JP3990320B2 - Roll paper feeder - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
[Technical field to which the invention belongs]
The present invention makes it easy to assemble by reducing the size of parts used in a roll paper supply device that can easily draw roll paper such as toilet paper with one hand, and further reducing the number of expensive parts. At the same time, it is an object of the present invention to obtain a roll paper supply device that warns of forgetting to put in a roll-shaped paper or running out of paper without using an expensive optical sensor device.
[0002]
[Prior art]
When using a conventional and widely used paper holder, pull out the end of the roll paper with one hand, hold the cover with the cutting blade with the other hand, and pull the paper end firmly Was cutting. This series of tasks required both hands to be used at the same time, and was difficult for one handicapped, an infant, an elderly person, or a person who lost vision. Therefore, in order to solve these problems, in recent years, patent applications for manual and electric automatic paper supply apparatuses are increasing.
[0003]
In general, a known paper supply apparatus according to a patent publication or the like includes the following components. Holding device for holding roll paper in a rotatable state, driving roller and passive roller for paper feeding, driving belt conveyor and passive belt conveyor for paper feeding, feeding length adjusting device, feeding length length change switch , Cutting device, receiving part of paper cut and separated from roll paper, automatic feeding device that sends out a certain length of paper after cutting, switches and handles to start each device, each device according to the setting procedure Control device for actuating, sensors for the purpose of reliably operating the control device, timers for the purpose of reliably operating the control device, and a main body case portion for housing these devices, and a case opening Lids etc. Approximately such devices are the basic components of known automatic paper feeders. Many of the inventions for which patents are filed and utility models are filed, such as recombining these basic components, improving individual basic components, and arranging and installing basic components. Efforts are made to eliminate the disadvantages of conventional inventions and devices by devising them, devising control methods and setting procedures, adding devices other than basic components, and using them in combination. However, there are many inadequate details, the number of parts constituting the apparatus is large, and the individual parts are often large, so that the entire apparatus becomes large.
[0004]
As a major factor that increases the size of the apparatus, there is a passive roller that functions in combination with a drive roller for paper feeding. Alternatively, there is a passive belt conveyor that functions in pairs with a drive belt conveyor for paper feeding. Any of the past inventions and devices is based on the use of a set of drive rollers and passive rollers, or the use of a set of drive belt and passive belt conveyors. If paper is sandwiched between two rotating parts, and the two parts are rotated to synchronize, the paper feed is very smooth, so we tried to improve this part in conventional inventions and devices. There was nothing. However, with the conventional method of inserting paper between two rotating parts and feeding it out, even if the paper is not present from the beginning, or if the paper is lost during use, the drive part is the presence of passive parts. Thanks to this, we were able to continue the smooth rotation. In order to detect the situation that the paper is not present from the beginning or the paper has been lost during use, and to inform the user, separately install an optical sensor and its control device for the purpose of confirming the presence of the paper. This has been a major factor in increasing costs.
[0005]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
It is an object of the present invention to reduce the number of expensive parts while reducing the size of parts used in a paper feeding apparatus of a roll paper feeding apparatus that can easily draw roll paper such as toilet paper with one hand. At the same time, it is an object to obtain an advanced and inexpensive roll paper supply device that warns of forgetting to put in roll paper and running out of paper in use.
[0006]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The above problem is that the paper feeding device of the roll paper supply device does not use the conventional passive roller and passive belt conveyor, but the friction coefficient and paper path of the driving roller and driving belt conveyor. This is achieved by reliably feeding out soft paper by utilizing the difference between the friction coefficient of the wall surface.
[0007]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
The purpose is to reduce the size of the parts used in the paper feeding device and reduce the number of expensive parts, and to obtain an inexpensive roll paper supply device that warns you that you have forgotten to insert roll paper or that you are running out of paper. The purpose was achieved without compromising the ability to reliably deliver even soft paper.
[0008]
【Example】
Hereinafter, the present invention will be specifically described by way of examples.
First, a typical paper feeding device of a conventional roll paper supply device is shown in a schematic structural view of FIG. The main body case 1 includes a holding device 2 that holds the rolled paper 12 in a rotatable state, a driving roller 3 that feeds the unwound paper 13, a driving motor 4, and a pulley attached to the driving roller 3. 5, a pulley 6 attached to the drive motor 4, and a drive belt 7 for the purpose of interlocking the pulley 5 and the pulley 6. On the other hand, the lid 8 is provided with a passive roller 9 which is an auxiliary component for feeding out paper, a start switch 10, and a cutting blade portion 11 for cutting the paper. The roll paper 12 is set in the holding device 2, and the unwound paper 13 hangs below the main body case 1. The power source of the drive motor 4 may be a dry battery or an AC power source for general households. When the start switch 10 is pressed, the unwound paper 13 is sandwiched between the driving roller 3 and the passive roller 9 and sent downward. When the user reaches an appropriate length, the user releases his / her finger from the activation switch 10, and then uses the cutting blade 11 to pull the paper 13 by hand to cut it.
[0009]
Next, another typical paper feeding device of the conventional roll paper supply device is shown in the schematic structural explanatory diagram of FIG. Basically, the roller in the embodiment in FIG. 1 is merely a belt conveyor. The main body case portion 14 is attached to the holding device 15 that holds the roll-shaped paper in a rotatable state, the drive belt conveyor 16 that feeds the unwound paper 26, the drive motor 17, and the drive belt conveyor 16. Pulleys 18 and 19, a pulley 20 attached to the drive motor 17, and a drive belt 21 for interlocking the pulleys 18 and 19 and the pulley 20 are provided. On the other hand, the lid 22 is provided with a passive belt conveyor 23 which is an auxiliary part for the purpose of feeding the unwound paper 26, an activation switch 24, and a cutting blade portion 25 for cutting the paper. The roll paper is set on the holding device 15, and the unwound paper 26 hangs below the main body case portion 14. The power source of the drive motor 17 may be a dry battery or an ordinary household AC power source. When the start switch 24 is pressed, the unwound paper 26 is sandwiched between the drive belt conveyor 16 and the passive belt conveyor 23 and sent downward. When the user reaches an appropriate length, the user releases his / her finger from the activation switch 24 and then uses the cutting blade 25 to pull the paper 26 by hand to cut it. In addition, although only one set of the drive belt conveyor 16 and the passive belt conveyor 23 is illustrated, in practice, a plurality of sets are generally used.
[0010]
The roll paper replacement method will be described with reference to the schematic structure explanatory diagram of FIG.
FIG. 3 shows a state where the lid 8 is opened about half in the example of FIG. The roll paper 12 is set in the holding device 2, and the unwound paper 13 hangs down in a natural state. The lid 8 is attached to the rotation fulcrum 27 of the main body case 1 so as to be rotatable. If the lid 8 is closed as it is, the state shown in FIG. 1 is obtained. Note that the start switch 10 and the start switch 24 are optical sensor switches using infrared rays or the like in hospitals where it is better not to touch the switch touched by the previous user if possible, considering hospital infection. It is good to do.
[0011]
FIG. 4 is a schematic structural explanatory view of an embodiment according to the present invention, in which the passive roller 9 and the start switch 10 provided on the lid 8 are removed from the embodiment according to the conventional invention shown in FIG. Instead of the start switch 10, an infrared sensor 28 is provided on the side surface of the main body case 1. If the user brings the infrared sensor 28 somewhere close to the body and reacts the infrared sensor 28 with infrared rays emitted by the human body, the apparatus starts to move.
[0012]
Even if the start switch 10 is placed outside the concept, it is not necessary for the lid 8 to have a double box shape as shown in FIG. This eliminates the need to use large parts that occupy nearly half of the lid 8. That is, only one substantially plate-like part such as the lid 29 as shown in FIG. Large parts molds are not required, molded products are not required, and assembly costs are not required.
[0013]
The passive roller 9 is usually manufactured by wrapping a rubber material around a metal or plastic round bar, but the cost of this set part can be compared to other parts used in the device. It is expensive, and the effect of cost reduction by not using it is great.
[0014]
Even if you no longer use a passive roller, you can reduce the cost as described above. It is clear that the cost reduction effect is greater by not using a set of multiple passive belt conveyors that have more parts than passive rollers and require more steps for assembly.
[0015]
FIG. 5 is also a schematic structural explanatory diagram of an embodiment according to the present invention, which is an extension of the embodiment of FIG. A difference from the embodiment of FIG. 4 is that a part of the lid 31 is deformed in accordance with the shape of the driving roller 33 inside, like a curved surface shape 32. The arrangement of the infrared sensor 28 which is a start switch has not changed. The lid 31 is suspended from the pivot point 30. The rotational moment due to the weight of the lid 31 presses the curved surface 32 around the drive roller 33.
[0016]
In all the examples from FIG. 1 to FIG. 5, the lid hangs under its own weight around the pivot point, and the rotational moment due to the lid's own weight presses the paper against the drive roller or drive belt conveyor. If there is a problem with the lid opening during operation, a lid locking device may be attached separately. If there is a shortage of pressing force, attach a weight to the lid to increase the rotational moment of the lid, or if the pressing force is too strong, a lid and body case that reduces the rotational moment of the lid What is necessary is just to arrange | position between.
[0017]
FIG. 6 is a partially enlarged view showing a state in which the drive roller sandwiches and feeds the soft paper with the wall material in FIG. A soft paper 36 is sandwiched between the inner wall 34 of the lid 29 and a driving roller 35 made of a soft material having a high friction coefficient. The drive roller 35 is slightly crushed by the influence of the rotational moment due to the weight of the lid 29, and the contact area with the paper 36 is increased. When the force of the drive motor 41 is transmitted to the pulley 38 of the drive roller 35 by the drive belt 37, the drive roller 35 rotates in the direction of the arrow 39. Since the frictional force between the driving roller 35 and the paper 36 is larger than the frictional force between the inner wall 34 of the lid 29 and the paper 36, when the driving roller 35 rotates in the direction of the arrow 39, the paper 36 moves in the direction of the arrow 40. Is sent out.
[0018]
If the roll paper is finished when the paper 36 is fed in the direction of the arrow 40 in the state shown in FIG. 6, the driving roller 35 is directly connected to the inner wall 34 of the lid 29. Will come into contact. The drive roller 35 is suddenly braked by contact with the inner wall 34 of the lid 29, and a large load is applied to the drive motor 41, causing a large change in current and voltage. According to reading the change in current and voltage in the motor drive circuit, the user may be told that the paper has finished and the drive roller 35 has stopped moving. A warning can be given that there is no paper. At the same time, the drive device can be urgently stopped to prevent a decrease in durability due to overload, occurrence of failure, or excessive consumption of the battery. All that is needed is to add a function to read changes in current and voltage in the motor drive circuit. In the conventional invention, since the passive roller and the passive belt conveyor are used in conjunction with the drive unit, the drive motor continues to rotate regardless of whether paper is present or not. Of course, even if the paper runs out, there is almost no change in current or voltage. Therefore, if it is desired to detect the presence or absence of paper, an expensive device such as an optical sensor and its control device must be used. The elimination of the passive roller and the passive belt conveyor not only reduces the number of parts and reduces the cost, but also gives an opportunity to bring the driving roller 35 into direct contact with the inner wall portion 34 of the lid 29. A new function for detecting that there is no paper between the inner wall portion 34 of the lid 29 is provided.
[0019]
FIG. 7 is a partially enlarged view showing a state in which the driving roller sandwiches and feeds the soft paper with the wall material in FIG. A soft paper 36 is sandwiched between the inner wall 42 of the lid 31 and a driving roller 33 made of a soft material having a high friction coefficient. The diameter of the drive roller 33 is somewhat smaller than the diameter of the drive roller 35 shown in FIG. This is because the inner wall portion 42 is deformed into a concave shape so as to be larger than the outer shape of the driving roller 33 by the thickness of the paper, so that the same contact area as the contact area between the roller and the paper in FIG. 6 is obtained. In addition, the diameter of the drive roller 33 can be small. In addition, since the curved surface shape of the inner wall portion 42 is substantially equal to the outer shape of the driving roller 33, it is possible to feed and feed the sufficiently soft paper 36 without pressing the lid 31 against the driving roller 33 and deforming it. This means that it is not necessary to reduce the hardness of the drive roller 33 so as to make it soft. In most cases, soft materials with low hardness cannot withstand long-term use, and tend to collapse into tatters or, on the contrary, become solid. By providing a gear-like pattern or a small convex pattern on the entire surface of the driving roller 33, the driving roller 33 can be made even if the hardness of the rubber material (including the synthetic rubber material) is about 70 degrees or more. The soft paper 36 can be fed out without slipping. By providing the inner wall portion 42 with a curved surface shape substantially equal to the outer shape of the drive roller 33, the drive roller can be reduced in size, and the drive roller can be made of a material having high hardness and durability. Being able to withstand long-term use leads to a reduction in customer complaints and can reduce the trouble and cost of after-sales service. Reducing complaints about products also means improving confidence in manufacturers. By slightly deforming the inner wall portion 42, such a large result can be obtained.
[0020]
FIG. 8 is a schematic structural explanatory view showing an embodiment according to the present invention in which the passive belt conveyor 23 in FIG. 2 is removed. As in the example of FIGS. 4 and 5, the start switch 24 is stopped, and an infrared switch 28 is provided on the side surface of the main body case instead. Since the belt conveyor is originally used to increase the contact area, the effect obtained by the deformation of the inner wall as illustrated in FIG. 5 is not completely absent, but the deformation is not so large. A description of the example with an enlarged view is omitted.
[0021]
【The invention's effect】
The roll paper supply apparatus according to the present invention can have the simplest plate-like structure on the lid side, and can have a great effect on cost reduction as compared with the conventional invention and device. In addition, it is possible to accurately detect the presence or absence of paper without using an expensive device such as an optical sensor and its control device, to issue a warning about the absence of paper to the user, and at the same time to stop the device urgently. Durability can be improved.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a schematic structural explanatory diagram of an embodiment according to a conventional invention.
FIG. 2 is a schematic structural explanatory view of an embodiment according to a conventional invention.
FIG. 3 is a schematic structural explanatory view of an embodiment according to a conventional invention.
FIG. 4 is a schematic structural diagram of an embodiment according to the present invention.
FIG. 5 is a schematic structural explanatory diagram of an embodiment according to the present invention.
FIG. 6 is a schematic structural explanatory diagram of an embodiment according to the present invention.
FIG. 7 is a schematic structural explanatory diagram of an embodiment according to the present invention.
FIG. 8 is a schematic structural explanatory diagram of an embodiment according to the present invention.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Main body case part 2 Holding device 3 Drive roller 4 Drive motor 5 Pulley 6 Pulley 7 Drive belt 8 Lid 9 Passive roller 10 Starting switch 11 Cutting blade part 12 Roll paper 13 Paper 14 Main body case part 15 Holding apparatus 16 Belt conveyor 17 Drive motor 18 pulley 19 pulley 20 pulley 21 belt 22 lid 23 passive belt conveyor 24 start switch 25 cutting blade 26 paper 27 rotation fulcrum 28 infrared sensor 29 lid 30 rotation fulcrum 31 lid 32 curved surface shape 33 drive roller 34 inner wall 35 drive roller 36 paper 37 drive belt 38 pulley 39 arrow 40 arrow 41 drive motor 42 inner wall

Claims (1)

The paper is sandwiched between the driving roller and the wall of the paper path that forms a pair with the driving roller, and the friction between the paper and the paper path wall is generated between the paper and the driving roller. Roll paper supply device configured to feed out paper by utilizing the fact that friction is greater, or paper between a drive belt conveyor and a paper path wall paired with the drive belt conveyor Roll paper configured to feed out paper using the fact that the friction generated between the paper and the drive belt conveyor is larger than the friction generated between the paper and the paper path wall. in supply device, a large load on the driving motor is applied, reading the change in the load electrically, there is no paper As fell into situation situation or paper runs out, sound, beep, by utilizing such light or vibration, roll paper supply apparatus characterized by us to warn the method the user can recognize.

Images