JP3491435B2 - Printer - Google Patents

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a printer that uses roll paper, and more particularly to a printer that can easily mount roll paper.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in a printer using roll paper, there are roughly two types of roll paper holding methods. One is a method in which a shaft is supported through a space in the core of the roll paper, and the other is a method in which the roll paper is thrown into a holding portion of the apparatus main body.

Further, as this type of printer, there is known a printer in which after printing is performed on a roll-shaped recording sheet by a thermal head or the like, the recording sheet is cut by a cutter for handing as a receipt or the like. . This type of printer has conventionally been provided with near-end detecting means for detecting the remaining amount of roll paper. As the near-end detecting means, for example, when the remaining amount of the roll paper becomes a certain amount or less, the detection member operates in the space portion of the core portion of the roll paper to operate the detection switch, whereby the roll paper It is known to detect that the remaining amount is very small. (For example, the actual Kosho 6
See JP-A 1-3872 and JP-B 1-14597. A method is also known in which the remaining amount of roll paper is detected by detecting the angle of a lever-shaped sensor that contacts the outer circumference of the roll paper. (For example, JP-A-5-147328
See the official gazette. )

[0004]

By the way, this type of printer is usually installed on a horizontal surface such as a flat table, but it is not horizontal depending on the user, for example, In some cases, you may want to install the printer on a vertical wall.

However, when such a printer is installed on a vertical wall surface, the following problems occur.

In recent years, many printers of this type are configured to be thrown into the holding portion of the apparatus main body so that the roll paper is not supported by a shaft in order to facilitate replacement.

However, when such a printer is installed on a vertical wall surface, the stable position of the roll paper is different from when it is installed on a horizontal surface. In both cases of horizontal installation and vertical installation, the shape of the roll paper holder becomes complicated in order to stabilize the roll paper. Since the installation direction desired by the user is not limited to the vertical direction, the degree of freedom of the user is limited.

Further, when the above-mentioned near-end detecting means is attached, the stable position of the roll paper is also different, so that there is a problem that the remaining amount of the roll paper cannot be accurately detected.

To solve this problem, it is conceivable to provide a plurality of near-end detecting means depending on the stable position of the roll paper, but in that case, the device structure becomes complicated and the cost increases. Problem will occur.

The present invention has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned problems of the prior art, and an object thereof is to stably hold the roll paper even when the installation angles are different, and An object of the present invention is to provide a printer that enables accurate near-end detection of roll paper with a simple configuration.

[0011]

In order to achieve the above object, in the printer of the present invention, a printer having a recording paper storage unit for storing recording paper wound in a roll is provided. a framework which forms an outer frame of, be those receiving support housed said recording paper has a roll paper holder attached can be changed its position on the inside of the framework, the roll paper Holder roll
Detecting the recording paper provided with the core into the space of the winding core
The recording paper by detecting whether or not
Near end that detects when the remaining amount of
The roll frame receiver is provided with a detecting means.
When the detector is rotated on the locus of the detector,
It has a long hole penetrating therethrough . By adopting this configuration, even if the installation angle of the printer is changed, the position of the roll-shaped recording paper itself can be changed to a stable position accordingly, so that the roll-shaped recording paper is unnecessary. You can eliminate movement. Further, the recording paper can be installed stably even when it is mounted. If the recording paper is stored while the recording paper storage section is installed at an inappropriate angle, the running load of the recording paper will increase, but this is not the case. In addition, the recording paper is stabilized, that is, unnecessary movement is eliminated and the load on the paper path is reduced, and the running property itself is also stabilized. Further, even if the installation angle of the printer changes, the position of the recording paper itself can be easily changed to a stable position without removing the near-end detecting means. For example, when the printer is installed not only on a horizontal table but also on a vertical wall surface, it is possible to always detect the near end of the roll-shaped recording paper accurately.

Further, the roll paper holder is characterized in that it is pivotally fixed to the frame to be rotatable. By adopting this configuration, the position of the roll paper holder can be easily changed with a simple configuration.

Further, the roll paper holder is formed with a groove portion which is positioned when the recording paper becomes a small roll, and is axially attached to the frame frame above the groove portion and above the position of the center of gravity of the roll paper holder. Is characterized by. By adopting this configuration, the roll paper holder rotates by the force of its own weight, so even if the printer installation angle is changed,
Since the recording paper can be stabilized and the position of the recording paper can be always maintained in the same state, the load on the recording paper received from the roll paper holder does not increase. Therefore, since the paper feeding reliability of the printer can be maintained, the effect is great in a printer in a situation where its posture is constantly changing, such as a printer mounted in an automobile.

[0014]

[0015]

[0016]

[0017]

[0018]

[0019]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A preferred embodiment of a printer according to the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to FIGS.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the external configuration of an embodiment of the printer according to the present invention.

The printer 1 according to the present embodiment, for example, prints on the roll paper S with a heat-sensitive recording head. For example, the recording unit and the paper cutting unit are located in the front and the roll paper S is located in the rear. And a roll paper storage unit for storing and holding the paper.

The internal printer mechanism 8 is fixed to the lower case 4 made of resin, the side surface portion and the rear portion are covered with the upper case 3, and the front portion thereof is covered with the panel 2. . A printing section is arranged inside the panel 2, and a paper cutting section is arranged above the panel 2. The paper cutting portion is covered with a cutter cover 6, and the cutter cover 6 can be slid in the direction of arrow 27 and pulled out.

An open button 7 for driving the internal cover open lever 9 to rotate the internal cover frame 10 when the roll paper S is taken out is provided on one side of the upper case 3. Here, the cover frame 10 is connected to the upper cover 5. When the open button 7 is pushed in the direction of arrow 29, the cover open lever 9 is rotated clockwise to release its lock mechanism, and the upper cover 5 is opened in the direction of arrow 48 so that the roll paper storage section is exposed. Composed.

1 and 2 are perspective views showing the printer mechanism 8 inside the printer 1 of the present embodiment.
2 is an external view of the printer mechanism 8 with the cover frame 10 opened, and FIG. 2 is an external view of the printer mechanism 8 with the cover frame 10 closed.

The printer mechanism 8 has an openable / closable cover frame 10 provided on a main body frame 13 made of metal or the like, and an automatic cutter unit 11 for accommodating the movable blade 32 and its driving means. . In this case, when printing, that is, when the roll paper S is not cut, the movable blade 32 is housed inside the auto cutter unit 11, and the blade portion of the movable blade 32 is not exposed. In this state, the movable blade 32 is said to be in the standby position.

Fixed blade 3 that crosses the movable blade 32 in a scissor shape
3 is arranged on the cover frame 10 so as to face the auto cutter unit 11. A blade shutter 34 is provided above the fixed blade 33. The blade shutter 34 is biased by a shutter spring 35 in a direction to cover the blade portion of the fixed blade 33. However, as shown in FIG. 2, the blade shutter 34 is closed when the cover frame 10 is closed.
Part of the blade contacts the engaging portion provided on the main body frame 13, and the blade shutter 34 is slightly lifted in the opening direction. As a result, the blade portion of the fixed blade 33 is exposed, and when the movable blade 32 moves, the fixed blade 33 and the fixed blade 33 can be crossed in a scissor shape.

On the upper surface of the auto cutter unit 11, a hole 37 for confirming the position of the movable blade 32 and a movable blade 32 are provided.
Is provided with a knob 36 for manually moving, and when the operator slides the cutter cover 6 described above, a part of the upper surface of the auto cutter unit 11 is exposed,
The hole 37 and the knob 36 are visible. As described above, in the present embodiment, the movable blade 32 is manually moved in consideration of the case where the movable blade 32 remains in the state of intersecting the fixed blade 33 and does not return to the standby position in the event of some abnormality such as power failure. Means are provided for moving.

The cover frame 10 is a body frame 13
It is attached so as to be swingable, that is, openable and closable about a support shaft 14 provided at the upper end portions on both sides of. The cover frame 10 is provided with an arc-shaped lid portion 15 for avoiding contact with the roll paper S when the cover frame 10 is closed. When changing the installation angle of the printer 1, the lid portion 15 also functions as a holding member that receives the roll paper S.

A cover detector 44 for detecting the closed state of the cover frame 10 is provided on the right side surface of the main body frame 13. Cover detector 4
Reference numeral 4 denotes a transmission type optical detector, which is a cover frame 10
Detects whether or not the cover frame 10 is properly closed, depending on whether or not a part of the light shields the optical axis of the detector.

The detector is a cover detector 44.
In addition to the paper detector 30 and the near-end detector 24, which will be described later,
Is provided. These various detectors, the auto cutter unit 11, and the lead wire group 12 of the paper feed motor 23 described later are connected to the relay board 16 fixed to the right side surface of the main body frame 13. The relay board 16 and a main circuit board (not shown) that controls the printer are connected by FFC or the like.

As shown in FIG. 1, the blade shutter 34
Covers the fixed blade 33 so that the operator does not get injured by touching the fixed blade 33 when the cover frame 10 is opened. The movable blade 32
Is stored in the auto cutter unit 11, and there is no safety problem.

Inside the cover frame 10 which is opened, a roll paper holder 17 and a paper guide 31 made of resin are arranged. The paper guide 31 is provided with a paper detector 30 for detecting the presence / absence of paper just before the printing unit, and uses a reflection type optical detector.

The roll paper holder 17 has a substantially U shape and is rotatably supported by the main body frame 13. The details of the supporting method will be described later, but this is for adjusting the stable direction of the roll paper when the installation angle of the printer 1 is changed and for setting the near-end detector 24 described later at an optimum position. is there. The near-end detector 24 is slidable on the left side surface of the roll paper holder 17 and is fixed by using a screw 25. As described above, when the roll paper holder 17 is rotated,
The near-end detector 24 will rotate together, and the detection lever 63 of the near-end detector 24 will move to the body frame 1
3 enters into the hole 32 provided in 3.

Then, the platen 18 made of a cylindrical rubber roller is mounted on the cover frame 1 via the platen bearing 20.
It is rotatably supported at 0. A platen gear 19 is press-fitted into one of the platens 18. Body frame 1
The groove portion 21 is provided in the cover frame 3
When 0 is closed, the platen bearing 20 comes into contact with the groove portion 21,
The downward positioning of the platen 18 is performed. When the cover frame 10 is closed, a downward force is applied to the cover frame 10 by the pressure applied to the platen by the print head, and the position of the platen 18 is determined. When the cover frame 10 is closed, the platen gear 19 and the paper feed transmission gear 22 mesh with each other, and the power from the paper feed motor 23 is transmitted to the platen 18.

Support groove portions 50 for supporting a print head 39 and a head pressing plate 41 described later are provided on the left and right side surfaces of the main body frame 13.

FIG. 4 is a side sectional view of the printer mechanism 8, showing a state in which the roll paper S is held by the roll paper holder 17 and is being fed. In FIG. 4, the roll paper S has a large diameter, and when the roll paper S is fed and the roll paper S has a smaller diameter, the roll paper S has a groove portion 3.
I will fall into 8. Then, the near-end detector 24 described above detects that the roll paper S has a smaller diameter.

The roll paper S is sandwiched between the platen 18 and the print head 39, and when the platen 18 rotates, the roll paper S is fed by the frictional force. Head support shafts 40 are provided on both side surfaces of the print head 39.
It is supported by a part of the support groove portion 50 provided in the. The back surface of the print head 39 is biased toward the platen 18 by a spring 42. The spring 42 is fixed to the head pressing plate 41, and the head pressing plate 41 is supported by a part of the supporting groove portion 50 provided in the main body frame 13. Further, since the platen 18 rotates in the direction of arrow 75, a downward force acts on the fixed print head 39. The downward positioning of the groove 21 is performed in combination with the downward force of the spring force of the spring 42.

The heating element position 43 of the print head 39 is located so as to be substantially the contact point between the platen 18 and the print head 39. A guide slope portion 45 is provided on the downstream side of the heating element position 43 of the print head 39. On the other hand, the cover frame 10 is provided with an introducing portion 47 that guides the roll paper S to the cutter portion so as to face the guide slope portion 45 of the print head 39. The roll paper S that has passed the print head 39 passes between the movable blade 32 and the fixed blade 33 and is discharged in the direction of arrow 49. The print head 39 is provided with a connector 46, and is connected to a main circuit board (not shown) that controls the printer 1 by FFC or the like.

The outline of the overall basic configuration of the printer 1 according to this embodiment has been described above. Next, the roll paper holder 17 and the near-end detector 24, which characterize the present invention, will be described in more detail with reference to FIGS. 5 to 8.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing the construction of the roll paper holder 17 and the near-end detector 24.

Roll paper holder 1 having a substantially U-shape
On the left side surface of 7, a mounting surface 51 to which the near-end detector 24 is attached and a claw 52 that slidably fixes the near-end detector 24 are provided, and a rib 65 of the near-end detector 24 is engaged with the same. A support shaft 55 is provided between the mounting surface 51 and the left side surface 54 of the roll paper holder 17, and a right side surface 56 is also provided with a support shaft 57 at a position facing the support shaft 55. Then, the support shafts 55 and 57 are
The grooves 70 and 71 of the main body frame 13 are engaged with each other to be rotatable. At this time, the lever 63 of the near-end detector 24 is connected to the hole 32 of the main body frame 13 and the roll paper holder 1.
Since the holes 32 are formed in the holes 76 formed in the roller 7, and the holes 32 have an arcuate shape, a smooth movement can be obtained when the roll paper holder 17 is rotated. Further, after setting the roll paper holder 17 and the near-end detector 24 at a predetermined angle, the screw 25 is attached to the hole 72, the hole 53 provided in the roll-paper holder 17, and the near-end detector 24 from the inside of the main body frame 13. The hole 69 provided is penetrated and fixed with the nut 26.

6 to 7 show the near-end detector 24 in the present embodiment, and FIG. 6 is a front view,
FIG. 7 is a side view.

As shown in FIG. 6, the near-end detector 24 of the present embodiment is generally composed of a frame 62 made of a long member and a detection lever 63. Both the frame 62 and the detection lever 63 are made of a resin material such as acrylonitrile / butadiene / styrene polymer (ABS) or polyacetal (POM). The detection lever 63 is rotatably locked to the frame 62 about the two support shafts 66 and 68 at the base end of the detection lever 63.

At the tip of the detection lever 63, the roll paper S
A detector 64 that comes into contact with is provided. This detector 6
4 is made of a resin material, for example, and is formed so as to extend in a direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the detection lever 63. As will be described later, the detector 64 is formed in a tapered shape so as to easily enter the space 74 of the winding core portion 73 of the roll paper S.

FIG. 8 shows the operation of the near-end detector 24 in the present embodiment. FIG. 8A shows the near-end detector 24 when it is off, and FIG. 8B shows the near-end detector 24. Indicates an ON state.

As shown in FIG. 8A, when the remaining amount of the roll paper S is large, the detector 64 of the detection lever 63 is provided.
Collides against the side surface of the roll paper S, the detection lever 63
Is pushed back and the limit switch 67 is kept in the off state.

Then, as shown in FIG. 8B, when the remaining amount of the roll paper S becomes very small, the roll paper S
Moves and the detector 64 of the detection lever 63 enters the space 74 of the winding core 73, so that the limit switch 67 is turned on, and a signal to that effect is sent to the relay board 16. As a result, the near end state of the roll paper S is detected.

In FIG. 9, the roll paper S is loaded into the roll paper holder 17
FIG. 6 is an explanatory view showing a state in which the printer 1 is set on the horizontal plane H with the bottom surface 28 of the main body frame 13 facing downward.

When the roll paper S has a large diameter, the roll paper S is bent at the folding portion 58 formed on the roll paper holder 17,
Supported by 59. Here, the groove portion 38 is composed of support surfaces 60 and 61 formed in directions facing each other. When the paper is fed and the roll paper S becomes smaller,
As shown in FIG. 9, the roll paper S is supported by the support surfaces 60 and 61 and falls into the groove portion 38.

As described above, the near-end detector 24 is
Since the claw 52 and the rib 65 of the roll paper holder 17 are slidably engaged, the roll paper holder 17 can move up and down with respect to the roll paper holder 17. This is to adjust the remaining amount of the roll paper S detected by the near-end detector 24, and the main-frame 1
Since the hole 72 of 3 has a sufficient size, the screw 25
Can be penetrated. FIG. 10 shows a stable position of the roll paper S when the printer 1 is installed on a vertical wall surface, for example.

In this case, in order to optimize the stable position of the roll paper S, for example, the roll paper holder 17 is supported by the support shafts 55, 5 and 5.
Rotate 90 around 90 degrees. Although 90 degrees is given as an example, it is considered that the angle of the roll paper holder 17 at which the roll paper S is stable varies depending on the angle at which the platen 18 pulls the roll paper S. It is preferable to change the set angle.

By loosening the screw 25, the roll paper holder 17 can be rotated. After the rotation, the remaining amount of the roll paper S can be adjusted by moving the near-end detector 24 up and down together with the rotation, and the roll paper holder 17 and the near-end detector 24 are fixed by tightening the screw 25.

The movement of the roll paper S when the roll paper S has a large diameter and when the roll paper S has been fed to have a small diameter is the same as when the roll paper S is installed on the horizontal plane H. Next, referring to FIG. 11, the roll paper holder 17 is not fixed using the screw 25 described above, but the roll paper S
The case where the body frame 13 is rotatable by its own weight is shown.

As described above with reference to FIG. 5, the roll paper holder 17 is provided with grooves 70, 7 provided in the main body frame 13.
Engage 1. In this case, the body frame 1
3 in the width direction between the roll paper holder 17 and the groove 70,
71 and inner diameter of the roll paper holder 17 supporting shaft 5
The relationship between the outer diameters of 5 and 57 is set so that the roll paper holder 17 can rotate.

The positions of the support shafts 55 and 57 of the roll paper holder 17 are set in the lateral direction so that when the roll paper holder 17 is attached to the main body frame 13, the groove 38 is rotated downward by its own weight. It is located above the center of gravity of. In the present embodiment, it is arranged at the upper end so that the moment due to its own weight becomes large.

Therefore, when the roll paper S is stored, the roll paper holder 17 naturally moves in the direction 77 in which the weight of the roll paper S acts.
It will rotate in the direction and become stable. Also in this case, the movement of the roll paper S when the roll paper S has a small diameter is the same as that described with reference to FIGS.
By attaching the near-end detector 24 to 7,
The near end can be stably detected. Further, even if the installation angle of the printer main body is changed after the roll paper S is stored, the roll paper holder 17 rotates in the direction in which the weight of the roll paper S acts and is stable.

As described above, according to the printer 1 of the present embodiment, the roll paper holder 17 has the body frame 13
Further, since it is rotatably attached, even if the installation angle of the printer 1 changes, the roll paper S can be changed to a stable position according to the installation angle.

The roll paper holder 17 is provided with the near-end detector 24 and the groove portion 38 for stabilizing the roll paper S is provided, so that the roll paper holder 17 can be rotated regardless of the installation angle of the printer 1. By doing so, the positional relationship between the core end portion 73 of the recording paper S having the remaining amount below a certain amount and the near-end detector 24 can always be kept constant, so that the near-end detection of the roll paper S can be accurately performed. Becomes

Further, since the near-end detector 24 is slidably attached to the roll paper holder 17, the remaining amount of the roll paper S can be adjusted. Since the near-end detector 24 is fixed together with the roll paper holder 17 by using the screw 25, the positions of the roll paper holder 17 and the near-end detector 24 can be easily determined with a simple configuration.

Further, the roll paper holder 17 is replaced with the roll paper S
By being fixed to the main body frame 13 so as to be rotatable by the force of its own weight, even if the installation angle of the printer main body is changed after the roll paper S is stored in the roll paper holder 17, the roll paper S is stabilized and the near end The detection can be accurate.

The present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiment, and various modifications can be made.

For example, in the above-mentioned embodiment, the roll paper holder is rotated with respect to the main body frame, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the roll paper holder is once removed and mounted at another position. You can take a method such as re-doing it.

Further, although the roll paper holder and the near-end detector are fixed by using the same screw, they may be fixed by using two screws.

[0064]

[0065]

[0066]

[0067]

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an internal configuration of an embodiment of a printer according to the present invention and showing a state in which a cover frame is opened.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing an internal configuration of the embodiment and showing a state in which a cover frame is closed.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing an external configuration of the same embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a side sectional view showing an internal configuration of the embodiment.

FIG. 5 is an exploded view showing a configuration of a recording paper storage unit of the embodiment and showing a state before assembly.

FIG. 6 is a front view showing the near-end detector of the embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a side view showing the near-end detector of the embodiment.

FIG. 8 shows the operation of the near-end detector of the embodiment, and FIG. 8 (a) shows a state in which the near-end detector is off, FIG.
(B) is an explanatory view showing a state where the near-end detector is turned on.

FIG. 9 is an explanatory view showing a state where the near-end detector of the embodiment is attached to the main body frame, and a case where the printer is installed with the bottom surface of the main body frame in the horizontal direction.

FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing a state where the near-end detector of the embodiment is attached to the main body frame, and a case where the printer is installed with the bottom surface of the main body frame in the vertical direction.

FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram showing a case where the roll paper holder of the embodiment is rotatable by the force of the weight of the roll paper.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 printer 8 Printer mechanism 10 cover frames 11 Auto cutter unit 13 body frame 17 Roll paper holder 18 Platen 23 Paper feed motor 24 Near-end detector 25 screws 26 nuts 31 Paper guide 32 holes 38 Groove 39 print head 51 Mounting surface 52 nails 55, 57 spindle 58, 59 Bent section 60, 61 Support surface 62 frames 63 Detection lever 64 detector 65 ribs 67 Limit switch 70, 71 groove 72 holes 73 winding core 74 Space Department 76 holes S roll paper

─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (72) Inventor Satoshi Nakajima 3-3-5 Yamato, Suwa City, Nagano Seiko Epson Corporation (72) Inventor Yoshiharu Matsumoto 3-3-5 Yamato, Suwa City, Nagano Prefecture Sei Co-Epson Co., Ltd. (56) Bibliography 51-160011 (JP, U) 57-188740 (JP, U) (58) Fields investigated (Int.Cl. ⁷ , DB name) B41J 15 / 04

Claims (3)

(57) [Claims] 1. A printer including a recording paper storage unit for storing recording paper wound in a roll, wherein a frame frame forming an outer frame of the recording paper storage unit and the stored recording paper are supported. A roll paper holder whose position is changeably attached inside the frame, and the roll paper holder is provided with the recording paper provided with a core.
Detects whether the detector has entered the space of the winding core
As a result, the remaining amount of the recording paper falls below a certain amount.
When the roll paper receiver is rotated, the frame frame is provided with near-end detecting means for detecting that
A long hole through which the detector penetrates on the locus of the detector.
A printer characterized by: 2. The printer according to claim 1, wherein the roll paper holder is pivotally fixed to the frame frame so as to be rotatable. 3. The roll paper holder is provided with a groove portion that is positioned when the recording paper becomes a small roll, and is axially attached to the frame frame above the groove portion and above the position of the center of gravity of the roll paper holder. The printer according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the printer is a printer.