JPH0295878A - Recorder - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To obtain a recorder in which a cassette containing a transfer medium can be fitted to and detached from a main body of the recorder easily and securely by providing a turning means for turning a recording head in conjunction with a turning of a cover body. CONSTITUTION:An upper casing 1 and a lower casing 2 are attached to a main body A of a recorder in a body. Shafts 3b are provided at the tips of arms 3a projected on both sides of the cover body 3, and are supported by the lower casing 2, whereby the cover body 3 can be turned relative to the main body A. A cam 23 is attached to one of the shafts 3b, with an major axis of the cam 23 being orthogonal to the cover body 3, so that when the cover body 3 is opened, a link 21 is turned through engagement of the cam 23 with a contact piece 21c, whereby a recording head 20 can be contained into the lower casing 2. At the time of opening the cover body 3, therefore, the head 20 can be contained into the lower casing 2 of the main body A in conjunction with the turning of the cover body 3. Thus, a cassette 4 can be loaded securely into the main body, without any interference between an ink ribbon 19 and the head 20.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION <Industrial Application Field> The present invention relates to a recording device that can be moved manually or the like over a recording medium to form an image on the recording medium.

<Prior Art> Today, word processors and the like are widely used, and there are thermal transfer type recording devices that use an ink ribbon as an output device for these word processors and the like.

The configuration of the thermal transfer type recording device is that a recording head equipped with a plurality of heating elements that generate heat in accordance with image signals is mounted on a movable carriage, the carriage is driven by a motor, and the recording head is synchronized with the traveling. By controlling the drive so as to melt or reduce the viscosity of the ink on the ink ribbon in an image pattern, the ink is transferred onto a recording medium such as recording paper.

Since the thermal transfer type recording device is small, lightweight, and has low noise, it is widely used as an output device for word processors and the like.

<Problems to be Solved by the Invention> The recording apparatus described above has a complicated structure because it includes a carriage feeding mechanism and a recording medium feeding mechanism, and there are restrictions on the thickness and size of the recording medium that can be recorded. That is, there are problems such as the inability to record on a recording medium having a thickness exceeding a certain level or large size, and the inability to record on a booklet-like item such as a notebook.

<Problem to be solved by the invention> The applicant has developed and proposed a recording device that solves the above-mentioned problems and is not limited by the thickness or size of the recording medium and is capable of recording on a booklet-shaped recording medium. (Special application 1986-6)
No. 2480).

The present invention is a further development of the above-mentioned technology, and its object is to provide a recording apparatus in which a cassette containing a transfer medium can be easily and reliably attached to and removed from the apparatus main body.

Therefore, the recording apparatus of the present invention is a recording apparatus that records an image on the recording medium by moving the apparatus main body onto the recording medium, and includes a cassette that is removably loaded into the apparatus main body and stores a transfer medium. a recording head rotatably mounted on the apparatus main body and driven to transfer the transfer material on the transfer medium to the recording medium according to an image signal; and a recording head rotatably mounted on the surface mounting main body. The recording head is configured to include a lid attached thereto, and a rotating means for rotating the recording head in conjunction with the rotation of the lid.

<Operation> According to the above means, a cassette containing a transfer medium is removably loaded into the main body of the apparatus, and the recording device is driven to transfer the transfer material on the transfer medium to a recording medium in accordance with an image signal. Since the head is provided, an image corresponding to an image signal can be formed on the recording medium by manually moving the main body of the apparatus over the recording medium.

Further, since the lid body is rotatably pivoted to the main body of the apparatus and a rotating means is provided for rotating the recording head in conjunction with the rotation of the lid body, the lid body can be rotated in the direction of opening. When the cover rotates, the recording head is housed inside the apparatus main body in conjunction with the rotation, and when the lid is rotated in a direction to close the lid, the recording head is moved outside the apparatus main body in conjunction with the rotation. It can be exposed.

Therefore, when the lid is opened, the recording head is housed inside the main body of the apparatus, and the contact between the head and the transfer medium is released. , interference between the transfer medium and the recording head can be avoided. Therefore, the cassette can be easily and reliably attached to and removed from the apparatus main body.

Furthermore, when the cassette is loaded and the lid is closed, the recording head is rotated in a direction that exposes it to the outside of the apparatus main body, so the recording head comes into contact with the transfer medium and is exposed to the outside of the apparatus main body together with the transfer medium. do. If the main body of the apparatus is moved over the recording medium in this state, an image can be formed on the recording medium.

<Example> Hereinafter, an example of a recording apparatus to which the above means is applied will be described with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the recording device, FIG. 2 is a front sectional view, FIG. 3 is a side sectional view, FIGS. 4A and 4B are operation views, and FIG. 5 is a block diagram. FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram of the recording execution state, and FIG. 7 is a flowchart.

In the figure, A is the main body of the device, in which an upper case 1 and a lower case 2 are integrally fixed with screws or the like. A lid 3 is rotatably attached to the lower case 2, and is configured such that the opening of the upper case 1 can be opened and closed by rotating the lid 3.

A shaft 3 is attached to the tip of an arm 3a protruding from both sides of the lid 3.
b is provided. The shaft 3b is supported by the lower case 2, so that the lid 3 is configured to be rotatable relative to the main body A of the apparatus. Further, a locking claw 3 is provided at the tip of the lid body 3.
c is formed, and is configured to be able to engage with a locking recess (not shown) provided in the upper case l.

A cam 23 serving as a rotating means to be described later is fixed to one of the shafts 3b provided on the lid 3 (on the right side in FIG. 1).

In the upper case 1, an ink ribbon cassette 4 is removably loaded. Further, between the upper and lower cases 1.2, a detection mechanism B for detecting the amount and speed of movement of the apparatus main body A, a transfer medium conveyance mechanism C1, and a recording head mechanism, which will be described later, are housed. Then, as shown in Figure 6, the main body A of the device is placed on a recording medium (paper, plastic sheet, etc., hereinafter referred to as "recording paper").
It is configured such that a predetermined recording can be made by pressing the recorder against the recorder 5 and moving it manually or the like.

Next, the configuration of each of the mechanisms B, C, and D will be explained in detail with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3.

First, detection mechanism B will be explained.

A running roller 7 is rotatably attached to the shaft 6a of the lower case 2. A part of the outer peripheral surface of the running roller 7 is exposed to the outside of the apparatus main body A through the cutout 2a of the lower case 2. Then, the exposed outer circumferential surface comes into contact with the recording paper 5, and the contact friction generated as the main body of the apparatus moves causes the running roller 7 to
is set to rotate.

A gear 8 having a smaller diameter than the roller 7 is attached to the traveling roller rough.
A pulley 8a such as a toothed pulley is provided via a spring (not shown) constituting a one-way rotation clutch. This one-way rotary clutch transmits the rotation of the traveling roller rough to the gear 8 when the main body A moves in the direction of arrow a, which is the recording direction, and the one-way rotation clutch transmits the rotation of the traveling roller rough to the gear 8 when the main body A moves in the direction of arrow a, which is the direction opposite to the recording direction. The rotation of the traveling roller rough is not transmitted to the gear 8 when the vehicle moves to the gear 8.

The rotation of the gear 8 accompanying the movement of the apparatus main body A in the direction of the arrow a is configured to be increased in speed and transmitted to the gear 12a of the encode plate 12 via intermediate gears 9, 10, and 11. In addition, the intermediate gear 9.10.11 and encode +
ffl 12 is the shaft 6b of the lower case 2, respectively.

It is rotatably attached to 6c and 6d.

The encode plate 12 is integrally formed with a gear 12a and a thin circular plate 12b made of stainless steel or the like. Said disk 1
A plurality of rectangular sulins 12c are provided radially around 2b at equal intervals.

A photosenner 1 is placed at a position corresponding to the slotted eye 2C.
3 is provided. This photosensor 13 has a light emitting part and a light receiving part, and the light from the light emitting part is transmitted to the eye 2C.
It is attached to the sensor attachment part of the lower case 2 so that it passes through and reaches the light receiving part.

Therefore, when the apparatus main body A moves in the direction of arrow a and the traveling roller 7 rotates, the encoder plate I2 corresponds to this rotation.
rotates and the photo sensor 1 detects the slit 12c.
3 transmits a pulse signal as an encode signal. By counting these pulse signals, the rotation amount and rotation speed of the traveling roller rough are detected, thereby detecting the movement amount and movement speed of the apparatus main body A.

Next, the transfer medium conveyor +MC will be described. A rotating shaft L4a having a rectangular end and a cylindrical end is rotatably attached to the shaft 6e of the lower case 2. The cylindrical portion of the rotating shaft 14a is equipped with a boot such as a toothed pulley to which a friction plate 15a made of felt or the like is fixed.
is rotatably attached to the rotating shaft 14a.

Further, the friction plate 15a is provided in the rectangular portion of the rotating shaft 14a.
A disc 14b and a compression coil spring 14C are attached, which are in contact with the disc 14b. And, the friction plate 15a2 disc 14b
And the rotating shaft 14a equipped with the compression coil spring 14C is
It is press-fitted into the winding shaft 16.

As described above, the boot 5 is rotatably fitted to the rotating shaft 14a, and the disk 14b is fitted non-rotatably to the rotating shaft 14a.

The disk 14b is biased by the compression coil spring 14c and presses against the friction plate 15a, so that the friction clutch 1
7.

The boot 5 is a pulley 8 integrally formed with a gear 8.
a and a belt 18 such as a toothed belt, and the rotation of the traveling roller rough accompanying the movement of the apparatus body A in the direction of arrow a is transmitted. Note that 18a is a Kuitner for applying a predetermined tension to the belt 18.

The winding shaft 16 is configured to be exposed into the upper case l through an opening lb formed in the upper case 1. Further, a support shaft 1c is provided protruding from the upper case l. When the ink ribbon cassette 4 is loaded into the upper case l, the feed reel 4a of the cassette 4 is rotatably supported by the spindle IC, and the take-up reel 4b is fitted to the take-up shaft 16 in a non-rotatable manner. It is composed of

Here, as the ink ribbon cassette 4, it is possible to use the same cassette as the cassette used in the external device 32 shown in FIG. That is, the relationship between the spindle IC and the take-up shaft 16 is configured in the same manner as the mounting portion of the ink ribbon cassette of the external device 32.

An ink ribbon 19 serving as a transfer medium is wound around the feed reel 4a and take-up reel 4b.

When the take-up reel 4b rotates, the ink ribbon 19 is sequentially paid out from the pay-out reel 4a to the take-up reel 4b.

The ink ribbon 19 is formed by coating a base film made of polyethylene terephthalate film or the like with ink that melts or becomes less viscous when heated. Further, the ink ribbon 19 is connected to a recording throat 20 which will be described later.
The recording paper 5 is loaded so that the ink-applied surface can come into contact with the recording paper 5 by being pressed from the base film side.

In the above configuration, the device main body A moves in the direction of arrow a,
When the traveling roller 7 rotates with this movement, the pulley 8
The rotation of a is transmitted to the boot 5 via the belt 18. This rotational force is transmitted to the disk 14b via the friction plate 15a, causing the winding shaft 16 to rotate.

As a result, the take-up reel 4b rotates, and the ink ribbon 19
are sequentially wound up on the winding wheel 4b.

Note that when the ink ribbon 19 is wound up, rotational force exceeding a certain level is not transmitted to the winding shaft 16 due to the action of the friction clutch 17 described above.

Next, the recording head mechanism will be explained. Reference numeral 20 denotes a recording head, in which heating elements 20b that individually generate heat when energized are arranged in a row on a head substrate 20a. The recording head 20 is fixed to the end 21a of the link 21 with adhesive or the like.

The link 21 is rotatably attached to a shaft 6'' of the lower case 2, and a torsion coil spring 22 is locked to a pin 21b formed on the link 21 and a shaft 6g formed on the lower case 2. , the link 21 to which the recording head 20 is fixed is always urged in the direction of arrow C by a torsion coil spring 22. A contact piece 21c that comes into contact with a cam 23, which will be described later, is formed protruding from the tip 21a of the link 21. .

The shaft 3b of the lid 3 is supported by the lower case 2, facing the link 21. A cam 23 is fixed to one side (the right side in the figure) of the shaft 3b. The cam 23 is formed in an oval shape, and is arranged so that the long axis of the lid 3 and the cam 23 are perpendicular to each other.

When the lid 3 is opened as shown in FIG. 3, the link 21 is rotated in the direction of the arrow d by the engagement between the cam 23 and the contact piece 21c, thereby moving the recording gutter 20 into the lower case 2. It is constructed so that it can be stored in.

Furthermore, when the lid body 3 is closed, the recording pad 20 is configured to be exposed to the outside from the lower case 2, as shown in FIG. When the recording head 20 is exposed to the outside of the lower case 2, the heating element 20b is configured to come into contact with the base film side of the ink ribbon 19 and press against the recording paper 5.

In the above configuration, the photo sensor 13, the recording head 2
Further, the recording switch 24 is electrically connected to the circuit board 25. This circuit board 25 is provided with a control circuit to be described later, and the drive control of the recording nozzle 20 is performed by the control circuit.

The above control circuit is constructed as shown in FIG. In the figure, a portion surrounded by a two-dot chain line is a circuit provided on the circuit board 25, and a portion surrounded by a dash-dot line is a circuit provided in an external device 32 such as a word processor.

To explain the above circuit, the electric a26 has the CPU27,
RAM28. ROM29. Photo sensor 13.
It is supplied to the recording head 20. Recorded information input from the keyboard 30 is stored in the RAM 28 via the CPU 27.

When the recording switch 24 is pressed and the traveling roller 7 rotates, pulse signals are sequentially input to the CPU 27 from the photosensor 13 that detects the slit 2C on the disk 12b. This CP
U27 reads recorded information previously stored in RAM 28 in response to a signal from the photosensor 13 according to a system program stored in ROM 29. Then, a signal is sent to the driver 31 for driving the recording head 20 to cause the heating elements 20b of the recording head 20 to generate heat in an image pattern, thereby transferring the ink from the ink ribbon 19 onto recording paper and recording. Ink ribbon 19 after recording
is wound onto the take-up reel 4b by transmitting the rotational force of the traveling roller rough to the take-up shaft 16 via the friction clutch 17.

Next, a case in which recording is performed using the recording apparatus configured as described above will be explained using the flowchart of FIG. 7.

First, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, open the lid 3,
The recording head 20 is housed in the lower case 2 by the link 21 in contact with the cam 23. Then, the cassette 4 is loaded into the upper case 1. Subsequently, when the lid 3 is closed, the cam 23 rotates as the lid 3 rotates, and the recording head 20 comes into contact with the ink ribbon 19, as shown in FIG. exposed to the outside.

Next, as shown in FIG. 6, an external device 3 for inputting recorded information such as a word processor or an electronic typewriter is connected.
2 and the control circuit of the apparatus main body A are electrically connected by a cord 33.

The data is input using the keyboard 30 of the external device 32 and set in the RAM 28. Then, it is determined whether the sent data is to be recorded by the device main body A or by the printer of the external device 32 (Sl, S2).
).

When recording the input information displayed on the display unit 34,
When the apparatus body A is pressed so that the ink surface of the ink ribbon 19 comes into contact with a booklet-like recording paper 5 such as a notebook, the recording gutter 20 presses the ink ribbon 19 against the recording paper 5.

In this state, when the main body A of the apparatus is manually moved while pressing the recording switch 24, the running roller 7 in contact with the recording paper 5 rotates, and the amount and speed of rotation are detected by the encode plate 12 and the photo sensor 13. Ru.

That is, the amount of movement of the apparatus main body A is detected based on the number of pulses from the start of movement, and the moving speed is detected based on the pulse period. The recording data stored in the RAM 28 is read out in accordance with this detection result, and the recording head 28 is
(53-36).

Therefore, even if the moving speed of the main body A of the apparatus changes, image recording is always performed in accordance with the speed.

Further, the rotation of the traveling roller rough during movement to the main body of the apparatus causes the take-up shaft 16 to rotate, and the ink ribbon 19 after recording is sequentially wound onto the take-up rule 4b.

When winding up the ink ribbon 19, the ink ribbon 1
As the ink ribbon 9 is wound up, the diameter of the ink ribbon 19 wound around the take-up rule 4b changes. Therefore, it is necessary to change the amount of rotation of the take-up rule 4b relative to the amount of movement of the main body A, but as described above, the friction clutch 17 is attached to the take-up shaft 16.
A rotational torque corresponding to the amount of rotation of the traveling roller rough is transmitted through the roller. Therefore, regardless of the change in diameter, the ink ribbon 19 is wound onto the take-up reel 4b by an amount corresponding to the amount of rotation of the traveling roller rough.

Then, in step S7, it is determined whether or not to continue recording, and if it is to be continued, the process returns to S3, and if there is no set data and therefore recording is to be ended, it is the end.

Since recording can be performed by moving the main body A of the apparatus as described above, the recording medium is not limited to a sheet-like one, and it is possible to easily record on a thick one or a booklet-like one. Further, the driving of the recording head 20 and the rotation of the winding shaft 16 are as follows.
Since it operates in synchronization with the rotation of the traveling roller rough, the ink ribbon 19 is not conveyed and only the recording head 20 is driven, and similarly, the recording head 20 is not driven and only the ink ribbon 19 is conveyed. Never.

Furthermore, when the lid 3 is opened, the recording head 20 can be stored in the lower case 2 of the apparatus main body A in conjunction with the rotation of the lid 3, so the cassette 4 can be moved to JkH. When loading the cassette 4 into the main body, there is no interference between the ink ribbon 19 and the recording head 20, so the cassette 4 can be loaded reliably. Further, when the lid body 3 is closed, the recording head 20 can be brought into contact with the ink ribbon 19 and exposed to the outside of the apparatus main body due to this rotation.

[Other Examples]

FIGS. 8(A) and 8(B) are explanatory diagrams of another embodiment in which the recording head 20 is rotated about the shaft 6f as the lid 3 is rotated. In the drawings, the same parts and parts having the same functions as those in the previous embodiment are given the same reference numerals, and the explanation thereof will be omitted.

In the figure, 41 is a solenoid, and the recording head 2
It is arranged in the lower case 2 opposite to the link 21 to which 0 is fixed. Further, 42 is a switch, and the switch 4
2 is activated, the solenoid 41 is energized. An engaging element 43 is provided at a position corresponding to the switch 42 on the lid body 3.
is formed, and as the lid body 3 is opened and closed, the engaging element 43
The solenoid 41 is actuated when the solenoid 41 is engaged with the switch 42 .

In the above configuration, when the lid 3 is opened, the locking element 43 and the switch 42 are released from locking together. As a result, the excitation of the solenoid 41 is cut off and the actuator 41a pushes up the link 21, so that the recording head 20 is moved to the main body A of the apparatus.
stored inside.

Further, when the lid 3 is closed, the engaging element 43 engages with the switch 42 as the lid 3 rotates. This excites the solenoid 41 and attracts the actuator 41a. As a result, the recording head 20 is exposed to the outside of the apparatus main body A while being in contact with the ink ribbon 19.

In each of the above-mentioned embodiments, an example of a thermal transfer type in which an ink ribbon 19 coated with heat-melting or viscosity-reducing ink is used as a transfer medium and recording is performed with a thermal recording head 20 has been shown, but a wire dot type may also be used. The recording method can be similarly applied.

<Effects of the Invention> As explained in detail above, the recording device of the present invention stores the recording head inside the device main body in conjunction with the rotation of the lid, and
Alternatively, since the ink ribbon is configured to be exposed to the outside from the apparatus main body, the ink ribbon does not interfere with the recording head when loading the cassette into the apparatus main body. Therefore, the ink ribbon exposed from the cassette becomes the recording head! The cough cassette is not loaded into the main body of the device in a state where the cough cassette is brought back into contact.

Therefore, the cassette can be easily and reliably attached and detached.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the recording device, FIG. 2 is a front sectional view, FIG. 3 is a side sectional view, FIGS. 4A and 4B are operation views, and FIG. 5 is a block diagram. Fig. 6 is an explanatory diagram of the recording execution state, Fig. 7 is a flowchart, Fig. 8 (A),
(B) is an explanatory diagram of another embodiment. A is the device body, 1 is the upper case, IC is the spindle, 2 is the lower case, 3 is the lid, 3a is the arm, 3b is the shaft, 4 is the cassette, 4a is the feed reel, 4b is the take-up reel, 5 is the Recording paper,
7 is a running roller, 8, 9, 1011 is a gear, 8a, 15
is a pulley, 12 is an encode plate, 13 is a photosensor, 14a is a rotating shaft, 14b is a disc, 14C is a spring, 15
a is a friction plate, 16 is a winding shaft, 17 is a friction clutch, 18
is a belt, 19 is an ink ribbon, 20 is a recording head, 2
1 is a link, 2IC is a contact piece, 22 is a torsion coil spring, 23 is a cam, 24 is a recording switch, 25 is a circuit board,
26 is the power supply, 27 is the CPU, 28 is the RAM, 29 is the RO
M, 30 is a keyboard, 31 is a driver, 32 is an external device, 33 is a coat, 34 is a display section, 41 is a solenoid,
42 is a switch, and 43 is an engager. Patent applicant Canon Co., Ltd.

Claims (3)

[Claims] (1) A recording device that records an image on a recording medium by moving the device main body onto the recording medium, the device comprising: a cassette that is removably loaded into the device main body and stores a transfer medium; a recording head movably pivotally mounted and driven to transfer the transfer material on the transfer medium to the recording medium according to an image signal; a lid rotatably pivotally mounted to the apparatus main body; A recording apparatus comprising: a rotation means for rotating the recording head in conjunction with rotation of the lid. (2) In the recording device according to claim (1), the rotating means includes a cam that rotates in synchronization with the rotation of the lid, and a recording head that rotates in synchronization with the rotation of the cam. A recording device characterized in that it is configured by a link that allows (3) In the recording apparatus according to claim (1), the rotating means includes a solenoid that is driven by the rotation of the lid, and a link that rotates the recording head as the solenoid is driven. A recording device characterized by the following configuration.