JP2581164B2 - Print head - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a thermal type print head.

[Prior Art] Conventionally, a thermal head is widely known as a heat-sensitive print head used for a printer or the like. This thermal head has a configuration in which an insulating layer, a heating resistance layer, an electrode, an oxidation preventing layer, and an abrasion preventing layer are sequentially laminated on a ceramic substrate to form a printing element, and the printing element is fixed to a metal support. ing.

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention] However, in the above-described thermal head, since the material is expensive and high precision is required, there is a problem that the productivity is low and the device is naturally expensive. Was.

An object of the present invention is to provide a print head which has a simple structure, is excellent in productivity, and can be manufactured at low cost.

[Means for Solving the Problems] According to the present invention, a first electrode body having a first electrode formed on one surface of a flexible sheet is folded with the one surface having the first electrode formed inside. A second electrode body having a second electrode is disposed at the folded portion, and a heating resistor layer is interposed between the first electrode and the second electrode. This serves as a protective layer for the heating resistance layer. In this case, the second
May be formed of a metal plate and may also have the function of the second electrode, and the first electrode body may have a plurality of first electrodes. The heating resistance layer may be fixed on the electrode. Further, the second electrode body may be one in which a large number of second electrodes are formed on one surface of an insulating sheet. In this case, the first electrode body is formed in a planar manner over the entire width of the second electrode formation region.
The heating resistance layer may be formed on the first electrode in a planar shape over the entire width of the second electrode formation region.

[Operation] According to the present invention, the first electrode body in which the first electrode is formed on one surface of the flexible sheet is folded with the one surface on which the first electrode is formed inward, and the folded portion is folded. Since the second electrode body having the second electrode is arranged with the heat generating resistance layer interposed therebetween, the structure is simple, the productivity is excellent, and the device can be manufactured at low cost. In this case, the first
Is folded with the first electrode inside, so that the sheet itself is a protective layer (abrasion-resistant layer) of the first electrode. Further, if the second electrode body is formed of a metal plate,
Since the second electrode body itself performs the function of the second electrode and also functions as the support member, the structure is further simplified, and the device can be manufactured at low cost. Since the heating resistance layer can be formed by, for example, printing carbon ink or the like, it is desirable that the heating resistance layer be fixed on the first electrode. Also, instead of using a metal plate as the second electrode body, a large number of second electrodes are formed on one surface of an insulating sheet to form the second electrode body, and the first electrode is formed by the second electrode formation. The first electrode body may be formed in a planar shape over the entire width of the region. In this case, if the heating resistance layer is formed in a plane over the entire width of the second electrode formation region, the alignment of the first electrode is extremely easy, and the production can be performed efficiently.

First Embodiment Hereinafter, a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 show a state in which the image is transferred to a recording paper by a thermal type print head. The print head 1 performs thermal transfer while sliding on the upper surface of a thermal transfer sheet 3 disposed on a recording paper 2 such as plain paper. The first electrode body 4 is folded in a “U” shape. The second electrode body 6 is arranged with the heat-generating resistance layer 5 interposed in the folded portion. The first electrode body 4 is formed by arranging a large number of recording electrodes 8 on one surface of a heat-resistant film 7 having flexibility.
After the heating resistance layers 5 are formed on the recording electrodes 8, the recording electrodes 8 are folded back in a “U” shape with the recording electrodes 8 side inside. The second electrode body 6 has an insulating layer 10 formed on the surface of a return electrode 9 made of a thin metal plate, and an insulating layer 10 at the lower end thereof.
10 is cut out to expose the return electrode 9, and when the return electrode 9 is disposed at the folded portion of the first electrode body 4, the exposed return electrode 9 at the lower end directly contacts the heat-generating resistance layers 5. As a result, the return electrode 9 is electrically connected to the recording electrodes 8 at the lower ends thereof via the heating resistance layers 5. The heat-generating resistance layers 5 are made of carbon paste or the like, which will be described later. A portion where the lower end of the return electrode 9 is in direct contact constitutes a heat-generating portion 5a, and a recording signal output portion 11 is provided between the recording electrode 8 and the return electrode 9. When the recording signal voltage is applied from the, the heat generating portions 5a generate heat. The second electrode body 6 has the same width as the array length of the recording electrodes 8 of the first electrode body 4 and also serves as a support for the entire print head 1, and its upper side is an oblique side. , Thereby having a spring property, and the bent upper end is attached to the base 12. The thermal transfer sheet 3 is provided with a heat-melting ink layer 14 on the lower surface of the base sheet 13, and heat generated by the heat-generating portion 5 a of the print head 1 corresponds to the heat-melting ink layer 14 at a portion corresponding to the heat-generating portion 5 a. Melts,
This fused portion 14a is transferred to the lower recording paper 2.

Next, a case where the above-described first electrode body 4 is manufactured will be described with reference to FIG. First, as shown in FIG. 3 (A), a heat resistant film 7 is prepared. The heat-resistant film 7 is made of a polyimide resin or the like, and has a thickness of about 6 to 25 μm. Next, as shown in FIG. 3 (B), a metal film 15 is formed on the surface of the heat resistant film 7 by vapor deposition, plating or the like. The metal film 15 serves as a recording electrode, and is made of copper (Cu), nickel (Ni), aluminum (A
l) and the like, and its film thickness is about 0.1 to 0.5 μm. Further, the heating resistance layer 5 is fixed on the surface of the metal film 15 by screen printing, roll coating or the like, and is cured. The heating resistance layer 5 is, for example, a paste in which a binder having heat resistance is mixed with carbon powder, and has a thickness of about 5 to 20 μm. As shown in FIG. 3 (C), the heating resistor layer 5 is formed such that a large number of leads are arranged in parallel on the surface of the metal film 15 at a predetermined interval (for example, 0.1 mm). In this state, when the metal film 15 is etched, the heat generating resistance layer 5 becomes a resist and unnecessary portions of the metal film 15 are removed, and as shown in FIG. Are formed on the recording electrodes 8. Thereby, the first electrode body 4 is formed. When the first electrode body 4 is bent in a “U” shape, the heating resistance layers 5 may be bent inward and along the arrangement direction of the heating resistance layers 5.

Next, a case where thermal transfer is performed by the print head 1 configured as described above will be described. First, as shown in FIG. 1, the thermal transfer sheet 3 is arranged on the recording paper 2, and the hot-melt ink layer 14 of the thermal transfer sheet 3 is brought into close contact with the upper surface of the recording paper 2. In this state, the print head 1 is pressed against the upper surface of the thermal transfer sheet 3, that is, the upper surface of the base sheet 13. At this time, since the second electrode body 6 has a spring property, the lower end of the print head 1 is pressed against the base sheet 15 of the thermal transfer sheet 3 with a predetermined pressing force by the spring property. After the lower end of the print head 1 is pressed against the thermal transfer sheet 3 in this manner, the print electrodes 1 are moved relative to the thermal transfer sheet 3 in the arrow X direction while the recording electrodes 8.
A recording signal voltage is applied from the recording signal output unit 11 to the return electrode 9 and the return electrode 9. Then, the heat generating portion 5a of the heat generating resistive layer 5 with which the lower end of the return electrode 9 contacts generates heat by Joule heat. Then, this heat is transmitted to the thermal transfer sheet 3 via the recording electrode 8 and the heat-resistant film 7, and is further transferred to the thermal transfer sheet 3.
Transmitted to the hot-melt ink layer 14 through the base sheet 13 of
The portion of the heat-melted ink layer 14 corresponding to the heat generating portion 5a is melted. The fused portion 14a is transferred to the recording paper 2 thereunder. As a result, in accordance with the recording signal voltage from the recording signal output unit 11, the fused portion 14a of the hot-melt ink layer 14
Can be transferred reliably and satisfactorily.

Therefore, according to the print head 1 as described above, the first electrode body 4 is folded in a “U” shape, and the second electrode body 6 is arranged at the folded portion with the heat generating resistance layer 5 interposed therebetween. It has a simple structure, excellent productivity, and can be manufactured at low cost. In particular, the first electrode body 4 is made of a heat-resistant film 7.
When a large number of recording electrodes 8 are formed on the surface of the substrate, the heating resistance layers 5 can also be formed at the same time, so that the production is further facilitated and the assembling workability is improved. Further, since the return electrode 9 itself is formed of a metal plate, the second electrode body 6 can be easily manufactured and can have a spring property itself.
Can be satisfactorily pressed against the thermal transfer sheet 3 on the recording paper 2.

Second Embodiment Next, a second embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. In this case, the same parts as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted.

The print head 20 according to the second embodiment has a configuration in which a second electrode body 23 is disposed at a folded portion of the first electrode body 4 with an insulating layer 22 having a heating resistance layer 21 interposed therebetween. In this case, the heating resistance layer 21 is made of carbon or the like, and the second electrode body
Only the portion corresponding to the lower end of 23, that is, the same portion as the heat generating portion 5a of the first embodiment described above is provided. Also, the second
The electrode body 23 has a configuration in which the return electrode 25 is formed on the entire surface of the insulating film 24. Therefore, this return electrode 25
Are electrically connected to the recording electrodes 8 at the heat generating resistor portion 21, and the other portions are insulated by the insulating layer 22. Therefore, when a recording signal voltage is applied from the recording signal output unit 11 to the recording electrodes 8 and the return electrodes 25, the heating resistor unit 21 generates heat. In such a print head 20, the same operation and effect as those in the first embodiment are obtained.

Third Embodiment Next, a third embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 5 and FIG. Also in this case, the same parts as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted.

As in the first embodiment, the print head 30 of the third embodiment folds the first electrode body 31 into a “U” shape, and interposes the heat-generating resistor portion 32 at the folded portion to form the second electrode body. It has a configuration in which the body 33 is arranged. That is, the second electrode body 33
Are arranged at predetermined intervals on one side (right side) of the insulating film 34, and the recording electrodes 35 are arranged at predetermined intervals.
Are formed so as to project downward from the lower end of the insulating film 34 to form protrusions 35a. The recording electrodes 35 are sandwiched between the insulating film 34 and the insulating film 36 in a sandwich manner. I have. The first electrode body 31 has a return electrode 37 formed entirely on the entire surface of the heat-resistant film 7, and the heating resistor portion 32 has a predetermined width at the center of the upper surface of the return electrode 37, and has a second width. Of the electrode body 33 is formed over the length of the formation area of the recording electrode 35..., And is bent in a “U” shape at the heating resistor portion 32. Therefore, the first electrode body 31 is folded back toward the inside in the heating resistor portion 32, and the second electrode body is
33, the protruding portions 35a of the recording electrodes 35 of the second electrode body 33 come into contact with the heating resistance layer 32 on the first electrode body 31 side, whereby the recording electrodes 35 and the return electrodes 37 are provided. Are conducted. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 5, when a recording signal voltage is applied from the recording signal output section 11 to the recording electrodes 35 and the return electrodes 37, the heating section of the heating resistance section 32 with which the recording electrodes 35 contact.
Joule heat is generated at 32a, and the hot melt ink layer 14 of the thermal transfer sheet 3 is melted in the same manner as in the first embodiment, and the melted portion 14a is transferred to the recording paper 2.

Therefore, in such a print head 30, in addition to the same operation and effect as the first embodiment described above,
The second electrode body 33 and the first electrode body 31 are connected to a general IC, LS
TAB (Tape Automated Bondi) for mounting semiconductor elements such as I
ng) It can be manufactured using the technology and equipment of the system as it is. For example, when the protrusions 35a of the recording electrodes 35 are formed, a metal foil such as copper is laminated on the surface of the insulating film 34 with an adhesive or the like in a state of protruding to one side in advance. The metal foil can be easily manufactured by etching it in the same manner as in the first embodiment.

Note that the print head of the present invention does not necessarily need to transfer to the recording paper 2 via the thermal transfer sheet 3 as described above. If a heat-sensitive recording paper is used, the transfer can be performed without using the thermal transfer sheet 3. it can.

[Effects of the Invention] As described in detail above, according to the print head of the present invention, the first electrode body in which the first electrode is formed on one surface of the flexible sheet is formed with the first electrode. The second electrode body having the second electrode is disposed with the heat-generating resistance layer interposed in the folded portion, so that the structure is simple, the productivity is excellent, and the cost is low. Can be manufactured.

[Brief description of the drawings]

1 to 3 show a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1 is an enlarged sectional view showing a state in which a print head performs thermal transfer on a recording paper, FIG. 2 is an AA sectional view thereof, and FIG. 3 (A) ~
(D) is a diagram showing a manufacturing process of the first electrode body, and FIG.
5 and 6 show a third embodiment, FIG. 5 is an enlarged sectional view of performing thermal transfer to recording paper by a print head, and FIG. 6 is a print head. FIG. 1, 20, 30 ... print head, 4, 31 ... first electrode body,
5 ... heating resistance layer, 6, 23, 33 ... second electrode body, 7,
34 ... heat-resistant film, 8, 35 ... recording electrode (first electrode), 9, 25, 37 ... return electrode (second electrode), 21, 32
.... Heating resistance part.

Claims (3)

(57) [Claims] 1. A first electrode body in which a first electrode is formed on one surface of a flexible sheet is folded with the one surface on which the first electrode is formed inward.
And a heating resistor layer is interposed between the first electrode and the second electrode, and the flexible sheet serves as a protective layer for the heating resistor layer. And the print head. 2. The print head according to claim 1, wherein said second electrode body is formed of a metal plate. 3. The print head according to claim 1, wherein said second electrode body has a structure in which both front and back surfaces of said second electrode are covered with an insulating layer.