JP2005212287A - Printer and its recording method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To obtain a good recording of an image with no disturbance on transfer of an ink by preventing a load from being applied on an ink ribbon during transferring the ink by a recording head. <P>SOLUTION: Respective recording heads 11 simultaneously perform head down, and when the first recording head 11a turns the head down, it starts transferring of a corresponding ink 7, and respective recording heads 11b, 11c and 11d except the first recording head 11a respectively successively start transferring of respective corresponding inks 7 when a recording starting position where the recording is started by the first recording head 11a on a recording medium 4 is delivered to head positions of respective recording heads 11b, 11c and 11d. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a printer and a recording method thereof, and more particularly, to a printer that performs recording by a plurality of recording heads using an ink ribbon to which inks of a plurality of colors are sequentially applied, and a recording method thereof.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there has been known a printer that records a desired image on a recording medium by using an ink ribbon to which inks of a plurality of colors are sequentially applied and transferring each of the inks to the recording medium by a plurality of recording heads. It has been.

  FIG. 5 is a conceptual diagram showing an example of a conventional printer. As shown in FIG. 5, the printer 31 includes a platen 32 and a plurality of colors (for example, yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C )) Ink ribbons 34 sequentially coated with ink 33 and the number of colors of each ink 33 are provided so as to face platen 32 through ink ribbons 34 and recording medium 35. And three recording heads 36. The recording heads 36 are separated in the transport direction of the ink ribbon 34 and are arranged in parallel, and the first recording head 36a, the second recording head 36b, and the third recording head 36c are sequentially arranged from the most upstream side in the transport direction of the ink ribbon 34. They are arranged in parallel. In the vicinity of each recording head 36, recording medium detecting means 38 for detecting the recording start position of the recording medium 35 conveyed to each head position is provided.

  The printer 31 conveys the recording medium 35 and the ink ribbon 34, and when the first recording medium detection means 38a provided in the vicinity of the first recording head 36a detects the recording start position of the recording medium 35, the first recording medium 35 The head 36a is lowered in the direction in which the recording medium 35 is located, and the transfer operation of the ink 33 to the recording medium 35 is started by the first recording head 36a. Subsequently, when the second recording medium detection unit 38b provided in the vicinity of the second recording head 36b detects the recording start position of the conveyed recording medium 35, the second recording head 36b is moved down and the second recording head 36b is moved down. 2 The transfer operation is started by the recording head 36b. Further, when the third recording medium detecting unit 38c provided in the vicinity of the third recording head 36c detects the recording start position of the conveyed recording medium 35, the third recording head 36c is lowered to perform the third recording. The transfer operation is started by the head 36c. In this way, the printer 31 obtains a desired image on the recording medium 35 by sequentially moving the recording heads 36 down and performing a transfer operation (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

  According to such a conventional printer 31, as compared with a printer that performs recording using an ink ribbon in which a plurality of colors of ink are sequentially applied by a single recording head, recording is performed each time ink 33 of each color is transferred. Since there is no need to feed back the medium 35, the recording speed can be increased.

  Also, the conventional printer 31 can save space compared to a printer that uses a plurality of ink ribbons provided for each of a plurality of colors of ink and performs recording with a recording head corresponding to each ink ribbon. .

  However, according to the conventional printer 31 described above, each recording head 36 is individually headed down each time the recording medium detecting means 38 detects that the recording start position of the recording medium 35 has been conveyed to each head position. Therefore, a load is applied to the ink ribbon 34 every time the recording heads 36 are headed down. For this reason, for example, when the second recording head 36b or the third recording head 36c is lowered while the ink is transferred by the first recording head 36a and a load is applied to the ink ribbon 34, the ink by the first recording head 36a is used. There is a possibility that the transfer of 33 may be disturbed, and as a result, a good image recording cannot be obtained.

JP-A-5-31929

  The present invention has been made in view of these points, and prevents a load from being applied to the ink ribbon while the ink is being transferred by the recording head. It is an object of the present invention to provide a printer capable of obtaining an image record and a recording method thereof.

  In order to achieve the above object, a printer according to the present invention is characterized in that an ink ribbon in which a plurality of color inks are sequentially applied in a length corresponding to a predetermined recording length of a recording medium, and each of the inks And a plurality of recording heads provided in parallel with each other and spaced apart in the transport direction of the ink ribbon, the recording heads simultaneously head down, The first recording head provided on the most upstream side in the transport direction of the ink ribbon among the recording heads starts to transfer the corresponding ink when the head goes down, and the first recording head among the recording heads. Each of the other recording heads except the recording head has a recording start position at which recording by the first recording head in the recording medium is started at the head position of each recording head. Once sent, lies in sequentially initiating transcription of the respective inks corresponding.

  According to the printer of the present invention, when the recording start position of the recording medium is conveyed to the first recording head, the other recording heads are also headed down simultaneously with the heading down of the first recording head. It is possible to prevent a load from being applied to the ink ribbon due to the other recording head heading down during the corresponding ink transfer operation.

  According to another aspect of the printer of the invention, the recording start position of the recording medium is transported to the head position of the recording head provided on the most downstream side in the transport direction of the ink ribbon. In the state where the head is down at the same time.

  According to another printer described in the present invention, since each recording head is headed down in a state where the recording medium is conveyed to the head position of each recording head, each recording head that is headed down and the platen are narrow. There is no need to pass the leading edge of the recording medium through the gap, and the recording medium can be smoothly conveyed.

  Another feature of the printer according to the present invention is that it has a ribbon guide for guiding the conveyance of the ink ribbon, and is provided with a guide pulling means for pulling the ribbon guide away from the platen.

  According to another printer of the present invention, since the ribbon guide is pulled away from the platen by the guide pulling means, the ink ribbon is also pulled away from the platen. Can be transported with tension.

  Another feature of the printer according to the present invention is that it has a ribbon guide for guiding the conveyance of the ink ribbon, and is provided with torque applying means for applying a load to the rotation in the conveyance direction of the ink ribbon with respect to the ribbon guide. In the point.

  According to the other printer described in the present invention, a load is applied to the rotation of the ribbon guide in the transport direction by the torque applying unit, so that a constant load is applied to the transport of the ink ribbon. Can be transported.

  Further, the printer description method according to the present invention is characterized in that an ink ribbon in which a plurality of color inks are sequentially applied by a length corresponding to a predetermined recording length of the recording medium and the recording medium are conveyed. Corresponding to the number of colors of each of the inks, and is provided on the most downstream side in the ink ribbon transport direction among a plurality of recording heads that are separated in the ink ribbon transport direction and provided in parallel with each other. In the state where the recording start position of the recording medium is conveyed to the head position of the recording head, when the recording heads are simultaneously headed down and the recording heads are headed down, the ink of the recording heads The first recording head provided on the most upstream side in the ribbon transport direction starts the transfer of the corresponding ink, and the first recording head When the recording start position where recording is started by the first recording head in the recording medium is conveyed to the head position of the other recording head excluding the print head, the corresponding recording inks are used by the other recording heads. The point is that the transfer of the images starts sequentially.

  According to the printer description method of the present invention, when the recording start position of the recording medium is conveyed to the first recording head, the other recording heads head down simultaneously with the head down of the first recording head. It is possible to prevent a load from being applied to the ink ribbon due to the other recording head heading down during the corresponding ink transfer operation by each recording head.

  As described above, according to each printer and printer recording method of the present invention, no load is applied to the ink ribbon during the ink transfer operation, so that the ink transfer is not disturbed. Good image recording can be obtained.

  Further, by using the guide pulling means and the torque applying means, the ink ribbon can be transported with a constant tension, so that the ink ribbon can be prevented from wrinkling, and a better image can be recorded. Can be obtained.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment of a printer according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

  FIG. 1 is a conceptual diagram showing a printer according to this embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, the printer 1 of this embodiment has a platen 2 that is cylindrical and rotatable in the circumferential direction.

  A part of the peripheral surface of the platen 2 is a conveyance path through which one end portion of the recording medium 4 made of a long paper wound around the recording medium roller 3 is conveyed along the peripheral surface. In the vicinity of the peripheral surface of the platen 2, a plurality of pressing rollers 5 are provided for pressing the recording medium 4 against the conveyance path.

  The printer 1 has an ink ribbon 8 in which a plurality of color inks 7 are sequentially applied in a length dimension corresponding to a predetermined recording length dimension of the recording medium 4. The coating surface is attached so as to face the peripheral surface of the platen 2. In this embodiment, C, M, Y and colorless and transparent overcoat (OC) inks 7C, 7M, 7Y, 7OC are sequentially applied to the ink ribbon 8 from the upstream side in the transport direction. In addition, a leading mark (not shown) is formed between the leading portion of the ink 7C on the downstream side in the transport direction of the ink ribbon 8 in the region where the C ink 7C is applied, that is, between the ink 7C and the ink 7OC. Has been.

  A plurality of (in this embodiment, four) recording heads 11 corresponding to the number of colors of each ink 7 are conveyed to the ink ribbon 8 at a position facing the platen 2 via the recording medium 4 and the ink ribbon 8. They are spaced apart in the direction and provided in parallel with each other. In the present embodiment, each recording head 11 transfers the first recording head 11a for transferring the ink 7C, the second recording head 11b for transferring the ink 7M, and the ink 7Y for transferring the ink 7Y from the most upstream side in the transport direction of the ink ribbon 8. The third recording head 11c and the fourth recording head 11d to which the ink 7OC is transferred.

  In the vicinity of the first recording head 11a, a ribbon detecting means 13 for detecting the leading mark of the ink ribbon 8 and a recording medium detecting means 14 for managing that the recording medium 4 is conveyed to the head position of the fourth recording head 11d. Is provided.

  Each recording head 11 detects that the leading mark of the ink ribbon 8 is detected by the ribbon detection means 13, and the recording medium 4 is conveyed to the head position of the fourth recording head 11d by the recording medium detection means 14. Upon confirmation, as shown in FIG. 2, the heads down simultaneously in the direction in which the recording medium 4 is located.

  Further, the ink ribbon 8 is provided in the vicinity of each recording head 11 from the delivery roller 15 and moves together in accordance with the head down operation of each recording head 11, and the platen more than each recording head 11. 2 are guided and conveyed by a plurality of guide rollers 17 as ribbon guides disposed at positions separated from 2, and are taken up by a take-up roller 18.

  As shown in FIG. 3, a roller shaft 20 is provided at the center of each cylindrical guide roller 17. One end of the roller shaft 20 is connected to one end of a support plate 21 and supported by the support plate 21. Has been.

  A torque applying spring 23 as a torque applying means is attached to one end of the roller shaft 20 that is supported by the support plate 21. One end of the torque applying spring 23 is fixed to the support plate 21, and the torque applying spring 23 pushes the guide roller 17 toward the other end of the roller shaft 20 by the other end. The guide roller 17 is pressed against the pressing member 22 attached to the other end portion of the roller shaft 20 by the torque applying spring 23, so that the torque applying spring 23 is connected to the guide roller 17. A load is applied to the rotation in the conveying direction.

  At the other end of the support plate 21, a guide tension spring 24 as a guide tension means for applying a force in a direction away from the platen 2 to each guide roller 17 via the support plate 21 is provided with a spring shaft 25. Is attached through. Thereby, each guide roller 17 can be swung in a direction approaching and separating from the platen 2.

  Here, the relationship between the application length dimension of each ink 7 on the ink ribbon 8 and the arrangement position of each recording head 11 will be described.

  The application length dimension of each ink 7 is a length dimension corresponding to a predetermined recording length dimension of the recording medium 4 as described above, and more specifically, a dimension substantially the same as or slightly longer than the recording length dimension. Has been.

  The intervals at which the recording heads 11 are arranged are determined by the relationship between the application length dimension of the ink 7 on the ink ribbon 8 and the conveyance speed of the recording medium 4. Specifically, the second recording head 11b uses the position where the leading position of the ink 7C is conveyed to the first recording head 11a when the recording start position of the recording medium 4 faces the first recording head 11a as a reference. When the start position faces the second recording head 11b, the leading position of the ink 7M is disposed at a position where the ink 7M is conveyed to the second recording head 11b. Further, the third recording head 11c is disposed at a position where the leading position of the ink 7Y is conveyed to the third recording head 11c when the recording start position faces the third recording head 11c. Further, the fourth recording head 11d is similarly disposed at a position where the leading position of the ink 7OC is conveyed to the fourth recording head 11d when the recording start position of the recording medium 4 faces the fourth recording head 11d. .

  Next, a recording method of the printer 1 will be described.

  First, when image recording data such as desired characters and figures is input to the printer 1, the printer 1 conveys the recording medium 4 and the ink ribbon 8.

  Subsequently, the ribbon detection means 13 detects the head mark of the ink ribbon 8 to cue the ink ribbon 8.

  At this time, when it is confirmed by the recording medium detection means 14 that the recording medium 4 is being transported to the head position of the fourth recording head 11d, the recording heads 11 are simultaneously headed down. On the other hand, when the recording medium detection unit 14 cannot confirm that the recording medium 4 is being transported to the head position of the fourth recording head 11d, the recording medium 4 is transported to confirm that the recording medium 4 has been transported. Thereafter, each recording head 11 is headed down.

  At this time, as shown in FIG. 4A, the first recording head 11a is opposed to the leading portion of the ink 7C in the ink ribbon 8 (a chain line in FIG. 4). 4, transfer of the ink 7C is started.

  Subsequently, as shown in FIG. 4B, when the recording start position in the recording medium 4 where recording is started by the first recording head 11a is transported to a position facing the second recording head 11b, the second recording head. The head portion of the ink 7M (indicated by a dotted line in FIG. 4) in the ink ribbon 8 is opposed to 11b. Therefore, the transfer of the ink 7M is started from the recording start position of the recording medium 4 by the second recording head 11b.

  The transfer start timing by the second recording head 11b may be set based on the time during which the recording start position of the recording medium 4 is conveyed from the first recording head 11a to the second recording head 11b. Further, a second recording medium detecting means (not shown) for detecting that the recording start position of the recording medium 4 has been transported to a position facing the second recording head 11b is provided in the vicinity of the second recording head 11b. The transfer may be set to start when the recording start position is detected by the second recording medium detection means.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 4C, when the recording start position of the recording medium 4 is transported to a position facing the third recording head 11c, the third recording head 11c receives the ink 7Y (in the ink ribbon 8). Since the leading portions of the two dots (indicated by a two-dot chain line in FIG. 4) face each other, the transfer of the ink 7Y to the recording medium 4 is started by the third recording head 11c.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 4D, when the recording start position of the recording medium 4 is transported to a position facing the fourth recording head 11d, the fourth recording head 11d receives ink 7OC (see FIG. 4) (shown by a solid line in FIG. 4) is opposed to each other, and thus the transfer of the ink 7OC to the recording medium 4 is started by the fourth recording head 11d.

  The start timing of transfer by the third recording head 11c and the fourth recording head 11d is set similarly to the start of transfer by the second recording head 11b.

  Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 4E, when one page of ink 7C on the recording medium 4 is transferred to the first recording head 11a, the transfer operation of the first recording head 11a is completed. Then, the transfer operation of the second recording head 11b and the third recording head 11c is sequentially terminated, and as shown in FIG. 4 (f), the ink 7OC for one page is transferred by the fourth recording head 11d. A record of the image can be obtained.

  In the printer 1, each guide roller 17 is pulled in a direction away from the platen 2 by a guide tension spring 24, and the ink ribbon 8 is pulled in a direction away from the platen 2 by these guide rollers 17. Therefore, a constant tension is applied to the ink ribbon 8.

  Further, each guide roller 17 is loaded by the torque applying spring 23 with respect to the rotation of the ink ribbon 8 in the transport direction. For this reason, the ink ribbon 8 is pulled in the direction opposite to the transport direction. A constant tension is applied to 8.

  According to the present embodiment, when the recording start position of the recording medium 4 is conveyed to the first recording head 11a, the other second recording head 11b, the third recording head 11c, The fourth recording head 11d also goes down. For this reason, it is possible to prevent a load from being applied to the ink ribbon 8 when another recording head 11 heads down during the transfer operation of the corresponding ink 7 by each recording head.

  Accordingly, since no load is applied to the ink ribbon 8 during the transfer operation of the ink 7, it is possible to obtain a good image recording in which the transfer of the ink 7 is not disturbed.

  The recording heads 11 are simultaneously headed down in a state where the recording start position of the recording medium 4 is conveyed to the head position of the fourth recording head 11d. It is not necessary to pass the leading edge of the recording medium 4 through a narrow gap between the recording medium 4 and the recording medium 4 can be smoothly conveyed.

  Further, each guide roller 17 is pulled in a direction away from the platen 2 by the guide tension spring 24, whereby the ink ribbon 8 is also pulled away from the platen 2 and a constant tension is applied. Be transported. Furthermore, since a load is applied to the rotation of each guide roller 17 in the transport direction by the torque application spring 23, a constant load is applied to the transport of the ink ribbon 8. For this reason, even if the slip ratios of the ink ribbons 8 are different in each recording head 11, the ink ribbons 8 are conveyed with a constant tension as a whole.

  Thereby, it is possible to prevent the ink ribbon 8 from wrinkling and to obtain a better image recording.

  In addition, this invention is not limited to the said embodiment, A various change is possible as needed.

  For example, in the present embodiment, the recording medium 4 has been described as a sheet on which direct recording is performed. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the recording medium 4 also includes an intermediate transfer member to which the ink 7 is temporarily transferred. Shall be included.

  In the present embodiment, the recording medium 4 has been described as having a long length wound around the recording medium roller 3, but the present invention is not limited to this, and a cut sheet or the like is used. May be.

  Furthermore, the ink 7 to be used is not limited to the four colors of the present embodiment, and any color may be used as long as it uses two or more colors.

  Furthermore, in the present embodiment, after the ink 7OC is transferred and the recording of one page on the recording medium 4 is completed, the most upstream portion in the transport direction of the ink ribbon 8 in the area of the recording medium 4 where the recording is completed is The recording medium 4 may be transported in the reverse direction so as to reach the vicinity of the downstream side of the first recording head 11a in the transport direction of the ink ribbon 8, and the recording of the next image data may be started in this state. Thereby, the blank part between the recording in the recording medium 4 and the next recording can be largely omitted, and the recording medium 4 can be used efficiently.

1 is a conceptual diagram illustrating a head-up state of each recording head in an embodiment of a printer according to the present invention. FIG. 1 is a conceptual diagram showing a head down state of each recording head in the printer of FIG. 1 is a side sectional view showing a guide roller of an ink ribbon in the printer of FIG. (A)-(f) is a conceptual diagram which shows each process of the recording method in the printer of FIG. Conceptual diagram showing an example of a conventional printer

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Printer 2 Platen 3 Recording medium roller 4 Recording medium 5 Pressing roller 7C, 7M, 7Y, 7OC Ink 8 Ink ribbon 11a, 11b, 11c, 11d Recording head 13 Ribbon detection means 14 Recording medium detection means 17 Guide roller 23 Applying torque Springs 24 Guide tension springs

Claims (5)

An ink ribbon in which a plurality of color inks are sequentially applied in a length dimension corresponding to a predetermined recording length dimension of the recording medium;
A plurality of recording heads corresponding to the number of colors of each ink, spaced apart in the transport direction of the ink ribbon and provided in parallel with each other;
The recording heads simultaneously head down,
The first recording head provided on the most upstream side in the transport direction of the ink ribbon among the recording heads starts to transfer the corresponding ink when the head is down.
Among the recording heads, the recording heads other than the first recording head are transported to the head positions of the respective recording heads at the recording start position where recording is started by the first recording head in the recording medium. And sequentially starting transfer of the corresponding inks.   Each of the recording heads simultaneously heads down in a state where the recording start position of the recording medium is transported to the head position of the recording head provided on the most downstream side in the transport direction of the ink ribbon. Item 2. The printer according to Item 1.   3. The printer according to claim 1, further comprising a guide pulling unit that includes a ribbon guide that guides conveyance of the ink ribbon, and pulls the ribbon guide in a direction away from the platen.   4. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: a ribbon guide that guides the conveyance of the ink ribbon, and a torque applying unit that applies a load to the rotation of the ink ribbon in the conveyance direction of the ink ribbon. A printer according to any one of the above. Transporting the ink ribbon and the recording medium in which a plurality of color inks are sequentially applied in a length corresponding to a predetermined recording length of the recording medium;
Corresponding to the number of colors of each of the inks, it is provided in the most downstream side in the ink ribbon transport direction among a plurality of recording heads separated in the ink ribbon transport direction and provided in parallel with each other. In a state where the recording start position of the recording medium is conveyed to the head position of the recording head, the recording heads are simultaneously headed down,
When each recording head is headed down, transfer of the corresponding ink is started by the first recording head provided on the most upstream side in the transport direction of the ink ribbon among the recording heads,
When the recording start position where recording is started by the first recording head in the recording medium is transported to the head position of other recording heads excluding the first recording head, the recording head corresponds to each of the other recording heads. A printer recording method, wherein the transfer of each ink is started sequentially.