JPH01190469A - Thermal transfer-type printer head - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To improve the thermal efficiency of a heating element so as to improve ink transfer by providing a heating glazing layer containing a heating element and a pressurizing glazing layer disposed so as to pressurize an ink ribbon and a sheet after the heating glazing layer has been brought into contact with the ink ribbon. CONSTITUTION:A head transfers heat generated from a heating element 2 on a heating glazing layer 3 to an ink ribbon 5 while traveling in the direction shown by arrow 8. The ink containing in the ink ribbon 5 starts to melt when the ribbon is given heat as described above, and when the ink melts to the maximum extent, the molten ink travels to a pressurizing glazing layer 4. The pressurizing glazing layer 4 is adapted to hold a sheet and the ink ribbon 5 interposed between a platen 7 and itself, thereby transferring the ink to the sheet. Since the ink ribbon has a thickness and a thermal conductivity, a certain period time is required from the time when heat is applied the ribbon until the ink starts to melt. The gap between the heating glazing layer and the pressurizing glazing layer is determined depending on the melting time and the relative speed between the head and the ink ribbon.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Field of Industrial Application] The present invention relates to a thermal transfer printer, and particularly to a transfer printer head.

[Conventional technology]

Conventionally, this type of printer head has been used as shown in Fig. 3.
One glaze layer 13 is placed on the base 11, the heating element 12 is placed on the glaze layer 13, and pressure is applied to the ink ribbon 14 and paper 15 between the platen 16 and the paper 15.
By applying heat, the ink on the ink ribbon was melted and the ink was transferred to the paper.

Move the head in the direction of the arrow 17 and turn on the heating element 12.
.

It was controlled to be turned off and characters etc. were printed.

[Problem to be solved by the invention]

The conventional thermal transfer printer head described above applies heat to the ink ribbon and pressure to the paper and ink ribbon at the same time, so if you increase the printing speed, the pressure will be too high before the ink has completely melted. Since the head moves to a position where it does not overlap, there is a drawback that it becomes difficult to transfer the ink to the paper. Also, to apply pressure for a long time.

When the glaze layer is made large, a large amount of the heat generated by the heating element escapes to the glaze layer, resulting in less heat being applied to the ink ribbon, resulting in poor thermal efficiency.

An object of the present invention is to provide a thermal transfer printer head that solves the above problems.

[Means to solve the problem]

In order to achieve the above object, in the thermal transfer printer head of the present invention, a heat generating glaze layer containing a heating element therein and a heat generating glaze layer are arranged so as to apply pressure to the ink ribbon and paper after contacting with the ink ribbon. It has a pressure glaze layer.

〔Example〕

Next, the present invention will be explained with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a sectional view showing one embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a view showing the entire printer head.

The printer head of the present invention shown in FIG. 1 has a heat generating glaze layer 3 including a heating element 2 on a base 1, and a pressure glaze layer 4. They are arranged one after the other along the . The moving direction of the head in this case is the direction of arrow 8. While the head moves in the direction of the arrow 8, heat generated from the heating element 2 on the heating glaze layer 3 is applied to the ink ribbon 5. The heated ink ribbon 5 begins to melt the ink, and when it melts to its maximum, the melted ink becomes the pressure glaze layer 4.
come to the position. The pressure glaze layer 4 holds down the paper and ink ribbon 5 between the platen 7 and the ink is transferred to the paper. Due to the thickness and heat conduction time of the ink ribbon,
There is a period of time for the ink to melt after the heat is applied. The distance between the heat generating glaze layer and the pressure glaze layer is determined by the melting time and the relative speed between the head and the ink ribbon.

〔Effect of the invention〕

As explained above, the present invention has a heat-generating glaze layer for applying heat and a pressure glaze layer for pressing the ink ribbon against the paper, so even if the printing speed is increased, the ink ribbon remains at the optimal position where the ink on the ink ribbon melts. The shape of the glaze layer suitable for applying heat and the shape of the glaze layer suitable for applying pressure can be separately optimized. This has the effect of improving thermal efficiency and ink transfer.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a thermal transfer printer head of the present invention, FIG. 2 is an overall external view of the printer head, and FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of a conventional thermal transfer printer head.

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A thermal transfer type characterized by having a heat generating glaze layer containing a heating element therein, and a pressure glaze layer arranged to apply pressure to the ink ribbon and paper after the heat generating glaze layer comes into contact with the ink ribbon. printer head.