EP3196033B1 - Printer for printing on print objects - Google Patents

Printer for printing on print objects Download PDF

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Publication number
EP3196033B1
EP3196033B1 EP17151983.8A EP17151983A EP3196033B1 EP 3196033 B1 EP3196033 B1 EP 3196033B1 EP 17151983 A EP17151983 A EP 17151983A EP 3196033 B1 EP3196033 B1 EP 3196033B1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
housing part
printer
tablet computer
upper housing
printing
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.)
Active
Application number
EP17151983.8A
Other languages
German (de)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP3196033A1 (en
Inventor
Sandra Klocke
Peter Isaak
Albrecht Schierholz
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.)
Phoenix Contact GmbH and Co KG
Original Assignee
Phoenix Contact GmbH and Co KG
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
Application filed by Phoenix Contact GmbH and Co KG filed Critical Phoenix Contact GmbH and Co KG
Priority to PL17151983T priority Critical patent/PL3196033T3/en
Publication of EP3196033A1 publication Critical patent/EP3196033A1/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP3196033B1 publication Critical patent/EP3196033B1/en
Active legal-status Critical Current
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical

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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
    • B41J29/38—Drives, motors, controls or automatic cut-off devices for the entire printing mechanism
    • 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
    • B41J3/00—Typewriters or selective printing or marking mechanisms characterised by the purpose for which they are constructed
    • B41J3/407—Typewriters or selective printing or marking mechanisms characterised by the purpose for which they are constructed for marking on special material
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B41—PRINTING; LINING MACHINES; TYPEWRITERS; STAMPS
    • B41J—TYPEWRITERS; SELECTIVE PRINTING MECHANISMS, i.e. MECHANISMS PRINTING OTHERWISE THAN FROM A FORME; CORRECTION OF TYPOGRAPHICAL ERRORS
    • B41J2/00—Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed
    • B41J2/315—Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed characterised by selective application of heat to a heat sensitive printing or impression-transfer material
    • B41J2/32—Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed characterised by selective application of heat to a heat sensitive printing or impression-transfer material using thermal heads
    • 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
    • B41J29/00—Details of, or accessories for, typewriters or selective printing mechanisms not otherwise provided for
    • B41J29/12—Guards, shields or dust excluders
    • B41J29/13—Cases or covers
    • 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
    • B41J3/00—Typewriters or selective printing or marking mechanisms characterised by the purpose for which they are constructed
    • B41J3/36—Typewriters or selective printing or marking mechanisms characterised by the purpose for which they are constructed for portability, i.e. hand-held printers or laptop printers
    • 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
    • B41J3/00—Typewriters or selective printing or marking mechanisms characterised by the purpose for which they are constructed
    • B41J3/407—Typewriters or selective printing or marking mechanisms characterised by the purpose for which they are constructed for marking on special material
    • B41J3/4073—Printing on three-dimensional objects not being in sheet or web form, e.g. spherical or cubic objects
    • 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
    • B41J3/00—Typewriters or selective printing or marking mechanisms characterised by the purpose for which they are constructed
    • B41J3/44—Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms having dual functions or combined with, or coupled to, apparatus performing other functions
    • B41J3/46—Printing mechanisms combined with apparatus providing a visual indication

Definitions

  • the invention relates to a printer for printing objects to be printed for the marking of electrical components, with a housing, with a pressure chamber formed within the housing, with a printing device, with a receiving device for an exchangeable magazine for receiving the object to be printed, with a control and evaluation unit and with an input and display device, wherein the receiving device can be moved between a loading and unloading position outside the pressure chamber and a printing position inside the pressure chamber.
  • identification and marking plates are used for the identification and labeling of machines, devices, terminals, cables or conductors, on which information relating to the components to which they are assigned is applied.
  • the identification or marking plates are provided with a corresponding print pattern, usually alphanumeric characters, in a printer.
  • Different printers with different printing processes are used for marking, for example inkjet printers, thermal transfer printers or UV printers.
  • 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.
  • printing objects in card format are often used, which have a plurality of individual marking plates.
  • the objects to be printed are designed in particular as plastic injection-molded parts or as stamped plastic parts.
  • injection molded plastic parts which are also referred to as Universal Card Material (UniCard or UC material)
  • the marking labels are attached to an outer frame using bars.
  • the individual marking labels which are often used for marking conductors and cables or for marking terminals, can be detached from the frame.
  • stamped plastic parts which are also referred to as Universal Sheet Material (UniSheet or US material)
  • identification or marking plates can also be applied, in particular glued, to a common carrier sheet, from which the individual identification or marking plates can simply be peeled off after the marking.
  • carrier sheets are also referred to in practice as lettering sheets or label sheets.
  • the different types of inscription materials are generally referred to as printing objects, the printing objects being made of different materials, in particular different plastics, and being able to have different dimensions, in particular different material thicknesses.
  • the individual objects to be printed in the printer in question are inserted or inserted into a magazine that is suitable for the object to be printed.
  • several objects to be printed can each be inserted individually into a magazine, so that the number of objects to be printed 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 printing space and a printing position inside the printing space.
  • Thermal transfer printers have proven to be particularly suitable for printing such objects to be printed.
  • thermal transfer printing a special film coated with temperature-sensitive ink is passed between the print object and a thermal printhead as a printing device, whereby the film can be arranged as an ink ribbon in a corresponding printer cassette.
  • thermal transfer printing an exact color print and a high print quality with a high surface gloss can be produced.
  • the printer in question which is preferably a thermal transfer printer, should be able to print a large number of different objects to be printed. There are then a plurality of different magazines for the printer, which can be inserted individually into the receiving device. In addition, several different printer cartridges with different ribbons can be used.
  • the housing has an essentially L-shaped fixed housing part and a housing hood which is attached laterally to the top of the fixed housing part in a pivotable manner.
  • the ink ribbon is arranged below the pivotable housing cover, so that an ink ribbon can be inserted or exchanged by pivoting the housing cover up to the side.
  • the input and display device arranged in the fixed housing part can be used to input the printing parameters and the printing data. Since the input and display device has only relatively small dimensions and only a few function keys, the input of the print parameters and print data is preferably carried out using appropriate software, the input then being made on an external computer with the aid of 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 made available by appropriate software packages. However, an external computer must be connected to the printer.
  • the present invention is based on the object of specifying a printer for printing objects to be printed for marking electrical components, which, with a compact design, enables simple and user-friendly operation even when the printer is not connected to an external computer.
  • the housing has a lower housing part and an upper housing part, the pressure chamber, the printing device, the receiving device and the control and evaluation unit being arranged in the lower housing part, and that as Input and display device a tablet computer is provided.
  • the tablet computer is attached to the top of the upper part of the housing so that it can pivot about an axis of rotation and can be locked in a pivoted-up position.
  • the upper part of the housing is mounted on the lower part of the housing so as to be pivotable about an axis of rotation.
  • a tablet computer is understood to mean a flat data processing unit which is accommodated in a housing with a touch-sensitive screen (touchscreen) and can be operated using a finger and / or pen.
  • Such tablet computers are generally also referred to as tablet PCs or just tablets. Since the size (screen diagonal) of conventional tablet computers is at least 7 inches, usually even 10 inches or more, it is possible to display the input mask of an object to be printed on the touchscreen of the tablet computer in such a way that the input mask looks essentially like the Object to be printed. When entering the print data, the user then sees directly what the correspondingly printed object will look like later.
  • a full keyboard can be made available via the touchscreen for entering the print data and print parameters.
  • the operation of the printer according to the invention is made even more convenient for the user in that the tablet computer is pivotably mounted on the upper side of the upper part of the housing and can be locked in a pivoted up position.
  • the user can place the tablet computer in a position in which the input of the print data and the reading of the data and values displayed on the touchscreen are particularly easy and convenient for the user.
  • the tablet computer can be swiveled back into the basic position and preferably also locked there, in which it is as flush as possible with the top of the upper part of the housing, so that the table computer is optimally protected from damage.
  • the housing is designed in two parts, in particular the printing device with the print head and the ribbon or in the lower part of the housing a ribbon cassette are arranged. Due to the pivoting mounting of the upper part of the housing on the lower part of the housing, the upper part of the housing can simply be swiveled up so that in particular the printing device with the ink ribbon or the ink ribbon cassette arranged in the lower housing part is easily accessible to the user, so that an ink ribbon or an ink ribbon cassette can be removed or removed from the lower housing part can be easily inserted into the lower part of the housing. In addition, when the upper part of the housing is swiveled up, other components of the printer arranged in the lower part of the housing can also be removed for repair purposes.
  • the axis of rotation of the tablet computer is arranged in the vicinity of the front side of the printer, in which the receiving device is also arranged.
  • the tablet computer can thereby be swiveled up so that its user interface, that is to say the touchscreen, faces a user who is located in front of the front of the printer. Since the receiving device for inserting or removing a magazine moves out of the front of the printer in the manner of a drawer, a user is usually in front of the front of the printer when the printer is operated.
  • the axis of rotation of the upper housing part is arranged near the rear of the printer, so that a user who is in turn standing in front of the front of the printer looks directly at the upper side of the lower housing part when the upper housing part is swiveled up.
  • the user has easy access to the pressure device arranged in the lower part of the housing, so that he can insert or replace a ribbon or a ribbon cassette - if necessary after releasing a corresponding lock and / or opening a cover.
  • the upper part of the housing can be locked in its swiveled up position, so that the upper part of the housing is prevented from being unintentionally folded down.
  • 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 implemented in various structural ways.
  • the locking of the tablet computer or the upper part of the housing in each case in the swiveled-up position can also be achieved by various structural measures.
  • a U-shaped bracket with a U-back and two U-legs is provided on the tablet computer, which is pivotably mounted on the tablet computer.
  • the ends of the U-legs pointing away from the U-back are pivotably mounted on two opposite sides of the tablet computer, for which purpose, for example, a hole can be formed in the sides of the tablet computer into which a hole located at the end of the U-legs can be formed Pin engages.
  • pegs can just as well be formed on the sides of the tablet computer, to which corresponding holes are then formed in the ends of the U-legs.
  • outwardly projecting pins are preferably formed on the ends of the U-legs facing the U-back, which engage in lateral guide and locking grooves that are attached to each other on the top of the upper part of the housing opposite sides are formed.
  • a recess can be formed into which the lateral pins of the U-legs of the bracket engage in the swiveled-up position of the tablet computer, so that the tablet computer is locked in this position.
  • a rectangular frame can also be pivotably mounted on the tablet computer, in which case one leg of the frame in particular can serve as a pivot axis which, for example, can be snapped into a corresponding groove on the underside of the tablet computer.
  • the tablet computer as an input and display device can be pivoted on the upper side of the upper housing part of the printer stored, ie the tablet computer can be pivoted but is still firmly and permanently connected to the printer. It is therefore not provided that the tablet computer can be removed from the printer by a user or that another tablet computer can be attached to the printer if necessary. Since the tablet computer is thus mechanically firmly - albeit swiveled - connected to the upper housing part of the printer, the electrical connection of the tablet computer to the printer is preferably also made via a fixed connection, namely via a cable, in particular a ribbon cable. In particular, the cable is used to exchange data between the tablet computer and the control and evaluation unit in the lower part of the printer's housing.
  • a first opening is preferably formed in the upper housing part in the area of the axis of rotation of the tablet computer and a second opening for the cable is formed in the lower housing part in the area of the upper housing part's axis of rotation. Due to the formation of the openings in the area of the axes of rotation, there is no impairment when the tablet computer or the upper part of the housing is swiveled up by the cable or, conversely, the cable is not damaged by the swiveling of the tablet computer or the upper part of the housing.
  • the cable then runs essentially in an S-shape from the tablet computer arranged on the top of the upper housing part through the first opening in the upper housing part, along the underside of the upper housing part to the opening in the lower housing part, through the second opening into the lower housing part and then inside the lower housing part to the control - and evaluation unit.
  • a cover can also be provided, which is arranged on the underside of the upper part of the housing.
  • the tablet computer can also be supplied with power wirelessly, namely in that a charging interface for charging a battery in the tablet computer is arranged on the upper side of the upper part of the housing.
  • the charging process preferably takes place when the tablet computer is pivoted down, 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-based or inductive charging interface.
  • the printer is preferably designed so that the data exchange between the tablet computer and the control and evaluation unit also takes place wirelessly, in particular by radio via WLAN or Bluetooth.
  • Fig. 1 shows a printer 1 according to the present invention in a greatly simplified, schematic representation in longitudinal section.
  • the printer 1 which is preferably a thermal transfer printer, is used to print objects to be printed 2, in particular in card format or in the form of carrier sheets.
  • the printer 1 has a housing 3 in which a printing space 4 is formed.
  • a printing device 5 is arranged in the housing 3, which consists in particular of a print head 6 and an ink ribbon cassette 7, the ink ribbon of which is arranged at a very small distance above the printing object 2 to be printed during the printing process.
  • 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 printing space 4 and a printing position inside the printing space 4.
  • the direction of movement of the receiving device 8 runs in Fig. 1 in the direction of arrow A, wherein in the illustration according to Fig. 1 the receiving device 8 is arranged within the pressure chamber 4, that is to say in the printing position.
  • the receiving device 8 serves to receive a magazine 9 into which the respective printing object 2 to be printed can be inserted. This ensures that the printing object 2 to be printed can be introduced into the printing space 4 in a simple and convenient manner and is also always arranged there in a predetermined position.
  • 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, which are shown in FIG Fig. 1 are only shown very schematically.
  • the control and evaluation unit 10 is also connected to the print head 6, but this is not shown in the figure.
  • the housing 3 has a lower housing part 12 and an upper housing part 13.
  • the printing space 4 In the lower housing part 12 are the printing space 4, the printing device 5 with the printing head 6 and the ribbon cassette 7, the receiving device 8 and the control and evaluation unit 10, as well as the memory 11 are arranged.
  • a tablet computer 14 with a touchscreen 15 is provided as the input and display device of the printer 1.
  • the tablet computer 14 is mounted pivotably about an axis of rotation 16 on the upper side of the upper housing part 13.
  • the upper housing part 13 is pivotably mounted on the lower housing part 12, namely about an axis of rotation 17, as 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 also arranged, so that the tablet computer 14 is in the position shown in FIG Fig. 2
  • the swiveled-up position shown faces a user who is located in front of the front side 18 of the printer 1, from where he will also insert an object 2 to be printed into the extended receiving device 8.
  • a U-shaped bracket 19 is pivotable on the back of the tablet so that the tablet computer 14 is supported in the swiveled up position and remains there by a lock when a user enters print data or print parameters on the touchscreen 15 of the tablet computer 14 -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, the ends 22 of the U-legs 21 pointing away from the U-back 20 being pivotably mounted on two opposite sides of the tablet computer 14.
  • outwardly protruding pins are arranged which each engage in a guide and locking groove 24 which are formed on the opposite longitudinal sides on the upper side of the upper housing part 13.
  • a recess 25 is formed into which the pegs formed on the U-legs 21 engage when the tablet computer 14 is in the position shown in FIG Fig. 3 is shown, swiveled up position.
  • Fig. 4 shows the preferred embodiment of the printer 1 according to the invention with the upper housing part 13 pivoted up, while the tablet computer 14 is shown in the folded-down position. It can first be seen 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 the lower housing part 12. the end Fig. 4 it can be seen that the upper housing part 13 can also be locked in the swiveled-up position.
  • a swivel bracket 29 is attached to the upper housing part 13 and protrudes into an opening 30 in the upper side of the lower housing part 12.
  • the tablet computer 14 is connected to the control and evaluation unit 10 in the lower housing part 12 via a ribbon cable 32.
  • a first opening 33 is provided in the upper housing part 13 in the area of the axis of rotation 16 of the tablet computer 14 and a second opening 34 for the ribbon cable 32 is provided in the lower housing part 12 in the area of the axis of rotation 17.
  • the ribbon cable 32 thus runs essentially in an S-shape 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 then inside the lower housing part 12 to the control and evaluation unit 10
  • the ribbon cable 32 runs tightly on the underside of the upper housing part 13, for which purpose a guide groove is formed on the underside of the upper housing part 13 can, so that the ribbon cable 32 does not protrude beyond the underside of the upper housing part 13.
  • the ribbon cable 32 is reliably protected against damage even when the upper housing part 13 is pivoted up.
  • the ribbon cassette 7 is arranged under a cover 35.
  • the cover 35 on the underside of which the print head 6 is attached, is pivotably mounted in the lower housing part 13 and held in the closed position by means of the latching lever 36.
  • the latching levers 36 To replace the ribbon cassette 7, the latching levers 36 must first be pivoted back so that the cover 35 with the print head 6 attached to it can then be pivoted up.
  • the ribbon cassette 7 can then be removed by a user from the front of the lower housing part 12 and replaced by another ribbon cassette 7.
  • Fig. 5 shows the printer 1 according to the invention with the upper housing part 13 pivoted up and the tablet computer 14 pivoted up, both the upper housing part 13 and the tablet computer 14 each being locked in position.
  • the axis of rotation 16 of the tablet computer 14 and the axis of rotation 17 of the upper housing 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 axis of rotation 17, the upper housing part 13 in the vicinity of the rear side 28 of the printer 1.
  • Fig. 6 shows a perspective view of the printer 1 according to the invention with the upper part 13 of the housing pivoted down and the tablet computer 14 pivoted down.
  • the printer 1 is designed as a portable device which, due to its low weight of approx corresponds to a DIN A4 sheet, can be placed at different locations by the user as required.
  • the tablet computer 14 also has a further control panel 37 with an on / off switch 38 and an LED 39, which can display the charge status of the battery of the printer 1.
  • the buttons 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 is pivoted up can be.
  • the buttons 40 are not pressed, the upper housing part 13 is locked in the swiveled-down position, so that the printer 1 is not only very compact, but is also protected against unintentional opening or damage.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Manufacturing & Machinery (AREA)
  • Accessory Devices And Overall Control Thereof (AREA)
  • Printers Characterized By Their Purpose (AREA)
  • Casings For Electric Apparatus (AREA)

Description

Die Erfindung betrifft einen Drucker zur Bedruckung von Bedruckungsobjekten für die Markierung von elektrischen Komponenten, mit einem Gehäuse, mit einem innerhalb des Gehäuses ausgebildeten Druckraum, mit einer Druckvorrichtung, mit einer Aufnahmevorrichtung für ein auswechselbares Magazin zur Aufnahme des zu bedruckenden Bedruckungsobjekts, mit einer Steuer- und Auswerteeinheit und mit einer Eingabe- und Anzeigeeinrichtung, wobei die Aufnahmevorrichtung zwischen einer Be- und Entladeposition außerhalb des Druckraums und einer Druckposition innerhalb des Druckraums verfahrbar ist.The invention relates to a printer for printing objects to be printed for the marking of electrical components, with a housing, with a pressure chamber formed within the housing, with a printing device, with a receiving device for an exchangeable magazine for receiving the object to be printed, with a control and evaluation unit and with an input and display device, wherein the receiving device can be moved between a loading and unloading position outside the pressure chamber and a printing position inside the pressure chamber.

In der industriellen und gewerblichen Praxis werden zur Kennzeichnung und Beschriftung von Maschinen, Geräten, Klemmen, Kabeln oder Leitern unterschiedliche Arten von Kennzeichnungs- und Markierungsschildern verwendet, auf denen Informationen bezüglich der Komponenten, denen sie zugeordnet werden, aufgebracht sind. Hierzu werden die Kennzeichnungs- oder Markierungsschilder in einem Drucker mit einem entsprechenden Druckmuster, in der Regel alphanumerischen Zeichen, versehen. Für die Markierung werden unterschiedliche Drucker mit unterschiedlichen Druckverfahren verwendet, beispielsweise Tintenstrahldrucker, Thermotransferdruckers oder UV-Drucker. Derartige Markierungsdrucker sind beispielsweise aus dem Katalog " Markierungssysteme Werkzeuge Montagematerial, 2013/2014", Seiten 28 bis 37 der Phoenix Contact GmbH & Co. KG bekannt.In industrial and commercial practice, different types of identification and marking plates are used for the identification and labeling of machines, devices, terminals, cables or conductors, on which information relating to the components to which they are assigned is applied. For this purpose, the identification or marking plates are provided with a corresponding print pattern, usually alphanumeric characters, in a printer. Different printers with different printing processes are used for marking, 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 der Praxis werden häufig Bedruckungsobjekte in Kartenformat verwendet, die eine Mehrzahl von einzelnen Markierungsschildern aufweisen. Die Bedruckungsobjekte sind dabei insbesondere als Kunststoffspritzteile oder als Kunststoffstanzteile ausgebildet. Bei Kunststoffspritzteilen, die auch als Universal Card Material (UniCard oder UC-Material) bezeichnet werden, sind die Markierungsschilder über Stege in einem äußeren Rahmen befestigt. Nach dem Bedrucken können die einzelnen Markierungsschilder, die häufig zur Leiter- und Kabelmarkierung oder zur Klemmenmarkierung verwendet werden, vom Rahmen abgetrennt werden. Bei Kunststoffstanzteilen, die auch als Universal Sheet Material (UniSheet oder US-Material) bezeichnet werden, bilden mehrere Reihen von Markierungsschildern zusammen ein Bedruckungsobjekt, wobei nach dem Bedrucken des US-Materials die einzelnen Markierungsschilder voneinander getrennt werden können.In practice, printing objects in card format are often used, which have a plurality of individual marking plates. The objects to be printed are designed in particular as plastic injection-molded parts or as stamped plastic parts. In the case of injection molded plastic parts, which are also referred to as Universal Card Material (UniCard or UC material), the marking labels are attached to an outer frame using bars. After printing, the individual marking labels, which are often used for marking conductors and cables or for marking terminals, can be detached from the frame. In the case of stamped plastic parts, which are also referred to as Universal Sheet Material (UniSheet or US material), form several rows of marking plates together form an object to be printed, with the individual marking plates being able to be separated from one another after the US material has been printed.

Darüber hinaus können mehrere Kennzeichnung- oder Markierungsschilder auch auf einem gemeinsamen Trägerbogen aufgebracht, insbesondere aufgeklebt werden, von dem die einzelnen Kennzeichnungs- oder Markierungsschilder nach der Markierung einfach abgezogen werden können. Derartige Trägerbögen werden in der Praxis auch als Beschriftungsbögen oder Etikettenbögen bezeichnet.In addition, several identification or marking plates can also be applied, in particular glued, to a common carrier sheet, from which the individual identification or marking plates can simply be peeled off after the marking. Such carrier sheets are also referred to in practice as lettering sheets or label sheets.

Nachfolgend werden die unterschiedlichen Arten von Beschriftungsmaterialien allgemein als Bedruckungsobjekte bezeichnet, wobei die Bedruckungsobjekte aus unterschiedlichen Materialien, insbesondere unterschiedlichen Kunststoffen bestehen und unterschiedliche Abmessungen, insbesondere unterschiedlichen Materialstärken aufweisen können. Um unterschiedliche Bedruckungsobjekte mit unterschiedlichen Abmessungen von einem Drucker bedrucken zu können, werden die einzelnen Bedruckungsobjekte bei dem in Rede stehenden Drucker in ein für das Bedruckungsobjekt passendes Magazin eingelegt bzw. eingesetzt. In der Regel können mehrere Bedruckungsobjekte jeweils einzeln in ein Magazin eingelegt werden, so dass die Anzahl der Bedruckungsobjekte größer als die Anzahl der Magazine ist. Wenn alle Magazine die gleichen Außenabmessungen aufweisen, können die Magazine jeweils in die Aufnahmevorrichtung des Druckers eingesetzt werden, die nach Art einer Schublade zwischen einer Be- und Entladeposition außerhalb des Druckraums und einer Druckposition innerhalb des Druckraums verfahren werden kann.In the following, the different types of inscription materials are generally referred to as printing objects, the printing objects being made of different materials, in particular different plastics, and being able to have different dimensions, in particular different material thicknesses. In order to be able to print different objects to be printed with different dimensions by a printer, the individual objects to be printed in the printer in question are inserted or inserted into a magazine that is suitable for the object to be printed. As a rule, several objects to be printed can each be inserted individually into a magazine, so that the number of objects to be printed 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 printing space and a printing position inside the printing space.

Zum Bedrucken derartiger Bedruckungsobjekte haben sich Thermotransferdrucker als besonders geeignet herausgestellt. Beim Thermotransferdruck wird eine spezielle, mit temperaturempfindlicher Farbe beschichtete Folie zwischen dem Bedruckungsobjekt und einem Thermodruckkopf als Druckvorrichtung hindurchgeführt, wobei die Folie als Farbband in einer entsprechenden Druckerkassette angeordnet sein kann. Mit dem Thermotransferdruck lassen sich ein exakter Farbaufdruck und eine hohe Druckqualität bei einem hohen Oberflächenglanz erzeugen.Thermal transfer printers have proven to be particularly suitable for printing such objects to be printed. In thermal transfer printing, a special film coated with temperature-sensitive ink is passed between the print object and a thermal printhead as a printing device, whereby the film can be arranged as an ink ribbon in a corresponding printer cassette. With thermal transfer printing, an exact color print and a high print quality with a high surface gloss can be produced.

Mit dem in Rede stehenden Drucker, bei dem es sich vorzugsweise um einen Thermotransferdrucker handelt, soll eine Vielzahl von unterschiedlichen Bedruckungsobjekten bedruckt werden können. Für den Drucker gibt es dann eine Mehrzahl von unterschiedlichen Magazinen, die einzeln in die Aufnahmevorrichtung eingesetzt werden können. Darüber hinaus können auch mehrere unterschiedliche Druckerkassetten mit unterschiedlichen Farbbändern verwendet werden.The printer in question, which is preferably a thermal transfer printer, should be able to print a large number of different objects to be printed. There are then a plurality of different magazines for the printer, which can be inserted individually into the receiving device. In addition, several different printer cartridges with different ribbons can be used.

Bei einem aus der Praxis bekannten portablen Thermotransferdrucker weist das Gehäuse einen im Wesentlichen L-förmigen festen Gehäuseteil und eine Gehäusehaube auf, die seitlich an der Oberseite des festen Gehäuseteils schwenkbar befestigt ist. Unterhalb der schwenkbaren Gehäusehaube ist das Farbband angeordnet, so dass ein Farbband durch seitliches Hochschwenken der Gehäusehaube eingesetzt bzw. ausgewechselt werden kann. Über die im festen Gehäuseteil angeordnete Eingabe- und Anzeigeeinrichtung kann die Eingabe der Druckparameter und der Druckdaten erfolgen. Da die Eingabe- und Anzeigeeinrichtung nur relativ geringe Abmessungen und auch nur wenige Funktionstasten aufweist, erfolgt die Eingabe der Druckparameter und Druckdaten vorzugsweise über entsprechende Software, wobei die Eingabe dann an einem externen Rechner mit Hilfe grafischer Benutzeroberflächen erfolgt. Diese Art der Eingabe von Druckdaten ist für den Benutzer sehr komfortabel, zumal die Druckparameter und Druckdaten häufig bereits durch entsprechende Softwarepakete zur Verfügung gestellt werden. Es ist dabei jedoch der Anschluss eines externen Rechners an den Drucker erforderlich.In the case of a portable thermal transfer printer known from practice, the housing has an essentially L-shaped fixed housing part and a housing hood which is attached laterally to the top of the fixed housing part in a pivotable manner. The ink ribbon is arranged below the pivotable housing cover, so that an ink ribbon can be inserted or exchanged by pivoting the housing cover up to the side. The input and display device arranged in the fixed housing part can be used to input the printing parameters and the printing data. Since the input and display device has only relatively small dimensions and only a few function keys, the input of the print parameters and print data is preferably carried out using appropriate software, the input then being made on an external computer with the aid of 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 made available by appropriate software packages. However, an external computer must be connected to the printer.

Der vorliegenden Erfindung liegt die Aufgabe zugrunde, einen eingangs beschriebenen Drucker zur Bedruckung von Bedruckungsobjekten für die Markierung von elektrischen Komponenten anzugeben, der bei einem kompakten Aufbau eine einfache und benutzerfreundliche Bedienung auch dann ermöglicht, wenn der Drucker nicht mit einem externen Rechner verbunden ist.The present invention is based on the object of specifying a printer for printing objects to be printed for marking electrical components, which, with a compact design, enables simple and user-friendly operation even when the printer is not connected to an external computer.

Diese Aufgabe ist bei dem erfindungsgemäßen Drucker mit den Merkmalen des Patentanspruchs 1 dadurch gelöst, dass das Gehäuse ein Gehäuseunterteil und ein Gehäuseoberteil aufweist, wobei in dem Gehäuseunterteil der Druckraum, die Druckvorrichtung, die Aufnahmevorrichtung und die Steuer- und Auswerteeinheit angeordnet sind, und dass als Eingabe- und Anzeigeeinrichtung ein Tablet-Computer vorgesehen ist. Der Tablet-Computer ist dabei um eine Drehachse schwenkbar an der Oberseite des Gehäuseoberteils befestigt und in einer hochgeschwenkten Position arretierbar. Außerdem ist das Gehäuseoberteil um eine Drehachse schwenkbar am Gehäuseunterteil gelagert.This object is achieved in the printer according to the invention with the features of claim 1 in that the housing has a lower housing part and an upper housing part, the pressure chamber, the printing device, the receiving device and the control and evaluation unit being arranged in the lower housing part, and that as Input and display device a tablet computer is provided. The tablet computer is attached to the top of the upper part of the housing so that it can pivot about an axis of rotation and can be locked in a pivoted-up position. In addition, the upper part of the housing is mounted on the lower part of the housing so as to be pivotable about an axis of rotation.

Dadurch, dass bei dem erfindungsgemäßen Drucker als Eingabe- und Anzeigeeinrichtung ein Tablet-Computer vorgesehen ist, ist die Eingabe der Druckparameter und Druckdaten für den Benutzer auf sehr einfache und komfortable Art und Weise möglich. Unter einem Tablet-Computer wird vorliegend eine flache Datenverarbeitungseinheit verstanden, die in einem Gehäuse mit einem berührungssensitiven Bildschirm (Touchscreen) untergebracht ist und per Finger und/oder Stift bedient werden kann. Solche Tablet-Computer werden allgemein auch als Tablet-PC oder nur als Tablet bezeichnet. Da die Größe (Bildschirmdiagonale) von herkömmlichen Tablet-Computern mindestens 7 Zoll, meistens sogar 10 Zoll oder mehr beträgt, besteht die Möglichkeit, die Eingabemaske eines zu bedruckenden Bedruckungsobjekts so auf dem Touchscreen des Tablet-Computers darzustellen, dass die Eingabemaske optisch im Wesentlichen dem Bedruckungsobjekt entspricht. Bei der Eingabe der Druckdaten sieht der Benutzer dann direkt, wie das entsprechend bedruckte Bedruckungsobjekt später aussieht. Darüber können für die Eingabe der Druckdaten und Druckparameter nicht nur einige Funktionstasten sondern über das Touchscreen je nach Ausgestaltung eine vollständige Tastaur zur Verfügung gestellt werden.Because a tablet computer is provided as the input and display device in the printer according to the invention, the input of the print parameters and print data is possible for the user in a very simple and convenient manner. In the present case, a tablet computer is understood to mean a flat data processing unit which is accommodated in a housing with a touch-sensitive screen (touchscreen) and can be operated using a finger and / or pen. Such tablet computers are generally also referred to as tablet PCs or just tablets. Since the size (screen diagonal) of conventional tablet computers is at least 7 inches, usually even 10 inches or more, it is possible to display the input mask of an object to be printed on the touchscreen of the tablet computer in such a way that the input mask looks essentially like the Object to be printed. When entering the print data, the user then sees directly what the correspondingly printed object will look like later. In addition, not only a few function keys but, depending on the design, a full keyboard can be made available via the touchscreen for entering the print data and print parameters.

Die Bedienung des erfindungsgemäßen Druckers wird für den Benutzer dadurch noch komfortabler, dass der Tablet-Computer schwenkbar an der Oberseite des Gehäuseoberteils gelagert und in einer hochgeschwenkten Position arretierbar ist. Hierdurch kann der Benutzer den Tablet-Computer in eine Position verbringen, in der die Eingabe der Druckdaten sowie das Ablesen von auf dem Touchscreen angezeigten Daten und Werten für den Benutzer besonders einfach und komfortabel möglich ist. Insbesondere beim Transport kann der Tablet-Computer dagegen in die Grundposition zurückgeschwenkt und vorzugsweise dort auch verrastet werden, in der er möglichst bündig mit der Oberseite des Gehäuseoberteils abschließt, so dass der Table-Computer vor Beschädigungen bestmöglich geschützt ist.The operation of the printer according to the invention is made even more convenient for the user in that the tablet computer is pivotably mounted on the upper side of the upper part of the housing and can be locked in a pivoted up position. As a result, the user can place the tablet computer in a position in which the input of the print data and the reading of the data and values displayed on the touchscreen are particularly easy and convenient for the user. In contrast, especially during transport, the tablet computer can be swiveled back into the basic position and preferably also locked there, in which it is as flush as possible with the top of the upper part of the housing, so that the table computer is optimally protected from damage.

Damit auch bei der Anordnung des Tablet-Computers an der Oberseite des Gehäuseoberteils das Einlegen bzw. Auswechseln eines Farbbandes bzw. einer Farbbandkassette einfach und komfortabel möglich ist, ist das Gehäuse zweiteilig ausgebildet, wobei im Gehäuseunterteil insbesondere die Druckvorrichtung mit dem Druckkopf und dem Farbband oder einer Farbbandkassette angeordnet sind. Durch die schwenkbare Lagerung des Gehäuseoberteils am Gehäuseunterteil kann das Gehäuseoberteil einfach hochgeschwenkt werden, so dass dann insbesondere die im Gehäuseunterteil angeordnete Druckvorrichtung mit dem Farbband oder der Farbbandkassette für den Benutzer bequem zugänglich ist, so dass ein Farbband bzw. eine Farbbandkassette aus dem Gehäuseunterteil entnommen bzw. in das Gehäuseunterteil einfach eingesetzt werden kann. Darüber hinaus können bei hochgeschwenktem Gehäuseoberteil ggf. auch andere im Gehäuseunterteil angeordnete Komponenten des Druckers zu Reparaturzwecken ausgebaut werden.So that when the tablet computer is arranged on the top of the upper part of the housing, the insertion or replacement of a ribbon or a ribbon cassette is easily and conveniently possible, the housing is designed in two parts, in particular the printing device with the print head and the ribbon or in the lower part of the housing a ribbon cassette are arranged. Due to the pivoting mounting of the upper part of the housing on the lower part of the housing, the upper part of the housing can simply be swiveled up so that in particular the printing device with the ink ribbon or the ink ribbon cassette arranged in the lower housing part is easily accessible to the user, so that an ink ribbon or an ink ribbon cassette can be removed or removed from the lower housing part can be easily inserted into the lower part of the housing. In addition, when the upper part of the housing is swiveled up, other components of the printer arranged in the lower part of the housing can also be removed for repair purposes.

Gemäß einer bevorzugten Ausgestaltung des erfindungsgemäßen Druckers ist die Drehachse des Tablet-Computers in der Nähe der Vorderseite des Druckers angeordnet, in der auch die Aufnahmevorrichtung angeordnet ist. Der Tablet-Computer kann dadurch so hochgeschwenkt werden, dass dessen Bedienoberfläche, also der Touchscreen einem Benutzer zugewandt ist, der sich vor der Vorderseite des Druckers befindet. Da die Aufnahmevorrichtung zum Einlegen bzw. Entnehmen eines Magazins nach Art einer Schublade an der Vorderseite aus dem Drucker herausfährt, befindert sich ein Benutzer in der Regel bei der Betätigung des Druckers vor der Vorderseite des Druckers.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 side of the printer, in which the receiving device is also arranged. The tablet computer can thereby be swiveled up so that its user interface, that is to say the touchscreen, faces a user who is located in front of the front of the printer. Since the receiving device for inserting or removing a magazine moves out of the front of the printer in the manner of a drawer, a user is usually in front of the front of the printer when the printer is operated.

Außerdem ist gemäß einer weiteren, besonders bevorzugten Ausgestaltung des erfindungsgemäßen Druckers die Drehachse des Gehäuseoberteils in der Nähe der Rückseite des Druckers angeordnet, so dass ein Benutzer, der wiederum vor der Vorderseite des Druckers steht, bei hochgeschwenktem Gehäuseoberteil direkt auf die Oberseite des Gehäuseunterteils blickt. Dadurch hat der Benutzer bei hochgeschwenktem Gehäuseoberteil einen einfachen Zugriff auf die im Gehäuseunterteil angeordnete Druckvorrichtung, so dass er - ggf. nach Lösen einer entsprechenden Verriegelung und/oder Öffnen einer Abdeckung - ein Farbband bzw. eine Farbbandkassette einsetzen oder auswechseln kann. Vorteilhafterweise ist das Gehäuseoberteil in seiner hochgeschwenkten Position arretierbar, so dass ein ungewolltes Herunterklappen des Gehäuseoberteils verhindert wird. Die schwenkbare Anordnung sowohl des Tablet-Computers am Gehäuseoberteil als auch des Gehäuseoberteils am Gehäuseunterteil kann auf verschiedene konstruktive Arten realisiert sein. Auch die Arretierung des Tablet-Computers bzw. des Gehäuseoberteils jeweils in der hochgeschwenkten Position kann durch verschiedene konstruktive Maßnahmen erreicht werden.In addition, according to a further, particularly preferred embodiment of the printer according to the invention, the axis of rotation of the upper housing part is arranged near the rear of the printer, so that a user who is in turn standing in front of the front of the printer looks directly at the upper side of the lower housing part when the upper housing part is swiveled up. As a result, when the upper part of the housing is swiveled up, the user has easy access to the pressure device arranged in the lower part of the housing, so that he can insert or replace a ribbon or a ribbon cassette - if necessary after releasing a corresponding lock and / or opening a cover. Advantageously, the upper part of the housing can be locked in its swiveled up position, so that the upper part of the housing is prevented from being unintentionally folded down. 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 implemented in various structural ways. The locking of the tablet computer or the upper part of the housing in each case in the swiveled-up position can also be achieved by various structural measures.

Gemäß einer vorteilhaften Ausgestaltung ist am Tablet-Computer ein U-förmiger Bügel mit einem U-Rücken und zwei U-Schenkeln vorgesehen, der schwenkbar am Tablet-Computer gelagert ist. Hierzu sind die vom U-Rücken wegweisenden Enden der U-Schenkel schwenkbar an zwei gegenüberliegenden Seiten des Tablet-Computers gelagert, wozu beispielsweise in den Seiten des Tablet-Computers jeweils ein Loch ausgebildet sein kann, in das ein am Ende der U-Schenkel angeordneter Zapfen eingreift. Ebenso gut können jedoch auch an den Seiten des Tablet-Computers Zapfen ausgebildet sein, zu denen dann korrespondierende Löcher in den Enden der U-Schenkel ausgebildet sind. Zur Realisierung der Verrastung des Tablet-Computers in seiner hochgeschwenkten Position sind vorzugsweise an den dem U-Rücken zugewandten Enden der U-Schenkel nach außen vorstehende Zapfen ausgebildet, die in seitliche Führungs- und Arretierungsnuten eingreifen, die an der Oberseite des Gehäuseoberteils an zwei einander gegenüberliegenden Seiten ausgebildet sind. An einem Ende der beiden Führungs- und Arretierungsnuten kann dabei jeweils eine Vertiefung ausgebildet sein, in die die seitlichen Zapfen der U-Schenkel des Bügels in der hochgeschwenkten Position des Tablet-Computers eingreifen, so dass der Tablet-Computer in dieser Position arretiert ist.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 pivotably mounted on the tablet computer. For this purpose, the ends of the U-legs pointing away from the U-back are pivotably mounted on two opposite sides of the tablet computer, for which purpose, for example, a hole can be formed in the sides of the tablet computer into which a hole located at the end of the U-legs can be formed Pin engages. However, pegs can just as well be formed on the sides of the tablet computer, to which corresponding holes are then formed in the ends of the U-legs. To realize the latching of the tablet computer in its swiveled-up position, outwardly projecting pins are preferably formed on the ends of the U-legs facing the U-back, which engage in lateral guide and locking grooves that are attached to each other on the top of the upper part of the housing opposite sides are formed. At one end of the two guide and locking grooves, a recess can be formed into which the lateral pins of the U-legs of the bracket engage in the swiveled-up position of the tablet computer, so that the tablet computer is locked in this position.

Anstelle eines U-förmigen Bügels kann auch ein rechteckiger Rahmen schwenkbar am Tablet-Computer gelagert sein, wobei dann insbesondere ein Schenkel des Rahmens als Schwenkachse dienen kann, der beispielsweise in einer entsprechenden Nut an der Unterseite des Tablet-Computers eingerastet sein kann.Instead of a U-shaped bracket, a rectangular frame can also be pivotably mounted on the tablet computer, in which case one leg of the frame in particular can serve as a pivot axis which, for example, can be snapped into a corresponding groove on the underside of the tablet computer.

Wie eingangs ausgeführt ist, ist der Tablet-Computer als Eingabe- und Anzeigeeinrichtung schwenkbar an der Oberseite des Gehäuseoberteils des Druckers gelagert, d. h. der Tablet-Computer ist zwar schwenkbar aber dennoch fest und dauerhaft mit dem Drucker verbunden. Es ist somit nicht vorgesehen, dass der Tablet-Computer von einem Benutzer vom Drucker abgenommen oder ein anderer Tablet-Computer bedarfsweise am Drucker befestigt werden kann. Da der Tablet-Computer somit mechanisch fest - wenn auch schwenkabr - mit dem Gehäuseoberteil des Druckers verbunden ist, erfolgt vorzugsweise auch die elektrische Verbindung des Tablet-Computers mit dem Drucker über eine feste Verbindung, nämlich über ein Kabel, insbesondere ein Flachbandkabel. Über das Kabel erfolgt dabei insbesondere der Datenaustausch zwischen dem Tablet-Computer und der Steuer- und Auswerteeinheit im Gehäuseunterteil des Druckers.As stated at the outset, the tablet computer as an input and display device can be pivoted on the upper side of the upper housing part of the printer stored, ie the tablet computer can be pivoted but is still firmly and permanently connected to the printer. It is therefore not provided that the tablet computer can be removed from the printer by a user or that another tablet computer can be attached to the printer if necessary. Since the tablet computer is thus mechanically firmly - albeit swiveled - connected to the upper housing part of the printer, the electrical connection of the tablet computer to the printer is preferably also made via a fixed connection, namely via a cable, in particular a ribbon cable. In particular, the cable is used to exchange data between the tablet computer and the control and evaluation unit in the lower part of the printer's housing.

Zur einfachen und sicheren Führung des Kabels sind vorzugsweise im Gehäuseoberteil im Bereich der Drehachse des Tablet-Computers eine erste Öffnung und im Gehäuseunterteil im Bereich der Drehachse des Gehäuseoberteils eine zweite Öffnung für das Kabel ausgebildet. Durch die Ausbildung der Öffnungen jeweils im Bereich der Drehachsen kommt es nicht zu einer Beeinträchtigung beim Hochschwenken des Tablet-Computers oder des Gehäuseoberteils durch das Kabel bzw. umgekehrt zu einer Beschädigung des Kabels durch das Verschwenken des Tablet-Computers oder des Gehäuseoberteils. Das Kabel verläuft dann im Wesentlichen S-förmig vom an der Oberseite des Gehäuseoberteils angeordneten Tablet-Computer durch die erste Öffnung im Gehäuseoberteil, entlang der Unterseite des Gehäuseoberteils zur Öffnung im Gehäuseunterteil, durch die zweite Öffnung in das Gehäuseunterteil und dann innerhalb des Gehäuseunterteils zur Steuer- und Auswerteeinheit.For simple and safe routing of the cable, a first opening is preferably formed in the upper housing part in the area of the axis of rotation of the tablet computer and a second opening for the cable is formed in the lower housing part in the area of the upper housing part's axis of rotation. Due to the formation of the openings in the area of the axes of rotation, there is no impairment when the tablet computer or the upper part of the housing is swiveled up by the cable or, conversely, the cable is not damaged by the swiveling of the tablet computer or the upper part of the housing. The cable then runs essentially in an S-shape from the tablet computer arranged on the top of the upper housing part through the first opening in the upper housing part, along the underside of the upper housing part to the opening in the lower housing part, through the second opening into the lower housing part and then inside the lower housing part to the control - and evaluation unit.

Dadurch, dass das Kabel entlang der Unterseite des Gehäuseoberteils verläuft, ist das Kabel auch bei geöffnetem Gehäuseoberteil vor Beschädigung geschützt, beispielsweise wenn ein Benutzer bei geöffnetem Gehäuseoberteil eine Farbbandkassette auswechselt. Als zusätzlicher Schutz für das Kabel kann darüber hinaus eine Abdeckung vorgesehen sein, die an der Unterseite des Gehäuseoberteils angeordnet ist.Because the cable runs along the underside of the upper part of the housing, the cable is protected from damage even when the upper part of the housing is open, for example if a user changes a ribbon cassette with the upper part of the housing open. As additional protection for the cable, a cover can also be provided, which is arranged on the underside of the upper part of the housing.

Ist der Tablet-Computer - wie zuvor beschrieben - über ein Kabel mit dem Drucker, insbesondere der im Gehäuseunterteil angeordneten Steuer- und Auswerteeinheit verbunden, so erfolgt vorzugsweise nicht nur der Datenaustausch zwischen dem Tablet-Computer und der Steuer- und Auswerteeinheit über das Kabel, sondern auch die Energieversorgung des Tablet-Computers. Alternativ dazu kann die Stromversorgung des Tablet-Computers auch kabellos erfolgen, nämlich dadurch, dass an der Oberseite des Gehäuseoberteils eine Ladeschnittstelle zum Laden eines Akkus im Tablet-Computer angeordnet ist. Der Ladevorgang erfolgt dabei vorzugsweise im heruntergeschwenkten Zustand des Tablet-Computers, so dass die Ladeschnittstelle von der Drehachse des Tablet-Computers entfernt angeordnet ist. Die Ladeschnittstelle kann dabei als kontaktbehaftete oder induktive Ladeschnittstelle ausgebildet sein. Insbesondere dann, wenn das Gehäuseoberteil eine Ladeschnittstelle für die Stromversorgung des Tablet-Computers aufweist, ist der Drucker vorzugsweise so ausgebildet, dass auch der Datenaustausch zwischen dem Tablet-Computer und der Steuer- und Auswerteeinheit drahtlos erfolgt, insbesondere per Funk über WLAN oder Bluetooth.If the tablet computer - as described above - is connected via a cable to the printer, in particular to the control and evaluation unit arranged in the lower part of the housing, then 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. As an alternative to this, the tablet computer can also be supplied with power wirelessly, namely in that a charging interface for charging a battery in the tablet computer is arranged on the upper side of the upper part of the housing. The charging process preferably takes place when the tablet computer is pivoted down, 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-based or inductive charging interface. In particular, when the upper part of the housing 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 also takes place wirelessly, in particular by radio via WLAN or Bluetooth.

Im Einzelnen gibt es nun eine Vielzahl von Möglichkeiten, den erfindungsgemäßen Drucker auszugestalten und weiterzubilden. Dazu wird verwiesen sowohl auf die dem Patentanspruch 1 nachgeordneten Patentansprüche, als auch auf die nachfolgende Beschreibung bevorzugter Ausführungsbeispiele in Verbindung mit der Zeichnung. In der Zeichnung zeigen

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 detail, there are now a large number of possibilities for designing and developing the printer according to the invention. For this purpose, reference is made both to the claims subordinate to claim 1 and to the following description of preferred exemplary embodiments in conjunction with the drawing. Show in the drawing
Fig. 1
a schematic representation of a printer in longitudinal section,
Fig. 2
an embodiment of the printer with the tablet computer swiveled up, diagonally from the front and from the side,
Fig. 3
the printer according to Fig. 2 , diagonally from behind,
Fig. 4
a perspective view of the printer, diagonally from the front, with the upper part of the housing pivoted up,
Fig. 5
a representation of the printer at an angle from the side, with the tablet computer pivoted up and the upper part of the housing pivoted up, and
Fig. 6
a perspective view of the printer, with the upper part of the housing pivoted down and the tablet computer pivoted down.

Fig. 1 zeigt einen Drucker 1 gemäß der vorliegenden Erfindung in stark vereinfachter, schematischer Darstellung im Längsschnitt. Der Drucker 1, bei dem es sich vorzugsweise um einen Thermotransferdrucker handelt, dient zur Bedruckung von Bedruckungsobjekten 2, insbesondere in Kartenformat oder in Form von Trägerbögen. Der Drucker 1 weist ein Gehäuse 3 auf, in dem ein Druckraum 4 ausgebildet ist. Außerdme ist in dem Gehäuse 3 eine Druckvorrichtung 5 angeordnet, die insbesondere aus einem Druckkopf 6 und einer Farbbandkassette 7 besteht, deren Farbband beim Druckvorgang mit sehr geringem Abstand oberhalb des zu bedruckenden Bedruckungsobjektes 2 angeordnet ist. Eine nach Art einer Schublade oder eines Transportschlittens ausgebildete Aufnahmevorrichtung 8 kann zwischen einer Be- und Entladeposition außerhalb des Druckraums 4 und einer Druckposition innerhalb des Druckraums 4 verfahren werden. Die Bewegungsrichtung der Aufnahmevorrichtung 8 verläuft dabei in Fig. 1 in Richtung des Pfeils A, wobei bei der Darstellung gemäß Fig. 1 die Aufnahmevorrichtung 8 innerhalb des Druckraums 4, also in der Druckposition, angeordnet ist. Die Aufnahmevorrichtung 8 dient zur Aufnahme eines Magazins 9, in das das jeweils zu bedruckende Bedruckungsobjekt 2 eingelegt werden kann. Dadurch ist gewährleistet, dass das zu bedruckende Bedruckungsobjekt 2 auf einfache und komfortable Art und Weise in den Druckraum 4 eingebracht werden kann und dort auch stets in einer vorgegebenen Position angeordnet ist. Fig. 1 shows a printer 1 according to the present invention in a greatly simplified, schematic representation in longitudinal section. The printer 1, which is preferably a thermal transfer printer, is used to print objects to be printed 2, in particular in card format or in the form of carrier sheets. The printer 1 has a housing 3 in which a printing space 4 is formed. In addition, a printing device 5 is arranged in the housing 3, which consists in particular of a print head 6 and an ink ribbon cassette 7, the ink ribbon of which is arranged at a very small distance above the printing object 2 to be printed during the printing process. 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 printing space 4 and a printing position inside the printing space 4. The direction of movement of the receiving device 8 runs in Fig. 1 in the direction of arrow A, wherein in the illustration according to Fig. 1 the receiving device 8 is arranged within the pressure chamber 4, that is to say in the printing position. The receiving device 8 serves to receive a magazine 9 into which the respective printing object 2 to be printed can be inserted. This ensures that the printing object 2 to be printed can be introduced into the printing space 4 in a simple and convenient manner and is also always arranged there in a predetermined position.

Zur Steuerung des Druckvorgangs sind im Drucker 1 darüber hinaus insbesondere noch eine Steuer- und Auswerteeinheit 10 sowie ein mit der Steuer- und Auswerteeinheit 10 verbundener Speicher 11 angeordnet, die in Fig. 1 nur sehr schematisch dargestellt sind. Die Steuer- und Auswerteeinheit 10 ist darüber hinaus auch mit dem Druckkopf 6 verbunden, was in der Figur jedoch nicht dargestellt ist. Wie in Fig. 1 angedeutet und in den weiteren Figuren, insbesondere den Fig. 4 und 5 erkennbar ist, weist das Gehäuse 3 ein Gehäuseunterteil 12 und ein Gehäuseoberteil 13 auf. In dem Gehäuseunterteil 12 sind der Druckraum 4, die Druckvorrichtung 5 mit dem Druckkopf 6 und der Farbbandkassette 7, die Aufnahmevorrichtung 8 und die Steuer- und Auswerteeinheit 10, sowie der Speicher 11 angeordnet.To control the printing process, 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, which are shown in FIG Fig. 1 are only shown very schematically. The control and evaluation unit 10 is also connected to the print head 6, but this is not shown in the figure. As in Fig. 1 indicated and in the other figures, in particular the Fig. 4 and 5 As can be seen, the housing 3 has a lower housing part 12 and an upper housing part 13. In the lower housing part 12 are the printing space 4, the printing device 5 with the printing head 6 and the ribbon cassette 7, the receiving device 8 and the control and evaluation unit 10, as well as the memory 11 are arranged.

Aus Fig. 2 ist erkennbar, dass ein Tablet-Computer 14 mit einem Touchscreen 15 als Eingabe- und Anzeigeeinrichtung des Druckers 1 vorgesehen ist. Der Tablet-Computer 14 ist dabei schwenkbar um eine Drehachse 16 an der Oberseite des Gehäuseoberteils 13 gelagert. Außerdem ist auch das Gehäuseoberteil 13 schwenkbar am Gehäuseunterteil 12 gelagert, nämlich um eine Drehachse 17, wie insbesondere aus den Fig. 4 und 5 erkennbar ist. Die Drehachse 16 des Tablet-Computers 14 befindet sich dabei in der Nähe der Vorderseite 18 des Druckers 1, in der auch die Aufnahmevorrichtung 8 angeordnet ist, so dass der Tablet-Computer 14 in der in Fig. 2 dargestellten hochgeschwenkten Position einem Benutzer zugewandt ist, der sich vor der Vorderseite 18 des Druckers 1 befindet, von wo aus er auch ein Bedruckungsobjekt 2 in die ausgefahrene Aufnahmevorrichtung 8 einlegen wird.the end Fig. 2 it can be seen that a tablet computer 14 with a touchscreen 15 is provided as the input and display device of the printer 1. The tablet computer 14 is mounted pivotably about an axis of rotation 16 on the upper side of the upper housing part 13. In addition, the upper housing part 13 is pivotably mounted on the lower housing part 12, namely about an axis of rotation 17, as 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 also arranged, so that the tablet computer 14 is in the position shown in FIG Fig. 2 The swiveled-up position shown faces a user who is located in front of the front side 18 of the printer 1, from where he will also insert an object 2 to be printed into the extended receiving device 8.

Damit der Tablet-Computer 14 in der hochgeschwenkten Position gestützt ist und dort auch durch eine Arretierung verbleibt, wenn ein Benutzer Druckdaten oder Druckparameter auf dem Touchscreen 15 des Tablet-Computers 14 eingibt, ist ein U-förmiger Bügel 19 schwenkbar an der Rückseite des Tablet-Computers 14 angeordnet, wie insbesondere aus Fig. 3 erkennbar ist. Der Bügel 19 weist einen U-Rücken 20 und zwei seitliche U-Schenkel 21 auf, wobei die vom U-Rücken 20 wegweisenden Enden 22 der U-Schenkel 21 schwenkbar an zwei gegenüberliegenden Seiten des Tablet-Computers 14 gelagert sind. An den dem U-Rücken 20 zugewandten Enden 23 der U-Schenkel 21 sind nach außen vorstehende Zapfen angeordnet, die jeweils in eine Führungs- und Arretierungsnut 24 eingreifen, die an den gegenüberliegenden Längsseiten an der Oberseite des Gehäuseoberteils 13 ausgebildet sind. An einem Ende der Führungsnuten 24 ist jeweils eine Vertiefung 25 ausgebildet, in die die an den U-Schenkeln 21 ausgebildeten Zapfen einrasten, wenn sich der Tablet-Computer 14 in der in Fig. 3 dargestellten, hochgeschwenkten Position befindet.A U-shaped bracket 19 is pivotable on the back of the tablet so that the tablet computer 14 is supported in the swiveled up position and remains there by a lock when a user enters print data or print parameters on the touchscreen 15 of the tablet computer 14 -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, the ends 22 of the U-legs 21 pointing away from the U-back 20 being pivotably mounted on two opposite sides of the tablet computer 14. At the ends 23 of the U-legs 21 facing the U-back 20, outwardly protruding pins are arranged which each engage in a guide and locking groove 24 which are formed on the opposite longitudinal sides on the upper side of the upper housing part 13. At one end of the guide grooves 24, a recess 25 is formed into which the pegs formed on the U-legs 21 engage when the tablet computer 14 is in the position shown in FIG Fig. 3 is shown, swiveled up position.

Zum Einklappen bzw. Herunterschwenken des Tablet-Computers 14 muss dann lediglich das obere Ende des Tablet-Computers 14 bzw. der Bügel 19 leicht angehoben werden, so dass die Zapfen an den U-Schenkeln 21 aus den Vertiefungen 25 der Führungsnuten 24 herausgehoben werden. Anschließend kann der U-Rücken 20 des Bügels 19 gegen die Rückseite des Tablet-Computers 14 gezogen werden, so dass dann der Tablet-Computer 14 abgesenkt werden kann, bis er in der dafür vorgesehenen Ausnehmung 26 in der Oberseite des Gehäuseoberteils 13 aufliegt, so dass die Oberseite des Tablet-Computers 14 im Wesentlichen bündig mit der Oberseite des Gehäuseoberteils 13 abschließt, wie dies in Fig. 6 erkennbar ist. Der am oberen Rand des Tablet-Computers 14 vorgesehene Taster 27 sorgt dabei dafür, dass der Tablet-Computer 14 auch in der heruntergeschwenkten Position verrastet, so dass er insbesondere beim Transport gesichert ist.In order to fold in or pivot down the tablet computer 14, only the upper end of the tablet computer 14 or the bracket 19 then has to be raised slightly so that the pins on the U-legs 21 come out of the Recesses 25 of the guide grooves 24 are lifted out. The U-back 20 of the bracket 19 can then be pulled against the back of the tablet computer 14 so that the tablet computer 14 can then be lowered until it rests in the recess 26 provided for this purpose in the upper side of the upper housing part 13, see above that the top of the tablet computer 14 is essentially flush with the top of the upper housing part 13, as shown in FIG Fig. 6 is recognizable. The button 27 provided on the upper edge of the tablet computer 14 ensures that the tablet computer 14 also locks in the swiveled-down position, so that it is secured in particular during transport.

Fig. 4 zeigt das bevorzugte Ausführungsbeispiel des erfindungsgemäßen Druckers 1 mit hochgeschwenktem Gehäuseoberteil 13, während der Tablet-Computer 14 in der heruntergeklappten Position dargestellt ist. Dabei ist zunächst erkennbar, dass die Drehachse 17 des Gehäuseoberteils 13 in der Nähe der Rückseite 28 des Druckers 1 bzw. des Gehäuseunterteils 12 angeordnet ist. Aus Fig. 4 ist dabei erkennbar, dass auch das Gehäuseoberteil 13 in der hochgeschwenkten Position verrastbar ist. Hierzu ist an dem Gehäuseoberteil 13 ein Schwenkbügel 29 befestigt, der in eine Öffnung 30 in der Oberseite des Gehäuseunterteils 12 hineinragt. Ein am Schwenkbügel 29 ausgebildeter Vorsprung 31 bildet zusammen mit dem Rand der Öffnung 30 eine Verrastung zur Arretierung des Gehäuseoberteils 13 in der dargestellten, hochgeschwenkten Position. Fig. 4 shows the preferred embodiment of the printer 1 according to the invention with the upper housing part 13 pivoted up, while the tablet computer 14 is shown in the folded-down position. It can first be seen 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 the lower housing part 12. the end Fig. 4 it can be seen that the upper housing part 13 can also be locked in the swiveled-up position. For this purpose, a swivel bracket 29 is attached to the upper housing part 13 and protrudes into an opening 30 in the upper side of the lower housing part 12. A projection 31 formed on the swivel bracket 29, together with the edge of the opening 30, forms a latch for locking the upper housing part 13 in the illustrated, swiveled-up position.

Zum Datenaustausch sowie zur Stromversorgung ist der Tablet-Computer 14 über ein Flachbandkabel 32 mit der Steuer- und Auswerteeinheit 10 im Gehäuseunterteil 12 verbunden. Hierzu ist im Gehäuseoberteil 13 im Bereich der Drehachse 16 des Tablet-Computers 14 eine erste Öffnung 33 und im Gehäuseunterteil 12 im Bereich der Drehachse 17 eine zweite Öffnung 34 für das Flachbandkabel 32 vorgesehen. Das Flachbandkabel 32 verläuft somit im Wesentlichen S-förmig von der entsprechenden Anschlussstelle am Tablet-Computer 14 durch die erste Öffnung 33, entlang der Unterseite des Gehäuseoberteils 13, durch die zweite Öffnung 34 und anschließend im Inneren des Gehäuseunterteils 12 zur Steuer- und Auswerteeinheit 10. Das Flachbandkabel 32 verläuft dabei eng anliegend an der Unterseite des Gehäuseoberteils 13, wozu an der Unterseite des Gehäuseoberteils 13 eine Führungsnut ausgebildet sein kann, so dass das Flachbandkabel 32 nicht über die Unterseite des Gehäuseoberteils 13 übersteht. Dadurch ist das Flachbandkabel 32 auch bei hochgeschwenktem Gehäuseoberteil 13 sicher gegen Beschädigungen geschützt.For data exchange and for power supply, the tablet computer 14 is connected to the control and evaluation unit 10 in the lower housing part 12 via a ribbon cable 32. For this purpose, a first opening 33 is provided in the upper housing part 13 in the area of the axis of rotation 16 of the tablet computer 14 and a second opening 34 for the ribbon cable 32 is provided in the lower housing part 12 in the area of the axis of rotation 17. The ribbon cable 32 thus runs essentially in an S-shape 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 then inside the lower housing part 12 to the control and evaluation unit 10 The ribbon cable 32 runs tightly on the underside of the upper housing part 13, for which purpose a guide groove is formed on the underside of the upper housing part 13 can, so that the ribbon cable 32 does not protrude beyond the underside of the upper housing part 13. As a result, the ribbon cable 32 is reliably protected against damage even when the upper housing part 13 is pivoted up.

Wie aus Fig. 4 erkennbar ist, ist die Farbbandkassette 7 unter einer Abdeckung 35 angeordnet. Die Abdeckung 35, an deren Unterseite der Druckkopf 6 befestigt ist, ist schwenkbar im Gehäuseunterteil 13 gelagert und mittels der Rasthebel 36 in der geschlossenen Position gehalten. Zum Auswechseln der Farbbandkassette 7 müssen zunächst die Rasthebel 36 zurückgeschwenkt werden, so dass dann die Abdeckung 35 mit dem daran befestigten Druckkopf 6 hochgeschwenkt werden kann. Anschließend kann die Farbbandkassette 7 von einem Benutzer von der Vorderseite aus dem Gehäuseunterteil 12 herausgenommen und durch eine anderen Farbbandkassette 7 ersetzt werden.How out Fig. 4 can be seen, the ribbon cassette 7 is arranged under a cover 35. The cover 35, on the underside of which the print head 6 is attached, is pivotably mounted in the lower housing part 13 and held in the closed position by means of the latching lever 36. To replace the ribbon cassette 7, the latching levers 36 must first be pivoted back so that the cover 35 with the print head 6 attached to it can then be pivoted up. The ribbon cassette 7 can then be removed by a user from the front of the lower housing part 12 and replaced by another ribbon cassette 7.

Fig. 5 zeigt den erfindungsgemäßen Drucker 1 mit hochgeschwenktem Gehäuseoberteil 13 und hochgeschwenktem Tablet-Computer 14, wobei sowohl das Gehäuseoberteil 13 als auch der Tablet-Computer 14 jeweils in der Position arretiert sind. In dieser Darstellung ist besonders gut erkennbar, dass die Drehachse 16 des Tablet-Computers 14 und die Drehachse 17 des Gehäuseoberteils 13 an unterschiedlichen Seiten des Druckers 1 angeordnet sind, nämlich im Falle der Drehachse 16 des Tablet-Computers 14 in der Nähe der Vorderseite 18 des Druckers 1 und im Falle der Drehachse 17 des Gehäuseoberteils 13 in der Nähe der Rückseite 28 des Druckers 1. Fig. 5 shows the printer 1 according to the invention with the upper housing part 13 pivoted up and the tablet computer 14 pivoted up, both the upper housing part 13 and the tablet computer 14 each being 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 upper housing 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 axis of rotation 17, the upper housing part 13 in the vicinity of the rear side 28 of the printer 1.

Fig. 6 zeigt schließlich eine perspektivische Darstellung des erfindungsgemäßen Druckers 1 mit heruntergeschwenktem Gehäuseoberteil 13 und heruntergeschwenktem Tablet-Computer 14. Der Drucker 1 ist als portables Gerät ausgebildet, das auf Grund seines geringen Gewichts von ca. 6 kg und seiner geringen Grundfläche, die in etwa den Abmessungen eines DIN-A 4 Blattes entspricht, vom Benutzer bedarfsweise an unterschiedliche Einsatzorte platziert werden kann. Neben dem Touchscreen 15 weist der Tablet-Computer 14 noch ein weiteres Bedienfeld 37 mit einem Ein/Aus-Schalter 38 und einer LED 39 auf, die den Ladezustand des Akkus des Druckers 1 anzeigen kann. Durch Betätigung der an den beiden Längsseiten des Gehäuseoberteils 13 ausgebildeten Taster 40 können die am Gehäuseoberteil 13 ausgebildeten Rasthaken 41 ausgelenkt werden, so dass das Gehäuseoberteil 13 hochgeschwenkt werden kann. Bei nicht gedrückten Tastern 40 ist das Gehäuseoberteil 13 in der heruntergeschwenkten Position verrastet, so dass der Drucker 1 nicht nur sehr kompakt ist, sondern auch vor ungewolltem Aufklappen oder Beschädigung geschützt ist. Fig. 6 Finally, shows a perspective view of the printer 1 according to the invention with the upper part 13 of the housing pivoted down and the tablet computer 14 pivoted down. The printer 1 is designed as a portable device which, due to its low weight of approx corresponds to a DIN A4 sheet, can be placed at different locations by the user as required. In addition to the touchscreen 15, the tablet computer 14 also has a further control panel 37 with an on / off switch 38 and an LED 39, which can display the charge status of the battery of the printer 1. By actuating the buttons 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 is pivoted up can be. When the buttons 40 are not pressed, the upper housing part 13 is locked in the swiveled-down position, so that the printer 1 is not only very compact, but is also protected against unintentional opening or damage.

Claims (9)

  1. Printer (1) for printing objects (2) for marking electrical components, with a housing (3) with a printing space (4) enclosed in the housing (3), with a printing device (5), with a receiving device (8) for an exchangeable magazine (9) for receiving the printing object (2) to be printed, with a control and evaluation unit (10), and with an input and display device, wherein the receiving device (8) is movable between a loading and unloading position outside of the printing space (4) and a printing position inside of the printing space (4),
    characterized in
    that the housing (3) has a lower housing part (12) and an upper housing part (13), wherein the printing space (4), the printing device (5), the receiving device (8) and the control and evaluation unit (10) are arranged in the lower housing part (12),
    that a tablet computer (14) is provided as the input and display device, which is pivotably attached on a top side of the upper housing part (13) so as to be able to pivot about a rotational axis (16), wherein the tablet computer (14) can be locked in an upwardly pivoted position, and
    that the upper housing part (13) is pivotably mounted on the lower housing part (12) to be able to pivot about a rotational axis (17).
  2. Printer (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the rotational axis (16) of the tablet computer (14) is arranged in the vicinity of the front side (18) of the printer (1), in which front side (18) the receiving device (8) is also arranged.
  3. Printer (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that a U-shaped bracket (19) or a frame is pivotably mounted on the tablet computer (14) and that a catch mechanism is formed between the bracket (19) or the frame and the top side of the upper housing part (13).
  4. Printer (1) according to claim 3 with a U-shaped bracket (19) comprising a U-back (20) and two U-arms (21), characterized in that the ends (22) of the U-arms (21) extending from the U-back (20) are pivotably mounted on two opposite sides of the tablet computer (14), that outwardly protruding studs are arranged on the ends (23) of the U-arms (21) facing the U-back (20), and that two lateral guiding and locking grooves (24) lying opposite each other are formed on the top side of the upper housing part (13) into which the studs extend.
  5. Printer (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the rotational axis (17) of the upper housing part (13) is arranged near a rear side (28) of the printer (1) and that the upper housing part (13) is lockable in an upwardly pivoted position.
  6. Printer (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the tablet computer (14) is connected via a cable, in particular a ribbon cable (32), to the control and evaluation unit (10) in the lower housing part (12) for data exchange, for which purpose a first opening (33) is provided in the upper housing part (13) near the rotational axis (16) of the tablet computer (14) and a second opening (34) for the cable (32) is provided in the lower housing part (12) near the rotational axis (17) of the upper housing part (13), and that the cable (32) runs essentially in an S-shape from the tablet computer (14) through the first opening (33), along the bottom of the upper housing part (13) to the second opening (34), through the second opening (34) and inside of the lower housing part (12) to the control and evaluation unit (10) .
  7. Printer (1) according to claim 6, characterized in that a cover that covers the cable (32) is arranged on an underside of the upper housing part (13).
  8. Printer (1) according to any 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).
  9. Printer (1) according to claim 8, characterized in that data exchange between the tablet computer (14) and the control and evaluation unit (10) takes place wirelessly via radio (WLAN; Bluetooth).
EP17151983.8A 2016-01-22 2017-01-18 Printer for printing on print objects Active EP3196033B1 (en)

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CN (1) CN107009768B (en)
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PL3196033T3 (en) 2021-12-27
JP2017128121A (en) 2017-07-27
CN107009768B (en) 2020-11-10
US20170210156A1 (en) 2017-07-27
BR102017001108A2 (en) 2017-08-01
CN107009768A (en) 2017-08-04
RU2017101848A3 (en) 2018-07-23
JP6434064B2 (en) 2018-12-05
BR102017001108B1 (en) 2023-01-31
DE102016101111B3 (en) 2017-04-13
RU2017101848A (en) 2018-07-23
US10328731B2 (en) 2019-06-25
EP3196033A1 (en) 2017-07-26
ES2898064T3 (en) 2022-03-03
RU2678255C2 (en) 2019-01-24

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