A paper roll end detection structure and a printer adapted to various paper widths

Abstract

The utility model provides a kind of paper roll use up detection structure and printer of adaptation to multiple paper widths, including paper bin, detection module and control module, paper bin places different width paper roll;Detection module has fixed base, swing adjustable component, reset piece and detection piece.Contact head can be detached and is adapted to the width adapter of different paper width, when contact head is resisted paper roll axial side wall, reset piece energy storage and adjustable component trigger detection piece, the utility model is replaced by the width adapter of easy-to-replace through mechanical contact head, both solve the problem of poor flexibility of traditional mechanical detection adaptation, and make up the defects of insufficient detection stability of light emitting diode coupling and easy misjudgment, realize the dual promotion of adaptation flexibility and detection accuracy.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the technical field of printers, and in particular to a paper roll exhaustion detection structure and printer that can adapt to various paper widths. Background Technology

[0002] As a core device for information output, the printer's accurate detection of paper roll depletion (including the central paper roll and the paper surrounding it) directly affects the continuity and efficiency of printing work. At the same time, with the diversification of printing needs across industries, the requirements for paper width vary significantly in different scenarios (e.g., 80mm wide paper is often used for cash register receipts, 58mm wide paper for small receipts, and 50mm wide paper for portable device documents). Therefore, a structure that combines multi-paper width adaptability with accurate detection has become a key technical requirement in the printer equipment field.

[0003] Currently, the paper roll exhaustion detection solutions for mainstream printers on the market are mainly divided into two categories: mechanical detection and photoelectric coupler detection, both of which have obvious technical defects: 1. Mechanical detection solutions achieve detection through physical contact between pre-set mechanical components and the paper roll. However, due to structural design limitations, they can only adapt to a single specific width of paper roll. When users need to change to different widths of paper rolls due to changes in scenarios, they need to purchase and replace the entire detection component, or even replace the printer with a dedicated one. This not only significantly increases equipment purchase and maintenance costs, but also severely reduces the printer's flexibility and cannot meet the needs of multiple scenarios.

[0004] 2. The through-beam photocoupler detection solution uses a photocoupler to emit light and receive the reflected signal from the paper roll, judging whether the paper roll is nearly empty by the change in the intensity of the reflected signal. However, in actual use, if the paper roll partially unrolls due to installation misalignment, loose core, or uneven paper material, the photocoupler may incorrectly receive the reflected signal from the unrolled paper, misjudging that the paper roll is empty, thus triggering equipment shutdown or alarm. This type of misjudgment is particularly prominent in high-frequency printing scenarios, not only causing printing interruptions but also potentially leading to missing documents, business delays, and seriously affecting efficiency.

[0005] Therefore, there is an urgent need for a paper roll exhaustion detection structure based on mechanical detection principles that can flexibly adapt to various paper widths and avoid misjudgment, in order to overcome the shortcomings of existing technologies.

[0006] In view of this, the inventor has specifically designed a paper roll exhaustion detection structure and printer that can adapt to various paper widths, and this invention arises from this. Utility Model Content

[0007] To solve the above problems, the technical solution of this utility model is as follows: A paper roll exhaustion detection structure adaptable to various paper widths includes a paper bin, a detection module, and a control module; The paper compartment is used to hold paper rolls of different widths; The detection module includes a fixed base, a swingable adjustment component, a reset component, and a detection component. The fixed base is fixed to the bottom of the paper tray. The adjustment component is swingably mounted on the fixed base and has a contact head for contacting the paper roll. The reset component is used to generate energy storage when the adjustment component is swung by an external force and to drive the adjustment component to reset when the external force disappears. The detection element is electrically connected to the control module and is used to detect the swing state of the adjustment component and transmit a signal to the control module. The contact head of the adjustment component is detachably equipped with a width adapter to adapt to different paper widths, so as to realize the detection and adaptation of paper rolls of different widths. When the contact head abuts against the axial sidewall of the paper roll, the reset member is in an energy storage state, and the adjustment component triggers the detection member.

[0008] Preferably, the width adapter includes an adapter portion for contacting the axial sidewall of the paper roll, and an assembly portion for assembling with the contact head of the adjustment component; the assembly portion is provided with guide ribs, and the contact head is provided with guide grooves adapted to the guide ribs; the width adapter is pre-assembled through the cooperation of the guide grooves and guide ribs.

[0009] Preferably, the guide ribs are provided in pairs, and their ends form a snap-fit ​​portion, and the guide groove is provided with a snap-fit ​​groove that engages with the snap-fit ​​portion.

[0010] Preferably, the width adapter includes at least one of an adjustment block adapted to a 58mm paper width, an adjustment block adapted to a 50mm paper width, and an adjustment block adapted to an 80mm paper width, and the length of the adaptation part of each width adapter matches the corresponding paper width to ensure that it can abut against the axial sidewall of the paper roll of the corresponding width.

[0011] Preferably, the system further includes a reminder device electrically connected to the control module, the reminder device being in a non-reminder state when the detector is touched and triggered, and in a reminder state when the detection state is released.

[0012] Preferably, the reset element is a compression spring, a spring, or an elastic sheet.

[0013] Preferably, the detection element is a micro switch, a trigger sensor, or a position sensor.

[0014] Preferably, there are two contact heads.

[0015] Preferably, the adjustment component is located on the outside of the paper compartment, and the side wall of the paper compartment has a third clearance groove for the contact head to be inserted.

[0016] This utility model also provides: A printer includes the aforementioned paper roll exhaustion detection structure adapted to various paper widths.

[0017] The beneficial effects of this utility model are as follows: This invention, based on traditional mechanical detection, achieves detachable replacement of the width adapter by guiding, positioning, and engaging the width adapter with the contact head. Simply replacing the width adapter with the corresponding specification allows it to adapt to paper rolls of different widths such as 50mm, 58mm, and 80mm, completely eliminating the limitation of traditional mechanical detection where "a single paper width is bound to a single detection component." Moreover, the adaptation process does not require disassembling the entire detection module, allowing users to complete the replacement independently, significantly improving the applicability and flexibility of the equipment. Furthermore, relying on the cooperative structure of "the contact head directly abutting the axial sidewall of the paper roll + the reset component continuously storing energy", this utility model realizes a purely mechanical paper roll exhaustion judgment: the contact head always maintains effective physical contact with the paper roll, and the reset component ensures that the adjustment component stably triggers the detection component. Compared with the detection method of the through-beam optical coupler that relies on light reflection, it can completely avoid signal misreading caused by the partial spread of the paper roll or installation deviation, and has a more stable and accurate status monitoring capability.

[0018] In summary, this utility model, through a mechanical contact head and easily replaceable width adapter, not only solves the problem of poor adaptability of traditional mechanical detection, but also makes up for the shortcomings of insufficient stability and easy misjudgment of through-beam optical coupler detection, thus achieving a dual improvement in adaptability and detection accuracy. Attached Figure Description

[0019] The accompanying drawings, which are provided to further illustrate the present invention and constitute a part of the present invention, illustrate exemplary embodiments of the present invention and are used to explain the present invention, but do not constitute an undue limitation of the present invention.

[0020] in: Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of this utility model; Figure 2 This is a block diagram illustrating the connection principle of Embodiment 1 of this utility model; Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of the detection module in Embodiment 1 of this utility model; Figure 4 This is an exploded structural diagram of the detection module in Embodiment 1 of this utility model; Figure 5 This is a partial structural schematic diagram highlighting the detection element in Embodiment 1 of this utility model; Figure 6 This is a side view of the detection module in Embodiment 1 of this utility model; Figure 7 This is a partial cross-sectional view of the width adapter in Embodiment 1 of this utility model; Figure 8 This is a partial cross-sectional view of the fixing seat in Embodiment 1 of this utility model; Figure 9 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the changes in the usage state of this utility model; Figure 10 This is a schematic diagram showing the usage status of different width adapters in this utility model.

[0021] Label Explanation: 100. Paper tray; 120. Third clearance groove; 200. Detection module; 210. Fixing base; 211. Support; 212. Installation area; 213. Second clearance groove; 220. Adjustment component; 221. Contact head; 222. Swing arm; 223. First contact; 2231. First guide surface; 2232. Second guide surface; 2233. Guide groove; 2234. Slot; 224. Second contact; 2241. Third guide surface; 2 242, Corner groove; 230, Reset component; 240, Detector component; 241, Physical contact; 300, Control module; 400, Reminder device; 500, Paper roll; 510, Central paper tube; 520, Printing paper; 600, Width adapter; 610, Adaptor part; 611, First extension contact; 612, Second extension contact; 613, Connecting part; 620, Assembly part; 621, Guide rib; 622, Buckling part; 630, Positioning rib. Detailed Implementation

[0022] To make the technical problem to be solved, the technical solution, and the beneficial effects of this utility model clearer and more understandable, the present utility model will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments. It should be understood that the specific embodiments described herein are only used to explain this utility model and are not intended to limit this utility model. Example 1

[0023] Please see Figures 1 to 10 This is a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a paper roll depletion detection structure adaptable to various paper widths, including a paper tray 100, a detection module 200, a control module 300, and an alerting device 400 electrically connected to the control module 300, as detailed below: First, in this embodiment, the paper tray 100 has a receiving cavity (not shown in the figure) for accommodating paper rolls 500 of different widths. The paper roll 500 referred to in this embodiment includes a central paper tube 510 and printing paper 520 arranged around the central paper tube 510. Figure 9Initially, the printing paper 520 at the bottom of the paper roll 500 contacts the bottom of the paper tray 100. Since the paper tray 100 has no corresponding fixing measures for the central paper tube 510, as the printing process continues, the printing paper 520 is gradually consumed, and the thickness of the printing paper 520 surrounding the central paper tube 510 continuously decreases. Therefore, the height of the central paper tube 510 also continuously decreases. Based on this, the following structural description will be carried out: In this embodiment, the detection module 200 includes a fixed base 210, a swingable adjustment component 220, a reset component 230, and a detection component 240. The fixed base 210 is fixed to the bottom of the paper tray 100. Specifically, the fixed base 210 is set at the bottom of the paper tray 100 based on the placement plane of the paper tray 100 (i.e., bottom detection for top-output paper type printers and bottom detection for front-output paper type printers). The adjustment component 220 is swingably mounted on the fixed base 210 and has a contact head 221 for contacting the paper roll 500. The reset component 230 is used to generate energy storage when the adjustment component 220 is swung by an external force and to drive the adjustment component 220 to reset when the external force disappears. The detection component 240 is used to detect the position of the adjustment component 220 and output the status signal of the paper roll 500.

[0024] Specifically, the fixed base 210 is in the shape of a square frame, and a support part 211 is formed on one side of the fixed base 210. The support part 211 and the fixed base 210 enclose a mounting area 212 for mounting the adjustment component 220. The adjustment component 220 is in the shape of a long plate, and two parallel swing arms 222 extend from its upper end. The swing arms 222 are hinged to the upper side of the mounting area 212, so that the adjustment component 220 can swing back and forth within the limited range of the mounting area 212.

[0025] Furthermore, the adjustment component 220 extends downward beyond the fixed base 210, and the contact head 221 includes a first contact 223 protruding in a direction perpendicular to the paper tray 100 along this position and a second contact 224 protruding in a direction toward the paper tray 100 along the interior of the mounting area 212. The fixed base 210 is provided with a second clearance groove 213 for the second contact 224 to pass through.

[0026] In this embodiment, the extension position of the first contact 223 extends beyond the extension edge of the second contact 224, and the first contact 223 is generally formed into a shape similar to a frustum. A first guide surface 2231 and a second guide surface 2232 are formed at the end of the first contact 223, which are staggered vertically. The second contact 224 is generally formed into a cross shape, and an inclined third guide surface 2241 is formed at its end.

[0027] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the reset member 230 is a spring, which can also be replaced with a compression spring elastic sheet as needed. The spring is movably disposed in the installation area 212, with one end of the spring contacting the inner side of the support part 211 and the other end contacting the end face of the adjustment component 220. Thus, based on the support part 211, it provides elastic support force for the first contact 223 and the second contact 224 on the adjustment component 220, so that the first contact 223 and the second contact 224 swing around their rotation axis to a position close to the paper tray 100.

[0028] In order to coordinate with the swing of the first contact 223 and the second contact 224 and to cooperate with the paper roll 500, the side wall of the paper compartment 100 is provided with a third clearance groove 120 for the first contact 223 and the second contact 224 to pass through.

[0029] In this embodiment, the detection element 240 is electrically connected to the control module 300. The control module 300 is a PCBA control circuit board used to detect the swing state of the adjustment component 220 and transmit signals to the control module 300.

[0030] Specifically, in this embodiment, the detection element 240 is a micro switch, or a trigger sensor or position sensor can be selected as needed. It is triggered when the trigger end is set in the installation area 212 and is in contact with the adjustment component 220. Thus, when the first contact 223 contacts the axial side of the paper roll 500, the adjustment component 220 swings away from the paper tray 100. At this time, the spring is compressed and the end face of the adjustment component 220 contacts the physical contact 241 of the micro switch. At this time, the control module 300 receives the trigger signal of the micro switch and determines that the paper roll 500 is in a sufficient state and does not need to be replaced. When the paper roll 500 is nearly exhausted, the central paper tube 510 of the paper roll 500 continuously descends until its central control part is aligned with the position of the first contact 223. At this point, the first contact 223 loses its original support and swings into the hollow part of the central paper tube 510 under the action of the spring. The adjusting component 220 disengages from the physical contact 241 of the micro switch. After losing the trigger signal of the micro switch, the control module 300 makes another judgment: the paper roll 500 is in a state of being about to run out and needs to be replaced in time.

[0031] Specifically, the reminder device 400 electrically connected to the control module 300 is at least one of a reminder light or a speaker unit. In this embodiment, it is a reminder light. When the detector 240 is touched and triggered, it is in a non-reminder state, and the reminder light is off or in a green state. When the detection state of the detector 240 is released, the reminder light is on or in a red state (a single-color or dual-color reminder light can be selected as needed), thereby helping the user to judge the current usage status of the paper roll 500.

[0032] Furthermore, the contact head 221 of the adjustment component 220 is detachably equipped with a width adapter 600 adapted to different paper widths, so as to realize the detection and adaptation of paper rolls 500 of different widths. In this embodiment, the width adapter 600 includes three structures with different extension distances, which respectively adapt to three commonly used paper rolls 500 with different widths of 50mm, 58mm, and 80mm. Figure 10 The document shows a reference for the usage status of two different width adapters, 50mm and 80mm.

[0033] In this embodiment, the width adapter 600 includes an adapter part 610 for contacting the axial sidewall of the paper roll 500 and an assembly part 620 for assembling with the contact head 221 of the adjustment assembly 220. The assembly part 620 is provided with a guide rib 621, and the first contact head 223 is provided with a guide groove 2233 that is adapted to the guide rib 621. The width adapter 600 is pre-assembled by the cooperation between the guide groove 2233 and the guide rib 621.

[0034] Specifically, in this embodiment, the adapter 610 includes a first extended contact 611, a second extended contact 612 that are respectively opposite to the first contact 223 and the second contact 224, and a connecting part 613 that fixes the first extended contact 611 and the second extended contact 612. The assembly part 620 is disposed on the side of the first extended contact 611 and the second extended contact 612 facing the adjustment component 220. In this embodiment, the guide groove 2233 is planar.

[0035] Furthermore, a pair of guide ribs 621 are provided and distributed on both sides of the assembly part 620. The ends of the two guide ribs 621 facing each other (and the inner side of the guide ribs 621) form a snap-fit ​​part 622. The guide groove 2233 is provided with a snap-fit ​​groove 2234 that engages with the snap-fit ​​part 622.

[0036] In this embodiment, the guide groove 2233 is a plane, and two guide grooves 2233 are symmetrically arranged on both sides of the first contact 223. The inner side of the guide rib 621 is provided with a plane that matches the guide groove 2233, so that the guide groove 2233 guides the guide rib 621. After the snap-fit ​​part 622 and the snap-fit ​​groove 2234 are snapped together, the guide rib 621 will be attached to the guide groove 2233. The plane is used to limit the rotation between the adapter part 610 and the first contact 223, so that the width adapter 600 and the adjustment component 220 are stably connected.

[0037] Furthermore, the adapter portion 610 on the side of the second extended contact 612 extends to form four positioning ribs 630 that match the cross-shaped structure of the second contact 224. The four positioning ribs 630 can be inserted into the four corner slots 2242 of the second contact 224 respectively to form a stable limit.

[0038] With the above structure, the width adapter 600 can be quickly assembled with the first contact 223 and the second contact 224, making it convenient for users to replace the width adapter 600 according to different paper width requirements.

[0039] Specifically, in this embodiment, the width adapter 600 includes at least one of an adjustment block adapted to a 58mm paper width, an adjustment block adapted to a 50mm paper width, and an adjustment block adapted to an 80mm paper width. The length of the adapter portion 610 of each width adapter 600 matches the corresponding paper width to ensure it can abut against the axial sidewall of the corresponding width paper roll 500. Figure 9 The image shows the application scenarios of the 600 width adapter for 50mm and 80mm paper widths. Example 2

[0040] A printer, such as Figure 1 As shown, the paper roll 500 exhaustion detection structure adaptable to various paper widths in Embodiment 1, as well as other core components required by the printer, such as the printing module and electronic control unit, are existing technologies and will not be described in detail here.

[0041] The beneficial effects of this utility model are as follows: Based on traditional mechanical detection, this utility model achieves the detachable replacement of the width adapter 600 through the guiding, positioning, and locking structure between the width adapter 600 and the contact head 221. By simply replacing the width adapter 600 with the corresponding specification, it can be adapted to paper rolls 500 of different widths such as 50mm, 58mm, and 80mm, completely breaking away from the limitation of traditional mechanical detection that "a single paper width is bound to a single detection component". Moreover, the adaptation process does not require disassembling the entire detection module, and users can complete the replacement themselves, greatly improving the applicable scenarios and usage flexibility of the equipment. Furthermore, relying on the cooperative structure of "contact head 221 directly abutting against the axial sidewall of paper roll 500 + reset member 230 continuously storing energy", this utility model realizes a purely mechanical paper roll 500 exhaustion judgment: the contact head 221 always maintains effective physical contact with the paper roll 500, and the reset member 230 ensures that the adjustment component 220 stably triggers the detection component 240. Compared with the detection method of through-beam optical coupler that relies on light reflection, it can completely avoid signal misreading caused by partial spread of paper roll 500 or installation deviation, and has a more stable and accurate status monitoring capability.

[0042] In summary, this utility model, through the mechanical contact head 221 and the easily replaceable width adapter 600, not only solves the problem of poor adaptability of traditional mechanical detection, but also makes up for the defects of insufficient stability and easy misjudgment of through-beam optical coupler detection, thus achieving a dual improvement in adaptability and detection accuracy.

[0043] The present invention has been described above with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the specific implementation of the present invention is not limited to the above-described manner. Any non-substantial improvements made using the inventive concept and technical solution of the present invention, or the direct application of the inventive concept and technical solution to other situations without modification, are all within the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A paper roll exhaustion detection structure adaptable to various paper widths, characterized in that, It includes a paper tray (100), a detection module (200), and a control module (300); The paper container (100) is used to hold paper rolls (500) of different widths; The detection module (200) includes a fixed base (210), a swingable adjustment component (220), a reset component (230), and a detection component (240). The fixed base (210) is fixed to the bottom of the paper tray (100). The adjustment component (220) is swingably mounted on the fixed base (210) and has a contact head (221) for contacting the paper roll (500). The reset component (230) is used to generate energy storage when the adjustment component (220) is swinged by an external force, and to drive the adjustment component (220) to reset when the external force disappears. The detection element (240) is electrically connected to the control module (300) and is used to detect the swing state of the adjustment component (220) and transmit a signal to the control module (300); The adjustment component (220) has a contact head (221) detachably fitted with a width adapter (600) adapted to different paper widths, so as to realize the detection and adaptation of paper rolls (500) of different widths. When the contact head (221) abuts against the axial sidewall of the paper roll (500), the reset member (230) is in an energy storage state, and the adjustment component (220) triggers the detection member (240).

2. The paper roll exhaustion detection structure adaptable to various paper widths according to claim 1, characterized in that, The width adapter (600) includes an adapter part (610) for contacting the axial sidewall of the paper roll (500) and an assembly part (620) for assembling with the contact head (221) of the adjustment assembly (220); the assembly part (620) is provided with a guide rib (621), and the contact head (221) is provided with a guide groove (2233) adapted to the guide rib (621). The width adapter (600) is pre-assembled by the cooperation of the guide groove (2233) and the guide rib (621).

3. The paper roll exhaustion detection structure adaptable to various paper widths according to claim 2, characterized in that, The guide ribs (621) are provided in pairs, and their ends form a snap-fit ​​part (622). The guide groove (2233) is provided with a snap-fit ​​groove (2234) that engages with the snap-fit ​​part (622).

4. The paper roll exhaustion detection structure adaptable to various paper widths according to claim 2, characterized in that, The width adapter (600) includes at least one of an adjustment block adapted to a 58mm paper width, an adjustment block adapted to a 50mm paper width, and an adjustment block adapted to an 80mm paper width, and the length of the adapter part (610) of each width adapter (600) matches the corresponding paper width to ensure that it can abut against the axial sidewall of the corresponding width paper roll (500).

5. The paper roll exhaustion detection structure adaptable to various paper widths according to claim 1, characterized in that, It also includes an alerting device (400) electrically connected to the control module (300), the alerting device (400) being in a non-alert state when the detector (240) is touched and triggered, and in an alert state when the touch state of the detector (240) is released.

6. The paper roll exhaustion detection structure adaptable to various paper widths according to claim 4, characterized in that, The reset element (230) is a compression spring, a spring, or an elastic sheet.

7. The paper roll exhaustion detection structure adaptable to various paper widths according to claim 1, characterized in that, The detection device (240) is a micro switch, a trigger sensor, or a position sensor.

8. The paper roll exhaustion detection structure adaptable to various paper widths according to claim 1, characterized in that, The contact head (221) is provided in two parts.

9. The paper roll exhaustion detection structure adaptable to various paper widths according to claim 1, characterized in that, The adjustment component (220) is located on the outside of the paper tray (100), and the side wall of the paper tray (100) is provided with a third clearance groove (120) for the contact head (221) to be inserted.

10. A printer, characterized in that, Includes a paper roll exhaustion detection structure adaptable to multiple paper widths as described in any one of claims 1-9.

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