EP0958144A1 - Convertible thermal printing mechanism - Google Patents

Convertible thermal printing mechanism

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Publication number
EP0958144A1
EP0958144A1 EP96927100A EP96927100A EP0958144A1 EP 0958144 A1 EP0958144 A1 EP 0958144A1 EP 96927100 A EP96927100 A EP 96927100A EP 96927100 A EP96927100 A EP 96927100A EP 0958144 A1 EP0958144 A1 EP 0958144A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
roller
support
version
drive roller
axis
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.)
Granted
Application number
EP96927100A
Other languages
German (de)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP0958144B1 (en
Inventor
Patrick Lardant
Pascal Pierre-Francois
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.)
Investix SA
Original Assignee
Investix SA
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
Priority claimed from FR9509245A external-priority patent/FR2737152B1/en
Application filed by Investix SA filed Critical Investix SA
Publication of EP0958144A1 publication Critical patent/EP0958144A1/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP0958144B1 publication Critical patent/EP0958144B1/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime 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
    • B41J29/00—Details of, or accessories for, typewriters or selective printing mechanisms not otherwise provided for
    • B41J29/02—Framework
    • 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
    • B41J11/00—Devices or arrangements  of selective printing mechanisms, e.g. ink-jet printers or thermal printers, for supporting or handling copy material in sheet or web form
    • B41J11/20—Platen adjustments for varying the strength of impression, for a varying number of papers, for wear or for alignment, or for print gap adjustment
    • 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
    • B41J15/00—Devices or arrangements of selective printing mechanisms, e.g. ink-jet printers or thermal printers, specially adapted for supporting or handling copy material in continuous form, e.g. webs
    • B41J15/04—Supporting, feeding, or guiding devices; Mountings for web rolls or spindles

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a scalable thermal paper printing mechanism.
  • one or more lateral cams pivotally mounted about an axis at the front of the support, these cams used to raise the part which carries the printing bar to allow the introduction of paper between said bar and the roller during renewal of the supply coil.
  • retractable roller printers in which the drive roller is not fixed relative to the support but is mounted on a mechanism whose kinematics makes it possible to release the roller relative to the position it occupies in operation when the cover of the paper reserve is opened, so as to allow easy access to said drive roller to replace a strip of paper around it.
  • the object of the invention is to propose a dual structure, which allows in a few operations and by changing few parts to pass from a fixed roller printing mechanism to a retractable roller printing mechanism.
  • the invention provides a thermal printing mechanism comprising an elongated support, a drive roller, a strip of elements printing device mounted on said support, spring means for biasing said bar against the drive roller, at least one cam pivotally mounted about an axis of the support to move the bar away from the drive roller, said mechanism being characterized in that it is scalable mounting from a fixed roller version to a retractable roller version and in that the pivot axis of the drive roller is capable of being selectively mounted either on the support or on a paper cover articulated on said support, the cam of the fixed version being able to be replaced by at least one other cam intended to be driven by the tilting of the paper cover and vice versa.
  • This cover can be designed according to different aesthetic lines provided that its point of articulation is included in a precise zone, thus leaving the possibility of designing a paper tank of more or less significant capacity according to the embodiments, but which in all the case, allows easy introduction of paper.
  • the cam of the fixed version is capable of being replaced, in the retractable version, by two cams, one intended to allow the detachment of the print head at the start of the tilting of the paper cover, the other intended to be driven by the axis of the pickup roller, when it tilts with the paper cover, to continue lifting the print head.
  • the axis of the roller is received in lights presented by the paper cover, said lights cooperating with the support to maintain the axis of the roller in its printing operating position, when the cover is closed, said lights receiving in the fixed roller version bearings on which the roller is mounted swivel.
  • FIG. 1 is a sectional view of a printing mechanism according to a possible embodiment for the invention, in its fixed roller version;
  • FIG. 2 is a top view of this mechanism;
  • FIG. 3 is a similar view of Figure 1, in the case where the printing mechanism is in its retractable roller version;
  • - Figure 4a is a sectional view of the sides of the paper cover on which the roller is mounted in the retractable version of the mechanism;
  • FIG. 4b is a sectional view of the flanges of the support, in the case of the retractable version of the mechanism;
  • Figure 4c is a sectional view on which there is shown the sides of the paper cover of Figure 4a and the flanges of the support of Figure 4b;
  • FIG. 5 is a sectional view of a side of the paper cover which illustrates the retraction phase of the roll
  • FIGS. 7a and 7b are schematic side representations of a printing mechanism according to the invention in its retractable version, in which the area in which the axis of rotation of the cover is shown.
  • the printing mechanism illustrated in Figures 1 and 2 (fixed version) mainly comprises: an elongated support 1, which has two lateral flanges 1a,
  • a part 2 also elongated, which carries a strip 3 of thermal printing elements and which is pivotally mounted on the flanges 1a around an axis Ai towards the rear of the support 1,
  • a drive roller 4 which in the fixed roller version is pivotally mounted about an axis A by means of two end stop rings 12 in bearings 12a which have the flanges la, said roller s' extending opposite the bar 3 and being driven in rotation by a motor (not shown) to which it is connected by a pinion,
  • a lateral cam 5 pivotally mounted about an axis A 2 towards the front of the support 1 and intended by its tilting to allow the part 2 and the printing bar 3 to be lifted,
  • the paper of the feed reel is introduced by a guide ramp 1b which the support 1 presents and is guided around the roller 4 by the guide and by the geometry of the printing mechanism.
  • the operator causes the cam 5 to tilt in the opposite direction, so that the printing bar 3, which is biased relative to the support 1 by the two springs 7, folds down onto the paper.
  • This printing mechanism can easily be modified to evolve towards a retractable roller structure.
  • a cover CP for the protection of the paper reel is pivotally mounted around a fixed axis relative to the support
  • the cam 5 is replaced by two lateral cams 8 and 9, journalled around the axis A 2 at the front of the support 1. The assembly is then that illustrated in the figure
  • the operator switches from one version to another by removing the flanges la from the support 1 to extract the drive roller 4, by dismantling the bearings 12a relative to said flanges la, then, after having reassembled the flanges la, by integrating the support 1 for example to a molded carcass on which the paper cover CP is articulated.
  • the axis A of the roller 4 is then no longer fixed on the lateral flanges la but ends in the rings 12 which pass through said flanges la at the level of lights 13 ( Figure 4b) that have said flanges and which allow for the roll 4 the clearance which is described below in more detail.
  • These lights 13 are open towards the front of the printing mechanism. It is in these slots 13 that the bearings 12a are mounted in the fixed version illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2.
  • These rings 12 are also received in lights L which have the sides of the cover CP (FIG. 4a) and which contribute, with the lights 13, to keep the rings 12 and said axis A in their printing operating position, when the cover CP is closed. These lights L are open towards the rear of the printing mechanism.
  • FIG. 4c shows the direction F of this effort.
  • the plane of the forces exerted by the head 3 on the roller 4 passes through the contact points of the axis of said drive roller 4 on the bottom of the openings.
  • This tilting takes place in two phases, one which allows the roller 4 to be moved away from the thermal print head 3, so as not to damage the latter, the other which allows the roller 4 to be tilted. to reassemble it (full opening of the paper cover).
  • a pin 11 presented by the cover CP (FIGS. 3 and 4a, 4c) abuts at the start of tilting of said cover CP on a lever part which has the cam 9, which causes the latter to pivot around its axis A2.
  • the lobe presented by said cam 9 acts on the part 2 which carries the print head 3 and moves it away from the roller 4.
  • the axis A of the roller 4, carried by the bottom of the lights 13 of the flanges la, remains stationary.
  • This tilting of the roller 4 occurs when the lower part of the bottom of the lights L comes into contact with the axis A and raises it ( Figure 5). The roller 4 is then driven with the cover CP.
  • the cover CP When the cover CP is completely tilted, the area of the roller 4 is completely accessible to the operator. Once the spool is in place in the paper reserve and the paper is correctly arranged around the drive roller, the cover CP is closed. The pin 11 abuts against a bearing 8c that has the cam 8, so as to tilt the cams 8 and 9 in the opposite direction relative to the opening operation. Initially, the cams 8 and 9 are tilted so that the roller 4 returns to its operating position; the paper being placed between the roll and the thermal printing bar.
  • the cam 9 continues its stroke so that the thermal printing bar 3 is pressed against the roller in its printing position.
  • This dual technique allows an industrialist (manufacturer of printers or cash registers) who would have obtained a printing mechanism in fixed roller version to later evolve towards a retractable roller version, and this at a lower cost, or have a single printing mechanism reference to design a complete fixed roller system and another retractable roller system without changing the electronics associated with either version.
  • thermal printing mechanism is essentially linked to its integration into an industrial process; therefore, the choice of a fixed roller printing mechanism can be made for a desire for miniaturization or because it must be introduced into an already existing device, while a retractable roller printing mechanism will be rather chosen to design a finished product in which the ease of introduction of the paper is the most important factor; the present invention allows with a single product to meet all of these requests, or even to evolve from one to the other.
  • FIGS. 7a and 7b Examples of possible geometries for the zone Z1 are illustrated in FIGS. 7a and 7b.
  • the part which carries the print head is advantageously designed so as to be able to support several types of print head.
  • the structure of the printing mechanism proposed by the invention can of course be proposed for several widths of paper, only the length of the support and possibly of the print head then being changed, the side pieces and in particular the cams being as for them unchanged.
  • thermo paper supports of different widths it is possible, using the same basic mechanism in a fixed roller or retractable roller version, to print thermal paper supports of different widths.
  • a device is used which makes it possible to maintain good guiding of the paper during printing.
  • the paper In the case of a fixed roller mechanism, the paper is guided between two sides.
  • One of these two sides is fixed relative to the support and serves as a reference for the paper guide and the positioning of the printing relative to the left edge of the paper.
  • the other side is materialized by a removable deflector.
  • This manually adjustable deflector in position makes it possible to obtain a given dimension between the sides and allows effective guiding of the paper during printing.
  • the support is designed at the base to integrate or not the deflector according to customer needs.
  • the deflector can occupy a multitude of positions. It is held in position by a fixed pitch notching system.

Abstract

PCT No. PCT/FR96/01193 Sec. 371 Date Jan. 28, 1998 Sec. 102(e) Date Jan. 28, 1998 PCT Filed Jul. 29, 1996 PCT Pub. No. WO97/04966 PCT Pub. Date Feb. 13, 1997A thermal printer mechanism comprising an elongate support (1), a drive roller (4), a strip of print elements (3) mounted on said support, spring-forming means for urging said strip against the drive roller, at least one cam (5) mounted to pivot about an axis (A2) of the support (1) to move the strip (3) away from the drive roller (4), said mechanism being characterized in that it can be transformed from a stationary-roller version to a retractable-roller version, and in that the axle about which the drive roller (4) rotates is suitable for being selectively mounted either on the support (1), or on a paper-protecting cover (CP) hinged to said support (1), the cam of the stationary version being suitable for being replaced with at least one other cam suitable for being entrained by the paper-protecting cover being tipped up and vice versa.

Description

MECANISME D'IMPRESSION THERMIQUE EVOLUTIF EVOLVING THERMAL PRINTING MECHANISM
La présente invention est relative à un mécanisme d'impression papier thermique évolutif.The present invention relates to a scalable thermal paper printing mechanism.
On connaît déjà des mécanismes d'impression thermique à rouleau fixe qui comportent :Fixed roller thermal printing mechanisms are already known which include:
- un support allongé,- an elongated support,
- une pièce montée pivotante autour d'un axe à l'arrière du support, qui porte une barrette d'impression s'étendant dans la longueur du support, - un rouleau qui est tourillonné sur des flasques latéraux que présente le support et qui s'étend en regard de la barrette d'impression,- a part pivotally mounted around an axis at the rear of the support, which carries a printing bar extending in the length of the support, - a roller which is journalled on lateral flanges which the support presents and which s 'extends next to the printing module,
- une ou plusieurs cames latérales montées pivotantes autour d'un axe à l'avant du support, ces cames servant à relever la pièce qui porte la barrette d'impression pour permettre l'introduction du papier entre ladite barrette et le rouleau lors du renouvellement de la bobine d'alimentation.- one or more lateral cams pivotally mounted about an axis at the front of the support, these cams used to raise the part which carries the printing bar to allow the introduction of paper between said bar and the roller during renewal of the supply coil.
On connaît par ailleurs également des imprimantes à rouleau escamotable dans lesquelles le rouleau d'entraînement n'est pas fixe par rapport au support mais est monté sur un mécanisme dont la cinématique permet de dégager le rouleau par rapport à la position qu'il occupe en fonctionnement lorsque l'on ouvre le couvercle de la réserve papier, de façon à permettre un accès aisé audit rouleau d'entraînement pour remettre en place une bande de papier autour de celui-ci.Also known are retractable roller printers in which the drive roller is not fixed relative to the support but is mounted on a mechanism whose kinematics makes it possible to release the roller relative to the position it occupies in operation when the cover of the paper reserve is opened, so as to allow easy access to said drive roller to replace a strip of paper around it.
Le but de l'invention est de proposer une structure duale, qui permet en peu d'opérations et en changeant peu de pièces de passer d'un mécanisme d'impression à rouleau fixe à un mécanisme d'impression à rouleau escamotable.The object of the invention is to propose a dual structure, which allows in a few operations and by changing few parts to pass from a fixed roller printing mechanism to a retractable roller printing mechanism.
A cet effet, l'invention propose un mécanisme d'impression thermique comportant un support allongé, un rouleau d'entraînement, une barrette d'éléments d'impression montée sur ledit support, des moyens formant ressort pour rappeler ladite barrette contre le rouleau d'entraînement, au moins une came montée pivotante autour d'un axe du support pour écarter la barrette par rapport au rouleau d'entraînement, ledit mécanisme étant caractérisé en ce qu'il est à montage évolutif d'une version à rouleau fixe à une version à rouleau escamotable et en ce que l'axe de pivotement du rouleau d'entraînement est apte à être sélectivement monté soit sur le support, soit sur un capot papier articulé sur ledit support, la came de la version fixe étant apte a être remplacée par au moins une autre came destinée à être entraînée par le basculement du capot papier et réciproquement.To this end, the invention provides a thermal printing mechanism comprising an elongated support, a drive roller, a strip of elements printing device mounted on said support, spring means for biasing said bar against the drive roller, at least one cam pivotally mounted about an axis of the support to move the bar away from the drive roller, said mechanism being characterized in that it is scalable mounting from a fixed roller version to a retractable roller version and in that the pivot axis of the drive roller is capable of being selectively mounted either on the support or on a paper cover articulated on said support, the cam of the fixed version being able to be replaced by at least one other cam intended to be driven by the tilting of the paper cover and vice versa.
Ce capot peut être conçu selon différentes lignes esthétiques pour autant que son point d'articulation soit compris dans une zone précise, laissant ainsi la possibilité de concevoir un réservoir papier de capacité plus ou moins importante selon les modes de réalisation, mais qui dans tous les cas, permet une introduction aisée du papier.This cover can be designed according to different aesthetic lines provided that its point of articulation is included in a precise zone, thus leaving the possibility of designing a paper tank of more or less significant capacity according to the embodiments, but which in all the case, allows easy introduction of paper.
Avantageusement, la came de la version fixe est apte à être remplacée, dans la version escamotable, par deux cames, l'une destinée à permettre le décollement de la tête d'impression au début du basculement du capot papier, l'autre destinée à être entraînée par l'axe du rouleau d'entraînement, lorsque celui-ci bascule avec le capot papier, pour poursuivre le soulèvement de la tête d'impression.Advantageously, the cam of the fixed version is capable of being replaced, in the retractable version, by two cams, one intended to allow the detachment of the print head at the start of the tilting of the paper cover, the other intended to be driven by the axis of the pickup roller, when it tilts with the paper cover, to continue lifting the print head.
Avantageusement encore, dans la version à rouleau escamotable, l'axe du rouleau est reçu dans des lumières que présente le capot papier, lesdites lumières coopérant avec le support pour maintenir l'axe du rouleau dans sa position de fonctionnement d'impression, lorsque le capot est fermé, lesdites lumières recevant dans la version à rouleau fixe des paliers sur lesquels le rouleau est monté pivotant.Advantageously also, in the retractable roller version, the axis of the roller is received in lights presented by the paper cover, said lights cooperating with the support to maintain the axis of the roller in its printing operating position, when the cover is closed, said lights receiving in the fixed roller version bearings on which the roller is mounted swivel.
D'autres caractéristiques et avantages de l'invention ressortiront encore de la description qui suit. Cette description est purement illustrative et non limitative. Elle doit être lue en regard des dessins annexés sur lesquels :Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will emerge from the description which follows. This description is purely illustrative and not limiting. It must be read in conjunction with the appended drawings in which:
- la figure 1 est une vue en coupe d'un mécanisme d'impression conforme à un mode de réalisation possible pour l'invention, dans sa version à rouleau fixe ; - la figure 2 est une vue de dessus de ce mécanisme ;- Figure 1 is a sectional view of a printing mechanism according to a possible embodiment for the invention, in its fixed roller version; - Figure 2 is a top view of this mechanism;
- la figure 3 est une vue semblable de la figure 1, dans le cas où le mécanisme d'impression est dans sa version à rouleau escamotable ; - la figure 4a est une vue en coupe des flancs du capot papier sur lesquels le rouleau est monté dans la version escamotable du mécanisme ;- Figure 3 is a similar view of Figure 1, in the case where the printing mechanism is in its retractable roller version; - Figure 4a is a sectional view of the sides of the paper cover on which the roller is mounted in the retractable version of the mechanism;
- la figure 4b est une vue en coupe des flasques du support, dans le cas de la version escamotable du mécanisme ;- Figure 4b is a sectional view of the flanges of the support, in the case of the retractable version of the mechanism;
- la figure 4c est une vue en coupe sur laquelle on a représenté les flancs du capot papier de la figure 4a et les flasques du support de la figure 4b ;- Figure 4c is a sectional view on which there is shown the sides of the paper cover of Figure 4a and the flanges of the support of Figure 4b;
- la figure 5 est une vue de coupe d'un flanc du capot papier qui illustre la phase d'escamotage du rouleau ;- Figure 5 is a sectional view of a side of the paper cover which illustrates the retraction phase of the roll;
- la figure 6 illustre la phase de rotation et de relèvement complet du support de la tête thermique ;- Figure 6 illustrates the phase of rotation and complete raising of the support of the thermal head;
- les figures 7a et 7b sont des représentations schématiques de côté d'un mécanisme d'impression conforme à l'invention dans sa version escamotable, sur lesquelles on a représenté la zone dans laquelle doit se trouver l'axe de rotation du capot.- Figures 7a and 7b are schematic side representations of a printing mechanism according to the invention in its retractable version, in which the area in which the axis of rotation of the cover is shown.
Le mécanisme d'impression illustré sur les figures 1 et 2 (version fixe) comporte principalement : - un support allongé 1, qui présente deux flasques latéraux la,The printing mechanism illustrated in Figures 1 and 2 (fixed version) mainly comprises: an elongated support 1, which has two lateral flanges 1a,
- une pièce 2 également allongée, qui porte une barrette 3 d'éléments d'impression thermique et qui est montée pivotante sur les flasques la autour d'un axe Ai vers l'arrière du support 1,a part 2 also elongated, which carries a strip 3 of thermal printing elements and which is pivotally mounted on the flanges 1a around an axis Ai towards the rear of the support 1,
- un rouleau d'entraînement 4, qui dans la version à rouleau fixe est monté pivotant autour d'un axe A par l'intermédiaire de deux bagues butée d'extrémité 12 dans des paliers 12a que présentent les flasques la, ledit rouleau s'étendant en regard de la barrette 3 et étant entraîné en rotation par un moteur (non représenté) auquel il est relié par une pignonerie,- A drive roller 4, which in the fixed roller version is pivotally mounted about an axis A by means of two end stop rings 12 in bearings 12a which have the flanges la, said roller s' extending opposite the bar 3 and being driven in rotation by a motor (not shown) to which it is connected by a pinion,
- une came latérale 5, montée pivotante autour d'un axe A2 vers l'avant du support 1 et destinée par son basculement à permettre de soulever la pièce 2 et la barrette 3 d'impression,a lateral cam 5, pivotally mounted about an axis A 2 towards the front of the support 1 and intended by its tilting to allow the part 2 and the printing bar 3 to be lifted,
- deux ressorts 7 qui rappellent la pièce 2 qui porte la barrette 3 vers le support 1. On notera que dans tout le présent texte, les qualificatifs "arrière" et "avant" doivent se comprendre par rapport aux positions respectives du rouleau d'entraînement 4 et de la barrette 3 en position d'impression, celle-ci étant alors située dans une zone en arrière par rapport à l'axe du rouleau 3.- two springs 7 which recall the part 2 which carries the bar 3 towards the support 1. It will be noted that throughout this text, the qualifiers "rear" and "front" must be understood in relation to the respective positions of the drive roller 4 and of the bar 3 in the printing position, the latter then being situated in a zone behind the axis of the roller 3.
Dans cette version (rouleau d'entraînement 4 fixe), le papier de la bobine d'alimentation est introduit autour du rouleau d'entraînement 4 de la façon suivante.In this version (drive roller 4 fixed), the paper from the feed reel is introduced around the drive roller 4 as follows.
Un opérateur fait basculer la came 5 en agissant sur le bras de levier 5a qui la termine et soulève ainsi la barrette d'impression 3 par rapport au rouleau d'entraînement 4.An operator causes the cam 5 to tilt by acting on the lever arm 5a which terminates it and thus raises the printing bar 3 relative to the drive roller 4.
Le papier de la bobine d'alimentation est introduit par une rampe de guidage lb que présente le support 1 et est guidé autour du rouleau 4 par le guide le et par la géométrie du mécanisme d'impression.The paper of the feed reel is introduced by a guide ramp 1b which the support 1 presents and is guided around the roller 4 by the guide and by the geometry of the printing mechanism.
Lorsque l'opération est terminée, l'opérateur fait basculer en sens contraire la came 5, de sorte que la barrette d'impression 3, qui est rappelée par rapport au support 1 par les deux ressorts 7, se rabat sur le papier.When the operation is complete, the operator causes the cam 5 to tilt in the opposite direction, so that the printing bar 3, which is biased relative to the support 1 by the two springs 7, folds down onto the paper.
Ce mécanisme d'impression peut facilement être modifié pour évoluer vers une structure à rouleau escamotable.This printing mechanism can easily be modified to evolve towards a retractable roller structure.
Dans la configuration à rouleau escamotable, un capot CP pour la protection de la bobine de papier est monté pivotant autour d'un axe fixe par rapport au supportIn the retractable roller configuration, a cover CP for the protection of the paper reel is pivotally mounted around a fixed axis relative to the support
La came 5 est remplacée par deux cames latérales 8 et 9, tourillonnées autour de l'axe A2 à l'avant du support 1. Le montage est alors celui illustré sur la figureThe cam 5 is replaced by two lateral cams 8 and 9, journalled around the axis A 2 at the front of the support 1. The assembly is then that illustrated in the figure
3.3.
L'opérateur passe d'une version à l'autre en démontant les flasques la du support 1 pour extraire le rouleau d'entraînement 4, en démontant les paliers 12a par rapport auxdits flasques la, puis, après avoir remonté des flasques la, en intégrant le support 1 par exemple à une carcasse moulée sur laquelle le capot papier CP est articulé.The operator switches from one version to another by removing the flanges la from the support 1 to extract the drive roller 4, by dismantling the bearings 12a relative to said flanges la, then, after having reassembled the flanges la, by integrating the support 1 for example to a molded carcass on which the paper cover CP is articulated.
Ainsi qu'on l'a illustré sur les figures 4a à 4c, l'axe A du rouleau 4 n'est alors plus fixé sur les flasques latéraux la mais se termine par les bagues 12 qui traversent lesdits flasques la au niveau de lumières 13 (figure 4b) que présentent lesdits flasques et qui autorisent pour le rouleau 4 le débattement qui est décrit plus loin plus en détails. Ces lumières 13 sont ouvertes vers l'avant du mécanisme d'impression. C'est dans ces lumières 13 que les paliers 12a sont montés dans la version fixe illustrée sur les figures 1 et 2.As illustrated in FIGS. 4a to 4c, the axis A of the roller 4 is then no longer fixed on the lateral flanges la but ends in the rings 12 which pass through said flanges la at the level of lights 13 (Figure 4b) that have said flanges and which allow for the roll 4 the clearance which is described below in more detail. These lights 13 are open towards the front of the printing mechanism. It is in these slots 13 that the bearings 12a are mounted in the fixed version illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2.
Ces bagues 12 sont également reçues dans des lumières L que présentent les flancs du capot CP (figure 4a) et qui contribuent, avec les lumières 13, à maintenir les bagues 12 et ledit axe A dans leur position de fonctionnement d'impression, lorsque le capot CP est fermé. Ces lumières L sont ouvertes vers l'arrière du mécanisme d'impression.These rings 12 are also received in lights L which have the sides of the cover CP (FIG. 4a) and which contribute, with the lights 13, to keep the rings 12 and said axis A in their printing operating position, when the cover CP is closed. These lights L are open towards the rear of the printing mechanism.
Là géométrie et la dimension de ces lumières 13 et L et des bagues 12 sont telles que dans cette position correspondant au fonctionnement d'impression, la tête 3 appuie sur le rouleau 4 en exerçant un effort radial sur celui-ci. On a représenté sur la figure 4c, la direction F de cet effort. Le plan des efforts exercés par la tête 3 sur le rouleau 4 passe par les points de contact de l'axe dudit rouleau d'entraînement 4 sur le fond des lumières.There the geometry and the dimension of these lights 13 and L and of the rings 12 are such that in this position corresponding to the printing operation, the head 3 presses on the roller 4 by exerting a radial force on it. FIG. 4c shows the direction F of this effort. The plane of the forces exerted by the head 3 on the roller 4 passes through the contact points of the axis of said drive roller 4 on the bottom of the openings.
Pour enlever ou mettre en place une bobine de papier, on bascule le capot CP autour de son axe d'articulation qui est impérativement situé dans une zoneTo remove or install a reel of paper, flip the cover CP around its axis of articulation which is imperatively located in an area
Zl définie par les formes des flasques latéraux la, ainsi que par le débattement de la tête thermique 3 (figure 5) .Zl defined by the shapes of the lateral flanges la, as well as by the movement of the thermal head 3 (FIG. 5).
Ce basculement s'effectue en deux phases, l'une qui permet d'écarter le rouleau 4 par rapport à la tête d'impression thermique 3, afin de ne pas endommager celle- ci, l'autre qui permet de basculer le rouleau 4 pour le remonter (ouverture totale du capot papier).This tilting takes place in two phases, one which allows the roller 4 to be moved away from the thermal print head 3, so as not to damage the latter, the other which allows the roller 4 to be tilted. to reassemble it (full opening of the paper cover).
Lors de la première phase, un pion 11 que présente le capot CP (figures 3 et 4a, 4c) vient en butée en début de basculement dudit capot CP sur une partie levier que présente la came 9, ce qui entraîne celle-ci en pivotement autour de son axe A2.During the first phase, a pin 11 presented by the cover CP (FIGS. 3 and 4a, 4c) abuts at the start of tilting of said cover CP on a lever part which has the cam 9, which causes the latter to pivot around its axis A2.
Le lobe que présente ladite came 9 agit sur la pièce 2 qui porte la tête d'impression 3 et écarte celle- ci du rouleau 4.The lobe presented by said cam 9 acts on the part 2 which carries the print head 3 and moves it away from the roller 4.
L'axe A du rouleau 4, porté par le fond des lumières 13 des flasques la, reste immobile.The axis A of the roller 4, carried by the bottom of the lights 13 of the flanges la, remains stationary.
Ce dégagement de la tête 3 permet d'éviter tout frottement avec le rouleau 4 lorsque celui-ci commence à basculer.This release of the head 3 makes it possible to avoid any friction with the roller 4 when the latter begins to to toggle.
Ce basculement du rouleau 4 intervient lorsque la partie inférieure du fond des lumières L vient en contact avec l'axe A et le soulève (figure 5). Le rouleau 4 est alors entraîné avec le capot CP.This tilting of the roller 4 occurs when the lower part of the bottom of the lights L comes into contact with the axis A and raises it (Figure 5). The roller 4 is then driven with the cover CP.
Au cours du basculement de ce rouleau 4, l'une des bagues 12 vient en appui sur la came 8 et la bascule autour de l'axe A2. Ce basculement de la came 8 permet alors de relever complètement la tête d'impression thermique 3, puis de maintenir celle-ci en position figée (figure 6) .During the tilting of this roller 4, one of the rings 12 comes to bear on the cam 8 and the rocker around the axis A 2 . This tilting of the cam 8 then makes it possible to completely raise the thermal printing head 3, then to maintain the latter in the frozen position (FIG. 6).
Lorsque le capot CP est complètement basculé, la zone du rouleau 4 est totalement accessible à l'opérateur. Une fois que la bobine est en place dans la réserve de papier et que le papier est correctement disposé autour du rouleau d'entraînement, on referme le capot CP. Le pion 11 vient en butée contre une portée 8c que présente la came 8, de façon à basculer les cames 8 et 9 en sens inverse par rapport à l'opération d'ouverture. Dans un premier temps, les cames 8 et 9 sont basculées de façon à ce que le rouleau 4 retrouve sa position de fonctionnement ; le papier se trouvant disposé entre le rouleau et la barrette d'impression thermique.When the cover CP is completely tilted, the area of the roller 4 is completely accessible to the operator. Once the spool is in place in the paper reserve and the paper is correctly arranged around the drive roller, the cover CP is closed. The pin 11 abuts against a bearing 8c that has the cam 8, so as to tilt the cams 8 and 9 in the opposite direction relative to the opening operation. Initially, the cams 8 and 9 are tilted so that the roller 4 returns to its operating position; the paper being placed between the roll and the thermal printing bar.
Dans un second temps, la came 9 poursuit sa course de telle sorte que la barrette d'impression thermique 3 est plaquée contre le rouleau dans sa position d'impression.In a second step, the cam 9 continues its stroke so that the thermal printing bar 3 is pressed against the roller in its printing position.
Ainsi, avec une même structure et en changeant uniquement les cames, on peut réaliser soit un mécanisme d'impression à rouleau fixe, soit un mécanisme d'impression à rouleau escamotable.Thus, with the same structure and by changing only the cams, it is possible to produce either a fixed roller printing mechanism or a retractable roller printing mechanism.
Comme on l'aura compris, on passe d'une version à l'autre en intervenant sur un nombre minimum de pièces : on remplace la came 5 par les cames 8 et 9 et on supprime les paliers 12a montés sur les flasques pour faire apparaître les lumières 13.As we will have understood, we go from one version to another by working on a minimum number of parts: we replace the cam 5 by the cams 8 and 9 and we remove the bearings 12a mounted on the flanges to make appear lights 13.
Cette technique duale permet à un industriel (fabricant d'imprimantes ou de caisses enregistreuses) qui se serait procuré un mécanisme d'impression en version à rouleau fixe d'évoluer postérieurement vers une version à rouleau escamotable, et ce à moindre frais, ou bien de disposer d'une seule référence de mécanisme d'impression pour concevoir un système complet à rouleau fixe et un autre système à rouleau escamotable sans pour autant changer l'électronique associée à l'une ou l'autre des versions. Le choix d'un mécanisme d'impression thermique est essentiellement lié à son intégration dans un procédé industriel ; de ce fait, le choix d'un mécanisme d'impression à rouleau fixe peut être effectué pour un souhait de miniaturisation ou parce qu'il doit être introduit dans un appareil déjà existant, alors qu'un mécanisme d'impression à rouleau escamotable sera plutôt choisi pour concevoir un produit fini dans lequel la facilité d'introduction du papier est le facteur le plus important ; la présente invention permet avec un seul produit de répondre à l'ensemble de ces demandes, voire d'évoluer de l'une vers l'autre.This dual technique allows an industrialist (manufacturer of printers or cash registers) who would have obtained a printing mechanism in fixed roller version to later evolve towards a retractable roller version, and this at a lower cost, or have a single printing mechanism reference to design a complete fixed roller system and another retractable roller system without changing the electronics associated with either version. The choice of a thermal printing mechanism is essentially linked to its integration into an industrial process; therefore, the choice of a fixed roller printing mechanism can be made for a desire for miniaturization or because it must be introduced into an already existing device, while a retractable roller printing mechanism will be rather chosen to design a finished product in which the ease of introduction of the paper is the most important factor; the present invention allows with a single product to meet all of these requests, or even to evolve from one to the other.
De nombreuses géométries peuvent être envisagées pour la réserve papier associée à la version escamotable. II suffit de respecter les contraintes de débattement, et notamment de positionnement de l'axe d'articulation du capot de la réserve papier dans la zone Zl définie par rapport au support 1. Ces contraintes sont, bien entendu, indiquées aux opérateurs auxquels le mécanisme d'impression selon l'invention est livré dans sa version fixe.Many geometries can be envisaged for the paper reserve associated with the retractable version. It suffices to respect the displacement constraints, and in particular the positioning of the articulation axis of the cover of the paper reserve in the zone Z1 defined with respect to the support 1. These constraints are, of course, indicated to the operators to whom the mechanism printing according to the invention is delivered in its fixed version.
Des exemples de géométries possibles pour la zone Zl sont illustrées sur les figures 7a et 7b.Examples of possible geometries for the zone Z1 are illustrated in FIGS. 7a and 7b.
La pièce qui porte la tête d'impression est avantageusement conçue de façon à pouvoir supporter plusieurs types de tête d'impression.The part which carries the print head is advantageously designed so as to be able to support several types of print head.
Egalement, la structure de mécanisme d'impression proposée par l'invention peut bien entendu être proposée pour plusieurs largeurs de papier, seules la longueur du support et éventuellement de la tête d'impression étant alors changée, les pièces latérales et notamment les cames étant quant à elles inchangées.Also, the structure of the printing mechanism proposed by the invention can of course be proposed for several widths of paper, only the length of the support and possibly of the print head then being changed, the side pieces and in particular the cams being as for them unchanged.
En variante, il est possible, à partir d'un même mécanisme de base en version à rouleau fixe ou à rouleau escamotable, d'imprimer des supports papiers thermiques de différentes largeurs.As a variant, it is possible, using the same basic mechanism in a fixed roller or retractable roller version, to print thermal paper supports of different widths.
On utilise un dispositif qui permet de maintenir un bon guidage du papier lors de l'impression.A device is used which makes it possible to maintain good guiding of the paper during printing.
Dans le cas d'un mécanisme à rouleau fixe, le papier est guidé entre deux flancs.In the case of a fixed roller mechanism, the paper is guided between two sides.
L'un de ces deux flancs est fixé par rapport au support et sert de référence au guidage papier et au positionnement de l'impression par rapport au bord gauche du papier. L'autre flanc est matérialisé par un déflecteur amovible.One of these two sides is fixed relative to the support and serves as a reference for the paper guide and the positioning of the printing relative to the left edge of the paper. The other side is materialized by a removable deflector.
Ce déflecteur réglable manuellement en position permet d'obtenir une cote donnée entre les flancs et autorise un guidage efficace du papier lors de l'impression.This manually adjustable deflector in position makes it possible to obtain a given dimension between the sides and allows effective guiding of the paper during printing.
Le support est conçu à la base pour intégrer ou non le déflecteur suivant les besoins client.The support is designed at the base to integrate or not the deflector according to customer needs.
Le déflecteur peut occuper une multitude de positions. Il est maintenu en position par un système de crantage à pas fixes.The deflector can occupy a multitude of positions. It is held in position by a fixed pitch notching system.
Dans le cas des mécanismes à rouleau escamotable, il est prévu d'adapter un flasque sur le déflecteur afin d'assurer la mise en référence et le guidage du rouleau papier dans le compartiment réservé à celui-ci. Ce système permet un réglage de position du rouleau papier après son introduction. In the case of retractable roller mechanisms, provision is made to adapt a flange on the deflector in order to ensure the referencing and guiding of the paper roll in the compartment reserved for the latter. This system allows position adjustment of the paper roll after its introduction.

Claims

REVENDICATIONS
1. Mécanisme d'impression thermique comportant un support allongé (1), un rouleau d'entraînement (4), une barrette d'éléments d'impression (3) montée sur ledit support, des moyens formant ressort pour rappeler ladite barrette contre le rouleau d'entraînement, au moins une came (5) montée pivotante autour d'un axe (A2) du support1. A thermal printing mechanism comprising an elongated support (1), a drive roller (4), a strip of printing elements (3) mounted on said support, means forming a spring for biasing said strip against the drive roller, at least one cam (5) pivotally mounted about an axis (A 2 ) of the support
(1) pour écarter la barrette (3) par rapport au rouleau d'entraînement (4), ledit mécanisme étant caractérisé en ce qu'il est à montage évolutif d'une version à rouleau fixe à une version à rouleau escamotable et en ce que l'axe de pivotement du rouleau d'entraînement (4) est apte à être sélectivement monté soit sur le support (1) , soit sur un capot papier (CP) articulé sur ledit support (1), la came de la version fixe étant apte à être remplacée par au moins une autre came destinée à être entraînée par le basculement du capot papier et réciproquement.(1) to separate the bar (3) relative to the drive roller (4), said mechanism being characterized in that it is scalable mounting from a fixed roller version to a retractable roller version and in that that the pivot axis of the drive roller (4) is capable of being selectively mounted either on the support (1) or on a paper cover (CP) articulated on said support (1), the cam of the fixed version being able to be replaced by at least one other cam intended to be driven by the tilting of the paper cover and vice versa.
2. Mécanisme selon la revendication 1, caractérisé en ce que la came de la version fixe est apte à être remplacée, dans la version escamotable, par deux cames (8, 9), l'une destinée à permettre le décollement de la tête d'impression (3) au début du basculement du capot papier (CP), l'autre destinée à être entraînée par l'axe (A) du rouleau d'entraînement (4), lorsque celui-ci bascule avec le capot papier (CP), pour poursuivre le soulèvement de la tête d'impression (3).2. Mechanism according to claim 1, characterized in that the cam of the fixed version is capable of being replaced, in the retractable version, by two cams (8, 9), one intended to allow the detachment of the head d printing (3) at the start of the tilting of the paper cover (CP), the other intended to be driven by the axis (A) of the drive roller (4), when it tilts with the paper cover (CP ), to continue lifting the print head (3).
3. Mécanisme selon l'une des revendications 1 ou 2, caractérisé en ce que dans la version à rouleau escamotable, l'axe (A) du rouleau (4) est reçu dans des lumières" (L) que présente le capot papier (CP), lesdites lumières (L) coopérant avec le support (1) pour maintenir l'axe (A) du rouleau (4) dans sa position de fonctionnement d'impression, lorsque le capot est fermé, lesdites lumières recevant dans la version à rouleau fixe des paliers sur lesquels le rouleau est monté pivotant.3. Mechanism according to one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that in the retractable roller version, the axis (A) of the roller (4) is received in lights " (L) that has the paper cover ( CP), said lights (L) cooperating with the support (1) to maintain the axis (A) of the roller (4) in its printing operating position, when the cover is closed, said lights receiving in the version with fixed roller bearings on which the roller is pivotally mounted.
4. Mécanisme selon la revendication 3, caractérisé en ce qu'une lumière du capot papier (CP) est d'une géométrie telle que dans la position de fonctionnement d'impression du rouleau d'entraînement, le plan des efforts exercés par la tête d'impression (3) sur le rouleau d'entraînement (4) passe par le points de contact de l'axe (A) dudit rouleau d'entraînement (4) sur le fond de ladite lumière (L). 4. Mechanism according to claim 3, characterized in that a light of the paper cover (CP) is of a geometry such that in the printing operating position of the drive roller, the plane of the forces exerted by the head printing (3) on the drive roller (4) passes through the contact points of the axis (A) of said drive roller (4) on the bottom of said lumen (L).
5. Mécanisme selon l'une des revendications 3 et5. Mechanism according to one of claims 3 and
4, caractérisé en ce que les lumières (L) sont ouvertes vers l'arrière du support (1) .4, characterized in that the lights (L) are open towards the rear of the support (1).
6. Mécanisme selon l'une des revendications précédentes, caractérisé en ce que par changement de la tête d'impression (3), il peut être adapté à plusieurs largeurs de papier. 6. Mechanism according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that by changing the print head (3), it can be adapted to several widths of paper.
EP96927100A 1995-07-28 1996-07-29 Convertible thermal printing mechanism Expired - Lifetime EP0958144B1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (5)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
FR9509245 1995-07-28
FR9509245A FR2737152B1 (en) 1995-07-28 1995-07-28 EVOLVING THERMAL PRINTING DEVICE
FR9606498A FR2737153B1 (en) 1995-07-28 1996-05-24 EVOLVING THERMAL PRINTING MECHANISM
FR9606498 1996-05-24
PCT/FR1996/001193 WO1997004966A1 (en) 1995-07-28 1996-07-29 Convertible thermal printing mechanism

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0958144A1 true EP0958144A1 (en) 1999-11-24
EP0958144B1 EP0958144B1 (en) 2004-01-14

Family

ID=26232128

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP96927100A Expired - Lifetime EP0958144B1 (en) 1995-07-28 1996-07-29 Convertible thermal printing mechanism

Country Status (7)

Country Link
US (1) US6011571A (en)
EP (1) EP0958144B1 (en)
AT (1) ATE257772T1 (en)
CA (1) CA2228699A1 (en)
DE (1) DE69631345T2 (en)
FR (1) FR2737153B1 (en)
WO (1) WO1997004966A1 (en)

Families Citing this family (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FR2786727B1 (en) 1998-12-02 2001-06-01 A P S Engineering QUICK CLOSING THERMAL PRINTING DEVICE
JP2002046294A (en) * 2000-08-02 2002-02-12 Fuji Photo Film Co Ltd Thermal printer
JP3910465B2 (en) * 2002-02-22 2007-04-25 セイコーインスツル株式会社 Thermal printer
KR100677585B1 (en) * 2005-05-20 2007-02-02 삼성전자주식회사 Thermal printer using thermal printing head
US7270494B2 (en) * 2005-12-05 2007-09-18 Silverbrook Research Pty Ltd Easy assembly printer media transport arrangement
JP2007331112A (en) * 2006-06-12 2007-12-27 Seiko Epson Corp Thermal printer

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Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5139351A (en) * 1987-10-22 1992-08-18 Ricoh Company, Ltd. Thermal recording apparatus having a movable platen roller
US5030968A (en) * 1988-12-30 1991-07-09 Benson James A Recorder enclosure with printhead and roller attached to pivotable covers
US5133611A (en) * 1989-10-19 1992-07-28 Canon Kabushiki Kaisha Recording apparatus
DE4039513A1 (en) * 1989-12-11 1991-06-20 Seiko Instr Inc COMPACT LINE THERMAL PRINTER
DE3943239A1 (en) * 1989-12-22 1991-06-27 Siemens Ag Thermo transfer printing device - has pressure roller providing constant force in direction of printing elements
FR2697776B1 (en) * 1992-11-06 1995-03-03 Axiohm Opening thermal printing device.

Non-Patent Citations (1)

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Title
See references of WO9704966A1 *

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
FR2737153A1 (en) 1997-01-31
ATE257772T1 (en) 2004-01-15
DE69631345T2 (en) 2004-07-01
WO1997004966A1 (en) 1997-02-13
US6011571A (en) 2000-01-04
CA2228699A1 (en) 1997-02-13
DE69631345D1 (en) 2004-02-19
EP0958144B1 (en) 2004-01-14
FR2737153B1 (en) 1999-01-29

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