Thermal printer

Abstract

To provide a thermal printer capable of adjusting a pressing force by a simple method.SOLUTION: The thermal printer includes the thermal head 510 rotatably supported by the printer unit, the platen roller 520 disposed to face the thermal head 510 and configured to convey the recording paper, the pressing member 610 provided on the side opposite to the platen roller 520 with respect to the thermal head 510 and configured to press the thermal head 510 toward the platen roller 520, the support member 620 provided on the side opposite to the thermal head 510 with respect to the pressing member 610, and the pressing force adjustment member 630 disposed between the support member 620 and the pressing member 610 and configured to adjust the pressing force of the pressing member 610.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a thermal printer. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent document 1 discloses a configuration in which the pressing force of the thermal head against the platen roller can be changed by inserting a spacer between the auxiliary plate and the holder, changing the distance between the auxiliary plate and the head support plate, and changing the magnitude of the repulsive force of the compression spring. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2009-90491 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, the configuration described in Patent Document 1 above involves adjusting by inserting a spacer between the auxiliary plate and the holder, which results in a complex structure with a large number of parts, and therefore there is a demand for a simplified adjustment means. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] The thermal printer includes a thermal head rotatably supported on a printer unit, a platen roller disposed opposite the thermal head and transporting recording paper, a pressing member disposed on the opposite side of the thermal head from the platen roller and pressing the thermal head toward the platen roller, a support member disposed on the opposite side of the pressing member from the thermal head, and a pressing force adjustment member disposed between the support member and the pressing member and adjusting the pressing force of the pressing member. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0006] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating the configuration of a thermal printer. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the configuration of a printer unit. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the configuration of a printer unit. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of part A of the printer unit shown in FIG. 3. [Figure 5] FIG. 4 is an enlarged perspective view showing the configuration of the recording unit shown in FIG. 3. [Figure 6] FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing the configuration of a pressing force adjusting member. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view showing the configuration of the recording unit when the pressing force of the pressing member is weak. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view showing the configuration of the recording unit when the pressing force of the pressing member is strong. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0007] The configuration of the thermal printer 1000 will be described below with reference to the drawings. In the following drawings, three mutually perpendicular axes will be referred to as the X-axis, Y-axis, and Z-axis. The direction along the X-axis will be referred to as the "X-direction," the direction along the Y-axis will be referred to as the "Y-direction," and the direction along the Z-axis will be referred to as the "Z-direction." The direction of the arrow is the positive direction, and the direction opposite to the positive direction is referred to as the negative direction.

[0008] First, the configuration of a thermal printer 1000 will be described with reference to Figures 1 to 3. Figure 1 shows the device main body 100 with the cover 200 open.

[0009] 1, the thermal printer 1000 is applied as a receipt printer used in, for example, a POS system, etc. The thermal printer 1000 prints on, for example, a roll of recording paper S using a thermal head 510 (see FIG. 4).

[0010] The thermal printer 1000 comprises a device main body 100 and a cover 200. A printer unit 300 including a recording unit 310 and a cutting unit 320 is located in front of the device main body 100, i.e., in the -Y direction, and a recording paper storage unit 400 that stores recording paper is located in the rear, i.e., in the +Y direction.

[0011] The cover 200 is attached so as to be rotatable, i.e., openable and closable, around a support shaft (not shown) provided at the upper end of the apparatus main body 100. A platen roller 520 is disposed in front of the cover 200. When the cover 200 is closed on the apparatus main body 100, the platen roller 520 comes into contact with the thermal head 510 (see FIG. 4).

[0012] 2 and 3, the printer unit 300 includes a first unit 330 disposed in the +Y direction and a second unit 340 disposed in the -Y direction. A recording unit 310 having a thermal head 510 and other components is disposed between the first unit 330 and the second unit 340. A platen roller 520 is included in both the recording unit 310 and the first unit 330.

[0013] The cutting unit 320 is disposed above the second unit 340. As shown in Fig. 3, the recording unit 310 has a thermal head 510, a pressing member 610, a support member 620, and a pressing force adjustment member 630. The thermal head 510 is supported by the printer unit 300 so as to be rotatable.

[0014] Next, the configuration of the recording unit 310 will be described with reference to FIG.

[0015] As shown in FIG. 4, the recording unit 310 includes the thermal head 510, the platen roller 520, the pressing member 610, the support member 620, and the pressing force adjusting member 630, as described above.

[0016] The platen roller 520 is disposed so as to face the thermal head 510. The platen roller 520 is configured, for example, as a cylindrical rubber roller. The platen roller 520 is rotatably supported by the cover 200 via a platen frame 521 (see FIG. 1).

[0017] The recording paper S passes between the platen roller 520 and the thermal head 510. The platen roller 520 and the thermal head 510 are configured to pinch the recording paper S with a predetermined pressure. The recording paper S is transported by the rotation of the platen roller 520.

[0018] The pressing member 610 is, for example, a coil spring. The pressing member 610 is disposed on the opposite side of the thermal head 510 from the platen roller 520. The pressing member 610 abuts against the thermal head 510 via a head support plate 511, and presses the thermal head 510 toward the platen roller 520.

[0019] The support member 620 is disposed on the opposite side of the pressing member 610 from the thermal head 510. The support member 620 constitutes a part of the second unit 340.

[0020] The pressing force adjusting member 630 is disposed between the support member 620 and the pressing member 610. The pressing force adjusting member 630 adjusts the pressing force of the pressing member 610.

[0021] Next, the specific configurations of the support member 620 and the pressing force adjusting member 630 will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0022] 5 and 6, the support member 620 has, for example, two through holes 621 formed from the support surface 620a to the surface 620b opposite to the support surface 620a. The support member 620 has the support surface 620a that supports the pressing force adjustment member 630. Around the through hole 621 on the support surface 620a side of the support member 620, stepped surfaces 622 are formed at two opposing locations. The stepped surfaces 622 have steps formed along the through holes 621.

[0023] The pressing force adjusting member 630 has a shaft portion 631 and a recessed portion 632 provided at one end portion 631a of the shaft portion 631. The shaft portion 631 is rotatably held in the engaged portion of the support member 620, i.e., the through-hole 621. The recessed portion 632 receives one end of the pressing member 610 (see FIG. 4) in the extension / contraction direction. The recessed portion 632 also restricts movement of the pressing member 610 in directions intersecting the extension / contraction direction, i.e., in the X direction and Z direction.

[0024] In this way, one end of the pressing member 610 is received in the recess 632, so that the pressing member 610 can be pressed against the thermal head 510 and the pressing force adjustment member 630 can be prevented from coming off the support member 620. Furthermore, by receiving one end of the pressing member 610 in the recess 632, the pressing member 610 can be prevented from coming off the pressing force adjustment member 630.

[0025] 6, pressing force adjustment member 630 has one end 631a and another end 631b on the opposite side thereof provided with engagement structure 633 that can be engaged with the tip of a tool. An example of the tool is a Phillips head screwdriver. Engagement structure 633 is formed in a cross-shaped recess that engages with the tip of a Phillips head screwdriver.

[0026] In this way, since the engagement structure 633 is provided on the other end 631b of the pressing force adjustment member 630, the pressing force adjustment member 630 can be rotated using a tool from the direction opposite to the pressing member 610 on the support member 620.

[0027] The pressing force adjusting member 630 has a first surface 634a and a second surface 634b facing the support surface 620a. The first surface 634a corresponds to a position that is a distance L1 from one end 631a of the pressing force adjusting member 630 (see FIG. 7). The second surface 634b corresponds to a position that is a distance L2 from one end 631a of the pressing force adjusting member 630 (see FIG. 8).

[0028] In other words, the first surface 634a has a longer distance L11 from the bottom surface 632a of the recess 632 than the second surface 634b. That is, the relationship is such that the distance L11 from the first surface 634a to the bottom surface 632a is greater than the distance L12 from the second surface 634b to the bottom surface 632a (see FIGS. 7 and 8).

[0029] When the first surface 634a of the pressing force adjustment member 630 is supported against the support surface 620a of the support member 620, the amount of deflection of the pressing member 610 is small, and the pressing force on the thermal head 510 is weak. On the other hand, when the second surface 634b of the pressing force adjustment member 630 is supported against the support surface 620a of the support member 620, the amount of deflection of the pressing member 610 is large, and the pressing force on the thermal head 510 is strong.

[0030] 5 and 6, a protruding operating portion 635 is provided around one end 631a side of shaft portion 631 of pressing force adjustment member 630. Operating portion 635 is sized so that a user can pinch it with their fingers and rotate it in direction B or direction C. In this way, because operating portion 635 is provided on shaft portion 631, the pressing force of pressing member 610 can be adjusted by operating operating portion 635 to rotate pressing force adjustment member 630.

[0031] Next, a method for adjusting the pressing force of the thermal head 510 against the platen roller 520 will be described with reference to Figures 7 and 8. The diagram shown in Figure 7 shows the configuration of the recording unit 310 when the pressing force of the pressing member 610 is weak. The diagram shown in Figure 8 shows the configuration of the recording unit 310 when the pressing force of the pressing member 610 is strong.

[0032] 7, in the recording unit 310, as described above, the thermal head 510 is disposed so as to face the platen roller 520. The thermal head 510 is pressed, i.e., biased, toward the platen roller 520 by a pressing member 610. The thermal head 510 is connected to the pressing member 610 via a head support plate 511. The pressing member 610 is sandwiched between the head support plate 511 and a pressing force adjustment member 630. The pressing force adjustment member 630 is rotatably held by the support member 620.

[0033] To weaken the pressing force of the thermal head 510 against the platen roller 520, the pressing force adjustment member 630 is rotated in direction B as shown in FIG. 5. Specifically, the first surface 634a of the pressing force adjustment member 630 is brought into contact with the support surface 620a of the support member 620. The second surface 634b of the pressing force adjustment member 630 is brought into contact with the step surface 622. In other words, the pressing force adjustment member 630 is positioned so that the pressing force adjustment member 630 and the support member 620 have the relationship shown in FIG. 7.

[0034] The pressing force adjusting member 630 may be rotated by using a tool as described above, or by pinching the operating portion 635 with fingers.

[0035] As a result, the distance L21 from the bottom surface 632a of the recess 632 of the pressing force adjusting member 630 to the head support plate 511 becomes longer than the distance L22 in the C1 state (see FIG. 8). Therefore, the amount of deflection of the pressing member 610 decreases, and the pressing force of the thermal head 510 against the platen roller 520 can be weakened.

[0036] Next, a method for adjusting the pressing force of the thermal head 510 against the platen roller 520 when it is desired to increase the force is described. As shown in FIG. 5, the pressing force adjustment member 630 is rotated in direction C. Specifically, the pressing force adjustment member 630 is adjusted so that the first surface 634a of the pressing force adjustment member 630 faces the step surface 622 of the support member 620. The second surface 634b of the pressing force adjustment member 630 is brought into contact with the support surface 620a of the support member 620. In other words, the pressing force adjustment member 630 is positioned so that the pressing force adjustment member 630 and the support member 620 have the relationship shown in FIG. 8.

[0037] The pressing force adjusting member 630 may be rotated by using a tool as described above, or by pinching the operating portion 635 with fingers.

[0038] As a result, the distance L22 from the bottom surface 632a of the recess 632 of the pressing force adjusting member 630 to the head support plate 511 becomes shorter than the distance L21 in the B1 state (see FIG. 7). Therefore, the amount of deflection of the pressing member 610 increases, and the pressing force of the thermal head 510 against the platen roller 520 can be increased.

[0039] In this way, by using the first surface 634a or the second surface 634b provided on the pressing force adjustment member 630 to change the surface supported by the support surface 620a, it is possible to weaken or strengthen the pressing force of the thermal head 510 against the platen roller 520. For example, if the recording paper S is one that may damage the thermal head 510, the pressing force is weakened. If the recording paper S is stiff or thick, the pressing force is strengthened.

[0040] As described above, the thermal printer 1000 of this embodiment includes a thermal head 510 that is rotatably supported by the printer unit 300, a platen roller 520 that is disposed opposite the thermal head 510 and that transports the recording paper S, a pressing member 610 that is disposed on the opposite side of the thermal head 510 from the platen roller 520 and that presses the thermal head 510 toward the platen roller 520, a support member 620 that is disposed on the opposite side of the thermal head 510 from the pressing member 610, and a pressing force adjustment member 630 that is disposed between the support member 620 and the pressing member 610 and that adjusts the pressing force of the pressing member 610.

[0041] According to this configuration, the pressing force adjustment member 630 is provided, and the pressing force of the thermal head 510 against the platen roller 520 can be changed. Therefore, compared to the conventional configuration that is configured with multiple adjustment parts, it is possible to reduce the number of parts and adjust the pressing force with a relatively simple configuration.

[0042] Furthermore, since the pressing force of the pressing member 610 is adjusted while the pressing force adjustment member 630 is fitted into the through-hole 621 of the support member 620, the pressing force adjustment member 630 will not come off the printer unit 300, and it is possible to prevent it from being lost during adjustment.

[0043] Furthermore, in the thermal printer 1000 of this embodiment, the pressing force adjustment member 630 has a shaft 631 and a recess 632 provided at one end 631a of the shaft 631, the shaft 631 is rotatably held in the through-hole 621 of the support member 620, and the recess 632 preferably receives one end of the pressing member 610 and restricts movement of the pressing member 610 in a direction intersecting the extension / contraction direction. With this configuration, since the recess 632 receives one end of the pressing member 610, it is possible to press the pressing member 610 toward the thermal head 510 and prevent the pressing force adjustment member 630 from coming off the support member 620. Furthermore, by receiving the pressing member 610 in the recess 632, it is possible to prevent the pressing member 610 from coming off the pressing force adjustment member 630.

[0044] In the thermal printer 1000 of this embodiment, the engaged portion is preferably a through hole 621, and an engagement structure 633 with which the tip of a tool can engage is preferably provided at the other end 631b opposite to the one end 631a of the shaft 631. With this configuration, the engagement structure 633 is provided on the shaft 631, so that the pressing force adjustment member 630 can be operated with the tip of a tool.

[0045] In the thermal printer 1000 of this embodiment, it is preferable that the shaft 631 be provided with at least one operating part 635. With this configuration, the operating part 635 is provided on the shaft 631, so that the pressing force of the pressing member 610 can be adjusted, for example, by operating the operating part 635 to rotate the pressing force adjustment member 630.

[0046] Furthermore, in the thermal printer 1000 of this embodiment, the support member 620 has a support surface 620a that supports the pressing force adjustment member 630, and the pressing force adjustment member 630 has a first surface 634a and a second surface 634b that face the support surface 620a, and the distance L11 from the bottom surface 632a of the recess 632 of the first surface 634a is longer than the distance L12 compared to the second surface 634b, so that the pressing force is weaker when the first surface 634a is supported by the support surface 620a, and stronger when the second surface 634b is supported by the support surface 620a. With this configuration, the pressing force of the thermal head 510 against the platen roller 520 can be weakened or strengthened by using the first surface 634a or the second surface 634b of the pressing force adjustment member 630 to change the surface supported by the support surface 620a. Specifically, when the second surface 634b is supported, the distance from the bottom surface 632a of the recess 632 to the thermal head 510 becomes shorter, and the pressing force of the pressing member 610 becomes stronger.

[0047] Modifications of the above-described embodiment will now be described.

[0048] As described above, the pressing force adjustment member 630 is composed of two surfaces, the first surface 634a and the second surface 634b, but this is not limited to this, and the pressing force adjustment member 630 may be configured to have one or more surfaces at heights other than the first surface 634a and the second surface 634b.

[0049] As described above, the pressing member 610 is not limited to being a coil spring, and a leaf spring or the like may also be used. [Explanation of symbols]

[0050] 100...device main body, 200...cover, 300...printer unit, 310...recording section, 320...cutting section, 330...first unit, 340...second unit, 400...recording paper storage section, 510...thermal head, 511...head support plate, 520...platen roller, 521...platen frame, 610...pressing member, 620...support member, 620a...support surface, 621...through hole, 622...step surface, 630...pressing force adjustment member, 631...shaft portion, 631a...one end portion, 631b...other end portion, 632...recess, 632a...bottom surface, 633...engagement structure, 634a...first surface, 634b...second surface, 635...operation section, 1000...thermal printer.

Claims

1. a thermal head rotatably supported by a printer unit; a platen roller disposed opposite the thermal head and transporting recording paper; a pressing member that is provided on the opposite side of the thermal head from the platen roller and presses the thermal head toward the platen roller; a support member provided on the opposite side of the pressing member from the thermal head; a pressing force adjusting member that is disposed between the support member and the pressing member and adjusts the pressing force of the pressing member; A thermal printer.

2. The thermal printer according to claim 1, the pressing force adjusting member has a shaft portion and a recessed portion provided at one end of the shaft portion, the shaft portion is rotatably held relative to the engaged portion of the support member, The recess receives one end of the pressing member and restricts movement of the pressing member in a direction intersecting the direction of extension and contraction.

3. 3. The thermal printer according to claim 2, the engaged portion is a through hole, The thermal printer has an engaging structure at the other end of the shaft portion opposite to the one end, with which the tip of a tool can engage.

4. 3. The thermal printer according to claim 2, A thermal printer, wherein the shaft portion is provided with at least one operating portion.

5. 3. The thermal printer according to claim 2, the support member has a support surface that supports the pressing force adjustment member, the pressing force adjusting member has a first surface and a second surface facing the support surface, The first surface is located at a greater distance from a bottom surface of the recess than the second surface, When the first surface is supported against the support surface, the pressing force is weakened, A thermal printer, wherein the pressing force becomes stronger when the second surface is supported against the support surface.

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