JP2000006488A - Cassette for thermal transfer printer - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To facilitate replacing operation of a cassette and a recording sheet contained integrally with a ribbon sheet by providing a space for retracting the sheet under recording in the cassette thereby inserting or ejecting the cassette from the front side of a printer. SOLUTION: A cassette 2 has a boxlike frame 6 in which a feed roll 7 applied with an ink ribbon and a roll 9 for winding a used ink ribbon are arranged, and a large number of recording sheets 11 are contained in a recording sheet containing section 12. A section 13 for temporarily retracting a sheet under recording is formed at the lower part of the recording sheet containing section 12 of the cassette 2. Furthermore, an opening facing a platen roller 14 is made in the upper surface of the frame 6 so that a carrying roller 33 on the printer 1 side can abut freely against the platen roller 14 at the time of loading a cassette. The space between the frame 6 and the upper housing 1a of the printer 1 serves as a paper discharging section 36 upon loading cassette.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a cassette used in a thermal transfer printer, and more particularly, to a cassette mechanism most suitable for a small-sized thermal transfer printer.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art There is known a so-called color thermal transfer printer which transfers color ink on an ink ribbon onto recording paper in a line-sequential manner using a line thermal head. In this type of printer, as shown in, for example, Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open Publication No. 1-139563, an ink ribbon is often made into a cassette so as to be detachable from a thermal transfer printer. In many cases, recording paper is stacked on another tray so as to be detachable from the thermal transfer printer. However, in this method, since the cassette of the ink ribbon and the tray of the recording paper must be separately mounted, the operation is complicated. Further, since the ink ribbon cassette must be mounted from above or from the side of the printer, there are many problems such as a large installation space for the printer. For this reason, there has been proposed a method in which the ink ribbon and the cut recording paper are stored in an integrated cassette to simplify the replacement and replenishment of the ink ribbon and the recording paper. For example, in JP-A-2-261687, an ink ribbon supply roll,
When the take-up roll is stored close to and the cassette is mounted on the printer body, the take-up roll is pulled out of the cassette by the mechanism on the printer body side, and the take-up roll is mounted on the take-up drive system at the back of the printer body. Since the cassette is miniaturized and the cassette can be attached and detached from the front of the printer main body, it is excellent in operability such as ink ribbon exchange and recording paper replenishment.

[0003]

However, in this method, a transfer mechanism for the supply roll must be provided in the printer body, and a space for transferring the take-up roll into the printer body is required. In addition, the mechanism of the printer body becomes complicated and large, for example, the line thermal head is largely retracted, and there is a problem that a small printer cannot be used. In addition, since the cassette does not come out of the printer unless the take-up roll is returned to the cassette side, the work time for replacing and refilling the ink ribbon becomes longer, and paper jams occur when a paper feed error or paper output error occurs. If the paper is on the take-up roll transfer path, the transfer mechanism may be damaged or the ink ribbon may be broken. As a result, there is a problem that the cassette cannot be pulled out from the printer. In recent years, due to the low cost and downsizing of printers, recording paper has been reciprocated using a small-diameter platen roller. In many cases, the recording is performed sequentially. This can reduce the size and cost of the platen roller and line thermal head,
As a result, the size and cost of the printer are greatly reduced. However, in the conventional cassette in which the recording paper and the ink ribbon are integrally stored, a mechanism for pulling out the take-up roll, a place for retreating the recording paper that reciprocates, and the like must be provided, and there is a problem that this does not contribute to reduction in size and cost. On the other hand, in the method in which the recording paper is wound around a large-diameter platen roller and the recording paper is rotated in one direction in a face-sequential manner, the positional relationship between the recording paper and the platen roller is determined, so the recording start position on the recording paper is detected by the platen roller. There were advantages that could be. However, the method in which the recording paper is reciprocated to perform the surface sequential recording has a problem that the position of the recording paper itself must be detected for each color.
In addition, the method of detecting the ink position of each color can be easily provided in the transport path of the ink ribbon by the conventional method of pulling out the roll, but the recording paper and the ink ribbon integrated cassette are put to practical use by the method without pulling out the roll. Must solve these problems. By the way, the ink ribbon cassette is supplied when vibration occurs during transportation, etc.
The take-up roll rotates, and the wound ink ribbon may become loose. For this reason, the ink ribbon cassette is provided with a roll rotation prevention mechanism as shown by the actual open flat 1-139563. Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. Hei 2-261687 does not describe such an anti-rotation mechanism, but an equivalent anti-rotation mechanism must be provided. However, the actual Kaihei 1-1
When a rotation preventing mechanism as shown by 39563 is used,
Since the rotation prevention release is performed by mounting a coupler that obtains a motor driving force for winding the roll, it is necessary to adopt a structure in which the coupler is inserted from the side of the cassette orthogonal to the direction of attaching and detaching the cassette, which complicates the mechanism. There are also problems.

[0004]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and the invention according to claim 1 is directed to a method of forming a line thermal head using an ink ribbon provided with at least three subtractive primary color inks in a plane sequence. The first color ink is transferred by heating control of the thermal head while moving the recording paper downstream of the line thermal head, and the transfer of the first color ink is completed. Thereafter, the recording paper is returned to the upstream side of the line thermal head, and the second color ink is transferred by the heat generation control of the thermal head while moving the recording paper to the downstream side of the line thermal head again. This is a cassette that can be attached to and detached from a thermal transfer printer that obtains color printing by repeating the steps described above. The supply roll winds unused ink ribbons, and the used ink ribbon winds And the take-up roll that, and the recording paper,
A cassette for a thermal transfer printer, wherein a rotatable platen roller and a rotatable platen are housed in a frame, and a retreat space for retreating the recording paper during recording is provided therein. The invention according to claim 2 is to provide an opening in the frame, which is desired for the platen roller and which is wider than the recording paper width in the width direction of the platen roller, and is provided on the outer surface of the frame. The recording paper forms a part of a discharge tray of the thermal transfer printer, and when the recording paper is mounted on the thermal transfer printer, the recording paper during printing reciprocates through the opening, and the recording paper after printing is completed. 2. The cassette for a thermal transfer printer according to claim 1, wherein the cassette is discharged to a paper output tray of the thermal transfer printer through the opening.
"A supply roll with an unused ink ribbon wound around the core, a take-up roll with the used ink ribbon wound around the core, recording paper, and a rotatably supported platen roller are housed in the frame. A heat transfer printer cassette detachable from the heat transfer printer, wherein a gear provided at at least one end of the core of the take-up roll, a claw portion provided on the frame so as to mesh with the gear, and the gear are provided. And a resilient member provided on the frame for resiliently pressing the core of the take-up roll in a direction in which the claw portion is engaged. According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, a rotatable support includes a supply roll in which an unused ink ribbon is wound around a core, a winding roll in which a used ink ribbon is wound around a core, and a recording paper. A heat transfer printer cassette detachably attached to the heat transfer printer, wherein the platen roller is housed in a frame, and a gear provided at at least one end of the core of the supply roll, and the gear is meshed with the gear so as to be engaged with the frame. A claw portion provided on the frame, and an elastic member provided on the frame for resiliently pressing the core of the supply roll in a direction in which the gear meshes with the claw portion. Cassette. "

[0005]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of a thermal transfer printer according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.
1 is a schematic external perspective view of a thermal transfer printer and a cassette used in the thermal transfer printer, FIG. 2 is a schematic external perspective view of the cassette as viewed from a different plane from FIG. 1, and FIG. 3 is cut along line BB in FIG. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the thermal transfer printer when the cassette is mounted, FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the thermal transfer printer taken along line BB in FIG. 1, and FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the ink ribbon roll, and FIG. FIG. 7 is an enlarged view of a supply roll storage section and a take-up roll storage section, FIG.
8 is an explanatory view of a recording paper, FIG. 9 is a schematic perspective view of a main part of a drive system, FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of the thermal transfer printer cut along the line AA in FIG. 1 in a state where a cassette is not mounted, and FIG. Middle A
FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view of the thermal transfer printer cut along the line A after mounting the cassette, FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view of the thermal transfer printer cut along the line AA in FIG.
FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view of the thermal transfer printer cut along the line when the line thermal head is pressed, FIG. 14 is an explanatory diagram of the recording paper state at the time when printing of one color is completed by the thermal transfer printer cut along the line AA in FIG. 1, and FIG. FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram of a recording paper retracted state in the thermal transfer printer cut along the line AA in FIG. 1. Note that FIG.
In the schematic perspective view, some mechanisms are omitted for explanation.

In FIG. 1, a thermal transfer printer (hereinafter, referred to as a printer) 1 has an opening 3 on one side for attaching and detaching a cassette 2. The cassette 2 has grooves 4 on the left and right side surfaces, and the cassette 2 can be inserted into a predetermined position of the printer 1 by fitting the groove 4 with the rail 5 of the printer 1. The cassette 2 is composed of a box-shaped frame 6, and the inside of the cassette 2 is provided with a supply roll storage section 8 for storing a supply roll 7 formed by winding an unused ink ribbon, as shown by 14, and a used ink ribbon. A winding roll storage unit 10 for storing the winding roll 9 to be wound, a recording paper storage unit 12 for storing unused recording paper 11, and a recording paper retracting unit 13 for temporarily retracting recording paper during recording. . Recording paper storage unit 12
A rib 78 for mounting the recording paper 11 is provided on both sides in the width direction of the recording paper 11 between the recording paper evacuation section 13 and prevents the unused recording paper 11 from dropping into the recording paper evacuation section 13. During a printing operation to be described later, the cut recording paper also serves as a guide to be guided to the recording paper retracting unit 13. A platen roller 14 is rotatably supported between the supply roll storage unit 8 and the take-up roll storage unit 10 by a bearing (not shown) between left and right side walls of the frame 6. The platen roller 14 includes a metal core 14a made of a hard material and an elastic member 14b made of black rubber or the like.

[0007] As shown in FIG.
An unused ink ribbon 15 is wound around the center, and gears 17 are provided on both sides of the core 16. The supply roll 7 is rotatably supported by a long hole bearing portion 18 shown in FIG. 6 between the left and right side walls of the frame 6 and movably in the vertical direction in FIG. 6, but one end is fixed to the frame 6. Since the core 16 is constantly pressed between the gear portion 17 and the portion around which the ink ribbon 15 is wound by the leaf spring 19, the supply roll 7 is urged downward in FIG. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 6, a claw 20 is provided on a portion of the frame 6 facing the gear portion 17. For this reason, the rotation of the supply roll 7 urged by the leaf spring 19 is restricted by the gear portion 17 and the claw 20 being caught. As a result, even if the cassette 2 is vibrated, the supply roll 7 does not rotate, so that the slack of the ink ribbon 15 can be prevented. An opening 21 is provided in the width direction inner side of the portion of the frame 6 where the claw 20 is provided, that is, at a position facing between the gear portion 17 of the supply roll 7 and the portion around which the ink ribbon 15 is wound. By pressing the supply roll 7 from this opening 21 against the urging force of the leaf spring 19 by means for locking the cassette 2 to the printer, the engagement between the gear 17 and the claw 20 is released, and the rotation of the supply roll 7 is stopped. Will be possible. The leaf spring 19
During printing, which will be described later, when the ink ribbon 15 is pulled out from the supply roll 7, the rotation load of the supply roll 7 is applied, so that the ink ribbon 15 also has a function of applying a back tension to the pulled out ink ribbon 15.

[0008] As shown in FIG.
2, the used ink ribbon 15 is wound around the center portion, and gear portions 23 are provided on both sides of the core 22. The take-up roll 9 is rotatably supported by a long hole bearing portion 24 between the left and right side walls of the frame 6 so as to be rotatable and movable in the front-rear direction, but a U-shaped leaf spring 2 having one end fixed to the frame 6.
5, the space between the gear portion 23 and the portion around which the ink ribbon 15 is wound is constantly pressed.
It is biased to the middle and left. On the other hand, a claw 26 is provided on a portion of the frame 2 facing the gear portion 23. For this reason, the take-up roll 9 urged by the leaf spring 25 is
3 and the claw 26 are caught and the rotation is restricted. As a result, even if the cassette 2 is vibrated, the take-up roll 9 does not rotate, so that the slack of the ink ribbon 15 can be prevented. The widthwise inside of the portion of the frame 2 where the claw 26 is provided, that is, the gear portion 2 of the winding roll 9
An opening 27 is provided at a position opposite to the position where the ink ribbon 15 is wound around the winding roll 3, and a winding friction plate, which will be described later, is inserted through the opening 22, and the winding roll 9 is connected to the leaf spring 2.
By pushing against the urging force of 5, the gear 23 and the claw 26 are disengaged from each other, and the winding roll 9 can rotate.

As shown in FIG. 7, an ink ribbon 15 is formed by applying a yellow ink portion, a magenta ink portion, a cyan ink portion, and an ink-free portion in a slightly wider area than a cut recording sheet to be used in a sheet-like manner in a sequential manner. Is used. Between the non-ink portion and the yellow ink portion, a black mark 77 for detecting the position of the yellow ink portion by a reflective optical sensor described later.
Are provided, and a black mark 7 for detecting the position of the magenta ink portion is provided between the yellow ink portion and the magenta ink portion.
7, one black mark 77 for detecting the position of the cyan ink portion is provided between the magenta ink portion and the cyan ink portion. In addition, the space between the two black marks 77 between the non-ink portion and the yellow ink portion is also a non-ink portion. Also,
Irradiation light of a reflection type optical sensor described later is yellow ink,
Transmits the magenta ink and cyan ink, and the black mark 77
Is adjusted to a wavelength and a light emission amount that do not transmit light.

As shown in FIG. 8, as the recording paper 11 to be mounted on the cassette 2, a plurality of cut recording papers 28 on the recording back side connected on both sides in the recording width direction by two leader tapes 29 are used. The two leader tapes 29 are adhered to the recording back surface (recording surface as the front surface) of the cut recording paper 28 and outside the print area on the front surface with the weak adhesive provided on the leader tape 29 side. I have. This adhesive can easily peel off the cut recording paper 28 and the leader tape 29, and after peeling, the adhesive is cut into the cut recording paper 2
Those that do not remain on the back of 8 are used. The recording paper 11 is continuously attached to the leader tape 29 with a blank portion of the length of the roughly cut recording paper 28, and by folding the leader tape 29, as shown in FIG. The cut recording paper 28 is in a laminated state,
In this state. It is stored in the recording paper storage unit 12. A perforation 30 is formed at a predetermined position near the center of the section of the leader tape 29 where the cut recording paper 28 is not affixed so as to cross the leader tape 29. Can be separated from the perforations 30. A black mark 3 is provided at a predetermined position on at least one side of the two leader tapes 29 on the recording surface side of the cut recording paper 28 which is not adhered to the cut recording paper 28.
1 is printed. The position of the cut recording paper 28 is determined by detecting the black mark 31 with a reflective optical sensor (described later) for detecting the black mark 77 on the ink ribbon 15, and a predetermined printing operation is performed.

As shown in FIG. 6, an opening 32 is provided at the front of the upper surface of the frame 6 of the cassette 2 to view the platen roller 14.
The transport roller 33 of the printer 1 contacts the platen roller 14 through the opening 32 at the time of printing described later. Further, an opening 34 for viewing the platen roller 14 is provided also on the lower surface of the frame 6 of the cassette 2, and a line thermal head 35 of the printer 1 contacts the platen roller 14 through the opening 34 at the time of printing described later. .

As shown in FIG. 1, when the cassette 2 is mounted along the rails 5 of the printer 1, a paper discharge section 36 is constituted by the frame 6 of the cassette 2 and the upper exterior 1a of the printer 1. In the event that a recording paper jam occurs at the time of paper ejection, the cassette 2 is pulled out of the printer 1 so that the recording paper continuous with the jammed paper is sent from the printer body. Because the paper can be separated, the jam paper can be easily removed.

Next, a mechanism for locking the cassette 2 to the printer 1 will be described with reference to FIGS. The lock lever 37 is supported by the printer 1 around a shaft 38 as a center of rotation. One end of the lock lever 37 forms a claw 39, and the claw 39 is hooked on the opening 21 of the cassette 2 mounted at a predetermined position. It has a configuration. A spring 40 (see FIG. 10) having one end fixed to the printer 1 is locked to the other end of the lock lever 37, and the lock lever 37 is urged counterclockwise in FIGS. I have. However,
When the cassette 2 is not present, the lock lever 37 is
It is regulated by means (not shown) so as not to rotate from the position indicated by 0. As shown in FIG. 3, when the cassette 2 is mounted along the rail 5 of the printer 1 from right to left in FIG. 3, the frame 6 of the cassette 2 comes into contact with the claw 39 of the lock lever 37. When the cassette 2 moves further to the left, the lock lever 37 is turned against the urging force of the spring 40 as shown in FIG.
Rotate and retract clockwise. Claw 3 of lock lever 37
When the cassette 2 further moves to the left while contacting the lower surface of the frame 6 of the cassette 2 and reaches a predetermined position, the opening 21 and the claw 39 coincide with each other, and the lock lever 37 is biased by the spring 40. Rotating in the counterclockwise direction, the claw 39 falls into the opening 21 and the lock is completed. To release the lock, when the pin 41 of the lock lever 37 on which the spring 40 is engaged is pushed by the lock release plate 42, the lock lever 37 rotates clockwise against the urging force of the spring 40, and the claw portion 39 is opened. Apart from the part 21, the cassette 2 can be pulled out along the rail 5. The lock release plate 42 is supported so as to slide the printer 1 main body by means not shown, and is configured integrally with a release knob 43 provided on the lower surface of the printer 1 main body. The lock release plate 42 is always urged rightward in FIG. 4 by a spring 44 having one end fixed to the printer 1. Therefore, if the user slides the release knob 43 with his finger in the leftward direction in FIG. 4 against the urging force of the spring 44, the lock release plate 42 comes into contact with the pin 41,
The lock lever 37 is rotated clockwise against the urging force of the spring 40. The user may pull out the cassette 2 while maintaining this state. After the cassette 2 is pulled out, if the finger is released from the release knob, the lock release plate 42 and the lock lever 37 return to the original state by the urging force of the springs 44 and 40.

The pawl 39 of the lock lever 37 has the opening 21
The claw 39 pushes the supply roll 7 against the urging force of the leaf spring 19 so that the engagement between the gear 17 and the claw 20 is released, and the supply roll 7 can rotate. Needless to say, the spring 40 has an urging force that the claw portion 39 pushes against the urging force of the leaf spring 19.

Next, an ink ribbon winding drive system will be described with reference to FIG. The friction plate 45 is supported around a shaft 46 as a center of rotation, and the shaft 46 is supported rotatably with respect to a frame 47. As shown in FIG. 4, when the cassette 2 is mounted at a predetermined position in the main body of the printer 1, the outer peripheral portion of the friction plate 45
Into contact with the core 22 of the take-up roll 9 and the leaf spring 2
The take-up roll 9 is moved rightward in FIG. As a result, the engagement between the gear portion 23 and the claw 26 is released, and the winding roll 9 can rotate. Friction disc 45
A surface having a predetermined frictional force is applied to the contact surface with the core 22, and the rotational load by the leaf spring 25 contacting the winding roll 9 and the line thermal head 35 do not press against the platen roller 14. The frictional force is set so as not to slip against the winding load of the ink ribbon 15 in the state and to slip when the line thermal head 35 is pressed against the platen roller 14.

The driving of the friction plate 45 is reduced by a timing belt 52 between a pulley 50 and a pulley 51 fixed to an output shaft 49 (see FIG. 10) of a stepping motor 48 fixed to a frame 47. The speed is further reduced by a gear 54 integrally fixed via a gear 53 and a gear 56 connected via an idle gear 55. The gear 56 rotates about the shaft 46, and a one-way clutch 57 is provided between the gear 56 and the friction plate 45. When the gear 56 rotates clockwise in FIG. The disc 45 also rotates, but when the gear 56 rotates counterclockwise, the one-way clutch is disengaged and the friction disc 45 does not rotate.

Next, the transport roller drive system will be described with reference to FIG. The transport roller 33 is rotatably held at one end of a lever 58 around a shaft 53, and the lever 58 is constantly urged toward the platen roller 14 by a spring 59. A gear 6 is provided at one axial end of the transport roller 33.
0 is fixed, and the gear 60 is connected to a gear 61 fixed to the shaft 53. As a result, the transport roller drive system is driven by one step angle of the stepping motor 48 and the transport roller 3.
The rotation angle of 3, that is, the transport amount of the recording paper 11 is uniquely determined. For example, each reduction ratio and the transport roller are set so that the transport amount of one line of the recording paper 11 becomes four steps by the stepping motor 48. The diameter has been set. Lever 5
The other end of the roller 8 contacts a cam 62 fixed to the shaft 46, and rotates the lever 58 in accordance with the rotation of the cam 62 to perform the operation of moving the transport roller 33 toward and away from the platen roller 14. The driving of the cam 62 is reduced by a gear 65 and a gear 66 fixed to an output shaft 64 of a motor 63, and the gear 66 and the shaft 6
The speed is further reduced by a worm gear 68 integrally formed with the cam 7 and a wheel gear 69 integrally formed with the cam 62.

Next, the line thermal head pressing mechanism will be described with reference to FIGS. The line thermal head 35 is integrally fixed to a head arm 71 having a shaft 70 as a center of rotation. When the cassette 2 is at a predetermined position of the printer 1, the line thermal head 35 can be pressed against and separated from the platen roller 14. A roller 73 having a shaft 72 as a center of rotation is provided on the head arm 71, and faces a head cam 74 fixed integrally with the wheel gear 69. In addition, one end of the shaft 72 is
10, the head arm 71 is urged in the counterclockwise direction in FIG. 10 by the torsion spring 75 having the other end wrapped around the main body of the printer 1, so that the roller 73 follows the rotation of the head cam 74. The pressure contact and separation operations of the line thermal head 35 are controlled by the rotation of the head cam 74. Further, the head cam 74 and the cam 62 are connected to the shaft 4.
6, the motor 63 is used as a driving source, and the transport roller 33 is pressed against and separated from the platen roller 14 and the line thermal head 35 is pressed.
The separation is performed uniquely. The positions of the head cam 74 and the cam 62 are detected by a detection unit (not shown) provided on the shaft 46.

A reflection type optical sensor 76 is provided on the head arm 71, and is provided on the black mark 31 provided on the leader tape 29 of the recording paper 11 and the ink ribbon 15 through the opening 34 of the cassette 2. The black mark 77 can be detected. The reflection type optical sensor 76 is adjusted so that the black marks 31 and 77 can be detected in both the state where the line thermal head 35 is separated, that is, the state shown in FIG. 11 and the state where the line thermal head 35 is pressed, that is, the state shown in FIG. Have been. Between the reflection type optical sensor 76 and the platen roller 14, the leader tape 2 of the recording paper 11 is provided.
9 or cut recording paper 28 and ink ribbon 15 are present. The ink ribbon 15 transmits the light emitted from the reflection type optical sensor 76 in a portion other than the black mark 77. Therefore, if the black mark 77 of the ink ribbon 15 is not located at a position facing the reflection type optical sensor 76, the ink ribbon 15 is moved to the platen roller 14 side. Leader tape 29 white and black mark 3 on leader tape 29
The difference from 1 can be detected. If the black mark 31 on the leader tape 29 is not located at a position facing the reflection type optical sensor 76, the white color of the leader tape 29 acts as a reflection plate, and the transparent portion of the ink ribbon 15 and the opaque black mark 77 differences can be detected. When the reflection type optical sensor 76 changes from the light receiving state to the non-light receiving state (or vice versa) when only the ink ribbon 15 is being conveyed without carrying the recording paper, the ink ribbon 15
Is determined by the black mark 77 in FIG. If the reflection type optical sensor 76 changes from the light receiving state to the non-light receiving state (or vice versa) when the recording paper 11 is being conveyed without carrying the ink ribbon 15, the black of the leader tape 29 is changed. It is determined that the mark 31 has changed.

Next, the operation of the printer of this embodiment will be described. However, since the mounting method of the cassette 2 has been described above, it is assumed that the cassette 2 is mounted on the main body of the printer 1. As shown in FIG. 4, the recording paper 11 in the cassette 2 before the start of printing has only the leader tape 29 wound around the platen roller 15. At this time, the cut recording paper 28 to be printed next is stored in the recording paper. In the part 12. Further, the black mark 31 on the leader tape is located substantially between the platen roller 15 and the recording paper storage unit 12 and has not reached a position facing the reflection type optical sensor 76. The ink ribbon 15 has an ink-free portion facing the reflective optical sensor 76. Before the start of printing, the transport roller 33 and the line thermal head 35 are separated from the platen roller.

When a recording start signal is generated by means (not shown), the ink ribbon is positioned from this state. That is, the stepping motor 48 is driven to rotate the friction plate 45 clockwise in FIG. 11, and the winding roll 9 in contact with the friction plate 45 rotates counterclockwise, and the ink ribbon 15 is rotated.
Take up. At this time, since the transport roller 33 is not pressed against the platen roller 14, the platen roller 14 does not rotate and the recording paper 11 does not move. The ink ribbon 15 facing the reflection type optical sensor 76 is moved from the non-ink portion to the black mark 7.
When the number reaches 7, the light reflected by the leader tape 29 cannot be received and is recognized as a black mark 77. When the ink ribbon 15 is further wound up and reaches the ink-free portion again, timer counting is started by means not shown, and when the black mark 77 is detected again within a predetermined time, it is recognized that the yellow ink portion has been positioned. Second black mark 7
7 is no longer detected, and then the rotation of the stepping motor 48 is stopped. If the black mark 77 is not detected in the predetermined time, it is recognized that another color is located, and the two black marks 77 are detected again.

Next, the position of the recording paper 11 is detected. First, the motor 63 is rotated to move the cam 62 to the position shown in FIG. As a result, the lever 68 rotates, and the transport roller 33 is pressed against the platen roller 14. Then, the stepping motor 4
8 is driven to rotate the conveying roller 33 in the counterclockwise direction in FIG. As a result, the leader tape 29 of the recording paper 11 held between the transport roller 33 and the platen roller 14 moves with the rotation of the platen roller 14, and the black mark 31 on the leader tape 29 faces the reflective optical sensor 76. Approach position. At this time, the ink ribbon 15 is also wound up. However, the black mark 77 on the ink ribbon 15 has passed through the reflective optical sensor 76 and has reached the yellow ink portion. The fifteen black marks 77 do not overlap. The black mark 31 of the leader tape 29 is
Is detected, the stepping motor 48 is driven in the reverse direction and returned to a position where the black mark 31 cannot be detected by the reflection type optical sensor 76 again.
To stop. In the reverse drive of the stepping motor 48, the friction plate 45 slips by the one-way clutch 57, so that the ink ribbon 15 is not returned.

Next, the motor 63 is rotated to move the head cam 74 to the position shown in FIG. 13 while detecting the head cam 74 with detecting means (not shown). As a result, the head arm 71 in FIG.
The recording paper 1 is rotated counterclockwise and
1 and the ink ribbon 15 together. The pressing force at this time is obtained by the torsion spring 75 since the roller 73 and the head cam 74 are slightly separated from each other.

Next, the stepping motor 48 is driven again, the conveying roller 33 is rotated counterclockwise, and the recording paper 11 is conveyed while the winding roll 9 is rotated by the friction plate 45. Then, when the black mark 31 of the leader tape 29 is detected again, the pulse of the stepping motor is started to be counted by means not shown. For example, as described above, the conveyance amount of one line on the recording paper 11 is
If it corresponds to 4 steps of 8, 50 lines and 200 steps are counted, and then the line thermal head 35 is energized by means (not shown). As a result, the recording paper 11 pressed against the line thermal head 35 and the platen roller 14 is moved from the leader tape 29 to the cut recording paper 28.
, And the yellow ink is transferred onto the cut recording paper 28. At this time, the transport amount of the recording paper 11 and the ink ribbon 1
The difference in the transport amount of 5 is absorbed by slipping between the friction plate 45 and the core 22 of the winding roll 9. As shown in FIG.
The cut recording paper 28 being printed is gradually pulled out from the recording paper storage unit 12, but even if printing is performed up to the final line of yellow ink, the next cut recording paper 28 remains in the recording paper storage unit. Only the leader tape 29 connected to the cut recording paper 28 is pulled out. Thereafter, each time one line is conveyed, the power supply to the line thermal head 35 is controlled by means (not shown). For example, when the transfer of the yellow ink is completed by the power supply control for 640 lines, the driving of the stepping motor 48 is stopped. At this time, the transfer of the 640th line is on the cut recording paper 28 and does not reach the leader tape portion 29.

Next, the motor 63 is rotated to move the head cam 74 to the position shown in FIG. 12 while detecting the head cam 74 by detecting means (not shown). As a result, while the transport roller 33 is in pressure contact with the platen roller 14, the head arm 71 is
It rotates clockwise and separates from the platen roller 14. Then, the stepping motor 48 is driven again, and the transport roller 33 is rotated clockwise, and the recording paper 11 is rotated.
Is transported in the reverse direction. At this time, as described above, the friction plate 4
5 does not rotate, so that the ink ribbon 15 is not transported.
The black mark 31 on the leader tape 29 is the reflection type optical sensor 7
If the detection is made in step 6, the recording paper 11 is further conveyed and returned to a position where the black mark 31 cannot be detected by the reflection type optical sensor 76 again, and the stepping motor 48 is stopped.
At this time, the rear end of the cut recording paper 28 being conveyed in the reverse direction comes into contact with the rib 78, and thereafter, the cut recording paper 28 is guided to the recording paper retracting section 13 as shown in FIG.

Next, the motor 63 is rotated to move the head cam 74 to the position shown in FIG. 11 while detecting the head cam 74 by a detecting means (not shown), thereby separating the transport roller 33 from the platen roller 14. From this state, the position of the magenta ink portion of the ink ribbon is determined. That is, when the stepping motor 48 is driven to rotate the friction plate 45 clockwise in FIG. 11, the winding roll 9 in contact with the friction plate 45 rotates counterclockwise to wind the ink ribbon 15. At this time, since the transport roller 33 is not pressed against the platen roller 14, the platen roller 14 does not rotate and the recording paper 11
Also does not move. When the ink ribbon 15 facing the reflection type optical sensor 76 reaches the black mark 77 from the yellow ink portion, the light reflected by the leader tape 29 cannot be received and is recognized as the black mark 77. Then, the ink ribbon 15 is further wound up until the black mark 77 is no longer detected, and then the rotation of the stepping motor 48 is stopped.

Next, the motor 63 is rotated to rotate the cam 62.
Is moved to the position of FIG. 13 while detecting by the detecting means (not shown). As a result, the transport roller 33 and the line thermal head 35 are pressed against the platen roller 14. Then, similarly to the transfer of the yellow ink, the stepping motor 48 is driven again, the conveying roller 33 is rotated in the counterclockwise direction, and while the winding roll 9 is rotated by the friction plate 45,
The recording paper 11 is transported. Then, when the black mark 31 of the leader tape 29 is detected again, the pulse of the stepping motor is started to be counted by means not shown. For example, if the transport amount of one line on the recording paper 11 corresponds to four steps of the stepping motor 48 as described above, 5
After counting 0 lines and 200 steps, energization of the line thermal head 35 is started by means not shown. After that, while pulling out the cut recording paper 28 from the recording paper retraction unit 13, the power supply to the line thermal head 35 is controlled by means (not shown) every time one line is conveyed.
When the transfer of the magenta ink is completed by the energization control for 0 lines, the driving of the stepping motor 48 stops.

Next, the motor 63 is rotated to move the head cam 74 to the position shown in FIG. As a result, while the transport roller 33 is in pressure contact with the platen roller 14, the head arm 71 is
It rotates clockwise and separates from the platen roller 14. Then, the stepping motor 48 is driven again, and the transport roller 33 is rotated clockwise, and the recording paper 11 is rotated.
Is transported in the reverse direction. At this time, as described above, the friction plate 4
5 does not rotate, so that the ink ribbon 15 is not transported.
The black mark 31 on the leader tape 29 is the reflection type optical sensor 7
If the detection is made in step 6, the recording paper 11 is further conveyed and returned to a position where the black mark 31 cannot be detected by the reflection type optical sensor 76 again, and the stepping motor 48 is stopped.

Next, the motor 63 is rotated to move the head cam 74 to the position shown in FIG. 11 while detecting the head cam 74 by a detecting means (not shown), thereby separating the transport roller 33 from the platen roller 14. Then, from this state, the position of the cyan ink portion of the ink ribbon is determined. That is, the stepping motor 48 is driven to rotate the friction plate 45 clockwise in FIG. 11, and the winding roll 9 in contact with the friction plate 45 rotates counterclockwise to wind the ink ribbon 15. At this time, since the transport roller 33 is not pressed against the platen roller 14, the platen roller 14 does not rotate and the recording paper 11
Also does not move. When the ink ribbon 15 facing the reflection type optical sensor 76 reaches the black mark 77 from the yellow ink portion, the light reflected by the leader tape 29 cannot be received and is recognized as the black mark 77. Then, the ink ribbon 15 is further wound up until the black mark 77 is no longer detected, and then the rotation of the stepping motor 48 is stopped.

Next, the motor 63 is rotated to rotate the cam 62.
Is moved to the position of FIG. 13 while detecting by the detecting means (not shown). As a result, the transport roller 33 and the line thermal head 35 are pressed against the platen roller 14. And like the transfer of yellow ink or magenta ink,
By driving the stepping motor 48 again, the conveying roller 3
3 is rotated counterclockwise, and the winding roll 9 is
While rotating at 5, the recording paper 11 is conveyed. And
When the black mark 31 of the leader tape 29 is detected again,
The counting of the pulse of the stepping motor is started by means not shown. For example, if the transport amount of one line on the recording paper 11 corresponds to four steps of the stepping motor 48 as described above, 50 lines and 200 steps are counted, and then the line thermal head 35 is energized by means (not shown). . After that, every time one line is conveyed, the power supply to the line thermal head 35 is controlled by means not shown,
For example, when the transfer of the cyan ink is completed by the energization control for 640 lines, the driving of the stepping motor 48 is further continued, and the black mark 31 for the next cut recording paper 28 approximately reaches between the platen roller 15 and the recording paper storage unit 12. Until a predetermined number of lines are counted until the operation is stopped. At this time, the cut recording paper 28 on which printing has been completed reaches the paper discharge unit 36, that is, the upper surface of the cassette 2. At this time, since the line thermal head 35 is in pressure contact with the ink ribbon 15, the ink ribbon 15 is wound up by a length substantially equal to the conveyance amount of the recording paper 11. Since the non-ink portion is provided, the next black mark 77 for yellow ink
Does not reach.

When the conveyance of the recording paper 11 is completed,
By rotating the motor 63, the head cam 74 is moved to the position shown in FIG. As a result, the transport roller 33 and the line thermal head 35
Is separated from the platen roller 14, and the printing operation of one screen is completed. After the printing is completed, the user may cut from the perforated line 30 provided on the leader tape 29 behind the printed recording paper 28 and peel off the two leader tapes 29 remaining on the cut recording paper 28.

[0032]

When the cassette of the present invention is used in a printer, the ink ribbon and the recording paper can be integrated into a single cassette and can be operated from the front of the printer. Can also be reduced. In addition, since the recording paper can be reciprocated by using a small-diameter platen roller to perform the sequential recording, the line thermal head can be reduced in size and cost. In addition, an ink ribbon roll transfer mechanism and an automatic paper feed mechanism such as a cut recording paper printer are not required, and a cutter used in a roll recording paper printer is not required. The printer has a simplified mechanism, resulting in a small size and low cost. Further, unlike the conventional integrated cassette of the ink ribbon and the recording paper, there is no trouble such as breakage of the ink ribbon due to the transfer of the ink ribbon roll, double feeding, paper jam, oblique paper feeding, etc. due to the automatic paper feeding mechanism. Further, even if a paper jam occurs at the time of paper ejection, the cassette can be easily removed, so that the paper jam can be easily removed. As in the case of roll recording paper and folding recording paper, recording of a plurality of cut sheets can be continuously performed until the paper ends. In addition, the cassette itself does not cause the ink ribbon roll to be loosened due to vibration, and the mechanism for preventing rotation of the ink ribbon roll can be simplified.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic external perspective view of a thermal transfer printer and a cassette used in the thermal transfer printer.

FIG. 2 is a schematic external perspective view of the cassette as viewed from a different plane from FIG.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the thermal transfer printer cut along the line BB in FIG. 1 in a process of mounting a cassette.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the thermal transfer printer taken along line BB in FIG. 1 in a state where the cassette is completely mounted.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of an ink ribbon roll.

FIG. 6 is an enlarged view of the vicinity of a supply roll storage unit and a take-up roll storage unit in FIG. 3;

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram of an ink ribbon.

FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram of a recording sheet.

FIG. 9 is a schematic perspective view of a main part of a drive system.

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of the thermal transfer printer taken along the line AA in FIG. 1 without a cassette mounted.

FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of the thermal transfer printer taken along the line AA in FIG. 1 in a state where the cassette is completely mounted.

FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view of the thermal transfer printer cut along the line AA in FIG. 1 and showing a state where the transport roller is pressed.

FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view of the thermal transfer printer cut along the line AA in FIG. 1 in a state where the line thermal head is pressed.

14 is an explanatory diagram of a recording paper state at the time when printing of one color is completed by the thermal transfer printer cut along the line AA in FIG. 1;

FIG. 15 is an explanatory diagram of a recording paper retracted state in the thermal transfer printer cut along the line AA in FIG. 1;

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Thermal transfer printer (printer) 2 Cassette 3 Opening 4 Groove 5 Rail 6 Frame 7 Supply roll 8 Supply roll storage 9 Take-up roll 10 Take-up roll storage 11 Recording paper 12 Recording paper storage 13 Recording paper retreat 14 Platen Roller 15 Ink ribbon 16 Core 17 Gear part 18 Long hole bearing part 19 Leaf spring 20 Claw 21 Opening 22 Core 23 Gear part 24 Long hole bearing part 25 Plate spring 26 Claw 27 Opening 28 Cut recording paper 29 Leader tape 30 Perforation 31 Black mark 32 Opening 33 Conveying roller 34 Opening 35 Line thermal head 36 Paper discharge unit 37 Lock lever 38 Shaft 39 Claw 40 Spring 41 Pin 42 Lock release plate 43 Release knob 44 Spring 45 Friction plate 46 Shaft 47 Frame 48 Stepping Motor 49 Output shaft Reference Signs List 50 pulley 51 pulley 52 timing belt 53 shaft 54 gear 55 idle gear 56 gear 57 one-way clutch 58 lever 59 spring 60 gear 61 gear 62 cam 63 motor 64 output shaft 65 gear 66 gear 67 shaft 68 worm gear 69 wheel gear 70 shaft 71 head arm 72 axis 73 roller 74 head cam 75 torsion spring 76 reflection type optical sensor 77 black mark 78 rib

Claims (4)

[Claims] An ink ribbon provided with at least three subtractive primary color inks in a plane-sequential manner is brought into close contact with a recording paper between a line thermal head and a platen roller, and the recording paper is moved to the downstream side of the line thermal head while moving the recording paper downstream. The first color ink is transferred by the heat generation control of the head, and after the transfer of the first color ink is completed, the recording paper is returned to the upstream side of the line thermal head, and the recording paper is again transferred to the downstream side of the line thermal head. Is a cassette that is detachable from a thermal transfer printer that transfers ink of the second color by heating control of the thermal head while moving the ink to the side and repeats the transfer to obtain color printing. A roll, a take-up roll for winding a used ink ribbon, the recording paper, and a rotatably supported platen roller housed in a frame. A cassette for a thermal transfer printer, wherein a retractable space for retracting the recording paper during recording is provided therein. 2. An opening which is wider than a recording paper width in a width direction of the platen roller and is provided in the frame, and a part of an outer surface of the frame is part of a discharge tray of the thermal transfer printer. When the printer is mounted on the thermal transfer printer, the recording paper during printing reciprocates through the opening, and the recording paper after printing is completed passes through the opening to discharge the thermal transfer printer. 2. The cassette for a thermal transfer printer according to claim 1, wherein the cassette is discharged to a paper tray. 3. A supply roll in which an unused ink ribbon is wound around a core, a winding roll in which a used ink ribbon is wound around a core, a recording paper, and a platen roller rotatably supported. A thermal transfer printer cassette housed in a frame and detachable from the thermal transfer printer, comprising: a gear provided at at least one end of the core of the take-up roll; and a claw portion provided on the frame so as to mesh with the gear. An elastic member provided on the frame for resiliently pressing the core of the take-up roll in a direction in which the gear meshes with the claw portion. 4. A supply roll in which an unused ink ribbon is wound around a core, a winding roll in which a used ink ribbon is wound around a core, a recording paper, and a rotatably supported platen roller. A thermal transfer printer cassette housed in a frame and detachable from the thermal transfer printer, comprising: a gear provided at at least one end of the core of the supply roll; and a claw portion provided on the frame so as to mesh with the gear. An elastic member provided on the frame for resiliently pressing the core of the supply roll in a direction in which the gear meshes with the claw portion, the cassette for a thermal transfer printer.