DE1905905A1 - Thermal writing - Google Patents

Description

PATENT LAWYERS

dipping. H. LEINWEBER dipl-ing. H, CARPENTER

• M0ndMii2, RosmtaI7, 2nd ed.

Ti addr. UlnpatMBncfceii

TIfon (| t11) 2 <1flf

February 6, 1969

ZAo 264 04

Henning Gunnar CABlSEIi, Sandbjergvej, Sandbjerg 0sterskov,

DK-2950 Vedbask (Denmark)

and
Erling CAELSEN, Fuglevadsvej 71, DK-2800 Kgs. Lyngby (Denmark)

Thermal writing unit

The invention relates to a thermal writing unit with a system of writing elements in the form of electrical resistors, which by means of rather control circuitry depending on Signals from a sign signal generator can be optionally supplied with power and, through the heat generated by it, on one generate corresponding writing elements with them held in heat-transferring connection heat-sensitive carrier. the signals received by the character signal generator represent characters such as letters, digits, mathematical symbols, etc. The Sign signal generator can basically be an arbitrary one, even e.g. a mechanical calculating machine. Especially interesting but is the use of thermal writing units in conjunction with electronic devices, such as electronic calculating machines, calculating machines or data processing systems, by

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extends through the electronic mode of action on the writing unit and mechanical movements in the writing unit are completely avoided, apart from the advance movement of the writing carrier. The use of ribbons or printing ink is also avoided.

Thermal writing units are known in which the writing elements are point-shaped and either in a single row (USA-Patent 3,163,489) or in a system of rows and columns (USA-Patent 3,161,457), where in the first case that for the formation of a font geicbais necessary points are gradually recorded when the document is advanced several times. In both cases it is impossible to write characters in continuous outline form, and if one tries to yerfeess the clarity of the written characters by refining the point division, difficulties arise both mechanical and electrical in nature.

It is the object of the invention to provide a pen writer to create the specified type, written by means of its characters in continuous or practically continuous form can be.

According to the invention, the writing elements are in a number arranged of rows, each having writing elements in a number of positions for writing all Signs of a sign system can contribute, with the writing elements in the same position in all legs in association! gung -.are able to print the complete typeface of any j

bigen characters of the system to reproduce, and also carrier- I

Feed members are provided around the same line area

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of the heat-sensitive substrate with the various rows to bring the writing elements one after the other into heat-transferring connection and the control circuit is arranged so that they the series of writing · elements supplied with control signals.

The fact that the writing elements in a number of! Rows are arranged which come into effect one after the other, j it becomes possible to use writing elements that would overlap or intersect if they were in a single | Row would be arranged so that the possibilities of writing elements continuous or practically continuous outline form j or writing elements of any outline form true to shape again to j

give to be increased significantly.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the writing elements in each row consist of groups of bars of a bar mosaic, The groups of bars in the same position in all rows when combined form a complete bar mosaic. A bar mosaic is a figure that consists of a number of bar-shaped elements, which in their various Combinations can reproduce any character in a character system. If writing elements in the form of a bar mosaic If installed in a single row, there must necessarily be gaps between the various bars be. Because groups of bars of a bar mosaic are distributed over several rows in the manner described, the bars of the different groups can overlap in the common mosaic picture or at least with very small gaps be attached so that it becomes possible in the typeface

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avoiding some of the gaps or all of the gaps «Yes by placing groups of staves in two rows, one becomes very significant improvement achieved »

According to a second embodiment of the invention are the writing elements designed as character elements of complete character shape, the ■ full character writing elements in same position in "all series together form a complete collection of all signs of the sign system» In In this case, the shape of the characters can be as you wish are chosen because the writing in every position-of-the written line by means of a selected full-character writing element among those in the relevant position in all O This embodiment is particularly suitable for the continuous writing of information from a character signal generator, from which a large number of lines to be written in quick succession is available "

According to a third embodiment, the writing elements are designed as character elements of complete character shape and consist of film applications in a number of superimposed layers separated from one another by electrically insulating films on a surface of an electrically insulating writing member, the full character writing elements in the various layers superimposed on each other and in every position in each row form a partial collection of the characters of the character system, while the partial collections * "in 'the same position in the different rows together © in ^©. complete collection of all characters of the character system; approaches -bil et to this Ausführungsfora a combination of. present invention having the Erfindiang according to one of ien gleichen-

Applicants at the same time submitted application. Opposite In the second embodiment, the construction is compacted by increasing the number of rows of full-character writing elements now becomes smaller than the number of characters in the character system.

The invention is to be described in more detail below with reference to the drawing, namely to show Fig. 1 and 2 examples of bar mosaics, Fig. 5 is a diagram to explain the basic

Operation of a thermal writing unit, v / o the writing elements are arranged in the form of bar mosaics, 4 in a larger, diagrammatic representation "Striding limb according to a meadow guide horn of the

Fig. ■ ^K j on a larger scale a fragment V, Fig. 4 »

egg surface of the writing element according to Fig, 4, Fi ^ ₀ ο iiin Böiöijlel of the electronic / »equipment, one

Figure "7 and aohefcaiische ö" .Darsieiiungsn ion 'Examples of the α PapieriUh -mg a erfindungsgemküeE Schreiuwerks.

Fig. 9 a. Member. according to a further design storm ·: ί. · ϊί 'invention in scliaubildllcher i'elianaicht,

Fig. 10 a-Beis ^ i. =; I of the electronic equipment of a. Warmth sen. τ ei bwerks with a writing member according to Fig. 9,

11 is a diagram to illustrate the progressive Very egg at; i on a worm-sensitive paper web by means of "r-.nes Sehreibgli ^ the according to Fig. 9"

12 is a schematic side view of a writing unit for progressive writing,

13 shows a diagrammatic view on an enlarged scale

"9C9 3.37 / 1 2Ö0

of a component of the thermal writing unit according to. Fig ¹ . 12, and ■ V. ■; ■ _ ":

14 shows a writing member according to yet another embodiment of the invention in a perspective partial view. . - ~~ "■■ -"

Fig. 1 shows an example of a Stafc-iosaik with seven Bars and illustrates the way in which · ·; - the digits of the decimal system by different combinations of the bars of the mosaic can be formed. Fig. 2 time =: · a bar mosaic with 16 sticks, by means of which - in addition to the numerals - the letters of the Latin alphabet can be represented ν ;; rden «

FIG _o 5 shows how write elements in de * "shape" of "electrical resistors 1 = 7 the pattern vorl.Fig« T are connected through contacts K1-K7 to a battery B to the invention. If zobo the contacts K2, K5, and ? are closed K are / die; "-SohreilsLemente 2 ₉ 5 and 7 heated These are ti te elements corresponding to the numeral 7 of Figure 1 is now a Stüek:... thermosensitive paper pressed against the rod mosaics _s is the . Paragraph 7 written by heat on the paper copying ₀ Bie contacts K1-K7 representing electronic contacts; Vorii ^ memory of an electronic .Rechenmaschine who controlled the "

In Figs. 4 and 5, 10. denotes an electrically insulating flat member which forms a substrate on which a number; of stick groups of stick mosaics in two rows side by side ^; are attached in such a way that the rod groups are in the same; Position in the two rows together would form a complete stick mösaik if they were placed one on top of the other. At this; The embodiment is the bar mosaics with two other bars 8 and 9 and a bar O ₈ of a Deaimalpunkt or _o ; a comma darstslit, add,. ■ - - ■ -. . ^:

_J1

ORIGINAL BATHROOM

If required, the bar mosaics can be converted into a larger one
Number of groups attached in a corresponding number of yours. Because of the subdivision>, development of Stabmr.saike these can be designed such that
if they have been placed on top of each other, come to an agreement or
overlap all connection points or practically overlap; pen ', whereby the gaps occurring in the characters written by means of the bar mosaics are eliminated or reduced! can be. :

The rods represent writing elements of the writing mechanism and are powered by power supply lines 11
optionally excited to write. Writing by means of the STAE \ be 2, 3, 4, 6, 3 in the first row is performed in a position \ the heat-sensitive paper web, after which the paper web;

ι a new position is advanced, where the writing takes place by means of j the rods 1, 5, 7, 9, 0 of the second row. As well as
the rods as well as the connecting lines consist of film applications on the surface of the insulating member 10.
The insulating member 10 is attached to a body 12 which | consists of material of high thermal conductivity. The body 12] serves both as a support for the isolating member and as a heat conductor for the dissipation of heat from the isolating j

the limb and thereby of the writing elements and for the transfer of this heat to the environment. In order to enlarge the heat-emitting surface of the body 12, it can be provided with ribs 13
be provided.

The substrate member 10 may be made of fused quartz, for example
(Silica) or borosilicate glass. Ss should be thin enough
to quickly dissipate excess heat from the

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Allow writing elements to the heat conductor, on the other hand should it must be thick enough to prevent excessive heat dissipation of writing elements during writing. A thickness of 0.5 mm has been found to be suitable for the working conditions applicable to an office calculating machine.

The film applications forming the writing elements 1-0 can be applied to the substrate 10 by well-known circulation printing methods, such as thin-film technology, thick-film technology or planar technology be applied. Suitable examples are vapor deposition and ' Cathodic sputtering. Application by doping or diffusion in connection with epitaxy is also possible, and also in this way carried material is intended in the context of the present application as Film order to be viewed.

As an example, the writing elements made of Cr can be j which is applied by cathode sputtering in a thickness corresponding to 100-ß / O (around 500 Angstroms = 0.00003 mm).

mm /

The elements can be 1 mm long and 0.1-0.2 4) Γβίΐ. The supply lines can be made of Au in a thickness accordingly. 0.5Λ / α (around 5000 Angstrom = 0.0005 mm) and 0.1 0.2 mm wide.

To protect the writing elements and the supply lines against mechanical and chemical influences, the writing surface of the member 10 can be covered with an electrically insulating, wear-resistant and chemically resistant film. For example, such a film can consist of quartz which is applied to a thickness of 5000-10,000 Angstroms by high-frequency cathode sputtering. _;

Typical values for the excitation of the writing elements The currents and voltages used are 27 volts and 30 mÄ. One

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suitable energization time of write elements of Cr having the above sizes is 20 msec., thereby increasing the average temperature to about 16O ⁰ G, which is suitable for writing on a commercially available heat-sensitive paper. The excitation time can be shorter for other materials and dimensions, for example 5 msec. or even shorter. The excitation time can also be selected to be longer if longer writing times are permitted, e.g. in office computing machines. The excitation time, ie the duration of the current pulses, represents the elementary writing time. The total writing time depends on the system used to excite the writing elements. Some examples of such systems are discussed below.

The heat conductor 12 can and should be made of aluminum be dimensioned so that the heat conductor keeps the surface of the substrate at a low average temperature and through rapid heat dissipation mutual heating of adjacent ones Writing elements limited. For an office computing machine, a heat conductor with a thermal resistance of 10 ° C / watt found suitable.

An example of electronic equipment to use in connection with the described writing member is shown in FIG. 14 is the number memory one. Adding machine and 15 the associated comma memory. The resistors 2, 3/4, 6, 8 represent the bars in the different digits the first row, while the resistors 1, 5, 7, 9, 0 the bars in the different digits of the second Represent row. 16 is a decoder (decoding unit), by which a line in the memory of the calculating machine and any commas are transferred to two Schißib memories 17.1 and 17.2 which supply write signals for the bars in the first and the second row of mosaic groups, respectively. 18 is

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a delivery line for clock pulses. 19 is a row voter » soak first the first and then the second row of Staff groups can be selected for writing. Writing is carried out by current pulses from a write pulse generator 20. 51 is a paper feed switch that switches the paper feed device between energizing the first row and energizing the second row is advanced by the row division. The arrangement is such that · the next step of the paper feed is only is triggered when the first Series of staff groups has come into effect. After the scream-} In other words, beneath a line is the heat sensitive Paper.still until the writing of the next line is halfway done. The line 21 symbolizes the timing that must be present between the write pulses and the clock pulses, so the transmission of visual write pulses begins when a whole line has been transferred from the memory of the calculating machine to the write memory. The memory 17.1 and 17.2 can be replaced by a single memory, first for the first row and then, after Advance of the paper used for the second row.

Using the electronic equipment shown in Figure 6, all of the groups of rods in a row are energized simultaneously. With the numerical values assumed above, thus the total writing time is 40 msec. + the paper advance time. However, the delay caused by the paper advance can: tion, because for each line written only a paper feeding movement takes place just as if the writing had taken place by means of a single series of complete bar mosaics. The only difference is that the writing on the heat-sensitive paper

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what appears later than it is with a single series of complete Bar mosaics would have been the case. But if a number of lines are written consecutively, the total writing time becomes not noticeably lengthened for all lines.

If high writing speed is not essential, the bars in each row can be energized in turn, e.g. B. in that the diagram of FIG. 6 with the diagram of FIG. ^:: 6 ^; a patent application filed at the same time by the same applicant. The write memories are then "significantly smaller. Preferably all rods to be written in one line in the same position in the mosaic are selected for simultaneous writing, and this process is then repeated for rods in other layers until rods in all positions in the mosaic are used for writing If the rods are selected in a jumpy order, the risk of mutual heat influence from adjacent writing elements is reduced eight times the elementary writing time. On the other hand, however, the write memories are reduced to 1/8. If, for example, the elementary writing time is 20 msec., the total writing time will be 160 msec there is plenty of time, harmless, the entire scream ib time is reduced by half if two sticks are chosen for writing. In this case, however, the writing memory must be twice as large as when writing rods in only one mosaic position at a time, but significantly smaller than in the diagram

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according to Fig. 6.

In choosing the system according to which the rods are energized, writing time must therefore be weighed against price. Other systems are also possible. For example, the rod groups be excited in a row one after the other.

Fig. 7 shows how a heat-sensitive paper web 22 is guided between the writing pad 10, 12 of Fig. 4 and a base 25 so that heat from the heated writing elements can be transferred to the paper web by contact copying ... _; -

In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 8, the paper web is guided between a glass plate 24 facing the operator and the writing pad 10, 12, which in this case is designed for mirror writing. In this case, a heat-sensitive paper is used which has a heat-sensitive coating on the reverse side, which causes a change in color on the front side of the paper. In the; In the embodiment according to FIG. 8, the " written" characters are thus visible at the moment of writing.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 9, the writing elements are designed as full characters 42 which are arranged in a number of lines. In the example shown, a set of O ¹ S in a first leg is on the: writing ^{link 10, a set of 1 f} s in a second row, etc. to a set of 9 ¹ S in a tenth leg and a set of decimal points in a Eleventh row (not shown) arranged · In each digit position in all legs together or in other words, in each column all digits 0-9 and the decimal point are represented.

When using the writing member according to FIG. 9, this must

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Paper advanced eleven steps to one line to write. If you want to write a large number of lines in quick succession, you can use this writing method Delay resulting from this can be practically eliminated by writing the lines progressively, as shown below 10 and 11 will be explained.

In FIG. 10 there are 52.0-52 .. eleven intermediate memories, each suitable for storing a line to be written. 53.0-53 .. are decoders and 54.0-54 .. are write memories for the various rows of full-character writing elements of the writing element of FIG. 9. The resistors 42 represent the full-character writing elements 42. 55 is a write pulse generator and 56 is a paper feed switch. The short vertical arrows represent clock pulse connections. A signal which represents a line to be written is stored in the buffer 52.0 and remains there until the next line signal arrives. It is then transferred to the intermediate memory 52.1 and at the same time ^{decrypted by the decryptor 53.0 on O 1} S placed on the O-row write memory 54.0 in order to bring about the writing of any O ¹ S occurring in the line, while the new line is stored in the intermediate memory 52.0 will. When a third line signal arrives, the first line signal is transferred to the buffer store 52.2 and at the same time ^{decrypted by the decoder 53.1 to 1 1} S placed on the 1-row write memory 54.1, while the second line signal is transferred to the buffer store 52.1 and by the decoder 53 .Ö to 0 ^f s decryption is placed on the write memory 54.0, while the third line is stored in the intermediate memory 52.0, etc. After each

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Write process by means of a write pulse from the impulse _; Seuger 55, the heat-sensitive paper is advanced by means of paper feed switch 56 by a step which corresponds to the spacing of the rows of writing elements 42, which spacing is selected in accordance with the desired line spacing .. [on the paper. ■■ ;. \

Fig illustrated. 11 ,, as the vorschreit end Scream ben j of lines on a thermosensitive paper web before j

.1

itself goes ν

It is assumed that the following numbers are in twelve consecutive lines should be written

row No. 1s 0317 row No. 2s 2840 row No. 3i 0352 row No. 4s empty row No. 5s empty row No. 6s 0123 row No. 7s empty row No.; Bs 2222 row No. 91 empty row No.1Of empty row No. tl | 5316 row No. 12 * 3904

In a first position of the web, a first line portion of the path is compared to the number of ^O's: of the writing member of Figure 9, and as the number to be written:.; .: contains the digit 0 iii in the first digit, the O in the digit in question is used in the series from O ^r s

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of the writing member excited to write the character O on the paper web. The paper web is now advanced by one line spacing so that the first line area of the web comes into position opposite the row of Vb of the writing member. Since the number to be written contains the number 1 in the third digit position, the 1 in this number position in the series of l * s of the writing element is excited in order to write a 1 on the paper web. In the same position of the track is the second line area of the track opposite the row of O ¹ S, and since the second number to be written contains a 0 in the fourth digit, the 0 in this digit becomes in the row of O ¹ S des Writing member excited to write a 0 on the track.

In this way, writing continues as long as the writing unit receives line signals. if the paper web arrives in position for writing the twelfth line, the first line is finished and out of the Writing device came out. The writing of this line thus has a time equal to twelve steps sides of the paper advance claimed. The second completed line follows at a time interval that is only one step of the paper advance and the same applies to all subsequent lines. When a large number of lines

for this reason

should be written in quick succession,. the original delay means nothing. The device can be arranged so that when there are no more lines to be written, the device continues to write blank lines until the last line to be written has been completed and has come out of the device.

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Figures 12 and 13 schematically illustrate the mechanical Construction of a thermal writing device for which: prescribing; tend to write lines in the manner described. The device has a plurality of writing members 10 corresponding to the individual rows of the writing member according to FIG. on. The writing elements on the writing surface 25 are not shown. The writing links are along an arc of a circle arranged and each have a radial extension 26,

wherein a supply line 27 for each writing element ge! is printing. The lines 27 are covered with an insulating layer] 28. A continuously circulating, perforated feed J cylinder 29 is coaxial with the writing surfaces of the writing Γ limbs stored. The surface of the cylinder is j at a short distance from the writing surfaces. Inside the cylinder 29 is a stationary pneumatic distributor 30 arranged, which has an arcuate chamber 31 which is in a small distance from the perforated wall of the cylinder 29 lies. The outer wall of Chamber. 31 is perforated .-- One heat-sensitive paper web 22 is continuously circulating between two ends of rollers 32 and 33 demonstrated, their speed by a Schielfenanzfeiger 34 shown schematically is regulated. The pneumatic manifold 30 is to a source connected by alternating high and low pressure. In the upper pressure periods it is through the perforations of the chamber 31 and the perforated wall of the cylinder 29 blown air, which firmly attaches the web 22 to the disc surfaces of the pens 10 electronic equipment according to \ j? ig. 10 simultaneously in the selected digits from all rows, the corresponding full-character writing elements are excited. The source will

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then switched to suction, whereby the web 22 is pressed firmly against the perforated surface of the cylinder 29 and thus is advanced through this by one line spacing.

The pens can be cooled in any way will. For example, the spaces between the radial extensions of the writing elements can be circular-arc-shaped Walls are closed, as indicated at 35, to form chambers 36 for a circulating coolant.

The writing mechanism shown in FIG. 12 can be used for a larger number of pens, for example 64, can be built by increasing the diameter of the cylinder 29 and / or a larger part of the cylinder circumference is used for the attachment of writing members, making it possible to use all To write characters of the alphanumeric system.

The one for the reproduction of all characters of a character system required number of rows of full character writing elements can be reduced by the fact that the writing elements in pairs, one on top of the other, with intervening rows insulating layers are applied as illustrated in Figure 14, thereby completing the present invention is combined with the invention according to a simultaneously filed patent application by the same applicant. A further reduction can be achieved by arranging the writing elements in a larger number of layers e.g. 4, 8, 16 or 32 in the case of the alphanumeric system.

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Claims (6)

Pa te η t a η s p'rVü c h e: 1. Thermal writing unit with a system of writing elements in the form of electrical resistors, which by means of a control circuit as a function of signals from a signal generator can be optionally supplied with electricity and, due to the heat developed in this way, on one with you in heat transferring Heat-sensitive carrier held connection produce corresponding writing elements, characterized that the writing elements (1 to 0.42) in a number of none are arranged, each having writing elements in a number of positions for writing all characters one Sign system can contribute, with the writing elements in the same position in all rows in union are to reproduce the complete typeface of any character of the system, further comprising carrier pushers are provided around the same line area of the thermosensitive support with the different rows of writing elements to bring successively in heat-transferring connection, and the control circuit is arranged so that they the row of writing elements connected in each case to said line area of the heat-sensitive support (22) supplied with control signals. 2. Heat writing unit according to claim 1, characterized in that the writing elements (1 to 0) in each row Rod groups of a rod mosaic exist, the rod groups in the same position in all rows in union Form a complete bar mosaic (Fig. 5). . 3. heat writing unit according to claim 2, characterized in that that there are two rows of rod groups the -19- 909 8 3 7/1280 in a line spacing that corresponds to the desired line spacing on the carrier Are spaced apart, with the carrier advancing members are arranged so that after the excitation of the first row of rod groups by signals one to be written Row of girders is advanced one line spacing and then stands still until the second row of rod- j groups by signals of the same row and the first row [ of rod groups excited by signals in the next line have been, I. 4. Heat writing unit according to claim 1, characterized in that the writing elements (42) are designed as character elements of complete character shape, the full \ character writing elements in the same position in all rows together form a complete collection of all characters of the character system (Fig. 9). 5. heat writing unit according to claim 1, characterized in that that the writing elements are designed as character elements of complete character shape and from film orders in a number of superimposed layers separated from one another by electrically insulating films on one Surface of an electrically insulating writing member exist, the full drawing writing elements in the different Layers on top of each other and in every position each row a partial collection of the signs of the sign system form, while the partial collections in the same position in the various rows together form a complete Form a collection of all signs of the sign system. 6. heat writing unit according to claim 4 or 5, characterized in that that the carrier feed members are arranged in such a way that - - ■■ -20- 90 9 837/1280 that the heat-sensitive carrier (22) is advanced in steps corresponding to the distance between the rows of full-character elements and is held in heat-transferring connection with all rows of full-character writing elements in each position, the control circuit being arranged so that it can be used in every position of the heat-sensitive Carrier of signals which represent the number of lines to be written in one of the number of rows of full-character writing elements, pick out signals which represent the full-character writing elements to be excited in each row (FIGS. 11 and 12) v : I : ".: ' 9098 37/12 80