JP2632310B2 - Thermal printing head inspection device - Google Patents
Thermal printing head inspection deviceInfo
- Publication number
- JP2632310B2 JP2632310B2 JP61172649A JP17264986A JP2632310B2 JP 2632310 B2 JP2632310 B2 JP 2632310B2 JP 61172649 A JP61172649 A JP 61172649A JP 17264986 A JP17264986 A JP 17264986A JP 2632310 B2 JP2632310 B2 JP 2632310B2
- Authority
- JP
- Japan
- Prior art keywords
- print head
- thermal print
- temperature
- heating element
- thermal
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired - Lifetime
Links
Classifications
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B41—PRINTING; LINING MACHINES; TYPEWRITERS; STAMPS
- B41J—TYPEWRITERS; SELECTIVE PRINTING MECHANISMS, i.e. MECHANISMS PRINTING OTHERWISE THAN FROM A FORME; CORRECTION OF TYPOGRAPHICAL ERRORS
- B41J2/00—Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed
- B41J2/315—Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed characterised by selective application of heat to a heat sensitive printing or impression-transfer material
- B41J2/32—Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed characterised by selective application of heat to a heat sensitive printing or impression-transfer material using thermal heads
- B41J2/35—Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed characterised by selective application of heat to a heat sensitive printing or impression-transfer material using thermal heads providing current or voltage to the thermal head
- B41J2/355—Control circuits for heating-element selection
- B41J2/36—Print density control
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B41—PRINTING; LINING MACHINES; TYPEWRITERS; STAMPS
- B41J—TYPEWRITERS; SELECTIVE PRINTING MECHANISMS, i.e. MECHANISMS PRINTING OTHERWISE THAN FROM A FORME; CORRECTION OF TYPOGRAPHICAL ERRORS
- B41J2/00—Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed
- B41J2/315—Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed characterised by selective application of heat to a heat sensitive printing or impression-transfer material
- B41J2/32—Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed characterised by selective application of heat to a heat sensitive printing or impression-transfer material using thermal heads
- B41J2/35—Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed characterised by selective application of heat to a heat sensitive printing or impression-transfer material using thermal heads providing current or voltage to the thermal head
- B41J2/355—Control circuits for heating-element selection
- B41J2/36—Print density control
- B41J2/365—Print density control by compensation for variation in temperature
Description
【発明の詳細な説明】 ＜産業上の利用分野＞ 本発明は、熱印字ヘッドの放熱効果の均一性、不均一
性を検査する熱印字ヘッド検査装置に関する。Description: BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a thermal print head inspection apparatus for inspecting the uniformity and non-uniformity of the heat radiation effect of a thermal print head.
＜従来の技術＞ 従来から、ラインプリンタなどに使用される熱印字ヘ
ッドとして、第２図に示すような熱印字ヘッド20があっ
た。この熱印字ヘッド20は放熱板21を備え、その表面に
コンパウンド層22を介してセラミック製の基板23を貼着
している。この基板23の表面には、多数のドット部から
構成された発熱体24が直線状に設けられている。<Prior Art> Conventionally, as a thermal print head used in a line printer or the like, there has been a thermal print head 20 as shown in FIG. The thermal print head 20 has a heat radiating plate 21, and a ceramic substrate 23 is adhered to a surface of the heat radiating plate 21 via a compound layer 22. On the surface of the substrate 23, a heating element 24 composed of a number of dot portions is provided in a straight line.
このような熱印字ヘッド20においては、発熱体24の発
熱により基板23に蓄積した熱を、コンパウンド層22を介
して放熱板21から放散させている。In such a thermal print head 20, the heat accumulated in the substrate 23 due to the heat generated by the heating element 24 is dissipated from the radiator plate 21 through the compound layer 22.
＜発明が解決しよとする問題点＞ 前記のような熱印字ヘッド20におけるコンパウンド層
22は、基板23から放熱板21の熱伝導を促進するために、
シリコンのような熱伝導性の優れたものが使用される。
しかし、放熱板21、または、基板23の平面度が悪いなど
の理由でコンパウンド層22の厚みが不均一であると、基
板23から放熱板21への熱伝導性が部分により異なるので
放熱効果が不均一となる。そのため、発熱体24を構成す
る各ドット部で発熱温度むらが生じ、印字濃度が不均一
になってしまう。<Problems to be solved by the invention> Compound layer in thermal print head 20 as described above
22 is to promote the heat conduction of the heat sink 21 from the substrate 23,
A material having excellent thermal conductivity such as silicon is used.
However, if the thickness of the compound layer 22 is not uniform due to reasons such as the flatness of the heat sink 21 or the substrate 23, the heat conductivity from the substrate 23 to the heat sink 21 varies depending on the part, so the heat radiation effect is reduced. It becomes uneven. For this reason, the heating temperature unevenness occurs in each dot portion constituting the heating element 24, and the printing density becomes non-uniform.
ところで、従来から使用されている熱印字ヘッド20の
発熱体24としては、ドット部密度が比較的低いものを使
用していたため、前記のような放熱効果の不均一に起因
する印字濃度むらが目立つことはなく、そのため、以上
のような印字濃度むらが問題視されることはなかった。By the way, since the heating element 24 of the conventionally used thermal printing head 20 has a relatively low dot portion density, the printing density unevenness caused by the non-uniform heat radiation effect as described above is conspicuous. As a result, there was no problem with print density unevenness as described above.
しかし、最近では、従来よりも繊細な文字の印字が強
く要望されるようになってきたことから、熱印字ヘッド
20の発熱体24を構成するドット部密度を高くする必要性
が増大している。ところが、当該発熱体24のドット部密
度を高くすると、前記のような放熱効果の不均一に起因
する印字濃度むらが目立つようになり、問題視されるよ
うになってきた。However, recently, there has been a strong demand for finer character printing than before,
The necessity of increasing the density of the dot portions constituting the twenty heating elements 24 is increasing. However, when the dot density of the heat generating element 24 is increased, the unevenness of the print density due to the non-uniformity of the heat radiation effect as described above becomes conspicuous, and has been regarded as a problem.
本発明はかかる現状に鑑み、所望の機器に装着される
前に放熱効果の不均一な熱印字ヘッドの選別が可能な熱
印字ヘッド検査装置の提供を目的とする。SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and has as its object to provide a thermal print head inspection apparatus capable of selecting a thermal print head having a non-uniform heat radiation effect before being mounted on a desired device.
＜問題点を解決するための手段＞ 本発明ではこのような問題点を解決するために、熱印
字ヘッドの放熱効果の均一度を検査する検査装置であっ
て、前記熱印字ヘッドの発熱体を発熱させる駆動回路
と、熱印字ヘッドの基板における発熱体の近傍部分の温
度を測定する非接触型の温度検出手段と、熱印字ヘッド
における前記温度検出手段の検出位置を発熱体の長手方
向に沿って移動させるスキャニング手段と、前記発熱体
の発熱およびスキャニング手段のスキャニング動作に関
連して前記温度検出手段の検出信号を導入して温度分布
データを得る制御部とを備えた構成に特徴を有するもの
である。<Means for Solving the Problems> In order to solve such problems, the present invention is directed to an inspection apparatus for inspecting the uniformity of the heat radiation effect of the thermal print head. A drive circuit for generating heat, a non-contact type temperature detecting means for measuring the temperature of a portion of the substrate of the thermal print head in the vicinity of the heating element, and a detecting position of the temperature detecting means in the thermal printing head along a longitudinal direction of the heating element. Scanning means for moving the heating element and a control unit for obtaining temperature distribution data by introducing a detection signal of the temperature detecting means in relation to heat generation of the heating element and scanning operation of the scanning means. It is.
＜作用＞ 上記構成によると、セットされた熱印字ヘッドの発熱
体を駆動回路の動作で発熱させ、この発熱により加熱さ
れた発熱体の近傍部分の基板温度を非接触型の温度検出
手段で測定する。このとき、基板温度は当該近傍部分の
放熱量に応じた温度となるので、温度検出手段の検出位
置を発熱体の長手方向に沿ってスキャニング手段で移動
させることにより前記基板の当該近傍部分における温度
分布データを得ることができ、この温度分布データによ
り放熱効果の不均一性、ばらつき度合が分かる。放熱効
果の不均一性が基準値よりも大きいものを除去すればよ
い。<Operation> According to the above configuration, the heating element of the set thermal print head is caused to generate heat by the operation of the driving circuit, and the substrate temperature in the vicinity of the heating element heated by the heat is measured by the non-contact type temperature detecting means. I do. At this time, since the substrate temperature is a temperature corresponding to the heat radiation amount in the vicinity, the detection position of the temperature detection means is moved by the scanning means along the longitudinal direction of the heating element, so that the temperature in the vicinity of the substrate is increased. Distribution data can be obtained, and the non-uniformity and the degree of dispersion of the heat radiation effect can be understood from the temperature distribution data. What is necessary is just to remove the thing whose non-uniformity of the heat radiation effect is larger than the reference value.
＜実施例＞ 以下、本発明の一実施例を、第１図に示すブロック図
に基づき詳細に説明する。Embodiment An embodiment of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the block diagram shown in FIG.
この図において、符号10は熱印字ヘッド検査装置であ
る。この熱印字ヘッド検査装置10は、駆動回路11と、温
度検出手段12と、スキャニング手段13と、制御部14とか
ら構成されている。なお、この図における符号20は熱印
字ヘッドであって、その構成は第２図に示す従来例と同
一である。In this figure, reference numeral 10 denotes a thermal print head inspection device. This thermal print head inspection device 10 includes a drive circuit 11, a temperature detection unit 12, a scanning unit 13, and a control unit 14. Note that reference numeral 20 in this figure denotes a thermal print head, the configuration of which is the same as that of the conventional example shown in FIG.
駆動回路11は熱印字ヘッド20の発熱体24を発熱させる
ものであって、その動作は後述する制御部14により制御
される。また、温度検出手段12は非接触型とされ、本実
施例では赤外線温度計が使用される。この赤外線温度計
12は、熱印字ヘッド20の基板23における発熱体24の近傍
部分と対向して配置され、発熱体24近傍の基板温度を測
定するとともに、セットされた熱印字ヘッド20の発熱体
24の長手方向に沿う方向（図中、矢印Ａで示す）にスキ
ャニング手段13により移動させられる。なお、このスキ
ャニング手段13は、固定された赤外線温度計12に対して
熱印字ヘッド20を移動させるものでもよく、例えばラッ
ク，ピニオン機構のように、赤外線温度計12、もしく
は、熱印字ヘッド20を直線移動させることが可能な機構
であればどのようなものであってもよい。このスキャニ
ング手段13のスキャニング動作は、制御部14により制御
される。The drive circuit 11 causes the heating element 24 of the thermal print head 20 to generate heat, and its operation is controlled by a control unit 14 described later. The temperature detecting means 12 is of a non-contact type, and in this embodiment, an infrared thermometer is used. This infrared thermometer
Numeral 12 is disposed to face a portion of the substrate 23 of the thermal print head 20 near the heating element 24, measures the substrate temperature near the heating element 24, and sets the heating element of the set thermal printing head 20.
It is moved by the scanning means 13 in a direction along the longitudinal direction of the 24 (indicated by an arrow A in the figure). The scanning means 13 may move the thermal printing head 20 with respect to the fixed infrared thermometer 12. For example, the infrared thermometer 12 or the thermal printing head 20 may be moved like a rack and a pinion mechanism. Any mechanism may be used as long as it can move linearly. The scanning operation of the scanning means 13 is controlled by the control unit 14.
さらに、温度検出手段として、受光素子のリニアアレ
イを備えたものを使用し、この温度検出手段に対してス
キャニング手段により電子的なスキャニングを行い、リ
ニアアレイの各受光素子の信号を順次取り出すようにし
てもよい。Further, as the temperature detecting means, one having a linear array of light receiving elements is used, and electronic scanning is performed on the temperature detecting means by the scanning means, and the signals of each light receiving element of the linear array are sequentially taken out. You may.
制御部14は、例えばマイクロコンピュータで構成さ
れ、駆動回路11およびスキャニング手段13の動作を制御
するとともに、発熱体24の発熱およびスキャニング手段
のスキャニング動作に関連して赤外線温度計12の検出信
号を導入して当該検出信号から温度分布データを得る機
能を備えている。また、この制御部14は温度分布データ
から放熱効果の不均一性をチェックする機能を備える
が、制御部14の前段に比較器を設け、この比較器で検出
信号と基準値とを比較したのち、その比較出力を制御部
14に入力するようにしてもよい。この制御部14にはCRT
ディスプレイなどの表示手段15が接続され、得られた温
度分布データを表示するようになっている。The control unit 14 is configured by, for example, a microcomputer, controls the operation of the drive circuit 11 and the scanning unit 13, and introduces a detection signal of the infrared thermometer 12 in connection with the heat generation of the heating element 24 and the scanning operation of the scanning unit. And a function of obtaining temperature distribution data from the detection signal. The control unit 14 has a function of checking the non-uniformity of the heat radiation effect from the temperature distribution data.A comparator is provided in a stage preceding the control unit 14, and the comparator compares the detection signal with the reference value. The comparison output
You may make it input into 14. This control unit 14 has a CRT
A display means 15 such as a display is connected to display the obtained temperature distribution data.
つぎに、このような熱印字ヘッド検査装置10の動作に
ついて、説明する。Next, the operation of the thermal printhead inspection device 10 will be described.
被検査用の熱印字ヘッド20を熱印字ヘッド検査装置10
にセットし、駆動回路11の動作により当該熱印字ヘッド
20の発熱体24を発熱させる。この発熱によって、熱印字
ヘッド20の基板23における発熱体24の近傍部分が加熱さ
れ、その放熱量に応じた基板温度となる。The thermal print head 20 to be inspected is connected to the thermal print head inspection device 10
And the thermal print head is operated by the operation of the drive circuit 11.
The 20 heating elements 24 are heated. Due to this heat generation, a portion of the substrate 23 of the thermal print head 20 in the vicinity of the heating element 24 is heated, and reaches a substrate temperature corresponding to the heat radiation amount.
非接触型の赤外線温度計12で基板温度を測定しつつ、
当該赤外線温度計12をスキャニング手段13で発熱体24の
長手方向（図中、矢印Ａで示す）に沿って移動させるこ
とにより基板温度が連続的に検出される。このようにし
て得られた基板温度は、赤外線温度計12の検出信号とし
て制御部14に送出され、制御部14で温度分布データとし
て処理されたのち、CRTディスプレイ15上に表示され
る。While measuring the substrate temperature with a non-contact infrared thermometer 12,
The substrate temperature is continuously detected by moving the infrared thermometer 12 along the longitudinal direction of the heating element 24 by the scanning means 13 (indicated by an arrow A in the figure). The substrate temperature obtained in this manner is sent to the control unit 14 as a detection signal of the infrared thermometer 12, processed by the control unit 14 as temperature distribution data, and displayed on the CRT display 15.
表示された温度分布データにより、熱印字ヘッド20に
おける発熱体24近傍部分の基板温度の分布が明らかとな
る。そして、基板温度が高い個所は放熱性が悪い個所で
あることから、当該熱印字ヘッド20における放熱効果が
均一であるか、もしくは、不均一であるかが分かる。そ
して、放熱効果の不均一性が基準値を越えるものは、除
去する。なお、放熱効果の不均一性、ばらつきは主とし
てコンパウンド層22の厚みの不均一に起因するから、除
去した熱印字ヘッド20については、放熱板21と基板23と
を分離してコンパンウンド層22の厚みが均一になるよう
に修正すればよい。From the displayed temperature distribution data, the distribution of the substrate temperature in the vicinity of the heating element 24 in the thermal print head 20 becomes clear. Since the location where the substrate temperature is high is the location where the heat radiation is poor, it can be determined whether the heat radiation effect of the thermal print head 20 is uniform or non-uniform. Then, those in which the non-uniformity of the heat radiation effect exceeds the reference value are removed. Since the non-uniformity and variation of the heat radiation effect are mainly caused by the non-uniformity of the thickness of the compound layer 22, the heat print head 20 removed is separated from the heat radiation plate 21 and the substrate 23 to form the compound layer 22. What is necessary is just to correct so that thickness may become uniform.
＜発明の効果＞ 以上のように本発明によれば、熱印字ヘッドの基板に
おける温度分布データを測定、検出することによって、
当該熱印字ヘッドの放熱性の特徴を知ることができる。
この結果、放熱性の不均一な熱印字ヘッドについては、
所要の機器に装着する前に除去することができるので、
熱印字ヘッドの放熱性の不均一に起因する印字濃度むら
の発生を未然に防止することができる。<Effects of the Invention> As described above, according to the present invention, by measuring and detecting the temperature distribution data on the substrate of the thermal print head,
The characteristics of the heat radiation property of the thermal print head can be known.
As a result, for thermal print heads with uneven heat dissipation,
Since it can be removed before attaching it to the required equipment,
It is possible to prevent the occurrence of uneven print density due to uneven heat radiation of the thermal print head.
第１図は本発明に係る熱印字ヘッド検査装置のブロック
図であり、第２図は熱印字ヘッドの斜視図である。 10……熱印字ヘッド検査装置、 11……駆動回路、 12……温度検出手段（赤外線温度計）、 13……スキャニング手段、 14……制御部、 20……熱印字ヘッド、 23……熱印字ヘッドの基板、 24……熱印字ヘッドの発熱体。FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a thermal print head inspection apparatus according to the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the thermal print head. 10: Thermal print head inspection device, 11: Drive circuit, 12: Temperature detection means (infrared thermometer), 13: Scanning means, 14: Control unit, 20: Thermal print head, 23: Thermal Printhead board, 24 Heating element for thermal printhead.
Claims (1)
る検査装置であって、 前記熱印字ヘッドの発熱体を発熱させる駆動回路と、熱
印字ヘッドの基板における発熱体の近傍部分の温度を測
定する非接触型の温度検出手段と、熱印字ヘッドにおけ
る前記温度検出手段の検出位置を発熱体の長手方向に沿
って移動させるスキャニング手段と、前記発熱体の発熱
およびスキャニング手段のスキャニング動作に関連して
前記温度検出手段の検出信号を導入して温度分布データ
を得る制御部とを備えたことを特徴とする熱印字ヘッド
検査装置。An inspection apparatus for inspecting the uniformity of the heat radiation effect of a thermal print head, comprising: a drive circuit for generating heat of the thermal print head; and a temperature of a portion of the substrate of the thermal print head in the vicinity of the thermal element. Non-contact type temperature detecting means for measuring the temperature, scanning means for moving the detection position of the temperature detecting means in the thermal print head along the longitudinal direction of the heating element, and heating of the heating element and scanning operation of the scanning means. A thermal print head inspection apparatus, further comprising a control unit for obtaining a temperature distribution data by introducing a detection signal of the temperature detection means.
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| JP61172649A JP2632310B2 (en) | 1986-07-22 | 1986-07-22 | Thermal printing head inspection device |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| JP61172649A JP2632310B2 (en) | 1986-07-22 | 1986-07-22 | Thermal printing head inspection device |
Publications (2)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| JPS6328667A JPS6328667A (en) | 1988-02-06 |
| JP2632310B2 true JP2632310B2 (en) | 1997-07-23 |
Family
ID=15945801
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| JP61172649A Expired - Lifetime JP2632310B2 (en) | 1986-07-22 | 1986-07-22 | Thermal printing head inspection device |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| JP (1) | JP2632310B2 (en) |
Families Citing this family (4)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| JP3009403B2 (en) * | 1989-02-14 | 2000-02-14 | キヤノン株式会社 | Image forming control device and image forming device |
| JP2793223B2 (en) * | 1989-02-14 | 1998-09-03 | キヤノン株式会社 | Image forming device |
| JP3144676B2 (en) * | 1989-02-14 | 2001-03-12 | キヤノン株式会社 | Image forming control device and image forming device |
| EP0835760A1 (en) * | 1996-10-09 | 1998-04-15 | Agfa-Gevaert N.V. | Correction of band-like print non-uniformities in a thermal printing system |
Family Cites Families (3)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| JPS5992334A (en) * | 1982-11-19 | 1984-05-28 | Ricoh Co Ltd | Detecting method of defective part of construction |
| JPS59159065A (en) * | 1983-03-01 | 1984-09-08 | Mitsubishi Electric Corp | Detection of weld position |
| JPS61149369A (en) * | 1984-12-25 | 1986-07-08 | Fuji Xerox Co Ltd | Thermal head driving unit |
-
1986
- 1986-07-22 JP JP61172649A patent/JP2632310B2/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| JPS6328667A (en) | 1988-02-06 |
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