JPH06297796A - Printing apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To obtain a printing apparatus of the type In which after a single slip paper is carried in from the direction perpendicularly intersecting the forwarding direction of a platen, directional change thereof is carried out to effect printing, and then directional change is conducted again to carry it out. CONSTITUTION:A lateral transportation conduit 20 is provided within the main body of an apparatus, in which a single slip paper is carried in and then transported from the direction perpendicularly intersecting the rotational direction of a platen 12 and carrying out of the paper is effected after printing. A longitudinal transportation conduit 30 for transporting the single slip paper in the rotational direction of the platen is continuously formed underneath the lateral transportation conduit. Also, there is provided a directional changing means 21a together with both the transportation conduits as a functional transportation mechanism within the main body of the apparatus, which lies to face the lower side part of the lateral transportation conduit at all times and works to close the lateral transportation conduit and which selectively comes out thereof to open the longitudinal transportation conduit.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a printing apparatus which guides a single-cut sheet onto a platen and prints it by a print head, and more particularly, loads the single-cut sheet into the main body of the apparatus from a direction orthogonal to the feeding direction of the platen. The present invention relates to a printing apparatus provided with a transport mechanism section having a direction switching function, which is suitable when being guided to a printing position and carried out from the apparatus body after printing.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In a conventional printing device with a platen, a single-cut sheet is fed into the main body of the apparatus from the same direction as the paper feeding direction of the platen, guided to the platen, printed, and then printed on the platen again. It was only designed to feed in the same or opposite direction as the feeding direction.

Therefore, according to the conventional printing apparatus of this type, it is necessary to feed the cut sheet into the apparatus main body from a direction orthogonal to the paper feeding direction accompanying the rotation of the platen or send it out after printing. I have to. Then, as a method of loading and unloading cut sheets fed from a direction orthogonal to the sheet feeding direction of the platen into the apparatus main body, conventionally, as a method of installing the apparatus, other reasons,
The conveyance examples shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 have been appropriately adopted.

That is, in the conventional printing apparatus, for example, in the example shown in FIG. 5, the first form sheet 1 conveyed from the left side of the drawing is arranged below the printing apparatus 2 with a platen. Direction is changed by the direction switching device 3 to be fed into the printing device 2 and is printed on the platen in the printing device 2 by a print head (both not shown), and then is discharged in the upward direction of the printing device 2. I am trying to do it. Then, by the second direction switching device 4 arranged on the upper side of the printing device, the direction is changed again in the right direction in the drawing to be conveyed and sent out.

Further, the example shown in FIG. 6 is the same as the example of FIG. 5 described above until it is guided to the platen and printed, but after printing by the printer 2, The form paper 1 is carried out in the downward direction of the device 2, and is turned to the right by the direction switching device 3 used before printing to be sent out.

[0006]

Accordingly, the single-cut sheet 1 is carried in from the direction orthogonal to the paper feeding direction of the platen,
In the case of the printing apparatus 2 which is going to carry out further, it is necessary to switch the conveyance direction of the cut sheet 1 to the same direction as the sheet feeding direction of the platen at any position outside the printing apparatus 2. there were.

In such a case, the printer 2
The direction switching devices 3, 4; 3 for the conveying direction must be provided outside the printer, and as a result, the height of the entire device as the printing device 2 becomes high, which tends to increase the size of the device.
Further, there is a problem that the conveyance path of the cut sheet 1 and the printing device 2 cannot be compactly arranged on the same plane.

The present invention has been made in order to solve such a problem, and conveys a single-cut sheet fed in from a direction orthogonal to the sheet feeding direction of the platen, changes its direction, prints, and further carries in the feeding direction. Carrying out in the same direction,
An object of the present invention is to obtain a printing apparatus having a transport mechanism section with a direction switching function that can be continuously realized in the apparatus body without using a direction switching apparatus or the like arranged outside the apparatus.

[0009]

In order to meet such a demand, a printing apparatus according to the present invention takes in a single-cut sheet into the apparatus main body, guides it onto a platen, performs printing by a print head, and also outside the apparatus main body. In order to carry out the paper, the single-cut sheet is taken in from the direction orthogonal to the direction of rotation of the platen and conveyed in the main body of the machine, and the horizontal conveyance path for carrying out the printed paper The vertically-conveying path that conveys the formed sheet in the rotation direction of the sheet as the platen rotates and the lower part of the lateral-conveying path communicates with the vertical-conveying path and always maintains a closed state. At the same time, a transport mechanism section having a direction switching function, which comprises a direction switching means for selectively exiting to open the vertical transport path and connect both transport paths, is provided in the apparatus body.

[0010]

According to the present invention, the single-cut sheet carried into the apparatus main body from the direction different from the platen feeding direction is guided onto the platen, and when printing is performed by the print head, the sheet is fed to the lateral conveyance path of the sheet. Is taken in from the direction orthogonal to the platen rotation direction, and is guided to the vertical conveyance path by the direction switching means, printing is performed while the paper is conveyed as the platen rotates, and after the printing is completed, the paper is conveyed again in the vertical direction. The sheet can be guided from the path to the lateral transport path, and the cut sheet can be carried out from the inside of the apparatus main body in the direction orthogonal to the rotation direction of the platen.

[0011]

1 to 3 show an embodiment of a printing apparatus according to the present invention. In these drawings, a printing apparatus generally designated by reference numeral 10 includes a platen 12 and a platen 12 inside an apparatus body 11. Print head 13 arranged opposite to this
It has and. In the figure, 14 is a platen drive motor, and 15 and 16 are transmission gears for transmitting the rotation of the motor 14 to the platen 12.

On the other hand, a lateral conveying path 20 is provided at the upper end of the apparatus main body 11, and a lateral conveying driving clamp having a locking portion 21a which constitutes a bottom part of a part of the lateral conveying path 20 as a bottom guide. 21 includes rotary solenoids 23, 23 provided on both left and right end portions of the rotary shaft 22, respectively. Here, the clamp 21 is given a turning force in the counterclockwise direction in the figure by the first spring 28 (see FIG. 3) so as to maintain the state shown in FIG. 1 at all times.

Therefore, when the clamp 21 is energized by the left and right rotary solenoids 23, 23, as shown in FIG.
As shown in FIG. 5, the state of being rotated upward is maintained, and in this case, the lateral transport path 20 and the vertical transport path 30 (described later) are opened and communicated with each other by the withdrawal of the locking portion 21a. It is in a state. Further, when not energized, the urging force of the spring 28 restores the normal state as shown in FIG.
At this time, the horizontal and vertical transport paths 20 and 30 are blocked by the locking portion 21a.

Reference numeral 24 denotes an electric motor for driving the lateral conveyance provided in the main body 11 of the apparatus. Reference numeral 25 denotes a motor for lateral conveyance which is rotated by transmitting the rotational driving force of the motor 24 through a driving belt 26. The roller 25 is disposed so as to face one side of the lateral transport path 20, and the lateral transport drive clamp 21 is provided with a lateral transport drive idler 27 facing the lateral transport path 20. ing. In addition,
Between the roller 25 and the idler 27, as is apparent from FIG. 1, a lateral transport path 20 for laterally transporting the sheet 1 is formed.

Reference numeral 30 denotes a vertical conveying path for conveying the single-cut sheet 1 in the apparatus main body 11 described above in a direction orthogonal to the lateral conveying path 20 in the sheet feeding direction by the platen 12.
The vertical transport path 30 includes the platen 12 and the print head 1.
It is configured so that it can be conveyed to the lower side of the apparatus main body portion 11 through the space between the sheets 3 and 3. Reference numeral 31 is a pinch roller for selectively pressing the cut sheet 1 to the platen 12 below the print head 13.

Reference numerals 32 and 32 are configured to be movable back and forth by a catcher solenoid 33 and a spring 34 from the apparatus main body portion 11 side with respect to the conveying path at the communicating portion between the vertical conveying path 30 and the lateral conveying path 20. A pair of upper and lower catcher rollers 35 and 35 are the catcher rollers 3
The pressure roller is provided so as to face the clamps 21 and 2 with respect to 2, 32, and the lateral transport path 20 and the vertical transport path 30 are formed between these rollers 32, 35.

Here, the catcher solenoid 33 and the shaft supporting portion of the catcher roller 32 are mechanically connected to each other, and when the solenoid 33 is in an off state (non-energized), the catcher roller 32 is urged by the spring 34 so that the pressure of the catcher roller 32 is increased. It is configured so as to face the rollers 35 and form the transport paths 20 and 30 therebetween, and in the ON state (when energized), interlocks so as to withdraw from the transport paths 20 and 30 against the biasing force of the spring 34. And are operated in the same direction.

Further, in the above-mentioned structure, the cut sheet 1
However, when an attempt is made to enter the vertical conveyance path 30 from the horizontal conveyance path 20 in the printing device 10, the catcher solenoid 33 is energized immediately before that, and the rollers 32, 32 are retreated from the conveyance paths 20, 30. , A gap is provided between the pressure rollers 35 and 35, so that the width of the sheet conveyance path can be secured.

In the above structure, the cut sheet 1 carried into the apparatus main body 11 from a direction different from the feeding direction of the platen 12 extends from the left side of the apparatus 10 along the engaging portion 21a as a bottom guide. It is carried into the device 10. At this time, the clamp 21 is connected to the rotary solenoid 2
3 is off and is closed by the urging force of the spring 28, whereby a driving force is generated by the roller 25 and the idler 27 for lateral conveyance driving, and the driving amount of the motor 24 causes the lateral movement to a predetermined stop position. Direction feed is performed.

When the cut sheet 1 reaches the predetermined stop position in the lateral conveyance path 20, the catcher solenoid 3
3 is turned off so that the cut sheet 1 is sandwiched between the pressure roller 35 and the catcher roller 32.

Next, the rotary solenoid 23 is turned on,
Lift the clamp 21 to lift the idler 27 and the locking portion 21a.
Is released from the cut sheet 1. As a result, the vertical transport path 30 is opened, which means that the transport drive in the vertical direction is switched.

The catcher roller 32 pulls the sheet 1 downward together with the platen 12 when the rotation from the platen drive motor 14 is transmitted by a transmission system (not shown). Further, when the sheet 1 comes under the platen 12, the pinch roller 31 is closed to sandwich the sheet 1 with the platen 12, and the sheet 1 is conveyed further downward.

Then, after pulling the cut sheet 1 to a predetermined stop position, the print head 1 is raised while the sheet 1 is being raised.
Print at 3. After this printing is completed, the paper 1
The lower end portion of the sheet 1 extends from the vertical transport path 30 to the lateral transport path 20, and the lower end of the sheet 1 is located about 2 to 3 mm above the entry position of the locking portion 21a serving as the bottom guide. Up to.

In this state, contrary to the above, the rotary solenoid 23 is turned off and the clamp 21
Is closed and the locking portion 21a is inserted to close the conveying path communicating portion. Furthermore, the catcher solenoid 33 is turned on,
The catcher roller 32 is retracted from the pressure roller 35, and the lateral transport path 20 is secured again.

Finally, the motor 24 is driven, and the lateral conveyance driving roller 25 and the idler 27 convey the single-cut sheet 1 in the lateral direction, that is, in the direction orthogonal to the rotation direction of the platen 12, and the apparatus is operated. By carrying out the sheet 10 to the outside, the printing apparatus 10 can carry in, carry, print, and carry out the cut sheet 1 in series. The transport state of the cut sheet 1 is shown in FIG.

According to the printing apparatus 10 of the present invention having the above-described structure, the horizontal transport path 20, the vertical transport path 30, and the direction switching means 21 for the transport direction between them are provided.
21a and the like are assembled in the apparatus main body 11 in a simple configuration, but the horizontal and vertical directions of the single-cut sheet 1 that is carried in from a direction orthogonal to the paper feeding direction accompanying the rotation of the platen 12 Transport in the direction, direction change in the transport direction,
Printing and carrying out can be continuously realized in the apparatus main body 11.

Therefore, according to the above-mentioned configuration, since the direction switching device for the cut sheet 1 which has conventionally been required to be arranged outside the device is not required, the function of switching the paper feeding direction is included. However, the height of the entire printing device 10 can be reduced, and the overall size and size of the device can be reduced. Further, since it is not necessary to additionally provide a device for switching the direction of the cut sheet 1 to an extra direction and a conveyance path for the cut sheet, there is an advantage that the cost can be significantly reduced as compared with the conventional case.

The present invention is not limited to the structure of the above-described embodiment, and the shape, structure, etc. of each part such as the printing device and the transport mechanism part having a direction switching function may be appropriately modified or changed. Of course, various modifications and changes can be considered. For example, the clamp 21 and the roller 2 described above
The driving means such as 5, 32, etc. are not limited to the above-mentioned embodiments, and an appropriate driving source may be used.

[0029]

As described above, according to the printing apparatus of the present invention, single-cut sheets are taken into the apparatus main body from the direction orthogonal to the rotation direction of the platen and conveyed, and the sheets are carried out after printing. A horizontal transport path, a vertical transport path that is continuously formed on the lower side of the horizontal transport path and transports the paper in the rotation direction of the sheet as the platen rotates, and a vertical transport path on the lower side of the horizontal transport path. A transport mechanism section with a direction switching function, which is always facing the communication part with the path and maintains a closed state, and selectively exits to open the vertical transport path to communicate both transport paths with a direction switching function, Since it is installed inside the main body of the device, even though it has a simple structure, it can convey the cut sheets fed in from the direction orthogonal to the paper feed direction accompanying the rotation of the platen in the horizontal and vertical directions. , Carrying Direction of turning, printing and unloading can be achieved continuously in the apparatus main body.

Therefore, according to the present invention, it is not necessary to provide a device for changing the direction of cut sheets, which has been required to be arranged outside the device, and therefore, a printing operation including a function for changing the direction of paper feeding. The height of the entire device can be reduced, and the overall size and size of the device can be reduced.

Further, according to the present invention, since it is not necessary to provide a direction switching device for moving the cut sheet paper to an extra direction or a conveyance path for the cut sheet paper, a significant cost reduction can be achieved as compared with the conventional case. Plays the advantage of.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a side cross-sectional view illustrating an embodiment of a printing apparatus according to the present invention and illustrating a state when a cut sheet is conveyed in a lateral direction.

FIG. 2 is a side sectional view for explaining a state in which the cutout sheet is conveyed in the vertical direction by switching the direction from the lateral conveyance in the printing apparatus of FIG.

FIG. 3 is a schematic perspective view showing an embodiment of a printing apparatus according to the present invention and explaining the appearance of the apparatus.

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a case where a single-cut sheet is loaded by the printing device according to the present invention
It is a schematic diagram for explaining a transportation state at the time of unloading.

FIG. 5 is a schematic view showing an example of a state where a single-cut sheet is conveyed in a conventional printing device.

FIG. 6 is a schematic view showing another example of the transport state of cut sheets in a conventional printing device.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Single-cut sheet 10 Printing device 11 Device main body 12 Platen 13 Print head 14 Platen drive motor 20 Horizontal transport path 21 Horizontal transport drive clamp 21a Locking part (bottom guide) 23 Rotary solenoid 24 Horizontal transport drive Motor 25 Horizontal transport driving roller 27 Horizontal transport driving idler 28 Spring 30 Vertical transport path 31 Pinch roller 32 Catcher roller 33 Catcher solenoid 34 Spring 35 Pressure roller

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A printer in which a cut sheet is taken into the apparatus main body, guided to a platen, printed by a print head, and carried out of the apparatus main body, wherein the cut sheet is in a direction orthogonal to the rotation direction of the platen. From the horizontal transport path for taking in and transporting the single-cut sheets after printing from the device main body, and the single-cut sheets formed continuously below the horizontal transport path as the platen rotates. The vertical conveying path that conveys in the rotational direction of the vertical conveying path, and the lower side portion of the horizontal conveying path that always faces the communicating portion with the vertical conveying path to maintain a closed state and selectively exit to the vertical direction. A printing apparatus characterized in that a transport mechanism section having a direction switching function, which comprises a direction switching means for opening the transport path and connecting both transport paths, is provided in the main body of the apparatus.