JP2750714B2 - Thermal transfer recording device - Google Patents

Description

Description: TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to a thermal transfer recording apparatus capable of drawing, for example, a multicolor image using a plurality of thermal transfer sheets.

[Conventional technology]

Various types of thermal transfer recording apparatuses that use a plurality of thermal transfer sheets to perform, for example, multicolor images have been put to practical use.

The thermal transfer sheets shown in FIGS. 4 (a) and 4 (b) are used for one type of this type of conventional recording apparatus. The thermal transfer sheet 1 shown in FIG. 4 (a) is dyed in the order of yellow (Y), magenta (M), and cyan (C) for each printable range, and one frame is formed by these three colors. I have.

That is, the apparatus using the thermal transfer sheet 1 shown in FIG. 4A uses three areas of yellow, magenta, and cyan when drawing one image.

As another method, a thermal transfer sheet (ribbon) colored in the longitudinal direction of the thermal transfer sheet 1 formed in a band shape as shown in FIG. 4B was used, and the thermal transfer sheet was colored in a thermal head. Some have selectively melted portions to perform multicolor printing.

Further, as another method, as shown in FIG. 5, the ink sheets 11, 12, 1
3, thermal heads 21, 22, 23 and platens 31, 32, 3
There has been an apparatus provided with three printing mechanisms each having a configuration of one combination of three printing mechanisms.

[Problems to be solved by the invention]

As described above, there are various types in the related art, each of which has an advantage, but the above-described conventional technology has the following disadvantages.

In other words, in the former type (using the thermal transfer sheet shown in FIG. 4), one thermal transfer sheet must be formed by being colored in multiple colors, and the thermal transfer sheet becomes expensive. There was a disadvantage. In addition, if only a specific color part is used more frequently, even if there are other color-coded parts that are not used at all, it is used because of the structural reason that a single thermal transfer sheet is color-coded. However, there is a disadvantage that the thermal transfer sheet is relatively wasteful.

The third apparatus shown in FIG. 5 has the above-mentioned disadvantages improved, but it is necessary to provide a plurality of printing mechanisms having the same configuration, and there is room for improvement in this point.

[Means for solving the problem]

For this reason, in the present invention, a stock portion for individually storing a plurality of ink sheets is provided at a predetermined position of the apparatus, and a desired ink sheet is appropriately taken out.

[Action]

A plurality of ink sheets are stored in a predetermined position of the apparatus in advance, and a desired ink sheet is taken out on a platen according to a sheet selection signal from a control circuit of the apparatus.
The recording using the ink sheet is performed by the thermal head. When the recording is completed, a sheet storage signal is output from the control circuit and stored in the original position.

This operation is repeated one after another to record a multicolor image.

〔Example〕

FIGS. 1, 2, and 3 are explanatory views showing the configuration of an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a main part thereof, and FIG.
FIG. 3 is a schematic configuration diagram for explaining the operation of this apparatus, and FIG. 3 is a schematic explanatory diagram for explaining a sheet selecting method of a sheet selecting mechanism.

First, the operation of the device of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.

In FIG. 2, 1 is a sheet stock unit, 2 is a thermal head mechanism, 3 is a platen, 4 is a recording sheet, and 5 is a sheet selection mechanism. The sheet stock unit 1 individually supports four color ink sheets of yellow 11, magenta 12, cyan 13, and black 14, and is provided at a predetermined position of the apparatus. Each ink sheet is a sheet stock roller (eg, 121) rotatably held by the sheet stock unit 1.
And a sheet take-up roller (e.g., 122) that is detachably locked to the sheet stock unit 1 and that can be taken out by the sheet selection mechanism 5. The sheet stock unit 1 is configured to be entirely movable up and down by a control circuit (not shown) of the apparatus.

The thermal head mechanism 2 has a thermal head 20, support means for the thermal head 20, and a mechanism for raising and lowering them (not shown). The thermal head 20 is provided so as to be in contact with the platen 3, and is configured to press the recording paper 4 and any one of the ink sheets against the platen 3 with an appropriate urging force by the operation of the vertical mechanism of the thermal head mechanism. Have been.

The platen 3 is configured to be rotatable forward and backward, and transports the recording paper 4 so as to be rotatable forward and backward according to a command from a control circuit of the apparatus.

The sheet selection mechanism 5 is movably arranged at the end of the apparatus so as to be able to interact with the sheet stock unit 1. The ink sheet is positioned at a position where a specific ink sheet is taken out in association with the vertical movement of the sheet stock unit 1, and the ink sheet is taken out or stored. After taking out a specific ink sheet from the sheet stock unit 1, the sheet selecting mechanism 5 moves to a predetermined position beyond the platen 3 and the thermal head 20, and guides the ink sheet onto the platen.

Now, it is assumed that an instruction to record one multicolor image is issued by the control circuit of the apparatus to the apparatus schematically shown in FIG. At this time, it is assumed that the apparatus is in an initial state in which all ink sheets are stored in the sheet stock unit 1 and the thermal head mechanism 2 is at the raised position.

The apparatus first performs recording using the first ink sheet 11.

The sheet stock unit 1 is positioned at a take-out position where the sheet selecting mechanism 5 can take out the stored first ink sheet 11 in accordance with a command from a control circuit of the apparatus. Whether or not the positioning is completed is detected by, for example, a sensor (not shown) provided at a predetermined position and is notified to the control circuit.

When the first ink sheet 11 is positioned at the take-out position, the control circuit issues a command to the sheet selection mechanism 5, moves the sheet selection mechanism 5 to the take-out position, and takes out the take-up roller 122 of the first ink sheet 11. . Whether or not the removal is completed is detected by a sensor provided in the sheet selection mechanism 5 and notified to a control circuit of the apparatus. Then, the control circuit operates the sheet selecting mechanism 5 to guide the taken out ink sheet 11 onto the platen 3.
Whether or not this operation has been completed is also detected by the detecting means of the apparatus.

When it is confirmed that the taken out ink sheet 11 has been led onto the platen 3, the control circuit issues a command to the thermal head mechanism 2 to press the thermal head 20 at the raised position against the platen. In response to this command, the vertical mechanism of the thermal head mechanism 2 moves the thermal head 20 to the lower position and presses the thermal head 20 against the platen 3 with an appropriate urging force. It is confirmed by a confirmation means such as a sensor whether or not this operation has been performed correctly.

Next, the control circuit of the apparatus issues a command to start recording on the first ink sheet 11. Then, a recording paper transfer command is issued to the platen 3, the recording paper 4 is transferred at a predetermined speed, a printing command is applied to the thermal head 20, and a winding command is supplied to the winding roller 112 of the first ink sheet. To wind up the transferred ink sheet at a predetermined winding speed.

When the recording of the first ink sheet 11 is completed, the control circuit raises the thermal head 20 and then controls the sheet selection mechanism 5.
Issue a sheet storage command. The sheet selection mechanism 5 winds up the ink sheet guided on the platen 3,
Storage position of this ink sheet 11 (same as the take-out position)
Moved to Then, the winding roller 112 of the ink sheet 11 is stored at a predetermined position of the sheet stock unit 1. Whether or not the storing operation has been correctly performed is confirmed by a confirmation means provided at a predetermined position.

Further, at this stage, the control circuit of the apparatus issues a command to the platen 3 to rewind the recording paper 4 by the same length as that transported in this recording, and to match the recording with the next ink sheet.

When the rewinding of the recording paper 4 is completed, the entire process of recording using the first ink sheet 11 ends.

By the way, the control circuit of the apparatus is configured to execute the second ink sheet
Issue a record order by 12. The sheet stock unit 1 takes up the second ink sheet 12 in response to this command.
Move 122 to its removal position. Then, the second ink sheet 12 is taken out by the sheet selecting mechanism 5 and guided onto the platen 3.

The subsequent operation is performed in the same manner as the recording operation of the first ink sheet 11 described above.

Hereinafter, the third ink sheet 13 and the fourth ink sheet 14
, And one multi-color image is recorded. After the recording with the fourth ink sheet 14 is completed, the recording paper 4 is not returned and transported, and instead, the cueing of the recording paper 4 for the next recording is performed.

Next, a detailed configuration of a main part in the apparatus shown in FIG. 2 will be described with reference to FIG.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an essential part of an apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention, and the same reference numerals are given to the same parts as in FIG.

 First, the sheet stock unit 1 will be described.

The sheet stock unit 1 has housings 151 and 152. Then, sheet stock rollers 111, 121, 131 and 141 of the respective ink sheets are held between the casings 151 and 152. These sheet stock rollers are rotatably mounted so that they can be pulled out without resistance when trying to pull out those ink sheets. Furthermore, the housings 151 and 152 have respective ink sheets 11 to
Roller gripping mechanisms 112a to hold the 14 sheet take-up rollers 112 to 142 detachably by the action of the sheet selecting mechanism.
142a is provided. Therefore, in the initial state,
For example, a sheet winding roller of the first ink sheet 11
Reference numeral 112 denotes a first member provided on the housing 151 of the sheet stock unit 1.
Gripping mechanism 112a and the first gripping mechanism 1 provided in the housing 152
The shafts at both ends are held by the 12a at predetermined positions where they are gripped.

Since each of the sheet winding rollers 112 to 142 of the first to fourth ink sheets 11 to 14 has the same structure, the first sheet winding roller 11
2 will be described.

The first sheet take-up roller 112 has fixed shafts 112e at both ends thereof and a central portion between the two fixed shafts 112e. The two fixed shafts 112e are connected to a first pair of gripping mechanisms 112a provided on the housings 151 and 152 of the sheet stock unit 1 and a sheet selecting mechanism 5 described later that acts on the first pair of gripping mechanisms 112a. It can be held by the gripping mechanism pair 521. Sheet take-up roller 11 between two fixed shafts 112e
The central portion of the two is connected to the two fixed shafts 112e at both ends thereof via a bearing ring 112b. Therefore, this central portion is rotatably supported. A central portion of the sheet take-up roller 112 is provided with a portion around which the ink sheet is wound and two pinions 112c and 112d. The first pinion 112c engages with the rack 56 that is arranged to engage with the first pinion 112c when the sheet take-up roller 112 moves while being gripped by the gripping mechanism pair 521 of the sheet selection mechanism 5. When the ink sheet 11
On the platen 3 or housed from the platen 3. Therefore, in this case, when the recording by the thermal head is completed and when the recording is performed again, the first ink sheet 11 is moved relative to the sheet stock roller 111 when the sheet winding roller 112 is stored or developed. Since no operation is performed, the relative position of the first ink sheet 11 with respect to the thermal head 20 hardly changes. Therefore, the ink sheet relating to this recording can be used very efficiently.

Now, another pinion, the second pinion 112d
When the first ink sheet 11 is spread on the platen 3 by the sheet selection mechanism 5 and recording is performed by the thermal head, the used ink sheet transferred over the platen 3 is wound up. Have. The second pinion 112d is located at a predetermined position where the first sheet take-up roller 112 is unfolded by the sheet selecting mechanism (this position is a position where the first pinion 112c is just opened from the rack 56). It engages with the sheet take-up motor 60 to take up a used ink sheet at a predetermined speed.

The sheet stock unit 1 configured as described above further has a sheet stock unit vertical mechanism 16 for vertically moving the sheet stock unit 1 as a whole. The sheet stock unit vertical mechanism 16 has a motor 161 and a belt 162. The desired ink sheet is positioned at the take-out position by the vertical movement of the sheet stock unit 1.

 Next, the sheet selecting mechanism will be described.

The sheet selection mechanism 5 includes a pair of sliding shafts 51, a pair of sliding members 52 locked by each of the sliding shafts 51,
A connecting member 55 for connecting the two sliding members 52 and a sliding member moving mechanism including a motor 53 and a belt 54 for applying a moving force to these sliding members 52 are provided. And each sliding tool 52
The sheet take-up roller for each ink sheet
A gripping mechanism 521 for taking out 112 to 142 by the action of the sheet stock unit 1 is provided.

Next, an example of a specific configuration of the gripping mechanism 521 provided on the sliding tool 52 and the gripping mechanisms 112a to 142a provided on the sheet stock unit 1 will be described with reference to FIG.

The gripping mechanisms 521, 112a to 142 schematically shown in FIG.
a has the same structure, for example, has two members HM for gripping the sheet take-up roller 112. These two members HM include the slide 52 and the housing 15.
1, 152 are locked so as to be able to rotate slightly at the fulcrum R. A spring S is locked between these two members to generate a holding force for the sheet take-up roller 112 inserted between the two members.

Now, as shown in FIG. 3, consider holding the sheet take-up roller 112 gripped by the gripping mechanism 521 of the slider 52 by the gripping mechanism 112a formed on the housings 151 and 152. When moving to the right of the drawing, the gripping mechanism
521 hits the gripping mechanism 112a formed on the housings 151 and 152. At this time, since the former gripping mechanism 521 grips the sheet take-up roller 112, the opening formed by the two gripping members HM is larger than the opening of the latter gripping mechanism 112a. Therefore, when the two gripping mechanisms collide, the gripping mechanism 112a on the sheet stock unit 1 side pushes the gripping mechanism 521 on the slide tool 52 side, so that the sheet take-up roller 112 can be taken into the sheet stock unit 1 side. .

The same applies to the case where the sheet take-up roller 112 is taken in from the sheet stock unit 1 side to the slide tool 52 side.

The pins P1 and P2 serve as positioning members for the gripping members HM such as the gripping mechanisms 521 and 112a.

The positioning pin P1 defines the state in which the two gripping members HM do not hold the ink sheet, and the other set of positioning pins P2 defines the state in which the two gripping members HM hold the ink sheet 112.

Further, the positioning pin P2 can be engaged with an outer edge of the two gripping members HM that coincides with the circumference centered on the fulcrum R, and the two gripping mechanisms 521 and 112a interact with each other, so that It is arranged to be engaged even when the mechanism is pushed open. In the above description, the apparatus of this embodiment is configured to move the sheet stock unit 1 up and down as a whole. However, instead of this method, a mechanism for moving the sliding tool 52 up and down may be provided. In the sheet stock unit 1, sheet take-up rollers 112 to 142
Only the vertical movement may be performed.

〔The invention's effect〕

As described above, according to the present invention, an apparatus that efficiently uses various types of thermal transfer sheets can be manufactured at low cost.

[Brief description of the drawings]

1, 2 and 3 are explanatory views showing one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a main part of the apparatus, FIG. 2 is a schematic structural view of the apparatus, FIG. FIG. 4 is an explanatory view of a gripping mechanism, and FIGS. 4 and 5 are schematic views illustrating a conventional device. DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Sheet stock part 2 ... Thermal head mechanism 3 ... Platen 4 ... Recording paper 5 ... Sheet selection mechanism

Claims (1)

(57) [Claims] 1. A thermal transfer recording apparatus for recording an image using a plurality of thermal transfer sheets, comprising: a thermal transfer sheet stock section for individually holding the thermal transfer sheets; and a thermal transfer sheet of the thermal transfer sheet stock section. A thermal transfer sheet selecting mechanism for taking out a desired one of the thermal transfer sheets in response to a sheet selection signal, guiding it on a platen, and storing the selected thermal transfer sheet in the original stock unit in response to a sheet storage signal; A thermal transfer recording device comprising: a thermal head pressing mechanism for pressing a thermal head against the platen when a thermal transfer sheet selected by a selecting mechanism is guided onto a platen; and a control circuit for controlling these mechanisms.