JP2979282B2 - Thermal transfer card printer - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a thermal transfer card for recording image information such as a photograph of a person's face and characters on a flat card using a transfer film having a heat sublimable or heat-fusible ink. It concerns a printer.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as a part of a technology for manufacturing a credit card, an ID card, and the like, a thermal sublimation transfer system is used.
There is a printer that records image information and character information such as a photograph of a person's face on a flat plastic card. The contents of the printer are described in JP-A-3-275362 and JP-A-3
No. 2,789,763.

FIG. 21 shows a recording apparatus disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 3-275362. This is because a card supply unit 210 having a card feeding unit and a card C conveyed from the card supply unit 210 into the apparatus.
Main body unit 23 for printing predetermined information using first thermal head 233 via transfer paper 232
0 and the second thermal head 2 via the transfer paper 242 to the card C printed by the print main unit 230.
43, an overcoat unit 240 for protecting the printing surface by overcoating, and an encode recording unit for magnetically recording predetermined information on the card C.

In the card supply unit, the cassette 21
The card C is fed from the lower end of
The card C is sent out one by one, and predetermined information is magnetically recorded on a magnetic surface by an encoding recording unit (not shown). Thereafter, the card C is sent to the print main unit 230.

In the print main unit 230,
A bed (card stage) 231 on which the card C is placed to perform printing is prepared. This bed 23
1 are guided by guide rods 231a and 231a, and a screw screw 231b penetrates a central portion thereof. By rotating the screw screw 231b, it is possible to move the card C in a direction orthogonal to the transport path of the card C. Has become.

When printing on the card C, the first thermal line head 233 is slightly lowered to transfer the transfer paper 232.
The card C on the bed 231 is pressed through the, and a character, a photograph, and the like are thermally transferred based on a predetermined information signal supplied to the thermal line head 233. This transfer paper 232
Is a tape impregnated with yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (Bk) sublimation inks at a predetermined pitch in a plane-sequential manner.
It is repeated a plurality of times in the order of M, C, and Bk, and each time, the bed 231 is reciprocated in a direction orthogonal to the transport path,
A color print is obtained on card C.

[0007] The printed card C is sent to the overcoat unit 240, and the transfer roller 241 is transferred via the transfer paper 242 using the second thermal line head 243.
The resin film is overcoated on the card C by pressing the upper card C by thermal transfer. The overcoated card C is transported by the transport belt 244 to the operation side of the apparatus, and is carried out of the apparatus.

The contents disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 3-278976 are positioned as a specific configuration of the above-mentioned publication.

That is, as shown in FIG.
Bed 316 which is a stage (blaten) on which 3 is placed
Is provided on a top surface of a holder member 337 on which a flat rubber 335 is adhered, and a pair of guide members 338L and 338R provided on the left and right sides of the substrate 336.
6 is held between the holder member 337. The card 333 inserted from the card insertion slot is held on the flat rubber 335 with the left and right side edges inserted into the gap between the guide members 338L, 338R and the flat rubber 335.

A feed mechanism 317 for reciprocating the bed 316 in a direction (X1, X2 directions) orthogonal to the card transport path.
21, a guide rod (not shown) is inserted through the holder member 337 so as to be slidable in the left-right direction while being spaced apart in the front-rear direction, and between these guide rods. The ball screw shaft 340 is screwed into the bed 316 and moves left and right by the rotation of the ball screw shaft 340.
That is, the driven pulley 3 is attached to the right end of the ball screw shaft 340.
63 is fixed and connected to an output shaft of a drive motor (not shown) via a timing belt. Therefore, the feed mechanism 317 is driven by the driving motor to rotate the ball screw shaft 3.
The bed 316 is reciprocated right and left (X1, X2) by rotating and driving the bed 40.

Further, the thermal head 417 is attached to the bed 31.
6 and a mechanism for adjusting the contact pressure of the thermal head 417, as shown in FIGS. 22 and 23, a holder 411B fixing both ends of the thermal head 417 is moved by the vibration. It is swingably supported by the supporting plates 409F and 409B around the driving shaft 410, and
An engagement shaft 418 is provided so as to be able to engage with the pressing cam 412. The support plates 409F, 4
A spring 419B is mounted between the transfer head 09B and the transfer head 09B and constantly biases the thermal head 417 in a direction away from the transfer paper 382.

The engaging shaft 418 of the holder 411B is pressed by a pressing cam 412 fixed to a pressing shaft 413 driven by a pressing mechanism 420, and the contact pressure between the thermal head 417 and the transfer paper 382 is adjusted. As shown in FIG. 23, one end of the pressing shaft 413 of the thermal head 417 penetrates the support plate 409B, and the arm 42
2 and a connecting member 4 in which a spring 423 is compressed.
24, connected to a plunger 426 of an actuator 425 made of a linear solenoid via a connecting member 427. Arm 422, connecting member 424, 42 described above
7, the spring 423, and the actuator 425 constitute a pressing mechanism 420. The pressurizing mechanism 420 swings the thermal head 417 around the swing shaft 410 so as to approach the bed 316.
Adjust the contact pressure.

[0013]

However, in the above-described conventional thermal transfer printer, the card C is placed on a bed serving as a platen, and is relatively approached to the thermal line head. Is moved in a direction perpendicular to the direction to perform desired printing.

For this reason, it is necessary to prepare a bed having a complicated structure such as the bed 316 separately from the components of the transport path of the card, and of course, the bed and the thermal line head are relatively approached during printing. Means (pressing mechanism 420, pressing cam 412, engaging shaft 418, etc.)
Or a dedicated feeding means (feeding mechanism 317) for reciprocating the card in a direction orthogonal to the card transport path, or a control using a bed to determine a transfer position between the bed and the transport path. Requires an associated dedicated complex configuration. In the bed system, the bed must be moved in a direction orthogonal to the transport path, and the size of the apparatus must be increased in that direction. Therefore, there is a limit in configuring a card printer having a simple and small configuration.

On the other hand, an image forming apparatus which does not handle the plastic card as described above, but handles a flexible recording paper such as a business card sheet, a card, a postcard, etc.
There is one disclosed in JP-A-4-299153.

As shown in FIGS. 24 and 25, in this apparatus, the sheet feeding mechanism 502 switches the receiving layer / image forming mechanism 5
03 and the receiving layer / image forming mechanism 50
3 and a paper discharge path 506 from the protective layer forming mechanism 504 to
They are arranged so as to cross obliquely in front of the receiving layer / image forming mechanism 503. A pair of a grid roller 518 and a pinch roller 519 having a large number of irregularities on the peripheral surface is disposed in the merging passage portion, and the switching gate 515 switches the sheet from the paper feeding path 505 to the paper discharging path 506. It is configured to send. Different feed paths 505 and discharge paths 506 due to the switchback
When the sheet is conveyed to the sheet, the contact point between the pinch roller 519 and the grid roller 518 is displaced so as to follow the sheet conveyance direction, so that the sheet can be conveyed without excessive force acting on the sheet. It is done smoothly. Further, in the receiving layer / image forming mechanism 503, a platen 529 is provided so as to be able to press and separate from the head 520. Then, at the time of printing, as shown in FIG. 25B, the platen 529 is moved from the head 52 through the recording paper conveyed by the conveyance roller 518.
0, and during non-printing, the platen 529 is controlled to be separated from the head 520 as shown in FIG. 532 is a drive pulley 5
33 shows a belt wrapped around 33.

Accordingly, if this image forming apparatus is applied to a card printer, the platen 529
Is pressed and separated, and the pinch roller 5 is
The reciprocal movement of the sheet 19 in the same direction as the sheet conveyance path can be achieved only by switching the revolving movement of the sheet 19 around the grid roller 518. This means that a sheet printer having a simpler and smaller configuration can be configured as compared with the bed system in which the bed is moved in a direction orthogonal to the transport path.

However, as can be seen from FIG. 25, the platen 5 is attached to the head 520 during printing and during non-printing.
Since it is indispensable to move the 29 in pressure contact and separation, the sheet must be curved by that distance. Accordingly, the present invention is effective as an image forming apparatus that handles recording paper having good flexibility such as business card sheets, cards, and postcards, but is suitable for a card having relatively low flexibility, that is, a plastic card having strong stiffness. It is not a simple configuration.

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to solve the above-mentioned problems, and to use an element constituting a card transport path as a means for bringing the card into contact with the thermal head and a means for performing printing movement a plurality of times. An object of the present invention is to provide a thermal transfer card printer capable of simplifying and reducing the size of the apparatus and printing a rigid plastic card without requiring bending.

[0020]

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a card supply section (10) for sending out a card before a printing process, and a printing section (20) for printing a color image on the sent out card. In the thermal transfer card printer having the printing section (2),
0), the entrance transport roller (21) in the card transport direction and the first
Capstan roller (23), platen roller (2)
4) and the second capstan roller (25) are linearly arranged in order, and the first capstan roller (2) is
3) The platen roller (24) and the second cap stun roller (25) are configured as a pass unit (U1) that can move toward or away from the stationary thermal head (52), During the printing phase, the drive mechanism (2) that moves the pass unit (U1) toward the thermal head (52) and presses the platen roller (24) against the thermal head (52).
8) is provided (claim 1).

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a thermal transfer card printer having a card supply section (10) for sending out a card before printing and a printing section (20) for printing a color image on the sent out card. In the printing section (20), as an element constituting a card transport path (F), an entrance transport roller (21) and a first cap stun roller (2) in the card transport direction.
3), a platen roller (24) and a second cap stun roller (25) are linearly arranged in order, of which the first cap stun roller (23) and the platen roller (24) are arranged.
And the second capstan roller (25) is configured as a pass unit (U1) that can swing about the axis of the second or first capstan roller (25 or 23), while the pass unit ( A drive mechanism (28) that tilts U1) to bring the platen roller (24) closer to the thermal head (52) whose position is fixed.
(Claim 2).

In the present invention, preferably, the distance (L1 + L2) between the entrance conveying roller (21) and the platen roller (24) is set to be longer than the length (L) of the card.
The entrance conveying roller (21) and the platen roller (24)
Between the first cap stun roller (2)
3) is the distance (L2) from the platen roller (24).
Is provided at a position smaller than the distance (L1) from the entrance conveying roller (21) (claim 3).

The drive mechanism (28) includes a cam (45) for pressing the pass unit (U1) and a spring (47) for constantly engaging a part of the pass unit (U1) with the cam.
And a motor (M2) for rotating the cam, and the cam (45) operates at high speed until immediately before the platen roller (24) comes into contact with the thermal head (52). ) Is brought close to the thermal head (52), and thereafter the shape and dimensions are set so that the speed decreases until the platen roller (24) comes into contact with the thermal head (52) (claim 4).

In the above, the unit entrance sensor and the unit exit sensor for detecting the presence of the card are integrally mounted on the pass unit.

A gap (Δ) can be formed between the first cap stun roller (23) or the second cap stun roller (25) and its pinch roller to reduce the impact when the card enters. Claim 6).

Alternatively, a first cap stun roller (23)
To the pinch roller (R)
A spring (91) is provided on the side of the capstan roller (23) so that the tension of the spring (91) can be adjusted by a cam (92). The first capstan roller (23) and the pinch roller (R) are provided. When the card enters or leaves the pair of rollers (23, R), the pressing force of the pinch roller (R) is weakened, and the card is moved between the pair of rollers (2, R).
The tension force of the spring (91) can be adjusted so as to return to the required pressing force after the nip is completely nipped or removed during (3, R) (claim 7).

Alternatively, an opening / closing cam (93) is rotatably mounted on the shaft of the first or second capstan roller (23 or 25), and the card is attached to the capstan roller (23 or 25) by the card. ), The cam (93) is at a rotational position away from the axis of the pinch roller (R), and the card protrudes between the cap stun roller (23 or 25) and the pinch roller (R). In this case, the cam (93) can be configured to move to a rotation position where the shaft of the pinch roller (R) is lifted from below (claim 8).

When it is desired to form an image area (94) at a position closer to one side on the card surface, the distance (L) from the first cap stun roller (23) to the platen roller (24) is determined.
In contrast to 2), the relationship (L3> L2) where the distance (L3) from the platen roller (24) on the downstream side to the cap stun roller (25) is longer, or the inverse length relationship (L3 <L). L2) (claim 9).

[0029]

According to the first and second aspects, the platen roller (2)
The first cap stun roller (2) located upstream of (4)
3) and the second cap stun roller (25) located on the downstream side are rollers for transporting the card, and are essentially components of the transport path of the card. However, these rollers are either pass units (U1) that can move toward or away from the stationary thermal head (52), or in the case of claim 2 the second or first cap. The pass unit (U1) is swingable about the axis of the stun roller (25 or 23), and also functions as a means for pressing the platen roller (24) against the thermal head (52) during printing. I do.

Therefore, it is not necessary to prepare complicated components such as the bed (316) separately from the components of the transport path of the card as in the prior art, and the platen roller (24) can be replaced with the thermal head (52). Also, the means for pressing against can be very easily and finely adjusted.

The inlet conveying roller (21), the first cap stun roller (23), the platen roller (24) and the second cap stun roller (25) are arranged linearly and sequentially in the card conveying direction. Therefore, the first capstan roller (23), the platen roller (24) and the second capstan roller (2) of the pass unit (U1).
5) are also arranged linearly, and as a result of the three members integrally changing as a unit, printing can be performed without the need for bending even with a rigid plastic card.

Further, the direction in which the card is reciprocated at the time of printing is not the direction orthogonal to the card transport path as in the prior art, but the direction along the card transport path. For this reason, it is possible to reciprocate the card at the time of printing by also using the drive means of the card transport system, simplifying the configuration and eliminating the need to move the card in the direction orthogonal to the transport path. The device size in the direction is reduced.

Further, as a result of providing the cap stun roller (23) on the upstream side of the thermal head (52), printing can be performed over the entire area of the card.

That is, when the upstream first cap stun roller (23) does not exist, the card is moved to the second cap stun roller (2) downstream of the thermal head (52).
Since the card is returned by the nip of 5), the leading end of the card cannot be returned upstream of the nip point. As a result,
The section area (L3) existing between the card tip and the thermal head (52) remains as an unprinted area.

However, if the first cap stun roller (23) is provided also on the upstream side of the thermal head (52),
The card can be switched from a state in which the second cap stun roller 25 is nipped to a state in which the first cap stun roller 23 is nipped. That is, even if the leading end of the card is separated from the second cap stun roller (25) to the upstream side, the card has already been nipped by the first cap stun roller (23) at that point, and the card is removed as it is. , Can be returned to a position where the tip comes directly below the thermal head 52. Therefore,
The non-printable area is eliminated, and printing can be performed over the entire area of the card.

According to the second aspect, the first cap stun roller (23) and the second cap stun roller (25).
Are assembled together with the platen roller (24) as a pass unit (U1) that can swing about the axis of the second or first cap stun roller (25 or 23), so that the pass unit (U1) is tilted. Just a mechanism,
The platen roller (24) can be pressed against the film on the thermal head (52) with an appropriate pressing force.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, the distance (L1) between the entrance conveyance roller (21) and the platen roller (24) is determined.
+ L2) is longer than the card length (L). For this reason, when the leading edge of the card comes directly below the thermal head (52), the trailing edge of the card must be located at the entrance transport roller (21).
A relationship away from Therefore, even when the card is reciprocated a plurality of times during printing, it is ensured that the rear end of the card does not come into contact with the entrance conveyance roller (21) again. If the card that moves back during printing contacts the entrance transport roller (21), the image will be disturbed by the shock at the time of contact, and this will become more pronounced at higher speeds, so that a satisfactory color image can be printed at high speed. It becomes impossible to do.

The position of the first cap stun roller (23) between the entrance conveyance roller (21) and the platen roller (24) is determined by the distance (L2) from the platen roller (24). ) (L)
1) The position smaller than that, namely, the platen roller (2)
4) Since it is provided near, it is possible to make the pass unit (U1) compact.

In claim 4, the following points are considered. In other words, in a mechanism in which the card facing the thermal head (52) is pressed against the card simply by using a solenoid or the like, when the speed is increased, the impact at the time of pressing is large, and the card is made of a hard medium made of plastic. In this case, the thermal head was damaged or the printing position was shifted. However, the drive mechanism (28) according to the fourth aspect of the present invention provides a cam (45) for pressing the thermal head (52) against the card.
Since the operation speed is reduced immediately before the pressing by using the drive mechanism by the spring (47) and the motor (M2), a quick and safe operation can be secured.

According to the fifth aspect, since the unit entrance sensor and the unit exit sensor of the card are integrally attached to the pass unit, the positional relationship is always kept constant irrespective of the tilt of the pass unit. Detection and accuracy are possible.

According to another aspect of the present invention, the card is prevented from being affected by an impact when the card enters between the first cap stun roller (23) or the second cap stun roller (25) and its pinch roller. A gap (Δ) may be formed between the pair of rollers to mitigate the impact when the card enters, or a pair of rollers (23, 23) may be formed. When the card enters or leaves R), the pressing force of the pinch roller (R) may be reduced, or
As in claim 7, the card is a roller pair (23 or 25,
R) When entering, the pinch roller (R) may be lifted by the cam (93).

In the ninth aspect, when it is known that an image area (94) is desired to be formed at a position close to one side in the card surface, the distance between the platen roller (24) and the first cap stun roller (23) is increased. By making the distance (L2) different from the distance (L3) from the platen roller (24) to the cap stun roller (25), scars caused by the impact at the time of intrusion can be generated in places other than the desired image area. Can be determined to occur.

[0043]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Printer unit 1 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2
Constitutes a part of a card manufacturing device such as a credit card or an ID card.
As shown in FIG. 4, a magnetic encoding recording unit 2 and a stocker unit 3 are connected in cascade to the printer unit 1.

As shown in FIG. 3, the printer unit 1
A card supply section 10 for sending out a flat plastic card C before a printing process, and a card C sent out by the card supply section 10 heats a color image with an intermediate gradation such as a photograph of a person's face. A first printing section 20 for printing by a sublimation transfer method, and a second printing for further printing a black and white binary image such as characters on the card by a hot-melt transfer method and also overcoating a protective surface on a printing surface. And a section 30. In addition,
The flat card has a stiffness enough to be cantilevered.

As suggested in FIG. 3, the card supply section 10 feeds an unprocessed card stocker 11 for storing cards before printing in the form of a laminate C1, and cards one by one from the bottom of the stocker 11. Means 12.

The first print section 20 includes, as elements constituting the card transport path F, an entrance transport roller 21, a guide plate 22 (FIG. 6), a cap stun roller 23, and a platen roller 24 sequentially in the card transport direction. , A cap stun roller 25 and a relay conveyance roller 29 are arranged. Of these, the cap stun roller 23, the platen roller 24 and the cap stun roller 25 are rotatable about a shaft 26 of the cap stun roller 25. The plate unit 24 is attached to the character-shaped support plate 27 and is integrated as a path unit U1 that allows the platen roller 24 located at the center of the plate to approach a first thermal head 52 whose position is fixed, which will be described later.

The second printing section 30 also has the same configuration as the first printing section 20. As elements constituting the card conveyance path F, the entrance conveyance roller 31 and the guide plate 32 (FIG. 7) are sequentially arranged in the card conveyance direction. , Capstan roller 33, platen roller 34, capstan roller 35
And a relay conveying roller 39, of which a cap stun roller 33, a platen roller 34, and a cap stun roller 35 are mounted on an inverted L-shaped support plate 37 that can swing about a shaft 36, and a platen roller. The rollers 34 are grouped as a pass unit U2 that can approach the second thermal head 62. Reverse L
Since the character-shaped plate 27 is configured to be able to swing left and right independently, it is not necessary to adjust the left and right positions in the pressing direction of the platen roller 24 with respect to the thermal head 52. In addition,
Each capstan roller in each printing section may have a function of loading and unloading a card with respect to the thermal head.

In FIG. 1, reference numeral 4 denotes an opening / closing cover of the card supply section 10, 5 denotes an opening / closing cover of the first printing section 20, 6 denotes an opening / closing cover of the second printing section 30, 7
Is a front cover having an operation panel 8, and 9 is a card outlet. FIG. 2 shows a state in which these open / close covers 4, 5, 6, 7 are opened.

In FIGS. 2 and 3, on the back surface of the opening / closing cover 5 of the first printing section 20, side walls 51, 51 are erected along the card traveling direction, and a first thermal head is provided between both side walls 51, 51. 52 is attached in a direction to stand upright with respect to the back surface of the cover. Also, both side walls 51, 51
Is located between the device frames 101 and 102 provided along the card traveling direction and is rotatably attached to the device frames 101 and 102 by the opening / closing shaft 53, thereby enabling the opening and closing. . Further, in order to hold the openable cover 5 in an upright state, one end of a support lever 54 is attached to one of the side walls 51, 51 by a shaft 55.
, The tip of which can be hooked on the pin 56.

The back surface of the opening / closing cover 6 of the second printing section 30 has the same structure as that of the opening / closing cover 5, and the side walls 61, 61 are erected along the card traveling direction.
A second thermal head 62 is attached between the first and second thermal heads 61 so as to be upright with respect to the back surface of the cover. Reference numeral 63 denotes an opening / closing axis of the opening / closing cover 6.

Reference numeral 57 denotes a cocoon-shaped YMC film cassette, in which a YMC film 58 in which yellow (Y), magenta (M), and cyan (C) sublimable ink layers are formed at predetermined pitches in a plane sequence. Are wound in the form of a supply roll 58a and a take-up roll 58b from both ends. Reference numeral 67 denotes a wax black protective layer film cassette, in which a wax black (WBk) protective layer film 68 in which a heat-meltable wax black layer and a transparent overcoat layer are formed at predetermined pitches in a plane sequence are provided. A roll wound in the form of a supply roll 68a and a take-up roll 68b from the side is stored.

As already mentioned, the first print section 2
The thermal head 52 of No. 0 and the thermal head 62 of the second printing section 30 are respectively fixed to the back surfaces of the open / close covers 5 and 6 so that the positions do not change during use. Therefore, when the open / close covers 5 and 6 are closed, FIG.
YMC film 58 and WBk protective layer film 6
8 is constant, and the pressing force is based on the force from the platen rollers 24 and 34.

(1) Card Supply Section FIGS. 6, 9, 11, and 12 show details of the card supply section 10. FIG.

The stocker 11 has a card mounting table 11a serving as a bottom plate of the stocker and a card which is placed on a card guide table and accommodates a large number of the rectangular cards in a stacked state such that the longitudinal direction thereof coincides with the payout direction. And a storage frame 11b. The card storage frame 11b opened upward is
In order to make the card bundle easy to put in and take out, the rear part in the card feeding direction is cut out in an L-shape, thereby forming a low card surrounding frame 11c. In addition, in order to facilitate insertion and removal of the card from the card surrounding frame 11c, the card surrounding frame 11c is also notched at the center of the rear guide edge to the card mounting table 11a by a cutout 11d.

Card mounting table (bottom plate of stocker) 11a
An opening 111 for installing a card feeding means 12 to be described later and an opening 112 for installing a lever-type card empty sensor S0 are formed.

The card feeding means 12 of the card supply section 10 has a card feeding slider 14 which is located in the opening 11 of the card mounting table 11a and is provided so as to be able to reciprocate in the card feeding direction, and is fixed to the lower surface of the slider 14. Rack 15, a pinion gear 16 meshing with the rack 15, and a shaft of the pinion gear 16
A slider drive motor M that drives the card dispensing slider 14 in the card dispensing direction by driving via
1 and 1.

The lower portion of the card dispensing slider 14 is guided and supported by the guide rod 13 below the card placing table 11a, and the upper surface of the card dispensing slider 14 is located below the card placing table 11a. A kick claw 14a is formed at the rear end of the upper surface of the card feeding slider 14 so as to protrude and extend along the rear edge. The height of the kick claw 14a is slightly higher than the upper surface of the card mounting table 11a. . Specifically, the card thickness is 0.76mm
The height of the kick claw 14a is set to 0.5 mm.

In the above configuration, when the motor M1 rotates, the slider 14 is moved through the gears 18, 17, 16, and 15.
Is driven to the left along the guide rod 13 from the position in FIG. The lowest card C located on the card mounting table 11a of the stocker 11 is kicked by the kicking claw 14a, which is the step of the slider 14, and moves to the left. After passing through the gap 19a, the sheet is sent to the next first printing section 20. The double feed preventing member 19 prevents the double feed of the card C by the gap 19a, and furthermore, makes the both sides of the gap 19a parallel planes, so that the lateral variation when the card C is manipulated. Also regulates.

With respect to the movement of the slider 14, in order to detect the outermost standby position (FIGS. 6 and 12) and the most extended position (operating position), the rear and front sides of the side wall of the slider 14 are detected. Sensing plate 4
1 and 42, and correspondingly, a slider position detection sensor (photo sensor) S1 for detecting the rear sensing plate 41 at the standby position, and a slider position for detecting the front sensing plate 42 at the operation position. A detection sensor (photo sensor) S2 is provided. A lever-type card sensor S3 is provided in the vicinity of the card outlet (gap 19a) in order to detect that the card has been fed out, including the case of a transparent card. S0 is a lever-type card empty sensor that detects the absence of unprocessed cards in the stocker 11, including the case of a transparent card, and the lever passes through the opening 112 as shown in FIG. And protrudes above the card mounting table 11a.

(2) First Printing Section FIGS. 5 and 6 show the details of the first printing section 20, and FIGS. 8 and 9 show a drive system thereof.

As described above, the first print section 2
0, the entrance transport roller 21 and the guide plate 2 are sequentially arranged in the transport direction of the card as elements constituting the transport path F of the card.
2, capstan roller 23, platen roller 24,
A cap stun roller 25 and a relay conveyance roller 29 are provided. Of these, the cap stun roller 23, the platen roller 24, and the cap stun roller 25 can swing left and right independently about a shaft 26 of the cap stun roller 25. The platen roller 24 is attached to the inverted L-shaped support plate 27 and is brought together as a pass unit U1 for bringing the platen roller 24 located at the center of the plate closer to the first thermal head 52.

In FIG. 6, the entrance conveying roller 21 and the cap stun roller 2 of the first printing section 20 described above are used.
A pinch roller R is disposed on each of the relay rollers 3 and 25 and the relay conveying roller 29 so as to face the roller.

When viewed in the card transport direction, the position immediately after the entrance transport roller 21 and its pinch roller R is
Card detection sensor S including light emitting device 43 and light receiving device 44
4 are provided. Immediately before the cap stun roller 23 and its pinch roller R, a card detection sensor (unit entrance sensor) S5 composed of a photo interrupter is provided.
Immediately after the capstan roller 25 and its pinch roller R, a card cue sensor (unit exit sensor) S6 composed of a photo interrupter is mounted on the inverted L-shaped support plate 37, respectively. I have. As a result, since the plate 37 and the sensors S5 and S6 for detecting the card are integrally displaced, no error occurs in the card detection position. Further, a card detection sensor S7 including a light emitting device 43 and a light receiving device 44 is provided at a position immediately after the relay conveyance roller 29 and the pinch roller R. S10 is a film detection sensor including a light emitting device 43 and a light receiving device 44, and the light emitting device 43 is provided on the opening / closing cover 5 side.

In FIGS. 5, 6 and 8, the support plate 27 of the pass unit U1 includes not only the capstan roller 23, platen roller 24 and capstan roller 25 described above, but also the unit entrance of the sensor. A sensor S5 and a unit exit sensor S6 are also attached, and tilt while maintaining the relative positional relationship with respect to the transport path.

Reference numeral 28 denotes a drive mechanism for tilting the path unit U1. The drive mechanism 28 is fixed to a cam shaft 45a extending in a direction perpendicular to the conveyance path, and the lower end of the inverted L-shaped leg of the support plate 27. A cam follower 46 provided on the cam 45 and operated by the cam 45; a spring 47 for urging the cam follower 46 in a direction of constantly contacting the peripheral surface of the cam 45;
An elevating motor M2 (FIG. 9) for driving the cam shaft 45a via gears 48a and 48b is provided. Further, the drive mechanism 28 enables the current position of the cam 45 to be grasped.
Sensing plate 4 with two notches in the circumferential direction
9 and corresponding cam position detection sensors S8 and S9, whereby the ascending position and the descending position of the pass unit U1 can be detected.

In FIGS. 8 and 9, the entrance conveying roller 2
1. To drive the cap stun rollers 23, 24, 25 and the relay conveyance roller 29, first, a pulley 73 is provided on the shaft 26 of the cap stun roller 25, that is, the shaft 26 which is the swing center axis of the pass unit U1. Can be Then, a timing belt 72 is wound around the pulley 73 and a pulley 71 provided on the output shaft of the transport drive motor M3. In addition, pulleys 73a, 7
3b and the shaft 2 of the entrance conveyance roller 21 and the relay conveyance roller 29
Timing belts 74 and 76 are wound around pulleys 21b and 29b provided on 1a and 29a, respectively.
Further, another pulleys 26 a and 26 b provided on the shaft 26 and the shafts 23 of the capstan roller 23 and the platen roller 24
The timing belts 75a and 75b are wound around pulleys 23b and 24b provided on the a and 24a, respectively.

The motor M4 (FIG. 9)
8 to the pulley 77, the timing belt 78, the pulley 7
9, a film winding motor driven by a gear 80 coaxial with the pulley, a gear 81 provided on the shaft of the winding roll 58b, and a gear 82 provided on the shaft of the film driving roller 84 (FIG. 5). In order to detect the rotation speed of the film winding motor M4, an encoder plate is provided on the motor shaft, and a rotation speed sensor S1 for detecting the encoder plate is provided.
2 are provided.

The motors M1, M2 and M4 are DC motors, but the drive motor M3 of the card transport system is a stepping motor. This is to enable precise feeding of the card transport system and precise grasp of the feeding amount. The feed amount of the YMC film 58 is grasped by an encoder 83 having an encoding disk 83a and a photo interrupter 83b which rotate in synchronization with the pulley 79, that is, in synchronization with the winding roll 58b.

The shaft of the gear 80 (the winding bobbin shaft) and the gear 82
(The shaft of the film drive roller 84) and the supply roll 5
8a, the torque limiters Ta, Tb,
Tc is arranged. Each magnitude relationship is expressed as Tb> (T
a = Tc), and the change in the winding force due to the film winding amount and remaining amount is minimized. Also,
An encoder is provided on the shaft of M4 to keep the winding speed constant, thereby eliminating the influence of the winding speed on the slack of the film, the excessive supply roll, and the separation of the film and the card.

(3) Second Printing Section FIG. 7 shows the details of the second printing section 30 and FIG. 10 shows a drive system thereof.

The second printing section 30 has the same configuration as the first printing section 20. As elements constituting the card transport path F, an inlet transport roller 31, a guide plate 32, and a cap stun roller are sequentially arranged in the card transport direction. 33, a platen roller 34, a cap stun roller 35, and a relay conveyance roller 39 are provided. Of these, the cap stun roller 33, the platen roller 34, and the cap stun roller 35 are rotatable around a shaft 36. The platen roller 3 is attached to the
4 as a pass unit U2 that can be approached to the second thermal head 62.

A pinch roller R is disposed opposite to the entrance transport roller 31, the cap stun rollers 33 and 35, and the relay transport roller 39.

Reference numeral 38 denotes a drive mechanism for tilting the path unit U2. This drive mechanism has exactly the same structure as the drive mechanism 28. The drive mechanism of the card transport system is the same as that of the first printing section 20. Accordingly, components having the same function are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof is omitted.

However, the sensor corresponding to the card detection sensor S4 is the card detection sensor S of the first printing section 20.
7 and is omitted here. Other S5-S
Up to ten sensors are the same as in the first printing section 20.

(4) Operation The second printing section 30 is essentially different from the first printing section 20 only in the type of film used and the control method and conditions associated therewith. Therefore, the operation of the first printing section 20 will be replaced with the description of the operation of the second printing section 30 unless otherwise required.

From the lower end of the card stocker 11 in the card supply section 10, the cards C are sent one by one to the first printing section 20 in the next step by the card feeding means 12.

In the first printing section 20, the YMC film 58 has already been applied to the first thermal head 52 with a predetermined tension. Also, during the non-printing phase, as shown in FIG. 13, the cam 45 is stationary at a position (operating position) where the peripheral surface having a large eccentric amount abuts the cam follower 46 of the pass unit U1. . Thereby, the roller pair 23, R, 2
The path formed by R and R is the other roller pair 21, R, 2
9, R, etc., is maintained at a position linearly coinciding with the transport path formed by the platen roller 24.
Of the YMC film 5 from the thermal head 52
8 is located at a lower position separated by a slight gap d.

The card C enters the pass unit U1 via the space between the entrance conveying roller 21 and the pinch roller R, and is held between the cap stun roller 23 and the pinch roller R. Further, when the card C is sent and the leading end thereof comes directly below the first thermal head 52, the rear end of the card C is separated from the space between the cap stun roller 23 and the pinch roller R.

That is, the length of the card C is L, the distance between the entrance conveying roller 21 and the capstan roller 23 is L1,
Assuming that the distance between the platen roller 24 (thermal head 52) and the capstan roller 23 is L2, the relationship is L <(L1 + L2).

This relationship is set to ensure that the rear end of the card does not come into contact with the entrance transport roller 21 again when the card is reciprocated a plurality of times during printing. If the card that returns during printing contacts the rollers 21 and 23, the image will be disturbed by the shock at the time of contact, and this will become more pronounced at higher speeds. Therefore, print images of satisfactory color quality at high speed. Becomes impossible. Incidentally, the nip pressure in this embodiment is the
, 1.2 kg between the cap stun roller 23 and the pinch roller R, 3 kg between the cap stun roller 25 and the pinch roller R, and 0.1 kg between the relay conveying roller 29 and the pinch roller R. 6 kg
The same applies to the second printing section 30 except that the distance between the entrance conveyance roller 31 and the pinch roller R is 0.6 kg.

Next, the cap stun roller 23 and its pinch roller R are provided on the upstream side of the thermal head 52 for the following reason.

In a configuration in which the cap stun roller 25 and its pinch roller R are merely provided downstream of the thermal head 52 (FIG. 15), the card is nipped by either the entrance conveying roller 21 or the cap stun roller 25. The length L of the card C that can be handled is
Has to be longer than the interval L0. That is, cards with a length less than this (L <L0) cannot be handled.

On the other hand, when printing is performed over the entire area of the card C in the length L direction, FIGS. 15A and 15B
It is necessary to reciprocate in the order of (C). From FIG. 15B in which the rear end of the card is at the position of the thermal head 52,
When returning to FIG. 15A in which the front end of the card is at the position of the thermal head 52 via the position (C), the rear end of the card must protrude between the entrance conveyance roller 21 and the pinch roller R. This results in a scratch on the card surface, which has a significant adverse effect on the quality of the image printed thereon.

However, in order to avoid this, FIG.
The position where the card C is returned as shown in FIG.
If it is stopped just before, the area of the distance L30 (the area of at least the distance L3 between the rollers 24 and 25)
Although yellow (Y) printing as the first step can be performed, magenta (M) and cyan (C) printing as the subsequent steps cannot be performed.

However, as in the present embodiment (FIG. 13), the capstan roller 2 is also provided upstream of the thermal head 52.
3 and its pinch roller R, the maximum distance between successively nipped rollers is equal to the distance L1 (L1 <L0) between the cap stun roller 23 and the entrance conveyance roller 21.
Considering only this condition, the length L of the transportable card is a card having a length of L1 or more (L1 ≦ L),
The lower limit is shorter than L0. However, it is necessary to take into account another condition, that is, the condition that the rear end of the card does not hit the entrance transport roller 21. That is, the condition that the rear end of the card does not hit the entrance conveyance roller 21 when the start end of the card is returned immediately below the thermal head 52 for the purpose of printing the entire area of the card is L <(L1 + L2), and L0 ( = L1 + L2 + L3).

In short, in the case of the configuration of this embodiment, the length L of cards that can be handled is shorter than that of FIG. 15, and L1 ≦ L <(L1 + L2). Can be printed.

The conveyance of the card C driven from the card supply section 10 is managed by a stepping motor M3. In normal transport, the speed of the card C is determined as follows according to the transport amount of the card C. (A) When the transport amount is less than 17 mm, the stepping motor M3 is driven at about 600 pps by self-starting. (B) When the transport amount is 17 mm or more, the stepping motor M3 is driven at an average transport speed of about 150 mm / s by through-up and through-down control.

At the time of printing, all of Y, M, and C perform conveyance corresponding to the resolution of the thermal head. The return of the card at the time of printing is the same as in normal conveyance.

A) Yellow (Y) Printing Phase When the print position is upstream from the thermal head 52 at the time when the card heading sensor (unit exit sensor) S6 is turned on, the card C is sequentially fed. 5
When it is downstream of 2, it is sent backward. This is because the closest fixed point is set as a starting point for grasping the current position of the card, thereby minimizing the accumulated error and the like.

When the area of the card C to be printed enters below the thermal head 52, the thermal head 52 is energized,
The printing phase starts with the first yellow (Y) ink that has been caught by the film detection sensor S10.

That is, as shown in FIG.
Rotate 80 degrees, sensor S8 is ON, sensor S9 is OF
Stop at the point where the state becomes F. This is a rotation position where the amount of eccentricity of the cam 45 is the smallest. In other words, the cam 45 changes from the position with the largest amount of eccentricity to the position with the smallest amount of eccentricity, which is detected by the cam position detection sensors S8 and S9.

In the course of this change, the unit U1 tilts upward as shown in FIG. 14 around the shaft 26 of the cap stun roller 25, so that the platen roller 2
4 approaches the thermal head 52, and the surface of the card C on which printing is to be performed is performed by the YMC film 58 under the thermal head 52.
Pressed up. Thereafter, the cam 45 further rotates and separates from the cam follower 46 as shown in FIG.
It rotates to the standby position shown in FIG. 4 and stops.

That is, the card C on the platen roller 24
Abuts on the YMC film 58 on the thermal head 52 before the cam 45 has been rotated by 180 degrees, and its movement is
It works as if the card were quickly placed on the thermal head 52. This is because the cam 45 rotates counterclockwise in FIG. 13 and the amount of eccentricity decreases. However, the shape of the cam 45 is such that (1) the rate of this decrease until immediately before the card is pressed against the thermal head 52 It is relatively large, (2) the speed is reduced only in the section from that point until the card is pressed against the thermal head 52, and (3) the tension spring 47 contracts after the card is pressed against the thermal head 52. This is because the pressing force is maintained only by the force to return to the original state.

While a predetermined information signal is supplied to the thermal head 52, the card is fed in synchronism with the feeding of the yellow (Y) ink film, and yellow (Y) printing of a desired face photograph is performed.

Since the cam 45 and the cam follower 46 are not in contact during printing, the tension spring 47 applies pressure to the platen roller 24 and the thermal head 52. Therefore, even if there is a variation in the assembly of the left and right side plates, a variation in the right and left in the diameter of the platen roller, and a mounting error of the thermal head, a constant pressure contact is performed.

B) Magenta (M) printing phase When the yellow (Y) printing is completed, the cam 45 returns from the standby position to the operating position, the platen roller 24 separates from the thermal head 52, and in this state the stepping of the card transport system is performed. The motor M3 is returned in the reverse rotation direction by a predetermined amount, whereby the card is returned to a position where the start end of the printing area corresponds to the thermal head 52. Further, the cue of the magenta (M) ink area of the YMC film 58 is performed by the motor M4 and the encoder 83. Since the length of the ink area of each color (YMC) is known in advance, the length of the yellow (Y) ink area (the drive pulse of the stepping motor M3 during printing) When the number of generated pulses and the remaining unprinted pulses (equal to the number of generated pulses of the encoder 83) are counted up, the count is performed as the start position of the magenta (M) ink area.

The cam 45 is again moved from the operation position to the standby position by 1
By rotating by 80 degrees, the unit U1 is tilted about the axis 26, so that the surface of the card C to be printed is pressed by the spring 47 onto the YMC film 58 below the thermal head 52.

A predetermined information signal is supplied to the thermal head 52, and at the same time, the card is sent in synchronism with the feeding of the magenta (M) film, and the magenta (M) of the desired face photograph is obtained.
Printing is performed.

C) Cyan (C) Printing Phase When the magenta (M) printing is completed, the cam 45 returns from the standby position to the operating position, the platen roller 24 separates from the thermal head 52, and in this state, the stepping motor M
3 is rotated in reverse by a predetermined amount, whereby the card is returned to a position where the start end of the printing area corresponds to the thermal head 52. In addition, YM
Cueing of the cyan (C) ink area of the C film 58 is performed.

The cam 45 rotates again from the operating position to the standby position, and the unit U1 tilts about the shaft 26,
Therefore, the surface of the card C to be printed is pressed by the spring 47 onto the YMC film 58 below the thermal head 52.

A predetermined information signal is supplied to the thermal head 52, and at the same time, the card is fed in synchronism with the feeding of the cyan (C) film, and the desired face photograph is printed in cyan (C).

Thus, a complete color photograph such as a desired face photograph was printed on a predetermined area of the card.

When the cyan (C) printing, which is the last step, is completed, the cam 45 returns from the standby position to the operating position,
The platen roller 24 is at a lower position separated from the thermal head 52. In this state, the stepping motor M3 of the card transport system rotates forward, and the card is sent out to the transport path F from the path of the pass unit U1.

D) Wax Black (WBk) Printing Phase In the second printing section 30 of FIG.
When the print head enters the position 2 below, the thermal head 62 is energized by character information and the like, and printing is performed using the hot-melt wax black (WBk) that has been caught by the film detection sensor S10.

Also in this case, the first print section 20 has already been set.
As described above, the cam 45 changes from the operating position to the standby position, and during this change, the unit U
Numeral 2 is tilted upward in the ascending direction about the axis 36, so that the platen roller 34 approaches the thermal head 62, and the surface of the card C to be printed is placed on the wax black (WBk) film 68 under the thermal head 62. It is pressed only by the spring 47.

While a predetermined information signal is supplied to the thermal head 62, the card is fed in synchronization with the feeding of the wax black (WBk) film, and printing of predetermined characters and the like is performed.

The dye of the sublimation type can be used only in the range of visible light, and cannot be recognized by infrared light of a bar code reader, and has a drawback that the edge can be blurred because gradation can be expressed. The hot-melt wax black is less bleeding than the dye of the sublimation type, and therefore has a feature that clear characters can be drawn, and also has an advantage that it can be recognized by other than visible light.

E) Overcoat printing phase When the wax black (WBk) printing phase is completed, the cam 45 returns from the standby position to the operating position, the platen roller 34 separates from the thermal head 62, and in this state the stepping of the card transport system is performed. The motor M3 is returned in the reverse rotation direction by a predetermined amount, whereby the card is returned to a position where the start end of the print area corresponds to the thermal head 62. Further, the film 68 is fed by the motor M4 and the encoder 83 (FIG. 10), and the cueing of the overcoat area is performed. In addition, since the length of each wax black and the length of the overcoat region is known in advance, when the number of pulses corresponding to the length of the wax black region is counted up, the start position of the overcoat region is determined as the start position of the overcoat region. Deciding.

When the cam 45 rotates again from the operation position to the standby position, the unit U2 tilts about the shaft 36, so that the surface of the card C to be printed is
The film 47 is pressed by the spring 47 onto the lower film 58.

When the thermal head 62 is energized,
The card is fed in synchronization with the feeding of the overcoat film, and the printed area on the card is overcoated with a resin film by thermal transfer. With this overcoat, the card is not damaged by fading of the photo print area or the like or external damage.

F) Magnetic Recording The overcoated card C is transferred to the relay transport roller 39.
As a result, it is carried out of the printer unit 1 from the card discharge port 9. Then, predetermined information is magnetically recorded on the magnetic surface by the magnetic encoding recording unit 2 shown in FIG. 4, and the magnetically recorded cards C are sent to the stocker unit 3 and stacked.

(5) Modified Embodiment In the above embodiment, the card reciprocates between a state where the front end is located below the thermal head 52 and a state where the rear end is located below the thermal head 52. That is, the card
At the time of the forward movement, from the state in which the intermediate portion is cantilevered between the rollers 23 and R, the leading end of the card protrudes between the roller pairs 25 and R, and the roller pair 23 and R and the roller pairs 25 and R Then, the rear end of the card comes out of the pair of rollers 23, R, and shifts to a state of being cantilevered by the pair of rollers 25, R.

At the time of the backward movement, the intermediate portion is the roller 25,
From the state of cantilever support between R, the leading end of the card protrudes between the roller pairs 23 and R, and is supported at two places of the roller pairs 25 and R and the roller pairs 23 and R.
The rear end of the card exits the roller pair 25, R, and the roller pair 2
3. Transition to a cantilevered support state by R.

Therefore, the roller pair 23, R and the roller pair 2
In 5, R, when transferring cards from one roller pair to the other roller pair, a connecting shock occurs,
The image is distorted.

FIGS. 16 to 18 show specific examples for avoiding this.

FIG. 16 shows an embodiment in which a gap Δ is provided between the cap stun roller 23 and the pinch roller R and / or between the cap stun roller 25 and the pinch roller R to alleviate the connecting shock. is there.

FIG. 17 shows an embodiment in which the pinch roller R of the cap stun roller 23 is provided with a spring 91 for pulling the pinch roller R toward the cap stun roller 23, and the tension of the spring 91 can be adjusted by the cam 92. It is an example. In this embodiment, the pressing force of the pinch roller R is reduced when the card enters or leaves between the roller pair 23 and R, and the pressing force required after the card is completely nipped by the roller pair 23 or after the card is released is reduced. The tension of the spring 91 is adjusted so as to return. By controlling in this way, it is possible to reduce the impact of the card that enters or leaves the nip during the printing phase, thereby eliminating uneven feeding and obtaining a print of better quality. .

The pinch roller R of the cap stun roller 25 may also be provided with a pressing force adjusting mechanism having the same configuration, and the spring pressure may be changed in synchronization with the card conveyance.

FIG. 18 shows an opening / closing cam 93 rotatably mounted on the shaft of the cap stun roller 23.
When the card is on the downstream side (left side in the figure) of the cap stun roller 23, as shown in FIG.
When the card 3 is located at a position distant from the axis of the pinch roller R and the card enters between the cap stun roller 23 and the pinch roller R, the cam 93 moves the axis of the pinch roller R downward as shown in FIG. It is configured to move to a position where it is lifted from the upper side. This opening / closing mechanism can also be provided for the cap stun roller 25 and its pinch roller R.

By opening and closing the nip of the pair of rollers 23 and R in synchronization with the movement of the card as described above, it is possible to reduce the transfer shock caused by the transfer of the card, thereby preventing the image from being disturbed.

Next, as shown in FIG. 20B, when the image area 94 such as a face photograph is formed only in a partial area of the card C, the image area 94 is not printed while the image area 94 is being printed. It is possible to configure so as not to enter or leave the roller pair.

That is, as shown in FIG. 19A, under the above-described embodiment, the distance L2 from the capstan roller 23 to the platen roller 24 (thermal head 52)
The distance L3 from the platen roller 24 to the cap stun roller 25 was configured to be substantially the same. Under such a configuration, as described above, as shown in FIG. 20A, the scars 95a and 95b of the biting shock are formed at positions equidistant from both sides of the card.

Therefore, when it is desired to form an image area 94 at a position closer to one side of the card, as shown in FIG. 19 (b), the distance between the capstan roller 23 and the platen roller 24 with respect to the distance L2, The relationship (L3> L2) where the distance L3 from the roller 24 to the capstan roller 25 is longer, or the reverse length relationship (L3 <L3).
L2). By doing so, the scars 95a, 9
The position where 5b appears can be prevented from coming into the image area 94.

FIG. 20B shows the actual image layout of the card.
In many cases, a face photograph is arranged on the left side of the card and characters are arranged on the right side. Therefore,
In the embodiment of FIG. 19B in which the relationship of L3> L2 is set, in the card having such a general image arrangement, no shock 95b at the time of biting into the capstan appears in the image area 94. It has the effect of being able to create a state.

In the above embodiment, the pass unit U1 (or U2) is connected to the second cap stun roller 25 (or 35).
Is mounted so as to be swingable about the axis of the first cap stun roller 23 (or 33).

In the above embodiment, the path unit U1
By tilting (or U2), the platen roller 24 is moved closer to or farther from the thermal head 52, but it can also be raised and lowered vertically coaxially with the thermal head 52.

[0128]

In summary, according to the present invention, the following excellent effects can be obtained.

1) According to the first or second aspect, the first cap stun roller (23) and the second cap stun roller (25), which are originally components of the transport path of the card, are combined with the platen roller together with the thermal head ( 52) a path unit (U1) that can move toward or away from the platen roller (24).
Is configured to also function as means for pressing the thermal head (52) against the thermal head (52). Therefore, it is necessary to prepare a complicated component such as the bed 316 separately from the component of the transport path of the card as in the related art. Not only does it disappear, but the means for pressing the platen roller (24) against the thermal head (52) also has a very simple configuration.

Further, the first cap stun roller (23), platen roller (24) and second cap stun roller (25) of the pass unit (U1) fluctuate integrally while maintaining a linear arrangement relationship, resulting in a lower waist. Even a strong plastic card can print without bending.

Further, the direction in which the card is reciprocated during printing is not a direction orthogonal to the card transport path as in the related art, but a direction along the card transport path. For this reason, it is possible to reciprocate the card at the time of printing by also using the drive means of the card transport system, simplifying the configuration and eliminating the need to move the card in the direction orthogonal to the transport path. The device size in the direction is reduced. Therefore, a card printer having a simple and small configuration can be provided.

2) According to claim 2, the path unit (U
1) By using a simple tilting mechanism, the platen roller (24)
Can be pressed against the film on the thermal head (52) with an appropriate pressing force.

3) According to the third aspect, the distance (L1 + L2) between the entrance conveyance roller and the platen roller is set to be longer than the length (L) of the card. Even when the card is moved, it is ensured that the trailing edge of the card does not contact the entrance conveyance roller. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the image from being disturbed due to the shock at the time of contact. Further, since the first cap stun roller is provided near the platen roller, the size of the pass unit can be reduced.

4) According to the fourth aspect, a driving mechanism using a cam (45), a spring (47) and a motor (M2) is used.
Since the operation speed is reduced immediately before the pressure welding, a quick and safe operation can be ensured.

5) According to the fifth aspect, since the unit entrance sensor and the unit exit sensor of the card are integrated with the pass unit, the positional relationship is always constant irrespective of the tilt of the pass unit. Good detection and accuracy are possible.

6) According to claims 6 to 8, the influence of the impact when the card enters between the first cap stun roller (23) or the second cap stun roller (25) and its pinch roller is considered. Can be avoided.

7) According to the ninth aspect, when it is desired to form an image area (94) at a position close to one side in the card surface, a scar caused by the impact at the time of the rush may cause a scar other than the desired image area. It can be set to occur at the place.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an external view of a thermal transfer card printer according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the thermal transfer card printer of FIG. 1 with its opening and closing cover opened.

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing a configuration of a thermal transfer card printer incorporated in the card manufacturing system.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing units cascade-connected to a thermal transfer card printer in the card manufacturing system.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing a pass unit of the thermal transfer card printer according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a configuration diagram of a card supply section and a first printing section of the thermal transfer card printer according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a configuration diagram of a second printing section of the thermal transfer card printer according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a plan view showing a drive system of a portion of a first print section in FIG. 6;

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a drive system of a portion of a card supply section and a first printing section of FIG. 6;

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a drive system of a second printing section of FIG. 7;

FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing a card supply section.

FIG. 12 is a plan view showing a card supply section.

FIG. 13 is a view showing a state in which a printing section of the present invention is not printed.

FIG. 14 is a diagram showing a printing section of the present invention when printing.

FIG. 15 is a diagram for explaining an operation when a first cap stun roller is not provided on the upstream side of the thermal head.

FIG. 16 is a view showing a modified embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 17 is a view showing a modified embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 18 is a view showing a modified embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 19 is a view showing a modified embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 20 is a diagram illustrating an image area on a card.

FIG. 21 is a schematic view of a conventional thermal transfer card printer.

FIG. 22 is a configuration diagram of a conventional thermal transfer card printer.

FIG. 23 is a perspective view showing the upper part of the thermal transfer card printer of FIG. 22.

FIG. 24 is a schematic view of a conventional thermal transfer type business card sheet printer.

FIG. 25 shows the operation of the thermal transfer type business card sheet printer of FIG. 24, where (a) shows a state during non-printing and (b)
FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a state at the time of printing.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Printer unit 2 Magnetic encoding recording unit 3 Stocker unit 4 Opening / closing cover of card supply section 5 Opening / closing cover of 1st printing section 6 Opening / closing cover of 2nd printing section 7 Front cover 8 Operation panel 9 Card outlet 10 Card supply section 11 Not yet Processing card stocker 11a Card mounting table (bottom plate of stocker) 11b Card storage frame 11c Card surrounding frame 11d Notch 12 Card feeding means 13 Guide rod 14 Card feeding slider 14a Kick claw 15 Rack 16 Pinion gear 17, 18 Gear 19 Double feed prevention member 19a Clearance 20 First Printing Section 21 Inlet Conveyance Roller 21a Axis 22 Guide Plate 23 Cap Stan Roller 23a Axis 23b Pulley 24 Platen Roller 24a Axis 24b Pulley 5 Cap Stan Roller 26 Shaft (Swinging Center Shaft) 26a, 26b Pulley 27 Reverse L-Shaped Support Plate 28 Drive Mechanism 29 Relay Transport Roller 29a Shaft 30 Second Printing Section 31 Inlet Transport Roller 32 Guide Plate 33 Cap Stan Roller 34 Platen Roller 35 Capstan roller 36 Shaft (oscillation center axis) 37 Support plate 38 Drive mechanism 39 Relay conveyance roller 41, 42 Sensing plate 43 Light emitting device 44 Light receiving device 45 Cam 45a Cam shaft 46 Cam follower 47 Spring 48a, 48b Gear 49 Sensing plate Reference Signs List 51 side wall 52 first thermal head 53 opening / closing axis 54 support lever 55 axis 56 pin 57 YMC film cassette 58 YMC film 58a supply roll 58b take-up roll 61 side wall 62 second thermal head C 63 Opening / closing axis 67 Wax black protective layer film cassette 68 Wax black (WBk) protective layer film 68a Supply roll 68b Take-up roll 71 Pulley 72 Timing belt 73, 73a, 73b Pulley 74 Timing belt 75, 75a, 75b Timing belt 76 Timing Belt 77 Pulley 78 Timing Belt 79 Pulley 80, 81 Gear 82 Gear 83 Encoder 91 Spring 92 Cam 93 Cam 94 Image area 95a, 95b such as color face photograph 95, 95b Scar of biting shock 101, 102 Device frame 111, 112 Opening C card C1 Stack U1, U2 Pass unit M1 Slider drive motor M2 Lifting motor M3 Card transport drive motor M4 Take-up motor R Pinch roller S0 Lever Card empty sensor S1 Slider position detection sensor S2 Slider position detection sensor S3 Lever type card sensor S4 Card sensor S5 Card sensor (unit entrance sensor) S6 Card cue sensor (unit exit sensor) S7 Card detection sensor S8, S9 Cam position detection Sensor S10 Film detection sensor S12 Rotation speed sensor 210 Card supply unit 212 Cassette 213 Delivery roller 230 Print main unit 231 Bed (card stage) 231a Guide rod 231b Screw screw 232 Transfer paper 233 First thermal head 240 Overcoat unit 241 Feed roller 242 Transfer paper 243 Second thermal head 244 Transport belt 316 Bed 317 Feed mechanism 333 Card 335 Flat plate 336 Board 337 Holder member 338L, 338R Guide member 340 Ball screw shaft 363 Driven pulley 382 Transfer paper 409F, 409B Support plate 410 Swing shaft 411B Holder 412 Pressing cam 413 Pressing shaft 417 Thermal head 418 Engagement shaft 419B Spring mechanism 420 422 arm 423 spring 424 connecting member 425 actuator 426 plunger 427 connecting member 502 paper feeding mechanism 503 receiving layer / image forming mechanism 504 protective layer forming mechanism 505 paper feeding path 506 paper discharging path 515 switching gate 518 grid roller 519 pinch roller 520 head 529 Platen 532 Belt 533 Drive pulley

Continuation of front page (58) Fields investigated (Int.Cl. ⁶ , DB name) B41J 2/32-2/325 B41J 11/14 B41J 13/00 B41J 13/02 G06K 17/00 B42D 15/10

Claims (9)

(57) [Claims] 1. A thermal transfer card printer having a card supply section (10) for sending out a card before a printing process and a printing section (20) for printing a color image on the sent out card, wherein the printing section (20). In the figure, as elements constituting a card conveyance path (F), an entrance conveyance roller (21) and a first cap stun roller (2) are arranged in the card conveyance direction.
3), a platen roller (24) and a second cap stun roller (25) are linearly arranged in order, of which the first cap stun roller (23) and the platen roller (24) are arranged.
And the second cap stun roller (25) is configured as a pass unit (U1) that can move toward or away from the stationary thermal head (52), while the pass unit (U1) is in the printing phase. ) Is approached toward the thermal head (52) so that the platen roller (2)
4) A thermal transfer card printer comprising a drive mechanism (28) for pressing the thermal head (52) against the thermal head (52). 2. A thermal transfer card printer having a card supply section (10) for sending out a card before a printing process and a printing section (20) for printing a color image on the sent out card, wherein the printing section (20). In the figure, as elements constituting a card conveyance path (F), an entrance conveyance roller (21) and a first cap stun roller (2) are arranged in the card conveyance direction.
3), a platen roller (24) and a second cap stun roller (25) are linearly arranged in order, and among them, the first cap stun roller (23), the platen roller (24) and the second cap stun roller (25). )
Is a second or first cap stun roller (25 or 2).
Pass unit (U1) that can swing about the axis of 3)
On the other hand, a drive mechanism (28) for tilting the pass unit (U1) during the printing phase to bring the platen roller (24) closer to the fixed thermal head (52) is provided. Thermal transfer card printer. 3. The distance (L1 + L2) between the entrance conveyance roller (21) and the platen roller (24) is set to be longer than the length (L) of the card, and the entrance conveyance roller (21).
The first cap stun roller (23) is disposed between the platen roller (2) and the platen roller (24).
3. The thermal transfer card printer according to claim 1, wherein the distance (L2) from the position (4) is smaller than the distance (L1) from the entrance conveying roller (21). 4. The drive mechanism (28) includes a cam (45) for pressing the pass unit (U1) and a spring (47) for constantly engaging a part of the pass unit (U1) with the cam.
And a motor (M2) for rotating the cam. The cam (45) is connected to the platen roller (24) at a high speed until immediately before the platen roller (24) comes into contact with the thermal head (52). ) Is brought close to the thermal head (52), after which the platen roller (24) is moved by the thermal head (5).
4. The thermal transfer card printer according to claim 2, wherein the shape and size are determined so that the speed is reduced until the card comes into contact with (2). 5. The thermal transfer card printer according to claim 1, wherein a unit entrance sensor and a unit exit sensor for detecting the presence of a card are integrally attached to the pass unit. 6. The first cap stun roller (23).
3. A thermal transfer card printer according to claim 1, wherein a gap (.DELTA.) Is formed between the second cap stun roller (25) and its pinch roller to reduce the impact when the card enters. . 7. A spring (9) that pulls the pinch roller (R) toward the first cap stun roller (23) side with the pinch roller (R) of the first cap stun roller (23).
1) is provided so that the tension of the spring (91) can be adjusted by a cam (92), and the first cap stun roller (23) and the pinch roller (R) can be adjusted between the roller pair (23, R). The spring is used to weaken the pressing force of the pinch roller (R) when entering or leaving the card, and to return to the required pressing force after the card is completely nipped between the roller pair (23, R) or after the card is removed. 3. The thermal transfer card printer according to claim 1, wherein the tension force of the heat transfer card is adjusted. 8. A first or second cap stun roller (2)
The opening / closing cam (93) is rotatably mounted on the shaft of 3 or 25). When the card is located downstream of the cap stun roller (23 or 25), the cam (93) is When the card is at a rotational position away from the axis of the pinch roller (R) and the card enters between the cap stun roller (23 or 25) and the pinch roller (R), the cam (93) is driven by the pinch roller (R). 3. The thermal transfer card printer according to claim 1, wherein the shaft is moved to a rotation position where the shaft is lifted from below. 9. When an image area (94) is to be formed at a position closer to one side in the card surface, a downstream distance (L2) from the first cap stun roller (23) to the platen roller (24) is required. That the distance (L3) from the side platen roller (24) to the capstan roller (25) is longer (L3> L2) or vice versa (L3 <L2). Claim 1.
Or a thermal transfer card printer according to 2.