EP0894640A2 - Appareil d'impression - Google Patents

Appareil d'impression Download PDF

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Publication number
EP0894640A2
EP0894640A2 EP98306098A EP98306098A EP0894640A2 EP 0894640 A2 EP0894640 A2 EP 0894640A2 EP 98306098 A EP98306098 A EP 98306098A EP 98306098 A EP98306098 A EP 98306098A EP 0894640 A2 EP0894640 A2 EP 0894640A2
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
cover member
opening
head
head block
platen
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Withdrawn
Application number
EP98306098A
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
Other versions
EP0894640A3 (fr
Inventor
Hiroaki Sekiya
Takumi Seino
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Seiko Instruments Inc
Original Assignee
Seiko Instruments Inc
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Seiko Instruments Inc filed Critical Seiko Instruments Inc
Publication of EP0894640A2 publication Critical patent/EP0894640A2/fr
Publication of EP0894640A3 publication Critical patent/EP0894640A3/fr
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B41—PRINTING; LINING MACHINES; TYPEWRITERS; STAMPS
    • B41J—TYPEWRITERS; SELECTIVE PRINTING MECHANISMS, i.e. MECHANISMS PRINTING OTHERWISE THAN FROM A FORME; CORRECTION OF TYPOGRAPHICAL ERRORS
    • B41J25/00—Actions or mechanisms not otherwise provided for
    • B41J25/304—Bodily-movable mechanisms for print heads or carriages movable towards or from paper surface
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B41—PRINTING; LINING MACHINES; TYPEWRITERS; STAMPS
    • B41J—TYPEWRITERS; SELECTIVE PRINTING MECHANISMS, i.e. MECHANISMS PRINTING OTHERWISE THAN FROM A FORME; CORRECTION OF TYPOGRAPHICAL ERRORS
    • B41J25/00—Actions or mechanisms not otherwise provided for
    • B41J25/304—Bodily-movable mechanisms for print heads or carriages movable towards or from paper surface
    • B41J25/316—Bodily-movable mechanisms for print heads or carriages movable towards or from paper surface with tilting motion mechanisms relative to paper surface

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a thermal printer for forming images on thermosensitive recording papers by using a thermal head, and more particularly to a thermal printer improved in operationality particularly such as upon paper jamming or head cleaning.
  • Thermal printers are structured to form a desired image on a recording paper by using a thermal head.
  • a thermal head is rotatably urged in press-contact with a platen roller through a pressing force of a pressing member such as a predetermined form of a leaf spring.
  • a cover member is opened and then a release lever arranged therein is rotated so that the pressing force of the leaf spring or the like is directly or indirectly released.
  • the thermal head can be moved away from the platen roller.
  • the release lever when a small line thermal printer is provided with a release lever, the release lever has a rotational support shaft arranged in the vicinity of the paper exit port of the printer housing. In many cases, this shaft is set at a location distant from the rotational support shaft of the thermal head. Consequently, a mechanism is required to transmit the operating force of the release lever, which increases the number of parts required.
  • thermal printer for example from Japanese Patent document Layed-open No. H7-309052, which is structured to enable a thermal head to be moved away from a platen roller by opening a cover member without requiring a release operation by a release lever.
  • This apparatus has a cam member that rotates with opening and closing of the cover member. At an open position of the cover member, the thermal head is forced against the pressing force of a leaf spring by the cam member, thereby moving the thermal head away from the platen roller.
  • the apparatus with the release lever necessitates two detecting switches to detect the release lever state and the cover member state, and further a mechanism to transmit the operating force of the release lever.
  • there is a necessity of increasing the space for operating the release lever because the operating force required for the release lever is large. This increases the apparatus size and requires a mechanism to transmit the operating force of the release lever, which has disadvantage of an increase in the number of parts.
  • the pressing force of an elastic member increases as the thermal head moves away from the platen roller. Accordingly, it is difficult to open the cover member to a large extent.
  • the present invention has been made in view of the above and it is an object thereof to provide a line thermal printer which can improve the operationality during maintenance, such as removing a paper jam or for head cleaning, and which can reduce the number of parts to achieve a reduction in size.
  • a housing having an opening
  • the printer apparatus comprises a printer frame detachably mounted in the housing; the printer frame supporting the platen, a head unit on which is mounted the head block, and the resilient biasing means; wherein the cover member has a rotational shaft on which the cam mechanism is mounted.
  • the printer frame incorporates therein as a single unit the principal parts such as the platen roller, the head unit support plate for supporting the head block, the resilient biasing means, the cover member, and the pressurising cam. Accordingly, the assembling of the principal parts into the housing is easy to perform. It is also possible readily to access the principal parts by taking the unit portion out of the housing, thus facilitating part exchange during conducting maintenance. However, it is possible to perform cleaning of the head portion only by opening the cover.
  • the pressurising cam is preferably provided with a first cam surface for pressing against a predetermined position of the head unit support plate when in the open position of the cover member, and a second cam surface for pressing against the resilient biasing means when in the closed position of the cover member.
  • the pressurising cam is rotated by interacting with opening and closing of the cover member; when opening the cover member, the pressurising cam at the first cam surface presses against the predetermined portion of the head unit support plate so that the head block is gradually moved away from the platen roller. At this time, the second surface of the pressurising cam is brought out of contact with the resilient biasing means. Accordingly, the pressing force by the second cam surface is released to smoothly carry out releasing of the head block.
  • the pressurising cam is preferably provided with a pressing force receiving surface for receiving a pressing force of the resilient biasing means, when in a position immediately before completing opening of the cover member.
  • the pressurising cam is rotated by interacting with opening and closing of the cover member, when in a position immediately before completing opening of the cover member, the second cam surface of the pressurising cam is placed out of contact with the resilient biasing means. After the pressing force against the resilient biasing means by the second cam surface is released, the resilient biasing means comes into abutment against the pressing force receiving surface to thereby add the pressing force to an opening force of the cover member, thus retaining the cover member in the open position.
  • the pressurising cam is preferably provided with a third cam surface for pressing, during closing of the cover member, against a movable piece of a detecting switch arranged inside the housing.
  • the third cam surface of the pressurising cam moves the movable piece of the detecting switch during opening and closing movements of the cover member, it is possible to detect, by only one detecting switch, opening and closing movement of the cover member and movement into and out of contact of the head block with the platen roller.
  • Fig. 1 to Fig. 5 show one embodiment of a thermal printer of the present invention, wherein Fig. 1 shows a printer unit dismountably accommodated within a housing hereinafter referred to.
  • a housing 10 has an opening 12 formed on an upper side of a front 11 for example as shown in Fig. 3 and Fig. 5. Through the opening 12, a printer unit 100 shown in Fig. 1 can be dismountably accommodated.
  • the printer unit 100 has a printer frame 110 generally in a rectangular U-shape as shown in Fig. 1.
  • the printer frame 110 has sleeves 120 rotatably attached to its side frames 111, 112. These sleeves 120 are formed integral with a cover member 130 via arms 131 so that the cover member 130 is opened and closed by rotating the sleeves 120.
  • the sleeves 120 have respective axial bores (not shown) in which is fitted respective ends of a support shaft 140 which is rectangular in cross section.
  • the support shaft 140 has arranged thereon three pressurising cams 141 - 143. These pressurising cams 141 - 143 are provided with: a first cam face 144 for urging against a bend portion 162 of a head unit support arm 160, 161; a second cam face 145 for urging against a leaf spring 170; and a leaf-spring receiving face 146 for receiving a biasing force by a pressing piece 171 - 174 of the leaf spring 170 when releasing an urging force against the leaf spring 170.
  • the pressurising cam 141 is also provided with a third cam face 147 for pressing against a movable piece 22 of a detecting switch 21 mounted, for example, on an interface board 20 or the like.
  • a detecting switch 21 mounted, for example, on an interface board 20 or the like.
  • a head block support shaft 150 is rotatably attached at respective ends to the side plates 111, 112 of the printer frame 110 on the undersides of the sleeves 120.
  • the head block support shaft 150 has, at respective ends, head unit support arms 160, 161.
  • the head unit support arms 160, 161 respectively have, on their upper end sides, bend piece protions 162 inwardly bent to face each other.
  • Bend piece portions 162 are pressed by the respective first cam face 144 of the pressurising cams 141, 143 so that the head block 180 can be released as described later.
  • Each head unit support arm 160, 161 is formed integral with a head unit support plate 163.
  • the head unit support plate 163 is formed with recesses 164 - 167 to receive the leaf spring 170 in the form of pressing pieces 171 - 174 which act on the pressurising cams 141 - 143.
  • the leaf spring 170 in a generally rectangular U-shape and one upright thereof together with the aluminum head block 180 is attached to one surface of the head unit support plate 163 with a plurality of screws 24 (refer to Figs. 4 and 5).
  • the leaf spring 170 is provided with the pressing pieces 171 - 174 which are folded back and upwards with respect to the said surface of the head block 180. That is, the pressing pieces 171 - 174 are extended to the backside of the head unit support plate 163 so as to face the pressurising cams 141 - 143 by passing through the recesses 164 - 167 of the head unit support plate 163.
  • the head block 180 is fixed with a ceramic substrate 181 having a heating element (print head), not shown, on a surface thereof.
  • the ceramic substrate 181 is provided, at a lower portion thereof, with a seal portion 182 to seal a driver or the like provided by an IC.
  • the head block 180 is provided, at a lower portion thereof, with a protection cover 184 to protect the seal portion 182. Cover 184 is fixed by a screw 183.
  • the side plates 111, 112 of the printer frame 110 rotatably support ends 191, 192 of the support shaft 190 at a location somewhat lower than the attaching location of the sleeves 120.
  • the support shaft 190 has attached thereon a platen roller 193.
  • the support shaft 190 is provided on an end side 191, with a platen drive 194.
  • This platen drive gear 194 is arranged when accommodated inside of the housing 10 of the printer unit 100, to mesh with a drive gear of a drive mechanism, not shown, provided on an interior side of the housing 10.
  • the housing 10 is provided with an insertion hole 13 at a front 11 on a lower side thereof.
  • the insertion hole 13 has the shape of a horn so that a printing paper 30 can be readily inserted thereto.
  • the insertion hole 13 has a guide portion 14 formed by a surface moderately curved upwardly so that the printing paper 30 inserted in the insertion hole 13 can be guided upward.
  • a guide passage 15 upwardly extending to a junction portion between the head block 180 and the platen roller 193.
  • the end of the guide passage 15 is provided with a guide sheet 16 extending to the neighbourhood of the junction between the head block 180 and the platen roller 193.
  • a paper detecting sensor is provided in the guide passage 15.
  • the afore-mentioned drive mechanism (not shown) is driven to rotate the platen roller 193.
  • An exit port 132 is provided in the cover member 130 at a location corresponding to the platen roller 193 to discharge a printing paper 30 after printing.
  • the exit port 132 is provided with a guide portion 133 curved toward the front 11 of the housing 10. The printed printing paper 30 is discharged outwardly through the exit port 132 while being guided by the guide portion 133.
  • a power supply switch (not shown) on the side of housing 10 is first turned on, and then a printing paper 30 is inserted through the insertion hole 13 on the front 11 side of the housing 10.
  • the printing paper 30 can be readily inserted because of the cross-sectional horn shape of the insertion hole 13.
  • the printing paper 30 is guided toward the upper guide passage 15 by the guide portion 14.
  • the insertion of the printing paper 30 is detected by a paper detecting sensor, not shown, provided in the guide passage 15 so that the drive mechanism, not shown, inside the housing 10 is driven to thereby rotate the platen roller 193.
  • the printing paper 30 is printed by the heating element (print head), not shown, of the head block 180 while being wound around the outer peripheral surface of the platen roller 193 by the rotation thereof.
  • the tip of the printing paper 30 is forced out toward the exit port 132 side of the cover member 130 by the rotation of the platen roller 193.
  • the tip of the printing paper 30 is fed toward the exit port 132 while being guided by the guide portion 133 curved toward the front 11 side of the housing 10 and is discharged from the exit port 132.
  • the paper jam can be released by the following procedure.
  • the cover member 130 is turned in the direction indicated by the arrow (counter clockwise) from a state as shown in Fig. 2 and Fig. 4 to a state as shown in Fig. 3 and Fig. 5.
  • the sleeve 120 shown in Fig. 1 is rotated together with rotation of the arm 131 of the cover member 130, by which the support shaft 140 attached to the sleeve 120 is also rotated. This causes the three pressurising cams 141 - 143 secured to the support shaft 140 to rotate counter clockwise.
  • the pressurising cams 141 - 143 pressing the respective pressing pieces 171 - 174 of the leaf spring 170 gradually move such that the second surfaces 145 move away from these pressing pieces 171 - 174, thereby releasing the pressing force on the pressing piece 171 - 174.
  • the pressurising cams 141, 143 provided at respective ends of the support shaft 140 move such that their first cam surfaces 144 depress downward the bend portions 162 of the head unit support arms 160, 161. Due to this depression force, the head unit support arms 160, 161 are rotated counter clockwise about a head block support shaft 150, thereby gradually moving the head block 180 mounted on the head unit support plate 163 away from the platen roller 193.
  • the second surfaces 145 of the pressurising cams 141 - 143 pressing against the pressing pieces 171 - 174 of the leaf spring 170 gradually move away from these pressing pieces 171 - 174, as stated above, and release the depression forces on the respective pressing pieces 171 - 174. Accordingly, there is a reduction in depression force when the first cam surfaces 144 of the pressurising cams 141, 143 act on the bend piece portions 162. Consequently, the head block 180 is smoothly released due to the rotation of the head unit support plate 163.
  • thermal head 181 is exposed to the opening portion 12 of the housing 10 as stated above, it is easy to perform maintenance such as head cleaning.
  • the pressurising cams 141 - 143 rotate with opening and closing of the cover member 130. Consequently, when the cover member 130 is in a closed position, the leaf spring 170 exerts a force so that the head block 180 is press-contacted with the platen roller 193. When the cover member 130 is in an open position, the leaf spring 170 force is released and the head unit support plate 163 thereby causes the head block 180 to be moved away from the platen roller 193.
  • the printer frame 110 is made as a unit incorporating all of the principal parts, such as the platen roller 193, head unit support plate 163 for supporting the head block 180 and the leaf spring 170, the cover member 130, and the pressurising cams 141 - 143 for bringing the head block 180 into and out of contact with the platen roller 193 by interacting with the opening operation of the cover member 130. Accordingly, assembly into the housing 10 is facilitated. Also, the principal parts can be accessed by taking the unit portion out of the housing 10, thus facilitating maintenance such as the exchange of parts.
  • the pressurising cams 141 - 143 through their first cam surfaces 144 depress against the respective bend piece portions 162 of the head unit support plate 163.
  • This causes the head unit support plate 163 to rotate and the head block 180 to move away from the platen roller 193.
  • the second cam surfaces 145 of the pressurising cams 141 - 143 move away from the leaf spring 170. Accordingly, the pressing force provided by the second cam surface 145 acting against the leaf spring 170 is released and the first cam surface 144 requires a decreased pressing force for acting on the bend piece portion 162, thus improving operationality.
  • the second cam surfaces 145 of the pressurising cams 141 - 143 move away from the leaf spring 170 to release the pressing force acting on the leaf spring 170. Thereafter, the pressing pieces 171 - 174 of the leaf spring 170 act against the leaf spring receiving surface 146 of the pressurising cams 141 - 143. Accordingly, the pressing force is added to the opening movement of the cover member 130 to retain the cover member 130 in an open position, requiring no lock mechanism.
  • the movable piece 22 of the detecting switch 21 is operated by the third cam surface 147 when opening the cover member 130. Accordingly, it is possible to detect with only one detecting switch 21 the opening and closing of the cover member 130 as well as contact and noncontact of the head block with the platen roller. Thus, the number of parts can be reduced.
  • the pressurising cam rotates with opening and closing of the cover member and releases the head block and the pressing force acting thereon. Accordingly, it is possible to improve the operationality of conducting maintenance such as dealing with paper jamming or head cleaning.

Landscapes

  • Electronic Switches (AREA)
  • Common Mechanisms (AREA)
  • Accessory Devices And Overall Control Thereof (AREA)
  • Handling Of Sheets (AREA)
EP98306098A 1997-07-30 1998-07-30 Appareil d'impression Withdrawn EP0894640A3 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (3)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
JP9205065A JPH1148507A (ja) 1997-07-30 1997-07-30 ラインサーマルプリンタ
JP20506597 1997-07-30
JP205065/97 1997-07-30

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0894640A2 true EP0894640A2 (fr) 1999-02-03
EP0894640A3 EP0894640A3 (fr) 1999-07-28

Family

ID=16500857

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP98306098A Withdrawn EP0894640A3 (fr) 1997-07-30 1998-07-30 Appareil d'impression

Country Status (6)

Country Link
EP (1) EP0894640A3 (fr)
JP (1) JPH1148507A (fr)
KR (1) KR19990014280A (fr)
CN (1) CN1210789A (fr)
CA (1) CA2241401A1 (fr)
SG (1) SG74066A1 (fr)

Cited By (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP1052107A3 (fr) * 1999-05-10 2001-01-31 Seiko Instruments Inc. Imprimante thermique
EP1323535A3 (fr) * 2001-12-28 2004-01-07 Sii P & S Inc. Imprimante thermique
EP1698476A1 (fr) * 2005-03-01 2006-09-06 Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha Imprimante sur bande
JP2012076248A (ja) * 2010-09-30 2012-04-19 Brother Industries Ltd 画像記録装置
RU2481958C2 (ru) * 2010-03-30 2013-05-20 Сейко Эпсон Корпорейшн Записывающее устройство и способ управления записывающим устройством

Families Citing this family (12)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
KR100406900B1 (ko) * 2000-12-11 2003-12-01 최석천 화장용 콤팩트
JP3885564B2 (ja) * 2001-11-16 2007-02-21 セイコーエプソン株式会社 プリンタ及びプリンタユニット
KR101128439B1 (ko) * 2003-11-26 2012-03-27 주식회사신도리코 잼 제거를 위한 배지기구
KR100619045B1 (ko) 2004-08-16 2006-08-31 삼성전자주식회사 감열방식 화상형성장치 및 그 잼제거방법
CN100396498C (zh) * 2005-05-12 2008-06-25 明基电通股份有限公司 具有压力轮释放机构的打印装置
KR100720720B1 (ko) 2005-10-19 2007-05-22 삼성전자주식회사 원고 자동 반송 장치 및 이를 이용한 화상독취장치.
JP2007331112A (ja) * 2006-06-12 2007-12-27 Seiko Epson Corp サーマルプリンタ
US7914218B2 (en) * 2006-06-29 2011-03-29 Toshiba Tec Kabushiki Kaisha Thermal printer and printing device
JP5844037B2 (ja) * 2010-10-29 2016-01-13 サトーホールディングス株式会社 プリンタ
JP5557115B2 (ja) * 2011-03-15 2014-07-23 ブラザー工業株式会社 プリンタ
CN106864047B (zh) * 2017-03-03 2019-01-04 上海威侃电子材料有限公司 打印头与胶辊间隙的自动调节机构
WO2022223043A1 (fr) * 2021-04-22 2022-10-27 林锦毅 Imprimante portative

Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JPH07309052A (ja) 1994-05-18 1995-11-28 Asahi Optical Co Ltd 感熱プリンタ

Family Cites Families (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JPS62174167A (ja) * 1986-01-29 1987-07-30 Toshiba Corp 画像形成装置
JPH0764083B2 (ja) * 1987-06-30 1995-07-12 株式会社テック サ−マルヘツド保持装置
JPH01160663A (ja) * 1987-12-18 1989-06-23 Tokyo Electric Co Ltd 記録装置
JP2546432B2 (ja) * 1990-10-30 1996-10-23 ブラザー工業株式会社 ファクシミリ
US5206660A (en) * 1991-05-24 1993-04-27 Summit World Trade Corporation Airborne thermal printer
JP3462003B2 (ja) * 1996-05-09 2003-11-05 長野富士通コンポーネント株式会社 サーマルプリンタ

Patent Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JPH07309052A (ja) 1994-05-18 1995-11-28 Asahi Optical Co Ltd 感熱プリンタ

Cited By (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP1052107A3 (fr) * 1999-05-10 2001-01-31 Seiko Instruments Inc. Imprimante thermique
EP1323535A3 (fr) * 2001-12-28 2004-01-07 Sii P & S Inc. Imprimante thermique
EP1698476A1 (fr) * 2005-03-01 2006-09-06 Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha Imprimante sur bande
US7503714B2 (en) 2005-03-01 2009-03-17 Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha Tape printer having platen roller and print head capable of being forcibly separated
RU2481958C2 (ru) * 2010-03-30 2013-05-20 Сейко Эпсон Корпорейшн Записывающее устройство и способ управления записывающим устройством
JP2012076248A (ja) * 2010-09-30 2012-04-19 Brother Industries Ltd 画像記録装置

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
CN1210789A (zh) 1999-03-17
EP0894640A3 (fr) 1999-07-28
KR19990014280A (ko) 1999-02-25
CA2241401A1 (fr) 1999-01-30
JPH1148507A (ja) 1999-02-23
SG74066A1 (en) 2000-07-18

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