TWI469882B - Transmission mechanism adapted to an thermal sublimation printer and thermal sublimation printer therewith - Google Patents

Description

Transmission mechanism for sublimation printers and related thermal sublimation printers

The invention relates to a transmission mechanism suitable for a thermal sublimation printer and an associated thermal sublimation printer thereof, in particular to a transmission mechanism capable of saving the mechanism configuration space of the thermal print head module and related thermal sublimation Printer.

Conventional thermal sublimation printers have a thermal print head module that transfers the image desired by the user. In practice, the conventional thermal sublimation printer is provided with a motor on the thermal print head module to drive the thermal print head module. When the thermal sublimation printer is turned on, the thermal print head module can be driven by the motor to move to a standby position. At this time, if the user wants to transfer the desired image, the hot print head module can quickly reach the printing position from the preparatory position by the motor, thereby shortening the operation required for the subsequent thermal transfer and the like. time. In addition, when the thermal sublimation printer needs to replace the hot print head module, the hot print head module can be driven by the motor to move to an initial position, so that the operator can repair the hot print head module. Or replace the action.

However, when the motor is disposed on the hot print head module, not only the use space of other internal components of the thermal print head module but also the weight of the hot print head module is increased due to the weight of the motor itself, and further The torque required to drive the thermal print head module needs to be increased. Therefore, conventional designs often require a motor with a large output torque to drive the thermal print head module. Moreover, in practice, a motor having a large output torque also has a large size. Therefore, the above design may cause the thermal print head module to occupy a certain mechanism space for the motor to be mounted, thereby making it difficult for the thermal sublimation printer to apply the thermal print head module to reduce the volume and reduce the market. Competitiveness.

Accordingly, the present invention provides a transmission mechanism suitable for a thermal sublimation printer and its associated thermal sublimation printer to solve the above problems.

The patent application scope of the present invention discloses a transmission mechanism suitable for a thermal sublimation printer having a thermal print head module and a fixing plate. The transmission mechanism is configured to drive the thermal print head module to rotate relative to the fixed plate, and the thermal print head module has a distance from the fixed plate. The transmission mechanism includes an actuating member, a first transmission module and a second transmission module. The actuating member is disposed on the fixing plate, and the first driving module is disposed on the thermal head module. The second transmission module is disposed on the fixing plate, and the second transmission module is configured to transmit the torque outputted by the actuation member to the first transmission module through the distance, so that the first transmission module The drive module drives the hot print head module to rotate between a first position and a second position.

According to the claimed invention, the second transmission module includes a first gear, a second gear, a third gear, a pivot rod and a fourth gear. The first gear train is used to transmit the torque output by the actuator, and the second gear train is used to transmit the torque transmitted by the first gear. The third gear train is configured to transmit the torque transmitted by the second gear, and one end of the pivot rod is fixed to the fixing plate. The fourth gear train is rotatably sleeved on the other end of the pivot rod and meshed with the third gear, and the fourth gear is used for transmitting the torque transmitted by the third gear to the first transmission module .

According to the claimed invention, the second transmission module includes a transmission rod member coupled to the second gear and the third gear, and the fixing plate is parallel to an axial direction of the transmission rod member. There is this distance from the hot print head module.

The application scope of the present invention further discloses that the actuating member is a motor, and the second transmission module further includes a class gear having a first gear portion and a second gear portion, the first gear portion Engaged in the first gear, and the second gear portion is engaged with the second gear.

The patent application scope of the present invention further discloses that the first transmission module includes a pulley and a transmission belt. The pulley is coupled to the fourth gear, and the pulley is used to transmit the torque transmitted by the fourth gear. The drive belt is coupled to the pulley and the hot print head module, and the drive belt is configured to transmit the torque transmitted by the pulley to the hot print head module, thereby driving the hot print head module relative to the pivot The shaft member rotates between the first position and the second position.

The scope of the patent application of the present invention further discloses that the transmission mechanism further comprises a long shaft member, a cam member and at least one elastic member. The long shaft member is fixed to the fixing plate. The cam member is coupled to the first transmission module, and the cam member is configured to drive the thermal head module to rotate in a first direction when the actuator rotates. The at least one elastic member is configured to drive the thermal head module to rotate in a second direction opposite to the first direction when the actuator is reversed.

The scope of the present invention further discloses that the transmission mechanism further includes a base for fixing the actuating member on the fixing plate.

The patent application scope of the present invention further discloses a thermal sublimation printer comprising a housing, a fixing plate, a thermal print head module and a transmission mechanism. The fixing plate is mounted on the housing. The thermal print head module is mounted in the housing in a rotatable manner relative to the fixed plate, and the thermal print head module has a distance from the fixed plate. The transmission mechanism is configured to drive the thermal print head module to rotate relative to the fixed plate, and the transmission mechanism comprises an actuating member, a first transmission module and a second transmission module. The actuating member is disposed on the fixing plate, and the first driving module is disposed on the thermal head module. The second transmission module is disposed on the fixing plate, and the second transmission module is configured to transmit the torque outputted by the actuation member to the first transmission module through the distance, so that the first transmission module The drive module drives the hot print head module to rotate between a first position and a second position.

In summary, the present invention provides an actuator (such as a motor) on a fixed plate compared to the prior art, and the actuator is disposed on the hot print head module differently from the prior art. The print head module can add additional institutional space, which allows the internal components of the thermal print head module to have a larger institutional space or to reduce the overall institutional footprint of the thermal print head module. Thereby, the present invention can configure the internal components of the thermal print head module more marginally. Moreover, the removal of the actuator from the thermal print head module reduces the weight of the thermal print head module, thereby reducing the torque required to drive the thermal print head module. Therefore, in practice, the transmission mechanism of the present invention can select an actuator having a smaller output torque to reduce the size of the actuator. In this way, the transmission mechanism of the present invention can not only make the configuration of the internal components of the thermal print head module more margin, but also reduce the size of the actuator and thereby reduce the volume of the thermal sublimation printer, thereby increasing heat. Sublimation printers are competitive in the market.

The advantages and spirit of the present invention will be further understood from the following detailed description of the invention.

Please refer to FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 . FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of internal components of a thermal sublimation printer 30 according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a thermal sublimation printer 30 according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. Schematic diagram of the internal mechanism. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the thermal sublimation printer 30 includes a housing 32 and a fixing plate 34. The fixing plate 34 can be disposed on the housing 32 and is used to support and fix other internal components of the thermal sublimation printer 30, such as an automatic paper feed module, a paper roll, and the like. In addition, the thermal sublimation printer 30 further includes a thermal printhead module 36 that is mounted within the housing 32 in a rotatable manner relative to the stationary plate 34. The thermal head module 36 is used to perform an operation such as thermal transfer to transfer the dye on the ribbon onto a printing medium (paper roll). Thereby, the thermal sublimation printer 30 can transfer the image onto the printing medium.

In addition, the thermal sublimation printer 30 further includes a transmission mechanism 38 for driving the thermal print head module 36 to rotate relative to the fixed plate 34. When the thermal sublimation printer 30 is turned on, the thermal print head module 36 can be driven by the actuator 38 to rotate to a standby position. At this time, if the user wants to transfer the desired image, the thermal print head module 36 can quickly reach the printing position from the preparatory position by the transmission mechanism 38, thereby shortening the subsequent thermal transfer and the like. The time required. In addition, when the thermal sublimation printer 30 needs to replace the thermal print head module 36, the thermal print head module 36 can be driven by the transmission mechanism 38 to rotate to an initial position, so that the operator can print the heat. The head module 36 performs maintenance or replacement operations.

Further, the transmission mechanism 38 includes an actuator 40 and a base 42. Actuator 40 is used to output a torque that acts as a source of power for drive mechanism 38 to drive hot printhead module 36 relative to rotation of fixed plate 34. In addition, the base 42 is used to secure the actuating member 40 to the fixed plate 34. Thereby, the actuating member 40 can be mounted and disposed on the fixing plate 34, and the base 42 can be used to stably fix the actuating member 40 when the actuating member 40 is operated, so as to avoid the actuating member 40 during its operation. Shaking occurs, which in turn affects the print quality of the thermal sublimation printer 30.

Please refer to FIG. 3. FIG. 3 is a schematic view showing the components of the fixing plate 34, the thermal print head module 36 and the transmission mechanism 38 according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 3, the thermal print head module 36 has a distance W from the fixed plate 34. That is, the actuator 40 of the transmission mechanism 38 is spaced apart from the thermal head module 36 by a distance W, that is, the actuator 40 is not disposed on the thermal head module 36. Therefore, since the arrangement of the actuators 40 is reduced, the internal components of the thermal print head module 36 can have a larger mechanism space, so that the internal components of the thermal print head module 36 can be more conveniently disposed, or The overall footprint of the thermal printhead module 36 can be reduced.

Please refer to FIG. 4, which is a schematic diagram of components of the thermal print head module 36 and the transmission mechanism 38 in a first state according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 4, the transmission mechanism 38 further includes a first transmission module 44 and a second transmission module 46. The first transmission module 44 is disposed on the thermal print head module 36, and the second transmission module 46 is disposed on the fixed plate 34. Further, the second transmission module 46 includes a first gear 48, a class gear 50 and a second gear 52. The first gear 48 is fixed to the torque output shaft of the actuating member 40. The class gear 50 has a first gear portion 501 and a second gear portion 503, and the first gear portion 501 is coupled to the second gear portion. 503. In practice, the first gear portion 501 can be integrally formed with the second gear portion 503.

In this embodiment, the actuator 40 can be a motor, such as a DC motor or the like. Therefore, the first gear 48 can be a worm gear that is used to transmit the torque output by the actuator 40 and can generate a large reduction ratio, thereby meeting the transmission requirements of the transmission mechanism 38. In addition, in order to cooperate with the worm gear described above, the first gear portion 501 of the class gear 50 can be a helical gear that is used to engage the first gear 48 so that the torque output by the actuator 40 can be used by A gear 48 is transmitted to the first gear portion 501 of the class gear 50. Additionally, the second gear portion 503 of the class gear 50 can be a spur gear that is used to engage the second gear 52. In summary, the first gear portion 501 of the class gear 50 is meshed with the first gear 48, and the second gear portion 503 of the class gear 50 is meshed with the second gear 52. Thereby, the torque output by the actuator 40 can be transmitted to the second gear 52 by the first gear portion 501 and the class gear 50.

Further, the second transmission module 46 of the transmission mechanism 38 further includes a third gear 54 and a transmission rod member 56. The transmission rod member 56 is coupled to the second gear 52 and the third gear 54 , and the transmission rod member 56 is configured to transmit the torque transmitted from the second gear 52 to the third gear 54 . Thereby, the third gear 54 can be used to transmit the torque transmitted by the second gear 52. In this embodiment, one of the axial directions 561 of the transmission rod member 56 can be substantially perpendicular to the fixed plate 34 and the thermal print head module 36, that is, the thermal print head module 36 can be substantially fixed to the fixed plate. 34 parallel (as shown in Figure 3). In this way, the fixing plate 34 has a distance W from the thermal print head module 36 along the axial direction 561 parallel to the transmission rod member 56, that is, the direction of the distance W is parallel to the axis of the transmission rod member 56. Direction 561.

In addition, the structural design of the torque transmission between the second gear 52 and the third gear 54 of the present invention may not be limited to those described in this embodiment. For example, the third gear 54 of the present invention can also increase its tooth width to directly connect to the second gear 52. That is, the third gear 54 is coupled to the second gear 52 to directly transmit the torque transmitted by the second gear 52, and in practice the third gear 54 can be integrally formed with the second gear 52. In this way, the transmission mechanism 38 of the present invention can omit the arrangement of the transmission rod member 56 to avoid waste of materials and reduce the weight of the transmission mechanism 38. As for the design of the above, it depends on the actual needs.

As shown in FIG. 4, the second transmission module 46 of the transmission mechanism 38 further includes a pivot rod member 58 and a fourth gear member 60. One end of the pivot rod 58 is fixed to the fixed plate 34, and the fourth gear 60 is rotatably sleeved on the other end of the pivot rod 58 and meshed with the third gear 54. Thereby, the fourth gear 60 can be used to transmit the torque transmitted from the third gear 54 to the first transmission module 44 of the transmission mechanism 38. In addition, the first transmission module 44 of the transmission mechanism 38 includes a pulley 62 and a transmission belt 64. The pulley 62 is coupled to the fourth gear 60, and the pulley 62 is used to transmit the torque transmitted by the fourth gear 60. In practice, the pulley 62 can be integrally formed with the fourth gear 60. The drive belt 64 is coupled to the pulley 62 and the thermal print head module 36. The drive belt 64 is used to transmit the torque transmitted from the pulley 62 to the thermal print head module 36 for driving the thermal print head module 36 to rotate. It is worth mentioning that the thermal print head module 36 can have other transmission members, such as idlers, tension adjusting wheels, cams and the like. The drive belt 64, in conjunction with the other drive members described above, drives the thermal printhead module 36 to rotate such that the thermal printhead module 36 is movable between the preparatory position, the print position, and the initial position.

Please refer to FIG. 4 and FIG. 5. FIG. 5 is a schematic view showing the components of the thermal print head module 36 and the transmission mechanism 38 in a second state according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the transmission mechanism 38 further includes a long shaft member 66 and a cam member 68. The long shaft member 66 is fixed to the fixed plate 34 (as shown in Fig. 2). The cam member 68 is coupled to the first transmission module 44 and abuts the long shaft member 66. In addition, one of the axes 681 of the cam member 68 is at a different distance from the long shaft member 66 when the cam member 68 is rotated to a different position. Therefore, when the actuating member 40 rotates forward, the torque output by the actuating member 40 is transmitted to the transmission belt 64 of the first transmission module 44 via the second transmission module 46, and then the transmission belt 64 drives the cam member 68 again. Turn. Since the axis 681 of the cam member 68 is at a different distance from the long shaft member 66 when the cam member 68 is rotated to different positions, when the cam member 68 rotates, the cam member 68 can move relative to the long shaft member 66, thereby driving the hot column. The print head module 36 is rotated relative to the pivot rod member 58 in a first direction X1 from a second position as shown in FIG. 5 to a first position as shown in FIG. In practice, the first location may be the preparatory location described above, and the second location may be the initial location described above.

In addition, the transmission mechanism 38 further includes at least one elastic member 70 for providing an elastic restoring force when the actuator member 40 is reversed, thereby driving the thermal print head module 36 opposite to the pivot rod member 58. The second direction X2 of one of the first directions X1 is rotated from the first position shown in FIG. 4 to the second position as shown in FIG. In this embodiment, the elastic member 70 is preferably a spring, and the thermal sublimation printer 30 includes two elastic members 70 respectively disposed on the two sides of the thermal print head module 36. Location, but not limited to this. For example, the thermal sublimation printer 30 may also include only one elastic member 70 disposed at a position intermediate the thermal print head module 36. In other words, as long as the number of the elastic members 70 and the set position can provide an elastic restoring force when the actuating member 40 is reversed, the mechanism for driving the hot print head module 36 to rotate in the second direction X2 is the present invention. The scope of protection.

In summary, the transmission mechanism 38 of the present invention transmits the torque outputted by the actuator 40 to the first transmission module 44 through the distance W by the second transmission module 46, thereby driving the cam member 68 of the transmission mechanism 38 to rotate. The thermal print head module 36 is then driven to rotate in the first direction X1. On the other hand, the transmission mechanism 38 of the present invention additionally utilizes the elastic member 70 to provide an elastic restoring force for driving the thermal print head module 36 to rotate in the second direction X2. In this manner, the thermal printhead module 36 of the present invention can be driven to move between the first position as shown in FIG. 4 and the second position as shown in FIG.

It is worth mentioning that the long shaft member 66 of the transmission mechanism 38 has a rotary bearing 661 that can be rotated by the cam member 68 to rotate relative to the long shaft member 66. Therefore, when the cam member 68 rotates, the rotary bearing 661 can rotate in the same direction as the cam member 68, that is, the rotary bearing 661 and the cam member 68 are in a rolling friction state instead of sliding friction. As such, the rotating bearing 661 can be used to reduce wear of the cam member 68 and the long shaft member 66. Additionally, the cam member 68 of the transmission mechanism 38 has a recess 683. When the thermal print head module 36 is driven by the elastic member 70 to rotate in the second direction X2, the groove 683 of the cam member 68 can be used to cooperate with the rotary bearing 661 of the long-axis member 66 (as shown in FIG. 5). To avoid bearing 661. Thereby, the thermal print head module 36 can be driven by the transmission mechanism 38 to the first position as shown in FIG. 4 from the second position (ie, the initial position) shown in FIG. 5 (ie, the preparation) position).

Compared with the prior art, the present invention provides an actuating member (such as a motor) on a fixed plate, and the actuating member is disposed on the hot print head module differently from the prior art, so the hot print head module Additional institutional space can be added, which allows the internal components of the thermal print head module to have a larger institutional space, or to reduce the overall institutional footprint of the thermal print head module. Thereby, the present invention can configure the internal components of the thermal print head module more marginally. Moreover, the removal of the actuator from the thermal print head module reduces the weight of the thermal print head module, thereby reducing the torque required to drive the thermal print head module. Therefore, in practice, the transmission mechanism of the present invention can select an actuator having a smaller output torque to reduce the size of the actuator. In this way, the transmission mechanism of the present invention can not only make the configuration of the internal components of the thermal print head module more margin, but also reduce the size of the actuator and thereby reduce the volume of the thermal sublimation printer, thereby increasing heat. Sublimation printers are competitive in the market.

The above are only the preferred embodiments of the present invention, and all changes and modifications made to the scope of the present invention should be within the scope of the present invention.

30. . . Sublimation printer

32. . . case

34. . . Fixed plate

36. . . Hot print head module

38. . . Transmission mechanism

40. . . Actuator

42. . . Base

44. . . First transmission module

46. . . Second transmission module

48. . . First gear

50. . . Class gear

52. . . Second gear

54. . . Third gear

56. . . Transmission rod

58. . . Pivot rod

60. . . Fourth gear

62. . . Pulley

64. . . Transmission belt

66. . . Long shaft member

68. . . Cam member

70. . . Elastic part

501. . . First gear

503. . . Second gear

561. . . Axis direction

661. . . Rotary bearing

681. . . Axis

683. . . Groove

W. . . distance

X1. . . First direction

X2. . . Second direction

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Figure 1 is a schematic view showing the internal components of a thermal sublimation printer according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

2 is a schematic view showing the internal mechanism of a thermal sublimation printer according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 3 is a schematic view showing the components of the fixing plate, the thermal head module and the transmission mechanism in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

4 is a schematic view of the components of the thermal print head module and the transmission mechanism in a first state according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 5 is a schematic view showing the components of the thermal print head module and the transmission mechanism in a second state in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

36‧‧‧Hot print head module

38‧‧‧Transmission mechanism

40‧‧‧Acoustic

44‧‧‧First transmission module

46‧‧‧Second drive module

48‧‧‧First gear

50‧‧‧Class gear

52‧‧‧second gear

54‧‧‧ Third gear

56‧‧‧Transmission rod parts

58‧‧‧ pivot rods

60‧‧‧fourth gear

62‧‧‧ Pulley

64‧‧‧Drive belt

66‧‧‧Long-axis components

68‧‧‧Cam components

70‧‧‧Flexible parts

501‧‧‧First gear department

503‧‧‧Second gear department

661‧‧‧Rotary bearing

681‧‧‧Axis

683‧‧‧ Groove

X1‧‧‧ first direction

X2‧‧‧ second direction

Claims (14)

A transmission mechanism suitable for a thermal sublimation printer, the thermal sublimation printer having a thermal print head module and a fixing plate for driving the thermal print head module relative to the The fixing plate rotates, and the hot print head module has a distance from the fixed plate. The transmission mechanism comprises: an actuating member disposed on the fixing plate; and a first transmission module And the second transmission module is disposed on the fixing plate such that the distance between the second transmission module and the first transmission module is substantially the distance between the second transmission module and the first transmission module. The second transmission module is configured to transmit the torque outputted by the actuator to the first transmission module through the distance, so that the first transmission module drives the thermal print head module in a first position Rotate with a second position. The transmission mechanism of claim 1, wherein the second transmission module comprises: a first gear for transmitting a torque output by the actuator; and a second gear for transmitting the same a torque transmitted by the first gear; a third gear for transmitting the torque transmitted by the second gear; a pivot member having one end fixed to the fixed plate; and a fourth gear And rotatably sleeved on the other end of the pivotal rod and meshed with the third gear, the fourth gear is used to transmit the torque transmitted by the third gear to the first transmission module. The transmission mechanism of claim 2, wherein the second transmission module further comprises: a transmission rod member coupled to the second gear and the third gear, the fixing plate having the distance between the heat-printing head module and a direction parallel to an axial direction of the transmission rod member. The transmission mechanism of claim 2, wherein the actuating member is a motor, and the second transmission module further comprises: a class gear having a first gear portion and a second gear portion, The first gear portion is meshed with the first gear, and the second gear portion is meshed with the second gear. The transmission mechanism of claim 2, wherein the first transmission module comprises: a pulley coupled to the fourth gear, the pulley is configured to transmit a torque transmitted by the fourth gear; and a transmission a belt connecting the pulley and the hot print head module, wherein the drive belt is configured to transmit a torque transmitted from the pulley to the hot print head module, thereby driving the hot print head module relative to the pivot The shaft member rotates between the first position and the second position. The transmission mechanism of claim 1, further comprising: a long shaft member fixed to the fixing plate; a cam member coupled to the first transmission module, the cam member being used for The actuating member drives the hot print head module to rotate in a first direction during forward rotation; and at least one elastic member for driving the hot print head module when the actuating member is reversed Rotating in a second direction opposite one of the first directions. The transmission mechanism of claim 1, further comprising: a base for fixing the actuating member on the fixing plate. A thermal sublimation printer comprising: a housing; a fixing plate mounted on the housing; and a thermal print head module mounted to be rotatable relative to the fixing plate The housing has a distance between the thermal print head module and the fixed plate; and a transmission mechanism for driving the thermal print head module to rotate relative to the fixed plate, the transmission mechanism comprising: And a first transmission module disposed on the thermal head module; and a second transmission module disposed on the fixing plate The distance between the second transmission module and the first transmission module is substantially the same, and the second transmission module is configured to transmit the torque outputted by the actuator to the first transmission mode through the distance. The group is configured to drive the first driving module to rotate the hot head module between a first position and a second position. The thermal sublimation printer of claim 8, wherein the second transmission module comprises: a first gear for transmitting a torque output by the actuator; a second gear for transmitting the torque transmitted by the first gear; a third gear for transmitting the torque transmitted by the second gear; and a pivot member having one end secured Provided on the fixing plate; and a fourth gear rotatably sleeved on the other end of the pivot rod and engaged with the third gear, the fourth gear is used to transmit the third gear Torque to the first transmission module. The thermal sublimation printer of claim 9, wherein the second transmission module further comprises: a transmission rod member coupled to the second gear and the third gear, the fixed plate is parallel The distance is between the axial direction of the transmission rod member and the thermal print head module. The thermal sublimation printer of claim 9, wherein the actuating member is a motor, and the second transmission module further comprises: a class gear having a first gear portion and a first a second gear portion, the first gear portion is meshed with the first gear, and the second gear portion is meshed with the second gear. The thermal sublimation printer of claim 9, wherein the first transmission module comprises: a pulley coupled to the fourth gear, the pulley is configured to transmit the torque transmitted by the fourth gear ;as well as a drive belt connecting the pulley and the hot print head module, wherein the drive belt is configured to transmit a torque transmitted from the pulley to the hot print head module, thereby driving the hot print head module relative to The pivot rod rotates between the first position and the second position. The thermal sublimation printer of claim 8, wherein the transmission mechanism further comprises: a long shaft member fixed to the fixing plate; and a cam member coupled to the first transmission module The cam member is configured to drive the thermal head module to rotate in a first direction when the actuator is rotated forward, and at least one elastic member for driving the heat when the actuator is reversed The printhead module rotates in a second direction opposite one of the first directions. The thermal sublimation printer of claim 8, wherein the transmission mechanism further comprises: a base for fixing the actuating member to the fixing plate.