JP6891465B2 - Printing equipment - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a printing apparatus.

Conventionally, a printing apparatus that prints on a long transfer medium is known (see, for example, Patent Document 1). The transfer medium is unwound from a rolled state and fed along a transport path. The ink ribbon runs in parallel with the transfer medium and then is wound up. The platen roller and the print head are arranged so as to face each other at a portion where the transfer medium and the ink ribbon run side by side. The print head is driven in synchronization with the feeding of the printing apparatus and the ink ribbon by the platen roller to print on the transfer medium. The transfer medium, the ink ribbon, the print head, and the platen roller are housed in the housing. The housing includes a main body and a cover that is rotatable with respect to the main body. The user opens the cover when exchanging either the transfer medium and the ink ribbon.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2013-10620

The cover of the conventional printing apparatus is rotatably supported by the main body portion on the side opposite to the side provided with the discharge portion from which the transfer medium is discharged. In the conventional printing apparatus, when the cover is opened with respect to the main body portion, it is necessary to secure a space in the extending direction (upward direction) of the surface provided with the discharging portion. If the conventional printing device can be installed on the top plate of the shelf, there is no problem in opening the cover. However, when trying to install the printing device inside a shelf separated by horizontal boards, the printing device is located between the horizontal board on which the printing device is placed and the horizontal board above the printing device, or the printing device. The cover cannot be opened unless there is a sufficient space between the horizontal plate on which the is placed and the top plate of the shelf.

An object of the present invention is to provide a printing apparatus that reduces the space in the extending direction of the surface provided with the discharge portion, which is required when opening the cover with respect to the main body portion.

The printing apparatus according to the first aspect of the present invention has an ink ribbon support portion that detachably supports a wound long ink ribbon and a wound long printing medium that can be attached and detached. A support portion for a print medium, a print head for printing on the print medium using the ink ribbon, a platen roller arranged at a position facing the print head, and the print medium printed by the print head. A discharge unit that discharges to the outside, a main body portion that has an opening that partially opens on the discharge portion side in the transport direction of the print medium, a closed state that closes the opening, and an open state that exposes the opening. A cover that is rotatably supported by the main body by a shaft and a unit that is rotatably supported by the cover by a hinge are provided on the discharge portion side in the transport direction, and the ink ribbon is supported. At least one of the parts and the printing medium supporting portion is provided on said unit or said cover, said print head one of said platen roller is supported on the main body, and the platen roller and the print head The other of the above is supported by one of the unit and the cover, and the main body and the cover form a rectangular housing when the cover is in the closed state, and the cover is When the cover is in the closed state, at least a part of the first surface of the rectangular housing provided with the discharge portion, and the second surface continuous with the first surface in the direction around the axis. The cover forms a part of a surface, and the cover has the discharge portion, and is supported by the main body portion by the shaft on the side of the cover opposite to the second surface side with respect to the discharge portion. the hinge, Ru provided at a portion to be the second surface side with respect to the discharge portion of said cover.

Compared with the conventional printing apparatus, the printing apparatus of the first aspect can reduce the space in the extending direction of the surface provided with the ejection portion, which is required when opening the cover with respect to the main body portion by exchanging the printing medium or the like. .. In the printing apparatus, since any one of the print head and the platen roller is supported by one of the unit and the cover, the platen roller and the print head are separated from each other when the cover is opened. The printing apparatus can easily perform the work of arranging the ink ribbon or the printing medium between the platen roller and the printing head, which is performed by the user. In particular, by rotating the unit, a work space and a field of view required for work can be secured, and work on an ink ribbon or a print medium supported on one of the unit and the cover can be easily performed.

The printing apparatus according to the second aspect of the present invention has a print medium support portion that detachably supports a wound long print medium, a print head that prints on the print medium, and a print head that faces the print head. It has a platen roller supported at a position to be printed, a discharge portion for discharging the print medium printed by the print head to the outside, and an opening in which a part of the discharge portion side in the transport direction of the print medium opens. A cover that is supported by a shaft on the discharge portion side in the transport direction so as to be rotatable between a main body portion, a closed state that closes the opening portion, and an open state that exposes the opening portion. A unit that is rotatably supported by the cover by a hinge is provided, the print medium support portion is provided on one of the unit and the cover, and the main body portion and the cover are such that the cover is the cover. When the cover is in the closed state, it forms a rectangular housing, and the cover is formed with at least a part of the first surface of the rectangular housing provided with the discharge portion when the cover is in the closed state. , The first surface and a part of the second surface continuous in the direction around the axis, the cover has the discharge portion, and the second surface side with respect to the discharge portion in the cover. in opposite to the, supported by the main body portion by said shaft, said hinge, Ru provided at a portion to be the second surface side with respect to the discharge portion of said cover.

Compared with the conventional printing apparatus, the printing apparatus of the second aspect can reduce the space in the extending direction of the surface provided with the ejection portion, which is required when opening the cover with respect to the main body portion by exchanging the printing medium or the like. .. In the printing apparatus, since any one of the print head and the platen roller is supported by one of the unit and the cover, the platen roller and the print head are separated from each other when the cover is opened. The printing apparatus can easily perform the work of arranging the printing medium between the platen roller and the printing head, which is performed by the user. In particular, by rotating the unit, a work space and a field of view required for work can be secured, and work on a print medium supported by one of the unit and the cover can be easily performed.

The printing apparatus according to the third aspect of the present invention is printed by a print medium support portion that detachably supports a wound long print medium, a print head that prints on the print medium, and the print head. A main body that supports the print head and has an opening that partially opens the discharge section in the transport direction of the print medium, and an opening that discharges the printed medium to the outside. A cover supported by a shaft on the discharge portion side in the transport direction and a cover rotated by a hinge so as to be rotatable between a closed state for closing and an open state for exposing the opening. A unit that can be supported and a platen roller that is detachably supported by one of the unit and the cover are provided , and the main body and the cover have a rectangular shape when the cover is in the closed state. The cover comprises at least a part of the first surface of the rectangular housing provided with the discharge portion, and the first surface and the cover when the cover is in the closed state. The cover forms a part of a second surface continuous in the direction around the axis, and the cover has the discharge portion, and the cover is on a side opposite to the second surface side with respect to the discharge portion in the cover. is supported by the main body portion by a shaft, said hinge, Ru provided at a portion to be the second surface side with respect to the discharge portion of said cover.

Compared with the conventional printing apparatus, the printing apparatus of the third aspect has a space in the extension direction of the surface provided with the ejection portion, which is required when opening the cover with respect to the main body portion by exchanging the printing medium and the platen roller. Can be reduced. In the printing apparatus, since the platen roller is supported by one of the unit and the cover, the platen roller and the print head are separated from each other when the cover is opened. In the printing apparatus, the work space and the field of view required for the work can be secured by rotating the unit, and the work of arranging the printing medium between the platen roller and the print head performed by the user or the platen roller is replaced. Work can be done easily.

It is a perspective view of the printing apparatus 1. It is a schematic diagram which shows the internal structure of the housing 2 of the printing apparatus 1 when the cover 4 is in a closed state. It is a schematic diagram which shows the internal structure of the housing 2 of the printing apparatus 1 when the cover 4 is in an open state. It is a schematic diagram which shows the internal structure of the housing 2 of the printing apparatus 1 when the cover 4 is in an open state, and the ink ribbon unit 9 is in the housed state. It is a schematic diagram which shows the internal structure of the housing 2 of the printing apparatus 1 when the cover 4 is in an open state, and the ink ribbon unit 9 is in a separated state. It is a schematic diagram which shows the internal structure of the housing 102 of the printing apparatus 101 when the cover 104 is in the closed state, and the ink ribbon unit 109 is in the housed state. It is a schematic diagram which shows the internal structure of the housing 102 of the printing apparatus 101 when the cover 104 is in the open state, and the ink ribbon unit 109 is in the housed state. It is a schematic diagram which shows the internal structure of the housing 202 of the printing apparatus 201 when the cover 104 is in the closed state, and the printing medium unit 209 is in the accommodating state. It is a schematic diagram which shows the internal structure of the housing 202 of the printing apparatus 201 when the cover 104 is in the open state, and the print medium unit 209 is in the housed state.

Hereinafter, the first to third embodiments of the present invention will be described in order with reference to the drawings. These drawings are used to illustrate the technical features that can be adopted by the present invention. The configuration and the like of the device described are not intended to be limited to that, but are merely explanatory examples.

The physical configuration of the printing apparatus 1 of the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 5. The printing device 1 includes a rectangular parallelepiped housing 2. The housing 2 includes a main body 3 and a cover 4. The main body 3 includes an opening 5 that opens forward and upward. The main body 3 includes an opening 5 in which a part of the discharge portion 14 side in the transport direction along the transport path P opens. The cover 4 is rotatably supported in a lower front portion of the main body 3 by a shaft 6 so as to be rotatable between a closed state in which the opening 5 is closed and an open state in which the opening 5 is exposed. The cover 4 has a discharge portion 14 extending in the left-right direction. The discharge unit 14 discharges the print medium 20 printed by the print head 11 to the outside. The transport direction of this example is substantially forward, is a direction substantially perpendicular to the surface (front surface of the housing 2) provided with the discharge unit 14, and is a direction from the print head 11 toward the discharge unit 14.

The housing 2 includes a control unit (not shown), a print head 11, a platen roller 12, a housing unit 24, an ink ribbon unit 9, and the like. The control unit receives power (not shown) and controls the entire printing apparatus 1. The print head 11 prints on the printing medium 20 using the wound long ink ribbon 31. The printing medium in the present specification refers to a wound medium having a long shape among the media necessary for performing printing, and specifically, a transfer to which the ink layer of the ink ribbon is transferred. It refers to either a medium or a thermal paper. The print medium 20 of this example is a transfer medium. The print head 11 is configured by arranging a plurality of heat generating elements in a row on a line. The print head 11 heats the heat generating element based on the energization of the heat generating element under the control of the control unit, and transfers the ink layer of the ink ribbon at the position corresponding to the generated heat generating element to the printing medium 20.

The platen roller 12 is a cylindrical rotating body arranged to face the print head 11. The platen roller 12 is detachably supported by the main body 3. The platen roller 12 is rotationally driven according to the control of the control unit, and conveys the print medium 20 along the transfer path P. The print head 11 can be relatively separated or close to the platen roller 12 by rotating the cover 4 around the shaft 6. When the cover 4 is closed, the print head 11 approaches the platen roller 12. When the cover 4 is opened, the print head 11 is separated from the platen roller 12. When the cover 4 is in the closed state, the print head 11 and the platen roller 12 are arranged so as to face each other in the vertical direction, and the print head 11 transfers the print medium 20 conveyed by the platen roller 12 to the platen roller 12. Hold it.

The accommodating section 24 detachably accommodates the print medium 20. The accommodating portion 24 forms a space capable of accommodating the print medium 20 wound in a roll shape. The accommodating portion 24 is provided with a groove 25 extending in the left-right direction on the bottom surface thereof and narrowing in the front-rear direction toward the bottom. The print medium 20 is received from the opening 5, and the axis 21 of the print medium 20 wound in a roll shape is accommodated in a left-right direction, and the print medium 20 is gently supported by the groove 25. The small roll of the print medium 20 is pulled out one after another by the rotation of the platen roller 12, and the print medium 20 drawn from the small roll is pulled out one after another in a predetermined rotation direction (clockwise when viewed from the left side) in a state of being housed in the storage portion 24. ). The print medium 20 drawn out from the small roll is fed toward the discharge unit 14.

The ink ribbon unit 9 is rotatably supported by the cover 4 by the hinge 7. The ink ribbon unit 9 has ribbon support portions 34 and 35 for detachably mounting each of a spool 32 for winding the ink ribbon 31 and a spool 33 for winding the used ink ribbon 31. The spool 32 is rotatably supported on the rear side of the ink ribbon unit 9, and rotates in a predetermined rotation direction to feed out the ink ribbon 31. The spool 33 is rotatably supported on the front side of the ink ribbon unit 9, and rotates in a predetermined rotation direction to wind up the used ink ribbon 31. At this time, the rotation of the spool 33 is rotationally driven so as to be interlocked with the rotation of the platen roller 12. The spool 32 only rotates as the spool 33 rotates. The ink ribbon 31 unwound from the spool 32 is arranged on the print head 11 side of the print medium 20 in a state of being sandwiched between the print head 11 and the platen roller 12, and comes into contact with the lower side of the print head 11. The ink ribbon 31 is wound around the spool 33 after the ink layer is transferred to the print surface (upper surface) of the print medium 20 by heating the print head 11. The ink ribbon unit 9 of this example further includes a print head 11. The ink ribbon unit 9 can be rotated by the hinge 7 in the housed state shown in FIGS. 2 to 4 and the separated state shown in FIG. In the housed state, the predetermined portion of the ink ribbon unit 9 separated from the hinge 7 is close to the cover 4, and in the separated state, the predetermined portion of the ink ribbon unit 9 separated from the hinge is separated from the cover 4. In the present embodiment, the spool 33 approaches and separates from the cover 4.

The outline of the operation when the printing apparatus 1 prints on the printing medium 20 will be described. The print medium 20 is accommodated in the accommodating portion 24, and the cover 4 is closed. A print medium 20 extending from the accommodating portion 24 is arranged between the print head 11 and the platen roller 12. The platen roller 12 presses the print medium 20 against the print head 11 with a predetermined force. As the platen roller 12 rotates with the operation of the drive unit, the print medium 20 is sequentially fed from the accommodating unit 24 and conveyed along the transfer path P. At the same time, the heat generating element of the print head 11 generates heat. As a result, the ink layer of the ink ribbon 31 is transferred to the printing medium 20, and characters and figures are printed on the printing medium 20. After printing, the print medium 20 is discharged to the outside from the discharge unit 14.

A method of replacing the print medium 20 and the ink ribbon 31 will be described. When replacing either the print medium 20 or the ink ribbon 31, the user rotates the cover 4 from the closed state to the open state about the shaft 6, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4. When replacing the print medium 20, the user takes out the print medium 20 housed in the storage unit 24 and stores the new print medium 20. The user rotates the cover 4 around the shaft 6 from the open state to the closed state with the print medium 20 pulled out to the platen roller 12. As a result, the replaced print medium 20 is arranged between the print head 11 and the platen roller 12. When replacing the ink ribbon 31, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the cover 4 is rotated from the closed state to the open state around the shaft 6, and then the hinge 7 is centered as shown in FIG. The ink ribbon unit 9 is rotated. The user removes the spool 32 and the spool 33 from the ribbon support portions 34 and 35, respectively, and attaches the spool 32 around which the new ink ribbon 31 is wound and the spool 33 to the ribbon support portions 34 and 35, respectively. As shown in FIG. 4, the user rotates the ink ribbon unit 9 around the hinge 7, and then rotates the cover 4 from the open state to the closed state around the shaft 6.

The printing apparatus 101 of the second embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 6 and 7. In FIGS. 6 and 7, the same reference numerals are given to the same configurations as those in the first embodiment. As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the printing apparatus 101 of the second embodiment includes a rectangular parallelepiped housing 102. The housing 102 includes a main body 103, a cover 104, and an ink ribbon unit 109. The housing 102 includes a control unit (not shown), a print head 11, a platen roller 12, a housing unit 24, and the like. The main body 103 includes an opening 105 that opens upward and forward. The cover 104 rotatably supports the ink ribbon unit 109 by a hinge 107. The cover 104, together with the ink ribbon unit 109, is rotatably supported by a shaft 6 at the lower front portion of the main body 3 so as to be rotatable between a closed state in which the opening 105 is closed and an open state in which the opening 105 is exposed. The cover 104 forms the front surface of the housing 102 when in the closed state.

The ink ribbon unit 109 has ribbon support portions 34 and 35 for detachably mounting each of a spool 32 for winding the ink ribbon 31 and a spool 33 for winding the used ink ribbon 31. The ink ribbon unit 109 of this example further includes a print head 11. In the ink ribbon unit 109, the spool 33 shown in FIGS. 6 and 7 is housed close to the cover 104, and the spool 33 rotated 90 degrees clockwise from the state shown in FIG. 7 is separated from the cover 104. It can be rotated by the hinge 107 in the separated state shown in the figure. As shown in FIG. 6, when the ink ribbon unit 109 is in the closed state and the cover 104 is in the closed state, the ink ribbon unit 109 forms a front side portion of the upper surface of the housing 102. That is, in the printing device 1 of the first embodiment, the main body 3 and the cover 4 form a rectangular parallelepiped housing 2, but in the printing device 101 of the second embodiment, the main body 103 and the cover 104. And the ink ribbon unit 109 form a rectangular parallelepiped housing 102.

The outline of the operation when the printing apparatus 101 prints on the printing medium 20 will be described. The print medium 20 is accommodated in the accommodating portion 24, and the cover 104 is closed. A print medium 20 extending from the accommodating portion 24 is arranged between the print head 11 and the platen roller 12. The platen roller 12 presses the print medium 20 against the print head 11 with a predetermined force. As the platen roller 12 rotates with the operation of the drive unit, the print medium 20 is sequentially fed from the accommodating unit 24 and conveyed along the transfer path P. At the same time, the heat generating element of the print head 11 generates heat. As a result, the ink layer of the ink ribbon 31 is transferred to the printing medium 20, and characters and figures are printed on the printing medium 20. After printing, the print medium 20 is discharged to the outside from the discharge unit 114.

A method of exchanging the printing medium 20 and the ink ribbon 31 in the printing apparatus 101 will be described. When replacing either the print medium 20 or the ink ribbon 31, the user rotates the cover 104 from the closed state to the open state about the shaft 6, as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7. When replacing the print medium 20, the user takes out the print medium 20 housed in the storage unit 24 and stores the new print medium 20. The user rotates the cover 104 around the shaft 6 from the open state to the closed state with the print medium 20 pulled out to the platen roller 12. As a result, the replaced print medium 20 is arranged between the print head 11 and the platen roller 12. When replacing the ink ribbon 31, the cover 4 is rotated from the closed state to the open state around the shaft 6, and then the ink ribbon unit 109 is rotated 90 degrees clockwise around the hinge 107. .. The user removes the spool 32 and the spool 33, and attaches the spool 32 around which the new ink ribbon 31 is wound and the spool 33 to the ink ribbon unit 109. The user rotates the ink ribbon unit 109 about 90 degrees counterclockwise when viewed from the left side with respect to the hinge 107, and then rotates the cover 104 from the open state to the closed state about the shaft 6.

In the first and second embodiments, the ribbon support portions 34 and 35 are examples of the ink ribbon support portions of the present invention. The groove 25 provided in the accommodating portion 24 is an example of the print medium support portion of the present invention. The print head 11 is an example of the print head of the present invention. The platen roller 12 is an example of the platen roller of the present invention. The discharge units 14 and 114 are examples of the discharge units of the present invention, respectively. The main body 3 and 103 are examples of the main body of the present invention, respectively. Covers 4 and 104 are examples of covers of the present invention, respectively. Hinge 7 and 107 are examples of hinges of the present invention. The ink ribbon units 9 and 109 are examples of the units, respectively.

In the printing apparatus 1, the surface (front surface of the housing 2) provided with the discharging portion 14 required for opening the cover 4 with respect to the main body portion 3 by exchanging the ink ribbon 31, the printing medium 20, and the platen roller 12. The space in the extending direction (upward direction) of) is only required for the height H in FIG. 3, which is smaller than that of the conventional printing apparatus. In the printing apparatus 1, since the printing head 11 is supported by the ink ribbon unit 9, the platen roller 12 and the printing head 11 are separated from each other when the cover 4 is opened. The printing devices 1 and 101 can easily perform the work of arranging the printing medium 20 between the platen roller 12 and the printing head 11 performed by the user. In particular, by rotating the ink ribbon unit 9, the printing apparatus 1 can secure a work space and a field of view necessary for the work, and can easily work on the ink ribbon 31 supported by the ink ribbon unit 9.

In the printing apparatus 1, the printing head 11 and the platen roller 12 are arranged in the vicinity of the ejection unit 14 in order to minimize the loss of the printing medium 20 after the replacement work is completed. Therefore, the spool 33 is attached in a posture close to the cover 4. As shown in FIG. 4, when the cover 4 is rotated 90 degrees clockwise around the axis 6 from the closed state, the user can easily replace the print medium 20, while the ink ribbon 31 can be replaced. It is difficult to replace the ink. On the other hand, in the printing apparatus 1, ribbon support portions 34 and 35 for supporting the ink ribbon 31 are provided on the ink ribbon unit 9, and the ink ribbon unit 9 is rotatably supported with respect to the cover 4 by the hinge 7. .. As shown in FIG. 5, in the printing apparatus 1, the ink ribbon 31 can be easily replaced by separating the ink ribbon units 9.

The printing device 1 further includes an accommodating unit 24 for accommodating the printing medium 20 provided in the main body unit 3. The ink ribbon 31 is an ink ribbon having an ink layer to be transferred to the printing medium 20. The ink ribbon unit 9 includes ribbon support portions 34 and 35, and a print head 11. The printing device 1 can reduce the space above the printing device 1 required for replacing any of the ink ribbon 31, the printing medium 20, and the platen roller 12 as compared with the conventional case. For example, when the printing device 1 is placed on a shelf and there is a space above the printing device 1 by a height H, the user can install the printing device 1 on the shelf without removing the printing device 1 from the shelf. In this state, the cover 4 can be opened with respect to the main body 3. The printing device 1 can reduce the work of the user required to replace any of the ink ribbon 31, the printing medium 20, and the platen roller 12. The printing device 101 also has the same effect as the printing device 1.

The physical configuration of the printing apparatus 201 of the third embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 8 and 9. In FIGS. 8 and 9, the same reference numerals are given to the same configurations as those in the first and second embodiments. As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the printing apparatus 201 of the third embodiment includes a rectangular parallelepiped housing 202. The housing 202 includes a main body 203, a cover 104, and a print medium unit 209. The housing 202 includes a control unit (not shown), a print head 211, a platen roller 212, a print medium support unit 221 and the like inside. The print medium 220 of the third embodiment is a thermal paper.

The main body 203 includes an opening 205 that opens upward and forward on the discharge portion 114 side in the transport direction along the transport path Q. The print head 211 is provided on the main body 203. The print head 211 heats the heat-generating element based on the energization of the heat-generating element under the control of the control unit, and discolors the heat-sensitive layer of the printing medium 220 at a position corresponding to the generated heat-generating element. The cover 104 similar to the second embodiment rotatably supports the print medium unit 209 by the hinge 107. The cover 104, together with the print medium unit 209, is rotatably supported by the shaft 6 in the front lower portion of the main body portion 203 in a closed state in which the opening 205 is closed and an open state in which the opening 205 is exposed. The cover 104 forms the front surface of the housing 202 when in the closed state. The print medium support portion 221 is detachably attached to the spool 222 that winds the print medium 220. The print medium support portion 221 and the platen roller 212 are provided in the print medium unit 209. The platen roller 212 is detachably supported by the print medium unit 209.

In the print medium unit 209, the platen roller 212 shown in FIGS. 8 and 9 is separated from the cover 104 in the housed state in which the platen roller 212 is close to the cover 104, and the platen roller 212 rotated 90 degrees clockwise from the state shown in FIG. 9 is separated from the cover 104. It is rotatable by the hinge 107 in a separated state (not shown). As shown in FIG. 8, when the print medium unit 209 is in the closed state and the cover 104 is in the closed state, the print medium unit 209 forms the front side portion of the upper surface of the housing 202. That is, the printing device 201 of the third embodiment constitutes a rectangular parallelepiped housing 202 by the main body 203, the cover 104, and the printing medium unit 209, similarly to the printing device 101 of the second embodiment. ..

The outline of the operation when the printing apparatus 201 prints on the printing medium 220 will be described. The print medium 20 is supported by the print medium support portion, and the cover 104 is closed. A print medium 220 extending from the print medium support portion is arranged between the print head 211 and the platen roller 212. The platen roller 212 presses the print medium 220 against the print head 211 with a predetermined force. As the platen roller 212 rotates with the operation of the drive unit, the print medium 220 is sequentially fed and conveyed along the transfer path Q. At the same time, the heat generating element of the print head 211 generates heat. As a result, characters and figures are printed on the print medium 220. After printing, the print medium 220 is discharged to the outside from the discharge unit 114.

A method of replacing the print medium 220 and the platen roller 212 in the printing apparatus 201 will be described. When replacing the print medium 220 or the platen roller 212, as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the user rotates the cover 104 from the closed state to the open state around the shaft 6 and then centers the hinge 107. The print medium unit 209 is rotated 90 degrees clockwise when viewed from the left side. When replacing the print medium 220, the user removes the spool 222 from the print medium support portion 221 and attaches the spool 222 on which the new print medium 220 is wound to the print medium unit 209. The same applies when the platen roller 212 is replaced. The platen roller 212 prints by rotating the cover 104 from the closed state to the open state about the shaft 6 and then rotating the print medium unit 209 90 degrees clockwise around the hinge 107. Since it is located at the upper part of the medium unit, it can be easily replaced.

In the printing apparatus 201 of the third embodiment, the print medium support unit 221, the print head 211, the platen roller 212, the discharge unit 114, the main body unit 203, the cover 104, and the print medium unit 209 are each the print medium support unit of the present invention. , A print head, a platen roller, a discharge part, a main body part, a cover, and an example of a unit.

According to the printing device 201, as compared with the conventional printing device, a surface (housing) provided with a discharge portion 114, which is necessary for opening the cover 104 with respect to the main body portion 203 by exchanging the printing medium 220 and the platen roller 212 or the like. The space in the extension direction (upward direction) of the front surface of the body 202 can be reduced. In the printing apparatus 201, the platen roller 212 is detachably supported by the print medium unit 209, so that the platen roller 212 and the print head 211 are separated from each other when the cover 104 is opened. The printing apparatus 201 can easily perform the work of arranging the printing medium between the platen roller 212 and the printing head 211 performed by the user. In particular, by rotating the print medium unit 209, the printing apparatus 201 can secure a work space and a field of view required for work, and can easily work on the print medium 220 and the platen roller 212 supported by the print medium unit 209. ..

The printing apparatus of the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications may be made without departing from the gist of the present invention. For example, the following modifications (A) to (C) may be appropriately added.

(A) The configuration of the printing apparatus may be changed as appropriate. If the print medium is thermal paper, the printing apparatus does not have to detachably attach the ink ribbon. The print medium in this case is the print medium 20. The platen roller 12 does not have to be removable. The printing apparatus may include a known cutting mechanism for cutting the printed print.

(B) The shapes of the housing, the main body, and the cover may be changed as appropriate. The cover does not have to cover the entire front surface of the housing in the closed state. For example, the cover may cover one of the upper and lower parts of the discharge portion in the vertical direction. The shafts 6 of the covers 4 and 104 are provided in the front lower portion of the main body portion, but may be appropriately changed, and may be provided, for example, in the front upper portion of the main body portion and in the vicinity of the discharge portion. The opening may be provided on the discharge portion side (front side) of the transport path along the transport path of the print medium. The unit may be rotatably supported by the cover by a hinge, and the mounting position of the hinge, the rotation range of the unit, and the like may be appropriately changed. The print medium support portion may be supported by either the unit or the cover, and one of the print head and the platen roller may be supported by the main body portion. The other of the print head and the platen roller may be supported by one of the units and covers.

(C) In the printing device 1 of the first embodiment and the printing device 101 of the second embodiment, a printing medium support portion and a platen roller are provided on the main body portion, and a ribbon support portion is provided on the unit (ink ribbon unit). , A print head was provided. However, for example, the following modifications 1 to 4 may be performed. In the printing apparatus of the first modification, a ribbon support portion and a print head are provided on the main body portion, a platen roller is provided on at least one of the unit and the cover, and the print medium support portion is provided on the unit. The printing apparatus of the second modification uses thermal paper as a printing medium, a printing medium support portion and a printing head are provided on the main body portion, and a platen roller is provided on at least one of the unit and the cover. The printing apparatus of the third modification uses thermal paper as a printing medium, a printing head is provided in the main body, a platen roller is provided in at least one of the unit and the cover, and the printing medium support is provided in the unit. The printing apparatus of the fourth modification uses thermal paper as a printing medium, a platen roller is provided on the main body, a printing head is provided on at least one of the unit and the cover, and the printing medium support is provided on the unit.

1, 101, 201: Printing device, 3, 103, 203: Main body, 4, 104: Cover, 5, 105, 205: Opening, 6: Shaft, 7, 107: Hinge, 9, 109: Ink ribbon unit , 11, 211: Print head, 12, 212: Platen roller, 20, 220: Printing medium, 24: Accommodating section, 31: Ink ribbon, 34, 35, Ribbon support section, 209: Printing medium unit, 221: Printing medium Support

Claims (3)

Ink ribbon support part that detachably supports the wound long ink ribbon, and
A print medium support unit that detachably supports the wound long print medium,
A print head that prints on the print medium using the ink ribbon,
A platen roller arranged at a position facing the print head,
A discharge unit that discharges the print medium printed by the print head to the outside, and a discharge unit.
A main body having an opening at which a part of the discharge portion side in the transport direction of the print medium opens.
A cover that is supported by a shaft on the discharge portion side in the transport direction so as to be rotatable between a closed state that closes the opening and an open state that exposes the opening.
A unit that is rotatably supported by the cover by a hinge is provided.
At least one of the ink ribbon support and said print medium support member is provided on said unit or said cover,
One of the print head and the platen roller is supported by the main body portion.
The other of the print head and the platen roller is supported by one of the unit and the cover .
The main body and the cover form a rectangular parallelepiped housing when the cover is in the closed state.
When the cover is in the closed state, the cover is continuous with at least a part of the first surface of the rectangular parallelepiped housing provided with the discharge portion, and the first surface and the axial direction. Do part of the second side,
The cover has the discharge portion, and is supported by the main body portion by the shaft on the side of the cover opposite to the second surface side with respect to the discharge portion.
It said hinge to a printing apparatus according to claim Rukoto provided on the second surface side portion serving to the discharge portion of said cover. A print medium support unit that detachably supports the wound long print medium,
A print head that prints on the print medium,
A platen roller supported at a position facing the print head,
A discharge unit that discharges the print medium printed by the print head to the outside, and a discharge unit.
A main body having an opening at which a part of the discharge portion side in the transport direction of the print medium opens.
A cover that is supported by a shaft on the discharge portion side in the transport direction so as to be rotatable between a closed state that closes the opening and an open state that exposes the opening.
A unit that is rotatably supported by the cover by a hinge is provided.
The print medium support portion is provided on one of the unit and the cover .
The main body and the cover form a rectangular parallelepiped housing when the cover is in the closed state.
When the cover is in the closed state, the cover is continuous with at least a part of the first surface of the rectangular parallelepiped housing provided with the discharge portion, and the first surface and the axial direction. Do part of the second side,
The cover has the discharge portion, and is supported by the main body portion by the shaft on the side of the cover opposite to the second surface side with respect to the discharge portion.
A printing apparatus characterized in that the hinge is provided on a portion of the cover that is on the second side of the discharge portion. A print medium support unit that detachably supports the wound long print medium,
A print head that prints on the print medium,
A discharge unit that discharges the print medium printed by the print head to the outside, and a discharge unit.
A main body portion that has an opening portion on the discharge portion side in the transport direction of the print medium and supports the print head, and a main body portion that supports the print head.
A cover that is supported by a shaft on the discharge portion side in the transport direction so as to be rotatable between a closed state that closes the opening and an open state that exposes the opening.
A unit that is rotatably supported by the cover by a hinge,
A platen roller that is detachably supported by one of the unit and the cover is provided .
The main body and the cover form a rectangular parallelepiped housing when the cover is in the closed state.
When the cover is in the closed state, the cover is continuous with at least a part of the first surface of the rectangular parallelepiped housing provided with the discharge portion, and the first surface and the axial direction. Do part of the second side,
The cover has the discharge portion, and is supported by the main body portion by the shaft on the side of the cover opposite to the second surface side with respect to the discharge portion.
It said hinge to a printing apparatus according to claim Rukoto provided on the second surface side portion serving to the discharge portion of said cover.

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