JP2000095403A - Image recorder - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To stabilize the conveyor capacity of an image recorder by properly decurling a sheet of recording paper according to an amount of curls in the roll paper. SOLUTION: This image recorder is provided with a decurl roller 9, a bracket 10 supporting one end of the decurl roller 9, and being rotatably installed with a fulcrum 12 of the other end as the center, a solenoid 11 making the decurl roller 9 move up and down by rotating the bracket 10, and a residual quantity detecting sensor 13 installed at the side of roll paper, in contact with a top face of the roll paper 2 drawn out by a conveyor roller 6, and in this constitution, when the sensor 13 has detected a fact that an outer diameter of this roll paper 2 is shortened up to the specified length, the solenoid 11 is operated, lowering the decurl roller 9 and enlarging its biting quantity with the roll paper 2, whereby the decurl quantity is increased.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image recording apparatus such as a copying machine, a printer, a facsimile apparatus, etc., which uses roll paper as recording paper.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, when roll paper is used as recording paper, there is a problem that the drawn recording paper is curled, and this curl causes a conveyance failure. Therefore, in a conventional image recording apparatus, in order to give a warp in a direction opposite to the curl direction, the recording paper is slid in contact with a rod-shaped member to perform decurling.

[0003]

However, in the case of roll paper, since the state of curling at the beginning of winding and the state of curling at the end of winding are different, the starting part of curling may be reversely curled due to decurling. However, there was a problem that the decal was not used in the end portion of the winding.

Another problem is that it is not possible to cope with the amount of curl that varies depending on the type of roll paper, the thickness of paper, the elapsed time after production, the environment, and the like.

The present invention solves such a problem and appropriately decurls the recording paper in accordance with the curl amount which varies depending on the type of roll paper, the thickness of the paper, the elapsed time after production, the environment, and the like, and conveys the recording paper. It is an object of the present invention to provide an image recording apparatus that realizes stable performance.

[0006]

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a conveying means for pulling out and conveying a recording paper wound in a roll form, and a conveying means provided downstream of the conveying means in the recording paper conveying direction. A cutting means for cutting the drawn recording paper at a predetermined length, and a curl by pressing the drawn recording paper and imparting a warp to the recording paper upstream of the conveying means in the recording paper conveyance direction. An image recording apparatus having a roll paper feeding unit having a curl correcting unit for performing a curl, and an image recording unit for recording an image on recording paper conveyed from the roll paper feeding unit. A detecting means for detecting the remaining amount of the recording paper, and a changing means for changing the pressing amount by moving the curl correcting means in accordance with the detection result of the detecting means. With this configuration, the curl correction unit is moved according to the remaining amount of roll paper to change the pressed amount,
The amount of decal applied to roll paper can be changed.

Further, the present invention is characterized in that the detecting means is a recording paper remaining amount sensor for detecting that the outer diameter of the recording paper wound in a roll has reached a predetermined value. With this configuration, the curl amount increases as the outer diameter of the roll paper decreases, so that the timing for changing the decurl amount can be easily determined.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a conveying means for pulling out and conveying the recording paper wound in a roll shape, and a cutting means provided at a downstream side of the conveying means in the conveying direction of the recording paper and cutting the extracted recording paper to a predetermined length. Roll paper feeder, comprising: a cutting unit for performing a curl correction process for correcting a curl by pressing a drawn-out recording paper and imparting a warp to the recording paper on an upstream side of the conveyance unit in a recording paper conveyance direction. And an image recording unit that records an image on the recording paper conveyed from the roll paper feeding unit, wherein the abutting of the roll paper feeding unit against a roll of recording paper A member and a support that supports the contact member at one end, supports the curl correcting means at the center, and supports the other end rotatably to the apparatus main body, and is wound in the roll shape. Move with the change of outer diameter of the recording paper. Wherein in conjunction with the contact member by moving the curl correcting section is characterized in that a varying means for varying a pressing amount for. With this configuration, the amount of decurl can be changed in a stepless manner by linking to the remaining amount of roll paper, and decurling can be performed according to the amount of curl.

Further, the present invention is characterized in that the position of the rotation fulcrum of the support is changeable, and the range of movement of the curl correcting means is adjusted. With such a configuration, for example, when the position near the curl correcting unit is set as the rotation fulcrum, the amount of movement of the curl correcting unit becomes smaller than when the position far from the curl correcting unit is set as the rotation fulcrum. The decurling amount can be adjusted according to the roll paper.

[0010]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is an explanatory view showing a schematic configuration of an image recording apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention, wherein 1 is a roll paper feed unit, 2 is roll paper, 3 is a cutter unit, and 4 is an image recording unit. The roll paper 2 is pulled out by a predetermined length in the roll paper feed unit 1 and cut by the cutter unit 3 to create cut paper, and the cut paper is supplied from the roll paper feed unit 1 to the image recording unit 4. Is done. Then, the image is recorded on the cut sheet in the image recording unit 4, and the cut sheet is discharged to the outside. For convenience of description, the surface of the roll paper 2 that is exposed to the outside is called the upper surface, and the surface that is hidden inside is called the lower surface.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory view showing the configuration of the roll paper feed unit. Reference numeral 5 denotes a storage section for the roll paper 2, reference numerals 6, 7, and 8 denote conveying rollers, reference numeral 9 denotes a decurling roller, and reference numeral 10 denotes a decurling end. A bracket on which the roller 9 is mounted and the other end of which is rotatably mounted on the unit main body around a fulcrum 12, 11 is a solenoid for rotating the bracket 10 to raise and lower the decurling roller 9, and 13 is an outer diameter of the roll paper 2. A remaining amount detection sensor 14 that outputs a signal when the length of the roll paper 2 is reduced to a predetermined length is provided between the storage unit 5 and the transport roller 6 and indicates a concave portion that faces the lower surface of the roll paper 2 that has been pulled out. .

The decurling roller 9 is located at a position facing the recess 14 when the solenoid 11 is off, and descends into the recess 14 when the solenoid 11 is on. Also, a cutter unit 3 is provided between the transport paths from the transport rollers 6 to the transport rollers 7.
Is arranged.

The roll paper 2 stored in the storage section 5 is pulled out, the decurling roller 9 is brought into contact with the upper surface of the roll paper 2 to correct the curl, and then sent to the transport roller 6 to be transported. The sheet is further conveyed by rollers 7 and conveying rollers 8. When the leading end of the roll paper 2 reaches a predetermined position, the transport rollers 6, 7, 8 are stopped, the cutter unit 3 is driven to cut the roll paper 2, and the transport rollers 7, 8 are driven. The cut sheet is supplied to the image recording unit 4.

FIGS. 4 and 5 are explanatory views showing the structure and operation of the remaining amount detecting sensor. Reference numeral 13a denotes a switch, and 13b denotes a cantilevered L-shaped lever for turning on / off the switch 13a.

When the outer diameter of the roll paper 2 is large, such as when a new roll paper 2 is stored, the lever 13b is kept in contact with the roll paper 2 so that the lever 13b is held as shown in FIG. Presses the switch 13a to turn off the switch 13a. When the remaining amount detection sensor 13 is off, the solenoid 11 does not operate, and the decurling roller 9 is located above. Therefore, the V-shape of the roll paper 2 formed by the decurling roller 9 has a relatively shallow angle.

When the supply of the roll paper 2 proceeds and the outer diameter of the roll paper 2 decreases, the lever 1
When the roll 3b comes into contact and moves with the consumption of the roll paper 2 and the outer diameter becomes about 1/2, as shown in FIG. 5, the lever 13b separates from the switch 13a and detects the remaining amount. The sensor 13 turns on. When the remaining amount detection sensor 13 is turned on, the solenoid 11 is operated, and as shown in FIG.
By rotating about the roll 2, the decurling roller 9 is lowered, and the roll paper 2 is pressed. For this reason, the V-shape of the roll paper 2 formed by the decurling roller 9 in the remaining roll paper 2 has a deeper angle than when the remaining amount detection sensor 13 is off.

With this configuration, when the outer diameter is large, the amount of curl of the roll paper 2 is small, and accordingly, the amount of decurl can be reduced by making the bite amount into the roll paper 2 small. It is possible to prevent reverse curl due to excessive warping. In addition, when the outer diameter is small, the amount of curl of the roll paper 2 becomes large, and the amount of decurling with respect to the roll paper 2 can be increased by increasing the amount of bite into the roll paper 2, so that the curl can be reliably prevented. Can be corrected.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory view showing the configuration of a roll paper feeding unit in the image recording apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention, wherein 20 is a bracket, 21 is a decurling roller provided at the center of the bracket 20, 22 is the bracket 2
The guide roller 23 provided at one end of the roll paper 2 and abutting against the surface of the roll paper 2 in a roll state is a bracket 20.
Are provided at the other end of the unit, and the fulcrum for rotatably attaching the bracket 20 to the unit body. The same members as those in the first embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description is omitted.

Since the guide roller 22 is urged by the urging means (not shown) so that the bracket 20 always rotates toward the roll paper 2, the guide roller 22 contacts the surface above the center of the roll paper 2 in the rolled state. Touch For this reason, the guide roller 22 descends in accordance with the decrease in the outer diameter as the roll paper 2 is consumed. When the guide roller 22 is lowered, the bracket 20 rotates about the fulcrum 23 in conjunction with the lowering of the guide roller 22, and the decurling roller 21 also moves downward to press the roll paper 2. As a result, as shown in FIG. 7, the amount of biting into the drawn roll paper 2 increases.

Therefore, the decurling amount can be made variable according to the consumption of the roll paper 2 without using a member such as a solenoid.

FIG. 8 is an explanatory view showing the configuration of a roll paper feed unit in the image recording apparatus according to the third embodiment of the present invention. Reference numeral 30 denotes a bracket, 31 is provided at the other end of the bracket 30, and The fulcrum for rotatably attaching 30 to the unit body is shown. The same members as those in the first embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description is omitted.

The third embodiment is different from the second embodiment shown in FIG.
Is provided. The bracket 30 has pin holes 3 at positions near and far from the decal roller 21 and at an intermediate position therebetween.
1a, 31b and 31c are provided, and these pin holes 31 are provided.
By selecting one of a, 31b, and 31c and attaching the bracket 30 to the unit main body with the fulcrum pin, the pin hole selected at that time becomes the fulcrum 31. In FIG. 8, the center pin hole 31c is the fulcrum 31. Further, the position of the decurling roller 21 at the end of the roll paper 2 is constant regardless of which pin hole is selected as the fulcrum 31.

With this configuration, as shown in FIG. 9, the pin hole 31a is located at a position near the decurling roller 21.
When the fulcrum 31 is used as the fulcrum 31, the amount of movement of the decurl roller 21 is smaller than when the fulcrum 31 is a pin hole 31c located far from the decurl roller 21 as shown in FIG. That is, when a new roll paper 2 is stored,
The pin hole 31a at a position close to the decurling roller 21 is
When set to 1, the decal roller 21 is deeper into the roll paper than when the pin hole 31c at a position far from the decal roller 21 is used as the fulcrum 31.

Therefore, for example, the pin hole 31b
Is used as a fulcrum 31, and when a roll paper having a small amount of curl at the beginning of use is used, the pin hole 31c is set as a fulcrum 31. When used, by setting the pin hole 31a as the fulcrum 31, the type of roll paper to be used, the thickness of the paper, the elapsed time after production,
The decal amount can be adjusted according to the environment and the like.

[0026]

According to the present invention as described above, by changing the pressing amount according to the remaining amount of the roll paper, it is possible to reduce the ineffectiveness or excessive use of the correction and improve the transport performance. I do.

Further, the pressing amount can be changed steplessly in conjunction with the remaining amount of the roll paper, and the correction can be performed according to the curl amount, so that the transport performance can be further improved.

Further, since the correction amount can be adjusted in accordance with the type of roll paper to be used, the thickness of the paper, the elapsed time after production, the environment, and the like, extremely excellent transport performance can be obtained.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of an image recording apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing a configuration of a roll paper feeding unit.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing a state of a roll paper feeding unit when a decurling amount is changed.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing a configuration of a remaining amount detection sensor and a state before a change in a decurling amount.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing a state after a change in the decurling amount of the remaining amount detection sensor.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a configuration of a roll paper feed unit in an image recording apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing a state of a roll paper feed unit when the roll paper runs out in the configuration of FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a configuration of a roll paper feed unit in an image recording apparatus according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram showing the operation of the decurling roller when the fulcrum of the bracket is set at a position close to the decurling roller in the configuration of FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 is an explanatory view showing the operation of the decurling roller when the fulcrum of the bracket is set at a position far from the decurling roller in the configuration of FIG. 8;

[Explanation of symbols]

 REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 roll paper feed unit 2 roll paper 3 cutter unit 4 image recording unit 5 storage unit 6,7,8 transport roller 9,21 decal roller 10,20,30 bracket 11 solenoid 12,23,31 fulcrum 13 remaining amount detection sensor 13a Switch 13b Lever 14 Recess 22 Guide Roller 31a, 31b, 31c Pin Hole

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A transporting means for pulling out and transporting a roll of recording paper, and a cutting means provided downstream of the transporting means in a transporting direction of the recording paper and cutting the pulled-out recording paper to a predetermined length. A roll paper feed unit including a curl correcting unit that corrects curl by pressing a drawn-out recording paper and imparting warpage to the recording paper, on the upstream side of the conveying unit in the recording paper conveying direction, In an image recording apparatus having an image recording unit that records an image on recording paper conveyed from the roll paper feeding unit, a detection unit that detects a remaining amount of recording paper in the roll paper feeding unit; An image recording apparatus, further comprising: changing means for moving the curl correcting means in accordance with a detection result of the detecting means to change a pressing amount. 2. The recording paper remaining amount sensor according to claim 1, wherein said detecting means is a recording paper remaining amount sensor for detecting that the outer diameter of said recording paper wound in a roll has reached a predetermined value. Image recording device. 3. A transport means for pulling out and transporting a roll of recording paper, and a cutting means provided downstream of the transport means in the recording paper transport direction and cutting the pulled-out recording paper to a predetermined length. A roll paper feed unit including a curl correcting unit that corrects curl by pressing a drawn-out recording paper and imparting warpage to the recording paper, on the upstream side of the conveying unit in the recording paper conveying direction, In an image recording apparatus having an image recording unit that records an image on recording paper conveyed from the roll paper feeding unit, the roll paper feeding unit includes an abutting member that abuts on a roll-shaped recording paper; A support for supporting the abutting member at one end, supporting the curl correcting means at a central portion, and rotatably mounting the other end to the apparatus main body. The contact moves as the outer diameter changes. The image recording apparatus characterized by having a varying means for varying a pressing amount in conjunction to a member moving the curl correcting section. 4. An image recording apparatus according to claim 3, wherein a position of a rotation fulcrum of said support is changeable, and a movement range of said curl correcting means is adjusted.