JPH01168474A - Thermal transfer recorder - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To enhance operability in maintaining a thermal head, in removing a jammed paper or in other similar operation, by a construction wherein a support member for a thermal head and an oscillating means can be engaged with and separated from each other, and the support member can be oscillated. CONSTITUTION:In the condition where a cover 3 can be opened and closed, a pin 7 can be engaged with an separated from an opening part 23 of a cam 8. Therefore, a head arm 6 can be oscillated on an oscillating shaft 5 together with the cover 3. Namely, when the cover 3 is opened by releasing a lock mechanism, a stopper 21 provided on a cover arm 4 is brought into contact with a lock pawl 20, whereby the head arm 6 is lifted upward. The pin 7 is separated from the opening part 23, and a thermal head 11 is lifted upward in conjunction with the cover 3. Therefore, replacement of an ink paper, maintenance of the thermal head 11 or the like can be performed.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Field of Industrial Application] The present invention relates to a thermal transfer recording device, and more particularly to a thermal transfer recording device suitable for overlapping recording of a plurality of colors.

[Conventional technology]

Thermal transfer type recording devices are small and have low noise, so they have come to be widely used for recording output in various information processing devices.

As a conventional device of this kind, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 60-17807
There is one described in Publication No. 7.

This device forms a color image by transferring color material from a thermal transfer ribbon onto paper using a platen and a thermal head that approaches and separates from the platen.

As for the operation of this apparatus, a thermal head presses a sheet of paper and an ink ribbon of the first color against a platen, and recording is performed as the platen rotates. After the recording of the first color is completed, the thermal head is moved away from the platen by the contact/separation means and the paper is returned to the recording start position, and then the thermal head sequentially presses against the platen to record a predetermined number of colors. . A link mechanism is used to connect and separate the thermal head.

It is composed of a spring and a solenoid, and the thermal head is brought into contact and separated by turning the solenoid on and off.

This device has the advantage that if a paper jam occurs for some reason during recording, the thermal head is automatically separated from the platen by turning off the power to the device, making it possible to remove the jammed paper. However, it is necessary to separate the thermal head from the platen when returning the paper during recording.

The amount of movement is only about 1 to 21, which also has the advantage of saving extra space.

However, the approach and separation mechanism of the thermal head is.

Since it cannot be easily removed, the amount of movement of the thermal head is limited. For this reason, there is a problem that maintenance of the thermal head is difficult to perform.

Additionally, the position of the thermal head is regulated, so if a paper jam occurs, your hand may come into contact with the thermal head when you try to remove the paper, which poses a safety issue. .

[Problem that the invention seeks to solve]

In the above-mentioned conventional technology, since the means for moving the thermal head toward and away from the platen is fixed, the movement and position of the thermal head are restricted. Therefore, there have been problems with ease of operation and safety when maintaining the thermal head.

The purpose of the present invention is to solve the problems of the prior art described above,
An object of the present invention is to provide a thermal transfer recording device suitable for recording image information.

[Means for solving problems]

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides an opening in a part of a swinging means for swinging a support member that supports the thermal head for pressure-bonding the thermal head to a platen, so that the engagement and separation thereof is facilitated. In addition, the support member is provided with a swing shaft so that it can swing together with the lid, and is spaced apart from the swing means except during recording.

[For production]

The supporting member of the thermal head and the swinging means are structured so that they can be engaged with and separated from each other, and the supporting member is structured to be able to swing.As the supporting member is separated from the swinging member as the lid is opened and closed, thermal Improves operability such as head maintenance and paper removal when paper jams occur.

Further, during recording, the support member engages with the swinging means and generates a pressing force, so that the thermal head can be biased against the platen during recording.

〔Example〕

An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

First, the outline of the thermal transfer recording device according to the present invention will be explained.

FIG. 16 is an external view of the thermal transfer recording apparatus according to the present invention, where 1 is a paper discharge port and 3 is a lid. As will be described later, when the predetermined recording is completed, the recording paper 2 is discharged from the paper discharge port 1,
Finish the entire operation.

The lid 3 can be opened and closed, but is not opened during recording as will be described later.

The present invention will be explained in detail below.

FIG. 1 is a sectional view illustrating a first embodiment of the thermal transfer recording apparatus shown in FIG. 16, and 1 is a paper discharge port.

2 is a recording paper, 3 is a lid, 4 is a lid arm, 5 is a swing shaft for the lid arm 4 and the head arm 6, 6 is a head, 7 is a bottle, 8 is a cam, and 10 is a platen roller.

11 is a thermal head, and 12 is an ink paper supply shaft.

13 is an ink paper winding shaft, 14 is an ink paper, 15 is a recording paper roll, 16, 17, 18, 19 are guide rollers, 20
is a lock claw, and 21 is a stopper.

22 is a cam swinging section.

In the figure, the lid 3 is fixed to a lid arm 4, and can be opened and closed together with the lid arm 4 about a pivot shaft 5. The lid arm 4 and the helad arm 6 share a swing shaft 5 and are swingable.

A lock claw 20 is provided at the tip of the head arm 6, and the head arm 6 is also lifted up by a stopper 21 provided on the lid arm 4 as the lid 3 is opened and closed. The head arm 6 is provided with a pink color and is engaged with the cam 8 when the lid 3 is closed. By rotating the cam in the direction of arrow A.

As will be described later, the pin 7 is pulled down, the head arm 6 swings accordingly, and the thermal pad 11 is pressed onto the platen roller 10 via a pressing means such as a spring to perform recording.

The ink paper 14 on which ink of a plurality of colors is sequentially applied is wound around an ink paper supply shaft 12, is supplied in accordance with recording, and is wound onto an ink paper winding shaft 13. Recording paper 2 is
The paper is wound around a recording paper roll 15, and is supplied sequentially in accordance with recording.

Next, the recording operation will be explained.

When the lid 3 is closed and locked by a lid locking mechanism (not shown), the pin 7 provided on the head arm 6 engages with the cam 8, making it possible to record. When the start of recording is instructed, the recording paper 2 is conveyed by guide rollers 16 and 17 and advances to the platen roller 10. When the recording paper 2 reaches the recording start position by recording start position detection means (not shown), the cam 8 rotates in the direction of arrow A and pulls down the pin 7 as described later. As a result of this operation, the head arm 6 swings about the swing shaft 5 and presses the thermal head 11 onto the platen roller 10 via a pressing means such as a spring (not shown).

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which the thermal head 11 is pressed against the platen roller 10 in FIG. 1.

When the thermal head 11 is pressed against the platen roller 10, the thermal head 11 is moved as the platen roller 10 rotates.
The heating element provided at generates heat, and recording of the first color is performed. When the recording of the first color is completed, the cam 8 rotates in the direction opposite to the arrow A, and the platen roller 1 is rotated as shown in FIG.
The thermal head 11 is spaced apart from zero. In this state, the platen roller 10 rotates in the opposite direction to that during recording, returns the recording paper 2 to the recording start position, and prepares for recording the next color. Thereafter, the cam 8 rotates in the direction of arrow A, presses the thermal pad 11 against the platen roller 10, and records the next color.

As explained above, when the recording of a predetermined number of colors is completed by the reciprocating operation, the apparatus is in the state shown in FIG. The paper 2 is cut and discharged from the paper discharge port 1 by guide rollers 18 and 19, and the operation of the apparatus is completed.

Next, the cam swinging portion 22 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 will be reviewed in detail.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged sectional view of the cam swinging section, and the same members as in FIGS. 1 and 2 are given the same numbers. others,
9 is a cam groove, and 23 is an opening.

The cam 8 is provided with a cam groove 9, which guides a pin 7 provided on the head arm 6 to swing the head arm 6 about the swing shaft 5. An opening 23 is provided in the cam groove 9 at a position corresponding to the non-recording time, and the pin 7 can be removed from the opening 23.

With the lid 3 closed, the pin 7 is engaged with the cam groove 9 through the opening 23. The cam 8 rotates in the direction of arrow A, and as the cam groove 9 changes its position on the cam 8, it swings the head arm 6 and presses the thermal head 11 against the platen roller 10. .

Figures 4(a), (b), and (c) show the cam 8 in Figure 3.
FIG.

When the lid 3 can be opened and closed, the pin 7 is inserted into the opening 23 of the cam 8.
Engagement and separation can be performed more easily. Therefore, the head arm 6 is swingable together with the lid 3 about the swing shaft 5. That is, when the locking mechanism is released and the lid 3 is opened, the stopper 21 provided on the lid arm 4 comes into contact with the lock claw 20 provided on the head arm 6, and the head arm 6 is lifted up. The pin 7 is spaced apart from the opening 23.

The thermal head 11 is lifted up in conjunction with the lid 3. Therefore, it becomes possible to replace the ink paper and maintain the thermal head 11.

FIG. 4(b) shows the recording standby state, that is, the thermal roller 11 is spaced apart from the platen roller 10, and the recording paper 2 is
is being moved to the recording start position. cam 8
rotates in the direction of arrow A, and the pin 7 is guided and engaged with the cam groove 9. Here, since the pin 7 is located within the cam groove 9, its swinging about the swing shaft 5 is restricted, and as a result, the position of the head arm 6 is restricted.

The thermal radar 11 is 1 to 2 m from the platen roller 10.
They only need to be spaced apart by about m, which has the effect of reducing the amount of movement of the thermal head 11 and saving space.

FIG. 4(c) shows the recording state, that is, the thermal head 11
is pressed against the platen roller 10 via a pressing means such as a spring (not shown), and recording is performed. cam 8
rotates in the direction of arrow A, regulating the position of pin 7,
The head arm 6 is swung.

When the recording of one color is completed, the cam 8 rotates in the direction opposite to the arrow A, and enters a recording standby state as shown in FIG. 4(b). Further, if the recording is interrupted due to a paper jam or the like, the recording is stopped by an emergency means (not shown), and the state shown in FIG. 4(a) is reached. This allows the lid 3 to be opened and closed.

As explained above, since the cam 8 and the pin 7 are configured to be able to engage and separate, the ink paper 14 can be replaced and the thermal head 11 can be maintained.

Paper jams can be easily removed, and the amount of movement of the thermal head 11 during recording can be minimized.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of a thermal transfer recording apparatus showing a second embodiment of the present invention, and the same members as in the first embodiment shown in FIG. 2 are given the same numbers. Additionally, 24 is a head swing axis.

In the figure, a head swing shaft 24 is provided on the lid arm 4 and serves as a swing shaft for the head arm 6. The head arm 6 is connected to a pin 7 provided on the helad arm 6.
The head can be swung around the head oscillating shaft 24 by the cam 8 and the cam 8. The cam 8 has three states, a state in which the lid can be opened and closed, a recording standby state, and a recording state, similar to those explained in FIG. 4 ((2), (b), and (Q)). The replacement of the ink paper 14 and the maintenance of the thermal radar 11 can be facilitated.

Regarding the configuration of other parts and recording operation, please refer to Part 1.
Since it is similar to the first embodiment shown in FIG. 2 and FIG. 2, the explanation will be omitted.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing still another specific example of the cam swinging portion 22 of the first embodiment shown in FIG. 1 and the second embodiment shown in FIG.

In FIG. 6, reference numeral 25 denotes a swing roller, which has a rotation shaft 34, is rotatable, and is provided on both sides of the support 29.

Reference numeral 26 denotes an open hole which is larger than the outer diameter of the swinging roller 25. 27
is an eccentric ring whose center of rotation is eccentric as will be described later. 28 is a guide groove that follows the rotation of the eccentric ring 27;
The swing roller 25 is guided and its position is regulated. Other members similar to those in the first and second embodiments are given the same numbers.

In the figure, when the lid 3 is closed, the head arm 6 also lowers, and the swinging roller 25 enters the inside of the eccentric ring 27 through the opening hole 26. When a recording instruction is issued, the eccentric ring 27 rotates in the direction of arrow B, and the guide groove 28 guides the swinging roller 25. The swing roller 25 rotates along the inner surface of the eccentric ring 27. Here, the swinging roller 25
Since they are provided on both sides of the support column 29, they come into contact with the eccentric ring 27 evenly. Therefore, since no bending stress is applied to the support column 29, the thermal pad 11 can be evenly pressed against the platen roller 10 in the width direction. Since the eccentric ring 27 is eccentric as will be described later, the swinging roller 25 is pulled down and the thermal head 11 is pressed onto the platen roller 10 via a pressing means such as a spring (not shown) to perform recording. The other recording operations are the same as those in the first embodiment described in FIG. 1, so the explanation will be omitted.

Next, the operation of the eccentric ring 27 shown in FIG. 6 will be explained.

FIGS. 7(, 2) and (b) are cross-sectional views of FIG. 7.

FIG. 3A shows a state in which the lid 3 can be opened and closed, and when the lid 3 is opened and closed, the head arm 6 and the swing roller 25 also move. At this time, since the eccentric ring 27 has the opening hole 26, the swinging roller 25 can freely engage and separate from the eccentric ring 27. For this reason, the above-mentioned Fig. 4 (
As explained in a), there is an advantage that the ink paper 14 can be replaced, the thermal head 11 can be easily maintained, etc.

FIG. 7(b) shows the recording state, and since the eccentric ring 27 has an axis centered on point C with an eccentric amount e and rotates around this axis, when it rotates approximately 180', the swinging roller 25 will be pulled down by approximately 2e. As a result, the head arm 6 swings, and the thermal head 11 is pressed against the platen roller 10 via a pressing means such as a spring (not shown), and recording is performed.

When recording of one color is completed, the eccentric ring 27 rotates in the direction opposite to the arrow B. At this time, the amount of rotation is 180@
The swing roller 25 rotates to a position where it is smaller than the opening hole 26.

FIG. 8 is a sectional view of a thermal transfer recording apparatus showing a third embodiment of the present invention.

In FIG. 8, the same members as in the first embodiment shown in FIG. 1 are given the same numbers. In the same figure.

The pin 7 is located on the opposite side of the thermal head 11 with respect to the head swing shaft 24, which is the swing shaft of the head arm 6. The position of the head swing axis 24 is the same as that of the thermal head 1.
1 and the platen roller 1o at the contact point thereof. Thereby, the bending moment acting on the head swing shaft 24 can be reduced.

Moreover, FIG. 9 ((Z), (b), and (C) are cross-sectional views of the cam 8 in each state in FIG.
c) corresponds to FIG. 4(Q), (b), and (c), respectively.

That is, FIG. 9(2) shows the state in which the lid 3 can be opened and closed, the pin 7 can be engaged and separated from the opening 23 of the cam 8, and the head arm 6 is rotated about the head swing axis 24. It becomes possible to swing.

FIG. 9(b) shows a recording standby state, in which the cam 8 rotates in the direction of the arrow, and the pin 7 is guided and engaged with the cam groove 9.

FIG. 9(c) shows a recording state, in which the cam 8 rotates in the direction of the arrow, pushes up the pin 7, and swings the head arm 6.

Other than that, the recording operation and the operation in each state are the same as those explained in FIG. 1 and FIG. 4 Ca L (b), (c), so the explanation thereof will be omitted here.

Furthermore, by adopting the configurations shown in FIGS. 8 and 9 (a), (b), and (c), the same effects as in the first embodiment can be obtained.

FIG. 10 is a sectional view of a thermal transfer recording apparatus showing a fourth embodiment of the present invention, in which the same members as in the first embodiment shown in FIG. 1 are given the same numbers.

In the figure, the pin 7 is positioned ahead of the thermal head 11 when viewed from the swing axis 5 of the head arm 6. Accordingly, the cam 8 is also arranged at a position where it can engage with and separate from the pin 7. The cam 8 assumes a state similar to that shown in FIGS. 4(a), (b), and (c).

That is, by rotating the cam 8 in the direction of arrow E from the state where the pin 7 is inserted through the opening 23, the pin 7 is engaged with the cam 8, and the head arm 6 is further swung, and the thermal head 11 is moved to the platen. It is pressed against a roller 1°.

The above configuration also provides the same effects as the first embodiment.

FIG. 11 is a sectional view showing another specific example of the cam swinging portion 22 in the first embodiment shown in FIG.

Components similar to those in FIG. 1 are given the same numbers. Others, 3
0 is a hook roller which is rotated by a rotation means (not shown). 31 is a hook, 32 is a hook hole.

33 is a contact member.

In the same figure, the cross-sectional view in the XX direction is shown in Fig. 12 (α),
Shown in (b) and (C).

FIG. 12 (α) shows a state in which the lid 3 can be opened and closed. In this state, the hook 31 is not engaged with the hook hole 32, so the head arm 6 cannot swing around the swing shaft 5. be.

In addition, FIG. 3B shows a recording standby state, and the hook roller 30 rotates in the direction of arrow F, and the hook 31 is inserted into the hook hole 32.
be incorporated into. Since the hook puller is in contact with the contact member 33, the position of the head arm 6 is restricted so that it is not lifted up.

Further, FIG. 2C shows a recording state, and the hook roller 30 further rotates in the direction of arrow F from the recording standby state shown in FIG. Along with this, the hook 31 is attached to the abutting member 3.
3 is pushed down, the head arm 6 swings around the swing shaft 5, and the head arm 6 swings around the swing shaft 5, and presses the
The thermal head 11 is pressed onto the platen roller 10.

Also, on the return trip, it rotates in the opposite direction to the arrow F, as shown in Fig. 12 (
The recording standby state of b) is entered.

With the above configuration, similarly to the first embodiment, when the lid 3 can be opened and closed, operability such as maintenance of the thermal pad 11 for replacing the ink paper 14 and removal of the recording paper 2 in case of a paper jam is improved.

FIG. 13 is a further view of the cam swinging portion roof in FIG. 1.

It is a schematic perspective view showing another specific example, and the cam 8 can be rotated by a rotation means (not shown).

Figure 14 ((2), (b), and (Q) are cam 8 in Figure 13)
FIG. Similar to FIG. 4 of the first embodiment, FIG. 14(a) shows the state in which the lid 3 can be opened and closed, FIG. 14(b) shows the recording standby state, and FIG. 14(Q) shows the recording state. There is.

In FIG. 14(α), since the moving direction of the pin 7 and the opening 23 substantially match, the pin 7 can be engaged with and separated from the cam 8 through the opening 23.

In the same figure (b), the cam 8 rotates in the direction of arrow G.

Pin 7 is engaged with cam 8. In this state, the position of the pin 7 is regulated by the cam groove 9.

In the same figure (c), the cam 8 further rotates in the direction of arrow F,
The cam groove 9 pushes down the pin 7 and swings the rad arm 6. Along with this, the thermal head 11 is pressed against the platen roller 10 and recording is performed. On the return trip, the cam 8 rotates in the direction opposite to the arrow G and enters a recording standby state as shown in FIG. 14(b).

In the above configuration, as in the first embodiment, operability such as replacing the ink paper 14, maintaining the thermal radar 11, and removing the recording paper 2 when a paper jam occurs is improved.

FIG. 15 is a sectional view of a thermal transfer recording apparatus showing a fifth embodiment of the present invention, in which 35 is a paper feed port for feeding the recording paper 2 into the apparatus, 36, 37, and 38 are the recording paper 2 This is a conveyance roller that conveys. others.

Components similar to those in FIG. 1 are given the same numbers.

Further, the outer circumference of the platen roller 10 is set to be longer than the length of the recording paper 2.

In this embodiment, the recording paper 2 is wound around a platen roller 10 and rotated in one direction in the direction of arrow H by a predetermined number of colors to perform recording. In the apparatus shown in this embodiment, the same effects as in the first embodiment shown in FIG. 1 can be obtained.

〔Effect of the invention〕

As explained above, in one aspect of the present invention, a support member supporting a thermal head and a swinging means for swinging the support member to press the thermal head to a platen are provided.
The structure is such that it can be engaged and separated, and the support member is provided with a swing shaft so that it can swing, so that the support member is separated from the swing means and swings together with the lid when not recording. This improves operability, such as maintenance of the thermal head, replacing ink paper, and removing paper in case of paper jam, and since the supporting member is engaged with the swinging means during recording, the thermal head is pressed against the platen. Therefore, it is possible to provide a thermal transfer recording device with excellent functions by eliminating the drawbacks of the above-mentioned conventional techniques.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

1 and 2 are cross-sectional views showing a first embodiment of the thermal transfer recording apparatus according to the present invention, FIG. 3 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the cam swinging portion in FIGS. 1 and 2, and FIG. A state diagram of the cam, FIG. 5 is a sectional view showing the second embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 6 is a perspective view of another specific example of the cam swinging section, and FIG. 7 is a state diagram of FIG. FIG. 8 is a sectional view of the third embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 9 is a state diagram of FIG. 9, FIG. 10 is a sectional view of the fourth embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 12 is a sectional view of another specific example, FIG. 12 is a state diagram of FIG. 11, FIG. 13 is a perspective view of yet another specific example of the cam swinging section, and FIG. FIG. 15 is a sectional view of a fifth embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 16 is an external perspective view of the thermal transfer recording apparatus. 2... Recording paper, 4... Lid arm, 6... Head arm, 7... Pin, 8... Cam, 9... Cam groove, 10... Platen roller, 11... Thermal head, 20...Lock claw, 21...Stopper, 2
2...Cam swinging part. 23... Opening, 25... Swinging roller, 26...
Open hole. 27... Eccentric ring, 28... Guide groove, 31...
hook. 32...Hook hole. English 4 Diagram (C') Ritan Otsu Diagram Otsu 2 Atsushi 9 Tsuzuki 7/ Zuman 12 Diagram Cα) (b) Otsu No. 13 Diagram Otsu No. 1 Ox Diagram (α) (b) (C)

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A thermal head comprising: a platen roller, an ink paper to which ink of a plurality of colors is sequentially applied, and a thermal head that approaches and separates from the platen roller via a recording paper and an ink paper; Thermal transfer recording involves pressing the thermal head against the platen roller to perform recording, then separating the thermal head from the platen roller, moving the recording paper or ink paper to the next recording start position, and then pressing the thermal head against the platen roller again to perform recording. A thermal transfer recording apparatus, characterized in that an opening is provided in a part of a swinging member that swings a support member that supports the thermal head in order to move the thermal head toward and away from the platen roller. 2. The thermal transfer recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the swinging member is provided with a regulating means for regulating the position of the supporting member during recording. 3. In the thermal transfer recording apparatus according to claim 1, when recording is interrupted during recording or when the operation of the swinging member is disturbed after recording, the supporting member and the swinging member A thermal transfer recording device characterized by being provided with a detachment means for separating the two.