Printing device

Abstract

To provide a printing apparatus in which leakage, to an adjacent display unit, of emitted light from a light source can be suppressed.SOLUTION: The printing apparatus comprises: an apparatus main body 3; an opening / closing cover 5 turnably provided in the apparatus main body 3; a plurality of light sources 51 provided in the apparatus main body 3; a plurality of icon display units 53 provided in the opening / closing cover 5 and located, when the opening / closing cover 5 is closed, at positions corresponding to the plurality of light sources 51, respectively; first light shielding units 57 provided in the opening / closing cover 5 and located between each of the plurality of icon display units 53; and second light shield units 59 provided in the apparatus main body 3 and located between each of the plurality of light sources 51.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

[Technical Field]

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

[0002] As disclosed in Patent Document 1, a display device has been known that includes a plurality of display units, a plurality of light sources provided corresponding to the plurality of display units, and a light shield. The light shield is provided continuously from between the plurality of light sources to between the plurality of display units, preventing light emitted from the light sources from leaking into adjacent display units. The display units, light sources, and light shield are integrally formed. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2015-028435 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In a conventional display device, where the display unit, light source, and light shield are integrally formed, a configuration in which the light source is provided in the device body and the display unit is provided in the opening / closing cover is adopted, it is difficult to provide the light shield continuously between the multiple light sources and the multiple display units, and therefore, depending on the arrangement and structure of the light shield, there is a risk that light emitted from the light source may leak into adjacent display units. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] The printing device of the present invention comprises a device main body, an opening / closing cover rotatably mounted on the device main body, a plurality of light sources mounted on the device main body, a plurality of icon display units mounted on the opening / closing cover and positioned at positions corresponding to the plurality of light sources when the opening / closing cover is closed, a first shading unit mounted on the opening / closing cover and positioned between the plurality of icon display units, and a second shading unit mounted on the device main body and positioned between the plurality of light sources. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0006] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the printing device with the access cover closed. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the printing device with the access cover open. [Figure 3] FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the internal structure of the printing device. [Figure 5] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the panel portion when the opening / closing cover is closed. [Figure 6] FIG. [Figure 7] FIG. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is a partial enlarged view of the opening exterior part to which the board cover is attached. [Figure 9] 4 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a portion of the panel unit when the opening / closing cover is closed. FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0007] An embodiment of a printing device will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. The printing device 1 of this embodiment is used, for example, as a receipt printer in a POS system. The following description uses directions based on the XYZ Cartesian coordinate system shown in each figure, but these directions are for convenience of explanation only and do not limit the following embodiment in any way. Note that in Figures 1 to 4, the vertical direction is defined as the Z direction, and in Figures 5 to 9, the direction perpendicular to the substrate 61 shown in Figure 5 is defined as the Z direction. The number of each component is merely an example and does not limit the following embodiment in any way.

[0008] [External structure of the printing device] The external structure of the printing device 1 will be described with reference to Figures 1 and 2. The printing device 1 comprises a device main body 3 and an opening / closing cover 5. The device main body 3 is formed in a roughly rectangular parallelepiped shape with an opening 6 on the +Z side, and a roll paper compartment 7 is provided inside the device main body 3. The roll paper compartment 7 stores roll paper R around which recording paper P, the printing medium, is wound (see Figure 3). The opening / closing cover 5 is rotatably attached to the end of the device main body 3 in the +Y direction, and opens and closes the opening 6.

[0009] The printing device 1 includes an exterior body 9, a cutter cover 11, an opening exterior 12, and a cover exterior 13.

[0010] The main body exterior 9, cutter cover 11, and opening exterior 12 make up the exterior of the device main body 3. The main body exterior 9 is formed in the shape of a roughly rectangular box with an opening on the +Z side. The cutter cover 11 is provided in the -Y direction relative to the opening / closing cover 5. When the cutter cover 11 is opened, the auto-cutter 37 (see Figure 3), which will be described later, appears. An outlet 15 is provided at the boundary between the cutter cover 11 and the opening / closing cover 5. Recording paper P, fed from the roll paper R stored in the roll paper compartment 7, is discharged from the outlet 15. The opening exterior 12 is provided on the edge of the opening 6. The cover exterior 13 makes up the exterior of the opening / closing cover 5.

[0011] The printing device 1 also includes a cover opening button 17, a feed button 19, and a panel unit 21. The cover opening button 17, the feed button 19, and the panel unit 21 are provided at the end of the +X direction on the +Z direction surface of the printing device 1. When the cover release button 17 is pressed, the opening / closing cover 5 opens. When the feed button 19 is pressed, the platen roller 35 (described later) rotates, and the recording paper P is fed toward the discharge port 15. The panel unit 21 displays various information, such as errors, to the user.

[0012] [Internal structure of the printing device] 3 and 4, the internal structure of the printing device 1 will be described. The printing device 1 includes a base frame 23, a main body frame 25, a cover frame 27, a thermal head 29, a feed motor 31, a gear train 33, a platen roller 35, an auto-cutter 37, and a locking mechanism 39.

[0013] The base frame 23 and the main body frame 25 are provided inside the main body exterior part 9. The base frame 23 supports the main body frame 25. The main body frame 25 includes a first main body frame 41 and a second main body frame 43. The first main body frame 41 and the second main body frame 43 are both formed in the shape of a substantially rectangular plate extending in the Y direction. The second main body frame 43 is provided in the +X direction relative to the first main body frame 41. Cover support shafts 45 extending in the X direction are provided at the +Y direction ends of the first main body frame 41 and the second main body frame 43.

[0014] The cover frame 27 is provided inside the cover exterior part 13. The cover frame 27 is formed in a substantially rectangular frame shape, and is rotatably supported on the main body frame 25 via a cover spindle 45. A cover spindle hole (not shown) that engages with the cover spindle 45 is provided at the end of the cover frame 27 in the +Y direction.

[0015] The thermal head 29 is supported by the main body frame 25. The thermal head 29 includes a plurality of heating elements (not shown), and performs printing on the recording paper P fed from the roll paper R.

[0016] The feed motor 31 is fixed to the −Y direction end of the first main body frame 41. The feed motor 31 is a drive source for the platen roller 35. Note that as the feed motor 31, for example, a DC motor (DC: Direct Current) can be used.

[0017] The gear train 33 is provided on the first main body frame 41. The gear train 33 includes a plurality of gears, and transmits the power of the feed motor 31 to the platen roller 35.

[0018] The platen roller 35 is rotatably supported on the end of the cover frame 27 in the -Y direction. The platen roller 35 faces the thermal head 29 when the access cover 5 is closed. A roller spring (not shown) applies force to the platen roller 35 toward the thermal head 29. As a result, the platen roller 35 holds the recording paper P between itself and the thermal head 29. The platen roller 35 feeds the recording paper P held between itself and the thermal head 29 toward the discharge opening 15. In other words, when the platen roller 35 rotates, the recording paper P is unwound from the roll paper R and fed toward the discharge opening 15.

[0019] A roller gear 47 is provided coaxially with the platen roller 35 and positioned in the −X direction relative to the platen roller 35. The roller gear 47 meshes with a transmission gear 49 of the gear train 33 and rotates integrally with the platen roller 35.

[0020] The auto-cutter 37 is provided between the platen roller 35 and the discharge port 15, and cuts the recording paper P sent to the discharge port 15 in the X direction, i.e., in the width direction of the recording paper P, behind the printed portion. The auto-cutter 37 cuts the recording paper P, leaving the end of the recording paper P in the -X direction, so that the cut recording paper P remains at the discharge port 15.

[0021] [Panel section] The panel unit 21 will be described with reference to Figures 5 to 9. The panel unit 21 includes five light sources 51, five icon display units 53, a board cover 55, four first light-shielding units 57, and four second light-shielding units 59. The panel unit 21 selectively lights up the five icon display units 53 to display various information to the user.

[0022] As shown in Fig. 5, the five light sources 51 are mounted on the +Z-direction surface of the substrate 61 so as to be aligned in the Y direction. The optical axis direction of the emitted light L (see Fig. 9) emitted from the light source 51 is the +Z direction, i.e., a direction substantially perpendicular to the substrate 61. Note that the symbols La, Lb, Lc, and Ld shown in Fig. 9 all indicate the emitted light L, and among them, symbol Ld indicates the optical axis of the emitted light L. Furthermore, for example, an LED lamp (LED: Light Emitting Diode) can be used as the light source 51.

[0023] The board 61 on which the five light sources 51 are mounted is located in the +X direction with respect to the opening 6 (see FIG. 2 ) and is attached to the inside of the opening exterior part 12. The opening exterior part 12 is made of a non-translucent material. Unlike the present embodiment, if the board 61 is provided on the opening / closing cover 5, wiring is required to connect the board 61 to the device main body 3. In contrast, in the present embodiment, the board 61 is provided on the device main body 3, so such wiring is not required and a simple structure can be achieved.

[0024] 5 and 6, the five icon display units 53 are located at the end of the cover exterior unit 13 in the +X direction and are arranged side by side in the Y direction. When the opening / closing cover 5 is closed, the five icon display units 53 are located at positions corresponding to the five light sources 51, respectively. That is, the icon display units 53 are located in the +Z direction relative to the light sources 51, i.e., in the optical axis direction of the light sources 51.

[0025] Unlike the present embodiment, if the icon display unit 53 is provided on the device main body 3, a gap will be formed between the exterior on which the icon display unit 53 is provided and the cover exterior unit 13. Dust such as oil stains, dust, and paper powder will easily accumulate in the resulting gap. In contrast, in the present embodiment, the icon display unit 53 is provided on the cover exterior unit 13, eliminating such a gap and preventing dust from accumulating on the exterior of the printing device 1. In other words, the cover exterior unit 13 can be configured as a single surface, including the icon display unit 53, thereby improving cleanability and sanitation.

[0026] The five icon display sections 53 include, for example, one that displays whether the power of the printing device 1 is on or off, one that displays that the printing device 1 is in an error state, one that displays that the roll paper R stored in the roll paper storage section 7 has reached the end of its roll, and one that displays the communication status between the printing device 1 and an external device.

[0027] The cover exterior part 13, on which the five icon display parts 53 are provided, includes a non-light-transmitting part 63 and a light-transmitting part 65. The non-light-transmitting part 63 is made of a non-light-transmitting material and occupies the majority of the cover exterior part 13. The light-transmitting part 65 is made of a light-transmitting material and is provided at the end of the cover exterior part 13 in the +X direction. The light-transmitting part 65 transmits and diffuses the emitted light L emitted from the light source 51. The five icon display parts 53 are made up of the light-transmitting part 65. In other words, the parts of the light-transmitting part 65 that are not covered by the non-light-transmitting part 63 become the icon display parts 53.

[0028] The non-transmitting portion 63 and the transmitting portion 65 are integrally molded, for example, by two-color molding, which eliminates any gap between the non-transmitting portion 63 and the transmitting portion 65, thereby preventing dust from accumulating on the cover exterior portion 13.

[0029] 5, 7, and 8, the board cover 55 is provided between the opening exterior portion 12 and the board 61. The board cover 55 is made of a light-transmitting material. The board cover 55 includes five cover portions 67 and a connecting portion 69.

[0030] The five cover portions 67 are arranged in a line in the Y direction, and each cover one of the five light sources 51. The cover portions 67 are formed in a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape with an opening on the surface facing the -Z direction, i.e., the surface facing the substrate 61, and are arranged to cover the light sources 51 provided on the substrate 61. Covering the light sources 51 with the cover portions 67 makes it possible to prevent foreign matter from entering the light sources 51.

[0031] The opening exterior part 12 has five cover openings 71 arranged in the Y direction. Five cover parts 67 are fitted into the five cover openings 71, respectively. The +Z direction surface of the opening exterior part 12 and the +Z direction surface of the cover parts 67 are substantially flush with each other (see FIG. 5).

[0032] The cover portion 67 includes a first wall portion 73 and a second wall portion 75. The first wall portion 73 is a +Z direction wall portion of the cover portion 67 and is provided between the light source 51 and the icon display portion 53 so as to close the cover opening 71. That is, the first wall portion 73 covers the light source 51 in the +Z direction. The first wall portion 73 has a substantially uniform thickness. The second wall portion 75 includes a +X direction wall portion, a -X direction wall portion, a +Y direction wall portion, and a -Y direction wall portion of the cover portion 67. The second wall portion 75 protrudes in the -Z direction from the periphery of the first wall portion 73 toward the substrate 61 and is provided around the light source 51. That is, the second wall portion 75 covers the periphery of the light source 51. Of the five cover portions 67, the first cover portion 67 counting from the +Y direction has an open surface in the +Y direction.

[0033] The connecting portion 69 is provided in the −X direction relative to the five cover portions 67 and connects the five cover portions 67 together. That is, the five cover portions 67 are integrally formed via the connecting portion 69. The board cover 55 may not be provided with the connecting portion 69. That is, the board cover 55 may be configured such that the five cover portions 67 are formed separately.

[0034] As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 , the four first light-shielding portions 57 are arranged in the Y direction and are provided between the five icon display portions 53. The first light-shielding portions 57 are formed in the shape of a rectangular plate extending in the X direction. The first light-shielding portions 57 protrude in the −Z direction from the inner surface of the cover exterior portion 13, i.e., the surface in the −Z direction, toward the substrate 61. The first light-shielding portions 57 are formed by the non-light-transmitting portions 63 of the cover exterior portion 13. Note that the first light-shielding portions 57 are not limited to being rectangular plate-shaped, and may be configured, for example, in the shape of a cylinder that surrounds the periphery of the icon display portion 53.

[0035] As shown in FIGS. 5 and 8 , the four second light-shielding portions 59 are arranged in the Y direction between the five light sources 51, i.e., between the five cover portions 67. In other words, the board cover 55 is attached to the opening exterior portion 12 so that the second light-shielding portions 59 are inserted between the cover portions 67. The second light-shielding portions 59 are formed in the shape of a rectangular plate extending in the X direction. The second light-shielding portions 59 protrude in the −Z direction toward the board 61 from the inner surface of the wall portion between the cover openings 71 provided in the opening exterior portion 12, i.e., the surface in the −Z direction. Note that the second light-shielding portions 59 are not limited to being rectangular and may be formed in the shape of a cylinder surrounding the periphery of the light source 51, for example.

[0036] When the opening / closing cover 5 is closed, the first light-shielding portion 57 is located at a position corresponding to the second light-shielding portion 59. In other words, the first light-shielding portion 57 is located in the +Z direction, i.e., in the optical axis direction of the light source 51, with respect to the second light-shielding portion 59.

[0037] As shown in FIG. 5 , a switch member 77 is provided on the substrate 61, positioned in the −Y direction relative to the five light sources 51. The switch member 77 is provided in a position corresponding to the feed button 19 provided on the openable cover 5 when the openable cover 5 is closed. In addition, a switch opening 79 is provided in the opening exterior portion 12 at a position corresponding to the switch member 77. The switch opening 79 is covered with a flexible switch cover 81. When the user presses the feed button 19, the feed button 19 presses the switch member 77 via the switch cover 81. This switches the switch member 77 between on and off. When the switch member 77 is switched on, the feed motor 31 is activated, and the platen roller 35 rotates, thereby feeding the recording paper P toward the discharge port 15.

[0038] In this way, since the switch member 77 is provided on the same substrate 61 as the substrate 61 on which the light source 51 is provided, there is no need to prepare a plurality of substrates 61, and a simple structure can be achieved.

[0039] 9, the emitted light L emitted from the light source 51 is narrowed at the end of the second light-shielding portion 59 in the +Z direction. That is, of the emitted light L, the emitted light La is blocked by the second light-shielding portion 59 from reaching the adjacent icon display portion 53. The narrowed emitted light L is further prevented by the first light-shielding portion 57 from penetrating into the adjacent icon display portion 53. That is, of the emitted light L, the emitted light Lb is blocked by the first light-shielding portion 57 from reaching the adjacent icon display portion 53.

[0040] In this way, the panel unit 21 is provided with four first light-blocking portions 57 provided between the five icon display portions 53 and four second light-blocking portions 59 provided between the five light sources 51, thereby making it possible to prevent the light L emitted from the light source 51 from leaking to an adjacent icon display portion 53. This makes it possible to prevent the adjacent icon display portion 53 from being erroneously turned on. Note that the light L emitted from the light source 51 leaking to an adjacent icon display portion 53 means, for example, that the light L emitted from the second light source 51 counting from the +Y direction reaches not the second icon display portion 53 counting from the +Y direction, but the first or third icon display portion 53 adjacent thereto.

[0041] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the first light-shielding portion 57 is located at a position corresponding to the second light-shielding portion 59 when the opening / closing cover 5 is closed, thereby minimizing the gap that occurs between the first light-shielding portion 57 and the second light-shielding portion 59. Therefore, it is possible to effectively prevent the emitted light L from passing through the gap between the first light-shielding portion 57 and the second light-shielding portion 59 and entering the adjacent icon display portion 53.

[0042] Furthermore, the icon display unit 53 is provided within a range reached by the emitted light L that has passed through the first wall 73 without passing through the second wall 75. That is, as shown in FIG. 9 , of the emitted light L, emitted light Lc that has passed through the first wall 73 without passing through the second wall 75 reaches the icon display unit 53, but emitted light Lb that has passed through the second wall 75 and then the first wall 73 does not reach the icon display unit 53. This makes it possible to prevent variations in the transmission distance of the emitted light L that reaches the icon display unit 53 through the cover unit 67. This makes it possible to prevent uneven brightness in the icon display unit 53 that would be caused by variations in the transmission distance of the emitted light L through the cover unit 67.

[0043] [Other variations] It goes without saying that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various configurations can be adopted within the scope of the spirit thereof. For example, the above-described embodiment can be modified in the following manner in addition to the above. Furthermore, the embodiment and the modified examples may be combined with each other.

[0044] The first light-shielding portion 57 is not limited to being provided on the cover exterior portion 13 on which the icon display portion 53 is provided, but may be provided on a member separate from the cover exterior portion 13. Furthermore, the second light-shielding portion 59 is not limited to being provided on the opening exterior portion 12, but may be provided on a member separate from the opening exterior portion 12, for example, on the substrate 61.

[0045] The cover portion 67 is not limited to a configuration including the first wall portion 73 and the second wall portion 75, and may be configured, for example, to include only the first wall portion 73 of the first wall portion 73 and the second wall portion 75. Even with this configuration, the cover opening 71 is blocked by the first wall portion 73, so that it is possible to prevent foreign matter from entering the light source 51 through the cover opening 71.

[0046] [Note] The following additional information is provided regarding the printing device. The printing device comprises a device main body, an opening / closing cover rotatably mounted on the device main body, a plurality of light sources mounted on the device main body, a plurality of icon display units mounted on the opening / closing cover and positioned at positions corresponding to the plurality of light sources when the opening / closing cover is closed, a first light-shielding unit mounted on the opening / closing cover and positioned between the plurality of icon display units, and a second light-shielding unit mounted on the device main body and positioned between the plurality of light sources.

[0047] This configuration can prevent light emitted from the light source from leaking to the adjacent icon display section.

[0048] In this case, it is preferable that the first light-shielding portion be located at a position corresponding to the second light-shielding portion when the opening / closing cover is closed.

[0049] This configuration minimizes the gap between the first and second light-shielding portions, effectively preventing light emitted from the light source from passing through the gap between the first and second light-shielding portions and entering the adjacent icon display portion.

[0050] In this case, it is preferable to provide a plurality of cover portions that respectively cover the plurality of light sources and transmit the light emitted from the light sources.

[0051] This configuration can prevent foreign matter from entering the light source.

[0052] In this case, it is preferable that the cover portion has a first wall portion provided between the light source and the icon display portion and a second wall portion provided around the light source, and that the icon display portion is provided within a range reached by the emitted light that has passed through the first wall portion without passing through the second wall portion.

[0053] This configuration can prevent variations in the transmission distance through the cover of the emitted light reaching the icon display unit, thereby preventing uneven brightness in the icon display unit due to variations in the transmission distance through the cover of the emitted light.

[0054] In this case, it is preferable that the device has a substrate on which multiple light sources are provided, the opening / closing cover is provided with an operation button, and the substrate is provided with a switch member that is switched on and off by the operation button when the opening / closing cover is closed.

[0055] According to this configuration, the switch member is provided on the same substrate as the substrate on which the light source is provided, so there is no need to prepare multiple substrates, and a simple structure can be achieved. The forward button 19 is an example of an "operation button."

[0056] In this case, it is preferable that the opening / closing cover has a non-translucent portion made of a non-translucent material and a translucent portion made of a translucent material, the non-translucent portion and the translucent portion being molded integrally, and the icon display portion being made of the translucent portion.

[0057] With this configuration, the non-transmitting portion and the transmitting portion are molded as a single unit, eliminating any gap between the non-transmitting portion and the transmitting portion, thereby preventing dust from accumulating on the opening and closing cover. [Explanation of symbols]

[0058] 1...printing device, 3...device main body, 5...opening / closing cover, 51...light source, 53...icon display section, 57...first light-shielding section, 59...second light-shielding section, 61...board, 63...non-light-transmitting section, 65...light-transmitting section, 67...cover section, 73...first wall section, 75...second wall section, 77...switch member.

Claims

1. A device body, an opening / closing cover rotatably provided on the device body; a plurality of light sources provided in the device body; a plurality of icon display units provided on the opening / closing cover and positioned at positions corresponding to the plurality of light sources when the opening / closing cover is closed; a first light-blocking portion provided on the opening / closing cover, protruding from the opening / closing cover toward a substrate on which the plurality of light sources are provided, and provided between the plurality of icon display portions; a second light blocking unit disposed on the device body and positioned between the plurality of light sources so as to limit light emitted from the light sources toward the icon display unit; A printing device comprising:

2. 2. The printing device according to claim 1, wherein the first light-blocking portion is located at a position corresponding to the second light-blocking portion when the access cover is closed.

3. 3. The printing device according to claim 1, further comprising a plurality of cover portions that respectively cover the plurality of light sources and transmit light emitted from the light sources.

4. the cover portion has a first wall portion provided between the light source and the icon display portion and a second wall portion provided around the light source, 4. The printing device according to claim 3, wherein the icon display section is provided within a range reached by the emitted light that has passed through the first wall section but not the second wall section.

5. a substrate on which a plurality of the light sources are provided, The opening / closing cover is provided with an operation button, 5. The printing device according to claim 1, wherein the board is provided with a switch member that is switched on and off by the operation button when the opening / closing cover is closed.

6. The opening and closing cover is a non-transparent portion made of a non-transparent material; a light-transmitting portion made of a light-transmitting material, the non-transmitting portion and the transmitting portion are integrally molded, 6. The printing device according to claim 1, wherein the icon display section is configured by the light-transmitting section.

7. A device body, an opening / closing cover rotatably provided on the device body; a plurality of light sources provided in the device body; a plurality of icon display units provided on the opening / closing cover and positioned at positions corresponding to the plurality of light sources when the opening / closing cover is closed; a first light-blocking portion provided on the opening / closing cover and disposed between the plurality of icon display portions; a second light-shielding portion provided in the device body and positioned between the plurality of light sources; a substrate on which a plurality of the light sources are provided, The opening / closing cover is provided with an operation button, The printing device is characterized in that the board is provided with a switch member that is switched on and off by the operation button when the opening / closing cover is closed.

Images