Media Support Device and Printer

Abstract

To provide a media support device capable of manually rotating a roll support member for supporting a roll of media easily, and a printer equipped with such a media support device.SOLUTION: A media support device includes a roll support member 40 for supporting a roll around which sheet-like media are wound, and a rotation support member 50 for supporting the roll support member 40 so as to rotate around an axis line of the roll. The roll support member 40 includes a handle 42 for rotatably operating the roll support member 40. The handle 42 includes a portion protruding outward in a radial direction of the roll more than the rotation support member 50 in an axial direction view of the roll.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a media support device and a printer equipped with the same. [Background technology]

[0002] Printers are known that sequentially pay out media from a roll on which the media is wound and print on the paid out media. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a printer that pays out and transports the media from the roll using a media transport means equipped with a drive roller and a pinch roller, and then rewinds the media after printing on a take-up holder. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2020-90342 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] When feeding out media or winding up the media after printing, problems such as the media being skewed may occur. In such cases, the problem may be resolved by manually rotating the roll support member that supports the roll of media before or after printing. For example, skewed media is often resolved by rotating the roll support member in the opposite direction to that used for transporting the media and rewinding the media. However, conventional media support devices have not been configured to allow the roll support member to be easily rotated manually.

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and has an object to provide a media support device that allows easy manual rotation of a roll support member that supports a roll of media, and to provide a printer equipped with such a media support device. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The media support device disclosed herein includes a roll support member that supports a roll on which a sheet-like medium is wound, and a rotation support member that supports the roll support member so as to be rotatable about the axis of the roll. The roll support member includes a handle that can rotate the roll support member. The handle has a portion that protrudes outward in the radial direction of the roll beyond the rotation support member when viewed in the axial direction of the roll.

[0007] According to the above media support device, the roll support member can be easily rotated manually by operating the handle. In particular, in the above media support device, a part of the handle protrudes outward in the radial direction of the roll beyond the rotation support member when viewed in the axial direction of the roll, so that the handle can be operated even through the rotation support member, facilitating manual rotation of the roll support member. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view showing a printer according to an embodiment; [Diagram 2] FIG. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a rear perspective view of the printer. [Figure 4] FIG. 13 is a left perspective view of the right feeder. [Diagram 5] FIG. 2 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the feeder in an unlocked state. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the feeder in a locked state. [Figure 7] FIG. 11 is a vertical cross-sectional view showing an unlocked state of a feeder according to another embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 11 is a vertical cross-sectional view showing a locked state of a feeder according to another embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0009] An inkjet printer according to one embodiment will be described below with reference to the drawings. It should be noted that the embodiment described here is not intended to limit the present invention in any way. Also, the same reference numerals are used for members and parts that perform the same functions, and duplicated descriptions are omitted or simplified as appropriate. In the following description, when the inkjet printer is viewed from the front, the side away from the inkjet printer is the front, and the side approaching the inkjet printer is the rear. Also, the reference numerals F, Rr, L, R, U, and D in the drawings represent the front, rear, left, right, top, and bottom, respectively. However, these directions are merely provided for the sake of convenience in the description, and do not limit the installation mode of the inkjet printer, etc.

[0010] [Inkjet printer configuration] Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a large-format inkjet printer (hereinafter referred to as "printer") 10 according to one embodiment. Fig. 2 is a right side view of the printer 10. Fig. 3 is a perspective view from the rear side of the printer 10. The printer 10 moves a rolled medium 5a in the front-to-rear direction while unwinding it, and forms an image on the medium 5a by ejecting ink from a print head 16 mounted on a carriage 15 that moves in the left-to-right direction.

[0011] In this embodiment, the printer 10 is an inkjet printer. In this embodiment, the term "inkjet printer" refers to inkjet printers using various conventionally known methods, including various continuous methods such as a binary deflection method or a continuous deflection method, and various on-demand methods such as a thermal method or a piezoelectric element method.

[0012] The medium 5a is an object on which an image is printed. The medium 5a is a sheet-shaped recording medium. The material of the medium 5a is not particularly limited. The medium 5a may be, for example, paper such as plain paper or inkjet printing paper, or a transparent sheet made of resin or the like. The medium 5a may be a sheet made of metal or rubber, or may be a fabric. In the following, the medium 5a as the printing object rolled up will be referred to as a roll 5.

[0013] As shown in FIG. 2, the printer 10 includes a platen 11, a print head 16, a media supply device 20, a transport device 80, and a winding device 90. A roll 5 of unprinted media 5a is attached to the media supply device 20. The media supply device 20 supports the roll 5 so that it can rotate in the front-rear direction. The transport device 80 pays out the media 5a from the roll 5 and transports the paid-out media 5a in the front-rear direction. The print head 16 forms an image on the media 5a supplied from the media supply device 20. The winding device 90 winds up the media 5a after the image has been formed. The printer 10 also includes a carriage movement device (not shown) that moves the carriage 15 in the left-right direction.

[0014] The print head 16 is provided downstream, here on the front side, of the media supply device 20 in the transport direction of the media 5a. The print head 16 is mounted on a carriage 15 and disposed above the platen 11. The print head 16 is configured to eject ink toward the media 5a on the platen 11. The print head 16 moves left and right as the carriage 15 is moved left and right by a carriage movement device (not shown). The print head 16 ejects ink while moving left and right to form an image on the media 5a.

[0015] The platen 11 is a support platform that supports the media 5a. The platen 11 extends in the front-rear and left-right directions. The media 5a on the platen 11 is moved in the front-rear direction by a transport device 80. As shown in FIG. 2, the transport device 80 includes a pinch roller 81, a grit roller 82, and a feed motor (not shown). The pinch roller 81 is provided above the platen 11 and presses down the media 5a from above. The grit roller 82 is provided on the platen 11. The grit roller 82 is provided at a position facing the pinch roller 81. The grit roller 82 is connected to the feed motor. When the grit roller 82 rotates with the media 5a sandwiched between the pinch roller 81 and the grit roller 82, the media 5a is transported in the front-rear direction.

[0016] The pinch roller 81 can be moved up and down by operating the pinch roller lever 83. By moving up and down, the pinch roller 81 presses against the medium 5a and also moves away from the medium 5a. As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the pinch roller lever 83 is provided here to the right of the center on the rear side of the printer 10.

[0017] As shown in FIG. 3, the media supplying device 20 is provided on the rear side of the printer 10. In the media supplying device 20, the roll 5 rotates by being pulled by the conveying device 80. As shown in FIG. 3, the media supplying device 20 includes a pair of feeders 30 that rotatably support the roll 5, and a first guide pipe 71 and a second guide pipe 72 that support the pair of feeders 30 so that they can slide in the left-right direction. The first guide pipe 71 and the second guide pipe 72 extend in the left-right direction. Here, the left-right direction is a direction parallel to the axial direction of the roll 5. Here, the first guide pipe 71 and the second guide pipe 72 are made of round pipes and are supported by the main body of the printer 10. The second guide pipe 72 is provided forward of the first guide pipe 71. Therefore, for an operator working at the rear of the printer 10, the first guide pipe 71 is located closer to the operator than the second guide pipe 72. Here, the first guide pipe 71 and the second guide pipe 72 are provided at the same height.

[0018] The pair of feeders 30 are members that hold both ends of the roll 5. The pair of feeders 30 engage with the first guide pipe 71 and the second guide pipe 72 so as to be slidable in the left-right direction. In addition, as will be described in detail later, the pair of feeders 30 can be fixed to the first guide pipe 71. The left feeder 30 of the pair of feeders 30 is fixed to the first guide pipe 71 after its position is adjusted during the manufacture of the printer 10. The right feeder 30 has its left-right position adjusted to match the left-right width of the media 5a. The right feeder 30 is fixed after its left-right position is adjusted along the first guide pipe 71 and the second guide pipe 72.

[0019] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the right feeder (hereinafter, simply referred to as the feeder) 30 from the left. As shown in FIG. 4, the feeder 30 includes a roll support member 40, a support member 50, and a fixing part 60. The roll support member 40 supports the roll 5 from the outside in the axial direction of the roll 5, here from the right side. The support member 50 is a body part of the feeder 30, and supports the roll support member 40 rotatably around the axial direction of the roll 5. The support member 50 is supported by a first guide pipe 71 and a second guide pipe 72 so as to be slidable in the axial direction of the roll 5. The support member 50 is provided further outward in the axial direction of the roll 5 than the roll support member 40, here to the right. The fixing part 60 is a mechanism for fixing the support member 50 and the first guide pipe 71 so as not to be slidable.

[0020] As shown in FIG. 4, the roll support member 40 has a roll mounting section 41 on which the roll 5 is mounted, and a handle 42. The roll support member 40 is rotatably supported by a rotation shaft 51 provided on the support member 50. The rotation shaft 51 extends in the left-right direction, which is the axial direction of the roll 5. Here, the rotation shaft 51 is configured to be non-rotatable. The roll support member 40 is inserted into the rotation shaft 51 and rotates around the rotation shaft 51. The roll support member 40 rotates together with the roll 5 as the medium 5a is unwound from the roll 5 by the transport device 80.

[0021] The roll mounting part 41 protrudes inward (here, to the left) in the axial direction of the roll 5 beyond the handle 42. The roll mounting part 41 constitutes the tip part (left end part) of the roll support member 40. The right end part of the roll 5 is attached to the roll mounting part 41. As shown in FIG. 4, the roll mounting part 41 is configured in a stepped cylindrical shape extending in the left-right direction. The roll mounting part 41 is configured with three steps, which are, in order from the inside in the axial direction of the roll 5, a first insertion part 41a, a second insertion part 41c, and a step part 41e.

[0022] The first insertion part 41a, which is provided at the very tip of the roll attachment part 41, is configured in a cylindrical shape. A plurality of protrusions 41b are provided on the cylindrical side surface of the first insertion part 41a. The plurality of protrusions 41b extend in the left-right direction. The plurality of protrusions 41b are provided at equal intervals in the circumferential direction of the first insertion part 41a. The plurality of protrusions 41b are provided to prevent the roll 5 inserted into the first insertion part 41a from slipping.

[0023] The second insertion portion 41c is provided further outward in the axial direction of the roll 5 than the first insertion portion 41a. The second insertion portion 41c is configured in a cylindrical shape with a diameter larger than that of the first insertion portion 41a. A roll 5 larger than the roll 5 inserted in the first insertion portion 41a is inserted in the second insertion portion 41c. A plurality of protrusions 41d are provided on the cylindrical side surface of the second insertion portion 41c. The plurality of protrusions 41d extend in the left-right direction. The plurality of protrusions 41d are provided at equal intervals in the circumferential direction of the second insertion portion 41c. The plurality of protrusions 41d are provided to prevent the roll 5 inserted in the second insertion portion 41c from slipping.

[0024] The step portion 41e is provided further outward in the axial direction of the roll 5 than the second insertion portion 41c. The step portion 41e is configured in a thin cylindrical shape with a larger diameter and a shorter axial length than the second insertion portion 41c. The surface on the inner side in the axial direction of the step portion 41e forms a contact surface 41f against which the end of the roll 5 contacts.

[0025] As shown in FIG. 4, the handle 42 is provided outward in the axial direction of the roll 5 from the roll mounting part 41. The handle 42 is for rotating the roll support member 40 (roll 5). An operator can rotate the roll support member 40 around the axis of the roll 5 by gripping and rotating the handle 42. Here, the handle 42 is configured in a substantially circular plate shape whose center coincides with the center of rotation of the roll support member 40. When viewed in the left-right direction, the handle 42 has a substantially circular shape concentric with the roll mounting part 41. The handle 42 is configured in a circular plate shape whose diameter is even larger than that of the stepped part 41e.

[0026] Here, the handle 42 is provided inward, or to the left of, the support member 50 in the axial direction of the roll 5. As shown in FIG. 2, a part of the handle 42 protrudes outward in the radial direction of the roll 5 beyond the support member 50 when viewed in the axial direction of the roll 5. Therefore, the handle 42 can be grasped and operated from outside the support member 50 over the support member 50. As shown in FIG. 4, the handle 42 has a plurality of recesses 42b formed on the outer circumferential portion 42a and recessed inward in the radial direction. The recesses 42b are intended to prevent the operator's hand from slipping when rotating the handle 42. The recesses 42b are provided at equal intervals on the outer circumferential portion 42a of the handle 42.

[0027] In this embodiment, the roll support member 40 is formed as a single component. The roll support member 40 is formed of, for example, resin. However, the roll support member 40 may be configured by combining multiple components. For example, the roll mounting part 41 and the handle 42 may be separate bodies. The handle 42 may be provided on the roll support member 40 and configured to be able to rotate the roll support member 40.

[0028] As described above, the support member 50 is provided outward, here to the right, of the roll support member 40 in the axial direction of the roll 5. The support member 50 rotatably supports the roll support member 40. The support member 50 is supported by the first guide pipe 71 and the second guide pipe 72 so as to be slidable in the left-right direction. The support member 50 extends in the front-rear direction and the up-down direction. The support member 50 has a substantially triangular shape with a wider lower side when viewed in the left-right direction. The rotation shaft 51 is provided near the upper apex of the substantially triangle. The support member 50 is provided with a plurality of ribs 50a extending in the front-rear direction and a plurality of ribs 50b extending in the up-down direction. The plurality of ribs 50a and 50b are intended to reinforce the support member 50 and improve the strength of the support member 50.

[0029] As shown in FIG. 4, the support member 50 includes a tubular portion 52 and an engagement recess 53. The tubular portion 52 is provided at the rear apex of the two lower apexes of a substantially triangle. The tubular portion 52 is configured in a cylindrical shape extending in the left-right direction. The internal space of the cylindrical tubular portion 52 forms an insertion hole 52a through which the first guide pipe 71 is inserted. The insertion hole 52a penetrates the support member 50 in the left-right direction. The insertion hole 52a is a substantially circular through hole when viewed in the left-right direction. The tubular portion 52 is provided with two stopper holes 52a1 and 52a2 that penetrate in the radial direction. The two stopper holes 52a1 and 52a2 are provided side by side in the left-right direction. The stopper hole 52a2 is disposed to the right of the stopper hole 52a1.

[0030] A thick portion 52c is provided on the outer peripheral surface 52b of the cylindrical portion 52. The thick portion 52c is provided in the center of the outer peripheral surface 52b in the left-right direction and protrudes radially outward more than other portions of the outer peripheral surface 52b. The thick portion 52c is formed around the entire circumference of the cylindrical portion 52 (see also FIG. 5).

[0031] The engagement recess 53 is provided at the front apex of the two lower apexes of the approximate triangle. When viewed in the left-right direction, the engagement recess 53 has an approximate C-shape with the front side open. The engagement recess 53 is a recess that is recessed toward the rear. A second guide pipe 72 is inserted into the engagement recess 53. The first guide pipe 71 is inserted into the insertion hole 52a, and the second guide pipe 72 is inserted into the engagement recess 53, thereby determining the posture of the feeder 30 and its position in the front-rear and up-down directions. The feeder 30 is movable in the left-right direction along the first guide pipe 71 and the second guide pipe 72.

[0032] The fixing part 60 is a mechanism for fixing the feeder 30 to the first guide pipe 71 and releasing the fixation. FIG. 5 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the feeder 30. As shown in FIG. 5, the fixing part 60 includes a first cam 61, a second cam 62 (overlapping the first cam 61 in FIG. 5), a first stopper 63, a second stopper 64 (overlapping the first stopper 63 in FIG. 5, see also FIG. 4), and a lever 65. The fixing part 60 is configured such that the first cam 61 and the second cam 62 rotate by rotating the lever 65 in the vertical direction. By rotating the first cam 61 and the second cam 62, the first stopper 63 and the second stopper 64 appear in the insertion hole 52a or retract from the insertion hole 52a, respectively. As a result, the feeder 30 is fixed to or released from the first guide pipe 71.

[0033] As shown in FIG. 5, the first cam 61 is configured to rotate around a rotation axis Ax extending in the left-right direction. The rotation axis Ax is provided in the thick portion 52c of the cylindrical portion 52. However, the rotation axis Ax may be provided in the first cam 61. The first cam 61 is provided radially outward of the stopper hole 52a1 on the left side of the cylindrical portion 52. As shown in FIG. 5, the first cam 61 is an eccentric cam whose distance from the rotation axis Ax varies depending on the circumferential position. The first cam 61 has a protruding portion 61a whose distance from the rotation axis Ax is longer than other portions. A tip portion 61a1 of the protruding portion 61a is formed in a shape like it has been cut off. The tip portion 61a1 is configured as a flat surface.

[0034] The second cam 62 is provided radially outward of the stopper hole 52a2 on the right side of the cylindrical portion 52. The second cam 62 rotates in synchronization with the first cam 61 around the common rotation axis Ax with the first cam 61. The second cam 62 is configured to have the same shape as the first cam 61 when viewed from the direction of the rotation axis Ax (viewed in the left-right direction). Here, the second cam 62 is configured symmetrically with the first cam 61.

[0035] The first stopper 63 is a member that abuts against the first guide pipe 71 inserted into the insertion hole 52a to fix the feeder 30 to the first guide pipe 71. The first stopper 63 is embedded in the support member 50 so as to be exposed to the inner peripheral surface of the insertion hole 52a. In detail, as shown in FIG. 5, the first stopper 63 is inserted from the radially outer side of the cylindrical portion 52 into the stopper hole 52a1 on the left side, and is exposed inside the insertion hole 52a through the stopper hole 52a1. The first stopper 63 is provided between the first cam 61 and the insertion hole 52a.

[0036] As shown in FIG. 5, the first stopper 63 is formed in a flat plate shape. The surface of the first stopper 63 exposed to the insertion hole 52a (the surface on the radially inner side of the insertion hole 52a) forms an abutment surface 63a1 that abuts against the first guide pipe 71. The back side of the abutment surface 63a1 forms a force receiving surface 63a2 that receives the force of the first cam 61. The force receiving surface 63a2 is recessed toward the abutment surface 63a1 more than the entire first stopper 63. Therefore, the thickness of the force receiving portion 63a, which has the abutment surface 63a1 and the force receiving surface 63a2 on both sides, is thin. The first stopper 63 has a flange portion 63b that fits into the positioning portion 52d formed around the stopper hole 52a1.

[0037] The first stopper 63 is made of elastic materials, here rubber and resin. More specifically, the abutment surface 63a1 of the first stopper 63 is made of rubber, and the force receiving surface 63a2 is made of resin. When the force receiving portion 63a of the first stopper 63 receives the force of the first cam 61, it elastically deforms toward the radially inward direction of the insertion hole 52a. As a result, the abutment surface 63a1 of the force receiving portion 63a protrudes into the insertion hole 52a. When the abutment surface 63a1 protrudes into the insertion hole 52a by being pushed by the first cam 61, the feeder 30 is fixed to the first guide pipe 71 due to friction between the abutment surface 63a1 and the first guide pipe 71. When the force receiving portion 63a is not pushed by the first cam 61 and the abutment surface 63a1 of the force receiving portion 63a is retracted outside the insertion hole 52a, the feeder 30 and the first guide pipe 71 are released from their fixed positions. The first stopper 63 is configured such that the contact surface 63a1 is made of rubber to ensure deformation when the first cam 61 contacts it, while the force-receiving surface 63a2 with which the first cam 61 contacts is made of resin which is more resistant to wear than rubber, thereby improving durability.

[0038] The second stopper 64 is embedded in the support member 50 so as to be exposed to the inner circumferential surface of the insertion hole 52a through the stopper hole 52a2 on the right side. The second stopper 64 is configured similarly to the first stopper 63. The second stopper 64 is also configured of an elastic material, here rubber and resin. The second stopper 64 appears in the insertion hole 52a according to the rotational position of the second cam 62, and retreats to the outside of the insertion hole 52a. The movement of this second stopper 64 also fixes or releases the feeder 30 and the first guide pipe 71. FIG. 5 shows a state in which the feeder 30 and the first guide pipe 71 are released from each other (hereinafter also referred to as an unlocked state). The state in which the feeder 30 is fixed to the first guide pipe 71, which will be described later, is also referred to as a locked state.

[0039] The lever 65 is connected to the first cam 61 and the second cam 62, and rotates the first cam 61 and the second cam 62. The lever 65, the first cam 61, and the second cam 62 are configured as one component here. However, the lever 65, the first cam 61, and the second cam 62 may be configured as separate components. As shown in FIG. 4, the lever 65 includes a first arm 65a, a second arm 65b, and a connecting portion 65c. The first arm 65a has a shape following the outer surface of the support member 50, here, a circular arc shape following the outer peripheral surface 52b of the cylindrical portion 52. As shown in FIG. 5, one end of the first arm 65a is connected to the first cam 61.

[0040] As shown in FIG. 4, the second arm 65b is provided to the right of the first arm 65a. The second arm 65b has the same shape as the first arm 65a when viewed in the left-right direction. That is, the second arm 65b also has an arc shape following the outer circumferential surface 52b of the cylindrical portion 52. One end of the second arm 65b is connected to the second cam 62. The connecting portion 65c is connected to the other end of the first arm 65a and the other end of the second arm 65b. The connecting portion 65c extends in the left-right direction. The connecting portion 65c connects the first arm 65a and the second arm 65b to improve the strength of the lever 65, and is a portion that the user holds when operating the lever 65.

[0041] The lever 65 is configured to rotate the first cam 61 and the second cam 62 around the rotation axis Ax. By rotating the lever 65, the first cam 61 and the second cam 62 can be rotated around the rotation axis Ax. The lever 65 is provided on the rear side of the feeder 30 and can be operated from the rear side. As shown in FIG. 4, the left-right distance between the right end of the first arm 65a and the left end of the second arm 65b (hereinafter referred to as the inside dimension of the first arm 65a and the second arm 65b) corresponds to the left-right width of the thick-walled portion 52c of the cylindrical portion 52.

[0042] The left feeder 30 is configured symmetrically with the right feeder 30. As shown in Fig. 3, the roll support member 40 of the left feeder 30 extends rightward from the support member 50. The roll support member 40 of the left feeder 30 and the roll support member 40 of the right feeder 30 face each other. The lever 65 of the left feeder 30 is provided on the rear side.

[0043] As shown in FIG. 1, the winding device 90 is provided on the front side of the printer 10. The winding device 90 includes two guide pipes 91 and 92, a pair of left and right feeders 93 and 94, a winding motor 95, a winding bar 96, and a tension bar 97. The two guide pipes 91 and 92 are arranged side by side in the front-rear direction and extend in the left-right direction. The pair of left and right feeders 93 and 94 are inserted into the two guide pipes 91 and 92 with the support members 93b and 94b inverted upside down with respect to the media supply device 20 so that the vertices where the roll support members 93a and 94a are provided face downward. The left feeder 93 is supported by the two guide pipes 91 and 92 and fixed at a predetermined position in the left-right direction.

[0044] The right feeder 94 is connected to a take-up motor 95. The roll support member 94a of the right feeder 94 is rotated by the take-up motor 95. The left and right feeders 93, 94 sandwich a take-up bar 96. With the left and right feeders 93, 94 holding the take-up bar 96, the roll support member 94a rotates, causing the take-up bar 96 to rotate. The rotating take-up bar 96 takes up the printed media 5a onto the take-up device 90. The take-up device 90 thereby forms a roll 5 of the printed media 5a.

[0045] The pair of left and right feeders 93, 94 here are the same as the pair of left and right feeders 30 of the media supplying device 20, except for the roll support members 93a, 94a and the fixed portions 93c, 94c. In this embodiment, the roll support members 93a, 94a are not provided with handles. Because the roll support members 93a, 94a of the winding device 90 are rotated by a winding motor 95, it is not envisaged that the roll 5 of media 5a will be manually rotated using a handle.

[0046] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the fixed parts 93c, 94c of the winding device 90 have a different position of the rotation axis of the cam (not shown) from that of the media supplying device 20. In the winding device 90, the pair of feeders 93, 94 is used in a state in which it is upside down compared to the media supplying device 20, so that the load of the roll 5 acts on the pair of feeders 93, 94, not on the two guide pipes 91, 92. Therefore, the position of the rotation axis of the cam is made different from that of the media supplying device 20 so that the load of the roll 5 in the locked state can be supported by the feeders 93, 94. However, the feeders 93, 94 of the winding device 90 may be the same as the feeder 30 of the media supplying device 20.

[0047] The tension bar 97 is provided forward of the take-up bar 96. The tension bar 97 is configured to swing up and down. The tension of the medium 5a on the platen 11 is maintained at a predetermined tension by winding the medium 5a around the tension bar 97 upstream of the take-up bar 96 in the transport direction.

[0048] [Roll setting] The following describes the setting of the roll 5 in the media supplying device 20 and the unwinding of the media 5a from the roll 5. First, the setting of the roll 5 in the media supplying device 20 is described. In the setting of the roll 5 in the media supplying device 20, the right feeder 30 is first set to an unlocked state (the state shown in FIG. 5). This allows the feeder 30 to move left and right along the first guide pipe 71 and the second guide pipe 72. As shown in FIG. 5, in the unlocked state of the feeder 30, the lever 65 hangs downward with the rotation axis Ax as a fulcrum. At this time, the force receiving surface 63a2 of the first stopper 63 faces a portion of the first cam 61 other than the protruding portion 61a. At this time, the force receiving surface 63a2 of the first stopper 63 and the first cam 61 are separated from each other. The contact surface 63a1 of the first stopper 63 is retracted to the outside of the insertion hole 52a.

[0049] The second cam 62 is configured to rotate in synchronization with the first cam 61 around the rotation axis Ax shared with the first cam 61. The second cam 62 is configured to have the same shape as the first cam 61 when viewed from the direction of the rotation axis Ax. The second cam 62 is connected to a lever 65. Therefore, when the lever 65 is operated, the second cam 62 rotates together with the first cam 61. The movement of the first cam 61 and the movement of the second cam 62 are synchronized. The second stopper 64 appears in the insertion hole 52a in synchronization with the first stopper 63 and retreats to the outside of the insertion hole 52a. Therefore, at this time, the second stopper 64 also retreats to the outside of the insertion hole 52a and does not lock the feeder 30.

[0050] In the setting operation of the roll 5 in the media supplying device 20, the roll 5 is set while adjusting the left-right position of the right feeder 30 according to the width of the roll 5. When the roll 5 is set in the media supplying device 20, the roll 5 is sandwiched between the left and right feeders 30, and the left and right ends of the roll 5 abut against the abutment surfaces 41f of the left and right roll support members 40, respectively. At this time, the second insertion portion 41c of the roll support member 40 is inserted into the internal space of the cylindrical roll 5. In this state, the right feeder 30 is locked. In the case of a type of roll 5 in which the first insertion portion 41a of the roll support member 40 is inserted, the left and right ends of the roll 5 abut against the steps between the first insertion portion 41a and the second insertion portion 41c of the left and right roll support members 40, respectively.

[0051] In the locking operation of the feeder 30, the lever 65 is rotated upward. FIG. 6 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the feeder 30 in the locked state. As shown in FIG. 6, in the locked state of the feeder 30, the first cam 61 is located at a rotational position where the flat tip portion 61a1 of the protruding portion 61a abuts against the force receiving surface 63a2 of the first stopper 63. Hereinafter, this rotational position of the first cam 61 is also referred to as the locked position P1. In the locked position P1, the protruding portion 61a of the first cam 61 presses the force receiving portion 63a of the first stopper 63 toward the radially inward side of the insertion hole 52a. As a result, the first stopper 63 appears in the insertion hole 52a and abuts against the first guide pipe 71 inserted in the insertion hole 52a. Note that the thickness of the force receiving portion 63a of the first stopper 63 is configured to be thin so that the pressing force of the first cam 61 is easily transmitted to the first guide pipe 71. Similarly, the second stopper 64 appears in the insertion hole 52a and comes into contact with the first guide pipe 71 inserted into the insertion hole 52a. As a result, the feeder 30 is fixed to the first guide pipe 71 by the frictional force between the first guide pipe 71 and the first and second stoppers 63 and 64 and between the first guide pipe 71 and the second stopper 64.

[0052] As shown in FIG. 6, in the locked state of the feeder 30, the lever 65 abuts against the outer surface of the support member 50, more specifically, against the outer peripheral surface 52b of the cylindrical portion 52. In other words, the lever 65 is configured to abut against the outer surface of the support member 50 (here, the outer peripheral surface 52b of the cylindrical portion 52) at a position corresponding to the locked position P1 of the first cam 61 and the second cam 62. Here, the lever 65 is configured so that the inner peripheral surfaces of the first arm 65a and the second arm 65b abut against the outer peripheral surface 52b of the cylindrical portion 52 in the locked state of the feeder 30. The user can move the first cam 61 and the second cam 62 to the locked position P1 by rotating the lever 65 upward until it abuts against the outer peripheral surface 52b of the cylindrical portion 52 and cannot be moved.

[0053] 6, in the locked state of the feeder 30, the lever 65 is disposed so as to follow the outer surface of the support member 50, more specifically, the outer peripheral surface 52b of the cylindrical portion 52. The lever 65 has a shape following the outer surface of the support member 50 (here, the outer peripheral surface 52b of the cylindrical portion 52), and is configured so as to follow the outer surface of the support member 50 (here, the outer peripheral surface 52b of the cylindrical portion 52) at a position corresponding to the lock position P1 of the first cam 61 and the second cam 62. Here, the lever 65 is configured so that the inner peripheral surfaces of the first arm 65a and the second arm 65b correspond to the outer peripheral surface 52b of the cylindrical portion 52. As described above, the inside dimensions of the first arm 65a and the second arm 65b correspond to the width in the left-right direction of the thick portion 52c of the cylindrical portion 52. Therefore, the thick portion 52c also serves as a guide when the lever 65 is rotated. When the lever 65 approaches a position corresponding to the lock position P1 of the first cam 61 and the second cam 62, the first arm 65a and the second arm 65b rotate to follow the left and right sides of the thick portion 52c, respectively, as shown in Fig. 4. Through the above operations, the roll 5 is set in the media supplying device 20.

[0054] [Media roll-out] Next, the operation of unwinding the medium 5a from the roll 5 set in the media supply device 20 will be described. In the operation of unwinding the medium 5a, the user pulls out the front end of the medium 5a from the roll 5 and inserts it into the rear opening 14 (see FIG. 3) of the printer 10. When the medium 5a is unwound through the rear opening 14 and reaches the top of the platen 11, the pinch roller lever 83 is operated and the pinch roller 81 is lowered. This holds the medium 5a down on the platen 11. The grit roller 82 is then driven, and the medium 5a is transported forward until the front end reaches the winding device 90. The front end of the medium 5a is set on the winding bar 96 of the winding device 90.

[0055] When feeding the medium 5a as described above, or when transporting the medium 5a during printing, the transport direction of the medium 5a may be skewed relative to the planned transport direction (here, the front-to-back direction). Such skew may occur, for example, when the force required to peel the medium 5a from the roll 5 is different between the left and right sides of the roll 5. In the printer 10 according to this embodiment, when skew of the medium 5a occurs, the skew of the medium 5a can be eliminated by operating the media supply device 20.

[0056] More specifically, in the operation of eliminating skewed media 5a, the user operates handle 42 to rotate roll mounting part 41 backward (hereinafter also referred to as reverse rotation). This reverse rotation of roll mounting part 41 rewinds unwound media 5a onto roll 5. As a result, media 5a follows the axis of roll 5, eliminating skewed media 5a.

[0057] [Effects of this embodiment] The above is a description of the configuration of the printer 10 according to this embodiment, the operation of setting the roll 5, and the operation of unwinding the medium 5a. Below, the effects of the printer 10 according to this embodiment will be described.

[0058] The printer 10 according to this embodiment includes a handle 42 that can rotate the roll support member 40 that supports the roll 5. In this embodiment, the handle 42 has a portion that, when viewed in the axial direction of the roll 5, protrudes outward in the radial direction of the roll 5 beyond the support member 50 that supports the roll support member 40. With this configuration, the roll support member 40 can be easily rotated manually by operating the handle 42. In particular, in this embodiment, a portion of the handle 42 protrudes outward in the radial direction of the roll 5 beyond the support member 50 when viewed in the axial direction of the roll 5. Therefore, the handle 42 can be operated even through the support member 50, and the roll support member 40 can be easily rotated manually. Therefore, as described above, for example, it is easy to reversely rotate the roll support member 40 to eliminate skewing of the media 5a. In addition, for example, the roll support member 40 can be reversely rotated by the handle 42 to eliminate slack in the media 5a, or the roll support member 40 can be rotated forward by the handle 42 when initially unwinding the media 5a. As described above, in the winding device 90, the roll support members 93a, 94a are rotated by the winding motor 95, and are not intended to be rotated manually. Therefore, the roll support members 93a, 94a of the winding device 90 are not provided with handles. On the other hand, because the media supplying device 20 is not provided with a motor, the roll support member 40 is often operated manually. Therefore, the handle 42 can improve the operability of the operation of manually rotating the roll support member 40.

[0059] In conventional printers, such a handle was not provided, so when it was desired to rotate the roll manually, the roll itself was rotated by touching the roll, or, if the roll support member had an operable portion (for example, if the roll support member had a portion exposed to the outside of the roll), the roll support member was rotated by operating that portion while avoiding interference with the support member that supports the roll support member. Therefore, the roll support member had to be rotated while knowing that the roll might be damaged or soiled by touching it, or with great effort. According to the printer 10 of this embodiment, the roll mounting part 41 can be easily rotated manually by operating the portion of the handle 42 that protrudes outward from the support member 50 without taking such a risk or exerting great effort.

[0060] In this embodiment, the support member 50 that rotatably supports the roll support member 40 is provided outward of the roll support member 40 in the axial direction of the roll 5, and the handle 42 is provided inward of the support member 50 in the axial direction of the roll 5. According to this configuration, since the handle 42 is provided inward of the support member 50 in the axial direction of the roll 5, the axial length of the media supplying device 20 in the roll 5 can be shortened. In this embodiment, since the support member 50 that rotatably supports the roll support member 40 is provided outward of the roll support member 40 in the axial direction of the roll 5, the support member 50 may be an obstacle when accessing the roll support member 40. Even in this case, since a part of the handle 42 protrudes outward in the radial direction of the roll 5 more than the support member 50 when viewed in the axial direction of the roll 5, the handle 42 is easy to operate, even though the handle 42 is provided inward of the support member 50 in the axial direction of the roll 5.

[0061] In this embodiment, the handle 42 is configured to be substantially disc-shaped so that its center coincides with the center of rotation of the roll support member 40. Therefore, the handle 42 can be configured so as not to protrude too much radially outward from the roll support member 40, and can be made compact. For example, as shown in FIG. 3, members such as a pinch roller lever 83 are generally disposed near the roll support member 40, and it is difficult to secure space for providing a handle near the roll support member 40. In this embodiment, the handle 42 is configured to be substantially disc-shaped so that its center coincides with the center of rotation of the roll support member 40, and made compact, making it easy to secure space for providing the handle 42.

[0062] In this embodiment, the handle 42 has a recess 42b formed on a substantially circular outer periphery 42a and recessed radially inward. The recess 42b makes it easier for the user to grip the handle 42, improving the operability of the handle 42.

[0063] In this embodiment, the support member 50 is configured to have a substantially triangular shape when viewed in the axial direction of the roll 5. Therefore, a larger portion of the handle 42 protrudes outward in the radial direction of the roll 5 than the support member 50. This makes the handle 42 easier to grip. Note that, in this embodiment, the support member 50 is configured to support the handle 42 near one vertex thereof. Therefore, the width of the support member 50 in the front-to-rear direction is small near the handle 42, and an even larger portion of the handle 42 protrudes outward in the radial direction of the roll 5 than the support member 50.

[0064] In this embodiment, the roll support member 40 has a step 41e to prevent the end of the roll 5 from coming into contact with the handle 42, making it difficult to grip the outer circumferential portion 42a of the handle 42. The end of the roll 5 abuts against the abutment surface 41f of the step 41e, ensuring a gap between the handle 42 and the roll 5. This makes it easier to grip the outer circumferential portion 42a of the handle 42.

[0065] According to the printer 10 of this embodiment, the support member 50 is supported by the first guide pipe 71 and the second guide pipe 72 so as to be slidable in the axial direction of the roll 5. The feeder 30 includes a fixing portion 60 that fixes the support member 50 and the first guide pipe 71 so as not to be slidable. The fixing portion 60 has a rotating first cam 61, and fixes the support member 50 and the first guide pipe 71 by the rotation of the first cam 61. According to this configuration, the left-right position of the roll support member 40 that supports the roll 5 can be changed to match the width of the roll 5 by moving the support member 50 in the left-right direction along the first guide pipe 71 and the second guide pipe 72. Furthermore, the left-right positions of the support member 50 and the roll support member 40 can be easily fixed by rotating the first cam 61. Therefore, the position of the feeder 30 can be easily changed to match the width of the roll 5.

[0066] The above-mentioned fixing and unlocking operation of the feeder 30 is performed simply by rotating the first cam 61, and is therefore extremely easy compared to other fixing and unlocking operations, such as tightening and loosening a screw. According to the printer 10 of this embodiment, the operation of changing the settings of the media supplying device 20 to match the width of the roll 5 can be easily performed. The settings of the winding device 90 may be changed by moving and fixing the feeder 93 to match the width of the roll 5.

[0067] More specifically, the support member 50 according to this embodiment has an insertion hole 52a penetrating the support member 50 in a direction parallel to the axial direction of the roll 5 (here, the left-right direction). A first guide pipe 71 is inserted through the insertion hole 52a. The fixed part 60 here includes a rotating first cam 61 and a first stopper 63. The first stopper 63 is configured to appear in the insertion hole 52a according to the rotation position of the first cam 61 and to abut against the first guide pipe 71. With this configuration, by rotating the first cam 61, it is possible to switch between a state in which the first stopper 63 appears in the insertion hole 52a and a state in which the first stopper 63 retreats to the outside of the insertion hole 52a. Therefore, it is possible to switch between a state in which the feeder 30 can slide along the first guide pipe 71 and a state in which the feeder 30 is fixed to the first guide pipe 71.

[0068] In the printer 10 according to this embodiment, the first stopper 63 is made of an elastic material. According to this configuration, when the first stopper 63 appears in the insertion hole 52a, the first stopper 63 is elastically deformed. Therefore, a high fixing force can be obtained without damaging the first guide pipe 71. In addition, when the stopper is made of a material that is difficult to deform, high accuracy is required for the dimensions of the stopper, the cam, and the guide pipe. However, in this embodiment, since the first stopper 63 is made of an elastic material, high accuracy is not required for the dimensions of the first stopper 63, the first cam 61, and the first guide pipe 71. Therefore, the fixing part 60 can be easily configured. The material of the first stopper 63 is preferably an elastic material, but is not limited to rubber. The same applies to the second stopper 64.

[0069] In this embodiment, the fixed part 60 includes a lever 65 that is connected to the first cam 61 and rotates the first cam 61. This makes it easier to rotate the first cam 61. The lever 65 has a shape that conforms to the outer surface of the support member 50, and is configured to follow the outer surface of the support member 50 at a position corresponding to the lock position P1 of the first cam 61. With this configuration, the lever 65 is disposed to follow the outer surface of the support member 50 when the feeder 30 is locked, so that the lever 65 does not protrude beyond the support member 50 to a large extent. Therefore, the feeder 30 in the locked state can be made compact.

[0070] In this embodiment, the lever 65 is configured to come into contact with the outer surface of the support member 50 at a position corresponding to the lock position P1 of the first cam 61. In order to move the first cam 61 to the lock position P1, it is advisable to operate the lever 65 until it comes into contact with the outer surface of the support member 50 and cannot be moved. This makes it easy for the user to know that the feeder 30 is in a locked state. For example, in a configuration in which a screw is tightened to fix the feeder, the screw can continue to be tightened even after fixing, which may damage the feeder or the guide pipe, but the feeder 30 according to this embodiment can reduce such a risk.

[0071] In this embodiment, the fixing part 60 includes a second cam 62 that rotates in synchronization with the first cam 61 around a common rotation axis Ax. Here, the second cam 62 is connected to a lever 65 and rotates together with the first cam 61. The fixing part 60 also includes a second stopper 64 that appears and disappears in the insertion hole 52a according to the rotation position of the second cam 62. The second stopper 64 is configured to appear in the insertion hole 52a in synchronization with the first stopper 63 and to abut against the first guide pipe 71. With this configuration, the fixing force of the second stopper 64 acts in addition to the first stopper 63, so that the fixing force of the feeder 30 can be increased. In addition, the second cam 62 also rotates by the same operation as when the first cam 61 is operated, and as a result, the fixing force of the second stopper 64 also acts, so that the fixing and releasing operations of the feeder 30 are not complicated.

[0072] [Other embodiments] Although a preferred embodiment has been described above, the printer disclosed herein is not limited to the above embodiment.

[0073] For example, in the above embodiment, the handle 42 for rotating the roll support member 40 has a disk-like shape, but the shape of the handle is not limited thereto. The handle may be, for example, a rod-like member extending radially in the radial direction of the roll support member.

[0074] In the embodiment described above, the handle 42 is disposed inward in the axial direction of the roll 5 from the support member 50 that supports the roll support member 40. However, the handle may be disposed outward in the axial direction of the roll from the support portion that supports the roll support member. The position of the handle is not particularly limited.

[0075] In the above embodiment, the cams 61, 62 and the lever 65 of the fixed portion 60 are configured as one part, and the cams 61, 62 and the lever 65 are configured as separate parts from the stoppers 63, 64. However, the configuration of the cams, the stoppers, and the levers is not limited to this. For example, the cams and the stoppers may be configured as one part. In this case, the tip of the protruding portion of the cam may function as the stopper.

[0076] In the above embodiment, the stoppers 63, 64 are made of an elastic material, but the material of the stoppers is not particularly limited.

[0077] In the above embodiment, the lever 65 is configured to follow the outer shape of the support member 50 and to abut against the support member 50 in the locked state. However, the lever may be configured to rotate the cam, and the shape and arrangement are not limited. For example, the lever does not have to rotate around a rotation axis extending substantially parallel to the axis of the insertion hole, and may be rotated in another direction. The cam also does not have to rotate around a rotation axis extending substantially parallel to the axis of the insertion hole, and may be rotated in another direction.

[0078] In the above embodiment, two sets of cams and stoppers are provided, and one lever is provided, but the number of sets of cams and stoppers and the number of levers are not limited.

[0079] The fixing and unlocking method between the feeder and the guide pipe is not limited to the method of making the stopper appear and disappear in the insertion hole. FIG. 7 is a vertical cross-sectional view showing an unlocked state of the feeder 130 according to another embodiment. FIG. 8 is a vertical cross-sectional view showing the feeder 130 in a locked state. As shown in FIG. 7 and FIG. 8, the support member 150 of the feeder 130 according to another embodiment may have a gripping portion 151 capable of gripping the first guide pipe 71 by elastic deformation. The gripping portion 151 extends in a direction (here, the left-right direction) parallel to the axial direction of the roll 5 (see FIG. 5, etc.), and is configured in a C-shaped cylindrical shape when viewed in the axial direction of the roll 5, with a part in the circumferential direction cut off. The internal space of the cylindrical gripping portion 151 forms an insertion hole 152 through which the first guide pipe 71 is inserted.

[0080] Force receiving portions 153, 154 that protrude radially outward from gripping portion 151 are provided at both circumferential ends (both ends facing each other with gap 151a therebetween) of C-shaped cylindrical gripping portion 151. As shown in Fig. 8, when force receiving portions 153, 154 receive a force that brings force receiving portions 153 and 154 closer to each other, gripping portion 151 elastically deforms and grips first guide pipe 71. As shown in Fig. 7, when force receiving portions 153, 154 are not receiving such force, gripping portion 151 opens first guide pipe 71.

[0081] The fixing part 160 of the feeder 130 has an eccentric cam 161, and is configured to elastically deform the gripping part 151 by the rotation of the eccentric cam 161. The fixing part 160 thereby fixes the support member 150 and the first guide pipe 71. The eccentric cam 161 is provided so as to face the back surface (called a force receiving surface 153a) of the surface on the gap 151a side of one of the force receiving parts 153. As shown in FIG. 7, the eccentric cam 161 is an eccentric cam whose distance from the rotation axis Ax2 varies depending on the position in the circumferential direction. The eccentric cam 161 has a protruding part 161a whose distance from the rotation axis Ax2 is longer than other parts. As shown in FIG. 7, when the part of the eccentric cam 161 other than the protruding part 161a faces the force receiving surface 153a, the eccentric cam 161 and the force receiving surface 153a are separated from each other. At this time, the gripping part 151 opens the first guide pipe 71.

[0082] As shown in Fig. 8, when the eccentric cam 161 is rotated and the protruding portion 161a is directed toward the force receiving surface 153a, the protruding portion 161a of the eccentric cam 161 comes into contact with the force receiving surface 153a. In this state, the protruding portion 161a of the eccentric cam 161 presses the force receiving surface 153a so as to bring one force receiving portion 153 closer to the other force receiving portion 154. This causes the gripping portion 151 to elastically deform and grip the first guide pipe 71. As a result, the support member 150 is fixed to the first guide pipe 71 so as not to slide. The fixing and releasing method of the feeder and the guide pipe may be, for example, the method described above.

[0083] Furthermore, the technology disclosed herein can be used not only in inkjet printers, but also in other devices equipped with a media support device that supports a roll around which sheet-like media is wound. For example, the technology disclosed herein may be used in a cutting device that cuts media into a desired shape with a cutter. The technology disclosed herein may also be applied to printers other than inkjet printers. [Explanation of symbols]

[0084] 5 rolls 5a Media 10 Inkjet printer (printer) 16 Printhead 20 Media supply device 40 Roll support member 42 Handle 42b Recess 50 Support member (rotating support member) 90 Winding device

Claims

1. a roll support member that supports a roll around which a sheet-like medium is wound from outside in an axial direction of the roll; a rotation support member that is provided further outwardly of the roll support member in the axial direction of the roll and supports the roll support member so as to be rotatable about the axis of the roll; A rotating shaft is provided on the rotation support member so as to protrude inward in the axial direction of the roll and is configured to be non-rotatable, The roll support member is inserted into the rotation shaft so as to be rotatable around the rotation shaft, and The roll support member includes a handle capable of rotating the roll support member and having a portion that protrudes outward in a radial direction of the roll beyond the rotation support member as viewed in the axial direction of the roll, The handle is provided inwardly of the rotation support member in the axial direction of the roll. Media support equipment.

2. The handle is configured in a substantially circular plate shape so that its center coincides with the center of rotation of the roll support member, and further The handle has a recess formed on an outer periphery of a substantially circular shape and recessed radially inward, The recess is located radially outward of the roll relative to the rotation support member when viewed in the axial direction of the roll. The media support apparatus of claim 1 .

3. The rotation support member is configured to be approximately triangular when viewed in the axial direction of the roll, The rotation shaft is provided at one vertex of a substantially triangular shape of the rotation support member, The recess is located radially outward of the roll from the one vertex of the rotation support member when viewed in the axial direction of the roll. The media support apparatus of claim 2 .

4. The rotation support member is configured to have a substantially triangular shape when viewed in the axial direction of the roll.

3. The media support device according to claim 1 or 2.

5. a media supplying device including the media support device according to any one of claims 1 to 4 and supplying the media from the roll supported by the media support device; a print head that forms an image on the media supplied from the media supply device. Printer.

Images