A thermal printer

Abstract

The application relates to the technical field of printers, and provides a thermal printer, which comprises a shell and a printing assembly, the shell is provided with a paper inlet and a paper outlet, a paper feeding channel is communicated between the paper inlet and the paper outlet, and the opposite wall surface of the paper inlet is an inclined surface; the printing assembly comprises a rubber roller and a printing head, the printing head is arranged above the rubber roller and faces the rubber roller, the rubber roller is located between the paper feeding channel and the paper outlet, the printing paper is output along the paper outlet after passing between the rubber roller and the printing head from the paper inlet to the paper feeding channel. Based on the arrangement, the paper can be output with the printing surface facing upward, and the user can be facilitated to operate.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of printer technology, and more specifically to a thermal printer. Background Technology

[0002] In some applications, the printhead of a thermal printer is located below, and the printing roller is above. The paper passes between the printhead and the printing roller with the printed side facing down to complete the thermal development. In this case, the paper is output with the printed side facing down, which is inconvenient for observation. Therefore, to facilitate observation, the paper is output with the printed side facing up. In other applications, the paper needs to be placed horizontally into the printer, but placing the paper horizontally is inconvenient for the user.

[0003] Therefore, this application studies a thermal printer that outputs paper with the printing side facing upwards, and is easy for users to operate. Utility Model Content

[0004] In order to output paper with the printing side facing up and to facilitate user operation, this application provides a thermal printer.

[0005] This application provides a thermal printer that adopts the following technical solution: A thermal printer includes a housing and a printing assembly. The housing has a paper inlet and a paper outlet, and a paper feed channel connects the paper inlet and the paper outlet. The wall opposite the paper inlet is an inclined surface. The printing assembly includes a rubber roller and a print head. The print head is disposed above the rubber roller and faces the rubber roller. The rubber roller is located between the paper feed channel and the paper outlet. The printing paper travels along the paper inlet to the paper feed channel, passes between the rubber roller and the print head, and is output along the paper outlet.

[0006] By adopting the above technical solution, the paper inlet with its inclined wall allows users to easily put paper into the printer and position the print head above the rubber roller so that the paper is output with the printing side facing upwards, making it convenient for users to observe.

[0007] Optionally, the paper outlet is horizontally positioned, and the paper feed channel extends horizontally from the paper feed outlet at an angle and gradually extends horizontally to the paper outlet.

[0008] By adopting the above technical solution, the smooth transition design of the paper feed channel from the inclined paper inlet to the horizontal paper outlet guides the paper to complete the entire process from insertion to output naturally and smoothly.

[0009] Optionally, it also includes an upper bracket and a lower bracket, which are arranged opposite to each other and installed inside the housing, forming the paper feed channel between the upper bracket and the lower bracket.

[0010] By adopting the above technical solution, the internal structure of the printer is simplified, making assembly easier.

[0011] Optionally, the lower support has a clearance groove, the rubber roller is located in the clearance groove, and both ends are rotatably connected to the lower support.

[0012] By adopting the above technical solution, the rubber roller is installed on the lower support, which simplifies the installation structure of the rubber roller and improves the running stability of the rubber roller.

[0013] Optionally, the lower support has a first guide surface and a second guide surface on both sides of the rubber roller. The first guide surface extends upward in an arc to the rubber roller, and the second guide surface extends downward in an arc from one side of the rubber roller to the paper outlet.

[0014] By adopting the above technical solution, the first guide surface and the second guide surface provide smooth guidance before the paper enters the printing assembly and after printing, respectively. The first guide surface ensures that the paper enters the imprinting area between the roller and the print head smoothly; the second guide surface ensures that the printed paper leaves the printing area smoothly and stably and is guided to the paper exit, reducing the risk of deviation and paper jam.

[0015] Optionally, the upper support has a printing slot, and the printing assembly further includes a printing bracket, an elastic element, and an elastic bracket. The printing bracket is connected to the housing, and the two ends of the elastic element are respectively connected to the printing bracket and the elastic bracket. The elastic bracket is connected to a movable element, which is movably connected to the printing bracket. The print head is mounted on the elastic bracket and is movably arranged along the printing slot.

[0016] By adopting the above technical solution, the elastic bracket for mounting the printhead can move up and down within a certain range through the cooperation of the elastic and movable parts. This allows the printhead to adaptively adjust the pressure between itself and the roller according to the thickness of the paper, ensuring that a stable and uniform printing pressure can be applied to paper of different thicknesses, thereby guaranteeing good print quality and avoiding paper jams or damage to the printhead due to excessive pressure.

[0017] Optionally, the housing includes an upper housing and a lower housing, with the paper inlet located on the upper housing and the paper outlet located on both the upper housing and the lower housing.

[0018] Optionally, the inner wall of the lower shell is provided with a plurality of snap-fit ​​grooves at intervals, and the side of the lower bracket snaps into the snap-fit ​​grooves; and / or, the inner wall of the lower shell is provided with snap-fit ​​blocks at intervals, the side wall of the lower bracket has corresponding snap-fit ​​grooves, and the snap-fit ​​blocks snap into the snap-fit ​​grooves.

[0019] By adopting the above technical solution, the lower bracket can be quickly and accurately positioned and fixed in the lower shell through the snap-fit ​​fixing method of the snap-fit ​​groove and the side, or the snap-fit ​​block and the snap-fit ​​groove.

[0020] Optionally, the upper shell is provided with a plurality of plug-in posts, and the upper bracket is provided with corresponding plug-in slots, and the plug-in posts are inserted into the plug-in slots; and / or the upper shell is provided with a plurality of screw hole posts, and the upper bracket is provided with corresponding through holes, and bolts are screwed into the screw hole posts through the through holes.

[0021] By adopting the above technical solution, the upper bracket is fixed by a combination of plug-in positioning and bolt fastening. The plug-in structure enables the upper bracket to be quickly pre-positioned, ensuring assembly accuracy; the bolt connection provides reliable fastening force.

[0022] Optionally, the lower support is rotatably provided with a connecting block, one side of which is connected to a torsion spring, and the other end of which is connected to the lower support. One side of the connecting block has a connecting portion, and the upper support has a connecting port. The connecting portion is engaged with the connecting port. When the connecting block is rotated toward the torsion spring, the connecting portion disengages from the connecting port. When the connecting block is released, the torsion spring returns to its original position, and the connecting portion is engaged with the connecting port.

[0023] By adopting the above technical solution, the connecting part can be disengaged by rotating the connecting block to overcome the torsion spring force, which facilitates the maintenance or replacement of the upper and lower brackets; after being released, the torsion spring automatically resets, causing the connecting part to lock into the connecting port, achieving reliable locking, which facilitates printer maintenance operations and reduces maintenance costs.

[0024] In summary, this application includes the following beneficial technical effects: 1. The inclined paper feed port makes it easy for users to put paper into the printer, and the paper is output with the printing side facing up by positioning the print head above the rubber roller; 2. The first guide surface and the second guide surface provide smooth guidance before the paper enters the printing assembly and after printing, respectively. The first guide surface ensures that the paper enters the imprinting area between the roller and the print head smoothly; the second guide surface ensures that the printed paper leaves the printing area smoothly and stably and is guided to the paper exit, reducing the risk of offset and paper jam. 3. The connection can be disengaged by rotating the connecting block to overcome the torsion spring force, which facilitates the maintenance or replacement of the upper and lower brackets; after being released, the torsion spring automatically resets and the connection is locked into the connection port, achieving reliable locking, which facilitates printer maintenance operations and reduces maintenance costs. Attached Figure Description

[0025] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention or the prior art, the drawings used in the description of the embodiments or the prior art will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of the present invention. For those skilled in the art, other embodiments can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0026] In the diagram: Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the thermal printer according to an embodiment of this application; Figure 2 This is a cross-sectional schematic diagram of a thermal printer according to an embodiment of this application; Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the thermal printer in the embodiment of this application when the lower shell and the lower bracket are not fitted together; Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the thermal printer in the embodiment of this application when the upper shell and the upper bracket are not fitted together; Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the connecting block and the lower bracket cooperating in the thermal printer of this application embodiment; Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the upper and lower supports in the thermal printer according to an embodiment of this application.

[0027] Reference numerals: 1. Housing; 101. Upper housing; 102. Lower housing; 2. Printing assembly; 201. Rubber roller; 202. Print head; 203. Printing bracket; 204. Elastic element; 205. Elastic bracket; 206. Moving part; 3. Paper inlet; 4. Paper outlet; 5. Paper feed channel; 6. Upper bracket; 7. Lower bracket; 8. Relief groove; 9. Transmission gear set; 10. Motor; 11. First guide surface; 12. Second guide surface; 13. Printing slot; 14. Snap-fit ​​slot; 15. Snap-fit ​​block; 16. Snap-fit ​​block; 17. Buckle; 18. Insertion post; 19. Insertion slot; 20. Screw hole post; 21. Through hole; 22. Connecting block; 23. Torsion spring; 24. Connecting part; 25. Connecting port; 26. Rotating rod; 27. Button. Detailed Implementation

[0028] The following is in conjunction with the appendix Figure 1-6 This application will be described in further detail.

[0029] This application discloses a thermal printer. (Refer to...) Figure 1 and Figure 2The thermal printer includes a housing 1 and a printing assembly 2. The housing 1 has a paper inlet 3 and a paper outlet 4, connected by a paper feed channel 5. The wall opposite the paper inlet 3 is inclined, conforming to ergonomics and facilitating paper insertion for the user. The printing assembly 2 includes a rubber roller 201 and a print head 202. The print head 202 is positioned above and facing the rubber roller 201. The rubber roller 201 is located between the paper feed channel 5 and the paper outlet 4. The printed paper travels from the paper inlet 3 to the paper feed channel 5, passes between the rubber roller 201 and the print head 202, and then exits through the paper outlet 4. Positioning the print head 202 above the rubber roller 201 ensures that the printed side of the paper is facing upwards after printing, making it easy for the user to observe.

[0030] In some embodiments, the paper output port 4 is horizontally positioned, and the paper feed channel 5 extends horizontally from the paper input port 3 at an angle to the paper output port 4. The smooth transition design of the paper feed channel 5 from the angled paper input port 3 to the horizontal paper output port 4 guides the paper to complete the entire process from insertion to output naturally and smoothly.

[0031] Reference Figure 2 In some embodiments, an upper support 6 and a lower support 7 are also included. The upper support 6 and the lower support 7 are arranged opposite to each other and installed in the housing 1. A paper feed channel 5 is formed between the upper support 6 and the lower support 7.

[0032] Reference Figure 3 In some embodiments, the lower support 7 has a clearance groove 8, within which the rubber roller 201 is located and rotatably connected at both ends to the lower support 7. Specifically, one end of the rubber roller 201 is connected to a transmission gear set 9, and a motor 10 is mounted on the lower support 7. The motor 10 drives the transmission gear set 9 to rotate the rubber roller 201. The clearance groove 8 simplifies the installation structure of the rubber roller 201, and the relative position between the rubber roller 201 and the paper feed channel 5 allows the paper to pass through more smoothly, further reducing the possibility of paper jams.

[0033] Refer again Figure 2 In some embodiments, the lower support 7 has a first guide surface 11 and a second guide surface 12 on both sides of the rubber roller 201. The first guide surface 11 extends upward in an arc to the rubber roller 201, and the second guide surface 12 extends downward in an arc from one side of the rubber roller 201 to the paper outlet 4. Here, "extend" refers to the direction and does not directly contact the rubber roller 201. This allows the paper to enter more smoothly between the rubber roller 201 and the print head 202 through the first guide surface 11, and the second guide surface 12 allows the printed paper to be output smoothly.

[0034] In some embodiments, the upper support 6 has a printing slot 13. The printing assembly 2 also includes a printing support 203, an elastic element 204, and an elastic support 205. The printing support 203 is screwed into the housing 1. The two ends of the elastic element 204 are respectively connected to the printing support 203 and the elastic support 205. The elastic element 204 is a spring, and multiple elastic elements are spaced apart along the length of the printing support 203. The elastic support 205 is connected to a movable element 206. Multiple movable elements 206 are spaced apart and staggered with the elastic elements 204. The movable element 206 has a "T"-shaped structure and is movably connected to the printing support 203. The printing support 203 has a movable hole. The "T"-shaped end of the movable element 206 is located on the side of the printing support 203 away from the elastic element 204. The movable element 206 moves along the movable hole, and the end is limited to the printing support 203 to prevent the movable element 206 from falling off. The print head 202 is mounted on the elastic bracket 205 and is used for printing. The elastic bracket 205 is suspended above the rubber roller 201 by the force of the elastic element 204. When the paper passes between the print head 202 and the rubber roller 201, the print head 202 moves along the printing groove 13 due to the action of the elastic element 204, and performs adaptive printing on paper of different thicknesses.

[0035] In some embodiments, the housing 1 includes an upper housing 101 and a lower housing 102, a paper inlet 3 is opened in the upper housing 101, and a paper outlet 4 is opened in half and connected to each other in the upper housing 101 and the lower housing 102.

[0036] Reference Figure 2 and Figure 3 In some embodiments, the lower shell 102 has multiple snap-fit ​​grooves 14 spaced apart along its inner wall, and the side of the lower support 7 snaps into the snap-fit ​​grooves 14; and / or, snap-fit ​​blocks 15 are spaced apart inside the lower shell 102, and the side wall of the lower support 7 has corresponding snap-fit ​​grooves, with the snap-fit ​​blocks 15 snapping into the grooves. In this embodiment, snap-fit ​​grooves 14 are spaced apart around the inner wall of the lower shell 102, with a snap-fit ​​block 15 on one side, and a snap-fit ​​block 16 is also provided inside the lower shell 102. The lower support 7 is correspondingly provided with a snap-fit ​​buckle 17, and the snap-fit ​​block 16 and snap-fit ​​buckle 17 snap into each other. This ensures a stable connection between the lower support 7 and the lower shell 102, guaranteeing the stability of the lower support 7, and further improving the stability of the paper printing process.

[0037] Reference Figure 4In some embodiments, the upper shell 101 is provided with a plurality of plug-in posts 18, and the upper bracket 6 is provided with corresponding plug-in slots 19, into which the plug-in posts 18 are plugged; and / or the upper shell 101 is provided with a plurality of screw hole posts 20, and the upper bracket 6 is provided with corresponding through holes 21, through which bolts are screwed to the screw hole posts 20. In this embodiment, the plug-in posts 18 are arranged in a row at intervals, the plug-in slots 19 are arranged one-to-one, the screw hole posts 20 are arranged in a row, and the through holes 21 are arranged one-to-one. The diameter of the middle section of the through hole 21 through which the bolt passes is smaller than that of the two ends, that is, the through hole 21 is opened in an "I" shape. The end of the screw hole post 20 is inserted into and confined within the through hole 21, and the bolt shank passes through from the other end and is screwed to the screw hole post 20. The nut abuts against the through hole 21, so that the upper bracket 6 is stably fixed to the upper shell 101.

[0038] Reference Figure 5 and Figure 6 In some embodiments, the lower bracket 7 is rotatably equipped with a connecting block 22. A torsion spring 23 is connected to one side of the connecting block 22, and the torsion spring 23 is sleeved on the lower bracket 7. The other end of the torsion spring 23 is connected to the lower bracket 7. One side of the connecting block 22 has a connecting portion 24. The upper bracket 6 has a connecting port 25. The side of the upper bracket 6 is fitted, and the connecting portion 24 is engaged with the connecting port 25. When the connecting block 22 is rotated toward the torsion spring 23, the connecting portion 24 disengages from the connecting port 25, at which point the upper bracket 6 and the lower bracket 7 can be disassembled. When the connecting block 22 is loosened, the torsion spring 23 returns to its original position, and the connecting portion 24 is engaged with the connecting port 25, thus fixing the upper bracket 6 and the lower bracket 7. This facilitates the installation and maintenance of the upper bracket 6 and the lower bracket 7, and the structure is simple, reducing manufacturing costs. (Refer to...) Figure 3 This embodiment also includes a rotating rod 26 and a button 27. Two connecting blocks 22 are provided, located near both ends of the lower bracket 7 along its length. The two ends of the rotating rod 26 are respectively connected to the two connecting blocks 22. Two buttons 27 are also provided, spaced apart on the rotating rod 26. When the button 27 is pressed, the rotating rod 26 rotates and drives the connecting blocks 22 at both ends to rotate, thereby causing the connecting part 24 to disengage from the connecting port 25.

[0039] The implementation principle of a thermal printer according to an embodiment of this application is as follows: the inclined paper inlet 3 allows the user to easily put paper into the printer, and the print head 202 is positioned above the rubber roller 201 so that the printing surface of the paper is facing upwards during output.

[0040] The above are exemplary embodiments disclosed in this invention. However, it should be noted that various changes and modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the embodiments of this invention as defined by the claims. The functions, steps, and / or actions of the methods according to the disclosed embodiments described herein do not need to be performed in any particular order. Furthermore, although the elements disclosed in the embodiments of this invention may be described or claimed individually, they may be understood as multiple unless explicitly limited to a singular number.

[0041] It should be understood that, as used herein, the singular form "a" is intended to include the plural form as well, unless the context clearly supports an exception. It should also be understood that, as used herein, "and / or" refers to any and all possible combinations of one or more of the associatedly listed items. The embodiment numbers disclosed above are for descriptive purposes only and do not represent the superiority or inferiority of the embodiments.

[0042] Those skilled in the art should understand that the discussion of any of the above embodiments is merely exemplary and is not intended to imply that the scope of the invention (including the claims) is limited to these examples. Within the framework of the invention, technical features of the above embodiments or different embodiments can be combined, and many other variations of different aspects of the invention exist, which are not provided in the details for the sake of brevity. Therefore, any omissions, modifications, equivalent substitutions, improvements, etc., made within the spirit and principles of the invention should be included within the protection scope of the invention.

Claims

1. A thermal printer, characterized in that: The device includes a housing and a printing assembly. The housing has a paper inlet and a paper outlet, and a paper feed channel connects the paper inlet and the paper outlet. The wall opposite the paper inlet is an inclined surface. The printing assembly includes a rubber roller and a print head. The print head is disposed above the rubber roller and faces the rubber roller. The rubber roller is located between the paper feed channel and the paper outlet. The printing paper travels along the paper inlet to the paper feed channel, passes between the rubber roller and the print head, and is output along the paper outlet.

2. A thermal printer according to claim 1, characterized in that: The paper outlet is horizontally positioned, and the paper feed channel extends horizontally from the paper feed outlet at an angle to the paper outlet.

3. A thermal printer according to claim 1, characterized in that: It also includes an upper bracket and a lower bracket, which are arranged opposite to each other and installed inside the housing, forming the paper feed channel between the upper bracket and the lower bracket.

4. A thermal printer according to claim 3, characterized in that: The lower support has a clearance groove, the rubber roller is located in the clearance groove, and its two ends are rotatably connected to the lower support.

5. A thermal printer according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that: The lower support is located on both sides of the rubber roller and has a first guide surface and a second guide surface. The first guide surface is curved upward and extends to the rubber roller, and the second guide surface is curved downward from one side of the rubber roller and extends to the paper outlet.

6. A thermal printer according to claim 3, characterized in that: The upper support has a printing slot. The printing assembly also includes a printing bracket, an elastic element, and an elastic bracket. The printing bracket is connected to the housing. The two ends of the elastic element are respectively connected to the printing bracket and the elastic bracket. The elastic bracket is connected to a movable element, which is movably connected to the printing bracket. The print head is mounted on the elastic bracket and is movably arranged along the printing slot.

7. A thermal printer according to claim 3, characterized in that: The housing includes an upper housing and a lower housing, the paper inlet is located in the upper housing, and the paper outlet is located in both the upper housing and the lower housing.

8. A thermal printer according to claim 7, characterized in that: The inner wall of the lower shell is provided with a plurality of snap-fit ​​grooves at intervals, and the side of the lower bracket snaps into the snap-fit ​​grooves; and / or, the inner wall of the lower shell is provided with snap-fit ​​blocks at intervals, the side wall of the lower bracket has corresponding snap-fit ​​grooves, and the snap-fit ​​blocks snap into the snap-fit ​​grooves.

9. A thermal printer according to claim 7, characterized in that: The upper shell is provided with multiple plug-in posts, and the upper bracket is provided with corresponding plug-in slots, into which the plug-in posts are inserted; and / or the upper shell is provided with multiple screw hole posts, and the upper bracket is provided with corresponding through holes, through which bolts are screwed to the screw hole posts.

10. A thermal printer according to claim 3, characterized in that: The lower support is rotatably equipped with a connecting block. One side of the connecting block is connected to a torsion spring, and the other end of the torsion spring is connected to the lower support. One side of the connecting block has a connecting part. The upper support has a connecting port, and the connecting part is engaged with the connecting port. When the connecting block is rotated toward the torsion spring, the connecting part disengages from the connecting port. When the connecting block is released, the torsion spring returns to its original position, and the connecting part is engaged with the connecting port.

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