JP2003267607A - Paper feeding device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To accurately read a code of a core regardless of width of a recording paper roll. <P>SOLUTION: Two kinds of recording paper rolls 11 and 12 having different width are set in a paper feeding device. A pair of holders are mounted to respective recording paper rolls 11 and 12. A support member 22 supports one holder 24. The support member 22 is provided with a reading device 20. The reading device 20 comprises a photo sensor 61 and a moving mechanism 62. A shaft part 44 of the holder 24 is provided with a plurality of grooves 44a and 44b for positioning the recording paper rolls 11 and 12, and an uneven part is formed in the axial direction. When the recording paper roll 12 having a large width is set, the groove 44a as a recessed part faces to a first interlocking member 63 and hence the photo sensor 61 does not move. When the recording paper roll 11 having a small width is set, the shaft part 44 presses and lowers the first interlocking member 63 to make the photo sensor 61 approach the end surface of the core 16. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2003,JPO

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a paper feeding device for drawing a recording paper from a recording paper roll and feeding it to a print unit. More specifically, the present invention relates to a paper feeding device with a sensor for reading a code recorded on the end face of a winding core. It relates to the device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A photographic printer or a color thermal printer uses a recording paper roll in which a long recording paper is wound in a roll shape and cut into a prescribed size after printing. Since the photographic printing paper and the thermal recording paper are provided with photosensitivity and light fixing property, they are rotatably accommodated in a paper feeding device such as a paper feeding magazine having a moisture retaining property and a light shielding property. This paper feed magazine is detachably set in the printer body, for example. The paper feed magazine feeds the recording paper pulled out from the recording paper roll to a print unit that performs print processing.

For example, a paper feed magazine disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2001-192151 is provided with a pair of support members for rotatably supporting a recording paper roll.
When setting the recording paper roll in this paper feed magazine,
A pair of holders are attached to both ends of the roll, and each holder is attached to the support member. Each of these holders includes a fitting portion that fits with the inner circumference of the winding core, a flange that presses the end surface of the recording paper roll, and a shaft portion. A slit is formed in the support member, and the recording paper roll is rotatably held by inserting the shaft portion into the slit. The shaft portion is provided with a positioning groove for positioning the recording paper roll in the width direction by engaging with the support member.

In the paper feed magazine, there is provided a drive roller which comes into contact with the outer circumference of the recording paper roll and rotates the roll. The recording paper roll is pressed against the drive roller, and moves toward the drive roller according to the change in the winding diameter.

The core of the recording paper roll has a code recorded on its end face, which indicates information such as the type of recording paper, thermal sensitivity, and manufacturer's name. A reading sensor for reading the code is provided in the paper feed magazine. The reading sensor moves following the movement of the winding core due to the change in the winding diameter.

[0006]

By the way, there are various widths of the recording paper. Since the length of the core depends on the width of the recording paper, if the width of the recording paper changes, the end surface of the core also moves in the axial direction. The reading sensor described above moves according to the change in the winding diameter, but the position in the axial direction is fixed. Therefore, if the width of the recording paper changes,
There is a problem that the distance between the code reading sensor and the end surface of the winding core changes, which causes a reading failure, or in the worst case, the reading cannot be performed.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide a paper feeding device capable of accurately reading a code recorded on a core even when using recording paper rolls having different widths.

[0008]

In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, a paper feeding device of the present invention comprises a pair of recording paper rolls each having a long core wound around a core in a roll shape. In a paper feeding device that rotatably stores with the holder attached, pulls out the recording paper from the recording paper roll and feeds it to the print unit, the sensor that reads the code recorded on the end face of the core and the width of the recording paper roll. And a sensor moving mechanism for moving the sensor in the same direction so as to follow the end face when the axial position of the end face of the winding core changes.

The sensor moving mechanism is provided on the one holder, and has an engaging portion on which concaves and convexes are formed along the axial direction, and the engaging portion is engaged with the engaging portion, depending on the position in the axial direction. An interlocking member for displacing and moving the sensor in the axial direction.

Further, another paper feeding device of the present invention rotatably accommodates a recording paper roll in which a long recording paper is wound around a winding core, and the recording paper is pulled out from the recording paper roll to print unit. In a paper feeding device that feeds paper to a roller, in order to bring the outer circumference of the roll into contact with the drive roller even when the winding diameter changes and the paper feed roller that comes into contact with the outer circumference of the roll to rotate it, A support member that supports the roll so that its rotation center is movable, and a sensor that reads a code recorded on the end surface of the core are provided, and the sensor is a core that changes according to a change in the winding diameter. Is located at a specific position that always faces a part of the end surface of the winding core, even when is moved.

[0011]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION The paper feed magazine 10 shown in FIG.
It is a paper feeding device that is detachably set in a printer and feeds recording paper to a printing unit. The paper feed magazine 10 can selectively store a recording paper roll 11 having a wide recording paper width and a recording paper roll 12 having a narrow recording paper width. When the recording paper rolls 11 and 12 are stored in the paper feed magazine 10, recording paper roll holder devices 13 are attached to both ends of the recording paper rolls 11 and 12.

The recording paper rolls 11 and 12 are obtained by winding long recording papers 14 and 15 around hollow cores 16 and 17, respectively. The width L1 of the recording paper 14 is, for example, 89 mm, and the width L2 of the recording paper 15 is, for example,
It is 100 mm.

A code representing information such as the type of recording paper, thermal sensitivity, and manufacturer's name is recorded on the end faces of the cores 16 and 17. The code is composed of, for example, a circular or rectangular code element, and is printed on the end surface. In the paper feed magazine 10,
A reading device 20 for reading this code is provided. For the reading device 20, for example, a photo sensor is used. The photo sensor detects a code based on the difference in reflectance between the ground of the end surface and the printed code element. The code read by the reading device 20 is sent to the controller of the printer. The controller controls the printing unit based on the information regarding these recording sheets, and performs appropriate print processing according to each recording sheet.

The paper feed magazine 10 includes a case body 18 and
It is composed of a lid 19. The case body 18 and the lid 19 are made of, for example, a light-shielding plastic. The case body 18 is provided with a pair of support members 21 and 22. Each of the support members 21 and 22 is provided with substantially L-shaped slits 21a and 22a. By attaching the holders 23 and 24 to the slits 21a and 22a, the recording paper rolls 11 and 12 are rotatably held. The interval between the support members 21 and 22 is determined according to the wide recording paper roll 12.

The case body 18 is provided with a paper feed roller 26. The paper feed magazine 10 includes the paper feed roller 2
The outer circumferences of the recording paper rolls 11 and 12 that have been set are pressed against 6 to rotate the recording paper rolls 11 and 12. The paper feed roller 26 is driven by a drive motor 28 provided in the printer via a drive gear 27. The case main body 18 is provided with leading edge separation claws and a paper feed port that separate the leading edges of the recording papers 14 and 15 from the outer peripheries of the recording paper rolls 11 and 12. The recording papers 14 and 15 that have been pulled out
Are sent from the paper feed port to the print unit.

The roll diameter of each of the recording paper rolls 11 and 12 becomes smaller as it is used. Even if the winding diameter becomes small, the outer circumference of each recording paper roll 11, 12 is always the paper feed roller
The center of rotation of each of the recording paper rolls 11 and 12 moves toward the paper feed roller 26 in accordance with the winding diameter of the recording paper rolls 11 and 12 so that the recording paper rolls 11 and 6 come into contact with each other. To enable this movement, each slit 21a, 22
The lower part of a is formed toward the paper feed roller 26 and movably holds the holders 23 and 24.

The holders 2 are attached to the support members 21 and 22, respectively.
A pressing arm 29 for contacting the recording paper rolls 3 and 24 and pressing the recording paper rolls 11 and 12 against the paper feed roller 26 is swingably provided. The pressing arm 29 is composed of a main arm 31 and an auxiliary arm 32, respectively.

As shown in FIG. 2, the main arm 31 is
A strong spring 33 urges the holders 23 and 24 in a direction (counterclockwise direction) that presses each of the holders 23 and 24 toward the paper feed roller 26. When setting the holders 23 and 24 on the support members 21 and 22, respectively, the main arm 31 is swung in the clockwise direction against the biasing force of the strong spring 33 to move the holders 23 and 24.
Is inserted into each slit 21a, 22a.

The auxiliary arm 32 and the weak spring 34 are used when the holders 23 and 24 are set.
While allowing 1 to swing with a comparatively weak force, when the lid 19 is closed, the pressing force of the main arm 31 against the holders 23, 24 is increased in cooperation with the lid 19.

That is, the weak spring 34 has one end attached to the main arm 31 and the other end attached to the auxiliary arm 32. The lid 19 is formed with an abutting portion 19a for abutting a pin 32a formed on the auxiliary arm 32 when the lid 19 is closed to press the auxiliary arm 32 counterclockwise. When the auxiliary arm 32 is swung counterclockwise, the auxiliary arm 32 moves together with the main arm 31 due to the engagement.

When the lid 19 is open, the contact portion 19
Since it is not pressed by a, the auxiliary arm 32 swings in the direction in which the weak spring 34 extends (clockwise). Since the holders 23 and 24 are set in this state, in order to swing the main arm 31 in the clockwise direction, a force that resists the strong bias of the spring 33 is sufficient. Therefore, it is easy to set the holders 23 and 24.

On the other hand, when the lid 19 is closed, the contact portion 1
9a comes into contact with the pin 32a to swing the auxiliary arm 32 counterclockwise. This causes the weak spring 34 to compress. At this time, since the auxiliary arm 32 is pressed by the lid 19 and the clockwise swing is restricted, the biasing force of the weak spring 34 is applied in the direction of swinging the main arm 31 counterclockwise. . Therefore, since the main arm 31 is biased by the weak spring 34 in addition to the strong bias of the spring 34, the pressing force of the main arm 31 against the holders 23, 24 increases. As a result, the force of pressing the recording paper rolls 11 and 12 against the paper feed roller 26 increases, so that transmission loss of the rotational force due to slippage or the like is prevented.

As shown in FIG. 3, the recording paper roll holder device 13 comprises a pair of first and second holders 23 and 24. The first and second holders 23, 24 respectively rotatably hold the fitting portions 41, 42 fitted to the winding cores 16, 17 of the recording paper rolls 11, 12, and the fitting portions 41, 42. Shafts 43 and 44 that operate. Each holder 23, 2
The main part 4 is made of plastic, for example. Rotating shafts 46 and 47 made of metal are inserted into the fitting portions 41 and 42 and the shaft portions 43 and 44, respectively. The rotating shafts 46 and 47 rotate together with the fitting portions 41 and 42, and the shaft portions 43 and 44 rotatably support the rotating shafts 46 and 47. The flange 4 is provided on each of the fitting portions 41 and 42.
8 and 49 are attached and fixed by pins.

The flanges 48 and 49 are formed on the winding cores 16 and 17 respectively.
It is made of transparent plastic so that the end face of is exposed. The code recorded on the end face is read through the flanges 48 and 49.

The slits 21a, 22 have respective shaft portions 43,
44 is inserted. As a result, each recording paper roll 11,
12 is rotatably supported. The shafts 43 and 44 are engaged with the support members 21 and 22 so that the recording paper roll 11,
A positioning groove for positioning the position 12 in the width direction is provided. The groove 44 is formed in the shaft portion 44 of the second holder 24.
Two grooves, a and a groove 44b, are provided. Groove 44a
Is inserted into the slit 22a when the narrow recording paper roll 11 is set, while the groove 44b is inserted into the slit 22a when the wide recording paper roll 12 is set.

On the other hand, the shaft portion 43 of the first holder 23 is provided with only one groove 43a. The shaft portion 43 is provided so as to expand and contract in the width direction (axial direction) of the recording paper roll with respect to the fitting portion 42, and when the recording paper roll 11 having a narrow width is set, the groove 43a has the slit 21a. When the recording paper roll 12 having a wide width is set to the first position (shown in FIG. 3 (A)) that matches the position, the groove 43a is formed into the slit 21.
It moves to and from a second position (shown in FIG. 3B) that matches the position of a.

A spring 53 is provided inside the fitting portion 42. One end of this spring 53 abuts on the fitting portion 42,
The other end contacts the shaft portion 43. The shaft 53 is biased toward the first position by the spring 53.

The shafts 43 and 44 have different thicknesses, and the diameter d1 of the shaft 43 is smaller than the diameter d2 of the shaft 44, for example. The width of each slit 21a, 21b is also formed according to the diameter d1, d2. This prevents the holders 23 and 24 from being inserted into the opposite slits.

As shown in FIG. 4, the support member 22 is provided with a reading device 20. Reader 20
Reads the code while rotating the recording paper rolls 11 and 12. The reading device 20 includes a photo sensor 61 and a moving mechanism 62 that moves the photo sensor 61 in the axial direction.

The moving mechanism 62 includes the recording paper rolls 11 and 1
When the axial positions of the end faces of the winding cores 16 and 17 change according to the width of 2, the photosensor 61 follows the end faces of the winding core. As a result, even if the width of the recording paper roll changes,
Since the distance between the end face and the photo sensor 61 is kept substantially constant, accurate reading can be performed regardless of the width of the roll.

An opening 65 through which the photo sensor 61 is inserted is formed in the support member 22. Photo sensor 61
Is movably provided between a first position shown in FIG. 4 (B) and a second position shown in FIG. 4 (A). The first position is an initial position and is a reading position for reading the code of the core 16 when the wide recording paper roll 12 is set. The second position is a reading position for reading the code of the core 17 when the recording paper roll 11 having a narrow width is set.

In the first position, the photo sensor 61 is housed within the surface of the support member 22. By setting the first position as the initial position, the user is prevented from accidentally breaking the photo sensor 61. Of course, it does not have to be completely housed within the surface of the support member 22, and there is no problem as long as it slightly projects.

The moving mechanism 62 is composed of first and second interlocking members 63 and 64, a spring 66, and a shaft portion 44. As described above, the shaft portion 44 includes the positioning groove 4
4a is provided, and the groove 44a forms an unevenness in the axial direction. This unevenness serves as an engaging portion that engages with the first interlocking member 63.

The first interlocking member 63 is attached to the support member 22 so as to be vertically slidable. The first interlocking member 63 includes a contact portion 63a that contacts the shaft portion 44, and a second contact member 63a.
And a pressing portion 63b that presses the interlocking member 64. First
When the shaft portion 44 is set, the interlocking member 63 receives the pressure from the shaft portion 44 and descends according to the position of the unevenness. That is, when the wide recording paper roll 12 is set, the groove 44a corresponding to the concave portion and the contact portion 63a are formed.
Since and face each other, the first interlocking member 63 does not descend. On the other hand, when the recording paper roll 11 having a narrow width is set, the groove 44a and the contact portion 63a do not face each other, and therefore the shaft portion 44 pushes and lowers.

The second interlocking member 64 is provided rotatably around a shaft 64a integrally formed at both ends thereof.
The shaft 64 a is a mounting plate 67 provided on the support member 22.
Supported by. When the first interlocking member 63 is lowered, the upper end of the second interlocking member 64 is pushed by the contact portion 63a and the second interlocking member 64 swings clockwise. The second interlocking member has a substantially U-shaped cross section, and a space into which the first interlocking member 63 enters is secured between the shafts 64a.

A notch 64b is formed in the lower portion of the second interlocking member 64, and the notch 61 engages with a pin 61b provided on the photo sensor 61. With this engagement, when the second interlocking member 64 swings clockwise, the photosensor 61 moves toward the second position, while when it swings counterclockwise, the photosensor 61 moves to the first position.
Move to the position. The spring 66 is the second interlocking member 6
Bias 4 in the direction that it swings counterclockwise. As a result, the photo sensor 61 is indirectly biased toward the first position, while the first interlocking member 63 is indirectly biased upward. In this way, the moving mechanism 62 has a simple structure to suppress the probability of mechanical failure.

The photo sensor 61 moves in the axial direction according to the width of the recording paper rolls 11 and 12, but does not move in the radial direction according to the change in the winding diameter of the rolls 11 and 12. The radial position of the photosensor 61 is always fixed to a specific position facing a part of the end surface of each core 16, 17 even if each core 16, 17 moves due to a change in the winding diameter.

FIG. 5 shows each winding core 16 when the winding diameter is maximum,
The position of 17 (shown by a solid line) and the position of each winding core 16, 17 when the winding diameter is the minimum (shown by a chain double-dashed line) are shown. A region 71 indicates a region in which a part of each of the winding cores 16 and 17 is always included even when the winding cores 16 and 17 move due to a change in winding diameter. The specific position is a position facing the area 71. By arranging the light emitting / receiving unit 61a at this specific position,
The photo sensor 61 does not have to be moved in the winding diameter direction.

When the photosensor 61 is moved in the axial direction as in this embodiment, if the photosensor 61 is moved in the radial direction in addition to this movement, the moving mechanism becomes very complicated. If the moving mechanism becomes complicated, not only will the reading accuracy be lowered, but also a mechanical failure will occur. Therefore, such inconvenience is prevented by fixing the photo sensor 61 in the radial direction. Of course, the condition that the photo sensor 61 can be fixedly arranged without moving in the radial direction is that the movement amount of the rotation center of each of the recording paper rolls 11 and 12 is small and the winding core 16 is large enough to secure the area 71. , 17 must be present.

The operation of the above configuration will be described below. When the recording paper rolls 11 and 12 are not set in the paper feed magazine 10, the photo sensor 61 is at the first position and is housed within the surface of the support member 22. Therefore, the user does not accidentally break the photo sensor 61 or the moving mechanism 62 thereof.

When the wide recording paper roll 12 is set in the paper feed magazine 10, the holders 23 and 24 are attached to both ends of the recording paper roll 11. The recording paper roll 11 is lowered by aligning the first holder 23 with the support member 21 and the second holder 24 with the support member 22. Shaft 43, 4
Since the diameters d1 and d2 of 4 are different from each other, they are not loaded in reverse.

When the recording paper roll 12 is set, the groove 44b of the second holder 24 is inserted into the slit 22a. In this case, since the groove 44a and the contact portion 63a face each other, the first interlocking member 63 does not descend and does not move from the first position.

On the other hand, when the narrow recording paper roll 11 is set, the groove 44a of the second holder 24 is inserted into the slit 22a. Therefore, the first interlocking member 63 descends under the pressure from the shaft portion 44. Then spring 6
The second interlocking member 64 swings in the clockwise direction against the bias of 6, and the photo sensor 61 moves to the second position. As a result, the photo sensor 61 approaches the end surface of the winding core 16.

In the above embodiment, the positioning groove provided in the holder is used as the engaging portion, but the holder may be provided with a dedicated engaging portion. Further, the position of the photo sensor is made to correspond to the recording paper rolls of two kinds of widths.
You may make it correspond to the recording paper roll of the width more than a kind.

Further, in the above embodiment, the printed code is read by the photo sensor, but the code is not limited to the printed code, and may be, for example, a magnetically recorded code. The sensor is not limited to the photo sensor, and may be appropriately selected according to the type of code.

Further, as the paper feeding device, the paper feeding magazine detachably set in the printer has been described as an example, but the paper feeding unit may be provided in the printer. Also, in this example,
Although the example in which the rotation center of the recording paper roll moves has been described, it is of course possible to apply the present invention to a recording paper roll in which the rotation center does not move according to the change in the winding diameter of the recording paper roll. The recording paper is not limited to photographic printing paper or thermal recording paper, but may be plain paper.

[0047]

As described in detail above, the paper feeding device of the present invention reads the code recorded on the end surface of the winding core when the end surface of the winding core moves axially in accordance with the width of the recording paper roll. Since the sensor is moved so as to follow the end face, it is possible to accurately read even if the width of the recording paper roll is different.

The sensor moving mechanism is provided on the one holder, and an engaging portion having concave and convex portions formed along the axial direction is engaged with the engaging portion, depending on the axial position. The mechanism does not become complicated because it is composed of an interlocking member for displacing and moving the sensor in the axial direction.

Further, even when the center of rotation moves due to a change in the winding diameter of the recording paper roll, the sensor is always arranged at a specific position facing a part of the end face of the winding core, which complicates the sensor moving mechanism. In addition to being prevented, high reading accuracy can be secured.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram of a recording paper roll holder device and a paper feed magazine.

FIG. 2 is a side view of a paper feed magazine.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view of a holder.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing an operation of a moving mechanism.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram of a specific position where a photo sensor is arranged.

[Explanation of symbols]

10 Paper feed magazine 11,12 Recording paper roll 13 Recording paper roll holder device 14,15 Recording paper 16,17 winding core 20 reader 23 1st holder 24 Second holder 43,44 Shaft 43a, 44a, 44b grooves 61 Photo sensor 62 moving mechanism 71 areas

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A recording paper roll, in which a long recording paper is wound around a core in a roll shape, is rotatably accommodated with a pair of holders attached to both ends thereof, and the recording paper is pulled out from the recording paper roll. In a paper feeding device that feeds paper to a print unit, the sensor that reads the code recorded on the end surface of the core and the sensor when the axial position of the end surface of the core changes according to the width of the recording paper roll And a sensor moving mechanism for moving the sheet in the same direction so as to follow the end face. 2. The sensor moving mechanism is provided on the one holder, and has an engaging portion on which concaves and convexes are formed along an axial direction, and the engaging portion is engaged with the engaging portion so that the sensor moving mechanism is located at a position in the axial direction. 2. The paper feeding device according to claim 1, further comprising an interlocking member for displacing the sensor to move the sensor in the axial direction. 3. A paper feeding device for rotatably accommodating a recording paper roll having a long core wound on a winding core in a roll shape, and pulling the recording paper out of the recording paper roll and feeding it to a print unit, A paper feed roller for contacting and rotating the outer circumference of the roll, and a center of rotation of the roll being movable so that the outer circumference of the roll contacts the drive roller even when the winding diameter changes. A support member for supporting the core and a sensor for reading a code recorded on the end surface of the core are provided, and the sensor is always the core of the core even when the core moves due to a change in the winding diameter. A sheet feeding device, which is arranged at a specific position facing a part of the end face.