Printer and method for manufacturing the same

Abstract

To provide a printer that can be improved in assemblability and a printer manufacturing method.SOLUTION: A thermal printer 1 comprises an enclosure 2, a head support body 44, a thermal head 43 and a transmission-type sensor 65. The enclosure stores a recording paper having a plurality of labels temporarily attached thereto. The head support body is supported on the enclosure through a support shaft 45. The thermal head is mounted on the head support body. The transmission-type sensor is arranged between the thermal head and the support shaft and detects the labels. The enclosure has a guide tip part 23 and a recessed part 28. The guide tip part is arranged with a first interval L1 with respect to the support shaft. The recessed part, arranged at the guide tip part, is widened with a second interval L2 so that a floodlight element 71 can pass therethrough.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a printer and a method for manufacturing a printer. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, there is known a printer in which a recording paper (recording medium) having a plurality of labels temporarily attached at a predetermined interval to a long mount is stored in a rolled state, and the printer prints on the labels temporarily attached to the mount. This printer is equipped with an optical transmission sensor to detect the gap between the labels temporarily attached to the mount. The transmission sensor has a light-emitting element and a light-receiving element disposed near a thermal head (hereinafter abbreviated as head) to improve the positional accuracy of printing by the head on the labels (for example, see Patent Document 1).

[0003] According to this printer, for example, one end of a roll of recording paper in the longitudinal direction is sandwiched between the head and the platen roller, and the platen roller is rotated to transport the recording paper sandwiched between the head and the platen roller. In this state, light is irradiated from the light-emitting element of the transmission sensor to the light-receiving element, and the irradiated light passes through the recording paper. The light-receiving element detects the intensity of the transmitted light, thereby detecting the position of the labels temporarily attached to the recording paper. The head prints on each label based on the detected label position information. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] JP 2018-86849 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] In Patent Document 1, a light-emitting element and a light-receiving element of a transmission sensor are disposed near a head. The head is supported by, for example, a head support, and the head support is supported by a support shaft. Furthermore, a transmission sensor is disposed between the head and the head shaft. The support shaft is supported by a mechanical frame (i.e., a housing).

[0006] For this reason, when assembling the transmission sensor, it is necessary to pass the transmission sensor through the gap between the support shaft and the mechanical frame, and it is possible that, for example, the surface of the transmission sensor may come into contact with the mechanical frame and be damaged. In order to assemble the transmission sensor so that the surface of the transmission sensor does not come into contact with the mechanical frame, it is necessary to disassemble the support shaft from the mechanical frame. From the standpoint of ease of assembly, etc., room for improvement is desired.

[0007] The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and has an object to provide a printer and a method for manufacturing a printer that can improve assembly ease. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] A printer according to one aspect of the present invention includes a mechanical frame that houses a recording medium having a plurality of labels temporarily attached to a long backing paper, a support supported by the mechanical frame via a support shaft, a head attached to the support and printing on the labels, and a transmission sensor disposed between the head and the support shaft and detecting the labels, the mechanical frame having a frame portion provided between the head and the support shaft and spaced apart from the support shaft, and a recess provided in the frame portion that widens the gap to allow the transmission sensor to pass. a sensor holder having an elastically deformable snap fit that engages with the mechanical frame, the snap fit being engaged with the mechanical frame to fix the transmission type sensor to the mechanical frame; It is characterized by:

[0009] According to this configuration, by disposing the transmission sensor between the head and the support shaft, the transmission sensor can be disposed in the vicinity of the head, which allows printing to be performed with high accuracy at the printing position of the label detected by the transmission sensor. Furthermore, by providing a recess in the frame portion, the gap between the support shaft and the frame portion can be widened to allow the transmission type sensor to pass through. Therefore, the transmission type sensor can be disposed between the head and the support shaft by passing through the gap between the support shaft and the frame portion. This allows the transmission type sensor to be assembled between the head and the support shaft without disassembling the support shaft from the mechanical frame, improving ease of assembly.

[0011] moreover The snap fit of the sensor holder can be elastically deformed to easily engage with the mechanical frame. This allows the transmission sensor to be easily fixed to the mechanical frame by the sensor holder, further improving ease of assembly.

[0012] In the above printer, the recess may be formed in a curved surface that is larger than a curved tip surface of the transmission type sensor.

[0013] According to this configuration, the recess is formed into a curved surface (curved surface) larger than the curved surface at the tip of the transmission type sensor, which makes it possible to widen the gap between the support shaft and the frame portion to allow the transmission type sensor to pass through. In addition, the recess is formed on a curved surface. This makes it possible to suppress stress concentration in the recess compared to when the recess is formed in a rectangular shape, for example. This ensures the strength of the mechanical frame and the drop impact resistance of the printer.

[0014] In the above printer, the transmission sensor may include a light-emitting element supported by the mechanical frame and a light-receiving element supported by the cover so as to face the light-emitting element, and the light-emitting element may be positioned between the head and the support shaft by passing through the gap widened by the recess.

[0015] According to this configuration, the light-emitting element is disposed between the head and the support shaft, and the light-receiving element is disposed facing the light-emitting element. Therefore, the light-emitting element and the light-receiving element (i.e., the transmission sensor) can be disposed near the head. This allows printing to be performed with high accuracy at the printing position of the label detected by the transmission sensor. Furthermore, by providing a recess in the frame portion, the gap between the support shaft and the frame portion can be widened to allow the light-projecting element to pass through. Therefore, the light-projecting element can be disposed between the head and the support shaft by passing through the gap between the support shaft and the frame portion. This allows the light-projecting element to be assembled between the head and the support shaft without disassembling the support shaft from the mechanical frame, thereby improving the ease of assembly of the transmission sensor.

[0016] A method of manufacturing a printer according to one aspect of the present invention includes a mechanical frame that houses a recording medium having a plurality of labels temporarily attached to a long backing paper, a support supported by the mechanical frame via a support shaft, a head attached to the support and printing on the labels, a transmission sensor disposed between the head and the support shaft and detecting the labels, and a sensor holder that can be engaged with the mechanical frame by elastically deforming a snap fit to fix the transmission sensor to the mechanical frame, the mechanical frame including a frame portion provided between the head and the support shaft and spaced from the support shaft, and a sensor holder provided on the frame portion and adapted to detect the transmission sensor. and a recess for widening the gap to allow a head to pass through, the method comprising: a sensor insertion step of inserting the transmission sensor between the head and the support shaft by passing the transmission sensor through the gap widened by the recess; a sensor temporary fixing step of temporarily fixing the transmission sensor inserted between the head and the support shaft to the mechanical frame; a sensor holder insertion step of inserting the sensor holder into the gap; and a sensor fixing step of elastically deforming a snap fit of the sensor holder to engage with the mechanical frame and fixing the temporarily fixed transmission sensor to the mechanical frame by the sensor holder.

[0017] According to this method, in a sensor insertion step, the transmission sensor is inserted between the head and the support shaft by passing the transmission sensor through the gap widened by the recess. Next, in a sensor temporary fixing step, the transmission sensor inserted between the head and the support shaft is temporarily fixed to the mechanical frame. Next, in a sensor holder insertion step, the sensor holder is inserted into the gap. Next, in a sensor fixing step, the snap fit of the sensor holder is elastically deformed to engage with the mechanical frame, and the temporarily fixed transmission sensor is fixed to the mechanical frame by the sensor holder.

[0018] This allows the transmission sensor to be assembled between the head and the support shaft without disassembling the support shaft from the mechanical frame, improving ease of assembly. In addition, the sensor holder is configured so that it can be easily engaged with the mechanical frame by elastically deforming the snap fit, which allows the transmission sensor to be easily fixed to the mechanical frame by the sensor holder, further improving ease of assembly. Effect of the Invention

[0019] According to the present invention, the transmission sensor can be assembled between the head and the support shaft without disassembling the support shaft from the mechanical frame, thereby providing a printer and a method for manufacturing the printer that can improve assembly efficiency. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0020] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view showing a state in which a cover is in a closed position in a thermal printer according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Diagram 2] 1 is a side view illustrating a state in which a cover is in an open position in a thermal printer according to an embodiment. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a state in which the cover is removed in the thermal printer according to the embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a cover provided in the thermal printer according to the embodiment. [Diagram 5] 2 is a cross-sectional view of the thermal printer of FIG. 1 taken along line VV. [Figure 6] 2 is a perspective view of a printing unit and other components provided in the thermal printer of the embodiment, as viewed from the upper rear. FIG. [Figure 7] 11 is a perspective view illustrating a second gap between a support shaft and a recess in the thermal printer according to the embodiment. FIG. [Figure 8] 7 is a rear view of the printing unit and the like in FIG. 6, as viewed from the rear. [Figure 9] 9 is an enlarged rear view of part IX of the printing unit etc. in FIG. 8. [Figure 10] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a sensor holder provided in the thermal printer according to the embodiment. [Figure 11] 11A to 11C are cross-sectional views illustrating a sensor inserting step of inserting a light-emitting element to an assembly position in the thermal printer according to the embodiment. [Figure 12] 10A to 10C are cross-sectional views illustrating a sensor temporary fixing step of temporarily fixing a light-emitting element to an assembly position in the thermal printer according to the embodiment. [Figure 13] 5A to 5C are cross-sectional views illustrating a sensor holder inserting step of inserting the sensor holder into the thermal printer of the embodiment. [Figure 14] 10A to 10C are cross-sectional views illustrating a sensor fixing step of fixing the temporarily fixed light-emitting element by a sensor holder in the thermal printer according to the embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0021] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following embodiment, a portable thermal printer that can be carried by a user will be described as an example of a printer, but the printer is not limited to a portable thermal printer. In the drawings used in the following description, the scale of each component is appropriately changed so that each component is a recognizable size. In the drawings, FR indicates the front, LH indicates the left, and UP indicates the top. In the following embodiment, the state in which the thermal printer faces the front-rear, up-down, left-right directions shown in FIG. 1 is set as an assumed carrying position assumed as the position when carried, and the thermal printer in this assumed carrying position will be described.

[0022] <Thermal printer 1> 1 and 2, the thermal printer 1 includes a housing (mechanical frame) 2, a cover (paper cover) 3, a printing unit 4, and a transmission type sensor unit 5 (see FIG. 5). The thermal printer 1 prints on a plurality of labels 32 (see FIG. 3) on recording paper P, which is a recording medium, and discharges the printed labels 32 (i.e., recording paper P) from a discharge port 24.

[0023] <Case 2> For example, the housing 2 is formed from a resin material such as polycarbonate, or a metal material. The upper part of the housing 2 is formed into a rectangular parallelepiped shape having a front wall 10 and a side wall 14. The lower part of the housing 2 is formed into a box shape having an opening 9 (see also FIG. 3) that opens forward.

[0024] An operation unit 11 for performing various operations of the thermal printer 1 is provided at the upper part of the front wall 10 of the housing 2. The operation unit 11 includes various function switches 12 such as a power switch and a FEED switch, and various lamps 13 such as a POWER lamp that indicates ON / OFF information of the power switch and an ERROR lamp that indicates errors in the thermal printer 1, etc.

[0025] As shown in Figures 3 and 4, a roll paper storage section 21 is defined in the lower part of the housing 2, in which roll paper R is stored through the opening 9. The roll paper storage section 21 includes a guide plate 22 that stores the roll paper R. The guide plate 22 forms a paper storage section together with the inner surface of the cover 3. The roll paper R is held in the paper storage section. Guide plate 22 has an arc shape in cross section seen from the left and right. Guide plate 22 holds roll paper R with the outer circumferential surface of roll paper R in contact with the inner circumferential surface of the arc. Guide plate 22 guides recording paper P pulled out from the roll paper R to the printing unit 4. The guide plate 22 has a guide tip portion (frame portion) 23 that is generally opposed between a thermal head 43 (described later) and a support shaft 45 in the front-rear direction. The guide tip portion 23 will be described in detail later.

[0026] In this embodiment, the recording paper P is a continuous label strip that includes a long backing paper 31 and a number of labels (e.g., heat-sensitive labels) 32 temporarily attached at predetermined intervals to its surface (label attachment surface). The surface (printing surface) of the labels 32 is coated with a heat-sensitive coloring layer that changes color when a predetermined temperature range is reached. The recording paper P is stored in the roll paper storage section 21 of the housing 2 in a rolled state.

[0027] <Cover 3> The cover 3 forms the lower front surface of the thermal printer 1. For example, the cover 3 is made of a resin material such as polycarbonate. The cover 3 is a covering part (paper cover) that opens and closes the opening 9 of the housing 2. The lower end of the cover 3 is rotatably supported on the lower end of the housing 2 via a hinge shaft 17.

[0028] An upper end of the cover 3 can be engaged with the housing 2 via a platen unit 42, which will be described later. The cover 3 rotatably supports a platen roller 52, which will be described later. When the cover 3 is in the closed position, a gap formed between the upper edge of the cover 3 and the lower edge of the front wall 10 of the housing 2 constitutes an outlet 24 (see FIG. 1) through which the recording paper P printed by the printing unit 4 is discharged.

[0029] 1 and 3, a cutting blade 25 is provided on the opening edge of the discharge port 24 to cut the recording paper P discharged from the discharge port 24. The cutting blade 25 is integrally formed on the lower edge (the upper part of the opening edge) of the front wall 10 of the housing 2 and on the upper edge (see FIG. 4) of the cover 3. For example, by pulling down the recording paper P toward the cutting blade 25, the backing paper 31 of the recording paper P is cut.

[0030] 1 and 2, a hook 19 to which a strap, belt, or the like can be attached is provided on the upper back side of the housing 2. For example, when a user carries the thermal printer 1, it is assumed that the user will often carry the thermal printer 1 by attaching a strap around the shoulder or a waist belt to the hook 19. For this reason, the assumed carrying state of the thermal printer 1 is the state in which it is oriented in the front-back, up-down, left-right directions shown in FIG.

[0031] <Printing unit 4> As shown in Fig. 2, the printing unit 4 is housed in the housing 2 and the cover 3. The printing unit 4 includes a head unit 41 and a platen unit 42. The printing unit 4 prints a label 32 (see Fig. 3) on a portion of the recording paper P that is pulled out from the roll paper R.

[0032] As shown in FIGS. 3, 5, and 6, the head unit 41 is provided at the lower end of the front wall 10 of the housing 2. The head unit 41 includes a thermal head (head) 43 having a plurality of heat generating elements. The thermal head 43 is supported by the housing 2 via a head support (support) 44 and the like. That is, the rear end of the head support 44 is rotatably supported by the lower end of the housing 2 via a support shaft 45. That is, the thermal head 43 is rotatably supported by the housing 2 via the head support 44 and the support shaft 45.

[0033] The head support 44 is a member that maintains the cover 3 in a closed state, and is disposed in a position facing a platen roller 52, which will be described later, when the cover 3 is in the closed state. The head support 44 is constantly biased in a direction approaching the platen roller 52 by the elastic force of a coil spring 46. The thermal head 43 is attached to the upper end of the head support 44, for example, by being affixed thereto.

[0034] The thermal head 43 is connected to a control unit (not shown) via a flexible substrate 48 (shown in FIG. 6). In the thermal head 43, a driver IC (not shown) mounted on the thermal head 43 controls the heat generation of the heating elements based on a signal from the control unit. Then, when the label 32 passes through the heating elements of the thermal head 43, the heating elements print on the label 32.

[0035] 4 and 5, the platen unit 42 is provided at the upper end (tip) of the cover 3. The platen unit 42 is detachably combined with the head unit 41 when the cover 3 is opened or closed. The platen unit 42 includes a platen frame 51 attached to the cover 3, and a platen roller 52 rotatably supported by the platen frame 51.

[0036] When the cover 3 is closed, the platen roller 52 is disposed in a position facing the thermal head 43. The platen roller 52 conveys the recording paper P (see FIG. 3) by sandwiching it between the platen roller 52 and the thermal head 43.

[0037] The platen roller 52 includes a platen shaft 53 extending in the left-right direction, and a roller body 54 made of rubber or the like that is fitted onto the platen shaft 53. Bearings 55 (only the right-side bearing 55 is shown) that rotatably support the platen shaft 53 are fitted onto both ends of the platen shaft 53. The platen roller 52 is rotatably supported by the platen frame 51 via the bearings 55.

[0038] For example, a platen gear (not shown) is attached to the left end of the platen shaft 53. The head unit 41 is provided with a gear train mechanism that is combined with the platen gear (not shown) and a motor 57 (see FIG. 6) that is connected to the gear train mechanism. When the platen unit 42 and the head unit 41 are combined, the platen gear meshes with the gear train mechanism provided on the head unit 41 side and transmits the rotational driving force of the motor 57 to the platen roller 52. The transmission of the rotational driving force of the motor 57 to the platen roller 52 causes the platen roller 52 to rotate. Furthermore, when the platen unit 42 and the head unit 41 are combined, the thermal head 43 of the head unit 41 is pressed against the outer circumferential surface of the platen roller 52. In this state, the platen roller 52 rotates to transport the recording paper P (see FIG. 3) sandwiched between the platen roller 52 and the thermal head 43.

[0039] 1 and 2, a button 61 is provided at the boundary between the front wall 10 and the side wall 14 of the housing 2. The button 61 has a press surface 62 on the front side. The button 61 is an operation part for moving the thermal head 43 and the platen roller 52 away from each other. The button 61 is an operation part for releasing the engagement between the housing 2 and the cover 3 and opening the opening 9 (see FIG. 3) of the housing 2. For example, when the button 61 is pressed, the lock arm 63 rotates in the direction of the arrow Q1 against the biasing member. Then, the lock arm 63 disengages from the bearing 55 (see FIG. 4) of the platen shaft 53, and the platen roller 52 disengages from the roller insertion groove 64. This allows the cover 3 to be opened.

[0040] For example, pressing the button 61 as shown by the arrow (pushing it backward in the assumed carrying position) releases the engagement between the housing 2 and the cover 3. This causes the cover 3 to rotate as shown by the arrow from the closed position shown in FIG. 1 to the open position shown in FIG.

[0041] <Transmission type sensor unit 5> 3, 5 and 6, the transmission sensor unit 5 includes a transmission sensor 65 and a sensor holder 66. The transmission sensor 65 detects each of the multiple labels 32 temporarily attached to the backing paper 31 of the recording paper P. The transmission sensor 65 is, for example, an optical transmission sensor, and is disposed between the thermal head 43 and the support shaft 45 in the front-rear direction (i.e., in the vicinity of the thermal head 43). In general, the thermal printer 1 is limited in size in the paper feed direction of the recording paper P at the cover 3. For this reason, the transmission sensor 65 disposed in the housing 2 must be disposed near the thermal head 43.

[0042] The transmission sensor 65 includes a light-emitting element 71 and a light-receiving element 72. The light-emitting element 71 is supported by the housing 2. The light-emitting element 71 is disposed between the thermal head 43 and the support shaft 45 in the front-rear direction. The guide plate 22 of the housing 2 has a guide tip portion 23 that is generally opposed between the thermal head 43 and the support shaft 45. The guide tip portion 23 is located below a straight line 74 that extends from the support shaft 45 toward the thermal head 43. That is, the guide tip portion 23 is provided below the support shaft 45 with a first interval (interval, gap) L1 between the thermal head 43 and the support shaft 45 in the front-rear direction.

[0043] The guide tip 23 is formed to be inclined upward from the support shaft 45 side toward the thermal head 43 in front so as to approach the thermal head 43. By inclining the guide tip 23 upward so as to approach the thermal head 43, the guide tip 23 guides the recording paper P toward the thermal head 43. The guide tip 23 has an opening 27 formed in a portion facing the light-emitting element 71. The opening 27 is located forward of the support shaft 45.

[0044] Here, the guide tip 23 is inclined upward so as to approach the thermal head 43, so that the first interval L1 between the support shaft 45 and the guide tip 23 is formed relatively narrow. For this reason, for example, when the light emitting element 71 is assembled forward from the rear of the support shaft 45 through the first interval L1 between the support shaft 45 and the guide tip 23 to a position facing the opening 27, the tip of the light emitting element 71 may interfere. Therefore, in the embodiment, a recess (notch) 28 is formed in a portion (surface) of the guide tip portion 23 facing the support shaft 45.

[0045] 5, 7 and 8, the recess 28 is formed in the guide tip portion 23, thereby widening the second interval (interval, gap) L2 between the support shaft 45 and the guide tip portion 23 (specifically, the recess 28). That is, the second interval L2 between the support shaft 45 and the recess 28 is widened to allow the light-projecting element 71 to pass therethrough. Therefore, when the light-projecting element 71 is assembled, the tip portion 71a of the light-projecting element 71 does not interfere with the recess 28 (that is, the guide tip portion 23), and the light-projecting element 71 can pass through the second interval L2 as indicated by arrow A.

[0046] This allows the light-projecting element 71 to be arranged up to an installation position facing the opening 27 (i.e., between the thermal head 43 and the support shaft 45). Therefore, the light-projecting element 71 can be assembled at the installation position between the thermal head 43 and the support shaft 45 without disassembling the support shaft 45 from the housing 2. This allows for improved assembly of the light-projecting element 71 (i.e., the transmission sensor 65).

[0047] Here, as shown in Figs. 4 and 5, the light-projecting element 71 is connected to a sensor flexible board 76, and is thereby connected to a light-receiving element 72 (described later) via the sensor flexible board 76. The sensor flexible board 76 is a flexible board. For example, the light-projecting element 71 is connected to a tip portion 76a of the sensor flexible board 76, and a portion 76b somewhat close to the light-projecting element 71 is bent into a U-shape. Hereinafter, the portion bent into a U-shape may also be referred to as a "U-shaped bent portion 76b."

[0048] With the light-projecting element 71 disposed at the assembly position, for example, an elastic force is generated in the tip portion 76a, the U-shaped bent portion 76b, etc. of the sensor flexible substrate 76. Therefore, with the light-projecting element 71 disposed at the assembly position, the elastic force of the tip portion 76a, the U-shaped bent portion 76b, etc. causes the light-projecting element 71 to be temporarily fixed at the assembly position of the housing 2. The elastic force of the tip portion 76a, the U-shaped bent portion 76b, etc. will be described in detail later. The light-emitting element 71 temporarily fixed in the assembly position is then fixed in the assembly position by a sensor holder 66, which will be described later. The sensor holder 66 will be described later in detail.

[0049] 7 and 9, the recess 28 is formed into a curved surface (curved surface) larger than the curved surface (hereinafter also referred to as the tip curved surface) of the tip 71a of the light-projecting element 71. This makes the second distance L2 between the support shaft 45 and the recess 28 wider to allow the light-projecting element 71 to pass therethrough. Furthermore, by forming the recess 28 in a curved surface, it is possible to suppress stress concentration in the recess 28, as compared to, for example, forming the recess 28 in a rectangular shape. This ensures the strength of the housing 2, and therefore the drop impact resistance of, for example, the thermal printer 1 (see FIG. 1) can be ensured.

[0050] Furthermore, the recess 28 is formed, for example, in a triangular shape in a plan view. Therefore, the recess area of ​​the recess 28 can be kept small, for example, compared to a case in which the recess 28 is formed in a rectangular shape in a plan view. This ensures the strength of the housing 2, and for example, ensures the drop impact resistance of the thermal printer 1.

[0051] 4 and 5, the light receiving element 72 is supported by the cover 3. When the cover 3 is in a closed state, the light receiving element 72 is disposed in a position facing the light emitting element 71. The light emitting element 71 and the light receiving element 72 are connected to a control unit (not shown) or the like via, for example, a sensor flexible board 76.

[0052] 5 and 10, the sensor holder 66 is engaged between the guide plate 22 and an engaging portion 81. The engaging portion 81 is formed in a part of the housing 2 located above the guide plate 22 and behind the support shaft 45. The sensor holder 66 is formed of a resin material such as polycarbonate. The sensor holder 66 has a holder base 82 and a holder protrusion 83.

[0053] The holder base 82 is formed into a hollow rectangular shape with an open rear surface, and is made up of an upper surface portion 85, a lower surface portion 86, a left surface wall 87, a right surface wall 88, and a front wall 89. The holder base 82 is formed so that the upper surface portion 85, the lower surface portion 86, the left surface wall 87, and the right surface wall 88 can be inserted between the guide plate 22 and the locking portion 81. When the holder base 82 is inserted between the guide plate 22 and the locking portion 81, the upper surface portion 85 contacts the locking portion 81, and the lower surface portion 86 contacts the guide plate 22.

[0054] The top surface portion 85 has a snap fit 92. A base end 92a of the snap fit 92 is integrally connected to the rear end of the top surface portion 85, and protrudes forward to the front end of the top surface portion 85. The snap fit 92 has a locking claw 93 at its tip. The locking claw 93 protrudes upward from the tip. The front surface of the locking claw 93 has an inclined surface 93a that slopes upward toward the rear. The snap fit 92 is formed so as to be elastically deformable in the vertical direction with the base end 92a as a support axis. In the snap fit 92, when the holder base 82 is inserted between the guide plate 22 and the locking portion 81, the locking claw 93 is locked in the locking hole 81a of the locking portion 81. This fixes the holder base 82 (i.e., the sensor holder 66) in a state where it is inserted between the guide plate 22 and the locking portion 81.

[0055] A holder protrusion 83 is integrally formed on the front edge of a lower surface portion 86 of the holder base 82. The holder protrusion 83 protrudes from the front edge of the lower surface portion 86 along the guide tip portion 23 of the guide plate 22 at an upward gradient toward the front. The holder protrusion 83 is formed so as to be insertable between the support shaft 45 and the recessed portion 28. Furthermore, a step portion 95 is formed in the center of the holder protrusion 83 in the front-rear direction on the surface facing the guide tip portion 23. The step portion 95 is formed so as to be able to come into contact with a base rear end portion 71c of the element base 71b of the light-projecting element 71 when the holder protrusion 83 is inserted between the support shaft 45 and the recessed portion 28.

[0056] Specifically, the locking claws 93 of the holder base 82 are locked in the locking holes 81a, and the holder base 82 (sensor holder 66) is fixed between the guide plate 22 and the locking portion 81. In this state, the stepped portion 95 abuts against the base rear end portion 71c of the element base 71b of the light-emitting element 71. Furthermore, with the stepped portion 95 in contact with the base rear end portion 71c, the base front end portion 71d of the element base 71b is held in contact with the receiving recess 29 of the housing 2. As a result, with the locking claw 93 of the holder base 82 locked in the locking hole 81a, the light-projecting element 71 is fixed to the housing 2.

[0057] In this manner, the snap fit 92 of the sensor holder 66 can be elastically deformed to easily engage with the housing 2. Therefore, the light-projecting element 71 (i.e., the transmission type sensor 65) can be easily fixed to the housing 2 by the sensor holder 66. This can further improve the ease of assembly of the light-projecting element 71 (i.e., the transmission type sensor 65).

[0058] <Thermal Printer 1 Operation> As described above, according to the thermal printer 1 of the embodiment, when the cover 3 is closed, the platen roller 52 rotates to transport the recording paper P sandwiched between the platen roller 52 and the thermal head 43, as shown in Figures 3 and 5. In this state, light is irradiated from the light-emitting element 71 of the transmission sensor 65 to the light-receiving element 72, and the irradiated light passes through the recording paper P.

[0059] The intensity of the transmitted light changes when the light emitted from the light-projecting element 71 passes only through the backing paper 31 of the recording paper P compared to when the light passes through both the label 32 and the backing paper 31. The change in the light intensity is detected by the light-receiving element 72 to detect the position of the label 32 temporarily attached to the recording paper P. Based on the detected position information of the label 32, the thermal head 43 prints on the label 32 at the printing position.

[0060] Here, the light-projecting element 71 is disposed between the thermal head 43 and the support shaft 45. Therefore, the transmission sensor 65 is disposed in the vicinity of the thermal head 43. This allows printing to be performed with high accuracy at the printing position of the label 32 detected by the transmission sensor 65.

[0061] <Method of Manufacturing Thermal Printer 1> Next, a method for manufacturing the thermal printer 1 according to the embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 11, in the sensor insertion process, a recess 28 is formed in the guide tip 23, so that a second interval L2 between the support shaft 45 and the guide tip 23 (specifically, the recess 28) is widened in the up-down direction. The light-projecting element 71 passes through the second interval L2 widened by the recess 28 as indicated by arrow B. The light-projecting element 71 is inserted in the front-rear direction to an assembly position between the thermal head 43 and the support shaft 45 (i.e., a position facing the opening 27).

[0062] 12, in the sensor temporary fixing process, the light-emitting element 71 that has passed through the second interval L2 is disposed in the front-rear direction at an assembly position between the thermal head 43 and the support shaft 45. In a state in which the light-emitting element 71 is disposed at the assembly position, the base front end portion 71d of the element base 71b abuts against the receiving recess 29 of the housing 2. Furthermore, in a state in which the light-projecting element 71 is disposed at the assembly position, for example, the tip portion 76a of the sensor flexible board 76 abuts against the support shaft 45, and the U-shaped bent portion 76b of the sensor flexible board 76 abuts against the guide plate 22. As a result, the light-projecting element 71 is provisionally fixed at the assembly position of the housing 2 by the elastic force of the sensor flexible board 76, such as the tip portion 76a and the U-shaped bent portion 76b.

[0063] 13, in the sensor holder insertion process, after the light-emitting element 71 is temporarily fixed to the mounting position of the housing 2 by the sensor flexible board 76, the sensor holder 66 is inserted between the guide plate 22 and the locking portion 81 as indicated by the arrow C. Thus, the holder protrusion 83 of the sensor holder 66 passes between the guide plate 22 and the locking portion 81 and is inserted into the second gap L2 between the support shaft 45 and the recess 28 as indicated by the arrow C. At the same time, the holder base 82 of the sensor holder 66 is inserted between the guide plate 22 and the locking portion 81 as indicated by arrow C.

[0064] 14, in the sensor fixing process, the holder base 82 is inserted between the guide plate 22 and the locking portion 81. At this time, the snap fit 92 of the holder base 82 is elastically deformed, so that the locking claw 93 of the snap fit 92 is locked in the locking hole 81a of the locking portion 81. Therefore, the holder base 82 (i.e., the sensor holder 66) is fixed in a state where it is inserted between the guide plate 22 and the locking portion 81. With the sensor holder 66 fixed, the step portion 95 of the holder protrusion 83 abuts against the base rear end portion 71c of the element base 71b. Also, the base front end portion 71d of the element base 71b is held in abutment against the receiving recess 28 of the housing 2. As a result, the temporarily fixed light-emitting element 71 is fixed to the housing 2 by the sensor holder 66.

[0065] As described above, according to the manufacturing method of the thermal printer 1 of the embodiment, the second interval L2 between the support shaft 45 and the guide tip 23 (specifically, the recess 28) is widened by forming the recess 28 in the guide tip 23. Therefore, the light-emitting element 71 can be passed through the second interval L2 widened by the recess 28 and inserted to the assembly position. This allows the light-projecting element 71 (i.e., the transmission type sensor 65) to be assembled at an assembly position between the thermal head 43 and the support shaft 45 in the front-rear direction without disassembling the support shaft 45 from the housing 2. This improves the ease of assembly of the light-projecting element 71 (i.e., the transmission type sensor 65).

[0066] Furthermore, the sensor holder 66 can easily lock the locking claw 93 of the snap fit 92 into the locking hole 81a (i.e., the housing 2) by elastically deforming the snap fit 92. This allows the light-projecting element 71 to be easily fixed to the housing 2 by the sensor holder 66, and the ease of assembly of the light-projecting element 71 (i.e., the transmission sensor 65) can be further improved.

[0067] The technical scope of the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

[0068] For example, in the above embodiment, the front, back, up, down, left and right directions of the thermal printer 1 are set when the user carries the thermal printer 1, but the front, back, up, down, left and right directions of the thermal printer 1 may be arbitrarily selected depending on the application.

[0069] In addition, the components in the above-described embodiments can be replaced with well-known components as appropriate without departing from the spirit of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0070] 1. Thermal printer (printer) 2...Mechanical frame 3...Cover (paper cover) 5...Transmission sensor unit 23... Guide tip (frame part) 28…Recess 31…Paper 32...Label 43...Thermal head (head) 44...Head support (support) 45...Support shaft 65...Through-beam sensor 66…Sensor holder 71...Light emitting element 71a...Tip of light-emitting element 72...Photo-detector 92...Snap fit L1…First interval (interval) L2: Second interval (interval) P...Recording paper (recording medium)

Claims

1. a mechanical frame for accommodating a recording medium having a plurality of labels temporarily attached to a long mount; a support body supported by the mechanical frame via a support shaft; a head attached to the support and configured to print on the label; a transmission sensor disposed between the head and the support shaft and configured to detect the label; The mechanical frame includes: a frame portion provided between the head and the support shaft and spaced apart from the support shaft; a recess provided in the frame portion to widen the gap to allow the transmission sensor to pass therethrough; a sensor holder having an elastically deformable snap fit that engages with the mechanical frame, the snap fit engaging with the mechanical frame to fix the transmission sensor to the mechanical frame, the sensor holder comprising: a sensor holder that holds the transmission sensor;

2. The recess is formed in a curved surface larger than the curved tip surface of the transmission type sensor.

2. The printer according to claim 1.

3. The transmission type sensor is a light-emitting element supported by the mechanical frame; a light receiving element supported by a cover so as to face the light emitting element, The light-emitting element is The recess passes through the widened gap and is disposed between the head and the support shaft.

3. The printer according to claim 1 or 2.

4. a mechanical frame for accommodating a recording medium having a plurality of labels temporarily attached to a long mount; a support body supported by the mechanical frame via a support shaft; a head attached to the support and configured to print on the label; a transmission sensor disposed between the head and the support shaft for detecting the label; a sensor holder that can be engaged with the mechanical frame by elastically deforming a snap fit in order to fix the transmission type sensor to the mechanical frame, The mechanical frame includes: a frame portion provided between the head and the support shaft and spaced apart from the support shaft; a recess provided in the frame portion to widen the gap to allow the transmission sensor to pass therethrough, a sensor inserting step of inserting the transmission type sensor between the head and the support shaft by passing the transmission type sensor through the gap widened by the recess; a sensor temporary fixing process of temporarily fixing the transmission type sensor inserted between the head and the support shaft to the mechanical frame; a sensor holder inserting step of inserting the sensor holder into the gap; a sensor fixing step of elastically deforming a snap fit of the sensor holder to engage with the mechanical frame, and fixing the temporarily fixed transmission type sensor to the mechanical frame by the sensor holder. A method for manufacturing a printer comprising the steps of:

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