JPH0720715B2 - Printer - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION (Industrial field of application) The present invention relates to a platen, a print head that is arranged to face the platen and prints on a print sheet at a print position on the platen, The present invention relates to a printer having a paper guide passage that guides a print paper through the print position.

(Prior Art) In this type of conventional printer, a semi-circular paper guide path is formed along the outer circumference of the platen from the rear of the cylindrical platen to the print position on the front surface, and the stacked print paper is guided to the paper guide path. A sheet feeding device for feeding the sheets one by one to the platen is arranged behind the platen, and an insertion opening for guiding the insertion of the printing sheet into the sheet guiding passage is formed between the sheet feeding device and the platen. .

Further, pin tractor means for transporting continuous printing paper having feed holes on both sides is located below the paper feeding device,
The continuous printing paper is introduced into the paper guide passage from the rear of the paper passage extending from the paper supply device to the paper guide passage.

(Problems to be Solved by the Invention) For this reason, in the conventional printer, when the printing paper is manually inserted through the insertion opening, the printing paper has a small radius along approximately ⅔ to 3/4 of the outer periphery of the platen. Since it is curved, the use of a relatively thick printing paper such as a postcard causes a curl, and there is a problem in processing after printing.

In order to eliminate this, if the diameter of the platen is increased or the range in which the printing paper circulates around the platen is reduced, the insertion opening is positioned away from the rear of the platen, and the paper supply device is also moved backward. It is not practical because the printer as a whole becomes large in size. Also, when loading continuous printing paper on the platen,
Since the paper is introduced into the paper guide passage from the rear of the path extending from the paper feeder to the paper guide passage, the leading edge of the continuous paper may go straight across the above passage and collide with the outer periphery of the platen to cause a paper jam. is there. In order to solve this, a special device for guiding the leading edge of the continuous paper to the paper guide passage (Actually developed 61-181745 devised by the inventor of the present invention) was required.

Configuration of the Invention (Means for Solving the Problems) This application is made by paying attention to the problems as described above, and the first invention thereof is to make the paper guide passage substantially flat and to the printing position. The introduction side is arranged in an inclined state below the discharge side, and a guide means having a guide surface for introducing and guiding the first print sheet is provided on the introduction side of the paper guide passage, and the guide surface of the guide means. Are arranged so as to form an obtuse angle with respect to the paper guide passage, and the second printing sheets stacked are delivered to the paper guide passage one by one within the range of the obtuse angle formed by the paper guide passage and the guide surface. The paper feeding device is provided.

According to the second aspect of the invention, the paper guide passage is arranged in an inclined state in which the paper guide passage is substantially flat and the introduction side to the print position is located below the discharge side, and the first print paper is placed on the introduction side of the paper guide passage. A manual feed guide means having a guide surface for guiding the introduction by operation is provided, and the guide surface of the manual feed guide means is arranged so as to form an obtuse angle with respect to the paper guide passage, and the paper guide passage and the guide surface are formed. The second layer stacked within the range of the obtuse angle
Is provided with a sheet feeding device for feeding the sheet of printing paper to the sheet guiding passage one by one, and is fitted into the feed holes on both sides of the third printing sheet outside the range of the obtuse angle formed by the sheet guiding passage and the guide surface. A pin tractor means for introducing and guiding the third printing paper into the paper guiding passage is provided.

(Operation) Therefore, according to the printer of the first invention of this application, the first
By arranging a sheet feeding device for feeding the second printing sheets stacked one by one above the guide surface of the guiding means for guiding the introduction of the printing sheets by the manual operation or the like, The curvature can be made smaller than that of the second printing paper, and even when thick printing paper is used, it is difficult to bend.

Moreover, the paper guide passage is arranged in an inclined state, and the guide means and the paper supply device are arranged on the introduction side of the print position, that is, on the lower side, so that the print arranged in the paper guide passage is sandwiched. The head, platen, rollers, etc.
The paper guide passage, the guide means, the paper supply device, and the like are arranged without largely protruding from the entire height, and the length of the paper guide passage can be shortened while ensuring a predetermined length. As a result, the overall size of the printer becomes smaller.

Further, according to the printer of the second invention of this application, in addition to the above-mentioned operation, in addition to the first and second printing papers, the transfer of the third printing paper is selected by the pin tractor, It is also possible to perform printing on the printing paper of No. 3. At that time, the third printing paper is smoothly introduced below the guide means and does not collide with the outer periphery of the platen to cause a paper jam.

(Embodiment) An embodiment of a printer embodying the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings.

As shown in FIG. 1, a printer case 1 is composed of an upper case 2 and a lower case 3 which are assembled to each other in the center, and a printing mechanism unit 4 is provided on one side inside and a tractor means on the other side. Each of the constituent tractor units 5 is housed. The unit frame 6 of the printing mechanism unit 4 is frame-structured by erection of one hollow erection bar 8 and two round bar-shaped guide bars 9, 10 between a pair of left and right side plates 7. A platen 11 having a cylindrical shape is rotatably supported between the both side plates 7 above the upper and the lower parts 10.

The carriage 12 is supported by the guide bars 9 and 10 so as to be movable in the left-right direction, and a print head 13 is mounted on the upper portion of the carriage 12 so as to face the platen 11 from diagonally below. The ribbon cassette 14 is arranged between the both side plates 7 of the printing unit frame 6, and a part of the ink ribbon 15 pulled out from the inside is transferred along a position facing the print head 13 on the platen 11, that is, a printing position. . And the carriage 12
While being moved in the left-right direction, the print head 13 prints on the print paper at the print position on the platen 11 via the ribbon 15.

The pair of feed rollers 16, 17, 18 and 19 are respectively arranged in the front and rear of the paper feed direction in the tangential direction of the printing position on the platen 11, and when a motor (not shown) is rotated, a gear mechanism (Fig. Feed rollers 16, 17, via (not shown)
18, 19 are rotated in the paper feed direction together with the platen 11,
The printing paper is held while being transported.
The passage forming member 20 and the guide member 30 are arranged so as to substantially sandwich the tangent line of the platen 11, and the passage forming member 20, the guide member 30, and the feed rollers 16 to 19 form a paper guide passage 21 that passes through the printing position. Has been done. Further, the paper guide passage 21 is substantially flat and is in an inclined state in which the introduction side to the printing position is located below the discharge side.

The tractor unit 5 is composed of a guide shaft 22 and a transmission shaft 23 extending in parallel in the left-right direction, and a pair of left and right pin tractors 24 supported by both shafts 22 and 23 so as to be movable in the width direction of the sheet. The upper surface of the pin tractor 24 is disposed on the upstream side of the paper guide passage 21 in the paper feed direction in a substantially inclined plane in the same plane as the same. The pin tractor 24 has a structure in which a belt with a pin is wound around a pair of pulleys supported by both shafts 22 and 23, similarly to a device of the same type as usual. Then, the feed holes provided on both sides of the continuous printing paper are fitted to the pins of both the pin tractors 24, and the transmission shaft 23 is rotated by the rotation of the motor (not shown) to rotate the pin tractors 24. Thus, the continuous printing paper is introduced and guided into the paper guide passage 21.

A manual feed guide plate 25 constituting a guide means is supported above the tractor unit 5 and between both side plates 7 of the printing unit frame 6 and extends substantially horizontally on the upper surface thereof and at a predetermined angle with respect to the paper guide passage 21. Crossing guide
26 are formed. And the guide surface 26 of this guide plate 25
A single-piece printing paper is guided into the paper guide passage 21 by hand along. The pair of left and right side guide plates 27 are mounted on the guide plate 25 so as to be movable in a direction orthogonal to the paper feeding direction,
Both side edges of the printing paper are guided and regulated by engagement with the side guide plates 27.

Next, the structure of the manual feed guide plate 25 will be described. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the manual feed guide plate 25 has engagement recesses 111 formed on both sides of the leading end thereof on both side plates of the printing unit frame 6. Support pin 112 horizontally projected on the inner surface of 7
It is rotatably supported between both side plates 7 in a state of being removably engaged with, and the angle of intersection of the guide surface 26 with the paper guide passage 21 can be changed by the rotation operation. On the left and right side surfaces of the guide plate 25, there are provided tongue pieces 118 which are cut into three sides and are provided with lateral elasticity, and projections 119 protruding laterally are provided at the tips of the tongue pieces 118. ing. Information board 25
2 up and down on the inner surface of the left and right side walls 2a of the upper case 2
The individual concave holes 120 are provided, and as the angle of the guide plate 25 is changed, the projection 119 elastically engages and disengages the tongue piece 118 with the concave hole 120, and the guide plate 25 can be locked at two positions. As shown by the solid line in FIG. 2, when the guide plate 25 is extended substantially horizontally, thick postcard printing paper such as a postcard is bent from the guide surface 26 to the paper passage 21 at a gentle angle. In the state where the guide surface 26 is inclined as shown by the chain line in the figure, thin normal single-cut printing paper which is easily bent even at a relatively steep angle is placed in front of the printer (first The operator can stand on the left side of FIG. 1) and feed the paper along the guide surface by the same operation as the paper insertion of a normal typewriter or printer.

The elastic film 113 having flexibility is attached to the passage side end of the guide plate 25 so as to project toward the paper guide passage 21 side, and its leading edge contacts the passage forming member 20 forming the bottom wall of the paper guide passage 21 or Very close. When the intersecting angle of the guide surface 26 with respect to the sheet guide passage 21 is changed in accordance with the rotation operation of the guide plate 25 as described above, the elastic film 113 is circular while maintaining contact with the passage forming member 20. It is designed to bend in an arc shape.

Therefore, as shown by the solid line in FIG. 2, the guide surface on the guide plate 25
Not only when 26 intersects with the paper guide passage 21 at a large angle, but also when the intersection angle is changed to approach a right angle as shown by the chain line in the figure, it is introduced along the guide surface 26. The printing paper is smoothly guided along the upper surface of the elastic film 113 into the paper guide passage 21.

Further, in this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, the tractor unit 5 is arranged below the guide plate 25, and the operation of the tractor unit 5 causes the tractor unit 5 to pass through the lower portion of the elastic film 113 to be continuously connected to the paper guide passage 21. Printing paper is fed. Therefore, the continuous printing paper is the elastic film 11
When passing through the lower part of 3, the elastic film 113 and the passage forming member 20 are sandwiched by a predetermined pressure to give resistance to feeding, and slack of the printing paper at the printing position is prevented, Further, it is possible to surely prevent the continuous printing paper from being wavy at the central portion in the width direction and floating.

Next, the automatic paper feeder 31 which is detachably mounted on the printer case 1 above the manual feed guide plate 25 constituting the guide means will be described.

As shown in FIG. 15, the automatic sheet feeder 31 corresponds to a flat box-shaped frame 31a, two stackers 32 and 33 supported in an inclined state on the frame 31a, and the stackers 32 and 33, respectively. Configured by the delivery rollers 34, 37 provided in the stacker, the single-sheet printing papers stored in the stackers 32, 33 in a stacked state are urged upward by a means such as a spring toward the delivery rollers 34, 37. As in the case of the normal automatic paper feeder, the uppermost printing paper is sequentially fed by the rotation of the feeding rollers 34 and 37. The printing paper delivered from the rear stacker 32 is further delivered toward the paper guide passage 21 by the rollers 35 and 39. The box-shaped frame 31a is mounted on the upper ends of the left and right side walls 2a of the upper case 2 standing on the side of the guide plate 25 at both ends thereof, and is substantially flat and inclined.
And the guide surface 26 of the manual feed guide plate 25 positioned substantially horizontally are arranged within an angle range formed by the guide surface 26. Two stackers 32,33
Are lined up front and rear in a direction substantially parallel to the guide surface 26. The stacker 32 on the rear side, which is located away from the paper guide passage 21, accommodates the single-cut printing papers in a stacked state and is sent out one by one as the sending roller 34 rotates, and faces the guide surface 26 to form a box-shaped frame. It is introduced into the paper guide passage 21 through the guide surface 26 through the opening 36 formed in the bottom surface of 31a. Further, the single-sheet printing sheets are stored in a stacked state on the stacker 33 on the front side located on the side of the sheet guide passage 21, and are fed one by one as the feeding roller 37 rotates, and are formed at the front end of the box-shaped frame 31a. It is introduced into the paper guide passage 21 through the opening 38.

Therefore, in the printer of this embodiment, the complicated operation of detaching and replacing the automatic paper feeding device 31 and the manual feed guide plate 25 is not required, and they are arranged vertically above and below the paper guide passage 21. Selectively used in the state of
It is possible to easily and efficiently perform continuous automatic printing on the stacked printing papers and single printing on the manual printing papers.

Moreover, the paper guide passage 21 is arranged in an inclined state,
The manual guide plate 25 is provided on the introduction side to the printing position, that is, the lower side.
And because the automatic paper feeder 31 is arranged,
The print head 13, the platen 11, the rollers 16, 17, 18, 19 and the like, which are arranged with the paper guide passage 21 in between, are within the entire height of the paper guide passage 21, the manual feed guide plate 25, the automatic paper feeder 31, and the like. It is arranged so that it does not greatly protrude from the paper guide path.
The length of 21 can be shortened while securing a predetermined length. As a result, the entire printer can be downsized.

Further, in this embodiment, a tractor unit 5 as pin tractor means is provided below the guide plate 25 so as to be inclined in the same direction as the paper guide passage 21, and the end portion of the tractor unit 5 on the paper guide passage side is provided. It is arranged close to the lower surface of the guide plate 25. Therefore, in addition to the two types of printing paper described above, the tractor unit 5 can be selectively used to immediately start printing on continuous printing paper. At the time of this printing, the continuous printing paper fed from the tractor unit 5 to the paper guide passage 21 contacts the lower surface of the guide plate 25 and is guided, so that the printing paper does not rise at all.

The present invention is not limited to the configuration of the above-described embodiment, and the configuration of each part can be arbitrarily modified and embodied without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

As described in detail above, according to the first invention of this application,
By arranging a sheet feeding device for feeding the second printing sheets stacked one by one above the guide surface of the guiding means for guiding the introduction of the printing sheets by the manual operation or the like, The curvature can be made smaller than that of the second printing paper, and even when thick printing paper is used, it is difficult to bend.

Moreover, the paper guide passage is arranged in an inclined state, and the guide means and the paper supply device are arranged on the introduction side of the print position, that is, on the lower side, so that the print arranged in the paper guide passage is sandwiched. The head, platen, rollers, etc.
The paper guide passage, the guide means, the paper supply device, and the like are arranged without largely protruding from the entire height, and the length of the paper guide passage can be shortened while ensuring a predetermined length. As a result, there is an excellent effect that the size of the printer as a whole can be reduced.

According to the second invention of this application, in addition to the effect of the first invention, in addition to the first and second printing papers, the transfer of the third printing paper is selected by the pin tractor, Third
It is also possible to print on the printing paper. At that time, the third printing paper is smoothly introduced below the guide means, and there is an effect that the third printing paper does not collide with the outer periphery of the platen and cause a paper jam.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a longitudinal sectional view of an essential part showing an embodiment of a printer embodying the invention, FIG. 2 is a sectional view showing a part of a manual feed guide plate, and FIG. 3 is a partial perspective view of the same. 5 ... a tractor unit constituting a pin tractor means, 11
… Platen, 13… Print head, 21… Paper guide passage, 25…
Manual feed guide plate constituting guide means, 26 ... Guide surface, 31 ... Automatic paper feeding device, 32 ... Lower stacker, 33 ... Upper stacker, 36
… Aperture.

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. A platen (11), a print head (13) arranged to face the platen (11) to print on a print sheet at a print position on the platen (11), and the print position. A printer having a paper guide passageway (21) for guiding a print paper therethrough, wherein the paper guide passageway (21) is arranged in an inclined state in which the paper guide passageway (21) is substantially flat and the introduction side to the print position is located below the discharge side. Then
Guide means (25) having a guide surface (26) for introducing and guiding the first printing paper on the introduction side of the paper guide passage (21).
And the guide surface (26) of the guide means (25) is arranged so as to form an obtuse angle with respect to the paper guide passage (21), and the paper guide passage (21) and the guide surface (26) form A printer characterized in that a paper supply device (31) is provided within the range of the obtuse angle for feeding the stacked second printing papers one by one to the paper guide passageway (21). 2. The printer according to claim 1, wherein the guide surface (26) of the guide means (25) is positioned substantially horizontally. 3. The paper feeding device (31) has an opening (36) for feeding the second printing paper, and the opening (36) faces the guide surface (26) of the guide means (25). 3. The printer according to claim 2, wherein the second printing paper, which is positioned at a predetermined position and is fed from the paper supply device (31), is introduced into the paper guide passage (21) through the guide surface (26). . 4. The paper feeding device (31) is provided with the guide surface (2).
6) has stackers (32, 33) for a plurality of stacked sheets arranged in a direction substantially parallel to the sheet guide passage (2
The printer according to claim 3, further comprising an opening (36) facing the guide surface (26) on the delivery side of the stacker (32) located away from (1). 5. A platen (11), a print head (13) arranged to face the platen (11) to print on a print sheet at a print position on the platen (11), and the print position. A printer having a paper guide passageway (21) for guiding a print paper therethrough, wherein the paper guide passageway (21) is arranged in an inclined state in which the paper guide passageway (21) is substantially flat and the introduction side to the print position is located below the discharge side. Then
A manual feed guide means (25) having a guide surface (26) for manually guiding the first print paper is provided on the introduction side of the paper guide passage (21), and the manual feed guide means (25) is provided. The guide surface (26) is arranged so as to form an obtuse angle with respect to the paper guide passage (21), and the stack is formed within the range of the obtuse angle formed by the paper guide passage (21) and the guide surface (26). A paper feeding device (31) for feeding the two printing papers to the paper guiding passageway (21) one by one is provided, and the paper feeding device is outside the range of the obtuse angle formed by the paper guiding passageway (21) and the guide surface (26). Below the guide means (25), pin tractor means (5) which is fitted into the feed holes on both sides of the third printing paper and guides the third printing paper into the paper guiding passageway (21). ) Is provided. 6. The guide surface (26) of the guide means (25) is positioned substantially horizontally, and the pin tractor means (5) is inclined in substantially the same direction as the paper guide passage (21). The printer according to claim 5.