JPH028785Y2 - - Google Patents

Description

[Detailed description of the invention] The present invention is a pressurization direction switching device, more specifically, a pressurization direction switching device that obtains pressurization force by the force of a spring, and is capable of applying pressure in the opposite direction with a single touch. The present invention relates to a direction switching device.

For example, there is a pressurizing/release switching mechanism for the head and platen of a thermal printer, etc., which switches the pressurizing direction in this way, so the case of a thermal printer will be explained below as an example.

Normally, thermal printers print on recording paper held between the head and platen when the head and platen are in pressure contact, and this pressure must be maintained properly. However, on the other hand, the pressure contact between the head and the platen must be released when inserting new recording paper or cleaning the printing surface of the head.

For this reason, a method has conventionally been employed in which the head is pressed against the platen by the action of a spring.

However, in the conventional means, the spring acts only in one direction, so in order to release the pressure contact between the head and the platen, the head must be lifted against the spring force, or The head was lifted after the spring force was not applied.

For this reason, conventional devices have had drawbacks such as poor operability and complicated configurations.

The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned drawbacks of the conventional art, and it is an object of the present invention to provide a pressurizing direction switching device with a simple configuration that can switch between a pressurized state and an open state (including pressurizing in the opposite direction) with a single touch. With the goal.

The object of the present invention is to provide a pressurizing lever member that is rotatable with respect to a fulcrum rod (fulcrum) and movable in a direction perpendicular to the fulcrum rod, and an engagement point thereof as the pressurizing lever member moves. This is achieved by providing a spring with one end engaged with the pressure lever member so that the force point is moved to the opposite side across the fulcrum rod.

Hereinafter, the present invention will be explained based on an illustrated embodiment.

First, the configuration will be explained with reference to FIG. 1, which schematically shows the head section of a thermal printer. In the figure, 1 is a platen, and 2 is a thermal head. Reference numeral 3 denotes a fulcrum rod, which is fixedly held on a side plate (not shown) or the like. A pair of head brackets 4 fixedly hold the thermal head 2, and are also rotatably held on the fulcrum rod 3. Reference numeral 5 denotes a working rod to which the head bracket 4 is attached. Reference numeral 6 denotes a pressure lever, which is formed with slide grooves 6a, 6b and an engagement hole 6c, and is slidable in the vertical direction guided by the fulcrum rod 3 and the action rod 5. It is possible to rotate using the fulcrum as a fulcrum. Reference numeral 7 denotes a spring, one end of which engages with the engagement hole 6c of the pressure lever member 6, and the other end of which engages with the pin 8. The engagement hole 6c is formed within the movable range L of the fulcrum rod 3, as shown in FIG. 3, and serves as a point of effort.

Then, as shown in FIG. 1, the pressure lever 6 is pushed down and the engagement point 6c of the spring 7
is below the fulcrum rod 3, the pressure lever 6
The thermal head 2 is given a dextrorotary behavior by the action of the spring 7, and the thermal head 2 is pressed against the platen 1 via the action rod 5. Therefore, this pressure contact state is maintained while the pressure lever 6 is in the state shown in FIG.
Printing operation is possible.

Next, as shown in FIG. 2, when the pressure lever 6 is pushed upward and the engagement point 6c of the spring 7 is above the fulcrum rod 3, the pressure lever 6 is pushed up by the action of the spring 7. As a result, a levorotatory behavior is imparted to the thermal head 2, and the thermal head 2 is released from the platen 1 via the operating rod 5. Therefore, a gap is created between the thermal head 2 and the platen 1, making it possible to insert new recording paper or to clean the printing surface of the thermal head 2. Note that FIG. 2 shows the state immediately after the pressure lever 6 is pushed upward, and the pressure lever 6 is then rotated to the left by the action of the spring 7.

The above is an explanation of an embodiment in which the pressure direction switching device according to the present invention is applied to a thermal printer, but it is understood that the pressure direction switching device according to the present invention can also be applied to various other devices. Of course.

For example, in the above-described embodiment, a case has been described in which the pressurized state and the open state are switched, but it is also possible to apply equal pressurizing force in exactly opposite directions. In this case, spring 7
It is only necessary to form the engagement hole 6c so that it can move to a substantially symmetrical position with the fulcrum rod 3 as a boundary. As an application example, when the pressure lever 6 is in the right rotation position, it contacts the right drive roller to feed the recording paper.
On the other hand, a paper feeding device can be considered in which when the pressure lever 6 is in the left-handed position, it comes into contact with the left drive roller and feeds the recording paper in the opposite direction.

Since the present invention has the above-mentioned configuration, it is possible to switch the pressurizing direction with a single touch, which has the effect of improving operability.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

Fig. 1 is a perspective view showing an embodiment of the pressurizing direction switching device according to the present invention, Fig. 2 is a perspective view illustrating the state after the operation of Fig. 1, and Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the pressurizing lever member. FIG. 1...platen, 2...thermal head, 3...
...Fullin rod, 4... Head bracket, 5... Action rod, 6... Pressure lever, 6c... Engagement hole, 7...
spring.

Claims (1)

[Claims for Utility Model Registration] (1) A fulcrum rod, a pressure lever member held so as to be pivotable and movable in a vertical direction with respect to the fulcrum rod, and a pressure lever member that is pivotable and movable in the vertical direction with respect to the fulcrum rod; a spring, one end of which is engaged with the pressure lever member so that the engagement point moves to the opposite side of the fulcrum rod; A pressurizing direction switching device characterized in that the turning direction of the pressurizing lever member by the spring can be changed. (2) The pressurizing direction switching device according to claim 1, wherein the pressurizing lever member controls press contact and release of the thermal head and the platen. (3) Claim 1 of the above-mentioned utility model registration claim, characterized in that the pressure lever member is pivoted in opposite directions by the action of a spring, and a pressure action is performed at each pivot position. The pressurizing direction switching device described.