Printer

Abstract

This invention discloses a printer that simplifies the structure of a retainer while maintaining good operability and reliable guidance of roll paper. The printer has a retainer that supports and allows rotation of a roll of printing media, and a printing section that prints on the roll of printing media continuously fed from the retainer. The retainer includes a shaft member inserted into a support hole formed axially in the roll of printing media; a moving member configured to slide relative to the shaft member axially and having a guide member that can be erected or lowered relative to the shaft member; a force-applying member that presses the shaft member and the moving member together and restricts the sliding movement of the moving member relative to the shaft member; and an adjusting member that makes the pressing force between the shaft member and the moving member based on the force-applying member greater in the erected state than in the lowered state.

Description

[0001] This application claims priority to Japanese application No. JP2022-171480, filed on October 26, 2022, and incorporates the contents of the aforementioned application in their entirety. Technical Field

[0002] Embodiments of the present invention relate to a printer. Background Technology

[0003] Currently, printers that print on printing media wound into rolls (hereinafter also referred to as "roll paper") are known. For example, in a label printer that prints on backing paper with multiple labels affixed at predetermined intervals, printing is performed on the surface of the labels by successively feeding the wound backing paper to the printing unit. Roll paper has a backing paper with labels attached and a roll support, which is also referred to as the paper tube wound around the backing paper.

[0004] In this type of printer, a proposed design includes a retainer that rotatably supports the paper roll while guiding it to prevent movement in the width direction. The retainer has a support shaft for inserting a paper tube into the paper roll and a guide mounted on the support shaft in a manner that allows it to be tilted up or down. When the support shaft is inserted into the paper tube, the guide is tilted down to allow insertion into the paper tube; after the support shaft is inserted into the paper tube, the guide is tilted up to guide the paper roll in the width direction. Furthermore, the guide is configured to be movable axially (in the width direction of the paper roll) relative to the support shaft to match the width of the paper roll being used for guidance.

[0005] The preferred guide exerts less braking force on the shaft component when in the fallen state, allowing the user to easily align it. Conversely, the preferred guide exerts greater braking force on the shaft component when in the upright state, ensuring reliable guidance of the paper roll.

[0006] As a known feature of printer retainers in the prior art, a simple structure is employed where a support shaft and a guide are pressed together by a spring, applying a braking force to the guide and restricting its movement. However, in this case, the braking force applied to the guide is the same in both the collapsed and upright states, and there is a trade-off between improved user operability in the collapsed state and reliable guidance of the paper roll in the upright state. Therefore, a technology is desired that simplifies the structure of the retainer supporting the paper roll while simultaneously achieving good operability and reliable guidance of the paper roll. Summary of the Invention

[0007] In view of the above problems, the present invention aims to provide a printer that simplifies the structure of the retaining element while ensuring good operability and reliable guidance of the roll paper.

[0008] To solve the above problems, the printer of the embodiment is a printer having a retainer that supports and allows rotation of a roll of printing medium, and a printing section that prints on the roll of printing medium that is successively fed from the retainer. The retainer includes a shaft member inserted into a support hole formed in the axial direction of the roll of printing medium, a moving member configured to slide relative to the shaft member in the axial direction and having a guide member that can be erected or lowered relative to the shaft member, a force-applying member that presses the shaft member and the moving member together and restricts the sliding movement of the moving member relative to the shaft member, and an adjusting member that makes the pressing force of the shaft member and the moving member based on the force-applying member greater in the erected state of the guide member than in the lowered state.

[0009] Based on the printer described above, a printer can be provided that simplifies the structure of the retaining element while ensuring good operability and reliable guidance of roll-type printing media.

[0010] In the printer described above, the adjustment component includes: a force-applying component support portion for supporting the force-applying component; a pressing portion for being pressed against the shaft component by force applied through the force-applying component; and a guide component support portion for supporting the guide component and enabling it to stand up and fall down.

[0011] The printer described above will not complicate the structure supporting the guide component and enabling it to stand up and fall down, nor will it complicate the structure supporting the force-applying component. It will also reduce the braking force when the guide component is in the fallen state and increase it when it is in the standing state.

[0012] In the printer described above, the guide member includes a pressing part, which corresponds to the uprighting action of the guide member relative to the shaft member, and presses the adjusting member in the direction that compresses the force-applying member.

[0013] The printer described above can be linked to the lifting action of the guide component to change the braking force based on the force-applying component.

[0014] In the printer described above, the guide member support includes a pressing part that presses the connecting shaft part, the connecting shaft part connecting the guide member and enabling it to stand up and fall down, and a pressing part corresponding to the standing action relative to the shaft part, entering between the connecting shaft part and the pressing part and pressing the adjustment member.

[0015] The printer described above can be linked to the lifting action of the guide component to change the braking force based on the force-applying component.

[0016] In the printer described above, the pressing part has a tapered tip that can be inserted between the connecting shaft part and the pressing part.

[0017] The printer described above can smoothly perform the erection action of the guide component used to change the braking force based on the force-applying component.

[0018] In the printer described above, the moving part is positioned to protrude from the shaft part.

[0019] According to the printer described above, the guide component can be easily positioned in the axial direction of the shaft component at a position corresponding to the width of the roll-shaped printing medium.

[0020] In the printer described above, the guide member has multiple recesses on its inner surface side facing the roll of printing medium paper when it is in the upright state.

[0021] According to the printer described above, the guide component ensures strength while enabling the roll-shaped printing medium to rotate smoothly by reducing the contact area with the rotating roll-shaped printing medium.

[0022] In the printer described above, the moving part includes a connecting shaft portion that supports the guide member, allowing it to rotate relative to the adjusting member. The guide member includes a shaft support portion that slides in contact with the outer peripheral surface of half of the connecting shaft portion. An arcuate surface formed on the outer periphery of the shaft support portion of the guide member slides on the upper surface of the shaft member.

[0023] The printer described above allows the guide components to stand up smoothly.

[0024] In the printer described above, the shaft component has a guide hole of a predetermined length formed along the axial direction, into which the moving component is inserted.

[0025] According to the printer described above, it is possible to guide the movement in the guide hole and allow the moving part to slide axially on the shaft component.

[0026] In the printer described above, the roll-shaped printing medium is a roll of label paper wound into a roll shape, and the printing unit is a thermal printhead with a structure in which multiple heating elements are neatly arranged.

[0027] Based on the printer described above, it is possible to provide a printer that prints on labels, which simplifies the structure of the retainer while ensuring good operability and reliable guidance of the roll paper. Attached Figure Description

[0028] Figure 1This is a schematic diagram illustrating the general configuration of the label printer involved in the embodiment.

[0029] Figure 2 This diagram illustrates the first state when a roll of paper is set in the label printer described in the embodiment.

[0030] Figure 3 This diagram illustrates a second state when a roll of paper is set in the label printer described in the embodiment.

[0031] Figure 4 This diagram illustrates a third state when a roll of paper is set in the label printer described in the embodiment.

[0032] Figure 5 This is a diagram showing the essential parts of the retainer of the label printer involved in the embodiment.

[0033] Figure 6 This is a diagram showing the appearance of the retainer in the label printer according to the embodiment, when the guide member is in a folded-down state.

[0034] Figure 7 This is a diagram showing the appearance of the retainer in the label printer according to the embodiment, when the guide member is in the upright state.

[0035] Figure 8 This is a diagram illustrating the operation of the retainer of the label printer involved in the embodiment, and it shows the guide member in a tilted state.

[0036] Figure 9 This is a diagram illustrating the operation of the retainer of the label printer involved in the embodiment, and also a diagram showing the state of the guide member during the transition from a fallen state to an upright state.

[0037] Figure 10 This is a diagram illustrating the operation of the retainer of the label printer involved in the embodiment, and it shows the guide member in an upright state.

[0038] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures

[0039] 1. Label printer (printer)

[0040] 13 Printheads (Printing Section)

[0041] 30 Retaining parts

[0042] 31 shaft components

[0043] 32 Moving parts

[0044] 33. Guiding components

[0045] 34 Adjustment components

[0046] 35 coil spring (force-applying component)

[0047] 321 Connecting shaft section (guide component support section)

[0048] 341 Spring receiving part (force-applying component support part)

[0049] 342. Columnar section (support section for force-applying components)

[0050] 344 Connecting part (Guide component support part)

[0051] 3331 Pressing Part

[0052] 3332 Top part

[0053] 3441 Pressing Department Detailed Implementation

[0054] Hereinafter, with reference to the accompanying drawings, a printer according to an embodiment will be described in detail. Furthermore, the embodiments described below are not intended to limit the invention. For example, in this embodiment, a label printer for printing on labels will be described as an example of a printer, but it is not limited thereto. Any printer that prints on roll-to-roll printing media is acceptable.

[0055] First, let me explain the general structure of a label printer. Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the general configuration of the label printer involved in the embodiment.

[0056] The label printer 1 houses the roll of paper RP, which is formed by winding label paper LP into a roll, inside the housing 2. The roll of paper RP is rotatably supported by the retainer 30 (described later). Figure 2 (etc.). Roll paper RP is an example of roll-shaped printing media. Multiple labels are pasted at specified intervals onto a long strip of backing paper on label paper LP. Label printer 1 prints on the labels while pulling the label paper LP out of the roll paper RP.

[0057] The label printer 1 includes a conveyor roller 11, a pressure roller 12, a print head 13, a label spacing detection sensor 14, a peel guide 15, a take-up roller 16, and a peel detection sensor 17 inside the housing 2. Additionally, the label printer 1 also includes a ribbon holding shaft 21, a ribbon take-up shaft 22, and a guide shaft 23 inside the housing 2.

[0058] The conveyor roller 11 has a drive roller 111 and two auxiliary rollers 112. Label sheets LP drawn from the roll paper RP are inserted between the drive roller 111 and the auxiliary rollers 112. The pressure roller 12 is positioned opposite the print head 13. Label sheets LP are inserted between the pressure roller 12 and the print head 13.

[0059] The drive roller 111 and the pressure roller 12 are driven to rotate by a first drive motor (not shown). For example, when printing on label paper LP, the first drive motor causes the drive roller 111 and the pressure roller 12 to rotate counterclockwise in the figure, conveying the label paper LP toward the discharge port 3. Additionally, after printing a label, in order to return the next label to the printing start position, the first drive motor causes the drive roller 111 and the pressure roller 12 to rotate clockwise in the figure, conveying the label paper LP in the opposite direction.

[0060] The printhead 13 is an example of a printing unit that prints on a roll of printing media fed sequentially from the holder 30. In this embodiment, the printhead 13 is a thermal printhead with a structure in which multiple heating elements are neatly arranged. The printhead 13 prints labels on label paper LP sandwiched between the pressure roller 12 and the printhead 13 by heating the heating element corresponding to the printing pattern.

[0061] Specifically, the ink ribbon IR is inserted between the pressure roller 12 and the print head 13. The ink applied to the ink ribbon IR is transferred onto the label paper LP through the heated print head 13.

[0062] The ink ribbon IR is suspended between the ribbon holding shaft 21 and the ribbon take-up shaft 22. The ribbon holding shaft 21 winds unused ink ribbon IR into a roll. The ribbon take-up shaft 22 is the shaft used to wind the ink ribbon IR. Additionally, the guide shaft 23 is a guide component used to guide the ink ribbon IR suspended between the ribbon holding shaft 21 and the ribbon take-up shaft 22 to a predetermined position. When printing label paper LP, the ribbon take-up shaft 22 is driven by a second drive motor (not shown) to rotate clockwise in the figure and wind up the ink ribbon IR.

[0063] Furthermore, the printhead 13 moves up and down via a moving mechanism (not shown) such as a solenoid. Accordingly, the label printer 1 can switch between a state where the printhead 13 is pressed against the pressure roller 12 via the ink ribbon IR and the label paper LP, and a state where the printhead 13 is away from the pressure roller 12 and not pressed. When printing on the label paper LP, the printhead 13 is pressed against the pressure roller 12 via the ink ribbon IR. Additionally, during printing, the ink ribbon take-up shaft 22 takes the ink ribbon IR at a speed corresponding to the transport speed of the label paper LP; when the printhead 13 is in the aforementioned non-pressed state, take-up stops.

[0064] A label spacing detection sensor 14 is disposed on the transport path of the label paper LP between the transport roller 11 and the pressure roller 12. The label spacing detection sensor 14 detects the gap between labels (hereinafter also referred to as "label spacing") from the label paper LP. For example, the label spacing detection sensor 14 can be implemented by a transmissive sensor composed of a light-emitting element and a light-receiving element. The label spacing detection sensor 14 detects the label spacing based on the light-receiving level of the light-receiving element when the label paper LP is transported.

[0065] The label printer 1 infers the label position based on the position of the label interval detected by the label interval detection sensor 14, and performs position adjustments such as positioning the label at the printing start position of the print head 13 and adjusting the printing timing.

[0066] The printed label paper LP is separated into a backing paper and a label by the peeling guide 15. The peeling guide 15 is formed in a V shape with two surfaces that intersect each other at an acute angle. The peeling guide 15 causes the label paper LP conveyed toward the discharge port 3 to flex and peel off the backing paper and the label. The backing paper with the label peeled off is wound by the take-up roller 16, while the label peeled off from the backing paper is discharged (dispensed) from the discharge port 3 provided in the housing 2.

[0067] The take-up roller 16 takes up the backing paper from which the label has been peeled off. The take-up roller 16 is driven to rotate by a third drive motor (not shown). For example, when printing label paper LP, the third drive motor causes the take-up roller 16 to rotate counterclockwise in the figure and take up the backing paper (label paper LP) from which the label has been peeled off.

[0068] A peel detection sensor 17 is positioned near the discharge port 3 to detect whether a label has peeled off from the backing paper. The peel detection sensor 17 can be implemented, for example, as a transmissive sensor composed of a light-emitting element and a light-receiving element.

[0069] When the peel detection sensor 17 detects a label, the label printer 1 temporarily stops feeding and printing the label paper LP. Then, when the user removes the label from the outlet 3, the peel detection sensor 17 detects that no label is present. With the peel detection sensor 17 detecting the absence of a label, the label printer 1 resumes feeding and printing the label paper LP.

[0070] Specifically, when printing restarts, label printer 1 feeds the label paper LP in the opposite direction to the printing feed direction by a predetermined amount in order to return the next label, after the peeled label, to the printing start position of printhead 13. Then, when label printer 1 has completed the reverse feeding, it prints the next label and dispenses the printed label from discharge outlet 3.

[0071] Next, the method for setting the roll paper RP on the label printer 1 will be explained. Figure 2 This diagram shows the first state when the roll paper RP is set. The first state is the state before the roll paper RP is supported by the retainer 30. The retainer 30 and the damping roller 40 are provided on the housing 2 of the label printer 1.

[0072] The retainer 30 includes a shaft member 31 and a movable member 32 that protrudes from the shaft member 31 and is slidably disposed relative to the shaft member 31. The shaft member 31 is mounted to the housing 2 via a cantilever support structure axially mounted to one end of the housing 2. The movable member 32 is configured to slide axially relative to the shaft member 31. Furthermore, the movable member 32 includes a guide member 33 that can be raised and lowered relative to the shaft member 31. Details regarding the structure of the retainer 30 will be described later.

[0073] The damping roller 40 is mounted on the housing 2 via a cantilever support structure, with one end mounted axially in the same manner as the shaft component 31. The damping roller 40 mitigates the impact applied to the roll paper RP at the moment the slack on the label paper LP disappears during the printing operation by suspending the label paper LP drawn from the roll paper RP. Specifically, when the first drive motor drives the conveying of the label paper LP in a slack state, the damping roller 40 mitigates the impact applied to the roll paper RP at the moment the slack on the label paper LP disappears.

[0074] The roll of paper RP should be supported on the retainer 30, such as... Figure 2 As shown, the user must position the guide member 33 in a tilted-down position toward the shaft member 31 (hereinafter also referred to as the "tilted-down position"). That is, the user positions the guide member 33 so that it extends axially along the upper surface of the shaft member 31.

[0075] Next, in Figure 2 In this process, the user moves the paper roll RP in the direction of the arrow and inserts the shaft member 31 and the guide member 33 into the support hole H (the hole of the paper tube) formed in the axial direction of the paper roll RP. Accordingly, the paper roll RP is supported by the retainer 30. More specifically, the inner surface of the paper tube of the paper roll RP is placed on the shaft member 31. At this time, the user pulls the label paper LP from the paper roll RP and places it on the damping roller 40.

[0076] Figure 3 This diagram shows the second state when the paper roll RP is set. As described above, the second state is when the paper roll RP is supported by the retainer 30. In the second state, the paper roll RP is not positioned axially (in the width direction of the paper roll RP) along the shaft member 31. Figure 3In this process, the user slides the guide member 33, which protrudes from the shaft member 31, in the direction of the arrow until one end of the guide member 33 abuts against the roll of paper RP supported by the shaft member 31. Accordingly, the guide member 33 is positioned in the axial direction of the shaft member 31 at a position corresponding to the width of the roll of paper RP.

[0077] Figure 4 This diagram shows the third state when the paper roll RP is being set. The third state is when the paper roll RP is already set on the retainer 30. After the guide member 33 is positioned, the user can set the paper roll RP on the retainer 30 by making the guide member 33 upright relative to the shaft member 31 (hereinafter also referred to as the "upright state"). The user can do this by making the other end (top) of the guide member 33... Figure 4 The guide member 33 can be rotated in the direction indicated by the arrow to make the guide member 33 stand upright relative to the shaft member 31.

[0078] exist Figure 4 In the third state shown, the retainer 30 supports the paper tube of the paper roll RP via the shaft member 31, thereby rotatably supporting the paper roll RP. Furthermore, the retainer 30 abuts against the end face of the paper roll RP in the width direction via the guide member 33, thereby guiding the paper roll RP to prevent axial movement. In other words, the retainer 30 can rotatably support the paper roll RP while restricting axial movement of the paper roll RP.

[0079] Next, the structure of the retainer 30 will be explained in detail. Figure 5 This is a diagram showing the essential part of retaining component 30. Additionally, in... Figure 5 In the diagram, for ease of understanding the structure of the retainer 30, a portion of the retainer 30 is omitted. The retainer 30 has a shaft member 31, a moving member 32 including a guide member 33 and an adjusting member 34, and a coil spring 35. The coil spring 35 is an example of a force-applying member.

[0080] As described above, one axial end of the shaft component 31 is cantilevered and supported on the housing 2. The shaft component 31 has a guide hole 311 of a predetermined length formed along the axial direction. The guide hole 311 is in Figure 5 The shaft component 31 extends vertically through the shaft component 31. The movable component 32 is inserted into the guide hole 311. The movable component 32 is guided in the guide hole 311 and is able to slide axially in the shaft component 31.

[0081] The moving part 32 has a guide part 33 and an adjusting part 34. In addition, the moving part 32 includes a connecting shaft 321, which supports the guide part 33 and allows it to rotate relative to the adjusting part 34.

[0082] The guide member 33 is formed in a flat plate shape. When the paper roll RP is installed, the guide member 33 is in an upright position relative to the shaft member 31. In the upright position, the guide member 33 has multiple recesses 331 on its inner surface facing the paper roll RP. Additionally, the guide member 33 has a flat portion on its outer surface not facing the paper roll RP in the upright position. The multiple recesses 331 are formed between multiple ribs (rib arches) 332. Accordingly, while ensuring the strength of the guide member 33, the contact area with the rotating paper roll RP is reduced, thereby enabling the paper roll RP to rotate smoothly.

[0083] The guide member 33 is configured to be able to stand up and fall down relative to the shaft member 31. Specifically, the guide member 33 is rotatably supported by the connecting shaft portion 321, thereby being able to stand up and fall down relative to the shaft member 31.

[0084] The guide member 33 has a shaft support portion 333 that slides in contact with approximately half of the outer peripheral surface of the connecting shaft portion 321. By sliding the shaft support portion 333 on the outer peripheral surface of the connecting shaft portion 321, the guide member 33 is rotatably supported on the connecting shaft portion 321. The shaft support portion 333 has a pressing portion 3331 that, when the guide member 33 is in the upright state, enters between the connecting shaft portion 321 and a pressing portion 3441 formed on the adjusting member 34, and presses the pressing portion 3441 upward. Details regarding the pressing portion 3441 will be described later.

[0085] When the guide member 33 is in the fallen state, the pressing part 3331 does not enter between the connecting shaft part 321 and the pressing part 3441, but enters between the connecting shaft part 321 and the pressing part 3441 in response to the uprighting action of the guide member 33. The top part 3332 of the pressing part 3331 is formed into a cone shape so as to easily enter between the connecting shaft part 321 and the pressing part 3441 in response to the uprighting action of the guide member 33.

[0086] The adjusting component 34 includes a spring receiving part 341, a columnar part 342, a washer 343, and a connecting part 344.

[0087] The spring receiving portion 341 is formed in the shape of a flat plate at the lower end of the adjusting member 34. The spring receiving portion 341 abuts against the lower end of the coil spring 35. The columnar portion 342 is configured to protrude upward from the spring receiving portion 341. The columnar portion 342 is inserted into the center of the coil spring 35. The spring receiving portion 341 and the columnar portion 342 constitute a support portion for the force-applying member.

[0088] The washer 343 is formed in a disc shape, with a central hole for inserting the columnar portion 342 in the center. The diameter of the central hole is smaller than the outer diameter of the coil spring 35, and the lower surface of the washer 343 abuts against the coil spring 35. In other words, the coil spring 35 is kept in a compressed state by the spring receiving portion 341 and the washer 343.

[0089] The upper surface of washer 343 abuts against shaft member 31. That is, washer 343 is pressed against shaft member 31 by force applied by helical spring 35. This is an example of washer 343 being pressed against the pressing portion of shaft member 31 by force applied by force-applying member.

[0090] The connecting portion 344 is configured to protrude upward from the columnar portion 342 and pass through the guide hole 311. The upper end of the connecting portion 344 includes a flat pressing portion 3441. When the guide member 33 is in the fallen state, the pressing portion 3441 presses against the upper part of the connecting shaft portion 321. In addition, when the guide member 33 is in the upright state, the pressing portion 3441 moves upward by being pressed by the pressing portion 3331.

[0091] The guide member 33 is rotatably supported relative to the adjusting member 34 via the connecting portion 344 and the connecting shaft portion 321. As a result, the guide member 33 is supported relative to the shaft member 31 by the connecting portion 344 and the connecting shaft portion 321. The connecting portion 344 and the connecting shaft portion 321 constitute a guide member support portion that supports the guide member 33 so that it can be uprighted or folded down.

[0092] Figure 6 This diagram shows the appearance of the retainer 30 when the guide member 33 is in the folded-down state. A portion of the planar outer surface of the guide member 33 rests on the upper surface of the shaft member 31. The guide member 33 and the shaft member 31 are held in a horizontal state together. The bottom surface 334 of the guide member 33 is orthogonal to the upper surface of the shaft member 31.

[0093] The width of the guide member 33 (its length in the direction orthogonal to the axial direction of the shaft member 31 in the horizontal direction) is approximately the same as the width of the shaft member 31. The width of the guide member 33 and the width of the shaft member 31 are smaller than the diameter of the support hole H formed in the axial direction of the paper roll RP. Furthermore, the sum of the thickness of the guide member 33 (its length in the direction orthogonal to the axial direction of the shaft member 31 in the vertical direction) and the thickness of the shaft member 31 is also smaller than the diameter of the support hole H formed in the axial direction of the paper roll RP. Therefore, in the folded-down state, the guide member 33 and the shaft member 31 can be inserted into the support hole H of the paper roll RP.

[0094] Figure 7This is a diagram showing the appearance of the retainer 30 when the guide member 33 is in the upright position. The bottom surface 334 of the guide member 33 is in surface contact with the upper surface of the shaft member 31 in order to maintain the upright position of the guide member 33.

[0095] Next, the erection action of the guide member 33 relative to the shaft member 31 will be explained. Figure 8 This diagram illustrates the operation of the retainer 30 and shows the guide member 33 in a folded-down state. In this state, the lower part of the connecting shaft portion 321 abuts against the arcuate surface of the shaft support portion 333 of the guide member 33. Furthermore, the upper part of the connecting shaft portion 321 abuts against the pressing portion 3441 of the adjusting member 34.

[0096] At this time, the pressing part 3331 of the guide member 33 does not enter between the connecting shaft part 321 and the pressing part 3441 of the adjusting member 34. Therefore, the pressing part 3331 does not push the pressing part 3441 upward, and the spring receiving part 341 does not move upward. The spring length of the coil spring 35 in this state is La.

[0097] Figure 9 This diagram illustrates the operation of the retaining member 30 and shows the state of the guide member 33 during the transition from the folded state to the upright state. When the user uprights the guide member 33, the guide member 33 rotates in the direction of the arrow in the diagram. As a result, the arcuate surface formed on the outer periphery of the shaft support portion 333 of the guide member 33 slides on the upper surface of the shaft member 31. Therefore, the user can smoothly upright the guide member 33.

[0098] When the guide member 33 stands up from its fallen position, the top end 3332 of the pressing part 3331 in the rotation direction enters between the connecting shaft part 321 and the pressing part 3441 of the adjusting member 34. At this time, the lower surface of the pressing part 3441 is flat, forming a gap with the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical connecting shaft part 321. Furthermore, the top end 3332 of the pressing part 3331 in the rotation direction is tapered. Therefore, the pressing part 3331 can smoothly enter between the connecting shaft part 321 and the pressing part 3441 in response to the standing up action of the guide member 33.

[0099] The pressing part 3331 moves upward by overcoming the force of the coil spring 35 by entering between the connecting shaft part 321 and the pressing part 3441. The user rotates the guide member 33 in the direction of the arrow until the planar bottom surface 334 of the guide member 33 comes into contact with the upper surface of the shaft member 31.

[0100] Figure 10This diagram illustrates the operation of the retaining member 30 and shows the guide member 33 in an upright position. In this state, the bottom surface 334 of the planar guide member 33 is in surface contact with the upper surface of the shaft member 31. Accordingly, the guide member 33 can be maintained in a stable upright position.

[0101] In this state, the pressing part 3331 of the guide member 33 is inserted between the connecting shaft part 321 and the pressing part 3441 of the adjusting member 34. Therefore, the pressing part 3331 counteracts the force of the coil spring 35 and pushes the pressing part 3441 upward. By pushing the pressing part 3441, the spring receiving part 341, which is integrally formed with the pressing part 3441, is also pushed upward. Accordingly, the coil spring 35 is compressed, and its spring length is Lb.

[0102] Figure 10 The spring length Lb of the helical spring 35 when the guide component 33 is in the upright position is compared to... Figure 8 The spring length La is shorter when the guide member 33 is in the fallen state. That is, the compression of the coil spring 35 is greater when the guide member 35 is in the upright state than when the guide member 33 is in the fallen state.

[0103] Therefore, the retainer 30 enables the pressing force between the washer 343 and the shaft member 31, based on the force of the coil spring 35, to be greater when the guide member 33 is in the upright state than when it is in the folded state. In other words, the retainer 30 enables the braking force of the sliding movement of the moving member 32, composed of the guide member 33 and the adjusting member 34, relative to the shaft member 31 to be greater when the guide member 33 is in the upright state than when it is in the folded state.

[0104] Therefore, when the user places the paper roll RP on the retainer 30, the retainer 30 improves the user's operability because it reduces the operating force required to match the width of the guide member 33 with the paper roll RP. Furthermore, with the paper roll RP in place, the braking force on the sliding movement of the upright guide member 33 is increased, thus the retainer 30 reliably guides the paper roll RP.

[0105] In summary, the retainer 30 of this embodiment has a simple structure that applies braking force to the sliding movement of the guide member 33 using a helical spring 35, and can reduce the braking force when the guide member 33 is in the fallen state and increase the braking force when it is in the upright state. Accordingly, the retainer 30 can balance improved user operability and reliable guidance of the roll paper RP.

[0106] As described above, the label printer 1 of this embodiment is a printer having a retainer 30 and a printhead 13, wherein the retainer 30 supports the roll paper RP and allows it to rotate, and the printhead 13 prints on the roll paper RP that is successively fed from the retainer 30. The retainer 30 includes a shaft member 31 inserted into a support hole H formed in the axial direction of the roll paper RP, a movable member 32 that is slidably disposed relative to the shaft member 31 in the axial direction and has a guide member 33 that can be erected and lowered relative to the shaft member, a coil spring 35 that presses the shaft member 31 and the movable member 32 together and restricts the sliding movement of the movable member 32 relative to the shaft member 31, and an adjustment member 34 that makes the pressing force between the shaft member 31 and the movable member 32 based on the coil spring 35 greater in the erected state of the guide member 33 than in the lowered state of the guide member 33.

[0107] Accordingly, by adopting a structure that applies braking force to the sliding movement of the guide member 33 via the helical spring 35, the structure of the retainer 30 of the label printer 1 can be simplified. Furthermore, the label printer 1 can reduce the braking force based on the helical spring 35 when the guide member 33 is in the fallen state and increase the braking force based on the helical spring 35 when the guide member 33 is in the upright state, thus balancing improved user operability with reliable guidance of the roll paper RP.

[0108] Furthermore, in the label printer 1 of this embodiment, the adjustment component 34 includes a force-applying component support portion (spring receiving portion 341 and columnar portion 342) that supports the helical spring 35, a washer 343 that is pressed against the shaft component 31 by the force applied by the helical spring 35, and a guide component support portion (connecting portion 344 and connecting shaft portion 321) that supports the guide component 33 so that it can stand up and fall down.

[0109] Accordingly, the label printer 1 does not complicate the structure of the supporting guide member 33, which enables it to stand up and fall down, or the structure of the supporting helical spring 35. It can reduce the braking force based on the helical spring 35 when the guide member 33 is in the fallen state and increase it when it is in the standing state.

[0110] Furthermore, in the label printer 1 of this embodiment, the guide member 33 includes a pressing part 3331, which corresponds to the standing action relative to the shaft member 31 and presses the adjusting member 34 in the direction that compresses the helical spring 35.

[0111] Furthermore, in the label printer 1 of this embodiment, the guide member support (connecting part 344 and connecting shaft part 321) includes a pressing part 3441, which presses the connecting guide member 33 and enables it to stand up and fall down the connecting shaft part 321. The pressing part 3441 enters between the connecting shaft part 321 and the pressing part 3441 in accordance with the standing action of the guide member 33 relative to the shaft member 31, and presses the adjusting member 34.

[0112] Accordingly, the label printer 1 can be linked with the lifting action of the guide component 33 to change the braking force based on the coil spring 35.

[0113] In addition, in the label printer 1 of this embodiment, the pressing part 3331 is formed with a tapered top end part 3332 that can be inserted between the connecting shaft part 321 and the pressing part 3441.

[0114] Accordingly, the label printer 1 can smoothly perform the lifting action of the guide member 33 for changing the braking force based on the helical spring 35.

[0115] So far, while embodiments of the present invention have been described, these embodiments are presented as examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These novel embodiments can be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions, substitutions, and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. These embodiments and their variations are all included within the scope and spirit of the invention, and are included within the scope of the invention as described in the claims and its equivalents.

Claims

1. A printer comprising a retainer that supports and allows rotation of a roll-shaped printing medium, and a printing section that prints on the roll-shaped printing medium continuously fed from the retainer, characterized in that, The retaining element includes: A shaft component is inserted into a support hole formed in the axial direction of the roll-shaped printing medium; The movable component is configured to slide relative to the shaft component in the axial direction and has a guide component that can be erected and lowered relative to the shaft component; A force-applying component presses the shaft component and the moving component together, and restricts the sliding movement of the moving component relative to the shaft component; and The adjusting component is configured such that the pressing force between the shaft component and the moving component, based on the force-applying component, is greater in the upright state of the guide component than in the fallen state, wherein... The adjustment component includes: A force-applying component support section supports the force-applying component; The crimping portion is crimped to the shaft component by force applied by the force-applying member; and A guide component support section supports the guide component and enables it to stand upright and then fall down. The guiding component includes a pressing part, which corresponds to the uprighting action of the guiding component relative to the shaft component, pressing the adjusting component in the direction that compresses the force-applying component. The guide component support includes a pressing part that presses against the connecting shaft, the connecting shaft connecting the guide component and enabling it to stand upright and then fall down. The pressing part corresponds to the standing action relative to the shaft component, and enters between the connecting shaft part and the pressing part to press the adjusting component.

2. The printer according to claim 1, wherein, The pressing part has a tapered tip that can be inserted between the connecting shaft part and the pressing part.

3. The printer according to claim 1, wherein, The moving part is positioned to protrude from the shaft part.

4. The printer according to claim 1, wherein, The guide member has multiple recesses on its inner surface side opposite the roll of printing medium paper when it is upright.

5. The printer according to claim 1, wherein, The moving component includes a connecting shaft that supports the guiding component, allowing it to rotate relative to the adjusting component. The guiding component includes a shaft support portion that slides in contact with the outer peripheral surface of one half of the connecting shaft portion. The arcuate surface formed on the outer periphery of the shaft support portion of the guide member slides on the upper surface of the shaft member.

6. The printer according to claim 1, wherein, The shaft component has a guide hole of a predetermined length formed along the axial direction, into which the moving component is inserted.

7. The printer according to claim 1, wherein, The roll-shaped printing medium is a roll of label paper wound into a roll shape, and the printing unit is a thermal printhead with a structure in which multiple heating elements are neatly arranged.

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