JP2506610Y2 - Paper jam detector for image recording device - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION (Industrial field of application) The present invention relates to an image recording apparatus that uses a roll of paper, and in particular, only a cutter is arranged downstream of a recording unit,
The present invention relates to an apparatus for immediately discharging a cut sheet to an output tray, which is configured to detect a jam by swinging or moving the cutter apparatus by the jammed paper.

(Prior Art) In an image recording apparatus such as a facsimile, a roll-shaped thermal paper is used as a recording paper, writing is performed by a thermal head, the paper is cut into a predetermined size, and the paper is discharged to a discharge tray. Is configured as follows. Also,
In devices such as electronic copiers that make copies using large-sized paper, roll-shaped recording paper is installed in the paper feed unit, and the recording paper fed out from the paper feed unit is cut to the original length by a cutter. A device is used which cuts correspondingly and transfers the toner image through the image transfer portion and the fixing portion to fix the toner image to form the recording paper.

A general facsimile apparatus using the roll-shaped recording paper is configured as shown in FIG. 7, and presses the paper with the press roller 6 against the thermal head 5 arranged in the recording unit. , The action of feeding the paper is performed.

As the recording paper P, a roll-shaped thermal paper is used, and a recording paper for which an image has been recorded is used as a cutter unit.
It is cut by the cutter 15 of 10, and discharged by the discharge roller 42 toward the discharge tray 8a.

In addition, after cutting with the cutter 15, the paper whose front end projects further forward than the recording unit is returned by rotating the press roller 6 in the reverse direction to perform the next recording operation. There is.

In the facsimile having the above-mentioned configuration,
A paper jam sensor 40 is provided in order to detect the paper at the discharge portion, and the actuator 41 of the paper jam sensor 40 is swung by the paper to detect the condition of the paper. Then, when the paper is jammed at the upstream portion of the cutter, the jam signal is output by comparing the image recording signal and the paper detection signal from the paper jam sensor 40. ing.

For the purpose of simplifying the mechanism of the device and reducing the manufacturing cost by reducing the number of parts compared to the conventional general facsimile, the discharge roller is omitted and the cutter is cut by a cutter. It is proposed that the ejected paper sheet be ejected as it is to an ejection tray.

For example, in the conventional example disclosed in Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 63-29332, the paper is conveyed only by the press roller arranged in the recording unit, and the discharge roller is omitted, so that the structure of the apparatus can be simplified. There is. Further, in the above-mentioned conventional apparatus, the sensor arranged downstream of the cutter can be omitted.

(Problems to be solved by the invention) However, in the device of the type in which the conventional discharge roller is deleted as described above, when the sensor is arranged at the downstream position of the cutter, is it discharged due to curling of the paper, Or it may not be possible to judge whether it is jammed. Further, in a device having no sensor, there is a problem that when a jam occurs in the cutter, the jam cannot be detected, jammed paper jams, and the device is damaged.

Further, when the sensor is arranged between the recording unit and the cutter, the paper is moved from the printing position to the cutting position within a certain time period due to the relationship with the control mechanism, the operating time of the cutter device, the cutting device. It is required to accurately set the moving time of the paper from the print position to the print position, and it is required to set the interval between the print position and the cutter position as short as possible due to communication restrictions.

Therefore, when the positions of the printing unit and the cutter are extremely close to each other, it is difficult to obtain a space for arranging the sensor between the members, and there are many restrictions on the design of the device.

(Object of the Invention) The present invention solves the above-mentioned drawbacks of a facsimile machine that does not use a discharge roller. The recording unit and the cutter device are arranged very close to each other, and the cutter device is used as a unit. A device is provided which is swingably provided on the main body, and is configured so that the unit can be swung by jammed paper, and by disposing a detection means for the cutter device, it is possible to accurately detect the occurrence of a jam. It is intended to be provided.

(Means and Actions for Solving the Problems) The present invention is to write an image using a roll-shaped thermal recording paper or a long recording paper, cut it by a cutter according to image information, and eject the recording paper to a discharge tray. The present invention relates to an image recording device configured to be discharged to a sheet.

In the image recording apparatus of the present invention, the cutter unit provided with the cutter is provided so as to be swingable through a support shaft, and a means for detecting the swing of the cutter unit is arranged. It is possible to detect jams.

Therefore, in the image recording apparatus of the present invention, the distance between the recording unit and the cutter can be set narrow, so that the return distance of the paper after cutting can be shortened and the efficiency of creating the recording paper can be improved. I can.

Further, the device of the present invention can detect the swing of the cutter unit by the jam paper pressing the cutter unit by the sensor, so that the state can be detected at the initial stage of the occurrence of the jam, and the paper can be detected. The damage of can be minimized.

Further, in the device of the present invention, the jam can be accurately detected even in the device in which the discharge roller is omitted, and the structure of the device can be simplified.

(Embodiment) The configuration of the paper jam detecting device of the image recording apparatus of the present invention will be described according to the illustrated example.

The embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. 1 shows a recording portion and a cutter portion of a facsimile. In the facsimile of the present invention, thermal paper is used. A thermal paper roll P (not shown) is pulled out, and the thermal head 5 is pressed against the thermal head 5 by the press roller 6 in the recording section. A means for writing an image on a sheet is used by causing the heating element to generate heat in accordance with the image information applied to the sheet 5. The press roller 6 presses the sheet toward the thermal head 5 with a predetermined pressure by a pressing unit arranged via a shaft 7 of the press roller 6, and is the same as the pressing unit conventionally used in a facsimile. It is possible to use one having a different mechanism.

In the downstream portion of the recording unit, in a state of being very close to the recording unit, the cutter unit 10 provided with the cutter 15 is arranged, and the recording paper cut by the cutter unit 10 is
Instead of using the discharge roller, the discharge tray 8 is directly accommodated. The cutter unit 10 is
A supporting arm 11 is provided at the rear portion of the frame so as to project, and the supporting arm 11 is swingably provided to a main body frame of the apparatus via a support shaft 12.

In addition, the cutter 15 has the fixed blade 16 and the rotary blade 17 arranged to face each other as in the case of a general cutter.
The paper is cut between the two blades by rotating 17 around the drive shaft 18.

The discharge tray 8 is arranged downstream of the cutter unit, and the recording paper cut by the cutter 15 is dropped into the discharge tray 8 as it is.

In the above-mentioned facsimile, the cutter unit 10 is swingably supported via the support shaft 12, and the micro switch 26 is provided so as to be swingable integrally with the cutter unit.
In addition, the fixing protrusion member 25 is arranged at a predetermined position of the apparatus main body so as to correspond to the micro switch 26.

The fixed protrusion member 25 is configured to press the sensor arm 27 of the micro switch 26 when the frame of the cutter unit is not swung. As shown in FIG. 2, when the paper is not normally inserted into the cutting portion by the cutter, the leading edge of the paper hits the front frame of the cutter unit or the entrance portion of the cutter and is stopped, and the press roller still By being sent, a state in which the tip portion is bent occurs.

Then, the leading end portion Pb of the bent sheet (jam sheet) at the entrance of the cutter unit pushes the cutter unit in the direction of arrow F by the swing distance δ. The swing distance δ of the cutter unit can be arbitrarily set according to the swing range of the sensor arm 27.

Therefore, when the cutter unit is pushed by the paper Pb, the cutter unit 10 is oscillated in the clockwise direction via the support shaft 12, and the sensor arm 27 is separated from the fixed projection member 25, so that the micro switch 26 is abnormal. A state detection signal will be output. Then, in response to a signal from the micro switch 26, the operation of the facsimile is stopped and the operator is instructed to process the jammed paper.

In the above-mentioned facsimile of the present invention, by constructing the supporting mechanism of the frame of the cutter unit 10 so that the cutter unit 10 can be swung in the state of being pressed by the paper, abnormal feeding of the paper occurs in the upstream portion of the cutter. When a condition occurs, it can be detected accurately.

The facsimile shown in FIG. 1 is constructed as shown in the plan view of FIG. In the facsimile machine 1 shown in FIG. 3, a thermal head 5 and a press roller 6 are provided to a paper transport path 3 that supplies paper from a roll paper storage unit.
And are arranged so as to sandwich the paper to form a recording unit.

Further, in the cutter unit 10 arranged at the downstream portion of the recording section, the support arms 11 and 11 swing with respect to the frames 2 and 2 on both sides of the sheet conveying path of the facsimile via the support shafts 12 and 12. It is possible.

Then, a micro switch 26 as a detecting means is provided on one of the support shafts 12 through an interlocking arm 28, and the micro switch 26 is provided so as to be able to swing integrally with the frame of the cutter unit. Then, the fixed protrusion member 25 is arranged so as to correspond to the sensor arm 27 of the micro switch 26. The fixed projection member 25 can be fixed and held to the frame by any means, and can be made to correspond to the detection means that is rocked integrally with the cutter unit.

Further, in the embodiment shown in FIG. 3, the micro switch 26 is directly fixed to the cutter unit 10 without interposing the interlocking arm 28, and means for arranging the switch inside the frame 2 is provided. Is of course also possible.

In order to drive the rotary blade 17 of the cutter 15 of the present invention, a drive unit 20 is provided for the cutter unit so that both units can be interlocked and rocked. In the illustrated example, the drive unit 20 drives the gear 23 by the drive shaft 22 of the motor 21, drives the cutter drive member 24 through the gear 23, and sets the rotary blade shaft 18 of FIG. It is possible to perform the operation of cutting the paper by rotating the angle.

Further, as the drive unit 20, in addition to using the drive mechanism by the motor as described above, it is possible to configure an arbitrary mechanism such as a device for swinging the rotary blade using a solenoid. To be able to swing together with the cutter unit.

Any means can be used as the means for supporting the cutter unit 10 with respect to the frame of the apparatus main body as long as the cutter unit can be easily swung by the pressing force of the paper.

In the above-mentioned embodiment of the present invention, the case where the micro switch is used as the jam detecting means has been shown, but in the device of the present invention, as means for detecting the swing of the cutter unit,
Using a sensor as shown in FIG. 4, or
Any means such as using a photo sensor as shown in FIG. 5 can be used.

In the detection mechanism shown in FIG. 4, an arcuator type sensor 31 is used, and the fixed projection member 30 is arranged at a position different from that in the case of FIG. Also in this embodiment, when the cutter unit is swung, the first
As in the case of the example in the figure, the sensor arm 32 is fixed to the fixed protrusion member.
Pressed by 30, the swing of the cutter unit can be detected. Of course, even when the switch arrangement relationship as shown in FIG. 4 is applied, as shown in FIG.
It is also possible to separate the sensor arm from the fixed protrusion member 30 to perform detection.

Further, in the example shown in FIG. 5, the reflection type photo sensor 35 is provided so as to swing integrally with the cutter unit, and the reflection plate 36 arranged on the main body frame 2 is provided.
Detects the state in which the photo sensor contacts and separates. Further, in the device of the present invention, the positional relationship between the photosensor 35 and the reflection plate 36 can be set reversely to the case of FIG. 5, for example, the photosensor can be provided on the main body frame 2. I can.

In the detection device of the present invention, the cutter unit is configured to swing due to the jammed paper that is not properly inserted into the cutter section, which causes an abnormality in the recording paper conveyance state. The detection means is not particularly limited to the exemplified one as long as it can easily detect the fact.

Further, the means for swingably supporting the cutter unit may be any arrangement such as the arrangement of the fixed projection members and the mechanism of the support shaft as long as the cutter unit can be swung by the pressing force of the paper. Can be configured.

In each of the above-described embodiments of the present invention, the cutter unit is pressed by the jammed paper so that the cutter unit swings about the support shaft, and a sensor such as a micro switch detects the swing of the unit. In the apparatus of the present invention, as shown in FIG. 6, when the unit is pushed by the jammed paper, the unit is retracted in the paper conveying direction. The thing can be used.

In the example shown in FIG. 6, as shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B, a slide provided so as to project from the cutter unit 10 with respect to the support members 47, 47a provided on the main body frame or the like. The members 45 and 45a are guided, and the unit 10 is provided slidably in the sheet conveying direction.

Further, an urging member such as a spring 46 is arranged between the unit 10 and the base portion of the supporting member to position the cutter 15 provided in the unit 10. Then, when the paper P has passed between the thermal head 5 and the press roller 6, the leading end Pb of the jammed paper is still pressed by the roller 6 and presses the cutter 15, and the cutter unit 10 is moved in the direction of arrow G along the support member 47.

By moving the unit 10 as described above, the micro switch 26 provided integrally with the unit 10 is provided.
However, it separates from the fixed protrusion member 25 and outputs information for jam detection.

As described above, in the device of the present invention, in addition to swinging the cutter unit via the support shaft, it is also possible to provide means for performing jam detection by sliding it horizontally. As means for moving the unit for that purpose, any means other than that shown in FIG. 6 can be used.

In the embodiment of the present invention, the case where the paper is fed in the facsimile has been described. However, the image recording apparatus of the present invention is not intended to be used only for the facsimile, and in addition, general roll paper is used. It can also be applied to an image recording device.

For example, even in a device that records an image using an electrophotographic process using a roll of plain paper, when a paper jam occurs immediately before the cutter, the leading edge of the jammed paper may occur. By configuring the cutter unit to swing or move when the portion presses the portion of the cutter, it is possible to easily perform jam detection. Further, as described above, when the roll-shaped plain paper is used, the conveyance roller device of the paper conveyance device can be used as the means for pressing the paper against the cutter.

(Advantages of the Invention) Since the paper jam detection device of the image recording apparatus of the present invention has the above-mentioned configuration, the jam detection is accurately performed even in the image recording apparatus in which the discharge roller is omitted. It is possible to simplify the configuration of the device.

Further, the device of the present invention uses means such as the cutter unit being swung by the jammed paper pressing the cutter unit, or the unit being slid along a member that does not open. It is possible to detect the jam of the paper, and it is possible to detect the state of the jam at the early stage of the occurrence, and it is possible to minimize the damage of the paper.

Further, in the apparatus of the present invention, the distance between the recording section and the cutter can be set narrow, so that the return distance of the paper after cutting can be shortened and the efficiency of creating the recording paper can be improved.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a side view showing the structure of the apparatus of the present invention, FIG. 2 is an explanatory view showing a state in which a cutter unit is swung by paper, and FIG. 3 is a plan view of the apparatus corresponding to FIG. FIG. 4 is an explanatory view of another embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 5 is an explanatory view of another embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 6 shows a case where a means for sliding a cutter unit is used. Is a side view thereof, FIG. 7B is a front view thereof, and FIG. 7 is an explanatory view of a jam detecting mechanism in a conventional facsimile. Reference numeral 1 in the figure: 1 facsimile, 5 thermal head, 6 press roller, 10 cutter unit, 11 support arm, 12 support shaft, 15 cutter, 16 fixed blade, 17 ...
… Rotating blade, 20 …… Drive unit, 21 …… Motor, 25 ・ 30
...... Fixed protrusion member, 26 ...... Micro switch, 27 ...... Sensor arm, 31 ...... Sensor, 35 ...... Reflective photo sensor, 40 ...... Paper jam sensor, 42 ...... Discharge roller

Claims (1)

(57) [Scope of utility model registration request] 1. An image recording apparatus configured to write an image using recording paper or the like, cut the recording paper according to image information with a cutter, and discharge the recording paper to a discharge tray. The unit is provided so as to be movable with respect to the frame of the apparatus main body, etc., and means for detecting the movement of the cutter unit is arranged, and a jam is detected by the movement of the cutter unit. Paper jam detector.