Thermal print head device and thermal printer

#The present application is based on and claims priority from Japanese Patent Application No. 2010-265933, filed on Nov. 30, 2010, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

#1. Field of the Invention

#The present invention relates to a thermal print head device and a thermal printer including the same, and specifically to the adjustment of pressing force between a thermal print head and a platen roller.

#FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a thermal printer as one embodiment of a thermal printer according the present invention.

#FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the thermal printer shown in FIG. 1 with a cover thereof open.

#FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the thermal printer as seen from the backside with the cover removed in the state shown in FIG. 2.

#Hereinafter, specific embodiments of a thermal printer according to the present invention and a thermal print head device included in this thermal printer will be described with reference to the drawings.

#FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a thermal printer 100 as one embodiment of a thermal printer according to the present invention. By operating an open/close button 11 provided in a main body 10, a cover 90 is turned in the direction of arrow R to open, and the inside of the main body 10 is exposed as shown in FIG. 2. This allows easy access to portions such as a portion for housing paper.

#Inside the cover 90 opened, a columnar shaft 51 is supported rotatably about the shaft center C thereof. Further, this shaft 51 has a cylindrical platen roller 52 and a disk-shaped platen gear 53 fixed thereto. The platen roller 52 extends in the direction of the shaft center C of the shaft 51. When the platen gear 53 is rotationally driven, the platen roller 52 also rotates through the shaft 51.