JP2004050686A - Printer - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To surely transfer a minimum recording medium even when a distance between driving rollers is longer than a length of the medium in a printer. <P>SOLUTION: A self rotating roller different from the driving roller such as a second paper feed roller 19 is used as a relay roller 21. The self rotating roller is a pair of rollers 21a and 21b with a fly wheel 23 for energy storage which hold a printing paper in-between. When the printing paper 4 is transferred from the second paper feed roller 19, a starting end in a transfer direction of the printing paper 4 is caught and held, whereby a rotating force of the second paper feed roller 19 transmitted via a tensile force of the printing paper 4 is stored in the fly wheel 23. When the printing paper 4 passes through the second paper feed roller 19, the printing paper 4 is transferred to a head side roller 11 by the stored rotating force with the utilization of the tensile force of the printing paper 4. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an improved technique of a printing paper transport system in a printer.
[0002]
[Prior art]
In the printer, the transport of the print paper in the paper feed tray to the print mechanism is performed by a paper feed roller located near the paper feed tray, and a detection function for the length of the print paper placed near the print mechanism. This is performed by rotation of a paper feed roller such as a roller (head-side roller) having Each of the paper feed rollers is rotated by a driving force transmitted from the motor serving as a drive source to each of the paper feed rollers via a power transmission mechanism having a belt, a gear, and the like.
[0003]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
By the way, the transmission of the driving force from the motor via the power transmission mechanism to each of the above-described paper feed rollers is performed due to restrictions due to components of the power transmission mechanism such as a belt and a gear, and due to the structure of the printer, It may be difficult due to design restrictions. Even if the above-mentioned printer is not so restrictive in terms of its structure and design, a large number of paper feed rollers are installed, and each paper feed roller is driven by a motor via a power transmission mechanism. If an attempt is made to realize a configuration for transmitting a force, the number of parts, such as a belt and a gear, as well as the paper feed roller, increases, and thus there is a problem that the cost increases.
[0004]
On the other hand, if the printer has a configuration in which the number of the paper feed rollers is reduced, the interval between the paper feed rollers increases, so that there is no problem in transporting a relatively large printing paper longer than the interval. However, there is a problem that a relatively small printing paper shorter than the interval cannot be conveyed.
[0005]
Therefore, an object of the present invention is to ensure that even if the distance between the drive rollers rotated by the power transmitted from the drive source via the power transmission mechanism is longer than the minimum length of the recording medium, the recording medium can be securely mounted. To provide a printer that can be transported to the printer.
[0006]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
A printer according to the present invention includes a driving roller that rotates by a power transmitted from a driving source via a power transmission mechanism and conveys a supplied recording medium in a predetermined direction. A relay roller arranged at a short interval, and the relay roller accumulates a rotational force generated by contact with a recording medium moving from the drive roller side, and the accumulated rotational force is And a roller that can be a driving force for conveying the recording medium in a predetermined direction.
[0007]
According to the above configuration, the relay roller accumulates a rotational force generated by contact with the recording medium moving from the driving roller side, and the accumulated rotational force is used to drive the recording medium in a predetermined direction. Since a roller having a configuration that can be used as a force is used, the distance between the drive rollers rotating by the power transmitted from the drive source via the power transmission mechanism is longer than the minimum length of the recording medium. Even if there is, the recording medium can be reliably transported in a predetermined direction by the rotational force accumulated by the relay roller.
[0008]
In a preferred embodiment according to the present invention, a paper sheet (for example, a postcard) having at least a tension enough to transmit the rotational force of the drive roller to the relay roller is used as the recording medium.
[0009]
In another embodiment, a plurality of the driving rollers are arranged, and the arrangement interval between the driving rollers is such that when the intermediate roller is interposed between the driving rollers, the intermediate roller and the driving roller are interposed. The interval is set to an interval shorter than the minimum recording medium length.
[0010]
In another embodiment, the relay roller has a flywheel for energy storage, for example.
[0011]
In another embodiment different from the above, as the relay roller, for example, by sandwiching a recording medium moving from the drive roller side from both surfaces thereof, the accumulation of the rotational force and the driving of the accumulated rotational force are performed. A pair of rollers each of which emits a force is used.
[0012]
Further, in another embodiment different from the above, among the respective drive rollers, the drive roller located on the upstream side in the transport direction of the recording medium is, for example, a paper feed roller close to the paper feed tray, and The drive roller located on the downstream side is a recording medium detection roller.
[0013]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
[0014]
FIG. 1 shows a schematic configuration of a main part of a printer according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[0015]
As shown in FIG. 1, in the printer 100, for example, the supply of the printing paper 2 to the print head 5 from the first paper feed tray 1 that stores the printing paper 2 of a relatively large size such as A4 size or more, The supply of the printing paper 4 to the print head 5 from the second tray 3 containing the printing paper 4 of a relatively small size, such as an official postcard or an official reciprocating postcard (hereinafter referred to as “official postcard”). 7 is selectively performed.
[0016]
That is, with respect to the printing paper 2, it refers to a roller to which a driving force of a driving roller (a paper feed motor (not shown) driven under the control of the control circuit 7) is transmitted via a power transmission mechanism (not shown). When the first paper feed roller 9 is rotated, the head side having a function of detecting the length of the print paper and the like and a function of cueing the print paper from the first paper feed tray 1 are provided. The sheet is conveyed to the roller 11. The head-side roller 11 is also a driving roller like the first paper feed roller 9. The printing paper 2 passes through the front of the print head 5 along the platen 13 by the first paper feed roller 9 and the head-side roller 11, and then the same as the first paper feed roller 9 and the head-side roller 11. The sheet is discharged from the platen 13 onto a sheet discharge tray 17 via a sheet discharge roller 15 which is a driving roller.
[0017]
On the other hand, the printing paper 4 is carried out of the second paper feeding tray 3 by the rotation of the second paper feeding roller 19 which is a driving roller similarly to the first paper feeding roller 9. However, in the present embodiment, the printing paper 4 has a relatively small size such as an official postcard or the like, the length of which is shorter than the interval between the second paper feed roller 19 and the head-side roller 11. Is used, before the transport start end of the print paper 4 carried out of the second paper feed tray 3 by the second paper feed roller 3 reaches the head side roller 11, the transport end of the print paper 4 is 2 It passes through the paper feed roller 19. Therefore, the printing paper 4 cannot be supplied to the print head 5.
[0018]
Therefore, in the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, the printing paper 4 conveyed from the second paper feeding roller 19 is received between the second paper feeding roller 19 and the head-side roller 11, and the printing is performed. A relay roller 21 for transporting the sheet 4 toward the head-side roller 11 is provided. The disposition position of the relay roller 21 is such that the distance between the relay roller 21 and the second paper feed roller 19 and the distance between the relay roller 21 and the head-side roller 11 are the minimum used for printing paper such as postcards made by government officials. It is positioned at a position shorter than the length of the printing paper.
[0019]
FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram relating to the relay roller described in FIG. 1.
[0020]
In the present embodiment, a self-rotating roller different from a driving roller such as the above-described first paper feed roller 9, head-side roller 11, paper discharge roller 15, and second paper feed roller 19 is used as the relay roller 21. Can be As shown in FIG. 2, the self-rotating rollers are a pair of rollers 21a and 21b having a flywheel 23 for energy storage for holding the printing paper.
[0021]
When the printing paper 4 is conveyed from the second paper feed roller 19 located on the upstream side in the conveyance direction, the relay roller 21 clamps the start end of the printing paper 4 in the conveyance direction, and thereby the waist (tension) of the printing paper 4. ) Is accumulated in the flywheel 23. When the trailing end of the printing paper 4 in the transport direction passes through the second paper feed roller 19, the printing paper 4 is moved to the downstream side in the transport direction by utilizing the tension of the printing paper 4 by the accumulated rotational force. It is conveyed toward the roller 11. When the starting end of the printing paper 4 in the transport direction is sandwiched between the head-side roller 11 and the platen 13, the rotational force of the head-side roller 11 is transmitted to the relay roller 21 via the tension of the printing paper 4, and the flywheel 23.
[0022]
The facing gap between the pair of rollers 21a and 21b constituting the relay roller 21 is, for example, in the opening direction when thin paper is used as the printing paper 4, and the printing paper 4 is made of thick paper such as an official postcard or the like. When they are in the closed position, they are adjusted by levers (not shown).
[0023]
As described above, the printing paper 4 has at least a tension enough to transmit the rotational force of the second paper feed roller 19 as a driving roller and the rotational force of the head-side roller 11 to the relay roller 21. It is desirable to use a material of a material, for example, a paper having a thickness of about a government-made postcard.
[0024]
According to the above configuration, the interval between the second paper feed roller 19 and the head-side roller 11 is longer than the length of a sheet belonging to the smallest class of printing paper, such as a postcard made by government or a reciprocating postcard made by government. The length of the second paper feed roller 19 and the head-side roller 11 is limited due to the structural and design constraints of the printer 100, such as the length of the printer 100 and the lack of room for installing a new belt or gear in the space inside the printer 100. Even if another driving roller cannot be interposed in between, the relay roller 21 is interposed instead of another driving roller, so that even in the case of printing paper of the minimum size, Can be transported.
[0025]
In addition, compared to the case where a new drive roller is installed, the number of parts to be added is increased only by rollers and bearings, and it is not necessary to provide a large number of parts constituting a power transmission mechanism such as belts and gears. Significant reduction and cost reduction of the printer can be achieved.
[0026]
When the interval between the first paper feed roller 9 and the head-side roller 11 is shorter than the length of the above-mentioned postcard or the like, not only the second paper feed tray 3 but also the first paper feed tray 1 is provided. By accommodating government-made postcards and the like, it is possible to realize large-scale feeding of government-made postcards and the like.
[0027]
Although the preferred embodiment of the present invention has been described above, this is an exemplification for describing the present invention, and is not intended to limit the scope of the present invention only to this embodiment. The present invention can be implemented in other various forms.
[0028]
For example, in the above-described embodiment, the intermediate roller 21 is interposed between the second paper feed roller 19 and the head-side roller 11, both of which are drive rollers. Even when the distance from the discharge roller 15 which is a driving roller like the head-side roller 11 to the discharge tray 17 is longer than the minimum length of the printing paper, the distance between the discharge roller 15 and the discharge tray This can be dealt with by interposing the intermediate roller 21 having the above-described configuration at an appropriate position between them.
[0029]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, even when the interval between the drive rollers rotating by the power transmitted from the drive source via the power transmission mechanism is longer than the minimum length of the recording medium, A printer capable of reliably transporting the recording medium can be provided.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a main part of a printer according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram related to the relay roller shown in FIG. 1;
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 1st paper feed tray 2 print paper 3 2nd paper feed tray 4 print paper 5 print head 7 control circuit 9 1st paper feed roller 11 head side roller 13 platen 15 paper discharge roller 17 paper discharge tray 19 2nd paper feed roller 21 relay roller 23 flywheel 100 printer

Claims (5)

A drive roller that is rotated by power transmitted from a drive source via a power transmission mechanism and conveys a supplied recording medium in a predetermined direction;
From the drive roller, a relay roller disposed at an interval shorter than the minimum recording medium length,
With
The relay roller accumulates a rotational force generated by contact with the recording medium moving from the drive roller side, and the accumulated rotational force becomes a driving force for conveying the recording medium in a predetermined direction. A printer that is a roller as you get. The printer according to claim 1,
A plurality of the driving rollers are arranged, and the arrangement interval between the driving rollers is such that when the intermediate roller is interposed between the driving rollers, the interval between the intermediate roller and each driving roller is the minimum recording. Printers set at intervals shorter than the media length. The printer according to claim 1,
A printer in which the relay roller has a flywheel for energy storage. The printer according to claim 1,
The relay roller is a pair of rollers that respectively hold a recording medium moving from the driving roller side from both sides thereof, thereby accumulating a rotational force and releasing the accumulated rotational force as the driving force. Printer. The printer according to claim 2,
Among the respective drive rollers, a drive roller located on the upstream side in the transport direction of the recording medium is a paper feed roller close to the paper feed tray, and a drive roller located on the downstream side in the transport direction of the recording medium detects the recording medium. Is a roller for the printer.

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