JP2009179009A - Thermal printer - Google Patents

Abstract

An object of the present invention is to provide a thermal printer capable of easily adjusting the head pressure and the head position by a single operation.
Head pressure adjusting means for adjusting a head pressure for pressing a thermal head 12 against a platen roller 11, thermal head supporting means for supporting the thermal head 12 so as to be movable in the transport direction of the print medium 1, and head pressure adjustment Along with the adjustment of the means, a thermal head 12 supported by the thermal head support means is moved, and a link member 70 for adjusting the head position of the thermal head 12 in the transport direction of the print medium 1 with respect to the platen roller 11 is provided.
[Selection] Figure 3

Description

  The present invention relates to a thermal printer that performs printing using a thermal head, and more particularly, to a thermal printer that performs printing by sandwiching and transporting a printing medium such as a label continuous body or a tag continuous body between a platen roller and a thermal head. Is.

  Generally, a thermal printer that performs printing using a thermal head sandwiches and conveys a printing medium such as a continuous label or a continuous tag between a platen roller and a thermal head, thereby providing predetermined printing information on the printing medium. The thermal head is supported by the printing unit so that the heat generating element faces the platen roller.

  When using a relatively thick tag continuum and a relatively thin label continuum as the print medium, in order to ensure better printing quality, the tag continuum and label continuum It is necessary to adjust the pressing force for pressing the thermal head against the platen roller (hereinafter referred to as head pressure) and the relative position of the thermal head in the conveyance direction of the print medium with respect to the platen roller (hereinafter referred to as head position). Conventionally, a mechanism for adjusting the head pressure and a mechanism for adjusting the head position are separately provided, and the head pressure and the head position are adjusted by the respective mechanisms (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

  However, in the prior art, in order to adjust the head pressure and the head position suitable for the printing medium, it is necessary to adjust the head pressure and the head position by separate mechanisms, respectively, and the operation is complicated. there were.

JP-A-10-166686

  The present invention has been made in view of such problems, and an object thereof is to provide a thermal printer that can easily adjust the head pressure and the head position by a single operation. .

In order to solve the above problems, the present invention has the following configurations.
The gist of the invention described in claim 1 is a thermal printer that performs printing by sandwiching and transporting a printing medium between a platen roller and a thermal head, and adjusting a head pressure that presses the thermal head against the platen roller. The head pressure adjusting means, the thermal head supporting means for supporting the thermal head so as to be movable in the transport direction of the print medium, and the thermal head supporting means supported by the adjustment of the head pressure adjusting means. The thermal printer includes a link unit that moves the thermal head and adjusts a head position of the thermal head in the transport direction of the print medium with respect to the platen roller.
According to a second aspect of the present invention, when the head pressure is adjusted high by the head pressure adjusting means, the head position is moved to the downstream side in the transport direction of the print medium by the link means, 2. The thermal printer according to claim 1, wherein when the head pressure is adjusted to be low by a head pressure adjusting unit, the head position is moved to the upstream side in the transport direction of the print medium by the link unit. Exist.
According to a third aspect of the present invention, the head pressure adjusting means includes an adjustment shaft arranged in a horizontal direction with respect to a conveyance direction of the print medium, wherein the head pressure adjusting means adjusts the head pressure by rotating. The link means is loosely fitted with an eccentric cam attached to the adjustment shaft, connected to the thermal head, and supported by the thermal head support means as the adjustment shaft rotates. 3. A thermal printer according to claim 1, wherein the thermal head is moved.

  The thermal printer of the present invention includes a head pressure adjusting unit that adjusts a head pressure that presses the thermal head against the platen roller, a thermal head support unit that supports the thermal head so as to be movable in the conveyance direction of the print medium, and a head pressure adjusting unit. The head pressure is adjusted by moving the thermal head supported by the thermal head support means and adjusting the head position of the thermal head with respect to the platen roller in the conveyance direction of the print medium. Since the head position is automatically adjusted simply by adjusting the head pressure by operating the means, the head pressure and the head position can be easily adjusted by a single operation.

  Furthermore, in the thermal printer of the present invention, when the head pressure is adjusted high by the head pressure adjusting means, the head position is moved downstream in the conveyance direction of the print medium by the link means, and the head pressure is adjusted by the head pressure adjusting means. By adjusting so that the head position is moved to the upstream side in the conveyance direction of the print medium by the link means, the head pressure and the head position can be adjusted appropriately according to the type of print medium. There is an effect that it can be performed.

  Further, the thermal printer of the present invention is provided with an adjustment shaft arranged in a horizontal direction with respect to the conveyance direction of the print medium, wherein the head pressure adjustment means adjusts the head pressure by rotating, and the link means includes: The eccentric cam attached to the adjustment shaft is loosely fitted and connected to the thermal head, and the thermal head supported by the thermal head support means is moved as the adjustment shaft rotates. Just by providing a member that links the rotation of the adjustment shaft and the movement of the thermal head, a mechanism that can easily adjust the head pressure and head position with a single operation can be realized. There is an effect that it is possible to reduce the cost and cost.

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

  FIG. 1 is a schematic side view showing a configuration of an embodiment of a thermal printer according to the present invention, and FIG. 2 is an external perspective view showing a closed state of the embodiment of the thermal printer according to the present invention. 3 is an external perspective view showing the open state of the embodiment of the thermal printer according to the present invention, and FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing the configuration of the head housing shown in FIG. 3, (a) and (b). These are the front views seen from the front side. 5 is a perspective view showing the configuration of the printing unit shown in FIG. 3, and FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the head pressure switching operation in the embodiment of the thermal printer according to the present invention. These are explanatory drawings explaining a structure and operation | movement of a link member shown in FIG.

  In the thermal printer 10 of the present embodiment, referring to FIG. 1, a platen roller 11 as a printing unit and a surface on which a plurality of heating elements are formed in the width direction (hereinafter referred to as a printing surface) are the platen roller 11. A printing head 1 such as a label continuum in which a plurality of labels are temporarily attached to a belt-like mount and the ink ribbon 2, and a platen roller 11. It is configured so that printing is performed by transferring ink from the ink ribbon 2 to the print medium 1 by sandwiching and transporting it between the thermal head 12 and selectively generating heat from the heating element of the thermal head 12.

  The printing medium 1 is wound around a cylindrical body such as a paper tube, that is, is rotatably supported by a supply unit 13 as a roll paper 3, and the platen roller 11, the thermal head 12, Supplied during. The ink ribbon 2 is stretched between a ribbon take-up shaft 14 and a ribbon supply shaft 15 that are rotationally driven in conjunction with the platen roller 11, and is wound around the ribbon supply shaft 15 in a roll shape. The supported ink ribbon 2 is supplied together with the printing medium 1 between the platen roller 11 and the thermal head 12, and the transferred ink ribbon 2 is taken up by the ribbon take-up shaft 14.

  Further, the thermal printer 10 includes a platen roller 11 and a supply unit 13, a main body 20 whose upper part is released, an upper lid part 30 covering the upper part of the main body 20, a thermal head 12, a ribbon take-up shaft 14, and a ribbon supply shaft. 15, and a printing unit 40 disposed between the main body 20 and the upper lid portion 30. The upper lid portion 30 and the printing unit 40 are rotated by a support shaft 17 provided on the back side of the main body 20. It is supported so as to be movable, and is configured to open from a front side provided with a discharge port 16 through which a printed print medium is discharged.

  FIG. 2 shows the thermal printer 10 in a closed state in which the upper lid 30 is closed. In the closed state, the printing unit 40 is positioned between the main body 20 and the upper lid 30 and is as shown in FIG. The thermal head 12 provided in the printing unit 40 is pressed against the platen roller 11 provided in the main body to be positioned. Note that the printing unit 40 is configured to be fitted to the upper lid 30, and in the closed state shown in FIG. 2, the printing unit 40 is fitted to the upper lid 30.

  FIG. 3 shows the thermal printer 10 in an open state in which the upper lid 30 is opened, and the upper lid 30 and the printing unit 40 can be independently rotated. The upper lid portion 30 is configured to be maintained in the open state shown in FIG. 3 by the opening / closing stopper 31 even when the hand is released, and the printing unit 40 is formed on the convex portion 31a protruding inside the opening / closing stopper 31. When the arm portion 41 is caught, the arm unit 41 can be stopped independently from the printing unit 40 in the state shown in FIG. The upper lid portion 30 is provided with a contact member (not shown) that keeps the print unit 40 in a fitted state by contacting the print unit 40 with elasticity, and from the closed state shown in FIG. When the upper lid 30 is opened, the printing unit 40 is also rotated together with the upper lid 30 in the fitted state, and then the printing unit 40 is pulled out from the upper lid 30 to be in the open state shown in FIG.

  The thermal head 12 is configured to be assembled to the printing unit 40 while being supported by the head housing 60. Referring to FIG. 4, the head housing 60 is a circular supported member that is located upstream of the thermal head 12 (formed heating element) in the transport direction of the print medium 1 when assembled to the print unit 40. The right side surface 63 on which the circular supported protrusion 61b having the same diameter as the supported protrusion 61a is formed on the downstream side of the protrusion 61a and the supported protrusion 61a, and the print unit 40. In this case, the circular supported protrusion 62a located on the upstream side in the transport direction of the print medium 1 with respect to the thermal head 12 (the formed heating element) and the downstream side of the supported protrusion 62a are covered. Provided between the ribbon supply shaft 15 and the platen roller 11 and the thermal head 12 from the left side surface 64 where a circular supported projection 62b having the same diameter as the supporting projection 62a is formed. A lower surface 65 that functions as a guide surface for guiding the ink ribbon 2 to be supported, and the supported protrusions 61a on the right side surface 63 and the supported protrusions 62a on the left side surface 64 are aligned with each other. In addition, the supported protrusion 61b on the right side surface 63 and the supported protrusion 62b on the left side surface 64 are formed to face each other so that their axes coincide with each other. The supported protrusion 61a functions as a link protrusion that links the adjustment of the head pressure and the adjustment of the head position of the thermal head, and is formed longer than the supported protrusion 61b. The leading end portion extends through the right ribbon frame 42.

  Further, the thermal head 12 is fixed to the head housing 60. When the head housing 60 is assembled to the print unit 40 on the opposite side of the print surface of the thermal head 12, the head pressure adjusting means described later is used. The abutting pressing member 66 is supported so as to be movable in a direction perpendicular to the printing surface, and a spring 67 is interposed between the thermal head 12 and the pressing member 66. Thereby, the thermal head 12 fixed to the head housing 60 is pressed against the platen roller 11 by the urging force of the spring 67.

  3 and 5, the print unit 40 has the ribbon winding shaft 14 and the ribbon supply shaft 15 rotatably mounted on the release end side of the arm portion 41 whose one end is supported by the support shaft 17. A right ribbon frame 42 and a left ribbon frame 43 are provided. The distance between the right ribbon frame 42 and the left ribbon frame 43 is set to be substantially the same as the width of the head housing 60, and the head housing 60 is assembled between the right ribbon frame 42 and the left ribbon frame 43. ing. Further, an adjustment shaft 44 spanned in a direction perpendicular to the right ribbon frame 42 and the left ribbon frame 43 and the adjustment shaft 44 are attached to the upper side of the assembled head housing 60, that is, on the pressing member 66 side. A head pressure adjusting means comprising an eccentric member 45 that abuts against the pressing member 66 of the head housing 60 and an operating portion 46 that rotates the adjusting shaft 44 is provided. The adjusting shaft 44 is operated by operating the operating portion 46. , The position of the pressing member 66 in the head housing 60 is controlled by the eccentric member 45, and the force with which the thermal head 12 is pressed against the platen roller 11, that is, the head pressure can be adjusted. ing. In this embodiment, the operation unit 46 is provided so as to span the two eccentric members 45, but extends through the end of the adjustment shaft 44, that is, the right ribbon frame 42 or the left ribbon frame 43. A lever or knob for rotating the adjustment shaft 44 may be provided at the end portion as the operation portion 46. In this case, the ink ribbon 2 is kept running around the ribbon supply shaft 15 and the ribbon take-up shaft 14. In this state, the adjustment shaft 44 can be rotated, and the head pressure can be adjusted.

  The left ribbon frame 43 includes a transmission gear 47 that is engaged with the transmission gear 21 that is rotationally driven together with the platen roller 11 in the closed state illustrated in FIG. 2, and the ribbon take-up shaft 14 and the ribbon supply from the transmission gear 47. A driving force transmission mechanism (not shown) such as a gear or a belt that transmits a rotational driving force to the shaft 15 is provided.

  The right ribbon frame 42 is formed with through holes through which the ribbon take-up shaft 14, the ribbon supply shaft 15, and the adjustment shaft 44 penetrate. The ribbon take-up shaft 14 and the ribbon supply pass through the right ribbon frame 42. The shaft 15 and the adjustment shaft 44 are extended so that the ribbon take-up shaft 14 and the ribbon supply shaft 15 can be operated from the right ribbon frame 42 side. A disc-shaped eccentric cam 49 is attached to an adjustment shaft 44 extending through the right ribbon frame 42.

  Referring to FIG. 5, the left ribbon frame 43 and the right ribbon frame 42 have a printing unit in a direction substantially parallel to the printing surface of the thermal head 12 supported by the head housing 60 to be assembled, that is, in the closed state shown in FIG. When 40 is located, a long hole 48a and a long hole 48b are formed, each having a conveyance direction of the print medium 1 (hereinafter referred to as a print medium conveyance direction) as a longitudinal direction. The width of the long hole 48 a is set to be approximately the same as the diameter of the supported projection 61 a formed on the right side surface 63 of the head housing 60 and the supported projection 62 a formed on the left side surface 64 of the head housing 60. The supported protrusions 61a and the supported protrusions 62a of the head housing 60 are fitted into the long holes 48a formed in the right ribbon frame 42 and the long holes 48a formed in the left ribbon frame 43, respectively. The thermal head 12 is positioned in a direction substantially perpendicular to the print surface of the thermal head 12 and is supported so as to be slidable in the print medium conveyance direction. Further, the width of the long hole 48 b is set wider than the diameters of the supported projection 61 b formed on the right side surface 63 of the head housing 60 and the supported projection 62 b formed on the left side surface 64 of the head housing 60. The supported protrusions 61b and the supported protrusions 62b of the head housing 60 are loosely attached to the long holes 48b formed in the right ribbon frame 42 and the long holes 48b formed in the left ribbon frame 43, respectively. In addition, it is movable in the printing medium conveyance direction and in a direction substantially perpendicular to the printing surface of the thermal head 12 orthogonal to the printing medium conveyance direction, that is, is supported with play. Accordingly, the head housing 60 is supported so as to be movable in the print medium conveyance direction with respect to the print unit 40, and the supported protrusions 61b on the right side 63 and the supported protrusions on the left side 64 in the loosely mounted state. In the range of play in 62b, the support protrusion 61a on the right side surface 63 and the support protrusion 62a on the left side surface 64 are supported so as to be pivotable, and the pressure that makes contact with the eccentric member 45 The thermal head 12 is pressed against the platen roller 11 by the biasing force of a spring 67 interposed between the member 66 and the thermal head 12 fixed to the head housing 60. Hereinafter, in the moving direction of the head housing 60 along the long hole 48a, that is, the printing medium conveyance direction, the downstream direction and the upstream direction of the printing medium 1 to be conveyed when the printing unit 40 is positioned in the closed state shown in FIG. The directions are referred to as the forward direction and the backward direction, respectively.

  Referring to FIG. 6, the eccentric member 45 includes a contact surface 45 a having a short distance from the adjustment shaft 44 as a contact surface that contacts the pressing member 66 of the assembled head housing 60, and a distance from the adjustment shaft 44. The contact pressure 45b is long, and as shown in FIG. 6 (a), the head pressure contacted with the pressing member 66 of the head housing 60 to which the contact surface 45a of the eccentric member 45 is assembled is low. The setting can be switched between a setting with a high head pressure in contact with the pressing member 66 of the head housing 60 to which the contact surface 45b of the eccentric member 45 is assembled. In the present embodiment, the head pressure can be switched in two stages. However, the head pressure can be reduced by providing three or more contact surfaces with different distances from the adjustment shaft 44 on the eccentric member 45. Switching can be made in three or more stages.

  In addition, referring to FIG. 3, the right ribbon frame 42 is provided with a link member 70 that links the adjustment of the head pressure and the movement of the head housing 60, that is, the thermal head 12 in the front-rear direction. Referring to FIG. 7, the link member 70 includes a first opening 71 in which an eccentric cam 49 attached to the adjustment shaft 44 is loosely fitted, and a supported protrusion 61 a positioned rearward of the adjustment shaft 44. It is a plate-like member formed with a second opening 72 to be loosely fitted, and the supported protrusion 61a is moved in the front-rear direction along the long hole 48a as the adjustment shaft 44 rotates. It is configured.

  Next, the head pressure switching operation and the thermal head moving operation in the present embodiment will be described in detail with reference to FIGS.

  FIG. 6 and FIG. 7A show a state in which the head pressure is set low by contacting the pressing member 66 of the head housing 60 to which the contact surface 45a of the eccentric member 45 is assembled. 7B shows a state in which the head pressure is set high by contacting the pressing member 66 of the head housing 60 to which the contact surface 45b of the eccentric member 45 is assembled.

  When the contact surface 45a is in contact with the pressing member 66 and the head pressure is set low, the operation unit 46 is operated to move the adjustment shaft 44 by 90 ° in the direction indicated by the arrow A in FIG. When rotated, the abutment surface 45b abuts against the pressing member 66 as shown in FIG. 6B, and the head pressure is switched to a high setting state. The shaft 44 is rotated about the axis m in the direction indicated by the arrow A. As a result, the axis n of the eccentric cam 49 is moved in the forward direction, and the supported projection 61a linked by the link member 70 is moved in the forward direction indicated by the arrow A ′ along the long hole 48a. Therefore, the head housing 60, that is, the thermal head 12 is moved in the forward direction indicated by the arrow A ′ in FIG. 6A, and the thermal head 12 is moved relative to the platen roller 11 in accordance with the switching operation for adjusting the head pressure high. The relative position in the print medium conveyance direction, that is, the head position is moved forward.

  On the other hand, when the contact surface 45b is in contact with the pressing member 66 and the head pressure is set high, the operation unit 46 is operated to move the adjustment shaft 44 in the direction indicated by the arrow B in FIG. When rotated 90 °, as shown in FIG. 6A, the contact surface 45a contacts the pressing member 66, and the head pressure is switched to a low setting state. The adjustment shaft 44 is rotated in the direction indicated by the arrow B around the axis m. As a result, the axis n of the eccentric cam 49 is moved rearward, and the supported projection 61a linked by the link member 70 is moved along the elongated hole 48a in the rearward direction indicated by the arrow B ′. Therefore, the head housing 60, that is, the thermal head 12 is moved in the rearward direction indicated by the arrow B ′ in FIG. 6B, and the thermal head 12 is moved relative to the platen roller 11 in accordance with the switching operation for adjusting the head pressure low. The relative position in the print medium conveyance direction, that is, the head position is moved backward.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, the head pressure adjusting means for adjusting the head pressure for pressing the thermal head 12 against the platen roller 11 and the thermal head 12 are supported so as to be movable in the transport direction of the print medium 1. In accordance with adjustment of the thermal head support means and the head pressure adjustment means, the thermal head 12 supported by the thermal head support means is moved, and the head position of the thermal head 12 in the transport direction of the print medium 1 with respect to the platen roller 11 Since the head position is automatically adjusted only by adjusting the head pressure by operating the head pressure adjusting means, the head pressure and the head position are adjusted. There is an effect that it can be easily performed by a single operation.

  Further, according to the present embodiment, when the head pressure is adjusted high by the head pressure adjusting means, the head position is moved to the downstream side in the transport direction of the printing medium 1 by the link member 70, and the head pressure adjusting means When the head pressure is adjusted to be low, the link member 70 moves the head position to the upstream side in the transport direction of the print medium 1, thereby adjusting the head pressure and the head position. There exists an effect that it can carry out appropriately according to a kind.

  Further, according to the present embodiment, the head pressure adjusting means is provided with the adjusting shaft 44 arranged in a horizontal direction with respect to the transport direction of the print medium 1 to adjust the head pressure by rotating, and the link. The member 70 is loosely fitted with an eccentric cam 49 attached to the adjustment shaft 44, and is connected to the thermal head 12, and the thermal head 12 supported by the thermal head support means as the adjustment shaft 44 rotates. By being configured to move, only by providing a member that links the rotation of the adjustment shaft 44 and the movement of the thermal head 12, the head pressure and the head position can be easily adjusted by a single operation. The mechanism can be realized, and the apparatus can be reduced in size and cost.

  Note that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and it is obvious that the embodiments can be appropriately changed within the scope of the technical idea of the present invention. In addition, the number, position, shape, and the like of the constituent members are not limited to the above-described embodiment, and can be set to a number, position, shape, and the like that are suitable for implementing the present invention. In each figure, the same numerals are given to the same component.

1 is a schematic side view showing a configuration of an embodiment of a thermal printer according to the present invention. 1 is an external perspective view showing a closed state of an embodiment of a thermal printer according to the present invention. 1 is an external perspective view showing an open state of an embodiment of a thermal printer according to the present invention. FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a configuration of the head housing shown in FIG. 3, and (a) and (b) are front views as seen from the front side. FIG. 4 is a perspective view illustrating a configuration of a printing unit illustrated in FIG. 3. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating the head pressure switching operation | movement in embodiment of the thermal printer which concerns on this invention. It is explanatory drawing explaining the structure and operation | movement of a link member shown in FIG.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Medium to be printed 2 Ink ribbon 3 Roll paper 10 Thermal printer 11 Platen roller 12 Thermal head 13 Supply part 14 Ribbon take-up axis 15 Ribbon supply axis 16 Discharge port 17 Support axis 20 Main body 30 Upper lid part 31 Opening / closing stopper 31a Protrusion part 40 Printing Unit 41 Arm portion 42 Right ribbon frame 43 Left ribbon frame 44 Adjustment shaft 45 Eccentric member 45a, 45b Abutting surface 46 Operating portion 47 Transmitted gear 48a, 48b Long hole 49 Eccentric cam 60 Head housing 61a, 61b, 62a, 62b Protrusion for support 63 Right side surface 64 Left side surface 65 Bottom surface 66 Press member 67 Spring 70 Link member 71 First opening 72 Second opening

Claims (3)

A thermal printer that performs printing by sandwiching and transporting a printing medium between a platen roller and a thermal head,
A head pressure adjusting means for adjusting a head pressure for pressing the thermal head against the platen roller;
Thermal head support means for supporting the thermal head movably in the transport direction of the printing medium;
A link means for moving the thermal head supported by the thermal head support means in accordance with the adjustment of the head pressure adjusting means to adjust the head position of the thermal head in the transport direction of the print medium with respect to the platen roller. A thermal printer. When the head pressure is adjusted high by the head pressure adjusting means, the head position is moved downstream in the transport direction of the print medium by the link means,
2. The thermal printer according to claim 1, wherein when the head pressure is adjusted to be low by the head pressure adjusting means, the head position is moved to the upstream side in the transport direction of the print medium by the link means. . The head pressure adjusting means includes an adjustment shaft arranged in a horizontal direction with respect to a conveyance direction of the print medium, wherein the head pressure is adjusted by rotating the head pressure adjusting means.
The linking means is loosely fitted with an eccentric cam attached to the adjustment shaft, connected to the thermal head, and supported by the thermal head support means as the adjustment shaft rotates. The thermal printer according to claim 1, wherein the thermal printer is moved.

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