JP2663952B2 - Portable printer - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Overview] Regarding the structure of a printer suitable for storage, transportation, and carrying, the spatial shape of the printer can be changed between use and storage, transportation, and carrying. A first case provided with a print head, a second case provided with a platen capable of facing the print head, an object of the present invention is to provide a printer which is easy to carry, The case 2 is provided between the case 2, the platen and the print head are opposed to each other so as to be able to take a closed state and an open state where the platen and the print head are not opposed.
It is composed of a connecting member that connects the two cases relatively rotatably.

[Industrial applications]

The present invention relates to a printer structure suitable for storage, transportation, and carrying.

With the spread of portable personal computers and word processors, printers that can be easily carried around are being demanded.

In order to satisfy portability, transportability, and storage properties, it is necessary to reduce the overall volume and make the shape suitable for storage.

[Conventional technology]

FIG. 6 is a side view showing an outline of the structure of a conventional printer. 61 is a print head, 62 is a platen, 63 and 64 are paper transfer rollers, and 65 is a print paper.

The print head 61 and the platen 62 face each other via the transport path, and the paper 65 is transported along the transport path and printed by the print head 61.

In such a conventional printer, a print head,
The positional relationship between the components including the platen is fixed.

[Problems to be solved by the invention]

As described above, the conventional printer has the same space shape when used and the space shape when stored and carried, and is unsuitable for storage and carrying where the space shape is more strictly required than when used.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide a printer in which the spatial shape of a printer can be changed between use and storage / carrying time, thereby facilitating storage / carrying.

[Means for solving the problem]

An object of the present invention is to provide a first case in which a print head is located in an opposing side, and a second case in which a platen capable of opposing the print head is located in an opposing side. And a connecting member provided between the first case and the second case and connecting the two cases so as to be relatively rotatable. When printing is used, opposing side surfaces of the two cases face each other. And a printable state in which the platen and the print head face each other, and a non-printable state in which the platen and the print head do not face each other and the opposite side surfaces of the two cases are substantially flush with each other during storage. And a cover member is attached to both cases so as to cover the print head and the platen in opposing side surfaces of the two cases. That.

[Operation] When the printer according to the present invention is used for printing, both cases are closed, and the print head and the platen are opposed to each other.

On the other hand, at the time of storage / carrying, both cases are rotated about the connecting mechanism as a fulcrum, and are opened.

In this open state, the spatial shape of the printer is different from that at the time of use, and is a shape suitable for storage and carrying. In this open state, the cover member is mounted so as to cover the opposing side surfaces of the two cases, thereby preventing dust from entering the apparatus and damaging the print head and the like.

〔Example〕

2 to 5 show an embodiment of the portable printer of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a side view showing a closed state of the portable printer, and 21 is an upper cover constituting the first case,
Reference numeral 22 denotes a lower cover constituting the second case, reference numeral 23 denotes a print head, reference numeral 24 denotes a platen, reference numeral 25 denotes a hinge, and reference numeral 26 denotes a paper receiver serving as a cover member, which also serves to prevent intrusion of dust and damage to the print head and the like. 27 and 28 are transfer rollers, and 29 is a control unit.

The upper cover 21 has a built-in print head 23, a transfer roller 27, and the like, while the lower cover 22 has a platen
24, a transfer roller 28, a control unit 29 and the like are incorporated.

A hinge 25 is provided between each end to rotatably connect the upper cover 21 and the lower cover 22. A paper receiver 26 for receiving the printed paper 30 is provided at one end of the lower cover 22 via a hinge 31.

The paper 30 is inserted into a paper transport path formed between the covers 21 and 22, passes through a printing unit including a print head 23 and a platen 24, and the printed paper reaches a paper receiver 26.

FIG. 3 is a side view showing an open state of the portable printer according to the present invention. The upper cover 21 is rotated clockwise about the hinge 25 with respect to the lower cover 22. In this state, the paper receiver 26 constituting the holding mechanism is further rotated clockwise with the hinge 31 as a fulcrum, and the paper receiver 26 covers each cover. At this time, the engaging portion 32 provided at the free end of the sheet receiver 26 engages with the upper cover 21. This paper tray prevents buckling of both covers with the hinge 25 as a fulcrum during storage and carrying.

FIGS. 4 (a) to 4 (c) show the movement of the main part of the printer from the use state, ie, the closed state, to the storage / transport state, ie, the open state.

FIG. 5 shows a perspective view of the portable printer in an open state (however, the paper receiver 26 is omitted).

The carrier 51 equipped with the print head 23 is a guide rail 52
Supported by space motor 53 and guide rail
It is reciprocated in the 52 axial directions.

The line feed motor 54 is a transfer roller via a gear train / belt.
The sheet 30 is rotated 27 times and the sheet 30 is transferred in cooperation with the transfer roller 28 facing the roller.

Various signals from the control unit (including the power supply circuit) 29 are transmitted to the space motor 53, the line feed motor 54, and the print head 23 via the flexible cable 55.

In the above embodiment, the paper receiver 26, which is one mechanical component of the printer, is used as the holding mechanism. However, another cover that is not used when printing is used may be used as the holding mechanism. Also, a print head may be provided on the lower cover and a platen may be provided on the upper cover.

〔effect〕

As described above, according to the present invention, the thickness of the entire device is
It can be made variable between the printable state during use and the non-printable state during storage / carrying, and the thickness of the entire device can be reduced when in the non-printable state, so when carrying it, put it in an attache case or bag, for example. It can be easily stored in a bookshelf, drawer or the like during storage. In addition, since the cover member is attached in the storage / carrying state, it is possible to prevent dust from entering the apparatus and damage to the print head and the like.

[Brief description of the drawings]

Fig. 1 is a view for explaining the principle of the present invention. Figs. 2 to 5 show an embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 2 is a side view in a printing use state. Fig. 3 is a side view in a storage and transport state. (A) to FIG. 4 (c) are side views for explaining movement of a main part from a use state to a storage / transport state. FIG. 5 is a perspective view of both covers in a storage / transport state. FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of a conventional printer. In the figure, 13/23 print head 11 first case 14/24 platen 12 second case 21 upper cover 22 lower cover 30 printing paper

Claims (1)

(57) [Claims] A first case (11, 21) provided so that a print head (13, 23) is located in a facing side surface, and a platen (14) capable of facing the print head (13, 23). , 24) are located in the opposite side surface.
2,22) and the first case (11,21) and the second case (12,22) are provided between the two cases (11,21) (12,2).
2) a connecting member (15, 25) for relatively rotatably connecting the two cases (11, 21) and (12, 22) when printing is used; (14, 24) and the print head (13, 23) are in a printable state, and the platen (14, 24) and the print head (13, 23) are not opposed to each other during storage and carrying; Case (11,21)
The non-printable state in which the opposing side surfaces of the (12, 22) are substantially flush with each other, and the print heads (13, 23) in the opposing side surfaces of the two cases (11, 21), (12, 22) can be taken. A portable printer, wherein a cover member (26) is attached to both cases (11, 21) (12, 22) so as to cover the platens (14, 24).