Thermal Printer Head Frame Mounting Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing thermal printers face difficulties in easily attaching and detaching the thermal head frame due to wear and damage over time, requiring replacement, which is cumbersome and costly.
Innovation Solution
A thermal printer design featuring a thermal head frame with a convex portion and a claw portion, paired with spring members and mounting portions in the printer body, allowing for easy attachment and detachment without additional tools or increased cost, and incorporating protrusions to reduce friction during the process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the thermal head frame is fixed to the printer body using traditional mounting methods, then the thermal head is securely mounted, but it becomes difficult to attach and detach the thermal head frame for maintenance or replacement
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting mechanism is segmented into separate components: a convex portion on the thermal head frame, a claw portion on the thermal head frame, and corresponding holes in the printer body. This segmentation allows the thermal head frame to be easily attached and detached while maintaining secure mounting during operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The mounting mechanism transitions from a static fixed connection to a dynamic removable connection. The spring member enables the mounting structure to adapt between a locked state during printing and an unlocked state during maintenance, facilitating easy attachment and detachment while ensuring reliable operation.
2Ease of operation
If traditional mounting mechanisms are used, then the thermal head is securely held, but dedicated tools are required for attachment and detachment operations
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting mechanism is designed to be self-operating without requiring external tools. The spring member automatically engages with the claw portion and convex portion, and the operator can simply press the release button to detach the thermal head frame, making the system self-service capable.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring member acts as an intermediary element between the thermal head frame and the printer body. It provides the necessary mechanical force for secure mounting while allowing easy release through the release button mechanism, eliminating the need for specialized tools.
3Ease of operation
If the thermal head frame is designed for easy removal, then maintenance is simplified, but friction during attachment and detachment increases
Solution Approach 1:
A protrusion with an arc-shaped vertical cross-section is provided on the thermal head frame where the spring member abuts. This curved surface reduces friction between the spring member and the thermal head frame during attachment and detachment operations, enabling smoother and easier maintenance while maintaining easy removal capability.
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 effortless and cost-effective operation of attaching and detaching the thermal head frame, ensuring reliable thermal head mounting and reduced wear, thus simplifying maintenance and replacement.
Implementation Method 1
a spring member provided between the pair of thermal head frame mounting portions, and between the convex portion and the claw portion; a biasing force of the spring member being configured to be applied to a rear surface of the thermal head frame
Data Source
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AI summary
Provided is a thermal printer capable of easily performing an operation of attaching and detaching a thermal head frame having a thermal head mounted thereon without an increase in cost. A thermal printer (10) in which a thermal head frame (34) having a thermal head (26) mounted thereon is attachable to and detachable from a printer body (16), includes: the thermal head frame which has a convex portion (34a) provided at one end thereof and has a claw portion (36b) provided at the other end thereof; a pair of thermal head frame mounting portions (40a) and (40b) which is provided in the printer body (16) to oppose each other at an interval that is smaller than a width of the thermal head frame (34) and in which a hole (42a) into which the convex portion is inserted and a hole (42b) into which the claw portion is inserted are formed; and spring members (44a) and (44b) which are provided between the pair of thermal head frame mounting portions (40a) and (40b).