JPH047254A - Detector for residual amount of roll paper - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To facilitate confirmation of a residual amount by arranging a plurality of sensors along a route, in which a roll paper end face position is changed in accordance with a change of the residual amount of roll paper, and detecting the roll paper residual amount by an on-off signal from the sensor to display the amount. CONSTITUTION:A plurality of sensors 20a to 20c are arranged so that they are opposed to an end face of roll paper 15, housed in a main unit case 11, and further placed along a route where the end face of the roll paper 15 is displaced according to decrease of diametric size of the roll paper 15. That is, an end face position of the roll paper 15 is so displaced in the main unit case 11 in accordance with the decrease of diametric size of the roll paper 15 as to change on-off signals output from a plurality of the sensors 20a to 20c. A residual amount of the roll paper 15 can be detected and displayed on a display device by a detecting means detecting the output change. In this way, the residual amount of the roll paper 15 can be easily confirmed.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a roll paper remaining amount detection device for detecting the remaining amount of roll paper used in facsimile receiving devices, copying machines, and the like.

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as shown in FIG. 10, a facsimile machine or the like in which roll paper 2 for recording is dropped into a body case 1 has been widely used.

In this seeding device, in order to detect the remaining amount of the roll paper 2, a viewing window 3 is formed on the side of the main body case 1, and the end face of the roll paper 2 is visually observed from the outside. .

In addition, instead of providing such a window, as shown in FIG. 11, a remaining amount display pointer 5 that can be rotated around a support shaft 4 is arranged inside the main body case 1, and its tip can be viewed from the outside. It is placed in a roll paper remaining amount indicator 6 placed in a visible position, and this remaining amount display pointer 5 is pressed against the outer peripheral surface of the roll paper 2 by a spring 7. There is also known a configuration in which the remaining amount display pointer 5 is displaced in accordance with the decrease, and the position of the tip of the pointer 5 within the roll paper remaining amount indicator 6 is visually observed.

Problems that the invention aims to solve However, all such configurations have problems.

That is, in the device shown in FIG. 10, the viewing window 3 is for viewing the end face of the roll paper, so it has to be formed on the side of the device, and it is difficult to see the remaining amount of roll paper while operating the device. Just visually check.

Further, depending on the installation location of the device, the viewing window may be hidden, and in this case, there are problems such as the inability to check the remaining amount of roll paper.

In addition, in the case shown in FIG. 11, a support shaft 4. Guidelines 5. A mechanical part such as a spring 7 must be provided,
This not only increases the number of parts, but also makes it difficult to miniaturize the device, and also makes it difficult to set the roll paper.

Furthermore, as a result of restrictions on the installation position of the roll paper remaining amount indicator 6, it may be difficult to visually check the remaining amount of roll paper, or it may not be possible to visually check the amount of roll paper remaining due to the size and diameter of the roll paper.
There was also the problem that the remaining amount display scale sometimes did not match.

The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a roll paper remaining amount detection device that has a relatively simple configuration and is capable of easily checking the remaining amount of roll paper. shall be.

Means for Solving the Problems The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems. In addition, a plurality of reflective or transmissive sensors are placed along the path where the end surface of the roll paper is displaced as the diameter of the roll paper decreases, and the remaining amount of the roll paper is determined from the on/off signals from the sensors. The apparatus is equipped with a detection means for detecting the paper and a display for displaying the remaining amount of roll paper based on the output thereof.

Further, the invention according to claim 2 is such that the paper roll is placed so as to face the outer circumferential surface of the roll paper dropped and housed in the main body case.
A reflective sensor that outputs a signal according to the distance from the outer circumferential surface of the roll paper is arranged, a detection means that calculates and analyzes the signal to detect the remaining amount of roll paper, and a display that displays the remaining amount of roll paper based on the output. It is equipped with a structure in which a container is provided.

Furthermore, according to the third aspect of the invention, the roll paper is pulled out from the roll paper that has been dropped and stored in the main body case, and is drawn out according to the distance from the paper so as to face the surface of the paper before being guided by the first roller. The apparatus is equipped with a reflective sensor that outputs a signal, a detection means that calculates and analyzes the signal to detect the remaining amount of roll paper, and a display that displays the remaining amount of roll paper based on the output. It is something.

Operation According to the above-mentioned configuration, the end surface position of the roll paper is displaced within the main body case as the diameter of the roll paper decreases, and therefore the on/off signals output by the plurality of sensors change. do. By detecting this output change by the detection means, the remaining amount of roll paper can be detected and displayed on the display. Here, since the indicator is activated by an electric signal from the detection circuit, there are no restrictions on where it can be placed, and it can be placed in an easily visible position such as the operating section of the device, making it extremely easy to check the remaining amount. Become.

According to the second aspect of the invention, as the diameter of the roll paper decreases, the distance between the reflective sensor and the outer peripheral surface of the roll paper changes, and therefore the output of the reflective sensor changes. The distance between the reflective sensor and the outer circumferential surface of the roll paper has a certain relationship with the remaining amount of roll paper, so by calculating and analyzing the output signal of the reflective sensor corresponding to this distance using the detection means,
By being able to detect the remaining amount of roll paper and displaying it on a display placed in an easily visible location on the device, it is possible to check the remaining amount extremely easily.

According to the invention described in claim 3, as the diameter of the roll paper decreases, the running position of the paper being fed out from the roll paper changes, and the output of the reflective sensor disposed opposite to the paper changes. Change. In this case as well, since the distance between the reflective sensor and the paper has a certain relationship with the remaining amount of roll paper, the output signal of the reflective sensor corresponding to this distance can be calculated and analyzed by the detection means. , can detect the remaining amount of roll paper,
By displaying the amount on a display placed in an easily visible place on the device, it becomes possible to check the remaining amount extremely easily.

Example The present invention will be explained in detail below.

FIG. 4 is a schematic perspective view of a facsimile machine equipped with a roll paper remaining amount detecting device according to an embodiment of the present invention, where 11 is a main body case, 12 is an operating section, and the operating section 12 has a roll paper roll in an easily visible place. Multiple LEDs to display remaining paper amount
A display device 13 is arranged. In addition, display unit 1
3 is not limited to the one using LEDs, and can be changed as appropriate.

Figure 1 (fat, (bl), (c) schematically shows the main parts of the facsimile machine, and each shows the state in which the remaining amount of roll paper is different. 15 is the roll paper, and the body case Bottom surface 11A and rear surface 1 of accommodating section 11
It is accommodated so as to be in contact with 1B.

16 is paper fed out from the roll paper 15, 17 is a conveying roller, and 18 is a recording head.

A plurality of reflective sensors 2 are provided on the side surface of the main body case 11 so as to face the end surface of the roll paper along an appropriate path A-A along which the end surface of the roll paper is displaced as the diameter of the roll paper decreases.
0 a, 20 b, and 20 c are arranged. However, these reflective sensors are arranged avoiding the path along which the core of the roll paper 15 moves.

Figure 2 shows these reflective sensors 20a and 20b.
.

20c is a block diagram of a roll paper remaining amount detection device including a roll paper remaining amount detecting device. 23 are reflective sensors 20a and 20b.

It is an output level detection unit with 20c, and when the output of each reflective sensor exceeds a predetermined value (when the edge of the roll paper is in front of the sensor), it outputs an on signal, and when it is less than that (when there is an edge of the roll paper in front of the sensor), it outputs an on signal. If there is no edge of the roll paper, an off signal is output. Reference numeral 24 designates a central control unit which constitutes a detection means for inputting the output from the output level detection unit 23 and detecting the remaining amount of roll paper from the output state. Reference numeral 25 designates a display unit having the display 13.

The operation of the roll paper remaining amount detection device configured as described above will be described below.

In FIG. 1 fal, (bl, (cl), the paper 16 is fed out from the roll paper 15 by the conveyance roller 17, and is recorded by the recording head 18. It is housed in contact with 11B.

Each reflective sensor 20a, 20b, 20c
constantly detects whether or not there is an end face of the roll paper in front of it, and FIG. 4 shows changes in the output. Now, Figure 1 (
As shown at, when the amount of winding of the roll paper 15 is large, the end surface of the roll paper is exposed to each reflective sensor 20a, 20b, 2.
Since they are located in front of 0c, all the reflective sensors output ON signals as shown in FIG. The central control unit 24 detects that the remaining amount of roll paper is greater than this output signal, and lights up all the LEDs of the detector 13. Next, when the roll paper 15 is consumed and the state shown in FIG. 1(b) is reached,
The output of the reflective sensor 20a becomes an off signal. The central control unit 24 detects this change in the signal and turns off some of the LEDs on the display 13. Furthermore, when the roll paper is consumed and the state shown in FIG.
Further, some other LEDs of the display 13 are turned off. In this way, as the roll paper is consumed, the remaining amount can be displayed on the display 13.

In the above embodiment, a reflective sensor is used to detect the end face of the roll paper, but a transmissive sensor may be used instead.

FIG. 5 is a schematic sectional view showing the main parts of a facsimile machine equipped with a roll paper remaining amount detection device according to another embodiment of the present invention, and the same parts as in the embodiment shown in FIG. 1 are given the same reference numerals. It shows. In this embodiment, the main body case 11 includes
A reflective sensor 2 is mounted so as to face the outer peripheral surface of the roll paper 15.
6 is placed. This reflective sensor 26 is provided at a location where the distance from the outer peripheral surface of the roll paper changes as the amount of winding of the roll paper 15 changes, and outputs a signal corresponding to this distance. The reflective sensor 26 is installed on the bottom surface 1 of the main case 11 as shown in the figure.
It is preferable to arrange it toward the center of the roll paper 15 at the intersection of 1A and the rear surface 11B.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing the circuit configuration of a roll paper remaining amount detection device equipped with this reflective sensor 26, in which 27 is a reflected light amount detection section having a reflective sensor, and 28 is a light amount detected by the reflective sensor 26. An analog/digital converter 29 converts an analog signal as shown in FIG. 7(a) into a digital signal as shown in FIG. 7(bl), and 29 calculates and analyzes the digital signal to detect the remaining amount of roll paper. The central control unit 30 is a display unit that includes a display unit 13 that displays calculation and analysis results as the remaining amount of roll paper by turning on and off a plurality of LEDs. Like the one shown in FIG. 4, it is placed at an easily visible position on the operating section.

Next, the operation of the roll paper remaining amount detection device configured as described above will be explained. As shown in Figure 5 (at, (bl, (cl),
The reflective sensor 26 constantly detects light reflected from the outer peripheral surface of the roll paper 15. The position of the roll paper 15 changes as the remaining amount decreases, and the distance d 1 + d 2y d 3 between the outer peripheral surface of the roll paper and the reflective sensor 26 becomes d 1
> d 2 > d 3. At the same time, the amount of reflected light detected by the reflective sensor 26 increases inversely proportionally, and the output of the reflective sensor 26 changes as shown in FIG. The distance between the reflective sensor 26 and the outer peripheral surface of the roll paper has a certain relationship with the remaining amount of roll paper, so the output of the reflective sensor also depends on the remaining amount of roll paper. This relationship is input to the central control unit 29 in advance, and the central control unit 29 calculates the digital signal based on the information.
The remaining amount of roll paper is divided into appropriate levels and detected, and the LED of the display 13 is turned on or off. As a result, the remaining amount of roll paper is displayed on the display 13.

FIG. 8 shows still another embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, the reflective sensor 32 is arranged so as to face the portion of the paper fed out from the roll paper 15 before being guided by the first roller 17 . The rest of the structure is the same as the embodiment shown in FIGS. 5 and 6. In this embodiment, as the remaining amount of the roll paper 15 decreases, the paper 16
The distance between the reflective sensor 32 and the reflective sensor 32 increases. That is, D
l<D2<D3. Therefore, the output signal of the reflective sensor 32 decreases as shown in FIG. 9 (al), and the output signal obtained by digitally converting it becomes as shown in FIG. 9 (b). Since the distance between the sensor 32 and the paper 16 has a fixed relationship with the remaining amount of roll paper, the central control unit calculates and analyzes the signal from the reflective sensor to determine the remaining amount of roll paper. It can be detected and displayed on the display.

Effects of the Invention As is clear from the above description, the invention according to claim 1 arranges a plurality of reflective or transmissive sensors along a path in which the position of the end face of the roll paper changes according to changes in the remaining amount of the roll paper. Therefore, the outputs of the plurality of sensors change between on and off depending on the remaining amount of roll paper, and this can be detected and displayed on the display.

In this way, since the remaining amount of roll paper is detected and displayed visually using a sensor, there are no restrictions on where the display can be placed, and it can be placed in an easily visible position such as the operation section of the device. It becomes extremely easy to confirm the amount. Moreover, the reflective or transmissive sensor for detecting the end face of roll paper is extremely small and does not require a mechanism like the conventional example shown in Fig. 11, so the entire device can be made smaller. It has an effect.

Further, in the invention according to claim 2, since the reflective sensor is disposed so as to face the outer circumferential surface of the roll paper, the distance from the reflective sensor changes as the remaining amount of the roll paper decreases, and the distance from the reflective sensor changes accordingly. By calculating and analyzing the changes in the output of the reflective sensor, the remaining amount of roll paper can be detected and displayed on the display. Therefore, in this case as well, it is possible to extremely easily check the remaining amount as in the above case, and it also has the effect of realizing miniaturization.

Furthermore, in the invention according to claim 3, since the reflective sensor is disposed so as to face the paper fed out from the roll paper, the distance from the reflective sensor changes as the remaining amount of the roll paper decreases. The output of the reflective sensor changes accordingly, and by calculating and analyzing it, the remaining amount of roll paper can be detected and displayed on the display. Therefore, in this case as well, the remaining amount can be checked very easily as in the above case, and the device can also be miniaturized.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 (at, (bl, (cl) is a block diagram of a facsimile machine motherboard detection device equipped with a roll paper remaining amount detection device according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 3 is an output of a reflective sensor in the above embodiment. A level transition diagram, FIG. 4 is a perspective view schematically showing the entire facsimile machine, and FIG.
(bl, (cl) is a block diagram of a facsimile machine failure detection device equipped with a roll paper remaining amount detection device according to another embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 7 (al is a diagram of output level transition of the reflective sensor in the above embodiment) , Figure 7 (bl is an output level transition diagram after digitally changing the output, Figure 8 (at
, (bl, (cl is an output level transition diagram of a reflective sensor in an embodiment of a fan equipped with a roll paper remaining amount detection device according to still another embodiment of the present invention; FIG. Output level transition diagram after
11 are a schematic side view and a schematic cross-sectional view, respectively, showing a conventional device. 11...Body case, IIA...bottom, IIB...
Rear surface, 12... Operation unit, 13... Display unit, 15...
・Roll paper, 16... Paper, 17... Conveyance roller, 1
8... Recording head, 20a, 20b, 20cm/reflection type sensor, 26.32... Reflection type sensor. l1l1 Name of agent Patent attorney Shigetaka Awano and one other person (Q) (Q) (Q) (Q) (Q) (Q)

Claims (3)

[Claims] (1) A plurality of reflective or transmissive devices arranged so as to face the end surface of the roll paper dropped into the main body case and along the path along which the end surface of the roll paper is displaced as the diameter of the roll paper decreases. What is claimed is: 1. A roll paper remaining amount detection device that includes a type sensor, a detection unit that detects the remaining amount of roll paper based on on/off signals from the plurality of sensors, and a display that displays the remaining amount of roll paper based on the output thereof. (2) A reflective sensor that is arranged to face the outer circumferential surface of the roll paper that has been dropped into the main body case and outputs a signal according to the distance from the outer circumferential surface of the roll paper; A roll paper remaining amount detection device that includes a detection means that calculates and analyzes a signal to detect the remaining amount of roll paper, and a display that displays the remaining amount of roll paper based on the output thereof. (3) A reflector that is pulled out from a roll of paper that has been dropped into the main case and is placed opposite the surface of the paper before being guided by the H roller, and outputs a signal according to the distance from the paper. a type sensor, and a detection means for calculating and analyzing the signal from the reflective type sensor to detect the remaining amount of roll paper;
A roll paper remaining amount detection device having a display device that displays the remaining amount of roll paper based on the output thereof.