JP4683786B2 - Printer - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a printer that prints on a cut sheet.
[0002]
[Prior art]
As the number of users who use mobile terminals such as mobile phones and PDAs increases, there is a demand for compact printers that can be carried with these mobile terminals and can be easily printed instead of memos anytime and anywhere. For this reason, there is a demand for a small and thin printer that can print on A6 size (105 mm × 148 mm) or smaller sheet paper.
[0003]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
For this reason, development of a very thin printer having a thickness of about several millimeters to 1 cm as a portable printer is underway. Even such a printer having a thickness of several millimeters can store several tens of cut sheets, and can store a similar amount of cut sheets as a discharge stocker. What can be supported is desired. It is considered that a partition plate that moves in parallel in the space for storing the cut sheet paper is provided, and when the paper is fed for printing, the partition plate is moved to use the empty space as a space for storing the printed paper. It is done. However, the mechanism for moving the partition plate in parallel inside the paper storage space is complicated and difficult to store in the thin printer housing. Furthermore, there is a problem that it is difficult to take out the printed paper discharged in the vacant space.
[0004]
Accordingly, the present invention provides a printer that can effectively use a space that is consumed by printing with a simple configuration, and that can easily take out printed paper that has been discharged into the space. The purpose is to do.
[0005]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In the present invention, a paper storage unit that can store a plurality of cut sheets, a stocker located above the paper storage unit, and a first side of the paper storage unit, is fed from the paper storage unit. A partition that separates the printing unit that prints on the cut sheet paper and discharges it to the stocker, and the sheet storage unit and the stocker, with the second end on the second side away from the printing unit as a fulcrum. And a partition plate whose first end on the side is movable in the vertical direction.
[0006]
In the printer of the present invention, the printing unit is provided on one side or the end of the paper storage unit, and the printed paper is discharged to the stocker from the first side which is the paper supply side of the paper storage unit. . For this reason, the partition plate that partitions the stocker and the paper storage unit does not slide in the vertical direction as a whole, but is separated from the printing unit, that is, the second side opposite to the first side that is the paper feeding side. By moving the first end on the first side up and down with the second end on the side as a fulcrum, the stocker and the paper storage portion can be partitioned. That is, by rotating the first end of the partition plate downward as the cut sheet in the paper storage unit is consumed, the space of the stocker for receiving the printed cut sheet is increased above the partition plate, and printing is performed. It is possible to accept a cut sheet discharged from the section.
[0007]
Further, the first end of the partition plate serving as the bottom of the stocker turns around the second end. Accordingly, the printed cut sheet sheets stacked in order on the top of the sheet sheets are accommodated in the interior using the empty space of the sheet storage unit at the rear end located on the first end of the partition plate. . For this reason, it is possible to prevent the printed cut sheet from being separated. On the other hand, the leading edge of the cut sheet located on the second end of the partition plate is stacked on the upper part of the sheet storage unit. For this reason, it is possible to easily remove the printed cut sheet. Accordingly, it is possible to provide a printer that can hold a printed sheet reliably while being a printer having a small thickness, and can be easily removed.
[0008]
In the printer of the present invention, the pickup roller is disposed on the first side of the paper storage unit, so that the cut sheet of the paper storage unit is sandwiched between the first end of the partition plate and the pickup roller and fed to the printing unit. can do. Furthermore, by providing a pressure plate on the partition plate that elastically presses the cut sheet in the sheet storage unit against the pickup roller, the cut sheet can be reliably fed by the pickup roller.
[0009]
This pressure plate may be provided as a member different from the partition plate on the side of the paper storage section of the partition plate, and the first end of the partition plate may be used as the pressure plate. In this case, it is possible to press the pressure plate against the pickup roller by providing a connection member that connects the upper part of the second side of the paper storage unit and the pressure plate and using the connection member as a plate spring. Thus, it is possible to provide a partition plate having a simple configuration that also functions as a bottom plate that presses the cut sheet paper against the pickup roller, and the number of parts can be reduced, so that the configuration is suitable for a compact printer. In this case, it is possible to configure a part of the bottom wall of the stocker and a part of the upper wall of the paper storage unit by the pressure plate.
[0010]
In the printer of the present invention, since the first end of the partition plate moves downward to make a space for receiving the cut sheet, the resistance that the cut sheet receives is small. Therefore, the feed roller for the final paper feed for paper discharge is installed away from the paper discharge port, and the end of the cut paper is being pushed by the leading edge of the next paper and is completely in the stocker. This is suitable for a printer having a paper path for discharging paper, and can smoothly discharge printed paper to the stocker without paper jam.
[0011]
In addition, a paper guide that does not move up and down is provided above the first end of the partition plate in the stocker, and supports the cut sheet discharged between the paper guide and the first end of the partition plate. By doing so, it is possible to hold the trailing edge of the sheet so that it is less likely to be separated. Therefore, even if the printer is used in a state where the second side is slightly upward with respect to the first side and is inclined or standing, the printed cut sheet can be reliably stocked.
[0012]
The printing unit may be an inkjet system, but if a line thermal head is used, a platen roller that prints between the line thermal head and the cut sheet paper is provided, and the paper is fed along the platen roller. Thus, it is possible to easily configure a paper path for feeding the printed cut sheet paper above the pressure plate. In addition, the line thermal method is compact because there is no consumable such as ink, and is suitable for a portable printer.
[0013]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
A printer according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the external appearance of a printer according to the present invention. The printer 1 of this example has an A6 size heat-sensitive single-cut sheet (hereinafter, paper, sheet or thermal paper) or a smaller size, for example, A7 size (74 mm × 105 mm), A8 size (52 mm × 74 mm). It is a printer capable of printing on paper, and has a paper storage unit 11 capable of storing papers of these sizes, and a printing unit 12 connected to one side 11a of the paper storage unit 11, and these paper storage units 11 The printing unit 12 is housed in a thin box-shaped housing 2. Further, the upper surface of the paper storage unit 11, that is, the upper wall 4 of the housing 2 constituting the upper part of the paper storage unit 11, or the paper 2 on which the upper surface 4 of the front wall is printed serves as a stocker 5 that is discharged and accumulated. On the first side 11 a of the paper storage unit 11, a printing unit 12 adjacent to the paper storage unit 11 is disposed. The printing unit 12 prints the printing paper fed from the first side 11 a, and the printed paper 2 is placed on the bottom surface 4 of the stocker 5 on the top surface of the paper storage unit 11, and is the first feeding side. The sheet is discharged from the side 11a. Then, the leading edge of the cut sheet 2 is fed toward the second side 11b opposite to the printing unit 12 and accumulated in order.
[0014]
Further, a transparent paper guide 6 is disposed on the first side 11 a of the paper storage unit 11, that is, on the printing unit 12 side of the stocker 5 so as to cover the paper discharge port 13 of the printing unit 12. . For this reason, when the printed paper 3 is discharged from the paper discharge port 13, the leading end thereof is guided to the guide 6, and is sequentially accumulated on the paper accumulated in the stocker 5. In addition, the printer 1 of this example is not shown in the figure, but a mobile computer such as a mobile phone or a PDA as a host, a desktop type, or a notebook type personal computer via an appropriate interface for data transmission / reception such as a USB interface or an infrared interface. Data for printing can be received from the computer.
[0015]
FIG. 2 shows a schematic configuration of the printer 1 of this example using a cross-sectional view. Below the first side 11 a inside the paper storage unit 11, a pickup roller 17 that separates the paper 3 stored in the paper storage unit 11 one by one and supplies it to the printing unit 12 is disposed. Further, the upper portion of the paper storage unit 11 is constituted by a partition plate 30 that rotates around one end (second end) 30 b of a side (second side) 11 b away from the printing unit 12 as a center 39. The partition plate 30 pivots around the second end 30b so that the first end 30a on the printing unit 12 side (first side) moves up and down. The first end 30 a is a pressure plate 31 that presses or presses the sheet 3 toward the pickup roller 17 with the pickup roller 17 and the leading end 3 a of the sheet 3 interposed therebetween. In addition, a connection member 33 is provided between the pressure plate 31 and the second end 30b. In this example, the connection member 33 is made of metal or resin and functions as a plate spring, and the pressure plate 31 is applied toward the pickup roller 17. Press.
[0016]
In the printer 1 of the present example, an upper housing 32 that extends slightly toward the printing unit 12 and does not move up and down is formed on the second side 11 b of the paper storage unit 11. A second end 30 b of the partition plate 30 is attached, and the partition plate 30 is an extended portion of the upper housing 32. Therefore, the upper housing 32 and the partition plate 30 constitute the upper wall of the paper storage unit 11 and the bottom wall of the stocker 5. For this reason, the paper storage unit 11 and the stocker 5 are partitioned by the partition plate 30 that pivots around the second end 30b, and a common space can be used for paper storage and stocker.
[0017]
The printing unit 12 includes a line thermal head (hereinafter, thermal head) 15 disposed above and a platen roller 16 disposed below the line thermal head. Further, a paper guide 21 having a substantially parallelogram in cross section is disposed between the platen roller 16 and the pickup roller 17. The lower surface 21 a of the paper guide 21 serves as a guide for guiding the paper 3 picked up by the pickup roller 17 to the lower side of the platen roller 16, and the upper surface 21 b holds the printed paper 3 sandwiched between the platen roller 16 and the thermal head 15. A guide that guides the paper outlet 6 of the stocker 5 in the direction of the paper guide 6.
[0018]
Further, on the rear side (right side of the drawing) of the platen roller 16, a paper feed guide 24 having a guide whose inner surface is curved so that the paper 3 advances along the platen roller 16, and the paper feed guide 24 is attached to the platen roller 16. A spring 25 is arranged to urge toward it. For this reason, when the platen roller 16 is driven by the drive motor 18, the paper 3 picked up by the pickup roller 17 passes through the lower surface 21 a of the paper guide 21, and the peripheral surface of the platen roller 16 by the action of the paper feed guide 24. And from the paper discharge port 13 to the end 5 a on the first side 11 a of the stocker 5, that is, on the first end 30 a of the partition plate 30. The paper is ejected. As described above, the printing unit 12 of the present example includes the paper path 20 that prints the paper 3 fed from the first side 11 a of the paper storage unit 11 and discharges the paper 3 to the first side 11 a of the stocker 5. ing.
[0019]
When printing with the printer 1 of this example, first, the paper guide 6 positioned above the pressure plate 31 at the first end of the partition plate 30 is swung (turned clockwise in FIG. 2), and then Then, the partition plate 30 and the upper housing 32 constituting the upper wall of the paper storage unit 11 are turned with respect to the housing 2 about the hinge 38 (in FIG. 2, it is turned counterclockwise). As a result, the sheet storage unit 11 is completely opened, so that a bundle of sheets 3 can be replenished, or a sheet bundle packaged in a paper package can be put as it is.
[0020]
In the printer 1 of this example, when the paper 3 is printed and consumed, the pressure plate 31 is moved downward by the plate spring 33 as shown in FIG. That is, the partition plate 30 pivots downward about the second end 30b. As a result, the paper 3 remaining on the pressure plate 31 is pressed against the pickup roller 17 and the paper is smoothly fed. Therefore, the space S <b> 2 for holding the unprinted paper 3 between the pressure plate 31 and the pickup roller 17 becomes smaller as the paper supply from the paper storage unit 11 is repeatedly performed.
[0021]
On the other hand, when the first end 30a of the partition plate 30 pivots downward, the space above the first end 30a, that is, the space on the first side 5a of the stocker 5 increases, and the paper guide 6 does not move up and down. The space widens. As a result, the space S1 for receiving the printed paper is increased above the partition plate 30, particularly above the pressure plate 31 at the first end 30a.
[0022]
Therefore, the cross-sectional shape of the stocker 5 is deformed into an inclined shape in which the first end 5 a on the printing unit 12 side is on the bottom and the opposite second end 5 b is connected to the upper housing 32. Then, at the first end 5 a below the deformed stocker 5, the first end 30 a of the partition plate 30 is lowered to reveal the storage portion 11, and the end 3 b of the printed paper 3 is held in the space. At the same time, the lower end 3 b of the paper 3 is held by the pressure plate 31 and the upper side is held by the paper guide 6. For this reason, the printed paper 3 is held in the stocker 5 in a well-prepared state, and does not fall apart even if the printer 1 is vibrated or swung somewhat. On the other hand, at the second end 5 b of the stocker 5, the front end 3 a of the printed paper 3 is sequentially stacked on the upper housing 32 and discharged. Since the upper portion of the upper housing 32 is opened upward without a side wall, the leading ends 3a of the sheets are stacked in a free state. Therefore, the user can easily pick up the printed paper 3.
[0023]
Further, in the paper path 20 of the printer 1 of this example, the platen roller 16 as the final feed roller for paper discharge and the first end 5 a of the stocker 5 where the paper discharge port 13 is located via the paper guide 21. Is slightly away. Therefore, the end 3 b of the sheet 3 cannot be pushed directly to the stocker 5 by the platen roller 16. For this reason, the tip 15a on the stocker side of the thermal head 15 protrudes slightly in the direction of the paper guide 21 like a nose, and from there, the paper 3 is guided upward by the paper guide 21, and further, the end 5a of the stocker 5 is discharged. The paper 3 is guided downward by the paper guide 6 covering the paper mouth 13. By using such a paper path 20, the end 3 b of the paper 3 away from the platen roller 16 is curved upward and is pushed downward by the nose portion 15 a of the thermal head 15, and the leading edge of the next paper 3 3a always overlaps the previous paper 3. Then, the next sheet also curves upward and overlaps the previous sheet 3. Therefore, the end 3 b of the previous paper 3 is pushed out to the stocker 5 by the frictional force with the next paper 3.
[0024]
At that time, in the printer 1 of this example, the pressure plate 31 that is the bottom plate of the end 5a of the discharge port of the stocker 5 is the partition plate 30, so that the pressure plate 31 and the paper covering the discharge port 13 above the pressure plate 31 are lowered. A sufficient gap is secured between the guide 6 and the guide 6. Therefore, the paper 3 pushed out from the paper discharge port 13 is output to the stocker 5 with almost no resistance. For this reason, as described above, the platen roller 16 and the stocker 5 are slightly separated from each other, and the paper 3 can be smoothly discharged even when the paper end 3b is pushed and discharged by the leading edge 3a of the next paper. I can make paper.
[0025]
As described above, in the printer 1 of this example, the printing unit 12 is provided on the first side 11a of the paper storage unit 11, and after the fed paper 3 is printed, the printing unit 12 is discharged from the same first side to the stocker 5. By providing the paper path 20 for paper, the printed paper 3 can be discharged into a vacant space S1 on the revolving partition plate 30. For this reason, when the paper 3 in the paper storage unit 11 is fed and reduced for printing, the partition plate 30 turns and the pressure plate 31 moves downward, so that the amount of the paper 3 reduced above the pressure plate 31 is reduced. A corresponding space is formed, and a sufficient space for the stocker 5 is always secured. Therefore, in the printer 1 of this example, if there is a space that functions as the paper storage unit 11 for setting the paper 3 at the beginning of printing after newly setting paper, the printer 1 functions as the stocker 5 according to printing. Space is also secured. For this reason, it is not necessary to provide a space as the stocker 5 separately from the paper storage unit 11, and a very thin printer can be provided although it is the printer 1 having the function as the stocker 5.
[0026]
Further, in the printer 1 of this example, the paper storage unit 11 and the stocker 5 are partitioned by the partition plate 30 that pivots about the one end 30b on the upper housing 32 side, so that the paper 3 discharged to the stocker 5 is The tip 3a is held above the housing 2 and the end 3b is held in the housing 2, and the tip 3a becomes free. Therefore, in the stocker 5, the printed paper 3 is not easily scattered and is held in a state where the user can easily pick it up. Since the portable compact printer 1 may be printed while being held by the user's hand, it is desirable that the printed paper 3 does not fall apart due to slight vibration or inclination. Since the size is small, it is desirable to discharge in a state where it can be easily picked up. The printer 1 of the present example can discharge printed sheets so as to satisfy these conditions and store them in the stocker 5 and is suitable for a compact and portable printer.
[0027]
Further, in the printer 1 of this example, the paper guide 6 is provided above the first end 5a of the stocker 5, that is, above the pressure plate 31 of the partition plate 30, and the paper guide 6 on which the paper guide 6 is printed is provided. The leading edge 3a is guided and stacked on the stocker 5 in order, and the function of holding the stacked sheet end 3b from above is achieved. The second end 30b serving as the turning center 39 of the partition plate 30 is located at a position sufficiently away from the first end 30a, the turning radius of the leaf spring 33 is sufficiently large, and the pressure plate 31 faces downward. When moved, a sufficient gap is formed between the leaf spring 33 and the paper guide 6. For this reason, the printed paper 3 can be discharged into the gap. Further, by making the turning radius of the partition plate 30 sufficiently large, the left and right movements of the pressure plate 31 when moving up and down are reduced, and it is easy to maintain a constant pressure on the pickup roller 17. As described above, in order to increase the turning radius of the leaf spring 33, it is desirable that the turning center 39 of the partition plate 30 is brought close to the second end 5b of the stocker to reduce the area of the upper housing 32 as much as possible. Therefore, it is desirable that the turning center 39 be close to the other end 5b as long as an appropriate elastic force can be obtained by simply pressing the pressure plate 31 as the leaf spring 33.
[0028]
Furthermore, in the printer 1 of this example, the pressure plate 31 is pressurized by the plate spring 33 that also serves as a connection member, but it is also possible to apply pressure to another appropriate elastic member such as a coil spring. Even in this case, in order to smoothly guide the sheet discharged onto the pressure plate 31 to the upper housing 32, the pressure plate 31 and the upper housing 32 are connected by a connecting member that can be deformed as the pressure plate 31 moves. It is desirable to connect them. Therefore, the printer 1 of the present example using the leaf spring 33 serving both as a connecting member and an elastic member is a preferred embodiment of the present invention because the number of parts is small and the housing can be made compact.
[0029]
In the printer 1 of this example, the partition plate 30 including the pressure plate 31 and the leaf spring 33 becomes a part of the upper wall of the paper storage unit 11 and a part of the lower wall of the stocker 5, and the housing of the printer 1. It also functions as a part of. Further, for the purpose of achieving uniformity in the appearance of the printer 1, an appropriate decorative plate can be provided on the pressure plate 31 or the plate spring 33. Further, the upper portion of the paper storage unit 11 is substantially closed by the pressure plate 31, the leaf spring 33, or a decorative plate provided in addition thereto, so that the unprinted paper stored inside can be heated. It can be protected from light.
[0030]
Furthermore, the printing unit 12 is not limited to a thermal head, and may be another type of printer such as an ink jet system in which a head having ink jet nozzles moves in a scanning direction. However, as described above, the printer of this example includes a paper storage unit and a stocker suitable for a compact and very thin printer. In this respect, the line thermal method does not move the head, and ink or the like. Since there is no consumable, it is compact with the simplest configuration and is suitable as a portable printer to which the present invention is applied. Also, the printable paper is not limited to the A6 size or smaller, and the present invention can be applied to a printer that can print to A5 or larger.
[0031]
In the above description, the state in which the printer 1 is placed horizontally is described as an example. However, in the stocker 5, the rear end 3b of the printed paper is accommodated in an empty space in the paper storage unit 11, and the paper guide 6 and the pressure plate 31 are held. Therefore, the paper storage unit 11 can be used upright in a substantially vertical state so that it is above the printing unit 12. For this reason, it is not only installed on the desktop but also used in various forms, such as holding it by hand, using it like a photo stand, or hanging it on the back of a liquid crystal panel. be able to.
[0032]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, the printer of the present invention is a printer that can use the empty space of the paper storage unit as a stocker to store printed cut sheet paper, and further, the front end of the stocked paper Appears on the housing, so it is easy to pick up printed paper. Therefore, it is possible to provide a printer that is compact, thin and suitable for carrying, and that is easy to use printed paper.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an external appearance of a printer according to the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view illustrating an outline of an internal configuration of the printer of the present example.
FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a state in which printing has progressed in the printer of this example.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Printer 2 Housing 3 Thermal paper 4 Printer surface 5 Stocker 6 Paper guide 11 Paper storage part 11a First side 11b Second side 15 Line thermal head 16 Platen roller 17 Pickup roller 20 Paper path 30 Partition plate 30a First End 30b second end 31 pressure plate 32 upper housing 33 leaf spring 39 center of rotation of leaf spring

Claims (7)

A paper storage unit capable of storing a plurality of cut sheets,
A stocker located above the paper storage section;
A printing unit disposed on the first side of the paper storage unit, which prints on a cut sheet fed from the paper storage unit and discharges it to the stocker;
A partition plate for partitioning the paper storage unit and the stocker, wherein the first end on the first side is movable up and down with the second end on the second side away from the printing unit as a fulcrum It has a and a partition plate,
The printer is provided with a paper path for discharging a paper sheet when the end of the paper sheet being discharged is pushed by the leading edge of the next paper sheet .   2. The pick-up roller according to claim 1, wherein the pickup roller is disposed on the first side in the paper storage unit and feeds the cut sheet of the paper storage unit to the printing unit with the first end of the partition plate interposed therebetween. Having a printer.   3. The printer according to claim 2, wherein the partition plate includes a pressure plate that is positioned at the first end and elastically presses the cut sheet paper against the pickup roller.   4. The printer according to claim 3, wherein the partition plate includes a connection member that connects an upper portion on the second side of the sheet storage portion and the pressure plate. 5.   The printer according to claim 4, wherein the connection member is a leaf spring. In any one of claims 1 to 5, in the stocker, above the first end of the partition plate, a printer having a paper guide does not move up and down. In any one of claims 3 to 5, wherein the printing unit includes a line thermal head and paper feeding noncontinuous media after printing above the pressure plate with printing across the line thermal head and noncontinuous media A printer having a platen roller.

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