Printing mechanism of medical monitoring device and medical monitoring device

Abstract

The present invention provides a printing mechanism for a medical monitoring device and a medical monitoring device, the printing mechanism comprising: a support plate; an L-shaped support arm, one end of which is rotatably arranged on the support plate and the other end of which is provided with a print head mounting portion, the print head mounting portion having a print head thereon; and a movable frame assembly on the support plate and movably arranged between the support plate and the support arm, the movable frame assembly comprising: a frame; a rubber platen attached to a front end of the frame adjacent to an outer side of the medical monitoring device and contacting the print head under pressure; a print paper drawer attached to the frame; and a drive mechanism attached to the frame for driving the rubber platen to rotate, the frame being formed with guide slots having a curved profile, and guide pins extending from both sides of the print head mounting portion being movably received in the respective guide slots to limit the relative position and compression force between the print head and the rubber platen. The printing mechanism for the medical monitoring device according to the present invention ensures excellent printing quality and does not occupy too much space.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a printing mechanism for a medical monitoring device, and to a medical monitoring device having such a printing mechanism. [Background technology]

[0002] A medical monitoring device, such as a fetal monitor, an electrocardiograph, a defibrillator, or an ultrasound diagnostic device, generally has a main unit and a printing mechanism disposed in the main unit. When the printing mechanism of the medical monitoring device, such as a fetal monitor, operates, a rubber platen driven by a stepping motor rotates at a preset speed, pulling a printing paper past a thermal print head, and recording a curve that characterizes the characteristics of the life of the fetus on the thermal printing paper. In the existing printing mechanism, the stepping motor and the rubber platen are attached to different components to form a separable structure. Usually, gears are attached to the end of the rotating shaft of the stepping motor and the end of the shaft of the rubber platen, and the stepping motor rotates the rubber platen by meshing with the gears, thereby pulling the recording paper pressed between the rubber platen and the print head. When the printing mechanism operates, the rubber platen and the print head need to be pressed with an appropriate pressure to ensure that the printing paper passing between them is properly aligned with the print head. Usually, the rubber platen as a moving part opens and closes according to the drawing out of the printing paper, and the print head mounting frame (print head mounting part) is fixed to the housing of the medical monitoring device, and the print head is pressed down by a series of springs to allow for minute movement (floating design). When the print head contacts the rubber platen, the springs apply a compressive force to press the print head against the rubber platen. In the existing structure, the elasticity of the springs changes as the printing mechanism is used, which results in a change in the compressive force applied between the rubber platen and the print head, resulting in a decrease in the printing quality on the printing paper. In addition, the series of springs that press down the print head also occupy a large space in the medical monitoring device.

[0003] Therefore, there is a need to improve upon existing printing mechanisms in medical monitoring devices. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT EMBODIMENT It is an object of the present invention to provide a printing mechanism for a medical monitoring device that overcomes at least one of the above-mentioned disadvantages in the prior art. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] According to one aspect of the present invention, Support plate, an L-shaped support arm, one end of which is rotatably disposed on the support plate and the other end of which has a printhead mounting portion, the printhead mounting portion having a printhead thereon; and a movable frame assembly on said support plate and movably disposed between said support plate and said support arm, said movable frame assembly including a frame, a rubber platen attached to a front end of said frame adjacent an exterior of said medical monitoring device and adapted to contact said print head under pressure, a print paper drawer mounted on said frame, and a drive mechanism mounted on said frame for driving said rubber platen to rotate. and a print mechanism for a medical monitoring device, the print mechanism having a frame formed with guide slots having a curved contour, and guide pins extending from both sides of the print head mounting portion being movably received in the respective guide slots, thereby limiting the relative position and compression force between the print head and a rubber platen.

[0006] Preferably, the guide slot may include a first guide slot and a second guide slot formed opposite each other within the frame, the first guide slot and the second guide slot having a curved profile that gradually rises from the front end to the rear end of the slot.

[0007] Preferably, the first guide slot and the second guide slot each have a notch formed at a front end thereof that presses the print head against a rubber platen when the guide pin moves into the notch.

[0008] Preferably, the length of the first and second guide slots can be selected to be equal to the maximum travel of the movable frame assembly as it is withdrawn from the housing of the medical monitoring device, and the height (H) of the first and second guide slots can be selected to determine the maximum rotation angle of the print head and support arm.

[0009] Preferably, the frame may have a first mounting plate and a second mounting plate arranged opposite each other, and a first connecting plate and a second connecting plate fixedly connecting the first mounting plate and the second mounting plate to each other, the first guide slot being formed in the first mounting plate and the second guide slot being formed in the second mounting plate.

[0010] Preferably, the guide pins are provided with rolling bearings by which they can be movably accommodated in the respective guide slots.

[0011] Preferably, a reset spring is further provided which rotates the print head and leads to compression of the rubber platen.

[0012] Preferably, the drive mechanism may include a first pulley fixedly attached to one end of a rubber platen, an electric motor attached to the frame, a second pulley attached to a rotating shaft of the electric motor, and a timing belt connecting the first pulley and the second pulley so as to drive the rubber platen to rotate when the electric motor operates.

[0013] Preferably, the electric motor is located at a rear end of the frame adjacent an interior side of the medical monitoring device.

[0014] Preferably, the rubber platen can be rotatably supported by bearings at the front ends of the first and second mounting plates adjacent the outer side of the medical monitoring device, and the electric motor is spaced from the rubber platen along the longitudinal direction of the first mounting plate and mounted to the rear end of the first mounting plate adjacent the inner side of the medical monitoring device.

[0015] Preferably, the first pulley and the second pulley may be disposed adjacent to the first mounting plate.

[0016] Preferably, the first mounting plate, the second mounting plate, the first connecting plate and the second connecting plate are metal or alloy members which are joined together to form a rigid frame.

[0017] Preferably, the medical monitoring device is a fetal monitor.

[0018] According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a medical monitoring device including a medical monitoring device printing mechanism as described above.

[0019] According to the printing mechanism of the medical monitoring device of the present invention, the curved contour of the guide slot ensures that the printing head and the rubber platen cooperate with each other correctly, and the rubber platen receives proper pressure and proper deformation to achieve excellent printing quality; meanwhile, the rotation amplitude of the printing head and the support arm is limited, so as not to affect the layout of the medical monitoring device and not to make the space occupied by the medical monitoring device too large. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0020] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 shows, in a perspective view, a schematic representation of a printing mechanism of a medical monitoring device according to the invention. [Diagram 2]FIG. 2 shows diagrammatically in another perspective view the printing mechanism of a medical monitoring device according to the invention, with the electric motor removed from the frame. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 shows diagrammatically in another perspective view the printing mechanism of a medical monitoring device according to the invention, with the electric motor and support arm removed from the frame. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 shows, in perspective view, a schematic representation of the movable frame assembly of a printing mechanism of a medical monitoring device according to the present invention, in which the electric motor and rubber platen are mounted to the frame. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 shows diagrammatically in perspective view the movable frame assembly of a printing mechanism of a medical monitoring device according to the present invention, in which the rubber platen and print paper drawer are mounted to the frame. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 illustrates, in perspective view, a schematic of the support arm and print head mount of a printing mechanism of a medical monitoring device according to the present invention. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a side view of the structure shown in FIG. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a side view of the structure shown in FIG. 2 with the front trim plate removed. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0021] Preferred embodiments of the present invention are described in detail below with reference to the drawings, which should be understood by those skilled in the art that the drawings are only intended to illustrate the present invention and are not intended to create any limitations on the present invention.

[0022] FIG. 1 shows a schematic perspective view of a printing mechanism of a medical monitoring device according to the present invention; FIG. 2 shows a schematic perspective view of the printing mechanism of a medical monitoring device according to the present invention, in which the electric motor has been removed from the frame; FIG. 3 shows a schematic perspective view of the printing mechanism of a medical monitoring device according to the present invention, in which the electric motor and support arm have been removed from the frame; FIG. 4 shows a schematic perspective view of a movable frame assembly of a printing mechanism of a medical monitoring device according to the present invention, in which the electric motor and rubber platen are mounted on the frame; FIG. 5 shows a schematic perspective view of a movable frame assembly of a printing mechanism of a medical monitoring device according to the present invention, in which the rubber platen and print paper drawer are mounted on the frame; FIG. 6 shows a schematic perspective view of a support arm and print head mounting of a printing mechanism of a medical monitoring device according to the present invention; and FIG. 7 is a side view of the structure shown in FIG. 6. As shown in Figures 1 to 7, the printing mechanism 1 of the medical monitoring device according to the present invention generally comprises a support plate (or base plate) 3 that is typically mounted on a housing of a medical monitoring device (not shown), such as a fetal monitor. The printing mechanism 1 of the medical monitoring device according to the present invention further comprises a support arm 5. In a preferred embodiment, the support arm 5 is substantially L-shaped, with one end 5a of the support arm 5 rotatably mounted on the support plate 3 and the other end 5b of the support arm 5 comprising a print head mounting portion 7 on which a print head 9, e.g. a thermal print head, is mounted. In Figure 1, the print head is not visible, since it is mounted below the print head mounting portion 7. The print head is in electrical communication with the main unit of the medical monitoring device, by wire or wirelessly, and thus receives signals from the main unit to perform printing operations. The printing mechanism 1 of the medical monitoring device according to the present invention also comprises a movable frame assembly 11, which is on the support plate 3 and is movably arranged in the space between the support plate 3 and the support arm 5.

[0023] As shown in Figures 4 and 5, the movable frame assembly 11 includes a frame 13. The frame 13 includes a first mounting plate 15 and a second mounting plate 17 disposed opposite each other, and a first connecting plate 19 and a second connecting plate 21 fixedly connecting the first mounting plate 15 and the second mounting plate 17 to each other. In a preferred embodiment, the first mounting plate 15, the second mounting plate 17, the first connecting plate 19 and the second connecting plate 21 are metal members, such as aluminum or other lightweight metals, or alloy members, which are formed separately and then connected to each other by fasteners, such as screws, such that the frame 13 is formed as a rigid metal frame. However, it should be understood that the first mounting plate 15, the second mounting plate 17, the first connecting plate 19 and the second connecting plate 21 can also be cast in one piece from metal. Of course, the first mounting plate 15, the second mounting plate 17, the first connecting plate 19 and the second connecting plate 21 can also be molded in one piece from plastic. The movable frame assembly 11 also has a paper drawer 23 mounted between the first mounting plate 15 and the second mounting plate 17 for holding a paper sheet 25. In Figure 4, this paper drawer, which is mounted to the frame 13, is not shown.

[0024] The movable frame assembly 11 also includes a rubber platen 27 whose ends are rotatably supported on the first and second mounting plates 15, 17. The rubber platen 27 is rotatably supported by bearings at the front ends of the first and second mounting plates 15, 17 adjacent the exterior of the medical monitoring device, and a first pulley 29 is fixedly attached to one end of the rubber platen 27. The movable frame assembly 11 also includes an electric motor 31 mounted to the first mounting plate 15 and spaced apart from the rubber platen 27 along the length of the first mounting plate 15, and a second pulley (not shown) attached to a rotating shaft of the electric motor 31. A timing belt 33 connects the first pulley 29 and the second pulley such that when the electric motor is operated, the electric motor rotates the rubber platen 27 using the second pulley, timing belt 33, and first pulley 29. Therefore, according to the present invention, the rubber platen 27, the electric motor 31, and the timing belt 33 connecting the rubber platen 27 and the electric motor 31 are all attached to the frame 13. In this way, even if the movable frame assembly 11 is pulled out of the housing of the medical monitoring device, printing paper is picked up and replenished, and then the movable frame assembly 11 is inserted into the housing of the medical monitoring device 13, the rubber platen 27, the electric motor 31, and the timing belt 33 move with the frame, but their relative positions do not change, thus ensuring that they are correctly positioned, thereby allowing the printing mechanism to operate smoothly without generating noise or with greatly reduced noise generation.

[0025] Preferably, the electric motor 31 is located at the rear end of the first mounting plate 15 adjacent the inside of the medical monitoring device, which allows the moving frame assembly 11 to be formed with a substantially uniform thickness, and therefore with a relatively flat and regular shape. As a result, the printing mechanism can have a relatively compact and regular layout. More preferably, the first pulley 29, the second pulley and the electric motor 31 are all located adjacent the first mounting plate 15, making the overall structure more compact and occupying as little space as possible. The first mounting plate 15 and the second mounting plate 17 are sized such that the rubber platen 27, the first pulley on the rubber platen 27, the timing belt 33, the electric motor 31 and the second pulley on the electric motor 31 are all located inside at least one of the first mounting plate 15 and the second mounting plate 17, ensuring that no moving components protrude from the frame 13 or are exposed outside the frame 13. While the first mounting plate 15 and the second mounting plate 17 could be the same length, in a preferred embodiment, because the second mounting plate 17 does not need to support the electric motor 31, the length of the second mounting plate 17 can be shorter than the length of the first mounting plate 15, thereby reducing the amount of material used and the weight of the frame 13. The first mounting plate 15 and the second mounting plate 17 are each formed with a first guide slot 35 and a second guide slot 37 extending along their respective longitudinal directions and having curved contours.

[0026] As shown in Figures 1 and 3, there are also a pair of mounting seats 39 disposed oppositely on the support plate 3. Each of these mounting seats 39 is formed with a mounting hole 39a and a first protrusion 39b formed on the outside. As shown in Figures 6 and 7, the generally L-shaped support arm 5 has a protruding assembly shaft 5c formed on either side of the end 5a, and a second protrusion 5d is formed on either side of the main portion of the generally L-shaped support arm 5 (i.e., the portion that rests on the print paper drawer). Guide pins 7a extend outwardly from either side of the print head mounting portion 7.

[0027] During assembly, the assembly shafts 5c formed at the ends 5a of the support arms 5 are rotatably received in the mounting holes 39a in the mounting base 39, and the guide pins 7a extending outward from both sides of the print head mounting portion 7 are movably received in the first guide slots 35 in the first mounting plate 15 and the second guide slots 37 in the second mounting plate 17. Preferably, each guide pin 7a is provided with a rolling bearing, and the guide pins 7a are received in the first guide slots 35 in the first mounting plate 15 and the second guide slots 37 in the second mounting plate 17 by means of these rolling bearings. Furthermore, one end of the return spring 41 is attached to the first protrusion 39b of the mounting base 39, and the other end of the return spring 41 is attached to the second protrusion 5d of the support arms 5.

[0028] 8 is a side view of the structure shown in FIG. 2 with the front decorative plate removed. As shown in FIG. 8, the first guide slot 35 and the second guide slot 37 have a curved contour that gradually rises from the front end (the end adjacent to the rubber platen 27) to the rear end so that when the movable frame assembly 11 is pulled outward (to the left in FIG. 8) from the housing of the medical monitoring device, the print head mounting portion 7 with the print head 9 is lifted against the action of the return spring 41 and away from the rubber platen 27. Notches are formed at the front ends of the first guide slot 35 and the second guide slot 37 (only the notch 37a formed at the front end of the second guide slot 37 is shown in FIG. 8). When the movable frame assembly 11 is pushed into the housing of the medical monitoring device (pushing the movable frame assembly 11 to the right in FIG. 8), the guide pin 7a on the print head mount 7 carrying the print head 9 moves under the action of the return spring 41 along the first guide slot 35 and the second guide slot 37 into the notches located at the ends of these slots. In this position, the print head 9 presses against the rubber platen 27 so that the rubber platen 27 is subjected to the desired pressure and undergoes the desired deformation.

[0029] Preferably, the length L of the first guide slot 35 and the second guide slot 37 is selected to be equal to the maximum travel distance that the movable frame assembly 11 can be pulled out of the housing of the medical monitoring device. In this application, the length of the first guide slot 35 and the second guide slot 37 refers to the shortest linear distance in the horizontal direction between the guide pin 7a on the print head mount 7 when the movable frame assembly 11 is fully pulled outward from the housing of the medical monitoring device, and the guide pin 7a on the print head mount 7 when the movable frame assembly 11 is fully pushed into the housing of the medical monitoring device. The height H of the first guide slot 35 and the second guide slot 37 is selected to determine the maximum rotation angle of the print head 9 and the support arm 5. In this application, the height of the first guide slot 35 and the second guide slot 37 refers to the shortest vertical linear distance between the guide pin 7a on the print head mounting portion 7 when the movable frame assembly 11 is fully extended out from the housing of the medical monitoring device, and the guide pin 7a on the print head mounting portion 7 when the movable frame assembly 11 is fully pressed into the housing of the medical monitoring device.

[0030] Under normal conditions, the movable frame assembly 11 is forced into the housing of the medical monitoring device, into the space between the support plate 3 and the support arm 5, such that the print head at the print head mount 7 is under pressure and in contact with the rubber platen 27. The print paper 16 can pass between the rubber platen 27 and the print head. When the printing mechanism is in operation, the electric motor 31 drives the rubber platen 27 to rotate using the second pulley, the electric motor 31 and the first pulley 29, thereby pulling the thermal print paper past the print head and recording on the thermal print paper a curve characterizing the vital characteristics of the fetus.

[0031] When the movable frame assembly 11 is pulled outward to pick up and replenish the printing paper, the first guide slot 35 in the first mounting plate 15 of the frame 13 and the second guide slot 37 in the second mounting plate 17 allow the movable frame assembly 11 to move outward relative to the support arm 5 and the print head mounting portion 7, thereby moving the printing paper drawer outward from the housing of the medical monitoring device for picking up and replenishing the printing paper.

[0032] According to the present invention, the trajectory of the print head is determined by the curved contours of the first and second guide slots, and the relative position and compression force between the print head and the rubber platen are guaranteed by limiting the relative position between the print head and the rubber platen. When the movable frame assembly is pulled outward, the movable frame assembly with the rubber platen moves along the first and second guide slots, and the print head rotates slightly along the first and second guide slots as the movable frame assembly moves, and is lifted away from the rubber platen. When the movable frame assembly is pushed inward, the guide pins on the print head mounting part move into the notches at the ends of the first and second guide slots under the action of the return spring, and the print head presses the rubber platen slightly to achieve the appropriate compression force. On the one hand, the curved contours of the first and second guide slots ensure that the print head and the rubber platen cooperate correctly with each other, and the rubber platen receives the appropriate pressure and the appropriate deformation to achieve excellent printing quality. On the other hand, by limiting the rotation amplitude of the print head and the support arm, it does not affect the layout of the medical monitoring device and does not make the space occupied by the medical monitoring device too large.

[0033] Although the present invention has been described in detail in connection with the preferred embodiment, it should be understood that such detailed description is intended merely to illustrate the present invention and does not limit the present invention in any way. For example, in the above preferred embodiment, the drive mechanism for driving the rubber platen to rotate includes an electric motor, a first pulley, a second pulley, and a timing belt, but the drive mechanism for driving the rubber platen to rotate may have other configurations, such as an electric motor attached to a frame that drives the rubber platen attached to the frame by meshing gears. Therefore, the scope of the present invention is defined by the technical solutions in the claims.

Claims

1. Support plate, an L-shaped support arm, one end of which is rotatably disposed on the support plate and the other end of which is provided with a printhead mounting portion, the printhead mounting portion having a printhead thereon; and a movable frame assembly on the support plate and movably disposed between the support plate and the support arm, Frame, a rubber platen attached to a front end of the frame adjacent an exterior of the medical monitoring device and adapted to contact a print head under pressure; a paper drawer attached to said frame; and a drive mechanism attached to the frame for driving the rubber platen to rotate; The movable frame assembly having 1. A printing mechanism for a medical monitoring device having: A printing mechanism for a medical monitoring device, wherein the frame is formed with guide slots having a curved contour, and guide pins extending from both sides of the print head mounting portion are movably received in each of the guide slots to limit the relative position and compression force between the print head and the rubber platen.

2. 2. The printing mechanism of a medical monitoring device of claim 1, wherein the guide slot comprises a first guide slot and a second guide slot formed opposite each other in the frame, the first guide slot and the second guide slot having curved contours that gradually rise from a front end to a rear end of the guide slot.

3. 3. The printing mechanism of claim 2, wherein said first guide slot and said second guide slot have notches formed in said front ends, said print head pressing against said rubber platen when said guide pin moves into said notches.

4. a length of the first guide slot and the second guide slot is selected to be equal to a maximum travel of the movable frame assembly when the movable frame assembly is withdrawn from a housing of the medical monitoring device; a height of the first guide slot and the second guide slot is selected to determine a maximum rotation angle of the print head and the support arm.

3. The printing mechanism of claim 2.

5. the frame includes a first mounting plate and a second mounting plate arranged opposite each other, and a first connecting plate and a second connecting plate fixedly connecting the first mounting plate and the second mounting plate to each other; the first guide slot is formed in the first mounting plate; the second guide slot is formed in the second mounting plate; 3. The printing mechanism of claim 2.

6. The guide pin is provided with a rolling bearing, 2. The printing mechanism of claim 1, wherein said guide pins are movably received in their respective guide slots by said rolling bearings.

7. 2. The printing mechanism of claim 1 further comprising a return spring, said return spring rotating said print head against said rubber platen.

8. The drive mechanism includes: a first pulley fixedly mounted to one end of the rubber platen; an electric motor mounted to the frame; a second pulley attached to a rotating shaft of the electric motor; and a timing belt for connecting the first pulley and the second pulley to drive the rubber platen to rotate when the electric motor operates; 6. The printing mechanism of claim 5, further comprising:

9. The printing mechanism of claim 8 , wherein the electric motor is disposed at a rear end of the frame adjacent an interior side of the medical monitoring device.

10. the rubber platen is rotatably supported by bearings at forward ends of the first mounting plate and the second mounting plate adjacent an exterior side of the medical monitoring device; The electric motor is mounted to a rear end of the first mounting plate spaced from the rubber platen along a longitudinal axis of the first mounting plate and adjacent an inner side of the medical monitoring device.

9. The printing mechanism of a medical monitoring device of claim 8.

11. The printing mechanism of claim 8 , wherein the first pulley and the second pulley are disposed adjacent to the first mounting plate.

12. 6. The printing mechanism of claim 5, wherein the first mounting plate, the second mounting plate, the first connecting plate and the second connecting plate are metal or alloy members that combine to form a rigid frame.

13. 2. The printing mechanism for a medical monitoring device of claim 1, wherein the medical monitoring device is a fetal monitor.

14. A medical monitoring device comprising a printing mechanism according to any one of claims 1 to 13.

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