Printer

Abstract

The application discloses a printer, comprising: a casing, a cover assembly rotatably installed on the casing and having a closed position and an open position, and a core, an accumulator, a force transmission mechanism and a lock mechanism installed on the casing, the casing defining a paper bin having an open top; the cover assembly comprising a cover body and a rubber roller fixed on the cover body; the core being provided with a buckle, the buckle being located at a first position and holding the rubber roller on the core when the cover assembly is at the closed position, and being switched to a second position to release the rubber roller from the core; an accumulator spring of the accumulator being elastically deformed when the buckle is switched from the second position to the first position; the force transmission mechanism transmitting a force between the buckle and the accumulator spring and comprising a first movable component; the lock mechanism comprising a controllable unlocking piece and a lock pin driven by the unlocking piece to move between an unlocking position and a locking position, the lock pin directly or indirectly limiting the movement of the first movable component when being at the locking position. The automatic cover opening is realized, and the structure is simple and convenient to operate.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of printing equipment technology, and more particularly to a printer. Background Technology

[0002] With market development and the gradual maturation of printer technology, more and more industries are using printers for printing, copying, and other tasks to save labor. Current printers consist of a casing, a paper tray inside the casing, and a cover rotatably connected to the casing that can be opened and closed. The paper tray holds the printing paper, and during printing, paper needs to be replenished promptly. The cover is lifted from the paper tray to expose it for refilling. Currently, the printer cover usually needs to be opened manually, which is inconvenient. Summary of the Invention

[0003] To address the aforementioned technical problems, the purpose of this application is to provide a printer with an easy-to-open cover.

[0004] To achieve the above objectives, this application adopts the following technical solution: a printer, comprising:

[0005] The casing, which defines the paper tray with an open top;

[0006] A cover assembly, rotatably mounted on the housing in a closed position and an open position, the cover assembly including a cover body and a rubber roller fixedly disposed on the cover body, the cover body covering the top of the opening when the cover assembly is in the closed position;

[0007] The movement is mounted on the housing and has a latch that can rotate in a first position and a second position. The latch is configured to be in the first position when the cover assembly is in the closed position and to hold the rubber roller in the movement, and to release the rubber roller from the movement when the latch is switched from the first position to the second position.

[0008] An energy storage device includes an energy storage spring that is triggered to produce elastic deformation when the latch is switched from a second position to a first position.

[0009] A force transmission mechanism configured to transmit force between the latch and the energy storage spring, and comprising a first movable member engaging with the latch, one end of the energy storage spring connected to the first movable member and the other end connected to the housing; and

[0010] The locking mechanism includes a controllable unlocking element and a locking pin that moves between an unlocked position and a locked position driven by the unlocking element, the locking pin being configured to directly or indirectly restrict the movement of the first movable component when in the locked position.

[0011] In this case, by arranging an energy accumulator, a force transmission mechanism, and a locking mechanism and linking them together, the automatic opening of the drive cover assembly can be achieved. The energy accumulator is configured to store energy for the automatic opening of the drive cover assembly when the cover assembly is in the closed position, which is simple in structure and easy to operate.

[0012] In the above technical solution, a further preferred embodiment is that the unlocking component includes an electromagnet, the locking pin is a magnetic component, the electromagnet engages with the locking pin, and the electromagnet, when energized, can move the locking pin from the locked position to the unlocked position.

[0013] In the above technical solution, a further preferred embodiment is that the locking mechanism includes a second movable component and a limiting block. The second movable component is convexly connected to the first movable component. The limiting block is disposed on the cover body and is located on the movement path of the second movable component when the cover assembly is in the closed position. The locking pin engages with the second movable component and is configured to directly restrict the movement of the second movable component when it is in the locked position.

[0014] In the above technical solution, it is further preferred that when the locking pin is in the locked position, at least a portion of the locking pin is located on the movement path of the second movable component to prevent the second movable component from moving toward the limiting block; when the locking pin moves from the locked position to the unlocked position, at least a portion of the locking pin is removed from the movement path of the second movable component.

[0015] In the above technical solution, it is further preferred that the electromagnet is a push-pull electromagnet, and the pushing and pulling direction of the electromagnet's core is perpendicular to the moving direction of the second movable component.

[0016] In the above technical solution, it is further preferred that the locking pin is configured to be movable relative to the electromagnet in a first direction and relative to the second movable component in a second direction, wherein the first direction is parallel to the moving direction of the second movable component and the second direction is parallel to the pushing and pulling direction of the electromagnet's core.

[0017] In the above technical solution, a further preferred embodiment is that the locking pin includes a pin portion that abuts against the limiting block when in the locked position, the pin portion having a width dimension in the second direction, the width dimension being smaller than the moving distance of the electromagnet's core.

[0018] In the above technical solution, it is further preferred that the first movable component and the second movable component are both racks, and each pair of racks meshes with a gear, and the moving direction of the first movable component is opposite to the moving direction of the second movable component.

[0019] In the above technical solution, it is further preferred that both the first movable component and the second movable component are mounted on the housing.

[0020] In the above technical solution, it is further preferred that the first movable component has at least one protrusion, and the at least one protrusion abuts against at least a portion of the buckle.

[0021] Other advantages of this application will be described in detail in the following detailed description section with reference to the accompanying drawings. Attached Figure Description

[0022] Figure 1 A three-dimensional structural diagram of a printer cover assembly in the closed position provided in this application;

[0023] Figure 2 for Figure 1 A three-dimensional structural diagram of the printer cover assembly in the open position;

[0024] Figure 3 for Figure 2 A schematic diagram of the internal structure of the printer in the image;

[0025] Figure 4 for Figure 3 The printer shown in the diagram does not include the paper tray.

[0026] Figure 5 for Figure 3 A schematic diagram of the cover assembly in the closed position;

[0027] Figure 6 for Figure 5 A schematic diagram showing the position of the locking pin in the unlocked position and the latch in the first position;

[0028] Figure 7 for Figure 6 A schematic diagram showing the position of the latch rotating to the second position;

[0029] Figure 8 for Figure 7A schematic diagram of the cover assembly in the open position;

[0030] Figure 9 for Figure 8 A schematic diagram showing the position of the locking pin resetting to the locked position.

[0031] The components are as follows: 100, printer; 10, casing; 1, paper tray; 101, open top; 20, cover assembly; 2, cover body; 3, rubber roller; 11, limiting block; 12, switch button; 30, mechanism; 4, buckle; 41, front end; 410, limiting groove; 42, rear end; 5, energy storage spring; 50, force transmission mechanism; 6, first movable part; 61, protruding post; 60, locking mechanism; 7, electromagnet; 8, locking pin; 81, first part; 82, second part; 83, pin; 9, second movable part; 13, gear; 14, torsion spring. Detailed Implementation

[0032] The technical solution of the present invention will now be clearly described in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some, not all, of the embodiments of the present invention. All other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art based on the embodiments of the present invention without creative effort are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0033] The terminology used in the embodiments of this invention is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to limit the invention.

[0034] It should be noted that the directional terms such as "upper," "lower," "front," and "rear" described in the embodiments of the present invention are used to describe the angles shown in the accompanying drawings and should not be construed as limiting the embodiments of the present invention.

[0035] This application provides a printer, such as... Figure 1-3 As shown, the printer 100 includes a housing 10, a cover assembly 20 rotatably disposed on the housing 10, a mechanism 30 mounted on the housing 10, an energy accumulator, a force transmission mechanism 50, and a locking mechanism 60.

[0036] like Figure 2 , 3 As shown, a paper tray 1 with an open top 101 is defined inside the housing 10, and the open top 101 is located at the upper end of the housing 10; the paper tray 1 is used to store printing paper for printing, and the user can replenish the printing paper into the paper tray 1 through the open top 101.

[0037] like Figure 1-3As shown, the cover assembly 20 has a closed position on the housing 10 that covers the top of the opening 101 and an open position that allows the top of the opening 101 to be opened. When printing paper needs to be replenished, the cover assembly 20 can be switched to the open position to open the top of the opening 101, and printing paper can be replenished to the paper tray 1.

[0038] The cover assembly 20 includes a cover body 2 and a rubber roller 3 fixedly mounted on the cover body 2. When the cover assembly 20 is in the closed position, the cover body 2 covers the top of the opening 101, and the rubber roller 3 is confined within the housing 10.

[0039] like Figure 3-7 As shown, the printing mechanism 30 is installed on the front side of the paper tray 1, used to receive the printing paper fed by the paper tray 1 and print images on the paper, and output the printed paper to the casing 10; the inside of the printing mechanism 30 includes a space to accommodate the rubber roller 3, and has an opening for printing paper output (not shown in the figure), and the printing mechanism 30 also includes a latch 4 that can rotate between a first position and a second position. Figure 5 As shown, the latch 4 is in the first position when the cover assembly 20 is in the closed position, and contacts the rubber roller 3 to restrain the rubber roller 3 at the movement 30, so that the cover assembly 20 is held in the closed position; as Figure 7 As shown, when the buckle 4 rotates from the first position to the second position, the rubber roller 3 can be released at the mechanism 30, thereby rotating to the open position as the cover body 2 rotates.

[0040] like Figure 5-9 As shown, a torsion spring 14 is provided at the rotatable connection between the cover body 2 and the housing 10. When the rubber roller 3 is released from the core 30, the torsion spring 14 pushes the cover assembly 20 to rotate from the closed position to the open position without the restriction of the core 30, so as to automatically open the top of the opening 101.

[0041] An energy storage device is installed inside the housing 10. The energy storage device includes an energy storage spring 5, which is configured to be triggered to produce elastic deformation when the latch 4 is switched from the second position to the first position. The length of the energy storage spring 5 is greater when the latch 4 is in the first position than when the latch 4 is in the second position.

[0042] like Figure 3 , 4As shown, the force transmission mechanism 50 is disposed inside the housing 10 and is connected between the latch 4 and the energy storage spring 5. It transmits the elastic potential energy of the energy storage spring 5 to the latch 4, driving the latch 4 to rotate between a first position and a second position. The force transmission mechanism 50 includes a first movable component 6. One end of the energy storage spring 5 is connected to the first movable component 6, and the other end is connected to the housing 10. The first movable component 6 engages with the latch 4. Under the action of the elastic potential energy of the energy storage spring 5, the first movable component 6 can move back and forth in the vertical direction to drive the engaged latch 4 to rotate between the first position and the second position.

[0043] The locking mechanism 60 includes a controllable unlocking element and a movable locking pin 8. The locking pin 8 has a locking position that directly or indirectly restricts the movement of the first movable part 6 and an unlocking position that directly or indirectly releases the movement of the first movable part 6. The unlocking element is configured to drive the locking pin 8 to move between the locking position and the unlocking position.

[0044] In this embodiment of the application, the unlocking component includes an electromagnet 7, and the locking pin 8 is a magnetic component. The electromagnet 7 is engaged with the locking pin 8. When the electromagnet 7 is energized, it can drive the locking pin 8 from the locked position to the unlocked position. When the electromagnet 7 is de-energized, it can drive the locking pin 8 from the unlocked position to the locked position.

[0045] like Figure 5-9 As shown, the locking mechanism 60 also includes a second movable component 9, which is pultrusively connected to the first movable component 6, and a limiting block 11 connected to the cover body 2. The second movable component 9 is configured to move vertically. When the cover assembly 20 is in the closed position, the limiting block 11 is located directly above the second movable component 9. At this time, the locking pin 8 is in the locked position, i.e., at least partially located on the movement path of the second movable component 9, to prevent the second movable component 9 from moving toward the limiting block 11. When the locking pin 8 moves to the unlocked position under the action of the unlocking component, the locking pin 8 moves away from the movement path of the second movable component 9, and the second movable component 9 moves toward the limiting block 11 and can push the limiting block 11 upward, so that the cover assembly 20 can rotate from the closed position to the open position, realizing the automatic opening of the printer cover. The electromagnet 7 is a push-pull type electromagnet. The pushing and pulling direction of the iron core of the electromagnet 7 is perpendicular to the movement direction of the second movable component 9, and the iron core of the electromagnet 7 moves back and forth in the front-back direction. The housing 10 is provided with a switch button 12 that is electrically connected to the electromagnet 7. The switch button 12 is configured to energize the electromagnet 7 when pressed and de-energize the electromagnet 7 when reset.

[0046] Both the first movable component 6 and the second movable component 9 are mounted inside the housing 10 and are movable in the vertical direction, with opposite directions of movement. Both the first movable component 6 and the second movable component 9 are racks, with their teeth facing each other. A gear 13 meshes with both components, and the rotation of the gear 13 enables a transmission connection between them, allowing them to move in opposite directions. Because the first movable component 6 can move vertically under the drive of the elastically deformable energy storage spring 5, the second movable component 9, connected to the first movable component 6 via the gear 13, can move in the opposite direction to the first movable component 6 as it moves.

[0047] like Figure 5 As shown, when the locking pin 8 is in the locked position, the second movable part 9 cannot move toward the limiting block 11 under the restriction of the locking pin 8, and the first movable part 6, which is connected to the second movable part 9, is also restricted from moving, thereby keeping the energy storage spring 5 in an extended deformed state to drive the first movable part 6 to move and store energy; as Figure 6-8 As shown, when the locking pin 8 is in the unlocked position, the second movable part 9, the first movable part 6 and the energy storage spring 5 are all freed from the restriction of the locking pin 8. The energy storage spring 5 retracts from the stretched deformation state to the normal state, driving the first movable part 6 to move downward, and the second movable part 9, which is driven by the first movable part 6, to move upward.

[0048] like Figure 4 As shown, the locking pin 8 includes a first part 81 connected to the electromagnet 7, a second part 82 connected to the second movable member 9, and a pin part 83 that abuts against the limiting block 11 when in the locked position. The first part 81 extends in the vertical direction and can move back and forth in the vertical direction relative to the iron core of the electromagnet 7 with the second movable member 9. The second part 82 extends in the front-back direction and can move back and forth in the front-back direction relative to the second movable member 9 with the iron core of the electromagnet 7. The pin part 83 is located on the upper side of the second part 82, and the first part 81 is located on the lower side of the second part 82. The locking pin 8 is a one-piece molded part.

[0049] like Figure 5 , 6 As shown, the pin 83 moves in and out of the movement path of the second movable member 9 as the second part 82 moves. The pin 83 has a width dimension in the front-back direction, which is smaller than the movement distance of the iron core of the electromagnet 7.

[0050] like Figure 4As shown, the first movable component 6 has at least one protrusion 61 that abuts against the latch 4. In this embodiment, the first movable component 6 has a protrusion 61 arranged near the upper end of the first movable component 6. The latch 4 includes a front end 41 and a rear end 42 that are far apart from each other. The front end 41 is located in front of the rear end 42, and the rear end 42 extends into the lower side of the protrusion 61. During the rotation of the latch 4 in the first position and the second position, the rear end 42 is always located under the protrusion 61. When the first movable component 6 moves downward, the protrusion 61 abuts against the rear end 42 and presses the rear end 42 down, causing the latch 4 to rotate to the second position. When the first movable component 6 moves upward, the protrusion 61 moves upward, and the rear end 42 loses the external force of the protrusion 61 and moves upward under the action of the latch 4's own weight and the weight of the contacting rubber roller 3, causing the latch 4 to rotate to the first position.

[0051] The front end 41 of the buckle 4 is provided with a limiting groove 410 for accommodating at least part of the rubber roller 3. When the buckle 4 is in the first position, the ends of the rubber roller 3 are respectively restricted in the limiting groove 410 of the buckle 4; when the buckle 4 is in the second position, the ends of the rubber roller 3 are released from the limiting groove 410 of the buckle 4.

[0052] The working principle of this embodiment is as follows: When it is necessary to replenish printing paper into the paper tray 1, press the switch button 12, the electromagnet 7 is energized to pull the locking pin 8 to the unlock position, there is no obstruction in the movement path of the second movable part 9, at this time the extended energy storage spring 5 retracts to the normal state to drive the first movable part 6 to move downward, the buckle 4 rotates from the first position to the second position under the drive of the first movable part 6 to release the rubber roller on the cover body 2, at the same time the second movable part 9, which is connected to the first movable part 6, moves upward to abut against the limiting block 11 and push up the cover assembly 20, so that the cover assembly 20 rotates from the closed position to the open position, the top 101 of the paper tray 1 opens to allow printing paper to be put in; after the printing paper is replenished. Then, press the switch button 12 again to de-energize the electromagnet 7, and push the locking pin 8 back to the locked position. The user presses the cover assembly 20, causing the cover assembly 20 to rotate from the open position to the closed position. The limiting block 11 on the cover body 2 first contacts the pin 83 of the locking pin 8. During the rotation of the cover assembly 20, the limiting block 11 presses the pin 83 and the second movable part 9 connected to the locking pin 8 downwards, while the first movable part 6 moves upwards, causing the buckle 4 to rotate from the second position to the first position to restrict the rubber roller at the core 30. The cover assembly 20 is in the closed position. At this time, the second movable part 9 and the first movable part 6 cannot move relative to the housing 10 under the restriction of the locking pin 8, and the energy storage spring 5 remains in the extended deformation state.

[0053] This application uses the linkage of an energy accumulator, a force transmission mechanism, and a locking mechanism to automatically open the cover assembly. The energy accumulator is configured to store energy for automatically opening the cover assembly when it is in the closed position. The structure is simple and the operation is convenient.

[0054] The foregoing has shown and described the basic principles, main features, and advantages of the present invention. Those skilled in the art should understand that the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments. The embodiments and descriptions in the specification are merely illustrative of the principles of the invention. Various changes and modifications can be made to the invention without departing from its spirit and scope. The scope of protection of the present invention is defined by the appended claims, specification, and their equivalents.

Claims

1. A printer, characterized in that, include: The casing, which defines the paper tray with an open top; A cover assembly rotatably mounted on the housing in a closed position and an open position, the cover assembly including a cover body and a rubber roller fixedly disposed on the cover body, the cover body covering the top of the opening when the cover assembly is in the closed position; The movement is mounted on the housing and has a latch that can rotate in a first position and a second position. The latch is configured to be in the first position when the cover assembly is in the closed position and to hold the rubber roller in the movement, and to release the rubber roller from the movement when the latch is switched from the first position to the second position. An energy storage device includes an energy storage spring, which is triggered to produce elastic deformation when the latch changes from the second position to the first position. A force transmission mechanism configured to transmit force between the latch and the energy storage spring and including a first movable part that engages with the latch, one end of the energy storage spring being connected to the first movable part and the other end being connected to the housing. as well as A locking mechanism includes a controllable unlocking element and a locking pin that moves between an unlocked position and a locked position driven by the unlocking element, the locking pin being configured to directly or indirectly restrict the movement of the first movable component when in the locked position. Specifically, the extended energy storage spring retracts to its normal state to drive the first movable component to move downward, so that the buckle rotates from the first position to the second position under the drive of the first movable component to release the rubber roller on the cover body.

2. The printer according to claim 1, characterized in that, The unlocking component includes an electromagnet, and the locking pin is a magnetic component. The electromagnet engages with the locking pin, and when the electromagnet is energized, it can move the locking pin from the locked position to the unlocked position.

3. The printer according to claim 2, characterized in that, The locking mechanism includes a second movable component and a limiting block. The second movable component is throttle-connected to the first movable component. The limiting block is disposed on the cover body and is located on the movement path of the second movable component when the cover assembly is in the closed position. The locking pin engages with the second movable component and is configured to directly restrict the movement of the second movable component when it is in the locked position.

4. The printer according to claim 3, characterized in that, When the locking pin is in the locked position, at least a portion of the locking pin is located on the movement path of the second movable component to prevent the second movable component from moving toward the limiting block; As the locking pin moves from the locked position to the unlocked position, at least a portion of the locking pin is removed from the movement path of the second movable component.

5. The printer according to claim 3, characterized in that, The electromagnet is a push-pull type electromagnet, and the pushing and pulling direction of the electromagnet's core is perpendicular to the moving direction of the second movable component.

6. The printer according to claim 5, characterized in that, The locking pin is configured to move relative to the electromagnet in a first direction and relative to the second movable member in a second direction, wherein the first direction is parallel to the moving direction of the second movable member and the second direction is parallel to the pushing and pulling direction of the electromagnet's core.

7. The printer according to claim 6, characterized in that, The locking pin includes a pin portion that abuts against the limiting block when in the locked position. The pin portion has a width dimension in the second direction, which is smaller than the movement distance of the electromagnet's core.

8. The printer according to claim 3, characterized in that, Both the first movable component and the second movable component are racks, and each pair of racks meshes with a gear. The moving direction of the first movable component is opposite to that of the second movable component.

9. The printer according to claim 3, characterized in that, Both the first movable component and the second movable component are mounted on the housing.

10. The printer according to claim 9, characterized in that, The first movable component has at least one protrusion that abuts against at least a portion of the latch.

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