JP3979154B2 - Paper discharge unit and recording apparatus - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a paper discharge unit and a recording apparatus including a paper discharge frame.
[0002]
[Prior art]
2. Description of the Related Art Generally, a driven roller that includes a sheet conveying unit having a driving roller and a driven roller, and a recording unit that records information including characters and images on the conveyed sheet and is openable and closable with respect to a main body frame. A recording apparatus is known that includes a paper discharge frame that is held by a spring member so as not to be repelled from a driving roller when it is closed. In this type of conventional recording apparatus, when the ribbon is changed or a paper jam occurs, the paper discharge frame is pivoted and opened around a fulcrum, and the ribbon is changed or the paper is removed. After the removal of the sheet, the sheet is turned around the fulcrum and the paper discharge frame is closed.
[0003]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in the conventional configuration, when the paper discharge frame is closed, in order to stabilize the paper discharge frame, the paper discharge frame is fixed by using a stabilizing spring having a spring force larger than the spring force of the spring that biases the driven roller. It is necessary to bias the drive roller side. In this case, although the stability when the paper discharge frame is closed is excellent, there is a problem that a considerably large force is required when the paper discharge frame is opened.
[0004]
Accordingly, the object of the present invention is to solve the above-described problems of the prior art, and has excellent stability when the paper discharge frame is closed, and does not require much force when opening the paper discharge frame. An object of the present invention is to provide a paper discharge unit and a recording apparatus having a structure.
[0005]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The invention according to claim 1 has a protrusion that fits into a groove extending in the front-rear direction of the main body frame, and is openable and closable with respect to the main body frame. A paper discharge frame that urges the driving roller via the biasing means is provided, and when the paper discharge frame is opened, the projection is displaced in the groove against the biasing force of the biasing means. The paper discharge frame is configured to be held in an expanded state by the urging force of the urging means by being pulled out and rotated.
[0007]
The invention according to claim 2 is the one according to claim 1, further comprising a restricting portion that covers a part of the upper edge portion of the groove, and wherein the protrusion has a flat surface that can contact the restricting portion; It is connected to this base part, and is comprised by the cylindrical part hold | maintained in a groove | channel.
[0009]
According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a recording apparatus comprising: a paper conveying means having a driving roller and a driven roller; and a recording means for recording an image including characters on the conveyed paper, and a groove extending in the front-rear direction of the main body frame. A projection frame that fits into the body frame and is openable and closable with respect to the main body frame. When opening the paper discharge frame, the paper discharge frame is expanded by the biasing force of the biasing means by pulling out and rotating the paper discharge frame by displacing the projection in the groove against the biasing force of the biasing means. It is characterized by being configured to maintain an open state.
[0011]
The invention according to claim 4 is the one according to claim 3, further comprising a restricting portion that covers a part of the upper edge portion of the groove, wherein the protrusion has a flat surface that can contact the restricting portion; It is connected to this base part, and is comprised by the cylindrical part hold | maintained in a groove | channel.
[0013]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
[0014]
FIG. 1 is a side sectional view showing a printer main body of a dot impact printer to which an embodiment of a recording apparatus according to the present invention is applied.
[0015]
The printer 10 as a recording apparatus shown in this figure prints dots and prints an image including characters by hitting a large number of recording wires of the recording head 18 against a sheet via an ink ribbon (not shown). It is an impact printer. The printer 10 includes a printer main body 11 as a recording apparatus main body, a push tractor unit 12 mounted on the printer main body 11, an upper case 11 A and a lower case 11 B that cover the upper and lower sides of the printer main body 11, and the printer main body 11. And a sheet supply guide 38 that is installed on the front side and guides the cut sheet K.
[0016]
The sheet includes the cut sheet K cut to a predetermined length and a continuous sheet in which a plurality of sheets are connected. Examples of the cut sheet K include cut sheet paper (including cut sheet copy paper) and cut film, and continuous sheets include continuous paper (including continuous copy paper).
[0017]
As shown in FIG. 2, the printer main body 11 includes a base frame 14 as a main body frame, a main frame 15, a left side frame 16 and a right side frame 17, a recording head 18 and a carriage 19 as recording mechanisms, and a sheet. A flat platen 20 as a transport mechanism, a sheet guide 25, a first transport roller (drive roller) 21, a second transport roller (driven roller, not shown) opposed to the first transport roller 21, and a third transport roller (driven) Roller) 23 and a fourth transport roller (drive roller) 24 facing the roller 23. Reference numeral 42 denotes a stationery type ribbon cartridge. The ribbon cartridge 42 contains an ink ribbon.
[0018]
3 shows a state where the ribbon cartridge 42 is removed, and FIG. 4 shows a longitudinal section including the recording head 18.
[0019]
A left side frame 16 and a right side frame 17 are erected and fixed at substantially both ends of the base frame 14 and the main frame 15. A carriage guide plate 26 and a carriage shaft 27 are bridged between the left side frame 16 and the right side frame 17 at a predetermined distance in the up and down and front and rear directions. The carriage shaft 27 is rotatably supported by the left side frame 16 and the right side frame 17. A flat platen 20 is placed between the left side frame 16 and the right side frame 17, and a seat guide 25 is fixedly provided.
[0020]
The push tractor unit 12 supplies a continuous sheet (for example, continuous paper) to the sheet conveying mechanism unit including the platen 20 and includes a pair of left and right tractors 28. These tractors 28 include a tractor drive pulley 29A that is rotatably supported on the tractor drive shaft 29 and is axially slidable, and a tractor that is rotatably supported on the tractor guide shaft 30 and is slidable in the axial direction. A tractor belt 31 is wound around a driven pulley (not shown) and a sheet pressing lid 32 is provided. The distance between the pair of tractors 28 can be adjusted according to the width dimension of the continuous sheet (continuous paper) to be conveyed. Further, a plurality of pins 33 projecting from the entire outer periphery of the tractor belt 31 can be engaged with holes (not shown) drilled on both sides in the width direction of the continuous sheet. In the sheet transport mechanism including the platen 20, the first transport roller 21 and the second transport roller (not shown) are on the front side of the printer main body 11 with respect to the platen 20, and the third transport roller 23 and the fourth transport roller 24. Are arranged on the rear side of the printer main body 11. Further, the first conveyance roller 21 and the second conveyance roller (not shown), and the third conveyance roller 23 and the fourth conveyance roller 24 are arranged in the vertical direction to make a pair.
[0021]
Among these, the first conveyance roller 21 and the third conveyance roller 23 are arranged below the sheet guide 25 together with the platen 20, and the second conveyance roller (not shown) and the fourth conveyance roller 24 are arranged above the sheet guide 25. Is done.
[0022]
The first transport roller 21, the second transport roller (not shown), the third transport roller 23, and the fourth transport roller 24 are rotated clockwise (CW) or counterclockwise in the figure by the drive wheel train 34 shown in FIG. (CCW). Similarly, the tractor belt 31 of the push tractor unit 12 is driven counterclockwise by the drive wheel train 34.
[0023]
The drive wheel train 34 is installed on one of the left side frame 16 and the right side frame 17, for example, the right side frame 17. The drive wheel train 34 includes a motor pinion 36 that is rotatably and integrally fixed to a drive shaft of a sheet supply motor 35 that can rotate forward or reverse. The driving force from the motor pinion 36 is sent to the first conveying roller 21, the second conveying roller (not shown), the third conveying roller 23, the fourth conveying roller 34 via a driving wheel train 34 such as a winding transmission mechanism or a gear mechanism. Transmission to the transport roller 24 and the push tractor unit 12 is enabled.
[0024]
The disengagement gear 34 </ b> A in the drive wheel train 34 is a gear for switching the driving force from the motor pinion 36 to either transmission or non-transmission to the tractor belt 31 of the push tractor unit 12.
[0025]
After a cut sheet K such as a cut sheet or a copy sheet is manually supplied from the front side of the printer main body 11, the first conveyance roller 21 and the third conveyance roller 23 are rotated in the clockwise direction, and the second conveyance roller (not- As shown in the drawing, the fourth transport roller 24 is transported in the direction of arrow A from the front to the rear of the printer body 11 by the counterclockwise rotation. The cut sheet K is rotated by the counterclockwise rotation of the first conveying roller 21 and the third conveying roller 23 and the clockwise rotation of the second conveying roller (not shown) and the fourth conveying roller 24. 11 is conveyed in the direction of arrow B from the rear to the front.
[0026]
A continuous sheet such as continuous paper is supplied from the rear side of the printer main body 11 by the push tractor unit 12 in the above-described arrow B direction, and then a first transport roller 21, a second transport roller (not shown), and a third sheet. The printer body 11 is transported from the rear to the front or from the front to the rear (arrow B direction or A direction) by the transport roller 23 and the fourth transport roller 24.
[0027]
As a result, the cut sheet K and the continuous sheet are conveyed in the sub-scanning direction orthogonal to the later-described main scanning direction of the carriage 19.
[0028]
As shown in FIG. 4, the carriage 19 is slidably inserted into the carriage shaft 27 and has a recording head 18 mounted thereon.
[0029]
Since the carriage shaft 27 is arranged in parallel with the platen 20, the carriage 19 is provided so as to be able to travel (scan) in the main scanning direction that coincides with the axial directions of the platen 20 and the carriage shaft 27. The carriage 19 is coupled to a timing belt (not shown) that is reciprocated by forward or reverse rotation of a carriage drive motor (not shown). Therefore, the carriage 19 is guided to the carriage shaft 27 via the timing belt by the forward or reverse rotation of the carriage drive motor, and is scanned leftward or rightward in FIG. 2 or 3 in the main scanning direction.
[0030]
Here, the carriage drive motor is composed of, for example, a stepping motor together with the sheet supply motor.
[0031]
As shown in FIG. 4, a ribbon mask holder 41 that protects a sheet (cut sheet or continuous sheet) conveyed in contact with the upper surface of the platen 20 from the ink ribbon in the stationery type ribbon cartridge 42 is provided on the carriage 19. is set up. The ink ribbon in the ribbon cartridge 42 is driven by a ribbon drive shaft 43 so as to be movable in front of the recording wire of the recording head 18 in the same direction as the main scanning direction.
[0032]
The recording head 18 includes a large number of recording wires (not shown), and the ink ribbon is positioned in front of the protruding direction of these recording wires as described above. While the recording head 18 is scanned in the main scanning direction together with the carriage 19, the recording wire protrudes and strikes the ink ribbon, and the ink of the ink ribbon is conveyed between the platen 20 and the recording head 18. It is attached to a sheet (cut sheet K or continuous sheet), and an image including characters is recorded on this sheet.
[0033]
In the recording operation by the recording head 18, one line sentence is recorded by the recording wire of the recording head 18 while the carriage 19 is scanned leftward or rightward in the main scanning direction, and the sheet is recorded each time the one line sentence is recorded. Is a cut sheet K, the sheet transport mechanism (platen 20, first transport roller 21, second transport roller (not shown), third transport roller 23 and fourth transport roller 24) and the sheet are continuous. In the case of a sheet, the sheet conveying mechanism and the push tractor unit 12 convey the sheet by a predetermined length (for a normal line interval) and repeat these operations.
[0034]
Incidentally, as shown in FIG. 2, a paper discharge unit 50 that receives paper discharged from the printer main body 11 is installed in front of the flat platen 20 described above. The paper discharge unit 50 includes a paper discharge frame 51. The paper discharge frame 51 is configured to be freely displaceable from the closed use state shown in FIGS. 2 and 5 to the open flip-up state shown in FIG. . The paper discharge frame 51 is supported between the left side frame 16 and the right side frame 17 so as to be openable and closable, and includes a second conveyance roller (driven roller) 22 facing the first conveyance roller (drive roller) 21 described above. It is configured to be held together.
[0035]
In the closed state of FIG. 5, the paper discharge frame 51 moves the second transport roller (driven roller) 22 to the outer periphery of the first transport roller (drive roller) 21 with an appropriate force via the return spring 52. It is biased in the direction of pressure contact. One end 52 </ b> A of the return spring 52 is connected to the pin 51 </ b> A of the paper discharge frame 51, and the other end 52 </ b> B of the return spring 52 is connected to the fixing portion 17 </ b> A of the right side frame (or left side frame) 17. In the closed state of FIG. 5, the fixing portion 17A is positioned below the pin 51A, and the paper discharge frame 51 is pulled rearward and downward by a return spring 52 stretched therebetween.
[0036]
FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view showing a connection structure between the paper discharge frame 51 and the right side frame 17. The right side frame 17 is integrally formed with a regulating member 53 having a track shape. The restricting member 53 includes an elliptical groove 54 extending in the front-rear direction and a restricting portion 55 that covers a part of the upper edge of the groove 54, and a projection 56 that fits into the groove 54 is provided on the paper discharge frame 51. It is prepared for. The protrusion 56 includes a base portion 56B having a flat surface 56A that faces the restricting portion 55, and a cylindrical portion 56C that is connected to the base portion 56B and is held in the groove 54.
[0037]
A similar structure is adopted between the paper discharge frame 51 and the left side frame 16, but illustration is omitted.
[0038]
Next, the opening / closing operation of the paper discharge frame 51 will be described.
[0039]
During the recording operation of the printer 10, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 5, the paper discharge frame 51 is supported between the left side frame 16 and the right side frame 17, and in this case, the second conveyance is performed via the return spring 52. The roller 22 is pressed against the outer periphery of the first conveying roller 21 with an appropriate force. According to this, stability when the paper discharge frame 51 is closed can be ensured.
[0040]
When the ribbon is exchanged or a paper jam occurs, the paper discharge frame 51 is opened as shown in FIG. 6 to perform ribbon exchange or paper removal, and after the ribbon exchange or paper removal, the state shown in FIG. Closed.
[0041]
When the paper discharge frame 51 is opened, in FIG. 5, the paper discharge frame 51 is first pulled forward (in the direction of arrow A) against the spring force of the return spring 52. Then, the protrusion 56 of the paper discharge frame 51 moves in the same direction in the elliptical groove 54 from one end of the restriction member 53 having a track shape to the other end, and the paper discharge frame 51 is pulled out.
[0042]
Until the protrusion 56 is removed from the restricting portion 55, the flat surface 56A of the base portion 56B faces the restricting portion 55, so that the paper discharge frame 51 cannot shift to the flip-up state.
[0043]
When the protrusion 56 is disengaged from the restricting portion 55, the flat surface 56A of the base portion 56B does not face the restricting portion 55, so that the protrusion 56 is in contact with the front end of the groove 54 as shown in FIG. With the projection 56 as a fulcrum, the sheet discharge frame 51 is flipped up by rotating in the direction of arrow B.
[0044]
In the present embodiment, the paper discharge frame 51 is pulled out until the flat surface 56A of the base portion 56B of the protrusion 56 is disengaged from the restricting portion 55, the protrusion 56 is brought into contact with the front end of the groove 54, and the restriction by the restricting portion 55 is restricted. After the release, the paper discharge frame 51 is rotated and flipped up with the projection 56 as a fulcrum, so that when the paper discharge frame 51 is flipped up, an excessive spring force does not act as in the prior art. It can be flipped up easily.
[0045]
The spring force of the return spring 52 hardly acts in a direction that inhibits the flip-up force when the paper discharge frame 51 is flipped up.
[0046]
In order to close the ejected paper discharge frame 51, the paper discharge frame 51 is rotated in the direction opposite to the arrow B in FIG. Then, due to the spring force of the return spring 52, the paper discharge frame 51 is pulled and moved in the direction opposite to the arrow A in FIG. When the projection 56 abuts against the rear end of the groove 54, the flat surface 56A of the base portion 56B faces the restricting portion 55, so that the discharge frame 51 is not lifted up and restricted by this, so that the second transport The roller 22 is pressed against the outer periphery of the first transport roller 21.
[0047]
The return spring 52 rotates the paper discharge frame 51 in the direction opposite to the arrow B in FIG. In addition to the function of pulling back in the direction, after the paper discharge frame 51 is closed, the second conveyance roller 22 is pressed against the outer periphery of the first conveyance roller 21.
[0048]
It is obvious that the latter function is important, and any structure may be used as long as the structure satisfies this function.
[0049]
As mentioned above, although this invention was demonstrated based on one Embodiment, it is clear that this invention is not limited to this.
[0050]
【The invention's effect】
The present invention is excellent in stability when the paper discharge frame is closed, and does not require so much force when the paper discharge frame is opened.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing a printer body of a dot impact printer to which an embodiment of a recording apparatus according to the invention is applied.
FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating the printer main body of FIG.
3 is a perspective view showing a state in which a ribbon cartridge is removed from that of FIG. 2; FIG.
4 is a side view of the recording head, carriage, etc. of FIG. 3. FIG.
FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a use state in which a paper discharge frame is closed.
FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a flip-up state in which a paper discharge frame is opened.
FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view showing a connection structure between the paper discharge frame and the frame.
[Explanation of symbols]
10 Printer (recording device)
16 Left side frame 17 Right side frame 18 Recording head 19 Carriage 20 Platen 21 First transport roller (drive roller)
22 Second transport roller (driven roller)
50 Paper discharge unit 51 Paper discharge frame 52 Return spring 53 Restricting member 54 having a track shape Groove 55 Restricting portion 56 Projection

Claims (4)

A paper discharge having a projection that fits into a groove extending in the front-rear direction of the main body frame, and is openable and closable with respect to the main body frame, and biases the held driven roller to the drive roller via the biasing means when closed. With a frame,
When opening the paper discharge frame, the paper discharge frame is pulled out by displacing the protrusion in the groove against the urging force of the urging means, and rotated, so that the evacuation force is applied by the urging force of the urging means. A paper discharge unit configured to hold an expanded state of a paper frame.   A restricting portion that covers a part of the upper edge portion of the groove is provided, and the protrusion includes a base portion having a flat surface that can contact the restricting portion, and a cylindrical portion that is connected to the base portion and held in the groove. The paper discharge unit according to claim 1, wherein the paper discharge unit is provided. A sheet conveying means having a driving roller and a driven roller, and a recording means for recording an image including characters on the conveyed sheet,
A paper discharge having a projection that fits into a groove extending in the front-rear direction of the main body frame, and is openable and closable with respect to the main body frame, and biases the held driven roller to the drive roller via the biasing means when closed. With a frame,
When opening the paper discharge frame, the paper discharge frame is pulled out by displacing the protrusion in the groove against the urging force of the urging means, and rotated, so that the evacuation force is applied by the urging force of the urging means. A recording apparatus configured to hold an expanded state of a paper frame.   A restriction part that covers a part of the upper edge part of the groove is provided, and the protrusion includes a base part having a flat surface that can contact the restriction part, and a cylindrical part that is connected to the base part and held in the groove. The recording apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the recording apparatus is a recording apparatus.

Images