JP3043693B2 - Paper feeder used for printers, etc. - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a paper feeder used for a printer or the like, and more particularly to a paper feeder used for a printer having a plurality of paper feed trays for storing sheets of different sizes.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A paper feeder used in a conventional printer or the like will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view showing an example of the prior art. The paper feeding device shown in FIG. 2 includes a first control unit for controlling data exchange with an external device and an overall operation, a second control unit for controlling a recording mechanism, and a plurality of recording paper storage units. Paper feed trays 105, 106,
It includes a size detecting means for detecting the size of the recording paper stored in the paper tray 106 and an out-of-paper detecting means for detecting that the recording paper stored in the paper feed trays 105 and 106 has run out (for example, See JP-A-62-124947).

The paper in the paper feed trays 105 and 106 is selectively supplied to a printing unit by selectively rotating pickup rollers 107 and 108, respectively.

In addition, a paper feed mechanism is mounted on each of the plurality of hoppers, and even when one of the plurality of hoppers is selected to feed paper, a paper supply unit is mounted on each hopper and suction is performed. There is a technique or a technique of selecting and sucking a hopper by changing or moving a transport path.

[0006]

In the case of a plurality of hopper-mounted devices, the paper feeding device used in the above-described conventional printer or the like must have a paper suction mechanism mounted on each hopper. However, the number of parts is increased, so that the cost is increased. In the technology for moving the hopper, it is necessary to mount the driving unit, and a large driving torque is required, so that the size of the device is increased. The technique of deforming and moving the transport path has a drawback that the number of parts is large and the maintainability is poor because parts for selection are required for each hopper.

[0007]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a paper feeder used in a printer device or the like, wherein a plurality of hoppers are arranged so that a medium supply position is linear in a horizontal direction, and a plurality of hoppers are provided. And a printing section that runs horizontally on the guide rail and can be stopped at a selected hopper, and a medium that is sucked from a hopper selected from a plurality of hoppers into the printing section. And a suction roller mounted on a printing unit .
To escape the media inserted from the bottom
Has notches .

[0008] In a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a paper feeder used in a printer or the like according to the first aspect, wherein the suction roller comprises:
The lowermost layer exposed to the cutout of the hopper
The medium is pulled out and supplied to the printing unit.

The paper feeder used in the printer device or the like according to the third aspect of the present invention is the paper feeder according to the first aspect, wherein after a series of operations are completed.
Then, the suction roller separates from the medium and returns to the initial state,
The character can move toward the next designated hopper.
Take.

[0010]

[0011]

Next, the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

FIGS. 1A to 1C are a perspective view, a top view and a side sectional view showing an embodiment of the present invention. 1 includes a plurality of hoppers 2 arranged so that a medium supply position is linear in a horizontal direction, and a guide rail provided in parallel with the plurality of hoppers 2. 8, a printing unit 1 that travels horizontally on a guide rail 8 and can be stopped at a selected hopper, and printing for sucking a medium 9 into the printing unit 1 from a hopper selected from a plurality of hoppers 2. And a suction roller 7 mounted on the unit 1.

The hopper 2 has a notch 10 for escaping the medium 9 loaded from above from below.

The suction roller 7 comes in contact with the hopper 2, draws out the lowermost medium 9 exposed in the notch 10 of the hopper 2, and supplies the medium 9 to the thermal head 4 of the printing unit.

The printed medium 9 is discharged out of the printing unit 1 by the rollers 6.

After the end of a series of operations, the suction roller 7 separates from the medium 9 and returns to the initial state, so that the printing unit 1 takes a posture to run toward the next designated hopper.

[0017]

The paper feeding device used in the printer device of the present invention has a paper feeding mechanism mounted on a movable printing section instead of being mounted on each hopper. There is an effect that maintenance cost can be reduced by cost.

[Brief description of the drawings]

1 (a) to 1 (c) are a perspective view, a top view, and a side sectional view showing an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing an example of the related art.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Printing part 2 Hopper 4 Thermal head 6 Roller 7 Suction roller 8 Guide rail 9 Medium 10 Notch

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (58) Field surveyed (Int.Cl. ⁷ , DB name) B65H 1/00-3/68

Claims (3)

(57) [Claims] A plurality of hoppers disposed so that a medium supply position is linear in a horizontal direction; a guide rail provided in parallel with the plurality of hoppers; A printer device including a printing unit that can be stopped at a selected hopper, and a suction roller mounted on the printing unit for sucking a medium from the hoppers selected from the plurality of hoppers into the printing unit. In the sheet feeding device used in the above, the hopper is a medium fed from above.
A sheet feeding device having a notch for escaping a body from a lower portion, which is used for a printer device or the like. 2. The paper feeder according to claim 1, wherein the suction roller comes into contact with the hopper, draws out the lowermost medium exposed in the notch of the hopper, and supplies the medium to a printing unit. 3. The printer device according to claim 1, wherein after a series of operations is completed, the suction roller separates from the medium and returns to an initial state, and the printing unit takes a posture capable of running toward a next designated hopper. Paper feeder.