JPH02261736A - Thermal transfer recorder - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To prevent any malfunction of a cassette housing a transfer paper roll and recording paper from occurring by installing a cassette lock means, locking the inserted cassette to the inside of a device body at a specified position, on top of a cassette guide. CONSTITUTION:Each wrong insertion preventing groove 24 at both sides of a cassette 20 is fitted in rail parts 241a, 242a cassette guides 241, 242, and when this cassette 20 is inserted thereinto, a tip projection 243a of a hold lever 243 is pushed by a locking rib 25, and a first engaged part of a cassette lock lever 245 comes off, so that a hold part 243c comes into contact with a second engaged part 245b. With this contact, a lock lever 245 rotates to the right, and a hook 245c gets into a cassette locking hole 26 of the wrong insertion preventing groove 24, thereby locking the cassette 20 to the specified position of a device body. Thus, such a fear of moving the cassette inadvertently or drawing it out is checked, so occurrence of any malfunction and damage to the device body can be prevented.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION (Field of Industrial Application) The present invention relates to a thermal transfer recording device that records information on recording paper by pressing a thermal head through a transfer paper.

(Prior Art) In recent years, thermal transfer type recording (printing) devices have been widely used as hard copy devices for computer graphics, etc., for various reasons such as simple mechanism, high recording speed, and easy handling. This is well known.

This type of recording device records predetermined information on the recording paper by pressing the recording paper through a transfer paper between a thermal head and a platen roller that is rotationally driven by a DC motor or a pulse motor, for example. It has become.

In addition, the thermal head is mainly a line type, in which multiple heating elements are installed in the width direction of the platen roller and the recording paper.
It consists of a group of heating elements arranged in a row, and by rotating the platen roller and appropriately controlling the current flowing through each heating element, one line of dots is sequentially recorded, and this is repeated for each color. It prints color image information such as desired characters and figures.

On the other hand, the transfer paper has color ink, for example, of three colors yellow (Y), magenta (M), and cyan (C) (four colors including black (B) if necessary) on the base film. First, the first color ink and the recording paper are mechanically set in a predetermined positional relationship, and the two are joined to perform transfer recording. After the transfer of the second color is completed, the transfer paper is sent, the second color ink and the recording paper are set in a predetermined positional relationship, transfer recording is performed again, and this operation is repeated in the same manner. The desired color print is completed.

By the way, in this type of thermal transfer recording apparatus, since the ink of the transfer paper is consumed each time the above-described transfer recording is performed, it is necessary to replace the transfer paper as necessary.

Furthermore, the recording paper must be replenished as appropriate, and this replacement and replenishment work is complicated.

Therefore, in order to smoothly replace the transfer paper and replenish the recording paper, a cassette that stores the transfer paper and the recording paper in one body, and a thermal transfer recording device that performs printing using such a cassette have been proposed. There is.

In such a cassette, the amount of transfer paper necessary to perform color printing on the stored recording paper is stored in a pair of transfer paper rolls, and it is necessary to replace this cassette. You can replenish recording paper and replace transfer paper at the same time.

In addition, a thermal transfer recording device that performs printing using such a cassette pulls out one of the rolls of transfer paper from the installed cassette to a predetermined position within the device, rolls the transfer paper into contact with the platen roller, and rolls the transfer paper into contact with the platen roller. Printing is performed by taking out one sheet at a time and clamping it onto a platen.The specific structure is described in detail in U.S. Pat.

(Issue 8 to be solved by the invention) The conventional thermal transfer recording device described in the specification of the prior application is not provided with a locking mechanism between the device main body and the cassette, and when the cassette is attached to the device main body, It will start loading immediately.

For this reason, there is a risk that the position of the cassette relative to the main body of the apparatus may shift due to careless touching of the installed cassette with a finger or vibration of the machine, resulting in malfunction of the apparatus.

Furthermore, if an attempt is made to remove the cassette by mistake during loading, for example, there is a risk of damage to the main body of the device, such as the loading arm.

(Means for Solving the Problems) The present invention has been made to solve the conventional problems as described above, and includes a pair of supply side and winding side transfer paper rolls around which transfer paper is wound. A cassette that stores the recording paper is installed, and the take-up transfer paper roll is pulled out from inside the cassette to guide the transfer paper between the platen roller and the thermal head in the device, and the transfer paper is pulled out from inside the cassette onto the platen roller. A thermal transfer recording device that performs printing by pressing the thermal head against a platen roller via the recording paper fed to the recording paper and the transfer paper, and the cassette inserted into the main body of the device is guided to a predetermined position. A thermal transfer recording device comprising a cassette guide, a cassette locking means provided on the cassette guide and locking an inserted cassette at a predetermined position within the device body, and a pair of supply sides on which transfer paper is wound. A cassette is installed that houses the transfer paper roll on the winding side and the recording paper, and has a locking rib and a lock hole formed on the outer surface, respectively. The transfer paper is guided between the platen roller in the cassette and the thermal head, and the thermal head is pressed against the platen roller via the recording paper fed from the cassette onto the platen roller and the transfer paper to print. The thermal transfer recording device is equipped with a cassette lock means for locking an inserted cassette at a predetermined position within the device main body, and one end of the cassette lock means is engaged with the lock hole to lock the cassette. 1. a cassette lock lever having a locking portion at the other end, biased in the locking direction and rotatably supported; and a tip projection at one end that engages with the locking rib when the cassette is inserted. and has a bold part at the other end that comes into contact with each locking part of the cassette lock lever to maintain the unlocked state when the cassette is not inserted, and is pivotably supported; It consists of a lock release member that rotates the hold lever to release the locked state, and when the cassette is inserted, the locking rib of the cassette comes into contact with the tip protrusion, so that the E cassette lock lever is released. This cassette lock lever is released by releasing the maintenance of the unlocked state.
The cassette is locked by engaging the hook with the lock hole, and the cassette lock lever is released by the lock release member.
The present invention provides a thermal transfer recording device characterized in that the holding portion of the hold lever is brought into contact with the locking portion of the cassette lock lever by forcibly rotating the cassette lock lever in the unlocking direction.

(Embodiment) Hereinafter, a preferred embodiment of the thermal transfer recording apparatus according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 1 to 57.

In this embodiment, the present invention is applied to a video printer that prints on a recording paper on the hand side or slightly longer than the hand side, and each of the main mechanisms will be explained below.

Overall Configuration> FIG. 1 is a plan view of a mechanical section of a video printer according to this embodiment, and FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the overall frame configuration.

The frames in this video printer are broadly divided into inner frames 3 and 4 that sandwich the platen roller 1 and thermal head 2, respectively, and a main frame that is located outside of these inner frames 3 and 4 and supports these frames. It is composed of four frames: frames 5 and 6, and a frame constituting the paper feed/discharge unit 7.

Then, on the main frame 5, there is a
A transfer paper drive mechanism 8, one mechanism control mechanism 9, etc. are arranged, and a platen roller drive mechanism 10 and the other mechanism control mechanism 11 are respectively mounted on the other main frame 6.

The mechanism control mechanisms 9 and 11 are interlocked with each other as will be described later.

The paper feed/discharge unit 7 is also equipped with a mechanism for feeding recording paper from within the cassette and discharging recorded recording paper from the video printer.

The main frame 5 and the main frame 6 are fixed by screws to frame shafts 12a, 12b, 12c, and 12d implanted in the inner frame 3 and inner frame 4, respectively.

Further, the paper feed/discharge unit 7 has a mounting piece 13a thereof.

13b are screwed to the inner frame 3 and mounting pieces 14a and 14b of the inner frame 4, respectively, and the mounting pieces 14C214 of the main frame 5 and main frame 6 are screwed to the other mounting pieces 13c and 13d of the paper feed/discharge unit 7.
d are each screwed together, whereby the respective frames are fastened to each other and the entire mechanism is kept strong.

In this embodiment, by adopting such a frame configuration and distributing each mechanism as described above in each frame, the load (weight, etc.) applied to a single frame can be distributed to each frame. It is possible to increase the degree of freedom in designing the strength, material, etc.

Further, since each mechanism can be made into a unit for each frame, assembly, maintenance, etc. can be easily performed.

Cassette Configuration> Next, the cassette 20 installed in the video printer according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 3 to 5.

FIG. 3 is an upper perspective view of the cassette 20, FIG. 4 is a lower perspective view of the cassette 20, and FIG. 5 is a sectional view, all of which show the state in which the opening for loading transfer paper is opened.

The feature of this cassette 20 is that both the transfer paper T and the recording paper are stored in one main body case 21.
As a result, the user can print simply by attaching the cassette 20 to the main unit, and the operability can be significantly improved.

The cassette 20 includes a main body case 21 formed by butting together an upper half and a lower half made of synthetic resin, a transfer paper cover 22 that opens and closes a transfer paper loading opening 21a of this main body case 21, and a main body case 21. The transfer paper cover 22 and the recording paper cover 23 are used to insert the cassette 20 into the main body of the apparatus. It opens and closes in conjunction with the removal.

Grooves 24 for preventing erroneous insertion are formed on both sides of the main body case 21 to prevent erroneous insertion of the cassette 20 into the apparatus main body.

In addition, this groove 24 for preventing incorrect insertion includes a locking rib 2.
5 and a locking hole 26 are provided to allow a locking operation of a cassette locking mechanism to be described later.

The positional relationship between the locking rib 25 and the lock hole 26 with respect to the cassette insertion direction is such that the locking rib 25 is on the front side of the lock hole 2B (on the right side in FIG. 3) as shown in FIG. It is set.

The transfer paper storage section in the transfer paper cover 22 stores a take-up transfer paper roll 27 and a supply transfer paper roll 28 on which the transfer paper T is wound. At 27.28, the transfer paper T is turned around.

Furthermore, as will be described later, a predetermined length of transfer paper is pre-wound around the winding-side transfer paper roll 27 from the time of shipment from the factory.

This transfer paper T has yellow (Y), magenta (
M), cyan (C), (black (K) as required)
Each color ink is sequentially and repeatedly coated with a predetermined width in the longitudinal direction of the base film to form an ink pattern in which one cycle is formed.

Each transfer paper roll 27.28 is composed of a core 29.30 that serves as a mandrel for winding the transfer paper T, and reels 31.32 provided at both ends of each core 29.30. 31 and 32 are formed with notches that engage with the drive shaft (spindle) on the device main body side to be fitted as described above.

As shown in FIG. 5, the roll direction (tightening direction) of the transfer paper T relative to the winding-side transfer paper core 29 and the supply-side transfer paper core 30 are both clockwise, and the transfer paper T is wound in the same roll direction. ing.

On the other hand, a recording paper K cut to a predetermined size is stored in the recording paper storage section in the recording paper cover 23.
The recording paper is pressed downward in FIG. 5 together with a bottom plate 34 by a spring 33.

The tips of these recording sheets (the left end in FIG. 5) are held on the lower surface by a pair of holding pieces 35 and 35.

Further, in this cassette 20, an inclined surface 21c is formed on the bottom surface continuous to the paper feeding opening 21b,
A friction member 3B having a predetermined friction coefficient is attached to this inclined surface 21c.

In this embodiment, each of the holding pieces 35°35
The front end of the recording paper can be buckled by the friction member 3B during paper feeding, thereby preventing double feeding when the recording paper K is automatically fed.

In addition, in FIG. 4, 21d is a loading arm 160° 161 which will be described later when the cassette 20 is installed in the main body of the apparatus.
21e is a slit into which the mice L60b and 161b fit, and 21e is an escape groove through which a protrusion (not shown) inside the apparatus body for opening the recording paper cover 23 passes when the cassette 20 is inserted into the apparatus body. .

Here, in conventional cassettes of this type, in order to prevent double feeding of recording sheets, instead of the holding piece 35 and the friction member 36, a cassette is used to simultaneously hold all end surfaces of both ends and the lower surface of the front end of the stacked recording sheets. A pair of corner pawls were provided that came into contact with each other, but such corner pawls could apply a large amount of force to buckle the front edge of thick recording paper such as official postcards. It was necessary and not desirable.

On the other hand, the cassette 2 according to the present embodiment as described above
0, a pair of holding pieces 35, 35 and a friction member 36
When double feeding is prevented by this method, there is no need to buckle the front end of the recording paper, so thick recording paper can be fed with a relatively small force, and the configuration can be simplified.

Paper feed/discharge/transfer paper drive mechanism (hereinafter referred to as "drive mechanism")> This drive mechanism is constructed by arranging various functional parts on a drive base 39 attached to the main frame 5, as shown in FIG. and by a single drive motor 40 placed on this drive base 39,
In the transfer paper drive mode, the transfer paper T is wound up and rewound onto each of the transfer paper rolls 27 and 28 stored in the cassette 20, and in the paper feed/discharge drive mode, the transfer paper It performs paper feeding and discharging operations.

First, as shown in FIG. 6, the rotation of the drive motor 40 is transmitted to a center gear 42 by a belt 41. It meshes with gear 44.

The center idler gear 44 can be selectively used as either the transfer paper drive gear 45 or the paper feed/discharge drive gear 46 depending on the rotational position of the center idler base 43 according to the transfer paper drive mode or the paper feed/discharge drive mode. mesh with.

First, FIG. 6 shows the configuration in the transfer paper drive mode. In this mode, the center idler base 43 is biased clockwise by the spring 47, so the center idler base 43 is pivotally supported. The center idler gear 44 meshes with the transfer paper drive gear 45.

The transfer paper drive gear 45 meshes with a transfer paper drive idler gear 49 provided on a transfer paper drive idler base 48 that is rotatable coaxially with the rotation shaft 45a.

The transfer paper drive idler gear 49 is given a rotational load by a spring 50 and a felt 51 as shown in FIG. Perform a so-called shaking motion.

As a result, as shown in FIG. 6, when the transfer paper drive gear 45 rotates clockwise, the transfer paper drive idler base 4
8 also rotates in the clockwise direction in the figure around the rotation axis 45a,
The transfer paper drive idler gear 49 is the transfer paper drive gear 5 on the winding side.
It meshes with 2.

Further, when the transfer paper drive gear 45 rotates counterclockwise in FIG.
The transfer paper drive idler gear 49 rotates counterclockwise around a, and the transfer paper drive idler gear 49 meshes with the supply side transfer paper drive gear 53.

FIG. 6 shows a state in which the transfer paper drive gear 45 rotates clockwise and the transfer paper drive idler gear 49 meshes with the take-up side transfer paper drive gear 52.

Here, the projection 48a for inhibiting gear rotation provided at the tip of the transfer paper drive idler base 48 is connected to the transfer paper drive gear 5 on the supply side.
3, thereby, this supply side transfer paper drive gear 5
3 rotation is locked.

As shown in FIG. 8, the rotational force of the take-up side transfer paper drive gear 52 is transmitted to a pulley 56 via a slip clutch mechanism constituted by a spring 54 and a felt 55, and further,
The timing belt 57 transmits the signal to another pulley 58 close to the take-up spindle.

Note that the tension of this timing belt 57 is adjusted by an intermediate pulley 59.

Furthermore, the gear 60 that rotates integrally with the pulley 58 is
As shown in FIG. 1, it meshes with a take-up spindle gear Gla that is integrally formed with the take-up spindle 61.

Therefore, in the state shown in FIG. 6, the power of the drive motor 40 is transmitted to the center gear 42, the center idler gear 44, the transfer paper drive gear 45, the transfer paper drive idler gear 49, the take-up transfer paper drive gear 52, the pulley 56, the timing The signal is transmitted to the take-up spindle gear 81a via the belt 57, pulley 58, and take-up transfer paper drive gear 60.

This take-up side spindle gear 61a is connected to the transfer paper T, which will be described later.
It is driven when winding up the beginning of each color and when winding up the transfer paper T during printing. Since it is kept constant by a slip clutch mechanism (formed of felt 55 or the like in FIG. 8), stable winding of the transfer paper T is performed.

Moreover, as shown in FIG. 9, when the transfer paper T is wound up,
A supply spindle gear 82a integrally formed with the supply spindle B2 is driven by the transfer paper T. This supply side spindle gear 82a is the supply side transfer paper drive gear 6.
A supply-side transfer paper drive gear 64 that meshes with the supply-side transfer paper drive gear 63 and rotates integrally with the supply-side transfer paper drive gear 63 is engaged with a supply-side transfer paper drive gear 65.

The supply side transfer paper drive gear 65 is in a rotational force transmission relationship with the supply side transfer paper drive gear 53 via a clutch mechanism constituted by a spring 66 and a felt 67 as shown in FIG. The rotation of this supply side transfer paper drive gear 53 is locked by a rotation inhibiting protrusion 48a provided on the transfer paper drive idler bay 48 described above.

Therefore, this supply side transfer paper drive gear 65 rotates while being subjected to a constant load torque by a slip clutch mechanism (consisting of a felt 67 or the like in FIG. 9).

This load torque becomes the rotational load torque of the supply side spindle gear 62a, and acts as a pack tension on the transfer paper during the winding operation of the transfer paper T during loading or the like.

In this way, in this embodiment, since an appropriate pack tension is applied when the transfer paper T is wound up,
It is possible to prevent wrinkles from occurring when the transfer paper T is driven.

Further, when the drive motor 40 rotates in the opposite direction to the above-described state, the transfer paper drive gear 45 rotates counterclockwise, and the transfer paper drive idler base 48 rotates counterclockwise around the rotation axis 45a. Rotate clockwise.

As a result, the transfer paper drive idler gear 49, which is pivotally supported by the transfer paper drive idler base 48, and the take-up transfer paper drive gear 52 are disengaged from each other, and are brought into mesh with the supply side transfer paper drive gear 53. The engagement state of the rotation inhibiting protrusion 48a formed on the transfer paper drive idler base 48 with the supply side transfer paper drive gear 53 is released.

Therefore, the rotation of the drive motor 40 is from the transfer paper drive idler gear 49 to the supply side transfer paper drive gear 53.65°84.
．． 83 and is sequentially transmitted to the supply side spindle gear 62a.
is driven.

The driving force at this time is as follows:
It is used for rewinding the transfer paper T during unloading.

Also in this case, as shown in FIG. 9, a slip clutch mechanism (composed of a felt 67 in FIG. 9, etc.) is provided between the supply side transfer paper drive gear 53 and the supply side transfer paper drive gear 65. ) is provided to warm up the supply side spindle gear 82a, so that the supply side spindle gear 82a does not rotate with more than a certain torque, and does not apply unreasonable tension to the transfer paper T (transfer paper T
can be rewound.

Next, the center idler gear 44 is connected to the paper feed/discharge drive gear 4.
The drive system when meshed with 6 will be explained.

The driving force of the paper feed/discharge drive gear 46 transmitted from the drive motor 40 is transmitted to another paper feed/discharge drive on the same axis via a slip clutch mechanism constituted by a spring 70 and a felt 71, as shown in FIG. After being transmitted to the gear 72, the paper feed/discharge drive gear 73 is driven.

This paper feed/discharge drive gear 73 protrudes from the outside of the main frame 5 to the inside, that is, toward the paper feed/discharge unit 7 (upward in FIG. 7), and is a gear provided on the paper feed/discharge unit 7 (in FIG. 20). It meshes with the paper feed/discharge gear 214).

As a result, the rotation of the drive motor 40 at this time drives the recording paper to be fed or ejected.

Note that the gear relationship provided in the paper feed/discharge unit 7 will be explained in detail later. In addition, the center idler 44
The switching control of the meshing state between the transfer paper drive gear 45 or the paper feed/discharge drive gear 46 will also be described later.

In this mechanism as described above, the single drive motor 4
0, the winding drive and rewinding drive of the transfer paper T and the feeding and discharging drive of the recording paper cannot be selectively performed as appropriate.

Therefore, according to this embodiment, the number of motors in this drive mechanism can be reduced.

Thereby, it is possible to reduce the cost of the mechanism part and also to reduce the noise generated from the motor.

In addition, the drive motor 40, transfer paper drive system, and paper feed/discharge drive system are all arranged on a single drive base 39 and formed into subunits, making it easy to incorporate into the main frame 5. This improves assembly efficiency and facilitates automatic assembly.

Mechanism Control Mechanism> This mechanism control mechanism is composed of a pair of mechanisms 9 and 11 placed on each of the main frames 5 and 6, and each mode is controlled by a single mode motor 75 placed on one of the main frames 5. The control cam gears 76 and 77, which are supported by the main frame 5 and 6, are rotated synchronously,
This sets and controls each operation mode of the video printer according to this embodiment.

Further, in this embodiment, the operations controlled by this mechanism control mechanism include the loading operation of the transfer paper T, and the operation of each transfer paper roll 27 of each spindle.
．． 28, clamping operation of the recording paper to the platen roller 1, feeding and discharging operation of the recording paper, selection operation of transfer paper drive or recording paper drive, moving the thermal head 2 toward and away from the platen roller 1. There is an operation and an ejection operation of the cassette 20.

The configuration of each mechanism control mechanism 9, 11 will be explained below with reference to FIGS. 1, 6, and 10 to 17.

First, in the mechanism control mechanism 9 provided in the main frame 5, the rotational driving force of the mode motor 75 is decelerated by a belt 78 to drive a worm 79, as shown in FIG.

This rotational driving force is then decelerated by the worm 79, the worm wheel 80, and the mode gears 81, 82, and 83, and then transferred to one of the control cam gears 76.
to drive.

The front and back surfaces of the control cam gear 76 (the surfaces facing the main frame 5) are shown in FIGS.
Cam grooves 76a, 78b, and 76c as shown in FIG.
a is engaged with a pin 85a provided at the tip of the spindle control lever 85, and a pin 86a provided on the mode control lever 8G is engaged with the cam groove 78b on the back surface.

Therefore, due to the rotation of the control cam gear 7B and the shape of each of the cam grooves 78a, 78b, the spindle control lever 85 and mode control lever 86 are rotated as appropriate about their respective rotational support shafts 85b, 88b. Performs setting control for each operation such as.

In addition, in another cam groove 78c on the back surface, a cam roller (18f in FIG.
ia) is engaged, and this control cam gear 76
This rotation causes a thermal head 2 attached to a head arm (described later) to approach and separate from the platen roller 1.

As shown in FIG. 6, a fan-shaped gear portion 85c formed on the spindle control lever 85 meshes with an intermediate gear 87, and this intermediate gear 87 meshes with a rack 88a provided on a spindle control slider 88. Therefore, this rotational movement of the spindle control lever 85 is converted into a linear movement of the spindle control slide 88 via the intermediate gear 87.

Further, as shown in FIG. 6, a pin 86c installed at the tip of the mode control lever 86 is engaged with an elongated hole 89a at the right end of the mode control slider 89. Therefore, the rotational movement of the mode control lever 86 is converted into the linear movement of the mode control slider 89.

Further, on the back surface of the control cam gear 76, a notched gear 78d is provided with teeth over a predetermined angular range.
are integrally formed, and power transmission for loading the transfer paper is performed by meshing the teeth of the notched gear 76d with the top of the timing gear 90.

That is, the timing gear 90 rotates intermittently with respect to the rotation of the control cam gear 76, and the rotation of the timing gear 90 corresponds to the rotation of the loading gear 91°92.93°.
(The gear 93 is coaxial with the gear 92) and is transmitted to the loading arm to drive the loading arm (see FIG. 18).

Note that loading refers to an operation in which the take-up transfer paper roll 27 housed in the cassette 20 is guided to a predetermined position within the video printer and the transfer paper T is brought close to the surface of the platen roller 1.

Further, a bin 91a is implanted in the loading gear 91, and this bin 91a is a first filter that detects the loading state as the loading gear 91 rotates.
The mode detection switch Sv1 (using a leaf switch, for example) is turned on and off.

Next, FIG. 11 shows the drive base 39 shown in FIG.
It is a diagram with the control cam gear 7B, mode motor 75, etc. removed.

First, the mode control slider 89 performs setting control of two systems, a selection operation of transfer paper drive or recording paper drive, and a clamp operation, by its movement.

The mode control slider 89 has two long holes 89a and 89b extending in the sliding direction (horizontal direction in the figure).
are formed, and studs 95° 9B installed on the main frame 5 are engaged with these long holes 89a and 89b, respectively.

A rack plate 97 is connected to the mode control slider 89 by engagement of bushings 98.99 and elongated holes 97a and 97b of the rack plate 97, and the rack plate 97 is connected by a spring 101 as shown in FIG. Forced to the right.

A rack 97c formed on the lower side of the rack plate 97 in FIG. 11 meshes with the clamp control gear 102 as the mode control slider 89 moves rightward in the figure.

This clamp control gear 102 is pivotally supported by a shaft 102a that stands up from the inner frame 3, and is constantly biased counterclockwise by a spring 103 and positioned.

and the mode control slider 89 as described above.
moves to the right in the figure, the rack 97c provided on the rack plate 97 moves to the clamp control gear.
102, and rotates the clamp control gear 102 clockwise in the figure. The 20-turn operation opens the clamper on the platen roller 1, as will be described later.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 11, the center idler base 43 is located at the left end of the mode control slider 89.
A center idler control plate 104 is attached by a bush 105 for rotating the drive motor 40 to switch the transmission system of the driving force from the drive motor 40 to a transfer paper drive system or a recording paper drive system.

This center idler control plate 104 is
The bent portion 89 of the mode control slider 89 is biased clockwise in the figure by the spring lOB.
The position is regulated by pressure contact with c.

Here, the center idler base 43 on the drive base 39 is supported by the spring 47 (see FIG. 6) as described above.
is biased clockwise in the figure, and
From the tip of the center idler base 43 to the main frame 5
The pin 107 protruding to the side is connected to the inclined side 104 of the center idler control plate 104 in FIG.
It is located near the valley part 104b of a.

In addition, the center idler control plate 104 is
As the mode control slider 89 moves to the right in FIG. 11, the pin 107 of the center idler base 43 is rotated counterclockwise in the figure by its inclined side 104a.

As a result, this center idler base 43
2a, the center idler gear 44, which is pivotally supported by the center idler base 43, is separated from the transfer paper drive gear 45 and meshes with the paper feed/discharge drive gear 46, thereby causing the transfer. The paper drive mode is shifted to the paper feed/discharge drive mode.

Here, if the gears do not mesh smoothly at this time, that is, if the teeth of the center idler gear 44 and the teeth of the paper feed/discharge drive gear 46 come into contact, the center idler control plate 104 By slightly rotating counterclockwise against the spring 10B, meshing stroke between the gears is absorbed.

According to the above explanation, when the mode control slider 89 is in the state shown in FIG.
meshes with the paper feed/discharge drive gear 45, and the power of the drive motor 40 is transmitted to the transfer paper drive system.

Furthermore, the clamp gear 102 is biased by the spring 103, so it is biased counterclockwise.
This closes the clamper.

When the mode control slider 89 moves to the right in FIG.
4 meshes with the paper feed/discharge drive gear 4B, and the power of the drive motor 40 is transmitted to the paper feed/discharge drive system.
A mechanism to be described later causes the clamp gear 102 to rotate clockwise to open the clamper.

On the other hand, depending on the movement of the spindle control slider 88, the spindle engages the transfer paper rolls 27 and 28, and the paper feed roller 230 (see FIG. 20) approaches and separates from the recording paper (sheet feeding operation). , and three systems of eject operation of the cassette 20 are controlled.

In the fitting operation of the spindle in this embodiment, as will be described later, the fitting operation of the spindle is first performed to support the transfer paper roll 28 on the supply side, and then the loaded roll is fitted to the supply side transfer paper roll 28. The fitting operation to the transfer paper roll 27 is performed, and the fitting operation of the spindle to each transfer paper roll 27, 28 is performed in stages.

This spindle control slider 88 has a long hole 88b.
, 88c, and studs 95 and 110 implanted in the main frame 5 are engaged with these long holes 88b and 88c, respectively.

The positional relationship between this spindle control slider 88 and the mode control slider 89 in the thickness direction (direction perpendicular to the paper surface) in FIG. 11 is such that the mode control slider 89 overlaps the spindle control slider 88. Therefore, one stud 95 is coexisting to support the spindle control slider 88 and mode control slider 89.

This spindle control slide 88 has a paper feed roller control plate 111, and a long hole 111a of this paper feed roller control plate 111.

111b and bushes 112 and 113 implanted in the spindle control slider 88, it is supported so as to be slidable in the lateral direction in FIG.
4, it is constantly biased toward the left in FIG.

A bent portion 111c is provided at the left end in the drawing of the paper feed roller control plate Ill, and when the spindle control slider 88 moves to the left in the drawing, the bent portion 111c bends over the drive base 3.
9, the paper feed roller control lever 115 is rotated counterclockwise about the rotation shaft 1i5b.

Further, a gear portion 115c is integrally carved on the outer periphery of the rotating shaft 115b of the paper feed roller control lever 1f5 (see FIG. 7), and this gear portion 115c is connected to the main frame 5 for feeding and discharging paper. It protrudes toward the unit 7 side and meshes with a paper feed roller moving gear 237 (see FIG. 26) provided on the paper feed/discharge unit 7, which will be described later.

This causes the paper feed roller control lever 1 to slide due to the slide of the paper feed roller control plate ill as the spindle control slider 88 moves.
15 is rotated, and this rotation causes a paper feed roller 230 in the paper feed/discharge unit 7 to approach and separate from the recording paper stored in the cassette 20, as will be described later.

Note that this paper feed roller control lever 115 is
The paper feed roller 230 is constantly biased clockwise by a spring 11B (see FIG. 6) to separate it from the recording paper K, and the rotation range in the clockwise direction is restricted by a stopper bin 117.

The spindle control slider 88 has an arm portion 88d at the upper left end in FIG. 11, and when the spindle control slider 88 moves to the right in FIG.
46 (see FIG. 1) to the main frame 5 side, and moves the eject slider 246 to the right.

And spindle control slider 8 like this
By moving the eject slider 246 in conjunction with step 8, the cassette 20 is ejected from the main body of the apparatus.

Further, the spindle control slider 88 includes:
Cam parts 88e and 88f are provided that are bent perpendicularly to the main frame 5, and these are formed by continuous parallel parts and inclined parts with predetermined length dimensions, as shown in FIG. It has a plate cam shape.

The cam shapes of these cam portions 88e and 88f' control the fitting operation of the supply side spindle 62 and take-up side spindle 61 to each of the transfer paper rolls 27 and 28 as the spindle control slider 88 moves. It is now possible to do so.

As shown in FIG. 12, the length of each of the cam portions He, 118f' is shorter than that of the cam portion 88r on the winding side. As the spindle control slider 88 moves, the supply side spindle first moves to the supply side transfer paper roll 28.
After that, the take-up spindle fits into the take-up transfer paper roll 27.

The mechanism will be explained in more detail below using FIGS. 12 to 14.

In addition, FIG. 14 shows the supply side spindle base 122,
Spindle control arm 128 to spindle 62
It is a view seen from the upper side in the axial direction, and these members on the winding side are also formed in the same shape.

First, the supply side spindle 62 and the take-up side spindle 6
1 rotate around sleeves 120 and 121, respectively, and sleeves 120 and 121 rotate around spindle base 122.
．． 123 and is press-fitted and fixed.

Further, the sleeves 120 and 121 are fitted onto the shafts 124 and 125, and compression springs 128 and 127 apply force to the spindle bases 122 and 123 in an upward direction in FIG.

On the other hand, the flanges 122a, 123a provided on the spindle bases 122, 123 push up the shafts 128a, 129a installed at the tips of the spindle control arms 128, 129, as shown in FIG. 1
28 and 129 are biased in the counterclockwise direction in FIG. 12, that is, in the fitting direction, around the pivot shafts 128b and 129b.

In addition, in this state, the rollers 128c and 129e, which are pivotally supported at the tips of the spindle control arms 128 and 129, are in contact with the parallel parts of the cam parts 88e and 88r of the spindle control slider 88, and these spindle control arm 12g,
129 is prevented from rotating in the fitting direction.

Therefore, the supply side spindle 62 and the take-up side spindle 6
1 are both in a state where their upward movement in FIG. 12 is restricted.

When the spindle control slider 88 moves upward in FIGS. 11 and 12, the rollers 128c and 129c of the spindle control arms 12g and 129 move toward the inclined portions of the cam portions 88e and 88f' of the spindle control slider 88. It rotates step by step along the .

As a result, these spindle control arms 12
g, 129 are rotated counterclockwise about their rotational axes L28b, L29b, and the supply side spindle 62 and take-up side spindle 61 sequentially move upward in the figure.

In this embodiment, each of the cam portions 88e, 8
Since the length dimensions of the parallel portions 81' are different, the supply side spindle 62 first fits into the reel 32 provided at the end of the supply side transfer paper core 30, and then the winding side transfer paper core 2
A supply spindle 62 is fitted into the groove 31 provided at the end of the transfer paper roll 9, thereby transmitting the driving force to each of the transfer paper rolls 27,28.

The timing of the fitting operation of the spindles 61, 62 to each of the transfer paper rolls 27, 28 will be explained in detail in the explanation of the operation described later.

Further, as described above, the rotational driving force is transmitted from the drive motor 40 to the supply side spindle 62 via the gear 63 (see FIGS. 6 and 13), and the rotational driving force is transmitted to the take-up side spindle 61. is gear 60. Pulley 58. Rotational driving force is transmitted from the drive motor 40 via the belt 57 and the like (see FIGS. 13 and 6).

Next, the mechanism control mechanism 11 provided on the main frame 6 side will be explained.

This mechanism control mechanism 11 is a mechanism control mechanism 9 provided on the main flail 5 side.
It controls the movement of the thermal head 2 toward and away from the platen roller 1 in cooperation with the transfer paper rolls 27.
28 to control the fitting operation of the spindle to the reel 31, 32 on the main frame 6 side.

Hereinafter, this mechanism control mechanism 11 will be described as the 15th mechanism control mechanism 11.
This will be explained using FIGS. 17 to 17.

Note that FIG. 15 is a view of FIG. 1 viewed from the direction of arrow B.

In FIG. 15, 130 is a mode gear, and power is transmitted to this mode gear 130 through the worm wheel 80 of the main frame 5 and the transmission shaft 80a (see FIG. 1).

Here, in the worm wheel 80, the reduction ratio of the motor rotation is still small, and the drive torque is small, so the torsional rigidity of the transmission shaft 80a is small, so the power transmission between the two frames is sufficiently performed only by this transmission shaft 80a. can be done.

Further, the rotation of the mode gear 130 is further reduced in speed by other mode gears 131 and 132, and then drives the control cam gear 77.

Here, the mode gears 81, 82, 83 . on the main frame 5 in FIG. Gear reduction ratio up to control cam gear 76 and mode gear 131 in FIG.
．． Since the gear reduction ratios up to the control cam gear 77 are set to the same value, each of the control cam gears 78 and 77 rotates in the same phase.

In this way, by connecting the two control cam gears 76, 77 provided on each of the main frames 5, 6 by an outer periphery drive method using each of the mode gears located on the outer periphery of these control cam gears 78, 77, The arrangement position of the transmission shaft 80a can be shifted from the center of the mechanism.

As a result, according to this embodiment, the design between the main frames 5 and 6 is better than the shaft drive method (a method in which the rotation shafts of two control cam gears are connected by a transmission shaft to transmit power). The degree of freedom in layout increases, and the thermal head crimping mechanism, cooling fan, etc. can be arranged efficiently, and the machine can be made smaller and lighter.

In addition, the transmission shaft 80a in the outer circumferential drive method has a smaller transmission torque than the transmission shaft in the shaft drive method, so there is greater freedom in selecting the material, outer diameter, etc. of the shaft 80a. Cost reduction can be achieved.

On the other hand, the back surface of the control cam gear 77 (the surface facing the main frame 6) has a cam groove 7 formed on the back surface of the control cam gear 7B, as shown in FIG.
A cam groove 7'la is formed which is symmetrical (mirror image) to 8c, and a bottle implanted in a head arm, which will be described later, is engaged with this cam groove 77a.

As a result, the head arm 176.1 is rotated by these control cam gears 78.77 which are rotated in synchronization.
The movement of the thermal head 2 attached to the platen roller 77 toward and away from the platen roller 1 is controlled.

Further, a plurality of slits 77b are formed in two rows at predetermined angular positions on the outer circumference of the control cam gear 77, and these slits 77b are connected to second and third mode detection switches Sw2 using photocoupler. 8w3, it is possible to detect the operating mode according to the rotation angle position of the control cam gear 77.

That is, in FIG. 15, the light receiving element (or light emitting element) constituting the detection switch is attached to the main frame 6 via a sensor bracket 137, and is connected to the light receiving elements 135, 136 with a control cam gear 77 in between. A light emitting element (not shown) constituting the photocoupler is provided at an opposing position.

Here, the slit 77b is connected to the control cam gear 7.
By providing the cam sensor bracket 137 on the outer periphery of the cam sensor bracket 137, the detection position accuracy of each of the mode detection switches can be improved, and since the cam sensor bracket 137 can be easily arranged, the space factor can be improved.

In this way, by providing a position detection means on the outer periphery of one of the pair of control cam gears 76 and 77 that rotate in the same phase, that is, the control cam gear 77 in this embodiment, each surface of the other control cam gear 7B is It is possible to form a continuous cam groove from the center to the outer periphery as shown in FIGS. 10(A) and 10(B), and the cam groove can be efficiently designed.

Further, the surface of the control cam gear 77 has a cam groove 7 formed on the surface of the previous control cam gear 76.
A cam groove (not shown) symmetrical to 6a is formed,
This cam groove has a sub spindle control slider 1.
A pin 140a implanted in 40 is engaged.

Therefore, the rotation of the control cam gear 77 causes the sub-spindle control slider 140 to move to the first position.
5 and 17, it is slid laterally.

This sub-spindle control slider 140 is for fitting the sub-spindles 141, 142, which are arranged opposite to the spindle as shown in FIG. Long hole 140
b and 140c are slidably supported by engaging studs 143 and 144 implanted in the main frame 6, respectively.

Additionally, this sub-spindle control slider 140
Cam portions 140d and 140e are formed at predetermined positions, and these cam portions 140d and 140e have the same shape as the cam portions 88e and 88f' formed on the previous spindle control slider 88, as shown in FIG. It has a cam shape in which a parallel part and an inclined part are continuously formed.

Note that FIG. 17 is a schematic sectional view of FIG. 15 viewed from above.

In FIG. 17, 145 and 146 are a supply side sub-spindle arm and a take-up side sub-spindle arm, respectively, and shafts 147a and 1 of brackets 147 and 148.
It is rotatably supported around 48a.

The supply side sub-spindle 142 and the take-up side sub-spindle 141 are located at one end of the supply side sub-spindle arm 145 and the take-up side sub-spindle arm 14B.
are supported by shafts 145a and 148a, respectively.

The other end of each spindle arm 145.14B is connected to each shaft 145 by a spring 149.150.
a.

It is biased counterclockwise around 146a.

Further, in the state shown in FIG. 17, the cam portion 140d of each sub-spindle control slider 140 is
, 140e, each spindle arm 145.1
Rollers 145b and 148b provided at one end of 46 abut against each other to restrict rotation.

Then, when the control cam gear 77 rotates,
The pin 140a of this sub-spindle control slider 140 is guided by the cam groove of the control cam gear 77, and the sub-spindle control slider 1
40 moves laterally in FIG.

Therefore, each of the above sub-spindle arms 145.14B
Each of the rollers 145b and 146b provided in the sub-spindle control slider 140
Since the sub-spindle arms 145 and 148 move sequentially and stepwise along the slope 40e, the sub-spindle arms 145 and 148 sequentially rotate counterclockwise in FIG. 17.

Then, by the rotational movement of each sub-spindle arm 145, 14B controlled by the movement of the sub-spindle control slider 140, the supply-side sub-spindle 14 is first attached to the supply-side transfer paper roll 28.
2 are fitted together, and then the take-up side sub-spindle 141 is fitted to the take-up side transfer paper roll 27.

Note that the timing of the fitting operation of each of the sub-spindles 141 and 142 is based on the timing of each of the spindles 6 on the driving side described earlier.
It is synchronized with each operation timing of 1.62.

By fitting the sub-spindles 141 and 142 as described above, the driven side of each of the transfer paper rolls 27 and 28 is supported.

Here, each of the spindles 01.
82 uses these spindles 81, 82 to position the driving side of the transfer paper rolls 27, 28, and also transmits driving force to these spindles 81, 62 through gears.

Therefore, in this embodiment, these spindles fit
, 62 are linearly moved up and down in a direction perpendicular to the main frame 5 (in the axial direction of the spindle 81.82) to fit each transfer paper roll 27.28.

By linearly moving each spindle 61, 62 (fitting operation) in this way, it is possible to improve the positioning accuracy of these spindles 81, 62, and to realize reliable driving force transmission. can.

On the other hand, the driven side sub-spindle 141°142
merely holds the driven side of each transfer paper roll 27,28 without transmitting a driving force to each transfer paper roll 27,28.

The fitting operation of these sub-spindles 141 and 142 having such functions is, as described above, the rotational movement of each of the sub-spindle arms 145, 14B,
In other words, it is a circular motion.

As a result, the transfer paper roll 28 in the cassette 2o
position accuracy is not achieved, or the sub spindle 141
, 142, this positional error can be absorbed to some extent by displacement in the lateral direction in FIG. 17 due to circular arc movement.

Therefore, even if the positional accuracy of each of the transfer paper rolls 27, 28 in the cassette 20 is rough to some extent, each of the sub-spindles 141, 142 can be reliably fitted to the transfer paper rolls 27, 28, and these transfers can be performed. paper roll 2
7.28 can be held precisely in place.

In addition, each transfer paper roll 27°2 in the cassette 20
Since the accuracy of the storage position of B can be relaxed, the cost of this type of cassette 20 can be reduced, and handling can be made easier.

Further, in order to perform circular arc movement, it is sufficient to attach each of the sub-spindles 141 and 142 to the sub-spindle arm L45.14B which is supported by the shaft, so it is possible to simplify the mechanism.

According to the mechanism control mechanism configured as described above, the three
By moving each of the control sliders 88.degree., 89.140, it is possible to control the settings of all the six systems mentioned above.

Therefore, the structure of the mechanism control mechanism becomes simple, the number of parts can be reduced, and the ease of assembly can be improved, and the cost of the device can be reduced.

Moreover, each such setting control is performed by a single mode motor 7.
5 by rotating each of the control cam gears 76 and 77, the number of motors for such setting control can be reduced.

This makes it possible to reduce costs and reduce noise generated from the motor.

Platen Roller Mechanism> Next, the drive mechanism, loading mechanism, and clamp mechanism of the platen roller 1 will be explained.

First, as shown in FIG. 15, the drive mechanism for the platen roller 1 is composed of a platen roller drive motor 155, a deceleration mechanism 158, etc., and the rotation of the platen roller drive motor 155 is decelerated by the deceleration mechanism 156. is transmitted to a pulley 158 attached coaxially with the platen roller shaft 157, thereby rotationally driving the platen roller 1.

Further, the platen roller driving motor 155 is started, stopped, and rotated by a mechanical controller in accordance with various operation switches such as the mode detection switches Sv1 to Sw3 and the print switch.

The loading mechanism is housed in the cassette 20 by the driving force of the mode motor 75 transmitted through the control cam gear 76, timing gear 90, and loading gears 91, 92, 93 (see FIG. 6) in the mechanism control mechanism 9. Take-up transfer paper roll 2
7 into the main body of the apparatus to form a predetermined transfer paper running path, which will be described in detail below with reference to FIGS. 18 and 19.

18 is a view of the main frame 5 in FIG. 1 removed and viewed from the direction of arrow A in FIG. 1, and FIG.
It is a figure seen from the arrow C direction.

Note that, in order to make the drawing easier to understand, the sheet feeding/discharging unit 7 is omitted in FIG. 18.

In FIG. 18, a platen roller 1 is located between each of the inner frames 3.4, and a platen roller shaft 157 that rotates coaxially with the platen roller 1 projects from both end surfaces of the platen roller 1. , this platen roller shaft 157 is connected to each inner frame 3,
It is pivoted by 4.

Furthermore, a pair of loading arms I60 and 181 are rotatably fitted to the outside of each of the inner frames 3 and 4 coaxially with the platen roller shaft 157.

Mice teob and tetb are formed at the tips of these loading arms 160 and 161, respectively, and these mice teob and teib are inserted into the cassette 20 when the cassette 20 is attached to the main body of the device, and are wound. Supports the core 29 of the transfer paper roll 27 (third
(See Figure 2).

Further, a loading shaft 182 disposed parallel to the platen roller shaft 157 is rotatably supported by each of the inner frames 3.4, and rotates the loading gear 92 as shown in FIG. The driving force is transmitted to other loading gears 93, 164 via this loading shaft 162.

In addition, these loading gears 92, 94, 184 are
It is coaxially attached to the loading shaft 162.

This loading shaft 162 also serves as a guide for the recording paper during recording.

On the other hand, other loading gears 93 and 184 that rotate together with the loading gear 92 mesh with gear portions 180a and 161a provided on the outer peripheries of the loading arms 160 and 161, respectively.

Further, as mentioned above, the loading gear 92 has the following features:
It meshes with the loading gear 91 on the main frame 5, and thereby the rotational driving force of the notched gear 78d of the control cam gear 76 is intermittently transmitted via the timing gear 90 and the loading gear 91.
(See Figure 6).

In this way, the rotational driving force transmitted from the control cam gear 7B to the timing gear 90 is transmitted to each loading arm 160, 18 by the gear train consisting of each loading gear 91, 92, 93, 184 as described above.
1, respectively.

Here, the loading arms tao and tet are driven around the outer periphery by the loading gears 93 and 184 attached to both ends of the loading shaft 1B2, so the loading arms ieo and tet rotate in the same phase, and Its rotation can also be performed independently of the rotation of the platen roller 1.

In Fig. 18, reference numeral 165 is a loading end shaft, which is fixed between the inner frame 3 and the inner frame 4. To accurately position the loading completion position of each loading arm 160° 161.

Further, the loading end shaft 165 in this embodiment is also used as a guide for the recording paper during printing.

Further, in FIG. 18, 166 is a loading arm positioning piece formed by bending a part of the inner frame 3, and the height position of the loading arm 160° 161 (rotation) before starting loading, that is, when loading the cassette. (moving position).

Next, the clamp mechanism will be explained using FIGS. 19 and 20.

A clamp-off arm 168 is rotatably engaged with the loading shaft 162, and the clamp-off arm 168 is connected to the loading shaft 162.
162 and each of the above loading gears 92.93°164
It rotates independently.

In FIG. 20, a roller 169 pivotally supported on the tip side (right side in the figure) of the clamp-off arm 168 projects toward the end surface of the platen roller 1.

A gear portion 168b is formed on the base end side of the clamp-off arm 168, and this gear portion 168b meshes with the clamp gear 102 (see FIG. 11).

As explained earlier, this clamp gear 168b is engaged with the rack 97c of the rack plate 97 as the mode control slider 89 moves, so that the clamp gear 168b
It rotates clockwise in the figure (see Figure 11).

Thereby, the clamp off arm 188 that meshes with this clamp gear 102 is the loading shaft 1
82 in the counterclockwise direction in FIG. 20, and the roller 168a pivotally supported at the tip of the clamp-off arm 188 comes into contact with the tip of a clamp lever 170 disposed on the end surface of the platen roller.

The clamp lever 170 is a central axis of rotation thereof, and rotates together with the lamp shaft 171 in the clockwise direction in the figure.

Furthermore, the clamp shaft 171 is connected to a clamper 172 provided on the outer peripheral surface of the platen roller 1,
The clamper 172 rotates clockwise in the figure around the clamp shaft 171 by the rotation of the clamp shaft 171 in conjunction with the mode control slider 89 as described above, and is separated from the outer peripheral surface of the platen roller 1.

Thermal Head Support Mechanism> Next, the structure of the support mechanism that supports the thermal head 2 that is moved toward and away from the platen roller 1 as described above will be described with reference to FIG.

In FIG. 18, 175 is a heat sink, and the thermal head 2 in this embodiment is this heat sink 175.
It is maintained at

Further, the heat sink 175 is supported by a pair of helad arms 178 and 177.

Here, since the mechanical parts around each of the head arms 176 and 177 are constructed in a substantially symmetrical shape, only the mechanism around one helad arm 1f 6 will be described below.

This head arm 17B is supported by a rotation center shaft 178, and this rotation center shaft 178 is implanted inside the inner frame 3 (on the back side in the drawing).

Further, a driven-side main toggle link 180 is connected to a shaft t'yea protruding from a midway portion in the longitudinal direction of the head arm 17B.
The tips of the two are rotatably engaged. The base end of this driven side main toggle link 180 is rotatably engaged with a shaft 181a provided on a driving side main toggle link 181. 182a.

This spring lever 1g2 is biased by a spring 1H with a force in the clockwise direction in FIG. movement is blocked.

Here, the driven side main toggle link 180 and the driving side main toggle link 181 constitute a pair of toggle link mechanisms.

Further, in FIG. 18, 18B is a sub-toggle link on the driving side, which is rotatably supported by a shaft 187 protruding from the inner frame 3, and a cam roller 186a is attached to the sub-toggle link 186 on the driving side. 3 (main frame 5 side).

This cam roller IHa has a control cam 7.
6 engages with a cam groove 760 (see FIG. 10(B)) provided on the back side.

Further, the tip of the driving side sub-toggle link 186 is rotatably engaged with one end side of the driven side sub-toggle link 189 by a rotating wheel 188.

Note that the driven side sub-toggle link 189 is located on the back side of the driving side sub-toggle link 186 in the drawing, so it is indicated by a dotted line in FIG.

The other end of the above driven side sub-toggle link 189 is the shaft tg
It is rotatably engaged with the driving side sub-toggle link 181 by ib.

Therefore, the driving side sub-toggle link 18B and the driven side sub-toggle link 189 constitute another pair of toggle link mechanisms.

FIG. 21 schematically shows the configuration of each toggle link mechanism described above, and the points indicated by black circles in the figure are the inner frame 3.
shows a rotating wheel that is fixed, and the white circle is a rotating wheel that is not fixed.

Also, as shown in FIG. 21, at this stage, the thermal head 2 is far from the platen roller 1.
In the closed state, the two pairs of toggle link mechanisms as described above are in a contracted state (bent state).

As described above, the support mechanism for the thermal head 2 according to this embodiment connects the head arms 176 and 177 to which the thermal head 2 is attached via the heat sink 175 to the two pairs of toggle link mechanisms as described above. Since it is configured to be supported by the toggle link mechanism, it is possible to obtain a force (output) larger than the force (input) applied to these toggle link mechanisms.

Therefore, according to this embodiment, a sufficient pressing force against the platen roller 1 can be obtained only by the rotational force of the control cam gear 76 without using a special pressure mechanism.

Furthermore, since there is no need to independently provide a special pressurizing mechanism, this type of device can be made smaller and lighter, and costs can also be reduced.

Thermal Head> Next, the configuration of the thermal head 2 supported by the support mechanism configured as described above will be described with reference to FIGS. 22 to 25.

As shown in FIG. 23, this thermal head 2 is composed of a ceramic substrate 2a and a driver substrate 2b that drives a heating element 190 arranged on this ceramic substrate 2b.

At the end of the ceramic substrate 2a, the heating elements 190 are arranged in a straight line corresponding to the number of dots to be printed. connected.

In such a thermal head 2, a predetermined signal current is applied to each heating element 190 to generate appropriate heat, and this heat melts or sublimates the ink applied to the transfer paper T and transfers it to the recording paper K. Printing is done by transferring.

On the other hand, this thermal head 2 is fixed to the heat sink 175 by a plurality of screws 192, 193, 194, 195 as shown in FIG. It is held at 177.

By the way, when the thermal head 2 configured as described above presses against the platen roller 1 and performs recording, the heating elements 190 arranged in a straight line contact the outer peripheral surface of the platen roller 1 with uniform pressure. Otherwise, problems arise in that density unevenness occurs and the S/N ratio deteriorates, making it impossible to obtain a good print condition.

Therefore, the contact adjustment of the thermal head 2 with respect to the platen roller 1 in the axial direction of the platen roller 1 is adjusted (
It is necessary to perform contact adjustment in advance in the crimping position adjustment) and radial direction (adhesion adjustment).

Next, these adjustment methods will be described.

First, in order to adjust the crimping position, as shown in FIG. Adjustment holes 175a and 175b are provided at predetermined positions on the adjustment jig 200 shown in FIGS. 24 and 25.
Use.

Then, when making adjustments, turn each of the above screws 196° and 197°.
．． Slightly loosen 198 and 199 and attach the above heat sink 17
5 can be moved relative to the head arm 176, 177, and the adjustment hole 175a or 175b
Fit the tip 200a of the adjustment jig 200 into the adjustment jig 200, and then fit the adjustment piece 200b of the adjustment jig 200 into the adjustment notch t7eb.

177b and rotate it left and right.

With this, the thermal head 2 becomes a heat sink.
[Head arm with 75 178. Each heating element 19 moves relative to the platen roller 177.
The axial position of 0 can be adjusted.

And after adjusting 2J, the above screws are 196, 197, 19
8,199 to complete the adjustment work.

In this embodiment, adjustment notches 176b and 177b are provided on the helad arms 178 and 177, and adjustment holes 175a and 175b are provided on the heat sink 175, but it goes without saying that this installation relationship may be reversed.

Next, a radial adjustment method will be explained.

Adjustment in the radial direction means that the heating elements 190 arranged in a straight line on the ceramic substrate 2a do not have linearity accuracy in the thickness direction, or the outer peripheral surface of the platen roller 1 does not have roundness. This is because when the heating elements 190 touch the platen roller 1, the contact pressure of each heating element 190 to the platen roller 1 is partially different, resulting in uneven contact.

This adjustment is performed by screwing the setscrews 201, 202, 203 into screw holes provided in the heat sink 175, and pushing the thermal head 2 by screwing the setscrews 201, 202, 203 forward and backward.

That is, by tightening one of the set screws screwed into a position close to a portion of the heating element 190 that has poor contact, the ceramic substrate 2a of the thermal head 2 is moved in the thickness direction of this substrate (in the vertical direction in FIG. 23). ) is elastically deformed.

Please note that this adjustment is done using screws 198.197.198.199.
and 192, 193, 194, and 195 are all tightened.

As mentioned above, each of the above adjustments can be made using the simple adjustment jig 200.
Since everything can be done from the upper side of the thermal head 2 using the , it can be done in the final process after all the devices have been assembled on the production line, and work efficiency can be significantly improved.

Further, since fine adjustment can be made using the simple adjustment jig 200 as described above, the accuracy of mounting the thermal head 2 can be increased, and thereby the printing condition can be improved.

In addition, in this mechanism, the rotation direction of the platen roller 1 with respect to the thermal head 2 during recording is from the heating element 190 side to the driver board 2b side in FIG.
That is, the rotation direction is clockwise in the figure, which is the opposite direction to the rotation direction of the platen roller 1 in the normal usage method.

When recording in the normal rotation direction of the platen roller with this mechanism, that is, when printing by rotating the platen roller 1 counterclockwise, when feeding the recording paper K, the upper direction of the platen roller 1 is A clamper 172 is located at , and recording paper K is fed toward it.

On the other hand, when recording is performed by rotating counterclockwise as in normal usage, the clamper is located in the paper discharge path (235 in Fig. 20), which will be described later, and the recording paper is rotated counterclockwise. The paper must be fed so that it slides under 1.

Since the recording surface of the recording paper must face outward and face the thermal head 2 when clamped by the platen roller 1, the recording surface of the recording paper must face the paper feed roller 230, which will be described later, in the cassette. It must be stored in 20.

For this reason, when feeding paper, the recording surface may be smudged by the paper feeding roller 230, resulting in a problem of deterioration of printing quality.

Furthermore, if the rotation direction of the platen roller 1 during recording is set clockwise as in this mechanism, and the thermal head 2 is reversed left and right and attached to the head arm 17B, the rotation direction of the platen roller during recording with respect to the thermal head is The method of use is the same as normal, but the problem is that the head arm itself becomes bulky and the machine is quite thick.

Therefore, the heating element 1 of the thermal head 2 as in this embodiment
By rotating the platen roller 1 from 90 toward the driver board 2b, the device can be made thinner and the reliability of paper feeding can be improved.

Next, the recording paper K stored in the installed cassette 20
The structure of the paper feed/discharge unit 7 for feeding the recording paper K into the apparatus main body and ejecting the printed recording paper K out of the apparatus main body will be explained in detail using FIGS. 20, 26, and 27. explain.

Figures 26 and 27 are drawn from Figure 20 by the arrows in Figure 20.

It is a view seen from the E direction.

First, in FIG. 20, 210 is a guide plate, which guides the recording paper when it is fed or discharged.

A guide shaft 211 for guiding the movement of the transfer paper T is rotatably provided at the tip of the guide plate 210, and a guide shaft 211 for guiding the movement of the transfer paper T is provided at a predetermined position near the paper feeding path for the recording paper. A recording paper detection sensor Sν4 for detecting K is provided.

212 is a paper feed port that guides the recording paper K to the platen roller 1, and 213 is a paper discharge port.

214 is a paper feed/discharge drive gear, and this paper feed/discharge drive gear 2
14 is a paper feed/discharge drive gear 73 on the drive base 39
The drive motor 40 is engaged with the gear 46 and the like.
rotational driving force is transmitted (see FIGS. 6 and 7).

Further, the paper feed/discharge drive gear 214 meshes with a paper feed gear 215 as shown in FIG. 26, and also meshes with a paper discharge gear 216 as shown in FIG.
The driving force from the drive motor 4o is distributed and transmitted to the drive motor 16.

Further, in FIG. 26, the paper feed gear 215 is provided with a general one-way clutch mechanism 215a, and this one-way clutch mechanism 215a generates a rotational force of the paper feed gear 215 in the clockwise direction in FIG. That is, the rotational force for paper feeding is transmitted to the paper feeding shaft 215a, and the rotational force in the counterclockwise direction, that is, the rotational force for discharging the paper, is not transmitted to the paper feeding shaft 215a.

The rotation of the paper feed shaft 215a drives the paper feed roller 230 via other paper feed gears 218, 219, and 220, as shown in FIG.

As described above, since only the rotational force for feeding paper is transmitted to the paper feed shaft 215a by the one-way clutch mechanism 217, the paper feed roller 230 is rotated in the paper feeding direction only when feeding paper. , it is not rotated when paper is ejected.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 27, the paper discharge gear 216 rotates integrally with a paper discharge shaft 231, and a pair of lower paper discharge rollers 232.2 are provided at both ends of the paper discharge shaft 231.
32 are attached, and these paper ejection rollers 232.
rotates integrally with the paper discharge shaft 231.

Further, upper paper ejection rollers 233, 233 are in rolling contact with these lower paper ejection rollers 232, 232, respectively, and these upper paper ejection rollers 233, 233 are supported by plate springs 234, 234 as shown in FIG. Paper ejection roller 23
2,232, respectively.

The recording paper on which printing has been completed is held between the upper and lower paper ejection rollers 232, 233, and passes through the paper ejection path 235 (second
(See Figure 0) and is discharged to the outside of the apparatus from the paper discharge outlet 236.

In addition, in FIG. 26, 237 is a paper feed roller control gear, which meshes with the gear portion 115c of the paper feed roller control lever 115 provided on the drive base 39 (see FIGS. 7 and 11). The paper feed roller control gear 237 rotates as the spindle control slider 88 moves.

The counterclockwise rotation of the paper feed roller control lever 115 during paper ejection is transmitted to the paper feed roller control gear 237, and the shaft 23
8 and rotates another paper feed roller control gear 239.

This gear 239 rotatably holds the paper feed roller 230 and meshes with a sector gear 240a formed on a paper feed roller bracket 240 that is pivotally supported by the paper feed shaft 215a.

As a result, the paper feed roll bracket 240 rotates about the paper feed shaft 215a in conjunction with the rotation of the paper feed roller control lever 115, and the paper feed roller 230 is moved around the paper feed shaft 215a to move the paper feed roller 230 to the recording medium stored in the cassette 2o. Press it against paper K.

Note that, as will be described later, such a pressing operation of the paper feed roller 230 against the recording paper K is performed in conjunction with the loading operation of the take-up side transfer paper roll 27 after the cassette 2o is installed in the main body of the apparatus. .

In addition, in FIG. 27, 241 and 242 are the cassette 2
When attaching the ゜ to the main body of the device, the inserted cassette 20
This is a cassette guide that guides you through the process.

Further, in FIG. 20, reference numeral 247 is an optical cue sensor for cueing the transfer paper T, and this sensor 247 is fixedly attached to a sensor bracket 248.

Here, the placement position of this cue sensor 247 is near the contact position between the platen roller 1 and the thermal head 2, and on the near side of the guide shaft 249 that first guides the transfer paper T that has passed the platen roller 1. By arranging the sensor 247 at such a position, each transfer paper roll 27 is
．． The influence of fluctuations in the bus of the transfer paper T due to changes in the winding diameter of 28 can be eliminated.

As a result, according to this embodiment, the cueing sensor 2
The relative distance between 47 and the transfer paper T can always be kept constant at a close position.

The cueing sensor 247 is a sensor having a color identification function in which a light emitting part and a light receiving part are integrally formed, and the light emitted from the light emitting part is reflected by a reflection sensor provided in a part of the thermal head 2. The light is reflected by the plate 250 and detected by the light receiving section.

Then, the transfer paper T coated with rope ink forms a predetermined running bus that passes between these sensors 247 and the reflecting plate 250, and the color ink applied to the transfer paper T by this cue sensor 247 The cue for each color of ink is determined by detecting the color of the ink.

Here, when using the optical cue sensor 247 as described above, it is necessary to make this sensor 247 and the reflecting plate 250 face each other with the transfer paper T in between, and when loading the transfer paper T, The loading passage must be made somewhat large.

Therefore, by attaching the reflecting plate 250 to the thermal head 2 as in this embodiment, it is possible to make it far away from the cueing sensor 247 during loading, and to make it close to this sensor 247 after loading is completed. In addition, there is no need for a special bracket, bracket, etc. for attaching the reflector 250.

It goes without saying that the positional relationship between the cueing sensor 247 and the reflecting plate 250 may be reversed.

Cassette Lock Mechanism> Next, a cassette lock mechanism that accurately locks the cassette 20 inserted into the apparatus main body at a predetermined position will be described in detail with reference to FIG. 1 and FIGS. 27 to 30.

First, when inserting the cassette 20, as shown in FIG. To accurately guide a predetermined position within the main body.

When the cassette 20 is inserted all the way, a cassette detection switch (not shown) detects that the cassette 20 has been inserted, and at the same time, the cassette locking mechanism operates to lock the inserted cassette 20.

The cassette locking mechanism in this embodiment is roughly composed of a hold lever 243, a cassette lock lever 245, and an eject lever 246, and holds the cassette 20 in the locked and unlocked states by the cassette lock lever 245. The eject lever 24 is maintained by the lever 243 and the eject lever 24
6 to release the locked state.

That is, the cassette lock lever 245 has a hook 245C formed at its tip that engages with the lock hole 26 of the cassette 20, and locking portions 245a and 245b formed continuously at the other end. The middle portion thereof is supported by a shaft 245d.

Further, the hold lever 243 has a tip protrusion 243a formed at one end thereof that contacts the locking rib 25 of the inserted cassette 20, and a hold lever 243a that selectively engages with each of the locking portions at the other end. A portion 243C is formed,
A midway portion thereof is supported by a shaft 243b.

The hold lever 243 prevents rotation of the cassette lock lever 245 by selectively engaging the holding portion 243C with each locking portion 245a, 245b of the cassette lock lever 245. This is to maintain a locked state or an unlocked state, respectively.

The maintenance of each state by the hold lever 243 is canceled by insertion of the cassette 20 or by the eject slider 246.

That is, the cassette locking rib 25 provided in the erroneous insertion prevention groove 24 presses the tip protrusion 243a of the hold lever 243, and this hold lever 243 is pushed by the spring 2.
44 and tries to rotate clockwise in FIG. 1 about the rotation axis 243b.

On the other hand, at the stage of inserting the cassette 20, the upper part of the cassette lock lever 245 is biased clockwise in the figure around its pivot shaft 245a by the self-spring spring 244, Stop part 245a and hold lever 243
Since the holding portion 243c is in contact with the holding portion 243c, its rotation is prevented (as shown in FIG. 1).

By inserting the cassette 20 in this state, the tip projection 243a of the hold lever 243 is inserted into the cassette 2.
The locking rib 25 of the cassette lock lever 245 rotates clockwise in FIG. At the same time as the cassette lock lever 245 is released, the holding portion 243c comes into contact with the second locking portion 245b of the cassette lock lever 245.

As a result, the cassette lock lever 245 is
As shown in FIG. 8, the cassette lock lever 245 is rotated clockwise so that the hook 245C provided at the tip of the cassette lock lever 245 enters the cassette lock hole 26 provided in the erroneous insertion prevention groove 24 of the cassette 20; In other words, the cassette 20 is locked to the main body of the apparatus.

This state is maintained by the contact between the holding portion 243c and the second locking portion 245b of the cassette lock lever 245.

FIG. 29 is a sectional view of the erroneous insertion prevention groove 24, and the third
0 is a view of FIG. 28 viewed from the direction of arrow F.

As shown in FIG. 30, since the cassette locking mechanism is constructed integrally with one of the cassette guides 241 that guides the cassette 20, it is easy to position the cassette locking mechanism with respect to the cassette 20 with precision, and the cassette 20 is held in a predetermined position. Can be locked precisely in position.

In addition, as shown in FIG. 29, the cassette lock lever 245
The operating angle (pressure angle) α of the lock with respect to the rotation fulcrum O is 9
Since it is at 0°, this cassette lock lever 24
5 has the maximum lock strength.

When taking out the locked cassette 20 from the main body of the apparatus, that is, when ejecting it, the spindle control slider 88 in FIG.
The eject slider 246 is moved to the right in the same figure.
This is done by moving the .

That is, in FIG. 28, the left end of the eject slider 24G is engaged with the pin 245e provided on the cassette lock lever 245, and the cassette lock lever 245 is rotated counterclockwise by the spring 244. The eject slider 246 is biased toward the left in the figure by the engagement relationship described above.

When ejecting, the eject slider 246 moves as the spindle control slider 88, which engages with the tip projection 246a of the eject control slider 246 (see FIG. 11), moves, thereby locking the cassette lock lever. 245 rotates counterclockwise in the figure.

This counterclockwise rotation causes the hook portion 245c at the tip of the cassette lock lever 245 to lock onto the cassette 2.
Remove the cassette 20 from the cassette lock hole 26 of
is ejected.

At the same time, the protrusion 243c of the hold lever 243 and the first locking part 245a of the cassette lock lever 245 come into contact again, and the cassette lock lever 245 is moved to the fully rotated counterclockwise position (the first The state shown in the figure is restored.

As described above, in this embodiment, the cassette locking mechanism having the above-mentioned configuration is attached to the cassette guides 241 and 24.
2, the inserted cassette 20 can be accurately and reliably locked at a predetermined position, that is, at the reference position at the start of loading.

Furthermore, in the cassette lock mechanism configured as described above, the hold lever 243 and the cassette lock lever
245, it is possible to prevent only one of the members from malfunctioning.

Next, a series of operations from mounting the above-mentioned cassette to the main body of the apparatus and performing printing until the printed recording paper is ejected will be described.

This mechanism has six mechanism modes: eject mode, set mode, loading mode, standby mode, ready mode, and print mode, and each mode is controlled by the rotational position of control cams 7B and 7'l. .

That is, the relationship between the relative angular positions "r, -'r9 of the control cam gear 7B, '17, etc. with respect to each pin, etc. as shown in FIGS. 10(A) and (B) and the six mechanism modes described above is as follows. The settings are as shown in the cam diagram shown in Figure 31, and by rotating the control cam gear 76° and 77°, the mode shifts to set mode, loading mode, ready mode (initial cueing mode), and standby mode. Wait for a while.

In this state, it waits for the print switch or eject switch to be operated, and if the print switch is operated, it progresses through ready mode and print mode, and when printing of each color is completed, it shifts to standby mode again and prints out the recording paper. After the paper is ejected, the machine goes into standby mode again.

Further, when the eject switch is operated in this standby state, the device shifts to the eject mode and ejects the cassette 20, and then returns to the set mode again to complete the series of operations.

These mode states are determined by a first mode detection switch Sv1 that is turned on and off by the rotation of the loading gear 91 (see FIG. 6), and a second mode detection switch Sv1 that detects the slit 77b of the control cam gear 78, 77. Third mode detection switch Sw2, 5w3 (see Figure 15)
A mechanical controller (not shown) performs detection based on each detection output.

In addition, the mode motor 75 that rotates these control cam gears 76 and 77 and the drive motor 40 that drives the transfer paper or feeds and discharges the recording paper are started and stopped.
The rotation direction is determined by the first to third mode detection switches Sw1 to Sw3, the recording paper detection sensor Sv4 that detects the insertion of recording paper, the cassette detection switch that detects the attachment (locking) of the cassette 20, and each color of transfer paper. It is controlled by a mechanical controller (not shown) based on the detection outputs of a cue sensor 247, the amount of rotation of the platen roller 1, and the operation of a print switch.

Each mechanism mode will be explained below.

(Set Mode) The set mode is a standard mode in which the cassette 20 can be installed, and is the initial mode of this device.

In this set mode, the angular position of the control cam gear 76, 77 is located between T2 and T3 in FIG. 31, and in this mode, the spindle control slider 88, mode control slider 89, sub The spindle controller 140 is stopped at the positions shown in FIGS. 11 and 15, respectively.

Further, as shown in FIG. 32, a loading arm 180
．． The rotational position of the thermal head 161 is regulated by position regulating pieces 166 of the inner frames 3 and 4, and the thermal head 2 is located at a large distance from the platen roller 1.

In this set mode, by inserting the cassette 20 into the main body of the apparatus as shown in FIG.
9 is the loading arm inserted into the cassette 20
It enters the mouse 180b, 181b of tea, tet and is held there.

In this state, as shown in FIG. 33, the supply side spindle 62.
8 has not yet been fitted, and the clamper is closed.

(Loading Mode) In this loading mode, the spindle is fitted to each transfer paper roll 27, 28 stored in the cassette 20, the transfer paper T is loaded, and the recording paper stored in the cassette 20 is loaded. Pressing of the supply roller 230 is performed, and the angular position of the control cam gears 76, 77 is rotationally shifted from T3 to T7 in FIG.

First, when the cassette 20 is securely installed and the cassette locking mechanism operates, the cassette detection switch is turned on and the mode motor 75 is started at T3 in FIG. 3L.
) The control cam gears 76 and 77 are rotated in the normal direction, that is, clockwise in Fig. 6, or in Fig. 1O (A) (
Start rotating in each arrow direction in B).

Due to the rotation of the control cam gears 78 and 77 caused by the start of the mode motor 75, the spindle control slider 88 moves to the left in FIG. 11, and the sub-spindle control slider 140 moves to the left in FIG. 11 by predetermined amounts. do.

This movement causes the spindle control gear 7B to move on the main frame 5 side, as shown in FIGS. 34 and 35.
As the spindle control slider 88 moves with the rotation of the spindle control slider 88, the supply side spindle control arm 128 rotates counterclockwise in the figure along the slope of the cam portion 88e of the spindle control slider 88. The supply side spindle 62 is directed upward in the figure (fitting direction)
Move to.

As a result, the spindle 62 fits into the transfer paper reel 32 on the supply side as shown in FIG. 36 (T4 in FIG. 31).

Similarly, on the other main frame 6 side, the supply side sub-spindle arm 145 rotates, and the supply side sub-spindle 142 fits into the other transfer paper reel 32 on the supply side, as shown in FIG. As shown, the supply side transfer paper roll 28
is held securely and positioned with high precision.

On the other hand, the spindle control arm 129 and the sub-spindle control arm 146 on the S-claw side have their respective rollers 129c and 146b connected to the parallel portions of the cam portion 88r of the spindle control slider 88 and the cam portion 140e of the sub-spindle control slider 140. Since they are in contact with each other, no rotational movement is performed at this point.

When the control cam gears 76 and 77 rotate further,
A notched gear 76d provided on the back side of one control cam gear 76 is a notched gear 90 provided on the timing gear 90.
a, the rotation of the timing gear 90 causes loading gears 91, 92 (see Fig. 6), and another loading gear 93° 164 (first
(see Figure 9) and is transmitted to each gear portion 160a, 161a of the loading arm 160°161.

As a result, loading arm i 60 , 161
rotates as shown in FIG. 37, and the transfer paper roll 2 on the winding side
7 is pulled out from the cassette 20.

At this time, the supply side transfer paper roll 28 is moved to the spindle 62°1.
42, the transfer paper T wound around the take-up transfer paper roll 27 unravels and the transfer paper T
is rolled out.

Here, the direction in which the take-up transfer paper roll 27 unravels and rotates is clockwise in FIG.
Since the direction is such that the take-up side transfer paper roll 27 tries to bite into the back of the mouse 160b, during loading, the take-up side transfer paper roll 27
, 161b.

When the loading arms 160 and 181 further rotate, each loading arm 160 and 181 rotate as shown in FIG.
, 161's hand force direction midway is head arm 176°1
The loading shaft 165 provided at the base end side of the timing gear 77 (bottom side in FIG. 18) is positioned at the loading completion position by contacting the loading shaft 165, and is further pressed by a compression spring (not shown) provided inside the timing gear 90. After that, the notched gear 76d of the control cam gear 76 and the notched gear 90a on the timing gear 90 are disengaged, and only the control gear 76 rotates to move the spindle control slider 88.

In addition, at the stage where such loading is completed, the winding-side transfer paper roll 27 supported by the loading arms tea, tet is moved to the above-mentioned helad arms ILG, 1.
It is located near the proximal end of 77.

When the rotation of the loading arms teo and tat is completed (T5 in FIG. 31), the spindle control arm 129 moves to the cam portion of the spindle control slider 88 on the main frame 5 side, as shown in FIGS. The take-up spindle 61 rotates counterclockwise in the figure along the inclined portion 88f', and the take-up spindle 61 moves upward in the figure (fitting direction).

As a result, the spindle 61 fits into one of the transfer paper reels 31 on the take-up side (T7 in FIG. 31).

Similarly, on the main frame 6 side, the take-up side sub-spindle arm 146 rotates, and the take-up side sub-spindle 141 rotates.
is fitted to the other transfer paper reel 31 on the winding side.

Therefore, as shown in FIG. 41, at this stage, the winding side transfer paper roll 27 also has its respective spindles 8 fitted at both ends thereof.
1.141.

Further, when the rotation of the loading arms 160, 161 is completed (T5 in FIG. 31), the clamper 172 opens as the mode control slider 89 moves in conjunction with the rotation of the control cam gear 7B, and the head The arms 176 and 177 rotate, thereby bringing the thermal head 2 close to the platen roller 1 (T6 in FIG. 31).

The series of loading operations is completed above, but due to the movement of the spindle control slider 88 accompanying this loading, the bending portion 111c of the paper feed roller control plate 111 is rotated so that the paper feed roller Rotate the control lever 115 counterclockwise in FIG.

This rotation is transmitted by the gear portion 115c to the paper feed roller control gear 237 provided on the paper feed/discharge unit 7 shown in FIG.

As a result, the bracket 240 supporting the paper feed roller 230 rotates, and the paper feed roller 230 is brought into pressure contact with the recording paper K in the cassette 20 as shown in FIG.

The traveling path of the transfer paper T after loading is the fourth one.
As shown in Figure 2, the guide shaft 211 provided on the guide plate 210 of the paper feed/discharge unit 7 and the sensor bracket
A guide shaft 249 provided at 248 guides the platen roller 1 and the transfer paper T so that they do not come into contact with each other.

In addition, guide shaft 249 and guide shaft 211
Since the cueing sensor 247 is arranged in the middle of This prevents the cue sensor 247 from malfunctioning.

(Ready mode) In the ready mode at this stage, the thermal head 2
is brought close to the platen roller 1, and the initial cue of the transfer paper T pulled out from the take-up transfer paper roll 27 is performed, and the angular position of the control cam gears 76 and 77 is moved from T7 to T8 in FIG. It rotates and changes.

First, after loading is completed, control cam
76 and 77 further rotate in the normal direction, and reach the ready mode via the standby mode provided in the middle.

Then, the mode motor 75 is temporarily stopped by detecting that the mode is in the ready mode using the detection outputs of the mode detection switches Sw1 to Sw3.

Figure 43 shows the cassette 20 in ready mode. A mechanical diagram of the platen roller 1 and the thermal head 2 is shown.

After the loading is completed, the head arms 176 and 177 holding the thermal head 2 rotate as described above, thereby bringing the thermal head 1 close to the platen roller 1.

Further, as shown in FIG. 44, the mode control slider 89 on the main frame 5 is in a state of being fully moved to the left in FIG. 44 (same state as in the set mode).
At this time, the power of the drive motor 40 is transmitted to the transfer paper drive system, and the rack 97 of the rack plate 97
c does not mesh with the clamp control gear 102, so the clamper 172 is closed.

In this state, the initial cue for the first color (yellow) of the color cycle of the transfer paper T is performed.

This initial cueing is performed by winding up the transfer paper T by rotating the drive motor 40 in the normal direction to rotate the winding-side transfer paper roll 27 after detecting that it is in the ready mode.
This is performed by the cue sensor 247 detecting a mark corresponding to the first color, yellow.

Here, the cue sensor 247 is provided with a light emitting part and a light receiving part, and the light emitted from the cue sensor 247 is transmitted through the transfer paper T, reflected on the reflection plate 250 provided on the thermal head 2, and returned. The light receiving section receives the reflected light and detects each color based on changes in the reflected light.

By providing the reflective plate 250 on the thermal head 2, a special bracket for attaching the reflective plate 250 is not required, and the cueing sensor 247 and the reflective plate 250 can be attached to the transfer paper T.
efficiently confront each other through

When the cueing sensor 247 detects that the cueing of the transfer paper has been completed, the drive motor 40 stops, the mode motor 75 reverses, and the control cam gear 7F
3.77 rotates counterclockwise to enter the standby mode state, and the mode motor 75 stops when the standby mode is detected.

(Standby Mode) The standby mode is a standby mode in which the mechanism waits until the next operation, and the control cam gears 76 and 77 are reversed in order to transition to the standby mode.

FIGS. 45 and 46 show mechanical diagrams in this standby mode.

As shown in FIG. 46, in the standby mode, the mode control slider 89 is moved to the right in the figure, and the power of the drive motor 40 is transmitted to the paper feed/discharge drive system, and the rack 97c of the rack plate 97 The clamper 172 is opened as shown in FIG. 45 in order to engage the clamp control gear 102 and rotate the clamp off arm 168 counterclockwise in the drawing.

In this state, the printer waits until the print switch or eject switch is operated.

(Print mode) In this print mode, each color is printed on recording paper, and the control cam gear 711i,
77 rotates normally and reaches Ts in FIG.

First, when the print switch is operated in standby mode, the drive motor 40 rotates in the normal direction and paper is fed.

That is, the paper feed roller 230 that is in pressure contact with the recording paper K rotates clockwise, and only one recording paper K in the cassette 20 is fed out. At this time, since the paper feed roller 230 is in contact with the back surface of the recording paper (the side opposite to the recording surface), it is possible to prevent the paper feed roller 230 from damaging the recording surface of the recording paper.

As shown in FIG. 47, the leading edge of the recording paper
When the recording paper is conveyed through the No. 0 paper feed port 212 to the clamper 172, the recording paper detection sensor Sw provided on the guide plate 210
4 detects the recording paper K, the rotation of the drive motor 40 is stopped, and paper feeding is stopped.

Next, the mode motor 75 rotates normally, the control cam gears 76 and 77 rotate clockwise, and the mode motor 75 temporarily stops at the stage when the ready mode state is again established.

By changing to this ready mode, the clamper 172 closes as shown in FIG. 48, and the leading edge of the recording paper is securely clamped to the platen roller 1.

When the recording paper K is clamped, the platen drive motor
155 is activated, and the platen roller 1 rotates normally (rotates in the rotation direction during printing).

When the platen roller 1 rotates by a predetermined amount and the clamper 172 passes the thermal head 2, the mode motor 75 is rotated normally again by detecting the amount of rotation of the platen roller 1 at that time (To in FIG. 31).

As a result, the control cam gears 76 and 77 rotate clockwise again, and as shown in FIG.
Ts in FIG. 31), mode motor 75
stops and enters print mode.

Here, the crimping operation of the thermal head 2 will be explained.

First, as explained earlier, the head arm is 176°17
7 is supported by two pairs of toggle link mechanisms, and in the set mode (initial state) each toggle link mechanism is in a contracted state, but in the print mode shown in FIGS. 49 and 50, these two pairs The toggle link mechanism is extended by the rotation of the control cam gears 76 and 77.

That is, the cam roller 1 of the main drive side toggle link 186
86a is moved by the rotation of the control cam gear 76, and the main drive side toggle link 186 is rotated counterclockwise in FIG. Due to this rotation, the driven side toggle link 189 pushes up the driving side main toggle link 181, and the driving side main toggle link 181 pushes up the driving side main toggle link 181.
It rotates clockwise around 2a.

This rotation of the driving side main toggle link 181 causes the driven side main toggle link 180 to move to the head arm 1.
78 and 177 are rotated counterclockwise, and the thermal head 2 attached to the head arm 176 and 177 comes into contact with the platen roller 1.

Furthermore, since the main toggle link 186 on the driving side rotates and the main toggle link 181 on the driving side also tries to rotate, the spring lever 1g2 rotates counterclockwise around the rotation wheel 184 against the spring 183. and move away from the stopper screw 185.

Therefore, the force of spring 183 is equal to the force of spring lever 182.
, the main toggle link 181 on the driving side, and the toggle link 180 on the driving side, act as a force that presses the thermal head 2 together with the head arms 176 and 177 against the platen roller 1, and the head is brought into a crimped state.

The driving force for crimping the head is due to the rotational force of the control cam gear 7G that rotates the main drive side toggle link 186, but the head arms 176 and 177 are supported by the two pairs of toggle link mechanisms as described above. Therefore, a sufficiently large pressing force of the thermal head 2 against the platen roller 1 can be obtained with a small driving force.

As a result, the mechanical strength of each part does not need to be high, and the torque of the mode motor 75 does not require large torque, so it is possible to make the machine smaller and lighter, and to reduce costs. You can also try it out.

Further, as described above, the platen roller 1 continues to rotate with the thermal head 2 pressed against the platen roller 1, and printing of the first color (yellow) is performed.

During this time, the drive motor 40 rotates normally and winds up the recorded transfer paper 20 onto the winding-side transfer paper roll 27.

Here, the transfer paper roll 2 on the winding side in the print mode
The direction of rotation of the platen roller 7 is opposite to the rotation direction of the platen roller 1 during recording, that is, the direction in which the ink surface of the transfer paper T is on the outer peripheral surface side.

As a result, the traveling path of the transfer paper 20 around the platen roller is changed to the above-mentioned head arm as shown in FIG.
17B, the dead space around this arm will be reduced to avoid 1.77.

Therefore, the loaded transfer paper T and the helad arm
Since there is no interference with 176 and 177, the machine can be made smaller.

Also, during this printing, the tip of the recording paper is held by the clamper 17.
2, but the rear end is not fixed, so the loading end shaft 165 and the loading shaft 162 guide the recording paper K and prevent it from becoming unintentionally loosened.

When the recording of the first color is completed, the amount of rotation of the platen roller 1 is detected and the mode motor 75 is reversed again to return to the ready mode state.

As a result, the pressure bonding of the thermal head 2 is released and the second
The color (magenta) is cued, and the clamper 172
After passing through the thermal head 2, it is pressed again and printing of the second color is performed.

After finishing printing the third color (cyan) in the same way (if necessary, after finishing printing the fourth color (black) in the same way), move from print mode to ready mode and turn thermal head 2 on. The pressure bonding is released, and then a paper ejecting operation is performed.

That is, the platen roller 1 rotates in the reverse direction, and as shown in FIG. Get caught.

After the platen roller 1 stops at the initial position, the mode is changed from the ready mode to the standby mode, and the clamper 172 is activated as shown in FIG. open.

Next, when the drive motor 40 reverses, one paper ejection roller 232 rotates counterclockwise in FIG. 52, and the other paper ejection roller 233 rotates clockwise, and these two rollers 232 , 233 passes through a paper discharge path 235, and then passes through a paper discharge outlet 23B.
The paper is ejected outside the device.

Here, due to the rotation (reverse rotation) of the drive motor 40 during paper ejection, the paper feed roller 230 attempts to rotate counterclockwise, but the one-way clutch mechanism 217 explained in FIG. 26 prevents the paper from being fed. The transmission torque transmitted to the roller 230 is extremely small and does not drive (continuously feed) the recording paper in the cassette 20.

By the way, the above-mentioned paper ejecting operation is when using standard size recording paper for this machine.
In the figure, the distance from the clamper 172 to the paper discharge rollers 232 and 233 is set to match this standard size recording paper.

However, when printing on recording paper larger than the standard size (recording paper that is longer than the full length of the standard size recording paper within the range that wraps around the platen roller 1), the distance between the clamper 172 and the paper ejection rollers 232 and 233 Since the distance is short, the recording paper will fold during the ejection operation as described above.

Therefore, the paper ejecting operation when using enlarged size recording paper is somewhat different.

Next, the paper ejecting operation when such enlarged size recording paper is used will be explained using FIG. 53.

Note that when using enlarged size recording paper, a cassette for enlarged size is used, but this is because the part that stores the recording paper of the standard size cassette 20 is longer, and the cassette does not hold the recording paper. Although an instruction section is formed to indicate the type (size) of the cassette, installation of the cassette into the main body mechanism, loading, positioning of the transfer paper, paper feeding, and recording operations are performed using standard-sized recording paper. It is done in exactly the same way as in the case.

When the recording of the third color on the enlarged size recording paper K is completed, the mechanism shifts from the print mode to the ready mode to the standby mode, and as a result, the clamp-off arm 162 moves to the position shown in FIG. The clamper 172 is rotated in the middle counterclockwise direction to open the clamper 172.

Further, along with such a mode transition, the driving force of the drive motor 40 is connected to the paper feed/discharge drive system, and
The rotation is reversed, and the paper discharge rollers 232 and 233 are rotated in the paper discharge direction as described above.

On the other hand, when the platen roller 1 starts to rotate in reverse with the transition to standby mode, the trailing edge of the enlarged size recording paper enters the paper ejection port 213, and then the paper ejection roller 23
When the paper is conveyed to 2,233, the ejection roller 232.2
33 pulls the recording paper K whose leading end is fixed by the clamper 172 in an attempt to eject it.

This tensile force is applied to the slip clutch mechanism (felt 7 in FIG.
Since it is a constant force,
The clamper 172 does not apply excessive force to the recording paper K.
The recording paper K is continuously pulled between the recording paper K and the paper discharge rollers 232 and 233 so that it does not become loose or folded.

When the platen roller 1 further reverses and returns to the initial position, the clamp lever 170 contacts the roller 169 of the clamp-off arm 168, opening the clamper 172, as shown in FIG. 52, and the recording paper is ejected.

When the recording paper has been ejected, the mechanism goes back to ready mode, and after locating the first color of the next color cycle, it goes to standby mode until the print switch or eject switch is operated. It will be in a waiting state.

Eject mode> When the eject switch is pressed in this standby state, the control cam gears 76, 77 reverse, and the take-up transfer paper roll 27. Unloading is performed to return the paper to the transfer paper storage section of the cassette 20.

This unloading operation is the opposite operation to the loading operation, so a detailed explanation will be omitted, but during unloading, the drive motor 40 drives the supply side spindle 62 at a predetermined speed, thereby moving the supply side transfer paper reel 25.
is driven, and the transfer paper T drawn out onto the platen roller 1 is rewound onto the supply side transfer paper roll 28.

Here, the rotational speed of the supply side spindle 62 is set to a speed slightly faster than the rotational speed of the take-up side roll 27 at the time of loading (the speed due to unwinding the pre-wound transfer paper), As a result, the amount by which the transfer paper T is rewound is determined by the loading of the winding side roll 27.
There should be a little more paper than the transfer paper pulled out.

By unwinding a large amount in this way, the used transfer paper is wound around the outer periphery of the supply side transfer paper roll 28 on which unused transfer paper is still wound, and the unused transfer paper is wound. It can prevent dust and condensation from occurring.

When the take-up transfer paper roll 27 is returned to the transfer paper storage section of the cassette 20 by unloading as described above and the mechanism returns to the set mode, the control cam gears 7B and 77 are further reversed and temporarily stopped in the eject mode. (T-work in Figure 31).

In this eject mode, the cassette 20 is unlocked by the cassette locking mechanism, and the cassette 20 can be taken out from the main body of the apparatus.

Thereafter, the mode motor 75 rotates normally again to shift to the set mode (T2 in FIG. 31), thereby ending the series of operations.

By the way, the major feature of this mechanism that performs the series of mechanical operations described above is the loading operation of pulling out the transfer paper roll 27 from the cassette 20 and the unloading operation of returning the transfer paper roll 27 back into the cassette 20. There is a particular thing.

Here, when loading, as mentioned above, since the winding side transfer paper roll 27 is unraveled and the transfer paper is pulled out, in the initial state of the cassette 20 (when the cassette is shipped from the factory), the winding side transfer paper roll 27 is On the side transfer paper core 30,
It is necessary to wrap in advance a length of transfer paper that is longer than the length that will be pulled out during loading.

Furthermore, when loading is completed, the first color of the transfer paper color cycle, yellow, is moved to the beginning of the first color of the transfer paper color cycle. It is necessary to optimally choose the length up to the first color.

This is because if L is not long, it will take time to cue, and if it is too short, if you eject and unload immediately after cueing, the transfer paper will be unwound onto the supply side transfer paper roll 28. This is because the amount of transfer paper wound around the take-up transfer paper core 30 decreases, making it impossible to load the transfer paper again.

In Fig. 54, the length of the transfer paper pulled out by loading is g1, the length from the beginning sensor 247 to the take-up side transfer paper core 30 is χ, and as shown in Fig. 55, the transfer paper is transferred to the take-up side. The length from the position clamped to the paper core 30 to the first color of the first color cycle is transferred so that it becomes L-a-jQ + χ, where a is the amount of extra unwinding during L1 unloading. Just wrap the paper around it.

Here, the length of Ω is wound around the take-up transfer paper core 29 in advance, and the length of ρ is completely unwound from the take-up transfer paper core 29 by loading, and the subsequent cueing (a+R
) is wound on the winding-side transfer paper core 29.

In addition, when unloading is performed after the end of cueing, the amount rewound to the supply side transfer paper roll 28 is determined by the length g of the transfer paper pulled out onto the platen roller and the excess amount rewound from the take-up side transfer paper core 29. Since the length is a, even after unloading, the transfer paper core 29 on the winding side is wound by a length g, which is the same as the initial state of the cassette.

As described above, 1. The length g from the transfer paper core 29 on the winding side to the first color in the color cycle at the start of winding of the transfer paper can be optimized.

In this mechanism, the direction of rotation of the platen roller 1 relative to the thermal head 2 during recording is from the heating element 190 side to the driver board 2b side, that is, clockwise, as shown in FIG.

This is contrary to the normal usage of this type of flat plate type thermal head 2.

When recording in the normal rotational direction of the platen roller 1 with this mechanism, that is, when recording in the counterclockwise direction, when feeding the recording paper K as shown in FIG. The clamper 172 is positioned in the direction, and the recording paper K is fed toward it. When performing counterclockwise recording, the clamper is positioned near the tip of the arrow P in FIG. 47, and the recording paper is fed in the P direction. Paper must be fed.

In this case, the side to be recorded on the recording paper is placed between the paper feed roller 2
Since the paper must be stored in the cassette 20 in such a direction as to be in contact with the paper feed roller 230, there is a problem in that the recording surface is smeared by the paper feed roller 230 during paper feeding, resulting in a decrease in print quality.

In addition, if the rotation direction of the platen roller 1 during recording is set clockwise as in this mechanism, and the thermal head 2 is reversed left and right and attached to the head arm 178, 177,
The rotational direction of the platen roller 1 relative to the thermal head 2 during recording is the same as in normal usage, but the upper portions of the head arms 17B and 177 themselves in the figure are larger.
There is a problem that the thickness of the machine is quite thick.

Therefore, as in this embodiment, by setting the rotation direction of the platen roller 1 in the direction from the heating element 190 of the thermal head 2 toward the driver board 2b, it is possible to reduce the thickness of the machine and also reliability can be increased.

By the way, in the above-mentioned embodiment, a case was described in which printing was performed on recording paper stored in the cassette 20, but the video printer according to this embodiment is an OHP (
Printing can also be performed by manually feeding special recording paper such as film for overhead projectors.

In such a case, manual adapters 2OA and 20B as shown in FIG. 56 or 57, respectively, may be used.

These manual adapters will be explained below.

The basic configuration of these manual feed adapters is the same as the cassette 20 described above, so the same components as those of the cassette 20 described above are given the same reference numerals.

First, the manual feed adapter 2OA shown in FIG. 56 has a recording paper insertion slot 260 on the rear surface of the case body as shown in the figure, and a paper feed passage 281 that is continuous with this insertion slot 260 is formed inside the case body. ing.

This paper feed path 261 is formed by a plurality of path forming members 262, 283, and 264 installed inside the case, and a roller support base 265 is located near the path exit of the path forming member 262 in the upper part of the figure. portion is supported by a shaft 265a.

A supply roller 26B for feeding recording paper in contact with the paper supply roller 230 in the apparatus is pivotally supported at the tip of the roller support base 265, and the base end is pressed in the direction shown in the figure by a spring 267. (clockwise direction).

As a result, when this manual feed adapter 20^ is attached to the device and loading is completed, the above-mentioned supply roller 2
65 is resiliently pressed against a paper feed roller 230 within the apparatus.

In such a manual feed adapter 2OA, recording paper is inserted through the insertion slot 260 with the adapter 2OA attached to the device, and the leading edge of the recording paper is inserted between the paper feed rollers 230 and 285 to start recording. Automatically pulls in paper.

Therefore, the recording paper inserted into the manual feed adapter 20A is guided to the platen roller 1 through the same paper feeding path as the normal recording paper described above.

On the other hand, as shown in the figure, the manual feed adapter 20B shown in FIG. A pulley 272 on which a belt 271 is hooked and rotated is attached to a bracket 273.

Further, the paper feed belt 271 includes a retracting roller 274.
is in rolling contact with the bracket 275 while being supported by it, and the rotating shaft of this pull-in roller 274 is pressed against the paper feed belt 271 by a leaf spring 276.

The paper feed belt 271 is hooked around another pulley 277, and this pulley 277 has a middle part that is attached to the shoulder 278.
It is pivotally supported at the tip of a booby support base 278 which is pivotally supported at point a.

Further, the base end of this booby support base 278 is attached to a spring 279.
It is pulled and biased counterclockwise in the figure.
As a result, the paper feed belt 271 is brought into pressure contact with the paper feed roller 230 within the apparatus.

In such a manual feed adapter 2QB, with this adapter 20B attached to the device, insert the recording paper from the insertion lower arrow 0, and insert the leading edge of the recording paper between the paper feed belt 271 and the pull-in roller 274. By inserting the recording paper, it is automatically drawn in, and further guided by this paper feed belt 271 to the paper feed roller 230 inside the device.
lead to.

As a result, the recording paper inserted into the manual feed adapter 20B is guided to the platen roller 1 through the same paper feeding path as that for the normal recording paper described above.

(Effects of the Invention) As is clear from the above description, according to the present invention, when a cassette is inserted, a cassette locking means is provided in a cassette guide that accurately guides the cassette to a predetermined position within the apparatus main body. The positional accuracy of the cassette lock mechanism relative to the main body of the apparatus can be maintained at high accuracy.

Therefore, according to the present invention, it is possible to accurately set the position of the attached cassette within the apparatus main body.

Further, according to the present invention, by locking the cassette, the cassette cannot be moved or pulled out carelessly (this prevents malfunctions and damage to the main body of the device). be able to.

Further, according to the present invention, the cassette lock mechanism is operated in conjunction with the insertion of the cassette into the device main body, so that the cassette lock mechanism is operated in conjunction with the insertion of the cassette into the device main body. It can be locked securely in stages.

Therefore, according to the present invention, it is possible to prevent the occurrence of an accident in which the cassette is pulled out during loading and the cassette and the main body of the apparatus are damaged.

Further, according to the present invention, the cassette lock lever and the hold lever constituting the cassette lock mechanism are interlocked with each other, and the cassette lock lever does not perform a locking operation unless the hold lever is rotated with the insertion of the cassette. With this configuration, the so-called half-locked state does not occur, and the reliability of this cassette locking mechanism can be improved.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a plan view showing an embodiment of a video printer (thermal transfer recording device) according to the present invention, FIG. 2 is a perspective view similarly showing the frame configuration, and FIG. 3 is an upper side of a cassette installed in this video printer. 4 is a lower perspective view, FIG. 5 is a side sectional view, FIG. 6 is a side view of the video printer according to this embodiment, and FIG. 7 is a view of the vicinity of the transfer paper drive gear in this embodiment. 8 is a sectional view of the vicinity of the transfer paper drive gear on the winding side, FIG. 9 is a sectional view of the vicinity of the supply side spindle, and FIGS. 10(A) and 10(B) are sectional views of the control cam gear. FIG. 11 is a side view showing the mechanism control mechanism arranged in the inner frame, FIG. 12 is a plan view of main parts showing the positional relationship between the spindle control arm and the biting part of the spindle control slider, and FIG. 14 is a plan view of the main parts showing the relationship between each spindle and the cam part of the spindle control slider, FIG. 14 is a plan view showing the spindle control arm, etc., FIG. The figure is a plan view showing the back side of another control cam gear, Figure 17 is a plan view of the main part showing the relationship between each sub-spindle and the cam part of the sub-spindle control slider, and Figure 18 is a head arm assembled to the inner frame. 19 is a front view showing the platen roller and loading arm, FIG. 20 is a side view showing the paper feed/discharge unit, clamp mechanism, etc., and FIG. 21 is a side view showing the thermal head support mechanism. A diagram schematically showing the configuration, FIG. 22 is a plan view of the thermal head, FIG. 23 is a side sectional view, FIG. 24 is a side view showing the adjustment shaft for adjusting the thermal head, and FIG. 25 is a bottom view. , FIG. 2B is a plan view showing the paper feed/discharge unit, FIG. 27 is a front view, FIG. 28 is a plan view showing the cassette locking mechanism, FIG. 29 is a plan sectional view, and FIG.
Figure 0 is a front sectional view, Figure 31 is a cam line diagram of the operating mode and control cam gear, Figure 32 is a side view showing the positional relationship of the cassette and loading arm, etc. in the set mode, and Figure 33 is a diagram of the transfer paper roll. Plan view showing the fitting relationship between each spindle and sub-spindle, No. 34
35 is a plan view of the main part showing the positional relationship between the spindle and the cam part of the spindle control slider, FIG. 35 is a plan view of the main part showing the positional relationship between the spindle control arm and the cam part of the spindle control slider, and FIG. The figure is a plan view showing the fitting relationship between the transfer paper roll and each spindle and sub-spindle at the time of loading, FIG. 37 is a side view showing the positional relationship of the loading arm at the time of loading, and FIG. 38 is a side view showing the positional relationship of the loading arm at the time of loading. FIG. 39 is a side view showing the positional relationship of the loading arm, FIG. 39 is a plan view of the main part showing the positional relationship between the spindle and the cam part of the spindle control slider, and FIG. 40 is a side view showing the positional relationship between the spindle control arm and the cam part of the spindle control slider. FIG. 41 is a plan view of the main parts showing the positional relationship between the transfer paper roll and each spindle and sub-spindle after loading is completed. FIG. 42 is a plan view of the transfer paper and platen roller when loading is completed. 43 is a side view showing the positional relationship between the platen roller and the thermal head in ready mode and the open/closed state of the clamper, and FIG. 44 is the same positional relationship between the spindle control slider and mode control slider. FIG. 45 is a side view showing the positional relationship between the platen roller and the thermal head in standby mode and the open/closed state of the clamper, and FIG. 46 is a side view showing the positional relationship between the spindle control slider and mode control slider. , FIG. 47 is a side view showing the recording paper being fed to the platen roller in standby mode, FIG. 48 is a side view showing the recording paper being clamped to the platen roller in ready mode, and FIG. 49 is a side view showing the recording paper being clamped to the platen roller in ready mode. FIG. 50 is a side view showing the positional relationship between the thermal head and the platen roller in print mode, and FIG. 50 is a diagram schematically showing the support mechanism of the thermal head.
Fig. 51 is a side view showing the state in which the recording paper begins to be ejected in the ready mode, Fig. 52 is a side view showing the state in which the recording paper begins to be ejected in the standby mode, and Fig. 53 is a side view showing the state in which the recording paper begins to be ejected in the standby mode. A side view showing the state in which the recording paper is ejected, FIG. 54 is a side view showing the length of the transfer paper unwound from the transfer paper roll on the winding side during loading, and FIG. 55 is a side view showing the transfer paper on the winding side. FIG. 56 is a plan view showing the length of the transfer paper pre-wound around the core of the roll, FIG. 56 is a side sectional view showing a manual feed adapter, and FIG. 57 is a side sectional view showing another manual feed adapter. 1...Platen roller, 2...Thermal head, 3
4... Inner frame, 5, 6... Main frame, 7... Paper feed/discharge unit, 8... Drive mechanism,
9... One mechanism control mechanism, 10...
platen roller drive mechanism, 11...other mechanism control mechanism, 20...cassette, 2OA, 20
B...Manual feed adapter, 21...Case body, 21
c...Slanted surface, 25...Lock rib, 26...
Lock hole, 27... Winding side transfer paper roll, 28...
Supply side transfer paper roll, 35... Holding piece, 36... Friction member, 40... Drive motor, <43-9. Yatsu eyed u□ya, 45-3. 46
...Paper feed/discharge drive gear, 48...Transfer paper drive idler base, 48a...Rotation stopping protrusion (rotation stopping member)
, 49... Transfer paper drive idler gear, 52... Winding side transfer paper drive gear, 53... Supply side transfer paper drive gear,
61... Winding side spindle, 62... Supply side spindle, 66... Spring, 67... Felt (spring 66
75...mode motor, 76.77...control 80a...
・Transmission shaft, 88... Spindle control slider, 88e, 88f... Cam part, 89... Mode control slider, 97... Rat cam gear, cup plate, 104... Center idler control plate, 111...・Paper feed roller control plate, 115...Paper feed roller control lever 128
, 129...pindle control arm, 128c
, 129c...Roller, 140...Sub spindle control slider, 140d, 140e...Cam, 145...Supply side sub spindle arm, 146...
... Take-up side sub-spindle arm, 155... Platen drive motor, 160.161... Loading arm, 165... Loading end shaft, 16
8... Clamp off arm, 170... Clamp lever, 171... Clamp shaft, 172... Clamper, 175-... Heat sink, 175a, 175b-... Adjustment hole, 176.177
--- Head arm, 176b, 177b... Adjustment notch, 180... Driven side main toggle link, 181
...Main toggle link on driving side, 182...Spring re/<-186...Sub toggle link on driving side, 1
89... Driven side sub-toggle link, 200... Adjustment jig, 210... Guide plate, 214... Paper feed/discharge drive gear, 215... Paper feed gear, 216... Paper discharge gear ,
217... One-way clutch mechanism, 230... Paper feeding roller, 232.233... Paper ejection roller, 235...
...Paper discharge path, 236...Paper discharge outlet, 237...Paper feed roller control gear, 240...Paper feed roller bracket, 241.242...Cassette guide, 24
3...Hold lever 243a...Tip projection, 2
43c...Hold part, 245...Cassette lock lever 245a...First locking part, 245b...
Second locking portion, 245C... Hook, 246... Eject slider (lock release member), 247... Heading sensor, 250... Reflector, 260.270...
・Recording paper insertion slot, 261... Paper feed path, 266...
Paper feed roller, 271... Paper feed belt, 272, 27
7...Pulley, 274...Retraction roller. Patent applicant Kunio Umiki Representative of Victor Japan Co., Ltd. Figure 10 (A) 1g1o Figure (B) Figure 25 Figure 1 Figure 27 Figure Procedure Amendment Writing Method) July 1989 Near Nippon Express

Claims (2)

[Claims] (1) A cassette that stores a pair of supply side and take-up side transfer paper rolls wrapped with transfer paper and recording paper is installed, and the take-up side transfer paper roll is pulled out from inside this cassette and placed inside the device. A thermal transfer method in which a transfer paper is guided between a platen roller and a thermal head, and the thermal head is pressed against the platen roller via the recording paper fed from the cassette onto the platen roller and the transfer paper to perform printing. The recording device includes a cassette guide that guides the cassette inserted into the device main body to a predetermined position, and a cassette provided on the cassette guide to lock the inserted cassette at a predetermined position in the device main body. A thermal transfer recording device equipped with a lock means. (2) A cassette is installed that houses a pair of supply side and take-up side transfer paper rolls wrapped with transfer paper and recording paper, and has a locking rib and a locking hole formed on the outer surface, respectively. The take-up side transfer paper roll is pulled out from inside the cassette and the transfer paper is guided between the platen roller and the thermal head in the device, and the recording paper and the transfer paper fed from the cassette onto the platen roller are guided. A thermal transfer recording device that performs printing by pressing the thermal head against a platen roller via a cassette locking means for locking an inserted cassette at a predetermined position within the main body of the device, the cassette locking means comprising: A cassette lock lever that has a hook at one end that engages with the lock hole to lock the cassette, and a locking portion at the other end, is biased in the locking direction, and is rotatably supported. A hold having a tip protrusion at one end that engages with a locking rib when the cassette is inserted, and a hold at the other end that abuts each locking part of the cassette lock lever to maintain the unlocked state when the cassette is not inserted. It is composed of a hold lever which is rotatably supported on a shaft, and a lock release member which rotates the hold lever to release the locked state. The contact between the rib and the tip projection causes the cassette lock lever to be released from the unlocked state, thereby causing the hook of the cassette lock lever to engage with the lock hole to lock the cassette, and the lock release member A thermal transfer recording apparatus characterized in that by forcibly rotating the cassette lock lever in the unlocking direction, the holding portion of the hold lever is brought into contact with the locking portion of the cassette lock lever.