JP4374195B2 - Printing device - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
  The present inventionMarkConcerning printing equipment, especially, DoubleThe present invention relates to a printing apparatus in which several units are connected.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Conventionally, when creating a card-like recording medium such as a credit card, cash card, license card, ID card, etc., a desired image / character is recorded by thermal transfer to the recording medium via a thermal transfer film. A thermal transfer type printing apparatus is used. As this type of printing apparatus, a direct transfer type printing apparatus that directly transfers images, characters, and the like to a recording medium via a thermal transfer film is known (for example, see Patent Document 1). Although this method has the advantage that a high-quality image can be obtained by using the heat sublimation ink and has excellent gradation expression by the ink characteristics, this ink is applied to the surface of the recording medium to which the image is transferred. Since the receiving layer to receive is essential, the recording medium is limited, or it is necessary to form the receiving layer on the surface of the recording medium, and moreover, like an IC card whose use range is expanding in recent years, In a card-type recording medium in which an IC chip or an antenna is embedded, irregularities are generated on the surface by these elements embedded in the inside, and there are problems such as hindering image transfer onto the irregular surface.
[0003]
In addition, a so-called indirect transfer type printing apparatus is also known as a thermal transfer type printing apparatus of the same type, in which an image is once formed on an intermediate transfer medium, and then this image is retransferred to a transfer medium as a recording medium ( For example, see Patent Document 2 and Patent Document 3). According to this method, it is possible to improve the problems such as limitation of the recording medium related to the receiving layer and defects at the time of image transfer to the uneven surface of the recording medium, which were regarded as defects in the direct transfer method, On the other hand, there is an advantage that full surface printing on a card-like recording medium can be easily performed compared with the direct transfer method, but it is necessary to use an intermediate transfer medium. In addition, there is a disadvantage that the processing time required for printing is excessive, and there is a disadvantage that even on the card design, the entire surface needs to be printed, but the back side is printed and displayed on the card, etc. Since there are many cases, both types have advantages and disadvantages, such as few cases that require full printing.
[0004]
In the indirect transfer type printing apparatus described above, a film-like intermediate transfer medium is usually used, and this film-like intermediate transfer medium is used as a consumable like the heat transfer film coated with heat sublimable or heat-meltable ink. However, in Patent Document 2 described above, the film-like intermediate transfer medium (intermediate recording medium) is arranged in the first unit or the second unit, and both units are parallel to each other. A configuration in which a slide member that is combined and separated is disclosed is disclosed, and when replacing consumables such as an intermediate transfer medium, both units are separated. Further, Patent Document 3 described above discloses a configuration in which an intermediate transfer medium is housed in a cassette structure and the cassette is mounted in the apparatus at the time of replacement.
[0005]
[Patent Document 1]
JP-A-11-147348
[Patent Document 2]
Japanese Patent No. 2870573
[Patent Document 3]
JP 2001-276731 A
[0006]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in Patent Document 2 described above, even if replacement of consumables such as an intermediate transfer medium can be easily performed with the above configuration, maintenance of various parts in the apparatus is performed, or the apparatus When an operator tries to remove a recording medium that has caused a malfunction such as a conveyance failure in the machine, when the operator accesses the machine, other components inside the machine and the machine frame are obstructed, making handling difficult. The workability was poor. This is the same in the above-mentioned Patent Document 3, and even if the main body upper cover is opened and the ink ribbon cassette and the intermediate transfer film cassette are removed, the access to the inside of the apparatus by the operator and the work efficiency thereof are as follows. It was low. Further, Patent Document 1 discloses a configuration in which the lid is opened, but has a similar problem.
[0007]
  In view of the above-mentioned case, the present invention facilitates replacement work of consumables and the like, and improves the accessibility to the components inside the fuselage and the release of malfunctions.StampAn object is to provide a printing apparatus.
[0012]
[Means for solving the problem]
  To solve the above problems, This departureTomorrowIn a printing device in which a plurality of units are connected, SolidA fixedly arranged first unit;The first block and the second block that can be divided vertically, and the first block located on the upper side is pivotally supported with respect to the second block located on the lower side,For the first unitslideA separable second unit,The first unit includes image forming means for forming an image on a film-shaped transfer medium, and the first block includes a platen roller disposed facing the image forming means, the first unit, and the first unit. Formed on the film-shaped transfer medium that is disposed opposite to the second block at the position opposed to the two blocks and is exchangeably disposed along the edge of the first block. An image transfer means for transferring the recorded image to the recording medium, and a protrusion disposed near the platen roller and projecting on the first unit side to be engaged with the image forming means. And having a part,It is characterized by that.
[0013]
  In the present inventionIs, ManipulationThe author separates the second unit from the first unit, and rotates the first block on which the platen roller and the image transfer means are disposed with respect to the second block, thereby opening the inside of the printing apparatus, Transfer mediumthe body'sEasy replacementR, Access to the maintenance of the components inside the first and second units and the release of malfunctions such as defective conveyance of the recording medium is improved.In addition, since the protrusion is provided in the vicinity of the platen roller, the connection between the first unit and the second unit can be stabilized, and the thermal head and the platen roller can be positioned reliably..
[0014]
  The present inventionInThe engaging portion includes a guide shaft in the first unit and a groove portion that engages with the guide shaft.Preferably.
[0017]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
In the following, an embodiment in which the present invention is applied to a printing apparatus capable of direct transfer and indirect transfer will be described with reference to the drawings.
[0018]
(Constitution)
As shown in FIG. 1, the printing apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment includes a first unit 10 that is fixedly arranged on an installation surface, and a second unit 20 that can be separated from the first unit 10. .
[0019]
<Printing mechanism>
The first unit 10 is positioned on one side surface of the first unit 10 and accommodates a plurality of blank cards C before being printed and stacked. The kick rollers 31 feed and feed the stacked cards C one by one from the bottom side. The card supply unit 3 having a card, the cleaning unit 4 composed of two pairs of low hardness rollers for cleaning both surfaces of the card C fed out from the card supply unit 3, and the second unit 20 side are not shown in the figure. The rotatable first card reversing unit 5 that delivers the card C to and from the magnetic encoder (or IC encoder) and delivers the card C to and from the second card reversing unit 6 disposed above. And have. The card supply unit 3, the cleaning unit 4 and the first card reversing unit 5 are disposed on a substantially horizontal card supply path P0.
[0020]
The first unit 10 exchanges the card C delivered from the first card reversing unit 5 with the image forming unit 8 and also an image transfer unit arranged in the second unit 20 as will be described later. A rotatable second card reversing unit 6 for feeding the card C to the card 9 and a pair of capstan rollers 16 and 17 for transporting the card C by reciprocating when forming an image directly on the card C (at the time of direct transfer). And have. The image forming unit 8 forms an image on the card C or the intermediate transfer film F via the ink ribbon R coated with Y (yellow), M (magenta), and C (cyan) inks in the surface order. The ink ribbon R is stretched from the ink ribbon supply unit 14 to the ink ribbon take-up unit 15 through a plurality of guide pins and guide rollers. The second card reversing unit 6 and the capstan roller pairs 16 and 17 are arranged on a substantially vertical first transport path P1 for transporting the card C toward or away from the thermal head 7. The first transport path P1 intersects the card transport path P0 described above at the approximate center of the first card reversing unit 5 and is located on the second unit 20 side.
[0021]
The second unit 20 is configured to be vertically split by a first block 21 located on the upper side and a second block 22 located on the lower side.
[0022]
The first block 21 includes an image transfer unit 9 having a function of transferring an image formed on the intermediate transfer film F to the card C and having a heat roller 26 as an image transfer unit incorporating a heating element such as a halogen lamp. The intermediate transfer film supply section 24 that winds and holds the film portion (unused portion) on which the image of the intermediate transfer film F is not formed, and the used film portion (used portion) on which the image is transferred An intermediate transfer film take-up portion 25 is provided. The first block 21 is disposed so as to protrude toward the first unit 10 so as to face the thermal head 7, and supports the card C during direct transfer and conveys the intermediate transfer film F in a predetermined direction during indirect transfer. The platen roller 23 has a projecting portion 72 that protrudes toward the first unit 10 and has a groove 74 (see FIG. 2) that engages with the guide shaft 73 in the first unit 10.
[0023]
The heat roller 26 is configured to be movable (up and down) in the vertical direction by a cam structure (not shown). Further, in the first block 21, the intermediate transfer film F is supplied from the intermediate transfer film supply unit 24 and cooperates with the film transport roller 48, the platen roller 23, and the plurality of driven rollers to form the intermediate transfer film F. An intermediate transfer film conveyance path for winding by the intermediate transfer film winding unit 25 via the back tension roller 49 for applying reverse tension and the image transfer unit 9 is formed.
[0024]
At the upper position of the second block 22, a second conveyance path for intersecting the first conveyance path P <b> 1 at the approximate center of the second card reversing unit 6 in the first unit 10 and conveying the card C in a substantially horizontal direction. P2 is formed. The image transfer unit 9 is provided with a platen roller 27 that faces the heat roller 26 and sandwiches the intermediate transfer film F via the second conveyance path P2 when the heat roller 26 is lowered. The card C is received from the second card reversing unit 6 in the first unit 10, and the card C is placed in the direction toward the heat roller 26 or away from the heat roller 26, that is, the card C with respect to the heat roller 26. A pair of capstan rollers 41, 42, 43 as conveying means (part) for reciprocally moving, a roller 45 for correcting warpage of the card C on which an image is transferred from the intermediate transfer film F by the heat roller 26, A decurling roller pair 46 and a discharging roller pair 44 for discharging the card C that has been printed are disposed.
[0025]
The roller 45 constituting the decurling roller pair is allowed to move from the card conveying position shown in FIG. 1 to the abutting position where it abuts on the roller 46 above the second conveying path P2 by a cam mechanism (not shown). In order to relieve the pressing force against the card C by the raised roller 45 (located at the contact position), an elastic body (spring) (not shown) is wound around the rotation shaft of the roller 46. Further, the platen roller 27 is connected to the drive roller side (lower roller) of the capstan roller pair 41, 42, 43 by a drive mechanism (not shown) and rotates to constitute a part of the conveying means. The drive roller side (lower roller) of the discharge roller pair 44 is also driven and connected to the capstan roller pair 41 and the like by a drive mechanism. A discharge stacker serving as a discharge unit for storing the card C discharged from the discharge port formed in the second block 22 after the printing process is completed on the side surface of the second block 22 and below the second transport path P2. 47 is arranged.
[0026]
As shown in FIG. 1, image formation (printing) is performed on the card C to the intermediate transfer film F by the thermal head 7 in a state where the first unit 10 and the second unit 20 are connected. At this time, the platen roller 23 is disposed to face the thermal head 7 so as to enter the first unit 10 and sandwich the first transport path P1. Further, a platen nip roller 28 rotatably disposed in the first unit 10 is brought into contact with the platen roller 23 via the intermediate transfer film F, and the intermediate transfer film F is nipped between the platen nip roller 28 and the platen roller 23. Thus, the conveyance accuracy of the intermediate transfer film F is improved.
[0027]
<Opening and closing mechanism>
As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the first unit 10 is provided with lock members 50 and 51 for securing a connection state with the second unit 20 in the vertical position. These two lock members 50 and 51 are connected by a link member 52 extending in the vertical direction of the first unit 10. The lock member 50 is screwed and fixed to a part of a lock release lever 55 whose mounting shaft 53 is screwed at one end 54 of the link member 52. For this reason, when the lock release lever 55 is pushed down, the lock member 50 is lowered downward integrally with the downward movement of the lock release lever 55. A torsion coil spring 56 is fixed to the mounting shaft 53 of the lock member 50, and the lock member 50 is always urged upward so as to maintain the locked state with the second unit 20 (first block 21). Yes. The lock member 50 urged upward by the torsion coil spring 56 is engaged so that the projection 57 at the tip of the lock member 50 is hooked on the shaft 70 fixed to the upper portion of the first block 21, and the locked state of both is secured. Is done.
[0028]
On the other hand, the lock member 51 is screwed and fixed to a part of the mounting member 65 whose mounting shaft 63 is screwed at the other end 64 of the link member 52. Therefore, when the lock release lever 55 is pushed down, the lock member 51 is lowered together with the lock member 50 integrally with the downward movement of the lock release lever 55. A torsion coil spring 66 is also fixed to the mounting shaft 63 of the lock member 51, and the lock member 51 is always urged upward so as to secure a locked state with the second unit 20 (second block 22). Yes. The lock member 51 urged upward by the torsion coil spring 66 is engaged so that the projection 67 at the tip end is hooked on the shaft 71 fixed on the second block 22 side, like the lock member 50. The locked state is secured.
[0029]
When the lock release lever 55 is pushed downward due to the connecting structure of the lock members 50 and 51 and the link member 52, the lock member 50 fixed on the same axis (attachment shaft 53) also moves downward with the attachment shaft 53 as the rotation center. While rotating, the link member 52 rises, and the lock member 51 connected to the link member 52 via the mounting member 65 also rotates integrally downward with the mounting shaft 63 as the center of rotation. 2 shows a state in which the lock release lever 55 is pushed downward (a state in which the protrusions 57 and 67 of the lock members 50 and 51 are directed downward), but as described above, the torsion coil spring 56 is shown. 66, the projections 57 and 58 are always urged upward so as to face upward (the same applies to FIG. 3 described later).
[0030]
An abutting member 77 urged toward the first unit 10 by springs 75 and 76 is disposed on the uppermost part of the second unit 20 (first block 21). The abutting members 77 are configured as a pair (two) in the depth direction of the paper surface of FIG. 1, and when connecting the first unit 10 and the second unit 20, an elastic member such as rubber disposed at the tip portion thereof is used. Via the first unit 10.
[0031]
A side plate 80 that covers the bottom surface portion of the first unit 10 and continues to the second unit 20 is disposed below the first unit 10. The side plate 80 has a rising surface continuous from the bottom surface portion. The rising surface has a predetermined length along the width direction of the second unit 20, and the second unit 20 is separated from the first unit 10. A rail guide member 81 that allows (slide) movement is provided. In addition, a rail member 82 provided so as to be fitted into the rail guide member 81 is disposed at a lower portion of the second block 22 so as to have a predetermined length, and the second unit 20 is attached to the first unit 10. On the other hand, it is configured to be slidable (detachable). Note that a plurality of bearings (not shown) are interposed as part of the rail member 82 between the rail guide member 81 and the rail member 82.
[0032]
A substantially L-shaped locking member 83 having a stopper function for locking and positioning the second unit 20 at a predetermined position is disposed on the lower side of the second block 22. The locking member 83 can move in the vertical direction along the elongated hole 85, and is always urged downward by a spring 86 provided in a part of the locking member 83. One side of the locking member 83 is formed in a protruding shape, and the protruding portion 84 is a hole formed in a part of the horizontal plane 88 that is folded back from the rising surface of the side plate 80 by the biasing force of the spring 86. As a result, the second unit 20 is locked at a predetermined position. Further, the locking member 83 has, on the other side, a second unit locking release lever portion 87 that protrudes toward the first unit 10 and functions as a lever accessible by the operator.
[0033]
As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the first block 21 is connected to the second block 22 located on the lower side by a shaft 90 via an attachment member (not shown). That is, the first block 21 is provided at the discharge side end of the card C of the second unit 20 (the side of the printing apparatus 1 configured when the first unit 10 and the second unit 20 are connected). The shaft 90 is configured to be rotatable with respect to the second block 22 with the shaft center (rotation fulcrum).
[0034]
A torsion coil spring that urges the first block 21 in the direction of rotating the second block 22 with respect to the second block 22 (the direction of the arrow b in FIG. 3) near both ends of the shaft 90 (the depth direction in FIGS. 1 to 3). 91 is disposed. Both end portions of the shaft 90 are attached to a cover member 92 whose one end (upper side shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 / left side shown in FIG. 3) is screwed to the first block 21. The cover member 92 rotates together with the first block 21, and when the first block 21 is opened (see FIG. 3), the cover member 92 is positioned on one side of the torsion coil spring 91 (on the second block 22 side). The cover side is covered with the cover member 92. The first block 21 is regulated by one side surface of the cover member 92 coming into contact with one side surface of a mounting member (not shown) interposed between the first block 21 and the second block 22. Rotation in a direction (arrow b to arrow c in FIG. 3) that opens or closes in an arc shape at an angle of 90 ° is allowed.
[0035]
In FIG. 3, the intermediate transfer film supply unit 24 is moved to the outside by a mechanism that is not shown, and a state at the time of attachment / detachment such as replacement of the intermediate transfer film F is shown. In the drawing, the position of the intermediate transfer film supply unit 24 indicated by a two-dot chain line is the position during the printing process operation (see also FIG. 1).
[0036]
In addition, the printing apparatus 1 includes a power supply unit that converts commercial AC power supply to DC power supply, a control unit that controls the entire printing apparatus 1, and an operation instruction to the control unit by an operation of the operator and the status of the printing apparatus 1. It has a touch panel to display. The control unit controls the position of the display operation control unit that controls display on the touch panel and operation commands via the external bus, and the posture position of the first card reversing unit 5 and the second card reversing unit. A sensor control unit for controlling a signal from a sensor to be detected, a motor driver for sending a drive pulse to a pulse motor for driving each roller, an actuator control unit for controlling an electromagnetic clutch, etc., a thermal head control unit for controlling the thermal head 7, An input / output interface for communicating with an external computer, a RAM for storing image information to be printed on the card C, and the like are connected.
[0037]
(Operation)
Next, the operation of the printing apparatus 1 of the present embodiment will be described in the order of the print processing operation and the opening / closing operation.
[0038]
<Print processing operation>
As shown in FIG. 1, the print processing operation by the printing apparatus 1 of the present embodiment is executed in a state where the first unit 10 and the second unit 20 are connected. When receiving a print command from an external computer, the control unit described above drives or operates each component of the printing apparatus 1 according to a program stored in advance.
[0039]
The card C located at the bottom of the card supply unit 3 is fed out to the card supply path P0 by the kick roller 31. The drawn card C is cleaned on both sides by the cleaning unit 4 and arranged in the horizontal direction (solid line position in FIG. 1). The second block 22 on the extension line of the card supply path P0 via the first card reversing unit 5 is arranged. It is conveyed to a magnetic encoder (or IC encoder) arranged inside. In the magnetic encoder, verification information such as ID is magnetically recorded on the magnetic stripe on the back side of the card C. After the magnetic recording, the card C is sandwiched between the roller pairs at both ends of the first card reversing unit 5 on the extension line of the card supply path P0. It is conveyed in the reverse direction until it is done. When the card C is an IC card, predetermined information is stored in the storage unit of the IC card in a non-contact manner by the IC encoder instead of the magnetic encoder.
[0040]
The card C is positioned on the first transport path P1 by rotating 90 ° while being sandwiched by the first card reversing unit 5 (the two-dot chain line position in FIG. 1). At this time, the second card reversing unit 6 is also positioned on the first transport path P1. The card C is transferred from the first card reversing unit 5 to the second card reversing unit 6 by the rotation of the roller pair of the first card reversing unit 5 and the second card reversing unit 6, and the card C is transferred along the first transport path P1. Further, it is conveyed to the capstan roller pair 16 side.
[0041]
The control unit sends heating information obtained by converting print data for each YMC into heat energy in accordance with image information stored in advance in the RAM, to the thermal head control unit. Each element of the thermal head 7 is heated according to this heating information. The front side of the card C is supported by the platen roller 23, and the back surface of the card C is overlapped by overlapping the images formed by heating the ink ribbon R by the thermal head 7 for each YMC by the reciprocating motion of the capstan roller pairs 16 and 17. An image is formed on the side (direct transfer).
[0042]
The card C on which the image is formed on the back side is conveyed on the first conveyance path P1 until it is nipped by the roller pairs at both ends of the second card reversing unit 6, and is further nipped by the second card reversing unit 6. By rotating 90 °, the surface is positioned on the second transport path P2 with the upper side (the solid line position in FIG. 1), and in this state, the process waits until an image is formed on the intermediate transfer film F.
[0043]
An image is formed on the intermediate transfer film F by being supported by the platen roller 23 and heating the ink ribbon R with the thermal head 7 for each YMC. The thermal energy applied to the thermal head 7 during image formation on the intermediate transfer film F is smaller than the specific heat of the card C because the specific heat of the intermediate transfer film F is smaller than that of the card C. 7 is controlled so as to be smaller than the heat energy given to 7. The intermediate transfer film F is different from the direct transfer in that a mirror image is formed.
[0044]
The image forming portion of the intermediate transfer film F is conveyed through the intermediate transfer film conveyance path described above to the vicinity of the intermediate transfer film winding unit 25 beyond the position of the heat roller 26. In synchronization with this, the card C held by the second card reversing unit 6 is moved on the second conveyance path P2 by the roller 45, the platen roller 27, and the capstan roller pairs 41, 42, 43 located at the card conveyance position. The leading end in the transport direction is transported to the vicinity of the discharge roller pair 44. The intermediate transfer film F and the card C are temporarily stopped at these positions. At this time, the heat roller 26 is lowered by a cam mechanism (not shown) and comes into contact with the platen roller 27 via the image forming portion of the intermediate transfer film F and one end portion side of the card C. The card C is transported at a predetermined speed on the second transport path P2 toward the second card reversing unit 6 by the reverse drive of the platen roller 27, the capstan roller pair 41, 42, 43, and the roller 45. In synchronism, the image forming portion of the intermediate transfer film F is also rewound on the intermediate transfer film transport path at the same transport speed as the card C. As a result, the image of the image forming portion of the intermediate transfer film F is transferred to the card C (indirect transfer). When this indirect transfer is completed, the heat roller 26 is raised to the position indicated by the solid line in FIG. 1 by a cam mechanism (not shown).
[0045]
The card C is further transported to the second card reversing part 6 side on the second transport path P2 to a position where both sides are sandwiched between the capstan roller pairs 41 and 42 and stopped. In the image transfer unit 9, the image transfer process to the card C is performed by the heat roller 26 in the rewind direction of the intermediate transfer film F, so that the heat of the intermediate transfer film including the image forming portion transferred to the card C Due to the contraction, a concave warp occurs in the card C itself. The warp generated in the card C is corrected by moving the roller 45 from the card conveying position to a contact position that contacts the roller 46 by a cam mechanism (not shown) and maintaining this state for a predetermined time (decal processing). During this time, in order to prepare for image formation by the thermal head 7 for the next card, the intermediate transfer film F is further rewound to the intermediate transfer film supply unit 24 side.
[0046]
When the decurling process is completed, the capstan roller pair 41, 42, 43, the roller 45, the platen roller 27, and the discharge roller 44 are rotationally driven, and the card C is transported on the second transport path P2 and discharged through the discharge port. It is accommodated in the stacker 47. At this time, the first card reversing unit 5 and the second card reversing unit 6 are positioned at the initial positions. In FIG. 1, the initial position of the first card reversing unit 5 is indicated by a solid line, and the initial position of the second card reversing unit 6 is indicated by a two-dot chain line.
[0047]
<Opening and closing operation>
In the state shown in FIG. 1, when the operator pushes down the lock release lever 55 downward, the lock members 50 and 51 are released from the engaged state with the shafts 70 and 71, and the first unit 10 and the second unit are released. The connection state with 20 is released (connection fixed state release step). Due to the urging force of the springs 75, 76, the second unit 20 slightly slides in the separating direction away from the fixedly arranged first unit 10. When the operator still slides the second unit 20 in the separation direction (the direction of arrow a shown in FIG. 2) as the first horizontal direction, the second unit 20 is in a locked (stopped) state at a predetermined position. (Separation step). That is, in a state where the first unit 10 and the second unit 20 are coupled, the protrusion 84 of the locking member 83 is positioned in contact with the horizontal plane 88 that is folded back from the rising surface of the side plate 80. (See FIG. 1), and slides on the horizontal plane 88 of the side plate 80 as the second unit 20 slides (in the direction of arrow a in FIG. 2). When the protrusion 84 reaches the position opposed to the hole formed in a part of the horizontal surface 88 of the side plate 80 by this sliding, the protrusion 84 falls into this hole by the biasing force of the spring 86, and the second unit 20 is locked (see FIG. 2).
[0048]
At this time, the operator can access the first transport path P1 in the first unit 10 and, for example, remove the card C that has caused a defect such as a transport failure on the first transport path P1. Can do. Further, it is possible to access various components (for example, the platen roller 23) disposed near the end where the first unit 10 and the second unit 20 face each other.
[0049]
Next, the operator grips a handle portion (not shown) attached to the upper part of the second unit 20, and moves the first block 21 with respect to the second block 22 on the lower side in the arc direction indicated by the arrow b in FIG. By rotating approximately 90 ° in the first arc direction (opening step), the space between the first block 21 and the second block 22 is opened. As a result, the inside of the printing apparatus 1 is opened, and the replacement work of the intermediate transfer film F as a consumable can be easily performed. In addition, various components inside the printing apparatus 1, the first transport path P1, and the first The operator's access to the removal of the card C that has caused a defect such as a conveyance failure on the two conveyance path P2 is simplified.
[0050]
The closing operation of the printing apparatus 1 is performed by performing the above operations in reverse. An operator holds a handle portion (not shown) of the second unit 20 and moves the first block 21 in the arc direction (second arc direction) indicated by an arrow c in FIG. 3 with respect to the second block 22 on the lower side. By rotating approximately 90 °, the space between the first block 21 and the second block 22 is closed (closing process). As a result, the printing apparatus 1 is in the state shown in FIG.
[0051]
Next, the operator lifts the second unit locking release lever portion 87 of the locking member 83 upward, and retracts the protrusion 84 of the locking member 83 from the hole formed on the horizontal plane 88 of the side plate 80. Thus, the locked state of the second unit 20 with respect to the first unit 10 is released (separated fixed state releasing step). Next, the operator pushes the second unit 20 in the abutting direction (direction of arrow d in FIG. 2) as the second horizontal direction opposite to the direction away from the first unit 10. The groove portions 74 of the 20 projecting portions 72 are engaged so as to be fitted into the guide shaft 73 provided in the first unit 10, and the lock members 50, 51 (projection portions 57, 57 provided on the first unit 10 side). 67) is engaged with the shafts 70 and 71 on the second unit 20 side so that the first unit 10 and the second unit are connected (connection process), and the closing operation of the body of the printing apparatus 1 is completed ( The state of FIG.
[0052]
(Action etc.)
In the printing apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment, the operator moves the first transport path P1 or the first unit in the first unit 10 in a state where the second unit 20 is separated from the first unit 10 (see FIG. 2). 10 and the second unit 20 can be accessed to various parts near the end where the two units 20 face each other, and the troubles in the first transport path P1 can be resolved and the members disposed in the vicinity of the first transport path P1. Maintenance and repair can be performed. Further, in the state in which the inside of the printing apparatus 1 is opened (see FIG. 3), the intermediate transfer film F is disposed along the edge of the first block 21, so that the replacement work can be performed very easily. In addition, it is possible to release various components inside the printing apparatus 1 and the problems on the second transport path P2 (and the first transport path P1), and to maintain and repair each member in the second unit 20. In particular, since the first transport path P1 is formed substantially vertically on the second unit 20 side of the first unit 10 and the second transport path P2 is formed substantially horizontally on the first block 21 side of the second block 22, Access to each member can be improved during repair.
[0053]
In the printing apparatus 1 of the present embodiment, the protrusion 84 of the locking member 83 falls into a hole formed in a part of the horizontal plane 88 of the side plate 80, and the second unit 20 is separated from the first unit 10. Therefore, the operator can safely remove the card C and access various parts near the end where the first unit 10 and the second unit 20 face each other. The opening operation of one block 21 can be performed stably.
[0054]
Further, in the printing apparatus 1 of the present embodiment, the rail guide member 81 and the slidable rail member 82 are provided on the lower side of the second block 22, and a plurality of bearings are disposed on the rail member 82 side therebetween. The smooth slide movement of the second unit 20 is allowed, and the workability associated with the separation of the second unit 20 by the operator is improved.
[0055]
Furthermore, in the printing apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment, the shaft 90 serving as the pivot point of the first block 21 is disposed on the second unit 20 side farthest from the first unit 10, so that the first block 21 is the first unit. Since the printing apparatus 1 can be opened by rotating in a direction away from 10, there is no trouble that obstructs the movement of the operator without disturbing the operator.
[0056]
Furthermore, in the printing apparatus 1 of the present embodiment, the first unit 10 and the second unit 20 are locked at two positions, upper and lower, by locking by the protrusion 57 and the shaft 70 and by locking by the protrusion 67 and the shaft 71. The connection between the first unit 10 and the second unit 20 can be ensured, and the lock members 50 and 51 arranged via the mounting shafts 53 and 63 are connected by the link member 52, so the lock release lever 55 is pushed down. It is possible to perform unlocking at two locations, upper and lower, in one operation, and it is possible to reduce the effort required for unlocking.
[0057]
In the printing apparatus 1 of the present embodiment, the capstan roller pair 41, 42, 43, the roller 45, and the platen roller 27 both move the card C in the direction toward the heat roller 26 on the second transport path P2 and away from the heat roller 26. Therefore, the transfer of the image forming portion of the intermediate transfer film F onto the card C by the heat roller 26 is performed in the direction of the second card reversing unit 6. As a result, the unused portion of the intermediate transfer film F does not come into contact with the heat roller 26, and the used portion can be prevented from coming into contact with the heat roller 26, and deterioration of the unused portion can be prevented. Further, since it can be conveyed in both directions, the concave shape generated on the card C due to the thermal contraction of the intermediate transfer film by the decal roller pair (rollers 45 and 46) while the both sides of the card C are sandwiched between the capstan roller pairs 41 and 42. The warp can be corrected, and the quality of the card C stored in the discharge stacker 47 after the printing process is completed can be improved.
[0058]
Furthermore, in the printing apparatus 1 of the present embodiment, since the protruding portion 72 protruding toward the first unit 10 is formed near the platen roller 23 of the second unit 20, the guide shaft 73 provided in the first unit 10. The first unit 10 and the second unit 20 can be stabilized by engaging so that the groove portion 74 of the protruding portion 72 is fitted to the projection portion 72, and the opposing arrangement of the thermal head 7 and the platen roller 23 is ensured. be able to.
[0059]
In the printing apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment, the abutting member 77 urged toward the first unit 10 by the springs 75 and 76 is provided at the uppermost portion of the second unit 20. The engagement state between the lock member 50 and the shaft 70 and the engagement state between the lock member 51 and the shaft 71 at the time of connection with the two units 20 can be stabilized with an appropriate biasing force, and the lock release lever 55 When the first unit 10 and the second unit 20 are separated due to the release of the lock function of the lock members 50 and 51 by being pushed downward, the repulsive force of the springs 75 and 76 can smoothly promote the separation between the two units. .
[0060]
Furthermore, in the printing apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment, since the discharge stacker 47 is disposed on the side surface side of the second block 22 below the second transport path P2, the first block 21 is rotated when the first block 21 is rotated. 21 does not come into contact with the discharge stacker 47 and does not obstruct the rotating operation.
[0061]
In the present embodiment, the example in which the printing apparatus 1 is fixed and arranged on the installation surface is shown, but the present invention is not limited to this, and for example, the printing apparatus 1 is arranged on the installation surface by a caster having a stopper function. May be. That is, the term “fixed arrangement” in the present invention means that the first unit only needs to be relatively fixedly arranged when viewed from the second unit side.
[0062]
In the present embodiment, an example in which a magnetic encoder (or non-contact IC encoder) is arranged in the second block 22 has been described. However, a card C on which verification information has been magnetically recorded or stored is stored in the card supply unit 3. If stacked and accommodated, the magnetic encoder (or IC encoder) and the first card reversing unit 5 become unnecessary, and the second conveyance path P2 is extended with the second card reversing unit 6 in the first unit 10 as a reference. The card supply unit 3 and the cleaning unit 4 can be disposed on the line. In this way, the size of the printing apparatus 1 can be reduced. Furthermore, in the present embodiment, the initial positions of the first card reversing unit 5 and the second card reversing unit 6 are intentionally different from the viewpoint of accessibility to the first transport path P1 and the second transport path P2. Although an example is shown, the initial position may be the same, or both may be driven in synchronization. In this way, it is possible to reduce the number of drive system and drive transmission system members for the first card reversing unit 5 and the second card reversing unit 6.
[0063]
Furthermore, in the present embodiment, an example is shown in which direct transfer is performed on the back side of the card C and indirect transfer is performed on the front side of the card C in the print processing operation. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and Since the rollers or the like on the transport path P2 can transport the card C bidirectionally, direct transfer or indirect transfer can be performed on both sides of the card C. In the present embodiment, an example in which a printing process is serially performed on one card C has been described. However, since the printing apparatus 1 includes the first card reversing unit 5 and the second card reversing unit 6, 2 It is possible to perform a printing process on more than one card C. Furthermore, in this embodiment, although the case where the thermal head 7 and the platen roller 23 arranged so as to face the thermal head 7 is exemplified, a plurality of these may be provided. In this way, the printing processing speed for one card C can be increased.
[0064]
【The invention's effect】
  As described above, according to the present invention, the interior of the fuselage is opened by separating the second unit with respect to the first unit and rotating the first block with respect to the second block. Replacement work becomes easierR, Improving the accessibility to the components inside the fuselage and the resolution of malfunctionsIn addition, since the protrusion is provided in the vicinity of the platen roller, the connection between the first unit and the second unit can be stabilized, and the thermal head and the platen roller can be positioned reliably.The effect that can be obtained.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a front view showing a state where an exterior cover is removed when a first unit and a second unit of a printing apparatus according to an embodiment to which the present invention is applicable are in a connected state.
FIG. 2 is a front view of the printing apparatus according to the embodiment in a state where an outer cover is removed when the first unit and the second unit are separated from each other.
FIG. 3 shows an outer cover of the printing apparatus according to the embodiment when the first unit and the second unit are in a separated state and in an opened state in which the first block is rotated with respect to the second block; It is a front view in the state made.
[Explanation of symbols]
  1 Printing device
10 First unit
20 Second unit
21 1st block
22 Second block
23 Platen LoLa
26 Heat roller (image forming means)
72 Protrusion
73 Guide shaft
74 Groove (part of the engaging part)
  F Intermediate transfer film (FilmTransfer media)

Claims (2)

In a printing apparatus in which a plurality of units are connected,
A first unit which is fixed arrangement,
The first block is composed of first and second blocks which can be divided into upper and lower parts, and the first block located on the upper side is pivotally supported with respect to the second block located on the lower side, A second unit that is slidable and
With
The first unit has image forming means for forming an image on a film-like transfer medium,
The first block is:
A platen roller disposed opposite to the image forming unit;
The film-like transfer medium disposed so as to be replaceable along the edge of the first block at a position facing the first unit and the second block;
An image transfer means for transferring an image formed on the film-shaped transfer medium that is disposed opposite to the second block to the recording medium;
A projecting portion that is disposed in the vicinity of the platen roller and that projects from the first unit and has an engaging portion that engages with the image forming unit.
A printing apparatus characterized by that. 2. The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the engaging portion includes a guide shaft in the first unit and a groove portion that engages with the guide shaft.

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