JP2995259B2 - Thermal transfer film feeding mechanism in thermal transfer 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 film feeding mechanism in a thermal transfer printer.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a conventional transfer mechanism for a thermal transfer film in a thermal transfer printer. In the drawing, reference numeral 101 denotes a long-strip heat transfer film, and reference numeral 102 denotes a pay-out shaft around which an unused portion of the heat transfer film 101 is wound. A ratchet wheel 103 is mounted coaxially with the feeding shaft 102. A gear-shaped notch 103a is provided on the outer periphery of the ratchet wheel 103.

A ratchet 104, a fulcrum 104a serving as a center of rotation of the ratchet 104, a stud 104b protruding from one end with the fulcrum 104a interposed therebetween,
104c is provided at the other end with the fulcrum 104a interposed therebetween, and the notch 103a of the ratchet wheel 103 is provided.
The ratchet 104 is a fulcrum 104
By rotating about a, the claw portion 104c moves in a direction approaching or separating from the notch 103a of the ratchet wheel 103.

A stopper 105 restricts the rotation of the ratchet 104.
When it rotates to a position where it comes into contact with the notch, the claw portion 104c engages with the notch 103a of the ratchet wheel 103.
Reference numeral 106 denotes a thermal head which performs printing while pressing the thermal transfer film 101 on a medium 107 fed along the feed direction of the thermal transfer film 101 by a mechanism (not shown).
Reference numeral 8 denotes a platen disposed opposite the thermal head 106. The thermal transfer film 101 and the medium 107 are sandwiched between the thermal head 106 and the platen 108, and the thermal head 106 transfers the ink on the thermal transfer film 101 to the medium 107 for printing. I do.

Reference numeral 109 denotes a head support link, and 109a denotes a fulcrum serving as a center of rotation of the head support link 109.
The thermal head 106 is fixed to one end of a head support link 109 with a fulcrum 109a interposed therebetween. When the head support link 109 rotates about the fulcrum 109a, the thermal head 106 approaches and separates from the platen 108. Move in the direction you want. 109b is a fulcrum 109a
Are studs protruding from the other end of the head support link 109 with the front end interposed therebetween.

Reference numeral 110 denotes a solenoid for moving the ratchet 104 and the thermal head 106, and reference numeral 111 denotes a link attached to a movable core of the solenoid 110. 111
a is a square hole formed in the link 111;
The stud 104b of the ratchet 104 enters into a, and the link 111 and the ratchet 104 are connected.

The square hole 111a has a long hole shape along the moving direction of the link 111. When the solenoid 110 is not driven and the claw 104c is engaged with the notch 103a, the square hole 111a A gap is opened in the moving direction of the link 111 due to the driving of. Reference numeral 111b denotes a hole formed in the link 111, and a stud 109b of the head support link 109 is provided in the hole 111b.
Enters the link 111 and the head support link 109 are connected.

As a result, when the link 111 moves in the direction of arrow a, the head support link 109 rotates in the direction of arrow b around the fulcrum 109a, and the thermal head 106 moves in the direction approaching the platen 108, and the ratchet 1 moves.
Numeral 04 rotates in the direction of arrow c around the fulcrum 104a, and the claw 104c moves in a direction away from the ratchet wheel 103. When the link 111 moves in the direction of arrow d, the head support link 109 rotates in the direction of arrow e around the fulcrum 109a, and the thermal head 106
08, and the ratchet 104 rotates in the direction of arrow f about the fulcrum 104a to
c moves in a direction approaching the ratchet wheel 103.

Reference numeral 112 denotes a used thermal transfer film 101
Take-up shaft 113 for taking up
a gear mounted on the same axis as a.
The gear 115 meshes with the shaft of the gear 114, and 116 is a torque limiter coaxially mounted on the shaft 115.
117 is a gear engaged with the torque limiter 116, 118
Is a gear that meshes with the gear 117, and 119 is a DC motor that drives the gear 118. The driving force of the DC motor 119 is the gear 118, the gear 117, the torque limiter 116,
The power is transmitted to the winding shaft 112 via a transmission path including a gear 114 and a gear 113.

Reference numerals 120a to 120d are guide rollers for feeding the thermal transfer film. FIG. 4 is a time chart showing a conventional operation sequence. In order to start an operation related to printing based on the position of the medium 107 sent, the medium 1
When a print timing sensor (not shown) for detecting the leading end of the medium 107 is provided, for example, X ₁ mm before the print start position, and the print timing sensor detects that the leading end of the medium 107 has passed, the CPU (not shown) connects the medium 107 to the X _1. mm
After the conveyance, printing is started.

Here, first, when the medium 107 is conveyed to a position X ₃ mm before the printing start position, the conveyance is temporarily stopped, and then the solenoid 110 is operated. When the solenoid 110 is driven, the link 111 is pulled in the direction of arrow a. When the link 111 is pulled in the direction of arrow a, the stud 9b enters the hole 111b and the link 1
Since the head support link 109 is connected to the head support link 109, the head support link 109 rotates in the direction of arrow b around the fulcrum 109a.

At this time, the ratchet 104 and the link 11
The stud 104b connecting the first and second studs 104 enters the square hole 111a with a gap in the moving direction of the link 111 due to the suction of the solenoid 110, so that even if the link 111 moves in the direction of the arrow a, the displacement is immediately. Ratchet 1
04, the ratchet 104 is linked to the link 111
The rotation is not started at the same time as the movement of the. When the link 111 moves in the direction of arrow a to some extent, the end of the square hole 111b hits the stud 104b, and the link 111 further moves in the direction of arrow a, so that the ratchet 104 rotates in the direction of arrow c around the fulcrum 104a. .

As a result, first, the thermal transfer film 101 is placed on the platen 1
08, the pawl 104 c of the ratchet 104 comes off the notch 103 a of the ratchet wheel 103. By operating the solenoid 110, the thermal transfer film 101 is transferred to the medium 107 by the thermal head 106.
After the claw 104c of the ratchet 104 comes off the notch 103a of the ratchet wheel 103,
The feeding of the medium 107 is restarted.

When the medium 107 is conveyed to a position X ₂ mm before the printing start position, the DC motor 119 is driven to start winding the thermal transfer film 101. And
When the medium 107 is conveyed to the printing start position, printing is performed while driving the thermal head 106 to wind the printed portion of the thermal transfer film 101 around the winding shaft 112.

Here, when the distance between the guide roller 120b closest to the thermal head 106 and the thermal head 106 in the feeding direction of the thermal transfer film 101 is A mm, and the medium 107 is conveyed A mm after printing,
The driving of the solenoid 110 is stopped. Solenoid 110
Is stopped, the ratchet 104 is rotated around the fulcrum 104a in the direction of arrow d until the ratchet 104 hits the stopper 105 by a reset spring (not shown), and the claw portion 10 is rotated.
4c engages with the notch 103a of the ratchet wheel 103. Further, the head fulcrum link 111 is
a about the center of the thermal head 106
Is released from the thermal transfer film 101.

After the printing is completed, a predetermined time has passed, and as described above, the pawl portion 104c of the ratchet 104 engages with the notch 103a of the ratchet wheel 103 to fix the rotation of the feeding shaft 102, and then stops driving the DC motor 119. Then, the winding of the thermal transfer film 101 is stopped.

[0017]

In a thermal transfer printer, the printing time occupies roughly half of the processing time per medium, but in a conventional thermal transfer printer, the feeding of the medium is temporarily stopped before printing. Then, after the thermal transfer film is pressed against the stopped medium by the thermal head, the feeding of the medium is resumed, so that there is a problem that the processing time per medium becomes long.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory view showing a conventional problem. In order to increase the processing speed in the above-described conventional thermal transfer printer, a thermal head presses a thermal transfer film without stopping the medium feed before printing. Then, even though the medium is being fed, the thermal transfer film is stopped, so it is rubbed when the thermal transfer film is pressed against the medium,
As shown in FIG. 5, there is a problem that dirt is attached.

As described above, the present invention is to solve the problem that the processing time is increased by temporarily stopping the feeding of the medium before printing, or the problem that the medium is stained by not stopping the feeding. It was done in. That is, it is an object of the present invention to provide a thermal transfer film feeding mechanism in a thermal transfer printer that does not stop the feeding of a medium before printing and does not stain the medium.

[0020]

In order to achieve this object, a thermal transfer film feeding mechanism in a thermal transfer printer according to the present invention comprises a long belt-like thermal transfer film, a pay-out shaft around which an unused portion of the thermal transfer film is wound, A winding shaft on which a used portion of the thermal transfer film is wound, a drive source for driving the winding shaft, and a thermal head for printing by pressing the thermal transfer film against a medium fed along the feeding direction of the thermal transfer film. , and the thermal head and the oppositely disposed platens, close to the thermal head against the platen, means for moving in a direction away, the Repetitive
It has a ratchet mechanism that regulates the rotation of the
When the media is sent to perform the writing , the ratchet mechanism is used before the thermal head presses the thermal transfer film against the media.
Winding by the drive source with the feed shaft rotation restricted
Drive the take-up shaft to increase the thermal transfer film tension
From the rotation of the pay-out shaft by the ratchet mechanism.
Is released, and the thermal transfer is performed by the tension of the thermal transfer film.
Run the film in synchronization with the media feed speed.
Press the thermal transfer film against the medium with the thermal head
It was decided that .

[0021]

According to the present invention having the above-described structure, when a medium is sent to perform printing, the thermal head is moved by the thermal transfer filter.
Before pushing the lum against the media, feed it out with the ratchet mechanism
With the rotation of the shaft regulated, drive the take-up shaft with the drive source.
To increase the tension of the thermal transfer film,
Release the regulation of the rotation of the pay-out shaft by the Chet mechanism,
The thermal transfer film is tensioned by the thermal transfer film.
The thermal transfer film is pressed against the medium by the thermal head while running in synchronization with the medium feeding speed . Thereafter, printing is performed by the thermal head while the thermal transfer film is wound on a winding shaft.

[0022]

An embodiment will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram showing a feeding mechanism of a thermal transfer film in a thermal transfer printer according to an embodiment of the present invention. In the drawing, reference numeral 1 denotes a long-strip heat transfer film, and reference numeral 2 denotes a pay-out shaft around which an unused portion of the heat transfer film 1 is wound. Reference numeral 3 denotes a ratchet wheel mounted coaxially with the feed shaft 2, and a gear-shaped notch 3 a is provided on the outer periphery of the ratchet wheel 3.

4 is a ratchet, 4a is this ratchet 4
The fulcrum 4b, which is the center of rotation, is formed at one end with the fulcrum 4a interposed therebetween, and the stud 4c is provided at the other end with the fulcrum 4a interposed therebetween, and engages with the notch 3a of the ratchet wheel 3. The ratchet 4 is a pawl, and the ratchet 4 rotates around the fulcrum 4a, so that the pawl 4c moves toward and away from the notch 3a of the ratchet wheel 3.

Reference numeral 5 denotes a stopper for restricting the rotation of the ratchet 4. When the ratchet 4 is rotated to a position where it comes into contact with the stopper 5, the claw 4c engages with the notch 3a of the ratchet wheel 3. Reference numeral 6 denotes a thermal head for performing printing while pressing the thermal transfer film 1 against a medium 7 fed along the feed direction of the thermal transfer film 1 by a mechanism (not shown). Reference numeral 8 denotes a platen arranged to face the thermal head 6; The thermal transfer film 1 and the medium 7 are sandwiched between the printing medium and the platen 8, and the thermal head 6 transfers the ink of the thermal transfer film 1 to the medium 7 to perform printing.

[0025] 9 Head support link, 9a in the fulcrum as the center of rotation of the head support link 9, the thermal head 6 is fixed to one end of the head support link 9 across the fulcrum 9 a , The head support link 9 is a fulcrum 9
By rotating around the center a, the thermal head 6 moves in a direction approaching and separating from the platen 8. 9b is a fulcrum 9a
Are studs formed so as to protrude from the other end of the head support link 9 with the.

Reference numeral 10 denotes a solenoid for moving the ratchet 4 and the thermal head 6, and reference numeral 11 denotes a link attached to a movable core of the solenoid 10. Reference numeral 11a denotes a square hole formed in the link 11. The stud 4b of the ratchet 4 enters the square hole 11a, and the link 11 and the ratchet 4 are connected. The square hole 11a has a long hole shape along the moving direction of the link 11, and is driven by the solenoid 10 when the solenoid 10 is not driven and the claw 4c is engaged with the notch 3a. A gap opens in the moving direction of the link 11.

Reference numeral 11b denotes a hole formed in the link 11. The stud 9b of the head support link 9 enters the hole 11b, and the link 11 and the head support link 9 are connected. Thus, when the link 11 moves in the direction of the arrow f, the head support link 9 rotates in the direction of the arrow g around the fulcrum 9a, moves the thermal head 6 in a direction approaching the platen 8, and the ratchet 4 moves the fulcrum 4a. Arrow h in the center
The claw portion 4c moves in a direction away from the ratchet wheel 3 by rotating in the direction. When the link 11 moves in the direction of the arrow i, the head support link 9 rotates in the direction of the arrow j around the fulcrum 9a to move the thermal head 6 away from the platen 8, and the ratchet 4 moves around the fulcrum 4a. Then, the claw portion 4c rotates in the direction of arrow k and moves in a direction approaching the ratchet wheel 3.

12 is a winding shaft for winding the used thermal transfer film 1, 13 is a gear mounted coaxially with the winding shaft 12, 14 is a gear meshing with the gear 13,
Reference numeral 15 denotes a shaft of the gear 14, and 16 denotes a torque limiter coaxially mounted on the shaft 15. 17 is a torque limiter 16
Gear meshing with gear 18, gear meshing with gear 17, 19
Is a DC motor for driving the gear 18, and the DC motor 1
9, the driving force of the gear 18, the gear 17, the torque limiter 1
The power is transmitted to the winding shaft 12 via a transmission path including a gear 6, a gear 14, and a gear 13.

Reference numerals 20a to 20d are guide rollers for feeding the thermal transfer film. FIG. 2 is a time chart showing the operation sequence of the present embodiment. In order to start an operation related to printing based on the position of the medium 7 sent, a print timing sensor (not shown) for detecting the leading end of the medium 7 is provided, for example, X ₁ mm before the print start position. Detects that the tip of the medium 7 has passed,
The CPU (not shown) starts printing after transporting the medium 7 by ₁ mm.

Here, first, when the medium 7 is conveyed to (Y ₁ + Y ₂ ) mm before the printing start position, the medium 7
, The rotation of the DC motor 19 is started.
When the DC motor 19 rotates, its driving force is changed to the gear 18,
Gear 17, torque limiter 16, gears 15, 14, 13
Is transmitted to the winding shaft 12 through the heat transfer film 1
Trying to wind up. At this time, since the pawl portion 4c of the ratchet 4 is engaged with the notch 3a of the ratchet wheel 3, the rotation of the feeding shaft 2 is restricted, and the feeding of the wound thermal transfer film 1 cannot be performed. However, since the driving force of the DC motor 19 is transmitted to the winding shaft 12, the tension of the thermal transfer film 1 is increased.

At this time, since the torque limiter 16 is provided on the transmission path of the driving force from the DC motor 19 to the winding shaft 12, the rotation cannot be performed despite the transmission of the driving force. This prevents breakage of each gear due to the burden, deterioration of the DC motor 19, and cutting of the thermal transfer film 1 due to excessive tension applied to the thermal transfer film 1.

When the medium 7 is conveyed to a position Y ₂ mm before the printing start position, the solenoid 10 is operated while continuing to feed the medium 7. When the solenoid 10 is driven, the link 11 is pulled in the direction of arrow f, and when the link 11 is pulled in the direction of arrow f, the stud 9 is inserted into the hole 11b.
Since b enters and the link 11 and the head support link 9 are connected, the head support link 9 rotates in the direction of the arrow g around the fulcrum 9a.

At this time, the stud 4b connecting the ratchet 4 and the link 11 has entered the square hole 11a with a gap in the moving direction of the link 11 due to the suction of the solenoid 10, so that the link 11 is in the direction of the arrow a. , The displacement is not immediately transmitted to the ratchet 4, and the ratchet 4 does not start rotating at the same time as the link 11 starts moving. And some link 1
When 1 moves in the direction of the arrow f, the end of the square hole 11b abuts against the stud 4b, and the link 11 further moves in the direction of the arrow f, so that the ratchet 4 moves around the fulcrum 4a as an arrow h
Rotate in the direction.

Here, after the claw 4c of the ratchet 4 comes off the notch 3a of the ratchet wheel 3, the claw 4c or the stud 4b is moved from the fulcrum a of the ratchet 4 so that the thermal head 6 presses the thermal transfer film 1. And the length from the fulcrum 9a of the head support link 9 to the thermal head 6 or the stud 9b.
The moving amount of the head 6 due to the movement of the link 8 is smaller than the moving amount of the claw portion 4c due to the movement of the link 8.

By driving the solenoid 10, the pawl 4c of the ratchet 4 is first disengaged from the notch 3a of the ratchet wheel 3, and the feeding shaft 2 becomes rotatable. As described above, since the tension of the thermal transfer film 1 is increased, when the feeding shaft 2 becomes rotatable, this tension causes the thermal transfer film 1 to move the medium 7.
And travels vigorously at a speed substantially in synchronization with the feed speed of the motor, and is wound around the winding shaft 12.

The thermal head 6 presses the thermal transfer film 1 against the platen 8 across the medium 7 while the thermal transfer film 1 is running vigorously in synchronization with the feeding speed of the medium 7 by the tension. When the medium 7 is transported to the printing start position, the thermal head 6 is driven to perform printing while winding the printed portion of the thermal transfer film 1 around the winding shaft 12.

When the distance between the guide roller 20b closest to the thermal head 6 in the feeding direction of the thermal transfer film 1 and the thermal head 6 is B mm, and the medium 7 is conveyed B mm after printing, the solenoid 10 Stop driving. When the driving of the solenoid 10 is stopped, the link 11 is moved by an arrow i by a reset spring (not shown).
Direction, whereby the head support link 9 moves to the fulcrum 9
The rotation of the thermal transfer film 1 by the thermal head 6 is released by rotating in the direction of arrow j around the center a.

When the link 11 moves in the direction of the arrow i, the square hole 11a also moves in the same direction.
Arrow k around the fulcrum 4a until the
Rotate in the direction. When the ratchet 4 rotates to a position where it comes into contact with the stopper 5, the claw portion 4c engages with the notch 3a of the ratchet wheel 3 to fix the rotation of the feeding shaft 2 located coaxially.

In order to wind the thermal transfer film 1 evenly, after the printing is completed, the pawl 4c of the ratchet 4 engages with the notch 3a of the ratchet wheel 3 as described above, and the rotation of the feeding shaft 2 is performed. After fixing, D
The drive of the C motor 19 is stopped, and the winding of the thermal transfer film 1 is stopped. In this embodiment, the DC motor 19 is driven while the feeding shaft 2 is fixed, and the winding shaft 12 is rotated.
By winding the thermal transfer film 1 in the above, the tension applied to the thermal transfer film 1 is increased, and the fixing of the feeding shaft 2 is instantaneously released, so that the feed speed of the thermal transfer film 1 is not directly controlled, Although the feeding of the thermal transfer film 1 was accelerated by this tension, the winding shaft 12
A means for applying a feed force to the thermal transfer film 1 such as a capstan and a pinch roller is separately provided between the thermal transfer film 1 and the thermal head 6, and when the thermal transfer film 1 is pressed against a platen by the thermal head 6, the thermal transfer film 1 The feeding speed may be increased so as to be synchronized with the feeding speed of the medium 7.

[0040]

As described above, according to the present invention, printing can be performed.
When the media is sent to perform, the thermal head
Before pressing the film against the media, repeat it with a ratchet mechanism.
Take-up by the drive source with the rotation of the extension shaft regulated
Drive the shaft to increase the thermal transfer film tension?
Restrict the rotation of the pay-out shaft by the ratchet mechanism.
Since the thermal head presses the thermal transfer film against the medium while moving the thermal transfer film in synchronization with the feed rate of the medium due to the tension of the thermal transfer film, there is a difference between the feed rates of the medium and the thermal transfer film. Therefore, it is not necessary to temporarily stop feeding the medium when the thermal transfer film is pressed against the medium because the medium is stained, so that the time required for printing the medium per sheet can be reduced and the processing speed can be increased. It has the effect of.

Further, since the present invention can be implemented without greatly changing the conventional mechanism, there is an effect that a cost increase can be suppressed.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram illustrating a feed mechanism of a thermal transfer film according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a time chart showing an operation order of the embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a configuration diagram showing a conventional thermal transfer film feeding mechanism.

FIG. 4 is a time chart showing a conventional operation order.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing a conventional problem.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Thermal transfer film 2 Feeding shaft 6 Thermal head 7 Medium 8 Platen 10 Solenoid 12 Winding shaft 19 DC motor

Claims (1)

(57) [Claims] 1. A long-strip thermal transfer film, a pay-out shaft around which an unused portion of the thermal transfer film is wound, a winding shaft around which a used portion of the thermal transfer film is wound, and a drive for driving the winding shaft. A thermal head for printing by pressing the thermal transfer film against a medium fed along the feed direction of the thermal transfer film, a platen opposed to the thermal head, and moving the thermal head toward and away from the platen And a ratchet mechanism for regulating the rotation of the payout shaft.
When a medium is sent for printing , a ratchet machine is used before the thermal head presses the thermal transfer film against the medium.
Winding by the drive source with the rotation of the payout shaft regulated
Drives the scraping shaft to increase the thermal transfer film tension
The rotation of the pay-out shaft by the ratchet mechanism.
Control is released and the thermal transfer film is tensioned by the thermal transfer film.
While moving the film in synchronization with the media feed speed,
A thermal transfer film feeding mechanism in a thermal transfer printer, wherein the thermal transfer film is pressed against a medium by a thermal head .