Swinging Thermal Head Guide for Label Printer Noise Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Label printers using thermal heads generate noise when the thermal head comes into contact with the backing sheet between labels due to the biasing force, and existing countermeasures fail to effectively address this issue.
Innovation Solution
A label printer design where the thermal head is configured to swing with respect to the platen roller and includes a guide portion with an inclined edge parallel to the thermal head's surface, which is provided downstream in the sheet conveying direction to prevent noise generation by gradually guiding the thermal head's contact with the backing sheet.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stress or pressure
If the thermal head is biased to press the label sheet against the platen roller, then printing pressure is improved, but noise is generated when the thermal head contacts the backing sheet between labels
Solution Approach 1:
The thermal head is configured to swing (rotate) about an axis during sheet conveyance. This dynamic movement allows the thermal head to naturally follow the contour of the label sheet, maintaining consistent printing pressure while avoiding impact with the backing sheet between labels, thereby eliminating noise generation.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the operational parameters of the thermal head from a fixed biased position to a dynamically adjustable position through swinging motion. This parameter change enables the thermal head to adapt its contact force and position, maintaining optimal printing pressure while preventing harmful contact with the backing sheet.
2Device complexity
If the thermal head is fixed in position, then device complexity is reduced, but printing quality deteriorates due to inability to adapt to sheet variations
Solution Approach 1:
By implementing a swinging mechanism with a rotation axis, the thermal head gains dynamic positioning capability without requiring complex active control systems. The swinging motion passively adapts to sheet thickness variations and positioning deviations, maintaining high printing quality while keeping the mechanism relatively simple.
3Object-generated harmful factors
If the thermal head swings during sheet conveyance, then noise is reduced by avoiding contact with the backing sheet, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The swinging mechanism provides noise reduction through passive dynamic adaptation. By allowing the thermal head to rotate about a fixed axis during sheet conveyance, it naturally avoids impact with the backing sheet between labels, reducing noise without requiring complex active control systems or multiple components.
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
The solution effectively reduces noise generation by ensuring that the thermal head does not collide with the backing sheet in a single instance, thereby minimizing noise during the printing process.
Implementation Method 1
The thermal head is biased in a direction to press the label sheet against the platen roller
Implementation Method 2
The heating element prints on a portion of the label sheet supported by a platen roller
Data Source
AI summary
According to one embodiment, there is provided a label printer in which noise is less likely to be generated when a thermal head comes into contact with a backing sheet between a label and a label. In a label printer that prints, using a thermal head including a linear heating element, on a label sheet in which labels are attached on a strip-shaped backing sheet at a predetermined interval, the thermal head is configured to swing with respect to a platen roller configured to support the label sheet at a printing position, and a guide portion includes an edge portion that is substantially parallel to a surface of the thermal head having the heating element provided thereon and that is inclined with respect to the heating element is integrally provided downstream of the thermal head in a sheet conveying direction.