JPH02214676A - Printer - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] This bulletin contains application data before electronic filing, so abstract data is not recorded.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Field of Industrial Application] The present invention relates to a printer that can smoothly feed paper.

[Prior Art] In today's world of diversification, there is a strong demand for printing on various types of paper using a single printer. It is necessary to provide a plurality of paper feeding units for feeding the printed paper and a paper guide for discharging the printed paper in two or more discharging directions depending on the type of the paper.

Therefore, as shown in FIG. 5, conventional printers have a continuous paper feed section 11 that feeds continuous paper (fan-hold paper) to the printing section 1, and non-continuous paper (paper other than continuous paper such as cut paper and postcards). ) to the printing section 1, an operating lever mechanism 71 for selecting one of the two paper feeding sections 11.31 depending on the type of paper, and a control lever mechanism 71 for feeding paper to the printing section 1. It includes a paper ejection guide 51 that guides the paper in a ejection direction according to the type, and a switching lever 62 that positions the kite 51 at two ejection positions.

Here, the continuous paper feed section 11 is formed to include a tractor 12 and a connection/separation mechanism 21 that connects the drive motor 5 to the tractor 12 so as to be connectable and separable.

The connection and separation mechanism 21 includes a rotatably provided tractor switching arm 22 and a switching gear 23 rotatably supported at the tip of the arm 22 to transmit power to the tractor 12.
It consists of:

The discontinuous paper feeding section 31 also includes a pair of feed rollers 32 and a pinch roller 33 that are frictionally engaged, and a connection release mechanism 4 that releases the frictionally engaged relationship between both rollers 32 and 33.
1.

The pinch roller 33 connects to the feed roller 32 via a spring 34.
The roller 32 is pressed against the roller 32 and frictionally engages with the roller 32.

The connection and release mechanism 41 includes a lever arm 73 of an operating lever mechanism 71 and two protrusions 4 formed on the upper part of the arm 73.
It consists of 2.

The operating lever mechanism 71 includes an operating lever 72 and a lever arm 73 for moving the lever 72 in the X-axis direction. The lever arm 73 is the operating lever 72
It is formed such that it can be positioned at a position P1 for continuous paper and a position P3 for non-continuous paper.

Here, when the operating lever 72 is positioned at the continuous paper position P1, the tractor switching arm 22 is positioned at the connection position shown by the two-dot chain line in the figure, and the tractor 12 and the drive motor 5 are connected. At the same time, the protrusion 42 of the connection and release mechanism 41 abuts and engages the pinch roller 33, and the pinch roller 33 separates from the feed roller 32, and the frictional engagement between the rollers 32 and 33 is released, allowing continuous sheet feeding. Section 11 is selected.

Also, release the operating lever 72. When positioned at the continuous paper position P3, the tractor switching arm 22 is positioned at the separation position shown by the solid line in the figure, and the tractor 12 and drive motor 5 are
is separated. At the same time, the protrusion 4 of the connection release mechanism 41
2 is removed from the pinch roller 33, and the roller 33 frictionally engages with the feed roller 32, so that the non-continuous paper feed section 31 is selected.

Further, the paper ejection guide 51 is rotatably disposed downstream of the printing section 1 and is moved using a switching lever 62 to a second ejection position for discontinuous paper, which is indicated by a solid line in the figure, and a second ejection position, which is indicated by a two-dot chain line in the figure. It is provided to be positioned at a first ejection position for continuous paper.

To print on the continuous paper 7a using the above printer, position the operating lever 72 to the continuous paper position P1, select the continuous paper feed section 11, and press the paper ejection guide 5.
1 was positioned at the first ejection position using the switching lever 62 so that the continuous paper 7a was ejected downward from the printer.

Further, when printing on normal non-continuous paper 7C such as cut paper, it is necessary to eject it above the printer for convenience of handling. Therefore, the operation lever 72 is positioned at the non-continuous paper position P3 to select the non-continuous paper feeding section 31, and the paper ejection guide 51 is positioned at the second ejection position.

[Problem to be Solved by the Invention] As described above, when printing paper, the operator needs to select the ζ paper feed section 11.31 and the ejection position of the paper ejection guide 51 depending on the type of paper. However, the selection of the ejection position of the ejection guide 51 is often forgotten, resulting in an inconvenience that interferes with paper feeding.

In particular, when printing on highly rigid non-continuous paper such as postcards, jams are likely to occur because it is difficult to bend in an arc shape along the upper guide 54 if it is ejected above the printer.
Therefore, in the case of such non-continuous paper 7b, it is necessary to position the paper ejection guide 51 at the first ejection position and eject it below the printer, but this can easily be confused by the operator when printing on normal non-continuous paper. .

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide a printer that can smoothly feed paper by linking the selection of a paper feeding section and the selection of the ejection position of a paper ejection guide.

[Means for Solving the Problems] The present invention uses an operation lever mechanism to operate a connection/separation mechanism, a connection/release mechanism, and a discharge direction switching mechanism in conjunction with each other to select a paper feed section and change the discharge position of a paper discharge guide. It is formed so that it can be made in any combination of selections.

In other words, the invention as set forth in claim 1 has the following features: a continuous paper feeding section that includes a tractor that feeds continuous paper to the printing section; and a frictionally engaged feeding roller that feeds non-continuous paper to the printing section. and a pinch roller, and a discontinuous paper feeding section including a connection and release mechanism for releasing the frictional engagement relationship between the feeding roller and the pinch roller, and a paper ejection guide disposed downstream of the printing section, and the guide. a discharge direction switching mechanism for positioning the paper to one of at least two discharge positions for continuous paper and non-continuous paper, and an operation lever that can select at least two positions depending on the type of paper, and the operation lever is moved to each of the above-mentioned positions. By positioning the paper in the continuous paper feed section or the non-continuous paper feed section, the ejection direction switching mechanism is operated to move the paper ejection guide to either the first ejection position or the second ejection position. In the invention according to claim 2, further comprising: an operating lever mechanism formed to position the operating lever in three positions. Accordingly, when the discontinuous paper feeding section is selected, the ejection direction switching mechanism is activated and the paper ejection guide is positioned at the first ejection position.

[Function] In the invention described in claim 1, when printing on paper, either the continuous paper feed section or the non-continuous paper feed section is selected by positioning the operating lever at a position according to the type of paper. At the same time, the discharge direction switching R mechanism is activated and the paper discharge guide is positioned at a discharge position corresponding to the type of paper.

Therefore, by linking the selection of the paper feeding section and the selection of the ejection position of the paper ejection guide, it is possible to smoothly feed the paper.

In the invention set forth in claim 2, when printing on highly rigid non-continuous paper such as postcards, the non-continuous paper feeding section is selected by positioning the operating lever mechanism at a position corresponding to the continuous paper. At the same time, the paper ejection guide
is positioned at the ejection position.

As a result, highly rigid non-continuous paper such as postcards can be ejected to the bottom of the printer without bending into an arc shape.

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

As shown in FIG. 1, the printer according to this embodiment is roughly divided into a continuous paper feed section 11, a discontinuous paper feed section 31, a paper ejection guide 51, an ejection direction switching mechanism 61, a connection and separation mechanism 21, a connection and release mechanism 41, and Discharge direction switching mechanism 6
1 are operated in conjunction with each other to select an arbitrary combination of the paper feed section 11.31 and the ejection position of the paper ejection guide 51.

Here, the continuous paper feed section 11, the discontinuous paper feed section 31, and the paper ejection guide 51 are the continuous paper feed section 11. of the conventional printer. Since it is the same as the non-continuous paper feed section 31 and the paper ejection guide 51, the explanation will be omitted or simplified.
The ejection direction switching mechanism 61 and the operating lever mechanism 71, which are characteristic parts of the present invention, will be described in detail.

The discharge direction switching mechanism 61 is formed to operate in conjunction with the operating lever mechanism 71. Specifically, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, the ejection direction switching mechanism 61 is configured to connect the engagement bin 63 provided at the side end of the paper ejection guide 51 and the lever arm 73 of the operating lever mechanism 71. 0 operation section 6 formed including an operation section 64 that engages with the pin 63 formed at the center left end portion and rotates the paper ejection guide 51;
The front surface 65 of the lever arm 73 is inclined by a predetermined angle with respect to the moving direction of the lever arm 73 so that the engaging pin 63 can be smoothly pushed upward and the guide 51 can be smoothly rotated.

The operating lever mechanism 71 has an operating lever 72 that can be selected from three positions depending on the type of paper, and by positioning the operating lever 72 at each of the above positions via a lever arm 73, the continuous paper feeding section 11 and the discontinuous paper feeding section 11 and Paper feed section 31
When one of these is selected, the ejection direction switching mechanism 61 is activated so that the paper ejection guide 51 is positioned at either the first ejection position for continuous paper or the second ejection position for non-continuous paper. is formed.

In this practical example, as shown in Figure 2, the three positions J are, from the left in the figure, a position P1 for continuous paper, a first position (position for postcards) P2 for non-continuous paper, and a position P2 for non-continuous paper. A second position P3 is taken.

Here, as shown in FIGS. 2 to 4, the operating lever mechanism 71 connects the tractor 21 to the drive motor 5 via the connection separation Ia ellipse 21 when the operating lever 72 is positioned at the continuous paper position P1. At the same time, the pinch roller 33 separates from the feed roller 32 and the frictional engagement relationship is released, and the continuous paper feed section 11 is selected, and the paper ejection guide 51 is moved counterclockwise by the actuating section 64 via the engagement bin 63. It is formed so that it can be rotated and positioned at the first ejection position shown by the two-dot chain line in FIG.

Furthermore, when the operating lever mechanism 71 positions the operating lever 72 at the first position P2 for non-continuous paper, the operating lever mechanism 71
1 is separated from the drive motor 5, and the pinch roller 3
3 and the feed roller 32 frictionally engage with each other to select the non-continuous paper feed section 31, and furthermore, the paper ejection guide 51 engages with the engagement bin 6.
3 to be positioned at the first ejection position by the actuating portion 64.

Furthermore, when the operating lever a mechanism 71 positions the operating lever 72 at the second position P3 for non-continuous paper, the non-continuous paper feeding section 31 is selected and the engagement relationship between the engagement bin 63 and the actuating section 64 is adjusted. is released, and the paper ejection guide 51 is positioned at the second ejection position shown by the solid line in FIG.

By the way, the feed roller 32 and the tractor 12 are driven by the same drive motor 5. Also, the printer has
A continuous paper feed guide 4a for guiding continuous paper to the tractor 12 and a non-continuous paper feed guide 4b for guiding non-continuous paper between the feed roller 32 and the pinch roller 33 are provided.

Next, the effect will be explained.

When printing continuous paper, the continuous paper feed section 11 is selected by positioning the operation lever 71 at the continuous paper position P1, and the paper ejection guide 51 is positioned at the first ejection position, and the continuous paper is moved to the tractor 12. , the paper is discharged below the printer via the printing section 1 and the paper discharge guide 51.

When printing a postcard, the discontinuous paper feed section 31 is selected by positioning the operating lever 71 at the first position P2 for discontinuous paper, and the paper ejection guide 51 is positioned at the first ejection position, and the postcard is feed roller 32
(pinch roller 33), printing section 1, and paper ejection guide 51, the paper is ejected from below the printer.

Furthermore, when printing on cut paper, the discontinuous paper feed section 31 is selected by positioning the operating lever 71 at the second position P3 for discontinuous paper, and the paper ejection guide 51 is positioned at the second ejection position. The cut paper is ejected from above the printer via the feed roller 32 (pinch roller 33), printing section 1, paper ejection guide 51, and upper guide 54.

According to this embodiment, the operating lever 72 is provided with three selectable positions, and by positioning the operating lever 72 in the three positions, either the continuous paper feeding section 11 or the non-continuous paper feeding section 31 can be operated. A configuration including an operation lever mechanism 71 formed so that when selected, the ejection direction switching mechanism 61 is activated and the paper ejection guide 51 is positioned at the first and second ejection positions depending on the type of paper. Therefore, by positioning the operation lever 72 at the third position, the ejection position of the paper ejection guide 51 can also be selected in conjunction with the selection of the paper feed section 11.31.

In addition, the operation lever mechanism 71 positions the operation lever 72 at a position corresponding to the postcard (first position P1 for non-continuous paper), so that the non-continuous paper feeding section 31 for discontinuous paper
is selected and the paper ejection guide 51 is positioned at the first ejection position for continuous paper.
Postcards can be discharged downward without being bent into an arc shape.

Further, since the paper feed guide is divided into two parts, the continuous paper guide 4a and the non-continuous paper guide 4b, the paper can be set quickly.

Further, by forming the actuating portion 64 on the lever arm 73, the ejection direction switching mechanism 61 is configured to operate in conjunction with the operating lever mechanism 71, so that the printer can be made smaller without becoming larger or more complicated. It can be simplified.

In the above embodiment, the tractor 12 and the feed roller 32 are driven by the same drive motor 5, but they may be configured to be driven by separate drive motors.

Note that in the embodiment described above, the operation lever 72 is
Although the position is provided so that it can be selected, it may also be provided so that it is possible to select 2nd or 1st position or 4 or more positions can be selected depending on the type of paper.

[Effects of the Invention] According to the invention described in claim 1, the continuous paper feeding unit and an operating lever mechanism configured to position the paper ejection guide at either a first ejection position or a second ejection position by selecting one of the non-continuous paper feed units and operating the ejection direction switching mechanism; Because of this configuration, the selection of the paper feeding section and the selection of the ejection position of the paper ejection guide are performed in conjunction with each other, so that the paper can be fed smoothly.

In the invention as set forth in claim 2, in addition, the operating lever mechanism is formed so that the operating lever can be selected from three positions.
Since the ejection direction switching mechanism is activated and the paper ejection guide is positioned at the first ejection position when the non-continuous paper feed section is selected, the effect of the invention recited in claim 1 is achieved, and the postcard It is possible to eject highly rigid non-continuous paper such as paper below the printer without bending it into an arc shape.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a side sectional view showing an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is an enlarged sectional view showing the vicinity of the tractor, FIG. 3 is an enlarged sectional view showing the vicinity of the paper ejection guide, and FIG.
This figure is an enlarged sectional view showing the positional relationship between a pair of feed rollers and a pinch roller, and FIG. 5 is a side sectional view showing a conventional printer. 1...Printing unit, 5...Drive motor, 11...Continuous paper feed unit, 21...Connection and separation mechanism, 31...Discontinuous paper feed unit, 41...Connection and release mechanism, 51... - Paper ejection guide, 61... Ejection direction switching mechanism, 71... Operation lever mechanism.

Claims (2)

[Claims] (1) A continuous paper feed unit including a tractor that feeds continuous paper to the printing unit; a frictionally engaged feed roller and a pinch roller that feed non-continuous paper to the print unit; a non-continuous paper feed section formed including a connection and release mechanism for releasing the friction engagement relationship of the pinch roller; a paper ejection guide disposed downstream of the printing section; and a paper ejection guide disposed downstream of the printing section; The continuous paper feed section has a discharge direction switching mechanism that positions one of the continuous paper discharge positions, and an operation lever that can select at least two positions depending on the type of paper, and the operation lever is positioned at each of the positions. and a non-continuous paper feed unit is selected, and the ejection direction switching mechanism is activated so that the paper ejection guide is positioned at one of a first ejection position and a second ejection position. A printer characterized by being provided with an operation lever mechanism. (2) The operation lever mechanism is formed so that the operation lever can be selected from three positions, so that when the non-continuous paper feeding section is selected, the ejection direction switching mechanism is activated and the paper ejection guide is moved to the first position. 2. The printer according to claim 1, wherein the printer is configured to be positioned at the ejection position.