EP0645248A2 - Printing machine - Google Patents

Printing machine Download PDF

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Publication number
EP0645248A2
EP0645248A2 EP94113784A EP94113784A EP0645248A2 EP 0645248 A2 EP0645248 A2 EP 0645248A2 EP 94113784 A EP94113784 A EP 94113784A EP 94113784 A EP94113784 A EP 94113784A EP 0645248 A2 EP0645248 A2 EP 0645248A2
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EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
printing machine
printing
machine according
spool
thermal transfer
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
EP94113784A
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German (de)
French (fr)
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EP0645248A3 (en
EP0645248B1 (en
Inventor
Dirk Umbach
Peter Schneider
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.)
Meto International GmbH
Original Assignee
Esselte Meto International GmbH
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Publication date
Application filed by Esselte Meto International GmbH filed Critical Esselte Meto International GmbH
Publication of EP0645248A2 publication Critical patent/EP0645248A2/en
Publication of EP0645248A3 publication Critical patent/EP0645248A3/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP0645248B1 publication Critical patent/EP0645248B1/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

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    • 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

Definitions

  • the invention relates to a printing machine with a detachably mounted, spring-loaded pressure head against a counter pressure roller between the and the counter pressure roller pass through the effective run of a printing tape and a record carrier to be printed on, in which a device for lifting the contact pressure between the counter pressure roller and the printing head during a standstill of the printing tape is provided.
  • a printing press of the generic type has become known from DE 41 08 172 A1. If, for example, labels are to be printed on the recording medium in this way or partial areas of the latter to be used as labels, there are intermediate areas without printing between two labels or partial areas.
  • a device is therefore used in which, in economy mode - in which the recording medium is not printed but is moved past the printhead - the thermal printhead remains in the printing position and the counterpressure roller is moved to a position further away from the printhead. The transport of the transfer belt is thus interrupted.
  • the transfer ribbon is not in sufficient distance between the print head and the counter-pressure roller, for example can be briefly present during their movement, through which contact with the record carrier being transported is undesirably moved on.
  • the invention proposes that a locking device for the printing tape can be brought into an effective position by means of a control of the printing press while the printing tape is at a standstill.
  • the printing press is equipped with a control system that specifies exactly where the record carrier should be printed and where there should be gaps in the direction of flow.
  • the data required for this are located in a computer of the control.
  • the locking device for the thermal transfer ribbon is brought into an effective position so that it cannot continue to run, the recording medium can continue to run underneath the stationary thermal transfer ribbon without damage to both ribbons, since with The printhead is lifted, for example, when the thermal transfer ribbon stops.
  • the locking device for the thermal transfer ribbon is released and the contact pressure for the print head is generated again. This means that both ribbons run through the print area to the next "last line”.
  • the removal of the contact pressure can be achieved, for example, by slightly removing the thermal print head from the counterpressure roller while simultaneously increasing the spring force. Fractions of a millimeter are sufficient here. Instead, you can also remove the counter pressure roller from the thermal print head until the spring is completely relieved. However, this generally requires a larger adjustment range, which is why the first-mentioned variant is preferred.
  • the printing tape is preferably unwound from a first spool and wound onto a second spool.
  • the thermal transfer ribbon can be directly or indirectly e.g. Hold on to the supply reel.
  • a slip clutch is connected between a drive for the printing tape and a spool for the printing tape driven by the drive. Holding the thermal transfer ribbon has the result that the output side of the slip clutch, for example the second spool, can no longer rotate. Because of the interposed slip clutch, however, the drive motor can continue to run without damage to this drive or the thermal transfer ribbon. If the latter is released by the locking device, it is then transported further through the clutch, which is now no longer slipping, with the aid of the drive motor.
  • a drive for lifting the counterpressure roller from the thermal print head or the latter from the counterpressure roller can also be actuated according to the invention by the control of the printing press.
  • thermal transfer ribbon can be locked indirectly by holding the first spool in place, the locking device interacting with the first spool.
  • this does not mean that the locking device must act directly on the first coil, rather it is sufficient if it acts on an element which is coupled to the first coil in a rotationally fixed manner.
  • the first coil is coupled in a rotationally fixed manner to an externally toothed wheel, to which a latching tooth that can be adjusted by means of the control is assigned.
  • the locking tooth can engage in any gap between two adjacent teeth and thereby stop the turning of this externally toothed wheel.
  • the non-rotatably coupled first coil is also fixed.
  • the tape can then no longer be unwound from this spool and consequently can no longer be wound onto the second spool.
  • one does not provide a pointed tooth shape, but rather a rectangular or a saw tooth shape.
  • latching tooth is located on a swivel arm which can be held in an ineffective position by means of a controllable locking member.
  • the locking member can be brought into an ineffective position via the control of the printing press, so that the swivel arm can carry out the swiveling movement necessary for locking. This is done, for example, with some assistant, for example Spring force, or with the help of gravity, which requires that the swivel arm is in a raised pivot position when the ratchet tooth is disengaged.
  • the locking member can be transferred from its locking position into a release position and vice versa by means of a controllable drive.
  • the control of the printing press actuates the controllable drive for the blocking element, as a result of which it is transferred from its effective to an inactive position or vice versa. If the thermal transfer ribbon is to be removed again and made available for printing, the controllable drive resets the blocking element back into its inactive position.
  • the locking member is located in a very advantageous manner on a pivotally mounted lever which is adjustable by means of an eccentric drive forming the controllable drive. Rotation of the eccentric causes the lever coupled therewith to pivot, and this pivoting movement can be used for the pivoting movement of the pivoting arm with the latching tooth in the latched position and in the release position.
  • an eccentrically attached to a drivable rotary member engages in a longitudinal slot which is arranged at a distance from the axis of rotation of the pivotable lever on the latter.
  • This pin-slot connection enables the rotary motion to be converted into a reciprocating pivoting motion in a manner known per se. For this reason, the rotary member also only rotates by about 180 ° in each case in order to transfer the locking device from its active position into the inactive position or vice versa.
  • the longitudinal slot is transverse to the direction of deflection of the lever.
  • a further preferred embodiment of the invention contains claim 9.
  • the use of an angle lever brings with it many advantages, but in particular a compact design.
  • the swivel arm carrying or having the latching tooth can either be loaded by means of a spring or brought into the latched position in some other way, or that gravity is used for this purpose.
  • the latter has advantages above all in terms of gently finding the next tooth gap.
  • a particularly expedient variant of the invention results from claim 12. Accordingly, an adjustment drive for the thermal print head, that is to say a drive with which it is to be lifted off the counterpressure roller when the thermal transfer ribbon is at a standstill, can also be used to shut down the thermal transfer ribbon effect or cancel. From this point of view, a compact and therefore inexpensive design of the printing press is achieved in this area. In addition, you can get by with a small number of parts, which is advantageous in view of the low susceptibility to faults.
  • the thermal transfer ribbon 4 is unwound from a first spool 1, passes through the printing area 2 and is then wound onto a second spool 3.
  • the two spools 1 and 3, including the deflecting rollers or rollers 5 and 6, are preferably located in an ink ribbon cassette.
  • the working strand 7 of the thermal transfer ribbon 4 is located between the deflecting rollers 5 and 6. It is guided over a counter pressure roller 8 of the printing machine, which is not shown in detail. Between the thermal transfer ribbon 4 and the counter pressure roller 8 there is still a recording medium, not shown, e.g. a carrier tape with labels to be printed.
  • a thermal print head 9 rests on the continuous, working strand 7 of the thermal transfer ribbon 4 and, with the interposition of the aforementioned recording medium, presses it firmly against the counter-pressure roller 8.
  • the contact pressure is applied by means of a helical compression spring, which is not shown for the sake of clarity and depresses the pivotable arm 10.
  • the pivotable arm 10 carries the thermal print head 9.
  • the arm 10 mentioned, which is loaded by the helical compression spring, can be pivoted about the axis 12 in the direction of the double arrow 11.
  • the record carrier which can also be unwound from a reel or spool and possibly rewound onto another reel or spool, is divided into individual fields to be printed or bears, for example, labels which, however, should not be printed up to the front and rear edges. In this respect arise between intermediate sections unprinted in the direction of travel 13 of the two tapes between successive, identical prints. It is now an unjustifiable expense if the thermal transfer ribbon 4 is also transported on even if the recording medium located underneath is not to be printed at all. According to the invention, the unnecessary thermal transfer ribbon consumption can now be reduced, or at least brought to approximately zero, by stopping the thermal transfer ribbon 4 whenever the recording medium which is continuously being run is not to be printed on.
  • This comparatively sudden stopping of the thermal transfer ribbon 4 after the printing of the "last line” is achieved according to the invention by a locking device 14.
  • the printing machine basically requires an appropriate electronic control with a computer for printing in the thermal transfer process. This can now be used - because it also has all the necessary data - to bring the locking device 14 into the working position whenever the thermal transfer ribbon 4 should not continue to run and always to release it when the recording medium has run through so far that the next one to be printed Point in the printing area 2 has arrived.
  • the locking device 14 also includes a slip clutch 15 of a known type, not shown in detail.
  • the drive side of this slip clutch 15 is driven in the exemplary embodiment of the printing press via an endless drive member 16, for example a toothed belt, by means of an electric motor 17.
  • the electric motor 17 always remains switched on, so that the drive side of the slip clutch 15 is also constantly rotated.
  • the slip clutch 15 transmits the torque from its drive side to its output side, on which the second coil 3 is located. If, however, the locking device 14 abruptly interrupts the belt run, the frictional torque of the slip clutch 15 is no longer sufficient to transmit the driving force of the electric motor 17 to the driven side of the slip clutch 15. As a result, the slip clutch 15 slips. As soon as the locking device 14 releases the first spool 1 again, the driven side of the slip clutch 15 also runs again and as a result the thermal transfer ribbon 4 running from the first spool 1 is wound up again on the second spool 3.
  • the contact pressure with which the thermal print head 9 is pressed against the counterpressure roller 8 must be released during the standstill phases. This is done in a simple manner, for example by an actuator 18 being pivoted in the direction of arrow 19 at the given time via the control of the printing press, which is coupled to the swivel arm 10 in the manner explained in more detail below and consequently takes the latter in the same direction, whereby the thermal print head 9 is then lifted off the counter-pressure roller 8.
  • an actuator 18 being pivoted in the direction of arrow 19 at the given time via the control of the printing press, which is coupled to the swivel arm 10 in the manner explained in more detail below and consequently takes the latter in the same direction, whereby the thermal print head 9 is then lifted off the counter-pressure roller 8.
  • the first-mentioned alternative is preferred for many reasons.
  • the first coil 1 is rotatably connected to an externally toothed wheel 20.
  • An adjustable locking tooth 21 is located above it. It is held by a swivel arm 22 and is preferably manufactured in one piece with it.
  • the pivot arm 22 can be pivoted about an axis 24 in the direction of the double arrow 23.
  • the swivel arm 22 is in the rotational position shown in FIG. 1. It is held in this ineffective position by a controllable locking member 25.
  • a drive 26 which can also be controlled by the control of the printing press, the swivel arm 22 can be moved into the effective position shown in FIG.
  • the locking member 25 is located on a pivotably mounted lever 27 which is adjustable by means of an eccentric drive 28.
  • the lever 27 is preferably an angle lever, the upper end of which forms the locking member 25 in the drawing. As soon as this end is lowered, the swivel arm 22 follows this movement, and the latching tooth 21 then engages in the next tooth gap 29.
  • the lever 27 is rotatable about an axis 30.
  • an open longitudinal slot 31 in which a pin 32 engages. Both are part of the eccentric drive 28.
  • the pin 32 is attached to a drivable rotary member 33.
  • the longitudinal slot 31 extends, for example in FIG. 2, approximately in the longitudinal direction of the angled arm 34 of the angled lever 27 articulated on the axis 30. Accordingly, the locking member 25 is located on the free angled arm 35.
  • the swivel arm 22 with the latching tooth 21 is one in the exemplary embodiment simple, pivotable lever, which has at its free end a preferably spherical support element 36 which rests on the top of the end face of the free angle leg 35 forming the locking member 25.
  • the articulated angle leg 34 of the pivotable angle lever 27 is extended beyond the bearing 30.
  • the resulting extension arm is designated 37. It is designed like a hook at its free end, the hook 38 essentially by one is formed laterally open longitudinal slot 39.
  • a bolt 40 which is fastened to the swivel arm 10, engages in this.
  • the rotary member 33 with the pin 32 starting from its rotational position according to FIG. 1, is rotated counterclockwise, for example, by approximately 180 °, the pin 32, which engages in the longitudinal slot 31, also pivots the lever 27 counterclockwise about its axis of rotation 30.
  • the thermal print head 9 is lifted from the counter-pressure roller 8 via the connection 39, 40, thereby releasing the pressure of the two ribbons in the printing area 2, and, on the other hand, the locking member 25 is also lowered, as a result of which the swivel arm 22 performs a swivel movement in the direction of arrow 23 can.
  • the stopping of the thermal printing tape 9 is basically forcibly coupled with a relief of the print head 9 in the printing area 2.
  • control for the 180 ° rotary movement is achieved with the aid of a control disk 41, which is coupled in a rotationally fixed manner to the rotary member 33, and a sensor which operates, for example, on an optical basis and which can scan the two radial edges of the control disk 41.
  • a corresponding control unit for the drive motor 26 of the rotary member 33 is then located in this area.

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  • Impression-Transfer Materials And Handling Thereof (AREA)
  • Common Mechanisms (AREA)

Abstract

In order to use less relatively expensive printing ribbon (4), in particular thermal transfer ribbon, when a gap in the recording medium which is not to be printed passes through the printing zone (2) between two labels or the like to be printed, the thermal transfer ribbon (4) is stopped on completion of the printing operation of a first label or the like and, at the same time, the pressing-on force of the print head (9), in particular the thermal print head, against the back pressure roller (8) is ceased. As soon as the next label or the like passes into the printing zone (2), the pressure on the thermal print head is activated again and the further transporting of the thermal transfer ribbon (4) is effected at the same time. The controlled stopping of the thermal transfer ribbon (4) takes place with the aid of a halting device (14) which fixes the first reel (1) from which the ribbon (4) is uncoiled and with the aid of a slip clutch (15) which allows the second reel (3) which coils the ribbon to remain stationary at the same time despite the drive motor (17) continuing to run. The control takes place via the control device of the printing machine which is present in any case. <IMAGE>

Description

Die Erfindung bezieht sich auf eine Druckmaschine mit einem abhebbar gelagerten, an eine Gegendruckrolle federbelastet andrückbaren Druckkopf zwischen dem und der Gegendruckrolle das wirksame Trum eines Druckbands und eines zu bedruckenden Aufzeichnungsträgers durchlaufen, bei der eine Vorrichtung zum Aufheben des Anpreßdrucks zwischen der Gegendruckrolle und dem Druckkopf während eines Stillstands des Druckbands vorgesehen ist.The invention relates to a printing machine with a detachably mounted, spring-loaded pressure head against a counter pressure roller between the and the counter pressure roller pass through the effective run of a printing tape and a record carrier to be printed on, in which a device for lifting the contact pressure between the counter pressure roller and the printing head during a standstill of the printing tape is provided.

Eine Druckmaschine gattungsgemäßer Art ist aus der DE 41 08 172 A1 bekannt geworden. Falls beispielsweise Etiketten auf dem Aufzeichnungsträger auf diese Weise bedruckt werden sollen oder als Etiketten zu nutzende Teilflächen des letzteren, so gibt es zwischen jeweils zwei Etiketten oder Teilflächen Zwischenflächen ohne Aufdruck. Zum Sparen von Thermotransfer-Farbband wird daher eine Vorrichtung verwendet, bei der im Sparbetrieb - in dem der Aufzeichnungsträger nicht bedruckt, jedoch am Druckkopf vorbeibewegt wird - der Thermodruckkopf in der Druckposition verbleibt und die Gegendruckrolle in eine vom Druckkopf entferntere Position bewegt wird. Der Transport des Transferbandes wird somit unterbrochen.A printing press of the generic type has become known from DE 41 08 172 A1. If, for example, labels are to be printed on the recording medium in this way or partial areas of the latter to be used as labels, there are intermediate areas without printing between two labels or partial areas. To save thermal transfer ink ribbon, a device is therefore used in which, in economy mode - in which the recording medium is not printed but is moved past the printhead - the thermal printhead remains in the printing position and the counterpressure roller is moved to a position further away from the printhead. The transport of the transfer belt is thus interrupted.

Allerdings ist es bei der bekannten Druckmaschine möglich, daß das Transferband bei einem nicht ausreichenden Abstand zwischen dem Druckkopf und der Gegendruckrolle, der beispielsweise während ihrer Bewegung kurzzeitig vorhanden sein kann, durch den Kontakt zum weitertransportierten Aufzeichnungsträger unerwünschterweise weiterbewegt wird.However, it is possible in the known printing press that the transfer ribbon is not in sufficient distance between the print head and the counter-pressure roller, for example can be briefly present during their movement, through which contact with the record carrier being transported is undesirably moved on.

Es liegt infolgedessen die Aufgabe vor, eine Druckmaschine der eingangs beschriebenen Art so weiterzubilden, daß das Thermotransferband in optimaler Weise ausgenutzt werden kann.It is therefore the task of developing a printing press of the type described in the introduction so that the thermal transfer ribbon can be used in an optimal manner.

Zur Lösung dieser Aufgabe wird erfindungsgemäß vorgeschlagen, daß mittels einer Steuerung der Druckmaschine während des Stillstands des Druckbands eine Arretierungsvorrichtung für das Druckband in eine wirksame Stellung bringbar ist.To achieve this object, the invention proposes that a locking device for the printing tape can be brought into an effective position by means of a control of the printing press while the printing tape is at a standstill.

Die Druckmaschine ist mit einer Steuerung ausgestattet, welche genau festlegt, an welcher Stelle der Aufzeichnungsträger bedruckt werden soll und wo es in Durchlaufrichtung Zwischenräume geben soll. Die hierzu notwendigen Daten befinden sich in einem Rechner der Steuerung. Man kann sich nun diese Steuerung mit Rechner insoweit zunutze machen, als man damit immer dann, wenn in Durchlaufrichtung des Aufzeichnungsträgers und des Thermotransferbands durch den Druckbereich die "letzte Zeile" gedruckt worden ist, der Anpreßdruck zwischen der Gegendruckrolle und dem Thermodruckkopf aufgehoben wird. Weil aber erfindungsgemäß auf geeignete Art und Weise auch dafür gesorgt ist, daß die Arretierungsvorrichtung für das Thermotransferband in eine wirksame Stellung gebracht wird, so daß dieses nicht weiterlaufen kann, kann der Aufzeichnungsträger unter dem stillstehenden Thermotransferband hindurch ohne Schaden für beide Bänder weiterlaufen, da mit Beginn des Stillstands des Thermotransferbands der Druckkopf z.B. abgehoben ist. Sobald die Stelle zum Aufdrucken der "ersten Zeile" im Druckbereich angekommen ist, wird die Arretierungsvorrichtung für das Thermotransferband freigegeben und der Anpreßdruck für den Druckkopf wieder erzeugt. Damit laufen dann wieder beide Bänder durch den Druckbereich hindurch bis zur nächsten "letzten Zeile".The printing press is equipped with a control system that specifies exactly where the record carrier should be printed and where there should be gaps in the direction of flow. The data required for this are located in a computer of the control. You can now take advantage of this control with a computer to the extent that when the "last line" has been printed in the direction of flow of the record carrier and the thermal transfer ribbon through the print area, the contact pressure between the counterpressure roller and the thermal print head is removed. But because according to the invention it is also ensured in a suitable manner that the locking device for the thermal transfer ribbon is brought into an effective position so that it cannot continue to run, the recording medium can continue to run underneath the stationary thermal transfer ribbon without damage to both ribbons, since with The printhead is lifted, for example, when the thermal transfer ribbon stops. As soon as the point for printing the "first line" has arrived in the printing area, the locking device for the thermal transfer ribbon is released and the contact pressure for the print head is generated again. This means that both ribbons run through the print area to the next "last line".

Die Aufhebung des Anpreßdrucks kann man beispielsweise dadurch erreichen, daß man unter gleichzeitiger Verstärkung der Federkraft den Thermodruckkopf von der Gegendruckrolle geringfügig entfernt. Hier reichen bereits Bruchteile eines Millimeters aus. Statt dessen kann man aber auch die Gegendruckrolle vom Thermodruckkopf soweit entfernen, bis die Feder ganz entlastet ist. Hierzu bedarf es aber in der Regel eines größeren Verstellwegs, weswegen der erstgenannten Variante der Vorzug gegeben wird.The removal of the contact pressure can be achieved, for example, by slightly removing the thermal print head from the counterpressure roller while simultaneously increasing the spring force. Fractions of a millimeter are sufficient here. Instead, you can also remove the counter pressure roller from the thermal print head until the spring is completely relieved. However, this generally requires a larger adjustment range, which is why the first-mentioned variant is preferred.

Bevorzugt wird das Druckband von einer ersten Spule abgewickelt und auf eine zweite Spule aufgewickelt. Mit Hilfe der Arretierungsvorrichtung kann man das Thermotransferband an der hierfür vorgesehenen Stelle direkt oder indirekt z.B. über die Abwickelspule festhalten.The printing tape is preferably unwound from a first spool and wound onto a second spool. With the help of the locking device, the thermal transfer ribbon can be directly or indirectly e.g. Hold on to the supply reel.

Gemäß einem bevorzugten Ausführungsbeispiel ist zwischen einem Antrieb für das Druckband und eine durch den Antrieb angetriebene Spule für das Druckband eine Rutschkupplung geschaltet. Das Festhalten des Thermotransferbands hat zur Folge, daß sich auch die Abtriebsseite der Rutschkupplung, also beispielsweise die zweite Spule, nicht mehr drehen kann. Wegen der zwischengeschalteten Rutschkupplung kann aber der Antriebsmotor ohne weiteres weiterlaufen, ohne daß es zu einer Beschädigung dieses Antriebs oder des Thermotransferbands kommt. Wenn man letzteres durch die Arretierungsvorrichtung freigibt, so folgt der Weitertransport durch die nun nicht mehr rutschende Kupplung mit Hilfe des Antriebsmotors. Ein Antrieb für das Abheben der Gegendruckrolle vom Thermodruckkopf oder des letzteren von der Gegendruckrolle kann erfindungsgemäß gleichfalls von der Steuerung der Druckmaschine betätigt werden.According to a preferred exemplary embodiment, a slip clutch is connected between a drive for the printing tape and a spool for the printing tape driven by the drive. Holding the thermal transfer ribbon has the result that the output side of the slip clutch, for example the second spool, can no longer rotate. Because of the interposed slip clutch, however, the drive motor can continue to run without damage to this drive or the thermal transfer ribbon. If the latter is released by the locking device, it is then transported further through the clutch, which is now no longer slipping, with the aid of the drive motor. A drive for lifting the counterpressure roller from the thermal print head or the latter from the counterpressure roller can also be actuated according to the invention by the control of the printing press.

Eine Weiterbildung der Erfindung sieht vor, daß das Thermotransferband indirekt durch ein Festhalten der ersten Spule arretierbar ist, wobei die Arretierungsvorrichtung mit der ersten Spule zusammenwirkt. Dies bedeutet allerdings nicht, daß die Arretierungsvorrichtung direkt auf die erste Spule einwirken muß, vielmehr reicht es aus, wenn sie auf ein drehfest mit der ersten Spule gekuppeltes Element einwirkt.A further development of the invention provides that the thermal transfer ribbon can be locked indirectly by holding the first spool in place, the locking device interacting with the first spool. However, this does not mean that the locking device must act directly on the first coil, rather it is sufficient if it acts on an element which is coupled to the first coil in a rotationally fixed manner.

In dieser Hinsicht wird gemäß einer weiteren Ausgestaltung der Erfindung vorgeschlagen, daß die erste Spule drehfest mit einem außenverzahnten Rad gekuppelt ist, dem ein mittels der Steuerung zustellbarer Verrastzahn zugeordnet ist. Der Verrastzahn kann in jede Lücke zwischen zwei benachbarten Zähnen eingreifen und dadurch das Drehen dieses außenverzahnten Rades stoppen. Damit steht dann auch die drehfest gekuppelte erste Spule fest. Das Band kann daraufhin von dieser Spule nicht mehr abgewickelt und infolgedessen auf die zweite Spule nicht mehr aufgewickelt werden. Zweckmäßigerweise sieht man hierbei aber keine spitze Zahnform vor, sondern eher eine rechteckige oder eine Sägezahnform. Wenn der Zahn nicht sofort in eine Zahnlücke eintreten kann, so ist dies aber spätestens dann der Fall, wenn in Drehrichtung gesehen dem Verrastzahn die nächste Zahnlücke zugeordnet ist. Selbstverständlich muß in geeigneter Weise sichergestellt werden, daß der Zahn die Einrastbewegung sicher durchführen kann. Dasselbe gilt für das Ausrasten.In this regard, it is proposed according to a further embodiment of the invention that the first coil is coupled in a rotationally fixed manner to an externally toothed wheel, to which a latching tooth that can be adjusted by means of the control is assigned. The locking tooth can engage in any gap between two adjacent teeth and thereby stop the turning of this externally toothed wheel. This means that the non-rotatably coupled first coil is also fixed. The tape can then no longer be unwound from this spool and consequently can no longer be wound onto the second spool. Appropriately, however, one does not provide a pointed tooth shape, but rather a rectangular or a saw tooth shape. If the tooth cannot immediately enter a tooth gap, this is the case at the latest when the next tooth gap is assigned to the latching tooth when viewed in the direction of rotation. Of course, it must be ensured in a suitable manner that the tooth can carry out the locking movement safely. The same applies to disengagement.

Eine weitere Variante der Erfindung ist dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß sich der Verrastzahn an einem Schwenkarm befindet, der mittels eines steuerbaren Sperrglieds in einer wirkungslosen Stellung haltbar ist. Über die Steuerung der Druckmaschine kann man das Sperrglied in eine wirkungslose Stellung bringen, so daß der Schwenk-arm die für das Verrasten notwendige Schwenkbewegung durchführen kann. Dies erfolgt beispielsweise mit irgendeiner Hilfskraft, beispielsweise Federkraft, oder mit Hilfe der Schwerkraft, was voraussetzt, daß sich der Schwenkarm bei ausgerastetem Verrastzahn in einer angehobenen Verschwenkstellung befindet.Another variant of the invention is characterized in that the latching tooth is located on a swivel arm which can be held in an ineffective position by means of a controllable locking member. The locking member can be brought into an ineffective position via the control of the printing press, so that the swivel arm can carry out the swiveling movement necessary for locking. This is done, for example, with some assistant, for example Spring force, or with the help of gravity, which requires that the swivel arm is in a raised pivot position when the ratchet tooth is disengaged.

Gemäß einer besonders bevorzugten Ausführungsform der Erfindung ist das Sperrglied mittels eines steuerbaren Antriebs von seiner Sperrstellung in eine Freigabestellung überführbar und umgekehrt. Zum gegebenen Zeitpunkt betätigt die Steuerung der Druckmaschine den steuerbaren Antrieb für das Sperrglied, wodurch dieses von seiner wirksamen in eine unwirksame Stellung oder umgekehrt überführt wird. Wenn das Thermotransferband wieder abgezogen und zum Druck zur Verfügung stehen soll, so stellt der steuerbare Antrieb das Sperrglied wieder in seine unwirksame Stellung zurück.According to a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, the locking member can be transferred from its locking position into a release position and vice versa by means of a controllable drive. At the given point in time, the control of the printing press actuates the controllable drive for the blocking element, as a result of which it is transferred from its effective to an inactive position or vice versa. If the thermal transfer ribbon is to be removed again and made available for printing, the controllable drive resets the blocking element back into its inactive position.

Das Sperrglied befindet sich in sehr vorteilhafter Weise an einem schwenkbar gelagerten Hebel, der mittels eines den steuerbaren Antrieb bildenden Exzenterantriebs verstellbar ist. Ein Drehen des Exzenters bewirkt in bekannter Weise ein Verschwenken des damit gekuppelten Hebels, und diese Schwenkbewegung kann zur Schwenkbewegung des Schwenkarms mit dem Verrastzahn in Verraststellung und in Freigabestellung ausgenützt werden.The locking member is located in a very advantageous manner on a pivotally mounted lever which is adjustable by means of an eccentric drive forming the controllable drive. Rotation of the eccentric causes the lever coupled therewith to pivot, and this pivoting movement can be used for the pivoting movement of the pivoting arm with the latching tooth in the latched position and in the release position.

Hierbei ist in Weiterbildung der Erfindung vorgesehen, daß ein exzentrisch an einem antreibbaren Drehglied angebrachter Zapfen in einen Längsschlitz eingreift, der im Abstand von der Drehachse des schwenkbaren Hebels an diesem angeordnet ist. Diese Zapfen-Langlochverbindung ermöglicht in an sich bekannter Weise die Umsetzung der Drehbewegung in eine hin und her gehende Schwenkbewegung. Aus diesem Grunde führt das Drehglied auch jeweils nur eine Drehung um etwa 180° durch, um die Sperrvorrichtung von ihrer wirksamen Stellung in die unwirksame Stellung oder umgekehrt zu überführen. Der Längsschlitz liegt dabei quer zur Auslenkrichtung des Hebels.In a further development of the invention, it is provided that an eccentrically attached to a drivable rotary member engages in a longitudinal slot which is arranged at a distance from the axis of rotation of the pivotable lever on the latter. This pin-slot connection enables the rotary motion to be converted into a reciprocating pivoting motion in a manner known per se. For this reason, the rotary member also only rotates by about 180 ° in each case in order to transfer the locking device from its active position into the inactive position or vice versa. The longitudinal slot is transverse to the direction of deflection of the lever.

Eine weitere bevorzugte Ausführungsform der Erfindung enthält Anspruch 9. Die Verwendung eines Winkelhebels bringt vielerlei Vorteile mit sich, insbesondere aber eine kompakte Bauweise.A further preferred embodiment of the invention contains claim 9. The use of an angle lever brings with it many advantages, but in particular a compact design.

Darüberhinaus ergibt sich aber gemäß einer Weiterbildung nach Anspruch 10 der Vorteil, daß man zur Aktivierung der Arrtierungsvorrichtung den den Verrastzahn tragenden oder aufweisenden Schwenkarm entweder mittels einer Feder belasten oder auf andere Weise in die Verraststellung bringen kann, oder daß man hierzu die Schwerkraft ausnützt. Letzteres hat vor allen Dingen im Hinblick auf das schonende Auffinden der nächsten Zahnlücke Vorteile.In addition, however, according to a development according to claim 10, there is the advantage that to activate the locking device, the swivel arm carrying or having the latching tooth can either be loaded by means of a spring or brought into the latched position in some other way, or that gravity is used for this purpose. The latter has advantages above all in terms of gently finding the next tooth gap.

Eine besonders zweckmäßige Variante der Erfindung ergibt sich aus Anspruch 12. Demzufolge kann man einen Verstellantrieb für den Thermodruckkopf, also einen Antrieb, mit welchem dieser im Falle des Stillstands des Thermotransferbands von der Gegendruckrolle abgehoben werden soll, zugleich dazu ausnutzen, den Stillstand des Thermotransferbands zu bewirken bzw. aufzuheben. Somit erreicht man auch aus dieser Sicht eine kompakte und somit preiswerte Ausbildung der Druckmaschine in diesem Bereich. Außerdem kommt man hierdurch mit einer kleinen Teilezahl aus, was im Hinblick auf eine geringe Störanfälligkeit von Vorteil ist.A particularly expedient variant of the invention results from claim 12. Accordingly, an adjustment drive for the thermal print head, that is to say a drive with which it is to be lifted off the counterpressure roller when the thermal transfer ribbon is at a standstill, can also be used to shut down the thermal transfer ribbon effect or cancel. From this point of view, a compact and therefore inexpensive design of the printing press is achieved in this area. In addition, you can get by with a small number of parts, which is advantageous in view of the low susceptibility to faults.

Weitere Ausgestaltungen, Vorteile, Merkmale und Einzelheiten der Erifndung sowie hieraus resultierende Wirkungsweisen ergeben sich aus den Unteransprüchen sowie der nachfolgenden Beschreibung eines bevorzugten Ausführungsbeispiels unter Bezugnahme auf die Zeichnung. Dabei zeigen:

  • Figur 1 in der Seitenansicht einen Ausschnitt aus einer Thermotransferdruckmaschine im Bereich von Thermodruckkopf und Bandantrieb in der Arbeitsstellung; und
  • Figur 2 eine vergleichbare Darstellung bei freigegebenem Thermotransferband.
Further refinements, advantages, features and details of the invention and the modes of operation resulting therefrom result from the subclaims and the following description of a preferred exemplary embodiment with reference to the drawing. Show:
  • Figure 1 is a side view of a section of a thermal transfer printing machine in the area of thermal print head and ribbon drive in the working position; and
  • Figure 2 shows a comparable representation with released thermal transfer ribbon.

Das Thermotransferband 4 wird von einer ersten Spule 1 abgewickelt, durchläuft den Druckbereich 2 und wird dann auf einer zweiten Spule 3 aufgewickelt. Vorzugsweise befinden sich die beiden Spulen 1 und 3, einschließlich der Umlenkrollen oder -walzen 5 und 6, in einer Farbbandkassette. Zwischen den Umlenkwalzen 5 und 6 befindet sich das arbeitende Trum 7 des Thermotransferbands 4. Es wird über eine Gegendruckrolle 8 der im einzelnen nicht näher dargestellten Druckmaschine geführt. Zwischen dem Thermotransferband 4 und der Gegendruckrolle 8 befindet sich noch ein nicht dargestellter Aufzeichnungsträger, z.B. ein Trägerband mit zu bedruckenden Etiketten. Beim Drucken liegt ein Thermodruckkopf 9 auf dem durchlaufenden, arbeitenden Trum 7 des Thermotransferbands 4 auf und drückt, unter Zwischenschaltung des erwähnten Aufzeichnungsträgers, dieses fest an die Gegendruckrolle 8 an. Die Anpreßkraft wird mittels einer der Übersichtlichkeit wegen nicht eingezeichneten, den schwenkbaren Arm 10 niederdrückenden Schraubendruckfeder aufgebracht. Der schwenkbare Arm 10 trägt den Thermodruckkopf 9. Der erwähnte, durch die Schraubendruckfeder belastete Arm 10 ist im Sinne des Doppelpfeils 11 um die Achse 12 verschwenkbar.The thermal transfer ribbon 4 is unwound from a first spool 1, passes through the printing area 2 and is then wound onto a second spool 3. The two spools 1 and 3, including the deflecting rollers or rollers 5 and 6, are preferably located in an ink ribbon cassette. The working strand 7 of the thermal transfer ribbon 4 is located between the deflecting rollers 5 and 6. It is guided over a counter pressure roller 8 of the printing machine, which is not shown in detail. Between the thermal transfer ribbon 4 and the counter pressure roller 8 there is still a recording medium, not shown, e.g. a carrier tape with labels to be printed. During printing, a thermal print head 9 rests on the continuous, working strand 7 of the thermal transfer ribbon 4 and, with the interposition of the aforementioned recording medium, presses it firmly against the counter-pressure roller 8. The contact pressure is applied by means of a helical compression spring, which is not shown for the sake of clarity and depresses the pivotable arm 10. The pivotable arm 10 carries the thermal print head 9. The arm 10 mentioned, which is loaded by the helical compression spring, can be pivoted about the axis 12 in the direction of the double arrow 11.

Der Aufzeichnungsträger, der gleichfalls von einer Rolle oder Spule abgewickelt und gegebenenfalls auf eine andere Rolle oder Spule aufgewickelt werden kann, ist in einzelne zu bedruckende Felder aufgeteilt oder trägt beispielsweise Etiketten, die aber auch nicht bis zum vorderen und hinteren Rand bedruckt werden sollen. Insofern entstehen also zwischen in Durchlaufrichtung 13 der beiden Bänder zwischen jeweils aufeinanderfolgenden, identischen Aufdrucken unbedruckte Zwischenabschnitte. Es stellt nun einen nicht gerechtfertigten Kostenaufwand dar, wenn man das Thermotransferband 4 auch dann weitertransportiert, wenn der darunter befindliche Aufzeichnungsträger gar nicht bedruckt werden soll. Erfindungsgemäß kann man nun den unnötigen Thermotransferbandverbrauch dadurch verringern bzw. zumindest in etwa auf Null bringen, daß man das Thermotransferband 4 immer dann anhält, wenn der Aufzeichnungsträger, welcher ständig durchläuft, gerade nicht bedruckt werden soll.The record carrier, which can also be unwound from a reel or spool and possibly rewound onto another reel or spool, is divided into individual fields to be printed or bears, for example, labels which, however, should not be printed up to the front and rear edges. In this respect arise between intermediate sections unprinted in the direction of travel 13 of the two tapes between successive, identical prints. It is now an unjustifiable expense if the thermal transfer ribbon 4 is also transported on even if the recording medium located underneath is not to be printed at all. According to the invention, the unnecessary thermal transfer ribbon consumption can now be reduced, or at least brought to approximately zero, by stopping the thermal transfer ribbon 4 whenever the recording medium which is continuously being run is not to be printed on.

Dieses vergleichsweise plötzliche Abstoppen des Thermotransferbands 4 nach dem Drucken der "letzten Zeile" erreicht man erfindungsgemäß durch eine Arretierungsvorrichtung 14. Die Druckmaschine benötigt zum Drucken im Thermotransferverfahren grundsätzlich eine entsprechende elektronische Steuerung mit Rechner. Diese kann nun dazu herangezogen werden - weil sie auch über alle notwendigen Daten verfügt - die Arretierungsvorrichtung 14 immer dann in Arbeitsstellung zu bringen, wenn das Thermotransferband 4 nicht weiterlaufen soll und stets dann freizugeben, wenn der Aufzeichnungsträger soweit durchgelaufen ist, daß die nächste zu bedruckende Stelle im Druckbereich 2 angekommen ist.This comparatively sudden stopping of the thermal transfer ribbon 4 after the printing of the "last line" is achieved according to the invention by a locking device 14. The printing machine basically requires an appropriate electronic control with a computer for printing in the thermal transfer process. This can now be used - because it also has all the necessary data - to bring the locking device 14 into the working position whenever the thermal transfer ribbon 4 should not continue to run and always to release it when the recording medium has run through so far that the next one to be printed Point in the printing area 2 has arrived.

Zur Arretierungsvorrichtung 14 gehört auch noch eine im einzelnen nicht dargestellte Rutschkupplung 15 bekannter Bauart. Die Antriebsseite dieser Rutschkupplung 15 wird beim Ausführungsbeispiel der Druckmaschine über ein endloses Antriebsglied 16, beispielsweise einen Zahnriemen, mittels eines Elektromotors 17 angetrieben. Während des Druckjobs bleibt der Elektromotor 17 stets eingeschaltet, so daß auch die Antriebsseite der Rutschkupplung 15 ständig in Drehung versetzt wird. Die Rutschkupplung 15 überträgt das Drehmoment von ihrer Antriebs- auf ihre Abtriebsseite, auf der sich die zweite Spule 3 befindet. Wenn nun aber die Arretierungsvorrichtung 14 den Bandlauf abrupt unterbricht, so reicht das Reibmoment der Rutschkupplung 15 nicht mehr aus, die Antriebskraft des Elektromotors 17 auf die Abtriebsseite der Rutschkupplung 15 zu übertragen. Die Rutschkupplung 15 schleift infolgedessen durch. Sobald die Arretierungsvorrichtung 14 die erste Spule 1 wieder freigibt, läuft auch die Abtriebsseite der Rutschkupplung 15 wieder mit und infolgedessen wird das von der ersten Spule 1 ablaufende Thermotransferband 4 wieder auf der zweiten Spule 3 aufgewickelt.The locking device 14 also includes a slip clutch 15 of a known type, not shown in detail. The drive side of this slip clutch 15 is driven in the exemplary embodiment of the printing press via an endless drive member 16, for example a toothed belt, by means of an electric motor 17. During the print job, the electric motor 17 always remains switched on, so that the drive side of the slip clutch 15 is also constantly rotated. The slip clutch 15 transmits the torque from its drive side to its output side, on which the second coil 3 is located. If, however, the locking device 14 abruptly interrupts the belt run, the frictional torque of the slip clutch 15 is no longer sufficient to transmit the driving force of the electric motor 17 to the driven side of the slip clutch 15. As a result, the slip clutch 15 slips. As soon as the locking device 14 releases the first spool 1 again, the driven side of the slip clutch 15 also runs again and as a result the thermal transfer ribbon 4 running from the first spool 1 is wound up again on the second spool 3.

Aus verschiedenen Gründen, nicht zuletzt aber um ein Zerreißen des Thermotransferbands 4 während seines Stillstands zu vermeiden, muß während den Stillstandsphasen der Anpreßdruck, mit welchem der Thermodruckkopf 9 an die Gegendruckrolle 8 angepreßt wird, aufgehoben werden. Dies geschieht auf einfache Art und Weise, beispielsweise dadurch, daß über die Steuerung der Druckmaschine zum gegebenen Zeitpunkt ein Betätigungsglied 18 in Pfeilrichtung 19 verschwenkt wird, welches mit dem Schwenkarm 10 in nachstehend noch näher erläuterter Weise gekuppelt ist und infolgedessen letzteren in gleichem Drehsinne mitnimmt, wodurch dann der Thermodruckkopf 9 von der Gegendruckrolle 8 abgehoben wird. Rein theoretisch könnte man natürlich auch die Gegendruckrolle 8 nach unten hin absenken, jedoch wird der erst genannten Alternative aus vielerlei Gründen der Vorzug gegeben.For various reasons, not least in order to avoid tearing of the thermal transfer ribbon 4 during its standstill, the contact pressure with which the thermal print head 9 is pressed against the counterpressure roller 8 must be released during the standstill phases. This is done in a simple manner, for example by an actuator 18 being pivoted in the direction of arrow 19 at the given time via the control of the printing press, which is coupled to the swivel arm 10 in the manner explained in more detail below and consequently takes the latter in the same direction, whereby the thermal print head 9 is then lifted off the counter-pressure roller 8. In theory, of course, one could also lower the counter-pressure roller 8 downwards, but the first-mentioned alternative is preferred for many reasons.

Die erste Spule 1 ist drehfest mit einem außenverzahnten Rad 20 verbunden. Darüber befindet ein zustellbarer Verrastzahn 21. Er wird von einem Schwenkarm 22 gehalten und ist vorzugsweise einstückig damit gefertigt. Der Schwenkarm 22 kann im Sinne des Doppelpfeils 23 um eine Achse 24 verschwenkt werden. Während des Druckens befindet sich der Schwenkarm 22 in der aus Figur 1 ersichtlichen Drehstellung. Er wird in dieser wirkungslosen Stellung von einem steuerbaren Sperrglied 25 gehalten. Mittels eines von der Steuerung der Druckmaschine ebenfalls steuerbaren Antriebs 26 kann der Schwenkarm 22 in die aus Figur 2 ersichtliche, wirksame Stellung überführt werden. Dies geschieht beim Ausführungsbeispiel aber indirekt, und zwar dadurch, daß sich das Sperrglied 25 an einem schwenkbar gelagerten Hebel 27 befindet, der mittels eines Exzenterantriebs 28 verstellbar ist. Der Hebel 27 ist bevorzugterweise ein Winkelhebel, dessen in der Zeichnung oberes Ende das Sperrglied 25 bildet. Sobald dieses Ende abgesenkt wird, folgt der Schwenkarm 22 dieser Bewegung, und dadurch greift dann der Verrastzahn 21 in die nächst-folgende Zahnlücke 29 ein.The first coil 1 is rotatably connected to an externally toothed wheel 20. An adjustable locking tooth 21 is located above it. It is held by a swivel arm 22 and is preferably manufactured in one piece with it. The pivot arm 22 can be pivoted about an axis 24 in the direction of the double arrow 23. During printing, the swivel arm 22 is in the rotational position shown in FIG. 1. It is held in this ineffective position by a controllable locking member 25. By means of a drive 26 which can also be controlled by the control of the printing press, the swivel arm 22 can be moved into the effective position shown in FIG. In the exemplary embodiment, however, this occurs indirectly, namely in that the locking member 25 is located on a pivotably mounted lever 27 which is adjustable by means of an eccentric drive 28. The lever 27 is preferably an angle lever, the upper end of which forms the locking member 25 in the drawing. As soon as this end is lowered, the swivel arm 22 follows this movement, and the latching tooth 21 then engages in the next tooth gap 29.

Der Hebel 27 ist um eine Achse 30 drehbar. Im Bereich der Winkelecke befindet sich ein randoffener Längsschlitz 31, in welchen ein Zapfen 32 eingreift. Beide sind Bestandteil des Exzenterantriebs 28. Der Zapfen 32 ist an einem antreibbaren Drehglied 33 angebracht. Dieses führt aber jeweils nur etwa eine halbe Umdrehung durch. Der Längsschlitz 31 erstreckt sich gemäß beispielsweise Figur 2 etwa in Längsrichtung des an der Achse 30 angelenkten Winkelschenkels 34 des winkelförmigen Hebels 27. Demzufolge befindet sich das Sperrglied 25 am freien Winkelschenkel 35. Der Schwenkarm 22 mit dem Verrastzahn 21 ist gemäß der Zeichnung beim Ausführungsbeispiel ein einfacher, schwenkbarer Hebel, der an seinem freien Ende ein vorzugsweise balliges Abstützelement 36 aufweist, welches oben auf der das Sperrglied 25 bildenden Stirnfläche des freien Winkelschenkels 35 aufliegt.The lever 27 is rotatable about an axis 30. In the area of the corner of the corner there is an open longitudinal slot 31 in which a pin 32 engages. Both are part of the eccentric drive 28. The pin 32 is attached to a drivable rotary member 33. However, this only makes about half a turn. The longitudinal slot 31 extends, for example in FIG. 2, approximately in the longitudinal direction of the angled arm 34 of the angled lever 27 articulated on the axis 30. Accordingly, the locking member 25 is located on the free angled arm 35. According to the drawing, the swivel arm 22 with the latching tooth 21 is one in the exemplary embodiment simple, pivotable lever, which has at its free end a preferably spherical support element 36 which rests on the top of the end face of the free angle leg 35 forming the locking member 25.

Gemäß Figur 2 ist der angelenkte Winkelschenkel 34 des schwenkbaren Winkelhebels 27 über das Lager 30 hinaus verlängert. Der dadurch entstandene Verlängerungsarm ist mit 37 bezeichnet. Er ist an seinem freien Ende hakenartig gestaltet, wobei der Haken 38 im wesentlichen durch einen seitlich randoffenen Längsschlitz 39 gebildet ist. In diesen greift ein Bolzen 40 ein, der am Schwenkarm 10 befestigt ist.According to FIG. 2, the articulated angle leg 34 of the pivotable angle lever 27 is extended beyond the bearing 30. The resulting extension arm is designated 37. It is designed like a hook at its free end, the hook 38 essentially by one is formed laterally open longitudinal slot 39. A bolt 40, which is fastened to the swivel arm 10, engages in this.

Wenn das Drehglied 33 mit dem Zapfen 32, ausgehend von seiner Drehstellung gemäß Figur 1, beispielsweise im Gegenuhrzeigersinn, um etwa 180° gedreht wird, so verschwenkt der Zapfen 32, der in den Längsschlitz 31 eingreift, den Hebel 27 gleichfalls im Gegenuhrzeigersinn um dessen Drehachse 30. Hierdurch wird einerseits über die Verbindung 39, 40 der Thermodruckkopf 9 von der Gegendruckrolle 8 abgehoben und dadurch die Pressung der beiden Bänder im Druckbereich 2 aufgehoben, andererseits auch das Sperrglied 25 abgesenkt, wodurch der Schwenkarm 22 eine Schwenkbewegung im Sinne des Pfeils 23 durchführen kann. Dies führt zu einem Einrasten des Verrastzahns 21 in die nächstfolgende Zahnlücke 29, gemäß Figur 2. Damit ist also das Abstoppen des Thermodruckbands 9 grundsätzlich mit einer Entlastung des Druckkopfes 9 im Druckbereich 2 zwangsgekuppelt.If the rotary member 33 with the pin 32, starting from its rotational position according to FIG. 1, is rotated counterclockwise, for example, by approximately 180 °, the pin 32, which engages in the longitudinal slot 31, also pivots the lever 27 counterclockwise about its axis of rotation 30. In this way, on the one hand, the thermal print head 9 is lifted from the counter-pressure roller 8 via the connection 39, 40, thereby releasing the pressure of the two ribbons in the printing area 2, and, on the other hand, the locking member 25 is also lowered, as a result of which the swivel arm 22 performs a swivel movement in the direction of arrow 23 can. This leads to a latching of the latching tooth 21 in the next tooth gap 29, according to FIG. 2. Thus, the stopping of the thermal printing tape 9 is basically forcibly coupled with a relief of the print head 9 in the printing area 2.

Die Steuerung für die 180°-Drehbewegung erreicht man mit Hilfe einer Steuerscheibe 41, welche drehfest mit dem Drehglied 33 gekuppelt ist und einem beispielsweise auf optischer Basis arbeitenden Sensor, welcher die beiden radialen Kanten der Steuerscheibe 41 abtasten kann. In diesem Bereich befindet sich dann eine entsprechende Steuereinheit für den Antriebsmotor 26 des Drehglieds 33.The control for the 180 ° rotary movement is achieved with the aid of a control disk 41, which is coupled in a rotationally fixed manner to the rotary member 33, and a sensor which operates, for example, on an optical basis and which can scan the two radial edges of the control disk 41. A corresponding control unit for the drive motor 26 of the rotary member 33 is then located in this area.

Claims (12)

Druckmaschine mit einem abhebbar gelagerten, an eine Gegendruckrolle (8) federbelastet andrückbaren Druckkopf (9) zwischen dem und der Gegendruckrolle das wirksame Trum (7) eines Druckbands (4) und eines zu bedruckenden Aufzeichnungsträgers durchlaufen, bei der eine Vorrichtung zum Aufheben des Anpreßdrucks zwischen der Gegendruckrolle (8) und dem Druckkopf (9) während eines Stillstands des Druckbands (4) vorgesehen ist, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß mittels einer Steuerung der Druckmaschine während des Stillstands des Druckbands (4) eine Arretierungsvorrichtung (14) für das Druckband (4) in eine wirksame Stellung bringbar ist.Printing machine with a lift-off, to a counter pressure roller (8) spring-loaded pressure head (9) between the and the counter pressure roller pass through the effective run (7) of a printing tape (4) and a record carrier to be printed, in which a device for lifting the contact pressure between the counter-pressure roller (8) and the print head (9) is provided while the printing tape (4) is at a standstill, characterized in that by means of a control of the printing machine while the printing tape (4) is at a standstill, a locking device (14) for the printing tape (4) can be brought into an effective position. Druckmaschine nach Anspruch 1, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß das Druckband (4) von einer ersten Spule (1) abgewickelt wird und indirekt durch ein Festhalten der ersten Spule (1) arretierbar ist, wobei die Arretierungsvorrichtung (14) mit der ersten Spule (1) zusammenwirkt.Printing machine according to claim 1, characterized in that the printing tape (4) is unwound from a first spool (1) and can be locked indirectly by holding the first spool (1) in place, the locking device (14) with the first spool (1) cooperates. Druckmaschine nach Anspruch 1 oder 2, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß das Druckband (4) auf eine zweite Spule (3) aufgewickelt wird und daß zwischen einen Antrieb (17) für das Druckband (4) und die durch den Antrieb (17) angetriebene Spule (3) für das Druckband (4) eine Rutschkupplung (15) geschaltet ist.Printing machine according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the printing tape (4) is wound onto a second spool (3) and that between a drive (17) for the printing tape (4) and that driven by the drive (17) Spool (3) for the pressure belt (4) is connected to a slip clutch (15). Druckmaschine nach einem der Ansprüche 2 oder 3, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß die erste Spule (1) drehfest mit einem außenverzahnten Rad (20) gekuppelt ist, dem ein mittels der Steuerung zustellbarer Verrastzahn (21) zugeordnet ist.Printing machine according to one of claims 2 or 3, characterized in that the first spool (1) is non-rotatably coupled to an externally toothed wheel (20) to which a locking tooth (21) which can be adjusted by means of the control is assigned. Druckmaschine nach Anspruch 4, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß sich der Verrastzahn (24) an einem Schwenkarm (22) befindet, der mittels eines steuerbaren Sperrglieds (25) in einer wirkungslosen Stellung haltbar ist.Printing machine according to claim 4, characterized in that the latching tooth (24) is located on a swivel arm (22) which can be held in an ineffective position by means of a controllable locking member (25). Druckmaschine nach Anspruch 5, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß das Sperrglied (25) mittels eines steuerbaren Antriebs (26) von seiner Sperrstellung in eine Freigabestellung überführbar ist und umgekehrt.Printing machine according to claim 5, characterized in that the blocking member (25) can be transferred from its blocking position into a release position and vice versa by means of a controllable drive (26). Druckmaschine nach Anspruch 5 oder 6, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß sich das Sperrglied (25) an einem schwenkbar gelagerten Hebel (27) befindet, der mittels eines den steuerbaren Antrieb bildenden Exzenterantriebs (28) verstellbar ist.Printing machine according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that the locking member (25) is located on a pivotably mounted lever (27) which is adjustable by means of an eccentric drive (28) forming the controllable drive. Druckmaschine nach Anspruch 7, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß ein exzentrisch an einem antreibbaren Drehglied (33) angebrachter Zapfen (32) in einen Längsschlitz (31) eingreift, der im Abstand von der Drehachse (30) des schwenkbaren Hebels (27) an diesem angeordnet ist.Printing machine according to claim 7, characterized in that a pin (32) eccentrically attached to a drivable rotary member (33) engages in a longitudinal slot (31) which is arranged at a distance from the axis of rotation (30) of the pivotable lever (27) thereon . Druckmaschine nach Anspruch 8, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß der schwenkbare Hebel (27) ein Winkelhebel ist und sich der Längsschlitz (31) im Bereich der Winkelecke befindet sowie etwa in Längsrichtung des angelenkten Winkelschenkels (24) erstreckt, wobei der freie Winkelschenkel (35) das Sperrglied (25) trägt oder bildet.Printing machine according to claim 8, characterized in that the pivotable lever (27) is an angle lever and the longitudinal slot (31) is located in the area of the angle corner and extends approximately in the longitudinal direction of the articulated angle leg (24), the free angle leg (35) Locking member (25) carries or forms. Druckmaschine nach Anspruch 9, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß der freie Winkelschenkel (35) des winkelförmigen, schwenkbaren Hebels (27) in Gebrauchslage eine etwa vertikale Lage einnimmt und sein freies Ende das Sperrglied (25) bildet, wobei sich der Schwenkarm (22) oben am freien Winkelschenkelende abstützt.Printing machine according to claim 9, characterized in that the free angle leg (35) of the angular, pivotable lever (27) assumes an approximately vertical position in the position of use and its free end forms the locking member (25), the swivel arm (22) forming on top supports free angle leg end. Druckmaschine nach Anspruch 10, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß der Schwenkarm (22) ein einarmiger Hebel ist, dessen freies Ende ein vorzugsweise balliges Abstützelement (27) aufweist, wobei sich der Verrastzahn (21) zwischen dem Schwenklager (24) und dem Abstützelement (36) befindet.Printing machine according to claim 10, characterized in that the swivel arm (22) is a one-armed lever, the free end of which has a preferably spherical support element (27), the latching tooth (21) being located between the swivel bearing (24) and the support element (36) located. Druckmaschine nach einem der Ansprüche 9 bis 11, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß der angelenkte Winkelschenkel (34) des schwenkbaren Winkelhebels (27) über das Lager (30) hinaus verlängert ist, wobei der Verlängerungsarm (37) einen Teil eines Verstellantriebs für den Druckkopf (9) bildet.Printing machine according to one of claims 9 to 11, characterized in that the articulated angle leg (34) of the pivotable angle lever (27) is extended beyond the bearing (30), the extension arm (37) being part of an adjustment drive for the print head (9 ) forms.
EP94113784A 1993-09-24 1994-09-02 Printing machine Expired - Lifetime EP0645248B1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
DE4332562A DE4332562A1 (en) 1993-09-24 1993-09-24 Printing machine for printing on a recording medium by means of a thermal transfer ribbon
DE4332562 1993-09-24

Publications (3)

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EP0645248A2 true EP0645248A2 (en) 1995-03-29
EP0645248A3 EP0645248A3 (en) 1996-02-07
EP0645248B1 EP0645248B1 (en) 1998-02-04

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ID=6498538

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EP94113784A Expired - Lifetime EP0645248B1 (en) 1993-09-24 1994-09-02 Printing machine

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US (1) US5542769A (en)
EP (1) EP0645248B1 (en)
DE (2) DE4332562A1 (en)

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Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
DE59405213D1 (en) 1998-03-12
EP0645248A3 (en) 1996-02-07
US5542769A (en) 1996-08-06
DE4332562A1 (en) 1995-03-30
EP0645248B1 (en) 1998-02-04

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