JP3334516B2 - Ink film cassette and reel used for ink film cassette - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an ink film cassette and a reel incorporating an ink film used in a thermal transfer recording apparatus, and more particularly to an ink film cassette of a type incorporating a torque limiter and a reel used for the ink film cassette. .

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A thermal transfer recording apparatus has a platen roller and a thermal head which can be pressed against and released from the platen roller, and recording paper is fed between the platen roller and the thermal head. Between the recording paper and the thermal head, an ink film having one surface coated with a heat-meltable or heat-sublimable ink is transported. The ink film is unreeled from a supply reel and wound on a take-up reel. When a color image is reproduced on recording paper by one thermal head, an ink film in which yellow, magenta, and cyan inks are applied in this order on a thin film base surface is used.

A recent thermal transfer recording apparatus uses an ink film cassette which accommodates a supply reel and a take-up reel and is removably mounted on a thermal transfer recording apparatus main body in order to improve the workability of an ink film loading operation. ing. During printing, the ink film is pulled out of the supply reel by the frictional force between the platen roller and the recording paper being conveyed between the platen roller and the thermal head pressed against the platen roller, and is conveyed as the recording paper moves. Is done. On the other hand, the ink film fed from the supply reel is wound around the take-up reel by rotating the take-up reel by a motor provided in the main body of the thermal transfer recording apparatus. The ink film cassette is a consumable item, and is replaced by a new cassette when the ink film housed therein is used up.

By the way, in the main body of the thermal transfer recording apparatus,
When the ink film cassette is loaded, the supply reel is connected to a supply reel, and a supply-side torque limiter for applying a braking force to the supply reel is provided. By feeding the ink film while applying a braking force to the supply reel by the supply-side torque limiter, tension is applied to the ink film during printing so that wrinkles do not occur on the ink film.

Further, a take-up torque limiter for limiting the drive torque of the take-up reel is provided between the take-up reel and the motor in the main body of the thermal transfer recording apparatus. This winding-side torque limiter, in addition to the reason that the above-described tension is applied to the ink film during printing,
It is provided for the following reason. In other words, in the printing section, the moving speed of the recording paper and the moving speed of the ink film need to be the same, but even if the take-up reel shaft is driven to rotate at a constant speed, the take-up diameter changes. The winding speed of the ink film will change. Therefore, a take-up torque limiter is provided to make the take-up speed follow the ink film moving speed in the printing unit and take up the ink film on a take-up reel so that the ink film is not loosened.

If the supply-side and take-up-side torque limiters are provided in the thermal transfer recording apparatus, the configuration of the thermal transfer recording apparatus becomes complicated, resulting in an increase in cost and a reduction in size. Further, since a torque limiter provided in the apparatus is required to have the same durability as other parts in the apparatus, for example, a durability capable of normally forming an image of 60,000 screens, a relatively expensive torque limiter is required. Must be used, and the cost of the entire thermal transfer recording apparatus has also increased with an increase in component costs.

For this reason, the inventors of the present invention have proposed an ink film cassette incorporating a torque limiter on a supply side and a winding side in order to simplify and reduce the cost of a thermal transfer recording apparatus main body (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 7-329385). Reference). This ink film cassette is designed so that the user himself can easily refill the ink film, the number of disposable parts can be reduced as much as possible, and consideration is given to environmental problems.

[0008]

While an ink film cassette having a built-in torque limiter has the above-mentioned advantages, there is a risk that the torque limiter may be lost when refilling the ink film. Further, if the supply-side torque limiter and the winding-side torque limiter are mounted in a wrong manner, there is a possibility that the ink film may be transported poorly.

Here, the following two methods can be considered for replacing the ink film. That is, (1) the torque limiter and the reel are integrally taken out of the cassette, the torque limiter removed from the reel is replaced with a new reel, and the integrated torque limiter and reel are attached to the cassette. There is a form in which only the reel is removed from the cassette integrally holding the torque limiter and a new reel is attached.

The present inventors have conducted intensive studies focusing on the method of replacing the ink film, and as a result, the latter (2)
The present invention has been found to be able to prevent loss of the torque limiter and to prevent erroneous mounting of the torque limiter, thereby completing the present invention. In the latter case (2), it is important how to connect and disconnect the torque limiter and the reel in the cassette. In addition, it is necessary to prevent the cassette from being enlarged due to the built-in torque limiter, and to easily attach and detach the reel. Further, it is necessary to prevent the dimensional accuracy of holding the reel from being reduced.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to prevent loss of a torque limiter and erroneous mounting of a torque limiter at low cost while maintaining ease of attachment / detachment of a reel, thereby preventing erroneous loading of a reel. To provide an ink film cassette that can be obtained.

[0012]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an ink film cassette which is removably mounted in a thermal transfer recording apparatus and has a built-in torque limiter. A first frame for holding a reel connected to the limiter, and a second frame for holding the torque limiter and detachably attached to the first frame, the coupling surface of the reel and the torque limiter Characterized in that both of the connecting surfaces are formed in a ratchet shape.

In the ink film cassette having such a configuration, the ink film is replaced by removing the reel from the first frame and attaching a new reel while holding the torque limiter in the second frame. Therefore, the risk of losing the torque limiter or erroneously mounting the torque limiter when exchanging the ink film is basically eliminated. In addition, the torque limiter can be reused and collected, the number of discarded members can be reduced as much as possible, and it can contribute to environmental conservation. Furthermore, since the reel is held in the first frame and the torque limiter is held in the second frame, there is no need to be aware of the torque limiter when attaching / detaching the reel to / from the first frame. Moreover, it is not necessary to secure a space required for the operation of connecting the reel to the torque limiter. Furthermore, since both the coupling surface of the reel and the coupling surface of the torque limiter are ratchet-shaped, the inclined surface of the ratchet (saw tooth shape) even if the coupling surface is not properly joined when the reel and the torque limiter are joined. As a result, the reel and the torque limiter rotate relatively to each other, so that the meshing of the reel and the torque limiter is improved, and a normal joining state is achieved. In this way, there is no need to align the reels when the reels are loaded, so that the loading of the reels and the replacement of the ink film are facilitated, and the connection between the reels and the torque limiter is also facilitated.

Further, the invention according to claim 2 is characterized by further comprising an urging means for urging a resilient force in a direction in which the coupling surface of the reel and the coupling surface of the torque limiter are pressed against each other. I do.

If the coupling surface of the reel and the coupling surface of the torque limiter are pressed against each other by the urging means, the rotation of the reel and the torque limiter relative to each other allows the two to be more reliably engaged. Further, the reel and the torque limiter do not rattle.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, the reel includes a supply reel on which an ink film is wound and the winding reel for winding the ink film fed from the supply reel. Includes a first torque limiter connected to the supply reel and a second torque limiter connected to the take-up reel, and the ratchet direction of the coupling surface is reversed between the supply side and the take-up side. It is characterized by the following.

According to this configuration, when the winding side and the supply side of the reel are erroneously mounted, the second torque limiter idles and the ink film is not fed. Therefore, erroneous loading of the reel can be prevented, and wasteful consumption of ink does not occur.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a reel used for an ink film cassette having a built-in torque limiter, wherein a coupling surface of an end connected to the torque limiter is formed in a ratchet shape. Used in an ink film cassette.

In the reel having such an end shape, it is not necessary to perform the positioning of the reel when the reel is loaded, so that the loading of the reel is facilitated and the connection between the reel and the torque limiter is also facilitated.

[0020]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is an external perspective view showing a thermal transfer recording apparatus in which an ink film cassette according to an embodiment of the present invention is removably mounted. For convenience of description, the edge of the recording paper that is the leading end when the recording paper is discharged is referred to as the leading end of the recording paper.

The illustrated thermal transfer recording apparatus 10 is, for example,
It is used in a photo lab where printing is performed, and is used to output so-called index prints that reproduce information recorded on a plurality of frames of a negative film on one sheet of recording paper. A control device (not shown) for performing various image processing on information recorded on the negative film is connected to the thermal transfer recording device 10 via an interface, and image signals and control signals from the control device are input via the interface. Is done.

A lid member 12 is mounted on an upper surface of a housing 11 forming a main body of the thermal transfer recording apparatus 10 so as to be openable and closable about a swing shaft 12a (see FIG. 2). An ink film cassette is opened with the lid member 12 opened. Housing 11
Is loaded at a predetermined position. The left front side in the figure is the front surface of the apparatus 10. A paper discharge unit is provided on the front side, and a paper supply unit 21 is provided on the back side. In the paper feed unit 21,
A paper feed tray 14 containing a plurality of recording sheets is provided at an angle. Further, in the thermal transfer recording apparatus 10,
A paper cutting section is provided for cutting unnecessary portions of the recording paper after reproducing the image (the leading end and / or the rear end of the recording paper), and a duster section 24 for storing the cut paper pieces is provided on the front side of the apparatus. It is provided so that it can be inserted and removed freely. The recording paper from which the unnecessary portion has been cut is discharged vertically through a paper discharge port 16 onto a paper discharge tray 17 provided integrally on the front surface of the duster 24. The thermal transfer recording apparatus 10 uses an ink film coated with a heat sublimable ink. A recording paper as an image receiving paper for trapping the sublimated ink is a thick (150 to 250 μm) thick paper such as photographic paper. ) Paper is used.

FIG. 2 is a schematic sectional view showing the internal structure of the thermal transfer recording apparatus with the cover member opened, and FIG. 3 is a schematic sectional view showing the internal structure of the thermal transfer recording apparatus with the ink film cassette loaded. .

First, the internal structure of the thermal transfer recording apparatus 10 will be briefly described. The printing section 20 is located at a substantially central portion and has a recording paper 18 transported in a parallel transport mode. A paper feed unit 21 provided at an angle of about 45 degrees above the unit 20 and a paper discharge unit 22 provided on the opposite side of the paper feed unit 21 with the print unit 20 interposed therebetween. Have. The printing quality of the thick and stiff recording paper 18 is improved by using the printing unit 20 in the parallel transport system. By inclining the paper supply unit 21, the installation space is reduced. Further, by providing the paper discharge unit 22 on the opposite side of the paper supply unit 21 with the print unit 20 interposed therebetween, usability such as using a facsimile can be obtained, and the apparatus form is easily accepted by the user. Further, a paper cutting unit 23 is provided in the paper discharge unit 22, and the duster unit 24 is disposed below the paper cutting unit 23. The control unit 1 performs predetermined image processing on an image signal input from an external control device and controls the operation of the recording device 10.
9 is also built in.

The internal structure of the thermal transfer recording apparatus 10 will be described in detail. In the housing 11, a platen roller 25 is rotatably supported. A head base 27 having a thermal head 26 is attached to the inner surface side of the lid member 12 so as to be able to move forward and backward with respect to the platen roller 25.
When the head base 27 moves forward with respect to the platen roller 25, the thermal head 26 moves to a position where it comes into pressure contact with the platen roller 25. On the other hand, when the head base 27 moves backward with respect to the platen roller 25, the thermal head 26 makes pressure contact. Move to the position to release. The head base 27 is held by a resilient means such as a spring (not shown) so as to hold the thermal head 26 at a position retracted with respect to the platen roller 25, that is, at a pressure release position.
It is urged in the direction indicated by arrow A in FIG. Lid member 12
An eccentric cam 29 for pressure contact is fixed to a drive shaft 28 rotatably mounted on the drive shaft 28. Thermal head drive motor M1
When the drive shaft 28 is rotationally driven by the
9 comes into contact with the head base 27 and
Is moved forward, whereby the thermal head 26 is pressed against the platen roller 25. When the lid member 12 is closed, the lid member 12 is fastened to the housing 11 by engaging means such as an engaging pin (not shown).

As shown in FIG. 3, between the thermal head 26 and the platen roller 25, a belt-like ink film 32 which is fed from a supply reel 30 and wound on a take-up reel 31 is transported. It has become. The ink film 32 is formed by applying three color ink layers of yellow, magenta and cyan to the base film in this order. In addition, an ink film coated with white ink or an overcoat agent as needed is also used. If the ink film 32 is not used, the ink film 32 is wound around the supply reel 30,
As the ink film 32 is used, the ink film 32 is taken up on the take-up reel 31.

Both the supply and take-up reels 30, 31
Are stored in the ink film cassette 33.
The ink film cassette 33 is detachable from the housing 11, and is set at a predetermined position by being set on a holding plate 34 mounted in the housing 11. Gear 111 connected to take-up reel 31
A part thereof faces an opening formed in the ink film cassette 33, and the ink film take-up driving gear 36 provided in the apparatus main body is engaged with the gear 111 when the cassette is mounted. The drive gear 36 is driven to rotate by a motor M2. The configuration of the ink film cassette 33 will be described later in detail.

In order to form a conveyance path for the ink film 32, an ink film take-up roller 37 is rotatably provided at a position where it enters the inside of the cassette 33 when the cassette is mounted. The ink film take-up roller 37 is a roller whose surface is formed of a rubber material or the like having a high frictional resistance, and is rotated by an ink film take-up motor M3. An electromagnetic clutch (not shown) is provided between the ink film winding motor M3 and the ink film winding roller 37. The electromagnetic clutch is turned on only when heading of the ink film 32 is performed during non-printing when the thermal head 26 is not pressed against the platen roller 25, and is turned off in other states, for example, during printing.

At the time of printing, the thermal head 26 is in pressure contact with the platen roller 25, and the ink film 32 is in contact with the platen roller 25 and the thermal head 26.
The recording paper 18 is drawn out of the supply reel 30 by a frictional force between the recording paper 18 and the recording paper 18 conveyed between them, and is conveyed at the same speed as the moving speed of the recording paper 18. The ink film 32 fed from the supply reel 30 is rotated by the motor M2 via the drive gear 36 and the gear 111 to rotate the take-up reel 31, thereby forming an ink film guide plate 38 provided at the tip of the thermal head 26 and an ink film guide plate 38. It is guided by the take-up roller 37 and taken up by the take-up reel 31. At the time of this printing, the electromagnetic clutch is turned off, and the ink film take-up roller 37 rotates following the movement of the ink film 32 and functions as a guide roller for guiding the conveyance of the ink film 32.

At the time of non-printing, the thermal head 26
Is released from the pressure contact with the platen roller 25, and when the cue of the ink film 32 is performed, the electromagnetic clutch is turned on and the ink film take-up roller 37 is driven to rotate by the ink film take-up motor M3. Then
The ink film 32 is rotated by the frictional force between the ink film winding roller 37 and the supply reel 3.
0 and is wound up on the take-up reel 31.

The paper feed tray 14 has a movable width regulating plate 40 for regulating the width direction of the recording paper 18. Further, a transparent cover 41 (see FIG. 1) for preventing dust and the like from adhering to the recording paper 18 is attached to the paper feed tray 14 so as to be freely opened and closed. The recording paper 18 on the paper feed tray 14 includes a paper feed roller 45 driven to rotate by a paper feed motor M4,
Sheets are fed one by one by a separation roller 46 disposed with a small gap between the sheet feeding roller 45 and
The sheet is conveyed while being guided by the guide member 47. Note that reference numeral “43” in FIG. 1 indicates a grip portion when the cover 41 is opened and closed.

On the upstream side of the platen roller 25, adjacent to the platen roller 25, a grip roller 50 and a pinch roller 5 which comes into contact with the grip roller 50 are disposed.
1 and the fed recording paper 18 is fed between the rollers 50 and 51. Grip roller 5
Reference numeral 0 is rotationally driven by a grip roller driving motor M5, and the pinch roller 51 is driven to rotate as the recording paper is conveyed.

On the downstream side of the platen roller 25, the first discharge roller pair 53 located on the sheet discharge port 16 side and the platen roller 25 side for discharging the recording paper 18 onto the discharge tray 17. The second discharge roller pair 54 is attached at a predetermined distance. These discharge rollers 5
3, 54 are driven to rotate by the transport motor M6. A guide member 55 is provided between the platen roller 25 and the pair of discharge rollers 53 and 54 to guide the conveyance of the recording paper 18 during the discharge processing. An accommodation space 56 for accommodating the recording paper 18 when a printing operation is performed is formed below the guide member 55.

In the illustrated thermal transfer recording apparatus 10,
When reproducing a color image on the recording paper 18, first, the recording paper 18 is fed from the paper feed tray 14 and transported forward, and the recording paper 18 is stored in the storage space 56. Next, from this state, a yellow image is formed while the recording paper 18 is returned and conveyed. That is, the return printing method is used. After transferring the yellow image while returning and transporting the recording paper 18, the recording paper 18 is transported forward to prepare for reproducing the next magenta image. In this way, a color image is formed on the recording paper 18 by transferring, for example, three color images in an overlapping manner by the frame sequential method. The thermal head 26 comes into pressure contact with the platen roller 25 only during return transport, and when the recording paper 18 is transported forward, the thermal head 26 is separated from the platen roller 25. When the return conveyance and the forward conveyance are repeated for printing, the grip roller 50 and the pinch roller 51 always keep the recording paper 18 nipped.

Under the guide member 55, the recording paper 18 conveyed by the grip roller 50 and the pinch roller 51 is selectively guided to either the paper discharge section 22 or the storage space 56. A swing guide 58 made of a flexible material is provided to be swingable about a support shaft 57.

The cutter unit 23 as a paper cutting unit has a rotary cutter 60 and a receiving table 61 for cutting the recording paper 18 in cooperation with the cutter 60. The cut piece of paper falls by its own weight into a duster portion 24 disposed below the cutter unit 23 and is collected. This duster portion 24 is
1 can be freely inserted and removed. In FIG. 1, reference numeral “62” indicates a hole formed as an upper portion of the front surface of the duster portion 24 and functioning as a handle. An operator places a finger on the handle 62 and removes the duster portion 24 from the housing 11. Then, the sheet pieces accumulated in the duster section 24 are removed.

<< Overall Configuration of Ink Film Cassette >> FIG. 4 is an external perspective view showing the ink film cassette according to the present embodiment, and FIG. 5 is a diagram in which the lower frame and the upper frame of the ink film cassette are aligned along the axial direction of the reel. FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing a state in which it is slid and removed.
Is a plan view showing a lower frame holding a supply reel and a take-up reel, and FIG. 7 is an upper frame holding a first torque limiter connected to the supply reel and a second torque limiter connected to the take-up reel. 8A is a cross-sectional view on the supply reel side in a state where the upper and lower frames are assembled, and FIG. 8B is a diagram in which the upper frame is slightly slid with respect to the lower frame. FIG. 4C is a cross-sectional view on the take-up reel side when the upper frame is slightly slid with respect to the lower frame. FIG. 9 is a conceptual diagram showing a procedure for replacing an ink film.

As shown in FIGS. 4, 6 and 7, the ink film cassette 33 includes a supply reel 30 on which an ink film 32 is wound and a take-up reel 31 for winding the ink film 32 fed from the supply reel 30.
Braking means for applying a braking force to the shaft of the supply reel 30 in the cassette, torque limiting means for limiting the drive torque of the take-up reel 31 in the cassette, and a second means for holding the supply reel 30 and the take-up reel 31. A first frame, and a second frame that holds the braking means and the torque limiting means and is detachable from the first frame. In the illustrated embodiment, the braking means is from the first torque limiter 71, the torque limiting means is from the second torque limiter 72, the first frame is from the lower frame 74,
The frames are each composed of an upper frame 73. Further, as shown in FIGS.
The upper frame 4 and the upper frame 73 are configured to be relatively slidable along the axial direction of the reels 30 and 31 so as to be detachable.

Referring to FIG. 4, the ink film cassette 33 includes a central film guide 75, a supply reel housing 76 formed at one end thereof, and a take-up reel housing formed at the other end thereof. 77. Cassette 33
Are upper frames 7 each formed from a synthetic resin material.
3 and the lower frame 74 are assembled. Further, an upper opening window 78 and a lower opening window 79 are formed above and below the film guide portion 75 in the drawing, and on the side,
A notch 80 for receiving the ink film take-up roller 37 is formed.

The take-up reel accommodating portion 77 has an outer diameter larger than the outer diameter of the supply reel accommodating portion 76. When the ink film cassette 33 is loaded into the apparatus main body, the cassette loading direction is changed. It is designed so that it can be easily identified. In addition, this cassette shape is a shape that is easy for an operator to hold, and the hand is hard to touch the ink film 32 even when the operator holds the cassette. Further, since the ink film 32 after printing has wrinkles, all the ink film 32 wound on the supply reel 30 is taken up by the take-up reel 31.
In this case, the winding diameter of the ink film 32 on the take-up reel 31 is larger than the winding diameter initially wound on the supply reel 30. If the outer diameter of the take-up reel accommodating portion 77 is made larger than the supply reel accommodating portion 76, it is possible to cope with such an increase in the wound diameter of the ink film after printing without any trouble.

Referring to FIG. 9, the procedure for replacing the ink film will be outlined. After using ink film 32
((1)), the upper frame 73 is slid in the direction indicated by the arrow to open ((2)), and the used supply reel 30 and the take-up reel 31 are taken out of the lower frame 74 ((3)).
Then, the new reels 30, 31 are put into the lower frame 74 ((4)), and the upper frame 73 is slid in the direction shown by the arrow and closed, whereby the ink film exchange is completed.
((Five)) . The ink film is replaced by such a simple procedure.

During the replacement operation, both torque limiters 71,
72 continues to be held by the upper frame 73. Therefore,
In the replacement of the ink film with a series of operations, the risk of losing the torque limiters 71 and 72 or erroneously mounting the torque limiters 71 and 72 on the supply side and the winding side confusingly disappears.

The sliding movement of the upper frame 73 disconnects or connects the first torque limiter 71 and the supply reel 30, and disconnects and connects the second torque limiter 72 and the take-up reel 31. Done. Thus, the user does not have to be conscious of aligning the ends of the torque limiters 71, 72 with the ends of the reels 30, 31.

As described above, in this embodiment, as a method of replacing the ink film, only the reels 30 and 31 are removed from the cassette 33 integrally holding the torque limiters 71 and 72, and new reels 30 and 31 are mounted. It was adopted. In the case of such an exchange procedure, it is important how to connect and disconnect the torque limiters 71, 72 and the reels 30, 31 in the cassette 33. Further, while preventing the size of the cassette 33 from being increased by incorporating the torque limiters 71 and 72,
It is necessary to easily attach and detach the reels 30 and 31. Further, it is necessary not to reduce the dimensional accuracy of holding the reels 30 and 31. To satisfy these requests,
Each component of the ink film cassette 33 is configured as described in detail below.

<< Lower Frame >> As shown in FIGS. 6 and 8B, a supply reel 30 on which the ink film 32 is wound is incorporated in a portion of the lower frame 74 corresponding to the supply reel accommodating portion 76. 6 and 8
(B) As shown in (C), the take-up reel housing 7
A take-up reel 31 is incorporated in a portion corresponding to 7. Both ends 81a, 81b of the shaft of the supply reel 30
6 is held by a supply-side holding plate 82 erected from the bottom wall of the lower frame 74. The holding plate 82 has a semicircular recess. The other end 81b of the shaft of the supply reel 30
Is inserted through a supply-side mounting hole 83 formed in the side wall of the lower frame 74 and is rotatably supported. Similarly, the shaft end 84a of the take-up reel 31 is held by a take-up side holding plate 85 having a concave portion, and the other end 84b is
Winding-side mounting hole 86 formed in the side wall of lower frame 74
And is rotatably supported.

One end 81 of the shaft of each reel 30, 31
b and 84b slightly protrude from the lower frame 74 to the outside, and by detecting the amount of protrusion of this portion and information added to the seal attached to this portion, the type of the ink film 32 stored is determined. It can be determined.

As clearly shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, a step 87 is provided on the side wall of the lower frame 74. For this reason, as shown in FIG. 8, the upper half of the mounting holes 83 and 86 on the supply side and the winding side is slightly displaced outward along the axis of the reels 30 and 31 than the lower half. .

FIGS. 10A and 10B are cross-sectional views showing a state where the supply reel is assembled to the lower frame. FIG. 10A shows this embodiment, and FIG. 10B shows a comparative example. Is shown.

As shown in FIG.
In the case of the comparative example in which the supply side mounting hole 83 is formed without any step on the side wall of the supply reel 30, when the supply reel 30 is mounted, the gap between the hole diameter d and the reel shaft diameter φ becomes large. The clearance increases rattling of the reel 30 and causes wrinkles and banding, which is not preferable for obtaining high-quality image quality.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 7A, in the case of the present embodiment in which the step 87 is provided on the side wall of the lower frame 74, when the supply reel 30 is mounted, the hole diameter d and the reel diameter The gap with the shaft diameter φ is smaller than in the comparative example, the play of the supply reel 30 is small, and the accuracy of the hole diameter required for obtaining high image quality is increased. Further, since the supply reel 30 is obliquely inserted into the supply-side mounting hole 83, even if the hole diameter d is small, ease of mounting is not hindered. By forming the supply side mounting hole 83 with the step 87 in this way, it is possible to achieve both easy mounting of the supply reel 30 and mounting accuracy. The take-up side mounting hole 86 is also formed with a similar step 87 to achieve both easy mounting of the take-up reel 31 and mounting accuracy.

The positioning of the reels 30, 31 in the axial direction is performed by fitting the annular grooves 88, 89 formed on the reels 30, 31 into the recesses of the holding plates 82, 85 of the lower frame. Thereby, the position of the ink film 34 in the axial direction with respect to the lower frame 74 is also determined.

<< Upper Frame >> FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing a state where a main part of the upper frame is viewed from the lower surface side, and FIG.
It is a perspective view which shows the slide mechanism of an up-down frame.

As shown in FIG. 11, on the lower surface of one end of the upper frame 73, a first
And cover 9 for holding second torque limiters 71 and 72
0 is attached. The cover 90 includes a portion for holding the first torque limiter 71 and the second torque limiter 7.
2 is formed integrally with the upper frame 7.
3 is engaged with the engaging piece 91 and is stopped. The first and second torque limiters 71 and 72 are held between the upper frame 73 and the cover 90 and held by the upper frame 73.

As shown in FIGS. 7 and 12, first and second slides 93 and 94 are provided on the left and right ends of the upper frame 73, respectively.
Is provided. On the other hand, as shown in FIGS. 6 and 12, first and second holding members 9 for holding the first and second slides 93 and 94 are provided on both left and right ends of the lower frame 74.
5,96 are attached. The slides 93 and 94 have a rectangular cross section, and the holding members 95 and 96 are
It has a substantially L-shaped cross section capable of accepting 3,94.
The first slide 93 is formed with a convex portion 93a, and the first holding portion 95 is formed with a concave portion 95a with which the convex portion 93a is engaged, thereby preventing the upper and lower frames 73, 74 from sliding carelessly. It is. Also, the first holding unit 95 includes
When inserting the first slide 93, the first slide 9
3 is formed.

The upper and lower frames 73, 74 are fixed to each other by the engagement of the slides 93, 94 with the holding portions 95, 96. From this state, the upper and lower frames 73,
If both frames 73 and 74 come off suddenly when removing 74, the user suddenly feels the weight of the reels 30 and 31 placed on the lower frame 74, and feels that the arm is twisted. I will. Therefore, the first and second slides 9
The slides 93, 94 do not come off the holding parts 95, 96 at the same time, but the second slide 94 comes off the second holding part 96 before the first slide 93.
The mounting positions and dimensions of the mounting portions 94 and the holding portions 95 and 96 are set. This allows the user to unconsciously prepare for “disengagement” and reduce the weight felt by the user.

<< Structure of Torque Limiter, Connection Structure between Torque Limiter and Reel >> FIG. 13A is an enlarged view showing the supply reel and the first torque limiter, and FIG.
FIG. 4 is an enlarged view showing a take-up reel and a second torque limiter. FIG. 14 is a diagram showing a gear and a ratchet component constituting the first torque limiter, and shows the gear in cross section.

As shown in FIGS. 13A and 14,
The first torque limiter 71 includes a gear 100 having a built-in limiter function, and a ratchet component 101 attached to the gear 100. The gear 100
A shaft portion 102; a disk portion 103 formed integrally with the shaft portion 102 and having teeth formed on an outer peripheral surface thereof;
2 has an inner shaft 104 rotatably inserted into the through hole 102a formed therein and a stopper 105 for restricting the inner shaft 104 from moving in the axial direction. Friction torque is applied to the inner shaft 104 between the inner shaft 104 and the through hole 102a, and a rotational load is applied. Note that a rotational load may be applied to the inner shaft by the elastic force of the spring member. In this case, it is preferable that the elastic force of the spring member can be adjusted with a set screw or the like. The ratchet component 101 has a head 107 on which a ratchet 106 is formed, and a shaft 108 inserted into the inner shaft 104 of the gear 100. The ratchet part 101 has a shaft 1
The projection 108 a formed at 08 is fitted to the gear 100 by engaging with the recess 104 a formed at the inner shaft 104, and rotates together with the inner shaft 104. An annular groove 109 is formed on the outer periphery of the head 107 of the ratchet component 101. A ratchet 110 that meshes with the ratchet 106 of the ratchet component 101 is formed at the end 81 a of the supply reel 30. When the ratchets 106 and 110 of both the supply reel 30 and the ratchet component 101 are engaged with each other, the supply reel 30 and the inner shaft 1 of the first torque limiter 71 are engaged.
04 rotates together.

Similarly to the first torque limiter 71, the second torque limiter 72 has a gear 11 with a built-in limiter function.
1 and a ratchet part 1 attached to the gear 111
12. End 84 of take-up reel 31
A is formed with a ratchet 114 that meshes with the ratchet 113 of the ratchet part 112. Ratchet 1 of both take-up reel 31 and ratchet part 112
By the engagement of 13 and 114, the take-up reel 31 and the inner shaft 104 of the second torque limiter 72 rotate integrally. However, as is clear from FIGS. 13A and 13B, regarding the ratchet parts 101 and 112, the directions of the ratchets 106 and 113 are the same as those of the first torque limiter 71.
And the second torque limiter 72 are in opposite directions. Accordingly, the direction of the ratchet 114 of the take-up reel 31 is also changed to the ratchet 11 of the supply reel 30.
The direction is opposite to the direction of 0.

It is preferable that the same material is used for the various members constituting the torque limiters 71 and 72, and only the set torque value is changed.
In this way, even if the operating temperature of the ink film cassette 33 changes, the two torque limiters 71, 72
Both exhibit the same behavior, so that the torque difference between the supply side and the winding side can be easily maintained. However, if the change in the torque difference can be suppressed to an allowable range even when the use temperature changes, the supply-side member and the winding-side member can be formed of different materials.

As shown in FIG. 8B, the upper frame 73
On the supply side of the cover 90, a holding wall 12 forming a through hole 120 through which the stopper 105 of the gear 100 is inserted is provided.
1, 122, and holding plates 123, 124 that fit into the annular groove 109 of the ratchet component 101 are provided.
Further, as shown in FIG. 3C, the stopper 105 of the gear 111 is provided on the winding side of the upper frame 73 and the cover 90.
Holding walls 126, 12 forming through holes 125 through which
7 and holding plates 128 and 129 that fit into the annular groove 109 of the ratchet component 112. Retaining wall 1
21, 122, 126, 127 and holding plates 123, 1
24, 128, and 129 have semicircular concave portions. When the cover 90 is attached to the upper frame 73, the holding plates 123, 124, 128, and 129 are fitted in the annular grooves 109 of the ratchet parts 101 and 112, so that even when the upper frame 73 is removed from the lower frame 74. , The ratchet parts 101 and 112 do not fall off and the gear 1
Also, the torque limiters 71 and 72 do not fall off.
Are kept in the upper frame 73.

The first torque limiter 71 on the supply side applies back tension to the supply reel 30 to
It is for making it difficult to rotate around 0, and is assembled in a non-rotating state with respect to the upper frame 73. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 15, the first torque limiter 71
The gear 100 is fixed and held to the upper frame 73 by sandwiching the gear 100 between the upper frame 73 and the cover 90. Here, on the inner surfaces of the upper frame 73 and the cover 90, a projection 1 having a shape corresponding to the tooth shape of the gear 100 is provided.
The projections 130 are engaged with the teeth of the gear 100 to prevent the gear 100 from rotating. In this state, the friction torque acts on the inner shaft 104, and the supply reel 30 connected via the ratchets 106 and 110
The friction torque is also acting. Therefore, unless the torque against the friction torque acts on the supply reel 30, the supply reel 30 does not rotate. Thus, the first torque limiter 71 applies the braking force to the shaft of the supply reel 30 in the cassette 33 to
A rotational load is applied to 0.

Although the case where the projections 130 are provided on both the upper frame 73 and the cover 90 is shown in FIG.
0 may be provided on at least one of the upper frame 73 and the cover 90. Also, the first torque limiter 7
If 1 can be assembled non-rotatably with respect to the upper frame 73, there is no need to form teeth on the disk portion 103. However, only by providing the projection 130, the second torque limiter 72
Can be diverted, and the parts constituting the torque limiter can be shared between the supply side and the winding side, which is preferable from the viewpoint of reducing the parts cost.

On the other hand, the second torque limiter 72 is rotatably mounted on the upper frame 73. The gear 111 of the second torque limiter 72 is
The cassette 33 is arranged so as to face the opening 131 formed in the apparatus main body 0 (see FIGS. 8C and 11). When the cassette 33 is loaded into the apparatus main body, the cassette 33 meshes with the ink film winding drive gear 36 through the opening 131. It has become. The driving force from the driving gear 36 is transmitted to the take-up reel 31 via the second torque limiter 72, and transmitted to the ink film 32. When a driving torque greater than the friction torque acting on the inner shaft 104 acts on the gear 111, the rotational force from the gear 111 is not transmitted to the take-up reel 31, and only the gear 111 idles. . In this way, the second torque limiter 72 limits the drive torque of the take-up reel 31 in the cassette 33.

FIGS. 16A and 16B are diagrams showing various ratchet shapes formed at the end of the reel, and are shown in a front view and a side view.

The ratchets 110 and 11 shown in FIG.
The shape of No. 4 is a shape that does not receive a load in the thrust direction when the reel rotates. In the case of having this tooth shape, the teeth (ratchet) 10 on the torque limiter 71, 72 side shown by the imaginary line
Although it is easy to hit 6,113, it does not hinder practical use since the contact of teeth is absorbed when rotation starts.

The ratchet 11 shown in FIG.
The shapes 0 and 114 are shapes that receive a thrust load when the reel rotates. In the case of having this tooth shape, it is difficult to contact the teeth 106 and 113 of the torque limiters 71 and 72 indicated by the imaginary lines, so that the torque limiters 71 and 72 and the reel 3
The ends of 0 and 31 are easily connected to each other. However, in this ratchet shape, compared to the ratchet shape shown in FIG. 4A, the force is dispersed, and the tension applied to the ink film 32 varies. For this reason, the reels 30 and 31 of the present embodiment adopt the ratchet shape shown in FIG.

The reel 3 having such a ratchet shape
As described later, there is no need to position the reels 30 and 31 when the reels are loaded.
The loading of the reels 30 and 31 and the torque limiters 71 and 72 is facilitated.

FIGS. 17A, 17B and 17C are diagrams showing various ratchet shapes formed on the ratchet component of the torque limiter, which are shown in a front view, a side view and a half sectional view.

The ratchet 10 shown in FIGS.
The shapes 6,113 are shapes that do not receive a thrust load when the reel rotates. Ratchet part 1 shown in FIG.
01 and 112 are further provided with a guide portion 132 having a truncated frustoconical shape. This guide part 132
Are the ratchet parts 101 and 112 and the reels 30 and 31
When the two are connected, the hollow shafts of the reels 30 and 31 are called to align the axes of the two. By providing the guide part 132, the ratchet parts 101, 1
02 teeth 106 and 113 and reels 30 and 31 teeth 11
0 and 114 are easily engaged with each other.

The ratchet 10 shown in FIG.
The shapes 6 and 113 are shapes that receive a thrust load when the reel rotates. When having this tooth shape, the reel 3
Since it is difficult to contact the 0, 31 side teeth, the torque limiter 7
The ends of the reels 1 and 72 and the reels 30 and 31 are easily connected to each other.
However, in this ratchet shape, the forces are dispersed and the tension applied to the ink film 32 varies as compared with the ratchet shapes shown in FIGS. For this reason, in the torque limiters 71 and 72 of the present embodiment, the ratchet shape shown in FIG. 7A is also taken into consideration in consideration of the ease of alignment of the ratchet parts 101 and 112 and the reels 30 and 31. Has been adopted.

Referring to FIG. 13, when transporting the ink film 32, as described above, the second torque limiter 72 on the winding side rotates the gear 111 as shown by the arrow to pull the in-film 32. In the first torque limiter 71 on the supply side, the gear 100 is fixed to restrict the movement of the film 32. That is, the directions in which the torque limiters 71 and 72 operate are opposite between the supply side and the winding side. Therefore, the ratchet parts 101, 112 and the ratchets 106, 110, 113,
The direction of 114 is opposite between the supply side and the winding side.

Therefore, when the reels 30 and 31 are mounted in reverse, that is, when the supply reel 3 shown in FIG.
0 is placed on the second torque limiter 72 side shown in FIG. 13B, and the take-up reel 31 shown in FIG. 13B is placed on the first torque limiter 71 side shown in FIG. If placed, ratchets 106 and 114, ratchet 11
3 and 110 do not mesh. Therefore, the upper frame 73 cannot be completely closed with respect to the lower frame 74, and a gap is generated between the two. The user can recognize from the existence of this gap that the reels 30 and 31 on the supply side and the winding side have been mistakenly inserted. Suppose the reels 30, 31
Even if the ink film cassette 33 is loaded into the thermal transfer recording apparatus 10 while the second torque limiter 72 is
Only spins, and the reels 30 and 31 do not rotate. Then, an error occurs because the cueing operation of the film is not completed within a predetermined time, and the operation of the thermal transfer recording apparatus 10 is stopped. The user can recognize from the display or the like of the thermal transfer recording device 10 that the supply-side and take-up-side reels have been mistakenly inserted. In this way, erroneous loading of the reel is prevented.

<< Sliding Opening and Closing of Ink Film Cassette >> FIGS. 18A to 18C are views showing the state when the ink film cassette is slid open and closed, with the ink film cassette turned over.

When the ink film cassette 33 is opened and closed by sliding, the lower frame 74 is held with one hand,
Hold the upper frame 73 with the other hand.

The portion holding the lower frame 74 is a side wall portion surrounded by a chain line in FIG. This portion is made thicker so that the user can easily grasp it. In addition, a stainless plate or the like may be attached to balance the weight of the reels 30 and 31. In addition, as shown by the phantom line in FIG.
3 may be provided. Then, the rib 133 functions as a support portion for supporting the lower frame 74 with the thumb when the slide is opened and closed.

The portion holding the upper frame 73 is
FIG. 7 shows an upper surface portion surrounded by a chain line. Since the upper frame 73 does not have the relatively heavy reels 30 and 31 but only the relatively light torque limiters 71 and 72,
There is no problem with weight balance. Further, since the upper frame 73 has a relatively wide upper surface, it is not necessary to separately provide a thumb support portion for supporting the upper frame 73 with a thumb when opening and closing the slide.

FIG. 18A shows the vicinity of the cover 90 as viewed from the back. You can see that the space for putting your fingers is open. FIG. 7B shows a state where the lower frame 74 has been waited. The forefinger is in the notch 80 of the lower frame 74.
It turns out that it is easy to hold. FIG. 7C shows a state where the upper frame 73 is held. It can be seen that the forefinger enters the cutout portion 80 of the upper frame 73 and is configured to be easy to hold.

<< Advantages of this Embodiment >> By holding the torque limiters 71 and 72 on the upper frame 73 and holding the reels 30 and 31 on the lower frame 74 as in this embodiment, there are the following advantages. . FIG. 19 is a view for explaining this advantage, and is a plan view showing an ink film cassette according to a comparative example in which a torque limiter is provided on a lower frame holding a reel.

As shown in FIG. 19, when the torque limiters 141 and 142 are provided on the lower frame 140, when the reels 30 and 31 are loaded, the reel ends are simultaneously connected to the torque limiters 141 and 142. Must be aligned to the end. However, the ink film 32 is wound around like a frame of glasses (referred to as eyeglass winding), and the reels 30 and 31 connected via the film 32 are loaded while being adjusted to the respective torque limiters 141 and 142. Is very complicated for the user.

When the reel ends are to be joined to the ends of the torque limiters 141 and 142 from obliquely above, the hole diameter of the holding portion 143 must be large.
It is not preferable for obtaining high quality image quality. On the other hand, when the hole diameter of the holding portion 143 is reduced, the reel ends cannot be connected to the ends of the torque limiters 141 and 142 from diagonally above, so that the reels 30 and 31 are directed toward the torque limiters 141 and 142. Must slide. This space for sliding is required, and as a result, the size of the ink film cassette is increased.

On the other hand, in this embodiment, the reels 30 and 31 are held by the lower frame 74, the torque limiters 71 and 72 are held by the upper frame 73, and the upper and lower frames 7 are held.
Since the sliders 3 and 74 are slid and assembled, the reels 30 and 31 can be easily attached and detached while preventing the cassette 33 from increasing in size by incorporating the torque limiters 71 and 72. Further, the dimensional accuracy for holding the reels 30 and 31 can be maintained.

<< Advantages Regarding Coupling Surface Shape of Reel and Torque Limiter >> FIGS. 20A and 20B are views for explaining the coupling surface shapes of the reel and the torque limiter when the end of the reel is aligned with the end of the torque limiter. .

As shown in the comparative example of FIG. 20A, a convex portion 144a is formed at the end of the reel 144, and a concave portion 145a with which the convex portion 144a engages with the end of the torque limiter 145.
Is formed, when loading the reel 144, it is necessary to rotate the torque limiter 145 in the rotational direction so that the concave portion 145a faces the convex portion 144a to perform positioning.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 11B, when both the coupling surfaces of the reels 30 and 31 and the torque limiters 71 and 72 are formed in a ratchet shape, the reel 30,
Even when the joining surfaces are not properly joined when the 31 and the torque limiters 71 and 72 are connected, the reels 30 and 31 and the torque limiters 71 and 72 are relatively moved by the action of the inclined surface (sawtooth shape) of the ratchet. By rotating,
The meshing of both becomes good, and a normal joining state is obtained. In this way, there is no need to align the reels 30 and 31 at the time of loading the reels, which facilitates the loading of the reels 30 and 31 and the replacement of the ink film.
0, 31 and the torque limiters 71, 72 can be easily connected. Therefore, when the coupling surfaces are the ratchets 106, 110, 113, 114 as in the present embodiment, the reels 30, 31 and the torque limiters 71, 7
2 can be easily combined.

Further, as shown in FIG. 20B, a compression spring 146 is provided between the lower frame 74 and the torque limiters 71 and 72 as urging means.
The resilient force may press the coupling surfaces of the reels 30 and 31 and the coupling surfaces of the torque limiters 71 and 72 against each other. In this case, the reels 30 and 31 and the torque limiter 7 receive the elastic force of the compression spring 146.
Due to the relative rotation of the gears 1, 72, it is possible to avoid a locked state in which the teeth are not normally joined while the teeth are in contact, and the two can be more reliably and smoothly meshed. The elastic force of the compression spring 146 causes the reel 3
It is possible to prevent rattling in the connection between the torque limiters 71 and 72 and the torque limiters 71 and 72. The urging means is the reel 3
The biasing means may be provided on the reels 30 and 31 side since the resilient force may be biased in a direction in which the coupling surfaces 0 and 31 and the coupling surfaces of the torque limiters 71 and 72 are pressed against each other.

FIG. 21A shows a modification of the urging means. As shown in the drawing, a leaf spring 147 may be used instead of the compression spring 146 as the urging means. By using the leaf spring 147, the outer dimensions of the frames 73 and 74 can be reduced.

As shown in FIG. 21B, the frames 73 and 74 of the cassette may have a certain degree of bending so that the leaf spring 146 is not provided.
In this case, the bent lower frame 74 itself constitutes the urging means. By eliminating the leaf spring 146, the outer dimensions of the frames 73 and 74 can be further increased by L = 4 m.
m could be reduced.

As described above, since the ink film cassette 33 of the present embodiment is of the type with a built-in torque limiter, the advantages of the built-in type are the simplification of the thermal transfer recording apparatus,
Cost reduction and size reduction can be achieved. Further, when replacing the ink film, the torque limiters 71, 72 may be lost, or the torque limiters 71, 72 on the supply side and the winding side may be lost.
The possibility of erroneous mounting by confusing is fundamentally eliminated.

Further, the torque limiters 71 and 72 can be reused and collected, and the number of discarded members can be reduced as much as possible, which contributes to environmental conservation.

Further, the reels 30 and 31 are
4, since the torque limiters 71 and 72 are separately held by the upper frame 73, there is no need to be aware of the torque limiters 71 and 72 when attaching and detaching the reels 30 and 31 to and from the upper frame. The easiness of attaching and detaching can be maintained. Moreover, it is not necessary to secure a space required for connecting the reels 30 and 31 to the torque limiters 71 and 72, and it is possible to prevent the cassette 33 from being enlarged.

The reels 30, 31 are connected to the lower frame 74.
, And sliding the upper frame 73 to cover it, the ink film cassette 33 can be configured. At this time, the torque limiters 71 and 72 are
3, the user does not have to be conscious of aligning the ends of the torque limiters 71 and 72 with the ends of the reels 30 and 31 when the ink film is replaced, and the replacement work is further simplified.

Further, since both the coupling surfaces of the reels 30 and 31 and the coupling surfaces of the torque limiters 71 and 72 are formed in a ratchet shape, their inclined surfaces (sawtooth shape).
Of the reels 30, 31 and the torque limiter 7
Engagement with 1, 72 is improved. Further, there is no need to align the reels 30 and 31 at the time of loading the reels, and the loading of the reels 30 and 31 and the replacement of the ink film can be easily performed.
The connection work between the torque limiters 31 and the torque limiters 71 and 72 is also easy.

Further, since the winding shape of the ink film 32 is an eyeglass winding and the ratchet direction is reversed between the supply side and the take-up side, the take-up side and the supply side of the reels 30 and 31 are erroneously set. When attached to the frame 74,
The gear 111 of the second torque limiter 72 idles, and the reels 30 and 31 do not rotate. Thereby, the reel 30,
31 can be prevented from being erroneously loaded, and ink is not wasted due to erroneous loading.

Further, if the connecting surfaces of the reels 30 and 31 and the connecting surfaces of the torque limiters 71 and 72 are pressed against each other by the urging means 146 and 147, the reel 3
The attachment of the 0, 31 to the lower frame 74 becomes easy,
The relative rotation of the reels 30, 31 and the torque limiters 71, 72 allows the two to be more reliably engaged with each other, and the reels 30, 31 and the torque limiters 71, 7
It is possible to prevent rattling of the connection with (2).

Since the first torque limiter 71 applies a braking force to the supply reel 30 in the cassette 33, even if an external force is applied during shipping and transport of the ink film cassette 33, which is a consumable item. The ink film 32 is not immediately unwound from the supply reel 30, and the unused ink film 32 is not wasted. Further, even when the ink film cassette 33 is removed from the thermal transfer recording apparatus 10 during use of the ink film 32, the unused ink film 32 is not immediately unwound from the supply reel 30 even if an external force is applied.
The unused ink film 32 is not wasted.

[0096]

As described above, according to the ink film cassette of the first aspect, the risk of losing the torque limiter or erroneously mounting the torque limiter when exchanging the ink film is basically eliminated. . Also, it is possible to reuse and recover the torque limiter,
The members to be discarded can be reduced as much as possible, which can contribute to environmental conservation. Further, since the reel is held in the first frame and the torque limiter is held in the second frame, the first frame is held in the first frame.
When attaching / detaching the reel to / from the frame, there is no need to be aware of the torque limiter, and the ease of attaching / detaching the reel can be maintained. In addition, it is not necessary to secure a space required for the operation of connecting the reel to the torque limiter, and it is possible to prevent the cassette from being enlarged. Furthermore, since both the coupling surface of the reel and the coupling surface of the torque limiter are formed in the form of a ratchet, there is no need to align the reels when loading the reels, thereby making it easier to load the reels and replace the ink film. This makes it possible to easily connect the reel and the torque limiter.

According to the ink film cassette of the present invention, since the connecting surface of the reel and the connecting surface of the torque limiter are pressed against each other by the urging means, the reel and the torque limiter rotate relative to each other. Both can be more reliably engaged with each other, and it is possible to prevent rattling of the connection between the reel and the torque limiter.

According to the ink film cassette of the third aspect, when the winding side and the supply side of the reel are erroneously mounted, the second torque limiter idles and the ink film is not fed, so that the reel is not wound. Incorrect loading can be prevented, and wasteful consumption of ink can be prevented.

According to the reel of the fourth aspect, the loading of the reel into the ink film cassette having a built-in torque limiter is facilitated, and the connection between the reel and the torque limiter is also facilitated.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an external perspective view showing a thermal transfer recording apparatus in which an ink film cassette according to an embodiment of the present invention is removably mounted.

FIG. 2 is a schematic sectional view showing an internal configuration of the thermal transfer recording apparatus with a cover member opened.

FIG. 3 is a schematic sectional view showing an internal configuration of the thermal transfer recording apparatus in a state where an ink film cassette is loaded.

FIG. 4 is an external perspective view showing the ink film cassette according to the embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing a state where the lower frame and the upper frame of the ink film cassette are relatively slid along the axial direction of the reel and removed.

FIG. 6 is a plan view showing a lower frame holding a supply reel and a take-up reel.

FIG. 7 is a plan view, partially cut away, of an upper frame holding a first torque limiter connected to a supply reel and a second torque limiter connected to a take-up reel.

FIG. 8A is a cross-sectional view on the supply reel side when upper and lower frames are assembled, and FIG. 8B is a supply reel side when the upper frame is slightly slid with respect to the lower frame. (C) is a sectional view on the take-up reel side in a state where the upper frame is slightly slid with respect to the lower frame.

FIG. 9 is a conceptual diagram showing a procedure for replacing an ink film.

10 (A) and 10 (B) are cross-sectional views showing a state where a supply reel is assembled to a lower frame. FIG. 10 (A) shows this embodiment, and FIG. The proportion is shown.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing a state where a main part of the upper frame is viewed from the lower surface side.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view showing a sliding mechanism of the upper and lower frames.

FIG. 13A is an enlarged view showing a supply reel and a first torque limiter, and FIG. 13B is an enlarged view showing a take-up reel and a second torque limiter.

FIG. 14 is a diagram showing a gear and a ratchet component constituting the first torque limiter, and shows the gear in a cross section.

FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view showing a configuration in which the first torque limiter is non-rotatably mounted to the upper frame.

FIGS. 16A and 16B are diagrams showing various ratchet shapes formed at the end of the reel, and are shown in a front view and a side view.

FIGS. 17A to 17C are diagrams showing various ratchet shapes formed on a ratchet component of the torque limiter, and are shown in a front view, a side view, and a half sectional view.

FIGS. 18A to 18C are views showing a state in which the ink film cassette is opened and closed by sliding the ink film cassette.

FIG. 19 is a view for explaining an advantage of holding the torque limiter on the upper frame and holding the reel on the lower frame, and illustrates an ink film cassette according to a comparative example in which the torque limiter is provided on the lower frame holding the reel. FIG.

FIGS. 20A and 20B are views showing the shape of a joint surface between the reel end portion and the torque limiter end portion when they are aligned with each other.

FIG. 21A is a cross-sectional view showing a mode using a leaf spring pressing a torque limiter, and FIG.
It is sectional drawing which shows the form which reduced the frame external dimension further without providing a leaf spring.

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 30 supply reel 31 take-up reel 32 ink film 33 ink film cassette 71 first torque limiter 72 second torque limiter 73 upper frame (second frame) 74 lower frame (first frame) 90 Cover 106: Ratchet of the first torque limiter on the supply side 110: Ratchet of the supply reel 113: Ratchet of the second torque limiter on the take-up side 114: Ratchet of the take-up reel 146: Compression spring (biasing means) 147: Leaf spring (Biasing means)

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (58) Field surveyed (Int.Cl. ⁷ , DB name) B41J 17/32 B41J 17/24

Claims (4)

(57) [Claims] 1. An ink film cassette removably mounted in a thermal transfer recording apparatus and having a built-in torque limiter, wherein a first reel holding a reel connected to the torque limiter is provided.
And a second frame that holds the torque limiter and is detachable from the first frame. Both the coupling surface of the reel and the coupling surface of the torque limiter are formed in a ratchet shape. An ink film cassette comprising: 2. The ink film cassette according to claim 1, further comprising an urging means for urging an elastic force in a direction in which the coupling surface of the reel and the coupling surface of the torque limiter are pressed against each other. . 3. The reel includes: a supply reel on which an ink film is wound; and a take-up reel for winding the ink film unreeled from the supply reel. The torque limiter is connected to the supply reel. 2. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a first torque limiter and a second torque limiter connected to the take-up reel, wherein a ratchet direction of a coupling surface is reversed between a supply side and a take-up side. The ink film cassette as described in the above. 4. A reel used for an ink film cassette having a built-in torque limiter, wherein a coupling surface of an end connected to the torque limiter is formed in a ratchet shape.