Thermal printer
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- JP · JP
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- SEIKO EPSON CORP
- Filing Date
- 2025-01-22
- Publication Date
- 2026-08-03
Smart Images
Figure 2026125241000001_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0005] , ,
[0001] The present invention relates to a thermal printer.
Background Art
[0002] Conventionally, as shown in Patent Document 1, there is known a thermal printer in which a cover provided with a roller is supported by a hinge so as to be openable and closable with respect to a case, and the roller and the thermal head come into contact with each other when the cover is closed.
Prior Art Documents
Patent Documents
[0003]
Patent Document 1
Summary of the Invention
Problems to be Solved by the Invention
[0004] However, in the above-described thermal printer, there is a possibility that so-called partial closing may occur when the user tries to close the cover.
Means for Solving the Problems
[0005] The thermal printer includes a housing portion that houses a roll of paper, a roller rotatable about a roller shaft, a cover that can open and close the housing portion, a hinge configured on both sides sandwiching the housing portion and rotatably supporting the cover, a head support portion that supports a thermal head and is rotatable about a head shaft, and a frame that supports a first elastic member that presses the head support portion and has a locking portion that can lock the roller shaft. The hinge includes a hinge arm extending from the cover, a long hole formed in the hinge arm, and a hinge shaft inserted into the long hole. The frame includes a suppression mechanism having a protrusion that restricts the hinge arm when the cover is closed.
Brief Description of the Drawings
[0006] [Figure 1] A perspective view of the thermal printer from above and in the front, with the cover completely closed. [Figure 2] A cross-sectional view of the main part of the thermal printer, seen from the right, when the cover is in the first position, fully open. [Figure 3] Figure 2 shows a cross-sectional view of the main part of the thermal printer as it is in the second position, viewed from the right, with the cover closing. [Figure 4] Figure 3 shows a cross-sectional view of the main part of the thermal printer as it is in the third position, with the cover further closed, viewed from the right. [Figure 5] Figure 4 shows a cross-sectional view of the main part of the thermal printer, seen from the right, with the cover completely closed, in the fourth position. [Figure 6] Figure 5 shows a cross-sectional view of the cover hinge and frame as seen from the front. [Figure 7] A cross-sectional view of the head pressure adjustment mechanism, seen from the right, when the cover is in the third position. [Figure 8] A cross-sectional view of the head pressure adjustment mechanism, seen from the right, when the cover is in the fourth position. [Figure 9] A perspective view of a conventional thermal printer when the cover is only partially closed, as seen from above and in front. [Modes for carrying out the invention]
[0007] The embodiments will be described with reference to the drawings. Directions in the drawings will be described using a three-dimensional coordinate system. For the sake of explanation, the positive direction of the Z axis will be referred to as the upward direction or simply up, and the negative direction as the downward direction or simply down; the positive direction of the X axis will be referred to as the right direction or simply right, and the negative direction as the left direction or simply left; and the positive direction of the Y axis will be referred to as the forward direction or simply forward, and the negative direction as the backward direction or simply backward.
[0008] 1. Hinge Configuration Figure 1 shows the thermal printer 1 in the fourth position 10d, where the cover 10 is completely closed. Hereafter, the thermal printer 1 will simply be referred to as printer 1. The printer 1 consists of a cover 10, a frame 30, a storage section 60 for storing a roll of paper R wrapped around thermal paper P, and a case 30a that covers the frame 30, etc. Below the closed cover 10 is the housing section 60. As will be described later, the cover 10 and frame 30 are equipped with multiple components.
[0009] When the cover 10 is in the fourth position 10d, which is the closed position when the cover 10 is completely closed, the cover 10 is in a symmetrical position with respect to the mounting surface S on which the printer 1 is placed. In the example shown in Figure 1, when the cover 10 is in the fourth position 10d, it is in a position parallel to the mounting surface S.
[0010] Figure 2 shows the state when the cover 10 is in the fully open position, the first position 10a. The cover 10 has a roller 15 that can rotate around the roller shaft 14, and a roller shaft support part 13 that rotatably supports the roller shaft 14, located at the lower front. The roller shaft support part 13 may be integrally molded with the cover 10 using resin or the like. These parts of the cover 10 move together with the cover 10. The user rotates the cover 10 clockwise to open it and places the roll of paper R into the storage compartment 60. Then, when the user rotates the cover 10 counterclockwise to close it, the thermal printer 1 becomes ready to print on the paper P.
[0011] The hinge 50 consists of a hinge arm 11 extending in an L-shape downward and rearward from the cover 10 at the rear of the cover 10, an elongated hole 12 formed at the tip of the hinge arm 11, and a hinge shaft 34 provided on the frame 30. The hinge 50 rotatably supports the cover 10. The hinge 50 is arranged in pairs and is configured on both sides of the housing 60, on the left and right sides of the printer 1. In the following description, the first position 10a to the fourth position 10d, which are the positions of the cover 10, are also the positions of the respective components provided on the cover 10.
[0012] The cover 10 is attached to the hinge arm 11 of the hinge 50. The cover 10 may be integrally formed with the hinge arm 11 by resin or the like. The cover 10 rotates together with the hinge arm 11 and can open and close the storage portion 60. Incidentally, the storage portion 60 may be configured as a part of the resin case 30a.
[0013] The hinge arm 11 is rotatable about the hinge shaft 34 inserted into the long hole 12. The long hole 12 has an elliptical shape that is long in the front-rear direction parallel to the upper surface of the cover 10. The hinge arm 11 is also movable within the range of the elliptical shape of the long hole 12 with respect to the hinge shaft 34.
[0014] The thermal head 20 is supported by the head support portion 21. Hereinafter, the thermal head 20 will be simply referred to as the head 20. In the following, there may be cases where the positions of the head 20 and the head support portion 21 are described as the same position. The head support portion 21 is rotatably supported by a head shaft 33 provided on the frame 30 below. The head support portion 21 has an inclined surface 21a in the rear upper direction.
[0015] The head support portion 21 is pushed by a first spring 22, which is a first elastic member, from the front. The first spring 22 may be rubber. As shown in FIG. 2, when the cover 10 is in the first position 10a and the head support portion 21 is not in contact with the roller 15, the head support portion 21 is in the most rearward position. Here, the first spring 22 is supported by the frame 30 (not shown) in the front.
[0016] The frame 30 has an abutting portion 31 above and a fitting portion 32, which is a locking portion, below at a position facing the head support portion 21. The contact portion 31 has a convex shape that protrudes forward. The fitting portion 32 has a concave shape that recesses backward. Specifically, the fitting portion 32 has a shape in which the roller shaft 14 can be fitted and locked. The contact portion 31 has a shape that does not allow the roller shaft 14 locked to the fitting portion 32 to escape from above.
[0017] Therefore, the roller shaft 14, the contact portion 31, and the fitting portion 32 are preferably made of a metal with high rigidity. In particular, the contact portion 31 and the fitting portion 32 are preferably made of a metal edge. The contact portion 31 and the fitting portion 32 are formed continuously in the vertical direction and can guide the roller shaft 14 when the cover 10 is closed.
[0018] The roller shaft 14 and the roller 15 are cylindrical, and the head 20 and the head support portion 21 are plate-shaped, and are all configured to extend to the left and right of the printer 1. The roller shaft support portion 13 of the cover 10, the hinge arm 11, the contact portion 31 of the frame 30, and the fitting portion 32 are respectively configured in pairs and are arranged on the left and right of the printer 1. Note that, unlike FIGS. 3 to 5 described later, FIG. 2 shows a state in which the roller 15, the roller shaft 14, etc. of the cover do not contact the head support portion 21, the frame 30, etc. respectively. In order to compare the position of the cover 10 shown in FIG. 2 with the position of the cover 10 shown in FIGS. 3 to 5, it is referred to as an open position where the cover 10 is completely open. The cover 10 can be opened further than the open position shown in FIG. 2.
[0019] FIG. 3 shows a state when the cover 10 is pushed by the user from above and closes from the first position 10a in FIG. 2, and the roller 15 contacts the slope 21a of the head support portion 21 at the second position 10b. [[ID=?]] As the cover 10 closes, the head support 21 is pushed so that the roller 15 comes into contact with the inclined surface 21a. Meanwhile, the first spring 22 acts to push the head support 21 and the roller 15 from front to back with a predetermined force. The head support 21 moves forward against the force of the first spring 22 and rotates counterclockwise around the head shaft 33.
[0020] At this time, the cover 10 receives a reaction force from the head support portion 21 based on the first spring 22 via the roller 15, and moves slightly backward along the shape of the elongated hole 12 through which the hinge shaft 34 passes. As the cover 10 moves slightly backward along the elongated hole 12, the roller 15 can move smoothly downward while contacting the inclined surface 21a of the head support portion 21.
[0021] Figure 4 shows the state when the cover 10 is closed from the second position 10b in Figure 3, and the roller shaft 14 is in contact with the contact portion 31 of the frame 30, at the third position 10c. The roller shaft 14 is guided while in contact with the contact portion 31 of the frame 30, and can move downward.
[0022] At this time, the roller 15 descends from the inclined surface 21a to the head 20 within the head support section 21. Pushed by the descending roller 15, the head support section 21 rotates around the head shaft 33 and moves forward against the pressing force of the first spring 22. In other words, the roller 15 pushes the head support 21 further forward against the pressing force of the first spring 22.
[0023] Figure 5 shows the state when the cover 10 is closed from the third position 10c in Figure 4, and the roller shaft 14 is fitted into the fitting portion 32 of the frame 30, resulting in the completely closed fourth position 10d. As the cover 10 closes, the roller shaft 14 moves downward, guided from the contact portion 31 of the frame 30 to the fitting portion 32, overcoming the contact portion 31 and fitting into the fitting portion 32. Because the fitting portion 32 is slightly recessed to the rear, when the roller shaft 14 moves toward the fitting portion 32, it moves downward and also moves slightly backward. The roller 15 also moves downward and also moves slightly backward as it is pushed by the first spring 22 via the head support portion 21.
[0024] As described above, since the hinge arm 11 is movable in the front-rear direction along the elliptical shape of the elongated hole 12 relative to the hinge shaft 34, the cover 10, as well as the roller shaft 14 and roller 15 attached to the cover 10, are also movable in the front-rear direction. In other words, the cover 10 to which the hinge arm 11 is attached, as well as the roller shaft 14 and roller 15 attached to the cover 10, have the same degree of freedom to move in the front-rear direction as the hinge arm 11.
[0025] In this way, the roller shaft 14 can move downward, overcome the convex contact portion 31, and reach the position of the concave fitting portion 32. Furthermore, when the roller shaft 14 overcomes the forward-facing convex contact portion 31, it can also move slightly forward. The roller shaft 14 is pushed from the front by the first spring 22 via the head support portion 21 and the roller 15. When the roller shaft 14 reaches the position of the fitting portion 32 of the frame 30, it engages with the rear concave fitting portion 32 and locks into place.
[0026] The position of the roller 15 attached to the roller shaft 14 is determined by the position of the fitting portion 32 into which the roller shaft 14 is fitted, and thus so-called positioning is performed. Meanwhile, as the roller shaft 14 moves slightly backward, the head support 21 is also pushed by the first spring 22 and moves slightly backward while rotating around the head shaft 33. The head 20 is positioned opposite the positioned roller 15. The roller 15 that can face the head 20 is also called a platen roller.
[0027] The head 20, pushed by the first spring 22 via the head support 21, can contact the positioned roller 15 at a predetermined position and with a predetermined pressing force. In Figure 5, for the sake of clarity, the paper P is not shown, but the roller 15 and head 20 are sandwiching the paper P. The roller 15 and head 20 can transport and print with the paper P (not shown) sandwiched between them. The same applies to Figure 8, which will be described later. Furthermore, the hinge shaft 34 of the frame 30 and the elongated hole 12 inserted into the hinge shaft 34 move relative to each other and therefore do not contribute to the positioning of the roller 15.
[0028] Here, referring to Figures 2 to 4 mentioned above, and with reference to Figure 9, we will explain the occurrence of uneven closing in a conventional thermal printer 1a. Note that the symbols in Figure 9 are the same as in the aforementioned figures. Hereafter, the thermal printer 1a will be simply referred to as printer 1a. As described above using Figures 2 to 4, when the cover 10 closes, the roller 15 pushes the head support 21 forward against the pressing force of the first spring 22.
[0029] The elongated hole 12 is shaped so that the hinge arm 11 and cover 10 can move in the front-rear direction via the hinge shaft 34, allowing the roller shaft 14 to move over the contact portion 31 and reach the fitting portion 32. By the way, the hinges 50 are configured on the left and right sides of the printer 1a. The left and right hinge arms 11 are independently movable along their respective elongated holes 12.
[0030] For example, suppose a user tries to close the cover 10 by pushing one end of it from above with one hand. As mentioned above, the cover 10 receives a reaction force from the head support part 21 based on the first spring 22 via the roller 15. When one end of the cover 10 is pushed, the load on the roller 15 as it pushes the head support part 21 forward becomes unbalanced on the left and right sides. As a result, the roller 15 tilts to one side. As a result, the movement of the independently movable left and right hinge arms 11 becomes unbalanced, which can cause the cover 10 to twist and rotate. This is especially true if the cover 10 is made of resin or similar material, as its rigidity is reduced, making it more prone to bending and twisting.
[0031] As shown in Figure 9, for example, if a user closes the cover 10 by pressing on one end, the left end, the load on the left end pressing down on the cover 10 will be greater, while the load on the other end, the right end, will be smaller. In this case, for example, the left side of the roller shaft 14 may move over the contact portion 31, while the right side of the roller shaft 14 may not move over the contact portion 31. In this way, the roller 15 will tilt from side to side. That is, the left hinge arm 11 will move more than the right hinge arm 11.
[0032] As a result, when viewed from above, the cover 10 twists in a counterclockwise direction T. The left end of the cover 10, which is pressed, closes, while the right end, which is not pressed, does not close completely, resulting in a gap G. In this way, the cover 10 experiences what is known as "uneven closing." As shown in Figure 9, the cover 10 is in the uneven closing position 10e. When the cover 10 is in the partially closed position 10e, the rollers 15 and the thermal head 20 cannot make even contact in the left-right direction, making normal transport and printing impossible.
[0033] Now, let's return to Figure 6 and explain the configuration of the hinge 50 according to this embodiment. As mentioned above, a housing section 60 (not shown) is provided below the closed cover 10. The hinges 50 are configured on both sides of the housing section 60. Specifically, the printer 1 has a first hinge 50R on the right side and a second hinge 50L on the left side as the hinges 50.
[0034] The cover 10 is equipped with hinge arms 11, including a first hinge arm 11R on the right side of the cover 10 and a second hinge arm 11L on the left side. The first hinge arm 11R has a first wall 11Ra that extends outward to the right. The second hinge arm 11L has a second wall 11La that extends outward to the left. Note that the outward direction is also the direction away from the housing 60.
[0035] The frames 30 are also configured on both sides of the housing section 60. Specifically, the printer 1 has a first frame 30R on the right side and a second frame 30L on the left side as the frames 30. The first frame 30R has a first projection 30Ra that protrudes inward to the left side. The second frame 30L has a second projection 30La that protrudes inward to the right side. Note that the inward direction is also the direction toward the housing section 60.
[0036] When the cover 10 moves downward and closes, the first projection 30Ra of the first frame 30R can be restricted from the right side while sliding against the first wall 11Ra of the first hinge arm 11R. At the same time, the second projection 30La of the second frame 30L can be restricted from the left side while sliding against the second wall 11La of the second hinge arm 11L.
[0037] In other words, when the cover 10 is closed, the first frame 30R can restrict the first hinge arm 11R from shifting to the right via the first wall 11Ra by the first projection 30Ra. At the same time, the second frame 30L can restrict the second hinge arm 11L from shifting to the left via the second wall 11La by the second projection 30La. The cover 10 can be closed in a way that prevents it from shifting, as it is restricted from the left and right by protrusions such as the first projection 30Ra and the second projection 30La against walls such as the first wall 11Ra and the second wall 11La.
[0038] When the cover 10 is closed, the roller shaft 14 can move while making contact with the left and right contact portions 31 and fitting portions 32 so as to be parallel to them. The roller 15 can also move while making contact with the head support portion 21 so as to be parallel to it. Furthermore, the first projection 30Ra of the first frame 30R and the second projection 30La of the second frame 30L can also act as brakes to prevent the cover 10 from closing abruptly.
[0039] On both the left and right sides, as shown in Figure 5, the cover 10 is in a fourth position 10d where the roller shaft 14 is fitted into the fitting portion 32 of the frame 30 and locked. This configuration prevents the cover 10 from rotating and twisting, thus preventing uneven closing. The rollers 15 and the thermal head 20 can make even contact in the left-right direction, enabling normal transport and printing.
[0040] The aforementioned configuration that prevents the cover 10 from rotating and twisting when it closes is called a suppression mechanism. Alternatively, such a configuration can also be called a restricting mechanism that restricts the operation of the cover 10. In other words, the suppression mechanism is composed of a first hinge arm 11R having a first wall 11Ra, a second hinge arm 11L having a second wall 11La, a first frame 30R having a first projection 30Ra, and a second frame 30L having a second projection 30La.
[0041] The first wall 11Ra and the first hinge arm 11R, the second wall 11La and the second hinge arm 11L may each be integrally molded from resin or the like. Furthermore, the first projection 30Ra and the first frame 30R, the second projection 30La and the second frame 30L may each be integrally molded from resin or the like. In this case, the first frame 30R and the second frame 30L may be configured as part of the resin case 30a.
[0042] The first wall 11Ra, the second wall 11La, the first projection 30Ra, and the second projection 30La are integrally molded, thereby increasing the rigidity of the first hinge arm 11R, the second hinge arm 11L, the first frame 30R, and the second frame 30L, respectively, by forming thicker sections. The first wall 11Ra, the second wall 11La, the first projection 30Ra, and the second projection 30La are not integrally molded parts, but may be attachable components.
[0043] Furthermore, the suppression mechanism can also be configured without the first wall 11Ra of the first hinge arm 11R and without the second wall 11La of the second hinge arm 11L. When the cover 10 is closed, the first frame 30R can directly restrict the first hinge arm 11R from the right side by the first projection 30Ra. At the same time, the second frame 30L can directly restrict the second hinge arm 11L from the left side by the second projection 30La. In other words, in this case, the suppression mechanism will be configured to include a first projection 30Ra and a second projection 30La.
[0044] 2. Configuration of the head pressing force adjustment mechanism Figures 7 and 8 show a hinge 50 having a head pressure adjustment mechanism 40. Figures 7 and 8 correspond to Figures 4 and 5. The operation of the hinge 50 and other components in Figures 7 and 8, excluding the head pressure adjustment mechanism 40, is as described above with reference to Figures 4 and 5, so a further explanation will be omitted below. The head pressing force adjustment mechanism 40 is also configured in conjunction with the hinge 50, and is located on both sides of the printer 1, flanking the housing section 60.
[0045] Figure 7 shows the case where the roller shaft 14 is in contact with the contact portion 31 of the frame 30, and the cover 10 is in the third position 10c, similar to Figure 4 described above. The head pressing force adjustment mechanism 40 can be adjusted by changing the pressing force of the first spring 22 on the head support part 21 in conjunction with the rotation of the cover 10.
[0046] The head pressing force adjustment mechanism 40 includes a link mechanism that transmits the force based on the user's closing operation of the cover 10 to the head support part 21 via the first spring 22. The head pressing force adjustment mechanism 40 consists of a pressing portion 16 on the hinge arm 11 of the cover 10, a lever 41, a first arm 42, a second arm 43, and a second spring 44 which is a second elastic member. The second spring 44 may be made of rubber.
[0047] As the cover 10 rotates counterclockwise to close, the hinge arm 11 rotates counterclockwise around the hinge shaft 34, with the push portion 16 sliding backward along the sliding surface 41a of the lever 41. At this time, the lever 41 rotates clockwise around the lever shaft 36 provided on the frame 30, pushed by the push portion 16. The push portion 16 may be composed of a projection or a roller. The lever 41 is connected to the first arm 42 and the first shaft 42a. The first arm 42 moves forward as the lever 41 rotates clockwise.
[0048] The first arm 42 is connected to the second arm 43 by a second shaft 42b. As the first arm 42 moves forward, the second arm 43 rotates counterclockwise around the second arm shaft 37 provided on the frame 30. At this time, the upper part of the second arm 43 moves forward so as to move away from the head support portion 21.
[0049] The second spring 44 pushes the second arm 43. Specifically, the second spring 44 can stably push the second arm 43, which rotates counterclockwise and moves forward, toward the head support 21. The first spring 22 is installed between the second arm 43 and the head support 21. The second arm 43 is also an elastic member support that supports the first spring 22 which pushes the head support 21 at one rear end and supports the second spring 44 together with the frame 30 at the other front end. In this case, the pressing part 16, lever 41, and first arm 42 can also be said to be a linkage mechanism that moves the second arm 43, which is an elastic member support part, in conjunction with the rotation of the cover 10.
[0050] The first spring 22 pushes the second arm 43 forward and the head support 21 backward. In conjunction with the rotation of the cover 10, the upper part of the second arm 43 moves forward so as to move away from the head support 21. In other words, the link mechanism, including the push part 16, lever 41, and first arm 42, moves the second arm 43 away from the head support part 21 in conjunction with the closing operation of the cover 10. As a result, the first spring 22 is pulled forward and extends, reducing the pressing force on the head support portion 21.
[0051] As the cover 10 closes, the roller 15 pushes the head support 21 forward against the pressing force of the first spring 22. At this time, the pressing force of the first spring 22 is reduced by the head pressing force adjustment mechanism 40, so the load on the roller 15 when it pushes the head support 21 is reduced. In this way, the head pressing force adjustment mechanism 40 can reduce the pressing force of the first spring 22 on the head support portion 21 when the cover 10 is closing.
[0052] As the cover 10 closes, the roller 15 can push back the head support 21 with a weaker load than in the case shown in Figure 4, where the head force adjustment mechanism 40 is not present. Reducing the load required to push back the head support 21 helps to prevent the cover 10 from twisting. As a result, the head pressing force adjustment mechanism 40 can prevent the cover 10 from twisting and closing unevenly.
[0053] Figure 8, similar to Figure 5 above, shows the fourth position 10d, where the roller shaft 14 is fitted into the fitting portion 32 of the frame 30. As shown in Figure 8, as the cover 10 in the third position 10c shown in Figure 7 closes further, the pressing portion 16 of the hinge arm 11 rotates counterclockwise around the hinge shaft 34 so that it moves away from the sliding surface 41a of the lever 41.
[0054] At this time, the lever 41 rotates counterclockwise around the lever shaft 36 provided on the frame 30. Due to the counterclockwise rotation of the lever 41, the first arm 42 moves backward. As the first arm 42 moves backward, the second arm 43 rotates clockwise around the second arm axis 37 provided on the frame 30 and moves backward. As the second arm 43 moves backward, the first spring 22 is compressed, increasing the pressing force on the head support 21.
[0055] Similar to Figure 5, the roller 15 and the thermal head 20 can contact each other with a predetermined pressing force. Note that, as with Figure 5, the paper P is omitted from the illustration in Figure 8 for convenience, but the roller 15 and head 20 are holding the paper P. The roller 15 and head 20 can transport and print with the paper P (not shown) in between. Furthermore, the second spring 44 installed on the frame 30 allows the second arm 43, which rotates clockwise and moves backward, to be stably pushed toward the head support section 21.
[0056] As shown in Figure 7, the head pressing force adjustment mechanism 40 reduces the pressing force of the first spring 22 on the head support portion 21 when the cover 10 is closing, thereby preventing the cover 10 from twisting and closing unevenly. Furthermore, as shown in Figure 8, when the cover 10 is completely closed, the head pressure adjustment mechanism 40 increases the pressure of the first spring 22 on the head support 21, enabling the transport and printing of paper P by the rollers 15 and the thermal head 20. Thus, the head pressing force adjustment mechanism 40 of the hinge 50 can be adjusted by changing the pressing force of the first spring 22 on the head support portion 21 in conjunction with the rotation of the cover 10.
[0057] As described above, the printer 1 includes a storage section 60 for storing a roll of paper R with paper P wound around it, a cover 10 having a roller 15 that can be rotated by a roller shaft 14 and which can open and close the storage section 60, and hinges 50 configured on both sides of the storage section 60 that rotatably support the cover 10. Furthermore, the printer 1 includes a head support section 21 that supports the head 20 and is rotatable around the head axis 33, and a frame 30 that supports a first spring 22 that presses the head support section 21 and has a fitting section 32 that can lock the roller axis 14.
[0058] The hinge 50 includes a hinge arm 11 extending from the cover 10, an elongated hole 12 formed in the hinge arm 11, and a hinge shaft 34 inserted into the elongated hole 12. The frame 30 includes a restraining mechanism having protrusions such as a first protrusion 30Ra and a second protrusion 30La that restrict the hinge arm 11 when the cover 10 is closed. This configuration prevents the cover 10 from rotating and twisting, thereby preventing it from closing on one side.
[0059] Although embodiments have been described in detail above with reference to the drawings, the specific configuration is not limited to these embodiments and may be modified, substituted, deleted, etc., as long as it does not depart from the spirit of this invention. [Explanation of Symbols]
[0060] 1,1a...Thermal printer, 10...Cover, 10a...First position, 10b...Second position, 10c...Third position, 10d...Fourth position, 10e...Single closed position, 11...Hinge arm, 11L...Second hinge arm, 11La...Second wall, 11R...First hinge arm, 11Ra...First wall, 12...Slotted hole, 13...Roller shaft support, 14...Roller shaft, 15...Roller, 16...Pressing part, 20...Thermal head, 21...Head support, 21a...Inclined surface, 22...First Spring, 30...frame, 30a...case, 30L...second frame, 30La...second projection, 30R...first frame, 30Ra...first projection, 31...contact part, 32...fitting part, 33...head shaft, 34...hinge shaft, 36...lever shaft, 40...head pressing force adjustment mechanism, 41...lever, 41a...sliding surface, 42...first arm, 43...second arm, 44...second spring, 50...hinge, 50L...second hinge, 50R...first hinge, 60...storage part, P...paper, R...roll paper.
Claims
1. A storage section for storing rolls of paper, It has a roller that can rotate on a roller shaft, and a cover that can open and close the housing section, Hinges are provided on both sides of the aforementioned housing section to rotatably support the cover, A head support section that supports the thermal head and is rotatable around the head axis, The frame includes a first elastic member that presses against the head support portion and a locking portion that can lock the roller shaft, The hinge comprises a hinge arm extending from the cover, an elongated hole formed in the hinge arm, and a hinge shaft inserted into the elongated hole. A thermal printer comprising a frame having a restraining mechanism with a projection that restricts the hinge arm when the cover is closed.
2. The restraining mechanism comprises the hinge arm having a wall that protrudes in a direction away from the housing, The thermal printer according to claim 1, wherein the wall is slidable with respect to the projection that protrudes toward the housing when the cover is closed.
3. The hinge includes a head pressing force adjustment mechanism that adjusts the pressing force of the first elastic member against the head support when the cover is closed. The head pressing force adjustment mechanism is, An elastic member support portion that supports the first elastic member that presses the head support portion on one side, and supports the second elastic member together with the frame on the other side, and is pressed by the second elastic member, The thermal printer according to claim 1, further comprising a link mechanism that, in conjunction with the closing operation of the cover, separates the elastic member support from the head support, thereby reducing the pressing force of the first elastic member on the head support.