JP2004009674A - Sublimation type printer - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a more compact sublimation type printer in which a member or a material necessary to be discarded at each time of a treatment is hardly generated. <P>SOLUTION: The sublimation type printer includes a printing section P for carrying an image of a sublimable ink to transfer media S, S2 having an ink receiving layer R, a transfer fixing section F for conducting a sublimation of an ink component of the ink receiving layer by superposing a recording medium M on the transfer medium and heating the medium and transfer fixing on a recording medium, and conveying means 9, 48 for conveying the transfer medium from the printing section to the transfer fixing section. In this printer, a cleaning section C for removing the ink component retained in the transfer medium is provided at the downstream side of the transfer fixing section F. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

[0001]
The present invention provides a printing unit that carries an image formed of a sublimable ink on an ink receiving layer of a medium, and an ink component of the ink receiving layer by heating the ink receiving layer carrying the image while another recording medium is overlaid thereon. And a transfer-fixing unit for transferring and fixing the toner onto a recording medium.
[0002]
[Prior art]
As an example of such a technique relating to the processing of a recording medium, a sublimation printer using a recording medium in which an ink receiving layer is attached to the surface of a sheet-like substrate has been proposed from the beginning. The sublimation type printer includes a printing unit for carrying an image of sublimable ink on the ink receiving layer side of the recording medium, and a heating unit for sublimating and fixing the dye carried on the ink receiving layer to the substrate surface side by heating. A fixing unit. Accordingly, it is possible to continuously carry out from the image output to the ink receiving layer to the fixing operation on the substrate surface by heating.
[0003]
However, in this recording medium processing technology, in order to use a clear and high-resolution image formed on the base material, an operation of peeling the ink receiving layer from the base material after heating and fixing is necessary, Since the ink receiving layer is not useful as it is, it is necessary to discard the ink receiving layer every time it is used, and this configuration does not always correspond to the resource saving concept that is now mainstream.
[0004]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a recording medium processing method according to the prior art, which has been described above. It is to provide a sublimation type printer.
[0005]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above object, a sublimation-type printer according to the present invention has the features described in claims 1 to 6 in the claims.
That is, the sublimation type printer according to claim 1 of the present invention has
A printing unit for carrying an image with a sublimable ink on a transfer medium having an ink receiving layer, and a recording medium superimposed on the transfer medium and heated to sublimate the ink component of the ink receiving layer to form the recording medium. And a transport mechanism for transporting the transfer medium from the print unit to the transfer / fixing unit, and a cleaning unit for removing ink components remaining on the transfer medium is provided by the transfer unit. It is characterized in that it is provided downstream of the fixing unit.
[0006]
With such a characteristic configuration, in the sublimation type printer according to claim 1 of the present invention, even if a part of the ink component remains on the transfer medium that has passed through the transfer fixing unit. Since this is removed by the cleaning unit, it is possible to use the transfer medium a plurality of times, and it is difficult to generate members and materials that need to be discarded at each processing. And the cleaning unit are provided in one sublimation type printer, so that the effect is obtained that the sublimation type printer is compact and has a small installation area.
[0007]
In particular, the cleaning unit can be configured to include a heating mechanism for reheating the transfer medium.
With this configuration, the ink components remaining on the transfer medium, that is, unsublimated dyes and solvents, can be removed by sublimation or vaporization at a high temperature. In other words, a mechanical scraping operation is performed. Therefore, the transfer medium is hardly worn out, which is particularly convenient when the transfer medium is used a plurality of times.
[0008]
The heating mechanism of the cleaning unit may be configured to heat the transfer medium to a temperature higher than a heating temperature of the transfer fixing unit.
With this configuration, the ink component remaining on the transfer medium can be more reliably removed. Further, even when a plurality of types of inks having different transfer heating temperatures are used separately, the heating temperature in the cleaning unit is also changed in accordance with this, so that the original effect of the cleaning unit is always exerted.
[0009]
The transfer fixing unit may be configured to include the transfer medium and the pressure member pressed against the recording medium that move together, and a heat source that heats the pressure member.
With this configuration, the mutually overlapping portions of the transfer medium and the recording medium are pressed against each other by the pressing member so that they are in close contact with each other, and at the same time, the three members of the transfer medium, the recording medium, and the pressing member are integrally formed. As a result, both the transfer medium and the recording medium are heated to approximately the temperature of the pressure-bonding member. Therefore, the operation of transferring the ink components from the transfer medium to the recording medium proceeds very smoothly, and the image formed on the transfer medium in the printing unit is transferred to the recording medium quickly and with high reproducibility. In addition, the thermal energy for the transfer, that is, the sublimation of the ink component, moves from the heated pressing member to the ink receiving layer of the transfer medium based on the heat diffusion in the object, so that heat loss to the air or the like is reduced. Less and more efficient fixing processing is performed. Further, as compared with a configuration in which the heat source heats the transfer medium via the surrounding air, the temperature of the transfer fixing unit can be controlled quickly and accurately, and at the same time, a more compact apparatus can be obtained.
[0010]
It is possible to adopt a configuration in which a pressing mechanism that presses the transfer medium and the recording medium that move integrally with each other in a planar manner against the pressing member is provided.
According to this configuration, the degree of closeness between the transfer medium and the recording medium, and the integration of the three members of the transfer medium, the recording medium, and the pressure-bonding member can be more reliably performed. Is transferred to the recording medium more quickly and with high reproducibility. Further, with this configuration, the recording medium is pressed and held on the transfer medium by the pressing mechanism, so that it is easy to process even a cut recording medium whose front and rear ends are not supported.
[0011]
The transfer medium is an endless transfer belt, and the transport mechanism is configured to rotationally drive the transfer belt along a rotation path including the printing unit, the transfer fixing unit, and the cleaning unit. It is possible.
With this configuration, the transfer medium transfers the ink component to the recording medium in the transfer and fixing unit after the image is carried in the printing unit, and subsequently, the ink component remaining in the transfer medium is It can be used permanently, so that it is removed by the cleaning unit and reproduced again to a state where the image can be held by the printing unit. Therefore, processing of a very long recording medium, or processing of a large number of sheets In principle, the processing of the recording medium can be performed without replacing the transfer medium in the middle.
[0012]
Other features and advantages according to the present invention will become apparent from the following description of embodiments with reference to the drawings.
[0013]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
An embodiment of a sublimation printer according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings described as one specific example of its realization.
(Schematic configuration of sublimation printer)
The sublimation type printer 100 in FIG. 1 has a printing unit P that outputs an image with ink on an endless transfer belt S (an example of a transfer medium) and a recording sheet M (an example of a recording medium) on the transfer belt S. A cleaning unit C for removing the ink components remaining on the transfer belt S after passing through the transfer and fixing unit F, and a control unit for controlling the operation of each unit J is provided.
[0014]
(Composition of ink)
The inks used when outputting an image in the print unit P include, for example, six color inks of “black”, “cyan”, “magenta”, “yellow”, “light cyan”, and “light magenta”. Both are basically aqueous inks containing a sublimable dye.
[0015]
(Configuration of Transfer Belt S)
As shown in FIG. 2B, at least one surface of the transfer belt S is provided with an ink receiving layer R having an affinity for water-soluble ink and having a thickness of, for example, about 40 μm. By jetting an aqueous ink containing a sublimable dye, an image of the sublimable ink is carried near the surface of the ink receiving layer R at normal temperature. However, the transfer belt S may be configured such that the entire thickness thereof is made of a material that can easily receive and hold ink.
[0016]
(Configuration of Recording Sheet M)
On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 2B, the recording sheet M has a thickness of, for example, about 210 μm and a base sheet B made of a synthetic resin material such as PET (polyethylene terephthalate). And a protective layer T provided integrally on the upper surface. The protective layer T is formed of a transparent and highly weather-resistant material, such as a fluororesin, although it has a low affinity for the aqueous ink.
[0017]
(Configuration of Print Unit P)
The printing unit P includes an ink jet type print head 4 slidably supported by a guide rod (not shown) extending along the width direction (coincident with the sub-scanning direction) of the transfer belt S or the recording sheet M, and A scanning stepping motor (not shown) for reciprocating the print head 4 in the main scanning direction. The print head 4 is provided with a large number of fine ink nozzles provided for each color of ink, and a gradation control mechanism for controlling the amount of ink ejected from these ink nozzles. The control unit J described below controls the operation of these tone control mechanisms and the operation of moving the print head 4 in the main scanning direction in accordance with print data given from an image processing system 90 (see FIG. 1) described later. Control.
In the transfer fixing unit F, the transfer is performed by superimposing the transfer belt S on the side on which the image is output so as to face the recording sheet M, so that the print data output to the transfer belt S is finalized. Is formed so as to form a mirror image of an image to be formed on the recording sheet M, and returns to a normal image when transferred to the recording sheet M.
[0018]
(Configuration of the transfer fixing unit F)
The transfer fixing unit F includes a metal cylindrical pressing drum 6 (an example of a pressing member) extending along the main scanning direction of the print head 4, and a plurality of heating elements 8 arranged inside the pressing drum 6. (An example of a heat source). The heating element 8 can be composed of a nichrome wire or the like. The press drum 6 is provided so as not to rotate.
A part of the outer peripheral surface of the pressing drum 6 (a part indicated by X in FIG. 2) forms a heating area 6a, and the heating element 8 heats the heating area 6a to a predetermined temperature (about 180 ° C.). Therefore, it is arranged near the inner surface of the heating area 6a. Then, the transfer belt S and the recording medium M are integrally rotated and pressed while being pressed against the heating area 6a by the transport mechanism 9 described later and sliding on the peripheral surface of the heating area 6a. Is done. The heating area 6a is formed particularly smoothly so that the transfer belt S and the recording medium M can slide smoothly on the heating area 6a. During the sliding operation on the heating area 6a, the transfer belt S and the recording medium M receive a heating history of about 180 ° C. × 2 minutes due to the heat given from the heating area 6a of the pressure drum 6.
[0019]
A first temperature sensor G1 composed of a sheath thermocouple or the like for detecting the temperature of the heating region 6a is provided at at least one position of the heating region 6a, for example, in a form embedded in the wall surface of the pressure drum 6. The controller J supplies a current to the heating element 8 so that the temperature detected by these sensors is about 180 ° C. Here, when the transfer belt S and the recording medium M are moved at a conveyance speed of 300 mm / min, the length of the heating area 6a of the pressure bonding drum 6 is received so as to receive a heating history of about 180 ° C. × 2 min ( Length along the circumference) is set.
[0020]
(Behavior of sublimable dye in transfer fixing section F)
In the transfer fixing section F, an operation of maintaining at least each unit area of the transfer belt S at a temperature condition of about 180 ° C. × 2 min is performed, and the heat is applied to the transfer belt S near the surface of the ink receiving layer R of the transfer belt S The sublimable dye sublimates (vaporizes) from the ink, and at least a part or most of the sublimable dye passes through the protective layer T of the recording sheet M. Further, the interface between the base sheet B and the protective layer T or the base The sheet reaches the inside near the upper surface of the sheet B and is fixed here. The dye fixed in the base sheet B is protected from the front side by the weather-resistant protective layer T and from the back side by the base sheet B, and at the same time, at least from the front side of the recording sheet M, the protective layer T is highly transparent. It becomes a shape that can be well seen through. In the heat fixing process, substantially all of the ink on the transfer belt S sublimates in principle, and most of the ink is fixed on the recording sheet M side. May remain partially.
[0021]
(Configuration of the cleaning unit C)
The cleaning unit C is provided downstream of the transfer fixing unit F (also referred to as upstream of the printing unit P), and includes a heating unit 14 (an example of a heating mechanism) that reheats the transfer belt S. The heating unit 14 includes a pair of long casings 14a, 14a facing both surfaces of the transfer belt S, and a heating element 15 (an example of a heat source) such as a nichrome wire disposed in each casing 14a, 14a. A rotating fan 16 that blows the air heated by the heating element 15 onto the transfer belt S while stirring the air uniformly, and a second temperature sensor G2 including a radiation thermometer that detects the temperature of the transfer belt S. The heating unit 14 removes the remaining ink components by heating the transfer belt S to 220 ° C., which is a temperature that is about 40 ° C. higher than the heating temperature (about 180 ° C.) in the transfer fixing unit F. However, in this case, the removal of the residual ink component does not necessarily have to be a complete removal, but can be visually recognized on an image that is newly carried by the printing unit P and transferred and fixed to the recording medium M by the transfer fixing unit F. What is necessary is just to remove it so as not to give noise.
Here, the control unit J controls the heating element 15 so that the second temperature sensor G2 detects a temperature that is 40 ° C. higher than the detection result of the first temperature sensor G1 disposed in the heating area 6a of the transfer fixing unit F. Alternatively, current is supplied to the heating element 15 and the rotating fan 16.
[0022]
(Configuration of transfer mechanism for transfer belt S)
As shown in FIG. 2A, the sublimation type printer 100 has a transfer mechanism for rotating and driving an endless transfer belt S along a rotation path including a printing section P, a transfer fixing section F and a cleaning section C. 9 are provided.
The transport mechanism 9 rotates a first drive roller 9a disposed adjacent to the upstream side of the print unit P, a second drive roller 9b disposed adjacent to the downstream side of the cleaning unit C, and these drive rollers 9a and 9b. A driving stepping motor E1 (see FIG. 1). One end of the transfer belt S is stretched over these drive rollers 9a and 9b, and the other end of the transfer belt S is connected to the peripheral surface of the pressure drum 6 of the transfer fixing unit F (particularly, the heating area 6a). It is stretched so as to be pressed on the upper side (that is, the driving rollers 9a and 9b and the pressing drum 6 support the transfer belt S from the inner side of the transfer belt S). As a result, the portion of the transfer belt S that has emitted the first drive roller 9a first reaches the print unit P by the transport mechanism 9, and then the peripheral surface of the pressure drum 6, the cleaning unit C, and the second unit. The rotation is repeatedly driven on an endless rotation trajectory of returning to the first driving roller 9a again via the driving roller 9b. A tension roller 10 is provided between the first driving roller 9a and the second driving roller 9b to apply an appropriate tension to the transfer belt S based on the urging force of the coil spring 11 or the like.
[0023]
The control unit J controls the driving of the stepping motor E1 so that the transfer belt S receives a heating history of about 180 ° C. × 2 minutes in the transfer fixing unit F. The moving speed of the transfer belt S in the printing unit P, that is, the transport speed in the sub-scanning direction, matches the moving speed of the transfer belt S in the transfer fixing unit F regardless of the characteristics of the given print information. . Therefore, the control unit J also needs to control the driving timing of the print head 4 in the main scanning direction at a timing synchronized with the moving speed (300 mm / min) of the transfer belt S by the stepping motor E1. That is, a home position for the print head 4 is set at one end of the stroke at which the print head 4 reciprocates on the guide rod. The print head 4 is configured so as to reciprocate in the main scanning direction between the home position and, for example, the other end within a very short time when the transport mechanism 9 is stopped, and perform printing control. On the other hand, the transport mechanism 9 sends the recording medium by one pitch in the sub-scanning direction within a short time during which the print head 4 returns to the home position and stands still, or while returning to the home position after finishing printing.
[0024]
(Configuration of auxiliary transport mechanism for recording sheet M)
The recording sheet M has a width of about 1 m and a length of several tens of meters, and is obtained in a roll shape wound into one. The roll of the recording sheet M is rotatably supported by a horizontally extending support rod 19.
Then, the recording sheet M pulled out from the roll on the support rod 19 moves integrally with the transfer belt S on the peripheral surface of the pressure-bonding drum 6 of the transfer fixing unit F, and is carried on the transfer belt S. The transferred image undergoes a transfer and fixing operation. For this purpose, an auxiliary transport mechanism 20 that moves the recording sheet M at a speed synchronized with the transfer belt S that moves on the pressure drum 6 by the transport mechanism 9 is provided. The auxiliary transport mechanism 20 includes a plurality of pairs of carry-in rollers 21 provided between the support rod 19 and the pressure drum 6 and a pair of carry-out rollers 22 disposed below the pressure drum 6. The arrangement of the carry-out roller pair 22 is set so as to exert an action of peeling off the recording sheet M that has come out of the pressure drum 6 or a pressing mechanism 30 described later from the transfer belt S.
The recording sheet M conveyed by the carry-out roller pair 22 is wound again on the winding rod 24 in a roll shape. The take-up rod 24 is connected to a rotation drive mechanism (not shown) for taking up the recording sheet M fed by the carry-out roller pair 22 so as not to be slackened. However, the sheet may be cut into a rectangular sheet by a cutter (not shown) provided downstream of the carry-out roller pair 22, and may be received in, for example, a horizontally arranged tray (not shown).
[0025]
(Structure of pressing mechanism)
In the sublimation type printer 100, the recording sheet M is pressed and held against the transfer belt S on the pressing drum 6, in other words, the transfer belt S and the part of the recording sheet M that move integrally with each other are placed on the pressing drum 6. Is provided with a pressing mechanism 30 for pressing in a planar manner. The pressing mechanism 30 includes an endless pressing belt 31, and four rotating rollers 32a, 32b, 32c, and 32d that support the pressing belt 31 from the inner surface side. The pressing belt 31 is stretched from the outer surface thereof by the pressing drum 6 (actually, on the transfer belt S on the pressing drum 6, or on the recording sheet M on the transferring belt S). I have. At least one of the four rotating rollers (here, rotating rollers 32b and 32c) is urged in a direction away from the pressure drum 6 by a coil spring 33 or the like, so that an appropriate tension is applied to the pressing belt 31. It also serves as a tension roller to give. At least one of the four rotating rollers is rotated by a rotational driving force from a stepping motor E1 obtained by a transmission mechanism (not shown) so that the pressing belt 31 is rotationally driven at a speed synchronized with the transfer belt S. Driven. As a result, the pressing belt 31 moves the recording sheet M supplied by the auxiliary transport mechanism 20 so that the recording sheet M and the transfer belt S do not move relative to the transfer belt S sliding on the pressure drum 6. Press. Actually, the corresponding portions of the pressing belt 31, the recording sheet M, and the transfer belt S move along the outer peripheral surface of the pressing drum 6 while being pressed onto the pressing drum 6 in a state where they are integrated with each other. Will do.
[0026]
(Configuration of Image Processing System 90)
As shown in FIG. 1, the sublimation type printer 100 has an image including a general-purpose computer 46, a monitor 47, a keyboard 48, a mouse 49, and a film scanner 50 for photoelectrically converting image information of the developed photographic film Pf. It is connected to a processing system 90. The computer 46 is provided with a media drive 46a for extracting image data and the like from various electronic data recording media such as an MO and a compact flash card. The image data stored in the electronic data recording medium or the image data digitized from the photographic film Pf is processed by the image processing system 90, and the image data of the image which is a mirror image of the target image is sublimated. The image is based on the transferred image data and output (printed) to the transfer belt S by the printing unit P.
[0027]
(Configuration of control unit J)
The control unit J of the sublimation type printer 100 has a built-in microprocessor (not shown), forms a data input system for inputting image data transferred from the computer 46, and has a first temperature of the transfer fixing unit F. A signal input system for receiving a feedback signal from the sensor G1 and the second temperature sensor G2 of the cleaning unit C is formed. Further, the control unit J includes a stepping motor E1 for driving the transport mechanism 9, the auxiliary transport mechanism 20, and the pressing mechanism 30, an ejection mechanism for the print head 4 and the scanning stepping motor, a heating element 8 of the transfer fixing unit F, a cleaning unit. If a cutter for cutting the recording sheet M is provided downstream of the C nichrome wire 15 and the auxiliary transport mechanism 20, a signal output for outputting a control signal to an operating motor (not shown) of the cutter is provided. System.
The control unit J controls the ON / OFF state and the heat generation amount of the heating element 8 of the transfer fixing unit F based on the temperature detection signal sent from the first temperature sensor G1 of the transfer fixing unit F, and performs the transfer fixing. Substantially all areas of the transfer belt S and the recording sheet M passing through the section F receive a heating history of 180 ° C. × 2 minutes.
[0028]
[Another embodiment]
<1> The cleaning unit does not necessarily need to be configured to remove the remaining ink components by heating. For example, a scraper mechanism that mechanically scrapes at least a part of the remaining ink component may be used, or a combination of a scraper mechanism and a removing mechanism by heating may be used.
[0029]
<2> The transfer medium does not necessarily need to be constituted by the endless transfer belt S. For example, in the sublimation type printer 200 of FIG. 3 exemplified as another embodiment of the present invention, the rear end is supported on the first take-up body 101a disposed on the upstream side of the printing unit P, and the downstream side of the cleaning unit C is provided. A transfer belt S2 whose leading end is supported on a second winding body 101b arranged on the side is used. Then, the portion of the transfer belt S2 is pulled out from the roll formed on the first winding body 101a, and passes through a trajectory including the printing section P, the transfer fixing section F, and the cleaning section C, and then is transferred onto the second winding body 101b. Is provided with a transport mechanism 48 for rewinding. The transport mechanism 48 includes a first driving roller pair 102a provided between the first winding body 101a and the printing unit P, and a second driving roller pair 102b provided between the cleaning unit C and the second winding body 101b. And a stepping motor E2 that rotationally drives the first drive roller pair 102a and the second drive roller pair 102b. The stepping motor E2 also serves as a drive source for the auxiliary transport mechanism 20 that moves the recording sheet M at a speed synchronized with the transfer belt S that moves on the pressure drum 6 by the transport mechanism 48. A transmission mechanism for transmitting the rotational driving force of the stepping motor E2 to the auxiliary transport mechanism 20 is not shown.
When the transfer and fixing operation proceeds and the transfer belt S2 disappears on the first winding body 101a, cleaning by the cleaning unit C is completed, and the transfer belt wound on the second winding body 101b. If the roll of S2 is removed and the roll is returned on the first winding body 101a, new transfer and fixing can be performed.
[0030]
<3> In the above embodiments, the pressing drum 6 of the transfer fixing unit F is provided so as not to rotate. However, the pressing drum 6 is rotatable around its geometrical center. May be provided so as to rotate integrally with portions of the transfer belts S and S2 and the recording sheet M that are integrally moved and operated. In this case, the heating element 8 is provided in a state of being fixed to the extent of being tired, and only the area of the transfer belts S, S2 and the area of the pressure drum 6 where the portions of the recording sheet M are pressed integrally in the transfer fixing unit F are pressed. It can be configured to heat. However, a plurality of heating elements may be arranged along the entire circumference of the inner surface of the compression drum 6 so as to uniformly heat the entire circumference of the compression drum 6. In this case, the heating element may be fixed to the inner surface of the pressure drum 6 or the heating element may be embedded in the wall surface of the pressure drum 6.
[0031]
<4> The recording sheet M is pressed and held on the transfer belt S on the pressure drum 6 by the cooperation of the carry-in roller pair 21 and the carry-out roller pair 22 without using the pressing mechanism 30 including the pressing belt 31. You may comprise so that it may be.
[0032]
<5> The transfer fixing unit F is not necessarily limited to the configuration using the pressure drum 6. For example, in the sublimation type printer 300 of FIG. 4 exemplified as another embodiment of the present invention, as the transfer fixing unit F2, a heating housing K formed of a heat insulating member or the like, and a plurality of heating housings K provided in the heating housing K. Crimping roller pair 105 (an example of a crimping unit), a heating element 106 (an example of a heat source) such as a nichrome wire for heating and holding air in the heating housing K, particularly near the compression roller pair 105, at about 180 ° C. A shield plate 108 provided between the heating element 106 and the pressure roller pair 105 to protect the recording sheet M from radiant heat from the shield plate 106, and a convection of air circulating around the shield plate 108. It has a fan 107. A large number of pressure roller pairs 105 in the heating housing K press a region of a predetermined length of the endless transfer belt S against the recording sheet M. In addition, idle rollers 104a and 104b are rotatably supported on the upstream side of the printing section P and the downstream side of the cleaning section C, respectively. It is stretched over the rollers on the side 106 and the idle rollers 104a, 104b.
The roll-shaped recording sheet M supported by the support rod 119 is pulled out by the carry-in roller pair 121, supplied to the pressure roller pair 105 in the heating housing K, and subjected to predetermined transfer and fixing in the transfer and fixing unit F2. Thereafter, the sheet is peeled off from the transfer belt S by the unloading roller pair 122, is similarly unloaded out of the heating housing K by the unloading roller pair 122, and is wound on a winding rod 124 in a roll shape.
The heating housing K has a slit for receiving the transfer belt S, a slit for allowing the transfer belt S to be carried out, a slit for receiving the recording sheet M, and a slit for allowing the recording sheet M to be carried out. ing.
In addition, at least one portion of the wall surface of the heating housing K is formed of a radiation thermometer for detecting the temperature of the outer surface of the transfer belt S or the surface of the recording sheet M on the transfer belt S. A temperature sensor G3 is provided. In this case, the control unit J controls the amount of current to the heater 108 so that the temperature sensor G3 detects 180 ° C.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a schematic configuration of a sublimation type printer according to the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a side view schematically showing a main part of the sublimation type printer of FIG.
FIG. 3 is a side view of a sublimation printer according to another embodiment.
FIG. 4 is a side view of a sublimation printer according to still another embodiment.
[Explanation of symbols]
M Recording sheet (recording medium)
B base sheet
T protective layer
S, S2 Transfer belt (transfer medium)
R ink receiving layer
P print section
F Transfer fixing unit
6 Crimping drum (Crimping member)
8. Heating element (heat source)
C Cleaning section
15 Heating element (heat source)
9,48 Transport mechanism
20 Auxiliary transport mechanism
30 Pressing mechanism

Claims (6)

A printing unit for carrying an image with a sublimable ink on a transfer medium having an ink receiving layer; And a transport mechanism for transporting the transfer medium from the printing unit to the transfer / fixing unit, and a cleaning unit for removing ink components remaining on the transfer medium is provided by the cleaning unit. Sublimation type printer provided downstream of the fixing unit. The sublimation type printer according to claim 1, wherein the cleaning unit includes a heating mechanism that reheats the transfer medium. The sublimation printer according to claim 2, wherein the heating mechanism of the cleaning unit heats the transfer medium to a temperature higher than a heating temperature of the transfer fixing unit. 4. The sublimation according to claim 1, wherein the transfer fixing unit includes the transfer medium and the pressure member pressed against the recording medium that move together, and a heat source that heats the pressure member. 5. Type printer. The sublimation type printer according to claim 4, further comprising a pressing mechanism that presses a portion of the transfer medium and the recording medium that move together with the pressing member in a planar manner. 2. The transfer medium is an endless transfer belt, and the transport mechanism rotationally drives the transfer belt along a rotation path including the printing unit, the transfer fixing unit, and the cleaning unit. 3. 6. The sublimation type printer according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

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