EP0958144B1 - Convertible thermal printing mechanism - Google Patents

Convertible thermal printing mechanism Download PDF

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Publication number
EP0958144B1
EP0958144B1 EP96927100A EP96927100A EP0958144B1 EP 0958144 B1 EP0958144 B1 EP 0958144B1 EP 96927100 A EP96927100 A EP 96927100A EP 96927100 A EP96927100 A EP 96927100A EP 0958144 B1 EP0958144 B1 EP 0958144B1
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EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
roller
support
paper
version
cam
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 - Lifetime
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EP96927100A
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German (de)
French (fr)
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EP0958144A1 (en
Inventor
Patrick Lardant
Pascal Pierre-Francois
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Investix SA
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Investix SA
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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
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Publication of EP0958144B1 publication Critical patent/EP0958144B1/en
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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
    • 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 mechanism scalable thermal paper printing.
  • printers with retractable roller in which the roller drive is not fixed relative to the support but is mounted on a mechanism whose kinematics allow release the roller from its position when the cover is opened paper reserve, so as to allow easy access to said audit drive roller to replace a strip of paper around it.
  • the object of the invention is to propose a dual structure, which allows in few operations and changing little parts to move from a mechanism fixed roller printing to a printing mechanism retractable roller.
  • the invention provides a mechanism thermal printing with an elongated support, a drive roller, a bar of elements printing mounted on said support, means forming spring to recall said strip against the roller drive, at least one cam pivotally mounted around of an axis of the support to separate the bar relative to to the drive roller, said mechanism being characterized in that it is evolutionary mounting of a fixed roller version to a retractable roller version and in that the pivot axis of the drive roller is able to be selectively mounted either on the support, either on a paper cover articulated on said support, the cam of the fixed version being able to be replaced by at at least one other cam intended to be driven by the tilting of the paper cover and vice versa.
  • This hood can be designed along different lines aesthetic as long as its point of articulation is included in a specific area, thus leaving the possibility of designing a capacity paper tank more or less important according to the embodiments, but which in all cases allows easy introduction paper.
  • the cam of the fixed version is able to be replaced, in the retractable version, by two cams, one intended to allow detachment of the print head at the start of the cover tilting paper, the other intended to be driven by the axis of the drive roller, when it switches with the paper cover, to continue lifting the head printing.
  • the axis of the roller is received in lights presented by the paper cover, said lights cooperating with the support to keep the axis of the roller in its print operating position, when the cover is closed, said lights receiving in the version at fixed roller bearings on which the roller is mounted Swivel.
  • the paper of the feed reel is introduced by a guide ramp 1b which the support 1 and is guided around the roller 4 by the guide 1c and by the geometry of the printing mechanism.
  • This printing mechanism can easily be modified to evolve towards a roller structure retractable.
  • a CP cover for the protection of the paper reel is mounted to pivot about a fixed axis with respect 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 operator switches from one version to another by removing the flanges from the support 1 to extract the drive roller 4, by dismantling the bearings 12a by compared to said flanges la, then, after having reassembled flasks, by integrating the support 1 for example to a molded frame on which the CP paper cover is Speak clearly.
  • the axis A of the roller 4 is then no longer fixed on the side flanges but ends with rings 12 which pass through said flanges at the level of lights 13 (Figure 4b) presented by said flanges and which allow the travel which is described for roller 4 further in more detail.
  • These lights 13 are open towards the front of the printing mechanism. It is in these lights 13 that the bearings 12a are mounted in the fixed version illustrated in Figures 1 and 2.
  • These rings 12 are also received in lights L shown on the sides of the cover CP (figure 4a) and which contribute, with the lights 13, to maintain the rings 12 and said axis A in their position print operation, when the CP cover is closed. These L lights 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 roller 4 passes through the contact points of the axis said drive roller 4 on the bottom of the lights.
  • a pawn 11 that presents the cover CP ( Figures 3 and 4a, 4c) abuts at the start tilting of said cover CP on a lever part that has cam 9, which causes it 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 spreads the latter roller 4.
  • the axis A of the roller 4, carried by the bottom of the lights 13 of the flanges, remains stationary.
  • This clearance of the head 3 makes it possible to avoid any friction with roller 4 when it starts to to toggle.
  • the cam 9 continues its race so that the thermal printing strip 3 is pressed against the roller in its position printing.
  • This dual technique allows an industrialist (manufacturer of printers or cash registers) which would have obtained a printing mechanism in version to fixed roller to later evolve towards a version with retractable roller, at a lower cost, or have only one printing mechanism reference to design a complete fixed roller system and a other retractable roller system without change the electronics associated with one or other of the versions.
  • thermal printing mechanism is essentially linked to its integration into a process industrial; therefore the choice of a mechanism fixed roller printing can be done for a wish for miniaturization or because it has to be introduced into an already existing device, while a retractable roller printing mechanism will rather chosen to design a finished product in which the ease of paper introduction is the most important factor important; the present invention allows with a single product to meet all of these requests or even to evolve from one to the other.
  • the part that carries the print head is advantageously designed so that it can support several types of printhead.
  • the structure of the printing mechanism proposed by the invention can of course be proposed for several paper widths, only the length of the support and possibly the print head being then changed, the side pieces and in particular the cams being unchanged.
  • thermal paper supports of different widths it is possible, from the same basic mechanism in fixed roller or roller version retractable, to print thermal paper supports of different widths.
  • 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 positioning of the print relative to the left edge paper.
  • the other side is materialized by a deflector removable.
  • This deflector manually adjustable in position provides a given dimension between the sides and allows efficient paper guidance when the impression.
  • 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 system of notching with fixed steps.
  • This system allows position adjustment of the paper roll after its introduction.

Landscapes

  • Handling Of Continuous Sheets Of Paper (AREA)
  • Ink Jet (AREA)
  • Electronic Switches (AREA)
  • Common Mechanisms (AREA)
  • Thermal Transfer Or Thermal Recording In General (AREA)
  • Yarns And Mechanical Finishing Of Yarns Or Ropes (AREA)
  • Unwinding Webs (AREA)
  • Handling Of Cut Paper (AREA)
  • Liquid Developers In Electrophotography (AREA)
  • Heat Sensitive Colour Forming Recording (AREA)
  • Accessory Devices And Overall Control Thereof (AREA)

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

La présente invention est relative à un mécanisme d'impression papier thermique évolutif.The present invention relates to a mechanism scalable thermal paper printing.

On connaít déjà des mécanismes d'impression thermique à rouleau fixe qui comportent :

  • un support allongé,
  • 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,
  • 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.
Fixed roller thermal printing mechanisms are already known which include:
  • an elongated support,
  • 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 has and which extends opposite the printing bar,
  • one or more lateral cams pivotally mounted about an axis at the front of the support, these cams being used to raise the part which carries the printing bar to allow the introduction of paper between said bar and the roller during the renewal of the supply coil.

on connaít par ailleurs également des imprimantes à rouleau escamotable dans lesquelles le rouleau d'entraínement 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'entraínement pour remettre en place une bande de papier autour de celui-ci.we also know printers with retractable roller in which the roller drive is not fixed relative to the support but is mounted on a mechanism whose kinematics allow release the roller from its position when the cover is opened paper reserve, so as to allow easy access to said audit 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 few operations and changing little parts to move from a mechanism fixed roller printing to a printing mechanism retractable roller.

A cet effet, l'invention propose un mécanisme d'impression thermique comportant un support allongé, un rouleau d'entraínement, une barrette d'éléments d'impression montée sur ledit support, des moyens formant ressort pour rappeler ladite barrette contre le rouleau d'entraínement, au moins une came montée pivotante autour d'un axe du support pour écarter la barrette par rapport au rouleau d'entraínement, 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'entraínement 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 à être remplacée par au moins une autre came destinée à être entraínée par le basculement du capot papier et réciproquement.To this end, the invention provides a mechanism thermal printing with an elongated support, a drive roller, a bar of elements printing mounted on said support, means forming spring to recall said strip against the roller drive, at least one cam pivotally mounted around of an axis of the support to separate the bar relative to to the drive roller, said mechanism being characterized in that it is evolutionary mounting of a fixed roller version to a retractable roller version and in that the pivot axis of the drive roller is able to be selectively mounted either on the support, either on a paper cover articulated on said support, the cam of the fixed version being able to be replaced by at 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 hood can be designed along different lines aesthetic as long as its point of articulation is included in a specific area, thus leaving the possibility of designing a capacity paper tank more or less important according to the embodiments, but which in all cases allows easy introduction 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 entraínée par l'axe du rouleau d'entraínement, 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 able to be replaced, in the retractable version, by two cams, one intended to allow detachment of the print head at the start of the cover tilting paper, the other intended to be driven by the axis of the drive roller, when it switches with the paper cover, to continue lifting the head printing.

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 roller version retractable, the axis of the roller is received in lights presented by the paper cover, said lights cooperating with the support to keep the axis of the roller in its print operating position, when the cover is closed, said lights receiving in the version at fixed roller 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 :

  • 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 ;
  • 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 ;
  • la figure 4b est une vue en coupe des flasques du support, dans le cas de la version escamotable du mécanisme ;
  • 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 ;
  • la figure 5 est une vue de coupe d'un flanc du capot papier qui illustre la phase d'escamotage du rouleau ;
  • la figure 6 illustre la phase de rotation et de relèvement complet du support de la tête thermique ;
  • 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.
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:
  • 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;
  • 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;
  • Figure 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;
  • Figure 5 is a sectional view of a side of the paper cover which illustrates the retraction phase of the roll;
  • FIG. 6 illustrates the phase of rotation and complete raising of the support of the thermal head;
  • Figures 7a and 7b are schematic side representations of a printing mechanism according to the invention in its retractable version, on which there is shown the area in which must be the axis of rotation of the cover.

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,
  • une pièce 2 également allongée, qui porte une barrette 3 d'éléments d'impression thermique et qui est montée pivotante sur les flasques 1a autour d'un axe A1 vers l'arrière du support 1,
  • un rouleau d'entraínement 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 1a, ledit rouleau s'étendant en regard de la barrette 3 et étant entraíné en rotation par un moteur (non représenté) auquel il est relié par une pignonerie,
  • 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,
  • deux ressorts 7 qui rappellent la pièce 2 qui porte la barrette 3 vers le support 1.
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 A 1 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 that have the flanges 1a, said roller extending facing the bar 3 and being rotated 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,
  • two springs 7 which recall the part 2 which carries the bar 3 towards the 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'entraínement 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.Note that throughout this text, the qualifiers "rear" and "front" must be understood relative to the respective positions of the roller drive 4 and the bar 3 in position printing, which is then located in a zone in rear relative to the axis of the roller 3.

Dans cette version (rouleau d'entraínement 4 fixe), le papier de la bobine d'alimentation est introduit autour du rouleau d'entraínement 4 de la façon suivante.In this version (drive roller 4 fixed), the paper from the feed spool is fed 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'entraínement 4.An operator turns cam 5 by acting on the lever arm 5a which terminates it and thus lifts the printing strip 3 relative to the roll training 4.

Le papier de la bobine d'alimentation est introduit par une rampe de guidage 1b que présente le support 1 et est guidé autour du rouleau 4 par le guide 1c 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 and is guided around the roller 4 by the guide 1c 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 finished, the operator tilt cam 5 in the opposite direction, so that the printing strip 3, which is recalled with respect to the support 1 by the two springs 7, folds down on 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 roller structure retractable.

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 CP cover for the protection of the paper reel is mounted to pivot about a fixed axis with respect 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.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.

Le montage est alors celui illustré sur la figure 3.The assembly is then that illustrated in the figure 3.

L'opérateur passe d'une version à l'autre en démontant les flasques la du support 1 pour extraire le rouleau d'entraínement 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 from the support 1 to extract the drive roller 4, by dismantling the bearings 12a by compared to said flanges la, then, after having reassembled flasks, by integrating the support 1 for example to a molded frame on which the CP paper cover is Speak clearly.

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 side flanges but ends with rings 12 which pass through said flanges at the level of lights 13 (Figure 4b) presented by said flanges and which allow the travel which is described for roller 4 further in more detail. These lights 13 are open towards the front of the printing mechanism. It is in these lights 13 that the bearings 12a are mounted in the fixed version illustrated in Figures 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 shown on the sides of the cover CP (figure 4a) and which contribute, with the lights 13, to maintain the rings 12 and said axis A in their position print operation, when the CP cover is closed. These L lights are open towards the rear of the printing mechanism.

La 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'entraínement 4 sur le fond des lumières.The geometry and dimension of these lights 13 and L and rings 12 are such that in this position corresponding to the printing operation, the head 3 presses on roller 4 by exerting a radial force on this one. FIG. 4c shows the direction F of this effort. The plane of the forces exerted by the head 3 on roller 4 passes through the contact points of the axis said drive roller 4 on the bottom of the lights.

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 zone Z1 définie par les formes des flasques latéraux 1a, ainsi que par le débattement de la tête thermique 3 (figure 5).To remove or install a reel of paper, we flip the cover CP around its axis articulation which is imperatively located in an area Z1 defined by the shapes of the side plates 1a, thus as by the movement of the thermal head 3 (Figure 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 changeover takes place in two phases, one which allows the roller 4 to be moved away from the head thermal printing 3, so as not to damage it, the other which allows to roll roll 4 for the reassemble (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 entraíne celle-ci en pivotement autour de son axe A2.During the first phase, a pawn 11 that presents the cover CP (Figures 3 and 4a, 4c) abuts at the start tilting of said cover CP on a lever part that has cam 9, which causes it 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 spreads the latter 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, remains stationary.

Ce dégagement de la tête 3 permet d'éviter tout frottement avec le rouleau 4 lorsque celui-ci commence à basculer.This clearance of the head 3 makes it possible to avoid any friction with roller 4 when it starts 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 entraíné 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 lifts it up (Figure 5). Roll 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.When the CP cover is fully tilted, the roller area 4 is fully accessible to the operator.

Une fois que la bobine est en place dans la réserve de papier et que le papier est correctement disposé autour du rouleau d'entraínement, 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.Once the spool is in place in the paper supply and that the paper is correctly arranged around the drive roller, we close the cover CP. Pawn 11 abuts against a range 8c that the cam 8 presents, so as to tilt the cams 8 and 9 in the opposite direction to the opening operation. Initially, cams 8 and 9 are tilted from so that the roller 4 returns to its position of operation; the paper being placed between the roller and thermal print 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 race so that the thermal printing strip 3 is pressed against the roller in its position printing.

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.So with the same structure and changing only the cams, we can realize either a mechanism fixed roller printing, a mechanism retractable roller printing machine.

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 apparaítre les lumières 13.As we will understand, we go from one version to the other by working on a minimum number of pieces: we replace cam 5 with cams 8 and 9 and we delete the bearings 12a mounted on the flanges to make appear the 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) which would have obtained a printing mechanism in version to fixed roller to later evolve towards a version with retractable roller, at a lower cost, or have only one printing mechanism reference to design a complete fixed roller system and a other retractable roller system without change the electronics associated with one or other of the versions. Choosing a thermal printing mechanism is essentially linked to its integration into a process industrial; therefore the choice of a mechanism fixed roller printing can be done for a wish for miniaturization or because it has to be introduced into an already existing device, while a retractable roller printing mechanism will rather chosen to design a finished product in which the ease of paper introduction is the most important factor important; 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.Many geometries can be considered for the paper reserve associated with the retractable version.

Il 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 Z1 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.Just respect the constraints of travel, including positioning of the axis of the paper reserve cover in the area Z1 defined with respect to support 1. These constraints are, of course, indicated to operators to whom the printing mechanism according to the invention is delivered in its fixed version.

Des exemples de géométries possibles pour la zone Z1 sont illustrées sur les figures 7a et 7b.Examples of possible geometries for the area Z1 are illustrated in Figures 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 that carries the print head is advantageously designed so that it can support several types of printhead.

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 paper widths, only the length of the support and possibly the print head being then changed, the side pieces and in particular the cams being 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, from the same basic mechanism in fixed roller or roller version retractable, 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.We use a device that keeps good paper guiding 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.One of these two sides is fixed relative to the support and serves as a reference for the paper guide and positioning of the print relative to the left edge paper.

L'autre flanc est matérialisé par un déflecteur amovible.The other side is materialized by a deflector removable.

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 deflector manually adjustable in position provides a given dimension between the sides and allows efficient paper guidance when the impression.

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 system of notching with fixed steps.

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.In the case of retractable roller mechanisms, it is planned to adapt a flange on the deflector so ensuring the referencing and guiding of the roller paper in the compartment reserved for it.

Ce système permet un réglage de position du rouleau papier après son introduction.This system allows position adjustment of the paper roll after its introduction.

Claims (6)

  1. A 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.
  2. A mechanism according to claim 1, characterized in that the cam of the stationary version is suitable for being replaced, in the retractable version, with two cams (8, 9), one of which enables the print head (3) to be lifted away from the roller as the paper-protecting cover (CP) starts to tip up, the other cam being entrained by the axle (A) of the drive roller (4) as said roller is displaced with the paper-protecting cover (CP) so as to continue to raise the print head (3).
  3. A mechanism according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, in the retractable-roller version, the axle (A) of the roller (4) is received in slots (L) provided in the paper-protecting cover (CP), said slots (L) co-operating with the support (1) to hold the axle (A) of the roller (4) in its printing operating position, when the cover is closed, said slots receiving, in the stationary-roller version, bearings on which the roller is rotatably mounted.
  4. A mechanism according to claim 3, characterized in that a slot provided in the paper-protecting cover (CP) is of shape such that, when the drive roller is in the printing operating position, the plane of the forces exerted by the print head (3) on the drive roller (4) includes the contact points at which the axle (A) of said driver roller (4) is in contact with the end wall of said slot (L).
  5. A mechanism according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that the slots (L) are open to the back of the support (1).
  6. A mechanism according to any preceding claim, characterized in that, by changing the print head (3), the mechanism can be adapted to accommodate a plurality of paper widths.
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 EP0958144A1 (en) 1999-11-24
EP0958144B1 true 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

Family Cites Families (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
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
US5198836A (en) * 1989-12-11 1993-03-30 Seiko Instruments 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.

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
FR2737153B1 (en) 1999-01-29
WO1997004966A1 (en) 1997-02-13
FR2737153A1 (en) 1997-01-31
ATE257772T1 (en) 2004-01-15
DE69631345T2 (en) 2004-07-01
EP0958144A1 (en) 1999-11-24
US6011571A (en) 2000-01-04
CA2228699A1 (en) 1997-02-13
DE69631345D1 (en) 2004-02-19

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