JP4608520B2 - Printer device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a printer device suitable for a portable printer and the like, which is reduced in size and simplified in configuration.

  In a conventional printer apparatus, a recording paper is taken out from a paper feed cassette, conveyed by an image forming unit having a print head, printed, and then conveyed to a paper discharge unit. Some are configured to follow. In such a configuration, since the path through which the recording paper is conveyed becomes long, the printer device is likely to be enlarged.

  On the other hand, downsizing is important for realizing a portable printer. For this purpose, it is advantageous to reciprocate the recording paper and to provide the paper feed unit and the paper discharge unit on the same side with respect to the image forming unit. Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 3-180374 discloses a conventional example of a configuration in which a paper feed unit and a paper discharge unit are provided on the same side with respect to an image forming unit.

  According to the publication, in a printer apparatus in which a conveyance path is formed between a paper feed cassette and a print head unit during paper feeding and a conveyance path is formed between a print head and a paper ejection unit during paper discharge, A configuration is shown in which one guide member that is operated to switch the path is provided, and the transport path is switched by the guide member in the paper feed mode and the paper discharge mode. However, the guide member has to be controlled by a solenoid every time it is switched, and there has been a problem that its structure must be complicated.

  As described above, in the prior art, since the solenoid is used for switching the recording paper conveyance path, there has been a problem that the structure has to be complicated.

  Accordingly, the present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and in a printer apparatus configured to reciprocate a recording sheet by providing a sheet feeding unit and a sheet discharging unit on the same side with respect to an image forming unit, It is an object of the present invention to provide a printer device that can be downsized with a simple configuration without using a drive source.

The printer apparatus according to the present invention includes a thermal head and a platen roller to which the thermal head can be pressed, and forms an image on a recording sheet. The printer apparatus stores the recording sheet and is disposed on the front surface of the apparatus main body. a paper feed cassette capable, the paper holding portion and sends the recording sheet in a first direction to feed the image forming unit holds the recording sheet, wherein the image is formed in the image forming section a paper discharge path for discharging the outer side of the apparatus main body by sending in a second direction opposite to the recording sheet in the first direction, said recording the paper first having sent from the paper feed cassette is transported in the direction of, so as to feed between the platen roller and the thermal head separated state, after the image has been formed on the recording sheet in the image forming section, and said first direction Second discharged to the outside of the delivery to the apparatus main body in a direction which is the direction of, and is disposed in the sheet feeding cassette side with respect to the image forming section, guiding the recording paper to the paper discharge path A paper guide member by elastic force, and the paper guide member extends toward a junction between the paper feed path for feeding the paper from the paper holding section to the image forming section and the paper discharge path. A free end portion having elasticity that is arranged out of the paper, and the free end portion is configured to resist the elasticity of the paper when the paper is fed from the paper holding portion to the image forming portion. The sheet can be deformed so as to secure a feeding path of the sheet toward the image forming unit so that the sheet can be fed in the first direction, and the sheet can be removed from the image forming unit. When the paper is discharged in the direction, it prevents the paper from being discharged. The leading end of the free end is arranged at a position deviating from the sheet discharge path, and the sheet is guided to the sheet discharge path. At the free end, the sheet feeding path and the sheet discharge path Light emitted from the light emitting element to the light receiving element in a photosensor having a light emitting element and a light receiving element that are arranged at a position where the paper to be fed is sandwiched in the joining portion is detected. A portion that does not interfere is formed, and the free end portion is formed in the substantially V-shaped portion that has a substantially V-shape and functions as a portion that does not block light emitted from the light-emitting element to the light-receiving element. Or a notch formed in the substantially W-shaped portion that functions as a portion that has a substantially W-shape and does not interfere with light emitted from the light-emitting element to the light-receiving element. It is characterized by having .

According to the present invention, in the printer as to reciprocate the recording sheet is provided on the same side of the discharge portion and the paper feed unit to the image forming section, without using a recording paper feed driving source, the recording sheet Therefore, it is possible to switch the recording paper conveyance path between paper feeding and paper discharging, and the configuration of the printer apparatus can be simplified and miniaturized.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

  Before describing the main part of the embodiment of the present invention with reference to FIGS. 1 to 9, a printer apparatus to which the present invention is applied will be described with reference to FIGS.

FIG. 10 shows the appearance of the printer apparatus.
In FIG. 10, the printer apparatus includes an ink ribbon cassette 10, a printer apparatus body 20, a paper feed cassette 30, and a battery 40. The ink ribbon cassette 10, the paper feed cassette 30, and the battery 40 are printers. The printer main body 20 is detachable from the apparatus main body 20. Further, the printer main body 20 includes a connector 51 for a personal computer, a memory card 52 such as a smart media storing information taken by a digital camera or the like, and a commercial card. An AC adapter 53 for obtaining a direct current (DC) voltage by connecting to an alternating current (AC) power supply can be inserted.

  The ink ribbon cassette 10 is accommodated in a cassette case (exterior case) 11 in which an ink ribbon exposure window portion is formed so that the ink ribbon 12 can be transported while being wound between a supply reel and a take-up reel. .

  The ink ribbon cassette 10 is inserted into the main body 20 through an opening 22 that can be fitted into a side surface of the cassette provided on one side of the printer apparatus main body 20.

  The printer main body 20 incorporates a thermal head mechanism, a recording paper transport mechanism, a mechanism for driving them, and the like (not shown) inside a chassis in a main body case 21 that forms the exterior.

  An opening 21a cut out in a substantially rectangular shape is provided on one side surface of the main body case 21 of the printer apparatus main body 20, and the inner chassis disposed inside the opening 21a has the ink ribbon cassette 10 disposed therein. The opening 22 is formed in a shape that substantially fits the side shape on the insertion side. And the lid | cover 23 for obstruct | occluding the said opening part 21a (and the said opening part 22) is attached to the main body case 21 so that opening and closing is possible using the hinge 23a.

  An opening 24 for inserting the paper feed cassette 30 is formed at the front end of the printer apparatus main body 20, and the paper feed cassette 30 is attached to the opening 24 with one touch. . Further, a battery mounting portion 25 (not shown) is provided at the rear end portion of the printer apparatus main body 20 so that a battery 40 as a printer power source can be mounted with one touch.

  A print button 26, other operation buttons 27, a liquid crystal display panel 28, and the like are disposed on the upper surface of the main body case 21.

  The paper feed cassette 30 as a paper holding unit has an open top surface and can be closed with a cassette case 31 capable of storing recording paper and the top surface of the case 31 leaving a front end portion (recording paper outlet). And a paper feed roller (not shown) disposed in the printer apparatus main body 20 on the both side walls of the front end portion on the insertion side of the cassette case 31 (in contact with the front end portion of the recording paper). Fitting portions 31a and 31a are formed in which a part of a support shaft of a roller (which is guided into the printer apparatus main body by the rotation and frictional force) can be fitted, and the insertion side front end portion 31b of the cassette case 31 is recorded. The upper part of the figure is rounded from the inside of the case so that the paper can be easily taken out from the cassette case 31 by the paper feed roller.

FIG. 11 is an exploded perspective view showing the printer apparatus main body 20.
As shown in FIG. 11, the main body case 21 includes an upper case 211 and a lower case 212. Within the main body cases 211 and 212, a main board 220 on which various circuit chips are mounted, a recording paper feed and A paper feed system assembly 230 that drives paper discharge and ribbon transport of the ink ribbon cassette and a head system assembly 240 that drives the thermal head to rotate are disposed.

  The paper feed system assembly 230 is disposed on the main frame 231 constituting the inner chassis and the main frame 231, and reel drive mechanisms 232 and 233 for driving the supply reel and take-up reel in the ink ribbon cassette 10 to rotate. And paper feed mechanisms 234 and 235 for conveying the recording paper.

  The head system assembly 240 includes a thermal head mechanism 241 disposed on the main frame 231 and a rotation drive mechanism 242 for rotating the thermal head mechanism 241.

  FIG. 1 is a side sectional view showing a state before the start of paper feeding in a printer apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. The printer apparatus according to the present embodiment is configured to reciprocate the recording paper by providing a paper feed unit and a paper discharge unit on the same side with respect to the image forming unit.

  As shown in FIG. 1, a main board 220 having a board 221 erected on the back side and having an L-shaped side section is disposed in the printer body, and a paper feed (not shown) is provided thereon. The system assembly 230 (see FIG. 11), the ink ribbon cassette 10, and the head system assembly 240 are disposed.

  The paper feed system assembly 230 includes a paper take-out roller 34, a molding member 35, a molding member 36, a molding member 37, a paper guide member 38, a paper feed roller 237, a pinch roller 238, and a platen roller 236. And a photosensor including a light emitting element 65a and a light receiving element 65b.

  The paper take-out roller 34 is formed of, for example, a rubber roller, and when the paper feed cassette 30 that is a paper holding portion is inserted into the opening 24 of the printer apparatus main body 20, the large-diameter portion 34a of the roller support shaft is the paper feed cassette. The sheet feeding cassette 30 is fitted into the upper portion of the front end portion 30 to position the sheet feeding cassette 30 in the opening 24, and the roller portion comes into contact with the upper surface of the recording sheet 33 in the sheet feeding cassette 30, and the recording sheet 33 is rotated by the rotation of the roller portion. Can be taken out of the cassette and sent into the printer apparatus main body 20.

  The forming member 35 is positioned below the opening 24 and forms a bottom surface portion 35a of the opening 24, a cassette attaching portion 35b, and a paper feed path guide portion 35c. A guide that holds the bottom surface and can be attached to the insertion side front portion of the paper feed cassette 30 and guides the recording paper 33 taken out from the paper feed cassette 30 to the paper feed roller 237 in the printer main body 20. It has a function.

  The forming member 36 is located above the opening 24 and forms the paper feed path guide part 36a and the paper discharge path guide part 36b. A guide member 37 disposed opposite to the paper discharge path guide portion 36 b has a guide function for guiding it to the paper feed roller 237 in the printer apparatus main body 20, and the paper discharge path guide portion 36 b and the guide member 37 form paper. It forms a discharge route.

  The forming member 37 constitutes the upper part of the paper discharge path guide portion.

  The sheet guide member 38 is made of, for example, an elastic member, and extends from a sheet feeding cassette 30 to a sheet feeding path for feeding sheets to the image forming unit, so that the recording sheet 33 is fed from the sheet feeding cassette 30 to the image forming unit. The paper sheet can be fed against the elasticity of the recording paper 33, and the recording paper 33 is arranged so that its leading end 38a is not positioned in the paper discharge path. When it is sent to B), it has a function of guiding the recording sheet 33 to the sheet discharge path. More specifically, the paper guide member 38 is provided so as to obliquely cross the paper feed path, and one end thereof is a part of the paper discharge path guide part 36b or the paper feed path guide part 36a. The other end is a free end, and the leading end 38a is engaged (freely fitted) in a hole 35c1 provided in the paper feeding path guide 35c. .

  The paper guide member 38 may be formed of a rigid member, and one end thereof may be rotatably fixed to a part of the paper discharge path guide part 36b or the paper feed path guide part 36a. . At this time, a member having a spring property is connected to the free end portion of the rigid member, so that when the recording paper 33 is fed to the image forming portion, the front end of the paper abuts against the elasticity. The paper 33 may be easily fed.

  The paper feed roller 237 is controlled by a driving means and a control means (not shown) according to the operation mode of the printer device, and the number and direction of rotation of the paper feeding roller 237 are many on the rotation surface. Is formed uniformly so that the recording paper 33 can be reliably conveyed, and is provided in the vicinity of the entrance / exit where the paper feeding path and the paper discharging path join together, and in cooperation with the pinch roller 238, the recording paper 33 is transferred in the first direction A (FIGS. 3 and 5) and sent to the platen roller 236 side of the image forming unit, or the recording paper 33 is fed from the platen roller 236 side to the first direction A opposite to the first direction A. Paper feed for transporting in direction B 2 and discharging to the outside of the apparatus through the paper discharge path (feeding operation of the recording paper 33 into the printer body, reciprocation of the paper during printing, and at the end of printing) for It performs a discharge operation) of.

  The pinch roller 238 is for transporting the recording paper 33 in pressure contact with the paper feed roller 237 during a paper feed operation in the printer main body.

  The platen roller 236 is positioned further inside the printer apparatus body than the paper feed roller 237, and presses the ink ribbon 12 (see FIG. 10) and the recording paper 33 between the heat generating portion 214b of the thermal head portion 241a during printing. This is necessary for transferring the thermal transfer ink on the ink ribbon 12 to the recording paper 33 by melting or sublimating it.

  Further, the photosensor composed of the light emitting element 65a and the light receiving element 65b is provided in the vicinity of the entrance / exit where the sheet feeding path and the sheet discharging path join to detect the feeding state of the recording sheet 33.

  1, the light from the light emitting element 65a passes through a light passage hole (not shown) provided in the paper feed path guide 35c and further passes through the paper guide member 38. The light receiving element 65b passes through the notched portion (the portion where the guide member does not exist in the feeding direction position) or the hole portion provided, or through the light passage hole portion (not shown) provided in the paper discharge path of the forming member 37. It is designed to receive light. That is, in a state where the recording paper 33 is not conveyed to a position (photo sensor position) closer to the supply side of the joining portion of the paper feeding path and the paper discharging path, the light from the light emitting element 65a is received by the light receiving element 65b. In other words, when the recording paper 33 is conveyed to the above position, the light from the light emitting element 65a is blocked and is not received by the light receiving element 65b. Thereby, the feeding state of the recording paper can be detected.

  Accordingly, the control means (not shown) in the printer apparatus causes the recording sheet 33 to enter the photo sensor position if the light receiving element 65b of the photo sensor changes from the light detection state to the non-detection state in various operation modes in the color printing process. It can be determined that the recording paper 33 has come out, and if the light receiving element 65b changes from the non-light detection state to the light detection state, it can be determined that the recording paper 33 has left the position.

  As described above, the head system assembly 240 includes the thermal head unit 241 and the rotation drive mechanism 242 for driving the thermal head unit 241 to rotate. In the paper supply system assembly 230, in order to print each color layer of three colors and a transparent layer as an overcoat layer four times in total during color printing, the recording paper is printed with the thermal head 241a and the ink ribbon cassette 10. The image forming unit composed of the platen roller 236 and the like needs to be reciprocated a plurality of times. For this reason, the recording paper 33 taken into the printer apparatus main body 20 from the paper supply cassette 30 which is a paper holding unit is temporarily stored. A U-shaped conveyance path (hereinafter referred to as a U-shaped path) is formed by the two guide members 61 and 62 so as to pass through the image forming unit and be conveyed in the rear side direction (first direction A). The two guide members 61 and 62 are both formed of, for example, a metal plate that is not easily rusted. The reason why the conveyance path is U-shaped is that the linear conveyance path is shortened to reduce the size of the printer device. Guide members 63 and 64 are connected to the outer and inner guide members 61 and 62, respectively. A relatively flexible material is used for the guide member 63 connected to the outer guide member 61, and the tip portion comes into contact with the upper surface of the guide member 64 connected to the inner guide member 62. The guide member 64 also serves as a top plate that covers the paper feed system assembly 230 and the head system assembly 240.

  The thermal head mechanism 241 has a substantially L-shaped configuration in order to rotate the thermal head portion 241a, a thermal head portion 241a having a heat generating portion 241b, an arm portion 241c that rotatably supports the thermal head portion 241a. A rotation shaft 241d that is a rotation center provided at an end of the arm portion 241 is provided.

  In the ink ribbon 12 shown in FIG. 10, three colors of ink of yellow (Y) 12a, magenta (M) 12b, and cyan (C) 12c are arranged in order of each color as shown in FIG. A plurality of sets of ink groups each composed of an ink layer and an overcoat layer 12d, which is a transparent layer disposed behind each color ink layer, are applied in series so as to be arranged with a predetermined width in the longitudinal direction of the base film. Has been. In addition, the ink marker 12e for distinguishing the front and rear ink groups to cue each ink group is distinguished from the layers of yellow 12a and magenta 12b, magenta 12b and cyan 12c, cyan 12c and overcoat layer 12d. The ink marker 12f is applied as shown in FIG.

Next, the operation of the printer apparatus configured as described above will be described.
3 to 5 are side sectional views showing a state from the time of paper feeding to the time of paper ejection in the printer apparatus.

  When a necessary image is selected on the selection screen display of the liquid crystal display panel 28 by operating the operation button 27 and then the print button 26 is pressed, from the state of FIG. 1 to the paper removal state of FIG. The printing state and the paper discharge state shown in FIG. 5 are reached through a state in which printing is started after completion of paper feeding to the character path. In FIG. 5, each time the three colors and the transparent layer are printed, the recording paper 33 moves in the second direction B opposite to the first direction A from the state where the recording paper 33 exists in the U-shaped path of FIG. 4. In this case, the printing state is sent to the discharge path, and the recording sheet 33 is also discharged to the outside of the apparatus through the discharge path after the printing is completed. Similarly, in the printing start state after the paper feeding to the U-pass shown in FIG. 4 is completed, the recording paper 33 moves in the first direction A from the paper feeding state in FIG. The state in which the printing is started and printing is started, and each time the three color layers and the transparent layer are printed, the recording sheet 33 moves again in the first direction after printing each color as shown in FIG. Also shown is a print start state after being taken into the printer apparatus main body.

  In the state of FIG. 3, the paper take-out roller 34 rotates in the direction of the arrow in the drawing to take out the recording paper 33 in the paper feed cassette 30, and the recording paper 33 taken out of the cassette is fed to the paper feed path guide portion 35c. Shows a state in which it moves while contacting and contacting the lower surface of the paper guide member 38, pushes the tip of the guide member 38 upward against the elasticity of the guide member 38, and feeds it toward the paper feed roller 237 side. ing. At this time, the light from the light emitting element 65a is blocked by the recording paper 33, and the control means (not shown) determines that the recording paper 33 has been taken out from the paper feed cassette 30 and has entered the paper feeding state, and the next operation Get ready to go to state. In the state of FIG. 3, the thermal head portion 241a and the pinch roller 238 are in the standby position.

  When the recording paper 33 further enters the printer apparatus main body from the state of FIG. 3, the paper feed roller 237 rotates clockwise in the state shown in the figure and the pinch roller 238 presses against the paper feed roller 237 and simultaneously the recording paper 33 Are conveyed while being pinched between the pinch roller 238 and the paper feed roller 237. The state in which the recording paper 33 is conveyed to the last part in the U-shaped path formed by the two guide members 61 and 62 is the state shown in FIG.

  In the state of FIG. 4, the recording paper 33 is completely conveyed into the U-shaped path by the action of the paper feed roller 237 and the pinch roller 238, and the rear end (left end in the figure) of the recording paper 33 is removed from the paper feeding path. The thermal head portion 241a is rotated counterclockwise in the state shown in the figure around the rotation shaft 241d, and is positioned between the feeding path and the paper feed roller 237 (FIG. 10). (Reference) is pressed against the platen roller 236 and moved in the second direction B, and the heat of the heat generating portion 241 b is moved to transfer (print) the first color (yellow) ink of the ink ribbon 12 onto the recording paper 33. In this state, since the rear end (the left end in the drawing) of the recording paper 33 is removed from the paper feed path, the paper guide member 38 is elastic so that the front end 38a is the same as in the state of FIG. The state returns to the state of loose fitting (engagement) into the hole 35c1 of the portion 35c. That is, the sheet discharge path is automatically formed by the sheet guide member 38, the sheet discharge path guide portion 36b connected to the sheet guide member 38, and the molding member 37 facing the upper side thereof. The state of the recording paper transport position in FIG. 4 can be determined by a control means (not shown) by detecting the presence or absence of the paper by a photosensor comprising a light emitting element 65a and a light receiving element 65b.

  FIG. 5 shows a state where the recording paper 33 is printing in the first color while moving in the second direction B through the paper discharge path by the paper guide member 38 in the state of FIG. In this state, when the recording paper 33 is further moved in the second direction B and the rear end (right end in the drawing) of the recording paper 33 is conveyed to a corresponding position between the paper feed roller 237 and the platen roller 236, the first color 4 is finished, the paper feed roller 237 is reversed, and the recording paper 33 is conveyed again in the first direction A (at this time, the thermal head portion 241a takes the standby position), and finally the paper shown in FIG. The position state is reached and the second color printing start state is reached. When the second color is printed, the paper conveyance state shown in FIG. 5 is entered again. 4 and 5 are repeated, and in the state of FIG. 5 in which the last overcoat layer is thermally transferred, the recording paper 33 is conveyed in the second direction B through the paper discharge path, and the trailing edge of the paper ( The right end in the drawing) passes the paper feed roller 237, and the paper discharge is completed.

  FIG. 6 shows the positional relationship between members that form the paper feed path and paper discharge path, and paper guide members for switching between these paths.

  In FIG. 6, molding members 35, 36, and 37 for forming a guide portion for a paper feed path and a paper discharge path are formed using a hard synthetic resin or a metal plate that is not easily rusted. The paper feed path guide portion 35c in the forming member 35 is formed in a rounded shape (substantially circular) so that the recording paper 33 taken out from the paper feed cassette 30 can be smoothly conveyed to the image forming portion side. Hole portions 35c1 and 35c1 (see FIG. 7) in which the front end portions 38a and 38a of the paper guide member 38 whose front end side is formed in a W shape are loosely fitted are provided at the substantially uppermost portion of the paper feed path guide portion 35c. In addition, a light transmission hole (paper detection hole) 35c2 for a photosensor for detecting the paper conveyance state is provided.

  The paper guide member 38 is formed in a substantially W shape (see FIG. 8), and the linear end opposite to the front end side is a guide for paper discharge path of the forming member 36 by an engaging means such as an adhesive. It is attached to the part 36b.

  The upper forming member 37 is provided with a light transmitting hole (paper detection hole) 37a for a photosensor for detecting the conveyance state of the paper.

  The light emitting element 65a constituting the photosensor is disposed below the sheet feeding path and the sheet discharging path, the light receiving element 65b is disposed above these paths, and the infrared light from the light emitting element 65a is The light receiving element passes through the hole portion 35c2 of the paper feed path guide portion 35c, passes through the substantially W-shaped center (recess) where the member of the paper guide member 38 does not exist, and further passes through the hole portion 37a of the molding member 37. The light is received by 65b.

  FIG. 7 is a plan view showing the positional relationship between the paper guide member 38 and the holes 35c1, 35c2, and 35c1 formed in the paper feed path guide part 35c. At least the front end portion 38a of the substantially W-shape of the paper guide member 38 is engaged with holes 35c1 and 35c1 formed in the paper feed path guide portion 35c except for the feeding state after taking out the paper as shown in FIG. It is inserted (freely fitted) and is not located in the paper discharge path. The same applies to the case where the paper guide member 38 is formed in a substantially V shape as shown in FIG.

  The paper guide member 38 may be substantially W-shaped as shown in FIG. 8, or may be substantially V-shaped as shown in FIG. In the case of a substantially V shape, a hole 38b for allowing the light of the photosensor to pass is provided in a substantially central portion corresponding to the sensor 1, and the uppermost portion of the paper feeding path guide portion 35c One hole portion 35c1 that is loosely fitted to one tip portion 38a may be formed.

FIG. 3 is a side cross-sectional view illustrating a state before starting feeding in the printer apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. The top view which shows the structure of an ink ribbon. FIG. 3 is a side cross-sectional view illustrating a paper take-out state in the printer apparatus. FIG. 4 is a side cross-sectional view illustrating a state in which printing is started after completion of paper feeding to a U-shaped path in the printer device. FIG. 4 is a side cross-sectional view illustrating a printing state and a paper discharge state in the printer device. FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a positional relationship between members that form a sheet feeding path and a sheet discharging path and a sheet guide member for switching between these paths in FIG. 1. The top view which shows the arrangement | positioning relationship between hole part 35c1, 35c2, 35c1 formed in the paper guide member 38 and the guide part 35c for paper feed paths. The perspective view which shows one Embodiment of a paper guide member. The perspective view which shows other embodiment of a paper guide member. FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating an appearance of a printer device. FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view illustrating a printer apparatus main body.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Ink ribbon cassette 20 ... Printer apparatus main body 30 ... Paper feed cassette 33 ... Recording paper 34 ... Paper taking-out roller 35c ... Paper feed path guide part 35c1 ... Paper guide member front-end | entrance hole 38 ... Paper guide member 38a ... tips of paper guide members 65a and 65b ... photo sensor 220 ... main board 236 ... platen roller 237 ... paper feed roller 238 ... pinch roller 241a ... thermal head part

Claims (6)

An image forming unit that forms an image on a recording sheet , and includes a thermal head and a platen roller to which the thermal head can be pressed.
A paper cassette that stores the recording paper and can be disposed on the front surface of the apparatus main body;
A sheet holding section for feeding to the image forming unit by sending the recording sheet in a first direction holds the recording paper,
A paper discharge path for sending the recording paper on which an image has been formed in the image forming section in a second direction opposite to the first direction and discharging the recording paper to the outside of the apparatus main body;
The recording paper delivered from the paper feed cassette is conveyed in the first direction and fed between the thermal head and the platen roller in a separated state, and an image is recorded in the image forming unit. After being formed on the sheet , the sheet is fed in a second direction opposite to the first direction and discharged to the outside of the main body of the apparatus. A paper guide member by elastic force that guides the recording paper to the paper discharge path ,
Comprising
The paper guide member has an elastic free end portion arranged to extend toward a joining portion between a paper feed path for feeding paper from the paper holding section to the image forming section and the paper discharge path. Have
The free end portion is arranged so that the paper can be fed in the first direction against its elasticity when the paper is fed from the paper holding unit to the image forming unit. The sheet becomes deformable so as to secure a feeding path toward the image forming unit, and when the sheet is discharged from the image forming unit in the second direction, the sheet is discharged. The free end is disposed at a position where the leading end of the free end is out of the paper discharge path, and the paper is guided to the paper discharge path.
In addition, a light emitting element that is arranged at a position where the paper to be fed is sandwiched between the paper feeding path and the paper discharging path at the free end and detects the feeding state of the paper And a portion that does not interfere with light emitted from the light emitting element to the light receiving element in the photosensor having the light receiving element,
Furthermore, the free end portion has a substantially V-shaped hole and a hole formed in the substantially V-shaped portion that functions as a portion that does not hinder light emitted from the light emitting element to the light receiving element. Alternatively , the printer apparatus includes a notch portion formed in the substantially W-shaped portion that exhibits a substantially W-shape and functions as a portion that does not interfere with light emitted from the light-emitting element to the light-receiving element. . The paper feed cassette includes a lid that can be closed by leaving the front end portion of the front portion of the case, and the recording paper and the paper take-out roller contact when the paper feed cassette is disposed in the printer apparatus body. The printer apparatus according to claim 1. 3. The printer apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the recording sheet is reciprocated a plurality of times with respect to the image forming unit having the thermal head unit, a platen roller, and an ink ribbon cassette.   The printer device according to claim 1, wherein an opening is formed in an inner chassis of the printer device main body on the ink ribbon cassette insertion side.   A frame having side plate portions arranged to face each other, a shaft member pivotally supported at both ends between the side plate portions, a rotatable platen roller disposed parallel to the shaft member, and a platen roller The printer device according to claim 1, further comprising a thermal head portion that is detachably disposed.   The printer apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a battery is detachably disposed at a rear end portion of the printer apparatus main body.

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