JP2000037914A - Thermal line printer - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To eliminate a troublesome wherein both hands are necessary at a setting operation of a recording medium in the case where a platen roller which is attached to a movable frame is detached therefrom and attached thereto in a conventional thermal line printer and a position of a rotational center of the movable frame to which the platen is pivoted is limited so that degree of freedom of the designing of the device is restricted. SOLUTION: A platen roller 6 held by U-shaped baring sections 1a, 1b on a body chassis 1 presses a recording paper 9 against a thermal head 5 by being resistant to a spring force of a first elastic body 8. A stopping lever 10 capable of stopping or releasing both end sections 6a, 6b of the platen roller 6 in the above condition is provided.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a thermal line printer used as an output terminal such as a handy terminal or a measuring instrument, and more particularly to a thermal line printer in which a platen roller can be detached.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Heretofore, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. Hei 8-50557 discloses a system which has been proposed as a system in which a platen roller can be detached.
Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 6-1994 discloses an "open type thermal printer".

FIG. 6 is a schematic sectional view showing the structure of a conventional thermal line printer. FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view showing a setting operation of a recording sheet of a conventional thermal line printer.

In FIG. 6, 101 is a fixed main body chassis, 102 is a movable frame supported by the main body chassis 101, 103 is a line type thermal head, 103a is a row of heating elements on the line type thermal head 103, and 104 is a line. A head support member for positioning and fixing the die thermal head 103; 105, a platen roller pivotally supported by the movable frame 102; 106, a recording paper wound in a roll shape;
Reference numeral 107 denotes a heating element array 1 on the line type thermal head 103.
Reference numeral 108 denotes an elastic body which presses the platen roller 103a against the platen roller 105 via the recording paper 106, and a motor 108 serves as a drive source for driving the platen roller 105 to rotate. The arrow (Open-Close) in the figure indicates the direction in which the movable frame 102 moves. Open is the opening direction and Close is the closing direction.

Referring to FIG. 7, a description will be given of a recording paper set by attaching and detaching a platen roller of the conventional thermal line printer configured as described above.

In FIG. 7, P denotes an elastic body 107 via a head support member 104 for a line type thermal head 103.
W is a force for pressing the upper heating element array 103a against the platen roller 105, and W is a line type thermal head 103.
Is the force directly applied to the platen roller 105. The direction of the force W passes through the center of rotation of the platen roller 105.

The center of rotation of the movable frame 102 on which the platen roller 105 is supported is at a distance L from the direction of the force W as indicated by O in the drawing.

That is, when the movable frame 102 is closed, the moment M = L × W by the force W acts to close the movable frame 102 in the Close direction.

When an attempt is made to set recording paper with an apparatus using such a mechanism, first, when the movable frame 102 is to be opened, the movable frame 102 overcomes the moment M while holding down the fixed main body chassis 101. Just pull it up in the direction of Open.

After the platen roller 105 separates from the line type thermal head 103, when the recording paper 106 is mounted and the movable frame 102 is moved in the closing direction, the platen roller 105 comes into contact with the end of the line type thermal head 103. The line type thermal head 103 is moved against the platen load W, and the movable frame 102 is closed.
And the setting of the recording paper 106 is completed.

[0011]

In recent years, devices have been reduced in size and weight, and portability has also been emphasized. Furthermore, freedom of design is desired in order to promote differentiation as a device.

However, in the thermal line printer having the conventional configuration, when the apparatus main body is small and lightweight, when the movable frame is opened when setting the recording paper or the like, the main body chassis is pressed by one hand and the other hand is movable. It must be raised against the moment of closing the frame. That is, there is a problem that both hands are required when setting the recording paper.

Further, the position of the center of rotation of the movable frame on which the platen roller is pivotally supported is restricted, and there is another problem that the degree of freedom in designing the equipment is hindered.

The present invention solves such a conventional problem, and has excellent operability in which the recording paper can be easily replaced with one hand.
Moreover, it is an object of the present invention to provide a thermal line printer which has a high degree of freedom in device design.

[0015]

In order to solve this problem, a thermal line printer according to the present invention comprises: a head support member pivotally supported by a main body chassis; a line type thermal head fixed to the head support member; A movable frame pivotally supported by the main body chassis or the recording paper storage section and provided so as to cover all or a part of the recording paper storage section; and a U-shaped pivotally supported by the movable frame and provided on the main body chassis. A platen roller held by a cylindrical bearing portion, a first elastic body for pressing the thermal head against the platen roller via recording paper, and the U-shaped platen roller supported by the main body chassis. A locking lever for holding the platen roller on the U-shaped bearing, and a locking lever for holding the platen roller on the U-shaped bearing. And a second elastic body for contacting the movable lever. The tapered portion provided on the locking lever comes into contact with both ends of the platen roller with the movement of the movable frame in the closing direction, and the further movement moves the tapered portion to the second position. 2 is provided with a taper so as to move the locking lever in response to the urging force of the elastic body. The plate-shaped roller is engaged with the U-shaped bearing by the urging force of the second elastic body so that both ends of the platen roller are urged and held by the U-shaped bearing by the urging force of the second elastic body. It is configured.

According to the structure of the present invention, by providing a separate locking mechanism for the platen roller, there is no restriction on the position of the center of rotation of the movable frame on which the platen roller is supported.
The degree of freedom in equipment design can be increased. Further, it is possible to provide a thermal line printer which is excellent in operability in which a recording paper exchange operation can be performed with one hand.

[0017]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
A head support member pivotally supported by the main body chassis, a line-type thermal head fixed to the head support member, and covering all or a part of the recording paper storage portion pivotally supported by the main body chassis or the recording paper storage portion. Frame provided as described above, a platen roller supported by the movable frame and held by a U-shaped bearing portion provided on the main body chassis, and the platen roller A first elastic body for pressing against the main body chassis, and a platen roller rotatably supported by the main body chassis.
A locking lever for holding the platen roller in the U-shaped bearing portion, and a second elastic body for urging the locking lever to hold both ends of the platen roller in the U-shaped bearing portion. A taper portion provided on the locking lever comes into contact with both ends of the platen roller as the movable frame moves in the closing direction, and is further moved by the urging force of the second elastic body. A taper is provided so as to move the locking lever, and the further movement disengages the taper portion so that both ends of the platen roller engage with the U-shaped bearing portion. A thermal line printer configured so that both ends of the platen roller are urged and held by the U-shaped bearing portion at the back surface side portion of the tapered portion by the urging force of the second elastic body, Plastic Locking mechanism of Nrora By the provided separately, regulations such as the position of the rotation center of the movable frame platen roller is rotatably supported without such an action can be to increase the degree of freedom of design of the instrument. When the pressing portion of the locking lever is pressed with one hand, the engagement between the platen roller and the locking lever is released, the line-type thermal head pushes up the platen roller by the elastic force of the first elastic body, and the movable frame is engaged. It has an effect that it can be easily opened with one hand by being lost in the stopped state.

An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. (Embodiment 1) FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an overall configuration of a thermal line printer according to a first embodiment of the present invention, and FIGS. 2, 3 (a) and 3 (b) are sectional views thereof. FIGS. 4A, 4B, 5A, and 5B are cross-sectional views showing a setting operation of the recording paper in the embodiment.

1 and 2, reference numeral 1 denotes a main body chassis of a thermal line printer, 1a and 1b denote U-shaped bearing portions provided on the main body chassis 1, 2 denotes a recording paper holder for accommodating recording paper, and 3; Is a movable frame pivotally supported by the recording paper holder, 4 is a head support member pivotally supported by the main body chassis 1, 5 is a line type thermal head adhered and fixed to the head support member 4, 5a is a line type thermal head 5 The upper row of heating elements 6 is cylindrical and held by U-shaped bearings 1 a and 1 b of the main body chassis 1, and a platen roller supported by the movable frame 3 is a driving source for rotating the platen roller 6. (A gear train for transmitting the driving force of the motor 7 to the platen roller 6 is omitted).

Reference numeral 8 denotes a first elastic body (in the drawing, a plate-like spring is shown) for pressing the heating element array 5a on the line type thermal head 5 to the platen roller 6 via the recording paper 9.
(It is not limited to this.) Reference numeral 10 denotes engagement portions 10a, 1 that engage with both end portions 6a, 6b of the platen roller 6.
0b and the tapered portion 1 pressed by the platen roller 6
The locking levers 10c and 10d are pivotally supported by the main body chassis 1, 10e is a pressing portion provided on the locking lever 10, and 11 is the engaging portions 10a and 10b of the locking lever 10 are both ends of the platen roller 6. It is a second elastic body for urging in a direction to be engaged with the portions 6a and 6b. Reference numerals 1c and 1d denote first stoppers provided on the main body chassis 1 for restricting the amount of movement of the locking lever 10 in a state where the platen roller 6 is removed, and 1e denote the elastic force of the first elastic body 8. This is a second stopper for regulating the moving amount of the line type thermal head 5 pushed up together with the platen roller 6.

Further, the first stoppers 1c and 1d connect the platen roller 6 to the U-shaped bearing portion 1 on the main body chassis 1.
When positioning at a and 1b, as shown in FIG.
Assuming that the opening direction of the U-shaped bearing portions 1a and 1b on the center of both ends 6a and 6b of the platen roller 6 is the Y axis and the axis orthogonal thereto is the X axis, the tapered portions 10c and 10d of the locking lever 10 are provided. And both end portions 6a, 6 of the platen roller 6
b from 180 ° in the X and Y axis coordinates to 2
The end portions 10f, 10g of the engaging portions 10a, 10b of the locking lever 10 exist in a range of 70 ° (the thick line portion in the figure).
At a position that regulates the rotation of the locking lever 10 so that the projection is more convex than the center of the U-shaped bearing portion 1a in the direction (the X-axis direction in the figure) in which both ends 6a and 6b of the platen roller 6 are locked. Provided.

The second stopper 1e determines the amount by which the platen roller 6 is pushed up by the line-type thermal head 5. When the platen roller 6 is unlocked by the locking lever 10, the platen roller 6 is released.
When the locking lever 10 is again rotated in the locking direction by the elastic force of the second elastic body 11 after the
As shown in (b), both ends 6a of the platen roller 6,
The opening direction of the U-shaped bearing portions 1a and 1b on which the platen roller 6 is arranged and positioned on the center of
Assuming that the axis and the axis orthogonal thereto are the X axis, the locking lever 10
The contact point between the distal end portions 10f, 10g of the engaging portions 10a, 10b or the tapered portions 10c, 10d and both end portions 6a, 6b of the platen roller 6 pushed up is in the range of 180 ° to 270 ° of the X, Y axis coordinates. The line-type thermal head 5 is provided at a position where the rotation of the first elastic body 8 by the elastic force is regulated at a position where the platen roller 6 is lifted so as to be present in a thick line portion in the drawing.

The setting operation of the recording paper according to the embodiment will be described below with reference to FIGS.

As shown in FIG. 4A, the operation of setting the recording paper of the thermal line printer constructed as described above is performed by pressing the pressing portions 10e of the locking levers 10 and the locking portions 10a and 10b and the platen. Both ends 6a, 6b of roller 6
And the platen roller 6 can be released from the first position.
The second stopper 1e is lifted upward together with the line type thermal head 5 lifted by the elastic body 8 of FIG.
The platen roller 6 is lifted up to the point where the rotation of the line type thermal head 5 is restricted.

When the pressing of the locking lever 10 against the pressing portion 10e is released (by releasing the hand), the second elastic body 11 is released.
The locking lever 10 rotates in the locking direction due to the elastic force of
The tip portions 10f, 10g or the tapered portions 10c, 10d of the locking portions 10a, 10b are connected to both end portions 6 of the platen roller 6.
The rotation is restricted at a and 6b.

In this state, by pulling up the movable frame 2 to which the platen roller 6 is attached by hand, the platen roller 6 can be removed from the main body chassis 1 with a light force. When the platen roller 6 is removed, the locking lever 10 is further rotated by the elastic force of the second elastic body 11, but the tip portions 10f, 10g of the locking portions 10a, 10b hit the first stoppers 1c, 1d and rotate. Is regulated.

Next, the recording paper 9 is placed on the line type thermal head 5, and as shown in FIG.
When the movable frame 2 is pivotally supported, both ends 6a and 6b of the platen roller 6 are
c, 10d. As a result, as shown in FIG.
By rotating the locking lever 10 in the unlocking direction by the component force at 10d, the platen roller 6 is inserted along the U-shaped bearings 1a and 1b provided on the main body chassis 1, and the line type thermal head 5 is pressed while overcoming the elastic force of the first elastic body 8, and both ends 6 a and 6 b of the platen roller 6 are locked by the locking portions 10 of the locking lever 10.
a, 10b, when they come off from the tips 10f, 10g.
5B, the engagement levers 10a and 10b are engaged with both ends 6a and 6b of the platen roller 6, and the recording paper 9 is rotated. The set is completed.

In the thermal line printer obtained as described above, when the platen roller is attached to the movable frame and the platen roller is attached and detached and used, the platen roller locking mechanism is provided separately. There is no restriction on the position of the center of rotation of the movable frame that is pivotally supported, and this has the effect of increasing the degree of freedom in the design of the device. When the pressing portion of the locking lever is pressed with one hand, the engagement between the platen roller and the locking lever is released, and the line-type thermal head pushes up the platen roller by the elastic force of the first elastic body to lock the movable frame. Because it can be easily opened with one hand, and the movable frame can be closed with one hand from the set of recording paper,
This has an advantageous effect that the setting of the recording paper is simplified.

[0029]

As described above, in the thermal line printer according to the present invention, when the platen roller is attached to the movable frame and the platen roller is attached to and detached from the movable line printer, the platen roller locking mechanism is provided separately. There is no restriction on the position of the center of rotation of the movable frame on which the rollers are pivotally supported, and this has the effect of increasing the degree of freedom in the design of the device. When the pressing portion of the locking lever is pressed with one hand, the engagement between the platen roller and the locking lever is released, and the line-type thermal head pushes up the platen roller by the elastic force of the first elastic body to lock the movable frame. Because it can be easily opened with one hand, and the movable frame can be closed with one hand from the set of recording paper,
This has an advantageous effect that the setting of the recording paper is simplified.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an overall configuration of a thermal line printer according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a main part showing an overall configuration of the thermal line printer according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 3A is a sectional view of a main part showing a configuration of a thermal line printer according to the first embodiment; FIG.

FIG. 4A is a sectional view of a main part showing a setting operation of a recording sheet of the thermal line printer according to the first embodiment;

FIG. 5A is a sectional view of a main part showing a setting operation of a recording sheet of the thermal line printer according to the first embodiment;

FIG. 6 is a sectional view of a main part showing a configuration of a conventional thermal line printer.

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of a main part showing a setting operation of a recording paper of a conventional thermal line printer.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Main body chassis 1a, 1b U-shaped bearing part 1c, 1d First stopper 1e Second stopper 2 Recording paper holder 3 Movable frame 4 Head support member 5 Line type thermal head 5a Heating element array 6 Platen rollers 6a, 6b Both ends of platen roller 7 Motor 8 First elastic body 9 Recording paper 10 Locking lever 10a, 10b Engagement part 10c, 10d Taper part 10e Pressing part 10f, 10g Tip part of engagement part 11 Second elastic body

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (72) Keita Sakai 1006 Kazuma Kadoma, Kadoma City, Osaka Prefecture Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd. F term (reference) 2C058 AB12 AC06 AC12 AE04 AF06 AF31 AF59 AF63 DC02 DC04 DC13 DC22 DC25 2C064 CC02 CC06 CC07 EE01 FF10 2C065 AA01 AF01 CC27 CC29

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A head support member pivotally supported by a main body chassis, a line-type thermal head fixed to the head support member, and all of the recording paper storage portion pivotally supported by the main body chassis or the recording paper storage portion. Or a movable frame provided so as to cover a part thereof, a platen roller which is supported by the movable frame and held by a U-shaped bearing provided on the main body chassis, and the thermal head is formed of a recording paper. 1st press contact with said platen roller through
An elastic body, a locking lever pivotally supported by the main body chassis for holding the platen roller in the U-shaped bearing portion, and holding both ends of the platen roller in the U-shaped bearing portion. And a second elastic body for biasing the locking lever, wherein the tapered portion provided on the locking lever is moved in the closing direction of the movable frame so that both ends of the platen roller are moved. And a taper is provided so as to move the locking lever against the urging force of the second elastic body by further movement, and the contact with the taper portion is released by further movement. Both ends of the platen roller are engaged with the U-shaped bearing portion, and both ends of the platen roller are formed in the U-shaped bearing on the back surface side of the tapered portion by the urging force of the second elastic body. Part Configured thermal line printer as energized retained. 2. The platen roller according to claim 1, wherein when the urging of the platen roller by the locking lever is released, the platen roller is pushed up via the head supporting member by the first urging force. Thermal line printer. 3. A first stopper for restricting the main body chassis from biasing the locking lever by the second elastic body;
2. The thermal line printer according to claim 1, further comprising a second stopper for restricting the biasing of the first elastic body to the head support member.