JP3978563B2 - Printer - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a printing apparatus that performs printing on various types of recording paper as a recording output related to money processing.
[0002]
[Prior art]
FIG. 8 is a conventional example showing a paper feed mechanism of a printer.
[0003]
A paper pressing roller 4 is disposed on a frame front 2 having the main body frame 1 as a rotation center. The front cover-3 is an exterior part attached to the frame front 2.
[0004]
In the conveyance path of the recording paper 11, the document table 5, the transmission type BOF sensor 6 for detecting the presence and end of the recording paper, the paper feed roller 13 for feeding the recording paper 11, and the printing for recording characters and figures on the recording paper 11 A head 8, a platen 9 that receives the pressing force of the print head 8, and a reflective TOF sensor 7 that detects the presence and absence of the recording paper 11 and the leading edge are arranged.
[0005]
A platen frame 14 that is rotatable about the main body frame 1 supports the paper feed roller 13 and is positioned to secure a certain gap between the paper pressing roller 4 and the paper feed roller 13 while waiting for the recording paper 11 to be inserted. When the recording paper 11 is fed, the paper feed roller 13 can be kept at the two positions where it comes into contact with the paper presser roller 4 with the presser force required for paper feed. The foam stopper 10 is rotatable about the main body frame 1 and is arranged in the platen frame 14. The foam stopper 10 protrudes on the conveyance path in the waiting state for inserting the recording paper 11 and fits in the platen frame 14 in the paper feeding state. It has become.
[0006]
The frame front 2 having the main body frame 1 as the rotation center and having the paper pressing roller 4 rotates around the main body frame 1 in order to replace the ribbon cassette 15 disposed on the print head 8. Therefore, it is necessary to provide the BOF sensor 6 outside the rotation area of the paper pressing roller 4.
[0007]
When the recording paper 11 is inserted into the printer, the paper is inserted in the direction I from the printer entrance. The recording paper 11 is inserted by the operator through the BOF sensor 6, the paper feed roller 13, and the TOF sensor 7 until it hits the foam stopper 10. After the presence or absence of the recording paper 11 is detected by the TOF sensor 7 and the BOF sensor 6, the platen frame 14 provided with the paper feed roller 13 rotates in the direction of pressing the paper press roller 4, and the paper feed roller 13 and the paper presser are rotated. The recording paper 11 is sandwiched by the roller 4. The paper feed roller 13 feeds the recording paper 11 in the direction I by a driving source (not shown). The recording paper 11 is stopped at an arbitrary position, and the print head 8 asks the recording paper 11 for necessary information such as characters and figures. When the writing of necessary information to the recording paper 11 is completed, the paper feed roller 13 is reversed and feeds the recording paper 11 in the direction opposite to the direction I. When the TOF sensor 7 detects the end surface of the recording paper 11, the paper feed roller 13 stops, and the platen frame 14 rotates in a direction in which the paper feed roller 13 moves away from the paper pressing roller 4 and stands by.
[0008]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
In the conventional printer, when the recording paper 11 is inserted up to the form stopper 10, it is inserted by the printer operator. The recording paper 11 passes between the BOF sensors 6 and is inserted into the paper feed roller 13. At that time, when the leading end of the recording paper 11 is bent or bent, the recording paper 11 that has passed through the BOF sensor 6 is caught by the paper pressing roller 4 and has a problem that the foam stopper 10 cannot be inserted. According to the present invention, it is an object to provide a printer that can smoothly insert the recording paper 11 up to the form stopper 10 and is excellent in handling.
[0009]
Further, in the conventional printer, the BOF sensor 6 is located outside the rotation path of the paper pressing roller 4 that rotates together with the frame front 2 about the main body frame 1 as a rotation center in order to replace the ribbon cassette 15 disposed on the print head 8. However, there is a gap between the paper pressing roller 4 and the BOF sensor 6 in the layout. When the BOF sensor 6 is arranged at a position away from the position of the paper pressing roller 4, not only the insertion of the recording paper is deteriorated, but also the printer becomes large, which hinders downsizing of the apparatus.
[0010]
The recording paper 11 is inserted until it hits the foam stopper 10, the recording paper 11 is detected by both the TOF sensor 7 and the BOF sensor 6, and printing is started. If both detectors do not detect the recording paper 11 at the same time even when the recording paper 11 is inserted, the recording paper 11 cannot be correctly set in the printer and cannot be correctly printed in the format determined by the user. Therefore, it is necessary for the TOF sensor 7 and the BOF sensor 6 to simultaneously detect the recording paper, and the distance between the TOF sensor 7 and the BOF sensor 6 at this time is the minimum recording paper that can be printed by the printer. Therefore, the arrangement of the BOF sensor 6 and the TOF sensor is a major factor that determines the performance of the printer.
[0011]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to solve the above problems, the present invention includes a printing mechanism that reciprocates a carriage that supports a print head in the width direction of the recording paper, and a pair of transport rollers that sandwich the recording paper, and a printing position by the print head. In the printer comprising: a paper feeding mechanism for feeding the recording paper to the paper; and an open mechanism for rotatably supporting a cover on which one of the pair of transport rollers is mounted. A guide for recording paper, provided with a rotatable paper guide auxiliary mounted on the cover, the rotation center of which is substantially the same as one of the transport rollers mounted on the cover; A sensor for detecting the presence or absence of the recording paper is arranged in the vicinity of the upstream side in the recording paper conveyance direction and in the rotation path of the paper guidance assistance.
[0012]
Further, a spring for urging the paper guidance assist to a predetermined position is arranged.
[0013]
[0014]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
FIGS. 1 to 7 show an embodiment of a printer according to the present invention. FIG. 1 is an overall view of the printer 18, and FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing an open state of the front cover 3. 3 is a perspective view of the frame front 2 that can rotate around the main body frame 1, FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing the paper feed mechanism portion of the printer 18, and FIG. 5 shows the paper feed mechanism portion waiting for paper insertion. FIG. 6 is a side view showing the paper feed mechanism portion in the paper feed state, and FIG. 7 is a side view showing the paper feed mechanism portion in the front cover opening.
[0015]
FIG. 1 is used for outputting data such as a cash register by the printer 18 of this embodiment. The recording paper 11 is inserted between the document table 5 for guiding the recording paper 11 and the front cover 3 as a cover, and data is printed.
[0016]
In order to replace the ribbon cassette 15 attached to the main body frame 1 shown in FIG. 2, the frame front 2 has a rotation center in the main body frame 1. The frame front 2 is provided with a paper pressing roller set 19 and a front cover-3. On the conveyance path of the recording paper 11, a paper feed roller 13, a platen 9, and a print head 8 that form a conveyance roller pair together with a document table 5 and a paper pressing roller are arranged.
[0017]
When replacing the ribbon cassette 15, the frame front 2 is rotated to expose the front surface of the printer. Then, since the ribbon cassette 15 can be seen, the ribbon cassette 15 is taken out and a new ribbon cassette 15 is attached. Thereafter, the frame front 2 is rotated to return to the state shown in FIG.
[0018]
A paper press roller set 19 is attached to the frame front 2 of FIG. The configuration of the paper presser roller set 19 includes a paper presser roller 4, a paper feed bearing 20 that is a bearing of the paper presser roller 4, an E-type 21 for fixing the paper presser roller set 19 to the frame front 2, and a spring pin 23. The paper presser gear 22 and the paper guide assist 16 are provided. The paper guide assistant 16 can be freely rotated without being synchronized with the rotation of the paper pressing roller 4. The paper guide auxiliary spring 17 is a torsion coil spring supported by the paper guide auxiliary 16. One hook of the paper guiding auxiliary spring 17 is hooked on the frame front 2, and the other hook is hooked on the paper guiding auxiliary 16. The paper guide assist 16 is always loaded in the direction A by the paper guide assist spring 17.
[0019]
FIG. 4 shows a paper feed mechanism unit of the printer 18. The platen frame 14 has a center of rotation in the main body frame 1. The platen frame 14 is equipped with a paper feed roller 13 that feeds the paper sandwiched between the paper presser roller set 19, a platen 9 that is mounted facing the print head 8, and a TOF sensor 7 that detects the presence or absence of the recording paper 11. is doing. The body frame 1 is moved back and forth by the operation of the platen opening / closing solenoid 31 that drives the platen frame 14, the slider 29 that mounts the slider shaft 30, and the slider 29. A foam stopper 10 having a center and a BOF sensor for detecting the presence / absence of the recording paper 11 are arranged. A paper feed motor 24 for controlling the rotation of the paper feed roller 13 is attached to the side surface of the main body frame 1. The driving force of the paper feed motor 24 is transmitted to a paper feed gear 28 fixed coaxially with the paper feed roller 13 via a transmission gear 25, a reduction gear 26, and an intermediate gear 27. The paper feed gear 28 meshes with the paper presser gear 22, and the paper feed roller 13 and the paper presser roller 4 rotate simultaneously to control the paper feed amount.
[0020]
When the platen opening / closing solenoid 31 having two stable points is energized so as to pull in the direction B, the movable iron core (not shown) moves in the direction B, and the slider 29 connected to the movable iron core (not shown) moves in the direction B. . The slider shaft 30 fixed to the slider 29 moves along the slope 14 a of the platen frame 14. The platen frame 14 is rotated in the direction D around the main body frame 1 by the slider shaft 30. By this operation, the paper feed roller 13 moves in the direction D and ensures a certain gap with the paper pressing roller 4. At the same time, the slider shaft 30 moves along a slope (not shown) of the foam stopper 10, and the foam stopper 10 moves in the direction E around the main body frame 1 by the slider shaft 30 and protrudes into the recording paper conveyance path. Then, the recording paper 11 is positioned. This state is a standby state when the operator inserts the recording paper 11 into the printer.
[0021]
When the platen opening / closing solenoid 31 having two stable points is energized so as to pull in the direction C, the movable iron core (not shown) moves in the direction C, and the slider 29 connected to the movable iron core moves in the direction C. The slider shaft 30 fixed to the slider 29 moves along the slope 14 a of the platen frame 14. The platen frame 14 is rotated in the direction E around the main body frame 1 by the slider shaft 30. By this operation, the paper feed roller 13 moves in the direction E and presses it with a certain pressing force on the paper pressing roller 4. At the same time, the slider shaft 30 moves along a slope (not shown) of the foam stopper 10, and the foam stopper 10 moves in the direction D around the main body frame 1 by the slider shaft 30 and moves out of the recording paper conveyance path. To do. This state is a paper feeding state when the recording paper 11 is fed by the paper feeding roller 13 and the paper pressing roller 4.
[0022]
FIG. 5 shows a side view of the paper feed mechanism section in a paper insertion waiting state. A document table 5 for guiding the recording paper 11, a transmission type BOF sensor 6 for detecting the presence and end of the recording paper, a paper feed roller 13 for feeding the recording paper 11, a print head 8 for recording characters and figures on the recording paper 11, A platen 9 that receives the pressing force of the print head 8, a reflective TOF sensor 7 that detects the presence or absence of the recording paper 11 and the leading edge of the recording paper 11 are disposed. A platen frame 14 that can rotate around the main body frame 1 supports the paper feed roller 13 and secures a certain gap between the paper pressing roller 4 and the paper feed roller 13 in a state of waiting for the recording paper 11 to be inserted. . The foam stopper 10 is rotatable about the main body frame 1 and protrudes on the paper path in the recording paper insertion standby state.
[0023]
The recording paper 11 is inserted from the BOF sensor 6 side through the paper feed roller 13 and the platen 9 to the foam stopper 10 by the operator as shown in FIG. Even if the leading edge of the recording paper 11 is curled or bent, it is smoothly guided to the paper pressing roller 4 by the paper guide assisting 16.
[0024]
Printing is started by reading a signal in which the recording paper 11 is set in the BOF sensor 6 and the TOF sensor 7. By simultaneously detecting the presence or absence of the recording paper 11 by the BOF sensor 6 and the TOF sensor 7, it is possible to recognize that the operator has set the recording paper 11 in the printer, and the handling is excellent. The recording paper 11 has various sizes. However, the shorter the distance between the BOF sensor 6 and the TOF sensor 7, the smaller the recording paper 11 can be printed. The distance between the BOF sensor 6 and the TOF sensor 7 in the printer is an important factor in determining the performance of the printer. In addition, the distance between the BOF sensor 6 and the TOF sensor 7 is an important factor in determining the size of the printer. The smaller the printer is, the smaller the printer becomes and the space-saving operation becomes possible. It can be used effectively.
[0025]
FIG. 6 is a side view showing the paper feed mechanism section in the paper feed state. In the operation sequence of the printer, after the presence of the recording paper 11 is detected by the BOF sensor 6 and the TOF sensor 7, the platen frame 14 is rotated by the platen opening / closing solenoid 31, and the paper feed roller 13 presses the paper pressing roller 4. . Thereafter, the paper feed roller 13 feeds the recording paper 11 in the direction C by the driving force of the paper feed motor 24. When the leading edge of the recording paper 11 passes the TOF sensor 7, the paper feeding roller 13 is reversed and the recording paper 11 is fed in the B direction. The tip of the recording paper 11 is detected again by the TOF sensor 7 and the recording paper 11 is sent to the first print start position set by the user. Since the distance from the print head 8 to the TOF sensor 7 is fixed, the first print start position from the leading edge of the recording paper 11 can be easily calculated if the leading edge of the recording paper 11 can be detected. Thereafter, the BOF sensor 6 detects the end of the recording paper 11 and recognizes the calculation of the remaining print area and the confirmation of the number of lines that can be fed in the direction B by the paper feed roller 13. When the final printing is completed, the paper feed roller 13 is reversed and the paper is fed in the direction C. The leading edge of the recording paper 11 is detected by the TOF sensor 7 and paper feeding is stopped. The platen opening / closing solenoid 31 is energized to return to the paper insertion waiting state of FIG. Then, the operator removes the recording paper 11 from the printer.
[0026]
FIG. 7 shows a side view of the paper feed mechanism section in the front cover 2 opening. The paper guide auxiliary 16 is rotatable about the paper pressing roller 4 and is loaded in the direction G by the paper guide auxiliary spring 17. When replacing the ribbon cassette 15, the frame front 2 is opened in the direction H around the main body frame 1. At this time, the BOF sensor 6 is present in the rotation path of the paper guide assist 16 attached on the paper presser roller 4. The paper guide assist 16 escapes in the direction F with the paper presser roller 4 as the center of rotation. 6 will be avoided. Similarly, when the frame front 2 is closed after the ribbon cassette 15 is replaced, the paper guide auxiliary 16 avoids the BOF sensor 6 while escaping in the direction F with the paper pressing roller 4 as the center of rotation, and the position in FIG. Return to.
[0027]
The paper guide auxiliary 16 mounted on the same axis as the paper presser roller 4 maintains a highly reliable paper insertion property, and even when it is close to the position of the BOF sensor, it is ensured when the ribbon cassette 15 is replaced. The frame front 2 can be rotated while avoiding the BOF sensor to open the front part of the printer. Therefore, the BOF sensor can be arranged on the paper pressing roller side as much as possible in the layout in the printer.
[0028]
【The invention's effect】
According to the printer of the present invention, even when the operator inserts the recording paper into the printer, the paper can be inserted even when the leading edge is curled. Regardless of the state of the leading edge of the recording paper, the operator can remarkably improve the operability of inserting the recording paper into the printer. In addition, the fact that it can be surely inserted greatly leads to an improvement in reliability that it can be surely printed on the format of the recording paper used in each store.
[0029]
In addition, with the paper guide assistance arranged coaxially with one of the transport rollers, the distance from the transport roller to the BOF sensor can be set to a minimum while ensuring the insertion property of the recording paper.
In this case, the positional relationship among the BOF sensor, the transport roller, the platen, the TOF sensor, and the form stopper can be configured in a space-saving manner, and the downsizing of the printer can be achieved. Even in a store where a printer is installed, money can be processed in a space-saving manner by reducing the size of the printer, and the store space such as display of goods can be used effectively for other spaces.
[0030]
Furthermore, the fact that the distance from the conveyance roller to the BOF sensor can be set to the minimum by the paper guidance assistance arranged coaxially with the conveyance roller means that the distance from the BOF sensor to the TOF sensor can be set short. . Even small recording paper can be printed, and various formats used in stores can be handled, greatly improving the performance of the printer.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is an overall view of the printer.
FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing an open state of a front cover.
FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a frame front.
FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a paper feed mechanism unit.
FIG. 5 is a side view showing a paper feeding mechanism unit in a paper insertion waiting state.
FIG. 6 is a side view showing a paper feed state paper feed mechanism unit.
FIG. 7 is a side view showing a paper feed mechanism portion in the front cover opening.
FIG. 8 is a side view showing a paper feeding mechanism unit of a conventional printer.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Main body frame 2 Frame front 3 Front cover 4 Paper press roller 5 Document table 6 BOF sensor 7 TOF sensor 8 Print head 9 Platen 10 Foam stopper 11 Recording paper 12 Paper guide 13 Paper feed roller 14 Platen frame 15 Ribbon cassette 16 Paper guide auxiliary 17 Paper Guide Auxiliary Spring 18 Printer 19 Paper Press Roller Set 20 Paper Feed Bearing 21 E Type 22 Paper Press Gear 23 Spring Pin 24 Paper Feed Motor 25 Transmission Gear 26 Reduction Gear 27 Intermediate Gear 28 Paper Feed Gear 29 Slider 30 Slider Shaft 31 Platen Open / close solenoid

Claims (2)

A printing mechanism for reciprocating a carriage supporting the print head in the width direction of the recording paper;
A paper feed mechanism comprising a pair of conveying rollers for sandwiching the recording paper, and feeding the recording paper to a printing position by the print head;
In a printer comprising an open mechanism that rotatably supports a cover on which one of the pair of transport rollers is mounted,
The paper feed mechanism is provided for guiding the recording paper, and is provided with a rotatable paper guide auxiliary attached to the cover, the rotation center of which is substantially the same as one of the transport rollers attached to the cover. In addition, the printer is characterized in that a sensor for detecting the presence or absence of the recording paper is arranged in the vicinity of the upstream side of the paper feeding mechanism in the recording paper conveyance direction and in the rotation path of the paper guidance assist. 2. The printer according to claim 1, further comprising a spring for urging the paper guide assist to a predetermined position.

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