Thermal printer

Abstract

To provide a thermal printer capable of restricting positional deviation in a width direction of a recording medium.SOLUTION: A thermal printer comprises: a housing 2 having a storage recess 21 for storing a roll body R2 to which a recording medium P2 is wound; a thermal head 43 for printing on the recording medium P2 drawn out from the roll body R2; a platen roller for conveying the recording medium P2 while pressing the recording medium P2 against the thermal head 43; and one or multiple spacers 61, 62 that are detachably arranged at the storage recess 21 to regulate the movement in an axial direction of the roll body R2. On outer peripheral edges 61a, 62a of the spacers 61, 62, one or multiple protrusions 63, 64 are formed by protruding in a direction of approaching an inner peripheral surface 21a of the storage recess 21.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a thermal printer. [Background technology]

[0002] Thermal printers (mobile printers) have a paper storage section that stores rolls of recording paper. Thermal printers sometimes employ a structure that allows a partition plate to be attached to the paper storage section so that multiple sheets of recording paper of different widths can be used (see, for example, Patent Document 1). In the thermal printer described in Patent Document 1, a plate holding groove that holds the partition plate is formed in the paper storage section. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2011-161816 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, in a thermal printer having a structure in which a partition plate is held by a plate holding groove, such as the thermal printer disclosed in Patent Document 1, only roll paper with a paper width that corresponds to the plate holding groove can be used. On the other hand, a structure has been proposed that does not use a plate-holding groove or a partition plate, but instead uses a disk-shaped spacer member that fits the shape of the paper storage section. Because the spacer member needs to be removable, it is installed in the paper storage section by a loose fit. If the gap between the inner surface of the paper storage section and the spacer member is large, the recording paper pulled from the roll paper may skew or meander during the transport process. If the recording paper skews or meanders, it may become misaligned across the width of the recording paper, making it difficult to print properly.

[0005] An object of one aspect of the present invention is to provide a thermal printer that can accommodate recording media of various widths (for example, roll paper) and can suppress misalignment of the recording media in the width direction. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] A thermal printer according to one aspect of the present invention comprises a housing having a storage recess for storing a roll body on which a recording medium is wound, a thermal head for printing on the recording medium pulled out from the roll body, a platen roller for transporting the recording medium while pressing the recording medium against the thermal head, and one or more spacers that are detachably installed in the storage recess and restrict axial movement of the roll body, and one or more convex portions are formed on the outer peripheral edge of the spacer so as to protrude in a direction approaching the inner peripheral surface of the storage recess.

[0007] With this configuration, the thickness of the spacer can be determined as desired. Therefore, unlike when a groove into which the partition plate fits is formed in the storage recess, it can accommodate recording media of various widths. In other words, the roll body can be positioned as long as there is a spacer that corresponds to the width of the recording medium being used, so the width of the storage space in the storage recess can be adjusted continuously.

[0008] With this configuration, when the recording medium is pulled out from the roll in the storage recess, the convex portion can restrict the movement of the recording medium in the width direction, thereby suppressing misalignment of the recording medium in the width direction, and thus allowing the thermal head to print at the appropriate position on the recording medium.

[0009] In the thermal printer, a first convex portion of the convex portions may be located near an opening end of the accommodating recess that is closer to the thermal head in a cross section of the accommodating recess.

[0010] This configuration makes it possible to prevent misalignment of the recording medium in the width direction at a position close to the thermal head, thereby enabling the recording medium to be positioned correctly when printing with the thermal head. Because the first protrusion is located near the opening end closest to the thermal head, even if the spacer is misaligned in the depth direction of the storage recess, the distance between the first protrusion and the inner circumferential surface is unlikely to increase, which prevents a decrease in the effect of the first protrusion in preventing misalignment of the recording medium.

[0011] In the thermal printer, the second convex portion of the convex portions may be located near an opening end farther from the thermal head in a cross section of the accommodation recess.

[0012] With this configuration, even if the position of the spacer in the depth direction of the storage recess is shifted, the distance between the second convex portion and the inner circumferential surface is unlikely to increase, thereby preventing a decrease in the effect of the second convex portion in preventing the recording medium from shifting.

[0013] In the thermal printer, the protrusion may be in contact with the inner circumferential surface of the accommodating recess.

[0014] This configuration can enhance the effect of restricting misalignment of the recording medium.

[0015] In the thermal printer, the spacer may be formed in a plate shape having a thickness corresponding to the gap between the end surface of the accommodating recess and the end surface of the roll body.

[0016] According to this configuration, the roll body can be stably held in the accommodation recess.

[0017] In the thermal printer, an end surface of the accommodation recess may be formed with a locking recess, and an end surface of the spacer may be formed with a locking protrusion that is locked in the locking recess.

[0018] According to this configuration, the spacer can be stably positioned.

[0019] In the thermal printer, the spacers may be provided at both ends of the accommodating recess.

[0020] This configuration allows the roll body to be positioned in the center. If the two spacers have the same configuration, costs can be reduced by standardizing parts.

[0021] In the thermal printer, the storage recess may be capable of selectively accommodating a plurality of roll bodies having different widths.

[0022] According to this configuration, a plurality of roll bodies can be selectively used, thereby widening the range of application. [Effects of the Invention]

[0023] According to one aspect of the present invention, it is possible to provide a thermal printer that can suppress misalignment of a recording medium in the width direction. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0024] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view of a thermal printer according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a side view showing the thermal printer of the embodiment with the cover open. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the thermal printer of the embodiment with the cover removed. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a state in which a spacer is attached to the thermal printer according to the embodiment. [Figure 5] FIG. 2 is a plan view showing a part of the housing and a spacer of the thermal printer according to the embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is an enlarged plan view showing a part of the housing and a spacer of the thermal printer according to the embodiment. [Figure 7] 1 is a side cross-sectional view of a portion of a thermal printer according to an embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. [Figure 9] 1 is a schematic diagram of an example of a spacer and a part of a housing. [Figure 10] 10A and 10B are schematic diagrams of another example of a spacer and a part of a housing. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0025] An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. In this embodiment, a portable thermal printer that can be carried by a user will be described as an example. In the drawings used in the following description, the scale of each component has been appropriately changed to make it recognizable. In the drawings, FR indicates the front, LH indicates the left, and UP indicates the top. In the following description, the orientation of the thermal printer shown in Figure 1 is assumed to be the orientation when carried.

[0026] Roll paper R1 (see Figure 3) is formed by winding recording paper P1. Roll paper R2 (see Figure 4) is formed by winding recording paper P2. Roll papers R1 and R2 are examples of roll bodies. Recording papers P1 and P2 are examples of recording media. Recording papers P1 and P2 are, for example, thermal paper. The central axis direction of roll papers R1 and R2 is sometimes simply referred to as the "axial direction."

[0027] <Thermal Printer 1> 1 and 2, thermal printer 1 includes a housing 2, a cover 3, a printing unit 4, and a spacer 6 (see FIG. 4). Thermal printer 1 prints on recording papers P1 and P2 (see FIGS. 3 and 4). Thermal printer 1 discharges printed recording papers P1 and P2 from discharge port 24.

[0028] As shown in Fig. 3, the recording paper P1 is, for example, a continuous label strip comprising a long backing paper 31 and a number of labels (for example, thermal labels) 32. The labels 32 are removably attached to the surface (label attachment surface) of the backing paper 31 at predetermined intervals. The surface (printing surface) of the labels 32 is coated with a thermal coloring layer that changes color when the temperature reaches a predetermined range. The recording paper may also be thermal paper without labels.

[0029] <Case 2> The housing 2 is made of, for example, a resin material such as polycarbonate, a metal material, etc. The upper part of the housing 2 is formed in the shape of a rectangular parallelepiped having a front wall 10 and a side wall 14.

[0030] An operation unit 11 for performing various operations on the thermal printer 1 is provided at the top of the front wall 10 of the housing 2. The operation unit 11 includes function switches 12 and lamps 13. The function switches 12 include a power switch, a feed switch, etc. The lamps 13 include a POWER lamp that indicates whether the power switch is on or off, and an ERROR lamp that indicates an error in the thermal printer 1.

[0031] As shown in FIG. 3, the lower part of the housing 2 is formed in a box shape having an opening 9 that opens forward. The lower part of the housing 2 is provided with a guide plate 22 (see FIG. 4) and side walls 15 provided on the left and right ends of the guide plate 22, respectively.

[0032] The guide plate 22 is curved in an arc when viewed from the left and right. The guide plate 22 is formed in a semi-cylindrical shape extending left and right. The guide plate 22 and the two side walls 15 form the storage recess 21. The storage recess 21 forms a semi-cylindrical internal space with its central axis facing left and right. A portion of the paper roll R1 can be stored in the storage recess 21 through the opening 9. The paper roll R1 stored in the storage recess 21 is oriented with its axial direction facing left and right.

[0033] The inner peripheral surface of the guide plate 22 (inner peripheral surface 21a of the storage recess 21 shown in FIG. 4) is a curved surface that curves like an arc when viewed from the left and right. The inner peripheral surface of the guide plate 22 faces the outer peripheral surface of the roll paper R1 stored in the storage recess 21. The guide plate 22 guides the recording paper P1 pulled out from the roll paper R1 to the printing unit 4.

[0034] As shown in FIG. 7, the upper and lower ends of the guide plate 22 are opening ends in a cross section (a cross section perpendicular to the left-right direction) of the accommodating recess 21. Of the two opening ends (upper and lower ends), the upper end (guide tip portion 23) of the guide plate 22 is the opening end located closer to the thermal head 43. When viewed from the top-bottom direction, the guide tip portion 23 is located between the thermal head 43 and the support shaft 45. Of the two opening ends (upper and lower ends), the lower end (guide terminal portion 26) of the guide plate 22 is the opening end located farther from the thermal head 43.

[0035] 5 and 6, a locking recess 71 is formed on each of the inner surfaces 15a (end surfaces of the accommodation recess 21) of the left and right side walls 15. The locking recess 71 is formed with an expanded portion 71a that is expanded in the vertical direction. The inner surfaces 15a are surfaces that are perpendicular to the left-right direction.

[0036] <Cover 3> As shown in Figure 2, the cover 3 forms the lower front surface of the thermal printer 1. For example, the cover 3 is made of a resin material such as polycarbonate. The cover 3 is a covering part (paper cover) that opens and closes the opening 9 of the housing 2. The lower end of the cover 3 is rotatably supported on the lower end of the housing 2 via a hinge shaft 17.

[0037] The upper end of the cover 3 can be engaged with the housing 2 via the platen unit 42. The cover 3 rotatably supports a platen roller 52. When the cover 3 is in the closed position, the gap formed between the upper edge of the cover 3 and the lower edge of the front wall 10 of the housing 2 is an outlet 24 (see FIG. 1) through which the recording paper P1 printed by the printing unit 4 is discharged.

[0038] 1, a cutting blade 25 is provided on the opening edge of the discharge port 24 to cut the recording paper P1 discharged from the discharge port 24. The cutting blade 25 is formed on the lower edge (the upper part of the opening edge) of the front wall 10 of the housing 2 and on the upper edge of the cover 3. For example, by pulling the recording paper P1 down toward the cutting blade 25, the backing paper 31 of the recording paper P1 can be cut.

[0039] 1 and 2, a hook 19 to which a strap, belt, etc. can be attached is provided on the upper back side of the housing 2. For example, when a user carries the thermal printer 1, it is conceivable that the user will carry the thermal printer 1 by attaching a strap worn over the shoulder or a waist belt to the hook 19.

[0040] <Printing unit 4> As shown in Figure 2, the printing unit 4 is housed in the housing 2 and the cover 3. The printing unit 4 includes a head unit 41 and a platen unit 42. The printing unit 4 prints on a label 32 (see Figure 3) on the portion of the recording paper P1 that is pulled out from the roll paper R1.

[0041] The head unit 41 is attached to the lower end of the front wall 10 of the housing 2. The head unit 41 includes a thermal head 43 having a plurality of heat generating elements. The thermal head 43 is rotatably supported by the housing 2 via a support shaft 45 (see FIG. 3).

[0042] The thermal head 43 is connected to a control unit (not shown) etc. via a flexible substrate. In the thermal head 43, a driver IC (not shown) mounted on the thermal head 43 controls the heat generation of the heating elements based on signals from the control unit. When the label 32 passes through the heating elements of the thermal head 43, printing is performed on the label 32 by the heating elements.

[0043] The platen unit 42 is provided at the upper end (tip) of the cover 3 when it is closed. The platen unit 42 is detachably combined with the head unit 41 when the cover 3 is closed. The platen unit 42 includes a platen frame (not shown) attached to the cover 3, and a platen roller 52 rotatably supported by the platen frame.

[0044] When the cover 3 is closed, the platen roller 52 is disposed in a position facing the thermal head 43. The platen roller 52 transports the recording paper P1 (see FIG. 3 ) while pressing the recording paper P1 against the thermal head 43. The platen roller 52 sandwiches the recording paper P1 between itself and the thermal head 43.

[0045] The platen roller 52 includes a platen shaft 53 extending in the left-right direction, and a roller body 54 fitted onto the platen shaft 53. The roller body 54 is made of rubber or the like.

[0046] The thermal printer 1 can handle a variety of recording paper widths. For example, as shown in Figure 4, the thermal printer 1 can handle roll paper R2 of recording paper P2, which is narrower than recording paper P1 (see Figure 3).

[0047] As shown in Figures 4 to 7, the thermal printer 1 has one or more spacers 6 installed at the ends of the storage recess 21, thereby reducing the width (left-right dimension) of the space in the storage recess 21 that can accommodate the roll paper. The spacers 6 can restrict left-right movement of the roll paper R2 when it is stored in the storage recess 21. In this embodiment, two spacers 6 (a first spacer 61 and a second spacer 62) are detachably installed in the storage recess 21. The spacers 61 and 62 are installed with their thicknesses facing left-right.

[0048] As shown in FIG. 4, the first spacer 61 is provided at the end of the accommodating recess 21 on the left side (LH side). 8, the first spacer 61 is formed in a disk shape and has a thickness corresponding to the gap between the left end face of the storage recess 21 (the inner surface 15a of the side wall 15) and the left end face R2a of the roll paper R2 (see FIG. 5).

[0049] The curvature of the outer peripheral edge 61a of the first spacer 61 is determined according to the curvature of the inner peripheral surface 21a of the accommodating recess 21. For example, the outer diameter of the first spacer 61 is the same as or smaller than the inner diameter of the accommodating recess 21. This makes it easy to attach and detach the first spacer 61 to and from the accommodating recess 21.

[0050] One or more protrusions are formed on the outer peripheral edge 61a of the first spacer 61. In this embodiment, two protrusions 63, 64 (a first protrusion 63 and a second protrusion 64) are formed on the outer peripheral edge 61a of the first spacer 61. The protrusions 63, 64 protrude radially outward from the outer peripheral edge 61a of the first spacer 61.

[0051] The protrusions 63, 64 have a shape that gradually narrows in width in the protruding direction when viewed in the thickness direction of the first spacer 61. The protrusions 63, 64 have a triangular shape with two inclined sides that approach each other as the protruding height increases. The protrusions 63, 64 have a triangular shape with two inclined sides of equal length (isosceles triangle shape), for example.

[0052] The first protrusion 63 and the second protrusion 64 are formed at intervals in the circumferential direction of the first spacer 61. The first protrusion 63 and the second protrusion 64 are located, for example, at positions that are rotationally symmetric (180° symmetric) with respect to the center of the first spacer 61.

[0053] 4 and 5, the protrusions 63 and 64 are formed on the right end of the first spacer 61. The protrusions 63 and 64 are plate-shaped and perpendicular to the thickness direction of the first spacer 61.

[0054] Fig. 7 is a diagram showing a cross section II of Fig. 4. As shown in Fig. 7, the first protrusion 63 is located near the upper end (guide tip portion 23) (open end close to the thermal head 43) of the guide plate 22. The second protrusion 64 is located near the lower end (guide terminal portion 26) of the guide plate 22.

[0055] The protrusions 63, 64 protrude in a direction approaching the inner peripheral surface 21a of the accommodating recess 21. The protrusions 63, 64 may abut against the inner peripheral surface 21a of the accommodating recess 21. For example, the protrusions 63, 64 abut against the inner peripheral surface 21a at their tips. When the protrusions 63, 64 abut against the inner peripheral surface 21a, it becomes easier to prevent the recording paper from shifting in the width direction.

[0056] When the protrusions 63, 64 and the inner peripheral surface 21a are spaced apart, if the gap is less than the thickness of the recording paper, it becomes easier to prevent the recording paper from shifting in the width direction.

[0057] 5 and 6, a locking protrusion 72 that locks into the locking recess 71 is formed on the left end face (outer surface) of the first spacer 61. The locking protrusion 72 is formed with an enlarged portion 72a whose vertical dimension is enlarged in accordance with the enlarged portion 71a. The enlarged portion 72a locks into the enlarged portion 71a, thereby restricting left-right movement of the first spacer 61.

[0058] As shown in FIG. 4, the second spacer 62 is provided at the end of the accommodating recess 21 on the right side (opposite the LH side). The second spacer 62 is formed in a disk shape and has a thickness corresponding to the gap between the right end face of the accommodating recess 21 (the inner surface 15a of the side wall 15) and the right end face R2a of the roll paper R2.

[0059] The curvature of the outer peripheral edge 62a of the second spacer 62 is determined according to the curvature of the inner peripheral surface 21a of the accommodating recess 21. For example, the outer diameter of the second spacer 62 is the same as or smaller than the inner diameter of the accommodating recess 21. This makes it easy to attach and detach the second spacer 62 to and from the accommodating recess 21.

[0060] Similar to the first spacer 61, one or more protrusions are formed on the outer peripheral edge 62a of the second spacer 62. In this embodiment, two protrusions 63, 64 (a first protrusion 63 and a second protrusion 64) are formed on the outer peripheral edge 62a of the second spacer 62. The protrusions 63, 64 protrude radially outward from the outer peripheral edge 62a of the second spacer 62.

[0061] The first protrusion 63 and the second protrusion 64 are formed at intervals in the circumferential direction of the second spacer 62. The first protrusion 63 and the second protrusion 64 are located, for example, at positions that are rotationally symmetric (180° symmetric) with respect to the center of the second spacer 62. As shown in FIG. 5, the protrusions 63 and 64 are formed on the left end of the second spacer 62.

[0062] A locking protrusion 72 that locks into the locking recess 71 is formed on the right end face (outer face) of the second spacer 62. The locking protrusion 72 has an enlarged portion 72a whose vertical dimension is enlarged in accordance with the enlarged portion 71a. The enlarged portion 72a locks into the enlarged portion 71a, thereby restricting the left-right movement of the second spacer 62.

[0063] <Thermal Printer 1 Operation> 4 and 5, in the thermal printer 1, spacers 61 and 62 are installed in the storage recess 21, and the roll paper R2 is stored in the storage space between the spacers 61 and 62. With the cover 3 (see FIG. 1) closed, the platen roller 52 (see FIG. 7) rotates, causing the recording paper P2 to be pulled out from the roll paper R2 and transported.

[0064] The recording paper P2 flows from the bottom of the storage recess 21 along the inner peripheral surface 21a toward the guide tip 23 (see FIG. 7) and reaches the thermal head 43. The thermal head 43 prints on the recording paper P2 (more specifically, the label 32). The thermal printer 1 discharges the printed recording paper P2 from the discharge port 24 (see FIG. 1).

[0065] <Advantages of the thermal printer 1 according to the embodiment> The thermal printer 1 uses a spacer 6 that can be installed in the storage recess 21. The thickness of the spacer 6 can be determined as desired. Unlike thermal printers in which the storage recess has a groove into which a partition plate fits, the thermal printer 1 can accommodate recording paper of various widths. That is, the thermal printer 1 can position the roll paper R2 as long as it has a spacer 6 that corresponds to the width of the recording paper P2 being used, so the width of the storage space in the storage recess 21 can be adjusted continuously.

[0066] In the thermal printer 1, the convex portions 63, 64 are formed on the outer peripheral edges 61a, 62a of the spacer 6 (61, 62), and the convex portions 63, 64 restrict the movement of the recording paper P2 in the width direction when the recording paper P2 is pulled out from the roll paper R2 in the storage recess 21. This prevents the recording paper P2 from shifting in position in the width direction. This allows the thermal head 43 to print in the appropriate position on the recording paper P2.

[0067] The first protrusion 63 of the spacer 6 is located near the opening end (guide tip 23) closest to the thermal head 43 (see FIG. 7). This prevents the recording paper P2 from shifting in the width direction at a position close to the thermal head 43. This allows the recording paper P2 to be positioned correctly when printed by the thermal head 43.

[0068] Since the first protrusion 63 is located near the opening end (guide tip 23) of the accommodating recess 21 (see FIG. 7), the distance between the first protrusion 63 and the inner circumferential surface 21a is unlikely to become large even if the position of the spacer 6 shifts in the depth direction of the accommodating recess 21. Therefore, for example, even if the spacer 6 does not penetrate all the way into the accommodating recess 21, it is possible to prevent a decrease in the effect of the first protrusion 63 in suppressing the position shift of the recording paper P2.

[0069] Since the second protrusion 64 is located near the opening end (guide terminal end portion 26) of the accommodating recess 21 (see FIG. 7), even if the position of the spacer 6 shifts in the depth direction of the accommodating recess 21, the distance between the second protrusion 64 and the inner circumferential surface 21a is unlikely to become large. Therefore, for example, even if the spacer 6 does not penetrate all the way into the accommodating recess 21, it is possible to prevent a decrease in the effect of the second protrusion 64 in suppressing the position shift of the recording paper P2.

[0070] This effect will be explained with reference to FIGS. As shown in Fig. 9(A), it is assumed that the convex portion 163 of the spacer 106 is close to the opening end 123 of the accommodating recess 121. In this case, as shown in Fig. 9(B), even if the spacer 106 rises, the distance L1 between the convex portion 163 and the inner circumferential surface 121a of the accommodating recess 121 does not become so large. In contrast, when the convex portion 263 of the spacer 206 is located away from the opening end 123 of the accommodating recess 121 as shown in FIG. 10(A), when the spacer 106 rises, the distance L2 between the convex portion 263 and the inner surface 121a increases as shown in FIG. 10(B).

[0071] When the protrusions 63 and 64 are in contact with the inner circumferential surface 21a of the accommodation recess 21, the effect of restricting the positional deviation of the recording paper P2 can be enhanced.

[0072] The spacer 6 is a plate with a thickness corresponding to the gap between the end face of the storage recess 21 and the end face of the roll paper R2. Therefore, the roll paper R2 can be stably held within the storage recess 21.

[0073] In the thermal printer 1, a locking recess 71 is formed on the end surface of the accommodation recess 21, and a locking protrusion 72 that locks into the locking recess 71 is formed on the end surface of the spacer 6. This allows the spacer 6 to be stably positioned.

[0074] In the thermal printer 1, the spacers 6 (61, 62) are provided at both ends of the storage recess 21, so the roll paper R2 can be placed in a position including the center of the storage recess 21. If the two spacers 6 have the same configuration, costs can be reduced by standardizing parts.

[0075] If the thermal printer 1 can selectively accommodate a plurality of rolls of paper R1, R2 of different widths (see FIGS. 3 and 4), the range of applications can be widened.

[0076] Because the spacer 6 is disk-shaped, the distance between the convex portions 63, 64 and the inner circumferential surface 21a is unlikely to become large even if the position of the spacer 6 shifts in the depth direction of the accommodating recess 21. Therefore, for example, even if the spacer 6 does not penetrate all the way into the accommodating recess 21, it is possible to prevent a decrease in the effect of the convex portions 63, 64 in suppressing the position shift of the recording paper P2.

[0077] The technical scope of the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention. For example, in the above embodiment, the number of convex portions formed on one spacer 6 is two, but the number of convex portions is not particularly limited. The number of convex portions may be one or more (any number equal to or greater than two). In the first spacer 61 shown in FIG. 7, a first convex portion 63 and a second convex portion 64 are formed, but the spacer may have only the first convex portion 63. The shape of the convex portion is not particularly limited, and may be semicircular, rectangular, polygonal, elliptical, or the like when viewed in the thickness direction of the spacer.

[0078] In the above embodiment, two spacers 6 are used, but the number of spacers is not particularly limited. The number of spacers may be one or more (any number equal to or greater than two). In the above embodiment, the spacers 61 and 62 are installed at the ends of the accommodating recess 21, but the installation positions of the spacers 61 and 62 in the accommodating recess 21 are not limited to the ends.

[0079] In the above embodiment, a locking recess 71 is formed on the end face of the accommodating recess 21, and a locking protrusion 72 is formed on the end face of the spacer 6, but conversely, a locking protrusion 72 may be formed on the end face of the accommodating recess 21, and a locking recess 71 may be formed on the end face of the spacer 6. In the above embodiment, a portable thermal printer is used as an example, but the thermal printer may also be a stationary type.

[0080] In the above embodiment, the front, back, top, bottom, left and right directions of the thermal printer 1 are set when the user carries the thermal printer 1, but the front, back, top, bottom, left and right directions of the thermal printer 1 may be selected arbitrarily depending on the application.

[0081] In addition, the components in the above-described embodiments can be replaced with well-known components as appropriate, without departing from the spirit of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0082] 1. Thermal printer 2. Housing 6...Spacer 15a...inner surface of side wall (end surface of receiving recess) 21... Storage recess 21a...Inner peripheral surface 23...Guide tip (open end close to the thermal head) 26... Guide end (open end farthest from the thermal head) 43...Thermal head 52...Platen roller 61...First spacer (spacer) 61a...Outer edge 62...Second spacer (spacer) 62a...Outer edge 63...First convex part (convex part) 64...Second convex part (convex part) 71...Latching recess 72...Latching protrusion P1, P2...recording paper (recording medium) R1, R2...Roll paper (roll body) R2a...End of roll paper (end of roll body)

Claims

1. a housing having a storage recess for storing a roll body around which a recording medium is wound; a thermal head that prints on the recording medium pulled out from the roll body; a platen roller that conveys the recording medium while pressing the recording medium against the thermal head; one or more spacers that are detachably installed in the accommodation recess and restrict movement of the roll body in the axial direction; Equipped with One or more protrusions are formed on the outer circumferential edge of the spacer so as to protrude in a direction approaching the inner circumferential surface of the accommodating recess. Thermal printer.

2. a first protrusion of the protrusions located near an opening end of the accommodating recess that is closer to the thermal head in a cross section of the accommodating recess; 2. The thermal printer according to claim 1.

3. the second protrusion is located near an opening end of the accommodating recess that is far from the thermal head in a cross section of the accommodating recess; 3. The thermal printer according to claim 2.

4. The protrusion abuts against the inner circumferential surface of the accommodating recess.

2. The thermal printer according to claim 1.

5. the spacer is formed in a plate shape having a thickness corresponding to the gap between the end surface of the accommodating recess and the end surface of the roll body.

2. The thermal printer according to claim 1.

6. A locking recess is formed on an end surface of the accommodation recess, A locking protrusion that is locked into the locking recess is formed on an end surface of the spacer.

2. The thermal printer according to claim 1.

7. The spacers are provided at both ends of the accommodating recess, 2. The thermal printer according to claim 1.

8. The storage recess is capable of selectively accommodating a plurality of the roll bodies having different widths.

2. The thermal printer according to claim 1.

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