JP2013151376A - Roll paper supply mechanism and roll paper printer - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To allow a roll paper to be always stored in a proper state without being affected by variations in paper width of the roll paper, in a roll paper supply mechanism of a storage width variable type.SOLUTION: In a roll paper supply mechanism 10 of a roll paper printer 1, when a first sidewall 41 is moved in a storage width direction to adjust a paper storage width of a roll paper storage part 11, a roll paper biasing member 46 mounted to the first sidewall 41 is held in a neutral position 46C between a protruding position 46A and retreated position 46B. In a position after adjustment, the roll paper biasing member 46 still has a movement margin in the protruding direction and the retreating direction. Even when stored roll paper 12 has variations in paper width, the variations in paper width can be absorbed by the movement margin in either direction. The roll paper supply mechanism of a storage width variable type, capable of storing the roll paper 12 in a pressed state by predetermined biasing force without a backlash, can be achieved.

Description

  The present invention relates to a roll paper supply mechanism in which roll paper is stored in a roll paper storage section so as to be able to roll in a horizontally placed state, and a long recording paper is fed from the roll paper to a printing section of a printer. More particularly, the present invention relates to an improved storage width variable roll paper supply mechanism that can change the storage width of the roll paper storage unit according to the paper width of the roll paper stored.

  In a roll paper printer that issues a receipt or the like, a roll paper having a configuration in which a long recording paper is wound in a roll shape is used as a recording medium. As a roll paper supply mechanism mounted on a roll paper printer, there is known a roll paper supply unit called a throw-in type that stores roll paper that has been loaded horizontally from above so that it can roll. It has been. As this type of roll paper supply mechanism, there is a variable storage width type that allows the right and left side walls defining the storage width of the roll paper storage section to be moved so that roll paper of different paper widths can be stored. It is disclosed in Document 1.

  On the other hand, in the throw-type roll paper storage unit, it is necessary to rotate the roll paper and feed out the recording paper against the inertial load of the roll paper and the frictional force between the roll paper and the bottom surface of the roll paper storage unit. . When the paper feeding speed is increased, the paper feeding load acting on the paper feeding roller is increased accordingly, and the paper feeding slips, which may reduce the paper feeding accuracy. In order to reduce the paper feeding load and perform accurate paper feeding, as disclosed in Patent Document 2, a feeding roller for rotating the roll paper in the feeding direction is arranged at the bottom of the roll paper storage unit. A rolled paper supply mechanism has been proposed.

JP 2006-44900 A JP 2007-203563 A

  In the conventional storage width variable roll paper supply mechanism, the storage width is adjusted by manually moving the side wall of the roll paper storage portion to a position corresponding to the paper width of the roll paper to be stored. Since there is variation in the width of the roll paper, it is necessary to adjust the storage width in consideration of this variation. If the storage width after adjustment is too narrow, the stored roll paper is strongly pressed from the side wall side. As a result, a large force is required to feed the recording paper from the roll paper, and the paper feed load acting on the paper feed roller of the roll paper printer becomes excessive. On the other hand, if the storage width after adjustment is too wide, the stored roll paper is rattled to the left and right, causing problems such as meandering and skewing of the fed recording paper.

  When a roll-out roller is disposed in the roll paper storage unit, the roll-out roller is generally made of a material such as rubber having a high friction coefficient. Therefore, it is necessary to press the roll paper with a lateral pressure that exceeds the frictional force between them. In addition, when the roll paper is moved in the width direction in a state where it is placed on the feed roller so as to eliminate rattling, the roll paper is not only subjected to the side pressure from the side wall of the roll paper storage unit but also to the feed roller. Since the side pressure due to the frictional force acts between them, the paper feeding load for feeding out the recording paper from the roll paper becomes excessive.

  SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to propose a roll paper supply mechanism with a variable storage width capable of adjusting the storage width so that the roll paper can always be stored in an appropriate lateral pressure state even when the paper width of the roll paper varies. .

  Another object of the present invention is to propose a roll paper supply mechanism with a variable storage width capable of adjusting the storage width so that the roll paper can be always stored in an appropriate lateral pressure state even when a feeding roller is provided. is there.

The present invention has the following application examples.
(Application example 1)
A roll paper storage section for storing roll paper;
A first side wall defining one of the roll paper storage units,
A second side wall defining the other side of the roll paper storage unit;
A locking mechanism for locking the first side wall;
A roll paper urging member for urging the roll paper, which is provided in the first side wall and advances and retreats in the width direction of the roll paper storage unit;
A roll paper supply mechanism that interlocks with the lock mechanism and has a holding mechanism that holds the roll paper urging member in a predetermined position.
(Application example 2)
In the roll paper supply mechanism described in Application Example 1,
A lock lever that moves between a lock position that locks the lock mechanism and an unlock position that releases the lock;
The roll paper urging member moves between a retracted position retracted a predetermined amount from a protruding position protruding a predetermined amount from the first side wall,
The holding mechanism is a roll paper supply mechanism that holds the roll paper urging member at a position between the protruding position and the retracted position in conjunction with the movement of the lock lever to the unlock position.
(Application example 3)
In the roll paper supply mechanism described in Application Example 2,
The holding mechanism includes a lever side engaging portion formed on the lock lever, and a biasing member side engaging portion formed on the roll paper biasing member, and when the lock lever moves to the unlocking position, Roll paper supply in which the lever side engaging portion engages with the urging member side engaging portion to hold the roll paper urging member at a position between the protruding position and the retracted position. mechanism.
(Application example 4)
In the roll paper supply mechanism described in Application Example 2 or 3,
The roll paper supply mechanism, wherein a position between the protruding position and the retracted position is a substantially central position between the protruding position and the retracted position.
(Application example 5)
In the roll paper supply mechanism according to any one of Application Examples 1 to 4,
A roll paper supply mechanism having an interlocking mechanism in which the second side wall is movable and moves in a direction opposite to the first side wall in conjunction with the movement of the first side wall.
(Application example 6)
In the roll paper supply mechanism according to any one of Application Examples 1 to 5,
A feeding roller for contacting the outer peripheral surface of the roll paper stored in the roll paper storage unit and rotating the roll paper in the feeding direction;
The feeding roller includes a roller shaft that is stretched in the width direction of the roll paper storage unit, and a roller body that is slidable by a predetermined amount in the width direction of the roll paper storage unit. Equipped with roll paper supply mechanism.
(Application example 7)
In the roll paper supply mechanism described in Application Example 6,
A roll paper supply mechanism in which the amount of movement of the roll paper urging member in the width direction of the roll paper storage portion is substantially equal to the slide amount of the roller body.
(Application example 8)
A roll paper printer having the variable storage width type roll paper supply mechanism according to any one of application examples 1 to 7.
In addition, in order to solve the above-described problems, the storage width variable roll paper supply mechanism of the present invention includes:
A roll paper storage unit for storing roll paper having a configuration in which a long recording paper is wound in a roll;
Defining one side in the storage width direction of the roll paper storage unit, and a first side wall movable in the storage width direction;
A second side wall defining the other in the storage width direction of the roll paper storage unit;
A lock lever that is movable from a locked position that prevents movement of the first side wall to an unlocked position;
Attached to the first side wall in a movable state from a projecting position projecting from the surface of the first side wall toward the second side wall to a retreat position retracted by a predetermined amount toward the first side wall, A roll paper biasing member biased by an elastic force toward the protruding position;
When the lock lever moves to the unlock position, the holding mechanism holds the roll paper urging member at a neutral position between the protruding position and the retracted position.

  In the roll width supply mechanism with variable storage width according to the present invention, for example, when roll paper having a different paper width is stored, the lock lever is operated to move to the unlock position, and the first side wall is moved. to enable. In this state, the first side wall is moved and positioned at a position where the storage width corresponds to the paper width of the roll paper to be stored. Thereafter, the lock lever is operated to return to the lock position, and the first side wall is fixed.

  In this storage width adjustment operation, when the lock lever is moved to the unlocking position, the holding mechanism holds the roll paper urging member at the neutral position retracted by a predetermined amount from the protruding position toward the retracted position. The When the lock lever is returned to the lock position after moving the first side wall, the holding by the holding mechanism is released and the roll paper urging member returns to the state where it is urged to the protruding position side by the elastic force. If the movable range of the roll paper urging member is set in consideration of variations in the width of the roll paper, the roll paper urging member always ensures that the roll paper is Can be formed in such a manner that it is pressed in the storage width direction with a predetermined lateral pressure.

  The holding mechanism includes a lever side engaging portion formed on the lock lever and a biasing member side engaging portion formed on the roll paper biasing member, and the lock lever moves to the unlocking position. Then, the lever side engaging portion may be engaged with the urging member side engaging portion to hold the roll paper urging member at the intermediate position against the elastic force. If such an engagement type interlocking mechanism is employed, it is not necessary to arrange another member as a holding mechanism for holding the roll paper urging member at an intermediate position.

  Further, the neutral position of the roll paper urging member may be set as the center position between the protruding position and the retracted position. In this way, it is possible to cope with variations in the width of the roll paper in either a narrow direction or a wide direction.

  The first side wall can also be a movable side wall. In this case, an interlocking mechanism for moving the second side wall in the storage width direction by the same amount in the opposite direction to the first side wall in conjunction with the first side wall may be arranged.

  Next, in the case of having a feed roller that contacts the outer peripheral surface of the roll paper stored in the roll paper storage unit and rotates the roll paper in the recording paper feed direction, the feed roller is set to the storage width. A roller shaft spanned in the direction, a roller body attached so as to rotate integrally with the roller shaft while being slidable by a predetermined amount in the storage width direction, and the roller body attached to the side of the first side wall. It is desirable to have a configuration including a biasing member that is biased.

  When adjusting the storage width by moving the first side wall with the roll paper placed on the feed roller, a large force is applied to the first side wall to overcome the frictional force between the feed roller and the roll paper. It is necessary to form a stowed state without backlash by moving the second side toward the other second side wall. For this reason, since the urging force of the roll paper urging member on the first side wall and the frictional force between the roll roller act on the roll paper, a large lateral pressure acts on the roll paper. In the present invention, since the roller main body is slidable in the storage width direction, the roller main body slides together when the roll paper is brought close to the storage width direction. Therefore, it is possible to easily perform the operation of bringing the roll paper in the storage width direction so as not to have a backlash. Further, it is possible to prevent an adverse effect that a state in which a large lateral pressure is applied to the roll paper is formed, and the feed load generated when the recording paper fed out from the roll paper is fed becomes excessive.

  Here, the sliding amount of the roller body may be the same as the moving amount of the roll paper urging member in the storage width direction.

  Next, the roll paper printer of the present invention is characterized by having the roll paper supply mechanism configured as described above. Even when roll papers having different paper widths are stored, problems such as an increase in paper feeding load and meandering of recording paper do not occur. Accordingly, since the recording paper feeding operation can be performed accurately, it is possible to prevent a decrease in print quality due to a recording paper feeding failure in the roll paper printer.

  In the roll paper supply mechanism of the present invention, when the first side wall is moved in the storage width direction in order to adjust the storage width of the roll paper storage unit, the roll paper biasing member attached to the first side wall protrudes. The neutral position is held between the position and the retracted position. Therefore, the roll paper urging member has a movement margin in the protruding direction and the retracting direction at the adjusted position. For this reason, even if there is a variation in the width of the roll paper stored, the variation in the paper width can be absorbed by the movement allowance in both directions. Therefore, it is possible to realize a roll paper supply mechanism having a variable storage width that can always store roll paper in a state of being pressed with a predetermined urging force without backlash.

1 is an external perspective view of a roll paper printer to which the present invention is applied. FIG. 2 is an external perspective view of the roll paper printer of FIG. 1 with an open / close lid opened. It is explanatory drawing which shows the internal structure of the roll paper printer of FIG. It is a perspective view which shows the roll paper supply mechanism of the roll paper printer of FIG. It is a disassembled perspective view of the 1st side wall of the roll paper supply mechanism of FIG. It is explanatory drawing which shows the internal structure of the 1st side wall of the roll paper supply mechanism of FIG. It is explanatory drawing which shows a motion of the lock lever of the roll paper supply mechanism of FIG. FIG. 5 is a longitudinal sectional view of a feeding roller of the roll paper supply mechanism of FIG. 4.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment of a roll paper printer having a roll paper supply mechanism to which the present invention is applied will be described with reference to the drawings.

(overall structure)
FIG. 1 is an external perspective view of an ink jet type roll paper printer to which the present invention is applied, and FIG. 2 is an external perspective view of a state in which the opening / closing lid is fully opened. The roll paper printer 1 has a printer body 2 having a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape as a whole, and an opening / closing lid 3 attached to the front surface of the printer body 2. A recording paper discharge port 4 having a predetermined width is formed on the front surface of the outer case 2 a of the printer main body 2. A paper discharge guide 5 protrudes forward below the recording paper discharge port 4, and a lid opening / closing lever 6 is disposed on the side of the paper discharge guide 5. A rectangular opening 2b for inserting and removing roll paper is formed below the paper discharge guide 5 and the lid opening / closing lever 6 in the outer case 2a. The opening 2b is sealed by the lid case 3a of the opening / closing lid 3. ing.

  When the lid opening / closing lever 6 is operated, the opening / closing lid 3 is unlocked. After unlocking, when the paper discharge guide 5 is pulled forward, the open / close lid 3 opens until it is almost horizontal forward with its lower end as the center. When the opening / closing lid 3 is opened, as shown in FIG. 2, the roll paper storage unit 11 of the roll paper supply mechanism 10 incorporated in the printer is opened. At the same time, the recording paper transport path from the roll paper storage unit 11 to the recording paper discharge port 4 is opened, so that the roll paper can be easily replaced from the front of the printer. In FIG. 2, the lid case 3a and the lid opening / closing lever 6 of the opening / closing lid 3 are omitted.

  FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing the internal structure of the roll paper printer 1. A roll paper supply mechanism 10 incorporated in the roll paper printer 1 includes a roll paper storage unit 11 disposed at a central portion in the width direction of the printer body 2. A roll paper 12 is stored in the roll paper storage unit 11 so as to be able to roll in a horizontal state facing the printer width direction. The roll paper 12 has a configuration in which a recording paper 12a (indicated by a thick one-dot chain line in the figure) is wound into a roll shape. The long recording paper 12a fed out from the roll paper 12 stored in the roll paper storage unit 11 is pulled out obliquely and then bent by the curved paper feed guide 14, and then extends in the horizontal direction. Is transported along the transport path 15 (the same path as the one-dot chain line indicating the recording paper 12a) and discharged from the recording paper discharge port 4.

  The portion of the conveyance path 15 extending in the horizontal direction is located immediately above the roll paper supply mechanism 10, and the inkjet head 18 and the platen 19 are arranged to face each other with a certain gap on the conveyance path portion. A printing position 20 of the inkjet head 18 is defined by the platen 19.

  An upstream paper feed roller 21 is disposed on the upstream side of the inkjet head 18 in the transport path 15, and the upstream paper feed roller 21 is rotationally driven by a paper feed motor 22. A presser roller 23 is pressed against the upstream paper feed roller 21 via the recording paper 12a. A downstream side paper feed roller 24 that rotates in synchronization with the upstream side paper feed roller 21 is disposed on the downstream side of the ink jet head 18, and the downstream side paper feed roller 24 is pressed by a press roller via a recording paper 12a. It is pressed so that 25 may be accompanied. An auto cutter 26 is disposed in the vicinity of the recording paper discharge port 4, and the leading end portion of the recording paper 12a after printing is cut in the width direction to a predetermined length.

  The paper feed guide 14 is attached to a printer frame (not shown) so as to be movable within a predetermined range, and is always urged by a spring member 27 in a direction in which tension is applied to the recording paper 12a. As a result, the recording paper 12a drawn along the transport path 15 is held in a constant tension state. A guide sensor 28 is disposed in the vicinity of the paper feed guide 14, and when the slack occurs in the recording paper 12 a and the paper feed guide 14 moves in the biasing direction by the spring member 27, this movement is detected by the guide sensor 28. It has come to be.

  The roll paper storage unit 11 of the roll paper supply mechanism 10 includes one feeding roller 30 and a plurality of, in this example, three first to third guide rollers 31, 32, and 33. The feeding roller 30 is rotationally driven by a feeding motor 34. The three first to third guide rollers 31 to 33 are supported in a rotatable state.

  Here, the drive control unit 35 of the roll paper printer 1 controls the drive of each unit based on a command from a host device such as a computer system (not shown). In the printing operation, the paper feed motor 22 is driven to rotate and drive the upstream paper feed roller 21 and the downstream paper feed roller 24, and the feed motor 34 of the roll paper supply mechanism 10 is driven to rotate in synchronization therewith. Then, the recording paper 12a is transported. In addition, the inkjet head 18 is driven in synchronization with the conveyance of the recording paper 12a to print on the surface of the recording paper 12a passing through the printing position 20. After the printing is finished, the auto cutter 26 is driven to cut the recording paper 12a. As a result, a receipt, a ticket, and the like having a predetermined length obtained by cutting the recording paper 12a are issued from the recording paper discharge port 4.

  In the drive control unit 35, based on the detection signal from the guide sensor 28, the upstream paper feed roller 21 and the downstream paper feed roller 24 are conveyed so that the recording paper 12a is conveyed in a constant tension state without slack. The driving of the feeding roller 30 of the roll paper supply mechanism 10 is controlled in synchronization with the above.

(Roll paper supply mechanism)
FIG. 4A is a perspective view showing the main part of the roll paper supply mechanism 10 taken out. The roll paper storage unit 11 of the roll paper supply mechanism 10 includes left and right first side walls 41 and second side walls 42 that define the storage width. The front end portions of the first side wall 41 and the second side wall 42 can slide along a guide plate 43 attached to a printer frame (not shown) while extending in the storage width direction A (printer width direction). Further, roller shafts 30a, 31a, 32a and 33a extending horizontally in the storage width direction extend through the front lower end portion and the rear portion of the first side plate 41 and the second side plate 42. The first and second side walls 41 and 42 are slidable in the storage width direction along these roller shafts 30a to 33a.

  The roller shaft 30a is a roller shaft of the feeding roller 30, and the feeding roller 30 is coaxially attached to a central portion in the storage width direction. Both ends of the roller shaft 30a are rotatably supported by a printer frame (not shown). The three roller shafts 31a to 33a are roller shafts of the first to third guide rollers 31 to 33, respectively, and both ends thereof are supported by a printer frame (not shown). Bottom plate portions 41 </ b> A and 42 </ b> A having a constant width are formed on the inner edges of the lower ends of the first side wall 41 and the second side wall 42. The bottom plate portions 41A and 42A hold first to third guide rollers 31 to 33, which are rotatably supported coaxially on the roller shafts 31a to 33a, respectively. The two side walls 42 can be moved in the storage width direction.

  Next, a lock lever 45 and a roll paper urging member 46 are incorporated in the first side wall 41. An operation end portion 45 a of the lock lever 45 is exposed at the upper end portion on the front side of the first side wall 41. The lock lever 45 locks the first side wall 41 to the guide plate 43 so that the first side wall 41 does not move in the storage width direction. When the operation end portion 45a is pushed in manually, the lock by the lock lever 45 is released, and the first side wall 41 can be moved in the storage width direction. Further, a substantially rectangular opening window 41b is formed on the inner surface 41a of the first side wall 41, and the roll paper urging member 46 having a trapezoidal cross section at the front end portion is formed toward the inside of the roll paper storage unit 11 from here. Is protruding. The roll paper urging member 46 is always urged toward the protruding position 46A shown in FIG. 4 by an elastic force, and the leading end surface 46a can be pushed into a retracted position that coincides with the surface 41a of the first side wall 41. Yes.

  FIG. 4B shows an interlocking mechanism for the first side wall 41 and the second side wall 42. The interlocking mechanism 50 includes a pinion 51 that is rotatably supported at a fixed position, and a first rack 52 and a second rack 53 that mesh with the pinion 51 from both sides. The first and second racks 52 and 53 extend in the storage width direction, the first rack 52 is connected to the first side wall 41, and the second rack 53 is connected to the second side wall 42. When the first side wall 41 is moved in the storage width direction, the second side wall 42 is moved in the opposite direction by the same amount in conjunction with this movement. In addition, another mechanism can be used as the interlocking mechanism. Further, the second side wall having only the first side wall 41 as a movable wall can be a fixed wall. It goes without saying that the positions of the first side wall 41 and the second side wall 42 may be interchanged.

(Lock lever and roll paper biasing member)
FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of the main part of the first side wall 41. The first side wall 41 includes a main body unit 61, a side plate 62 attached to the main body unit 61, a lock lever 45 and a roll paper urging member 46 incorporated in the main body unit 61. The main unit 61 is basically formed of a side plate portion 63 on which the inner surface 41 a is formed, and an outer peripheral plate portion 64 extending perpendicularly from the outer peripheral edge portion of the side plate portion 63. The side plate 62 is a plate having a contour shape corresponding to the outer peripheral plate portion 64, and is fastened and fixed to the outer peripheral plate portion 64 by screws (not shown).

  FIG. 6A is a side view showing a state in which the lock lever 45 and the roll paper urging member 46 are assembled to the main unit 61. 6 (b) and 6 (c) are cross-sectional views taken along line bb in FIG. 6 (a), showing the state in which the roll paper urging member 46 is in the protruding position 46A and the retracted position 46B, respectively. It is shown.

  Referring to FIGS. 5 and 6, the lock lever 45 is attached so as to be pivotable in the vertical direction around a support shaft 65 erected vertically from the back surface side of the side plate portion 63 of the main body unit 61. . A tip of an arm portion 45b extending forward from the support shaft 65 in the lock lever 45 is an operation end portion 45a bent upward. The operation end portion 45 a is exposed from an opening 64 a opened in the outer peripheral side plate portion 64 of the main unit 61. A lock claw 45d is formed at the tip of an arm portion 45c extending downward and rearward from the support shaft 65 in the lock lever 45.

  The lock lever 45 is always urged in the direction of arrow B shown in FIG. On the side of the guide plate 43 facing the lock claw 45d, notches 43a are formed at a plurality of locations at predetermined intervals along the storage width direction of the roll paper storage unit 11. The lock lever 45 is held at the lock position 45A where the lock claw 45d is engaged with one notch 43a by the spring force. When the operation end portion 45a of the lock lever 45 is pushed by manual operation, the lock lever 45 can be turned around the support shaft 65 in the direction opposite to the arrow B against the spring force. When the lock lever 45 is turned in the direction opposite to the arrow B, the lock claw 45d is detached from the notch 43a, and the first side wall 41 can be moved in the storage width direction.

  Next, the roll paper urging member 46 is provided with an elongated rectangular trapezoidal cross-sectional front end portion 46 b, and the front end portion 46 b extends from the opening window 41 b formed in the side plate portion 63 of the main body unit 61. 11 protrudes. As shown in FIG. 5, a cylindrical spring receiver 46c is formed on the back surface of the tip 46b. A cylindrical spring receiver 62a is also formed on a portion of the side plate 62 facing the spring receiver 46c, and a coil spring 66 is mounted in a compressed state between the spring receivers 46c and 62a. The roll paper urging member 46 is formed with a contact plate 46d that can contact the opening edge of the main unit 61 from the back side, and the protruding position 46A of the roll paper urging member 46 is formed by the contact plate 46d. Is stipulated. A contact plate 67 protruding from the opening edge of the main unit 61 to the back side is formed at a position adjacent to the contact plate 46d, and the retracted position of the roll paper urging member 46 is formed by the contact plate 67. 46B is defined. FIG. 6C shows a state in which the roll paper urging member 46 is in the retracted position 46B. At this position, the front end surface 46a of the roll paper urging member 46 is a surface 41a on the inner side of the first side wall 41. Are located on the same plane. The roll paper urging member 46 can move in the storage width direction of the roll paper storage unit 11 within a movable range defined by the contact plates 46 d and 67.

  Here, the roll paper urging member 46 is formed with a urging member side engaging portion 46e that protrudes toward the lower arm portion 45c of the lock lever 45. The tip of the urging member side engaging portion 46e is tapered by left and right tapered surfaces 46f and 46g. The arm side 45c of the lock lever 45 positioned at the tip of the urging member side engaging portion 46e has a groove-shaped cross section lever side engagement opening toward the urging member side engaging portion 46e. A joint portion 45e is formed. The left and right tip portions 45f and 45g of the lever side engaging portion 45e face the left and right tapered surfaces 46f and 46g on the roll paper urging member side, respectively.

  7 (a) and 7 (b) are side views showing a state in which the lock lever 45 and the roll paper urging member 46 are assembled to the main unit 61, as in FIGS. 6 (a) and 6 (b). FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along line bb. When the operation end portion 45a of the lock lever 45 is pushed by manual operation, the lock lever 45 turns around the support shaft 65 and the lower arm portion 45c moves away from the guide plate 43. As a result, the lock lever 45 is in the unlocked position 45B where the lock claw 45d at the tip of the arm portion 45c is separated from the notch 43a of the guide plate 43. In this state, the first side plate 41 can be moved in the storage width direction of the roll paper storage unit 11.

  When the lock lever 45 is turned toward the unlock position 45B, the left and right tip portions 45f and 45g of the lever side engagement portion 45e of the arm portion 45c are engaged with the urging member side of the roll paper urging member 46. It moves in a direction approaching the left and right tapered surfaces 46f, 46g of the portion 46e. In a state where the roll paper urging member 46 protrudes to the protruding position 46A shown in FIG. 6B, the right end portion 45g hits the right tapered surface 46g and moves while pushing the tapered surface 46g to the left side. On the contrary, in the state where the roll paper urging member 46 is retracted to the retracted position 46B shown in FIG. 6C, the left end portion 45f hits the left tapered surface 46f and pushes the tapered surface 46f to the right. Moving.

  When the roll paper urging member 46 is in any position 46A, 46B, when the lock lever 45 is pushed into the unlocking position 45B, the urging member side engaging portion 46e of the roll paper urging member 46 is shown in FIG. As shown to b), it will be in the state inserted in the groove | channel of the lever side engaging part 45e of the lock lever 45. FIG. In this example, the position of the roll paper urging member 46 in this state is defined to be a neutral position 46C located at the center between the protruding position 46A and the retracted position 46B. Of course, the intermediate position may be shifted to the left and right from the neutral position 46C. Thus, in this example, the holding mechanism for holding the roll paper biasing member 46 at the neutral position 46C is configured by the lever side engaging portion 45e and the biasing member side engaging portion 46e.

(Feeding roller)
Next, FIG. 8 is a longitudinal sectional view showing the feeding roller 30. The feeding roller 30 defines a slide cylinder 30b that is integrally rotated with respect to the roller shaft 30a and is slidable in the axial direction (storage width direction), and a slide range of the slide cylinder 30b. Left and right retaining rings 30c, 30d, and a rubber roller body 30e attached concentrically surrounding the outer periphery of the slide cylinder 30b are provided. The slide cylinder 30b is always urged toward the first side wall 41 by a spring member (not shown).

  When the feeding roller 30 having this structure is pushed toward the second side wall 42, as shown in FIG. 8B, the roller body 30e can slide in the direction of the arrow together with the slide cylinder 30b. The slide width L is set to be the same as the movable width of the roll paper urging member 46, that is, the distance from the protruding position 46A to the retracted position 46B. In some cases, these may be of different dimensions.

(Operation when changing the storage width)
An operation when changing the storage width of the roll paper storage unit 11 in the roll paper supply mechanism 10 of the roll paper printer 1 having this configuration will be described. When the roll paper storage unit 11 is empty, as shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B, the lock lever 45 is in the lock position 45A, and the roll paper biasing member 46 is in the protruding position 46A. In this state, the operation end portion 45a of the lock lever 45 exposed from the upper part of the front end of the first side wall 41 is pushed in, and the lock lever 45 is moved to the lock release position 45B (see FIG. 7). As a result, the first side wall 41 can move in the storage width direction. Further, the biasing member side engaging portion 46e of the roll paper biasing member 46 is pushed by the lever side engaging portion 45e of the lock lever 45, and the roll paper biasing member 46 is moved from the protruding position 46A to the retracted position 46B (FIG. 7). (See (b)) and is held in the neutral position 46C.

  While pushing the lock lever 45, the first side wall 41 is moved in the storage width direction, and the lock claw 45d of the lock lever 45 is positioned in the notch 43a of the guide plate 43 corresponding to the width of the roll paper to be stored. As a result, the storage width of the roll paper storage unit 11 is such that the front end surface 46a of the roll paper urging member 46 located at the neutral position 46C in the first side wall 41 and the second side wall on the opposite side facing this. 42 surface 42a.

  Thereafter, when the pushing of the lock lever 45 is released, the lock lever 45 returns to the lock position 45A and returns to the locked state in which the movement of the first side wall 41 is prevented. At this time, since the roll paper urging member 46 is released from the engagement with the lock lever 45, the roll paper urging member 46 returns to the state where it protrudes to the protruding position 46A by the spring force.

  When the roll paper 12 is stored after adjusting the storage width, the roll paper urging member 46 is pressed against the roll paper 12 while being pushed from the protruding position 46A to the neutral position 46C. When there is variation in the paper width of the roll paper 12, for example, when the paper width is narrow, the roll paper urging member 46 is pressed against the end surface of the roll paper 12 in a state of protruding from the neutral position 46C toward the protruding position 46A. The roll paper 12 is held at a predetermined lateral pressure without causing a gap between them. Further, when the paper width is wide, the roll paper urging member 46 is pressed against the end surface of the roll paper 12 in a state where the roll paper urging member 46 is pushed toward the retracted position 46B from the neutral position 46C. The roll paper 12 is held at a side pressure of no so that the side pressure does not become excessive.

  As described above, the variation in the width of the roll paper 12 is absorbed by the movement allowance from the neutral position 46C of the roll paper urging member 46 to the protruding position 46A and the retracted position 46B. Therefore, by setting the movable range of the roll paper urging member 46 so as to absorb variations in the paper width of the roll paper 12, the roll paper 12 can always be held at a predetermined lateral pressure even if the paper width varies. Therefore, the roll paper 12 can be prevented from rattling in the storage width direction, and the roll paper 12 can be prevented from being held by an excessive lateral pressure.

  Furthermore, in this example, the roller body 30e of the feeding roller 30 is slidable in the storage width direction. Therefore, when the roll paper 12 placed on the feeding roller 30 is pushed by the roll paper urging member 46 and moved toward the second side wall 42, the roller body 30 e moves together with the roll paper 12. When the roller main body 30e does not move, the frictional force between the roll paper 12 and the roller main body 30e acts on the roll paper 12 as a side pressure, the side pressure of the roll paper 12 becomes excessive, and acts on the paper feed roller. There are cases where the feeding load increases and the recording paper 12a cannot be fed accurately. In this example, since the roller main body 30e of the feeding roller 30 moves in the storage width direction, an increase in the lateral pressure can be suppressed, and such an increase in feed load can be avoided.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Roll paper printer, 2 Printer main body, 2a Exterior case, 3 Open / close lid, 3a Cover case, 4 Recording paper discharge port, 5 Paper discharge guide, 6 Cover open / close lever, 10 Roll paper supply mechanism, 11 Roll paper storage part, 12 Roll paper, 12a recording paper, 14 paper feed guide, 15 transport path, 18 ink jet head, 19 platen, 20 printing position, 21 upstream paper feed roller, 22 paper feed motor, 23 presser roller, 24 downstream paper feed roller, 25 Presser roller, 26 Auto cutter, 27 Spring member, 28 Guide sensor, 30 Feed roller, 30a Roller shaft, 30b Slide cylinder, 30c, 30d Retaining ring, 30e Roller body, 31 First guide roller, 32 Second guide roller, 33 Third guide roller, 31a to 33a Roller shaft, 34 Feeding Motor, 35 drive control unit, 41 first side wall, 41a surface, 41b opening window, 42 second side wall, 42a surface, 41A, 42A bottom plate part, 43 guide plate, 43a notch, 45 lock lever, 45A lock position, 45B Unlocking position, 45a tip, 45b arm, 45c arm, 45d lock claw, 45e lever side engaging part, 45f, 45g tip, 46 roll paper biasing member, 46A protruding position, 46B retracted position, 46C neutral Position, 46a Tip surface, 46b Tip portion, 46c Spring receiver, 46d Abutting plate, 46e Energizing member side engagement portion, 46f, 46g Tapered surface, 50 Interlock mechanism, 51 Pinion, 52 First rack, 53 Second rack 61 Body unit 62 Side plate 62a Spring receiver 63 Side plate part 64 Outer side plate part 64 a Opening, 65 support shaft, 66 coil spring, 67 contact plate.

An object of the present invention is to propose a b Lumpur paper supply mechanism can hold the roll paper is always appropriate lateral pressure state even when there is variation in the paper width of the roll paper.

A further object of the present invention, even if equipped with feeding rollers is to always propose b Lumpur paper supply mechanism can hold the roll paper with the appropriate lateral pressure state.

The present invention has the following application examples.
(Application example 1)
A roll paper storage section for storing roll paper;
A first side wall defining one of the previous SL roll paper compartment,
A second side wall defining the other side of the roll paper storage unit;
It provided before Symbol first sidewall, intended to advance and retreat between a retracted position by a predetermined amount retracted from the projecting position by a predetermined amount of protrusion than the first side wall in a width direction of the roll paper compartment, urging the roll paper A roll paper biasing member for
The roll paper is fed out in contact with the outer peripheral surface of the roll paper stored in the roll paper storage unit.
A feeding roller for rotating in the direction,
A roll paper supply mechanism in which the feed roller is slidably attached to a roller shaft spanned in the width direction of the roll paper storage unit by a predetermined amount.
(Application example 2)
In the roll paper supply mechanism described in Application Example 1,
The feeding roller is configured to surround the outer periphery of the slide member, a slide member that is slidably mounted on the roller shaft, a regulating member that defines a slide range of the slide member, and A roll paper supply mechanism having an attached roller body and a biasing member that biases the slide member toward the first side wall.
(Application example 3)
In the roll paper supply mechanism described in Application Example 1 or 2,
A roll paper supply mechanism, wherein the amount of movement of the roll paper urging member to advance and retreat in the width direction of the roll paper storage portion is substantially equal to the slide amount of the feed roller.
(Application example 4)
A roll paper printer comprising the roll paper supply mechanism according to any one of Application Examples 1 to 3.

Claims (7)

A roll paper storage section for storing roll paper;
A first side wall defining one of the roll paper storage units,
A second side wall defining the other side of the roll paper storage unit;
A locking mechanism for locking the first side wall;
A lock lever that moves between a lock position that locks the lock mechanism and an unlock position that releases the lock; and
The roll is provided on the first side wall, and advances and retreats in the width direction of the roll paper storage unit between a retraction position retracted a predetermined amount from a protrusion position protruding a predetermined amount from the first side wall, and biases the roll paper Roll paper biasing member for,
A roll paper supply mechanism having a holding mechanism for holding the roll paper urging member at a position between the protruding position and the retracted position in conjunction with the movement of the lock lever to the unlock position. . In the roll paper supply mechanism according to claim 1,
The holding mechanism includes a lever side engaging portion formed on the lock lever, and a biasing member side engaging portion formed on the roll paper biasing member, and when the lock lever moves to the unlocking position, The lever side engaging portion engages with the urging member side engaging portion to hold the roll paper urging member at a position between the protruding position and the retracted position. Roll paper supply mechanism. In the roll paper supply mechanism according to claim 1 or 2,
The roll paper supply mechanism, wherein the position between the protruding position and the retracted position is a substantially central position between the protruding position and the retracted position. In the roll paper supply mechanism according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
The roll paper supply mechanism, wherein the second side wall is movable, and has an interlocking mechanism that moves in the direction opposite to the first side wall in conjunction with the movement of the first side wall. In the roll paper supply mechanism according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
A feeding roller for contacting the outer peripheral surface of the roll paper stored in the roll paper storage unit and rotating the roll paper in the feeding direction;
The feeding roller includes a roller shaft that is stretched in the width direction of the roll paper storage unit, and a roller body that is slidable by a predetermined amount in the width direction of the roll paper storage unit. A roll paper supply mechanism comprising the roll paper supply mechanism. In the roll paper supply mechanism according to claim 5,
A roll paper supply mechanism characterized in that an amount of movement of the roll paper urging member in the width direction of the roll paper storage portion is substantially equal to a slide amount of the roller body.   A roll paper printer comprising the roll paper supply mechanism with variable storage width according to any one of claims 1 to 6.

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