JP2005238667A - Intermediate transfer type thermal transfer printer - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an intermediate transfer type thermal transfer printer capable of improving printing quality by preventing a film F from meandering by eliminating the problem that meandering such as sliding in the lateral direction or creasing tends to occur on the film F in the rotating of a supply side bobbin 15 in a condition that a rotational center axis line L1 of a first core section 46 and a rotational center axis line L2 of a second core section 52 are not coincident with each other. <P>SOLUTION: In this intermediate transfer type thermal transfer printer, the recessed and protruding tip portions of the first core section 46 and the second core section 52 are fitted with each other, and a third core section 146 and a fourth core section 152 are fitted with each other in the same manner as the above in order to readily and surely coincide the rotational centers of the first core section and the second core section 52 with each other. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to an intermediate transfer type thermal transfer printing apparatus for transferring a printed image once onto a film and then transferring the image on the film onto the surface of a recording medium.

  Conventionally, there is JP-A 2000-187712 as a technology in such a field. The card recording apparatus described in this publication is an apparatus for printing a desired image on the surface of a card with a magnetic stripe, an IC card, or the like. That is, in this card recording apparatus, a film and a color ink ribbon are sandwiched between a thermal head and a platen roller, and an image is once thermally transferred (primary transfer) onto the film by the color ink ribbon, and then the image on the film and the card are transferred. The film is heated with a heat roller while overlapping the surface. At this time, by pressing the film against the card, the image on the film is retransferred (secondary transfer) to the surface of the card.

JP 2000-187712 A Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 5-169692 Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 5-261951

  A film applied to such an apparatus is formed very thin, and if the thickness is not uniform, the film is likely to meander during transportation. In addition, when a flicker phenomenon occurs in the rotation of the supply side bobbin and the take-up side bobbin, the film during conveyance is likely to meander in a slipping manner, thereby causing printing misalignment. In particular, this apparatus is a type that performs primary transfer and secondary transfer, and the film reciprocates, so that the meandering of the film greatly affects the print quality.

  In particular, an object of the present invention is to provide an intermediate transfer type thermal transfer printing apparatus which improves the printing quality by preventing meandering of a film.

  In the intermediate transfer type thermal transfer printing apparatus according to the present invention, an image is thermally transferred to a film based on a color arrangement on an ink ribbon by the cooperation of a thermal head and a platen, and the film is heated on a recording medium while being heated by a heat roller. In the intermediate transfer type thermal transfer printing apparatus that re-transfers the image on the film to the surface of the recording medium by pressing, a supply-side bobbin that fixes one end of the film and feeds the film is inserted from one end of the supply-side bobbin And is inserted from the other end of the supply-side bobbin and rotates integrally with the supply-side bobbin so as to face the first core portion. The second core part, the winding side bobbin that winds up the film with the other end of the film fixed, and being inserted from one end of the winding side bobbin A third core portion that rotates integrally with the take-up bobbin, and is inserted from the other end of the take-up bobbin, and rotates integrally with the take-up bobbin facing the third core portion. A first core portion and a second core portion so that the rotation center axis of the first core portion coincides with the rotation center axis of the second core portion. The tip portion of the third core portion and the tip portion of the fourth core portion are fitted to the tip portion so that the rotation center axis of the third core portion matches the rotation center axis of the fourth core portion. It is characterized in that the tip portion is concavo-convexly fitted.

  This intermediate transfer type thermal transfer printing device is a type of printing device that performs primary transfer with the cooperation of a thermal head and a platen, and secondary transfer with a heat roller, and performs primary transfer while transporting a film and ink ribbon. Then, the secondary transfer is performed while the film is conveyed. Also, if the rotation center axis of the first core portion and the rotation center axis of the second core portion are inconsistent, meandering and wrinkles that cause skidding on the film during rotation of the supply side bobbin It tends to occur. Therefore, in order to easily and surely match the rotation centers of the first core portion and the second core portion, the leading end portion of the first core portion and the leading end portion of the second core portion are concavo-convexly fitted. . The same applies to the third core portion and the fourth core portion.

  In addition, the concave-convex fitting is performed by the cooperation of a convex portion protruding along the rotation center axis and a concave portion recessed along the rotation center axis, and a chamfered portion such that the tip of the convex portion is tapered, It is preferable that a chamfered portion that is formed at the tip of one opposing core portion and that the tip of the concave portion is widened is formed at the tip of the other opposing core portion. When the concave / convex fitting is performed, the concave / convex fitting between the first core portion and the second core portion, and the third core portion and the fourth core portion are performed in cooperation with the chamfered portion on the convex portion side and the chamfered portion on the concave portion side. The concave-convex fitting with the core portion can be performed smoothly.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to improve the print quality by preventing the meandering of the film.

  DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of an intermediate transfer type thermal transfer printing apparatus according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the intermediate transfer type thermal transfer printing apparatus 1 is also called a card printer, and once a printed image is transferred to a transparent film F having a thickness of about 20 μm, the recording medium (for example, plastic) is transferred from the film F. (Transfer cash card, credit card, prepaid card, IC card, etc.). Such a thermal transfer printing apparatus 1 is used when issuing the card S, and can print a high-quality image on the surface of the card S. Therefore, it is possible to issue a card S containing a face photo for the purpose of improving security.

  Such an intermediate transfer type thermal transfer printing apparatus 1 has a stock unit 2 for setting a plastic card S to be printed in a stacked state. The cards S are fed out one by one from the bottom of the stock unit 2 by the forward and backward movement of the delivery claw 3, and the cards S fed out from the stock unit 2 are once loaded into the reversing unit 4. After the reversing unit 4 is rotated 90 degrees from the horizontal state, when the card S is raised by the feed roller 6, the card S is fed into the magnetic reading / writing unit 7. The magnetic reading / writing unit 7 writes predetermined information in the magnetic stripe of the card S or reads predetermined information in the magnetic stripe.

  On the other hand, when the card S is lowered by the feed roller 6, the card S is fed into the non-contact IC reading / writing unit 8. Then, the non-contact IC reading / writing unit 8 writes predetermined information in the IC of the card S or reads predetermined information in the IC. After that, the card S sent out from the reversing unit 4 passes through the detachable cleaning roller 10, and then the card S is moved by the conveying roller 11 until just before image printing while being supported on both sides by the guide groove 12.

  In addition, when magnetic detection or non-contact IC detection is not necessary, the reversing unit 4 is maintained horizontally. The card S determined to be inappropriate by the magnetic reading / writing unit 7 or the non-contact IC reading / writing unit 8 is discharged into the eject box 9 by the feed roller 6 after the reversing unit 4 rotates.

  Next, in order to enable image transfer to the card S, the thermal transfer printing apparatus 1 includes a recording unit (primary transfer unit) A that thermally transfers an image to the film F, an image transferred to the film F, and the card S. And a re-transfer portion (secondary transfer portion) B that thermally transfers the image to the card S, and a warp correction portion C that corrects the warp of the card S after the image transfer.

  Further, the thermal transfer printing apparatus 1 includes a film cartridge 13 and a ribbon cartridge 14 that can be exchanged by inserting and removing. In the film cartridge 13, the film F is wound around a pair of upper and lower bobbins 15 and 16, and in the ribbon cartridge 14, the color ink ribbon R is wound around a pair of upper and lower bobbins 17 and 18. The color ink ribbon R in the ribbon cartridge 14 is periodically coated with ink of three colors (or four colors including black) of meltable or sublimable yellow, magenta, and cyan as one frame. ing.

  Here, in the recording section A described above, the film F is pressed against the substantially half circumferential surface of the platen roller 20 by the cooperation of the film drawing rollers 19a and 19b that can advance and retreat in the horizontal direction and the platen roller (commonly called “platen”) 20. The color ink ribbon R is pressed against the film F on the platen roller 20 by the thermal head 21. Then, the film F and the color ink ribbon R are sent downward while being synchronized, so that the first color (cyan) of the color ink ribbon R is thermally transferred onto the film F by the heated thermal head 21.

  Next, the thermal head 21 is moved backward by the rack and pinion drive mechanism 22 so that the film F and the color ink ribbon R are separated from each other, while the platen roller 20 is reversed and the film F is raised to the original position. Return. Thereafter, while repeating the above-described transfer operation, colors are layered on the film F in the order of magenta, yellow, and black to create a desired color image on the film F.

  Thereafter, the recorded image on the film F is moved to the front of the heat roller 23 by the rotation of the winding side bobbin 16 or the like. At this time, the leading edge of the card S is aligned with the leading edge of the recorded image on the film F, and the card S and the film F are sent to the retransfer section B in a state of being superimposed.

  In the re-transfer section B, the aligned card S and film F are sandwiched between the heat roller 23 and the pressure roller 24 in a superimposed state, and pressed with the heat roller 23 heated to 160 to 200 ° C. The recorded image on the film F is gradually transferred onto the surface of the card S while the card S and the film F are conveyed under pressure in cooperation with the roller 24. At this time, the film F is wound around the bobbin 16 while being peeled from the card S. Further, since the card S heated by the heat roller 23 is warped, the card S is sent to the warp correction unit C, subjected to pressure treatment, and then discharged out of the apparatus 1 in a straight state.

  In such a thermal transfer printing apparatus 1, a film cartridge 13 and a ribbon cartridge 14 which are detachable are used, and the film F and the color ink ribbon R can be exchanged. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, a cylindrical supply-side bobbin 15 to which one end of the film F is fixed is disposed on the upper side of the film cartridge 13, and the other end of the film F is fixed to the lower side. A cylindrical take-up bobbin 16 is disposed. The resin-made supply-side bobbin 15 and the take-up-side bobbin 16 can be exchanged, and the supply-side bobbin 15 and the take-up-side bobbin 16 are mounted in parallel with each other in the film cartridge 13 during film replacement. .

  Furthermore, one end of a pair of left and right upstream guide pins 33 and 34 for horizontally stretching the film F on the upper side of the film cartridge 13 is fixed to the upper part of the base plate 30 arranged vertically. One end of a pair of left and right downstream guide pins 35 and 36 for horizontally stretching the film F under the film cartridge 13 is fixed to the lower part. Furthermore, between the upper guide pin 34 and the lower guide pin 36, one end of a guide pin 37 for fixing the film F vertically is fixed to the base plate 30.

  The recording portion (primary transfer portion) A can be arranged between the guide pin 34 and the guide pin 37 by arranging the guide pins 33 to 37 extending horizontally in such an arrangement relationship. Further, a retransfer portion (secondary transfer portion) B (see FIG. 1) can be disposed between the guide pin 35 and the guide pin 36.

  Further, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, in order to appropriately rotate the supply-side bobbin 15, a driven shaft 40 is erected on the base plate 30, and the driven shaft 40 is attached to the base plate 30 with an adjusting screw. A bearing 42 fixed via 41 is rotatably held. The adjustment screw 41 is inserted into a screw insertion hole 42b provided in the flange portion 42a of the bearing 42, and the finely adjustable bearing 42 has a gap between the adjustment screw 41 and the wall surface forming the screw insertion hole 42b. It can be displaced up, down, left and right by the same amount.

  Further, a loosening knob 44 is fixed to the outer end of the driven shaft 40 by a stop pin 43, and a first core portion 46 inserted from one end side of the supply side bobbin 15 is provided to the inner end of the driven shaft 40. It is firmly fixed by the cooperation of the screw 47 and the set pin 45. Therefore, by rotating the knob 44 forward or backward, the first core portion 46 can be rotated in a desired direction following this. Such an operation is used when the film F is loosened when the cartridge 13 is set.

  In addition, a key portion 48 extending in the axial direction is integrally formed on the outer peripheral surface of the first core portion 46, and the through hole 49 (see FIG. 2) provided in the supply-side bobbin 15 has a key A spline groove 49a (see FIG. 2) into which the portion 48 is fitted is formed. Accordingly, the first core portion 46 is inserted from one end side of the bobbin 15, and at the same time, the key portion 48 is fitted into the spline groove 49a. With such a configuration, the attachment and detachment of the bobbin 15 can be easily achieved, and the supply-side bobbin 15 and the first core portion 46 can be integrally rotated. The supply-side bobbin 15 is not provided with a flange, and the end of the bobbin 15 is pressed against the flange portion 46 a provided on the first core portion 46.

  Furthermore, in order to drive the supply-side bobbin 15 appropriately, the drive shaft 51 protrudes from the apparatus main body 50 (see FIG. 1) side where various drive mechanisms are provided, and the drive shaft 51 has a bearing (not shown). And is rotatably attached to the apparatus main body 50. A second core portion 52 having a flange portion 52a is fixed to the distal end of the drive shaft 51 by the cooperation of a set pin 53 and a female screw 55, and a proximal end of the drive shaft 51 is connected to a motor. A gear part is provided. In addition, a key portion 54 extending in the axial direction is integrally formed on the outer peripheral surface of the second core portion 52 disposed so as to face the first core portion 46. Therefore, when the second core portion 52 is inserted from the other end side of the bobbin 15, the key portion 54 is fitted into the spline groove 49 a (see FIG. 2) of the through hole 49.

  With such a configuration, the attachment and detachment of the bobbin 15 can be easily achieved, the supply-side bobbin 15 and the second core part 52 can be integrally rotated, and a rotational force can be applied to the supply-side bobbin 15. it can. The helical spring 56 is disposed between the first core portion 46 and the bearing 42 so that when the film cartridge 13 is mounted in the thermal transfer printing apparatus 1, the end surface of the supply-side bobbin 15 The second core portions 46 and 52 can be reliably pressed against the flange portions 46a and 52a. Thereby, positioning of the supply-side bobbin 15 in the thrust direction is achieved.

  If a flutter phenomenon occurs in the rotation of the supply-side bobbin 15 mounted in this manner, a side-sliding meandering is likely to occur in the film F, thereby causing printing misalignment. In particular, since the film F reciprocates during the primary transfer in the recording unit A, the meandering of the film F greatly affects the print quality.

  Therefore, a cylindrical convex portion 60 (see FIG. 6) protruding along the rotation center axis L2 is integrally formed at the tip of the second core portion 52 formed relatively short, and at least the bobbin 15 A recess 61 that is recessed along the rotation center axis L1 is formed at the distal end portion of the first core portion 46 that is formed to have a length that exceeds half of the total length of the first core portion 46. And the convex part 60 and the recessed part 61 are uneven | corrugated along rotation axis direction L1, L2 so that the rotation center axis line L1 of the 1st core part 46 and the rotation center axis line L2 of the 2nd core part 52 may correspond. Fit. Thereby, the 1st core part 46 and the 2nd core part 52 can be integrated so that attachment or detachment is possible on rotation center axis line L1, L2.

  Therefore, when the film F is exchanged, the handle provided on the base plate 30 is grasped and the film cartridge 13 is pulled out in the horizontal direction, so that the convex portion 60 of the second core portion 52 can be removed from the first core portion 46. The recess 61 is released. In contrast, when the film cartridge 13 is loaded into the apparatus main body (see FIG. 1), the convex portion 60 of the second core portion 52 is fitted into the concave portion 61 of the first core portion 46. Further, a chamfered portion 63 is formed at the tip of the second core portion 52 so that the tip of the convex portion 60 is tapered, and at the tip of the first core portion 46, the tip of the concave portion 61 is outward. A chamfered portion 64 is formed so as to spread toward the surface. Therefore, the chamfered portions 63 and 64 function as guide surfaces, and the above-described uneven fitting is smoothly performed.

  Next, the winding side bobbin 16 will be described. As shown in FIG. 5, in order to appropriately rotate the winding side bobbin 16 provided with the flange portion 16 a, a driven shaft 140 is erected on the base plate 30, and the driven shaft 140 is connected to the base plate 30. Are rotatably held by a bearing 142 fixed via an adjusting screw 141. The adjustment screw 141 is inserted into a screw insertion hole 142b provided in the flange portion 142a of the bearing 142, and the finely adjustable bearing 142 is a gap between the adjustment screw 141 and the wall surface forming the screw insertion hole 142b. It can be displaced up, down, left and right by the same amount.

  Further, a loosening knob 144 is fixed to the outer end of the driven shaft 140 by a stop pin 143, and a third core portion 146 inserted from one end side of the take-up bobbin 16 to the inner end of the driven shaft 140. Is firmly fixed by the cooperation of the screw 147 and the set pin 145. Accordingly, by rotating the knob 144 forward or backward, the first core portion 146 can be rotated in a desired direction following this. Such an operation is used when the film F is loosened when the cartridge 13 is set.

  Further, a key portion 148 extending in the axial direction is integrally formed on the outer peripheral surface of the third core portion 146, and a through hole 149 (see FIG. 2) provided in the winding side bobbin 16 includes A spline groove 149a (see FIG. 2) into which the key portion 148 is fitted is formed. Accordingly, the key portion 148 is fitted into the spline groove 149a at the same time when the third core portion 146 is inserted from one end side of the bobbin 16. With such a configuration, the bobbin 16 can be easily attached and detached, and the winding-side bobbin 16 and the third core portion 146 can be integrally rotated. Note that the end of the bobbin 16 is pressed against a flange portion 146 a provided on the third core portion 146.

  Further, in order to appropriately drive the take-up bobbin 16, the drive shaft 151 protrudes from the apparatus main body 50 (see FIG. 1) side where various drive mechanisms are provided, and the drive shaft 151 is a bearing (not shown). It is rotatably attached to the apparatus main body 50 via. A fourth core portion 152 having a flange portion 152a is fixed to the distal end of the drive shaft 151 by the cooperation of the set pin 153 and the female screw 155, and a proximal end of the drive shaft 151 is connected to the motor. A gear part is provided. A key portion 154 extending in the axial direction is integrally formed on the outer peripheral surface of the fourth core portion 152 disposed so as to face the third core portion 146. Accordingly, the fourth core portion 152 is inserted from the other end side of the bobbin 16, and the key portion 154 is fitted into the spline groove 149a (see FIG. 2) of the through hole 149, so that the bobbin 16 can be easily attached and detached. .

  With such a configuration, the winding-side bobbin 16 and the fourth core part 152 can be integrally rotated, and a rotational force can be applied to the winding-side bobbin 16. Note that the spiral spring 156 is disposed between the third core portion 146 and the bearing 142 so that when the film cartridge 13 is mounted in the thermal transfer printing apparatus 1, the end surface of the winding-side bobbin 16 is moved to the third side. And it can press to the flange parts 146a and 152a of the 4th core parts 146 and 152 reliably. Thereby, positioning of the winding side bobbin 16 in the thrust direction is achieved.

  Then, if a fluttering phenomenon occurs in the rotation of the take-up bobbin 16 mounted in this manner, a meandering that slips easily occurs on the film F, thereby causing printing misalignment. In particular, since the film F reciprocates during the primary transfer in the recording unit A, the meandering of the film F greatly affects the print quality.

  Therefore, a cylindrical convex portion 160 that protrudes along the rotation center axis L4 is integrally formed at the tip of the fourth core portion 152 that is formed relatively short, and is relatively long, for example, at least of the bobbin 16. A recess 161 that is recessed along the rotation center axis L3 is formed at the tip of the third core portion 146 that is formed to have a length that exceeds half the total length, with the projection 160 inserted. Then, the protrusion 160 and the recess 161 are uneven along the rotation axis directions L3 and L4 so that the rotation center axis L3 of the third core portion 146 and the rotation center axis L4 of the fourth core portion 152 coincide with each other. Fit. Thereby, the 3rd core part 146 and the 4th core part 152 can be integrated so that insertion / extraction is possible on rotation center axis line L3, L4.

  Therefore, when the film F is replaced, the handle provided on the base plate 30 is grasped and the film cartridge 13 is pulled out in the horizontal direction, so that the convex portion 160 of the fourth core portion 152 can be removed from the third core portion 146. The recess 161 is removed. In contrast, when the film cartridge 13 is loaded into the apparatus main body 50 (see FIG. 1), the convex portion 160 of the fourth core portion 152 is fitted into the concave portion 161 of the third core portion 146. Further, a chamfered portion 163 is formed at the tip of the fourth core portion 152 so that the tip of the convex portion 160 is tapered, and the tip of the concave portion 161 is outward at the tip of the third core portion 146. A chamfered portion 164 is formed so as to expand toward the front. Therefore, the chamfered portions 163 and 164 function as a guide surface, and the above-described uneven fitting is smoothly performed.

  The present invention is not limited to the embodiment described above. For example, a convex portion may be formed at the distal end portion of the first core portion 46, and a concave portion may be formed at the distal end portion of the second core portion 52 so that the concave and convex portions are fitted. Further, a convex portion may be formed at the distal end portion of the third core portion 146, and a concave portion may be formed at the distal end portion of the fourth core portion 152 so that the concave and convex portions are fitted. Moreover, you may spline-join a convex part and a recessed part.

1 is a front view showing an embodiment of an intermediate transfer type thermal transfer printing apparatus according to the present invention. It is sectional drawing which shows the film cartridge applied to the thermal transfer printing apparatus of FIG. It is a perspective view which shows a film cartridge. It is sectional drawing which shows the fitting state of a 1st core part and a 2nd core part. It is sectional drawing which shows the fitting state of a 3rd core part and a 4th core part. It is a perspective view which shows a 2nd core part.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Intermediate transfer type thermal transfer printing apparatus, 13 ... Film cartridge, 15 ... Supply side bobbin, 16 ... Winding side bobbin, 20 ... Platen roller (platen), 21 ... Thermal head, 23 ... Heat roller, 46 ... First Core part, 52 ... second core part, 60, 160 ... convex part, 61, 161 ... concave part, 63, 64, 163, 164 ... chamfered part, 146 ... third core part, 152 ... fourth core part , F ... film, R ... color ink ribbon (ink ribbon), S ... card (recording medium), L1-L4 ... rotation center axis.

Claims (2)

The image is thermally transferred to the film based on the color arrangement on the ink ribbon by the cooperation of the thermal head and the platen. In the intermediate transfer type thermal transfer printing device that re-transfers the image above,
A supply-side bobbin for feeding the film with one end of the film fixed;
A first core portion inserted from one end of the supply-side bobbin and rotating integrally with the supply-side bobbin;
A second core portion that is inserted from the other end of the supply-side bobbin and rotates integrally with the supply-side bobbin so as to face the first core portion;
A winding-side bobbin that winds the film with the other end of the film fixed;
A third core part inserted from one end of the winding side bobbin and rotating integrally with the winding side bobbin;
A fourth core portion that is inserted from the other end of the winding side bobbin and that rotates integrally with the winding side bobbin so as to face the third core portion;
The tip end portion of the first core portion and the tip end portion of the second core portion are uneven so that the rotation center axis of the first core portion and the rotation center axis of the second core portion coincide with each other. The tip of the third core part and the tip of the fourth core part are fitted so that the rotation center axis of the third core part and the rotation center axis of the fourth core part coincide with each other. An intermediate transfer type thermal transfer printing apparatus characterized in that a concave portion and a convex portion are fitted to each other.   The concave-convex fitting is performed by cooperation of a convex portion protruding along the rotation center axis and a concave portion recessed along the rotation center axis, and the chamfered portion has a tapered shape at the tip of the convex portion. 2. The chamfered portion is formed at the tip of one of the opposing cores, and a chamfered portion is formed at the tip of the other of the opposing cores so as to widen the tip of the recess. Intermediate transfer type thermal transfer printing device.

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