JP4110695B2 - Printer - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a printer that can be used in a plurality of installation modes.
[0002]
[Prior art]
As printer usage forms diversify, there is an increasing demand to use one printer in a plurality of installation modes. For example, in a conventional POS (Point of Sales) printer, a user who wants to place a paper discharge port on the upper side of the apparatus and a user who wants to install it on the lower side of the apparatus, depending on the usage state Therefore, a printer capable of different installation modes is desired.
[0003]
However, it is necessary for the printer to extend a power cord, a connection interface cable to a host computer or an input / output device, etc. outside the casing, and when installing in a plurality of modes, it is necessary to connect these. The attachment position of the electrical connection means with the connector and other external devices is an obstacle when it can be installed in a plurality of installation modes. In other words, the external electrical connection means must be attached to one of the constituent surfaces of the printer housing. If the surface to which this is attached is used as the installation surface, the printer is installed using that surface as the installation surface. In such a case, there is a problem that it becomes extremely difficult or impossible to connect the power cord or cable to the electrical connecting means.
[0004]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a plurality of installation surfaces in the printer housing, and the power cord and various cables can be connected to the electrical connection means even when the printer is installed using any of the installation surfaces. Is to provide a simple printer casing.
[0005]
Further, in recent printers, in particular, the type of printer that incorporates roll paper inside, in addition to such requirements, there is a strong demand for further downsizing of the apparatus and minimization of the installation area, and in a smaller casing, There is a need for a technique for efficiently accommodating each component including roll paper, that is, a printing mechanism unit, a control unit, and a power supply unit.
[0006]
Another object of the present invention is to achieve downsizing of a printer of a type incorporating roll paper while achieving the above object.
[0007]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above object, the printer of the present invention provides:
Cross section across the installed wire 3 side is formed to cross each other is a printer having a substantially triangular,
Roll paper at the center (near the center of gravity) of the substantially triangular shape ,
An electrical connection in the vicinity of at least one of the three vertices of the substantially triangular shape ;
A discharge port on one of the three surfaces;
Two surfaces excluding the surface having the discharge port are selectively set as installation surfaces .
[0009]
Further, the constituent elements of the printer are divided and arranged in the vicinity of at least one of the three vertices.
[0010]
In addition, it has a printer control unit,
The control unit is arranged in the vicinity of at least one of the three vertices.
[0011]
Moreover, the said control part is arrange | positioned in the said electrical connection part vicinity.
[0012]
In addition, it has a printer power supply,
The power supply unit is arranged in the vicinity of at least one of the three vertices.
[0013]
With these configurations, (1) when any of the installation lines (surfaces) is used as an installation line, the connection portion does not want to be hidden or protrude, and thus the electrical connection portion is not externally exposed. Can be easily connected.
[0014]
Here, the installation surface refers to a surface that comes into contact with the installation location when the printer is installed, and in the case of contact with a rubber foot or the like, it refers to a plane that includes the contact portion of the rubber foot. In addition, when the printer assumes an installation place with a specific shape, the installation surface refers to the surface of the shape.
(2) The printer can be stably installed in a plurality of postures.
(3) Roll paper can be efficiently stored in the housing.
(4) Since the outer diameter of the roll paper can be expanded until it is inscribed in the casing, it is possible to use a large-diameter roll paper.
(5) The shape of the printer can be reduced in size according to the outer diameter of the roll paper.
(6) Since the distance between the connection unit with the external device and the control unit can be shortened, it is possible to reduce the influence of external noise and unnecessary radiation noise.
[0015]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Hereinafter, the present invention will be described according to an example in which the printer according to the present invention is applied to a POS printer. FIG. 1 is an external perspective view of a printer according to an embodiment of the present invention as seen from the front side, FIG. 2 is an external perspective view of the printer as seen from the back side, FIG. 3 is a perspective view of each installation mode, and FIG. FIG. As is apparent from these drawings, the printer 10 has a shape in which triangular prisms are arranged horizontally and vertically.
[0016]
That is, in FIG. 1, the housing 11 of the printer 10 includes a front surface 11a, a bottom surface 11b, a back surface 11c, and two side surfaces 11d and 11e.
[0017]
A paper discharge port 12 is formed near the top of the front surface 11a of the housing. As will be described later, the printer 10 can accommodate a roll paper 20 as print paper, and one end thereof is drawn out from the discharge port 12. The front surface 11a of the housing is a surface disposed to face the user of the printer, and although not shown in the drawing, various operation buttons, LEDs indicating operation status, and the like can be disposed here.
[0018]
The bottom surface 11b of the housing is an installation plate (grounding surface) for the printer 10, and other leg members 13 made of rubber are provided at the four corners. A leg member 13 is also provided on the back surface 11c of the housing in the same manner as the bottom surface 11b, and a leg member 13 is also provided on the side surface 11d in the same manner, whereby the printer 10 uses the back surfaces 11c and 11d as installation plates. be able to. That is, the printer 10 has three installation plates, and three types of installation modes can be obtained by using each installation plate.
[0019]
3A shows a state where the bottom surface 11b is used as an installation plate, FIG. 3B shows a state where the back surface 11c is used as an installation plate, and FIG. 3C shows 11d as an installation plate. Each of the states is shown. When the bottom surface 11b is used as the installation plate, the roll paper discharge port 12 is positioned closer to the upper portion of the front surface 11a, and when the rear surface 11c is used as the installation plate, the discharge port 12 is positioned closer to the lower portion of the front surface 11a. When the side surface 11d is used as an installation plate, the roll paper discharge port 12 is located closer to the left part of the front surface 11a.
[0020]
For example, in a POS receipt issuing machine in a store, a roll paper (receipt) usually comes out on the upper side with a discharge port on the upper side. Usually, roll paper (ticket) comes out on the lower side. In this way, the installation mode can be selected according to the usage status of the user's printer, and the usability can be improved.
[0021]
Next, the configuration of the interface cable connection unit of the printer 10 will be described. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, the interface connector (hereinafter referred to as the connector 14) is provided on a surface sandwiched between the bottom surface 11b and the back surface 11c, that is, a connector mounting surface 11f. As shown in FIG. 2, the connector 14 is for attaching an interface cable 21 for transmitting / receiving data to / from a host computer. The connector 14 conforms to standards such as RS232C and Centronics. can do. In the example shown in the figure, the startup power of the printer is also supplied via the interface cable 21. But you may comprise so that a power connector may be installed in the connector attachment surface 11f along with the connector 14, or a power cable may be pulled out from the inside of a housing | casing.
[0022]
FIG. 5 is an enlarged side cross-sectional view of the interface cable connecting portion. As is apparent from the figure, the connector attachment surface 11f is formed at a position sufficiently retracted from the intersection P on the extension of the leg member 13 attached to the bottom surface 11b and the leg member 13 attached to the back surface 11c. That is, it is retracted from the intersection P to such an extent that the terminal portion 21a of the interface cable to be connected is accommodated in the region formed by the two extension lines and the connector attachment surface 11f shown by hatching in FIG.
[0023]
As a result, as shown in FIG. 5, the connector 14 is exposed rearward when the bottom surface 11b of the housing is used as the installation plate and when the back surface 11c is used as the installation plate. The interface cable 21 can be connected while maintaining. In other words, in the connected state of the interface cable 21, the terminal portion 21a contacts the upper surface of the installation table such as a desk, and the weight of the printer does not act on the terminal portion 21a and the like, thereby causing no contact failure.
[0024]
Next, the internal configuration of the printer 10 will be described with reference to FIG. The printer 10 includes a roll paper storage unit 30, a printing mechanism unit 31, a control unit 32, and a power supply unit 33 inside the housing 11. The roll paper storage unit 30 is disposed at the center of the housing 11 and is formed along a circle that is substantially inscribed in the triangle formed by the front surface 11a, the bottom surface 11b, and the back surface 11c of the housing in FIG. The three walls 11g are formed so that the roll paper 20 can be stored. When the printer is installed using either the bottom surface 11b or the back surface 11c as an installation plate, two of the three walls 11g support the roll paper 20 in a rotatable manner. In this case, the wall 11g is preferably formed of a material having a low friction coefficient such as PTFE (polytetrafluoroethylene). Further, a mechanism for reducing the frictional force with the recording paper 20 such as a roller bearing may be provided on the wall 11g.
[0025]
In FIG. 4, the printer 10 has a substantially triangular cross section and has three apexes (that is, corner portions) C, D, and E. The vertex C is between the front surface 11a and the bottom surface 11b, the vertex D is between the front surface 11a and the back surface 11c, and the vertex E is between the bottom surface 11b and the back surface 11c. The roll paper 20 is stored in a roll paper storage unit 30, and the roll paper storage unit 30 is disposed at a substantially center of gravity of a triangle. Further, the roll paper discharge port 20 is provided in the vicinity of the apex (corner portion) D together with the printing mechanism unit 31. Moreover, the connector 14 is provided with the control unit 32 in the vertex (corner part) E vicinity, and can insert the cable from an external apparatus from an insertion port (refer FIG. 5). Furthermore, the power supply unit 33 is provided in the vicinity of the apex (corner portion) C, and a power cord can be inserted from an insertion port (not shown).
[0026]
The vertices C to E are chamfered and slightly inside the intersection (on the center of gravity of the triangle) on the line extending the sides of the triangle (11a, 11b, 11c). When the outlet and each cable insertion port are provided, the roll paper discharge port and each cable insertion port are arranged above the installation surface (11b in FIG. 4A). Therefore, it is easy to discharge the roll paper and insert the cable.
[0027]
In addition, as shown in FIG. 4B, a roll paper shaft 15 that passes through the core of the roll paper and supports the roll paper rotatably may be provided on the substantially central axis of the triangular prism instead of the wall 11g. . According to this, since the roll paper can be stably held inside the printer regardless of the outer diameter of the roll paper, the roll paper is not damaged even if the orientation of the printer is changed with the roll paper stored. . Moreover, it becomes possible to reduce the rotational load of the roll paper.
[0028]
The roll paper 20 can be inserted or exchanged from the side surface of the printer by opening the side wall plate constituting one side surface 11e from the housing 11. As a method of opening the side wall plate from the housing 11, for example, the side wall plate is rotated along its surface using one vertex of the side wall plate as a rotation fulcrum, or the side wall plate is outwardly set with one side of the side wall plate as a hinge point. A method such as opening can be adopted. In addition, when using said roll paper axis | shaft, it is desirable to provide a bearing part in a side wall board.
[0029]
The printing mechanism unit 31, the control unit 32, and the power supply unit 33 are respectively installed outside the walls 11g, that is, in the spaces near the vertices C to E of the triangle. That is, the printing mechanism unit 31 is near the vertex D formed by the front surface 11a and the back surface 11c, the control unit 32 is near the vertex E formed by the bottom surface 11b and the back surface 11c, and the power supply unit 33 is composed of the front surface 11a and the bottom surface 11b. It is arranged near the vertex C to be formed. Each unit 31-33 is mutually connected and functions by the flat cable 34 arrange | positioned along each surface 11a-11c of the housing | casing 11. FIG.
[0030]
The printing mechanism unit 31 is a unit for realizing printing at the leading end of the roll paper 20. The printing mechanism unit 31 includes a thermal printing head 35, a platen 36 provided with a function of a paper feed roller, a roll paper guide 37, and a paper cutting mechanism 38. Prepare. The leading edge of the roll paper 20 is drawn out from between the two walls 11 g to the printing mechanism unit 31 side, and is discharged from the roll paper guide 37 through the gap between the print head 35 and the platen 36 to the discharge port 12. . Although not shown in the drawing, the printing mechanism unit 31 can include other components necessary for printing, such as a paper guide, a drive mechanism for the roll paper guide 37, and a head moving mechanism.
[0031]
Note that the roll paper guide 37 may function as a so-called feeding roller for reducing fluctuations in the paper conveyance speed due to paper feed loads such as roll paper friction and inertial mass.
[0032]
The control unit 32 is installed on the back surface of the connector mounting surface 11f, and includes a connector 14, a control CPU 39, a memory 40, and other electronic components on the board. The control unit 32 controls printing by the printing mechanism unit 31 with the above configuration, and communicates with the host computer via the interface cable 21. The power supply unit 33 is a unit provided with a power supply circuit and other auxiliary circuits on a substrate.
[0033]
By disposing the roll paper storage unit 30, the printing mechanism unit 31, the control unit 32, and the power supply unit 33 in the case 11 having a triangular cross section as described above, each component necessary for the printer can be accommodated with a small installation area. Therefore, a small printer can be realized.
[0034]
The position of the control unit 32 and the position of the power supply unit 33 may be exchanged. Further, when power is supplied to the control unit from the outside, the power supply unit 33 may not be provided.
[0035]
6, 7, and 8 show another example of a printer according to another embodiment of the present invention. 6 is an external view with the back surface 11c as an installation plate, FIG. 7 is an external side view of FIG. 6 viewed from the right side, and FIG. 8 is an external view with the side surface 11d as an installation plate to understand the internal structure. Each is shown. 6, 7, and 8, 10 is a printer, 11 is a housing, 11 a is a functional front surface, 11 b is a bottom surface in FIG. 1 (behind in FIG. 6-8), and 11 c is a back surface in FIG. 1. (It becomes a bottom face in FIGS. 6-8), 11d and 11e show two side surfaces. Reference numeral 12 denotes a paper discharge port, 13 a rubber or other leg member, and 20 a roll paper. Reference numeral 50 denotes an operation surface cover part constituting the front surface 11a, which is formed integrally with the paper feed surface cover part 51, and can be exchanged by opening it in the direction of arrow F in FIG.
[0036]
Reference numeral 15 denotes a support shaft of the roll paper 20. The roll paper 20 is placed on the support shaft 15, and after the roll paper 20 is pulled out from the paper discharge port 12, the print paper can be printed by closing in the reverse direction of the arrow F. In FIG. 8, 35 is a thermal print head of the printing mechanism, and 36 is a platen.
[0037]
The roll paper storage area A in FIG. 6 includes the thermal print head 35 and the platen 36 of the printing mechanism, the roll paper 20 and the like. 63, an interface cable 21, a power connector 61, a power cable 62, and the like.
[0038]
As shown in FIG. 7, the connector attachment surface 11f of the interface cable connecting portion is at a position sufficiently retracted from the intersection of the extension of the back surface 11c and the bottom surface 11b, and the extension of the connector attachment surface 11f, the back surface 11c and the bottom surface 11b. The terminal portion 21a of the interface cable 21 to be connected and the power connector 61 are accommodated in a region formed by the intersection of the two. Thereby, it is possible to connect the interface cable 21 while maintaining each installation state using the respective surfaces 11b, 11c, and 11d as installation plates.
[0039]
As mentioned above, although embodiment of this invention was described along drawing, this invention is not limited to the matter shown in the said embodiment, Description of claim and detailed description of invention, and well-known technique Based on this, a range in which those skilled in the art can make changes and applications thereof is included.
[0040]
For example, the discharge port 12 is provided at the apex (corner portion) D between the front surface 11a and the back surface 11c, and the operation buttons and the like on the front surface 11a (50) are rearranged to 11d or 11e to replace the roll paper. If the cover 11d or 11e is also used and the platen 36 is detached from the head 35 when the cover 11d or 11e is opened, the front surface 11a can also be an installation surface.
[0041]
In the present embodiment, the printer has a regular equilateral triangular shape, but it is also within the scope of the present invention to form the printer in another polygonal shape.
[0042]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, when any of the three installation surfaces is used as the installation surface, the connection surface is not hidden, and an external cable or the like can be easily connected to the electrical connection means. Can be connected. Therefore, it is possible to discharge the roll paper in the upward, downward, and lateral directions, which is easy to use depending on the application. In addition, since a heavy roll paper can be arranged at the center of the general shape, a stable POS printer can be provided.
[0043]
In addition, the printer storing the roll paper can be made extremely small as compared with the conventional printer.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is an external perspective view of a printer according to an embodiment of the present invention as viewed from the front side.
FIG. 2 is an external perspective view of the printer of FIG. 1 as viewed from the back side.
3A is an installation state when the bottom surface of the printer is used as an installation plate, FIG. 3B is an installation state when the back surface is an installation plate, and FIG. 3C is a case where the side surface is an installation plate. FIG.
4A and 4B are side sectional views of the printer of FIG.
FIG. 5 is an enlarged side cross-sectional view of an interface cable connecting portion.
FIG. 6 is an external view of a printer according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 7 is an external side view of a printer according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 8 is an external view showing the internal structure of a printer according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Printer 11 Housing | casing 11a Front surface 11b Bottom surface 11c Back surface 11d, 11e Side surface 11f Connector attachment surface 11g Wall 12 Outlet 13 Leg member 14 Connector 15 Roll paper shaft 20 Roll paper 21 Interface cable 21a Terminal part 30 Roll paper storage part 31 Printing mechanism Unit 32 Control unit 33 Power supply unit 34 Flat cable 35 Thermal print head 35 Print head 36 Platen 37 Roll paper guide 38 Paper cut mechanism 39 CPU for control
40 Memory 60 Board C, D, E Vertex (corner)

Claims (5)

Cross section across the installed wire 3 side is formed to cross each other is a printer having a substantially triangular,
Roll paper in the center of the substantially triangular shape ,
An electrical connection in the vicinity of at least one of the three vertices of the substantially triangular shape ;
A discharge port on one of the three surfaces;
2. A printer, wherein two surfaces excluding the surface having the discharge port are selectively set as installation surfaces .   2. The printer according to claim 1, wherein the constituent elements of the printer are divided and arranged near at least one of the three vertices. In addition, it has a printer control unit,
The printer according to claim 1, wherein the control unit is arranged in the vicinity of at least one of the three vertices. The printer according to claim 3 , wherein the control unit is disposed in the vicinity of the electrical connection unit. In addition, it has a printer power supply,
The printer according to claim 1, wherein the power supply unit is disposed in the vicinity of at least one of the three vertices.

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