Thermal printing mechanism, in particularly applicable to payment terminals
AssigneeAPS Engineering
InventorDenis Montagutelli
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A thermal printing mechanism comprises a frame accommodating a motor for driving a print tape, a thermal printing head, a carrying roller and electronic control means. The frame is provided with a metal stiffening plate substantially extending along the length thereof, acting as a support for the motor, on which plate it is fixed by means of welding in order to form means for dissipating the heat. Said plate is also used as a support for pushing the spring for the printing head towards the carrying roller. The mechanism is electronically controlled by means of a flexible connector which is connected to remote control means for said mechanism and which is used to evacuate electrostatic charges.
Claims16
A thermal printing mechanism, comprising:
- a chassis made in plastic material housing driving means for a printable tape, a thermal printing head, means for contacting the tape against the printing head, and electronic means for controlling dynamic members of the mechanism,
- the tape driving means comprising a motor for driving a reserve roll of tape so that the tape circulates between the printing head and a support roller driven into rotation by the motor,
- the means for contacting the tape against the printing head comprising an elastic member for pushing the printing head towards the support roller,
- the chassis being equipped with a rigidification plate made in a metallic material extending substantially over its length, the chassis and the rigidification plate being separate components,
- wherein the rigidification plate is fixed to the chassis so that the rigidification plate is immobilized on the chassis in translation as well as in rotation about itself, and
- the motor is fixed to the rigidification plate so that the motor and the rigidification plate are capable of exchanging heat, the rigidification plate, as a metal plate, forming means for sinking the heat generated by the motor.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.