Paper-to-be-used-up detection mounting structure of printer

Abstract

The utility model discloses a paper-to-be-used-up detection mounting structure of a printer, relates to the field of printer equipment, and can solve the problem that the remaining amount of a paper roll cannot be fed back to a user in time in the prior art. The paper exhaustion detection mounting structure comprises a main body, a paper bin and a detection assembly, the detection assembly comprises a circuit board, a transmitting tube, a receiving tube, a controller and a reminding device, the transmitting tube and the receiving tube are electrically connected to the controller, and a plurality of limiting rollers are rotationally connected to the bottom cavity wall of the paper roll cavity; a detection through hole communicated with the paper roll cavity is formed in the outer wall of the bottom of the paper bin, and the circuit board is located on the side, away from the paper roll cavity, of the detection through hole, so that light emitted by the transmitting tube is reflected by the side face of the paper core and is received by the receiving tube; the projection of the moving area of the through hole of the paper core towards the circuit board covers the transmitting tube, so that light emitted by the transmitting tube penetrates through the through hole of the paper core.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present application relates to the field of printer equipment, and in particular to a paper end detection installation structure of a printer. Background Art

[0002] With the increasing demand for information recording and transmission in modern society, various types of printing devices are widely used in various fields. Among them, printing devices using roll paper are particularly common, such as portable printers, POS machines, and label machines. These devices are usually used to print receipts, labels, tickets, and other continuous output content.

[0003] In the prior art, there is usually a lack of effective detection methods for the use of paper rolls, and users cannot know the remaining amount of paper rolls in real time. This results in the need to replace new paper rolls only after the paper is completely used up, affecting the continuity of printing work. For example, in a commercial environment, if the paper roll of a POS machine suddenly runs out during the receipt printing process, the remaining printing content cannot be completed in time, and the user needs to replace the paper roll and reprint, which not only wastes time, but may also lead to a decline in customer experience. In the field of industrial production and logistics, the label printing is interrupted due to the running out of paper rolls of label machines, which will also affect production efficiency and the accuracy of logistics management. Utility Model Content

[0004] To this end, the present application provides a paper end detection installation structure for a printer to solve the problem in the prior art that the remaining amount of the paper roll cannot be fed back to the user in a timely manner.

[0005] In order to achieve the above objectives, this application provides the following technical solutions:

[0006] A paper end detection installation structure for a printer comprises a main body, a paper bin connected to the main body and having a paper roll cavity for installing a paper roll, and a detection component connected to the main body and used to detect the remaining amount of the paper roll, wherein the detection component comprises a circuit board connected to the main body, a transmitting tube electrically connected to the circuit board and used to transmit light, a receiving tube electrically connected to the circuit board and used to receive the light emitted by the transmitting tube, a controller connected to the main body, and a reminder device electrically connected to the controller and used to remind a user of the remaining amount of the paper roll, wherein the transmitting tube and the receiving tube are both electrically connected to the controller, and the bottom cavity wall of the paper roll cavity rotates A plurality of limit rollers are connected to limit the rolling of the paper roll along the bottom cavity wall of the paper roll cavity, so that the paper core of the paper roll gradually moves downward in the vertical direction as the paper roll is used. A detection through hole connected to the paper roll cavity is opened on the bottom outer wall of the paper bin, and the moving path of the paper core of the paper roll is colinear with the length extension direction of the detection through hole. The circuit board is located on the side of the detection through hole away from the paper roll cavity, so that the light emitted by the transmitting tube is reflected by the side of the paper core and received by the receiving tube, and the projection of the moving area of ​​the through hole of the paper core toward the circuit board covers the transmitting tube, so that the light emitted by the transmitting tube passes through the through hole of the paper core.

[0007] Optionally, the main body is further connected to a driving assembly for driving the circuit board to reciprocate along the length extension direction of the detection through hole, so that the transmitting tube is close to or away from the paper core of the paper roll.

[0008] Optionally, the driving assembly includes a mounting plate connected to the main body, a driving wheel rotatably connected to the mounting plate and convenient for finger movement, and a driving plate slidably connected to the mounting plate, the circuit board is connected to the driving plate, the driving wheel is coaxially connected with a gear, and a rack meshing with the gear is formed on one side of the driving plate.

[0009] Optionally, the driving wheel is rotatably connected to the mounting plate via a damping wheel, the main body is provided with a driving slot, the outer edge portion of the driving wheel extends out of the driving slot so that a finger can contact the driving wheel, the outer edge curved surface of the driving wheel is provided with a plurality of scale marking portions along its circumferential direction, and the main body is provided with a scale reference portion at the notch of the driving slot that matches the plurality of scale marking portions.

[0010] Optionally, the mounting plate is provided with a limiting through slot along a length extension direction parallel to the detection through hole, and the driving plate is connected with a limiting column embedded in the limiting through slot.

[0011] Optionally, the receiving tube is located on a side of the transmitting tube away from the paper core.

[0012] Optionally, the plurality of limiting rollers are divided into two groups, and the two groups of limiting rollers are respectively located on both sides of the paper core and are symmetrically arranged along the central axis of the paper core.

[0013] Optionally, the reminder device is a buzzer or an LED light.

[0014] Compared with the prior art, this application has at least the following beneficial effects:

[0015] A plurality of limit rollers restrict the paper roll to prevent the paper roll from rolling along the bottom wall of the paper roll cavity. As the paper roll is used, the diameter of the paper roll gradually decreases, and the limit rollers ensure that the paper core of the paper roll gradually descends in the vertical direction. Under normal use, the light emitted by the transmitting tube will be reflected back to the receiving tube by the side of the paper roll, and the controller determines the remaining amount of the paper roll based on the reflected light signal received by the receiving tube. When the paper roll is about to be used up, there is less paper left, and the paper core also drops to a certain position. At this time, the light emitted by the transmitting tube will pass through the through hole of the paper core without being reflected back to the receiving tube. After the controller detects that the receiving tube does not receive the reflected light signal, it determines that the paper roll is about to run out, and then controls the reminder device to issue a prompt to remind the user to replace the paper roll in time, so as to overcome the problem in the prior art that the remaining amount of the paper roll cannot be fed back to the user in time. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0016] In order to more intuitively illustrate the prior art and the present application, several exemplary drawings are given below. It should be understood that the specific shapes and structures shown in the drawings should not generally be regarded as limiting conditions for implementing the present application; for example, those skilled in the art are capable of easily making conventional adjustments or further optimizations to the addition / reduction / attribution division, specific shapes, positional relationships, connection methods, dimensional ratios, etc. of certain units (components) based on the technical concepts and exemplary drawings disclosed in the present application.

[0017] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the overall structure of a paper end detection installation structure of a printer provided by one embodiment of the present application;

[0018] Figure 2 A simplified structural diagram of a paper roll moving path during a paper end detection process of a paper end detection installation structure of a printer provided by one embodiment of the present application;

[0019] Figure 3 A top view of a partial structure of a paper end detection installation structure of a printer provided by one embodiment of the present application;

[0020] Figure 4 for Figure 3 A magnified image of point A;

[0021] Figure 5 for Figure 1 Side view of

[0022] Figure 6 for Figure 1 Cross-sectional view along the aa direction;

[0023] Figure 7 for Figure 1 Schematic diagram of some structures;

[0024] Figure 8 A schematic diagram of the structure of the cooperation between a driving component and a detection component of a near-end paper detection installation structure of a printer provided by one embodiment of the present application;

[0025] Fig. 9 for Figure 8 Exploded diagram of

[0026] Fig.10 It is a partial structural exploded diagram of the drive component;

[0027] Fig.11 The exploded diagram of the driving board and the detection component of the driving component;

[0028] Fig.12 A schematic diagram of the partial structure of the detection component.

[0029] Description of reference numerals:

[0030] 1. Main body; 11. Driving slot; 12. Scale reference part; 2. Paper bin; 21. Paper roll cavity; 22. Limit roller; 23. Detection hole; 3. Detection assembly; 31. Transmitting tube; 32. Receiving tube; 33. Circuit board; 4. Driving assembly; 41. Mounting plate; 411. Damping wheel; 412. Limiting slot; 42. Driving wheel; 421. Gear; 422. Scale marking part; 43. Driving plate; 431. Rack; 432. Limiting column; 5. Paper roll; 51. Paper core. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0031] In order to make the purpose, technical solution and advantages of the present application more clearly understood, the present application is further described in detail below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and embodiments. It should be understood that the specific embodiments described herein are only used to explain the present application and are not used to limit the present application.

[0032] In the description of this application: unless otherwise specified, "plurality" means two or more. "Including", "comprising", "having" and other expressions also mean "not limited to" (certain units, components, materials, steps, etc.). The arrows in the figures indicate the directions in which the relevant components move.

[0033] refer to Figure 1 , Figure 2 , Figure 3 , Figure 5 , Figure 6, Fig.12 The present application discloses a paper end detection installation structure of a printer, comprising a main body 1, a paper bin 2 connected to the main body 1 and having a paper roll 5 cavity 21 for mounting a paper roll 5, and a detection component 3 connected to the main body 1 and used to detect the remaining amount of the paper roll 5, the detection component 3 comprising a circuit board 33 connected to the main body 1, a transmitting tube 31 electrically connected to the circuit board 33 and used to emit light, a receiving tube 32 electrically connected to the circuit board 33 and used to receive the light emitted by the transmitting tube 31, a controller connected to the main body 1 (not shown in the figure) and a reminder device (not shown in the figure) electrically connected to the controller and used to remind a user of the remaining amount of the paper roll 5, the transmitting tube 31 and the receiving tube 32 are both electrically connected to the controller, the paper roll 5 cavity 21 The bottom cavity wall is rotatably connected with a plurality of limit rollers 22 for limiting the rolling of the paper roll 5 along the bottom cavity wall of the paper roll 5 cavity 21, so that the paper core 51 of the paper roll 5 gradually moves downward in the vertical direction as the paper roll is used. The bottom outer wall of the paper bin 2 is provided with a detection through hole 23 connected to the paper roll 5 cavity 21. The moving path of the paper core 51 of the paper roll 5 is colinear with the length extension direction of the detection through hole 23. The circuit board 33 is located on the side of the detection through hole 23 away from the paper roll 5 cavity 21, so that the light emitted by the transmitting tube 31 is reflected by the side of the paper core 51 and received by the receiving tube 32. The projection of the moving area of ​​the through hole of the paper core 51 toward the circuit board 33 covers the transmitting tube 31, so that the light emitted by the transmitting tube 31 passes through the through hole of the paper core 51.

[0034] The plurality of limiting rollers 22 limit the paper roll 5 to prevent the paper roll 5 from rolling along the bottom wall of the paper roll 5 cavity 21. As the paper roll 5 is used, the diameter of the paper roll 5 gradually decreases, and the limiting rollers 22 ensure that the paper core 51 of the paper roll 5 gradually descends in the vertical direction. Under normal use, the light emitted by the transmitting tube 31 will be reflected back to the receiving tube 32 by the side of the paper roll 5, and the controller determines the remaining amount of the paper roll 5 according to the reflected light signal received by the receiving tube 32. When the paper roll 5 is about to be used up, there is less paper left, and the paper core 51 also descends to a certain position. At this time, the light emitted by the transmitting tube 31 will pass through the through hole of the paper core 51 without being reflected back to the receiving tube 32. After the controller detects that the receiving tube 32 does not receive the reflected light signal, it determines that the paper roll 5 is about to be used up, and then controls the reminder device to issue a reminder to remind the user to replace the paper roll 5 in time, so as to overcome the problem that the remaining amount of the paper roll 5 in the prior art cannot be fed back to the user in time.

[0035] In some embodiments, the transmitting tube 31 may be an infrared light emitting diode, and the receiving tube 32 may be a photodiode or a phototransistor. The function of the transmitting tube 31 is to transmit infrared light signals, and to emit invisible infrared light through current excitation. These infrared lights will propagate in a straight line and irradiate the surface of the paper roll 5. The receiving tube 32 receives the reflected infrared light signals, converts them into electrical signals, and transmits the generated electrical signals to the signal processing circuit on the circuit board 33. The signal processing circuit amplifies and filters the received electrical signals to ensure the clarity and stability of the signals; the controller receives the processed electrical signals and analyzes the strength and changes of the signals. According to the received signal strength, the controller determines the remaining amount of the paper roll 5. If the signal strength is within the normal range, it indicates that the paper roll 5 exists; if the signal strength is lower than the preset threshold, it indicates that the paper roll 5 is about to run out. When the controller determines that the paper roll 5 is about to run out, it will activate the prompt device, such as a buzzer or LED light, to send out an alarm signal, and remind the user to replace the paper roll 5 in time through sound or flashing to ensure the continuity and stability of the printing process.

[0036] In some embodiments, the controller can be integrated into the control part of the printer as a submodule of the printer control part.

[0037] The paper end detection installation structure is a part of the structure of the printer.

[0038] refer to Figure 7-11 The main body 1 is also connected to a driving assembly 4 for driving the circuit board 33 to reciprocate along the length extension direction of the detection through hole 23 so that the transmitting tube 31 is close to or away from the paper core 51 of the paper roll 5.

[0039] The driving component 4 drives the circuit board 33 to move back and forth along the length extension direction of the detection through hole 23, so that the launch tube 31 is close to or away from the paper core 51 of the paper roll 5. The user can adjust the distance between the launch tube 31 and the paper core 51 according to the amount of content printed at one time to detect the amount of remaining paper. Specifically, when the content printed at one time is large, it is necessary to ensure that there is enough remaining paper before the last print, so that the distance between the launch tube 31 and the paper core 51 is closer, so that the detection is more sensitive, and it can issue a reminder when the paper roll 5 is about to run out but there is still enough paper to complete a print; on the contrary, when the content printed at one time is small, the user can adjust the launch tube 31 to a position away from the paper core 51. At this time, the detection system will issue a reminder when the remaining amount of the paper roll 5 is small, which is suitable for the situation where the paper roll 5 does not need to be replaced frequently. By adjusting the distance between the launch tube 31 and the paper core 51, the user can flexibly set the timing of the reminder according to the printing needs to ensure the continuity and efficiency of the printing process.

[0040] The driving assembly 4 includes a mounting plate 41 connected to the main body 1, a driving wheel 42 rotatably connected to the mounting plate 41 and convenient for finger movement, a driving plate 43 slidably connected to the mounting plate 41, a circuit board 33 connected to the driving plate 43, the driving wheel 42 is coaxially connected to the gear 421, and a rack 431 meshing with the gear 421 is formed on one side of the driving plate 43.

[0041] When the user needs to adjust the distance between the launch tube 31 and the paper core 51, he only needs to turn the driving wheel 42 with his finger. The rotation of the driving wheel 42 drives the rack 431 through the coaxially connected gear 421, and the rack 431 meshes with the gear 421, so that the driving plate 43 slides along the mounting plate 41. Since the circuit board 33 is connected to the driving plate 43, the movement of the driving plate 43 will cause the circuit board 33 to move accordingly, thereby adjusting the position of the launch tube 31 to make it close to or away from the paper core 51.

[0042] This design provides precise and stable movement control through the cooperation of the gear 421 and the rack 431. The user only needs to gently turn the driving wheel 42 to achieve adjustment. The operation is simple. The engagement of the gear 421 and the rack 431 ensures the smoothness and accuracy of the movement process and avoids the shaking and instability of the circuit board 33 during the movement.

[0043] In some embodiments, the driving assembly 4 can be driven electrically in addition to manual operation. The electric driving method is to install a motor on the mounting plate 41, and the motor is connected to the driving wheel 42 through a transmission mechanism. When the distance between the launch tube 31 and the paper core 51 needs to be adjusted, the user can send instructions to the motor through the controller, and the motor rotates to drive the gear 421 to mesh with the rack 431, so that the driving plate 43 slides along the mounting plate 41, thereby driving the circuit board 33 to move.

[0044] The driving wheel 42 is rotatably connected to the mounting plate 41 via a damping wheel 411. The main body 1 is provided with a driving slot 11. The outer edge of the driving wheel 42 extends out of the driving slot 11 so that a finger can contact the driving wheel 42. The outer curved surface of the driving wheel 42 is provided with a plurality of scale marking portions 422 along its circumferential direction. The main body 1 is provided with a scale reference portion 12 at the notch of the driving slot 11 to match the plurality of scale marking portions 422.

[0045] The outer edge of the driving wheel 42 extends out of the driving slot 11, and the user can easily move the driving wheel 42 with a finger. A plurality of scale marking portions 422 are provided on the outer curved surface of the driving wheel 42, and the main body 1 is provided with a scale reference portion 12 at the notch of the driving slot 11. The plurality of scale marking portions 422 provide an intuitive reference for the user, and when the scale marking portion 422 is aligned with the scale reference portion 12, it indicates the gear position for detecting the number of remaining sheets of paper.

[0046] Specifically, when the user turns the driving wheel 42, the driving wheel 42 drives the rack 431 to move through the gear 421, thereby driving the circuit board 33 to move along the length extension direction of the detection through hole 23, so that the transmitting tube 31 is close to or away from the paper core 51. The design of the scale marking part 422 and the scale reference part 12 enables the user to accurately adjust the position of the transmitting tube 31 to ensure the accuracy of the detection.

[0047] In addition, the driving wheel 42 is rotatably connected to the mounting plate 41 through the damping wheel 411. The design of the damping wheel 411 can provide a certain damping force, limit the rotation of the driving wheel 42, ensure the stability of the driving wheel 42 after adjustment, and prevent the position of the driving wheel 42 from changing due to external vibration or accidental touch, thereby maintaining the stability of the position of the launch tube 31 and the reliability of the detection result.

[0048] In some embodiments, there may be seven scale marking portions 422 on the dial wheel, and the scale marking portions 422 are marked with numbers in sequence for easy identification by the user. Multiple small scale marking portions 422 may also be provided next to each large scale marking portion 422 to provide more precise adjustment options. With this design, the user can accurately adjust the distance between the transmitting tube 31 and the paper core 51 according to the printing requirements, so as to better control the amount of remaining paper to be detected.

[0049] The mounting plate 41 is provided with a limit slot 412 along a length extending direction parallel to the detection through hole 23, and the driving plate 43 is connected with a limit post 432 embedded in the limit slot 412. The limit post 432 is embedded in the slot, so that the driving plate 43 can only move linearly along a predetermined path, thereby avoiding lateral deviation caused by external force or vibration.

[0050] refer to Fig.12 , the receiving tube 32 is located on the side of the transmitting tube 31 away from the paper core 51. In some embodiments, the line between the receiving tube 32 and the transmitting tube 31 is 18 degrees to the horizontal direction; of course, it can also be other angles.

[0051] The plurality of limiting rollers 22 are divided into two groups. The two groups of limiting rollers 22 are respectively located on two sides of the paper core 51 and are symmetrically arranged along the central axis of the paper core 51 .

[0052] When the paper roll 5 gradually becomes smaller during use, the paper core 51 will move downward under the action of gravity. The two sets of limit rollers 22 are respectively located on both sides of the paper core 51, providing symmetrical support for the paper roll 5, limiting the lateral movement of the paper roll 5, and ensuring that it descends vertically along the central axis. This symmetrical arrangement not only prevents the paper roll 5 from tilting or shaking during use, but also avoids detection errors caused by the position offset of the paper roll 5.

[0053] The reminder device is a buzzer or an LED light.

[0054] When the transmitting tube 31 and the receiving tube 32 detect that the remaining amount of the paper roll 5 is lower than the preset threshold, the controller receives the processed signal and determines that the paper roll 5 is about to run out. At this time, the controller will send a command to start the reminder device; if the reminder device is a buzzer, when receiving the signal from the controller, the buzzer will emit a continuous buzzing sound to remind the user to replace the paper roll 5. If the reminder device is an LED light, the controller will light up or flash the LED light to send a visual signal to remind the user to check and replace the paper roll 5.

[0055] The technical features of the above embodiments may be arbitrarily combined (as long as there is no contradiction in the combination of these technical features). To make the description concise, not all possible combinations of the technical features in the above embodiments are described; these embodiments that are not explicitly written should also be considered to be within the scope of this specification.

[0056] The above is a relatively specific and detailed description of the present application through general description and specific embodiments. It should be understood that, based on the technical concept of the present application, several conventional adjustments or further innovations can be made to these specific embodiments; however, as long as they do not deviate from the technical concept of the present application, the technical solutions obtained by these conventional adjustments or further innovations also fall within the scope of protection of the claims of the present application.

Claims

1. A paper end detection installation structure for a printer, characterized in that: The invention comprises a main body, a paper bin connected to the main body and having a paper roll cavity for installing a paper roll, and a detection component connected to the main body and used to detect the remaining amount of the paper roll, wherein the detection component comprises a circuit board connected to the main body, a transmitting tube electrically connected to the circuit board and used to transmit light, a receiving tube electrically connected to the circuit board and used to receive the light emitted by the transmitting tube, a controller connected to the main body, and a reminder device electrically connected to the controller and used to remind the user of the remaining amount of the paper roll, wherein the transmitting tube and the receiving tube are both electrically connected to the controller, and the bottom cavity wall of the paper roll cavity is rotatably connected to a plurality of limiting devices. A limiting roller rolls along the bottom cavity wall of the paper roll cavity, so that the paper core of the paper roll gradually moves downward in the vertical direction as the paper roll is used. A detection through hole connected to the paper roll cavity is opened on the bottom outer wall of the paper bin, and the moving path of the paper core of the paper roll is colinear with the length extension direction of the detection through hole. The circuit board is located on the side of the detection through hole away from the paper roll cavity, so that the light emitted by the transmitting tube is reflected by the side of the paper core and received by the receiving tube, and the projection of the moving area of ​​the through hole of the paper core toward the circuit board covers the transmitting tube, so that the light emitted by the transmitting tube passes through the through hole of the paper core.

2. The paper end detection installation structure according to claim 1, characterized in that: The main body is also connected with a driving assembly for driving the circuit board to reciprocate along the length extension direction of the detection through hole, so as to make the transmitting tube approach or move away from the paper core of the paper roll.

3. The paper end detection installation structure according to claim 2, characterized in that: The driving assembly includes a mounting plate connected to the main body, a driving wheel rotatably connected to the mounting plate and convenient for finger movement, and a driving plate slidably connected to the mounting plate. The circuit board is connected to the driving plate, the driving wheel is coaxially connected to a gear, and a rack meshing with the gear is formed on one side of the driving plate.

4. The paper end detection installation structure according to claim 3, characterized in that: The driving wheel is rotatably connected to the mounting plate via a damping wheel, a driving slot is provided on the main body, an outer edge portion of the driving wheel extends out of the driving slot so that a finger can contact the driving wheel, a plurality of scale marking portions are provided on the outer edge curved surface of the driving wheel along its circumferential direction, and a scale reference portion matching the plurality of scale marking portions is provided on the main body at the notch of the driving slot.

5. The paper end detection installation structure according to claim 3, characterized in that: The mounting plate is provided with a limiting through slot along a length extension direction parallel to the detection through hole, and the driving plate is connected with a limiting column embedded in the limiting through slot.

6. The paper end detection installation structure according to claim 1, characterized in that: The receiving tube is located at a side of the transmitting tube away from the paper core.

7. The paper end detection installation structure according to claim 1, characterized in that: The plurality of limiting rollers are divided into two groups. The two groups of limiting rollers are respectively located on two sides of the paper core and are symmetrically arranged along the central axis of the paper core.

8. The paper end detection installation structure according to claim 1, characterized in that: The reminder device is a buzzer or an LED light.

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