JP4517743B2 - Printing unit - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a printing unit incorporated in a stationary information processing terminal device such as a kiosk terminal device or an automatic teller machine (ATM).

Installation-type information processing terminal devices include kiosk terminals installed at stations, airports, convenience stores, etc., counting recording terminals that print and issue predetermined information on recording paper at ATMs, parking lots, gas stations, etc. There are various types such as ticket reservation and ticket issuing machines. Such an information processing terminal device prints and issues predetermined information such as transaction details, ticket reservation information, etc. on predetermined paper, and therefore a printing unit containing printing paper (roll paper) wound in a roll shape Is provided in the information processing terminal device.

  Since such an installation type information processing terminal device is often installed in a limited business space such as a store, it is desired to have an installation area as small as possible. Therefore, the printing unit incorporated in the information processing terminal device is also required to be small and have a small storage space. In particular, in a convenience store where a kiosk terminal is installed, it is important to effectively use the sales floor area. To effectively use the sales floor area, the kiosk terminal is usually placed against the wall or the wall of the product display shelf. Installed. Further, since the back and left and right areas of the kiosk terminal are also part of the important sales area, these areas cannot be secured as a dead space for maintenance. Under such circumstances, in order to perform roll paper replacement or maintenance work from the left or right side or the back side of the kiosk terminal, the kiosk terminal must be moved to the passage, or the left or right or back product must be moved. In this case, simple maintenance work such as replacement of roll paper becomes extremely complicated work, and it is not preferable for store operation.

In view of this, a printer unit has been proposed in which the components of the printing apparatus are exposed to the front and the maintenance workability is improved. In this printer unit, almost all the internal structure of the printing unit is handled as an information processing terminal by tilting a movable frame on which almost all components such as a printing unit and a roll paper storage unit are placed to the front side with an operation surface. It is exposed to the front side of the apparatus so that the printing roll paper can be replaced and maintained from the operation surface side (front side) of the information processing terminal device, thereby improving workability. (See Patent Document 1)
JP 2002-11917 A

  However, the mechanism that tilts the movable frame and exposes all the components including the roll paper storage unit to the outside of the front surface requires a large size and weight of the movable frame in order to place all the components on the movable frame. Become. Therefore, there is a problem that the tilting mechanism for stably tilting the movable frame to the front is strong and complicated. Further, as the size of the movable frame increases, the space required for the tilting operation and the area required for supporting the movable frame after tilting also increase. In an information processing terminal device where the installation location is limited, it is desirable to make the area for such roll paper replacement and maintenance work as small as possible.

  It is also conceivable that the frame in which all the components of the printing unit are arranged can be slid out and pulled out to the front of the information processing apparatus during maintenance work. However, in the case of a slide-drawable configuration, it is necessary to pull out the entire frame of the printing unit from the housing of the information terminal even when performing relatively simple work such as replacement of roll paper. Need. Furthermore, since the mechanism for sliding the frame moves the entire printing unit, there is a problem that the manufacturing cost increases.

  In addition, in the slide pull-out mechanism and the tilt mechanism, a lock mechanism is provided to prevent inadvertent pull-out and tilt, and the slide pull-out or tilt operation is performed after unlocking. Therefore, the unlocking operation and the tilting operation have to be performed separately and independently for the opening / closing operation, and two different types of operations are required.

  The present invention has been made in view of the problems of the prior art, and can perform roll paper replacement and maintenance work from the front, and an operation space necessary for opening and closing internal mechanisms necessary for these work. An object of the present invention is to provide a printing unit with a reduced size.

  Another object of the present invention is to provide a printing unit of an information processing terminal device that is excellent in opening / closing operability and workability.

  The present invention achieves the above-mentioned object by configuring the printing unit so that the front surface of the printing unit is opened by rotating the front surface portion of the printing unit outwardly around a fixing screw provided below the base frame. In addition, the release lever is rotated in the same direction as the rotation direction of the front surface portion to release the lock on the front surface portion, so that the rotation frame is rotated in the same direction as it is after the lock release operation. The above-described object is achieved by allowing the front portion to be opened only by continuous operation.

The printing unit according to the first aspect of the present invention is a printing unit that is stored in a stationary information terminal device and prints predetermined information on roll paper,
A pivot frame that is pivotally supported by a pivot member provided below the base frame and supports each component disposed at the front of the printing unit;
A lock mechanism for locking or unlocking the rotation of the rotation frame;
A storage unit for holding and storing the roll paper;
A release lever pivotally supported on the rotating frame;
With
The lock mechanism includes a notch groove provided in a lower portion of the rotating frame and a fixing pin fixed to the base frame, and the notch groove and the fixing pin engage with each other to lock the rotating frame. And
By rotating the release lever in the rotation direction of the rotation frame, when the cut groove moves out of the fixed pin and is disengaged, the lock of the rotation frame is released,
By rotating the rotating frame outward, the front surface is opened, and the roll paper can be mounted from the open space to the storage unit.

  According to this aspect, the roll paper provided in the back of the printing unit through the open space is released by rotating the front part of the printing unit housed in the information processing terminal device outward. It is possible to access the storage unit and to replace or replenish the printing roll from the front. The lock mechanism prevents the front portion from being rotated during the operation of the information processing terminal device.

  According to this aspect, the lock of the lock mechanism is released by pivotally supporting the release lever on the rotation frame and rotating the release lever to the same outer side as the rotation direction of the rotation frame. As a result, the unlocking operation of the release lever and the rotating operation of the rotating frame can be performed as a series of continuous operations with one hand.

  According to this aspect, the lock mechanism is configured by the cut groove and the fixed pin provided in the lower portion of the rotating frame. Therefore, the mechanism is a mechanism for releasing the lock by lifting the rotating frame by a predetermined amount, and a certain load is applied to the unlocking operation. Therefore, although the lock can be released by a series of operations, the lock is not easily released because a certain load of a predetermined amount or more is required for releasing the lock.

  In the printing unit according to another aspect of the present invention, the rotating frame is supported by the first fixing screw so as to be movable up and down within a predetermined range, and the release lever is a fixed end provided on the base frame. Lifting fulcrum part that engages with the fulcrum, and by rotating the release lever by a predetermined angle, the lifting frame including the release lever is lifted with the lifting fulcrum part as a fulcrum, and the cut groove is moved out of the fixed pin. The lock mechanism is unlocked by moving and releasing the engagement. The printing unit is urged to the lock side by an elastic member. According to this aspect, a part of the release lever (lifting fulcrum) serves as a fulcrum by the turning operation of the release lever, and the release lever and the entire turning frame are lifted to release the lock. The weight of the entire rotating frame, the friction of the lifting fulcrum, the urging by the elastic member, etc., become a load for unlocking and stabilize the locking operation.

  The printing unit according to another aspect of the present invention is characterized in that the fixed end portion includes a first bearing provided on the first fixing screw.

  According to this aspect, since the lifting load of the entire rotating frame is applied to the rotating fulcrum, the sliding friction between the lifting fulcrum and the first bearing is accompanied by the rotation of the rotating frame so that the moderate rotating load on the rotating frame is achieved. Thus, a smooth and stable rotation operation can be performed at an appropriate speed.

  In the printing unit according to another aspect of the present invention, the rotating frame is rotatably supported by a fixed shaft by a first fixing screw that passes through a long hole having a predetermined angle and a predetermined length. Features.

  In this mode, by adjusting the angle of the long hole in accordance with the lifting angle by the release lever, an appropriate lifting load and the rotation of the rotating frame after unlocking by the frictional force between the long hole and the first fixing screw. A dynamic load can be applied.

□ The present invention reduces the size of the front opening part by rotating the front opening part excluding the roll paper storage part to the outside, makes it possible to open the front face with a simple turning mechanism, and is necessary for opening. The operation space (operation area) has been reduced. According to the present invention, the roll paper can be replaced by inserting the roll paper from the front operation surface side, and the area required for opening the front surface is only a small space on the front operation surface side.

  Further, as shown in another embodiment of the present invention, the operation direction (rotation direction) of the release lever for unlocking the rotation frame, and the rotation direction of the rotation frame for opening the front opening portion Are configured to be in the same direction, and unlocking and releasing operations can be performed by a series of continuous operations with one hand. As a result, the roll paper can be easily replaced with one hand.

  FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a printing unit 10 (hereinafter referred to as a printing unit 10) for an information processing terminal device according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating a state where the printing unit 10 is accommodated in the information processing terminal device 70. FIG. 3 illustrates the front opening 11 of the printing unit 10 accommodated in the information processing terminal device 70. It is a side view which shows typically the state rotated 90 degree | times.

  The printing unit 10 includes a front opening portion 11 that can rotate the front portion outward, a base frame 40, and a storage portion 41 that holds the roll paper 60 inside the printing unit 10. The front opening portion 11 includes a printing mechanism unit 50 including a print head (not shown), a rotating frame 12 pivotally supported by a first fixing screw 14 provided on the base frame 40, and movement of the rotating frame 12. And a locking mechanism that locks (rotating operation).

  The printing mechanism 50 is supported by the rotating frame 12 and rotates together with the rotating frame. The lock mechanism includes a lock portion 16 including a cut groove 17 and a fixing pin 18, and a release lever 13 for releasing the lock. The release lever 13 is pivotally supported by a second fixing screw 15 provided on the turning frame 12 and releases the lock by being turned outward. The printing unit 10 is biased to the lock side (counterclockwise) by an elastic member 19 such as a tension coil spring.

  The printing mechanism unit 50 includes a print head and a platen (not shown), and these cooperate to perform predetermined printing on the printing paper supplied from the roll paper 60. The printed recording paper is discharged from the recording paper discharge unit 51. Print control and paper feed control are performed by a print control unit and a conveyance control unit (not shown), but the description thereof is omitted because they are not directly related to the present invention.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the printing unit 10 is accommodated in an information processing terminal 70 such as an ATM or a kiosk terminal device (in FIG. 2, the outline of the information processing terminal device 70 is schematically shown by a straight line. ) Therefore, in order to replace or replenish the printing roll paper 60, it is necessary to access the inside of the printing unit 10 by some method after opening the cover of the information processing terminal device 70.

  In the present invention, the front cover 71 of the middle stage of the information processing terminal device 70 is opened, and the front opening portion 11 is rotated outwardly to open the front portion of the printing unit 10, and the roll paper 60 is removed from the front opening portion side. Exchange. The front opening part 11 can be rotated about 90 degrees outward. When the front opening part 11 is rotated to the front side, the printing mechanism part 50 is exposed to the outside and the front part of the printing unit 10 is largely opened. This makes it possible to easily perform maintenance work and work such as mounting the roll paper 60 on the storage unit 41 without worrying about products or the like placed around the information processing terminal device.

  FIG. 3 schematically shows a side view of the information processing terminal device 70 in a state where the front opening portion 11 is rotated about 90 degrees and the front surface is opened. An information processing terminal device 70 such as a kiosk terminal is often installed on a floor 82 with a wall 81 as a back. Product display shelves and the like are also placed on the left and right. Articles such as merchandise are not placed on the front side (operation side) of the information processing terminal device 70 for the operation of the information processing terminal device 70. Therefore, in the present invention, the printing mechanism unit is exposed to the outside by rotating the front opening part to the outside of the front side, and access for maintenance work and replacement of the roll paper 60 can be performed from the front side (operation surface side). I am doing so.

A circle 60 indicated by a broken line indicates an input path to the roll paper 60 when the roll paper 60 is replaced. By opening the front surface in this way, the roll paper 60 can be easily replaced. The space required as the input path for the roll paper 60 may be as long as the roll paper 60 can pass therethrough. Therefore, a space that is slightly larger than the diameter of the roll paper used in the printing unit 10 may be secured as the input path. Further, the printing mechanism 50 is accommodated when the space area opened by this rotation is not opened. As described above, the printing mechanism portion on the front surface portion is configured to be rotated 90 degrees, so that the operation space for opening a part of the printing unit and the work space for maintenance work and roll paper replacement can be made extremely small. It becomes possible.
(Structure of rotating frame, release lever and lock mechanism)

With reference to FIG. 4, the structure of the attachment portion of the rotating frame 12 and the release lever 13 of the printing unit according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 4A is a partially exploded perspective view of a mounting portion of the rotating frame 12 and the release lever 13, and FIG. 4B is a side view of the fixing screws 14 and 15 and the bearings 21 and 25. The rotary frame 12 is provided with a long hole 20, and the first fixing screw 14 passes through the long hole 20 and is attached to the fixing hole 42 of the base frame 40. The first fixing screw 14 is attached to the base frame 40 after passing through the long hole 20 after passing through the first bearing 21 having the flange 22. Therefore, the first fixing screw 14 and the first bearing 21 constitute a shaft support member, and the rotating frame 12 can be rotated around the first fixing screw 14. Further, since the first fixing screw 14 passes through the long hole 20, the first fixing screw 14 can slide in the long hole 20. Therefore, the rotating frame 12 can move in the up and down direction along the long hole 20 within the long hole 20.

  A cutting groove 17 is provided at the lower end of the rotating frame 12, and a fixing pin 18 enters the cutting groove 17. Therefore, even if the rotating frame 12 tries to rotate in this state, it is blocked by the fixing pin 18 and cannot be rotated. That is, the cut groove 17 and the fixing pin function as a lock portion 16 that prevents rotation.

  The release lever 13 is rotatably attached to the rotary frame 12 by a second fixing screw 15. The second fixing screw 15 passes through the rotation hole 24 via the second bearing 25 and is attached to the hole 23 of the rotation frame 12. As a result, the release lever 13 can rotate around the second fixing screw 15. A lifting fulcrum portion 26 is provided at the lower end portion of the release lever 13. The lifting fulcrum portion 26 slides on the outer periphery of the flange while abutting on the outer periphery of the flange 22 of the first bearing 21 provided on the first fixing screw 14 when the release lever 13 rotates counterclockwise. The release lever 13 and the entire rotating frame 12 are lifted along the long hole 20.

(Unlock operation)
FIG. 5 is a partial side view showing a locked state (accommodated state) of the rotating frame 12 and the release lever 13 shown in FIG. 4, and FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a state where the release lever 13 is rotated by a predetermined angle from the position shown in FIG. It is a partial side view which shows the state which released the lock. In FIG. 6, the positions of the release lever 13 and the rotating frame 12 when the lock is released are indicated by solid lines, and the positions before the lock release are indicated by broken lines. The unlocking operation is performed by inserting a hand through the gap 72 in the upper part of the storage unit of the printing unit 10 shown in FIG. 2 and pulling the gripping part 27 of the release lever 13 forward. By rotating the release lever 13 to the position shown by the solid line in FIG. 6, the rotary frame 12 is lifted until the cut groove 17 comes out of the fixed pin 18, and the lock is released. That is, the lock mechanism is configured in cooperation with the lock portion 16 and the release lever 13.

  Further description will be given with reference to FIGS. The release lever 13 is rotatably supported by the rotating frame 12 by a second fixing screw 15. When the release lever 13 is rotated counterclockwise and pulled toward the front, the lifting fulcrum portion 26 provided at the lower end of the release lever 13 is provided with the flange 22 provided on the first bearing of the first fixing screw 14. Abuts on the outer periphery. Since the first fixing screw 14 is fixed to the base frame 40, when the release lever 13 is further rotated, a force in the direction of lifting the release lever 13 acts with the lifting fulcrum portion 26 of the release lever 13 as a fulcrum. . Since the release lever 13 is supported by the rotating frame 12 by the second fixing screw 15, when the releasing lever 13 is lifted, the rotating frame 12 is also lifted through the second fixing screw 15. Since the rotating frame 12 is supported by the first fixing screw 14 through the long hole 20, the rotating frame 12 is lifted along the hole of the long hole 20. The rotating frame 12 is lifted obliquely upward by a predetermined amount along the long hole 20, and the cut groove 17 of the lock portion 16 moves out of the fixing pin 18 as shown by a solid line in FIG. 6. As a result, the lock is released, and the rotating frame 12 can rotate around the first fixing screw 14. Since the release lever 13 and the printing mechanism unit 50 are attached to the rotating frame 12, by rotating the rotating frame 12, the entire front opening portion 11 is rotated outward, and the front portion of the printing unit 10. Is released.

(A series of operations from the locked state to releasing the front)
7 to 9 are side views of the printing unit 10 showing a series of operations from releasing the lock from the locked state to turning the front opening portion 11 counterclockwise by about 90 degrees. FIG. 7 is a left side view showing a locked state, and FIG. 8 is a left side view showing a state where the lock is released by the release lever 13 being rotated to a predetermined position. FIG. 9 is a left side view showing a state in which the front opening 11 is rotated about 90 degrees in the front direction.

  The state of FIG. 7 is an operable state in which the printing unit 10 is accommodated in the information processing terminal device 70 and the printing operation is executed. In this state, the fixing pin 18 is inserted into the cut groove 17 of the lock portion 16, and the rotation frame 12 cannot be rotated. When the gripping portion 25 is pulled toward the front from the state of FIG. 7 and rotated to the state of FIG. 8, the release lever 13 and the rotating frame 12 are lifted obliquely upward by the lifting fulcrum portion 26. As a result, as shown in FIG. 8, the cut groove 17 of the lock portion 16 moves out of the fixing pin 18, and the rotation frame 12 can rotate counterclockwise (the lock is released).

  Since the release lever 13 and the printing mechanism 50 are supported by the rotating frame 12, the releasing lever 13 and the printing mechanism 50 rotate together with the rotating frame 12 as the rotating frame 12 rotates. Therefore, by rotating the rotating frame as it is by about 90 degrees, the entire front opening 11 is rotated, and the state shown in FIG. 9 is obtained. As a result, the roll paper 60 can be replaced, and the printing mechanism unit 50 can be maintained, repaired, and worked. 7 to 9, the curved member protruding from the back surface of the printing mechanism 50 is a paper feed buffer guide plate, and is urged to the position shown in FIG. Redundancy is provided for the route.

  10 and 11 are perspective views corresponding to the left side views of FIGS. FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the printing unit 10 showing a state in which the release lever 13 is rotated by a predetermined angle and the lock is released. FIG. 11 shows a state in which the rotary frame 12 is rotated about 90 degrees. 1 is a perspective view of a printing unit 10. FIG. When the release lever 13 is rotated from the position shown in FIG. 1 and moved to the position shown in FIG. 10, the rotating frame 12 is lifted obliquely upward (the printing mechanism supported by the rotating frame 12 as described above). The entire front opening 11 including the portion 50 is lifted upward). Therefore, the cut groove 17 comes off from the fixing pin 18 and the lock is released. When the lock is released, the rotating frame 12 can be rotated together with the release lever 13 and the printing mechanism 50, and the entire rotating frame 12 (front opening portion 11) is tilted to the outside (operation surface side) of the front surface. 11 state. As a result, the roll paper 60 can be replaced and mounted from the front of the printing unit 10.

  As can be seen from the above description, in the present invention, the front opening portion 11 including the printing mechanism 50 of the printing unit 10 is rotated about 90 degrees around the first fixing screw 14 to open the front surface. With this simple structure, the roll paper 60 can be exchanged from the front of the information processing terminal device 70.

  Further, the front opening operation can be performed by releasing the lock by pulling the release lever 13 toward the front, and rotating the rotating frame 12 as it is to open the front. That is, by pulling the release lever 13 to release the lock, the front opening portion 11 is tilted and the front surface is opened by a series of operations of rotating the front opening portion 11 toward each other as it is. In this way, the unlocking and releasing operations can be performed as a series of continuous operations with one hand, so that the front opening portion 1 can be rotated while holding the roll paper 60 to be mounted with one hand. As described above, although the roll paper 60 is very easily exchanged, a moderate load is applied to release the lock. That is, to release the lock by rotating the release lever 13 by a predetermined angle or more, it is necessary to lift the entire front opening 11 by a predetermined amount, and the lifting fulcrum 26 slides on the outer periphery of the flange 22. The frictional force due to sliding between the elongated hole 20 and the first fixing screw 14 when the rotating frame 12 is lifted obliquely upward. A load is applied, and this load can be adjusted to an appropriate value by changing a predetermined parameter. Furthermore, the printing unit 10 is biased to the lock side by the elastic member 19, and can be adjusted to an appropriate value. Therefore, by adjusting the weight, friction force, and urging force, the release lever 13 is prevented from being unlocked by an inadvertent operation, and the rotation operation under a moderate load is applied. Is possible. As described above, according to the present invention, an opening mechanism that is safe and excellent in operability can be provided with a simple structure.

  In the above description, the example in which the cut groove 17 and the fixing pin 18 are used as the locking mechanism has been described. However, the locking mechanism that is engaged with the base frame 40 by the turning operation of the release lever 13 is described. A lock mechanism configured to move the bar may be used.

It is a printing unit perspective view for information processing terminal devices concerning one embodiment of the present invention. It is a schematic diagram which shows the state in which the printing unit is accommodated in the information processing terminal device. It is a side view which shows typically the state which rotated the front surface opening part 11 of the printing unit accommodated in the information processing terminal device about 90 degree | times. (A) is a partial exploded perspective view of the attaching part of the rotation frame 12 and the release lever 13, and (b) is a side view of the fixing screws 14, 15 and the bearings 21, 25. It is a partial side view which shows the locked state (normal accommodation state) of the rotation frame 12 and the release lever 13. FIG. FIG. 11 is a partial side view showing a state where the release lever 13 is rotated by a predetermined angle to release the lock. It is a side view which shows a locked state. It is a side view which shows the state by which the cancellation | release lever 13 was rotated to the predetermined position and the lock | rock was cancelled | released. It is a side view which shows the state by which the front surface opening part 11 was rotated about 90 degree | times to the front direction. FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the printing unit showing a state where the release lever 13 is rotated by a predetermined angle and the lock is released. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the printing unit 10 showing a state in which a rotating frame 12 is rotated about 90 degrees.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Printing unit 11 Front opening part 12 Rotating frame 13 Release lever 14 1st fixing screw 15 2nd fixing screw 16 Locking part 17 Cutting groove 18 Fixing pin 19 Elastic member 20 Long hole 21 1st bearing 22 Flange 25 1st Two bearings 26 Lifting fulcrum part 27 Grasping part 40 Base frame 41 Roll paper storage part 42 Fixing hole 50 Printing mechanism part 51 Recording paper discharge part 52 Transport buffer member 60 Roll paper 70 Information processing terminal device 71 Front door 81 Back wall 82 floor

Claims (4)

A printing unit that is housed in a stationary information terminal device and prints predetermined information on roll paper,
A pivot frame that is pivotally supported by a pivot member provided below the base frame and supports each component disposed at the front of the printing unit;
A lock mechanism for locking or releasing the rotation of the rotating frame;
A storage section for holding and storing the roll paper;
A release lever pivotally supported on the rotating frame;
With
The lock mechanism includes a notch groove provided in a lower portion of the rotating frame and a fixing pin fixed to the base frame, and the notch groove and the fixing pin engage with each other to lock the rotating frame. And
By rotating the release lever in the rotation direction of the rotation frame, when the cut groove moves out of the fixed pin and is disengaged, the lock of the rotation frame is released,
A printing unit characterized in that the front surface is opened by rotating the rotating frame outward, so that the roll paper can be mounted from the open space to the storage unit. The rotating frame is supported by the shaft support member so as to be movable up and down within a predetermined range,
The release lever includes a lifting fulcrum that engages with a fixed end provided on the base frame,
By rotating the release lever by the predetermined angle, the lifting frame including the release lever is lifted with the lifting fulcrum portion as a fulcrum, and the cut groove moves outside the fixing pin. The printing unit according to claim 1, wherein the lock mechanism is unlocked by releasing the engagement. The said fixed end part consists of a bearing provided in the said shaft support member.
The printing unit described in. The rotating frame has a long hole with a predetermined angle and a predetermined length, and the pivot member is
The printing unit according to claim 3, wherein the rotating frame is rotatably supported by the base frame by passing through the long hole.

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