JP2018140870A - Medium supply device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a medium supply device capable of preventing a medium wound in a roll shape, from having a curling habit.SOLUTION: A roll paper supply device 100 includes: a roll paper holder 10 that rotates by a driving unit and rotatably supports a roll paper 101; a conveying roller 40 that conveys a continuous paper 101a drawn out from the roll paper 101; a tension roller unit 20 that is movable between a first position and a second position; the driving unit that moves a position of the tension roller unit 20 by rotating the roll paper 101; a state switching unit that switches to either a fixed state of restricting a movement of the tension roller unit 20 or a released state of moving the tension member freely; and a control unit that controls the driving unit, the conveying roller 40, and a state switching unit 21.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to a medium supply device that supplies a medium wound in a roll shape.

  A roll paper guide member for guiding the roll paper drawn from the roll paper support unit to the roller is provided, and the path of the roll paper so that the roll paper is brought into surface contact with the roller over a predetermined length during printing. A printer has been proposed in which a roll paper guide member is advanced by a drive unit to an advance position where the roll paper is bent, and the roll paper guide member is retracted by a drive unit to a release position where the roll paper is released during non-printing. (For example, patent document 1). In the printer of Patent Document 1, the roll paper guide member is retracted at the time of non-printing to prevent the roll paper from being bent.

JP-A-10-297043 (for example, paragraphs 0012 to 0019, FIG. 2)

  However, in the technique of Patent Document 1, the roll paper guide member is merely retracted to the release position for releasing the roll paper, and the roll paper passed between the roll paper support portion and the roller is held while being curved. It cannot be avoided that the roll paper is bent.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a medium supply device that can avoid a curved wrinkle that affects conveyance on a medium wound in a roll shape. And

  The medium supply device according to the present invention includes a holder that conveys a medium that is rotated by a drive unit and wound in a roll shape, a conveyance unit that is disposed downstream of the holder in the medium conveyance direction, the holder, and the conveyance unit. A tension member that is disposed between the holder and the conveyance unit and applies a tension to the medium, a fixed state that restricts the movement of the tension member, and the tension member The tension member includes: a state switching unit that switches the state of the tension member to any one of a released state that enables movement; and a control unit that controls the driving unit, the transport unit, and the state switching unit. Is a linear portion of the medium upstream of the contact portion between the tension member and the medium in the transport direction and a front portion of the contact portion downstream of the transport direction in the transport direction. Between a first position at which the turning angle of the medium, which is an angle formed by a straight line portion of the medium, is a first turning angle, and a second position at which the turning angle is a second turning angle that is greater than the first turning angle. The control unit switches the state switching unit to the fixed state while the tension member is in the first position when the medium is supplied, and when the supply of the medium is stopped, Control is performed to switch the state switching unit to the fixed state in a state where the tension member is in the second position.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to avoid a curved wrinkle that affects conveyance on a medium wound in a roll shape.

It is sectional drawing which shows schematic structure of the roll paper supply apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the schematic structure of the control system of the roll paper supply apparatus which concerns on embodiment. (A) to (c) is a diagram for explaining the operation of the roll paper supply device according to the embodiment. (A) to (c) is a diagram for explaining the operation of the roll paper supply device according to the embodiment, and shows the continuation of the operation shown in FIGS. 3 (a) to (c). (A) to (c) is a diagram for explaining the operation of the roll paper supply device according to the embodiment, and shows the continuation of the operation shown in FIGS. 4 (a) to (c). It is a flowchart which shows a series of operation | movement of the roll paper supply apparatus which concerns on embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows a series of operation | movement of the roll paper supply apparatus which concerns on embodiment, and has shown the continuation of the process from step S10 in FIG. It is a flowchart which shows a series of operation | movement of the roll paper supply apparatus which concerns on embodiment, and has shown the continuation of the process from step S21 in FIG.

Embodiment.
<< 1 >> Configuration FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing a schematic configuration of a roll paper supply apparatus 100 as a medium supply apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. Hereinafter, the roll paper supply device 100 according to the embodiment will be described from the upstream side in the conveyance direction E of the roll paper (continuous paper). In FIG. 1, the conveyance direction E of roll paper (continuous paper) is indicated by an arrow. 1, the upstream side in the transport direction E is the right side in FIG. 1, and the downstream side in the transport direction E is the left side in FIG.

  The roll paper supply device 100 according to the embodiment feeds the continuous paper 101a from the roll paper 101 made of continuous paper (medium) 101a wound in a roll shape, and the fed continuous paper 101a is a printing device 200 as an external device. It is a medium supply apparatus for supplying to. The printing apparatus 200 is an example of an external apparatus, and the external apparatus is not limited to the printing apparatus 200. In the present application, the roll paper 101 is composed of a portion wound in a roll shape and a portion drawn from the portion wound in the roll shape, and the drawn portion is referred to as “continuous paper 101a”. .

  FIG. 1 shows a state in which the roll paper supply device 100 is connected to a printing device 200 that receives the supply of the roll paper 101. The roll paper supply device 100 is connected to the printing apparatus 200 by being inserted into a mounting unit of the printing apparatus 200, for example. However, the structure for connecting the roll paper supply apparatus 100 and the printing apparatus 200 is any structure as long as the continuous paper 101a supplied from the roll paper supply apparatus 100 is transported to the printing position of the printing apparatus 200. It may be a simple structure.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the roll paper supply apparatus 100 is configured to convey a roll paper holder 10 as a holder that rotatably supports the roll paper 101, a tension roller unit 20 as a tension member, and a continuous paper 101a in the transport direction E. And a transport roller 40 as a transport unit for transporting the transport. The tension roller unit 20 is disposed between the roll paper holder 10 and the transport roller 40, and applies tension to the continuous paper 101a by contacting the continuous paper 101a between the roll paper holder 10 and the transport roller 40. To do. The roll paper supply device 100 includes an upper sensor 31 and a lower sensor 32 as position sensors for detecting the position of the tension roller unit 20, a paper sensor 33, a paper cue sensor 34, a holder rotation sensor 35, and a cutter unit 50. And a supply roller 60.

  As shown in FIG. 1, in the roll paper supply device 100, the roll paper 101 is set in a rotatable state on the roll paper holder 10. The roll paper 101 is configured, for example, by winding a web medium around a roll core 102 in a roll shape.

  The roll paper holder 10 rotates clockwise or counterclockwise by a rotational driving force generated by a holder driving motor 117 as a driving unit. The roll paper holder 10 feeds the continuous paper 101a from the roll paper 101 supported by the roll paper holder 10 by rotating counterclockwise, which is the first direction in FIG.

  Further, the roll paper holder 10 rewinds the continuous paper 101a backward (in the direction opposite to the conveyance direction E of the continuous paper 101a) in a state where the leading end 101b of the fed continuous paper 101a is sandwiched between the conveyance rollers 40. It rotates, pulls the continuous paper 101a backward, and operates to apply tension (hereinafter also referred to as “back tension”) to the continuous paper 101a. The roll paper holder 10 rewinds the continuous paper 101a by rotating clockwise in the second direction in FIG.

  When applying the back tension to the continuous paper 101a, it is desirable to prevent a load (tensile force) exceeding a predetermined upper limit value from being applied to the continuous paper 101a by, for example, a mechanical torque limiter. Further, it is desirable that the upper limit value set in the torque limiter is a value equal to or greater than the weight of the tension roller unit 20.

  As shown in FIG. 1, a holder rotation sensor 35 that detects the rotation of the roll paper holder 10 by detecting a slit that rotates together with the roll paper holder 10 is provided at the top of the roll paper holder 10. .

  As shown in FIG. 1, a tension roller unit 20 is provided downstream in the transport direction E of the roll paper holder 10. The tension roller unit 20 is a means for abutting the continuous paper 101a fed from the roll paper holder 10 and applying a predetermined tension to the continuous paper 101a. When the tension roller unit 20 applies a predetermined tension to the continuous paper 101a, the conveyance accuracy of the continuous paper 101a can be increased (that is, stable conveyance can be realized).

  As shown in FIG. 1, the tension roller unit 20 includes a tension roller support shaft 21, a bar 22, a bar 23, a spring 24, and a roller 25. The tension roller unit 20 can be rotated by a predetermined angle about the tension roller support shaft 21. The tension roller unit 20 includes a roller 25 as a contact portion that contacts the continuous paper 101a between the roll paper 101 supported by the roll paper holder 10 and the transport roller 40 as a transport unit. , The roller 25 has a first position (position shown in FIG. 1) away from the transport roller 40 and a second position close to the transport roller 40 (position shown in FIG. 4C described later). It can be moved between. FIG. 1 shows a state in which the roller 25 of the tension roller unit 20 is in the first position away from the conveying roller 40.

  A solenoid 119 (shown in FIG. 2 described later) for holding (fixing) or releasing the position of the tension roller portion 20 is connected to the tension roller support shaft 21. The tension roller support shaft 21 is switched between a fixed state in which the movement of the tension roller unit 20 is restricted and a released state in which the movement of the tension roller unit 20 is possible by controlling the energization of the solenoid 119. The solenoid 119 and the solenoid drive driver 115 constitute a state switching unit that switches the tension roller unit 20 between the fixed state and the released state. When the solenoid 119 is energized, the position of the tension roller unit 20 is released. On the other hand, when the energization to the solenoid 119 is interrupted, the position of the tension roller unit 20 is held (fixed).

  A bar 22 is fixed to the tension roller support shaft 21. The bar 22 is provided with a spring 24, and the bar 22 is connected to a bar 23 as a support member via the spring 24. A roller 25 as a contact portion is provided at one end of the bar 23 so as to be rotatable with respect to the bar 23. The continuous paper 101a is in contact with the lower portion of the roller 25, and the roller 25 is driven to rotate as the continuous paper 101a is conveyed.

  As shown in FIG. 1, tension is always applied to the continuous paper 101 a in contact with the lower portion of the roller 25 in the direction of the arrow in the figure by the force of the spring 24. Thereby, a frictional force is generated between the continuous paper 101a and the roller 25, and the conveyance accuracy of the continuous paper 101a can be improved. In FIG. 1, the continuous paper 101 a that is in contact with the roller 25 has a first bending angle θ <b> 1 at the contact portion with the roller 25. The first bend angle θ1 is an angle smaller than the second bend angle θ2 shown in FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 1, an upper sensor 31 as a second position sensor for detecting the position of the tension roller portion 20 and a lower sensor 32 as a first position sensor are provided above and below the tension roller support shaft 21. Is provided. The upper sensor 31 and the lower sensor 32 are sensors that detect the position of the tension roller unit 20. The upper sensor 31 detects the second position of the tension roller unit 20. The lower sensor 32 detects the first position of the tension roller unit 20. The output state of each sensor 31, 32 (for example, a detection signal consisting of a detection state and a non-detection state) is monitored, and the solenoid 119 provided on the tension roller support shaft 21 is monitored based on the output state of each sensor 31, 32. Control energization.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the transport roller 40 is provided downstream in the transport direction E of the tension roller unit 20. The conveyance roller 40 is a conveyance unit that conveys the continuous paper 101a toward the printing apparatus 200 in which the roll paper supply device 100 is incorporated. The conveying roller 40 is connected to a roller driving motor 118 (shown in FIG. 2 described later) via a driving force transmission mechanism such as a gear, and is configured to be rotatable. The conveyance roller 40 pulls out the continuous paper 101 a from the roll paper 101 set in the roll paper holder 10 and conveys the drawn continuous paper 101 a toward the cutter unit 50.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the cutter unit 50 is provided downstream in the transport direction E of the transport roller 40. The cutter unit 50 cuts the continuous paper 101 a passing through the cutter unit 50, and separates the portion on the leading end 101 b side of the continuous paper 101 a from the continuous paper 101 a drawn from the roll paper 101. The cutter unit 50 cuts the continuous paper 101a when the passed continuous paper 101a reaches the print length corresponding to the print data.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the supply roller 60 is provided downstream in the transport direction E of the cutter unit 50. The supply roller 60 is a transport unit that transports the continuous paper 101 a toward the printing apparatus 200. The supply roller 60 is connected to the roller drive motor 118 via a driving force transmission mechanism such as a gear, and is configured to be rotatable. The supply roller 60 conveys the continuous paper 101 a cut to a predetermined length by the cutter unit 50 toward the printing apparatus 200.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the paper sensor 33 is provided upstream in the transport direction E of the transport roller 40. The paper sensor 33 detects the presence or absence of paper (continuous paper 101a) at the paper setting position 33a upstream in the transport direction E of the transport roller 40 when the operator sets the leading edge 101b of the continuous paper 101a to the paper setting position 33a. It is a sensor.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the paper cueing sensor 34 is provided downstream in the transport direction E of the transport roller 40. The paper cueing sensor 34 is a sensor that detects the cueing of the paper (continuous paper 101a) at the paper standby position 34a downstream in the conveyance direction E of the conveyance roller 40 (that is, detects the presence or absence of the leading edge 101b).

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a control system of the roll paper supply device 100 according to the embodiment. As shown in FIG. 2, the control unit 107 of the roll paper supply device 100 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 108, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 110, and a RAM (Random Access Memory) 111. As shown in FIG. 2, the CPU 108 is connected to a ROM 110, a RAM 111, and an IO port (Input Output Port) 112 by a CPU bus 109.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the control unit 107 is connected to the holder drive motor driver 113 that drives the holder drive motor 117 via the IO port 112. The control unit 107 is connected to a roller drive motor driver 114 that drives the roller drive motor 118 via the IO port 112. The control unit 107 is connected to a solenoid drive driver 115 that drives the solenoid 119 via the IO port 112. Further, the control unit 107 is connected to a cutter unit driving driver 116 that drives the cutter unit 50 via the IO port 112. Operations of the holder driving motor 117, the roller driving motor 118, the solenoid 119, and the cutter unit 50 can be controlled by the control unit 107.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the control unit 107 is connected to the lower sensor 32 and the upper sensor 31 via the IO port 112 and can detect the position of the tension roller unit 20. The control unit 107 is connected to the paper sensor 33 via the IO port 112.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the control unit 107 is connected to the paper cue sensor 34 downstream of the transport roller 40 via the IO port 112. The control unit 107 is connected to the holder rotation sensor 35 via the IO port 112 and can detect the rotation of the roll paper holder 10.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the control unit 107 is connected to the interface circuit 120 via the IO port 112, and the interface circuit 120 is connected to the printing unit 201 of the printing apparatus 200 via the interface cable 121. Yes.

<< 2 >> Operation FIGS. 3A to 3C are diagrams for explaining the operation of the roll paper supply apparatus 100 according to the embodiment. In FIGS. 3A to 3C, the description of the printing apparatus 200 is omitted.

  As shown in FIG. 3A, first, in order to set the continuous paper 101a at a predetermined position, the operator pulls out the continuous paper 101a from the roll paper 101, passes under the tension roller unit 20, and feeds the transport roller 40. Set to.

  As shown in FIG. 3B, when the paper sensor 33 detects the leading edge 101b of the continuous paper 101a, the holder driving motor 117 is driven to start conveying the continuous paper 101a. When the paper cueing sensor 34 detects the presence of paper, the continuous paper 101a is conveyed by a predetermined distance set in advance and the rotation of the holder drive motor 117 is stopped.

  As shown in FIG. 3C, when the continuous paper 101a is set, it is connected to the holder driving motor 117 so that the tension roller unit 20 applies tension to the continuous paper 101a that has been pulled out too much by the operator. The rolled paper holder 10 thus rotated is rotated in the back feed direction, and the continuous paper 101a is taken up so that the loose portion of the continuous paper 101a disappears.

  FIGS. 4A to 4C are diagrams for explaining the operation of the roll paper supply apparatus 100 according to the embodiment, and show the continuation of the operation shown in FIGS. 3A to 3C. ing. In FIGS. 4A to 4C, the description of the printing apparatus 200 is omitted.

  As shown in FIG. 4A, when there is no change in the output state of the holder rotation sensor 35, it is determined that the winding of the slack portion of the continuous paper 101a is completed, and the rotation of the holder drive motor 117 is stopped. . At this time, the energization to the solenoid 119 is cut off, and the position of the tension roller unit 20 is maintained (LOCK state). At this time, tension is applied to the continuous paper 101 a by the tension roller unit 20, and tension is applied to the continuous paper 101 a between the transport roller 40 and the roll paper holder 10.

  As shown in FIG. 4B, when the print data is received within the set time, the roll paper supply device 100 determines that it is the supply period of the roll paper 101 and transfers the continuous paper 101a to the printing device 200. Then, the printing apparatus 200 performs printing. At the time of printing, the roll roller holder 10 connected to the holder drive motor 117 is rotated in the back feed direction (clockwise arrow direction shown in the roll roller holder 10 in FIG. 4B), thereby conveying rollers. 40, the feeding of the continuous paper 101a due to the conveyance of the supply roller 60 and the conveyance mechanism in the printing apparatus 200 is prevented.

  As shown in FIG. 4C, when the print data is not received within the set time, the roll paper supply device 100 enters the supply stop period of the roll paper 101, and therefore the solenoid 119 provided on the tension roller support shaft 21 is turned on. The lock is released by energizing, and the tension roller unit 20 is released so that it can be rotated up and down. Then, the roll paper holder 10 connected to the holder drive motor 117 is rotated in the back feed direction to move the tension roller unit 20 to the uppermost position, which is a retracted position during non-printing, and the continuous paper 101a is taken up. . At this time, the tension roller unit 20 is in the second position close to the transport roller 40. Here, the length (medium length) of the continuous paper 101a between the roll paper holder 10 and the conveyance roller 40 when the tension roller unit 20 is in the first position (see FIG. 1) is determined by the tension roller unit 20. It is longer than the length (medium length) of the continuous paper 101a between the roll paper holder 10 and the conveying roller 40 in the second position. The second position of the tension roller unit 20 is desirably a position that minimizes the length of the continuous paper 101 a between the roll paper holder 10 and the transport roller 40.

  As shown in FIG. 4C, when the tension roller unit 20 is in the second position, the continuous paper 101a at the contact portion that contacts the roller 25 between the transport roller 40 and the roll paper holder 10 is: A second bend angle θ2 is provided. Note that the bending angle of the continuous paper 101a refers to the straight portion of the continuous paper 101a on the upstream side of the roller 25 (the portion having a straight cross-sectional shape in FIGS. 1 and 4C) and the continuous paper on the downstream side of the roller 25. This is an angle formed by a straight portion 101a (a portion having a straight cross-sectional shape in FIGS. 1 and 4C). The second bend angle θ2 is an angle larger than the first bend angle θ1. It is desirable that the second bend angle θ2 is in the range of 150 degrees to 180 degrees. More desirably, the second bend angle θ2 is in the range of 170 degrees to 180 degrees.

  Since the second bend angle θ2 is an angle close to 180 degrees, the continuous paper 101a is held in a substantially horizontal state without being bent. Therefore, the curled wrinkles are formed on the roll paper 101 during non-printing (supply stop period). It can prevent sticking. The second bending angle θ2 increases as the remaining amount of the roll paper 101 decreases and the feeding portion of the continuous paper 101a approaches the roll core 102, and is an angle close to 180 degrees.

  FIGS. 5A to 5C are diagrams for explaining the operation of the roll paper supply apparatus 100 according to the embodiment, and shows the continuation of the operation shown in FIGS. 4A to 4C. ing. In FIGS. 5A to 5C, the description of the printing apparatus 200 is omitted.

  As shown in FIG. 5A, when print data is received by the printing apparatus 200 from a host host (for example, a computer not shown), the solenoid 119 provided on the tension roller spindle 21 is energized to release the lock. The tension roller unit 20 is released so that it can be rotated up and down. Then, in order to move the tension roller unit 20 to the lowest position (first position) at the time of printing, the roll paper holder 10 connected to the holder drive motor 117 is rotated in the roll paper feeding direction and continuously from the roll paper 101. The paper 101a is fed out.

  As shown in FIG. 5B, when the lower sensor 32 detects the lowest position of the tension roller unit 20, the energization of the solenoid 119 provided on the tension roller support shaft 21 is cut off and locked, and the tension roller unit 20 Is held at the printing position which is the lowest position.

  As shown in FIG. 5C, in order to remove the slack of the continuous paper 101a, the roll paper holder 10 connected to the holder driving motor 117 is back-feeded again while monitoring the detection information from the holder rotation sensor 35. The continuous paper 101a is taken up.

  6 to 8 are flowcharts showing a series of operations of the roll paper supply apparatus 100 according to the embodiment. FIG. 7 shows the continuation of the processing from step S10 in FIG. 6, and FIG. 8 shows the continuation of the processing from step S21 in FIG. Hereinafter, the operation of the roll paper supply apparatus 100 according to the embodiment will be described from the case where the operator sets the continuous paper 101a.

  As shown in FIG. 6, in step S <b> 1, the operator pulls out the continuous paper 101 a from the roll paper 101, passes under the tension roller unit 20, and sets it on the conveyance roller 40 (see FIG. 3A).

  Subsequently, in the process of step S2, when the paper sensor 33 detects the presence of paper and the lower sensor 32 detects the lowest position (YES in step S2), the process proceeds to step S3 and the tension roller support shaft 21 is detected. The solenoid 119 provided in the power supply is cut off and locked, and the tension roller unit 20 is held at the lowest position for printing.

  Next, the process proceeds to step S4, where the roll paper holder 10 connected to the holder drive motor 117 is rotated to convey the continuous paper 101a. In the process of step S5, if the paper cueing sensor 34 detects the presence of paper (YES in step S5), the process proceeds to step S6, and the continuous paper 101a is conveyed by a preset distance and the holder drive motor The rotational driving of 117 is stopped (see FIG. 3B).

  Subsequently, the process proceeds to step S7, and detection from the holder rotation sensor 35 is performed so that tension is applied by the tension roller unit 20 to the continuous paper 101a that has been pulled out excessively by the operator when the continuous paper 101a is set. While monitoring the information, the roll paper holder 10 connected to the holder drive motor 117 is rotated in the back feed direction to wind up the continuous paper 101a (see FIG. 3C).

  Subsequently, in the process of step S8, when the output state (detection information) of the holder rotation sensor 35 is not changed (YES in step S8), the process proceeds to step S9, and it is determined that the continuous paper 101a has been wound. Then, the rotation of the holder drive motor 117 is stopped. At this time, the tension is applied to the continuous paper 101a by the tension roller unit 20, and the tension is applied to the continuous paper 101a between the transport roller 40 and the roll paper holder 10 (FIG. 4 ( a)).

  Subsequently, the process proceeds to step S10, and waits until print data is received from the upper host within a preset time. If the print data is received within the set time (YES in step S10), the process proceeds to step S11, and the continuous paper 101a is conveyed to the printing apparatus 200 for printing.

  At the time of printing, the roll paper holder 10 connected to the holder drive motor 117 is rotated in the back feed direction, so that the continuous paper 101a is conveyed by the conveyance roller 40, the supply roller 60, and the conveyance mechanism in the printing apparatus 200. Unnecessary payout is prevented. When printing is completed, the holder drive motor stops driving (see FIG. 4B).

  If the print data is not received within the set time (NO in step S10), the process proceeds to step S12 in FIG. 7, and the solenoid 119 provided on the tension roller support shaft 21 is energized to unlock the tension roller support shaft 21. Then, the tension roller unit 20 is released so as to be able to rotate up and down.

  Subsequently, the process proceeds to step S13, and the detection information from the holder rotation sensor 35 and the uppermost position of the upper sensor 31 are moved so as to move the tension roller unit 20 to the uppermost position (second position) that is the retracted position during non-printing. While monitoring the position detection information, the roll paper holder 10 connected to the holder drive motor 117 is rotated in the back feed direction to take up the continuous paper 101a.

  At this time, the roll paper holder 10 connected to the holder drive motor 117 is rotated in the back feed direction until the upper sensor 31 detects the uppermost position. The power for moving the white portion of the tension roller portion 20 upward at this time is the tension of the medium that is wound around and conveyed by the holder driving motor 117 with the continuous paper 101a bitten by the conveying roller 40.

  Subsequently, when the upper sensor 31 detects the uppermost position in the process of step S14 (YES in step S14), the process proceeds to step S15, and the energization of the solenoid 119 provided on the tension roller spindle 21 is cut off and locked. Then, the tension roller unit 20 is held at the uppermost position, which is the retracted position during non-printing.

  Subsequently, the process proceeds to step S16, where the output state of the holder rotation sensor 35 is monitored whether the output state of the holder rotation sensor 35 is constantly changing or the output state of the holder rotation sensor 35 is no longer changed (step S16). The process proceeds to step S18, where it is determined that the continuous paper 101a has been wound up, and the rotation of the holder drive motor 117 is stopped. At this time, the continuous paper 101a between the transport roller 40 and the roll paper holder 10 is held in a state where tension is applied in a state of being substantially horizontal to the tension roller unit 20 (see FIG. 4C).

  If the output state of the holder rotation sensor 35 is constantly changing (NO in step S16), it is determined that the continuous paper 101a is being wound, and the rotation of the holder drive motor 117 is continued (step S17).

  Subsequently, in step S19, the process waits until print data is received from the host. When print data is received from the host (YES in step S19), the process proceeds to step S20, the solenoid 119 provided on the tension roller support shaft 21 is energized and unlocked, and the tension roller unit 20 can be rotated up and down. Let me release.

  Subsequently, the process proceeds to step S21, and the holder drive motor 117 is fed out of the continuous paper 101a while monitoring the lowest position detection information of the lower sensor 32 so as to move the tension roller unit 20 to the lowest position during printing. The continuous paper 101a is fed out.

  Subsequently, in the process of step S22, the holder drive motor 117 is rotated until the lower sensor 32 detects the lowest position. The power for moving the tension roller unit 20 downward at this time is the tension of the medium that is fed out and conveyed by the holder drive motor 117 with the continuous paper 101a bitten by the conveying roller 40 (see FIG. 5A). .

  When the lower sensor 32 detects the lowermost position (YES in step S22), the process proceeds to step S23 in FIG. 8 and the energization of the solenoid 119 provided on the tension roller support shaft 21 is cut off and locked. Is held at the lowermost position at the time of printing (see FIG. 5B).

  Subsequently, in step S24, in order to sag the continuous paper 101a, the roll paper holder 10 connected to the holder drive motor 117 is moved again in the backfeed direction while monitoring detection information from the holder rotation sensor 35. The continuous paper 101a is taken up by rotating (see FIG. 5C).

  Subsequently, in the process of step S25, the output state (detection information) of the holder rotation sensor 35 is monitored to determine whether the output state of the holder rotation sensor 35 is constantly changing. If there is no change in the output state of holder rotation sensor 35 (YES in step S25), the process proceeds to step S26, where it is determined that continuous paper 101a has been wound, and rotation of holder drive motor 117 is stopped.

  Subsequently, in the process of step S27, the printing apparatus 200 that has received the continuous paper 101a from the roll paper supply apparatus 100 performs printing on the continuous paper 101a. After the printing operation is completed, the process proceeds to step S10 in FIG. 6, and the process in step S10 is performed.

<< 3 >> Effect As described above, according to the roll paper supply apparatus 100 according to the embodiment, when print data is not received from the host in the preset standby time, as shown in FIG. Then, the tension roller unit 20 held at the lowest position is unlocked, and as shown in FIG. 4C, the tension roller unit 20 is moved to the uppermost position, which is the retracted position, and the continuous paper 101a is conveyed. The tension is maintained almost horizontally with respect to the road. Accordingly, it is possible to prevent the tension roller unit 20 from attaching a curl wrinkle (curl wrinkle) that affects the transport of the continuous paper 101a during the supply stop period in which the continuous paper 101a is not transported.

  According to the roll paper supply device 100 according to the embodiment, when the solenoid 119 provided on the tension roller support shaft 21 holds the position of the tension roller portion 20 when the power supply is cut off, the power supply of the entire device is turned off. In this case, the tension roller portion 20 can be held without dropping. Therefore, even when the power supply of the entire apparatus is turned off, the effect of preventing the curl of the continuous paper 101a can be continued.

  In the conventional apparatus in which tension is always applied to the roll paper passed between the roll paper support unit and the roller by a tension mechanism such as a tension roller and the conveyance accuracy of the roll paper is increased by the frictional force with the tension mechanism. Since the tension roller was moved to the release position at the time of printing, the necessary tension was not applied to the roll paper passed between the roll paper support portion and the roller, and the roll paper was held in a curved state. Therefore, the longer the conveyance interruption time (non-printing time), the more the roll paper is bent, and there is a problem that the conveyance accuracy of the roll paper after the conveyance is resumed is adversely affected. On the other hand, according to the roll paper supply device 100 according to the embodiment, the continuous paper 101a is held while applying tension in a substantially horizontal state during a supply stop period in which the continuous paper 101a is not conveyed. It is possible to prevent the curled wrinkles (winding wrinkles) from being attached to the 101a, and even when the conveyance is interrupted, it is possible to prevent the conveyance accuracy of the roll paper 101 from deteriorating after the conveyance is resumed.

10 roll paper holder, 20 tension roller section (tension member), 21 tension roller spindle, 22 bar, 23 bar, 24 spring, 25 roller (contact section), 31 upper sensor, 32 lower sensor, 33 paper sensor, 34 Paper Cue Sensor, 35 Holder Rotation Sensor, 40 Transport Roller, 50 Cutter Unit, 60 Supply Roller, 100 Roll Paper Supply Device, 101 Roll Paper, 101a Continuous Paper, 102 Roll Core, 107 Control Unit, 108 CPU, 109 CPU Bus 110 RAM, 111 ROM, 112 IO port, 113 holder drive driver, 114 motor drive driver, 115 solenoid drive driver, 116 cutter unit drive driver, 117 holder drive motor (drive unit), 118 roller drive motor, 1 9 solenoids, 120 an interface circuit, 121 an interface cable, 200 printer, 201 printing unit.

Claims (11)

A holder that is rotated by a drive unit and conveys a medium wound in a roll;
A transport unit disposed downstream of the holder in the medium transport direction;
A tension member disposed between the holder and the transport unit, contacting a medium transported between the holder and the transport unit, and applying tension to the medium;
A state switching unit that switches the state of the tension member to either a fixed state that restricts movement of the tension member or a released state that enables movement of the tension member;
A controller that controls the drive unit, the transport unit, and the state switching unit;
The tension member includes a linear portion of the medium on the upstream side in the transport direction of the contact portion between the tension member and the medium and a linear portion of the medium on the downstream side in the transport direction of the contact portion. An angle between the first position where the turning angle of the medium is a first turning angle and the second position where the turning angle is a second turning angle greater than the first turning angle;
The control unit switches the state switching unit to the fixed state while the tension member is in the first position when the medium is supplied, and the tension member is the first member when the medium supply is stopped. 2. A medium supply device that performs control to switch the state switching unit to the fixed state in a state of position 2. The medium length between the holder and the transport unit via the tension member when the tension member is at the first position is determined via the tension member when the tension member is at the second position. The medium supply apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the medium supply apparatus is longer than a medium length between the holder and the transport unit. The medium supply apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the second position of the tension member is a position that minimizes the length of the medium between the holder and the transport unit. The medium supply device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the second bend angle is in a range of 150 degrees to 180 degrees. 5. The medium supply device according to claim 1, wherein the second turning angle is in a range of 170 degrees to 180 degrees. The drive unit conveys the medium in the conveyance direction by rotating the medium in a first direction, and rotates the medium in a second direction opposite to the first direction. The medium supply device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the medium supply device is rewound. The drive unit moves the tension member from the second position to the first position by rotating the medium in the first direction, and rotates the medium in the second direction. The medium supply apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the tension member is moved from the first position to the second position. A first position sensor that detects the first position of the tension member; and a second position sensor that detects the second position of the tension member;
The control unit switches the state switching unit from the released state to the fixed state when the first position sensor detects the first position, and the second position sensor changes the second position. The medium supply device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein, when detected, control is performed to switch the state switching unit from the released state to the fixed state. The medium supply device according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the transport unit includes a pair of rollers that sandwich the medium. The tension member includes a contact portion that contacts the medium, a support member that supports the contact portion, and a support shaft that is provided in the apparatus main body and rotatably supports the support member.
The contact portion moves between the first position and the second position by the support member rotating about the support shaft as a rotation center. The medium supply device according to claim 1. The medium supply device according to claim 10, wherein the contact portion includes a roller rotatably provided at a tip end of the support member.

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