JP2000327202A - Printer - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a printer capable of discharging recording paper in a desired direction and easily cutting the recording paper discharged in the above direction. SOLUTION: This printer 1 has a printing mechanism part 10 and a paper discharging mechanism part 20, and this paper discharging mechanism part 20 is arranged on the downstream side in a paper feeding direction rather than the printing mechanism part 10 and in the neighbourhood of the printing mechanism part 10. The paper discharging mechanism part 20 is constituted of a paper guide member 21, a support shaft member 22 and an induction member 23, and each of them is formed in a hollow shape so that recording paper S can pass through it. The paper guide member 21 and the support shaft member 22 are supported free to respectively independently rotate and movably connected to each other by the induction member 23.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

[0001] The present invention relates to, for example, a POS
In a (Point-Of-Sale) system, a printer connected to an electronic cash register, etc.
In particular, the present invention relates to a printer having a paper discharge mechanism for discharging recording paper pulled out from roll paper as a receipt.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Generally, in this type of printer,
For example, printing is performed on recording paper pulled out from roll paper based on sales information of stores and the like, and the printed recording paper is discharged from a discharge port provided in the printer body.

[0003] In such a printer, a cutter blade is provided in a portion adjacent to an outlet of the printer body in order to deliver the receipt as a receipt to a customer. Then, by pulling the recording paper while pressing it against the cutter blade, the recording paper is cut.

[0004]

However, in such a conventional printer, the recording paper can be discharged only in a certain direction. Therefore, in the related art, for example, when there is some obstacle near the outlet of the printer, the printer itself has to be moved, and for example, the person who operates the printer is performing some other work. Even in this case, there have been various inconveniences, such as the need to change the posture in order to cut the recording paper.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems of the prior art, and it is possible to discharge a recording sheet in a desired direction and easily cut the recording sheet discharged in the above direction. It is an object of the present invention to provide a printer capable of performing the following.

[0006]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the present invention provides a printing mechanism for printing on recording paper drawn from roll paper housed in a printer body;
A guide member having a predetermined length in the paper feeding direction and having a guide surface provided so as to oppose at a predetermined interval in the paper thickness direction, and a recording paper is provided at one end in the length direction of the guide member. Is provided, and a discharge port capable of discharging recording paper is provided at the other end of the guide member, and the insertion port side of the guide member is disposed near the printing mechanism, A paper discharge mechanism portion wherein the guide member is configured to be swingable about a portion on the insertion opening side as a center.

[0007] In the case of the present invention, the guide member is swung about its insertion port side to direct the discharge port to a desired position. The recording paper printed by the printing mechanism is inserted from the insertion opening of the guide member, guided by the guide surface of the guide member, and discharged from the discharge opening.

Therefore, according to the present invention, the recording paper can be discharged in an arbitrary direction only by swinging the paper guide member.
An easy-to-use printer that can cope with various situations by changing the recording paper discharge direction can be obtained.

Further, according to the present invention, a spindle member having a through-hole through which a recording paper can be penetrated is provided inside the insertion opening of the guide member so as to be engageable with the printer body. A guide member having flexibility is provided between the inside of the guide member and a position close to the print mechanism so as to extend in a state of penetrating the through hole of the spindle member, and the print mechanism of the guide member is provided. It is also effective that a second insertion opening for introducing recording paper toward the inside of the guide member is formed at the end on the side.

[0010] In the case of the present invention, the guide member is movably connected to the printer main body via the support shaft member by the guide member. Therefore, when the guide member is rotated, the support shaft member is accordingly driven to rotate with a phase difference.
Further, in this case, the guide member is bent between the printer main body side and the guide member without receiving much resistance from the support shaft member, so that the second insertion port of the guide member is provided inside the guide member. A smooth curved paper path can be formed between the guide member and the insertion opening.

Therefore, according to the present invention, even if the guide member is rotated to bend the paper path of the recording paper at the position of the discharge port, a smooth paper path can be formed at the bent portion by the guide member. In addition, the recording paper can be smoothly guided toward the guide member.

In this case, in particular, according to the present invention, the engagement member interposed between the insertion port side portion of the guide member and the spindle member in the printer main body is provided in the rotation axis direction of the guide member and the spindle member. It is also effective to be provided so as to extend.

According to the present invention, the guide member and the spindle member can be independently rotated by the engagement member, and the guide member and the spindle member are movably connected to each other by the guide member. Therefore, the guide member can be rotated more stably.

Further, the present invention is also effective in that a cutter blade for cutting the recording paper is provided at a position on the discharge port side of the guide member so as to face the discharge port with the discharge blade interposed therebetween. According to the present invention, no matter where the paper guide member is disposed, the recording paper can be easily cut by the cutter blade facing the discharge port side.

[0015]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the appearance of the printer according to the present embodiment.
FIG. 2 is a side view showing a schematic configuration of the printer. FIG.
FIG. 3A is a perspective view schematically illustrating a portion that engages with the paper discharge mechanism of the present embodiment, and FIG. 3B is a side view illustrating a schematic configuration of a main part of the paper discharge mechanism. is there.

FIG. 4A is a perspective view showing an appearance of a guide member of the paper discharge mechanism, and FIG. 4B is a view showing a spindle member and a guide member of the paper discharge mechanism. It is a perspective view. Further, FIG. 5A is an enlarged perspective view illustrating a main part of the guide member, and FIG. 5B is a cross-sectional view illustrating a main part of the support shaft member and the guide member in an enlarged manner. is there.

FIGS. 6 and 7 are diagrams for explaining the operation of the printer according to the present embodiment.
(B) is a diagram for explaining the operation of the paper discharge mechanism of the present embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 1 or FIG. 2, the printer 1 of the present embodiment has a main body case 2 formed in an open box shape by using, for example, resin. FIG.
As shown in FIG. 1, inside the main body case 2, a roll paper case 3 integrally formed with a roll paper storage portion 4 and a paper guide portion 5 is provided. The roll paper storage part 4 of the roll paper case 3 is formed in a substantially semi-cylindrical shape, and is arranged on the rear side (the right side in FIG. 2) of the main body case 2. On the other hand, the paper guide portion 5 of the roll paper case 3 is formed in a plate shape so as to be bent from an edge portion on the front side (left side in FIG. 2) of the roll paper storage portion 4. The case 2 is arranged around a lower front corner (lower left side in FIG. 2).

On the upper surface side of the paper guide section 5, a printing mechanism section 10 is provided. The printing mechanism unit 10 includes, for example, a thermal head 11 that performs printing on the recording paper S pulled out from the roll paper R by a thermal method, and a platen roller 1 that supports the recording paper S between the thermal head 11.
And 2. This platen roller 12
The thermal head 11 is disposed on the upstream side in the paper feeding direction and is provided rotatably. On the other hand, the thermal head 11 is arranged to face the platen roller 12.

The platen roller 12 is provided with a rotational driving force by a driving motor (not shown). A guide support for guiding the recording paper S to the printing mechanism 10 is located near the bent portion between the roll paper storage unit 4 and the paper guide unit 5 on the upstream side of the platen roller 12 in the paper feeding direction. A shaft 13 is provided.

As shown in FIG. 1 or FIG.
Of the main body upper cover 1 formed in a substantially frame shape
5 is provided so as to cover the opening of the main body case 2. A roll paper cover 16 capable of covering the roll paper accommodating section 4 is supported by the main body upper cover 15 so as to be openable and closable about a support portion (not shown) formed inside a rear end portion of the main body upper cover 15. ing. As shown in FIG. 1, an opening / closing lever 18 used to open and close the roll paper cover 16 is provided between the roll paper cover 16 and the main body upper cover 15. A rotation lever 19 for manually rotating a platen roller 12 described later is provided on one side of the main body case 2.

As shown in FIG. 2, a long plate-like base 15a is formed on the front upper side of the main body upper cover 15, and the base 15a is arranged at a position close to the printing mechanism 10. Then, the printing mechanism 10 is sandwiched between the base 15a.
On the opposite side (above the main body upper cover 15), a paper discharge mechanism unit 20 is disposed.

Here, as shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B,
The base 15a of the main body upper cover 15 is formed with a recess 15b having a substantially trapezoidal cross section and extending in the width direction of the recording paper S.
At the bottom of the recess 15b, an elongated paper passage opening 15c slightly wider than the recording paper S is formed. This paper passage 1
5c is a thermal head 11 in the width direction of the recording paper S.
And a portion in contact with the platen roller 12. On the other hand, cylindrical engaging portions (engaging members) 15e formed in a cylindrical shape are respectively provided on both side wall portions 15d provided opposite to each other in the longitudinal direction of the concave portion 15b, in the longitudinal direction of the paper passage opening 15c. It is provided so as to extend in parallel with the direction. These cylindrical engaging portions 15e are respectively disposed on both sides of the paper passage opening 15c in the vertically upward direction.

As shown in FIG. 2 or FIGS. 4 (a) and 4 (b),
The paper discharge mechanism 20 includes a paper guide member (guide member) 21.
, A support member 22 and a guide member 23.

The support member 22 is made of, for example, resin and has a columnar shape having substantially the same length as the interval between the two wall portions 15d of the concave portion 15b and having a diameter slightly smaller than the inner diameter of the cylindrical engagement portion 15d. Is formed. Then, FIG.
As shown in (b), the support shaft member 22 is rotatably supported by the cylindrical engaging portion 15e by fitting both end portions inside each cylindrical engaging portion 15e. The shaft member 22 is positioned and arranged so as to cover the paper passage opening 15c of the recess 15b by engagement with the cylindrical engagement portion 15e.

Here, as shown in FIG. 4B, a through hole 25 penetrating in the radial direction is formed in the support member 22 so as to extend in the central axis direction of the support member 22 so as to be elongated. I have. This through hole 25 is formed as shown in FIG.
As shown in (b), in a cross section orthogonal to the central axis of the support shaft member 22, a cylindrical central hole 2 formed in the central portion is provided.
It has an insertion hole 25b extending divergently from 5a toward one side, and a discharge hole 25c extending slit-like from the central hole 25a toward the other side. The cross-sectional shape of the support member 22 on the side of the insertion hole 25b has substantially the same length in the width direction of the recording paper S with respect to the outer shape of the paper passage opening 15c of the main body upper cover 15, and
The recording paper S is formed large with a sufficient margin in the thickness direction.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 4B or FIG. 5B, the guide member 23 is made of a flexible resin,
For example, by using a sheet material of polyethylene terephthalate, it is formed in a hollow case shape that can be fitted into the through hole 25 of the support member 22. That is, the guide member 23 includes a cylindrical central case portion 23a formed in the central portion, an insertion-side case portion 23b formed in a triangular prism shape so as to extend from the central case portion 23a, and the central case portion 23a. And a discharge-side case portion 23c formed in a long plate shape so as to extend in the radial direction from the outside. A rectangular insertion opening (second insertion opening) 23d is formed at the opening end of the insertion-side case portion 23b. On the other hand, a rectangular discharge port 23e smaller than the insertion port 23d is formed at the open end of the discharge case 23c.

Then, the discharge side case portion 2 of the guide member 23
3c, the central case portion 23a, and the insertion side case portion 23b
Each of the discharge holes 25c,
By fitting into the central hole 25a and the insertion hole 25b, the guide member 23 is attached to the discharge side case portion 23c and the insertion side case portion 23.
b are respectively supported by the support member 22 in a state of protruding from the support member 22. Further, as shown in FIG. 3B, the leading end portion of the insertion-side case portion 23b fits into the paper passage opening 15c of the main body upper cover 15, so that the discharge-side case portion 23c extends from the insertion opening 23d of the insertion-side case portion 23b. A discharge space 23e is formed as a paper path to the discharge port 23e.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 4A, the paper guide member 21 is formed in a substantially rectangular plate shape using, for example, a transparent resin. Although not shown in detail, a guide hole 26 penetrating through the paper guide member 21 in the short side direction is provided.
The guide hole 26 is formed slightly larger than the outer shape of the discharge side case portion 23c of the guide member 23 in a cross section orthogonal to the short side direction of the paper guide member 21. A guide hole 2 is provided at one end of the paper guide member 21.
6, a paper discharge port 27 is formed as an open end.
In addition, a cutter blade 28 for cutting the recording paper S may be provided opposite to both edges around the paper discharge port 27.

On the other edge of the paper guide member 21, a semi-cylindrical semi-cylindrical support shaft portion 21a is formed. As shown in FIG. 5, both ends of the semi-cylindrical supporting shaft portion 21a in the longitudinal direction are
As shown in (a), ring-shaped ring engaging portions 21b are formed respectively. Here, each ring engaging portion 21
b has an inner diameter of the cylindrical engaging portion 15e of the main body upper cover 15.
It is set slightly smaller than the outer shape of. Although not shown, an opening of the guide hole 26 is formed on the side surface of the semi-cylindrical support shaft portion 21a.

The paper guide member 21 is arranged such that each of the ring engaging portions 21b is fitted into the outer portion of the cylindrical engaging portion 15e in the form of an interference fit. It is supported so as to be rotatable in the direction of the printer 1 (on the front side of the printer 1) or in the direction of arrow B (the direction of the back side of the printer 1). Further, the guide member 2 is moved from the opening of the semi-cylindrical support shaft portion 21 a of the paper guide member 21 toward the inside of the guide hole 26.
3 is inserted, the space portion is further extended, and the insertion port 2 of the insertion side case portion 23b is extended.
A space penetrating as a paper path from 3d to the paper discharge port 27 of the paper guide member 21 is formed.

In this embodiment having such a configuration, as shown in FIG. 2, when the recording paper S is discharged to the front side of the printer 1, the paper guide member 21 is tilted in the direction of arrow A so that the paper It is arranged at a position close to the cover 15. In this case, as shown in FIG. 3B, the semi-cylindrical support shaft portion 21a of the paper guide member 21 is connected to the cylindrical engagement portion 1 of the main body upper cover 15.
It rotates while resisting the friction generated between it and the outside of 5e.
When the paper guide member 21 is stopped, the semi-cylindrical support shaft portion 21a does not move due to friction generated between the semi-cylindrical support shaft portion 21a and the cylindrical engagement portion 15e. As a result, the paper guide member 21 is locked outside the cylindrical engagement portion 15e.

When the paper guide member 21 is located at the stop position, as shown in FIG. 3B, the insertion side case portion 23b of the guide member 23 is
Of the guide member 23, the discharge-side case portion 23c of the guide member 23
From 3a, it bends in the direction of arrow A along the guide hole 26 of the paper guide member 21. Thus, the support member 22 also slightly rotates in the direction of arrow A separately from the rotation of the paper guide member 21 inside the cylindrical engagement portion 15e, and the guide member 23 is moved to the paper passage opening of the upper cover 15 of the main body. 15c and the guide hole 26 of the paper guide member 21, the shaft member 22
Rotation stops.

In this case, the discharge hole 25c of the shaft member 22 is provided.
Are slightly shifted in the direction of arrow B with respect to the guide hole 26 of the paper guide member 21. Therefore, the discharge side case portion 23c maintains the original shape without being deformed so much between the guide hole 26 and the discharge hole 25c. Therefore, inside the guide member 23, a smooth curved paper path is formed between the paper passage port 15 c of the main body upper cover 15 and the guide hole 26 of the paper guide member 21.

The printing is performed on the recording paper S by driving the thermal head 11 based on predetermined print information while rotating the platen roller 12 to feed the recording paper. As shown in FIG. 3B, the leading end of the printed recording paper S enters the insertion opening 23d of the insertion side case 23c of the guide member 23, which is widely opened, and then, contacts the inner surface of the guide member 23. The paper is guided and inserted into the guide hole 26 of the paper guide member 21. Thereafter, the recording paper S is gradually discharged from the paper discharge port 27 of the paper guide member 21 as the platen roller 12 rotates, and discharged toward the printer 1.

After printing, when cutting the recording paper S,
As shown in FIG. 2, the recording paper S is cut by being pressed against the cutter blade 28 on the lower front side of the paper guide member 21 (the side of the main body upper cover 15).

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 7, when the recording paper S is to be discharged to the back side of the printer 1, the paper guide member 21 is tilted in the direction of arrow B so that the paper guide member 21 is positioned close to the roll paper cover 16. Deploy. As described above, the paper guide member 21 is locked at that position. As shown in FIG. 8B, the discharge side case portion 23c of the guide member 23 is bent in the direction of arrow B, and the discharge hole 25c of the support shaft member 22 is inserted into the paper guide member 21.
Are slightly displaced in the direction of arrow A with respect to the guide hole 26. Hereinafter, in the same manner as described above, the recording paper S is transferred to the paper discharge port 27 of the paper guide member 21 with the rotation of the platen roller 12.
And is gradually discharged from the printer 1 to the rear side of the printer 1.
Then, when cutting the recording paper S, as shown in FIG. 7, the recording paper S is pulled by being pressed against the cutter blade 28 on the lower side of the paper guide member 21 (the roll paper cover 16 side). I do.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 6, when the recording paper S is discharged above the printer 1, the paper guide member 2
1 is arranged so that the paper guide member 21 is inclined to a position substantially orthogonal to the bottom of the main body case 2. As described above, the paper guide member 21 is locked at that position. Further, as shown in FIG. 8A, the guide member 23 is maintained in a linear shape substantially along a linear direction connecting the paper passage opening 15c of the main body upper cover 15 and the guide hole 26 of the paper guide member 21. . Further, the discharge hole 25 c of the support shaft member 22 is disposed substantially opposite to the guide hole 26 of the paper guide member 21.
Hereinafter, as described above, the recording paper S is gradually discharged from the paper discharge port 27 of the paper guide member 21 and discharged to the upper side of the printer 1 as the platen roller 12 rotates. Then, when cutting the recording paper S, as shown in FIG. 6, the recording paper S is moved to either the front cutter 28 or the rear cutter 28 of the pair of cutter blades 28 of the paper guide member 21. It is cut by pulling it while pressing it against the cutter blade 28 using a hook.

As described above, according to the present embodiment,
Since the recording paper S can be discharged in an arbitrary direction only by tilting the paper guide member 21, it is possible to cope with various situations by changing the discharging direction of the recording paper S regardless of the position where the printer 1 is arranged. It is possible to obtain the printer 1 which is easy to use.

Further, according to the present embodiment, the paper guide member 21 and the spindle member 22 are configured to be rotatable independently of each other, and the paper guide member 21 and the spindle member 22 are rotated independently.
Are connected by a flexible guide member 23, so that the recording paper S can be smoothly moved from the paper passage opening 15c toward the paper guide member 21 while securing a space in the thickness direction of the recording paper S. Can be guided.

Further, according to this embodiment, the recording paper S can be easily cut by the cutter blade 28 facing the paper discharge port 27, regardless of the position of the paper guide member 21. .

Note that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various changes can be made.

For example, the paper discharge mechanism 2 of the above embodiment
In FIG. 0, the paper guide member 21 and the support shaft member 22 are separated from each other, but they may be integrated. However, as described in the above embodiment, in order to effectively utilize the guide member 23, it is preferable to adopt a configuration as in the above embodiment.

In the above embodiment, the ring engaging portion 21b of the paper guide member 21 and the cylindrical engaging portion 1 on the main body side are used.
Between 5e, resistance was given by interference fit,
The inner surface of the ring engaging portion 21b and the cylindrical engaging portion 15e
By making one or both of the outer surfaces rough, a resistance can be provided between the ring engaging portion 21b and the cylindrical engaging portion 15e.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, the thermal mechanism is used for the printing mechanism section 10. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and a dot impact method or an ink jet method can be applied.

[0046]

As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to obtain a printer capable of discharging recording paper in a desired direction and easily cutting the recording paper discharged in the above-mentioned direction. .

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating an appearance of a printer according to an embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a side view illustrating a schematic configuration of the printer.

FIG. 3A is a perspective view schematically showing a portion that engages with the paper discharge mechanism of the present embodiment. FIG. 3B is a side view illustrating a schematic configuration of a main part of the paper discharge mechanism.

FIG. 4A is a perspective view illustrating an appearance of a guide member of the paper discharge mechanism. (B): It is a perspective view which shows the external appearance of the spindle member and guide member of the paper discharge mechanism part.

FIG. 5A is an enlarged perspective view showing a main part of the guide member. (B): It is sectional drawing which expands and shows the principal part of the support shaft member and the guide member.

FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining the operation of the printer according to the embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining the operation of the printer according to the embodiment.

FIG. 8A is a diagram for explaining the operation of the paper discharge mechanism of the present embodiment. (B): It is a figure for explaining operation of a paper discharge mechanism part of this embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Printing mechanism part 15e Cylindrical engaging part (engaging member) 20 Paper discharge mechanism part 21 Paper guide member (guide member) 22 Support member 23 Guide member 28 Cutter blade R Roll paper S Recording paper

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A printing mechanism for printing on recording paper drawn from roll paper contained in a printer body, and having a predetermined length in a paper feeding direction and facing at a predetermined interval in a paper thickness direction. A guide member having a guide surface disposed thereon is provided, and at one end in the length direction of the guide member, an insertion port through which a recording sheet can be inserted is provided,
A discharge port capable of discharging recording paper is provided at the other end of the guide member, an insertion port side of the guide member is disposed near the printing mechanism, and the guide member is located at a position on the insertion port side. A paper discharge mechanism configured to be swingable about the printer. 2. A shaft member having a through hole through which recording paper can penetrate is provided inside the insertion opening of the guide member so as to be engageable with the printer main body, and the guide member is provided. A flexible guide member is provided between the inside of the guide member and a position adjacent to the printing mechanism so as to extend in a state of penetrating a through hole of the spindle member, and the printing mechanism of the guide member is provided. The printer according to claim 1, wherein a second insertion opening for introducing recording paper toward the inside of the guide member is formed at an end of the printer. 3. The printer main body according to claim 1, wherein an engagement member interposed between the insertion member side portion of the guide member and the spindle member extends in a rotation axis direction of the guide member and the spindle member. 3. The printer according to claim 2, wherein the printer is provided. 4. A cutter according to claim 1, wherein a cutter blade for cutting the recording paper is provided at a position on the discharge port side of said guide member so as to face said discharge port. A printer according to any one of the preceding claims.