Thermal Printer Roller Holder Biasing Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
The accuracy of the positional relationship between the platen roller and the thermal head in printing apparatuses is dependent on part and assembling accuracy, leading to increased costs and potential decreases in printing quality.
Innovation Solution
A printing apparatus with a frame, thermal head, platen roller, and a moving mechanism that includes a biasing member to maintain the platen roller in contact with the thermal head, enhancing positional accuracy through a pivoting roller holder and compression springs that bias the roller holder in an inclined direction, ensuring precise alignment and reducing wobbling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If part accuracy and assembling accuracy are enhanced to improve printing quality, then printing quality is improved, but apparatus cost is increased
Solution Approach 1:
A wedge-shaped member is introduced as an intermediary component between the roller holder and the frame. This wedge-shaped member serves as a mediator that automatically adjusts and maintains the positional relationship between the platen roller and thermal head through its geometric shape, eliminating the need for high-precision manufacturing and assembly of the roller holder itself while ensuring high printing quality
Solution Approach 2:
The positional relationship between the platen roller and thermal head is maintained through the geometric parameters of the wedge-shaped member rather than through precise manufacturing tolerances. By changing from a precision-manufacturing approach to a geometry-based parameter approach, the system achieves high positioning accuracy with lower manufacturing costs
2Adaptability or versatility
If the roller holder is made pivotable to enable movement between pressing and retracted positions, then operational flexibility is improved, but positional accuracy between platen roller and thermal head deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The wedge-shaped member acts as an intermediary that compensates for the pivoting motion of the roller holder. As the roller holder pivots to achieve operational flexibility, the wedge-shaped member's geometry automatically maintains the correct positional relationship between the platen roller and thermal head, preventing accuracy deterioration
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs a dynamic roller holder that can pivot between pressing and retracted positions while the wedge-shaped member provides a geometric constraint that maintains positional accuracy throughout the range of motion. This dynamic design achieves both operational flexibility and positioning accuracy
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This configuration maintains high accuracy in the positional relationship between the thermal head and platen roller, enhancing printing quality while reducing the need for precise part accuracy and assembly, thus lowering costs.
Implementation Method 1
a biasing member configured to bias the roller holder in an inclined direction that is inclined with respect to a first direction toward a second direction side
Implementation Method 2
the biasing member is a compression spring
Data Source
AI summary
A printing apparatus, including: a head holder; a platen roller; a first support shaft; a roller holder; a moving mechanism configured to move the roller holder; and a biasing member configured to bias the roller holder in an inclined direction inclined with respect to a first direction which is substantially orthogonal to a conveyance direction and in which the roller faces a thermal head toward a second direction side, the second direction opposite to the conveyance direction, wherein, in a state in which the roller holder is located at a pressing position, the roller is held in contact with the head while receiving a biasing force in the first direction from the biasing member, and a first contact portion of the roller holder is held in contact with the head holder in the second direction while receiving a biasing force in the second direction from the biasing member.