A paper feeder for a ticket printer

Abstract

The application relates to a paper feeder for a bill printer. The paper feeder for the bill printer comprises a rack body, a paper inlet, a paper outlet, a recycling port, a driving assembly, a first paper feeding roller assembly, a second paper feeding roller assembly and a control module; the paper inlet and the recycling port are arranged at the upper and lower ends of the rear side plate of the rack body; the paper outlet is arranged at the middle position of the front side of the rack body; the driving assembly is installed on the rack body and connected with the first paper feeding roller assembly; the first paper feeding roller assembly and the second paper feeding roller assembly are arranged in parallel in the inner cavity of the rack body in the up-down direction; and the control module is in communication connection with the driving assembly. The scheme provided by the application can effectively and smoothly recycle paper, effectively reduces the problems of paper waste or information leakage, has a simple structure, greatly reduces the failure rate, improves the stability and consistency of the paper outlet and paper recycling actions, and is more suitable for bill printing scenes with high frequency, high intensity and high reliability requirements such as highways.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of printer equipment technology, and more particularly to a paper feeder for a receipt printer. Background Technology

[0002] The paper feeder of the receipt printer is the core actuator of a special receipt printer adapted for scenarios such as highways. It is mainly used to stably transport, accurately position, and smoothly output receipts, ensuring smooth paper feeding, accurate positioning, no paper jams, and no misalignment when printing vouchers. It is a key component for maintaining the printer's continuous and reliable operation and meeting the high-frequency printing needs on site.

[0003] Currently, most ticket printers used at highway toll stations use repeatedly folded tickets as the printing medium and generally lack paper recycling functionality. This results in the inability to effectively handle waste or erroneous tickets generated during printing, easily leading to paper waste and environmental pollution. Furthermore, tickets not recycled in a timely manner may pose a risk of information leakage. To address this issue, existing technologies such as CN117841545A have paper recycling capabilities, but they suffer from significant structural defects: their paper feed path and paper delivery roller are set on the same horizontal line, resulting in a long overall transmission path, numerous mating parts, and a complex and redundant structure. This not only makes assembly difficult but also easily leads to problems such as jamming, wear, and large synchronization errors, resulting in a high equipment failure rate, increased maintenance costs, and shortened service life, making it difficult to meet the long-term stable operation requirements of highway scenarios.

[0004] Therefore, there is an urgent need to design a paper feeder for ticket printers that can efficiently and smoothly recycle paper, effectively reducing environmental pollution or information leakage. It also eliminates the need for the oscillating plate used in existing technologies to switch between paper feeding and recycling. The structure is simple, effectively reducing the failure rate and improving the stability and consistency of paper feeding and recycling actions. It is better suited to ticket printing scenarios with high frequency, high intensity, and high reliability requirements, such as highways. Summary of the Invention

[0005] To overcome the problems existing in related technologies, this application provides a paper feeder for a receipt printer. This paper feeder can efficiently and smoothly recycle paper, effectively reducing environmental pollution or information leakage. Moreover, it eliminates the need for the oscillating plate used in existing technologies to switch between paper feeding and recycling. The structure is simple, effectively reducing the failure rate and improving the stability and consistency of paper feeding and recycling actions. It is better suited to receipt printing scenarios with high frequency, high intensity, and high reliability requirements, such as highways.

[0006] This application provides a paper feeder for a receipt printer, including a frame body, a paper inlet, a paper outlet, a paper return outlet, a drive assembly, a first paper feed roller assembly, a second paper feed roller assembly, and a control module. The paper inlet and the paper return outlet are located at the upper and lower ends of the rear side plate of the frame body. The paper outlet is located at the middle of the front side of the frame body. The drive assembly is mounted on the frame body and connected to the second paper feed roller assembly, and is used to drive the second paper feed roller assembly to rotate clockwise or counterclockwise. The first paper feed roller assembly and the second paper feed roller assembly are arranged parallel to each other in the vertical direction in the inner cavity of the frame body, wherein the first paper feed roller assembly can elastically press against the second paper feed roller assembly to form a paper feeding channel for clamping paper. The control module is communicatively connected to the drive assembly and is used to control the operation of the drive assembly.

[0007] In a preferred embodiment of this application, the frame body includes an upper cover plate, a left side plate, a right side plate, a front side plate, and a rear side plate; the upper cover plate is generally inverted L-shaped and located above the paper outlet; the left side plate and the right side plate are symmetrically arranged on both sides of the upper cover plate; the front side plate is located below the paper inlet, is generally C-shaped, and is connected to the left side plate and the right side plate respectively; the rear side plate is located between the paper outlet and the paper return port, and is connected to the left side plate and the right side plate respectively.

[0008] In a preferred embodiment of this application, the device further includes a circuit mounting bracket and a circuit board. The circuit mounting bracket is disposed in the inner cavity of the frame body and located above the first paper feeding roller assembly and the second paper feeding roller assembly, and is connected to the upper cover plate. The circuit board is fixedly mounted on the circuit mounting bracket and is communicatively connected to the control module. The circuit board is provided with a plurality of indicator lights, which pass through the upper cover plate and extend upward.

[0009] In a preferred embodiment of this application, a first reflection sensor and a second reflection sensor are further included; both the first reflection sensor and the second reflection sensor are mounted on the bottom of the circuit board and extend downward through the circuit mounting bracket, with the first reflection sensor located at the front end of the first paper feed roller assembly and the second reflection sensor located at the rear end of the first paper feed roller assembly.

[0010] In a preferred embodiment of this application, a first guide plate and a second guide plate are further included; the first guide plate is disposed on the rear end side of the circuit mounting bracket and is inclined from top to bottom toward the paper feeding channel; the second guide plate is disposed at the top of the rear side plate and is inclined downward along the inner extension direction, and together with the first guide plate, forms the paper inlet.

[0011] In a preferred embodiment of this application, the drive assembly includes a drive motor, a first transmission gear, and a second transmission gear; the drive motor is fixedly mounted on the frame body, and the output shaft of the drive motor passes through the frame body and extends outward; the first transmission gear is sleeved on the output shaft of the drive motor; the second transmission gear is sleeved on the second paper feeding roller assembly and meshes with the first transmission gear.

[0012] In a preferred embodiment of this application, both the first paper feeding roller assembly and the second paper feeding roller assembly include a roller shaft, a paper feeding roller, and a flange bearing; the outer ring of the flange bearing is fixed to the frame body, and the inner ring is tightly connected to the roller shaft; the roller shaft is rotatably mounted on the frame body through the flange bearing, and both ends of the roller shaft pass through the frame body and extend outward; the paper feeding roller is sleeved on the roller shaft and is interference-fitted with the roller shaft.

[0013] In a preferred embodiment of this application, a tension spring is also included; one end of the tension spring is disposed on the first paper feeding roller assembly, and the other end is fixed to the frame body by a fixing post; wherein the fixing post is fixedly disposed on the frame body and is located obliquely below the first paper feeding roller assembly.

[0014] In a preferred embodiment of this application, a third guide plate is also included; the third guide plate is disposed on the inner wall of the rear side plate, and is arc-shaped with the center of the arc facing inward.

[0015] In a preferred embodiment of this application, an upper guide plate and a lower guide plate are further included; one end of the upper guide plate is disposed on the inner side of the upper end of the paper outlet and extends downward in a direction from the inside to the outside; the lower guide plate is horizontally disposed on the inner side of the lower end of the paper outlet.

[0016] The technical solution provided in this application has the following beneficial effects: The paper feeder for the receipt printer of this application includes a frame body, a paper inlet, a paper outlet, a paper return outlet, a drive assembly, a first paper feed roller assembly, a second paper feed roller assembly, a first guide plate, a second guide plate, a third guide plate, a tension spring, and a control module. By driving the first and second paper feed roller assemblies to rotate clockwise or counterclockwise through the drive assembly, forward feeding and reverse recycling of receipts can be achieved, ensuring the smoothness and accuracy of receipts during printing, output, and recycling. This effectively reduces environmental pollution or information leakage problems, and eliminates the need for the swing plate used in existing technologies to switch between paper feeding and recycling, resulting in a simple structure and effectively reducing the failure rate. By setting the paper outlet higher than the paper feed channel, and with the coordinated action of the first and second guide plates, it ensures that receipts smoothly enter the paper feed channel, avoiding jamming or offset problems caused by angular deviations. By setting the arc-shaped third guide plate, discarded receipts can be effectively guided accurately into the recycling area, avoiding accumulation or blockage. By incorporating tension springs, appropriate elastic force can be consistently provided, ensuring a stable positive pressure between the first and second paper feed roller assemblies. This not only accommodates paper of varying thicknesses but also effectively clamps the paper, ensuring sufficient friction to move it. Furthermore, it compensates for wear and tear on components that may occur over long-term use, guaranteeing the reliability and stability of the equipment. The collaboration of these components not only simplifies the complex switching structure of traditional paper feeders but also significantly improves the reliability of the equipment, making it suitable for the high-frequency, high-intensity document processing needs of scenarios such as highways.

[0017] It should be understood that the above general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory only, and do not limit this application. Attached Figure Description

[0018] The above and other objects, features and advantages of this application will become more apparent from the more detailed description of exemplary embodiments thereof in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein the same reference numerals generally represent the same components in the exemplary embodiments thereof.

[0019] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a paper feeder for a receipt printer shown in an embodiment of this application; Figure 2 This is another schematic diagram of the paper feeder for a receipt printer shown in the embodiments of this application; Figure 3 This is an exploded view of a paper feeder for a receipt printer shown in an embodiment of this application; Figure 4 This is a cross-sectional schematic diagram of a paper feeder for a receipt printer shown in an embodiment of this application; Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the paper feeding state of a paper feeder for a receipt printer, as shown in an embodiment of this application; Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of another paper feeding state of the paper feeder for a receipt printer shown in an embodiment of this application; Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of the paper output state of the paper feeder for a receipt printer, as shown in an embodiment of this application; Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram of the paper recovery state of a paper feeder for a receipt printer, as shown in an embodiment of this application. Figure 9 This is a schematic diagram showing another state of paper recycling in the paper feeder of the receipt printer as illustrated in an embodiment of this application.

[0020] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures: 1. Frame body; 101. Top cover plate; 102. Left side plate; 103. Right side plate; 104. Front side plate; 105. Rear side plate; 2. Paper inlet; 3. Paper outlet; 4. Recycle inlet; 5. Drive assembly; 501. Drive motor; 502. First transmission gear; 503. Second transmission gear; 6. First paper feed roller assembly; 601. Roller shaft; 602. Paper feed roller; 603. Flange bearing; 7. Second paper feed roller assembly; 8. Circuit mounting bracket; 9. Circuit board; 901. Indicator light; 11. First reflection sensor; 12. Second reflection sensor; 13. First guide plate; 14. Second guide plate; 15. Tension spring; 16. Third guide plate; 17. Upper guide plate; 18. Lower guide plate; 19. Paper. Detailed Implementation

[0021] Preferred embodiments of the present application will now be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. While preferred embodiments of the present application are shown in the drawings, it should be understood that the present application may be implemented in various forms and should not be limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided to make the present application more thorough and complete, and to fully convey the scope of the present application to those skilled in the art.

[0022] The terminology used in this application is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the application. The singular forms “a,” “the,” and “the” used in this application and the appended claims are also intended to include the plural forms unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It should also be understood that the term “and / or” as used herein refers to and includes any or all possible combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.

[0023] It should be understood that although the terms "first," "second," "third," etc., may be used in this application to describe various information, this information should not be limited to these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish information of the same type from one another. For example, without departing from the scope of this application, first information may also be referred to as second information, and similarly, second information may also be referred to as first information. Thus, a feature defined as "first" or "second" may explicitly or implicitly include one or more of that feature. In the description of this application, "multiple" means two or more, unless otherwise explicitly specified.

[0024] Currently, most ticket printers used at highway toll stations use repeatedly folded tickets as the printing medium and generally lack paper recycling capabilities. This results in the inability to effectively handle waste or erroneous tickets generated during printing, easily leading to paper waste and environmental pollution. Furthermore, tickets not recycled in a timely manner may pose a risk of information leakage. Moreover, existing paper feeder structures suffer from long transmission paths, numerous mating parts, and complex redundancy, making assembly difficult and prone to problems such as jamming, wear, and large synchronization errors. This leads to high equipment failure rates, increased maintenance costs, and shortened lifespan, making it difficult to meet the long-term stable operation requirements of highway scenarios.

[0025] To address the aforementioned issues, this application provides a paper feeder for a receipt printer that can efficiently and smoothly recycle paper, effectively reducing environmental pollution or information leakage. Furthermore, it eliminates the need for the oscillating plate used in existing technologies to switch between paper feeding and recycling, resulting in a simple structure that effectively reduces the failure rate and improves the stability and consistency of paper feeding and recycling operations. This makes it better suited for high-frequency, high-intensity, and high-reliability receipt printing scenarios such as those on highways.

[0026] The technical solutions of the embodiments of this application are described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. The paper used is, for example, a receipt. Example

[0027] Please see Figures 1-9The paper feeder for a receipt printer of this application includes a frame body 1, a paper inlet 2, a paper outlet 3, a paper return outlet 4, a drive assembly 5, a first paper feed roller assembly 6, a second paper feed roller assembly 7, and a control module. The frame body 1 is a frame structure with an internal cavity for mounting and supporting other components. The paper inlet 2 and the paper return outlet 4 are located at the upper and lower ends of the rear side plate 105 of the frame body 1. Specifically, the paper inlet 2 is located at the upper end of the rear side plate 105 of the frame body 1, higher than the paper feed channel, facilitating the introduction of receipts into the paper feed channel; the paper return outlet 4 is located at the lower end of the rear side plate 105, used for collecting and storing discarded, returned, or incorrect receipts. The paper outlet 3 is located in the middle of the front side of the frame body 1, facilitating the output of printed receipts. The drive assembly 5 is mounted on the frame body 1 and connected to the second paper feed roller assembly 7, used to drive the second paper feed roller assembly 7 to rotate clockwise or counterclockwise, thereby realizing the forward transport or reverse collection of receipts. The first paper feed roller assembly 6 and the second paper feed roller assembly 7 are arranged parallel to each other in the vertical direction in the inner cavity of the frame body 1. The first paper feed roller assembly 6 can be elastically pressed against the second paper feed roller assembly 7, so that the first paper feed roller assembly 6 and the second paper feed roller assembly 7 can elastically adhere and generate sufficient positive pressure, forming a paper feeding channel for clamping paper (the paper feeding channel in this embodiment refers to the area between the first paper feed roller assembly 6 and the second paper feed roller assembly 7). Thus, torque is transmitted through friction, realizing the working state of the second paper feed roller assembly 7 driving the first paper feed roller assembly 6 to drive the paper 19 to be fed. In the initial state, the surfaces of the first paper feed roller assembly 6 and the second paper feed roller assembly 7 are directly in contact. The second paper feed roller assembly 7 drives the first paper feed roller assembly 6 to rotate synchronously through friction. When the paper 19 enters between the first paper feed roller assembly 6 and the second paper feed roller assembly 7, the paper 19 separates the first paper feed roller assembly 6 and the second paper feed roller assembly 7 from each other. The paper 19 generates a stable clamping friction force on the paper through its own clamping force, thereby driving the paper forward smoothly and at a uniform speed. This effectively avoids problems such as slippage, deviation, and wrinkling of the paper during transportation, ensuring continuous and reliable transportation. The control module is communicatively connected to the drive assembly 5 and is used to control the operation of the drive assembly 5, thereby achieving stable transportation and accurate retrieval of documents.

[0028] For example, the frame body 1 includes an upper cover plate 101, a left side plate 102, a right side plate 103, a front side plate 104, and a rear side plate 105. The upper cover plate 101 is disposed on the top of the frame body 1 to protect internal components and provide an installation interface. Specifically, the upper cover plate 101 is generally inverted L-shaped and located above the paper outlet 3; the left side plate 102 and the right side plate 103 are symmetrically disposed on both sides of the upper cover plate 101, serving as support and fixation, and providing a foundation for the installation of other components. The front side plate 104 and the rear side plate 105 are disposed opposite each other to form a complete frame structure, ensuring the stability and rigidity of the entire paper feeder. Specifically, the front side plate 104 is disposed below the paper inlet 2, is generally U-shaped, and is connected to the left side plate 102 and the right side plate 103 respectively; the rear side plate 105 is disposed between the paper outlet 3 and the return port 4, and is connected to the left side plate 102 and the right side plate 103 respectively. The side panels are detachably fixed with screws, which ensures the tightness and durability of the overall structure while also facilitating maintenance and repair.

[0029] Furthermore, the paper feeder for the receipt printer also includes a circuit mounting bracket 8 and a circuit board 9. The circuit mounting bracket 8 is disposed within the inner cavity of the frame body 1, located above the first paper feed roller assembly 6 and the second paper feed roller assembly 7, and connected to the upper cover plate 101. It supports and fixes the circuit board 9, ensuring its stability during equipment operation. The circuit board 9 is fixedly mounted on the circuit mounting bracket 8 and communicates with the control module. For example, the circuit board 9 integrates multiple electronic components to achieve precise control of various functions of the paper feeder. For ease of debugging and maintenance, the circuit board 9 is provided with several indicator lights 901, which pass through the upper cover plate 101 and extend upwards. The indicator lights 901 can visually display the operating status of the paper feeder, such as whether the power is on, whether the drive assembly 5 is working properly, and whether the sensor has detected paper.

[0030] To facilitate the determination of paper position, the paper feeder for the receipt printer also includes a first reflection sensor 11 and a second reflection sensor 12. Both the first reflection sensor 11 and the second reflection sensor 12 are mounted on the bottom of the circuit board 9 and extend downwards through the circuit mounting bracket 8. The first reflection sensor 11 is located at the front end of the first paper feed roller assembly 6, and the second reflection sensor 12 is located at the rear end of the first paper feed roller assembly 6. Specifically, the first reflection sensor 11 is located near the paper inlet 2 to detect whether the receipt has correctly entered the paper feed channel; the second reflection sensor 12 is located near the paper outlet 3 to detect whether the receipt has been successfully printed and output. Both the first reflection sensor 11 and the second reflection sensor 12 are communicatively connected to the control module, ensuring the accuracy of receipt delivery and retrieval through real-time feedback signals.

[0031] Furthermore, to optimize the paper feeding path and reduce the risk of paper jams, the paper feeder for the receipt printer also includes a first guide plate 13 and a second guide plate 14. The first guide plate 13 is located on the rear end of the circuit mounting bracket 8 and is inclined downwards towards the paper feeding channel to guide the receipt (i.e., paper 19) smoothly into the paper feeding channel, avoiding jamming caused by improper angle. Preferably, the angle between the first guide plate 13 and the horizontal plane is 25 degrees to 40 degrees. The second guide plate 14 is located at the top of the rear side plate 105 and is inclined downwards along the inner extension direction, forming the paper inlet 2 together with the first guide plate 13. By setting the first guide plate 13 and the second guide plate 14, the receipt (i.e., paper 19) can enter the paper feeding channel more smoothly, reducing paper jams or deviations caused by obstructed paths. Preferably, the surfaces of both the first guide plate 13 and the second guide plate 14 are smoothed to reduce the coefficient of friction and further improve the smoothness of receipt transport.

[0032] To facilitate document output, the document printer's paper feeder also includes an upper guide plate 17 and a lower guide plate 18. One end of the upper guide plate 17 is located on the inner side of the upper end of the paper outlet 3, and extends downwards in a sequentially downward direction from the inside out. The lower guide plate 18 is horizontally located on the inner side of the lower end of the paper outlet 3, providing appropriate support during document output, allowing the document to enter the paper outlet 3 in a straight position after leaving the paper feeding channel and be picked up by the user. By setting the upper guide plate 17 and the lower guide plate 18, a V-shaped opening facing the paper feeding channel is formed, which effectively guides the smooth output of documents, improves the reliability of document output, and avoids accumulation or rebound caused by unreasonable exit angles, thereby better meeting the needs of high-frequency, high-intensity document printing scenarios.

[0033] To further optimize the receipt collection effect, the paper feeder for the receipt printer also includes a third guide plate 16. The third guide plate 16 is disposed on the inner wall of the rear side plate 105 and located above the collection port 4. It is arc-shaped with the center of the arc facing inwards, and is used to guide discarded receipts accurately into the collection area, avoiding accumulation or blockage caused by path deviation. For example, the third guide plate 16 comprises 2-3 thin steel sheets, which are fixed to the rear side plate 105 by adhesive bonding. The number and position can be flexibly adjusted according to actual needs to accommodate paper of different thicknesses or materials.

[0034] The drive assembly 5 includes a drive motor 501, a first transmission gear 502, and a second transmission gear 503. The drive motor 501 is fixedly mounted on the frame body 1, and its output shaft passes through the frame body 1 and extends outward to provide power output. The first transmission gear 502 is sleeved on the output shaft of the drive motor 501 and located outside the frame body 1, transmitting the rotational motion generated by the drive motor 501 to the second transmission gear 503. The second transmission gear 503 is sleeved on the second paper feed roller assembly 7 and meshes with the first transmission gear 502, thereby realizing the transmission of power from the drive motor 501 to the second paper feed roller assembly 7.

[0035] Both the first paper feeding roller assembly 6 and the second paper feeding roller assembly 7 include a roller shaft 601, a paper feeding roller 602, and a flange bearing 603. The outer ring of the flange bearing 603 is fixed to the frame body 1, and the inner ring is tightly connected to the roller shaft 601. Preferably, a gap is provided between the flange bearing 603 and the frame body 1 to adjust the position of the roller shaft 601 and ensure that the contact between the paper feeding rollers 602 remains stable. The roller shaft 601 has a cylindrical structure, and its two ends are rotatably connected to the frame body 1 through the flange bearings 603, and both ends of the roller shaft 601 pass through the frame body 1 and extend outward to ensure stability and concentricity during high-speed operation. The paper feeding roller 602 is sleeved on the roller shaft 601 and is interference-fitted with the roller shaft 601, and rotates synchronously with the roller shaft 601 to drive the paper movement through friction. For example, the paper feeding roller 602 is made of rubber with a high coefficient of friction, which can effectively increase the friction between the roller and the paper, thereby ensuring the stability and accuracy of paper feeding. In the initial state, the paper feeding roller 602 of the first paper feeding roller assembly 6 and the paper feeding roller 602 of the second paper feeding roller assembly 7 are directly in contact, so that the friction between them enables the second paper feeding roller assembly 7 to drive the first paper feeding roller assembly 6 to rotate.

[0036] Furthermore, to ensure that the first paper feed roller assembly 6 can elastically press against the second paper feed roller assembly 7, the paper feeder for the ticket printer also includes a tension spring 15. The tension spring 15 is disposed at both ends of the first paper feed roller assembly 6 and connected to the frame body 1, providing elastic force to ensure that the first paper feed roller assembly 6 is always pressed against the second paper feed roller assembly 7. Specifically, one end of the tension spring 15 is disposed on the first paper feed roller assembly 6, and the other end is fixed to the frame body 1 by a fixing post, ensuring that the pressure between the first paper feed roller assembly 6 and the second paper feed roller assembly 7 adapts to tickets of different thicknesses, thereby ensuring the stability and reliability of the paper feeding process. The fixing post is fixedly disposed on the frame body 1 and located diagonally below the first paper feed roller assembly 6. By setting the tension spring 15, the positive pressure between the first paper feed roller assembly 6 and the second paper feed roller assembly 7 can be dynamically adjusted to adapt to tickets of different thicknesses, ensuring that the friction is always kept within a reasonable range, and avoiding slippage due to insufficient pressure or jamming due to excessive pressure. At the same time, it can also compensate for the wear and tear of parts caused by long-term use to a certain extent, and extend the service life of the equipment.

[0037] Working principle: 1. Ticketing process When a document enters through the paper inlet 2, the first reflection sensor 11 detects the document and transmits a signal to the control module. The control module starts the drive motor 501 according to a preset program, causing the drive motor 501 to reverse. Power is transmitted to the second paper feed roller assembly 7 via the first transmission gear 502 and the second transmission gear 503, causing the second paper feed roller assembly 7 to rotate counterclockwise. Since the paper feed rollers 602 of the first paper feed roller assembly 6 and the second paper feed roller assembly 7 are directly in contact, the friction between them allows the second paper feed roller assembly 7 to drive the first paper feed roller assembly 6 to rotate, thus feeding the document to the... During the paper feeding process, the document first contacts the feeding roller 602 of the first paper feeding roller assembly 6. At this time, the document continues to move towards the paper feeding channel under the guidance of the first paper feeding roller assembly 6. When the document reaches the paper feeding channel and contacts the feeding roller of the second paper feeding roller assembly 7, the document pushes the first paper feeding roller assembly 6 and the second paper feeding roller assembly 7 apart. Under the action of the tension spring, the first paper feeding roller assembly 6 and the second paper feeding roller assembly 7 rely on their own clamping force to generate a stable clamping friction force on the document, smoothly conveying it towards the paper outlet 3. When the second reflection sensor 12 detects that the document has reached the vicinity of the paper outlet 3, it continues to move the document towards the paper outlet 3. When the rear end of the document moves out of the sensing area of ​​the second reflection sensor 12, the second reflection sensor 12 immediately feeds back the signal to the control module. The control module then controls the drive motor 501 to stop working.

[0038] 2. Ticket Collection Process If an error occurs during printing or the document needs to be retrieved, the control module receives an error signal from the printing system or a user-triggered retrieval command, and then controls the drive motor 501 to rotate forward. The drive motor 501 transmits power to the second paper feed roller assembly 7 through the first transmission gear 502 and the second transmission gear 503, causing it to rotate clockwise. At the same time, the first paper feed roller assembly 6 also rotates under the action of friction, but because the direction is opposite, the document is guided back from the paper outlet 3 to the paper feeding channel. During this process, the first reflection sensor 11 and the second reflection sensor 12 continuously monitor the position of the document. When the second reflection sensor 12 detects that the document has completely left the area of ​​the paper outlet 3, the signal is fed back to the control module in real time to ensure that the document smoothly enters the retrieval path. As the document continues to move along the paper feeding channel, and under the action of the third guide plate 16, the document is accurately guided to the retrieval port 4. When the document is released from the clamping of the first paper feed roller assembly 6 and the second paper feed roller assembly 7, it falls downward under the action of gravity, thus facilitating its retrieval from the retrieval port 4.

[0039] In this embodiment, the paper feeder for the receipt printer includes a frame body, a paper inlet, a paper outlet, a return outlet, a drive assembly, a first paper feed roller assembly, a second paper feed roller assembly, a first guide plate, a second guide plate, a third guide plate, a tension spring, and a control module. By driving the first and second paper feed roller assemblies to rotate clockwise or counterclockwise through the drive assembly, forward feeding and reverse return of receipts can be achieved, ensuring the smoothness and accuracy of receipts during printing, output, and return. This effectively reduces environmental pollution and information leakage, and eliminates the need for the oscillating plate used in existing technologies for switching between paper feeding and return, resulting in a simple structure and significantly reduced failure rate. By setting the paper outlet higher than the paper feed channel, and with the coordinated action of the first and second guide plates, receipts can be ensured to smoothly enter the paper feed channel, avoiding jamming or offset problems caused by angular deviations. The arc-shaped third guide plate effectively guides discarded receipts accurately into the return area, preventing accumulation or blockage. By incorporating tension springs, appropriate elastic force can be consistently provided, ensuring a stable positive pressure between the first and second paper feed roller assemblies. This not only accommodates paper of varying thicknesses but also effectively clamps the paper, ensuring sufficient friction to move it. Furthermore, it compensates for wear and tear on components that may occur over long-term use, guaranteeing the reliability and stability of the equipment. The collaboration of these components not only simplifies the complex switching structure of traditional paper feeders but also significantly improves the reliability of the equipment, making it suitable for the high-frequency, high-intensity document processing needs of scenarios such as highways.

[0040] In the description of this application, it should be understood that the orientation or positional relationship indicated by directional terms such as "front, back, up, down, left, right", "horizontal, vertical, horizontal" and "top, bottom" is usually based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings, and is only for the convenience of describing this application and simplifying the description. Unless otherwise stated, these directional terms do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and therefore should not be construed as a limitation on the scope of protection of this application; the directional terms "inner" and "outer" refer to the inner and outer contours relative to the outline of each component itself.

[0041] The above description is merely a preferred embodiment of the present invention and is not intended to limit the invention. Various modifications and variations can be made to the present invention by those skilled in the art. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, improvements, etc., made within the spirit and principles of the present invention should be included within the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. A paper feeder for a receipt printer, characterized in that, It includes a frame body (1), a paper inlet (2), a paper outlet (3), a paper return outlet (4), a drive assembly (5), a first paper feed roller assembly (6), a second paper feed roller assembly (7), and a control module; The paper inlet (2) and the paper return inlet (4) are located at the upper and lower ends of the rear side plate of the frame body (1); The paper outlet (3) is located at the middle of the front side of the frame body (1); The drive assembly (5) is mounted on the frame body (1) and connected to the second paper feed roller assembly (7) for driving the second paper feed roller assembly (7) to rotate clockwise or counterclockwise. The first paper feed roller assembly (6) and the second paper feed roller assembly (7) are arranged parallel to each other in the vertical direction in the inner cavity of the frame body (1), wherein the first paper feed roller assembly (6) can be elastically pressed against the second paper feed roller assembly (7) and form a paper feeding channel for clamping paper. The control module is communicatively connected to the drive component (5) and is used to control the operation of the drive component (5).

2. The paper feeder for a receipt printer according to claim 1, characterized in that, The frame body (1) includes an upper cover plate (101), a left side plate (102), a right side plate (103), a front side plate (104), and a rear side plate (105); The upper cover plate (101) is in the shape of an inverted L and is located above the paper outlet (3); The left side plate (102) and the right side plate (103) are symmetrically arranged on both sides of the upper cover plate (101); The front side plate (104) is located below the paper inlet (2), and is in the shape of a c, and is connected to the left side plate (102) and the right side plate (103) respectively; The rear side plate (105) is disposed between the paper outlet (3) and the recycling outlet (4), and is connected to the left side plate (102) and the right side plate (103) respectively.

3. The paper feeder for a receipt printer according to claim 2, characterized in that, It also includes a circuit mounting bracket (8) and a circuit board (9); The circuit mounting bracket (8) is disposed in the inner cavity of the frame body (1) and located on the upper side of the first paper feed roller assembly (6) and the second paper feed roller assembly (7), and is connected to the upper cover plate (101); The circuit board (9) is fixedly mounted on the circuit mounting bracket (8) and is connected to the control module. The circuit board (9) is provided with a number of indicator lights (901), and the number of indicator lights (901) passes through the upper cover plate (101) and extends upward.

4. The paper feeder for a receipt printer according to claim 3, characterized in that, It also includes a first reflection sensor (11) and a second reflection sensor (12); The first reflection sensor (11) and the second reflection sensor (12) are both mounted on the bottom of the circuit board (9) and extend downward through the circuit mounting bracket (8). The first reflection sensor (11) is located on the front end of the first paper feed roller assembly (6), and the second reflection sensor (12) is located on the rear end of the first paper feed roller assembly (6).

5. The paper feeder for a receipt printer according to claim 3, characterized in that, It also includes a first guide plate (13) and a second guide plate (14); The first guide plate (13) is disposed on the rear end side of the circuit mounting bracket (8) and is inclined from top to bottom toward the paper feeding channel; The second guide plate (14) is disposed at the top of the rear side plate (105) and is inclined downward along the inner extension direction, and together with the first guide plate (13) forms the paper inlet (2).

6. The paper feeder for a receipt printer according to claim 1, characterized in that, The drive assembly (5) includes a drive motor (501), a first transmission gear (502), and a second transmission gear (503); The drive motor (501) is fixedly mounted on the frame body (1), and the output shaft of the drive motor (501) passes through the frame body (1) and extends outward; The first transmission gear (502) is sleeved on the output shaft of the drive motor (501); The second transmission gear (503) is sleeved on the second paper feeding roller assembly (7) and meshes with the first transmission gear (502).

7. The paper feeder for a receipt printer according to claim 1, characterized in that, The first paper feed roller assembly (6) and the second paper feed roller assembly (7) both include a roller shaft (601), a paper feed roller (602), and a flange bearing (603); The outer ring of the flange bearing (603) is fixed to the frame body (1), and the inner ring is tightly connected to the roller (601); The roller (601) is rotatably mounted on the frame body (1) via the flange bearing (603), and both ends of the roller (601) pass through the frame body (1) and extend outward; The paper feeding roller (602) is sleeved on the roller (601) and is interference-fitted with the roller (601).

8. The paper feeder for a receipt printer according to claim 1, characterized in that, It also includes tension springs (15); One end of the tension spring (15) is disposed on the first paper feeding roller assembly (6), and the other end is fixed to the frame body (1) by a fixing post; The fixing column is fixedly installed on the frame body (1) and located diagonally below the first paper feeding roller assembly (6).

9. The paper feeder for a receipt printer according to claim 1, characterized in that, It also includes a third guide plate (16); The third guide plate (16) is disposed on the inner wall of the rear side plate (105), and is arc-shaped with the center of the arc facing inward.

10. The paper feeder for a receipt printer according to claim 1, characterized in that, It also includes an upper guide plate (17) and a lower guide plate (18); One end of the upper guide plate (17) is located on the inner side of the upper end of the paper outlet (3), and extends downward in a direction from the inside to the outside. The lower guide plate (18) is horizontally positioned on the inner side of the lower end of the paper outlet (3).

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