JP2002225362A - Device for detecting end of roll paper and recorder having the same - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a device for detecting an end edge of a roll paper capable of accurately detecting whether or not a recording medium having a length necessary for at least one recording operation remains in the case where a length of a roll paper necessary for one recording operation is known in advance. SOLUTION: An end mark indicative of a position having a predetermined length from an end edge of a roll paper P is provided to the roll paper P and a reflectance sensor 44, as an end mark reading sensor for reading the end mark is provided to a roll paper cassette 1. The reflectance sensor 44 is provided to a position where a relationship between a paper feed path (l) from the tip of the roll paper to the reflectance sensor 44 at a time when the printing by a first recorder 102A for performing the printing on the roll paper P is started, and a length (m) of the roll paper P necessary for one recording operation satisfies an expression of 'l>m'.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a recording apparatus for performing recording by feeding a recording material wound in a roll form to a paper.
The present invention relates to a roll paper end detecting device for detecting whether or not a recording material having a length necessary for at least one remaining recording operation remains. Further, the present invention relates to a recording apparatus provided with the roll paper end detecting device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In a recording apparatus typified by a facsimile or a printer, a roll paper as a continuous paper is sometimes used as a printing paper as a recording material. Roll paper is
This is convenient in that recording can be performed continuously over a long length, and it is possible to correspond to various recording sizes.

[0003] However, the roll paper has a demerit that it is difficult to determine the remaining amount because the roll paper is wound up. If it is difficult to determine the remaining amount, the recording operation may be performed even though the length required for one recording operation does not remain. In such a case, the unnecessary throughput reduces the overall throughput. Lower. Therefore, when the length of the roll paper required for one recording operation is known in advance, the number of times of recording that can be performed on one roll of roll paper can be determined in advance, and the use of the roll paper is started. The total number of times of recording after that is accumulated, whereby the remaining amount of roll paper can be determined to avoid the problem.

[0004]

By the way, it is common to adopt a configuration in which the total recording number integrating counter having the above-mentioned function is automatically reset every time the roll paper is replaced. More specifically, the integration counter is reset by removing the roll paper cassette or the like in which the roll paper is set from the main body of the recording apparatus, so that when a new roll paper is set, a new count of the number of recordings is started. It has such a configuration.

However, due to irregular factors such as paper jams, there is a case where the roll paper which has been used for a certain length is once taken out and then set again. In such a case, with the above-described configuration, it is no longer possible to detect an accurate remaining amount, and the user can arbitrarily cancel the reset operation of the integrating counter to prevent this. Even if the above-mentioned means is provided, if the fixed length of the roll paper once taken out is discarded due to a paper jam or the like, it is impossible to detect an accurate remaining amount.

Accordingly, the present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide at least one remaining recording operation when the roll paper length required for one recording operation is known in advance. An object of the present invention is to provide a roll paper end detecting device capable of accurately detecting whether or not a recording material of a required length remains.

[0007]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a roll paper end detecting apparatus for conveying a recording material at a constant pitch to a recording unit for recording on the recording material. In a recording apparatus which performs recording by feeding a recording material wound in a roll shape with a transport roller capable of rotating in a normal direction and a reverse direction, a recording material having a length necessary for at least one remaining recording operation is obtained. A roll paper end detection device for detecting whether or not the end remains, comprising an end mark reading sensor that reads an end mark indicating a position of a fixed length from the end of the recording material to be wound into a roll, In addition, a path length from a detection position of the end mark reading sensor to a leading end position of the recording material at the time of starting the recording operation in the recording material feeding path is necessary for at least one remaining recording operation. Recorded Wherein the of the length or a position wherein the end mark reading sensor is disposed.

According to the first aspect of the present invention, a recording material wound in a roll shape (hereinafter referred to as "roll paper" for convenience of explanation) is required for at least one remaining recording operation. It is possible to accurately detect whether or not the length remains. That is, a trailing mark reading sensor for reading a trailing mark attached to the trailing end portion of the roll paper is provided. The trailing mark reading sensor is located on the feeding path from the leading end position of the recording material when the recording operation is started. It is arranged at a position at least a length necessary for at least one remaining recording operation. Therefore, by reading the end mark at the position and determining the presence or absence of the end mark, if the end mark is not detected, it may be determined that there is always a length necessary for at least one remaining recording operation. If the end mark is detected, it can be determined that the length required for the remaining one recording operation does not exist. As a result, it is possible to accurately determine whether or not it is possible to perform at least one remaining recording operation even before the start of the recording operation even on roll paper whose remaining amount is difficult to determine, thereby eliminating useless recording operations. be able to.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a roll paper end detecting device according to the first aspect, further comprising a roll paper rotating means for rotating the recording material wound in a roll shape in a reverse direction. Features. According to the second aspect of the present invention, since the roll paper rotating means for rotating the roll paper in the reverse rotation direction is provided, the end mark is detected and it is determined that the subsequent recording operation cannot be executed. In this case, the fed roll paper can be completely completely wound automatically, so that it is not necessary for the user to manually remove the fed roll paper, and the convenience for the user is improved.
Here, the "reverse direction" is the direction of rotation of the roll paper when the roll paper is wound, that is, the direction in which the roll paper rotates when the roll paper is fed to the recording unit that performs recording. Means the opposite rotation direction (the same applies hereinafter).

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a roll paper end detecting apparatus, comprising a transport roller capable of rotating the recording material at a constant pitch to a recording section for recording on the recording material, the transport roller being capable of rotating forward and reverse. In a recording apparatus that performs recording by feeding a recording material wound around a recording paper, a roll paper end detection device that detects whether or not a recording material having a length necessary for at least one remaining recording operation remains. And an end mark reading sensor that reads an end mark indicating that the position is a fixed length from the end of the recording material to be wound in a roll shape, and the recording material wound in a roll shape is rotated in a reverse direction. Before the start of the recording operation, the path length from the detection position of the end mark reading sensor to the leading end position of the recording material in the recording material feeding path is at least One record Once feeding the recording medium by the conveying roller such as to be equal to or greater than the length of the recording material needs to create, to detect the presence or absence of the termination mark in the once feeding state by the end mark reading sensor,
When the end mark is not detected, the transport roller and the roll paper rotating unit are rotated in the reverse direction, whereby the leading end of the recording material is returned to the recording operation start position, and the recording operation can be started. It is characterized by the following.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, the same operation and effect as those of the first aspect of the present invention can be obtained.
That is, when the recording material length required for one recording operation is long, the end mark reading sensor is moved from the leading end position of the recording material when starting the recording operation in the recording material feeding path. In some cases, it may not be possible to arrange at a position longer than the length required for at least one remaining recording operation. But,
According to the third aspect of the present invention, the recording material is once fed out by the transport roller, and the length from the detection position of the end mark reading sensor to the leading end of the recording material is at least the length necessary for one remaining recording operation. After that, the presence or absence of the end mark is detected by the end mark reading sensor. If the end mark is not detected, it can be determined that there is always a length necessary for at least one remaining recording operation. This makes it possible to reliably detect the presence or absence of the required amount of roll paper remaining.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the third aspect, when the end mark is detected, the transport roller and the roll paper rotating means are rotated in the reverse direction. The recording material once fed out is completely wound up. According to the invention described in claim 4 of the present application, the end mark is detected, and when it is determined that the remaining one recording operation is impossible, the roll paper is completely wound up. Like the invention of
There is no need to manually remove the roll paper that has been fed out by the user, and user convenience is improved.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the roll paper end detecting device according to any one of the second to fourth aspects, the roll paper rotating means rotates the recording material wound in a roll shape in the normal rotation direction. It can be driven to rotate. According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, the roll paper rotating means for winding the roll paper is rotated in the normal rotation direction, that is, when the recording material is fed to the recording unit for performing recording. Since the roll paper can be driven to rotate in the rotation direction, the feeding load can be reduced, and the conveyance of the recording material to the recording unit by the conveyance rollers can be performed more accurately.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a roll paper end detecting apparatus according to any one of the first to fifth aspects, wherein the recording material wound in a roll shape is movable in an axial direction. It is characterized by comprising enabling means.
According to the invention as set forth in claim 6 of the present application, the roll paper can be moved in the axial direction by the roll paper movement enabling means.
This eliminates the need to precisely position the roll paper in the axial direction, improves the operability of the roll paper set, and allows the roll paper to rotate stably.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the roll paper end detecting device according to any one of the first to sixth aspects, the roll paper moving enabling means includes a core portion of the recording material wound in a roll shape. And a drum shaft that transmits rotational power to the core portion, and an outer diameter that is larger than the outer diameter of the recording material wound in a roll, provided at both shaft ends of the drum shaft. A rotating drum composed of a flange portion having the rotating drum, and a drum rotating roller that carries the rotating drum and transmits rotational power to the flange portion. According to the invention as set forth in claim 7, the roll paper movement enabling means includes: a rotating drum on which the roll paper is mounted; and a drum rotating roller for carrying the rotating drum and transmitting a rotating power to a flange portion of the rotating drum. Therefore, it is possible to constitute the roll paper movable means only by placing the rotating drum on the drum rotating roller,
The roll paper can be easily moved in the axial direction with a simple structure.

[0016] The recording apparatus according to claim 8 of the present application is directed to claim 1.
The roll paper end detecting device according to any one of the above items 7 to 7 is provided. According to the invention as set forth in claim 8 of the present application, it is possible to obtain the same effect as the above-described invention as set forth in any one of claims 1 to 7 in the recording apparatus.

The recording apparatus according to the ninth aspect of the present invention provides the recording apparatus according to the eighth aspect.
And a discharge roller for discharging the recording material on which recording has been performed in the recording section, and feeding the recording material discharged by the discharge roller in a reversely curved shape having a substantially U-shape in side view. A feed path, and a second method for performing recording on the unrecorded surface of the recording material having the unrecorded surface facing upward due to the feed route.
Recording section, a second transport roller for transporting the recording material to the second recording section at a constant pitch, and a second discharge roller for discharging the recording material on which recording has been performed in the second recording section And characterized in that: According to the ninth aspect of the present invention, two recording units are provided above and below, and the recording material on which recording has been performed by one of the upper and lower recording units is reversed and curved, and the other recording unit, that is, the second recording unit The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the recording is performed on the both sides of the recording material by feeding the recording sheet so that the unrecorded surface faces upward and performing recording by the second recording section. The same function and effect as the invention described in any one of the aspects can be obtained.

[0018]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. 1. First, an overview of a two-sided printing apparatus as a “recording apparatus” according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2. FIG. 1 is an external perspective view of a double-sided printing apparatus as viewed from above from the front, and FIG. 2 is a schematic side sectional view of the double-sided printing apparatus. The double-sided printing apparatus 100 includes a printing sheet (indicated by a symbol R) as a recording material wound in a roll at a central portion on the front side of the apparatus, and prints the printed printing sheet on the front side of the same apparatus. And a substantially U-shaped feeding path in which the sheet feeding side and the sheet discharging side coincide with each other and are discharged from the central portion of the side. For the sake of convenience in the following description, the recording material wound in a roll shape is referred to as “roll R”, and the roll material is referred to as “roll R”.
The roll paper that has been fed out of the printer and is ready for printing or that has been printed is referred to as “roll paper P”.

In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 denotes a roll paper cassette for setting a roll R, and reference numeral 50B denotes a cutter device for cutting a roll paper P on which printing has been performed at a predetermined position. As shown in FIG. 1, the roll paper cassette 1 is disposed at the lower center on the front side of the main body of the duplex printing apparatus 100 so that the cassette can be pulled out to the front side of the duplex printing apparatus 100 for replacing the roll R. Has become. As shown in FIG. 2, the roll paper P fed from the front side of the apparatus to the rear side of the apparatus (from right to left in FIG. 2) is bent upward at the rear of the apparatus to be curved upward and to the front side of the apparatus (right side in FIG.
And is discharged from above the roll paper cassette 1 (see FIG. 1). The lid 2 of the roll paper cassette 1 includes a dust stacker 2c for stacking cut dust generated when the roll paper P is cut by the cutter device 50B (not shown in FIG. 1). The cut dust generated in the device 50 is
It falls from the window hole 101 (see FIG. 1) provided below B to the dust stacker 2c. on the other hand,
For the roll paper P on which printing as an object has been performed,
The cover 2 slides down the curved surface 2 a and is stacked on a discharge stacker 8 (not shown in FIG. 1) provided on the front side of the roll paper cassette 1. The detailed configurations of the roll paper cassette 1 and the cutter device 50B will be described later.

Next, each component provided on the traveling path of the roll paper P will be described with reference to FIG.
In the following, for convenience of description, in a series of feeding paths until the roll paper P is discharged, the upstream side of the feeding path is referred to as “upstream side”, and the downstream side of the feeding path is referred to as “downstream side”. Side ". The double-sided printing apparatus 100 is provided with two ink jet recording apparatuses at the top and bottom near the center of the apparatus. Reference numeral 102A indicates a first ink jet recording apparatus that performs printing on the roll paper P first (hereinafter, abbreviated as "first recording apparatus"), and reference numeral 102B indicates a second ink jet recording apparatus that performs printing on the roll paper P last. 1 illustrates an inkjet recording unit (hereinafter, abbreviated as “second recording device”).
The first recording device 102A includes a transport roller 1 including a transport drive roller 103a for transporting the roll paper P and a transport driven roller 103b pressed against the transport drive roller 103a.
03, a nozzle head 104a as a “recording unit” provided at the bottom of the carriage 104, and a nozzle head 1
A discharge roller 1 comprising a discharge drive roller 105a provided downstream of the sheet discharge roller 04a and a discharge driven roller 105b for nipping the roll paper P between the discharge drive roller 105a and the discharge drive roller 105a.
05.

The transport drive roller 103a is driven to rotate by a drive motor (not shown).
The roll paper P is transported at a constant pitch to a. Carriage 1
Numeral 04 reciprocates in the main scanning direction (the direction perpendicular to the paper surface in FIG. 2) by a drive motor (not shown) while being guided by the carriage shaft 104b. Nozzle head 104
a, ink is supplied from an ink cartridge 106 provided on the upper side (upper right in FIG. 2) on the front side of the duplex printing apparatus 100, and the ink is discharged onto the roll paper P transported to the lower side, whereby printing is performed. Will be The paper discharge drive roller 105a is driven to rotate by a drive motor (not shown) and discharges the printed roll paper P to the downstream side. Since the configuration of the second recording apparatus 102B is the same as that of the first recording apparatus 102A, the same reference numerals are given to the same components in FIG. 103, nozzle head 104
a, the paper discharge roller 105 functions as a “second conveyance roller”, a “second recording unit”, and a “second paper discharge roller”, respectively.

From the roll paper cassette 1 to the first recording device 10
On the path leading to 2A, the roll paper P is fed to the first recording device 102A by the paper feed roller 11 provided in the roll paper cassette 1. In the first recording apparatus 102A, printing is performed on one side (upper side in FIG. 2) of the roll paper P, and the leading end of the roll paper P passes through the cutter device 50A and is provided near the downstream side of the cutter device 50A. When the auxiliary drive roller 107 rotates, the auxiliary drive roller 107 enters the paper feed guide 108. The paper feed guide 108 has a substantially U-shape in side view as shown in the drawing, whereby the roll paper P protruding into the paper feed guide 108 is curved and inverted upward, and the first recording device 102A records the paper. It heads to the second recording device 102B with the folded surface down. Therefore, in the second recording device 102B, the second recording device 10B
The surface of the roll paper P facing the nozzle head 104a in 2B is the surface opposite to the first recording surface. Therefore, by performing printing by the second recording device 102B, both sides of the roll paper P Is printed.

Incidentally, more specifically, the first recording device 1
A cutter device 50A is disposed downstream of 02A, and the leading end of the roll paper P is nipped by an auxiliary paper feed roller 109 provided in the middle of a U-shaped feed path formed by a paper feed guide 108. After that, the roll paper P is cut by the cutter device 50A, so that the roll paper P is fed to the second recording device 102B in a cut sheet state, and printing is performed. In order to more accurately perform this series of sheet feeding operations, sheet overlap detectors 112 and 11 are provided on a U-shaped feeding path formed by the sheet feeding guide 108.
2 are provided, and the paper overlap detectors 112, 112 are provided.
As a result, the overlapping state between the rear end of the roll paper P cut into the cut sheet state and the front end of the next roll paper P following the rear end is detected, and if necessary, the first recording apparatus 102A side And the second recording apparatus 102B is configured to synchronize the paper feed speed. At this time, the leading end of the roll paper P cut into the cut sheet state is placed in the second recording device 102.
B, when the sheet reaches the position B, the rear end of the roll paper P in the cut sheet state does not exist in the first recording apparatus 102A, so that the feed from the first recording apparatus 102A to the second recording apparatus 102B is performed. The transmission path length is sufficiently secured.

Next, a cutter device 50B is disposed downstream of the second recording device 102B, and the roll paper P which is in a cut sheet state and printed on both sides and discharged is
Unnecessary portions on the start and end sides are cut off by the cutter device 50B, and further cut at predetermined positions as necessary, and are discharged to the discharge stacker 8.
The outline of the duplex printing apparatus 100 has been described above. In the present embodiment, the first recording apparatus 102A for performing recording on the roll paper P is disposed at the lower part, and the second recording apparatus 102B for performing recording on the roll paper P is disposed at the upper part. The configuration is such that the roll paper P discharged from the recording apparatus 102A is inverted and curved upward. However, this is reversed, and the first recording apparatus 102A is disposed above and the roll paper P is inverted and curved downward. It may be configured to feed.

2. Configuration of roll paper cassette 2-1. Outline of Roll Paper Cassette Hereinafter, a schematic configuration of the roll paper cassette 1 will be described with reference to FIGS. Here, FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a state where the lid 2 of the roll paper cassette 1 is closed, FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a state where the lid 2 is opened, and FIG. 5 is a plan view of the roll paper cassette 1 main body. . 6 is a side view of a feeding path from the roll paper cassette 1 to the first recording device 102A, and FIG. 7 is a front view of the roll paper cassette 1 as viewed from the rear side (the rear side of the duplex printing apparatus 100). FIG.

As shown in FIG. 3, the roll paper cassette 1 has a cover 2 at the top. The cover 2 is a roll paper cassette 1
Fulcrum 2 at the front side (the front side of the duplex printing apparatus 100)
b and the roll paper cassette 1 around the pivot 2b.
Front side (from the duplex printing apparatus 100 to the roll paper cassette 1)
(In the direction in which the is pulled out), an open state as shown in FIG. 4 can be obtained. That is, the turning operation is an opening operation of the lid 2.

A dust stacker 2c is formed on the lid 2 behind the roll paper cassette 1. The dust stacker 2c serves to stack cut dust generated from the cutter device 50B as described above. Fulfill. That is, as described above with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, the cutter device 50B is disposed above the roll paper cassette 1, and the cut dust generated by the cutter device 50B is shown in FIGS. 2 slides down the guide slope 110 of the duplex printing apparatus 100 shown in FIG.
(Dust stacker 2c).

Here, since the dust stacker 2c has a substantially box shape as shown in FIG. 3, cut dust deposited on the dust stacker 2c can be discarded from the state of FIG. Dust stacker part 2 like change to the state of
It is necessary to perform a dust disposal operation such that the top and bottom of c is reversed. However, since the dust discarding operation is the opening operation of the lid 2, the opening operation of the lid 2 always performs the dust discarding operation of the dust stacker 2c. In other words, the opening operation of the lid 2 also serves as the dust disposal operation of the dust stacker 2c. Therefore, it is possible to prevent a user from forgetting to discard dust and effectively prevent a stackover phenomenon in which cut dust overflows from the dust stacker unit 2c.
Further, in the present embodiment, the stackable capacity of the dust stacker unit 2c is equal to or larger than the cut dust amount that is expected to be generated in the printing process of one roll of the roll R. Therefore, at least until the roll R is replaced. Therefore, the stacking amount of cut dust does not exceed the stackable capacity of the dust stacker section 2c, so that stack over can be reliably prevented. In the present embodiment, the roll paper cassette 1 in which the roll R is set has the above-described operation and effect of performing both the dust disposal operation and the cover opening operation as described above.
Needless to say, a similar effect can be obtained in a so-called sheet cassette in which a plurality of cut sheets are set in a stacked state.

Next, the internal structure of the roll paper cassette 1 will be described with reference to FIGS. 5 and 6
At the front side of the roll paper cassette 1 (the lower side in FIG. 5:
A drum rotating roller 4 as "roll paper rotating means" is attached to a drum rotating roller shaft 4b at a lower portion of the drum rotating roller shaft 4b, and one end of the drum rotating roller shaft 4b (left side in FIG. 5). ) Is provided with a drum rotating roller gear 4c, and when the roll paper cassette 1 is mounted on the duplex printing apparatus 100, the drum rotating roller gear 4c is provided on the side of the duplex printing apparatus 100 for power transmission. Gears (Fig. 5
And not shown in FIG. 6), and the rotational power is transmitted. The details of the gear engagement method will be described later.

The roll R is configured to rotate in the roll paper cassette 1 while being attached to a rotating drum 6 as shown in FIG. Here, FIG.
Is an exploded perspective view of the rotary drum 6 to which the roll R is attached. That is, the drum shaft 6b of the rotary drum 6 and the roll R
The drum shaft 6b is fixed to the shaft center r so that the shaft center r is frictionally fixed to the shaft center r.
Through which the flanges 6a, 6a of the rotary drum 6
When the rotational power is transmitted to the outer periphery, the roll R rotates. The above-described drum rotating roller 4 transmits rotating power to the flanges 6a, 6a of the rotating drum 6, so that the flanges 6a, 6a are carried by the drum rotating roller 4, and the drum rotating roller 4 The roll R is rotated by the rotation of the roll 4. As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, a drum auxiliary roller 5 is attached to the drum auxiliary roller shaft 5b at the lower center of the roll paper cassette 1 as shown in FIG. And driven to rotate.

Here, since the rotating drum 6 is shaped to be simply placed on the drum rotating roller 4, the rotating drum 6 (roll R) can move in the axial direction. When the roll R is set in the paper feed cassette 1 by the "roll paper moving enabling means" of the roll R including the rotating drum 4 and the drum rotating roller 4, there is no need to precisely perform axial positioning. The work of setting the R in the paper feed cassette 1 is easy.

Next, referring to FIG.
A roll paper end detecting device 7 is provided between the drum rotation roller shaft 4b and the drum auxiliary roller shaft 5b at the bottom of the roller. The end portion of the roll R is provided with an end mark indicating that the length is constant from the end, and the roll paper end detection device 7 detects the remaining amount of the roll R by reading the end mark, It fulfills the function of preventing useless printing operation. The detailed configuration of the roll paper end detecting device 7 will be described later.

Next, from the middle of the roll paper cassette 1 to the slightly rearward side (upper side in FIG. 5), a rotating member 1 constituting a slack detecting portion of a roll paper slack forming device 9 described later will be described.
8 are provided. The roll paper slack forming device 9 detects the suitability of the slack state of the roll paper P between the roll R and the first recording device 102A. By rotating the moving roller 4, a loose state “suitable” of the roll paper P is formed between the roll R and the first recording device 102 </ b> A. Here, the slack state “No” means a state in which there is little or no slack between the roll R and the first recording device 102A, and a state in which a high tension is generated in some cases. Including. On the other hand, if the slack state is “suitable”, the roll R and the first recording device 1
02A refers to a state in which a slack has been formed. Accordingly, a transport load (back tension) is not applied to the first recording apparatus 102A, and a stable paper feeding operation can be performed in the first recording apparatus 102A.
In addition, about the detailed structure of the roll paper slack forming apparatus 9,
It will be described later.

Next, on the rearmost side of the roll paper cassette 1, there is provided a paper feeder 10 for feeding the roll paper P to the first recording device 102A. The paper feeding device 10 is generally composed of a paper feeding roller 11 and a paper feeding driven roller 12 (not shown in FIG. 5; see FIG. 6).
The roll paper P is fed to the first recording apparatus 102A by rotating the paper feed roller 11 in a state where it is nipped between the paper feed driven roller 12 and the paper feed driven roller 12. An auxiliary roller 38 is attached to an auxiliary roller shaft 38a near the upstream side of the paper feed roller 11, and the auxiliary roller 38 comes into contact with the roll paper P at the position and is driven to rotate to perform a paper feeding operation. I'm guiding. The detailed configuration of the paper feeding device 10 will be described later.

Next, in the roll paper cassette 1, the roll paper end detecting device 7 or the roll paper slack forming device 9 needs to be electrically connected to a control unit (not shown) of the duplex printing apparatus 100. Therefore, as shown in FIG.
At the rear of the roll paper cassette 1, a sub-connector 14 for connecting an electric signal line to the duplex printing apparatus 100 is fixed. When the roll paper cassette 1 is mounted on the duplex printing apparatus 100, the sub-connector 14 is connected to the main connector 13 (not shown in FIG. 7; see FIG. 22) provided on the duplex printing apparatus 100, and rolls. An electric signal line between the paper cassette 1 and the main body of the duplex printing apparatus 100 is connected. The details of the method of connecting the main connector 13 and the sub-connector 14 will be described later.

Next, returning to FIG.
Is a mounting position fixing means 15 for firmly fixing to the two-sided printing apparatus 100 when mounted on the two-sided printing apparatus 100.
A and 15B are provided on the rear sides. The mounting position fixing means 15A and 15B are provided with a second paper feed roller gear 16b (not shown in FIGS. 5 and 6; see FIG. 17) provided on the roll paper cassette 1 for rotating the paper feed roller 11. And a power transmission gear 17 (not shown in FIGS. 5 and 6; see FIG. 17) provided on the main body of the duplex printing apparatus 100 for transmitting rotational power to the second paper feed roller gear 16b. As a certain thing, the feeding of the roll paper P by the sheet feeding roller 11 is made certain. In addition, about the detailed structure of the said mounting position fixing means 15A, 15B,
It will be described later. The outline of the roll paper cassette 1 has been described above.

2-2. Next, the configuration, operation, and effects of the sheet feeding device 10 will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 9 to 13. 9 to 13 are schematic side sectional views showing only some components of the roll paper cassette 1. FIG. 9 to FIG. 13 show the paper feed device 10 and the rear thereof when the roll paper cassette 1 is mounted on the duplex printing apparatus 100. FIG. 7 shows the transition of the operation of the rotating member 18 constituting the roll paper slack forming device 9 described in detail. First, the configuration of the sheet feeding device 10 will be described with reference to FIG. In FIG. 9, the paper feeding device 10 includes a paper feeding roller 11 and a paper feeding driven roller 12, and the roll paper P is nipped by these two rollers, and the paper feeding roller 11 rotates in the nipped state. To feed the roll paper P. Here, the feed roller 1
1 are attached to the paper feed roller shaft 11a at regular intervals (see FIG. 5). However, since the paper feed roller shaft 11a is driven to rotate, the paper feed roller shaft 11a is attached to the roll paper cassette 1 so as not to be displaced in any direction. It is pivoted. On the other hand, the feed driven roller 1
The paper feed driven roller shaft 12a to which the feed roller 2 is attached is pivotally supported in the middle of the rotary member 20 in FIG. 9, but the rotary member 20 is connected to the rotary shaft 2 parallel to the paper feed driven roller shaft 12a.
0a can be rotated clockwise and counterclockwise as shown in FIG.
2 is displaced in the vertical position, and is thus in a state where it can be separated from and approached (pressed) with the paper feed roller 11.

In the rotating member 20, the paper feed driven roller 1
A plate-shaped pressing portion 20b which is flat in the axial direction of the rotating shaft 20a is formed at a position further away from the rotating shaft 20a with the two interposed therebetween, and further below the pressing portion 20b. A torsion coil spring 21 having a substantially U-shape in side view is attached with its opening side toward the front side (the right side in FIG. 9) of the roll paper cassette 1. Although the torsion coil spring 21 does not apply the pressing force to the pressing portion 20b in the non-engagement state with the double-sided printing apparatus 100 shown in FIG. A pressing force is applied to the pressurizing portion 20b, so that the paper feed driven roller 12 comes into pressure contact with the paper feed roller 11.

That is, one end 21 of the torsion coil spring 21
“a” forms an “urging force acting portion” for applying a urging force to the pressing portion 20 b, and the other end 21 of the torsion coil spring 21.
“b” forms an “urging force fulcrum” for applying a urging force to the pressing unit 20b.

Hereinafter, with reference to FIGS. 9 to 13, in the process of attaching the roll paper cassette 1 to the duplex printing apparatus 100, the feeding until the biasing force of the torsion coil spring 21 acts on the paper feed driven roller 12 will be described. The operation transition of the paper device 10 will be described. In the figure, reference numeral 22 denotes a main-unit-side pressure unit provided on the double-sided printing apparatus 100 side. As shown in FIG. 9, since the main body side pressing portion 22 and the torsion coil spring 21 are initially in the disengaged state, the paper feed driven roller 12
1 is not pressed against the sheet feed roller 1, so that a constant clearance is formed between the sheet feed roller 11. When the roll paper cassette 1 is mounted on the duplex printing apparatus 100,
As shown in FIG. 10, one end 21b of the torsion coil spring 21 comes into contact with the main body side pressing portion 22 to exert an upward force on the pressing portion 20b, so that the rotating member 20 is rotated about the rotating shaft 20a. Rotating clockwise as shown in FIG. 9, the clearance between the paper feed roller 11 and the paper feed driven roller 12 becomes zero. Then, as the roll paper cassette 1 further advances toward the duplex printing apparatus 100 from this state, the torsion coil spring 21 completely rides on the main unit side pressurizing unit 22 as shown in FIG. The urging force is exerted between the paper feed roller 20 and the pressurizing portion 20b, so that the paper feed driven roller 12 comes into pressure contact with the paper feed roller 11. The above is the transition of the operation of the paper feeding device 10 when the roll paper cassette 1 is mounted on the duplex printing apparatus 100.

The operation and effect of the sheet feeding device 10 configured as described above will be described below. When the roll R is set in the roll paper cassette 1 and the roll paper cassette 1 is set in the duplex printing apparatus 100, a predetermined amount of roll paper P is fed out from the roll R in advance, and It is necessary to insert the rolled paper P fed out by a fixed amount between the driven roller 12 and the paper feed roller 11 and the paper driven driven roller 12 during the insertion operation. , The roll paper P must be inserted, and the insertion work is troublesome.
However, when the roll paper cassette 1 is removed from the duplex printing apparatus 100, the paper feeding device 10 keeps the paper feeding roller 11 and the paper feeding driven roller 12 in a non-pressing state (the state of FIG. 9), and When the cassette 1 is mounted on the duplex printing apparatus 100, the press-contact state between the paper feed roller 11 and the paper feed driven roller 12 is formed for the first time (the state shown in FIG. 11). Can be done.

2-3. Configuration of Roll Paper Slack Forming Apparatus By the way, there is another apparatus having the same configuration as the paper feeding apparatus 10 and exhibiting its function. The roll paper slack forming device 9 (hereinafter, abbreviated as “slack forming device”) 9 which has the rotating member 18 and the torsion coil spring 23 shown in FIGS. 9 to 13 as main components is described below. The slack forming device 9 will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 9 to 13 and FIGS.

First, the configuration of the slack forming device 9 is shown in FIG.
This will be described with reference to FIG. Referring to FIG.
Numeral 8 is attached so as to be able to rotate clockwise and counterclockwise around the rotation center 18a in a side view of the feed path of the roll paper P. A guide roller 24 is attached to a contact end that is separated from the rotation center 18a and comes into contact with the roll paper P (see FIG. 15). Is configured to reduce the contact frictional resistance between the two. A torsion coil spring 23 is attached to the rotating member 18, and when the roll paper cassette 1 is mounted on the duplex printing apparatus 100, one end of the torsion coil spring 23 is
And biases the rotating member 18 in the direction in which the rotating member 18 rises.

Between the center of rotation 18a and the guide roller 24, a half moon-shaped sensor engaging portion 18b is formed so as to point downward. FIG. 15 is a perspective view of the rotating member 18 as viewed obliquely from above, and shows a state in which the sensor engaging portion 18b and the sensor detecting portion 19 are not engaged (a state in which the rotating member 18 is standing up). ing. As shown in FIG. 15, a sensor detecting section 19 that engages with the sensor engaging section 18 b is provided, and when the rotating member 18 rotates in the sleeping direction, the sensor engaging section 18 b crosses the sensor detecting section 19. Thus, the looseness state of the roll paper P is determined as “NO”. Conversely, when the slack state is formed in the roll paper P and the rotation member 18 rotates in the rising direction, the engagement state between the sensor engagement portion 18b and the sensor detection portion 19 is released,
The slack state “appropriate” of the roll paper P is detected.

Here, the change of the slack state of the roll paper P,
The relationship with the direction of rotation of the rotating member 18 will be described with reference to FIG. 14A shows a state in which the slack of the roll paper P is reduced and the rotating member 18 is lying down, and FIG. 14B shows a state in which the roll paper P forms a certain slack and the rotating member 18 rises. It shows the state where it is. As shown in FIG. 14B, when the roll paper P is sufficiently loosened, the rotating member 18 rises by the urging force of the torsion coil spring 23, and when the looseness of the roll paper P is reduced, the roll paper P is moved to the torsion coil spring. The rotation member 18 is turned in the direction to lie down against the urging force of 23, so that a state as shown in FIG. 14A is obtained. In the present embodiment, the roll R is set in the roll paper cassette 1 in a state where the winding direction of the roll R is counterclockwise in FIG. 14, but this is reversed, that is, the clockwise state. Roll paper cassette 1
You can set it to

The torsion coil spring 23 is adapted to apply an urging force to the rotating member 18 by engaging with the main body side pressing portion 22, and disengage from the main body side pressing portion 22. In the state, since one end is in a free state, no urging force is applied to the rotating member 18. FIG. 9 shows this state, in which the rotating member 18 is in a lying state due to the disengagement state between the torsion coil spring 23 and the main body side pressing portion 22. As a result, the roll paper P is fed between the paper feed roller 11 and the paper feed driven roller 12.
When inserting the roll paper P, the rotation member 18 does not become a hindrance, and the work of inserting the roll paper P becomes easier. Then, as shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, when the roll paper cassette 1 is mounted on the duplex printing apparatus 100,
First, the torsion coil spring 21 constituting the sheet feeding device 10 is engaged with the main body side pressing portion 22 to exhibit its function.
A torsion coil spring 23 that constitutes the slack forming device 9 in the order shown in FIGS.
The function of the slack forming device 9 is exerted by urging the rotating member 18.

Next, the operation and effect of the slack forming device 9 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 16A is a flowchart illustrating a processing routine of the slack forming device 9 during the printing operation, and FIG. 16B is a flowchart illustrating a processing routine of the slack forming device 9 during the winding operation of the roll R. . First, the operation and effect of the slack forming device 9 during the printing operation will be described with reference to FIG. When the slack forming device 9 detects the slack state “No” of the roll paper P (Yes in step 501), the drum rotating roller 4 is driven to rotate forward to rotate the roll R forward (step 502). A slack state “suitable” of the paper P is formed. Therefore, during the execution of the printing operation in the first recording device 102A, the first recording device 10
In the feeding path to 2A, the slack state of the roll paper P is always formed, and therefore, the first recording apparatus 102A
The first recording device 102
In A, a normal printing operation can be performed.
If the slack state “No” of the roll paper P is not detected, the rotation drive of the drum turning roller 4 is stopped (step 503), and the process waits until the slack state “No” of the roll paper P is detected. I do. As described above, even when the slack forming device 9 increases the weight of the roll R and the force required to rotate the roll R (the force required to feed out the roll paper P), the first recording is performed. A normal printing operation can be performed in the device 102A.

Next, the operation and effect of the slack forming device 9 during the winding operation of the roll R will be described with reference to FIG. When the roll paper P is fed out by a fixed amount from the transport roller 103 of the first recording apparatus 102A, the transport roller 103 and the paper feed roller 11
Must be reversed, in this case, the first recording device 1
An extreme slack state is formed between 02A and the roll R,
The roll paper P may be bent or the like. However, when the slack forming device 9 detects the slack state “suitable” of the roll paper P, the drum rotation roller 4 is driven to rotate in the reverse direction, the roll R is rotated in the reverse direction, and the roll paper P is wound up. Thus, the above-described problems can be avoided. Therefore, when the slack forming device 9 does not detect the slack state “No” of the roll paper P, that is, when it detects the slack state “suitable” (negative branch of step 601), the drum rotation roller 4 is driven to rotate in the reverse direction. The roll R is rotated in the reverse direction to wind up the slack portion (step 602), and when the slack state “NO” is detected (step 60)
(Affirmative branch of 1)), the drum rotation roller 4 is stopped, and the process waits until the slack is formed on the roll paper P again. As described above, the slack forming device 9 can provide the effects of reducing the transport load during printing and preventing the roll paper P from being bent during the paper returning operation.

2-4. Roll Paper Cassette Positioning and Mounting Position Fixing Means Next, the positioning and mounting position fixing means of the roll paper cassette 1 with respect to the duplex printing apparatus 100 will be described with reference to FIGS. Here, FIGS. 17 to 2
Numeral 0 is a side sectional view of the roll paper cassette 1, and shows an operation transition of each component of the roll paper cassette 1 when the roll paper cassette 1 is mounted on the duplex printing apparatus 100. FIG. 21 is a rear perspective view of the roll paper cassette 1.

First, in FIG. 17, the above-described drum rotating roller gear 4c is mounted on the front side (right side in FIG. 17) of the roll paper cassette 1. When the roll paper cassette 1 is mounted on the duplex printing apparatus 100, the drum rotating roller gear 4c is provided on the duplex printing apparatus 100 side and transmits a rotating power to the drum rotating roller gear 4c. , Whereby the drum rotation roller 4 rotates. Reference numeral 26 denotes a drive motor, and a pinion gear 27 attached to the drive motor 26 is always connected to the power transmission gear 25 via a gear 25a.

Next, the rear side of the roll paper cassette 1 (FIG. 1)
7 (left side in FIG. 7), a first sheet feeding roller gear 16a attached to one end of the sheet feeding roller shaft 11a is attached so as to mesh with a second sheet feeding roller gear 16b. When the roll paper cassette 1 is attached to the duplex printing apparatus 100, the second feed roller gear 16b meshes with the power transmission gear 17 attached to the duplex printing apparatus 100, and thereby the feed roller shaft 11a (feeding roller). Paper roller 1
1) rotates. Note that reference numerals 26a to 26
A gear train shown by d indicates a gear train for transmitting rotational power from a drive motor (not shown) to the power transmission gear 17.

The meshing state of the gears described above, that is,
The meshing state between the drum rotation roller gear 4c and the power transmission gear 25, and the second paper feed roller gear 16b and the power transmission gear 1
The suitability of the engagement with the roll paper cassette 1 is determined by the attachment state of the roll paper cassette 1 to the duplex printing apparatus 100. That is, if the roll paper cassette 1 is mounted at an accurate position on the duplex printing apparatus 100 and the mounted state is not firmly held, the direction in which the roll paper cassette 1 is detached from the duplex printing apparatus 100 by the rotation of the gears. There is a risk of moving to. Therefore, the roll paper cassette 1 is transferred to the duplex printing apparatus 1.
In order to load the roll paper cassette 1
Has a mounting position fixing means 15A, and the mounting position fixing means 15A is mounted on the duplex printing apparatus 100 at an accurate position by engaging with the main body side locking member 28A, and the mounting state is changed. Can be held firmly. Hereinafter, the configuration of the mounting position fixing means 15A and the main body side lock member 28A will be described.

A U-shaped groove 27 constituting the mounting position fixing means 15A is provided at the rear end of the roll paper cassette 1 (on the left side in FIG. 17). The U-shaped groove 27 is formed so as to have an opening on the side of the mounting direction of the roll paper cassette 1 (left side in FIG. 17) as shown in the figure, and when the roll paper cassette 1 is mounted on the duplex printing apparatus 100. The first positioning pin 29a constituting the main body side locking member 28A provided on the double-sided printing apparatus 100 is engaged with the first positioning pin 29a to restrict the movement of the roll paper cassette 1 in the mounting direction (left direction in FIG. 17). The backlash in the meshing state between the rotating roller gear 4c and the power transmission gear 25 and the meshing state between the second paper feed roller gear 16b and the power transmission gear 17 are optimized.

Next, a hook member 31 constituting the mounting position fixing means 15A is attached near the U-shaped groove 27. The hook member 31 is connected to the main body side locking member 28.
And is engaged with the second positioning pin 30 to restrict the movement of the roll paper cassette 1 in a direction in which the roll paper cassette 1 is separated from the duplex printing apparatus 100 (to the right in FIG. 17). More specifically, the hook member 31 is a rotation fulcrum 3 for rotating in a direction orthogonal to the axial direction of the second positioning pin 30.
1a, and switches between an engaged state and a disengaged state with the second positioning pin 30 by rotating about the rotation fulcrum 31a. A spring engagement portion 31b extending vertically downward is formed below the rotation fulcrum 31a, and the spring engagement portion 31b further includes a tension coil spring 3b as shown in the drawing.
2 are attached, whereby the hook members 31
Are rotationally biased in a direction to always maintain the engagement state with the second positioning pin 30.

Further, at a position further away from the engagement portion with the second positioning pin 30 with the rotation fulcrum 31a interposed therebetween, the rotation power acting portion 31c is formed so as to extend in the direction away from the rotation fulcrum 31a. The hook member 31 can be turned in a direction in which the hook member 31 is released from the engagement with the second positioning pin 30 by depressing the turning power acting portion 31c from above. On the other hand, the duplex printing device 10
On the 0 side, there is provided a hook rotating portion 33 which is located above the turning power operating portion 31c when the roll paper cassette 1 is mounted and can press down the turning power operating portion 31c. When a certain roll paper cassette 1 is pulled out of the duplex printing apparatus 100, the roll rotating cassette 33 is lifted upward, so that the hook rotating portion 33 rotates the turning power acting portion 31c.
Is pressed, so that the hook member 31 and the second positioning pin 30
Can be released from the engagement state.

Next, the transition of the state of engagement between the mounting position fixing means 15A and the main body side locking member 28A when the roll paper cassette 1 is mounted on the duplex printing apparatus 100 will be described with reference to FIGS. I do. First, in FIG. 17, at the bottom of the roll paper cassette 1, a cassette-side projection 34 is formed so as to project downward. On the other hand, on the side of the duplex printing apparatus 100, a main body side projection 3 which is convex upward.
When the roll paper cassette 1 is mounted on the duplex printing apparatus 100, the roll paper cassette 1 is mounted on the duplex printing apparatus 100 with the roll paper cassette 1 slightly lifted upward (FIG. 22 also). reference).

Next, FIG. 18 shows a state in which the cassette side projection 34 rides on the main body side projection 35. In this state, the U-shaped groove portion 27 is
Start engagement with a. Further, in the hook member 31, the leading end 31d in the mounting direction of the roll paper cassette 1 is
When the engagement with the second positioning pin 30 is started, the second positioning pin 30 is formed in a slope so as to ride on the second positioning pin 30 without resistance.
As a result, the hook member 31 is slightly rotated clockwise in FIG.

Next, when the roll paper cassette 1 further advances in the mounting direction from the state shown in FIG. 18 and the cassette-side projection 34 completely passes through the main-body-side projection 35, the U-shaped as shown in FIG. When the engagement between the groove 27 and the first positioning pin 29 is completed, the meshing state between the second paper feed roller gear 16b and the power transmission gear 17 and the drum rotation roller gear 4c
The meshing state between the power transmission gear 25 and the power transmission gear 25 becomes an optimal state.

Next, from the state shown in FIG. 19, as shown in FIG. 20, the cassette-side projection 34 is completely fitted into the rear side of the apparatus (the left side in FIGS. 19 and 20) of the main-body-side projection 35, and is rolled. When the paper cassette 1 returns to the horizontal state and the engagement between the cassette-side projection 34 and the main-body-side projection 35 is completed, the engagement between the hook member 31 and the second positioning pin 30 is also completed, and the roll paper cassette 1 is removed. The printer is completely mounted on the double-sided printing apparatus 100, that is, mounted on a proper position and firmly fixed on the proper position.

By the way, in the roll paper cassette 1,
The mounting positions of the power transmission gear 17 and the second paper feed roller gear 16b in the axial direction (the direction of the front and back of the paper surface in FIG. 20) are fixed by a configuration as shown in FIG. That is,
The first positioning pin 29a engaged with the U-shaped groove 27 is
As shown in the figure, the fitting portion 29b fitted with the U-shaped groove 27 has large diameter portions on both sides. Since the shaft diameter of the large-diameter portion is formed to be larger than the radial dimension of the U-shaped groove 27, when the U-shaped groove 27 is engaged with the first positioning pin 29a, the U-shaped groove is formed. Reference numeral 27 restricts the movement of the first positioning pin 29a in the axial direction by the large diameter portions on both sides of the fitting portion 29b. Accordingly, the movement of the roll paper cassette 1 in the front-to-back direction in FIG. 20 is thereby restricted, and the mounting position of the roll paper cassette 1 with respect to the duplex printing apparatus 100 is more reliably fixed. In the roll paper cassette 1, a mounting position fixing means 15B is provided on the side opposite to the side on which the mounting position fixing means 15A is provided (see FIG. 5: the same configuration as the mounting position fixing means 15A). The main body of the two-sided printing apparatus 100 is provided with a main body side lock member (not shown: similar in structure to the main body side lock member 18A) to be engaged with the mounting position fixing means 15B. Is more securely held and fixed to the duplex printing apparatus 100.

By the way, the mounting position fixing means 15A configured as described above not only makes the mounting state of the roll paper cassette 1 suitable for the double-sided printing apparatus 100 appropriate, but also has the following operational effects. I have. That is, as shown in FIG. 20, when the roll paper cassette 1 is mounted on the duplex printing apparatus 100, the loading position fixing means 15A moves the duplex printing apparatus near the power transmission gear 17 and the second paper feed roller gear 16b. 100 engages with the main body side locking member 18A provided on the main body side to exert its function. On the other hand, when the power transmission gear 17 and the second paper feed roller gear 16b mesh with each other and the rotational power is transmitted, the second paper feed roller gear 16b receives a force in a direction away from the power transmission gear 17 and rolls. The user attempts to remove the paper cassette 1 from the duplex printing apparatus 100. However, the mounting position fixing means 15A
Since the power transmission gear 17 and the second paper feed roller gear 16b are provided in the vicinity of the power transmission gear 17 and the second paper feed roller gear 16b, the power transmission gear 17 and the second paper feed roller gear 16b can reliably resist the force in the separating direction.
It is possible to maintain an appropriate meshing state with the paper feed roller gear 16b in a more precise state.

It is to be noted that the roll paper cassette 1 is mounted on the duplex printing apparatus 1.
The withdrawal operation for withdrawing from 00 can be performed by going through the reverse order. In other words, the roll paper cassette 1 is pulled out of the duplex printing apparatus 100 by pulling it upward (to the right in FIG. 20) while lifting the roll paper cassette 1 upward from the mounted state shown in FIG. be able to. More specifically, when the roll paper cassette 1 is lifted upward, the turning portion 33c of the hook member 31 is pressed down by the hook rotating portion 33, and the engagement between the hook member 31 and the second positioning pin 30 is changed. Then, the roll paper cassette 1 is ready to be pulled out. Here, the rear side of the roll paper cassette 1 in the mounted state is not visible from the user side, and therefore, the hook member 31 and the second positioning pin 3 are not visible.
In some cases, the user cannot understand that the relationship between the hook rotating unit 33 and the hook rotating unit 33 can be removed by lifting the roll paper cassette 1 upward. Apparatus 10
0, the cassette-side projection 34 and the main-body-side projection 35 are provided at positions that can be viewed from the user side during the attachment / detachment operation. Of the roll paper cassette 1 can be easily understood by the user.

2-5. Next, the main connector 13 will be described with reference to FIGS.
Of the main connector 13 and sub-connector 1
4 is described. Here, FIG. 22 is a perspective view showing an attached state of the main connector 13, and FIG.
FIG. 23A is a plan view of a connection connector attaching device 36 for attaching the main connector 13, and FIG. 23B is a sectional side view of the same.
FIGS. 24A to 24E are side sectional views showing a method of connecting the main connector 13 and the sub-connector 14.

First, as shown in FIG.
Is a two-sided printing apparatus 10 on which the roll paper cassette 1 is mounted.
In the middle of 0, it is attached by the connection connector attaching device 36 as shown in the figure, with the connection port facing the front side of the apparatus (the direction facing the roll paper cassette 1). The main connector 13 is attached at a position where it can be connected to the sub-connector 14 (see FIG. 7) provided at the bottom of the roll paper cassette 1 when the roll paper cassette 1 is mounted. Here, the sub-connector 14 is fixed so as not to swing in the roll paper cassette 1, while the main connector 13 is connected so that its connection port can swing with respect to the sub-connector 14. It is attached by the connecting connector attaching device 36.

Next, a detailed configuration of the connector mounting device 36 will be described with reference to FIG. In FIG. 23, the main connector 13 is mounted on a connector mounting plate 41. As shown in FIG. 23 (B), the lower part of the connector mounting plate 41 is a rear side of the apparatus (FIG. 23).
L-shape extending toward the left side in (B)). A first guide member 40 and a second guide member 39 are provided so as to sandwich the connector mounting plate 41, and the connector mounting plate 41 provides a certain clearance between the first guide member 40 and the second guide member 39. The connector mounting plate 41 (main connector 13) is placed in the formed state, and the stopper portion 41b formed on the connector mounting plate 41 can be brought into contact with the lower portion of the first guide member 40. It is designed to restrict upward movement. A tension coil spring 37 is attached between the first guide member 40 and the stopper portion 41b.
1 (main connector 13) is thus constantly urged upward. As described above, the connector mounting plate 41 is connected to the first guide member 4 as shown by the arrow in FIG.
The main connector 13 can swing between the first guide member 39 and the second guide member 39. The above is the configuration of the connection connector mounting device 36.

Next, the operation and effect of the connector mounting device 36 will be described with reference to FIG. In FIG. 24, reference numeral 14 indicates a sub-connector fixed to the roll paper cassette 1, and the main connector 13 includes a male connector 13a and a female connector 13b.
The sub-connector 14 includes a female connector 14a and a male connector 14a. The male connector 13a and the female connector 14a are connected, and at the same time, the female connector 13b and the male connector 14b are connected. It has become.

First, as shown in FIG. 24A, the main connector 13 maintains a substantially horizontal state before being connected to the sub-connector 14. On the other hand, the sub-connector 14 fixed to the roll paper cassette 1 approaches the main connector 14 at an angle α (the state of the roll paper cassette 1 shown in FIG. 18). Next, as shown in FIG. 24 (b), the tip of the sub-connector 14 starts to be fitted into the main connector 13, and the state shown in FIG. Here, since the sub-connector 14 is in the state having the angle α and the main connector 13 is swingable in the direction of the arrow shown in FIG.
It is displaced to a state where an upward angle α is formed in accordance with the posture of the sub-connector 14. Next, as shown in FIG. 24D, the sub-connector 14 is completely fitted into the main connector 13 (the roll paper cassette 1 is in the state shown in FIG. 19), and as the roll paper cassette 1 becomes horizontal, 24 (e), the sub-connector 14 makes the main connector 13 horizontal, and displaces the main connector 13 downward against the urging force of the tension coil spring 37, as shown in FIG. Let it.

As described above, the main connector 13 is
FIG. 24 shows the “connector angle at pick-up” as shown in FIG.
Since the “connector angle at the time of connection” as shown in (e) is attached so as to be freely displaceable in accordance with the state of engagement with the sub-connector 14, the duplex printing apparatus 100 as a main apparatus
In the operation of attaching and detaching the roll paper cassette 1 as a sub-apparatus, even when the roll paper cassette 1 forms various angles with respect to the duplex printing apparatus 100 as shown in FIGS. The connector 13 can be adjusted to the posture of the sub-connector 14, so that the connection or disconnection operation between the connectors can be performed smoothly without difficulty.

In this embodiment, the main connector 1
Reference numeral 3 denotes a substantially horizontal state in a disengaged state with the sub-connector 14, but the approach angle (α) of the sub-connector 14 is determined in advance.
By providing the same angle as that described above, the connection or disconnection operation between the main connector 13 and the sub-connector 14 can be performed more smoothly. In the present embodiment, the connection connector mounting device 36 is connected to the duplex printing device 10.
The effect is obtained by applying the present invention to the connection between the connectors between the paper cassette 0 and the roll paper cassette 1, but other general connection between the apparatuses, that is, the main apparatus and the sub apparatus detachably provided to the main apparatus. It is needless to say that the present invention is applicable to connection between connectors with a device.

2-6. Next, the configuration, operation, and effects of the roll paper end detection device 7 will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 3, 5, and 25. Here, FIG. 25 is a side view of a feeding path of the roll paper P from the roll paper cassette 1 to the first recording device 102A. 3 and 5, a roll paper end detecting device (hereinafter referred to as “end detecting device”) 7 is provided at the bottom of the roll paper cassette 1. The end detecting device 7 includes a turning member 42 having a turning axis 42a parallel to the turning axis of the roll R,
The rotation member 42 is roughly constituted by a reflectance sensor 44 provided as a "end mark reading sensor" provided at a position separated from the rotation shaft 42a.

The rotating member 42 is biased by a biasing member (not shown) in a rising direction (a direction of pressing against the roll R), and the outer diameter of the roll R decreases as the remaining amount of the roll R decreases. Even if the roller is reduced, the guide rollers 43, 43 provided at positions separated from the rotation shaft 42a can always follow the outer peripheral surface of the roll R and be driven and rotated. The roll R has, at its end,
An end mark (for example, a fill of a specific color) is provided over a predetermined length from the end, and the reflectance sensor 44
Detects the reflectance difference between the color of the part without the end mark (for example, white) and the color of the part with the end mark, and the reflectance sensor 44 detects the reflectance difference. Then, the end detection device 7 transmits to the control unit (not shown) of the duplex printing apparatus 100 that the roll R is approaching the end at the detection position of the reflectance sensor 44.

Next, in FIG. 25, the symbol 1 indicates the position of the first recording device 1 from the end mark detection position of the reflectance sensor 44.
02A indicates the path length to the leading end position of the roll paper P when starting the recording operation, that is, the length of the roll paper P. In the double-sided printing apparatus 100, the length of the roll paper P required for one recording operation is the longest one m. Here, the reflectance sensor 44 and the first recording device 102A are arranged such that the relationship between the path length l and the length m of the roll paper P required in the one recording operation satisfies l> m. Have been.

Therefore, when the reflectance sensor 44 does not detect the end mark, it can be determined that there is always a length necessary for at least one remaining printing operation, and if the printing operation is started in this state. It is possible to avoid a problem that the remaining length of the roll paper P is insufficient during the printing and a wasteful printing operation is performed. Therefore, when the end mark is detected, it can be determined that the length required for the remaining one printing operation does not exist. In this case, the printing operation is not started, and in some cases, the transport driving rollers 103a, 103a, The roll paper P is wound up by driving the paper feed roller 11 and the drum rotation roller 4 to rotate in the reverse direction.

As described above, it is possible to accurately determine whether or not it is possible to perform at least one remaining printing operation even on the roll R whose remaining amount is difficult to determine, before starting the printing operation.
Thus, useless printing operation can be eliminated. In the case where the length m of the roll paper P required for one printing operation is long and the path length l cannot be sufficiently secured, the roll paper P is fed out from the first recording device 102A once by a predetermined amount. The path length from the leading edge of the roll paper P to the detection position of the reflectance sensor 44 is set to m or more. In this state, the presence or absence of the end mark is detected by the reflectance sensor 44. A similar operation and effect can be obtained by performing the paper return operation so that the leading end returns to the print operation start position and then starting the print operation.

[0075]

As described above, according to the present invention, the end mark reading sensor for reading the end mark attached to the end portion of the roll paper is provided, and the end mark reading sensor is provided on the feeding path. Since it is arranged at a position at least equal to the length necessary for the remaining one recording operation from the leading end position of the recording material at the time of starting the recording operation, the end mark is read at the position and the presence or absence of the end mark is determined. By making the determination, it is possible to accurately determine whether or not it is possible to perform at least one remaining recording operation before the start of the recording operation even on the roll paper whose remaining amount is difficult to determine. Can be eliminated

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an external perspective view of a recording apparatus (double-sided printing apparatus) according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic side sectional view of a recording apparatus (double-sided printing apparatus) according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the roll paper cassette showing a state in which a lid of the roll paper cassette according to the present invention is closed.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the roll paper cassette showing a state where a lid of the roll paper cassette according to the present invention is opened.

FIG. 5 is an internal plan view of the roll paper cassette according to the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a side view of a feeding path of the duplex printing apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a front view of the roll paper cassette according to the present invention as viewed from the rear.

FIG. 8 is an exploded perspective view of a roll paper roll and a rotating drum to which the roll paper roll is attached.

FIG. 9 is a side sectional view of the roll paper cassette according to the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a side sectional view of the roll paper cassette according to the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a side sectional view of the roll paper cassette according to the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a side sectional view of the roll paper cassette according to the present invention.

FIG. 13 is a side sectional view of a roll paper cassette according to the present invention.

FIG. 14A shows a loose state “suitable” of roll paper,
(B) is a side sectional view of the roll paper cassette according to the present invention, showing a roll paper slack state “No”.

FIG. 15 is a perspective view of a slack detection unit of the slack forming device according to the present invention.

FIG. 16A is a flowchart showing a processing flow during a printing operation of the slack forming apparatus according to the present invention, and FIG. 16B is a flowchart showing a processing flow during the roll paper winding operation. .

FIG. 17 is a side sectional view of the roll paper cassette according to the present invention.

FIG. 18 is a side sectional view of the roll paper cassette according to the present invention.

FIG. 19 is a side sectional view of the roll paper cassette according to the present invention.

FIG. 20 is a side sectional view of the roll paper cassette according to the present invention.

FIG. 21 is a rear perspective view of the roll paper cassette according to the present invention.

FIG. 22 is an external perspective view of the connection connector mounting device according to the present invention.

FIG. 23A is a plan view of the connector mounting apparatus according to the present invention, and FIG. 23B is a sectional side view of the same.

FIG. 24 is a side sectional view showing the operation of the connection connector attaching device according to the present invention.

FIG. 25 is a side view of a feeding path of the duplex printing apparatus according to the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 roll paper cassette 2 lid 2 c dust stacker 3 paper feed roller 4 drum rotation roller 5 drum auxiliary roller 6 rotating drum 7 roll paper end detection device 8 paper discharge stacker 9 roll paper slack forming device 10 paper feed device 11 paper feed Roller 12 Paper feed driven roller 13 Main connector 14 Sub connector 15A, 15B Mounting position fixing means 16a First paper feed roller gear 16b Second paper feed roller gear 17 Power transmission gear 18 Rotating member 19 Sensor detecting unit 20 Rotating member 21 Torsion coil spring 22 Body side pressurizing part 23 Torsion coil spring 24 Guide roller 25 Power transmission gear 26 Feeding roller drive train 27 U-shaped groove 28A Body side locking member 29a First positioning pin 30 Second positioning pin 31 Hook member 32 tension coil spring 33 hook rotating part 34 Socket side projection 35 main body side projection 36 main connector mounting device 37 tension coil spring 38 auxiliary roller 39 second guide member 40 first guide member 41 connector mounting plate 42 rotating member 43 guide roller 44 reflectance sensor 50A, 50B Cutter device 100 Double-sided printing device 102A First recording device 102B Second recording device P roll paper R roll paper roll

Continued on front page F-term (reference) 2C058 AB16 AC07 AE04 AE09 AF06 AF20 AF23 GB04 GB15 GB36 GB47 GB55 2C059 AA22 AA26 AA48 AA55 AA67 AA73 AB01 2C060 BA03 BA05 BA09 BC03 BC04 BC12 BC15 BC84 BC95 BC99 3F052 AA01 AB05 AB05 3F103 AA02 BA04

Claims (9)

[Claims] 1. A roll-shaped recording material provided with a transport roller capable of rotating the recording material at a constant pitch to a recording unit for performing recording on the recording material, the recording material being fed in a roll form. End detecting device for detecting whether or not a recording material having a length necessary for at least one remaining recording operation remains in a recording apparatus that performs recording by using An end mark reading sensor that reads an end mark indicating a position of a fixed length from the end of the material is provided, and, in the feeding path of the recording material, from the detection position of the end mark reading sensor,
The end mark reading sensor is arranged at a position where the path length to the leading end position of the recording material when starting the recording operation is equal to or longer than the length of the recording material necessary for at least one remaining recording operation. And a roll paper end detecting device. 2. The roll paper end detecting device according to claim 1, further comprising roll paper rotating means for rotating the recording material wound in a roll shape in a reverse rotation direction. 3. A paper feeder for a recording material wound in a roll, comprising a transport roller capable of rotating the recording material at a constant pitch to a recording section for recording on the recording material. End detecting device for detecting whether or not a recording material having a length necessary for at least one remaining recording operation remains in a recording apparatus that performs recording by using An end mark reading sensor for reading an end mark indicating a position of a fixed length from the end of the material, and roll paper rotating means for rotating the recording material wound in a roll in the reverse direction. Prior to the start of the recording operation, the path length from the detection position of the end mark reading sensor to the leading end position of the recording material in the recording material feeding path is a recording material necessary for the at least one recording operation. So that it is longer than The recording material is once fed by the conveyance roller, and in the state where the recording material is once fed, the presence / absence of the end mark is detected by the end mark reading sensor. If the end mark is not detected, the conveyance roller and the roll An end-of-roll-paper detecting apparatus, characterized in that the paper rotating means is rotated in the reverse direction, whereby the leading end of the recording material is returned to the recording operation start position so that the recording operation can be started. 4. The recording medium according to claim 3, wherein when the end mark is detected, the transporting roller and the roll paper rotating means are rotated in the reverse direction to completely wind the once fed recording material. A roll paper end detecting device, characterized in that: 5. The recording medium according to claim 2, wherein the roll paper rotating means is capable of rotating the recording material wound in a roll shape in a normal rotation direction. Roll paper end detecting device. 6. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising roll paper moving means for moving the recording material wound in a roll shape in an axial direction. Roll paper end detecting device. 7. The recording medium according to claim 1, wherein the roll paper rotating means passes through a core portion of the recording material wound in a roll shape, and a rotating power is applied to the core portion. A drum shaft provided at both shaft ends of the drum shaft, and a flange having an outer diameter larger than the outer diameter of the recording material wound into a roll. A roll rotating roller that carries a rotating drum and transmits a rotating power to the flange portion. 8. A recording apparatus comprising the roll paper end detecting device according to claim 1. Description: 9. A sheet discharge roller for discharging a recording material on which recording has been performed in the recording section, and a recording material discharged by the discharge roller is substantially U in a side view.
A feeding path that feeds the recording material by inverting and curving it into a character shape, a second recording unit that performs recording on the unrecorded surface of the recording material whose unrecorded surface faces upward by the feeding path, The second transporting the recording material at a constant pitch to the second recording section
A recording apparatus comprising: a transport roller; and a second discharge roller that discharges a recording material on which recording has been performed in the second recording unit.