Thermal transfer ribbon cartridge and printer

Abstract

The utility model relates to the technical field of printers, and particularly discloses a thermal transfer ribbon box and a printer, the thermal transfer ribbon box comprises a support seat, a supply reel, a recovery reel and a locking assembly, the supply reel and the recovery reel are respectively and rotatably arranged on the support seat; the locking assembly comprises a locking plate, a driving part and two locking discs, the two locking discs are fixedly connected with the supply reel and the recovery reel respectively, the locking plate is arranged between the supporting base and the locking discs, abutting parts corresponding to the two locking discs are arranged on the locking plate, and the driving part can enable the locking plate to be close to the locking discs so that the abutting parts can abut against the two locking discs. The printer shell is provided with an installation cavity, and the thermal transfer ribbon box is inserted into the installation cavity. When the thermal transfer ribbon box is not inserted into the installation cavity, the other end of the locking plate abuts against the locking disc through the driving piece, the supply reel and the recovery reel are fixed to the supporting base relatively, and it is guaranteed that the thermal transfer ribbon is in a tightened state.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The utility model relates to the technical field of printers, in particular to a ribbon cartridge and a printer. Background Art

[0002] The working principle of a thermal transfer printer is to transfer the color on the ribbon to the printing medium by the heat generated by the thermal print head. As a consumable, the ribbon is usually assembled on a ribbon cartridge that can be separated from the printer, which is convenient for users to replace.

[0003] The ribbon cartridge includes a support portion, a supply shaft and a take-up shaft provided on the support portion. One end of the ribbon is wound around the freely rotatable supply shaft to form a supply side, and the other end is wound around the freely rotatable take-up shaft to form a take-up side. The ribbon cartridge can be freely inserted into / removed from the printer. After being inserted into the printer, by the driving mechanism of the printer, when printing, the ribbon is drawn out from the supply side, and the take-up side winds up and recovers the drawn ribbon.

[0004] At the present stage, after the ribbon is loaded into the cartridge body, both the supply side and the take-up side are in a freely rotatable state. Therefore, the ribbon is prone to looseness and cannot maintain a certain tight state. When the ribbon cartridge is inserted into / removed from the printer, the ribbon may get stuck in other parts of the printer, resulting in damage to the ribbon or wrinkles and white stripes in the printed content due to the overly loose ribbon.

[0005] Therefore, there is an urgent need for a ribbon cartridge to solve the above problems. Summary of the Utility Model

[0006] The purpose of the utility model is to provide a ribbon cartridge and a printer to solve the problem that in the related art, both the supply side and the take-up side of the ribbon in the ribbon cartridge are in a freely rotatable state, so that the ribbon cannot maintain a certain tight state.

[0007] On the one hand, the utility model provides a ribbon cartridge, which includes:

[0008] A support base;

[0009] A supply reel and a take-up reel, the supply reel and the take-up reel are respectively rotatably arranged on the support base;

[0010] A locking assembly, including a locking plate, a driving member and two locking disks. The two locking disks are respectively fixed to the supply reel and the take-up reel. The locking plate is arranged between the support base and the locking disks. The locking plate is provided with abutting portions corresponding to the two locking disks. The driving member can make the locking plate approach the locking disks so that the abutting portions are abutted tightly against the two locking disks.

[0011] As a preferred technical solution of the ribbon cartridge, the locking plate is arranged at an interval from the support base;

[0012] It further includes an unlocking component. The ribbon cartridge is inserted into the printer housing, and the unlocking component can space the abutting portion from the corresponding locking disc.

[0013] As a preferred technical solution of the ribbon cartridge, the unlocking component includes a limiting block. The limiting block is used to be arranged in the installation cavity of the printer housing and fixedly connected to the printer housing. The ribbon cartridge is inserted into the installation cavity, and the limiting block abuts against the side of the locking plate away from the support base.

[0014] As a preferred technical solution of the ribbon cartridge, the support base protrudes with a boss;

[0015] The locking component further includes a fixing bolt and a first elastic washer. The fixing bolt sequentially passes through one end of the locking plate away from the abutting portion and the first elastic washer and is screwed to the boss.

[0016] As a preferred technical solution of the ribbon cartridge, the locking component further includes a second elastic washer. The second elastic washer is sleeved on the fixing bolt and located between the locking plate and the screw head of the fixing bolt.

[0017] As a preferred technical solution of the ribbon cartridge, the two locking discs are respectively sleeved on the supply reel and the recovery reel and are coaxially arranged with the sleeved supply reel and recovery reel respectively.

[0018] As a preferred technical solution of the ribbon cartridge, the locking component further includes an anti-slip pad. The anti-slip pad is arranged on the abutting portion and located between the locking plate and the locking disc.

[0019] As a preferred technical solution of the ribbon cartridge, the driving member is an elastic member. The elastic member is arranged between the support base and the locking plate. One end of the elastic member abuts tightly against the support base, and the other end abuts tightly against the locking plate.

[0020] As a preferred technical solution of the ribbon cartridge, the locking plate has elasticity.

[0021] On the other hand, the present invention provides a printer, including a printer housing and the ribbon cartridge in any of the above solutions. The printer housing is provided with an installation cavity, and the ribbon cartridge is inserted into the installation cavity.

[0022] The beneficial effects of the present invention are:

[0023] The present utility model provides a ribbon cartridge and a printer. The ribbon cartridge includes a support base, a supply reel, a take-up reel, and a locking assembly. The supply reel and the take-up reel are respectively rotatably arranged on the support base. The locking assembly includes a locking plate, a driving member, and two locking disks. The two locking disks are respectively fixedly connected to the supply reel and the take-up reel. The locking plate is arranged between the support base and the locking disks. The locking plate is provided with abutting portions corresponding to the two locking disks. The driving member can make the locking plate approach the locking disks so that the abutting portions are abutted tightly against the two locking disks. The printer housing is provided with an installation cavity, and the ribbon cartridge is inserted into the installation cavity. When the ribbon cartridge is not inserted into the installation cavity, the driving member is used to make the abutting portions of the locking plate abut tightly against the locking disks, so that the locking plate and the locking disks are relatively fixed. Since the two locking disks are fixedly connected to the corresponding supply reel and take-up reel, the locking plate is respectively relatively fixed to the supply reel and the take-up reel. Finally, when the supply reel and the take-up reel are not affected by external forces, the supply reel and the take-up reel are respectively relatively fixed to the support base to ensure that the ribbon is in a taut state. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0024] Figure 1 is a schematic structural diagram of the printer in the embodiment of the present utility model (the ribbon cartridge is inserted into the printer housing);

[0025] Figure 2 is a schematic structural diagram of the printer in the embodiment of the present utility model Figure 1 (the ribbon cartridge is removed from the printer housing);

[0026] Figure 3 is a schematic structural diagram of the printer in the embodiment of the present utility model Figure 2 (the ribbon cartridge is removed from the printer housing);

[0027] Figure 4 is a schematic structural diagram of the ribbon cartridge in the embodiment of the present utility model Figure 1 ;

[0028] Figure 5 is a schematic structural diagram of the ribbon cartridge in the embodiment of the present utility model Figure 2 ;

[0029] Figure 6 is a schematic structural diagram of the ribbon cartridge in the embodiment of the present utility model Figure 3 ;

[0030] Figure 7 is a schematic structural diagram of the locking plate in the embodiment of the present utility model.

[0031] In the figure:

[0032] 1. Ribbon cartridge; 11. Support base; 111. Screw platform; 12. Supply reel; 13. Take-up reel;

[0033] 14. Locking assembly; 141. Locking plate; 142. Driving member; 143. Locking disc; 144. Fixing bolt; 145. First elastic washer; 146. Second elastic washer; 147. Friction-increasing pad;

[0034] 15. Unlocking assembly;

[0035] 2. Printer housing; 21. Installation cavity. Specific embodiments

[0036] The technical solutions of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are part of the embodiments of the present invention, rather than all of the embodiments. All other embodiments obtained by those of ordinary skill in the art based on the embodiments of the present invention without making creative efforts shall fall within the protection scope of the present invention.

[0037] In the description of the present invention, it should be noted that the orientation or positional relationship indicated by the terms "center", "upper", "lower", "left", "right", "vertical", "horizontal", "inner", "outer", etc. is based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the drawings, and is only for the convenience of describing the present invention and simplifying the description, rather than indicating or implying that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and therefore cannot be understood as a limitation of the present invention. In addition, the terms "first" and "second" are only used for descriptive purposes and cannot be understood as indicating or implying relative importance. Among them, the terms "first position" and "second position" are two different positions, and moreover, the first feature being "above", "over" and "on" the second feature includes the first feature being directly above and obliquely above the second feature, or simply indicating that the first feature has a higher horizontal height than the second feature. The first feature being "below", "beneath" and "under" the second feature includes the first feature being directly below and obliquely below the second feature, or simply indicating that the first feature has a lower horizontal height than the second feature.

[0038] In the description of the present invention, it should be noted that unless otherwise clearly specified and limited, the terms "installed", "connected" and "connected" should be understood in a broad sense. For example, it can be a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; it can be a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; it can be directly connected, or indirectly connected through an intermediate medium, and it can be the communication inside two elements. For those of ordinary skill in the art, the specific meanings of the above terms in the present invention can be understood according to specific situations.

[0039] Embodiments of the present utility model will be described in detail below. Examples of the embodiments are shown in the accompanying drawings, where the same or similar reference numerals represent the same or similar elements or elements with the same or similar functions throughout. The embodiments described below by referring to the accompanying drawings are exemplary and are only used to explain the present utility model and should not be construed as a limitation of the present utility model.

[0040] As Figures 1 to 7 shown, this embodiment provides a carbon ribbon cassette. The carbon ribbon cassette 1 includes a support base 11, a supply reel 12, a take-up reel 13, and a locking assembly 14. The supply reel 12 and the take-up reel 13 are respectively rotatably arranged on the support base 11. The locking assembly 14 includes a locking plate 141, a driving member 142, and two locking discs 143. The two locking discs 143 are respectively fixedly connected to the supply reel 12 and the take-up reel 13. The locking plate 141 is arranged between the support base 11 and the locking discs 143. The locking plate 141 is provided with abutting portions corresponding to the two locking discs 143. The driving member 142 can make the locking plate 141 approach the locking discs so that the abutting portions are abutted tightly against the two locking discs 143. The printer housing 2 is provided with an installation cavity 21, and the carbon ribbon cassette 1 is inserted into the installation cavity 21. One end of the carbon ribbon is wound around the take-up reel 13, and the other end of the carbon ribbon is wound around the supply reel 12. When the carbon ribbon cassette 1 is inserted into the installation cavity 21, the take-up motor in the printer housing 2 drives the take-up reel 13 to rotate, so that the carbon ribbon on the supply reel 12 is wound onto the take-up reel 13. When the carbon ribbon cassette 1 is not inserted into the installation cavity 21, such as when the carbon ribbon cassette is not in use or during the installation process of the carbon ribbon cassette, or when the printer malfunctions or needs to replace the carbon ribbon, it is necessary to take out the carbon ribbon cassette 1 from the printer housing 2. After the carbon ribbon cassette 1 is taken out from the printer housing 2, in order to ensure that the carbon ribbon on the carbon ribbon cassette 1 is in a taut state, the driving member 142 is used to make the abutting portion of the locking plate 141 abut tightly against the locking discs 143, so that the locking plate 141 and the locking discs 143 are relatively fixed. Since the two locking discs 143 are fixedly connected to the corresponding supply reel 12 and take-up reel 13, the locking plate 141 is respectively relatively fixed to the supply reel 12 and the take-up reel 13. Finally, when the supply reel 12 and the take-up reel 13 are not affected by external forces, the supply reel 12 and the take-up reel 13 are respectively relatively fixed to the support base 11 to ensure that the carbon ribbon is in a taut state. This avoids the loose carbon ribbon getting stuck in other parts of the printer, causing damage to the carbon ribbon or wrinkles, white stripes and other defects in the printed content due to the overly loose carbon ribbon.

[0041] In other embodiments, a supply motor is further included, and the supply motor drives the supply reel 12 to rotate to realize the synchronous rotation of the supply reel 12 and the take-up reel 13.

[0042] Optionally, one side of the locking plate 141 away from the abutting portion is hinged to the support seat 11, and thus the driving member 142 can drive the two abutting portions to abut against the two locking discs 143 respectively.

[0043] In other embodiments, the locking plate 141 can also be floatingly arranged between the support seat 11 and the locking disc 143. Specifically, a guide rod is arranged on the support seat 11, and the locking plate 141 is sleeved on the guide rod to realize the sliding of the locking plate 141 relative to the axis of the guide rod. The axis of the guide rod is arranged along the spacing direction between the support seat 11 and the locking disc 143.

[0044] Optionally, the locking plate 141 and the support seat 11 are arranged at intervals; the ribbon cartridge 1 further includes an unlocking assembly 15, and the unlocking assembly 15 can make the abutting portion of the locking plate 141 and the locking disc 143 arranged at intervals. In this embodiment, when the ribbon cartridge 1 is inserted into the installation cavity 21 of the printer housing 2, the supply motor and / or the recovery motor in the printer housing 2 works, so that the ribbon can be continuously kept in a taut state. If the locking plate 141 and the locking disc 143 are still abutted tightly at this time, on the one hand, it will increase the energy consumption required for the supply motor and the recovery motor to drive the supply reel 12 and the recovery reel 13, and on the other hand, relative dynamic friction will be generated between the locking plate 141 and the locking disc 143, which will increase the noise of the printer during operation and accelerate the wear between the locking plate 141 and the locking disc 143. For this reason, the ribbon cartridge 1 further includes an unlocking assembly 15, so that after the ribbon cartridge 1 is inserted into the printer housing 2, the other end of the locking plate 141 and the locking disc 143 are arranged at intervals. Specifically, the purpose of arranging the locking plate 141 and the support seat 11 at intervals is to enable the locking plate 141 to move towards the support seat 11 to avoid interfering with the movement of the other end of the locking plate 141.

[0045] Optionally, the unlocking assembly 15 includes a limiting block, and the limiting block is used to be arranged in the installation cavity 21 of the printer housing 2 and fixedly connected to the printer housing 2. The ribbon cartridge 1 is inserted into the installation cavity 21, and the limiting block abuts against the side of the locking plate 141 away from the support seat 11. In this embodiment, during the process of inserting the support seat 11 into the installation cavity 21, the abutting portion of the locking plate 141 first abuts against the limiting block, and when the support seat 11 continues to move, the limiting member makes the abutting portion of the locking plate 141 move, so that the abutting portion of the locking plate 141 and the locking disc 143 are arranged at intervals.

[0046] In other embodiments, the locking assembly 14 can be a telescopic member, and the telescopic member abuts against the side wall of the locking plate 141 away from the support seat 11. Thus, when the telescopic member extends, the abutting portion of the locking plate 141 and the locking disc 143 can be arranged at intervals. Specifically, the telescopic member can be a telescopic cylinder or a gear-rack structure or a lead screw-nut structure.

[0047] Optionally, the support base 11 is convexly provided with a stud 111; the locking assembly 14 further includes a fixing bolt 144 and a first elastic washer 145. The fixing bolt 144 sequentially passes through one end of the locking plate 141 away from the abutting portion and the first elastic washer 145 and is screwed to the stud 111. In this embodiment, a threaded hole is provided on the stud 111, and the fixing bolt 144 extends into the threaded hole and is screwed to the stud 111. The stud 111 spaces the locking plate 141 from the support base 11. The first elastic washer 145 has elasticity. When the other end of the locking plate 141 is stressed, one end of the locking plate 141 squeezes the first elastic washer 145, and thus the angle of the locking plate 141 relative to the support base 11 can be changed to meet the movement of the abutting portion of the locking plate 141. Specifically, the first elastic washer 145 is an elastic rubber ring.

[0048] Optionally, the locking assembly 14 further includes a second elastic washer 146. The second elastic washer 146 is sleeved on the fixing bolt 144 and is located between the locking plate 141 and the bolt head of the fixing bolt 144. In this embodiment, the second elastic washer 146 and the first elastic washer 145 have the same function, that is, to enable the abutting portion of the locking plate 141 to move. The first elastic washer 145 and the second elastic washer 146 are respectively arranged on both sides of the locking plate 141, and this arrangement further increases the moving distance of the other end of the locking plate 141. Specifically, the second elastic washer 146 is an elastic rubber ring.

[0049] Optionally, there are at least two studs 111, and the numbers of the fixing bolts 144, the first elastic washers 145 and the second elastic washers 146 are in one-to-one correspondence with the number of the studs 111. This arrangement can improve the stability of the hinged connection between one end of the locking plate 141 and the support base 11.

[0050] Optionally, the two locking discs 143 are respectively sleeved on the supply reel 12 and the recovery reel 13 and are coaxially arranged with the sleeved supply reel 12 and recovery reel 13. In this embodiment, this arrangement can improve the stability of the locking plate 141 in limiting the supply reel 12 and the recovery reel 13, and prevent the situation that the friction force between the locking plate 141 and the locking plate 141 is uneven when the rotation angles of the supply reel 12 and the recovery reel 13 relative to the locking plate 141 are different.

[0051] Optionally, the locking assembly 14 further includes an anti-slip pad 147. The anti-slip pad 147 is arranged on the abutting portion of the locking plate 141 and is located between the locking plate 141 and the locking disc 143. In this embodiment, when the anti-slip pad 147 abuts against the abutting portion of the locking disc 143, the anti-slip pad 147 can increase the friction force between the locking plate 141 and the locking disc 143. Specifically, a plurality of anti-slip pads 147 are provided and are made of rubber.

[0052] Optionally, the driving member 142 is an elastic member disposed between the support base 11 and the locking plate 141. One end of the elastic member abuts against the support base 11, and the other end abuts against the locking plate 141. In this embodiment, the elastic member can drive the other end of the locking plate 141 to abut against the locking disc 143. Specifically, the elastic member can be elastic rubber or a spring.

[0053] Optionally, the locking plate 141 is elastic. In this embodiment, when the locking plate 141 is elastic, the force required for the other end of the locking plate 141 to move can be reduced.

[0054] This embodiment also provides a printer, including a printer housing 2 and the ribbon cartridge 1 in the above solution. The printer housing 2 is provided with an installation cavity 21, and the ribbon cartridge 1 is inserted into the installation cavity 21.

[0055] Obviously, the above embodiments of the present invention are merely examples for clearly illustrating the present invention, rather than limiting the implementation manners of the present invention. For those of ordinary skill in the art, other different forms of changes or modifications can be made based on the above description. It is not necessary and impossible to enumerate all the implementation manners here. Any modifications, equivalent replacements, and improvements made within the spirit and principle of the present invention shall be included in the protection scope of the claims of the present invention.

Claims

1. A carbon ribbon cassette, characterized in that: include: Support seat (11); A supply reel (12) and a recovery reel (13), wherein the supply reel (12) and the recovery reel (13) are respectively rotatably disposed on the support seat (11); The locking assembly (14) comprises a locking plate (141), a driving member (142) and two locking disks (143); the two locking disks (143) are respectively fixed to the supply reel (12) and the recovery reel (13); the locking plate (141) is arranged between the support seat (11) and the locking disks (143); the locking plate (141) is provided with abutment portions corresponding to the two locking disks (143); the driving member (142) can make the locking plate (141) close to the locking disk so that the abutment portions are tightly abutted against the two locking disks (143).

2. The carbon ribbon cassette according to claim 1, characterized in that: The locking plate (141) and the supporting seat (11) are spaced apart from each other; It also comprises an unlocking component (15), the carbon ribbon box (1) is inserted into the printer housing (2), and the unlocking component (15) can make the abutting part and the corresponding locking plate (143) be arranged at a distance.

3. The carbon ribbon cassette according to claim 2, characterized in that: The unlocking component (15) comprises a limit block, which is used to be arranged in the installation cavity (21) of the printer housing (2) and fixedly connected to the printer housing (2), and the carbon ribbon box (1) is inserted into the installation cavity (21), and the limit block abuts against a side of the locking plate (141) away from the support seat (11).

4. The carbon ribbon cassette according to claim 1, characterized in that: The support seat (11) is convexly provided with a screw boss (111); The locking assembly (14) further comprises a fixing bolt (144) and a first elastic washer (145), wherein the fixing bolt (144) sequentially passes through an end of the locking plate (141) away from the abutment portion and the first elastic washer (145) and is screwed to the screw platform (111).

5. The carbon ribbon cassette according to claim 4, characterized in that: The locking assembly (14) further comprises a second elastic washer (146), wherein the second elastic washer (146) is sleeved on the fixing bolt (144) and is located between the locking plate (141) and the screw head of the fixing bolt (144).

6. The carbon ribbon cassette according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that: The two locking plates (143) are respectively sleeved on the supply reel (12) and the recovery reel (13) and are respectively arranged coaxially with the sleeved supply reel (12) and the recovery reel (13).

7. The carbon ribbon cassette according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that: The locking assembly (14) further comprises a friction-enhancing pad (147), wherein the friction-enhancing pad (147) is arranged on the abutting portion and is located between the locking plate (141) and the locking disk (143).

8. The carbon ribbon cassette according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that: The driving member (142) is an elastic member, which is arranged between the supporting seat (11) and the locking plate (141), one end of the elastic member is tightly pressed against the supporting seat (11), and the other end is tightly pressed against the locking plate (141).

9. The carbon ribbon cassette according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that: The locking plate (141) is elastic.

10. A printer, characterized in that The invention comprises a printer housing (2) and a carbon ribbon box (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the printer housing (2) is provided with an installation cavity (21), and the carbon ribbon box (1) is inserted into the installation cavity (21).

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