JP2017177589A - Thermal print head and thermal printer - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To improve quality of images formed on a recording medium.SOLUTION: A thermal print head improves quality of images formed on a recording medium P as follows: a plurality of head units 2, 3 are provided with head substrates 6, 26 where heating regions 15, 28 are formed in a sub-scanning direction S2 or an opposite direction and side surfaces 6C, 26C on a side adjacent to the head units 2, 3 are inclined, and radiation plates 5, 25 where side surfaces 5C, 25C on the side adjacent to the head units 2, 3 and the head substrates 6, 26 are disposed on its one surface; the plurality of head units 2, 3 are disposed while alternately positioning the head substrate 26 where the heating region 28 is formed in the sub-scanning direction S2 and the head substrate 6 where the heating region 15 is formed in the opposite direction, in a main-scanning direction S1; and accordingly, the arrangement position of the plurality of radiation plates 5, 25 and also the plurality of head substrates 6, 26 are regulated and the plurality of head substrates 6, 26 can be connected with each other in high accuracy.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to a thermal print head and a thermal printer provided with the thermal print head.

  The thermal print head generates heat from a plurality of heating resistors arranged in a heat generating area along the main scanning direction, and images of characters, figures, etc. are recorded on a recording medium such as thermal recording paper by the heat of the plurality of heating resistors. This is an output device to be formed. Thermal print heads are widely used in thermal printers (that is, recording devices) such as barcode printers, digital plate-making machines, video printers, imagers, and seal printers.

  In a general thermal print head, a circuit board and a head substrate are arranged side by side along a sub-scanning direction orthogonal to the main scanning direction on one surface of a heat sink long in the main scanning direction. In the head substrate, a plurality of heating resistors that are long in the sub-scanning direction are arranged on the support substrate through the glaze layer in order in the main scanning direction at a predetermined arrangement interval, and common electrodes and individual electrodes are arranged at both ends of the plurality of heating resistors. Electrodes are arranged, and these constitute a plurality of heating elements.

  As a result, the head substrate has a resistor-exposed portion between the common electrode and the individual electrodes in the plurality of heating resistors arranged in order along the main scanning direction, and a strip-like region along the main scanning direction in which these resistor exposed portions are arranged. It is a heat generation area. The head substrate is formed with a protective film covering one surface of the glaze layer so as to cover the plurality of heating resistors, common electrodes, and individual electrodes.

  Further, the head substrate is provided with a plurality of driving ICs (Integrated Circuits) having a switching function capable of controlling the plurality of heating elements along the main scanning direction on one surface of the protective film. The plurality of driving ICs are electrically connected to corresponding common electrodes and individual electrodes via a plurality of bonding wires, and are electrically connected to corresponding substrate electrodes of the circuit board via a plurality of bonding wires. Has been. In addition, the plurality of bonding wires together with the plurality of driving ICs are sealed by a sealing body that is applied and formed on one surface of the protective film and one surface of the circuit board.

  For a thermal print head called a long type that is long in the main scanning direction and capable of forming an image on a relatively large recording medium, when a single head substrate that is long in the main scanning direction is used, the head substrate is manufactured. Large-scale manufacturing facilities are required. Therefore, conventionally, as a long thermal print head, two head substrates having a right trapezoidal shape that can be manufactured by a small-scale manufacturing facility, have a relatively short length in the main scanning direction, and have only one side inclined. Are arranged side by side in the main scanning direction on one surface of a rectangular heat radiating plate (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 4-91962 (page 3, page 4, FIG. 2)

  By the way, as shown in FIG. 9, the conventional long thermal print head 100 has two head substrates 102 and 103 arranged on one surface of the heat radiating plate 101 in the main scanning direction S10 so as to adhere these two. The head substrates 102 and 103 are connected like a long head substrate. In the conventional thermal printer provided with the long thermal print head 100, the accuracy of the connection of the two head substrates 102 and 103 affects the quality of the image formed on the recording medium.

  That is, the conventional long thermal print head 100 has a main scanning direction when, for example, one head substrate 102, 103 is connected to the other head substrate 102, 103 relatively apart from each other in the main scanning direction S10. The arrangement interval of the plurality of heating resistors with respect to S10 is relatively wide at the connection portion as compared with the inside of the head substrates 102 and 103. In the thermal printer, when such a thermal print head 100 is provided and an image is formed on a recording medium, an image is lost at a portion corresponding to the connection portion of the two head substrates 102 and 103 in the image.

  Further, in the conventional long thermal print head 100, for example, when the other head substrate 102, 103 is connected to one head substrate 102, 103 relatively close to the main scanning direction S10, the main scanning direction The arrangement interval of the plurality of heating resistors with respect to S10 is relatively narrow at the connection location as compared with the inside of the head substrates 102 and 103. In the thermal printer, when such a thermal print head 100 is provided and an image is formed on a recording medium, the image overlaps at a portion corresponding to a connection portion of the two head substrates 102 and 103 in the image.

  Furthermore, in the conventional long thermal print head 100, for example, when the other head substrate 102, 103 is connected to one head substrate 102, 103 relatively far in the sub-scanning direction S11, The heat generation regions 104 and 105 of the head substrates 102 and 103 are relatively separated from each other in the sub-scanning direction S11. In the thermal printer, when such a thermal print head 100 is provided and an image is formed on the recording medium, the image is formed in the sub-scanning direction S11 relative to the corresponding portion of the image with the two head substrates 102 and 103. Misalignment occurs.

  Therefore, the conventional long thermal print head 100 has two head substrates 102 and 103 mounted on one surface of the heat radiating plate 101 via, for example, a thermoplastic adhesive, with respect to one surface of the heat radiating plate 101. The arrangement positions of the individual head substrates 102 and 103 are adjusted. The thermal print head 100 heats the adhesive together with the heat radiating plate 101 and the two head substrates 102 and 103, and then cools and solidifies the adhesive so that two head substrates are provided on one surface of the heat radiating plate 101. 102 and 103 are adhered.

  However, in the thermal print head 100, the heat sink 101 and the two head substrates 102 and 103 are thermally expanded and contracted by heating and cooling when the adhesive is solidified. For this reason, in the thermal print head 100, the head substrates 102 and 103 may be bonded to one surface of the heat radiating plate 101 by being shifted from the adjusted arrangement position due to the influence of thermal expansion and thermal contraction. Therefore, the thermal print head 100 cannot connect the two head substrates 102 and 103 with high accuracy, and there is a problem that it is difficult to improve the quality of an image formed on a recording medium even when the thermal print head 100 is provided in a thermal printer.

  Therefore, the present invention proposes a thermal print head and a thermal printer that can improve the quality of an image formed on a recording medium.

  In order to solve such a problem, in the present invention, in a thermal print head in which a plurality of head units are arranged in order in the main scanning direction, a heat generation region along the main scanning direction is formed on the plurality of head units. A head substrate that is provided in the orthogonal sub-scanning direction or in a direction opposite to the sub-scanning direction, the side surface adjacent to the head unit is inclined, and the side surface adjacent to the head unit is inclined, and the head substrate is on one surface. And a plurality of head units in a main scan of a head substrate provided with a heat generation area in the sub-scanning direction and a head substrate provided with a heat generation area in a direction opposite to the sub-scanning direction. They were placed alternately in the direction.

  Therefore, in the present invention, it is possible to accurately connect the plurality of head substrates by adjusting the arrangement positions of the plurality of head substrates together with the plurality of heat sinks.

  According to the present invention, in the thermal print head in which a plurality of head units are arranged in order in the main scanning direction, the heat generation area along the main scanning direction is arranged in the sub scanning direction orthogonal to the main scanning direction on the plurality of head units. Or a head substrate that is provided in a direction opposite to the sub-scanning direction, the side surface adjacent to the head unit is inclined, and the side surface adjacent to the head unit is inclined, and the head substrate is disposed on one surface. A plurality of head units are alternately positioned in the main scanning direction with a head substrate having a heat generation area in the sub-scanning direction and a head substrate having a heat generation area in a direction opposite to the sub-scanning direction. By arranging the plurality of head substrates together with the plurality of heat sinks, the plurality of head substrates can be accurately connected to each other. It is possible to realize a thermal print head and a thermal printer capable of improving the quality of the image formed on the medium.

It is a top view which shows the structure of the elongate thermal print head which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a fragmentary sectional view which shows the structure of the elongate type thermal print head which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a partial top view which shows the structure of the elongate thermal print head which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a partial top view which shows the structure of the 1st and 2nd head board | substrate of the elongate thermal print head which concerns on embodiment of this invention. 1 is a partial cross-sectional view showing a configuration of a thermal printer provided with a long thermal print head according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a top view which shows the structure of the elongate thermal print head which concerns on other embodiment of this invention. It is a top view which shows the structure of the elongate thermal print head which concerns on other embodiment of this invention. It is a top view which shows the structure of the elongate thermal print head which concerns on other embodiment of this invention. It is a top view which shows the structure of the conventional elongate type thermal print head.

  Embodiments of a thermal print head and a thermal printer according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. Incidentally, FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line V1-V1 of FIG. Note that this embodiment is merely an example, and the present invention is not limited to this.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the thermal print head 1 is a long and long type that can form an image on a relatively large recording medium in the main scanning direction S1, and is arranged in order in the main scanning direction S1. For example, two first and second head units 2 and 3 are provided.

  The first head unit 2 includes a first heat radiating plate 5, a first head substrate 6, a first circuit substrate 7, and a plurality of driving ICs 8. The first heat radiating plate 5 is long in the main scanning direction S1 with a metal having good heat radiating properties such as aluminum, the one end surface 5A in the sub-scanning direction S2 orthogonal to the main scanning direction S1 and the other end surface 5B in the opposite direction are substantially parallel. In addition, only one side surface 5C adjacent to the second head unit 3 is inclined and formed into a right trapezoidal shape that gradually narrows the width in the sub-scanning direction S2. In the following description, one inclined side surface 5C of the first heat radiating plate 5 is also referred to as a first heat radiating plate inclined side surface 5C. The first heat dissipating plate 5 has a first circuit board 7 and a first head substrate 6 arranged on one side in order in the sub-scanning direction S2.

  The first head substrate 6 is long in the main scanning direction S1, has one end face 6A in the sub-scanning direction S2 and the other end face 6B in the opposite direction substantially parallel, and only one side face 6C on the side adjacent to the second head unit 3. However, it is formed in the right trapezoid shape which inclines like the 1st heat sink inclined side surface 5C. In the following description, one inclined side surface 6C of the first head substrate 6 is also referred to as a first head substrate inclined side surface 6C.

Actually, the first head substrate 6 has a support substrate 10 formed in a right-angled trapezoid shape with ceramics such as Al ₂ O ₃ , and the outer shape of the support substrate 10 becomes the outer shape of the first head substrate 6 as it is. Yes. The support substrate 10 is provided with a glaze layer 11 made of a glass film such as SiO _{2 on} one surface. The glaze layer 11 is formed with a projecting portion extending along the main scanning direction S1 slightly closer to the opposite direction than the central portion in the sub-scanning direction S2.

  On one surface of the glaze layer 11, a plurality of heating resistors 12 that are long in the sub-scanning direction S2 are arranged in order in the main scanning direction S1 at predetermined arrangement intervals. In addition, on one surface of the glaze layer 11, a common electrode 13 and individual electrodes 14 are disposed at both ends along the sub-scanning direction S2 excluding the top portion of the protruding portion of the plurality of heating resistors 12, and the plurality of heating resistors. A heating element is formed by the body 12, the common electrode 13, and the individual electrode 14. Thus, in the first head substrate 6, the belt-like top portion of the protruding portion along the main scanning direction S <b> 1 becomes a heat generating region 15 where the plurality of heating resistors 12 generate heat between the common electrode 13 and the individual electrodes 14. Yes.

  A protective film 16 is formed on one surface of the glaze layer 11 to cover the plurality of heating resistors 12, the common electrode 13, and the individual electrode 14. For example, the first head substrate 6 has, for example, a first head substrate inclined side surface 6C flush with the first heat radiating plate inclined side surface 5C, and a double-sided tape or one end on one surface of the first heat radiating plate 5 in the sub-scanning direction S2. The other surface of the support substrate 10 is bonded via an adhesive 17 that is a thermoplastic resin such as silicon resin.

  The first circuit board 7 is formed as a printed wiring board that is long in the main scanning direction S1, or is formed by sticking a flexible board to a ceramic plate that is long in the main scanning direction S1. The other surface of the first circuit board 7 is bonded to the other end of the first heat radiating plate 5 in the direction opposite to the sub-scanning direction S2 via an adhesive 17. Incidentally, the first circuit board 7 is formed with a connection circuit electrically connected to the first head substrate 6 via the driving IC 8, and a connector (not shown) for inputting driving power and a control signal to the connection circuit from the outside. Is implemented).

  The plurality of driving ICs 8 are control elements each having a plurality of first terminals and second terminals on one surface and having a switching function capable of controlling the heating elements. The plurality of driving ICs 8 are arranged in order along the main scanning direction S1 at the end of one surface of the first head substrate 6 opposite to the sub-scanning direction S2 (that is, the boundary with the first circuit board 7). Has been placed.

  In the plurality of driving ICs 8, a plurality of first terminals are electrically connected to the common electrode 13 and the individual electrodes 14 via a plurality of bonding wires 18. The plurality of driving ICs 8 are electrically connected to corresponding substrate electrodes (not shown) formed in the connection circuit of the first circuit board 7 through the plurality of bonding wires 19. ing. The plurality of driving ICs 8 are sealed together with the plurality of bonding wires 18 and 19 by a sealing body 20 made of an epoxy resin near the boundary between one surface of the first head substrate 6 and one surface of the first circuit substrate 7. .

  On the other hand, the second head unit 3 includes a second heat radiating plate 25, a second head substrate 26, a second circuit substrate 27, and a plurality of driving ICs (not shown). In the second head unit 3, the shapes of the second heat radiating plate 25 and the second head substrate 26 are different from the shapes of the first heat radiating plate 5 and the first head substrate 6, and the heat generating region 28 of the second head substrate 26. Is different from the position of the heat generating region 15 of the first head substrate 6 but is basically configured in the same manner as the first head unit 2.

  That is, the second heat radiating plate 25 is long in the main scanning direction S1 with a metal having good heat radiating properties such as aluminum, the one end surface 25A in the sub-scanning direction S2 and the other end surface 25B in the opposite direction are substantially parallel, and the first head unit 2 Only one side surface 25C on the side adjacent to is inclined and formed in an inverted right trapezoidal shape that gradually widens in the sub-scanning direction S2. In the following description, one inclined side surface 25C of the second heat radiating plate 25 is also referred to as a second heat radiating plate inclined side surface 25C. The second heat radiating plate 25 has a second circuit board 27 and a second head board 26 arranged on the entire surface in order in the sub-scanning direction S2.

  The second head substrate 26 is long in the main scanning direction S1, one end surface 26A in the sub-scanning direction S2 and the other end surface 26B in the opposite direction are substantially parallel, and only one side surface 26C on the side adjacent to the first head unit 2 is present. However, it is formed in an inverted right-angled trapezoid shape that is inclined similarly to the second heat radiation plate inclined side surface 25C. In the following description, one inclined side surface 26C of the second head substrate 26 is also referred to as a second head substrate inclined side surface 26C.

Actually, the second head substrate 26 also has a support substrate (not shown) formed in an inverted right trapezoid shape with ceramics such as Al ₂ O ₃ , and the outer shape of the support substrate is the same as that of the second head substrate 26. It is an outline. A glaze layer (not shown) disposed on one surface of the support substrate has a protruding portion extending along the main scanning direction S1 slightly closer to the sub scanning direction S2 than the center portion in the sub scanning direction S2. Is formed.

  Therefore, on one surface of the glaze layer, a plurality of heating resistors (not shown) that are long in the sub-scanning direction S2 are sequentially arranged in the main scanning direction S1 at a predetermined arrangement interval. Common electrodes (not shown) and individual electrodes (not shown) are arranged at both ends along the sub-scanning direction S2 excluding the top portion of the heating element, and the plurality of heating resistors, common electrodes and individual electrodes are used to generate heating elements. Is formed. As a result, the second head substrate 26 has a belt-like top portion along the main scanning direction S1 of the protruding portion that is shifted in the sub-scanning direction S2 from the heat generating region 15 of the first head substrate 6, and the common electrode and the individual A heat generating region 28 where a plurality of heat generating resistors generate heat between the electrodes is formed.

  Incidentally, a protective film (not shown) that covers the plurality of heating resistors, the common electrode, and the individual electrodes is formed on one surface of the glaze layer. For example, the second head substrate 26 has a second head substrate inclined side surface 26C flush with the second heat radiating plate inclined side surface 25C, and a double-sided tape or one end on one surface of the second heat radiating plate 25 in the sub-scanning direction S2. The other surface of the support substrate is bonded via an adhesive (not shown) that is a thermoplastic resin such as silicon resin.

  The second circuit board 27 is formed in the same manner as the first circuit board 7, and the other surface of one surface of the second heat radiating plate 25 is bonded to the other end portion in the direction opposite to the sub-scanning direction S2 via an adhesive. ing. Incidentally, the second circuit board 27 is also mounted with a connector (not shown) for inputting drive power and a control signal from the outside to the connection circuit.

  Further, the plurality of driving ICs are arranged in order along the main scanning direction S1 at an end portion of the one surface of the second head substrate 26 opposite to the sub scanning direction S2 (that is, a boundary portion with the second circuit board 27). Has been placed. The plurality of driving ICs have a plurality of first terminals electrically connected to a common electrode and individual electrodes via a plurality of bonding wires (not shown), and a plurality of second terminals having a plurality of bonding wires. It is electrically connected to a corresponding substrate electrode (not shown) of the second circuit board 27 via (not shown). The plurality of driving ICs are sealed together with a plurality of bonding wires by a sealing body 29 made of an epoxy resin near the boundary between one surface of the second head substrate 26 and one surface of the second circuit substrate 27.

  Here, as shown in FIG. 3, the first and second head units 2 and 3 are individually manufactured. The first head unit 2 has both the angle of the first heat sink inclined side surface 5C with respect to the one end face 5A of the first heat sink 5 and the angle of the first head substrate inclined side face 6C with respect to the one end face 6A of the first head substrate 6. The predetermined first angle θ1 is selected. The second head unit 3 has both the angle of the second heat sink inclined side surface 25C with respect to the other end face 25B of the second heat sink 25 and the angle of the second head substrate inclined side surface 26C with respect to the other end face 26B of the second head substrate 26. The first angle θ1 is selected.

  That is, in the first and second head units 2 and 3, the first heat radiating plate inclined side surface 5C and the first head substrate inclined side surface 6C are inclined with respect to the sub-scanning direction S2, and the second heat radiating plate inclined side surface 25C and the second head. The substrate inclined side surface 26C is also inclined with respect to the sub-scanning direction S2 along the first heat radiation plate inclined side surface 5C and the first head substrate inclined side surface 6C.

  In the thermal print head 1, for example, first and second head units 2 and 3 are sequentially arranged in a main scanning direction S 1 on a head frame (not shown) that is detachable from the thermal printer 40, and the first and second head units face each other. The heat radiating plate inclined side surface 5C (also the first head substrate inclined side surface 6C) and the second heat radiating plate inclined side surface 25C (also the second head substrate inclined side surface 26C) are attached individually or in close contact with each other. That is, the thermal print head 1 is configured such that the first and second head units 2 and 3 are individually fixed and attached to the head frame by attachments (not shown) such as screws, and the whole is a long type. It is assembled.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the first and second head units 2 and 3 have a scale 35 along the main scanning direction S <b> 1, for example, at a boundary portion between one surface of the first head substrate 6 and one surface of the second head substrate 26. Is formed. For this reason, when the first and second head units 2 and 3 are attached to the head frame via the fixture, the thermal print head 1 has the first and second head units for the head frame while looking at the scale 35 with a microscope or the like. The mounting positions of 2 and 3 are adjusted. That is, in the thermal print head 1, the arrangement positions of the first head substrates 6 and 26 are adjusted together with the first and second radiator plates 5 and 25 on the head frame while viewing the scale 35 with a microscope or the like.

  As a result, the thermal print head 1 allows the first and second head units 2 and 3 to approach the sub-scanning direction S2 as much as possible with the first and second head units 2 and 3 parallel to the main scanning direction S1 on the head frame, and The arrangement intervals of the plurality of heating resistors 12 in the main scanning direction S1 are fixed so as to be substantially equal in the first and second head substrates 6 and 26 irrespective of their boundary portions. In this way, the thermal print head 1 does not collectively bond the first and second head substrates 6 and 26 to a single heat radiating plate via an adhesive, but instead attaches the first and second head substrates to the head frame. By attaching individually as the first and second head units 2 and 3 having the heat sinks 5 and 25, the first and second head substrates 6 and 26 are as if they were one rectangular head that is long in the main scanning direction S1. It is connected with high precision like a substrate.

  The thermal print head 1 is attached to the thermal printer 40 with the first and second head units 2 and 3 fixed to the head frame. The thermal printer 40 on which the thermal print head 1 is mounted in this way will be described with reference to FIG. The thermal printer 40 rotates around the roller shaft 42 with the platen roller 41 having the roller shaft 42 parallel to the main scanning direction S1 and the outer peripheral surface being in contact with the heat generating regions 15 and 28 of the thermal print head 1. It is provided as possible. As a result, the thermal printer 40 causes the first and second head substrates 6 to move while the recording medium P is sandwiched between the platen roller 41 and the heat generating regions 15 and 28 by the rotation of the platen roller 41 and sent in the sub-scanning direction S2. The plurality of heating resistors 12 and 26 selectively generate heat to form a desired image on the surface of the recording medium P.

  In the above configuration, in the thermal print head 1, the first and second head units 2 and 3 are arranged such that the side surfaces adjacent to each other incline as the first heat radiating plate inclined side surface 5C and the second heat radiating plate inclined side surface 25C. Similarly, the first and second head substrates 6 and 25 are disposed on one surface of the first and second heat sinks 5 and 25, and the side surfaces adjacent to each other are inclined as the first head substrate inclined side surface 6C and the second head substrate inclined side surface 26C. 26 were arranged and formed individually. In the thermal print head 1, the first and second head units 2 and 3 are arranged on the head frame in order in the main scanning direction S1 and attached with fixtures.

  According to the above configuration, the thermal print head 1 adjusts the arrangement positions of the first and second head substrates 6 and 26 together with the first and second heat radiating plates 5 and 25, and the first and second head substrates. 6 and 26 can be connected with high accuracy. Thereby, when the thermal print head 1 is provided in the thermal printer 40 and forms an image on the recording medium P, the quality of the image can be improved.

  The thermal print head 1 includes the first and second head substrates 6 and 26 on one surface of the first and second heat sinks 5 and 25 in the first and second head units 2 and 3, and the first heat sink inclined side surface 5C and The second heat radiating plate inclined side surface 25C, the first head substrate inclined side surface 6C, and the second head substrate inclined side surface 26C are arranged flush with each other. Therefore, the thermal print head 1 includes the first and second head units 2 and 3 in the head frame, the first heat substrate inclined side surface 6C and the second head substrate together with the first heat radiator inclined surface 5C and the second heat sink inclined side surface 25C. The inclined side surface 26C can be attached close to or in contact with the inclined side surface 26C.

  In the thermal print head 1, a scale 35 for position adjustment was formed on the boundary portion between one surface of the first head substrate 6 and one surface of the second head substrate 26. Therefore, the thermal print head 1 adjusts the arrangement positions of the first and second head substrates 6 and 26 together with the first and second heat sinks 5 and 25 with the scale 35 as a guideline, while the first and second head plates 6 and 26 are arranged on the head frame. Two head units 2 and 3 can be attached individually. Thereby, the thermal print head 1 can connect the first and second head substrates 6 and 26 with higher accuracy.

  Further, in the thermal print head 1, the first and second head units 2 and 3 are individually attached to the unit frame with a fixture such as a screw. Therefore, the thermal print head 1 can individually remove the first and second head units 2 and 3 together with the fixture from the unit frame. Therefore, when one of the first and second head units 2 and 3 breaks down, for example, the thermal printer 40 does not replace the thermal print head 1 itself unnecessarily, but the failed first and second heads. By replacing only the units 2 and 3, the original normal state can be restored. Therefore, the thermal printer 40 can improve convenience as compared with a thermal printer provided with a conventional thermal print head.

  In the above-described embodiment, the first heat sink 5 and the first head substrate 6 are formed in a right trapezoid shape in the first and second head units 2 and 3 of the thermal print head 1 and the second heat sink 25. The case where the second head substrate 26 is formed in an inverted right trapezoid shape has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and for example, as shown in FIG. 6 in which the same reference numerals are assigned to corresponding parts to FIG. 1, one or more first head units 51 and one or more first heads are attached to the thermal print head 50. 2 head units 52 are provided, and in these first and second head units 51 and 52, the first heat radiating plate 53 and the first head substrate 54 are formed in an isosceles trapezoidal shape whose width is gradually narrowed in the sub-scanning direction S2. At the same time, the second heat radiating plate 55 and the second head substrate 56 are formed in an inverted isosceles trapezoidal shape that gradually widens in the sub-scanning direction S2. In the present invention, the first and second head units 50 and 51 are alternately arranged in the main scanning direction S1 in the thermal print head 50, and one or a plurality of first and second head substrates 54 and 56 are sequentially connected. Also good.

  Further, according to the present invention, for example, as shown in FIG. 7 in which the same reference numerals are given to corresponding parts to FIG. 6, a plurality of second head units 61 are provided in the thermal print head 60 together with one first head unit 51. In the second head unit 61, the second heat radiating plate 62 and the second head substrate 63 are formed in a parallelogram shape. According to the present invention, in the thermal print head 60, the plurality of second head units 61 are sequentially arranged in the main scanning direction S1 with the first head unit 51 as a starting point, and the first head substrate 54 and the plurality of second head substrates 63 are sequentially connected. You may do it.

  Further, in the present invention, for example, as shown in FIG. 8 in which parts corresponding to those in FIGS. 1 and 6 are given the same reference numerals, the thermal print head 65 includes the first and second head units 2 and 3 shown in FIG. The first and second head units 51 and 52 shown in FIG. 6 are provided. In the thermal print head 65, the present invention includes the first head unit 2 shown in FIG. 1, the second head unit 52 shown in FIG. 6, the first head unit 51 shown in FIG. 6, and the second head unit shown in FIG. The head units 3 may be sequentially arranged along the main scanning direction S1, and the first head substrates 5 and 54 and the second head substrates 56 and 26 may be alternately connected.

  In the present invention, in the thermal print heads 1, 50, 60, 65, the first and second radiator plates 5, 53, 25, 55, 65 are thus trapezoidal (that is, right-angled trapezoidal or isosceles trapezoidal) or parallel. Like the quadrilateral shape, the first and second head units 2, 51 and 3, 51, 64 can be formed in various quadrangular shapes in which the side surfaces adjacent to the side are inclined. The present invention can obtain the same effects as those obtained by the above-described embodiments even with these various configurations. Further, in the present invention, if the side surfaces of the first and second heat radiation plates 5, 53 and 25, 55, 65 adjacent to the first and second head units 2, 51, 3, 51, 64 are inclined, The first and second heat radiating plates 5, 53, 25, 55, 65 are made slightly wider than the first and second head substrates 6, 54, 26, 56, 66, and the first and second heat radiating plates 5, 53 and 25, 55, 65 are slightly moved from one and the other side surfaces of the first and second head substrates 6, 54, 26, 56, 66 in the main scanning direction S 1 and in the opposite direction. It may be protruded.

  In the above-described embodiment, the case where the first and second head units 2 and 3 of the thermal print head 1 are attached to the head frame that can be attached to and detached from the thermal printer 40 has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the first and second head units 2 and 3 of the thermal print head 1 may be attached to a head frame fixed to the thermal printer 40.

  The present invention can be used for a thermal printer such as a digital plate making machine, a video printer, an imager, and a seal printer, and a thermal print head provided in the thermal printer.

  1, 50, 60, 65 ... thermal print head, 2, 51 ... first head unit, 3, 52, 64 ... second head unit, 5, 53 ... first heat sink, 6, 54 ... 1st head substrate, 12 ... heating resistor, 15, 28 ... heating area, 25, 55, 65 ... second heat sink, 26, 56, 66 ... second head substrate, 40 ... thermal printer.

Claims (5)

A thermal print head in which a plurality of head units are arranged in order in the main scanning direction,
The plurality of head units are:
A head substrate in which a heat generating region along the main scanning direction is provided in a sub-scanning direction orthogonal to the main scanning direction or in a direction opposite to the sub-scanning direction, and a side surface adjacent to the head unit is inclined; ,
A side surface on the side adjacent to the head unit is inclined, and includes a heat radiating plate on which the head substrate is disposed,
The plurality of head units are:
The head substrate in which the heat generation area is provided in the sub-scanning direction and the head substrate in which the heat generation area is provided in a direction opposite to the sub-scanning direction are alternately arranged in the main scanning direction. Thermal print head. The plurality of heat sinks are
2. The head substrate is arranged on the one surface, with the side surface inclined on the side adjacent to the head unit and the side surface inclined on the side adjacent to the head unit of the head substrate being flush with each other. The thermal print head described in 1. The plurality of head units are:
The thermal print head according to claim 1, wherein the thermal print head is mounted on a head frame in order in the main scanning direction and individually mounted by a mounting tool. The plurality of head substrates are
The thermal print head according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein a scale for position adjustment is formed on a boundary portion of one surface. A thermal printer provided with a thermal print head in which a plurality of head units are arranged in order in the main scanning direction,
The plurality of head units are:
A head substrate in which a heat generating region along the main scanning direction is provided in a sub-scanning direction orthogonal to the main scanning direction or in a direction opposite to the sub-scanning direction, and a side surface adjacent to the head unit is inclined; ,
A side surface on the side adjacent to the head unit is inclined, and includes a heat radiating plate on which the head substrate is disposed,
The plurality of head units are:
The head substrate in which the heat generation area is provided in the sub-scanning direction and the head substrate in which the heat generation area is provided in a direction opposite to the sub-scanning direction are alternately arranged in the main scanning direction. Thermal printer.

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