JPH11301043A - Recording medium cutting mechanism and printer equipped therewith - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a recording medium cutting mechanism hard to generate paper jamming regardless of the deformation of recording paper or the handling of the discharged recording paper and a printer using the same. SOLUTION: In a recording medium cutting mechanism having the first opening provided to one wall forming the feed passage 18 of a recording medium, the cutting blade 2 provided so as to be capable of protruding to the feed passage from the first opening and the second opening opposedly arranged to the other wall and cutting the recording medium 10d by inserting the cutting blade into the second opening, shutters 12, 21 at least partially covering at least openings and opened when the cutting blade 2 protrudes and closed when the cutting blade is housed corresponding to blade 2 are provided.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a cutting mechanism for cutting a recording medium such as roll paper and a printing apparatus provided with the cutting mechanism, and more particularly to a technique for smoothly transporting a recording medium after cutting. is there.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as a cutting mechanism of an auto-cutter provided in this type of printer, Japanese Utility Model Application Laid-Open No.
No. 792, in which the cutting edges of a pair of blades are cut in a scissor-like manner from one end to the other while cross-pressing the cutting edges, or a scissor-type movable blade as described above is used as a recording paper. Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No.
A prior art described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 1-289697 of a sliding type in which the movable blade has a V-shaped cutting edge is known, either of the type described in Japanese Patent No. 104484 or the type cut from the same side.

In a printer that cuts recording paper by these cutting mechanisms, an opening is provided on the side of the recording paper conveyance path facing the movable blade over the entire width of the recording paper because the movable blade moves. . This opening is provided in the same manner even when the recording paper is cut leaving one of the two ends of the recording paper or a connection part that is not cut at a part of the center.

[0006] FIG. 6 is a side view of a recording paper conveyance path around a cut section. More specifically, referring to FIG. 6, the recording paper 10 printed by the paper feeding and printing mechanism 31 passes through the path between the fixed blade 3 and the movable blade 2 from the paper passage port 11 of the cutter frame 14, Then, the paper is sent through the paper discharge port 18 between the cutter cover 13 and the printer cover 16 and cut into a desired length.

[0005] The cutting of the recording paper 10 is performed by moving the movable blade 2 to the fixed blade 3 side across the transport path. Therefore, an opening 19 is formed in the printer cover 16 as an opening of the movable blade 2. There is an opening 20 in the cutter cover 13,
These are provided over the entire width of the recording paper 10.

[0006]

In the prior art described above, when the recording paper 10 is deformed such as a curl, the leading end of the cut recording paper enters the above-mentioned opening 20 and is accompanied by the printing. When the recording paper is conveyed, the recording paper is clogged in the opening 20 and cannot be conveyed.
This is likely to occur when the recording paper is roll paper,
In particular, it frequently occurs when the roll media has a small core diameter or when the paper thickness is large.

Further, a printer provided with a so-called partial cut type auto cutter that leaves a part at the time of cutting has the following problem. That is, the recording paper 10 that is partially cut off after printing on the recording paper is cut,
It is pulled by the operator and completely separated,
A paper jam occurs when the next paper feed is performed while the recording paper is being picked, or when the partially cut recording paper 10 is accumulated on the printer without the presence of the operator. Was. If a force is applied to the unremoved paper to prevent the paper from being discharged in the next paper feed, the paper may be broken at the connection immediately after the paper feed starts, and the recording paper 10
6, paper enters the outside of the transport path from the openings 20 and 19 on the movable blade side or the fixed blade side as shown in 10a and 10b in FIG.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to solve the above-mentioned problems, and to deal with the deformation of the recording paper and the handling of the discharged recording paper.
An object of the present invention is to provide a recording medium cutting mechanism in which paper jam is unlikely to occur and a printer using the same.

[0009]

In order to achieve the above object,
The recording medium cutting mechanism of the present invention includes a first opening provided in one wall forming a conveyance path of a recording medium, a cutting blade provided so as to protrude from the first opening to the conveyance path, and the other. A recording medium cutting mechanism for cutting the recording medium by inserting the cutting blade into the opening and having at least one of the first and second openings. A shutter that covers at least a portion of the opening of
In accordance with the movement of the cutting blade, there is provided a shutter which is opened when the cutting blade protrudes and is closed when the cutting blade is retracted. This allows
The leading end of the recording medium after cutting is blocked by the shutter, thereby preventing erroneous feeding from the opening to the outside of the transport path.

In this case, the shutter is rotatably attached to the wall provided with the opening via a pivot provided at an upper portion, and has a contact portion that contacts the cutting blade at a lower portion. When the cutting blade comes into contact with the abutting portion, the shutter is rotated around the rotation fulcrum with the projection of the cutting blade and is opened, and the shutter is opened. Accordingly, it may be configured to be turned around the turning fulcrum and closed. As a result, the shutter returns to the closed position by its own weight after cutting, so that the leading end of the recording medium can be reliably guided.

In the above case, it is desirable to have an urging means for urging the shutter in a closing direction.
Thereby, regardless of the attitude of the recording medium cutting mechanism, the shutter can be surely closed after the cutting, and the recording medium can be guided more reliably.

In the above case, it is desirable to have a magnet that magnetically attracts the shutter when the shutter is in a closed state. As a result, the suction force at the time of closing can be increased, so that the recording medium can be guided more reliably. In addition, even when the above-described urging means is used in combination, the urging force of the urging means can be set low, and the driving force for driving the cutting blade can be reduced accordingly. In this case, the same effect can be obtained by using an adhesive member that attracts the shutter instead of the magnet.

A second cutting blade provided in the second opening for cutting the recording medium in cooperation with the cutting blade, wherein the shutter is provided in the second opening; The shutter may be provided with a cutting blade cover that covers the second cutting blade when the shutter is closed and exposes the second cutting blade when the shutter is opened. Thereby, the second
Since the cutting blade is not always exposed, the recording medium is not damaged due to interference between the recording medium and the cutting blade, and the safety is improved.

A printing apparatus according to the present invention is a printing apparatus using the above-described recording medium cutting mechanism, and includes a first opening provided on one wall forming a conveyance path of a recording medium, and a first opening provided on the first wall. It has a cutting blade provided to be able to protrude from the opening to the conveyance path and a second opening facing the other wall, and cuts the recording medium by fitting the cutting blade into the opening. In a printing apparatus having a recording medium cutting mechanism and a print head and a platen that are arranged opposite to the recording medium cutting mechanism with the conveyance path interposed therebetween and perform printing on the recording medium, the recording medium cutting mechanism includes A shutter that covers at least a part of at least one of the first and second openings, and is opened when the cutting blade protrudes according to movement of the cutting blade, and the cutting blade is stored. Is closed Characterized by comprising a. In the printing apparatus of the present invention, the same effect as that obtained by the above-described recording medium cutting mechanism can be obtained.

[0015]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of a cutter mechanism according to the present invention and a printer using the same will be described in detail with reference to FIGS.

The printer according to the present invention is configured as shown in FIG. That is, the roll-shaped recording paper 10 placed in the recording paper storage unit 30 is printed by the printing mechanism 31 having a paper feeding mechanism, and is arranged downstream of the printing mechanism 31 by the paper feeding mechanism. It is sent to the cutter mechanism 32. Then, the roll-shaped recording paper is cut there and discharged from the printer. By adjusting the operation amount of the cutter, a so-called partial cut can be performed in which a part of the recording paper is cut off and cut.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory view when the cutter mechanism 32 is viewed in a planar state. In this embodiment, the movable blade 2 and the fixed blade 3 form a pair of scissors, and when the worm 7 and the gear 8 rotate according to the rotation of the motor 6, the pin 9 and the movable blade 2 implanted in the gear 8 The movable blade 2 is engaged with the drilled slot.
Reciprocates around the support shaft 4. At this time, the recording paper in the paper passage opening 11 provided in the cutter frame 14 is cut by the movable blade 2 and the fixed blade 3 due to the cross sliding of the blade portions of the movable blade 2 and the fixed blade 3.

When the above-described partial cut is performed, the operation amount of the movable blade 2 is limited by stopping or reversing the rotation of the motor 6 when the movable blade 2 reaches a predetermined position. I just need. When only partial cutting is sufficient, the length of the movable blade 2 may be set to be shorter than the entire width of the recording paper 10 in advance. In this case, the recording papers 10 are connected to each other at the connection portions left uncut.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the paper cutting section of the cutter mechanism 32 of the printer according to the present embodiment as viewed from the fixed blade 3 side. The movable blade 2 is mounted on the cutter frame 14 via the support shaft 4 and the fixed blade 3 is mounted directly on the cutter frame 14. The upper part of the movable blade 2 is covered with a cutter cover 13, and the upper part of the fixed blade 3 is covered with a printer cover 16 (see FIG. 5). The sides of the cutter cover 13 facing the paper passage opening 11 are guide surfaces 13 a and 13 b for guiding the recording paper 10.
An opening 15 through which the movable blade 2 enters and exits is provided in 3b. These guide surfaces 13 a and 13 b form one side of a conveyance path of the recording paper 10 that has passed through the paper passage 11.

In this embodiment, a shutter 12 is provided at an opening 15 through which the movable blade 2 enters and exits so as to be openable and closable. Although the detailed structure of the shutter 12 will be described later with reference to FIG. 5, the movable blade 2 rotates about the support shaft 4 and
, The shutter 12 is rotated and opened by the movable blade 2 as shown by a two-dot chain line in FIG.
When the cutting operation is completed, the cutting blade 2 is moved to the cutter cover 13.
Then, the shutter 12 pivots and returns to the position indicated by the solid line in the drawing, that is, closes. In this closed state, the shutter 12 functions as a guide for guiding the recording paper 10 and prevents the recording paper 10 from entering the opening 15.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the paper cutting section of the cutter mechanism section 32 of the printer according to the present embodiment as viewed from the movable blade 2 side. A guide surface 16a for guiding the recording paper 10 toward the printer cover 16 is formed on the printer cover 16 that covers the upper portion of the fixed blade 3. In addition, the guide surface 16
a, the movable blade 2 has a guide surface 16 of the printer cover 16;
An opening 17 through which the movable blade 2 enters and exits is provided so as not to collide with a. The guide surface 16a is located at
1 is formed on one side of the conveyance path of the recording paper 10 passing through the recording paper 10.

Further, in this embodiment, a shutter 21 is attached to the opening 17 through which the movable blade 2 enters and exits so as to be openable and closable. Although the detailed structure of the shutter 21 will be described later with reference to FIG. 5, when the movable blade 2 rotates about the support shaft 4 and enters the printer cover 16 through the opening 17, the shutter 21 To rotate and open as described below. Also, the cutting operation ends,
When the cutting blade 2 comes out of the printer cover 16, the shutter 21 rotates and returns to the position shown in FIG. In this closed state, the shutter 21 functions as a guide for guiding the recording paper 10 and prevents the recording paper 10 from entering the opening 17.

Next, the shutter 12 and the shutter 21 will be described with reference to FIG.
Will be described in detail. The shutter 12 is a pivot 12
b, it is rotatably attached to the cutter cover 13. The structure of the rotation fulcrum 12b can use a well-known hinge structure, so details thereof will be omitted. However, a hole protruding downward from the cutter cover 13 is provided with a hole in the direction penetrating FIG. For example, a structure in which a pin implanted in a hole is inserted can be used. The shutter 12 has a projection on the top, and the recording paper 10d indicated by a solid line
Is pressed to the left in the figure, the protrusion comes into contact with the inner wall of the cutter cover 13 so that the rotation of the shutter 12 is restricted.

The shutter 12 is urged to abut on the cutter cover 13 by a leaf spring 12a abutting on the above-mentioned projection. Accordingly, the shutter 12 is stably positioned at the initial position indicated by the solid line except when the shutter 12 is rotated by the movable blade 2. Therefore, the recording paper 10 conveyed by the paper feed mechanism from the lower printing mechanism 31 is not obstructed by the shutter 12 in its course. The leaf spring 12 a for urging the shutter 12 is screwed to the cutter cover 13. The fixing structure of the leaf spring 12a is not limited to this, and a known method or structure such as welding or bonding can be used.

In this embodiment, the leaf spring 12a is used to position the shutter 12 at the initial position. However, the present invention is not limited to this. Instead of the leaf spring 12a, a well-known helical spring, rubber or sponge is used. And other elastic members. Further, the shutter 12 is made of a magnetic material such as soft iron, and a part 13c of the cutter cover 13 facing the shutter 12 is magnetized, so that the shutter 12 is moved by the magnetic force acting between the shutter 12 and the cutter cover 13c. It is also possible to set the initial position. Also, by setting the position of the center of gravity of the shutter 12 below the shutter 12, it is possible to set the initial posture of the shutter 12 without using an urging member or a magnetic member.

In the above configuration, when the movable blade 2 projects into the conveying path of the recording paper 10 to cut the recording paper 10, the shutter 12 comes into contact with the leading end of the movable blade 2 and It is rotated clockwise. At this time, it is desirable that the shutter 12 be set to a length that does not touch the cutting edge 2a of the movable blade 2. Thereby, damage to the cutting edge 2a can be avoided. In this case, it is desirable that the cutter cover 13c facing the shutter 12 be set at a position where the cutter cover 13c does not interfere with the cutting edge 2a and at a position where the gap with the shutter 12 is as small as possible.

In response to the movement of the movable blade 2, the shutter 12 is rotated while the projection of the shutter 12 elastically deforms the leaf spring 12a, and reaches a position indicated by an imaginary line (two-dot chain line) and stops. At this time, the lower part of the shutter 12 slides on the upper surface of the movable blade 2. Therefore, it is desirable to apply a known low-friction member such as Teflon, a lubricating sheet, or a lubricant to the sliding portion.

On the other hand, the shutter 2 is attached to the printer cover 16.
1 is rotatably mounted. Since the mounting structure can be realized by using a well-known hinge structure, a detailed description thereof will be omitted. However, a hole is provided in a protrusion cut and raised from the printer cover 16, and a rotation shaft 21 b implanted at the top of the shutter 21 is inserted into the hole. It has a structure. Therefore, the shutter 21 rotates about the rotation shaft 21b as a fulcrum. A leaf spring 21a is in contact with the back surface of the shutter 21 and urges the shutter 21 to make contact with the printer cover 16. Thus, the shutter 21 is stably positioned at the initial position indicated by the solid line except when the shutter 21 is rotated by the movable blade 2. At the initial position, the shutter 21 is configured so as to abut on the printer cover 16 so as not to protrude into the recording paper transport path, so that the recording paper 10 transported by the paper feed mechanism from the lower printing mechanism unit 31 travels along its path. To shutter 2
There is no hindrance to one.

The leaf spring 12 for urging the shutter 12
a is screwed to the cutter cover 13. Leaf spring 1
The fixing structure of 2a is not limited to this, and a known method or structure such as welding or bonding can be used.

In this embodiment, the leaf spring 21a is used to position the shutter 21 at the initial position. However, the present invention is not limited to this. Instead of the leaf spring 21a, a well-known helical spring, rubber, or sponge is used. And other elastic members. In addition, the lower end of the shutter 21 is magnetized, and the fixed blade 3 facing the lower portion is made of a magnetic material such as steel, so that the magnetic force acting between the shutter 21 and the fixed blade 3 initializes the shutter 21. It is also possible to set the position.

In this case, it is possible to magnetize the fixed blade 3 side, but care must be taken since magnetic powder or the like may adhere to the fixed blade 3 and damage the cutting edge 3a. By setting the position of the center of gravity of the shutter 21 below the shutter 21, it is possible to set the initial posture of the shutter 21 without using an urging member or a magnetic member.

In the above-described configuration, when the movable blade 2 projects into the printer cover 16 from the transport path of the recording paper 10 to cut the recording paper 10, the shutter 21 moves to the tip of the movable blade 2. The abutment is rotated counterclockwise. At this time, the shutter 21 is moved to the cutting edge 2a of the movable blade 2.
It is desirable that the length be set so as not to touch. Thereby, damage to the cutting edge 2a can be avoided.

In response to the movement of the movable blade 2, the shutter 21 is rotated while the back surface of the shutter 21 elastically deforms the leaf spring 21a, reaches a position indicated by an imaginary line (two-dot chain line), and stops. At this time, the lower part of the shutter 21 slides on the tip of the movable blade 2. Therefore, it is desirable to apply a known low-friction member such as Teflon, a lubricating sheet, or a lubricant to the sliding portion.

The recording paper 10 sent from the paper feed and printing mechanism 31 passes through the paper passage opening 11 provided in the cutter frame 14, between the shutters 12 and 21, and by the cutter cover 13 and the printer cover 16. The paper is discharged to the outside of the printer through the formed conveyance path 18.
Thereafter, the movable blade 2 is rotated at a desired position, and the recording paper 10 is cut completely or while leaving its connection.

Usually, the cut recording paper is taken out by cutting the connection portion by an operator, or is extruded by the next printing. However, if the next paper feed is performed while the operator is picking the recording paper, or
If the next paper feed is performed, for example, when the partially cut recording paper 10 is accumulated on the printer without the operator, the recording paper 10 is folded at the connecting portion of the recording paper 10, and the transmitted recording paper 10 is folded. Try to move in the direction However, the shutter 12 and the shutter 2 are provided in the paper transport path 18 facing the connecting portion.
1 prevents the folded portion or the leading end of the recording paper 10 from entering the inside of the printer from the paper conveyance path 18, and the recording paper 10 is pushed upward. The recording paper 10c and the recording paper 10d in the figure show the state.

In the paper cutting mechanism of this embodiment and the printer using the same, the shutter is provided on both the cutter cover 13 and the printer cover 16, but the present invention is not limited to this. In the case of roll paper, since the direction of deformation due to the curl can be specified, a shutter may be provided only at the position where the cut end comes into contact. Thereby, the load at the time of moving the movable blade 2 can be reduced, and the number of parts can be reduced and the structure can be simplified.

The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications are possible. For example,
In the tocutter system, any of scissors, slide, rotary, and guillotine systems can be used to make the connection, and the number and position of the remaining connection are not limited.

In this embodiment, the shutter 12 and the shutter 21 are provided only in the vicinity of the center with respect to the paper width of the recording paper 10, but the present invention is not limited to such a configuration, Shutter 1
2, 21 may be provided. This allows
It is possible to more reliably prevent the recording paper 10 from entering, and also prevent the so-called paper dust generated when the recording paper 10 is cut or foreign matter entering from the discharge opening of the recording paper 10 from entering the inside of the cutter. .

[0039]

As described above, according to the recording medium cutting mechanism of the present invention and the printing apparatus using the same, the first opening provided on one wall forming the recording medium conveyance path, The recording medium includes a cutting blade provided to be able to protrude from the first opening into the conveyance path and a second opening arranged to face the other wall, and the cutting blade is inserted into the opening to allow the recording medium to be inserted. A recording medium cutting mechanism that cuts at least a part of at least one of the first and second openings, wherein the shutter is protruded in accordance with the movement of the cutting blade. Is opened and has a shutter that is closed when the cutting blade is retracted, so that the leading end of the cut recording medium is blocked by the shutter, thereby preventing erroneous feeding from the opening to the outside of the conveyance path. . Therefore, even a recording medium having large deformation can be smoothly conveyed without clogging the conveyance path.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a view showing a cutter mechanism of an embodiment of a printer according to the present invention, and is a perspective view seen from a fixed blade side.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a cutter mechanism according to an embodiment of the present invention, and is a perspective view as viewed from a movable blade side.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a configuration of a main mechanism according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a plan view showing a cutter component according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a side view of a paper transport path of the cutter mechanism according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a side view of a paper transport path of a conventional cutter mechanism.

[Explanation of symbols]

 2 Movable blade 3 Fixed blade 10 Recording paper 11 Paper passage port 12 Shutter 12a Leaf spring 13 Cutter cover 14 Cutter frame 16 Printer cover 21 Shutter 21a Leaf spring 31 Paper feed and printing mechanism

Claims (12)

[Claims] 1. A first opening provided in one wall forming a conveyance path of a recording medium, a cutting blade provided so as to protrude from the first opening into the conveyance path, and opposed to the other wall. A recording medium cutting mechanism that cuts the recording medium by inserting the cutting blade into the opening, wherein at least one of the first and second openings is provided. A shutter that partially covers the shutter, which is opened when the cutting blade protrudes according to the movement of the cutting blade,
A recording medium cutting mechanism comprising a shutter that is closed when the cutting blade is stored. 2. The recording medium cutting mechanism according to claim 1, wherein the shutter is rotatably attached to a wall provided with the opening via a rotation fulcrum provided at an upper part, and the shutter is provided at a lower part. When the cutting blade comes into contact with the contact portion, the shutter rotates around the rotation fulcrum with the protrusion of the cutting blade when the cutting blade comes into contact with the contact portion. A recording medium cutting mechanism, which is opened and is rotated and closed around the rotation fulcrum with the storage of the cutting blade. 3. The recording medium cutting mechanism according to claim 1, further comprising: an urging unit that urges the shutter in a direction to close the shutter. 4. The recording medium cutting mechanism according to claim 2, further comprising a magnet that magnetically attracts the shutter when the shutter is in a closed state. 5. The recording medium cutting mechanism according to claim 2, further comprising an adhesive member that attracts the shutter when the shutter is in a closed state. 6. The recording medium cutting mechanism according to claim 1, wherein the second cutting blade is provided in the second opening and cuts the recording medium in cooperation with the cutting blade. Having the shutter provided in the second opening,
A recording medium cutting mechanism, comprising: a cutting blade cover that covers the second cutting blade when the shutter is closed and exposes the second cutting blade when the shutter is opened. 7. A first opening provided on one wall forming a conveyance path of a recording medium, a cutting blade provided to be protrudable from the first opening to the conveyance path, and opposed to the other wall. A recording medium cutting mechanism having a second opening disposed therein, the cutting blade being inserted into the opening to cut the recording medium, and facing the storage medium upstream of the recording medium cutting mechanism via the conveyance path. In a printing apparatus having a print head and a platen arranged to print on the recording medium, the recording medium cutting mechanism is a shutter that covers at least a part of at least one of the first and second openings. A printing apparatus comprising: a shutter that is opened when the cutting blade protrudes in accordance with the movement of the cutting blade, and is closed when the cutting blade is retracted. . 8. The printing apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the shutter is rotatably attached to a wall provided with the opening via a rotation fulcrum provided at an upper portion, and the cutting blade is provided at a lower portion. The shutter is rotated and opened around the rotation fulcrum with the protrusion of the cutting blade when the cutting blade comes into contact with the contact portion. The printing apparatus is rotated and closed around the rotation fulcrum with the storage of the cutting blade. 9. The printing apparatus according to claim 7, further comprising an urging unit that urges the shutter in a direction to close the shutter. 10. The printing apparatus according to claim 8, further comprising a magnet that magnetically attracts the shutter when the shutter is in a closed state. 11. The printing apparatus according to claim 8, further comprising an adhesive member that attracts the shutter when the shutter is in a closed state. 12. The printing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a second cutting blade provided at the second opening and cutting the recording medium in cooperation with the cutting blade. The shutter is provided in the second opening,
A printing apparatus, comprising: a cutting blade cover that covers the second cutting blade when the shutter is closed and exposes the second cutting blade when the shutter is opened.