JP2004082721A - Printer - Google Patents

Abstract

A printer capable of opening and closing a platen facing a print head at a predetermined interval without interfering with a recording paper cutting mechanism or a print head.
In a printer, a print head is mounted so as to face obliquely upward instead of horizontally, and correspondingly, a platen portion facing a head surface of a print head at a constant interval is also inclined. It is attached to the opening / closing frame 51 in this state, and the rotation center (43a) of the opening / closing frame 51 is located below the print head surface 20a. The movement trajectory 21A of the upper end of the platen unit 21 is an arc that goes away from the head surface of the print head, not upward but rearward, and does not interfere with the print head 20. A space is formed directly above the print head 20 and the platen unit 21 so as not to traverse the movement trajectory of the platen unit 21. By arranging the parts of the cutting mechanism and the parts of the recording paper transport mechanism, the size and size of the printer can be reduced.
[Selection diagram] Fig. 4

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a printer capable of opening a recording paper conveyance path that passes through a print position of a print head. More specifically, the present invention relates to a printer in which a mechanism for opening a recording paper conveyance path is devised so that a recording paper conveyance mechanism and a recording paper cutting mechanism can be appropriately arranged.
[0002]
[Prior art]
POS terminals and the like are generally equipped with a printer for printing on a recording paper roll. A printer that prints on a recording paper roll faces the print head with an opening / closing lid that opens and closes the loading section of the recording paper roll formed on the printer body so that the recording paper roll can be easily replaced or loaded. There is a known platen that can be opened and closed. When the platen is opened together with the opening / closing lid, the recording paper transport path between the print head and the platen is opened, so the recording paper pulled out from the loaded recording paper roll is placed along the print head, and then opened and closed. When the lid is closed, a state where the roll paper is sandwiched between the print head and the platen and pulled out is automatically obtained.
[0003]
For example, Japanese Patent Publication No. Hei 6-79855 discloses such a roll paper printer. In the printer disclosed in this publication, a platen roller pressed against the thermal head is also attached to the tip of a cover that functions as an opening / closing lid for the roll paper loading unit. When the cover is closed, the platen roller protrudes toward the thermal head through an opening formed in the roll paper loading unit and is pressed against the thermal head. When the cover is opened, the platen roller is also separated from the thermal head, so that the roll paper unwinding portion can be easily arranged between the platen roller and the thermal head. Further, when the cover is closed, a state in which the roll paper is sandwiched between the thermal head and the platen roller is automatically formed.
[0004]
When the print head is of the dot impact type or the inkjet type, the platen is arranged in parallel with the print head so as to be at a predetermined interval.
[0005]
[Patent Document]
Japanese Patent Publication No. 6-79855
[0006]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
Here, in the case of a mechanism that opens and closes the platen together with the opening and closing lid of the recording paper roll loading section, it is necessary to lay out components so that no other component is located on the movement trajectory of the opening and closing lid and the platen. In particular, in the case of recording paper rolls, an automatic cutting mechanism for cutting the recording paper after printing is often installed, and the automatic cutting mechanism is provided at a recording paper discharge port after printing formed on the upper surface of the printer. Generally, they are arranged. In this case, the printing position is located immediately below the recording paper discharge unit, and the cutting mechanism is located on the movement locus of the platen that defines the printing position. Therefore, the movement locus of the platen or the disposition position of the cutting mechanism And the structure needs to be devised.
[0007]
When the platen roller is pressed against the head surface of the thermal head as in the case of a thermal head, the platen roller is pressed against the thermal head when closing the opening / closing lid, and the thermal head supported by the spring member is pressed. You only have to retreat. Therefore, there is no problem even if the movement locus of the platen intersects the print head.
[0008]
However, in the case of a non-contact type print head of the dot impact type or the ink jet type, it is necessary to position the platen in a parallel state facing the head surface of the print head at a constant interval. In this case, it is necessary to configure a platen opening / closing mechanism so that the movement locus of the platen does not cross the print head.
[0009]
Furthermore, in the case of a dot impact type print head, it is necessary to mount a ribbon cassette containing an ink ribbon on the print head. The ribbon cassette is generally mounted so that the ink ribbon is inserted between the print head and the platen from directly above the print head. If the automatic cutting mechanism for recording paper is located directly above the print head, the automatic cutting mechanism is in the way and the ribbon cassette cannot be mounted with one touch. Operation is required.
[0010]
In view of the foregoing, an object of the present invention is to propose a printer that can open and close a platen facing a print head at a predetermined interval without interfering with a recording paper cutting mechanism or a print head.
[0011]
Another object of the present invention is to form a space for arranging the components of the recording paper cutting mechanism and the components of the transport mechanism right above the print head so as not to be moved along the movement trajectory of the opened and closed platen. It is to propose a printer that can do the job.
[0012]
Furthermore, an object of the present invention is to propose a printer having a dot ink-pact type print head capable of attaching and detaching a ribbon cassette with a single touch without performing an operation for retracting a recording paper automatic cutting mechanism or the like. is there.
[0013]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to solve the above problems, the printer of the present invention
A print head and a platen arranged to face each other to perform printing on a recording medium,
A body frame that supports one of the print head or the platen,
The printhead or the platen is supported, and the main body frame is rotatable so that a print position where the printhead and the platen face each other and an open position where the printhead and the platen separate from each other can be taken. Opening and closing frame supported by
A first path formed by a first defining portion attached to the main body frame and a second defining portion provided in the opening / closing frame, the first route being connected to the recording medium outlet through the printing position. One path,
A second path formed by a third defining portion attached to the main body frame and a fourth defining portion facing the third defining portion, the second route being formed from the downstream side of the printing position of the first route. It is characterized in that it has a second route that is separated from the first route.
[0014]
According to the above configuration, the first path can be opened without affecting the second path by simply rotating the opening / closing frame. Therefore, place the printer sideways
When viewed from above, there is a second path outside the rotation trajectory of the opening / closing frame and the portion supported by the opening / closing frame, and the space between the first path and the second path is used to provide a mechanism for cutting the recording medium. Parts and components of a recording medium transport mechanism can be arranged, which is advantageous for reducing the size and size of the printer.
[0015]
Further, since the platen and the print head do not intersect, a platen opening / closing mechanism suitable for a printer having a print head of an ink-pact type or an inkjet type which requires the platen to face the print head at a predetermined interval can be easily realized.
[0016]
Here, in order to cut the recording medium, the fixed blade of the automatic cutting mechanism including a fixed blade, a movable blade, and a drive mechanism for driving the movable blade is moved to the first path and the second path. Can be mounted between.
[0017]
With the above configuration, if the movable blade is attached to the opening / closing frame, the recording medium can be set between the fixed blade and the movable blade by simply pulling out the recording medium from the printing unit and simply rotating the opening / closing frame.
[0018]
Similarly, as a transport mechanism for transporting the recording medium, a feed roller and a pressing roller contacting the feed roller can be used. In this case, when one of the feed roller and the pressing roller is attached to the opening / closing frame and the other is attached between the first path and the second path, the opening / closing frame is pulled out with the recording medium pulled out. The recording medium can be held between the feed roller and the pressing roller by simply rotating the recording medium.
[0019]
In order to cut the recording medium sent out by the feed roller, when the apparatus has an automatic cutting mechanism including a fixed blade, a movable blade, and a driving mechanism for driving the movable blade, the fixed blade is also transported. It is desirable to arrange at a position downstream of the mechanism.
[0020]
Next, a typical printer to which the present invention can be applied is a printer that prints on a tape-shaped recording paper pulled out from a recording paper roll, and the printer is a printer of a recording paper roll formed on the main body frame side. It has a loading section and an opening / closing lid for opening and closing the loading section. In this case, an opening / closing lid is attached to the opening / closing frame.
[0021]
Further, in this case, the recording sheet transport path guides the recording sheet from the loading section through the printing position of the print head via the print position, and is opened when the opening and closing frame is rotated and opened. As described above, it is desirable to form between the opening / closing frame and the main body frame.
[0022]
Next, when the print head is of a dot impact type, the second path may be a path for moving a ribbon of a ribbon cassette mounted on the main body frame. According to this configuration, since the attachment / detachment of the ribbon cassette does not interfere with the arranged cutting mechanism or paper feeding mechanism, the ribbon cassette can be attached / detached with one touch without moving the automatic cutting mechanism or the like.
[0023]
Next, in the printer of the present invention, the print head is mounted so as to face diagonally upward instead of horizontally, and the rotation center of the opening / closing frame to which the platen is mounted is located below the print head surface. ing. According to this configuration, when the platen is moved from a position facing the print head, the movement trajectory of the platen moves in a direction away from the head surface of the print head and not toward the rear. Therefore, when viewed from the side of the printer, a space is formed directly above the print head and the platen so as not to cover the movement locus of the platen. Therefore, parts of the recording paper cutting mechanism, parts of the recording paper transport mechanism, and the like can be arranged by utilizing this space, which is advantageous in reducing the size and size of the printer.
[0024]
In addition, since the movement trajectory of the platen does not intersect with the print head, a platen opening and closing mechanism suitable for printers equipped with an ink-pact type or inkjet type print head that requires the platen to face the print head at a predetermined interval can be simplified. realizable.
[0025]
Here, as the transport mechanism for transporting the recording paper via the print position between the print head and the platen, a paper feed roller and a paper pressing roller abutting on the paper feed roller can be used. In this case, the paper holding roller is arranged using a position above the print head in the main body frame, that is, a space that does not overlap the movement locus of the platen, and when the opening / closing frame is closed, the paper holding roller contacts the paper holding roller. A paper feed roller can be attached to a position above the platen in the open / close frame so as to be in contact with the paper feed roller.
[0026]
In order to cut the recording paper fed by the paper feed roller, when having a fixed blade, a movable blade, and an automatic cutting mechanism having a drive mechanism for driving the movable blade, the fixed blade is also said The movable blade and the driving mechanism can be mounted at a position above the paper feed roller in the opening / closing frame in a position above the paper pressing roller in the main body frame.
[0027]
Next, when the print head is of the dot impact type, a ribbon cassette mounting portion capable of mounting the ribbon cassette in an inclined position is disposed on the main body frame from an oblique upper direction orthogonal to the tilt direction of the print head. be able to. According to this configuration, the ribbon cassette can be attached and detached in a direction that does not interfere with the cutting mechanism disposed directly above the print position of the print head, so that the ribbon cassette can be moved with one touch without moving the automatic cutting mechanism. Can be removed.
[0028]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, an embodiment of a printer to which the present invention is applied will be described with reference to the drawings.
[0029]
1 is an external perspective view of the printer of the present embodiment, FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a built-in printer unit, FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the printer unit, and FIG. FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing an arrangement relationship of each part when viewed from the side.
[0030]
Referring to these drawings, the printer 1 includes a rectangular frame-shaped case body 2 covering the periphery thereof, a front opening / closing cover 3 covering a front portion of the upper surface of the printer, and a rear opening / closing cover 4 covering a rear portion. And these constitute a printer case. A recording paper discharge port 5 is formed at a position between the front and rear lids 3 and 4. The rear opening / closing lid 4 can be opened / closed by operating a slide button 6. When the opening / closing lid 4 is opened, the loading portion 8 of the recording paper roll is exposed, and replacement of the recording paper roll 7 and the like are performed. It can be carried out. When the front opening / closing lid 3 rotatably supported by the support hole 40a provided at the front lower end of the main body frame 40 is opened, the ribbon cassette mounting section 10 for detachably mounting the ribbon cassette 9 for the ink ribbon is opened. The exposed ribbon cassette 9 can be replaced.
[0031]
A printer unit 11 shown in FIGS. 2 to 4 is built in a printer case composed of a case main body 2 and front and rear opening / closing lids 3 and 4. The printer unit 11 includes a fixed unit 12 and an opening / closing side. The opening / closing unit 13 is supported by the fixed unit 12 so as to be rotatable up and down around a rear end portion.
[0032]
The overall configuration of the printer unit 11 will be described mainly with reference to FIG. In the rear portion of the printer unit 11, a loading portion 8 of a recording paper roll having an arc-shaped cross section opened upward when viewed from the side is formed. The recording paper 7a pulled out from the recording paper roll 7 loaded here enters a recording paper transport path 15 (first path) via a guide roller 14 disposed at the front end of the loading section 8 of the recording paper roll. Be guided. The recording paper transport path 15 includes a transport path section 16 that is slightly inclined forward and upward, a front slope section 17 that rises upward from the front end of the transport path section 16 at a large inclination angle, and A rear ramp portion 18 is provided which is inclined rearward from the upper end of the front ramp portion 17 and is connected to the recording paper discharge port 5. In FIG. 4, the recording paper 7a and the transport path 15 which is the first path are shown by two-dot chain lines.
[0033]
The transport path portion 16 is defined by a transport guide portion 16a (second defining portion) and a transport surface 16b (first defining portion) facing the transport guide portion 16a. The front ramp section 17 following this is a platen section 21 (platen, second section) facing the head surface 20a (first defining section) of the dot impact type print head 20 at a constant interval. And the print position by the print head 20.
[0034]
A second path 36 extending diagonally forward is formed at a place where the course of the conveyance path 15 is changed to the rear side after the printing position. One of the second paths 36 is defined by an inclined surface 41a (fourth defining portion) of a ribbon frame 41 described later and a head guide surface 20b of the print head 20, and the other is a roller attached to the main body frame. It is defined by the facing surface 27 a (third defining portion) of the mounting plate 27 and the paper pressing roller 26. 4 and 5, the second path 36 is indicated by a dashed line. As in this example, the intersection between the recording paper transport path 15 and the second path, which is the first path, is desirably substantially Y-shaped when viewed from the side. In addition to being easy to guide, the recording paper can be conveyed through the recording paper conveyance path 15 without difficulty.
[0035]
The print head 20 is disposed such that the head surface 20a faces a direction inclined upward and rearward. The surface of the platen portion 21 is arranged so as to be inclined downward toward the front in accordance with the inclination of the print head 20. The print head 20 is mounted on a head carriage 22, and the head carriage 22 can reciprocate in the width direction along a carriage guide shaft 23.
[0036]
A ribbon frame 41 is attached so as to cover the head carriage 22 and the print head 20, and a mounting portion 10 for the ribbon cassette 9 is formed on an outer peripheral portion of the ribbon frame 41. (The ribbon frame 41 is not shown in FIG. 3.) The ribbon cassette mounting portion 10 is also inclined and arranged to face upward.
[0037]
Accordingly, the ink ribbon 9a of the ribbon cassette 9 mounted here can be set between the print head 20 and the platen section 21 by moving along the second path 36 so as to be parallel thereto.
[0038]
A rear ramp section 18 that is continuous with the front ramp section 17 is defined by a transport guide section 28 that extends in a direction bent backward from the upper end of the platen section 21. Is provided with a paper feed roller 25 and a paper press roller 26 pressed against the paper feed roller 25 with a predetermined elastic force. The paper feed roller 25 is disposed on the rear side of the rear slope portion 18, and the paper press roller 26 is supported on the front side thereof so as to be movable with respect to a roller mounting plate 27 in a direction approaching the paper feed roller 25, It is urged toward the paper feed roller 25 by a spring force such as a leaf spring or a wire spring. The recording paper 7 a pulled out from the recording paper roll 7 is sandwiched between a paper feed roller 25 and a paper pressing roller 26, and is transported along the transport path 15 by a driving source (not shown) rotating the paper feed roller 25. Is done. In this example, the platen portion 21 and the transport guide portions 28 and 16a which are continuous above and below the platen portion 21 are formed from a platen frame 55 which is a single component.
[0039]
Next, an automatic cutting unit 30 for recording paper is arranged near the recording paper discharge port 5. The automatic cutting unit 30 includes a fixed blade 31 disposed on the front side, a movable blade 32 disposed on the rear side, and a driving mechanism 33 for operating the movable blade 32 with the recording paper conveyance path interposed therebetween. The movable blade 32 and the drive mechanism 33 are built in a case 34. The recording paper 7a between the fixed blade 31 and the movable blade 32 is cut by the movable blade 32 sliding on the upper surface of the fixed blade 31. Further, a cutting blade 35 capable of manually cutting the recording paper is attached to a front edge portion of the recording paper discharge port 5.
[0040]
Here, in the printer unit 11 of the present embodiment, in order to easily perform the replacement work of the recording paper roll 7 and the like, the opening / closing lid 4 of the loading unit 8 of the recording paper roll is opened, The recording paper transport path 15 is also configured to be open. For this purpose, the component on one side constituting the transport path 15 is attached to the fixed side unit 12, and the open / close lid 4 and the other side constituting the transport path 15 are attached to the open / close side unit 13 which is the movable side. When the opening / closing side unit 13 is opened, the loading unit 8 for the recording paper roll is opened, and at the same time, the transport path 15 is also opened.
[0041]
That is, the fixed unit 12 is provided with the recording paper roll loading unit 8, the transport surface 16 b of the transport path portion 16, the print head 20, the paper pressing roller 26, and the fixed blade 31 of the automatic cutting unit 30. On the other hand, the opening / closing side unit 13 includes a platen frame (the transport guide portion 16b, the platen portion 21, and the transport guide portion 28) that defines the transport path portion 16, the front ramp portion 17, and the rear ramp portion 18. , A paper feed roller 25, and a movable blade 32 and a drive mechanism 33 of the automatic cutting unit 30 are attached. Further, an opening / closing lid 4 is also attached.
[0042]
According to the above configuration, even when the movable blade 32 is cut off due to some failure, that is, when the movable blade 32 is stopped in a state crossing the fixed blade 31, the movable blade 32 is located above the fixed blade 31. The opening / closing unit 13 is movable.
[0043]
FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing the position of each component when viewed from the side when the opening / closing unit 13 is half-opened, and FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing a state where the opening / closing unit 13 is fully opened. As can be seen from these figures, when the open / close unit 13 is fully opened, the recording paper roll 7 can be loaded by a simple operation of dropping the recording paper roll 7 into the loading section 8 of the recording paper roll from above. Further, since the transport path 15 is open, the operation of arranging the recording paper 7a drawn from the recording paper roll 7 along the transport path 15 is extremely simple. Further, when the opening / closing side unit 13 is closed and returned to the state shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, the recording paper 7 a passes between the print head 20 and the platen unit 21 and between the paper feed roller 25 and the paper press roller 26. The state of being pulled out from the recording paper discharge port 5 is automatically formed.
[0044]
Next, the structures of the fixed unit 12 and the open / close unit 13 will be described in more detail. First, the fixed unit 12 includes a main body frame 40, and a carriage guide shaft 23 is bridged in a width direction on a front portion of the main body frame 40. As described above, the carriage guide shaft 23 supports the head carriage 22 on which the print head 20 is mounted so as to be able to reciprocate. Further, a ribbon frame 41 is mounted on the main body frame 40.
[0045]
A loading portion 8 for loading the recording paper roll 7 is formed in a rear portion of the main body frame 40, and a rotation center shaft 43 extending in the width direction is provided at a rear end portion of the loading portion 26. It is hung over 40. The rotation center shaft 43 is the rotation center of the opening / closing side unit 13.
[0046]
On the other hand, the opening / closing side unit 13 has an opening / closing frame 51, and the opening / closing frame 51 is a front end connecting left and right arm portions 52, 53 extending in the front-rear direction and front end portions of these arm portions 52, 53. And a connecting plate portion 54. The rear end portions of the left and right arm portions 52 and 53 are rotatably supported by both end portions of the rotation center shaft 43. A platen frame 55 (platen section 21, transport guide section 16a, transport guide section 28) is attached to the front end of the front end connecting portion 54 of the opening / closing frame 51, and a paper feed roller shaft 56 is attached to the back side. The outer peripheral surfaces of the two paper feed rollers 25 fixed coaxially to the paper feed roller shaft 56 project forward from an opening formed in the transport guide portion 28 of the platen frame 55. The movable blade 32 and the drive mechanism 33 of the automatic cutting unit 30 are mounted horizontally on the front end connecting plate portion 54 of the opening / closing frame 51.
[0047]
Here, as can be seen from FIG. 4, in the fixed-side unit 12 of the present example, the print head 20 is inclined so as to face upward, as described above. The ribbon cassette 9 mounted on the unit 10 is also in a state of being inclined and arranged in the same direction. Further, on the side of the opening / closing side unit 13, the platen portion 21 is inclined so as to face downward so as to face the head surface 20a of the print head 20 at a constant interval in parallel. The center of rotation of the opening / closing side unit 13, that is, the height position of the center axis 43 a of the rotation center shaft 43 is lower than the head surface 20 a of the print head 20.
[0048]
As a result, the movement trajectory of the front end portion of the opening / closing side unit as the opening / closing side unit 13 opens and closes, that is, the movement trajectory of the upper end and the lower end of the platen unit 21 facing the print head 20 is imagined in FIGS. As shown by lines 21A and 21B. These movement trajectories 21A and 21B move from a position facing the print head 20 at a fixed interval (a position where the opening / closing side unit 13 is closed) to a position forward or upward with respect to the head surface 20a of the print head 20. However, the movement trajectories 21A and 21B do not cross the print head 20 when the opening and closing unit 13 is opened and closed.
[0049]
Further, since the rotation center line 43a of the opening / closing side unit 13 is located below the head surface 20a of the print head 20, these movement trajectories 21A and 21B move backward with the movement of the opening / closing side unit 13. The moving amount is large. Further, in the present example, the ribbon cassette mounting unit 10 is also inclinedly disposed in accordance with the inclined arrangement of the print head 20. Thereby, the ribbon cassette 9 is configured to be attached and detached in an oblique direction (the direction of the arrow 9A shown in FIG. 4) from the front upper side, which is substantially perpendicular to the mounting portion 10.
[0050]
As a result, as shown in FIG. 5, a space S is formed directly above the print head 20 so that the space S is not hindered by the movement locus of the opening / closing unit 13 and does not hinder the movement of the ribbon when the ribbon cassette 9 is attached or detached. . In this example, the paper press roller 26 and the fixed blade 31 of the automatic cutting unit 30 are arranged by using this space.
[0051]
With the above configuration, the paper pressing roller 26 and the fixed blade 31 of the automatic cutting unit 30 are disposed right above the print head 20, but the ribbon cassette 9 can be attached and detached without being obstructed by these. Therefore, there is an advantage that the attachment / detachment of the ribbon cassette 9 can be performed with one touch. Further, since the space S is effectively used, the device configuration can be made small and compact.
[0052]
Furthermore, by adjusting one or both of the inclination angle of the print head 20 and the platen unit 21 and the height position of the rotation center line 43a of the opening / closing unit 13, the movement locus of the opening / closing unit 13 can be changed. This can increase or decrease the space S that does not lie on the movement trajectory formed directly above the print head 20, and also has the advantage of increasing the degree of component layout automation.
[0053]
Although the present embodiment relates to a printer having a dot impact type print head 20, the present invention can be similarly applied to a printer using an ink jet head as a print head. Further, the present invention is applicable to a printer using a contact type print head such as a thermal head.
[0054]
Further, in this example, the explanation has been made using an example in which the automatic cutting mechanism and the transport mechanism are arranged above the print head, but only the automatic cutting mechanism is arranged above the print head, and the transport mechanism is located below the print head. (The upstream side of the transport route).
[0055]
In the present embodiment, the second path 36 has been described as a path through which the ribbon of the ribbon cassette passes. However, for example, the second path 36 may be extended at a position different from the recording paper discharge port 5 so as to enable validation printing. The opening / closing lid 3 may be provided with a slit into which a sheet can be inserted, and may be inserted into the printing position from above. In this case, when the sheet is inserted from the slit, the sheet passes through the second path and the printing position, and the leading end thereof contacts the regulating portion 12a of the fixed unit 12 so that the receipt can be set.
As described above, the second path can be a path for movement of the ink ribbon and a receipt, so that a small-sized printer with good operability can be provided.
[0056]
Further, in this example, an example in which the paper pressing roller 26 is disposed in the area of the space S is shown. However, a paper feed roller may be disposed instead of the paper pressing roller, and the paper pressing roller may be disposed in the opening / closing frame. In this case, since the driving side does not move, the wheel train for driving the rollers is easily designed.
[0057]
Further, in the present embodiment, the example in which the platen portion 21 is supported by the opening / closing frame 51 and the print head 20 is supported by the main body frame 40 has been described, but the platen is supported by the main body frame, and the print head is supported by the open / close frame. However, this embodiment is preferable in consideration of the control cable of the print head.
[0058]
Similarly, the platen may be of a plate shape or a roller type.
[0059]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, the printer of the present invention includes a main body frame that supports one of the print head or the platen, a print frame that supports the other of the print head or the platen, and the print head and the platen face each other. An opening / closing frame rotatably supported by the main body frame so as to be able to take a position and an open position where the print head and the platen are separated from each other; A first path, a second path that is separated from the first path from the printing position downstream of the first path, and a first defining unit that is supported by the main body frame and forms the first transport path; The opening / closing frame is simply rotated by having the second defining portion supported by the opening / closing frame and forming the first path facing the first defining portion. Only at, it is possible to open the first path without affecting the second path. Therefore, when the printer is viewed from the side, there is a second path outside the turning trajectory of the opening / closing frame and the portion supported by the opening / closing frame, and using the space between the first path and the second path, Parts of a recording medium cutting mechanism, parts of a recording paper transport mechanism, and the like can be arranged, which is advantageous in reducing the size and size of the printer.
[0060]
Further, when the present invention is applied to a dot impact type printer, the direction in which the ink cassette is attached to and detached from the ribbon cassette is inclined in accordance with the inclination of the print head. As a result, it is possible to obtain an effect that the ribbon cassette can be attached and detached with one touch without being disturbed by components such as a recording paper cutting mechanism disposed right above the print head.
[0061]
In the printer of the present invention, the print head is disposed with the head surface facing obliquely upward, and the platen is attached to the leading end of the open / close frame in an inclined state so as to face the print head at a constant interval. The opening / closing frame can be opened / closed about a rear end portion. The rotation center of the opening / closing frame is located at a position lower than the head surface of the print head.
[0062]
Therefore, when the platen is moved from a position facing the print head, the movement trajectory of the platen becomes an arc that goes away from the head surface of the print head. Therefore, when viewed from the side of the printer, a space is formed directly above the print head and the platen so as not to cover the movement locus of the platen.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is an external perspective view illustrating an example of a printer to which the present invention is applied.
FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a printer unit built in the printer of FIG.
FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view showing a state where an opening / closing unit is removed from a fixed unit constituting the printer unit of FIG. 2;
FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing an arrangement relationship of each part when the printer unit of FIG. 2 is viewed from a side.
FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing an arrangement relationship of each part when the opening and closing unit of the printer unit in FIG.
FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing a state in which an open / close unit of the printer unit of FIG. 2 is fully opened.
[Explanation of symbols]
1 Printer
4 Opening / closing lid
5 Recording paper outlet
7 Recording paper roll
8 Recording paper roll loading section
9 Ribbon cassette
9A Removable direction of ribbon cassette
10 Ribbon cassette mounting section
11 Printer unit
12 Fixed side unit
13 Opening / closing unit
15 Recording paper transport path
16 Transport path
17 Forward ramp
18 Back ramp
20 print head
20a Head surface
21 Platen part
21A Movement trajectory of platen upper end
21B Movement locus of platen bottom
25 Paper feed roller
26 Paper press roller
30 Automatic cutting unit
31 Fixed blade
32 movable blade
33 Drive mechanism
40 Body frame
43 Rotation center axis
43a center axis
51 Openable frame
52, 53 Left and right arms
54 Front end connecting plate

Claims (10)

A print head and a platen arranged to face each other to perform printing on a recording medium,
A body frame that supports one of the print head or the platen,
The printhead or the platen is supported, and the main body frame is rotatable so that a print position where the printhead and the platen face each other and an open position where the printhead and the platen separate from each other can be taken. Opening and closing frame supported by
A first path formed by a first defining portion attached to the main body frame and a second defining portion provided in the opening / closing frame, the first route being connected to the recording medium outlet through the printing position. One path,
A second path formed by a third defining portion attached to the main body frame and a fourth defining portion facing the third defining portion, the second route being formed from the downstream side of the printing position of the first route. A printer comprising: the first path and a second path that is separated from the first path. In claim 1,
In order to cut the recording medium, a fixed blade, a movable blade, and an automatic cutting mechanism having a drive mechanism for driving the movable blade,
The printer according to claim 1, wherein the fixed blade is mounted between the first path and the second path, and the movable blade is mounted on the opening and closing frame. In claim 1 or 2,
Having a feed roller and a pressing roller for nipping and conveying the recording medium,
One of the feed roller and the pressing roller is attached to the opening / closing frame, and the other is attached between the first path and the second path. In any one of claims 1 to 3,
A loading unit for a recording paper roll formed on the side of the main body frame,
An opening / closing lid for opening / closing the loading section,
The opening and closing cover is attached to the opening and closing frame. In claim 4,
The first path is a transport path that guides the recording medium from the loading unit to the discharge port via the print position of the print head,
A printer is formed between the opening and closing frame and the main body frame so that the opening and closing frame is opened when the opening and closing frame is opened. In any one of claims 1 to 5,
The print head is of a dot impact type,
The printer according to claim 1, wherein the second path is a path for moving a ribbon of a ribbon cassette mounted on the main body frame. A print head and a platen arranged to face each other to perform printing on a recording medium,
A main body frame supporting the print head,
An open / close frame rotatably supported by the main body frame so as to support the platen, and to have an open position where the recording medium is openably settable and a print position where the print head and the platen face each other. ,
The print head is disposed so as to be inclined so that the head surface faces obliquely upward,
The platen is attached to the open / close frame so that when the open / close frame is closed, the platen faces parallel to the head surface of the print head.
The rotation center of the opening / closing frame is located at a position lower than the head surface of the print head. In claim 7,
A paper pressing roller attached to a position above the print head in the main body frame,
A paper feed roller attached to a position above the platen in the open / close frame so that when the open / close frame is closed, the paper feed roller comes into contact with the paper pressing roller. Printer. In claim 2,
In order to cut the recording paper sent out by the paper feed roller, a fixed blade, a movable blade, and an automatic cutting mechanism having a drive mechanism for driving the movable blade,
The fixed blade is attached to a position above the paper press roller in the main body frame,
The printer, wherein the movable blade and the drive mechanism are mounted at a position above the paper feed roller in the opening and closing frame. In any one of claims 7 to 9,
The print head is of a dot impact type,
A printer, wherein a ribbon cassette mounting portion capable of mounting the ribbon cassette in an oblique posture from an obliquely upper position is disposed on the main body frame.

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