JP2012232441A - Printer - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a printer in which problems do not occur even when paper rolled out from roll paper is fed in a reverse feed direction.SOLUTION: The printer 1 includes: a print head 12 for printing on paper P1 rolled out from the roll paper P; a platen roller 13 for feeding the paper P1 in a predetermined feed direction by rolling out the paper P1 from the roll paper P and for feeding the paper P1 in the reverse feed direction from the feed direction; a paper path 22 through which the paper P1 fed in the feed direction by means of the platen roller 13 passes; and a paper evacuation space 181 which is disposed on a position further upstream the feed direction than the print head 12 and away from the paper path 22 and into which a portion of the paper P1 fed in the reverse feed direction by means of the platen roller 13 is fed, thereby looping the portion.

Description

  The present invention relates to a printer that conveys a sheet drawn from roll paper in a conveyance direction that is a direction in which the sheet is pulled out from the roll paper, and an opposite conveyance direction opposite to the conveyance direction.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there is known a printer that transports a cut sheet in a transport direction and transports the cut sheet in a transport direction opposite to the transport direction (hereinafter, a transport direction opposite to the transport direction is referred to as a counter-transport direction). Patent Document 1 discloses a printer that retracts a cut sheet conveyed in the opposite conveyance direction to a retraction path that is different from a sheet path through which the cut sheet conveyed in the conveyance direction passes.

JP-A 61-155133

  However, the printer described in Patent Document 1 is provided with a guide member that guides the trailing edge of the cut sheet (the leading edge when transported in the counter-conveying direction), and the guide member transports the single sheet that is transported in the counter-conveying direction. In this configuration, the slip is sent to the retreat path. Since the paper drawn from the roll paper is connected to the roll paper, there is no trailing edge. When the paper drawn from the roll paper is transported in the opposite transport direction using the printer described in Patent Document 1, the guide member that guides the trailing edge of the cut paper cannot guide the paper. Cannot send to the evacuation route. For this reason, in particular, when the paper is transported for a long distance in the anti-conveyance direction, there is a possibility that problems such as paper jam and paper breakage may occur.

  SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In view of the above circumstances, an object of the present invention is to provide a printer that does not cause a problem even when a sheet drawn from roll paper is conveyed in the opposite conveyance direction.

The printer of the present invention that solves the above-described object includes a print head that performs printing on paper drawn from roll paper,
Transport means for transporting the paper in a predetermined transport direction and transporting the paper in a direction opposite to the transport direction;
A paper path through which the paper transported in the transport direction by the transport means passes;
A sheet retraction provided at a position upstream of the print head and out of the sheet path from the print head, and a part of the sheet conveyed in the counter-conveying direction is sent by the conveying unit and the part is looped. And a space.

  According to the printer of the present invention, the paper transported in the anti-conveying direction is looped and retracted in the paper retracting space, so that a paper jam or paper can be detected regardless of the distance the paper pulled out from the roll paper is transported in the anti-conveying direction. Occurrence of defects such as breakage can be suppressed.

Further, in the printer of the present invention, a slack absorbing means provided so as to be movable in a direction in which the paper is retracted to and away from the paper retreat space, and that absorbs a slack in the longitudinal direction of the paper by contacting the paper,
Urging means for urging the slack absorbing means in a direction away from the paper retreat space;
The paper path is a path through which the paper in which the slack is absorbed by the slack absorbing means passes.
The slack absorbing means moves in a direction approaching the paper retraction space against the urging force of the urging means by the tension of the paper generated by the conveyance when the paper is being conveyed in the conveyance direction. When the paper is conveyed in the counter-conveying direction, the paper is moved in the separating direction by the urging force of the urging means to stop the absorption of the slack, and the slack of the paper conveyed in the counter-conveying direction is removed. is preferably the portion with tolerated is to guide the direction of the paper retraction space.

  The slack absorbing means has both the effect of guiding in the direction of the paper retraction space and absorbing slack, so that a part of the paper conveyed in the anti-conveyance direction can be surely received without adding new parts. Can be sent in the direction of

In the printer of the present invention, the transport unit includes a transport roller that has a peripheral surface in contact with the paper and sends the paper in the transport direction or the counter-transport direction.
The transport roller is configured to send the paper in a predetermined tangential direction of the transport roller when the paper is sent in the opposite transport direction.
In another preferred embodiment, the paper retraction space is a space provided in the predetermined tangential direction when viewed from the transport roller.

  According to this aspect, since the sheet retracting space is provided in the direction in which the transport roller sends out the sheet when the sheet is transported in the counter-conveying direction, a part of the sheet transported in the counter-conveying direction is surely disposed in the direction of the sheet retracting space. Can be sent to.

  According to the printer of the present invention, it is possible to prevent a problem such as a paper jam from occurring even if the paper drawn from the roll paper is conveyed in the opposite conveyance direction.

It is the perspective view which looked at the printer which is one embodiment of the present invention from the front right slanting upper part. It is a perspective view which shows the open state which rotated the cover frame of the printer shown in FIG. 1 upwards. FIG. 2 is a schematic view of main components of the printer as viewed from the side of the printer. Large number of stored paper in the storage section is a side view showing the stacker unit when stored. It is a top view which shows an impeller and an angle holding | maintenance mechanism. It is a plan view showing a mechanism part and the stacker-side driving force transmission mechanism provided inside the movable blade unit. FIGS. 7A and 7B are side views of the stacker side driving force transmission mechanism as viewed from the right side in FIG. 6, in which FIG. The figure which shows a state, (c) is a figure which shows the state from which the joint removed from the connection pin of the U-shaped arm, (d) is the figure which shows the state which the induction | guidance | derivation inclined surface of the joint is contacting the connection pin. It is a top view which shows the drive force transmission mechanism when driving the drive means which reciprocates a movable blade, and a motion of an impeller, (a) is a figure which shows the state when a movable blade is moving to a forward movement direction (B) is a figure which shows a state when a movable blade moves to the most forward direction, (c) is a figure which shows a state when a movable blade is moving to a backward direction. FIG. 4 is a functional block diagram of the printer shown in FIG. 3. 4 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of the printer illustrated in FIG. 3. FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram illustrating a behavior of a sheet when the sheet is conveyed in a reverse conveyance direction. It is a top view which shows a mode that a paper piece is pushed in the thickness direction by rotating an impeller, (a) is a figure which shows the state just before an impeller starts rotation, (b) is an impeller rotating. The figure which shows the state in the middle of being, (c) is a figure which shows the state which the impeller completed rotation. It is the schematic which shows an example of the printing content given to the paper, (a) is a schematic diagram which shows an example of the printing content which is not performed invalid printing, (b) is the invalid printing It is the schematic which shows an example of the printing content, (c) is the schematic which shows the other example of the printing content on which invalid printing was performed. FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram illustrating a printer in which a reading unit and a counter unit are removed from the printer of FIG. 3. It is the schematic which looked at the main structural member of the printer of 2nd Embodiment from the side of the printer. FIG. 10 is a functional block diagram of a printer according to a third embodiment. 10 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of a printer according to a third embodiment.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

  A printer according to an embodiment of the present invention draws a sheet from a roll paper formed by winding a long thermal paper or the like into a roll, prints the paper, and cuts the printed paper It is a thermal printer.

  Figure 1 is a front perspective view of an upper right portion of the printer 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. Hereinafter sometimes referred to as a lateral direction of the printer 1 (the direction perpendicular to the paper surface in FIG. 3) and the width direction.

As shown in FIG. 1, a printer 1 is attached to a base chassis 2 in which a power source and a control board are built, a pair of left and right main body frames 3 fixed to the base chassis 2, and the main body frame 3 so as to be rotatable. And a pair of left and right cover frames 4. The cover frame 4 can be rotated with a cover support shaft 30 provided on the main body frame 3 as a rotation center. FIG. 1 shows a closed state in which the cover frame 4 closes the main body frame 3. By rotating the cover frame 4 upward from the closed state shown in FIG. 1, the printer 1 is opened.
FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing an open state in which the cover frame 4 of the printer 1 shown in FIG. 1 is rotated upward.

  A platen roller 13, a counter unit 15, a stacker unit 17, and an upper conveyance guide 20 are attached to the cover frame 4 shown in FIG. Among the members attached to these cover frames 4, the opposing unit 15 is a so-called optional unit, and can be detached from the printer 1 and attached as necessary. FIG. 2 shows the printer 1 to which the opposing unit 15 is attached. The platen roller 13, the counter unit 15, the stacker unit 17, and the upper conveyance guide 20 are rotated upward together with the cover frame 4 when the cover frame 4 is in the open state shown in FIG.

  FIG. 3 is a schematic view of main components of the printer 1 as viewed from the side of the printer 1.

  A damper roller 11, a print head 12, a reading unit 14, a movable blade unit 16, a paper retracting unit 18, a lower conveyance guide 19, and a roll paper storage unit 21 are attached to the main body frame 3 illustrated in FIG. 3. Among the members attached to the main body frame 3, the reading unit 14 is a so-called optional unit used as a set together with the opposing unit 15, and can be detached from the printer 1 and attached as necessary. FIG. 3 shows the printer 1 to which the reading unit 14 and the counter unit 15 are attached. Between each member attached to the main body frame 3 and each member attached to the cover frame 4 is a paper path 22 through which the paper P1 drawn from the roll paper P is conveyed. The roll paper storage unit 21 is provided with two rollers 211. The roll paper P is accommodated in the main body frame 3 so as to be rotatable by being placed on the roller 211. In this embodiment, the roll paper is supported by two rollers 211 provided in the roll paper storage unit. However, two or more rollers 211 may be provided, and the roll paper is supported by a belt instead of a roller. Also good. Also, instead of the roller 211, two pairs of roller pairs (rollers arranged so that two rollers are adjacent to each other) are installed to support the roll paper, and the pair rollers can be swung according to the diameter and movement of the roll paper. If comprised, it is also possible to hold | maintain roll paper stably.

  Hereinafter, the printer 1 in which the cover frame 4 is in the closed state will be described unless otherwise specified. The print head 12 is a thermal head in which a plurality of heating elements are arranged. The print head 12 is attached to the main body frame 3 so as to be movable by a predetermined amount in the left-right direction in FIG. The platen roller 13 is disposed at a position opposite the printing head 12 across the paper path 22. The print head 12 is constantly urged in the direction of the platen roller 13 (right direction in FIG. 3) by a head spring (not shown). The platen roller 13 is attached to the cover frame 4 so as to be rotatable about its own axis. Further, the platen roller 13 is driven by a conveyance motor (not shown) to perform clockwise rotation (hereinafter referred to as forward rotation) and counterclockwise rotation (hereinafter referred to as reverse rotation) in FIG. . The paper P1 drawn from the roll paper P is sandwiched between the print head 12 and the platen roller 13, and is transported in the transport direction when the platen roller 13 rotates forward. The sheet P1 is conveyed in a counter conveying direction opposite to the conveying direction by the platen roller 13 is reversely rotated. That is, the platen roller 13 corresponds to an example of a conveyance roller. Desired printing is performed by applying heat to the paper P <b> 1 sandwiched between the print head 12 and the platen roller 13 by the heating element of the print head 12. A position where the paper P1 is sandwiched between the print head 12 and the platen roller 13 is a print position T where the print head 12 performs printing.

  A lower transport guide 19 fixed to the main body frame is provided upstream of the print head 12 in the transport direction. An upper conveyance guide 20 is fixed to the cover frame 4. Between the lower conveyance guide 19 and the upper conveyance guide 20, a gap of about 2 to 4 times the sheet thickness of the sheet P1 is provided. The paper P1 drawn from the roll paper P is guided between the print head 12 and the platen roller 13 by being guided by the lower transport guide 19 and the upper transport guide 20.

  On the upstream side of the lower conveyance guide 19 and the upper conveyance guide 20 in the conveyance direction, a damper roller 11 is provided that is movable in a vertical direction over a predetermined movement range. The damper roller 11 is always urged upward by a damper spring 111. When the paper P1 drawn from the roll paper P and the damper roller 11 come into contact with each other, the paper P1 is urged upward at the contact portion with the damper roller 11. When the paper P1 is being transported in the transport direction, the damper roller 11 is pushed downward against the urging force of the damper spring 111 by the tension of the paper P1 generated by the transport. When a slight slack occurs in the paper P1 on the upstream side in the transport direction from the print head 12, the slack is absorbed by the damper roller 11 moving upward. That is, the damper roller 11 corresponds to an example of a slack absorbing unit. The damper spring 111 corresponds to an example of an urging unit. The sheet P1 in which the slack is absorbed by the damper roller 11 is transported in the transport direction while passing through the sheet path 22.

  A sheet retracting portion 18 is installed below the damper roller 11 and at a position outside the sheet path 22 through which the sheet P1 is transported in the transport direction. The sheet retracting unit 18 includes a sheet retracting space 181 into which the sheet P1 is sent when the sheet P1 is transported in the opposite transport direction. The behavior of the sheet P1 when the sheet P1 is conveyed in the opposite conveyance direction will be described in detail later.

  The main body frame 3 is provided with a main body side attaching portion 31 to which any one of the reading unit 14 and the movable blade unit 16 is attached. The main body side attaching portion 31 is provided with a positioning shaft 32 for positioning the reading unit 14 and the movable blade unit 16 attached to the main body side attaching portion 31. FIG. 3 shows the printer 1 in which the reading unit 14 is attached to the main body side attachment portion 31.

  The reading unit 14 includes an optical sensor 140 that optically reads a printed portion of the paper P <b> 1 that has been printed by the print head 12. The reading unit 14 is provided with a positioning hole 141 that serves as a reference for the mounting position when the reading unit 14 is mounted on the main body side mounting portion 31. Since the positioning hole 141 is fitted in the positioning shaft 32, the reading unit 14 is positioned on the main body side mounting portion 31. In addition, the reading unit 14 is provided with a through hole 142 through which a long screw 81 for attaching the reading unit 14 to the main body side attachment portion 31 passes. The reading unit 14 is mounted on the main body side mounting portion 31, so that it is disposed on the downstream side in the transport direction of the position where the print head 12 is provided.

  The upper surface of the reading unit 14 serves as a movable blade unit mounting portion 14a for stacking and mounting the movable blade unit 16. The movable blade unit mounting portion 14 a is provided with a positioning shaft (not shown) for positioning the movable blade unit 16. The movable blade unit 16 is provided with a positioning hole (not shown). By inserting the positioning hole into the positioning shaft of the reading unit 14, the movable blade unit 16 is positioned on the movable blade unit mounting portion 14 a while being stacked on the reading unit 14. The movable blade unit 16 is detachably attached to the main body side attaching portion 31 with a long screw 81 in a state where the reading unit 14 is sandwiched between the movable blade unit 16 and the main body side attaching portion 31. By removing the long screw 81, the reading unit 14 and the movable blade unit 16 can be detached from the main body side attachment portion 31. The movable blade unit 16 is arranged on the downstream side in the transport direction of the reading unit 14 by being attached to the main body side attaching portion 31 while being stacked on the reading unit 14. The position where the movable blade unit 16 is positioned by the movable blade unit attaching portion 14a and attached to the main body side attaching portion 31 together with the reading unit 14 corresponds to an example of a second position.

  The movable blade unit 16 is provided with a movable blade 161. Since the movable blade unit 16 is positioned by the movable blade unit attachment portion 14 a and attached to the main body side attachment portion 31, the movable blade 161 is disposed at a predetermined position of the main body frame 3.

  The cover frame 4 is provided with a cover-side attachment portion 41 to which any one of the opposing unit 15 and the stacker unit 17 is detachably attached. FIG. 3 shows the printer 1 in which the facing unit 15 is attached to the cover side attachment portion 41. The cover-side attachment portion 41 is provided with a protrusion 42 for positioning the opposing unit 15 and the stacker unit 17 attached to the cover-side attachment portion 41.

  As described above, the opposing unit 15 is an optional unit used as a set together with the reading unit 14. A counter unit 15 is disposed at a position downstream of the position where the print head 12 is provided in the transport direction and facing the reading unit 14 across the paper path 22. The opposing unit 15 is provided with a positioning hole (not shown) that serves as a reference for the attachment position when the opposing unit 15 is attached to the cover side attachment portion 41. The opposing unit 15 is positioned on the cover side mounting portion 41 by fitting the positioning hole into the protrusion 42. The opposing unit 15 is detachably attached to the cover side attaching portion 41 with a screw 83. By removing the screw 83, the opposing unit 15 can be detached from the cover side mounting portion 41.

  The facing unit 15 includes a contact roller 153 urged toward the reading unit 14 by a contact spring (not shown). The diameter of both end portions in the width direction of the contact roller 153 is formed to be about twice as large as the paper thickness of the paper P1 than the diameter of the central portion in the width direction. By being urged by the contact spring, both end portions in the width direction formed on the large diameter of the contact roller 153 come into contact with both end portions in the width direction of the optical sensor 140. A gap through which the paper P <b> 1 passes is provided between the center portion in the width direction of the contact roller 153 and the center portion in the width direction of the optical sensor 140. In the present embodiment, the contact roller 153 is used, but a plate-like contact plate may be used instead of the contact roller 153.

  The upper surface of the opposing unit 15 is a stacker unit mounting portion 15a for stacking and mounting the stacker unit 17. A stacker projection 143 for positioning the stacker unit 17 is provided on the stacker unit mounting portion 15a. The stacker unit 17 is provided with a first positioning hole (not shown). The stacker unit 17 is also provided with a second positioning hole (not shown) for positioning the stacker unit 17 on the cover side mounting portion 41. The first positioning hole is fitted into the stacker projection 143 of the opposing unit 15, so that the stacker unit 17 is positioned on the stacker unit mounting portion 15 a while being stacked on the opposing unit 15. The stacker unit 17 is detachably attached to the stacker unit attachment portion 15a by screws 84. By removing this screw 84, the stacker unit 17 can be removed from the stacker unit mounting portion 15a. The stacker unit 17 is attached to the stacker unit attachment portion 15a while being stacked on the opposing unit 15. As a result, the stacker unit 17 is arranged on the downstream side of the opposing unit 15 in the transport direction. The position where the stacker unit 17 is attached to the stacker unit attachment part 15a of the opposing unit 15 attached to the cover side attachment part 41 corresponds to an example of a fourth position. Note that the stacker protrusion 143 of the opposing unit 15 may be provided at a position corresponding to the second positioning hole. In this way, when the stacker unit 17 is attached to the stacker unit attachment portion 15a, it can be positioned by the second positioning hole, and the first positioning hole is not necessary.

  A fixed blade 71 is fixed to the upper surface of the bottom plate 78 a of the stacker frame 78. When the stacker unit 17 is positioned on the stacker unit mounting portion 15a and attached to the opposing unit 15, the fixed blade 71 is disposed at a position facing the movable blade 161 disposed at a predetermined position across the paper P1. A space between the blade edge of the fixed blade 71 and the blade edge of the movable blade 161 is a discharge port 5 for discharging the printed portion of the paper P1 printed by the print head 12.

  The stacker unit 17 includes the above-described fixed blade 71, an impeller 72 corresponding to an example of a pushing member, an angle holding mechanism 73, a stacker side driving force transmission mechanism 74, a guide member 75, a pressing member 76, and a storage. A section 77 and a stacker frame 78 are provided.

  The impeller 72 is rotatably attached to the stacker frame 78 about the axis along the discharge direction (here, the upward direction) of the printed portion of the paper P1 discharged from the discharge port 5. The impeller 72 includes a shaft member 720, four blades 721 projecting radially from the shaft member 720, an upper ratchet gear 722 provided at the upper end portion of the shaft member 720, and a lower end portion of the shaft member 720. The lower ratchet gear 723 thus formed is a resin member integrally molded. A total of two impellers 72 are provided in the vicinity of both ends of the discharge port 5 in the width direction. The paper piece P2 separated from the undischarged portion of the paper P1 by the fixed blade 71 and the movable blade 161 is pushed in the thickness direction of the paper piece P2 (right side in FIG. 3) by the rotation of the impeller 72.

  A guide member 75 is provided in a direction in which the impeller 72 pushes the paper piece P2 (hereinafter referred to as a pushing direction) with a gap from the impeller 72. The space between the position where the impeller 72 finishes pushing the paper piece P2 and the guide member 75 becomes the storage portion 77 that stores the paper pieces P2 in a stacked state. The guide member 75 is a member on which the first sheet located on the most downstream side in the pressing direction among the stored paper pieces P3 stored in a state of being stacked on the storage unit 77 is leaned. The guide member 75 is disposed at a position away from the bottom plate 78a of the stacker frame 78 by a predetermined distance. The guide member 75 is attached to the stacker frame 78 so as to be rotatable about a guide member support shaft 751 having an axial center in the width direction. A guide spring 752 is attached between the guide member 75 and the stacker frame 78. The guide spring 752, the guide member 75 is always biased counterclockwise in FIG. When a large number of stored paper pieces P3 are stored in the storage section 77, the guide member 75 rotates in the clockwise direction in FIG. 4 against the guide spring 752 by the weight of the stored paper pieces P3. By this rotation, the upper part of the guide member 75 is retracted in the pushing direction.

  FIG. 4 is a side view showing the stacker unit 17 when a large number of stored paper pieces P3 are stored in the storage unit 77. FIG.

  The pressing member 76 is attached to the stacker frame 78 so as to be rotatable about a pressing member support shaft 761 having an axis in the width direction. The lower surface 76a of the pressing member 76 serves as a guide surface for guiding the printed portion discharged upward from the impeller 72 in the upper right direction in FIG. The holding member 76 rotates by its own weight in the clockwise direction in FIG. 4 and is stored in the uppermost stream in the pushing direction (hereinafter referred to as an nth stored sheet piece P3 ′. Note that n is a positive integer. This is the number of stored paper pieces P3. The stored paper piece P3 stacked on the storage unit 77 is pressed against the guide member 75 side by the weight of the pressing member 76. The angle θ at which the pressing member 76 contacts the nth stored paper piece P3 'is determined at the position where the pressing member 76 contacts the nth stored paper piece P3'. As described above, when the number of the stored paper pieces P3 increases, the upper portion of the guide member 75 retracts in the pushing direction. Therefore, the angle θ at which the pressing member 76 contacts the nth stored paper piece P3 'is maintained within a predetermined angle range even if the stored paper piece P3 increases.

  The printed portion discharged upward from the impeller 72 is guided by the lower surface 76a of the pressing member 76 and enters between the pressing member 76 and the nth storage sheet piece P3 '. If the angle θ at which the pressing member 76 contacts the nth sheet storage paper piece P3 ′ becomes too large, the tip of the discharged printed portion enters between the surface of the nth sheet storage paper piece P3 ′ and the pressing member 76. There is a risk of curling at the storage unit 77 without being included. Further, when the angle θ at which the pressing member 76 is in contact with the nth storage sheet piece P3 'is large, the pressing member 76 is largely rotated clockwise in FIG. In this greatly rotated state, the force with which the pressing member 76 presses the stored paper piece P3 is increased. For this reason, the frictional force generated between the pressed portion 76 and the printed portion that has entered and discharged between the n-th stored paper piece P3 'and the n-th stored paper piece P3' is also increased. This frictional force may cause the nth stored paper piece P3 'to follow the movement of the printed portion that has been discharged, and may raise the nth stored paper piece P3'.

  Conversely, if the angle θ at which the pressing member makes contact with the n-th stored paper piece P3 ′ becomes too small, the pressing force of the pressing member 76 to press the stored paper piece P3 decreases, and the stored paper piece P3 swells or falls in the direction opposite to the pushing direction. There is a risk of it. In the present embodiment, the holding member 76 maintains the angle θ at which the pressing member 76 is in contact with the n-th stored paper piece P3 ′ within a predetermined angle range, so that the sheet is discharged between the surface of the n-th stored paper piece P3 ′ and the pressing member 76. The leading end of the printed portion can be guided well. Moreover, it can suppress that the force which presses the stored paper piece P3 by the pressing member 76 changes greatly. In the present embodiment, the configuration in which the guide member 75 rotates is described. However, the guide member 75 may be configured to translate in the pushing direction.

  Between the guide member 75 and the bottom plate 78a of the stacker frame 78, a recessed portion 781 that is recessed in the pushing direction is formed. The storage paper piece P3 may have curling in the winding direction of the roll paper P. In particular, when the roll paper P is wound with a strong force, the curl appears prominently. Recess 781 is a space for accommodating the cut end portion of the reservoir paper P3 (lower end portion). If the stored paper piece P3 protrudes greatly toward the pressing member due to the curl, the stored paper piece P3 and the impeller 72 come into contact with each other, and the pushing operation of the impeller 72 is hindered. By forming the recessed portion 781, the cut end portion of the stored paper piece P3 can be projected and stored in the pushing direction in a shape along the curl. For this reason, it can suppress that the stored paper piece P3 protrudes largely to the pressing member side by a winding hook. Further, the printed portion discharged from the discharge port 5 for a predetermined length is discharged upward while being in contact with the nth stored paper piece P3 '. When the printed portion is discharged, a force that moves upward is applied to the nth stored paper piece P3 'by the frictional force between the discharged printed portion and the nth stored paper piece P3'. In the present embodiment, due to the roll of the roll paper P, the portion housed in the recessed portion 781 of the stored paper piece P3 is likely to have a bowl shape in a side view. The n-th storage paper piece P3 ′ is moved upward by the hooked portion of the stored n-th storage paper piece P3 ′ being caught by the hook-shaped portion of the storage paper piece P3 stored on the downstream side in the pushing direction. It is suppressed that it moves. A fixed blade guide 711 is attached between the upper surface of the bottom plate 78 a of the stacker frame 78 and the lower surface of the fixed blade 71. The fixed blade guide 711 guides the conveyed paper P <b> 1 between the fixed blade 71 and the movable blade 161.

  FIG. 5 is a plan view showing the impeller 72 and the angle holding mechanism 73. In FIG. 5, the stacker frame 78 and the guide member 75 are also shown.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the four blades 721 of the impeller 72 project radially from the shaft member 720 at intervals of 90 degrees. The vertical length of the blade 721 is formed to be half or more (here, 50 mm) with respect to the minimum length of the storage paper piece P3 set in the printer 1. The impeller 72 is provided in the vicinity of both ends of the discharge port 5 and closer to the storage unit 77 than the discharge port 5 (see FIG. 3).

  The angle holding mechanism 73 is a mechanism that holds the impeller 72 at a constant rotation angle with a predetermined force. As shown in FIG. 5, one angle holding mechanism 73 is provided symmetrically with respect to each of the two impellers 72. In the following description, the right angle holding mechanism 73 in FIG. 5 will be described, and the description of the left angle holding mechanism 73 will be omitted. The stacker frame 78 is provided with an upper arm support shaft 782 having an axis in the vertical direction (a direction orthogonal to the paper surface in FIG. 5). The angle holding mechanism 73 includes an upper arm 731 that can rotate about the upper arm support shaft 782 as a rotation center, an upper ratchet spring 732 that urges the upper arm 731 in the clockwise direction in FIG. 5, and a detection switch. 733.

  The upper ratchet gear 722 includes four upper teeth 722 a disposed at an angle shifted by approximately 45 degrees with respect to the four blades 721 and four upper tooth bottoms 722 b disposed at substantially the same angle as the blades 721. Have. Further, the upper arm 731 is provided with a pawl portion 731 a that enters the upper tooth bottom portion 722 b of the upper ratchet gear 722. By holding the pawl portion 731a of the upper arm 731 into the upper tooth bottom portion 722b of the upper ratchet gear 722, a holding angle at which one of the blades 721 of the impeller 72 protrudes most inward in the width direction (left side in FIG. 6). Held in. At this holding angle, the protruding end of the blade 721 that protrudes most inward in the width direction is located inside the edge in the width direction of the paper piece P2 (see FIG. 12A). The detection switch 733 is a switch that detects that the upper arm 731 is at the holding angle. In addition, the stacker frame 78 is provided with two ribs 78b for guiding the discharged printed portion. The printed portion is discharged while being guided by the blades 721 and ribs 78b that protrude most inward in the width direction.

  FIG. 6 is a plan view showing the mechanical components and the stacker side driving force transmission mechanism 74 provided inside the movable blade unit 16. Incidentally, in this figure 6, the fixed blade 71 is also shown as the stacker frame 78 and the guide member 75.

  As shown in FIG. 6, inside the movable blade unit 16, there are a movable blade 161, a driving means 162 for reciprocating the movable blade 161, and a part of a driving force transmission mechanism 70 (see FIG. 8) described later. A U-shaped arm 163 and a link support shaft 164 are provided. The driving means 162 swings by the rotation of the worm wheel 167 with the link support shaft 164 as the rotation center, the worm gear 166 fixed to the output shaft of the motor 165, the worm wheel 166 meshed with the worm gear 166, and the link support shaft 164. An oscillating rocking link 168 and an origin sensor 169 are provided. When the motor 165 rotates, the movable blade 161 reciprocates in the forward movement direction toward the fixed blade 71 and the backward movement direction away from the fixed blade 71. FIG. 6 shows a state in which the movable blade 161 is at the standby position withdrawn most in the backward movement direction. When the movable blade 161 at the standby position moves in the forward movement direction, the paper P1 is cut along the width direction, and the printed portion is cut off as a paper piece P2. The origin sensor 169 is a sensor that detects that the movable blade 161 is in the standby position. The U-shaped arm 163 is connected to the movable blade 161 by two connecting shafts 160 and reciprocates together with the movable blade 161. A connecting pin 163a to be inserted into a connecting hole 741b of a joint 741 described later is provided at the two tip portions (the upper end portion in FIG. 6) of the U-shaped arm 163. In consideration of the safety of the user, it is preferable that the cover frame 4 is not released during the cutting of the paper P1. In order to prevent the printer cover 4 from being released during paper cutting, a convex member for suppressing the release of the cover frame 4 is provided on the U-shaped arm 163, and a concave portion that engages with the convex member is provided in the cover frame 4. Provide. The convex member engages with the concave portion when the U-shaped arm 163 moves in the forward movement direction or the backward movement direction (that is, the movable blade 161 is not in the standby position), and the convex member when the movable blade is in the standby position. By adopting a configuration that releases the engagement of the recesses, it is possible to realize a configuration in which the cover frame 4 is not released during the cutting of the paper P1.

  The stacker side driving force transmission mechanism 74 is a mechanism for transmitting the driving force for moving the U-shaped arm 163 in the backward movement direction to the impeller 72 to rotate the impeller 72. The stacker side driving force transmission mechanism 74 is provided one by one symmetrically with respect to each of the two impellers 72. In the following description, the right stacker side driving force transmission mechanism 74 in FIG. 6 will be described, and the description of the left stacker side driving force transmission mechanism 74 will be omitted. The stacker side driving force transmission mechanism 74 includes a joint 741, a lower arm 742, a lower arm support shaft 743, a joint spring 744 (see FIG. 7), and an arm spring 745. The stacker side driving force transmission mechanism 74 also includes a connection frame 740. The connecting frame 740 is attached to the stacker frame 78 so as to be movable in the vertical direction in FIG. 6, and is always urged downward in FIG. 6 by a spring (not shown). Each member (741 to 745) constituting the stacker side driving force transmission mechanism 74 is attached to the connecting frame 740.

  The lower arm support shaft 743 has an axis line in the vertical direction (a direction orthogonal to the paper surface in FIG. 6), and is fixed to the connection frame 740. The lower arm 742 is attached to the connection frame 740 so as to be rotatable about the lower arm support shaft 743 as a rotation center. The lower arm 742 is formed with a claw portion 742 a that meshes with the lower ratchet gear 723. The meshing between the lower ratchet gear 723 and the claw portion 742a will be described in detail later. Further, the lower arm 742 is always urged by the arm spring 745 so that the claw portion 742a rotates in a direction (clockwise) that enters the inner side in the width direction. However, the lower arm 742 is restricted so that it cannot rotate beyond a predetermined angle by contacting the restricting portion 740a of the connecting frame 740. FIG. 6 shows a state where the lower arm 742 is in contact with the restricting portion 740a and the rotation is restricted.

  FIG. 7 is a side view of the stacker side driving force transmission mechanism 74 viewed from the right side in FIG. 6, and (a) is a view when the cover frame 4 is in a closed state.

  As shown in FIG. 7A, the joint 741 is attached to the connection frame 740 so as to be rotatable about the joint support shaft 741a. The joint 741 is always urged counterclockwise in FIG. 7A by a joint spring 744. The joint 741 is provided with a connection hole 741b. When the cover frame 4 is closed, the connection pin 163a of the U-shaped arm 163 is inserted into the connection hole 741b, and the stacker side driving force transmission mechanism 74 and the U-shaped arm 163 are connected. Yes.

  FIG. 7B is a diagram showing a state immediately before the cover frame 4 is changed from the open state to the closed state.

  As shown in FIG. 7B, when the cover is in the open state, the joint 741 is separated from the U-shaped arm 163, and the stacker side driving force transmission mechanism 74 and the U-shaped arm 163 are not connected. become.

  FIG. 7C is a view showing a state in which the joint 741 is disengaged from the connection pin 163 a of the U-shaped arm 163.

  If the U-shaped arm 163 is moved in a state where the movement load of the stacker-side driving force transmission mechanism 74 is increased for some reason, the joint 741 is counterclockwise against the urging of the joint spring 744 and is rotated clockwise in FIG. Rotates. By this rotation, the stacker side driving force transmission mechanism 74 and the U-shaped arm 163 are brought into a non-connected state shown in FIG. That is, the joint 741 in the present embodiment corresponds to an example of a transmission release unit. By rotating the joint 741 clockwise in FIG. 7C, it is possible to prevent the driving means 162, the stacker side driving force transmission mechanism 74, or the U-shaped arm 163 from being damaged. As a cause of an increase in the movement load of the stacker side driving force transmission mechanism 74, for example, the number of stored paper pieces P3 exceeds the allowable value of the storage unit 77, and the stored paper pieces P3 and the impeller 72 come into contact with each other. It is considered that the rotational load of the increased.

  The joint 741 is provided with a guide inclined surface 741c. The guide inclined surface 741c is a surface for rotating the joint 741 in the clockwise direction in FIG. 7C by moving the U-shaped arm 163 in the unconnected state in the forward movement direction.

  FIG. 7D is a diagram showing a state where the guide inclined surface 741c of the joint 741 is in contact with the connecting pin 163a.

  When the U-shaped arm 163 that has been disconnected is moved in the backward movement direction, the U-shaped arm 163 and the guide inclined surface 741c of the joint 741 are in contact with each other as shown in FIG. May be. From this state, the U-shaped arm 163 moves in the forward movement direction, whereby the joint 741 rotates in the clockwise direction in FIG. 7D, and the connection pin 163a is inserted into the connection hole 741b to return to the connected state. .

  FIG. 8 is a plan view showing the movement of the driving force transmission mechanism 70 and the impeller 72 when the driving means 162 for reciprocating the movable blade 161 is driven. FIG. 8A shows the movement of the movable blade 161 in the forward movement direction. The figure which shows the state at the time of carrying out, (b) is a figure which shows the state when the movable blade 161 moved to the most forward direction, (c) is the state when the movable blade 161 is moved in the backward direction. It is a figure which shows a state. The white arrows described in FIGS. 8A and 8C indicate the moving direction of the driving force transmission mechanism 70. In FIG. 8, the right impeller 72 of the two impellers 72 shown in FIG. 6 and the driving force transmission mechanism 70 that rotates the impeller 72 are shown. Further, FIG. 8 shows the lower ratchet gear 723 that cannot be seen in plan view, and a portion that is essentially invisible due to the overlap of components is also shown for explanation.

  The driving force transmission mechanism 70 includes a U-shaped arm 163 and a stacker side driving force transmission mechanism 74. The driving force transmission mechanism 70 is a mechanism for driving the impeller 72 to rotate by transmitting a driving force that causes the driving means 162 shown in FIG. 6 to move the movable blade 161 in the backward movement direction to the impeller 72. As shown in FIG. 8, a lower ratchet gear 723 is provided at the lower end portion of the shaft member 720 of the impeller 72. The lower ratchet gear 723 includes four lower teeth 723a disposed at an angle shifted by approximately 45 degrees with respect to the four blades 721, and four lower tooth bottoms disposed at substantially the same angle as the blades 721. 723b. The lower ratchet gear 723 has the same shape as the upper ratchet gear 722. When the movable blade 161 reciprocates by the driving means 162, the driving force transmission mechanism 70 also reciprocates together with the movable blade 161. When the stacker side driving force transmission mechanism 74 moves in the forward movement direction, the lower arm 742 comes into contact with the lower ratchet gear 723 and tries to rotate the impeller 72. However, the impeller 72, by the angle holding mechanism 73 described above, are held with a predetermined force. For this reason, as shown in FIG. 8A, the lower arm 742 rotates counterclockwise in FIG. 8A against the arm spring 745, and the driving force by the driving means 162 is transmitted to the impeller 72. To avoid that. That is, the lower arm 742 in the present embodiment corresponds to an example of a transmission avoiding unit. Since the driving force is not transmitted to the impeller 72 when the movable blade 161 is moved in the forward direction, the load applied to the driving means 162 can be reduced. In addition, since the load that separates the printed portion that has been discharged by the movable blade 161 and the load that rotates the impeller 72 are not simultaneously applied to the drive unit 162, the maximum load applied to the drive unit 162 can also be reduced.

  After the movable blade 161 and the driving force transmission mechanism 70 move to the position moved most in the forward movement direction shown in FIG. 8B, the movable blade 161 and the driving force transmission mechanism 70 start moving in the backward movement direction. By movement in the backward movement direction, as shown in FIG. 8 (c), the claw portion 742a of the lower arm 742 meshes with the lower tooth portion 723a of the lower ratchet gear 723, and the impeller 72 in FIG. 8 (c) Rotate clockwise. Further, when the U-shaped arm 163 moves in the backward movement direction and the impeller 72 rotates approximately 90 degrees, the engagement between the claw portion 742a of the lower arm 742 and the lower tooth portion 723a of the lower ratchet gear 723 is established. Canceled. Then, when the pawl portion 731a of the upper arm 731 shown in FIG. 5 enters the upper tooth bottom portion 722b of the upper ratchet gear 722, the impeller 72 is held in a state rotated 90 degrees. Since the blades 721 are arranged every 90 degrees, even in this state, one of the blades 721 protrudes most inward in the width direction. Note that the lower arm 742 receives a reaction force that rotates clockwise in FIG. 8C from the impeller 72, but is in contact with the restricting portion 740 a of the connection frame 740, so that it is shown in FIG. It will not rotate clockwise beyond the angle.

  FIG. 9 is a functional block diagram of the printer shown in FIG. FIG. 9 also shows a host computer 60 that transmits / receives data to / from the printer 1.

  The printer 1 includes a printer control unit 51, a printing unit 52, a printer storage unit 53, a reading unit 54, and a printer interface (I / F) 55. The printer control unit 51 is configured by a CPU (Central Processing Unit) and controls the entire printer 1. The printing unit 52 is a part that performs printing on the paper P1 and conveyance of the paper P1, and the print head 12 and the platen roller 13 correspond to a specific mechanical configuration. The printer storage unit 53 is configured by a ROM (Read Only Memory) or a RAM (Random Access Memory). The printer storage unit 53 stores various programs necessary for printing. The printer storage unit 53 also stores invalid display image data. The reading section 54 is a part to read the contents of the print which has been subjected to the sheet P1 by the print unit 52. The reading unit 14 corresponds to a specific mechanical configuration of the reading unit 54. The printer interface 55 is a part that transmits and receives various data to and from the host computer 60. Print data representing the content to be transmitted transmitted from the host computer 60 is received by the printer 1 via the printer interface 55. Read data representing the contents of the print read by the reading unit 54 is transmitted to the host computer 60 via the printer interface 55. Although not shown, the printer 1 also includes a cutting unit that separates the printed portion discharged from the discharge port 5 from the undischarged portion of the paper P1.

  The host computer 60 includes a host control unit 61, a host storage unit 62, a host determination unit 63, an operation unit 64, and a host interface 65. The host control unit 61 is a part that operates in accordance with an operating system or application program stored in the host storage unit 62 and executes various types of information processing. The host storage unit 62 is configured by a ROM, a RAM, and a hard disk device. The host storage unit 62 stores a program executed by the host control unit 61. The host storage unit 62 is also a part that stores print data representing the contents to be printed. The host determination unit 63 is a unit that determines whether the content represented by the print data stored in the host storage unit 62 matches the content represented by the read data received from the printer 1. The operation unit 64 is a part where an operator of the host computer 60 inputs to the host computer 60. The host interface 65 is a part that transmits and receives various data to and from the printer 1.

  FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing the operation of the printer shown in FIG. The operation of the host computer 60 is also shown in FIG. Right side of FIG. 10 shows the operation of the printer 1, the left side of FIG. 10 shows the operation of the host computer 60.

  When an operator who operates the host computer 60 performs an operation for instructing printing, the host computer 60 transmits print data representing print contents and a print command to the printer 1 (step S1). The host computer 60 also stores print data representing the contents to be printed in the host storage unit 62. The print data transmitted by the host computer 60 may be image data or command data, and may have a data format different from that of the print data stored in the host storage unit 62. The host computer 60 also transmits a reading part command for designating a part to be read by the reading unit 14 to the printer 1. An operator of the host computer 60 can arbitrarily designate the part to be read. For example, the part to be read may be a part designated from the contents to be printed, or may be a part designated in the area of the paper P1. The printer 1 that has received the print command rotates the platen roller 13 in the reverse direction and transports the paper P1 in the reverse transport direction until the leading end of the paper P1 reaches the print position T between the print head 12 and the platen roller 13. This is to reduce the margin at the leading end of the paper P1. Thereafter, the printer 1 rotates the platen roller 13 in the forward direction to transport the paper P1 in the transport direction. The printer 1 starts printing by the print head 12 based on the print data received from the host computer 60 (step S2). When the downstream end in the transport direction of the part designated for reading reaches between the optical sensor 140 and the contact roller 153, the reading unit 14 starts reading the content of the printing applied to the paper P1 (step S3).

  Then, the paper P1 is transported in the transport direction while performing printing by the print head 12 and reading by the reading unit 14, and the paper P1 is discharged from the discharge port 5. The printed portion discharged from the discharge port 5 is guided in the discharge direction by the blades 721 and the ribs 78b at the most projecting position in the width direction as the platen roller 13 rotates forward, and the upper pressing member 76 is guided. It is conveyed toward The portion of the paper P1 that reaches the top of the impeller 72 is guided by the lower surface 76a of the pressing member 76 and is conveyed toward the guide member 75. Further, the portion of the paper P 1 that reaches the guide member 75 is conveyed along the guide member 75.

  When the reading of the portion designated for reading is completed, the printer 1 transmits read data representing the content of the printing read by the reading unit 14 to the host computer 60 (step S4). The host determination unit 63 of the host computer 60 that has received the read data determines whether the content represented by the print data stored in the host storage unit 62 matches the content represented by the read data (step S5).

  If it is determined that they do not match (NO in step S5), the host computer 60 transmits an invalid print command to the printer 1 (step S6). In addition, the host computer 60 also transmits to the printer 1 an invalid printing part command that designates a part to which invalid display printing (hereinafter referred to as invalid printing) is performed. The part to which the invalid printing is performed can be arbitrarily designated by the operator of the host computer 60. For example, the portion to be subjected to invalid printing may be a portion designated from the contents to be printed or a portion designated in the area of the paper P1. The printer 1 that has received the invalid print command temporarily stops printing and conveyance. Subsequently, the printer 1 transports the paper P1 in the counter-transport direction until the downstream end in the transport direction of the portion where invalid printing is performed reaches the print position T (step S7).

  FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram illustrating the behavior of the sheet P1 when the sheet P1 is conveyed in the opposite conveyance direction.

  As described above, when the paper P1 is transported in the transport direction, the damper roller 11 is pushed downward against the urging force of the damper spring 111 by the tension of the paper P1 generated by the transport. When the paper P1 is transported in the opposite transport direction, the damper roller 11 moves upward while absorbing the slackness of the paper P1 on the upstream side of the print head 12 in the transport direction. Even after the damper roller 11 moves to the uppermost part of the moving range, if the paper P1 continues to be conveyed in the opposite conveyance direction, a slack is formed in a part of the paper P1. Then, the slack is guided by the damper roller 11 moved upward to the direction of the sheet retracting space 181 installed below the damper roller 11, and stored in the sheet retracting space 181 while forming a loop. FIG. 11 shows a state in which the damper roller 11 moves to the uppermost part of the moving range and a part of the looped paper P1 is stored in the paper retreat space 181.

  When the conveyance of the sheet P1 in the reverse conveyance direction in step S7 shown in FIG. 10 is completed, the printer 1 reads the invalid display image data from the printer storage unit 53, and the invalid print portion while conveying the sheet P1 in the conveyance direction. Invalid printing is performed on the part designated by the command (step S8). When invalid printing is completed, the process proceeds to step S9. Note that invalid display image data may be received from the host computer 60 together with an invalid print command, and the image data may be printed on a designated portion.

  If it is determined in step S5 that they match (YES in step S5), the host computer 60 waits as it is. When the printer 1 continues printing and conveyance and printing is completed, the process proceeds to step S9.

  In step S9, the conveyance of the sheet P1 by the platen roller 13 is continued, and the platen roller 13 is stopped when all the printed portions of the sheet P1 are discharged from the discharge port 5. After the platen roller 13 stops, the motor 165 of the driving means 162 is driven to move the driving force transmission mechanism 70 together with the movable blade 161 in the forward movement direction so that the printed portion discharged from the discharge port 5 is removed from the undischarged portion. Disconnect (step S10). Further, by continuing to drive the motor 165, the movable blade 161 and the driving force transmission mechanism 70 moved in the forward movement direction move in the backward movement direction. As the driving force transmission mechanism 70 moves in the backward movement direction, the claw portion 742a of the lower arm 742 meshes with the lower tooth portion 723a of the lower ratchet gear 723, and the impeller 72 rotates. By the rotation of the impeller 72, the paper piece P2 is pushed in the thickness direction and stored in the storage unit 77 (step S11).

  FIG. 12 is a plan view showing a state in which the paper piece P2 is pushed in the thickness direction as the impeller 72 rotates, and (a) shows a state immediately before the impeller 72 starts to rotate, (b). (A) is a figure which shows the state in the middle of the rotation of the impeller 72, (c) is a figure which shows the state which the impeller 72 completed rotation. Note that the paper piece P <b> 2 described in FIG. 12 shows a portion pushed by the blade 721. Moreover, the white arrow described in each figure of FIG. 12 has shown the rotation direction of the impeller 72. FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 12A, the impeller 72 before starting to rotate is held at an angle at which one of the blades 721 protrudes most inward in the width direction. Hereinafter, the blade 721 that protrudes most inward in the width direction before starting the rotation is referred to as a pre-rotation protruding blade 721 '. Further, the projecting end of the pre-rotation projecting blade 721 'is located inside the edge in the width direction of the paper piece P2. Paper P2 is located on the upstream side of the pushing direction than the pre-rotation protrusion vane 721 '. As shown in FIG. 12B, when the impeller 72 rotates, the pre-rotation protruding blade 721 'moves outward in the width direction. Further, a blade 721 (hereinafter referred to as a post-rotation protruding blade 721 ″) existing at a position 90 degrees in the counter-rotating direction of the protruding blade 721 ′ before rotation rotates from the upstream side in the pushing direction toward the paper piece P2. Go. Then, the paper piece P2 is pushed in the pushing direction by the projecting blades 721 "after rotation and moves to the storage unit 77, and is stored in the storage unit 77 to become the storage paper piece P3. As shown in FIG. 12C, when the impeller 72 rotates 90 degrees, the pre-rotation protruding blade 721 ′ is positioned on the outer side in the paper width direction of the stored paper piece P3, and the post-rotation protruding blade 721 ″ is on the inner side in the width direction. Is held at the most protruding angle.

  When the origin sensor 169 detects that the movable blade 161 has moved to the standby position, the printer 1 stops the motor 165. Then, the detection switch 733, each of the two upper arms 731 to detect whether the holding angle. If it is at the holding angle, the process is terminated. If not at the holding angle, the motor 165 of the driving means 162 is driven, and the driving force transmission mechanism 70 is reciprocated together with the movable blade 161 to move the movable blade 161 to the standby position again. Then, the detection switch 733 detects again whether each of the two upper arms 731 is at the holding angle. If it is at the holding angle, the process is terminated. If not at the holding angle, an error is reported. If the holding angle is not set, there is a high possibility that the stacker side driving force transmission mechanism 74 and the U-shaped arm 163 are not connected. The driving force transmission mechanism 70 is reciprocated once when it is not at the holding angle by returning the stacker side driving force transmission mechanism 74 and the U-shaped arm 163 from the unconnected state to the connected state. This is because the two upper arms 731 are to be rotated to the holding angle.

  FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram showing an example of print contents applied to the paper P1, (a) is a schematic diagram showing an example of print contents not subjected to invalid printing, and (b) is invalid. It is the schematic which shows an example of the printing content in which printing was given.

  As shown in FIG. 13A, when the content represented by the print data stored in the host storage unit 62 matches the content represented by the read data, invalid printing is not performed. In this example, characters, symbols, and barcodes are printed. In contrast to FIG. 13A, in FIG. 13B, “VOID” is printed on the barcode as an invalid display. FIG. 13B shows a case where all the contents of printing performed by the print head 12 are specified as a part to be read by the reading unit 14 in the paper P1, and a barcode is specified as a part to be subjected to invalid printing. This is an example of the print contents. Since the determination is made after reading all the contents of printing, invalid printing is performed after all the printing contents of FIG. 13A are printed.

  Figure 13 (c) is a schematic view showing another example of a print content that is disabled printed has been subjected.

  FIG. 13C is different from FIG. 13B in that the lower portion is not printed. FIG. 13C shows an example of the print contents when a barcode is designated as a reading portion of the paper P1 and a barcode is also designated as a portion for invalid printing. In this embodiment, the operator of the host computer 60 can arbitrarily set the part to be read and the part to be invalid printed. Further, the printer 1 transmits the read data to the host computer 60 immediately after the completion of reading the designated portion (see step S4 in FIG. 10). In the host computer 60, the determination is made by the host determination unit 63, and based on the result, an invalid print command is transmitted from the host computer 60 to the printer 1 (see step S6 in FIG. 10). Since the printer 1 that has received the invalid print command immediately stops printing and conveyance, it prevents unnecessary printing after the barcode as shown in FIG. 13C. is doing. By doing so, the transport distance in the counter-transport direction when performing invalid printing and the transport distance in the transport direction performed after transport in the counter-transport direction are shortened. The time for transporting in the transport direction is shortened. Moreover, since unnecessary printing is not performed on the paper P1, wasteful consumption of the paper P1 is reduced.

  In the present embodiment, the read data is transmitted to the host computer 60 after the reading of the designated portion is completed. However, the read data may be transmitted to the host computer 60 at every predetermined stage during the reading. Good. Further, the host computer 60 may receive the read data for each predetermined stage transmitted from the printer 1, and perform the determination by the host determination unit 63 each time it is received. And when it determines with it not being in agreement in the determination performed each time of reception, you may perform the process after step S6 immediately.

  From the printer according to the present embodiment, an interface for transmitting and receiving data to and from the host computer, a transport unit that transports the paper drawn from the roll paper in a predetermined transport direction, and a paper transported by the transport unit A print head that performs printing based on data received from the host computer; and a reading unit that reads the content of printing performed on the paper by the print head, and the interface reads the content read by the reading unit. The represented read data is transmitted to the host computer, and invalid print command data is received from the host computer, and the conveying means is configured to receive the invalid print command data from the interface based on the fact that the interface receives the invalid print command data. Is transported in a direction opposite to the transport direction. The printer is characterized in that the print head performs invalid display printing indicating invalidity at a passage portion of the paper that has passed through the print head by conveying the paper in the opposite conveyance direction. It is possible to derive ideas.

  Further, from the printer of the present embodiment, storage means for storing print data representing the contents to be printed, transport means for transporting the paper drawn from the roll paper in a predetermined transport direction, and transported by the transport means. A print head that performs printing on a sheet of paper based on print data stored in the storage unit, a reading unit that reads the content of printing performed on the sheet by the print head, and a content read by the reading unit. Determination means for determining whether or not the content represented by the print data stored in the storage means matches, and the conveying means removes the paper based on the determination that the determination means determines that they do not match. The sheet is conveyed in an opposite conveyance direction opposite to the conveyance direction, and the print head passes through the print head by being conveyed in the opposite conveyance direction. Can be derived also inventive idea such as a printer, characterized in that those subjected to printing invalid display indicating that it is invalid.

  FIG. 14 is a schematic diagram showing a printer 1 ′ in which the reading unit 14 and the counter unit 15 are removed from the printer 1 in FIG. 3.

  In the printer 1 ′ shown in FIG. 14, the movable blade unit 16 is detachably attached to the main body side attaching portion 31 to which the reading unit 14 is attached. The movable blade unit 16 is positioned on the main body side mounting portion 31 by positioning a positioning hole provided in the movable blade unit 16 into the positioning shaft 32. The movable blade unit 16 is attached to the body-side mounting portion 31 detachably by a screw 85. The movable blade unit 16 can be detached from the main body side attachment portion 31 by removing the screw 85. The movable blade unit 16 is disposed on the downstream side in the transport direction of the position where the print head 12 is provided by being attached to the main body side attachment portion 31. The position where the movable blade unit 16 is positioned by the main body side attaching portion 31 and attached to the main body frame 3 corresponds to an example of the first position.

  Further, in the printer 1 ′ shown in FIG. 14, the stacker unit 17 is detachably attached to the cover side attaching portion 41 to which the opposing unit 15 is attached. The protrusion 42 is fitted into the second positioning hole provided in the stacker unit 17, so that the stacker unit 17 is positioned on the cover side mounting portion 41. The stacker unit 17 is detachably attached to the cover side attaching portion 41 with screws 86. By removing this screw 86, the stacker unit 17 can be removed from the cover side mounting portion 41. The stacker unit 17 is attached to the cover-side attachment portion 41, so that the stacker unit 17 is disposed on the downstream side in the transport direction of the position where the platen roller 13 is provided. The position where the stacker unit 17 is attached to the cover side attaching portion 41 corresponds to an example of a third position.

  In the printer 1 ′ shown in FIG. 14, the positions where the movable blade unit 16 and the stacker unit 17 are attached are changed with respect to the printer 1 shown in FIG. 3. This is because the cutting position C (the same position as the position where the discharge port 5 is located) for separating the printed portion from which the movable blade 161 has been discharged from the undischarged portion is close to the printing position T where the print head 12 performs printing. It is to do. If the cutting position C and the printing position T are separated from each other, a margin in which printing by the print head 12 is not performed increases. The margin can be reduced by transporting the paper P1 in the opposite transport direction until the leading edge of the paper P1 reaches the print position T before the start of printing, but this takes time until the start of printing and the throughput decreases. By arranging the cutting position C close to the printing position T, the margin can be reduced. Alternatively, a reduction in throughput can be suppressed by reducing the time for transporting in the counter-transport direction.

  By attaching the movable blade unit 16 to the main body side attachment portion 31, the movable blade 161 is disposed at a predetermined position near the printing position T. Further, by attaching the stacker unit 17 to the cover side attachment portion 41, the fixed blade 71 is disposed at a position facing the movable blade 161 disposed at a predetermined position in the vicinity of the printing position T with the paper P1 interposed therebetween.

  Next, a procedure for removing the reading unit 14 and the counter unit 15 from the printer 1 shown in FIG. 3 and reassembling the printer 1 'shown in FIG. 14 will be described. First, the long screw 81 shown in FIG. 3 is removed, and the movable blade unit 16 and the reading unit 14 are removed from the printer 1. Further, the screw 84 is removed to remove the stacker unit 17 from the printer 1. Further, the screw 83 is removed and the opposing unit 15 is removed from the printer 1. Then, the positioning hole provided in the movable blade unit 16 is fitted into the positioning shaft 32 provided in the main body side attaching portion 31, and the movable blade unit 16 is attached to the main body side attaching portion 31 with the screw 85 shown in FIG. Further, the second positioning hole provided in the stacker unit 17 is fitted into the protrusion 42 provided in the cover side attachment portion 41, and the stacker unit 17 is attached to the cover side attachment portion 41 with a screw 86. Note that when returning from the printer 1 ′ shown in FIG. 14 to the printer 1 shown in FIG.

  As described above, according to the configuration of the present embodiment, the sheet P1 transported in the counter-conveying direction is provided with the sheet retracting space 181 that is looped, so that the sheet P1 is transported in the counter-conveying direction. Even when the distance is long, problems such as paper jams and paper breakage do not occur. For example, the paper P1 may be transported in the reverse transport direction by a distance longer than the distance from the print position T to the discharge port 5. Further, the damper roller 11 not only absorbs the slack generated on the paper P1, but also acts as a guide member for guiding the paper P1 conveyed in the counter-conveying direction in the direction of the paper retreat space 181. For this reason, the sheet P1 conveyed in the counter-conveying direction can be reliably sent in the direction of the sheet retracting space 181 without adding new parts. In particular, when printing a ticket, a cash voucher, or the like with the printer 1, the user cannot easily determine whether the stored paper piece P3 that has been erroneously printed is invalid or not. There is a demand to prevent as much as possible from being taken out. In this embodiment, it is determined whether or not the content represented by the print data stored in the host storage unit 62 matches the content represented by the read data. If the content does not match, invalid printing is performed. Can be prevented from being taken out of the printer 1 in a state where the user cannot easily determine whether or not the stored paper piece P3 remains invalid. In addition, it is possible to specify a portion where invalid printing is to be performed, and furthermore, no problem occurs even if the distance of transporting the paper P1 in the reverse transport direction is long. Therefore, invalid printing can be performed on any portion of the paper P1. . In addition, since print data for determination is stored in the host storage unit 62 provided in the host computer 60 and the determination is made by the host determination unit 63, printing is performed when the printer 1 receives the print data from the host computer 60. Even if the data has changed, it can be judged without error.

  Further, according to the present embodiment, since the driving means 162 rotationally drives the impeller 72 with a driving force that moves the movable blade 161 in the backward movement direction, a power source that rotationally drives the impeller 72 need not be provided. The paper piece P <b> 2 can be pushed into the storage unit 77. In addition, since the load for separating the printed portion by the movable blade 161 and the load for the impeller 72 to push the paper piece P2 are dispersed in the movement in the forward movement direction and the movement in the backward movement direction, the driving means The maximum load applied to 162 can be reduced. Furthermore, since the paper piece P2 that has been reliably separated by the movable blade 161 is pushed toward the storage portion 77, the separation completion timing and the pushing timing required when the impeller 72 is rotated using another power source. No adjustment is required. Further, when the printed portion of the paper P1 is discharged from the discharge port 5, the pre-rotation protruding blade 721 'can prevent the stored paper piece P3 stored in the storage unit 77 from moving to the discharge port 5. In addition, the preprinted vane 721 'can guide the discharged printed portion in the discharge direction. Further, when the paper piece P2 is pushed into the storage section 77, the paper piece P2 is pushed by the post-rotation protruding blade 721 ″ while the pre-rotation protruding blade 721 ′ is retracted from the pushing direction of the paper piece P2 only by rotating the impeller 72. be able to.

  Further, according to the present embodiment, since the fixed blade 71 is fixed to the stacker unit 17, it is not necessary to separately attach the fixed blade 71 and the storage portion 77, and the fixed blade 71 and the storage portion 77 are assembled to the printer. This improves the assembly workability. In particular, when changing the mounting position of the fixed blade 71 and the storage portion 77, it is only necessary to remove the stacker unit 17 and attach it to another position, and it is not necessary to align the fixed blade 71 and the storage portion 77. Workability is significantly improved. Further, according to the printer 1 of the present embodiment, since the movable blade unit mounting portion 14a is provided in the reading unit 14, the reading unit 14 and the movable blade unit 16 are stacked, and these units are arranged close to each other. I can do it. Moreover, since the stacker unit mounting portion 15a is provided in the opposing unit 15, the opposing unit 15 and the stacker unit 17 can be stacked and these units can be arranged close to each other. Even in the printer 1 provided with the reading unit 14 and the opposing unit 15 by bringing the reading unit 14 and the movable blade unit 16 close to each other and bringing the opposing unit 15 and the stacker unit 17 close to each other, the cutting position C and the printing position T Can be prevented from being far away. Thereby, in order to reduce the margin, the transport distance when transporting the paper P1 in the reverse transport direction can be shortened, and the throughput of the printer 1 can be improved.

  Next, the printer 1 of the second embodiment and the third embodiment will be described in order. Also in the following description of each embodiment, the same reference numerals as those used so far are attached to the components having the same names as the names of the components described so far. Further, the description overlapping with the description of the printer 1 of the previous embodiment may be omitted.

  FIG. 15 is a schematic view of main components of the printer 1 according to the second embodiment as viewed from the side of the printer 1.

  In the previous embodiment, the sheet retracting space 181 is provided below the damper roller 11, but in the second embodiment, the sheet retracting space 181 is provided below the platen roller 13. The platen roller 13 feeds the paper P1 sandwiched between the print head 12 in a tangential direction (vertical direction in FIG. 15) at the sandwiched position (the same position as the print position T). That is, when the platen roller 13 is rotating forward, the paper P1 is sent upward. Further, when the platen roller 13 is rotating in the reverse direction, the paper P1 is sent downward.

  According to the present embodiment, the sheet retracting space 181 is provided in the direction in which the platen roller 13 feeds the sheet P1 (downward here) when the sheet is conveyed in the counter-conveying direction. It can be sent in the direction of the paper retreat space 181 and looped.

  FIG. 16 is a functional block diagram of the printer 1 according to the third embodiment. FIG. 16 also shows a host computer 60 that transmits and receives data to and from the printer 1.

  In the third embodiment, print data representing the contents to be printed is stored in the printer storage unit 53. Further, as shown in FIG. 16, a printer determination unit 56 is provided in the printer 1. The printer determination unit 56 determines whether the content represented by the print data stored in the printer storage unit 53 matches the content represented by the read data. Note that the print data stored in the printer storage unit 53 may be image data or command data.

  FIG. 17 is a flowchart showing the operation of the printer in the third embodiment.

  When the print data representing the content to be printed and the print command transmitted from the host computer 60 are received, the printer 1 starts printing (step S21). In this embodiment, the printer 1 also receives a reading part command for specifying a part to be read and an invalid printing part command for specifying a part for performing invalid printing, which are transmitted from the host computer 60. Further, based on the data received from the host computer 60, print data representing the contents to be printed is stored in the printer storage unit 53. After the start of printing, when the downstream end in the transport direction of the portion designated for reading reaches between the optical sensor 140 and the contact roller 153, the reading unit 14 starts reading the content of the printing applied to the paper P1. (Step S22). When the reading of the designated part is completed, the printer determination unit 56 determines whether or not the content of the print read by the reading unit 14 matches the content represented by the print data stored in the printer storage unit 53 ( Step S23).

  If the printer determination unit 56 determines that they do not match (NO in step S23), the printer 1 temporarily stops printing and conveyance. Next, the paper P1 is transported in the reverse transport direction until the downstream end in the transport direction of the portion where invalid printing is performed reaches the print position T (step S24). Subsequently, invalid printing is performed on the part designated by the invalid printing part command while transporting the paper P1 in the transport direction (step S25). When the invalid printing is completed, the process proceeds to step S26. If it is determined in step S23 that they match (YES in step S23), the printer 1 proceeds to step S26 when printing and conveyance are continued and printing is completed.

  In step S26, the printing is performed until all the printed portions of the paper P1 are discharged from the discharge port 5, and the platen roller 13 is stopped. Thereafter, the printed portion discharged from the discharge port 5 is separated from the undischarged portion (step S27). Subsequently, the paper piece P2 is pushed in the thickness direction and stored in the storage unit 77 (step S28).

  In the present embodiment, the determination by the printer determination unit 56 (the process in step S23) is performed after the reading of the designated portion is completed. However, the determination may be performed at every predetermined stage during the reading. . And when it determines with it not matching in the determination for every step, you may perform the process after step S24 immediately.

  According to the present embodiment, since the printer determination unit 56 is provided in the printer 1, the load of transmission and reception of read data and invalid print command performed between the host computer 60 and the printer 1 is different from that of the previous embodiment. Can be reduced. Further, since it is not necessary to transmit the read data to the host computer 60, it is possible to prevent an erroneous determination caused by a defect in the transmission / reception of the read data.

  The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications can be made within the scope described in the claims. For example, in this embodiment, a reading part command for designating a part to be read and an invalid printing part command for designating a part for performing invalid printing are received from the host computer 60. Data for designating a portion to be subjected to invalid printing may be stored. Further, a plurality of data designating a part to be read and a part to be invalid printed may be stored in the printer storage unit 53 and selected by a dip switch or the like provided in the printer 1. In this embodiment, invalid printing is performed when the sheet P1 is conveyed in the opposite conveyance direction and then conveyed in the subsequent conveyance direction. However, invalid printing is performed when the sheet P1 is conveyed in the opposite conveyance direction. You may give it. The damper roller 11 may be provided so as to be movable at an angle inclined with respect to the vertical direction, or may be provided so as to be rotatable along a predetermined rotation axis. In this embodiment, the impeller 72 is used as the pushing member, but other pushing members such as a plate-like pushing piece that moves in a direction parallel to and opposite to the moving direction of the movable blade 161 may be used. In the present embodiment, an example in which four blades 721 are provided has been described, but the number of blades 721 may be 1 to 3, or 5 or more. In this embodiment, the thermal type print head 12 is used, but other types of print heads such as an impact dot type may be used. In the present embodiment, a so-called guillotine cutter in which the movable blade 161 moves in parallel toward the fixed blade 71 is used. However, a scissor cutter or a pizza cutter in which the movable blade rotates may be used. In the present embodiment, the platen roller 13 is used, but a plate-like platen may be used. In addition to the platen roller 13, a conveyance roller that is rotationally driven by a motor may be added. In the present embodiment, the reading unit 14, the opposing unit 15, the movable blade unit 16, and the stacker unit 17 are attached by screws, but may be attached by other detachable attachment methods such as a fitting type. In the present embodiment, the movable blade unit attachment portion 14a for attaching the movable blade unit 16 is provided in the reading unit 14, but the movable blade unit attachment portion 14a may be provided in the main body frame 3. In the present embodiment, the stacker unit mounting portion 15a for mounting the stacker unit 17 is provided in the opposing unit 15. However, the stacker unit mounting portion 15a may be provided in the cover frame 4. Alternatively, the reading unit 14 may be attached to the cover frame 4 and the opposing unit 15 may be attached to the main body frame. Further, the movable blade unit 16 may be attached to the cover frame 4 and the stacker unit 17 may be attached to the main body frame. In addition, even if it is a structural requirement contained only in each description of each embodiment and modification which were demonstrated above, you may apply the structural requirement to another embodiment and modification.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1, 1 'Printer 5 Discharge port 11 Damper roller 12 Print head 13 Platen roller 14 Reading unit 15 Opposing unit 16 Movable blade unit 17 Stacker unit 22 Paper path 53 Printer memory | storage part 56 Printer determination part 71 Fixed blade 72 Impeller 77 Storage part 111 Damper spring 161 Movable blade 162 Driving means 181 Paper retraction space 741 Joint 742 Lower arm P Roll paper P1 Paper P2 Paper piece P3 Storage paper piece

Claims (3)

A print head for printing on paper drawn from roll paper;
Transport means for transporting the paper in a predetermined transport direction and transporting the paper in a direction opposite to the transport direction;
A paper path through which the paper transported in the transport direction by the transport means passes;
A sheet retraction provided at a position upstream of the print head and out of the sheet path from the print head, and a part of the sheet conveyed in the counter-conveying direction is sent by the conveying unit and the part is looped. And a printer. A slack absorbing means which is provided so as to be movable in a direction in which it is in contact with and away from the paper retreat space, and which absorbs slack in the longitudinal direction of the paper by contacting with the paper;
Urging means for urging the slack absorbing means in a direction away from the paper retreat space;
The paper path is a path through which the paper in which the slack is absorbed by the slack absorbing means passes.
The slack absorbing means moves in a direction approaching the paper retraction space against the urging force of the urging means by the tension of the paper generated by the conveyance when the paper is being conveyed in the conveyance direction. When the paper is conveyed in the counter-conveying direction, the paper is moved in the separating direction by the urging force of the urging means to stop the absorption of the slack, and the slack of the paper conveyed in the counter-conveying direction is removed. The printer according to claim 1, wherein the printer is allowed and the part is guided in a direction of the paper retreat space. The transport means includes a transport roller that has a peripheral surface in contact with the paper and sends the paper in the transport direction or the counter-transport direction.
The transport roller is configured to send the paper in a predetermined tangential direction of the transport roller when the paper is sent in the opposite transport direction.
The printer according to claim 1, wherein the paper retraction space is a space provided in the predetermined tangential direction when viewed from the conveyance roller.

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