JP2000190603A - Printer - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a printer having a simple structure of roll-paper storage part which is low in cost and enables easy replacement of the roll paper, and can deal with roll papers of a plurality of paper widths. SOLUTION: This printer 1 is equipped with a main body housing 2, a main body cover 3 which rotates in an arrow AB direction and opens/closes, a printing part 4, a platen 5, an L-shaped angle member 8 which locks a roll paper in suspension, a supporting shaft 10 which connects the L-shaped angle member 8 to the housing 2, a spring 11 for urging the L-shaped angle member 8 as specified, an L-shaped connecting rod 6 which supports the arm part 8b of the L-shaped angle member 8 and rotates in the arrow A'B' direction, a connection rod guide 7 which guides the L-shaped angle support part 6a of the rod 6 along a slope when the cover 3 rotates to open/close (arrow AB), and a recording paper end detector 17. The L-shaped angle member 8 is moved vertically by means of the connecting rod 6 in accordance with the the rotation opening/ closing (arrow AB) of the cover 3. The recording paper end is detected by the operation of the L-shaped angle member 8.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a printer used for an electronic cash register of a system. In particular, the present invention relates to a printer containing a roll-shaped recording medium before printing.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as a printer accommodating a recording medium such as roll paper before printing, a public utility model publication has been proposed.
As disclosed in JP-A-139740, there is known an apparatus having a structure in which a cover is opened and roll paper is set. In many of these printers, when the cover is opened, the roll paper is set in a recessed position. In many cases, the end of the recording paper is detected by detecting the position of the core.

[0003]

However, in such a conventional printer, the roll core after the roll paper has been used up is moved further to the bottom of the recessed storage portion, so that the roll paper is not used. At the time of replacement, the hands had to be put in a narrow place to remove the core. For this reason,
There is a problem that it takes time to replace the roll paper, and a tool must be used for a type having a narrow paper width. Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a printer that has a simple structure of a roll paper storage portion, is inexpensive, can easily replace roll paper, and can handle roll paper of various types of paper width. It is to be.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a printer capable of accurately detecting the end of roll paper.

[0005]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, a printer according to a first embodiment of the present invention has a storage portion having an opening at an upper portion for storing a recording medium at a predetermined position, In a printer including a printer body that prints characters and symbols on the recording medium, the recording medium is moved from a predetermined position to the opening side in conjunction with the opening / closing operation of the lid that covers the opening and supports the recording medium. And a detecting means for engaging the recording paper medium supporting means and detecting the end of the recording medium.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a printer according to a second aspect of the present invention, which has an opening at an upper portion for storing a recording medium in a predetermined position, and a character recording medium on the recording medium in the storing section. And a recording medium supporting means for supporting the recording medium, moving the recording medium from a predetermined position to the opening side, and a cover. And the recording medium support means,
Coupling means for moving the recording medium supporting means in conjunction with opening and closing operations of the lid covering the opening, and recording paper end detection for outputting a signal indicating the end of the rolled recording paper when engaged with the recording medium supporting means Means. In this printer, the connecting portion may move in conjunction with the opening and closing operation of the lid along the slope provided in the housing portion.

As a result, the structure of the roll paper storage portion is simplified, the cost is reduced, and the roll paper can be easily replaced.

Further, in the above-described printer, the recording medium supporting means may be configured so that a predetermined negative force corresponding to the width of the recording medium is given by the elastic body. Also, this elastic body may be a spring.

Thus, it is possible to cope with roll paper having a plurality of types of paper width.

The recording paper end detector is a mechanical type micro switch.

Further, in another embodiment, the connecting means is a coil spring which is installed so as to be wound around a support shaft at the center of rotation of the lid, and which records when the lid is opened along the flattening operation of the lid. The printer is characterized in that the paper support means is lifted and, when closed, the recording paper support means is urged toward the bottom of the storage section.

[0012]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings. The embodiments described below are for explanation, and do not limit the scope of the present invention. Therefore, those skilled in the art can adopt embodiments in which each of these elements or all elements are replaced with equivalents, but these embodiments are also included in the scope of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is an overall perspective view of an embodiment of the present invention, wherein 1 denotes a printer main body, and shows a state in which printing is performed on a recording paper 19. Reference numeral 30 denotes an operation panel provided on the printer body.

FIG. 4 is a schematic side view of the printer 1.
Is a main body housing, 3 is a main body cover, 4 is a printing section having a thermal head, 5 is a platen, 19 is a roll of recording paper (hereinafter referred to as roll paper), and 20 is a recording paper in the main body. Each part is shown.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the inside of a printer 1 according to the present embodiment as viewed from the front. As shown in FIG.
The printer 1 includes a main body housing 2, a main body cover 3 that is connected to an upper rear portion of the main body housing 2 and that opens and closes by rotating in the direction of arrow AB, and a printing unit 4 that prints characters and symbols on roll paper 19. A platen 5 provided inside the front of the main body cover 3 so as to be located at a position facing the thermal head of the printing unit 4 when the main body cover 3 is closed. The configuration so far is a configuration generally found in a thermal printer.

The printer 1 further has a recording paper supporting means, which comprises an L-shaped angle member 8 and a part of the L-shaped angle member, which is inserted into the roll paper core 9 of the roll paper 19 and the roll paper 19. And a roll paper locking portion 8c that locks the inside of the printer 1 and a rear upper portion of the main body housing 2,
A support shaft 10 for connecting the L-shaped angle member 8 to the main body housing 2 and a spring 11 for applying a predetermined bias to the roll paper core 9
L, which is connected to the inside of the main body cover 3 and supports the arm portion 8b of the L-shaped angle member 8, and rotates in the direction of arrow A'B 'corresponding to the opening and closing (arrow AB) of the main body cover 3.
A connecting rod 6, which is a U-shaped connecting member, and a connecting rod guide 7 that guides the L-shaped angle support portion 6a of the connecting rod 6 along the inclined surface 7a when the main body cover 3 is opened and closed (arrow AB). ing. Further, a mechanical type micro switch 17 which is a detector for detecting the end of the recording paper or the end of the recording paper is disposed in the movable miracle of the L-shaped angle 8.
When the character angle 8 gradually decreases due to the weight of the roll paper, it engages with the microswitch 17 and outputs a signal indicating that the recording paper has ended or is about to end. This microswitch is shown in the embodiment of the mechanical type, but may be a reflection-type or transmission-type photodetector for detecting the operation of the L-angle 8.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged view showing the roll paper locking portion 8c of the L-shaped angle member 8. As shown in FIG. 2, a spring 11 is arranged between a stopper 18a and a stopper 18b provided on the locking portion 8c. This spring 11 urges the core pressing member 12 in the direction of arrow D in the figure. The stopper 18b is provided so that the spring 11 does not drop out of the locking portion. Note that another elastic body, for example, a rubber material, may be used instead of the spring 11 as long as it applies a predetermined bias to the L-shaped angle member 8.

The operation of exchanging roll paper in the printer of the present invention having the above configuration will be described below with reference to FIGS.

First, when the end of the roll paper is approaching, the operation panel 3 is provided to the user by a recording paper end detector (not shown).
This is displayed on a 0 LED or the like, and the user opens the main body cover 3. The body cover 3 rotates in the direction of arrow A.
While the main body cover 3 is gradually opened, the connecting rod 6 rotates in the direction of arrow A ′ inside the housing 2, and the L-shaped angle support portion 6 a of the connecting rod 6 moves upward along the slope 7 a of the connecting rod guide 7. To be lifted.

At this time, when the connecting rod 6 reaches a predetermined position, the L-shaped angle supporting portion 6a of the connecting rod 6
The arm portion 8b of the character angle member 8 contacts. And
In conjunction with the upward movement of the L-shaped angle support 6a, the spindle 1
0 and the L-shaped angle member 8 about the connecting portion 8a
Arm portion 8b rotates in the direction of arrow A. As a result, the roll paper engaging portion 8c of the L-shaped angle member 8 moves upward in an arc along with the roll paper core 9.

When the main body cover 3 is opened to a predetermined position,
The connecting rod 6 is separated from the slope 7a of the connecting rod guide 7. Thereafter, when the main body cover 3 rotates in the direction of arrow A, the connecting rod 6 moves upward in the vertical direction.

When the main body cover 3 is rotated to a completely open position as shown in FIG. 1, the main body cover 3 is locked at the open position by a locking portion (not shown). At this time,
The roll paper engaging portion 8c of the L-shaped angle member 8 is located outside the main body housing 2. Further, since the roll paper is urged by the spring 11 in the width direction of the printer, if the side paper of the main body housing is not regulated, the roll paper is pushed in the direction of arrow C and moves to a position where it can be easily pulled out.
Then, the roll paper core 9 is pulled out from the roll paper engaging portion 8c of the L-shaped angle member 8 in the direction of arrow C, and a new roll paper (not shown) is attached.

At this time, the L-shaped angle member 8 is pushed in the direction opposite to the biasing direction D of the spring 11 according to the width of the roll paper. That is, a biasing force (arrow D) corresponding to the width of the roll paper 19 is applied to the L-shaped angle member 8 by the spring 11.

The new roll paper 19 is inserted into the L-shaped angle member 8.
Is attached to the roll paper latching portion 8c, the main body cover 3 is rotated in the direction of arrow B to load the roll paper into a predetermined position of the main body housing 2. At this time, the connecting rod 6 moves on the slope 7a of the connecting rod guide 7 in a stroke opposite to the above-described operation.
Move down along.

As the recording paper is consumed and the roll paper 19 descends, the L-shaped angle member also descends, and by turning on the micro switch 17, it is possible to reduce the remaining amount of the recording paper or replace it. Can be notified to the user. This micro switch is
Since the recording paper 19 is structured to engage with the L-shaped angle member 8, even if the recording paper 19 moves within the storage portion, the recording paper 19 is regulated by the L-shaped angle member, and the end of the recording paper can be accurately detected.

As described above, according to the printer 1 of the present invention, the L-shaped angle member 8 which holds the roll paper is moved by the connecting rod 6 interlocked with the turning movement of the main body cover 3. In addition, the roll paper core 9 of the roll paper can be moved up and down in conjunction with the rotational movement of the main body cover 3, and the replacement of the recording paper becomes easy.

Since the core pressing member 12 urged by the spring 11 is attached to the locking portion 8c of the L-shaped angle member 8 for locking the roll paper, the width of the stopper 18a and the width of the stopper 18b are limited. Can adjust the width of the roll paper, and can move the roll paper in one direction.

Further, by attaching a spring (not shown) for urging the L-shaped angle toward the bottom (downward in the figure) of the storage portion for the recording paper, it is possible to reliably detect the end of the recording paper. And the end of the recording paper can be detected regardless of the installation posture of the printer. By attaching this spring to the support shaft 10, it can save space and reliably bias the L-shaped angle downward in the figure.

Although the printer has been described by taking a thermal printer as an example, the present invention is applicable not only to a thermal printer but also to various types of printers in which a cover is opened and roll paper is set in a storage section. Needless to say.

FIG. 5 is a schematic view showing a second embodiment of the printer according to the present invention, in which a connecting member is constituted by a coil spring 40. The coil spring 40 is attached such that a ring-shaped portion is wound around the support shaft 10, and one end is fixed near the rotation center of the L-shaped angle member, and the other end is fixed near the rotation center of the main body cover 3. With such a structure, the L-shaped angle member 8 is lifted when opened and the L-shaped angle member is urged toward the bottom of the roll paper accommodating portion when it is closed, along with the flattening operation of the main body cover 3. Is done.

When the main body cover is closed by the action of the coil spring 40, the roll paper is reliably moved toward the bottom, so that the end of the recording paper can be detected regardless of the installation posture of the printer main body. It is possible to flexibly cope with the need to use a wall-mounted type.

In the second embodiment, the number of parts is small,
It is possible to improve the ease of taking out the recording paper and to pursue the end of the recording paper with an extremely simple structure.

In the above-described embodiment, the description has been given of the example of the coil spring installed so as to be wound around the support shaft. However, a similar configuration can be realized by using a leaf spring instead of the coil spring.

[0034]

As described above, according to the printer of the present invention, the L-shaped angle member holding the roll paper is
The structure of the roll paper storage area is simple because the roll paper roll core can be moved up and down in conjunction with the rotation movement of the main body cover by contacting with the connecting rod that is linked to the rotation movement of the main body cover. This makes it possible to easily replace roll paper without cost.

Further, since the core pressing member for locking the roll paper is urged by a spring, it is possible to cope with roll paper having a plurality of types of paper widths, and the core is opened when the main body cover is opened. Has been moved to a position where it can be easily taken out, making it easier to replace roll paper.

In addition, since the movement of the roll paper is regulated by the L-shaped angle member, the accuracy in detecting the end of the roll paper is improved, and the end detection can be reliably performed.

Further, since the movement of the roll paper is regulated, the posture of the printer main body can be flexibly selected, and it is possible to flexibly cope with a wall-mounted type application called a kitchen printer.

Further, by connecting the cover and the supporting member for supporting the roll paper core with a spring, the recording paper can be easily removed with a simple structure, and the accuracy of the end of the recording paper can be improved. And could be realized.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the inside of an embodiment of a printer according to the present invention as viewed from the front.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of a roll paper locking portion of an L-shaped angle member of the printer according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 is an overall perspective view of the printer according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a schematic side view of the printer of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram of another embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Printer 2 Main body housing 3 Main body cover 4 Printing part 5 Platen 6 Connecting rod 6a L-shaped angle support part 7 Connecting rod guide 7a Slope 8 L-shaped angle member 8a Connecting part 8b Arm part 8c Roll paper locking part 9 Roll paper core 10 Support shaft 11 Spring 12 Core holding member 17 Recording paper end detector 19 Roll paper 40 Coil spring

Claims (10)

[Claims] 1. A printer comprising: a storage section having an opening at an upper portion for storing a roll-shaped recording medium at a predetermined position; and a printing section for printing characters and symbols on the recording medium in the storage section. A cover that covers the opening and is openable and closable, and supports the core of the recording medium, and the recording medium moves from the predetermined position to the opening side from the predetermined position in conjunction with the opening and closing operation of the cover that covers the opening. A recording medium supporting means for moving the recording medium; and a recording paper end detecting means for engaging with the recording paper medium supporting means and detecting the end or near end of the recording medium. 2. A storage section for recording paper which has an opening at an upper portion and stores a roll-shaped recording medium at a predetermined position, and a printing section which prints characters and symbols on the recording medium in the storage section. A cover that covers the opening; a recording medium supporting unit that supports a core of the recording medium and moves the recording medium from the predetermined position to the opening; Connecting means for connecting the recording medium supporting means, and moving the recording medium supporting means in conjunction with opening and closing operations of the lid covering the opening; and A recording paper end detecting means for outputting a signal indicating the end of the recording paper. 3. The printer according to claim 2, wherein the connecting portion moves along an opening and closing operation of the lid along a slope provided in the housing portion. 4. The printer according to claim 1, wherein said recording medium supporting means is provided with a predetermined negative force corresponding to a width of said recording medium by an elastic body. 5. The printer according to claim 4, wherein the elastic body is a spring. 6. The printer according to claim 1, wherein said detecting means is a micro switch. 7. The printer according to claim 2, wherein a spring for urging the recording paper supporting means in a direction of a bottom of the storage portion is arranged. 8. The printer according to claim 2, wherein the connecting means is a coil spring installed near the center of rotation of the lid and the recording paper supporting means and connecting the both. 9. The connecting means is installed so as to be wound around a support shaft at the center of rotation of the lid, and lifts up the recording paper supporting means when opened, along with the flattening operation of the lid. 2. The printer according to claim 1, wherein the printer is configured to urge the recording paper support means toward the bottom of the storage portion when the printer is closed. 10. A printer comprising: a storage section having an opening at an upper portion for storing a roll-shaped recording medium at a predetermined position; and a printing section for printing characters and symbols on the recording medium in the storage section. An opening / closing cover capable of opening and closing the opening, supporting the core of the recording medium, and interlocking with the opening / closing operation of the cover covering the opening, the recording medium from the predetermined position toward the opening. A recording medium supporting means for moving the recording medium, the lid, and a spring member connecting the recording medium supporting means to the recording medium supporting means.