JPH0986011A - Printer, output device using the same, and head used therefor - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) Abstract: A printer capable of achieving highly accurate positioning of a head and a roller at low cost, an output device using the same, and a head used for the same. SOLUTION: An engaging portion for positioning a head with a roller is integrally formed with a part of a heat radiating member in which a head element is arranged, so that the number of parts is reduced, the cost is reduced, and the apparatus is downsized. The effect of weight reduction can be obtained.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a printer for printing information such as an image on a print medium such as paper, an output device using the same, and a head used therefor, and more particularly to cost reduction and high performance thereof. The present invention relates to a suitable positioning mechanism for a head and a holding member.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Various information terminal devices have been developed in consideration of the advanced information society, and as peripheral devices, printers, copy devices, electronic blackboards, facsimile devices, etc. are used as output devices equipped with a printer. Is a typical example.

The conventional output device technology is, for example,
There is a heat-sensitive recording technology in which printing is performed while a recording paper as a print medium is sandwiched by a thermal head having a heating element and a platen roller as a sandwiching member. Further, there is a thermal transfer recording technology in which the ink of the ink sheet is thermally transferred onto the recording paper while the sublimation ink sheet or the heat-melting ink sheet and the recording paper are sandwiched by the thermal head portion and the platen roller at the same time.

In thermal recording technology, Trikeps
No. 108, "Facsimile Design Technology" (December 6, 1989), Chapter 2,
As shown in FIG. 2, a configuration is possible in which the heat pulse of the thermal head and the drive pulse of the stepping motor are interlocked to control the rotation of the platen roller and print on the recording paper.

Further, in the thermal transfer recording technique, as described in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 3-218860, the heat generation pulse of the thermal head is controlled in conjunction with the platen roller driven by the motor, and the ink is driven by the motor. Examples include a configuration in which a sheet is driven and ink is thermally transferred onto a recording paper. The recording timing and the recording speed are adjusted and controlled by the accuracy of the drive of the motor and the mechanism, and the corresponding system.

Further, the head and the roller are configured so that they can be detachably switched between a sandwiched state and a separated state for feeding paper or the like. The head and the roller are held in the sandwiched state, and the head and the roller in the detachable direction are also provided. As an example of the locking means for positioning with respect to the printer, as in the printer device disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 3-130181, there is a first housing on which a thermal head is mounted and a platen crimped to the thermal head. There is a means for locking the second housing, which has a recording paper mounting portion for rotatably supporting and mounting recording paper, via an intermediate member such as a slide member.

[0007]

In the above heat-sensitive and thermal transfer recording technology, maintenance of the thermal head portion is almost unnecessary and it is advantageous in that it is inexpensive, but
In order to reduce the size and weight and increase the resolution, the thermal head and platen roller must be downsized and the positioning accuracy of each must be performed more accurately. Hitherto, it has not been sufficiently recognized that the structure does not cause the deviation.

Conventionally, as described above, a dedicated lock mechanism is required. In this method, the recording paper can be easily taken out, and the user has a great advantage. However, on the other hand, regardless of whether the first housing or the second housing is opened or closed, a dedicated locking means is always required, which causes a problem of high cost. Therefore, in the output device as described above, it has been indispensable to reduce the cost by simplifying the locking means.

An object of the present invention is to solve the above-mentioned problems of the prior art and to provide a printer capable of realizing highly accurate positioning of the head and the roller at low cost, an output device using the same, and a head used therefor. To do.

[0010]

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention adopts the following configurations.

1) A head in which an element for printing information on a print medium is arranged on a base member, a holding member for holding the print medium together with the head in a printable manner with a predetermined holding force, and the head. In a printer having an attaching / detaching means capable of switching the holding member and the holding member between the holding state and a separated state in which the holding member and the holding member are separated from each other, the base member of the head has an engaging portion integrally formed on a part thereof. In the sandwiching state, at least a part of the sandwiching member side is engaged with the engaging portion in a positionable manner.

2) In the above 1), the head is the first
Is supported by the base member, the holding member is supported by a second base member, and the attaching / detaching means is the first,
One of the second base members is rotatably supported with respect to the other.

3) In the above 1), the holding force when the print medium is held between the head and the holding member is provided on one side of the head or the holding member, and the other side is provided. It is configured to be generated by a pressing member that presses to.

4) In the above 1), the head is a thermal head having a heating element, and the base member of the head can act as a heat radiating means.

5) In the above 1), the head is a line head in which the elements are linearly arranged and formed in a long shape, and the holding member is rotationally driven to convey the print medium. It is possible to form a roller shape corresponding to the length of the head, the engaging portions of the base member are arranged at both end portions in the longitudinal direction of the head, and both end portions of the sandwiching member are The base member is configured to be engaged with the engaging portions at both ends.

6) A head which is formed in an elongated shape and in which heat generating elements for printing information on a print medium are linearly arranged on a heat radiating member and supported by a first base member.
The second base is formed in a roller shape corresponding to the length of the head, holds the print medium together with the head so as to be printable with a predetermined holding force, and is rotationally driven to convey the print medium. A holding member supported by a member, and one of the first and second base members is rotatably supported with respect to the other, and the rotation causes the head and the holding member to rotate. The clamping state,
Both of them have a detachable means that can be switched to a separated state, and the clamping force is provided on one side of the head or the clamping member, and by a pressing member that presses this toward the other side. An engaging portion is formed integrally with each of the two end portions of the heat dissipation member corresponding to the longitudinal direction of the head, and both end portions of the holding member side in the holding state are It is configured to be positionably engaged with the engaging portion.

7) In the above 1) to 6), the engaging portion of the base member positions the head and the sandwiching member in the sandwiched state in a plane orthogonal to the switching operation direction of the attaching / detaching means. The configuration will be made possible.

8) In the above 1) to 6), the engaging portion of the base member can position and hold the head and the sandwiching member in the sandwiched state in the switching operation direction by the attaching / detaching means. It will be configured as follows.

9) In the above 1) to 6), the engaging portion of the base member positions the head and the sandwiching member in the sandwiched state in a plane orthogonal to the switching operation direction of the attaching / detaching means. As possible,
In the switching operation direction by the attaching / detaching means, the head and the sandwiching member can be positioned and held at the sandwiched position.

10) In the above 1) to 6), the engaging portion of the base member is formed in a U-shaped cutout shape, and one of two cutout end portions that are parallel to the cutout portion. While being able to position and hold the head and the sandwiching member in the sandwiching state in the switching operation direction by the attaching / detaching means at one of the ends,
At the other end, the head and the sandwiching member in the sandwiched state can be positioned in a plane orthogonal to the switching operation direction of the attaching / detaching means.

11) In the above 1) to 6), the engaging portion of the base member is formed in a protruding shape having a notch portion, and the outer end portion of the protruding portion in the switching operation direction by the attaching / detaching means. The head and the sandwiching member can be positioned and held at the sandwiched position, and the head in the sandwiched state and the head in the sandwiched state in a plane orthogonal to the switching operation direction by the attaching / detaching means in the cutout portion. The sandwiching member can be positioned.

12) In the above 1) to 6), the base member has a force receiving portion integrally formed with a part thereof for receiving an external force, and the attaching / detaching means has an external force applied by the force receiving portion of the base member. The switching operation is activated by receiving the signal.

13) In the above 6) to 12), the pinching member side has a pin-shaped portion, and in the pinched state, the pin-shaped portion is engaged with the engaging portion in a positionable manner. The configuration.

14) In the above 6) to 12), the holding member side has a bent portion formed by bending a plate-like material, and in the held state, the bent portion engages with the engaging portion. It is configured to be positionably engaged with the section.

15) In the above 6) to 12), the sandwiching member has a bearing portion, and the bearing portion is engaged with the engaging portion in the sandwiched state.

16) The above 2) or 6) to 15)
5. An output device which is equipped with any one of the printers described in 1) and prints using the printer, wherein at least one or both of the first and second base members is a casing thereof. .

17) In the above 16), the output device is a printer device, or a copying device that has a scanner unit that reads an image and converts it into image information, and prints the image information using the printer, or Scanner means, transmitting means for encoding and converting the image information in the scanner means and sending out to a communication network as an electric signal, and receiving means for receiving the electric signal from the communication network and encoding and converting the electric signal into image information. A facsimile device for printing the image information in the receiving means by using the printer, or a writing means that can be written by a pen, a scanner means for reading an image of the writing means and converting it into image information, and the scanner. Electronic black for printing image information by means of the printer Device, or structure that comprised a composite apparatus in which at least two or more are combined among the four devices.

18) A sandwiching member for sandwiching the print medium together with the head so as to be able to print with a predetermined sandwiching force, and the head and the sandwiching member can be switched between the sandwiched state and a separated state in which the two are separated from each other. A head used in a printer having an attaching / detaching means, wherein an element for printing information on the print medium is arranged on a base member,
The base member has an engaging portion integrally formed with a part thereof, and in the sandwiched state, at least a portion of the sandwiching member side is engaged with the engaging portion in a positionable manner. It will be configured.

19) A first base member for supporting the head and a roller-shaped member corresponding to the length of the head. The print medium is held by the head so as to be printable with a predetermined holding force. , The print medium can be rotatably driven to convey the print medium, and either one of the holding member supported by the second base member and the first or second base member is rotatable with respect to the other. The head and the holding member are supported by the head and the holding member can be switched between the holding state and a separated state in which the head and the holding member are separated from each other. Or a head used for a printer, which is provided on one side of the holding member and is pressed by the pressing member that presses the holding member to the other side. Print Heating elements for linearly arranging on the heat radiating member, and at both end portions of the heat radiating member corresponding to the longitudinal direction thereof, an engaging portion is formed integrally with a part thereof, respectively, in the sandwiched state, The engaging portion is configured to be positionably engaged with both end portions of the holding member side.

According to the configurations of the above means, the following effects can be obtained.

A) According to the configuration of 1) above, since the engaging portion with the sandwiching member is formed integrally with a part of the base member, no other dedicated part as the engaging portion is required. The number of parts is reduced, and the size and weight of the device are reduced. Further, since the element for printing and the engaging portion are arranged and formed on the base member on the same basis, the relative positioning of the element and the engaging portion, and by extension, the element and the sandwiching member is made highly accurate. It This improvement in accuracy also allows the head and the sandwiching member to be secondarily downsized, thereby reducing the cost of the head and the sandwiching member and further reducing the size and weight of the device.

B) According to the configuration of 6) above, the engaging portion with the sandwiching member is integrally formed with a part of the heat radiating member which is indispensable in the thermal head. Is completely unnecessary. In addition, since a metal material is generally used for the heat dissipation member, the heat dissipation member has sufficient rigidity as a reference component and an engaging portion, and achieves high reliability and dual use. Further, when the portion of the sandwiching member side that engages with the head-side engaging portion is formed of a heat dissipation member such as a metal material, in the sandwiched state, the amount of heat on the heat dissipation member side is also transmitted to the sandwiching member side. As a result, the heat dissipation effect is promoted.

C) According to the configuration of 12), the force receiving portion of the base member is also used as the attaching / detaching lever of the apparatus, the attaching / detaching lever has high rigidity, and the number of parts is reduced.

D) According to the configuration of 16), at least one or both of the first and second base members are also used as the housing of the apparatus, and the number of parts is reduced.

E) According to the configuration of 17), particularly including a function as a facsimile device, the recording medium is intermittently fed depending on the signal transmission method,
Although a repeated load is applied to the head supporting portion, the problem of fatigue fracture of the head supporting portion does not occur according to the configuration of the present invention in which the engaging portion is integrally formed with a part of the base member.

[0036]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIG.
Through FIG. 20.

[First Embodiment of the Invention] First, a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. An embodiment of the present invention is one in which the present invention is applied to a printer device of information terminal equipment such as a computer. FIG. 1 is an overall configuration diagram of the printer device of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a detailed configuration diagram of a head portion, FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the positioning of the head and the platen roller, FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the basic principle of the printing mechanism using the locking means of the present invention, and FIG. 5 is a diagram showing the basic principle of the printing mechanism using the conventional locking means. 11 to 11 are principle diagrams of an alternative configuration in which a part of the heat sink is used as a locking means, and FIGS. 12 to 16 are principle diagrams of an alternative configuration in which a platen positioning fork of the heat sink is used as a locking means.

In FIG. 1, reference numeral 13 is a printer device equipped with a printing mechanism 12 using the locking means of the present invention.
The image information processed by the information terminal device 14 such as a computer is converted into an electric signal in the information terminal device 14 and sent to the printer device 13 via the external cable 15. In the printer device 13, the conversion block 16 converts the electric signal into image information, and the printing mechanism 12 arranged as shown in FIG. The recording paper 30 is sent to the motor 7 by the platen roller 2 which is rotationally driven via a drive transmission system.

In the embodiment of the present invention, the locking means of the present invention includes a heat sink (radiating plate) 3 fixing the thermal head 1 and the thermal head 1 itself in the direction of the platen roller 2 via the heat sink 3. A pressing spring 11 (a leaf spring, a compression spring, an elastic body, etc.) for pressing, and a first housing that further rotatably supports the heat sink 3.
(Main body) 17 and the platen roller 2 are rotatably supported,
In addition, it is also configured by the second housing 18 which itself has the rotation fulcrum 6.

Here, the head structure and the positioning structure between the head and the platen roller will be described in detail with reference to FIGS.

As shown in FIG. 2, the thermal head 1 is
The heating element 45 is linearly arranged on the ceramic body 49 for insulation, and these are metal plates such as an iron plate or die cast using aluminum or zinc material, and further, part of the ceramic body. It is arranged on a heat sink 3 having an integrally formed structure and having a heat dissipation function. Positioning forks 8 and 8 ′ for positioning with the platen roller 2 are formed at both ends of the heat sink 3 and are shared.

FIG. 3 is a partial structural view showing a state in which the thermal head 1 and the platen roller 2 are positioned.
A bearing 47 slidably supporting the platen roller shaft 46,
The pin 9 fixed to the bearing support member 48 fixing the bearing 47 is brought into contact with the positioning forks 8 and 8 '.

The main positions to be positioned are the direction of arrow A in the figure, which is the direction of conveyance of the recording paper, the direction of arrow B in the figure, which is the direction of axial angular deviation between the thermal head 1 and the platen roller 2, and the direction of attachment / detachment and locking. As a direction, there is an arrow C direction in the drawing. Further, according to the configuration of this embodiment, the left and right sides of the platen roller bearing can be simultaneously positioned in the respective directions A, B, and C without being twisted by the forks 8 and 8 ′ provided at both ends of the heat sink 3. Is.

According to the positioning structure of the embodiment of the present invention, the heat generated by the thermal head 1 is absorbed by the heat sink 3.
In addition to being released into the heat sink 3, the heat sink 3 can further dissipate heat to the platen roller shaft and the bearing support member such as the rear case through the positioning forks 8 and 8 ', and thus heat dissipation efficiency can be improved. Can also be obtained.

Returning to FIG. 1, this first housing (main body side) 1
In order to fit 7 and the second housing (lid side) 18, a lock pin 9 fixed to the second housing 18 and a lock claw 8 are provided on a part of the heat sink 3. As a result, the recording paper 3
When mounting 0, the heat sink 3 is tilted against the pressing spring force by the lever 19, the lock pin 9 and the lock claw 8 of the heat sink 3 integral structure are removed, and the second housing 18 is rotated. Open and replace the recording paper 30. The lever 19 is integrated with the heat sink and can be used also as a lever for unlocking without adding any parts.

With the above-mentioned structure, the conventional complicated lock exclusive mechanism can be eliminated, the lock means can be constituted with a small mechanical space and a small number of mechanical parts, and the assembly cost can be improved and the cost can be greatly reduced. Made possible

Further, since the pressing state of the thermal head and the platen roller is maintained by the pressing spring 11 at a predetermined pressing force which is optimally set, the thermal head and the platen roller are always maintained even in the recording state. The roller pressure is kept in an optimum state.

Further, when the diameters of the thermal head 1 and the platen roller 2 are reduced to reduce the size and increase the resolution of the entire mechanism, the locking means of the present invention uses the substrate width of the thermal head 1 and the diameter of the platen roller 2. Since the size is determined by, the size can be adapted to miniaturization.
Further, since the heat sink is also used as the locking means directly, the error accumulation amount of the mechanical accuracy due to the exclusive locking means is suppressed, and the relative position accuracy and the pressed state of the thermal head and the platen roller can be maintained with high accuracy.

4 and 5 show the basic principle of the printing mechanism using the locking means of the present invention and the conventional device, respectively. Conventionally, as shown in FIG. 5, the thermal head 1
There is a base chassis 23 fixed to the main body separately from the heat sink 3 fixing the base chassis 23.
The lock arm 20 is rotatably supported above. The lock arms 20 are paired with the left and right bearings of the platen roller 2, and the left and right lock arms 20 are rigidly connected by a shaft or a press material. The lock operation is performed by fitting the lock pin 9 provided on the tip of the lock arm 20 and the lock claw 8 provided on the rear case 5. When opening the rear case 5,
As shown in FIG. 5B, the lock arm 20 is rotated in the direction of the arrow against the spring force of the lock arm spring 22 by the lock release lever member (not shown), so that the lock pin 9 and the lock claw 8 move. It is done by releasing the fitting.

On the other hand, according to the present invention, the exclusive locking means is eliminated, and the heat sink 3 fixing the thermal head 1 is rotatably supported on the main body side as shown in FIG. This is performed using a fork (platen positioning fork) 8 for positioning the roller 2 and the thermal head 3. That is, one end surface of the fork is shared with the lock claw 8, and the rear case 5 is provided with the platen roller 2 rotatably supported by the rear case 5 and the lock pin 9 in the vicinity of the shaft, and the fork and the pair of platen roller shafts are provided. And the lock pin 9 are fitted to lock the rear case 5 and the main body side. When releasing the lock, the heat sink 3 is rotated in the direction of the arrow against the head pressing spring 11 that pushes the heat sink 3 toward the platen roller 2, and the fitting of the lock pin 9 and the fork 8 is released.

As a result, the number of parts can be greatly reduced, locking means can be achieved in a low mechanical space, and downsizing of the mechanism can be realized.

FIGS. 6 to 11 show other basic constructions in which a part of the heat sink 3 fixing the thermal head 1 is used as a locking means. FIG. 6 shows the heat sink 3
A fork (platen positioning fork) 1 for positioning the platen roller 2 and the thermal head 1 provided on the
A lock fitting means, that is, a lock claw 8 is provided at a predetermined position different from 0, and a lock fixing means, that is, a lock pin 9 is provided in a part of the opening / closing chassis 5 that rotatably supports the platen roller 2. Thereby, the locking means can be provided at any position on the heat sink 3.

In FIG. 7, a part of the fork 10 is used as a bent portion, and what is conventionally fitted with the lock pin 9 at the end face of the fork is brought into contact with the bent portion 8, so that the lock can be fitted and released smoothly. You can do it.

FIG. 8 shows the fork portion 10 of the heat sink 3.
The lock pin 9 is provided on the front side and the lock claw 8 is provided on the opening / closing chassis 5, so that there is less restriction on the fork shape associated with the lock. Further, the lock pin 9 is a fork 10 on the lower side of the figure.
Alternatively, it may be provided on any part of the heat sink 3.

FIG. 9 shows a structure in which the lock claw 8 of the opening / closing chassis 5 in FIG. 8 is formed by bending, and the conventional locking means is fitted to the sheet metal end surface of the opening / closing chassis 5 and the lock pin 9 on the heat sink 3. Since the objects come into contact with each other at the bent portion, the lock can be fitted and released smoothly.

In FIG. 10, instead of the lock pin 9, a part of the main body of the heat sink 3 is smoothly bent, and a lock claw 8 is provided on a part of the opening / closing chassis 5 to further reduce the number of parts. .

In FIG. 11, the heat sink 3 and the opening / closing chassis 5 are provided with the bent portions 8 and 8'for fitting with each other, and the number of parts is further reduced.

The above-mentioned configurations of FIGS. 6 to 11 are not necessarily limited to this, and a locking fitting member,
That is, the bent portion, the lock claw 8 and the like and the locking fixing member, that is, the bent portion, the lock pin 9 and the like can be combined and used as the lock means. Further, the respective members can be provided at either the heat sink 3 or the opening / closing chassis 5, and the housing other than the heat sink 3 or the opening / closing chassis 5 can be provided on the thermal head 1 side or the platen roller 2 side. It may be provided.

12 to 16 show the thermal head 1.
A fork (platen positioning fork) 10 for positioning the relative position of the platen roller 2 and the thermal head 1 with high accuracy, which is provided on the heat sink 3 fixing the same, or a part corresponding thereto and a lock fitting means are also used. A basic configuration diagram is shown.

In FIG. 12, a fork (platen positioning fork) 10 itself for positioning the platen roller 2 and the thermal head 1 provided on the heat sink 3 is used as a lock fitting means, that is, an end face for platen positioning is used as a lock claw 8. In this configuration, the shaft or bearing of the platen roller 2 rotatably supported by the opening / closing chassis 5 is also used as the lock fixing means, that is, the lock pin 9. As a result, as the locking means, no dedicated parts are required, and a large number of parts can be reduced.

In FIG. 13, the shaft or bearing of the platen roller 2 rotatably supported by the opening / closing chassis 5 and the lock pin 9 are provided in the vicinity of the fork 10. The lock operation and the positioning of the platen roller 2 are performed. As a result, the shaft of the platen roller 2 or the bearing itself is
The load due to the lock does not work and more stable rotation can be obtained.

In FIG. 14, the lock claw 8 which is one of the lock fitting means is provided by using the outer end surface (opposite side) of the end surface for positioning the platen of the fork 10. The lock fixing means is located at a predetermined position in the vicinity of the shaft or bearing of the platen roller 2 rotatably supported by the opening / closing chassis 5, that is, a position fitted to the lock claw 8 when the opening / closing chassis 5 is closed. A lock pin 9 and the like are provided. Thereby, it is possible to further reduce the wear of the platen positioning end surface due to the repeated locking operation.

FIG. 15 shows an upside-down pattern in the case of FIG. 14, that is, the outer end surface of the upper fork 10 in FIG. 14 was used as the lock claw 8, but FIG.
The outer end surface of the lower fork 10 is used as the lock claw 8. The position of the lock pin 9 is also reversed to that shown in FIG. 14, and the platen roller 2 is provided on the opening / closing chassis 5 so that the shaft or the bearing is on the upper side and the lock pin 9 is on the lower side. In addition to the combination of the lock pin 9 and the lock claw 8, the lock claw 8 and the fork 10 are attached to the opening / closing chassis 5.
A structure in which the lock pin 9 is provided on the side is also conceivable. Of course, the fork 10 can be set up and down in two ways. Thereby, it is possible to further reduce the wear of the platen positioning end surface due to the repeated locking operation.

In FIG. 16, in addition to the upper and lower forks 10, a third fork, that is, a lock pawl 8 is provided on a portion having a large turning radius of the heat sink 3, that is, on the upper side, and is rotatably supported by the opening / closing chassis 5. By providing the shaft or bearing of the platen roller 2 and the lock pin 9 in the vicinity thereof,
The claws other than the fork 10 can be locked. As a result, this third fork 8
It is possible to more accurately position the thermal head 1 and the platen roller 2 by removing the unstable element of the lock operation due to the rotation of the platen roller 2.

[Second Embodiment of the Invention] Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.
The embodiment of the present invention is one in which the present invention is applied to a facsimile apparatus. FIG.
Is a block diagram thereof.

As shown in FIG. 17, a facsimile apparatus 40 of the present invention includes a scanner section 41 for converting image information into an electric signal, a communication section 38 for transmitting / receiving the electric signal to / from a telephone communication network 39, and an electric section for the electric machine. A printing mechanism 12 for converting a signal as image information, transmitting the image information to the driver of the thermal head 1 as data, and energizing the heating element in accordance with the printing pulse to print color on the recording paper (printing paper) 30 is arranged. Become.

Here, the recording paper 30 is housed in the rear case 5 with roll paper or the like. When the rear case 5 is opened,
The recording paper 30 can be replaced. The rear case 5 is opened and closed by fitting and releasing the lock means.

In the present invention, a fork provided on the heat sink 3 to which the thermal head 1 is fixed, for determining the relative position between the thermal head 1 and the platen roller 2 without deviation.
(Platen positioning fork) 8 is engaged with the lock pin 9 fixed to the rear case 5 and the shaft or bearing of the platen roller 2 to perform the locking means. As a result, the number of parts has been drastically reduced compared to the previous model, enabling locking means in a low mechanical space, and making the set itself compact. Further, the recording paper can be attached and replaced by simply opening the rear case 5, which improves the usability for the user.

FIG. 18 is a block diagram of the facsimile device 40. The scanner unit 41 is composed of a reading sensor 42, for example, a CCD, a contact sensor, or a contact sensor with SELFOC lens, and the motor 4 controlled by the controller 43.
4 is driven to scan the original 31. At this time, the image information of the original 31 is converted into a communication electric signal and stored in the memory 33 in a predetermined amount. This communication electric signal is sent to the communication means 38, and is transmitted to another facsimile via the telephone line 39. Further, a predetermined amount of communication electric signal received from another facsimile is stored in the memory 33.

On the other hand, by the controller 43, the recording paper 30
A motor 7 that drives a roller (platen roller) 2 for conveyance
The conversion block 16 converts the electric signal called from the memory 33 into image information, and the controller 25
Is input to the print driver 26 of the thermal head 1. At this time, the data is sent to the controller 25 at a predetermined printing timing, that is, at a timing suitable for the conveyance address of the recording paper 30 of the thermal head 1. Based on this, the controller 25 controls the timing of sending the image information to the print driver 26 and adjusts the relative print timing. Electric power is supplied to the motor 7, the motor 44, and other circuit systems via the power supply 29.

Of course, the configuration of the present invention is applied to the printer device 13, the copying device 28, and the facsimile device 40.
The present invention is not limited to a single unit, but is also applied to various multifunction machines such as a printer / copy device, a printer / facsimile device, a copy / facsimile device, a printer / copy / facsimile device, and an electronic blackboard (blackboard copy device). It is suitable for a multi-function image information recording device that requires higher definition and higher image quality. Further, the present invention can be applied to an electrostatic printer, a sublimation or thermal transfer color printer device, or the like.

[Third Embodiment of the Invention] Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.
The embodiment of the present invention is one in which the present invention is applied to a copying apparatus. FIG. 19 is an overall configuration diagram thereof, and FIG. 20 is a block diagram thereof.

Referring to FIG. 19, a copying apparatus 28 equipped with a thermal printing mechanism 12 having a lock mechanism according to the present invention.
Is a scanner unit 41 for converting image information into an electric signal.
And a conversion block 1 for converting this electric signal into image information
6 and a thermal type printing mechanism 12 mounted on the thermal head 1 for printing this image information on the recording paper 30.

Here, the recording paper 30 is housed in the rear case 5 with roll paper or the like. When the rear case 5 is opened,
The recording paper 30 can be replaced. The rear case 5 is opened and closed by fitting and releasing the lock means. In the present invention, the heat sink 3 fixing the thermal head 1
A fork (platen positioning fork) 8 provided in the rear head 5 for determining the relative position of the thermal head 1 and the platen roller 2 without deviation, and a lock pin 9 fixed to the rear case 5 and a shaft or bearing of the platen roller 2. Depending on the situation, locking means is used.

As a result, the number of parts can be greatly reduced and locking means in a low mechanical space can be realized,
The miniaturization of the set itself is also possible. Further, the recording paper can be attached and replaced by simply opening the rear case 5, which improves the usability for the user.

FIG. 20 shows a block diagram of the copying apparatus 28. The scanner unit 41 includes a reading sensor 42,
For example, it is composed of a CCD, a contact sensor, or a contact sensor with a SELFOC lens, and the reading sensor 42 is driven by a motor 44 controlled by a controller 43 to scan the original 31. At this time, the image information of the original 31 is converted into an electric signal, and the memory 3
A predetermined amount is stored in 3.

On the other hand, the controller 44 causes the recording paper 3
Control the motor 7 that drives the transport roller 2 for 0 transport,
Conversion block 1 for converting an electric signal called from the memory 33
It is converted into image information at 6 and input to the print driver 26 of the thermal head 1 via the controller 25.

At this time, the data is sent to the controller 25 at a predetermined printing timing, that is, at a timing suitable for the conveyance address of the recording paper 30 of the thermal head 1. Based on this, the controller 25 controls the timing of sending the image information to the print driver 26 and adjusts the relative print timing. Electric power is supplied to the motor 7, the motor 44, and other circuit systems via the power supply 29.

[0079]

As described above, according to the present invention, a dedicated part as an engaging portion on the head side is not required, and the number of parts is reduced, so that the cost can be reduced and the size and weight of the device can be reduced. To be Further, the relative positioning between the head and the sandwiching member is made highly precise, the head and the sandwiching member are downsized, and consequently the head and the sandwiching member are reduced in cost, and the device is downsized.
The effect of weight reduction is obtained.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an overall configuration of a printer device according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a head configuration in the first embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a head positioning configuration according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a side view showing the basic principle of the lock means according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a side view showing the basic principle of the locking means of the conventional device.

FIG. 6 is a side view showing the basic principle of an alternative configuration in which a part of the heat sink is used as the locking means in the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a side view showing the basic principle of an alternative configuration in which a part of the heat sink is used as the locking means in the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a side view showing the basic principle of an alternative configuration in which a part of the heat sink is used as the locking means in the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a side view showing the basic principle of an alternative configuration in which a part of the heat sink is used as the locking means in the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a side view showing the basic principle of an alternative configuration in which a part of the heat sink is used as the locking means in the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a side view showing the basic principle of an alternative configuration in which a part of the heat sink is used as the locking means in the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a side view showing the basic principle of an alternative configuration in which the platen positioning fork of the heat sink is used as the locking means in the first embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 13 is a side view showing the basic principle of an alternative configuration in which the platen positioning fork of the heat sink is used as the locking means in the first embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 14 is a side view showing the basic principle of an alternative configuration in which the platen positioning fork of the heat sink is used as the locking means in the first embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 15 is a side view showing the basic principle of an alternative configuration in which the platen positioning fork of the heat sink is used as the locking means in the first embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 16 is a side view showing the basic principle of an alternative configuration in which the platen positioning fork of the heat sink is used as the locking means in the first embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 17 is a perspective view showing the overall configuration of a facsimile device according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 18 is a block diagram showing a system configuration of a facsimile apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 19 is a perspective view showing the overall configuration of a copying apparatus according to the third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 20 is a block diagram showing the system configuration of a copying apparatus according to the third embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 ... Thermal head, 2 ... Platen roller, 3 ... Heat sink, 4 ... Heat sink rotation fulcrum, 5 ... Rear case,
6 ... Rear case rotation fulcrum, 7 ... Motor, 8, 9 ... Lock claw, Lock pin, 10 ... Fork, 11 ... Press spring, 12 ... Printing mechanism, 13 ... Printer device, 19 ... Lever, 28 ... Copy device, 30 ... Recording paper, 31 ... Original, 40 ... Facsimile machine.

─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁶ Identification number Reference number within the agency FI Technical display location // B41J 11/20 (72) Inventor Mikio Shiraishi 292 Yoshida-cho, Totsuka-ku, Yokohama-shi, Kanagawa Stock company Hitachi, Ltd. Multimedia System Development Headquarters (72) Inventor Akira Shimizu 1410 Inada, Hitachinaka City, Ibaraki Prefecture Hitachi, Ltd. Personal Media Equipment Division (72) Inventor Yoichi Narii 1410 Inada, Hitachinaka City, Ibaraki Hitachi Factory Personal Media Equipment Division

Claims (19)

[Claims] 1. A head in which an element for printing information on a print medium is arranged on a base member, a holding member for holding the print medium together with the head in a printable manner with a predetermined holding force, and the head. In the printer having the attaching / detaching means capable of switching the holding member and the holding member between the holding state and a separated state in which the holding member and the holding member are separated from each other, the base member of the head has an engaging portion integrally formed on a part thereof. In the sandwiching state, at least a part of the sandwiching member side is engaged with the engaging portion in a positionable manner. 2. The head is supported by a first base member, the holding member is supported by a second base member, and the attaching / detaching means is the first and second base members. The printer according to claim 1, wherein one of the members is rotatably supported with respect to the other. 3. A sandwiching force when the print medium is sandwiched between the head and the sandwiching member is provided on one side of the head or the sandwiching member, and is pressed by the other side. The printer according to claim 1, wherein the printer is generated by a member. 4. The printer according to claim 1, wherein the head is a thermal head including a heating element, and the base member of the head can act as a heat radiating means thereof. 5. The head is a line head in which the elements are linearly arranged and formed in a long shape, and the holding member is rotatably driven to convey the print medium. Is formed in a roller shape corresponding to the length of the base member, the engaging portions of the base member are respectively arranged at both end portions in the longitudinal direction of the head, and both end portions of the holding member are both end portions of the base member. The printer according to claim 1, wherein the printer is engaged with the engaging portion of. 6. A head, which is formed in an elongated shape, in which heat generating elements for printing information on a print medium are linearly arranged on a heat radiating member and is supported by a first base member, and a head of the head. The print medium is formed in a roller shape corresponding to the length, holds the print medium with the head so as to be printable with a predetermined holding force, and is rotationally driven to convey the print medium, and is supported by the second base member. And the one or more of the first and second base members are rotatably supported with respect to the other, and by the rotation, the head and the sandwiching member are A holding state and a detachable means capable of switching between a separated state in which the two are separated from each other are provided, and the holding force is provided on one side of the head or the holding member and pressed to the other side. Generated by the pressing member Engaging portions are integrally formed on part of both ends of the heat dissipation member corresponding to the longitudinal direction of the head. In the sandwiched state, both end portions on the side of the sandwiching member are engaged with each other. A printer characterized in that the printer is engaged with the mating portion in a positionable manner. 7. The engaging portion of the base member is capable of positioning the head and the sandwiching member in the sandwiched state in a plane orthogonal to the switching operation direction of the attaching / detaching means. Claims 1 to 6
Any of the printers listed in. 8. The engaging portion of the base member is capable of positioning and holding the head and the sandwiching member in the sandwiched state in the switching operation direction of the attaching / detaching means. The printer according to any one of claims 1 to 6. 9. The engaging portion of the base member is capable of positioning the head and the sandwiching member in the sandwiched state in a plane orthogonal to the switching operation direction of the detaching means, and the detaching and mounting operation. 7. The printer according to claim 1, wherein the head and the sandwiching member can be positioned and held at the sandwiched position in the switching operation direction by the means. 10. The engaging portion of the base member is formed in a U-shaped cutout shape, and the attachment / detachment is performed at either one of two cutout end portions forming a parallel shape of the cutout portion. The head and the sandwiching member in the switching operation direction by the means can be positioned and held at the position of the sandwiched state, and the sandwiching state in the plane orthogonal to the switching operation direction by the attaching / detaching means at the other end. 7. The printer according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the head and the sandwiching member can be positioned with each other. 11. An engaging portion of the base member is formed in a projecting shape having a cutout portion, and the head and the holding member in the switching operation direction by the attaching / detaching means are formed at an outer end portion of the projecting portion. The head can be positioned and held at the position in the sandwiched state, and the head and the sandwiching member in the sandwiched state can be positioned in a plane orthogonal to the switching operation direction by the attaching / detaching means at the cutout portion. 1. The method according to claim 1, wherein
7. The printer according to claim 6. 12. The base member has a force receiving portion integrally formed with a part thereof for receiving an external force, and the attaching / detaching means performs the switching operation when the force receiving portion of the base member receives an external force. 7. The printer according to claim 1, wherein the printer is activated. 13. The holding member side has a pin-shaped portion, and in the holding state, the pin-shaped portion is positionably engaged with the engaging portion.
The printer according to any one of claims 1 to 12. 14. The holding member side has a bent portion formed by bending a plate-shaped material, and the bent portion is positionably engaged with the engaging portion in the holding state. 13. The printer according to claim 6, wherein the printer is a printer. 15. The holding member according to claim 6, wherein the holding member has a bearing portion, and the bearing portion is engaged with the engaging portion in the holding state. Any of the listed printers. 16. An output device equipped with the printer according to claim 2 or any one of claims 6 to 15 for printing using the printer, wherein the first and second bases are provided. The output device, wherein at least one or both of the members is its housing. 17. The output device comprises a printer device, or a scanner device for reading an image and converting the image information into image information, and a copying device for printing the image information by using the printer, or the scanner device, and The scanner means includes a transmitting means for encoding and converting the image information and sending it as an electric signal to a communication network, and a receiving means for receiving the electric signal from the communication network and encoding and converting the electric signal into image information. A facsimile device that prints the image information in the means using the printer, or a writing device that is writable by a pen, a scanner device that reads the image of the writing device and converts the image information into image information, and image information in the scanner device. An electronic blackboard device for printing using the printer, or 4 The output device according to claim 16, characterized in that a composite system in which at least two or more are combined among the devices. 18. A sandwiching member for sandwiching a print medium together with a head so as to be able to print with a predetermined sandwiching force, and the head and the sandwiching member can be switched between the sandwiched state and a separated state in which they are separated from each other. A head used in a printer having an attaching / detaching means, wherein an element for printing information on the print medium is arranged on a base member, and the base member has an engaging portion integrally formed on a part thereof. In the sandwiching state, at least a part of the sandwiching member side is engaged with the engaging portion in a positionable manner. 19. A first base member supporting a head, and a print medium which is formed in a roller shape corresponding to the length of the head and holds the print medium together with the head so as to be printable with a predetermined holding force. A holding member that is rotatably driven to convey the print medium and that is supported by a second base member, and one of the first and second base members is rotatable with respect to the other. The head and the sandwiching member are supported by the head and the sandwiching member can be switched between the sandwiching state and the separated state in which the head and the sandwiching member are separated from each other. Or a head used for a printer which is provided on one side of the sandwiching member and is generated by a pressing member that presses the sandwiching member to the other side. Print The heat generating elements for are arranged linearly on the heat dissipation member, and at both end portions of the heat dissipation member corresponding to the longitudinal direction thereof,
An engaging portion is integrally formed on each part of the head, and in the sandwiched state, the engaging portion is positionably engaged with both end portions on the sandwiching member side.