Printing device

Abstract

To provide a printing device capable of suppressing liquid entering from an outlet from reaching a control part.SOLUTION: A printing device comprises: a roll sheet storage part 21 capable of storing a roll sheet R; a thermal head 45 performing printing on recording paper P drawn out from the roll sheet R; a control part 49 controlling the thermal head 45; a device case 3 with a first edge 23 forming an outlet 27 from which the recording paper P on which printing is performed by the thermal head 45 is ejected, and in which the roll paper storage part 21 and the control part 49 are disposed; and an opening / closing cover 5 that opens or closes the roll paper storage part 21, and having a second edge 25 facing the first edge 23 to form the outlet 27 when the roll paper storage part 21 is closed. The roll paper storage part 21 is disposed between the first edge 23 of the device case 3 and the control part 49.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical field]

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

[0002] Conventionally, as disclosed in Patent Document 1, a printer device is known that includes an installation area for storing rolled recording paper, an outlet from which the recording paper is discharged, and a control board. In this printer device, the control board is provided on the same side of the installation area as the outlet, so the distance between the control board and the outlet is short. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2012-240286 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In conventional printers, the control board and the discharge port are located close to each other, so if liquid such as water gets in through the discharge port, the liquid can easily reach the control board, causing adverse effects such as a short circuit on the control board. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] The printing device comprises a roll paper storage section capable of storing roll paper, a printing section that prints on recording paper pulled out from the roll paper, a control section that controls the printing section, a device case in which the roll paper storage section and the control section are provided and which has a first edge that forms an outlet through which the recording paper printed by the printing section is discharged, and an opening / closing cover that opens or closes the roll paper storage section and has a second edge that faces the first edge to form the outlet when the roll paper storage section is closed, and the roll paper storage section is provided between the first edge of the device case and the control section.

[0006] The printing device comprises a roll paper storage section capable of storing roll paper, a printing section that prints on recording paper pulled out from the roll paper, a control section that controls the printing section, a device case in which the roll paper storage section and the control section are provided and which has a first edge that forms an outlet through which the recording paper printed by the printing section is discharged, and an opening / closing cover that opens or closes the roll paper storage section and has a second edge that faces the first edge when closed to form the outlet, the first edge being provided in a first direction that is one of the longitudinal directions of the device case relative to the roll paper storage section, and the control section being provided in a second direction opposite the first direction relative to the roll paper storage section. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0007] [Figure 1] 2 is an oblique view of the printing device with the access cover closing the roll paper compartment. FIG. [Diagram 2] 2 is an oblique view of the printing device with the access cover opening the roll paper compartment. FIG. [Diagram 3] 4 is a cross-sectional view of the printing device with the access cover closing the roll paper compartment. FIG. [Figure 4] 4 is a cross-sectional view of the printing device with the access cover opening the roll paper compartment. FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0008] Hereinafter, a printing device 1, which is one embodiment of a printing device, will be described with reference to the attached drawings. The printing device 1 is a so-called mobile printer, and is of a portable size. Note that the following description will be given using directions based on the XYZ Cartesian coordinate system shown in each drawing, but these directions are merely for the convenience of explanation and do not limit the following embodiment in any way.

[0009] 1 to 4, the printing device 1 is formed in a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape, and includes a device case 3 and an opening / closing cover 5. The device case 3 and the opening / closing cover 5 form the outer shell of the printing device 1.

[0010] The device case 3 includes a first device case portion 7 and a second device case portion 9. The first device case portion 7 is formed in a box shape with an open face in the +Z direction. The first device case portion 7 includes a first case wall portion 11, a second case wall portion 13, a third case wall portion 15, a fourth case wall portion 17, and a fifth case wall portion 19.

[0011] The first case wall 11 constitutes the -Z direction surface of the first device case 7. A first portion 12 is provided inside the first case wall 11. The first portion 12 extends in the +Z direction from the bottom wall of the roll paper storage section 21 described below. The second case wall 13 constitutes the -Y direction surface of the first device case 7. The third case wall 15 constitutes the +Y direction surface of the first device case 7. The fourth case wall 17 constitutes the -X direction surface of the first device case 7. The fifth case wall 19 constitutes the +X direction surface of the first device case 7. The second device case 9 is provided to close the +Y direction end of the +Z direction surface of the first device case 7.

[0012] A roll paper storage section 21 is provided within the device case 3, approximately in the middle in the Y direction, which is the longitudinal direction of the device case 3. The roll paper storage section 21 stores roll paper R around which recording paper P, which serves as the print medium, is wound. The roll paper R is inserted into the roll paper storage section 21 using a drop-in method. The printing device 1 prints on the recording paper P that is pulled out from the roll paper R stored in the roll paper storage section 21.

[0013] A first edge 23 is provided at the end of the second device case section 9 in the -Y direction. The first edge 23 is located in the +Y direction relative to the roll paper accommodation section 21. The first edge 23 forms an outlet 27 between itself and a second edge 25 provided on the opening / closing cover 5. The outlet 27 is formed in a generally rectangular shape that is long in the X direction.

[0014] The opening / closing cover 5 opens and closes the roll paper compartment 21. The opening / closing cover 5 is attached to the -Y direction end of the first device case 7 so as to be rotatable around an axis approximately parallel to the X direction. The opening / closing cover 5 includes a cover body 29 and a guide member 31.

[0015] The cover main body 29 includes a first cover wall portion 33 and a second cover wall portion 35. The first cover wall portion 33 extends in the -Z direction from an outer edge portion of the second cover wall portion 35 excluding an outer edge portion in the +Y direction. A case opening 37 is provided between the first cover wall portion 33 and the second case wall portion 13 of the first device case portion 7. The case opening 37 is formed in a slit shape that is long in the X direction.

[0016] The second cover wall 35 is located on the opposite side of the roll paper storage section 21 from the first case wall 11. In other words, the second cover wall 35, together with the second device case section 9, closes the face of the first device case section 7 facing in the +Z direction.

[0017] A second edge 25 is provided at the end of the second cover wall 35 in the +Y direction, i.e., the tip of the opening-closing cover 5. The second edge 25 is located in the +Y direction relative to the roll paper compartment 21. When the opening-closing cover 5 closes the roll paper compartment 21, the second edge 25 faces the first edge 23 to form the discharge opening 27. A manual cutter 39 is provided at the second edge 25 for cutting the recording paper P by hand.

[0018] The second cover wall 35 is provided with a first inclined surface 41. When the open-close cover 5 closes the roll paper compartment 21 and the first case wall 11 is horizontal, the first inclined surface 41 slopes downward from the discharge outlet 27 (see FIG. 3). That is, of both ends of the first inclined surface 41 in the Y direction, the end in the +Y direction, i.e., the end closest to the discharge outlet 27, is located in the +Z direction, i.e., higher, than the end in the -Y direction, i.e., the end farthest from the discharge outlet 27. In other words, the end in the +Y direction of the first inclined surface 41 is located furthest in the +Z direction of the second cover wall 35.

[0019] For this reason, even if liquid such as water gets on the second cover wall portion 35, the liquid will flow along the first inclined surface 41 to the opposite side to the outlet 27. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the liquid that has got on the second cover wall portion 35 from entering the device case 3 through the outlet 27.

[0020] The guide member 31 protrudes from the inside of the second edge 25 and guides the recording paper P pulled out from the roll paper R to the discharge opening 27. When viewed from the +Y direction, the guide member 31 is formed in a generally rectangular shape that is long in the X direction. The dimension of the guide member 31 in the X direction is generally equal to the dimension of the discharge opening 27 in the X direction.

[0021] Because the guide member 31 is located between the discharge outlet 27 and the roll paper accommodation section 21, if liquid seeps in through the discharge outlet 27, it guides the infiltrating liquid to the roll paper accommodation section 21. The liquid guided to the roll paper accommodation section 21 is absorbed by the roll paper R stored in the roll paper accommodation section 21. Therefore, even if liquid seeps in through the discharge outlet 27, it is possible to prevent the infiltrating liquid from flowing toward the control section 49, which is located in the -Y direction relative to the roll paper accommodation section 21, as will be described later.

[0022] The printing device 1 includes a platen roller 43 , a thermal head 45 , a control unit 49 , a battery housing unit 51 , and a cover unit 53 .

[0023] The platen roller 43 is provided inside the opening / closing cover 5 so that the direction of its rotation axis is approximately parallel to the X direction. When the opening / closing cover 5 closes the roll paper compartment 21, the platen roller 43 is positioned in the +Y direction relative to the roll paper compartment 21. The platen roller 43 holds the recording paper P between itself and the thermal head 45, and rotates using a feed motor (not shown) as a drive source, thereby pulling the recording paper P from the roll paper R and sending it toward the discharge opening 27.

[0024] The thermal head 45 is disposed inside the device case 3 so as to face the platen roller 43. The thermal head 45 is located in the +Y direction relative to the roll paper compartment 21. The thermal head 45 has multiple heating elements (not shown), and performs printing on the recording paper P pulled out from the roll paper R.

[0025] The control unit 49 controls each part of the printing device 1, such as the feed motor and the thermal head 45. The control unit 49 is located in the -Y direction relative to the roll paper storage unit 21. That is, the roll paper storage unit 21 is provided between the first edge 23 and the control unit 49. In the longitudinal direction of the device case 3, i.e., the Y direction, the first edge 23 is provided in the +Y direction relative to the roll paper storage unit 21, while the control unit 49 is provided in the -Y direction opposite to the +Y direction relative to the roll paper storage unit 21. In other words, in the direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the discharge port 27, i.e., the Y direction, the first edge 23 is provided in the +Y direction relative to the roll paper storage unit 21, while the control unit 49 is provided in the -Y direction opposite to the +Y direction relative to the roll paper storage unit 21. The control unit 49 is also provided in the +Z direction relative to the bottom wall portion of the roll paper storage unit 21.

[0026] Although not shown, the control unit 49 includes a control board on which electronic components such as a processor and a memory are mounted. As the processor, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit) or an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit) can be used. As the memory, for example, a ROM (Read Only Memory) or a RAM (Random Access Memory) can be used. The control unit 49 may also be configured with an analog circuit.

[0027] The battery accommodating section 51 is located in the -Y direction relative to the roll paper accommodating section 21. In other words, the roll paper accommodating section 21 is provided between the first edge 23 and the battery accommodating section 51. The battery accommodating section 51 is also provided in the -Z direction relative to the control section 49. A battery (not shown) that serves as the power source for the printing device 1 is removably accommodated in the battery accommodating section 51.

[0028] The cover portion 53 is provided between the opening / closing cover 5 and the control portion 49. The cover portion 53 includes a first cover portion 55, a second cover portion 57, and a third cover portion 59.

[0029] The first cover part 55 extends in the -Z direction from the end of the second cover part 57 in the -Y direction, and is provided in the -Y direction with respect to the control part 49. That is, the first cover part 55 covers the -Y direction of the control part 49. The first cover part 55 is located inside the case opening 37. The second cover part 57 is provided in the +Z direction with respect to the control part 49. That is, the second cover part 57 covers the +Z direction of the control part 49. The third cover part 59 extends in the -Z direction from the end of the second cover part 57 in the +Y direction, and is provided in the +Y direction with respect to the control part 49. That is, the third cover part 59 covers the +Y direction of the control part 49. The third cover part 59 can come into contact with the -Y direction surface of the roll paper R, and forms part of the roll paper accommodation part 21. Also, approximately half of the third cover part 59 in the -Z direction is provided along the first part 12 so as to come into contact with the first part 12.

[0030] In this way, the control unit 49 is covered by the cover unit 53. By covering the control unit 49 with the cover unit 53, even if liquid that has entered through the discharge port 27 flows over the roll paper accommodation unit 21 toward the control unit 49, it is possible to prevent the liquid from entering the control unit 49. Furthermore, even when the opening / closing cover 5 opens the roll paper accommodation unit 21, the control unit 49 is not exposed, so it is possible to prevent liquid from getting on the control unit 49. Furthermore, the control unit 49 is located in the +Z direction from the bottom wall of the roll paper accommodation unit 21, and the gap between the control unit 49 and the bottom wall of the roll paper accommodation unit 21 is blocked by the first section 12 and the third cover unit 59, so it is possible to prevent liquid from entering the control unit 49 from the bottom wall of the roll paper accommodation unit 21. Note that the third cover unit 59 and the first section 12 may be made of the same material.

[0031] Furthermore, the outside of the cover unit 53 is covered by the open-close cover 5. That is, when the roll paper compartment 21 is closed, the open-close cover 5 covers the control unit 49 via the cover unit 53. Therefore, the open-close cover 5 can prevent liquid from getting on the control unit 49.

[0032] The second cover portion 57 is provided with a second inclined surface 61. When the first case wall portion 11 is horizontal, the second inclined surface 61 slopes downward toward the case opening 37 (see FIG. 3). That is, of both ends in the Y direction of the second inclined surface 61, the end in the -Y direction, i.e., the end closer to the case opening 37, is located in the -Z direction, i.e., lower, than the end in the +Y direction, i.e., the end farther from the case opening 37.

[0033] For this reason, even if liquid gets on the first cover part 55, the liquid flows along the second inclined surface 61 toward the case opening 37 and is discharged from the case opening 37. This makes it possible to prevent the liquid that gets on the first cover part 55 from remaining inside the device case 3 and entering the control part 49. The second inclined surface 61 is approximately parallel to the first inclined surface 41 provided on the opening / closing cover 5.

[0034] As described above, according to the printing device 1 of this embodiment, the roll paper accommodation section 21 is provided between the first edge 23 and the control section 49, i.e., between the discharge outlet 27 and the control section 49. For this reason, even if liquid seeps in through the discharge outlet 27 formed between the first edge 23 and the second edge 25, the liquid that seeps in through the discharge outlet 27 collects in the roll paper accommodation section 21 before reaching the control section 49, and is absorbed by the roll paper R stored in the roll paper accommodation section 21. This makes it possible to prevent liquid that seeps into the discharge outlet 27 from reaching the control section 49, and to prevent adverse effects on the control section 49, such as a short circuit, caused by the liquid.

[0035] Furthermore, according to the printing device 1 of this embodiment, the roll paper housing section 21 is provided between the first edge 23 and the battery housing section 51, i.e., between the discharge port 27 and the battery housing section 51. As a result, even if liquid seeps in through the discharge port 27 formed between the first edge 23 and the second edge 25, the liquid that seeps in through the discharge port 27 collects in the roll paper housing section 21 before reaching the battery housing section 51, and is absorbed by the roll paper R contained in the roll paper housing section 21. This makes it possible to prevent liquid that seeps into the discharge port 27 from reaching the battery housing section 51, and to prevent adverse effects on the battery housing section 51, such as a short circuit, caused by the liquid.

[0036] [Other variations] It goes without saying that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various configurations can be adopted without departing from the spirit of the present invention. For example, the above-described embodiment can be modified as follows in addition to the above. Also, the embodiment and the modified examples may be combined to form a configuration.

[0037] The roll paper storage section 21 is provided between the first edge 23 and the control section 49 in the longitudinal direction of the device case 3, but is not limited to the longitudinal direction of the device case 3, and may be provided, for example, between the first edge 23 and the control section 49 in the lateral direction of the device case 3. In other words, the first edge 23 may be provided in a first direction, which is one of the lateral directions of the device case 3, relative to the device case 3, and the control section 49 may be provided in a second direction opposite to the first direction, relative to the device case 3.

[0038] The printing method of the printer 1 is not limited to the thermal method, but may be, for example, an inkjet method or an electrophotographic method.

[0039] The printing device 1 is not limited to a mobile printer, but may be one that is placed on a desk, floor, or the like.

[0040] [Note] The printing device will be described below. The printing device comprises a roll paper storage section capable of storing roll paper, a printing section that prints on recording paper pulled out from the roll paper, a control section that controls the printing section, a device case in which the roll paper storage section and the control section are provided and which has a first edge that forms an outlet through which the recording paper printed by the printing section is discharged, and an opening / closing cover that opens or closes the roll paper storage section and has a second edge that faces the first edge to form the outlet when the roll paper storage section is closed, and the roll paper storage section is provided between the first edge of the device case and the control section.

[0041] With this configuration, because the roll paper storage compartment is provided between the first edge and the controller, even if liquid seeps in through the outlet formed between the first edge and the second edge, the liquid that seeps in through the outlet collects in the roll paper storage compartment and is absorbed by the roll paper stored in the roll paper storage compartment before reaching the controller. This makes it possible to prevent liquid that seeps in through the outlet from reaching the controller. The thermal head 45 is an example of a "printing unit."

[0042] In this case, it is preferable that the device case has a first wall portion, the opening / closing cover has a second wall portion on the opposite side of the roll paper storage section from the first wall portion, and when the opening / closing cover closes the roll paper storage section and the first wall portion is horizontal, the second wall portion is provided with a first inclined surface that slopes downward from the discharge outlet.

[0043] With this configuration, even if liquid splashes on the second wall, the liquid flows along the first inclined surface to the opposite side from the outlet, and therefore, it is possible to prevent the liquid splashed on the second wall from entering the device case through the outlet. The first case wall 11 is an example of a "first wall." The second cover wall 35 is an example of a "second wall."

[0044] In this case, it is preferable to provide a cover portion that is provided between the opening and closing cover and the control portion and covers the control portion.

[0045] According to this configuration, since the control unit is covered by the cover unit, even if liquid enters through the discharge port and flows toward the control unit, over the roll paper storage unit, it is possible to prevent liquid from entering the control unit.

[0046] In this case, it is preferable that the printer has a battery housing section that houses a battery that supplies power to the printing section, and that a roll paper housing section is provided between the ejection opening and the battery housing section.

[0047] With this configuration, because the roll paper storage section is provided between the first edge and the battery storage section, even if liquid seeps in through the outlet formed between the first edge and the second edge, the liquid that seeps in through the outlet collects in the roll paper storage section before reaching the battery storage section and is absorbed by the roll paper stored in the roll paper storage section. This makes it possible to prevent liquid that seeps in through the outlet from reaching the battery storage section.

[0048] In this case, it is preferable that the opening and closing cover covers the control unit when the roll paper compartment is closed.

[0049] According to this configuration, the opening and closing cover can prevent liquid from getting on the control unit.

[0050] In this case, it is preferable that the opening / closing cover has a guide member that protrudes from the inside of the second edge and guides the recording paper to the ejection outlet.

[0051] With this configuration, if liquid seeps in through the discharge port, the guide member guides the liquid to the roll paper accommodation section, and the liquid guided to the roll paper accommodation section is absorbed by the roll paper accommodated in the roll paper accommodation section. Therefore, even if liquid seeps in through the discharge port, it is possible to prevent the liquid from flowing toward the control unit.

[0052] The printing device comprises a roll paper storage section capable of storing roll paper, a printing section that prints on recording paper pulled out from the roll paper, a control section that controls the printing section, a device case in which the roll paper storage section and the control section are provided and which has a first edge that forms an outlet through which the recording paper printed by the printing section is discharged, and an opening / closing cover that opens or closes the roll paper storage section and has a second edge that faces the first edge when closed to form the outlet, the first edge being provided in a first direction that is one of the longitudinal directions of the device case relative to the roll paper storage section, and the control section being provided in a second direction opposite the first direction relative to the roll paper storage section.

[0053] With this configuration, because the control unit is located on the opposite side of the roll paper accommodation unit from the first edge, even if liquid seeps in through the outlet formed between the first edge and the second edge, the liquid that seeps in through the outlet collects in the roll paper accommodation unit and is absorbed by the roll paper accommodated in the roll paper accommodation unit before reaching the control unit. This makes it possible to prevent liquid that seeps in through the outlet from reaching the control unit. The +Y direction is an example of a “first direction”, and the −Y direction is an example of a “second direction”. [Explanation of symbols]

[0054] 1...printing device, 3...device case, 5...opening / closing cover, 11...first case wall, 21...roll paper storage section, 23...first edge, 25...second edge, 27...ejection outlet, 31...guide member, 35...second cover wall, 41...first inclined surface, 45...thermal head, 49...control section, 51...battery storage section, 53...cover section, P...recording paper, R...roll paper.

Claims

1. a roll paper storage section capable of storing roll paper; a printing unit that prints on the recording paper pulled out from the roll paper; A control unit that controls the printing unit; a device case having a first edge portion that forms an outlet through which the recording paper printed by the printing unit is discharged, the device case including the roll paper storage unit and the control unit; an opening / closing cover that opens or closes the roll paper storage section and has a second edge that faces the first edge and forms the discharge outlet when the roll paper storage section is closed; the roll paper storage section is provided between the first edge section of the device case and the control section, the device case has a first wall portion, and the opening / closing cover has a second wall portion on an opposite side of the roll paper storage portion from the first wall portion, A printing device characterized in that, when the opening / closing cover closes the roll paper storage section and the first wall portion is horizontal, the second wall portion is provided with a first inclined surface that slopes downward from the discharge outlet.

2. a roll paper storage section capable of storing roll paper; a printing unit that prints on the recording paper pulled out from the roll paper; A control unit that controls the printing unit; a device case having a first edge portion that forms an outlet through which the recording paper printed by the printing unit is discharged, the device case including the roll paper storage unit and the control unit; an opening / closing cover that opens or closes the roll paper storage section and has a second edge that faces the first edge and forms the discharge outlet when the roll paper storage section is closed; a cover portion provided between the opening / closing cover and the control portion, the cover portion covering the control portion, a roll paper storage section provided between the first edge section of the device case and the control section;

3. a roll paper storage section capable of storing roll paper; a printing unit that prints on the recording paper pulled out from the roll paper; A control unit that controls the printing unit; a device case having a first edge portion that forms an outlet through which the recording paper printed by the printing unit is discharged, the device case including the roll paper storage unit and the control unit; an opening / closing cover that opens or closes the roll paper storage section and has a second edge that faces the first edge and forms the discharge outlet when the roll paper storage section is closed; a battery accommodating section for accommodating a battery that supplies power to the printing section; the roll paper storage section is provided between the first edge section of the device case and the control section, a paper roll storage section provided between the paper outlet and the battery storage section;

4. a roll paper storage section capable of storing roll paper; a printing unit that prints on the recording paper pulled out from the roll paper; A control unit that controls the printing unit; a device case having a first edge portion that forms an outlet through which the recording paper printed by the printing unit is discharged, the device case including the roll paper storage unit and the control unit; an opening / closing cover that opens or closes the roll paper storage section and has a second edge that faces the first edge and forms the discharge outlet when the roll paper storage section is closed; the roll paper storage section is provided between the first edge section of the device case and the control section, The printing device, wherein the opening and closing cover covers the control unit when the roll paper compartment is closed.

5. a roll paper storage section capable of storing roll paper; a printing unit that prints on the recording paper pulled out from the roll paper; A control unit that controls the printing unit; a device case having a first edge portion that forms an outlet through which the recording paper printed by the printing unit is discharged, the device case including the roll paper storage unit and the control unit; an opening / closing cover that opens or closes the roll paper storage section and has a second edge that faces the first edge and forms the discharge outlet when the roll paper storage section is closed; the roll paper storage section is provided between the first edge section of the device case and the control section, a guide member protruding from the inside of the second edge portion of the cover and guiding the recording paper to the paper outlet, the guide member being provided with a guide member protruding from the inside of the second edge portion of the cover and guiding the recording paper to the paper outlet.

6. a roll paper storage section capable of storing roll paper; a transport roller that pulls out the recording paper from the roll paper and transports it; a printing unit that prints on the recording paper pulled out from the roll paper; A control unit that controls the printing unit; a device case having a first edge portion that forms an outlet through which the recording paper printed by the printing unit is discharged, the device case including the roll paper storage unit and the control unit; an opening / closing cover that opens or closes the roll paper storage section and has a second edge that faces the first edge when closed to form the discharge outlet; a battery accommodating section for accommodating a battery that supplies power to the printing section; the printing unit is provided on one side of the roll paper storage unit in a direction intersecting an axial direction of the transport roller, and the control unit is provided on the other side of the roll paper storage unit; a paper roll storage section provided between the paper outlet and the battery storage section;

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