JP6941239B2 - Printer - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a printer.

As a printer, a thermal printer including a thermal head that prints on thermal paper as a medium and a platen roller that feeds thermal paper sandwiched between the thermal heads is known.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2009-90491

The printer described above has a configuration in which a thermal head is screwed to a head support. In the case of this configuration, when the thermal head is replaced, the fixing screw is attached and detached using a tool, and the replacement work of the thermal head is complicated.

The disclosed technique has been made in view of the above, and an object of the present invention is to provide a printer capable of easily replacing a thermal head.

One aspect of the printer disclosed in the present application is a thermal head that heats and prints a medium, a platen roller that feeds a medium sandwiched between the thermal heads, and a first head support member that supports the thermal head. The second head support member that supports the first head support member, the frame member that supports the second head support member, and the second head support member in the direction of pressing the thermal head against the platen roller are attached. A urging member, a restricting position for restricting the movement of the first head support member with respect to the second head support member, and a stopper member movably provided at a release position for releasing the restriction are provided. .. The stopper member is detachably provided on the second head support member.

According to one aspect of the printer disclosed in the present application, the thermal head can be easily replaced.

FIG. 1 is a schematic view showing the entire printer of the embodiment. FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a printing unit of the printer of the embodiment. FIG. 3 is a side view showing a printed portion in the embodiment. FIG. 4 is a side view showing the printed portion in the embodiment as seen through. FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing a first head support member and a second head support member of the printing unit in the embodiment. FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing a second head support member and a frame member of the printing unit in the embodiment. FIG. 7A is a perspective view for explaining an operation of removing the first head support member from the printing portion in the embodiment. FIG. 7B is a perspective view for explaining an operation of removing the first head support member from the printing portion in the embodiment. FIG. 7C is a perspective view for explaining an operation of removing the first head support member from the printing portion in the embodiment. FIG. 7D is a perspective view for explaining an operation of removing the first head support member from the printing portion in the embodiment. FIG. 7E is a perspective view for explaining an operation of removing the first head support member from the printing portion in the embodiment.

Hereinafter, examples of the printer disclosed in the present application will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. The printers disclosed in the present application are not limited by the following examples.

(Printer configuration)
The printer of the embodiment is a thermal printer that prints on thermal paper such as roll paper (continuous paper) or label paper (seal paper) on which a label is overlaid on a release paper as a roll-shaped medium. The printer of this embodiment will be described as printing on label paper as an example of a roll-shaped medium, but the printer is not limited to the roll-shaped medium.

FIG. 1 is a schematic view showing the entire printer of the embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, the printer 1 of the embodiment has a supply unit 6 that supports the label paper 3 as a roll-shaped medium, a printing unit 7 that prints on the label paper 3 supplied from the supply unit 6, and a printing unit. A winding unit 8 for winding the label paper 3 that has passed through 7 is provided. In FIG. 1, the width direction of the printer 1 is the X direction, the depth direction of the printer 1 is the Y direction, and the height direction of the printer is the Z direction. In FIGS. 1 and 1 and subsequent directions, the X, Y, and Z directions are shown in the same manner as in FIG.

The supply unit 6 has a rotating shaft 6a that supports the label paper 3. The printing unit 7 has a thermal head 11, a platen roller 12, and the like. The details of the printing unit 7 will be described later. The take-up unit 8 has a take-up shaft 21 in which one end of the label paper 3 is fixed to take up the label paper 3, and a drive gear 22 for rotationally driving the take-up shaft 21.

Further, the printer 1 has a transport path 41 in which the label paper 3 supplied from the supply section 6 is transported to the winding section 8 through the printing section 7, and the transport roller 42 is carried along the transport path 41. Is placed. Further, the printer 1 includes a drive unit 9 for rotationally driving the drive gear of the take-up unit 8 and the platen roller 12 of the printing unit 7. The drive unit 9 powers the transmission gear 51 that transmits the driving force to the drive gear 22, the timing belt 52 that drives the transmission gear 51 and the platen roller 12, the drive motor 53 that drives the timing belt 52, and the drive motor 53. It has a power source 54 for supplying a power source 54. In the printer 1, as shown in FIG. 1, the label paper 3 of the supply unit 6 rotates counterclockwise to supply the label paper 3, and the take-up shaft 21 of the take-up unit 8 rotates clockwise to label. Take up the paper 3.

(Structure of printing part)
FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a printing unit 7 of the printer 1 of the embodiment. FIG. 3 is a side view showing the printing unit 7 in the embodiment. FIG. 4 is a side view showing the printed portion 7 in the embodiment as seen through.

As shown in FIGS. 2, 3 and 4, the printing unit 7 heats the label paper 3 for printing, and the platen roller 12 for feeding the label paper 3 sandwiched between the thermal head 11 and the thermal head 11. A first head support member 13 that supports the thermal head 11, a second head support member 14 that supports the first head support member 13, and a frame member 15 that supports the second head support member 14 are provided.

Further, the printing unit 7 has a coil spring 17 as an urging member for urging the second head support member 14 in a direction in which the thermal head 11 is pressed against the peripheral surface of the platen roller 12, and a first with respect to the second head support member 14. A stopper member 18 for restricting the movement of the head support member 13 and a guide member 19 for guiding the label paper 3 passing between the thermal head 11 and the platen roller 12 are provided.

The thermal head 11 is connected to a control unit (not shown) or the like via wiring. The platen roller 12 is arranged so as to face the elongated thermal head 11, and is supported by the rotating shaft 12a. The rotating shaft 12a is supported by a structure (not shown) included in the printer 1. Further, the rotating shaft 12a is provided with a ring-shaped positioning member 26 for positioning the first head support member 13 with respect to the platen roller 12. The positioning member 26 has an engaging groove 26a to which the support piece 13b described later of the first head support member 13 is engaged. The engaging groove 26a is formed along the circumference of the rotating shaft 12a. By positioning the first head support member 13 by the positioning member 26, the thermal head 11 is positioned at a predetermined position with respect to the X, Y, and Z directions in the drawing.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing the first head support member 13 and the second head support member 14 of the printing unit 7 in the embodiment. FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing the second head support member 14 and the frame member 15 of the printing unit 7 in the embodiment.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 5, the first head support member 13 includes a support plate 13a to which the thermal head 11 is fixed, and a set of support pieces 13b and 13c supported by the second head support member 14. Has. Each of the support pieces 13b and 13c is provided with a first convex portion 27 and a second convex portion 28 supported by the support pieces 14b and 14c of the second head support member 14, respectively. The first convex portion 27 and the second convex portion 28 are formed as shaft portions protruding in the axial direction (X direction) of the rotating shaft 12a of the platen roller 12. The first head support member 13 is movably supported in the X direction with respect to the second head support member 14 by the first convex portion 27 and the second convex portion 28. Further, one support piece 13b of the first head support member 13 is formed with an engagement recess 13d that is engaged with the engagement groove 26a of the positioning member 26. The other support piece 13c is formed with an engaging recess 13e that engages with the rotating shaft 12a of the platen roller 12.

As shown in FIGS. 2, 5 and 6, the second head support member 14 is supported by a support plate 14a arranged along the support plate 13a of the first head support member 13 and a frame member 15. It has a set of support pieces 14b and 14c. Each of the support pieces 14b and 14c has a first support hole 29 that supports the first convex portion 27 of the first head support member 13, and a second support that supports the second convex portion 28 of the first head support member 13. A hole 30 is provided. Then, in the first head support member 13, the second head support member 13 has the first convex portion 27 supported by the first support hole 29 and the second convex portion 28 supported by the second support hole 30. 14 is provided so as to be movable in the axial direction (X direction) of the support shaft 36 described later that supports the stopper member 18.

Further, in each of the support pieces 14b and 14c of the second head support member 14, the first support hole 29 is formed as a round hole, and the second support hole 30 is formed as an elongated hole extending in the Y direction. By forming the second support hole 30 into an elongated hole, the second support hole 30 also functions as an adjusting hole for ensuring a clearance corresponding to manufacturing variations of the first head support member 13 and the second head support member 14. The position of the first head support member 13 with respect to the second head support member 14 is adjusted and attached to the first head support member 13 by the second support hole 30.

Further, in the first support hole 29 of one support piece 14b of the second head support member 14, the first support hole 29 has a position with respect to the Z direction, which is the first direction orthogonal to the axial direction (X direction) of the support shaft 36 described later. A first groove 29a that allows the one convex portion 27 to be inserted and removed from the inside of the first support hole 29 is continuously formed in the first support hole 29. The second support hole 30 of the support piece 14b has a second convex portion 28 with respect to the Y direction, which is the second direction orthogonal to the axial direction (X direction) and the first direction (Z direction) of the support shaft 36, respectively. Is movably supported, and a second groove 30a that allows the second convex portion 28 to be inserted and removed from the second support hole 30 in the first direction (Z direction) is continuous with the second support hole 30. Is formed.

Further, the size of the second head support member 14 with respect to the axial direction (X direction) of the support shaft 36, that is, the direction in which the first convex portion 27 and the second convex portion 28 protrude is larger than that of the first head support member 13. Is also formed large. Therefore, the first head support member 13 is the second head support member in a state where the first convex portion 27 is supported by the first support hole 29 and the second convex portion 28 is supported by the second support hole 30. It is provided so as to be movable in the X direction with respect to 14. Further, the second head support member 14 is formed with an engaging projection 31 that is engaged with the frame member 15 in the vicinity of the support pieces 14b and 14c. Further, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the support plate 14a is provided with a fixed shaft 33a to which a set of coil springs 17 is attached.

As shown in FIGS. 2, 4 and 6, the frame member 15 includes a support plate 15a arranged along the support plate 14a of the second head support member 14 and a structure included in the printer 1 (not shown). It has a set of support pieces 15b and 15c supported by the printer.

As shown in FIGS. 4 and 6, the support plate 15a of the frame member 15 is provided with a fixed shaft 33b to which a set of coil springs 17 is attached. The frame member 15 presses the second head support member 14 toward the platen roller 12 by the urging force of the coil spring 17 attached so as to straddle the fixed shaft 33a of the first head support member 14 and the fixed shaft 33b of the support plate 15a. do. The second head support member 14 is pressed by the coil spring 17 to press the thermal head 11 fixed to the first head support member 13 against the platen roller 12. Further, although not shown, the support plate 15a is formed with a fixing portion for fixing the wiring connected to the terminal of the thermal head 11.

The support pieces 15b and 15c of the frame member 15 are formed with square hole-shaped engaging holes 32 into which the engaging projections 31 of the second head support member 14 are engaged. In the second head support member 14, the posture of the second head support member 14 with respect to the frame member 15 is regulated by engaging the engaging protrusion 31 with the engaging hole 32. Further, each of the support pieces 15b and 15c is provided with a connecting shaft 34 connected to the second head support member 14. Further, each of the support pieces 15b and 15c is provided with a mounting shaft 35 that is attached to the structure of the printer 1.

As shown in FIG. 2, the stopper member 18 has a regulation position P1 for restricting the movement of the first head support member 13 with respect to the second head support member 14 and a release position for releasing the restriction on the movement of the first head support member 13. It is provided so as to be movable with P2. The stopper member 18 is rotatably supported by the support shaft 36. The support shaft 36 is arranged in parallel along the rotation shaft 12a of the platen roller 12. The stopper member 18 is movably provided with respect to the second head support member 14 by rotating around the support shaft 36, and is detachably provided on the support piece 14b of the second head support member 14. There is.

In the stopper member 18, the engaging groove 18a engaged with the support piece 14b of the second head support member 14 and the support piece 13b of the first head support member 13 move in the axial direction (X2 direction) of the support shaft 36. It has a regulatory surface 18b that regulates what to do.

The stopper member 18 is held by the second head support member 14 by being engaged with the support piece 14b of the second head support member 14 by the engaging groove 18a. A state in which the first head support member 13 is moved in the X1 direction with respect to the second head support member 14, and the support piece 13c of the first head support member 13 is in contact with the support piece 14c of the second head support member 14. The regulating surface 18b of the stopper member 18 is abutted against the support piece 13b of the first head support member 13 to restrict the movement of the first head support member 13 in the X2 direction. Therefore, by moving the stopper member 18 from the regulation position P1 to the release position P2, the restriction on the movement of the first head support member 13 with respect to the second head support member 14 can be released, and the second head support can be released. The first head support member 13 attached to the member 14 can be easily removed from the second head support member 14.

Further, the support shaft 36 is provided with a plurality of transport rollers 42 at intervals in the axial direction of the support shaft 36. The guide member 19 is arranged along the transport direction of the label paper 3 passing between the thermal head 11 and the platen roller 12, and is supported by the support shaft 36.

(Operation when replacing the thermal head)
Regarding the printing unit 7 configured as described above, the operation of removing the first head support member 13 from the printing unit 7 when the thermal head 11 is replaced will be described. 7A to 7E are perspective views for explaining the operation of removing the first head support member 13 from the printing unit 7 in the embodiment. First, the frame member 15 that supports the first head support member 13 and the second head support member 14 is rotated around the support shaft 36 with respect to the platen roller 12, so that the thermal head 11 is moved from the platen roller 12. Be separated. Further, when the first head support member 13 is removed from the printing unit 7, the terminal of the wiring connected to the control unit or the like is removed from the terminal of the thermal head 11.

As shown in FIG. 7A, the first head support member 13 to which the thermal head 11 is fixed is restricted from moving in the X2 direction by the regulation surface 18b of the stopper member 18 being abutted against the support piece 13b. ing. Therefore, as shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B, the stopper member 18 held by the second head support member 14 is rotated around the support shaft 36 to move the stopper member 18 from the regulation position P1 to the release position P2. Move. By moving the stopper member 18 to the release position P2, the regulation surface 18b is separated from the support piece 13b of the first head support member 13, and the first head support member 13 can move in the X2 direction.

Subsequently, as shown in FIGS. 7B and 7C, the support pieces 13b and 13c of the first head support member 13 are provided with the first support holes 29 with respect to the support pieces 14b and 14c of the second head support member 14. By moving the first convex portion 27 and the second convex portion 28 supported by the second support hole 30 in the X2 direction, the first head support member 13 is moved in the X2 direction with respect to the second head support member 14. Let me. By moving the first head support member 13 in the X direction, the first convex portion 27 and the second convex portion 28 of one support piece 13c become the first support piece 14c of the second head support member 14. It is pulled out from the 1 support hole 29 and the 2nd support hole 30. As a result, in the first head support member 13, the first convex portion 27 and the second convex portion 28 of the other support piece 13b have the first support hole 29 and the second support hole 29 and the second convex portion 28 of the other support piece 14b of the second head support member 14. 2 It is in a state of being supported by the support hole 30.

Subsequently, as shown in FIGS. 7C and 7D, the first head support member 13 is placed around the second convex portion 28 of the support piece 13b with respect to the support piece 14b of the second head support member 14 (C in FIG. 7D). By rotating in the direction), the first convex portion 27 of the support piece 13b is pulled out from the first support hole 29 of the support piece 14b through the first groove 29a to the outside of the support piece 14b. Subsequently, as shown in FIGS. 7D and 7E, the first head support member 13 has the second convex portion 28 of the support piece 13b with respect to the support piece 14b of the second head support member 14, and the second convex portion 28 of the support piece 13b has an elongated hole shape. 2 By moving the support piece 13b in the Y direction and the Z direction along the support hole 30, the second convex portion 28 of the support piece 13b passes through the second support hole 30 of the support piece 14b through the second groove 30a. It is pulled out of the support piece 14b.

In this way, the first head support member 13 is removed from the second head support member 14 without using a tool, and can be easily replaced with the first head support member 13 to which a new thermal head 11 is fixed. Can be done. Further, according to the embodiment, when the first head support member 13 is removed from the second head support member 14, the urging force of the coil spring 17 that urges the second head support member 14 is directly applied to the first head support member 13. Since it does not act, the first head support member 13 can be moved with respect to the second head support member 14 and easily removed without deforming the coil spring 17.

After removing the first head support member 13 from the printing unit 7 as described above, the operation of attaching the first head support member 13 to which the new thermal head 11 is fixed to the printing unit 7 is opposite to the removal operation described above. By doing so, the first head support member 13 is attached to the second head support member 14. The first head support member 13 attached to the second head support member 14 is rotated around the support shaft 36 integrally with the frame member 15, so that the positioning provided on the rotation shaft 12a of the platen roller 12 is provided. The engaging recess 13d of the support piece 13b is engaged with the engaging groove 26a of the member 26. As a result, the thermal head 11 fixed to the first head support member 13 is positioned at a predetermined position with respect to the platen roller 12 in the X, Y, and Z directions. Further, the thermal head 11 positioned in this way is pressed by the platen roller 12 by being urged by the coil spring 17 via the second head support member 14 that supports the first head support member 13.

As described above, the printing unit 7 of the printer 1 of the embodiment includes a first head support member 13 that supports the thermal head 11, a second head support member 14 that supports the first head support member 13, and a second head support. A frame member 15 that supports the member 14, a coil spring 17 that urges the second head support member 14 in a direction that presses the thermal head 11 against the platen roller 12, and a first head support member 13 with respect to the second head support member 14. It includes a restricting position P1 for restricting movement and a stopper member 18 movably provided at a release position P2 for releasing the restriction. As a result, by moving the stopper member 18 from the regulation position P1 to the release position P2, the restriction on the movement of the first head support member 13 with respect to the second head support member 14 can be released. Therefore, the first head support member 13 that supports the thermal head 11 can be easily removed from the second head support member 14 without using a tool for removing the fixing screw, so that the thermal head 11 can be easily replaced. Can be done. In addition, when the first head support member 13 is attached to and detached from the second head support member 14, the first head support member 13 does not deform the coil spring 17 for pressing the thermal head 11 against the platen roller 12. Can be easily attached and detached, so that workability at the time of replacement of the thermal head 11 can be improved.

Further, the stopper member 18 of the printing unit 7 of the printer 1 of the embodiment is detachably provided on the second head support member 14. As a result, the stopper member 18 can be easily held at the regulation position P1.

Further, the printing unit 7 of the printer 1 of the embodiment includes a rotating shaft 12a for supporting the platen roller 12 and a positioning member 26 provided on the rotating shaft 12a for positioning the first head support member 13 with respect to the platen roller 12. , Equipped with. As a result, the first head support member 13 can be easily positioned by the positioning member 26, and the positioning accuracy of the thermal head 11 with respect to the platen roller 12 can be improved.

Further, the printing unit 7 of the printer 1 of the embodiment includes a support shaft 36 provided along the rotation shaft 36a, and the stopper member 18 is rotatably supported around the support shaft 36. Therefore, a structure in which the stopper member 18 easily and stably moves to the regulation position P1 and the release position P2 can be realized with a simple configuration. As a result, it is possible to improve the reliability of the movement restricting operation of the first head support member 13 using the stopper member 18, reduce the size of the printing unit 7, and reduce the size of the entire printer 1.

Further, in the printing portion 7 of the printer 1 of the embodiment, the first convex portion 27 and the second convex portion 28 of the first head support member 13 are the first support hole 29 and the second support hole 29 of the second head support member 14. The first head support member 13 is provided so as to be movable in the axial direction (X direction) of the support shaft 36 with respect to the second head support member 14 in a state of being supported by the 30. As a result, the structure in which the first head support member 13 is movably supported with respect to the second head support member 14 and the movement of the first head support member 13 with respect to the second head support member 14 by using the stopper member 18 are performed. The regulatory structure can be simplified. As a result, the size of the printing unit 7 and the size of the entire printer 1 can be reduced.

Further, in the printing unit 7 of the printer 1 of the embodiment, the first support hole 29 of the second head support member 14 is first convex with respect to the first direction (Z direction) orthogonal to the axial direction of the support shaft 36. A first groove 29a is formed so that the portion 27 can be inserted and removed from the first support hole 29. Further, in the second support hole 30 of the second head support member 14, a second convex portion 28 is provided in the second direction (Y direction) orthogonal to the axial direction and the first direction (Z direction) of the support shaft 36. A second groove 30a is formed which is movably supported and allows the second convex portion 28 to be inserted and removed from the second support hole 30 in the first direction (Z direction). By making the second convex portion 28 movable in the second direction (Y direction) with respect to the second support hole 30 in this way, the first head support member 13 (the first convex portion 27 and the second convex portion 28). ) And the clearance corresponding to the manufacturing variation of the second head support member 14, so that the position of the first head support member 13 can be adjusted and attached to the second head support member 14. Therefore, a structure in which the first head support member 13 can be adjusted with respect to the second head support member 14 and a structure in which the first head support member 13 can be attached to and detached from the second head support member 14 are provided. It is possible to achieve both with a simple configuration and to reduce the size of such a structure.

1 Printer 3 Label paper (medium)
7 Printing part 11 Thermal head 12 Platen roller 12a Rotating shaft 13 1st head support member 14 2nd head support member 15 Frame member 17 Coil spring (urging member)
18 Stopper member 18b Regulatory surface 26 Positioning member 27 1st convex part 28 2nd convex part 29 1st support hole 29a 1st groove 30 2nd support hole 30a 2nd groove 36 Support shaft P1 Regulation position P2 Release position

Claims (5)

A thermal head that heats the medium to print
A platen roller that feeds a medium sandwiched between the thermal head and
The first head support member that supports the thermal head and
A second head support member that supports the first head support member,
A frame member that supports the second head support member and
An urging member that urges the second head support member in a direction that presses the thermal head against the platen roller, and
A regulated position for restricting the movement of the first head support member with respect to the second head support member and a stopper member movably provided at a release position for releasing the regulation are provided .
A printer in which the stopper member is detachably provided on the second head support member. The rotating shaft that supports the platen roller and
A positioning member provided on the rotating shaft for positioning the first head support member with respect to the platen roller, and
The printer according to claim 1, further comprising. Further provided with a support shaft provided along the rotation shaft,
The stopper member is rotatably supported around the support shaft.
The printer according to claim 2. The first head support member has a convex portion supported by the second head support member, and has a convex portion.
The second head support member has a support hole for supporting the convex portion, and has a support hole.
The first head support member is provided so as to be movable in the axial direction of the support shaft with respect to the second head support member in a state where the convex portion is supported by the support hole.
The printer according to claim 3. The convex portion includes a first convex portion and a second convex portion protruding in the axial direction of the support shaft.
The support hole includes a first support hole that supports the first convex portion and a second support hole that supports the second convex portion.
The first support hole has a first groove that allows the first convex portion to be inserted and removed from the first support hole in a first direction that intersects the axial direction of the support shaft. Formed continuously in
The second convex portion is movably supported in the second support hole with respect to the axial direction of the support shaft and the second direction intersecting with the first direction, and the second convex portion is movably supported with respect to the first direction. A second groove that allows the second convex portion to be inserted and removed from the second support hole is continuously formed in the second support hole.
The printer according to claim 4.

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