Printer

Abstract

The invention provides a printer. The printer comprises a printing head assembly and a pressing roller. The printing head assembly comprises a mounting frame, a printing head module and a guide piece. The mounting rack is fixed to the printer. The printing head module is fixed on the mounting frame and is used for printing patterns on the medium material; the guide piece is fixed to the mounting frame. The pressing roller is fixed to the printer and used for pressing the medium material when the printing head module prints a pattern on the medium material. When the printer performs printing, the pressing roller rotates in the first rotation direction, the medium material moves from the printing head module to the guide part, and the printing head module prints a pattern on the medium material. When the printer executes detection, the pressing roller rotates in the second rotating direction, the medium material abuts against the guiding piece and moves towards the pressing roller, the rear end of the medium material firstly makes contact with the pressing roller, and then the medium material moves in the circumferential direction of the pressing roller, passes through the lower portion of the printing head module and reaches the detection area.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present application relates to a printer, and more particularly to a printer for printing Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) tags. BACKGROUND

[0002] Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) is also known as electronic tags, which is a communication technology that mainly uses wireless frequencies (such as electromagnetic induction, microwave, etc.) to identify targets and transmit data and read related information without mechanical or optical contact. This technology has been used in aircraft identification since the Second World War, and has not been widely noticed until 2003 when Wal-Mart, the global retail industry leader, required the top 100 suppliers to install RFID tags on the boxes and pallets, and the U.S. Department of Defense began to pay attention.

[0003] The difference between Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) and general tags is that Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) has an electronic chip inside, so the thickness of Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) is thicker than that of general tags and has hardness. In addition, during the printing process of Radio Frequency Identification (RFID), further confirmation of the correctness of data reading and writing in the chip is required, so the printed and written Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) tags are recycled along the original printing path and data confirmation is performed.

[0004] As shown in Figure 1 , in the recycling process of the existing printer P, the backup roller B3 will rotate in the second rotation direction RD2 (counterclockwise), and the rear end of the Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) tag paper PA will be stuck on the front end of the print head module 12, causing paper jamming or tag peeling problems. To improve the above problems, it is the focus of attention for relevant personnel in the field. Therefore, there is an urgent need for an improved printer. SUMMARY

[0005] One of the objectives of the present application is to provide an improved printer.

[0006] Other objectives and advantages of the present application can be further understood from the technical features disclosed by the present application.

[0007] To achieve one or some or all of the above-mentioned purposes or other purposes, the present application provides a printer, which comprises a printhead assembly and a pressure roller. The printhead assembly comprises a mounting frame, a printhead module and a guide. The mounting frame is fixed to the printer. The printhead module is fixed to the mounting frame and is used to print a pattern on a medium. The guide is fixed to the mounting frame. The pressure roller is fixed to the printer and is used to press the medium when the printhead module prints the pattern on the medium. When the printer performs printing, the pressure roller rotates in a first rotation direction, the medium is moved by the printhead module towards the guide, and the printhead module prints the pattern on the medium. When the printer performs detection, the pressure roller rotates in a second rotation direction, the medium abuts against the guide and moves towards the pressure roller, the rear end of the medium first contacts the pressure roller, and then the medium moves along the circumferential direction of the pressure roller and passes below the printhead module to reach a detection area. The first rotation direction is opposite to the second rotation direction.

[0008] In an embodiment of the present application, the mounting frame further comprises a top plate and two side plates. The top plate has a top plate surface and a bottom plate surface, and the two side plates are formed by extending two opposite side edges of the top plate away from the bottom plate surface. The two side plates are arranged opposite to each other.

[0009] In an embodiment of the present application, the vertical distance between the top plate surface and the bottom of the guide is between 6.8 mm and 7.0 mm.

[0010] In an embodiment of the present application, the distance between the top plate surface and the bottom of the guide is between 6.8 mm and 7.0 mm.

[0011] In an embodiment of the present application, the top plate has at least one first mounting hole, and the first mounting hole is elliptical.

[0012] In an embodiment of the present application, the printhead module is fixedly arranged on the bottom plate surface of the top plate, and the printhead module further comprises a heat dissipation block, a circuit board and a heating module.

[0013] In an embodiment of the present application, the heat dissipation block comprises a top surface and a bottom surface, and the top surface and the bottom surface are arranged opposite to each other. The top surface has at least one second mounting hole, and the at least one second mounting hole is arranged corresponding to the at least one first mounting hole. The at least one second mounting hole is circular.

[0014] In an embodiment of the present application, the circuit board is fixedly arranged on the bottom surface, the heating module is arranged on the circuit board, and the heating module has a heating wire and at least one heating element.

[0015] In an embodiment of the present application, the two side plates are respectively provided with at least one first positioning structure.

[0016] In an embodiment of the present application, the guiding member has a second positioning structure at each end, and the guiding member is fixed to the mounting frame by the first and second positioning structures.

[0017] In an embodiment of the present application, the guiding member comprises a metal rod or a plastic sheet.

[0018] In an embodiment of the present application, the printer further comprises a cover and a base, the printhead assembly is detachably fixed to the cover, and the pressure roller is rotatably fixed to the base.

[0019] The present application has the beneficial effect that the guiding member is arranged at the front end of the printhead assembly, i.e. at the paper outlet, so that the angle of the media can be adjusted during the media recycling and re-inspection, and the rear end of the media will first contact the pressure roller and then pass under the printhead module along the circumferential direction of the pressure roller, thereby effectively preventing the front end of the printhead module from being jammed or peeled off.

[0020] To make the above and other objects, features and advantages of the present application more comprehensible, preferred embodiments will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0021] Figure 1 Prior art schematic diagram of a printer.

[0022] Figure 2 Schematic diagram of a printer of the present application.

[0023] Figure 3 Schematic diagram of a printer of the present application with the cover opened.

[0024] Figures 4A-4B Exploded schematic diagram of a printhead assembly of an embodiment of the present application.

[0025] Figure 5 Schematic diagram of a printhead assembly and a pressure roller of an embodiment of the present application.

[0026] Figures 6A-6D Schematic diagram of a printhead assembly and a pressure roller of an embodiment of the present application.

[0027] Figures 7A-7B Exploded schematic diagram of a printhead assembly of another embodiment of the present application.

[0028] The reference signs are as follows:

[0029] P: printer

[0030] C: cover

[0031] B: base

[0032] C1: cover body

[0033] C2, C2': Printhead assembly

[0034] C11: Compartment space

[0035] B1: Base Body

[0036] B2: Paper roll holder

[0037] B3: Pressure Roller

[0038] PA: Media

[0039] CU: Tear blade structure

[0040] RD1: First direction of rotation

[0041] RD2: Second direction of rotation

[0042] G: Vertical distance

[0043] A: Adhesive layer

[0044] DA: Detection area

[0045] 11: Mounting rack

[0046] 12: Printhead Module

[0047] 13, 13': Guide components

[0048] 111: Top plate

[0049] 112: Side panel

[0050] 1111: Top slab surface

[0051] 1112: Bottom plate surface

[0052] 1113: Fixing hole

[0053] 1114: First mounting hole

[0054] 1121: First positioning structure

[0055] 1122: Arc-shaped structure

[0056] 121: Heat sink

[0057] 122: Circuit board

[0058] 123: Heating Module

[0059] 1211: Top surface

[0060] 1212: Bottom

[0061] 12111: Second mounting hole

[0062] 131, 131': second positioning structure

[0063] 132': stopper DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0064] Figure 2 A schematic view of a printer P according to the present application. Figure 3 A schematic view of a printer P according to the present application with a cover C opened. Figures 4A-4B A schematic view of a printhead assembly C2 according to an embodiment of the present application.

[0065] Figure 5 A schematic view of a printhead assembly C2 according to an embodiment of the present application and a pressure roller B3.

[0066] Figures 6A-6D A schematic view of a printhead assembly C2 according to an embodiment of the present application and a pressure roller B3. Figures 7A-7B A schematic view of a printhead assembly C2 according to another embodiment of the present application.

[0067] Referring to Figure 2 and Figure 3 A printer P according to the present application comprises a cover C and a base B.

[0068] The cover C and the base B are connected to each other. In a preferred embodiment of the present application, the cover C and the base B are connected to each other in a manner which can be, but is not limited to, for example, a pivoting connection or a detachable engagement. The base B comprises a base body B1, a paper roll fixing frame B2 and a pressure roller B3. The paper roll fixing frame B2 is arranged at a rear end of the base body B1, and the pressure roller B3 is rotatably mounted at a front end of the base body B1. The paper roll fixing frame B2 is used to mount a medium PA, which can be, but is not limited to, for example, a paper roll of Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) tags. The pressure roller B3 is used to press the medium PA when the printer P prints a pattern I on the medium PA. Figure 5

[0069] Referring again to Figure 3 The cover C comprises a cover body C1 and a printhead assembly C2. The printhead assembly C2 is detachably fixed at a front end of the cover body C1, that is, the printhead assembly C2 is located substantially above the pressure roller B3. A rear end of the cover body C1 is provided with a receiving space C11, which is used to receive the medium PA.

[0070] ​In the preferred embodiment of the present application, the base B further comprises a cutter structure CU. The cutter structure CU is disposed at the front end of the base body B1, that is, at the front end of the pressure roller B3. The cutter structure CU is used to allow the user to tear off the printed media PA. It should be noted that the present application is not limited thereto, and the cutter structure CU can also be disposed on the cover body C1 according to the space requirement.

[0071] Please refer to Figures 4A-5 The print head assembly C2 of the present application comprises a mounting frame 11, a print head module 12 and a guide 13. The mounting frame 11 is generally in the shape of a long strip. The mounting frame 11 comprises a top plate 111 and two side plates 112. The top plate 111 comprises a top plate surface 1111, a bottom plate surface 1112, at least one fixing hole 1113 and at least one first mounting hole 1114.

[0072] The top plate surface 1111 and the bottom plate surface 1112 are oppositely disposed. The top plate surface 1111 further comprises at least one limiting structure 11111, which is vertically extended and protruded upward from the top plate surface 1111. The limiting structure 11111 is used to limit the movement of the elastic member (not shown in the figure) in the up-down direction. In the preferred embodiment of the present application, the number of the limiting structure 11111 can be, but is not limited to, for example, three. The three limiting structures 11111 are spaced apart on the top plate surface 1111. The bottom plate surface 1112 is connected to the print head module 12.

[0073] The at least one fixing hole 1113 is extended and protruded from one of the long side edges of the top plate 111. The fixing hole 1113 is used to fix the print head assembly C2 to the cover C of the printer P. In the preferred embodiment of the present application, the number of the fixing hole 1113 can be, but is not limited to, for example, two. The at least one first mounting hole 1114 is formed through the top plate 111. The first mounting hole 1114 is used to fix the print head module 12 to the mounting frame 11. In the preferred embodiment of the present application, the number of the first mounting hole 1114 can be, but is not limited to, for example, two. The shape of the first mounting hole 1114 can be, but is not limited to, for example, an oval shape.

[0074] Two side plates 112 are respectively extended from the two short sides of the top plate 111 towards the direction away from the bottom plate 112, and the two side plates 112 are arranged opposite to each other. The two side plates 112 respectively comprise at least one first positioning structure 1121 and an arc-shaped structure 1122. The at least one first positioning structure 1121 is used to position the guide 13 on the mounting rack 11. In the preferred embodiment of the present application, the at least one first positioning structure 1121 can be, but is not limited to, for example, a positioning hole. The arc-shaped structure 1122 is arranged on the side of the side plate 112 away from the top plate 111. The arc-shaped structure 1122 is used to abut the mounting rack 11 against the two ends of the pressure roller B3, so that the mounting rack 11 can be more stable and not shake during the printing process of the printer P, the printing density of the pattern I is uniform, and the printing quality is improved.

[0075] Please refer again to Figures 4A-5 . The printhead module 12 is fixed at the rear end close to the mounting rack 11. The printhead module 12 comprises a heat sink 121, a circuit board 122 and a heating module 123. The heat sink 121 comprises a top surface 1211 and a bottom surface 1212, and the top surface 1211 and the bottom surface 1212 are arranged opposite to each other. The top surface 1211 comprises at least one second mounting hole 12111, and the second mounting hole 12111 is used to fix the heat sink 121 with the mounting rack 11, so the number and position of the second mounting hole 12111 will correspond to the number and position of the first mounting hole 1114. In the preferred embodiment of the present application, the second mounting hole 12111 can be, but is not limited to, for example, a threaded hole. The number of the second mounting hole 12111 can be, but is not limited to, for example, two. The shape of the second mounting hole 12111 can be, but is not limited to, for example, a circle. The first mounting hole 1114 and the second mounting hole 12111 can be fixed by screwing, but are not limited to this. In other embodiments of the present application, the at least one second mounting hole 12111 can also penetrate the top surface 1211 and the bottom surface 1212 of the heat sink 121. It is worth mentioning that the advantage of arranging the first mounting hole 1114 as an ellipse and the second mounting hole 12111 as a circle is that the position of the heat sink 121 can be adjusted according to the thickness requirement of the medium PA when the heat sink 121 is installed on the mounting rack 11.

[0076] The circuit board 122 is disposed on the bottom surface 1212 of the heat dissipation block 121. The heating module 123 is fixed on the circuit board 122. The heating module 123 includes a heating wire and a set of heating elements. The heating wire is formed by a plurality of heating points. In the preferred embodiment of the present application, the number of the heating points can be, but is not limited to, for example, 864. The set of heating elements are respectively controlled to raise the temperature of specific heating points, so as to transfer the carbon ribbon (not shown in the figure) to the medium PA. Since a large amount of heat energy is generated when the heating module 123 operates, the heat dissipation block 121 can be used to assist the heating module 123 to dissipate heat. In the preferred embodiment of the present application, the number of the heating elements can be, but is not limited to, for example, six.

[0077] Please refer again to Figures 4A-5 . The guide 13 is disposed adjacent to the front end of the mounting frame 11, that is, adjacent to the print head module 12. The guide 13 is used to adjust the recycling angle of the medium PA when the printer P performs the detection action. In the present embodiment, the guide 13 has a generally long strip shape. The guide 13 includes at least two second positioning structures 131, which are respectively disposed at both ends of the long side direction of the guide 13. The guide 13 is positioned and fixed on the mounting frame 11 through the cooperation of the second positioning structures 131 and the first positioning structures 1121 of the two side plates 112, so the number of the second positioning structures 131 corresponds to the number of the first positioning structures 1121 of the two side plates. In the preferred embodiment of the present application, the guide 13 is pasted to the bottom surface 1112 of the top plate 111 through at least one adhesive layer A. The material of the guide 13 can be, but is not limited to, for example, plastic. It is worth mentioning that the use of plastic material for the guide 13 has the advantage that the thermal conductivity of plastic material is low, so in the case of continuous printing, the guide 13 is less affected by the temperature of the print head module 12, thereby affecting the printing quality and causing the problem of uneven color of the pattern I.

[0078] Please further refer to Figures 6A-6D . Figures 6A-6B A simple action schematic diagram for the printer P to print the pattern I on the medium PA. When the printer P performs printing, the pressure roller B3 is driven to rotate in the first rotation direction RD1, the medium PA is moved from the rear end to the front end of the printer P, and further to the lower side of the print head module 12. After the print head module 12 prints the pattern I on the medium PA, the medium PA with the pattern I is moved from the print head module 12 towards the guide 13, and at the same time, the lower surface near the front end of the medium PA abuts against the cutter structure CU.

[0079] Please further refer to Figure 6CWhen the printer P prints the pattern I on the medium PA, the printer P further performs detection, at this time, the pressing roller B3 is driven to rotate along the second rotating direction RD2, the medium PA printed with the pattern I abuts against the bottom of the guide 13 and moves towards the pressing roller B3, that is, moves from the front end of the printer P to the rear end, the rear end of the medium PA printed with the pattern I first contacts the pressing roller B3, the medium PA further moves along the circumferential direction of the pressing roller B3 and passes below the print head module 12, and then reaches the detection area DA to perform detection. The first rotating direction RD1 is opposite to the second rotating direction RD2. In the preferred embodiment of the present application, the bottom of the guide 13 (that is, the abutting position of the medium PA) has a vertical distance G from the top plate surface 1111 of the top plate 111. Figure 5 The vertical distance G can be, but is not limited to, for example, between 6.8 and 7.0 mm.

[0080] When the medium PA printed with the pattern I is detected, as shown in Figure 6D , the pressing roller B3 is driven to rotate again along the first rotating direction RD1, the medium PA moves from the rear end to the front end of the printer P, moves from the detection area DA to below the print head assembly C2, and then reaches the cutter structure CU, at this time, the user can further use the cutter structure CU to cut the printed medium PA.

[0081] Please refer to Figures 7A-7B , Figures 7A-7B , which is the print head assembly C2' of another embodiment of the present application. The print head assembly C2' of the present embodiment is basically the same as the previous embodiment, and the same parts will not be described here. The difference is only in the structure of the guide 13'. In the present embodiment, the guide 13' is a rod, and the material of the guide 13' can be, but is not limited to, for example, metal. The two ends of the guide 13' respectively have second positioning structures 131', and the two second positioning structures 131' are respectively provided in the first positioning structures 1121 of the two side plates 112. The guide 13' can rotate relative to the two side plates 112. In the present embodiment, the two ends of the guide 13' are respectively rotatably fixed to the first positioning structures 1121 of the two side plates 112 by limiting members 132', so that the two second positioning structures 131' do not disengage from the two first positioning structures 1121 during rotation of the guide 13'.

[0082] In summary, the printer P of the present application has at least the following advantages:

[0083] 1. The print head assembly of the present application is provided with a guide near the front end, i.e. the paper outlet, which can adjust the recovery angle of the medium during medium recovery and re-inspection, so that the rear end of the medium will first contact and press against the roller, and then further pass below the print head module along the circumferential direction of the pressing roller, thus effectively preventing the front end of the print head module from being jammed or peeled off.

[0084] 2. The printer of the present application can support a medium with a thickness of 0.25 mm by providing the guide.

[0085] However, the above description is only a preferred embodiment of the present application, and cannot limit the scope of the present application. Any simple equivalent changes and modifications made according to the claims and description of the present application are still within the scope of the present application. In addition, any embodiment or claim of the present application does not necessarily achieve all the purposes, advantages or features disclosed in the present application. Furthermore, the abstract and title are only used to assist patent document search and do not limit the scope of the present application. In addition, the terms "first", "second" and the like mentioned in the specification or claims are only used to name elements or distinguish different embodiments or ranges, and do not limit the upper or lower limit of the number of elements.

Claims

1. A printer, comprising: a printhead assembly, comprising: a mounting frame fixed to the printer; a printhead module fixed to the mounting frame, the printhead module configured to print a pattern on a medium; a guide fixed to the mounting frame; and a pressure roller fixed to the printer, the pressure roller configured to press the medium when the printhead module prints the pattern on the medium; wherein, when the printer performs printing, the pressure roller rotates in a first rotation direction, the medium is moved by the printhead module towards the guide, and the printhead module prints the pattern on the medium; wherein, when the printer performs detection, the pressure roller rotates in a second rotation direction, the medium is pressed against the bottom of the guide and moves towards the pressure roller, the back end of the medium first contacts the pressure roller, the medium further moves along the circumferential direction of the pressure roller and passes under the printhead module, and further reaches a detection area, wherein the first rotation direction is opposite to the second rotation direction.

2. The printer of claim 1, wherein, The mounting frame further comprises a top plate and two side plates, the top plate has a top plate surface and a bottom plate surface, the top plate surface and the bottom plate surface are oppositely arranged, and the two side plates are formed by extending two side edges of the top plate away from the bottom plate surface.

3. The printer of claim 2, wherein, The top plate surface and the bottom of the guide have a vertical distance.

4. The printer of claim 3, wherein, The vertical distance is between 6.8 mm and 7.0 mm.

5. The printer of claim 2, wherein, The top plate has at least one first mounting hole, and the first mounting hole is elliptical.

6. The printer of claim 5, wherein, The printhead module is fixedly arranged on the bottom plate surface of the top plate, and the printhead module further comprises a heat dissipation block, a circuit board and a heating module.

7. The printer of claim 6, wherein, The heat dissipation block comprises a top surface and a bottom surface, the top surface and the bottom surface are oppositely arranged, the top surface has at least one second mounting hole, the at least one second mounting hole is arranged corresponding to the at least one first mounting hole, and the at least one second mounting hole is circular.

8. The printer of claim 7, wherein, The circuit board is fixedly arranged on the bottom surface, and the heating module is arranged on the circuit board, and the heating module has a heating wire and at least one heating element.

9. The printer of claim 7, wherein, The two side plates are respectively provided with at least one first positioning structure.

10. The printer of claim 9, wherein, The guide is provided with a second positioning structure at both ends, and the guide is fixed to the mounting frame through a plurality of second positioning structures and a plurality of first positioning structures.

11. The printer of claim 1, wherein, The guide comprises a metal rod or a plastic sheet.

12. The printer of claim 1, wherein, The printer further comprises a cover and a base, the printhead assembly is detachably fixed to the cover, and the pressure roller is rotatably fixed to the base.

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