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 includes a support plate, a movable frame assembly movably arranged on the support plate and having a frame, and a printing paper drawer for holding printing paper, the printing paper drawer being mounted on the frame and moving together with the movable frame assembly. The printing mechanism further includes a guide rod passing through a hole defined by at least one set of spaced sleeves arranged in the moving direction of the movable frame assembly on the upper surface of the body of the support plate and the spaced sleeves of each set, and fixed at both ends to the bottom of the frame, the guide rod guiding the movable frame assembly and moving together with the movable frame assembly, and a vibration-damping bracket is provided between adjacent sleeves of each set of spaced sleeves, the vibration-damping bracket contacts the guide rod and exerts an upward force perpendicular to the moving direction of the guide rod on the guide rod. The printing mechanism for the medical monitoring device according to the present invention can ensure that the printing paper drawer is positioned with high precision and opened and closed smoothly when the printing mechanism is operated in a horizontally arranged state or a vertically suspended state.

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] For example, medical monitoring devices such as fetal monitors, electrocardiographs, defibrillators or ultrasound diagnostic devices generally have a main unit and a printing mechanism arranged in the main unit. For example, in the case of a printing mechanism of a fetal monitor, thermal printing papers, which are stacked, are usually accommodated in a printing paper drawer. When the printing mechanism operates, a rubber platen driven by a stepping motor rotates at a preset speed, pulling the printing paper past the thermal print head, and recording a curve characterizing the characteristics of the life of the fetus on the thermal printing paper. A prerequisite for accurate printing is the stability of the printing paper drawer, which means that a suitable damping is required when the printing paper drawer moves, and a suitable force is required to keep the printing paper drawer in the working position without any wobbling and without any offset after the printing paper drawer is placed in a predetermined position. In the existing printing mechanism, the print paper drawer, which is in the form of a drawer, has slide rails protruding on both sides, which cooperate with pulleys on the medical monitoring device to allow the print paper drawer to slide back and forth. The outer edges of the slide rails on the print paper drawer and the wall of the housing of the medical monitoring device limit the position of the print paper drawer. Because the print paper drawer needs to be pushed and pulled frequently, the outer edges of the slide rails on the print paper drawer and the wall of the housing of the medical monitoring device are not tightly interlocked. Otherwise, the sliding-damping is excessive when the print paper drawer is pushed and pulled. The loose interlocking between the outer edges of the slide rails on the print paper drawer and the wall of the housing of the medical monitoring device leads to the print paper drawer wobbling within the housing. When the medical monitoring device operates in a vertically suspended state, the print paper drawer is not naturally positioned at any position on the slide rails, but slides directly and completely out of the housing of the medical monitoring device by gravity. Additionally, as the paper drawer moves, sliding damping results from sliding friction between the exterior walls of the paper drawer and the interior walls of the housing of the medical monitoring device.However, because the outer edge of the slide rail on the paper drawer and the wall of the housing of the medical monitoring device are too tight to cooperate, the sliding friction force of the paper drawer is difficult to control, and therefore the user cannot move the paper drawer stably when pushing or pulling it, which makes the user feel the poor controllability.

[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 drawbacks in the prior art. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] According to one aspect of the present invention, Support plate, a movable frame assembly movably disposed on the support plate, the movable frame assembly having a frame; and a paper drawer mounted on said frame and moving with said movable frame assembly for holding a paper sheet; a printing mechanism for a medical monitoring device, the printing mechanism comprising: at least one pair of spaced sleeves provided on an upper surface of the body of the support plate in a direction of movement of the movable frame assembly; and a guide rod passing through holes defined by each pair of spaced sleeves and secured at both ends to the bottom of the frame for guiding the movable frame assembly and moving therewith; and a vibration damping bracket is provided between adjacent sleeves of each set of spaced apart sleeves, the vibration damping bracket contacting the guide rod and applying an upward force to the guide rod perpendicular to the direction of movement of the guide rod.

[0006] Preferably, two elongated openings may be formed between adjacent sleeves of each set of spaced apart sleeves so as to define a resilient beam between the two elongated openings, and the vibration-damping bracket is provided on the resilient beam.

[0007] Preferably, the vibration-damping bracket may be V-shaped, U-shaped or semicircular.

[0008] Preferably, a guide groove is provided on the main body in a portion through which the guide rod passes but where no sleeve is provided, and when the guide rod passes through the guide groove, the guide rod is partially housed in the guide groove.

[0009] Preferably, spaced apart through holes can be formed on the main body at the positions where the guide grooves are provided, and the printing mechanism further includes a friction strip having a planar carrier and a protruding pad formed at the center of the carrier, the protruding pad passing through the through hole from the bottom of the main body and protruding toward the top of the main body so that when the guide rod contacts the protruding pad, the guide rod squeezes the protruding pad.

[0010] Preferably, the bottom surface of the hole defined by the sleeve facing the body may be open, said protruding pad passing through a through hole underlying the sleeve.

[0011] Preferably, a hollow portion may be formed below an upper surface of the protruding pad.

[0012] Preferably, the printing mechanism comprises: a support arm disposed on a support plate, said support arm having a print head thereon, said movable frame assembly further including a rubber platen attached to a front end of said frame adjacent an exterior of the medical monitoring device and adapted to contact said print head under pressure; and A drive mechanism for driving the rubber platen to rotate. wherein the movable frame assembly is disposed between a support plate and a support arm.

[0013] Preferably, the printing mechanism further includes a locking mechanism having a pair of elastic clamping claws arranged opposite to each other at the rear end of the frame, and a locking post arranged on the support plate corresponding to the elastic clamping claws, the elastic clamping claws engage (clamp) with each other, the elastic clamping claws open under an external pushing force, receive the locking post and securely fasten the locking post, and the elastic clamping claws disengage from the locking post under an external pulling force.

[0014] Preferably, the drive mechanism may include a first pulley fixedly mounted to one end of the rubber platen, an electric motor mounted to the frame, a second pulley mounted 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 is operated, the electric motor being disposed at a rear end of the frame adjacent to an inner side of the medical monitoring device.

[0015] Preferably, the support arm is L-shaped, one end of the support arm is rotatably mounted to the support plate and the other end of the support arm comprises a print head mounting portion, and the print head is mounted on the print head mounting portion.

[0016] Preferably, the frame can have a first mounting plate and a second mounting plate arranged opposite each other, and a first connecting plate and a second connecting plate which fixedly connect the first mounting plate and the second mounting plate to each other, the first mounting plate having a first guide slot extending along the longitudinal direction, the second mounting plate having a second guide slot extending along the longitudinal direction, and both ends of the print head mounting portion being movably supported in the first guide slot and the second guide slot.

[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] The printing mechanism of the medical monitoring device of the present invention provides beneficial damping to the movement of the movable frame assembly (i.e., the paper drawer) which not only provides good controllability when the user pushes and pulls the paper drawer, but also prevents the paper drawer from wobbling, thereby ensuring that the paper drawer is accurately positioned and opens and closes smoothly when the printing mechanism is operating in a horizontally disposed or vertically suspended position. [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, in perspective view, a schematic representation of a movable frame assembly of a printing mechanism of a medical monitoring device according to the present invention, with an electric motor and a rubber platen mounted to the frame. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 shows a schematic perspective view of the printing mechanism of a medical monitoring device according to the present invention with the support arm, print head mount and rubber platen removed to clearly show the paper feed. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a top view of the structure shown in FIG. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is an enlarged partial view of FIG. 4 showing the locking post clamped by the resilient clamping claw. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is an enlarged partial view of FIG. 4 showing the locking post held by the resilient clamping claw in a locked position. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 shows diagrammatically in a perspective view a support plate of a printing mechanism of a medical monitoring device according to the invention. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a perspective view similar to FIG. 7, but showing two guide rods each passing through a sleeve provided in a support plate. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a partially enlarged view of FIG. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 illustrates, in a perspective view, a schematic representation of a friction strip of a printing mechanism of a medical monitoring device according to the present invention. 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. As shown in FIG. 1, 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, for example, 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, one end 5a of the support arm 5 is rotatably mounted on the support plate 3, and the other end 5b of the support arm 5 comprises a print head mounting part 7 on which a print head, for example a thermal print head, is mounted. In FIG. 1, the print head is not visible, since it is mounted below the print head mounting part 7. The print head is in electrical communication with a main unit of the medical monitoring device, by wire or wirelessly, and thus receives signals from the main unit and performs printing operations. The printing mechanism 1 of the medical monitoring device according to the invention also comprises a movable frame assembly 9 which rests on the support plate 3 and is arranged movably in the space between the support plate 3 and the support arm 5 .

[0023] FIG. 2 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 an electric motor and a rubber platen are mounted on the frame. As shown in FIG. 2, the movable frame assembly 9 comprises a frame 11. The frame 11 comprises a first mounting plate 13 and a second mounting plate 15 arranged opposite each other, and a first connecting plate 17 and a second connecting plate 19 fixedly connecting the first mounting plate 13 and the second mounting plate 15 to each other. In a preferred embodiment, the first mounting plate 13, the second mounting plate 15, the first connecting plate 17 and the second connecting plate 19 are metal members, e.g., aluminum or other lightweight metal, or alloy members, which are formed separately and then connected to each other by fasteners, e.g., screws, such that the frame 11 is formed as a rigid metal frame. However, it should be understood that the first mounting plate 13, the second mounting plate 15, the first connecting plate 17 and the second connecting plate 19 can also be integrally cast from metal. Of course, the first mounting plate 13, the second mounting plate 15, the first connecting plate 17 and the second connecting plate 19 could also be integrally molded from plastic. The movable frame assembly 9 also has a paper drawer 16 mounted between the first mounting plate 13 and the second mounting plate 15 for holding paper 18. In Figure 2, this paper drawer 16, which is attached to the frame 11, is not shown.

[0024] The movable frame assembly 9 also includes a rubber platen 21, the ends of which are rotatably supported on the first and second mounting plates 13, 15. The rubber platen 21 is rotatably supported by bearings at the front ends of the first and second mounting plates 13, 15 adjacent the exterior of the medical monitoring device, and a first pulley 23 is fixedly attached to one end of the rubber platen 21. The movable frame assembly 9 also includes an electric motor 25 mounted to the first mounting plate 13 and spaced apart from the rubber platen 21 along the length of the first mounting plate 13, and a second pulley (not shown) attached to a rotating shaft of the electric motor 25. The timing belt 27 is connected to the first and second pulleys such that when the electric motor is operated, it drives the rubber platen 21 to rotate using the second pulley, timing belt 27 and first pulley 23. Therefore, according to the present invention, the rubber platen 21, the electric motor 25, and the timing belt 27 connecting the rubber platen 21 and the electric motor 25 are all attached to the frame 11. In this way, even if the movable frame assembly 9 is pulled out of the housing of the medical monitoring device, printing paper is picked up and replenished, and then the movable frame assembly 9 is inserted into the housing of the medical monitoring device 13, the rubber platen 21, the electric motor 25, and the timing belt 27 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 25 is located at the rear end of the first mounting plate 13 adjacent the inside of the medical monitoring device, which allows the movable frame assembly 9 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 23, the second pulley and the electric motor 25 are all located adjacent the first mounting plate 13, making the overall structure more compact and occupying as little space as possible. The first mounting plate 13 and the second mounting plate 15 are sized such that the rubber platen 21, the first pulley on the rubber platen 21, the timing belt 27, the electric motor 25 and the second pulley on the electric motor 25 are all located inside at least one of the first mounting plate 13 and the second mounting plate 15, ensuring that these movable components do not protrude from the frame 11 or are exposed outside the frame 11. While the first mounting plate 13 and the second mounting plate 15 could be the same length, in a preferred embodiment, the length of the second mounting plate 15 can be shorter than the length of the first mounting plate 13 because the second mounting plate 15 does not need to support the electric motor 25, thereby reducing the amount of material used and the weight of the frame 11. 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 a configuration including an electric motor attached to a frame that drives a rubber platen attached to a frame by meshing gears.

[0026] A first guide slot 29 and a second guide slot 31 extending along the longitudinal direction are formed in the first mounting plate 13 and the second mounting plate 15, respectively. Both ends 7a, 7b of the print head mounting portion 7 are movably supported by the first guide slot 29 and the second guide slot 31, respectively.

[0027] Figure 3 shows diagrammatically a perspective view of the printing mechanism of a medical monitoring device according to the present invention, in which the support arm, print head mount and rubber platen have been removed to clearly show the paper drawer, and Figure 4 is a top view of the structure shown in Figure 3. Clearly shown in Figure 3 is paper drawer 16 for holding paper 18. This paper drawer 16 may be moulded from plastic and may be fixedly supported on frame 11, for example by snaps, screws or other fastening means, and may move with frame 11 or movable frame assembly 9.

[0028] The printing mechanism 1 of the medical monitoring device according to the present invention further comprises a locking mechanism having a first locking member 33 provided on the outside of the second connecting plate 19 of the frame 11 (i.e. the rear side of the frame 11 facing the inside of the housing of the medical monitoring device) and a second locking member 35 provided on the support plate 3. When the frame 11 with the print paper drawer 16 is pushed into the housing of the medical monitoring device, the first locking member 33 and the second locking member 35 can engage with each other under an external pushing force, thereby locking the movable frame assembly 9 and the print paper drawer 16 in a predetermined position in the housing of the medical monitoring device. When the frame 11 with the print paper drawer 16 is pulled outward from the housing of the medical monitoring device, the first locking member 33 and the second locking member 35 are disengaged from each other under an external pulling force, thereby allowing the movable frame assembly 9 and the print paper drawer 16 to be pulled outward from the housing of the medical monitoring device.

[0029] In a preferred embodiment as shown in Figures 3 and 4, the first locking member 33 has a pair of resilient clamping claws 37 arranged opposite to each other, and these resilient clamping claws 37 engage with each other. The second locking member 35 has a locking post 39 arranged on the support plate 3 corresponding to the resilient clamping claws 37. When the frame 11 with the print paper drawer 16 is pushed into the housing of the medical monitoring device, the resilient clamping claws 37 open under an external pushing force, receive the locking post 39, and then fasten the locking post 39, thereby locking the print paper drawer 16 in a predetermined position in the housing of the medical monitoring device, as shown in Figures 5 and 6. When the frame 11 with the print paper drawer 16 is pulled outward from the housing of the medical monitoring device, the resilient clamping claws 37 disengage from the locking post 39 under an external pulling force, thereby allowing the print paper drawer 16 to be pulled outward from the housing of the medical monitoring device.

[0030] In order to securely hold the locking post 39 by the pair of elastic clamping claws 37, each of the elastic clamping claws 37 is formed with a wrap portion 37a that curves outward and then inward. The two oppositely arranged wrap portions 37a preferably form a () or <> shape to hold the locking post 39. Furthermore, each of the elastic clamping claws 37 may further have a guide portion 37b that curves outward again from the wrap portion 37a. The two oppositely arranged guide portions 37b are preferably trumpet-shaped to guide the locking post 39 into the space between the two wrap portions 37a. Although the locking post 39 may be cylindrical, the two side surfaces of the locking post 39 are preferably inclined, and the two planes 39a formed by the inclined side surfaces converge toward the print paper drawer 16, which further helps to guide the locking post 39 into engagement with the pair of elastic clamping claws 37.

[0031] According to the locking mechanism of the preferred embodiment of the present invention, when the paper drawer 16 is about to be fully closed, the inner wall of the wrap portion 37a of the resilient clamping claw 37 exerts a pushing force on the locking post 39, which serves to push the paper drawer 16 into the housing. After the paper drawer 16 is fully closed, the resilient clamping claw 37 returns to a predetermined state and produces a "click" sound, providing feedback to the user that the paper drawer 16 is fully closed.

[0032] In the preferred embodiment shown in Figures 3 and 4, there are two pairs of resilient clamping claws 37 and two corresponding locking posts 39. It is understood that it is possible to have only one or more pairs of resilient clamping claws 37 and corresponding locking posts 39. It is also feasible to have a pair of resilient clamping claws arranged on the support plate 3 and a locking post 39 arranged on the frame 11.

[0033] Under normal conditions, the movable frame assembly 9 is inserted into the space between the support plate 3 and the support arm 5 in the housing of the medical monitoring device such that the print head at the print head mount 7 is under pressure and in contact with the rubber platen 21. The print paper 16 can pass between the rubber platen 21 and the print head. When the printing mechanism is in operation, the electric motor 25 drives the rubber platen 21 to rotate using the second pulley, the electric motor 25 and the first pulley 23, thereby pulling the thermal print paper past the print head and recording on the print paper a curve characterizing the vital characteristics of the fetus.

[0034] When the movable frame assembly 11 is pulled outwardly to pick up and refill the printing paper, the resilient clamping claws 37 are disengaged from the locking posts 39 under an external pulling force, thereby moving the printing paper drawer out of the housing of the medical monitoring device for picking up and refilling the printing paper. After picking up and refilling the printing paper, the resilient clamping claws 37 are opened under an external pushing force to receive the locking posts 39 and then securely fasten the locking posts 39, thereby locking the printing paper drawer 16 in place within the housing of the medical monitoring device.

[0035] The printing mechanism according to the present invention has a small number of parts and is simple to design and assemble. In use, the user can open and close the paper drawer with only one hand without any additional pressing or significant effort. Moreover, the paper drawer can be reliably pushed and pulled without wobbling, and a stable and reliable lock can be achieved.

[0036] FIG. 7 shows a schematic perspective view of a support plate of a printing mechanism of a medical monitoring device according to the present invention. As shown in FIG. 7, the support plate 3 has a generally plate-like body 3a made of metal or plastic, and at least one set of spaced sleeves 3b is provided on the top surface of the body 3a (the surface supporting the movable frame assembly 9) in the direction of movement of the movable frame assembly 9, such that the holes defined by the sleeves 3b of each set are generally aligned with each other to accommodate the guide rods 41 (shown in FIGS. 8 and 9). The bottom surface of the holes defined by the sleeves 3b facing the body 3a may be open. In the preferred embodiment, two sets of spaced sleeves are shown, but it should be understood that only one set of spaced sleeves or multiple sets of spaced sleeves may be provided. Two elongated openings 3c are formed at positions between adjacent sleeves 3b of each set of sleeves to define elastic beams 3d between these two elongated openings 3c. That is, by forming two elongated openings 3c, a part of the body located between the two elongated openings 3c has a certain elasticity so that it can be elastically deformed in a direction perpendicular to the body 3a as desired. Each of the elastic beams 3d may be provided with a V-shaped, U-shaped or semicircular vibration-damping bracket 3e. The vibration-damping bracket is usually made of glass fiber reinforced nylon or other plastic material. It should be understood that it is also feasible not to form the elastic beams 3d, even though in the preferred embodiment, the elastic beams 3d are formed between the adjacent sleeves 3b of each pair of sleeves, and the vibration-damping brackets 3e are provided on the elastic beams 3d.

[0037] As shown in Fig. 8 and Fig. 9, the guide rod 41 passes through the holes of each pair of spaced sleeves 3b, and the guide rod 41 is supported on the vibration-damping bracket 3e on each elastic beam 3d, and the guide rod 41 is then fixed to the bottom of the frame 11 of the movable frame assembly 9 by screws passing through holes 41a, 41b at each end of the guide rod 41, so that the guide rod 41 can guide the movable frame assembly 9 and move with the movable frame assembly 9. As shown in Fig. 2, the guide rod 41 is preferably fixed to the first connection plate 17 and the second connection plate 19. In this way, the sleeve 3b on the support plate 3 allows the guide rod 41 to guide and move the frame 11 or the movable frame assembly 9. When the guide rod 41 contacts the vibration-damping bracket 3e on each elastic beam 3d, the guide rod 41 squeezes the vibration-damping bracket 3e, which causes the elastic beam 3d to elastically deform downward perpendicular to the movement direction of the guide rod 41. Therefore, the anti-vibration bracket 3e exerts an upward reaction force perpendicular to the movement direction of the guide rod 41 on the guide rod 41. This reaction force not only creates a beneficial friction force between the anti-vibration bracket 3e and the guide rod 41, but also brings the guide rod 41 into close contact with the sleeve 3b, creating another beneficial friction force. These beneficial frictions provide beneficial vibration damping forces for the movement of the movable frame assembly 9 (i.e., the print paper drawer), which not only provides controllability when the user pushes or pulls the print paper drawer, but also prevents the print paper drawer from wobbling, thereby ensuring that the print paper drawer is precisely positioned and smoothly opened and closed when the printing mechanism is operated in a horizontally disposed or vertically suspended state.

[0038] In order to facilitate the drawing out of the printing paper, the number of sleeves in each set of sleeves is not too large. In order to further guide and restrict the guide rod 41, a guide groove 3f is provided on the main body 3a of the support plate 3 in a portion through which the guide rod 41 passes but where no sleeve is provided. As a result, when the guide rod 41 passes through the guide groove 3f, the guide slot 41 is partially received in the guide groove 3f.

[0039] Spaced apart through holes 3g may be formed in the support plate 3 at the positions where the guide grooves 3f are provided. In a preferred embodiment, four through holes 3g are shown at the positions where the guide grooves 3f are provided. It should be understood that the number of through holes may be more or less than four. As mentioned above, the bottom surface of the hole defined by the sleeve 3b facing the body 3a may be open. In this case, in a preferred embodiment, seven through holes are formed in the body 3a at the positions where each guide rod 41 passes, respectively.

[0040] FIG. 10 shows a schematic perspective view of a friction strip of a printing mechanism of a medical monitoring device according to the present invention. As shown in FIG. 10, each friction strip 43 has a flat carrier 43a and a protruding pad 43b formed in the center of this carrier 43a. The number of protruding pads 43b corresponds to the number of through holes in the part of the body 3a through which the guide rod 41 passes. The cross-sectional shape and size of the protruding pads 43b are approximately the same as the shape and size of the through holes 3g, so that these protruding pads 43b pass through the through holes 3g from the bottom of said body 3a and protrude slightly from the through holes 3g towards the top of the body 3a. The friction strip 43 may be made of an elastic material, for example rubber. When the guide rod 41 comes into contact with the protruding pads 43b, the guide rod 41 squeezes the protruding pads 43b of the friction strip 43, thereby generating another beneficial friction force. This beneficial friction force further ensures that the print paper withdrawal is positioned with high precision when the printing mechanism is operated in a horizontally disposed or vertically suspended state. To facilitate the elastic deformation of the protruding pads 43b and to ensure proper friction, hollows 43c may be formed below the upper surfaces of the protruding pads 43b. In a preferred embodiment, trenches 43d are formed in the carrier 43a of the friction strip 43 to connect the various hollows 43c.

[0041] According to the present invention, by providing protruding pads on the guide grooves and / or friction strips, the alignment accuracy of the printing paper drawer and the smoothness of opening and closing can be further improved when the printing mechanism is operated in a horizontally disposed or vertically suspended state.

[0042] Although the present invention has been described in detail in connection with the preferred embodiments, it should be understood that such detailed description is intended to only illustrate the present invention and not to limit the present invention. For example, the first locking member can be provided as a shaft, and the second locking member can be provided as a sleeve for receiving the shaft, and the shaft and the sleeve can be releasably engaged with each other by frictional force. Therefore, the scope of the present invention is defined by the technical solutions in the claims.

Claims

1. Support plate, a movable frame assembly movably disposed on the support plate, the movable frame assembly having a frame; and a paper drawer attached to said frame and moving with said movable frame assembly for holding a paper sheet; 1. A printing mechanism for a medical monitoring device having a printing mechanism comprising: at least one pair of spaced sleeves provided on an upper surface of the body of the support plate in a direction of movement of the movable frame assembly; and a guide rod passing through holes defined by each set of the spaced sleeves and secured at both ends to the bottom of the frame for guiding and moving with the movable frame assembly; and wherein a vibration damping bracket is provided between adjacent ones of the spaced apart sleeves in each set, the vibration damping bracket contacting the guide rod and exerting an upward force on the guide rod perpendicular to a direction of movement of the guide rod.

2. 2. The printing mechanism of claim 1, wherein two elongated openings are formed between adjacent sleeves of each set of said spaced apart sleeves so as to define a resilient beam between said two elongated openings, and said vibration-damping bracket is provided on said resilient beam.

3. The printing mechanism of a medical monitoring device of claim 1 , wherein the vibration-damping bracket is V-shaped, U-shaped or semicircular.

4. 2. The printing mechanism of a medical monitoring device as described in claim 1, wherein a guide groove is provided on the main body in a portion through which the guide rod passes but where no sleeve is provided, and when the guide rod passes through the guide groove, the guide rod is partially housed in the guide groove.

5. 5. The printing mechanism of claim 4, wherein the body has spaced apart through holes at the positions where the guide grooves are provided, and the printing mechanism further comprises a friction strip having a planar carrier and a protruding pad formed at the center of the carrier, the protruding pad passing through the through hole from the bottom of the body and protruding toward the top of the body so that when the guide rod contacts the protruding pad, the guide rod squeezes the protruding pad.

6. 6. The printing mechanism of claim 5, wherein a bottom surface of the hole defined by the sleeve facing the body is open and the protruding pad passes through an underlying through hole in the sleeve.

7. 6. The printing mechanism of claim 5, wherein a cavity is formed below an upper surface of said raised pad.

8. The printing mechanism includes: a support arm disposed on the support plate, the support arm having a print head thereon, the movable frame assembly further including a rubber platen attached to a front end of the frame adjacent an exterior of the medical monitoring device and in pressure contact with the print head; and A drive mechanism for driving the rubber platen to rotate.

2. The printing mechanism of claim 1, further comprising: said movable frame assembly disposed between said support plate and said support arm.

9. The printing mechanism includes: A pair of elastic clamp claws disposed opposite each other at a rear end of the frame; and A locking post disposed on the support plate corresponding to the elastic clamp claw and a locking mechanism having The elastic clamping claws are interlocked together, The elastic clamp claws open under an external pushing force to receive the locking post and securely fasten the locking post; and The resilient clamping claw disengages from the locking post under an external pulling force.

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

10. 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 connecting the first pulley and the second pulley so as to drive the rubber platen to rotate when the electric motor is actuated; 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.

11. the support arm is L-shaped; the support arm having one end rotatably attached to the support plate and another end including a print head mounting portion; The print head is attached to the print head attachment portion.

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

12. The frame is a first mounting plate and a second mounting plate disposed opposite each other; and a first connecting plate and a second connecting plate that fixedly connect the first mounting plate and the second mounting plate to each other; having The first mounting plate has a first guide slot extending along a longitudinal direction thereof; The second mounting plate has a second guide slot formed therein and extending along a longitudinal direction thereof; Both ends of the print head attachment portion are movably supported in the first guide slot and the second guide slot.

12. The printing mechanism of a medical monitoring device of claim 11.

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.

Images