JP2006298532A - Printer - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a printer improved to prevent a reflection type photo-sensor for detecting a recording paper from mal-operation thereof due to disturbance light. <P>SOLUTION: When an opening/closing cover 4 of a rolled paper printer 1 is opened, a rolled paper filling part 6 and an upstream side opening end 7a of a recording paper feeding path 7 are opened. The reflection type photo-sensor 12 for detecting the recording paper is installed in an opening part 11 provided in a recording paper guide 9 near the opening end of the recording paper feeding path 7. An upstream side opening edge part of the opening part 11 is formed with an external light shut-off eaves part 11e, and a downstream side opening edge part is formed with an inclined surface 11f. Even if the external light enters the recording paper feeding path 7, the external light is shut by the eaves part 11e not to enter a light receiver surface of the photo-sensor 12. Even if the external light L impinges on the inclined surface 11f of the opening edge part, the reflected light goes in a direction different from the light receiver surface. Mal-operation of the photo-sensor 12 due to intrusion of the disturbance light can be thereby prevented. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a printer having a reflection type photosensor for detecting a recording sheet conveyed along a recording sheet conveyance path, and in particular, improved so that the photosensor does not malfunction due to disturbance light such as sunlight. This relates to a printer that achieves the above.

  In a roll paper printer that prints on roll paper with a tape-like recording paper wound up, the roll paper loading unit is opened when the open / close lid attached to the printer case is opened, and the roll paper is loaded. It can be done. When the roll paper is loaded, after the roll paper is loaded into the roll paper loading unit, it is necessary to insert the recording paper pulled out from the upstream opening end of the recording paper conveyance path disposed in the vicinity thereof. When the recording paper is inserted, the recording paper is detected by the recording paper detector arranged in the vicinity of the upstream opening end of the recording paper conveyance path, and the paper feeding roller arranged on the downstream side rotates to record. The paper is sent out to a predetermined position along the recording paper conveyance path, and printing is possible.

  As the recording paper detector, a reflection type photosensor is generally used. When there is no recording paper, the amount of light received by the photosensor is below a predetermined threshold value. When the recording paper is passed, the amount of light received by the photosensor is switched to a state where the threshold value is exceeded by the light reflected by the recording paper surface. In this way, the presence or absence of recording paper is detected based on the change in the amount of received light.

  In a roll paper printer or the like, as described above, when a roll paper is loaded or replaced, the opening / closing lid is opened, and the upstream side opening end of the roll paper loading unit and the recording paper conveyance path is opened. In this open state, the recording paper is inserted into the recording paper conveyance path, and when this is detected by the photosensor, a loading operation is performed in which the recording paper is sent out to a predetermined position along the recording paper conveyance path.

  Therefore, external light such as sunlight may enter the recording paper conveyance path from the upstream opening end of the recording paper conveyance path. If external light enters and directly or indirectly irradiates the light receiving surface of the photosensor placed in the recording paper conveyance path, the amount of light received by the photosensor exceeds the threshold value, and no recording paper is inserted. Nevertheless, there is a risk of erroneous detection that a recording sheet has been inserted.

  An object of the present invention is to propose a printer in which a reflection type photosensor for detecting recording paper is improved so as not to malfunction due to ambient light.

In order to solve the above problems, the printer of the present invention provides:
A recording paper conveyance path;
An opening formed in one recording paper guide defining the recording paper conveyance path;
A reflection type photosensor for detecting a recording sheet disposed in a state where a light emitting unit and a light receiving surface face the recording sheet conveyance path in the opening;
Among the opening edge portions of the opening portion, at least an edge portion on the upstream side of the recording paper conveyance path is protruded, and a disturbance light shielding flange portion is formed.

  If the height of the ridge portion is set appropriately, even if external light such as sunlight is inserted into the recording paper conveyance path from the upstream opening end of the recording paper conveyance path, the external light is blocked by the ridge portion. Therefore, since external light does not directly irradiate the light receiving surface of the photosensor, it is possible to prevent malfunction of the photosensor due to external light.

  In the present invention, among the edge portions excluding the flange portion in the opening edge portion of the opening portion, at least the edge portion on the downstream side of the recording paper conveyance path is reflected light of the light irradiated to the edge portion. It is characterized in that the processed surface is processed so as to be directed in a direction other than the light receiving surface of the photosensor.

  When external light such as sunlight is inserted into the recording paper transport path from the upstream opening end of the recording paper transport path, it is not directly incident on the light receiving surface of the photosensor, but is reflected on the light receiving surface after being reflected by the opening edge. May be incident. Even in this case, the amount of light received by the photosensor may increase and malfunction. In the present invention, the opening edge portion on the downstream side in the transport direction to which external light hits is used as a processing surface such as an inclined surface, so that the light irradiated here is reflected in a direction different from the light receiving surface and is incident on the light receiving surface. There is nothing. Therefore, the malfunction of the photo sensor due to external light can be prevented.

  Here, the present invention is characterized in that the light receiving surface of the photosensor is arranged on the upstream side of the recording paper conveyance path with respect to the light emitting portion. If it does in this way, a light-receiving surface will be located in the vicinity of the collar part currently formed in the site | part upstream of an opening edge part. Therefore, it is preferable because external light can be more reliably prevented from directly entering the light receiving surface.

  Next, the present invention is characterized in that the other recording paper guide defining the recording paper conveyance path is such that a guide surface portion facing the photosensor is retracted from the recording paper conveyance path. In this way, the amount of light reflected from the guide surface portion of the recording paper guide facing the photosensor can be reduced, so that malfunction of the photosensor due to external light can be prevented.

  Next, in the present invention, there is an open / close lid that covers the upstream opening end of the recording paper transport path, and the opening position of the open / close lid is such that the extension line to the upstream side of the recording paper transport path is the open / close It is characterized by being set so as to cross the lid.

  According to this configuration, in a state where the opening / closing lid is opened, that is, in a state where external light may be inserted into the recording paper conveyance path, external light such as sunlight from the direction in which the light can be inserted into the recording paper conveyance path is opened. It is blocked by the open / close lid. Therefore, the entry of external light to the recording paper transport path can be blocked by the open / close lid, which is effective in preventing malfunction of the photosensor.

  The present invention can be applied to a roll paper printer. In this case, the printer according to the present invention is loaded with a roll paper having a configuration in which a tape-like recording paper is wound in a roll shape in addition to the above configuration. The recording paper fed out from the roll paper loading unit is conveyed along the recording paper conveyance path, and the photosensor is located upstream of the recording paper conveyance path. It is arranged in the vicinity of the opening end, and when the opening / closing lid is opened, the upstream opening end of the roll paper loading unit and the recording paper transport path is opened.

  In the printer of the present invention, a flange portion for shielding external light is formed at least at the upstream edge portion of the opening edge portion of the recording paper guide in the recording paper conveyance path where the reflection type photosensor is disposed. Therefore, it is possible to prevent external light from directly entering the light receiving surface of the photosensor. In addition, when a processed surface is formed at least on the downstream edge portion of the opening edge portion, it is possible to prevent external light inserted into the recording paper conveyance path from being reflected by the opening edge portion and entering the light receiving surface of the photosensor. .

  Therefore, according to the present invention, it is possible to prevent the external light inserted into the recording paper conveyance path from directly or indirectly entering the light receiving surface of the photosensor, and thus it is possible to reliably prevent malfunction of the photosensor due to external light.

  Embodiments of a roll paper printer to which the present invention is applied will be described below with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is an external perspective view of a roll paper printer, and FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the roll paper printer with a lid opened. FIG. 3 is a partially enlarged cross-sectional view showing a portion cut along line III-III in FIG.

  Referring to these drawings, the roll paper printer 1 of the present example includes a vertically long rectangular printer case 2 as a whole. The printer case 2 includes a rectangular frame-like case body 3 and an open / close state. And a lid 4. The opening / closing lid 4 is attached to the case body 3 so that the rear end of the opening / closing lid 4 can pivot about a pivot axis extending in the printer width direction, from the closed position 4A shown in FIG. 1 to the fully opened position 4B shown in FIG. It is possible to turn between. Further, a recording paper discharge port 4 a is formed at a middle portion of the opening / closing lid 4 in the front-rear direction.

  Inside the printer case 2, a printer mechanism unit 5 is mounted in the front half thereof, and a roll paper loading unit 6 is formed in the rear half thereof. When the opening / closing lid 4 is opened, the roll paper loading unit 6 is exposed, and roll paper (not shown) can be loaded from above.

  A recording paper conveyance path 7 is formed in the printer mechanism unit 5. As shown in FIG. 3, the upstream side of the recording paper transport path 7 is defined by a pair of upper and lower recording paper guides 8 and 9 that are inclined so that the front is positioned below. The upstream ends of the recording paper guides 8 and 9 serve as an upstream opening end 7 a that receives the recording paper 10 indicated by a one-dot chain line fed out from the roll paper loading unit 6. An opening 11 is formed in the lower recording paper guide 9 in the vicinity of the upstream opening end 7a, and a reflection type photo sensor 12 for detecting the recording paper is attached thereto.

  At the downstream end of the recording paper guides 8 and 9, a paper feed roller 13 is disposed on the upper side, and a paper pressing roller 14 is pressed against the paper feed roller 13 from the lower side. A recording paper guide 15 extends upward from the paper feed roller 13, and a central portion in the vertical direction of the recording paper guide 15 functions as a platen 16, and here the head surface of the print head 17 is opposed to the front. is doing. A recording paper discharge port 4 a is located above the upper end of the recording paper guide 15.

  A manual cutter 18 is attached in the vicinity of the recording paper discharge port 4a. The leading end portion of the recording paper discharged from the recording paper discharge port 4a can be cut out along a blade edge (cutting position) 19 extending in the printer width direction of the manual cutter 18.

  The tape-like recording paper 10 fed out from the roll paper loaded in the roll paper loading unit 6 enters the recording paper conveyance path 7 from the upstream opening end 7 a of the recording paper conveyance path 7, and enters the recording paper conveyance path 7. The paper is transported by the paper feed roller 13, guided to the recording paper discharge port 4 a formed in the opening / closing lid 4 via the printing position by the print head 17, and discharged upward from here.

  The print head 17 in this example is a dot impact head. The print head 17 is mounted on a head carriage 21, and the head carriage 21 can reciprocate along a guide shaft 22 spanned in the printer width direction. A ribbon cassette mounting portion 23 is formed on the front side of the head carriage 21. When the opening / closing lid 4 is opened, the ribbon cassette mounting portion 23 is exposed, and the ink ribbon cassette 24 can be mounted in a detachable state from above.

  4A is a partially enlarged sectional view showing a portion of the opening 11 of the recording paper transport path 7 to which the photosensor 12 is attached, and FIG. 4B is a recording paper guide in which the opening 11 is formed. FIG. 9 is a partial plan view of FIG. 9. The surface 9a of the recording paper guide 9 is formed with vertical ribs 9b extending in parallel with the conveying direction at regular intervals in the width direction, and the lower recording paper guide surface is defined by the surfaces of these vertical ribs 9b. Yes.

  The surface of the upper recording paper guide 8 is a flat recording paper guide surface as a whole except for the downstream portion. A guide surface portion 8a facing the photosensor 12 on the recording paper guide surface 8 is formed in a concave shape that is retracted from the recording paper conveyance path 7 more than the other recording paper guide surface portions. In this example, the retraction amount of the guide surface portion 8a is larger than the gap that defines the recording paper conveyance path 7 on the outer periphery thereof. In addition, the guide surface portion 8b continuous downstream from the concave guide surface portion 8a is gradually moved toward the downstream side so that the leading end of the loaded recording paper 8 is not caught. In other words, it is formed so that the amount of the recess gradually decreases toward the conveyance path 7 side.

  Next, the opening portion 11 of this example is a rectangular through hole, and a detection portion 12c in which the light emitting element 12a and the light receiving element 12b of the photosensor 12 are built is attached from below. A transparent front surface portion 12 d of the detection unit 12 c faces the recording paper conveyance path 7 from the opening 11. In this example, the light receiving surface of the light receiving element 12b is disposed on the upstream side in the recording paper conveyance direction, and the light emitting portion of the light emitting element 12a is disposed on the downstream side. Further, the front surface portion 12 d of the detection unit 12 c is at a position slightly retracted from the surface 9 a of the recording paper guide 9.

  The upstream inner peripheral side surface 11a, the downstream inner peripheral side surface 11b, the left inner peripheral side surface 11c, and the right inner peripheral side surface 11d in the opening 11 are surfaces perpendicular to the surface 9a. Further, a flange portion 11e for shielding external light is formed on the opening edge portion of the upstream inner peripheral side surface 11a so as to protrude from the upstream surface portion in a tapered shape. As shown by the hatched line A in FIG. 4B, the flange portion 11e of this example is formed in a state of being spanned in the horizontal direction between the vertical ribs 9b where the openings 11 are located. It is formed over the entire width of the portion 11.

  The height of the eaves part 11e is such that when the external light L is inserted into the recording paper conveyance path 7, it cannot irradiate the light receiving surface of the light receiving element 12b of the photosensor 12 as shown by the one-dot chain line in FIG. Is set to In this example, the height of the vertical ribs 9b is the same so as not to hinder the conveyance of the recording paper 10.

  Next, the opening edge portion on the downstream inner peripheral side surface 11b in the opening portion 11 is an inclined surface 11f (machined surface) that is chamfered at an angle of approximately 45 degrees from the middle height position to the upper portion. It is said that. The inclined surface 11f is formed over the entire width of the opening 11 as indicated by the oblique line B in FIG. Even if the external light inserted into the recording paper conveyance path 7 hits the inclined surface 11f, the reflected light from that direction goes in a different direction from the light receiving surface of the photosensor 12. Therefore, external light reflected by the edge portion of the opening 11 does not enter the light receiving surface of the photosensor 12.

  Note that the flange portion 11e for shielding external light can also be formed on the left and right opening edge portions of the opening portion 11. Moreover, the opening edge part of the right and left of the opening part 11 can also be made into the processed surface which gave the chamfering process. It is desirable to appropriately determine the formation region of the flange portion 11e and the inclined surface 11f according to the insertion state of external light.

  In the roll paper printer 1 of this example configured as described above, the opening / closing lid 4 is opened when the roll paper is loaded. When the opening / closing lid 4 is opened, as shown in FIG. 2, the roll paper loading section 6 and the upstream opening end 7a of the recording paper transport path 7 in front of the roll paper loading section 6 are opened. In this state, first, roll paper is loaded into the roll paper loading unit 6. Next, the operator pulls out the recording paper 10 from the roll paper, and inserts the leading end portion into the recording paper conveyance path 7 from the upstream opening end 7 a of the recording paper conveyance path 7, and the nip portion of the paper feed roller 13. Plug in.

  When the operator inserts the leading end portion of the recording paper 10 toward the paper feed roller 13, the photosensor 12 detects the recording paper 10 to be inserted. That is, in the absence of the recording paper 10, the light emitted from the light emitting element 12a of the photosensor 12 is not received by the light receiving element 12b, so that the amount of received light remains below the threshold value. When the recording paper 10 is inserted, the emitted light is reflected by the surface of the recording paper 10 and enters the light receiving element 12a. As a result, the amount of received light exceeds the threshold value, and based on this, it is detected that the recording paper 10 has been inserted.

  Thereafter, the paper feeding operation by the paper feeding roller 13 is started at a predetermined timing, and the inserted recording paper 10 is transported along the recording paper transporting path 7 by a predetermined amount, and the leading end thereof is the cutting position of the manual cutter 18. The state positioned at 19 is formed. As a result, a ready state in which printing is possible is set.

  Here, such a roll paper loading operation is performed in an open state with the open / close lid 4 opened. Therefore, external light such as sunlight may be inserted into the recording paper conveyance path 7 from the upstream opening end 7a of the recording paper conveyance path 7 in an open state. In this example, a flange portion 11e for shielding external light is formed at the upstream opening edge portion of the opening portion 11 of the recording paper guide 9 on which the photosensor 12 is mounted. Therefore, the external light toward the light receiving surface of the light receiving element 12b of the photosensor 12 is blocked by the flange portion 11e.

  Further, the external light reflected by the opening edge portion on the downstream side of the opening 11 is reflected in a direction different from the light receiving surface of the light receiving element 12b by the inclined surface 11f formed there. Therefore, it is also possible to prevent external light inserted into the recording paper transport path 7 from indirectly entering the light receiving surface.

  Further, when the recording paper 10 is loaded, the external light reflected by the inclined surface 11f or the external light reflected by the loaded recording paper 10 until the tip of the recording paper 10 covers the light receiving surface of the photosensor 12 is Reflected by the upper recording paper guide 8a and incident on the light receiving surface, the guide surface portion 8a facing the photosensor 12 is recessed more concavely than the other guide surface portions, and therefore from the guide surface portion 8a. The influence of the reflected light on the photosensor 12 can be reduced. In particular, in this example, the dent amount (retraction amount) is set to be larger than the gap of the recording paper conveyance path 7, so that the influence can be almost ignored.

  Therefore, even when external light irradiates the open recording paper conveyance path portion when the roll paper is loaded or the like, it does not enter the light receiving surface of the photosensor 12 disposed therein. Therefore, it is possible to accurately detect whether or not the recording paper 10 is inserted into the recording paper conveyance path 7.

  Further, in this example, since the light receiving element 12b is disposed on the upstream side near the flange portion 11e, it is more reliable that external light is incident on the light receiving surface of the light receiving element 12b without increasing the height of the flange portion 11e. Can be prevented.

  Next, it is conceivable to use the opening / closing lid 4 in order to block the external light irradiating the recording paper conveyance path 7 with the opening / closing lid 4 opened. FIG. 5 shows an example of a roll paper printer in which the open / close lid 4 in the opened state is used to block external light irradiated from the direction in which the recording paper conveyance path 7 can be inserted. Since the basic configuration of the roll paper printer 1A of this example is the same as that of the roll paper printer 1 described above, description thereof is omitted.

  In the printer 1A of this example, an extension line 7A that extends the recording paper conveyance path 7 upstream is set to intersect the upper end portion of the opening / closing lid 4 at the open position 4B. In other words, external light from a direction in which the recording paper conveyance path 7 can be inserted is blocked by the upper end portion of the opening / closing lid 4. In this way, it is possible to more reliably prevent disturbance light from entering the light receiving surface of the photosensor 12, and it is possible to more reliably prevent malfunction due to disturbance light of the photosensor.

1 is an external perspective view of a roll paper printer to which the present invention is applied. It is a perspective view of a roll paper printer in a state where a lid is opened. It is a partial expanded sectional view which shows the part cut | disconnected by the III-III line of FIG. (A) is a partial enlarged sectional view showing a portion of an opening of a recording paper conveyance path to which a photosensor is attached, and (b) is a partial plan view of a recording paper guide in which an opening is formed. FIG. 4 is a side view of a roll paper printer in which outside light is blocked by an opened opening / closing lid.

Explanation of symbols

1, 1A roll paper printer, 2 case, 4 open / close lid, 4A closed position, 4B open position, 4a recording paper discharge port, 5 printer mechanism, 6 roll paper loading section, 7 recording paper transport path, 7a upstream opening end , 7A extension line, 8, 9 recording paper guide, 9a surface, 9b vertical rib, 10 recording paper, 11 opening, 11a upstream inner peripheral side, 11b downstream inner peripheral side, 11e flange portion, 11f inclined surface, 13 Paper feed roller, 16 platen, 17 print head

Claims (6)

A recording paper conveyance path;
An opening formed in one recording paper guide defining the recording paper conveyance path;
In the opening, a reflection type photo sensor for detecting a recording sheet, which is disposed in a state where a light emitting unit and a light receiving surface face the recording sheet conveyance path,
A printer, comprising: a flange portion for shielding ambient light formed by projecting at least an opening edge portion upstream of the recording paper conveyance path among the opening edge portions of the opening. In claim 1,
Of the portions of the opening edge portion of the opening portion excluding the flange portion, at least the opening edge portion on the downstream side of the recording paper conveyance path is such that the reflected light of the light irradiated to the opening edge portion is the light receiving surface of the photosensor. A printer characterized in that it is a processed surface processed in a direction other than the above. In claim 1 or 2,
The printer according to claim 1, wherein the light receiving surface of the photosensor is disposed upstream of the recording paper conveyance path with respect to the light emitting unit. In any one of claims 1 to 3,
2. The printer according to claim 1, wherein the other recording paper guide defining the recording paper conveyance path has a guide surface portion facing the photosensor retracted from the recording paper conveyance path. In any one of claims 1 to 4,
An open / close lid covering the upstream opening end of the recording paper transport path;
The printer is characterized in that the opening position of the opening / closing lid is set so that an extension line to the upstream side of the recording paper conveyance path intersects the opening / closing lid. In claim 5,
A roll paper loading unit for loading a roll paper having a configuration in which a tape-like recording paper is wound into a roll;
The recording paper fed out from the roll paper loading unit is conveyed along the recording paper conveyance path,
The photo sensor is disposed in the vicinity of the upstream opening end of the recording paper conveyance path,
The printer according to claim 1, wherein when the opening / closing lid is opened, the upstream opening end of the roll paper loading unit and the recording paper conveyance path is opened.

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