JP2969884B2 - Recording device - Google Patents

Description

Description: BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a printing apparatus that uses an ink ribbon coated with a heat-meltable ink to perform printing by causing a heating element of a thermal head to generate heat. The present invention relates to a device in which a feed speed of an ink ribbon is changed according to a type.

[Prior Art] Conventionally, as disclosed in, for example, Japanese Utility Model Application Laid-Open No. 1-178948, an ink ribbon formed by applying a heat-meltable ink to a base film and a transfer-receiving sheet are superposed and fed.
2. Description of the Related Art There is known a thermal head in which a heating element of a thermal head is heated to perform recording. This is in accordance with the heat-generating element that generated heat by causing the heat-generating element to generate heat based on the print data to melt the ink, sending the ink ribbon a predetermined distance from the position of the heat-generating element, and then peeling the ink ribbon from the transfer paper. The recording is performed by the ink of the portion adhering to the transfer receiving paper.

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention] However, the ink ribbon used in such a conventional recording apparatus is required to be multicolored, and there are a plurality of types of ink to be applied. It is broadly classified into two types, resin-based and wax-based, depending on the components, and there is a difference in the time required for the two to be solidified after being once melted. That is,
The time required for the resin-based ink to relatively solidify is fast, and the resin-based ink needs to be peeled off in a molten state. On the other hand, wax-based inks are relatively slow and need to be peeled off after they have hardened. Therefore, for example, if a resin-based ink is used in a recording apparatus adapted to a wax-based ink, the ink that is too hard to be separated before peeling and solidifies on the ink ribbon side will solidify. The recording is not performed or the recording is weakened, so that clear recording cannot be performed and the recording quality is deteriorated. On the other hand, when a wax-based ink is used in a recording apparatus adapted to a resin-based ink,
The film is peeled off before it is hardened sufficiently, so that the print is blurred and the recording cannot be performed clearly, thereby deteriorating the recording quality. As described above, when the recording apparatus is adjusted to one ink, there is a problem that the recording quality is deteriorated with the other ink.

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a recording apparatus capable of always performing clear recording regardless of the type of ink applied to an ink ribbon and obtaining high recording quality, with the object of solving the above problem. .

[Means for Solving the Problems] In order to achieve the object, the present invention has the following configuration as means for solving the problems. That is, as illustrated in FIG. 1, a feeding means M1 for feeding an ink ribbon formed by applying a heat-meltable ink to a base film and a transfer sheet, and a plurality of heating elements orthogonal to the feeding direction of the ink ribbon. And a thermal head M2 provided with a thermal head M2, and after a predetermined distance from the position of the heating element, is separated from the transfer-receiving paper, and is provided separately from the thermal head, from the position of the heating element. A release plate that separates the ink ribbon from the transfer paper by changing a feed direction of only the ink ribbon among the transfer paper and the ink ribbon fed by a predetermined distance; and a type of ink of the built-in ink ribbon. A ribbon cassette having a detected portion formed corresponding to the recording medium main body and detachable from the recording apparatus main body; and the ribbon cassette mounted on the recording apparatus main body. Detecting means M3 for detecting the type of the ink in accordance with the detected portion of the cartridge, and peeling the transfer plate portion from the transfer sheet in accordance with the type of the ink detected by the detecting means M3. Setting a feed speed at which the ink is suitable for recording at the time of, and controlling the feed unit M1 to feed the ink ribbon and the paper to be transferred at the feed speed; and This is a configuration of a recording apparatus, comprising: a recording control unit M5 that controls the thermal head M2 and causes the heating element to generate heat at a predetermined timing based on the feed speed to perform recording.

[Operation] In the recording apparatus of the present invention having the above-described configuration, the feeding unit M1 feeds the ink ribbon and the transfer-receiving paper, and performs recording using the thermal head M2 provided with a plurality of heating elements. Also,
The peeling plate peels the ink ribbon from the transfer paper by changing the feeding direction of only the ink ribbon among the transfer paper and the ink ribbon fed a predetermined distance from the position of the heating element. Under such a premise, in the recording apparatus of the present invention, the detecting means M3 detects the ink in accordance with the detected portion of the ribbon cassette attached to the recording apparatus main body corresponding to the ink of the built-in ink ribbon. Detect the type. Then, the feed speed control unit M4 sets a feed speed at which the ink is in a state suitable for recording when the ink is peeled from the transfer sheet at the peeling plate portion, according to the type of ink detected by the detecting unit M3. Then, the feeding means M1 is controlled to feed the ink ribbon and the receiving paper at the feeding speed. Further, the recording control unit M5 controls the thermal head M2 to cause the heating element to generate heat at a predetermined timing based on the feed speed, thereby performing recording.

[Example] Hereinafter, an example of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view of a recording apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention. On the upper surface of the main body 2 of the recording apparatus 1, a movable character input dial 4 is provided. And
Function keys for performing various controls of the recording apparatus 1 such as a power switch 6 and a print button 8 adjacent to the character input dial 4
10 and a liquid crystal display (hereinafter referred to as LCD) 12 for displaying input characters and symbols.

As shown in FIG. 3, the back surface of the main body 2 incorporates an ink ribbon 26 to be described later and the like, so that a detachable ribbon cassette 16 can be mounted on the main body 2. FIG. 4 is a view showing a mechanism inside the ribbon cassette 16 in a state where the ribbon cassette 16 is mounted on the main body 2. In this ribbon cassette 16,
A printing tape spool 18 and a double-sided tape spool 22 are rotatably arranged.The printing tape 20 is wound around the printing tape spool 18, and the double-sided tape spool 22 is wound on only one side. A double-sided tape 24 to which a release paper is adhered is wound with the release paper outside.
The ink ribbon 26 formed by applying a heat-meltable ink to the base film is wound around the ribbon supply spool 28 with the ink surface inside before recording by the thermal head 48 described later, and the ribbon is wound after the recording. The take-up spool 30 is configured to be wound up.

The types of ink applied to the ink ribbon 26 are roughly classified into two types, resin-based and wax-based, depending on their components. The resin system is mainly composed of rosin, rosin ester, petroleum resin and the like, and a copolymer such as ethylene vinyl acetate is added. The wax system is mainly composed of paraffin wax, microcrystalline wax and the like.
Since the colors that can be output only with resin-based ink or wax-based ink are limited, it is necessary to use inks having different components according to the color to be recorded. In this embodiment, three types of ink ribbons 26 are used. The first ink ribbon 26a is the most frequently used ribbon,
An ink containing substantially the same amount of a resin component and a wax component is applied. Second ink ribbon 26b
Is the third ink ribbon with resin-based ink applied
26c is a coating of wax-based ink.

The printing tape 20 described above is used for the printing tape spool 18.
Through the guide shaft 32 to the roller entrance 34, and from the tape feed roller 36 to the outside through the slit below the tape retainer 38. On the other hand, the ink ribbon 26 passes from the ribbon supply spool 28, passes between the printing tape 20 and the guide shaft 32, reaches the roller entrance 34 while overlapping the printing tape 20, and travels in the traveling direction through the peeling plate 40. Rotates about 180 ° to reach the ribbon take-up spool 30. The peeling plate 40 is fixed at a position separated from the heating element 49 of the thermal head 48 to be described later by a predetermined amount on the downstream side in the traveling direction of the ink ribbon,
This is for peeling the ink ribbon 26 from the printing tape 20. The double-sided tape 24 is a double-sided tape spool
From 22, it reaches a tape feed roller 36 and adheres to the printing tape 20 to form a label tape 42, which reaches the outside.

A separation wall 44 is provided between the ink ribbon 26 and the double-sided tape 24 near the roller entrance 34. The separation wall 44 is for preventing the easily bendable ink ribbon 26 from being pulled out together with the double-sided tape 24 when the ink ribbon 26 is easily attached to the adhesive surface of the double-sided tape 24. Inside the roller entrance 34, a thermal head insertion hole 47 is opened so as to be surrounded by the ink ribbon 26 and the peripheral wall portion 46, and a thermal head 48 cancer insertion hole 47 attached to the main body 2 is provided.
Is allowed to enter. The thermal head 48
A heating element 49 is provided at the end of the heating element 49 which is arranged in a line perpendicular to the feeding direction of the ink ribbon 26.

A part of the bottom plate 52 of the ribbon cassette 16 is formed as a detected portion 50 corresponding to the type of ink applied to the ink ribbon 26. In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 5 (A), a bottom plate 52a is formed flat on the detected portion 50a of the first cassette 16a in which the first ink ribbon 26a is built, and the first non-penetrating portion is provided. A portion 53 and a second non-penetrating portion 55 are provided.

Also, as shown in FIG. 5 (B), the second ink ribbon
In the detected part 50b of the second cassette 16b in which 26b is built,
A second through hole 54 penetrating the bottom plate 52b is formed, and a first non-penetrating portion 53 in which the bottom plate 52b is formed flat is provided.

As shown in FIG. 5 (C), the detected portion 50c of the third cassette 16c containing the third ink ribbon 26c is provided with a second non-penetrating portion 55 formed flat on the bottom plate 52c. A second through-hole 56 penetrating through the bottom plate 52c is formed. The first non-penetrating portion 53 and the first through-hole 56 of each of the first to third cassettes 16a to 16c are located at the same position when the ribbon cassette 16 is mounted. 55
And the second through hole 54 are provided at the same position of each ribbon cassette 16 so as to be at the same position.

On the other hand, the main body 2 is provided with a detection switch 59 for detecting the detection target 50 of the ribbon cassette 16. When the first to third cassettes 16a to 16c are mounted on the detection switch 59, the first non-penetrating portion 53 is pressed down and turned on, but the first through-hole 54 is not pressed down. First off
A switch SW1 and a second switch SW2 that is pressed down by the second non-penetrating portion 55 to be turned on but is kept pressed off by the second through-hole 54 without being pressed down are provided.

The main body 2 is provided with a tape feed roller drive shaft 60 that fits with the tape feed roller 36 when the ribbon cassette 16 is mounted, and a ribbon take-up spool drive shaft 62 that fits with the ribbon take-up spool 30. It can be driven by a pulse motor 63.

Further, a movable platen roller 68 and a driving roller 70 are rotatably held by a roller holder 66 which is swingably supported by a swing shaft 64 fixed to the main body 2. Then, when the movable platen roller 68 and the driving roller 70 enter from the roller entrance 34 by the roller release lever 72 that swings the roller holder 66 around the pivot shaft 64, the roller entrance
Printing tape 20 and ink ribbon 26 exposed at 34
Can be sandwiched between the heating element 49 of the thermal head 48 by superimposing them. On the other hand, on the downstream side, the drive roller 70 is pressed against the tape feed roller 36, and between the tape feed roller 36, the printing tape 20 is superimposed on and adhered to the double-sided tape 24.

And, downstream of the driving roller 70, a cutting lever 90,
The main body 2 is provided with a rotary cutter 92 that rotates in conjunction with the swing of the cutting lever 90.

Next, the electric system of this embodiment will be described with reference to a block diagram shown in FIG. Each device is driven and controlled by an electronic control circuit 72. The electronic control circuit 72 includes a well-known CPU 7
4. The ROM 76 and the RAM 78 are configured as the center of a logical operation circuit, and an input / output circuit 80 for performing input / output with an external device is connected to each other via a common bus 82.

The CPU 74 inputs signals from the character input dial 4, the function key group 10, and the detection switch 59 via the input / output circuit 80, respectively. On the other hand, based on these signals and the data in the ROM 76 and the RAM 78, the CPU 74 displays the input characters and symbols on the liquid crystal display 12 via the input / output circuit 80, and also displays the thermal data via the input / output circuit 80. The recording is performed by driving and controlling the head 48 and the pulse motor 63.

In addition, the ink ribbon 2 is stored in the RAM 78 of the electronic control circuit 72.
A feed speed corresponding to the type of ink applied to the ink ribbon 6 is stored in advance, and in the present embodiment, as shown in a feed speed table 84 shown in FIG.
The first to third feed speeds V1 to V3 are stored in correspondence with the first to third cassettes 16a to 16c containing the internal cassettes 26 to 26c.
The first to third feed speeds V1 to V3 are respectively corresponding to the first to third feed speeds V1 to V3.
After the ink applied to the third ink ribbons 26a to 26c is once melted by the heating element 49 of the thermal head 48, and reaches the peeling plate 40, the ink becomes suitable for recording.
First to third ink ribbons 26a to 26a obtained in advance by experiments or the like
6c sending speed.

The state suitable for recording is a state in which the ink once melted is separated from the first to third ink ribbons 26a to 26c and securely adheres to the printing tape 20. Resin-based inks take a relatively long time to solidify, and are more likely to adhere to the print tape 20 when peeled off in a molten state, while wax-based inks are relatively slower and are more likely to be peeled off after solidification. Is likely to adhere to the printing tape 20, so that the heating element 49
The time required for the ink to be solidified into a state suitable for recording after being melted varies depending on the type of ink. for that reason,
The second ink ribbon coated with the resin-based ink needs to be quickly peeled off from the printing tape 20 after being heated by the thermal head 48, and the third ink ribbon coated with the wax-based ink is required.
The ink ribbon needs to be sufficiently cooled after heating and then peeled off. On the other hand, since the distance from the heating element 49 to the release plate 40 is constant, when each of the ink ribbons 26a to 26c reaches the release plate 40, the ink applied to each of the ribbons 26a to 26c is in a state suitable for recording. The second feed speed V2 is relatively fast, the third feed speed V3 is slow, the first feed speed V1 is a speed between the second feed speed V2 and the third feed speed V3, and V2>
There is a relationship of V1> V3.

Next, the operation of the recording apparatus 1 of this embodiment and the processing performed in the electronic control circuit 72 will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

When the operator operates the character input dial 4 or the like to input print data and then presses the print button 8 to execute printing, it is determined whether the first switch SW1 and the second switch SW2 are on, respectively. The type of the ribbon cassette 16 attached to the main body 2 is detected, and the built-in ink ribbon 26 is detected.
The type of ink is detected. For example, the first switch SW1
Is ON (Step 100, hereinafter simply referred to as S100; the same applies hereinafter), and when the second switch SW2 is also ON (S110), it is determined that the first cassette 16a is mounted, and the feed shown in FIG. The first feed speed V1 is set with reference to the speed table 84 (S120).

When the first feed speed V1 is set, an acceleration process for energizing the pulse motor 63 to accelerate the pulse motor 63 is performed (S130).
Rotate 60, 62. Then, the tape feed roller 36 cooperates with the drive roller 70 to form the printing tape 20 and the double-sided tape 24.
And the ribbon take-up spool 30 holds the first ink ribbon 26
a is pulled out from the ribbon supply spool 28. At this time, the printing tape 20 and the first ink ribbon 26a travel while being sandwiched between the movable platen roller 68 and the heating element 49 in a state where they are superposed.

After the acceleration process, the pulse motor 63 is moved to the first feed speed.
A constant speed process of rotating at a constant speed at V1 is performed (S140). At this first feed speed V1, the printing tape 20 and the first ink ribbon 26
While sending a, the thermal head 48 is energized to cause the heating element 49 to generate heat based on the input print data (S150). As shown in the timing chart of FIG. 9, the timing at which the heat is generated is after a predetermined time t has elapsed from the rise of each pulse of the periodically repeated energizing pulse to the pulse motor 63, and the energizing is performed for a predetermined time. Go and heat up.

When the heating element 49 generates heat, the ink on the first ink ribbon 26a is melted. Then, the first ink ribbon 26a is
When the ink is fed at the first feed speed V1 and reaches the peeling plate 40, the ink on the first ink ribbon 26a is in a state suitable for recording. The first ink ribbon 26a is peeled from the printing tape 20 by the peeling plate 40, and the ink suitable for recording adheres to the printing tape 20 and is clearly recorded. Thereafter, the printing tape 20 is adhered to the double-sided tape 24, and is discharged as the label tape.

Then, energization control to the thermal head 48 is performed until all the input print data is recorded (S160), and when the recording is completed, the pulse motor 63 is controlled to decelerate (S17).
0), stop and end. The discharged label tape 42 is cut by swinging the cutting lever 90 in the direction of the arrow in FIG. 4 and rotating the rotary cutter 92 in the direction of the arrow.

On the other hand, when the first switch SW1 is on (S100) and the second switch SW2 is off (S110), it is determined that the second cassette 16b is mounted, and the second feed speed V2 is set (S19).
0). Then, by performing the processing of S130 and subsequent steps, the second
At the feed speed V2, the printing tape 20 and the second ink ribbon 26b
Record while sending. The second ink ribbon 26b is
When the ink is fed at the second feed speed V2 and reaches the peeling plate 40, the ink on the second ink ribbon 26b is in a molten state suitable for recording. With this release plate 40, printing tape
The second ink ribbon 26b is peeled off from the ink 20, and the ink in a melted state suitable for recording adheres to the printing tape 20 to record clearly.

If the first switch SW1 is off (S100) and the second switch SW2 is on (S190), it is determined that the third cassette 16c is mounted, and the third feed speed V3 is set (S2).
00). Then, by performing the processing of S130 and subsequent steps, the third
Printing tape 20 and third ink ribbon 26c at feed speed V3
Record while sending. The third ink ribbon 26c is
When the ink is fed at the third feed speed V3 and reaches the peeling plate 40, the ink on the third ink ribbon 26c solidifies to a state suitable for recording. With this release plate 40, printing tape
The third ink ribbon 26c is peeled off from the ink 20, and the ink solidified in a state suitable for recording adheres to the printing tape 20 to record clearly.

Further, when the first switch SW1 is off (S100) and the second switch SW2 is also off (S190), the ribbon cassette 16
Is determined not to be mounted, and the processing is terminated without performing the following processing.

The detection switch 59 and the execution of the processing of S100, S110, and S190 function as the detection means M3, and S120 to S140, S170, S18
0, execution of the processing of S200 functions as feed speed control means M4. The execution of the processing of S150 and S160 is performed by the recording control unit M5.
Work as

As described above, in the recording apparatus 1 of the present embodiment, the first and second switches SW1 and SW2 are formed corresponding to the ink of the built-in ink ribbon 26 of the ribbon cassette 16 mounted on the main body 2. The detected portion 50 is detected, and the type of ink is detected according to the detected portion 50. Then, according to the type of the detected ink, after the ink is once melted by the heating element 49 of the thermal head 48, and reaches the peeling plate 40 at a predetermined distance from the heating element 49, the ink is brought into a state suitable for recording. Thus, the feed speeds V1 to V3 for sending the ink ribbon 26 are set, and the ink ribbon 26 is sent at the feed speeds V1 to V3. Further, the heating element 49 is heated after a predetermined time t has elapsed from the rise of each pulse of the periodic energizing pulse to the pulse motor 63 based on each of the feed speeds V1 to V3.

Thus, when the ink ribbon 26 is peeled from the printing tape 20 by the peeling plate 40, the ink ribbon 26
Irrespective of the type, the ink applied to the recording tape 20 is in a state suitable for recording, adheres reliably to the printing tape 20, and can perform clear recording. Further, since the heating element 49 generates heat at a predetermined timing based on each of the feed speeds V1 to V3, even if the feed speeds V1 to V3 change, appropriate recording can be performed in accordance with the change.

As described above, the present invention is not limited to such embodiments at all, and can be implemented in various modes without departing from the gist of the present invention.

[Effects of the Invention] As described in detail above, the recording apparatus of the present invention detects the type of ink according to the detection target portion formed on the ribbon cassette corresponding to the type of ink on the ink ribbon, and detects the detected ink. Depending on the type of ink, a feed speed at which the ink is suitable for printing at the time of peeling is set, the ink ribbon is fed at that feed speed, and the heating element is heated at a predetermined timing based on the feed speed to print. Therefore, recording is always performed clearly regardless of the type of ink applied to the ink ribbon, and an effect that high printing quality can be obtained is achieved.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a basic configuration of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view of a recording apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention,
FIG. 3 is a schematic perspective view of a ribbon cassette mounting portion, FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of an internal mechanism in a state where the ribbon cassette is mounted, FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram of a detection state of the ribbon cassette, and FIG.
FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the electric system of the present embodiment.
FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing a print control process performed in the electronic control circuit of this embodiment. FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram showing a feed speed table of this embodiment. 4 is a timing chart of the energization. M1 ... feeding means M2,48 ... thermal head M3 ... detection means M4 ... feeding speed control means M5 ... recording control means V1-V3 ... feeding speed 16,16a, 16b, 16c ... ribbon cassette 20 ... … Printing tape (= transferred paper) 26, 26a, 26b, 26c …… Ink ribbon 49 …… Heat generating element 50 …… Detected part 59 …… Detection switch 72 …… Electronic control circuit

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Claims (1)

(57) [Claims] A feeding means for feeding an ink ribbon formed by applying a heat-meltable ink to a base film and a transfer paper;
A thermal head provided with a plurality of heating elements perpendicular to the feeding direction of the ink ribbon, and a printing apparatus that peels the ink ribbon from the transfer target paper after feeding a predetermined distance from the position of the heating elements, By changing the feeding direction of only the ink ribbon out of the transfer paper and the ink ribbon that are provided separately from the thermal head and fed by a predetermined distance from the position of the heating element, A peeling plate for peeling off the ink cartridge, a ribbon cassette having a detection unit formed corresponding to the type of ink contained in the ink ribbon, and being detachably mountable to a printing apparatus main body; Detecting means for detecting the type of the ink in accordance with the detected portion of the detected ribbon cassette; and the ink detected by the detecting means. In accordance with the type of ink, a feed speed at which the ink is suitable for recording when the release plate portion is peeled off from the transfer-receiving paper is set, and the feed means is controlled to control the feed speed. Feed speed control means for feeding the ink ribbon and the transfer sheet; and recording control means for controlling the thermal head and causing the heating element to generate heat at a predetermined timing based on the feed speed to perform printing. A recording device, characterized in that: