JP2000263822A - Intermediate transfer medium film and printer - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To obtain a printer using an intermediate transfer medium film in which jamming of the film is prevented. SOLUTION: In a printer 1 using an intermediate transfer medium film 3, jamming is prevented by pasting a synthetic resin sheet piece to the forward end of the film 3 thereby forming a pull-out part harder than other part. If jamming should happen, it is detected by a jamming detecting means 91 and the film 3 is rewound by a specified amount before being fed again.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an intermediate transfer medium film and a printer for performing color printing using the same.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art An intermediate transfer medium film literally intervenes between an ink ribbon and print paper to temporarily transfer an image on the ink ribbon and then retransfer the image to print paper.

As shown in FIG. 22, an intermediate transfer medium film 101 is provided with an image receiving layer 1 on one side of the long substrate sheet 101a made of synthetic resin having a thickness of about 1 to several tens μm.
01b.

The intermediate transfer medium film 101 is wound around a bobbin 102 with one end in the length direction as a winding start end, and is used by being pulled out from the winding end side.

A printer using the intermediate transfer medium film 101 shown in FIG. 23 is known. The printer 201 includes an intermediate transfer medium film 101 wound around a bobbin 102, a yellow ink ribbon (hereinafter, referred to as a Y ink ribbon) 104 as three primary colors, and a magenta ink ribbon (hereinafter, referred to as M ink ribbon).
An ink ribbon 105, a cyan ink ribbon (hereinafter referred to as a C ink ribbon) 106, a platen roller 107 in which the plurality of ink ribbons 104, 105, 106 are arranged along the outer peripheral surface; The Y, M, and C ink ribbons 104, 105, and 106 are pressed against the platen roller 107 in a state where the ink ribbons 104, 105, and 106 are superimposed on the intermediate transfer medium film 101, respectively. , 106 are sequentially transferred to the intermediate transfer medium film 101 to form color images on the intermediate transfer medium film 101, and the first, second, and third thermal head assemblies 108, 109, and 110 , The first, second, and third thermal head assemblies 108, 109, and 110 are indicated by alternate long and short dash lines. , And a middle position, the first, second, third thermal head assembly holding the drive mechanism 111, 112, 113 for moving the printing position indicated by a solid line indicated by a two-dot chain line.

The first to third thermal head assemblies 108 to 110 include a thermal head main body 122 having a rectangular heating resistor 121 extending in the width direction of the intermediate transfer medium film 101, and a thermal head main body 122. Part 1
And a head holder 123 that supports the color transfer medium 22. The heat generating action of the heat generating resistor 121 causes the color materials of the ink ribbons 104 to 106 to sublimate and transfer to the intermediate transfer medium film 101. I have.

[0007]

The above-mentioned conventional intermediate transfer medium film 101 and printer 201 have the following problems. (1) The intermediate transfer medium film 101 has a thickness of 1 to several tens.
It is made of an extremely thin synthetic resin film having a thickness of about μm and is wound around the bobbin 102 in a roll shape. It becomes difficult to send out the side. (2) The intermediate transfer medium film 101 is sent out and the first to third thermal head assemblies 108 and 10 are sent out.
When the intermediate transfer medium film 103 is thin and its so-called stiffness is weak when it is passed between the plates 9 and 110 and the platen roller 107, the intermediate transfer medium film 103 is easily deformed and jamming is likely to occur.

The present invention makes it easy to pull out the winding end side of the intermediate transfer medium film wound in a roll shape, suppresses the occurrence of jamming, and if jamming occurs, removes the jamming. The intermediate transfer medium film is rewound by a predetermined amount, detected by the detecting means, and then sent out again, so that the intermediate transfer medium film can be securely wound around the outer peripheral surface of the platen roller.

[0009]

According to the present invention, there is provided an elongated substrate sheet formed of a synthetic resin film, and an image receiving layer provided on at least one side of the substrate sheet. In the intermediate transfer medium film wound around the bobbin with one end in the length direction as the winding start end, a drawer portion having a higher hardness than the substrate sheet is provided on the winding end side of the substrate sheet. The one in which the winding end side of the intermediate transfer medium film wound in a roll shape is easily pulled out, and the intermediate transfer medium film is prevented from being bent at the winding end side, so that the intermediate transfer medium film is easily wound around the outer peripheral surface of a platen roller. I made it.

The present invention also provides an intermediate transfer medium film wound in a roll, a plurality of ink ribbons, a platen roller in which the plurality of ink ribbons are arranged along an outer peripheral surface, A plurality of thermal head assemblies for forming an image by pressing an ink ribbon onto a platen roller in a state where the ink ribbon is superimposed on the intermediate transfer medium film and transferring a color material of the ink ribbon to the intermediate transfer medium film; A thermal head assembly holding drive mechanism for holding the assembly and moving the thermal head from the initial position to the printing position and from the printing position to the initial position, and printing the image formed on the intermediate transfer medium film The intermediate transfer medium film passes through the printer along with the running path of the printer including the printing medium. By providing a jamming detecting means comprising a plurality of photosensors for detecting, when the photosensor does not detect the passage of the intermediate transfer medium film even after a predetermined time has elapsed since the feeding of the intermediate transfer medium film is started. It was determined that the intermediate transfer medium film was jammed, and the intermediate transfer medium film was rewound by a predetermined amount and then sent out again.

[0011]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Next, an embodiment of a printer according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 21. (1) Overall structure of printer, (2) Structure of intermediate transfer medium film, (3)
The structure of the ink ribbon, (4) the structure of the thermal head assembly, (5) the structure of the thermal head assembly holding and driving mechanism, (6) the structure of the jamming detecting means, and (7) the other structures will be described in this order. (1) Overall Structure of Printer The printer of the present invention is configured as a printer that performs color printing using an intermediate transfer medium film.

FIG. 1 is a plan view of the printer 1. The printer 1 includes an intermediate transfer medium film 3 wound around a bobbin 2 and Y, M, and C ink ribbons 4, 5, and 6.
And a first platen roller 7 in which the Y, M, and C ink ribbons 4, 5, and 6 are arranged along the outer peripheral surface, and the Y, M, and C ink ribbons 4, 5, and 6, a first thermal head assembly 8 to press the first platen roller 7 in a state where the first and second thermal heads 6 are superimposed on the intermediate transfer medium film 3, and a first thermal head assembly 8 to the first thermal head assembly 8. And the thermal head assemblies 8 to 10 are moved from the initial position shown by the dashed line to the printing position shown by the solid line via the intermediate position shown by the dashed line, and from the printing position shown above. First to third thermal head assembly holding and driving mechanisms 11 to 13 which are moved to an initial position via an intermediate position, a heat seal ribbon 14, and the heat seal ribbon 14 The superposed state on the first
A fourth thermal head assembly 15 for pressing against the platen roller 7; a fourth thermal head assembly 15 for holding the fourth thermal head assembly 15; and a printing position between the initial position and the intermediate position from the initial position. Thermal head assembly holding / driving mechanism 16 to be moved to
And a first capstan that sends out the print paper 17 and the intermediate transfer medium film 3 in a superimposed state, and a print paper 17 as a printing object on which an image formed on the intermediate transfer medium film 3 is printed. Roller 18
And the image of the intermediate transfer medium film 3 sent out in an overlapping manner with the pinch roller 19 and the printing paper 1.
And a second platen roller 21 for transfer to the transfer roller 7.

The printing paper 17 on which the image has been transferred by the transfer heat roller 20 and the second platen roller 21 is cut by a cutter 22 and is discharged from a discharge port 2.
The intermediate transfer medium film 3 discharged from the print paper 17 and separated from the print paper 17 is fed by the second capstan roller 24 and the pinch roller 25 and sent out and wound by the capstan roller 24 and the pinch roller 25. It is wound by a roller 26.

Jamming of the intermediate transfer medium film 3 from the bobbin 2 to the winding roller 26 is detected by a jamming detecting means 91. The jamming detecting means 91 includes a plurality of photo sensors 92 to 96.

The Y ink ribbon 4 is disposed downstream of the film guide roller 27 in the rotation direction a of the first platen roller 7. The Y ink ribbon 4 is pressed against the intermediate transfer medium film 3 by the first thermal head assembly 8 moved to the printing position by the first thermal head assembly holding and driving mechanism 11, and the ribbon film is pressed. Is sublimated and transferred to the intermediate transfer medium film 3.

The M ink ribbon 5 is arranged downstream of the Y ink ribbon 4. The M ink ribbon 5 is transferred to the printing position by the second thermal head assembly holding / driving mechanism 12, and the ribbon film is transferred by the second thermal head assembly 9 to the intermediate transfer medium film to which the yellow color material has been transferred. The magenta color material of the ribbon film is transferred onto the intermediate transfer medium film 3.

The C ink ribbon 6 is arranged downstream of the M ink ribbon 5. The above C ink ribbon 6
Are arranged on the downstream side of the M ink ribbon 5.
The C ink ribbon 6 is an intermediate sheet in which the third thermal head assembly 10 moved to the printing position by the third thermal head assembly holding / driving mechanism 13 transfers the ribbon film to the yellow color material and the magenta color material. Crimping is performed on the transfer medium film 3, and the cyan color material of the ribbon film is transferred onto the intermediate transfer medium film 3.

The heat seal ribbon 14 is arranged downstream of the C ink ribbon 6. The heat seal ribbon 14 is formed by the fourth thermal head assembly 15 moved to the sealing position by the fourth thermal head head holding / driving mechanism 16 so that the heat seal layer of the heat seal film is formed of the yellow, magenta, and cyan color materials. Is transferred onto the intermediate transfer medium film 3 so as to cover.

The printing paper 17 is superimposed on the yellow, magenta, and cyan color materials and the intermediate transfer medium film 3 provided with the heat seal layer so as to cover the color materials. Is transferred between the transfer heat roller 20 and the second platen roller 21 and the intermediate transfer medium film 3
Is transferred to the print paper 17. (2) Structure of Intermediate Transfer Medium Film 3 As shown in FIG. 3, the intermediate transfer medium film 3 has an image receiving layer 32 provided on one side surface of a long substrate sheet 31.

The substrate sheet 31 is made of a synthetic resin such as a polyolefin or polystyrene resin and has a thickness of 1 to several tens μm.
The thickness is formed.

The image receiving layer 32 is mainly composed of a polyolefin resin, a vinyl resin or a polyester resin to which a sublimable dye, which is a coloring material of the ink ribbons 4 to 6, is easily dyed. The sheet 31 is formed on one side surface so as to have a layer thickness of 1 to 10 μm.

The long intermediate transfer medium film 3 is wound around the bobbin 2 with one end in the longitudinal direction as a winding start end.
Is wound in a roll shape and pulled out from the winding end side for use.

At the winding end side of the intermediate transfer medium film 3, that is, at the drawing start end side, a drawing section 33 is provided.

The pull-out section 33 facilitates pulling out the pull-out start end side of the intermediate transfer medium film 3 wound in a roll shape, and also facilitates feeding the intermediate transfer medium film 3 to the film guide 27 and each of the ink ribbons 4 to 6. The first to third thermal head assemblies 8 to 10 and the fourth thermal head assembly 15 are for cleaning the thermal head main body.

The draw-out portion 33 is formed by attaching a resin sheet or felt having a thickness of about 100 μm and having a dust-absorbing property to the drawing start end of the base sheet 31.

As shown in FIG. 2, the intermediate transfer medium film 3 wound around the bobbin 2 is inserted into the intermediate transfer medium film supply section 34 from the upper surface side of the printer 1 and used. ing.

When the command is issued, the bobbin 2 of the intermediate transfer medium film 3 accommodated in the supply section 34 is rotated, and the drawing section 33 of the intermediate transfer medium film 3 is drawn. The draw-out portion 33 is sandwiched between the film guide roller 27 and the first platen roller 7 while being guided by the film guides 35... 35, and extends along the outer peripheral surface of the first platen roller 7. Outer peripheral surface and Y, M, C ink ribbons 4, 5,
6 and between the heat seal ribbons 14.

The intermediate transfer medium film 3 having passed through the heat seal ribbon 14 is fed between the first capstan roller 18 and the pinch roller 19 by film guides 35.

The intermediate transfer medium film 3 that has passed between the first capstan roller 18 and the pinch roller 19
Passes between the transfer heat roller 20 and the second platen roller 21, and is transferred to the second capstan roller 2.
After being sent between the pinch roller 4 and the pinch roller 25, it is wound on the winding roller 26. (3) Structure of Ink Ribbon and Heat Seal Ribbon As shown in FIG. 4, the Y ink ribbon 4 includes an ink ribbon film 41 provided with a yellow coloring material layer made of a sublimable dye, and the ink ribbon film 41. The supply spool 42 wound, the winding spool 43 for winding the ink ribbon film 42 wound around the supply spool 42, the supply spool 42 and the winding spool 43. 44 rotatably supporting the
It consists of

As shown in FIG. 2, the Y ink ribbon 4 is used by being inserted into the Y ink ribbon accommodating portion 45 from the upper surface side of the printer 1.

The M and C ink ribbons 5 and 6 and the heat seal ribbon 14 differ only in the ribbon film (the magenta color material layer is provided on the ribbon film of the M ink ribbon 5 and the ribbon film of the C ink ribbon 6 is not used). Is provided with a cyan color material layer, and the heat seal ribbon 14 is provided with a heat seal layer.) The other portions are configured in the same manner as the Y ink ribbon 4.

The M and C ink ribbons 5 and 6 and the heat sealing ribbon 14 are respectively
An ink ribbon container 46, a C ink ribbon container 47,
The heat seal ribbon accommodating portion 48 is used by being inserted.

Then, each of the storage sections 45, 46, 47,
48, the Y ink ribbon 4, the M ink ribbon 5, the C ink ribbon 6, and the heat seal ribbon 14, respectively.
When a command is issued by closing the lid 50 of the printer 1, the take-up spool rotates and winds the ribbon film on the take-up spool. (4) Structure of Thermal Head Assembly As shown in FIG.
Is a thermal head body 52 having a heating resistor 51.
A head holder 53 that supports the head body 52 so that the fixed position can be adjusted, a first head fixed position adjusting unit 54 that adjusts the fixed position of the head body 52 with respect to the head holder 53, Head holder 5
3, a first holder supporting member 55 supporting the first holder 3, a second head fixing position adjusting means 56 for adjusting a fixing position of the head holder 53 with respect to the first holder supporting member 55, and the first holder A second holder support member 57 that couples the support member 55 to a first thermal head assembly holding drive mechanism 11 described later is provided.

The heating resistor 51 extends substantially in the width direction of the intermediate transfer medium film 3 on the lower surface of the thermal head main body 52 and at the end on the leading end side in the moving direction of the intermediate transfer medium film 3. It is formed in a rectangular shape.

As shown in FIG. 6, the thermal head main body 52 is attached to the head holder 53 so as to be adjustable in position by a long hole 61 and a screw 62.

The head holder 53 includes an upper plate 53a.
And a side plate 53b connected to one end of the upper plate 53a.
And is formed by bending a metal plate at a substantially right angle.

The long hole 61 is provided in the head holder 53.
A pair of left and right sides are formed parallel to each other on both sides in the width direction of the upper surface plate 53a so as to extend in the moving direction of the intermediate transfer medium film 3.

The screws 62 are inserted into the upper portions of the pair of long holes 61 respectively, and the ends thereof are screwed into the upper surface of the thermal head main body 52 so as to be connected to the thermal head main body 52. The head holder 53 is connected.

When one of the pair of screws 62 is loosened while one of the pair of screws 62 is tightened, and the thermal head main body 52 is moved with respect to the head holder 53,
The thermal head main body 52 and the heating resistor 51 are
The intermediate transfer medium film 3 is inclined in the b or c direction at a predetermined angle with respect to the moving direction a of the intermediate transfer medium film 3. If both of the pair of screws 62 are loosened, the thermal head body 52 and the heating resistor 51 can be moved back and forth in parallel with the moving direction of the intermediate transfer medium film 3 without tilting. .

The first head fixing position adjusting means 54
Is composed of first and second cam plates 54a and 54b.

As shown in FIG. 7, the cam plates 54a,
54b is 30 ° around the rotation center P of the shaft hole 54c.
At intervals, first to seventh ridges 54e to 54k are formed on the outer contour surface 54d so as to project therefrom.
The distance from the first to seventh raised portions 54e to 54k to the rotation center P is set so as to be sequentially increased by 0.2 mm.

The cam plates 54a and 54b have first lengths corresponding to the protrusion amounts of the raised portions 54e to 54k so as to sandwich the first to seventh raised portions 54e to 54k.
The first to eighth ribs 54l to 54s are formed in the radial direction so that the first to seventh ridges 54e to 54k can be easily recognized (visual confirmation) by the first to eighth ribs 54l to 54s. ing.

As shown in FIG. 6, the first and second cam plates 54a and 54b are connected to the shaft hole 54 by screws 54t.
c, the first and the first provided on the head holder 53.
They are mounted on the second cam plate mounting portions 53c and 53d, respectively.

The first and second cam plate mounting portions 53c, 5
3d is formed by cutting and raising a part of the upper surface plate 53a and the side plate 53b of the head holder 53,
The first and second cam plates 54a and 54b are rotatably and fixedly mounted on the upper surfaces of the first and second cam plate mounting portions 53c and 53d by screws 54t, respectively.

A part of the first and second cam plates 54a and 54b penetrates inside the side plate 53b of the head holder 53, and the first to seventh raised portions 54e to 54e.
Any one of k is in contact with one side surface 52a of the thermal head main body 52.

The first and second cam plates 54a, 54a,
If the same raised portion of 54b, for example, the first raised portion 54e, is brought into contact with one side surface 52a of the thermal head main body 52, the thermal head main body 52 becomes
The head is not inclined with respect to the head holder 53, and is set at a position closest to the side plate 53b side in parallel with the head holder 53. If the seventh raised portions 54k of the first and second cam plates 54a and 54b are brought into contact with one side surface 52a of the thermal head main body 52, the thermal head main body 52 is The head holder 53 is set at a position farthest from the side plate 53b without being inclined with respect to the head holder 53.

Further, by changing the protruding portions of the first cam plate 54a and the second cam plate 54b which are in contact with one side surface 52a of the thermal head main body 52, for example, the first protruding portions of the first cam plate 54a can be obtained. The portion 54e is connected to the thermal head main body 5
2 so as to contact the one side surface 52a of the thermal head main body 52 with the raised portion other than the first raised portion 54e of the second cam plate 54b. 6 is set in a state of being inclined with respect to the head holder 53 in the direction b in FIG. 6, and conversely, for example, the first raised portion 5 of the second cam 54b is set.
4e is brought into contact with one side surface 52a of the thermal head main body 52, and the raised portion other than the first raised portion of the first cam plate 54a is brought into contact with one side surface 52a of the thermal head main body 52. The thermal head main body 52 is set in a state of being inclined in the direction c in FIG.

The greater the difference between the lengths of the ridges of the first cam plate 54a and the second cam plate 54b that contact the one side surface 52a of the thermal head main body 52, the greater the inclination angle. It has become.

FIG. 8 shows the first and second cam plates 54a,
54 shows a modification of 54b. In this modification, the first and second cam plates 54a and 54b are formed in a perfect circular shape, and the shaft hole 54c and the rotation center P are
The first of the perfect circular shape, the second cam plate 54a, 1 ° pivot provided at a position eccentric from the center of 54b from the position P ₁ of 0 ° symmetrically in the range of position P ₂ of 180 ° Each time this is done, the distance l from the rotation center P to the contour surface 54d extends by a fixed amount, so that the fixed position adjustment of the head can be performed steplessly.

FIG. 9 shows another modification of the first head fixing position adjusting means 54. In this modification, a pair of plastic adjustment screws 54u and 54v are used as the head fixing position adjusting means 54.
The adjusting screws 54u and 54v are screwed to the side plate 53b of the head holder 53, and press the one side surface 52a of the thermal head main body 52 at the tip thereof. The operation and effect of the cam plates 54a, 54
Since this is almost the same as the case where b is used, duplicate description will be omitted.

As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the head holder 53 is attached to the first holder supporting member 55 by screws 63, 63 and the like so as to be vertically tiltable.

Then, the first holder supporting member 55
Is provided with the second head fixing position adjusting means 56.

As shown in FIG. 10, the second head fixing position adjusting means 56 includes first and second cam plates 56a provided on both side surfaces of the first holder support member 55.
56b.

The first and second cam plates 56a and 56b of the second head fixed position adjusting means 56 are the same as the first and second cam plates 54a and 56b of the first head fixed position adjusting means 54.
The first holder support member 55 is rotatably attached to the first holder support member 55 by screws 56c.

Then, the first and second cam plates 56a,
The upper surface of the upper surface plate 53a of the head holder 53 is pressed by 56b, and the head holder 53 is tilted in the vertical direction, so that the first heating resistance portion 51 of the thermal head main body 52 attached to the head holder 53 is pressed. The angle of contact with the platen roller 7 is adjusted.

The first holder supporting member 55 includes a second
Is removably attached to the holder support member 57 of FIG.

The second holder support member 57 has a rectangular support main body 57a for attaching the first holder support member 55 to the outer surface, and two ends in the longitudinal direction of the support main body 57a. A pair of bearing portions 57b provided in parallel,
57c. The second holder support member 57 is formed by bending a metal plate into a substantially U-shape. The second holder support member 57 is attached to the thermal head assembly holding and driving mechanism 11 described below on the pair of bearing portions 57b and 57c. Shaft 57d is provided. Both ends of the support shaft 57d protrude from the outer surfaces of the pair of bearings 57b and 57c.

The support body 57a has an opening 57e at the center, and first and second projections 57f and 57g having a substantially L-shaped cross section are formed on both sides of the opening 57e. It is formed.

An elastic member 57h made of a flexible material such as plastic is attached between the pair of bearing portions 57b and 57c of the second holder support member 57, and the engaging member 57h is provided on the elastic member 57h. The protrusion 57i is connected to the opening 57e
Through the support body portion 57a.

On the other hand, the first holder supporting member 55
A first coupling guide hole 55a is formed corresponding to the first L-shaped protrusion 57f of the second holder support member 57, and the engagement protrusion 57i and the second L
The second and third coupling guide holes 55b and 55c are formed corresponding to the letter-shaped projection 57g.

Then, the first holder supporting member 55
Is assembled on the second holder support member 57 by superimposing the first holder support member 55 on the surface of the second holder support member 57, and the elastic member 57h of the second holder support member 57. The first and second L-shaped projections 57f and 57g are inserted into the first and second coupling guide holes 55a and 55c of the first holder support member 55 by compressing the engagement protrusion 57i of the first holder. After that, the first holder supporting member 55 is slid in the direction of the arrow with respect to the second holder supporting member 57 so that the engaging projection 57i of the elastic member 57h is positioned at the position of the second coupling guide hole 55b. Then, the engaging projection 57i is released from the compressive force and enters the second coupling guide hole 55b, and the first and second L-shaped projections 57f and 57g allow the engagement projection 57i to move into the second coupling guide hole 55b. 1
The surface of the holder support member 55 is suppressed, and as shown in FIG.
7 are connected to each other.

The second and third thermal head assemblies 9 and 10 and the heat seal head assembly 15 have the same configuration as the first thermal head assembly 8 described above. (5) Structure of the Thermal Head Assembly Holding and Driving Mechanism The thermal head assembly holding and driving mechanism holds the thermal head assembly as described above and moves the thermal head assembly to an initial position, an intermediate position, and a printing position. Things.

As shown in FIGS. 12 to 14, one end of the thermal head assembly holding and driving mechanism 11 is rotatably attached to both ends of a support shaft 57d provided on the second holder support member 57. A first thermal head assembly support member 72 whose other end is rotatably attached to a bearing (not shown) of the printer housing by a fixed shaft 71; and a first thermal head assembly support member 72.
By locking one end to the spring locking portion 72a and the other end to the second holder support member 57, the second holder support member 57 supports the support shaft 57d.
A coil spring 73 for supporting the thermal head assembly 8 in a state pressed against the first thermal head assembly support member 72 by applying a rotational force in the direction of arrow a around the center, and the first thermal head support member The second thermal head assembly support member 7 having one end rotatably attached to both ends of the support shaft 57d of the second holder support member 57 in a state of being superposed on the outside of the second holder support member 57.
4, a first corner 77a is connected to the other end of the second thermal head assembly support member 74 by a connection shaft 75, and the second corner 77b is A substantially triangular third thermal head assembly support member (lever member) 77 rotatably mounted on a bearing portion (not shown) of the third thermal head assembly support member, and a third corner portion of the third thermal head assembly support member 77 A cam 81 provided with an endless cam groove 79 and a shaft hole 80 serving as a center of rotation;
0, and a cam drive shaft 82 for rotating the cam 81.

As shown in FIG. 15, the cam groove 79 of the cam 81 is formed substantially symmetrically about the shaft hole 80.

The distance between the cam groove 79 and the shaft hole 80 gradually increases from a position A ₁ where the distance from the shaft hole 80 is shortest (hereinafter referred to as an initial position), and from the position A ₂ to the position A _3. during the while maintaining a substantially constant distance (hereinafter, referred to as an intermediate position this), between the position a ₃ to the position a ₄ (hereinafter referred to as printing position) the distance between the shaft hole 80 is the longest, further again becomes an intermediate position from the position a _4, so that the return from the position a ₅ to the initial position.

As shown in FIG. 12, when the cam pin 78 is at the initial position A ₁ of the cam groove 79, the thermal head assembly 8 is held at an initial position apart from the first platen roller 7. .

When the cam 81 rotates and the cam pin 78 is located at an intermediate position of the cam groove 79, as shown in FIG. 13, the thermal head assembly 8
Is moved to and held at an intermediate position close to the platen roller 7.

When the cam 81 further rotates, the cam groove 7
When the cam pin 78 is located at the printing position of FIG.
As shown in the above, the thermal head assembly 8 is
To the printing position where it comes into contact with the platen roller 7.

As shown in FIG. 16, the cam drive shaft 8
The cam 81 is attached to one end and the other end of the motor 2 respectively.
, And is rotated via a ga train 84. The rotation angle of the cam 81 with respect to the cam drive shaft 82 is always detected by a head position sensor (not shown), and the elevation of the thermal head assembly 8 is controlled based on the detection result. Has become.

The second, third, and fourth thermal head assembly holding and driving mechanisms 12, 13, and 16 are configured in substantially the same manner as the first thermal head holding and driving mechanism 11, and will not be described repeatedly. Omitted. (6) Structure of Jamming Detecting Unit As shown in FIG. 1, the jamming detecting unit 91 moves along the running path of the intermediate transfer medium film 3 from the supply section of the intermediate transfer medium film 3 to the winding section. The first to fifth sensors 92 to 96 for detecting the passage of the intermediate transfer medium film 3 are arranged at predetermined intervals.

The first to fifth sensors 92 to 96 include:
A transmission type or reflection type photo sensor is used.

The first sensor 92 is arranged between the supply portion of the intermediate transfer medium film and the film guide roller 27.

The second sensor 93 is arranged between the Y ink ribbon 4 and the M ink ribbon 5.

The third sensor 94 is disposed between the M ink ribbon 5 and the C ink ribbon 6.

The fourth sensor 95 is disposed between the C ink ribbon 6 and the heat seal ribbon 15.

The fifth sensor 96 is arranged between the second capstan roller 24 and the pinch roller 25 and the winding section 26 of the intermediate transfer medium film 3.

Next, the operation will be described. The intermediate transfer medium film 3, the ink ribbons 4, 5, 6, Y, M, and C, the heat seal ribbon 14, and the printing paper 17 are transferred to the printer 1
When the cover 50 is closed and a command is issued as shown in FIG. 17, the leading-out portion 33 of the leading end of the intermediate transfer medium film 3 accommodated in the supply portion is sent out and provided on the cover 50. LED 50a starts blinking. The leading-out portion 33 at the leading end of the intermediate transfer medium film 3 that has been sent out passes through the position where the first sensor 9 is disposed while being guided by the film guides 35. As shown in FIG. 18, the first sensor 9
2 of the intermediate transfer medium film 3 which has passed through the position 2
35 is wound around the film guide roller 27 while being guided by the film guides 35... 35 and is changed in direction, and is conveyed to the second sensor 93 side while being wound around the outer peripheral surface of the platen roller 7. Is done. At this time, the platen roller 7 rotates to assist the conveyance of the intermediate transfer medium film 3. When it is detected that the drawer 33 has reached the position of the second sensor 93 within a predetermined time after the intermediate transfer medium film 3 has been smoothly conveyed, the intermediate transfer medium film 3 continues. It is transported to the third sensor 94 side.

However, as shown in FIG. 19, when the intermediate transfer medium film 3 is not smoothly transported due to bending or the like, the drawing section 3 is not moved within the predetermined time.
3 does not reach the position of the second sensor 93, and therefore the second sensor 93 does not detect the presence of the drawer 33. Therefore, in this case, it is determined that the intermediate transfer medium film 3 has caused the jamming, and FIG.
As shown in (2), the bobbin 2 of the supply unit 34 is rotated in the reverse direction, and the intermediate transfer medium film 3 is wound until the pull-out unit 33 passes the first sensor 92, as shown by the two-dot chain line. After returning, send it out again.

The third, fourth, and fifth sensors 93, 9
The same operation is repeated at positions 4 and 95, and when the pull-out portion 33 of the intermediate transfer medium film 3 passes through the fifth sensor 95, the conveyance of the intermediate transfer medium film 3 is completed and the LED 50a Changes from blinking to lighting to indicate that the conveyance of the intermediate transfer medium film 3 has been completed. FIG. 21 is a time chart showing the above series of operations. When the first sensor 92 detects the passage of the intermediate transfer medium film 3 through the draw-out portion 33, the first thermal head assembly 8 and Y
When the ink ribbon 4 is moved from the initial position to the intermediate position or the printing position, and the second sensor 93 detects the passage of the intermediate transfer medium 3 through the drawer 33, the second thermal head assembly 9 and the M ink ribbon 5 are initialized. The third thermal head assembly 10 and the C ink ribbon 6 are moved from the initial position to the intermediate position or the printing position when the third sensor 94 detects the passage of the intermediate transfer medium 3 through the pull-out portion 33 from the initial position. And moving the fourth thermal head assembly 15 and the heat seal ribbon 14 from the initial position to the intermediate position or the printing position when the fourth sensor 95 detects the passage of the intermediate transfer medium film 3 through the drawer 33. Thereby, the running path of the intermediate transfer medium film 3 is narrowed to suppress the jamming of the intermediate transfer medium film 3, and During transfer medium film 3 lead portions 33
Accordingly, the heads of the first, second, third, and fourth thermal head assemblies 8, 9, 10, and 14 can be cleaned. (7) Other Structures As shown in FIG.
The printer 1 is wound in a roll shape, and is inserted into the paper storage unit 49 from the upper surface of the printer 1.

The leading end of the print paper 17 pulled out from the paper storage section 49 is located between the first capstan roller 18 and the pinch roller 19 and the transfer heat roller 2.
Cutter 2 passing between the first platen roller 21 and the second platen roller 21.
The paper is sent to the second side, is cut into a predetermined length by the cutter 22, and is discharged to the outside of the printer 1 through the discharge port 23.

The intermediate transfer medium film 3, Y,
M and C ink ribbons 4, 5, 6, thermal head assemblies 8 to 10, thermal head assembly holding drive mechanism 1
A series of color print processing using 1 to 13 etc. is C
This is automatically performed by a PU (not shown).

[0082]

The printer according to the present invention has the following effects. (1) In the intermediate transfer medium film of the present invention, since the drawn portion on the winding end side is formed to have a higher hardness than other portions, the drawn portion can be easily drawn and jamming occurs in the portion. Can be suppressed. Also, when the drawer is configured by attaching a synthetic resin sheet piece,
By changing the thickness of the synthetic resin sheet piece or changing the number of sheets to be overlapped, the hardness of the drawer can be freely changed. Further, in the case where the above-mentioned drawer portion is formed by attaching a felt piece, it is possible to prevent the drawer portion wound in a roll form from being in close contact with the inner peripheral side, and to make the drawer portion more easily drawable. it can. (2) In the printer of the present invention, the intermediate transfer medium film can be easily fed from the film supply unit by the drawer provided on the winding end side of the intermediate transfer medium film, and the occurrence of jamming is suppressed. be able to. Further, if jamming occurs, by detecting this, rewinding by a predetermined amount, and then sending it out again, the intermediate transfer medium film can be reliably supplied to the winding section side.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a plan view of a printer.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the printer.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an intermediate transfer medium film.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an ink ribbon.

FIG. 5 is a side view of the thermal head assembly.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing a mounting state of a thermal head main body and a head holder.

FIG. 7 is a front view of a cam plate.

FIG. 8 is a front view of a modified example of the cam plate.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view when a screw is used as a head fixing position adjusting unit.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing a state where first and second holder supporting members are separated.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing a state where first and second holder supporting members are assembled.

FIG. 12 is a side view (initial position) of a thermal head assembly holding drive mechanism.

FIG. 13 is a side view (intermediate position) of a thermal head assembly holding drive mechanism.

FIG. 14 is a side view (printing position) of a thermal head assembly holding drive mechanism.

FIG. 15 is an enlarged view of a cam.

FIG. 16 is a front view showing a cam driving mechanism.

FIG. 17 is a perspective view showing a state in which a lid is closed.

FIG. 18 is a plan view showing a state where an intermediate transfer medium film is sent out.

FIG. 19 is a plan view showing a state where the intermediate transfer medium film is jammed.

FIG. 20 is a plan view showing a state where the intermediate transfer medium film is rewound.

FIG. 21 is a flowchart showing the operation of jamming detection means.

FIG. 22 is a perspective view of a conventional intermediate transfer medium film.

FIG. 23 is a plan view of a main part of a conventional printer.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Printer, 2 ... Bobbin, 3 ... Intermediate transfer medium film, 4, 5, 6 ... Y, M, C ink ribbon, 8, 9,
10... First, second, and third thermal head assemblies, 1
Reference numerals 1, 12, 13: first, second, and third thermal head assembly holding / driving mechanisms, 17: print paper (subject to be printed), 31: substrate sheet, 32: image receiving layer, 33: drawer, 91 ... Jamming detection means, 92-96 ... first
Fifth photo sensor.

Continued on front page F term (reference) 2C060 BC91 BC93 BC95 2C065 AA01 AB03 AB09 AC01 AC04 DA36 DA38 DC29 DC32 2C068 AA02 AA06 EE27 KK35 KK36 NN06 2H111 AA01 AA19 AA27 AA31 AA33 AB07 CA03 CA11 CA25

Claims (9)

[Claims] An image receiving layer is provided on at least one side surface of a substrate sheet formed of a synthetic resin film, and one end of the substrate sheet in a longitudinal direction is provided. An intermediate transfer medium film wound around a bobbin as a winding start end, wherein an extraction part having a higher hardness than the substrate sheet is provided on the winding end side of the substrate sheet. the film. 2. The intermediate transfer medium film according to claim 1, wherein the draw-out portion is formed by attaching a synthetic resin sheet piece to the substrate sheet. 3. The intermediate transfer medium film according to claim 1, wherein the draw-out portion is formed by attaching a felt piece having a head cleaning action to the substrate sheet. 4. An intermediate transfer medium film wound in a roll shape, a plurality of ink ribbons, a platen roller in which the plurality of ink ribbons are arranged along an outer peripheral surface, and A plurality of thermal head assemblies for forming an image by transferring the color material of the ink ribbon to the intermediate transfer medium film by pressing the platen roller in a state of being superimposed on the intermediate transfer medium film; While holding
A thermal head assembly holding drive mechanism for moving the thermal head from the initial position to the printing position and from the printing position to the initial position; and a printing object on which an image formed on the intermediate transfer medium film is printed. In the printer, the intermediate transfer medium film is a long substrate sheet formed of a synthetic resin film, an image receiving layer provided on at least one side of the substrate sheet, and one end of the substrate sheet in the length direction. A bobbin wound around the substrate sheet, and a drawer portion provided on the winding end side of the substrate sheet and having a higher hardness than the substrate sheet. 5. The printer according to claim 4, wherein the drawing portion of the intermediate transfer medium film is formed by sticking a synthetic resin sheet piece to the substrate sheet. 6. The printer according to claim 4, wherein the drawing section of the intermediate transfer medium film is formed by attaching a felt piece having a head cleaning action to the substrate sheet. 7. The printer according to claim 4, further comprising jamming detection means for detecting jamming of the intermediate transfer medium film. 8. The apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the jamming detecting means is arranged at a predetermined interval along a running path of the intermediate transfer medium film from a supply section of the intermediate transfer medium film to a winding section. And a plurality of photosensors for detecting passage of the intermediate transfer medium film. 9. The printer according to claim 4, wherein the intermediate transfer medium film for which jamming has been detected by the jamming detection means is rewinded by a predetermined amount and then sent out again.