Thermal printer opening and closing structure and thermal printer

Abstract

An opening and closing structure of a thermal printer comprises a lower base assembly and an upper cover assembly which can be arranged on the lower base assembly in a turnover mode, and is characterized in that a connecting supporting frame is arranged at the rear end of the upper cover assembly, a shaft part and a falling groove are arranged on one side of the connecting supporting frame, and correspondingly, the lower base assembly is provided with an inserting channel for containing the connecting supporting frame. The shaft hole is in running fit with the shaft part, and the convex body can be in extrusion contact with the outer wall of the connecting support frame to generate damping. The utility model also discloses a thermal printer. When the upper cover assembly and the lower base assembly are closed, the protruding body and the outer wall of the supporting frame form extrusion contact, friction force is formed on the contact face, damping of the last stroke of the upper cover assembly is achieved, strong impact of the upper cover assembly on the lower base assembly is avoided, and the risk that fingers are clamped can also be reduced.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to an opening and closing structure, and more particularly to an opening and closing structure applied to a thermal printer. This utility model also relates to a printing device. Background Technology

[0002] Existing portable thermal printers generally consist of a motor, a top cover assembly, a thermal printhead assembly located inside the top cover assembly, a lower base assembly, and a rubber roller mounted on the lower base assembly. The top cover assembly is flip-mounted on the lower base, and the axis of the rubber roller is parallel to the length direction of the thermal printhead assembly. The lower base is designed with a paper tray to hold the paper roll. With the top cover assembly closed in the lower base assembly, the rubber roller and the thermal printhead assembly are pressed together, and the printing paper is gripped and pulled through the gap between the rubber roller and the thermal printhead assembly. The motor drives the rubber roller to rotate through a transmission mechanism, thereby pulling the printing paper to complete the printing operation.

[0003] Currently, in practice, the top cover assembly needs to be closed onto the bottom base assembly for printing. However, when a paper jam occurs or the paper roll needs to be changed, the top cover assembly needs to be flipped open. After resolving the paper jam or changing the paper roll, the top cover assembly usually falls freely and closes with the bottom base assembly. However, due to the rapid descent, the impact force between the two is significant, which may damage the equipment and also poses a risk of pinching the operator's fingers. Therefore, this design needs improvement. Utility Model Content

[0004] The first technical problem to be solved by this utility model is to provide a thermal printer opening and closing structure with damping during the falling process of the top cover assembly, in view of the above-mentioned technical status.

[0005] The second technical problem to be solved by this utility model is to provide a thermal printer with damping during the falling process of the top cover assembly, in view of the above-mentioned technical status.

[0006] The technical solution adopted by this utility model to solve the first technical problem mentioned above is as follows: a thermal printer opening and closing structure, including a lower base assembly and an upper cover assembly that can be flipped on the lower base assembly, characterized in that the rear end of the upper cover assembly has a connecting support frame, one side of which has a shaft portion and a positioning groove. Correspondingly, the lower base assembly has an insertion channel for accommodating the connecting support frame, the insertion channel has a shaft hole that rotatably engages with the aforementioned shaft portion and a protrusion that can press against the outer wall of the connecting support frame to generate damping. The protrusion protrudes towards the center of the insertion channel. When the upper cover assembly is closed on the lower base assembly, the protrusion is adapted to the positioning groove.

[0007] Preferably, the protrusion is hemispherical due to its smooth surface, pointed top, and wide bottom.

[0008] Furthermore, the connecting support frame has elastic deformation capability due to the grooves formed inside.

[0009] The connecting support frame has an arc-shaped notch. During the closing process of the upper cover assembly and the lower base assembly, the protrusion first contacts the arc-shaped notch, then presses against the outer wall of the connecting support frame, and finally fits into the positioning groove. The arc-shaped notch serves as a guide to facilitate the smooth entry of the protrusion into the positioning groove.

[0010] The connecting support frame is two and arranged at intervals, each connecting support frame is provided with a shaft portion, and at least one of the connecting support frames is provided with a positioning groove adapted to the protrusion.

[0011] The lower base assembly includes a lower cover and an inner fitting disposed on the lower cover, and the insertion channel is formed at the end of the inner fitting in the length direction.

[0012] Preferably, a connecting arm extends downward on one side of the insertion channel, and the inner wall of the connecting arm is formed with the aforementioned protrusion.

[0013] Furthermore, the front end of the upper cover assembly has an elastic buckle, and correspondingly, the upper end surface of the lower base assembly has a snap-fit ​​hole for engaging with the aforementioned elastic buckle.

[0014] Furthermore, the elastic buckle side has a force-applying part for finger to flick, which is laterally exposed to the side wall of the upper cover assembly.

[0015] The technical solution adopted by this utility model to solve the second technical problem mentioned above is as follows: a thermal printer, characterized in that it includes an upper cover assembly, a thermal printhead assembly disposed inside the upper cover assembly, a lower base assembly, and a rubber roller disposed on the lower base assembly, wherein the axial direction of the rubber roller is parallel to the length direction of the thermal printhead assembly; when the upper cover assembly is closed in the aforementioned lower base assembly, the aforementioned rubber roller is pressed and engaged with the thermal printhead assembly, and the printing paper is clamped and pulled through the gap between the rubber roller and the thermal printhead assembly.

[0016] Compared with the prior art, the advantages of this utility model are as follows: when the upper cover assembly and the lower base assembly are closed, the protrusion forms a pressing contact with the outer wall of the support frame, and the contact surface forms a frictional force, which realizes the damping of the last part of the upper cover assembly's stroke, avoids the strong impact of the upper cover assembly on the lower base assembly, and also reduces the risk of fingers being pinched. After the upper cover assembly is damped, the operator can apply appropriate force to the upper cover to overcome the frictional force, so that the protrusion enters the positioning groove and completes the closure. Attached Figure Description

[0017] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the closed state structure in an embodiment.

[0018] Figure 2 for Figure 1 The exploded diagram.

[0019] Figure 3 for Figure 2 Enlarged view of section A.

[0020] Figure 4 for Figure 2 Another structural diagram of the internal components.

[0021] Figure 5 for Figure 4 Enlarged view of section B in the middle.

[0022] Figure 6 This is a diagram showing the combination of the elastic buckle, torsion spring, and connecting shaft.

[0023] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram showing the upper cover assembly in a stopped state when closed, as described in the embodiment.

[0024] Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram of the state of the upper cover assembly after it is closed in the embodiment.

[0025] Figure 9 This is a schematic diagram of an example containing a paper roll. Detailed Implementation

[0026] The present invention will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments.

[0027] like Figure 1 , Figure 2 and Figure 9 As shown, the thermal printers of this embodiment include an upper cover assembly 1, a thermal printhead assembly 3 disposed inside the upper cover assembly 1, a lower base assembly 2, and a rubber roller 4 disposed on the lower base assembly 2. A paper outlet 1a is formed between the upper cover assembly 1 and the lower base assembly 2. The axial direction of the rubber roller 4 is parallel to the longitudinal direction of the thermal printhead assembly 3. When the upper cover assembly 1 is closed in the lower base assembly 2, the rubber roller 4 and the thermal printhead assembly 3 are pressed together, and the printing paper is clamped and pulled through the gap between the rubber roller 4 and the thermal printhead assembly 3. The lower base 2 has a paper roll compartment 221 for storing the paper roll 10.

[0028] The front end of the upper cover assembly 1 has a resilient buckle 5, and correspondingly, the upper end face of the lower base assembly 2 has a snap-fit ​​hole 27 for engaging the resilient buckle 5. The side of the resilient buckle 5 has a force-applying part 51 for finger manipulation, which protrudes laterally from the side wall of the upper cover assembly 1. Figure 6 As shown, in this embodiment, there are two elastic buckles 5 connected by a connecting shaft 53. The elastic buckles 5 have a reset capability due to the setting of the torsion spring 52.

[0029] Combination Figure 3, Figure 4 and Figure 5 The upper cover assembly 1 has a connecting support frame 11 at its rear end. One side of the connecting support frame 11 has a shaft portion 12 and a positioning groove 13. Correspondingly, the lower base assembly 2 has an insertion channel 23 for accommodating the connecting support frame 11. The insertion channel 23 has a shaft hole 25 that rotatably engages with the shaft portion 12 and a protrusion 26 that can press against the outer wall of the connecting support frame 11 to generate damping. The protrusion 26 protrudes towards the center of the insertion channel 23. When the upper cover assembly 1 is closed onto the lower base assembly 2, the protrusion 26 fits into the positioning groove 13. In this embodiment, the protrusion 26 is hemispherical due to its smooth surface, pointed top, and wide bottom.

[0030] The connecting support frame 11 has elastic deformation capability due to the internal groove 15. The connecting support frame 11 has an arc-shaped notch 14, which, during the closing process of the upper cover assembly 1 and the lower base assembly 2, allows for... Figure 7 and Figure 8 As shown, the protrusion 26 first contacts the arc-shaped notch 14, then presses against the outer wall of the contact support frame 11, and finally fits into the positioning groove 13.

[0031] There are two connecting support frames 11 arranged at intervals. Each connecting support frame 11 is provided with a shaft portion 12. One of the connecting support frames 11 is provided with a positioning groove 13 that is adapted to the protrusion 26.

[0032] The lower base assembly 2 includes a lower cover 21 and an inner fitting 22 disposed on the lower cover 21. An insertion channel 23 is formed at the end of the inner fitting 22 in the length direction. A connecting arm 24 extends downward from one side of the insertion channel 23, and a protrusion 26 is formed on the inner wall of the connecting arm 24.

[0033] When the upper cover assembly and lower base assembly close, the protrusion first contacts the arc-shaped notch, and then, guided by the arc-shaped notch, crosses it and forms a pressing contact with the outer wall of the support frame. Friction is generated at the contact surfaces, damping the final stage of the upper cover assembly's stroke and preventing a strong impact on the lower base assembly, while also reducing the risk of fingers being pinched. After being dampened, the upper cover assembly comes to a stop. The operator applies appropriate pressure to the upper cover to overcome the friction, causing the protrusion to enter the positioning groove. Simultaneously, the elastic buckle engages with the locking hole, completing the closure.

Claims

1. A heat-sensitive printer opening and closing structure comprising a lower base assembly (2) and an upper cover assembly (1) which is reversibly provided on the lower base assembly (2), characterized in that The rear end of the upper cover assembly (1) has a connecting support frame (11), which has a shaft portion (12) and a positioning groove (13) on one side. Correspondingly, the lower base assembly (2) has an insertion channel (23) for accommodating the connecting support frame (11). The insertion channel (23) has a shaft hole (25) that rotatably engages with the aforementioned shaft portion (12) and a protrusion (26) that can press against the outer wall of the connecting support frame (11) to generate damping. The protrusion (26) protrudes towards the center of the insertion channel (23). When the upper cover assembly (1) is covered by the lower base assembly (2), the protrusion (26) is adapted to the positioning groove (13).

2. The thermal printer opening and closing structure according to claim 1, characterized by The protrusion (26) is hemispherical due to its smooth surface, pointed top and wide bottom.

3. The thermal printer opening and closing structure according to claim 1, characterized by The connecting support frame (11) has elastic deformation capability due to the groove (15) formed inside.

4. The thermal printer opening and closing structure according to claim 3, characterized by The connecting support frame (11) has an arc-shaped notch (14). During the process of the upper cover assembly (1) and the lower base assembly (2) closing, the protrusion (26) first contacts the arc-shaped notch (14), then squeezes and contacts the outer wall of the connecting support frame (11), and finally fits into the positioning groove (13).

5. The thermal printer opening and closing structure according to claim 1, characterized by The connecting support frame (11) is two and arranged at intervals. Each connecting support frame (11) is provided with a shaft portion (12), and at least one of the connecting support frames (11) is provided with a positioning groove (13) adapted to the protrusion (26).

6. The thermal printer opening and closing structure according to claim 1, characterized in that... The lower base assembly (2) includes a lower cover (21) and an inner fitting (22) disposed on the lower cover (21), and the insertion channel (23) is formed at the end of the inner fitting (22) in the length direction.

7. The thermal printer opening and closing structure according to claim 6, characterized by A connecting arm (24) extends downward from one side of the insertion channel (23), and the inner wall of the connecting arm (24) is formed with the protrusion (26).

8. The thermal printer opening and closing structure according to claim 1, characterized by The front end of the upper cover assembly (1) has an elastic buckle (5), and correspondingly, the upper end surface of the lower base assembly (2) has a snap-fit ​​hole (27) for the aforementioned elastic buckle (5) to snap into place.

9. The thermal printer opening and closing structure according to claim 8, characterized by The elastic buckle (5) has a force-applying part (51) on its side for finger to flick, which is laterally exposed to the side wall of the cover assembly (1).

10. A thermal printer having the thermal printer opening and closing structure according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized by The device includes an upper cover assembly (1), a thermal printhead assembly (3) disposed inside the upper cover assembly (1), a lower base assembly (2), and a rubber roller (4) disposed on the lower base assembly (2). The axial direction of the rubber roller (4) is parallel to the length direction of the thermal printhead assembly (3). When the upper cover assembly (1) is closed in the aforementioned lower base assembly (2), the aforementioned rubber roller (4) is pressed and engaged with the thermal printhead assembly (3), and the printing paper is clamped and pulled through the gap between the rubber roller (4) and the thermal printhead assembly (3).

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