CN219096311U - Printing unit and portable terminal - Google Patents

Abstract

The utility model relates to a printing unit and a portable terminal, wherein the printing unit comprises: an embossing roller that conveys recording paper; a thermal head that prints on a recording paper; a motor that rotates the platen roller; a frame to which a motor is mounted; and a flexible printed substrate. The flexible printed board includes a base and a motor extension. The motor extension includes: a 1 st projection which, in the unfolded state, extends outside the main direction (L2); a 2 nd extension extending in a direction crossing the longitudinal direction of the 1 st extension; and a motor connection part connected to the motor. The 1 st projecting portion has a 1 st folded-back portion folded back in the longitudinal direction. The motor connection is located outside the main direction (L2) compared to the motor connection when the 1 st extension is in the deployed state. The portable terminal includes the printing unit.

Description

Printing unit and portable terminal

Technical Field

The utility model relates to a printing unit and a portable terminal.

Background

The thermal printer (printing unit) includes a platen roller, a thermal head, a motor, a frame, and a flexible printed board. The platen roller, the thermal head and the motor are mounted to the frame. The platen roller is rotated by the power of a motor to convey the recording paper. The thermal head heats the printing surface of the recording paper, develops the printing surface, and prints the printing surface. The motor is connected to the control unit via a flexible printed board (for example, refer to japanese patent application laid-open No. 2016-159482).

In the printing unit described above, a resumption of the mounting structure of the motor to the frame has been discussed for the purpose of downsizing and the like.

However, if the mounting structure of the motor with respect to the frame is changed, the connection position of the flexible printed board with respect to the motor is changed, and thus, the shape of the flexible printed board may be required to be changed. Therefore, in the production of a flexible printed board, the number of flexible printed boards is reduced, and the like, which may affect manufacturability.

Accordingly, in the art, the following printing unit and a portable terminal including the same are desired: even if the mounting structure of the motor is changed, the influence on the manufacturability of the flexible printed circuit board can be suppressed.

Disclosure of Invention

The printing unit according to one embodiment of the present utility model includes: an embossing roller having a rotation axis along a main direction for conveying the recording paper; a thermal head which is in pressure contact with the outer peripheral surface of the platen roller and prints on the recording paper; a motor that rotates the platen roller about the rotation axis; a frame rotatably supporting the platen roller and having the motor mounted thereon; and a flexible printed circuit board connected to a control unit that controls operations of the thermal head and the motor, the flexible printed circuit board including a base portion provided along the frame and a motor extension portion extending from the base portion, the motor extension portion including: a 1 st projecting portion extending from the base portion to the outside in the main direction in the deployed state; a 2 nd extension portion extending from the 1 st extension portion in a direction intersecting a longitudinal direction of the 1 st extension portion; and a motor connecting portion extending from the 2 nd extension portion and connected to the motor, the 1 st extension portion having a 1 st folded-back portion folded back in a longitudinal direction, the motor connecting portion being located outside the main direction than the motor connecting portion when the 1 st extension portion is in a unfolded state.

According to this mode, the 1 st projecting portion has a 1 st folded-back portion. The motor connection is located outside the main direction compared to when the 1 st extension is in the deployed state. Therefore, even in the case where the position of the motor is changed due to the adoption of a new mounting structure of the motor, the position of the motor connection portion can be made suitable for the motor. According to this mode, the dimension of the main direction of the flexible printed board in the unfolded state can be reduced, and thus, when the flexible printed board is manufactured, a reduction in the number of flexible printed boards can be suppressed. Thus, the influence on the manufacturability of the flexible printed circuit board can be reduced.

In the printing unit according to one embodiment of the present utility model, when the 1 st projecting portion is in the extended state, the position of the main direction of the outer end of the motor connecting portion is the same as or inside the main direction of the outer end of the base portion.

According to this mode, the size of the main direction of the flexible printed substrate can be reduced. Therefore, when manufacturing the flexible printed board, the reduction in the number of flexible printed boards can be suppressed.

In the printing unit according to one embodiment of the present utility model, the flexible printed circuit board may be configured such that the 2 nd extension portion has a 2 nd form of a 2 nd folded portion folded back in a longitudinal direction and a 1 st form of an expansion of the 2 nd folded portion.

According to this mode, the flexible printed board can correspond to a plurality of printing units having different positions of the motor. Thus, the manufacturing cost can be suppressed.

In the printing unit according to one aspect of the present utility model, the motor is fixed to the frame by an adhesive.

According to this aspect, the motor can be mounted to the frame without using a fastening member such as a screw. The motor is simple in mounting structure, and thus can be reduced in size and cost compared with a conventional printing unit.

The portable terminal according to one embodiment of the present utility model includes the printing unit.

According to this mode, even in the case where the position of the motor is changed due to the adoption of a new mounting structure of the motor, the influence on the manufacturability of the flexible printed circuit board can be reduced.

Drawings

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a mobile terminal according to an embodiment.

Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the printing unit of embodiment 1.

Fig. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the printing unit of embodiment 1.

Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the printing unit of embodiment 1.

Fig. 5 is a side view of the printing unit of embodiment 1.

Fig. 6 is a plan view showing a state in which the flexible printed board of the printing unit according to embodiment 1 is spread.

Fig. 7 is a plan view of a folded-back state of the flexible printed board of the printing unit according to embodiment 1.

Fig. 8 is a perspective view of a flexible printed board of the printing unit according to embodiment 1.

Fig. 9 is a perspective view of a flexible printed board of the printing unit according to embodiment 1.

Fig. 10 is a perspective view of the printing unit of embodiment 2.

Fig. 11 is an exploded perspective view of the printing unit of embodiment 2.

Fig. 12 is a perspective view of the printing unit of embodiment 2.

Fig. 13 is a side view of the printing unit of embodiment 2.

Fig. 14 is a perspective view of a flexible printed board of the printing unit according to embodiment 2.

Fig. 15 is a perspective view of a flexible printed board of the printing unit according to embodiment 2.

Detailed Description

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present utility model will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following description, the same or similar functional components are given the same reference numerals. In addition, a repetitive description of these structures may be omitted.

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a mobile terminal according to an embodiment.

As shown in fig. 1, the portable terminal 1 is configured to be capable of printing a recording sheet P. The recording paper P is a thermal paper that develops color when heated, and is suitably used for printing various labels, receipts, tickets, and the like. The recording paper P is set in the portable terminal 1 in a state of the roll paper R wound so as to have a hollow hole, and a portion pulled out from the roll paper R is printed.

The portable terminal 1 includes a housing 3, a display unit 4, a control unit 5, and a printing unit 6.

The housing 3 is formed in a box shape from plastic, metal material, or the like. The plastic constituting the housing 3 may be ABS, a composite material of ABS and polycarbonate, or the like.

The housing 3 has a rectangular parallelepiped main body portion 7 and a roll paper accommodating portion 8. The printing unit 6 is accommodated in one end of the main body 7 in the longitudinal direction. A discharge port 3a is formed in one end surface of the body 7 in the longitudinal direction. The discharge port 3a discharges the recording paper P printed by the printing unit 6. The display portion 4 is disposed on the other main surface of the main body 7 facing the thickness direction. The display unit 4 is, for example, a liquid crystal panel. The display unit 4 displays various information transmitted from the control unit 5. The control unit 5 controls the operations of the thermal head 40 and the motor 60.

The roll paper accommodating portion 8 protrudes to one side in the thickness direction of the main body portion 7 at one end portion in the longitudinal direction of the main body portion 7. In the roll paper accommodating portion 8, a roll paper R is accommodated.

Fig. 2 and 4 are perspective views of the printing unit of embodiment 1. Fig. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the printing unit of embodiment 1. Fig. 5 is a side view of the printing unit of embodiment 1.

As shown in fig. 2 to 4, the printing unit 6 includes a platen roller 50, a motor 60, a main body frame 10 (frame), 1 st and 2 nd reduction gears 31 and 32, a thermal head 40, a head support 45, and a flexible printed board 70. The printing unit 6 is a so-called thermal printer.

The platen roller 50 has a driven gear 54. The motor 60 rotates the platen roller 50 about the rotation axis O. The main body frame 10 (frame) rotatably supports the platen roller 50, and a motor 60 is fixed. The 1 st reduction gear 31 and the 2 nd reduction gear 32 reduce and transmit the driving force of the motor 60 to the driven gear 54. The thermal head 40 is pressed against the outer peripheral surface of the platen roller 50. The head support 45 is supported by the main body frame 10. The thermal head 40 is fixed to the head support 45.

As shown in fig. 2, the printing unit 6 discharges the recording paper P passing between the platen roller 50 and the thermal head 40 in the direction indicated by the arrow a. In the following description of the printing unit 6, the direction along the arrow a is mainly defined as the up-down direction L1. The direction pointed by arrow a is defined as above. The direction orthogonal to the up-down direction L1 and aligned with the width direction of the recording paper P is defined as the left-right direction L2. A direction orthogonal to the up-down direction L1 and the left-right direction L2 is defined as a front-back direction L3. In the front-rear direction L3, the platen roller 50 side with respect to the thermal head 40 is defined as the front. The left-right direction L2 is an example of a "main direction".

As shown in fig. 3, the main body frame 10 is formed of, for example, a plate material including a polycarbonate resin of glass fiber or the like. The main body frame 10 is formed in a U shape that is open toward the front as viewed in the up-down direction L1. Specifically, the main body frame 10 includes a back plate portion 11, a 1 st side wall portion 12, a 2 nd side wall portion 13, and a paper guide portion 18. The back plate portion 11 extends in the left-right direction L2. The 1 st side wall portion 12 stands forward from one (left) end portion of the back plate portion 11 in the left-right direction L2. The 2 nd side wall portion 13 stands at least forward from the other (right) end portion of the back plate portion 11 in the left-right direction L2. The paper guide 18 is provided between the 1 st side wall portion 12 and the 2 nd side wall portion 13.

As shown in fig. 3 and 4, the back plate portion 11 is formed in a plate shape having a thickness in the front-rear direction L3. The back plate portion 11 includes a thick plate portion 21 and a thin plate portion 22 (see fig. 4). The thick plate part 21 extends along the upper end edge in the left-right direction L2. The thin plate portion 22 adjoins the thick plate portion 21 at the lower side and extends in the left-right direction L2. The thick plate portion 21 bulges rearward than the thin plate portion 22, and is formed thicker than the thin plate portion 22 in the front-rear direction L3.

The 1 st side wall 12 is formed in a plate shape having a thickness in the left-right direction L2. A 1 st roller insertion groove 14A cut downward is formed in the upper end edge of the 1 st side wall 12. The 2 nd side wall portion 13 is formed in a plate shape having a thickness in the left-right direction L2. A 2 nd roller insertion groove 14B cut downward is formed in the upper edge of the 2 nd side wall portion 13. The 1 st roller insertion groove 14A and the 2 nd roller insertion groove 14B are formed so as to coincide with each other when viewed from the left-right direction L2. The platen roller 50 is detachably inserted into the 1 st roller insertion groove 14A and the 2 nd roller insertion groove 14B.

As shown in fig. 3 and 4, the paper guide 18 is formed in a columnar shape extending in the left-right direction L2. Regarding the paper guide 18, one (left) end in the left-right direction L2 is connected to the inner side surface of the 1 st side wall portion 12, and the other (right) end in the left-right direction L2 is connected to the inner side surface of the 2 nd side wall portion 13.

The back plate portion 11 is disposed rearward of the head support 45. A recess 23 for receiving an elastic member 47 described later is formed in a surface (front surface) of the back plate portion 11 facing the head support 45. The concave portion 23 is formed in the thick plate portion 21 of the back plate portion 11. The concave portion 23 is recessed rearward, extends in the up-down direction L1, and opens upward. The concave portions 23 are provided in the same number (3 in the present embodiment) as the elastic members 47 (see fig. 3).

The 2 nd side wall portion 13 includes a motor support portion 25. The motor support portion 25 is formed on the opposite side of the platen roller 50 with at least one of the back plate portion 11 and the paper guide portion 18 interposed therebetween as viewed in the left-right direction L2 (see fig. 3). In the illustrated example, the motor support portion 25 is formed on the opposite side of the platen roller 50 with respect to the back plate portion 11 therebetween as viewed in the left-right direction L2. That is, the motor support portion 25 is formed behind the back plate portion 11 as viewed in the left-right direction L2. The surface of the motor support portion 25 facing the inside in the left-right direction L2 is an adhesive surface to which the motor 60 is adhered, and is formed in a flat surface shape orthogonal to the left-right direction L2. The motor support portion 25 is formed with a bearing hole (not shown) through which the output shaft 61 of the motor 60 is inserted.

The motor 60 is disposed inside the motor support portion 25 in the left-right direction L2. Thus, the motor 60 is disposed on the opposite side of the platen roller 50 with the back plate 11 interposed therebetween (see fig. 5).

As shown in fig. 4, the motor 60 generates a torque about the output axis Q. The motor 60 is disposed such that the output axis Q is parallel to the rotation axis O of the platen roller 50. The motor 60 is disposed at a distance from the main body frame 10, except for the adhesion surface of the motor support portion 25. The motor 60 is disposed at a distance from the housing 3 of the mobile terminal 1.

The motor 60 includes: a stator and a rotor not shown; a housing 62 accommodating the stator and the rotor; and an output shaft 61 protruding from the housing 62 along the output axis Q. The housing 62 includes: a cylindrical portion 63 extending in the left-right direction L2 and surrounding the stator from the outside in the circumferential direction; a 1 st flange 64 that closes an opening on the motor support portion 25 side in the cylindrical portion 63; and a 2 nd flange 65 closing an opening on the opposite side of the 1 st flange 64 in the cylindrical portion 63. The cylindrical portion 63 is formed in a cylindrical shape centering on the output axis Q.

The motor 60 is fixed to the motor support portion 25 by an adhesive. The adhesive is applied to the entirety of the mutually facing surfaces of the 1 st flange 64 of the motor 60 and the motor support portion 25. In the present embodiment, the entire main surface of the 1 st flange 64 of the motor 60 facing the motor support portion 25 is coated. Thus, the adhesive fixes the motor 60 to the motor support portion 25 so as not to be displaced in the front-rear direction L3, the up-down direction L1, and the left-right direction L2.

The motor 60 is provided with a terminal 66 and a terminal pedestal 67. The terminal mount 67 protrudes from the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion 63 of the housing 62 toward the outside of the motor 60. The terminals 66 protrude from the terminal mount 67 toward the outside of the motor 60. A motor extension 73 of the flexible printed board 70 (see fig. 4) is connected to the terminal 66. The motor 60 is electrically connected to the control section 5 (see fig. 1) via a flexible printed board 70. The motor 60 is driven based on a signal from the control unit 5.

As shown in fig. 3, a gear case portion 15 is formed outside the 2 nd side wall portion 13. The gear case portion 15 has a peripheral wall portion 16 erected outward in the left-right direction L2 from the peripheral edge of the 2 nd side wall portion 13. That is, the gear case portion 15 is formed by the 2 nd side wall portion 13 and the peripheral wall portion 16, and opens outward in the left-right direction L2. The peripheral wall 16 is open upward as viewed in the left-right direction L2. A pair of locking recesses 17 recessed downward are formed in the peripheral wall portion 16. A pair of locking recesses 17 are formed on both front and rear sides of the upper opening portion of the peripheral wall portion 16. A gear cover 30 is engaged with the pair of engagement recesses 17. The gear cover 30 covers the inside of the gear case portion 15 from the outside in the left-right direction L2.

Inside the gear case portion 15, a 1 st reduction gear 31 and a 2 nd reduction gear 32 are rotatably assembled. The 1 st reduction gear 31 is engaged with an output shaft 61 of the motor 60. The 2 nd reduction gear 32 is engaged with the 1 st reduction gear 31.

The thermal head 40 prints on a recording sheet P (see fig. 2). The thermal head 40 is formed in a rectangular shape having a longitudinal direction of the left-right direction L2 as viewed from the front-rear direction L3. The thermal head 40 is disposed in such a manner that the thickness direction thereof coincides with the front-rear direction L3. A plurality of heating elements 41 are arranged in the left-right direction L2 on the head face 40a of the thermal head 40.

The head surface 40a faces the printing surface of the recording paper P, and can sandwich the recording paper P between the printing surface and the outer peripheral surface of the platen 50. The thermal head 40 is connected to the control section 5 (see fig. 1) via a flexible printed board 70. A driver IC (not shown) mounted on the thermal head 40 controls heat generation by the heat generating element 41 based on a signal from the control unit 5. The thermal head 40 controls heat generation by the heat generating element 41, and prints various characters, graphics, and the like on the printing surface of the recording paper P. The thermal head 40 is fixed by being attached to the head support 45.

The head support 45 is disposed between the 1 st side wall 12 and the 2 nd side wall 13 in front of the back plate 11 and further behind the paper guide 18. The head support 45 is formed of a metallic material. The head support 45 is a plate-like member having the left-right direction L2 as a longitudinal direction. The head support 45 is disposed in such a manner that the thickness direction coincides with the front-rear direction L3. The head support 45 fixes the thermal head 40 on the front surface.

A pair of stoppers 45a for restricting the rotation range of the head support 45 are formed at the upper end portion of the head support 45. The pair of stoppers 45a are formed in a substantially quadrangular prism shape, and protrude outward in the left-right direction L2 in the head support 45. The pair of stoppers 45a are inserted into the rectangular hole 12a formed in the upper portion of the 1 st side wall portion 12 and the rectangular hole 13a formed in the upper portion of the 2 nd side wall portion 13 of the main body frame 10. The stopper 45a moves in the hole 12a, 13a in accordance with the rotation of the head support 45, and is configured to be able to contact the inner wall surfaces of the hole 12a, 13 a. The stopper 45a contacts the inner wall surfaces of the hole portions 12a, 13a, thereby restricting the rotation amount of the head support 45.

An elastic member 47 is interposed between the head support 45 and the back plate portion 11. The elastic member 47 biases the head support 45 and the back plate portion 11 in a direction to separate from each other. That is, the elastic member 47 is configured to always press the head support 45 forward. In the illustrated example, the elastic member 47 is a conical spring whose diameter decreases from the front toward the rear. The rear end portion of the elastic member 47 is inserted into the recess 23 of the back plate portion 11. A plurality of (3 in the present embodiment) elastic members 47 (see fig. 3) are arranged at intervals in the left-right direction L2.

As shown in fig. 2, the platen roller 50 is disposed so as to face the thermal head 40 in a state where the rotation axis O coincides with the left-right direction L2. The platen roller 50 rotates about the rotation axis O with the recording paper P sandwiched between the platen roller and the thermal head 40, and conveys the recording paper P in the direction indicated by the arrow a.

As shown in fig. 3, the platen roller 50 has a roller shaft 51, a roller body 52 externally attached to the roller shaft 51, and a pair of bearings 53 fitted to both ends of the roller shaft 51. The roller shaft 51 is formed slightly longer than the distance separating the 1 st side wall portion 12 and the 2 nd side wall portion 13 of the main body frame 10. The roller body 52 is formed of rubber or the like, for example, and is disposed uniformly throughout the entire roller shaft 51 except for both ends thereof in the lateral direction L2.

As shown in fig. 2 and 3, regarding the platen roller 50, a pair of bearings 53 fitted at both ends are inserted into the 1 st roller insertion groove 14A and the 2 nd roller insertion groove 14B of the main body frame 10. The bearing 53 is held in the 1 st roller insertion groove 14A and the 2 nd roller insertion groove 14B by the lock spring 19 supported by the main body frame 10. Thereby, the platen roller 50 is rotatably held with respect to the main body frame 10. The platen roller 50 elastically deforms the locking spring 19 to advance and retract the bearing 53 in the 1 st roller insertion groove 14A and the 2 nd roller insertion groove 14B, and is detachable from the main body frame 10. The platen roller 50 is provided in the following manner: the roll body 52 contacts the thermal head 40 with the recording paper P pulled out from the roll paper R (see fig. 1) interposed therebetween in the state of being inserted into the 1 st roll insertion groove 14A and the 2 nd roll insertion groove 14B.

As shown in fig. 3, a driven gear 54 is fixed to the other (right) end portion of the platen roller 50 in the left-right direction L2. When the platen roller 50 is held by the 1 st side wall portion 12 and the 2 nd side wall portion 13, the driven gear 54 is assembled to the upper portion of the gear housing portion 15. The driven gear 54 is engaged with the 2 nd reduction gear 32. Thereby, the rotational driving force from the motor 60 is transmitted to the driven gear 54 via the 1 st reduction gear 31 and the 2 nd reduction gear 32. The platen roller 50 is rotatable while being held by the 1 st side wall portion 12 and the 2 nd side wall portion 13, and feeds out the recording paper P (see fig. 2).

Fig. 6 is a plan view showing an unfolded state of the flexible printed board of the printing unit according to embodiment 1.

As shown in fig. 6, the flexible printed board 70 includes a base 71, a control portion extending portion 72, a motor extending portion 73, and a recording sheet sensor extending portion 74. Fig. 6 shows the flexible printed substrate 70 in an unfolded state. In fig. 6, the 1 st extension 81 is expanded without forming the 1 st folded back portion 91 (see fig. 7). The state in which the 1 st extension 81 is expanded is referred to as "expanded state". In fig. 6, the 1 st extension 81, the 2 nd extension 82, the 3 rd extension 83, and the motor connecting portion 84 constituting the motor extension 73 are along a common plane.

The base 71 is provided with a main extension 76 and a central projection 77. The base 71 is provided along the back plate portion 11 of the main body frame 10 (see fig. 4). The main extension 76 includes a main body 78 and a plurality of connection portions 79. The main body 78 has a strip shape extending in the left-right direction L2. The plurality of connection portions 79 are formed protruding from one side edge 78a of the main body portion 78. The plurality of connection portions 79 are formed at intervals along the longitudinal direction of the main body portion 78. The connection portion 79 is electrically connected to the thermal head 40.

One end and the other end of the main extension 76 in the longitudinal direction (the left-right direction L2) are referred to as outer ends 76a. The direction in which one outer end 76a is away from the other outer end 76a is the "outside of the main direction". The outer side of the main direction is, for example, a direction from the center of the length direction of the main extension 76 toward the outer end 76a. The direction in which one outer end 76a approaches the other outer end 76a is "inside of the main direction". The inner side in the main direction is, for example, a direction from the outer end 76a of the main extension 76 toward the center in the longitudinal direction. The outer end 76a is an example of "the outer end of the base".

The center protruding portion 77 is formed protruding from the other side edge 78b of the main body portion 78. The center protruding portion 77 is formed at a center portion in the longitudinal direction (left-right direction L2) of the main body portion 78.

The control portion projecting portion 72 projects from the tip of the central projecting portion 77 in the projecting direction. The control portion projecting portion 72 is in a belt shape. The extending direction of the control portion extending portion 72 is, for example, a direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction (the left-right direction L2) of the main extension portion 76. The distal end portion of the control portion extension portion 72 is electrically connected to the control portion 5 (see fig. 1).

The motor extension 73 includes a 1 st extension 81, a 2 nd extension 82, a 3 rd extension 83, and a motor connection 84.

The 1 st projection 81 projects from one side edge (in fig. 6, the right side edge) of the center projection 77. The 1 st projecting portion 81 is in a belt shape. In fig. 6, the 1 st projecting portion 81 extends from a position on the right side of the control portion projecting portion 72 in the center projecting portion 77. The 1 st projecting portion 81 extends outward in the left-right direction L2 (main direction). For example, the 1 st projecting portion 81 extends from the central projecting portion 77 toward the right in parallel with the longitudinal direction (left-right direction L2) of the main extension portion 76. The 1 st extension 81 is formed at a distance from the main body 78 of the main extension 76. The tip of the 1 st projecting portion 81 is located inside the left-right direction L2 compared with the outer end 76a of the main extension portion 76.

The extending direction of the 1 st extending portion is not limited to the direction parallel to the left-right direction L2 as long as it is a direction toward the outside of the main direction.

The 2 nd extension 82 extends from the tip of the 1 st extension 81 in the extension direction in a direction intersecting the longitudinal direction of the 1 st extension 81. The 2 nd extension 82 is band-shaped. For example, the 2 nd protrusion 82 extends in a direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the 1 st protrusion 81. In fig. 6, the 2 nd extension 82 extends in a direction away from the main extension 76.

The extending direction of the 2 nd extending portion is not limited to the direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the 1 st extending portion, as long as it is a direction intersecting the longitudinal direction of the 1 st extending portion.

The 3 rd projecting portion 83 extends inward in the left-right direction L2 (main direction) from the inner edge of the tip end portion in the projecting direction of the 2 nd projecting portion 82. In fig. 6, the 3 rd projecting portion 83 is inclined in a direction gradually shifted to the inside in the left-right direction L2 (main direction) as it goes away from the 1 st projecting portion 81.

The motor connecting portion 84 extends from the tip end of the 3 rd projecting portion 83 in the same direction as the 2 nd projecting portion 82. The motor connection portion 84 extends from the 2 nd extension portion 82 via the 3 rd extension portion 83. The motor connection portion 84 is formed with a plurality of terminal holes 85 through which the terminals 66 (see fig. 4 and 5) of the motor 60 are inserted. In fig. 6, the motor connecting portion 84 is located inside in the left-right direction L2 (main direction) as compared with the 2 nd projecting portion 82. The motor connecting portion 84 is located inside in the left-right direction L2 compared to the outer end 76a of the main extension 76 (the outer end of the base 71).

The outer end of the motor connecting portion 84 in the left-right direction L2 (main direction) when the 1 st projecting portion 81 is in the expanded state is referred to as "outer end 84a". Desirably, the position of the outer end 84a in the left-right direction L2 is the same as the position of the outer end 76a of the main extension 76 in the left-right direction L2, or is further inward than the position of the outer end 76a of the main extension 76 in the left-right direction L2. With this configuration, the dimension of the flexible printed board 70 in the lateral direction L2 can be reduced. Therefore, when the flexible printed board 70 is manufactured, a reduction in the number of the flexible printed boards 70 can be suppressed.

The recording paper sensor protruding portion 74 is a band-like shape protruding from the tip of the protruding portion 77 in the protruding direction. In fig. 6, the recording paper sensor protruding portion 74 protrudes from the control portion protruding portion 72 to the left at the center protruding portion 77. The extending direction of the recording paper sensor extending portion 74 is, for example, a direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction (the left-right direction L2) of the main extending portion 76. The tip end portion of the recording sheet sensor protruding portion 74 is electrically connected to a recording sheet sensor (not shown). The recording sheet sensor detects the recording sheet P.

Fig. 7 is a plan view of a folded-back state of the flexible printed board of the printing unit according to embodiment 1.

As shown in fig. 7, the 1 st projecting portion 81 has a 1 st folded-back portion 91 folded back in the longitudinal direction. The 1 st folded back portion 91 is formed at a position close to the tip end of the 1 st projecting portion 81 in the projecting direction. In fig. 7, a portion of the 1 st extension 81 on the distal end side of the 1 st folded-back portion 91 overlaps a portion of the 1 st extension 81 on the proximal end side of the 1 st folded-back portion 91 as viewed in the thickness direction of the 1 st extension 81. The state in which the 1 st folded-back portion 91 is formed in the 1 st protruding portion 81 is referred to as a "folded-back state".

In the flexible printed board 70 shown in fig. 7, the folded-back portion is not formed at the 2 nd projecting portion 82. That is, the 2 nd extension 82 expands.

The motor connecting portion 84 when the 1 st extension portion 81 is formed with the 1 st folded portion 91 is located outside in the left-right direction L2 (main direction) than the motor connecting portion 84 when the 1 st extension portion 81 is in the unfolded state (see fig. 6). At least a part of the motor connecting portion 84 is preferably located outside the outer end 76a of the main extension 76 in the left-right direction L2. In fig. 7, the outer end 84b of the motor connecting portion 84 when the 1 st folded portion 91 is formed is located outside the outer end 76a of the main extension portion 76 in the left-right direction L2.

Thus, by folding back the 1 st projecting portion 81, the motor connecting portion 84 moves to the outside in the left-right direction L2 (main direction). For example, the motor connecting portion 84 is moved from a position (see fig. 6) inside the outer end 76a of the main extension portion 76 to a position (see fig. 7) in which a part of the motor connecting portion 84 protrudes outside the outer end 76a of the main extension portion 76 by folding back the 1 st protruding portion 81.

Fig. 8 and 9 are perspective views of a flexible printed circuit board of the printing unit according to embodiment 1.

As shown in fig. 8 and 9, in the printing unit 6, a 1 st folded portion 91 (see fig. 7) is formed in the 1 st projecting portion 81 of the motor projecting portion 73. As shown in fig. 5, the 2 nd extension 82 reaches the terminal 66 of the motor 60 through the lower surface side of the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion 63 of the motor 60. The motor connection portion 84 is electrically connected to the terminal 66. The terminal 66 is inserted through the terminal hole 85 (see fig. 7).

The form of the flexible printed board 70 shown in fig. 8 and 9 is referred to as "1 st form". In the flexible printed board 70 of the 1 st aspect, the 1 st folded-back portion 91 is formed only in the 1 st projecting portion 81 out of the 1 st projecting portion 81 and the 2 nd projecting portion 82.

In the printing unit 6, the motor extension 73 of the flexible printed board 70 includes: a 1 st extension 81 having a 1 st folded back portion 91; a 2 nd extension 82; and a motor connection 84. The motor connecting portion 84 is located outside (see fig. 7) of the left-right direction L2 (main direction) than the motor connecting portion 84 (see fig. 6) when the 1 st extension portion 81 is in the expanded state.

In the printing unit 6, the motor 60 is attached to the main body frame 10 by an adhesive. Since the mounting structure of the motor 60 is simple, the motor 60 is disposed outside in the left-right direction L2 (main direction) as compared with the case where the mounting structure using a fastening member such as a screw is employed. In the printing unit 6, the 1 st projecting portion 81 has the 1 st folded portion 91, and thus the position of the motor connecting portion 84 can be adapted to the motor 60.

In the printing unit 6, the dimension of the flexible printed board 70 in the left-right direction L2 (main direction) in the unfolded state can be reduced, and thus, when manufacturing the flexible printed board 70, a reduction in the number of flexible printed boards 70 can be suppressed. Thus, even in the case where the mounting structure of the motor 60 is changed, the influence on the manufacturability of the flexible printed circuit board 70 can be reduced.

In the printing unit 6, the motor 60 is attached to the main body frame 10 by an adhesive, and thus the motor 60 can be attached to the main body frame 10 without using a fastening member such as a screw. The motor 60 has a simple mounting structure, and thus can be reduced in size and cost compared with a conventional printing unit.

With respect to the portable terminal 1 (refer to fig. 1), when the flexible printed board 70 is manufactured, a reduction in the number of pieces can be suppressed. Thus, even in the case where the mounting structure of the motor 60 is changed, the influence on the manufacturability of the flexible printed circuit board 70 can be reduced.

Fig. 10 and 12 are perspective views of the printing unit according to embodiment 2. Fig. 11 is an exploded perspective view of the printing unit of embodiment 2. Fig. 13 is a side view of the printing unit of embodiment 2.

Regarding embodiment 2, the position of the motor 60 with respect to the main body frame 10 is different from embodiment 1. Note that the same components as those of embodiment 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof is omitted.

As shown in fig. 10 to 12, in the printing unit 6A, the 2 nd side wall portion 13 of the main body frame 10 has a motor support portion 25A (see fig. 12) instead of the motor support portion 25 of embodiment 1. The motor support portion 25A is formed on the opposite side of the platen roller 50 with the paper guide 18 therebetween as viewed in the left-right direction L2. The motor support portion 25A is formed below the back plate portion 11 and the paper guide portion 18 as viewed in the left-right direction L2. A motor 60 is fixed to an inner surface of the motor support portion 25A facing the left-right direction L2. Thus, the motor 60 is disposed below the back plate 11 on the opposite side of the platen roller 50 with the paper guide 18 interposed therebetween. The motor 60 is fixed to the motor support portion 25A by an adhesive.

Fig. 14 and 15 are perspective views of a flexible printed circuit board of a printing unit according to embodiment 2.

As shown in fig. 13 to 15, in the printing unit 6A, a 1 st folded portion 91 is formed in the 1 st projecting portion 81 of the motor projecting portion 73, and a 2 nd folded portion 92 folded back in the longitudinal direction is formed in the 2 nd projecting portion 82. The 2 nd folded-back portion 92 is formed at a position close to the base end of the 2 nd projecting portion 82 in the projecting direction.

As shown in fig. 13, the 2 nd extension 82 reaches the terminal 66 of the motor 60 through the front surface side of the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion 63 of the motor 60. The motor connection portion 84 is electrically connected to the terminal 66.

The form of the flexible printed board 70 shown in fig. 14 and 15 is referred to as "form 2". In the flexible printed circuit board 70 according to the 2 nd aspect, the 1 st folded-back portion 91 and the 2 nd folded-back portion 92 are formed in both the 1 st protruding portion 81 and the 2 nd protruding portion 82, respectively.

The flexible printed circuit board 70 is configured to have the 1 st form (see fig. 8 and 9) when the 1 st extension portion 81 is formed as the folded portion, and configured to have the 2 nd form when both the 1 st extension portion 81 and the 2 nd extension portion 82 are formed as the folded portion. The flexible printed board 70 can switch between the 1 st mode and the 2 nd mode.

In the printing unit 6A, the 1 st extension portion 81 has the 1 st folded portion 91, as in the printing unit 6 of embodiment 1, so that the position of the motor connection portion 84 can be adapted to the motor 60. In the printing unit 6A, the dimension of the flexible printed board 70 in the left-right direction L2 (main direction) in the developed state is small, and therefore, when manufacturing the flexible printed board 70, the reduction in the number of picks can be suppressed. Thus, even in the case where the mounting structure of the motor 60 is changed, the influence on the manufacturability of the flexible printed circuit board 70 can be reduced.

In the printing unit 6A, the 2 nd folded portion 92 is formed in the 2 nd projecting portion 82, and therefore, the slack of the 2 nd projecting portion 82 can be reduced in accordance with the arrangement of the motor 60. Thus, the printing unit 6A can be miniaturized.

The printing unit of the present embodiment can switch between the 1 st mode (see fig. 8 and 9) in which the 2 nd extension portion 82 of the flexible printed circuit board 70 is extended and the 2 nd mode (see fig. 14 and 15) in which the 2 nd extension portion 82 has the 2 nd folded portion 92. Therefore, the flexible printed board 70 can correspond to the plurality of printing units 6, 6A having different positions of the motor 60. The common flexible printed board 70 can be applied to the plurality of printing units 6 and 6A, and thus the manufacturing cost can be reduced.

The present utility model is not limited to the above-described embodiments described with reference to the drawings, and various modifications are considered within the technical scope thereof.

For example, in the foregoing embodiment, the number of 1 st folded-back portions 91 formed in the 1 st projecting portion 81 is 1, but the number of 1 st folded-back portions is not particularly limited and may be 1 or more. The number of the 2 nd folded-back portions 92 formed on the 2 nd projecting portion 82 is 1, but the number of the 2 nd folded-back portions is not particularly limited and may be 1 or more.

The components in the above-described embodiments may be appropriately replaced with well-known components within a range not departing from the spirit of the present utility model.

Claims (5)

1. A printing unit is provided with:

an embossing roller having a rotation axis along a main direction for conveying the recording paper;

a thermal head which is in pressure contact with the outer peripheral surface of the platen roller and prints on the recording paper;

a motor that rotates the platen roller about the rotational axis;

a frame rotatably supporting the platen roller and mounted with the motor; and

a flexible printed board connected to a control unit for controlling operations of the thermal head and the motor,

the flexible printed circuit board includes a base portion provided along the frame and a motor extension portion extending from the base portion,

the motor protrusion includes: a 1 st projecting portion extending from the base portion to an outside in the main direction in a deployed state; a 2 nd extension extending from the 1 st extension in a direction intersecting a longitudinal direction of the 1 st extension; and a motor connecting portion extending from the 2 nd extension portion and connected to the motor,

the 1 st projecting portion has a 1 st folded-back portion folded back in the longitudinal direction,

the motor connection is located outside the main direction compared to the motor connection when the 1 st extension is in the deployed state.

2. The printing unit of claim 1, wherein,

the position of the main direction of the outer end of the motor connection is the same as or inside the main direction of the outer end of the base when the 1 st extension is in the deployed state.

3. The printing unit of claim 1, wherein,

the flexible printed circuit board is capable of switching between a 2 nd form in which the 2 nd extension portion has a 2 nd folded portion folded back in a longitudinal direction and a 1 st form in which the 2 nd folded portion is expanded.

4. The printing unit of claim 1, wherein,

the motor is fixed to the frame by an adhesive.

5. A portable terminal comprising the printing unit according to claim 1.

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