JPH02102084A - Thermal transfer recorder and facsimile using said recorder - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To prevent an ink sheet from slacking by extending the sheet under tension by ink sheet conveying means for conveying the sheet and stopping it when a recording medium is conveyed except at the time of operating on the sheet and recording an image on the medium. CONSTITUTION:When an image recording is started, a recording sheet 11 is conveyed at a speed VP, and an ink sheet 14 is conveyed at a speed V1. The relationship between the speeds VP and V1 is set to VP = -nV1. Since the rear end of one page recorded with image, after image recording of one page is finished, is brought into contact with a thermal head 13, it is necessary to further convey the sheet 11 forward by distance 'l' between a recording position and a cutter 15 to cut a page unit by the cutter 15. In this case, the sheet 14 is extended under tension between an ink sheet supply roll 17 and a winding roll 18 by the holding torque of an ink sheet conveying motor 25. Thus, it can prevent the slack of the ink sheet possibly occurring upon conveying of the recording sheet and to suppress the consumption of the ink sheet.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention [Field of Industrial Application] The present invention relates to a thermal transfer recording device that records an image on the recording medium by transferring ink contained in an ink sheet to a recording medium, and a facsimile machine using the device. It is related to.

[Prior Art] Generally, a thermal transfer printer uses an ink sheet in which a base film is coated with heat-melting (thermally sublimable) ink, and a thermal head selectively heats the ink sheet in accordance with an image signal. Images are recorded by transferring melted (sublimated) ink onto recording paper. Generally, this ink sheet is one in which the ink is completely transferred to the recording paper by one image recording (a so-called one-time sheet), so
After recording one character or one line, it is necessary to transport the ink sheet by an amount corresponding to the recorded length, and to ensure that the unused portion of the ink sheet is brought to the next recording position. For this reason, the amount of ink sheets used increases, and the running cost of thermal transfer printers tends to be higher than that of ordinary thermal printers that record on thermal paper.

In order to solve such problems, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 57-834
No. 71, Japanese Patent Publication No. 58-201686, or Special Publication No. 6
As seen in Japanese Patent No. 2-58917, a thermal transfer printer has been proposed in which a recording paper and an ink sheet are conveyed at different speeds.

The present invention is a further development of the invention described in the above publication.

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention] An ink sheet (so-called multi-print sheet) capable of recording an image multiple times is known, and if this ink sheet is used, when recording a recording length continuously, The transport length of the ink sheet transported after each image recording or during image recording is set to be smaller than that length (L/n, n>
1) It can be recorded. As a result, the usage efficiency of the ink sheet is n times higher than that of the conventional method, and it is expected that the running cost of the thermal transfer printer will be reduced. Hereinafter, this recording method will be referred to as multi-print.

A thermal transfer printer that performs multi-printing like this
Since the moving speed of the ink sheet is lower than the moving speed of the recording paper, there are problems such as wrinkles or sagging of the ink sheet due to friction between the ink sheet and the recording paper. Further, it is common practice to include a cutter for cutting recorded paper into pages, and particularly in facsimile machines, it is preferable to include a cutter to cut recording paper into pages. However, when such a cutter is installed, the recording paper is conveyed in the direction of the cutter (so-called front feed) when one page of recording is finished.
After the recording paper is cut by the cutter, there has been a tendency for the recording paper to be transported by returning the vicinity of the leading end of the recording paper to the recording position by the thermal head (so-called backfeed).

The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned conventional example, and when the recording medium is transported forward or backward other than during recording,
It is an object of the present invention to provide a thermal transfer recording device that prevents sagging and wrinkles from occurring in the ink sheet by stopping and stretching the ink sheet, and a facsimile device using the device.

Further, the present invention stops the ink sheet at least when the recording medium is being conveyed forward or backward at times other than when recording, and conveys the ink sheet at a predetermined speed in the same direction as the recording medium during other conveyances. This prevents sagging and wrinkles that occur on the ink sheet, and
It is an object of the present invention to provide a thermal transfer recording device that prevents stains on the surface of a recording medium, and a facsimile machine using the device.

[Means for Solving the Problems] In order to achieve the above object, the thermal transfer recording device of the present invention has the following configuration. That is, it is a thermal transfer recording device that records an image by transferring ink contained in an ink sheet to a recording medium, and includes a recording means for recording an image on the recording medium by acting on the ink sheet, and the ink. an ink sheet conveyance means for conveying a sheet; a recording medium conveyance means for conveying the recording medium; and control means for controlling the sheet to be stretched and stopped.

Further, the facsimile apparatus of the present invention has the following configuration. That is, it is a facsimile machine using a thermal transfer recording device that records an image by transferring ink contained in an ink sheet to a recording medium, and includes an image input means that reads an original image and converts it into an image signal, and transmits and receives the image signal. a transmitting/receiving means; a recording means for recording an image on the recording medium by acting on the ink sheet based on the image signal; an ink sheet conveying means for conveying the ink sheet; a recording medium conveying means for conveying; a cutting means for cutting the recording medium; and when the recording medium is replaced or when the recording medium is conveyed for cutting by the cutting means, the ink sheet conveying means and control means for controlling the ink sheet to be stretched and stopped.

[Function] In the above configuration, the thermal transfer recording device tensions the ink sheet using the ink sheet conveying means that conveys the ink sheet when conveying the recording medium other than when recording an image on the recording medium by acting on the ink sheet. and stop it.

In addition, in facsimile machines having other configurations, an ink sheet is stretched by an ink sheet conveying means when the recording medium is replaced or when the recording medium is conveyed to be cut by a cutting means that cuts the recording medium. It works so that it stops.

[Embodiments] Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[Description of facsimile machine (Figs. 1 to 4)] Figs. 1 to 4 are diagrams showing an example in which the thermal transfer printer of the embodiment is applied to a facsimile machine. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of the facsimile device, and FIG. 3 is a side sectional view of the facsimile device.

First, the schematic configuration will be explained based on FIG. 2.

In the figure, 100 is a reading unit that photoelectrically reads an original and outputs it as a digital image signal to the control unit 101.
It is equipped with an A1lii feed motor and a CCD image sensor. Next, the configuration of the control section 101 will be explained.

110 is a line memory that stores image data for each line of image data; when sending (H) or copying an original (7), one line of image data from the reading section 100 is stored; when receiving image data; 111 stores one line of decoded received image data. Image formation is performed by outputting the stored data to the recording unit 102. 111 encodes the image information to be transmitted by MH encoding or the like. An encoding/decoding unit decodes the received encoded image data and converts it into image data. Reference numeral 112 denotes a buffer memory that stores the transmitted or received encoded image data. Each part of the control unit 101 is controlled by a CPU 113 such as a microprocessor.
ROM1 that stores control programs and various data
14, it is equipped with a RAM 115 for temporarily storing various data as a work area for the CPU 113.

A recording unit 102 includes a thermal line head and records an image on recording paper using a thermal transfer recording method. This configuration will be described in detail later with reference to FIG. Reference numeral 103 is an operation unit including various function instruction keys such as starting sending and keys for inputting a telephone number, etc. 103a is a switch for instructing the type of ink sheet 14 to be used, and when the switch 103a is on, multi-print ink is used. When the sheet is off, it indicates that a normal ink sheet is installed. 1
04 is a display section that is normally provided in the operation section 103 and displays various functions, the status of the apparatus, and the amount of remaining ink sheet. 105 is a power supply unit for supplying power to the entire device. Also, toe is a modem (modulator/demodulator),
107 is a network control unit (NCU), and 108 is a telephone set.

Next, the configuration of the recording section 102 will be explained in detail with reference to the side sectional view of FIG. Note that parts common to FIG. 2 are indicated by the same figure numbers.

In the figure, 10 indicates recording paper 11, which is plain paper, as a core 10.
A is a roll of paper wound into a roll. This roll paper 10 is arranged so that the recording paper 11 can be supplied to the thermal head 13 by rotation of the platen roller 12 in the direction of the arrow.
It is rotatably housed within the device. Note that 10b is a roll paper loading section, in which the roll paper 10 is removably loaded. Furthermore, a platen roller 12 conveys the recording paper 11 in the direction indicated by the arrow and presses the ink sheet 14 and the recording paper 11 between it and the heating element 132 of the thermal head 13 . Thermal head 13
As the platen roller 12 further rotates, the recording paper 11 on which the image has been recorded due to the heat generated by the
(16a, 16b) direction, and when image recording for one page is completed, the cutter 15 (15a, 15b) engages and cuts the sheet into pages.

17 is an ink sheet supply roll that winds the ink sheet 14; 18 is an ink sheet winding roll;
It is driven by an ink sheet motor, which will be described later, and winds up the ink sheet 14 in the direction of arrow a. Note that the ink sheet supply roll 17 and the ink sheet take-up roll 18 are removably loaded into an ink sheet loading section 70 within the main body of the apparatus. Furthermore, 19 is a sensor for detecting the remaining amount of the ink sheet 14 and the conveying speed of the ink sheet 14. Also, 20 is ink sheet 1
An ink sheet sensor 21 detects the remaining amount of the ink sheet 14 based on the presence or absence of the recording paper 11 and the mark made on the ink sheet 14, and 21 is a spring that connects the platen roller through the recording paper 11 and the ink sheet 14. The thermal head 13 is pressed against the thermal head 12. Also, 22
is a recording paper sensor for detecting the presence or absence of recording paper.

Next, the configuration of the reading section 100 will be explained.

In the figure, 30 is a light source that irradiates the original flT%32,
The light reflected by the original 32 passes through the optical system (mirrors 50, 51, .
The signal is input to the CCD sensor 31 through the lens 52) and converted into an electrical signal. The document 32 is conveyed by conveyance rollers 53, 54, 55 driven by a document conveyance motor (not shown).
．． 56, the document 32 is transported in accordance with the reading speed of the document 32. Note that 57 is a document loading table, and this loading table 5
The plurality of originals 32 stacked on the transport roller 54
By the cooperation of the pressing and separating pieces 58, the sheets are separated one by one and conveyed to the reading section 100.

A control board 41 constitutes the main part of the control section 101, and various control signals are output from this control board 41 to each part of the apparatus. Also, 106 is a modem board unit, 107 is an NC
It is a U board unit.

4A and 4B are diagrams showing details of the conveying machine JR for the ink sheet 14 and the recording paper 11, and the same parts as those in the above-described drawings are designated by the same number, and their explanation will be omitted.

In FIG. 4A, reference numeral 25 is an ink sheet conveyor for conveying the ink sheet 14 in the direction of arrow a, and 24 is a rotary drive for the platen roller 12 to convey the recording paper 11 in the direction opposite to the direction of arrow a. This is a motor for transporting recording paper. 26 and 27 are transmission gears that transmit the rotation of the recording paper motor 24 to the platen roller 12, and 28 and 29 are transmission gears that transmit the rotation of the ink sheet motor 25 to the take-up roller 18. Reference numeral 85 denotes an ink sheet supply motor that rotationally drives the ink sheet supply roll 17 via transmission gears 86 and 87. When feeding out the ink sheet 14, the supply roll 17 is rotated in the direction of arrow C.

Note that by reversing the conveyance directions of the recording paper 11 and the ink sheet 14, the direction in which images are sequentially recorded in the longitudinal direction of the recording paper 11 (the direction of arrow a, the opposite direction to the conveyance direction of the recording paper 11) can be changed. The conveyance direction of the ink sheet 14 coincides with the conveyance direction. Here, the transport speed VP of the recording paper 11 is defined as VP=-n
-V.

(V+ is the conveyance speed of the ink sheet 14, - is the conveyance speed of the recording paper 1
1 is different from the conveyance direction of the ink sheet 14), the relative velocity VPI between the recording paper 11 and the ink sheet 14 with respect to the thermal head 13 is VPI=VP -v, = (1+1 /n)
This relative speed VPI is expressed as V p, and this relative speed VPI is higher than VP, that is, the relative speed VPI' when conveying in the same direction as before.
It can be seen that it is larger than (= (11/n)v,).

In addition to this, when recording n lines by the thermal head 13, the ink sheet 14 is moved in the direction of arrow a for every (n/m) line by (β/m) (m is an integer, n>m). When recording a distance corresponding to the conveyance method or length, the ink sheet 14 is conveyed in the opposite direction to the recording paper 11 at the same speed during recording, and before the next two predetermined recordings, the ink sheet 14 is conveyed at the same speed as L・(n
-1)/n to rewind the ink sheet 14 (however, n
〉1) There is a method. In any of these cases, the relative speed when the ink sheet 14 is stopped and recorded is v
P, the relative speed when recording while moving the ink sheet 14 is 2VP.

FIG. 4B shows that even if the device is equipped with a manual cutter 15c on the downstream side of the paper ejection roller 16 instead of the cutter 15, the conveyance control is performed assuming that there is no backfeed procedure described later. A similar effect can be obtained. Note that the following description will be made using the apparatus shown in FIG. 4A.

(Margins below) Figure 1 shows the control unit 10 in the facsimile machine of the embodiment.
1 and the recording unit 102, and parts common to other drawings are indicated by the same figure numbers.

The thermal head 13 is a line head. Then, this thermal head 13 is activated by a shift register 1301 latch signal 44 for manually inputting one line of serial recording data 43 from the control unit 101.
A latch circuit 131 for latching 30 data is provided with a heating element 132 consisting of a heating resistor for one line.

Here, the heating resistor 132 is divided into m blocks indicated by 132-1 to 132-m and driven. Further, 133 is attached to the thermal head 13,
This is a temperature sensor for detecting the temperature of the thermal head 13. The output signal 42 of this Q-degree sensor 133 is
The signal is A/D converted in the control unit 101 and input to the CPU 113 manually. As a result, the CPU 113
The strobe signal 4 is detected in response to the temperature.
7 pulse width or thermal head 1.
The energy applied to the thermal head 13 is changed in accordance with the characteristics (type) of the ink sheet 14 by changing the drive voltage of No. 3 and the like.

The type (characteristics) of this ink sheet 14 is specified by the switch 103a described above. In addition, the type and characteristics of this ink sheet 14 are as follows.
It may also be possible to detect marks printed on the
Also, the marks attached to the ink sheet cartridge,
The determination may be made based on a notch or protrusion provided on the cartridge.

Reference numeral 46 denotes a drive circuit that receives a drive signal for the thermal head 13 from the control unit 101 and outputs a strobe signal 47 for driving the thermal head 13 in units of blocks. Note that this drive circuit 46 changes the voltage output to the power supply line 45 that supplies current to the heating element 132 of the thermal head 13 in accordance with instructions from the control unit 101 to control the thermal head 13.
The applied energy of can be changed. 48.49
．． Reference numeral 88 denotes a motor drive circuit that rotationally drives the corresponding recording paper conveyance motor 24, ink sheet conveyance motor 25, and ink sheet supply motor 85, respectively. Although the paper motor 24, the ink sheet motor 25, and the ink sheet supply motor 85 are stepping motors in this embodiment, they are not limited to this, and are, for example, DC motors.
It may also be a motor or the like.

[Description of the first embodiment (Figs. 5 to 9A)] Fig. 5 is a diagram showing the state of the recording paper 11 and the ink sheet 14 in a standby state before the start of the recording operation. 11
is arranged so that the vicinity of the tip thereof is at the recording position by the thermal head 13. When image recording is started from this state, the recording paper 11 is conveyed in the direction of the arrow at a speed VP, and the ink sheet 14 is conveyed in the direction of the arrow a at a speed vI. The relationship between this conveyance speed Vp and vl is Vp=-nV
, is set to be . Here, - is recording paper 1
1 and the conveyance direction of the ink sheet 14 are different.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a state in which image recording for one page has been completed. Here, since the trailing edge of one page on which images have been recorded is in contact with the thermal head 13, the cutter 15
In order to cut the recording paper 11 in units of pages, it is necessary to further transport the recording paper 11 in the forward direction (in the direction indicated by the arrow) by the distance "β" between the recording position of the thermal head 13 and the cutter 15.

FIG. 7A is a diagram showing the state during this conveyance, and the conveyance speed of the recording paper 11 is assumed to be VPF. On the other hand, the ink sheet 14 is moved between the ink sheet supply roll 17 and the take-up roll 1 by the holding torque of the ink sheet conveyance motor 25.
8 and is suspended.

When the vicinity of the rear end of the recording paper 11 on which the image has been recorded is conveyed until it passes through cutting by the cutter 15, a motor (not shown) for driving the cutter 15 is driven by a command from the control unit 101. Then, the cutters 15a and 15b are engaged with each other, and the recording paper 11 is cut into pages. This is shown in FIG. 8, where lla is the recorded portion of one page of recording paper, llb is the rear end of the cut one page of recording paper 11a,
Reference numeral 11c indicates the leading end of one page of recording paper 11a that has been cut.

FIG. 9A shows that after cutting the recording paper 11, the recording paper 11 is rewound in the direction opposite to the direction indicated by the arrow in FIG. 16 is a diagram illustrating a state in which the paper is transported to a position where it exits to the 16 side and the beginning of the next page is searched. FIG. The rewinding speed of the recording paper 11 at this time is defined as VPll. At this time, as in the case of FIG. 7A, the ink sheet 14 is moved between the ink sheet supply roll 17 and the take-up roll 18 by the holding torque of the ink sheet supply motor 85.
It is suspended between the two. At the same time, the cut and recorded recording paper 11a is discharged from the apparatus by the rotation of the discharge roller 16.

In this way, the recording paper 11 for cutting the recording paper 11 is
By keeping the ink sheet 14 stretched and stopped by the holding torque of the ink sheet transport motor 25 and the ink sheet supply motor 85 when transporting the recording paper 11 forward or backward, It is possible to prevent the ink sheet 14 from sagging, which may occur due to the ink sheet 14, and to suppress the amount of consumption of the ink sheet 14.

[Second Embodiment (FIGS. 5 to 9B)] The second embodiment differs from the first embodiment only in the backfeed of the recording paper 11 shown in FIG. 9B.

That is, in this second embodiment, as shown in FIG. 9B,
When rewinding the vicinity of the leading end of the recording paper 11 to the recording position by the thermal head 13 after cutting the recording paper 11, the ink sheet 14 is conveyed in the same direction as the recording paper 11 at speeds V and B. Here, the conveyance speed VIB of the ink sheet 14 is 1/n of the conveyance speed 2 of the recording paper 11.

In this way, when the recording paper 11 is front fed (7th A
The ink sheet 14 is stopped in FIG. 9B, and a speed difference (V+a=Vpe/n) is created between the conveyance speeds of the recording paper 11 and the ink sheet 14 during backfeed shown in FIG. 9B. This reduces waste of the ink sheet 14 that occurs when the recording paper 11 is conveyed for cutting by the cutter 15.
This has the effect of reducing I2/n (I2 is the distance between the recording position by the thermal head 13 and the cutter 15).

[Third Embodiment (FIGS. 5 to 9B)] In the third embodiment, the ink sheet 14 is locked when the recording paper 11 is front fed for cutting by the cutter 15 (FIG. 7A). to stop it. Then, when backfeeding the recording paper 11 in FIG. 9B, the conveying speed vI of the ink sheet 14 is
[L is set to be larger than the conveying speed Vpa of the recording paper 11 (V + a; ii: V pa).

In a standby state as shown in FIG. 5 before image recording, the ink sheet 14 must be stretched tightly between the ink sheet take-up roll 18 and the thermal head 13. This is because, at the start of image recording, when the ink sheet take-up roll 18 is driven to rotate and transport of the ink sheet 14 is started, if there is slack in the ink sheet 14, the rotation of the take-up roll 18 causes the ink sheet to The slack will simply be absorbed. This results in
At the time when image recording is started, the ink sheet 14 is no longer conveyed at the speed V.

Further, at this time, the ink sheet 14 may be dragged by the conveyance speed Vp of the recording paper 11 and be carried downstream. In order to prevent these, when backfeeding the recording paper 11, the ink sheet 14 is
The speed V is faster than the transport speed Vpe of 1! By conveying in the same direction at B, there is an effect that the ink sheet 14 can be stretched without causing any slack in the ink sheet 14.

[Fourth Example] In the fourth example, the speed v of the recording paper 11 shown in FIG. 7A is
During front feeding in PR, the ink sheet 14 is stopped and fixed by the holding torque of the ink sheet conveying motor 25. When backfeeding the recording paper 11, the ink sheet 14 is divided into k times (k is a natural number) and the recording paper is fed by the nip amount Δ°C of the platen roller 12.
It is designed to be transported in the same direction as 1.

This is because when the recording paper 11 is back-fed, the ink sheet 14 and the recording paper 11 rub against each other, and the ink on the ink sheet 14 is transferred to the recording paper 11, which tends to cause scumming. Therefore, in this embodiment, a top-coated ink sheet 14 as shown in FIG. 13 is used, and the ink sheet 14 is stopped until the top coating layer is not worn away. Then, the recording paper 11 and the ink sheet 14
Before the top coating layer of the ink sheet 14 disappears due to friction with the platen roller 1 shown in FIG.
The ink sheet 14 is conveyed in the direction of arrow a by a nip amount Δ1 of 2.

As a result, when backfeeding the recording paper 11,
There is an effect that the conveyance length of the ink sheet 14 can be made 1(x(2·shib amount)8β).

[Fifth Example (Figures 7A and 9B)] Next, the seventh embodiment
The ink sheet 14 is stopped when the recording paper 11 is front-fed as shown in FIG. 9B, and V, lIG:V pa/ n +a (n
The ink sheet 14 is transported in the direction of arrow a at a transport speed of +a>n). This n1llll is ink sheet 1
This is the maximum number at which background stains do not occur on the recording paper 11 due to friction between the recording paper 11 and the recording paper 11.

According to this embodiment, the length of the conveyance of the ink sheet 14 that is conveyed for cutting the recording paper 11 by the cutter 15 can be shortened, and the waste of use of the ink sheet 14 can be reduced.

[Sixth Embodiment (FIGS. 7B, 9A)] In the first to fifth embodiments described above, the ink sheet 14 is fed when the recording paper 11 is front fed, as shown in FIG. 7A. However, in the sixth to eighth embodiments described later, as shown in FIG. 7B, when the recording paper 11 is front fed, the ink sheet 14 is conveyed, and the recording paper 1
At the time of the first backfeed, the ink sheet 14 is stopped as shown in FIG. 9A.

In this sixth embodiment, as shown in FIG. 7B, when the recording paper 11 is conveyed in the direction of the discharge roller 16, the conveyance speed of the ink sheet 14 is set to VPF.
IP"" V pr/n IF.

When backfeeding the recording paper 11 at the speed VPB, the ink sheet 14 is stopped as shown in FIG. 9A. Here, nIr:n (n is equal to n during recording). In this way, the recording paper 11 in page units
When the recording paper 11 is front-fed during cutting, the ink sheet 14 is conveyed at a reduced conveyance speed, thereby reducing wasteful conveyance of the ink sheet 14.

[Seventh Embodiment (FIGS. 7B and 9A)] In the seventh embodiment, the ink sheet 14 is conveyed at the speed VIP when the recording paper 11 is front fed, and the ink sheet 14 is conveyed at the speed VIP when the recording paper 11 is back fed. 14 is stopped.

In this seventh embodiment, when the recording paper 11 is conveyed in the direction of the discharge roller 16, the conveyance speed of the ink sheet 14 is V IIF''V PF/, assuming that the conveyance speed VPF is VPF.
n IF. Then, when backfeeding the recording paper 11 at the speed VPII, the ink sheet 1
4 is stopped. Here, nIr>n (n is equal to n during recording). This nlF is ink sheet 1
This is the maximum number at which background stains do not occur on the recording paper 11 due to friction between the recording paper 11 and the recording paper 11.

In this way, when the recording paper 11 is front fed when cutting the recording paper 11 in page units, the ink sheet 14
By transporting the ink sheet 14 at a lower transport speed, wasteful transport of the ink sheet 14 can be reduced.

[Eighth Example (Figures 7B and 9A)] In the eighth example, the #i paper shown in Figure 7B! 1 is the transport speed VPP
When front feeding the ink sheet 14 with
is a natural number), the ink sheet 14 is conveyed by a predetermined amount of time in the direction opposite to the conveyance direction of the recording paper 11, and at other times the ink sheet 14 is stopped. Here, I is a length shorter than the feed amount of the recording paper 11.

This is because when the recording paper 11 is back-fed, the ink sheet 14 and the recording paper 11 rub against each other, and the ink on the ink sheet 14 is transferred to the recording paper 11, which tends to cause scumming. Therefore, in this embodiment, a top-coated ink sheet 14 as shown in FIG. 13 is used, and the ink sheet 14 is stopped until the top coating layer is not worn away. Then, the recording paper 11 and the ink sheet 14
Before the top coating layer of the ink sheet 14 disappears due to friction with the ink sheet 14, the ink sheet 14
is conveyed in the direction of arrow a.

When backfeeding the recording paper 11, the ink sheet 14 is stopped while being stretched by the holding torque of the ink sheet supply motor 85. Note that the predetermined amount C1 may be set as the nip amount ΔL of the platen roller 12 here.

As a result, the transport length of the ink sheet 14 during front feeding of the recording paper 11 is set to k) 42° (or k)
X△IL).

To summarize the configurations of the eight embodiments described above, (1) Feed the recording paper 11 in the ejection direction at a speed VPP (
When performing front feeding), the ink sheet 14 is stopped by the holding torque of the ink sheet conveying motor 25, and the ink sheet 14 is stretched. (First to Fifth Embodiments) (1) First Embodiment Even during backfeeding of the recording paper 11, the ink sheet 14 remains stretched.

(2) Second Embodiment When rewinding the vicinity of the leading end of the recording paper 11 to the recording position 5 by the thermal head 13 (backfeed), the ink sheet 14 is conveyed in the same direction as the recording paper 11 at a speed of Vllll. Here, the conveyance speed VIAL of the ink sheet 14 is
The conveyance speed of the recording paper 11 is 1/n of VPII.

(3) Third Embodiment When backfeeding the recording paper 11, the ink sheet 14 is conveyed at a speed of V+a (≧vPIS). VPII is the conveyance speed of the recording paper 11.

■Fourth embodiment When backfeeding the recording paper 11, the ink sheet 14 is
The recording paper 11 is transported in the same direction as the recording paper 11 by the nip amount Δl of the platen roller 12 (k is a natural number).

■Fifth embodiment When backfeeding the recording paper 11, v + a'' v p
The ink sheet 14 is conveyed in the direction of arrow a at a conveyance speed of a/n + a (n + a> n ). This n1ll
is the maximum number at which background stains do not occur on the recording paper 11 due to friction between the ink sheet 14 and the recording paper 11.

(2) When backfeeding the recording paper 11, the ink sheet 14 is stopped and stretched by the holding torque of the ink sheet supply motor 85.

(Sixth to Eighth Embodiments) ■Sixth Embodiment When the recording paper 11 is fed in the discharge direction at a speed vPF (during front feeding), the speed V of the ink sheet 14 is
1F is set as V It=V PF/n IF (
nlF is equal to n during recording, and the ink sheet 14 is conveyed in the opposite direction to the discharge direction of the recording paper 11).

■Seventh Example When feeding the recording paper 11 in the discharge direction at a speed vpr, the speed VIF' of the ink sheet 14 is expressed as Vi=vp
r/n +r (nlF is larger than n during recording, and the ink sheet 14 is conveyed in the opposite direction to the discharge direction of the recording paper 11).

(8) Eighth Embodiment When front feeding the recording paper 11, the conveyance of the ink sheet 14 is divided into two times, and the platen roller 12 is shifted by a predetermined amount -C+ (or nip amount Δ°C), and is stopped at other times.

k is a natural number, 1. is sufficiently smaller than the transport length of the recording paper 11.

[Description of Recording Operation (FIGS. 11 and 12)] FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing the recording process in the facsimile machine of the first embodiment. A control program for executing this recording process is stored in the ROM 114 of the control unit 101. remembered.

This process starts when one line of image data to be recorded is stored in the line memory 110 and a state is reached in which the recording operation can be started.

First, in step S1, one line of recording data is serially output to the shift register 130. Then, when the transfer of one line of recording data is completed, in step S2? The output signal 44 causes one line of recording data to be stored in the latch circuit 131. Next, in step S3, the ink sheet conveyance motor 25 and the ink sheet supply motor 85 are
and move the ink sheet 14 by (1/n) lines.
It is conveyed in the direction of arrow a in FIG. And step S4
The recording paper transport motor 24 is driven to transport the recording paper 11 by one line in the direction indicated by the arrow. Note that this l line has a length corresponding to the length of one dot recorded by the thermal head 13.

Next, the process proceeds to step S5, in which each block of the heating elements 132 of the thermal head 13 is sequentially energized.

When all m blocks are energized and one line of image recording is completed, the process proceeds to step S6 to check whether one page of image recording has been completed. - If the image recording for the page has not been completed, the process advances to step S7, and the recording data of the next line is transferred to the shift register 130 of the thermal head 13. Next, the process returns to step S2 and image recording processing is performed as described above.

When image recording for one page is completed in step S6, the process advances to step S8, and the recording paper is moved by a distance corresponding to the recording position by the thermal head 13 and the length to the cutter 15 in degrees Celsius.
is sent toward the paper discharge rollers 16a and 16b. At this time, the drive circuits 49 and 88 fix the phase excitation signals of the ink sheet conveyance motor 25 and the ink sheet supply motor 85, respectively, and stop the ink sheet conveyance motor 25 and the ink sheet supply motor 85. As a result, the ink sheet 14 is held in a stretched state between the ink sheet supply roll 17 and the ink sheet take-up roll 18. Note that at this time, the ink sheet 14 may be stretched with even stronger tension by slightly rotating the ink sheet supply roll 17 counterclockwise or the ink sheet take-up roll 18 clockwise. good.

Next, in step S9, the cutters 15a and 15b are driven and engaged to cut the recording paper 11 into pages. Step S
At step 10, the recording paper 11 is back-fed to locate the beginning of the recording position. At this time, the ink sheet 14 also stops,
It is stretched between the supply roll 17 and the take-up roll 18. Then, in step Sit, the recorded recording paper 11a is discharged from the apparatus by the discharge roller 16.

In the second embodiment, the steps up to step S9 are the same, and in step 510, the conveying speed VIB of the ink sheet 14 is changed to the recording paper 1.
The ink sheet supply motor 85 and the ink sheet transport motor 2
This can be achieved by rotationally driving 5.

Similarly, in the third embodiment, steps up to step S9 are the same, and can be achieved by making the conveyance speed VIB of the ink sheet 14 greater than or equal to the return speed VPB of the recording paper 11 (V+a≧Vpa) in step SIO.

FIG. 12A is a flowchart showing a process for conveying the recording paper 11 and ink sheet 14 during backfeed in the fourth embodiment, and this process corresponds to step SIO in FIG.

In step S21, the value of k is set, and in step S22, the ink sheet conveyance motor 25 and ink sheet supply motor 85 are stopped to stop conveyance of the ink sheet 14. In step 323, the recording paper 11 is conveyed at a speed vpa. Then, in step S24, the process waits for a predetermined time to elapse. This is to adjust the time during which the ink sheet 14 is transported until the top coating layer of the ink sheet 14 is lost due to the rubbing between the recording paper 11 and the ink sheet 14, and the surface of the recording paper 11 becomes dirty. When the predetermined time has elapsed, the process advances to step S25, and it is checked whether k is "0". If k is not "0", the process advances to step S26, and the ink sheet conveyance motor 25 and the ink sheet supply motor 85 are rotationally driven. Then, the ink sheet 14 is conveyed by the nip amount Δl shown in FIG. Then, in step S27, k is decremented by 1, and in step 528, the recording paper 11
It is checked whether the conveyance of has been completed, and if it has not been completed, the process returns to step S21.

Similarly, in the fifth embodiment, in step S10 of FIG. 11, when backfeeding the recording paper 11, the ink sheet 1
4 is (1/n+a:
It is transported at a transport speed of n+a>n).

This value of n1ll allows the ink sheet 14 to be conveyed before the top coating layer of the ink sheet 14 is worn off (background stains on the recording paper 11 do not occur).
It shows the maximum value.

Hereinafter, in the same manner as in the flowchart of FIG. 11, the recording paper of the fifth embodiment will be described. 1 and the ink sheet 14 can be realized.

FIG. 12B is a flowchart showing the operation of the sixth embodiment. Here, steps 88 to SIO in FIG.
This can be realized by replacing with the flowchart of FIG. 12B.

In step S31, conveyance of the recording paper 11 is started, and in step S32, the ink sheet conveyance motor 25 and the ink sheet supply motor 85 are driven to move the ink sheet 14 at a conveyance speed of 1/n of the recording paper 11 conveyance speed VPF'. Transport by. As a result, the recording paper 11 is approximately the distance t from the recording position by the thermal head 13 to the cutting position by the cutter 15.
It is transported by a length corresponding to all j2 at a speed VPF. At the same time, the ink sheet 14 is transported at a conveyance speed of V
It is transported at a speed of +r=V pr/n. and,
# is recorded by the cutter 15 in step S9! When M11 is cut, the ink sheet conveyance motor 2 is turned off in step S33.
5 and the excitation phase of the ink silt supply motor 85 are fixed to stop conveying the ink sheet 14 and generate a holding torque. Next, the process advances to step S34, and the recording paper 1
1 to the direction of the thermal head 13 by a predetermined amount and step S
Proceed to ll. Note that n here is the withdrawal speed ratio of the ink sheet 14 and the recording paper 11 during recording.

The seventh embodiment can be realized by setting the transport speed VIP of the ink sheet 14 to V pr/n IF in step S32 of the flowchart in FIG. 12B. Here, nlF is a number larger than the above-mentioned n, and is a number that allows the top coating layer of the ink sheet 14 to be transported without being worn out due to friction with the recording paper 11.

The eighth embodiment includes steps S31 and 332 in FIG. 12B.
This can be realized by replacing the above with the flowchart shown in FIG. 12A. Further, in step 326 of FIG. 12A, by setting the conveyance of the ink sheet 14 to a predetermined amount ℃1 instead of the nip amount Δl, the recording paper 11 can be conveyed without scumming. Here, 11 indicates the feed amount of the recording paper 11.

Note that the above-mentioned control of the value of n may be performed by changing the number of steps of the ink sheet 14 for conveying one line of the recording paper 11 when the ink sheet motor 25 is a stepping motor. , can be set by changing the minimum step angle of the motor using microstep drive.

[Description of Ink Sheet (Fig. 13) Fig. 13 is a sectional view of the ink sheet 14 used for multi-printing. Here, the case of an ink sheet consisting of four layers will be explained.

The second layer is a base film that serves as a support for the ink sheet 14. In the case of multi-printing, thermal energy is applied to the same location many times, so aromatic polyamide films and capacitor paper with high heat resistance are advantageous, but conventional polyester films can also be used. Considering the role of a medium, it is advantageous for the thickness of these materials to be as thin as possible from the point of view of printing quality, but from the viewpoint of strength, a thickness of 3 to 8 μm is preferable.

The third layer is an ink layer in which the recording paper (recording sheet) is coated with an amount of ink that allows n transfer recordings. This component mainly includes EVA resin as an adhesive, carbon black and nigrosine dye for coloring, carnauba wax and paraffin wax as binding materials, and is designed to withstand n times of use in the same place. It is blended. The amount of coating is preferably 4 to 8 g/m', but sensitivity and density vary depending on the amount of coating and can be arbitrarily selected.

The fourth layer is a top coating layer provided to prevent pressure transfer of the third layer ink onto the recording paper in areas where printing is not performed, and is made of transparent wax or the like. As a result, only the transparent fourth layer is pressure-transferred, and background smearing on the recording paper can be prevented. The first layer is a heat-resistant coating layer that protects the second layer base film from the heat of the thermal head 13. This is suitable for multi-printing where there is a possibility of applying thermal energy for n lines to the same location (when black information continues), but whether or not to use it can be selected as appropriate. Also, like polyester film,
This is effective for base films with relatively low heat resistance.

Note that the ink sheet is not limited to the above-mentioned configuration; for example, it may be an ink sheet consisting of a base layer and a porous ink retaining layer provided on one side of the base layer and containing ink, or an ink sheet may be composed of a base film containing fine particles. It may also be an ink sheet in which a heat-resistant ink layer having a porous network structure is provided and the ink is contained in the ink layer.

In addition, as the base film, for example, polyamide,
triacetylcellulose, nylon, polyvinyl chloride,
It may also be a film or paper made of polypropylene or the like. Furthermore, although a heat-resistant coating layer is not necessarily required, its material may be, for example, silicone resin, epoxy resin, melamine resin, or the like.

Further, the ink applied to the ink sheet 14 is not limited to heat-melting ink, but may be heat-sublimating ink. This heat-sublimable ink sheet contains, for example, a base material made of polyethylene terephthalate, polyethylene naphthalate, or aromatic polyamide, and spacer particles made of guanamine-based resin and fluorine-based resin and a dye. A coloring material layer is provided.

Further, the heating method is not limited to the thermal head method using the above-mentioned thermal head, and for example, an electric transfer method or a laser transfer method can be used.

Furthermore, in this embodiment, the case where the recording paper 11 and the ink sheet 14 are conveyed in opposite directions during recording has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this. Applicable.

Further, the recording medium is not limited to recording paper, and may be made of a material to which ink can be transferred, such as cloth or plastic sheet. In addition, the mounting of the ink sheet is not limited to the roll configuration shown in the embodiment. For example, the ink sheet may be built into a housing that is removably attached to the main body of the recording apparatus, and this housing can be attached and detached from the main body of the recording apparatus. It may be of a so-called ink sheet cassette type.

Further, although the above-mentioned embodiments have been described in the case of a full-line type, the present invention is not limited thereto, and may be a so-called serial type thermal transfer recording apparatus.

Further, in each of the above embodiments, the thermal transfer recording device is applied to a facsimile machine, but the thermal transfer recording device of the present invention is not limited to this, and can also be applied to a word processor, typewriter, copying machine, etc. Of course, it can be applied.

Further, in this embodiment, the backfeed of the recording paper 11 is
Although the cutter 15 is used to cut the recording paper 11, the present invention is not limited to this.
1, when transporting the recording paper 11 to the cutter position at the leading edge of the recording paper 11, or when replacing the leading edge of the recording paper 11 with the thermal head 13.
It can also be applied when backfeeding to the image recording position according to the method.

As explained above, according to this embodiment, when the recording paper is conveyed in the ejection direction (front feed) and when the recording paper is returned (backfeed), the ink sheet is stopped while being stretched, so that the ink can be It can prevent sagging and wrinkles that occur on the sheet.

Further, according to this embodiment, the ink sheet is stretched and stopped when the recording paper is front fed, and the ink sheet is conveyed at a slower speed than the recording paper conveyance speed when the recording paper is backfeeded, so that the surface of the recording paper is This has the effect of preventing stains on the ink sheet and wrinkles and sagging of the ink sheet.

Furthermore, according to this embodiment, the ink sheet is stretched and stopped when the recording paper is front fed, and the ink sheet is conveyed faster than the recording paper conveyance speed when the recording paper is back fed. It has the effect of preventing stains on the paper surface and wrinkles and sagging of the ink sheet.

Further, according to this embodiment, the ink sheet is stretched and stopped when the recording paper is back-feeded, and the ink sheet is conveyed at a speed slower than the recording paper conveyance speed when the recording paper is front-feeded, so that the surface of the recording paper is This has the effect of preventing stains on the ink sheet and wrinkles and sagging of the ink sheet.

Furthermore, according to this embodiment, the ink sheet is stretched and stopped when the recording paper is back fed, and the ink sheet is stopped when the recording paper is front fed, and the ink sheet is divided into k times by the nip amount Δβ or a predetermined amount. Conveying the ink sheet has the effect of preventing stains on the surface of the recording paper and wrinkles and sagging of the ink sheet.

[Effects of the Invention] As explained above, according to the thermal transfer recording device of the present invention,
By stopping and stretching the ink sheet when the recording medium is transported forward or backward at times other than during recording, it is possible to prevent sagging and wrinkles from occurring in the ink sheet.

Further, according to the thermal transfer recording apparatus of the present invention, the ink sheet is stopped at least when the recording medium is conveyed forward or backward other than during recording, and the ink sheet is moved in the same direction as the recording medium during other conveyance. By conveying the ink sheet at a predetermined speed, it is possible to prevent the ink sheet from sagging and wrinkles, and also to prevent the surface of the recording medium from becoming stained.

As explained above, according to the facsimile apparatus of the present invention, when the recording medium is conveyed forward or backward when the recording medium is cut or replaced, the ink sheet is stopped and stretched, thereby reducing the slack that occurs in the ink sheet. Can prevent wrinkles.

Further, according to the facsimile apparatus of the present invention, when cutting or replacing the recording medium, the ink sheet is stopped at least when the recording medium is conveyed forward or backward, and the ink sheet is transferred to the recording medium during other conveyance. By conveying the ink sheet at a predetermined speed in the same direction as the ink sheet, it is possible to prevent the ink sheet from sagging and wrinkles, and also to prevent the surface of the recording medium from becoming smudged.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

Fig. 1 is a diagram showing the electrical connection between the control section and the recording section in the facsimile machine of the embodiment, Fig. 2 is a block diagram showing the schematic configuration of the facsimile machine of the embodiment, and Fig. 3 is a diagram of the facsimile machine of the embodiment. 4A and 4B are diagrams showing the structure of the conveyance system for the ink sheet and recording paper, and Figures 5 to 9 are side sectional views showing the mechanism section. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the contact portion between the thermal head and the platen roller. FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing the recording process in the facsimile machine of the embodiment. FIG. 12 is a diagram showing step SIO in FIG. FIG. 13 is a sectional view of the ink sheet used in this embodiment. In the figure, 10...rolled recording paper, 11...recording paper,
12...Platen roller, 13...Thermal head, 14...Ink sheet, 15...Cutter, 16...
...Discharge roller, 17...Ink sheet supply roll,
18... Ink sheet winding roll, 19... Ink sheet sensor, 21... Spring, 22... Recording paper presence/absence sensor, 24... Recording paper conveyance motor, 25...
... Ink sheet conveyance motor, 85 ... Ink sheet supply motor, 86.87 ... Transmission gear, 100.
...Reading section, 101...Control section, 102...Recording section, 103...Operation section, 104...Display section, 105.
...Power supply, 106...Modem, 107...NCU,
110... Line memory, 111... Encoding/decoding unit, 112... Buffer memory, 113... CP
U, 114...ROM, 115...RAM, 132
...A heating resistor (heating element). Patent Applicant Canon Co., Ltd. Agent Patent Attorney Yasunori Otsuka (and 1 other person) Figure 1O Figure 13

Claims (8)

[Claims] (1) A thermal transfer recording device that records an image by transferring ink contained in an ink sheet to a recording medium, comprising: a recording means for recording an image on the recording medium by acting on the ink sheet; an ink sheet conveyance means for conveying an ink sheet; a recording medium conveyance means for conveying the recording medium; A thermal transfer recording device comprising: a control means for controlling an ink sheet to be stretched and stopped. (2) A thermal transfer recording device that records an image by transferring ink contained in an ink sheet onto a recording medium, comprising: a recording means for recording an image on the recording medium by acting on the ink sheet; an ink sheet conveyance means for conveying an ink sheet in a first direction; a recording medium conveyance means for conveying the recording medium; and an ink sheet conveyance means for conveying the ink sheet in a first direction; a stop means for tensioning and stopping the ink sheet by the ink sheet conveyance means when conveying the ink sheet in the opposite direction; and a stop means for conveying the recording medium in the first direction except when the recording means is recording an image A thermal transfer recording apparatus comprising: a conveying means for conveying the ink sheet at a slower speed than the recording medium by the ink sheet conveying means. (3) A thermal transfer recording device that records an image by transferring ink contained in an ink sheet onto a recording medium, comprising: a recording means for recording an image on the recording medium by acting on the ink sheet; an ink sheet conveyance means for conveying the ink sheet in a first direction; a recording medium conveyance means for conveying the recording medium; stopping means for tensioning and stopping the ink sheet by the ink sheet conveying means when conveying the ink sheet in a direction opposite to the direction of the recording medium; A thermal transfer recording apparatus comprising: a conveying means for conveying the ink sheet at a faster speed than the recording medium by the ink sheet conveying means when conveying the ink sheet to the ink sheet. (4) A thermal transfer recording device that records an image by transferring ink contained in an ink sheet onto a recording medium, comprising: a recording means for recording an image on the recording medium by acting on the ink sheet; an ink sheet conveyance means for conveying an ink sheet in a first direction; a recording medium conveyance means for conveying the recording medium; a stopping means for tensioning and stopping the ink sheet by the ink sheet conveyance means when conveying the ink sheet in the first direction; and a stop means for causing the ink sheet to be stretched and stopped by the ink sheet conveyance means; A thermal transfer recording apparatus comprising: a conveyance means for conveying the ink sheet at a slower speed than the recording medium by the ink sheet conveyance means when conveying the ink sheet. (5) A facsimile machine using a thermal transfer recording device that records an image by transferring ink contained in an ink sheet to a recording medium, the facsimile machine comprising an image input means for reading a document image and converting it into an image signal, and transmitting and receiving the image signal. a transmitting/receiving means for recording an image on the recording medium by acting on the ink sheet based on the image signal; an ink sheet conveying means for conveying the ink sheet; and a recording medium for conveying the ink sheet. a cutting means for cutting the recording medium; and a cutting means for cutting the recording medium; when the recording medium is replaced or when the recording medium is conveyed for cutting by the cutting means, the ink sheet conveying means A facsimile apparatus comprising: a control means for controlling the ink sheet to be stretched and stopped. (6) A facsimile machine using a thermal transfer recording device that records an image by transferring ink contained in an ink sheet to a recording medium, the facsimile machine comprising an image input means that reads a document image and converts it into an image signal, and transmits and receives the image signal. a transmitting/receiving means for recording an image on the recording medium by acting on the ink sheet based on the image signal; and an ink sheet conveying means for conveying the ink sheet in a first direction. a recording medium conveyance means for conveying the recording medium; a cutting means for cutting the recording medium; and a cutting means for moving the recording medium in the opposite direction from the first direction in order to exchange the recording medium or cut the recording medium by the cutting means. stopping means for tensioning and stopping the ink sheet by the ink sheet conveyance means when conveying the ink sheet in the first direction; and stopping means for tensioning and stopping the ink sheet by the ink sheet conveyance means; A facsimile apparatus comprising: a conveying means for conveying the ink sheet at a slower speed than the recording medium by the ink sheet conveying means when conveying the ink sheet to the recording medium. (7) A facsimile device using a thermal transfer recording device that records an image by transferring ink contained in an ink sheet to a recording medium, the facsimile device comprising an image input means for reading a document image and converting it into an image signal, and transmitting and receiving the image signal. a transmitting/receiving means for recording an image on the recording medium by acting on the ink sheet based on the image signal; and an ink sheet conveying means for conveying the ink sheet in a first direction. a recording medium conveyance means for conveying the recording medium; a cutting means for cutting the recording medium; and a cutting means for moving the recording medium in the first direction in order to replace the recording medium or to cut the recording medium by the cutting means. a stopping means for tensioning and stopping the ink sheet by the ink sheet conveying means when conveying in the opposite direction; and a stopping means for tensioning and stopping the ink sheet by the ink sheet conveying means; A facsimile apparatus comprising: a conveyance means for conveying the ink sheet at a faster speed than the recording medium by the ink sheet conveyance means when conveying the ink sheet in the direction of the ink sheet. (8) A facsimile machine using a thermal transfer recording device that records an image by transferring ink contained in an ink sheet to a recording medium, the facsimile machine comprising an image input means for reading a document image and converting it into an image signal, and transmitting and receiving the image signal. a transmitting/receiving means for recording an image on the recording medium by acting on the ink sheet based on the image signal; and an ink sheet conveying means for conveying the ink sheet in a first direction. a recording medium conveyance means for conveying the recording medium; a cutting means for cutting the recording medium; and a cutting means for moving the recording medium in the first direction in order to replace the recording medium or to cut it with the cutting means. a stopping means for tensioning and stopping the ink sheet by the ink sheet conveying means when conveying; and a stopping means for tensioning and stopping the ink sheet by the ink sheet conveying means; and a stopping means for stretching and stopping the ink sheet by the ink sheet conveying means; A facsimile apparatus comprising: a conveyance means for conveying the ink sheet at a slower speed than the recording medium by the ink sheet conveyance means when conveying the ink sheet in the direction of the recording medium.