JP2978216B2 - Thermal transfer recording device - Google Patents

Description

Description: BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a thermal transfer recording apparatus, and more particularly, to a thermal transfer recording apparatus that transfers ink of an ink sheet to recording paper by the heat of a thermal head to record. .

[Conventional technology]

In a thermal transfer recording apparatus, recording is performed by heating an ink sheet by the heat of a thermal head and transferring ink on the ink sheet to recording paper.

That is, conventionally, in a thermal transfer recording apparatus, generally, a thermal head is pressed to a predetermined printing pressure by a spring on a platen roller which is driven to rotate, and an ink sheet and a roll-shaped recording paper are placed between the platen roller and the thermal head. Supplied in layers. The ink sheet is supplied from a supply-side roll, and is taken up by a take-up-side roll. These supply-side rolls and take-up-side rolls are disposed separately on both sides of a platen roller and a thermal head. Roll-shaped recording paper and an ink sheet are supplied between the platen roller and the thermal head via a turn roller. You. Printing energy is supplied to the thermal head, and the ink of the ink sheet is transferred to a roll-shaped recording paper and recorded by the printing energy. The ink sheet used for recording by the thermal head is peeled off from the roll-shaped recording paper and the thermal head by a peeling roller, and is taken up by a take-up roll.

On the other hand, wrinkles generated in the ink sheet are affected by the tension distribution in the width direction applied to the ink sheet and its size, the angle of approach to the thermal head and the peeling angle,
If the tension of the ink sheet is weak, wrinkles are generated on the ink sheet, and the image quality is deteriorated.

Therefore, in a conventional thermal transfer recording apparatus, generally,
The turn roller and the peeling roller are integrally mounted on the thermal head to ensure parallelism with the thermal head. Further, in order to generate tension in the ink sheet, a disk and a felt are provided on the supply side roll and the winding side roll of the ink sheet, and tension is generated in the ink sheet by friction between the disk and the felt.

[Problems to be solved by the invention]

However, in such a conventional thermal transfer recording apparatus, since the turn roller and the peeling roller are integrally attached to the thermal head, when the tension acting on the ink sheet is weak, wrinkles are generated on the ink sheet,
If the tension acting on the ink sheet is too strong, this tension acts in the direction in which the thermal head separates from the platen roller, the printing pressure of the thermal head weakens, and the heat of the thermal head does not properly act on the ink sheet. There is a problem that image quality deteriorates.

[Object of the invention]

In view of the above, a first aspect of the present invention provides a thermal head that checks a change in tension of a supply-side ink sheet and controls printing energy supplied to a thermal element of the thermal head based on the change in tension of the supply-side ink sheet. The present invention according to claim 2 is to supply a printing energy appropriate for the printing pressure to the platen roller to the thermal element to improve the image quality. By controlling the printing energy to be supplied to the thermal element of the thermal head based on the fluctuation of the tension of the ink sheet on the receiving side, the printing energy appropriate for the printing pressure on the platen roller of the thermal head is supplied to the thermal element, and the image quality is improved. The purpose is to let them.

[Means for solving the problem]

In order to achieve the above object, the invention according to claim 1 is characterized in that the thermal element is selectively rotated by a platen roller that is driven to rotate and a printing energy supplied based on image data by contacting the platen roller with a predetermined printing pressure. A recording head supplied between the thermal head and the platen roller, an ink sheet supplied between the thermal head and the recording paper from the supply roll and taken up by the take-up roll, The thermal element generates heat by the supplied printing energy and transfers the ink of the ink sheet to the recording paper to perform recording. In the thermal transfer recording apparatus, the thermal energy is supplied between the thermal head and the recording paper from the supply roll. Check the tension fluctuation of the supply side ink sheet,
The printing energy supplied to the thermal element of the thermal head is controlled based on a change in the tension of the supply-side ink sheet. The invention according to claim 2, wherein the platen roller that is driven to rotate, A thermal head in which the thermal element selectively generates heat by the printing energy supplied based on the image data by contacting with the printing pressure, a recording paper supplied between the thermal head and the platen roller, and a supply roll. An ink sheet supplied between the thermal head and the recording paper and wound on a take-up roll, wherein the thermal energy is generated by the supplied printing energy, and the ink on the ink sheet is transferred to the recording paper for recording. In the thermal transfer recording device, the winding is wound on the winding roll from between the thermal head and the recording paper. A change in the tension of the ink sheet on the side is checked, and the printing energy supplied to the thermal element of the thermal head is controlled based on the change in the tension of the ink sheet on the winding side.

 Hereinafter, a specific description will be given based on examples.

1 to 6 are views showing one embodiment of the thermal transfer recording apparatus according to each invention of the present application.

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of a main part of the thermal transfer recording apparatus 1,
The thermal transfer recording apparatus 1 includes a platen roller 2, a thermal head 3, a turn roller 4, a peeling roller 5, a supply roll 6, a take-up roll 7, and the like.

The platen roller 2 is rotationally driven in the direction of the arrow by a motor (not shown) through its shaft 2a.
Is in contact with the thermal head 3. The thermal head 3 is urged in the direction of the platen roller 2 by a spring 8, and the thermal head 3 is in contact with the platen roller 2 at a predetermined printing pressure. The thermal head 3 has a shaft 2a of the platen roller 2 at a position where it contacts the platen roller 2.
A plurality of thermal elements 3a are arranged in a line in the direction of the arrow, and each thermal element 3a is heated by a print pulse supplied based on image information.

Roll recording paper 9 is supplied between the platen roller 2 and the thermal head 3 via the turn roller 4, and the roll recording paper 9 recorded by the thermal head 3 is
It is sent to a cutter (not shown) via the peeling roller 5. The roll-shaped recording paper 9 sent to the cutter is cut to a predetermined length by the cutter, and then discharged out of the thermal transfer recording device 1.
The turn roller 4 and the peeling roller 5
, And are rotatably mounted.

Further, between the platen roller 2 and the thermal head 3, a roll-shaped ink sheet 10 is supplied from a supply-side roll 6 via a turn roller 4.
Is located closer to the thermal head 3 than the roll-shaped recording paper 9. The ink sheet 10 supplied between the platen roller 2 and the thermal head 3 via the turn roller 4
After being provided for recording, it is taken up by a take-up roll 7 via a peeling roller 5.

As shown in FIG. 2, the supply-side roll 6 is supported so as to rotate integrally with a disk shaft 21, and a disk-shaped disk 22 is formed on the disk shaft 21. The disk 23 is disposed at a position facing the disk 22, and the disk 23 is rotatably supported by the disk shaft 21 and has a stopper 23a. Therefore,
The disk 23 is rotatable by a predetermined amount with respect to the disk shaft 21, but its rotation is regulated by a stopper 21a.
The surface of the disk 23 facing the disk 22 has a felt 24
Is fixed, and a predetermined frictional force is generated on the contact surface between the felt 24 and the disk 22. In addition, the disc axis
A spring receiver 25 is attached to the distal end of 21, and a spring 26 is contracted between the spring receiver 25 and the disk 23. Therefore, the ink sheet 10 is moved
When the disk 22 is wound, the disk 22 rotates together with the disk shaft 21, and when the disk 22 rotates, a frictional force is generated between the disk 22 and the felt 24 fixed to the disk 23 whose rotation is restricted. Due to this frictional force, a predetermined tension is generated on the ink sheet 10 supplied between the take-up roll 6 and the thermal head 3 and the platen roller 2.

As shown in FIG. 3, the take-up side roll 7
It is supported so as to rotate integrally with the disk shaft 31 and the disk shaft 31
Is formed with a disk 32. Disk 32
A disk 33 is disposed at a position facing the disk 33, and the disk 33 is rotatably supported by the disk shaft 31. A felt 34 is fixed to a surface of the disk 33 on the disk 32 side, and a predetermined frictional force is generated on a contact surface between the felt 34 and the disk 32. A spring receiver 35 is attached to the tip of the disk shaft 31.
A spring 36 is contracted between the disk 35 and the disk 33. Further, a drive gear 36 meshes with the disk 33, and the drive gear 36 is driven to rotate by a drive motor 37.
Therefore, when the disk 33 is driven to rotate by the drive motor 37 via the drive gear 36, a frictional force is generated between the felt 34 fixed to the disk 33 and the disk 32, and the frictional force generates the disk 32 and the disk 32. The shaft 31 rotates.
As a result, the ink sheet 10 is taken up by the take-up roll 7, and the disc 32 rotates together with the disc shaft 31, and the ink sheet 10 taken up by the take-up roll 7 from between the thermal head 3 and the platen roll 2. A predetermined tension occurs.

As shown in FIG. 4, the thermal head 3 is connected to a thermal head drive circuit 41, and the thermal head drive circuit 41 drives the thermal head 3 under the control of a control unit. A counter 43, an energy data storage unit 44, a tension data storage unit 45, and the like are connected to the control unit 42,
The counter 43 counts the usage time of the thermal recording device 1 and outputs the counting result to the control unit 42. The counter 43 counts the usage time of the thermal recording apparatus 1 based on, for example, an output of a timer (not shown) or a sensor that detects the actual operation state of the thermal recording apparatus 1. Tension data storage unit 45
Is the ink sheet 10 with respect to the usage time of the thermal recording apparatus 1.
In the tension generating mechanism using the felts 24 and 34 as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the use time of the thermal recording apparatus 1 and the tension of the ink sheet 10 are: There is a relationship as shown in FIG. That is, in the initial stage of the thermal recording apparatus 1, the tension of the ink sheet 10 is large, and decreases with the lapse of the use time, and becomes a stable value. If the use time further elapses and the ink sheet 10 is used for a long time, the stable value of the tension gradually increases. Ink sheet 10
Tension increases. Thus, the tension data storage unit 45 stores data relating to the use time and the tension of the thermal recording apparatus 1 in advance. The change in the use time and the tension of the thermal recording apparatus 1 is caused by the change in the winding side roll 6.
When the tension of the ink sheet 10 supplied between the platen roller 2 and the thermal head 3 from the printer and the tension of the ink sheet 10 wound on the take-up roll 7 from between the platen roller 2 and the thermal head 3 are different, These data are stored in the tension data storage unit 45.

The energy data storage unit 44 stores data of the printing energy required by the thermal head 3 with respect to the tension of the ink sheet 10, and as shown in FIG. The thermal head 3 is formed integrally with the ink sheet by the tension of the ink sheet.
In the thermal recording apparatus 1 in which the printing pressure changes, the ink sheet
For example, the relationship between the tension of 10 and the energy supplied to the thermal element 3a of the thermal head 3 necessary for performing appropriate printing has a relationship as shown in FIG. That is, when the tension applied to the ink sheet 10 exceeds a certain value, the thermal head 3 floats up with respect to the platen roller 2, and the printing energy that needs to be supplied to the thermal head 3 increases in accordance with the floating amount. Therefore,
The energy data storage unit 44 stores in advance the data of the printing energy that needs to be supplied to the thermal head 3 with respect to the tension of the ink sheet 10. The data of the printing energy that needs to be supplied to the thermal head 3 with respect to the tension of the ink sheet 10 is calculated based on the tension of the ink sheet 10 supplied from the take-up roll 6 between the platen roller 2 and the thermal head 3, and the platen roller. When the tension is different from the tension of the ink sheet 10 wound on the take-up roll 7 from between the thermal head 3 and the thermal head 3, the data of the printing energy for each tension is stored in the energy data storage unit 44. Therefore, the control unit 42
Reads the value of the counter 43, searches the counter force tension data storage unit 45, and checks the tension of the ink sheet 10 with respect to the use time of the thermal recording apparatus 1.

 Next, the operation will be described.

The thermal transfer recording apparatus 1 superposes the ink sheet 10 and the roll-shaped recording paper 9 and supplies the ink sheet 10 between the platen roller 2 and the thermal head 3. The heat of the thermal head 3 causes the ink of the ink sheet 10 to be rolled. Is recorded on the roll-shaped recording paper 9. The rolled recording paper 9 on which recording has been performed is sent to a cutter (not shown), cut into a predetermined length by the cutter, and then discharged out of the thermal transfer recording apparatus 1.

The ink sheet 10 used for recording is supplied from the supply roll 6 to the platen roller 2 and the thermal head 3 via the turn roller 4, and the ink sheet 10 used for recording is supplied via the peeling roller 5. And is taken up by the take-up roll 7. At the time of this recording, what transports the ink sheet 10 is the rotational force of the take-up roller 7 as described above.
Various factors such as the rotation of the platen roller 2 and the frictional force between the ink sheet 10 and the roll-shaped recording paper 9 act on this rotational force. At this time, the ink sheet 10 on the supply roll 6 side
The tension is generated by the frictional force between the felt 24 and the disc 22 shown in FIG. 2, and the ink sheet 10 on the winding roll 7 side is provided with the felt 34 and the disc shown in FIG.
Tension is generated by the frictional force with 32. The tension of the ink sheet 10 is, as shown in FIG.
When the tension of the ink sheet 10 exceeds a certain value, a phenomenon occurs in which the ink sheet 10 rises from the platen roller 2, and if sufficient printing energy is not supplied to the thermal head 3, the recording quality deteriorates.

Therefore, in each invention of the present application, the use time of the thermal recording apparatus 1 is counted by the counter 43, and the tension of the ink sheet 10 on the supply side and the winding side is determined based on the use time of the thermal recording apparatus 1, and the ink sheet 10 is determined. The printing energy supplied to the thermal head 3 is controlled based on the tension of the print head.

That is, the value of the counter 43 is read by the control unit 42, the tension data storage unit 45 is searched from the count value of the counter 43, and the tension of the ink sheet 10 with respect to the use time of the thermal recording apparatus 1 is checked. At this time, when the tension of the ink sheet 9 on the supply side roll 6 side and the tension on the supply side roll 7 side differ depending on the use time of the thermal recording apparatus 1, the ink sheet of the ink sheet 10 on both the supply side and the take-up side is changed. The tension is read from the tension data storage unit 45, respectively. When reading the tension data, the control unit 42 searches the energy data storage unit 44 based on the tension data, and reads the printing energy required for the tension of the ink sheet 10. The control unit 42 controls the thermal head drive circuit 41 based on the read printing energy, and drives the thermal head 3 with the printing energy.
Therefore, the printing energy corresponding to the tension of the ink sheet 10, that is, the printing pressure of the thermal head 3 (the floating state of the thermal head 3) is supplied to the thermal head 3, and appropriate printing is performed. As a result, printing quality can be improved.

At this time, when the tensions of the ink sheets 10 on both the supply side and the winding side are different, the printing energy corresponding to each tension is read, and the printing energy to be preferentially used among these printing energies is determined in advance. The printing energy may be recorded using the printing energy, or the printing energy may be calculated by an arithmetic expression set in advance based on the two printing energies (for example, an arithmetic expression for calculating an average value of the two printing energies). May be recorded with the printing energy of

〔effect〕

According to the first aspect of the present invention, it is possible to check the change in the tension of the supply-side ink sheet and control the printing energy supplied to the thermal element of the thermal head based on the change in the tension of the supply-side ink sheet. Printing energy appropriate for printing pressure on the platen roller of the thermal head can be supplied to the thermal element, and image quality can be improved.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, it is possible to check the fluctuation in the tension of the ink sheet on the winding side and to control the printing energy supplied to the thermal element of the thermal head based on the fluctuation in the tension on the ink sheet on the winding side. Therefore, it is possible to supply printing energy appropriate for printing pressure to the platen roller of the thermal head to the thermal element, and it is possible to improve image quality.

[Brief description of the drawings]

1 to 6 are views showing an embodiment of a thermal transfer recording apparatus according to each invention of the present application. FIG. 1 is a structural view of a main part thereof, and FIG. 2 is an enlarged detail of a supporting portion of a supply side ink sheet. FIG. 3, FIG. 3 is an enlarged detailed view of a support portion of the take-up side ink sheet, FIG. 4 is a block diagram of a control circuit of the thermal head, and FIG. 5 is use time of the thermal recording apparatus and tension of the ink sheet. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing the relationship between the tension of the ink sheet and the printing energy required for the thermal head. DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Thermal transfer recording device, 2 ... Platen roller, 3 ... Thermal head, 3a ... Thermal element, 4 ... Turn roller, 5 ... Peeling roller, 6 ... Supply side roll, 7 ... Winding side Roll, 8: Spring, 9: Rolled recording paper, 10: Ink sheet, 21, 31, Disk shaft, 22, 23, 32, 33 Disk, 24, 34 Felt.

Claims (2)

(57) [Claims] A platen roller which is driven to rotate, a thermal head which abuts on the platen roller at a predetermined printing pressure and whose thermal element selectively generates heat by printing energy supplied based on image data; and a thermal head. A recording sheet supplied between the platen roller and an ink sheet supplied between the thermal head and the recording sheet from the supply side roll and wound on the take-up side roll. In a thermal transfer recording device that prints by transferring the ink on the ink sheet to recording paper when the elements generate heat, the tension fluctuation of the supply-side ink sheet supplied between the thermal head and the recording paper from the supply-side roll is checked. Printing energy to be supplied to the thermal element of the thermal head based on a change in tension of the supply side ink sheet Thermal transfer recording apparatus and controls. A platen roller which is driven to rotate, a thermal head which abuts on the platen roller at a predetermined printing pressure, and whose thermal element selectively generates heat by printing energy supplied based on image data; A recording sheet supplied between the platen roller and an ink sheet supplied between the thermal head and the recording sheet from the supply side roll and wound on the take-up side roll. In a thermal transfer recording apparatus in which the elements generate heat and transfer the ink of the ink sheet to recording paper to perform recording, the tension fluctuation of the take-up ink sheet that is taken up by the take-up roll from between the thermal head and the recording paper. Check
A thermal transfer recording apparatus, wherein printing energy supplied to a thermal element of the thermal head is controlled based on a change in tension of the take-up side ink sheet.