JPH03195663A - Paper feed device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To reduce the size and weight of a paper feed device on the strict promise that paper is fed with high accuracy so as to improve the operationability by providing a paper feed device comprising a friction applying means where comb-like members are disposed opposite to each other and driving rollers for applying feeding force to paper where the friction is applied. CONSTITUTION:When a paper sheet is inserted between comb-like members 11, 21 forming a friction applying means, both members 11, 12 are caused to co-operate to deform the paper like a bellows, whereby the paper is increased in rigidity and pressed to driving rollers 30 to produce frictional force enough for feeding paper between the paper and the roller 30. Accordingly, enough feeding force can be applied to the paper by the driving roller 30 to feed the paper with high accuracy. As the friction applying means 10 is a stationary member in this arrangement, a supporting member for rotatably supporting the means is not required, and it is enough that both comb-like members 11, 21 are disposed opposite to each other in such a manner as to engage with each other, so that the width can be reduced so as to save the installation space. Even if the thickness of paper is changed, the clearance adjustment is not required so as to improve the operationability.

Description

【発明の詳細な説明】 ［産業上の利用分野］ 本発明は、プリンタ等に用いられる用紙送り装置に関す
る。DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Field of Industrial Application] The present invention relates to a paper feeding device used in a printer or the like.

［従来の技術］ 第５図に従来の用紙送り装置が適用される代表的例であ
るプリンタの一般構成を示す。[Prior Art] FIG. 5 shows the general configuration of a printer that is a typical example to which a conventional paper feeding device is applied.

図において、１は本体ケースで、本体ケース１には、給
紙口２．排紙ロアが形成されている。また、本体ケース
１内には、各一対の送りローラ３゜ピンチローラ４、印
字ヘッド５が装着されたキャリア８、プラテン６および
用紙送り装置等が配設されている。しかして、給紙口２
から差し込まれた用紙Ｐは送りローラ３とピンチローラ
４との協働により印字ヘッド５とプラテン６との間に給
送され該ヘッド５により印字された後、用紙送り装置に
よって排紙ロアに送られ排出される。In the figure, 1 is a main body case, and the main body case 1 has a paper feed port 2. A paper ejection lower is formed. Also, disposed within the main body case 1 are a pair of feed rollers 3 and a pinch roller 4, a carrier 8 on which a print head 5 is attached, a platen 6, a paper feed device, and the like. However, paper feed port 2
The paper P inserted is fed between the print head 5 and the platen 6 by the cooperation of the feed roller 3 and the pinch roller 4, and after being printed by the head 5, it is sent to the paper ejection lower by the paper feed device. be discharged.

ところで、従来の用紙送り装置は、第４図に示す如く、
駆動ローラ３０．このローラ３０と対向配設された従動
ローラ４０および駆動ローラ３０を回転駆動するための
駆動源（図示省略）等を含み一両ローラ３０，４０間に
挿入される用紙Ｐを当該ローラ３０．４０が協働して摩
擦付与するとともに送り力を付与して所定方向に送るよ
うに構成されているのが一般的である。By the way, the conventional paper feeding device, as shown in FIG.
Drive roller 30. The roller 30.40 includes a driving source (not shown) for rotationally driving a driven roller 40 and a driving roller 30, which are arranged opposite to this roller 30, and the paper P inserted between the two rollers 30, 40. Generally, they are configured to work together to apply friction and feed force to feed the object in a predetermined direction.

ここで、駆動ローラ３０は、用紙Ｐに送り力を付与する
ためのローラで、本体ケース１に支持部材（図示省略）
を介して回転支持されている。Here, the drive roller 30 is a roller for applying feeding force to the paper P, and is attached to a support member (not shown) in the main body case 1.
Rotationally supported through.

また、従動ローラ４０は、用紙Ｐを駆動ローラ３０に押
しつけて摩擦付与手段としての機能を果たすとともに当
該用紙Ｐと駆動ローラ３０との間に用紙送りに十分な摩
擦力が生じるようにするためのローラで、本体ケース１
に支持部材（図示省略）を介して回転支持されている。Further, the driven roller 40 serves as a friction imparting means by pressing the paper P against the drive roller 30, and also serves as a roller for generating sufficient frictional force between the paper P and the drive roller 30 to feed the paper. So, main case 1
is rotatably supported via a support member (not shown).

この従動ローラ４０は、駆動ローラ３０から用紙Ｐの厚
さに応じた距離たけ離れた位置に配設されている。This driven roller 40 is disposed at a distance corresponding to the thickness of the paper P from the drive roller 30.

［発明が解決しようとする課題］ ところで、最近、プリンタ等においては、より一層利用
分野を拡大するために小型化・低コスト化を図りたいと
する要請か強い。特に、う・ｙブトツブパソコン用プリ
ンタには極限的なまでの小型化・低コスト化が要求され
ている。[Problems to be Solved by the Invention] Recently, there has been a strong demand for printers and the like to be made smaller and lower in cost in order to further expand the field of use. In particular, printers for personal computers are required to be extremely compact and cost-effective.

そこで、従来より、かかる要請に応じるために、プリン
タ等において大きな設置スペースを占める用紙送り装置
を小型化等しようとする試みかなされている。Therefore, in order to meet such demands, attempts have been made to miniaturize paper feeding devices that occupy a large installation space in printers and the like.

ここで、用紙送り装置の小型化等を図る一層として、従
動ローラ４０の径を小さくすることか考えられる。しか
し、ローラ径を小さくすると用紙Ｐを駆動ローラ３０に
押圧する力が不足して当該用紙Ｐと駆動ローラ３０との
間に用紙送りに十分な摩擦力が発生せず用紙送りを高精
度で行えない事態が生じることがある。また、径を小さ
くしたローラ４０で用紙Ｐを押しつけると、用紙Ｐか著
しく曲り変形してしまい曲り癖かついてしまうことかあ
る。Here, in order to further reduce the size of the paper feeding device, it is conceivable to reduce the diameter of the driven roller 40. However, when the roller diameter is made smaller, the force to press the paper P against the drive roller 30 is insufficient, and sufficient frictional force for paper feeding is not generated between the paper P and the drive roller 30, making it impossible to feed the paper with high precision. may occur. Further, if the paper P is pressed with the roller 40 having a smaller diameter, the paper P may be significantly bent and deformed and may have a tendency to bend.

また、駆動ローラ３０および従動ローラ４０を一つの支
持部材で回転支持することにより部品の共用化を図って
部品数を減少させることが考えられる。しかし、これで
は、厚さの種々異なる用紙を送る場合に、厚さの変化に
応じて両ローラ３０゜４０間の隙間を調整することか囲
器となり取扱性が低下する不都合か生じるにこで、用紙
送り装置に隙間調整手段を設けて両ローラ３０．４０間
の隙間を調整するように構成すれば上記不都合は解消さ
れ取扱性は向上する。しかし、かかる構成では、用紙送
り装置が複雑化し小型化・低コスト化を図れない。Furthermore, it is possible to reduce the number of parts by rotatably supporting the drive roller 30 and the driven roller 40 with one support member, thereby making parts common. However, when feeding sheets of various thicknesses, it is difficult to adjust the gap between the two rollers 30° and 40 according to the change in thickness, or the rollers become enclosed, making handling difficult. If the paper feeding device is provided with a gap adjustment means to adjust the gap between both rollers 30 and 40, the above-mentioned disadvantages can be solved and the handling efficiency can be improved. However, with such a configuration, the paper feeding device becomes complicated, and it is not possible to reduce the size and cost.

本発明の目的は、上記事情に鑑み、用紙の高精度送り確
約のらとに、小型化・低コスト化を図り、かつ取扱性を
向上させることができる用紙送り装置を提供することに
ある。SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In view of the above circumstances, it is an object of the present invention to provide a paper feeding device that can ensure high precision paper feeding, reduce size and cost, and improve ease of handling.

［課題を解決するための手段］ 本発明は、用紙の幅方向に並列配設された一方Ｉｌｔ＆
状部材と当該一方櫛歯状部材と交互に噛み合うように対
向配設された他方櫛歯状部材とからなる摩擦付与手段と
、これら両櫛歯状部材によって摩擦付与された用紙に送
り力を付与する駆動ローラとから構成されたことを特徴
とする。[Means for Solving the Problems] The present invention provides a method for solving the problem by disposing one Ilt &
a friction imparting means consisting of a comb-like member and another comb-like member disposed oppositely so as to alternately mesh with the one comb-like member; and a feeding force is applied to the paper to which friction is applied by both of the comb-like members. It is characterized by being comprised of a drive roller.

［作　用］ 本発明では、用紙が摩擦付与手段を構成する一方櫛歯状
部材と他方櫛歯状部材との間に差込まれると、両部材は
協働して用紙を蛇腹状に変形させることにより剛性を高
めて駆動ローラに押しつけ当該用紙とローラとの間に用
紙送りをするのに十分な摩擦力が生じるように作用する
。したかつて、駆動ローラによって用紙に十分な送り力
を付与することかでき用紙を高精度送りすることかでき
る。[Function] In the present invention, when a sheet of paper is inserted between one comb-teeth-shaped member and the other comb-teeth-shaped member constituting the friction imparting means, both members cooperate to deform the paper into a bellows shape. This increases the rigidity and acts to press against the drive roller and generate sufficient frictional force between the paper and the roller to feed the paper. In the past, it was possible to apply sufficient feeding force to the paper using the drive roller, and it was possible to feed the paper with high precision.

ここで、摩擦付与手段は静止部材であるので、回転支持
するための支持部材は不要となる。また、摩擦付与手段
は、両櫛歯状部材が交互に噛合うように対向配設されて
いればよく幅寸法を短くして設置スペースを節約できる
。したかって、設置スペースの節約や部品数を減少させ
ることができ小型化・低コスト化を図ることができる。Here, since the friction applying means is a stationary member, a support member for rotationally supporting it is not required. In addition, the friction applying means may be arranged so as to face each other so that the two comb-like members alternately mesh with each other, and the width dimension can be shortened to save installation space. Therefore, the installation space can be saved and the number of parts can be reduced, making it possible to reduce the size and cost.

また、送る用紙の厚さが変わっても、両櫛歯状部材はそ
の厚さ変化を吸収して摩擦付与することができるので、
格別な隙間調整装置を設けて用紙厚さが変わるごとに隙
間調整を行う必要はなくなる。このため、取扱性を向上
させることかできる。In addition, even if the thickness of the paper to be fed changes, both comb-shaped members can absorb the change in thickness and apply friction.
There is no need to provide a special gap adjustment device and adjust the gap every time the paper thickness changes. Therefore, the ease of handling can be improved.

［実施例］ 本発明の一実施例を図面に基づき説明する。[Example] An embodiment of the present invention will be described based on the drawings.

本発明に係る用紙送り装置は、第３図に示すプラテン６
等を備えたプリンタに用いられており、摩擦付与手段１
０と駆動ローラ３０とを含み構成されている。The paper feeding device according to the present invention includes a platen 6 shown in FIG.
Friction applying means 1
0 and a drive roller 30.

なお、第４図、第５図に示した構成要素と同一のものに
ついては同一の符号を付し、その説明を省略もしくは簡
略化する。Components that are the same as those shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 are designated by the same reference numerals, and their explanations will be omitted or simplified.

さて、摩擦付与手段１０は、用紙Ｐの剛性を高めて駆動
ローラ３０に強く押し当て当該用紙Ｐとローラ３０との
間に一用紙送りに十分な摩擦力を発生させるための手段
である。The friction applying means 10 is a means for increasing the rigidity of the paper P and strongly pressing it against the drive roller 30 to generate sufficient frictional force between the paper P and the roller 30 for one paper feed.

具体的には、摩擦付与手段１０は、第１図に示す如く、
用紙Ｐの幅方向（図中左右方向）に並列配設された一方
櫛歯状部材１１と当該一方櫛歯状部材１１と交互に噛み
合うように対向配設された他方櫛歯状部材２１とを含み
構成されている。本実施例では、他方櫛歯状部材２１は
、加工容易性・構造強度を向上させるとともに設置スペ
ースを節約して、小型化・低コスト化を図れるように本
体ゲース１と一体成形されている。Specifically, the friction applying means 10, as shown in FIG.
One comb-teeth member 11 is arranged in parallel in the width direction of the paper P (horizontal direction in the figure), and the other comb-teeth member 21 is arranged oppositely so as to alternately mesh with the one comb-teeth member 11. Contains: In this embodiment, the other comb-like member 21 is integrally molded with the main body gauge 1 so as to improve processability and structural strength, save installation space, and achieve downsizing and cost reduction.

一方、駆動ローラ３０は、両種歯状部材１１２１によっ
てｒｆ１擦付与された用紙Ｐところがり接触して送り力
を付与する手段である。本実施例においては、駆動ロー
ラ３０は、用紙送り装置全体の幅寸法（第２図左右方向
の寸法）を短くして設置スペースの節約を図るために、
一方櫛歯状部材１１側に回転支持されている。具体的に
は駆動ローラ３０は本体ケース１に回転支持されており
、駆動手段（図示省略）によって回転駆動されるように
形成されている。On the other hand, the driving roller 30 is a means for applying a feeding force by rolling into contact with the paper P which has been subjected to the rf1 friction by the double-toothed member 1121. In this embodiment, the driving roller 30 is designed to shorten the width dimension (the dimension in the left-right direction in FIG. 2) of the entire paper feeding device to save installation space.
On the other hand, it is rotatably supported on the comb tooth-shaped member 11 side. Specifically, the drive roller 30 is rotatably supported by the main body case 1, and is formed to be rotationally driven by a drive means (not shown).

次に作用について説明する。Next, the effect will be explained.

印字ヘッド５によって印字された用紙Ｆ）が一方。Paper F) printed by the print head 5 is on one side.

他方櫛歯状部材１１．２１間に挿入されると、両部材１
１．２１は協働して用紙Ｐを蛇腹状に変形して剛性を高
める。すなわち、両種歯状部材１１゜２１は、用紙Ｐと
の間に生じる摩擦力により当該用紙Ｐの紙面と直角方向
の変形に対する抵抗力を増大する。そして、両部材１１
．２１は、剛性が高められた用紙Ｐを駆動ローラ３０に
押しっけ両者間に用紙送りをするのに十分な摩擦力を発
生させる。こうして、両種歯状部材１１．２１によって
摩擦付与された用紙Ｐは駆動ローラ３０によって送り力
か付与され排紙ロアに向けて高精度で送られる。When inserted between the other comb-shaped members 11 and 21, both members 1
1.21 cooperates to deform the paper P into a bellows shape to increase rigidity. That is, the double toothed members 11 and 21 increase the resistance force against deformation of the paper P in the direction perpendicular to the paper surface due to the frictional force generated between the teeth and the paper P. And both members 11
．． 21 generates a frictional force sufficient to push the paper P with increased rigidity against the drive roller 30 and feed the paper between the two. In this way, the paper P, which has been subjected to friction by the double toothed members 11, 21, is fed with a feeding force by the drive roller 30 and is sent toward the paper discharge lower with high precision.

しかして、この実施例によれば、用紙Ｐの幅方向に並列
配設された一方櫛歯状部材１１と当該−方櫛歯状部材１
１と交互に噛み合うように対向配設された他方櫛歯状部
材２１とからなる摩擦付与手段１０と、これら両種歯状
部材１１．２１によって摩擦付与された用紙Ｐに送り力
を付与する駆動ローラ３０とから構成されているので、
静止部材である一方、他方櫛歯状部材１１．２１を用い
ることにより、回転支持するための支持部材が不要とな
り部品数の減少を図ることができる。また、＠擦付与手
段１０は、一方、他方櫛歯状部材１１゜２１か交互に噛
合うように対向配設されていればよいので、幅寸法を短
くして設置スペースの節約を図ることかできる。したか
って、小型化・低コストを図ることかできる。According to this embodiment, the one side comb-like member 11 and the negative side comb-like member 1 are arranged in parallel in the width direction of the paper P.
1 and the other comb-teeth-like members 21 disposed opposite each other so as to engage with each other alternately, and a drive for applying a feeding force to the paper P to which friction is applied by these two types of comb-teeth-like members 11 and 21. Since it is composed of a roller 30,
By using the comb-like member 11.21, which is a stationary member, on the other hand, a support member for rotational support is not required, and the number of parts can be reduced. In addition, since the rubbing applying means 10 may be disposed facing each other so that the comb-shaped members 11 and 21 are interlocked with each other alternately, the width dimension may be shortened to save installation space. can. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the size and cost.

また、用紙厚さか変化しても両種歯状部材１１゜２１は
、その厚さ変化を吸収して用紙送りすることかでき取扱
性を向上させることかできる。Further, even if the thickness of the paper changes, the double toothed members 11 and 21 can absorb the change in thickness and feed the paper, thereby improving handling.

さらに、駆動ローラ３０を一方櫛歯状部材１１側に設け
たので、用紙送り装置全体の幅寸法を短くして設置スペ
ースを節約することができ、−段と小型化等を図ること
ができる。Further, since the driving roller 30 is provided on the comb-teeth member 11 side, the width of the entire sheet feeding device can be shortened to save installation space, and the device can be further downsized.

さらにまた、他方櫛歯状部材２１を本体ゲース１と一体
成形したので、加工容易性１組立性を向上し、より一層
コスト低減を図ることができる。Furthermore, since the other comb-like member 21 is integrally molded with the main body gauge 1, ease of processing and assembling can be improved, and further cost reduction can be achieved.

なお、上記実施例では用紙送り装置をプリンタに用いた
が、他の電子機器に用いてもよい。Note that although the paper feeding device is used in a printer in the above embodiment, it may be used in other electronic devices.

［発明の効果］ 本発明によれば、用紙の幅方向に並列配列された一方櫛
歯状部材と、この一方櫛歯状部材と交互に噛み合うよう
に対向配設された他方櫛歯状部材とからなる摩擦付与手
段と、これら両種歯状部材によって摩擦付与された用紙
に送り力を付与する駆動ローラとから構成したので、用
紙の高精度送り確約のらとに、小型化・低コスト化を図
り、かつ取扱性を向上させることができる。[Effects of the Invention] According to the present invention, one comb-teeth-like member is arranged in parallel in the width direction of the paper, and the other comb-teeth-like member is arranged opposite to the one comb-teeth-like member so as to alternately mesh with the one comb-teeth-like member. and a drive roller that applies a feeding force to the paper to which friction is applied by these two types of tooth-shaped members, which ensures high-precision paper feeding while reducing size and cost. It is possible to achieve this and improve the ease of handling.

【図面の簡単な説明】[Brief explanation of drawings]

第１図〜第３図は本発明に係る用紙送り装置の一実施例
を示す図で、第１図は平面図、第２図は摩擦付与手段と
駆動ローラとの位置関係を示す拡大断面図、第３図は用
紙送り装置が適用されたプリンタの概略構成を示す断面
図である。第４図は従来の用紙送り装置の概略構成を示
す図および第５図は従来の用紙送り装置か適用されたプ
リンタの概略構成を示す図である。 １０・・・摩擦付与手段、 １１・・・一方櫛歯状部材、 ２１・・・他方櫛歯状部材、 ３０・・・駆動ローラ。1 to 3 are diagrams showing one embodiment of a paper feeding device according to the present invention, in which FIG. 1 is a plan view, and FIG. 2 is an enlarged sectional view showing the positional relationship between the friction applying means and the drive roller. FIG. 3 is a sectional view showing a schematic configuration of a printer to which a paper feeding device is applied. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a conventional paper feeding device, and FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a printer to which the conventional paper feeding device is applied. DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10... Friction imparting means, 11... One comb tooth-shaped member, 21... Other comb tooth shaped member, 30... Drive roller.

Claims (1)

【特許請求の範囲】[Claims] （１）用紙の幅方向に並列配設された一方櫛歯状部材と
当該一方櫛歯状部材と交互に噛み合うように対向配設さ
れた他方櫛歯状部材とからなる摩擦付与手段と、これら
両櫛歯状部材によって摩擦付与された用紙に送り力を付
与する駆動ローラとから構成されたことを特徴とする用
紙送り装置。(1) Friction imparting means consisting of one comb-like member arranged in parallel in the width direction of the paper and the other comb-like member arranged oppositely so as to alternately mesh with the one comb-like member; A paper feeding device comprising a drive roller that applies a feeding force to the paper to which friction is applied by both comb-like members.