EP1547790B1 - Thermal printer - Google Patents

Thermal printer Download PDF

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Publication number
EP1547790B1
EP1547790B1 EP04292731A EP04292731A EP1547790B1 EP 1547790 B1 EP1547790 B1 EP 1547790B1 EP 04292731 A EP04292731 A EP 04292731A EP 04292731 A EP04292731 A EP 04292731A EP 1547790 B1 EP1547790 B1 EP 1547790B1
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EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
frame
spring
finger
print head
eyelet
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.)
Expired - Fee Related
Application number
EP04292731A
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German (de)
French (fr)
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EP1547790A1 (en
Inventor
Jean-Marc Untersteller
Eric Pallier
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.)
Axiohm SA
Original Assignee
Axiohm SA
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Publication date
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Publication of EP1547790A1 publication Critical patent/EP1547790A1/en
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Publication of EP1547790B1 publication Critical patent/EP1547790B1/en
Expired - Fee Related legal-status Critical Current
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical

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    • 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
    • B41J2/00—Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed
    • B41J2/315—Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed characterised by selective application of heat to a heat sensitive printing or impression-transfer material
    • B41J2/32—Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed characterised by selective application of heat to a heat sensitive printing or impression-transfer material using thermal heads
    • B41J2/335—Structure of thermal heads
    • 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

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a thermal printer of the type having a support and drive roller for a printing medium (thermally sensitive paper ribbon) also serving as a support for a printing head which is biased against a generator of this roller (called capstan) and rubs there on the paper by a line of hot spots.
  • a printing medium thermally sensitive paper ribbon
  • capstan generator of this roller
  • the print head is formed by a ceramic plate associated with a metal radiator which is pivotally mounted or articulated on a frame about an axis parallel to the axis of the capstan, which is itself carried by the frame in Bearings or half-stops, either permanently if the printer is not open, or only temporarily when the printer is closed.
  • a flat conductor which also comprises a ground conductor.
  • This conductor serves in particular to connect the print head to the mass of the printer or the device in which it is integrated.
  • the electrical contact between the print head and the ground wire of the flounder is ensured by any suitable means such as for example a screw terminal implanted in the radiator and on which a conductive eyelet is slid electrically connected to the grounding wire and blocked. by a nut on the terminal. This type of assembly is long and expensive.
  • FR-A-2,708,523 describes a known thermal printer.
  • the present invention aims to simplify the composition and assembly of a thermal printer.
  • the invention therefore relates to a thermal printer comprising a frame, a tilting printing head in the frame and a spring carried by the frame and forming a return member of the print head in its printing position while a flexible sheet of conductors leads to the print head.
  • the spring is made of electrically conductive material and comprises a finger to be received in a corresponding hole of the frame while a portion of the sheet carries a conductive eyelet through which the spring finger when the latter is housed in the hole of the frame.
  • the spring is curved wire whose one end is the aforesaid finger while its other end cooperates elastically with the frame to oppose the release of the finger out of the orifice.
  • the spring is thus shaped jumper elastic whose branches enclose the frame while being able to mount and dismount elastically away from the latter to allow to house the finger in the hole of the frame or on the contrary extract it.
  • the spring affects the general shape of a U with the finger at the end of one of its branches, in return substantially parallel to the base of the U, each of its branches being housed in a groove of the body of so that only the base of the U is elastically deformable in bending in a plane substantially perpendicular to the branches.
  • the embodiment shown in the figures relates to a thermal printer for editing tickets or receipts dedicating for example the execution of a transaction.
  • a frame 1 generally made of plastic, which roughly comprises a cross 1a and two wings 1b, 1c.
  • the frame supports a print head 2 which can swing at a small angle about an axis substantially parallel to the cross 1a.
  • This print head has a line of non-visible heating spots in the figures, which comes to rest on a generatrix of a support roller or capstan 3 received in support bearings 4a and 4b of the wings 1b and 1c of the frame 1.
  • This support position corresponds to the position of printing of the printer.
  • the Reference 2 relates to the metal heat sink of the print head that also comprises a ceramic carrier plate 2 has the line of heater points.
  • the frame 1 supports a motor 5 which via a gear transmission with a wheel 6 is visible at the figure 3 , can drive the capstan 3 in rotation; this then becomes a means for driving the printing medium under the print head 2.
  • a series of electrical conductors gathered into a flexible sheet is noted 7 in the figure. These are used to supply power to the motor and the heating points and to control these heating points.
  • this flexible sheet or flap 7 comprises a tongue 8 carrying a conductor 9 which constitutes a ground wire, this tongue 8 being terminated by a metal eyelet 10 electrically connected to the ground conductor 9.
  • the tongue 8 is conducted inside the frame 1 through a slot of the wing 1b which allows it to be located outside of this wing in order to be folded against the wing 1b of the frame 1. In this position , the opening of the eyelet 10 is located opposite an orifice 11 formed in the wing 1b of the frame.
  • this return spring is used, bandaged between the head and the frame.
  • this return spring is formed by a wire 12 shaped in a U-shaped jumper having a branch 12a, a branch 12b and a base or cross 12c.
  • the branches 12a and 12b are substantially parallel, the branch 12a having a return end 13 perpendicular to the branch and substantially parallel to the base 12c so as to constitute a finger capable of being introduced into the eyelet 10 of the tongue 8 when the latter is placed opposite the orifice 11.
  • the branch 12b has for its part an end 14 also bent but oriented to form a lug substantially perpendicular to the general plane of the spring defined by its cross and its two branches.
  • the spring 12 By introducing the finger 13 into the orifice 11, the spring 12 is in its position shown in FIG. figure 2 and the branch 12a is gradually housed in an outer groove of the side blank 1b of the frame 1.
  • the cross member 12c is then housed by folding the spring, behind the print head 2 so that the finger 14 comes to slide on a surface cam 16, which forces the elastic deformation mainly of the branch 12b, thereby confirming the introduction of the finger 13 into the orifice 11.
  • the lug 14 is elastically folded against the 1c blank of the frame 1 so that the branch 12b is housed in an open groove which is laterally laterally this blank 1c, noted 17 at the figure 3 and that it is locked longitudinally in this groove by the cooperation of the lug 14 and the end of the cam 16.
  • the cross member 12c of the spring is not rectilinear but has a shape such that its central zone 18 constitutes a forced support of the cross member behind the print head 2. In this way, it is the elastic deformation in bending of the cross member 12c which constitutes the biasing means of the print head 2 against the capstan 3. Any other curved shape of the spring in a plane substantially perpendicular to that containing the branches 12a and 12b, would be an equivalent to the layout shown.
  • the branch portion 12 has the spring close to the finger 13 bears on the eyelet 10 (which is a conductive flat washer at the end of the tongue 8). Even if the hole of the eyelet is smaller than the orifice 11 in diameter, it is even present at a deformation of the eyelet by the fillet connecting the finger 13 to the branch 12 a .
  • the invention applies to other embodiments not shown of a printer and in particular the application spring of the print head against the support roller. It is indeed possible to use a spring which affects the shape of a metal wire only, but of a curved metal blade, which is bent between the two wings 1b and 1c of the frame, one of the ends of this metal blade. having a finger which comes in as described above in an orifice of these wings by passing beforehand by an eyelet of electrical connection of the blade to a ground wire. In this case the eyelet would be opposite an orifice such as 11 from the inner face of the wing of the corresponding frame, the blade being braced between the two inner faces of the two wings.
  • the material of the spring 12 may be composite, for example a synthetic material covered with a coating metallic.
  • the eyelet 10 is a pellet in which, in the center, a breaking primer has been provided for the passage in force of the finger 13.

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  • Common Mechanisms (AREA)

Description

La présente invention concerne une imprimante thermique du type possédant un rouleau formant appui et entraînement pour un support d'impression (ruban de papier sensible thermiquement) servant également d'appui à une tête d'impression qui est rappelée contre une génératrice de ce rouleau (appelé cabestan) et qui frotte à cet endroit sur le papier par une ligne de points chauffants.The present invention relates to a thermal printer of the type having a support and drive roller for a printing medium (thermally sensitive paper ribbon) also serving as a support for a printing head which is biased against a generator of this roller ( called capstan) and rubs there on the paper by a line of hot spots.

ARRIERE PLAN DE L'INVENTIONBACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Ces dispositifs sont bien connus. La tête d'impression est formée par une plaque en céramique associée à un radiateur métallique qui est montée basculante ou articulée sur un bâti autour d'un axe parallèle à l'axe du cabestan, lequel est lui-même porté par le bâti dans des paliers ou demi-paliers, soit de manière permanente si l'imprimante n'est pas ouvrante, soit de manière temporaire uniquement lorsque l'imprimante est fermée. Un ressort, bandé entre le bâti et la tête d'impression, plaque cette dernière contre une génératrice du cabestan au niveau de sa ligne de points chauffants située au voisinage du bord de la plaque opposé à celui voisin de l'axe de basculement.These devices are well known. The print head is formed by a ceramic plate associated with a metal radiator which is pivotally mounted or articulated on a frame about an axis parallel to the axis of the capstan, which is itself carried by the frame in Bearings or half-stops, either permanently if the printer is not open, or only temporarily when the printer is closed. A spring, bandaged between the frame and the print head, plate it against a generatrix of the capstan at its line of heating points located near the edge of the plate opposite to that adjacent to the axis of tilting.

Le frottement de la tête d'impression sur le papier qui circule sous sa ligne de points chauffants engendre des charges électrostatiques qui s'accumulent dans la tête et qu'il convient d'évacuer pour éviter qu'elles ne perturbent la qualité de l'impression. D'autres charges peuvent être transférées à la tête ; c'est notamment le cas lors d'un contact entre la tête et la main d'un opérateur lui-même porteur de charges.The friction of the print head on the paper which circulates under its line of heating points generates electrostatic charges which accumulate in the head and which must be evacuated to avoid that they disturb the quality of the impression. Other charges may be transferred to the head; this is particularly the case when contact between the head and the hand of an operator himself carrying loads.

Par ailleurs l'alimentation électrique et la commande des points chauffants de la tête d'impression sont assurés par un conducteur plat (limande) qui comporte également un conducteur de masse. Ce conducteur sert notamment à relier la tête d'impression à la masse de l'imprimante voire de l'appareil dans laquelle elle est intégrée. Le contact électrique entre la tête d'impression et le fil de masse de la limande est assuré par tout moyen approprié comme par exemple une borne à vis implantée dans le radiateur et sur laquelle on glisse un oeillet conducteur relié électriquement au fil de masse et bloqué par un écrou sur la borne. Ce type de montage est long et coûteux.In addition, the power supply and the control of the heating points of the print head are ensured by a flat conductor (dab) which also comprises a ground conductor. This conductor serves in particular to connect the print head to the mass of the printer or the device in which it is integrated. The electrical contact between the print head and the ground wire of the flounder is ensured by any suitable means such as for example a screw terminal implanted in the radiator and on which a conductive eyelet is slid electrically connected to the grounding wire and blocked. by a nut on the terminal. This type of assembly is long and expensive.

FR-A-2 708 523 décrit une imprimante thermique connue. FR-A-2,708,523 describes a known thermal printer.

OBJET DE L'INVENTIONOBJECT OF THE INVENTION

La présente invention a pour but de simplifier la composition et le montage d'une imprimante thermique.The present invention aims to simplify the composition and assembly of a thermal printer.

BREVE DESCRIPTION DE L'INVENTIONBRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

A cet effet l'invention a donc pour objet une imprimante thermique comportant un bâti, une tête d'impression basculante dans le bâti et un ressort porté par le bâti et formant organe de rappel de la tête d'impression dans sa position d'impression tandis qu'une nappe souple de conducteurs aboutit à la tête d'impression. Selon la caractéristique première de l'invention, le ressort est en matériau électriquement conducteur et comporte un doigt pour être reçu dans un orifice correspondant du bâti tandis qu'une portion de la nappe porte un oeillet conducteur traversé par le doigt du ressort lorsque ce dernier est logé dans l'orifice du bâti.For this purpose the invention therefore relates to a thermal printer comprising a frame, a tilting printing head in the frame and a spring carried by the frame and forming a return member of the print head in its printing position while a flexible sheet of conductors leads to the print head. According to the first characteristic of the invention, the spring is made of electrically conductive material and comprises a finger to be received in a corresponding hole of the frame while a portion of the sheet carries a conductive eyelet through which the spring finger when the latter is housed in the hole of the frame.

Grâce à cette disposition, on assure le contact électrique entre le ressort et le conducteur de masse appartenant à la nappe de conducteur électrique et relié à l' oeillet susdit par le simple montage du ressort sur le bâti. Ce ressort en effet est appliqué contre l' oeillet qui est pincé entre le ressort et le bâti au voisinage du doigt.Thanks to this arrangement, electrical contact is ensured between the spring and the ground conductor belonging to the electrical conductor layer and connected to the aforementioned eyelet by the simple assembly of the spring on the frame. This spring is applied against the eyelet which is pinched between the spring and the frame near the finger.

De manière préférée, le ressort est en fil métallique courbé dont une extrémité constitue le doigt susdit tandis que son autre extrémité coopère élastiquement avec le bâti pour s'opposer au dégagement du doigt hors de l'orifice. Le ressort est ainsi en forme de cavalier élastique dont les branches enserrent le bâti tout en pouvant pour le montage et le démontage s'écarter élastiquement de ce dernier pour permettre de loger le doigt dans l'orifice du bâti ou au contraire l'en extraire.Preferably, the spring is curved wire whose one end is the aforesaid finger while its other end cooperates elastically with the frame to oppose the release of the finger out of the orifice. The spring is thus shaped jumper elastic whose branches enclose the frame while being able to mount and dismount elastically away from the latter to allow to house the finger in the hole of the frame or on the contrary extract it.

Plus précisément, le ressort affecte la forme générale d'un U avec le doigt à l'extrémité de l'une de ses branches, en retour sensiblement parallèle à la base du U, chacune de ses branches étant logée dans une rainure du corps de sorte que seule la base du U est élastiquement déformable en flexion dans un plan sensiblement perpendiculaire aux branches.More specifically, the spring affects the general shape of a U with the finger at the end of one of its branches, in return substantially parallel to the base of the U, each of its branches being housed in a groove of the body of so that only the base of the U is elastically deformable in bending in a plane substantially perpendicular to the branches.

D'autres caractéristiques et avantages de l'invention ressortiront de sa description donnée ci-après à titre d'exemples purement indicatifs.Other features and advantages of the invention will emerge from its description given below as purely indicative examples.

BREVE DESCRIPTION DES DESSINSBRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Il sera fait référence aux dessins annexés parmi lesquels :

  • la figure 1 est une vue extérieure d'une imprimante conforme à l'invention avant la mise en place du ressort,
  • la figure 2 est une vue semblable à celle de la figure 1 au cours de la mise en place du ressort,
  • la figure 3 illustre l'imprimante avec le ressort totalement mis en place.
Reference will be made to the appended drawings among which:
  • the figure 1 is an external view of a printer according to the invention before the introduction of the spring,
  • the figure 2 is a view similar to that of the figure 1 during the establishment of the spring,
  • the figure 3 illustrates the printer with the spring fully in place.

DESCRIPTION DETAILLEE DE L'INVENTIONDETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Le mode de réalisation représenté aux figures concerne une imprimante thermique pour éditer des tickets ou des reçus consacrant par exemple l'exécution d'une transaction. Dans ce type d'imprimante il est connu de mettre en oeuvre un bâti 1, généralement en matière plastique, qui comporte grossièrement une traverse 1a et deux ailes 1b, 1c. Le bâti supporte une tête d'impression 2 qui peut basculer sur un angle faible autour d'un axe sensiblement parallèle à la traverse 1a. Cette tête d'impression comporte une ligne de points chauffants non visibles sur les figures, qui vient s'appuyer sur une génératrice d'un rouleau d'appui ou cabestan 3 accueilli dans des paliers de soutien 4a et 4b des ailes 1b et 1c du bâti 1. Cette position d'appui correspond à la position d'impression de l'imprimante. En réalité, la référence 2 porte sur le radiateur métallique de la tête d'impression qui comporte également une plaque en céramique 2a porteuse de la ligne de points chauffants.The embodiment shown in the figures relates to a thermal printer for editing tickets or receipts dedicating for example the execution of a transaction. In this type of printer it is known to implement a frame 1, generally made of plastic, which roughly comprises a cross 1a and two wings 1b, 1c. The frame supports a print head 2 which can swing at a small angle about an axis substantially parallel to the cross 1a. This print head has a line of non-visible heating spots in the figures, which comes to rest on a generatrix of a support roller or capstan 3 received in support bearings 4a and 4b of the wings 1b and 1c of the frame 1. This support position corresponds to the position of printing of the printer. In reality, the Reference 2 relates to the metal heat sink of the print head that also comprises a ceramic carrier plate 2 has the line of heater points.

Le bâti 1 supporte un moteur 5 qui par l'intermédiaire d'une transmission à engrenage dont une roue 6 est visible à la figure 3, peut entraîner le cabestan 3 en rotation ; celui-ci devient alors un moyen d'entraînement du support d'impression sous la tête d'impression 2.The frame 1 supports a motor 5 which via a gear transmission with a wheel 6 is visible at the figure 3 , can drive the capstan 3 in rotation; this then becomes a means for driving the printing medium under the print head 2.

Une série de conducteurs électriques rassemblés en une nappe souple est notée 7 sur la figure. Ceux-ci servent à l'alimentation en énergie du moteur et des points chauffants ainsi qu'à la commande de ces points chauffants.A series of electrical conductors gathered into a flexible sheet is noted 7 in the figure. These are used to supply power to the motor and the heating points and to control these heating points.

Conformément à l'invention, cette nappe souple ou limande 7 comporte une languette 8 porteuse d'un conducteur 9 qui constitue un fil de masse, cette languette 8 étant terminée par un oeillet métallique 10 électriquement connecté au conducteur de masse 9. La languette 8 est conduite à l'intérieur du bâti 1 au travers d'une fente de l'aile 1b qui lui permet d'être située à l'extérieur de cette aile afin de pouvoir être rabattue contre cette aile 1b du bâti 1. Dans cette position, l'ouverture de l'oeillet 10 est située en regard d'un orifice 11 ménagé dans l'aile 1b du bâti.According to the invention, this flexible sheet or flap 7 comprises a tongue 8 carrying a conductor 9 which constitutes a ground wire, this tongue 8 being terminated by a metal eyelet 10 electrically connected to the ground conductor 9. The tongue 8 is conducted inside the frame 1 through a slot of the wing 1b which allows it to be located outside of this wing in order to be folded against the wing 1b of the frame 1. In this position , the opening of the eyelet 10 is located opposite an orifice 11 formed in the wing 1b of the frame.

Pour maintenir la tête d'impression 2 au contact du cabestan 3, on utilise un ressort de rappel bandé entre la tête et le bâti. Dans le cas de l'invention, ce ressort de rappel est formé par un fil métallique 12 conformé en un cavalier en U possédant une branche 12a, une branche 12b et une base ou traverse 12c. Les branches 12a et 12b sont sensiblement parallèles, la branche 12a ayant une extrémité 13 en retour perpendiculaire à la branche et sensiblement parallèle à la base 12c de manière à constituer un doigt susceptible d'être introduit dans l' oeillet 10 de la languette 8 lorsque ce dernier est placé en face de l'orifice 11. La branche 12b comporte quant à elle une extrémité 14 également recourbée mais orientée de manière à former un ergot sensiblement perpendiculaire au plan général du ressort défini par sa traverse et ses deux branches.To maintain the print head 2 in contact with the capstan 3, a return spring is used, bandaged between the head and the frame. In the case of the invention, this return spring is formed by a wire 12 shaped in a U-shaped jumper having a branch 12a, a branch 12b and a base or cross 12c. The branches 12a and 12b are substantially parallel, the branch 12a having a return end 13 perpendicular to the branch and substantially parallel to the base 12c so as to constitute a finger capable of being introduced into the eyelet 10 of the tongue 8 when the latter is placed opposite the orifice 11. The branch 12b has for its part an end 14 also bent but oriented to form a lug substantially perpendicular to the general plane of the spring defined by its cross and its two branches.

En introduisant le doigt 13 dans l'orifice 11, le ressort 12 est dans sa position représentée à la figure 2 et la branche 12a vient progressivement se loger dans une rainure 15 extérieure du flan latéral 1b du bâti 1. La traverse 12c se loge ensuite par rabattement du ressort, derrière la tête d'impression 2 de manière que le doigt 14 vienne glisser sur une surface de came 16, ce qui force la déformation élastique principalement de la branche 12b, confirmant en cela l'introduction du doigt 13 dans l'orifice 11. Au-delà de la surface de came 16, l'ergot 14 se rabat élastiquement contre le flan 1c du bâti 1 de sorte que la branche 12b se trouve logée dans une rainure ouverte vers l'extérieur que possède latéralement ce flan 1c, notée 17 à la figure 3 et qu'elle est bloquée longitudinalement dans cette rainure par la coopération de l'ergot 14 et de l'extrémité de la came 16.By introducing the finger 13 into the orifice 11, the spring 12 is in its position shown in FIG. figure 2 and the branch 12a is gradually housed in an outer groove of the side blank 1b of the frame 1. The cross member 12c is then housed by folding the spring, behind the print head 2 so that the finger 14 comes to slide on a surface cam 16, which forces the elastic deformation mainly of the branch 12b, thereby confirming the introduction of the finger 13 into the orifice 11. Beyond the cam surface 16, the lug 14 is elastically folded against the 1c blank of the frame 1 so that the branch 12b is housed in an open groove which is laterally laterally this blank 1c, noted 17 at the figure 3 and that it is locked longitudinally in this groove by the cooperation of the lug 14 and the end of the cam 16.

On aura noté que la traverse 12c du ressort n'est pas rectiligne mais affecte une forme telle que sa zone centrale 18 constitue un appui forcé de la traverse derrière la tête d'impression 2. De cette manière, c'est la déformation élastique en flexion de la traverse 12c qui constitue le moyen de rappel de la tête d'impression 2 contre le cabestan 3. Toute autre forme cintrée du ressort dans un plan sensiblement perpendiculaire à celui qui contient les branches 12a et 12b, serait un équivalent à la disposition représentée.It will be noted that the cross member 12c of the spring is not rectilinear but has a shape such that its central zone 18 constitutes a forced support of the cross member behind the print head 2. In this way, it is the elastic deformation in bending of the cross member 12c which constitutes the biasing means of the print head 2 against the capstan 3. Any other curved shape of the spring in a plane substantially perpendicular to that containing the branches 12a and 12b, would be an equivalent to the layout shown.

Il est ainsi assuré par le ressort 12 une continuité électrique entre la tête d'impression 2 et le conducteur de masse 9 et ce de manière extrêmement simple sans avoir recours aux moyens de connexion complexes connus par l'état de la technique. Dans cette position en effet, la portion de branche 12a du ressort voisine du doigt 13 porte sur l'oeillet 10 (qui est une rondelle plate conductrice en bout de la languette 8). On assiste même, si le trou de l'oeillet est plus petit que l'orifice 11 en diamètre, à une déformation de l'oeillet par le congé de raccordement du doigt 13 à la branche 12a.It is thus ensured by the spring 12 an electrical continuity between the print head 2 and the ground conductor 9 and this extremely simple way without resorting to the complex connection means known by the state of the art. In this position, in fact, the branch portion 12 has the spring close to the finger 13 bears on the eyelet 10 (which is a conductive flat washer at the end of the tongue 8). Even if the hole of the eyelet is smaller than the orifice 11 in diameter, it is even present at a deformation of the eyelet by the fillet connecting the finger 13 to the branch 12 a .

L'invention a été décrite en regard d'une tête d'impression particulière. Elle s'applique bien entendu à toute tête d'impression qui aux lieu et place d'un rouleau d'appui 3, mettrait en oeuvre un support quelconque du papier sensible à imprimer et sur lequel il faudrait appliquer élastiquement la ligne de points chauffants.The invention has been described with regard to a particular print head. It applies, of course, to any printing head which instead of a support roll 3, would implement any support of the sensitive paper to be printed and on which the line of heating points should be elastically applied.

L'invention s'applique à d'autres formes de réalisations non représentées d'une imprimante et notamment du ressort d'application de la tête d'impression contre le rouleau d'appui. On peut en effet mettre en oeuvre un ressort qui affecte la forme non plus d'un fil métallique mais d'une lame métallique courbée, laquelle étant cintrée entre les deux ailes 1b et 1c du bâti, l'une des extrémités de cette lame métallique possédant un doigt qui vient rentrer comme ce qui a été décrit ci-dessus dans un orifice de ces ailes en passant préalablement par un oeillet de connexion électrique de la lame à un fil de masse. Dans ce cas l'oeillet serait en regard d'un orifice tel que 11 à partir de la face intérieure de l'aile du bâti correspondante, la lame étant arc-boutée entre les deux faces intérieures des deux ailes.The invention applies to other embodiments not shown of a printer and in particular the application spring of the print head against the support roller. It is indeed possible to use a spring which affects the shape of a metal wire only, but of a curved metal blade, which is bent between the two wings 1b and 1c of the frame, one of the ends of this metal blade. having a finger which comes in as described above in an orifice of these wings by passing beforehand by an eyelet of electrical connection of the blade to a ground wire. In this case the eyelet would be opposite an orifice such as 11 from the inner face of the wing of the corresponding frame, the blade being braced between the two inner faces of the two wings.

Le matériau du ressort 12 peut être composite, par exemple une matière synthétique recouverte d'un revêtement métallique.The material of the spring 12 may be composite, for example a synthetic material covered with a coating metallic.

Il est possible également de prévoir que l'oeillet 10 soit une pastille dans laquelle, au centre une amorce de rupture a été prévue pour le passage en force du doigt 13.It is also possible to provide that the eyelet 10 is a pellet in which, in the center, a breaking primer has been provided for the passage in force of the finger 13.

Claims (3)

  1. A thermal printer comprising a frame (1), a print head (2) tiltably mounted in the frame (1), and a spring (12) carried by the frame and forming a member for urging the print head into its printing position, with a flexible sheet (7) of conductors terminating at the print head, the printer being characterized in that the spring (12) is made of an electrically conductive material and includes a finger (13) for being received in a corresponding orifice (11) of the frame, while a portion (8) of the sheet (7) carries a conductive eyelet (10) through which the finger (13) of the spring passes when the spring is received in the orifice (11) of the frame (1), the spring thus pinching the eyelet (10) against the frame.
  2. A printer according to claim 1, characterized in that the spring (12) is a curved metal wire having one end constituting the above-mentioned finger (13) while its other end co-operates elastically with the frame (1) to oppose the finger (13) being disengaged from the orifice (11).
  3. A printer according to claim 2, characterized in that the spring (12) is generally U-shaped, with the finger (13) at the end of one of its limbs (12a), extending substantially parallel to the web (12c) of the U-shape, each of the limbs (12a, 12b) being received in a corresponding groove (15, 16) of the frame (1) so that only the web (12c) of the U-shape is elastically deformable in bending in a plane substantially perpendicular to the limbs (12a, 12b).
EP04292731A 2003-12-23 2004-11-18 Thermal printer Expired - Fee Related EP1547790B1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
FR0315233A FR2863936B1 (en) 2003-12-23 2003-12-23 THERMAL PRINTER
FR0315233 2003-12-23

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP1547790A1 EP1547790A1 (en) 2005-06-29
EP1547790B1 true EP1547790B1 (en) 2008-05-07

Family

ID=34531329

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP04292731A Expired - Fee Related EP1547790B1 (en) 2003-12-23 2004-11-18 Thermal printer

Country Status (5)

Country Link
US (1) US7037010B2 (en)
EP (1) EP1547790B1 (en)
DE (1) DE602004013526D1 (en)
ES (1) ES2305688T3 (en)
FR (1) FR2863936B1 (en)

Families Citing this family (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JP4690135B2 (en) * 2005-06-22 2011-06-01 富士通コンポーネント株式会社 Printing device
JP4914619B2 (en) * 2006-02-23 2012-04-11 セイコーインスツル株式会社 Head support structure, printing apparatus, thermal activation apparatus, and printer
TWI471229B (en) * 2012-01-05 2015-02-01 Hiti Digital Inc Fixing mechanism capable of fixing a thermal print head module in different positions and thermal sublimation printer therewith

Family Cites Families (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JP3228974B2 (en) * 1990-12-19 2001-11-12 ローム株式会社 Line type thermal print head
FR2708523B1 (en) * 1993-08-02 1995-09-22 Axiohm Thermal printer with tilting head.
US5570121A (en) * 1993-12-20 1996-10-29 Monarch Marking Systems, Inc. Printer
US6464416B1 (en) * 1999-01-26 2002-10-15 Canon Kabushiki Kaisha Apparatus having carriage scanning mechanism, and recording apparatus, information recording/reproducing apparatus, information recording apparatus, information reproduction apparatus, information reading apparatus and information erasing apparatus, each provided with apparatus having carriage scanning mechanism
US6604876B2 (en) * 2000-09-29 2003-08-12 Zih Corp. System for dissipating electrostatic charge in a printer

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
EP1547790A1 (en) 2005-06-29
US7037010B2 (en) 2006-05-02
ES2305688T3 (en) 2008-11-01
FR2863936A1 (en) 2005-06-24
DE602004013526D1 (en) 2008-06-19
FR2863936B1 (en) 2006-01-20
US20050135858A1 (en) 2005-06-23

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