EP3196033A1 - Printer for printing on print objects - Google Patents

Abstract

Shown and described is a printer (1) for printing on printed objects (2) for the marking of electrical components, comprising a housing (3), with a pressure chamber (4) formed inside the housing (3), with a printing device (5). with a receiving device (8) for a replaceable magazine (9) for receiving the printing object to be printed (2), with a control and evaluation unit (10) and with an input and display device, wherein the receiving device (8) between a Be - And unloading position outside the pressure chamber (4) and a printing position within the pressure chamber (4) is movable. The printer according to the invention thereby enables a simple and user-friendly operation, that the housing (3) has a lower housing part (12) and an upper housing part (13), wherein in the lower housing part (12) of the pressure chamber (4), the printing device (5) Receiving device (8) and the control and evaluation unit (10) are arranged such that a tablet computer (14) is provided as an input and display device, which is mounted about an axis of rotation (16) pivotally mounted on the upper side of the housing upper part (13) in that the tablet computer (14) can be locked in a raised position, and in that the housing upper part (13) is pivotably mounted on the housing lower part (12) about a rotation axis (17).

Description

The invention relates to a printer for printing on printed objects for the marking of electrical components, comprising a housing, with a printing space formed inside the housing, with a printing device, with a receptacle for an exchangeable magazine for receiving the printing object to be printed, with a control device. and evaluation and with an input and display device, wherein the receiving device between a loading and unloading position outside the pressure chamber and a printing position within the pressure chamber is movable.

In industrial and commercial practice, various types of identification and marking tags are used to identify and label machinery, equipment, clamps, cables, or conductors, with information about the components to which they are assigned. For this purpose, the identification or marker plates are provided in a printer with a corresponding print pattern, usually alphanumeric characters. The marking uses different printers with different printing methods, for example inkjet printers, thermal transfer printers or UV printers. Such marking printers are for example from the Catalog "Marking Systems Tools Assembly Material, 2013/2014", pages 28 to 37 of Phoenix Contact GmbH & Co. KG known.

In practice, card-sized printing objects are often used which have a plurality of individual marker tags. The printing objects are designed in particular as plastic injection molded parts or as plastic stamped parts. In the case of plastic injection molded parts, which are also referred to as universal card material (UniCard or UC material), the marking labels are fastened via webs in an outer frame. After printing, the individual tags, which are often used for wire and cable marking or terminal marking, can be separated from the frame. For plastic stampings, which are also referred to as universal sheet material (UniSheet or US material) form several rows of markers together a printed object, wherein after printing the US material, the individual markers can be separated from each other.

In addition, a plurality of markers or markers can also be applied to a common carrier sheet, in particular glued, from which the individual identification or marking labels can be easily removed after the marking. Such carrier sheets are also referred to in practice as labeling sheets or label sheets.

Hereinafter, the different types of labeling materials are generally referred to as printing objects, wherein the printing objects consist of different materials, in particular different plastics and may have different dimensions, in particular different material thicknesses. In order to be able to print different printing objects with different dimensions from a printer, the individual printing objects are placed or used in the printer in question in a suitable for the printing object magazine. In general, several printing objects can each be individually inserted into a magazine, so that the number of printed objects is greater than the number of magazines. If all magazines have the same external dimensions, the magazines can each be inserted into the receiving device of the printer, which can be moved in the manner of a drawer between a loading and unloading position outside the pressure chamber and a printing position within the pressure chamber.

For printing such Bedruckungsobjekte thermal transfer printer have been found to be particularly suitable. In thermal transfer printing, a special film coated with temperature-sensitive ink is passed between the printing object and a thermal print head as a printing device, wherein the film can be arranged as a ribbon in a corresponding printer cartridge. With the thermal transfer printing can produce an exact color print and a high print quality with a high surface gloss.

With the printer in question, which is preferably a thermal transfer printer, a variety of different printing objects to be printed. For the printer, there are then a plurality of different magazines, which can be used individually in the receiving device. In addition, several different printer cartridges with different color bands can be used.

In a known portable thermal transfer printer, the housing has a substantially L-shaped fixed housing part and a housing cover, which is laterally pivotally attached to the upper side of the fixed housing part. Below the pivotable housing cover the ribbon is arranged so that a ribbon can be inserted or replaced by lateral pivoting up the housing cover. About the arranged in the fixed housing part input and display device, the input of the print parameters and the print data can be done. Since the input and display device has only relatively small dimensions and also only a few function keys, the input of the print parameters and print data is preferably carried out via appropriate software, wherein the input then takes place on an external computer using graphical user interfaces. This type of input of print data is very convenient for the user, especially since the print parameters and print data are often already provided by appropriate software packages. However, it is necessary to connect an external computer to the printer.

The present invention has for its object to provide a printer described above for printing of printing objects for the marking of electrical components, which also allows a simple and user-friendly operation with a compact structure, if the printer is not connected to an external computer.

This object is achieved in the printer according to the invention with the features of claim 1, characterized in that the housing has a lower housing part and a housing upper part, wherein in the lower housing part of the pressure chamber, the printing device, the receiving device and the control and evaluation unit are arranged, and that as Input and display device a tablet computer is provided. The tablet computer is pivotally mounted about an axis of rotation at the top of the upper housing part and can be locked in a swung-up position. In addition, the upper housing part is pivotally mounted about a rotational axis on the lower housing part.

Characterized in that in the printer according to the invention as an input and display device, a tablet computer is provided, the input of the print parameters and print data for the user in a very simple and comfortable way possible. In the present case, a tablet computer is understood to mean a flat data processing unit which is housed in a housing with a touch-sensitive screen (touchscreen) and can be operated by finger and / or stylus. Such tablet computers are generally referred to as a tablet PC or only as a tablet. Since the size (screen size) of conventional tablet computers is at least 7 inches, usually even 10 inches or more, it is possible to display the input mask of a printed object to be printed on the touch screen of the tablet computer that the input mask visually substantially the Printing object corresponds. When entering the print data, the user then sees directly what the corresponding printed print object will look like later. In addition to the input of the print data and print parameters not only some function keys but via the touch screen depending on the design of a complete Tastaur be made available.

The operation of the printer according to the invention becomes even more comfortable for the user in that the tablet computer is pivotally mounted on the upper side of the housing upper part and can be locked in a swung-up position. This allows the user to place the tablet computer in a position where entering the print data and reading data and values displayed on the touch screen is particularly easy and convenient for the user. In particular, during transport of the tablet computer, however, can be pivoted back into the basic position and preferably there also be locked, in which he is as flush as possible with the top of the housing top, so that the table computer is best protected from damage.

Thus, even in the arrangement of the tablet computer at the top of the housing top the insertion or replacement of a ribbon or a ribbon cassette is easy and comfortable, the housing is formed in two parts, wherein in the lower housing part, in particular the printing device with the print head and the ink ribbon or a ribbon cassette are arranged. Due to the pivotable mounting of the upper housing part on the lower housing part, the upper housing part can be easily swung up, so that in particular the arranged in the lower housing printing device with the ink ribbon or ribbon cassette for the user is easily accessible, so that a ribbon or a ribbon cassette removed from the lower housing or . in the lower housing part can be easily used. In addition, if desired, other components of the printer arranged in the housing lower part can also be removed for repair purposes when the housing upper part is swiveled upwards.

According to a preferred embodiment of the printer according to the invention, the axis of rotation of the tablet computer is arranged in the vicinity of the front of the printer, in which the receiving device is arranged. The tablet computer can thereby be pivoted so that the user interface, so the touch screen faces a user who is in front of the front of the printer. Since the recording device for inserting or removing a magazine like a drawer on the front moves out of the printer, a user is usually in the operation of the printer in front of the front of the printer.

In addition, according to a further, particularly preferred embodiment of the printer according to the invention, the axis of rotation of the housing top in the vicinity of the back of the printer arranged so that a user, who in turn is in front of the front of the printer, looking hochgeschwenktem upper housing part directly to the top of the housing base. As a result, when the housing upper part is swung up, the user has easy access to the printing device arranged in the housing lower part, so that he can use or replace a ribbon or a ribbon cassette, if necessary after releasing a corresponding locking and / or opening a cover.

Advantageously, the upper housing part can be locked in its raised position, so that accidental folding down of the upper housing part is prevented. The pivotable arrangement of both the tablet computer on the upper housing part and the upper housing part on the lower housing part can be realized in various constructive ways. The locking of the tablet computer or the upper housing part in each case in the swung-up position can be achieved by various design measures.

According to an advantageous embodiment, a U-shaped bracket with a U-back and two U-legs is provided on the tablet computer, which is pivotally mounted on the tablet computer. For this purpose, the pointing away from the U-back ends of the U-legs are pivotally mounted on two opposite sides of the tablet computer, including, for example, in each case a hole may be formed in the sides of the tablet computer, in which a arranged at the end of the U-leg Pin engages. Just as well, however, may be formed on the sides of the tablet computer pins, which are then formed corresponding holes in the ends of the U-legs. To realize the locking of the tablet computer in its raised position, the U-legs are preferably formed on the U-back facing ends of outwardly projecting pins, which engage in lateral guide and Arretierungsnuten, at the top of the upper housing part of two are formed opposite sides. At one end of the two guide and locking grooves in each case a recess may be formed, in which engage the lateral pins of the U-legs of the bracket in the raised position of the tablet computer, so that the tablet computer is locked in this position.

Instead of a U-shaped bracket and a rectangular frame can be pivotally mounted on the tablet computer, then in particular one leg of the frame can serve as a pivot axis, which can be locked, for example, in a corresponding groove on the bottom of the tablet computer.

As stated above, the tablet computer is pivotable as an input and display device at the top of the upper housing part of the printer stored, ie the tablet computer is indeed pivotable but still firmly and permanently connected to the printer. It is therefore not intended that the tablet computer can be removed from a user of the printer or another tablet computer, if necessary, can be attached to the printer. Since the tablet computer thus mechanically fixed - although schwenkabr - is connected to the upper housing part of the printer, preferably also the electrical connection of the tablet computer to the printer via a fixed connection, namely via a cable, in particular a ribbon cable. In particular, the data exchange between the tablet computer and the control and evaluation unit in the lower housing part of the printer takes place via the cable.

For simple and secure guidance of the cable, a first opening is preferably formed in the upper housing part in the region of the axis of rotation of the tablet computer and a second opening for the cable in the lower housing part in the region of the axis of rotation of the upper housing part. The formation of the openings in each case in the region of the axes of rotation does not interfere with the pivoting of the tablet computer or the upper housing part through the cable or vice versa to damage the cable by pivoting the tablet computer or the housing top. The cable then runs substantially S-shaped from the arranged at the top of the housing top tablet computer through the first opening in the housing top, along the bottom of the housing top to the opening in the housing base, through the second opening into the housing base and then within the housing base to the control and evaluation unit.

Due to the fact that the cable extends along the underside of the upper housing part, the cable is protected against damage even when the upper housing part is open, for example when a user replaces an ink ribbon cassette when the upper housing part is open. As an additional protection for the cable beyond a cover may be provided, which is arranged on the underside of the upper housing part.

If the tablet computer-as described above-is connected via a cable to the printer, in particular the control and evaluation unit arranged in the lower housing part, preferably not only the data exchange takes place between the tablet computer and the control and evaluation unit via the cable, but also the power supply of the tablet computer. Alternatively, the power supply of the tablet computer can also be wireless, namely the fact that a charging interface for charging a battery in the tablet computer is arranged on the top of the upper housing part. The charging process is preferably carried out in the swung-down state of the tablet computer, so that the charging interface is arranged away from the axis of rotation of the tablet computer. The charging interface can be designed as a contact-type or inductive charging interface. In particular, if the housing upper part has a charging interface for the power supply of the tablet computer, the printer is preferably designed so that the data exchange between the tablet computer and the control and evaluation unit is wireless, in particular by wireless via WLAN or Bluetooth.

Fig. 1

eine schematische Darstellung eines Druckers im Längsschnitt,

Fig. 2

ein Ausführungsbeispiel des Druckers mit hochgeschwenktem Tablet-Computer, schräg von vorne und von der Seite,

Fig. 3

den Drucker gemäß Fig. 2, schräg von hinten,

Fig. 4

eine perspektivische Darstellung des Druckers, schräg von vorme, mit hochgeschwenktem Gehäuseoberteil,

Fig. 5

eine Darstellung des Druckers schräg von der Seite, mit hochgeschwenktem Tablet-Computer und hochgeschwenktem Gehäuseoberteil, und

Fig. 6

eine perspektivische Darstellung des Druckers, mit heruntergeschwenktem Gehäuseoberteil und heruntergeschwenktem Tablet-Computer.

In particular, there are now a variety of ways to design and develop the printer of the invention. Reference is made to both the claims subordinate to claim 1, as well as to the following description of preferred embodiments in conjunction with the drawings. In the drawing show

Fig. 1

a schematic representation of a printer in longitudinal section,

Fig. 2

an embodiment of the printer with a tilted tablet computer, diagonally from the front and from the side,

Fig. 3

according to the printer Fig. 2 , diagonally from behind,

Fig. 4

a perspective view of the printer, obliquely from the front, with swung housing upper part,

Fig. 5

a representation of the printer diagonally from the side, with swung-tablet computer and swung-upper housing, and

Fig. 6

a perspective view of the printer, with heruntergeschwenktem upper housing part and swung down tablet computer.

Fig. 1 shows a printer 1 according to the present invention in a highly simplified, schematic representation in longitudinal section. The printer 1, which is preferably a thermal transfer printer, is used to print on printed objects 2, in particular in card format or in the form of carrier sheets. The printer 1 has a housing 3, in which a pressure chamber 4 is formed. Außerdme is in the housing 3, a printing device 5 is arranged, which consists in particular of a print head 6 and a ribbon cassette 7, the ribbon is arranged during the printing process with a very small distance above the printing object 2 to be printed. A receiving device 8 designed in the manner of a drawer or a transport carriage can be moved between a loading and unloading position outside the pressure chamber 4 and a printing position within the pressure chamber 4. The direction of movement of the receiving device 8 extends in Fig. 1 in the direction of the arrow A, wherein in the illustration according to Fig. 1 the receiving device 8 within the pressure chamber 4, that is arranged in the printing position. The receiving device 8 serves to receive a magazine 9, in which the respective printing object 2 to be printed can be inserted. This ensures that the printing object to be printed 2 can be introduced into the pressure chamber 4 in a simple and comfortable manner and is always arranged there in a predetermined position.

In order to control the printing process, in particular, a control and evaluation unit 10 and a memory 11 connected to the control and evaluation unit 10 are also arranged in the printer 1 Fig. 1 are shown only very schematically. The control and evaluation unit 10 is also connected to the print head 6, which is not shown in the figure. As in Fig. 1 indicated and in the other figures, in particular the Fig. 4 and 5 can be seen, the housing 3 has a lower housing part 12 and a housing upper part 13. In the lower housing part 12, the printing space 4, the printing device 5 with the print head 6 and the ink ribbon cassette 7, the receiving device 8 and the control and evaluation unit 10, and the memory 11 is arranged.

Out Fig. 2 it can be seen that a tablet computer 14 is provided with a touch screen 15 as an input and display device of the printer 1. The tablet computer 14 is pivotally mounted about a rotation axis 16 on the upper side of the housing upper part 13. In addition, the upper housing part 13 is pivotally mounted on the lower housing part 12, namely about an axis of rotation 17, in particular from the Fig. 4 and 5 is recognizable. The axis of rotation 16 of the tablet computer 14 is located in the vicinity of the front side 18 of the printer 1, in which the receiving device 8 is arranged, so that the tablet computer 14 in the in Fig. 2 shown pivoted position facing a user who is in front of the front 18 of the printer 1, from where he will also insert a Bedruckungsobjekt 2 in the extended recording device 8.

So that the tablet computer 14 is supported in the raised position and remains there by a lock when a user enters print data or print parameters on the touch screen 15 of the tablet computer 14, a U-shaped bracket 19 is pivotally mounted on the back of the tablet Computer 14 arranged, as in particular from Fig. 3 is recognizable. The bracket 19 has a U-back 20 and two lateral U-legs 21, wherein the pointing away from the U-back 20 ends 22 of the U-legs 21 are pivotally mounted on two opposite sides of the tablet computer 14. At the U-back 20 facing ends 23 of the U-legs 21 outwardly projecting pins are arranged, each engaging in a guide and Arretierungsnut 24, which are formed on the opposite longitudinal sides on the upper side of the housing upper part 13. At one end of the guide grooves 24, a recess 25 is formed in each case, in which engage the pins formed on the U-legs 21 when the tablet computer 14 in the in Fig. 3 shown, pivoted position is located.

For folding or swinging down the tablet computer 14 then only the upper end of the tablet computer 14 and the bracket 19 must be slightly raised so that the pins on the U-legs 21 from the Recesses 25 of the guide grooves 24 are lifted out. Subsequently, the U-back 20 of the bracket 19 can be pulled against the back of the tablet computer 14, so that then the tablet computer 14 can be lowered until it rests in the recess 26 provided in the top of the housing upper part 13, so that the top of the tablet computer 14 is substantially flush with the top of the housing top 13, as shown in FIG Fig. 6 is recognizable. The provided on the upper edge of the tablet computer 14 button 27 ensures that the tablet computer 14 is locked even in the lowered position, so that it is particularly secured during transport.

Fig. 4 shows the preferred embodiment of the printer 1 according to the invention with swung-housing upper part 13, while the tablet computer 14 is shown in the folded-down position. It is initially apparent that the axis of rotation 17 of the upper housing part 13 is arranged in the vicinity of the rear side 28 of the printer 1 or of the housing lower part 12. Out Fig. 4 is recognizable that the upper housing part 13 is locked in the raised position. For this purpose, a swivel bracket 29 is attached to the upper housing part 13, which projects into an opening 30 in the upper side of the housing lower part 12. A protrusion 31 formed on the swivel bracket 29 forms, together with the edge of the opening 30, a catch for locking the housing upper part 13 in the illustrated pivoted-up position.

For data exchange and for power supply of the tablet computer 14 is connected via a ribbon cable 32 to the control and evaluation unit 10 in the housing base 12. For this purpose, a second opening 34 for the ribbon cable 32 is provided in the upper housing part 13 in the region of the axis of rotation 16 of the tablet computer 14, a first opening 33 and in the lower housing part 12 in the region of the axis of rotation 17. The ribbon cable 32 thus runs substantially S-shaped from the corresponding connection point on the tablet computer 14 through the first opening 33, along the underside of the upper housing part 13, through the second opening 34 and subsequently inside the lower housing part 12 to the control and evaluation unit 10 In this case, the ribbon cable 32 runs tight against the underside of the upper housing part 13, for which purpose a guide groove can be formed on the lower side of the upper housing part 13 can, so that the ribbon cable 32 does not project beyond the bottom of the housing upper part 13. As a result, the ribbon cable 32 is securely protected against damage even when the housing upper part 13 is pivoted upwards.

How out Fig. 4 can be seen, the ink ribbon cassette 7 is disposed under a cover 35. The cover 35, on the underside of the print head 6 is fixed, is pivotally mounted in the lower housing part 13 and held by the locking lever 36 in the closed position. To replace the ink ribbon cassette 7, the locking lever 36 must first be swung back, so that then the cover 35 can be swung with the attached printhead 6. Subsequently, the ink ribbon cassette 7 can be taken out by a user from the front of the housing base 12 and replaced by another ribbon cassette 7.

Fig. 5 shows the printer 1 according to the invention with the housing upper part 13 pivoted upwards and the tablet computer 14 pivoted up, wherein both the housing upper part 13 and the tablet computer 14 are each locked in position. In this illustration, it can be seen particularly clearly that the axis of rotation 16 of the tablet computer 14 and the axis of rotation 17 of the housing upper part 13 are arranged on different sides of the printer 1, namely in the case of the axis of rotation 16 of the tablet computer 14 in the vicinity of the front side 18 of the printer 1 and in the case of the rotation axis 17 of the upper housing part 13 in the vicinity of the rear side 28 of the printer first

Fig. 6 finally shows a perspective view of the printer 1 according to the invention with heruntergeschwenktem upper housing part 13 and heruntergeschwenktem tablet computer 14. The printer 1 is designed as a portable device, which due to its low weight of about 6 kg and its small footprint, which is approximately the dimensions a DIN-A 4 sheet corresponds, can be placed by the user, if necessary, to different locations. In addition to the touch screen 15, the tablet computer 14 has yet another control panel 37 with an on / off switch 38 and a LED 39, which can indicate the state of charge of the battery of the printer 1. By actuating the button 40 formed on the two longitudinal sides of the upper housing part 13, the latching hooks 41 formed on the upper housing part 13 can be deflected so that the upper housing part 13 swings upwards can be. When not pressed buttons 40, the upper housing part 13 is locked in the downwardly pivoted position, so that the printer 1 is not only very compact, but is also protected against accidental unfolding or damage.

Claims (9)

Printer (1) for printing on printed objects (2) for marking electrical components, comprising a housing (3), a pressure chamber (4) formed inside the housing (3), a printing device (5), a recording device ( 8) for a replaceable magazine (9) for receiving the printing object to be printed (2), with a control and evaluation unit (10) and with an input and display device, wherein the receiving device (8) between a loading and unloading outside the Pressure chamber (4) and a printing position within the pressure chamber (4) is movable,
characterized,
in that the housing (3) has a housing lower part (12) and an upper housing part (13), wherein in the housing lower part (12) the pressure chamber (4), the printing device (5), the receiving device (8) and the control and evaluation unit ( 10) are arranged,
in that a tablet computer (14) is provided as input and display device, which is mounted pivotably about an axis of rotation (16) on the upper side of the upper housing part (13), wherein the tablet computer (14) can be locked in a swung-up position, and
in that the housing upper part (13) is mounted pivotably about a rotation axis (17) on the housing lower part (12). Printer (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the axis of rotation (16) of the tablet computer (14) in the vicinity of the front side (18) of the printer (1) is arranged, in which the receiving device (8) is arranged , Printer (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the tablet computer (14) a U-shaped bracket (19) or a frame is pivotally mounted, and that between the bracket (19) or the frame and the Top of the upper housing part (13) is formed a latch. Printer (1) according to claim 3 having a U-shaped back (20) and two U-legs (21) having U-shaped bracket (19), characterized in that the U-back (20) facing away from the ends (22) the U-legs (21) are pivotally mounted on two opposite sides of the tablet computer (14) that are arranged at the U-back (20) facing ends (23) of the U-legs (21) outwardly projecting pins , and in that on the upper side of the housing upper part (13), two opposite lateral guide and locking grooves (24) are formed, in which engage the pins. Printer (1) according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the axis of rotation (17) of the upper housing part (13) in the vicinity of the rear side (28) of the printer (1) is arranged, and that the upper housing part (13) in the raised position is preferably lockable. Printer (1) according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the tablet computer (14) for data exchange via a cable, in particular a ribbon cable (32), with the control and evaluation unit (10) in the housing lower part (12). for which purpose in the upper housing part (13) in the region of the axis of rotation (16) of the tablet computer (14) has a first opening (33) and in the lower housing part (12) in the region of the axis of rotation (17) of the upper housing part (13) has a second opening (34) is provided for the cable (32), and in that the cable (32) is substantially S-shaped from the tablet computer (14) through the first opening (33) along the bottom of the housing top (13) to the second opening (34), extends through the second opening (34) and within the lower housing part (12) to the control and evaluation unit (10). Printer (1) according to claim 6, characterized in that on the underside of the upper housing part (13) a cable (32) covering the cover is arranged. Printer (1) according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that a charging interface for the power supply of the tablet computer (14) is arranged on the upper side of the upper housing part (13). Printer (1) according to claim 8, characterized in that the data exchange between the tablet computer (14) and the control and evaluation unit (10) wirelessly via wireless (WLAN; Bluetooth).

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