[go: up one dir, main page]

EP1497135A1 - Thermal printing head comprising a guide member for the print tape configured as protective cover for a flexible control printed circuit board - Google Patents

Thermal printing head comprising a guide member for the print tape configured as protective cover for a flexible control printed circuit board

Info

Publication number
EP1497135A1
EP1497135A1 EP03727598A EP03727598A EP1497135A1 EP 1497135 A1 EP1497135 A1 EP 1497135A1 EP 03727598 A EP03727598 A EP 03727598A EP 03727598 A EP03727598 A EP 03727598A EP 1497135 A1 EP1497135 A1 EP 1497135A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
printed circuit
support
guide member
flexible printed
printing
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Granted
Application number
EP03727598A
Other languages
German (de)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP1497135B1 (en
Inventor
Claude Jean Montagutelli Denis
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
APS ENGINEERING
Original Assignee
APS Engineering SARL
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by APS Engineering SARL filed Critical APS Engineering SARL
Publication of EP1497135A1 publication Critical patent/EP1497135A1/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP1497135B1 publication Critical patent/EP1497135B1/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B41—PRINTING; LINING MACHINES; TYPEWRITERS; STAMPS
    • B41J—TYPEWRITERS; SELECTIVE PRINTING MECHANISMS, i.e. MECHANISMS PRINTING OTHERWISE THAN FROM A FORME; CORRECTION OF TYPOGRAPHICAL ERRORS
    • B41J2/00—Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed
    • B41J2/315—Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed characterised by selective application of heat to a heat sensitive printing or impression-transfer material
    • B41J2/32—Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed characterised by selective application of heat to a heat sensitive printing or impression-transfer material using thermal heads
    • B41J2/335—Structure of thermal heads

Definitions

  • Thermal print head comprising a member for guiding the strip to be printed which is designed as a protective cover for a flexible control printed circuit.
  • the invention is in the field of thermal printing machines, in particular applicable to payment terminals. It relates to a member for guiding a strip to be printed, fitted to a print head for such machines.
  • Thermal printing mechanisms comprising a support housing means for driving a strip to be printed against a thermal printing head, and means for controlling the dynamic members of the mechanism from remote control means.
  • these mechanisms are more particularly known those whose print head comprises a rigid support carrying a printing member made of ceramic material and a member for guiding the strip to be printed.
  • the control means consist, according to various variants, either of a rigid plate fixed on the support, said rigid plate incorporating a printed circuit, or of a flexible printed circuit inside which such a circuit is embedded, the circuit flexible print being fixed on the printing member by means of pins or by welding in particular.
  • EP0729839 (ROHM CO Ltd) to attach by interlocking on the support, a metal guide member of the strip to be printed, this guide member comprising lugs which extend through a rigid printed circuit constituting the means piloting the print head, through the openings it includes.
  • These pins make it possible to establish an electrical contact between the support, conductor, and the guide member, also conductive, and therefore between the support and the strip to be printed, with a view to the evacuation of static electricity than that -this vehicle.
  • the general aim of the present invention is to propose simple arrangements for fitting out the print head in order to remedy all of the abovementioned drawbacks. More specifically, it is the object of the present invention to organize the structure of the print head so as to make its structure as simple and as compact as possible, this organization also making it possible to facilitate the protection of its sensitive organs, in particular the printing organ and the control means both mechanically and with regard to the electrostatic charges conveyed by the various organs composing it.
  • a first specific aim of the present invention is to propose a thermal print head arranged so as to make the mechanical connection of the various elements making it reliable and so as to protect the sensitive organs, control means and an impression in particular, this arrangement does not, however, affect either a simplification of its organization or its reduced size.
  • a second object of the present invention is to propose a thermal printhead whose simple organization and of a reduced bulk allow to implement specific provisions to protect its sensitive organs from the electrostatic charges present in its environment in use.
  • the thermal print head of the present invention is intended to equip a printing mechanism with a strip to be printed, as applicable to payment terminals.
  • This print head comprises a rigid support carrying a printing member made of ceramic material, a member for guiding a strip to be printed, and means for controlling the printing head.
  • the guide member is attached to the rigid support by interlocking.
  • the control means consist of a flexible printed circuit fixed on the printing member.
  • the support comprises a flexible printed circuit guide wing, around which it extends in part from one to the other of the large faces of the latter.
  • the guide member is advantageously arranged in the protective cover of the guide wing of the support enveloped by the flexible printed circuit.
  • the guide member is advantageously attached to the guide wing by interlocking, in particular elastic, so as to cover at least partially and jointly the flexible printed circuit and the large opposite faces of the guide wing.
  • the guide member is advantageously generally in the form of a jumper, its assembly by interlocking on the support being produced at least by pinching the guide wing by the guide member between the legs facing each other.
  • screws of the rider which are preferably elastically mobile or which similarly include elastically antagonistic members.
  • the control means consist of a flexible printed circuit fixed on the printing member, which is used to allow the support to be grounded from a contact established between a bare area of the flexible printed circuit and the support, and / or similarly between a bare area of the flexible printed circuit and the guide member, itself in electrical contact with the support.
  • This electrical contact is caused by a localized support in correspondence exerted on the flexible printed circuit by at least one finger that includes the guide member.
  • the print head is of the type in which the guide member is attached to the support so as to establish electrical contact between them, to at least evacuate the electrostatic charges conveyed by the strip. to be printed. It will be understood that the guide member and the support are electrically conductive.
  • control means consist of a flexible printed circuit fixed on the printing member, and the member for guiding the strip to be printed is used for placing to the mass of the print head via the flexible printed circuit.
  • This guide member advantageously comprises at least one finger, in particular in plurality, for localized support on the flexible printed circuit. This localized support establishes an electrical contact between the flexible printed circuit and at least any one of the support and of the guide member, for earthing of the print head via the flexible printed circuit.
  • any one of the support and of the guide member can be only structurally limited to their zones sought to be conductive.
  • the internal face of the guide member comprises the said localized support member formed on the corresponding tab of the rider.
  • the latter has a generally L-shaped profile.
  • a first wing of the support supports in superposition the printing member made of ceramic material, which is in particular arranged in a plate.
  • a second wing of the support concurrent with the previous one and in particular substantially orthogonal, constitutes the guide wing of the flexible printed circuit.
  • the flexible printed circuit is preferably fixed to the printing member by welding, the guide member advantageously comprising at least one cover wall of the flexible printed circuit, at least partly in its area of covering of the support.
  • the cover wall which covers the flexible printed circuit in the vicinity of its soldering zone is provided with at least one member for protecting the soldering zones on the printing member of the flexible printed circuit, and / or if necessary from their close vicinity.
  • the assembly by fitting of the guide member on the support is preferably a fitting that is hardly reversible, and preferably spontaneously irreversible, such as by means of a clip or the like.
  • the assembly by fitting of the guide member on the support is supported by a fitting member of the guide member inside a corresponding recess of the support.
  • the mechanical and electrical connection between the guide member and the support is additionally completed by means of side walls of the guide member, in contact with the corresponding edges of the support.
  • the guide member preferably includes a clearance facing a window of the support, for a passage of an optical signal from a member for detecting the strip to be printed. It will be noted that, where appropriate, this clearance from the guide member also allows the passage of a protruding optical detection member, which is advantageously supported by the flexible printed circuit.
  • any one of the support and / or of the guide member is formed by cutting and bending a sheet of metal.
  • any one of the support and / or of the guide member is formed by molding a conductive plastic material, the latter being either loaded or provided with a conductive coating. so as to be generally conductive, either incorporating conductive members embedded during the molding operation.
  • Fig.1 is a top view, in exploded perspective, of a print head according to a first embodiment of the invention.
  • F ⁇ g.2 is a perspective view from above of the print head shown in fig.1, partially assembled
  • Fig.3 is a perspective bottom view of the print head shown in fig.1 and fig.2, partially assembled.
  • Fig.4 is a top view, in exploded perspective, of a print head according to a second, preferred, embodiment of the invention.
  • Fig.5 is a perspective view from above of the print head shown in Fig.1, partially assembled
  • Fig.6 is a bottom perspective view of the print head shown in Fig.1 and Fig.2, partially assembled.
  • a thermal print head is mainly composed of a conductive support 1, a print member made of ceramic material 2, a flexible printed circuit 3 and a conductive guide member 4 of a scrollable print strip (not shown in the figures).
  • the support 1 comprises two orthogonal wings 5 and 6, including a first wing 5 which is intended to support a plate 2 made of ceramic material, constituting the printing member, and a second wing 6 which is intended to be enveloped by the circuit flexible print 3, from one to the other of its large faces.
  • the flexible printed circuit 3 has tabs 7, 7 ′, 7 "for fixing by welding to the printing member 2. It appears that the 180 ° return of the flexible printed circuit 3 from its fixing zone allows to prevent the soldering zones from being subjected to an untimely tension liable to affect the quality of the fixing of the flexible printed circuit to the printing member.
  • the guide member 4 is arranged as a protective cover for the circuit flexible printed 3, and for this purpose comprises two superimposed walls 8 and 9 to cover one and the other of the faces of the flexible printed circuit 3 in contact with the second wing 6 of the support 1.
  • the wall 8 covering the flexible printed circuit 3 in its zone of attachment to the printing member 2 comprises members 10a, 10b, 10c, 10d, 10e (first variant fig.1 to fig.3) or 20a, 20b (second variant fig. 4 to fig. 6) for protecting the weld zones.
  • Certain areas of these protective members, or even some of these members themselves according to the first illustrated variant, are for example assigned to the protection of the solder areas of the flexible printed circuit 3 against being torn off; other areas of these protective members, or even some of these members themselves according to the first illustrated variant, are for example assigned to cover the vacant space between electronic members, such as 16,16 ', supported in projection by the printing member 2, and the edge adjacent to the corresponding wall 8 of the guide member 4 covering the flexible printed circuit 3, in order to prevent the untimely passage of dirt or dust.
  • the guide member 4 has fingers 11, 11 ', 11 "(first variant fig.1 to fig.3) or 21, 21'21", 21 "' (second variant fig.4 to fig. 6), of support located on the flexible printed circuit 3.
  • the guide member 4 is in electrical contact with the support 1, by means of at least one member 17 (first and second variant fig.1 to fig.6) and / or 22 (second variant fig.4 to fig.6) that it comprises, fitting inside a corresponding housing 18 and / or 23 of the support 1.
  • This electrical contact is preferably reinforced by bringing the side walls 12,12 'of the guide member 4, with the corresponding edges 13, 13 ′ of the support 1. This results in a grounding of the assembly of the print head, including the unrolling strip in contact with the member guide 4.
  • the conductive support 1 is capable of being in electrical contact with the chassis of the printing mechanism (not shown in the figures) which supports the head, the printing mechanism can therefore be grounded thanks to the support caused by the guide member 4 of the strip to be printed on the flexible printed circuit 3, for the electrical contacting of the latter 3 with the support 1.
  • the support 1 and the guide member 4 are formed by cutting and bending a metal sheet.
  • the support 1 and the guide member 4 are formed by molding a plastic material, made conductive by coating or by a load, the supporting fingers 21, 21 ', 21 ", 21”', the protective members 20a, 20b and the interlocking members 17 and 23 in particular, being formed during the molding operation of the guide member 4.
  • a guide member 4 of a strip to be printed for thermal print head in that it is in one piece and shaped as a jumper comprising two superimposed walls 8 and 9 of cover, at least partial, respectively and jointly of one and the other of the faces of the flexible printed circuit 3, the said superimposed walls 8 and 9 leaving between it a space for the passage of the guide wing 6 of the support, enveloped by the flexible printed circuit 3, so that the configuration in jumper of the guide member 4 allows its elastic fitting on the guide wing 6 of the support 1 and allows to protect the flexible printed circuit 3 in its zone of junction with the support 1, including and advantageously in its weld zones on the printing member 2, and so that, one of the walls 8 of the guide member 4 comprising supporting fingers 11 or 21 located on the flexible printed circuit 3, an electrical contact so it established between the flexible printed circuit 3 and the support 1, for grounding the printhead via the flexible printed circuit 3.
  • the guide member 4 further comprises at least one interlocking member 17,12,22 for mechanical and electrical connection with the support 1, by means of cooperating members 18,13,23 that the latter comprises.
  • the wall 9, opposite to the previous 8, of the guide member 4 comprises fingers 11, 11 ', 11 "or 21, 21', 21" of elastic support for obtaining electrical contact between the support 1 and the flexible printed circuit 3, for grounding the print head.

Landscapes

  • Electronic Switches (AREA)
  • Accessory Devices And Overall Control Thereof (AREA)

Abstract

The invention concerns a thermal printing head comprising a guide member (4) for the print tape which is made in a single-piece and designed as a jumper comprising two superimposed walls (8, 9), covering, at least partly, respectively and jointly both surfaces of a flexible printed circuit board (3), said superimposed walls (8, 9) providing between them a space for the passage of the support guide wing (6), enclosed by the flexible printed circuit board (3), such that the jumper design of the guide member (4) enables its being elastically nested on the guide wing (6) of the support (1) and provides protection for the flexible printed circuit board (3) in the zone of its junction with the support (1), and such that, one of the walls (8) of the guide member (4) comprising fingers (11, 21) producing localized elastic pressure on the flexible printed circuit board (3), an electric contact is provided between the flexible printed circuit board (3) and the support (1) for grounding the printing head via the flexible printed circuit.

Description

Tête d'impression thermique comportant un organe de guidage de la bande à imprimer qui est conformé en capot de protection d'un circuit imprimé souple de pilotage.Thermal print head comprising a member for guiding the strip to be printed which is designed as a protective cover for a flexible control printed circuit.
L'invention est du domaine des machines à impression thermique, notamment applicables aux terminaux de paiement. Elle a pour objet un organe de guidage d'une bande à imprimer, équipant une tête d'impression pour de telles machines.The invention is in the field of thermal printing machines, in particular applicable to payment terminals. It relates to a member for guiding a strip to be printed, fitted to a print head for such machines.
On connaît des mécanismes d'impression thermique, comprenant un support logeant des moyens d'entraînement d'une bande à imprimer contre une tête d'impression thermique, et des moyens de pilotage des organes dynamiques du mécanisme à partir de moyens de commande distants. On connaît plus particulièrement parmi ces mécanismes ceux dont la tête d'impression comprend un support rigide porteur d'un organe d'impression en matériau céramique et d'un organe de guidage de la bande à imprimer. Les moyens de pilotage sont constitués, selon diverses variantes, soit d'une plaque rigide fixée sur le support, ladite plaque rigide incorporant un circuit imprimé, soit d'un circuit imprimé souple à l'intérieur duquel est noyé un tel circuit, le circuit imprimé souple étant fixé sur l'organe d'impression par l'intermédiaire de picots ou par soudage notamment.Thermal printing mechanisms are known, comprising a support housing means for driving a strip to be printed against a thermal printing head, and means for controlling the dynamic members of the mechanism from remote control means. Among these mechanisms are more particularly known those whose print head comprises a rigid support carrying a printing member made of ceramic material and a member for guiding the strip to be printed. The control means consist, according to various variants, either of a rigid plate fixed on the support, said rigid plate incorporating a printed circuit, or of a flexible printed circuit inside which such a circuit is embedded, the circuit flexible print being fixed on the printing member by means of pins or by welding in particular.
Les difficultés à résoudre dans le domaine résident dans une organisation structurelle de la tête d'impression qui soit simple et d'un encombrement réduit. C'est pourquoi, une solution préférée consiste à utiliser un connecteur souple pour les moyens de pilotage. Cependant, la fragilité du circuit imprimé souple, et sa liaison délicate avec la tête d'impression, et notamment avec l'organe d'impression, tendent à affecter les avantages offerts par leur utilisation en raison d'aménagements particuliers de la tête d'impression visant à protéger le circuit imprimé souple et à conforter, voire renforcer, sa liaison avec l'organe d'impression. Par ailleurs, un problème général à résoudre réside dans une mise à la masse des divers organes participant du mécanisme d'impression. Plus particulièrement concernant la tête d'impression, celle-ci est particulièrement fragile et risque d'être détériorée suite à des décharges électrostatiques en provenance des éléments qui l'environnent, qu'elle supporte et/ou qu'elle comporte, y compris la bande à imprimer.The difficulties to be solved in the field reside in a structural organization of the printhead which is simple and of a reduced bulk. This is why a preferred solution consists in using a flexible connector for the control means. However, the fragility of the flexible printed circuit, and its delicate connection with the printing head, and in particular with the printing member, tend to affect the advantages offered by their use due to particular arrangements of the printing head. printing intended to protect the flexible printed circuit and to consolidate, or even strengthen, its connection with the printing member. Furthermore, a general problem to be solved resides in the grounding of the various organs participating in the printing mechanism. More particularly concerning the print head, it is particularly fragile and risks being deteriorated following electrostatic discharges from the elements which surround it, which it supports and / or which it comprises, including the strip to be printed.
Il a été proposé par EP0729839 (ROHM CO Ltd) de rapporter par emboîtement sur le support, un organe de guidage métallique de la bande à imprimer, cet organe de guidage comportant des ergots qui s'étendent à travers un circuit imprimé rigide constituant les moyens de pilotage de la tête d'impression, par l'intermédiaire d'ouvertures qu'il comporte. Ces ergots permettent d'établir un contact électrique entre le support, conducteur, et l'organe de guidage, lui aussi conducteur, et donc entre le support et la bande à imprimer, en vue de l'évacuation de l'électricité statique que celle-ci véhicule.It has been proposed by EP0729839 (ROHM CO Ltd) to attach by interlocking on the support, a metal guide member of the strip to be printed, this guide member comprising lugs which extend through a rigid printed circuit constituting the means piloting the print head, through the openings it includes. These pins make it possible to establish an electrical contact between the support, conductor, and the guide member, also conductive, and therefore between the support and the strip to be printed, with a view to the evacuation of static electricity than that -this vehicle.
Le but général de la présente invention est de proposer des dispositions simples d'aménagement de la tête d'impression pour remédier à l'ensemble des inconvénients susvisés. Plus précisément, il est visé par la présente invention d'organiser la structure de la tête d'impression de manière à rendre sa structure la plus simple et d'un encombrement le plus réduit possible, cette organisation permettant en outre de faciliter la protection de ses organes sensibles, notamment l'organe d'impression et les moyens de pilotage tant mécaniquement qu'au regard des charges électrostatiques véhiculées par les différents organes la composant.The general aim of the present invention is to propose simple arrangements for fitting out the print head in order to remedy all of the abovementioned drawbacks. More specifically, it is the object of the present invention to organize the structure of the print head so as to make its structure as simple and as compact as possible, this organization also making it possible to facilitate the protection of its sensitive organs, in particular the printing organ and the control means both mechanically and with regard to the electrostatic charges conveyed by the various organs composing it.
Plus particulièrement, un premier but spécifique de la présente invention est de proposer une tête d'impression thermique aménagée de manière à fiabiliser la liaison mécanique des différents éléments la composant et de manière à en protéger les organes sensibles, moyens de pilotage et organe d'impression notamment, cet aménagement ne portant néanmoins pas atteinte ni à une simplification de son organisation, ni à son encombrement réduit.More particularly, a first specific aim of the present invention is to propose a thermal print head arranged so as to make the mechanical connection of the various elements making it reliable and so as to protect the sensitive organs, control means and an impression in particular, this arrangement does not, however, affect either a simplification of its organization or its reduced size.
Plus particulièrement encore, un deuxième but de la présente invention est de proposer une tête d'impression thermique dont l'organisation simple et d'un encombrement réduit permette de mettre en œuvre des dispositions spécifiques pour protéger ses organes sensibles des charges électrostatiques présentes dans son environnement en cours d'utilisation. La tête d'impression thermique de la présente invention est destinée à équiper un mécanisme d'impression d'une bande à imprimer, tel qu'applicable aux terminaux de paiement.More particularly still, a second object of the present invention is to propose a thermal printhead whose simple organization and of a reduced bulk allow to implement specific provisions to protect its sensitive organs from the electrostatic charges present in its environment in use. The thermal print head of the present invention is intended to equip a printing mechanism with a strip to be printed, as applicable to payment terminals.
Cette tête d'impression comprend un support rigide porteur d'un organe d'impression en matériau céramique, d'un organe de guidage d'une bande à imprimer, et de moyens de pilotage de la tête d'impression. L'organe de guidage est rapporté sur le support rigide par emboîtement.This print head comprises a rigid support carrying a printing member made of ceramic material, a member for guiding a strip to be printed, and means for controlling the printing head. The guide member is attached to the rigid support by interlocking.
Selon une première approche de la présente invention, les moyens de pilotage sont constitués d'un circuit imprimé souple fixé sur l'organe d'impression. Le support comporte une aile de guidage du circuit imprimé souple, autour de laquelle il s'étend en partie de l'une à l'autre des grandes faces de celle-ci. L'organe de guidage est quant à lui avantageusement agencé en capot de protection de l'aile de guidage du support enveloppée par le circuit imprimé souple. L'organe de guidage est avantageusement rapporté sur l'aile de guidage par emboîtement, élastique notamment, de manière à coiffer au moins partiellement et conjointement le circuit imprimé souple et les grandes faces opposées de l'aile de guidage. Ces dispositions sont telles que le circuit imprimé souple est orienté avec un renvoi de 180° depuis sa zone de fixation à l'organe d'impression vers l'extérieur de la tête d'impression, en étant protégé par l'organe de guidage.According to a first approach of the present invention, the control means consist of a flexible printed circuit fixed on the printing member. The support comprises a flexible printed circuit guide wing, around which it extends in part from one to the other of the large faces of the latter. The guide member is advantageously arranged in the protective cover of the guide wing of the support enveloped by the flexible printed circuit. The guide member is advantageously attached to the guide wing by interlocking, in particular elastic, so as to cover at least partially and jointly the flexible printed circuit and the large opposite faces of the guide wing. These provisions are such that the flexible printed circuit is oriented with a return of 180 ° from its zone of attachment to the printing member towards the outside of the printing head, while being protected by the guide member.
Selon une forme avantageuse de réalisation, l'organe de guidage est avantageusement globalement conformé en cavalier, son assemblage par emboîtement sur le support étant réalisé au moins par pincement de l'aile de guidage par l'organe de guidage entre les pattes en vis à vis du cavalier, qui sont de préférence élastiquement mobiles ou qui comportent de manière analogue des organes élastiquement antagonistes.According to an advantageous embodiment, the guide member is advantageously generally in the form of a jumper, its assembly by interlocking on the support being produced at least by pinching the guide wing by the guide member between the legs facing each other. screws of the rider, which are preferably elastically mobile or which similarly include elastically antagonistic members.
Selon une deuxième approche de la présente invention, les moyens de pilotage sont constitués d'un circuit imprimé souple fixé sur l'organe d'impression, qui est mis à profit pour permettre une mise à la masse du support à partir d'un contact établi entre une zone dénudée du circuit imprimé souple et le support, et/ou de manière analogue entre une zone dénudée du circuit imprimé souple et l'organe de guidage, lui-même en contact électrique avec le support. Ce contact électrique est provoqué par un appui localisé en correspondance exercé sur le circuit imprimé souple par au moins un doigt que comporte l'organe de guidage. On relèvera que l'organisation susvisée de la liaison mécanique entre l'organe de guidage d'une part et le circuit imprimé souple et le support d'autre part, permet avantageusement de réaliser simplement le contact entre le support et le circuit imprimé souple, à partir de l'organe de guidage. Selon cette deuxième approche de la présente invention, la tête d'impression est du genre dans laquelle l'organe de guidage est rapporté sur le support de manière à établir un contact électrique entre eux, pour au moins évacuer les charges électrostatiques véhiculées par la bande à imprimer. On comprendra que l'organe de guidage et le support sont électriquement conducteurs.According to a second approach of the present invention, the control means consist of a flexible printed circuit fixed on the printing member, which is used to allow the support to be grounded from a contact established between a bare area of the flexible printed circuit and the support, and / or similarly between a bare area of the flexible printed circuit and the guide member, itself in electrical contact with the support. This electrical contact is caused by a localized support in correspondence exerted on the flexible printed circuit by at least one finger that includes the guide member. It will be noted that the aforementioned organization of the mechanical connection between the guide member on the one hand and the flexible printed circuit and the support on the other hand, advantageously makes it possible to simply make contact between the support and the flexible printed circuit, from the guide member. According to this second approach of the present invention, the print head is of the type in which the guide member is attached to the support so as to establish electrical contact between them, to at least evacuate the electrostatic charges conveyed by the strip. to be printed. It will be understood that the guide member and the support are electrically conductive.
Selon un aspect de l'invention relatif à cette deuxième approche, les moyens de pilotage sont constitués d'un circuit imprimé souple fixé sur l'organe d'impression, et l'organe de guidage de la bande à imprimer est exploité pour une mise à la masse de la tête d'impression par l'intermédiaire du circuit imprimé souple. Cet organe de guidage comporte avantageusement au moins un doigt, en pluralité notamment, pour un appui localisé sur le circuit imprimé souple. Cet appui localisé établit un contact électrique entre le circuit imprimé souple et l'un quelconque au moins du support et de l'organe de guidage, pour une mise à la masse de la tête d'impression par l'intermédiaire du circuit imprimé souple.According to one aspect of the invention relating to this second approach, the control means consist of a flexible printed circuit fixed on the printing member, and the member for guiding the strip to be printed is used for placing to the mass of the print head via the flexible printed circuit. This guide member advantageously comprises at least one finger, in particular in plurality, for localized support on the flexible printed circuit. This localized support establishes an electrical contact between the flexible printed circuit and at least any one of the support and of the guide member, for earthing of the print head via the flexible printed circuit.
On comprendra que le caractère conducteur de l'un quelconque du support et de l'organe de guidage peut être seulement structurellement limité à leurs zones recherchées pour être conductrices.It will be understood that the conductive nature of any one of the support and of the guide member can be only structurally limited to their zones sought to be conductive.
On comprendra que selon une forme avantageuse de réalisation combinant les deux approches susvisées, la face interne de l'organe de guidage comporte le dit organe d'appui localisé ménagé sur la patte correspondante du cavalier. Selon une forme préférée de réalisation du support, celui-ci comporte un profil globalement conformé en L. Une première aile du support supporte en superposition l'organe d'impression en matériau céramique, qui est notamment agencé en plaquette. Une deuxième aile du support, concourante à la précédente et notamment sensiblement orthogonale, constitue l'aile de guidage du circuit imprimé souple.It will be understood that according to an advantageous embodiment combining the two abovementioned approaches, the internal face of the guide member comprises the said localized support member formed on the corresponding tab of the rider. According to a preferred embodiment of the support, the latter has a generally L-shaped profile. A first wing of the support supports in superposition the printing member made of ceramic material, which is in particular arranged in a plate. A second wing of the support, concurrent with the previous one and in particular substantially orthogonal, constitutes the guide wing of the flexible printed circuit.
Le circuit imprimé souple est de préférence fixé à l'organe d'impression par soudage, l'organe de guidage comportant avantageusement au moins une paroi de couverture du circuit imprimé souple, au moins en partie dans sa zone de recouvrement du support. La paroi de couverture qui recouvre le circuit imprimé souple au voisinage de sa zone de soudure, est pourvue d'au moins un organe de protection des zones de soudure sur l'organe d'impression du circuit imprimé souple, et/ou le cas échéant de leur voisinage proche. L'assemblage par emboîtement de l'organe de guidage sur le support, est préférentiellement un emboîtement difficilement réversible, et de préférence spontanément irréversible, tel qu'au moyen d'un clip ou analogue.The flexible printed circuit is preferably fixed to the printing member by welding, the guide member advantageously comprising at least one cover wall of the flexible printed circuit, at least partly in its area of covering of the support. The cover wall which covers the flexible printed circuit in the vicinity of its soldering zone, is provided with at least one member for protecting the soldering zones on the printing member of the flexible printed circuit, and / or if necessary from their close vicinity. The assembly by fitting of the guide member on the support, is preferably a fitting that is hardly reversible, and preferably spontaneously irreversible, such as by means of a clip or the like.
Par exemple, l'assemblage par emboîtement de l'organe de guidage sur le support est conforté par un organe d'emboîtement de l'organe de guidage à l'intérieur d'un évidemment correspondant du support. On notera que la liaison mécanique et électrique entre l'organe de guidage et le support est accessoirement complétée par l'intermédiaire de parois latérales de l'organe de guidage, en contact avec les tranches correspondantes du support. L'organe de guidage comporte de préférence un dégagement en regard sur une fenêtre du support, pour un passage d'un signal optique d'un organe de détection de la bande à imprimer. On notera que le cas échéant, ce dégagement de l'organe de guidage permet aussi le passage d'un organe de détection optique faisant saillie, qui est avantageusement supporté par le circuit imprimé souple. On relèvera que selon un autre aspect de l'invention révélant un autre de ses avantages, les dispositions susvisées, prises seules ou en combinaison, peuvent être obtenues par un aménagement simple de l'organe de guidage de la bande à imprimer et/ou du support, qui sont indépendamment constitués par un élément monobloc.For example, the assembly by fitting of the guide member on the support is supported by a fitting member of the guide member inside a corresponding recess of the support. Note that the mechanical and electrical connection between the guide member and the support is additionally completed by means of side walls of the guide member, in contact with the corresponding edges of the support. The guide member preferably includes a clearance facing a window of the support, for a passage of an optical signal from a member for detecting the strip to be printed. It will be noted that, where appropriate, this clearance from the guide member also allows the passage of a protruding optical detection member, which is advantageously supported by the flexible printed circuit. It will be noted that according to another aspect of the invention revealing another of its advantages, the abovementioned arrangements, taken alone or in combination, can be obtained by a simple arrangement of the guide member of the strip to be printed and / or of the support, which are independently constituted by a monobloc element.
Selon une première variante de réalisation de cet agencement, l'un quelconque du support et /ou de l'organe de guidage est formé par découpage et pliage d'une feuille de métal.According to a first alternative embodiment of this arrangement, any one of the support and / or of the guide member is formed by cutting and bending a sheet of metal.
Selon une deuxième viariante de réalisation de cet agencement, l'un quelconque du support et /ou de l'organe de guidage est formé par moulage d'une matière plastique conductrice, celle-ci étant soit chargée ou pourvue d'un revêtement conducteur de manière à être globalement conductrice, soit incorporant des organes conducteurs noyés lors de l'opération de moulage. La présente invention sera mieux comprise et des détails en relevant apparaîtront, à la description qui va en être faite d'une forme préférée de réalisation, en relation avec les figures des planches annexées, dans lesquelles :According to a second variant of this arrangement, any one of the support and / or of the guide member is formed by molding a conductive plastic material, the latter being either loaded or provided with a conductive coating. so as to be generally conductive, either incorporating conductive members embedded during the molding operation. The present invention will be better understood and details will become apparent from the description which will be made of a preferred embodiment thereof, in relation to the figures of the appended plates, in which:
La fig.1 est une vue de dessus, en perspective éclatée, d'une tête d'impression selon une première variante de réalisation de l'invention.Fig.1 is a top view, in exploded perspective, of a print head according to a first embodiment of the invention.
La fιg.2 est une vue de dessus en perspective de la tête d'impression représentée sur la fig.1 , partiellement assemblée,Fιg.2 is a perspective view from above of the print head shown in fig.1, partially assembled,
La fig.3 est une vue de dessous en perspective de la tête d'impression représentée sur les fig.1 et fig.2, partiellement assemblée.Fig.3 is a perspective bottom view of the print head shown in fig.1 and fig.2, partially assembled.
La fig.4 est une vue de dessus, en perspective éclatée, d'une tête d'impression selon une deuxième variante, préférée, de réalisation de l'invention.Fig.4 is a top view, in exploded perspective, of a print head according to a second, preferred, embodiment of the invention.
La fig.5 est une vue de dessus en perspective de la tête d'impression représentée sur la fig.1 , partiellement assemblée,Fig.5 is a perspective view from above of the print head shown in Fig.1, partially assembled,
La fig.6 est une vue de dessous en perspective de la tête d'impression représentée sur les fig.1 et fig.2, partiellement assemblée. Sur les figures, une tête d'impression thermique est principalement composée d'un support conducteur 1, d'un organe d'impression en matériau céramique 2, d'un circuit imprimé souple 3 et d'un organe conducteur de guidage 4 d'une bande à imprimer déroulante (non représentée sur les figures).Fig.6 is a bottom perspective view of the print head shown in Fig.1 and Fig.2, partially assembled. In the figures, a thermal print head is mainly composed of a conductive support 1, a print member made of ceramic material 2, a flexible printed circuit 3 and a conductive guide member 4 of a scrollable print strip (not shown in the figures).
Le support 1 comporte deux ailes orthogonales 5 et 6, dont une première aile 5 qui est prévue pour supporter une plaquette 2 en matériau céramique, constituant l'organe d'impression, et une deuxième aile 6 qui est prévue pour être enveloppée par le circuit imprimé souple 3, de l'une à l'autre de ses grandes faces. Le circuit imprimé souple 3 comporte des pattes 7,7',7" de fixation par soudage à l'organe d'impression 2. Il apparaît que le renvoi à 180° du circuit imprimé souple 3 à partir de sa zone de fixation, permet d'éviter que les zones de soudure ne soient sujettes à une tension inopportune susceptible d'altérer la qualité de la fixation du circuit imprimé souple à l'organe d'impression. L'organe de guidage 4 est agencé en capot de protection du circuit imprimé souple 3, et comporte à cet effet deux parois superposées 8 et 9 pour couvrir l'une et l'autre des faces du circuit imprimé souple 3 en contact avec la deuxième aile 6 du support 1.The support 1 comprises two orthogonal wings 5 and 6, including a first wing 5 which is intended to support a plate 2 made of ceramic material, constituting the printing member, and a second wing 6 which is intended to be enveloped by the circuit flexible print 3, from one to the other of its large faces. The flexible printed circuit 3 has tabs 7, 7 ′, 7 "for fixing by welding to the printing member 2. It appears that the 180 ° return of the flexible printed circuit 3 from its fixing zone allows to prevent the soldering zones from being subjected to an untimely tension liable to affect the quality of the fixing of the flexible printed circuit to the printing member. The guide member 4 is arranged as a protective cover for the circuit flexible printed 3, and for this purpose comprises two superimposed walls 8 and 9 to cover one and the other of the faces of the flexible printed circuit 3 in contact with the second wing 6 of the support 1.
La paroi 8 de couverture du circuit imprimé souple 3 dans sa zone de fixation à l'organe d'impression 2 comporte des organes 10a,10b,10c,10d,10e (première variante fig.1 à fig.3) ou 20a,20b (deuxième variante fig.4 à fig.6) de protection des zones de soudure.The wall 8 covering the flexible printed circuit 3 in its zone of attachment to the printing member 2 comprises members 10a, 10b, 10c, 10d, 10e (first variant fig.1 to fig.3) or 20a, 20b (second variant fig. 4 to fig. 6) for protecting the weld zones.
Certaines zones de ces organes de protection, voire certains de ces organes eux-mêmes selon la première variante illustrée, sont par exemple affectés à la protection des zones de soudure du circuit imprimé souple 3 à encontre de son arrachement ; d'autres zones de ces organes de protection, voire certains de ces organes eux-mêmes selon la première variante illustrée, sont par exemple affectés à la couverture de l'espace vacant entre des organes électroniques, tels que 16,16', supportés en saillie par l'organe d'impression 2, et le bord voisin de la paroi correspondante 8 de l'organe de guidage 4 couvrant le circuit imprimé souple 3, en vue d'interdire le passage inopportun de saletés ou de poussières. Par ailleurs, l'organe de guidage 4 comporte des doigts 11, 11', 11" (première variante fig.1 à fig.3) ou 21 ,21'21",21"' (deuxième variante fig.4 à fig.6), d'appui localisé sur le circuit imprimé souple 3. On comprendra que cette localisation des doigts d'appui 11 ,11 ',11" ou 21 , 21 '21 ",21"' est en relation avec des zones du circuit imprimé souple correspondantes à une mise à la masse. Ces appuis permettent d'établir un contact électrique fiable entre le support 1 et le circuit imprimé souple 3.Certain areas of these protective members, or even some of these members themselves according to the first illustrated variant, are for example assigned to the protection of the solder areas of the flexible printed circuit 3 against being torn off; other areas of these protective members, or even some of these members themselves according to the first illustrated variant, are for example assigned to cover the vacant space between electronic members, such as 16,16 ', supported in projection by the printing member 2, and the edge adjacent to the corresponding wall 8 of the guide member 4 covering the flexible printed circuit 3, in order to prevent the untimely passage of dirt or dust. Furthermore, the guide member 4 has fingers 11, 11 ', 11 "(first variant fig.1 to fig.3) or 21, 21'21", 21 "' (second variant fig.4 to fig. 6), of support located on the flexible printed circuit 3. It will be understood that this location of the support fingers 11, 11 ', 11 "or 21, 21 '21", 21 "' is in relation to zones of the circuit flexible print corresponding to a grounding. These supports make it possible to establish a reliable electrical contact between the support 1 and the flexible printed circuit 3.
L'organe de guidage 4 est en contact électrique avec le support 1 , par l'intermédiaire d'au moins un organe 17 (première et deuxième variante fig.1 à fig.6) et/ou 22 (deuxième variante fig.4 à fig.6) qu'il comporte, d'emboîtement à l'intérieur d'un logement correspondant 18 et/ou 23 du support 1. Ce contact électrique est de préférence conforté par une mise en contact de parois latérales 12,12' de l'organe de guidage 4, avec les tranches correspondantes 13,13' du support 1. Il en découle une mise à la masse de l'ensemble de la tête d'impression, y compris de la bande déroulante en contact avec l'organe de guidage 4.The guide member 4 is in electrical contact with the support 1, by means of at least one member 17 (first and second variant fig.1 to fig.6) and / or 22 (second variant fig.4 to fig.6) that it comprises, fitting inside a corresponding housing 18 and / or 23 of the support 1. This electrical contact is preferably reinforced by bringing the side walls 12,12 'of the guide member 4, with the corresponding edges 13, 13 ′ of the support 1. This results in a grounding of the assembly of the print head, including the unrolling strip in contact with the member guide 4.
Le support conducteur 1 étant susceptible d'être en contact électrique avec le châssis du mécanisme d'impression (non représenté sur les figures) qui supporte la tête, le mécanisme d'impression peut être donc mis à la masse grâce à l'appui provoqué par l'organe de guidage 4 de la bande à imprimer sur le circuit imprimé souple 3, pour la mise en contact électrique de ce dernier 3 avec le support 1.Since the conductive support 1 is capable of being in electrical contact with the chassis of the printing mechanism (not shown in the figures) which supports the head, the printing mechanism can therefore be grounded thanks to the support caused by the guide member 4 of the strip to be printed on the flexible printed circuit 3, for the electrical contacting of the latter 3 with the support 1.
On remarquera sur l'organe de guidage 4, recouvrant le circuit imprimé souple 3, la présence d'un dégagement 14 en vis à vis sur une fenêtre correspondante 15 du support 1. Ce dégagement 14 est prévu pour le passage d'un organe optique 19 supporté par le circuit imprimé souple 3, sinon au moins de son signal, de détection de la présence de la bande à imprimer.It will be noted on the guide member 4, covering the flexible printed circuit 3, the presence of a clearance 14 facing one another on a corresponding window 15 of the support 1. This clearance 14 is provided for the passage of an optical member 19 supported by the flexible printed circuit 3, if not at least its signal, for detecting the presence of the strip to be printed.
Selon la première variante de réalisation illustrée sur les fig.1 à fig.3, le support 1 et l'organe de guidage 4 sont formés par découpage et pliage d'une feuille de métal. Les doigts d'appui 11 , 11 ',11", les organes de protection 10a, 10b, 10c et 10d, et l'organe d'emboîtement 17 notamment, sont issus des parois 8 et 9 de l'organe de guidage prévues pour la couverture du circuit imprimé souple 3. Selon la deuxième variante de réalisation illustrée sur les fig.4 à fig.6, le support 1 et l'organe de guidage 4 sont formés par moulage d'une matière plastique, rendue conductrice par revêtement ou par une charge, les doigts d'appui 21, 21 ',21 ",21"', les organes de protection 20a,20b et les organes d'emboîtement 17 et 23 notamment, étant formés lors de l'opération de moulage de l'organe de guidage 4.According to the first alternative embodiment illustrated in fig.1 to fig.3, the support 1 and the guide member 4 are formed by cutting and bending a metal sheet. The support fingers 11, 11 ', 11 ", the protective members 10a, 10b, 10c and 10d, and the interlocking member 17 in particular, come from the walls 8 and 9 of the guide member provided for the cover of the flexible printed circuit 3. According to the second alternative embodiment illustrated in fig.4 to fig.6, the support 1 and the guide member 4 are formed by molding a plastic material, made conductive by coating or by a load, the supporting fingers 21, 21 ', 21 ", 21"', the protective members 20a, 20b and the interlocking members 17 and 23 in particular, being formed during the molding operation of the guide member 4.
On reconnaîtra donc dans sa globalité un organe de guidage 4 d'une bande à imprimer pour tête d'impression thermique en ce qu'il est monobloc et conformé en cavalier comportant deux parois superposées 8 et 9 de couverture, au moins partielle, respectivement et conjointement de l'une et l'autre des faces du circuit imprimé souple 3, les dites parois superposées 8 et 9 ménageant entre elle un espace pour le passage de l'aile de guidage 6 du support, enveloppée par le circuit imprimée souple 3, de sorte que la conformation en cavalier de l'organe de guidage 4 permette son emboîtement élastique sur l'aile de guidage 6 du support 1 et permette de protéger le circuit imprimé souple 3 dans sa zone de jonction avec le support 1 , y compris et avantageusement dans ses zones de soudure sur l'organe d'impression 2, et de sorte que, l'une des parois 8 de l'organe de guidage 4 comportant des doigts 11 ou 21 d'appui localisé sur le circuit imprimé souple 3, un contact électrique soit établi entre le circuit imprimé souple 3 et le support 1 , pour une mise à la masse de la tête d'impression par l'intermédiaire du circuit imprimé souple 3.We therefore recognize in its entirety a guide member 4 of a strip to be printed for thermal print head in that it is in one piece and shaped as a jumper comprising two superimposed walls 8 and 9 of cover, at least partial, respectively and jointly of one and the other of the faces of the flexible printed circuit 3, the said superimposed walls 8 and 9 leaving between it a space for the passage of the guide wing 6 of the support, enveloped by the flexible printed circuit 3, so that the configuration in jumper of the guide member 4 allows its elastic fitting on the guide wing 6 of the support 1 and allows to protect the flexible printed circuit 3 in its zone of junction with the support 1, including and advantageously in its weld zones on the printing member 2, and so that, one of the walls 8 of the guide member 4 comprising supporting fingers 11 or 21 located on the flexible printed circuit 3, an electrical contact so it established between the flexible printed circuit 3 and the support 1, for grounding the printhead via the flexible printed circuit 3.
L'organe de guidage 4 comporte en outre au moins un organe d'emboîtement 17,12,22 de liaison mécanique et électrique avec le support 1 , par l'intermédiaire d'organes coopérant 18,13,23 que celui-ci comporte. La paroi (8) de l'organe de guidage (4) destinée à couvrir le circuit imprimé souple (3) au voisinage de sa fixation par soudage à l'organe d'impression (2), comporte des organes (10) de protection des zones de soudure. La paroi 9, opposée à la précédente 8, de l'organe de guidage 4 comporte des doigts 11 ,11 ',11" ou 21, 21 ',21" d'appui élastique pour l'obtention d'un contact électrique entre le support 1 et le circuit imprimé souple 3, en vue d'une mise à la masse de la tête d'impression. The guide member 4 further comprises at least one interlocking member 17,12,22 for mechanical and electrical connection with the support 1, by means of cooperating members 18,13,23 that the latter comprises. The wall (8) of the guide member (4) intended to cover the flexible printed circuit (3) in the vicinity of its fixing by welding to the printing member (2), comprises protective members (10) weld zones. The wall 9, opposite to the previous 8, of the guide member 4 comprises fingers 11, 11 ', 11 "or 21, 21', 21" of elastic support for obtaining electrical contact between the support 1 and the flexible printed circuit 3, for grounding the print head.

Claims

REVENDICATIONS
1.- Tête d'impression thermique pour mécanisme d'impression d'une bande à imprimer, cette tête comprenant un support rigide (1) porteur d'un organe d'impression (2) en matériau céramique, d'un organe de guidage (4) d'une bande à imprimer, et de moyens de pilotage de la tête d'impression, l'organe de guidage (4) étant rapporté sur le support rigide (1) par emboîtement caractérisée : en ce que les moyens de pilotage étant constitués d'un circuit imprimé souple fixé sur l'organe d'impression, le support (1) comporte une aile (6) de guidage du circuit imprimé souple (3) autour de laquelle il s'étend de l'une à l'autre des grandes faces de celle-ci (6), l'organe de guidage (4) étant agencé en capot de protection de cette aile de guidage enveloppée par le circuit imprimé souple (3) et sur laquelle l'organe de guidage est rapporté par emboîtement de manière à coiffer au moins partiellement et conjointement le circuit imprimé souple et les grandes faces opposées de l'aile de guidage que comporte le support (1), de telle sorte que le circuit imprimé souple (3) soit orienté avec un renvoi de 180° depuis sa zone de fixation à l'organe d'impression (2) vers l'extérieur de la tête d'impression, en étant protégé par l'organe de guidage (4).1.- Thermal print head for printing mechanism of a strip to be printed, this head comprising a rigid support (1) carrying a printing member (2) made of ceramic material, a guide member (4) a strip to be printed, and means for controlling the print head, the guide member (4) being attached to the rigid support (1) by interlocking, characterized: in that the control means consisting of a flexible printed circuit attached to the printing member, the support (1) comprises a wing (6) for guiding the flexible printed circuit (3) around which it extends from one to the other. 'other of the large faces thereof (6), the guide member (4) being arranged in the protective cover of this guide wing enveloped by the flexible printed circuit (3) and on which the guide member is fitted by fitting so as to cover at least partially and jointly the flexible printed circuit and the large opposite faces d e the guide wing that comprises the support (1), so that the flexible printed circuit (3) is oriented with a return of 180 ° from its zone of attachment to the printing member (2) towards the exterior of the print head, being protected by the guide member (4).
2.- Tête d'impression selon la revendication 1 , caractérisée : en ce que l'organe de guidage (4) est globalement conformé en cavalier, son assemblage par emboîtement sur le support étant réalisé au moins par pincement de l'aile de guidage par l'organe de guidage entre les pattes en vis à vis du cavalier.2. A printhead according to claim 1, characterized: in that the guide member (4) is generally shaped in a jumper, its assembly by interlocking on the support being produced at least by pinching the guide wing by the guide member between the legs facing the rider.
3.- Tête d'impression selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, caractérisée : en ce que, l'organe de guidage (4) étant rapporté sur le support rigide (1) par emboîtement de manière à établir un contact électrique entre eux pour au moins évacuer les charges électrostatiques véhiculées par la bande à imprimer, l'organe de guidage et le support étant conducteurs, et les moyens de pilotage étant constitués d'un circuit imprimé souple (3) fixé sur l'organe d'impression (2), l'organe de guidage (4) de la bande à imprimer comporte au moins un doigt (11 ,11',11",21 ,21',21",21'") d'appui localisé sur le circuit imprimé souple (3), de manière à établir un contact électrique entre le circuit imprimé souple (3) et l'un quelconque au moins du support (1) et de l'organe de guidage (4), pour une mise à la masse de la tête d'impression par l'intermédiaire du circuit imprimé souple (3).3.- print head according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized: in that, the guide member (4) being attached to the rigid support (1) by interlocking so as to establish contact electric between them to at least evacuate the electrostatic charges conveyed by the strip to be printed, the guide member and the support being conductive, and the control means consisting of a flexible printed circuit (3) fixed on the member d printing (2), the guide member (4) of the strip to be printed comprises at least one finger (11, 11 ', 11 ", 21, 21', 21", 21 "") located on the flexible printed circuit (3), so as to establish an electrical contact between the flexible printed circuit (3) and any at least of the support (1) and of the guide member (4), for a setting the mass of the print head via the flexible printed circuit (3).
4.- Tête d'impression thermique selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, caractérisée : en ce que le support (1) comporte un profil globalement conformé en L, dont une première aile (5) supporte en superposition l'organe d'impression (2) en matériau céramique, qui est agencé en plaquette, et dont une deuxième aile (6) concourante à la précédente, constitue l'aile de guidage (6) du circuit imprimé souple (3).4.- thermal printing head according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized: in that the support (1) has a generally L-shaped profile, of which a first wing (5) supports in superposition the printing (2) made of ceramic material, which is arranged in a plate, and of which a second wing (6) concurrent with the previous one, constitutes the guide wing (6) of the flexible printed circuit (3).
5.- Tête d'impression thermique selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, caractérisée : en ce que, le circuit imprimé souple (3) étant fixé à l'organe d'impression (2) par soudage, l'organe de guidage (4) comporte au moins une paroi (8,9) de couverture du circuit imprimé souple (3) au moins en partie dans sa zone de recouvrement du support (1), la paroi de couverture (8) qui recouvre le circuit imprimé souple (3) au voisinage de sa zone de soudure étant pourvue d'au moins un organe de protection (10) des zones de soudure du circuit imprimé souple (3) sur l'organe d'impression (2).5.- thermal printing head according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized: in that, the flexible printed circuit (3) being fixed to the printing member (2) by welding, the guide member (4) comprises at least one wall (8, 9) covering the flexible printed circuit (3) at least partially in its area of overlap of the support (1), the cover wall (8) which covers the flexible printed circuit (3) in the vicinity of its welding zone being provided with at least one protection member (10) for the welding zones of the flexible printed circuit (3) on the printing member (2).
6.- Tête d'impression thermique selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, caractérisée : en ce que l'assemblage par emboîtement de l'organe de guidage (4) sur le support est conforté par un organe d'emboîtement (17) de l'organe de guidage (4) à l'intérieur d'un évidemment correspondant (18) du support (1).6.- thermal printing head according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized: in that the fitting assembly of the guide member (4) on the support is supported by a fitting member (17) of the guide member (4) inside a corresponding recess ( 18) of the support (1).
7.- Tête d'impression thermique selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, caractérisée : en ce que l'organe de guidage (4) comporte un dégagement (14) en regard sur une fenêtre (15) du support (1), pour un passage d'un signal optique d'un organe de détection de la bande à imprimer.7. A thermal printing head according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized: in that the guide member (4) has a clearance (14) facing a window (15) of the support (1), for the passage of an optical signal from a member for detecting the strip to be printed.
8.- Tête d'impression thermique selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, caractérisée : en ce que l'un quelconque de l'organe de guidage8.- thermal printing head according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized: in that any one of the guide member
(4) de la bande à imprimer et du support (1) est formé par découpage et pliage d'une feuille de métal.(4) of the strip to be printed and of the support (1) is formed by cutting and folding a sheet of metal.
9.- Tête d'impression thermique selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 7, caractérisée : en ce que l'un quelconque de l'organe de guidage (4) de la bande à imprimer et du support (1) est formé par moulage d'une matière plastique conductrice.9.- thermal printing head according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized: in that any one of the guide member (4) of the strip to be printed and of the support (1) is formed by molding a conductive plastic.
10.- Organe de guidage d'une bande à imprimer pour tête d'impression thermique selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, caractérisé : en ce qu'il est monobloc et conformé en cavalier comportant deux parois superposées (8,9) ménageant entre elle un espace pour le passage de l'aile de guidage (6) du support, enveloppée par le circuit imprimée souple (3), de sorte que la conformation en cavalier de l'organe de guidage (4) permette son emboîtement élastique sur l'aile de guidage 6 du support (1) et de sorte que, l'une des parois (8) de l'organe de guidage (4) comportant des doigts (11 ,21) d'appui élastique localisé sur le circuit imprimé souple (3) un contact électrique soit établi entre le circuit imprimé souple (3) et le support (1) pour une mise à la masse de la tête d'impression par l'intermédiaire du circuit imprimé souple (3). 10. A guide member for a printing band for a thermal print head according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized: in that it is in one piece and shaped as a jumper comprising two superimposed walls (8, 9) which spare between it a space for the passage of the guide wing (6) of the support, enveloped by the flexible printed circuit (3), so that the configuration in jumper of the guide member (4) allows its elastic fitting onto the guide wing 6 of the support (1) and so that, one of the walls (8) of the guide member (4) comprising fingers (11, 21) of elastic support located on the flexible printed circuit (3) an electrical contact is established between the flexible printed circuit (3) and the support (1) for grounding the print head via the flexible printed circuit (3).
EP03727598A 2002-03-21 2003-03-19 Thermal printing head comprising a guide member for the print tape configured as protective cover for a flexible control printed circuit board Expired - Lifetime EP1497135B1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (3)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
FR0203505 2002-03-21
FR0203505A FR2837424B1 (en) 2002-03-21 2002-03-21 THERMAL PRINTHEAD OF WHICH THE PRINTING TAPE GUIDE BODY IS AGENCED TO ALLOW EARTHING OF THE PRINTHEAD
PCT/FR2003/000875 WO2003080348A1 (en) 2002-03-21 2003-03-19 Thermal printing head comprising a guide member for the print tape configured as protective cover for a flexible control printed circuit board

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP1497135A1 true EP1497135A1 (en) 2005-01-19
EP1497135B1 EP1497135B1 (en) 2007-05-23

Family

ID=27799128

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP03727598A Expired - Lifetime EP1497135B1 (en) 2002-03-21 2003-03-19 Thermal printing head comprising a guide member for the print tape configured as protective cover for a flexible control printed circuit board

Country Status (8)

Country Link
US (1) US7365762B2 (en)
EP (1) EP1497135B1 (en)
CN (1) CN1326706C (en)
AU (1) AU2003233385A1 (en)
DE (1) DE60313963T2 (en)
ES (1) ES2287478T3 (en)
FR (1) FR2837424B1 (en)
WO (1) WO2003080348A1 (en)

Families Citing this family (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JP4704941B2 (en) * 2006-03-23 2011-06-22 セイコーインスツル株式会社 Thermal printer
JP6269009B2 (en) * 2013-12-12 2018-01-31 セイコーエプソン株式会社 Recording device
JP2018051973A (en) * 2016-09-29 2018-04-05 東芝ホクト電子株式会社 Thermal print head
JP6978309B2 (en) * 2016-12-26 2021-12-08 京セラ株式会社 Thermal head and thermal printer
JP2019166686A (en) * 2018-03-22 2019-10-03 アルプスアルパイン株式会社 Image formation device

Family Cites Families (33)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3715564A (en) * 1971-09-09 1973-02-06 Ricoh Kk Printing head for thermal printer and method for manufacturing same
US4023184A (en) * 1975-10-06 1977-05-10 Mfe Corporation Thermal matrix type printing head
US4347522A (en) * 1981-04-01 1982-08-31 The Mead Corporation Laminated metal charge plate
US4390884A (en) * 1981-12-30 1983-06-28 International Business Machines Corporation Printhead stylus assembly
JPS59145162A (en) * 1983-02-08 1984-08-20 Toppan Printing Co Ltd Thermal head
FR2548593B1 (en) * 1983-07-08 1985-12-06 Sagem WRITING DEVICE WITH HEATING ELEMENTS FOR THERMAL EFFECT PRINTING ON A WRITING MEDIUM
JPS6021262A (en) * 1983-07-15 1985-02-02 Matsushita Electric Ind Co Ltd Thermal head
US4688050A (en) * 1984-10-22 1987-08-18 Xerox Corporation Thermal transfer printing system
JPH0544140Y2 (en) * 1984-10-31 1993-11-09
FR2594749B1 (en) * 1986-02-21 1988-05-06 Sagem SERIAL TYPE THERMAL WRITING HEAD FOR PRINTER
US4855757A (en) * 1987-06-17 1989-08-08 Intermec Corporation Thermal printhead with static electricity discharge capability
US5063394A (en) * 1988-07-26 1991-11-05 Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba Thermal recording apparatus and print head
JP2793230B2 (en) * 1989-03-01 1998-09-03 京セラ株式会社 Thermal head
US4963886A (en) * 1989-05-01 1990-10-16 Rohm Co., Ltd. Thermal printing head
JP2825870B2 (en) * 1989-08-31 1998-11-18 京セラ株式会社 Thermal head
JPH03219966A (en) * 1990-01-25 1991-09-27 Seiko Epson Corp thermal print head
JP3228974B2 (en) * 1990-12-19 2001-11-12 ローム株式会社 Line type thermal print head
JP3165919B2 (en) * 1991-01-07 2001-05-14 ローム株式会社 Thermal print head
JPH06270446A (en) * 1993-03-18 1994-09-27 Sankyo Seiki Mfg Co Ltd End face type thermal head
JP3352291B2 (en) * 1994-08-04 2002-12-03 キヤノン株式会社 Information processing device
DE69525867T2 (en) * 1994-10-03 2002-11-21 Rohm Co., Ltd. Thermal printhead
US5570123A (en) * 1995-06-30 1996-10-29 Comtec Information Systems, Inc. Thermal print head with auxiliary printer head guard
WO1997004965A1 (en) * 1995-07-31 1997-02-13 Rohm Co., Ltd. Linear thermal print head and linear thermal print head apparatus
KR100381630B1 (en) * 1995-08-09 2003-07-16 로무 가부시키가이샤 Thermal print head
US5689296A (en) * 1995-11-02 1997-11-18 Pitney Bowes Inc. Digital printing apparatus
KR100244163B1 (en) * 1995-11-30 2000-03-02 사토 게니치로 Thermal printing head and protective cover mounted thereon
WO1998013206A1 (en) * 1996-09-24 1998-04-02 Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha Thermal head
US7011390B2 (en) * 1997-07-15 2006-03-14 Silverbrook Research Pty Ltd Printing mechanism having wide format printing zone
JP3238893B2 (en) * 1998-01-30 2001-12-17 ローム株式会社 Cover device in thermal print head
US6246423B1 (en) * 1998-06-03 2001-06-12 Asahi Kogaku Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha Manual thermal writing device for forming image on image-forming substrate
JP3825199B2 (en) * 1999-04-13 2006-09-20 ローム株式会社 Cover device for thermal print head
JP2002036615A (en) * 2000-07-25 2002-02-06 Seiko Instruments Inc Thermal head
JP2003200625A (en) * 2001-10-23 2003-07-15 Fujitsu Component Ltd Thermal printer

Non-Patent Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Title
See references of WO03080348A1 *

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
US20050212829A1 (en) 2005-09-29
CN1655942A (en) 2005-08-17
WO2003080348A1 (en) 2003-10-02
FR2837424B1 (en) 2004-09-10
US7365762B2 (en) 2008-04-29
AU2003233385A1 (en) 2003-10-08
EP1497135B1 (en) 2007-05-23
DE60313963T2 (en) 2008-01-17
DE60313963D1 (en) 2007-07-05
ES2287478T3 (en) 2007-12-16
WO2003080348A8 (en) 2005-02-17
FR2837424A1 (en) 2003-09-26
CN1326706C (en) 2007-07-18

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
EP0763904B1 (en) Radio communications terminal having a mountable/dismountable protective cover
EP1193802B1 (en) Spring connector for connecting a display to a printed circuit board
FR3051328A1 (en) PORTABLE SENSOR SYSTEM COMPRISING A CLOTHING AND AN ELECTRONIC MODULE, CLOTHES FOR A PORTABLE SENSOR SYSTEM, AND ELECTRONIC MODULE FOR A PORTABLE SENSOR SYSTEM
EP1882262B1 (en) Electric connecting device for inserting a male plug connector of an electronic component such as a fuse or relay
EP3349139B1 (en) Card reader body with secure memory
FR2659118A1 (en) DEVICE FOR FIXING A TERMINAL BLOCK ON A SYMMETRICAL SUPPORT PROFILE.
US9337561B2 (en) Contact element for a plug type connector and arrangement comprising a contact element
EP1497135A1 (en) Thermal printing head comprising a guide member for the print tape configured as protective cover for a flexible control printed circuit board
EP1753052B1 (en) Battery device
WO2015140418A1 (en) Device for fixing a frame in a through-orifice in a panel
EP0186804B1 (en) Wrist-mounted electronic device
FR2502833A1 (en) ADJUSTABLE POTENTIOMETER PROTECT
FR2795013A1 (en) Centering and clamping tool has support with guide passage wherein pilot device is mounted
JP6904940B2 (en) connector
EP1912287A1 (en) Electric connector for printed circuit card and sealed electrical case containing such a connector
WO2013021119A2 (en) Electrical connection device, assembly including such a device and an electronic board, and method for electrically connecting an electronic board
EP0359606A1 (en) Casing for electronic circuits, especially for a motor vehicle
EP3529867B1 (en) Electrical apparatus comprising a locking device for a mounting rail
EP0700084A1 (en) Device to fasten electronic devices to a heatsink and method of mounting to a printed circuit board
FR2580861A1 (en) Thermal cut=out circuit breaker
FR2989527A1 (en) SEAL SOCKET FOR ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT INSERTED
EP0053557A1 (en) Circuit closing device of the "emergency breakglass point" type
FR2789882A1 (en) HOUSEHOLD APPLIANCE WITH A BASE PROTECTION BAND
FR2720796A1 (en) Watertight container for use in safes or safe=deposit boxes
EP1876681B1 (en) Housing with rails for mounting an electrical device

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
PUAI Public reference made under article 153(3) epc to a published international application that has entered the european phase

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009012

17P Request for examination filed

Effective date: 20041021

AK Designated contracting states

Kind code of ref document: A1

Designated state(s): AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HU IE IT LI LU MC NL PT RO SE SK TR

AX Request for extension of the european patent

Extension state: AL LT LV MK

RAP3 Party data changed (applicant data changed or rights of an application transferred)

Owner name: APS ENGINEERING

RBV Designated contracting states (corrected)

Designated state(s): AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HU IE IT LI LU MC NL PT RO SE SI SK TR

RIN1 Information on inventor provided before grant (corrected)

Inventor name: MONTAGUTELLI DENIS, CLAUDE, JEAN

GRAP Despatch of communication of intention to grant a patent

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOSNIGR1

GRAS Grant fee paid

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOSNIGR3

GRAA (expected) grant

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009210

AK Designated contracting states

Kind code of ref document: B1

Designated state(s): BE DE ES GB IT

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: GB

Ref legal event code: FG4D

Free format text: NOT ENGLISH

REF Corresponds to:

Ref document number: 60313963

Country of ref document: DE

Date of ref document: 20070705

Kind code of ref document: P

GBT Gb: translation of ep patent filed (gb section 77(6)(a)/1977)

Effective date: 20070815

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: ES

Ref legal event code: FG2A

Ref document number: 2287478

Country of ref document: ES

Kind code of ref document: T3

PLBE No opposition filed within time limit

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009261

STAA Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent

Free format text: STATUS: NO OPPOSITION FILED WITHIN TIME LIMIT

26N No opposition filed

Effective date: 20080226

PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: ES

Payment date: 20091231

Year of fee payment: 8

PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: BE

Payment date: 20091209

Year of fee payment: 8

Ref country code: GB

Payment date: 20100111

Year of fee payment: 8

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: DE

Ref legal event code: R082

Ref document number: 60313963

Country of ref document: DE

Representative=s name: PATENTANWAELTE VOLLMANN & HEMMER, DE

Effective date: 20110728

Ref country code: DE

Ref legal event code: R081

Ref document number: 60313963

Country of ref document: DE

Owner name: APS MANUFACTURING EOOD, BG

Free format text: FORMER OWNER: APS ENGINEERING, PARIS, FR

Effective date: 20110728

BERE Be: lapsed

Owner name: APS ENGINEERING

Effective date: 20110331

GBPC Gb: european patent ceased through non-payment of renewal fee

Effective date: 20110319

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: BE

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20110331

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: GB

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20110319

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: ES

Ref legal event code: FD2A

Effective date: 20120509

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: ES

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20110320

PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: DE

Payment date: 20160107

Year of fee payment: 14

Ref country code: IT

Payment date: 20160302

Year of fee payment: 14

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: DE

Ref legal event code: R119

Ref document number: 60313963

Country of ref document: DE

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: DE

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20171003

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: IT

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20170319