Medium support device and printer

Abstract

The present invention provides a medium support device and a printer. The medium support device can be easily set according to the roll width of the medium. It includes a support mechanism 30 and a guide member 71. The support mechanism 30 rotatably supports a roll around which a sheet-like medium is wound. The guide member 71 extends in a first direction parallel to the axis of the roll and supports the support mechanism 30 in a manner that allows it to slide along the first direction. The support mechanism 30 includes a roll support member, a support member 50, and a fixing portion 60. The roll support member supports the roll. The support member 50 has a rotating shaft that rotatably supports the roll support member and an insertion hole 52a that penetrates in the first direction and through which the guide member 71 is inserted. The fixing portion 60 has an eccentric cam 61 that rotates, and by the rotation of the eccentric cam 61, the support member 50 is fixed to the guide member 71 in a non-slidable manner.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a medium support device and a printer including the medium support device. Background Art

[0002] A printer is known that sequentially discharges a medium from a roll around which the medium is wound in a roll shape and prints on the discharged medium. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a printer that discharges and conveys a medium from a roll by a medium conveyance unit including a driving roll and a pinch roll, and rewinds the printed medium using a winding bracket.

[0003] Prior Art Documents

[0004] Patent Documents

[0005] Patent Document 1: Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2020-90342 Summary of the Invention

[0006] Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0007] The widths of rolls around which media are wound are various. Therefore, a medium support device that supports a roll of a medium before or after printing needs to have a structure that can cope with various roll widths. In the medium support device, whenever the width of the roll changes, the setting related to the width of the roll is changed. This operation of changing the setting related to the width of the roll is preferably easy.

[0008] The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and an object thereof is to provide a medium support device that can easily change the setting in accordance with the width of a roll of a medium. Further, a printer including such a medium support device is provided.

[0009] Technical Means for Solving the Problems

[0010] The medium support device disclosed herein includes: a support mechanism that rotatably supports a roll around which a sheet-like medium is wound; and a guide member that extends in a first direction parallel to the axis of the roll and supports the support mechanism so as to be slidable in the first direction. The support mechanism includes a roll support member, a support member, and a fixing portion. The roll support member supports the roll. The support member includes a rotation shaft that rotatably supports the roll support member and an insertion hole that penetrates in the first direction and into which the guide member is inserted. The fixing portion has an eccentric cam that rotates, and fixes the support member to the guide member in a non-slidable manner by the rotation of the eccentric cam.

[0011] According to the above-described medium support device, by moving the support member along the guide member in the first direction, the position of the roller support member of the roller for supporting the medium in the first direction can be changed in accordance with the width of the roller. Further, by rotating the eccentric cam, the positions of the support member and the roller support member in the first direction can be easily fixed. Therefore, the operation of changing the setting of the medium support device in accordance with the width of the roller for the medium can be easily performed. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0012] Figure 1 is a perspective view of a printer showing one embodiment.

[0013] Figure 2 is a right view of the printer.

[0014] Figure 3 is a perspective view of the printer as viewed from the back side.

[0015] Figure 4A is a perspective view of the feeder on the right side as viewed from the left side.

[0016] Figure 4B is a cross-sectional view of the feeder on the right side taken along the left-right direction.

[0017] Figure 5 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the feeder in the unlocked state taken along the front-rear direction.

[0018] Figure 6 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the feeder in the locked state.

[0019] Figure 7 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the feeder in the unlocked state showing another embodiment.

[0020] Figure 8 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the feeder in the locked state showing another embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

[0021] Hereinafter, an inkjet printer according to an embodiment will be described with reference to the accompanying Figure 1 drawings. Note that the embodiments described herein are not intended to particularly limit the present invention. Further, components and parts that perform the same functions are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant descriptions are appropriately omitted or simplified. In the following description, when the inkjet printer is viewed from the front, the direction away from the inkjet printer is defined as the front, and the direction approaching the inkjet printer is defined as the rear. Further, in the drawings, the reference numerals F, Rr, L, R, U, and D denote front, rear, left, right, up, and down, respectively. However, these are only directions for convenience of description and do not limit the installation of the inkjet printer or the like.

[0022] [Structure of Inkjet Printer]

[0023] Figure 1 is a perspective view of a large-format inkjet printer (hereinafter referred to as "printer") 10 according to an embodiment. Figure 2 is a right view of the printer 10. Figure 3 is a perspective view of the printer 10 as viewed from the back side. The printer 10 forms an image on the medium 5a by moving the medium 5a wound in a roll shape while feeding it out in the front-rear direction and ejecting ink from a print head 16 mounted on a carriage 15 that moves in the left-right direction.

[0024] In the present embodiment, the printer 10 is an inkjet printer. In the present embodiment, the "inkjet method" refers to an inkjet type based on various conventionally known methods including various continuous methods such as a binary deflection method or a continuous deflection method, and various on-demand methods such as a thermal method or a piezoelectric element method.

[0025] The medium 5a is an object to be printed with an image. The medium 5a is a sheet-like recording medium. The material of the medium 5a is not particularly limited. The medium 5a can be, for example, paper such as plain paper or inkjet printing paper, or a transparent sheet such as a resin sheet. It can also be a sheet such as a metal sheet or a rubber sheet. And it can also be cloth. Hereinafter, the member around which the medium 5a as a printing object is wound is referred to as a roll 5.

[0026] As Figure 2 shown, the printer 10 includes a platen 11, a print head 16, a medium supply device 20, a transport device 80, and a winding device 90. A roll 5 of the medium 5a before printing is assembled to the medium supply device 20. The medium supply device 20 rotatably supports the roll 5 in the front-rear direction. The transport device 80 feeds out the medium 5a from the roll 5 and transports the fed-out medium 5a in the front-rear direction. The print head 16 forms an image on the medium 5a supplied from the medium supply device 20. The winding device 90 winds the medium 5a on which the image has been formed. The printer 10 further includes, among other things, a carriage moving device (not shown) that moves the carriage 15 in the left-right direction.

[0027] The print head 16 is provided downstream of the medium supply device 20 in the transport direction of the medium 5a, which is the front side here. The print head 16 is mounted on the carriage 15 and is disposed above the platen 11. The print head 16 is configured to eject ink toward the medium 5a on the platen 11. The carriage 15 is moved in the left-right direction by a carriage moving device (not shown), whereby the print head 16 moves in the left-right direction. The print head 16 forms an image on the medium 5a by ejecting ink while moving in the left-right direction.

[0028] The platen 11 is a support table that supports the medium 5a. The platen 11 extends in the front-rear direction and the left-right direction. The medium 5a on the platen 11 is moved in the front-rear direction by the transport device 80. As Figure 2As shown, the conveying device 80 includes a clamping roller 81, a sanding roller 82, and a feeding motor (not shown). The clamping roller 81 is provided above the pressing plate 11 and presses the medium 5a downward from above. The sanding roller 82 is provided on the pressing plate 11. The sanding roller 82 is provided at a position opposite to the clamping roller 81. The sanding roller 82 is connected to the feeding motor. When the sanding roller 82 rotates with the medium 5a clamped between the clamping roller 81 and the sanding roller 82, the medium 5a is conveyed in the front-rear direction.

[0029] The clamping roller 81 can move in the vertical direction by operating the clamping roller rod 83. The clamping roller 81 presses the medium 5a or moves away from the medium 5a by moving in the vertical direction. As Figure 2 and Figure 3 shown, the clamping roller rod 83 is provided at a position slightly to the right of the center on the back side of the printer 10.

[0030] As Figure 3 shown, the medium supply device 20 is provided on the back side of the printer 10. In the medium supply device 20, the roller 5 rotates idly because the medium 5a is pulled by the conveying device 80. As Figure 3 shown, the medium supply device 20 includes a pair of feeders 30 that rotatably support the roller 5, and a first guide pipe 71 and a second guide pipe 72 that support the pair of feeders 30 in a slidable manner in the left-right direction. The first guide pipe 71 and the second guide pipe 72 extend in the left-right direction. Here, the left-right direction is a direction parallel to the axial direction of the roller 5. Here, the first guide pipe 71 and the second guide pipe 72 are formed of circular pipes and are supported by the main body of the printer 10. The second guide pipe 72 is provided in front of the first guide pipe 71. Therefore, for an operator performing operations on the back side of the printer 10, the first guide pipe 71 is located closer to the front side than the second guide pipe 72. The first guide pipe 71 and the second guide pipe 72 are provided at the same height here.

[0031] The pair of feeders 30 are components that hold both ends of the roller 5. The pair of feeders 30 engage with the first guide pipe 71 and the second guide pipe 72 in a slidable manner in the left-right direction. And the pair of feeders 30 can be fixed relative to the first guide pipe 71, the details of which will be described later. The left feeder 30 of the pair of feeders 30 is fixed to the first guide pipe 71 after adjusting its position during the manufacture of the printer 10. The right feeder 30 adjusts its position in the left-right direction in accordance with the width of the medium 5a in the left-right direction. The right feeder 30 is fixed after adjusting its position in the left-right direction along the first guide pipe 71 and the second guide pipe 72.

[0032] Figure 4A is a perspective view of the right feeder (hereinafter simply referred to as the feeder) 30 as viewed from the left. Figure 4B is a cross-sectional view of the feeder 30 along the left-right direction. As Figure 4AAs shown, the feeder 30 includes a roller support member 40, a support member 50, and a fixing portion 60. The roller support member 40 supports the roller 5 from the outer side in the axial direction of the roller 5, here on the right side. The support member 50 is the main body portion of the feeder 30 and supports the roller support member 40 so as to be rotatable about the axial direction of the roller 5. The support member 50 is supported by the first guide tube 71 and the second guide tube 72 so as to be slidable in the axial direction of the roller 5. The support member 50 is provided on the outer side in the axial direction of the roller 5 with respect to the roller support member 40, here on the right side. The fixing portion 60 is a mechanism for fixing the support member 50 and the first guide tube 71 so that they cannot slide.

[0033] As Figure 4A shown, the roller support member 40 has a roller fitting portion 41 for fitting the roller 5 and a handle 42. The roller support member 40 is rotatably supported by a rotating shaft 51 provided on the support member 50. The rotating shaft 51 extends in the axial direction of the roller 5, that is, in the left-right direction. The rotating shaft 51 is configured to be non-rotatable here. The roller support member 40 is inserted into the rotating shaft 51 and rotates around the rotating shaft 51. The roller support member 40 rotates together with the roller 5 as the medium 5a is released from the roller 5 by the conveying device 80.

[0034] The roller fitting portion 41 protrudes inward in the axial direction of the roller 5 (here on the left side) with respect to the handle 42. The roller fitting portion 41 constitutes the front end portion (left end portion) of the roller support member 40. The right end portion of the roller 5 is fitted to the roller fitting portion 41. As Figure 4A shown, the roller fitting portion 41 is configured as a stepped cylindrical shape extending in the left-right direction. The roller fitting portion 41 is composed of three sections in sequence from the inner side in the axial direction of the roller 5: a first insertion portion 41a, a second insertion portion 41c, and a stepped portion 41e.

[0035] The first insertion portion 41a provided at the foremost end in the roller fitting portion 41 is configured as a cylindrical shape. A plurality of protrusions 41b are provided on the cylindrical side surface of the first insertion portion 41a. The plurality of protrusions 41b extend in the left-right direction. The plurality of protrusions 41b are provided at equal intervals in the circumferential direction of the first insertion portion 41a. The plurality of protrusions 41b are used to prevent the roller 5 inserted through the first insertion portion 41a from sliding.

[0036] The second insertion portion 41c is provided on the outer side in the axial direction of the roller 5 with respect to the first insertion portion 41a. The second insertion portion 41c is configured as a cylindrical shape with a larger diameter than the first insertion portion 41a. A roller 5 larger than the roller 5 inserted through the first insertion portion 41a is inserted through the second insertion portion 41c. A plurality of protrusions 41d are provided on the cylindrical side surface of the second insertion portion 41c. The plurality of protrusions 41d extend in the left-right direction. The plurality of protrusions 41d are provided at equal intervals in the circumferential direction of the second insertion portion 41c. The plurality of protrusions 41d are used to prevent the roller 5 inserted through the second insertion portion 41c from sliding.

[0037] The step portion 41e is provided at the outer side of the second insertion portion 41c in the axial direction of the roller 5. The step portion 41e is configured as a thin cylindrical shape having a larger diameter and a shorter axial length than the second insertion portion 41c. The inner surface of the step portion 41e in the axial direction constitutes a contact surface 41f for the end of the roller 5 to contact.

[0038] like Figure 4A As shown, the handle 42 is provided outside the roller assembly portion 41 in the axial direction of the roller 5. The handle 42 is used to rotate the roller support member 40 (roller 5). The operator can rotate the roller support member 40 around the axis of the roller 5 by holding and rotating the handle 42. The handle 42 is configured to be a substantially circular plate whose center coincides with the rotation center of the roller support member 40. When viewed in the left-right direction, the handle 42 has a substantially circular shape concentric with the roller assembly portion 41. The handle 42 is configured to be a circular plate with a larger diameter than the stepped portion 41e.

[0039] The handle 42 is provided here on the inner side of the support member 50 in the axial direction of the roller 5, in this case on the left side. Figure 2 As shown, a portion of the handle 42 extends outward in the radial direction of the roller 5 from the support member 50 when viewed in the axial direction of the roller 5. Therefore, the handle 42 can be grasped and operated from the outside of the support member 50 through the support member 50. Figure 4A As shown, the handle 42 has a plurality of recessed portions 42b formed on the outer peripheral portion 42a and recessed inward in the radial direction. The plurality of recessed portions 42b are used to prevent the operator's hand from sliding during the rotation operation of the handle 42. The plurality of recessed portions 42b are arranged at equal intervals on the outer peripheral portion 42a of the handle 42.

[0040] In the present embodiment, the roller support member 40 is formed as a single part. The roller support member 40 is formed of, for example, resin. However, the roller support member 40 may be formed by combining a plurality of parts. For example, the roller mounting portion 41 and the handle 42 may be separate. The handle 42 only needs to be provided on the roller support member 40 and configured to be able to rotate and operate the roller support member 40.

[0041] As described above, the support member 50 is provided on the outer side in the axial direction of the roller 5 with respect to the roller support member 40, which is the right side in this case. The support member 50 rotatably supports the roller support member 40. Further, the support member 50 is supported by the first guide tube 71 and the second guide tube 72 so as to be slidable in the left-right direction. The support member 50 extends in the front-rear direction and the up-down direction. Here, the support member 50 has a substantially triangular shape that is wider at the lower side when viewed in the left-right direction. The rotation shaft 51 is provided near the upper vertex of the substantially triangle. In the support member 50, a plurality of ribs 50a extending in the front-rear direction and a plurality of ribs 50b extending in the up-down direction are provided. The plurality of ribs 50a and 50b are for strengthening the support member 50 and increasing the strength of the support member 50.

[0042] As Figure 4A shown, the support member 50 includes a support portion 50S that supports the rotation shaft 51, a cylindrical portion 52, and an engaging concave portion 53. The support portion 50S is the portion of the support member 50 having a substantially triangular shape. The cylindrical portion 52 is provided at the rear-side vertex portion of the two vertices on the bottom side of the substantially triangular support portion 50S. The cylindrical portion 52 is configured as a cylinder extending in the left-right direction. The internal space of the cylindrical cylindrical portion 52 is configured as an insertion hole 52a through which the first guide tube 71 is inserted. The insertion hole 52a penetrates the support member 50 in the left-right direction. The insertion hole 52a is a through hole that is substantially circular when viewed in the left-right direction. In the cylindrical portion 52, two stopper holes 52a1 and 52a2 that penetrate in the radial direction are provided. The two stopper holes 52a1 and 52a2 are arranged side by side in the left-right direction. The stopper hole 52a2 (hereinafter also appropriately referred to as the second stopper hole 52a2) is disposed on the right side with respect to the stopper hole 52a1 (hereinafter also appropriately referred to as the first stopper hole 52a1). As Figure 4B shown, the first stopper hole 52a1 opens at a portion of the inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion 52 that is to the left of the support portion 50S. The second stopper hole 52a2 opens at a portion of the inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion 52 that is to the right of the support portion 50S. It should be noted that Figure 4B the line indicated by the reference numeral CL is the center line in the left-right direction of the support portion 50S and is also the center line in the left-right direction of the cylindrical portion 52. However, the center line in the left-right direction of the support portion 50S and the center line in the left-right direction of the cylindrical portion 52 may not coincide.

[0043] A thick-walled portion 52c is provided around the insertion through-hole 52a, and the thick-walled portion 52c is configured to be thicker than the plate thickness of the support member 50 (the plate thickness in the radial direction of the arc portion forming the engaging recess 53). At the central portion in the left-right direction on the outer peripheral surface 52b of the support cylindrical portion 52 of the thick-walled portion 52c, the outer peripheral surface 52b of the cylindrical portion 52 is fitted to the thick-walled portion 52c in a non-movable state. The thick-walled portion 52c is provided at the vertex portion on the rear side of two vertices on the substantially triangular base of the support member 50 and is formed around the entire circumference of the cylindrical portion 52 (also refer to Figure 5 ). A part of the thick-walled portion 52c (the part located between the first arm 65a and the second arm 65b of the rod 65 described later) protrudes outward in the radial direction of the insertion through-hole 52a and is clamped by the first arm 65a and the second arm 65b of the rod 65.

[0044] The engaging recess 53 is provided at the vertex on the front side of two vertices on the lower side of the substantially triangular support portion 50S. The engaging recess 53 has a substantially C-shaped shape with an opening on the front side when viewed in the left-right direction. The engaging recess 53 is a recess that is recessed rearward. The second guide tube 72 is inserted through the engaging recess 53. By inserting the first guide tube 71 into the insertion through-hole 52a and inserting the second guide tube 72 into the engaging recess 53, the attitude of the feeder 30 and the positions related to the front-rear direction and the up-down direction are determined. The feeder 30 can move in the left-right direction along the first guide tube 71 and the second guide tube 72.

[0045] The fixing portion 60 is a mechanism for performing the operation of fixing the feeder 30 to the first guide tube 71 and the operation of releasing the fixing. Figure 5 is a longitudinal sectional view of the feeder 30 along the front-rear direction. As Figure 5 shown, the fixing portion 60 includes a first cam 61, a second cam 62 (overlapping with the first cam 61 in Figure 5 ), a first stopper 63, a second stopper 64 (overlapping with the first stopper 63 in Figure 5 , also refer to Figure 4A ), and a rod 65. The fixing portion 60 is configured such that the first cam 61 and the second cam 62 rotate by rotating the rod 65 in the up-down direction. As Figure 4BAs shown, the fixing portion 60 includes a shaft portion 67 connected to the first cam 61 and extending in the left - right direction, and a shaft portion 68 connected to the second cam 62 and extending in the left - right direction. The shaft portions 67 and 68 are rotatably inserted into a hole portion 52c1 provided in the thick - wall portion 52c of the feeder 30. However, the shaft portions may be provided in the thick - wall portion 52c of the cylindrical portion 52 instead of the fixing portion 60. The shaft portions 67 and 68 rotate about a rotation axis Ax extending in the left - right direction. By the rotation of the first cam 61 and the second cam 62, the first stopper 63 and the second stopper 64 respectively appear in the insertion through - hole 52a or retract from the insertion through - hole 52a. Thereby, the feeder 30 is fixed to the first guide tube 71 or the fixing is released.

[0046] As Figure 5 shown, the first cam 61 is configured to rotate about a rotation axis Ax extending in the left - right direction. The first cam 61 is provided on the radially outer side of the first stopper hole 52a1 on the left side of the cylindrical portion 52. As Figure 5 shown, the first cam 61 is an eccentric cam whose distance from the rotation axis Ax varies according to the circumferential position. The first cam 61 has a protruding portion 61a whose distance from the rotation axis Ax is longer than other portions. The front end portion 61a1 of the protruding portion 61a is formed in a shape like being cut off. The front end portion 61a1 is configured to be a plane.

[0047] The second cam 62 is provided on the radially outer side of the second stopper hole 52a2 on the right side of the cylindrical portion 52. The second cam 62 rotates synchronously with the first cam 61 about a rotation axis Ax common to the first cam 61. The second cam 62 is configured to have the same shape as the first cam 61 when viewed in the direction of the rotation axis Ax (left - right direction view). Here, the second cam 62 is configured to be left - right symmetric with the first cam 61.

[0048] The first stopper 63 is a member that abuts against the first guide tube 71 inserted into the insertion through - hole 52a and fixes the feeder 30 to the first guide tube 71. The first stopper 63 is buried in the support member 50 so as to be exposed on the inner peripheral surface of the insertion through - hole 52a. Specifically, as Figure 5 shown, the first stopper 63 is inserted into the first stopper hole 52a1 on the left side from the radially outer side of the cylindrical portion 52, passes through the first stopper hole 52a1, and is exposed in the insertion through - hole 52a. More specifically, as Figure 4B shown, the first stopper 63 passes through the first stopper hole 52a1 and appears in the insertion through - hole 52a at a position to the left of the support portion 50S. The first stopper 63 is provided between the first cam 61 and the insertion through - hole 52a.

[0049] As Figure 4A shown, the first stopper 63 is configured to be flat - plate shaped. As Figure 5As shown, the surface of the first stopper 63 exposed in the insertion through-hole 52a (the surface on the radially inner side of the insertion through-hole 52a) constitutes a contact surface 63a1 that contacts the first guide tube 71. The back surface of the contact surface 63a1 constitutes a force-receiving surface 63a2 that receives the force of the first cam 61. The force-receiving surface 63a2 is recessed in the direction of the contact surface 63a1 compared to the entirety of the first stopper 63. Therefore, the thickness of the force-receiving portion 63a having the contact surface 63a1 and the force-receiving surface 63a2 as two surfaces becomes thinner. The first stopper 63 includes a flange portion 63b that fits into a positioning portion 52d formed around the first stopper hole 52a1.

[0050] The first stopper 63 is made of an elastic material, here rubber and resin. Specifically, the contact surface 63a1 of the first stopper 63 is formed of rubber, and the force-receiving surface 63a2 is formed of resin. When the force-receiving portion 63a of the first stopper 63 receives the force of the first cam 61, it elastically deforms in the radially inner direction of the insertion through-hole 52a. Thereby, the contact surface 63a1 of the force-receiving portion 63a protrudes into the insertion through-hole 52a. When the contact surface 63a1 is pressed by the first cam 61 and protrudes into the insertion through-hole 52a, the feeder 30 is fixed to the first guide tube 71 by the friction between the contact surface 63a1 and the first guide tube 71. In a state where the force-receiving portion 63a is not pressed by the first cam 61 and the contact surface 63a1 of the force-receiving portion 63a retracts outside the insertion through-hole 52a, the feeder 30 and the first guide tube 71 are released from fixation. The first stopper 63 is configured to ensure deformation when contacting the first cam 61 by making the contact surface 63a1 of rubber, and to improve durability by making the force-receiving surface 63a2 that contacts the first cam 61 of a resin that is more wear-resistant than rubber.

[0051] The second stopper 64 is embedded in the support member 50 so as to pass through the second stopper hole 52a2 on the right side and be exposed on the inner peripheral surface of the insertion through-hole 52a. As Figure 4B shown, the second stopper 64 passes through the second stopper hole 52a2 and appears in the insertion through-hole 52a on the right side of the support portion 50S. The second stopper 64 is configured in the same manner as the first stopper 63. The second stopper 64 is also made of an elastic material, here rubber and resin. The second stopper 64 appears in the insertion through-hole 52a or retracts outside the insertion through-hole 52a according to the rotational position of the second cam 62. By the operation of the second stopper 64, the feeder 30 and the first guide tube 71 are also fixed or released from fixation. Figure 5 The state where the feeder 30 is released from fixation to the first guide tube 71 is shown (hereinafter also referred to as the unlocked state). It should be noted that the state where the feeder 30 is fixed to the first guide tube 71, which will be described later, is also referred to as the locked state.

[0052] The rod 65 is connected to the first cam 61 and the second cam 62 to rotate the first cam 61 and the second cam 62. The rod 65, the first cam 61, and the second cam 62 are configured as one part here. However, the rod 65, the first cam 61, and the second cam 62 may also be configured as separate parts from each other. As Figure 4A shown, the rod 65 includes a first arm 65a, a second arm 65b, and a connecting portion 65c. The first arm 65a has a shape similar to the outer surface of the support member 50, and here it is an arc shape similar to the outer peripheral surface 52b of the cylindrical portion 52. As Figure 5 shown, one end of the first arm 65a is connected to the first cam 61.

[0053] As Figure 4A shown, the second arm 65b is provided on the right side of the first arm 65a. The second arm 65b has the same shape as the first arm 65a when viewed in the left-right direction. That is, the second arm 65b also has an arc shape similar to the outer peripheral surface 52b of the cylindrical portion 52. One end of the second arm 65b is connected to the second cam 62. The connecting portion 65c is connected to the other end of the first arm 65a and the other end of the second arm 65b. The connecting portion 65c extends in the left-right direction. The connecting portion 65c connects the first arm 65a and the second arm 65b to increase the strength of the rod 65 and is the portion that the user holds when operating the rod 65.

[0054] The rod 65 is configured to rotate the first cam 61 and the second cam 62 around the rotation axis Ax. By rotating the rod 65, the first cam 61 and the second cam 62 can be rotated around the rotation axis Ax. The rod 65 is provided on the rear side of the feeder 30 and can be operated from the rear side. As Figure 4A shown, the left-right distance between the right end of the first arm 65a and the left end of the second arm 65b (hereinafter referred to as the inner dimension of the first arm 65a and the second arm 65b) corresponds to the left-right width of the thick-walled portion 52c of the cylindrical portion 52.

[0055] The left feeder 30 is configured to be left-right symmetric with the right feeder 30. As Figure 3 shown, the roller support member 40 of the left feeder 30 extends from the support member 50 toward the right. The roller support member 40 of the left feeder 30 and the roller support member 40 of the right feeder 30 face each other. The rod 65 of the left feeder 30 is provided on the rear side.

[0056] As Figure 1As shown in the figure, the winding device 90 is provided on the front surface side of the printer 10. The winding device 90 includes two guide pipes 91, 92, a pair of left and right feeders 93, 94, a winding motor 95, a winding rod 96, and a pull rod 97. The two guide pipes 91, 92 are arranged side by side in the front-rear direction and extend in the left-right direction respectively. The pair of left and right feeders 93, 94 are inserted into the two guide pipes 91, 92 in a state where the support members 93b, 94b are reversed up and down with respect to the medium supply device 20 such that the vertices of the roller support members 93a, 94a come to the lower side. The left feeder 93 is supported by the two guide pipes 91, 92 and fixed at a specified position in the left-right direction.

[0057] The right feeder 94 is connected to the winding motor 95. The roller support member 94a of the right feeder 94 rotates by the winding motor 95. The left and right feeders 93, 94 sandwich the winding rod 96. By rotating the roller support member 94a while the left and right feeders 93, 94 hold the winding rod 96, the winding rod 96 rotates. By the rotating winding rod 96, the medium 5a after printing is wound around the winding device 90. The winding device 90 thus forms a roll 5 of the printed medium 5a.

[0058] The pair of left and right feeders 93, 94 are the same as the pair of left and right feeders 30 of the medium supply device 20 except for the roller support members 93a, 94a and the fixing portions 93c, 94c. In the present embodiment, no handle is provided on the roller support members 93a, 94a. Since the roller support members 93a, 94a of the winding device 90 rotate by the winding motor 95, there is no case of manually rotating the roll 5 of the medium 5a by imagining the use of a handle.

[0059] Moreover, in the present embodiment, the positions of the rotation axes of the cams (not shown) of the fixing portions 93c, 94c of the winding device 90 are different from those of the medium supply device 20. In the winding device 90, since the pair of feeders 93, 94 are used in a state of being reversed up and down with respect to the medium supply device 20, the load of the roll 5 acts on the pair of feeders 93, 94 instead of the two guide pipes 91, 92. Therefore, in order to be able to support the load of the roll 5 in the locked state by the feeders 93, 94, the position of the rotation axis of the cam is made different from that of the medium supply device 20. However, the feeders 93, 94 of the winding device 90 may also be the same as the feeders 30 of the medium supply device 20.

[0060] The pull rod 97 is provided in front of the winding rod 96. The pull rod 97 is configured to swing in the up-down direction. By hanging the medium 5a on the pull rod 97 upstream of the winding rod 96 in the conveying direction, the tension on the pressing plate 11 of the medium 5a is maintained at a specified tension.

[0061] [Setting of the roll]

[0062] Next, the setting operation of the roller 5 of the medium supply device 20 and the discharging operation of the medium 5a from the roller 5 will be described. First, the setting operation of the roller 5 of the medium supply device 20 will be described. In the setting operation of the roller 5 of the medium supply device 20, first, the right feeder 30 is set to the unlocked state ( Figure 5 the state shown). Thereby, the feeder 30 can move in the left-right direction along the first guide pipe 71 and the second guide pipe 72. As Figure 5 shown, in the unlocked state of the feeder 30, the rod 65 hangs downward with the rotation axis Ax as a fulcrum. At this time, the portion of the first cam 61 other than the protruding portion 61a faces the force receiving surface 63a2 of the first stopper 63. At this time, the force receiving surface 63a2 of the first stopper 63 and the first cam 61 are separated. The abutting surface 63a1 of the first stopper 63 retreats to the outside of the insertion through hole 52a.

[0063] The second cam 62 is configured to rotate synchronously with the first cam 61 around the rotation axis Ax common to the first cam 61. The second cam 62 is configured to have the same shape as the first cam 61 when viewed in the direction of the rotation axis Ax. And, the second cam 62 is connected to the rod 65. Therefore, when the rod 65 is operated, the second cam 62 rotates together with the first cam 61. The operation of the first cam 61 and the operation of the second cam 62 are synchronized. The second stopper 64 appears in the insertion through hole 52a synchronously with the first stopper 63 and retreats to the outside of the insertion through hole 52a. Therefore, at this time, the second stopper 64 also retreats to the outside of the insertion through hole 52a and does not lock the feeder 30.

[0064] In the setting operation of the roller 5 of the medium supply device 20, next, while adjusting the left-right position of the right feeder 30 in accordance with the width of the roller 5, the roller 5 is set. In the state where the roller 5 is set in the medium supply device 20, the roller 5 is sandwiched by the left and right feeders 30, and the left and right end portions of the roller 5 respectively abut against the abutting surfaces 41f of the left and right roller support members 40. At this time, the second insertion portion 41c of the roller support member 40 is inserted into the internal space of the cylindrical roller 5. In this state, the right feeder 30 is locked. It should be noted that, in the case of the roller 5 of the type in which the first insertion portion 41a of the roller support member 40 is inserted, the left and right end portions of the roller 5 respectively abut against the step between the first insertion portion 41a and the second insertion portion 41c of the left and right roller support members 40.

[0065] In the locking operation of the feeder 30, the rod 65 is rotated upward. Figure 6 is a longitudinal sectional view of the locked feeder 30. As Figure 6As shown, in the locked state of the feeder 30, the first cam 61 is in a rotational position where the flat front end portion 61a1 of the protruding portion 61a abuts against the force-receiving surface 63a2 of the first stopper 63. Hereinafter, this rotational position of the first cam 61 will also be referred to as the locking position P1. At the locking position P1, the protruding portion 61a of the first cam 61 presses the force-receiving portion 63a of the first stopper 63 toward the radially inner side of the insertion through-hole 52a. As a result, the first stopper 63 appears in the insertion through-hole 52a and abuts against the first guide tube 71 inserted through the insertion through-hole 52a. It should be noted that, in order to easily transmit the pressing force of the first cam 61 to the first guide tube 71, the thickness of the force-receiving portion 63a of the first stopper 63 is configured to be thin. Similarly, the second stopper 64 also appears in the insertion through-hole 52a and abuts against the first guide tube 71 inserted through the insertion through-hole 52a. As a result, the feeder 30 is fixed to the first guide tube 71 by the frictional force between the first stopper 63 and the second stopper 64 and the first guide tube 71.

[0066] As Figure 6 shown, in the locked state of the feeder 30, the rod 65 abuts against the outer surface of the support member 50, more specifically, the outer peripheral surface 52b of the cylindrical portion 52. In other words, the rod 65 is configured to abut against the outer surface of the support member 50 (here, the outer peripheral surface 52b of the cylindrical portion 52) at a position corresponding to the locking position P1 of the first cam 61 and the second cam 62. Here, the rod 65 is configured such that the inner peripheral surfaces of the first arm 65a and the second arm 65b abut against the outer peripheral surface 52b of the cylindrical portion 52 in the locked state of the feeder 30. The user can move the first cam 61 and the second cam 62 to the locking position P1 by rotating the rod 65 upward until it abuts against the outer peripheral surface 52b of the cylindrical portion 52 and can no longer move.

[0067] And, as Figure 6 shown, in the locked state of the feeder 30, the rod 65 is arranged along the outer surface of the support member 50, more specifically, the outer peripheral surface 52b of the cylindrical portion 52. The rod 65 has a shape similar to the outer surface of the support member 50 (here, the outer peripheral surface 52b of the cylindrical portion 52) and is formed along the outer surface of the support member 50 (here, the outer peripheral surface 52b of the cylindrical portion 52) at a position corresponding to the locking position P1 of the first cam 61 and the second cam 62. Here, the rod 65 is configured such that the inner peripheral surfaces of the first arm 65a and the second arm 65b correspond to the outer peripheral surface 52b of the cylindrical portion 52. It should be noted that, as described above, the inner dimensions of the first arm 65a and the second arm 65b correspond to the left-right width of the thick-walled portion 52c of the cylindrical portion 52. Therefore, the thick-walled portion 52c also functions to guide the rotation of the rod 65. When the rod 65 approaches the position corresponding to the locking position P1 of the first cam 61 and the second cam 62, as Figure 4AAs shown, the first arm 65a and the second arm 65b rotate along the left side surface and the right side surface of the thick wall portion 52c, respectively. Through the above operations, the roller 5 is provided in the medium supply device 20.

[0068] [Discharge of Medium]

[0069] Next, the discharge operation of the medium 5a from the roller 5 provided in the medium supply device 20 will be described. In the discharge operation of the medium 5a, the user pulls out the front end of the medium 5a from the roller 5 and inserts it into the rear opening 14 of the printer 10 (see Figure 3 ). When the medium 5a is discharged through the rear opening 14 onto the platen 11, the pinch roller lever 83 is operated to lower the pinch roller 81. Thereby, the medium 5a is pressed on the platen 11. Then, the sanding roller 82 is driven, and the medium 5a is transported forward until the front end reaches the winding device 90. The front end of the medium 5a is wound around the winding rod 96 provided in the winding device 90.

[0070] In the discharge operation of the medium 5a or the transportation of the medium 5a during printing as described above, sometimes the transportation direction of the medium 5a is skewed with respect to the predetermined transportation direction (here, the front-rear direction). The reason for the skew is, for example, that the force required to peel the medium 5a from the roller 5 is different on the left and right sides of the roller 5. In the printer 10 of the present embodiment, when the skew of the medium 5a occurs, the skew of the medium 5a can be eliminated by operating the medium supply device 20.

[0071] Specifically, in the skew elimination operation of the medium 5a, by the user operating the handle 42, the roller assembly portion 41 rotates backward (hereinafter also referred to as reverse rotation). By this reverse rotation of the roller assembly portion 41, the discharged medium 5a is wound back onto the roller 5. Thereby, the medium 5a conforms to the axis of the roller 5, and the skew of the medium 5a is eliminated.

[0072] [Function and Effect of the Present Embodiment]

[0073] The above is the description of the structure of the printer 10 of the present embodiment, the setting operation of the roller 5, and the discharge operation of the medium 5a. Hereinafter, the function and effect of the printer 10 of the present embodiment will be described.

[0074] The printer 10 of the present embodiment includes a handle 42 capable of rotating the roller support member 40 supporting the roller 5. In the present embodiment, the handle 42 has a portion extending outward in the radial direction of the roller 5 from the support member 50 supporting the roller support member 40 when viewed in the axial direction of the roller 5. According to the above structure, the roller support member 40 can be easily rotated manually by operating the handle 42. In particular, in the present embodiment, a portion of the handle 42 extends outward in the radial direction of the roller 5 from the support member 50 when viewed in the axial direction of the roller 5. Therefore, the handle 42 can be operated even through the support member 50, and the manual rotation operation of the roller support member 40 is easy. Therefore, as described above, for example, the roller support member 40 can be easily rotated in the reverse direction to eliminate the skew of the medium 5a. In addition, for example, the roller support member 40 can be rotated in the reverse direction by using the handle 42 to eliminate the slack of the medium 5a, or the roller support member 40 can be rotated in the forward direction by using the handle 42 when the medium 5a is initially released. It should be noted that, as described above, in the winding device 90, the roller support members 93a and 94a are rotated by the winding motor 95, and there is no virtual manual rotation. Therefore, no handle is provided on the roller support members 93a and 94a of the winding device 90. On the other hand, no motor is provided in the medium supply device 20, so the roller support member 40 is often manually operated. Therefore, the handle 42 can improve the operability of the manual rotation of the roller support member 40.

[0075] In conventional printers, such a handle is not provided, so when the roller is to be rotated manually, the roller itself is rotated by touching the roller, or when there is an operable portion of the roller support member (for example, when there is a portion exposed to the outside of the roller in the roller support member), the portion is operated to rotate the roller support member while preventing interference with the support member supporting the roller support member. Therefore, it is necessary to allow for the possibility of damaging or staining the roller by touching it or to rotate the roller support member with great effort. According to the printer 10 of this embodiment, the roller assembly portion 41 can be easily rotated manually by operating the portion of the handle 42 that protrudes outward from the support member 50 without taking such a risk or taking great effort.

[0076] In the present embodiment, a support member 50 that rotatably supports a roller support member 40 is provided on the outer side in the axial direction of the roller 5 with respect to the roller support member 40, and a handle 42 is provided on the inner side in the axial direction of the roller 5 with respect to the support member 50. According to the said structure, since the handle 42 is provided on the inner side in the axial direction of the roller 5 compared with the support member 50, the length of the roller 5 of the medium supply device 20 in the axial direction can be shortened. In the present embodiment, the support member 50 that rotatably supports the roller support member 40 is provided on the outer side in the axial direction of the roller 5 with respect to the roller support member 40, so the support member 50 may become an obstacle when approaching the roller support member 40. Even in this case, since a part of the handle 42 projects outward in the radial direction of the roller 5 more than the support member 50 when observed in the axial direction of the roller 5, although the handle 42 is provided on the inner side in the axial direction of the roller 5 with respect to the support member 50, the operation of the handle 42 is easy.

[0077] In the present embodiment, the handle 42 is configured as a substantially circular plate shape with its center coinciding with the rotation center of the roller support member 40. Therefore, the handle 42 can be configured so as not to project so much outward in the radial direction of the roller support member 40, and can be made compact. For example Figure 3 as shown, components such as a pinch roller bar 83 are generally arranged in the vicinity of the roller support member 40, and it is difficult to ensure a space for setting the handle near the roller support member 40. In the present embodiment, compactness is achieved by configuring the handle 42 as a substantially circular plate shape with its center coinciding with the rotation center of the roller support member 40, and thus a space for setting the handle 42 can be easily ensured.

[0078] In the present embodiment, the handle 42 has a concave portion 42b formed in the substantially circular outer peripheral portion 42a and recessed toward the inner side in the radial direction. Through the concave portion 42b, it is easy for the user to hold the handle 42, improving the operability of the handle 42.

[0079] In the present embodiment, the support member 50 is configured as substantially triangular when observed in the axial direction of the roller 5. Therefore, more parts of the handle 42 project outward in the radial direction of the roller 5 than the support member 50. Thereby, the handle 42 becomes easy to hold. It should be noted that in the present embodiment, the support member 50 is configured to support the handle 42 near one of its vertices. Therefore, the width of the support member 50 in the front - rear direction near the handle 42 is small, and more parts of the handle 42 project outward in the radial direction of the roller 5 than the support member 50.

[0080] In the present embodiment, in order to prevent it from being difficult to hold the outer peripheral portion 42a of the handle 42 due to the end of the roller 5 contacting the handle 42, the roller support member 40 has a stepped portion 41e. By the end of the roller 5 abutting against the abutting surface 41f of the stepped portion 41e, a gap is ensured between the handle 42 and the roller 5. Thereby, it is easy to hold the outer peripheral portion 42a of the handle 42.

[0081] Moreover, in the printer 10 according to the present embodiment, the support member 50 is supported by the first guide tube 71 and the second guide tube 72 so as to be slidable in the axial direction of the roller 5. The feeder 30 includes a fixing portion 60 that fixes the support member 50 and the first guide tube 71 in a non-slidable manner. The fixing portion 60 has a rotatable first cam 61, and the support member 50 and the first guide tube 71 are fixed by the rotation of the first cam 61. According to the above structure, by moving the support member 50 in the left-right direction along the first guide tube 71 and the second guide tube 72, the left-right position of the roller support member 40 that supports the roller 5 can be changed to match the width of the roller 5. Moreover, by rotating the first cam 61, the left-right position of the support member 50 and the roller support member 40 can be easily fixed. Therefore, the operation of changing the position of the feeder 30 to match the width of the roller 5 can be easily performed.

[0082] The fixing and fixing release operations of the above-described feeder 30 are operations of only rotating the first cam 61, and thus are very easy compared to other fixing and fixing release operations, such as operations of tightening or loosening screws. In the printer 10 according to the present embodiment, the operation of changing the setting of the medium supply device 20 to match the width of the roller 5 can be easily performed. It should be noted that the feeder 93 can also be moved and fixed to match the width of the roller 5, thereby changing the setting of the winding device 90.

[0083] More specifically, the support member 50 of the present embodiment has an insertion hole 52a that penetrates the support member 50 in a direction parallel to the axial direction of the roller 5 (here, the left-right direction). The first guide tube 71 is inserted into the insertion hole 52a. The fixing portion 60 here includes a rotatable first cam 61 and a first stopper 63. The first stopper 63 is configured to appear in the insertion hole 52a according to the rotation position of the first cam 61 and abut against the first guide tube 71. According to the above structure, by rotating the first cam 61, the state in which the first stopper 63 appears in the insertion hole 52a and the state in which the first stopper 63 retracts to the outside of the insertion hole 52a can be switched. Therefore, the state in which the feeder 30 can slide along the first guide tube 71 and the state in which the feeder 30 is fixed to the first guide tube 71 can be switched.

[0084] In the printer 10 according to the present embodiment, the first stopper 63 is made of an elastic material. With this structure, when the first stopper 63 appears in the insertion through-hole 52a, the first stopper 63 undergoes elastic deformation. Therefore, a high fixing force can be obtained without damaging the first guide tube 71. Also, in the case where the stopper is made of a material that is difficult to deform, high precision is required for the dimensions of the stopper, the cam, and the guide tube. However, in the present embodiment, since the first stopper 63 is made of an elastic material, high precision is not required for the dimensions of the first stopper 63, the first cam 61, and the first guide tube 71. Therefore, the fixing portion 60 can be easily formed. It should be noted that the material of the first stopper 63 is preferably an elastic material, but is not limited to rubber. The same applies to the second stopper 64.

[0085] In the present embodiment, the fixing portion 60 includes a rod 65 that is connected to the first cam 61 and rotates the first cam 61. Therefore, the operation of rotating the first cam 61 becomes easier. The rod 65 has a shape similar to the outer surface of the support member 50 and is formed along the outer surface of the support member 50 at a position corresponding to the locking position P1 of the first cam 61. With this structure, in the state where the feeder 30 is locked, the rod 65 is arranged so as to follow the outer surface of the support member 50. Therefore, the rod 65 is less exposed to the outside than the support member 50. Therefore, the locked feeder 30 can be made into a compact structure.

[0086] In the present embodiment, the rod 65 is configured to abut against the outer surface of the support member 50 at a position corresponding to the locking position P1 of the first cam 61. In order to move the first cam 61 to the locking position P1, the rod 65 is operated until it abuts against the outer surface of the support member 50 and can no longer move. Therefore, the user can easily know that the feeder 30 has become locked. For example, in a structure where a screw is tightened for fixing the feeder, the screw can still be tightened after fixing, so there is a possibility of damaging the feeder and the guide tube. However, according to the feeder 30 of the present embodiment, that possibility can also be reduced.

[0087] In the present embodiment, the fixing portion 60 includes a second cam 62 that rotates synchronously with the first cam 61 about a rotation axis Ax common to the first cam 61. The second cam 62 is connected to the rod 65 here and rotates together with the first cam 61. The fixing portion 60 further includes a second stopper 64 that appears and disappears in the insertion hole 52a according to the rotation position of the second cam 62. The second stopper 64 is configured to appear in the insertion hole 52a synchronously with the first stopper 63 and abut against the first guide tube 71. According to the above structure, in addition to the first stopper 63, the fixing force based on the second stopper 64 also acts, so that the fixing force of the feeder 30 can be increased. Further, the second cam 62 also rotates by the same operation as when the first cam 61 is operated, so that the fixing force based on the second stopper 64 also acts, and thus the fixing and fixing release operations of the feeder 30 are not complicated.

[0088] In the present embodiment, the support member 50 includes a cylindrical portion 52 and a support portion 50S. The cylindrical portion 52 extends in the left-right direction and forms an insertion hole 52a. The support portion 50S extends in a direction (here, upward or downward) intersecting the left-right direction and is connected to the cylindrical portion 52 to support the rotation shaft 51. A first stopper hole 52a1 and a second stopper hole 52a2 are provided in the cylindrical portion 52. The first stopper hole 52a1 opens on the inner peripheral surface to the left of the support portion 50S, and the first stopper 63 appears in the insertion hole 52a to the left of the support portion 50S. The second stopper hole 52a2 opens on the inner peripheral surface to the right of the support portion 50S, and the second stopper 64 appears in the insertion hole 52a to the right of the support portion 50S. According to the above structure, tilting of the feeder 30 in the left-right direction when in the locked state is suppressed. The support portion 50S is connected to the cylindrical portion 52 and extends in a manner intersecting the cylindrical portion 52. Therefore, due to its weight, the support portion 50S tends to tilt the cylindrical portion 52 in the left-right direction. For example, when there is one stopper, the feeder 30 tends to tilt in the left-right direction and be fixed when in the locked state. However, by disposing the first stopper 63 and the second stopper 64 separately on the left and right sides of the support portion 50S, the feeder 30 is difficult to tilt when being locked.

[0089] [Other Embodiments]

[0090] As described above, a preferred embodiment has been described. However, the printer disclosed herein is not limited to the above embodiment.

[0091] For example, in the above embodiment, the handle 42 that rotates the roller support member 40 has a disc shape, but the shape of the handle is not limited. The handle may be, for example, a rod-shaped member that extends radially along the radial direction of the roller support member.

[0092] In the above-described embodiment, the handle 42 is disposed on the inner side in the axial direction of the roller 5 with respect to the support member 50 of the support roller support member 40. However, the handle may also be disposed on the outer side in the axial direction of the roller with respect to the support portion of the support roller support member. The position of the handle is not particularly limited.

[0093] Moreover, in the above-described embodiment, the cams 61, 62 and the rod 65 of the fixing portion 60 are configured as one part, and the cams 61, 62, the rod 65, and the stoppers 63, 64 are configured as separate parts. However, the structures of the cam, the stopper, and the rod are not limited thereto. For example, the cam and the stopper may also be configured as one part. In this case, the front end of the protruding portion of the cam can function as a stopper.

[0094] In the above-described embodiment, the stoppers 63, 64 are made of an elastic material, but the material of the stopper is not particularly limited.

[0095] In the above-described embodiment, the rod 65 is configured to resemble the outer shape of the support member 50 and abuts against the support member 50 in the locked state. However, the rod only needs to be configured to be able to rotate the cam, and its shape and arrangement are not limited. For example, the rod may not rotate about a rotation axis extending substantially parallel to the axis of the insertion hole, and may rotate in other directions. The cam may also not rotate about a rotation axis extending substantially parallel to the axis of the insertion hole and may rotate in other directions.

[0096] In the above-described embodiment, two sets of combinations of the cam and the stopper are provided, and one rod is provided, but the number of combinations of the cam and the stopper and the number of rods are not limited.

[0097] The fixing and fixing release methods of the feeder and the guide tube are not limited to the method of causing the stopper to appear and disappear in the insertion hole. Figure 7 It is a longitudinal sectional view showing the unlocked state of the feeder 130 of another embodiment. Figure 8 It is a longitudinal sectional view showing the locked state of the feeder 130. As Figure 7 and Figure 8 shown, the support member 150 of the feeder 130 of another embodiment may include a holding portion 151 that can hold the first guide tube 71 by elastic deformation. The holding portion 151 is configured to extend in a direction (here, the left-right direction) parallel to the axial direction of the roller 5 (refer to Figure 5 etc.) and is a C-shaped cylindrical shape in which a part of the circumference is cut off when viewed in the axial direction of the roller 5. The internal space of the cylindrical holding portion 151 constitutes an insertion hole 152 through which the first guide tube 71 is inserted.

[0098] At both circumferential ends of the C-shaped cylindrical gripping portion 151 (the two ends facing each other across the gap 151a), force-receiving portions 153 and 154 protruding radially outward of the gripping portion 151 are provided respectively. As Figure 8 shown, when the force-receiving portions 153 and 154 are subjected to a force that brings the force-receiving portions 153 and 154 closer to each other, the gripping portion 151 undergoes elastic deformation and grips the first guide tube 71. As Figure 7 shown, when the force-receiving portions 153 and 154 are not subjected to the said force, the gripping portion 151 releases the first guide tube 71.

[0099] The fixing portion 160 of the feeder 130 has an eccentric cam 161 and is configured to elastically deform the gripping portion 151 by the rotation of the eccentric cam 161. The fixing portion 160 thereby fixes the support member 150 and the first guide tube 71. The eccentric cam 161 is arranged to face the back surface (referred to as the force-receiving surface 153a) of the surface on the gap 151a side of one force-receiving portion 153. As Figure 7 shown, the eccentric cam 161 is an eccentric cam whose distance from the rotation axis Ax2 varies according to the circumferential position. The eccentric cam 161 has a protruding portion 161a whose distance from the rotation axis Ax2 is longer than that of other portions. As Figure 7 shown, when the portion of the eccentric cam 161 other than the protruding portion 161a faces the direction of the force-receiving surface 153a, the eccentric cam 161 and the force-receiving surface 153a are separated. At this time, the gripping portion 151 releases the first guide tube 71.

[0100] As Figure 8 shown, when the eccentric cam 161 is rotated and the protruding portion 161a faces the direction of the force-receiving surface 153a, the protruding portion 161a of the eccentric cam 161 abuts against the force-receiving surface 153a. In the said state, the protruding portion 161a of the eccentric cam 161 presses the force-receiving surface 153a so as to bring one force-receiving portion 153 closer to the other force-receiving portion 154. Thereby, the gripping portion 151 undergoes elastic deformation and grips the first guide tube 71. As a result, the support member 150 is fixed to the first guide tube 71 in a non-slidable manner. The fixing and fixing release methods of the feeder and the guide tube may also be the above-mentioned methods for example.

[0101] Moreover, the technology disclosed herein can be used not only for inkjet printers but also for other devices having a medium support device that supports a roller around which a sheet-like medium is wound. For example, the technology disclosed herein can also be used for a cutting device that cuts a medium into a desired shape with a cutter, etc. And the technology disclosed herein can also be applied to printers other than inkjet printers.

[0102] Reference Numeral Explanation

[0103] 5 rollers;

[0104] 5a medium;

[0105] 10 Inkjet printer (printer);

[0106] 16 Print head;

[0107] 20 Medium supply device;

[0108] 30 Feeder (support mechanism);

[0109] 40 Roller support member;

[0110] 50 Support member;

[0111] 52a Insertion through-hole;

[0112] 60 Fixing part;

[0113] 61 First cam (eccentric cam);

[0114] 62 Second cam (second eccentric cam);

[0115] 63 First stopper (stopper);

[0116] 64 Second stopper;

[0117] 65 Rod;

[0118] 71 First guide tube (guide member);

[0119] 151 Gripping part.

Claims

1. A medium support device, comprising: a support mechanism that rotatably supports a roller around which a sheet-like medium is wound; and a guide member that extends in a first direction parallel to the axis of the roller and supports the support mechanism so as to be slidable along the first direction, wherein the support mechanism includes: a roller support member having a roller mounting portion for mounting the roller and rotatably supporting the roller; a support member having a rotating shaft rotatably supporting the roller mounting portion and a cylindrical portion provided with an insertion through-hole penetrating in the first direction and a first stopper hole penetrating radially to the insertion through-hole, and the insertion through-hole is inserted with the guide member; a stopper buried in the support member and exposed to the inner peripheral surface of the insertion through-hole through the first stopper hole; and a fixing portion having an eccentric cam provided on the support member and rotatable, and fixing the support member to the guide member in a non-slidable manner, wherein the stopper retracts to the outside of the insertion through-hole or appears in the insertion through-hole by being pressed by the eccentric cam according to the rotational position of the eccentric cam, and by the stopper appearing in the insertion through-hole and abutting against the guide member, the support member is fixed to the guide member in a non-slidable manner.

2. The medium support device according to claim 1, wherein the stopper is made of an elastic material.

3. The medium support device according to claim 1, wherein the fixing portion includes a rod connected to the eccentric cam and rotating the eccentric cam, the stopper appears in the insertion through-hole and abuts against the guide member inserted in the insertion through-hole when the eccentric cam is in a predetermined first rotational position, and the rod abuts against the outer surface of the support member at a position corresponding to the first rotational position of the eccentric cam.

4. The medium support device according to claim 3, wherein the rod has a shape similar to the outer surface of the support member and is configured to follow the outer surface of the support member at a position corresponding to the first rotational position of the eccentric cam.

5. The medium support device according to claim 1, wherein the fixing portion includes: a second eccentric cam that rotates synchronously with the eccentric cam around a common rotation axis; and a second stopper that appears in the insertion through-hole according to the rotational position of the second eccentric cam and abuts against the guide member synchronously with the stopper.

6. The medium support device according to claim 5, wherein the support member includes a support portion that extends in a direction intersecting the first direction and is connected to the cylindrical portion and supports the rotating shaft, the first stopper hole opens at a portion of the insertion through-hole on the side closer to the first direction than the support portion, a second stopper hole is provided in the cylindrical portion, the second stopper hole opens at a portion of the insertion through-hole on the other side closer to the first direction than the support portion, and the second stopper appears in the insertion through-hole on the other side closer to the support portion.

7. A printer, comprising: A medium supply device, including the medium support device according to claim 1, supplies the medium from the roller supported by the medium support device; and A print head forms an image on the medium supplied from the medium supply device.

8. A printer includes: A print head forms an image on a medium; and A winding device, including the medium support device according to claim 1, winds the medium on which an image has been formed by the print head using the medium support device to form the roller.

Images