Printer apparatus having a vibrator motor

A printer apparatus comprising:

• a base;
• a guide shaft mounted on the base;
• a platen body disposed on the base;
• printing means having a printing head unit for printing on a paper medium, the printing head unit having a head holder having a first end supporting a thermal head and a second end slidably supported by the guide shaft, and a head carrier slidably supported by the guide shaft for carrying the printing head unit;
• the first end of the head carrier and the first end of the head holder being pivotally supported by the guide shaft;
• position detecting means for detecting a moving position of the printing head unit;
• paper feeding means for feeding the paper medium in synchronization with a printing timing of the printing head unit;
• control means for controlling the printing means and the paper feeding means;
• a vibrator disposed in the head carrier for generating a progressive wave, the carrier having a first end supporting a motor holder supporting the vibrator and a second end slidably supported by the guide shaft;
• and a motor guide member provided on the base in opposed relation to the vibrator such that the motor guide member and the vibrator integrally constitute a motor to drive the head carrier.

A printer apparatus comprising:

• a base;
• a guide shaft mounted on the base;
• a platen body disposed on the base;
• a printing head unit having a printer head for printing on a paper medium, a head holder slidably supported by the guide shaft for supporting the printer head, and a head carrier slidably supported by the guide shaft for carrying the printing head unit;
• a motor holder;
• first means for pivotally supporting the motor holder to the head carrier;
• driving means including a vibrator for generating a progressive wave to self-drive the head carrier along the guide shaft;
• second means for pivotally supporting the vibrator to the motor holder;
• and control means for controlling the driving means.

A printer apparatus comprising;

• a base;
• a guide shaft mounted on the base;
• a platen body disposed on the base;
• a printing head unit having a head carrier slidably supported by the guide shaft for carrying the printing head unit, and a head holder having a first end supporting a thermal head and a second end slidably supported by the guide shaft;
• an ultrasonic motor integral with the printing head unit for self-driving the head carrier along the guide shaft, the ultrasonic motor having a vibrator connected to the head carrier for generating a progressive wave and a motor guide member provided on the base in opposed relation to the vibrator;
• a motor holder supported by the head carrier and supporting the vibrator;
• control means for controlling the ultrasonic motor;
• and a biasing member disposed between the head holder and the head carrier to urge the thermal head into contact with the platen body and the vibrator into contact with the motor guide member.

A printer apparatus comprising:

• a base;
• a guide shaft mounted on the base;
• a platen body disposed on the base;
• a printing head unit having a printer head for printing on a paper medium, a head holder slidably supported by the guide shaft for supporting the printer head, and a head carrier slidably supported by the guide shaft for carrying the printing head unit;
• a vibrator disposed on the head carrier for generating a progressive wave;
• a motor guide member provided on the base in opposed relation to the vibrator such that the motor guide member and the vibrator integrally constitute an ultrasonic motor to drive the head carrier;
• and biasing means disposed between the head holder and the head carrier for urging the printer head into contact with the platen body and urging the vibrator into contact with the motor guide member.