JPH0298470A - Recording device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To make possible the limitation of the required number of drive sources to only one and ensure that the subject device is simple and works accurately by permitting a single displacement value conversion device to occupy from the first to the fourth position and also the device to be mechanically interlocked to this action for the movement of a recording head and a pinch roller and the control of a paper feed device. CONSTITUTION:If a sensor detects the tip of recording paper, a motor drives a cam and allows it to rotate until the cam reaches the second position where point B agrees with point O. After the completion of paper feed synchronized with the rotation of the motor, the cam is allowed to rotate until it reaches the first position where point A coincides with point O. The motion of a thermal head contacting a platen under pressure is synchronized with the rotation of the cam. After the completion of the first color recording, the cam is allowed to rotate to the second position. A switching pawl for recording paper transport path is positioned so that the paper is guided to a discharge path. Therefore, after the discharge of the paper, the cam is permitted to rotate until it reaches the fourth position where point D meets point O. The linking joint 104a is displaced to a position where the thermal head is parked further from the platen to complete a recording sequence.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a recording device such as a thermal printer, and more particularly to a recording device equipped with a plurality of sheets of recording paper and an automatic paper feeding device that automatically feeds the paper. .

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of an example of a conventional recording apparatus. In the figure, 201 is a thermal head, 202 is a solenoid that is connected to the thermal head 201 and moves it up and down, 203 is a platen rotatably provided at a position facing the thermal head 201, 204 is a capstan, and 205 is a A pinch roller 206 is provided opposite to the capstan 204, a pinch roller support member 206 pivotally supports the pinch roller 205 at both ends thereof, and a solenoid 207 is connected to the pinch roller support member 206. 208 is a step motor, which is connected to the capstan 204 via a gear train (not shown). 209 is a picker roller, 210 is a separate roller, 211 is a paper feed belt stretched between both rollers, and 212 is a reverse roller provided at a position opposite to the separate roller 210.

213 is a motor connected to the separate roller 210. The separate roller 210 and the reverse roller 212 are connected through a gear and a friction clutch (not shown), and the contact points between the separate roller 210 and the reverse roller 212 are provided with driving forces in opposite directions. 214
215 is a stack formed by stacking a plurality of sheets of recording paper, and 215 is a push-up die that contacts and supports the bottom layer of the stack 214.

216 is a solenoid connected to the push-up die 215. 2
Reference numeral 17 denotes a recording paper conveyance path switching claw that is linked to the push-up die 215, 218 a paper discharge roller connected to the motor 213, and 219 a paper discharge tray.

An ink sheet 220 is wound up between a supply reel 221 and a take-up reel 222, and inks of three colors, Y and MIC, are sequentially applied to the sheet. In FIG. 4, the centers of rotation of the elements are marked with crosses to distinguish them.

The operation of the apparatus configured as above will be explained.

When an instruction signal to start recording is sent, the apparatus performs a paper feeding operation. The solenoids 202, 207, and 216 are operated to bring the stack 214 into contact with the paper feed belt 211, to separate the pinch roller 205 from the capstan 204, and to separate the thermal head 201 from the platen 203. In this state, the motor 213 is rotated to rotate the separate roller 210, picker roller 209, and paper feed belt 211 in the direction of conveying the recording paper to the recording section. The picker roller 209 comes into contact with the top layer of recording paper in the stack 214 and conveys the recording paper toward the recording section. One sheet of recording paper is separated by a separation roller 210 and a reverse roller 212, and is conveyed between a capstan 204 and a pinch roller 205, and between a platen 203 and a thermal spatula l'201 (7). Here, the motor 213 is stopped and the solenoid 21θ is operated to separate the stack 214 and the reverse roller 212 from the paper feed belt 211. Next, the solenoid 207 is operated to press the pinch roller 205 against the capstan 204. The step motor 208 is rotated to further convey the recording paper to the recording start position. At this point, the rotation of the step motor 208 is stopped, the feeding of the recording paper is stopped, and the paper feeding operation is completed.

After completing the paper feeding operation, the first color is recorded.

The solenoid 202 and the solenoid 216 are operated to bring the thermal head 201 into pressure contact with the platen 203 via the recording paper and ink sheet, and to separate the stack 214 from the paper feed belt 211.

The step motor 208 is driven to reverse the capstan 204, and while feeding the recording paper and ink sheet together, the heating element of the thermal head 201 is heated, and the ink on the surface of the ink sheet is transferred to the recording paper to perform recording. .

After finishing recording the first color, the solenoid 202 is operated to separate the thermal head 201 from the platen 203, the step motor 208 is reversed, the recording paper is conveyed to the recording start position, and 2. Record the third color.

When the recording of the third color is completed, the step motor 208 and the motor 213 are driven while the recording paper is guided to the ejection path by the recording paper conveyance path switching claw 217, and the capstan 20
4 and a paper ejection roller 218, the recording paper is ejected.

After the recording paper is ejected, the solenoids 202 and 207 are operated to separate the thermal head 201 from the platen 203 and the pinch roller 205 from the capstan 204, thereby completing the series of printing operations.

However, the above-mentioned apparatus has a problem in that the apparatus becomes complicated because drive sources are required for moving the thermal head into and out of contact, the pinch roller into and out of contact, and the stack into and out of contact.

Furthermore, since the pinch roller is stationary apart from the capstan during paper feeding, there is a problem in that the leading edge of the fed recording paper hits the pinch roller, causing jamming. This will be explained using the explanatory diagram of FIG. The conveyance guide 224 for the recording paper 223 is cut out at the location where the pinch roller 205 and capstan 206 are present, and the pinch roller 205 and capstan 20B are cut out.
is within the recording paper transport path. If the leading edge of the recording paper 223 hits the pinch roller 205, the path of the recording paper 223 is obstructed, thereby causing jamming.

This is particularly likely to occur with thin recording paper.

As shown in FIG. 6, a method can also be considered in which the pinch roller 205 and the capstan 206 are brought into pressure contact during paper feeding, and the paper is fed while rotating in the direction in which the recording paper is pulled in. In this case, the leading edge of the recording paper 223 Even if the recording paper 223 hits the pinch roller 205, since the pinch roller 205 is rotating, the recording paper 223 is conveyed without stopping there, and no jamming occurs.

Problems to be Solved by the Invention However, in general, in order to accurately convey the recording paper 223, a considerably strong pinch roller pressure contact force is required to prevent slippage between the recording paper 223 and the capstan 206. In this state, the recording paper 223 resists the pressure force of the pinch roller and bites into the space between the pinch roller and the capstan. This problem was particularly noticeable when the recording paper 223 was thick.

Means for Solving the Problems The present invention engages a paper feed control means, a recording head support means, and a pinch roller support means, and moves them to a first position, a second position, and a third position by moving in the same displacement direction. and a fourth position, and is capable of reciprocally moving, and when the displacement m converting means is in the first position, the recording head supporting means positions the recording head at the recording position, and the pinch roller The support means positions the pinch roller at the pressure contact position, the paper feed control means disables the paper feed means, and the displacement amount conversion means is interlocked with the movement operation of moving from the first position to the second position. The recording head support means retracts the recording head to the retracted position, and in conjunction with the movement operation in which the displacement amount conversion means moves from the second position to the third position, the pinch roller support means moves the pinch roller to the release position. The paper feeding control means operates the paper feeding means, and in conjunction with the movement of the displacement m conversion means from the third position to the fourth position, the paper feeding control means operates the paper feeding means. It is characterized by being activated.

Further, in the present invention, a recording paper detecting means is disposed on the opposite side of the paper feeding section with respect to the capstan, and when the paper feeding section feeds the recording paper, the pressure contact means applies a pressure contact force P1 to the pinch roller. When the driving means rotates the capstan 1 and the recording paper detecting means detects recording paper, the pressing means applies a pressing force P2 to the pinch roller, and the P! The present invention is characterized in that recording is performed such that the relationship between Pa>P and the PR is such that Pa>P,>0.

Operation In the present invention, one displacement converting means is set at the first to fourth positions, and this movement is mechanically linked to move the recording head, move the pinch roller, and control the paper feeding means. Because of this, only one driving source is required, which simplifies the device and ensures reliable operation.

In addition, when feeding paper, the pinch roller and capstan are brought into contact with a weak pressure contact force, and the paper is fed while rotating in the direction in which the recording paper is pulled in. After the recording paper has passed between the capstan and the pinch roller, the pinch roller Since the capstan and the capstan are pressed together with a strong pressure, jamming of the recording paper is prevented without applying a large rotational load to the capstan.

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

FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram showing an embodiment of a recording apparatus according to the present invention. In the figure, 101 is a thermal head, in which a plurality of line-shaped heating elements 10 are arranged in the longitudinal direction.
The thermal head 101 has one end 103a.
is fixed to a head arm 103 that is pivotally supported on a fixed shaft. 104, 105, 106, 107, and 108 are a group of links, one end of which is supported by a fixed shaft, and the other end of which is supported by a fixed shaft.
It is connected to a spring 109 at 8a. Furthermore, the link 108 is locked to the protrusion 110 at the notch 108b. A node 104a connecting link 104 and link 105
is engaged with the groove 111a of the cam 111. 112 is a platen provided opposite to the thermal head 101; 113;
is a capstan, and the capstan 113 is connected to a stepping motor 114 via a gear train (not shown).

115 is a pinch roller disposed opposite to the capstan, and 116 is a pinch roller arm that pivotally supports the pinch roller 115 at one end. Pinch roller arm 116
The other end is provided with an elongated hole 116a whose longitudinal direction is the rotation direction of the pinch roller arm 116. 117 is a pinch roller arm suppression lever, and the pin 11 provided at one end
7a engages the pinch roller arm 116.

Furthermore, the pinch roller arm pressing lever 117 is
17b is connected to the spring 118, and the cam 111
It is provided so that it can come into contact with the cam protrusion 111c.

The details of the cam 111 will be explained using FIG. 2.

The cam 111 has two cam members 111e on a rotating shaft 111d.
, 1llf is just around the corner. The cam member 111f has a cam groove 111a on its inner surface and a cam protrusion 111c on its outer surface. The cam member 111e has a cam groove 111g on the inner surface.
A cam groove 111b is provided on the outer surface. Cam groove 1
11g is not shown in the figure, but the cam groove 111a
It is formed symmetrically. The cam groove 111a is the link node 1
04a, the cam groove 111b engages with the pin 131, and the cam protrusion 111c is in a position where it can come into contact with the pinch roller arm pressing lever 117.

FIG. 3 shows a view of the cam protrusion 111c viewed from the M direction.

Referring again to FIG. 2, the shapes of the cam groove and the cam protrusion will be explained. AlB and C1D are placed on the outer periphery of the cam 111 in counterclockwise order at intervals of 90 degrees. Horizontal direction is Y
The vertical direction is the Y axis, and the intersection of the Y axis and the outer periphery of the cam 111 is zero. The figure shows a state where O and A match. The cam 111 is rotatable from 0 degrees to 270 degrees in the direction of the hour hand from the state shown in the figure around the rotation axis 111d.

When the cam 111 is in the position shown in the figure where 0 and A match, it is the first device, and the position where O and B match is the second position, 0.
If the positions where C and C match are rat, rm2, rd, and ram for the third and fourth positions, respectively, then ra
The relationship is t>rsa≧raa>rl. Next, regarding the cam groove 111b, change the distance between the center of the rotating shaft 111d and the center of the pin 131 at the first position, the second position, and the third position.
r++, r b2 for the fourth position and the fourth position, respectively.
, r bs, rl4, then ri+a>rb+=rb
The relationship a=rb is established. Next, the cam protrusion 111
Regarding c, when the cam 111 is in the first position and the second position, the cam protrusion 111c is separated from the pinch roller arm pressing lever 117, and when the cam 111 is in the third position and the fourth position, the cam protrusion 111c is separated from the pinch roller arm pressing lever 117. Protrusion 111c
is configured to engage with the pinch roller arm pressing lever 117.

Referring again to FIG. 1, when the cam 111 and the pinch roller arm pressing lever 117 are apart, the spring 118
The tensile force is transmitted to the pinch roller 115 via the pinch roller arm pressing lever 117 and the pinch roller arm 116, and presses the pinch roller 115 against the capstan 113.

When the cam 111 and the pinch roller arm pressing lever 117 are in contact with each other, the tensile force of the spring 118 is
Supported by When the cam 111 moves against the tension of the spring 118, the pinch roller arm pressing lever 11
7 is linked to the cam 111, but the pinch roller arm 11
6 does not come into contact with the pin 117a and does not interlock with the pin 117a due to the tolerance of the He hole 116a. Therefore, the pinch roller 115 does not move away from the capstan 113, but presses against the capstan 113 with a light pressure due to its own weight.

119 is a picker roller, 120 is a separate roller, and 121 is a paper feed belt stretched between both rollers.

Picker roller 119 is connected to capstan 113 via a gear train (not shown). 122 is a reverse roller provided at a position opposite to the separate roller 120. The separate roller 120 and the reverse roller 122 are connected through a gear and a friction clutch (not shown), and the contact points between the separate roller 119 and the reverse roller 122 are provided with driving forces in opposite directions. 123
124 is a stack bottom plate that receives the stack 123; 125 is a push-up die that supports the stack bottom plate 124. Push-up mold 125
is connected to link 126 at one end 125a, and one end 1
It is connected to the paper conveyance path switching claw 127 at 25b.

The link 126 is connected to a link 128 at the other end, and is installed so as to be able to reciprocate linearly while being guided by guide bins 129 and 130. The link 128 is engaged with the groove 111b of the cam 111 by a pin 131. 13
Reference numeral 2 denotes a paper discharge roller connected to the picker roller 120 by a gear train (not shown), and 133 a paper discharge tray. 13
Reference numeral 4 designates an ink sheet that is wound up between a supply reel 135 and a take-up reel 136, and three colors of Yl, Ml, and C inks are sequentially applied to the sheet. 137 is a motor connected to the cam 111 via a gear train (not shown). 138
A sensor for detecting the presence or absence of recording paper is provided between the platen 112 and the capstan 113 near the recording paper conveyance path. In FIG. 1, the center of rotation of the element and the fixed axis are distinguished by a cross mark.

The operation of the apparatus configured as above will be explained.

When an instruction signal to start recording is sent, the apparatus performs a paper feeding operation. Motor 137 drives cam 111 and causes it to rotate until it reaches a third position, where point 0 coincides with point 0 in FIG. In conjunction with this, pin 131, link node 1
04a is displaced. The cam projection 111c and the pinch roller arm pressing lever 117 are brought into contact with each other. Referring again to FIG. 1, the displacement of pin 131 is equal to link 128.12.
6 to the push-up die 125. Since the link 126 is displaced in the F direction, the push-up die 125 rotates counterclockwise, brings the stack 123 into contact with the paper feed belt 121, and brings the reverse roller 122 into contact with the paper feed belt 121, cutting the paper conveyance path. Push up the hold-down claw 127 to open the conveyance path for paper feeding. The displacement of the link node 104a is transmitted to the thermal head 101 via the link groups 104, 105, 10Ei, 107, and the thermal head 101 is displaced to a position retracted from the platen 112. link 108
is in contact with pin 110. Since the tensile force of the spring 118 is not transmitted to the pinch roller 115, the pinch roller 115 is in contact with the capstan 113 due to its own weight.

In this state, the step motor 114 is rotated to move the capstan 113, the pinch roller 115, the separate roller 119, the picker roller 120, and the paper feed bell) 121.
and rotate the recording paper in the direction of conveying it to the recording section. The paper feed belt 121 contacts the top layer of recording paper in the stack 123 and conveys the recording paper toward the recording section. The recording paper is separated into one sheet between the separate roller 119 and the reverse roller 122, and then separated between the capstan 113 and the pinch roller 11.
5 until the tip is detected by the sensor 138.

Since the capstan 113 and the pinch roller 115 rotate with each other in light contact, the leading edge of the recording paper does not hit the pinch roller 115 and jamming occurs, and the gap between the capstan 113 and the pinch roller 115 is prevented. The step motor 114 is also activated when the recording paper enters the
without placing a large load on the

When the sensor 138 detects the leading edge of the recording paper, the motor 137
drives the cam 111 and causes it to rotate until it reaches a second position where point B coincides with point 0 in FIG. In conjunction with this, the pin 131, link m104a, and pinch roller arm suppression lever 117 are displaced. Cam protrusion 1
11c and the pinch roller arm pressing lever 117 are in a separated state.

Referring again to FIG. 1, the displacement of pin 131 is
．． It is transmitted to the push-up mold 125 via 128. Link 1
26 is displaced in the R direction, the push-up die 125 rotates clockwise, separating the stack 123 from the paper feed belt 121, separating the reverse roller 122 from the paper feed belt 121, and pulling down the paper conveyance path switching claw 127. to open the transport path for paper ejection. The displacement of the link node 104a is transmitted to the thermal head 101 via the link group 104.105.106.107. thermal head 10
Although cam 111 is displaced in a direction closer to platen 112 than the position when cam 111 is in the third position, it is still in a state of being retracted from platen 112. pinch roller 1
The tensile force of the spring 118 is transmitted to the capstan 15 via the pinch roller arm pressing lever 117 and the pinch roller arm 116, and the capstan 113 is pressed against the capstan 113 with a strong pressing force.

In this state, the step motor 114 is rotated to rotate the capstan 113 and the pinch roller 115 in the direction of conveying the recording paper to the recording section. step motor 114
After driving the recording paper by a predetermined number of pulses to convey the recording paper to the recording start position, the step motor 114 is stopped to complete the paper feeding operation.

After completing the paper feeding operation, the first color is recorded.

The motor 137 drives the cam 111, and in FIG.
Rotate until the point reaches the first position, which coincides with the zero point. In conjunction with this, the link node 104a is displaced. Pinch roller arm pressing lever 117 and pin 131 are not displaced. Referring again to FIG. 1, the displacement of link node 104a is transmitted to thermal head 101 via link groups 104.105.10B and 107.108. Thermal head 101 abuts against platen 112. Even after the thermal head 101 contacts the platen 112, the link node 104
a is displaced in the F direction. This action causes the link 108 to be displaced, the link 108 and the pin 110 are disengaged, and the tensile force of the spring 109 is transmitted to the thermal head 101. Therefore, the thermal head 101 is pressed against the platen 112 via the recording paper and the ink sheet 134.

In this state, the step motor 114 is driven to rotate the capstan 113, and while feeding the recording paper and ink sheet 134 together in the F direction, the heating element of the thermal head 101 is heated, and the ink on the surface of the ink sheet 134 is recorded. Record by transferring to paper. The step motor 114 is driven by a predetermined number of pulses to complete recording of the first color.

After recording the first color, the motor 137 is driven to rotate the cam 111 to the second position.

The state at this time has already been explained, but the thermal head 10
1 has been evacuated from the platen 112. The step motor 114 is reversely driven by the same number of pulses as during recording, and the recording paper is conveyed to the recording start position. After this, recording of the 2nd and 3rd colors is performed in the same manner as the first color.

When recording of the third color is completed, the motor 137 is driven to rotate the cam 111 to the second position.

Since the recording paper conveyance path switching claw 127 is positioned to guide the recording paper to the ejection path, the step motor 114 is driven to rotate the capstan 204 and the paper ejection roller 218, and the recording paper is transferred to the ejection tray. Discharge to 133.

After ejecting the recording paper, the apparatus shifts to a recording standby state. Motor 137 drives cam 111 to rotate until it reaches a fourth position where point D coincides with point 0 in FIG. While the cam 111 moves from the second position to the fourth position, it passes through the third position;
The movement to reach the position is the reverse movement of the movement from the third position to the second position described above. The operation of moving from the third position to the fourth position will be explained. In conjunction with the rotation of the cam 111, the bin 131 and the link node 104a are displaced. The cam projection 111c and the pinch roller arm pressing lever 117 are in contact with each other. Referring again to FIG. 1, pin 13
1 displacement link 128, 126 to push-up mold 125
transmitted to.

Since the link 126 is displaced in the R direction, the push-up mold 125 rotates clockwise, and the stack 123 is moved to the paper feed belt 121.
and move the reverse roller 122 away from the paper feed belt 1.
21 and pull down the paper conveyance path switching claw 127 to open the conveyance path for paper ejection. Link section 104
The displacement a is transmitted to the thermal head 101 via the link group 104, 105, 106, 107, and the thermal head 101 is displaced to a position further retracted from the platen 112, thereby completing a series of recording operations.

Effects of the Invention The recording device according to the present invention has the above configuration, and has the following features:
having two displacement converting means set the first to fourth positions;
Because this operation is mechanically linked to the movement of the recording head, the movement of the pinch roller, and the control of the paper feeding means, only one drive source is required, simplifying the device and ensuring reliable operation. can do. In addition, when feeding paper, the pinch roller and capstan are brought into contact with a weak pressure contact force, and the paper is fed while rotating in the direction in which the recording paper is pulled in. After the recording paper has passed between the capstan and the pinch roller, the pinch roller Since the capstan and the capstan are pressed together with strong pressure, a large rotational load is not applied to the capstan (to prevent jamming of the recording paper).

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a recording device according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIGS. 2 and 3 are perspective views of a cam used in the device,
FIG. 4 is a schematic configuration diagram showing an example of a conventional recording apparatus. FIGS. 5 and 6 are explanatory diagrams of main parts of a conventional recording apparatus. 101...Thermal head, 111...Cam, 112
...Platen, 113...Capstan, 115...Pinch roller, 116...Pinch roller arm, 117
... Pinch roller arm suppression lever 121 ... Paper feed belt, 125 ... Push-up type. Name of agent: Patent attorney Shigetaka Kurino

Claims (3)

[Claims] (1) a paper feeding means arranged at a paper feeding position; a paper feeding control means mechanically connected to the paper feeding means and controlling the operation of the paper feeding means; a recording head; at least two positions: a position and a retracted position from the recording position.
recording head support means movably supported in two positions;
a platen that comes into contact with the recording head at the recording position; a capstan that is located between the paper feeding position and the recording position along the recording paper conveyance path and is pivotally supported in parallel with the platen; a pinch roller that faces the capstan via a paper conveyance path; and a pinch that supports the pinch roller so that it can be displaced between a pressure contact position where the pinch roller is pressed against the capstan and a release position where the pinch roller is released from pressure contact with the capstan. The roller support means, the paper feed control means, the recording head support means, and the pinch roller support means are engaged with each other, and are moved to the first position and the second position by moving in the same displacement direction.
, a third position, and a fourth position and capable of reciprocating movement; and a driving means connected to the displacement converting means to drive the displacement converting means. , when the displacement amount converting means is in the first position, the recording head supporting means positions the recording head at the recording position, the pinch roller supporting means positions the pinch roller at the pressing position, and the The paper feeding control means disables the paper feeding means, and the recording head supporting means moves the recording head in conjunction with a movement operation in which the displacement amount converting means moves from the first position to the second position. The displacement amount converting means converts the second
In conjunction with the movement movement from the position to the third position,
The pinch roller support means moves the pinch roller to the release position, the paper feed control means operates the paper feed means, and the displacement converting means moves from the third position to the fourth position. A recording apparatus characterized in that the paper feed control means disables the paper feed means in conjunction with a moving operation. (2) a capstan, a driving means for driving the capstan, a pinch roller provided opposite to the capstan, a pressure contact means for pressing the pinch roller against the capstan, and a drive means for driving the capstan; A paper feeding unit that feeds recording paper between the pinch roller and a recording paper detecting means disposed on the opposite side of the paper feeding unit with respect to the capstan, the paper feeding unit When feeding paper, the pressure contact means applies a pressure contact force P_1 to the pinch roller, and the drive means rotates the capstan, and when the recording paper detection means detects the recording paper, the pressure contact means applies pressure P_1 to the pinch roller. Pressing force P_2 is applied to the pinch roller, and the relationship between P_1 and P_2 is P_2>P_1.
A recording device characterized in that >0. (3) In claim 2, when the paper feeding section feeds recording paper, the pressure contact means is separated from the pinch roller support means so that the pinch roller contacts the capstan only by its own weight. Characteristic recording device.