Printer

Abstract

To provide a printer that can be reduced in size and can facilitate the laying of wiring.SOLUTION: A thermal printer 1 includes: a cover portion 3 provided on a main body portion 2; a thermal head that performs printing on a label 42 pulled out from rolled paper R; a platen roller 74 that conveys the label 42 while pressing the label against the thermal head; a first sensor 6 that detects a print start position; a second sensor 86 that detects an open / closed state of the cover portion 3; and a control board 5 to which the thermal head, the first sensor 6, and the second sensor 86 are connected. The first sensor 6 is an optical sensor. The second sensor 86 is an optical sensor that shares a flexible substrate 72 with the thermal head.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

[Technical Field]

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

[0002] Some thermal printers are known to have a position detector for detecting the position of the paper to be printed on, and a cover detector for detecting the open / closed state of the cover (see, for example, Patent Document 1). The position detector is an optical sensor that detects a mark at the print start position (start position) of each label when printing the label. Meanwhile, the cover detector is a mechanical sensor (mechanical switch) that detects the closed state of the cover when a protrusion on the cover presses a switch on the main body. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 9-248924 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, when a mechanical sensor is used as a cover detector, as in the thermal printer described above, the switch that detects whether the cover is open or closed comes into direct physical contact with other components such as the cover, making mechanical sensors more susceptible to failure than optical sensors. Furthermore, when installing a mechanical sensor in a thermal printer, it is necessary to secure space for the switch outside the roll paper compartment in the paper width direction, which causes the thermal printer to become larger. Furthermore, a separate dedicated wiring must be prepared for the mechanical sensor switch, which creates the problem of complicated wiring installation.

[0005] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and has as its object to provide a printer that can be made smaller and in which wiring can be easily installed. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] A printer according to one embodiment of the present invention comprises a main body having a roll paper storage section, a cover section that can be opened and closed relative to the main body section to cover the roll paper storage section, a head that is provided in the main body section and prints on a print medium pulled out from the roll paper stored in the roll paper storage section, a roller that is provided in the cover section and transports the print medium while pressing it against the head during printing, a first sensor that detects the print start position of the print medium, a second sensor that detects the open / closed state of the cover section, and a control board to which the head, the first sensor, and the second sensor are connected, wherein the first sensor is an optical sensor that detects marks on the roll paper, and the second sensor is an optical sensor that shares a flexible board connected to the control board with the head.

[0007] According to this configuration, an optical sensor is used as the second sensor that detects whether the cover is open or closed. Therefore, the second sensor can detect whether the cover is open or closed without physically touching the cover directly. This reduces the risk of failure compared to using a mechanical sensor for the second sensor. Furthermore, by using an optical sensor for the second sensor, the second sensor can be made smaller than a mechanical sensor. This allows for the printer to be made more compact. In addition, the flexible board connected to the control board is shared between the head and the second sensor, eliminating the need for separate wiring for the second sensor, which makes it easier to lay the wiring for the second sensor.

[0008] In the above printer, the main body may include a detectable member that moves in response to opening and closing of the cover, and the second sensor may be a reflective optical sensor that detects the detectable member.

[0009] This configuration includes a detectable member that moves in response to the opening and closing of the cover. A reflective optical sensor is used as the second sensor that detects the detectable member. Therefore, the light-emitting element and light-receiving element of the second sensor can be integrated into the main body. This contributes to easier wiring for the second sensor compared to, for example, using a transmissive optical sensor for the second sensor. Furthermore, a reflective optical sensor requires less installation space than a transmissive optical sensor, so using a reflective optical sensor for the second sensor can contribute to making the printer more compact.

[0010] In the above printer, the cover portion may have a pressing protrusion at a position facing the detectable member when closed, the detectable member moves by being pressed against the pressing protrusion when the cover portion is closed, and the second sensor may detect that the cover portion is closed by detecting the moved detectable member.

[0011] With this configuration, when the cover is closed, the pressing protrusion of the cover moves the detectable member of the main body, and the second sensor can detect the moved detectable member without contact. By detecting the detectable member, it is possible to detect that the cover is closed. This reduces the risk of failure of the second sensor. Furthermore, by using the second sensor to detect the moved detectable member without contact, there is no need to install the second sensor on the outside of the width of the roll paper as with a mechanical sensor. Therefore, the second sensor can be installed on the inside of the width of the roll paper. This allows the second sensor to be installed using dead space (empty space) in the main body, contributing to the miniaturization of the printer.

[0012] In the above printer, the cover may include a guide member that guides the print medium to the roller, and the first sensor may be a reflective optical sensor provided on the guide member.

[0013] According to this configuration, the cover is provided with a guide member that guides the print medium to the roller. The first sensor is provided on this guide member, and a reflective optical sensor is used as the first sensor. This allows the light-emitting element and light-receiving element of the first sensor to be integrated into the cover. This contributes to easier wiring for the first sensor compared to, for example, using a transmissive optical sensor as the first sensor. Furthermore, a reflective optical sensor requires less installation space than a transmissive optical sensor, so using a reflective optical sensor for the first sensor can contribute to making the printer more compact.

[0014] Here, for example, if a transmissive optical sensor is used as the first sensor, the light-emitting element must be provided on the main body side and the light-receiving element must be provided on the cover side. This makes it difficult to position the first sensor near the head. In contrast, if a reflective optical sensor is used as the first sensor, the light-emitting element and the light-receiving element can be integrated and provided on the cover. This makes it easy to position the first sensor near the head. This allows the head to print with high accuracy at the printing position on the print medium detected by the first sensor.

[0015] Furthermore, if a reflective optical sensor is used for the first sensor, the light-emitting element must be provided on the main body side and the light-receiving element must be provided on the cover side, making it difficult to precisely position the light-emitting element and the light-receiving element. This makes installation of the first sensor difficult. In contrast, if a reflective optical sensor is used for the first sensor, the light-emitting element and the light-receiving element can be integrally provided on the cover. This makes it easy to install the first sensor on the cover.

[0016] In the above printer, the print media may be thermal labels attached at predetermined intervals along the longitudinal direction of the backing paper of the roll paper.

[0017] With this configuration, the thermal labels for the print media are attached to the backing paper of the roll paper at predetermined intervals along the longitudinal direction. This allows marks to be added to the backing paper between adjacent print media. This allows the position of the print media (i.e., the thermal labels) to be detected by detecting the marks with the first sensor. That is, when light emitted from the light-emitting element of the first sensor is reflected by the mark, the intensity of the reflected light changes compared to when it is reflected by a location other than the mark. The first sensor detects the mark by detecting the change in light intensity with the light-receiving element. Therefore, the first sensor can detect the position of the thermal label (specifically, the printing start position on the thermal label). This allows the head to print at the printing position on the thermal label based on the position information of the detected mark. [Effects of the Invention]

[0018] According to the present invention, miniaturization can be achieved and wiring can be easily installed. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0019] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view showing a state in which a cover is closed in a closed position in a thermal printer according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a side view illustrating a state in which the cover is in an open position in the thermal printer according to the embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating the thermal printer according to the embodiment with a cover removed. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the thermal printer of the embodiment with the right side wall cut away. [Figure 5] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a state in which the case is removed from the thermal printer of FIG. [Figure 6] 1 is a perspective view showing a state in which a flexible substrate is connected to a control substrate provided in a thermal printer according to an embodiment. [Figure 7]2 is a perspective view showing a first sensor and a cover detection unit provided in the thermal printer of the embodiment. FIG. [Figure 8] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a state in which the cover of the thermal printer according to the embodiment is in an open position. [Figure 9] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a state in which the cover of the thermal printer according to the embodiment is in a closed position. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0020] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following embodiments, a portable thermal printer that can be carried by a user will be described as an example of a printer, but the printer is not limited to portable thermal printers. 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 front, LH indicates left, and UP indicates up. In the following embodiments, the state in which the thermal printer faces the front, back, up, down, left, and right directions shown in Figure 1 is considered to be an assumed carrying position, which is assumed as the position when carried, and a thermal printer maintained in this assumed carrying position will be described.

[0021] <Thermal Printer 1> As shown in Figures 1 to 3, thermal printer 1 includes a main body 2, a cover 3, a printing unit 4, a control board 5, a first sensor 6, and a cover detection unit 7. The control board 5, first sensor 6, and cover detection unit 7 are shown in Figure 4. Thermal printer 1 prints on multiple print media 42 temporarily attached to a backing sheet 41 of recording paper P, and ejects the printed print media 42 from ejection port 24. Recording paper P will be described in detail later.

[0022] <Main body 2> The main body 2 includes a case 11 and a frame 12 (see FIG. 4). The case 11 forms the housing of the thermal printer 1. The case 11 is made of, for example, a resin material such as polycarbonate, or a metal material. The upper part of the case 11 is formed in a rectangular parallelepiped shape having a front wall 14 and side walls 15. The lower part of the case 11 is formed in a box shape having an opening 17 that opens forward.

[0023] An operation unit 21 for performing various operations on the thermal printer 1 is provided at the top of the front wall 14 of the case 11. The operation unit 21 includes various function switches 22 such as a power switch and a FEED switch, and various lamps 23 such as a POWER lamp that indicates ON / OFF information for the power switch and an ERROR lamp that indicates errors in the thermal printer 1.

[0024] As shown in Figures 3 and 4, the lower part of the case 11 has a roll paper storage section 31 in which roll paper R is stored through the opening 17. The roll paper storage section 31 has a guide plate 32 that stores roll paper R. The guide plate 32 forms a paper storage section together with a guide member 62 (described below) of the cover part 3. The roll paper R is held in the paper storage section. The guide plate 32 has an arc-shaped cross section when viewed from the left and right. The guide plate 32 holds the roll paper R with the outer surface of the roll paper R in contact with the inner surface of the arc-shaped guide plate 32. Together with the guide member 62 of the cover part 3, the guide plate 32 guides the recording paper P pulled out from the roll paper R to the printing unit 4.

[0025] The roll paper R is stored in the roll paper storage section 31 of the case 11 in a state where the recording paper P is wound into a roll. The recording paper P is a continuous label strip comprising a long backing sheet 41 and a number of sheets of printing media 42. The sheets of printing media 42 are temporarily attached to the backing sheet 41 at predetermined intervals along the length. The surface (printing surface) of the printing media 42 is coated with a thermosensitive coloring layer that changes color when the temperature reaches a predetermined range. The printing medium 42 is, for example, a thermosensitive label. Hereinafter, the printing medium 42 may be referred to as the "label 42."

[0026] Furthermore, a mark (not shown) is provided on the surface of the backing 41 opposite the label 42. Here, the labels 42 are attached to the backing 41 of the recording paper P at predetermined intervals along the longitudinal direction. Therefore, it is possible to provide a mark between adjacent labels 42. The mark can be detected by a first sensor 6, which will be described later.

[0027] As shown in Figures 3 to 5, the frame 12 has a first frame 51 and a pair of left and right second frames 52. The first frame 51 is located at the top of the case 11, adjacent to the guide plate 32 of the roll paper compartment 31. The left second frame 52 is located in the roll paper compartment 31 along the left side wall 18 of the roll paper compartment 31. In other words, the left second frame 52 is located between the left side wall 18 and the roll paper R. The left second frame 52 is located in the roll paper compartment 31 along the right side wall 19 of the roll paper compartment 31. In other words, the right second frame 52 is located between the right side wall 19 and the roll paper R.

[0028] <Cover part 3> As shown in Figures 4 and 5, 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 lower end of the cover 3 is attached to the lower end of the case 11 via a hinge shaft 61 so that it can be opened and closed. The cover 3 is a covering (paper cover) that covers the roll paper compartment 31 (see Figure 3) by opening and closing the opening 17 of the case 11.

[0029] The cover unit 3 includes a guide member 62. When the cover unit 3 covers the roll paper compartment 31, the guide member 62 rotatably supports the roll paper R together with the roll paper compartment 31 (see FIG. 3). The guide member 62 guides the label 42 (i.e., the recording paper P) to a platen roller 74, which will be described later.

[0030] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the upper end of the cover part 3 can be engaged with the main body part 2 via a platen unit 66, which will be described later. The cover part 3 rotatably supports a platen roller 74. When the cover part 3 is in the closed position, a gap formed between the upper edge of the cover part 3 and the lower edge of the front wall 14 of the case 11 forms an outlet 24. The recording paper P printed by the printing unit 4 is discharged from the outlet 24.

[0031] As shown in Figures 1 and 3, a cutting blade 25 is provided on the opening edge of the discharge opening 24. The cutting blade 25 cuts the recording paper P discharged from the discharge opening 24. The cutting blade 25 is formed integrally with the lower edge (the upper part of the opening edge) of the front wall 14 of the case 11 and the upper edge of the cover part 3. For example, by pulling the recording paper P down toward the cutting blade 25, the backing paper 41 of the recording paper P is cut.

[0032] 1 and 2, a hook 27 is provided on the upper back side of the case 11 to which a strap, belt, or the like can be attached. For example, when a user carries the thermal printer 1, it is expected that the user will often carry the thermal printer 1 by attaching a strap around the shoulder or a waist belt to the hook 27. For this reason, the expected carrying position of the thermal printer 1 is the position facing forward, backward, up, down, left, and right as shown in FIG.

[0033] <Printing unit 4> 2 and 4, the printing unit 4 is housed in the main body 2 and the cover 3. The printing unit 4 includes a head unit 65 and a platen unit 66. The printing unit 4 prints on a label 42 on the portion of the recording paper P that is pulled out from the roll paper R.

[0034] 3 to 5, the head unit 65 is provided on the first frame 51 of the main body 2. The head unit 65 includes a thermal head (head) 67 having a plurality of heat generating elements. The thermal head 67 is provided on the first frame 51 via a head support 68 and the like. When the cover part 3 is in the closed position, the head support 68 is disposed in a position facing a platen roller 74, which will be described later. The head support 68 is constantly biased in a direction approaching the platen roller 74 by the elastic force of a coil spring 69. A thermal head 67, for example, is provided on the upper end of the head support 68.

[0035] As shown in Figures 3 and 6, the thermal head 67 is connected to the control board 5 via a flexible board 72. The heat generation of the heating elements of the thermal head 67 is controlled by a driver IC (not shown) based on signals from the control board 5. The driver IC (not shown) is mounted on the thermal head 67. When a label 42 drawn from the roll paper R passes through the heating elements of the thermal head 67, the thermal head 67 prints on the label 42 using the heating elements.

[0036] 2 and 4, the platen unit 66 is provided at the upper end (tip) of the cover part 3. The platen unit 66 is detachably combined with the head unit 65 in conjunction with the opening and closing operation of the cover part 3. The platen unit 66 includes a platen roller (roller) 74 rotatably provided on the guide member 62.

[0037] The platen roller 74 is disposed in a position facing the thermal head 67 when the cover unit 3 is in the closed position. When printing the label 42, the platen roller 74 conveys the recording paper P sandwiched between the platen roller 74 and the thermal head 67, thereby conveying the label 42 while pressing it against the thermal head 67. A roller shaft 74a of the platen roller 74 is rotatably supported by the guide member 62 via a bearing 75.

[0038] For example, a platen gear (not shown) is attached to the left end of the platen shaft (not shown). The head unit 65 is provided with a gear train mechanism that is combined with the platen gear (not shown) and a motor (not shown) connected to the gear train mechanism. When the platen unit 66 and the head unit 65 are combined, the platen gear meshes with the gear train mechanism provided on the head unit 65 side and transmits the rotational driving force of the motor to the platen roller 74. The transmission of the rotational driving force of the motor to the platen roller 74 causes the platen roller 74 to rotate.

[0039] Furthermore, when the platen unit 66 and the head unit 65 are combined, the thermal head 67 of the head unit 65 is pressed against the outer circumferential surface of the platen roller 74. In this state, the platen roller 74 rotates, thereby transporting the recording paper P sandwiched between the platen roller 74 and the thermal head 67.

[0040] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, a lever 76 is provided in front of the platen roller 74 on the cover unit 3. The lever 76 is an operating part for moving the thermal head 67 and the platen roller 74 away from each other. The lever 76 is an operating part for releasing the engagement between the main body unit 2 and the cover unit 3 and opening the opening 17 (see Figure 3) of the main body unit 2. For example, by pulling the lever 76 forward, a locking mechanism (not shown) can be released and the cover unit 3 can be opened as shown by arrow A.

[0041] <Control board 5> As shown in Figures 4 and 6, a battery case 77 is provided on the top of the case 11. A battery (not shown) is housed in the battery case 77. A control board 5 is provided in front of the battery case 77. A flexible board 72 is connected to the control board 5. The control board 5 is connected to the thermal head 67 (see Figure 3) via the flexible board 72.

[0042] The control board 5 outputs a signal to control a driver IC (not shown) of the thermal head 67 when the label 42 pulled out from the roll paper R passes over the heating elements of the thermal head 67. The thermal head 67 prints characters on the label 42 using the heating elements based on the signal from the control board 5. A first sensor 6 is connected to the control board 5 via a flexible board 78. In addition, a second sensor 86 (described later) is connected to the control board 5 via a printed circuit board 72.

[0043] <First sensor 6> As shown in Figures 4 and 7, the first sensor 6 is mounted on the guide member 62 via a flexible substrate 78. The first sensor 6 is exposed on the side of the thermal head 67 (see Figure 3) to which the recording paper P is guided through an opening 81 in the guide member 62. The first sensor 6 is connected to the control board 5 via the flexible substrate 78. The first sensor 6 is a reflective optical sensor that detects marks (not shown) on the roll paper R. That is, the first sensor 6 is configured by integrating a light-emitting element and a light-receiving element (not shown). Therefore, by using a reflective optical sensor as the first sensor 6, the first sensor 6 can be placed in a relatively small space. This allows the first sensor 6 to be provided near the platen roller 74.

[0044] Here, a mark that can be detected by the first sensor 6 is provided on the backing paper 41 of the recording paper P. Therefore, when light emitted from the light-emitting element of the first sensor 6 is reflected by the mark, the intensity of the reflected light changes compared to when it is reflected by a location other than the mark. The first sensor 6 detects the mark by detecting the change in light intensity with the light-receiving element. This allows the first sensor 6 to detect the printing start position on the label 42.

[0045] <Cover detection unit 7> As shown in Figures 4, 5, and 7, the cover detection unit 7 includes a detectable member (cover open / close detection member) 83, a coil spring 84, a pressing protrusion 85, and a second sensor 86. The detectable member 83 and coil spring 84 are supported by a support portion 87 of the guide plate 32. The support portion 87 is located on the guide plate 32, near the first frame 51 and near the right wall 19 (see Figure 3) of the roll paper compartment 31. The coil spring 84 is inserted into a receiving hole 88 of the support portion 87. The coil spring 84 is an elastic member that biases the detectable member 83 in a predetermined direction (the FR direction). In this embodiment, the coil spring 84 is provided as an elastic member that biases the detected member 83 in a predetermined direction (FR direction), but any member that can bias the detected member 83 in a similar manner, such as a torsion spring, may be used.

[0046] The detected member 83 has an insertion portion 91, a flange 92, an extension portion 93, and a receiving portion 94. The insertion portion 91 is inserted into a receiving hole 88 of a support portion 87 and into the coil spring 84 so as to be movable in the front-rear direction. The insertion portion 91 is provided with a flange 92. The coil spring 84 is disposed between the flange 92 and a bottom portion 88a of the receiving hole 88. When the support portion 87 is inserted into the receiving hole 88 against the elastic force of the coil spring 84, the flange 92 comes into contact with a tip surface 87a of the support portion 87, thereby being positioned in a predetermined position.

[0047] The flange 92 is provided with an extension portion 93. The extension portion 93 extends from the flange 92 in a direction intersecting the insertion portion 91 and toward a second sensor 86 (described later). A tip surface 93a of the extension portion 93 is disposed so as to face the second sensor 86 when the flange 92 is in contact with a tip surface 87a of the support portion 87. The flange 92 is also provided with a receiving portion 94. The receiving portion 94 extends from the flange 92 to the opposite side of the insertion portion 91 (i.e., toward the front).

[0048] Here, the second frame 52 is positioned along the right wall 19 (see FIG. 3) of the roll paper compartment 31. A first insertion hole 96 is provided in the front surface of the second frame 52. When the cover 3 is in the open position, the tip 94a of the receiving portion 94 protrudes forward from the first insertion hole 96 of the second frame 52 due to the elastic force of the coil spring 84. In this state, the flange 92 contacts (abuts) a stopper 98 of the second frame 52, and the tip surface 93a of the extension portion 93 is positioned forward and away from the second sensor 86. The stopper 98 is formed in the second insertion hole 97 of the second frame 52.

[0049] The pressing protrusion 85 is provided to protrude from the inner surface of the cover part 3. When the cover part 3 is closed, the pressing protrusion 85 is disposed in a position facing a tip 94a of the receiving part 94. The pressing protrusion 85 presses the tip 94a of the receiving part 94 toward the support part 87 against the elastic force of the coil spring 84. When pressed, the tip 94a of the receiving part 94 moves toward the support part 87, and the flange 92 contacts (abuts) a tip surface 87a of the support part 87. As a result, the tip surface 93a of the extension part 93 is disposed in a position facing the second sensor 86.

[0050] As shown in FIGS. 4 to 6 , the second sensor 86 is provided on the first frame 51. The second sensor 86 is exposed on the tip surface 93a of the extension portion 93 through an opening 99 in the first frame 51. The second sensor 86 uses a reflective optical sensor as an optical sensor for detecting the tip surface 93a of the extension portion 93. That is, the second sensor 86 is configured by integrating a light-emitting element and a light-receiving element (not shown). Therefore, by using a reflective optical sensor as the second sensor 86, the second sensor 86 can be placed in a relatively small space. The second sensor 86 shares the flexible substrate 72 connected to the control board 5 with the thermal head 67 (see FIG. 3 ). That is, the second sensor 86 is connected to the control board 5 via the flexible substrate 72.

[0051] The second sensor 86 is disposed at a position away from the tip surface 93a of the extension portion 93 when the cover portion 3 is open, and at a position facing the tip surface 93a of the extension portion 93 when the cover portion 3 is closed. Therefore, the intensity of the light emitted from the light-emitting element of the second sensor 86 changes when it is reflected by the tip surface 93a of the extension portion 93 compared to when it is not reflected by the tip surface 93a of the extension portion 93. The second sensor 86 detects a change in the intensity of light with a light receiving element, thereby detecting the tip surface 93a of the extension portion 93. By detecting the tip surface 93a of the extension portion 93, the second sensor 86 can detect whether the cover portion 3 is open or closed.

[0052] Next, an example of opening and closing the cover 3 of the thermal printer 1 will be described with reference to FIGS. First, the state in which the cover portion 3 is open will be described with reference to FIG. As shown in FIG. 8, when the cover 3 is in the open state, the pressing protrusion 85 is located at a position away from the tip 94a of the receiving portion 94. Therefore, the detected member 83 protrudes forward from the first insertion hole 96 (see FIG. 4) of the second frame 52 due to the elastic force of the coil spring 84. In this state, the flange 92 contacts the stopper 98 (see FIG. 5) of the second frame 52, and the tip surface 93a (see FIG. 5) of the extension portion 93 is located at a position away from the second sensor 86 and forward. Therefore, the second sensor 86 does not detect the tip surface 93a of the extension portion 93. This allows the second sensor 86 to detect that the cover 3 is maintained in the open state.

[0053] Next, the state in which the cover portion 3 is closed will be described with reference to FIG. As shown in FIG. 9, when the cover unit 3 is closed, the pressing protrusion 85 is positioned opposite the tip 94a of the receiving portion 94. The pressing protrusion 85 presses the tip 94a of the receiving portion 94 toward the support portion 87 against the elastic force of the coil spring 84 (see FIG. 8). As the tip 94a of the receiving portion 94 is pressed, the detected member 83 moves toward the support portion 87, and the flange 92 comes into contact with the tip surface 87a of the support portion 87. As a result, the tip surface 93a of the extension portion 93 is positioned opposite the second sensor 86 (both see FIG. 5). Therefore, the second sensor 86 detects the tip surface 93a of the extension portion 93. This allows the second sensor 86 to detect that the cover unit 3 is maintained in the closed state.

[0054] 8 and 9, the cover detection unit 7 can move the detected member 83 in response to the opening and closing of the cover unit 3. This allows the cover detection unit 7 to detect the open / closed state of the cover unit 3 with the second sensor 86.

[0055] Here, as shown in FIG. 4, an optical sensor (specifically, a reflective optical sensor) is used as the first sensor 6. For this reason, the first sensor 6 is vulnerable to ambient light and often makes a false recognition when the cover part 3 is open. For example, the light receiving element of the first sensor 6 may switch ON even when there is no reflective object. Therefore, the first sensor 6 is set to function in combination with the second sensor 86. In other words, the first sensor 6 is set to function when the second sensor 86 detects that the cover part is closed. This makes it possible to prevent the first sensor 6 from making a false recognition when the cover part 3 is open.

[0056] As described above, according to the thermal printer 1 of the embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, an optical sensor is used for the second sensor 86 that detects the open / closed state of the cover unit 3. Therefore, the open / closed state of the cover unit 3 can be detected without the second sensor 86 having to physically touch the cover unit 3 directly. This reduces the risk of failure compared to when a mechanical sensor is used for the second sensor 86. Furthermore, by using an optical sensor for the second sensor 86, the second sensor 86 can be made smaller than a mechanical sensor. This allows the thermal printer 1 to be made more compact.

[0057] 6, the flexible substrate 72 connected to the control substrate 5 is shared by the thermal head 67 (see FIG. 3) and the second sensor 86. This eliminates the need for separate wiring for the second sensor 86. This makes it easier to lay the wiring for the second sensor 86.

[0058] 4 and 5, the device is provided with a detectable member 83 that moves in response to the opening and closing of the cover 3. A reflective optical sensor is used as the second sensor 86 that detects the tip surface 93a of the extension 93 of the detectable member 83. This allows the light-transmitting element and light-receiving element of the second sensor 86 to be integrated and provided on the first frame 51 of the main body. This contributes to easier wiring of the second sensor 86 compared to, for example, using a transmissive optical sensor for the second sensor 86. Furthermore, a reflective optical sensor requires less installation space than a transmissive optical sensor, so using a reflective optical sensor for the second sensor 86 can contribute to making the thermal printer 1 more compact.

[0059] Furthermore, when the cover part 3 is closed, the pressing protrusion 85 of the cover part 3 moves the detectable member 83, and the tip surface 93a of the extension part 93 of the moved detectable member 83 can be detected by the second sensor 86 in a non-contact manner. By detecting the tip surface 93a of the extension part 93, it is detected that the cover part 3 is closed. This reduces the risk of failure of the second sensor 86. Furthermore, by detecting the tip surface 93a of the extension portion 93 without contact using the second sensor 86, there is no need to install the second sensor 86 on the outside in the width direction of the roll paper R, as is the case with a mechanical sensor. Therefore, the second sensor 86 can be installed on the inside in the width direction of the roll paper R. This makes it possible to install the second sensor 86 using dead space (empty space) in the main body 2 (particularly the case 11), which contributes to making the thermal printer 1 more compact.

[0060] 4 and 7, the cover unit 3 is provided with a guide member 62 that guides the label 42 (recording paper P) to the platen roller 74. The first sensor 6 is provided on this guide member 62, and a reflective optical sensor is used for the first sensor 6. This allows the light-transmitting element and light-receiving element of the first sensor 6 to be integrated into one unit and provided on the cover unit 3. This can contribute to easier wiring of the first sensor 6 compared to, for example, using a transmissive optical sensor for the first sensor 6. Furthermore, a reflective optical sensor requires less installation space than a transmissive optical sensor, so using a reflective optical sensor for the first sensor 6 can contribute to making the thermal printer 1 more compact.

[0061] Here, for example, if a transmission-type optical sensor is used as the first sensor 6, it is necessary to provide a light-transmitting element on the first frame 51 side of the main body 2 and a light-receiving element on the guide member 62 side of the cover 3. This makes it difficult to arrange the first sensor 6 near the thermal head 67. On the other hand, when a reflective optical sensor is used for the first sensor 6, the light-transmitting element and the light-receiving element can be integrally mounted on the cover part 3. This makes it easy to position the first sensor 6 near the thermal head 67. This allows the thermal head 67 (see Figure 3) to print with high accuracy at the printing position on the label 42 detected by the first sensor 6.

[0062] Furthermore, if a transmissive optical sensor is used for the first sensor 6, it is necessary to provide the light-transmitting element on the first frame 51 side and the light-receiving element on the guide member 62 side, making it difficult to precisely position the light-transmitting element and the light-receiving element. This makes it difficult to install the first sensor. In contrast, if a reflective optical sensor is used for the first sensor 6, the light-transmitting element and the light-receiving element can be integrated and installed on the guide member 62 of the cover. This makes it easy to install the first sensor 6 on the guide member 62.

[0063] 4, the labels 42 are attached to the backing sheet 41 at predetermined intervals along the longitudinal direction. Therefore, marks can be added to the backing sheet 41 between adjacent labels 42. As a result, the marks can be detected by the first sensor 6, thereby detecting the positions of the labels 42. That is, the first sensor 6 can detect the mark by detecting the intensity of light depending on whether the mark is present or not. Therefore, the first sensor 6 can detect the position of the label 42 (specifically, the print start position on the label 42). This allows printing to be performed at the print position on the label 42 using a thermal head (see FIG. 3) based on the position information of the detected mark.

[0064] 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.

[0065] For example, in the above embodiment, the front, back, up, down, left and right directions of the thermal printer 1 are set when the user carries the thermal printer 1, but the front, back, up, down, left and right directions of the thermal printer 1 may be selected arbitrarily depending on the application.

[0066] 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]

[0067] 1...Thermal printer (printer) 2...Main body 3...Cover part 5...Control board 6...First sensor (reflective optical sensor) 7...Cover detection unit 31...Roll paper storage compartment 41...Backing card 42...Labels (printed media, thermal labels) 62...Guide member 67...Thermal head (head) 72, 78...Flexible board 74...Platen roller (roller) 83...Detected member 85...Pressing convex part 86...Second sensor (reflective optical sensor) P...Recording paper R...Roll paper

Claims

1. a main body having a roll paper storage section; a cover portion that is provided to be openable and closable relative to the main body portion so as to cover the roll paper storage portion; a head provided in the main body portion and configured to print on a print medium drawn from the roll paper stored in the roll paper storage portion; a roller provided in the cover portion, which conveys the print medium while pressing it against the head during printing; a first sensor that detects a print start position on the print medium; a second sensor that detects whether the cover is open or closed; a control board to which the head, the first sensor, and the second sensor are connected; Equipped with the first sensor is an optical sensor that detects a mark on the roll paper, and the second sensor is an optical sensor that shares a flexible substrate connected to the control substrate with the head; A printer characterized by:

2. the main body includes a detection member that moves in response to opening and closing of the cover, the second sensor is a reflective optical sensor that detects the detected member; 2. The printer according to claim 1.

3. the cover portion has a pressing protrusion at a position facing the detected member when the cover portion is closed, the detected member is moved by being pressed against the pressing protrusion when the cover is closed, The second sensor detects that the cover is closed by detecting the moved detected member.

3. The printer according to claim 2.

4. the cover portion includes a guide member that guides the print medium to the roller; the first sensor is a reflective optical sensor provided on the guide member; 2. The printer according to claim 1.

5. the print media are thermal labels attached at predetermined intervals along the longitudinal direction of the backing of the roll paper; 2. The printer according to claim 1.

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