Winding reinforcement device and printer

Abstract

To appropriately cause a cardboard cylinder winding a roll-shaped medium to rotate.SOLUTION: A winding reinforcement tool 100 includes a cylindrical portion 81 inserted into an end portion of a cylindrical cardboard cylinder 60 that winds a roll-shaped medium 5a. In a printer 10 including a winding support member 70 capable of rotating around a center axis A1 of the cylindrical portion 81, the winding reinforcement tool is attached to the winding support member 70. The winding reinforcement tool 100 includes: biting portions 111, 112 that are provided in a plate-shaped member interposed between the cylindrical portion 81 and the cardboard cylinder 60 and bit into an inner circumference surface of the cardboard cylinder 60; and transmission means that transmits torque at the time of rotation of the winding support member 70 to the biting portions 111, 112.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 8A

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a winding reinforcement tool and a printer. More specifically, the present invention relates to a winding reinforcement tool attached to a winding support member in a printer provided with a cylindrical paper tube that supports an end portion of a roll-shaped medium and a winding support member that is rotatable about a central axis, and a printer provided with the winding reinforcement tool.

Background Art

[0002] For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a printing machine provided with a winding device for winding a printed roll-shaped medium. This winding device includes a paper-made paper tube and shaft end holders that hold both end portions of the paper tube. The shaft end holders have a substantially cylindrical shape and are fitted into the end portions of the paper tube. The shaft end holders are configured to be rotatable about a central axis.

[0003] According to the above winding device, the shaft end holders rotate with the shaft end holders fitted into both ends of the paper tube. As the shaft end holders rotate, the paper tube rotates, and the medium printed on the circumferential surface of the paper tube is wound up.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] In the above winding device, since it is a paper-made paper tube, when the paper tube is used multiple times, the portion of the inner circumferential surface of the paper tube that is fitted into the shaft end holders may be deformed. When the inner circumferential surface of the end portion of the paper tube is deformed in this way, the torque during rotation of the shaft end holders may not be properly transmitted to the paper tube, and it may be difficult for the paper tube to rotate together with the shaft end holders.

[0006] The present invention has been made in view of the above, and its object is to enable the paper tube to be rotated appropriately in a printer equipped with a winding support member that supports the end of a cylindrical paper tube for winding roll-shaped media and is rotatable about a central axis. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The winding reinforcement according to the present invention is a winding reinforcement attached to a winding support member in a printer equipped with a winding support member that has a cylindrical portion inserted into the end of a cylindrical paper tube for winding roll-shaped media, and the winding reinforcement is attached to the winding support member, the winding reinforcement being provided on a plate-shaped member interposed between the cylindrical portion and the paper tube, and comprising a biting portion that bites into the inner circumferential surface of the paper tube, and a transmission means for transmitting torque during rotation of the winding support member to the biting portion.

[0008] With the above-described winding reinforcement device, even if the inner surface of the paper tube deforms due to repeated use, for example, the winding support member with the winding reinforcement device attached can be inserted into the paper tube, causing the reinforcement device to bite into the inner surface of the paper tube. Therefore, the paper tube can be fixed to the winding support member via the winding reinforcement device. Consequently, the torque generated when the winding support member rotates can be appropriately transmitted to the paper tube via the winding reinforcement device. As a result, the paper tube can be rotated in conjunction with the rotation of the winding support member. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0009] [Figure 1] This is a perspective view of the printer according to the embodiment. [Figure 2] This is a right side view of the printer according to the embodiment. [Figure 3] This is a perspective view of the printer as seen from the back. [Figure 4] This is a schematic front view showing the winding support member of the winding device supporting the paper tube. [Figure 5A] This is a perspective view of the winding support member. [Figure 5B]This is a view of the winding support member from the second cylindrical section side. [Figure 5C] This is a front view of the winding support member. [Figure 6] This is a perspective view of a winding reinforcement device according to an embodiment. [Figure 7] This is a diagram corresponding to Figure 4, showing the state in which the winding reinforcement device is attached to the right winding support member. [Figure 8A] This is a perspective view of a winding support member with a winding reinforcement device attached. [Figure 8B] This is a view of the winding support member, to which the winding reinforcement device is attached, as seen from the second cylindrical section. [Figure 8C] This is a front view of a winding support member with a winding reinforcement device attached. [Figure 8D] This is a plan view of a winding support member with a winding reinforcement device attached. [Figure 9] This is a front cross-sectional view showing the rotating shaft inserted into the winding support member and the winding reinforcement. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0010] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Naturally, the embodiment described herein is not intended to particularly limit the present invention. Furthermore, the same reference numerals are used for members and parts that perform the same function, and redundant explanations are omitted or simplified as appropriate.

[0011] Figure 1 is a perspective view of a large-format inkjet printer (hereinafter also simply referred to as "printer") 10 according to an embodiment. Figure 2 is a right side view of the printer 10. Figure 3 is a perspective view of the printer 10 as seen from the rear side. The symbols F, Rr, L, R, U, and D in the drawings indicate the front, back, left, right, top, and bottom of the printer 10, respectively. However, these directions are defined for the convenience of explanation and do not limit the installation configuration of the printer 10 in any way, nor do they limit the present invention in any way.

[0012] As shown in FIG. 2, the printer 10 according to this embodiment prints an image or the like on the medium 5a by discharging ink from the print head 16 mounted on the carriage 15 that moves in the front - rear direction while feeding out the medium 5a wound in a roll shape and also moves in the left - right direction.

[0013] In this embodiment, the printer 10 is an ink - jet printer. Here, the "ink - jet method" refers to an ink - jet method by various conventionally known methods including various continuous methods such as the binary deflection method or the continuous deflection method, and various on - demand methods such as the thermal method or the piezoelectric element method.

[0014] The medium 5a is an object on which an image or the like is printed. The medium 5a is a sheet - like medium. The material of the medium 5a is not particularly limited. The medium 5a may be, for example, papers such as plain paper or printing paper for ink - jet, or a transparent sheet made of resin or the like. The medium 5a may be a sheet made of metal, rubber, or the like, or may be a fabric. Hereinafter, the roll 5 around which the medium 5a as the object of printing is wound will be called the roll 5.

[0015] As shown in FIG. 2, the printer 10 includes a platen 11, a print head 16, a conveyance device 20, a medium supply device 30, and a take - up device 40. A roll 5 of the medium 5a before printing is mounted on the medium supply device 30. The medium supply device 30 supports the roll 5 so as to be rotatable in the front - rear direction. The conveyance device 20 feeds out the medium 5a from the roll 5 and conveys the fed - out medium 5a in the front - rear direction. The print head 16 prints an image or the like on the medium 5a supplied from the medium supply device 30. The take - up device 40 winds up the medium 5a after printing. In addition, the printer 10 includes a carriage moving device (not shown) that moves the carriage 15 in the left - right direction. [[ID=​As shown in FIG. 2, the print head 16 is provided downstream in the conveyance direction of the media 5a from the media supply device 30, here on the front side. The print head 16 is mounted on the carriage 15 and is 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 in the left-right direction as the carriage 15 is moved in the left-right direction by the carriage moving device (not shown). The print head 16 prints an image or the like on the media 5a by ejecting ink while moving in the left-right direction.

[0017] The platen 11 is a support base that supports the media 5a. The platen 11 extends in the front-rear direction and the left-right direction. The media 5a on the platen 11 is moved in the front-rear direction by the conveyance device 20. As shown in FIG. 2, the conveyance device 20 includes a pinch roller 21, a grit roller 22, and a feed motor (not shown). The pinch roller 21 is provided above the platen 11 and presses the media 5a from above. The grit roller 22 is embedded in the platen 11 so that the upper part is exposed. The grit roller 22 is provided at a position facing the pinch roller 21. The grit roller 22 is connected to the feed motor. When the feed motor is driven with the media 5a sandwiched between the pinch roller 21 and the grit roller 22, the grit roller 22 rotates. When the grit roller 22 rotates, the media 5a is conveyed in the front-rear direction.

[0018] As shown in FIG. 3, the media supply device 30 is provided on the back side of the printer 10. In the media supply device 30, the roll 5 rotates passively as the media 5a is pulled by the conveyance device 20. The media supply device 30 includes a pair of left and right supply feeders 31, 32 that rotatably support the roll 5, and two supply guide pipes 35, 36 that slidably support the pair of left and right supply feeders 31, 32 in the left-right direction.

[0019] The two supply guide pipes 35 and 36 extend in the left-right direction and are supported by the body of the printer 10. Here, the supply guide pipes 35 and 36 are arranged side by side in the front-to-back direction. Supply guide pipe 35 is located in front of supply guide pipe 36. The two supply guide pipes 35 and 36 are located at the same height.

[0020] The left and right pair of supply feeders 31 and 32 are members that support both ends of the roll 5. The supply feeders 31 and 32 are engaged with two supply guide pipes 35 and 36 so as to be slidable in the left-right direction. The supply feeders 31 and 32 can be fixed to the supply guide pipes 35 and 36. Here, the left supply feeder 31 is fixed to the supply guide pipes 35 and 36 after its position has been adjusted during the manufacturing of the printer 10. The right supply feeder 32 is adjusted in the left-right direction to match the left-right width of the media 5a. The right supply feeder 32 is fixed after its left-right position has been adjusted along the supply guide pipes 35 and 36.

[0021] In this embodiment, each of the supply feeders 31 and 32 is provided with a cylindrical roll support member 33. In Figure 3, the roll support member 33 of the left supply feeder 31 is shown, while the roll support member 33 of the right supply feeder 32 is not shown. The two roll support members 33 are provided inside the supply feeders 31 and 32 so as to face each other. Here, the roll support member 33 is provided to the right of the left supply feeder 31, and the roll support member 33 is provided to the left of the right supply feeder 32.

[0022] The roll support members 33 provided on the pair of supply feeders 31 and 32 are fitted onto both ends of the roll 5, thereby enabling the pair of supply feeders 31 and 32 to support the roll 5. In this embodiment, the roll support members 33 are rotatably supported on the supply feeders 31 and 32. Therefore, when the media 5a is pulled by the conveying device 20, the roll support members 33 rotate passively together with the roll 5.

[0023] As shown in Figure 1, the winding device 40 is located on the front side of the printer 10. The winding device 40 is a device that winds up the media 5a printed on the platen 11. The winding device 40 comprises a pair of left and right feeders 41 and 42, a first guide pipe 51, a second guide pipe 52, a winding motor 45, a paper tube 60, and a tension bar 65.

[0024] The first guide pipe 51 and the second guide pipe 52 extend in the left-right direction and are supported by the main body of the printer 10. The first guide pipe 51 and the second guide pipe 52 are arranged side by side in the front-rear direction. In this embodiment, the first guide pipe 51 is positioned in front of the second guide pipe 52. Here, the first guide pipe 51 and the second guide pipe 52 are installed at the same height.

[0025] The left and right pair of feeders 41 and 42 are members that support both ends of the paper tube 60. The left and right pair of feeders 41 and 42 are engaged with the first guide pipe 51 and the second guide pipe 52 so as to be slidable in the left and right directions. In this embodiment, the feeders 41 and 42 are supported by the first guide pipe 51 and the second guide pipe 52, respectively, and are fixed at predetermined positions in the left and right directions according to the axial length of the paper tube 60.

[0026] The paper tube 60 is a tube that winds the media 5a, which is conveyed forward by the conveying device 20. The paper tube 60 extends in the left-right direction and is positioned parallel to the first guide pipe 51 and the second guide pipe 52. The paper tube 60 is made of paper, for example. Here, the paper tube 60 is made by stacking and fixing multiple sheets of paper together. Therefore, the paper tube 60 has at least higher rigidity than the media 5a. The paper tube 60 is replaceable. In each drawing, the paper tube 60 is shown by a dashed line, and the dashed line indicates the inner surface of the paper tube 60.

[0027] In this embodiment, the winding motor 45 is connected to the right-side feeder 42. When the winding motor 45 is driven, the paper tube 60 rotates. As the paper tube 60 rotates, the media 5a is wound onto the circumferential surface of the paper tube 60. The winding motor 45 may also be connected to the left-side feeder 41.

[0028] The tension bar 65 is positioned in front of the paper tube 60. The tension bar 65 applies tension to the media 5a when the winding device 40 winds the media 5a. Applying tension to the media 5a makes it less likely to twist or tangle, thus allowing the media 5a to be wound properly. In this embodiment, the tension bar 65 is configured to swing vertically. Here, the media 5a, which has been conveyed forward from the platen 11, is wound onto the circumferential surface of the paper tube 60 via the tension bar 65 as the winding motor 45 drives the paper tube 60 to rotate. At this time, the media 5a is wound around the tension bar 65, and the tension bar 65 swings vertically in accordance with the tension of the media 5a, thereby maintaining the tension of the media 5a at a predetermined level.

[0029] Next, a configuration in which a pair of left and right feeders 41 and 42 support both ends of the paper tube 60 will be described. In this embodiment, as shown in Figure 1, each of the feeders 41 and 42 is provided with a winding support member 70. Figure 4 is a schematic front view showing the state in which the winding support members 70 support the paper tube 60. As shown in Figure 4, the two winding support members 70 support the paper tube 60 by being fitted into both ends of the paper tube 60. As shown in Figure 1, the two winding support members 70 are provided inside the feeders 41 and 42 so as to face each other.

[0030] Hereinafter, the winding support member 70 provided on the left feeder 41 will also be referred to as the left winding support member 71, and the winding support member 70 provided on the right feeder 42 will also be referred to as the right winding support member 72. In this embodiment, the left winding support member 71 is provided on the right side of the left feeder 41. The right winding support member 72 is provided on the left side of the right feeder 42.

[0031] Here, the winding support member 70 is configured to be rotatable relative to the feeders 41 and 42. As shown in Figure 4, a winding motor 45 is connected to the right winding support member 72. When the winding motor 45 is driven, the right winding support member 72 rotates, causing the paper tube 60 to rotate. In this embodiment, the right winding support member 72, to which the winding motor 45 is connected, corresponds to the driven winding support member of the present invention. The left winding support member 71, to which the winding motor 45 is not connected, corresponds to the driven winding support member of the present invention.

[0032] The winding support member 70 extends in the left-right direction and is configured as a stepped cylindrical shape. Figure 5A is a perspective view of the winding support member 70. Figure 5B is a view of the winding support member 70 from the side of the second cylindrical portion 82. Figure 5C is a front view of the winding support member 70. Figures 5A to 5C show the right winding support member 72 of the winding support member 70, but the left winding support member 71 has the same configuration as the right winding support member 72. As shown in Figures 5A to 5C, the winding support member 70 comprises a first cylindrical portion 81, a second cylindrical portion 82, a flange 83, a first projection 84, and a second projection 85.

[0033] The first cylindrical portion 81 corresponds to the cylindrical portion of the present invention. The first cylindrical portion 81 has an outer surface that is inserted into the end of the paper tube 60. The outer surface of the first cylindrical portion 81 is formed in a cylindrical shape. As shown in Figure 5B, a plurality of first protrusions 84 are provided on the outer surface of the first cylindrical portion 81. The first protrusions 84 correspond to the protrusions of the present invention. These first protrusions 84 project radially outward from the outer surface of the first cylindrical portion 81. As shown in Figure 5C, the first protrusions 84 are protrusions that extend in the left-right direction. As shown in Figure 5B, a plurality of first protrusions 84 are provided at equal intervals in the circumferential direction of the first cylindrical portion 81.

[0034] The number of first protrusions 84 is not particularly limited. Here, there are six first protrusions 84. Hereafter, the six first protrusions 84 are appropriately denoted by reference numerals 84a to 84f. In this embodiment, the first protrusion 84a and the first protrusion 84d face each other across the central axis A1 of the first cylindrical portion 81. The first protrusion 84b and the first protrusion 84e face each other across the central axis A1 of the first cylindrical portion 81. The first protrusion 84c and the first protrusion 84f face each other across the central axis A1 of the first cylindrical portion 81. The multiple first protrusions 84 make it difficult for the paper tube 60 inserted into the first cylindrical portion 81 to slip.

[0035] The second cylindrical portion 82 is provided at the left-right end of the first cylindrical portion 81. Here, as shown in Figure 4, the second cylindrical portion 82 is provided inward in the axial direction of the paper tube 60 in the first cylindrical portion 81. As shown in Figure 5A, the outer surface shape of the second cylindrical portion 82 is formed in a cylindrical shape. The outer diameter of the second cylindrical portion 82 is smaller than the outer diameter of the first cylindrical portion 81. Here, as shown in Figure 5C, the left-right length of the second cylindrical portion 82 is shorter than the left-right length of the first cylindrical portion 81. However, the left-right length of the second cylindrical portion 82 may be longer than the left-right length of the first cylindrical portion 81, or it may be the same as the left-right length of the first cylindrical portion 81.

[0036] Multiple second protrusions 85 are provided on the outer circumferential surface of the second cylindrical portion 82. The second protrusions 85 project radially outward from the outer circumferential surface of the second cylindrical portion 82. As shown in Figure 5C, the second protrusions 85 are projections that extend in the left-right direction. As shown in Figure 5B, multiple second protrusions 85 are provided at equal intervals in the circumferential direction of the second cylindrical portion 82. The number of second protrusions 85 is not particularly limited. Here, there are three second protrusions 85. The number of second protrusions 85 is less than the number of first protrusions 84, but may be more, or may be the same as the number of first protrusions 84. Multiple second protrusions 85 make it difficult for the paper tube 60 inserted into the second cylindrical portion 82 to slip.

[0037] The flange 83 is provided on the outer circumferential surface of the first cylindrical portion 81. In this embodiment, as shown in Figure 4, the flange 83 is provided on the outer circumferential surface of the first cylindrical portion 81 on the axially outer side of the paper tube 60. As shown in Figure 5A, the flange 83 protrudes radially from the outer circumferential surface of the first cylindrical portion 81, protruding to the same extent as the first projection 84. The flange 83 has a disc-like shape with an outer diameter larger than the outer diameter of the first cylindrical portion 81.

[0038] In this embodiment, each of the left and right feeders 41 and 42 is provided with a rotating shaft 43 that extends axially inward from the paper tube 60. The rotating shaft 43 extends in the left-right direction. The winding support member 70 is inserted into the rotating shaft 43 and supported by the rotating shaft 43. The winding support member 70 is configured to rotate around the rotating shaft 43. Here, the winding support member 70 may be configured to rotate as the rotating shaft 43 rotates relative to the feeders 41 and 42. Alternatively, the winding support member 70 may be configured to rotate relative to the rotating shaft 43. In this embodiment, a winding motor 45 is connected to the rotating shaft 43 of the right feeder 42. Therefore, when the winding motor 45 is driven, the right winding support member 72 rotates around the rotating shaft 43.

[0039] In this embodiment, the winding support member 70 is made of resin. However, the material used to form the winding support member 70 is not particularly limited.

[0040] In this embodiment, the paper tube 60 is attached to a pair of left and right feeders 41 and 42. At this time, both ends of the paper tube 60 are supported by the pair of left and right feeders 41 and 42. Specifically, as shown in Figure 4, a left winding support member 71 is fitted to the left end of the paper tube 60, and a right winding support member 72 is fitted to the right end of the paper tube 60. Here, as shown in Figure 5B, the first cylindrical portion 81 of the winding support member 70 is fitted to the end of the paper tube 60. In this embodiment, since the paper tube 60 is made of paper, the first projection 84 of the winding support member 70 bites into the inner circumferential surface of the paper tube 60. This fixes the paper tube 60 to the winding support member 70. At this time, the rotation of the paper tube 60 relative to the winding support member 70 is restricted, and the paper tube 60 is less likely to rotate freely relative to the winding support member 70.

[0041] As shown in Figure 1, after the paper tube 60 is attached to the pair of left and right feeders 41 and 42, the media 5a is wound up. Here, the winding motor 45 is driven, causing the right winding support member 72 to rotate. As described above, the rotation of the paper tube 60 relative to the right winding support member 72 is restricted, so the torque generated when the right winding support member 72 rotates is transmitted to the paper tube 60. As a result, the paper tube 60 rotates together with the right winding support member 72. Consequently, the media 5a, which has been conveyed forward from the platen 11, is wound onto the circumferential surface of the paper tube 60 while under tension from the tension bar 65.

[0042] However, since the paper tube 60 is made of paper, repeated use could cause deformation, for example, outward expansion, of the portion of the inner surface of the paper tube 60 that was embedded in the first projection 84. In this case, the degree of embedment by the first projection 84 would decrease, and there was a risk that the paper tube 60 would not rotate properly with the rotation of the right winding support member 72. In other words, the torque generated when the right winding support member 72 rotated could not be properly transmitted to the paper tube 60, making it difficult for the paper tube 60 to rotate.

[0043] Figure 6 is a perspective view of the winding reinforcement device 100. In this embodiment, the winding reinforcement device 100 shown in Figure 6 is used so that the paper tube 60 rotates appropriately along with the rotation of the right winding support member 72, even if the inner surface of the paper tube 60 is deformed.

[0044] Next, the winding reinforcement 100 will be described. Figure 7 is a diagram corresponding to Figure 4, showing the state in which the winding reinforcement 100 is attached to the right winding support member 72. Figure 8A is a perspective view of the winding support member 70 with the winding reinforcement 100 attached. Figure 8B is a view of the winding support member 70 with the winding reinforcement 100 attached, seen from the second cylindrical portion 82 side. Figures 8C and 8D are a front view and a top view, respectively, of the winding support member 70 with the winding reinforcement 100 attached.

[0045] The winding reinforcement 100 is provided in the printer 10. As shown in Figures 8A to 8D, the winding reinforcement 100 is attached to the outer circumferential surface of the winding support member 70. Here, as shown in Figure 8B, the winding reinforcement 100 is interposed between the winding support member 70 and the paper tube 60. In this embodiment, as shown in Figure 7, the winding reinforcement 100 is attached to the right winding support member 72, which is a drive winding support member to which the winding motor 45 is connected, among the winding support members 70. However, the winding reinforcement 100 can also be attached to the left winding support member 71.

[0046] As shown in Figure 6, the winding reinforcement 100 comprises a first plate-like portion 101, a second plate-like portion 102, a connecting plate portion 103, a first contact portion 105, and a second contact portion 106. As shown in Figure 8C, the first plate-like portion 101 and the second plate-like portion 102 are positioned on the outer circumferential surface of the first cylindrical portion 81 of the winding support member 70. Here, the first plate-like portion 101 and the second plate-like portion 102 extend along the outer circumferential surface of the first cylindrical portion 81 in the direction of the central axis A1 of the cylindrical portion 81. Here, as shown in Figure 8B, the first plate-like portion 101 and the second plate-like portion 102 are positioned along the portion of the outer circumferential surface of the first cylindrical portion 81 around the first projection 84. The first plate-like portion 101 and the second plate-like portion 102 are positioned opposite each other, sandwiching the first cylindrical portion 81.

[0047] In this embodiment, the first plate-like portion 101 and the second plate-like portion 102 are made of plate-like members. The first plate-like portion 101 and the second plate-like portion 102 are plate-like with flat surfaces, and their cross-sectional shape has corners. Here, the cross-sectional shape of the first plate-like portion 101 and the second plate-like portion 102 is rectangular, and is composed of four corners. In this embodiment, in the first plate-like portion 101, the side that extends in the direction of the central axis A1 of the first cylindrical portion 81, out of the circumferential ends of the first cylindrical portion 81, is called the first indentation portion 111. Also, in the second plate-like portion 102, the side that extends in the direction of the central axis A1 of the first cylindrical portion 81, out of the circumferential ends of the first cylindrical portion 81, is called the second indentation portion 112.

[0048] The first biting portion 111 and the second biting portion 112 are interposed between the first cylindrical portion 81 and the paper tube 60. The first biting portion 111 and the second biting portion 112 are portions that bite into the inner circumferential surface of the paper tube 60. The first biting portion 111 and the second biting portion 112 are a pair, straddling the central axis A1 of the first cylindrical portion 81 of the winding support member 70. The first biting portion 111 and the second biting portion 112 have a pointed shape toward the inner circumferential surface of the paper tube 60, and the pointed portion extends in the direction of the central axis A1 of the first cylindrical portion 81. The first biting portion 111 is the portion of the first plate-like portion 101 that extends from the outer circumferential surface of the first cylindrical portion 81 in an orthogonal direction D11 perpendicular to the radial direction of the first cylindrical portion 81 (in other words, the tangential direction on the outer circumferential surface of the first cylindrical portion 81). The second indentation portion 112 is the portion of the second plate-shaped portion 102 that extends in a direction perpendicular to the outer circumferential surface of the first cylindrical portion 81 in the direction D11 (in other words, the tangential direction on the outer circumferential surface of the first cylindrical portion 81).

[0049] In this embodiment, as shown in Figure 8D, the first plate-like portion 101 is formed in a tapered shape. Here, the first plate-like portion 101 is configured such that its width at both ends increases as it approaches the axial end (to the right in this case) of the winding support member 70. More specifically, the first plate-like portion 101 is configured such that its width (in this case, the circumferential length of the winding support member 70) increases as it approaches the flange 83 of the winding support member 70. Both circumferential ends of the first plate-like portion 101 are inclined away from the first transmission hole 115 as they approach the flange 83.

[0050] In this embodiment, the second plate-like portion 102 has the same shape as the first plate-like portion 101. Therefore, the second plate-like portion 102 is also tapered. The second plate-like portion 102 is configured such that its width increases at both ends as it approaches the axial end (to the right in this case) of the winding support member 70. The second plate-like portion 102 is configured such that its width increases as it approaches the flange 83 of the winding support member 70. Both ends of the second plate-like portion 102 in the circumferential direction are inclined away from the second transmission hole 116 as they approach the flange 83. In this embodiment, the first plate-shaped portion 101 and the second plate-shaped portion 102 are configured such that their width (here, the circumferential length of the winding support member 70) increases as they approach the flange 83 of the winding support member 70. Therefore, the amount of biting into the inner circumferential surface of the paper tube 60 by the first biting portion 111 and the second biting portion 112 increases as they approach the flange 83 (here, the end of the paper tube 60 in the axial direction).

[0051] In this embodiment, as shown in Figure 6, a first transmission hole 115 is formed through the first plate-like portion 101. A second transmission hole 116 is formed through the second plate-like portion 102. The first transmission hole 115 and the second transmission hole 116 are holes that extend in the left-right direction. As shown in Figure 8B, one of the multiple first projections 84 is inserted into the first transmission hole 115 and the second transmission hole 116. In the example in Figure 8B, the first projection 84a is inserted into the first transmission hole 115, and the first projection 84d is inserted into the second transmission hole 116. The first transmission hole 115 and the second transmission hole 116 have shapes corresponding to the first projections 84.

[0052] In this embodiment, the first projection 84 contacts the edge of the first transmission hole 115 or the edge of the second transmission hole 116, thereby restricting the rotation of the winding reinforcement 100 relative to the winding support member 70. By restricting the rotation of the winding reinforcement 100 relative to the winding support member 70 in this way, when the winding support member 70 rotates, the winding reinforcement 100 can also rotate together with the winding support member 70. In other words, the torque generated when the winding support member 70 rotates is transmitted to the winding reinforcement 100, allowing the winding reinforcement 100 (for example, the first biting portion 111 and the second biting portion 112) to rotate. Therefore, in this embodiment, the first transmission hole 115 and the second transmission hole 116 function as transmission means for transmitting the torque generated when the winding support member 70 rotates to the first biting portion 111 and the second biting portion 112.

[0053] As shown in Figure 6, the connecting plate portion 103 is connected to the first plate-like portion 101 and the second plate-like portion 102. The connecting plate portion 103 is indirectly connected to the first biting portion 111 via the first plate-like portion 101 and indirectly connected to the second biting portion 112 via the second plate-like portion 102. Here, the connecting plate portion 103 is the part that connects the first plate-like portion 101 and the second plate-like portion 102. The connecting plate portion 103 is a plate-like portion and has the same thickness as the first plate-like portion 101 and the second plate-like portion 102. In this embodiment, as shown in Figure 8C, the connecting plate portion 103 is located at the tip of the second cylindrical portion 82 of the winding support member 70. Here, the connecting plate portion 103 is connected to the first plate-like portion 101 so as to be perpendicular to the first plate-like portion 101. The connecting plate portion 103 is connected to the second plate-like portion 102 so as to be perpendicular to the second plate-like portion 102.

[0054] In this embodiment, as shown in Figure 8B, an insertion hole 121 is formed in the connecting plate portion 103. Figure 9 is a front cross-sectional view showing the state in which the rotating shaft 43 is inserted into the winding support member 70 and the winding reinforcement 100. As shown in Figure 9, the rotating shaft 43, which is inserted into the winding support member 70, is inserted into the insertion hole 121. The insertion hole 121 has a shape corresponding to the cross-sectional shape of the rotating shaft 43, and in this case it is circular.

[0055] As shown in Figure 8C, the first contact portion 105 and the second contact portion 106 are the parts that come into contact with the flange 83 of the winding support member 70 when the winding reinforcement 100 is attached to the winding support member 70. The first contact portion 105 is provided on the first plate-shaped portion 101, and here it is provided on the end of the first plate-shaped portion 101 opposite to the connecting plate portion 103. The first contact portion 105 extends radially outward from the first plate-shaped portion 101 of the winding support member 70.

[0056] The second reinforcing portion 106 is provided on the second plate-shaped portion 102, specifically at the end of the second plate-shaped portion 102 opposite to the connecting plate portion 103. The second reinforcing portion 106 extends radially outward from the second plate-shaped portion 102 of the winding support member 70. The first reinforcing portion 105 and the second reinforcing portion 106 are, for example, plate-shaped portions, but are not limited to being plate-shaped.

[0057] The material used to form the winding reinforcement 100 is not particularly limited. The winding reinforcement 100 is made of a material that is harder than the paper tube 60 and also harder than the winding support member 70. In this embodiment, the winding reinforcement 100 is made of metal. The winding reinforcement 100 is manufactured by bending and shaping sheet metal.

[0058] Next, the method of using the winding reinforcement 100 will be described. When using the winding reinforcement 100, as shown in Figure 7, the winding reinforcement 100 is attached to, for example, the right winding support member 72 connected to the winding motor 45. Here, as shown in Figure 8C, the winding reinforcement 100 is pushed toward the right winding support member 72 so that the first cylindrical portion 81 and the second cylindrical portion 82 of the right winding support member 72 are positioned between the first plate-shaped portion 101 and the second plate-shaped portion 102 of the winding reinforcement 100. At this time, as shown in Figure 8B, one of the multiple first protrusions 84 of the right winding support member 72 is inserted into the first transmission hole 115 and the second transmission hole 116 of the winding reinforcement 100. In this state, when the winding reinforcement 100 is further pushed toward the right winding support member 72, the first pressing portion 105 and the second pressing portion 106 come into contact with the flange 83 of the right winding support member 72, as shown in Figure 8C. At this time, as shown in Figure 9, the rotating shaft 43 is inserted into the insertion hole 121 formed in the connecting plate portion 103 of the winding reinforcement 100. In this way, the winding reinforcement 100 can be attached to the right winding support member 72.

[0059] Here, as shown in Figure 8B, the right winding support member 72, to which the winding reinforcement 100 is attached, is inserted into the paper tube 60. At this time, the first biting portion 111 and the second biting portion 112 of the winding reinforcement 100 protrude radially outward from the first projection 84 of the right winding support member 72, and therefore contact the inner circumferential surface of the paper tube 60 before the first projection 84. As a result, the paper tube 60 is bitten in by the first biting portion 111 and the second biting portion 112, and can be firmly attached to the right winding support member 72.

[0060] In this embodiment, the winding reinforcement 100 is attached to the winding support member 70 in a printer 10 which has a cylindrical portion 81 inserted into the end of a cylindrical paper tube 60 that winds a roll of media 5a, and a winding support member 70 that is rotatable about the central axis A1 of the cylindrical portion 81. As shown in Figure 8B, the winding reinforcement 100 is provided on a plate-shaped member (here, a first plate-shaped portion 101 and a second plate-shaped portion 102) interposed between the first cylindrical portion 81 and the paper tube 60, and includes a first biting portion 111 and a second biting portion 112 that bite into the inner circumferential surface of the paper tube 60, and a transmission means that transmits the torque when the winding support member 70 rotates to the first and second biting portions 111 and 112. As a result, even if the inner surface of the paper tube 60 deforms due to repeated use, for example, the winding support member 70 with the winding reinforcement 100 attached can be inserted into the paper tube 60, causing the first and second biting portions 111 and 112 to bite into the inner surface of the paper tube 60. Therefore, the paper tube 60 can be fixed to the winding support member 70 via the winding reinforcement 100. Consequently, the torque generated when the winding support member 70 rotates can be appropriately transmitted to the paper tube 60 via the winding reinforcement 100. As a result, the paper tube 60 can be rotated in conjunction with the rotation of the winding support member 70.

[0061] In this embodiment, as shown in Figure 8B, the winding reinforcement 100 extends along the outer circumferential surface of the first cylindrical portion 81 of the winding support member 70 in the direction of the central axis A1 of the first cylindrical portion 81 and comprises a first plate-like portion 101 and a second plate-like portion 102, which are made of plate-like material, a first transmission hole 115 formed through the first plate-like portion 101, and a second transmission hole 116 formed through the second plate-like portion 102. The winding support member 70 is provided with a first projection 84 that protrudes radially from the outer circumferential surface of the first cylindrical portion 81 and is inserted into the first transmission hole 115 and the second transmission hole 116. The transmission means is the first transmission hole 115 into which one of the plurality of first projections 84 is inserted, and the second transmission hole 116 into which one of the plurality of first projections 84 is inserted. As a result, when the winding reinforcement 100 attempts to rotate relative to the winding support member 70, the first projection 84 inserted into the first transmission hole 115 abuts against the edge of the first transmission hole 115, and the first projection 84 inserted into the second transmission hole 116 abuts against the edge of the second transmission hole 116, thereby restricting the rotation of the winding reinforcement 100 relative to the winding support member 70. Therefore, it becomes more difficult for the winding reinforcement 100 to rotate relative to the winding support member 70, and the torque generated when the winding support member 70 rotates is more easily transmitted to the winding reinforcement 100.

[0062] In this embodiment, the first biting portion 111 is the edge located at both ends in the circumferential direction of the first cylindrical portion 81 in the first plate-shaped portion 101. The second biting portion 112 is the edge located at both ends in the circumferential direction of the first cylindrical portion 81 in the second plate-shaped portion 102. As shown in Figure 8D, the first plate-shaped portion 101 and the second plate-shaped portion 102 are configured such that their width at both ends increases towards the axial end (in this case, the flange 83) of the winding support member 70. That is, the first plate-shaped portion 101 and the second plate-shaped portion 102 are tapered. This makes it possible to vary the size of the inner diameter of the paper tube 60 that is appropriately fitted, depending on the position of the first plate-shaped portion 101 and the second plate-shaped portion 102 along the axial direction of the winding support member 70. For example, in the narrower portions of the first plate-shaped part 101 and the second plate-shaped part 102, the first biting portion 111 and the second biting portion 112 can be bitten into the paper tube 60, which has a smaller inner diameter, allowing the winding support member 70 to be properly fitted into the paper tube 60. On the other hand, in the wider portions of the first plate-shaped part 101 and the second plate-shaped part 102, the first biting portion 111 and the second biting portion 112 can be bitten into the paper tube 60, which has a larger inner diameter, allowing the winding support member 70 to be properly fitted into the paper tube 60. Therefore, even if the paper tubes 60 have different inner diameters, the first biting portion 111 and the second biting portion 112 can be properly bitten into the inner circumferential surface of the paper tube 60.

[0063] In this embodiment, as shown in Figure 8B, the first biting portion 111 and the second biting portion 112 are paired on either side of the central axis A1 of the first cylindrical portion 81 of the winding support member 70. This allows the first biting portion 111 and the second biting portion 112 to bite into the inner circumferential surfaces of both radial ends of the paper tube 60. Thus, the paper tube 60 can be stably fixed to the winding support member 70.

[0064] In this embodiment, as shown in Figure 8A, the winding support member 70 is provided with a flange 83 that protrudes radially from the outer circumferential surface of the first cylindrical portion 81. As shown in Figure 8C, the winding reinforcement 100 is provided with a first contact portion 105 and a second contact portion 106 that are fitted against the flange 83 of the winding support member 70. This makes it easy to align the winding reinforcement 100 with respect to the winding support member 70 by pushing the winding reinforcement 100 in until the first contact portion 105 and the second contact portion 106 are fitted against the flange 83.

[0065] In this embodiment, as shown in Figure 9, the first cylindrical portion 81 of the winding support member 70 is inserted into the rotating shaft 43 and is configured to rotate around the rotating shaft 43. The winding reinforcement 100 includes a connecting plate portion 103 in which an insertion hole 121 is formed for insertion into the rotating shaft 43. This makes it possible to align the axis that rotates the winding reinforcement 100 with the rotating shaft 43, which is the axis that rotates the winding support member 70, by simply inserting the rotating shaft 43 into the insertion hole 121.

[0066] In this embodiment, as shown in Figure 7, the printer 10 includes a right winding support member 72 that supports one end of the paper tube 60, a left winding support member 71 that supports the other end of the paper tube 60, and a winding motor 45 that rotates the right winding support member 72 around a central axis A1. The winding reinforcement 100 is interposed between the right winding support member 72 and the paper tube 60. In this embodiment, the right winding support member 72, to which the winding motor 45 is connected, is the driving side, and the paper tube 60 can be rotated by the rotation of the right winding support member 72. Therefore, the inner circumferential surface of the end of the paper tube 60 supported by the right winding support member 72 is prone to deformation. Herein, the winding reinforcement 100 is interposed between the right winding support member 72 and the paper tube 60, so that the paper tube 60 can be fixed to the right winding support member 72 even if the inner circumferential surface of the paper tube 60 is deformed.

[0067] In this embodiment, the plate-like portion of the present invention consisted of two parts: a first plate-like portion 101 and a second plate-like portion 102. However, the number of plate-like portions is not limited to two; there may be one or three or more. The number of indentation portions of the present invention may also increase in proportion to the number of plate-like portions. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0068] 5a Media 10 Printers 43 Rotation axis 45 Rewinding motor 60 paper tube 70 Winding support member 71 Left-hand winding support member (driven winding support member) 72 Right-hand winding support member (drive winding support member) 81. First cylindrical section (cylindrical section) 83 Flange 84 1st protrusion (protrusion) 100 Winding reinforcement 101 First plate-like part (plate-like part) 102 Second plate-like part (plate-like part) 103 Connecting plate section 105 First reinforcement part (reinforcement part) 106 Second reinforcement part (reinforcement part) 111 First indentation (indentation) 112 Second insertion point (insertion point) 115 First transmission hole (transmission hole, transmission means) 116 Second transmission hole (transmission hole, transmission means) 121 Insertion hole

Claims

1. A printer having a winding support member having a cylindrical portion that is inserted into the end of a cylindrical paper tube for winding roll-shaped media, and the winding support member being rotatable about the central axis of the cylindrical portion, wherein a winding reinforcement is attached to the winding support member, A plate-shaped member interposed between the cylindrical portion and the paper tube is provided with a biting portion that bites into the inner circumferential surface of the paper tube, A plate-like portion, which is made of a plate-like material, extends along the outer circumferential surface of the cylindrical portion of the winding support member in the direction of the central axis of the cylindrical portion, A transmission means for transmitting the torque of the winding support member during rotation to the biting portion, Equipped with, The aforementioned indented portion is the edge located at both ends in the circumferential direction of the cylindrical portion in the plate-like portion, The aforementioned plate-like portion is configured such that its width increases at both ends as it approaches the axial end of the winding support member, thereby providing a winding reinforcement.

2. The winding reinforcement device according to claim 1, wherein the plate-like portions are provided in pairs on either side of the central axis of the cylindrical portion of the winding support member.

3. The winding support member comprises a connecting plate portion located at the tip of the cylindrical portion, The winding reinforcement device according to claim 2, wherein the pair of plate-like portions are connected by the connecting plate portion.

4. A printer comprising a winding support member having a cylindrical portion inserted into the end of a cylindrical paper tube for winding roll-shaped media, and the winding support member being rotatable about the central axis of the cylindrical portion, wherein a winding reinforcement is attached to the winding support member, A plate-shaped member interposed between the cylindrical portion and the paper tube is provided with a biting portion that bites into the inner circumferential surface of the paper tube, A plate-like portion, which is made of a plate-like material, extends along the outer circumferential surface of the cylindrical portion of the winding support member in the direction of the central axis of the cylindrical portion, A connecting plate portion is located at the tip of the cylindrical portion of the winding support member, A transmission means for transmitting the torque of the winding support member during rotation to the biting portion, Equipped with, The plate-like portions are provided in pairs on either side of the central axis of the cylindrical portion of the winding support member. A winding reinforcement device in which a pair of plate-like portions are connected by a connecting plate portion.

5. The cylindrical portion of the winding support member is inserted into the rotating shaft and is configured to rotate about the rotating shaft. The winding reinforcement device according to claim 3 or 4, wherein the connecting plate portion has an insertion hole formed therein for insertion into the rotating shaft.

6. The plate-shaped portion is provided with a transmission hole formed through it, The winding support member is provided with a projection that protrudes radially from the outer surface of the cylindrical portion and is inserted into the transmission hole, The winding reinforcement according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the transmission means is the transmission hole into which the projection is inserted.

7. The winding support member comprises a flange that protrudes radially from the outer circumferential surface of the cylindrical portion, A winding reinforcement device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, comprising a contact portion that is applied to the flange of the winding support member.

8. A drive winding support member that supports one end of the paper tube, A driven winding support member that supports the other end of the paper tube, The aforementioned drive winding support member is rotated by a winding motor around a central axis, A winding reinforcement device as described in any one of claims 1 to 7, Equipped with, The aforementioned winding reinforcement is interposed between the drive winding support member and the paper tube in the printer.

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