JPH01226375A - Support mechanism of thermal printing head - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To rapidly execute cleaning or replacement and to reduce the loss time of a printing process, by mounting a means capable of inspecting and replacing a thermal printing head, which is freely revolvable around the a pivot axis pivotally supporting a printing head holding plate, at a position separated from a platen. CONSTITUTION:When an upper case lock member 10 is pulled in a direction A at the time of the cleaning or replacement of a thermal printing head 1, the engagement relation between a main body 5 and an upper case 9 is released and the upper case 9 is slightly revolved in a direction B until the engaging part 9a thereof is brought into contact with a holding plate 2 but, when the upper case 9 is further revolved in the direction B, the head 1 is separated from the main body 5 to become an open state. The cleaning of the head 1 can be simply performed in this state. The replacement of the head 1 can be simply performed by inserting a tool in the screw hole 9a of the upper case 9 to loosen a screw 3. After predetermined inspection or replacement is finished, the upper case 9 is revolved in the direction reverse to the direction B and brought into engagement with the upper case look member 10 to set a printing operable state.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION (Field of Industrial Application) The present invention relates to a support mechanism for a thermal print head in a printing device.

(Prior Art) A thermal print head support mechanism in a conventional printing device has a structure as shown in FIG. FIG. 4 is a side sectional view showing a conventional thermal print head support structure. In FIG. The thermal print head 11 is pivotally supported at both ends by a pivot shaft 14 which is locked to the main body 15, and the thermal print head 11 presses the print paper 17 against the platen 16 by a head pressing spring 18 through a printing section 11a. In this state, platen 16
Although not shown, when the printing paper 17 is rotated by power in the direction indicated by the arrow in the figure, the printing paper 17 is thermally printed in accordance with the printing control signal at the printing unit 11a, and then moves in the direction indicated by the arrow B. Further, both ends of the pivot shaft 14 are fixed to the main body 15 by means of locking means (not shown), such as retaining rings or screws.

(Problem to be solved by the invention) However, in the conventional thermal print head support structure, the axis 1
4 pivotally supports the holding plate 12, and both ends of the pivot 14 support the main body 1.
5 by a locking means, and the main body 15 is further secured to the fourth
As shown in the figure, since these mechanisms are included, periodic cleaning of the printing part 11a of the thermal printing area 11 is carried out before the printing quality deteriorates, and the above-mentioned damage due to deterioration of printing quality or destruction of the printing part 11a is performed. When replacing the thermal print head 11, the above-mentioned locking means and the internal structure of the main body 15 become obstacles, and the printing device must be disassembled, which not only precludes maintenance and inspection by the user, but also requires advanced technology even by experts. In short, there was a major problem in that loss time occurred in the printing process. Furthermore, in the worst case scenario, it is difficult to disassemble the printing device, and the printing device itself must be replaced with a new one, which is extremely disadvantageous to the user.

Therefore, in order to solve these conventional problems, the present invention has a mechanism that allows the thermal print head to be easily separated from the main body, and the thermal print head can be quickly cleaned and replaced, thereby reducing loss time in the printing process. The purpose of the present invention is to provide a thermal print head support mechanism that reduces this and does not cause any disadvantage to the user.

(Means for Solving the Problems) In order to solve the above problems, the thermal print head support mechanism of the present invention includes a platen, a thermal print head that presses against the platen to print on print paper, and a thermal print head that presses against the platen to print on print paper. A head pressing spring that presses against the platen, a print head holding plate that integrally holds the thermal print head, a pivot that pivots the print head holding plate, and a main body that locks both ends of the pivot. The present invention is characterized in that the thermal print head is configured to be rotatable about the pivot center, and includes means for enabling the thermal print head to be inspected and replaced at a position separated from the platen.

[For production]

According to the thermal print head support mechanism of the present invention configured as described above, the print head holding plate to which the thermal print head is fixed can be separated from the main body with a simple operation. Since the thermal print head can be easily cleaned and replaced regularly, loss time in the printing process can be significantly reduced, and high print quality can be ensured over a long period of time.

(Example) Examples of the present invention will be described below based on the drawings. 1st
The figure is a perspective view of the thermal print head support mechanism of the present invention. In FIG. 1, a pivot shaft 4 is inserted through a print head holding plate 2 (hereinafter referred to as a holding plate) and an upper case 9, and is locked at both ends to a main body 5. The holding plate 2 has a thermal printing pad 1 fixed thereto by screws 3. The upper case 9
is provided with a screw hole 9a for a tightening tool by loosening the screw 3, and a locking portion 9b that engages with the retaining plate 2 and becomes integral with the retaining plate 2. FIG. 2 is a side sectional view of the thermal print head support mechanism of the present invention, which is a side view of FIG.
An upper case locking member lo provided on the main body 5, which is pressed against the platen 6 by the head pressing spring 8, prevents the upper case 9 from separating in the direction of arrow B. At this time, a gap is maintained between the locking portion 9b of the upper case 9 and the holding plate 2. Printing operation is possible in this state.

Next, when cleaning or replacing the thermal printing cover 1, when the upper case locking member 10 is pulled in the six directions of the arrow, the engagement between the main body 5 and the upper case 9 is released, and the head pressing spring 8 is released. upper case 9 due to the spring force of
rotates slightly in the direction of arrow B until the locking portion 9a of the upper case 9 and the holding plate 2 come into contact with each other;
When the upper case 9 is rotated in the direction shown in FIG. In this state, the thermal print head 1 can be easily cleaned. Also, the thermal printing head l can be replaced using the screw hole 9a of the upper frame 9.
This can be easily done by inserting a tool into the holder and loosening the screw 3. After predetermined inspections and replacements are completed, the upper case 9 is rotated in the direction opposite to the direction of arrow B, and is engaged with the upper case locking member 1O to become ready for printing operation.

FIG. 3 is a side view showing another specific example of the thermal print head support mechanism of the present invention.
8 is installed in the spring holder 23 and suppresses the thermal printing pad l against the platen 27. Further, the wing holder 23 is rotatable about the axis of the platen 27, for example, and is held on the main body 25 by a holding means (not shown).

Now, to explain when cleaning or replacing the thermal print head 1, first rotate the spring holder 23 in the direction of arrow B and place it in the position indicated by the two-dot chain line in the figure. It becomes possible to rotate in the direction of arrow A about the pivot 24 without any hindrance. In this way, it is possible to separate the thermal print head l from the main body 25, and the same effect can be obtained.

In the above-described embodiment, the print head holding plate 2 is configured to be rotatable around the pivot 4, so that the thermal print head 1 can be separated from the main body 5, and the user can inspect the rad l for thermal printing. Effective for exchange.

(Effects of the Invention) As explained above, according to the configuration of the present invention, it becomes possible to remove and attach the thermal print head from the main body of the printing device very easily, and it becomes easy for the user to inspect and replace the thermal print head. This has the effect of ensuring high print quality over a long period of time, and further reducing loss time in the printing process as much as possible.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the thermal print head support mechanism of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a side sectional view of the thermal print head support mechanism of the present invention, and FIG. 3 is another specific example of the thermal print head support mechanism of the present invention. FIG. FIG. 4 is a side sectional view of a conventional thermal print head support structure. 1...Thermal print head 2...Print head holding plate 5...Main body 6...Platen 8...Head pressure wing and above Applicant Seiko Epson Corporation Agent Patent attorney Tsutomu Mogami (1 other person) ) 7: Play to the wholesaler 6: Delete 2: Teacher's inferiority) Tochi-Hanji 9: L booth 3: Kiji 9a:
Spear collection 44 Osamugi 5: Main salary 1st Figure 7: Therma 1 and Egg Kihe 1 Do 6-7° Latin 2: Rare 9 Toy 11μ East 8: Heb F Misaki Yasushi 3: Wa° 9: E booth Figure 2 7: Ukun, P' 24: Secret axis 22: j; I + 9A, → Moth 25: Main salary 23: Igumura,
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Claims (1)

[Claims] a platen, a thermal print head that presses against the platen to print on print paper, a head pressing spring that presses the thermal print head against the platen, a print head holding plate that integrally holds the thermal print head; It consists of a pivot that pivots the print head holding plate and a main body that locks both ends of the pivot, and the thermal print head is configured to be rotatable about the pivot, so that the thermal print head A support mechanism for a thermal print head, characterized in that it is equipped with a means for inspecting and replacing the print head at a position separated from the platen.