JPH0570964U - Ribbon unit holding mechanism - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] [Object] To provide a ribbon holding mechanism that allows an end user to easily replace a ribbon unit and satisfy the basic performance of the ribbon holding mechanism. [Structure] The bush 21 of the ribbon unit 20 is set in the notch 1a of the holding base 1, and the lever member 2 is rotated in a direction of pressing the bush 21 to hook the recess 2b of the lever member 2 on the stopper pin 4. In this state, the bush 21 is pressed with an appropriate pressure by the elastic force of the lever member 2 and is fixed to the ribbon unit holding mechanism. Also,
When removing the ribbon unit 20, the stopper pin 4
The lever member 2 is further removed, and the lever member 2 is moved in the releasing direction. By this operation, the ribbon unit 20 is released, and the sub-lever 2a lifts the bush 21 so that it can be taken out more easily.

Description

[Detailed description of the device]

[0001]

[Industrial applications]

 The present invention relates to a ribbon unit holding mechanism, and more particularly to a ribbon unit holding mechanism for holding a transfer ribbon unit or the like in a thermal transfer printer or the like.

[0002]

[Prior Art]

 Conventionally, transfer ribbons and the like of thermal transfer color printers have been devised so that the end user can easily replace the transfer ribbons. For example, the transfer ribbon is placed in a cassette and the cassette is replaced (disposable cassette), or the transfer ribbon is removed from the cassette and replaced.

[0003]

[Problems to be solved by the device]

 However, when the disposable cassette is used as in the above-mentioned conventional example, the transfer ribbon can be easily replaced, but there is a problem in terms of cost and environmental impact. In addition, when the transfer ribbon is removed from the cassette and replaced, the procedures of attaching and detaching the cassette and replacing the transfer ribbon are troublesome.

From the viewpoint of environmental problems and costs, it is more advantageous to directly attach the transfer ribbon to the printer. However, when the ribbon unit is set directly in the printer, the holding structure is complicated, and the ribbon cannot be easily replaced by the end user.

The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and provides a ribbon holding mechanism that allows an end user to easily replace a ribbon unit and that satisfies the basic performance of the ribbon holding mechanism. Is.

[0006]

[Means for Solving the Problems]

 To achieve the above object, a ribbon holding mechanism according to the present invention comprises a holding means having a notch for holding a bearing portion of a rotating shaft of a ribbon unit, and a rotation means for rotating the holding means. A fixing unit that is movably held in the axial direction and that presses or releases the bearing unit placed in the notch by rotating, and the bearing unit by locking the fixing unit. And stopper means for holding the pressed state.

In addition to the above-mentioned structure, a ribbon holding mechanism according to another device for achieving the above-mentioned object, in addition to the above-mentioned configuration, operates in the state where the pressing of the bearing portion by the fixing means is released, It further comprises means for pushing up the bearing portion by a predetermined amount.

[0008]

[Action]

 With the above structure, the mounting of the ribbon unit is completed by placing the bearing of the rotary shaft of the ribbon unit on the notch of the holding means, pressing the bearing with the fixing means, and holding the pressed state with the stopper means. To do.

Further, according to another invention, when the ribbon fixing means is released from the stopper means, the bush portion is lifted, and the ribbon can be taken out more easily.

[0010]

【Example】

 Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

First Embodiment FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the outer appearance of a ribbon unit holding mechanism according to the first embodiment.

Reference numeral 20 denotes a thermal transfer ribbon unit mounted on the ribbon unit holding mechanism of this embodiment. Bushings 21 are provided at both ends of the shaft 22 of the ribbon unit 20, and the shaft 22 is configured to be freely rotatable even if the outer diameter of the bush 21 is fixed. Reference numeral 23 is a ribbon holder around which a thermal transfer ribbon 24 is wound.

Reference numeral 1 is a base member that supports the ribbon unit 20, and has a notch 1a. The bush 21 of the ribbon unit 20 is attached to the notch 1a. Reference numeral 2 denotes a lever member for pressing and fixing the bush 21 of the ribbon unit 20, which is rotatably attached to the base member 1 by a lever pin 3. The lever member 2 has a sub-lever portion 2a. When the lever member 2 is rotated in the direction of arrow 100, the sub-lever 2a lifts the bush 21 of the ribbon unit 20 by a predetermined amount. The stopper pin 4 holds the lever member 2 while the lever member 2 presses the bush 21 of the ribbon unit 20. The lever member 2 has a stopper notch 2b for catching the stopper pin 4. The ribbon unit holding mechanism is provided with two sets of the above-mentioned structures for fixing both ends of the ribbon unit 20.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a process of mounting the ribbon unit 20 on the ribbon unit holding mechanism according to the first embodiment. When the bush 21 is set in the notch 1a of the base member 1 and the lever member 2 is rotated in the pressing direction (arrow direction) by a human finger, the bush 21 and the lever member 2 come into contact with each other as shown in FIG. It will be in the state of doing.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a state in which the ribbon unit 20 is completely attached in the ribbon unit holding mechanism according to the first embodiment. When the lever member 2 is further moved in the pressing direction from the state shown in FIG. 2, the bush 21 is pressed and fixed with an appropriate pressure by the elastic force of the lever member 2. In this state, the lever member 2 is hooked on the stopper pin 4 to hold the pressed state as shown in FIG. The installation of the ribbon unit 20 is completed by the procedure shown in FIGS.

In order to hook the lever member 2 on the stopper pin 4, it is necessary to avoid the stopper pin 4 when rotating the lever member 2 in the pressing direction. That is, it is necessary to have a structure for rotating the lever member by moving the stopper pin 4 in the direction of the rotation axis of the lever member.

FIG. 4 is a view showing details of a mounting portion of the lever member 2 to the holding base 1. In order to allow the lever member 2 to be rotatable (movement in the direction of the arrow 42), the lever member 2 has a hole 2c through which the lever pin 3 is inserted. Further, the clearance between the diameter of the hole 2c and the diameter of the shaft of the lever pin 3 can be increased so that it can be moved in the direction of the arrow 41 by a predetermined amount. Reference numeral 3a is a coil spring for suppressing the wobbling of the lever member 2.

As described above, when the ribbon unit 20 is mounted, the bush 21 of the ribbon unit 20 is placed in the notch 1a of the holding base 1, and the lever member 2 is operated to hang it on the stopper pin 4. Is completed. When removing the ribbon unit 20, remove the lever member 2 from the stopper pin 4 and rotate it in the direction opposite to that when it is attached. As a result, the ribbon unit 20 is released and can be removed. Further, as shown in FIG. 5, the lower sub-lever 2a of the lever member 2 lifts the ribbon unit 20 upward, and the ribbon unit 20 can be taken out more easily.

As described above, according to this embodiment, the ribbon unit can be attached and detached by a simple operation. Further, the bush 21 of the ribbon unit 20 is securely held by the notch 1a and the elastic force of the lever member 2, and the function of the ribbon unit is not hindered.

Second Embodiment In the first embodiment described above, the elastic force of the lever member itself is used to fix the bush of the ribbon unit, but in the second embodiment, the lever is used. An example in which an elastic member is attached to the contact surface of the member with the bush is shown.

Also in the second embodiment, the ribbon unit to be held is the same as that of the first embodiment, and the holding mechanism is also an external view of the holding mechanism shown in the first embodiment (Fig. According to 1). However, the lever member is different from that of the first embodiment and will be described below. Further, the position of the stopper pin 4 will be slightly different as will be apparent from the following description.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a lever member according to the second embodiment. Reference numeral 61 is a leaf spring, which is formed in a mountain shape, and one end of which is fixed to the lever member 60 with a screw 62. The other end is guided by a guide groove 60a provided in the lever member and slides along this guide groove. The guide groove 60a also serves as a detent for the leaf spring 61. The lever member 60 is attached to the holding base 1 using the lever pin 3 by the same mechanism as in the first embodiment. A sub-lever portion 60b has a function of lifting the bush 21 by a predetermined amount when the ribbon unit 20 is taken out, similarly to the sub-lever portion 2a in the first embodiment. Further, 60c is a notch for the stopper pin, and has the same function as the notch 2b for the stopper pin in the first embodiment. That is, it is a notch for catching on the stopper pin 4 when the lever member 60 is held by the stopper pin 4 while pressing the bush 21 of the ribbon unit 20.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a process of mounting the ribbon unit 20 on the ribbon unit holding mechanism according to the second embodiment. The bush 21 is set in the notch 1a of the base member 1, and the lever member is rotated in the pressing direction (arrow direction) by a human finger. When operated in this manner, the leaf spring 61 provided on the lever member 60 comes into contact with the bush 21 as shown in FIG.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a state in which the ribbon unit 20 is completely attached in the ribbon unit holding mechanism according to the second embodiment. When the lever member 60 is further rotated in the pressing direction from the state shown in FIG. 7, the elasticity of the leaf spring 61 presses and fixes the bush 21 with an appropriate pressure. Then, as shown in FIG. 8, the lever member 60 is hooked on the stopper pin 4 to hold this pressed state. The mounting of the ribbon unit 20 is completed as described above.

Also in the second embodiment, the functions and structures of the lever pin 3 and the stopper pin 4 are similar to those of the first embodiment, and therefore the description thereof will be omitted here.

As described above, when the ribbon unit 20 is mounted, the bush 21 of the ribbon unit 20 is placed in the notch 1a of the holding base 1, and the lever member 60 is operated to hang it on the stopper pin 4. The installation is complete. When the ribbon unit 20 is taken out, the lever member 60 is removed from the stopper pin 4 and rotated in the opposite direction to the mounting direction. As a result, the ribbon unit 20 is released and can be removed. At this time, also in the second embodiment, the sub-lever 60b on the lower side of the lever member 60 lifts the ribbon unit 20 upward, and the ribbon unit 20 can be taken out more easily.

As described above, according to this embodiment, a ribbon unit holding mechanism that can easily attach and detach the ribbon unit is provided. Since the ribbon unit is lifted by the sub-lever when the ribbon unit is taken out, the ribbon unit can be easily taken out even if the notch in the holding base is slightly deep.

[0028]

[Effect of the device]

 As described above, according to the present invention, there is provided a ribbon unit holding mechanism in which the ribbon unit can be easily attached and detached.

[0029]

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an appearance of a ribbon unit holding mechanism according to a first embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a process of mounting the ribbon unit 20 on the ribbon unit holding mechanism according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a state in which mounting of the ribbon unit 20 is completed in the ribbon unit holding mechanism according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing details of a mounting portion of the lever member 2 to the holding base 1.

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a state in which a ribbon unit 20 is taken out.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a lever member according to a second embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a process of mounting the ribbon unit 20 on the ribbon unit holding mechanism according to the second embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a state in which mounting of the ribbon unit 20 is completed in the ribbon unit holding mechanism according to the second embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 Holding base 1a Notch 2,60 Lever member 2a, 60b Sub-lever 3 Lever pin 4 Stopper pin 20 Ribbon unit 21 Bushing 60a Guide groove 61 Leaf spring

Claims (5)

[Scope of utility model registration request] 1. A holding unit having a notch for holding a bearing portion of a rotary shaft of a ribbon unit; and a holding unit which is swingable and operates within a predetermined range in a direction orthogonal to a swing fulcrum shaft thereof. Fixing means that is held so that it can be swung and that presses or releases the bearing portion that is placed in the notch, and stopper means that holds the fixing means while the fixing portion presses the bearing portion. And a ribbon unit holding mechanism. 2. The ribbon according to claim 1, further comprising means for interlocking with the fixing means and pushing up the bearing portion by a predetermined amount in a state in which the pressing of the bearing portion by the fixing means is released. Unit holding mechanism. 3. The ribbon unit holding mechanism according to claim 1, wherein the fixing means presses the bearing portion with an appropriate pressing force by its own elastic force. 4. The fixing means is provided with an elastic member on a surface that comes into contact with the bearing portion, and presses the bearing portion with an appropriate pressing force by the elastic force of the elastic member. 2. The ribbon unit holding mechanism according to item 2. 5. The elastic member is a plate-shaped spring having a chevron shape, one end of which is fixed to the fixing means and the other end slides on the surface of the fixing means, and the fixing means is the The ribbon unit holding mechanism according to claim 4, further comprising a guide for sliding operation of the elastic member.