DE102014012734A1 - Adjustable guide device for strip-shaped material of different width - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to an adjustable guide device (3) for strip-shaped material of different widths with two lateral guide elements (4, 5), of which a first (4) is adjustable towards or away from the second (5), wherein the first guide element (4 ) and the second guide element (5) have a first guide groove (6) or a second guide groove (7), which are arranged at least in regions at an angle to each other, wherein a single guide pin (9) both the first guide groove (6) and the second Guide groove (7) through-engages, wherein the guide pin (9) additionally passes through a third guide groove (8) formed in a carrier (10), wherein the carrier (10) is fixed to a housing (11) and the longitudinal direction the third guide groove (8) does not change with respect to the direction of movement of the band-shaped material, and the first (6) and second guide grooves (7) are angled toward the third guide groove (8) are orders.

Description

The invention relates to an adjustable guide device for strip-shaped material of different width with two lateral guide elements.

In printers for printing on paper of different lengths, the paper is printed in the printing device and often trimmed by means of a paper cutter. The paper to be printed is usually on a paper roll, which is rotatably mounted about an axis. In the conveying direction, the paper first passes from the paper roll to the printing device, where it is printed and conveyed by a roller further in the direction of the paper cutting machine.

In addition to a different paper length, it is sometimes desirable to print paper of different widths. For example, different manufacturers of paper rolls often offer different widths. For this reason, said printers often have a device for holding and guiding paper of different widths. The paper can then pass to the printer via a guide which is laterally adjustable. It is often provided that one side of the guide is firmly attached to the printer, while the paper width can be set variably on another side. This allows the printer to be loaded with paper rolls either from the left and from the right.

The object of the invention is to provide an adjustable guide device for strip-shaped material of different widths such that the center of the strip-shaped material does not change in its longitudinal direction in its position relative to a housing of the guide device with a change in width of the material, d. H. for each width of the material in the width direction is always the same centered, this centering automatically takes place when adjusting only a lateral guide. In addition, the guide should be relatively simple and less prone to interference.

The object is achieved by a guide device according to the main claim of the present invention. Advantageous developments emerge from the features of the subclaims and the embodiments.

It is proposed an adjustable guide device for strip-shaped material of different width with two lateral guide elements. Of the guide elements, a first to the second or away from this adjustable, wherein a first guide member and a second guide member having a first guide groove and a second guide groove, which are at least partially arranged at an angle to each other. A single guide pin passes through both the first guide and the second guide. The guide allows a continuous width adjustment to adapt to the width of the band-shaped material. Due to the two guide grooves and the single guide pin, the guide device is designed to be particularly wear-resistant.

The guide pin additionally engages through a third guide groove, which is formed in a carrier. The carrier is fixed with respect to the guide, z. B. it may be attached to a housing, such as the housing of a printer.

The longitudinal direction of the third guide groove does not change with respect to the direction of movement of the band-shaped material, i. H. during a displacement of the guide pin in the third guide groove does not change its position in the width direction of the band-shaped material. The first and the second guide groove are arranged at an angle to the third guide groove. A movement of the guide pin in the longitudinal direction of the third guide groove thus causes a lateral movement of the guide elements.

In one embodiment, the guide grooves are elongated. You can also swing in other trainings, z. B. be circular arc. In one embodiment, a longitudinal direction of the first guide groove and a longitudinal direction of the second guide groove form an angle which is greater than 30 °. The angle can be less than 150 °. The larger the angle is chosen, the greater the lateral adjustment of the guide elements can be with the same length of the guide grooves. At large angles, z. B. angle greater than 135 ° or 140 ° or 150 °, depending but a friction between the guide pin and the guide grooves increase, which can be difficult to adjust the guide element. In one embodiment, said angle has a value between 45 ° and 135 °, for example 90 °.

In a further development, the guide elements are adjustable from an imaginary center line. When adjusting the width of the device, the guide elements are then evenly moved away from this imaginary center line or to the imaginary center line. The centerline preferably coincides with a center of the band-shaped material. In this embodiment, the guide allows a reverse installation, and a loading of the printer can be done either from the right or from the left.

An angle enclosed by the first guide groove and the third guide groove should be between 0 ° and 90 °. For example, is said angle 45 °. Likewise, an angle enclosed by the second guide groove and the third guide groove is for example between 0 ° and 90 °, wherein the angle can be 45 °. The two mentioned angles are the same size in one embodiment, ie the first and the second guide groove are arranged symmetrically to the third guide groove. Upon movement of the guide pin in the guide grooves, the first guide element and the second guide element are moved towards or away from each other, wherein the respective movements are the same size, but opposite.

In a development, the guide pin can be fixed by means of a locking element in one of the guide grooves. The locking element can, for. B. be a locking nut.

At least one of the two guide elements or both guide elements can have a holder or a receptacle for the band-shaped material. As a result, not only a guide of the band-shaped material is possible, but the band-shaped material can be additionally held by the guide. For example, holding brackets may be provided on the guide elements for this purpose.

In one embodiment, the first and the second guide element have a first half-open or a second half-open guide slot for an associated edge region of the band-shaped material. The two guide slots may face each other, and the open sides of the guide slots may face each other. This allows a two-sided paper guide adjustment.

In a further embodiment, the guide elements are mounted on a common slide bar, which is attached to a housing and a horizontal displacement of the two guide elements allowed. Through the sliding strip, a horizontal lateral movement of the guide elements can be simplified. In addition, the device can be made more robust thereby.

Furthermore, the guide elements may have an upper and a lower inlet, wherein the enemas are aligned at an angle to each other and form an inlet for the band-shaped material. The enemas are z. B. attached to the guide slots. The inlet facilitates a paper feed to the printer.

In a further development, a sensor for detecting a lack of band-shaped material and / or for detecting a reference mark of the band-shaped material is arranged on one of the two guide elements or on both guide elements. The sensor can z. B. connected to an evaluation and control unit. If it is detected by the sensor that there is a lack of band-shaped material, a corresponding signal is sent to the evaluation and control unit; this evaluates the signal and can output a corresponding control signal to a warning device. The warning device is designed to output an acoustic or visual warning signal. Thus, a user can easily see if a new roll of tape-shaped material has to be used. Not only the presence of a band can be monitored with the aid of the aforementioned sensor, but also the individual subsections can be accurately scanned in a band divided into regular subsections. The sensor can z. B. be a light barrier.

In addition to the sensor, a transmitting unit can also be provided. For example, the sensor and the transmitting unit form an optical transmitting and receiving unit. About the transmitting unit z. B. emitted light, which is reflected on the belt. The receiving unit receives at least a portion of this light when a band is present or when the band has no breakdown of any kind in the associated area.

In a further embodiment, the guide elements each have a holding portion for holding the band-shaped material and a guide portion for guiding the band-shaped material.

The holding section and the guide section can be designed to be adjustable relative to one another in the vertical direction. For example, at least one guide pin can be provided on the holding section or the guide section, which engages in a longitudinal slot of the guide section or of the holding section. As a result, a vertical height adjustment of the guide elements is also possible.

In one embodiment, the guide device is resiliently secured by means of one or more retaining springs to a housing. For example, two retaining springs engage in recesses formed in the housing in bores at two ends of the sliding strip. As a result, for example, acceleration forces of a paper supply roll can be cushioned during a printing operation.

In particular, the guide device of the type described above can be used in a printer with a printing device for printing on paper of different widths. The band-shaped material described above may be in particular paper which is printed by a printer. The paper can over the guide for Be performed printing device. The paper is typically on a roll of paper, with paper rolls of different widths being usable by the guide device described above.

The present invention also provides a printer, wherein the printer has a printing device for printing on paper of different widths and the paper can be guided to the printing device via the previously described guide device.

The guide device described above can thus allow a continuous width adjustment for adaptation to the width of strip-shaped material as well as a synchronous adjustment of the guide elements, the first sensor, the second sensor and the paper roll receptacle.

Embodiments of the invention will be explained with reference to the accompanying figures. In the figures shows

1 a part of a printer,

2 a cross-sectional view of a guide device for paper rolls of different widths and

3A - 3E Front views of components of the guide of the 2 ,

In the figures, recurring features are provided with identical reference numerals. Only in the embodiments of the figures disclosed features of the various embodiments can be combined and claimed individually.

1 shows a schematic representation of a part of a printer 1 in z. B. a self-service machine. The printer 1 comprises a paper output device, a printing device for printing on a sheet, a paper cutting device for cutting a sheet and a discharge opening, wherein the paper output device is arranged between the discharge opening and the paper cutting device. Further, the printing device is arranged in the conveying direction of the paper in front of the paper cutting device.

The printing device comprises at least one roller and means for printing a sheet. In the exemplary embodiment, paper is printed by means of a thermal printer. The paper to be printed is on a roll of paper 2 , which is rotatably mounted about an axis. In the conveying direction, the paper passes from the paper roll 2 first to the printing device, where it is printed and further promoted by at least one roller in the direction of the discharge opening. Then, the paper passes through the paper cutter to the paper dispenser and to the dispensing opening where it can be removed by a user.

This paper of different width can be printed, is an adjustable guide 3 intended for paper of different width, which in 1 is indicated.

In 2 is a cross-sectional view of the adjustable guide 3 shown. The guiding device 3 is between the paper roll 2 and the printing device arranged. The paper thus passes from the paper roll 2 over the guiding device 3 to the printing device. In the 2 a conveying direction of the paper is indicated by an arrow. The following is also on the 3A - 3E referenced, wherein in the 3A - 3E the in the 2 shown components are shown in a front view.

The guiding device 3 includes two positionable in the distance of the respective paper width lateral guide elements 4 . 5 of which a first is transverse to the paper web to the second or away from this adjustable. The first guide element 4 and the second guide element 5 have a first guide groove 6 or a second guide groove 7 on. The first and the second guide groove 6 . 7 each have a first and a second longitudinal direction, wherein the first and the second longitudinal direction form an angle α of about 90 °. Of course, this angle α may be larger or smaller in other embodiments. It is only important that the guide grooves 6 . 7 are arranged at an angle to each other.

A single guide pin 9 engages through both the first and the second guide groove 6 . 7 , In addition, the guide pin passes through 9 in addition a third guide groove 8th in a carrier 10 is trained. The carrier 10 is in turn with a housing 11 of the printer 1 screwed. A longitudinal direction of the third guide groove 8th extends in the embodiment in the vertical direction, ie in the z-direction. Here, the vertical direction is not required. So can the third guide groove 8th also in another direction, z. B. in the x direction or obliquely. It is important, however, that the guide pin does not move in the width direction of the paper.

The first and the second guide groove are 6 . 7 at an angle to the third guide groove 8th arranged and close each with the third guide groove 8th from each side an equal angle of about 45 °. A movement of the guide pin 9 in the third guide groove 8th has a lateral movement of the two guide elements 4 . 5 result. Since the angles are the same, thus takes place uniform movement of both guide elements 4 . 5 , The guide elements 4 . 5 thus move synchronously towards or away from each other.

The guide pin 9 has a covenant 14 and an outer thread indicated by a broken line 15 on and is by means of a locking nut 16 trained locking element with an internal thread 17 in the first, second and third guide grooves 6 . 7 . 8th ascertainable. This allows a position of the guide elements 4 . 5 for a given paper width by a corresponding height of the guide pin 9 in the third guide groove 8th be fixed. The guide pin 9 is shown for clarity in a side view in the zx plane (guide pin 9 ' ).

Next is a holder for the paper roll 2 intended. For this purpose, the two guide elements 4 . 5 Bracket with a protruding section 13 which extends substantially in the x direction. At the above section 13 is a paper roll holder 12 attached, on which the roll of paper can be mounted.

The two guide elements 4 . 5 are each in two parts, wherein the first guide element 4 a first holding section 18a for holding the paper or paper roll 2 over the one bracket 13 and a first guide section 19a for guiding the paper, and the second guide member 5 a second holding section 18b to hold the paper roll 2 over the other bracket 13 and a second guide section 19b for guiding the paper. The holding section 18a . 18b has a guide pin 20a . 20b on, for the vertical adjustment (ie in the z-direction) in each case in a vertical, in the respective guide section 19a . 19b trained longitudinal slot 21a . 21b intervenes. A position of the guide pins 20a . 20b on the back of the holding sections 18a . 18b is in the 3C indicated by circles. The respective holding portion and the associated guide portion lie flat against each other and are coupled together by the guide pin and the longitudinal slot in the width direction (y-direction). The guide sections 19a . 19b are together on a rail 34 a sliding strip 22 mounted, which on the housing 11 is fixed and a horizontal displacement (ie in the y-direction) of the two guide elements 4 . 5 allowed. The sliding strip 22 favors the width adjustment of the guide 3 ; However, it can also be omitted in other embodiments.

The guide sections 19a . 19b the first and the second guide element 4 . 5 include a first half-open and a second half-open guide slot 23 . 24 for each associated edge region of the paper. The two guide slots 23 . 24 lie opposite each other; In addition, the open sides of the guide slots 23 . 24 facing each other. A minimal opening for the paper is thus laterally through the two half-open guide slots 23 . 24 limited.

For simplified paper recording are the guide sections 19a . 19b the guide elements 4 . 5 with an upper paper inlet 31 and a lower paper inlet 32 Mistake. The paper inlets 31 . 32 are aligned at an angle to each other and form an inlet opening 33 for the paper, which simplifies paper picking by the printer. In the 3D are the paper inlets 31 . 32 not shown for the sake of clarity.

To cushion mechanical vibrations during a printing process, the two guide elements 4 . 5 by means of retaining springs 25 resilient to the housing 11 attached. The on the case 11 clamped on both sides retaining springs 25 grab in the case 11 trained, vertically aligned not shown recesses in holes at both ends of the slide bar 22 one.

At the first guide section 19a is a first sensor 26 attached to detect a paper shortage. The sensor 26 is preferably located below the guide slot 23 and also includes an optical transmitting unit. Furthermore, there is a second sensor 27 for detecting a reference mark of the paper on the first guide element 19a arranged. The second sensor 27 is located next to the first sensor 26 , where the two sensors 26 . 27 in a recess 28 in the leadership section 19a are arranged. This sensor arrangement can also be analogous to the guide section 19b be arranged. Both sensors 26 . 27 are via electrical lines 29 with an evaluation and control unit 30 connected. The evaluation and control unit can use appropriate electronics 30 to control an unillustrated warning system. The warning system issues an optical or audible warning signal, which allows a user to detect if there is a paper shortage.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

printer

2

paper roll

3

adjustable guide

4

first guide element

5

second guide element

6

first guide groove

7

second guide groove

8th

third guide groove

9

spigot

9 '

spigot

10

carrier

11

printer case

12

Paper roll cradle

13

previous section

14

Federation

15

external thread

16

Locknut

17

inner thread

18a

first holding section

18b

second holding section

19a

first guide section

19b

second guide section

20a

first guide pin

20b

second guide pin

21a

first longitudinal slot

21b

second longitudinal slot

22

Slide Strip

23

first guide slot

24

second guide slot

25

retaining spring

26

No paper sensor

27

second sensor

28

recess

29

management

30

Evaluation and control unit

31

Upper paper inlet

32

Lower paper inlet

33

paper inlet

34

rail

α

angle

Claims (11)

Adjustable guide device ( 3 ) for strip-shaped material of different widths with two lateral guide elements ( 4 . 5 ), of which a first ( 4 ) second ( 5 ) is adjustable towards or away from it, wherein the first guide element ( 4 ) and the second guide element ( 5 ) a first guide groove ( 6 ) or a second guide groove ( 7 ), which are arranged at least in regions at an angle to each other, wherein a single guide pin ( 9 ) both the first guide groove ( 6 ) as well as the second guide groove ( 7 ), wherein the guide pin ( 9 ) in addition a third guide groove ( 8th ), which in a carrier ( 10 ) is formed, wherein the carrier ( 10 ) on a housing ( 11 ) is attached and the longitudinal direction of the third guide groove ( 8th ) does not change with respect to the direction of movement of the band-shaped material, and the first ( 6 ) and the second guide groove ( 7 ) at an angle to the third guide groove ( 8th ) are arranged. Guide device ( 3 ) according to claim 1, characterized in that a longitudinal direction of the first guide groove ( 6 ) and a longitudinal direction of the second guide groove ( 7 ) include an angle greater than 30 ° and / or less than 150 °. Guide device ( 3 ) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the guide pin ( 9 ) by means of a locking element ( 16 ) in one of the guide grooves ( 6 ; 7 ; 8th ) is detectable. Guide device ( 3 ) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one of the two guide elements ( 4 . 5 ) has a holder or a receptacle for the band-shaped material. Guide device ( 3 ) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first ( 4 ) and the second guide element ( 5 ) a first half-open ( 23 ) or a second half-open guide slot ( 24 ) for an associated edge region of the band-shaped material, wherein the two guide slots ( 23 . 24 ) face each other and the open sides of the guide slots ( 23 . 24 ) face each other. Guide device ( 3 ) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the guide elements ( 4 . 5 ) on a common sliding strip ( 22 ) are mounted on a housing ( 11 ) and a horizontal displacement of the two guide elements ( 4 . 5 ) allowed. Guide device ( 3 ) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the guide elements ( 4 . 5 ) an upper ( 31 ) and a lower enema ( 32 ), wherein the enemas ( 31 . 32 ) are aligned at an angle to each other and an inlet ( 33 ) form for the band-shaped material. Guide device ( 3 ) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a first sensor ( 26 ) for detecting a lack of band-shaped material and / or a second sensor ( 27 ) for detecting a reference mark of the band-shaped material on one of the two guide elements ( 4 . 5 ) is arranged. Guide device ( 3 ) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the guide elements ( 4 . 5 ) each have a holding section ( 18a . 18b ) for holding the band-shaped material and a guide portion (FIG. 19a . 19b ) for guiding the band-shaped material, wherein the holding portion ( 18a . 18b ) each have a guide pin ( 20a . 20b ), which for vertical adjustment of the holding portion ( 18a . 18b ) each in a vertical in a guide section ( 19a . 19b ) formed longitudinal slot ( 21a . 21b ) intervenes. Guide device ( 3 ) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the guide device ( 3 ) by means of retaining springs ( 25 ) resiliently on a housing ( 11 ) are attached. Printer ( 1 ) with a guide device ( 3 ) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the printer has a printing device for printing paper of different widths and the paper via the guide device ( 3 ) can be guided to the printing device.

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