respective conveyance rollers. The driven rollers 29 and 30 are rotatably held by the mechanical cover 13, and when each conveyance roller rotates, the rewritable card is sandwiched between each conveyance roller and conveyed to the insertion port or the back side.
[0025]
A print head 40 that is a thermal head for printing is attached to the first swing plate 41 above the second conveyance roller 21. The print head 40 includes a plurality of heating elements and temperature detection thermistors arranged in dot units in the width direction. When the printing process is performed, desired printing is performed by selectively generating heat from the heating element according to the printing data while the rewritable card is conveyed by the conveying roller. The first swing plate 41 is rotatable about a first central shaft 42 fixed to the mechanical cover 13 and is always urged counterclockwise in FIG. 1 by a spring (not shown). The swinging end of the first swinging plate 41 is in contact with a second swinging plate 43 that restricts the rotation of the first swinging plate 41 in the counterclockwise direction. The second rocking plate 43 can rotate around a second central shaft 44 fixed to the mechanical cover 13, and the clockwise rotation in FIG. 1 is restricted by the print head cam 45.
[0026]
The print head cam 45 is attached to a print head cam motor 46 fixed to the frame 12, and rotates around the print head cam shaft 47 according to the rotation of the print head cam motor 46. A print head cam sensor 48 is provided in the vicinity of the print head cam 45 of the frame 12. By driving the print head cam 45 to rotate, the print head 40 swings in a direction in which the print head 40 is in contact with or separated from the second transport roller 21. At this time, the rotation angle of the print head cam 45 is detected by the print head cam sensor 48, so that the print head 40 and the second conveying roller 21 are pressed against each other by the action of a spring (not shown) and separated (FIG. 1). It becomes possible to select.
[0027]
An erasing head 50, which is an erasing thermal head, is attached to the third swing plate 51 above the third transport roller 22. Inside the erasing head 50, a thermistor and one heating element are provided. When performing the erasing process, the print is erased by causing the heating element to generate heat while conveying the rewritable card by the conveying roller. The third swing plate 51 is rotatable around a third central shaft 52 fixed to the mechanical cover 13 and is always urged counterclockwise in FIG. 1 by a spring (not shown). The third rocking plate 51 is restricted by the erasing head cam 53 in the counterclockwise rotation in FIG.
[0028]
The erasing head cam 53 is attached to an erasing head cam motor 54 fixed to the frame 12, and rotates around the erasing head cam shaft 55 according to the rotation of the erasing head cam motor 54. An erasing head cam sensor 56 is provided near the erasing head cam 53 of the frame 12. By rotatively driving the erasing head cam 53, the erasing head 50 swings in a direction in which the erasing head 50 comes in contact with and separates from the third transport roller 22. At this time, by detecting the rotation angle of the erasing head cam 53 by the erasing head cam sensor 56, the erasing head 50 and the third conveying roller 22 are pressed against each other by the action of a spring (not shown) and separated (FIG. 1). It becomes possible to select.
[0029]
Next, the electrical configuration of the card processing apparatus of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.
The CPU 60 that is a control unit of the card processing device includes a RAM 61 that is a rewritable volatile storage device, a ROM 62 that is a nonvolatile storage device, an I / F 63 that is an input / output unit for the host computer 100, a mechanical unit, a sensor, and the like. An I / O 64 that is an input / output circuit for transmitting / receiving data to / from peripheral circuits is connected. The I / O 64 includes a print head 40, an erase head 50, a transport motor 28, a print head cam motor 46, an erase head cam motor 54, a card sensor 65, a print head cam sensor 48, and an erase head cam. The sensor 56, the exterior cover switch 6, the mechanical cover switch 15, and the operation switch 66 are connected. The CPU 60 controls driving of the motors, the print head 40, and the erasing head 50 in accordance with print data received from the host via the I / F 63 and inputs from the sensors and the operation switch 66. The card sensor 65 is a sensor for detecting the position of the rewritable card taken into the apparatus.
[0030]
The cooling operation of the card processing apparatus of the present invention will be described taking the cleaning operation of FIG. 4 as an example. FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a cooling operation and a cleaning operation performed prior to the cleaning operation. When the cleaning operation is designated by a command from the host computer 100 or an instruction from the operation switch 66, the card processing apparatus shifts from the normal processing mode to the cleaning mode. The normal processing mode is a mode in which print data is received from the host computer 100 and print processing is performed on the card according to the print data. When the card processing apparatus is in the normal processing mode, when a rewritable card is inserted, the card is taken out from the insertion slot 10 and brought into contact with the erasing head 50 to erase the print, and then the print data is printed by the print head 40. Printing is performed, and the paper is conveyed in the direction opposite to the take-in direction and discharged from the card insertion slot.
[0031]
When the mode is shifted to the cleaning mode, the process stands by (S1) until the cleaning card C (FIG. 5) is inserted into the card processing apparatus. When the card is inserted, the conveyance motor 28 is driven, and the cleaning card C is drawn to the innermost side of the apparatus (S2). Next, the temperature of each head is detected by a thermistor provided inside the print head 40 and the erasing head 50, and it is determined whether or not the temperature exceeds a predetermined value (S3). This predetermined value refers to a temperature at which the temperature of each head does not adversely affect the cleaning card C, and is set to 70 ° C. in this embodiment. And in the case of 70 degreeC, a cleaning operation is performed immediately. On the other hand, when the temperature is 70 ° C. or higher, the cooling operation (S4 to S8) is performed.
[0032]
In the cooling operation, the head cam of the head detected as 70 ° C. or higher is driven to bring the head into contact with the transport roller. In this embodiment, for example, when only the erasing head 50 is 70 ° C. or higher, only the erasing head cam 53 is driven to bring the erasing head 50 into contact with the third transport roller 22. If both heads are at 70 ° C. or higher, the print head cam 45 is also driven to bring the print head 40 into contact with the second transport roller 21. FIG. 5 shows a state in which both heads are in contact with each other.
[0033]
When the head and the transport roller come into contact with each other, the transport motor is driven in this state to rotate the transport roller (S5). Then, the head temperature is detected, and it is determined whether or not the head temperature has fallen below a predetermined value (S6). If not lowered, the state is maintained, and if lowered, the head cam is driven to separate the head from the conveying roller (S7) and the rotation of the conveying roller is stopped (S8).
[0034]
Thereafter, a cleaning operation is executed (S9), and the process is terminated. In the cleaning operation, the cleaning card C and each head are pressed against each other to perform a wiping operation. FIG. 6 shows a state during the wiping operation. The cleaning card C that has been drawn into the back side of the apparatus is transported to the insertion port 10 side simultaneously with the execution of cleaning, and moves to a position where it can contact both the print head 40 and the erasing head 50. Thereafter, each head cam is rotated to bring the print head 40 and the erasing head 50 into contact with the cleaning card C, and in this state, the transport motor 28 is driven to rotate forward and reverse, so that the dirt on the head is wiped off with the cleaning card C. When wiping is completed, the print head 40 and the erasing head 50 are separated from the cleaning card C, and the cleaning card C is discharged.
[0035]
Next, the cooling operation when the cover of the card processing apparatus of the present invention is opened will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a cooling operation executed when the exterior cover is opened. When it is detected by the exterior cover switch 6 that the exterior cover 3 has been opened, the thermistor detects the temperature of each head and determines whether it is equal to or greater than a predetermined value (S21). If it is less than the predetermined value, the process is terminated, and if it is not less than the predetermined value, the cooling operation is executed. This predetermined value refers to a temperature that does not hinder the work of the operator, and is set to 70 ° C. in this embodiment.
[0036]
In the cooling operation, the head cam of the head in which 70 ° C. or more is detected is driven to bring the head into contact with the transport roller (S22). When the head and the transport roller come into contact with each other, the transport motor is driven in this state to rotate the transport roller (S23). At this time, it is monitored whether or not the mechanical cover 13 is opened by the mechanical cover switch 15 (S24). When the mechanical cover 13 is opened, the transport roller is stopped (S25). Thereafter, it is detected whether the mechanical cover 13 is closed by the mechanical cover switch 15 (S26), and when it is closed, the transport roller is rotated again (S27). If the mechanical cover 13 is closed in the determination of S24 or S26, the head temperature is detected, and it is determined whether the temperature has dropped below 70 ° C. (S28). If it is not lowered, it is further determined whether or not the exterior cover 3 is closed (S29). If the exterior cover 3 is lowered to less than 70 ° C. or the exterior cover 3 is closed, the rotation of the transport roller is stopped (S30) and the head cam is driven. Then, the head is separated from the conveying roller (S31). If it is determined in S28 and S29 that the temperature is 70 ° C. or higher and the exterior cover 3 is open, the process returns to S24, and the processes after S24 are performed again.
[0037]
According to the configuration of the present embodiment, the head is brought into contact with the conveyance roller made of rubber having a large heat capacity, whereby the heat of the head is transmitted to the conveyance roller, and as a result, the head is several times faster than natural cooling. Can be cooled. In addition, since a cooling operation can be achieved using a transport roller conventionally provided in a card processing apparatus without requiring a new cooling member, a cost effect is also great. Furthermore, by driving the transport roller while the head is in contact with the transport roller, the surface of the transport roller that has been cooled (heat radiation) can be brought into contact with the head at all times. Can be cooled.
[0038]
In addition, even when cleaning is performed immediately after printing or erasing processing, it is possible to quickly cool, so that it is possible to shorten the time for the user to wait for the start of cleaning. Further, when a conveyance failure of the rewritable card or the like occurs or when the inside of the apparatus is cleaned, the user first opens the exterior cover 3 and then opens the mechanical cover 13 to expose the conveyance path 11 and then perform processing. Therefore, it is possible to improve the workability of the user by judging the opening / closing of the outer cover 3 and cooling it.
[0039]
The card processing apparatus according to the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications and improvements can be made within the scope described in the claims. For example, only the erasing head 50 may be configured to cool, or only the print head 40 may be cooled. Furthermore, it may be configured such that both heads are cooled when either of the heads is at a temperature equal to or higher than a predetermined value. Although the effect is slightly reduced, it is not always necessary to drive the transport roller when the head and the transport roller are in contact with each other, and the head and the transport roller may be simply brought into contact with each other. In this embodiment, the cooling operation is performed when the cleaning mode is shifted and when the exterior cover is opened. However, the cooling operation may be performed before printing or at the end of printing.
【The invention's effect】
[0040]
As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to quickly cool the thermal head with a simple configuration, and it is possible to suppress the damage to the cleaning card and the evaporation of the cleaning liquid.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a side sectional view showing a main part of a card processing apparatus showing an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of a card processing apparatus showing an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a side sectional view showing a state in which an exterior cover and a mechanical cover are rotated in a card processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a cooling operation during cleaning of the card processing apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 5 is a side sectional view of a mechanism portion showing a state in which a head and a conveyance roller are pressed against each other in a card processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 6 is a side cross-sectional view of a mechanism portion showing a wiping state in a cleaning operation in a card processing apparatus showing an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a cooling operation when the cover of the card processing apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention is opened.
[Explanation of symbols]
3 Exterior Cover 21 Second Conveying Roller 22 Third Conveying Roller 40 Print Head 50 Erase Head 60 CPU
C Cleaning card

Claims (2)

A thermal head that has temperature detection means for detecting the head temperature and prints or erases the card by heating; and
A conveying roller provided to face the thermal head;
Moving means for moving the thermal head in the direction of the transport roller;
Judgment means for judging whether or not the head temperature detected by the temperature detection means is equal to or higher than a predetermined value;
When the normal processing mode for printing or erasing the card shifts to a cleaning mode for cleaning the thermal head by a cleaning card coated with a cleaning liquid, the determination unit performs a determination, and the determination unit is equal to or greater than a predetermined value. When the card is determined to be a card, a cooling operation for moving the thermal head in the direction of the transport roller by the moving means and bringing the thermal head into contact with the transport roller is performed prior to a cleaning operation. Processing equipment. Drive means for rotationally driving the transport roller;
Drive control means for controlling the drive means,
2. The method according to claim 1, wherein when the determination unit determines that the head temperature is equal to or higher than a predetermined value, the thermal head is brought into contact with the conveyance roller, and the drive control unit rotationally drives the conveyance roller. Card processing equipment.

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