JP2019188816A - Printer - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a printer which allows a user to easily depress a push button for opening.SOLUTION: A printer 1 comprises: a push button 11 for opening; an opening/closing cover 5; a platen roller 14; a holding member 30; a printing head 15; a frame 4; and an elastic member 29. The holding member 30 holds a shaft of the platen roller 14 when the opening/closing cover 5 is in a closed state, and releases holding of the shaft of the platen roller 14 by rotation operation according to depression force. The holding member 30 comprises: a support part 30d for supporting an end of the elastic member 29; and an extension part 30b extending to a rotation shaft of the rotation operation from the support part 30d. The rotation shaft is located on an area opposite to an action point of depression force, with respect to a first virtual line passing through an action point of energization force and extending in a direction of the energization force, the area opposite to a support face 4a of the frame 4 with respect to a second virtual line extending in the direction of the depression force and passing through the action point of the depression force, in view from a plane orthogonal to the shaft of the platen roller 14.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

  The present invention relates to a printer having a print head for printing information on a print medium.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as a printer having a print head that prints information on a print medium, for example, a printer that urges a holding member that holds a print head by an elastic member so as to press the print head against the print medium (for example, Patent Document 1). Such a printer employs a structure in which both ends of the elastic member are supported by a holding member and a frame to which the holding member is attached.

JP2012-210800A

Such a printer generally includes a print head, an open / close cover that covers a platen roller provided at a position facing the print head, and a release push button that is pressed when the open / close cover is opened. .
In order to open the opening cover, it is necessary to press the opening push button with a force that can shrink the elastic member (that is, a force that opposes the urging force applied to the pressure release mechanism by the elastic member).

Therefore, as the urging force applied by the elastic member increases (for example, the number of elastic members increases), the opening push button becomes harder to be pressed.
In particular, in a printer that handles a wide print medium, the width of the print head and the width of the holding member are also widened. As the width of the holding member becomes wider, the urging force applied to the holding member becomes uniform in the width direction, and thus the number of elastic members needs to be increased. In such a printer, it is particularly difficult to press the release push button.

  SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to solve the above-described problems, and to provide a printer that makes it easy to press a release push button.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, an opening push button, an opening / closing cover that is opened in response to a pressing force applied to the opening push button, a platen roller that conveys a print medium, and the opening / closing cover are closed. A holding member that holds the shaft of the platen roller in a state and releases the holding of the shaft of the platen roller by a rotation operation according to the pressing force; and provided on the holding member; and A print head for printing information on a print medium conveyed by a platen roller, a frame for holding the holding member, one end supported by the frame, the other end supported by the holding member, and the open / close cover An elastic member that presses the print head against the print medium by applying a biasing force to the holding member in the closed state, Has a support surface that supports one end of the elastic member, the holding member includes a support portion that supports the other end of the elastic member, and an extending portion that extends from the support portion to the rotation shaft of the rotation operation. And the rotation axis is an imaginary line passing through the point of application of the urging force when viewed in a plane perpendicular to the axis of the platen roller, and is a phantom line along the direction of the urging force. It is a virtual line passing through the point of action of the pressing force, and is an imaginary line along the direction of the biasing force. It is a printer located in the area | region on the opposite side of the support surface of the said frame with respect to a 2nd virtual line.
According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect, the holding member is displaced in the direction of the pressing force by the turning operation, and the outer edge of the elastic member is not in contact with the frame by the turning operation. And a printer having a staircase shape in the direction of the pressing force.
According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect, the holding member is displaced in the direction of the pressing force by the rotation operation, and the outer edge of the elastic member is not in contact with the frame by the rotation operation. And a printer having a shape inclined toward the direction of the pressing force.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to easily press the release push button regardless of the width of the holding member.

1 is a perspective view of a printer according to an embodiment. The figure which shows the perspective view which made the open / close cover of the printer of this embodiment the open state with the roll paper RP which is an example of a roll body. FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view illustrating a schematic configuration of a housing of the printer according to the embodiment. FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining a sheet passing route of the printer according to the embodiment. The perspective view which shows schematic structure of the flame | frame and head bracket of this embodiment. FIG. 2 is a top view illustrating a schematic configuration of a head bracket and a platen roller according to the present embodiment. (A) is a side view which shows the positional relationship of the flame | frame of FIG. 6, a head bracket, and a spring, (b) is the schematic explaining the effect | action of the head bracket of FIG. The top view which shows schematic structure of the head bracket and platen roller of the comparative example with respect to this embodiment. FIG. 9A is a side view showing the positional relationship between the frame, the head bracket, and the spring of FIG. 8, and FIG. 9B is a schematic diagram for explaining the operation of the head bracket of FIG. (A) And (b) is a side view which shows the positional relationship of the flame | frame of the modification 1 of this embodiment, a head bracket, and a spring. (A) And (b) is a side view which shows the positional relationship of the flame | frame of the modification 2 of this embodiment, a head bracket, and a spring. The side view which shows the positional relationship of the flame | frame of the modification 3 of this embodiment, a head bracket, and a spring.

(1) Overall Configuration of Printer Hereinafter, the overall configuration of a portable printer according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the printer 1 of the present embodiment. FIG. 2 is a view showing a perspective view in which the open / close cover 5 of the printer 1 of the present embodiment is in an opened state together with a roll paper RP which is an example of a roll body. FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view showing a schematic configuration of the housing of the printer 1 of the present embodiment. FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining a sheet passing route of the printer 1 according to the present embodiment.

The printer 1 of the present embodiment stores a roll paper (an example of a roll body) in which a strip-shaped continuous paper (an example of a printing medium) is wound in a roll shape, and prints on a printing surface of the continuous paper. It is. As shown in FIG. 1, the printer 1 has a rectangular parallelepiped shape as a whole.
As shown in FIG. 3, the printer 1 includes a frame in which a front cover 2 and a main body case 3 are fixed to each other by screws (not shown), and a functional unit FU is mounted between the front cover 2 and the main body case 3. 4, and the functional unit FU is protected. The frame 4 is fixed to the main body case 3 with screws (not shown).

1 to 3, the front cover 2 includes an opening push button 11, a display unit 19, an operation button group 20 including operation buttons 20a and 20b, and a power switch 21, which will be described later. An opening / closing cover 5 for opening or closing the storage chamber SP for storing the roll paper RP is attached.
The opening push button 11 is a button for opening the opening / closing cover 5. The display unit 19 is a screen that displays operation commands, messages, and the like, and is configured by, for example, an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display). The operation buttons 20 a and 20 b are buttons for an operator to instruct the operation of the printer 1. The power switch 21 is a button for turning on or off the printer 1.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, the main body case 3 is connected to the front cover 2 so as to face the opening / closing cover 5, and forms a printer housing together with the front cover 2. As shown in FIG. 3, the frame 4 on which the functional unit FU of the printer 1 is installed is fastened to the main body case 3 with screws (not shown). As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the battery cover 12 is attached to the main body case 3 in a state where the battery cover 12 can be opened and closed. The battery cover 12 is an open / close cover for the battery housing 42 (see FIG. 3) of the frame 4 that houses a battery (not shown) as a power source.

As shown in FIG. 2, the roll paper RP used in the printer 1 is a roll of continuous belt CP in the form of a roll. When the open / close cover 5 of the printer 1 is in an open state, the roll paper RP is stored in the storage chamber SP. It is stored (loaded) in a drop-in manner. According to the drop-in method, it is possible to easily load the roll paper RP from the top to the bottom with respect to the support shaft defined by the roll paper guide portions 6 and 6 ′ provided in the storage chamber SP. .
In the example of the present embodiment, the roll paper RP is formed by winding the roll paper RP so that there is no core material and the belt-like continuous paper CP has a cylindrical hollow portion having a predetermined diameter.
The continuous paper CP is provided with meter reading slips at predetermined intervals along the longitudinal direction thereof. The adjacent meter reading slips in the continuous paper CP are separated by perforations. Although not shown, each meter reading slip is composed of printing areas corresponding to each of 3 or 4 plural slips, and adjacent printing areas are separated by perforations. Further, on the back surface of the printing surface of the continuous paper CP, along the longitudinal direction, the printing reference position of each metering slip (that is, the printing reference position of the first vote) and the printing area of each of the second and subsequent votes Position detection marks M and M ′ indicating the print reference position are formed. The position detection marks M and M ′ are rectangular marks printed in black on the back surface of the printing surface of the continuous paper CP. Each meter reading slip may be provided with a position detection mark that is different between the printing reference position of the first vote and the printing reference position of the printing area of each of the second and subsequent votes.
On the printing surface of the continuous paper CP, there is formed a heat-sensitive color developing layer that develops a specific color when reaching a predetermined temperature range.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the frame 4 forms a part of the accommodation chamber SP for the roll paper RP. In addition, a pair of roll paper guide portions 6 and 6 ′ that support the side portions (that is, both end surfaces in the width direction) of the roll paper RP from both sides in the accommodation chamber SP are attached to the frame 4. The roll paper guide portions 6 and 6 ′ guide both side surfaces of the roll paper RP while making the roll paper RP rotatable.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the functional unit FU includes a thermal head 15, a gear group 16, a stepping motor 17, and a circuit board 18. The thermal head 15 is provided so as to face the platen roller 14 when the open / close cover 5 is in a closed state, and prints by applying heat to the thermosensitive coloring layer on the printing surface of the continuous paper CP conveyed by the platen roller 14. It has a heating element. The circuit board 18 is mounted with a controller for controlling the printing operation and an electronic circuit for driving the stepping motor 17 for transporting the continuous paper CP and for driving the heating elements of the thermal head 15.

The open / close cover 5 is an open / close cover for opening and closing the accommodation chamber SP, and is pivotally supported on the open / close shaft 51 by a hinge or the like. The open / close cover 5 is urged so as to be opened by torsion springs 52, 52 ′ (see FIG. 4) arranged along the open / close shaft 51.
As shown in FIG. 2, the opening / closing cover 5 is provided with a platen roller 14 in the vicinity of the end opposite to the opening / closing shaft 51 along an axis parallel to the opening / closing shaft 51. The platen roller 14 is a transport unit for transporting the continuous paper CP fed out from the roll paper RP.

  Side pieces 54 and 54 ′ are provided at both ends of the opening / closing cover 5. By making the open / close cover 5 in a closed state, the connecting spaces 53 and 53 '(see FIG. 2) can be closed. The connection spaces 53 and 53 'are spaces for engaging the platen roller gear 141 of the platen roller 14 with the gear group 16 (see FIG. 3) when the open / close cover 5 is in the closed state. When the platen roller gear 141 is engaged with the gear group 16, the platen roller 14 can be operated, and printing can be performed on the printing surface of the continuous paper CP.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, the opening / closing cover 5 is provided with a sensor group 13 including a sensor 13 a and a sensor 13 b on a surface facing the sheet passing route when the opening / closing cover 5 is in a closed state. .
The sensor 13a is, for example, a sensor for detecting a print reference position (that is, one of the position detection marks M and M ′ of the continuous paper CP) of each meter reading slip, and is configured by a reflection type optical sensor. The reflection type optical sensor includes a light emitting unit and a light receiving unit (not shown). The light emitting unit emits light toward the back surface of the printing surface of the continuous paper CP, and the light receiving unit is reflected from the back surface of the printing surface. Receives light (reflected light). The light receiving unit photoelectrically converts the reflected light into an electrical signal corresponding to the light intensity (that is, the amount of light received per unit time), and outputs the electrical signal to a control unit (not shown) in the circuit board 18. The reflected light from the black position detection mark and the reflected light from a surface other than the position detection mark (for example, a white surface) have different levels of reflected light, that is, signal levels output to the control unit. The presence or absence of a position detection mark can be determined by the unit.
Unlike the roll paper RP shown in FIG. 2, the sensor 13b uses a roll paper in which a plurality of labels are arranged and temporarily attached to a belt-like base paper and the base paper is rolled. Used to specify the sticking start position. For example, a sensor for detecting the presence / absence of a label (that is, whether the label is temporarily attached to the mount or a position between adjacent labels where the label is not temporarily attached). The transmissive optical sensor is used. The transmissive optical sensor includes a light receiving unit and a light emitting unit (not shown) provided on the label attaching surface side and the back surface side of the mount, respectively. The light emitting unit emits light from the back side of the label attaching surface toward the mount. The light receiving unit receives light (transmitted light) of the component that transmits the mount or the mount and the label of the emitted light. The light receiving unit photoelectrically converts the transmitted light into an electric signal corresponding to the light intensity, and outputs it to the control unit in the circuit board 18. Since the level of transmitted light, that is, the signal level output to the control unit is different between the part where the label is attached and the part where the label is not attached on the mount, the label application start position depends on the control unit Can be specified.
The control unit in the circuit board 18 controls the print timing based on the signal level output from the reflective sensor or the transmissive sensor.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the cover inner surface 55 of the open / close cover 5 includes a curved surface 55 a and a guide surface 55 b along the axis of the platen roller 14. The sensors 13a and 13b described above are attached to the guide surface 55b of the cover inner surface 55. Further, the conveyance guide portion 22 is fixed to the frame 4. A wall surface 22 a and a guide surface 22 b are formed on the conveyance guide portion 22.

  FIG. 4 shows a part of a schematic side cross section of the printer 1 when the roll paper RP is accommodated and the opening / closing cover 5 is closed. In FIG. 4, the sheet passing route when the roll paper RP is inserted into the accommodation chamber SP of the printer 1 in a state where the continuous paper CP is wound counterclockwise as viewed from the side of the printer 1 is indicated by a bold line.

  As shown in FIG. 4, when the opening / closing cover 5 is in a closed state, the curved surface 55a of the opening / closing cover 5 and the wall surface 22a of the transport guide portion 22 constitute a part of the inner wall of the storage chamber SP, and the opening / closing cover. The guide surface 55b of 5 and the guide surface 22b of the transport guide portion 22 are arranged to face each other with a slight gap. This gap serves as a paper passing route for the continuous paper CP fed from the roll paper RP toward the platen roller 14 from the storage chamber SP. In the gap in the sheet passing route, sensors 13a and 13b are installed on the guide surface 55b of the opening / closing cover 5, and detection of one of the position detection marks M and M ′ through which the continuous sheet CP passes through the gap. I do.

As shown in FIG. 4, when the roll paper RP is inserted into the storage chamber SP of the printer 1 in a state where the continuous paper CP is wound counterclockwise as viewed from the side of the printer 1, the continuous paper fed out from the roll paper RP. The leading end of the paper CP is directed toward the platen roller 14 along the wall surface 22a of the conveyance guide portion 22 and the gap between the guide surface 22b and the guide surface 55b. Here, since the guide surface 22b and the guide surface 55b are angled on the opposite side to the winding direction of the roll paper RP with respect to the wall surface 22a, the continuous paper CP wound counterclockwise is used. Curling is suppressed while heading toward the platen roller 14.
In the printer 1 of the present embodiment, the continuous paper CP fed out from the roll paper RP is conveyed to the platen roller 14 through the paper passing route shown in FIG. 4, and the continuous paper CP is sandwiched between the platen roller 14 and the thermal head 15. Print on each meter reading slip. At this time, printing on each meter-reading slip is performed, for example, at the timing of printing based on one of the position detection marks M and M ′ detected by the sensor 13a.

(2) Relationship Between Frame, Head Bracket, and Spring The configuration of the head bracket (an example of a “holding member” that holds the thermal head 15) of this embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.
FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing a schematic configuration of the frame and the head bracket of the present embodiment. FIG. 6 is a top view showing a schematic configuration of the head bracket and the platen roller of the present embodiment. FIG. 7A is a side view showing the positional relationship between the frame, the head bracket, and the spring of FIG. 6, and FIG. 7B is a schematic diagram for explaining the operation of the head bracket of FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 5 and FIG. 6, the printer 1 includes a head bracket 30 (an example of a “holding member”) that holds the thermal head 15 and a predetermined interval in the direction in which the platen roller 14 extends (Xa to Xb direction). And a plurality of springs 29 (an example of “elastic member”) provided at a distance from each other.

The head bracket 30 is configured to hold a roller shaft 14a that is a main shaft of the platen roller 14 when the opening / closing cover 5 is in a closed state.
Further, the head bracket 30 is configured to release the holding of the roller shaft 14a by a rotation operation in accordance with a force with which the user presses the release push button 11 (hereinafter referred to as “pressing force”).

(2-1) Configuration of Head Bracket The configuration of the head bracket 30 will be described.
As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the head bracket 30 has a substantially U shape in a top view of the printer.
The head bracket 30 includes extending portions 30b and 30b ′, cutout portions 30a and 30a ′ that hold and release the roller shaft 14a, a protruding portion 30c that engages with the release push button 11, and a plurality of springs. And a support portion 30d for supporting the 29. The extending portions 30b and 30b ′ rotate along the notch portions 30a and 30a ′, the projecting portion 30c, and the support portion 30d with the central axis C as the rotation axis in accordance with the pressing force on the release push button 11. I do.

As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the support portion 30d has a substantially rectangular flat plate shape. The end of each spring 29 on the thermal head 15 side (Ya side) is supported on the back surface portion P1 of the support portion 30d opposite to the platen roller 14 (Yb side).
The thermal head 15 is provided on the front surface portion P2 on the platen roller 14 side (Ya side) of the support portion 30d. That is, the thermal head 15 is held by the head bracket 30.

As shown to (a) of FIG. 6 and FIG. 7, extending | stretching part 30b, 30b 'is located in the both ends of the support part 30d in the direction (Xa-Xb direction) along the roller shaft 14a. The extending portions 30b and 30b ′ have a shape extending from the both ends in the vertical direction (Zb direction) of the support portion 30d in a direction (Ya direction) toward the central axis C serving as a rotation axis of the rotation operation. That is, the support portion 30d of the head bracket 30 and the extending portions 30b and 30b ′ form a substantially L shape when the printer 1 is viewed from the side.
A circular insertion hole (not shown) centered on the central axis C is formed in the extending portions 30b and 30b ′. The support pins 31 and 31 ′ are inserted through the insertion holes in directions (Xa direction and Xb direction) from the inside to the outside of the printer 1. By the support pins 31, 31 ′, the extending portions 30 b, 30 b ′ of the head bracket 30 are pivotally supported with respect to the frame 4 so as to be able to rotate around the central axis C.

As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7A, the head bracket 30 extends from both ends in the opposite direction (Za direction) to the vertical direction of the support portion 30d and extends in the extending direction (Ya direction) of the extending portions 30b and 30b ′. It has substantially C-shaped cutout portions 30a and 30a ′ protruding in parallel directions. The cutouts of the cutout portions 30a and 30a ′ are formed so as to face the direction in which the platen roller 14 is positioned (that is, the Ya direction) with reference to the support portion 30d in order to hold the roller shaft 14a of the platen roller 14. ing.
When the open / close cover 5 (FIG. 4) is closed, the notches 30a and 30a ′ are engaged with both ends of the roller shaft 14a. Thereby, the roller shaft 14a is held by the head bracket 30, and the open / close cover 5 is maintained in a closed state. In this state, the thermal head 15 held by the support portion 30d of the head bracket 30 is pressed against the label L of the roll paper RP on the platen roller 14 by the urging force of the plurality of springs 29, and printing is possible. .

As shown in FIG. 6, the head bracket 30 is a direction (Yb direction) from the upper part near the center of the support portion 30d in the direction along the roller shaft 14a (Xa to Xb direction) to the opposite side to the platen roller 14 (Yb direction). Has a projecting portion 30c projecting to the end.
As shown in FIG. 5, the release push button 11 is engaged with the upper surface (the surface on the Za side) of the projecting portion 30 c, so that the pressing force on the release push button 11 is the pressing force on the projecting portion 30 c. It comes to work.

(2-2) Relationship between Spring and Head Bracket A portion of the configuration of the frame 4 related to the spring 29 and the head bracket 30 will be described.
As shown in FIG. 5, FIG. 6, and FIG. 7A, the frame 4 is formed with a plurality of groove portions 40 for accommodating each of the plurality of springs 29. Therefore, the plurality of groove portions 40 are provided at predetermined intervals in the direction (Xa to Xb direction) in which the platen roller 14 extends in accordance with the arrangement of the plurality of springs 29. The groove portion 40 has a support surface 4a that faces the back surface portion P1 of the support portion 30d and is substantially parallel to the back surface portion P1.
The frame 4 is provided with fastening holes (not shown) for fixing the support pins 31 and 31 ′ inserted into the circular insertion holes (not shown) of the extending portions 30 b and 30 b ′. For example, male pins are formed on the support pins 31 and 31 ′, and female screws are formed in holes provided in the frame 4 so that the extending portions 30b and 30b ′ can be rotated. 31, 31 'may be fixed.

(2-3) Configuration of Spring The configuration of the spring 29 will be described.
As shown in FIGS. 5, 6, and 7 (a), each spring 29 is arranged between the back surface portion P <b> 1 of the support portion 30 d of the head bracket 30 and the support surface 4 a of the groove portion 40 of the frame 4. Established. Here, among the support points on both sides of each spring 29, the support point on the support surface 4 a side of the groove portion 40 of the frame 4 is referred to as a “first support point”, and the back surface portion P 1 of the support portion 30 d of the head bracket 30. The support point on the side is referred to as a “second support point”. The first support point is defined as the intersection of the center axis of each spring 29 and the support surface 4a of the frame 4, and the second support point is the center axis of each spring 29 and the back surface portion P1 of the head bracket 30. It may be defined as an intersection. Each spring 29 is supported by a first support point and a second support point.
Each spring 29 is directed to the support portion 30d of the head bracket 30 from the first support point of the spring 29 toward the second support point (that is, from the support surface 4a of the frame 4 to the back surface of the support portion 30d of the head bracket 30). A biasing force is applied in a direction toward the portion P1 (Ya direction, hereinafter referred to as “biasing direction”), and the thermal head 15 held by the head bracket 30 causes the label of the roll paper RP on the platen roller 14 by the biasing force. L (FIG. 4).

(2-4) Operation when a pressing force is applied to the opening push button The operation when a pressing force is applied to the opening push button 11 will be described with reference to FIG. To do. FIG. 7B schematically shows forces acting on the frame 4, the head bracket 30, and the spring 29 of this embodiment shown in FIG.
As shown in FIG. 7B, when the user presses the release push button 11 to open the open / close cover 5, the push force F in the push direction (Zb direction) is applied to the release push button 11. Is added.
When a force against the urging force f in the urging direction (Ya direction) applied to the support portion 30d of the head bracket 30 by each spring 29 is applied to the spring 29 by pressing the release push button 11, the head bracket 30 performs the rotation operation according to the pressing force F. The head bracket 30 releases the holding of the roller shaft 14a by the notches 30a and 30a ′ by performing the rotation operation. When the holding of the roller shaft 14a by the notches 30a and 30a ′ is released, the opening / closing cover 5 is opened by the urging force applied by the torsion springs 52 and 52 ′ (FIG. 4).

As shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B, the first support point of each spring 29 on the support surface 4a of the frame 4 is Q1, and the second support point of each spring 29 in the support portion 30d of the head bracket 30. Is Q2. At this time, the urging force f applied to the support portion 30d of the head bracket 30 by each spring 29 is a second support point along a first virtual line R1 connecting the first support point Q1 and the second support point Q2. Operates with Q2 as the starting point. The first virtual line R1 is a virtual line passing through the second support point Q2, which is the point of application of the biasing force f, and a virtual line along the biasing direction (Ya direction).
Let Q3 be the point of action at the protrusion 30c of the head bracket 30 by the pressing force F applied to the head bracket 30 when the release push button 11 is pressed.
The center axis C of the support pins 31 and 31 ′ is assumed to be separated from the first virtual line R1 by a distance h in the pressing direction (Zb direction). Further, it is assumed that the center axis C of the support pins 31 and 31 ′ is separated from the second virtual line R2 by a distance d in the urging direction (Ya direction) of the spring 29 with respect to the support portion 30d. The second virtual line R2 is a virtual line passing through the point of action Q3 of the pressing force F and a virtual line along the pressing direction (Zb direction).

  In this case, the pressing force F required to rotate the head bracket 30 (that is, the force by which the user presses the release push button 11) is expressed by Equation 1 from the relationship of the rotational moment about the central axis C. Represented by

式１に示すように、押下力Ｆは、距離ｈおよび付勢力ｆに比例し、かつ、距離ｄに反比例する。したがって、各バネ２９のバネ定数が、印字品質の観点からサーマルヘッド１５によるプラテンローラ１４に対する押圧力を確保する上で一定の値が必要となることを前提とした場合（つまり、付勢力ｆは固定値であるとした場合）、距離ｄが長いほど、押下力Ｆは小さくなる。
つまり、開放用押しボタン１１は、距離ｄが短いほど押下しにくく、距離ｄが長いほど押下し易いことがわかる。かかる観点から、本実施形態のプリンタ１のヘッドブラケット３０では、長い距離ｄを確保するために、延伸部３０ｂ，３０ｂ’を設けている。

As shown in Equation 1, the pressing force F is proportional to the distance h and the urging force f, and inversely proportional to the distance d. Therefore, when it is assumed that the spring constant of each spring 29 needs a certain value in order to secure the pressing force against the platen roller 14 by the thermal head 15 from the viewpoint of printing quality (that is, the biasing force f is When the distance d is longer), the pressing force F becomes smaller.
That is, it can be seen that the release push button 11 is more difficult to be pressed as the distance d is shorter, and is easier to be pressed as the distance d is longer. From this point of view, the head bracket 30 of the printer 1 of the present embodiment is provided with extending portions 30b and 30b ′ in order to ensure a long distance d.

(3) Comparative Example for this Embodiment (FIGS. 8 and 9) and Effects of this Embodiment A comparative example for this embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.
FIG. 8 is a top view showing a schematic configuration of a head bracket and a platen roller of a comparative example with respect to the present embodiment. 9A is a side view showing the positional relationship between the frame, the head bracket, and the spring of FIG. 8, and FIG. 9B is a schematic diagram for explaining the operation of the head bracket of FIG.

As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the head bracket 300 of the comparative example with respect to the present embodiment is not provided with the extending portions 30b and 30b ′ (FIGS. 6 and 7) of the present embodiment. Therefore, the center axis C ′ of the support pins 31, 31 ′ (that is, the center of the rotational movement of the head bracket 300) is located between the front surface portion P 2 and the back surface portion P 1 of the head bracket 300.
From Equation 1, the distance d ′ of the comparative example for this embodiment is shorter than the distance d of this embodiment. Therefore, a sufficient rotational moment does not act when the head bracket 300 rotates. As a result, in order to depress the release push button 11 of the comparative example with respect to the present embodiment, the biasing force f (FIG. 9) applied to the support portion 300d of the head bracket 300 by the spring 29 without the action of a sufficient rotational moment. It is necessary to apply a force opposite to (b)) to the release push button 11. That is, the opening push button 11 of the comparative example for this embodiment is harder to press than the opening push button 11 of this embodiment.

  On the other hand, in the head bracket 30 of the present embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, since the extending portions 30b and 30b ′ are provided, the distance d between the central axis C and the second imaginary line R2. However, it is longer than the distance d ′ of the comparative example for this embodiment. Therefore, when the head bracket 30 rotates, a rotational moment corresponding to the distance d (that is, a rotational moment larger than the comparative example with respect to the present embodiment) acts. Thereby, compared with the comparative example with respect to this embodiment, the force required to push down the push button 11 for opening is small compared with the comparative example with respect to this embodiment. That is, according to the present embodiment, the opening push button 11 is easier to be pressed than in the comparative example for the present embodiment.

This embodiment is particularly effective when the biasing force f applied to the support portion 30d of the head bracket 30 by the spring 29 is large (for example, the number of the springs 29 is large and / or the spring constant of the springs 29 is large). is there.
In particular, in order to handle a wide roll paper RP, the thermal head 15 and the head bracket 30 having a sufficiently wide width (size in the Xa to Xb directions in FIG. 6) with respect to the width of the roll paper RP are required. . And, as the width of the head bracket 30 is wider, more springs 29 are required to bias the head bracket 30 evenly. Therefore, in a printer that handles a wide roll paper RP, the release push button 11 tends to be difficult to press.
However, according to the present embodiment, since the extending portions 30b and 30b ′ are provided, the rotational moment of the head bracket 30 can be easily obtained, and even in a printer that handles a wide roll paper RP, the release push button 11 Is easy to press.

  In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 6, the extending portions 30 b and 30 b ′ are pivotally supported by different support pins 31 and 31 ′, respectively. That is, a space S1 is formed between the two support pins 31 and 31 '. Thereby, various members (for example, a sensor for detecting the position of the label L) can be provided in the space.

(4) Modified example of this embodiment A modified example of this embodiment will be described.

(4-1) Modification 1 of this embodiment (FIG. 10)
Modification 1 of the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.
FIGS. 10A and 10B are side views showing the positional relationship between the frame, the head bracket, and the spring according to the first modification of the present embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 10A, the frame 4 is formed with a groove 40 for accommodating the spring 29. The groove portion 40 includes a support surface 4a, a middle step surface 4b, and a lower side wall surface 4c.
The support surface 4a is a surface extending in the Za to Zb directions. The support surface 4a includes a first support point Q1 to which one end of the spring 29 is fixed.
The middle step surface 4b is a surface extending in the Ya to Yb direction (that is, a direction orthogonal to the support surface 4a). The middle step surface 4b supports the spring 29 in the upward direction (Za direction) when the head bracket 30 is rotated.
The lower wall surface 4c is a surface extending in a direction orthogonal to the middle step surface 4b. A space S2 is formed between the lower wall surface 4c and the back surface portion P1 of the head bracket 30.
That is, the groove portion 40 of the frame 4 of this modification has a stepped shape toward the pressing direction of the opening push button 11 with reference to the support surface 4a.

As shown in FIG. 10B, when the head bracket 30 rotates, the spring 29 contracts in the rear direction (Yb direction) and the lower direction (Zb direction). At this time, a part of the contracted spring 29 is accommodated in a space S2 formed between the lower wall surface 4c and the back surface portion P1 of the head bracket 30. Therefore, the spring 29 does not contact any surface of the groove 40.
Thereby, generation | occurrence | production of the noise by the spring 29 and the flame | frame 4 contacting and the damage of the spring 29 or the flame | frame 4 can be prevented.

(4-2) Modification 2 of the present embodiment (FIG. 11)
A second modification of the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.
FIGS. 11A and 11B are side views showing the positional relationship between the frame, the head bracket, and the spring according to the second modification of the present embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 11A, in the second modification of the present embodiment, the lower wall surface 4c of the groove 40 has a predetermined inclination angle α (0 ° <α <90 °) with respect to the middle step surface 4b. It differs from Modification 1 of the present embodiment in that it is an inclined surface. That is, the groove portion 40 of the frame 4 of this modification has an inclined surface 4d that is inclined toward the pressing direction of the release push button 11 with respect to the support surface 4a.

As shown in FIG. 11B, when the head bracket 30 rotates, the spring 29 contracts in the rear direction (Yb direction) and the lower direction (Zb direction). At this time, a part of the contracted spring 29 is accommodated in the space S3 formed between the lower wall surface 4c and the back surface portion P1 of the head bracket 30. Therefore, the spring 29 does not contact any surface of the groove 40.
Thereby, generation | occurrence | production of the noise by the spring 29 and the flame | frame 4 contacting and the damage of the spring 29 or the flame | frame 4 can be prevented.

  Preferably, the inclination angle α of the lower wall surface 4 c is larger than the maximum rotation angle β of the head bracket 30. As a result, the inclination by the inclined surface 4d becomes steeper than the downward inclination of the spring 29 due to the rotation of the head bracket 30, so that abnormal noise caused by the contact between the spring 29 and the frame 4 or the spring 29 or Damage to the frame 4 can be prevented more reliably.

(4-3) Modification 3 of the present embodiment (FIG. 12)
In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 7A, the case where the support portion 30 d of the head bracket 30 and the extending portions 30 b and 30 b ′ form a substantially L shape in a side view of the printer 1 has been described. . On the other hand, in the third modification of the present embodiment, an example in which the support portion 30d of the head bracket 30 and the extending portions 30b and 30b ′ form a shape other than a substantially L shape in a side view of the printer 1 will be described. To do.
FIG. 12 is a side view showing the positional relationship between the frame, the head bracket, and the spring according to the third modification of the present embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 12, the third modification of the present embodiment is that the extending portions 30 b and 30 b ′ of the head bracket 30 extend from the support portion 30 d of the head bracket 30 while being inclined toward the central axis C. Different from the embodiment ((a) of FIG. 7).

  Even when the support portion 30d of the head bracket 30 and the extending portions 30b, 30b ′ form a shape other than a substantially L shape, as shown in FIG. When the distance d to the line R2 is longer than the distance d ′ of the comparative example for the present embodiment, when the head bracket 30 rotates, the rotational moment corresponding to the distance d (that is, the comparative example for the present embodiment). A larger rotational moment) is applied. Therefore, the force required to press the release push button 11 is smaller than that of the comparative example for the present embodiment.

(4-4) Other Modifications Other modifications will be described.

  In the present embodiment, an example in which the number of springs that apply the urging force to the head bracket 30 is four is shown, but any number of springs 29 may be used. Note that the greater the number of springs 29, the greater the biasing force applied to the head bracket 30 by the springs 29 (that is, the more difficult it is to press the release push button 11), so this embodiment is more effective.

  In the present embodiment, the example in which the head bracket 30 is pivotally supported by the two support pins 31 and 31 ′ is shown, but the number of members that pivotally support the head bracket 30 is not limited thereto. For example, the head bracket 30 may be pivotally supported by one member (for example, one shaft passing through the extending portions 30b and 30b ').

(5) Summary of this embodiment Hereinafter, this embodiment is summarized.

The printer 1 of this embodiment is
An opening push button 11;
An opening / closing cover 5 that is opened according to a pressing force applied to the opening push button 11;
A platen roller 14 for conveying a print medium;
A head bracket 30 that holds the shaft of the platen roller 14 when the opening / closing cover 5 is in a closed state and releases the holding of the shaft of the platen roller 14 by a rotation operation according to the pressing force;
A thermal head 15 which is provided on the head bracket 30 and which prints information on a print medium conveyed by the platen roller 14;
A frame 4 for holding the head bracket 30;
A spring 29 that presses the thermal head 15 against the print medium by applying a biasing force to the head bracket 30 when one end is supported by the frame 4 and the other end is supported by the head bracket 30 and the open / close cover 5 is closed. And comprising
The frame 4 has a support surface 4a that supports one end of the spring 29, and
The head bracket 30 includes a support portion 30d that supports the other end of the spring 29, and extending portions 30b and 30b ′ that extend from the support portion 30d to the rotation axis of the rotation operation.
The rotation axis is a virtual line that passes through the point of application of the biasing force when viewed on a plane orthogonal to the axis of the platen roller 14, and is pressed against the first virtual line that is a virtual line along the direction of the biasing force. The support surface of the frame 4 with respect to a second imaginary line that is a region opposite to the point of action of the force and is an imaginary line passing through the point of action of the pushing force and extending along the direction of the pushing force It is located in the area opposite to 4a.

  In this case, when the head bracket 30 rotates, a rotational moment according to the distance acts. As a result, the force required to press the release push button 11 is reduced. Thereby, it becomes easy to push down the push button 11 for opening.

Preferably, in the printer 1 of the present embodiment,
The support portion 30d of the head bracket 30 is displaced in the direction of the pressing force by the rotation operation,
The frame 4 has a step shape in the direction of the pressing force so that the outer edge of the spring 29 does not come into contact with the rotating operation.

  Thereby, it is possible to prevent abnormal noise and damage caused by the contact between the spring 29 and the frame 4.

Preferably, in the printer 1 of the present embodiment,
The support portion 30d of the head bracket 30 is displaced in the direction of the pressing force by the rotation operation,
The frame 4 has a shape inclined toward the direction of the pressing force so that the outer edge of the spring 29 does not come into contact with the rotating operation.

  Thereby, it is possible to prevent abnormal noise and damage caused by the contact between the spring 29 and the frame 4.

As mentioned above, although embodiment of this invention was described in detail, the scope of the present invention is not limited to said embodiment. The above-described embodiment can be variously improved and changed without departing from the gist of the present invention. Moreover, said embodiment and modification can be combined.
For example, in the above-described embodiment, a case has been described in which the print medium is a roll paper in which a strip-shaped continuous paper in which a meter reading sheet is divided by perforations is wound in a roll shape. However, the print medium is limited to that case. Absent.
As described above, the print medium may be a roll paper in which a continuous paper in which a plurality of labels are temporarily attached to one surface (label sticking surface) of the mount at a predetermined interval is wound in a roll shape. In that case, the label sticking surface of the continuous paper is coated with a release agent such as silicone so that the label can be easily peeled off.
Alternatively, the print medium may be a belt-like continuous paper provided with a heat-sensitive color-developing layer on the printing surface and an adhesive layer formed on the back side of the printing surface (a label without a mount), or journal paper. May be.

1: Printer 2: Front cover 3: Main body case 4: Frame 4a: Support surface 5: Opening and closing covers 6 and 6 ': Roll paper guide part 11: Push button 12 for opening: Battery cover 13: Sensor groups 13a and 13b: Sensor 14: Platen roller 14a: Roller shaft 15: Thermal head 16: Gear group 17: Stepping motor 18: Circuit board 19: Display unit 20: Operation button group 20a, 20b: Operation button 21: Power switch 22: Transport guide unit 22a: Wall surface 22b: Guide surface 29: Spring 30: Head brackets 30a, 30a ': Notch portions 30b, 30b': Extension portion 30c: Protruding portion 30d: Support portions 31, 31 ': Support pin 32: Sensor 40: Groove portion 42: Battery housing 51: Opening and closing shafts 52, 52 ': Torsion springs 53, 53' : Connection space 54, 54 ′: Side piece 55: Cover inner surface 141: Platen roller gear

Claims (3)

A push button for opening,
An opening / closing cover that is opened according to a pressing force applied to the opening push button;
A platen roller for conveying a print medium;
A holding member that holds the shaft of the platen roller when the opening / closing cover is in a closed state, and releases the holding of the shaft of the platen roller by a rotation operation according to the pressing force;
A print head provided on the holding member and printing information on a print medium conveyed by the platen roller;
A frame for holding the holding member;
One end is supported by the frame, the other end is supported by the holding member, and when the open / close cover is in a closed state, an elastic force that presses the print head against the print medium by applying a biasing force to the holding member A member, and
The frame has a support surface that supports one end of the elastic member;
The holding member has a support portion that supports the other end of the elastic member, and an extending portion that extends from the support portion to the rotation shaft of the rotation operation,
The rotation axis is a phantom line passing through the point of application of the urging force when viewed on a plane orthogonal to the axis of the platen roller, and a first imaginary line that is an imaginary line along the direction of the urging force. On the other hand, with respect to a second imaginary line that is a region opposite to the point of application of the pressing force and passes through the point of application of the pressing force, and is a virtual line along the direction of the urging force Located in a region opposite the support surface of the frame,
Printer. The holding member is displaced in the direction of the pressing force by the rotation operation,
The frame has a staircase shape in the direction of the pressing force so that the outer edge of the elastic member does not come into contact with the turning operation.
The printer according to claim 1. The holding member is displaced in the direction of the pressing force by the rotation operation,
The frame has a shape inclined toward the direction of the pressing force so that an outer edge of the elastic member does not come into contact with the rotating operation.
The printer according to claim 1.

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