JP2004074812A - Printer - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a printer which retains the printing quality of a printing mechanism part and the cutting quality of a cutter mechanism part, by positioning a platen and a print head and by positioning a fixed edge and a movable edge. <P>SOLUTION: The printer is equipped with a fitting frame 51 fixed to a case cover 3, a support frame 52 supporting a platen roller 12 and the fixed edge 41, and a helical compression spring 53 fitted to the fitting frame 51 and the support frame 52. The support frame 52 is constituted to be movable in the circumferential direction E or F of a pin and in the radial direction C or D of the cover in relation to the fitting frame 51. A main body frame 4 is provided with a positioning pin 61 and a positioning groove 62 for positioning the support frame 52 at a position where the platen roller 12 and the fixed edge 41 are opposed to the thermal head 11 and the movable edge 32. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

The present invention relates to a printer such as an electronic cash register used in, for example, a POS (Point-Of-Sale) system, and more particularly to a printer having a positioning mechanism for a printing mechanism and further having a positioning mechanism for a cutter mechanism. .

Generally, this type of printer is provided with a printing mechanism for printing on recording paper pulled out from roll paper. Such a printing mechanism unit includes, for example, a print head and a platen, of which, for example, the platen is disposed on a lid that can be opened and closed across the paper path of the recording paper, while the print head is disposed on the printer body side. Are located in Then, the print head is disposed to face the platen with the cover closed, with the paper path interposed therebetween, and prints on the recording paper sandwiched between the print head and the platen.

Further, as the above-mentioned printer, there is also known a printer provided with a cutter mechanism for cutting, for example, a recording sheet as a receipt after printing, on the downstream side of the paper path of the printing mechanism. . Such a cutter mechanism is composed of, for example, a fixed blade and a movable blade, of which, for example, the fixed blade is disposed on the lid with the paper path of the recording paper interposed therebetween, while the movable blade is disposed on the printer body side. Are located in The movable blade is disposed opposite to the fixed blade across the paper path with the lid closed, and is interposed between the movable blade and the fixed blade by cross-sliding with the fixed blade. It is designed to cut recording paper.

However, in the conventional printer as described above, since the platen of the printing mechanism is provided on the lid that opens and closes, if the support shaft that opens and closes is shifted, the lid is closed. However, there is a problem that the position where the platen and the print head should be arranged to face each other is shifted.

Therefore, if the position where the recording paper is sandwiched between the platen and the print head is shifted, the print quality may be impaired.

Further, among the conventional printers having a cutter mechanism among the above-described conventional printers, one of the fixed blades of the cutter mechanism is provided on the lid similarly to the case of the printing mechanism, When the support shaft for opening and closing the lid is shifted, there is a problem that the position where the fixed blade and the movable blade should be arranged to face each other is shifted in a state where the lid is closed.

Therefore, if the position where the movable blade crosses and slides with respect to the fixed blade with the recording paper sandwiched between the movable blade and the fixed blade is shifted, the sharpness of the recording paper may be impaired.

The present invention has been made to solve such problems of the conventional technology, and is not affected by the positional accuracy of the support shaft of the lid, and the position where the platen of the print mechanism and the print head should be arranged to face each other. It is an object of the present invention to provide a printer that can maintain the print quality of the print mechanism by ensuring the above.

Another object of the present invention is to secure the position where the fixed blade and the movable blade of the cutter mechanism are to be opposed to each other without being affected by the positional accuracy of the support shaft of the cover body. An object of the present invention is to provide a printer that can maintain the sharpness of a set.

Means for Solving the Problems In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a body frame that supports one of a print head and a platen, and a case cover that supports the other of the head and the platen and that is provided to be able to open and close with respect to the body frame. In the printer having, a support frame movably supported by a mounting frame provided on the case cover, supports one of a print head or a platen to be supported on the case cover side, and a positioning pin provided on the main body frame. The support frame is provided on the support frame and has an engagement groove engageable with the positioning pin. When the case cover is closed, the positioning frame is engaged with the engagement groove so that the support frame is The printer rotates, and the platen is positioned with respect to the print head.

In the present invention, when the paper path is opened by opening the case cover in a direction away from the paper path, for example, the support frame supporting the platen moves together with the case cover, so that the print head and the platen move in the paper path. It is arranged at a position away from the camera. When the case cover is closed, the support frame moves with the case cover halfway, but the positioning pins engage with the engagement grooves and are guided by these to partially independent of the movement of the case cover. The platen moves and the platen is placed at a position to be placed facing the print head. Therefore, according to the present invention, irrespective of the position of the case cover on the printer main body, the support frame can be moved from the case cover to reliably position the platen with the print head, thereby maintaining print quality. Can be.

In the present invention, it is also effective to provide a guide edge near the engagement groove for guiding the positioning pin to the engagement groove when the case cover is closed.

Furthermore, an elastic member for urging the support frame is provided between the case cover and the support frame, and when the case cover is open, the support frame is inclined with respect to the mounting frame by the urging force of the elastic member. It may be configured to be held by. In this case, the support frame is attached by providing the locking portion on the support frame and the restricting protrusion that can be engaged with the locking portion on the mounting frame, and pressing the locking portion against the restricting protrusion by the urging force of the elastic member. You may make it hold | maintain in the state inclined with respect to the frame.

Further, a bearing for rotatably attaching a platen shaft for rotating the platen to one of the support frame or the main body frame, a positioning groove for receiving the bearing on the other of the support frame or the main body frame, and a bearing are provided. A head pressing spring that presses the print head against the platen while engaging with the positioning groove may be provided.

Alternatively, the cutter mechanism may be configured by attaching a fixed blade to the support frame and providing the main body frame with a movable blade that crosses and slides with the fixed blade to cut the recording medium printed by the print head. Thus, when the case cover is closed, the support frame is moved from the case cover to a position where the platen is securely positioned on the print head, as described above. This position is also a position where the support frame positions the blade portions of the movable blade and the fixed blade. Therefore, according to the present invention, since the movable blade and the fixed blade are positioned at a position where they can cross and slide, the recording paper printed by the print head can be reliably cut by the blade portions of the movable blade and the fixed blade. it can.

As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to obtain a printer that can maintain print quality by securing a position where a platen and a print head are to be arranged facing each other without being affected by the positional accuracy of a spindle of a case cover. Can be. Also, according to the present invention, a printer capable of maintaining the sharpness of the cutter mechanism by securing the position where the fixed blade and the movable blade of the cutter mechanism should be arranged to face each other without being affected by the positional accuracy of the support shaft of the case cover. Can be obtained.

Hereinafter, embodiments of a printer according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of the printer according to the present embodiment. FIG. 2 is a schematic configuration diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of the printer with a case cover opened.
FIG. 3 is a perspective view illustrating a schematic configuration of the support mechanism according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a state in which the movement of the support mechanism of the present embodiment has started, and FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a state immediately before the movement of the support mechanism has ended. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a state in which the movement of the support mechanism has been completed.

As shown in FIG. 1, the printer 1 of the present embodiment has a box-shaped main body case 2 made of, for example, resin. A case cover (lid) 3 that is shorter than the length of the bottom 2a of the main body case 2 in the longitudinal direction is provided on the front upper part (the upper right part in FIG. 1) of the main body case 2 with an arrow A or B around the support shaft 9. Are supported so as to be openable and closable in the directions shown in FIG. The case cover 3 is arranged parallel to the bottom 2 a of the main body case 2 in a closed state.

A body frame 4 made of, for example, metal is provided on the rear side (the left side in FIG. 1) inside the body case 2. The main body frame 4 includes a bottom 4a and a pair of parallel side portions 4b sandwiching the bottom 4a. A paper guide member 6 for forming a paper path P is provided at a front portion of the main body frame 4.

ロ ー ル Further, a roll paper accommodating section 5 for accommodating the roll paper R is provided on the front side inside the main body case 2.

As shown in FIG. 1 or FIG. 2, the printer 1 includes a printing mechanism unit 10 that prints on a recording sheet S drawn from a roll paper R of a roll paper storage unit 5 along a paper path P, and a printed recording unit. A cutter mechanism (cutter blade) 30 for cutting the paper S;

The printing mechanism 10 includes a thermal head (printing head) 11 for performing printing by a thermal method, and a platen roller (platen) 12 that supports the recording paper S between the thermal head 11 and the thermal head 11.

The thermal head 11 is provided on the main body frame 4 on the downstream side of the paper path P of the roll paper storage unit 5 in the paper feeding direction and is rotatable around the support shaft 13. The thermal head 11 is configured to be urged toward the paper path P by the head pressing spring 14.

On the other hand, the platen roller 12 is provided on a support mechanism 50 described below, which is disposed on the tip end side (the side facing the paper path P) of the case cover 3.

The platen roller 12 is arranged to face the thermal head 11 with the paper path P interposed therebetween with the case cover 3 closed.

(4) The main body frame 4 is provided with a drive mechanism section 20 for driving the platen roller 12 to rotate. In the drive mechanism section 20, a drive motor 21 is provided at a portion on the rear side of the main body frame 4, and the rotational driving force of the drive motor 21 is transmitted from the motor gear 22 to the intermediate gear 24 via the reduction gear 23. It is configured to:

As shown in FIG. 3, a platen gear 17 is fixed to one end of a platen shaft 16 of the platen roller 12, and the platen gear 17 is concentrically attached to a side surface of the intermediate gear 24 with the case cover 3 closed. The platen roller 12 is configured to rotate in a predetermined direction by meshing with the gear portion 25 provided above.

As shown in FIG. 1 or FIG. 2, the cutter mechanism 30 includes a cutter unit 31 having a movable blade 32 and a fixed blade 41.

The cutter unit 31 is disposed downstream of the paper path P of the printing mechanism unit 10 in the paper feeding direction and above the main body frame 4. The cutter unit 31 has a cutter case 33 composed of a cutter frame 34 and a cutter cover 35, and the movable blade 32 is provided inside the cutter case 33. A cutter motor 36 for driving the movable blade 32 is provided inside the cutter case 33.

An opening 37 for the movable blade 32 to enter and exit is formed on one side surface of the cutter case 33, and the opening 37 is arranged to face the paper path P. At the lower end of the opening 37, a tip 34 b of the bottom 34 a of the cutter frame 34 is formed so as to slightly protrude from the opening 37.

In the cutter unit 31, the movable blade 32 is configured so that the rotational driving force of the cutter motor 36 is transmitted to a gear (not shown) or the like. As a result, the movable blade 32 moves out of the opening 37 of the cutter case 33 across the paper path P (the position indicated by the solid line in FIG. 2) and the position where the movable blade 32 fits inside the cutter case 33 (the position indicated by the dotted line in FIG. 2). ).

On the other hand, the fixed blade 41 is provided in the support mechanism 50 of the case cover 3, and is arranged to face the movable blade 32 of the cutter unit 31 across the paper path P in a state where the case cover 3 is closed. ing.

As shown in FIG. 2, the support mechanism 50 includes a mounting frame 51 provided on the cover frame 3, a support frame (support member) 52 provided on the mounting frame 51, the mounting frame 51 and the support frame 52. And a compression coil spring (elastic member) 53 attached thereto. As described above, the platen roller 12 of the printing mechanism 10 and the fixed blade 41 of the cutter mechanism 30 are provided on the support frame 52 of the support mechanism 50.

The support frame 52 is configured to be movable within a predetermined range with respect to the mounting frame 51, and is configured to be held in a state pressed against the mounting frame 51 by the urging force of the compression coil spring 53. .

Here, the mounting frame 51 is formed in a substantially U-shaped cross section from a fixing portion 51a and a pair of parallel arm portions 51b so as to sandwich the fixing portion 51a. The arm portion 51b is arranged in a direction orthogonal to the case cover 3 by fixing the fixing portion 51a of the mounting frame 51 to the back side of the distal end portion 3a of the case cover 3.

On the other hand, the support frame 52 is formed in a substantially U-shaped cross section from a base 52a and a pair of parallel arms 52b sandwiching the base 52a. The interval between the two arm portions 52b of the support frame 52 is set slightly shorter than the interval between the both arm portions 51b of the mounting frame 51 and slightly longer than the interval between the both side portions 4b of the main body frame 4.

係 合 An engagement pin 52c is fixed to the distal end side of the both arm portions 52b of the support frame 52 so as to extend toward the outside of the arm portion 52b. On the other hand, it protrudes from the distal end sides of both arm portions 51b of the mounting frame 51 so as to extend along the longitudinal direction of the case cover 3 (hereinafter, referred to as "cover radial direction") shown by an arrow C or D in FIG. A projection 51c having a shape is formed. The projecting portion 51c is formed with an engaging hole 51d which is engageable with the engaging pin 52c of the support frame 52 and has a long hole shape in the cover radial direction C or D.

Then, in a state where the both arm portions 52b of the support frame 52 are sandwiched between the two arm portions 51b of the mounting frame 51, the engaging pins 52c of the supporting frame 52 fit into the engaging holes 51d of the mounting frame 51 with some margin. The support frame 52 extends in the cover radial direction C or D with respect to the mounting frame 51 and in the circumferential direction indicated by the arrow E or F in FIG. (Referred to as “pin circumferential direction”).

係 止 Furthermore, at the rear end side of the both arm portions 52b of the support frame 52, a locking portion 52e having a shape protruding toward the outside of the arm portion 52b is formed. On the other hand, an arc-shaped regulating groove 51e is formed at the rear end edge portion of both arms 51b of the mounting frame 51 with the engagement hole 51d substantially at the center, and the supporting frame 52 of the support frame 52 is formed at the lower end of the regulating groove 51e. A regulating protrusion 51f that can be engaged with the locking portion 52e is formed.

Then, with the support frame 52 being supported by the mounting frame 51, the locking portion 52 e of the support frame 52 is disposed in the regulating groove 51 e of the mounting frame 51, so that the support frame 52 is The movement in the circumferential direction E or F is restricted.

Further, the support frame 52 is inclined in the pin circumferential direction F with respect to the mounting frame 51 by the urging force of the elastic member 53 pressing the locking portion 52e of the support frame 52 against the regulating protrusion 51f of the mounting frame 51. Held in state.

Further, the support frame 52 is pressed against one end of the engagement hole 51d of the mounting frame 51 by the urging force of the elastic member 53 to press the engagement pin 52 of the support frame 52 against the mounting frame 51 in the cover radial direction. D is held in a slightly shifted state.

On the other hand, a positioning member 60 having a positioning pin (locking portion) 61 and a positioning groove (locking portion) 62 for positioning the support mechanism 50 is provided on the main body frame 4.

The support mechanism 50 is configured to position the platen roller 12 and the fixed blade 41 with the thermal head 11 and the movable blade 32 by the positioning member 60 when the case cover 3 is closed. ing.

Here, the positioning pins 61 are fixed to the upper front portions of both side portions 4b of the main body frame 4 so as to extend toward the outside of the side portions 4b. On the other hand, an engaging groove (locking portion) 52f capable of engaging with the positioning pin 61 and a guide pin for guiding the positioning pin 61 into the engaging groove 52f are provided at the rear end edge portions of the both arms 52b of the support frame 52. A guide edge 52g is formed.

As shown in FIG. 3, bearing members (locking portions) 18 that support the platen shaft 16 are attached to the distal ends of both side portions 52 b of the support frame 52. The platen roller 12 is rotatably supported by the support frame 52 by the bearing member 18. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 2, the positioning groove 62 is formed on the both sides 4 b of the main body frame 4 near the portion where the thermal head 11 and the side 4 b overlap with each other when viewed from the side of the side 4 b. It is formed in substantially the same shape and the same size as a part of the outer shape.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 2 or FIG. 3, the fixed blade 41 is supported by a support protrusion 51 g formed on both arms 52 b of the support frame 52 so as to protrude from the base 52 a with the engagement protrusions 41 b on both sides thereof. As a result, it is swingably supported by the support frame 52.

The fixed blade 41 is fixed to the fixed blade 41 by the urging force of a compression coil spring 43 attached to the shaft 42 and the fixed blade 41 in a state where the fixed blade 41 is penetrated by the shaft 42 fixed to the base 52 a of the support frame 52. The peripheral portion of the blade portion 41a is held in a state pressed against the base 52a of the support frame 52.

A blade cover 44 for covering the blade portion 41a of the fixed blade 41 in this state is provided on the base 52a of the support frame 52.

When the case cover 3 is closed, the support mechanism 52 attaches the support frame 52 to its base 52a by engaging the engagement groove 52f of the support frame 52 with the positioning pin 61 of the main body frame 4. The fixing portion 51a of the frame 51 is arranged at a position substantially parallel to the fixing portion 51a.

In the state where the support frame 52 is arranged at the above position, the platen roller 12 has the bearing member 18 arranged in the positioning groove 62 of the main body frame 4 so as to be opposed to the thermal head 11.

Further, in a state where the support frame 52 is disposed at the above position, the both ends 41c (see FIG. 3) on the blade portion 41a side engage with the front end portion 34b of the bottom portion 34a of the cutter frame 34, so that the fixed blade 41 becomes The fixed blade 41 and the base 42a of the support frame 42 are arranged at a position substantially parallel to each other, and are opposed to a position where the movable blade 32 can slide.

In the present embodiment having such a configuration, as shown in FIG. 1 or FIG. 2, when printing on the recording paper S, the case cover 3 is rotated in the direction of arrow A shown in FIG. When the paper container 5 is closed, the guide edge 52g of the support frame 52 slides on the positioning pins 61 of the main frame 4 as the case cover 3 rotates in the direction of arrow A as shown in FIG.

When the case cover 3 is further rotated in the direction of arrow A, the positioning pins 61 of the main body frame 4 are fitted into the engagement grooves 52 f of the support frame 52 while resisting the urging force of the compression coil spring 53. That is, when the support frame 52 receives a reaction force from the positioning pin 61 in a state against the urging force of the compression coil spring 53, the engagement groove 52f of the support frame 52 is attached to the mounting frame 51 as shown in FIG. On the other hand, it rotates in the pin radial direction E and moves parallel to the cover radial direction C to fit into the positioning pins 61 of the main body frame 4.

In this case, the bearing member 18 of the platen roller 12 approaches the positioning groove 62 of the main body frame 4 and the fixed blade 41 approaches the tip portion 34b of the cutter frame 34.

Then, as shown in FIG. 6, when the case cover 3 is closed, the bearing member 18 of the platen roller 12 engages with the positioning groove 62 of the main body frame 4, and the support frame 52 is locked at that position. You.

In this state, the platen roller 12 is positioned at a position facing the thermal head 11 while being pressed from the thermal head 11 by the urging force of the head pressing spring 14.

In addition, the fixed blade 41 is rotatably moved about the support protrusion 51 f of the support frame 52 by engaging the both ends 41 c with the distal end 34 b of the cutter frame 34 against the urging force of the compression coil spring 43. I do. Thus, the fixed blade is positioned at a position where it can slide with the movable blade 32 in a state where the blade portion 41 a is exposed from the blade cover 44.

(4) In this state, printing is performed on the recording paper S by driving the thermal head 11 based on predetermined print information while rotating the platen roller 12 to feed the recording paper S along the paper path P. Then, the recording paper S is cut by sliding the movable blade 32 crosswise to the fixed blade 41.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, the support frame 52 can be moved partially independently of the opening and closing movement of the case cover 3. Instead, the platen roller 12 can be positioned on the thermal head 11 completely independently of the closed position of the case cover 3.

Therefore, according to the present embodiment, the printing quality of the printing mechanism unit 10 can be maintained.

Further, according to the present embodiment, since the fixed blade 41 is supported by the support frame 52, the fixed blade 41 is moved to a position where the fixed blade 41 and the movable blade 32 can cross and slide in the same manner as in the case of positioning the printing mechanism unit 10. Can be positioned.

Therefore, according to the present embodiment, the sharpness of the cutter mechanism 30 can be maintained.

Note that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various changes can be made.

For example, in the above embodiment, the platen roller 12 is provided on the support frame 52. However, the thermal head 11 may be provided on the support frame 52, and the platen roller 12 may be provided on the printer body 4. However, from the viewpoint of protection of the thermal head 11, it is preferable to adopt a configuration as in the above embodiment.

The support mechanism 50 of the above embodiment is merely an example, and various changes can be made by using a mechanism that moves partially independently of the opening and closing movement of the case cover 3.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, the thermal head 11 is applied to the printing mechanism unit 10. However, for example, a printing mechanism using an inkjet method or a dot impact method may be applied. However, it is more effective if the present invention is applied to a printing mechanism that performs printing in a state of contact with the platen roller 12 like the thermal head 11.

FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a printer according to an embodiment. FIG. 2 is a schematic configuration diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of the printer with a case cover opened. FIG. 3 is a perspective view illustrating a schematic configuration of a support mechanism according to the present embodiment. It is a figure showing the state where movement of the support mechanism part of this embodiment started. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a state immediately before the movement of the support mechanism ends. It is a figure showing the state where movement of the same support mechanism part was completed.

Explanation of reference numerals

3 Case cover (lid)
10 printing mechanism 11 thermal head (print head)
12 Platen roller (platen)
18 Bearing member (locking part)
30 Cutter mechanism (Cutter blade)
52 Support frame (support member)
52f engagement groove (locking part)
53 Compression coil spring (elastic member)
60 positioning member 61 positioning pin (locking part)
62 Positioning groove (locking part)
P paper path

Claims (6)

In a printer having a main body frame that supports one of a print head and a platen, and a case cover that supports the other of the head or the platen and is provided to be openable and closable with respect to the main body frame,
A support frame that is movably supported by a mounting frame provided on the case cover and supports one of a print head or a platen to be supported on the case cover side,
Positioning pins provided on the main body frame,
An engaging groove provided on the support frame and engageable with the positioning pin,
When the case cover is closed, the positioning frame is engaged with the engagement groove, whereby the support frame is rotated with respect to the main body frame, and the platen is positioned with respect to the print head. A printer. The printer according to claim 1,
Further, the printer has a guide edge provided near the engagement groove and for guiding the positioning pin to the engagement groove when the case cover is closed. The printer according to claim 1 or 2,
Further, an elastic member disposed between the case cover and the support frame to bias the support frame,
The printer, wherein when the case cover is open, the support frame is held in an inclined state with respect to the mounting frame by a biasing force of the elastic member. The printer according to claim 3,
Further, a locking portion provided on the support frame,
A regulating projection provided on the mounting frame and engageable with the locking portion;
The printer according to claim 1, wherein the support frame is held in an inclined state with respect to the mounting frame by pressing the locking portion against the regulating protrusion by the urging force of the elastic member. The printer according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
Further, a platen shaft provided coaxially with the platen and rotating the platen,
A bearing for rotatably mounting the platen shaft to one of the support frame or the main body frame,
A positioning groove provided in the other of the support frame or the main body frame to receive the bearing;
A printer comprising: a head pressing spring for pressing the print head against the platen with the bearing engaged with the positioning groove. The printer according to any one of claims 1 to 5,
A fixed blade attached to the support frame,
A movable blade provided on the main body frame for cutting the recording medium printed by the print head by sliding across the fixed blade.

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