Printer device

Abstract

To provide a printer device that can suppress coming off of a cut paper from a paper discharge port.SOLUTION: A printer device 1 according to an embodiment comprises a cutter 23, a support member 21, and an energizing member 25. The cutter 23 cuts a paper conveyed by a conveying mechanism. The support member 21 is provided on a paper discharge port 11 through which the cut paper is discharged, the support member 21 supports the paper discharged from the paper discharge port 11, from a back side of the discharged paper. The energizing member 25 is provided between the cutter 23 and the support member 21 in a conveying direction 215 of the paper, and energizes the paper from a front side. The support member 21 and the energizing member 25 have portions overlapping with each other when viewed from the conveying direction 215 of the paper. The paper cut by the cutter 23 is held between the support member 21 and the energizing member 25.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 9

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] FIELD An embodiment of the present invention relates to a printer device. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, there are two types of auto-cut in printer devices: full cut and partial cut. With partial cut, some paper remains on the paper roll, so the paper does not fall out after cutting. However, when using full cut, there is a problem where the paper falls out of the paper outlet after cutting. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0003] The problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a printer device that can prevent the paper from falling out of the paper outlet after being cut. [Means for solving the problem]

[0004] The printer device of the embodiment has a cutter, a support member, and an urging member. The cutter cuts paper transported by a transport mechanism. The support member is provided at a paper outlet from which the cut paper is discharged and supports the paper from the back side as it is discharged from the paper outlet. The urging member is provided between the cutter and the support member in the paper transport direction and urges the paper from the front side. The support member and the urging member have portions that overlap when viewed from the paper transport direction. The paper cut by the cutter is held between the support member and the urging member. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0005] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a printer device according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of a printer apparatus according to an embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of the appearance of a printer device according to an embodiment, in which the paper exit through which the paper cut by the cutter is discharged is in the horizontal direction. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of a state in which the cover of the printer device illustrated in FIG. 3 is open according to the embodiment. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of the appearance of a printer device when the paper discharge outlet is in the vertical direction according to the embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of a state in which the cover of the printer device shown in FIG. 5 is open according to the embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the printer device in FIG. 3 taken along the line AA according to the embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 shows the state in which the cover in FIG. 7 is opened according to the embodiment. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is an enlarged view of the cross section taken along the line AA in FIG. 5 according to the embodiment. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a case where the biasing member 5 rotates around the rotation axis in the opposite direction to the biasing direction due to the occurrence of a jam according to the embodiment. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an example of a paper tension state according to the embodiment. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing an example of an operation executed by the printer device according to the embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0006] Hereinafter, embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described below.

[0007] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the schematic configuration of a printer device 1 according to an embodiment. An overview of the printer device 1 will be described below using FIG. 1. The printer device 1 corresponds to a thermal printer. The printer device 1 is used, for example, as a receipt printer used to print receipts.

[0008] The printer 1 stores roll paper LR, which is paper LP, an example of print paper, wound into a roll. The printer 1 prints on the paper LP while pulling it out from the roll paper LR. The printer 1 includes a paper outlet 11, a platen roller 17, a print head 19, and a cutter 23. The paper outlet 11 ejects the paper LP after it has been cut by the cutter 23.

[0009] The print head 19 is an example of a printing unit. The print head 19 of this embodiment is a thermal head having a structure in which a plurality of heating elements are aligned. The print head 19 prints on the paper LP held between the platen roller 17 and the print head 19 by heating the heating elements corresponding to the print pattern. The print head 19 is urged against the platen roller 17 by a urging mechanism (not shown). As a result, in the printer device 1, the print head 19 abuts against the platen roller 17.

[0010] The cutter 23 cuts the paper LP transported by a transport mechanism such as the platen roller 17. Specifically, the cutter 23 has a movable blade and a fixed blade. The movable blade is a blade that can move in the thickness direction of the paper. The movable blade moves up and down under the control of a control unit 100 (see FIG. 2) mounted in the printer device 1, which will be described later, by a movement mechanism that moves the blade. The fixed blade is located opposite the movable blade. When printing on the paper LP is completed, the movable blade moves from the back side of the paper to the front side of the paper, and the paper LP is sandwiched between the moved movable blade and the fixed blade, thereby cutting the paper LP. The front side of the paper corresponds, for example, to the print side of the paper. The back side of the paper corresponds to the opposite side of the print side of the paper (the non-print side).

[0011] The use of the cutter 23 is not limited to cutting (full cut) the paper LP. For example, the cutter 23 can also perform partial cut, which cuts off a part of the paper LP. Full cut and partial cut are set in advance by a user via an operation unit (not shown).

[0012] Next, the hardware configuration of the printer device 1 will be described with reference to Fig. 2. Fig. 2 is a diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the printer device 1.

[0013] As shown in FIG. 2, the printer device 1 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 101, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 102, and a RAM (Random Access Memory) 103.

[0014] The CPU 101 is an example of a processor and is the main controller of the printer device 1. The ROM 102 stores various programs. The RAM 103 expands the programs and various data. The CPU 101, ROM 102, and RAM 103 are connected via a bus or the like. The CPU 101, ROM 102, and RAM 103 constitute the control unit 100. That is, the control unit 100 executes control processing related to the operation of the printer device 1 by the CPU 101 operating in accordance with a control program 1041 stored in the ROM 102 or a storage unit 104 (described later) and expanded in the RAM 103.

[0015] The storage unit 104 is configured with a non-volatile memory such as a hard disk drive (HDD) or flash memory that retains stored information even when the power is turned off. The storage unit 104 stores a control program 1041 for controlling the operation of the printer device 1. The storage unit 104 also stores various setting information related to the operation of the printer device 1.

[0016] The control unit 100 is also connected to a controller 105 that controls the input and output of data via a bus, etc. The controller 105 is connected to the print head 19, first drive motor 106, second drive motor 107, etc.

[0017] The first drive motor 106 is a drive source for the platen roller 17. The first drive motor 106 is an example of a first drive unit. The first drive motor 106 is realized by, for example, a stepping motor. Here, the first drive motor 106, together with the platen roller 17 described above, functions as an example of a transport unit that transports the paper LP in the feed direction (forward direction).

[0018] The second drive motor 107 is a drive source for the cutter 23. The second drive motor 107 is provided in a movement mechanism that moves the movable blade of the cutter 23. The second drive motor 107 is an example of a second drive unit. The second drive motor 107 is realized by, for example, a DC motor.

[0019] The controller 105 receives instructions from the control unit 100 and controls the operation of each unit of the printer device 1. For example, the controller 105 controls the operation of the first drive motor 106 to feed the paper LP at a predetermined transport speed.

[0020] The control unit 100 is also connected to a communication unit 108 via a bus or the like. The communication unit 108 communicates with an external device such as an information processing device via a communication line (not shown). For example, the communication unit 108 acquires print data to be printed on paper LP from the external device, and acquires printing instructions. The communication line may be a wired communication line or a wireless communication line.

[0021] The hardware configuration of the printer device 1 is not limited to the configuration shown in Fig. 2. For example, the printer device 1 may include an operation unit for receiving operations from a user, a display unit for displaying various information, and the like.

[0022] Next, the appearance, configuration, etc. of the printer device 1 will be described with reference to Fig. 3. Fig. 3 is a diagram showing an example of the appearance of the printer device 1 when the paper discharge port 11, through which the paper cut by the cutter 23 is discharged, is horizontal. In Fig. 3, the paper LP after printing is discharged horizontally from the printer device 1.

[0023] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a state in which the cover 13 of the printer 1 shown in FIG. 3 is open. As shown in FIG. 4, rolled paper LP is stored in the printer 1. A platen roller 17 is mounted on the cover 13. In this case, the print head 19 is located on the main body 20 side of the printer 1. The positional relationship between the platen roller 17 and the print head 19 is not limited to that shown in FIG. 4; the print head 19 may be mounted on the cover 13 and the platen roller 17 may be located on the main body 20 of the printer 1. When the printer 1 is installed as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the front side may be expressed as the upper side, and the back side may be expressed as the lower side.

[0024] Note that the printer 1 is not limited to the configuration shown in FIG. 1, and may be installed so that the paper outlet 11 faces vertically upward, for example. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of the appearance of the printer 1 when the paper outlet 11 is vertical. In FIG. 5, the paper LR after printing is discharged from the printer 1 facing vertically upward. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of the state in which the cover 13 of the printer 1 shown in FIG. 5 is open. For the sake of concrete explanation, the following description will be given of the printer 1 installed so that the paper outlet 11 faces horizontally.

[0025] As shown in Figures 3 to 6, a support member 21 is provided at the paper discharge opening 11 of the cover 13 of the printer device 1. The support member 21 supports the back side of paper discharged from the paper discharge opening 11. The support member 21 is provided detachably to the paper discharge opening 11 or integrally with the paper discharge opening 11. In other words, the support member 21 is formed detachably to the cover 13 or integrally with the cover 13. The support member 21 that supports the back side of paper may also be called a table.

[0026] Figure 7 is a cross-sectional view of the printer device 1 in Figure 3 taken along the line AA. Figure 8 is a cross-sectional view of the printer device 1 in Figure 4 taken along the line AA. Figure 8 shows the state in which the cover 13 in Figure 7 is open. As shown in Figure 8, the length 211 of the protruding portion of the support member 21 (hereinafter referred to as the protruding length) and the inclination of the protruding length 211 relative to the discharge direction of the paper LP are set so that roll paper LR can be inserted into the main body 20 when the cover 13 is opened to the horizontal plane 30, that is, when the leading edge of the support member 21 comes into contact with the horizontal plane 30 as the cover 13 is opened. In other words, the protruding length 211 and the inclination of the protruding length 211 are set in advance to an extent that allows the roll paper LR to be replaced.

[0027] Figure 9 is an enlarged view of the cross section taken along the line AA in Figure 5. As shown in Figure 9, a print head 19 is provided opposite the platen roller 17. The print head 19 is biased from the front side of the paper toward the back side by the elastic force of a spring 193 via a head member 191 that supports the print head 19. When the cover 13 is opened to replace the roll paper LR, the leading edge of the roll paper LR pulled out by the user is sandwiched between the platen roller 17 and the print head 19, and the cover 13 is closed. As a result, the leading edge of the roll paper LR is held by the platen roller 17 and the print head 19. The platen roller 17 corresponds to a transport mechanism that transports the paper LP.

[0028] The cutter 23 shown in Figure 9 cuts the paper LP transported by the transport mechanism. Specifically, the cutter 23 has a movable blade 231 and a fixed blade 233. The movable blade 231 is a blade that can move in the thickness direction of the paper LP, and is mounted on the cover 13. The movable blade 231 moves up and down under the control of the control unit 100 mounted on the printer device 1 by a movement mechanism that moves the blade. The fixed blade 233 is fixed to the main body 20 of the printer device 1. When printing on the paper LP is completed, the movable blade 231 moves from the back side to the front side of the paper LP, and the paper LP is sandwiched between the moved movable blade 231 and the fixed blade 233, thereby cutting the paper LP.

[0029] The urging member 25 shown in FIG. 9 is provided between the cutter 23 and the support member 21 in the conveyance direction 215 of the paper sheet LP. The urging member 25 is urged by a spring from the front side of the paper sheet LP toward the back side. The urging member 25 is provided on the main body 20 so as to be rotatable about a rotation shaft 251. As a result, the urging member 25 urges the paper sheet LP from the front side. When a force (hereinafter referred to as a pushing-up force) greater than the urging force (hereinafter referred to as the urging force) applied by the spring toward the front side of the paper sheet LP acts on the urging member 25 from the back side toward the front side of the paper sheet LP, the urging member 25 rotates about the rotation shaft 251. In other words, the urging member 25 rotates about the rotation shaft 251 in the opposite direction to the urging force due to the pushing-up force from the back side of the paper sheet LP. The urging member 25 may also be called a flapper.

[0030] As shown in FIG. 9, the support member 21 and the urging member 25 have an overlapping portion 217 when viewed from the conveyance direction 215 of the paper LP (hereinafter referred to as the overlapping portion). The length of the overlapping portion 217 is set in advance depending on the material (hardness, smoothness) of the paper LP, the thickness of the paper LP, the weight of the paper LP, and the like. As shown in FIG. 9, the upper end of the support member 21 is located on the obverse side of the lower end of the urging member 25. That is, the relative positional relationship between the support member 21 and the urging member 25 is such that the tip of the support member 21 overlaps the urging member 25 when viewed from the conveyance direction 215 of the paper LP. In addition, as shown in FIG. 9, the protruding portion of the support member 21 is provided at the paper discharge opening 11 at an acute angle with respect to the conveyance direction 215. As a result, the paper LP cut by the cutter 23 is held between the support member 21 and the urging member 25, as shown in FIG. Specifically, the paper sheet LP is held by friction between the upper end of the support member 21 and the paper sheet LP, and friction between the lower end of the biasing member 25 and the paper sheet LP.

[0031] For the sake of specificity, the urging member 25 will be described below as having a mechanism for preventing paper from jamming after printing. For example, if a serious jam occurs, such as when paper LP gets stuck in the gap 171 around the platen roller 17, many steps will be required to disassemble the components related to the platen roller 17 and remove the jammed paper. To prevent this problem, the printer device 1 of this embodiment is equipped with an anti-jam mechanism. The anti-jam mechanism includes, for example, a shutter 253 provided on the urging member 25 located downstream of the platen roller 17 and the cutter 23, and a sensor 255 provided on the cover 13.

[0032] If the printer device 1 is not equipped with an anti-jam mechanism, the biasing member 25 is not limited to being biased by a spring, and may be fixed to the main body 20 so as to maintain the biasing force, for example.

[0033] The sensor 255 detects the operation of the biasing member 25. The sensor 255 is realized by, for example, a photodetector. For the sake of concreteness, the following description will be given assuming that the sensor 255 is a photodetector. The photodetector 255 has a light-emitting unit that emits light and a light-receiving unit that receives the light. A space (hereinafter referred to as an optical path space) in which the shutter 253 can be arranged is provided between the light-emitting unit and the light-receiving unit. The photodetector 255 is realized by, for example, a U-shaped photointerrupter.

[0034] When the shutter 253 moves in accordance with the rotation of the biasing member 25 and moves into the optical path space corresponding to the U-shaped gap, the shutter 253 blocks light in the optical path 257 connecting the light-emitting unit and the light-receiving unit. When the light is blocked from reaching the light-receiving unit due to the blocking of the light, the photodetector 255 detects a change in the light intensity and outputs a current corresponding to the detection (hereinafter referred to as the detection current) to the control unit 100 in the printer device 1.

[0035] In response to the input of the detection current, the control unit 100 stops the rotation of the platen roller 17 and printing on the paper LP. That is, when the operation of the urging member 25 is detected by the sensor 255, the control unit 100 stops the transport of the paper LP. In addition, the control unit 100 stops printing on the paper LP.

[0036] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example in which the urging member 25 rotates around the rotation axis 251 in the direction opposite to the urging direction due to the occurrence of a jam. As shown in FIG. 10, when a jam occurs, an obstruction 111 that blocks the discharge of the paper LP is located at the paper discharge port 11. The obstruction 111 is, for example, a user's finger or an object heavier than the paper LP. As shown in FIG. 10, the printed and transported paper LP is bent by the obstruction 111, causing a paper jam. When the upward force generated by the bent paper LP exceeds the negative force, the urging member 25 rotates around the rotation axis 251 in the direction opposite to the urging direction. At this time, when a shutter 253 provided on the urging member 25 blocks light, the transport and printing of the paper LP are stopped.

[0037] The anti-jam mechanism is not limited to the combination of the shutter 253 provided on the urging member 25 and the photodetector 255 that can be blocked by the shutter 253. For example, the anti-jam mechanism may be configured with an actuator connected to the urging member 25 and a detector that detects the movement of the actuator. In this case, the actuator presses a switch of the detector that corresponds to the sensor 255 in accordance with the movement of the urging member 25. In response to the pressing of the switch of the detector, the control unit 100 stops the rotation of the platen roller 17 and printing on the paper LP.

[0038] The use of the anti-jam mechanism is not limited to stopping the transport and printing of the paper LP when a jam is detected. For example, the anti-jam mechanism also functions when the paper LP is pulled toward the front side of the paper LP by a user or the like before the paper LP is cut by the cutter 23 (hereinafter referred to as the paper pulling state).

[0039] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of a paper tension state. As shown in FIG. 11, when the paper LP is pulled toward the front side of the paper LP, the paper LP pushes the urging member 25 upward in the direction opposite to the urging force. This causes the urging member 25 to rotate around the rotation axis 251. When the shutter 253, which moves in conjunction with the rotation of the urging member 25, moves into the optical path space corresponding to the U-shaped gap, the shutter 253 blocks light in the optical path 257 connecting the light-emitting unit and the light-receiving unit. At this time, the photodetector 255 outputs a detection current to the control unit 100. In response to the detection current, the control unit 100 stops the rotation of the platen roller 17 and printing on the paper LP.

[0040] Next, an example of the operation of the printer device 1 will be described with reference to Fig. 12. Fig. 12 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation executed by the printer device 1.

[0041] First, the control unit 100 drives the print head 19. Next, the control unit 100 executes printing on the paper LP at the print start position (step S1). Next, the control unit 100 drives the first drive motor 106 for the platen roller 17. As a result, the paper LP is transported toward the paper discharge port 11.

[0042] It is determined whether or not a jam has been detected by sensor (photodetector) 255 (step S2). The detection of a jam corresponds to the detection of the operation of biasing member 25 by sensor 255. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 10, the detection of a jam corresponds to the positioning of shutter 253 in the optical path space as a result of biasing member 25 rotating around rotation axis 251 in the direction opposite to the biasing force when the force pushing up the LP of the paper exceeds the negative force. In other words, the presence or absence of jam detection corresponds to whether or not control unit 100 has received the detection current output from photodetector 255.

[0043] If the sensor (photodetector) 255 detects a jam (Yes in step S2), the process of step S3 is executed. When a jam is detected, the control unit 100 starts counting the time from the time the jam is detected, i.e., the time the detection current is received. The counted time is stored in, for example, the RAM 103. The counted time corresponds to the time during which the jam detection continues (hereinafter referred to as the jam duration).

[0044] If the sensor (photodetector) 255 does not detect a jam (No in step S2), the process proceeds to step S9.

[0045] When a jam is detected (Yes in step S2), the control unit 100 stops driving the first drive motor 106 and the print head 19. As a result, the control unit 100 stops the transport of the paper LP and printing on the paper LP (step S3). That is, when the operation of the urging member 25 is detected by the sensor 255, the control unit 100 stops the transport of the paper LP.

[0046] The control unit 100 compares the jam duration with a predetermined time. The predetermined time is set in advance and stored in the ROM 102 or RAM 103. The predetermined time corresponds to the time during which the jam is temporary and the detected jam is naturally cleared without progressing to a serious jam. The control unit 100 determines whether the jam duration exceeds the predetermined time read from the ROM 102 or RAM 103 (step S4). The predetermined time can be set as appropriate via an operation unit (not shown).

[0047] If the jam duration does not exceed the predetermined time (No in step S4), the process proceeds to step S5. If the jam duration exceeds the predetermined time (Yes in step S4), the process proceeds to step S6.

[0048] If the jam detection has not been released (No in step S5), the process of step S4 is executed again. If the jam detection has been released (Yes in step S5), the process of step S9 is executed again. If the biasing member 25 moves to a position where it is biased by the spring within a predetermined time after the operation of the biasing member 25, and the detection by the sensor 255 is released, and if printing has not finished (No in step S9), the control unit 100 causes the paper LP to be transported and printing to be executed on the paper LP.

[0049] If the jam duration exceeds the predetermined time (Yes in step S4), the control unit 100 A predetermined warning is output. For example, the control unit 100 causes a speaker (not shown) to output a sound indicating the occurrence of a jam and an instruction to clear the jam. Note that the output of the predetermined warning is not limited to a sound, and for example, a monitor (not shown) may display an indication that a jam has occurred and that the jam will be cleared.

[0050] The jam clearance process is executed (step S7). For example, the user opens the cover 13 and removes the jammed paper. That is, the user closes the cover 13 and removes the paper that is causing the jam. Next, the user pinches the leading edge of the paper LP pulled out from the roll paper LR between the platen roller 17 and the print head 19. Next, the user closes the cover 13.

[0051] When a sensor (not shown) that detects the closure of cover 13 detects that cover 13 is closed, sensor (photodetector) 255 determines whether a jam has been detected (step S8). That is, if the detection by sensor 255 is not canceled within a predetermined time after urging member 25 operates, control unit 100 confirms the detection of the operation of urging member 25 by sensor 255 (in other words, detection of a jam) after cover 13 is opened and closed in response to the clearance of the jammed paper LP.

[0052] If the sensor (photodetector) 255 detects a jam (Yes in step S8), the process proceeds to step S4. If the sensor (photodetector) 255 does not detect a jam (No in step S8), the process proceeds to step S9.

[0053] If printing on the paper LP is completed (Yes in step S9), the operation executed by the printer device 1 is completed. At this time, the control unit 100 moves the movable blade 231 of the cutter 23 upward to cut the paper LP. If printing on the paper LP is not completed (No in step S9), the processing from step S1 onwards is repeated.

[0054] As described above, the printer device 1 of this embodiment has a cutter 23 that cuts the paper LP transported by the transport mechanism, a support member 21 that is provided at the paper discharge outlet 11 from which the cut paper LP is discharged and that supports the paper LP from the back side as it is discharged from the paper discharge outlet 11, and a urging member 25 that is provided between the cutter 23 and the support member 21 in the paper transport direction 215 and that urges the paper LP from the front side, and the support member 21 and the urging member 25 have overlapping portions when viewed from the paper transport direction 215, and the paper LP cut by the cutter 23 is held between the support member 21 and the urging member 25.

[0055] As a result, according to the printer device 1 of this embodiment, when the paper LP is discharged horizontally, the paper LP cut by the cutter 23 in a full cut can be held by friction between the upper end of the support member 21, the lower end of the urging member 25, and the paper LP. Therefore, according to this embodiment, it is possible to provide a printer device 1 that can prevent the paper LP from falling out of the paper discharge port 11 after being cut.

[0056] Furthermore, the printer device 1 according to this embodiment detects the operation of the urging member 25, and stops the transport of the paper LP when the operation of the urging member 25 is detected by the sensor 255. As a result, the printer device 1 according to this embodiment can prevent the occurrence of a serious jam (paper jam) in which the paper LP gets caught in the gap 171 around the platen roller 17. Furthermore, the printer device 1 according to this embodiment detects the paper tension state with the sensor 255 and stops the transport of the paper LP and printing on the paper LP. As a result, the printer device 1 according to this embodiment can reduce printing errors and the like when the paper LP is pulled toward the front side by a user or the like. Furthermore, the printer device 1 according to this embodiment returns the cut paper LP to the upstream side, thereby reducing the possibility of the paper LP being cut twice or a serious jam caused by the cut paper LP.

[0057] Furthermore, the printer device 1 according to this embodiment executes conveyance of the paper LP if the biasing member 25 moves to a position (initial position) where it is biased by a spring within a predetermined time after the biasing member 25 operates, and if the detection (jam detection) by the sensor 255 is canceled. As a result, according to the printer device 1 according to this embodiment, if the jam is naturally cleared within a predetermined time, printing can be resumed immediately without performing jam clearance processing such as opening the cover 13.

[0058] Furthermore, in the printer device 1 according to this embodiment, when the operation of the urging member 25 is detected by the sensor 255 and the detection by the sensor 255 is not released within a predetermined time, and when the cover 13 to which the support member 21 is attached is opened and closed to clear a jam of paper LP, the printer device 1 according to this embodiment checks whether the operation of the urging member 25 is detected by the sensor 255. As a result, in the case where the user has not sufficiently cleared the jam, the printer device 1 according to this embodiment can prevent the occurrence of a serious jam (paper jam) in which paper LP gets caught in the gap 171 around the platen roller 17.

[0059] Furthermore, in the printer 1 according to this embodiment, the support member 21 is detachably attached to the paper discharge port 11 or is provided integrally with the paper discharge port 11. According to the printer 1 according to this embodiment, by attaching and detaching the support member 21 or replacing the cover 13 depending on the orientation of the paper discharge port 11 of the printer 1 and / or the type of paper cut, a more compact (small-sized) printer 1 can be provided. For example, when the paper discharge port 11 is oriented horizontally and the paper LP is fully cut, the support member 21 is provided at the paper discharge port 11. When the paper discharge port 11 is oriented horizontally and the paper LP is partially cut, the support member 21 can be removed. When the paper discharge port 11 is oriented vertically upward, the support member 21 can be removed regardless of the type of paper LP cut.

[0060] Although several embodiments of the present invention have been described, these embodiments are presented as examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These novel embodiments can be embodied in various other forms, and various omissions, substitutions, and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. These embodiments and their modifications are included within the scope and spirit of the invention, and are also included in the scope of the invention and its equivalents as defined in the claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0061] 1. Printer device 11 Paper outlet 13 Cover 17 Platen roller 19 Print Head 20 Main Unit 21 Support member 23 Cutter 25 biasing member 30 horizontal plane 100 control section 101 CPU 102 ROM 103 RAM 104 Storage section 105 Controller 106 First drive motor 108 Communications Department 111 Inhibitors 171 Gap 191 Head component 193 Spring 231 Movable blade 233 Fixed blade 215 Conveying direction 217 Overlapping part 251 Rotation axis 253 Shutter 255 sensors 257 Light path 1041 Control Program [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0062] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2008-210097

Claims

1. a cutter that cuts the paper conveyed by the conveying mechanism; a support member that is provided at a paper discharge port through which the cut paper is discharged and that supports the paper from the back side as it is discharged from the paper discharge port; a biasing member that is provided between the cutter and the support member in the paper conveyance direction and biases the paper from the front side; Equipped with the support member and the urging member have portions that overlap each other when viewed from the paper transport direction, The paper cut by the cutter is held between the support member and the urging member. Printer device.

2. a sensor that detects the operation of the biasing member; a control unit that stops the transport of the paper when the operation of the biasing member is detected by the sensor; The printer device of claim 1 further comprising:

3. and when the biasing member moves to a position where it is biased by a spring within a predetermined time after the biasing member is operated and the detection by the sensor is released, the control unit executes the transport of the paper.

3. The printer device according to claim 2.

4. When the operation of the biasing member is detected by the sensor and the detection of the sensor is not released within a predetermined time, and when the cover to which the support member is attached is opened or closed, the control unit confirms whether the operation of the biasing member is detected by the sensor.

4. The printer device according to claim 2 or 3.

5. The relative positional relationship between the support member and the urging member is such that a tip portion of the support member overlaps the urging member when viewed from the paper transport direction, the protruding portion of the support member is provided at the paper discharge outlet at an angle with respect to the transport direction; 4. The printer device according to claim 1.

6. The support member is provided detachably to the paper discharge outlet or integrally with the paper discharge outlet.

4. The printer device according to claim 1.

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