JPH0859023A - Photographic paper detecting device of printer - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: To simply and accurately detect the existence of a photographic paper in a paper feeding tray. CONSTITUTION: A detecting lever 135 which is rotatingly energized downward centering around a supporting point shaft 14c is abutted from an upper side onto the upside of a photographic paper 2 in a paper feeding tray 4, and the detecting lever 135 is gradually rotated downward with decrease in the number of sheets of the photographic papers 2 in the paper feeding tray 4. The position of the detecting lever 135 is detected by an optical sensor 136 for detecting the existence of the photographic paper 2 in the paper feeding tray 4.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a printing paper detecting device for a printer which is most suitable for application to a sublimation type thermal transfer type color printer or the like.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, printing paper fed into a printer main body by a paper feed tray is supplied from a paper feed tray to a platen and wound around the outer periphery of the platen, and an ink ribbon laid between a pair of reels is a thermal head. By pressing the outer periphery of the platen to the photographic paper and transferring the photographic paper by rotating the platen, the ink ribbon is transferred together with the photographic paper, and the transfer operation of the photographic paper and the ink ribbon is repeated several times. The yellow, cyan, and magenta (three primary colors) applied to the ink ribbon by
There is a sublimation-type thermal transfer type color printer configured to print a color image on photographic paper by sequentially superimposing sublimable color materials (dye) on photographic paper by a thermal transfer system.

Conventionally, in this type of color printer, as shown in FIG. 21, the presence or absence of the printing paper 2 in the paper feed tray 4 is detected to detect the printing paper for controlling the printing process of the color printer. A device 13 is provided.

At this time, the light-transmissive photographic printing paper detection device 13 shown in FIG. 21 (A) emits light which vertically passes through the paper feed tray 4 through an opening 4b formed in the bottom wall 4a of the paper feed tray 4. The presence or absence of the photographic printing paper 2 in the paper feed tray 4 is detected by a light transmission type optical sensor including the element 130 and the light receiving element 131.

Further, the light reflection type photographic paper detection device 13 shown in FIG. 21 (B) has its uppermost surface when the uppermost surface of the photographic paper 2 in the paper feed tray 4 is lifted to the detection height position L. The presence or absence of the photographic printing paper 2 in the paper feed tray 4 is detected by detecting the upper surface by the light reflection type optical sensor 132.

Further, in the lever type photographic printing paper detection device 13 shown in FIGS. 21C and 21D, the detection lever 133 is centered on a vertical fulcrum shaft 134 by a spring force from the direction of the arrow x in the paper feed tray 4. The detection lever 4 is inserted into the opening 4d formed in the outer wall 4c of the sheet, and the detection lever 4 is pressed against the end surface 2a of the photographic printing paper 2 in the paper feed tray 4 from the direction of the arrow x to detect the detection lever 13.
The presence or absence of the printing paper 2 in the paper feed tray 4 is detected by detecting the rotational position of the arrow 3 in the direction of the arrow x with a sensor.

[0007]

However, the conventional method shown in FIG.
The light-transmissive photographic printing paper detection device 13 shown in (A) of FIG. 6 is provided with an optical sensor depending on the type of photographic printing paper 2 (semi-transparent printing paper, etc.) when the photographic printing paper 2 in the paper feed tray 4 is running low. Since the light is transmitted, the photographic paper 2 is placed in the paper feed tray 4.
However, there is a problem with the detection accuracy, such as detecting "no printing paper" even though it remains.

Further, the conventional light reflection type photographic paper detecting device 13 shown in FIG.
The presence or absence of the photographic printing paper 2 in the paper feed tray 4 cannot be detected unless the uppermost paper of the above is raised to the detection height position L each time. Therefore, simply turning on the power supply 2
The presence / absence of the photographic paper 2 cannot be detected, and the presence / absence of the photographic paper 2 is detected only after the printing process is started. Therefore, there is a problem that it takes time to replenish the photographic paper 2.

Further, the conventional lever type photographic paper detection device 131 shown in FIGS.
An extra opening 4d must be formed on the outer wall of the sheet, and the strength of the sheet feeding tray 4 is weakened. In addition, the detection lever 133 is pressed against the end surface 2a of the printing paper 2 by the spring force.
When the photographic paper 2 in the paper feed tray 4 is running low, the end surface 2a of the photographic paper 2 easily bends or bends as shown in FIG. , The detection lever 133 moves in the direction of the arrow x.
It has rotated to the final position in the direction, "No photographic paper"
There is a problem in detection accuracy, such as detection of.

The present invention has been made in order to solve the above-mentioned problems, and it is possible to easily use the printing paper in the paper feeding tray,
Moreover, it is an object of the present invention to provide a printing paper detection device for a printer that can detect with high accuracy.

[0011]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION To achieve the above-mentioned object, a printing paper detecting device for a printer of the present invention is a printer which feeds printing paper into a printer main body by a paper feed tray. It is urged to rotate downward,
A detection lever that abuts against the upper surface of the photographic paper in the paper feed tray inserted into the printer body from above, and is rotated downward as the number of photographic papers in the paper feed tray decreases; A sensor for detecting the position of the detection lever and detecting the presence or absence of the printing paper in the paper feed tray is provided.

[0012]

In the printer paper detecting apparatus of the present invention constructed as described above, the detection lever which is rotationally biased downward about the fulcrum shaft is brought into contact with the upper surface of the printer paper in the paper feed tray from above. Then, the detection lever is gradually rotated downward as the number of photographic papers in the paper feed tray decreases, and the position of the detection lever is detected by the sensor to detect the photographic papers in the paper feed tray. The presence / absence is detected.

[0013]

EXAMPLE An example in which the present invention is applied to a sublimation type thermal transfer type color printer will be described below with reference to the drawings.

[Description of Printing Paper Detection Device] First, referring to FIGS. 1 to 14, a feeding tray for printing paper fed by a feeding tray into the printer body of a sublimation type thermal transfer color printer, which is an example of a printer. A photographic paper detecting device for detecting the presence / absence in the inside will be described.

First, as shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, the photographic printing papers 2 are horizontally stacked and housed in a shallow box-shaped paper feed tray 4 formed of synthetic resin or the like and having an open top. Then, the paper feed tray 4 can be horizontally inserted from the insertion opening 5 formed in the front panel 3a of the printer body 3 to the upper position of the horizontal chassis 3b in the printer body 3 from the direction of the arrow a and set. Is configured.

At this time, a tray guide 14 formed of synthetic resin or the like is horizontally fixed to the upper portion of the horizontal chassis 3b in the printer body 3, and the bottom wall 4 of the paper feed tray 4 is fixed.
The rib 4e integrally formed on the lower surface of a is attached to the tray guide 14
The paper feed tray 4 is horizontally inserted in the upper position of the chassis 3b from the direction of the arrow a so as to be guided by the guide groove 14a integrally formed on the upper surface of the chassis.

The paper tray 4 is the printer body 3
When the insertion is completed from the direction of the arrow a into the paper feed tray 4,
The locked portion 4f integrally formed on the outer lower portion of the outer wall 4c on the arrow a direction side is attached to the upper surface of the end of the tray guide 14 on the arrow a direction side.
A pair of left and right lock claws 1 of a push type lock mechanism 15
The sheet feeding tray 4 is automatically locked so as to be pinched from the left and right by 5a, and the sheet feeding tray 4 is set at the insertion completion position in the printer body 3.

As shown in FIGS. 9 to 14, the photographic paper detection device 13 includes a detection lever 135 and a light transmission type such as a photocoupler which is a non-contact type sensor for detecting the position of the detection lever 135. The optical sensor 136 of FIG.

Further, the photographic paper detecting mechanism 13 is provided with a detecting lever operating mechanism 139 composed of a slider 137 which is a detecting lever operating member and a return spring 138 which is a tension coil spring for returning the slider 137. Has been done.

As shown in FIG. 14, the detection lever 135 is made of synthetic resin or the like and has a base 135a.
13 extending from the front to the lower front in an L-shape
5b, and a contact piece 135c on the photographic printing paper 2 is integrally formed on one side of the front end of the front end portion 135b. A pair of left and right vertical protrusions 135d and 135e are integrally formed on the lower portions of the left and right sides of the base 135a, and a pair of left and right fulcrum holes 135f are formed on the upper ends of the left and right protrusions 135d and 135e. It is formed like a heart and horizontally. Then, the fulcrum hole 135 is provided at the lower end of the one protruding piece 135d.
A pair of concentric shutter pieces 135 centered on f
g and 135h are integrally molded. Further, a guide 135i for the photographic printing paper 2 that is inclined with respect to the length direction of the detection lever 135 is formed on the front end surface of the front end portion 135b of the detection lever 135.

Then, as shown in FIGS. 9 to 13, a pair of left and right horizontal fulcrum shafts integrally formed on the upper portion of the end portion of the tray guide 14 in the direction of the arrow a via a pair of left and right upright pieces 14b. The detection lever 135 is fitted into 14c by a pair of left and right fulcrum holes 135f, and the detection lever 135
Is rotatably attached about the pair of left and right fulcrum shafts 14c and in the up and down directions of arrows s and s'on the arrow a'direction side of the pair of left and right fulcrum shafts 14c.

At this time, since the center of gravity of the detection lever 135 is placed at a position deviated from the pair of left and right fulcrum shafts 14c toward the tip 135b, the detection lever 135 is rotated by its own weight in the direction of arrow s. It is configured to be activated.

The slider 137 is formed of synthetic resin or the like, guided by a guide groove 14d formed in the tray guide 14, and between the positions on the tray guide 14 shown in FIGS. 9 and 11. It is attached so as to be horizontally slidable in the directions of arrows a and a '. The slider 137 is urged by the return spring 138 to slide in the arrow a'direction from the position shown in FIG. 9 to the position shown in FIG.

A pair of left and right vertical contact pieces 137a are integrally formed on the slider 137 so that the outer wall 4c of the paper feed tray 4 inserted horizontally from the direction of the arrow a is in contact with from the direction of the arrow a. And one contact piece 13
A horizontal protrusion 137b for driving the other protrusion 135e of the detection lever 135 is integrally formed at the end of 7a on the arrow a direction side.

Then, the optical sensor 136 uses the sensor substrate 136a to move the one upright piece 1 of the tray guide 14.
This optical sensor 13 is attached to the side of 4b.
6 is a pair of shutter pieces 135g of the detection lever 135,
It is arranged within a rotation locus of 135h. The lock mechanism 15 includes a pair of right and left upright pieces 14 b of the tray guide 14.
It is installed between.

[Description of Presence / Absence of Printing Paper] Next, the presence / absence detection operation of the printing paper 2 in the paper feed tray 4 fed into the printer body 3 by the paper feed tray 4 will be described with reference to FIGS. Will be explained.

First, FIGS. 2 and 6 show a state in which the paper feed tray 4 has not been inserted.
It is slid by 38 to the stop position in the direction of arrow a '. Then, the protrusion 137b of the slider 137 drives the protruding piece 135e of the detection lever 135 in the direction of the arrow s ′ against its own weight, and the tip portion 1 of the detection lever 135 is driven.
35b is rotated in the direction of the arrow s'to a position above the insertion space of the paper feed tray 4 and escaped.

Then, the optical path of the optical sensor 136 is blocked by one shutter piece 135g of the detection lever 135, and the optical sensor 136 does not insert the paper feed tray 4 (and cannot feed paper to the printing apparatus described later). It is detecting.

Next, FIGS. 1 and 5 show the printer main body 3
The drawing shows a state in which the paper feed tray 4 is inserted into the paper feed tray 4 in the direction of the arrow a, and the photographic paper 2 in the paper feed tray 4 is fully loaded.

At this time, the outer wall 4c of the paper feed tray 4 contacts the contact piece 137a of the slider 137 in the direction of arrow a, and the paper feed tray 4 returns the slider 137 to the spring 138.
It is pushed in the direction of arrow a against. Then, the protrusion 137 b of the slider 137 is not protruded by the protrusion 135 of the detection lever 135.
It is disengaged from e in the direction of arrow a, the detection lever 135 is rotated in the direction of arrow s by its own weight, and the leading end portion 135b of the detection lever 135 is inserted into the paper feed tray 4 from above in the direction of arrow s, and the leading end portion 135b thereof is inserted. The abutting piece 135c of a. Is abutted on the upper surface of the photographic printing paper 2 in the paper feeding tray 4.

At this time, one shutter piece 135g of the detection lever 135 is disengaged from the optical sensor 136 in the direction of arrow s, the optical path of the optical sensor 136 is opened, and the optical sensor 136 is placed in the paper feed tray 4. The presence of the printing paper 2 (and the paper feeding to the printing device described later) is detected.

Next, FIGS. 3 and 7 show a case where the remaining photographic printing paper 2 in the paper feed tray 4 becomes one sheet. As the printing process described later progresses, the inside of the paper feed tray 4 is shown. When the number of sheets of photographic printing paper 2 is gradually decreased from the full state shown in FIGS. 1 and 5, the detection lever 135 gradually moves in the direction of arrow s due to its own weight.
It is rotated in the direction.

At this time, the contact piece 135 of the detection lever 135
Since c is only extremely lightly abutted on the upper surface of the photographic printing paper 2 by its own weight, the detection lever 135 exerts almost no load on the photographic printing paper 2. Therefore, even when the number of the printing papers 2 in the paper feeding tray 4 becomes only one, the optical sensor 136 accurately detects the presence of the printing paper 2 in the paper feeding tray 4 (and the paper feeding by the printing device described later). Can be detected.

Next, FIGS. 4 and 8 show a state in which the photographic paper 2 in the paper feed tray 4 has disappeared, and the detection lever 1
The leading end portion 135b of 35 is inserted through the opening 4b formed in the bottom wall 4a of the paper feed tray 4 and largely rotated in the direction of arrow s by its own weight, and comes into contact with the tray guide 14 and stops.

At this time, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 8, by forming an opening 4b in the bottom wall 4a of the paper feed tray 4, the remaining photographic paper 2 shown in FIGS. The angle difference of the detection lever 135 can be made larger than that at the time. Then, at this time, the other shutter piece 135h of the detection lever 135 blocks the optical path of the optical sensor 136, and it is highly accurate that there is no photographic paper 2 in the paper feed tray 4 (and paper cannot be fed by the printing apparatus described later). Detected by.

When the paper feed tray 4 is pulled out of the printer body 3 in the direction of arrow a'without the photographic paper 2 shown in FIGS. 4 and 8, the slider 137 follows the paper feed tray 4. Is pulled back in the direction of arrow a ′ by the return spring 138. Then, the protrusion 137 of the slider 137
b presses the protrusion 135e of the detection lever 135 in the direction of arrow a ', and the detection lever 135 is rotationally driven in the direction of arrow s'to the position shown in FIGS. And
When the detection lever 135 is rotationally driven in the direction of the arrow s'to the position shown in FIGS. 2 and 6, the protrusion 137b causes the protrusion 1 to move.
It comes to enter under 35e.

According to the photographic paper detection device 13 configured and operated as described above, the end surface of the photographic paper 2 is not affected by the type of photographic paper (semi-transparent photographic paper, etc.). Even if warping or bending does not occur, and even if the outer wall 4c of the paper feed tray 4 is not formed with an opening, a very simple detection lever 135 rotated by its own weight is used to detect the inside of the paper feed tray 4. The presence or absence of the photographic printing paper 2 can always be detected with high accuracy.

The optical sensor 136 is preferably a non-contact type sensor such as a light reflection type optical sensor or a magnetic sensor, and may be replaced with a mechanical sensor such as a micro switch.

As shown by the alternate long and short dash line in FIG. 10, in the printing mode by the printing apparatus, which will be described later, the uppermost printing paper 2 in the paper feed tray 4 comes out into the paper feed tray 4 and the arrow c,
It is taken in and out in the c'direction. At that time, the detection lever 135
Since a diagonal guide 135i is formed at the tip of the leading end portion 135b, the photographic printing paper 2 returned in the direction of the arrow c'in the paper feed tray 4 is guided below the leading end portion 135b of the detection lever 135 by the guide 135i. It has a feature that allows it to slide in smoothly.

[Description of Overall Structure of Color Printer] Next, the overall structure of a sublimation type thermal transfer type color printer will be described with reference to FIGS.

[Outline of Color Printer] First, an outline of the color printer will be described with reference to FIG.

The color printer 1 is adapted to print a color image on a printing paper 2 cut into A3 size or the like. Then, a position near one side of the front panel 3a of the printer body 3 (a position near the left side in FIG. 20).
In order from the bottom, an insertion port 5 for the paper feed tray 4, a paper ejection port 6 for the photographic paper 2, an operation panel 7, and the like are provided. In addition, one side of the mounting position of the paper feed tray 4 in the printer body 3 (see FIG.
The printing device 8 is housed on the right side (0), and the platen 80 of the printing device 8 is arranged in parallel with the arrow d direction which is the paper ejection direction of the paper ejection device described later.

Then, a large number of printing papers 2 are vertically stacked in a paper feed tray 4 and accommodated at one time, and the paper feed tray 4
From the insertion opening 5 of the front panel 3a to the printer main body 3
It is horizontally inserted into the printer body 3 from the direction of the arrow a, and the paper feed tray 4 is locked in the printer body 3 by the lock mechanism 15 described above.

At the start of printing, the uppermost photographic printing paper 2 in the paper feeding tray 4 is placed on the platen 80 of the photographic printing device 8 from below by the paper feeding device, which will be described below. The paper is fed from the direction of arrow b, which is a direction perpendicular to the direction.

After the printing is completed, the printing paper 2 is discharged from the upper side of the platen 80 of the printing device 8 to the upper position of the paper feed tray 4 in the direction of arrow c which is the opposite direction of the direction of arrow b.

After that, the photographic printing paper 2 is moved in a direction orthogonal to the arrow c direction, which is the transfer direction of the photographic printing paper 2 at the time of printing, and in the mounting direction of the paper feed tray 4 by the paper discharge device described later. The paper is discharged in the direction of arrow d, which is the opposite direction, and is horizontally sent to the paper discharge port 6.

[Explanation of Modes of Color Printer] Next,
Each mode of the color printer will be described in order with reference to FIGS.

First, FIG. 16 shows a state in which the paper feed tray 4 is mounted. A paper receiving plate 41 is placed on the bottom wall 4a of the paper feed tray 4 and a large number of printing papers 2 are received. The sheets are stacked on top of the plate 41 and housed in the paper feed tray 4.
Then, the paper feed tray 4 is horizontally inserted between a paper feed lever 90 constituting the paper feed device 9 arranged at the bottom of the printer main body 3 and a paper feed belt 91, and the bottom wall of the paper feed tray 4 is inserted. The opening 42 formed in 4a is set right above the paper feed lever 90.

Next, FIG. 17 shows a sheet feeding mode. The sheet feeding lever 90 of the sheet feeding device 9 is rotationally driven by the rotating shaft 92 to the sheet feeding position in the upward arrow e direction, and the sheet is fed. The paper lever 90 is inserted into the paper feed tray 4 from below through the opening 42, the paper receiving plate 41 is pushed up, and the uppermost printing paper 2 is pressed against the paper feed belt 91 from below.

When the paper feed belt 91 and the platen 80 of the printing device 8 are rotationally driven in the directions of the arrows f and g, the uppermost printing paper 2 is fed in the direction of the arrow c, and the printing paper 2 is fed in the paper feeding guide. Guided by 93, platen 80
It is wrapped around the outer circumference from below.

At this time, a pair of pinch rollers 81 which are pressure-bonded to the outer periphery of the platen 80 which is rotationally driven in the direction of the arrow g and are rotated in synchronization with each other, and as shown by a one-dot chain line only immediately after the start of sheet feeding. Is rotated about the fulcrum shaft 82 in the direction of the arrow h, and then the photographic printing paper 2 is guided by the thermal head 83 which is separated and returned in the direction of the arrow h'and wound around the outer periphery of the platen 80 in the direction of the arrow c.

Then, the printing paper 2 is once sent out in the direction of arrow c to the position shown by the alternate long and short dash line in FIG. 18, and then the paper feed lever 90 is returned to the printing position in the direction of arrow e ', as shown in FIG. At the same time, the platen 80 is reversely rotated in the direction of the arrow g ', and the photographic printing paper 2 is returned in the direction of the arrow c'as shown by the solid line in FIG. The print start position is set on the paper feed tray 94. During this time, the thermal head 83 is separated from the platen 80 in the arrow h'direction, as indicated by the one-dot chain line in FIG.

Next, FIG. 18 shows a printing mode, in which the ink ribbon 84 is attached to the platen 8 in the printing apparatus 8.
Take-up reel 85 and supply reel 86 arranged above and below 0
It is wound between the platen 80 and the thermal head 83, and is vertically stretched between the platen 80 and the thermal head 83. And
Dyes, which are sublimable coloring materials of yellow, magenta, and cyan (three primary colors), are applied along a surface of the ink ribbon 84 on the platen 80 side in a pattern repeated at a constant pitch.

Then, as shown by the solid line in FIG. 18, the thermal head 82 is rotated in the direction of arrow h around the fulcrum shaft 82, and the thermal head 82 causes the ink ribbon 84 to move.
Is pressed against the photographic printing paper 2 on the outer periphery of the platen 80 in the direction of arrow h, and the platen 80 is rotationally driven in the direction of arrow g. Then, the printing paper 2 is transported in the direction of arrow c, and the friction torque between the printing paper 2 and the ink ribbon 84 causes the ink ribbon 84 to be sent out integrally with the printing paper 2 in the direction of arrow i, so that the first printing process is performed. Is done. At this time, the ink ribbon 84 fed in the direction of arrow i is taken up by the take-up reel 85 in the direction of arrow j.

In the first printing step, the yellow dye on the ink ribbon 84 is sublimated by the heating of the thermal head 83, and at the same time, it is thermally transferred to print a yellow image on the printing paper 2.

Next, as shown by the alternate long and short dash line in FIG. 18, the thermal head 83 is separated from the platen 80 in the direction of the arrow h ', and the platen 80 is reversely rotated in the direction of the arrow g', and the photographic paper 2 is printed. After returning to the direction of the arrow c'on the paper feeding table 94, the second printing process similar to the above is performed, and the magenta dye of the ink ribbon 84 is sublimated and transferred at the same time, and the yellow image of the printing paper 2 is printed. The image of magenta is overlaid on and printed.

In the same manner, the third printing process is performed to sublimate the cyan dye of the ink ribbon 84 and at the same time, to perform thermal transfer to superimpose the cyan image on the yellow and magenta images on the printing paper 2. To print, and finally to print a color image composed of yellow, magenta, and cyan dyes.

Next, FIG. 19 shows the paper discharge mode. After the printing process is completed, the discharge roller 100 disposed obliquely above the platen 80 is rotationally driven in the direction of arrow k, and the discharge roller 100 is driven. The photographic printing paper 2 pressed by the pinch roller 101 is discharged in the direction of arrow c, and placed on a paper discharge tray 102 of the paper discharge device 10 described later. Then, after this, the photographic printing paper 2 is moved to the position shown in FIG.
The paper is ejected in the direction of arrow d and is sent to the paper ejection port 6.

[Outline of Paper Discharge Device] Next, the outline of the paper discharge device 10 will be described with reference to FIG.

First, the paper feed tray 4 in the printer body 3
A paper output tray 102 of the paper output device 10 is provided on the lateral side of the platen 80 of the printing device 8 above the mounting position of the paper output device 10. The paper output base 102 is a horizontal plate connected to the paper output port 6. The low part 102a and the high part 102b having substantially the same height as the discharge roller 100 are formed in a stepped shape.

A slit 103 is formed in the high part 102b in parallel with the direction of the arrow d, which is the paper discharge direction.
A vertical paper ejection lever 104 which is inserted through the slit 103 and protrudes above the high place 102b is provided rotatably in the directions of arrows m and m'about a fulcrum shaft 105.

Then, as shown by the solid line in FIG. 15, the photographic printing paper 2 after printing is discharged from the platen 80 in the direction of arrow c, and the photographic printing paper 2 is placed at the low portion 102a of the paper output tray 102.
And is placed over the upper part of the high part 102b.

Next, the paper discharge lever 104 of the paper discharge device 10 is rotationally driven in the direction of arrow m from the backward movement position shown by the solid line in FIG. Two
Push b parallel to the direction of arrow d.

Then, the photographic printing paper 2 is pushed out in parallel with the direction of the arrow d, and the photographic printing paper 2 is pressed as indicated by the one-dot chain line in FIG.
Is slid in the direction of arrow d from the high part 102b of the paper output tray 102 to the low part 102a, and the front end 2 of the photographic printing paper 2 is slid.
c is sent to the paper discharge port 6 formed under the operation panel 7 of the printer body 3.

Then, the operator inserts his / her fingertip into the recess 6a formed in the lower center of the discharge port 6, and the photographic paper 2
Can be pulled out of the paper discharge table 6.

The above is a description of one embodiment of the present invention.
The present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and various modifications can be made based on the technical idea of the present invention. For example, in the above embodiment, the photographic paper detection device in the sublimation type thermal transfer type color printer has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this kind of color printer,
The present invention can be widely applied to various types of printers and copy machines in which photographic paper or copy paper is fed by a paper feed tray, and a detection device for photographic paper or copy paper.

[0067]

The photographic paper detection device for a printer of the present invention constructed as described above has the following effects.

According to the first aspect of the present invention, the detection lever urged downward about the fulcrum shaft is brought into contact with the upper surface of the photographic paper in the paper feed tray from above, and the photographic paper in the paper feed tray is As the number of sheets decreased, the detection lever was gradually rotated downward, and the position of the detection lever was detected by the sensor to detect the presence or absence of photographic paper in the paper feed tray. It does not depend on (translucent photographic paper etc.) at all, it does not warp or bend at the end surface of photographic paper, and it rotates by its own weight without forming an opening on the outer wall of the paper feed tray. The presence / absence of printing paper in the paper feed tray can always be detected with high accuracy by a very simple detection lever.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, the detection lever is brought into contact with the upper surface of the photographic paper in the paper feed tray from above by its own weight, and the sensor is of a non-contact type. Therefore, the detection lever applies a load to the photographic paper. Almost nothing is given, and the occurrence of warpage and bending of the printing paper can be eliminated.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, when the paper feed tray is not inserted into the printer main body, the detection lever is allowed to escape upward from the insertion space of the paper feed tray to the inside of the printer main body of the paper feed tray. Since the detection lever operating mechanism that inserts the detection lever into the paper feed tray from above after the insertion of the paper feed tray is installed, the operating position and the non-operating position of the detection lever accompanying the insertion and extraction of the paper feed tray into the printer body are provided. It is possible to accurately switch the movement to.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a detection lever operating member for pushing the detection lever into the paper feed tray from above by being pushed by the paper feed tray inserted into the printer main body, and to the outside of the printer main body. Since the detection lever operating mechanism is configured by a return spring that pulls back the detection lever operating member by pulling out the paper feeding tray to allow the detection lever to escape above the insertion space of the paper feeding tray, The movement of the detection lever can be automatically switched between the operating position and the non-operating position in full synchronization with the operation of inserting and pulling out the paper feed tray, and the operability is improved.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, since the push-push type locking mechanism for locking the paper feed tray that has been completely inserted in the printer body is provided, the paper feed tray inserted in the printer body can be easily locked. It is possible to stabilize the operation of the detection lever.

According to the sixth aspect of the invention, since the guide for the printing paper returned from the printing device into the paper feed tray is provided in the detection lever, the printing paper can be smoothly returned to the paper feed tray during the printing process. .

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional side view taken along the line AA of FIG. 9 for explaining a detection state of a fully loaded printing paper by a detection lever in a printing paper detection device for a color printer which is an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional side view taken along the line AA of FIG. 9 for explaining the position of the detection lever when the paper feed tray is not inserted into the printer body in the photographic paper detection device.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional side view taken substantially along the line AA in FIG. 9 for explaining the detection state of one sheet of printing paper by the detection lever in the above-described printing paper detection apparatus.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional side view taken along the line AA of FIG. 9 for explaining the detection state of the absence of printing paper by the detection lever in the above printing apparatus.

5 is a cross-sectional side view taken along the line BB of FIG. 9 for explaining the same state as FIG.

6 is a cross-sectional side view taken along the line BB of FIG. 9 for explaining the same state as FIG. 2.

7 is a cross-sectional side view taken along the line BB of FIG. 9 for explaining the same state as FIG.

8 is a cross-sectional side view taken along the line BB of FIG. 9 for explaining the same state as FIG.

FIG. 9 is a plan view for explaining the entire printing paper detection device of the above.

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional side view taken along the line CC in FIG.

FIG. 11 is a plan view showing a state in which the paper feed tray of FIG. 9 is removed.

FIG. 12 is a side view taken along the line DD of FIG.

FIG. 13 is a perspective view illustrating a detection lever and a slider in the above-described printing paper detection device.

FIG. 14 is a perspective view illustrating a detection lever in the above-described photographic paper detection device.

FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional side view illustrating the outline of the paper discharge device in the color printer.

FIG. 16 is a cross-sectional front view showing a state before the paper feeding of the color printer is started.

FIG. 17 is a sectional front view showing a paper feed mode of the color printer.

FIG. 18 is a sectional front view showing a printing mode of the color printer.

FIG. 19 is a sectional front view showing a paper discharge mode of the color printer.

FIG. 20 is a perspective view of the entire color printer.

FIG. 21 is a diagram illustrating three examples of the printing paper detection device of the conventional color printer.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 Color Printer (Printer) 2 Printing Paper 3 Printer Main Body 4 Paper Feed Tray 4a Paper Feed Tray Bottom Wall 4b Paper Feed Tray Opening 4f Paper Tray Locked Area 8 Printing Device 9 Paper Feeding Device 10 Paper Ejecting Device 13 Printing Paper detection device 135 Detection lever 135a Detection lever base 135b Detection lever tip 135c Detection lever contact piece 135d, 135e Detection lever projection 135f Detection lever fulcrum hole 135g, 135h Detection lever shutter piece 135i Detection lever Guide 136 Slider 136a Slider abutment piece 136b Slider protrusion 137 Optical sensor (sensor) 137a Sensor board 138 Return spring 139 Detection lever operating mechanism 14 Tray guide 14c Tray guide fulcrum shaft 15 Lock mechanism 15a Lock machine The lock claw of

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. A printer in which photographic paper is fed into a printer main body by a paper feed tray, and the photographic paper in the paper feed tray is urged downward about a fulcrum shaft and inserted into the printer main body. Of the detection lever, which comes into contact with the upper surface of the paper feed tray from above and is rotated downward as the number of printing papers in the paper feed tray decreases, and the position of the detection lever is detected, A photographic paper detection device for a printer, comprising: a sensor for detecting the presence or absence of photographic paper. 2. The printer according to claim 1, wherein the detection lever is brought into contact with the upper surface of the printing paper in the paper feed tray from above by its own weight, and the sensor is of a non-contact type. Paper detection device. 3. When the paper feed tray is not inserted into the printer main body, the detection lever is released upward from the insertion space of the paper feed tray to complete the insertion of the paper feed tray into the printer main body. The photographic paper detection device for a printer according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising a detection lever operating mechanism for inserting the detection lever into the paper feed tray from above. 4. A detection lever operating member for inserting the detection lever into the paper feed tray from above by being pushed by a paper feed tray inserted into the printer main body, and the paper feed outside the printer main body. 4. The detection lever operating mechanism is configured by a return spring that pulls back the detection lever operating member by pulling out the paper tray and allows the detection lever to escape above the insertion space of the paper feeding tray. Printer paper detection device. 5. A printing paper detecting apparatus for a printer according to claim 4, further comprising a push-push type locking mechanism for locking the paper feed tray that has been completely inserted into the printer body. 6. The detection lever is provided with a guide for printing paper which is returned from the printing device into the paper feed tray, wherein the detection lever is provided. The photographic paper detection device of the printer according to 5.