Paper width limiting regulator structure and thermal printer

Abstract

A paper width limiting adjuster structure comprises a lower base and a paper width adjusting mechanism arranged on the lower base, and is characterized in that the lower base is provided with a strip-shaped groove, and the paper width adjusting mechanism comprises a central gear, a first sliding strip and a second sliding strip. The utility model also discloses a thermal printer. One of the first paper stopping block or the second paper stopping block is transversely shifted, the center gear rotates, then the paper stopping block on the other side can be driven to move synchronously, and paper guiding channels with different widths and sizes are achieved. And the first paper guide groove is matched with the second paper guide groove, so that the printing paper can be conveyed to the paper outlet in order.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to a paper output structure for a thermal printer, and more particularly to a structure for adjusting the width of the printing paper. This utility model also relates to a printing device. Background Technology

[0002] Existing thermal printers basically include a motor, a transmission mechanism, a frame, a rubber roller, and a thermal printhead. The aforementioned rubber roller is rotatably mounted on the frame, and the aforementioned thermal printhead is mounted on the frame and close to the rubber roller, with a gap between them for the paper to pass through. The motor drives the rubber roller to rotate through the transmission mechanism, thereby dragging the paper to print.

[0003] Thermal printers come in a variety of models and styles due to their wide range of applications, each often designed for specific paper widths. Unfortunately, most thermal printers have a preset and non-adjustable paper width. If printing needs change, the entire printer often needs to be replaced, resulting in a significant waste of resources.

[0004] As an improvement, the prior art discloses a thermal printer that can adjust the width of the printing paper, see Chinese utility model patent "Adjustable Width Thermal Printer Mechanism" with patent number ZL202022637747.1 (authorization announcement number CN214056957U), which adjusts the position of the adjusting block to achieve the adjustment of the width of the printing paper formed between the adjusting block and the paper stop block. Utility Model Content

[0005] The first technical problem to be solved by this utility model is to provide an additional paper width limit adjuster structure in view of the above-mentioned technical status.

[0006] The second technical problem to be solved by this utility model is to provide a paper width limit adjuster structure that can also have a paper guiding function, in view of the above-mentioned technical status.

[0007] The third technical problem to be solved by this utility model is to provide a thermal printer with adjustable paper width and paper guiding function, in view of the above-mentioned technical status.

[0008] The technical solution adopted by this utility model to solve the first and second technical problems mentioned above is as follows: a paper width limiting adjuster structure, including a lower base and a paper width adjusting mechanism disposed on the lower base, characterized in that the lower base has a strip groove, and the paper width adjusting mechanism includes...

[0009] A central gear is rotatably disposed in the middle of the aforementioned strip groove about a shaft;

[0010] The first slide bar can move back and forth along the aforementioned strip groove. A first paper stop block is provided at the end away from the central gear. A first rack portion is formed at the top of the first paper stop block that meshes with and drives the aforementioned central gear. The side of the first paper stop block facing the central gear has a first paper guide groove for the printing paper to pass through.

[0011] The second slide bar can move back and forth along the aforementioned strip groove. A second paper stop block is provided at the end away from the central gear, and a second rack part is formed at the bottom that meshes with the aforementioned central gear. The side of the aforementioned second paper stop block facing the central gear has a second paper guide groove for the other side of the printing paper to pass through.

[0012] Preferably, the groove is provided with a mounting seat, the support shaft is laterally mounted on the aforementioned mounting seat, the end of the support shaft has a cross groove along the length direction to make the end of the support shaft radially elastic, and the central inner hole of the central gear is interference-fitted with the support shaft.

[0013] Furthermore, at least one of the first paper stop block or the second paper stop block has a receiving cavity, in which a reflective optical coupler for black mark detection is provided, and the detection end of the reflective optical coupler is exposed in the receiving cavity.

[0014] The preferred connection and assembly structure of the first slide bar and the first paper stop block is as follows: the end of the first slide bar has a first extension extending laterally and a second extension extending downward. Correspondingly, the first paper stop block has a connecting part, which has an adapter groove that is matched with the aforementioned first extension and an insertion groove for the aforementioned second extension to be matched.

[0015] The technical solution adopted by this utility model to solve the third 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, and a rubber roller disposed on the lower base. The aforementioned upper cover assembly is disposed on the lower base in an openable and closable manner. 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, the aforementioned rubber roller is pressed and engaged with the thermal printhead assembly, and the printing paper is pulled and clamped through the gap between the rubber roller and the thermal printhead assembly.

[0016] Furthermore, the lower base is equipped with a paper cutting component near the paper outlet.

[0017] Furthermore, the inner side of the upper cover assembly is rotatably provided with a paper guide roller that can roll into contact with the printing paper. The rolling friction between the paper guide roller and the printing paper can reduce resistance and reduce wear on the printing paper.

[0018] Compared with the prior art, the advantages of this utility model are as follows: Laterally moving one of the first or second paper stop blocks causes the central gear to rotate, which in turn drives the other paper stop block to move synchronously, thus realizing paper guide channels of different widths. The cooperation of the first and second paper guide grooves allows for the orderly delivery of printing paper to the paper output port. Attached Figure Description

[0019] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure after the upper cover assembly and the lower base are closed in the embodiment.

[0020] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the structure after the upper cover assembly and the lower base are flipped open in the embodiment.

[0021] Figure 3 This is an enlarged exploded view of the lower base and paper width adjustment mechanism.

[0022] Figure 4 for Figure 3 A structural schematic diagram of the lower middle base from another perspective.

[0023] Figure 5 This is an enlarged view of the paper width adjustment mechanism.

[0024] Figure 6 for Figure 5 Enlarged exploded assembly diagram of the first paper stop block and the first slider.

[0025] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of the printed paper roll after installation, as shown in the example. 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 7 As shown, in this embodiment, there is a thermal printer top cover assembly 1, a thermal printhead assembly 3 disposed inside the top cover assembly 1, a lower base 2, and a rubber roller 4 disposed on the lower base 2. The top cover assembly 1 is disposed on the lower base 2 in an openable and closable manner. The axial direction of the rubber roller 4 is parallel to the length direction of the thermal printhead assembly. When the top cover assembly 1 is closed in the lower base 2, the rubber roller 4 and the thermal printhead assembly 3 are pressed together, and the printing paper 10 is pulled and clamped through the gap between the rubber roller 4 and the thermal printhead assembly 3.

[0028] With the upper cover assembly 1 closed to the lower base 2, a paper outlet 1a is formed between them. A paper cutting assembly 41 is located near the paper outlet 1a on the lower base 2. The lower base 2 contains a paper roll compartment 22 for paper roll storage. Figure 7 As shown.

[0029] The inner side of the top cover assembly 1 is provided with a paper guide roller 8 that can roll into contact with the printing paper 10, so as to reduce the contact between the printing paper and the inner side of the top cover assembly. The rolling friction between the paper guide roller 8 and the printing paper 10 can reduce resistance. If the design of the paper guide roller is omitted, there will be more opportunities for sliding friction between the printing paper and the inner side of the top cover assembly. The sliding friction resistance is large, which will wear down the coating on the printing surface of the printing paper and form printing stains.

[0030] Combination Figures 3-6 As shown, the lower base 2 in this embodiment is provided with a paper width adjustment mechanism 5. Specifically, the lower base 2 has a strip groove 21, and the paper width adjustment mechanism 5 includes a central gear 56, a first slide bar 51, and a second slide bar 53.

[0031] The central gear 56 is rotatably disposed in the middle of the strip groove 21 around a support shaft 57; a mounting seat 55 is provided in the strip groove 21, and the support shaft 57 is laterally disposed on the mounting seat 55. The end of the support shaft 57 has a cross groove 571 along the length direction to make the end of the support shaft 57 radially elastic. The central inner hole of the central gear 56 is interference-fitted with the support shaft 57, so that the support shaft 57 and the central inner hole of the central gear are tightened to form an elastic mesh, and the central gear has a constant damping effect when rotating.

[0032] The first slide bar 51 can move back and forth along the strip groove 21. The end away from the central gear 56 is provided with a first paper stop block 52. The top is formed with a first rack part 511 that meshes with the central gear 56. The side of the first paper stop block 52 facing the central gear 56 has a first paper guide groove 521 for the printing paper to pass through.

[0033] The second slide bar 53 can move back and forth along the strip groove 21. A second paper stop block 54 is provided at the end away from the central gear 56. A second rack portion 531 that meshes with the central gear 56 is formed at the bottom. The second paper stop block 54 has a second paper guide groove 541 on the side facing the central gear 56 for the other side of the printing paper to pass through.

[0034] The first paper guide groove 521 and the second paper guide groove 541 work together to orderly feed the printing paper to the paper output port.

[0035] The first paper stop block 52 has a receiving cavity, within which a reflective optical coupler 59 for black mark detection is disposed, with the detection end of the reflective optical coupler 59 exposed outside the receiving cavity. Specifically, refer to Figure 6 As shown, the first paper stop block 52 has a mounting groove, and the blocking block 58 confines the reflective optical coupler 59 within the mounting groove. The mounting groove and the blocking block 59 form a receiving cavity. The second paper stop block 54 is also provided with a reflective optical coupler 59, and the specific structure is the same as that of the reflective optical coupler 59 on the first paper stop block.

[0036] The reflective optocoupler can detect black marks. A black mark is a special mark on thermal paper used to indicate the starting position of printing or specific information. When the reflective optocoupler detects a black mark, it sends a corresponding signal so that the printer can accurately position itself and begin printing.

[0037] refer to Figure 6 As shown, the connection and assembly structure between the first paper stop block and the first slide bar is as follows: the end of the first slide bar 51 has a first extension 513 extending laterally and a second extension 512 extending downward. Correspondingly, the first paper stop block 52 has a connecting portion 524, which has an adapter groove 523 that limits and cooperates with the first extension 513 and an insertion groove 522 for the second extension 512 to be adapted. The connection and assembly structure between the second paper stop block and the second slide bar is the same.

[0038] When the first or second paper stop block is moved laterally, the central gear rotates, which in turn drives the other paper stop block to move synchronously, thus realizing paper guide channels of different widths.

Claims

1. A paper width limit adjuster structure comprising a lower base (2) and a paper width adjuster mechanism (5) provided on the lower base (2), characterized in that The lower base (2) has a strip groove (21), and the paper width adjustment mechanism (5) includes... A central gear (56) is rotatably disposed in the middle of the aforementioned strip groove (21) about a shaft (57); The first slide bar (51) can move back and forth along the aforementioned strip groove (21). A first paper stop block (52) is provided at the end away from the central gear (56). A first rack portion (511) is formed at the top, meshing with the aforementioned central gear (56). The first paper stop block (52) has a first paper guide groove (521) on the side facing the central gear (56) for the paper to pass through. The second slide bar (53) can move back and forth along the aforementioned strip groove (21). A second paper stop block (54) is provided at one end away from the central gear (56). A second rack portion (531) is formed at the bottom that meshes with the aforementioned central gear (56). The side of the aforementioned second paper stop block (54) facing the central gear (56) has a second paper guide groove (541) for the other side of the printing paper to pass through.

2. The paper width limit adjuster structure according to claim 1, characterized by The groove (21) is provided with a mounting base (55), the support shaft (57) is arranged laterally on the aforementioned mounting base (55), the end of the support shaft (57) has a cross groove (571) along the length direction to make the end of the support shaft (57) radially elastic, and the central inner hole of the central gear (56) is interference-fitted with the support shaft (57).

3. The paper width limit adjuster structure according to claim 1, wherein At least one of the first paper block (52) or the second paper block (54) has a receiving cavity, in which a reflective optical coupler (59) for black mark detection is provided, and the detection end of the reflective optical coupler (59) is exposed in the receiving cavity.

4. The paper width limit adjuster structure according to claim 1, characterized by The first slide bar (51) has a first extension (513) extending laterally and a second extension (512) extending downward. Correspondingly, the first paper stop block (52) has a connecting part (524), which has an adapter groove (523) that is matched with the first extension (513) and an insertion groove (522) that is matched with the second extension (512).

5. A thermal printer having the paper width limiter structure according to any one of claims 1 to 4, 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 (2), and a rubber roller (4) disposed on the lower base (2). The upper cover assembly (1) is disposed on the lower base (2) in an openable and closable manner. The axial direction of the rubber roller (4) is parallel to the length direction of the thermal printhead assembly. When the upper cover assembly (1) is closed on the lower base (2), the rubber roller (4) is pressed and engaged with the thermal printhead assembly (3), and the printing paper (10) is pulled and clamped through the gap between the rubber roller (4) and the thermal printhead assembly (3).

6. The thermal printer according to claim 5, characterized in that... The lower base (2) is provided with a paper cutting component (41) near the paper outlet (1a).

7. The thermal printer according to claim 5, characterized by The inner side of the top cover assembly (1) is provided with a paper guide roller (8) that can roll into contact with the printing paper (10).

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