A high-speed imaging device, a high-speed thermal printer, and a printing method.

Abstract

The application provides a high-speed imaging device, a high-speed thermal printer and a printing method, comprising a plurality of thermal modules, a plurality of rubber roller modules and a paper feeding driving device, the thermal modules and the rubber roller modules are located on both sides of a paper feeding channel; the thermal module comprises a thermal support and a thermal sheet, the thermal sheet is arranged on the thermal support, a print head array is arranged on the thermal sheet, a plurality of print head arrays are overlapped along the paper feeding channel, the paper feeding driving device drives the rubber rollers to rotate synchronously, and one thermal sheet is opposite to one rubber roller. At least two thermal sheets are arranged on the same side of the paper feeding channel, the imaging areas of the print head arrays on the thermal sheets are overlapped, then the plurality of thermal sheets can image the same side of the printing medium multiple times, even if the printing speed and the paper feeding speed are improved, the imaging quality such as concentration and definition can be met, then the purpose of high-speed printing is achieved, and the arrangement of the plurality of thermal sheets can also realize printing of two colors or multiple colors.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of thermal printing technology, and more particularly to a high-speed imaging device, a high-speed thermal printer, and a printing method. Background Technology

[0002] With the widespread application of thermal printers, desktop thermal printers, embedded thermal printers, handheld thermal printers, and industrial thermal / thermal transfer printers are used not only in bank ATMs, supermarket cash registers, e-commerce shipping points, and restaurants, but also in the large-scale use of printing in the e-commerce and express delivery industries, which places higher demands on the stability, ease of operation, and printing speed of printers.

[0003] In existing technology, ordinary thermal printers are generally equipped with a glue roller and a thermal sheet. During thermal printing, the image is displayed on the thermal paper by heating the resistors in the printhead array on the thermal sheet. However, the resistors need a certain amount of time to heat up. If the printing speed and paper feed speed are too fast, the resistors will not heat up for long enough to reach the rated temperature, resulting in insufficient image density and poor print quality. The printing speed of ordinary printers is generally 100-300 mm / s, and higher speeds will affect the print quality. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The first objective of this invention is to provide a high-speed imaging device for achieving high-speed printing.

[0005] A second objective of the present invention is to provide a high-speed thermal printer having the above-described high-speed imaging device.

[0006] A third objective of this invention is to provide a printing method for the aforementioned high-speed imaging device.

[0007] To achieve the first objective of this invention, a high-speed imaging device is provided, comprising at least two thermal modules, at least two rubber roller modules, and a paper feeding drive device. The thermal modules and rubber roller modules are located on opposite sides of a paper feeding channel. Each thermal module includes a thermal support and a thermal sheet. The thermal sheet extends along the paper width direction and is disposed on the bottom surface of the thermal support. Two thermal sheets are arranged along the paper feeding channel and are both located on the same side of the paper feeding channel. An array of printheads extending along the paper width direction is disposed on the thermal sheet, and at least two printhead arrays overlap along the paper feeding channel. Each rubber roller module includes rubber rollers extending along the paper width direction. Two rubber rollers are arranged along the paper feeding channel and are both located on the same side of the paper feeding channel. The paper feeding drive device is connected to the at least two rubber rollers and drives the two rubber rollers to rotate synchronously around the paper width direction. One thermal sheet is opposite to one rubber roller.

[0008] As can be seen from the above scheme, by arranging at least two thermal sheets on the same side of the paper feed path, and utilizing the overlapping imaging areas of the printhead array on the thermal sheets, multiple thermal sheets can image the same side of the printing medium multiple times. Even if the printing speed and paper feed speed are increased, the imaging quality such as density and clarity can still be met, thereby achieving the goal of high-speed printing.

[0009] A further approach is to include an elastic element in the thermal module, which is connected to a thermal support and applies an elastic holding force toward the rubber roller to the thermal sheet.

[0010] As can be seen from the above, the elastic element applies an elastic holding force toward the rubber roller to the thermal sheet, keeping the thermal sheet in close contact with the printing medium.

[0011] A further proposed solution is that the high-speed imaging device includes a mounting bracket with two mounting slots extending along the width of the paper. The two mounting slots are arranged along the paper feed path, and a thermal bracket is installed in one of the mounting slots.

[0012] As can be seen from the above, mounting the thermal imager on the same bracket can improve the stability of the imaging process.

[0013] A further proposed solution is to provide sliding grooves at both ends of the mounting slot in the paper width direction, and to use springs as the elastic element. Both the sliding grooves and springs extend radially along the rubber roller. The thermal support is provided with sliders at both ends of the paper width direction. The slider on one side is movably installed in the sliding groove on the other side, and the spring elastically abuts against the thermal support.

[0014] As can be seen from the above, by cooperating with the slider and the groove, the thermal sheet can move stably in a predetermined direction when it comes into elastic contact with the rubber roller, thereby improving the imaging quality.

[0015] A further proposed solution is that the thermal module includes a mounting cover plate, which covers the two mounting slots and is fixedly connected to the mounting bracket, with a spring elastically abutting between the thermal bracket and the mounting cover plate.

[0016] A further proposed solution is to have at least two positioning protrusions on the mounting cover, one of which is located in a mounting groove and adjacent to the rear side wall of the mounting groove, and the spring is located in front of the positioning protrusion in the same mounting groove.

[0017] As can be seen from the above, the closing of the mounting cover provides a stable assembly for the spring, and the positioning protrusion located on the rear side cooperates with the rear side wall. The positioning protrusion can limit the rear edge of the thermal support, while the spring is located on the front side, allowing the spring to be closer to the printhead array, thereby making the printhead array fit more tightly with the printing media.

[0018] A further proposed solution is that the paper feeding drive device includes a drive motor and a transmission gear, with a drive gear located at the axial end of the rubber roller, the drive motor connected to the transmission gear, and the transmission gear connected to at least two drive gears.

[0019] As can be seen from the above, by driving the motor and transmission gears, the rubber rollers can rotate in the same direction at the same speed, thereby improving the stability of paper feeding.

[0020] To achieve the second objective of this invention, this invention provides a high-speed thermal printer, including the high-speed imaging device described above.

[0021] A further improvement is that the high-speed thermal printer also includes a base and a cover, with one of the roller module and the thermal module located on the base, and the other of the roller module and the thermal module located on the cover.

[0022] To achieve the third objective of this invention, this invention provides a printing method for a high-speed imaging device applied to the above-described scheme. The printing method includes: each thermal sheet receiving the same printing data; the thermal sheet and a rubber roller clamping an imaging medium, the rubber roller rotating to drive the imaging medium to feed paper along a paper path; each thermal sheet generating heat according to the printing data and thermally imaging the imaging medium.

[0023] As can be seen from the above scheme, by outputting the same printing data to the thermal sheet and coordinating the overlapping of the imaging areas of the print head array, the same printing data can be imaged multiple times on the same side of the imaging medium. This not only improves the printing speed but also meets the requirements for imaging quality such as density and clarity, thus achieving high-speed printing. Attached Figure Description

[0024] Figure 1 This is a structural diagram of an embodiment of the high-speed thermal printer of the present invention.

[0025] Figure 2 This is a structural diagram of an embodiment of the high-speed thermal printer of the present invention after the cover is opened.

[0026] Figure 3 This is a partial structural diagram of the cover of an embodiment of the high-speed thermal printer of the present invention.

[0027] Figure 4 This is an exploded view of the thermal module in an embodiment of the high-speed thermal printer of the present invention.

[0028] Figure 5 This is a structural diagram of the roller module in an embodiment of the high-speed thermal printer of the present invention.

[0029] Figure 6 This is a cross-sectional view along the paper width direction of an embodiment of the high-speed thermal printer of the present invention.

[0030] Figure 7This is a partial cross-sectional view along the paper length direction of an embodiment of the high-speed thermal printer of the present invention.

[0031] Figure 8 This is a structural diagram of the thermal sheet in an embodiment of the high-speed thermal printer of the present invention.

[0032] The present invention will be further described below with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments. Detailed Implementation

[0033] Reference Figures 1 to 8 The high-speed thermal printer includes a base 1, a cover 2, and a high-speed imaging device. The high-speed imaging device includes two thermal modules 3, two rubber roller modules 4, and a paper feed drive device. The two rubber roller modules 4 are mounted on the base 1, and the two thermal modules 3 are mounted on the cover 2. The cover 2 is hinged to the base 1. The base 1 is provided with a paper tray. The cover 2 covers the top of the base 1, and a paper output port 101 is formed between the base 1 and the cover 2. The thermal modules 3 and the rubber roller modules 4 are opposite each other and form a paper feed channel. The paper feed channel extends along the paper length direction X. The thermal modules 3 and the rubber roller modules 4 are located on the upper and lower sides of the paper feed channel 102. The paper feed channel 102 is connected to the paper output port 101. The thermal modules 3 and the rubber roller modules 4 are close to the paper output port 101.

[0034] The high-speed imaging device also includes a mounting bracket 23, a mounting cover plate 32, and a circuit board 33. The cover 2 includes an outer cover 21 and an inner cover 22. The outer cover 2 covers the outside of the inner cover 22. The mounting bracket 23 is located on the side of the inner cover 22 near the paper outlet 101. The mounting bracket 23 and the inner cover 22 are integrally formed and arranged. The mounting bracket 23 has two mounting grooves 231 that extend through it in the vertical direction. The mounting grooves 231 extend along the paper width direction Y. The two mounting grooves 231 are arranged along the paper feeding channel 102.

[0035] The thermal module 3 includes a thermal support 31, a thermal sheet 313, and an elastic element. The thermal sheet 313 extends along the paper width direction Y and is disposed on the bottom surface of the thermal support 31. Two thermal sheets 313 are arranged along the paper feed channel 102 and are both located on the same side of the paper feed channel 102. A printhead array 3131 extending along the paper width direction Y is disposed on the thermal sheet 313. The printhead array 3131 is an array composed of multiple thermistors. The imaging width of the two printhead arrays 3131 is L. The two printhead arrays 3131 are aligned and completely overlapped along the paper feed channel 102.

[0036] Mounting groove 231 has sliding grooves 232 at both ends in the paper width direction Y. The sliding grooves 232 extend vertically and have a supporting bottom wall. The elastic element is a spring 312. Both the sliding grooves 232 and the springs 312 extend radially along the rubber roller 41. The thermal support 31 has sliders 311 at both ends in the paper width direction Y. One thermal support 31 is installed in one mounting groove 231. The slider 311 on one side is movably installed in the sliding groove 232 on one side. The thermal sheet 313 faces the rubber roller 41, and the spring 312 is located on the back side of the thermal sheet 313.

[0037] The mounting cover 32 covers the two mounting slots 231 and is fixedly connected to the mounting bracket 23. The spring 312 elastically abuts between the thermal bracket 31 and the mounting cover 32, and the spring 312 applies an elastic holding force to the thermal sheet 313 toward the rubber roller 41. The inner end face of the mounting cover plate 32 is provided with multiple positioning protrusions 322. Some of the positioning protrusions 322 are located in a mounting groove 231 and adjacent to the rear side wall of the mounting groove 231. Other positioning protrusions 322 are located in another mounting groove 231 and adjacent to the rear side wall of the mounting groove 231. The positioning protrusions 322 are located above the rear edge of the thermal bracket 311 and adjacent to the rear edge. The positioning protrusions 322 then limit the rear edge of the thermal bracket 311. A bearing step 233 is also provided below the rear side wall of the mounting groove 231. The rear edge of the thermal bracket 311 is located above the bearing step 233. The bearing step 233 limits the rear edge of the thermal bracket 311. The spring 312 is located in front of the positioning protrusions 322 in the same mounting groove 231. The spring 312 is positioned and assembled with the positioning post through the positioning hole.

[0038] The circuit board 33 is positioned above the mounting cover 32. The mounting cover 32 has a through slot 321. One ribbon cable 331 of the circuit board 33 passes through the through slot 321 and connects to a thermal pad 313. Another ribbon cable 331 of the circuit board 33 passes through the mounting cover 32 from the rear and connects to another thermal pad 313. The circuit board 33 has an interface that connects to the printer's mainboard via a data cable.

[0039] The rubber roller module 4 includes a rubber roller 41 and two bearings. The rubber roller 41 extends along the paper width direction Y. The two bearings are respectively connected to the two ends of the axial direction of the rubber roller 41. The two rubber rollers 41 are arranged along the paper feeding channel 102 and are both located on the same side of the paper feeding channel 102. Specifically, the base 1 is provided with a support frame 11 and a support frame 12 in the paper width direction Y. One end bearing of the rubber roller 41 is mounted on the support frame 11, and the other end bearing of the rubber roller 41 is mounted on the support frame 12. The two rubber rollers 41 are aligned and completely overlapped along the paper feeding channel 102.

[0040] The paper feeding drive device includes a drive motor 42 and a transmission gear 43. A drive gear 44 is provided at the axial end of the rubber roller 41. The drive motor 42 and the transmission gear 43 are mounted on the support frame 12. The drive motor 42 is connected to the transmission gear 43, and the transmission gear 43 is connected to the two drive gears 44. Then, under the drive of the drive motor 42, the two drive gears 44 and the two rubber rollers 41 are driven to rotate synchronously around the paper width direction Y. The two drive gears 44 are also connected by a transmission belt 45 to achieve synchronous rotation.

[0041] When the cover 2 is closed, one thermal sheet 313 faces one adhesive roller 41, and the imaging medium passes through two thermal sheets 313 and two adhesive rollers 41. The imaging medium includes, but is not limited to, printing paper, thermal paper, label paper, express waybill, care label, etc. At this time, the high-speed imaging device executes the relevant printing method. The printing method includes, firstly, each thermal sheet 313 receives the same printing data, which is the heating control data of the print head array 3131. Since the thermal sheet 313 and the adhesive roller 41 hold the imaging medium, the printing medium is then transferred through the rotation of the drive motor 42. Roller 41 rotates to drive the imaging medium to feed paper along the paper path 102. Each thermal sheet 313 heats up according to the printing data and thermally images the imaging medium. Since the two thermal sheets 313 print the same image, the same image is printed twice on the imaging medium. Then, in conjunction with the overlapping imaging areas of the print head array, the same printing data is imaged multiple times on the same side of the imaging medium. This improves the printing speed while also meeting the requirements for imaging quality such as density and clarity, achieving high-speed printing. The printing speed of this case reaches more than 500 mm / s.

[0042] Of course, the above embodiments are only preferred embodiments of this case. In specific applications, there can be more variations. For example, three or more thermal modules and roller modules can be set. By printing on the same side of the imaging medium, the printing speed can also be improved. In addition, different printhead arrays can be partially overlapped along the paper path, or the imaging widths of different printhead arrays can be arranged with different widths to meet different density requirements. While improving the printing speed, the overlapping part has a higher printing density, which can also achieve the purpose of this invention.

[0043] Furthermore, regarding the driving of the rubber roller module, besides using a single drive motor, multiple drive sources can be used to drive the rubber roller separately. As long as synchronous rotation is ensured, the purpose of this invention can be achieved. Moreover, in the above embodiment, the paper feeding channel is arranged in a straight line along the paper length direction X. In addition to this embodiment, the paper feeding channel can also extend in an inclined straight line; arc-shaped or V-shaped paper feeding channels can all achieve paper feeding and secondary printing. Furthermore, the thermal module can also be mounted on the base, and the rubber roller module can also be mounted on the cover. By providing a matching paper feeding drive device, the purpose of this invention can also be achieved. By utilizing the arrangement of multiple thermal sheets, different printing data and different heating information can be output to different thermal sheets. Combined with two-color or multi-color thermal paper, two-color or multi-color printing can also be achieved.

[0044] Furthermore, the high-speed imaging device in this case is suitable not only for desktop thermal printers, but also for thermal printers that utilize the principle of ribbon thermal transfer imaging, and for embedded thermal printers.

[0045] As can be seen from the above, by arranging at least two thermal sheets on the same side of the paper feed path, and utilizing the overlapping imaging areas of the printhead array on the thermal sheets, multiple thermal sheets can image the same surface of the printing medium multiple times. Even if the printing speed and paper feed speed are increased, the imaging quality such as density and clarity can still be met, thereby achieving the goal of high-speed printing.

Claims

1. A high speed imaging device, characterized by, The high-speed imaging device comprises at least two thermal modules, at least two rubber roller modules and a paper feeding driving device, the thermal modules and the rubber roller modules are located on both sides of a paper feeding channel; The thermal module comprises a thermal support and thermal sheets, the thermal sheets extend along a paper width direction and are arranged on a bottom surface of the thermal support, two thermal sheets are arranged along the paper feeding channel and are located on the same side of the paper feeding channel, the thermal sheets are provided with print head arrays extending along the paper width direction, and at least two print head arrays overlap along the paper feeding channel; The rubber roller module comprises rubber rollers, the rubber rollers extend along the paper width direction, two rubber rollers are arranged along the paper feeding channel and are located on the same side of the paper feeding channel, the paper feeding driving device is connected with the rubber rollers and drives the rubber rollers to rotate synchronously around the paper width direction, and one thermal sheet is opposite to one rubber roller; The thermal module comprises elastic members, the elastic members are connected with the thermal support, and the elastic members apply elastic pressing force to the thermal sheets towards the rubber rollers; The high-speed imaging device comprises a mounting support, two mounting slots are arranged through the mounting support, the mounting slots extend along the paper width direction, two mounting slots are arranged along the paper feeding channel, and one thermal support is mounted in one mounting slot; The mounting slot is provided with a sliding groove at both ends in the paper width direction, the elastic member is a spring, the sliding groove and the spring extend along the radial direction of the rubber roller, the thermal support is provided with sliding blocks at both ends in the paper width direction, the sliding block on one side is movably mounted in the sliding groove on one side, and the spring elastically abuts against the thermal support; The thermal module comprises a mounting cover plate, the mounting cover plate covers both mounting slots and is fixedly connected with the mounting support, and the spring elastically abuts between the thermal support and the mounting cover plate; The mounting cover plate is provided with at least two positioning protrusions, one positioning protrusion is located in one mounting slot and abuts against the rear sidewall of the mounting slot, and the spring is located in front of the positioning protrusion in the same mounting slot; A circuit board is arranged above the mounting cover plate, the mounting cover plate is provided with a through slot, one wire of the circuit board passes through the through slot and is connected with one thermal sheet, and another wire of the circuit board penetrates into the mounting cover plate from the rear side and is connected with another thermal sheet.

2. The high-speed imaging device according to claim 1, wherein: The paper feeding driving device comprises a driving motor and a transmission gear, the rubber roller is provided with a driving gear at the axial end, the driving motor is connected with the transmission gear, and the transmission gear is connected with at least two driving gears.

3. A high speed thermal printer characterized by The high-speed imaging device according to claim 1.

4. The high-speed thermal printer according to claim 3, wherein: The high-speed thermal printer further comprises a base and a cover, one of the rubber roller module and the thermal module is arranged on the base, and the other of the rubber roller module and the thermal module is arranged on the cover.

5. A printing method applied to the high-speed image forming apparatus of claim 1, characterized by, The printing method comprises: Each of the thermal sensitive sheets receives the same print data; The thermal sensitive sheets and the rubber roller clamp the imaging medium, and the rubber roller rotates to drive the imaging medium to pass along the paper passing channel; Each of the thermal sensitive sheets generates heat according to the print data and thermally images the imaging medium.

Images