A thermal printer with a side opening peeling module

Abstract

The application provides a thermal printer with a side opening peeling module, comprising a base, a cover, a rubber roller, a thermal sheet and a peeling module, the base is provided with a peeling installation slot outside a paper outlet, the peeling module comprises a peeling shell and a clamping roller, the peeling shell is provided with a second hinge part at a first end in a paper width direction, the peeling shell is provided with a second clamping part at a second end in the paper width direction, the peeling module is installed at the peeling installation slot, the clamping roller is in rolling cooperation with a driving roller, the first hinge part is hinged with the second hinge part, the peeling shell rotates relative to the base around a vertical direction based on the second hinge part, and the first clamping part is detachably clamped with the second clamping part. The peeling module is completely opened in a horizontal direction, there is no narrow gap or slot to be passed through on a paper feeding path of a base paper, the base paper can be directly placed at the driving roller, the driving roller and the clamping roller can clamp the base paper after the peeling shell is closed, the paper loading operation is effectively simplified, and the label paper replacement efficiency is improved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of thermal printing technology, and more particularly to a thermal printer with a side-opening peel-off module. Background Technology

[0002] Thermal printers are widely used in logistics, retail, medical and other fields. They are used to print labels, receipts or slips of paper. The labels are usually made up of a face paper and a back paper. After printing, the face paper needs to be peeled off from the back paper by a peeling module, and then the face paper is taken out as a label for use.

[0003] The peeling module is typically installed outside the printer's paper output tray. Internally, it contains a drive roller and a clamping roller. The backing paper passes between the drive roller and the clamping roller, and the separation of the front and backing papers is achieved through the clamping and conveying action of the two rollers. When a roll of label paper is used up and the user needs to replace it with a new roll, the peeling module must be removed. The backing end of the new label paper must be pulled out from the paper output tray and inserted into the clamping position between the drive roller and the clamping roller. The peeling module must then be reinstalled before printing and peeling operations can continue.

[0004] In existing technologies, there are two main methods for assembling and disassembling the peeling module and the printer base. One method involves locking and positioning the module using clips on the injection-molded part. While this structure is simple, the clips are prone to wear and even breakage after repeated assembly and disassembly, resulting in unreliable fixation of the peeling module, affecting the peeling effect and service life. Furthermore, inserting and removing the peeling module is difficult and requires considerable external force. The other method involves opening the peeling module forward along the paper length direction, i.e., the entire peeling module flips forward. However, since the bottom paper is also arranged along the paper length direction in the paper feed path, after the peeling module is opened, the bottom paper needs to pass through the narrow slot at the bottom between the peeling module and the base. However, the bottom paper has a certain degree of curl after being pulled from the paper roll, making it difficult to pass smoothly through the slot. The end of the bottom paper is prone to getting stuck on the edge of the slot or other parts, which makes the paper loading operation somewhat inconvenient. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The purpose of this invention is to provide a thermal printer that facilitates paper loading via a side-opening peel-off module.

[0006] To achieve the objective of this invention, a thermal printer with a side-opening peeling module is provided, comprising a base, a cover, a rubber roller, a thermal sheet, and a peeling module. One of the rubber roller and the thermal sheet is disposed on the base, and the other is disposed on the cover. The cover is connected to the base, forming a paper output port between the cover and the base. The thermal sheet and the rubber roller face each other and form a paper feeding channel, which communicates with the paper output port. The base has a peeling mounting groove on the outside of the paper output port, and a drive roller is disposed within the peeling mounting groove. The drive roller extends along the paper width direction, and the peeling mounting groove is located in the first section of the paper width direction. The peeling module includes a peeling housing and a clamping roller. The clamping roller is disposed on the peeling housing along the paper width direction. The peeling housing has a second hinge at the first end in the paper width direction and a second clamping part at the second end in the paper width direction. The peeling module is installed at the peeling mounting groove. The clamping roller and the drive roller are in rolling cooperation. The first hinge and the second hinge are hinged together. The peeling housing rotates relative to the base in the vertical direction based on the second hinge. The first clamping part and the second clamping part can be separably engaged.

[0007] As can be seen from the above, this invention adopts a side-opening peeling module, which allows the peeling housing to rotate and open in the vertical direction. The peeling module is fully open in the horizontal direction, and there are no narrow gaps or grooves that the paper feed path of the bottom paper needs to pass through. Users can easily place the bottom paper directly onto the drive roller. After the peeling housing is closed, the drive roller and the clamping roller can be driven to clamp the bottom paper. Therefore, the paper loading operation is effectively simplified and the efficiency of changing label paper is improved.

[0008] A further embodiment is that the peeling module includes a locking rod that extends along the paper width direction and is movably disposed on the peeling housing along the paper width direction, with a second locking portion located on the second end of the locking rod based on the paper width direction.

[0009] As can be seen from the above, by setting a locking rod that can move along the paper width direction on the peeling shell, the second locking part moves with the locking rod. The engagement and disengagement of the second locking part and the first locking part can be achieved by moving the locking rod, which is simple to operate.

[0010] A further embodiment is that the peeling module includes a locking elastic element that elastically abuts between the locking rod and the peeling housing, and the locking elastic element applies an elastic locking force to the second card portion toward the first card portion along the paper width direction.

[0011] As can be seen from the above, by applying an elastic locking force toward the first card portion to the second card portion through the locking elastic element, the card portion can be kept locked when the peeling module is closed, thus preventing the peeling module from being accidentally opened during use.

[0012] A further proposed solution is that the peeling module includes a toggle switch, and the peeling housing is provided with a toggle groove along the paper width direction. The toggle switch is movably disposed in the toggle groove along the paper width direction. The toggle switch is connected to a locking rod and can drive the locking rod to move towards the first end in the paper width direction.

[0013] As can be seen above, the toggle switch is connected to the locking lever. The user can move the locking lever along the paper width direction by turning the toggle switch to achieve the unlocking operation. The sliding groove also guides and limits the toggle switch.

[0014] A further proposed solution is to provide a positioning rod at the second end of the peeling shell in the paper width direction, and to provide a first positioning groove at the second end of the peeling mounting groove in the paper width direction. The first positioning groove is provided with a guide opening, and the positioning rod moves from the guide opening into the first positioning groove, with the positioning rod and the first positioning groove having a clearance fit.

[0015] As can be seen from the above, by setting a positioning rod at the second end of the peeling shell and setting a first positioning groove with a guide opening on the base, when the peeling module is closed, the positioning rod can slide into the first positioning groove along the guide opening, which plays a positioning and guiding role on the second end of the peeling shell in the paper width direction, ensuring that the clamping roller and the drive roller are accurately aligned. At the same time, the guide opening facilitates the entry of the positioning rod and improves the smoothness of assembly.

[0016] A further proposed solution is that the second hinge is arranged as a hinge axis, which extends vertically. The peeling housing is hinged to the base through the hinge axis. The peeling module includes a first torsion spring, which is sleeved outside the hinge axis. The two ends of the first torsion spring abut against the peeling housing and the base, respectively.

[0017] As can be seen from the above, the hinge shaft enables the peeling shell and the base to be hinged, which is simple and reliable. The first torsion spring is sleeved outside the hinge shaft and applies elastic force to the peeling shell and the base. After unlocking, the first torsion spring can help push the peeling shell to automatically spring open. It keeps the peeling shell in the open state to prevent the peeling shell from shaking randomly and makes it convenient for users to replace the operating paper.

[0018] A further solution is to provide a positioning piece at the first end of the peeling shell in the paper width direction, the positioning piece extending along the paper width direction, and a second positioning groove at the first end of the base in the paper width direction, the second positioning groove extending along the paper length direction and having an clearance opening at the outer end in the paper length direction, the positioning piece being located in the second positioning groove and having a clearance fit with the second positioning groove, the positioning piece being able to rotate within the second positioning groove.

[0019] As can be seen from the above, by setting a positioning piece at the first end of the peeling shell and setting a second positioning groove on the base, the positioning piece and the second positioning groove are fitted with a clearance. When the peeling shell rotates around the vertical direction, the positioning piece can rotate in the second positioning groove, which plays a limiting and guiding role on the first end of the peeling shell, ensuring that the peeling shell rotates smoothly and improving the stability of the structure.

[0020] A further embodiment is that the base has a peeling edge at the paper outlet and at the outer end of the paper length direction. The peeling module includes a transition roller that extends along the paper width direction and is rotatably mounted on the peeling housing. The transition roller is located below the peeling edge in the vertical direction, and the clamping roller is located below the transition roller in the vertical direction.

[0021] As can be seen above, by setting the transition roller below the peeling edge, the bottom paper first bypasses the peeling edge after exiting the paper outlet, and the separation of the face paper and the bottom paper is achieved at the peeling edge. After separation, the bottom paper then turns downward through the transition roller and enters between the clamping roller and the drive roller. The bottom paper feeding path is reasonable and the peeling effect is good. In addition to providing a large deviation angle through the transition roller, it can also reduce the paper feeding friction resistance of the bottom paper, making the peeling and feeding smoother.

[0022] A further alternative is that the stripping module includes a pressing elastic element connected to the clamping roller, which applies an elastic pressing force toward the drive roller to the clamping roller.

[0023] As can be seen from the above, by applying an elastic pressing force towards the drive roller to the clamping roller through the pressing elastic element, a stable clamping force is maintained between the clamping roller and the drive roller, ensuring that the bottom paper is reliably clamped and transported. Even if the thickness of the bottom paper changes, the pressing elastic element can automatically adapt and maintain an appropriate clamping force to avoid slippage.

[0024] A further solution is that the peeling module includes two pressing elastic elements, the pressing elastic elements are second torsion springs, the peeling shell is provided with support walls at both ends in the paper width direction, each support wall is provided with an end groove, the axial end of the clamping roller is located in the end groove and can slide in the end groove, and the two ends of the second torsion spring abut against the axial end and the peeling shell respectively.

[0025] As can be seen from the above, by setting the clamping elastic elements at both ends in the paper width direction, the clamping force at both ends of the clamping roller is evenly distributed, avoiding uneven clamping force of the clamping roller, which would cause the bottom paper to deviate or wrinkle. At the same time, the axial end of the clamping roller can slide in the end groove, automatically adapting to the thickness change of the bottom paper. Attached Figure Description

[0026] Figure 1 This is a structural diagram of an embodiment of the thermal printer of the present invention.

[0027] Figure 2 This is an exploded view of an embodiment of the thermal printer of the present invention.

[0028] Figure 3 This is a structural diagram of an embodiment of the thermal printer of the present invention in the open state.

[0029] Figure 4This is a structural diagram of the thermal printer embodiment of the present invention in the open state from another perspective.

[0030] Figure 5 This is a structural diagram of the stripping module in an embodiment of the thermal printer of the present invention.

[0031] Figure 6 This is a structural diagram of the stripping module in an embodiment of the thermal printer of the present invention, viewed from another angle.

[0032] Figure 7 This is a partial cross-sectional view along the paper width direction of an embodiment of the thermal printer of the present invention.

[0033] Figure 8 This is a partial cross-sectional view along the length of the paper in an embodiment of the thermal printer of the present invention.

[0034] The present invention will be further described below with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments. Detailed Implementation

[0035] Reference Figures 1 to 8 The thermal printer includes a base 1, a cover 2, a rubber roller 11, a thermal sheet 21, and a peeling module 3. The rubber roller 11 extends along the paper width direction Y and is rotatably mounted on the base 1. The thermal sheet 21 extends along the paper width direction Y and is mounted on the cover 2. The cover 2 is connected to the base 1 and can be rotated open relative to the base 1, forming a paper outlet 10 between the cover 2 and the base 1. The thermal sheet 21 and the rubber roller 11 face each other and form a paper feeding channel, which communicates with the paper outlet 10. Label printing paper can be fed through the paper feeding channel to the position between the thermal sheet 21 and the rubber roller 11. By driving the thermal sheet 21 to heat up, thermal imaging can be generated on the label face of the label printing paper, and then the paper can be output outward at the paper outlet 10. The base 1 has a peeling edge 13 at the paper outlet 10 and at the outer end of the paper length direction X, which extends along the paper width direction Y.

[0036] The base 1 has a peeling mounting groove 12 on the outside of the paper outlet 10. A drive roller 121 is provided in the peeling mounting groove 12. The drive roller 121 extends along the paper width direction Y and rotates around the paper width direction Y. A motor drive device is provided in the base 1. The motor drive device is connected to the drive roller 121 and drives the drive roller 121 to rotate.

[0037] The peeling mounting groove 12 is provided with a first hinge portion 141 and a second positioning groove 146 at the first end in the paper width direction Y. The first hinge portion 141 is arranged as a hinge hole, which is arranged through in the vertical direction. The second positioning groove 146 extends along the paper length direction X and is provided with a clearance opening 147 at the outer end in the paper length direction X. The clearance opening 147 is opened towards the front side in the paper length direction X. The second positioning groove 146 is located between the upper and lower hinge holes.

[0038] The peeling mounting groove 12 is provided with a first locking part 143 and a first positioning groove 144 at the second end in the paper width direction Y. The first locking part 143 is arranged as a closed hole, and the closed hole is arranged through the paper width direction Y. The first positioning groove 144 extends along the paper length direction X. The first positioning groove 144 is provided with a guide opening 145, which is opened towards the front side in the paper length direction X. The first positioning groove 144 is located below the first locking part 143.

[0039] The peeling module 3 is installed at the peeling mounting groove 12. The peeling module 3 includes a peeling housing 30, two pressing elastic elements 314, a transition roller 313, a toggle button 334, a locking elastic element 333, a locking rod 331, and a clamping roller 311. The clamping roller 311 is arranged on the peeling housing 30 along the paper width direction Y. The clamping roller 311 can rotate around the paper width direction Y. The peeling housing 30 is provided with a second hinge part 321 at the first end in the paper width direction Y. The second hinge part 321 is arranged as a hinge axis. The hinge axis extends along the vertical direction Z. The first hinge part 141 is hinged to the second hinge part 321, that is, the hinge axis is hinged to the hinge hole. The peeling housing 30 is hinged to the base 1 through the hinge axis. The peeling housing 30 rotates relative to the base 1 around the vertical direction Z based on the second hinge part 321.

[0040] The peeling module 3 includes a first torsion spring 142, which is sleeved on the hinge shaft. The two ends of the first torsion spring 142 abut against the peeling housing 30 and the base 1, respectively. The first torsion spring 142 applies a horizontal outward elastic force to the peeling housing 30. A positioning piece 322 is provided at the first end of the peeling housing 30 in the paper width direction Y. The positioning piece 322 extends along the paper width direction Y, and its extension direction is perpendicular to the extension direction of the second positioning groove 146. The positioning piece 322 is located within the second positioning groove 146 and has a clearance fit with it, thereby providing support force at the first end of the peeling module 3 in the paper width direction Y. When the peeling module 3 rotates, the positioning piece 322 can rotate within the second positioning groove 146.

[0041] The peeling housing 30 is provided with a sliding groove 335 along the paper width direction Y. The sliding groove 335 extends along the paper length direction X and is located on the outside of the paper length direction X. The dial 334 is movably disposed in the sliding groove 335 along the paper width direction Y. The dial 334 is provided with an operating part on its outside and a drive slot 337 on its outside. The peeling housing 30 is provided with a support plate 338 on its inside. The support plate 338 is provided with a sliding hole extending along the paper width direction Y. The locking rod 331 extends along the paper width direction Y and is movably disposed on the peeling housing 30 along the paper width direction Y. One end of the locking rod 331 passes through the sliding hole of the support plate 338, and the other end of the locking rod 331 passes through the sliding hole of the side wall of the peeling housing 30 in the paper width direction Y. The middle part of the locking rod 331 passes through the drive slot 337.

[0042] The locking elastic element 333 is arranged in the form of a spring and is sleeved on the locking rod 331. One end of the locking rod 331 is provided with a first retaining ring, which is limited and engaged with the support plate 338. The middle part of the locking rod 331 is provided with a second retaining ring, which is limited and engaged with the drive groove 337 of the dial 334. The locking elastic element 333 elastically abuts between the second retaining ring of the locking rod 331 and the support plate 338 of the peeling housing 30. The peeling housing 30 is provided with a second locking part 332 at the second end in the paper width direction Y. The second locking part 332 is located on the second end of the locking rod 331 based on the paper width direction Y. When the peeling module 3 is closed, the first locking part 143 and the second locking part 332 are engaged, and the locking elastic member 333 applies an elastic locking force to the second locking part 332 in the paper width direction Y toward the first locking part 143. When the peeling module 3 is opened, it is connected to the locking rod 331 through the toggle button 334. The toggle button 334 can drive the locking rod 331 to move toward the first end in the paper width direction Y, thereby causing the first locking part 143 and the second locking part 332 to separate.

[0043] The peeling housing 30 is provided with a positioning rod 336 at the second end in the paper width direction Y. The positioning rod 336 extends along the paper width direction Y. When the peeling module 3 is closed, the positioning rod 336 moves from the guide opening 145 into the first positioning groove 144, and the positioning rod 336 and the first positioning groove 144 are in clearance fit.

[0044] The transition roller 313 extends along the paper width direction Y and is rotatably disposed on the peeling housing 30. The transition roller 313 is located below the peeling edge 13 based on the vertical direction Z and behind the peeling edge 13 based on the paper length direction X. The clamping roller 311 is located below the transition roller 313 based on the vertical direction Z.

[0045] The pressing elastic element 314 adopts a second torsion spring. The peeling shell 30 is provided with support walls 341 at both ends in the paper width direction Y. Each support wall 341 is provided with an end groove 342. The axial end of the clamping roller 311 is located in the end groove 342 and can slide in the end groove 342. The two ends of the second torsion spring abut against the axial end of the clamping roller 311 and the peeling shell 30 respectively. The pressing elastic element 314 applies an elastic pressing force to the clamping roller 311 toward the drive roller 121. After the peeling module 3 is closed, the clamping roller 311 and the drive roller 121 are tightly engaged. Under the rotation drive of the drive roller 121, the clamping roller 311 and the drive roller 121 roll together.

[0046] Reference Figure 8During normal printing and peeling of the backing paper, after the printing paper is output from the paper outlet 10, it passes through the peeling edge 13 and extends downward to the transition roller 313. Then the backing paper 101 is clamped by the clamping roller 311 and the drive roller 121, and under the rotation drive of the drive roller 121, the backing paper 101 is pulled downward and then the label of the label printing paper is peeled off at the peeling edge 13.

[0047] When changing the printing paper, the locking lever 331 is unlocked by driving the dial 334, which in turn drives the peeling module 3 to open along the horizontal side. After the peeling module 3 is fully open in the horizontal direction, the bottom paper 101 can be easily placed directly onto the drive roller 121. After the peeling housing 30 is closed, the drive roller 121 and the clamping roller 311 can be driven to clamp the bottom paper, thus effectively simplifying the paper loading operation and improving the efficiency of changing label paper.

[0048] Of course, the above embodiments are only preferred embodiments of this case. In specific applications, there can be more variations. For example, the thermal sheet can be placed on the base and the rubber roller can be placed on the cover. The peeling module of this case can also achieve the purpose of this case. Furthermore, the hinge arrangement of the hinge part can also be made in other forms. In addition to the cooperation of the column and the hole, the locking of the snap part can also be made by using a snap hook or a snap fastener. All the above changes can achieve the purpose of this case.

Claims

1. A thermal printer with a side-opening peeling module, comprising a base, a cover, a rubber roller, a thermal sheet, and a peeling module, wherein one of the rubber roller and the thermal sheet is disposed on the base, and the other of the rubber roller and the thermal sheet is disposed on the cover, the cover is connected to the base, a paper outlet is formed between the cover and the base, the thermal sheet and the rubber roller are opposite to each other and form a paper feeding channel, and the paper feeding channel is in communication with the paper outlet; Its features are: The base is provided with a peeling mounting groove on the outside of the paper outlet, and a drive roller is provided in the peeling mounting groove. The drive roller extends along the paper width direction. The peeling mounting groove is provided with a first hinge part at the first end in the paper width direction and a first locking part at the second end in the paper width direction. The peeling module includes a peeling housing and a clamping roller. The clamping roller is disposed on the peeling housing along the paper width direction. The peeling housing is provided with a second hinge portion at a first end in the paper width direction and a second locking portion at a second end in the paper width direction. The peeling module is installed at the peeling mounting groove, the clamping roller and the driving roller are in rolling cooperation, the first hinge part and the second hinge part are hinged, the peeling housing rotates relative to the base in a vertical direction based on the second hinge part, and the first locking part and the second locking part are separably engaged.

2. The thermal printer according to claim 1, characterized in that: The peeling module includes a locking rod that extends along the paper width direction and is movably disposed on the peeling housing along the paper width direction. A second locking portion is located on the second end of the locking rod based on the paper width direction.

3. The thermal printer according to claim 2, characterized in that: The peeling module includes a locking elastic element that elastically abuts between the locking rod and the peeling housing. The locking elastic element applies an elastic locking force to the second card portion along the paper width direction toward the first card portion.

4. The thermal printer according to claim 3, characterized in that: The peeling module includes a toggle switch, and the peeling housing is provided with a toggle groove along the paper width direction. The toggle switch is movably disposed in the toggle groove along the paper width direction. The toggle switch is connected to the locking rod and can drive the locking rod to move toward the first end in the paper width direction.

5. The thermal printer according to claim 2, characterized in that: The peeling housing is provided with a positioning rod at the second end in the paper width direction, and the peeling mounting groove is provided with a first positioning groove at the second end in the paper width direction. The first positioning groove is provided with a guide opening, and the positioning rod moves from the guide opening into the first positioning groove. The positioning rod and the first positioning groove are in clearance fit.

6. The thermal printer according to claim 1, characterized in that: The second hinge portion is arranged as a hinge axis, which extends in a vertical direction. The peeling housing is hinged to the base through the hinge axis. The peeling module includes a first torsion spring, which is sleeved outside the hinge axis. The two ends of the first torsion spring abut against the peeling housing and the base, respectively.

7. The thermal printer according to claim 6, characterized in that: The peeling shell is provided with a positioning piece at the first end in the paper width direction. The positioning piece extends along the paper width direction. The base is provided with a second positioning groove at the first end in the paper width direction. The second positioning groove extends along the paper length direction and has an clearance opening at the outer end in the paper length direction. The positioning piece is located in the second positioning groove and is in clearance fit with the second positioning groove. The positioning piece can rotate in the second positioning groove.

8. The thermal printer according to claim 1, characterized in that: The base has a peeling edge at the paper outlet and at the outer end of the paper length direction. The peeling module includes a transition roller that extends along the paper width direction and is rotatably mounted on the peeling housing. The transition roller is located below the peeling edge in the vertical direction, and the clamping roller is located below the transition roller in the vertical direction.

9. The thermal printer according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that: The peeling module includes a holding elastic element connected to the clamping roller, which applies an elastic holding force to the clamping roller toward the drive roller.

10. The thermal printer according to claim 9, characterized in that: The peeling module includes two pressing elastic elements, each of which is a second torsion spring. The peeling housing has support walls at both ends in the paper width direction, and each support wall has an end groove. The axial end of the clamping roller is located in the end groove and can slide in the end groove. The two ends of the second torsion spring abut against the axial end and the peeling housing, respectively.

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