Printhead mounting structure and printer

Abstract

The utility model belongs to printer technical field discloses printing head mounting structure and printer, in printing head mounting structure, printing head fixed base is used for installing in printer frame, the adapter plate has the first installation end surface and the second installation end surface who sets up in parallel and opposite, the adapter plate has first installation position and second installation position, when the adapter plate is located first installation position, printing head fixed base and first installation end surface fixedly adhere, second installation end surface is used for fixedly adhering left mounting plate, when the adapter plate is located second installation position, printing head fixed base and second installation end surface fixedly adhere, first installation end surface is used for fixedly adhering right mounting plate, thereby make printing head subassembly have two kinds of installation mode relative to printing head fixed base, in addition, no matter adopts which kind of installation mode, can connect the adapter plate with printing head subassembly first, then again put into the adapter plate in printer frame, and fixedly install in printing head fixed base, simple operation.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of printer technology, and in particular to a printhead mounting structure and a printer. Background Technology

[0002] Based on the direction of media movement, printers can be categorized into left-hand and right-hand printers. In a left-hand printer, the media travels from left to right, while in a right-hand printer, the media travels from right to left. To accommodate different usage scenarios, some printers incorporate both left-hand and right-hand printhead mounting structures, allowing users to switch between left and right handsets by mounting the printheads in different structures. However, this design requires two separate mounting structures, resulting in a complex overall printer structure and higher manufacturing costs.

[0003] To address this, existing technology provides a mounting bracket for installing an extruder, which can be used in 3D printers. Its mounting backplate has multiple symmetrically arranged mounting holes. For left-handed extruders, the extruder can be mounted to some of the mounting holes using fixing screws; for right-handed extruders, the extruder can be mounted to the other portion of the mounting holes using fixing screws, thus enabling switching between left and right handheld extruders. Furthermore, the mounting holes are integrated into the same mounting backplate, resulting in a simple structure. However, a remaining problem is that the mounting backplate is generally located inside the printer, requiring the operator to reach inside the printer to install the mounting backplate to the extruder, making the assembly process relatively difficult. Utility Model Content

[0004] According to one aspect of the present invention, the present invention provides a printhead mounting structure to solve the problem that in the prior art, the mounting backplate is generally located inside the printer, and the operator needs to reach into the printer to complete the installation between the mounting backplate and the extruder, which makes the assembly process difficult.

[0005] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention adopts the following technical solution:

[0006] A printhead mounting structure for mounting a printhead assembly to a printer frame, the printhead assembly having a left mounting plate and a right mounting plate; comprising:

[0007] A printhead mount for mounting on the printer frame;

[0008] The adapter plate has a first mounting end face and a second mounting end face that are parallel and opposite to each other. The adapter plate has a first mounting position and a second mounting position. When the adapter plate is in the first mounting position, the printhead holder is fixedly attached to the first mounting end face, and the second mounting end face is used to fixally attach to the left mounting plate. When the adapter plate is in the second mounting position, the printhead holder is fixedly attached to the second mounting end face, and the first mounting end face is used to fixally attach to the right mounting plate.

[0009] As a preferred embodiment of the printhead mounting structure, the adapter plate has through holes that pass sequentially through the first mounting end face and the second mounting end face. The printhead mounting structure also includes a connector that passes through the through holes and is used to connect to the left mounting plate or the right mounting plate.

[0010] As a preferred embodiment of the printhead mounting structure, the connector has a head located on the side of the adapter plate away from the printhead assembly. The printhead mounting base has a first clearance hole and a second clearance hole. When the adapter plate is in a first mounting position, the head is inserted into the first clearance hole; when the adapter plate is in a second mounting position, the head is inserted into the second clearance hole.

[0011] As a preferred embodiment of the printhead mounting structure, multiple connectors, first clearance holes, and second clearance holes are provided. When the adapter plate is in the first mounting position, the heads of the multiple connectors are inserted into the multiple first clearance holes in a one-to-one correspondence. When the adapter plate is in the second mounting position, the heads of the multiple connectors are inserted into the multiple second clearance holes in a one-to-one correspondence.

[0012] As a preferred embodiment of the printhead mounting structure, it also includes multiple connecting bolts. The adapter plate is also provided with multiple connecting holes, which are symmetrically arranged along a set plane. When the adapter plate is in the first mounting position or the second mounting position, the multiple connecting bolts can pass through the multiple connecting holes one by one and be threadedly connected to the printhead mounting base.

[0013] As a preferred embodiment of the printhead mounting structure, it also includes a positioning pin. The adapter plate is also provided with a first positioning hole, and the printhead mounting base has a second positioning hole. When the adapter plate is in the first mounting position and the second mounting position, the positioning pin can pass through the first positioning hole and be inserted into the second positioning hole.

[0014] According to another aspect of the present invention, a printer is provided, including the above-described printhead mounting structure, a printer frame, and a printhead assembly. The printhead mounting base is mounted on the printer frame. When the adapter plate is in a first mounting position, the printhead mounting base is fixedly attached to the first mounting end face, and the second mounting end face is used to fixally attach to the left mounting plate. When the adapter plate is in a second mounting position, the printhead mounting base is fixedly attached to the second mounting end face, and the first mounting end face is used to fixally attach to the right mounting plate.

[0015] As a preferred embodiment of the printer, the printer is a thermal transfer printer and includes a ribbon cartridge that is slidably mounted on the printer frame.

[0016] As a preferred embodiment of the printer, when the adapter plate is in the first mounting position, the ribbon can move in the first direction; when the adapter plate is in the second mounting position, the ribbon can move in the opposite direction of the first direction.

[0017] As a preferred embodiment of the printer, the ribbon cartridge is provided with a first take-up and untake-up roller and a second take-up and untake-up roller. When the adapter plate is in the first mounting position, the first take-up and untake-up roller is used to unwind the ribbon, and the second take-up and untake-up roller is used to wind the ribbon. When the adapter plate is in the second mounting position, the first take-up and untake-up roller is used to wind the ribbon, and the second take-up and untake-up roller is used to unwind the ribbon.

[0018] The beneficial effects of this utility model are:

[0019] This utility model provides a printhead mounting structure for mounting a printhead assembly to a printer frame. The printhead assembly has a left mounting plate and a right mounting plate. The printhead mounting structure includes a printhead fixing seat and an adapter plate. The printhead fixing seat is used to mount the printhead assembly to the printer frame. The adapter plate has a first mounting end face and a second mounting end face that are parallel and opposite to each other. The adapter plate has a first mounting position and a second mounting position. When the adapter plate is in the first mounting position, the printhead fixing seat is fixedly attached to the first mounting end face, and the second mounting end face is used to fixally attach to the left mounting plate. When the adapter plate is in the second mounting position, the printhead fixing seat is fixedly attached to the second mounting end face, and the first mounting end face is used to fixally attach to the right mounting plate. This allows the printhead assembly to have two mounting methods relative to the printhead fixing seat, one corresponding to the left handpiece and the other to the right handpiece. Furthermore, regardless of which mounting method is used, the adapter plate can be connected to the printhead assembly first, and then the adapter plate can be placed into the printer frame and fixedly mounted to the printhead fixing seat, making the operation simple.

[0020] This utility model also provides a printer, including the aforementioned printhead mounting structure, a printer frame, and a printhead assembly. The printhead mounting base is mounted on the printer frame. When the adapter plate is in the first mounting position, the printhead mounting base is fixedly attached to the first mounting end face, and the second mounting end face is used to fixally attach to the left mounting plate. When the adapter plate is in the second mounting position, the printhead mounting base is fixedly attached to the second mounting end face, and the first mounting end face is used to fixally attach to the right mounting plate. This allows the printhead assembly to have two mounting methods relative to the printhead mounting base, one corresponding to the left handpiece and the other to the right handpiece. Furthermore, regardless of the mounting method used, the adapter plate can be connected to the printhead assembly first, and then the adapter plate can be placed into the printer frame and fixedly mounted on the printhead mounting base, making operation simple. Attached Figure Description

[0021] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the first structure of the printer in this embodiment of the present invention;

[0022] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the second structure of the printer in an embodiment of this utility model;

[0023] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the first structure of the printhead mounting structure in this embodiment of the present invention (when the adapter plate is in the first mounting position);

[0024] Figure 4 This is an exploded view of the printhead mounting structure in an embodiment of this utility model;

[0025] Figure 5 yes Figure 4 Enlarged view of point A in the middle;

[0026] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the adapter plate in an embodiment of this utility model;

[0027] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of the second structure of the printhead mounting structure in an embodiment of this utility model (when the adapter plate is in the second mounting position).

[0028] In the picture:

[0029] 100. Printer frame; 200. Printhead assembly; 201. Left mounting plate; 202. Right mounting plate; 300. Ribbon cartridge; 310. First take-up / untake-off reel; 320. Second take-up / untake-off reel;

[0030] 1. Printhead mounting base; 11. First clearance hole; 12. Second clearance hole; 13. Second positioning hole;

[0031] 2. Adapter plate; 21. First mounting end face; 22. Second mounting end face; 23. Through hole; 24. Connecting hole; 25. First positioning hole;

[0032] 3. Connector; 31. Head;

[0033] 4. Connecting bolts;

[0034] 5. Positioning pin. Detailed Implementation

[0035] The present invention will now be described in further detail with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments. It should be understood that the specific embodiments described herein are merely illustrative of the present invention and not intended to limit it. Furthermore, it should be noted that, for ease of description, the accompanying drawings show only the parts relevant to the present invention, not the entire structure.

[0036] In the description of this utility model, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, the terms "connected," "linked," and "fixed" should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral part; they can refer to a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; they can refer to a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium; they can refer to the internal communication of two components or the interaction between two components. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this utility model based on the specific circumstances.

[0037] In this invention, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, "above" or "below" the second feature can include direct contact between the first and second features, or contact between the first and second features through another feature between them. Furthermore, "above," "over," and "on top" of the second feature includes the first feature directly above or diagonally above the second feature, or simply indicates that the first feature is at a higher horizontal level than the second feature. "Below," "below," and "under" the second feature includes the first feature directly below or diagonally below the second feature, or simply indicates that the first feature is at a lower horizontal level than the second feature.

[0038] In the description of this embodiment, the terms "upper," "lower," "left," and "right," etc., refer to the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings. They are used only for ease of description and simplification of operation, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation. Therefore, they should not be construed as limitations on this utility model. In addition, the terms "first" and "second" are only used for distinction in description and have no special meaning.

[0039] To accommodate different usage scenarios, some printers have both printhead mounting structures for the left-hand and right-hand extruders. By mounting the printheads in different structures, users can switch between left and right-hand extruders. Existing technology provides a mounting bracket for installing an extruder. For left-hand extruders, the extruder can be mounted to some mounting holes using screws; for right-hand extruders, it can be mounted to the remaining holes using screws. However, a remaining problem is that the mounting backplate is generally located inside the printer, requiring the operator to reach inside to install the backplate to the extruder, making the assembly process relatively difficult.

[0040] In response, this embodiment provides a printhead mounting structure to solve the problem that in the prior art, the mounting backplate is generally located inside the printer, and the operator needs to reach into the printer to complete the installation between the mounting backplate and the extruder, which is a difficult assembly process. It can be used in the field of printer technology, and can be specifically applied to thermal transfer printers.

[0041] Reference Figures 1-7 The printhead mounting structure is used to mount the printhead assembly 200 onto the printer frame 100. The printhead assembly 200 has a left mounting plate 201 and a right mounting plate 202. The printhead mounting structure includes a printhead fixing seat 1 and an adapter plate 2. The printhead fixing seat 1 is used to mount the printhead assembly 200 onto the printer frame 100. The adapter plate 2 has a first mounting end face 21 and a second mounting end face 22 that are parallel and opposite to each other. The adapter plate 2 has a first mounting position and a second mounting position. When the adapter plate 2 is in the first mounting position, the printhead fixing seat 1 is fixedly attached to the first mounting end face 21, and the second mounting end face 22 is used to fixally attach to the left mounting plate 201. When the adapter plate 2 is in the second mounting position, the printhead fixing seat 1 is fixedly attached to the second mounting end face 22, and the first mounting end face 21 is used to fixally attach to the right mounting plate 202. Thus, the printhead assembly 200 has two mounting methods relative to the printhead fixing seat 1, one corresponding to the left handpiece and the other corresponding to the right handpiece. In addition, regardless of the installation method, the adapter plate 2 can be connected to the printhead assembly 200 first, and then the adapter plate 2 can be placed into the printer frame 100 and fixedly installed on the printhead mounting base 1. The operation is simple.

[0042] Continue to refer to Figures 1-7 The adapter plate 2 has a through hole 23 that passes through the first mounting end face 21 and the second mounting end face 22 in sequence. The printhead mounting structure also includes a connector 3, which passes through the through hole 23 and is used to connect with the left mounting plate 201 or the right mounting plate 202, thereby connecting the adapter plate 2 with the left mounting plate 201 or the right mounting plate 202.

[0043] Continue to refer to Figures 1-7The connector 3 has a head 31, which is located on the side of the adapter plate 2 away from the printhead assembly 200. In this embodiment, the connector 3 can be a rivet or a screw, both of which can fix the adapter plate 2 to the left mounting plate 201 or the right mounting plate 202. The printhead mounting base 1 has a first clearance hole 11 and a second clearance hole 12. When the adapter plate 2 is in the first mounting position, the head 31 is inserted into the first clearance hole 11; when the adapter plate 2 is in the second mounting position, the head 31 is inserted into the second clearance hole 12, thereby accommodating the head 31 protruding relative to the surface of the adapter plate 2 through the first clearance hole 11 and the second clearance hole 12.

[0044] Continue to refer to Figures 1-7 Multiple connectors 3, first clearance holes 11, and second clearance holes 12 are provided. When the adapter plate 2 is in the first installation position, the heads 31 of the multiple connectors 3 are inserted into the multiple first clearance holes 11 one by one. When the adapter plate 2 is in the second installation position, the heads 31 of the multiple connectors 3 are inserted into the multiple second clearance holes 12 one by one. The adapter plate 2 and the printhead assembly 200 are connected by the multiple connectors 3, and the connection is stable. The first clearance holes 11 and the second clearance holes 12 corresponding to the multiple connectors 3 are opened on the printhead fixing seat 1. The multiple first clearance holes 11 and the multiple second clearance holes 12 are symmetrically arranged along a set plane, which is a plane that passes through the center line of the printhead fixing seat 1 and the center line of the adapter plate 2 in sequence.

[0045] Continue to refer to Figures 1-7 The printhead mounting structure also includes multiple connecting bolts 4, and the adapter plate 2 has multiple connecting holes 24. These connecting holes 24 are symmetrically arranged along a set plane. When the adapter plate 2 is in the first mounting position or the second mounting position, each connecting bolt 4 can pass through one of the connecting holes 24 and be threadedly connected to the printhead mounting base 1. Specifically, the printhead mounting base 1 also has multiple threaded holes, and each connecting bolt 4 can be threadedly connected to one of these threaded holes. With this configuration, regardless of whether the adapter plate 2 is in the first or second mounting position, it can be connected to the printhead mounting base 1 via multiple connecting bolts 4, eliminating any unused connecting holes 24 and threaded holes.

[0046] Continue to refer to Figures 1-7 The printhead mounting structure also includes a positioning pin 5, and the adapter plate 2 is provided with a first positioning hole 25. The printhead mounting base 1 has a second positioning hole 13. When the adapter plate 2 is in the first mounting position and the second mounting position, the positioning pin 5 can pass through the first positioning hole 25 and be inserted into the second positioning hole 13. Thus, before installing the connecting bolt 4, the printhead mounting base 1 and the adapter plate 2 can be pre-positioned by the positioning pin 5, which facilitates the subsequent installation operation.

[0047] This embodiment also provides a printer, including the above-described printhead mounting structure, a printer frame 100, and a printhead assembly 200. The printhead mounting base 1 is mounted on the printer frame 100. When the adapter plate 2 is in the first mounting position, the printhead mounting base 1 is fixedly attached to the first mounting end face 21, and the second mounting end face 22 is used to fixally attach to the left mounting plate 201. When the adapter plate 2 is in the second mounting position, the printhead mounting base 1 is fixedly attached to the second mounting end face 22, and the first mounting end face 21 is used to fixally attach to the right mounting plate 202. This allows the printhead assembly 200 to have two mounting methods relative to the printhead mounting base 1, one corresponding to the left handpiece and the other to the right handpiece. Furthermore, regardless of the mounting method used, the adapter plate 2 can be connected to the printhead assembly 200 first, and then the adapter plate 2 can be placed inside the printer frame 100 and fixedly mounted on the printhead mounting base 1, making the operation simple.

[0048] Optionally, the printer is a thermal transfer printer and includes a ribbon cartridge 300, which is slidably mounted on the printer frame 100. When the operator needs to remove or install the ribbon, the ribbon cartridge 300 can be slid off for easy operation.

[0049] Optionally, when the adapter plate 2 is in the first mounting position, the ribbon can move along a first direction; when the adapter plate 2 is in the second mounting position, the ribbon can move in the opposite direction of the first direction. The first direction is... Figure 3 as well as Figure 7 In the B direction, the opposite direction of the first direction is... Figure 3 as well as Figure 7 In the C direction, when the adapter plate 2 is in the first mounting position, the ribbon moves along the first direction, and the printer is a left-hand printer. When the adapter plate 2 is in the second mounting position, the ribbon moves in the opposite direction of the first direction, and the printer is a right-hand printer.

[0050] With different connection methods between the adapter plate 2 and the printhead holder 1, the ribbon has different driving directions. To adapt to this feature, in this embodiment, the ribbon box 300 is provided with a first take-up and untake-down reel 310 and a second take-up and untake-down reel 320. When the adapter plate 2 is in the first installation position, the first take-up and untake-down reel 310 is used to unwind the ribbon, and the second take-up and untake-down reel 320 is used to wind the ribbon. When the adapter plate 2 is in the second installation position, the first take-up and untake-down reel 310 is used to wind the ribbon, and the second take-up and untake-down reel 320 is used to unwind the ribbon. This allows the adapter plate 2 and the printhead holder 1 to be connected in either the forward or reverse direction, so that the ribbon can be unwound by one of the first take-up and untake-down reel 310 and wound up by the other, thus achieving the conveying of the ribbon in different directions.

[0051] Obviously, the above embodiments of this utility model are merely examples for clearly illustrating the present utility model, and are not intended to limit the implementation of the present utility model. Those skilled in the art can make various obvious changes, readjustments, and substitutions without departing from the protection scope of this utility model. It is neither necessary nor possible to exhaustively describe all embodiments here. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, and improvements made within the spirit and principles of this utility model should be included within the protection scope of the claims of this utility model.

Claims

1. A printhead mounting structure for mounting a printhead assembly (200) to a printer frame (100), the printhead assembly (200) having a left mounting plate (201) and a right mounting plate (202); characterized by, include: A printhead mounting bracket (1) is used for mounting on the printer frame (100); The adapter plate (2) has a first mounting end face (21) and a second mounting end face (22) that are parallel and opposite to each other. The adapter plate (2) has a first mounting position and a second mounting position. When the adapter plate (2) is in the first mounting position, the print head fixing seat (1) is fixedly attached to the first mounting end face (21), and the second mounting end face (22) is used to fixally attach to the left mounting plate (201). When the adapter plate (2) is in the second mounting position, the print head fixing seat (1) is fixedly attached to the second mounting end face (22), and the first mounting end face (21) is used to fixally attach to the right mounting plate (202).

2. The printhead mounting structure of claim 1, wherein The adapter plate (2) has a through hole (23) that passes through the first mounting end face (21) and the second mounting end face (22) in sequence. The printhead mounting structure also includes a connector (3), which passes through the through hole (23) and is used to connect with the left mounting plate (201) or the right mounting plate (202).

3. The printhead mounting structure of claim 2, wherein The connector (3) has a head (31) located on the side of the adapter plate (2) away from the printhead assembly (200). The printhead mounting base (1) has a first clearance hole (11) and a second clearance hole (12). When the adapter plate (2) is in the first mounting position, the head (31) is inserted into the first clearance hole (11); when the adapter plate (2) is in the second mounting position, the head (31) is inserted into the second clearance hole (12).

4. The printhead mounting structure of claim 3, wherein Multiple connectors (3), first clearance holes (11), and second clearance holes (12) are provided. When the adapter plate (2) is in the first installation position, the heads (31) of the multiple connectors (3) are inserted into the multiple first clearance holes (11) in a corresponding manner. When the adapter plate (2) is in the second installation position, the heads (31) of the multiple connectors (3) are inserted into the multiple second clearance holes (12) in a corresponding manner.

5. The printhead mounting structure of claim 1, wherein It also includes multiple connecting bolts (4), and the adapter plate (2) is also provided with multiple connecting holes (24). The multiple connecting holes (24) are symmetrically arranged along a set plane. When the adapter plate (2) is located in the first installation position or the second installation position, the multiple connecting bolts (4) can pass through the multiple connecting holes (24) one by one and be threadedly connected to the print head fixing seat (1).

6. The printhead mounting structure of claim 1, wherein It also includes a positioning pin (5), the adapter plate (2) is also provided with a first positioning hole (25), and the print head fixing seat (1) has a second positioning hole (13). When the adapter plate (2) is in the first installation position and in the second installation position, the positioning pin (5) can pass through the first positioning hole (25) and be inserted into the second positioning hole (13).

7. Printer, characterized in that The printer includes the printhead mounting structure as described in any one of claims 1-6, and further includes a printer frame (100) and a printhead assembly (200). The printhead mounting base (1) is mounted on the printer frame (100). When the adapter plate (2) is in the first mounting position, the printhead mounting base (1) is fixedly attached to the first mounting end face (21), and the second mounting end face (22) is used to fixally attach to the left mounting plate (201). When the adapter plate (2) is in the second mounting position, the printhead mounting base (1) is fixedly attached to the second mounting end face (22), and the first mounting end face (21) is used to fixally attach to the right mounting plate (202).

8. The printer of claim 7, wherein, The printer is a thermal transfer printer and includes a ribbon cartridge (300) which is slidably mounted on the printer frame (100).

9. The printer of claim 8, wherein, When the adapter plate (2) is in the first mounting position, the carbon ribbon can move in the first direction; when the adapter plate (2) is in the second mounting position, the carbon ribbon can move in the opposite direction of the first direction.

10. The printer of claim 9, wherein, The ribbon cartridge (300) is provided with a first unwinding and winding reel (310) and a second unwinding and winding reel (320). When the adapter plate (2) is in the first installation position, the first unwinding and winding reel (310) is used to unwind the ribbon, and the second unwinding and winding reel (320) is used to wind the ribbon. When the adapter plate (2) is in the second installation position, the first unwinding and winding reel (310) is used to wind the ribbon, and the second unwinding and winding reel (320) is used to unwind the ribbon.

Images