Thermal Printer Cover Mechanism for Compact Paper Replacement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional thermal printers are bulky due to the need for a coil spring to return the release button to its original position, and the thermal head and platen roller interfere when opening or closing the cover, making it difficult to replace thermosensitive paper and maintain proper head loads for printing.
Innovation Solution
A thermal printer design with a cover that can be easily opened by a single action using an urging mechanism and a linking member to retreat the thermal head from the platen roller, allowing for compact construction and smooth operation, and a printing device with intersecting pressing directions of thermal heads and platen rollers to achieve proper head loads.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a coil spring is used to return the release button to its original position, then the button can be easily returned to its initial state, but the thermal printer becomes bulky due to the space required for the coil spring
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the traditional coil spring mechanism with a leaf spring mechanism. The leaf spring is bent elastically to store energy, and when the release button is pressed, the leaf spring flexes and returns to its original shape, pushing the button back to its initial position. This substitution eliminates the need for a coil spring and reduces the space required for the return mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the spatial arrangement by positioning the leaf spring in a different dimensional orientation compared to the coil spring. The leaf spring is arranged to flex in a plane that allows it to store and release energy efficiently within a compact footprint, optimizing the use of available space in the thermal printer housing.
2Force
If the thermal head and platen roller are positioned to contact each other for printing, then proper printing pressure is achieved, but the platen roller interferes with the casing side when the cover is opened or closed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a movable link mechanism that dynamically adjusts the position of the thermal head and platen roller relative to each other. When the cover is closed, the link mechanism positions the thermal head and platen roller in contact for printing. When the cover is opened, the link mechanism allows the platen roller to move slightly, preventing interference with the casing side. This dynamic adjustment resolves the conflict between maintaining printing pressure and enabling smooth cover operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The link mechanism acts as an intermediary between the thermal head and platen roller, mediating their relative positions during cover opening and closing operations. The link mechanism translates the cover's motion into controlled adjustments of the thermal head and platen roller positions, ensuring that the platen roller does not interfere with the casing side while maintaining proper printing pressure when the cover is closed.
3Force
If the thermal head is pressed to the platen roller in a closed state to generate frictional force, then desired conveying force and printing pressure are obtained, but frictional resistance makes opening/closing difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a movable link mechanism that dynamically adjusts the contact between the thermal head and platen roller. During printing operations, the link mechanism maintains the thermal head and platen roller in contact to generate necessary frictional force for conveying and printing. During cover opening and closing, the link mechanism allows the platen roller to move slightly, reducing frictional resistance and enabling smooth operation. This dynamic adjustment resolves the contradiction between maintaining conveying force and ensuring ease of operation.
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
Enables easy and compact operation for replacing thermosensitive paper and ensures proper head loads for printing, reducing frictional resistance and interference between components.
Implementation Method 1
urging means for urging the cover in a direction away from the housing; elastic means arranged on a side opposed to the pressed part by using the support shaft body as a reference to urge the pressed part in a direction away from the engaging part
Implementation Method 2
a thermal head for heating the thermosensitive paper
Implementation Method 3
a platen roller for pressing the thermosensitive paper to the thermal head
Data Source
AI summary
According to an aspect of the present invention, a thermal printer includes a housing in which a space is formed, printing means disposed in the housing, a cover disposed in the housing and which comes into contact with and separates from the housing when rotated, thereby opening and closing the space, urging means for urging the cover in a direction away from the housing, an engaging part which is disposed in the housing and which prevents the movement of the cover in a direction away from the housing when engaged with the cover, a pressed part which is disposed rotatably in the cover and which moves the engaging part when pressed, thereby releasing engagement between the cover and the engaging part, and elastic means arranged to urge the pressed part in a direction away from the engaging part.