JPS63247242A - Paper feed device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To reduce the size of a device and to reduce the generation of noise, by a method wherein a plurality of links are rotatably coupled, each of the same number of lamination type piezoelectric elements as that of the links is situated to the one end of each of the links, the length of the piezoelectric element is changed by energization, and the feed of sheets is effected by means of the contact of the tip of the link. CONSTITUTION:With a piezoelectric element 7 driven in a contraction direction, an arm 11 and a link 17 are rotated counterclockwisely through the force of a spring 13, and a contact part 19 is separated away from a paper 1. Thereafter, the piezoelectric element 6 is stretched against the force of a spring 12. In which case, the links 16 and 17 are rotated clockwisely, and the contact part 19 is brought into contact with the paper 1. with the piezoelectric element 6 further continuously stretched, the paper 1 is fed rightwardly through bending of a leaf spring 18. This constitution enables reduction of the size and the weight of a sheet feed device, and further permits reduction of the generation of noise.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Field of Industrial Application] The present invention relates to a paper feeding device that is small and quiet, has a wide setting range of feeding amount, and is capable of forward and reverse feeding.

(Prior Art) Conventional paper feeding devices used pulse motors or DC motors, so they were generally large in size, and required gears and clutches, resulting in loud operating noise.

FIG. 7 shows an example of a conventional paper feeding device, in which 1 is paper, 2 is a platen, 3 is a pressure roller, 4 is a pulse motor, and 5 is a reduction gear.

These operations are performed by transmitting the constant angle rotation of the pulse motor 4 to the platen 2 via the reduction gear 5, and applying pressure.
The paper 1 held down by the roller 3 moves in the direction of the arrow along with the platen 2.

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention] Conventionally, as the pulse motor 4 or the DC motor and the platen 2 are used, the paper feeding device is large in weight and dimension, and there is a limit to miniaturization, especially thinning. there were.

Furthermore, since the use of the reduction gear 5 and the clutch is unavoidable, there is also the drawback that noise is generated during operation.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide a compact and quiet printer by making a paper feeding device smaller, thinner, and less noisy.

[Means for solving problems]

The paper feeding device according to the present invention includes a multi-articulated link in which a plurality of links are connected one after another by rotational support, and a laminated type link whose length changes when energized in the same number as these links or links with one end fixed on a base. piezoelectric elements and an arm extending from a support point of an adjacent link or base of the link to which the piezoelectric element is fixed, which is coupled rotatably relative to the other free ends of these piezoelectric elements, and fixed to the most advanced link; A contact portion is connected to the free end of the leaf spring and comes into contact with and separates from the sheet to be fed.

(Operation) In this invention, by driving each piezoelectric element, the contact portion moves forward while contacting the paper, and then moves back without contacting the paper, repeating a reciprocating motion, thereby feeding the paper little by little.

〔Example〕

FIG. 1 is a side view illustrating a first embodiment of the invention.
1 is paper, 6.7 is a laminated piezoelectric element, 8.9 is a pressing end, 10.11 is an arm, 12° 13 is a spring, 14 is a base, 15 is a mounting portion for the piezoelectric element 6, 16. 17 is a link, and the link 16 also serves as a mounting portion for the piezoelectric element 7.

18 is a leaf spring joined to the tip of the link 17, 19 is a contact portion made of rubber, and 20 is a paper guide, which is fixed to the base 14.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the shape of the pressing end 8.9.

FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining the operation of the above embodiment.
a, b, bl, b2, some of which are also shown in the figure, are links 16.1
7, the center of rotation, c, cl, c2°c3 indicates the position of the tip of the contact portion 19.

First, the states in FIG. 1 will be expressed as (a, b, c). When the piezoelectric element 7 is driven in the contraction direction from this state, the arm 11 and the link 17 are rotated counterclockwise by the force of the spring 13, and the contact portion is separated from the paper 1. This state can be expressed as (a, bl, c3) in FIG. 3, for example. Now, consider making the contact portion 19 take an elliptical route when neither the paper 1 nor the paper guide 2o is present. For example, when taking the route 21, it can be seen from the figure that the piezoelectric element 6 is driven and the piezoelectric element 7 is appropriately driven so that the center of rotation is moved between bl and b2. When there is a paper 1 and a paper guide 20, the deflection of the leaf spring 18 causes the route 21 shown by the bold line in FIG.
The tip of the contact portion 19 can follow the loop formed by the upper part of the contact portion 22 and the root 22 . However, leaf spring 18
Errors due to deflection are omitted. Of course, it is possible to reduce the deflection of the leaf spring 18, and in that case, the contact portion 1 when there is no paper 1 and paper guide 20
Route 23, where the route at the tip of 9 is shown by the two-dot chain line in Figure 4.
All you have to do is control it so that it passes through.

FIG. 5 is a partial side view showing another embodiment of the invention.
4 is a flexible connecting member, which is used in place of the pressing end 8 of the piezoelectric element 6.7 and the springs 12, 13 in FIG. That is, piezoelectric element 6.7 and arm 10
．． 11 by the connecting member 24, the same effect as the embodiment shown in FIG. 2 is brought about, and in the embodiment shown in FIG. If the force is insufficient, the intended action may not be performed. This embodiment improves this point and ensures reliable operation both in the reciprocating direction.

The above has explained one paper feeder, but one paper feeder
For a wide sheet like this, it is necessary to feed both ends at the same time for stable feeding. Therefore, normally, if a total of four paper feed devices are provided, two at each end of the paper 1, and these are operated alternately as a set of two at both ends, the contact portion 19 of one of the sets will always reach the paper. 1, so stable feeding can be performed.

The contact portion 19 may be a claw portion made of a highly wear-resistant material such as metal or ceramics, as shown in FIG. (Route 22 in FIG. 4) is sufficient as long as it can be maintained.

Further, in the drawings, the driving direction is explained as being performed in the left direction, but it is also possible to drive in the right direction. The embodiment shown in FIG. 1 can be driven in both the left and right directions, while the contact section shown in FIG. 6 is suitable only for the left direction.

In addition, in the embodiment of the second part, energization to each piezoelectric element 6.7,
For example, link 16 as shown in FIG. 3 is de-energized.
．． A control means for causing 17 to perform a predetermined movement is omitted.

〔Effect of the invention〕

As explained above, the present invention relates to a multi-articulated link in which a plurality of links are connected one after another by rotational support, and a multi-articulated link whose length changes when energized by the same number of these links or links with one end fixed on a base. an arm extending from a support point of a link or base adjacent to a link to which a piezoelectric element is fixed rotatably coupled with the other free ends of these piezoelectric elements; Since it is composed of a leaf spring fixed to the link and a contact portion that is joined to the free end of the leaf spring and contacts and separates from the sheet to be fed, the sheet feeding device can be constructed to be small and lightweight. In particular, when feeding at minute pitches as in a line-tod type printer, there is no need to use a reduction gear or the like, which has the advantage of not generating noise.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a side view of one embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a side view of one embodiment of the present invention.
FIGS. 3 and 4 are partial perspective views of the main parts of the figure, and FIGS.
This figure is a partial side view of another embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing an example of a conventional paper feeding device using a pulse motor. In the figure, 1 is paper, 6.7 is a laminated piezoelectric element, 8.9 is a pressing end, 10.11 is an arm, 12° and 13 are springs, 1
4 is a base, 15 is a mounting part, 16° 17 is a link, 18 is a leaf spring, 19 is a contact part, 20 is a paper guide, 21, 22
．． 23 is the route of movement of the tip of the contact portion, a, b is the rotation center of the link, and C is the tip of the contact portion.

Claims (1)

[Claims] A multi-articulated link in which a plurality of links are connected one after another by rotational support, a laminated piezoelectric element whose length changes when energized by the same number of links as the links or the links whose one end is fixed on a base, and these piezoelectric elements. an arm extending from a support point of an adjacent link or base of the link to which the piezoelectric element is fixed, which is rotatably connected to the other end of the non-fixed side of the link, and a leaf spring fixed to the most advanced link; A paper feeding device characterized by having a contact portion that is joined to a free end of a leaf spring and contacts and separates from a paper to be fed.