JP2507877Y2 - Thermal transfer printer - Google Patents

Description

<Detailed Description of the Invention><Field of the Invention> The present invention aims at saving the ink ribbon by interrupting the transfer of the ink ribbon while the non-printed portion of the transfer sheet passes through the thermal printer head. The present invention relates to a thermal transfer printer.

<Prior Art> Generally, in a thermal transfer printer, as shown in FIG. 1, the ink ribbon 3 and the transfer target sheet 4 are sent at the same speed between the platen 1 and the thermal printer head 2 to transfer the ink 3b of the ink ribbon 3. Transferred sheet 4 from ribbon base material 3a
Transfer to.

However, generally, in such a thermal transfer printer, it is extremely rare to print the entire sheet in the feeding direction of the transfer target sheet 4, and as shown in FIG. It is usually provided and printed (especially when the label to be printed is attached to the label sheet at regular intervals).

However, in the general thermal transfer printer shown in FIG. 1, since the ink ribbon 3 and the transfer target sheet 4 are sent at the same time while being piled up, the ink 3b of the ink ribbon 3 in the non-printed portion B is indicated by the symbol C. Ink ribbons are extremely uneconomical because they are sent out for a considerable distance without being used.

Conventionally, in order to solve this problem, JP-A-59-
According to No. 83681, while the non-printed part of the transfer sheet is passing, the ink ribbon can be greatly saved by interrupting the transfer of only the ink ribbon while releasing the pressure between the thermal head and the platen roller. Thermal transfer printers have been proposed.

<Problems to be solved by the present invention> However, even if the pressure between the thermal head and the platen roller can be released in this way, if the transfer sheet is always under tension, the transfer sheet will not be released. There was a problem of gradually bending in one of the width directions.

The present invention solves this problem, and in a thermal transfer printer in which the thermal printer head is separated from the platen so that only the transfer target sheet is transferred to prevent wasteful transfer of the ink ribbon, the thermal printer head is separated from the platen. It is an object of the present invention to provide a thermal transfer printer capable of repairing the bending of the ink ribbon while using it.

<Means for Solving the Problems> In order to solve the above problems, the present invention is directed to a thermal transfer printer in which an ink ribbon is fed from a supply reel between a thermal printer head and a platen and between the thermal printer head and the platen. The ribbon transfer device that winds the ink ribbon that has passed through the take-up reel by the take-up reel, and sends the transfer target sheet from the supply reel between the ink ribbon and the platen in the same direction as the feeding direction of the ink ribbon, and between the thermal printer head and the platen. A sheet transfer device that winds up the transfer target sheet that has passed through the take-up reel, a moving device that moves the thermal printer head in a direction of separating from the platen, and an ink ribbon of the ink ribbon when the samar printer head separates from the platen. A pressing member for preventing the loosening, and The ribbon transfer device and the sheet transfer device are driven so that the predetermined character portion and the ink ribbon pass between the thermal printer head and the platen at the same speed, and printing is performed on the predetermined print portion, and the printing is completed. After that, while moving the moving device to separate it from the thermal head platen, and stopping the ribbon transfer device to interrupt the transfer of the ink ribbon, the sheet transfer device is driven to move the next sheet of the transfer target sheet. And a control device for returning the thermal printer head to the platen side by transferring the portion to be printed between the thermal printer head and the platen, and the non-printed portion of the transfer sheet is between the thermal printer head and the platen. The thermal transfer preprint prevents the ink ribbon from being transferred unused when passing through the In the above, the control device drives only the supply reel of the ribbon transfer device for a predetermined time from the time when the thermal head is separated from the platen, and releases the tension state of the ink ribbon by the pressing member. When the next print scheduled portion of the transfer sheet is transferred between the thermal printer head and the platen, only the take-up reel of the ribbon transfer device is driven in the winding direction for the predetermined time and the ink ribbon is moved. The feature is that the tension state of No. 1 is restored.

<Operation> Therefore, in the thermal transfer printer of the present invention, the supply reel side of the ribbon transfer device is driven in the feeding direction for a predetermined time at the start of passage of the non-printed portion of the transfer sheet, and the ink ribbon is pulled by the pressing member. When the state is released and the next printing target portion of the transfer sheet is transferred between the thermal printer head and the platen, the take-up reel of the ribbon transfer device is driven in the take-up direction for a predetermined time to eject the ink ribbon. Since the tension state is restored, the deviation in the width direction of the ink ribbon is corrected each time.

<Structure of an Embodiment of the Present Invention> FIGS. 3 to 5 show an embodiment of the present invention.

In these figures, 10 is a frame of a thermal transfer printer, to which frame horizontal shafts 11 and 12 are fixed. Vertical plates 13 and 14 are fixed to the horizontal shafts 11 and 12, respectively. A flat plate-shaped solenoid base 15 is vertically fixed between the two vertical plates 13 and 14.

At the center of the solenoid base 15, the solenoid mounting plate 16
Solenoid 17 is attached via. Solenoid 17
The plunger 17a is driven vertically.

A head mounting plate 18 is rotatably mounted below the solenoid 17 by a horizontal shaft 19 which is horizontally fixed to the vertical plate. A thermal printer head 21 is fixed to the lower surface side of the head mounting plate 18 via a mounting angle 20.

On the upper surface side of the head mounting plate 18, a U-shaped connecting angle
22 is installed. The connecting angle 22 is a horizontally long hole 22
A connecting pin 23 fixed to the plunger 17a of the solenoid 17 is inserted into the long hole 22a.
When the solenoid 17 does not operate, the head mounting plate 18 is set to be horizontal as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, and when the solenoid 17 operates and the plunger 17a moves up, it is inserted into the long hole 22a. The head mounting plate 18 is rotated clockwise (in FIG. 4) by the connecting pin 23.

On the upper surface side of the head mounting plate 18, vertical bars 24 and 25 which project upward are provided upright. Vertical bars 24 and 25 are
A spring locking plate 26 attached to the solenoid base 15,
The length is set so as to penetrate through the 27 holes 26a, 27a and reach above the holes. Compression springs 28, 29 for applying a pressing force are provided on the vertical rods 24, 25 between the spring locking plates 26a, 27a and the head mounting plate 18.

L-shaped plates 30 and 31 are provided on the upper end of the solenoid base 15 so as to project forward. Stoppers 32 and 33 are attached to the L-shaped plates 30 and 31 so as to be located slightly above the upper ends of the vertical bars 24 and 25. The rotation of the head mounting plate 18 when the solenoid 17 operates causes the upper ends of the vertical bars 24 and 25 to stop.
It is stopped by abutting 32, 33.

Inside the vertical plate 14, a lever 34 is rotatably attached by a shaft 34 '. The lever 34 is provided at its lower end with an inclined portion 34a as shown in FIG.
4a is provided with a lateral engaging groove 35.

A pin 36 is planted in the middle of the lever 34. pin
A tension spring 37 is attached between 36 and the horizontal shaft 19, and the lever 34 is biased to rotate in the counterclockwise direction (in FIG. 4). The lever 34 has a lateral elongated hole 34b. A stopper 38 protruding from the vertical plate 14 is inserted into the elongated hole 34b. Therefore, the counterclockwise rotation of the lever 34 is stopped by the contact between the left edge portion of the elongated hole 34b and the stopper 38. In addition, a knob is attached to the lower end of the lever 34.
39 is projected.

Below the thermal head 21, a platen mounting plate 40
Are rotatably attached by a horizontal shaft 41 fixed to the frame 10. A platen 42 is horizontally rotatably attached near the tip of the platen attachment plate 40.

The platen mounting plate 40 has a locking groove at the lower end of the lever 34.
A locking pin 43 for locking to 35 is projected, and when the platen mounting plate 40 is pushed up in the clockwise direction (in FIG. 4), the locking pin 43 abuts the inclined portion 34a of the lever 34, When the lever 34 is further pushed up, the lever 34 is rotated clockwise against the biasing force of the tension spring 37, and the locking pin 43 is fitted into the locking groove 35 of the lever 34. As a result, the platen mounting plate 40 is maintained horizontally, and the platen 42 is attached to the thermal printer head.
Abut the underside of 21.

To remove the platen mounting plate 40, the lever 34 is rotated clockwise by the knob 39 to remove the locking pin 43 from the locking groove 35.

A pressing member 44 is fixed in front of the lower ends of the vertical plates 13 and 14 so as to prevent the ink ribbon 70 from loosening when the thermal printer head 21 rises.

A roller 50 is rotatably attached to the horizontal shaft 11. Further, an edge 51 for peeling off the label 81 of the label sheet 80 is provided at the upper end of the entire surface plate 40a of the platen mounting plate 40.

An ink ribbon supply reel 52 and an ink ribbon take-up reel 53 are installed on the upper rear part. An ink ribbon guide 54 is provided so as to guide the ink ribbon 70 from the ink ribbon supply reel 52 to the lower side of the thermal printer head 21.

Further, a label sheet supply reel 55 is installed behind it, and a label sheet take-up reel 56 is installed below it. Reference numerals 57, 58, 59 and 60 are rollers for holding the label sheet 80. Label on label sheet 80
81 are peelably attached at predetermined intervals.

The shaft 52a of the ink ribbon supply reel 52, the take-up shaft 53a of the ink ribbon take-up reel 53, the label sheet supply reel 5
5 axis 55a, label sheet take-up reel 56 take-up shaft 56a,
The rotation of a motor (not shown) is transmitted and rotated, and a control device (not shown) causes (a) and (b) of FIG.
Label sheet feeding and ink ribbon feeding are controlled as shown in FIG. Further, the solenoid 17 is controlled by the control device, and as shown in FIG. 6C, the ascending and descending of the thermal printer head 21 is controlled. Further, the printing operation by the thermal printer head 21 is also controlled by the control device as shown in FIG.

That is, the control device drives the solenoid 17 to separate the thermal printer head 21 from the platen 42 upward, and then the ink ribbon supply reel 52 for a predetermined time (reference numeral a).
Is driven in the feeding direction to loosen the ink ribbon 70 in the tension state by the pressing member 44, and when the thermal printer head 21 descends to the platen 42 side, the ink ribbon take-up reel 53 is taken up for the same time. Drive in the direction to return the ink ribbon 70 to the tensioned state and prevent the ink ribbon 70 from bending.

<Operation of the Embodiment> Next, the operation of the embodiment will be described.

First, the lever 39 is moved clockwise by the knob 39 to disengage the locking pin 43 from the locking groove 35 of the lever 34,
The platen mounting plate 40 is rotated downward to move the platen 42 away from the thermal printer head 21.

In this state, the free end of the ink ribbon 70 wound around the ribbon supply reel 52 is wound around the ribbon take-up reel 53 via the ribbon guide 54, the lower surface of the thermal head 21, the holding member 44, and the roller 50 of the horizontal shaft 11. . In addition, the free end of the label sheet 80 wound around the label sheet supply reel 55 is set to the roller 5
Between 7, 58, ribbon guide 54, underside of thermal head 21,
Edge 51 of the upper end of the front plate 40a at the front end of the platen mounting plate 40
The label sheet take-up reel 56 from between the rollers 59 and 60.
Then, the platen mounting plate 40 is rotated upward so that the locking pin 43 is locked in the locking groove 35 of the lever 34 to horizontally fix the platen mounting plate 40.

Then, as shown in (a), (b), and (d) of FIG. 6, the label sheet feeding, ribbon feeding, and printing are simultaneously performed by the control device at the printing relevant portion of the label 81. During this time, the thermal printer head 21 is pressed toward the platen 42 by the urging force of the compression springs 28 and 29, and the ink ribbon 70 and the label sheet 80 are sandwiched between the thermal printer head 21 and the platen 42. When printing is completed, the solenoid 17 is activated, the plunger 17a rises, the head mounting plate 18 rotates upward about the horizontal shaft 19, and the vertical rods 24 and 25 come into contact with the stoppers 32 and 33 to stop. To do. As described above, the thermal printer head 21 is separated from the platen 42 by the rotation of the head mounting plate 18, and the ink ribbon 70 and the label sheet 80 are moved to the thermal printer head.
The pinched state between 21 and the platen 42 is released. However, as shown in FIG. 7, since the ink ribbon 70 is pressed from above by the pressing member 44, the ink ribbon 70 is not relaxed even when the thermal printer head 21 is separated, and the symbol a in FIG. As shown in the thermal printer head
After 21 is separated, the ink ribbon supply reel 52 is left for a predetermined time,
That is, the tension state of the ink ribbon 70 is released by driving the ink ribbon by a small length (about 1 or 2 mm) in the feeding direction.

Then, as shown in (a) of FIG. 6, during this period, the label sheet 80 is used until the next printing target portion of the label 81 is reached.
However, the ribbon feeding is stopped as shown in (b) of the figure. After the label sheet 80 is fed until the printing position of the label 81 is reached, the solenoid 17 is restored, the plunger 17a is lowered, and the thermal printer head 21 is pressed again to the platen 42 side, but at this time, it is in a relaxed state. 6, the ink ribbon take-up reel 53 is driven in the take-up direction for a predetermined time to recover the ink ribbon 70 to the tensioned state, whereby the ink ribbon 70 is twisted. Is corrected, and then printing is performed together with label feeding and ribbon feeding as described above. After that, the same operation is repeated.

The label 81 attached to the label sheet 80 has an edge.
At 51, the label sheet 80 bends at a right angle and is automatically peeled off.

As described above, since the feeding of the ink ribbon 70 is interrupted during the feeding of the non-printed portion of the label sheet 80, the thermal printer remains attached to the ribbon base material 71 of the ink ribbon 70 as shown in FIG. Ink 72 leaving the head 21
The amount of unused portion C ′ of the ink ribbon 70 is much smaller than that of the unused portion C of the ink of the conventional apparatus shown in FIG. Also disappears.

Although the solenoid 17 is used as a moving device for separating the thermal printer head 21 from the platen 42 in the above-described embodiment, this moving device may be configured by other means such as a motor and a cylinder.

<Effects of the Present Invention> As described above, in the present invention, in the thermal transfer printer in which the ink ribbon feeding is interrupted in the non-printing portion to achieve a great saving of the ink ribbon, the thermal printer head is separated from the platen. After that, the supply reel side of the ribbon transfer device is driven in the feeding direction for a predetermined time to release the tension of the ink ribbon by the pressing member to loosen it, and when the thermal printer head returns to the platen side, the ribbon transfer device is wound. Since the take-up reel is driven in the take-up direction for a predetermined time to recover the tension state of the ink ribbon, the ink ribbon does not stay in the tension state for a long time, and the adverse effect of the ink ribbon deviation can be eliminated. .

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a sectional view showing a main part of a conventional thermal transfer printer, FIG. 2 is an explanatory view showing a printed or non-printed portion of a transfer sheet, and FIG. 3 is a front view showing an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a view taken along the line IV-IV in FIG. 3, FIG. 5 is a view taken along the line VV in FIG. 3, and FIG. 6 is a time chart showing the operation of each part controlled by the control device. The figure is an enlarged cross-sectional view of an essential part for explaining the operation. 13, 14 ... Vertical plate, 17 ... Solenoid, 17a ... Plunger, 18 ... Head mounting plate, 19 ... Horizontal axis, 21 ... Thermal printer head, 24, 25 ... Vertical bar, 32, 33 ... … Stopper, 34 …… Lever, 35 …… Locking groove, 40 …… Platen mounting plate, 41 …… Horizontal shaft, 42 …… Platen, 43 …… Locking pin, 44 …… Pressing member, 51 …… Edge , 52 …… Ink ribbon supply reel, 53 …… Ink ribbon take-up reel, 54 ……
Ribbon guide, 55 …… Label sheet supply reel, 56 ……
Label sheet take-up reel, 70 …… Ink ribbon, 80 ……
Label sheet, 81 …… Label.

 ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (72) Inventor Tomasa Ike 5-1027 Minamiazabu, Minato-ku, Tokyo Atsuji Electric Co., Ltd. (56) References JP-A-58-194591 (JP, A) JP-A-SHO 59-83681 (JP, A) JP-A-59-182770 (JP, A) JP-A-58-193184 (JP, A) Actually opened 59-122263 (JP, U) Actually opened 54-174417 (JP, A) U) Actual development Sho 59-112650 (JP, U)

Claims (1)

(57) [Scope of utility model registration request] 1. A ribbon transfer device for feeding an ink ribbon from a supply reel between a thermal printer head and a platen and winding the ink ribbon passing between the thermal printer head and the platen by a take-up reel, and supplying a transfer target sheet. A sheet transfer device that sends out a transfer target sheet, which is sent out from a reel between the ink ribbon and the platen in the same direction as the ink ribbon sending direction and passes between the thermal printer head and the platen, by a take-up reel, and the thermal printer head. A moving device for moving the thermal printer head away from the platen; a pressing member for preventing the ink ribbon from loosening when the thermal printer head separates from the platen; Between the thermal printer head and the platen at the same speed The ribbon transfer device and the sheet transfer device are driven so as to pass through, and printing is performed on the planned printing portion, and after the printing is completed, the moving device is driven to separate the thermal head from the platen, and With the ribbon transfer device stopped to stop the transfer of the ink ribbon, the sheet transfer device is driven to transfer the next print target portion of the transfer target sheet between the thermal printer head and the platen, and the thermal transfer is performed. A control device for returning the printer head to the platen side is provided, and when the non-printed portion of the transfer target sheet passes between the thermal printer head and the platen, the ink ribbon is not transferred without being used. In the thermal transfer printer, when the control device separates the thermal head from the platen, Only the supply reel of the ribbon transfer device is driven in the feeding direction for a predetermined time to release the tension state of the ink ribbon by the pressing member, and the next printing scheduled portion of the transfer sheet is the thermal printer head and the platen. The thermal transfer printer is characterized in that only the take-up reel of the ribbon transfer device is driven in the take-up direction for the predetermined time to recover the tension state of the ink ribbon when the ink ribbon is transferred to the predetermined interval.