A thermal printer integrating pc functions

Abstract

The application provides a thermal printer integrated with PC functions, and relates to the technical field of thermal printing. The thermal printer integrated with PC functions comprises a printer support and a thermal printer body. The thermal printer body is located above the printer support. A host docking seat is fixedly connected to the upper surface of the rear of the printer support. A machine case placement plate is vertically fixedly connected to the upper surface of the host docking seat. A PC machine case is installed on the machine case placement plate. The thermal printer and the computer are integrated in the application. The thermal printer integrated with PC functions has better data calculation and information processing functions. The thermal printer can remotely receive data through a network for printing, so that the printing work is more convenient and fast, and the practicality of the thermal printer is improved. When the printer is transferred, the printer integrated with the computer can be directly carried without repeated disconnection and connection of wires, and the influence of messy data lines on the neatness of the office environment is avoided.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of thermal printing technology, and more particularly to a thermal printer with integrated PC functionality. Background Technology

[0002] A thermal printer is a printer that uses a semiconductor heating element to heat the print head and make it contact thermal paper to form an image. With the widespread use of thermal printers, their functions have become more diversified. In today's office applications, with the frequency of printer use and the variability and diversity of printed content, printers need better data transmission, data processing efficiency, and storage space to adapt to the office environment. Currently, thermal printers are generally connected to a computer via a data transmission cable, where the computer processes and calculates the data and then directly transmits the print data to the printer for printing.

[0003] Traditional thermal printers connect to computers via data cables. The computer inputs printing information to the printer and controls its operation. However, traditional printers cannot be integrated with computers and occupy a lot of space. When moving the printer, the data cable between the computer and the printer must be disconnected and carried separately, which is not convenient. In addition, the data connection is prone to data transmission interruption due to loose data cable connectors, which will prevent printing from working properly. Summary of the Invention

[0004] This disclosure relates to a thermal printer with integrated PC functionality, addressing the problem that traditional thermal printers connect to a computer via a data cable, allowing the computer to input printing information and control the printer. Traditional printers, however, cannot be integrated with the computer, occupying significant space. Furthermore, moving the printer requires disconnecting the data cable between the computer and printer, making the move inconvenient. Additionally, data transmission can be interrupted due to loose data cable connectors, preventing normal printing.

[0005] In a first aspect, this disclosure provides a thermal printer with integrated PC functionality, specifically including a printer stand and a thermal printer body. The thermal printer body is located above the printer stand. A host docking seat is fixedly connected to the rear of the upper surface of the printer stand. A chassis mounting plate is vertically fixedly connected to the upper surface of the host docking seat. A PC chassis is mounted on the chassis mounting plate. A liftable monitor is slidably connected to the rear of the PC chassis. A base groove is provided at the front of the printer stand. A keyboard and mouse mounting plate is movably connected inside the base groove. A positioning strip is fixedly connected to the bottom surface inside the base groove. A limit stop is slidably connected to the middle of the front edge of the base groove.

[0006] In at least some embodiments, an inner groove side platform is provided on the left and right sides of the inner groove of the base platform. A movable support cylinder is rotatably connected to the upper surface of the inner groove side platform. The movable support cylinder is slidably connected to the lower surface of the keyboard and mouse mounting plate. A limiting front plate is fixedly connected to the left and right sides of the front opening of the inner groove of the base platform. A locking block guide groove is provided in the middle of the lower edge of the opening of the inner groove of the base platform. The locking block guide groove is slidably connected to the limiting block.

[0007] In at least some embodiments, the host docking seat is hollow inside, and a docking seat air inlet is provided at the rear of the host docking seat. A filter screen is provided on the docking seat air inlet. A docking seat air outlet is provided on the upper surface of the host docking seat. A filter screen is provided on the docking seat air outlet. A cooling fan is fixedly connected to the lower part of the docking seat air outlet by a bracket. The cooling fan is located inside the host docking seat. Two docking sockets are provided on the upper surface of the host docking seat.

[0008] In at least some embodiments, the two sides of the chassis mounting plate are bent backward to form side edge folds, and the side edge folds are provided with through openings. An elastic locking pin is fixedly connected to the upper edge inside the side opening, and a positioning wedge with a wedge-shaped block structure is formed on the lower edge of the inner surface of the elastic locking pin.

[0009] In at least some embodiments, the left and right front edges of the PC chassis are respectively provided with a chassis guide plate, the chassis guide plate is provided with a chassis lock slot with a wedge-shaped groove structure, the lower surface of the PC chassis is provided with a chassis air inlet, a filter is installed on the chassis air inlet, and the chassis air inlet is located above the air outlet of the docking seat.

[0010] In at least some embodiments, the rear surface of the PC chassis has a chassis exhaust vent, a filter screen is installed on the chassis exhaust vent, a docking plug is provided at the bottom of the PC chassis, the docking plug is electrically connected to the docking socket, and a display guide groove is fixedly connected to the left and right edges of the rear surface of the PC chassis.

[0011] In at least some embodiments, a display side guide plate is fixedly connected to the side of the liftable display, and the display side guide plate is slidably connected to the display guide groove.

[0012] In at least some embodiments, a mounting support plate is fixedly connected to the front edge of the lower surface of the keyboard and mouse mounting plate, and two push plate guide holes with round hole structures are opened through the mounting support plate at the front and rear. A rear limiting plate is fixedly connected to each of the two rear sides of the lower surface of the keyboard and mouse mounting plate.

[0013] In at least some embodiments, two guide pins are fixedly connected to the front surface of the positioning strip, and a guide spring is sleeved on the guide pin. The rear end of the guide spring is fixedly connected to the front surface of the positioning strip, and the guide pin is movably connected to the guide hole of the push plate.

[0014] In at least some embodiments, the limiting block has an "L" shaped structure, the limiting block is slidably connected inside the lock block guide groove, and a block top spring is fixedly connected to the lower surface of the limiting block, with the lower end of the block top spring fixedly connected to the bottom of the lock block guide groove.

[0015] This invention provides a thermal printer with integrated PC functionality, which has the following advantages:

[0016] 1. The thermal printer in this invention is integrated with a computer, giving it PC functionality. During use, this allows for better data calculation and information processing capabilities, and enables remote data reception and printing via network, making printing faster and more convenient. This improves the practicality of the thermal printer. When moving the printer, the integrated computer can be moved directly without repeated disconnection and reconnection, avoiding the impact of messy data cables on the cleanliness of the office environment.

[0017] 2. This invention features a liftable monitor and a hidden keyboard and mouse mounting plate, which can be connected to control tools such as a mouse and keyboard. When processing printing content, the monitor, mouse, and keyboard can be unfolded. After the printing content is processed, the keyboard and mouse mounting plate and monitor can be retracted, allowing the monitor and keyboard and mouse mounting plate to be hidden, minimizing space occupation and improving space utilization in the office environment.

[0018] 3. The PC chassis is mounted on top of the chassis mounting plate via a positioning structure. When the PC chassis needs maintenance, the positioning structure is separated from the PC chassis, and the PC chassis is detached from the chassis mounting plate, allowing for quick disassembly of the PC chassis and facilitating the maintenance and repair of both the computer and the thermal printer. The connection between the PC chassis and the thermal printer is secure and not easily detached, ensuring more stable data transmission. Compared to existing printers that connect to an external computer via a data cable, this design avoids data transmission interruptions caused by loose data cable connectors, preventing normal printing operations. Attached Figure Description

[0019] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention, the accompanying drawings of the embodiments will be briefly described below.

[0020] The accompanying drawings described below are only related to some embodiments of the invention and are not intended to limit the invention.

[0021] In the attached diagram:

[0022] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the overall structure of this application is shown;

[0023] Figure 2A schematic diagram of the structure of the liftable display of this application in its unfolded state is shown;

[0024] Figure 3 A structural schematic diagram following this application is shown;

[0025] Figure 4 A schematic diagram of the structure in the disassembled state of this application is shown;

[0026] Figure 5 This application shows Figure 4 A schematic diagram of the structure at the front;

[0027] Figure 6 This diagram shows the structure of the PC chassis and host docking socket and chassis mounting plate when they are separated.

[0028] Figure 7 This paper shows a schematic diagram of the internal structure of the host docking station of this application;

[0029] Figure 8 A schematic diagram of the structure of the inner groove of the base platform of this application is shown;

[0030] Figure 9 A schematic diagram of the bottom structure of the keyboard and mouse mounting plate of this application is shown.

[0031] List of reference numerals

[0032] 1. Printer stand; 101. Base inner groove; 102. Inner groove side panel; 103. Movable support cylinder; 104. Limiting front plate; 105. Locking block guide groove; 2. Thermal printer body; 3. Main unit docking seat; 301. Docking seat air inlet; 302. Docking seat air outlet; 303. Cooling fan; 304. Docking socket; 4. Chassis mounting plate; 401. Side edge folding plate; 402. Folding plate side opening; 403. Elastic locking pin; 404. Positioning wedge; 5. PC chassis; 501, chassis guide plate; 502, chassis lock slot; 503, chassis air inlet; 504, chassis exhaust outlet; 505, docking plug; 506, monitor guide groove; 6, liftable monitor; 601, monitor side guide plate; 7, keyboard and mouse mounting plate; 701, mounting support plate; 702, push plate guide hole; 703, rear limit plate; 8, positioning strip; 801, guide pin; 802, guide push spring; 9, limit stop; 901, stop top spring. Detailed Implementation

[0033] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of the embodiments of the present invention clearer, the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some, not all, of the embodiments of the present invention. Based on the described embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0034] Example 1: Please refer to Figures 1 to 9 :

[0035] This invention proposes a thermal printer with integrated PC functionality, comprising a printer stand 1 and a thermal printer body 2. The thermal printer body 2 is located above the printer stand 1. A host docking seat 3 is fixedly connected to the rear of the upper surface of the printer stand 1. A chassis mounting plate 4 is vertically fixedly connected to the upper surface of the host docking seat 3. A PC chassis 5 is mounted on the chassis mounting plate 4. A liftable monitor 6 is slidably connected to the rear of the PC chassis 5. A base groove 101 is opened at the front of the printer stand 1. A keyboard and mouse mounting plate 7 is movably connected inside the base groove 101. A positioning strip 8 is fixedly connected to the bottom surface inside the base groove 101. A limit stop 9 is slidably connected to the middle of the front edge of the base groove 101.

[0036] In this embodiment, the upper surface of the host docking seat 3 is provided with two docking sockets 304. The two sides of the chassis mounting plate 4 are bent backward to form side edge folding plates 401. A folding plate side opening 402 is provided through the side edge folding plate 401. An elastic locking pin 403 is fixedly connected to the upper edge inside the folding plate side opening 402. A wedge-shaped positioning wedge 404 is formed on the lower edge of the inner surface of the elastic locking pin 403. A chassis guide plate 501 is provided on the front edge of the left and right surfaces of the PC chassis 5. A chassis locking port 502 with a wedge-shaped groove structure is provided on the chassis guide plate 501. A chassis air inlet 503 is provided on the lower surface of the PC chassis 5. A filter screen is installed on the chassis air inlet 503. The chassis air inlet 503 is located above the docking seat air outlet 302. The PC chassis 5 is installed on the host docking seat 3 and the chassis mounting plate 4. The sliding connection between plate 501 and side edge folding plate 401 serves as a guide, allowing PC chassis 5 to move vertically on chassis mounting plate 4. When the bottom of PC chassis 5 is in contact with the upper surface of host docking seat 3, it is connected to docking socket 304. Docking socket 304 is connected to thermal printer body 2 via built-in data cable, thereby realizing data transmission between thermal printer body 2 and PC chassis 5. In the fixed installation state of PC chassis 5, positioning wedge 404 is located inside chassis locking slot 502, which plays a positioning role for PC chassis 5 and improves the installation firmness of PC chassis 5. When disassembling PC chassis 5, the elastic locking pin 403 can be pulled outward to bend it, causing positioning wedge 404 to disengage from chassis locking slot 502, so that PC chassis 5 can be pulled away from above chassis mounting plate 4, making it convenient for inspection and maintenance of PC chassis 5.

[0037] In this embodiment, the host docking seat 3 is hollow inside. An air inlet 301 is located at the rear of the host docking seat 3, and a filter is installed on the air inlet 301. An air outlet 302 is located on the upper surface of the host docking seat 3, and a filter is installed on the air outlet 302. A cooling fan 303 is fixedly connected to the lower part of the air outlet 302 via a bracket. The cooling fan 303 is located inside the host docking seat 3. A chassis exhaust vent 504 is located on the rear surface of the PC chassis 5, and a filter is installed on the chassis exhaust vent 504. A docking plug 505 is located at the bottom of the PC chassis 5. The head 505 is electrically connected to the docking socket 304. A monitor guide groove 506 is fixedly connected to the left and right edges of the rear surface of the PC chassis 5. Through the action of the cooling fan 303, the air flow inside the host docking socket 3 is promoted, so that the air enters the host docking socket 3 through the docking socket air inlet 301, and enters the chassis air inlet 503 through the docking socket air outlet 302, and is discharged through the chassis exhaust port 504. This dissipates heat from the inside of the PC chassis 5, effectively improves the heat dissipation efficiency of the PC chassis 5, and avoids the situation where the operation of the equipment is affected by overheating inside the PC chassis 5.

[0038] In this embodiment, a display side guide plate 601 is fixedly connected to the side of the liftable display 6. The display side guide plate 601 is tightly slidably connected to the display guide groove 506. The liftable display 6 is connected to the PC chassis 5 through a data connection cable. Data is displayed through the liftable display 6. The liftable display 6 can retract on the display guide groove 506, which is convenient for hiding and unfolding, saving space and improving space utilization.

[0039] In this embodiment, an inner groove side platform 102 is provided on the left and right sides of the inner groove 101 of the base platform. A movable support cylinder 103 is rotatably connected to the upper surface of the inner groove side platform 102. The movable support cylinder 103 is rolledly connected to the lower surface of the keyboard and mouse mounting plate 7. A limiting front plate 104 is fixedly connected to the left and right sides of the front opening of the inner groove 101 of the base platform. A locking block guide groove 105 is provided in the middle of the lower edge of the opening of the inner groove 101 of the base platform. The locking block guide groove 105 is slidably connected to the limiting block 9. The keyboard and mouse mounting plate A mounting plate 701 is fixedly connected to the front edge of the lower surface of the keyboard and mouse mounting plate 7. The mounting plate 701 has two push plate guide holes 702 with round hole structure through it. A rear limiting plate 703 is fixedly connected to both sides of the lower surface of the keyboard and mouse mounting plate 7. Under normal conditions, the keyboard and mouse mounting plate 7 is located inside the inner groove 101 of the base. The small mouse and keyboard can be hidden and placed through the keyboard and mouse mounting plate 7. The keyboard and mouse mounting plate 7 is slidably connected above the movable support cylinder 103, which can reduce the friction when the keyboard and mouse mounting plate 7 moves.

[0040] Based on Embodiment 1, two guide pins 801 are fixedly connected to the front surface of the positioning strip 8. A guide spring 802 is sleeved on the guide pin 801, and the rear end of the guide spring 802 is fixedly connected to the front surface of the positioning strip 8. The guide pin 801 is movably connected to the push plate guide hole 702. The limiting block 9 has an "L" shaped structure and is slidably connected inside the lock block guide groove 105. A block top spring 901 is fixedly connected to the lower surface of the limiting block 9, and the lower end of the block top spring 901 is fixedly connected to the bottom of the lock block guide groove 105. When the keyboard and mouse mounting plate 7 is hidden inside the base inner groove 101, the mounting support plate is... 701 is located behind the limiting block 9. Under the action of the block top spring 901, the limiting block 9 protrudes from the lower surface of the inner groove 101 of the base platform, limiting the keyboard and mouse mounting plate 7. At the same time, the guide pin 801 is inserted into the push plate guide hole 702. The mounting support plate 701 compresses the guide push spring 802, causing the guide push spring 802 to contract and store force. When the mouse and keyboard need to be used, the limiting block 9 is pressed, causing the limiting block 9 to move down, causing the mounting support plate 701 to disengage from the limiting block 9. Under the elastic force of the guide push spring 802, the keyboard and mouse mounting plate 7 pops forward, realizing the automatic unfolding of the keyboard and mouse mounting plate 7, making it more convenient to use.

[0041] The working principle of this embodiment is as follows: During printing, the PC chassis 5 is opened, and the liftable display 6 is pulled upwards to unfold above the PC chassis 5. Data is displayed through the liftable display 6. Pressing the limiting block 9 compresses the block top spring 901, causing the limiting block 9 to move downwards inside the locking block guide groove 105. The upper surface of the limiting block 9 is lower than the upper edge of the mounting plate 701, causing the mounting plate 701 to disengage from the limiting block 9. The keyboard and mouse mounting plate 7 then pops forward under the elastic force of the guide spring 802, achieving automatic unfolding of the keyboard and mouse mounting plate 7. The mouse, keyboard, and liftable display 6 control the PC chassis 5 to receive and process data, and control the PC chassis 5 to transmit the data to the thermal printer body 2 for printing. During the operation of the PC chassis 5, the cooling fan 303 promotes the airflow inside the host docking seat 3, allowing the air to... The air enters the host docking seat 3 through the docking seat inlet 301 and flows upward into the chassis inlet 503 through the docking seat outlet 302, and is discharged through the chassis exhaust outlet 504, thus dissipating heat from the inside of the PC chassis 5. This effectively improves the heat dissipation efficiency of the PC chassis 5 and prevents the equipment from operating due to overheating inside the PC chassis 5. After printing is completed, push the keyboard and mouse mounting plate 7 inward and retract the liftable monitor 6 to the rear of the PC chassis 5 to reduce the space occupied by the printer. When the PC chassis 5 is damaged and needs repair, pull the elastic locking pin 403 outward to bend it, causing the positioning wedge 404 to disengage from the chassis locking lug 502. This allows the PC chassis 5 to be pulled away from the top of the chassis mounting plate 4 for easy inspection and repair. After repair, the PC chassis 5 is vertically inserted and installed on the host docking seat 3 and chassis mounting plate 4 to complete the printer assembly.

[0042] The following points should be noted in this article:

[0043] 1. The accompanying drawings of the embodiments disclosed herein only relate to the structures involved in the embodiments disclosed herein; other structures can be referred to in a general design.

[0044] 2. Where there is no conflict, the embodiments of this disclosure and the features in the embodiments can be combined with each other to obtain new embodiments.

[0045] The above are merely specific embodiments of this disclosure, but the scope of protection of this disclosure is not limited thereto. Any variations or substitutions that can be easily conceived by those skilled in the art within the scope of the technology disclosed in this disclosure should be included within the scope of protection of this disclosure. Therefore, the scope of protection of this disclosure should be determined by the scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A thermal printer with integrated PC functionality, comprising a printer stand (1) and a thermal printer body (2), wherein the thermal printer body (2) is located above the printer stand (1), and a host docking seat (3) is fixedly connected to the rear of the upper surface of the printer stand (1), characterized in that, The upper surface of the host docking seat (3) is vertically fixedly connected to the chassis mounting plate (4), and a PC chassis (5) is installed on the chassis mounting plate (4). A liftable monitor (6) is tightly slidably connected to the rear of the PC chassis (5). A base inner groove (101) is opened in front of the printer support (1). A keyboard and mouse mounting plate (7) is movably connected inside the base inner groove (101). A positioning strip (8) is fixedly connected to the bottom surface inside the base inner groove (101). A limit stop (9) is slidably connected to the middle of the front edge of the base inner groove (101). The inner groove (101) of the base platform is provided with an inner groove side platform (102) on the left and right sides respectively. The upper surface of the inner groove side platform (102) is rotatably connected to a movable support cylinder (103). The movable support cylinder (103) is slidably connected to the lower surface of the keyboard and mouse mounting plate (7). A limiting front plate (104) is fixedly connected to the left and right sides of the front opening of the inner groove (101). A locking block guide groove (105) is opened in the middle of the lower edge of the opening of the inner groove (101). The locking block guide groove (105) is slidably connected to the limiting block (9). The host docking seat (3) is hollow inside. A docking seat air inlet (301) is provided at the rear of the host docking seat (3). A filter screen is provided on the docking seat air inlet (301). A docking seat air outlet (302) is provided on the upper surface of the host docking seat (3). A filter screen is provided on the docking seat air outlet (302). A cooling fan (303) is fixedly connected to the lower part of the docking seat air outlet (302) by a bracket. The cooling fan (303) is located inside the host docking seat (3). Two docking sockets (304) are provided on the upper surface of the host docking seat (3).

2. A thermal printer with integrated PC functionality according to claim 1, characterized in that, The two sides of the mounting plate (4) are bent backward to form side edge folding plates (401). A folding plate side opening (402) is provided through the side edge folding plate (401). An elastic locking pin (403) is fixedly connected to the upper edge inside the folding plate side opening (402). A positioning wedge (404) with a wedge block structure is formed on the lower edge of the inner surface of the elastic locking pin (403).

3. A thermal printer with integrated PC functionality according to claim 1, characterized in that, The PC chassis (5) has a chassis guide plate (501) on the front edge of the left and right surfaces respectively. The chassis guide plate (501) has a chassis lock slot (502) with a wedge-shaped groove structure. The PC chassis (5) has a chassis air inlet (503) on the lower surface. A filter screen is installed on the chassis air inlet (503). The chassis air inlet (503) is located above the air outlet (302) of the docking seat.

4. A thermal printer with integrated PC functionality according to claim 1, characterized in that, The rear surface of the PC chassis (5) has a chassis exhaust port (504) with a filter screen installed on it. The bottom of the PC chassis (5) has a docking plug (505) that is electrically connected to the docking socket (304). The left and right edges of the rear surface of the PC chassis (5) are respectively fixedly connected to a display guide groove (506).

5. A thermal printer with integrated PC functionality according to claim 1, characterized in that, The side of the liftable display (6) is fixedly connected to a display side guide plate (601), and the display side guide plate (601) is tightly slidably connected to the display guide groove (506).

6. A thermal printer with integrated PC functionality according to claim 1, characterized in that, The lower surface of the keyboard and mouse mounting plate (7) is fixedly connected to the front edge of the mounting plate (701). The mounting plate (701) has two push plate guide holes (702) with round hole structure through it. The lower surface of the keyboard and mouse mounting plate (7) is fixedly connected to a rear limiting plate (703) on both sides.

7. A thermal printer with integrated PC functionality according to claim 6, characterized in that, Two guide pins (801) are fixedly connected to the front surface of the positioning strip (8). A guide spring (802) is sleeved on the guide pin (801). The rear end of the guide spring (802) is fixedly connected to the front surface of the positioning strip (8). The guide pin (801) is movably connected to the guide hole (702) of the push plate.

8. A thermal printer with integrated PC functionality according to claim 1, characterized in that, The limiting block (9) has an "L" shaped structure. The limiting block (9) is slidably connected inside the lock block guide groove (105). A block top spring (901) is fixedly connected to the lower surface of the limiting block (9). The lower end of the block top spring (901) is fixedly connected to the bottom of the lock block guide groove (105).

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