JPH052471U - Near-end detection mechanism of faximili device - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Abstract] [Purpose] Even if a near-end mark is not provided at a predetermined position on a recording paper used in a facsimile machine, the near-end is surely detected when a predetermined remaining amount is reached. [Structure] When the recording paper wound in a roll shape is fed from one end side of the recording paper storage portion of the facsimile apparatus, the diameter of the roll portion becomes smaller and the weight becomes lighter according to the usage amount. A detection plate 5 which is always in contact with the outer circumference of the roll portion of the recording paper 1 and which can be moved up and down in accordance with the outer size of the roll portion; The switch 7 constitutes a detecting means, and when the detection plate descends to a predetermined position according to the remaining amount of the recording paper, the switch is switched to detect the near end of the recording paper.

Description

[Detailed description of the device]

[0001]

[Industrial applications]

 The present invention relates to a near-end detection mechanism used in a facsimile machine for detecting the near-end of a roll-shaped recording paper for recording received information.

[0002]

[Prior Art]

 A near-end detection mechanism for recording paper in a conventional facsimile apparatus will be described with reference to FIGS. 3 is a perspective view showing a main part of a conventional near-end detection mechanism, FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a near-end mark on a recording paper, and FIG. 5 is an explanatory view showing a near-end mark detection result on the recording paper. The conventional structure will be described with reference to FIG. In FIGS. 3 and 4, reference numeral 1 is a recording paper formed by winding a continuous paper such as a thermal paper in a roll shape, and both ends in the axial direction are rotatably supported by supporting means (not shown). The recording paper 1 can be fed out from one end 1a side thereof, and the recording paper 1 fed out is conveyed to a recording unit of a facsimile device (not shown) and a discharge port, and received information. After being recorded, it is cut at a predetermined position and discharged from the discharge port.

Reference numeral 2 denotes a frame of a storage unit of a facsimile apparatus which stores the recording paper 1. The frame 2 is formed in a substantially concave groove shape with a size that allows the entire recording paper 1 to easily enter, and one side surface 2 a is a recording surface. One end 1a of the paper 1 is inclined at a predetermined angle so that it can be easily fed out, and a horizontal portion 2b extending horizontally is formed from the upper end of the one side surface 2a. A portion of the recording paper 1 that is unrolled from the roll portion is guided toward a recording portion (not shown). Reference numeral 3 denotes a detection means for detecting the near end of the recording paper 1 attached to the horizontal portion 2b, which is an optical detector for optically reading the fed recording paper 1 to detect the near end. Reference numeral 4 is a near-end mark, which is about 1 m long from the end of the recording paper 1 and colored on both side edges. This near-end mark 4 is for the blank paper portion 1b in which nothing is recorded. In order to make the output difference of the detection by the optical detecting means 3 clear, a predetermined width and a predetermined density and a predetermined color are limited.

To detect the near end in the above-described structure, the recording paper 1 stored in the frame 2 is fed out from one end 1a side thereof along the one side surface 2a and the horizontal portion 2b, and near the end thereof. When the remaining 1 m reaches the horizontal portion 2b after being fed up, the near-end marks 4 provided on both edge portions of the recording paper 1 reach the detecting means 3 and are further fed out to pass. The detection means 3 constantly monitors the recording paper 1 by an optical means that irradiates the side edge of the recording paper 1 conveyed on the horizontal portion 2b with light and obtains an output value by the reflected light. Therefore, when the near-end mark 4 passes over the detecting means 3, the output value of the near-end mark 4 changes, and the near-end in which the remaining amount of the recording paper 1 is reduced is detected. Note that FIG. 5 shows the detection result by the detecting means 3, and the colored near-end mark 4 is detected with respect to the output value when the base paper portion 1b in the blank state is detected. It can be seen that the output value when there is a significant decrease. The near end mark 4 was recognized from this output difference, and the near end of the recording paper 1 was detected.

[0005]

[Problems to be solved by the device]

 However, the above-mentioned conventional near-end detection mechanism has some problems as described below. First, in order to detect the near-end of the recording paper, a near-end mark must be provided near the near-end of the recording paper, and the near-end mark corresponds to the detection means attached to the device side. It means that it must meet the specified color, specified width and length, and specified density, and therefore must use the specified recording paper specified by the manufacturer that meets all of these requirements. I had to do it. This was a major obstacle when it was necessary to replenish it urgently, for example. Further, since the near-end mark is provided on the front surface side or the back surface side of the recording paper, the placement of the near-end mark limits the mounting position or mounting form of the detection means. There is a fear.

Further, this near-end mark is unnecessary for the user who uses the facsimile machine, and rather, the recording recorded on the base paper portion in the range where the near-end mark is provided. It was an obstacle to the content. The present invention has been made in order to solve the above-mentioned problems, and since it is necessary to use a recording paper having a near-end mark that satisfies all the limiting conditions, it does not become difficult to replenish, and There is no limitation on the mounting position or form of the detection means in the facsimile machine, and a near-end detection mechanism of the facsimile machine that can reliably detect the near-end of the recording paper even if there are no unnecessary near-end marks for the user. The purpose is to provide.

[0007]

[Means for Solving the Problems]

 In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the present invention provides a near-end detection mechanism of a facsimile machine which can detect the near-end of a roll-shaped recording paper stored in a storage part so that it can be fed out from one end side of the roll part in a radial direction. , A detection plate which is always in contact with the outer circumference of the roll portion of the recording paper and is movable up and down in accordance with the outer size of the roll portion, and a switch which is switched by the vertical movement of the detection plate. The detection means is configured. Then, the near end of the recording paper is detected by switching the switch when the detection plate descends according to the remaining amount of the recording paper and descends to a predetermined position in advance.

[0008]

[Action]

 According to the above-described configuration, when the roll-shaped recording paper is stored in the storage unit and started to be used, the recording paper is fed out in the predetermined radial direction from one end side thereof, and the diameter of the roll portion of the recording paper is increased. Is getting smaller. For this reason, since the detection plate is held in contact with a part of the outer shape of the roll portion of the recording paper, if the detection plate is arranged at the upper end portion of the roll portion, it is lowered and arranged at the lower end portion. If so, the weight of the recording paper becomes lighter and the temperature rises subtly, that is, the detection plate moves up and down according to the remaining amount of the recording paper. In this way, when the remaining charge decreases and reaches a predetermined remaining amount, that is, near end, the detection plate moves to a preset position, and switches on / off the switch installed corresponding to this position. By this switching operation of the switch, the remaining amount of recording paper is almost exhausted, and the near end is detected to warn that it is necessary to replace with new unused recording paper.

[0009]

【Example】

 Hereinafter, some embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. 1A and 1B are side cross-sectional views showing a near-end detection mechanism of the first embodiment. FIG. 1A shows a state before the near-end is detected, and FIG. 1B shows a state at the time of detecting the near-end. In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 denotes a recording paper formed by winding a continuous paper such as a thermal paper in a roll shape. Both ends in the axial direction are rotatably supported by supporting means (not shown), and can be fed from one end 1a side thereof. Has become. Reference numeral 2 denotes a frame of a storage unit in a facsimile apparatus which stores the recording paper 1. The frame 2 is formed in a substantially concave groove shape with a size such that the entire recording paper 1 can be easily inserted as in the conventional case. 2a is inclined at a predetermined angle so that one end 1a of the recording paper 1 can be easily fed out, and a horizontal portion 2b extending horizontally from the upper end of the one side surface 2a is formed. The portion 2b guides the portion of the recording paper 1 which is unwound from the roll portion toward a recording portion (not shown).

Reference numeral 5 denotes a detection plate provided on the bottom surface of the frame 2, and the detection plate 5 is constantly lifted from the bottom surface of the frame 2 on the lower surface side by a biasing means 6 such as a spring as shown in the figure. The biasing means 6 is designed to lift the recording sheet 1 together with the detection plate 5 when the recording sheet 1 placed on the detection plate 5 has a predetermined weight or less. Is set to the urging force of. Reference numeral 7 denotes an open / close type switch that opens and closes contacts by the rotating operation of the urging means 6, and constitutes a detecting means together with the detection plate 5 and the urging means 6, which will be described below. The detection operation will be described.

When the unused recording paper 1 is mounted and stored in the frame 2 according to a predetermined mounting procedure, the recording paper 1 is placed on the detection plate 5 provided on the bottom surface of the frame 2. Since the recording paper 1 is unused, the diameter of the roll portion is large and the weight is heavy as shown in FIG. 1 (A). Therefore, the detection plate 5 is pushed down against the urging force of the urging means 6 by the weight of the recording paper 1 and pressed against the bottom surface. Therefore, the urging means 6 is pushed down by the detection plate 5, and this operation pushes down the switch button portion of the open / close type switch 7 provided on the lower surface of the frame 2. For this reason, the open / close switch 7 is in the ON state, that is, the recording paper 1 has a sufficient amount remaining.

When the recording paper 1 is used in this state and the remaining amount thereof gradually decreases, the diameter of the roll portion of the recording paper 1 also decreases, and the weight also decreases. Then, for example, when the remaining 1 m is used, the recording paper 1 becomes less than a preset weight, and the urging means 6 is set to an urging force larger than this set weight. It tries to return to the original position against the pressing force of the weight. By the rotating operation of the biasing means 6, the recording paper 1 is lifted upward from the bottom surface of the frame 2 via the detection plate 5 as shown in FIG. Separated from the switch button portion of No. 7. Therefore, the open / close switch 7 is turned off, and the near end of the recording paper 1 is detected.

FIGS. 2A and 2B are side sectional views showing a near-end detection mechanism of the second embodiment. FIG. 2A shows a state before a near-end is detected, and FIG. 2B shows a state at a near-end detection. ing. In FIG. 2, reference numeral 1 is a recording paper, and 2 is a frame accommodating the recording paper 1, which is the same as in the first embodiment described above. Reference numeral 5 is a function similar to that of the first embodiment, that is, a detection plate for detecting the remaining amount of the recording paper 1 and for performing ON / OFF operation of the open / close type switch 7 via the biasing means 6. However, in the first embodiment, it is arranged on the bottom surface of the frame 2, whereas in the second embodiment, it is supported at a position corresponding to the upper end of the recording paper 1 stored in the frame 2. It is supported so as to move up and down according to the remaining amount of the recording paper 1, and is always held at the upper end position of the roll portion of the recording paper 1.

Further, the opening / closing switch 7 whose contacts are opened / closed by the rotating operation of the urging means 6 is also different from the first embodiment in its installation position. The open / close type switch 7 is attached to a preset position so that the switch is operated via the biasing means 6 when the recording paper 1 is used up to a predetermined remaining amount which is near end. In the second embodiment, the open / close type switch 7 is not pressed, that is, the remaining amount of the recording paper 1 is sufficient in the OFF state, and the switch of the open / close type switch 7 is pressed. In this state, that is, in the ON state, the near-end state in which the remaining amount of the recording paper 1 is low is detected.

The detection operation of the near-end detection mechanism of the second embodiment is as follows. First, when the unused recording paper 1 is mounted and stored in the frame 2 according to a predetermined mounting procedure, the upper end of the recording paper 1 is The detection plate 5 is held. Since the recording paper 1 is unused, the diameter of its roll portion is large as shown in FIG. 2 (A), and the detection plate 5 at the upper end is far away from the open / close switch 7. Therefore, the open / close switch 7 is in the OFF state, that is, the recording paper 1 has a sufficient amount remaining. When the recording paper 1 is used in this state and the remaining amount thereof gradually decreases, the diameter of the roll of the recording paper 1 also decreases, and accordingly, the detection plate 5 held at the upper end of the recording paper 1 also gradually descends. I will do it. Then, for example, when the recording paper 1 is used up to about 1 m remaining, the upper end position of the recording paper 1 becomes a preset height from the bottom surface of the frame 2, and the switch of the open / close type switch 7 is pressed down. The urging means 6 is brought into contact with and pushed down. As a result, the urging means 6 is rotated downward, the switch button portion of the open / close switch 7 is pushed down as shown in FIG. 2 (B), and the open / close switch 7 is turned on. That is, the near end of the recording paper 1 is detected.

[0016]

[Effect of the device]

 As described above, according to the present invention, in the near-end detection mechanism of the facsimile apparatus, which detects the near-end of the roll-shaped recording paper housed in the housing so that it can be fed out in the radial direction from the one end side of the roll, By a detection plate which is always in contact with the outer circumference of the roll portion of the recording paper and is capable of moving up and down in accordance with the outer size of the roll portion, and a switch for switching by the vertical movement of the detection plate, The detection means is configured to detect the near end of the recording paper by switching the switch when the detection plate descends according to the remaining amount of the recording paper and descends to a predetermined position in advance.

Therefore, the near end of the recording paper can be detected by the detecting means including the detecting plate and the switch depending on the size and weight of the diameter of the roll portion of the recording paper. It is no longer necessary to provide a near-end mark to indicate the near-end, and therefore it is no longer necessary to use a recording paper provided with this near-end mark. Furthermore, there is no need to limit the specified color, specified width and length, and specified density required for this near-end mark. Conventionally, recording paper with near-end marks that meet these conditions is available. If you try to do so, you have to use the specified recording paper specified by the manufacturer, which is inconvenient for urgent replenishment, but according to this proposal, it is not necessary to stick to these recording paper specified by the manufacturer. In addition, it is easy to obtain the recording paper, and there is no detection failure due to not satisfying the near end mark condition, so that it is possible to obtain a stable and reliable detection result. Further, it is not necessary for the user at all, and rather there is no near-end mark which is a hindrance when trying to copy the recording paper on which the contents are recorded, so that a beautiful manuscript can be obtained. is there.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a side sectional view of a main part of a near-end detection mechanism of a first embodiment, where (A) shows a state before a near-end is detected and (B) shows a state when a near-end is detected.

2A and 2B are side sectional views of a main part showing a near-end detection mechanism of a second embodiment, FIG. 2A shows a state before a near-end is detected, and FIG. 2B shows a state at a near-end detection.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a main part showing a conventional near-end detection mechanism.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a near end mark on a recording sheet.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing a near-end mark detection result on a recording sheet.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 recording paper 1a one end 2 frame 5 detection plate 6 urging means 7 open / close type switch

Claims (1)

[Claims for utility model registration] Claims: 1. A near-end detection mechanism of a facsimile apparatus, which detects a near-end of a roll-shaped recording paper housed in a housing so as to be able to be fed out from one end side of the roll in a radial direction. , A detection plate which is always in contact with the outer periphery of the roll portion of the recording paper and is movable up and down in accordance with the outer size of the roll portion, and a switch for switching the vertical movement of the detection plate. A facsimile which constitutes the detecting means and detects the near end of the recording paper by switching the switch when the detecting plate descends according to the remaining amount of the recording paper and descends to a predetermined position in advance. Near-end detection mechanism of the device.