TWI648169B - Printing unit and printer - Google Patents

Abstract

The printing unit includes a head unit and a platen unit that is assembled to be separable from the head unit. The platen unit includes a platen frame and an auxiliary frame, and the platen frame has a pair of shaft support portions respectively supporting both end portions of the platen roller and a joint portion spanning between the pair of shaft support portions; the auxiliary frame system The platen frame is supported to be movable. The head unit has an abutting portion that comes into contact with the joint portion of the platen frame when the platen frame is at the mounting position. A pressing mechanism that presses the platen frame (21) toward the abutting portion (47) is disposed between the platen frame and the auxiliary frame.

Description

Printing unit and printer

The invention relates to a printing unit and a printing machine.

Conventionally, as a printer for printing recording paper (heat sensitive paper), a thermal printer has been known. The hot-printing machine is widely used in cash registers or mobile terminal devices because it can reduce the size and weight of the printing unit and does not require the use of toner or ink. It is widely used in various labels or receipts. Printing of tickets, etc.

As the printing unit described above, for example, a head frame that supports a thermal head is attached to a casing main body side of a roll paper, and a printing cover side that is connected to the casing main body through a hinge portion to be opened and closed is mounted and supported. The platen of the platen roller is also a separate type.

The above-described separate printing unit includes a locking mechanism for maintaining the pressure contact state between the platen roller and the thermal head when the printing cover is in the closed position. As the above-described lock mechanism, for example, a structure in which the engagement recesses respectively receiving the both end portions of the platen roller are formed on the head frame is known. According to this configuration, both ends of the platen roller are accommodated along with the closing operation of the printing machine cover. In the engaging recess, the thermal head is pressed to the platen roller side by the biasing member, whereby the platen roller is engaged in the engaging recess.

On the other hand, in the above-described structure, in order to release the engagement between the platen roller and the engagement recess, the one end portion of the platen roller is detached from the engagement recess by the release handle provided in the head frame or the like. The direction is pushed up. At this time, the upper end of the platen roller is transmitted to the other end of the platen roller by the upper thrust acting on one end of the platen roller, and the both ends of the platen roller are passed through the platen frame or the printing cover. Detach from the engagement recess.

Further, in the printing unit, there is also a cutter mechanism that cuts the printed recording paper. The cutter mechanism includes, for example, a movable blade that is assembled to the head frame side and a fixed blade that is assembled to the side of the platen frame. According to this configuration, the movable blade is slidably moved to the fixed blade, whereby the recording paper is sandwiched between the movable blade and the fixed blade to perform cutting.

However, in the above configuration, it is difficult to reliably cancel the engagement between the platen roller and the engagement recess. Specifically, when the upper thrust acting on one end portion of the platen roller is transmitted to the other end portion through the platen frame or the printing cover, the printing cover is bent by the upper thrust, which makes it difficult to make The problem that the upper thrust is sufficiently transmitted to the other end of the platen roller. In this case, only one end portion of the platen roller is released from engagement with the engagement recess, that is, there is a case where one side is opened. On the other hand, in order to reinforce the printing machine cover or the like, the upper thrust is easily transmitted to the other end portion of the platen roller, but there is a problem that the manufacturing cost is increased.

Further, as the lock mechanism, for example, it is known to provide a pair of locks at both ends of the platen roller in the recess formed in the head frame. The construction of the arm. According to this configuration, in association with the operation of releasing the handle or the like, the lock arms are separated from both end portions of the platen roller, whereby the platen roller can be easily detached from the concave portion. However, the configuration of the locking mechanism requires an additional locking arm, which has the problem of increasing the number of parts and increasing the manufacturing cost.

Further, in the above-described cutter mechanism, in order to ensure good cutting property of the recording paper, it is necessary to set the positional relationship between the movable blade and the fixed blade so that the movable blade and the movable blade are mutually slid when the movable blade slides. Moderate contact pressure to contact. Here, for example, a structure in which a biasing member for biasing a fixed blade is disposed and a blade edge of a fixed blade is pressed against a movable blade is known.

However, in the separate printing unit, the positional relationship between the movable blade and the fixed blade is related to the positional accuracy of the printing cover and the casing main body (for example, the position of the hinge portion). For example, the angle of the fixed blade is changed in accordance with the position (height) of the hinge portion with respect to the platen roller. Therefore, when the positional accuracy of the printing cover and the casing main body is poor, it is difficult to accurately position the fixed blade and the movable blade in the closed position of the printing machine cover, and the cutting property is lowered.

From the above viewpoints, in the technical field, it is desired to suppress not only the increase in the number of parts and the manufacturing cost, but also excellent operability, and it is possible to accurately position the movable blade and the fixed blade with excellent cutting properties. Printing unit and printer.

A printing unit according to an aspect of the present invention includes: a head unit having a thermal head equipped with a plurality of heating elements; a platen unit having a platen roller for feeding the recording paper, and assembled to be separable from the head unit; a platen frame having the foregoing a platen unit respectively supporting a pair of shaft support portions at both end portions of the platen roller and a joint portion bridging the pair of shaft support portions; and an auxiliary frame provided on the platen unit to press the pressure The paper frame is supported to be movable; the engaging recess is provided in the head unit, respectively receiving the two end portions of the platen roller, and holding the paper pressing frame at the mounting position; and releasing the handle, which is disposed on the head a unit for pressing the side of the shaft support portion on one side of the platen frame toward a direction in which the platen roller is disengaged from the engagement recess; the abutting portion is provided on the head unit at the pressure The paper frame abuts against the connecting portion of the platen frame at a mounting position, and a pressing mechanism is provided between the platen frame and the auxiliary frame to press the platen frame toward the abutting portion.

According to this configuration, when the platen unit is separated from the head unit, first, the handle is released, and the shaft support portion side of one of the platen units is pressed in the separation direction. At this time, the platen frame is rotated in the separating direction with respect to the auxiliary frame with the abutting portion as a fulcrum, whereby the platen roller is detached from the engaging recess. Thereafter, the engagement between the platen roller and the engagement recess is released, and the combination of the two units is released. Here, since the platen frame is pressed against the abutting portion by the pressing mechanism, when the pressing of the platen frame by the handle is released, the contact state between the platen frame and the abutting portion is maintained, and the platen frame is suppressed from being pressed. The abutment floats. Therefore, the upward thrust force acting on the one side of the shaft support portion by releasing the handle is transmitted to the other side shaft support portion through the connection portion. Thereby making paper Both ends of the roller are separated from the engaging recess.

As described above, the pressing force for releasing the handle can be efficiently transmitted to the two-axis support portion, so that the occurrence of the one-side opening can be suppressed, and the two units can be surely separated. In this case, it is not necessary to reinforce the printing machine cover in which the platen unit is assembled, or to provide a lock arm or the like, so that the number of parts or the manufacturing cost can be suppressed. Further, since the platen unit (platen frame) and the head unit are in contact with each other through the abutting portion, both of them can be kept at the same potential, and occurrence of secondary discharge or the like can be suppressed.

In the printing unit according to an aspect of the present invention, the lifting handle is pushed up when the sheet metal frame by the handle is released, and the pressing is performed in the paper pressing frame with respect to the abutting portion. In the portion on the platen roller side, the pressing mechanism presses a portion on the side opposite to the platen roller side with respect to the abutting portion among the platen frames.

According to this configuration, the abutment state of the platen frame and the abutting portion can be surely maintained, and the pressing force for releasing the handle can be more efficiently transmitted to the two-axis support portion.

The printing unit according to one aspect of the present invention, further comprising: a fixed blade provided on one side of the head unit and the platen frame; and slidable among the head unit and the platen frame It is disposed on the other side and cuts the movable blade of the recording paper between it and the aforementioned fixed blade.

According to this configuration, since the platen frame abuts against the abutting portion of the head unit as described above, the two units are positioned in the state in which the two units are assembled. Position. In other words, the platen unit and the head unit are positioned at least at two locations of the connecting portion between the platen roller and the engaging recess and the abutting portion of the platen frame and the head unit, so that high precision Position the head unit and the platen unit. In particular, since the platen frame is pressed by the pressing mechanism toward the abutting portion, even if the position of the hinge portion with respect to the platen roller is deviated, the positional deviation can be absorbed by the amount of deformation of the pressing mechanism. Therefore, the head unit and the platen unit are positioned with high precision while maintaining the abutment state of the platen frame and the abutting portion. Therefore, in the head unit and the platen frame, the fixed blade provided on one side and the movable blade provided on the other side can be positioned with high precision. Therefore, it is possible to provide excellent cutting properties.

In the printing unit according to an aspect of the present invention, the auxiliary frame supports the platen frame so as to be movable by the platen roller.

According to this configuration, the auxiliary frame is supported by the platen by the platen roller, so that the part can be restrained compared to the case where the auxiliary frame is supported by the platen by other members than the platen roller. The increase in the number.

A printer according to an aspect of the present invention includes the printing unit, wherein the head unit is attached to a casing main body having a recording paper accommodating portion for accommodating the recording paper, and is rotatably coupled to the hinge portion. The casing body is mounted on the printing machine cover side of the recording paper accommodating portion, and the platen unit is attached through the auxiliary frame.

According to this configuration, since the printing unit is provided, not only the number of parts or the manufacturing cost can be suppressed, but also excellent operability can be achieved.

A printer according to an aspect of the present invention includes a casing main body having a recording paper accommodating portion for accommodating recording paper, and a head unit having an attachment a thermal head of the housing body; a printing cover rotatably coupled to the housing body through a hinge portion, and the recording paper housing portion is opened and closed; and a platen unit mounted on the printing machine cover And being mounted to be separable from the head unit in a closed position of the printing machine cover; a platen roller disposed on the paper pressing unit to feed the recording paper; and a paper pressing frame having: The platen unit supports a pair of shaft support portions at both end portions of the platen roller and a joint portion between the pair of shaft support portions, and is supported to be movable relative to the printing cover Engaging recesses provided in the head unit, respectively accommodating both end portions of the platen roller, and holding the platen frame at a mounting position; and releasing the handle, which is provided in the head unit for The side of the shaft support portion on one of the platen frames is pressed toward a direction in which the platen roller is disengaged from the engagement recess; the abutting portion is provided in the head unit, and abuts against the platen at a mounting position The aforementioned connection of the framework Portion; and a pressing mechanism disposed between the cover and the printing platen frame, the platen frame to the abutment portion to the pressing.

According to this configuration, since the printing unit and the printer having the printing unit are provided in the same structure, the same operational effects as those described above can be obtained.

As described above, according to the printing unit and the printing machine according to one aspect of the present invention, not only the number of parts or the manufacturing cost can be suppressed, but also excellent operability can be achieved.

1, 100‧‧‧ hot printing machine

2‧‧‧Paper unit

3‧‧‧ head unit

4‧‧‧ Shell

5‧‧‧Shell body

5a‧‧‧ Roller paper compartment

5b‧‧‧Internal board

6‧‧‧Printing cover

7‧‧‧ Hinge section

9‧‧‧Printing unit

10‧‧‧Pressing roller

11‧‧‧ movable blade

12‧‧‧Feeling head

12a‧‧‧heating components

13‧‧‧Fixed blade

14‧‧‧Cutter mechanism

21‧‧‧Paper frame

22‧‧‧Auxiliary framework

24‧‧‧Axis support

25‧‧‧Connecting Department

26‧‧‧ Highlights

27‧‧‧Pressing shaft

28‧‧‧Roll body

29‧‧‧ Bearing

31‧‧‧Paper gears

33‧‧‧ Side wall

34‧‧‧ base

36‧‧‧Bend pieces

37‧‧‧ Pressing mechanism

41‧‧‧ head frame

42‧‧‧ Sidewall

43‧‧‧Top wall

44‧‧‧Clamping recess

45‧‧‧Departure

47‧‧‧Apartment

48‧‧‧Guide members

48a‧‧‧Receiving Department

51‧‧‧Remove the handle

51a‧‧‧ handle grip

51b‧‧‧ Abutment

52‧‧‧Paper drive gear

53‧‧‧Paper drive motor

55‧‧‧ head support

56‧‧‧Support board

57‧‧‧ head elastic member

61‧‧‧ movable blade frame

62‧‧‧ movable blade body

101‧‧‧Support frame

L1‧‧‧Up and down direction

L2‧‧‧ direction

L3‧‧‧ direction

O1‧‧‧ rotating shaft

P‧‧‧record paper

R‧‧‧ Roller paper

Fig. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing a thermal printer in a state in which a printing unit is assembled in a casing at an open position of a printing machine cover.

Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing the thermal printer in a state in which the printing unit is assembled in the casing at the closed position of the printing machine cover.

Figure 3 is a side view of the printing unit.

Figure 4 is an exploded perspective view of the printing unit.

Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view of the printing unit.

Figure 6 is a perspective view of the platen unit.

Fig. 7 is an explanatory view for explaining an opening and closing operation of the thermal printer, and is a partial cross-sectional view of Fig. 5.

Fig. 8 is an explanatory view for explaining an opening and closing operation of the thermal printer, and is a partial cross-sectional view of Fig. 5.

Fig. 9 is an explanatory view for explaining an opening and closing operation of the thermal printer, and is a partial cross-sectional view of Fig. 5.

Fig. 10 is an explanatory view for explaining the opening operation of the printing machine cover, and corresponds to the side view of Fig. 3;

Fig. 11 is a cross-sectional view showing a thermal printer of another configuration of the embodiment.

Next, an embodiment of the present invention will be described based on the drawings.

1 and 2 are cross-sectional views of the thermal printer 1, Fig. 1 showing the open position of the printing cover 6, and Fig. 2 showing the closed position of the printing cover 6. Further, in the present embodiment, in the example shown in Fig. 1, the upper and lower directions of the drawing are referred to as In the downward direction L1, a direction orthogonal to the plane of the drawing is defined as a left-right direction L2, and a direction orthogonal to the vertical direction L1 and the left-right direction L2 is referred to as a front-rear direction L3. As shown in Fig. 1 and Fig. 2, the thermal printer 1 of the present embodiment includes a printing unit 9 having a platen unit 2 and a head unit 3 which are separably combined with each other, and a casing 4 which is assembled. There is a printing unit 9 and accommodates a roll paper R on which the recording paper P is wound.

The casing 4 includes a casing main body 5 in which a roll paper accommodating portion 5a for accommodating the roll paper R, and a printing machine cover 6 that opens and closes the roll paper accommodating portion 5a. The printing cover 6 is rotatably coupled to the casing body 5 via the hinge portion 7. Further, as shown in FIG. 2, when the printing machine cover 6 is in the closed position, between the opening edge of the roll paper accommodating portion 5a and the front end portion of the printing machine cover 6, the recording paper P is formed to the outside ( The upper discharge port 8 is discharged.

The above-described platen unit 2 is a unit mainly incorporating the platen roller 10 and the fixed blade 13, and is assembled to the front end portion of the inner surface of the printing machine cover 6. Therefore, the platen unit 2 is moved in accordance with the opening and closing operation of the printing machine cover 6, and is assembled so as to be separable from the head unit 3. On the other hand, the head unit 3 is a unit mainly incorporating, for example, the thermal head 12 and the movable blade 11, and is assembled to the casing body 5. In the illustrated example, the head unit 3 is fixed to the inner panel 5b disposed adjacent to the roll paper accommodating portion 5a with the thermal head 12 facing the roll paper accommodating portion 5a.

Further, when the printing cover 6 is closed and the platen unit 2 is combined with the head unit 3, as shown in FIG. 2, the thermal head 12 is pressed against the platen roller 10, and the movable blade is pressed against the fixed blade 13. 11 partially overlaps. Fixed blade 13 and the movable blade 11 constitute a cutting mechanism 14.

3 is a side view of the printing unit 9, and FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the printing unit 9. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the printing unit 9, and FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the platen unit 2. As shown in FIGS. 3 to 6, the platen unit 2 includes the above-described platen roller 10 and the fixed blade 13, a platen frame 21 that supports the platen roller 10 and the fixed blade 13, and a supporting pressure. The auxiliary frame 22 of the paper frame 21.

First, the platen frame 21 is formed by bending a plate material such as metal, and has a U-shaped shape that opens downward in a front view as seen from the front-rear direction L3 direction. Specifically, the platen frame 21 includes a pair of shaft support portions 24 positioned at both end portions in the left-right direction L2 and a joint portion 25 extending in the left-right direction L2 and spanning between the respective shaft support portions 24 . A bearing 29, which will be described later, of the platen roller 10 is held at one end portion of each of the shaft support portions 24 in the front-rear direction L3. Further, among the shaft support portions 24, a protruding piece 26 that protrudes outward in the left-right direction L2 is formed at a lower end portion of the shaft support portion 24 located on one end side in the left-right direction L2.

When the platen roller 2 is combined with the head unit 3 at the closed position of the printing machine cover 6, the paper roll roller 10 is disposed such that the outer peripheral surface is opposed to the head unit 3 side with the recording paper P interposed therebetween. The thermal head 12 is in contact. Specifically, the platen roller 10 includes a platen shaft 27 that extends in the left-right direction L2, and a drum body 28 that is made of rubber or the like that is externally attached to the platen shaft 27.

Bearings 29 are externally attached to both ends of the platen shaft 27, respectively. Each of the bearings 29 is held by the platen frame 21 as described above, and passes through the bearings 29 The platen roller 10 is rotatably supported by the platen frame 21. In the other end portion of the platen shaft 27 (the portion of the platen shaft 27 that is located outside the bearing 29 on the other end side in the left-right direction L2), the platen gear 31 is attached (see FIG. 4). . In the following description, the "one end side" of the left-right direction L2 is defined as the side of the platen unit 2 in which the protruding piece 26 is provided in the left-right direction L2, and the "other end side" of the left-right direction L2 is defined as the left-right direction L2. The side of the platen unit 2 on the side opposite to the "one end side", that is, the side on which the platen gear 31 is attached. When the platen unit 2 and the head unit 3 are combined, the platen gear 31 meshes with the platen driving gear 52 (see FIG. 4) described later on the head unit 3 side, and transmits the rotation to the platen roller 10. force. Thereby, paper can be fed between the platen roller 10 and the thermal head 12 while sandwiching the recording paper P.

The fixed blade 13 has a plate shape extending in the left-right direction L2, and the blade edge is fixed to the coupling portion 25 of the platen frame 21 in a state of being oriented toward one end side in the front-rear direction L3.

The auxiliary frame 22 is larger than the platen frame 21 by a circle, and surrounds the platen frame 21 from both sides of the upper and left and right directions L2. Specifically, the auxiliary frame 22 has a side wall portion 33 positioned on both sides in the left-right direction L2 and a base portion 34 connecting the side wall portions 33. Each of the bearings 29 of the platen roller 10 is movably inserted into one end portion of the corresponding side wall portion 33 in the rear direction L3. Thereby, the auxiliary frame 22 supports the platen frame 21 so as to be rotatable and movable in a plane orthogonal to the left-right direction L2 through the platen roller 10. Further, a curved piece 36 bent inward in the left-right direction L2 is formed at the other end portion of each of the side wall portions 33 in the front-rear direction L3. The following notes In the middle of the load, the "one end portion" of the front-rear direction L3 is defined as the side on which the bearing 29 of the platen unit 2 is provided, and the "other end portion" in the front-rear direction L3 is defined as the bending of the platen unit 2 The side of the piece 36.

Here, between the platen frame 21 and the auxiliary frame 22, a pair of pressing mechanisms 37 are interposed to press (press) the platen frame 21 in the direction (downward) away from the auxiliary frame 22 around the platen shaft 27. Each of the pressing mechanisms 37 is constituted by, for example, a coil spring extending in the vertical direction L1, and the lower end portion thereof is individually coupled to the corresponding curved piece 36 of the auxiliary frame 22, and the upper end portion is coupled to the joint portion of the platen frame 21. 25. In this case, in the open position of the printing cover 6, the platen frame 21 is held in a state of being inclined with respect to the auxiliary frame 22 (for example, refer to FIG. 8).

As shown in FIGS. 3 to 5, the head unit 3 includes the above-described thermal head 12 and movable blade 11, and a head frame 41 that supports the thermal head 12 and the movable blade 11.

The head frame 41 has a U-shape in a front view viewed from the front-rear direction L3, and has a side wall portion 42 positioned on one side of the left and right direction L2 and a top wall portion 43 crossing the upper end portion of the side wall portion 42. . An engagement recess 44 that is individually engaged with the bearing 29 of the platen roller 10 is formed in the side wall portion 42. The engagement recesses 44 are opened upward, and the width along the front-rear direction L3 gradually decreases toward the lower side. Further, on the inner peripheral edge of the engaging recessed portion 44, a stopper portion that engages the bearing 29 of the platen roller 10 from above when the printing machine cover 6 is in the closed position is protruded from the one end side in the front-rear direction L3. 45.

Moreover, as shown in FIG. 5, in the upper end portion of the side wall portion 42, the position is The corner portion on the other end side in the front-rear direction L3 constitutes a contact portion 47 that abuts against the joint portion 25 of the platen frame 21 in a state where the platen unit 2 is combined with the head unit 3. Specifically, the abutting portion 47 is configured to abut against the connecting portion 25 of the platen frame 21 at both end portions in the left-right direction L2, and is positioned closer to the platen roller 10 in the front-rear direction L3. The part on the other end side.

Therefore, in the state in which the platen unit 2 is combined with the head unit 3, the pressing mechanism 37 presses (presses) the platen frame 21 toward the abutting portion 47, and maintains the abutment state of the platen frame 21 and the abutting portion 47. . Thereby, the platen roller 10 and the fixed blade 13 supported by the platen frame 21 are positioned at a predetermined position on the thermal head 12 and the movable blade 11 (that is, the position at which the paper can be fed and the position at which the paper can be cut. position). In the platen frame 21 at this time, the elastic pressure in the direction (disengagement direction) in which the platen roller 10 is detached from the engagement recessed portion 44 acts as a fulcrum. Further, the elastic pressure of the pressing mechanism 37 is set such that the platen roller 10 and the engaging recessed portion 44 are not separated by the elastic force only in a state where the platen unit 2 is combined with the head unit 3, and The degree to which the printing cover 6 is bent or the like is generated.

As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, in the head frame 41, a guide member 48 is provided at a portion between the side wall portions 42. A accommodating portion 48a that is recessed downward is formed in a central portion of the guide member 48 in the left-right direction L2. In the accommodating portion 48a, when the printing machine cover 6 is in the closed position, the drum main body 28 of the platen roller 10 is housed. Then, the recording paper P is configured to pass between the outer circumferential surface of the drum main body 28 and the bottom surface of the accommodating portion 48a.

As shown in FIG. 3 and FIG. 4, among the side wall portions 42 of the head frame 41, the side wall portion 42 on one end side in the left-right direction L2 is disposed to release the combination of the platen unit 2 and the head unit 3. Pull the handle 51. The pull handle 51 is a V-shaped side view viewed from the left-right direction L2, and its top portion extends in the left-right direction L2 and is supported to be rotatable about the rotation axis O1. Among the release handles 51, a portion of the top end on the one end side (the right side in FIG. 3) constitutes a handle locking portion 51a that locks a handle member (not shown) provided in the case body 5. . Thereby, the pull handle 51 is released and rotated in conjunction with the operation of the handle member. On the other hand, in the portion of the release handle 51 that is located on the other end side (the left side in FIG. 3) with respect to the top portion, a contact piece 51b is formed which can abut against the above-mentioned protruding piece of the platen frame 21 from below. 26. The contact piece 51b pushes the platen unit 2 upward by the protruding piece 26 when the pulling handle 51 is rotated.

As shown in FIG. 4, a paper pressing drive gear 52 is provided in the side wall portion 42 on the other end side in the left-right direction L2 of each of the side wall portions 42 when the platen unit 2 and the head unit 3 are combined with each other. Engaged with the platen gear 31 of the platen unit 2. The platen driving gear 52 is connected to a platen driving motor 53 (see FIG. 5) mounted on the head frame 41 via a platen mechanism (not shown). By appropriately rotating the platen driving motor 53, the rotational force can be transmitted to the platen gear 31 by the platen roller mechanism and the platen driving gear 52, and the platen roller can be driven. 10 rotations.

As shown in FIG. 4, the thermal head 12 is formed in a plate shape extending in the left-right direction L2 (the paper width direction of the recording paper P), and is in the head frame 41. The front-rear direction L3 is disposed on the one end side of the guide member 48. On the surface of the thermal head 12, a plurality of heat generating elements 12a are arranged in a line. The heat generating element 12a is positioned above the bottom surface of the accommodating portion 48a of the guiding member 48, and is disposed opposite to the platen roller 10 when the printing machine cover 6 is in the closed position. Further, as shown in FIG. 5, the thermal head 12 is fixed to the head support 55 rotatably supported by the guide member 48. The head support body 55 is biased toward the other end side in the front-rear direction L3 by the head biasing member 57 interposed between the support plates 56 extending downward from the top wall portion 43 of the head frame 41. Thereby, when the printing cover 6 is in the closed position, the thermal head 12 is press-bonded to the platen roller 10.

As shown in FIG. 3 and FIG. 5, when the printing head 11 is closed and the head unit 3 is combined with the platen unit 2, the movable blade 11 is sandwiched between the recording paper P and disposed in the front-rear direction with respect to the fixed blade 13. The position where L3 faces each other. Specifically, the movable blade 11 includes a movable blade frame 61, a movable blade main body 62 slidably supported by the movable blade frame 61, and a drive mechanism 63 that drives the movable blade main body 62.

The movable blade frame 61 is fixed to the top wall portion 43 of the head frame 41. The movable blade main body 62 has a V-shape in plan view as viewed from the vertical direction L1, and the length from the root portion to the blade edge is gradually shortened from both ends toward the center.

The drive mechanism 63 includes a cutter motor that can be reversely mounted on the movable blade frame 61, and a wheel train that is connected between the cutter motor and the movable blade main body 62. Further, the movable blade main body 62 is slidably moved by transmitting the driving force of the cutter motor through the wheel train mechanism.

Next, the operation of the above-described thermal printer 1 will be described. 7 to 9 are explanatory views for explaining the opening and closing operation of the thermal printer 1, and are partial cross-sectional views of Fig. 5. First, the closing operation of the printing cover 6 will be described. As shown in FIG. 7, after the roll paper R is placed in the roll paper accommodating portion 5a, when the print cover 6 is closed, the bearing 29 of the platen roller 10 is individually housed in the engaging recess 44 of the head unit 3. . Specifically, with the closing operation of the printing cover 6, the connecting portion 25 of the platen frame 21 is first brought into contact with the abutting portion 47 of the head frame 41. As shown in FIG. 8, when the printing cover 6 is further pressed in the closing direction in this state, the auxiliary frame 22 is rotated together with the printing cover 6, and the pressing frame 21 is supported by the abutting portion 47 as a fulcrum. Rotate relative to the printing cover 6 (auxiliary frame 22).

As a result, the bearing 29 of the platen roller 10 slides on the inner circumference of the engagement recess 44 and moves downward. Thereafter, as shown in Fig. 9, when the bearing 29 of the platen roller 10 straddles the stopper portion 45, the outer peripheral surface of the drum body 28 comes into contact with the thermal head 12, and faces the elastic pressure against the head biasing member 57. The direction (one end side of the front-rear direction L3) is pressed against the thermal head 12. Further, after the bearing 29 of the platen roller 10 crosses the stopper portion 45 in the engagement recess 44, the roller body 28 is pressed toward the other end side of the front-rear direction L3 by the elastic pressure of the head biasing member 57, thereby The bearing 29 is held in the engagement recess 44 in a state of being engaged with the stopper 45. Thereby, as shown in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3, the printing machine cover 6 is brought into a closed position, and the platen unit 2 is attached to the head unit 3, and the two units 2 and 3 are brought into a combined state. Further, in a state in which the two units 2 and 3 are combined, the pressing mechanism 37 is formed on the other end side of the front-rear direction L3 with respect to the abutting portion 47. The platen frame 21 is biased toward the abutting portion 47.

Here, in the state in which the two units 2 and 3 are combined, the platen unit 2 holds the platen roller 10 in the engagement recess 44 and abuts the platen frame 21 against the abutment portion 47. That is, the platen unit 2 and the head unit 3 are at least two places of the connecting portion between the platen roller 10 and the engaging recess 44 and the abutting portion of the platen 21 and the abutting portion 47 of the head unit 3. Being positioned. In particular, since the platen frame 21 is biased toward the abutting portion 47 by the pressing mechanism 37, even if the position of the platen roller 10 is offset from the position of the platen roller 10, the amount of deformation of the pressing mechanism 37 can be absorbed. Position offset. Therefore, the contact state between the platen frame 21 and the abutting portion 47 can be maintained, and the head unit 3 and the platen unit 2 can be positioned with high precision.

Then, in a state in which the two units 2 and 3 are combined, the recording paper P is in a state of being sandwiched between the platen roller 10 and the thermal head 12. Further, the recording paper P is pulled out from the discharge port 8 toward the outside of the casing 4 after passing between the movable blade 11 and the fixed blade 13. Further, the platen gear 31 on the platen unit 2 side is engaged with the platen driving gear 52 on the head unit 3 side.

Thereafter, the platen driving motor 53 is driven to transmit the rotational force to the platen gear 31 of the platen unit 2. Thereby, the platen roller 10 can be rotated, and paper can be fed while the recording paper P is sandwiched between the thermal heads 12. At the same time as the paper feed, the heat generating element 12a of the thermal head 12 is appropriately heated, so that various characters, figures, and the like can be clearly printed on the paper P to be fed.

The printed recording paper P passes through the fixed blade 13 and the movable blade 11 between. Then, after the recording paper P has passed the predetermined length, the drive mechanism 63 is driven to slide the movable blade main body 62 toward the fixed blade 13. Thereby, the recording paper P can be cut between the fixed blade 13 and the movable blade 11. As a result, the cut recording paper P can be used as a receipt, a ticket, or the like.

Next, the opening operation of the printing cover 6 will be described. Fig. 10 is an explanatory view for explaining the opening operation of the printing machine cover 6, and corresponds to the side view of Fig. 3. As shown in FIG. 10, when the handle member (not shown) provided in the casing body 5 is operated, the release handle 51 is rotated about the rotation axis O1 in conjunction with the operation of the handle member. As a result, the contact piece 51b of the release handle 51 is pushed through the protruding piece 26 to push the platen unit 2 upward. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 9 , first, the platen frame 21 is rotated upward with respect to the auxiliary frame 22 with the abutting portion 47 as a fulcrum. In this manner, the platen roller 10 is detached from the engaging recessed portion 44 while pressing the thermal head 12 in a direction in which the outer peripheral surface of the drum main body 28 is pressed against the biasing force of the head biasing member 57. At this time, as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, by the bearing 29 of the platen roller 10 crossing the stopper 45, the engagement between the bearing 29 and the stopper 45 is released, and the two units 2, 3 are released. The combination. Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 1, the printing machine cover 6 is brought up to the open position by pulling up the printing machine cover 6.

Here, since the platen frame 21 is pressed toward the abutting portion 47 by the pressing mechanism 37, the pressing of the platen frame 21 and the abutting portion 47 is maintained when the platen 21 is pushed up by the pulling handle 51. In the connected state, the floating of the platen frame 21 from the abutting portion 47 is suppressed. Therefore, the upward thrust force acting on the protruding piece 26 (the one end side shaft support portion 24) by the release lever 51 is transmitted to the shaft support portion 24 on the other end side through the connection portion 25. Thereby making the paper roll The two bearings 29 of the shaft 10 are disengaged from the engaging recesses 44.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, the upper thrust of the release handle 51 can be efficiently transmitted to the two-axis support portion 24, so that the occurrence of unilateral opening can be suppressed, and the two units 2, 3 can be surely separated. In this case, it is not necessary to reinforce the printing cover 6 as in the past, or to provide a lock arm or the like, so that an increase in the number of parts or an increase in manufacturing cost can be suppressed. Further, since the platen unit 2 (the platen frame 21) and the head unit 3 are in contact with each other through the abutting portion 47, both of them can be kept at the same potential, and occurrence of secondary discharge or the like can be suppressed. Further, since the pressing mechanism 37 is interposed between the platen frame 21 and the auxiliary frame 22, the printing unit 9 can be assembled to the casing 4 in a state in which the pressing mechanism 37 is incorporated. Thereby, the assemblability of assembling the printing unit 9 to the outer casing 4 can be improved as compared with the case where the pressing mechanism 37 is interposed between the printing cover 6 and the platen unit 2, for example.

Further, in the present embodiment, when the push-up frame 21 due to the pull handle 51 is pushed up, the handle 51 is released and pressed: in the platen frame 21 with respect to the abutment portion 47. In the portion on the side of the platen roller 10, and the pressing mechanism 37 is pressed, a portion on the side opposite to the side of the platen roller 10 with respect to the abutting portion 47 is formed in the platen frame 21. According to this configuration, the contact state between the platen frame 21 and the abutting portion 47 can be surely maintained, and the upward thrust of the release handle 51 can be more efficiently transmitted to the two-axis support portion 24.

Further, since the platen frame 21 abuts against the abutting portion 47 of the head unit 3, in the state in which the two units 2, 3 are assembled, the two units 2, 3 are positioned at a predetermined position. Therefore, with respect to the movable blade 11 provided in the head unit 3 In addition, the fixed blade 13 provided on the platen frame 21 can be positioned with high precision irrespective of the positional accuracy of the movable blade 11 with respect to the printing machine cover 6. As a result, excellent cutting properties of the cutter mechanism 14 can be provided.

Further, since the auxiliary frame 22 is supported by the platen frame 21 through the platen roller 10, the auxiliary frame 22 is supported by the platen frame 21 by means of other members than the platen roller 10; Can suppress the increase in the number of parts.

Further, in the thermal printer 1 of the present embodiment, since the printing unit 9 is provided, it is possible to suppress the increase in the number of parts and the manufacturing cost, and to provide excellent operability.

The technical scope of the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications can be added without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

For example, in the above-described embodiment, the structure in which the pressing mechanism 37 presses a portion on the side opposite to the platen roller 10 side with respect to the abutting portion 47 in the platen frame 21 has been described. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and the pressing position can be appropriately designed and changed as long as the pressing frame 21 can be pressed toward the contact portion 47. In the above-described embodiment, the structure in which the fixed blade 13 is provided in the platen frame 21 and the movable blade 11 is provided in the head frame 41 has been described. However, the present invention is not limited thereto. That is, a structure in which the movable blade 11 is provided in the platen frame 21 and the fixed blade 13 is provided in the head frame 41 may be employed.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, the configuration in which a plurality of pressing mechanisms 37 are provided has been described. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and may be singular. Further, in the above configuration, the pressing mechanism 37 is for the coil spring. Although the structure has been described, if it is a structure which can press the platen frame 21 toward the contact part 47, it can change suitably design. Further, in the above-described embodiment, the structure in which the release handle 51 is pushed up by the platen 21 to push up the platen unit 2 has been described. However, the platen unit 2 may be pushed up by the platen roller 10.

In the above-described embodiment, the structure in which the platen frame 21 is movably supported by the auxiliary frame 22 and the pressing mechanism 37 is interposed between the platen frames 21 and the auxiliary frame 22 has been described. Not limited to this, it is also possible to adopt a configuration in which the auxiliary frame 22 is not provided.

For example, as shown in FIG. 11, the platen frame 21 may be movably supported by the printing machine cover 6, and the structure of the pressing mechanism 37 may be interposed between the paper pressing frame 21 and the printing machine cover 6. . Specifically, the hot stamping machine 100 shown in FIG. 11 is provided with a pair of support frames 101 extending downward from both end portions in the left-right direction L2 at the front end portion of the printing machine cover 6. The bearings 29 of the platen roller 10 are individually movably inserted into the support frames 101 (see Fig. 6). Thereby, the printing cover 6 supports the platen frame 21 so as to be rotatable and movable in a plane orthogonal to the left-right direction L2 through the platen roller 10. Further, in the support frame 101, the protrusion 102 is protruded toward the inner side in the left-right direction at the other end portion of the front-rear direction L3.

Then, between the platen frame 21 and the printing machine cover 6, a pair of pressing mechanisms 37 are interposed to press the platen frame 21 in the direction away from the printing machine cover 6 (downward) around the platen shaft 27 (pressing) ).

According to this configuration, the same operational effects as those of the above-described embodiment can be exerted, and the platen unit 2 can be movably supported by the printing machine cover 6, so that the phase The number of parts can be reduced as compared with the case where the auxiliary frame is additionally interposed between the platen frame 21 and the printing machine cover 6.

In addition, the constituent elements of the above-described embodiments may be appropriately replaced with well-known constituent elements, and the above-described respective modifications may be appropriately combined as long as the scope of the present invention is not exceeded.

Claims (11)

A printing unit comprising: a head unit having a thermal head provided with a plurality of heat generating elements; and a platen unit having a platen frame, an auxiliary frame, and a platen roller for feeding the recording paper And being assembled to be separable from the head unit, the platen frame having: a pair of shaft support portions respectively supporting both end portions of the platen roller, and a joint portion spanning the pair of shaft support portions The auxiliary frame supports the paper pressing frame to be movable, and the printing unit further includes: an engaging recessed portion provided in the head unit, respectively accommodating both end portions of the platen roller and at the mounting position Holding the paper pressing frame; releasing the handle, which is provided in the head unit for pressing the side of the shaft supporting portion on one side of the platen frame toward a direction in which the platen roller and the engaging recess are disengaged Thereby, the platen roller is detached from the engaging recess; the abutting portion is provided in the head unit, and the pressing frame is provided at a mounting position where the platen unit is attached to the head unit. Abutting against the connecting portion of the platen frame; and a pressing mechanism provided between the platen frame and the auxiliary frame, pressing the platen frame toward the abutting portion, and the auxiliary frame is transmitted through the aforementioned The paper roll frame is supported to be movable by pressing the paper roll. The printing unit according to claim 1, wherein, in the pushing up of the paper pressing frame by the pulling handle, the releasing handle is pressed against the abutting portion in the paper pressing frame. In the portion on the platen roller side, the pressing mechanism presses a portion on the side opposite to the platen roller side with respect to the abutting portion among the platen frames. The printing unit according to claim 1, further comprising: a fixed blade provided on one side of the head unit and the platen frame; and slidably among the head unit and the platen frame It is disposed on the other side and cuts the movable blade of the recording paper between it and the aforementioned fixed blade. The printing unit according to claim 2, further comprising: a fixed blade provided on one side of the head unit and the platen frame; and slidably among the head unit and the platen frame It is disposed on the other side and cuts the movable blade of the recording paper between it and the aforementioned fixed blade. A printer having the printing unit according to claim 1, wherein the head unit is assembled on a casing main body side having a recording paper accommodating portion for accommodating the recording paper, and is rotatably coupled to the hinge portion. The casing body is provided with the paper pressing unit through the auxiliary frame on the side of the printing cover on which the recording paper accommodating portion is opened and closed. A printer having the printing unit according to claim 4, wherein the head unit is assembled on a casing main body side having a recording paper accommodating portion for accommodating the recording paper, and is rotatably coupled to the hinge portion The casing body is provided with the paper pressing unit through the auxiliary frame on the side of the printing cover on which the recording paper accommodating portion is opened and closed. A printing machine comprising the printing unit according to claim 1, comprising: a casing body having a recording paper accommodating portion for accommodating recording paper; and the head unit mounted to the casing body, the printing machine cover And rotatably connecting to the casing body via a hinge portion, and opening and closing the recording paper accommodating portion, wherein the platen unit is attached to the printing machine cover and mounted on the printing machine cover The closed position is separated from the aforementioned head unit. A printing machine comprising the printing unit according to claim 4, further comprising: a casing body having a recording paper accommodating portion for accommodating recording paper; and a head unit assembled to the casing body, wherein the auxiliary frame is permeable a printing cover that is rotatably coupled to the casing body and that opens and closes the recording paper accommodating portion, and the platen unit is assembled to the printing machine cover and closed by the printing machine cover The positions are combined to be separable from the aforementioned head unit. The printing machine according to claim 7, wherein, in the pushing up of the paper pressing frame by the pulling handle, the releasing the handle is pressed: a portion of the platen frame that is on the side of the platen roller with respect to the abutting portion, and the pressing mechanism presses the platen roller with respect to the abutting portion in the platen frame The part on the opposite side of the side. The printer according to claim 7, further comprising: a fixed blade provided on one side of the head unit and the platen frame; and slidable among the head unit and the platen frame It is disposed on the other side and cuts the movable blade of the recording paper between it and the aforementioned fixed blade. The printer according to claim 9, further comprising: a fixed blade provided on one side of the head unit and the platen frame; and slidable among the head unit and the platen frame It is disposed on the other side and cuts the movable blade of the recording paper between it and the aforementioned fixed blade.