JP2008044180A - Ink cassette, bobbin holding structure, and printer - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To realize a structure capable of surely preventing a slack of an ink sheet generated by rotation of a bobbin even in the isolated condition by suppressing trouble due to breaking or the like. <P>SOLUTION: This ink cassette comprises a first housing section adapted to rotatably accommodate a first bobbin having an ink sheet wound therearound and a second housing section adapted to rotatably accommodate a second bobbin for winding the used ink ribbon supplied from the first bobbin. The ink cassette can be loaded to a printer for performing printing by transferring ink carried on the ink sheet to recording paper. The ink cassette has irregularities continuously formed on the outer circumference of each of the first and second bobbins in the circumferential direction and an engagement section provided to a frame of the ink cassette so as to be displaced between a lock position to be engaged with the irregularities and an unlock position to be separated from the irregularities. The engagement section restricts the rotation of each of the first and second bobbins at the lock position and permits the rotation thereof at the unlock position. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an ink cassette that can be mounted on a printer, a bobbin holding structure of the ink cassette, and a printer.

  Conventionally, printing apparatuses (hereinafter referred to as printers) that print out images from computers (hereinafter referred to as PCs) are classified into thermal transfer printers, ink jet printers, laser printers, wire dot printers, and the like according to the printing method. Among them, the thermal transfer type line printer selectively drives a plurality of heating elements arranged in the main scanning direction to record while conveying the ink sheet (or ink ribbon) and the recording paper in the sub scanning direction. Printing is performed by forming dots in a line on paper.

  In recent years, with the progress of input devices that handle images such as digital cameras, digital video cameras, scanners, and the like, attention has been paid to thermal transfer printers. The thermal transfer printer is suitable for printing out an electronic image such as a still image taken by a digital still camera or a digital video camera via a PC or a memory medium.

  For example, in a printer of another recording method such as an ink jet method, only binary selection of whether or not to form dots can be made. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the dots formed on the recording paper and reduce the apparent resolution by a method such as error diffusion. Realizes gradation. On the other hand, in the thermal transfer printer, one pixel can be easily changed by a controllable heat value, so that it is possible to increase the gradation of one pixel. For this reason, there is an advantage that a smooth and high-quality image can be obtained as compared with printers of other recording methods.

  Further, since the thermal transfer printer and the performance of the recording paper are improved, the thermal transfer printer can obtain an image that is not inferior to a silver salt photograph even in the finished quality. Therefore, in order to keep pace with the recent progress of digital cameras, it is attracting attention as a printer for natural images.

  In addition, a direct printing system that directly connects (or integrally configures) a thermal transfer printer and a digital photographing device such as a digital camera or digital video camera, and directly prints the photographed image without using an image processing device such as a PC. Has also appeared. In this system, image data output from a digital photographing device can be printed easily and photographically, so the degree of attention to a thermal transfer printer is increasing. However, in order to perform full-color printing by the thermal transfer method, it is necessary to repeatedly transfer a plurality of colors of ink.

  A general configuration for realizing full color printing by the thermal transfer method will be described below.

  FIG. 30 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of the thermal transfer printer of Conventional Example 1.

  As shown in FIG. 30A, the recording paper P loaded on the recording paper cassette 107 is separated and fed only by the uppermost recording paper by the paper feeding roller 108 and the separation unit 109, and the thermal head 104 and the platen roller 105 are separated. It is conveyed between.

  During the printing operation, the recording paper P is wound around the outer peripheral surface of the platen roller 105 having a slightly longer circumference than the entire length of the recording paper P, and the ink sheet 106 and the recording paper P are pressed against each other by the thermal head 104 and the platen roller 105. Then, while rotating the platen roller 105, the thermal head 104 generates heat, and the ink carried on the ink sheet 106 is transferred onto the recording paper P.

  As shown in FIG. 30B, in order to transfer the next color after the transfer of the first color ink, the thermal head 104 is released from pressure contact, the platen roller 105 is rotated, and the recording paper P is moved to the print start position. The second and subsequent colors are transferred in the same manner as the first color. With this procedure, full color printing is realized by superimposing three colors of yellow (Y), magenta (M), and cyan (C).

  FIG. 31 is a schematic diagram illustrating a configuration of a thermal transfer printer according to the second conventional example.

  As shown in FIG. 31A, the recording paper P stacked on the recording paper cassette 201 is separated and fed only by the uppermost recording paper by the paper feed roller 202 and the separation unit 203, and the thermal head 204 and the platen roller 205 are fed. It is conveyed between.

  During the printing operation, the ink sheet 206 and the recording paper P are pressed against each other by the thermal head 204 and the platen roller 205. Then, while the recording paper P is conveyed by a pair of capstan rollers 207 and a pinch roller 208 provided on the downstream side in the printing direction, the thermal head 204 generates heat and the ink carried on the ink sheet 206 is transferred to the recording paper P. Transfer on top.

  As shown in FIG. 30B, in order to transfer the next color after the transfer of the first color ink is completed, the pressure contact of the thermal head 204 is released, and the capstan roller 207 and the pinch roller 208 are opposite to the print direction. Rotate in the direction. Then, the recording paper P is returned to the print start position, and the second and subsequent colors are transferred by the same operation as the first color. With this procedure, full color printing is realized by superimposing three colors of yellow (Y), magenta (M), and cyan (C).

  In both cases of FIGS. 30 and 31, the recording paper and the ink sheet in the recording paper cassette need to be replaced / supplemented according to use. Here, the ink sheet is supplied to the user in a form in which both ends of the sheet are wound around two bobbins and the two bobbins and the ink sheet are accommodated in the frames 110 and 210 of FIGS. 30 and 31 as ink cassettes. It is common.

  The ink cassette has a concave gap portion such as 110a and 210a. When the ink cassette is mounted in the printer body, the thermal heads 104 and 204 mounted on the printer are accommodated in the gap portions 110a and 210a. Guided to an appropriate position.

  In both of the conventional examples 1 and 2, it is necessary to replace the ink sheet by attaching and detaching the ink cassette from the inside of the printer body. However, the ink sheet at the time when the ink cassette is taken out when the ink cassette is attached and detached is shown. The problem is whether it is held as it is. That is, if the ink sheet is held at the take-up position as it is taken out, it can be used continuously from the take-up position when the ink cassette is mounted again. However, if the ink sheet is misaligned or loosened when it is re-installed, the leading position of the ink sheet cannot be determined, causing problems in the printing operation, or the ink sheet is caught inside the printer body and damaged when the ink cassette is installed. It becomes the cause of.

In order to solve such a problem, Patent Document 1 discloses an engagement piece provided in the ink ribbon cartridge 10 on the engagement portion 22A of the ink ribbon core 22 when in a single state before being mounted on the printer. 22A engages to prevent rotation of the ink ribbon core. In addition, a configuration is described in which the engagement between the engagement portion 22A of the ink ribbon core 22 and the engagement piece 18D is released when the ink ribbon cartridge 10 is attached to the attachment portion 50A.
Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 06-122264

  According to Patent Document 1, when the ink ribbon cartridge 10 having the engagement piece 18D is attached to the cartridge attachment portion 50A, the protrusion moves in a direction to elastically release the engagement piece 18D of the ink ribbon cartridge 10. Let As a result, the engagement between the engagement portion 22A and the engagement piece 18D is released simply by mounting the ink ribbon cartridge 10 to the cartridge mounting portion 50A. However, when the engagement piece 18D repeats elastic deformation due to the attachment and detachment of the cartridge 10, creep may occur and break, or an inadvertent force may be applied at the time of attachment to cause damage.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object thereof is to realize an ink cassette and a bobbin holding structure that reliably prevent loosening of an ink sheet due to rotation of a bobbin even in a single state while suppressing inconvenience due to breakage or the like. It is to be.

  In order to solve the above problems and achieve the object, an ink cassette according to the present invention is supplied from a first storage unit that rotatably stores a first bobbin around which an ink sheet is wound, and the first bobbin. An ink cassette that can be mounted on a printer that has a second storage unit that rotatably stores a second bobbin that winds up a used ink sheet, and that transfers ink printed on the ink sheet onto a recording sheet for printing An uneven portion continuously formed in the circumferential direction of the outer peripheral surface of the first bobbin and the second bobbin, a lock position that engages with the uneven portion, and an unlock position that is separated from the uneven portion. An engagement portion provided on the casing of the ink cassette so as to be displaced between the first bobbin and the second bobbin at the lock position. Said anne Tsu allows the rotation of the first bobbin and the second bobbin in click position.

  The bobbin holding structure according to the present invention is a printer that rotatably stores a first bobbin around which an ink sheet is wound and a second bobbin that winds up a used ink sheet supplied from the first bobbin. A bobbin holding structure for an ink cassette that can be mounted on a lock position, wherein the first bobbin and the second bobbin are continuously formed with concave and convex portions in the circumferential direction of the outer peripheral surface and engaged with the concave and convex portions; An engaging portion that is displaced between an unlocking position that is spaced apart from the concavo-convex portion is formed, and the engaging portion restricts rotation of the first bobbin and the second bobbin at the locking position, and at the unlocking position, The first bobbin and the second bobbin are allowed to rotate.

  The printer according to the present invention is a thermal transfer printer on which the ink cassette can be mounted, and preferably the ink carried on the ink sheet is transferred to a recording paper by the heat generated by the thermal head and printed.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to realize an ink cassette and a bobbin holding structure that reliably prevent loosening of an ink sheet due to rotation of a bobbin even in a single state while suppressing inconvenience due to breakage or the like.

  The best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

  The embodiment described below is an example as means for realizing the present invention, and should be appropriately modified or changed according to the configuration and various conditions of the apparatus to which the present invention is applied. It is not limited to the embodiment.

<External appearance of integrated ink cassette (FIGS. 1 and 2)>
FIG. 1 is an external view of a recording paper cassette integrated ink cassette according to an embodiment of the present invention.

  In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 denotes an integrated ink cassette (hereinafter also simply referred to as a cassette) in which a recording paper cassette and an ink cassette are integrally formed. Reference numeral 10 denotes a first housing (hereinafter referred to as an upper case) on which recording paper is loaded and stored.

  Reference numeral 11 denotes a second housing (hereinafter referred to as a lower case) that forms an ink-sheet storage portion with the upper case 10.

  Reference numeral 20 denotes a supply side storage unit that stores an ink sheet before printing, and reference numeral 21 denotes a winding side storage unit that stores a printed ink sheet.

  Reference numeral 30 denotes a discharge port for taking out recording sheets one by one from the cassette 1, and a substantially rectangular opening is formed in the longitudinal direction of the recording sheet adjacent to the supply side storage unit 20 and at the end of the recording sheet storage unit. is doing. Separating claws 31 and 32 for separating the recording sheets one by one are provided at both ends of the discharge port 30. The upper case 10 and the lower case 11 are formed by injection molding of a plastic material in order to reduce costs.

  FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view in a direction perpendicular to the axial direction of the take-up shaft of the ink sheet.

  In FIG. 2, 12 is a belt-shaped ink sheet, 12a is a supply shaft (hereinafter referred to as a first bobbin) for supplying the ink sheet 12, and 12b is a take-up shaft (hereinafter referred to as a second bobbin).

  The ink sheet 12 is wound around the first bobbin 12a, and the leading end of the ink sheet 12 is attached to the second bobbin 12b by adhesion or the like. The ink sheet 12 is stored in an ink sheet storage portion formed between the upper case 10 and the lower case 11. That is, the first bobbin 12 a is stored in the supply side storage unit 20, and the second bobbin 12 b is stored in the winding side storage unit 21.

  Reference numeral 13 denotes recording paper, which is stored in the recording paper storage portion 22 of the upper case 10 in the same number as the number of printable ink sheets 12. For example, if the ink sheet 12 is wound up for 50 screens, 50 recording sheets 13 are also stored. That is, in the integrated ink cassette of this embodiment, for example, when printing for 50 screens is completed, the recording paper and the ink sheet are used at the same time, and only one of them is not used first. Therefore, only one of the cassettes is not replenished or replaced, and when the user has finished using the cassette, the user only has to replace the cassette, and the labor of replacement can be saved.

  Reference numeral 80 denotes an upper surface opening for assembling the recording paper 13 and the protective sheet into the upper case 10, and when the cassette 1 is set in a printer and a printing operation is performed, pressure is applied from the upper surface opening 80.

  Reference numeral 14 denotes a protective sheet for protecting the recording paper 13 from dirt, scratches, and the like. The outer shape of the recording sheet 13 has substantially the same outer dimensions as the recording paper 13 and is superposed on the uppermost portion of the recording paper 13. It is stored in. A space 33 formed between the ink sheet 12 and the recording paper 13 shown in FIG. 2 is an opening in which a head unit 45 (see FIG. 4) described later is positioned when the cassette 1 is inserted into the printer body. Further, an opening 34 is formed in the middle of the supply side storage portion 20 and the winding side storage portion 21 of the upper case 10. The opening 34 is formed over substantially the entire length of the recording paper storage unit 22 in the longitudinal direction, and is connected to the side opening 34a on the side surface of the upper case 10 as shown in FIG.

  In FIG. 1, reference numeral 35 denotes a first positioning hole provided in the end surface portion of the supply side storage portion 20 of the ink sheet 12, and 36 denotes a second positioning hole provided in the vicinity of the end surface of the winding side storage portion 21. is there. The first and second positioning holes 35 and 36 are fitted to the positioning shafts 56 and 57 (see FIGS. 15 to 17) on the printer main body when the cassette 1 is mounted on the printer, and the second bobbin of the ink sheet 12 is fitted. The displacement in the vicinity of 12b is regulated. As a result, the feeding and winding of the ink sheet are stabilized.

  Reference numeral 37 denotes a cassette discriminating projection whose shape varies depending on the type of cassette. The cassette discriminating projection 37 changes the projection shape according to the size of the recording paper and the type of the ink sheet, and the printer body discriminates this and determines the recording paper according to the size of the recording paper and the type of the ink sheet. It is for controlling the conveyance and printing operations.

<Description of Printer (FIGS. 3 to 9A-9C)>
Next, a printer that uses the integrated ink cassette according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.

  In FIG. 3, reference numeral 40 denotes a printer main body, showing a state in which a side door 41 is opened, and a cassette insertion opening 42 is exposed. The cassette insertion opening 42 is substantially the same shape as the cross-sectional shape of the cassette 1 and is an opening that is slightly larger. The end of the head unit 45 can be seen in the cassette insertion slot 42. FIG. 4 (a) shows a state in the middle of inserting the cassette 1 into the cassette insertion slot 42, and FIG. 4 (b) shows a state in which the mounting of the cassette 1 is completed.

  As shown in FIG. 4B, when the cassette 1 is inserted into the printer body, the tip of the head unit 45 is slightly exposed from the side opening 34a (see FIG. 18) of the cassette 1, and the tip of the head unit 45 is exposed. The shaft 46 located in the position protrudes from the cassette 1 by a predetermined amount. When the door 41 is closed in this state, the engagement hole 41a provided on the inner surface of the door is fitted to the shaft 46, the position of the tip of the head unit 45 is restricted, and the printer can be used.

  FIGS. 5A and 5B are a sectional view and a side view before the cassette 1 is mounted on the printer body, and FIGS. 6A and 6B are views after the cassette 1 is mounted on the printer body. It is sectional drawing and a side view.

  FIG. 5B shows a state E immediately before the mounting of the cassette 1 to the printer main body 40 is completed, and a state E in which the eject knob 41 b has been lowered downward during the mounting of the cassette 1. Thereafter, when the mounting is completed, the eject knob moves to the upper position D as shown in FIG. 6B, and the mounting of the cassette 1 is completed.

  Next, the structure of an eject knob for mounting the cassette 1 on the printer body will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view of the eject knob.

  In FIG. 7, reference numeral 41c denotes a lock lever that is integrally coupled to the eject knob 41b. A dowel 41d and a dowel 41e are attached to the lock lever 41c. The A frame 41f has a long groove 41f1 and a long groove 41f2. The lock lever 41c is slidably coupled to the A frame 41f by the dowels 41d and 41e and the long grooves 41f1 and 41f2. The lock lever 41c is always urged by the spring 41g in the upper right direction in the figure.

  The hook lever 41h is rotatably supported by the lever shaft 41j with respect to the hole 41f3. The hook lever 41h is urged clockwise by a torsion spring 41k.

  FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a state where the eject knob and the A frame are coupled together, and a detailed view of the coupled portion.

  As shown in FIG. 8, the spring 41g is hooked and pulled by the engaging portion 41c2 of the lock lever 41c, but is hooked by the convex portion 41h1 of the hook lever 41h and the convex portion 41c1 of the lock lever 41c. The slides are regulated.

  9A and 9B are views of the cassette 1 mounted on the printer main body 40 as viewed from the inside in the direction of arrow A. FIG.

  When the cassette 1 is inserted into the printer main body 40, the concave portion 11c of the cassette 1 comes into contact with the convex portion 41h2 of the hook lever 41h, and the hook lever 41h rotates about the lever shaft 41j against the urging force of the torsion spring 41k. To do. When the cassette 1 is completely inserted, the projection 41c1 of the lock lever 41c and the projection 41h1 of the hook lever 41h are disengaged, the lock lever 41 is pulled by the spring 41g, and the length of the long groove 41f1 is reached. Slide for minutes.

  FIG. 9C shows a state when the mounting of the cassette is completed.

  When the lock lever 41 slides by the length of the long groove 41f1, at the same time, the convex portion 41c3 of the lock lever 41c enters the groove portion 11d of the cassette 1, and the slide of the lock lever 41c is restricted and the cassette 1 is fixed at this position. Is done. That is, it cannot come out in the escape direction opposite to the arrow A.

<Bobbin locking mechanism (FIGS. 10 and 11)>
Next, the bobbin locking mechanism will be described with reference to FIG.

  The lock lever 41c described above locks and unlocks the rotation of the first and second bobbins 12a and 12b of the cassette 1 during the operation when inserted into the printer main body.

  10A and 10B are cross-sectional views of the cassette and the bobbin. FIG. 10A is a cross-sectional view of the second bobbin (winding shaft) in a state where the bobbin rotation is locked, and FIG. 10B is a bobbin rotation locked. It is sectional drawing by the side of the 1st bobbin (supply shaft) in a state. (C) is a sectional view of the second bobbin (winding shaft) side when the bobbin rotation is unlocked, and (d) is the first bobbin (supply) with the bobbin rotation unlocked. It is sectional drawing by the side of an axis | shaft.

  First, the locked state before mounting the cassette will be described with reference to FIGS. 10 (a) and 10 (b).

  Comb-like continuous protrusions 12a1 and 12b1 are formed on the outer circumferences of the first and second bobbins 12a and 12b, respectively. In addition, one end (X portion) of the arm portion 11a is deformably connected to the lower case 11, and the arm portion 11a has the X portion as a fulcrum by making an extremely thin cut in the joint portion of the arm portion 11a. It can be rotated in forward and reverse directions. The cassette 1 is engaged with the continuous protrusions 12a1 and 12b1 to prevent the rotation of the first bobbin 12a and the second bobbin 12b until the cassette 1 is in a single state before being mounted on the printer main body and until the mounting is completed.

  FIG. 11 shows a side view of the cassette, and the arm portion 11a is held in the locked position because a spherical convex portion 11a2 is formed at the lower end portion of the arm portion 11a in the front direction of the drawing. That is, the spherical convex portion 11a2 enters the hole portion 11e of the cassette 1 by the elastic deformation of the arm portion 11a and is held in the locked position.

  Next, the cassette mounting completion state (unlocked) will be described with reference to FIGS.

  When the cassette 1 is mounted, the lock lever 41c slides in the direction of arrow D, and the two cam groove portions 41c4 of the lock lever 41c engage with the lower end of the arm portion 11a. Then, the arm portion 11a rotates counterclockwise in the figure with the A portion as a fulcrum, and the spherical convex portion 11a2 comes out of the hole portion 11e of the cassette 1 due to elastic deformation of the arm portion 11a. As a result, the claw portion 11a1 is separated from the continuous protrusions 12a1 and 12b1 on the outer periphery of the first bobbin 12a and the second bobbin 12b, and the first bobbin 12a and the second bobbin 12b are unlocked. Therefore, the bobbin becomes rotatable. When the cassette 1 is taken out from the printer main body 40, as shown in FIG. 5, the eject knob 41b is lowered in the E direction so that the arm 11a is rotated in the clockwise direction in the figure by the cam groove 41c5 of the lock lever 41c. The second bobbin 12b is held in the locked state. At the same time, since the convex portion 41c3 escapes from the groove 11d of the cassette 1, the cassette 1 can be taken out in the direction opposite to the arrow A. Here, the cassette 1 jumps out in the direction opposite to A by a spring (not shown). At the same time, the lock lever 41c is locked by the above-described configuration.

  Note that the lock lever 41c is made of a flexible resin material, so that the claw portion 11a1 can move stably between the locked position and the unlocked position by using elastic deformation of the resin. Become.

<Description of thermal head unit (FIG. 12)>
FIG. 12 is an external view of a thermal head unit of a printer that uses an integrated ink cassette.

  In FIG. 12, reference numeral 47 denotes a thermal head, which is electrically connected to a print control board in the printer body. Reference numeral 48 denotes a paper feed roller, and both end portions of the shaft 48 a are rotatably supported on the head unit 45. A gear 49 is pivotally attached to one end of the shaft 48a so as to rotate integrally with the shaft 48a, and the paper feed roller 48 is driven to rotate by an unshown interlocking gear.

  Reference numeral 50 denotes an urging member for urging the recording paper in the cassette 1 to the right in the drawing. The urging member 50 has one end 50 a fitted on the shaft 48 a and the other end 50 b fixed to the head frame 55. The rail 51 is slidably held in the mounting direction of the cassette 1 and is urged toward the cassette insertion slot 42 by a spring 52.

  Reference numeral 53 denotes a photo reflector for detecting the presence or absence of recording paper in the cassette 1, and is attached to the head unit 45 by a holder 54.

  FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view of the photo reflector 53 attached.

  As shown in FIG. 13, the light projecting / receiving portion of the photo reflector 53 is attached to the head unit 45 upward, and is fixed by covering a holder 54 from above.

  Returning to FIG. 12, reference numerals 56 and 57 denote a first positioning axis and a second positioning axis for positioning the cassette 1 when the cassette 1 is mounted in the printer main body. When the cassette 1 is mounted, the first positioning shaft 56 and the second positioning shaft 57 are fitted into the first determination hole 35 and the second positioning hole 36 provided in the cassette 1 described in FIG. The position of the printer in the printer body.

  A cassette discriminating switch 58 discriminates the type of cassette. When the cassette 1 is mounted on the printer main body, the cassette type is discriminated based on the projection shape provided on the cassette 1.

  Reference numeral 59 denotes a winding shaft that engages with the second bobbin 12b of the cassette 1 when the cassette 1 is mounted on the printer body and drives the ink sheet 12 to wind up during the printing operation. The winding shaft 59 is driven to rotate by gears 59a and 59b and is controlled to rotate at a predetermined speed during the printing operation.

  Reference numeral 60 denotes a driven shaft that rotates when the ink sheet 12 is wound up, for example, to detect whether the ink sheet 12 is reliably supplied by detecting the rotation operation.

  The head unit 45 described above is installed in the printer main body, and a state where the cassette 1 is mounted on the head unit 45 will be described with reference to FIGS.

  When the cassette 1 is mounted on the printer main body in the direction of arrow F in FIG. 14, the head unit 45 enters the space 33 between the ink sheet 12 and the recording paper 13 described in FIG.

  FIG. 15 is a view of the state in which the cassette 1 is mounted on the head unit 45 as viewed from the back side of the cassette 1.

  As shown in FIG. 15, the head unit 45 enters the space 33 above the ink sheet 12 and below the recording paper 13.

  FIG. 16 shows a state in which the cassette 1 is completely mounted, and FIG. 17 is a detailed sectional view thereof.

  16 and 17, the first positioning shaft 56 is fitted in the first positioning hole 35 and the second positioning shaft 57 is fitted in the second positioning hole 36. Further, the winding shaft 59 is fitted to the second bobbin 12b, and the driven shaft 60 is fitted to the first bobbin 12a. Further, the cassette discrimination switch 58 is pressed by the cassette discrimination projection 37.

  Since the positioning holes 35 and 36 and the cassette discriminating protrusion 37 are in the same position even when the types of cassettes are different, there is no need to provide a plurality of positioning shafts 56 and 57 and cassette discriminating switches 58 on the printer body side. Further, since the total lengths of the first bobbin 12a and the second bobbin 12b are the same, the winding shaft 59 and the driven shaft 60 do not need to be variable in total length, position, or the like. In this manner, the outer dimensions of the ink sheet storage unit are made the same even for a cassette having a plurality of recording paper sizes and a cassette having a plurality of ink sheet 12 sizes. Further, the positioning holes 35 and 36 and the cassette discriminating protrusion 37 are disposed in the ink sheet storage portion. Furthermore, the overall lengths of the first bobbin 12a and the second bobbin 12b are also made common. Thereby, the internal structure of the printer main body can be simplified.

  FIG. 18 shows a state in which the head unit is completely attached to the cassette, and the recording paper 13 and the protective sheet are omitted for easy understanding.

  As shown in FIG. 18, a paper feed roller 48 and a photo reflector 53 are disposed in the opening 34 of the upper case 10. The urging member 50 is disposed inside the side opening 34a.

<Operation of Printer (FIGS. 19 to 25)>
Next, the operation of the printer will be described with reference to FIGS.

  FIG. 19 is a side perspective view illustrating a standby state before a printing operation inside the printer in which the cassette 1 is mounted.

  In FIG. 19, reference numeral 60 denotes a pressure plate, which presses the recording paper 13 toward the paper feed roller 48 when feeding paper. Since FIG. 19 shows a standby state, the pressure plate 60 is at a position separated from the recording paper 13. From this standby state, the pressure plate 60 moves downward in the figure and presses the recording paper 13 from the upper surface opening 80 with a predetermined pressure. In this state, when the paper feed roller 48 rotates counterclockwise, only the lowermost recording paper 13 in contact with the paper feed roller 48 is moved leftward in the figure and separated by the separation claws 31 and 32. Then, the recording paper 13 is discharged from the discharge port 30.

  FIG. 20 is a side perspective view showing a state in which the discharged recording paper 13 is fed from the cassette 1 by a predetermined amount.

  As shown in FIG. 20, the recording paper 13 bends along the first storage portion 20 of the ink sheet 12 and exits from the discharge port 30. The recording paper 13 is mainly suitable for photographic printing. If the recording paper 13 is bent extremely, scratches or wrinkles may occur on the print surface. It can be gently bent in the space G below the outlet 30. Further, since the paper feed roller 48 can be driven near the center of the recording paper 13, a sufficient length for the recording paper 13 to bend can be secured, so that the reliability when separating the recording paper is improved. Further, since the recording paper 13 does not bend significantly, damage to the recording paper 13 can be minimized.

  Further, since the paper feed roller 48 is installed in the head unit 45, the apparatus can be reduced in size, and an upper surface opening 80 for mounting and pressurizing the recording paper 13 is provided on the side facing the paper feed roller 48. Therefore, efficient pressurization is possible.

  After the recording paper 13 is fed out by a predetermined amount, the recording paper 13 is pressed against the first roller 62 by the roller plate 61 as shown in FIG. 21 and is further pulled out from the cassette 1 by the rotation of the first roller 61.

  FIG. 22 is a view showing a state in which the recording paper 13 is completely pulled out from the cassette 1 and fed out by a predetermined amount.

  From the state shown in FIG. 22, the recording paper 13 is rotated around the axis in the normal direction perpendicular to the paper surface.

  FIG. 23 shows a state in the middle of the rotation of the recording paper 13, and the rotation of the recording paper 13 is performed by rotating both the first rollers 62a and 62b in the reverse direction. That is, the first roller 62a is rotated in the direction for drawing the recording paper 13 into the printer main body, and the first roller 62b is rotated in the direction for discharging the recording paper 13 to the outside of the printer.

  FIG. 24 shows a state in which the rotation is completed. From this state, the recording paper 13 is fed into the printer main body by the first rollers 62a and 62b, and the printing operation is started.

  By disposing the roller plate 61 and the first rollers 62a and 62b used for transporting the recording paper 13 in the space G formed along the first storage portion 20 on the left side of the recording paper storage portion 22 in the drawing. The device can be miniaturized. In addition, since the discharge port 30 is provided outside the first storage unit 20 located on the upstream side of the recording paper conveyance path during the printing operation, the recording paper 13 can be smoothly conveyed for the printing operation. This eliminates unnecessary conveyance.

  FIG. 25 shows a state during the printing operation. First, the ink sheet 12 and the recording paper 13 are pressed against each other by the head unit 45 and the platen roller 64. In this state, a pair of capstan roller 65 and pinch roller 66 disposed on the downstream side in the printing direction of the recording paper conveyance path while the ink on the ink sheet 12 is thermally transferred onto the recording paper 13 by heat generation of the thermal head. The recording paper 13 is sandwiched and conveyed. When the transfer of the first color is completed, the pressure contact of the thermal head is released, and the recording paper 13 is returned to the print start position by rotating the capstan roller 65 and the pinch roller 66 in the direction opposite to that during the printing operation. The second and subsequent colors are transferred by the above operation. In this way, full color printing is performed by superimposing three colors of yellow (Y), magenta (M), and cyan (C).

  When the printing operation is completed, the recording paper 13 is discharged from the right side of the printer 40 to the outside. If the user repeatedly performs a printing operation, the above printing operation is repeatedly performed, and printing can be performed until the recording paper 13 and the ink sheet 12 stored in the cassette 1 are used up. Since the recording sheet 13 and the ink sheet 12 contain the same number, one of them does not disappear first. When the printer 40 according to the present embodiment detects that there is no recording paper 13, the printing operation is stopped.

<Recording Paper Detection Method (FIGS. 26 and 27)>
Next, a method for detecting the presence or absence of recording paper in the cassette will be described with reference to FIGS.

  As shown in FIG. 26B, when the recording paper 13 is sufficient, the photo reflector 53 is substantially opposed to the lowermost recording paper 13, and the pressure plate 60 presses the recording paper 13 in the printing operation. Thus, the recording paper 13a is pressed against the photo reflector 53 side. The photo reflector 53 projects infrared light and receives reflected light reflected by the back surface 13 a of the recording paper 13. Since the recording paper 13 is generally white, it has a relatively high reflectance and can be easily received. Further, since the photo reflector 53 performs the detection operation only when the pressure plate 60 is in a position where the recording paper 13 is pressed, the detection reliability can be improved.

  FIG. 26A shows a state in which the recording paper 13 is lost and only the protective sheet 14 remains.

  In addition, as shown in FIG. 27, the portion of the protective sheet 14 that faces the photo reflector 53 is provided with ink that reduces the reflectance of infrared light, for example, a black print 14 a. Determines that there is no recording paper 13 because the reflected light cannot be received. Here, a low-reflectance print is applied to the protective sheet. However, even if a hole having the same size as the print range is formed instead of the print, the reflected light cannot be received in the same manner, so that the same purpose can be achieved. .

<Ink sheet feeding operation (FIG. 28)>
Next, the feeding operation of the ink sheet 12 during the printing operation will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 28 is a diagram of the travel path of the ink sheet 12 during the printing operation as viewed from the printer body side.

  In FIG. 28, the ink sheet 12 wound around the first bobbin 12 a is first turned in the direction of the head unit 45 by the first guide 70 of the upper case 10. Then, after the printing is completed by the head unit 45, it is peeled off from the recording paper 13 by the peeling plate 71. Thereafter, the direction is further changed by the second guide 72 and the third guide 73 of the lower case 11 and wound around the second bobbin 12b.

  Since the ink sheet 12 during the printing operation needs to be pulled with a predetermined tension, a predetermined torque is applied to the first bobbin 12a by a friction spring or the like. Tension is also applied when the ink sheet 12 is peeled off from the recording paper 13 by the release plate 71. Therefore, a load is applied to the upper case 10 in the direction of the arrow d and the lower case 11 is applied to the direction of the arrow e. Each load is a torsional load applied to the upper case 10 and the lower case 11 as a moment about the first bobbin 12a and the second bobbin 12b.

  The upper case 10 and the lower case 11 are plastic injection-molded products as described above, and the upper case 10 is further provided with a discharge port 30 for discharging the recording paper 13, a paper feed roller 48, and a photo reflector 53. An opening 34 is provided. For this reason, especially the circumference | surroundings of the 1st accommodating part 20 have low rigidity, and are easy to raise | generate a deformation | transformation. Also in the vicinity of the second storage portion 21, the second guide 72 and the third guide 73 of the lower case 11 are subjected to a large load due to the tension and the torque at the time of winding.

  FIG. 29 shows the details of part B in FIG. 28. A load is applied to the second guide 72 and the third guide 73 in the directions of the arrows g and f, and the second guide 72 and the third guide 73 bend in the direction of the arrow h from the peripheral part 74 of the lower case 11. It works like this.

  When the upper case 10 and the lower case 11 are deformed, the traveling path of the ink sheet 12 is distorted, and stable traveling cannot be performed. If stable running is not possible, meandering or wrinkles will occur when winding with the second bobbin 12b. When the wrinkle of the ink sheet spreads to the vicinity of the head unit 45, it develops to an important problem for the printer such as wrinkles appearing on the print image. Therefore, it is very important to stabilize the travel path of the ink ribbon 12.

1 is an external view of a recording paper cassette integrated ink cassette according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is sectional drawing of the direction orthogonal to the axial direction of the winding axis | shaft of an ink sheet. FIG. 2 is an external view of a printer that uses the integrated ink cassette according to the embodiment. (A) is the figure which showed the state in the middle of inserting a cassette in a cassette insertion slot, (b) is the figure which showed the state which completed mounting | wearing of a cassette. (A), (b) is sectional drawing and a side view before a cassette is mounted | worn with a printer main body. (A), (b) is sectional drawing and a side view after a cassette is mounted | worn with the printer main body. It is a disassembled perspective view of an eject knob. It is the perspective view of the state which the eject knob and A frame couple | bonded, and the detail drawing of a coupling | bond part. It is the figure which looked at the place which has mounted | worn with the cassette from the direction of arrow A to the printer main body from the inner side. It is the figure which looked at the place which has mounted | worn with the cassette from the direction of arrow A to the printer main body from the inner side. It is the figure which showed the state when mounting | wearing of a cassette is completed. (A) and (c) are sectional views of the second bobbin side in a state where the rotation of the bobbin is locked or unlocked, and (b) and (d) are states in a state where the rotation of the bobbin is locked or unlocked. It is sectional drawing by the side of the 1st bobbin. It is a side view of a cassette. FIG. 3 is an external view of a thermal head unit of a printer that uses an integrated ink cassette. It is sectional drawing which showed the attachment state of the photo reflector. It is the figure which showed the state in which a cassette is mounted | worn with respect to a head unit. It is the figure which looked at the state by which a cassette is mounted | worn with a head unit from the back side of the cassette. It is the figure which showed the state in which the cassette was mounted | worn completely. It is detailed sectional drawing of the state of FIG. It is the figure which showed the state in which the head unit was completely mounted | worn with the cassette. FIG. 6 is a side perspective view illustrating a standby state before a printing operation inside a printer in which a cassette is mounted. FIG. 5 is a side perspective view illustrating a state in which a discharged recording paper is fed out from a cassette by a predetermined amount. FIG. 6 is a side perspective view showing a state in which the recording paper is further pulled out from the cassette by the rotation of the first roller. FIG. 6 is a side perspective view showing a state in which the recording paper is completely pulled out from the cassette and fed out by a predetermined amount. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a state in the middle of rotation of a recording sheet. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a state where rotation of a recording sheet is completed. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a state during a printing operation. It is a figure explaining the detection method of the presence or absence of the recording paper in a cassette. It is a figure explaining the detection method of the presence or absence of the recording paper in a cassette. FIG. 6 is a diagram of a traveling path of an ink sheet during a printing operation as viewed from the printer body side. It is the figure which showed the detail of the B section of FIG. It is a schematic diagram which shows the structure of the thermal transfer printer of the prior art example 1. FIG. It is a schematic diagram which shows the structure of the thermal transfer printer of the prior art example 2.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Recording paper cassette integrated ink cassette 10 Upper case 11 Lower case 11a Arm part 11a1 Claw part 11e Hole part 12 Ink sheet 12a Supply axis (1st bobbin)
12b Winding shaft (second bobbin)
12a1, 12b1 Continuous projection 13 Recording paper 14 Protective sheet 20 Supply side (first) storage portion 21 Take-up side (second) storage portion 22 Recording paper storage portion 30 Discharge port 31, 32 Separation claw 34 Opening 35 First positioning hole 36 Second positioning hole 40 Printer 41c Lock lever 41f A frame 41h Hook lever 45 Head unit 50 Energizing member 53 Photo reflector 56 First positioning shaft 57 Second positioning shaft 60 Pressure plate 80 Upper surface opening

Claims (20)

A first storage unit that rotatably stores a first bobbin around which an ink sheet is wound, and a second storage unit that rotatably stores a second bobbin that winds up a used ink sheet supplied from the first bobbin. An ink cassette that can be attached to a printer that transfers and prints ink carried on the ink sheet onto a recording sheet,
Concave and convex portions formed continuously in the circumferential direction of the outer peripheral surfaces of the first bobbin and the second bobbin;
An engagement portion provided on the housing of the ink cassette so as to be displaced between a lock position that engages with the uneven portion and an unlock position that is separated from the uneven portion;
The ink cassette is characterized in that the engagement portion restricts the rotation of the first bobbin and the second bobbin at the lock position and allows the rotation of the first bobbin and the second bobbin at the unlock position. Providing a protrusion at the end of the engaging portion,
Providing a hole through which the protruding portion penetrates the housing of the ink cassette;
In a state where the ink cassette is not attached to the printer, the engaging portion is in a locked position engaged with the concavo-convex portion by fitting the protruding portion into the hole portion,
2. The engagement portion is displaced to an unlock position that is separated from the concavo-convex portion when the ink cassette is attached to the printer and the protruding portion is removed from the hole portion. The ink cassette described in 1. The printer is provided with an eject operation unit for taking out the ink cassette mounted on the printer,
3. The ink cassette according to claim 2, wherein the eject operation unit includes a lever member that displaces the engagement unit from the unlock position to the lock position during an eject operation of taking out the ink cassette from the printer. .   4. The ink cassette according to claim 3, wherein the lever member displaces the engagement portion from the unlock position to the lock position and causes the protrusion to fit into the hole portion during the ejection operation. 5. .   The lever member displaces the protrusion from the hole to displace the engaging portion from the locked position to the unlocked position when the ink cassette is attached to the printer. The ink cassette according to 3 or 4.   The ink cassette according to claim 1, wherein the engaging portion and the ink cassette are made of a flexible resin material.   The ink cassette according to claim 1, wherein the engaging portion is deformably connected to the ink cassette.   The ink cassette according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the ink cassette is integrally configured with a recording paper cassette for storing recording paper.   9. The ink cassette according to claim 8, wherein the recording paper cassette can store the same number of recording sheets as can be printed by the ink sheet stored in the ink cassette.   The ink cassette according to claim 9, wherein the ink cassette is provided with detecting means for optically detecting the presence or absence of recording paper in the recording paper cassette.   11. The ink cassette according to claim 1, wherein the printer is a thermal transfer printer that transfers and prints ink carried on the ink sheet onto a recording sheet by heat generated by a thermal head. . A space portion in which the thermal head is disposed is formed in a portion between the first storage portion and the second storage portion where the ink sheet is stretched,
The ink cassette according to claim 11, wherein a traveling path of the ink sheet is formed between the thermal head and the recording paper.   The ink cassette according to claim 11, wherein the thermal head includes a conveyance roller that conveys the recording paper from the recording paper cassette to a printing position, and a driving unit of the conveyance roller.   14. The ink cassette according to claim 1, wherein the first storage unit and the second storage unit are provided with a tension applying unit that applies tension to the ink sheet. . A bobbin holding structure of an ink cassette that can be mounted on a printer that rotatably stores a first bobbin around which an ink sheet is wound and a second bobbin that winds up a used ink sheet supplied from the first bobbin. There,
Forming concavo-convex portions continuously in the circumferential direction of the outer peripheral surfaces of the first bobbin and the second bobbin;
Forming an engagement portion that is displaced between a lock position that engages with the uneven portion and an unlock position that is spaced apart from the uneven portion;
The engagement portion restricts rotation of the first bobbin and the second bobbin at the lock position, and allows rotation of the first bobbin and the second bobbin at the unlock position. .   The bobbin holding structure according to claim 15, wherein the engaging portion is displaced between the locked position and the unlocked position by a movable member provided in the printer.   The bobbin holding structure according to claim 15 or 16, wherein the storage portion is provided with a tension applying portion that applies tension to the ink sheet.   The bobbin holding structure according to any one of claims 15 to 17, wherein the engaging portion is made of a flexible resin material.   A printer, to which the ink cassette according to any one of claims 1 to 14 can be mounted.   The printer according to claim 19, wherein the printer is a thermal transfer printer that prints ink carried on the ink sheet onto a recording sheet by heat generated by a thermal head.