JP2016124205A - Printer - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a printer which can stably convey a roll body after it is inserted to a storage chamber while improving the operability of insertion of the roll body to the storage chamber.SOLUTION: A printer 1 in which a storage chamber SP storing a roll body RP obtained by winding a belt-like printing medium into a roll-shape is formed, includes a pair of support parts 6, 6' supporting the side parts of the roll body from both sides in the storage chamber. Each of the pair of support parts includes: a first member which is formed with a hole, constituted so as to be rotatable in the rotation direction of the roll body, and supports the side surface of the roll body; and a second member which protrudes from the hole of the first member to the inner side of the storage chamber, whose movement of the rotation direction is restricted, and which pivotally supports the roll body. The surface of the second member brought into contact with the roll body when the roll body is inserted to the storage chamber is an inclined surface inclined in the direction of insertion of the roll body to the storage chamber.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

  The present invention relates to a printer in which a cylindrical storage chamber for storing a roll body in which a belt-shaped print medium is wound in a roll shape.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as a roll body in which a belt-shaped print medium is wound in a roll shape, for example, a printer in which a storage chamber in which roll paper is stored is formed (for example, Patent Document 1). The printer described in Patent Document 1 employs a so-called drop-in method in which roll paper is inserted into the storage chamber by inserting the roll paper from the upper side toward the lower storage chamber. Further, in such a printer, a protruding member that protrudes inward from the side surfaces on both sides of the roll paper storage chamber is urged, and a configuration is adopted in which the hollow portion of the roll body is pivotally supported from both sides by the protruding member. .

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 11-193014

  In the case of adopting a drop-in method for inserting (or loading) the roll body into the printer storage chamber, the side of the roll body passes the projecting member during insertion and the hollow portion of the roll body is set on the projecting member. Since work is required, the operability when inserting the roll body may be poor. On the other hand, from the viewpoint of improving workability, when the protruding amount of the protruding member is reduced, or when the storage chamber of the roll body is sufficiently larger than the size of the roll body, the roll body is After the shaft is supported, the roll body flutters in the accommodation chamber, and stable conveyance cannot be performed, which may adversely affect the print quality.

  In view of the above-described viewpoints, an object of the present invention is to provide a printer that can be stably conveyed after the roll body is inserted into the storage chamber while improving the operability of inserting the roll body into the storage chamber. There is to do.

One embodiment of the present invention is a printer in which a storage chamber for storing a roll body in which a belt-shaped print medium is wound in a roll shape.
The printer includes a pair of support portions that support the side portions of the roll body from both sides in the housing chamber, and each of the pair of support portions is formed with a hole and rotated in the rotation direction of the roll body. A first member configured to be freely configured and supporting a side surface of the roll body; and a member protruding from the hole of the first member to the inside of the storage chamber and restricted in movement in the rotation direction, the roll A second member that pivotally supports the body. The surface of the second member with which the roll body abuts when the roll body is inserted into the storage chamber is an inclined surface that is inclined in the direction in which the roll body is inserted into the storage chamber.
In the printer, in the second member, when the inclined surface that is inclined in the direction in which the roll body is inserted into the storage chamber is the first inclined surface, the second member is configured to use the roll body as the first member. The surface of the second member with which the roll body abuts when being taken out from the storage chamber has a second inclined surface that is inclined in the direction of taking out the roll body from the storage chamber, and the inclination angle of the second inclined surface is the first angle. It may be smaller than the inclination angle of one inclined surface.
In the printer, the first member may be elastically supported so as to be displaceable toward the outside of the storage chamber.
In the printer, the first member includes a cylindrical portion that forms the hole, and the second member includes a protrusion that is disposed in the cylindrical portion and protrudes toward an inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion. The first member may have a columnar part, and the first member may be rotated relative to the second member such that the inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical part is in contact with the protrusion.

  According to the above-described printer, the roll body can be stably conveyed after being inserted into the storage chamber while improving the operability of inserting the roll body into the storage chamber.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the printer according to the embodiment. FIG. 2 is a perspective view in which an open / close cover of the printer according to the embodiment is opened. FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view illustrating a schematic configuration of a housing of the printer according to the embodiment. FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining a paper passing route of the printer according to the embodiment. FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view illustrating a configuration of a roll paper guide unit of the printer according to the embodiment. FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the roll paper guide unit that is attached to the frame of the printer according to the embodiment. The front view and side view of the 2nd guide member of the roll paper guide part of the printer of embodiment. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an insertion operation of the roll paper into the storage chamber when the roll paper is inserted into the storage chamber when the open / close cover is in the open state in the printer according to the embodiment. The front view and side view of the 2nd guide member of the roll paper guide part of the printer which concern on a 1st modification. The front view and side view of the 2nd guide member of the roll paper guide part of the printer which concern on a 2nd modification.

(1) Overall Configuration of Printer Hereinafter, the overall configuration of a portable printer according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the printer 1 of the present embodiment. FIG. 2 is a view showing a perspective view in which the open / close cover 5 of the printer 1 of the present embodiment is in an opened state together with a roll paper RP which is an example of a roll body. FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view showing a schematic configuration of the housing of the printer 1 of the present embodiment. FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining a sheet passing route of the printer 1 according to the present embodiment.

The printer 1 of the present embodiment stores a roll paper (an example of a roll body) in which a strip-shaped continuous paper (an example of a printing medium) is wound in a roll shape, and prints on a printing surface of the continuous paper. It is. As shown in FIG. 1, the printer 1 has a rectangular parallelepiped shape as a whole.
As shown in FIG. 3, the printer 1 includes a frame in which a front cover 2 and a main body case 3 are fixed to each other by screws (not shown), and a functional unit FU is mounted between the front cover 2 and the main body case 3. 4, and the functional unit FU is protected. The frame 4 is fixed to the main body case 3 with screws (not shown).

1 to 3, the front cover 2 includes an opening push button 11, a display unit 19, an operation button group 20 including operation buttons 20a and 20b, and a power switch 21, which will be described later. An opening / closing cover 5 for opening or closing the storage chamber SP for storing the roll paper RP is attached.
The opening push button 11 is a button for opening the opening / closing cover 5. The display unit 19 is a screen that displays operation commands, messages, and the like, and is configured by, for example, an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display). The operation buttons 20 a and 20 b are buttons for an operator to instruct the operation of the printer 1. The power switch 21 is a button for turning on or off the printer 1.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, the main body case 3 is connected to the front cover 2 so as to face the opening / closing cover 5, and forms a printer housing together with the front cover 2. As shown in FIG. 3, the frame 4 on which the functional unit FU of the printer 1 is installed is fastened to the main body case 3 with screws (not shown). As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the battery cover 12 is attached to the main body case 3 in a state where the battery cover 12 can be opened and closed. The battery cover 12 is an open / close cover for the battery housing 42 (see FIG. 3) of the frame 4 that houses a battery (not shown) as a power source.

As shown in FIG. 2, the roll paper RP used in the printer 1 is a roll of continuous belt CP in the form of a roll. When the open / close cover 5 of the printer 1 is in an open state, the roll paper RP is stored in the storage chamber SP. It is stored (loaded) in a drop-in manner. According to the drop-in method, it is possible to easily load the roll paper RP from the top to the bottom with respect to the support shaft defined by the roll paper guide portions 6 and 6 ′ provided in the storage chamber SP. .
In the example of the present embodiment, the roll paper RP is formed by winding the roll paper RP so that there is no core material and the belt-like continuous paper CP has a cylindrical hollow portion having a predetermined diameter.
The continuous paper CP is provided with meter reading slips at predetermined intervals along the longitudinal direction thereof. The adjacent meter reading slips in the continuous paper CP are separated by perforations. Although not shown, each meter reading slip is composed of printing areas corresponding to each of 3 or 4 plural slips, and adjacent printing areas are separated by perforations. Further, on the back surface of the printing surface of the continuous paper CP, along the longitudinal direction, the printing reference position of each metering slip (that is, the printing reference position of the first vote) and the printing area of each of the second and subsequent votes Position detection marks M and M ′ indicating the print reference position are formed. The position detection marks M and M ′ are rectangular marks printed in black on the back surface of the printing surface of the continuous paper CP. Each meter reading slip may be provided with a position detection mark that is different between the printing reference position of the first vote and the printing reference position of the printing area of each of the second and subsequent votes.
On the printing surface of the continuous paper CP, there is formed a heat-sensitive color developing layer that develops a specific color when reaching a predetermined temperature range.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the frame 4 forms a part of the accommodation chamber SP for the roll paper RP. The frame 4 is attached with a pair of roll paper guide portions 6 and 6 ′ that support the side portions (that is, both end surfaces in the width direction) of the roll paper RP from both sides in the accommodation chamber SP. The roll paper guide portions 6 and 6 ′ guide both side surfaces of the roll paper RP while making the roll paper RP rotatable.
The detailed configuration of the roll paper guide units 6 and 6 ′ will be described later.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the functional unit FU includes a thermal head 15, a gear group 16, a stepping motor 17, and a circuit board 18. The thermal head 15 is provided so as to face the platen roller 14 when the open / close cover 5 is in a closed state, and prints by applying heat to the thermosensitive coloring layer on the printing surface of the continuous paper CP conveyed by the platen roller 14. It has a heating element. The circuit board 18 is mounted with a controller for controlling the printing operation and an electronic circuit for driving the stepping motor 17 for transporting the continuous paper CP and for driving the heating elements of the thermal head 15.

The open / close cover 5 is an open / close cover for opening and closing the accommodation chamber SP, and is pivotally supported on the open / close shaft 51 by a hinge or the like. The open / close cover 5 is urged so as to be opened by torsion springs 52, 52 ′ (see FIG. 4) arranged along the open / close shaft 51.
As shown in FIG. 2, the opening / closing cover 5 is provided with a platen roller 14 in the vicinity of the end opposite to the opening / closing shaft 51 along an axis parallel to the opening / closing shaft 51. The platen roller 14 is a transport unit for transporting the continuous paper CP fed out from the roll paper RP.

  Side pieces 54 and 54 ′ are provided at both ends of the opening / closing cover 5. By making the open / close cover 5 in a closed state, the connecting spaces 53 and 53 '(see FIG. 2) can be closed. The connection spaces 53 and 53 'are spaces for engaging the platen roller gear 141 of the platen roller 14 with the gear group 16 (see FIG. 3) when the open / close cover 5 is in the closed state. When the platen roller gear 141 is engaged with the gear group 16, the platen roller 14 can be operated, and printing can be performed on the printing surface of the continuous paper CP.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, the opening / closing cover 5 is provided with a sensor group 13 including a sensor 13 a and a sensor 13 b on a surface facing the sheet passing route when the opening / closing cover 5 is in a closed state. .
The sensor 13a is, for example, a sensor for detecting a print reference position (that is, one of the position detection marks M and M ′ of the continuous paper CP) of each meter reading slip, and is configured by a reflection type optical sensor. The reflection type optical sensor includes a light emitting unit and a light receiving unit (not shown). The light emitting unit emits light toward the back surface of the printing surface of the continuous paper CP, and the light receiving unit is reflected from the back surface of the printing surface. Receives light (reflected light). The light receiving unit photoelectrically converts the reflected light into an electrical signal corresponding to the light intensity (that is, the amount of light received per unit time), and outputs the electrical signal to a control unit (not shown) in the circuit board 18. The reflected light from the black position detection mark and the reflected light from a surface other than the position detection mark (for example, a white surface) have different levels of reflected light, that is, signal levels output to the control unit. The presence / absence of the position detection mark can be determined by the unit.
Unlike the roll paper RP shown in FIG. 2, the sensor 13b uses a roll paper in which a plurality of labels are arranged and temporarily attached to a belt-like base paper and the base paper is rolled. Used to specify the sticking start position. For example, a sensor for detecting the presence / absence of a label (that is, whether the label is temporarily attached to the mount or a position between adjacent labels where the label is not temporarily attached). The transmissive optical sensor is used. The transmissive optical sensor includes a light receiving unit and a light emitting unit (not shown) provided on the label attaching surface side and the back surface side of the mount, respectively. The light emitting unit emits light from the back side of the label attaching surface toward the mount. The light receiving unit receives light (transmitted light) of the component that transmits the mount or the mount and the label of the emitted light. The light receiving unit photoelectrically converts the transmitted light into an electric signal corresponding to the light intensity, and outputs it to the control unit in the circuit board 18. Since the level of transmitted light, that is, the signal level output to the control unit is different between the part where the label is attached and the part where the label is not attached on the mount, the label application start position depends on the control unit Can be specified.
The control unit in the circuit board 18 controls the print timing based on the signal level output from the reflective sensor or the transmissive sensor.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the cover inner surface 55 of the open / close cover 5 includes a curved surface 55 a and a guide surface 55 b along the axis of the platen roller 14. The sensors 13a and 13b described above are attached to the guide surface 55b of the cover inner surface 55. Further, the conveyance guide portion 22 is fixed to the frame 4. A wall surface 22 a and a guide surface 22 b are formed on the conveyance guide portion 22.

  FIG. 4 shows a part of a schematic side cross section of the printer 1 when the roll paper RP is accommodated and the opening / closing cover 5 is closed. 4A shows a sheet passing route when the roll paper RP is inserted into the storage chamber SP of the printer 1 in a state where the continuous paper CP is wound counterclockwise in a side view of the printer 1 by a bold line. FIG. 4B shows a sheet passing route when the roll paper RP is inserted into the accommodation chamber SP of the printer 1 in a state where the continuous paper CP is wound clockwise in a side view of the printer 1 by a bold line. ing.

  As shown in FIG. 4, when the opening / closing cover 5 is in a closed state, the curved surface 55a of the opening / closing cover 5 and the wall surface 22a of the transport guide portion 22 constitute a part of the inner wall of the storage chamber SP, and the opening / closing cover. The guide surface 55b of 5 and the guide surface 22b of the transport guide portion 22 are arranged to face each other with a slight gap. This gap serves as a paper passing route for the continuous paper CP fed from the roll paper RP toward the platen roller 14 from the storage chamber SP. In the gap in the sheet passing route, sensors 13a and 13b are installed on the guide surface 55b of the opening / closing cover 5, and detection of one of the position detection marks M and M ′ through which the continuous sheet CP passes through the gap. I do.

As shown in FIG. 4A, when the roll paper RP is inserted into the storage chamber SP of the printer 1 in a state where the continuous paper CP is wound counterclockwise as viewed from the side of the printer 1, the roll paper RP The leading end of the continuous paper CP that is fed is directed toward the platen roller 14 along the wall surface 22a of the conveyance guide portion 22 and the gap between the guide surface 22b and the guide surface 55b. Here, since the guide surface 22b and the guide surface 55b are angled on the opposite side to the winding direction of the roll paper RP with respect to the wall surface 22a, the continuous paper CP wound counterclockwise is used. Curling is suppressed while heading toward the platen roller 14.
On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 4B, when the roll paper RP is inserted into the storage chamber SP of the printer 1 with the continuous paper CP wound clockwise in a side view of the printer 1, the roll paper RP The leading end portion of the continuous paper CP fed out from the paper heads toward the platen roller 14 along the curved surface 55a of the opening / closing cover 5 and the gap between the guide surface 22b and the guide surface 55b. Here, since the guide surface 22b and the guide surface 55b are angled on the opposite side to the winding direction of the roll paper RP with respect to the curved surface 55a, the continuous paper CP wound clockwise is used. Curling is suppressed while heading toward the platen roller 14.
Therefore, in the printer 1 of the present embodiment, curling of the continuous paper CP is suppressed during the conveyance process of the continuous paper CP fed out from the roll paper RP regardless of the winding direction of the roll paper RP.
In the printer 1 of the present embodiment, the continuous paper CP fed out from the roll paper RP is conveyed to the platen roller 14 through the paper passing route shown in FIG. 4A or 4B, and the platen roller 14 and the thermal head 15 are Printing is performed on each meter reading slip while sandwiching the continuous paper CP between them. At this time, printing on each meter-reading slip is performed, for example, at the timing of printing based on one of the position detection marks M and M ′ detected by the sensor 13a.

(2) Configuration of Roll Paper Guide Unit Next, the configuration of the roll paper guide units 6 and 6 ′ will be described with reference to FIGS. The roll paper guide unit 6 ′ has the same configuration as that of the roll paper guide unit 6, and thus a duplicate description is omitted.
FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view showing the configuration of the roll paper guide unit 6. FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the roll paper guide 6 that is attached to the frame 4 of the printer 1. FIG. 7 is a front view and a side view of the second guide member 62 of the roll paper guide unit 6. In FIG. 7, the side view also shows the first guide member 61 (excluding the claw portion 611) when the roll paper guide portion 6 is attached to the frame 4.
The roll paper guide portions 6 and 6 ′ are an example of a pair of support portions of the present invention. The first guide member 61 and the second guide member 62 are examples of the first member and the second member of the present invention, respectively.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the roll paper guide unit 6 includes a first guide member 61, a second guide member 62, a guide receiving member 63, and coil springs 64 and 65, and the guide mounting portion of the frame 4 as a whole. 41 is attached. The guide attachment portion 41 is provided with engagement holes 411 (three places in FIG. 5), engagement holes 421 and 422, and an insertion hole 423.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the guide receiving member 63 is a disk-like member as a whole with a circular hole 63h provided in the center. The guide receiving member 63 includes claw portions 631 (three locations in FIG. 5), a spring receiving portion 632, an engaging portion 633, and a spring positioning portion 634. The three claw portions 631 of the guide receiving member 63 are respectively engaged with the three engaging holes 411 of the guide mounting portion 41, whereby the movement of the guide receiving member 63 in the rotational direction with respect to the guide mounting portion 41 is restricted. The

Between the guide receiving member 63 and the guide mounting surface 41S of the guide mounting portion 41, a coil spring 65 for biasing the guide receiving member 63 in a direction away from the guide mounting surface 41S is disposed. The spring receiving portion 632 of the guide receiving member 63 is formed to face the guide mounting surface 41S of the guide mounting portion 41, and has a circumferential shape to support one end of the coil spring 65. One end of the coil spring 65 is disposed on the spring receiving portion 632, and the other end of the coil spring 65 is disposed on the guide attachment surface 41 </ b> S of the guide attachment portion 41.
The circumferential shape of the spring receiving portion 632 is defined by an engaging portion 633 provided on the periphery of the hole 63h and a cylindrical spring positioning portion 634 protruding toward the guide mounting surface 41S. The engaging portion 633 provided at the peripheral edge of the hole 63 h is a circumferential protrusion that protrudes further toward the guide attachment surface 41 </ b> S than the spring receiving portion 632 in order to engage the first guide member 61.

The length of the claw portion 631 in the axial direction of the guide receiving member 63 is such that the guide receiving member 63 is attached to the guide when the force is applied toward the guide mounting surface 41S (that is, outward) with respect to the guide receiving member 63. It is longer than the thickness of the guide mounting portion 41 so that it can be displaced toward the surface 41S.
In the example shown in FIG. 5, the guide receiving member 63 is provided with holes (three places in FIG. 5) for reducing the weight in the vicinity of the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical spring positioning portion 634.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the first guide member 61 is a disk-like member as a whole with a circular hole 61 h provided at the center. The first guide member 61 is formed at the peripheral edge of the hole 61h, and has a cylindrical portion 613 having a cylindrical shape protruding toward the guide mounting surface 41S, and a claw portion 611 formed around the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion 613 (FIG. 5). In three places). As shown in FIG. 6, the three claw portions 611 of the first guide member 61 engage with the engaging portions 633 of the guide receiving member 63. As a result, the three claw portions 611 can slide in the rotational direction along the top surface of the circumferential engagement portion 633 and slide provided on the periphery of the first guide member 61. The surface 612 is slidable in the rotational direction (that is, freely rotatable) on the contact surface 63S of the guide receiving member 63 on the second guide member 62 side (see FIG. 6). The length of the claw portion 611 in the axial direction of the first guide member 61 is set so as to restrict the axial displacement of the first guide member 61 when the claw portion 611 is engaged with the engaging portion 633. .

The sliding surface 612 of the first guide member 61 has a circumferential shape provided at the periphery of the first guide member 61 in order to reduce sliding resistance, but is not limited to such a shape. The shape of the sliding surface 612 can be any shape as long as it contacts the contact surface 63S of the guide receiving member 63.
The guide surface 61S of the first guide member 61 forms a side wall of the storage chamber SP for the roll paper RP and supports the side surface of the roll paper RP.
In the example shown in FIG. 5, the first guide member 61 is provided with holes (six locations in FIG. 5) for lightening radially from the holes 61h.

  The second guide member 62 is a boss that protrudes from the guide surface 61S toward the inside of the storage chamber SP for the roll paper RP in the hole 61h of the first guide member 61 and supports the roll paper RP. The second guide member 62 includes claw portions 621 and 622, a spring positioning portion 623, and a spring receiving portion 626. The claw portions 621 and 622 of the second guide member 62 engage with the engagement holes 421 and 422 of the guide mounting portion 41, respectively, thereby restricting the movement of the second guide member 62 in the rotational direction relative to the guide mounting portion 41. Is done.

  A coil spring 64 is disposed between the second guide member 62 and the guide mounting surface 41S of the guide mounting portion 41 to urge the second guide member 62 in a direction away from the guide mounting surface 41S. The spring positioning portion 623 has a shape protruding from the spring receiving portion 626 toward the guide mounting surface 41S. As shown in FIG. 6, the coil spring 64 is inserted into the spring positioning portion 623. The spring positioning portion 623 is inserted into the insertion hole 423 of the guide attachment portion 41. Therefore, the coil spring 64 is held between the second guide member 62 and the guide mounting surface 41S of the guide mounting portion 41 so that the coil spring 64 does not come off from the spring positioning portion 623.

As shown in FIG. 7, the second guide member 62 further includes a top portion 624, a cylindrical portion 627, and a tapered portion 625 formed between the top portion 624 and the cylindrical portion 627.
The top portion 624 and the tapered portion 625 of the second guide member 62 protrude from the hole 61h of the first guide member 61 toward the inside of the accommodation chamber SP from the guide surface 61S of the first guide member 61. The tapered portion 625 is formed by a tapered surface that tapers from the cylindrical portion 627 toward the top portion 624.
The columnar portion 627 is a columnar portion that is the basis of the claw portions 621 and 622. The cylindrical portion 627 is provided to configure the second guide member 62 so as to be rotatable relative to the first guide member 61. That is, when the inner peripheral surface 613 a of the cylindrical portion 613 of the first guide member 61 slides and rotates around the column portion 627, the first guide member 61 is rotatable relative to the second guide member 62. It becomes.

As shown in FIG. 7, the surface of the tapered portion 625 is formed by continuously connecting an inclined surface 625a and an inclined surface 625b. The inclined surface 625a and the inclined surface 625b are examples of the first inclined surface and the second inclined surface of the present invention, respectively.
The inclined surface 625a is a surface that contacts when the roll paper RP is inserted into the storage chamber SP, and is inclined at a first angle α1 in the direction in which the roll paper RP is inserted into the storage chamber SP. The inclined surface 625b is a surface that contacts when the roll paper RP is taken out of the storage chamber SP, and is inclined at a second angle α2 in the direction of taking out the roll paper RP from the storage chamber SP. The first angle α1 can be appropriately set within a range of 0 <α1 <90 degrees. The second angle α2 can be appropriately set within a range of 0 ≦ α2 <90 degrees.

(3) Roll Paper Inserting Operation and Conveying Operation Next, the roll paper inserting operation and the conveying operation in the printer 1 of the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 8A and 8B show the insertion operation of the roll paper RP into the storage chamber SP when the roll paper RP is inserted into the storage chamber SP when the open / close cover 5 is in the open state as viewed from the front of the printer 1. (C) in this order. FIGS. 8A to 8C show states relating to the positional relationship between the roll paper RP and the second guide member 62 in the order in which the roll paper RP is inserted into the storage chamber SP.

  FIG. 8A shows a state immediately after the roll paper RP is inserted into the storage chamber SP. In this state, the top portion 624 of the second guide member 62 protrudes inward from the side portion RPa of the roll paper RP.

  In FIG. 8B, the side portion RPa of the roll paper RP contacts the second guide member 62 in the accommodation chamber SP. At this time, the end of the side portion RPa of the roll paper RP first comes into contact with the inclined surface 625a of the tapered portion 625 of the second guide member 62, and when the roll paper RP is pushed down further, the second guide member 62 is urged. The coil spring 64 (see FIG. 5) that contracts contracts, and the second guide member 62 moves outward. Accordingly, the roll paper RP moves downward while the side portion RPa of the roll paper RP is in contact with the top portion 624 of the second guide member 62.

  In FIG. 8C, the roll paper RP moves further downward than in the state shown in FIG. When the height of the hollow portion RPb of the roll paper RP and the top portion 624 of the second guide member 62 are substantially the same in the vertical direction, the second portion of the roll paper RP is pushed into the hollow portion RPb by the biasing force of the coil spring 64. The top portion 624 of the guide member 62 enters. Accordingly, the roll paper RP is pivotally supported by the second guide member 62 so that the inclined surface 625a and the inclined surface 625b of the second guide member 62 abut on the end of the hollow portion RPb of the roll paper RP.

  As described with reference to FIG. 8, in the roll paper guide portion 6 of the printer 1 of the present embodiment, the surface of the second guide member 62 with which the roll paper RP contacts when the roll paper RP is inserted into the storage chamber SP. Since the (inclined surface 625a) is inclined in the direction in which the roll paper RP is inserted into the storage chamber SP, the axis of the second guide member 62 when the downward pushing force against the roll paper RP acts on the inclined surface 625b. The second guide member 62 is displaced outward by the component force in the direction. Therefore, when the roll paper RP is inserted into the storage chamber SP, the roll paper RP can easily pass through the second guide member 62 and be supported by the second guide member 62. That is, the operability of inserting the roll paper RP into the accommodation chamber SP is good.

  FIG. 8 shows an example in which there is a gap between the side portion RPa of the roll paper RP and the guide surface 61S of the first guide member 61 for convenience of explanation. Also, it is possible to insert the roll paper RP into the storage chamber SP. In that case, the amount of displacement of the second guide member 62 to the outside when the roll paper RP is inserted into the accommodation chamber SP increases.

  As described with reference to FIG. 5, in the roll paper guide portion 6 of the printer 1 of the present embodiment, the first guide member 61 is urged inside the accommodation chamber SP by the coil spring 65 together with the guide receiving member 63. . Therefore, even when there is almost no gap between the side surface of the roll paper RP and the guide surface 61S of the first guide member 61, the displacement of the roll paper RP due to the outward displacement of the guide surface 61S against the urging force of the coil spring 65. Smooth rotation in the storage room SP is not hindered.

  When the printer 1 of the present embodiment performs a printing operation, the roll paper RP rotates in the storage chamber SP by sequentially feeding the continuous paper CP from the roll paper RP in the storage chamber SP. At this time, since the first guide member 61 is configured to be rotatable with respect to the rotation direction of the roll paper RP, the side portion RPa of the roll paper RP is not in contact with the first guide member 61 while the roll paper RP is rotating. Even in the case of contacting the guide surface 61S, the sliding resistance between the roll paper RP and the first guide member 61 is kept small. Therefore, even when there is almost no gap between the side portion RPa of the roll paper RP and the guide surface 61S of the first guide member 61, the roll paper RP rotates smoothly in the accommodation chamber SP, and is continuous. The paper CP can be smoothly fed out. In other words, even if the roll paper RP is designed not to flutter in the accommodation chamber SP by reducing the gap between the side portion RPa of the roll paper RP and the guide surface 61S of the first guide member 61, the roll Paper RP can be stably conveyed, and adverse effects on print quality can be suppressed.

  As described above, according to the printer 1 of the present embodiment, the roll paper RP is inserted after the roll paper RP is inserted into the storage chamber SP while the operability of inserting the roll paper RP into the storage chamber SP is improved. It can be conveyed stably.

  Although the preferred example in which the roll paper guide portions 6 and 6 ′ are provided with the coil spring 65 has been described with reference to FIG. 5, the roll paper guide portions 6 and 6 ′ may not be provided with the coil spring 65.

  In the above-described embodiment, the case where roll paper without a core material is used has been described. However, the same effect can be obtained even when roll paper with a core material is used.

(4) Modified Example (4-1) First Modified Example A preferred modified example of the second guide member when using roll paper without a core material will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 9 is a front view and a side view of the second guide member 62A according to the modification.
As shown in FIG. 9, the second guide member 62A includes a top portion 624A and a tapered portion 625A. The tapered portion 625A includes a tapered surface 625Aa and a flat surface 625Ab. In the second guide member 62A, the same part as the second guide member 62 shown in FIG. 7 is assigned the same reference numeral as the corresponding part of the second guide member 62, and the duplicate description is omitted.

  As shown in FIG. 9, the taper surface 625Aa of the taper portion 625A abuts when the roll paper RP is inserted into the storage chamber SP, and is inclined at a first angle α1 in the direction of inserting the roll paper RP into the storage chamber SP. Including an inclined surface. On the other hand, the flat surface 625Ab of the tapered portion 625A is a surface that contacts when the roll paper RP is taken out from the storage chamber SP, and is orthogonal to the direction in which the roll paper RP is taken out from the storage chamber SP. That is, unlike the second guide member 62, the surface of the second guide member 62A that contacts when the roll paper RP is taken out of the storage chamber SP is not inclined in the direction of taking out the roll paper RP from the storage chamber SP. Therefore, the roll paper RP by the first guide member 61 is exerted by an impact applied to the printer 1 (for example, an impact when the printer 1 is dropped, etc.) while exhibiting an effect that the roll paper RP can be easily inserted into the accommodation chamber SP of the printer 1. Can be prevented from being easily released. When the roll paper RP without a core material is used, the structure shown in the second guide member 62A is particularly preferable because the roll paper RP is generally easily detached from the guide member.

  From the same viewpoint, in order to make it possible to easily insert the roll paper RP into the storage chamber SP and to prevent the roll paper RP from coming out of the storage chamber SP, the first guide member 61 shown in FIG. The two angles α2 are preferably smaller than the first angle α1 of the inclined surface 625a.

(4-2) Second Modification Another preferable modification of the second guide member 62 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 10 includes a side view of the second guide member 62B according to the modification, and a cross-sectional view taken along line XX in the side view. In FIG. 10, as in FIG. 7, the side view also shows the first guide member 61 </ b> A (except for the claw portion 611) when the roll paper guide portion 6 is attached to the frame 4. In the second guide member 62B, the same part as the second guide member 62 is denoted by the same reference numeral as the corresponding part of the second guide member 62, and redundant description is omitted. The first guide member 61A differs from the first guide member 61 in that the diameter of the cylindrical portion is determined by the tip of a protrusion 627Ba described later.

  As shown in the side view of FIG. 10, the second guide member 62B of this modification includes a column portion 627B arranged in the cylindrical portion 613A of the first guide member 61A. Further, as shown in the XX cross-sectional view of FIG. 10, a protrusion 627Ba is provided that protrudes from the outer peripheral surface of the columnar portion 627B toward the inner peripheral surface 613Aa of the cylindrical portion 613A. FIG. 10 illustrates a case where four protrusions 627Ba are provided, but the number of protrusions 627Ba is not limited and may be set arbitrarily.

  In the present modification, the tips of the four protrusions 627Ba provided on the columnar portion 627B of the second guide member 62B abut on the inner peripheral surface 613Aa of the cylindrical portion 613A of the first guide member 61A, whereby the first guide The member 61 rotates relative to the second guide member 62. Therefore, compared with the case shown in FIG. 7, the sliding resistance between the first guide member 61 and the second guide member 62 can be reduced, and the side surface of the roll paper RP is the first in the accommodation chamber SP. When contacting the guide member 61, the roll paper RP can be rotated more smoothly. That is, the continuous paper CP can be fed out from the roll paper RP more stably.

  In the present embodiment, an example has been described in which the thermal head 15 is used to apply heat to the thermosensitive coloring layer of the continuous paper CP to perform printing, but the present invention is not limited thereto. The printer may be a printer that performs printing by other methods such as a method using an ink ribbon or an ink jet method.

As mentioned above, although embodiment of this invention was described in detail, the scope of the present invention is not limited to said embodiment. The above-described embodiment can be variously improved and changed without departing from the gist of the present invention. In addition, a plurality of technical matters described in the above embodiments and modifications can be combined as appropriate.
For example, in the above-described embodiment, a case has been described in which the print medium is a roll paper in which a strip-shaped continuous paper in which a meter reading sheet is divided by perforations is wound in a roll shape. However, the print medium is limited to that case. Absent.
As described above, the print medium may be a roll paper in which a continuous paper in which a plurality of labels are temporarily attached to one surface (label sticking surface) of the mount at a predetermined interval is wound in a roll shape. In that case, the label sticking surface of the continuous paper is coated with a release agent such as silicone so that the label can be easily peeled off.
Alternatively, the print medium may be a belt-like continuous paper provided with a heat-sensitive color-developing layer on the printing surface and an adhesive layer formed on the back side of the printing surface (a label without a mount), or journal paper. May be.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Printer 2 ... Front cover 3 ... Main body case 4 ... Frame 41 ... Guide attachment part 41S ... Guide attachment surface 42 ... Battery housing 5 ... Opening / closing cover 51 ... Opening / closing axis 52, 52 '... Torsion spring 53, 53' ... For connection Space 54, 54 '... Side piece 55 ... Cover inner surface 6, 6' ... Roll paper guide part 61 ... First guide member 62 ... Second guide member 63 ... Guide receiving member 64, 65 ... Coil spring 11 ... Push button 12 for opening Battery cover 13 Sensor group 13a, 13b Sensor 14 Platen roller 141 Platen roller gear 15 Thermal head 16 Gear group 17 Stepping motor 18 Circuit board 19 Display unit 20 Operation buttons 20a, 20b Operation button 21 ... Power switch 22 ... Conveyance guide unit FU ... Function unit SP ... Container RP ... B Paper CP ... continuous paper M, M '... position detection mark

Claims (4)

A printer in which a storage chamber for storing a roll body in which a belt-shaped print medium is wound in a roll shape is formed,
Including a pair of support parts for supporting the side of the roll body from both sides in the storage chamber;
Each of the pair of support portions is
A first member formed with a hole and configured to be rotatable in a rotation direction of the roll body, and supporting a side surface of the roll body;
A second member that protrudes from the hole of the first member to the inside of the accommodation chamber and whose movement in the rotational direction is restricted, and that supports the roll body;
With
The surface of the second member with which the roll body abuts when the roll body is inserted into the storage chamber is an inclined surface that is inclined in the direction in which the roll body is inserted into the storage chamber. To
Printer. In the second member, when the inclined surface that is inclined in the direction of inserting the roll body into the storage chamber is the first inclined surface,
The second member has a second inclined surface in which a surface of the second member that comes into contact with the roll body when the roll body is taken out of the storage chamber is inclined in a direction of taking out the roll body from the storage chamber. And
The inclination angle of the second inclined surface is smaller than the inclination angle of the first inclined surface,
The printer according to claim 1. The first member is elastically supported so as to be displaceable toward the outside of the storage chamber.
The printer according to claim 1 or 2. The first member has a cylindrical portion that forms the hole,
The second member has a columnar portion that is disposed in the cylindrical portion and includes a protrusion that protrudes toward the inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion;
The first member rotates relative to the second member such that the inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion is in contact with the protrusion.
The printer according to claim 1.

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