Thermal printer

Abstract

A thermal printer comprising an interconnected cover unit and a main module, wherein the main module comprises a housing and a paper tray for receiving the recording medium, and wherein the cover unit and the main module are coupled to each other via a connecting unit, the connecting unit being configured such that the cover unit is tiltable relative to the main module, characterized in that the connecting unit comprises a connecting element arranged in the cover unit and a counterpart element arranged in the main module, wherein one of the connecting elements and the counterpart element has a hole or a groove, while the other has a projection, a bearing pin or a positioning pin that can be inserted into the hole or groove.

Description

thermal printer Technical Field

[0001] The present application relates to the field of printing, and in particular to a thermal printer. Background Art

[0002] Thermal printers are widely used in warehousing, logistics, and cashier applications. They typically use a thermal method to form images or text on thermal paper, which is then removed. Thermal printers typically consist of a main assembly and a top cover assembly that are coupled together. In the prior art, the top cover and main assembly are connected via a hinge that is independent of the two components and extends through a through-hole connecting the two. This connection structure creates the possibility of the hinge falling off, hindering the stable connection between the top cover and main assembly.

[0003] Summary of the Invention

[0004] In response to the above-mentioned technical problems, the present application provides a thermal printer, which facilitates the stable connection between the upper cover assembly and the main assembly.

[0005] The thermal printer provided in the present application includes an upper cover assembly and a main assembly coupled to each other, the main assembly including a shell and a paper bin for placing imaging media, the upper cover assembly and the main assembly are coupled via a connecting portion, the connecting portion being configured so that the upper cover assembly can be flipped relative to the main assembly; wherein the connecting portion includes a connecting assembly arranged on the upper cover assembly and a mating assembly arranged on the main assembly, one of the connecting assembly and the mating assembly includes a hole or a groove, and the other of the connecting assembly and the mating assembly includes a protrusion, a pin or a positioning column inserted into the hole or the groove.

[0006] Optionally, the connecting component is integrally formed with the upper cover component, and the mating component is integrally formed with at least one of the shell and the paper bin.

[0007] In some embodiments of the present application, the mating component includes a paper bin mounting part and an avoidance groove, the paper bin mounting part includes a first mounting part main body, a second mounting part main body, a first mounting part and a second mounting part, the first mounting part and the second mounting part are respectively arranged on the first mounting part main body and the second mounting part main body and are arranged relative to each other in the left and right directions, and the avoidance groove is located between the first mounting part and the second mounting part.

[0008] Furthermore, the connecting assembly includes a first connecting body, a second connecting body, a first connecting end, a second connecting end and a notch portion, the first connecting end and the second connecting end are respectively arranged on the first connecting body and the second connecting body and are arranged opposite to each other in the left and right directions, and the notch portion is located between the first connecting body and the second connecting body.

[0009] Furthermore, one of the first connecting end and the first mounting portion is designed to be an opening or mounting groove used as the hole or groove, and the other of the first connecting end and the first mounting portion is designed to be the protrusion; one of the second connecting end and the second mounting portion is designed to be an opening or mounting groove used as the hole or groove, and the other of the second connecting end and the second mounting portion is designed to be the protrusion, and the protrusion enters the opening or mounting groove.

[0010] In some embodiments of the present application, the mating component further includes a shell mounting portion, and the shell mounting portion includes a third mounting portion and a fourth mounting portion that are arranged opposite to each other in the left-right direction.

[0011] Furthermore, the connecting assembly includes a first connecting body, a second connecting body, a first connecting end, a second connecting end and a notch portion, the first connecting end and the second connecting end are respectively arranged on the first connecting body and the second connecting body and are arranged opposite to each other in the left and right directions, and the notch portion is located between the first connecting body and the second connecting body.

[0012] Furthermore, the first connecting end cooperates with the first mounting portion and the third mounting portion, and the second connecting end cooperates with the second mounting portion and the fourth mounting portion.

[0013] Furthermore, the first mounting portion and the second mounting portion are designed as openings or slots, and the slots are formed in the up and down directions and open upward; the third mounting portion and one of the first connecting end are designed as the protrusion, and the other is designed as a through hole or a matching slot used as the hole or slot; the fourth mounting portion and one of the second connecting end are designed as the protrusion, and the other is designed as a through hole or a matching slot used as the hole or slot, and the protrusion passes through the first mounting portion or the second mounting portion and enters the through hole or the matching slot.

[0014] Furthermore, the housing includes a first housing and a second housing coupled to each other in the left-right direction, the third mounting portion is provided on the first housing, and the fourth mounting portion is provided on the second housing.

[0015] Furthermore, the paper bin includes a side wall arranged on the same side as the connecting portion, and the paper bin mounting portion is arranged on the side wall.

[0016] In some embodiments of the present application, the connection component includes a connection component body, and the connection component body is provided with a through hole serving as the hole.

[0017] Furthermore, in the left-right direction, the through hole penetrates the connecting component body.

[0018] Furthermore, the mating component includes a paper bin mounting part, which includes a first mounting part body, a second mounting part body, a first mounting part and a second mounting part, and the first mounting part and the second mounting part are respectively arranged on the first mounting part body and the second mounting part body and are arranged relative to each other in the left and right directions.

[0019] Furthermore, the first mounting portion and the second mounting portion are designed as openings or slots, the slots are formed in the up and down directions and open upward; the positioning column passes through the first mounting portion, the through hole and the second mounting portion and enters the through hole or matching slot.

[0020] Furthermore, the mating component further includes a shell mounting portion, and the shell mounting portion includes a third mounting portion and a fourth mounting portion that are arranged opposite to each other in the left-right direction.

[0021] Furthermore, one of the third mounting portion and the fourth mounting portion is designed as the positioning column, and the other is designed as a through hole or a matching groove, and the positioning column passes through the first mounting portion, the through hole and the second mounting portion and enters the through hole or the matching groove.

[0022] Furthermore, the paper bin includes a side wall arranged on the same side as the connecting part, and the paper bin mounting part is arranged on the side wall; the shell includes a first shell and a second shell combined with each other in the left and right directions, the third mounting part is arranged on the first shell, and the fourth mounting part is arranged on the second shell, and the through hole is used to cooperate with the third mounting part or the fourth mounting part.

[0023] Furthermore, an avoidance groove is formed between the first mounting portion and the second mounting portion, and the connecting component body is arranged in the avoidance groove.

[0024] Furthermore, when the third mounting portion or the fourth mounting portion is designed as a through hole or a matching groove, a protective portion is provided on the shell where the third mounting portion or the fourth mounting portion is located, and the protective portion extends from the shell toward the rear of the thermal printer.

[0025] In some embodiments of the present application, one of the connecting component and the mating component is provided with a connecting seat, and the connecting seat is provided with the pin shafts on opposite sides in the direction of the rotation axis of the upper cover component; the other of the connecting component and the main mating component is provided with a recessed portion for accommodating the connecting seat, and the two opposite side walls of the recessed portion in the direction of the rotation axis are provided with connecting holes serving as the holes or grooves, and the pin shaft is rotatably engaged with the connecting hole.

[0026] Furthermore, the two opposite side walls of the recessed portion in the direction of the rotation axis are provided with guide grooves, and the guide grooves are used to guide the pin shaft into the connecting hole; the connecting hole and the guide grooves are spaced apart, and the guide grooves have a pin shaft lead-out end close to the connecting hole.

[0027] Furthermore, the pin shaft lead-out end and / or the end of the pin shaft is provided with a guide surface inclined relative to the rotation axis, so that the pin shaft can escape from the guide groove.

[0028] Optionally, the pin shaft and the connecting seat are fixedly connected or have an integrally formed structure.

[0029] Optionally, the pin shaft is configured to be movable relative to the connecting seat along the rotation axis; an elastic component connected to the pin shaft is provided in the connecting seat, so that the pin shaft can be extended and retracted along the rotation axis.

[0030] Furthermore, the connecting seat is arranged at one end of the upper cover assembly, and a cover bottom plate is provided on the side of the upper cover assembly facing the main assembly. The connecting seat is fixedly connected to the cover bottom plate or has an integrally formed structure.

[0031] Furthermore, the connecting seat is arranged at one end of the upper cover assembly, and the upper cover assembly is provided with a cover bottom plate on the side facing the main assembly. The connecting seat is provided with a mounting portion, and the mounting portion forms a snap fit with the cover bottom plate; the pin shaft forms an axial hole fit with the mounting portion, and the elastic component is arranged in the accommodating groove of the mounting portion.

[0032] Furthermore, a limiting protrusion is provided on the surface of the pin shaft, and the limiting protrusion is arranged in the connecting seat to prevent the pin shaft from falling off the connecting seat.

[0033] Furthermore, the elastic component is a spring.

[0034] Optionally, the pin includes an elastic portion made of elastic material, so that the pin can be extended and retracted along the rotation axis.

[0035] Furthermore, the thermal printer is a label printer.

[0036] In some embodiments of the present application, the connecting assembly includes an avoidance groove and an upper cover connecting portion, the upper cover connecting portion includes a first connecting body, a second connecting body, a first connecting portion and a second connecting portion, the first connecting portion and the second connecting portion are respectively arranged on the first connecting body and the second connecting body and are arranged relative to each other in the left and right directions, and the avoidance groove is located between the first connecting portion and the second connecting portion.

[0037] Furthermore, the mating component includes a first mounting part body, a second mounting part body, a first mounting end, a second mounting end and a protrusion, the first mounting end and the second mounting end are respectively arranged on the first mounting part body and the second mounting part body and are arranged opposite to each other in the left and right directions, and the protrusion is located between the first mounting part body and the second mounting part body.

[0038] Further, one of the first connecting portion and the first mounting end is designed to be an opening or mounting groove used as the hole or groove, and the other of the first connecting portion and the first mounting end is designed to be the protrusion; one of the second connecting portion and the second mounting end is designed to be an opening or mounting groove used as the hole or groove, and the other of the second connecting portion and the second mounting end is designed to be the protrusion, and the protrusion enters the opening or mounting groove; or, the first connecting portion, the first mounting end, the second connecting portion and the second mounting end are connected through a positioning column; or, the first connecting portion and the first mounting end are connected by a first pin shaft, and the second connecting portion and the second mounting end are connected by a second pin shaft.

[0039] In order to more clearly illustrate the purpose, technical solutions and advantages of this application, this application is further described in detail below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and specific implementation methods. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0040] FIG1 is a perspective view of a thermal printer according to a first embodiment of the present application;

[0041] FIG2 is a perspective view of some components of a thermal printer according to the first embodiment of the present application;

[0042] FIG3 is a perspective view of the thermal printer according to the first embodiment of the present application with the first housing hidden;

[0043] FIG4 is a perspective view of the thermal printer according to the first embodiment of the present application with the grip portion hidden;

[0044] FIG5A is a perspective view of the upper cover assembly involved in Example 1 of the present application;

[0045] FIG5B is a perspective view of the paper bin involved in Example 1 of the present application;

[0046] FIG6A is a perspective view of a paper bin according to Example 2 of the present application;

[0047] FIG6B is a schematic diagram of the second housing involved in Example 2 of the present application;

[0048] FIG7A is a perspective view of the upper cover assembly involved in Example 3 of the present application;

[0049] FIG7B is an exploded view of the thermal printer according to Example 3 of the present application, in which the second housing is separated from the first housing after some components are hidden;

[0050] FIG8 is an exploded view of the structure of the label printer in Example 4 of the present application;

[0051] FIG9 is a partial structural diagram of the main body of the label printer in Example 4 of the present application;

[0052] 10 is a structural diagram of the cover assembly of the label printer in Example 4 of the present application;

[0053] FIG11 is a partial structural diagram of the cover assembly of the label printer in Example 4 of the present application;

[0054] FIG12 is a partial structural diagram of the cover assembly of the label printer in Example 5 of the present application;

[0055] FIG13 is a partial structural exploded view of the cover assembly of the label printer in Example 5 of the present application;

[0056] FIG14 is a partial structural diagram of the cover assembly of the label printer in Example 6 of the present application;

[0057] Figure 15 is a partial structural exploded view of the cover assembly of the label printer in Example 6 of the present application. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0058] First Group of Examples (Examples 1 to 3 and Their Variations)

[0059] The first group of embodiments of the present application provides a thermal printer, including an upper cover assembly 20 and a main assembly 10 that are combined with each other, the main assembly 10 including a shell 11 and a paper bin 30 for placing imaging media, the upper cover assembly 20 and the main assembly 10 are combined through a connecting portion 102, the connecting portion 102 includes a connecting assembly 103 and a mating assembly 104, the connecting assembly 103 is integrally formed with the upper cover assembly 20, and the mating assembly 104 is integrally formed with at least one of the shell 11 and the paper bin 30.

[0060] The paper bin 30 includes a side wall 31 arranged on the same side as the connecting part 102, and the mating component 104 includes a paper bin mounting part and an avoidance groove 1c4 arranged on the side wall 31. The paper bin mounting part includes a first mounting part main body 1a4, a second mounting part main body 1b4, a first mounting part and a second mounting part. The first mounting part and the second mounting part are respectively arranged on the first mounting part main body 1a4 and the second mounting part main body 1b4 and are arranged opposite to each other in the left and right directions, and the avoidance groove 1c4 is located between the first mounting part and the second mounting part.

[0061] Furthermore, the connecting assembly 103 includes a first connecting body 1a3, a second connecting body 1b3, a first connecting end, a second connecting end and a notch portion 1c3. The first connecting end and the second connecting end are respectively arranged on the first connecting body 1a3 and the second connecting body 1b3 and are arranged opposite to each other in the left and right directions. The notch portion 1c3 is located between the first connecting body 1a3 and the second connecting body 1b3. The first connecting end cooperates with the first mounting portion, and the second connecting end cooperates with the second mounting portion.

[0062] In some embodiments, one of the first connecting end and the first mounting portion is designed as an opening or a mounting groove, and the other is designed as a protrusion; one of the second connecting end and the second mounting portion is designed as an opening or a mounting groove, and the other is designed as a protrusion, and the protrusion enters the opening or the mounting groove.

[0063] In some other embodiments, the shell 11 includes a first shell 11a and a second shell 11b coupled to each other in the left-right direction, and the mating component 104 also includes a shell mounting portion, the shell mounting portion including a third mounting portion and a fourth mounting portion relatively arranged in the left-right direction, the third mounting portion being arranged on the first shell 11a, and the fourth mounting portion being arranged on the second shell 11b, the first connecting end being mated with the first mounting portion and the third mounting portion, and the second connecting end being mated with the second mounting portion and the fourth mounting portion.

[0064] Furthermore, one of the first mounting portion and the second mounting portion is designed as an opening or a slot, and the other is also designed as an opening or a slot, the slot is formed in the up and down directions and opens upward, one of the third mounting portion and the first connecting end is designed as a protrusion, and the other is designed as a through hole or a matching groove, one of the fourth mounting portion and the second connecting end is designed as a protrusion, and the other is designed as a through hole or a matching groove, the protrusion passes through the first mounting portion or the second mounting portion and enters the through hole or the matching groove.

[0065] In some other embodiments, the connecting assembly 103 includes a connecting assembly body 1d3 and a through-hole 1e3 provided in the connecting assembly body 1d3, with the through-hole 1e3 extending through the connecting assembly body 1d3 in the left-right direction. The housing 11 includes a first housing 11a and a second housing 11b coupled to each other in the left-right direction. The mating assembly 104 also includes a housing mounting portion, which includes a third mounting portion and a fourth mounting portion disposed opposite each other in the left-right direction. The third mounting portion is provided on the first housing 11a, and the fourth mounting portion is provided on the second housing 11b. The through-hole 1e3 is configured to mate with the third mounting portion or the fourth mounting portion.

[0066] Furthermore, one of the first mounting portion and the second mounting portion is designed as an opening or a slot, and the other is also designed as an opening or a slot, and the slot is formed in the up and down directions and opens upward; one of the third mounting portion and the fourth mounting portion is designed as a positioning column, and the other is designed as a through hole or a matching groove, and the positioning column passes through the first mounting portion, the through hole and the second mounting portion and enters the through hole or the matching groove.

[0067] Furthermore, when the third mounting portion or the fourth mounting portion is designed as a through hole or a matching groove, the housing 11 where the third mounting portion or the fourth mounting portion is located is provided with a protective portion 1e42, and the protective portion 1e42 extends from the housing 11 toward the rear of the thermal printer.

[0068] The structure of the thermal printer of the first group of embodiments will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0069] The overall structure of a thermal printer

[0070] Figure 1 is a stereoscopic view of the thermal printer involved in the first group of embodiments of the present application; Figure 2 is a stereoscopic view of some components of the thermal printer involved in the first group of embodiments of the present application; Figure 3 is a stereoscopic view of the thermal printer involved in the first group of embodiments of the present application after the first shell is hidden; Figure 4 is a stereoscopic view of the thermal printer involved in the first group of embodiments of the present application after the grip is hidden.

[0071] As shown in FIG1 , the thermal printer 100 involved in the first group of embodiments of the present application comprises a main assembly 10 and an upper cover assembly 20 that are coupled to each other. A gripping portion 22 is connected to either the main assembly 10 or the upper cover assembly 20 to facilitate the user in picking up the thermal printer 100. The upper cover assembly 20 is configured to be coupled to the main assembly 10 and flippable relative to the main assembly 10. The coupling portion between the main assembly 10 and the upper cover assembly 20 is referred to as a connecting portion 102. The main assembly 10 and the upper cover assembly 20 can be mechanically locked or magnetically locked. When mechanical locking is used, the upper cover assembly 20 is further provided with an unlocking device, which the user operates to release the lock between the main assembly 10 and the upper cover assembly 20.

[0072] For the convenience of description, the thermal printer 100 is first defined as follows. As shown in Figure 1, when the thermal printer 100 is in a normal placement state, the height direction of the thermal printer 100 is the up and down direction, and the width direction is the left and right direction. The up and down directions and the left and right directions intersect. Preferably, the up and down directions and the left and right directions are perpendicular to each other. The direction intersecting the up and down directions and the left and right directions is the front and back direction. Preferably, the front and back direction is perpendicular to the up and down directions and the left and right directions. The side where the main component 10 and the upper cover component 20 are connected to each other is the rear, and the side opposite to the rear is the front.

[0073] As shown in Figures 1 and 3, the main assembly 10 includes a housing 11, a paper bin 30, a paper cutting mechanism 50, a paper outlet 21, and an electronic assembly 140. When the thermal printer 100 is in operation, the rolled imaging medium is installed in the paper bin 30. The paper cutting mechanism 50 is used to cut the imaging medium supplied to the paper outlet 21. The paper outlet 21 is located on the side opposite to the side where the connecting portion 102 is located. At least a portion of the paper bin 30, at least a portion of the paper cutting mechanism 50, and at least a portion of the electronic assembly 140 are all located in a cavity enclosed by the housing 11. Preferably, the housing 11 includes a first housing 11a and a second housing 11b (as shown in Figure 1) combined in the left and right directions, respectively located on the left and right sides of the paper bin 30. The cavity is located between the first housing 11a and the second housing 11b, and the paper outlet 21 is also located between the first housing 11a and the second housing 11b.

[0074] The first housing 11a includes a main housing 11a1 extending in the vertical and front-to-back directions, and an extension housing 11a2 connected to the main housing 11a1. A notch 11a3 is at least partially formed in the extension housing 11a2. The second housing 11b has a substantially identical structure to the first housing 11a, also including a main housing 11b1 extending in the vertical and front-to-back directions, and an extension housing 11b2 connected to the main housing 11b1. At least a portion of the notch 11b3 is formed in the extension housing 11b2. When the first and second housings 11a and 11b are joined, the notches 11a3 and 11b3 face each other in the left-right direction. The paper cutting mechanism 50 is mounted within the cavity enclosed by the housing 11, with a portion of the paper cutting mechanism 50 exposed through the notch 11a3 / 11b3. As shown in FIG. 4 , the housing 11 is provided with an exposure opening 1a1 on a side opposite the paper outlet 21, and the connecting portion 102 is exposed through the exposure opening 1a1.

[0075] Example 1

[0076] Figure 5A is a three-dimensional view of the upper cover assembly involved in Example 1 of the present application; Figure 5B is a three-dimensional view of the paper bin involved in Example 1 of the present application.

[0077] As shown in Figures 5A and 5B, the connecting portion 102 includes a connecting component 103 provided on the upper cover component 20 and a mating component 104 provided on the main component 10. At least a portion of the connecting component 103 is mated with the mating component 104, so that the upper cover component 20 and the main component 10 are combined with each other.

[0078] The connecting component 103 includes a first connecting body 1a3, a second connecting body 1b3, a first connecting end, a second connecting end and a notch portion 1c3. The upper cover component 20 also includes a bottom wall facing the main component (not shown in the figure). The first connecting body 1a3 and the second connecting body 1b3 extend downward from the bottom wall. The first connecting end is arranged on the first connecting body 1a3, and the second connecting end is arranged on the second connecting body 1b3. The first connecting body 1a3 and the second connecting body 1b3 are spaced relative to each other in the left and right directions, and are respectively located on the left and right sides of the notch portion 1c3. The notch portion 1c3 is provided to facilitate deformation of the connecting component 103 when mating with the mating component 104, thereby facilitating the installation of the upper cover component 20 on the main component 10, and also saving raw materials.

[0079] Specifically, the first connecting end is designed as a first protrusion 1a31, which extends leftward from the first connecting body 1a3; the second connecting end is designed as a second protrusion 1b31, which extends rightward from the second connecting body 1b3. In other embodiments, the first protrusion 1a31 may extend rightward from the first connecting body 1a3, and the second protrusion 1b31 may extend leftward from the second connecting body 1b3.

[0080] The connecting component 103 is integrally formed with the upper cover component 20. This design can reduce the number of components of the upper cover component 20 and prevent the upper cover component 20 from being unstable in combination with the main component 10 due to the fitting gap between the components. It can also reduce the number of assembly steps, which is conducive to improving assembly efficiency.

[0081] The paper bin 30 includes a left wall 121 and a right wall 122 that are relatively spaced apart in the left and right directions, and a paper bin interior 127 is formed between the left wall 121 and the right wall 122. The paper bin 30 also includes a side wall 31 that is arranged on the same side as the connecting part 102, and the side wall 31 is extended in the up and down directions and the left and right directions. The mating component 104 includes a paper bin mounting part and an avoidance groove 1c4 arranged on the side wall 31; the paper bin mounting part includes a first mounting part main body 1a4, a second mounting part main body 1b4, a first mounting part and a second mounting part, and the first mounting part and the second mounting part are respectively arranged on the first mounting part main body 1a4 and the second mounting part main body 1b4, and are spaced apart and relatively spaced apart in the left and right directions. The first mounting portion is a first opening 1a41 located to the left of the avoidance groove 1c4, and the second mounting portion is a second opening 1b41 located to the right of the avoidance groove 1c4. The first opening 1a41 extends leftward and rightward through the first mounting portion body 1a4, and the second opening 1b41 extends leftward and rightward through the second mounting portion body 1b4. The first protrusion 1a31 can enter the first opening 1a41, and the second protrusion 1b31 can enter the second opening 1b41. In other embodiments, the first and second mounting portions can also be designed as mounting slots, as long as the first protrusion 1a31 can enter the first mounting portion and the second protrusion 1b31 can enter the second mounting portion.

[0082] The side wall 31 of the paper bin 30 also includes a protrusion 311 extending backward in the front-to-back direction, and the protrusion 311 is located below the first mounting part and the second mounting part. The avoidance groove 1c4 is formed by the first mounting part main body 1a4, the second mounting part main body 1b4 and the protrusion 311 and is located between the first mounting part main body 1a4 and the second mounting part main body 1b4. When the connecting component 103 is matched with the mating component 104, at least a portion of the notch portion 1c3 enters the avoidance groove 1c4; the first connecting end and the second connecting end can be connected to the first mounting part and the second mounting part respectively from the inside of the avoidance groove 1c4, and can also be connected to the first mounting part and the second mounting part respectively from the outside of the avoidance groove 1c4.

[0083] In other embodiments, the first connecting end and the second connecting end of the connecting component 103 are designed as an opening or a mounting groove, and the first mounting portion and the second mounting portion of the mating component 104 are designed as protrusions, and the protrusions can enter the opening or the mounting groove, so that the connecting component 103 is connected to the mating component 104, or one of the first connecting end and the second connecting end of the connecting component 103 is designed as an opening or a mounting groove, and the other is designed as a protrusion. Correspondingly, one of the first mounting portion and the second mounting portion of the mating component 104 is designed as a protrusion, and the other is designed as an opening or a mounting groove, and the protrusion can enter the opening or the mounting groove, so that the connecting component 103 is connected to the mating component 104.

[0084] In some other variations of Example 1, the connection component can be configured to include an avoidance groove and an upper cover connection portion, the upper cover connection portion including a first connection body, a second connection body, a first connection portion, and a second connection portion, the first connection portion and the second connection portion being respectively arranged on the first connection body and the second connection body and arranged oppositely in the left-right direction, and the avoidance groove being located between the first connection portion and the second connection portion. The mating component includes a first mounting portion body, a second mounting portion body, a first mounting end, a second mounting end, and a protrusion, the first mounting end and the second mounting end being respectively arranged on the first mounting portion body and the second mounting portion body and arranged oppositely in the left-right direction, and the protrusion being located between the first mounting portion body and the second mounting portion body. The avoidance groove located between the first connection portion and the second connection portion forms an installation / avoidance space for the protrusion.

[0085] Wherein, one of the first connecting portion and the first mounting end is designed as an opening or mounting slot, and the other of the first connecting portion and the first mounting end is designed as a protrusion; one of the second connecting portion and the second mounting end is designed as an opening or mounting slot, and the other of the second connecting portion and the second mounting end is designed as a protrusion, and the protrusion enters the opening or mounting slot and forms a rotational fit, so that the upper cover assembly can be flipped relative to the main assembly. Alternatively, the first connecting portion, the first mounting end, the second connecting portion, and the second mounting end are connected through a positioning post, so that the upper cover assembly can be flipped relative to the main assembly around the positioning post; or the first connecting portion and the first mounting end are connected by a first pin, and the second connecting portion and the second mounting end are connected by a second pin, so that the upper cover assembly can be flipped relative to the main assembly around the first and second pins.

[0086] Example 2

[0087] FIG6A is a three-dimensional view of the paper bin according to the second embodiment of the present application; FIG6B is a schematic view of the second shell according to the second embodiment of the present application.

[0088] As shown in Figures 6A and 6B, the connection component 103 involved in this embodiment is generally the same as that in Example 1 and will not be repeated here. The mating component 104 involved in this embodiment is partially the same as that in Example 1 and partially different. The differences will be described in this embodiment and the similarities will not be repeated here.

[0089] In this embodiment, the first mounting portion body 1a4 and the first mounting portion form a first mounting guide rail, and the second mounting portion body 1b4 and the second mounting portion form a second mounting guide rail; the first mounting portion body 1a4 includes a first mounting body front portion 1a43 and a first mounting body rear portion 1a44 arranged in the front-to-back direction, and the first mounting portion is a first slot 1a42 formed in the up-down direction and opening upward, and the first slot 1a42 is located between the first mounting body front portion 1a43 and the first mounting body rear portion 1a44, and when the connecting component 103 is mated with the mating component 104, the first protrusion 1a31 enters the first slot 1a 42, that is, the first protrusion 1a31 reaches between the front part 1a43 of the first installation body and the rear part 1a44 of the first installation body; the upper end of the front part 1a43 of the first installation body and the upper end of the rear part 1a44 of the first installation body are not flush, which is conducive to installing the first protrusion 1a31 into the first slot 1a42 from different directions; the second mounting guide rail and the first mounting guide rail are symmetrically arranged in the left and right directions and have substantially the same structure, that is, the second mounting portion is a second slot 1b42 with an upward opening formed in the up and down directions, and the second protrusion 1b31 can enter the second slot 1b42, and the rest of the similarities are not repeated.

[0090] The mating component 104 also includes a shell mounting portion, which includes a third mounting portion and a fourth mounting portion arranged opposite to each other in the left and right directions. The third mounting portion and the fourth mounting portion are respectively arranged in a first through hole (not shown in the figure) of the first shell 11a and a second through hole 1e41 of the second shell 11b. The first protrusion 1a31 can be inserted into the first through hole, and the second protrusion 1b31 can be inserted into the second through hole 1e41. The third mounting portion and the fourth mounting portion can also be designed as mating grooves, as long as the first protrusion 1a31 can enter the third mounting portion and the second protrusion 1b31 can enter the fourth mounting portion.

[0091] In this embodiment, the shell 11 and the paper bin 30 cooperate with the connecting component 103 at the same time, which can make the cooperation between the upper cover component 20 and the main component 10 more stable; at the same time, the design of the mounting guide rail facilitates the entry of the protrusion. The protrusion can be allowed to enter the mounting guide rail first, and then the shell 11 can be installed. This assembly method is easier to implement.

[0092] In other embodiments, the third mounting portion and the fourth mounting portion of the mating component 104 are designed as protrusions integrally formed with the shell, one of the first mounting portion and the second mounting portion of the mating component 104 is designed as an opening or a slot, and the other is also designed as an opening or a slot, the slot is formed in the up and down directions and opens upward, the first connecting end and the second connecting end of the connecting component 103 are designed as through holes or mating slots, the protrusion can pass through the first mounting portion or the second mounting portion and enter the through hole or the mating slot, so that the connecting component 103 is connected to the mating component 104; or the mating One of the third mounting portion and the fourth mounting portion of the mating component 104 is designed as a through hole or a mating groove, and the other is designed as a protrusion. One of the first mounting portion and the second mounting portion of the mating component 104 is designed as an opening or a slot, and the other is also designed as an opening or a slot. The slot is formed in the up and down directions and opens upward. Correspondingly, one of the first connecting end and the second connecting end of the connecting component is designed as a protrusion, and the other is designed as a through hole or a mating groove. The protrusion can pass through the first mounting portion or the second mounting portion and enter the through hole or the mating groove, so that the connecting component 103 is connected to the mating component 104.

[0093] Example 3

[0094] FIG7A is a three-dimensional diagram of the upper cover assembly according to Example 3 of the present application; FIG7B is an exploded diagram of the rear portion of the thermal printer with the upper cover assembly hidden according to Example 3 of the present application.

[0095] As shown in Figures 7A and 7B, the paper bin 30 involved in this embodiment is substantially the same as that in Example 1 or Example 2 and will not be repeated here. The connecting assembly 103 and the shell 11 involved in this embodiment are different from those in Example 1 and Example 2, and the differences will be described in this embodiment.

[0096] In this embodiment, the connecting component 103 includes a connecting component body 1d3 and a through hole 1e3 set on the connecting component body 1d3. The connecting component body 1d3 extends downward from the bottom wall of the upper cover component 20. In the left and right directions, the through hole 1e3 penetrates the connecting component body 1d3.

[0097] The mating assembly 104 also includes a housing mounting portion, comprising a third mounting portion and a fourth mounting portion disposed opposite each other in the left-right direction. The third mounting portion is a positioning post 1d42 provided on the first housing 11a. The positioning post 1d42 extends rightward in the left-right direction and is integrally formed with the housing 11a. The positioning post 1d42 is capable of extending into the through-hole 1e3 and protruding from the right side of the through-hole 1e3. The fourth mounting portion is a second through-hole 1e41 provided on the second housing 11b. At least a portion of the positioning post 1d42 extending from the through-hole 1e3 is capable of extending into the second through-hole 1e41. Alternatively, the fourth mounting portion can be designed as a mating groove, as long as at least a portion of the positioning post can enter the fourth mounting portion.

[0098] The housing 11 where the second through hole 1e41 is located may further be provided with a protection portion 1e42 , which extends from the housing 11 toward the rear of the thermal printer 100 . The protection portion 1e42 is used to protect the second through hole 1e41 .

[0099] In other embodiments, the fourth mounting portion is a positioning post provided in the second housing, capable of extending into the through-hole 1e3 and extending from the left side of the through-hole 1e3. The third mounting portion is provided in the first through-hole of the first housing, with at least a portion of the positioning post extending from the through-hole 1e3 being capable of extending into the first through-hole. The third mounting portion may also be designed as a mating groove, as long as at least a portion of the positioning post can enter the third mounting portion. The housing 11 where the first through-hole is located may also be provided with a protective portion, extending from the housing 11 toward the rear of the thermal printer 100, to protect the first through-hole.

[0100] The positioning column involved in this embodiment can not only connect the upper cover assembly 20 and the main assembly 10, but also play a positioning role when assembling the first shell 11a and the second shell 11b. At the same time, the shell 11 and the paper bin 30 cooperate with the connecting assembly 103 at the same time, which can make the cooperation between the upper cover assembly 20 and the main assembly 10 more stable; the integral molding of the positioning column and the shell is beneficial to reducing the number of parts of the upper cover assembly 20, preventing the upper cover assembly 20 and the main assembly 10 from being unstable due to the fitting gap between the parts, and is also beneficial to reducing the assembly steps to improve assembly efficiency.

[0101] In other embodiments, the design of the mating component 104 related to Example 1, Example 2, or Example 3 can also be entirely set on the shell 11 and formed integrally with the shell 11, that is, the design of the mating component 104 of this embodiment does not involve the paper bin 30. This design can simplify the design of the connecting part to simplify the structure of the thermal printer, which is beneficial to improving processing efficiency and reducing assembly steps.

[0102] As described above, the thermal printer provided by the first group of embodiments of the present application includes an upper cover assembly and a main assembly that are combined with each other, the main assembly includes a shell and a paper bin for placing imaging media, the upper cover assembly and the main assembly are combined through a connecting portion, the connecting portion includes a connecting assembly and a mating assembly, the connecting assembly is integrally formed with the upper cover assembly, and the mating assembly is integrally formed with at least one of the shell and the paper bin, which can reduce the number of parts of the thermal printer, prevent the upper cover assembly and the main assembly from being unstable due to the mating gap between the parts, and is also beneficial to reducing the assembly steps to improve assembly efficiency.

[0103] Second Group of Examples (Examples 4-6 and Their Variations)

[0104] The thermal printer disclosed in the second group of embodiments of the present application is a label printer, comprising a main body 10 (i.e., a main component) and an openable and closable cover assembly 20 (i.e., an upper cover assembly), wherein the cover assembly 20 is configured to be rotatable around a rotation axis M; wherein, one of the cover assembly 20 and the main body 10 is provided with a connecting seat 21a, and the connecting seat 21a is provided with pins 22 on opposite sides in the direction of the rotation axis M; the other of the cover assembly 20 and the main body 10 is provided with a recessed portion 110 for accommodating the connecting seat 21a, and the two opposite side walls 111 of the recessed portion 110 in the direction of the rotation axis M are both provided with a guide groove 112 and a connecting hole 113; the guide groove 112 is used to guide the pin 22 into the connecting hole 113, and the pin 22 is rotatably engaged with the connecting hole 113.

[0105] Furthermore, the connecting hole 113 is spaced apart from the guiding groove 112 , and the guiding groove 112 has a pin leading end close to the connecting hole 113 .

[0106] Furthermore, the pin shaft lead-out end and / or the end of the pin shaft 22 is provided with a guide surface inclined relative to the rotation axis M, so that the pin shaft 22 can escape from the guide groove 112 .

[0107] Optionally, the pin shaft 22 and the connecting seat 21 a are fixedly connected or have an integrally formed structure.

[0108] Optionally, the pin shaft 22 is configured to be movable along the rotation axis M relative to the connecting seat 21a; an elastic component 31 connected to the pin shaft 22 is provided in the connecting seat 21a, so that the pin shaft 22 can be extended and retracted along the rotation axis M.

[0109] Furthermore, the connecting seat 21a is provided at one end of the cover assembly 20, and a cover bottom plate 23 is provided on the side of the cover assembly 20 facing the main body 10. The connecting seat 21a is fixedly connected to the cover bottom plate 23 or has an integrally formed structure.

[0110] Furthermore, the connecting seat 21a is arranged at one end of the cover assembly 20, and the cover assembly 20 is provided with a cover bottom plate 23 on the side facing the main body 10. The connecting seat 21a is provided with a mounting portion 211, and the mounting portion 211 forms a snap fit with the cover bottom plate 23; the pin shaft 22 forms an axial hole fit with the mounting portion 211, and the elastic member 31 is arranged in the accommodating groove of the mounting portion 211.

[0111] Furthermore, a limiting protrusion 221 is provided on the surface of the pin shaft 22 , and the limiting protrusion 221 is arranged in the connecting seat 21 a to prevent the pin shaft 22 from falling off the connecting seat 21 a .

[0112] Furthermore, the elastic member 31 is a spring.

[0113] Optionally, the pin shaft 22 includes an elastic portion made of elastic material, so that the pin shaft 22 can be extended and retracted along the rotation axis.

[0114] In the label printer disclosed in the second group of embodiments, pins 22 are provided on opposite sides of the connecting seat 21a of the cover assembly 20, and a connecting hole 113 and a guide groove 112 for guiding the pin 22 into the connecting hole 113 are correspondingly provided on the main body 10. When installing the cover assembly 20, it is only necessary to align the pin 22 with the guide groove 112 and press the cover assembly 20, so that the pin 22 can enter the connecting hole 113 and the cover assembly 20 can be rotated and connected to the main body 10, which has the advantages of simple installation structure of the cover assembly 20 and reliable connection.

[0115] The structure of the thermal printer of the second embodiment will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0116] Example 4

[0117] The thermal printer disclosed in Example 4 is a label printer. As shown in Figures 8 to 11 , the label printer of Example 4 includes a main body 10 (i.e., a main assembly) and a retractable cover assembly 20 (i.e., an upper cover assembly). The main body 10 is provided with a paper compartment 12a for accommodating a roll of label paper. The cover assembly 20 includes a cover base 23 and a print head 24. The cover base 23 is positioned facing the main body 10, and the print head 24 is exposed from the cover base 23 for printing label paper. As a variation of this embodiment, the print head 24 may also be disposed within the main body 10.

[0118] The lid assembly 20 is rotatable relative to the main body 10 about the rotation axis M to rotate between open and closed positions. Specifically, as shown in Figures 10 and 11, a connection seat 21a is provided at one end of the lid assembly 20. The connection seat 21a is provided with pins 22 on opposite sides of the connection seat 21a in the direction of the rotation axis M. In Example 4, the pins 22 and the connection seat 21a can be fixedly connected (e.g., a snap connection) or have an integrally formed structure. Preferably, the connection seat 21a, the pins 22, and the lid base plate 23 have an integrally formed structure. The connection seat 21a with the pins 22 serves as a connecting component of the lid assembly 20 (upper lid assembly).

[0119] As shown in Figures 8 and 9, the main body 10 is provided with a recessed portion 110 for accommodating the connecting seat 21a. The recessed portion 110 is provided with a guide groove 112 and a connecting hole 113 on two opposite side walls 111 in the direction of the rotation axis M; wherein the guide groove 112 is used to guide the pin 22 into the connecting hole 113, and the pin 22 rotates in conjunction with the connecting hole 113. The guide groove 112 is preferably arranged to extend in the up-down direction, with its upper end being the pin introduction end extending to the upper surface of the main body 10, and its lower end being the pin extraction end. The connecting hole 113 and the guide groove 112 can be spaced apart, and the pin extraction end of the guide groove 112 is arranged to be close to the connecting hole 113. The recessed portion 110 provided with the guide groove 112 and the connecting hole 113 is used as a mating component of the main body 10 (main component).

[0120] Preferably, the pin lead-out end may be provided with a first guide surface 1121 inclined relative to the rotation axis M. The first guide surface 1121 may be an arcuate surface, an inclined plane, or a combination thereof. The end of the pin 22 may be provided with a second guide surface 221, which may also be an arcuate surface, an inclined plane, or a combination thereof. The first guide surface 221 and / or the second guide surface 1121 are provided to facilitate the pin 22's removal from the guide slot 112.

[0121] When installing the cover assembly 20, simply align the pin 22 with the guide groove 112 and press the cover assembly 20 to allow the pin 22 to enter the connection hole 113, thereby rotating the cover assembly 10 to connect it to the main body 10. This has the advantages of a simple installation structure and easy operation of the cover assembly 20. In Example 4, after the pin 22 escapes from the guide groove 112 and before entering the connection hole 113, the pin 22 rigidly abuts the side wall 111 of the recessed portion 110. At this time, the connecting seat 21a and / or the opposite sides of the recessed portion 110 preferably can produce appropriate elastic deformation to allow the pin 22 to enter the connection hole 113. Preferably, the connecting seat 21a can have a hollow structure to facilitate appropriate elastic deformation of its opposite sides.

[0122] Example 5

[0123] As shown in Figures 12 and 13 , in Example 5, the two pins 22 located on opposite sides of the connecting seat 21a are both configured to be movable relative to the connecting seat 21a along the rotation axis M (see Figure 1 ). For example, the pins 22 and the connecting seat 21a form a sliding fit in the form of a shaft hole. An elastic member 31 is provided in the connecting seat 21a and is connected to (e.g., abuts) the pins 22, so that the pins 22 extend from the through hole of the connecting seat 21a and can extend and retract along the rotation axis M. The elastic member 31 is preferably a spring, but may also be other elastic components such as rubber, sponge, etc., and this application is not limited thereto.

[0124] Specifically, in Example 5, the connecting seat 21a and the cover bottom plate 23 are integrally formed and have a hollow cavity 210. Two elastic members 31 are disposed within the hollow cavity 210. One end of each elastic member 31 is connected to (e.g., abuts) two pins 22, respectively, and the other end of each elastic member 31 is connected to (e.g., abuts) a partition 213 disposed within the hollow cavity 210. A retaining protrusion 221 is provided on the surface of the pin 22. The retaining protrusion 221 is located within the connecting seat 21a to prevent the pin 22 from falling off the connecting seat 21a.

[0125] In the initial state, the pin 22 is in the maximum extended position under the action of the elastic member 31; during the installation of the cover assembly 20, after the pin 22 disengages from the guide groove 112 and before entering the connecting hole 113, the pin 22 abuts against the side wall 111 of the recessed portion 110. When the pin 22 abuts against the side wall 111, the elastic member 31 is compressed, and the pin 22 can overcome the elastic force of the elastic member 31 and move toward the inner direction of the connecting seat 21a, and then smoothly enter the connecting hole 113; after the pin 22 enters the connecting hole 113, the elastic force of the elastic member 31 will cause the pin 22 to move toward the outer direction of the connecting seat 21a to ensure the connection reliability between the pin 22 and the connecting hole 113.

[0126] As a variation of Example 5, an elastic member may be provided between the two pins 22, with both ends of the elastic member respectively connected to (eg, abutting) the two pins 22. For other descriptions of Example 5, please refer to Example 4 and will not be repeated here.

[0127] Example 6

[0128] As shown in Figures 14 and 15, the pin 22 in Example 6 is also configured to be movable / retractable relative to the connecting base 21a along the rotation axis M (see Figure 1). Unlike Example 5, the connecting base 21a in Example 6 is a split structure, provided with two mounting portions 211. Two pins 22 and their corresponding elastic members 31 are disposed on the respective mounting portions 211, with the pins 22 and the mounting portions 211 forming a sliding fit in the form of an axial hole. The two mounting portions 211 are each provided with a clip 212, and the cover base 23 is provided with a slot 231 that cooperates with the clip 212. The clip 212 can be pressed into the slot 231 from the bottom up, so that the mounting portion 211 and the cover base 23 form a snap fit and are relatively fixed in the vertical direction. The mounting portion 211 can be formed into a hollow structure with a receiving slot, and the elastic member 31 can be disposed within the receiving slot of the mounting portion 211. Specifically, one end of the elastic member 31 may abut against the pin shaft 22 , and the other end may abut against the corresponding side wall of the mounting portion 211 or the partition 213 located between the two connecting seats 21 a .

[0129] As a variation of Example 6, the two pins 22 and their corresponding elastic members 31 can be provided on the same mounting portion, which forms a snap fit with the cover bottom plate 23. The rest of the description of Example 6 can be found in Examples 4 and 5 and will not be repeated here.

[0130] In other embodiments not shown in the present application, the pin 22 may include an elastic portion made of an elastic material (for example, the elastic member 31 is changed into an elastic shaft forming a part of the pin 22) so that the pin 22 can be extended and retracted along the rotation axis M.

[0131] As a variation of the aforementioned embodiment, a connecting seat 21a may be provided on the main body 10 and a recessed portion 110 may be provided on the cover assembly 20, that is, the positions of the connecting seat 21a and the recessed portion 110 may be interchangeable without affecting the implementation of the present application.

[0132] Although the present application has been described above through embodiments, it should be understood that the above embodiments are only used to exemplarily describe the feasible implementation plans of the present application and should not be interpreted as limiting the scope of protection of the present application. That is, any replacement or change made by those skilled in the art in accordance with the present application should also be covered by the scope of protection of the claims of the present application.

Claims

1. A thermal printer, comprising an upper cover assembly and a main assembly which are combined with each other, wherein the main assembly comprises a housing and a paper bin for placing imaging media, wherein the upper cover assembly and the main assembly are combined by a connecting portion, wherein the connecting portion is configured so that the upper cover assembly can be turned over relative to the main assembly, Features: The connecting portion includes a connecting component arranged on the upper cover component and a mating component arranged on the main component, one of the connecting component and the mating component includes a hole or a groove, and the other of the connecting component and the mating component includes a protrusion, a pin shaft or a positioning column inserted into the hole or the groove.

2. The thermal printer according to claim 1, Features: The connecting component is integrally formed with the upper cover component, and the matching component is integrally formed with at least one of the shell and the paper bin.

3. The thermal printer according to claim 1, Features: The mating component includes a paper bin mounting part and an avoidance groove, the paper bin mounting part includes a first mounting part body, a second mounting part body, a first mounting part and a second mounting part, the first mounting part and the second mounting part are respectively arranged on the first mounting part body and the second mounting part body and are arranged opposite to each other in the left and right directions, and the avoidance groove is located between the first mounting part and the second mounting part.

4. The thermal printer according to claim 3, Features: The connecting component includes a first connecting body, a second connecting body, a first connecting end, a second connecting end and a notch portion, wherein the first connecting end and the second connecting end are respectively arranged on the first connecting body and the second connecting body and are arranged opposite to each other in the left-right direction, and the notch portion is located between the first connecting body and the second connecting body.

5. The thermal printer according to claim 4, Features: One of the first connecting end and the first mounting portion is designed to be an opening or mounting groove used as the hole or groove, and the other of the first connecting end and the first mounting portion is designed to be the protrusion; one of the second connecting end and the second mounting portion is designed to be an opening or mounting groove used as the hole or groove, and the other of the second connecting end and the second mounting portion is designed to be the protrusion, and the protrusion enters the opening or mounting groove.

6. The thermal printer according to claim 3, Features: The mating component further includes a shell mounting portion, and the shell mounting portion includes a third mounting portion and a fourth mounting portion that are arranged opposite to each other in the left-right direction.

7. The thermal printer according to claim 6, Features: The connecting component includes a first connecting body, a second connecting body, a first connecting end, a second connecting end and a notch portion, wherein the first connecting end and the second connecting end are respectively arranged on the first connecting body and the second connecting body and are arranged opposite to each other in the left-right direction, and the notch portion is located between the first connecting body and the second connecting body.

8. The thermal printer according to claim 7, Features: The first connection end cooperates with the first mounting portion and the third mounting portion, and the second connection end cooperates with the second mounting portion and the fourth mounting portion.

9. The thermal printer according to claim 8, Features: The first mounting portion and the second mounting portion are designed to be openings or slots, and the slots are formed in the up and down directions and open upward; the third mounting portion and one of the first connecting end are designed to be the protrusion, and the other is designed to be a through hole or a matching slot used as the hole or slot; the fourth mounting portion and one of the second connecting end are designed to be the protrusion, and the other is designed to be a through hole or a matching slot used as the hole or slot, and the protrusion passes through the first mounting portion or the second mounting portion and enters the through hole or the matching slot.

10. The thermal printer according to claim 6, Features: The housing includes a first housing and a second housing coupled to each other in a left-right direction, the third mounting portion is disposed on the first housing, and the fourth mounting portion is disposed on the second housing.

11. The thermal printer according to any one of claims 3 to 10, Features: The paper bin includes a side wall arranged on the same side as the connecting portion, and the paper bin mounting portion is arranged on the side wall.

12. The thermal printer according to claim 1, Features: The connecting component comprises a connecting component body, and a through hole serving as the hole is provided on the connecting component body.

13. The thermal printer according to claim 12, Features: In the left-right direction, the through hole penetrates the connecting component body.

14. The thermal printer according to claim 12, Features: The mating component includes a paper bin mounting part, which includes a first mounting part body, a second mounting part body, a first mounting part and a second mounting part, wherein the first mounting part and the second mounting part are respectively arranged on the first mounting part body and the second mounting part body and are arranged relatively to each other in the left and right directions.

15. The thermal printer according to claim 14, Features: The first mounting portion and the second mounting portion are designed as openings or slots, the slots are formed in the up and down directions and open upward; the positioning column passes through the first mounting portion, the through hole and the second mounting portion and enters the through hole or the matching slot.

16. The thermal printer according to claim 14, Features: The mating component further includes a shell mounting portion, and the shell mounting portion includes a third mounting portion and a fourth mounting portion that are arranged opposite to each other in the left-right direction.

17. The thermal printer according to claim 16, Features: One of the third mounting portion and the fourth mounting portion is designed as the positioning column, and the other is designed as a through hole or a matching groove. The positioning column passes through the first mounting portion, the through hole and the second mounting portion and enters the through hole or the matching groove.

18. The thermal printer according to claim 17, Features: The paper bin includes a side wall arranged on the same side as the connecting portion, and the paper bin mounting portion is arranged on the side wall; the shell includes a first shell and a second shell combined with each other in the left and right directions, the third mounting portion is arranged on the first shell, and the fourth mounting portion is arranged on the second shell, and the through hole is used to cooperate with the third mounting portion or the fourth mounting portion.

19. The thermal printer according to claim 14, Features: An avoidance groove is formed between the first mounting portion and the second mounting portion, and the connecting component body is arranged in the avoidance groove.

20. The thermal printer according to claim 16, Features: When the third mounting portion or the fourth mounting portion is designed as a through hole or a matching groove, a protection portion is provided on the shell where the third mounting portion or the fourth mounting portion is located, and the protection portion is formed by extending from the shell toward the rear of the thermal printer.

21. The thermal printer according to claim 1, Features: One of the connecting component and the mating component is provided with a connecting seat, and the connecting seat is provided with the pin shafts on opposite sides of the rotation axis direction of the upper cover component; the other of the connecting component and the main mating component is provided with a recessed portion for accommodating the connecting seat, and the two opposite side walls of the recessed portion in the rotation axis direction are provided with connecting holes used as the holes or grooves, and the pin shaft is rotatably matched with the connecting hole.

22. The thermal printer according to claim 21, Features: The two opposite side walls of the recessed portion in the direction of the rotation axis are both provided with guide grooves, and the guide grooves are used to guide the pin shaft to enter the connecting hole; the connecting hole and the guide grooves are spaced apart, and the guide grooves have a pin shaft lead-out end close to the connecting hole.

23. The thermal printer according to claim 22, Features: The pin shaft lead-out end and / or the end of the pin shaft is provided with a guide surface which is arranged obliquely with respect to the rotation axis, so that the pin shaft can escape from the guide groove.

24. The thermal printer according to claim 21, Features: The pin shaft and the connecting seat are fixedly connected or have an integrally formed structure.

25. The thermal printer according to claim 21, Features: The pin shaft is arranged to be movable relative to the connecting seat along the rotation axis; an elastic member connected to the pin shaft is arranged in the connecting seat so that the pin shaft can be extended and retracted along the rotation axis.

26. The thermal printer according to claim 25, Features: The connecting seat is arranged at one end of the upper cover assembly, and a cover bottom plate is provided on a side of the upper cover assembly facing the main assembly. The connecting seat is fixedly connected to the cover bottom plate or has an integrally formed structure.

27. The thermal printer according to claim 25, Features: The connecting seat is arranged at one end of the upper cover assembly, and a cover bottom plate is provided on the side of the upper cover assembly facing the main assembly. The connecting seat is provided with a mounting portion, and the mounting portion forms a snap fit with the cover bottom plate; the pin shaft forms an axial hole fit with the mounting portion, and the elastic component is arranged in the accommodating groove of the mounting portion.

28. The thermal printer according to claim 25 or 27, Features: A limiting convex portion is provided on the surface of the pin shaft, and the limiting convex portion is arranged in the connecting seat to prevent the pin shaft from falling off the connecting seat.

29. The thermal printer according to claim 25 or 27, Features: The elastic component is a spring.

30. The thermal printer according to claim 21, Features: The pin shaft includes an elastic portion made of an elastic material, so that the pin shaft can be extended and retracted along the rotation axis.

31. The thermal printer according to any one of claims 21 to 30, Features: The thermal printer is a label printer.

32. The thermal printer according to claim 1, It is characterized in that The connecting assembly includes an avoidance groove and an upper cover connecting portion, the upper cover connecting portion includes a first connecting body, a second connecting body, a first connecting portion, and a second connecting portion, the first connecting portion and the second connecting portion are respectively arranged on the first connecting body and the second connecting body and are arranged opposite to each other in the left and right directions, and the avoidance groove is located between the first connecting portion and the second connecting portion.

33. The thermal printer according to claim 32, It is characterized in that The mating component includes a first mounting part body, a second mounting part body, a first mounting end, a second mounting end and a protrusion, the first mounting end and the second mounting end are respectively arranged on the first mounting part body and the second mounting part body and are arranged opposite to each other in the left and right directions, and the protrusion is located between the first mounting part body and the second mounting part body.

34. The thermal printer according to claim 33, Features: One of the first connection portion and the first mounting end is designed to be an opening or mounting groove for the hole or groove, and the other of the first connection portion and the first mounting end is designed to be the protrusion; one of the second connection portion and the second mounting end is designed to be an opening or mounting groove for the hole or groove, and the other of the second connection portion and the second mounting end is designed to be the protrusion, and the protrusion enters the opening or mounting groove; Or, the first connection portion, the first mounting end, the second connection portion and the second mounting end are connected through a positioning column; Alternatively, the first connection portion and the first mounting end are connected via a first pin shaft, and the second connection portion and the second mounting end are connected via a second pin shaft.

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