JPH08319048A - Paper feeder - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Abstract] [Purpose] With a simple configuration, it is possible to improve the accuracy of the paper feeding operation and the printing accuracy and to enhance the reliability of the paper feeding device. A sub-slip guide body 28 that supports the conveyor belt 25 is provided in a space adjacent to the slide guide body 18 and the drive sprocket 15, so that the conveyor belt 25 can be sunk regardless of whether the paper feed operation is normal or reverse. It is configured to hold in a normal state without causing it.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a paper feeding device for transferring a conveyed paper in a fixed direction by applying a predetermined transfer force to a side edge portion of the conveyed paper.

When recording characters and figures by a printer attached to a computer, a word processor or a drawing machine, for example, a continuous paper S as shown in FIG. 7 is often used as a recording paper. A large number of feed holes S1, S1, ... Are provided on both side edges of the continuous paper S.
Are arranged side by side in a row at a constant pitch in the paper feeding direction. As a device for feeding the continuous paper S as described above, a paper feeding device 1 which applies a transfer force to the continuous paper S1 while engaging with the feed hole S1 is used.

The above-mentioned paper feeding device 1 is usually arranged on both side edges of the continuous paper S, and the feed belt 2 provided on each paper feeding device 1 is engaged with the feed hole S1 of the continuous paper S by a feed pin. 3 are projected in a plurality of body rows. Each of the conveyor belts 2 is hung on a drive sprocket (not shown), and the conveyor belt 2 is rotated by the rotation of the drive sprocket.
When the feeding of the continuous paper S is performed, the feeding pin 3 existing in the linearly extending portion of the conveyor belt 2 moves the feeding hole S1 of the continuous paper S.
The paper feed force is transmitted to the continuous paper S side by being engaged with.

At this time, the drive sprocket is rotatably mounted so as to be sandwiched between the pair of frames 5, and as shown in FIG. 4a, 4a, ... Are provided. And these drive meshing teeth 4a, 4a, ...
The conveyor belt 2 is attached so that it meshes with.

Further, a slide guide 6 is integrally formed on the frame 5. The slide guide body 6 is formed of a plate-like member arranged adjacent to the drive sprocket 4 and is configured to support the drive sprocket non-meshing portion of the conveyor belt 2 from the inside.

Returning to FIG. 7, the paper feeding device 1 is provided with a paper pressing plate 7 which can be opened and closed. The paper pressing plate 7 is biased in the closing direction by spring means (not shown), and is pressed by the paper pressing plate 7 when closed as in the paper feeding device 1 shown in the front side of FIG. The continuous paper S is pressed against the conveyor belt 2 side by the pressure, whereby the feed pin 3 does not come off from the feed hole S1 of the continuous paper S and the paper feed operation is normally maintained. Then, such a paper feeding operation is performed by switching in both the front and back directions depending on the function of the printer and the convenience of printing.

[0007]

However, in such a conventional paper feeding apparatus 1, there are the following inconveniences when performing the paper feeding operation in both the forward and reverse directions. That is, as shown by an arrow A in FIG. 8, when the drive sprocket 4 performs the paper feeding operation in the forward direction of pulling the paper feeding portion of the conveyor belt 2, no trouble occurs, but conversely, in FIG. When the drive sprocket 4 performs the paper feeding operation in the opposite direction to push out the paper feeding portion of the conveyor belt 2 as indicated by arrow B, the pushing resistance is added to the conveyor belt 2, and the sliding guide body 6 and the drive sprocket 4 are In the space portion indicated by reference numeral C in the figure, which is adjacent to each other, the conveyor belt 2 is sunk. This sinking is particularly likely to occur in the thin portion of the conveyor belt 2, that is, the portion where the drive meshing teeth 4a of the drive sprocket 4 contact.

Such a depression causes the conveyor belt 2
Once it occurs, the paper feeding force from the conveyor belt 2 is not sufficiently transmitted to the conveyed paper side, and the accuracy of the paper feeding operation and thus the printing accuracy deteriorate. In particular, when the thick-walled tooth portion of the conveyor belt 2 interferes with the end portion of the slide guide body 6, the paper feeding function is significantly reduced, which is a serious problem.

Therefore, the present invention provides a paper feeding device capable of maintaining the paper feeding belt in a good condition and maintaining the paper feeding operation normally during both forward and reverse paper feeding operations. With the goal.

[0010]

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention rotatably mounts to a frame and has a drive sprocket having drive meshing teeth on its outer peripheral surface and meshes with the drive meshing teeth of this drive sprocket. Is installed as
A conveyor belt having a feed pin that engages with the conveyed paper,
In a paper feeding device provided with a slide guide which is arranged adjacent to the drive sprocket and which supports the drive sprocket non-meshing portion of the conveyor belt from the inside, in a portion between the drive sprocket and the slide guide. It is configured to include a slide guide sub body that supports the conveyor belt from the inside.

[0011]

According to the above-mentioned means of the present invention, the conveyor belt is always supported by the slide guide sub-element in the space adjacent to the slide guide main body and the drive sprocket, so that the paper feeding operation is reversed. Regardless, the conveyor belt is kept in a normal state without causing the conventional depression.

[0012]

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the drawings. First, the frame of the paper feeding device in the embodiment shown in FIG. 1 is arranged outside the continuous paper and the first side frame 11 arranged on the central side of the continuous paper (see symbol S in FIG. 7). The second side frame 12 and the side frames 11 and 12 are fixed to each other in a face-to-face relationship with each other by a pin fitting mechanism described later.

Both side frames 11 and 12 are formed in a substantially rectangular side surface shape, and the bearing hole 1 is provided at one end side (downstream side in the paper feeding direction) in the longitudinal direction thereof.
3 and 14 are formed so as to penetrate therethrough. These bearing holes 13 and 14 are formed around a common axis, and the boss portions 15a and 15a formed at both axial end portions of the drive sprocket 15 are rotatable in the bearing holes 13 and 14, respectively. It is fitted loosely.

A cylindrical support pin 16 projecting toward the first side frame 11 is integrally erected at a substantially central portion in the longitudinal direction of the second side frame 12, and the first side frame 11 is also provided. On the side, a hollow cylindrical pin fitting portion 17 is provided so as to face the support pin 16. A cylindrical hole for accommodating the support pin 16 is formed in the pin fitting portion 17, and the entire axial length of the support pin 16 is closely fitted in the cylindrical hole of the pin fitting portion 17.

As described above, when the two members 16 and 17 are completely fitted together, the first side frame 11 and the second side frame 12 are placed in a predetermined facing state, and the second side frame 12 is The inner side surface is the pin fitting portion 17
It is designed to come into contact with the tip surface of the.

On the first side frame 11, a strip-plate-like slide guide main body 18 having a height substantially the same as the axial height of the pin fitting portion 17 is projected toward the second side frame 12 side. Is formed. The sliding guide main body 18 is arranged adjacent to the drive sprocket 15, and is arranged along the inside of the conveyor belt 25 so as to support and guide the conveyor belt 25 described later from the inside. And the tip end surface of the sliding guide main body 18 is also
The inner surface side of the second side frame 12 is brought into contact with the inner surface of the first side frame 11 and the second side frame 12, so that the distance between the inner surface of the first side frame 11 and the inner surface of the second side frame 12 facing each other is set to a predetermined dimension. A conveyor belt 25, which will be described later, is movably arranged within the space.

As described above, the sliding guide main body 18 is adjacent to the drive sprocket 15 and extends in the longitudinal direction of the frame to form a guide member for the conveyor belt 25. The conveyor belt 25 includes a portion extending along the curved extending portion and a portion extending along the curved extending portion of the conveyor belt 25.

Further, at the other end side (upstream side in the paper feeding direction) of the second side frame 12 in the longitudinal direction, a cylindrical support pin 20 protruding toward the first side frame 11 is provided.
And the support pin 20
A hollow cylindrical pin fitting portion 21 is formed around a common axis on the inner surface side of the first side frame 11 facing to each other, and these two members 20, 21 are fitted together. The support pin 20 and the pin fitting portion 21 are provided so as to form a positioning means, and are supported when the first side frame 11 and the second side frame 12 are mutually fixed. When the pin 20 is fitted into the pin fitting portion 21, the mutual positions of the first side frame 11 and the second side frame 12 are positioned vertically and horizontally.

Next, at a substantially intermediate position between the support pins 16 and 20 provided on the second side frame 12, a holding tube 22 protruding toward the opposite side (outside) from the first side frame 11 side. Are integrally formed. A support shaft fixed to a drive control device (not shown) of the printer is fitted into the holding cylinder 22 so as to penetrate the first side frame 11. The holding cylinder 22
Is composed of an assembly of four cantilevered members 22a having elasticity, and a slit is formed between each of the cantilevered members 22a. A lock lever 23 corresponds to the outer peripheral portion of the holding tube 22.

The boss portion of the lock lever 23 is formed with a lock hole 23a for fitting in the holding cylinder 22, and the outer peripheral portion of the boss portion has a predetermined length so as to project in the radial direction. The operating handle 23b is formed integrally.

The lock hole 23a has an arc-shaped inner peripheral portion into which the assembly of the four cantilevered members 22a of the holding tube 22 is loosely fitted, and the four cantilevered shapes of the holding tube 22. The operation handle 23b is formed by alternately forming a planar inner peripheral portion that pushes the aggregate of the members 22a toward the center side.
By rotating the boss through the support shaft, the support shaft in the holding tube 22 is freely rotated or restrained.

Further, as described above, the drive sprocket 15
Is the first side frame 11 and the second side frame 12
Are rotatably supported in the bearing holes 13 and 14 in a state where they are fixed face-to-face. At this time, there is a slight gap between the end faces on both sides of the drive sprocket 15 and the inner side faces of the side frames 11 and 12. It is formed. The drive sprocket 1
5 has a square hole 15b having a substantially square cross section around the rotation axis.
A drive shaft connected to a drive motor (not shown) of the printer drive device is fitted in the through hole 15b.

Engaging teeth 15c are formed on the outer peripheral surface of the drive sprocket 15 at a pitch of a predetermined pattern. The engaging teeth 15c are engraved in the same pattern on the inner peripheral surface of the conveyor belt 25. The meshing teeth 25a are meshed with each other.

Further, as described above, the conveyor belt 25 is hung on the drive sprocket 15, and the pair of straight extending portions and curved extending portions extending rearward from the drive sprocket 15 have the above-mentioned first and second extending portions. Sliding guide main body 18 provided on one side frame 11 guides sliding without slack. The adjacent end of the sliding guide main body 18 to the drive sprocket 15 side is the drive sprocket 1
5, a slide guide sub-body 28 is provided in a space between the drive sprocket 15 and the slide guide main body 18.

The sliding guide sub-body 28 is formed integrally with the sliding guide main body 18 so as to raise the circumference of the bearing hole 13 of the side frame 11 in a stepped manner, and the drive sprocket 15 and the sliding guide main body are formed. It is configured to support the conveyor belt 25 from the inside in a space portion between the conveyor belt 25 and the inside.

On the other hand, on the outer peripheral surface of the conveyor belt 25, a plurality of feed pins 25 which engage with feed holes (see S1 in FIG. 7) provided in the continuous paper (see S in FIG. 7).
b is formed in a protrusion shape at a constant pitch. When the conveyor belt 25 is transported by the rotation of the drive sprocket 15, the linearly extending portion 3 of the conveyor belt 25.
The feed pin 25b existing in the 1b is the feed hole S1 of the continuous paper S.
Paper feed is performed while engaging with.

Further, a pair of hinge bearing portions 26, 26 are provided at the upper end edge portion of the second side frame 12 in the figure so as to be spaced apart at a constant distance in the longitudinal direction of the second side frame 12 (paper feed direction). In addition, a pair of hinge support shafts 27a and 27a are provided on the paper pressing plate 27 corresponding to the hinge bearing portions 26 and 26. The hinge support shafts 27a, 27a are rotatably fitted in the hinge bearing portions 26, 26, whereby the paper pressing plate 27 is rotatably held. The range of rotation of the paper pressing plate 27 at this time is a position (closed position) in contact with the surface of the continuous paper (see symbol S in FIG. 7) and a position slightly retracted outside the area immediately above the continuous paper (open position). ) And the range is set.

An upper hook 30 is projectingly provided on the paper pressing plate 27 at a position offset from the hinge support shaft 27a by a predetermined amount, and a lower hook is provided at an upper edge portion of the second side frame 12 in the figure. The hook 31 is projected. A coil spring 32 is hung between the hooks 30 and 31 in a tensioned state. The offset of the upper hook 30 is the hinge support shaft 27a when the paper pressing plate 27 is in the closed state.
Is located at a predetermined distance from the side toward the paper side. That is, the rotational moment applied to the paper pressing plate 27 based on the offset of the upper hook 30 appears as a biasing force in the direction of closing the paper pressing plate 27. When the paper pressing plate 27 is closed, the continuous paper S is pressed against the conveyor belt 25 by the paper pressing plate 27, and the pressing force disengages the feed pin 25b of the conveyor belt 25 from the feed hole S1 of the continuous paper S. The paper feeding operation is maintained without any trouble.

Further, the paper pressing plate 27 has
Long hole 27b corresponding to the linearly extending portion of the conveyor belt 25
Are provided along the traveling direction of the conveyor belt 25.
Then, when the paper pressing plate 27 is closed, the feed pin 25b of the conveyor belt 25 is received in the elongated hole 27b, whereby the paper pressing plate 27 and the feed pin 25b.
Interference with is prevented. The continuous paper S
When it is desired to remove the paper holding plate 27 from the apparatus, the paper pressing plate 27 is opened against the biasing force of the coil spring 32.

Here, the thickness of the paper pressing plate 27 is changed in the paper feeding direction, the central portion has a large thickness, and the thickness becomes thin toward both ends. Has been done. That is, the cross-sectional shape of the paper pressing plate 27 in the direction orthogonal to the paper transporting direction is changed in the paper transporting direction according to the distribution of the bending moment generated in the paper pressing plate 27. As a result, the gap between the paper pressing plate 27 and the continuous paper is maintained within a certain standard for a long period of time.

As described above, in the apparatus of this embodiment, the slide guide sub body 28 is provided in the space adjacent to the slide guide main body 18 and the drive sprocket 15, and the conveyor belt 25 in this portion is the slide guide sub body 28. Always supported by. Therefore, regardless of whether the paper feeding operation is normal or reverse, the conveyor belt 25 is maintained in a normal state without causing a depression as in the conventional case.

On the other hand, in the embodiment shown in FIGS. 4 to 6 in which the same components as those in the above embodiment are represented by the same reference numerals, the sliding guide main body 28 in the form of a thin plate from the sliding guide main body 18 toward the drive sprocket 15 side. Is extended. An annular groove 15a is provided in a substantially central portion of the drive sprocket 15 in the axial direction, and the conveyor belt 25 is supported from the inside by the slip guide sub body 28 received in the annular groove 15a. Has been done. With this embodiment as well, it is possible to obtain the same actions and effects as the above embodiments.

Although the invention made by the present inventor has been specifically described based on the embodiments, the invention is not limited to the above embodiments and various modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the invention. Needless to say.

[0034]

As described above, in the paper feeding device according to the present invention, the sub-slip guide body for supporting the conveyor belt is provided in the space adjacent to the slide guide body and the drive sprocket, so that the paper feed operation is reversed. Despite the fact that the conveyor belt is kept in a normal state without causing it to sink, the paper feeding force from the conveyor belt is satisfactorily transmitted to the conveyed paper side with a simple structure. Thus, the accuracy of the paper feeding operation and the printing accuracy can be improved, and the reliability of the paper feeding device can be improved.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view illustrating a paper feeding device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective explanatory view showing an assembled state of a drive sprocket portion of the paper feeding device shown in FIG.

3 is a cross-sectional explanatory view showing an assembled state of a drive sprocket portion of the paper feeding device shown in FIG.

FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view showing a paper feeding device according to another embodiment of the present invention.

5 is a perspective explanatory view showing an assembled state of a drive sprocket portion of the paper feeding device shown in FIG. 3. FIG.

6 is a cross-sectional explanatory view showing an assembled state of a drive sprocket portion of the paper feeding device shown in FIG.

FIG. 7 is an external perspective explanatory view showing a usage example of a general paper feeding device.

FIG. 8 is an enlarged side view showing a part of a conventional paper feeding device.

[Explanation of symbols]

 18 Mainly sliding guide 25 Transport belt 15 Drive sprocket 28 Sliding guide sub body

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A rotatably mounted on a frame,
A drive sprocket having drive meshing teeth on the outer peripheral surface, a conveyor belt having a feed pin which is mounted so as to mesh with the drive meshing teeth of the drive sprocket and which engages with the conveyed paper, and is arranged adjacent to the drive sprocket. And a slide guide main body that supports the drive sprocket non-meshing portion of the convey belt from the inside, wherein the convey belt extending from the inside to the portion between the drive sprocket and the slide guide main body is A paper feeding device having a sliding guide sub body for supporting the paper feeding device.