JPH03215064A - Thermal transfer recording device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To prepare full-color copies easily by setting IDF corresponding to color information on an image to a printing part using a thermal head and allowing the printing part to perform a printing action. CONSTITUTION:The subject device consists of a single thermal head 21 arranged at a printing position against a recording sheet and IDFs 30 (ink donor films) of different colors which are moved to a position against the thermal head 21 when printing is performed. The IDF 30 is held by a single cassette holder 40, then a designated IDF 30 is moved to the position of the thermal head 21 only when printing is performed and the feed action of film is actuated following the movement of the recording sheet. Thus full-color copies can be obtained easily.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION (Industrial Application Field) The present invention relates to an image recording till for making full-color copies using an ink donor film, and in particular, 1.
Using two thermal heads and multiple ink donor films of different colors (hereinafter abbreviated as IDF), an arbitrary IOF is selectively set in the printing section by the thermal head, and the printing operation is repeated to make full-color copies. The present invention relates to a thermal transfer type image recording device configured to be able to create images.

(Prior Art) Devices that combine an ink donor film (IDF) and a thermal head to record an image on recording paper have conventionally used one thermal head and one thermal head, as in devices such as facsimile machines. In combination with IDE, a method is used in which the elements of the thermal head are heated in accordance with image information input to the device, melting the ink of the IDF and transferring it to recording paper.

On the other hand, a set of multiple IDFs of different colors and thermal heads corresponding to each TDF is arranged along the paper conveyance path, and selectively In some cases, a device is used in which a heating element of a thermal head generates heat to print a designated color image.

As an apparatus for printing using a plurality of IDFs as described above, there is, for example, an apparatus as disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 59-202875.

In the transfer-type heat-sensitive color recording device shown in the conventional example, a plurality of recording sections are arranged around a recording paper conveyance drum, and each recording section is arranged with a combination of IDE and thermal head of different colors. are doing.

Then, the image information input to the image information processing device of the image recording device is separated into each color, transmitted to each recording section, and activated for each thermal head in synchronization with the passing of the recording paper. The signal is output to create a color copy.

However, holding the recording paper around one drum as described above and writing from each color image recording section requires a large diameter drum for holding the recording paper. In addition to the same problem that the device needs to be constructed and the size of the device tends to increase, there is also the problem that the written image is likely to be misaligned.

In contrast, as shown in Japanese Utility Model Application Publication No. 61-151949, etc., a writing unit including multiple IDFs and thermal heads is arranged along the paper conveyance path without using a large diameter drum, and the recording In the darkness as paper moves along the paper transport path,
A structure has been proposed in which ink is transferred from an IDF arranged in each writing section.

Furthermore, in the conventional example, the black image transfer section is arranged at the end of the yellow, cyan, and magenta color image transfer section, and the black image transfer section is directly connected to the recording paper from the paper feed section. When recording using only one color, black, a bypass conveyance path is provided so that the image does not pass through the color image transfer section.

By configuring as described above, the degree of freedom in arranging the recording paper path within the image recording device is improved.
This allows the configuration of the device to be simplified.

(Problems to be solved by the invention) However, in the conventional device as described above,
When trying to reduce the manufacturing cost of an image recording device because it is necessary to arrange a recording section that combines a large number of IOFs and thermal heads in the device, and the thermal heads are relatively expensive. has become an obstacle.

Therefore, in order to solve the above-mentioned problems, as shown in Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 50-80713, etc., a method was developed to record color images using a printing means using one thermal head. It is proposed to do so.

In the case of the conventional example, unlike an apparatus that combines an IDE and a thermal head, a printing means using a pressure-sensitive multicolor copying ribbon and a needle hammer is used. and,
Color bands of red, blue, green, etc. are arranged in horizontal stripes with a constant width on the copy ribbon, and each color band is positioned in the printing area according to the color information of the input image. , the image recording operation is performed.

Therefore, when applying the means shown in the conventional example to a thermal image recording device that combines an IDF and a thermal head, it is possible to install only one thermal head in the printing section, thereby reducing the need for expensive thermal This is a very effective means in that the number of heads can be reduced and the manufacturing cost of the device can be reduced.

Furthermore, in a device provided with an IDF as in the conventional example, the number of thermal heads can be reduced, making it possible to reduce the manufacturing cost of the device, and making the image recording device compact. There are many advantages such as being able to

However, arranging strips of different colors at predetermined lengths in the IDE is necessary for all copying operations, for example, except for full-color copying in which donor films of four colors are used evenly. It is necessary to use one set of color strips for one sheet of recording paper. However, even when printing only a black image, for example, a problem arises in that parts of the other three colors are wasted.

Therefore, the amount of consumption of the IDF increases, and the frequency of replacing the IDF increases, resulting in an increase in the running cost of the image recording device and a significant increase in the production cost of recording paper compared to conventional devices. There is a problem that occurs.

(Object of the Invention) The present invention solves the drawbacks of conventionally used printing devices as described above, and makes it possible to reduce the manufacturing cost of the device by using one thermal head. In addition, a thermal transfer recording system in which a plurality of IDFs of different colors are arranged on the thermal head, and the IDFs are configured to be selectively set at printing positions, so that full-color copies can be easily created. The purpose is to provide equipment.

(Means and operations for solving the problems) The thermal transfer recording device of the present invention has a first printing device that is placed at a printing position on recording paper.
This device is equipped with one thermal head and a plurality of IDEs of different colors that are moved to positions corresponding to the thermal heads only when printing, and the DF corresponding to the color information of the image is attached to the thermal head. The printer is configured so that it can be set in the section of the printer to perform printing operations.

Further, in the thermal transfer recording device of the present invention, the IDF
is held in one cassette holder, and the designated IDF is moved to the position of the thermal head only when printing, and the film feed operation follows the movement of the recording paper. I can do it.

Further, in the thermal transfer recording device of the present invention, the recording paper is supported by the platen device, and a drive system for the platen device is configured so that the recording paper is moved back and forth with respect to the printing section. It is possible to perform a printing operation each time the printer moves back and forth.

In the thermal transfer recording device of the present invention, the printing section includes:
A platen roller device is arranged at a position corresponding to the thermal head so as to sandwich the platen device and the paper, and the platen roller device is configured to apply a certain pressing force to the paper against the thermal head by the roller, and the film When exchanging the cassette, a mechanism is provided for retracting the platen roller from the movement path of the cassette.

Therefore, in the present invention, by using one thermal head and a plurality of IOFs, it is possible to simplify the mechanism of an apparatus for making full-color copies, and to downsize the thermal transfer recording apparatus, as well as to manufacture the apparatus at low cost. It is possible to construct a jaw.

Further, in the thermal transfer recording device of the present invention, a large number of ID
By supporting the F cassette on one cassette holder and rotating the cassette holder, it is possible to easily set the selected IDF in a position corresponding to the thermal head, making it easy to set the IDF. Is possible.

Furthermore, since the recording paper is supported by a platen device and a color image can be written while the platen device is moved back and forth with respect to the recording section, the time required to make a color copy can be shortened.

In addition, in the apparatus of the present invention, unnecessary consumption of the 10F is prevented, so the cost of making copies can be reduced and full-color copies can be easily obtained.

(Example) The configuration of the thermal transfer recording apparatus of the present invention will be explained according to the illustrated example.

In the embodiment of the present invention shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the configuration of only the thermal transfer recording device 1 is shown, but the thermal transfer recording device of the present invention can be connected to any image reading device to read the image. The system is configured to be able to create a color image based on the image information obtained.

For the thermal transfer recording device II1 of the present invention, an image reading device for outputting image information as a digital signal may be, for example, a mechanism similar to the scanning means of an ordinary electrophotographic copying machine, an arbitrary image sensor, or , an image information output device such as a computer, etc. can be combined. In combination with a pupil that outputs various types of image information as digital signals as described above, it can be used as a recording device for making copies.

In the thermal transfer recording device of the present invention, image information output from an arbitrary image information output device is received via an image information input device (not shown), and the necessary image information is determined according to the color information of the received image. An ink donor film of a certain color is selected, an IDF cassette is set in a printing section using a thermal head, and an image writing operation is performed.

The thermal transfer recording apparatus 1 of the present invention has an upper member 20 disposed above the frame 2 so as to sandwich the recording paper path therebetween, and a printing means using a thermal head 21 is disposed in this portion. Further, drive shafts 23a and 24a for driving the film are arranged on both sides of the thermal head 21, and gears 23 and 24 are provided on each drive shaft.

Then, by driving either of the gears 23 and 24,
The film is driven in accordance with the moving direction of the paper, the elements of the thermal head 21 are heated, and the ink on the film is melted to write on the paper.

Further, in the lower part of the frame, a large number of IDF cassettes 30 are provided at positions corresponding to the thermal heads 21.
A cassette holder 40 is arranged to accommodate the IDF cassette 3 selected from the cassette holder 40.
0 to the printing position corresponding to the thermal head 21, so that the printing operation on the paper can be performed.

In the apparatus of the present invention, paper is supplied from a paper feeder 4 disposed at the upper side of the apparatus, and a paper feeder from a paper tray 5 is supplied with paper from a paper feeder 4, which is used in a normal electronic copying machine or other apparatus. As in the case, a nudger roller 6 and a paper handling mechanism 7 are arranged.

The paper handling mechanism 7 is composed of a paper feed roller 7a and a retard roller 7b, and the nudge roller 6 separates the papers taken out from the paper tray 5 and sends them out one by one toward the platen device 10.

The paper sent out from the paper tray 5 as described above is supported on the plate 11 of the platen device 10, and when the plate 11 passes under the printing section by the thermal head by its drive mechanism, it is thermally An image is transferred according to print information input to the head.

In addition, in the embodiment of the present invention, the platen device 1
0 is a reciprocating movement in the left and right direction in Figure 1,
In correspondence with the printing mode described later, the platen device that supports the paper moves back and forth, and when moving the paper in the outward and return directions, the film corresponding to each printing information is replaced and color images are printed in layers. An action that seems to be carried out is carried out.

(Platen Device and Paper Feeding Device) As shown in FIGS. 1 and 4, a paper feeding device M4 for feeding paper is arranged on one side of the upper part of the frame 2. Further, as described above, the printing section by the thermal head 21 is provided with a platen device 10 that is movable in the left-right direction in FIG. , to correspond to the operation of reciprocating printing.

The plate 11 of the platen device 110 has guide blocks 12, 12a provided on both sides in its moving direction.
is supported by the guide rods 13, 13a, etc., and guides the plate 11 along the rods to prevent the paper from misaligning with respect to the printing position. The paper is moved.

In addition, in the embodiment of the plate 11 of the present invention, the plate 11 has front and rear ends 11a and 11b in its moving direction.
is formed in a tapered shape. This is because the IIlwA between the thermal head 21 and the platen roller 25 is formed narrowly to correspond to the combined thickness of the plate 11 and the paper, and the paper is supported in the narrow lm gap. This is so that the plate can be inserted easily. Therefore, by providing the tapered portion, as will be described later, when moving the plate back and forth, it is possible to prevent the paper from getting caught in the printing portion and ensure that the paper passes through.

In order to drive the plate 11, a driving wire 1 is used.
5 is placed. The wire 15 has its ends connected to the front and rear parts of the plate 11, and has a large number of boars 16...
It is configured to be wound around and driven by the plate, and is configured to move the plate back and forth with respect to the printing section by a motor etc. that can be driven in forward and reverse directions and connected to the drive pulley. are doing. Then, images of different colors are transferred to the sheet of paper supported by the plate in the forward and backward passes, respectively.

Furthermore, pressing rollers 9 and 9a are arranged on both sides of the printing section provided with the thermal head 21 with respect to the path of the plate 11, and the paper supported on the plate 11 is pressed by the rollers 9 and 9a. ing.

A member with a large friction coefficient, such as rubber, is installed on the surface of the plate that supports the paper to prevent the paper from moving relative to the plate, and to ensure that the paper moves accurately with the plate during printing operations. This prevents the image from becoming misaligned.

Paper feeding device 4 having the above-described configuration and platen device 10
To explain the paper feeding and holding operations,
First, with the plate 11 moved to the right end in the figure and the left end of the plate positioned at the end of the chute 8, the paper feeder 4 is activated and paper feeding from the paper tray 5 begins. be done.

When the leading edge of the paper sent out as described above reaches the paper positioning position of the left leading edge of the plate 11, the platen device drive mechanism is activated to move the plate 11 toward the printing section. The operation begins. Then, the leading edge of the paper enters the lower part of the pressure roller 9 and is pressed onto the plate 11 by the row 59, and the paper is positioned and ready for printing.

After that, the IDF cassette 30 is attached to the thermal head.
is set and the printing operation is performed, the paper supported by the plate is moved along the printing section at a predetermined speed. Then, based on the detection information of the leading edge of the paper, from a position a predetermined distance from the leading edge of the paper
The first color image writing operation is performed, and the paper and plate 11 are temporarily stopped at a position where the paper and plate 11 are removed from the printing section.

When the printing operation using the first image information is completed, the IDF cassette is replaced with respect to the thermal head, and writing of the next color image is started. During the writing of that second image, the plate 11 is moved from the left side to the right side in the figure, and during the return movement of the paper, it is moved to the initial position of the writing, corresponding to the first written image. Settings are made accurately, and an image is written in a different color from the outward path.

Furthermore, if you want to write a different color than the two colors mentioned above, you will need to move the plate back and forth again and use the IDF.
By replacing the cassette, it is possible to write four color images on paper in a superimposed manner to create a full-color copy.

Then, the recording paper produced as described above can be taken out from the plate 11 by hand or by an arbitrary taking out means.

(IDF Cassette) As shown in FIGS. 3 and 3a, the IDF cassette 30 used in the thermal transfer recording apparatus of the present invention has side plates 35, 35a formed of plate members on both sides, and two
Holding plates 36, 36a are provided to connect the two steel plates.

Then, the two holding plates 36, 3 are arranged opposite to each other.
6a, an opening 37 penetrating vertically is disposed, and a thermal head enters into the opening 37, and is configured to press the film with a predetermined pressure toward the paper with the tip of the head.

Two parallel shafts 32, 32a are arranged with respect to the side plates 35, 35a on both sides, and a film 31 is wound around these shafts so that the ink-applied side of the film is directed toward the paper side. It is arranged as follows.

Further, as shown in the figure, an opening is formed in the holding plate, and gears 33, 33a are arranged so as to be located in the respective openings with respect to the shaft, and the gears are located on the side of the thermal head. The film 31 is wound up by being engaged with and driven by a drive gear disposed in the section.

In the IDF cassette 30 of the present invention, the shaft on which the gear is driven serves as a drive shaft, and the other shaft serves as a feeding shaft. In the cassette of the present invention, the holding plates 36 and 36a protect the film stored therein, but the holding plates may have any shape, such as an arc-shaped cross section or a groove-shaped one. It is possible to use a shape of . Further, an opening is formed in a portion of the holding plate where the gear is arranged, and a drive gear enters through the opening to drive the shaft.

In the above-described IOF cassette 30 of the present invention, for example, when four IDF cassettes are mounted on the cassette holder, two of the cassettes are driven in correspondence with printing on the outward path of the platen device. It is done.

On the other hand, the other two IDF cassettes are configured to be able to perform printing operations on the return path of the platen device, and each cassette is configured to correspond to those printing modes. In order to solve the problem that the direction of movement of the film is reversed internally, the film is configured to be able to be driven in both directions as described above.

In other words, the driving direction for the film stored in the IDF cassette is different between printing on the forward path of the platen device and printing on the return path, so when using one type of IDF cassette, as described above, It is possible to improve the versatility of the cassette by equipping it with two driving force input means according to the film moving direction.

In the IDF cassette, two bins protruding outward are provided on each side plate on both sides. The bottles are arranged one long and one short, and one side plate 35 has a long bottle 38 and a short bottle 3.
8a, and the other side plate 35a has long and short bottles 39, 39a.
are placed respectively.

The bottle protruding from the side plate is, as will be explained later,
When an IDE cassette is held in a cassette player, it is used to hold the IDE cassette in a groove provided in the plate of the cassette holder, and when it is slid into the groove, it is used as a guide member, and the IDF cassette The engaging protrusion of the vertically moving arm is used as a member to be locked when moving the vertically moving arm to the position of the thermal head.

In addition, when printing on paper, as shown in FIG. 3a, the film 31 is pressed against the paper P supported by the plate 11 by the thermal head 21,
While the lower surface of the plate 11 is supported by the platen opening 525, the film 31 is moved at the same speed in the moving direction of the paper P to perform printing.

<<Cassette Holder>> As shown in detail in FIGS. 4, 5, and 5a, the cassette holder 40 shown in the embodiment of the present invention has the following features:
Approximately disk-shaped holder plates 42, 42 are arranged on both sides of a shaft 41 passing through the center, and the IDF cassette can be housed in the space between the plates.

The holder plates 42, 42 have the same shape, and are provided with four arms 42a to 42d projecting in a cross shape, and each arm is provided with grooves 43a to 43d radially from the axis. .

Then, one IDE cassette 30 is accommodated in each of the grooves 43a to 43d provided in the arm, and the selected IDE cassette is moved to the IDF cassette moving means by rotating the shaft. It then performs an operation such as handing it over to an IDE vertical movement device, which will be described later.

Further, in the cassette holder 40 of the present invention, for example, when the direction in which the cassette holder is driven is clockwise, yellow, magenta, cyan, and black films are sequentially arranged in the IDF cassette clockwise. The order in which the ink donor films are arranged is set to be the same as the order in which colors are superimposed and transferred in a thermal transfer recording device using a normal IDF.

By intermittently rotating the cassette holder clockwise, the operation of sequentially rotating the holder 174 times is continued when images are transferred one upon another, thereby efficiently supplying the necessary IDF cassettes. will be made possible.

Note that if the rotation direction of the cassette holder is reversed, the arrangement of the IDF cassettes of each color can be set in the opposite direction. In any case, by storing the arrangement of the IDF cassettes in the control device of the apparatus, the angle at which the holder is rotated when transferring colors in layers can be minimized, and the writing order can be easily set. This will allow you to create full color copies.

The above-described cassette holder 40 of the present invention is configured such that the distance between the plates 42 on both sides corresponds to the length of the IDF cassette 30. The bins 38, 38a and 39, 39a of the cassette are respectively projected.

Then, the engaging protrusion 54 of the cassette vertical moving device is inserted between the bottles protruding from the side of the plate, and the engaging protrusion 54 is caused to follow the upward movement of the arm 51.
To cause the DF cassette to move up and down.

Further, from the cassette holder 40 of the present invention described above, I
A mechanism for taking out the DF cassette 30 and setting it in the printing section is constructed as shown in the perspective view of FIG. 5a. As shown in the embodiment, the arm 51 for vertically moving the cassette is guided by guide means such as the shaft 41 or other bin members at the upper and lower parts, and locks both sides of the cassette to move the cassette up and down. I am trying to make the action of the movement take place. Furthermore, this embodiment shows a state in which the platen 0-525 is retracted, as in the case of FIG.

Note that in the cassette holder 40 described above, the IDF
As a means for holding the cassette, any fixed holding means such as providing an arm member that locks the bottle or placing a leaf spring member against the groove to suppress and hold the bottle may be arranged. This allows the IDF cassette to be easily removed from the holder and mounted.

(Cassette holder driving and positioning device) The cassette holder 40 of the present invention configured as described above has the following features:
As shown in FIGS. 5 and 5a, it has a mechanism for holding a plurality of cassettes. The holder is provided with a driving means and a positioning means as shown in FIG. 6, so that the rDF cassette selected based on the print information is moved to a predetermined position toward the print section. It can be stopped at , and moved toward the printing position.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 6, a sprocket 45 is provided on the shaft 41 of the cassette holder 40, and the sprocket 45 and the sprocket provided on the drive shaft
A driving force transmitting means such as a chain 46 is disposed between the casing and the ket. Then, the drive shaft 47 is driven by a drive means (not shown) to rotate the cassette holder 40.

Further, at the end of the shaft 41 of the cassette holder 40,
A disc member 61 is provided, and a positioning mechanism 60 is configured via the disc member 61.

In the positioning mechanism 60, an ID is provided around the disk 61.
Concave portion 62 of 411 corresponds to F cassette...
are arranged, and locking members 65 are provided for these recesses.

The locking member 65 is composed of a box-shaped arm 67 operated by a solenoid 66 and a locking protrusion 68 disposed at the tip of the arm 67. By engaging the recess 62 in the disk, a particular IDF cassette can be fixed in a position corresponding to the thermal head and moved towards the thermal head.

Furthermore, a recess detection sensor 63 is arranged to detect the number of recesses in the disc member 61 when moving the selected [)F cassette to the vertical movement position when rotating the cassette holder. The sensor 63 controls the rotation of the cassette holder.

Therefore, in the cassette holder rotating device of the present invention, when an IDF cassette to be used for printing is specified,
The drive mechanism of the cassette holder 40 is activated, and the shaft 41
The rotational state of the IDE cassette is determined by the number of recesses 62 in the disc member, and the selected IDE cassette is stopped at a predetermined position.

As described above, when rotating the cassette holder, determining the I[)F cassette of that color is, for example, based on the ID placed on the cassette holder as described above.
When the F cassettes are arranged in the color order for overlapping printing, the IDF cassette can be easily selected and positioned in the cassette moving part by making a judgment according to the arrangement order.

In addition, the locking protrusion 68 provided on the locking member of the cassette holder is used to hold the disc until the rDF cassette is taken out from the cassette holder, an image is written by the thermal head, and the IDF cassette is returned to its original storage position. Fix it in the state where it is engaged with the recess.

Then, when the cassette holder is rotated next time, the arm 67 is swung by the solenoid 66, thereby releasing the locking of the disc member and allowing the cassette holder to rotate, so that the next IDF cassette is placed in a predetermined position. When the position is reached, the locking member engages with the recess corresponding to the IDF cassette, thereby positioning the disc member.

Therefore, the lensoid 66 is activated only when the locking member 68 is removed from the recess, and after that, the arm 67 is configured to press the locking member around the disk using a spring or the like. Intermittent driving of members can be controlled.

(Cassette vertical movement device i!) As described above, the present invention is used as a means for moving an IDF cassette between the cassette holder 40 that accommodates a plurality of IDF cassettes 30 and the printing position by the thermal head 21. In the apparatus, a cassette vertical movement device 50 is used.

As shown in FIGS. 1, 4, 5a, and 7, the cassette vertical movement@position 50 has arm members of the same shape on both sides of the device, configured to be driven in synchronization. The cassette vertical movement device 150 is composed of an arm member 51 that slides vertically inside the frame 2 of the apparatus, and a swing lever 55 for driving the arm member 51.

The arm member 51 is composed of a plate-shaped member, and a long hole 52 is provided in the lower member in the vertical direction, and the shaft 41 of the cassette holder is positioned in the long hole 52 to guide the vertical movement of the arm member 51. conduct.

The upper member 53 of the arm member 51 is bent into a substantially U-shape, and has an engaging protrusion 54 extending from the inner member toward the IDF cassette.
Upper and lower bins 38 protruding from the side of the IDF cassette 30;
38a, 39, 39a, and the ID
It acts to move the F cassette up and down. Note that the locking protrusion 54 provided on the arm member 51 is positioned between the upper and lower bins of each IDE cassette when the cassette holder 40 is rotated, so that it does not obstruct the rotation of the cassette holder. do not have.

In the cassette vertical movement device 50 of the present invention configured as described above, the swing lever 55 for driving the arm member 51 is connected to the driving means via the shaft 56, and the other end is connected to the drive means via the pin 57. and connect it to the arm member 51. A drive mechanism connected to the shaft 56 drives the swing lever 55 to move the arm member 51 up and down.

In order to detect the position of the rocking lever 55, two sensors 58 and 58a are arranged as shown in FIG. This makes it possible to determine whether the cassette is in the printing position or held in the cassette holder.

The IDE cassette, which is moved up and down by the cassette up and down movement device @50, is guided by a groove provided in the arm of the cassette holder until it is removed from the cassette holder, but the upper part of the IDE cassette is positioned relative to the thermal head. Until this happens, the guide can be guided by any guide means.

(Platen Roller Swinging Mechanism) In the thermal transfer recording apparatus 1 of the present invention configured as described above, a platen roller 25 is provided at the lower part of the plate 11 that supports paper, corresponding to the thermal head 21 of the printing section.
is provided, and the lower surface of the plate 11 is supported by the O-ra 25. Then, the spacing between the paper and the thermal head is maintained constant by the gap roller 25, and the setting is made so that the printing operation can be performed accurately.

However, since the platen opening 525 is disposed in the path of vertical movement of the IDF cassette, there is a problem in that it becomes an obstacle when moving the cassette. Therefore, in the apparatus of the present invention, when moving the IDE cassette up and down, the platen roller 25 is moved laterally so as not to obstruct the movement of the cassette.

As shown in FIG. 1, in the apparatus of the present invention, the platen roller 25 is supported by a roller swinging arm 26 via a support link 27, and the swinging arm 26 swings about a shaft 28. By moving the platen mouth roller 25
is configured to be moved from the printing position toward the retracted position.

When the swinging arm 26 moves the IDF cassette 30 from the holder 40 to the thermal head 21, the swinging arm 26 swings just before the cassette vertical movement device is driven. Then, the cassette is raised from the holder to the printing position, and after the cassette is positioned, it is returned again and set at the printing position. Also, when replacing a cassette, always swing the platen roller to the retracted position so that it does not get in the way of replacing the cassette, and when performing printing operations, return it to the position corresponding to the thermal head. The swing arm is driven so that the swing arm is rotated.

As mentioned above, it is necessary to control the swinging operation of the platen roller 25 in conjunction with the operation of the cassette vertical movement device @50, and for this purpose, the rising position of the swinging lever 55 must be detected. Using the signal from the sensor 58 to confirm that the cassette is in the raised position, the platen roller 2
5 to the printing position.

Note that the above-described swinging means for the platen roller of the present invention is as follows:
In addition to the mechanism shown in the embodiment, any roller moving means can be used, and in addition to retracting the roller diagonally downward, means such as swinging it laterally may be used. is also possible.

(Copy-making operations in a thermal transfer recording device) When making full-color copies by installing four types of cassettes (yellow, magenta, cyan, and black) in the cassette holder in the i-position of the present invention having the above-described configuration. The operation will be explained below.

Before the apparatus starts operating, paper of the required size is set in the paper tray of the paper feeder 4, the plate 11 of the platen unit WI10 is stopped at the standby position, and the paper is stored in the cassette holder 40. An IDF cassette of an arbitrary color is stopped in a state corresponding to the thermal head 21.

In the above-described state, image information is input from the image information output device to the image information input device provided in the thermal transfer recording device, and commands for operating the device are input by actions such as pressing a start button. Then, the operation of feeding the paper from the paper tray starts, and the leading edge of the paper is placed on the plate 1.
The platen device is positioned on the platen 1, and the platen device is temporarily stopped in a posture where the paper is pressed together with the plate 11 by the pressing roller 9, and the drive of the platen device is started.

In parallel with the start of the paper feeding operation, an operation is started to move the yellow cassette, which is to perform the first printing, to the printing section. When moving this cassette, make sure that the cassette holder 4
It is possible to use means such as adding a mark to a specific DF cassette (for example, a yellow cassette) housed in the DF cassette 0 and having the specific cassette detected by a sensor or the like.

Then, from the detection position of that particular cassette, by operations such as counting the number of recesses provided in the disc member, the first cassette of No. A signal is output from the arm detection sensor 69 and the like to the control device.

As described above, when the yellow cassette housed in the cassette holder is stopped at the position of the vertical movement device, the swinging arm 55 is driven to raise the cassette, and the arm 55 is detected by the sensor 58. The machine will be stopped in the same state. In the raised position of the cassette up/down arm 51, the gear provided on the shaft of the cassette is set in a position where it meshes with the driving gear 24 disposed on the side of the thermal head 21, and the thermal head 21 moves the upper and lower arms downward. It will be set at a position where you can press it towards it.

After the cassette is set at the printing position, the platen roller 25 is moved to the lower part of the thermal head 21 to press and hold the paper that passes between the head 21 and the O-ra 25. will be made possible.

After completing the printing preparation as described above, next
The operation of moving the plate 11 to move the paper through the printing position is started, and by the operation of moving the plate 11 to the left side in the figure, yellow printing is performed on the paper. In addition, when transferring the image, the IDF film in the cassette is driven in synchronization with the moving speed of the paper, and the used film is removed by the drive gear of the main body driving the gear of the winding shaft. This results in winding.

After the yellow image has been transferred and the paper is stopped on the left side of the apparatus, a magenta image is then printed. In that case, the plate 11 is stopped at the left end, the platen roller 25 is retracted, the yellow cassette is returned to the holder 40, and the holder is 1/2
4 F! Make a J turn to stop the next magenta cassette at the moving position.

Then, the cassette vertical movement device is driven to raise the magenta cassette, set it in the position corresponding to the thermal head, and transfer the magenta image while moving the paper from the left side to the right side. .

By repeating the above-described operations and moving the paper back and forth twice along the printing section, four-color images are written in an overlapping manner, thereby completing a full-color copy.

The completed copy is then manually peeled off from the plate 11 and taken out.

<<Effects of the Invention>> Since the thermal transfer recording device of the present invention has the above-described configuration, it includes one thermal head and a plurality of IDs.
By using F, it is possible to simplify the mechanism of the apparatus for creating a full-strength rakobie, and it is possible to downsize the thermal transfer recording apparatus and to manufacture the apparatus at low cost.

Further, in the thermal transfer recording device of the present invention, a large number of ID
By supporting the F cassette on one cassette honoreader and rotating the cassette holder, the selected IDF can be easily set in the position corresponding to the thermal head, making it easy to set the IDE. It is possible to do so.

Furthermore, since the recording paper is supported by a platen device and a color image can be written while the platen device is moved back and forth with respect to the recording section, the time required to make a color copy can be shortened.

In addition, in the apparatus of the present invention, unnecessary consumption of the IDE is prevented, so the cost of making copies can be reduced and full-color copies can be easily obtained.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a side view of the thermal transfer recording device of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a plan view thereof, FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the IDE cassette, and FIG. 3a is an explanatory diagram showing the relationship between the cassette and paper during printing. Fourth
The figure is a front view of the printing part of the thermal transfer recording device, and Figure 5 is I
FIG. 5a is a side view showing the operation of exchanging the DE cassette, FIG. 5a is a perspective view thereof, FIG. 6 is a side view showing the configuration of the cassette holder drive and positioning device, and FIG. 7 is a detection device provided in the arm vertical movement device. It is an explanatory diagram of means. Reference numeral 1 in the figure: thermal transfer recording device, 2: frame, 5: paper tray, 9/9a...
Pressing roller, 10...Platen device, 11...
... Plate, 20 ... Upper member, 21.
...Thermal head, 23, 24... Drive gear, 25... Platen roller, 27...
... Roller swinging arm, 30 ... IDF cassette, 31 ... Film, 35 ... Side plate, 36 ... Holding plate, 38, 39.・・・・・・
Bin, 40...Cassette Honoreder, 41...
...Axis, 42...Arm, 43...
・Groove, 45... Drive gear, 50... Cassette vertical movement device, 51... Vertical movement arm,
52...Elongated hole, 54...Engagement protrusion, 5
5... Swing lever 58... Arm sensor 60... Holder positioning device, 61...
... Disk member, 62 ... Concave portion, 63 ...
... recess detection sensor 65 ... locking member,
66... Solenoid, 68... Locking protrusion, 69... Locking sensor. Figure 3

Claims (4)

[Claims] (1) Comprising one thermal head placed at a printing position with respect to recording paper, and a plurality of ink donor films of different colors placed so as to be moved to positions corresponding to the thermal head only when printing is performed. . A thermal transfer recording device characterized in that an ink donor film corresponding to color information of an image is set in a printing section using a thermal head to perform a printing operation. (2) The plurality of ink donor films are held in one cassette holder, and only when printing, a designated ink donor film is moved to the printing section, and inside the cassette holding the film, A means for driving the film is provided, and the driving means is driven by a drive mechanism disposed in the printing section, so that printing is performed while the film is fed following the movement of the recording paper. 2. The thermal transfer recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the thermal transfer recording apparatus is configured such that the thermal transfer recording apparatus is configured so as to be able to rotate. (3) The recording paper is supported by a platen device, and a drive system for the platen device is configured so that the recording paper is reciprocated with respect to the printing section, and each time the recording paper moves back and forth with respect to the printing section, the printing The thermal transfer recording device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the thermal transfer recording device is capable of performing operations. (4) In the printing section, a platen roller device is arranged at a position corresponding to the thermal head so as to sandwich the platen device and the paper, and the roller applies a constant pressing force to the paper against the thermal head. The thermal transfer recording according to claim 3, further comprising a mechanism for retracting the platen roller from the moving path of the cassette when replacing the film cassette. Device.