JP2010116219A - Conveying medium detection device and printer - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To simplify a constitution, to facilitate a control, and to improve reliability for determining a passing state of paper. <P>SOLUTION: A bankbook printer includes a conveying medium detection device 401, and is provided with: a conveying passage through which a recorded medium passes by arranging guide members at prescribed intervals; and a plurality of sensor units 402 formed of light emitting elements 301, light receiving elements 302, and light guide members 403. Based on light quantity of light emitted from the light emitting elements 301 and received by the light receiving elements 302 via the light guide members 403, the passing state of the recorded medium in the conveying passage is determined. In the bankbook printer, the light emitting element 301 in each sensor unit 402 of the plurality of sensor units 402 is arranged to be separated from each light receiving element 302 of the other sensor units 402 by prescribed distances. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&amp;INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a transport medium detection device that determines a state of passage of the transport member in a space through which the transport medium passes, and a printer including the transport medium detection device.

  Conventionally, for example, an optical sensor including a light emitting element and a light receiving element is provided in the paper conveyance path, and the state of passage of the paper in the conveyance path is determined according to the amount of light emitted from the light emitting element and received by the light receiving element. There was a printer. In such printers, for example, there is a printer in which a light emitting element and a light receiving element are opposed to each other with a conveyance path therebetween, and an optical sensor is arranged so that light emitted from the light emitting element linearly enters the light receiving element. It was.

  Further, in such a printer, for example, a light emitting element and a light receiving element are arranged on one surface side of the conveyance path such as an upper side or a lower side of the conveyance path, and a light guide member such as an optical fiber is disposed on the other side of the conveyance path. There is one that transmits light emitted from the light emitting element to the light receiving element via the light guide member (see, for example, Patent Documents 1 to 4 below).

  When light emitted from the light emitting element is received through the light guide member, the paper passing through the conveyance path crosses at least one of the light emitting element and the light guide member or between the light receiving element and the light guide member. As a result, the amount of light received by the light receiving element changes. For this reason, the optical sensor in which the light emitting element and the light receiving element are arranged on one surface side of the transport path can detect the passage state of the paper at two detection points using one optical sensor.

JP 2004-83152 A Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 62-249851 Japanese Patent No. 3482021 Japanese Patent No. 3849987

  However, when the optical sensor is disposed so that the light emitting element and the light receiving element face each other with the conveyance path therebetween as in the conventional technique described above, the substrate that supports the light emitting element and the substrate that supports the light receiving element respectively I need it. For this reason, there is a problem that the number of parts constituting the printer increases and the configuration of the printer becomes complicated. Further, since the light emitting element and the light receiving element must be controlled for each control board, there is a problem that the control becomes complicated.

  In addition, when detecting the passage state of the paper using the optical sensor arranged so that the light emitting element and the light receiving element face each other with the conveyance path in between, the same number as the number of detection points for detecting the passage state of the paper It is necessary to provide an optical sensor. For this reason, twice as many photosensors are required as compared with the case where the passage state of the paper is detected using the photosensors in which the light emitting elements and the light receiving elements are arranged on one side of the transport path. The increase in the number of photosensors increases the number of parts constituting the printer, complicating the configuration of the printer, and complicating the processing for controlling each light emitting element and each light receiving element. It was.

  On the other hand, when detecting the passage state of the paper using the optical sensor in which the light emitting element and the light receiving element are arranged on one side of the transport path, the light emitting element and the light receiving element face each other with the transport path in between. Compared to the case where the photosensors arranged in this way are used, the number of photosensor control boards and photosensors themselves can be reduced.

  However, since the light emitting elements and the light receiving elements of a plurality of photosensors are arranged on one side of the transport path, light from a light emitting element different from the light emitting element paired with the light receiving element is incident on the light receiving element. There was a case. In this case, since the paper passes between the light emitting element and the light guide member paired with the light receiving element, and the light should not enter the light receiving element, the paper enters the light receiving element. Erroneous determination (false judgment, false detection) is made.

  Specifically, for example, in an optical sensor set to detect a state in which the amount of light received by a light receiving element arranged in the same plane as the light emitting element has decreased to a predetermined level as a state in which a sheet has passed, If the light from the light emitting element is incident on the light receiving element, the amount of light received by the light receiving element does not decrease to a predetermined level, and an erroneous determination (false detection) is made that it is not possible to determine the passage of the paper. It was.

  As a countermeasure against this, by setting the value of the predetermined level high, it is possible to determine the passing state of the paper even when light from another light emitting element is received. However, by setting a high value of the predetermined level, it becomes easier to determine that the paper has passed even with a slight change in the amount of light, and an erroneous determination that the paper has passed even though the paper has not passed. There was a problem that it was easy to perform (false detection). Also, by setting the value of the predetermined level high, the difference between the light amount level and the predetermined level when the sheet is not passing is reduced, and it becomes difficult to adjust the sensitivity of the optical sensor. That is, since delicate sensitivity adjustment is required, there is a problem that the work of sensitivity adjustment becomes complicated.

  The present invention eliminates the problems caused by the above-described prior art, thereby simplifying the configuration and facilitating control, and improving the reliability of determining the passage state of a sheet. And to get a printer.

  In order to solve the above-described problems and achieve the object, a carrier medium detection device according to the present invention includes a first surface and a second surface that form a space through which a carrier medium passes at a predetermined interval. A light emitting element disposed on the first surface; a light receiving element disposed in a position different from the light emitting element on the first surface; and the light emitting element on the second surface. A light receiving part disposed at a position facing the element, a light emitting part disposed at a position facing the light receiving element on the second surface, a light guiding part connecting the light receiving part and the light emitting part, A plurality of sensor units formed by the light guide member, and the light in the space in the space based on the amount of light received by the light receiving element through the light guide member. Determining the status of the transport medium In the medium transmission device, the light emitting element in each sensor unit of the plurality of sensor units is arranged at a predetermined distance from the light receiving element of a sensor unit different from the sensor unit. .

  In the carrier medium detection device according to the present invention, in the above invention, the light emitting elements are arranged together in a predetermined area of the first surface, and the other area does not overlap with the predetermined area. Each of the light receiving elements is arranged in the inside.

  In the carrier medium detection device according to the present invention, in the above invention, a plurality of regions in which the light emitting elements are disposed are provided, and a region in which the light receiving elements are disposed is provided between the plurality of regions. Features.

  In the carrier medium detection device according to the present invention, in the above invention, a plurality of regions in which the light receiving elements are disposed are provided, and a region in which the light emitting elements are disposed is provided between the plurality of regions. Features.

  Further, in the above invention, the transport medium detection device according to the present invention includes a shutter member that causes a front end portion of the transport medium passing between the first surface and the second surface to extend along a predetermined direction. The light emitting element and the light receiving element of the sensor unit are arranged substantially parallel to the predetermined direction.

  In the carrier medium detection device according to the present invention, the light emitting element and the light receiving element of each sensor unit are arranged so that the light guide members intersect with each other. .

  In the carrier medium detection device according to the present invention as set forth in the invention described above, the light emitting element and the light receiving element of each sensor unit are arranged at the same interval.

  According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a printer comprising: the above-described transport medium detection device; and a recording unit configured to perform recording on the transport medium whose passage state is determined by the transport medium detection device. .

  According to the carrier medium detection device and the printer of the present invention, the light emitting elements and the light receiving elements can be arranged on the same surface and aggregated to reduce the control board of the light emitting elements and the light receiving elements, and the light emitting elements and the light receiving elements. Even when the elements are arranged on the same surface, it is possible to prevent erroneous determination of the passing state of the sheet by suppressing the incidence of light from another light emitting element.

  As a result, according to the transport medium detection device and the printer according to the present invention, the configuration can be simplified and the control can be facilitated, and the reliability related to the determination of the passage state of the paper can be improved.

  Exemplary embodiments of a carrier medium detection device and a printer according to the present invention will be explained below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In this embodiment, an example of application to a passbook printer using a booklet such as a passbook as a recording medium will be shown as an example of a transport medium detection device and printer according to the present invention.

  First, a schematic configuration of a passbook printer according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described. 1 and 2 are explanatory diagrams showing a passbook printer according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1 shows a state in which a bankbook printer according to an embodiment of the present invention is viewed from an oblique direction. In FIG. 2, the cross section which cut | disconnected the passbook printer of embodiment concerning this invention by the plane orthogonal to the width direction of a passbook printer is shown.

  1 and 2, a passbook printer 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a recording unit 101 that performs a recording process on a recording medium. The recording unit 101 is provided between the pair of lower side frames 102 and the pair of upper side frames 103. In this embodiment, a conveyance medium can be realized by a recording medium, and a recording unit can be realized by the recording unit 101.

  The pair of lower side frames 102 are arranged so as to face each other along the width direction of the passbook printer 100 (the direction of arrow A in FIG. 1). A front bottom frame 104 is fixed to the lower side frame 102. The pair of upper side frames 103 are rotatably supported by the lower side frame 102.

  The recording unit 101 performs a recording process by an impact method, for example. The impact type recording unit 101 includes an impact print head 105 and a platen 201. The impact print head 105 is supported by the upper side frame 103 and is provided so as to be able to reciprocate along a carriage shaft 106 whose axial direction is the width direction of the passbook printer 100. The platen 201 is supported by the front bottom frame 104 and is provided so as to face the impact print head 105 over the entire movement range of the impact print head 105 with the width direction of the passbook printer 100 as the longitudinal direction.

  The impact print head 105 includes a plurality of pins (wires) bundled together. The tips of a plurality of pins (wires) in the impact print head 105 are arranged in a matrix. The plurality of pins (wires) can protrude independently to the platen 201 side. In the recording process using the impact recording unit 101, a recording medium and an ink ribbon are interposed between the impact print head 105 and the platen 201.

  Then, a plurality of pins (wires) included in the impact print head 105 are selectively hit on the recording medium, and small dots (dots) are hit. The impact type recording unit 101 represents characters and the like by continuously ejecting small dots (dots). In this embodiment, recording includes not only the case where a character is represented by a small dot (dot) that has been launched, but also the case where a character other than a character, such as a symbol, a code, or a figure, is represented.

  The recording unit 101 is not limited to the impact method, and may perform a recording process using a non-impact method. The non-impact recording unit 101 performs a recording process using, for example, a thermal method, a thermal transfer method, an inkjet method, a laser method, or the like. In this case, the recording unit 101 includes a print head corresponding to each printing method instead of the impact print head 105. Since various methods such as a heat sensitive method, a thermal transfer method, an ink jet method, a laser (electrophotographic) method, and the configuration of a print head that performs recording processing using the various methods are known techniques, description thereof will be omitted.

  The passbook printer 100 includes a paper supply / discharge port 202. In the passbook printer 100, the paper supply / discharge port 202 is open toward the user side that uses the passbook printer 100, and accepts insertion of a recording medium. The paper supply / discharge port 202 has a slit shape whose longitudinal direction is the width direction of the passbook printer 100. In this embodiment, hereinafter, the side that is the user side that uses the passbook printer 100 is referred to as “front side”, and the side that is opposite to the front side in the passbook printer 100 is referred to as “back side”.

  The recording medium is a medium on which information can be recorded by a recording process in the recording unit 101. Specifically, for example, a sheet-like member made of paper, cloth (woven fabric, non-woven fabric), plastic, or the like is used. Can be used. Each recording medium may be an independent sheet, or may be a booklet by binding a plurality of sheet members. As a recording medium forming a booklet, for example, a passbook for recording a use history of a financial institution or the like can be cited.

  When a recording medium that forms a booklet is used, a recording medium having a left-right direction and a double-sided direction can be used, for example. Such a recording medium is inserted along the direction orthogonal to the spread direction, that is, the direction of the binding thread binding the sheet-like member. Further, when a recording medium forming a booklet is used, the recording medium can be, for example, a vertical direction (a direction from the front side of the hand toward the back side) having a facing direction. Such a recording medium is inserted along the spread direction, that is, the direction orthogonal to the binding thread binding the sheet-like member.

  The paper supply / discharge port 202 accepts insertion of the recording medium with the information recording surface of the recording medium facing upward (upward in the vertical direction in FIG. 1). The recording medium inserted into the paper supply / discharge port 202 is introduced into the transport path 203. The conveyance path 203 guides the recording medium inserted into the paper supply / discharge port 202 to the recording unit 101 and guides the recording medium subjected to the recording process by the recording unit 101 to the paper supply / discharge port 202. Eggplant.

  In the conveyance path 203, a conveyance medium detection device (see reference numeral 401 in FIG. 4) is provided in the vicinity of the paper supply / discharge port 202. The conveyance medium detection device is provided between the paper supply / discharge port 202 and the recording unit 101 in the conveyance path 203. The carrier medium detection device will be described later (see FIGS. 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7).

  In the conveyance path 203, the facing direction between the front side and the back side is the longitudinal direction, and the direction parallel to the width direction of the passbook printer 100 is the width direction. The width direction of the transport path 203 is a direction (the front and back direction in FIG. 1) orthogonal to the transport direction of the recording medium and the thickness direction of the recording medium transported through the transport path 203.

  Further, the conveyance path 203 extends from the paper supply / discharge port 202 via the recording unit 101 to the back side of the recording unit 101. As a result, the entire recording surface of the recording medium can pass through a position where recording by the recording unit 101 is performed (hereinafter referred to as “recording position”), and the entire recording surface can be made a recordable range. .

  In the passbook printer 100, the recording medium inserted into the paper supply / discharge port 202 is discharged from the paper supply / discharge port 202. Different before and after passing. If the recording medium inserted into the paper supply / discharge port 202 is before passing through the recording unit 101, the direction in which the recording medium moves from the paper supply / discharge port 202 side to the recording unit 101 side is the transport direction, and the recording unit The paper supply / discharge port 202 side is upstream from the 101 side, and the recording unit 101 side is downstream from the paper supply / discharge port 202 side.

  If the recording medium inserted into the paper supply / discharge port 202 has passed through the recording unit 101, the direction in which the recording medium moves from the recording unit 101 side to the paper supply / discharge port 202 side becomes the transport direction, The recording unit 101 side is upstream from the paper port 202 side, and the paper supply / discharge port 202 side is downstream from the recording unit 101 side.

  The conveyance path 203 is provided with guide members 204 and 205 for guiding the conveyance position of the recording medium. The guide members 204 and 205 are constituted by a plurality of pairs of plate-like members facing each other with a predetermined interval along the thickness direction of the recording medium (the vertical direction in FIG. 1). In this embodiment, the guide member 204 is provided on the upper side of the conveyance path 203 (upper side in the paper surface in FIG. 1), and the guide member 205 is located on the lower side of the conveyance path 203 (lower side in the vertical direction on the paper surface in FIG. 1). Is provided.

  In each pair, the guide members 204 and 205 are arranged so as to oppose each other at an interval larger than the maximum dimension of the thickness of the recording medium to be recorded by the passbook printer 100. Specifically, when the booklet such as a passbook is to be recorded, the maximum dimension can be the thickness of the passbook in a closed state. One pair of guide members 204 and 205 is provided on the front side and the back side of the recording unit 101 in the conveyance direction of the recording medium in the conveyance path 203.

  A roller pair 206 is provided on the conveyance path 203. A plurality of roller pairs 206 are provided along the width direction of the transport path 203. A plurality of roller pairs 206 are provided along the conveyance direction of the recording medium in the conveyance path 203. One pair of roller pairs 206 is provided on at least the front side and the back side of the recording unit 101.

  The roller pair 206 includes two rollers 207 and 208 that are disposed so as to face each other with the conveyance path 203 therebetween along the thickness direction of the recording medium. Each of the rollers 207 and 208 constituting the roller pair 206 rotates in a state where the recording medium is sandwiched between the nip portions formed by bringing the outer peripheral surfaces into contact with each other. Transport.

  Of the rollers 207 and 208, a roller (upper roller) 207 provided on the impact print head 105 side with the conveyance path 203 in between is on the front side of the recording unit 101 and on the back side of the recording unit 101, respectively. The same rotation shaft 209 is provided. Each rotation shaft 209 is provided with a plurality of (six in this embodiment) rollers 207. The roller 207 rotates in the same direction as the rotation direction of the rotation shaft 209 as the rotation shaft 209 rotates. Each rotary shaft 209 has a fixed position and rotates at a fixed position. Accordingly, each of the rollers 207 rotates at a fixed position.

  Each rotating shaft 209 is provided with a gear (not shown) at one end in the longitudinal direction. The gear rotates in the same direction as the rotation direction of the rotation shaft 209 as each rotation shaft 209 rotates. Of the pair of lower side frames 102, the lower side frame 102 that supports the end of each rotating shaft 209 on the side where the gear is provided is connected to a gear train that is connected to a gear provided at one end of the rotating shaft 209. (Not shown) is provided.

  This gear train is composed of a plurality of gears connected to a drive shaft of a motor (not shown), and transmits the driving force of the motor to the gear. The motor is attached to the lower side frame 102 provided with a gear train or in the vicinity of the lower side frame 102. The driving force of the motor is transmitted to each gear through the gear train, and the rotating shaft 209 is rotated. The roller 207 rotates as the rotating shaft 209 rotates.

  Of the rollers 207 and 208 forming the roller pair 206, the roller (lower roller) 208 provided on the platen 201 side with the conveyance path 203 therebetween is provided on the impact print head 105 side with the conveyance path 203 therebetween. It is urged by an urging member (not shown) so as to abut against the roller 207.

  The roller 208 can be biased by a biasing member such as a compression spring or an elastic member elastically deformed in the compressing direction. Specifically, the biasing member such as a compression spring or an elastic member is, for example, a front bottom frame 104 and a rear bottom frame (reference numerals) provided at a lower portion of a center frame 107 provided between the lower side frames 102. The roller 208 can be urged by fixing one end to (not shown) and bringing the other end into contact with the rotating shaft 210 that supports the roller 208.

  The same number of rollers 208 as the rollers 207 are provided so as to contact each of the plurality of rollers 207 one by one. In addition, the roller 208 is provided at the rotation shaft 210 at the same position as the rotation shaft 209 of the roller 207 in the transport direction and having a direction parallel to the rotation shaft 209 of the roller 207 facing the axis. The rotation shaft 210 of the roller 208 is divided into a plurality (four in this embodiment) in the width direction of the transport path 203, and the adjacent rotation shafts 210 are connected by a universal joint (not shown). Has been.

  The roller 208 is provided on any one of the divided rotary shafts 210. In this embodiment, six rollers 208 are provided in total, two for each of the three rotation shafts 210 excluding one end of the rotation shaft 210 divided into four. Each rotating shaft 210 rotates with the rotating shaft 210 at one end as the rotating shaft 210 at one end rotates.

  The rotary shaft 210 at one end is provided with a gear (not shown). The gear provided on the rotating shaft 210 at one end rotates in the same direction as the rotating shaft 210 as the rotating shaft 210 rotates. The gear provided on the rotary shaft 210 at one end is connected to a gear train connected to the gear provided at one end of the rotary shaft 209 via a reversing gear (not shown).

  Thereby, the rotating shaft 210 at one end rotates in the opposite direction to the rotating shaft 209 while synchronizing with the rotating shaft 209 when the driving force of the motor is transmitted. The three rotary shafts 210 connected to the rotary shaft 210 at one end rotate together with the rotary shaft 210 at one end as the rotary shaft 210 at one end rotates. As a result, each roller 208 rotates in a direction opposite to the rotation direction of the abutting roller 207 in synchronization with the rotation of the abutting roller 207.

  Each rotating shaft 210 is supported by a center frame 107 provided between the lower side frames 102. The center frame 107 supports each rotating shaft 210, that is, the roller 208, so as to be rotatable and movable from the bearing portion toward the roller 207. Since each roller 208 is urged toward the roller 207 side by the urging member, each roller 208 is always in contact with the roller 207.

  A shutter member 211 is provided in the transport path 203. The shutter member 211 has a flat plate shape with the width direction of the transport path 203 as a longitudinal direction, and is provided so as to move across the transport path 203 in a direction orthogonal to the transport direction. The shutter member 211 is supported by the lower side frame 102 between the lower side frames 102, and between a stop position (a position indicated by a dotted line in FIG. 2) and a passage position (a position indicated by a solid line in FIG. 2). It is provided to be movable.

  When the shutter member 211 is positioned at the stop position, the recording medium is stopped at the position of the shutter member 211 across the conveyance path 203. When the shutter member 211 is positioned at the passage position, the shutter member 211 is retracted from the conveyance path 203 to allow passage of the recording medium. The shutter member 211 is selectively positioned at the stop position or the passage position.

  Next, the transport medium detection device will be described. 3, FIG. 4, FIG. 5, FIG. 6 and FIG. 7 are explanatory diagrams showing the configuration of the carrier medium detection device. 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7, the carrier medium detection device 401 includes a plurality of sensor units 402. Each sensor unit 402 is formed by a light emitting element 301, a light receiving element 302 that makes a pair with the light emitting element 301, and a light guide member 403.

  The light emitting element 301 and the light receiving element 302 of each sensor unit 402 are provided above the transport path 203. Specifically, the light emitting element 301 and the light receiving element 302 of each sensor unit 402 are attached to a sensor substrate 404 provided on the guide member 204. The sensor substrate 404 is provided with a circuit connected to a control circuit that controls the light emitting element 301 and the light receiving element 302. A control circuit connected to a circuit provided on the sensor substrate 404 is provided on a control board (main control board) that controls the entire printer 100. For example, the control circuit controls the light emitting state of the light emitting element 301 or the light receiving element 302. The state of passage of the recording medium in the conveyance path 203 is determined based on the amount of received light.

  A plurality of openings 303 are provided in the guide member 204. The opening 303 is attached to the light emitting element 301 or the light receiving element 302 so that the light emitting element 301 and the light receiving element 302 attached to the sensor substrate 404 face the transport path 203 when the sensor board 404 is attached. Is provided at a position corresponding to.

  The light guide member 403 of each sensor unit 402 includes a light receiving unit 405, a light emitting unit 406, and a light guide unit 407. The light receiving unit 405 receives light incident on the light guide member 403. The light guide unit 407 connects the light receiving unit 405 and the light emitting unit 406, and transmits light incident on the light receiving unit 405 to the light emitting unit 406. The light emitting unit 406 emits the light transmitted through the light guide unit 407 to the outside of the light guide member 403.

  The light guide member 403 is provided below the conveyance path 203. Specifically, the light guide member 403 of each sensor unit 402 is provided on the guide member 205. The guide member 205 is provided with a plurality of openings 304. The openings 304 are provided at positions facing the respective openings 303 provided in the guide member 205. Each light guide member 403 is provided such that the light receiving unit 405 and the light emitting unit 406 face the conveyance path 203 from the opening 304. Specifically, the light guide member 403 can be realized by an optical fiber, for example. The light guide member 403 is not limited to an optical fiber, and may be a plastic molded product having an arch shape, for example.

  The light emitting element 301 and the light receiving element 302 of each sensor unit 402 are arranged such that the light guide members 403 intersect each other. Specifically, for example, the light emitting element 301 or the light receiving element 302 of another sensor unit 402 is arranged next to the light emitting element 301 of an arbitrary sensor unit 402 in the width direction of the transport path 203. Accordingly, an arbitrary light guide member 403 connects the light receiving unit 405 and the light emitting unit 406 of the arbitrary light guide member 403 across the light receiving unit 405 or the light emitting unit 406 of another light guide member 403.

  In addition, the light emitting element 301 and the light receiving element 302 of each sensor unit 402 are arranged at the same interval. Thereby, the interval between the light receiving unit 405 facing the light emitting element 301 and the light emitting unit 406 facing the light receiving element 302 is equal for each sensor unit 402.

  In this way, the distance between the light receiving unit 405 and the light emitting unit 406 of each sensor unit 402 is made equal for each sensor unit 402, so that the length of the light guide member 403 that connects the light receiving unit 405 and the light emitting unit 406 is reduced. It can be made equal for each sensor unit 402. Specifically, for example, when the light guide member 403 is realized by an optical fiber, optical fibers having the same diameter and the same diameter can be used. Specifically, for example, when the light guide member 403 is realized by a plastic molded product, a plastic molded product having the same shape molded using the same mold can be used.

  The light emitted from the light emitting element 301 is emitted to the transport path 203 through the opening 303 provided in the guide member 204, and the light of the light guide member 403 through the opening 304 facing the light emitting element 301 in the guide member 205. The light enters from the light receiving unit 405 into the light guide member 403. Light that has entered the light guide member 403 is transmitted from the light receiving unit 405 to the light emitting unit 406 by the light guide unit 407, and is emitted from the light emitting unit 406 to the outside of the light guide member 403.

  Then, the light is incident on the light receiving element 302 through the opening 303 facing the light emitting portion 406 in the guide member 204. The light receiving element 302 outputs an electrical signal according to the amount of light received. A control circuit connected to the sensor substrate 404 determines the state of passage of the recording medium in the transport path 203 based on the electrical signal output from each light receiving element 302.

  The amount of light received by the light receiving element 302 is at least one of the optical path 701 formed between the light emitting element 301 and the light receiving unit 405 or the optical path 702 formed between the light emitting unit 406 and the light receiving element 302. It changes when is blocked. Therefore, each sensor unit 402 is used to pass the recording medium in the transport path 203 at two points between the light emitting element 301 and the light receiving unit 405 and between the light emitting unit 406 and the light receiving element 302, respectively. The situation can be judged.

  A light emitting element 301 of an arbitrary sensor unit 402 and a light receiving element 302 of a sensor unit 402 different from the sensor unit 402 are arranged at a predetermined distance on a plane formed by the guide member 204. That is, the light emitting element 301 of an arbitrary sensor unit 402 and the light receiving element 302 of a sensor unit 402 other than the sensor unit 402 are arranged on the sensor substrate 404 in a pattern that is spaced a predetermined distance on a plane formed by the guide member 204. It is attached.

  The predetermined distance is such that light emitted from the light emitting element 301 of an arbitrary sensor unit 402 does not enter the light receiving element 302 of another sensor unit 402, and the light emitting element 301 of the arbitrary sensor unit 402 and another sensor unit 402 The distance from the light receiving element 302 can be set.

  Alternatively, the predetermined distance is such that the light emitted from the light emitting element 301 of any sensor unit 402 and incident on the light receiving element 302 of another sensor unit 402 does not exceed a predetermined level set in another sensor unit 402. As described above, the distance between the light emitting element 301 of an arbitrary sensor unit 402 and the light receiving element 302 of another sensor unit 402 may be set as a distance.

  The predetermined distance is a value set based on the light emission characteristics of the light emitting element 301 and the light reception characteristics of the light receiving element 302, and differs depending on the type of the light emitting element 301 and the type of the light receiving element 302 used in the passbook printer 100. In the passbook printer 100 of this embodiment, specifically, a light emitting element 301 of an arbitrary sensor unit 402 and a light receiving element 302 of a sensor unit 402 different from the sensor unit 402 are set to be separated by 36 mm. ing.

  Each light emitting element 301 in the plurality of sensor units 402 is disposed in a predetermined region 601 on a plane formed by the guide member 204. Thereby, in the plane which the guide member 204 makes, each light emitting element 301 in a plurality of sensor units 402 is arranged collectively. Each light receiving element 302 in the plurality of sensor units 402 is disposed in another region 602 that does not overlap the region 601 on the plane formed by the guide member 204. Accordingly, the light receiving elements 302 in the plurality of sensor units 402 are collectively arranged on the plane formed by the guide member 204.

  Here, the arrangement concept of the light emitting element 301 and the light receiving element 302 will be described. FIG. 8 is an explanatory view showing the arrangement concept of the light emitting element 301 and the light receiving element 302. In FIG. 8, reference numerals 801 and 802 denote a first surface and a second surface, respectively, that form a space through which a transport medium (recording medium) passes.

  The 1st surface 801 and the 2nd surface 802 are not restricted to the member which has the substance which makes plate shape or a plane part like the guide members 204 and 205. FIG. As long as the first surface 801 and the second surface 802 are regions formed by the light emitting element 301 and the light receiving element 302, the first surface 801 and the second surface 802 are not limited to flat surfaces.

  The light emitting element 301 and the light receiving element 302 of the plurality of sensor units 402 are arranged in different regions so that only the light emitting element 301 and only the light receiving element 302 are arranged together. The region 803 where only the light emitting element 301 is disposed and the region 804 where only the light receiving element 302 is disposed overlap each other on a plane formed on one side (upper side or lower side) with respect to the transport path 203. It is provided at a position that does not become necessary.

  In the passbook printer 100, a plurality (two in this embodiment) of regions 601 in which the light emitting elements 301 are arranged are provided on the plane formed by the guide member 204. The region 602 in which the light receiving element 302 is disposed is disposed between the plurality of regions 601, that is, in a state where the two regions 601 are on both sides. The number of regions 601 is not limited to two, but may be three or more or one.

  The number of regions 602 is not limited to one and may be two or more. For example, in the case where two regions 602 and one region 601 are provided, the region 601 in which the light-emitting element 301 is disposed can be provided between the plurality of regions 602 on the plane formed by the guide member 204. The number of regions 601 and regions 602 may be two or more. In this case, by alternately arranging the regions 601 and 602 in the width direction of the transport path 203, the regions 601 and 602 are arranged so that the region 602 is adjacent to the region 601 and the region 602 is adjacent to the region 601. Can be arranged.

  The sensor unit 402 is provided so as to be able to determine the passing state of the recording medium at two points in the transport direction of the transport path 203. That is, the sensor unit 402 is provided so as to be able to determine the state of passage of the recording medium at two points, that is, the front surface side of the transport medium detection device 401 and the back surface side of the transport medium detection device 401.

  At least the light emitting element 301 and the light receiving element 302 of the sensor unit 402 provided on the back side of the transport medium detection device 401 are disposed substantially parallel to the width direction of the transport path 203. That is, the light emitting element 301 and the light receiving element 302 of the sensor unit 402 provided on the back side of the transport medium detection device 401 are in a pattern that is substantially parallel to the width direction of the transport path 203 on the plane formed by the guide member 204. The sensor board 404 is attached. Accordingly, at least the arrangement direction of the light emitting elements 301 and the light receiving elements 302 of the sensor unit 402 provided on the back side of the transport medium detection device 401 is substantially parallel to the longitudinal direction of the shutter member 211.

  In each sensor unit 402, it can be detected that the recording medium exists between the light emitting element 301 or the light receiving element 302 and the light guide member 403 when the amount of light received by the light receiving element 302 is reduced to a predetermined level. For this reason, the arrangement direction of the light emitting element 301 and the light receiving element 302 and the longitudinal direction of the shutter member 211 are substantially parallel to each other, thereby determining whether or not there is a recording medium located at a predetermined distance from the shutter member 211. Two units can be detected per unit 402.

  In this embodiment, the light emitting element 301 and the light receiving element 302 of the sensor unit 402 provided on the front side of the transport medium detection device 401 are arranged substantially parallel to the width direction of the transport path 203. . The arrangement state of the light emitting elements 301 and the light receiving elements 302 of the sensor unit 402 provided on the front surface side in the transport medium detection device 401 is not limited to being arranged substantially parallel to the width direction of the transport path 203. The light emitting element 301 and the light receiving element 302 of the sensor unit 402 provided on the front surface side in the transport medium detection device 401 may be disposed so as to be inclined with respect to the width direction of the transport path 203.

  As described above, the passbook printer 100 according to the embodiment of the present invention includes the conveyance medium detection device 401, and the guide member 204 that realizes the first surface 801 and the guide member 205 that realizes the second surface 802. Are arranged at predetermined intervals to form a transport path 203 that is an example of a space through which a recording medium passes, and a sensor unit 402 formed by a light emitting element 301, a light receiving element 302, and a light guide member 403. Multiple units are arranged. Then, based on the amount of light received by the light receiving element 302 via the light guide member 403 from the light emitted from the light emitting element 301, the state of passage of the recording medium in the transport path 203 is determined. The passbook printer 100 is characterized in that the light emitting element 301 in each sensor unit 402 of the plurality of sensor units 402 is arranged at a predetermined distance from the light receiving element 302 of a sensor unit 402 different from the sensor unit 402. .

  According to the passbook printer 100 having such a configuration, by arranging the light emitting element 301 and the light receiving element 302 on the same surface, the substrates in the sensor unit 402 are concentrated on one side in the space through which the conveyance medium passes, and Even when the light emitting element 301 and the light receiving element 302 are arranged on the same surface, it is possible to suppress the influence on the amount of light received by each light receiving element 302 by receiving light from the light emitting element 301 of another sensor unit 402. it can.

  As a result, the configuration is simplified and the control is facilitated by consolidating the substrates, and an error caused by increasing the detection threshold of each sensor unit 402 by suppressing the influence on the amount of light received by each light receiving element 302. Detection can be suppressed.

  In the passbook printer 100 according to the embodiment of the present invention, the light emitting elements 301 are collectively arranged in the area 601 of the guide member 204, and the light receiving elements 302 are disposed in another area 602 that does not overlap the area 601. It is characterized by arranging them together. In this manner, the light emitting elements 301 are collectively arranged in the region 601 and the light receiving elements 302 are collectively arranged in the region 602, thereby reducing the amount of light around the light receiving element 302 and from the light emitting element 301 of another sensor unit 402. It is possible to effectively suppress the influence on the amount of light received by each light receiving element 302 by receiving the light of. Accordingly, it is possible to effectively suppress erroneous detection caused by increasing the detection threshold of each sensor unit 402 by suppressing the influence on the amount of light received by each light receiving element 302.

  Further, according to the passbook printer 100 of the embodiment of the present invention, a plurality of regions 601 where the light emitting elements 301 are arranged are provided, and a region 602 where the light receiving elements 302 are arranged is provided between the plurality of regions 601 provided. It is characterized by that. As described above, by dividing the region 601 in which the light emitting element 301 is arranged into a plurality of parts, the degree of freedom of the arrangement positions of the light emitting element 301 and the light receiving element 302 arranged in the regions 601 and 602 can be improved. . As a result, the degree of freedom in design can be improved.

  In the passbook printer 100 according to the embodiment of the present invention, the area 602 in which the light receiving element 302 is arranged may be divided into a plurality of parts. As described above, even when the region 602 in which the light receiving element 302 is disposed is divided into a plurality of regions, the degree of freedom in the arrangement positions of the light emitting element 301 and the light receiving element 302 disposed in the regions 601 and 602 can be improved. Therefore, the degree of design freedom can be improved.

  In addition, the passbook printer 100 according to the embodiment of the present invention includes a shutter member 211 that causes the leading end portion of the transport medium passing between the guide members 204 and 205 to follow a predetermined direction suitable for recording by the recording unit 101. The light emitting element 301 and the light receiving element 302 of the sensor unit 402 are characterized by being arranged substantially parallel to a predetermined direction. In this embodiment, they are arranged parallel to the width direction of the transport path 203.

  In this way, by arranging the light emitting element 301 and the light receiving element 302 side by side at the same position in the passing direction of the transport medium, the number of locations that the sensor unit 402 senses at an arbitrary position in the passing direction of the transport medium can be determined. It can be double the number of 402. As a result, the number of sensor units 402 that is ½ of the number of sensing locations can determine the state of passage of the transport medium. By halving the number of sensor units 402, the configuration can be simplified and the control can be easily performed. Can be achieved.

  In other words, in the passbook printer 100 according to the embodiment of the present invention, the light emitting element 301 and the light receiving element 302 are arranged side by side in the same position in the passing direction of the carrying medium, thereby being along the passing direction of the carrying medium. At any position, the number of locations sensed by the sensor unit 402 can be twice the number of sensor units 402, and the reliability of the determination result can be improved.

  The passbook printer 100 according to the embodiment of the present invention is characterized in that the light emitting element 301 and the light receiving element 302 of each sensor unit 402 are arranged so that the light guide members 403 intersect each other. Thus, even when the light emitting elements 301 and the light receiving elements 302 in the plurality of sensor units 402 are arranged in a line along a predetermined direction, the light emitting elements 301 or the light receiving elements 302 in different sensing units are aligned along the predetermined direction. They can be placed side by side. That is, the light emitting element 301 and the light receiving element 302 of another sensor unit 402 can be arranged between the light emitting element 301 and the light receiving element 302 of one sensor unit 402.

  As a result, it is possible to determine the state of passage of the transport medium using a plurality of sensor units 402 at an arbitrary position in the transport medium passage direction without increasing the number of sensor units 402, and the reliability of the determination result. Can be improved.

  Further, the passbook printer 100 according to the embodiment of the present invention is characterized in that the light emitting elements 301 and the light receiving elements 302 of each sensor unit 402 are arranged at the same interval. The lengths of the light guides can be made equal. Thereby, in each of the plurality of sensor units 402, the attenuation amount of the light transmitted through the light guide path can be made constant, and the adjustment of the light receiving sensitivity in each light receiving element 302 can be facilitated.

  Further, according to the passbook printer 100 of the embodiment of the present invention, the configuration of the sensor unit 402 in the transport medium detection device 401 is integrated and the configuration is simplified and the control is facilitated. By suppressing the influence on the amount of received light, the erroneous detection due to increasing the detection threshold of each sensor unit 402 can be suppressed, and the adjustment work can be facilitated. Thereby, the conveyance timing of the conveyance medium and the recording timing by the recording means can be made to coincide with each other with high accuracy, and the recording quality can be improved.

  As described above, the carrier medium detection device and the printer according to the present invention are useful for the carrier medium detection device and the printer that determine the state of passage of the carrier medium in the space through which the carrier medium passes. The present invention is suitable for a conveyance medium detection device and a printer that determine a passing state of a conveyance medium using a sensor unit that transmits emitted light to a light receiving element via a light guide member.

It is explanatory drawing (the 1) which shows the bankbook printer of embodiment concerning this invention. It is explanatory drawing (the 2) which shows the bankbook printer of embodiment concerning this invention. It is explanatory drawing (the 1) which shows the structure of a conveyance medium detection apparatus. It is explanatory drawing (the 2) which shows the structure of a conveyance medium detection apparatus. It is explanatory drawing (the 3) which shows the structure of a conveyance medium detection apparatus. It is explanatory drawing (the 4) which shows the structure of a conveyance medium detection apparatus. It is explanatory drawing (the 5) which shows the structure of a conveyance medium detection apparatus. It is explanatory drawing which shows the arrangement | positioning concept of a light emitting element and a light receiving element.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 Passbook printer 301 Light emitting element 302 Light receiving element 401 Conveyance medium detection apparatus 402 Sensor unit 403 Light guide member 405 Light receiving part 406 Light emitting part 407 Light guide part

Claims (8)

In the first surface and the second surface that form a space through which the conveyance medium passes at a predetermined interval,
A light emitting device disposed on the first surface;
A light receiving element paired with the light emitting element, disposed at a position different from the light emitting element on the first surface;
A light receiving portion disposed at a position facing the light emitting element on the second surface; a light emitting portion disposed at a position facing the light receiving element on the second surface; the light receiving portion and the light emitting portion; And a light guide member comprising:
A plurality of sensor units formed by
A transport medium detection device that determines a passing state of the transport medium in the space based on a light amount received by the light receiving element through the light guide member.
The transport medium detection device, wherein the light emitting element in each sensor unit of the plurality of sensor units is arranged at a predetermined distance from the light receiving element of a sensor unit different from the sensor unit.   The light emitting elements are collectively arranged in a predetermined area of the first surface, and the light receiving elements are collectively arranged in another area that does not overlap the predetermined area. Item 2. The conveyance medium detection device according to Item 1.   The transport medium detection device according to claim 2, wherein a plurality of regions in which the light emitting elements are disposed are provided, and a region in which the light receiving elements are disposed is provided between the plurality of regions.   The transport medium detection device according to claim 2, wherein a plurality of regions in which the light receiving elements are disposed are provided, and a region in which the light emitting elements are disposed is provided between the plurality of regions. A shutter member for bringing a leading end portion of a conveyance medium passing between the first surface and the second surface along a predetermined direction;
5. The carrier medium detection device according to claim 1, wherein the light emitting element and the light receiving element of the sensor unit are arranged substantially parallel to the predetermined direction.   The transport medium detection device according to claim 5, wherein the light emitting element and the light receiving element of each sensor unit are arranged so that the light guide members intersect each other.   The transport medium detection device according to claim 6, wherein the light emitting element and the light receiving element of each of the sensor units are arranged at the same interval. The carrier medium detection device according to any one of claims 1 to 7,
A recording means for performing recording on a transport medium whose passage state is determined by the transport medium detection device;
A printer comprising:

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