JP2003211714A - Multi-sublimation printer - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To avoid creasing of a multi-sublimation ribbon due to difference of carrying speed between the multi-sublimation ribbon and a recording sheet. <P>SOLUTION: The multi-sublimation printer comprises thermal heads 109-111 each having multiple heating elements arranged in line, a carrying belt 104 for carrying a recording sheet 101 and applying a print pressure to the thermal heads 109-111 by pressing them, and means for feeding an ink ribbon 112 wherein speed difference recording can be carried out by setting a difference between the carrying speed of the carrying belt 104 and the feeding speed of the ribbon feeding means. The carrying belt 104 has a surface formed of a region of high frictional coefficient, and a region of low frictional coefficient. The central part 104 touching the recording sheet 101 under carrying state is the region of high frictional coefficient, and the opposite end parts 104A touching the ink ribbon 112 are the region of low frictional coefficient. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2003,JPO

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a multi-sublimation printer, and more particularly to a multi-sublimation printer capable of performing speed difference recording in which a speed difference is provided between a recording paper conveyance speed and a multi-sublimation ribbon supply speed. Regarding the printer.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there is a sublimation printer which prints a gradation image by heating a sublimation ribbon with a thermal head. Generally, a one-time sublimation printer is widely known in which the sublimation ribbon supply speed and the recording paper conveyance speed are made constant and the sublimation ribbon is used in one time for printing. On the other hand, the sublimation ribbon supply speed is 1 / N of the recording paper conveyance speed.
There is a multi-sublimation printer that performs gradation printing as (N = about 15). For example, in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 11-227290, "Thermal recording apparatus", a color ink ribbon is stretched between a feeding core and a winding core, and is conveyed at a constant slow speed lower than the conveying speed of a recording medium. Is disclosed.

FIG. 7 is a view from above showing how a conventional multi-sublimation printer prints. In the printing of the conventional multi-sublimation printer, the conveyor belt 701,
The recording paper 101 and the multi-sublimation ribbon 702 are stacked and pressed against the thermal heads 703 to 705 by a platen roller (not shown). At the same time, the recording paper 101 is transported in the transport direction by the transport belt 701, and the multi-sublimation ribbon 702 is wound in the transport direction at a speed of 1/15 of the recording paper 101 by a winding device (not shown).

Generally, each of the above-mentioned parts is the recording paper 10.
1, the thermal heads 703 to 705, the multi-sublimation ribbon 702, and the conveyor belt 701 are larger in this order. Therefore, the horizontal width of the multi-sublimation ribbon 702 is set to the recording paper 10.
Since the width is larger than the horizontal width of 1, the both ends of the multi-sublimation ribbon 702 protrude from both ends of the recording paper 101 and are sandwiched between the transport belt 701 and the thermal heads 703 to 705. Therefore, the end portion of the multi-sublimation ribbon 702 tends to be pulled by the transport belt 701 due to the speed difference between the transport speed of the transport belt 701 and the supply speed of the multi-sublimation ribbon 702.

[0005]

That is, in the above-described multi-sublimation printer, since the multi-sublimation ribbon and the recording paper are conveyed at different speeds, the multi-sublimation ribbon protruding from both ends of the recording paper conveys the recording paper. There is a problem that wrinkles may occur in the multi-sublimation ribbon because it tends to be pulled by a carrying means such as a carrying belt. When wrinkles occur at both ends of the multi-sublimation ribbon, the image quality may be deteriorated depending on the degree of wrinkles.

The present invention has been made in view of the above, and an object thereof is to avoid the occurrence of wrinkles of the multi-sublimation ribbon due to the different conveyance speeds of the multi-sublimation ribbon and the recording paper.

[0007]

In order to achieve the above object, a multi-sublimation printer according to the invention of claim 1 has a thermal head in which a large number of heating elements are arranged in a line, and a thermal head for conveying recording paper. And a ribbon feeding means for feeding the multi-sublimation ribbon, and a speed difference is provided between the feeding speed of the feeding and pressing means and the feeding speed of the ribbon feeding means. In a multi-sublimation printer capable of recording speed difference recording, the conveying and pressing means has a surface formed of a high friction coefficient area and a low friction coefficient area, and contacts the recording paper in a conveyed state. It is characterized in that the central part is a region of high friction coefficient, and the end part in contact with the multi-sublimation ribbon is a region of low friction coefficient.

According to the present invention, the conveying pressurizing means has a surface formed of a region having a high coefficient of friction and a region having a low coefficient of friction, and has a central portion which comes into contact with the recording sheet when the recording sheet is conveyed. By setting the region of high friction coefficient and the end of the multi-sublimation ribbon in contact with the region of low friction coefficient, the recording paper can be transported by the frictional force of the central part while sliding both ends.

Further, the multi-sublimation printer according to a second aspect of the present invention is the multi-sublimation printer according to the first aspect, wherein the conveying pressurizing means is an endless belt formed of a member having a high friction coefficient, and both ends thereof. The surface of the part is coated with a film having a low friction coefficient.

According to the present invention, the conveying pressurizing means is an endless belt formed of a member having a high coefficient of friction, and the surfaces of both ends thereof are coated with a film having a low coefficient of friction so that the both ends slide. It is possible to convey the recording paper by the frictional force of the central portion.

Further, the multi-sublimation printer according to a third aspect of the present invention is the multi-sublimation printer according to the first aspect, wherein the conveying / pressurizing means is an endless belt formed of a member having a low friction coefficient, and the center thereof. The surface of the part is coated with a film having a high friction coefficient.

According to the present invention, the conveying / pressurizing means is an endless belt formed of a member having a low friction coefficient, and the central portion of the belt is coated with a film having a high friction coefficient so that both end portions are slid. It is possible to convey the recording paper by the frictional force of the central portion.

Further, a multi-sublimation printer according to a fourth aspect of the present invention is the multi-sublimation printer according to the first aspect, wherein the conveying pressurizing means is a platen roller formed of a member having a high friction coefficient, and both ends thereof. The surface of the part is coated with a film having a low friction coefficient.

According to the present invention, the conveying / pressurizing means is a platen roller formed of a member having a high coefficient of friction, and the surfaces of both ends thereof are coated with a film having a low coefficient of friction, so that both ends are slid. It is possible to convey the recording paper by the frictional force of the central portion.

Further, the multi-sublimation printer according to a fifth aspect of the present invention is the multi-sublimation printer according to the first aspect, wherein the conveying and pressurizing means is a platen roller formed of a member having a low friction coefficient, and the center thereof. The surface of the part is coated with a film having a high friction coefficient.

According to the present invention, the conveying / pressurizing means is a platen roller formed of a member having a low coefficient of friction, and the central part of the platen roller is coated with a film having a high coefficient of friction, whereby both ends are slid. It is possible to convey the recording paper by the frictional force of the central portion.

Further, in the multi-sublimation printer according to the invention of claim 6, a thermal head in which a large number of heating elements are arranged in a line, a conveying means for conveying the recording paper, and a pressurization for pressurizing the recording paper to the thermal head. A multi-sublimation printer capable of speed difference recording in which a means and a ribbon supply means for supplying a multi-sublimation ribbon are provided, and a speed difference is recorded by providing a speed difference between the conveying speed of the conveying means and the supply speed of the ribbon supplying means, The pressurizing means is characterized in that at least the end portion that comes into contact with the multi-sublimation ribbon in the state where the recording paper is conveyed is made of a member having a low friction coefficient.

According to the present invention, the pressurizing means comprises a member having a low coefficient of friction at least at the end portion which comes into contact with the multi-sublimation ribbon while the recording paper is being conveyed, so that the conveying means is smooth. It can be transported while sliding.

Further, a multi-sublimation printer according to a seventh aspect of the present invention is the multi-sublimation printer according to the sixth aspect, wherein the pressing means is a platen roller.

According to the present invention, since the pressing means is the platen roller, the conveying means can convey while smoothly sliding.

According to the eighth aspect of the present invention, there is provided the multi-sublimation printer according to the sixth aspect, wherein the pressing means is a flat platen.

According to the present invention, since the pressurizing means is the flat platen, the conveying means can convey while smoothly sliding.

[0023]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Preferred embodiments of a multi-sublimation printer according to the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. It should be noted that the following description is merely an example and is not particularly limited.

(Embodiment 1) FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a multi-sublimation printer according to Embodiment 1. In FIG. The multi-sublimation printer according to the first embodiment includes a platen roller 10 that guides and conveys a recording paper 101 fed from the outside.
2 and 103, and the recording paper 10 guided and conveyed
1, a conveyance belt 104 that carries the conveyance belt 1, conveyance rollers 105 to 107 that drive the conveyance belt 104, auxiliary rollers 108 that assist the conveyance belt 104, a thermal head 109 that prints yellow, and a thermal head that prints magenta. A head 110, a thermal head 111 for printing cyan, a feeding shaft 113 for feeding an ink ribbon 112, a winding shaft 114 for winding the fed ink ribbon 112 on the thermal heads 109 to 111, and a feeding shaft. Stepping motor 115 that drives 113, stepping motor 116 that drives winding shaft 114, winding shaft 114 and stepping motor 1
Gear 117 for adjusting the number of rotations of drum 16, and drum 118
And platen rollers 119 to 121 for pressing the recording paper 101 and the ink ribbon 112 against the thermal heads 109 to 111, respectively. Here, the transport belt 104 and the platen rollers 119 to 121
Corresponds to the transport pressurizing means of the present invention.

The operation of the above configuration will be described. When the recording paper 101 is fed from a paper feeding device (not shown), the recording paper 101 is fixed by the platen rollers 102 and 10
It is sandwiched by 3 and guided, and is fed to the conveyor belt 104. The fed recording paper 101 is mounted on the conveyor belt 104 and conveyed in the conveying direction. When the sensor (not shown) detects that the recording paper 101 has reached the positions of the thermal heads 109 to 111, the platen rollers 119 to 121 sequentially push the recording paper 101 and the ink ribbon 112 to the thermal heads 109 to 111, respectively. It is applied and printing is performed.

The ink ribbon 112 has a feeding shaft 11 in advance.
It is wound up in 3 and the thermal heads 109-111
And is wound around the winding shaft 114. The winding of the ink ribbon 112 is performed by the stepping motor 115.
The feeding shaft 113 is driven by and the winding shaft 114 is driven by the stepping motor 116. However, the winding shaft 114 is driven by the stepping motor 116 via the gear 117. This is because tension is applied to the ink ribbon 112 by setting the supply speed of the take-up shaft 114 to twice the supply speed of the supply shaft 113. However, the supply speed of the entire ink ribbon 112 is 1/15 of the transfer speed of the transfer belt 104.

The ink ribbon 112 has a structure in which horizontal stripes are repeated in the order of cyan, magenta, and yellow in the winding direction. The width of cyan, magenta, and yellow is
The width is equal to the width between the thermal heads 109 to 111, and is about 1/15 of the length of the recording paper 101 for printing. The platen rollers 119 to 121 press the recording paper 101 and the ink ribbon 112 in the order of yellow, magenta, and cyan to perform printing, thereby printing a color image.

FIG. 2 is a view from above showing how the thermal heads 109 to 111 are printing. The recording paper 101, the ink ribbon 112, and the conveyor belt 104 are stacked in order from the top, and pressed against the thermal heads 109 to 111 by the platen rollers 119 to 121. Further, the transport belt 104 is composed of both end portions 104A formed of a member having a low friction coefficient and a central portion 104B formed of a member having a high friction coefficient.

The conveyor belt 104 has a central portion 104B formed of a member having a high friction coefficient such as polyurethane, and both end portions 104A formed of a member having a low friction coefficient such as Teflon (registered trademark).
It can be formed by forming and joining. Alternatively, the conveyor belt 104 may be formed of a member having a high coefficient of friction such as polyurethane and both ends 104A may be coated with a film having a low coefficient of friction such as silicon resin, or may be formed of Teflon (registered trademark) or the like. It may be formed of a member having a low friction coefficient, and the central portion 104B may be coated with a film having a high friction coefficient such as polyurethane.

The operation of the above configuration will be described. The recording paper 101 is pressed against the thermal heads 109 to 111 together with the ink ribbon 112 and the transport belt 104 in the process of printing. The width in the main scanning direction is the recording paper 101, the thermal heads 109 to 111,
The ink ribbon 112 and the transport belt 104 are larger in this order.
Therefore, outside the recording paper 101, the platen roller 119
~ 121 to press the ink ribbon 112
Directly conveys the belt 104 and each thermal head 109-1
It is sandwiched between 11 and. Therefore, in the conventional multi-sublimation printer, the ink ribbon 112 may be directly pulled by the transport belt 104 due to the speed difference.

However, in the multi-sublimation printer according to the first embodiment, the central portion 104B of the conveyor belt 104 is used.
Is made of a material having a high coefficient of friction, but both ends 1
04A is formed of a member having a low friction coefficient. Therefore, the transport belt 104 can transport the recording paper 101 by the frictional force of the central portion 104B while sliding both end portions 104A. Therefore, the supply speed of the ink ribbon 112 is 1/15 of the transfer speed of the transfer belt 104, for example.
Even if the degree is small, the conveyor belt 104 and the ink ribbon 112 can be slid, so that it is not pulled and wrinkles can be avoided.

In addition, both end portions 104A or the central portion 104
In the case of the conveyor belt 104 formed by coating B with a film having a friction coefficient different from that of the whole,
Since the hardness and elasticity of the central portion 104B) are substantially the same, the recording paper 101 and the ink ribbon 112 can be pressed uniformly against the thermal heads 109 to 111, and the uniformity of the image density is good.

As described above, when the recording paper 101 is conveyed, the conveyor belt 104 has a central portion 104B that contacts the recording paper 101 as a high friction coefficient region, and both end portions 104A that contact the ink ribbon 112 are low. Since the friction coefficient region is set, the central portion 10 is slid while sliding both end portions 104A.
The recording paper 101 can be conveyed by the frictional force of 4B, and it is possible to avoid the occurrence of wrinkles of the ink ribbon 112 due to the different conveyance speeds of the ink ribbon 112 and the recording paper 101.

(Second Embodiment) The multi-sublimation printer according to the second embodiment has substantially the same configuration as that of the multi-sublimation printer according to the first embodiment. Therefore, only different parts will be described here.

FIG. 3 is a schematic side view of a frame sequential recording type multi-sublimation printer according to the second embodiment. The multi-sublimation printer of the frame-sequential recording system according to the second embodiment includes a thermal head 301 and an ink ribbon 3.
02, a feeding shaft 303, an auxiliary roller 304, and an ink ribbon 3 hung on the thermal head 301.
Take-up shaft 305 for winding 02 and recording paper 1 that has been fed
A platen roller 306 that presses 01 onto the thermal head 301 and a stepping motor 307 that drives the platen roller 306 are included. Here, the platen roller 306 is the conveying / pressurizing means of the present invention.

In the frame sequential recording type multi-sublimation printer according to the second embodiment, since there is one thermal head,
Printing is performed in order of yellow, magenta, and cyan. When the leading end of the recording paper 101 is conveyed to the position of the platen roller 306 by a paper feeding device (not shown), the platen roller 306 driven by the stepping motor 307.
However, by pressing the recording paper 101 against the thermal head 301,
Start transportation. At the same time, the ink ribbon 302 is also the recording paper 1.
The winding is started at a supply speed of 1/15 of the transport speed of 01. The thermal head 301 prints yellow on the recording paper 101.

After the printing of yellow is completed, the platen roller 306 reversely conveys the recording paper 101 by the reverse rotation of the stepping motor 307. When the sensor (not shown) detects that the leading end of the recording paper 101 has reached the position of the thermal head 301, the platen roller 306 stops the reverse conveyance of the recording paper 101. The ink ribbon 302 is yellow in the conveyance direction of the recording paper 101,
It has a structure in which horizontal stripes are repeated in the order of magenta and cyan. Since the ink ribbon 302 is not wound during reverse conveyance, magenta is set at the printing start position. After that, printing is performed in the same manner in the order of magenta and cyan.

The width of the ink ribbon 302 is the same as that of the recording paper 10.
Since the width of the ink ribbon 302 is larger than that of the recording paper 101, both ends of the ink ribbon 302 protrude from both ends of the recording paper 101 and are sandwiched between the platen roller 306 and the thermal head 301. Therefore, in the conventional multi-sublimation printer, the ink ribbon 302 may be pulled by the platen roller 306 due to the speed difference.

FIG. 4 is a detailed view of the platen roller 306. The platen roller 306 includes both end portions 306A formed of a member having a low friction coefficient and a central portion 306B formed of a member having a high friction coefficient. The platen roller 306 may be formed of a member having a high coefficient of friction such as polyurethane, and both ends 306A may be coated with a film having a low coefficient of friction such as a silicone resin, or a member having a low coefficient of friction such as Teflon (registered trademark). Formed in the central portion 306B
May be coated with a film having a high coefficient of friction such as polyurethane. By forming the both end portions 306A with a member having a low friction coefficient, the platen roller 306 has the both end portions 30
The recording paper 101 can be conveyed by the frictional force of the central portion 306B while sliding 6A. Therefore, in the multi-sublimation printer according to the second embodiment, the ink ribbon 30
The feeding speed of 2 is 1 of the feeding speed of the platen roller 306.
Even at about / 15, since the platen roller 306 and the ink ribbon 302 can be slid, they are not pulled,
Wrinkles can be avoided.

Further, both end portions 306A or the central portion 306
In the case of the platen roller 306 formed by coating B with a film having a friction coefficient different from that of the whole, the whole (both ends 30
6A and the central portion 306B) have substantially the same hardness and elasticity, it is possible to uniformly press the recording paper 101 and the ink ribbon 302 onto the thermal head 301,
Good image density uniformity.

As described above, the platen roller 306
Is a platen roller formed of a member having a high coefficient of friction, and the surfaces of both ends 306A are coated with a film having a low coefficient of friction. Therefore, while sliding both ends 306A, the friction force of the central portion 306B causes the recording paper 101 to move. Thus, it is possible to avoid the occurrence of wrinkles on the ink ribbon 302 due to the different conveyance speeds of the ink ribbon 302 and the recording paper 101.

(Third Embodiment) Since the multi-sublimation printer according to the third embodiment has substantially the same configuration as the multi-sublimation printer according to the first embodiment, only different portions will be described here.

FIG. 5 is a schematic side view of a frame sequential recording type multi-sublimation printer according to the third embodiment. The multi-sublimation printer of the frame-sequential recording system according to the third embodiment includes a thermal head 301 and an ink ribbon 3.
02, a feeding shaft 303, an auxiliary roller 304, and an ink ribbon 3 hung on the thermal head 301.
Take-up shaft 305 for winding 02 and recording paper 1 that has been fed
A platen roller 501 for pressing 01 onto the thermal head 301, conveying rollers 502 and 503 for nipping the recording paper 101, and a stepping motor 505 for driving the conveying roller 502 using a drive belt 504.
Composed of. Here, the platen roller 501 corresponds to the pressing means of the present invention.

The operation of the above configuration will be described. In the multi-sublimation printer of the frame sequential recording system according to the third embodiment, since there is one thermal head, printing is performed in order of yellow, magenta, and cyan. The leading end of the recording paper 101 is conveyed by the conveyance roller 50 by a paper feeding device (not shown).
When the recording paper 101 is conveyed to positions 2 and 503, the conveyance rollers 502 and 503 sandwich the recording paper 101 and convey it. The recording paper 101 is conveyed by the rotating conveyance roller 50.
The rotation of the transport roller 502 is performed by the stepping motor 505 driving the transport roller 502 via the drive belt 504. At this time, the platen roller 501 presses the recording paper 101 and the ink ribbon 302 onto the thermal head 301, and the thermal head 301 prints yellow on the recording paper 101.

When the printing of yellow is completed, the stepping motor 505 rotates in the reverse direction so that the carrying roller 502 carries the recording paper 101 in the reverse direction. The tip of the recording paper 101 is moved to the thermal head 30 by a sensor (not shown).
When the arrival at position 1 is detected, the transport roller 502
Stops the reverse transportation. The ink ribbon 302 has a configuration in which horizontal stripes are repeated in the order of yellow, magenta, and cyan in the transport direction of the recording paper 101. The ink ribbon 302 is wound at a speed of 1/15 of the speed at which the recording paper 101 is conveyed during the forward conveyance, and is not wound during the reverse conveyance. Therefore, when the next printing is started, Magenta is set. After that, magenta,
Print in the same order in cyan.

The width of the ink ribbon 302 is the same as that of the recording paper 10.
Since the width of the ink ribbon 302 is larger than that of the recording paper 101, the both ends of the ink ribbon 302 protrude from the both ends of the recording paper 101 and are sandwiched between the platen roller 501 and the thermal head 301. Since the platen roller 501 pressurizes the recording paper 101 and rotates, the rotation speed is substantially the same as the transport speed of the recording paper 101. Therefore, in the conventional multi-sublimation printer, the ink ribbon 302 may be pulled by the platen roller 501 due to the speed difference.

However, at least the surface of the platen roller 501 of the multi-sublimation printer according to the third embodiment is covered with a member having a low friction coefficient. For example, the platen roller 501 may be entirely formed of a member having a low coefficient of friction such as Teflon (registered trademark), or may be formed of a member having a high coefficient of friction such as polyurethane and the surface thereof having a coefficient of friction such as silicone resin. It may be coated with a low film. Therefore, even if the supply speed of the ink ribbon 112 is about 1/15 of the rotation speed of the platen roller 501, the ink ribbon 302 is not pulled and wrinkles can be avoided.

As described above, in the multi-sublimation printer according to the third embodiment, since the platen roller 501 is composed of the member having a low coefficient of friction at least at the end contacting the ink ribbon 112, the conveying rollers 502 and 503.
Can convey the recording paper 101 while sliding it smoothly, and can prevent the ink ribbon 112 from wrinkling due to the different conveyance speeds of the ink ribbon 112 and the recording paper 101.

(Fourth Embodiment) Since the multi-sublimation printer according to the fourth embodiment has substantially the same configuration as the multi-sublimation printer according to the third embodiment, only different parts will be described here.

FIG. 6 is a schematic side view of a frame sequential recording type multi-sublimation printer according to the fourth embodiment. The frame sequential recording type multi-sublimation printer according to the fourth embodiment is similar to the platen roller 50 according to the fourth embodiment.
Instead of 1, the flat platen 601 is provided. Here, the flat platen 601 corresponds to the pressing means of the present invention.

The recording paper 101 is fed by a paper feeding device (not shown).
When the sheet is fed, printing is performed in the order of yellow, magenta, and cyan in the same manner as the procedure shown in the third embodiment. Since the horizontal width of the ink ribbon 302 is larger than the horizontal width of the recording paper 101, both ends of the ink ribbon 302 are
Of the flat platen 601 and the thermal head 301. Therefore, in the conventional multi-sublimation printer, the ink ribbon 302 may be pulled by the flat platen 601.

However, the flat platen 601 of the multi-sublimation printer according to the fourth embodiment has its surface covered with a member having a low friction coefficient. For example, flat platen 601
May be entirely formed of a material having a low coefficient of friction such as Teflon (registered trademark), or may be formed of a material having a high coefficient of friction such as polyurethane and the surface coated with a film having a low coefficient of friction such as silicone resin. May be. Therefore, the ink ribbon 302 is not pulled and wrinkles do not occur.

As described above, in the multi-sublimation printer according to the fourth embodiment, the flat platen 601 is composed of a member having a low coefficient of friction at least at the end contacting the ink ribbon 302. The paper 101 can be conveyed while sliding smoothly, and wrinkles of the ink ribbon 302 due to the different conveyance speeds of the ink ribbon 302 and the recording paper 101 can be avoided.

[0054]

As described above, according to the first aspect of the present invention, the conveying pressurizing means has a surface formed of a high friction coefficient region and a low friction coefficient region, and the recording paper is In the conveyed state, the central part that comes into contact with the recording paper has a high coefficient of friction area, and the end part that comes into contact with the multi-sublimation ribbon has a low coefficient of friction area. The recording paper can be conveyed, and the occurrence of wrinkles of the multi-sublimation ribbon due to the different conveyance speeds of the multi-sublimation ribbon and the recording paper can be avoided.

Further, according to the second aspect of the present invention, the conveying and pressurizing means is an endless belt formed of a member having a high friction coefficient, and the surfaces of both ends thereof are coated with a film having a low friction coefficient. It is possible to convey the recording paper by the frictional force of the central portion while sliding both end portions, and it is possible to avoid the occurrence of wrinkles of the multi-sublimation ribbon due to the different conveying speeds of the multi-sublimation ribbon and the recording paper. Further, since the hardness and elasticity of the entire conveyor belt are substantially the same, the recording paper and the multi-sublimation ribbon can be pressed uniformly against the thermal head.
Further, the uniformity of the image density is good.

According to the third aspect of the invention, the conveying and pressurizing means is an endless belt formed of a member having a low friction coefficient, and the surface of the central portion thereof is coated with a film having a high friction coefficient. It is possible to convey the recording paper by the frictional force of the central portion while sliding both end portions, and it is possible to avoid the occurrence of wrinkles of the multi-sublimation ribbon due to the different conveying speeds of the multi-sublimation ribbon and the recording paper. Further, since the hardness and elasticity of the entire conveyor belt are substantially the same, the recording paper and the multi-sublimation ribbon can be pressed uniformly against the thermal head.
Further, the uniformity of the image density is good.

Further, according to the invention of claim 4, the conveying pressurizing means is a platen roller formed of a member having a high friction coefficient, and the surfaces of both ends thereof are coated with a film having a low friction coefficient. It is possible to convey the recording paper by the frictional force of the central portion while sliding both end portions, and it is possible to avoid the occurrence of wrinkles of the multi-sublimation ribbon due to the different conveying speeds of the multi-sublimation ribbon and the recording paper. Moreover, since the hardness and elasticity of the entire platen roller are substantially the same,
The recording paper and the multi-sublimation ribbon can be pressed uniformly against the thermal head, and the image density is more uniform than the invention according to claim 1.

According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, the conveying pressurizing means is a platen roller formed of a member having a low friction coefficient, and the surface of the central portion thereof is coated with a film having a high friction coefficient. It is possible to convey the recording paper by the frictional force of the central portion while sliding both end portions, and it is possible to avoid the occurrence of wrinkles of the multi-sublimation ribbon due to the different conveying speeds of the multi-sublimation ribbon and the recording paper. Moreover, since the hardness and elasticity of the entire platen roller are substantially the same,
The recording paper and the multi-sublimation ribbon can be pressed uniformly against the thermal head, and the image density is more uniform than the invention according to claim 1.

Further, according to the invention described in claim 6, since the pressurizing means is constituted by a member having a low friction coefficient, at least an end portion which comes into contact with the multi-sublimation ribbon in a state where the recording paper is conveyed is conveyed. The means can convey the multi-sublimation ribbon while smoothly sliding it, and can avoid the occurrence of wrinkles of the multi-sublimation ribbon due to the different conveyance speeds of the multi-sublimation ribbon and the recording paper.

Further, according to the invention described in claim 7, since the pressing means is the platen roller, the conveying means can convey while smoothly sliding, and the multi-sublimation ribbon and the recording paper can be conveyed. Wrinkles of the multi-sublimation ribbon due to different speeds can be avoided.

Further, according to the invention described in claim 8, since the pressurizing means is the flat platen, the carrying means can carry while smoothly sliding, and the multi-sublimation ribbon and the recording paper can be carried. Wrinkles of the multi-sublimation ribbon due to different speeds can be avoided.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of a multi-sublimation printer according to a first embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a diagram of a state in which printing is performed by a thermal head as viewed from above.

FIG. 3 is a schematic side view of a frame sequential recording type multi-sublimation printer according to a second embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a detailed view of a platen roller.

FIG. 5 is a schematic side view of a frame sequential recording type multi-sublimation printer according to a third embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a schematic side view of a frame sequential recording type multi-sublimation printer according to a fourth embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a view from above showing how a conventional multi-sublimation printer prints.

[Explanation of symbols]

101 recording paper 102 Platen roller 104 conveyor belt 104A both ends 104B central part 109-111, 301 Thermal head 112, 302 Ink ribbon 119 to 121, 306, 501 Platen roller 306A both ends 306B central part 502 Conveyor roller 601 Flat platen

Claims (8)

[Claims] 1. A thermal head having a large number of heating elements arranged in a line, a conveying pressurizing means for conveying recording paper and pressurizing the thermal head to provide a printing pressure, and a ribbon supply for supplying a multi-sublimation ribbon. A multi-sublimation printer capable of speed difference recording, in which a speed difference is provided between the transport speed of the transport pressure unit and the supply speed of the ribbon supply unit for recording. The surface is formed of a high-friction coefficient area and a low-friction coefficient area, and in the state where the recording paper is conveyed, the central portion that comes into contact with the recording paper serves as a high-friction coefficient area and contacts the multi-sublimation ribbon. The multi-sublimation printer is characterized in that the end portion to be formed is a region of low friction coefficient. 2. The transport pressurizing means is an endless belt formed of a member having a high friction coefficient, and both end surfaces thereof are coated with a film having a low friction coefficient. Multi-sublimation printer. 3. The transport pressurizing means is an endless belt formed of a member having a low friction coefficient, and a surface of a central portion thereof is coated with a film having a high friction coefficient. Multi-sublimation printer. 4. The conveying / pressurizing means is a platen roller formed of a member having a high friction coefficient, and both end surfaces thereof are coated with a film having a low friction coefficient. Multi-sublimation printer. 5. The conveying and pressurizing means is a platen roller formed of a member having a low friction coefficient, and a surface of a central portion thereof is coated with a film having a high friction coefficient. Multi-sublimation printer. 6. A thermal head having a large number of heating elements arranged in a line, a conveying means for conveying recording paper, a pressing means for pressing the recording paper against the thermal head, and a ribbon for supplying a multi-sublimation ribbon. A multi-sublimation printer capable of performing speed difference recording in which a recording speed is provided by providing a speed difference between the transport speed of the transport means and the supply speed of the ribbon supply means. A multi-sublimation printer, characterized in that at least an end portion that comes into contact with the multi-sublimation ribbon in a state where the paper is conveyed is made of a member having a low friction coefficient. 7. The multi-sublimation printer according to claim 6, wherein the pressing means is a platen roller. 8. The multi-sublimation printer according to claim 6, wherein the pressing means is a flat platen.