JPS63303777A - Printer - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To prevent paper from loading on a mechanical part and, besides, to improve a space factor of a leg part, by a method wherein a paper guide which guides changing of the paper into a paper guide path is provided when printing operation is performed by changing arrangement so that the paper guide path points almost horizontally. CONSTITUTION:A printer 6 has a second paper charge part 5 at a bottom part 6a on extension of a vertical paper path composed of paper feed rollers 13, 13' and discharge rollers 14, 14', and forms a vertical second paper guide path. Before printing by plane feed via the second paper guide path is performed, arrangement of a printer part 6 is so changed that the bottom part 6a comes to a side to make the second paper guide path almost horizontal. A paper guide 15 is established in a plane direction of the second paper guide path at a position where a lower side of the paper which is charged to the second paper charge part 5 is supported at that time. Since charging operation becomes easy thereby and the paper in never deflected, the deflective deformation is prevented from loading on a mechanical part and exerting a bad influence on printing operation.

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] [Industrial Application Field] The present invention relates to a printing device such as a portable word processor or a personal computer, and more particularly to a printing device that can perform printing by plane feeding of paper by changing its arrangement. .

[Summary of the Invention] The present invention provides a printing device that enables printing by plane feeding of paper by changing the arrangement, in which the direction of the paper guide path arranged in the downward direction of the road of the printing device is changed to a substantially horizontal direction. When printing by flat-feeding paper, a paper guide is provided at the bottom of the printing device to guide the insertion of the paper, and this paper guide is used as a paper guide during the above printing, and when necessary for other purposes, it is attached to the legs of the device. By using it as a flat feed, it is possible to improve the operability when using it and to make the device more compact.

[Prior Art] Conventionally, printing devices such as portable word processors have integrally incorporated a printing operation unit, that is, a printer. Roll feeding is generally used to feed printing paper in this printer. That is, a paper insertion section is provided at the top of the printer, the paper is bent downward, printed, and then ejected upward again.

However, in the case of this roll feeding, if the paper is thick or hard, the paper may curl and not return to its original shape, or it may not be able to print because it does not bend sufficiently.

Therefore, the applicant filed the earlier patent application No. 61-248.
No. 158 includes two paper inserts, the first paper insert is used to form a first paper guide path for roll feeding of normal paper, and the second paper insert is used for forming a first paper guide path for roll feeding of normal paper. A printer has been proposed which is used to form a second paper guide path for plane feeding that feeds paper or hard paper with almost no bending, thereby making it possible to print on any paper. FIGS. 5(a) and 5(b) are cross-sectional views showing the printer in use. (a) shows the use with roll paper feeding, and (b) shows the use with flat paper feeding.

In the above, the first paper insertion section 4 is provided at the top of the printer, and the second paper insertion section 5 is provided at the bottom of the printer in order to serve as the print head 1, platen 2, and paper ejection section 3. . Therefore, the second paper guide path is in the downward direction on the road, so when printing by plane feeding the paper, the printer should be placed so that the bottom is on the side as shown in (b). In this case, the second paper guiding path was changed to a substantially horizontal direction.

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention] However, in the conventional printer capable of plane paper feeding, the second paper insertion section 5 is usually at the bottom, so there is no need for a device to guide the paper. Cannot be installed. Therefore, when using horizontal plane feeding as shown in Figure 5 (o), it is very difficult to insert the paper into the paper insertion section 5, and if the paper bends, it puts a load on the mechanical part and interferes with the printing operation. The problem was that it had a negative impact.

On the other hand, portable word processors are required to be smaller in consideration of their portability, and the inclination angle of the operating surface such as a keyboard is not ergonomically appropriate 8° to 10", but is 3° to 10". The angle is about 4 degrees.As a way to improve this, generally it is possible to install retractable legs and lift the rear part when using it to create an angle, but the legs are relatively large. However, it has been difficult to provide such legs in order to reduce the size of the device, since it impairs the space factor.

The present invention was devised to solve the above-mentioned problems, and improves operability when using flat sheet feeding, prevents paper from placing a load on the mechanical section, and reduces the space factor of the legs. The object of the present invention is to provide a printing device that can be made smaller by modifying the printer.

[Means for Solving the Problems] The configuration of the printing device of the present invention for achieving the above object includes: a paper guide path formed in the downward direction of the printing device; and a paper guide path that can be stored in the bottom of the printing device. The apparatus is characterized by comprising a paper guide that is arranged so that the paper guide path is oriented in a substantially horizontal direction and guides insertion of paper into the paper guide path when performing a printing operation.

[Function] According to the present invention, a paper guide is provided at the bottom of the printing device when used in planar paper feeding. This paper guide guides the paper to the paper guide path to make it easier to insert the paper when changing the orientation of the printing device or the printing operation unit to perform a printing operation using horizontal flat paper feeding.This paper guide also supports the paper during the printing operation. Prevents load from being applied to mechanical parts. In addition, when flat paper feeding is not performed and the mounting part is the original bottom, this paper guide can be used as a leg when necessary, and can be used as a base when unnecessary. It is stored like this.

[Example] Hereinafter, an example of the present invention will be described in detail based on the drawings.

FIGS. 1A and 1B are configuration diagrams showing an embodiment of the present invention. This embodiment is applied to a portable word processor in which two parts, a printer part 6 and a main body part 7 which is an information input operation part, are configured to be separable and connectable. (
A) shows a cross-sectional view of a state in which the printer section 6 is separated from the main body section 7 and printing is performed by plane paper feeding, and (B) shows a state in which the printer section 6 is joined (docking) to the main body section 7, for example. This is a cross-sectional view of a usage state in which information is printed by manual operation or roll paper feeding. The internal mechanical section of the printer section 6 has substantially the same configuration as the conventional one, and the same members will be described with the same reference numerals.

The main body section 7 includes a keyboard 7a, a flash case display section, an external storage section, etc., and can store the print contents input from the keyboard 7a in an external storage section such as a floppy disk, and can be stored by operation. The printed content is read out and print data and print control commands are issued to the printer section 6 via the cable 8. The printer unit 6 receives this and prints it.

As will be described later, the printer section 6 is assembled as shown in FIG. It can be separated into two parts, or it can be joined as shown in Figure 1 (b). Hereinafter, the vertical direction of the printer unit 6 and its top and bottom will be defined based on the bonded state shown in FIG. 1(B). The printer section 6 has a first paper insertion section 4 at the top, and as shown in FIG.
The direction of the paper is changed by the paper feed roller 13 rotated by a motor (not shown) and its driven roller 13'. At the destination of the paper feed rollers 13, 13', there are mechanical parts such as a print head I and a platen 2, and the paper 11 is fed line feed between them by the paper feed rollers 13, 13' and printed. After printing, the paper 11 is discharged to the upper paper discharge section 3 by a discharge roller 14 rotated in the same direction as the paper feed roller 13, 13' and its driven roller 14'. In the above, the pressure contact surface of paper feed rollers I3 and l3', the pressure contact surface of discharge 14.14,
The contact surfaces of the platen and the head are configured to be on the same plane. As described above, the printer 6 has a first paper guide path that performs roll feeding.

The printer 6 also has a second paper insertion section 5 at the bottom 6a on the extension of the vertical paper path formed by the paper feed rollers 13, 13' and the ejection rollers 14, 14'. forming a second paper guiding path in the direction; When printing by plane feeding using this second paper guide path,
As shown in FIG. 1(A), the arrangement of the printer section 6 is changed so that the bottom portion 6a is placed on the side, so that the second paper guide path becomes approximately horizontal. At this time, a paper guide 15 is provided at a position that supports the lower part of the paper inserted into the second paper insertion hole 5, and in the plane direction of the second paper guide path. The paper guide 15 is provided in the bottom part 6a so that it can be opened and closed, and in the open state shown in FIG. 1(A) is used to support and guide thick or hard paper from below, and in FIG. 1(B), it is used to support and guide thick paper or hard paper from below. In order to set the angle of the operation part where 7a etc. are provided to the ideal 8° to 10°, it is used in the same open state as a leg to lift the rear part of the device, but it can be closed when carrying. It is stored flush with the bottom PI 36a. Since the paper is guided in this way, it is easier to insert the paper, and the paper does not bend, which prevents the bending and deformation from putting a load on the mechanical part and adversely affecting the printing operation. be able to.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the bottom of the printer section, and corresponds to the state shown in FIG. 1 (A). The bottom q6a has a recess 6b that can accommodate the paper guide 15 flush with the paper guide 1.
5 is pivotally supported to be openable and closable at a position where the second sheet insertion section 5 therein is exposed and the sheet 11 is supported and guided from below in the horizontal plane feeding direction. In the paper guide 15,
Furthermore, guide member 1 guides paper +1 from the left and right directions.
It is preferable to provide a guide member 6.16 in order to easily align the orientation of the paper, and one or both of the guide members 16.16 can be slid by the slide guide groove 15c according to the size and printing position of the paper II. That's what I do.

When the paper guide 15 is closed and stored in the recess 6b, the protrusions 15a, 15a on the left and right edges of the paper guide 15 are fitted into the holes 6c, 6c provided on the left and right sides of the recess 6b. A locking protrusion 15b provided in the hole 6c closes the hole 6c.

6c. Further, for opening the closed paper guide 15, a cutout portion 6d is provided in the bottom portion 6a.

When the cable 8 has its base at the bottom 6a, the cable 8
The groove 17 is installed on the joint surface! 8, and at the time of joining, the cable 8 can be fitted and stored in these grooves I7.18. This groove is provided with a notch +7a for letting the cable 8 out laterally from the base and a notch 17b for letting the cable 8 out backwards when the printer part 6 is used in a separated state.

FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view showing the pivot for opening and closing the paper guide. This pivot portion is configured such that a shaft portion 6e on the bottom portion 6a side is loosely fitted into a bearing portion 15d of the paper guide 15. In FIG. 2, the open state of the paper guide 15 is supported by the edge of the recess 6b, but in order to lock it in that position, the pivot portion is provided with a protrusion 6f provided on the circumferential surface of the shaft portion 6e and a bearing portion 15d.
A positioning and locking mechanism consisting of four parts 15e provided on the end face of is provided. In the open position, the protrusion 6f and the recess 15e are fitted and positioned. When the paper guide 15 is in the closed state, the projection 6f climbs over the end surface of the bearing 15d and forms the other concave N< l corresponding to the storage position.
5F is fitted and locked.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing the joining means. Hook 9.9・
... are provided on the sides of the joint surface of the printer section 6, and the locking PIK 10 is provided on the joint surface of the main body section 7. Generally, since the hook 9 protrudes from the joint surface, it is preferable to provide it on the side of a device that is not carried alone.

Each of the locking portions to, to' is recessed by a space in which the hook 9 can be inserted, and when the hook 9 is slid sideways after being fitted, the hole portion 10a, 10' allows the tip end 9a to be caught and locked. It has a. Locking part 10'
further includes a locking mechanism 19 for locking the locked hook 9 from sliding.

The locking mechanism 19 includes a locking member 19a and a biasing member 19b such as a spring. The lock member 19a is pushed into the main body 7 when the hook 9 is inserted, and when it slides, it returns to the space created by the slide by the biasing force of the biasing member 19b, thereby locking the hook 9 from sliding. The lock member 19a has an L-shaped continuous lock release part 19c that is slidably exposed on the side surface of the main body 7. When the lock member 19a is slid, the lock member 19a retreats into the main body 7, and the hook 9 slides. This makes it possible to separate the printer section 6 by the reverse procedure of joining. The above-mentioned joining by lateral sliding is superior to other joining methods in terms of joining strength.

The cable 8 is preferably wired directly to a device that is not carried alone, and is electrically connected to the main body 7 through a cable connector 8a. In order to store the cable 8 and cable connector 8a during joining, a storage section is provided on the joint surface of each device.

First, the above-mentioned groove 18 is provided on the joint surface of the printer section 6 to accommodate the cable. This groove 18 is formed by folding back and reciprocating laterally from the base of the cable 8, into which the cable 8 is pushed. In addition, cable holding claws 2 are provided at appropriate locations in the groove 18.
0 to prevent the cable from falling off during the joining operation. In this embodiment, since the cable 8 is a sliding joint, there is a risk that the cable 8 may slacken before sliding and be caught between the joint surfaces.

So, Mizobe! A slack-absorbing portion 18a is provided at an appropriate location of 8, for example, at a folded-back portion of the cable, so that joining operation by sliding can be performed in a state in which the slack is absorbed. When the cable does not have a folded part, the slack absorbing part may have a structure in which a part of the groove part is widened and slack is created at that part. Further, in order to make it easier to set the cable in a state in which the slack is absorbed in these slack absorbing parts, an elastic body may be arranged to guide the cable in a slack shape. Further, in accordance with the shape of the cable connector 8a, a connector storage portion 21 is provided on the joint surface of the printer section 6 that is continuous with the groove l8, and a connector connection section 2 that connects the cable connector 8a is provided on the joint surface of the main body section 7.
2 will be provided.

At the top of the printer section 6, there are lids 23 and 24 that can be opened and closed. 823 covers mechanical parts such as the print head 1, and the other lid part 24 covers the first paper insertion part 4.
and the paper ejection section 3.

In the open state, this lid portion 24 can also serve as a paper guide in the case of roll feeding.

Although the above embodiment describes an example in which the present invention is applied to a printing device having a joining means, it is of course applicable to a case where the printer section (printing operation section) is integrated with the main body. be. Furthermore, the object of the present invention can be achieved even if the printing operation section has only a plane-feeding paper guide path.

As described above, the present invention can be applied and implemented in various ways in accordance with its gist.

[Effects of the Invention] As is clear from the above description, the printing device of the present invention provides the following effects.

(1) When printing by plane feeding, paper can be easily inserted.

(2) When printing by horizontal plane feeding, the paper can be supported from below, and there is no need to put a load on the mechanical part or adversely affect printing.

(3) The operating surface can be angled at an ideal angle to make the device easier to use.

(4) By making the legs of the device and the paper guide the same, the device can be made smaller.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

Figures 1 (A) and (B) are block diagrams showing one embodiment of the present invention, Figure 2 is a perspective view of the bottom of the printer section, Figure 3 is an exploded perspective view of the pivot for opening and closing the paper guide, and Figure 3 is a perspective view of the pivot for opening and closing the paper guide. FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the joining means, and FIGS. 5(a) and 5(b) are explanatory diagrams showing a conventional example of a printer. 3... Paper discharge section, 4... First paper insertion section, 5.
...Second paper insertion section, 6...Printer section, 6a...
·bottom,! 5...Paper guide. (Bri〉q〉pcr) Perspective concavity of the base (Fig. 2) Minute angle of the central part (q-rei) Fig. 3

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claims] A paper guide path formed in a downward direction on the road of a printing device, and a paper guide path arranged so as to be stored at the bottom of the printing device, and printed by changing the arrangement so that the paper guide path faces in a substantially horizontal direction. A printing device comprising: a paper guide that guides insertion of paper into the paper guide path during operation.