A semi-inch label printer mechanism of an inclined thermal printhead

Abstract

The utility model belongs to label printing equipment technical field especially, it is a kind of half inch label printer movement of inclined thermal printhead, aiming at the current thermal printhead usually horizontal installation, leading to label paper in paper process easily with the frictional resistance of printhead, especially in the small roll diameter label paper case, easily appear the problem of paper jam, paper deviation, present and propose the following scheme, it includes paper bin and flap, the accommodating cavity for accommodating thermal roll paper is equipped in the paper bin, the flap is hinged in the one side of paper bin by pin shaft, the mounting bracket is fixed in the flap by bolt, the mounting bracket is equipped with the clamping piece of cooperation with paper bin, the flap is fixed on paper bin using clamping piece, up and down photosensor accurately monitors paper position and state, the sliding design of clamping piece makes operation more flexible, printhead support is stable, guarantee printing definition, thermal roll paper inclination setting optimizes printing angle, multi-dimension improves printing quality and efficiency.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of label printing equipment technology, and in particular to a half-inch label printer mechanism with a tilted thermal printhead. Background Technology

[0002] In the modern business and logistics sector, half-inch label printers are widely used in product labeling, logistics tracking, and other scenarios due to their compact size, portability, and high printing accuracy. Thermal printing technology, as the core technology of half-inch label printing, achieves printing by changing the color of thermal paper when heated by a thermal printhead. It does not require ink or ribbon and has advantages such as fast printing speed, low cost, and easy maintenance.

[0003] The thermal printhead of existing half-inch label printers is usually mounted horizontally, which makes it easy for the label paper to generate frictional resistance with the printhead during the paper feeding process. This is especially prone to paper jams and paper feed deviations when using small-diameter label paper. Utility Model Content

[0004] The purpose of this invention is to address the shortcomings of existing technologies where thermal printheads are typically installed horizontally, leading to frictional resistance between the label paper and the printhead during paper feeding, especially with small-diameter label paper, which can easily cause paper jams and paper feed deviations. This invention proposes a tilted thermal printhead mechanism for a half-inch label printer.

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

[0006] A tilting thermal printhead half-inch label printer mechanism, used in a thermal printer, includes a paper tray and a flip cover. The paper tray has a receiving cavity for accommodating thermal roll paper. The flip cover is hinged to one side of the paper tray by a pin. A mounting bracket is fixed inside the flip cover by bolts. The mounting bracket has a snap-fit ​​component that works with the paper tray to fix the flip cover to the paper tray. A paper outlet is provided at the top of one side of the paper tray, and a paper cutter is provided at the bottom of one side of the flip cover, located inside the paper outlet.

[0007] The mounting frame contains a rotatable rubber roller via a bearing. One end of the rubber roller is provided with a driven gear. The paper tray is provided with a driving component that works with the driven gear. The driving component drives the rubber roller to rotate. The thermal paper roll is located below the rubber roller and abuts against it. The friction between the rubber roller and the thermal paper roll drives the thermal paper roll to move.

[0008] The paper tray has a first mounting slot and a second mounting slot located on one side of the first mounting slot. The first mounting slot is equipped with a print head, and after the flip cover is closed with the paper tray, the lower edge of the rubber roller is in contact with the print head to form a paper passage. The second mounting slot is equipped with a lower photosensitive sensor, and the mounting frame is equipped with an upper photosensitive sensor corresponding to the lower photosensitive sensor.

[0009] In one possible design, the snap-fit ​​component includes two snaps disposed on both sides of the mounting frame, and the top of the paper tray is provided with a snap block that engages with the snaps.

[0010] In one possible design, a sliding block is slidably provided between the mounting bracket and the flip cover, and two buckles are integrally formed on both sides of the sliding block. The top of the flip cover has an oblong hole, and the top of the sliding block is located in the oblong hole. The mounting bracket is provided with a second spring, and the two ends of the second spring are fixedly connected to one side of the inner wall of the flip cover and one side of the sliding block, respectively.

[0011] In one possible design, the first mounting slot is provided with a bracket, the print head is welded to the bracket, the outer side of the paper tray is provided with a slot, a pressure plate is engaged in the slot, a first spring is provided between the pressure plate and the bracket, and the print head is supported by the first spring. Two V-shaped grooves are provided on one side of the paper tray, and extension shafts are provided on both sides of the bracket, with the extension shafts located in the corresponding V-shaped grooves.

[0012] In one possible design, the drive unit includes a motor bolted to one side of the paper tray, the output of which is provided with a gear set that engages with the driven gear.

[0013] In one possible design, the thermal paper roll forms a 35° angle with the mounting bracket.

[0014] In this utility model, the half-inch label printer mechanism with a tilted thermal printhead has a bracket in the first mounting slot, the printhead is welded to the bracket, a slot is opened on the outside of the paper tray, a pressure plate is snapped into the slot, and a first spring is provided between the pressure plate and the bracket. The first spring supports the printhead, ensuring the stability of the printhead during operation and helping to ensure the consistency and clarity of the printing effect.

[0015] In this invention, the half-inch label printer mechanism with a tilting thermal printhead has a first mounting slot and a second mounting slot in the paper tray. The printhead is installed in the first mounting slot, and a lower photosensitive sensor is installed in the second mounting slot. An upper photosensitive sensor corresponding to the lower photosensitive sensor is installed on the mounting bracket. The arrangement of the upper and lower photosensitive sensors can detect the position and state of the paper, which helps to improve print quality and accuracy.

[0016] In this utility model, the half-inch label printer mechanism with a tilted thermal printhead has a 35° angle between the thermal roll paper and the mounting frame. The tilted setting helps to optimize the printing angle and pressure distribution of the printhead, further improving the printing quality and making the printed labels clearer and more beautiful.

[0017] In this invention, the rational structure of the paper tray and flip cover, along with the snap-fit ​​design, enables convenient opening and closing and paper loading. The rubber roller and drive unit work together to stably drive the thermal paper roll, ensuring a smooth printing process. The upper and lower photosensitive sensors accurately monitor the paper position and status, the sliding design of the snap-fit ​​makes operation more flexible, the print head is stably supported to ensure print clarity, and the thermal paper roll tilt setting optimizes the printing angle, improving print quality and efficiency in multiple dimensions. Attached Figure Description

[0018] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the flip-top opening structure of a half-inch label printer mechanism with a tilted thermal printhead proposed in this utility model.

[0019] Figure 2 A schematic diagram of the flip-top closing structure of a half-inch label printer mechanism with a tilted thermal printhead proposed in this utility model.

[0020] Figure 3 This is an exploded view of the paper tray structure of a half-inch label printer mechanism with a tilted thermal printhead proposed in this utility model.

[0021] Figure 4 for Figure 2 Schematic diagram of cross-section structure.

[0022] In the diagram: 1. Paper tray; 2. Flip cover; 3. Receiving cavity; 4. Thermal paper roll; 5. Motor; 6. Gear set; 7. Locking block; 8. Buckle; 9. Glue roller; 10. Driven gear; 11. Upper photosensitive sensor; 12. Paper cutter; 13. First mounting slot; 14. Second mounting slot; 15. Lower photosensitive sensor; 16. Bracket; 17. Printhead; 18. First spring; 19. Pressure plate; 20. Slot; 21. Sliding block; 22. Waist-shaped hole; 23. Second spring; 24. Mounting bracket; 25. V-groove; 26. Extension shaft. Detailed Implementation

[0023] The technical solutions of the present utility model will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings of the embodiments of the present utility model. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present utility model, and not all embodiments.

[0024] Example 1

[0025] The thermal printhead of existing half-inch label printers is usually mounted horizontally, which makes it easy for the label paper to generate frictional resistance with the printhead during the paper feeding process. Especially with small-diameter label paper, problems such as paper jams and paper feed deviation are likely to occur. To address this problem, this solution designs a new type of printer mechanism.

[0026] Reference Figures 1-4 A mechanism includes a paper tray 1 and a flip cover 2. The paper tray 1 has an internal receiving cavity 3 for holding thermal paper rolls 4. The size and shape of the receiving cavity 3 are designed according to the specifications of the thermal paper rolls 4 to ensure that the thermal paper rolls 4 can be smoothly inserted and remain stable. A paper outlet is located at the top of one side of the paper tray 1, and the edges of the paper outlet are smoothly treated to prevent scratching the label paper during the paper output process.

[0027] The flip cover 2 is hinged to one side of the paper tray 1 via a pin, allowing for flexible opening and closing. A mounting bracket 24 is bolted inside the flip cover 2, and the mounting bracket 24 has a locking mechanism that engages with the paper tray 1. The locking mechanism includes two latches 8 on both sides of the mounting bracket 24, and a locking block 7 at the top of the paper tray 1 that engages with the latches 8. When the flip cover 2 is closed, the latches 8 and the locking block 7 engage, fixing the flip cover 2 to the paper tray 1 and ensuring the stability of the machine mechanism during operation.

[0028] A paper cutter 12 is located inside the paper outlet at the bottom of one side of the flip cover 2. After the label paper is output from the paper outlet, it can be cut using the paper cutter 12 for convenient use. The paper cutter 12 is made of high-hardness material to ensure sharpness and durability in cutting.

[0029] A rubber roller 9 is rotatably mounted within the mounting frame 24 via bearings. One end of the rubber roller 9 is equipped with a driven gear 10. The paper tray 1 is equipped with a drive unit that works in conjunction with the driven gear 10. The drive unit includes a motor 5 fixed to one side of the paper tray 1 by bolts. The motor 5 is the same as the paper feeding motor used in patent document CN222080398U. The output end of the motor 5 is equipped with a gear set 6 that works in conjunction with the driven gear 10. When the motor 5 starts, the gear set 6 drives the driven gear 10 to rotate, thereby driving the rubber roller 9 to rotate.

[0030] The thermal roll paper 4 is located below and in contact with the rubber roller 9. Due to the friction between the rubber roller 9 and the thermal roll paper 4, when the rubber roller 9 rotates, this friction can be used to drive the thermal roll paper 4 to move, thereby realizing the delivery of the label paper.

[0031] The paper tray 1 has a first mounting groove 13 and a second mounting groove 14 located on one side of the first mounting groove 13. The first mounting groove 13 is equipped with a print head 17, and after the flip cover 2 is closed with the paper tray 1, the lower edge of the rubber roller 9 is in contact with the print head 17 to form a paper passage. The first mounting groove 13 is equipped with a bracket 16, and the print head 17 is welded to the bracket 16. The print head 17 is the same as that used in patent document CN222080398U. A slot 20 is provided on the outer side of the paper tray 1, and a pressure plate 19 is engaged in the slot 20. A first spring 18 is provided between the pressure plate 19 and the bracket 16. At the same time, two V-shaped grooves 25 are provided on one side of the paper tray 1. Extension shafts 26 are provided on both sides of the bracket 16, and the extension shafts 26 are located in the corresponding V-shaped grooves 25. Through the elastic force of the first spring 18, the print head 17 can be supported, so that it can fit tightly against the thermal roll paper 4, ensuring the clarity and quality of printing. The V-shaped grooves 25 and the extension shafts 26 can guide and limit the bracket 16, preventing the bracket 16 from twisting. At the same time, the design of the V-shaped grooves 25, which are narrower inside and wider outside, can provide space for the swing of the bracket 16. In addition, the design of the slot 20 and the pressure plate 19 facilitates the installation and removal of the print head 17, making subsequent maintenance and replacement easier.

[0032] The second mounting slot 14 is equipped with a lower photosensitive sensor 15, and the mounting bracket 24 is equipped with an upper photosensitive sensor 11 corresponding to the lower photosensitive sensor 15. The upper photosensitive sensor 11 and the lower photosensitive sensor 15 can monitor the position and status of the label paper in real time. When abnormalities such as label paper jamming or paper shortage occur, they can promptly provide feedback to the printer's control system so that corresponding measures can be taken to ensure the normal operation of printing. The photosensitive sensor is the same as that used in patent document CN209534502U.

[0033] This application can be used in the field of label printing equipment, or in other fields applicable to this application.

[0034] Example 2

[0035] refer to Figures 1-4 An improvement upon Embodiment 1: A tilting thermal printhead half-inch label printer mechanism, applied in the label printing equipment field, features a sliding block 21 slidably positioned between the mounting frame 24 and the flip cover 2 for easy engagement and disengagement of the latches 8 and the locking block 7. Two latches 8 are integrally formed on both sides of the sliding block 21. A waist-shaped hole 22 is provided at the top of the flip cover 2, with the top of the sliding block 21 located within it. The operator can push the sliding block 21 to slide within the waist-shaped hole 22, thereby moving the latches 8 and engaging or disengaging them from the locking block 7. A second spring 23 is provided on the mounting frame 24, with both ends of the second spring 23 fixedly connected to one side of the inner wall of the flip cover 2 and one side of the sliding block 21, respectively. The function of the second spring 23 is to automatically reset the sliding block 21 after it is released, ensuring stable engagement between the latches 8 and the locking block 7.

[0036] The thermal roll 4 and the mounting frame 24 form a 35° angle. This angle design optimizes the label paper's feeding path, reduces paper jams and wrinkles during feeding, improves printing smoothness and stability, and makes paper feeding smoother.

[0037] In use, place the thermal paper roll 4 into the receiving cavity 3, so that one end of the thermal paper roll 4 extends outside the paper outlet. Then, flip the cover 2 so that the cover 2 covers the paper tray 1. When the buckle 8 contacts the locking block 7, the locking block 7 can use the inclined surface of the buckle 8 to push the buckle 8 to one side and drive the sliding block 21 to move, compressing the second spring 23. When the buckle 8 moves to the bottom of the locking block 7, the sliding block 21 can reset and move under the force of the second spring 23, and drive the buckle 8 to lock on one side of the locking block 7 to fix the cover 2.

[0038] Then, the motor 5 is started by an external controller. The rotation of the motor 5 can drive the rubber roller 9 to rotate by the gear set 6 and the driven gear 10. During the rotation of the rubber roller 9, the friction between the rubber roller 9 and the thermal paper roll 4 can drive the thermal paper roll 4 to move. At the same time, during the movement of the thermal paper roll 4, the print head 17 is controlled to print on the thermal paper roll 4 until the printing is completed. Then, the paper cutter 12 is used to cut the thermal paper roll 4.

[0039] However, as is well known to those skilled in the art, the working principles and wiring methods of the motor 5, printhead 17, upper photosensitive sensor 11 and lower photosensitive sensor 15 are commonplace and are all conventional methods or common knowledge. They will not be described in detail here. Those skilled in the art can make any selections according to their needs or convenience.

[0040] The above description is only a preferred embodiment of the present utility model, but the protection scope of the present utility model is not limited thereto. Any equivalent substitutions or changes made by those skilled in the art within the technical scope disclosed in the present utility model, based on the technical solution and the inventive concept of the present utility model, should be included within the protection scope of the present utility model.

Claims

1. A half-inch label printer mechanism with a tilting thermal printhead, used in a thermal printer, characterized in that, The device includes a paper tray (1) and a flip cover (2). The paper tray (1) has a cavity (3) for accommodating thermal paper rolls (4). The flip cover (2) is hinged to one side of the paper tray (1) by a pin. A mounting bracket (24) is fixed inside the flip cover (2) by bolts. The mounting bracket (24) has a snap-fit ​​component that works with the paper tray (1). The snap-fit ​​component is used to fix the flip cover (2) to the paper tray (1). A paper outlet is provided at the top of one side of the paper tray (1). A paper cutter (12) is provided at the bottom of one side of the flip cover (2) inside the paper outlet. The mounting frame (24) is equipped with a rubber roller (9) that rotates through a bearing. One end of the rubber roller (9) is provided with a driven gear (10). The paper tray (1) is provided with a drive component that works with the driven gear (10). The drive component drives the rubber roller (9) to rotate. The thermal paper roll (4) is located below the rubber roller (9) and abuts against the rubber roller (9). The friction between the rubber roller (9) and the thermal paper roll (4) drives the thermal paper roll (4) to move. The paper tray (1) has a first mounting groove (13) and a second mounting groove (14) located on one side of the first mounting groove (13). The first mounting groove (13) is provided with a print head (17). After the flip cover (2) is closed with the paper tray (1), the lower edge of the rubber roller (9) is attached to the print head (17) to form a paper passage. The second mounting groove (14) is provided with a lower photosensitive sensor (15). The mounting frame (24) is provided with an upper photosensitive sensor (11) corresponding to the lower photosensitive sensor (15).

2. The half-inch label printer mechanism with a tilting thermal printhead according to claim 1, characterized in that, The snap-fit ​​component includes two snaps (8) disposed on both sides of the mounting frame (24), and the top of the paper tray (1) is provided with a snap block (7) that engages with the snaps (8).

3. The half-inch label printer mechanism with a tilting thermal printhead according to claim 2, characterized in that, A sliding block (21) is slidably provided between the mounting bracket (24) and the flip cover (2). Two buckles (8) are integrally formed on both sides of the sliding block (21). A waist-shaped hole (22) is provided on the top of the flip cover (2). The top of the sliding block (21) is located in the waist-shaped hole (22). A second spring (23) is provided on the mounting bracket (24). The two ends of the second spring (23) are fixedly connected to one side of the inner wall of the flip cover (2) and one side of the sliding block (21), respectively.

4. The half-inch label printer mechanism with a tilting thermal printhead according to claim 1, characterized in that, The first mounting slot (13) is provided with a bracket (16), the print head (17) is welded to the bracket (16), the outer side of the paper tray (1) is provided with a slot (20), a pressure plate (19) is attached to the slot (20), a first spring (18) is provided between the pressure plate (19) and the bracket (16), the first spring (18) supports the print head (17), two V-shaped grooves (25) are provided on one side of the paper tray (1), and extension shafts (26) are provided on both sides of the bracket (16), the extension shafts (26) are located in the corresponding V-shaped grooves (25).

5. The half-inch label printer mechanism with a tilting thermal printhead according to claim 1, characterized in that, The driving component includes a motor (5) fixed to one side of the paper tray (1) by bolts, and the output end of the motor (5) is provided with a gear set (6) that works with the driven gear (10).

6. The half-inch label printer mechanism with a tilting thermal printhead according to any one of claims 1-5, characterized in that, The thermal paper roll (4) forms a 35° angle with the mounting frame (24).

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