JP2011104877A - Printer - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a printer configured to smoothly attach/detach a recording medium to/from a paper feed part or a feeding roller part without limiting configuration and arrangement of the paper feed part or the feeding roller part, thereby having improved maintenability. <P>SOLUTION: The printer includes: the paper feed part 1 having a holding part 11 constituting a storage part to attachably/detachably store the wound recording medium Pa; and the feeding roller part 8 to feed out one end of the recording medium Pa held by the paper feed part 1 to a conveying path leading to a head part for printing. A loading/unloading space SP1 to load/unload the storage medium Pa to/from the holding part 11 constituting the storage part is disposed in the adjacent position of the holding part 11 constituting the storage part, and the feeding roller part 8 is located in the loading/unloading space SP1 upon feeding out the recording medium Pa, and the feeding roller part 8 is configured to move to a maintenance position (mt) retreated from the loading/unloading space SP1 upon attaching/detaching the recording medium Pa to/from the storage part. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a printer including a paper feed unit for holding a wound recording medium and a feed roller unit for feeding out the recording medium held by the paper feed unit, and more particularly to the paper feed unit or the feed roller unit. The present invention relates to a printer in which a recording medium is properly attached and detached.

  As an example of the above-described printer, a thermal printer includes a paper feed unit having a storage unit that stores a recording medium in a state where it can be supplied to a head unit that performs printing, and a recording medium held by the paper feed unit as a head unit. A heat transfer mechanism that supplies a recording medium to the head unit through the transfer unit and transfers a dye or a pigment to the recording medium through heating of the head unit or changes in color when heat is sensed. This is a printing apparatus that prints on a recording medium by heating the recording medium such as paper with a head unit.

  As a conventional thermal printer, for example, Patent Document 1 discloses a paper feeding unit such as a paper cassette that holds a wound recording medium, and a recording medium set in the paper feeding unit with respect to a conveyance path toward the head unit. A printer including a feed roller unit that feeds out is disclosed. In a printer using such a wound recording medium, when performing maintenance such as replenishment of the recording medium to the paper feeding unit, the recording medium is set in the paper feeding unit, and then the recording held in the paper feeding unit It is necessary to perform preparation work for setting the leading end of the medium to the delivery roller unit.

JP 2001-88385 A

  However, when the feeding roller unit is configured to obtain a driving force for feeding out the recording medium in a state associated with the surrounding mechanical component from the mechanical component, the space around the feeding roller unit is the mechanical component. Therefore, it is difficult to attach and detach the recording medium to / from the delivery roller unit.

  In addition, when the recording medium wound between the outside and the paper feeding unit via the loading / unloading space is attached / detached, if the feeding roller unit for feeding out the recording medium held by the paper feeding unit is in the loading / unloading space, There is a case where the operation of attaching / detaching the medium to / from the paper feeding unit is hindered by the feeding roller unit, and the working efficiency is reduced.

  The present invention has been made paying attention to such a problem, and the object thereof is to record on the paper feeding unit or the sending roller unit without restricting the configuration and arrangement of the paper feeding unit and the sending roller unit. It is an object of the present invention to provide a printer that can be smoothly attached and detached and has improved maintainability.

  In order to achieve this object, the present invention takes the following measures.

  That is, the printer of the present invention includes a paper feed unit having a storage unit that detachably stores a wound recording medium, and a head unit that performs printing on one end side of the recording medium held by the paper supply unit. A feeding roller section that feeds out toward the conveying path toward the transport path, and a loading / unloading space for loading / unloading the recording medium into / from the housing section is provided at a position adjacent to the housing section. Is located in the loading / unloading space when the recording medium is unwound, and is configured to be movable to a maintenance position where the recording medium is retracted from the loading / unloading space when the recording medium is attached to or detached from the storage portion.

  As described above, since the feeding roller unit can be moved to the maintenance position where the feeding roller unit is retracted from the loading / unloading space when the recording medium is attached to or detached from the storage unit, there is no restriction on the configuration and arrangement of the sheet feeding unit and the feeding roller unit. The feeding roller portion can be moved out of the loading / unloading space to secure the loading / unloading space, and can be smoothly attached to and detached from the storage portion of the recording medium, thereby improving maintenance.

  The printer of the present invention is directed to a paper feeding unit that holds the wound recording medium, and a head unit that performs printing while sandwiching one end of the recording medium held by the paper feeding unit by a pair of rollers. A feeding roller unit that feeds the recording medium to the conveyance path, and the feeding roller unit is in a feeding position that feeds the recording medium in association with a peripheral mechanical component when the recording medium is fed, When the recording medium is attached to or detached from the delivery roller portion, it is configured so as to be able to move to a maintenance position where the relationship with the mechanical part is cut off and the surrounding space is opened.

  In this manner, the feeding roller unit is in a feeding position where the surrounding space is occupied by the mechanical component in association with the surrounding mechanical component when the recording medium is fed, and the mechanical component is separated from the mechanical component when the recording medium is attached to or detached from the feeding roller unit. Since it is configured to be movable to a maintenance position that releases the surrounding space, the open space around the recording medium can be used without restricting the configuration and arrangement of the paper feeding unit and the sending roller unit. It can be used as a space for attaching and detaching, and it is possible to smoothly attach and detach the recording medium, thereby improving maintainability.

  In order to improve the maintainability by facilitating the operation of moving the delivery roller unit, the delivery roller unit applies a driving force to the delivery roller unit when it is in a position for feeding out the recording medium. It is preferable to be configured so as to be disconnected from the mechanical component when it is in the maintenance position.

  In order to achieve smooth attachment and detachment of the recording medium to and from the delivery roller unit and to achieve further effects through the above-described configuration, the delivery roller unit is provided so as to be relatively contactable and separable while sandwiching the recording medium. It is effective to include a pair of rollers for feeding out the recording medium, and a feeding roller support portion that supports the pair of rollers movably between the feeding position of the recording medium and the maintenance position. is there.

  In order to improve maintenance while appropriately transporting the recording medium, a support unit that rotatably supports the sheet feeding unit and the sending roller unit, and the sheet feeding unit and the sending roller with respect to the support unit And a positioning unit that stops the paper feeding unit and the feeding roller unit rotated by the electric unit at a predetermined rotational position in a positioning state, and the recording medium is provided at the predetermined rotational position. It is preferable that a rotation position for attaching and detaching the recording medium and a rotation position for supplying the recording medium held by the sheet feeding unit to the conveyance path via the delivery roller unit are preferably set.

  In order to improve the design flexibility of the paper feeding unit, the paper feeding unit has a plate-like turntable unit that is rotatably supported by the support unit, and the electric unit includes the turntable unit or An output unit that is provided on one of the support units and outputs a rotational force; and a transmission unit that transmits the rotational force output by the output unit to the other of the turntable unit or the support unit. The positioning means is preferably disposed on the support portion side of the turntable portion.

  As described above, the present invention secures the loading / unloading space by moving the feeding roller unit out of the loading / unloading space, so that there is no restriction on the configuration and arrangement of the sheet feeding unit and the feeding roller unit. Therefore, it is possible to improve the maintenance performance.

  In addition, since the sending roller unit can be moved to a maintenance position where the surrounding space is opened and the recording medium can be attached and detached, the surrounding open space can be used as a space for attaching and detaching the recording medium. The recording medium can be smoothly attached and detached and the maintainability can be improved without restricting the configuration and arrangement of the printing section and the feeding roller section.

1 is a configuration diagram schematically showing a thermal printer according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a perspective view schematically showing reversing means for rotating a paper feed unit that holds a recording medium. The perspective view which shows typically the periphery structure of a turntable part and a base. The bottom view which shows typically the periphery structure of a turntable part and a base. FIG. 5 is a bottom view corresponding to FIG. 4, showing a state in which there is a turntable section that constitutes a sheet feeding section at second and third rotation positions. The perspective view which shows typically the engaging part and engaged part of a positioning means. FIG. 3 is a partial sectional view taken along line AA in FIG. FIG. 3 is a configuration diagram schematically illustrating a configuration in which a recording medium is communicated between a paper feeding unit and a branching unit. FIG. 3 is a configuration diagram schematically illustrating a configuration in which a recording medium is communicated between a paper feeding unit and a branching unit. The block diagram which shows typically the structure of the head part periphery provided in both the branch paths. FIG. 3 is a configuration diagram schematically showing an operation around a head unit when a recording medium is conveyed along one branch path. The block diagram which shows typically operation | movement of the head part periphery at the time of conveying a recording medium along the other branch path.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the thermal printer according to the present embodiment uses a sheet feeding unit 1 that holds a recording medium Pa such as a wound roll sheet, and consumables Pb1 and Pb2 of different types. A plurality of head units 2 and 3 that perform printing on Pa, a main path Li0 that transports a recording medium Pa supplied from the paper supply unit 1, and a recording medium Pa that is held in the paper supply unit 1 with respect to the main path Li0. A feed roller unit 8 that feeds out a roller, branch channels Li1 and Li2 that are connected to a main channel Li0 through a branch unit 63, and have head units 2 and 3 respectively, and a roller while sandwiching a recording medium Pa between a pair of rollers 61 and 62 A transport roller unit 6 that transports the recording medium Pa in the branch paths Li1 and Li2 by rotating at least one of the control unit 5; and a control unit 5 that performs transport control of the recording medium Pa and print control of the head units 2 and 3. The recording medium Pa held by the sheet feeding section 1 through the feed roller section 8 and the transport roller section 6 is transported to the head sections 2 and 3 and printing is performed on the recording medium Pa by the head sections 2 and 3. is there.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the paper feeding unit 1 rotatably holds a recording medium Pa wound in a roll shape, and the recording medium Pa is centered on a roll axis C <b> 1 by a power unit such as a motor (not shown). The recording medium Pa is fed out and rewound by rotating forward and backward.

  The delivery roller unit 8 includes a pair of rollers 81 and 81, and supplies the recording medium Pa held by the sheet feeding unit 1 toward the head units 2 and 3 while being sandwiched between the pair of rollers 81 and 81.

  The head unit 2 performs normal printing on the recording medium Pa supplied from the paper feeding unit 1 via the trunk path Li0 and the branch path Li1, and specifically, ink such as pigments and dyes is applied. The ink ribbon roller 22 that feeds the consumable Pb1 that is the applied ink ribbon, and the thermal head 21 that is disposed downstream of the transport roller unit 6 and has a heating resistor disposed thereon, are heated by the thermal head 21 and the ink of the consumable Pb1 Is transferred to the recording medium Pa to perform normal printing.

  The head unit 3 performs spot color printing on the recording medium Pa supplied from the sheet feeding unit 1 via the trunk path Li0 and the branch path Li2, and specifically includes a protective layer, a glossy layer, and a white layer. A special color ribbon roller 32 for feeding out a consumable Pb2 serving as a special color ribbon for printing a special color such as a gold color, and a thermal head 31 on which a heating resistor is disposed. Special color printing is performed by transferring to Pa. The consumable Pb2 is a different type of consumable from the consumable Pb1 used in the head unit 2.

  The control unit 5 is configured by a normal microcomputer unit having a CPU, a memory, and an interface like a known thermal printer, and necessary programs such as a conveyance control routine and a print control routine are written in the memory. The CPU calls and executes necessary programs as appropriate, thereby realizing the intended transport operation and printing operation in cooperation with peripheral hardware resources.

  In the present embodiment, the following configuration is further added to the above configuration.

  That is, in order to realize double-sided printing by each of the head units 2 and 3, as shown in FIG. 1, the paper feed unit 1 can be rotated around the rotation axis Cn, and the paper feed unit 1 is rotated by the first rotation. The recording medium Pa can be supplied in the state stopped at the position ro1, and the paper feeding unit 1 is stopped at the second rotational position ro2 rotated 180 degrees from the first rotational position ro1 (FIG. 9, FIG. 9). In FIG. 4 and FIG. 5B), a reversing unit 4 is provided for reversing the front and back of the recording medium Pa facing the heads 2 and 3 by enabling the recording medium Pa to be supplied. The rotation of the paper feeding unit 1 by the reversing unit 4 is controlled by the control unit 5. The reversing unit 4 is configured to be able to stop the paper feeding unit 1 at a third rotation position ro3 suitable for maintenance on the paper feeding unit 1 such as attaching and detaching the recording medium Pa to the paper feeding unit 1 (FIG. 5 (a) and FIG. 7).

  Specifically, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the reversing unit 4 supports the sheet feeding unit 1 that holds the recording medium Pa so as to be able to be supplied, and the sheet feeding unit 1 so as to be rotatable about the rotation axis Cn. Supporting section 41, electric section 42 for rotating sheet feeding section 1 with respect to supporting section 41, detection section 43 for detecting that sheet feeding section 1 is at a predetermined rotational position, and sheet feeding section 1 are predetermined. Positioning means 44 for stopping at the rotational position in the positioning state.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the paper feed unit 1 is detachably supported on both sides in the width direction of the recording medium Pa so that the recording medium Pa wound in a roll shape can be rotated about the roll axis C1. Holding part 11, a plate-like turntable part 13 provided with the holding part 11 on the upper surface 13a, and a part of the holding part 11 provided on the upper surface 13a of the turntable part 13 and the recording held by the holding part 11. A fixed cover portion 12 that surrounds a part of the medium Pa and opens the other portion to the outside, and an interior and a fixed cover that are surrounded by the fixed cover portion 12 via a loading / unloading space SP1 including an opening space of the fixed cover portion 12 The recording medium Pa is detachably held between the recording medium Pa and the outside separated from the unit 12. The storage unit that detachably stores the recording medium Pa includes two holding units 11 that hold the recording medium Pa, and a storage space that holds the recording medium Pa between the two holding units 11.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the support unit 41 that supports the paper feed unit 1 includes a base 41 b that supports the turntable unit 13 of the paper feed unit 1 so as to be rotatable about a rotation axis Cn via a bearing 41 a. ing.

  The electric unit 42 that rotates the paper feeding unit 1 with respect to the support unit 41 includes an output unit 42a that is provided in the turntable unit 13 and outputs a rotational force such as a DC motor with poor stopping accuracy, and an output of the output unit 42a. A transmission portion 42r that transmits to the peripheral circuit 41r formed on the base 41b that is the support portion 41, and transmits the rotational force output by the output portion 42a to the support portion 41 via the transmission portion 42r and the peripheral circuit 41r. As a result, the sheet feeding unit 1 is rotated with respect to the support unit 41. The transmission portion 42r is disposed between the turntable portion 13 and the base 41b constituting the support portion 41. Of course, the output part 42a of the electric part 42 may be provided in the support part 41, and the transmission part 42r may be configured to transmit the rotational force to the turntable part 13 on the rotation axis Cn.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the detection unit 43 that detects the rotational position of the paper feeding unit 1 includes a light shielding unit 43 a provided in the turntable unit 13 that constitutes the paper feeding unit 1 and a base 41 b that constitutes the support unit 41. And three light shielding sensors 43b to 43d that detect light shielding by the light shielding portion 43a, and the light shielding portion 43a moves to a position where the light shielding sensors 43b to 43d are shielded as the turntable portion 13 rotates. Detecting whether the rotation position of the sheet feeding unit 1 is the first rotation position ro1, the second rotation position ro2, or the third rotation position ro3 depending on which light-blocking sensor detects the light-blocking. (See FIGS. 3 to 5)

  Specifically, a description will be given with reference to FIG. 3 showing a state in which the turntable unit 13 constituting the sheet feeding unit 1 is in the first rotation position ro1. One of the three light shielding sensors 43b to 43d is a light shielding sensor. 43b is disposed at a position where the light shielding unit 43a detects light shielding when the paper feeding unit 1 is at the first rotation position ro1. Among the three light shielding sensors 43b to 43d, the other light shielding sensor 43c is configured such that the turntable 13 rotates 90 degrees as shown by an arrow B shown in FIG. 3, and the paper feeding unit 1 moves from the first rotation position ro1. When moving to the third rotation position, it is arranged at a position to detect light shielding by the light shielding portion 43a. Among the three light shielding sensors 43b to 43d, the remaining light shielding sensor 43d is configured such that the turntable 13 rotates 180 degrees as shown by an arrow C shown in FIG. When the light is moved to the rotational position, the light is shielded by the light shielding portion 43a. In the present embodiment, the detection unit 43 that detects the posture of the paper feeding unit 1 is configured by using a plurality of light shielding sensors 43b to 43d. However, if the rotation position of the paper feeding unit 1 can be detected, an encoder, A rotation angle detection sensor such as a resolver may be used. In the present embodiment, three light shielding sensors are provided corresponding to the three rotational positions, but a plurality of rotational positions may be specified by a combination of a plurality of light shielding sensors.

  The positioning means 44 for stopping the paper feeding unit 1 in the first to third rotational positions in a positioning state is a support part of the turntable unit 13 constituting the paper feeding unit 1 as shown in FIGS. Three engaged portions 45 provided on the lower surface 13b that is the side, and an engagement provided on the base 41b that constitutes the support portion 41 and that engages with the engaged portion 45 based on a command signal from the control portion 5 The engaging portion 46a (see FIGS. 3 and 6) that can move to either the position or the retracted position retracted from the engaging position, and three engaged portions 45 as the turntable portion 13 rotates. Is moved to a position facing the engaging portion 46a, and by engaging the engaging portion 46a with the engaged portion 45, the rotation of the paper feeding portion 1 is prohibited and the paper feeding portion 1 is brought to a desired rotational position. It is to stop.

  Specifically, a description will be given with reference to FIG. 4 showing a state in which the turntable unit 13 serving as the paper feeding unit 1 is in the first rotation position ro1, and one of the three engaged portions 45 is engaged. The portion 45 (sa) is disposed at a position where the paper feeding portion 1 can be engaged with the engaging portion 46 a when the paper feeding portion 1 is at the first rotation position ro1, and the other one engaged portion 45 (sm) is Engaged when the turntable 13 rotates 90 degrees as indicated by the arrow shown in FIG. 4 and the paper feed unit 1 moves from the first rotational position ro1 to the third rotational position ro3 shown in FIG. 5A. The remaining engaged portion 45 (sb) is disposed at a position that can be engaged with the portion 46a, and the turntable portion 13 rotates 180 degrees as shown by the arrow in FIG. When it moves from the rotational position ro1 to the second rotational position shown in FIG. It is. Thus, the positional relationship between the engaging portion 46a and each engaged portion 45 (sa, sm, sb) is defined.

  More specifically, as shown in FIG. 6, the engaging portion 46 a is a shaft-like protruding portion that is provided on the rotating shaft 46 b that rotates and extends in a direction perpendicular to the tangent line in the rotational direction of the paper feeding portion 1. The engagement mechanism 46 is configured by the joint portion 46a, the rotation shaft 46b, and a transmission member 46c that is provided at one end of the rotation shaft 46b and transmits the power from the motor as a power portion to the rotation shaft 46b. The engagement mechanism 46 rotates the rotation shaft 46b about an axis C4 parallel to the tangent line in the rotation direction of the sheet feeding unit 1 so that the engagement unit 46a is along a direction orthogonal to the rotation direction of the sheet feeding unit 1. To move the engaging portion 46a to either the engaging position or the retracted position.

  As shown in FIG. 6, the engaged portion 45 is formed along a direction orthogonal to the rotation direction and engages with the engaging portion 46 a to prohibit the rotation of the paper feeding portion 1 and the turntable portion 13. A forbidden surface 45c and a calling portion 45d for calling the engaging portion 46a between the forbidden surfaces 45c are formed. Even if the rotation stop position of the sheet feeding portion 1 by the electric portion 42 is slightly shifted, the engaging portion 46a is guided between the forbidden surfaces 45c by the calling portion 45d to accurately determine the posture of the paper feeding portion 1. It is desirable that the engaging portion 46a is rotatably mounted so as to perform a smooth engaging operation.

  In this embodiment, the engaged portion 45 is provided in the turntable portion 13 constituting the paper feeding portion 1, and the engaging mechanism 46 including the engaging portion 46 a is provided in the base 41 b constituting the support portion 41. However, this positional relationship may be reversed. Moreover, although the calling part 45d is provided in the engaged part 45, it may be provided only in the engaging part 46a, and may be provided in both the engaged part 45 and the engaging part 46a.

  By the way, in the present embodiment, as described above, when the sheet feeding unit 1 is stopped at the third rotation position for maintenance and the recording medium Pa is attached to and detached from the sheet feeding unit 1, FIGS. As shown in a), the pair of rollers 81 and 81 constituting the feed roller unit 8 is in the feeding position ku shown in FIG. 7A, and is provided at one end of one of the pair of rollers 81. The passive gear 81a and the gear 81b, which is a part of the mechanical part As that applies a driving force to the delivery roller unit 8, are engaged with each other so that the delivery roller unit 8 and the mechanical part As are associated with each other. This space is occupied by the mechanical component As, and it is difficult to perform the operation of attaching / detaching the recording medium Pa to / from the rollers 81. Further, in this case, the sending roller unit 8 is in the loading / unloading space SP1, and the operation for attaching and detaching the recording medium Pa to and from the storage unit constituted by the holding unit 11 is in a state of being inhibited by the sending roller unit 8. The taking-in / out space SP1 is a space for taking in / out the recording medium Pa to / from the holding unit 11 constituting the accommodation unit, as shown by being surrounded by a one-dot chain line in FIG. 7, and is the space of the holding unit 11 constituting the accommodation unit. It is provided at an adjacent position.

  Therefore, in the present embodiment, the delivery roller unit 8 is configured as described below in order to solve such a problem.

  That is, as shown in FIG. 2, the feeding roller unit 8 is provided with a pair of rollers 81 and 81 for feeding out the recording medium while sandwiching the recording medium, and an opening / closing axis C2 provided on both ends of the pair of rollers 81 and 81. A feed roller support portion 83 that performs an opening / closing operation by turning around the center, and a contact / separation mechanism 82 that enables the pair of rollers 81 and 81 to be relatively contacted / separated. The contact / separation mechanism 82 includes a balance portion 82a provided on the feed roller support portion 83 so as to be rotatable about an axis C3 parallel to the axis of the roller 81, and an urging means 82b using a tension spring. Yes. One of the pair of rollers 81, 81 is rotatably supported by the feed roller support portion 83, and the other roller is located at a portion of the balance portion 82a displaced from the axis C3. Is provided. The urging means 82 b urges the roller 81 provided on the balance portion 82 a toward the other roller 81. Of course, the biasing means 82b is not limited to the tension spring as long as it biases in the direction in which the pair of rollers 81 and 81 approach each other. Further, the contact / separation mechanism 82 includes an eccentric cam 82c that contacts the balance 82a, a contact / separation mechanism gear 82e (see FIG. 2) that obtains power from a power unit such as a motor (not shown), and the eccentric cam 82c and contact / separation mechanism gear. It has a connecting shaft 82d for connecting to 82e, and is configured to be able to switch between a pair of rollers 81 between a pressure contact state and a separated state by rotating an eccentric cam 82c.

  In the above configuration, as shown in FIG. 7 (b), the delivery roller support portion 83 is rotated about the opening / closing axis C2, and the pair of rollers 81 and 81 constituting the delivery roller portion 8 is moved to a predetermined maintenance position mt. , The meshing between the passive gear 81a provided on the roller 81 and the gear 81b which is a part of the mechanism part As is lost, and the association between the delivery roller part 8 and the mechanism part As is broken, and the delivery roller part 8 The surrounding space is opened, and the opened space can be used when the recording medium Pa is attached to and detached from the rollers 81 and 81. Further, in this case, the sending roller unit 8 is retracted from the loading / unloading space SP1 and is outside the loading / unloading space SP1, and the loading / unloading space SP1 necessary for attaching / detaching the recording medium Pa to / from the sheet feeding unit 1 is secured without being occupied. The

  By the way, since the sheet feeding unit 1 is configured to rotate by the reversing means 4 as described above, the connection between the main path Li0 for transporting the recording medium Pa supplied from the sheet feeding unit 1 and the sheet feeding unit 1 is performed. The part needs to correspond to the rotation of the sheet feeding unit 1.

  For this purpose, as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the entrance of the trunk path Li <b> 0 is received by a guide mechanism 7 that receives the recording medium Pa that is sandwiched by the delivery roller unit 8 and has a free tip and guides it to the branching unit 63. It is configured. The guide mechanism 7 includes a first guide unit 71 that receives the recording medium Pa fed from the feed roller unit 8 and guides it to the branching unit 63 when the sheet feeding unit 1 is at the first rotation position ro1, and a sheet feeding unit. And a second guide portion 72 for receiving the recording medium Pa fed from the feed roller portion 8 and guiding it to the branch portion 63 when 1 is at the second rotational position ro2. The end portions of the first guide portion 71 and the second guide portion 72 on the sheet feeding portion side are formed so that the space between the guide surfaces is widened in a trumpet shape and smoothly receives the recording medium Pa with curled wrinkles. ing. Of course, if the position where the recording medium Pa and the two guide portions 71 and 72 are in contact with each other is clear, it is not necessary to incline both of the opposing guide surfaces and form a trumpet, and one of the opposing guide surfaces. Only the guide surface may be inclined to be a receiving surface.

  As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the branching unit 63 connected to the downstream side of the trunk path Li0 switches the transport destination of the recording medium Pa on the trunk path Li0 to either the branch path Li1 or the branch path Li2. A switching guide part 63b that guides the recording medium Pa and a switching guide support part 63a that is connected to a power unit such as a motor (not shown) and rotatably supports the switching guide part 63b. The switching guide 63b is rotated in response to a switching command from the control unit 5 so that the switching guide 63b has a position po1 where the path of the recording medium Pa is the branch path Li1 or the path of the recording medium Pa. The recording medium Pa is selectively conveyed between the trunk path Li0 and each of the branch paths Li1 and Li2 by being displaced to one of the positions po2 to be the branch path Li2. In the illustrated branching portion 63, two plate members are opposed in parallel to form the switching guide portion 63b. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the entire switching guide portion 63b may be formed of a single plate material.

  As shown in FIG. 10, the conveyance roller unit 6 that conveys the recording medium Pa in each of the branch paths Li1 and Li2 conveys the recording medium by rotating at least one of the rollers while holding the recording medium between a pair of rollers. A branch path Li1 and a branch path between the main feed roller 61 and a main feed roller 61 called a feed roller disposed inside the both branch paths Li1 and Li2 and in the vicinity of the branch portion 63 It has two main feed pinch rollers 62 and 62 called pinch rollers that sandwich the recording medium in Li2. The main feed roller 61 is disposed and shared at a position facing both the branch paths Li1 and Li2 at the upstream of the head portions 2 and 3, and obtains a driving force for conveying the recording medium Pa from a power portion Dr such as a motor. Thus, the recording medium in both branch paths Li1 and Li2 is transported. Therefore, the main feed roller 61 can rotate forward and backward, and the two main feed pinch rollers 62 and 62 are supported so as to be able to contact and separate from the main feed roller 61, respectively.

  Further, sandwiching sensors 67a and 67a for detecting whether or not the recording medium guided along both the branch paths Li1 and Li2 is between the main feed roller 61 and the main feed pinch roller 62 are arranged. A pressure contact control mechanism 67 is provided for switching the main feed roller 61 and the main feed pinch rollers 62 and 62 independently to the pressure contact state or the separated state based on the detection results of the sandwiching sensors 67a and 67a and the switching state of the branching portion 63. It has been.

  In each of the branch paths Li1 and Li2, auxiliary feed rollers 64 and 64 called platen rollers for conveying the recording medium are disposed inside the branch paths Li1 and Li2. The auxiliary feed rollers 64 and 64 are connected so as to be driven to rotate in the same rotational direction as the main feed roller 61 via driven connection mechanisms Co1 and Co2, respectively. Since the auxiliary feed rollers 64 and 64 are arranged symmetrically with each other, the driven connecting mechanisms Co1 and Co2 are both symmetrically configured in the same manner, and the conveyance capabilities of both the auxiliary feed rollers 64 and 64 are the same. Yes. In the present embodiment, both the auxiliary feed rollers 64 and 64 are arranged inside the two branch paths Li1 and Li2 and arranged in a symmetrical positional relationship, but the auxiliary feed rollers 64 and 64 are symmetrical to each other. If they are in a positional relationship, both may be arranged outside both the branch paths Li1 and Li2. In this case as well, the driven connection mechanisms Co1 and Co2 can both have the same configuration symmetrical to each other.

  Both branch paths Li1 and Li2 are joined downstream of the head parts 2 and 3, and in the vicinity of the joined parts, driven to rotate in the same rotational direction as the main feed roller 61 via the driven connection mechanism Co3. A discharge roller 65 that can be connected, and discharge pinch rollers 66 and 66 that sandwich the recording medium Pa between the discharge roller 65 are provided, and the recording medium is conveyed in the discharge direction by these rollers 65 and 66. Is done.

  When the recording medium is transported along the branch path Li1, as shown in FIG. 11, the branching unit 63 is switched so that the transport destination of the recording medium on the basic path Li0 is the branch path Li1, and the recording medium is switched to the branch path Li1. Along with this, the recording medium enters between the main feed roller 61 and the main feed pinch roller 62. Then, the clamping sensor 67a detects this, and the press contact control mechanism 67 presses the main feed pinch roller 62 on the side of the branch path Li1, which is the transport destination of the recording medium, by switching the branch portion 63 to the main feed roller 61. . At the same time, the pressure control mechanism 67 separates the main feed pinch roller 62 on the side of the branch path Li2 that is not the transport destination of the recording medium Pa from the main feed roller 61 by a distance Ds. Then, when the rotation direction of the main feed roller 61 is switched clockwise by the power unit Dr, the auxiliary feed rollers 64 and 64 and the discharge roller 65 are rotated clockwise by the rotation of the main feed roller 61 and branched. In the path Li1, the recording medium is rotated in the same direction.

  On the other hand, when the recording medium is transported along the branch path Li2, as shown in FIG. 12, the branch unit 63 is switched so that the transport destination of the recording medium on the trunk path Li0 is the branch path Li2, and the branch path The recording medium enters between the main feed roller 61 and the main feed pinch roller 62 along Li2. Then, the nipping sensor 67a detects this, and the press contact control mechanism 67 presses the main feed pinch roller 62 on the branch path Li2 side, which is the transport destination of the recording medium, by switching the branch portion 63 to the main feed roller 61. . At the same time, the press contact control mechanism 67 separates the main feed pinch roller 62 on the side of the branch path Li <b> 1, which is not a conveyance destination of the recording medium, from the main feed roller 61 by a distance Ds. When the rotation direction of the main feed roller 61 is switched counterclockwise by the power unit Dr, the auxiliary feed rollers 64 and 64 and the discharge roller 65 are rotated counterclockwise following the rotation of the main feed roller 61. The recording medium is rotated in the same direction in the branch path Li2.

  As described above, the printer according to the present embodiment holds the wound recording medium Pa in the paper feed unit 1 having the holding unit 11 that constitutes a storage unit that detachably stores the wound recording medium Pa. The recording medium Pa includes a feeding roller unit 8 that feeds one end side of the recording medium Pa to a basic path Li0 that forms a conveyance path toward the head units 2 and 3 that perform printing, and is positioned adjacent to the storage unit (holding unit 11). Is provided with a loading / unloading space SP1 for loading / unloading the recording medium Pa into / from the storage section (holding section 11), and the feeding roller section 8 is in the loading / unloading space SP1 when the recording medium Pa is unwound. It is configured to be movable to a maintenance position mt that retreats from the loading / unloading space SP1 when it is attached to and detached from the storage portion (holding portion 11).

  As described above, the feeding roller unit 8 is configured to be movable to the maintenance position mt for retracting from the loading / unloading space SP1 when the recording medium Pa is attached to or detached from the storage unit (holding unit 11). Without restricting the configuration and arrangement of FIG. 8, the feeding roller unit 8 is moved out of the loading / unloading space SP1 to secure the loading / unloading space SP1, and can be smoothly attached to and detached from the storage unit (holding unit 11) of the recording medium Pa. As a result, it is possible to improve maintainability.

  In addition, as long as the taking-out space SP1 is provided in the adjacent position of the accommodating part, it may overlap with an accommodating part. That is, the storage unit includes two holding units 11 that hold the recording medium Pa, and a storage space that is located between the two holding units 11 and stores the recording medium Pa. This means that SP1 may overlap, and the accommodation space and the access space SP1 need not overlap. This is due to how the accommodation space constituting the accommodation portion is positioned.

  In addition, the printer according to the present embodiment sandwiches one end side of the recording medium Pa held in the paper feeding unit 1 by the pair of rollers 81 and 81 and the paper feeding unit 1 holding the wound recording medium Pa. A feed roller unit 8 that feeds the recording medium Pa to the main path Li0 that forms a transport path toward the head units 2 and 3 that perform printing, and the feed roller unit 8 is provided in the periphery when the recording medium Pa is fed. It is associated with a certain mechanical part As and is at a feeding position ku where the recording medium Pa is fed out. When the recording medium Pa is attached to or detached from the feeding roller portion, the relation with the mechanical part As is interrupted and moved to a maintenance position mt that opens the surrounding space. It is configured to be possible.

  As described above, the feeding roller unit 8 is in the feeding position ku that is associated with the surrounding mechanical component As when the recording medium Pa is fed and the surrounding space is occupied by the mechanical component As, and the feeding roller unit of the recording medium Pa. Since it is configured to be able to move to the maintenance position mt that releases the surrounding space without being related to the mechanical part As at the time of attachment / detachment to / from, without restricting the configuration and arrangement of the sheet feeding unit 1 and the delivery roller unit 8, The open space in the periphery can be used as a space for attaching and detaching the recording medium Pa, so that the recording medium Pa can be smoothly attached and detached, and the maintainability can be improved.

  Further, in the present embodiment, the delivery roller unit 8 is associated with the mechanical part As that applies a driving force to the delivery roller unit 8 when the delivery roller unit 8 is at the position ku for feeding out the recording medium Pa, and when the delivery roller unit 8 is at the maintenance position mt. Since the association with the mechanical part As is cut off, the mechanical part As for providing a driving force for driving the delivery roller part 8 is provided separately from the delivery roller part 8 and the delivery roller part 8 is provided. It is possible to improve the maintainability by reducing the weight and facilitating the operation of moving the delivery roller unit 8.

  Furthermore, in the present embodiment, the delivery roller unit 8 is provided so as to be relatively contactable and separable, and includes a pair of rollers 81 and 81 that feed out the recording medium Pa while sandwiching the recording medium Pa, and a pair of rollers 81 and 81. Since the recording medium Pa is configured to include a feeding roller support portion 83 that is movably supported between the feeding position ku and the maintenance position mt of the recording medium Pa. It is possible to realize smooth attachment / detachment of the recording medium Pa to / from the delivery roller unit 8 by separating the rollers 81. In particular, when the delivery roller unit 8 is configured not only by a single roller but by a plurality of mechanisms such as a pair of rollers or a contact / separation mechanism that enables both rollers to contact and separate, the delivery roller unit 8 feeds paper. Since the recording medium loading / unloading space SP1 occupies a large amount in the section 1, the above-described effect obtained by retracting the feeding roller section 8 out of the loading / unloading space SP1 can be further exhibited.

  In addition, in the present embodiment, a support unit 41 that rotatably supports the paper feed unit 1 and the delivery roller unit 8, and an electric unit 42 that rotates the paper feed unit 1 and the delivery roller unit 8 with respect to the support unit 41. , And a positioning means 44 for stopping the sheet feeding unit 1 and the delivery roller unit 8 rotated by the electric unit 42 at a predetermined rotational position in a positioning state, and a rotation for attaching and detaching the recording medium Pa at the predetermined rotational position. Since the position ro3 and the rotation positions ro1 and ro2 for supplying the recording medium Pa held in the sheet feeding unit 1 to the trunk path Li0 that constitutes the transport path via the sending roller unit 8 are set, each rotation position By appropriately setting ro1, ro2, and ro3, the arrangement of each part for properly supplying the recording medium Pa to the main path Li0 constituting the transport path, and the arrangement of each part for properly attaching and detaching the recording medium Pa Both It becomes possible, it becomes possible to improve the maintainability while properly convey the recording medium Pa.

  In addition, in the present embodiment, the sheet feeding unit 1 includes a plate-like turntable unit 13 that is rotatably supported by the support unit 41, and the electric unit 42 is provided in the turntable unit 13 and outputs a rotational force. Output portion 42a and a transmission portion 42r for transmitting the rotational force output by the output portion 42a to the support portion 41. The transmission portion 42r and the positioning means 44 are disposed on the support portion 41 side of the turntable portion 13. Therefore, the space on the side opposite to the support portion of the turntable unit 13 can be opened from the drive mechanism (the electric unit 42 and the positioning unit 44) that rotates and stops the paper feeding unit 1, and the recording medium Pa is opened to the open space. It is possible to improve the design flexibility of the paper feeding unit 1 by using the holding unit 11 and the like to be held.

  As mentioned above, although embodiment of this invention was described based on drawing, it should be thought that a specific structure is not limited to these embodiment. The scope of the present invention is shown not only by the above description of the embodiments but also by the scope of claims for patent, and further includes all modifications within the meaning and scope equivalent to the scope of claims for patent.

  For example, in the present embodiment, the pair of rollers 81 and 81 constituting the feed roller unit 8 are moved, but a single roller may be moved. In the present embodiment, the pair of rollers 81 and 81 of the delivery roller unit 8 can be brought into and out of contact by the contact and separation mechanism 82, but the pair of rollers may be always fixed in a pressure contact state.

  In addition, in the present embodiment, the paper feeding unit 1 is rotated around the rotation axis Cn. However, the paper feeding unit 1 may be rotated around the y axis, the x axis, and the z axis that define an orthogonal coordinate system.

  Finally, the specific configuration of each part is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Paper feed part 11 ... Storage part (holding part)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 13 ... Turntable part 2, 3 ... Head part 41 ... Support part 42 ... Electricity part 42a ... Output part 42r ... Transmission part 44 ... Positioning means 8 ... Sending roller part 81 * 81 ... A pair of roller 83 ... Sending roller support part SP1 ... Putting space Pa ... Recording media Li0, Li1, Li2 ... Conveying path (main path, branch path)
mt ... Maintenance position As ... Mechanical part ku ... Feeding position

Claims (6)

A paper feed unit having a storage unit for detachably storing a wound recording medium;
A feeding roller unit that feeds one end side of the recording medium held in the paper feeding unit to a conveyance path toward a head unit that performs printing;
At the position adjacent to the storage portion, a storage space for the storage medium to be taken in and out of the storage portion is provided,
The feeding roller portion is in the loading / unloading space when the recording medium is unwound, and is configured to be movable to a maintenance position where the recording medium is retracted from the loading / unloading space when the recording medium is attached to or detached from the storage portion. Printer. A paper feed unit for holding a wound recording medium;
A feeding roller unit that feeds the recording medium to a conveyance path toward a head unit that performs printing while sandwiching one end side of the recording medium held in the paper feeding unit by a pair of rollers;
The feeding roller unit is in a feeding position where the recording medium is fed out in association with a surrounding mechanical component when the recording medium is fed out, and is related to the mechanical component when the recording medium is attached to or detached from the feeding roller unit. A printer characterized in that it is configured to be movable to a maintenance position that opens the surrounding space.   The delivery roller unit is associated with a mechanical component that applies a driving force to the delivery roller unit when the recording medium is in a position where the recording medium is fed out, and the association with the mechanical component is disconnected when the delivery roller unit is at the maintenance position. The printer according to claim 1 or 2, configured as described above.   The delivery roller portion is provided so as to be relatively contactable and separable, and feeds the recording medium while sandwiching the recording medium, and the pair of rollers between the feeding position of the recording medium and the maintenance position. The printer according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising a feed roller support portion that is movably supported. A support unit that rotatably supports the sheet feeding unit and the delivery roller unit;
An electric unit that rotates the paper feed unit and the delivery roller unit with respect to the support unit;
Positioning means for stopping the sheet feeding unit and the feeding roller unit rotated by an electric unit at a predetermined rotational position in a positioning state;
In the predetermined rotation position, a rotation position for attaching and detaching the recording medium and a rotation position for supplying the recording medium held by the paper feeding unit to the conveyance path via the feed roller unit are set. The printer according to claim 1. The paper feed unit has a plate-like turntable unit that is rotatably supported by the support unit,
The electric part is provided in one of the turntable part or the support part and outputs a rotational force, and the rotational force output by the output part is transmitted to the other of the turntable part or the support part. Having a transmission part,
The printer according to claim 5, wherein the transmission unit and the positioning unit are arranged on the support unit side of the turntable unit.

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