Printing apparatus

Abstract

To provide a printer which enables improvement of flexibility of the layout of the printer in a housing.SOLUTION: A body unit 10 is disposed within an upper housing 110 and assembled by fastening bolts 9 to insert nuts 53, 56. A platen unit 20 is disposed within a lower housing 120 and assembled by fastening bolts 9 to insert nuts 92, 95. A housing 100, into which a printer 1 which discharges printed print mediums from cutout parts 111, 121 on a front surface is assembled, can be obtained by coupling the body unit 10 and the platen unit 20. Since the printer 1 includes multiple insert nuts, the printer 1 can be assembled to a housing, which is properly designed according to the use, in an arbitrary direction.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

[Technical Field]

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

[0002] The printing device described in Patent Document 1 places a tape with a thermal label affixed between a thermal head and a platen roller. The platen roller transports the tape while pressing it against the thermal head. The thermal head prints characters on the thermal label by heating it. The main body of the printing device has a storage compartment for a roll of tape. A cover is supported on the main body so as to be able to open and close, and closes the opening of the storage compartment. The thermal head is provided on the main body, and the platen roller is rotatably supported by a platen holder provided on the underside of the cover near the front end. When the cover is open, the thermal head and platen roller are separated from each other, and when the cover is closed, the thermal head and platen roller are close to each other. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2019-26416 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In the printing device of Patent Document 1, the cover of the printing device is integrated with the main body, so when the printing device is placed inside a housing and used as an embedded unit, for example, it must be embedded inside the housing in a way that ensures that the cover can be opened and closed, which creates a problem in that it limits the degree of freedom in layout of the printing device inside the housing.

[0005] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide a printing device that improves the degree of freedom in the layout of the printing device within the housing. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a printing device having a first unit having a print head that prints on a print medium, and a second unit having a platen roller that transports the print medium and is capable of printing on the print medium through cooperation between the print head and the platen roller, wherein the first unit and the second unit can be connected together as a single unit and can also be separated into completely separate units, and the printing device is characterized in that it is equipped with a first fixing member provided on at least one surface of the exterior of the first unit for fixing the first unit to a housing, and a second fixing member provided on at least one surface of the exterior of the second unit for fixing the second unit to the housing.

[0007] Both the first unit and the second unit are provided with fixing members for fixing the printing device of this embodiment to the housing. Therefore, depending on the application of the housing, it is possible to fix either the first unit side or the second unit side to the housing. This allows for freedom in the layout of the printing device within the housing, allowing the housing designer to freely design the housing according to the application.

[0008] The first fixing member of this aspect may be provided on two or more surfaces of the exterior of the first unit. The first fixing member for fixing the printing device to the housing is provided on multiple surfaces of the exterior of the first unit. Therefore, when fixing the first unit to the housing, the designer of the housing can freely select the fixing surface, allowing for greater freedom in the layout of the printing device within the housing. Furthermore, since the first unit can be fixed to the housing on multiple surfaces of the exterior of the first unit, the first unit can be more reliably fixed to the housing.

[0009] The second fixing member of this aspect may be provided on two or more surfaces of the exterior of the second unit. The second fixing member for fixing the printing device to the housing is provided on multiple surfaces of the exterior of the second unit. Therefore, when fixing the second unit to the housing, the designer of the housing can freely select the fixing surface, allowing for greater freedom in the layout of the printing device within the housing. Furthermore, since the second unit can be fixed to the housing on multiple surfaces of the exterior of the second unit, the second unit can be more reliably fixed to the housing.

[0010] In this aspect, when the first unit and the second unit are combined, the print head and the platen roller each extend in a first direction, the first fixing member may be provided on a first side surface and a second side surface of the exterior of the first unit that intersect with the first direction, and the second fixing member may be provided on a third side surface and a fourth side surface of the exterior of the second unit that intersect with the first direction. When a portion for fixing the printing device to the housing is provided on the housing so as to fix the printing device from both sides in the first direction, the fixing portion can fix both the first unit and the second unit. In other words, since it is possible to fix either the first unit or the second unit to a single fixing portion depending on the application of the housing, housing designers can freely design the housing according to the application.

[0011] In this aspect, the first fixing member may be provided on a first surface of the exterior of the first unit, and the second fixing member may be provided on a second surface of the exterior of the second unit that is located on the opposite side from the first surface in a second direction that intersects the first surface when the first unit and the second unit are joined. When a portion for fixing a printing device to the housing is provided on the housing so as to fix the printing device in the second direction, the first surface of the exterior of the first unit can be fixed to the fixing portion, and the second surface of the exterior of the second unit can also be fixed to the fixing portion. In other words, since it is possible to fix either the first unit or the second unit to a single fixing portion depending on the use of the housing, housing designers can freely design the housing according to the use.

[0012] In this aspect, when the first unit and the second unit are coupled together, an outlet for discharging the print medium printed by the print head and transported by the platen roller to the outside may be provided between the first unit and the second unit, the first fixing member being provided on a first outlet surface of the exterior of the first unit that includes the outlet, and the second fixing member being provided on a second outlet surface of the exterior of the first unit that includes the outlet. When the first unit is fixed to the housing, the first unit is fixed by the first fixing member provided on the first outlet surface that includes the outlet. Therefore, when providing an outlet for printed print media in the housing, it is easy to position the outlet to match the outlet. Furthermore, since the position of the outlet is unlikely to shift relative to the outlet, it is easy to cut the print medium after printing. Similarly, when the second unit is fixed to the housing, the second unit is fixed by the second fixing member provided on the second outlet surface that includes the outlet. Therefore, when providing an outlet for printed print media in the housing, it is easy to position the outlet to match the outlet. Furthermore, since the position of the outlet is unlikely to shift relative to the outlet, it is easy to cut the print medium after printing.

[0013] In this aspect, the first fixing members may be provided on the exterior of the first unit on a first side surface and a second side surface that intersect with the first direction in which the print head and the platen roller extend when the first unit and the second unit are coupled together, a first ejection surface that includes the print medium ejection outlet provided between the first unit and the second unit when the first unit and the second unit are coupled together, a first surface that is located on the opposite side of the first ejection surface with respect to a second direction that intersects with the first ejection surface, and a second surface and a third surface that intersect with a third direction that intersects with the first and second directions, while the second fixing members may be provided on the exterior of the second unit on a third side surface and a fourth side surface that intersect with the first direction, the second ejection surface that includes the ejection outlet, and a fourth surface that is located on the same side as the third surface in the third direction when the first unit and the second unit are coupled together. First fixing members and second fixing members for fixing the printing device to a housing are provided on multiple surfaces of the exterior of the first unit and multiple surfaces of the exterior of the second unit, respectively. Therefore, when fixing the first unit, the second unit, or both to the housing, the housing designer can freely select the fixing surface, allowing for greater freedom in the layout of the printing device inside the housing. Furthermore, because the first unit and the second unit can be fixed to the housing using multiple surfaces on the exterior of the first unit and multiple surfaces on the exterior of the second unit, the first unit and the second unit can be fixed to the housing more reliably.

[0014] In this aspect, the first distance between the position of the first fixing member on the third surface and the position of the second fixing member on the fourth surface, the second distance between the position of the first fixing member on the first ejection surface and the position of the second fixing member on the second ejection surface, the third distance between the position of the first fixing member on the first side surface and the position of the second fixing member on the third side surface, and the fourth distance between the position of the first fixing member on the second side surface and the position of the second fixing member on the fourth side surface may be the same. Because the distances between the positions of the first fixing members on each surface of the first unit and the positions of the second fixing members on each corresponding surface of the second unit are the same, the printing device can be fixed to a fixing portion provided on the housing using any combination of the third and fourth surfaces, the first and second ejection surfaces, the first and third side surfaces, or the second and fourth side surfaces. This allows housing designers to freely design the housing according to their intended use.

[0015] In this aspect, the first fixing members may be provided at two locations on each of the first surface, the second surface, the third surface, and the first discharge surface, at positions spaced a fifth distance apart in the first direction, and the second fixing members may be provided at two locations on each of the fourth surface and the second discharge surface, at positions spaced a fifth distance apart in the first direction. By providing fixing portions at two locations on the housing that are spaced a fifth distance apart, it is possible to fix either the first surface, the second surface, the third surface, or the first discharge surface of the first unit, or the fourth surface or the second discharge surface of the second unit. This allows housing designers to freely design the housing according to the intended use. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0016] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the printing device 1 as seen from above and from the front right. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the printing device 1 as seen from the left. [Figure 3] 1 is a perspective view of the printing apparatus 1 with the main body unit 10 and the platen unit 20 separated, as viewed from above and from the right front. [Figure 4]1 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the printing apparatus 1 with the main body unit 10 and the platen unit 20 separated, as viewed from the left side. [Figure 5] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the printing device 1 installed in the housing 100 with the discharge port 7 facing forward. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the printing device 1 installed in the housing 200 with the discharge port 7 facing upward. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0017] An embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The drawings are used to explain technical features that can be adopted by the present invention, and the configurations, controls, etc. of the described devices are merely illustrative examples and are not intended to limit the present invention.

[0018] First, an overview of the printing device 1 will be described. The printing device 1 can be connected to an external terminal (not shown) via wired or wireless communication, such as a USB (registered trademark) cable, Wi-Fi (registered trademark), or Bluetooth (registered trademark). The printing device 1 can print characters, such as letters and figures, on a print medium based on print data received from the external terminal. The print medium is a strip-shaped thermal label, which is a non-adhesive tape with no adhesive attached. The print medium may be an adhesive tape with adhesive attached to one side of the thermal label and affixed to a backing, or it may be a so-called linerless tape with adhesive attached to one side of the thermal label but no backing. The print medium is provided in the form of a roll wound around a core material or in the form of a folded sheet. The external terminal is a general-purpose personal computer (PC).

[0019] The printing device 1 can be used by being installed in a housing 100 (see FIG. 5). The housing 100 can take various forms depending on the type of service provided using the printing device 1. The exterior covers 11, 12, and 21 of the printing device 1 are provided with a plurality of insert nuts 51-76 and 91-96 used to secure the printing device 1 within the housing 100. This allows the user to select the orientation for installing the printing device 1 within the housing 100 as appropriate depending on the intended use of the housing 100.

[0020] The configuration of the printing apparatus 1 will be described with reference to Figures 1 to 4. The lower left, upper right, upper left, lower right, upper, and lower sides of Figure 1 are defined as the front, rear, left, right, upper, and lower sides of the printing apparatus 1, respectively. The printing apparatus 1 is a roughly rectangular box extending in the left-right direction, and has a main unit 10 and a platen unit 20. The main unit 10 is a unit that has a print head 3. The platen unit 20 is a unit that has a platen roller 2. The platen unit 20 forms the lower front part of the printing apparatus 1, and the main unit 10 forms the upper front and rear parts of the printing apparatus 1. The main unit 10 and the platen unit 20 can be connected together (see Figure 1), or can be separated into completely separate entities (see Figure 3).

[0021] The main unit 10 includes exterior covers 11 and 12, an operation unit 14, a print head 3, a drive mechanism (not shown), and a control board 16. The exterior cover 11 covers the upper part of the front portion of the printing device 1 and has a front surface 11A, a top surface 11B, a left side surface 11C, and a right side surface 11D. The front surface 11A forms the upper portion of the front of the printing device 1, and the top surface 11B forms the front portion of the top surface of the printing device 1. The left side surface 11C forms the front and upper portion of the left side of the printing device 1, and the right side surface 11D forms the front and upper portion of the right side of the printing device 1. The exterior cover 12 covers the rear portion of the printing device 1 and has a rear surface 12E, a top surface 12B, a left side surface 12C, a right side surface 12D, and a bottom surface 12F. The rear surface 12E forms the rear surface of the printing device 1, and the top surface 12B forms the rear portion of the top surface of the printing device 1. The left side surface 12C forms the rear portion of the left side surface of the printing device 1, the right side surface 12D forms the rear portion of the right side surface of the printing device 1, and the bottom surface 12F forms the rear portion of the bottom surface of the printing device 1.

[0022] Insert nuts 51-56 are embedded in the corresponding upper left and upper right corners of the exterior cover 11 on the front surface 11A, top surface 11B, left side surface 11C, and right side surface 11D. Insert nuts 69-72 are embedded below the insert nuts 51 and 54 on the front surface 11A, below the insert nut 53 on the left side surface 11C, and below the insert nut 56 on the right side surface 11D. Insert nuts 57-68 are embedded in the corresponding upper left, lower left, upper right, and lower right corners of the exterior cover 12 on the top surface 12B, left side surface 12C, right side surface 12D, rear surface 12E, and bottom surface 12F. The insert nuts 51-68 are provided at equal intervals from each corner of the main unit 10. The insert nuts 69-72 are provided at positions where the distance from the insert nuts 91, 92, 94, and 95 is equal to the distance from the insert nuts 63 and 66. The insert nuts 51-72 can be fastened with bolts 9 (described below) for fixing the main unit 10 to the housing 100 in which the printing device 1 is installed.

[0023] The main unit 10 has an operation unit 14 on the front surface 11A of the exterior cover 11. The operation unit 14 has an input unit that accepts operations such as inputting various information and turning the power on and off, and a display unit that displays various information. Below the operation unit 14 is an outlet 7 through which printed print media is ejected. The outlet 7 is provided on the front surface of the printing device 1, at the joint between the main unit 10 and the platen unit 20 when they are joined. The front surface 11A of the exterior cover 11 includes an area where the outlet 7 is formed at its lower end, and is inclined rearward and downward toward the inside of the outlet 7. The outlet 7 has a cutting blade 15 on the main unit 10 side that cuts the print media after printing. The cutting blade 15 extends in the left-right direction and is used when pulling the printed print media toward the main unit 10 to cut it.

[0024] The print head 3 is located behind the cutting blade 15. The print head 3 has multiple heating elements on its underside. The multiple heating elements are arranged in a row in the left-right direction. The print head 3 prints characters on the thermal label by heating the print medium. A heat sink 4 is located above the print head 3. The print head 3 and heat sink 4 are fixed together and are urged downward by the force of a spring 5.

[0025] The lower front portion of the main unit 10 is a detachable section 18 to which a platen unit 20 can be attached. The platen unit 20 can be connected to the main unit 10 at the detachable section 18, and can also be separated from the main unit 10 as a completely separate unit at the detachable section 18. With the platen unit 20 separated, the print head 3 is exposed to the outside at the detachable section 18.

[0026] The drive mechanism is a motor (not shown) provided on the right side inside the main unit 10, and is connected via multiple gears to a main gear (not shown) provided on the lower right front of the main unit 10. When the main unit 10 and platen unit 20 are connected, the main gear meshes with a platen gear 24 provided on the right end of the platen roller 2 of the platen unit 20. The rotational drive force of the motor is transmitted to the platen roller 2 via the main gear and platen gear, causing the platen roller 2 to rotate.

[0027] The control board 16 is provided at the upper rear of the print head 3. The control board 16 is equipped with a CPU, ROM, RAM, etc., and controls the operation of the printing device 1. The printing device 1 is powered by an external power source, but a battery can be installed at the rear of the main unit 10, and the printing device 1 can also be powered by the battery.

[0028] A print medium supply port 8 is provided at the bottom of the printing device 1. The supply port 8 is provided at the bottom of the printing device 1, where the main unit 10 and platen unit 20 join together when they are joined. The portion of the exterior cover 12 of the main unit 10 that forms the bottom surface 12F is provided separately as a guide member 13. The guide member 13 extends forward from the lower rear corner, bends toward the inside of the supply port 8, and extends upward and forward to near the print head 3. The guide member 13 guides the print medium inserted into the supply port 8 to the print head 3. When the platen unit 20 is separated, the guide member 13 is exposed to the outside at the attachment / detachment section 18.

[0029] The main unit 10 has a separation lever 17 on its left side. The separation lever 17 is a lever that the user operates to separate the platen unit 20, which is integrally connected to the main unit 10. The separation lever 17 drives an engagement portion 19 of the attachment / detachment portion 18. The engagement portions 19 are provided in pairs at the lower left and lower right front positions of the main unit 10, outside the discharge opening 7 in the left-right direction. The engagement portion 19 is a portion that engages with a rotating shaft 2A (described below) of a platen roller 2 provided on the platen unit 20. When the separation lever 17 is not operated, the engagement portion 19 engages with the rotating shaft 2A to position the platen roller 2. A spring (not shown) is provided in the engagement portion 19. When the separation lever 17 is not operated, the engagement portion 19 is maintained in the shape it was in when it was engaged with the rotating shaft 2A due to the inertia of the spring. When the separation lever 17 is operated, the engagement portion 19 disengages from the rotary shaft 2A against the force of the spring, and the platen unit 20 becomes detachable from the attachment / detachment portion 18.

[0030] The platen unit 20 has an exterior cover 21, a platen roller 2, and a guide roller 22. The exterior cover 21 is a cover that covers the lower part of the front portion of the printing device 1 and has a front surface 21A, a left side surface 21C, a right side surface 21D, and a bottom surface 21F. The front surface 21A forms the lower portion of the front of the printing device 1, and the left side surface 21C forms the front and lower portion of the left side of the printing device 1. The right side surface 21D forms the front and lower portion of the right side of the printing device 1, and the bottom surface 21F forms the front portion of the bottom of the printing device 1. Insert nuts 91 to 96 are embedded in the lower left and lower right front corners of the exterior cover 21, on the corresponding surfaces of the front surface 21A, left side surface 21C, right side surface 21D, and bottom surface 21F. The insert nuts 91-96 are provided at equal intervals from each corner of the platen unit 20, at the same intervals as the insert nuts 51-68 of the main unit 10. Bolts 9 can be fastened to the insert nuts 91-96 to secure the platen unit 20 to the housing 100 in which the printing device 1 is incorporated.

[0031] The front surface 21A of the exterior cover 21 includes an area where the discharge outlet 7 is formed at its upper end, and is inclined rearward and upward toward the inside of the discharge outlet 7. The discharge outlet 7 has a cutting blade 25 on the platen unit 20 side that cuts the print medium after printing. The cutting blade 25 extends in the left-right direction, and is used when pulling the print medium toward the platen unit 20 after printing to cut it.

[0032] The platen roller 2 is a cylindrical member that extends in the left-right direction. The platen roller 2 has a rotation shaft 2A that extends in the left-right direction. Both ends of the rotation shaft 2A protrude to the left and right sides of the platen roller 2, respectively. Both ends of the rotation shaft 2A are rotatably supported at the top inside the platen unit 20. When the main unit 10 and the platen unit 20 are connected, the platen roller 2 comes close to the heating element of the print head 3. When a print medium is placed between the print head 3 and the platen roller 2, the force of the spring 5 presses the print medium against the platen roller 2.

[0033] A platen gear 24 (see Figure 3) is provided at the right end of the rotation shaft 2A. When the main unit 10 and the platen unit 20 are connected, the platen gear 24 meshes with the main gear of the main unit 10. The platen roller 2 rotates by being driven by the motor of the main unit 10, and transports the printing medium while sandwiching it between itself and the print head 3.

[0034] The guide roller 22 is provided below and behind the platen roller 2. The guide roller 22 is a roller with multiple circular flanges aligned in the left-right direction, and is positioned approximately in the center of the guide member 13 of the main unit 10, with a gap between it and the guide member 13. The guide roller 22 forms a path for the printing medium between itself and the guide member 13, so that the printing medium inserted from the supply port 8 is guided to the print head 3 by the guide member 13 of the main unit 10.

[0035] Of the exterior cover 21 of the platen unit 20, the portion that forms the bottom surface 21F is provided separately as a guide member 23. The guide member 23 extends rearward from the front lower corner, bends toward the inside of the supply port 8, and extends rearward and upward toward the guide roller 22. The guide member 23 guides the print medium inserted into the supply port 8 from the front lower side to the guide roller 22, and then guides it to the print head 3 via the guide member 23.

[0036] As shown in Figure 2, when the main unit 10 and platen unit 20 are connected, the platen roller 2 contacts the print head 3 from below. The position where the platen roller 2 and print head 3 contact each other is called the "printing position P." Printing position P is the position where an image is formed on the thermal label when the heating element generates heat while the print medium is sandwiched between the platen roller 2 and the print head 3.

[0037] The print medium is guided by guide members 13, 23 and guide roller 22 and transported from the supply port 8 towards the print head 3. The transport path T for the print medium extends diagonally upward from the supply port 8. The transport path T then bends forward near the rear side of the print head 3, passes through printing position P, and extends forward towards the discharge port 7. The platen roller 2 comes into contact with the transport path T at printing position P. As shown in FIG. 4 , when the main unit 10 and platen unit 20 are connected, the transport path T is exposed to the outside at the attachment / detachment section 18 of the main unit 10.

[0038] Next, the locations of the insert nuts 51-72 of the main unit 10 and the insert nuts 91-96 of the platen unit 20 will be described. The insert nuts 51-68 are located at equal distances from adjacent corners. The insert nut 51 is located a distance A to the right of the upper left front corner and a distance A below it. The same is true for the insert nuts 52-68, which are each located a distance A away from the adjacent corner in two directions on the surface on which they are located: left-right, front-back, and up-down. This configuration allows the user to easily change the mounting orientation of the printing device 1 relative to the housing. For example, a corner of the printing device 1 can be aligned with a corner inside the housing into which the printing device 1 is installed. A hole that engages with one of the insert nuts 52-68 is provided in the housing, and a bolt is passed through and fastened to the insert nut to secure the printing device 1. In this case, in order to change the orientation of the printing device 1 relative to the housing, the user can align another corner of the printing device 1 with the corner of the housing where the hole is provided, and then fasten a bolt to one of the insert nuts through the already formed hole to secure the printing device 1.

[0039] The insert nuts 91-96 of the platen unit 20 are positioned relative to the insert nuts 69, 70, 65, 71, 72, and 68 of the main unit 10, respectively, so as to be paired with each other via the alignment positions of the main unit 10 and the platen unit 20. Specifically, the insert nuts 93 and 96 on the bottom surface 21F and the insert nuts 65 and 68 on the bottom surface 12F are spaced a distance I apart in the front-to-rear direction. The insert nuts 91 and 94 on the front surface 21A and the insert nuts 69 and 71 on the front surface 11A are spaced a distance II apart in the up-down direction. The insert nut 92 on the left side surface 21C and the insert nut 70 on the left side surface 11C are spaced a distance III apart in the up-down direction. The insert nut 95 on the right side surface 21D and the insert nut 72 on the right side surface 11D are spaced a distance IV apart in the up-down direction. These distances I, II, III, and IV are all the same. This configuration allows the user to easily change the installation orientation of the printing device 1. For example, the main unit 10 and the platen unit 20 are fixed to the housing using the above-mentioned paired insert nuts on the front, left or right side, or bottom of the printing device 1. In this case, if the user changes the orientation of the printing device 1 to change the mounting surface of the printing device 1 relative to the housing, the user can fasten bolts to the paired insert nuts of the main unit 10 and the platen unit 20 through the two holes that have already been formed, thereby fixing the printing device 1.

[0040] The insert nuts provided on the front, top, rear, and bottom surfaces of the printing device 1 are arranged in pairs in the left-right direction. Specifically, the insert nuts 91, 94 on the front surface 21A are arranged in pairs spaced a distance V apart in the left-right direction. The insert nuts 51, 54 on the front surface 11A are arranged in pairs spaced a distance V apart in the left-right direction. Similarly, the insert nuts 69, 71 are arranged in pairs spaced a distance V apart in the left-right direction. The insert nuts 52, 55 on the top surface 11B are arranged in pairs spaced a distance V apart in the left-right direction. The insert nuts 57, 60 on the top surface 12B are arranged in pairs spaced a distance V apart in the left-right direction. The insert nuts 59, 62 on the rear surface 12E are arranged in pairs spaced a distance V apart in the left-right direction. Similarly, the insert nuts 64, 67 are arranged in pairs spaced a distance V apart in the left-right direction. The insert nuts 93, 96 on the bottom surface 21F are arranged in pairs spaced a distance V apart in the left-right direction. The insert nuts 65, 68 on the bottom surface 12F are provided as a pair, spaced a distance V apart in the left-right direction. This configuration allows the user to easily change the mounting orientation of the printing device 1. For example, a pair of insert nuts spaced a distance V apart in the left-right direction are used on the front, top, rear, or bottom surface of the printing device 1 to secure it to the housing with two bolts. In this case, if the user changes the orientation of the printing device 1 to change the mounting surface of the printing device 1 relative to the housing, they can secure the printing device 1 by fastening bolts to each of the pair of insert nuts spaced a distance V apart in the left-right direction through the two holes that have already been formed.

[0041] An example of how the printer 1 is installed in a housing 100 will be described. The printer 1 can be installed in various types of housings 100. The housing 100 shown in FIG. 5 has a box-shaped upper housing 110 and a lower housing 120 that can be separated into upper and lower housings. The upper housing 110 has an open bottom, allowing the main unit 10 to be installed inside. The left-right length of the interior of the upper housing 110 is the same as the left-right length of the main unit 10. A cutout 111 extending in the left-right direction is formed at the lower end of the front of the upper housing 110. An opening 112 is formed above the cutout 111. Threaded holes are formed in the upper left and right sides of the upper housing 110 near the front. The main unit 10 is inserted into the upper housing 110, and bolts 9 inserted through the threaded holes are fastened to insert nuts 53 on the left side 11C and insert nuts 56 on the right side 11D. As a result, the main unit 10 is incorporated into the upper housing 110, the operation unit 14 is exposed to the outside of the housing 100 through the opening 112, and the discharge port 7 on the main unit 10 side is located at the position of the notch 111.

[0042] The upper part of the lower housing 120 is open, and the platen unit 20 can be installed inside. The left-right length of the interior of the lower housing 120 is the same as the left-right length of the platen unit 20. A notch 121 extending in the left-right direction is also formed in the upper end of the front surface of the lower housing 120. Threaded holes are formed in the upper part of the left and right sides of the lower housing 120, near the front surface. The platen unit 20 is inserted into the lower housing 120, and bolts 9 inserted through the threaded holes are fastened to an insert nut 92 on the left side surface 21C and an insert nut 95 on the right side surface 21D. As a result, the platen unit 20 is installed inside the lower housing 120, and the discharge port 7 on the platen unit 20 side is located at the position of the notch 121.

[0043] The lower housing 120 is elongated in the vertical direction and can accommodate a roll M on which a tape-like printing medium is wound. The printing medium unwound from the roll M covers the platen unit 20 and is pulled out of the lower housing 120 through the notch 121, and is positioned on the conveyance path T (see FIG. 2) on the platen unit 20 side. In this state, the upper housing 110 is placed over the lower housing 120 and moved so that the platen unit 20 is positioned at the attachment / detachment section 18 of the main unit 10. The rotation shaft 2A of the platen roller 2 engages with the engagement section 19, and the main unit 10 and the platen unit 20 are integrally joined. The upper housing 110 is placed on the lower housing 120. The notches 111 and 121 form an opening in the housing 100, exposing the discharge port 7 of the printing device 1. In this way, users can provide services using the housing 100, which has the printing device 1 built in and from which printed printing medium is discharged from the front side.

[0044] When assembling the printing device 1 to the housing 100, four screw holes may be formed in the front surfaces of the upper housing 110 and the lower housing 120. Four bolts 9 are inserted into the screw holes and fastened to the insert nuts 51 and 54 on the front surface 11A and the insert nuts 91 and 94 on the front surface 21A. The main body unit 10 is incorporated into the upper housing 110, and the platen unit 20 is incorporated into the lower housing 120. In this way, it is possible to change the fastening positions of the bolts 9 as needed without changing the orientation of the printing device 1 to be incorporated into the housing 100.

[0045] The housing 200 shown in FIG. 6 is, for example, tray-shaped. The top of the housing 200 is open, and the main unit 10 can be installed in the rear interior. The left-right length of the interior of the housing 200 is the same as the left-right length of the main unit 10. A pair of screw holes is formed on the rear side of each of the left and right sides of the housing 200. The main unit 10 is placed inside the housing 200 with the rear surface 12E facing downward, and four bolts 9 inserted through the screw holes are fastened to the insert nuts 58 and 63 on the left side surface 12C and the insert nuts 61 and 66 on the right side surface 12D, respectively. As a result, the main unit 10 is installed inside the housing 200 with the discharge port 7 facing upward. The platen unit 20 is exposed in the housing 200.

[0046] The housing 200 can be used to place print media, such as fanfold paper N, which is a folded strip of thermal label, on the front side of the printing device 1. With the platen unit 20 separated from the main unit 10, the user places the print media being fed from the fanfold paper N on the transport path T (see FIG. 2) on the main unit 10 side. In this state, the platen unit 20 is placed in the attachment / detachment section 18 of the main unit 10. The rotation shaft 2A of the platen roller 2 engages with the engagement section 19, and the main unit 10 and the platen unit 20 are joined together. The discharge port 7 of the printing device 1 is located at the top of the housing 200. In this way, users can provide services that utilize the housing 200, into which the printing device 1 is built and from which printed print media is discharged upward.

[0047] It is also possible to use a tray-shaped top cover housing (not shown) that can cover the entire printing device 1 on top of the housing 200, and to incorporate the platen unit 20 into that housing. The top cover housing has openings formed therein to expose the operation unit 14 and the discharge port 7. In this way, when the platen unit 20 is connected to the main unit 10, the printing device 1 can be covered and hidden by the top cover housing and the housing 200.

[0048] As described above, in the printing device 1, the main unit 10 and the platen unit 20 are connected in a completely separable manner. This allows for flexibility in the layout of the printing device 1. Furthermore, since the main unit 10 and the platen unit 20 are connected in a completely separable manner, replacement of the print medium becomes easy. Furthermore, insert nuts 51-72 and 91-96 for fixing the printing device 1 to the housing 100 are provided on both the main unit 10 and the platen unit 20. Therefore, depending on the application of the housing 100, the main unit 10 side or the platen unit 20 side can be fixed to the housing 100. Since the layout of the printing device 1 within the housing 100 can be freely designed, the designer of the housing 100 can freely design the housing 100 depending on the application.

[0049] Insert nuts 51-72 for fixing the printing device 1 to the housing 100 are provided on multiple surfaces of the exterior covers 11, 12 of the main unit 10. Therefore, when fixing the main unit 10 to the housing 100, the designer of the housing 100 can freely select the fixing surface, allowing for greater freedom in the layout of the printing device 1 within the housing 100. Furthermore, because the main unit 10 can be fixed to the housing 100 on multiple surfaces of the exterior covers 11, 12 of the main unit 10, fixing the main unit 10 to the housing 100 can be more reliably performed.

[0050] Insert nuts 91-96 for fixing the printing device 1 to the housing 100 are provided on multiple surfaces of the exterior cover 21 of the platen unit 20. Therefore, when fixing the platen unit 20 to the housing 100, the designer of the housing 100 can freely select the fixing surface, allowing for greater freedom in the layout of the printing device 1 within the housing 100. Furthermore, because the platen unit 20 can be fixed to the housing 100 on multiple surfaces of the exterior cover 21 of the platen unit 20, fixing the platen unit 20 to the housing 100 can be more reliably performed.

[0051] When the housing 100 is provided with portions for fixing the printing device 1 to the housing 100 so as to fix the printing device 1 from both the left and right sides of the printing device 1, the fixing portions can fix both the main unit 10 and the platen unit 20. In other words, depending on the application of the housing 100, it is possible to fix either the main unit 10 or the platen unit 20 to one fixing portion, so the designer of the housing 100 can freely design the housing 100 according to the application.

[0052] When a portion for fixing the printer 1 to the housing 100 is provided on the housing 100 so as to fix the printer 1 in the up-down or front-to-back direction of the printer 1, the top surface 11B or rear surface 12E of the exterior covers 11, 12 of the main unit 10 can be fixed to the fixing portion, or the bottom surface 21F or front surface 21A of the exterior covers 11, 12 of the platen unit 20 can also be fixed to the fixing portion. In other words, depending on the application of the housing 100, either the main unit 10 or the platen unit 20 can be fixed to one fixing portion, allowing the designer of the housing 100 to freely design the housing 100 according to the application.

[0053] When the main unit 10 is fixed to the housing 100, the main unit 10 is fixed with insert nuts 51, 54, 69, and 71 provided on the front surface 11A, which includes the discharge port 7. Therefore, when providing an outlet (notch 111) for the printed print medium in the housing 100, it is easy to position the notch 111 at a position that aligns with the discharge port 7. Furthermore, because the position of the discharge port 7 is unlikely to shift relative to the notch 111, it is easy to cut the print medium after printing. Similarly, when the platen unit 20 is fixed to the housing 100, the platen unit 20 is fixed with insert nuts 91 and 94 provided on the front surface 21A, which includes the discharge port 7. Therefore, when providing an outlet for the printed print medium in the housing 100, it is easy to position the outlet (notch 121) at a position that aligns with the discharge port 7. Furthermore, because the position of the discharge port 7 is unlikely to shift relative to the notch 121, it is easy to cut the print medium after printing.

[0054] Insert nuts 51-72 and 91-96 for fixing the printing device 1 to the housing 100 are provided on multiple surfaces of the exterior covers 11 and 12 of the main unit 10 and multiple surfaces of the exterior cover 21 of the platen unit 20, respectively. Therefore, when fixing the main unit 10, the platen unit 20, or both to the housing 100, the designer of the housing 100 can freely select the fixing surfaces, allowing for greater freedom in the layout of the printing device 1 within the housing 100. Furthermore, because the main unit 10 and the platen unit 20 can be fixed to the housing 100 on multiple surfaces of the exterior covers 11 and 12 of the main unit 10 and multiple surfaces of the exterior cover 21 of the platen unit 20, the main unit 10 and the platen unit 20 can be fixed to the housing 100 more reliably.

[0055] Because the distance between the positions of insert nuts 63, 66, 69, 71, 70, and 72 on each face of main unit 10 and the positions of insert nuts 92, 95, 91, 94, 92, and 95 on each face of platen unit 20 corresponding to each face is the same, printing device 1 can be fixed to fixing portions provided on housing 100 using any combination of left side face 12C and left side face 21C, right side face 12D and right side face 21D, or front face 11A and front face 21A. Therefore, the designer of housing 100 can freely design housing 100 according to the application.

[0056] By providing fixing portions at two locations on the housing 100 that are spaced a distance V apart, it is possible to fix either the rear surface 12E, the top surface 11B, the top surface 12B, the bottom surface 12F, or the front surface 11A of the main unit 10, or the bottom surface 21F or the front surface 21A of the platen unit 20. This allows the designer of the housing 100 to freely design the housing 100 according to the intended use.

[0057] In the above embodiment, the main unit 10 corresponds to the "first unit" of the present invention. The platen unit 20 corresponds to the "second unit" of the present invention. The exterior covers 11 and 12 correspond to the "exterior of the first unit" of the present invention. The insert nuts 51 to 72 correspond to the "first fixing member" of the present invention. The exterior cover 21 corresponds to the "exterior of the second unit" of the present invention. The insert nuts 91 to 93 correspond to the "second fixing member" of the present invention. The left-right direction corresponds to the "first direction" of the present invention. The left side surfaces 11C and 12C correspond to the "first side surface" of the present invention. The right side surfaces 11D and 12D correspond to the "second side surface" of the present invention. The left side surface 21C corresponds to the "third side surface" of the present invention. The right side surface 21D corresponds to the "fourth side surface" of the present invention.

[0058] In claim 5 of the present invention, the top surface 11B or the rear surface 12E corresponds to the "first surface," and in claim 7, the rear surface 12E corresponds to the "first surface." In claim 5 of the present invention, the up-down direction or the front-back direction corresponds to the "second direction," and in claim 7, the front-back direction corresponds to the "second direction." In claim 5 of the present invention, the bottom surface 21F or the front surface 21A corresponds to the "second surface," and in claim 7, the top surfaces 11B, 12B correspond to the "second surface." The front surface 11A corresponds to the "first discharge surface" of the present invention. The front surface 21A corresponds to the "second discharge surface" of the present invention. The up-down direction corresponds to the "third direction" of the present invention. The bottom surface 12F corresponds to the "third surface" of the present invention.

[0059] The present invention allows for various modifications to the above-described embodiment. The printing device 1 includes multiple insert nuts 51-72, 91-96, but not all of these need to be included. For example, one insert nut each may be provided on the main unit 10 and the platen unit 20, or two may be provided on each pair. Instead of the insert nuts 51-72, 91-96, fixing brackets may be provided at the respective positions. The nuts are not limited to insert molding, and may be provided by fitting or fixing using an adhesive. Furthermore, the printing device 1 may be fixed to the housing 100 in one or two locations, but may also be fixed by fastening bolts 9 to the insert nuts in multiple locations. [Explanation of symbols]

[0060] 1 Printing device 2 Platen roller 3 print heads 7 Outlet 10 Main unit 11, 12, 21 Exterior cover 11A,21A front 11B,12B Top surface 11C,12C,21C Left side 11D, 12D, 21D right side 12E Rear 12F, 21F bottom 20 Platen unit 51~76,91~96 Insert nut 100,200 units I, II, III, IV, V Distance

Claims

1. a first unit having a print head for printing on a print medium; a second unit having a platen roller that transports the print medium, and capable of printing on the print medium through cooperation between the print head and the platen roller; A printing device having: The first unit and the second unit can be integrally connected and can be separated into completely separate units, a first fixing member provided on at least one surface of an exterior of the first unit for fixing the first unit to a housing; a second fixing member provided on at least one surface of the exterior of the second unit, for fixing the second unit to the housing; Equipped with and, When the first unit and the second unit are coupled together, the print head and the platen roller each extend in a first direction, the first fixing members are provided on a first side surface and a second side surface of the exterior of the first unit that intersect with the first direction, the second fixing members are provided on a third side surface and a fourth side surface of the exterior of the second unit that intersect with the first direction, and, an outlet for discharging the print medium printed by the print head and transported by the platen roller to the outside is provided between the first unit and the second unit when the first unit and the second unit are coupled together; the first fixing member is provided on a first discharge surface including the discharge port on an exterior of the first unit, the second fixing member is provided on a second discharge surface including the discharge port on the exterior of the first unit, Furthermore, the first side surface, the second side surface, the third side surface, and the fourth side surface are surfaces that intersect with the first discharge surface and the second discharge surface; A printing device comprising:

2. The first fixing member is provided on two or more surfaces of the exterior of the first unit.

2. The printing device according to claim 1, wherein:

3. The second fixing member is provided on two or more surfaces of the exterior of the second unit.

3. The printing device according to claim 1, wherein:

4. the first fixing member is provided on a first surface of an exterior of the first unit, the second fixing member is provided on a second surface of the exterior of the second unit that is located on the opposite side to the first surface in a second direction that intersects with the first surface when the first unit and the second unit are coupled together.

2. The printing device according to claim 1, wherein:

5. The first fixing member is provided on the exterior of the first unit. a first surface located on the opposite side of the first discharge surface with respect to a second direction intersecting the first discharge surface; a second surface and a third surface intersecting a third direction intersecting the first direction and the second direction; Each of the following is provided: The second fixing member is provided on the exterior of the second unit. a fourth surface located on the same side as the third surface in the third direction when the first unit and the second unit are coupled together; Each of the following has been established:

2. The printing device according to claim 1, wherein:

6. a first distance between a position of the first fixing member on the third surface and a position of the second fixing member on the fourth surface; a second distance between a position of the first fixing member on the first discharge surface and a position of the second fixing member on the second discharge surface; a third distance between a position of the first fixing member on the first side surface and a position of the second fixing member on the third side surface; a fourth distance between a position of the first fixing member on the second side surface and a position of the second fixing member on the fourth side surface is the same distance; 6. The printing device according to claim 5,

7. two first fixing members are provided on each of the first surface, the second surface, the third surface, and the first discharge surface at positions spaced a fifth distance apart from each other in the first direction; The second fixing members are provided at two locations on each of the fourth surface and the second discharge surface, at positions spaced apart by the fifth distance in the first direction.

7. The printing device according to claim 5 or 6,

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