JP2002326435A - Ribbon shift mechanism of recorder and recorder - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To achieve low costs and a high durability by simplifying the structure of a ribbon shift mechanism. SOLUTION: A ribbon cartridge 42 for storing an ink ribbon is set to a carriage 19 having a recording head 18 loaded thereto. The ribbon shift mechanism 45 of a recorder for inclining the ribbon cartridge to the recording head to shift a position of the ink ribbon to the recording head has an inclined rail 50 set with an inclination in a shift direction of the ink ribbon along a nearly entire range in a movement direction of the carriage, and a compression spring set to the carriage for generating an urging force for holding the ribbon cartridge along the inclination of the inclined rail by pressing an upper end projection 47 of the ribbon cartridge to the inclined rail.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a ribbon shift mechanism for a recording apparatus in which a ribbon cartridge accommodating an ink ribbon is tilted with respect to a recording head so that the position of the ink ribbon with respect to the recording head can be shifted. The present invention relates to a recording device having a shift mechanism.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there are known an on-carriage type dot impact printer in which a ribbon cartridge containing an ink ribbon is mounted on a carriage, and a stationary type dot impact printer in which the ribbon cassette is mounted on a frame.

In an on-carriage type printer, since the volume of a ribbon cartridge is smaller than that of a stationery type printer, the base fabric length of the ink ribbon is correspondingly shorter. Therefore, in the on-carriage type printer, the replacement frequency of the ribbon cartridge is high, and the life of the ink ribbon is shortened.

Some dot impact printers are configured so that a ribbon shift mechanism can tilt a ribbon cartridge with respect to a recording head to shift the position of the ink ribbon relative to the recording head in the width direction. Such a ribbon shift mechanism is generally used when the ink ribbon is a color ink ribbon and coloring recording is performed on a sheet.

However, even in the case of a single-color ink ribbon, for example, a black ink ribbon, the width of the ink ribbon itself is widened, and the width of the single-color ink ribbon is changed by using a ribbon shift mechanism for the color ink ribbon. There has been proposed a print head in which a plurality of bands provided are sequentially used by a print head to extend the life of an ink ribbon.

FIG. 8 shows a cylindrical cam of a ribbon shift mechanism for a color ink ribbon, and FIG. 9 shows a displacement curve of the cylindrical cam.

A cylindrical cam 10 that rotates around a rotation axis 100
By moving the pressing drive shaft 103 back and forth in the direction of the rotation axis 100 following the first cam surface 102, the ribbon cartridge is pressed and tiltable by the pressing drive shaft 103, and can be tilted in the width direction of the ink ribbon with respect to the recording head. The position is shifted. For this reason, as shown in FIG. 10, a plurality of (for example, four) bands 105A, 105B, 105 provided in the width direction of the ink ribbon 104 are provided.
C and 105D are sequentially used by the printhead to execute a printing operation. As a result, the replacement frequency of the ribbon cartridge is reduced, and the life of the ink ribbon is extended.

[0008]

However, as described above, in the prior art for extending the life of a single-color ink ribbon by using a ribbon shift mechanism for a color ink ribbon, the usable width W of the ink ribbon 104 is reduced. Band 105A, 105B, 105C, 105D provided in the range
In between, a wide gap α is set.

In the color ink ribbon, strip-shaped colors (yellow, magenta, cyan, and black) applied in the longitudinal direction are arranged in the width direction of the ink ribbon 104.
Since the colors are mixed at those boundaries, the gap α is used in order not to use this mixed area in the printing operation.
Is set. Note that reference symbol L in FIG.
Indicates a unit length of the ink ribbon 104.

As described above, if the ribbon shift mechanism for a color ink ribbon is applied to a single-color ink ribbon as it is, the above-mentioned gap α that is not required to be set for a single-color ink ribbon is set. The available area cannot be used sufficiently effectively, and the life of the ink ribbon has not been sufficiently extended.

On the other hand, the rotation of the cylindrical cam is performed by a ribbon drive motor. The driving force of the ribbon drive motor is transmitted not only to the cylindrical cam, but also to a ribbon winding shaft that winds and moves the ink ribbon in the ribbon cartridge.

The driving force of the ribbon drive motor is transmitted to these cylindrical cams and the ribbon winding shaft by being switched by a plurality of gears (not shown). For this reason, the structure of the driving force switching mechanism is particularly complicated, the cost of the ribbon shift mechanism is increased, and the durability is also reduced.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned circumstances, and has a ribbon shift mechanism of a recording apparatus capable of achieving a low cost and high durability by simplifying the structure, and including the ribbon shift mechanism. To provide a recording device. Another object of the present invention is to provide a ribbon shift mechanism of a recording apparatus capable of realizing a long life of an ink ribbon, and a recording apparatus having the ribbon shift mechanism.

[0014]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, a ribbon cartridge containing an ink ribbon is mounted on a carriage on which a recording head is mounted, and the ribbon cartridge is tilted with respect to the recording head. A ribbon shift mechanism of a recording apparatus that shifts a position of the ink ribbon with respect to the recording head, the inclined rail being provided along a substantially entire region in a moving direction of the carriage, and being inclined in a shift direction of the ink ribbon. And holding means for holding the ribbon cartridge along the inclination of the inclined rail.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the present invention, the holding means is provided on the carriage and generates an urging force for pressing and holding a part of the ribbon cartridge against the inclined rail. It is characterized in that it is an urging body that performs.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the present invention, the holding means is a slider provided on the ribbon cartridge and slidably engaged with the inclined rail. Is what you do.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the present invention, the holding means is a roller provided on the ribbon cartridge and rolling on the inclined rail. Things.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the present invention, the holding means is a claw formed on a cartridge cover mounted on the ribbon cartridge and engaged with an inclined rail. It is assumed that.

The invention according to claim 6 is the invention according to claims 1 to 5
In the invention according to any one of the above, the inclined rail,
The inclination is changed in the middle of the longitudinal direction.

[0020] The invention according to claim 7 is the invention according to claims 1 to 6.
In the invention described in any one of the above, the ink ribbon is a monochromatic ink ribbon.

According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, a recording head mounted on a carriage is provided with a plurality of recording wires, and by projecting the recording wires, an image is recorded on a sheet via an ink ribbon. In a recording apparatus provided with a ribbon shift mechanism for mounting a ribbon cartridge containing an ink ribbon on the carriage, tilting the ribbon cartridge with respect to the recording head, and shifting a position of the ink ribbon with respect to the recording head, The ribbon shift mechanism includes an inclined rail provided to be inclined in the shift direction of the ink ribbon along substantially the entire area in the moving direction of the carriage, and holding means for holding the ribbon cartridge along the inclination of the inclined rail. , And is characterized by having.

According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, in the invention of the eighth aspect, the holding means in the ribbon shift mechanism is provided on the carriage, and presses and holds a part of the ribbon cartridge on the inclined rail. It is a biasing body that generates a biasing force.

According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, in the eighth aspect of the present invention, the holding means in the ribbon shift mechanism is a slider provided on the ribbon cartridge and engaged with the inclined rail to slide. It is characterized by the following.

According to an eleventh aspect of the present invention, in the invention of the eighth aspect, the holding means in the ribbon shift mechanism is a roller provided on the ribbon cartridge and rolled between the inclined rails. It is characterized by the following.

According to a twelfth aspect of the present invention, in the eighth aspect, the holding means in the ribbon shift mechanism is a claw formed on a cartridge cover mounted on the ribbon cartridge and engaging with the inclined rail. It is characterized by having.

According to a thirteenth aspect of the present invention, in the invention according to any one of the eighth to twelfth aspects, the inclined rail in the ribbon shift mechanism is provided in the middle of the longitudinal direction.
It is characterized in that the inclination direction is changed.

According to a fourteenth aspect of the present invention, in any one of the eighth to thirteenth aspects, the ink ribbon is a monochromatic ink ribbon.

The first to fourteenth aspects of the present invention have the following effects.

When the carriage moves in the main scanning direction during the recording operation of the recording head, the ribbon cartridge is tilted in the tilting direction of the tilt rail by the action of the tilt rail and the holding means constituting the ribbon shift mechanism. The ink ribbon in the ribbon cartridge shifts with respect to the recording head. Therefore, the driving force of the ribbon drive motor is used only for winding the ink ribbon in the ribbon cartridge, and need not be used for shifting the ink ribbon with respect to the recording head. As a result, the structure of the transmission mechanism of the driving force of the ribbon drive motor can be particularly simplified, so that the cost of the ribbon shift mechanism can be reduced and its durability can be improved.

When the carriage moves in the main scanning direction during the recording operation of the recording head, the ink ribbon in the ribbon cartridge is shifted with respect to the recording head by the action of the inclined rail and the holding means constituting the ribbon shift mechanism. You. In addition, during the recording operation of the recording head, the ink ribbon moves in the ribbon cartridge in the longitudinal direction. From these facts, the print head is attached to the ink ribbon,
The recording trajectory is left oblique to the longitudinal direction.
As a result, the ring-shaped ink ribbon moves a plurality of times in the ribbon cartridge and is used by the recording head, and during the recording operation, the position of the recording trajectory of the ink ribbon by the recording head gradually shifts, and eventually, The recording trajectory remains in almost all of the usable area of the ink ribbon, and the ink ribbon is effectively used without waste. For this reason, the replacement frequency of the ribbon cartridge can be reduced, and the life of the ink ribbon can be extended.

[0031]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

[A] First Embodiment (FIGS. 1 to 3) FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a printer body of a dot impact printer to which an embodiment of a recording apparatus according to the present invention is applied. . FIG. 2 is a side sectional view showing the printer main body of FIG.

The printer 10 as a recording apparatus shown in these figures has a large number of recording wires (not shown) of a recording head.
Is printed on a sheet via an ink ribbon 44 (FIG. 3) to record dots, thereby printing an image including characters. The printer 10 includes a printer main body 11 as a recording apparatus main body, a push tractor unit 12 mounted on the printer main body 11, an upper case and a lower case (both not shown) respectively covering the upper and lower parts of the printer main body 11, and a printer. And a sheet supply guide 39 installed on the front side of the main body 11 to guide the cut sheet K.

The sheets include the cut sheet K cut to a predetermined length and a continuous sheet formed by connecting a plurality of sheets. The cut sheet K includes, for example, a cut sheet (including a cut sheet) or a cut film, and the continuous sheet includes a continuous sheet (including a continuous copy sheet).

The printer main body 11 includes a base frame 14, a main frame 15, a left side frame 16 and a right side frame 17 as a main body frame, a recording head 18 and a carriage 19 as a recording mechanism, and a sheet transport mechanism. Platen 20, sheet guide 2
5, a first transport roller 21, a second transport roller 22, a third transport roller 23, and a fourth transport roller 24.

Base frame 14 and main frame 1
5, a left side frame 16 and a right side frame 17 are fixed upright at substantially both ends. A lower carriage shaft 26 and an upper carriage shaft 27 are suspended between the left side frame 16 and the right side frame 17 at a predetermined distance in the vertical direction. Of these, the lower carriage shaft 2
6 is rotatably supported by the left side frame 16 and the right side frame 17. A platen 20 is bridged between the left side frame 16 and the right side frame 17 so as to be rotatable, and a seat guide 25 is fixedly provided.

The push tractor unit 12 shown in FIG.
Is to be supplied to the above-described sheet transport mechanism section having
It has a pair of left and right tractors 28. These tractors 2
Reference numeral 8 denotes a tractor drive pulley 29A rotatably supported on the tractor drive shaft 29 and slidably in the axial direction, and a tractor driven pulley 30A rotatably supported on the tractor guide shaft 30 and slidably in the axial direction. And tractor belt 31
Is wound around and is provided with a sheet holding lid 32.

The distance between the pair of tractors 28 can be adjusted according to the width of a continuous sheet (continuous paper) to be conveyed. Also, a plurality of pins 33 protruding from the entire outer periphery of the tractor belt 31 can be engaged with holes (not shown) formed on both sides in the width direction of the continuous sheet. The sheet transport mechanism including the platen 20 is such that the first transport roller 21 and the second transport roller 22 are located on the front side of the printer body 11 with respect to the platen 20, and the third transport roller 23 and the fourth transport roller 24 are located in the printer body. 11 are arranged on the rear side. Further, the first transport roller 21 and the second transport roller 22 are arranged vertically, and the third transport roller 23 and the fourth transport roller 24 are arranged vertically to form a pair.

The first transport roller 21 and the third transport roller 23 are disposed below the sheet guide 25 together with the platen 20, and the second transport roller 22 and the fourth transport roller 24 are disposed above the sheet guide 25. Is done. On the front side of the printer body 11 in the sheet guide 25,
A sheet holding plate 37 that holds a sheet between the sheet guide 25 and the sheet guide 25 is provided.

The platen 20, the first transport roller 21, the second
The transport roller 22, the third transport roller 23, and the fourth transport roller 24 are driven to rotate clockwise (CW) or counterclockwise (CCW) in FIG. 2 by the drive wheel train 34 shown in FIG. The tractor belt 31 of the push tractor unit 12 is similarly driven counterclockwise by the drive train wheel unit 34.

The drive wheel train 34 is installed on one of the left side frame 16 and the right side frame 17, for example, on the right side frame 17. The drive wheel train unit 34 includes a motor pinion 36 that is fixed to the drive shaft of a sheet supply motor 35 that can rotate forward or reverse, and that is integrally rotated. The driving force from the motor pinion 36 is applied to the platen 20 and the first transport roller 2 via a wrapping transmission mechanism and a gear mechanism.
1, the second transport roller 22, the third transport roller 23, the fourth transport roller 24, and the push tractor unit 12 can be transmitted.

Cut sheet K such as cut sheet or copy paper is
As shown in FIG. 2, after being manually supplied from the front side of the printer main body 11, the platen 20, the clockwise rotation of the first transport roller 21 and the third transport roller 23, and the second transport roller 22, the fourth transport Due to the counterclockwise rotation of the roller 24, the sheet is conveyed from the front to the rear of the printer main body 11 in the direction of arrow A, and the platen 20, the first conveyance roller 21, and the third conveyance roller 23 are rotated counterclockwise. In addition, by the clockwise rotation of the second transport roller 22 and the fourth transport roller 24, the printer body 11 is transported from the rear to the front in the arrow B direction.

On the other hand, a continuous sheet such as continuous paper is supplied from the rear side of the printer body 11 in the direction of arrow B by the push tractor unit 12, and then the platen 20, the first transport roller 21, the second transport roller 22, 3 transport rollers 2
The same direction (arrow B direction) by the third and fourth transport rollers 24
Transported to

Thus, the cut sheet K and the continuous sheet are conveyed in the sub-scanning direction orthogonal to the main scanning direction of the carriage 19, which will be described later.

As shown in FIG. 1, the carriage 19 has a lower carriage shaft 26 and an upper carriage shaft 27.
And a recording head 18 is mounted. Lower carriage shaft 26 and upper carriage shaft 2
7 is arranged in parallel with the platen 20, the carriage 19 is provided with the platen 20, the lower carriage shaft 2
The main carriage 6 and the upper carriage shaft 27 are provided so as to be able to travel (scan) in the main scanning direction coincident with the axial direction.

The carriage 19 is coupled to a timing belt (not shown) that is reciprocated by the forward or reverse rotation of the carriage drive motor 38. Therefore, the carriage 19 is driven by the forward or reverse rotation of the carriage drive motor 38 to drive the lower carriage shaft 2 via the timing belt.
6 and the upper carriage shaft 27, and is scanned leftward or rightward in FIG. 1 in the main scanning direction. Here, the carriage drive motor 38 is connected to the sheet supply motor 3.
5 together with a stepping motor, for example.

As shown in FIG. 1, a cartridge base 40 is provided on the carriage 19, and a ribbon cartridge 42 containing an ink ribbon 44 (FIG. 3) is mounted on the cartridge base 40. Further, the carriage 19 is provided with a ribbon mask holder 41 that protects the ink ribbon 44 in the ribbon cartridge 42 from a sheet (cut sheet or continuous sheet) conveyed in contact with the upper peripheral surface of the platen 20.

The ink ribbon 44 in the ribbon cartridge 42 is wound by a ribbon winding shaft (not shown) during the recording operation by the recording head 18 so that the front of the recording wire of the recording head 18 is the same as the main scanning direction. Is configured to be movable in the direction of. The ribbon winding shaft is a carriage 19
And driven by a ribbon drive motor (not shown) installed on the carriage 19.

The recording head 18 has a large number of recording wires (not shown), and the ink ribbon 44 is located in front of the recording wires in the projecting direction as described above. While being scanned in the main scanning direction together with the carriage 19, the recording head 18 projects a recording wire and strikes the ink ribbon 44, and the ink on the ink ribbon 44 is applied to the platen 2.
An image including characters is recorded on the sheet (cut sheet K or continuous sheet) conveyed between the recording head 18 and the recording sheet 18.

The recording operation by the recording head 18 is such that a one-line sentence is recorded by the recording wire of the recording head 18 while the carriage 19 is scanned leftward or rightward in the main scanning direction, and each time the one-line sentence is recorded. If the sheet is a cut sheet K, the sheet transport mechanism (the platen 20, the first transport roller 21, the second transport roller 22,
When the sheet is a continuous sheet, the sheet conveying mechanism and the push tractor unit 12 respectively convey the sheet by a predetermined length (normal line spacing). Is repeated.

Incidentally, a ribbon shift mechanism 45 is installed in the printer main body 11. This ribbon shift mechanism 45
2 tilts the ribbon cartridge 42 as shown by the solid line and the two-dot chain line in FIG. 2 so that the position of the ink ribbon 44 in the ribbon cartridge 42 in the width direction with respect to the recording head 18 can be shifted. Here, the ink ribbon 44 is a single-color ink ribbon, for example, a black ink ribbon whose entire surface is applied in black.

A pair of dowels 46 project inward from the cartridge base 40 mounted on the carriage 19 and on which the ribbon cartridge 42 is mounted. The ribbon cartridge 42 has a dowel hole (not shown) for receiving the dowels 46 and is tilted about the dowels 46 as described above.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the ribbon shift mechanism 45 has an inclined rail 50 and a compression spring 51 as a holding means and an urging member.

The inclined rail 50 is connected to the left side frame 16.
And the right side frame 17, and is disposed over substantially the entire area in the traveling direction of the carriage 19. The inclined rail 50 is provided to be inclined in the front-rear direction of the printer main body 11. That is, the inclination direction of the inclined rail 50 substantially matches the width direction of the ink ribbon 44 in the ribbon cartridge 42, and substantially matches the shift direction of the ink ribbon 44 with respect to the recording head 18.

The compression spring 51 shown in FIG. 2 is mounted on the carriage 19 and has a pressing piece 52 provided at the tip.
Applies an urging force F to the central portion 49 of the ribbon cartridge 42. The urging force F causes the ribbon cartridge 4
2 rotates about the dowel 46, and the upper end projection 47 of the ribbon cartridge 42 presses the inclined rail 50, and this pressed state is maintained along the inclination of the inclined rail 50.

As shown in FIG. 1, during the recording operation by the recording head 18, the carriage 19 travels rightward or leftward in the main scanning direction. During this time, the urging force F of the compression spring 51 presses the upper protrusion 47 of the ribbon cartridge 42 against the inclined rail 50, and the upper protrusion 47 follows the inclination of the inclined rail 50. Therefore, for example, when the carriage 19 moves rightward in the main scanning direction in FIG. 1, the ribbon cartridge 42 gradually tilts rearward about the dowel 46 as shown by a two-dot chain line in FIG. When the carriage 19 moves to the left in the main scanning direction in FIG. 1, the ribbon cartridge 42 gradually tilts forward about the dowel 46 as shown by the solid line in FIG.

As described above, during the recording operation of the recording head 18, the ribbon cartridge 42 is tilted by the action of the ribbon shift mechanism 45 having the inclined rail 50 and the compression spring 51, and the ink ribbon 4 in the ribbon cartridge 42 is tilted.
4A shows the position in the width direction with respect to the recording head 18 in FIG.
As shown in the figure, the reciprocating shift is performed within the range of the usable width W. When the recording head 18 performs the recording operation, the ink ribbon 44 moves in the ribbon cartridge 42 in the longitudinal direction. From these facts, in the ink ribbon 44, the recording trajectory 59 used for the recording operation by the recording head 18 is defined by the distance from one edge 61 to the other edge 62 of the usable area 60 of the ink ribbon 44 surrounded by the usable width W. It is continuously formed in a range (that is, a range of the usable width W) in an oblique straight line shape while alternately changing its direction.

The moving speed at which the ink ribbon 44 is driven by a ribbon winding shaft (not shown) to move in the longitudinal direction is as follows.
It is not constant but fluctuates slightly. For this reason, when the annular ink ribbon 44 moves in the ribbon cartridge 42 in the first rotation and in the second rotation, the recording head 18 moves the recording locus 59 on the ink ribbon 44.
Is formed at a position slightly shifted in the longitudinal direction of the ink ribbon 44. Accordingly, when the ink ribbon 44 moves a plurality of times in the ribbon cartridge 42, the recording head 18 eventually causes a plurality of recording tracks to extend over substantially the entire length of the usable area 60 of the ink ribbon 44 as shown in FIG. 59 are formed and left, and the ink ribbon 44 is formed.
Almost all of the usable area 60 is used by the recording head 18.

Even if the recording head 18 uses the same position of the ink ribbon 44 in different rotations of the ink ribbon 44, the recording head 18 moves while the ink ribbon 44 makes one revolution in the ribbon cartridge 42. 1
Since ink is replenished to the portion where the recording locus 59 remains by using the recording track 59 from other portions by capillary action or the like, the recording quality of the recording head 18 does not deteriorate.

Here, as shown in FIG. 10, in the conventional ink ribbon 104 as a single-color ink ribbon, four bands are set within the usable width W by the ribbon shift mechanism for the conventional color ink ribbon. 105A, 1
05B, 105C, and 105D are provided. As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the bands 105A, 105B, 105C, and 105D correspond to the respective steps of the base rod 106 of the pressing drive shaft 103 in the conventional ribbon shift mechanism on the cam surface 102 of the cylindrical cam 101. Part 107
By being sequentially positioned at A, 107B, 107C, and 107D, they are sequentially used by the recording head, leaving a recording trajectory.

The size of each band 105A, 105B, 105C, 105D and the size of the gap α in the width direction of the ink ribbon 104 are both the height of one character (for example, about 3
mm). For this reason, the ink ribbon 104 used by the recording head 18 by the conventional ribbon shift mechanism is used.
Can be used because the number of bands is 4, (3
× 4 × L) mm ² .

On the other hand, the ink ribbon of the present embodiment
At 44, the recording head is moved by the ribbon shift mechanism 45.
18 forms a recording locus 59 over substantially the entire area of the usable area 60.
The ink ribbon 4 used by the recording head 18
4, the usable width W of the ink ribbon 44 is about 21.
mm, (W × L) = (21 × L) mm ^Two
Becomes Therefore, the ribbon shift mechanism 45 of the present embodiment
According to the prior art, (2)
1 × L) / (3 × 4 × L) = 1.75 ×
The service life of the component 44 can be extended.

Therefore, according to the first embodiment,
The following effects and effects are obtained.

When the carriage 19 moves in the main scanning direction during the recording operation of the recording head 18, the ribbon cartridge 42 is moved by the action of the inclined rail 50 and the compression spring 51 constituting the ribbon shift mechanism 45.
The ink ribbon 44 in the ribbon cartridge 42 moves in the width direction with respect to the recording head 18 by moving in the tilt direction of 0. For this reason, the driving force of the ribbon drive motor (not shown) drives the ribbon take-up shaft, and the ribbon cartridge 4
It is used only for winding the ink ribbon 44 in 2 and need not be used for shifting the ink ribbon 44 with respect to the recording head 18. As a result, the structure of the transmission mechanism of the driving force of the ribbon drive motor can be simplified, so that the cost of the ribbon shift mechanism 45 can be reduced and the durability thereof can be improved.

During the recording operation of the recording head 18, the carriage 19 moves in the main scanning direction, and the ink ribbon 44 in the ribbon cartridge 42 is operated by the action of the inclined rail 50 and the compression spring 51 constituting the ribbon shift mechanism 45. Is shifted with respect to the recording head 18. Moreover,
During the recording operation of the recording head 18, the ink ribbon 44 moves in the ribbon cartridge 42 in the longitudinal direction. For these reasons, the recording head 18 is
Then, the recording locus 59 is left obliquely to the longitudinal direction. As a result, while the annular ink ribbon 44 moves a plurality of times in the ribbon cartridge 42 and is used by the recording head 18, the position of the recording trajectory 59 of the ink ribbon 44 by the recording head 18 during the recording operation is changed. The ink ribbon 44 is gradually shifted, and eventually the usable area 6 of the ink ribbon 44
0, a recording locus 59 remains on almost all of the ink ribbons 44.
Will be used effectively without waste. For this reason, the replacement frequency of the ribbon cartridge 42 can be reduced, and the life of the ink ribbon 44 can be extended.

[B] Second Embodiment (FIGS. 4 and 5) FIG. 4 shows a first embodiment of a ribbon shift mechanism of a dot impact printer to which the second embodiment of the recording apparatus according to the present invention is applied. It is a perspective view showing a modification. FIG. 5 shows a second embodiment of the ribbon shift mechanism of the dot impact printer to which the second embodiment of the recording apparatus according to the present invention is applied.
It is a perspective view showing a modification. In the second embodiment, the same parts as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted.

In the ribbon shift mechanism 70 of the second embodiment, the holding means is a slider 71 (first modified example) and a slider 72 (second modified example) fitted to the upper end projection 47 of the ribbon cartridge 42. It is. These sliders 7
1 and 72 are configured to engage with the inclined rail 50 and slide along the longitudinal direction of the inclined rail 50.
The slider 71 of the first modified example has a flat plate-shaped inclined rail 5.
0, and the slider 72 of the second modified example is engaged with the inclined rail 73 having a circular cross section.

Also in the ribbon shift mechanism 70 of the second embodiment, the ribbons having the inclined rails 50 and the sliders 71 or the inclined rails 73 and the sliders 72 during the recording operation of the recording head 18 respectively. Since the ink ribbon 44 of the ribbon cartridge 42 is shifted in the width direction with respect to the recording head 18 by the operation of the shift mechanism 70, the same effects as those of the ribbon shift mechanism 45 of the first embodiment are obtained. .

[C] Third Embodiment (FIG. 6) FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing a part of a ribbon shift mechanism in a dot impact printer to which a third embodiment of the recording apparatus according to the present invention is applied. FIG. In the third embodiment, the same parts as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted.

In the ribbon shift mechanism 75 according to the third embodiment, the holding means is a roller 76 rotatably supported on the upper end of the ribbon cartridge 42. Also, two inclined rails 50 are arranged in parallel, and
Sandwich.

Therefore, during the recording operation of the recording head 18,
When the carriage 19 moves in the main scanning direction, 2
While the roller 76 sandwiched between the inclined rails 50 rolls, the ribbon cartridge 42 is held along the inclination of the inclined rail 50, and the ribbon cartridge 42 is inclined,
The ink ribbon 44 in the ribbon cartridge 42 is shifted in the width direction of the recording head 18. As a result, the same effects as those of the ribbon shift mechanism 45 of the first embodiment are obtained.

[D] Fourth Embodiment (FIG. 7) FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing a part of a ribbon shift mechanism in a dot impact printer to which a fourth embodiment of the recording apparatus according to the present invention is applied. FIG. In the fourth embodiment, the same parts as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted.

In the ribbon shift mechanism 80 of the fourth embodiment, the holding means comprises a pair of claws 8 formed on a cartridge cover 81 mounted on the ribbon cartridge 42.
2. One of the claws 82 is in sliding contact with the front surface of the inclined rail 50, and the other is in sliding contact with the rear surface of the inclined rail 50, and the pair of claws 82 clamps the inclined rail 50.

Therefore, also in the fourth embodiment, during the recording operation of the recording head 18 in which the carriage 19 runs in the main scanning direction, the ribbon rail is operated by the action of the inclined rails 50 and the claws 82 of the cartridge cover 81. Since the cartridge 42 is tilted to shift the position of the ink ribbon 44 in the ribbon cartridge 42 in the width direction with respect to the recording head 18, the ribbon shift mechanism 45 of the first embodiment is used.
And the same effect as described above.

Although the present invention has been described based on the above embodiment, the present invention is not limited to this.

For example, the inclination directions of the inclined rails 50 and 73 may be changed in the longitudinal direction of each of the inclined rails 50 and 73.

Further, the case where the single-color ink ribbon is a black ink ribbon has been described. However, a blue ink ribbon to which only blue or dark blue ink has been applied, or a red ink ribbon to which only red ink has been applied. You may.

[0078]

As described above, according to the ribbon shift mechanism of the recording apparatus according to the first aspect of the present invention, the structure can be simplified and low cost and high durability can be achieved. Further, according to the ribbon shift mechanism of the recording apparatus, the life of the ink ribbon can be extended.

According to the recording apparatus of the eighth aspect, the structure of the ribbon shift mechanism can be simplified to achieve low cost and high durability. Further, according to this recording apparatus, the life of the ink ribbon can be extended.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a printer main body of a dot impact printer to which a first embodiment of a recording apparatus according to the present invention is applied.

FIG. 2 is a side sectional view showing the printer main body of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a development view of the ring-shaped ink ribbon, showing a usage mode and the like of the ink ribbon housed in the ribbon cartridge of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a part of a first modification of the ribbon shift mechanism of the dot impact printer to which the second embodiment of the recording apparatus according to the invention is applied.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing a part of a second modification of the ribbon shift mechanism of the dot impact printer to which the second embodiment of the recording apparatus according to the invention is applied.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing a part of a ribbon shift mechanism in a dot impact printer to which a recording apparatus according to a third embodiment of the invention is applied.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing a part of a ribbon shift mechanism in a dot impact printer to which a recording apparatus according to a fourth embodiment of the invention is applied.

FIG. 8 is a front view showing a cylindrical cam in a conventional ribbon shift mechanism.

FIG. 9 is a graph showing a displacement curve of the cylindrical cam of FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 is a development view of a ring-shaped ink ribbon showing an aspect of use of the ink ribbon in a conventional ribbon shift mechanism.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Printer (recording apparatus) 16 Left side frame 17 Right side frame 18 Recording head 19 Carriage 42 Ribbon cartridge 44 Ink ribbon 45 Ribbon shift mechanism 47 Upper end protrusion of ribbon cartridge 50 Inclined rail 51 Compression spring (holding means) 70 Ribbon shift mechanism 71 , 72 Slider (holding means) 73 Inclined rail 75 Ribbon shift mechanism 76 Roller (holding means) 80 Ribbon shift mechanism 81 Cartridge cover 82 Claw (holding means)

Claims (14)

[Claims] A ribbon cartridge for accommodating an ink ribbon is mounted on a carriage on which a recording head is mounted;
A ribbon shift mechanism of a recording apparatus for tilting the ribbon cartridge with respect to the recording head to shift a position of the ink ribbon with respect to the recording head, wherein the ink ribbon extends along substantially the entire area in the moving direction of the carriage. And a holding means for holding the ribbon cartridge along the inclination of the inclined rail. A ribbon shift mechanism for a recording apparatus, comprising: . 2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the holding means is an urging member which is provided on the carriage and generates an urging force for pressing and holding a part of the ribbon cartridge against the inclined rail. Ribbon shift mechanism of the recording device. 3. The ribbon shift mechanism according to claim 1, wherein the holding means is a slider provided on the ribbon cartridge and engaged with an inclined rail to slide. 4. The ribbon shift mechanism according to claim 1, wherein the holding means is a roller provided on the ribbon cartridge and rolling between the inclined rails. 5. The ribbon shift mechanism according to claim 1, wherein the holding means is a claw formed on a cartridge cover mounted on the ribbon cartridge and engaging with an inclined rail. 6. The ribbon shift mechanism of a recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the inclined rail is configured so that the inclined direction changes in the middle of the longitudinal direction. 7. The ribbon shift mechanism according to claim 1, wherein the ink ribbon is a single-color ink ribbon. 8. A ribbon cartridge which has a plurality of recording wires on a recording head mounted on a carriage, records an image on a sheet via an ink ribbon by a projecting operation of the recording wires, and stores the ink ribbon. Is mounted on the carriage, and a ribbon shift mechanism that tilts the ribbon cartridge with respect to the recording head to shift a position of the ink ribbon with respect to the recording head, wherein the ribbon shift mechanism includes the carriage And a holding means for holding the ribbon cartridge along the inclination of the inclined rail, the inclined rail being provided in the shift direction of the ink ribbon along substantially the entire area of the moving direction of the ink ribbon. A recording device characterized by being performed. 9. The holding means in the ribbon shift mechanism is an urging body that is provided on the carriage and generates an urging force for pressing and holding a part of the ribbon cartridge against the inclined rail. Item 9. The recording device according to Item 8. 10. The recording apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the holding means in the ribbon shift mechanism is a slider provided on the ribbon cartridge and slidably engaged with the inclined rail. 11. The ribbon shift mechanism according to claim 8, wherein the holding means is a roller provided on the ribbon cartridge and rolling between the inclined rails.
The recording device according to claim 1. 12. The recording apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the holding means in the ribbon shift mechanism is a claw formed on a cartridge cover mounted on the ribbon cartridge and engaging with an inclined rail. 13. The recording apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the inclined rail in the ribbon shift mechanism is configured so that the inclined direction changes in the middle of the longitudinal direction. 14. The recording apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the ink ribbon is a single-color ink ribbon.