A printing module and a printing device

Abstract

The present invention relates to a printing module, which includes a head unit and an embossing unit. The printing module further includes a metal bracket, which is fixedly installed on the head frame in a detachable manner, and includes a body and two outer blocking parts. The two outer blocking parts are integrally formed on the left and right sides of the body respectively. Corresponding to the outer blocking parts, each of the left and right sides of the head frame has an inner blocking part. The outer blocking part and its corresponding inner blocking part together form a positioning groove with an opening. Each of the left and right sides of the embossing roller in the first direction has a support part. The support part is inserted into the positioning groove through the opening of the positioning groove to couple the embossing roller to the metal bracket, so that the power of the drive source configured on the head frame is transmitted to the transmission wheel. The present invention also relates to a printing device including the above printing module. The solution disclosed by the present invention has a more reasonable layout and is convenient for the later maintenance of the device.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of thermal printers, and particularly to a printing module and a printing device. Background Art

[0002] In the past, in a printing module of a thermal printer, while the recording paper is sandwiched between a printing roller and a thermal head, the printing roller is rotated, so that the recording paper is conveyed while the printing surface of the recording paper is heated by the thermal head to make the printing surface develop color for printing. The printing roller is disposed on a pressure roller mechanism, and the thermal printing mechanism is supported on a fixed frame of the printing module in a swinging manner. A positioning groove is disposed on the fixed frame, and both ends of the printing roller can be engaged in the positioning groove so that the printing roller can be fixed.

[0003] For a portable printer, it needs to be convenient to carry and not too bulky. The current fixed frame is integrally formed of plastic. In normal working and non-working conditions, the pressure roller mechanism is supported on the fixed frame by being supported in the positioning groove. When the printing module is impacted, the components of the positioning groove are prone to break or snap under the force of the pressure roller mechanism or other external forces. In the case where the components of the positioning groove are broken or snapped, the entire fixed frame needs to be disassembled and replaced, and the replacement of the entire fixed frame is very troublesome and time-consuming; Summary of the Invention

[0004] To meet the mechanical strength and overall lightness requirements of the above printing device when working or preventing impact, the present invention provides the following technical solutions, including: a printing module, comprising:

[0005] A head unit, which includes a thermal head and a head frame;

[0006] An imprinting unit, which includes an imprinting roller and an imprinting frame, and is combined with the head unit in a separable manner;

[0007] The imprinting roller is supported on the imprinting frame in a manner that it can rotate around a first direction, and one end portion of it on one side in the first direction has a transmission wheel;

[0008] The imprinting roller is disposed opposite to the thermal head, and rotates while sandwiching a recording paper therebetween to send out the recording paper;

[0009] The printing module further includes: a metal bracket, which is fixedly installed on the head frame in a detachable manner, includes a main body and two outer blocking portions, the two outer blocking portions are integrally formed on the left and right sides of the main body respectively, corresponding to the outer blocking portions, each of the left and right sides of the head frame has an inner blocking portion, and the outer blocking portion and its corresponding inner blocking portion jointly form a positioning groove with an opening;

[0010] The embossing roller has a support portion on each of its left and right sides in the first direction. The support portion is inserted into the positioning groove through the opening of the positioning groove to couple the embossing roller to the metal bracket, so that the power of the drive source configured on the head frame is transmitted to the transmission wheel.

[0011] Preferably, the head frame forms a receiving space in the first direction, and the metal bracket is installed in the receiving space in a restricted translation manner in the first direction.

[0012] Preferably, each of the left and right sides of the metal bracket has a positioning recess extending in the second direction. The metal bracket also has a positioning protrusion located outside the positioning recess. The positioning protrusion and the positioning recess are spaced apart and form a fitting space. The head frame has a fitting portion that is detachably inserted into the fitting space, and a part of the fitting portion matches the positioning recess.

[0013] Preferably, the second direction is perpendicular to the first direction.

[0014] Preferably, the thermal head is installed on the head frame via a support frame and is swingable about a pivot axis. Each of the left and right sides of the metal bracket in the first direction has a connecting arm, and the connecting arm is connected to the pivot axis through a positioning shaft hole provided at the end to form the installation and positioning reference of the metal bracket.

[0015] Preferably, a photoelectric sensing component for detecting recording paper information is provided on the body of the metal bracket. The photoelectric sensing component includes a sensor, a sensor carrier plate, and a mounting base, and the mounting base is snap-fitted on the body.

[0016] Preferably, the metal bracket is an integrally cast metal bracket.

[0017] Preferably, each of the left and right sides of the head frame has a fixing seat integrally formed therewith, and the fixing seat and the metal bracket are fixedly connected by bolts.

[0018] Preferably, the support portion has a shaft hole penetrating in the first direction, and the rotating shaft of the embossing roller passes through the shaft hole and can rotate in the shaft hole.

[0019] Preferably, the embossing unit further includes:

[0020] An elastic bracket, which is supported on the embossing frame in a manner that can rotate around the central axis of the embossing roller, and each of its left and right sides in the first direction has a transfer arm, and the transfer arm has a shaft hole through which the rotating shaft of the embossing roller passes;

[0021] A swing shaft is provided on the elastic bracket away from the transfer arm, and a limiting groove for supporting the swing shaft is provided on the outer stop portion of the metal bracket, and the limiting groove has an opening for the swing shaft to enter and exit.

[0022] The present invention further provides a printing device, comprising a housing and the above-mentioned printing module, wherein the printing module is configured in the housing.

[0023] By adopting the above technical solution, the present invention can achieve the following technical effects.

[0024] 1. A printing module provided by the present invention includes a metal bracket, which is fixedly mounted on a head frame in a detachable manner, and a positioning groove is composed of an outer stopper provided on the metal bracket and an inner stopper provided on the head frame. When the outer stopper is damaged by external force, the printing device can be conveniently and quickly repaired by replacing the metal bracket. At the same time, since the outer stopper is mainly subjected to the force transmitted by the printing roller during the working process and is often subjected to collision when the printing assembly is subjected to external impact, the outer stopper is provided on a part of the metal bracket, which can effectively improve the mechanical strength of the outer stopper and improve the service life and impact resistance of the printing device.

[0025] 2. The present invention makes the metal bracket and the head frame detachably fixed by interlocking means, which is not only convenient for disassembly and assembly, but also makes the fixation of the metal bracket more stable in the first direction and the second direction, thereby ensuring the consistency of the printing device during long-term printing.

[0026] 3. In the present invention, an elastic bracket is supported on the stamping frame in a manner of being rotatable around the central axis of the stamping roller, and a transfer arm is respectively provided on the left and right sides in the first direction, and the transfer arm has an axial hole for the rotating shaft of the stamping roller to pass through; a swing shaft is passed through the elastic bracket away from the transfer arm, and a limiting groove for supporting the swing shaft is provided on the outer stop portion of the metal bracket, and the limiting groove has an opening for the swing shaft to enter and exit, thereby making the printing device more compact and easy to carry while meeting functional requirements. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0027] Figure 1 A three-dimensional diagram of the printing module of the present invention is drawn.

[0028] Figure 2 A structural schematic diagram of the disassembled printing module of the present invention is drawn.

[0029] Figure 3 A three-dimensional diagram of the stamping unit of the present invention is drawn.

[0030] Figure 4 A schematic structural diagram of the disassembled imprinting unit of the present invention is drawn.

[0031] Figure 5The perspective view of the head unit of the present invention is drawn.

[0032] Figure 6 The sectional view of the head unit of the present invention in the A-A direction is drawn.

[0033] Figure 7 The disassembled structure diagram of the head unit of the present invention is drawn.

[0034] Figure 8 The schematic diagram of the component assembly of the printing module of the present invention is drawn.

[0035] Figure 9 The schematic diagram of the disassembled structure of the head unit of the present invention is drawn.

[0036] Figure 10 The perspective view of the metal bracket of the present invention is drawn.

[0037] Figure 11 The partial enlarged view of the metal bracket of the present invention is drawn.

[0038] Figure 12 The perspective view of the head frame of the present invention is drawn.

[0039] Figure 13 The partial enlarged view of the head frame of the present invention is drawn.

[0040] Main identification of the attached drawings

[0041] 1. Imprinting unit; 11. Imprinting frame; 12. Transmission gear; 13. Elastic bracket; 14. Imprinting roller; 16. Elastic member; 17. Swing shaft; 18. Support portion; 2. Head unit; 21. Mounting frame; 22. Support frame; 28. Head frame; 3. Metal bracket; 41. Positioning groove; 51. Sensor. Detailed implementation manners

[0042] To make the purpose, technical solutions and advantages of the embodiments of the present invention clearer, the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings in the embodiments of the present invention. Obviously, the described embodiments are some but not all of the embodiments of the present invention. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by those of ordinary skill in the art without creative efforts belong to the scope of protection of the present invention. Therefore, the following detailed description of the embodiments of the present invention provided in the accompanying drawings is not intended to limit the scope of the claimed present invention, but merely represents selected embodiments of the present invention.

[0043] In the description of the present invention, it should be understood that the orientation or positional relationship indicated by the terms "center", "longitudinal", "transverse", "length", "width", "thickness", "upper", "lower", "front", "rear", "left", "right", "upper end", "lower end", "upper section", "lower section", "upper side", "lower side", "middle", "vertical", "horizontal", "top", "bottom", "inner", "outer", "clockwise", "counterclockwise", etc. is based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the drawings, and is only for the convenience of describing the present invention and simplifying the description, rather than indicating or implying that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and therefore should not be construed as a limitation on the present invention.

[0044] In the present invention, the first direction is the X direction and the -X direction in the drawings, the second direction is the Y direction and the -Y direction in the drawings, and the third direction is the Z direction and the -Z direction in the drawings.

[0045] Now in combination with Figures 1 to 13 The structure and function of the solution of the present application will be described in detail.

[0046] As Figure 1 and Figure 2 shown, the present invention provides a printing module, including an embossing unit 1, a head unit 2 and a metal bracket 3, and the embossing unit 1 and the head unit 2 are assembled and installed in a separable manner. The head unit 2 includes a thermal head 221, a head frame 28, and a driving source 24 for driving the embossing roller to rotate. A preferred solution for the driving source 24 is a small motor. As Figure 3 and Figure 4 shown, the embossing unit 1 includes an embossing frame 11 and an embossing roller 14 and an elastic bracket 13 provided on the embossing frame 11. As Figure 4 shown, the embossing roller 14 is supported on the embossing frame 11 in a manner capable of rotating around the first direction X. One end of the embossing roller 14 on one side in the first direction has a transmission wheel 12, and the transmission wheel 12 is in transmission connection with the driving source 24 on the head frame 28, and receives the force transmitted from the driving source 24 to rotate. In this embodiment, the driving source 24 is in transmission connection through a plurality of meshing gears and the transmission wheel 12. Specifically, the number and size of the gears are determined by the transmission ratio and transmission distance between the driving source 24 and the transmission wheel 12. The embossing roller 14 and the thermal head 22 are arranged opposite to each other, and rotate while clamping a recording paper therebetween to send out the recording paper.

[0047] As Figure 4As shown, on the left and right sides of the elastic support 13 in the first direction, there is a transition arm 132 respectively. The transition arm 132 has a shaft hole or a clearance portion for the rotation shaft of the impression roller 14 to pass through. The elastic support 13 is assembled with the impression roller 14 through the shaft hole or the clearance portion; the elastic support 13 is supported and installed on the impression frame in a manner that can rotate around the central axis of the impression roller 14. A swing shaft 17 is penetrated through the elastic support 13 at a position far from the transition arm 132. On the outer retaining portion 31 of the metal support 3, there is a limiting groove 316 for supporting the swing shaft 17, and the limiting groove 316 has an opening for the swing shaft 17 to enter and exit. An arc-shaped groove 111 for the swing shaft 17 to pass through is provided on the impression frame 11, and the swing shaft 17 can move within the arc-shaped groove 111 of the impression frame 11. An elastic member 16 is provided between the impression frame 11 and the elastic support 13, and the impression frame 11 and the elastic support 13 are provided with mounting portions for mounting the elastic member 16. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the mounting portion of the elastic member is a mounting groove.

[0048] As Figure 4 shown, on the left and right sides of the impression roller 14 in the first direction X, there is a support portion 18 respectively. The support portion 18 has a shaft hole penetrating in the first direction X, and the rotation shaft of the impression roller 14 passes through the shaft hole and can rotate within the shaft hole. The support portion 18 is inserted into the positioning groove 41 through the opening of the positioning groove 41 to couple the impression roller 14 to the metal support 3. Herein, the support portion 18 may be a component with different shapes that meets the above functional requirements; it may also be integrally formed with the impression roller 14 and belongs to a part of the impression roller.

[0049] As Figure 5 shown, on the body 32 of the metal support 3, there is an optoelectronic sensing component 51 for detecting the information of the recording paper. The optoelectronic sensing component 51 includes a sensor, a sensor carrier board, and a mounting base, and the mounting base is snap-fitted on the body 32. The optoelectronic sensing component 51 is used to detect the condition information of the printing paper, such as the presence or absence of the printing paper, or different positions of the printing paper, etc.

[0050] As Figure 6 and Figure 7The thermal head 221 shown is installed on the support frame 22. On both sides of the front end of the support frame 22, there are limit rods 223, and at the rear end, there is an installation hole for installing the pivot shaft 222. The pivot shaft 222 is installed in the installation hole of the support frame and assembled on the head frame 28. The limit rods 223 of the support frame 22 are installed in the grooves 2814 of the head frame 28, and the limit rods 223 can swing around the pivot shaft 222 in the grooves 2814. The swing range is determined by the size of the grooves 2814 and can be set according to actual needs. The support frame 22 is swingably installed on the head frame around the pivot shaft 222. An elastic member (not shown in the drawing) is provided between the front end of the support frame 22 and the head frame. A preferred solution for this elastic member is a spring, which is used to keep a certain pre-tightening force on the thermal head during printing so that the thermal head is closely attached to the printing paper. Therefore, the thermal head 221 is fixed to the head frame 28 in a manner that it can swing around the pivot shaft 222. The pivot shaft 222 passes through the shaft hole in the connecting arm 314 of the metal bracket 3 and the shaft hole 2813 of the head frame 28 at the same time. The shaft hole 2813 is a waist-shaped hole or a hole with a shape similar to a waist-shaped hole, such as an oval hole. As Figure 7 and Figure 13 shown, in the present invention, the pivot shaft 222 passes through the shaft hole 2813 of the connecting arm 314 and the head frame 28 at the same time. The diameter of the shaft hole 2813 of the head frame is larger than the diameter of the shaft hole of the connecting arm 314, so that after the pivot shaft 222 passes through the shaft hole of the connecting arm, it can more conveniently pass through the shaft hole 2813 of the head frame, making the assembly easier. On the premise of ensuring the assembly accuracy of the shaft hole of the connecting arm and the pivot shaft 222, the situation where the pivot shaft 222 cannot be installed into the head frame due to processing errors is avoided.

[0051] As Figure 8 shown, the impression roller 14 is restricted by the limiting portion 311 of the metal bracket 3, and at the same time, the support frame 22 with the thermal head installed is rotatably pivoted on the connecting arm 314 of the metal bracket 3. When the printing assembly prints, the printing paper is clamped between the thermal head 221 and the impression roller 14. During the printing process, the acting force F1 and the reaction force F2 transmitted by the printing paper are respectively transmitted to the force-bearing portion 311 and the connecting arm 314 of the metal bracket 3, so that the acting force and the reaction force during printing are borne by the metal bracket, thereby preventing the fatigue damage of the plastic parts caused by frequent stress and affecting the printing quality.

[0052] As Figure 10 and Figure 11As shown in the figure, the metal bracket 3 is an integrally die-cast metal bracket. The metal bracket 3 is fixedly installed on the head frame 28 in a detachable manner. The left and right sides of the head frame 28 each have integrally formed fixing seats 281 and 282. The fixing seats 281 and 282 are provided with bolt mounting parts 2811. The head frame 28 is fixedly connected to the metal bracket 3 through the bolt mounting parts 2811 by bolts. The metal bracket 3 includes a main body 32 and two outer blocking parts 31. The two outer blocking parts 31 are respectively integrally formed on the left and right sides of the main body 32. Corresponding to the outer blocking part 31, each of the left and right sides of the head frame 28 has an inner blocking part 281. The outer blocking part 31 and its corresponding inner blocking part 281 together form a positioning groove 41 with an opening. On the left and right sides of the metal bracket 3 in the first direction X, there is a connecting arm 314 each. A shaft hole is provided on the connecting arm 314 for installing a pivot shaft 222.

[0053] As Figure 9 shown in the figure, the head unit 2 includes a head frame 28 and a mounting frame 21 assembled with the head frame 28. The mounting frame 21 and the head frame 28 form a cutter installation space in the front. The two end portions of the mounting frame 21 are bent to form bent portions 211, and the bottom of the mounting frame 21 is bent to form a clamping portion 212. The two bent portions 211 and the two sides of the head frame 28 form an installation space for the driving gear set 26 of the cutter and an installation space for the impression roller gear set 23. The clamping portion 212 is located in the accommodation space of the head frame 28 and forms an installation space for the cutter motor 25 and an installation space for the driving motor 24 of the impression roller with the head frame 28. The metal bracket 3 is detachably provided on the head frame 28. As Figure 12 and Figure 13 shown in the component diagram of the head unit 2, the two sides of the head frame 28 are provided with protruding mounting parts 281 and 282. An accommodation space is formed between the mounting parts 281 and 282 in the first direction. The metal bracket 3 is installed in the accommodation space in a manner restricted from translating in the first direction. The accommodation space has an opening. The metal bracket 3 is inserted into the accommodation space through this opening. The metal bracket 3 is restricted from translating in the first direction in the accommodation space, that is, it cannot translate in the first direction or can only move a tiny displacement. As Figure 13 shown in the figure, the mounting part 281 is further provided with a fitting part 2812 and a mounting groove 2815 that cooperates with the convex part of the metal bracket 3. As Figure 10 and Figure 11As shown, each of the left and right sides of the metal bracket 3 has a positioning recess 313 extending in the second direction Y. The metal bracket 3 also has a positioning protrusion 315 located outside the positioning recess 313. The positioning protrusion 315 and the positioning recess 313 are spaced apart to form a fitting space. The head frame 28 has a fitting portion 2812 that is detachably fitted into the fitting space. Part or all of the fitting portion 2812 matches the positioning recess 313. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the above-mentioned second direction is perpendicular to the above-mentioned first direction.

[0054] The present invention further provides a printing device, specifically a portable printing device (not shown in the figure), which includes the above-mentioned printing module and a housing, and the printing module is configured and fixed in the housing.

[0055] The above is only the preferred embodiment of the present invention and is not intended to limit the present invention. For those skilled in the art, the present invention can have various changes and modifications. Any modification, equivalent replacement, improvement, etc. made within the spirit and principle of the present invention shall be included in the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A printing module, comprising: A head unit, which includes a thermal head and a head frame; An embossing unit, which includes an embossing roller and an embossing frame, and is combined with the head unit in a separable manner; The embossing roller is supported on the embossing frame in a manner that it can rotate around a first direction, and one end portion of the embossing roller in the first direction has a driving wheel; The embossing roller is arranged opposite to the thermal head, and rotates while holding a recording paper therebetween to feed out the recording paper; It is characterized in that The printing module further comprises: A metal bracket, which is fixedly installed on the head frame in a detachable manner, includes a body and two outer blocking portions. The two outer blocking portions are integrally formed on the left and right sides of the body respectively. Corresponding to the outer blocking portions, each of the left and right sides of the head frame has an inner blocking portion. The outer blocking portion and its corresponding inner blocking portion jointly form a positioning groove with an opening; Each of the left and right sides of the embossing roller in the first direction has a supporting portion. The supporting portion is inserted into the positioning groove through the opening of the positioning groove to couple the embossing roller to the metal bracket, so that the power of a driving source arranged on the head frame is transmitted to the driving wheel; wherein, the embossing roller is restricted on the force-bearing portion of the metal bracket, and at the same time, the support frame on which the thermal head is installed is pivotally connected to the connecting arm of the metal bracket rotatably. During the printing process, the acting force and the reaction force transmitted by the printing paper are respectively transmitted to the force-bearing portion and the connecting arm of the metal bracket, so that the acting force and the reaction force during printing are borne by the metal bracket.

2. The printing module according to claim 1, wherein The head frame forms an accommodating space in the first direction, and the metal bracket is installed in the accommodating space in a manner that it is restricted from translating in the first direction.

3. A printing module according to claim 2, wherein Each of the left and right sides of the metal bracket has a positioning recess extending in a second direction. The metal bracket also has a positioning protrusion located outside the positioning recess. The positioning protrusion and the positioning recess are spaced apart and form a fitting space. The head frame has a fitting portion that is detachably inserted into the fitting space. A part of the fitting portion matches the positioning recess; the second direction is perpendicular to the first direction.

4. A printing module according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that The thermal head is installed on the head frame via a support frame and can swing around a pivot axis. Each of the left and right sides of the metal bracket in the first direction has a connecting arm. The connecting arm is connected to the pivot axis through a positioning shaft hole provided at the end to form the installation and positioning reference of the metal bracket.

5. A printing module according to claim 1, characterized in that, An optoelectronic sensing component for detecting recording paper information is provided on the body of the metal bracket. The optoelectronic sensing component includes a sensor, a sensor carrier board and a mounting base. The mounting base is snap-fitted on the body.

6. A printing module according to claim 1, wherein, The metal bracket is an integrally formed metal bracket made by die-casting.

7. A printing module according to claim 1, characterized in that Each of the left and right sides of the head frame has a fixing seat integrally formed therewith. The fixing seat and the metal bracket are tightly connected by bolts.

8. A printing module according to claim 1, characterized in that, The supporting portion has a shaft hole penetrating in the first direction. The rotating shaft of the embossing roller passes through the shaft hole and can rotate in the shaft hole.

9. A printing module according to claim 1, characterized in that The embossing unit further includes: The elastic bracket is supported on the imprinting frame in a manner capable of rotating around the central axis of the imprinting roller, and has a transition arm on each of the left and right sides in the first direction, and the transition arm has a shaft hole through which the rotating shaft of the imprinting roller passes; A swing shaft is penetrated through a position on the elastic bracket far from the transition arm, and a limiting groove for supporting the swing shaft is provided on the outer blocking portion of the metal bracket, and the limiting groove has an opening for the swing shaft to enter and exit.

10. A printing device, comprising a housing, characterized in that, It further includes the printing module according to any one of claims 1 to 9, and the printing module is arranged in the housing.

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