JPH04152177A - Heat transfer printer - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To make it possible to use plural types of heat transfer ink ribbons by the same means by equipping a heat transfer ink ribbon which has selectively engaging parts at both ends of the core, a first winding means which transmits winding force to one end of the core on the winding side of the heat transfer ink ribbon, and a second winding means which transmits winding force to the other end. CONSTITUTION:A heat transfer ink ribbon 13 is wound around a core 30 after the completion of printing. Both ends of the core 30 have engaging parts 30a, 30b, and the engaging parts 30a, 30b are engaged with first and second winding means 51, 52. The first and second winding means 51, 52 consist of holding means 53, 54, torque transmitting means 55, 56 which are fitted on the holding means 53, 54, and a ribbon gear 19 which is fitted on the torque transmitting means 55, 56. The ribbon gear 19 gets driving force and rotates together, and the driving force is transmitted to the bent part of the torque transmitting means 55, 56 from a notch 19a, and a specified torque is transmitted to the holding means 53, 54 by friction force. For the holding means 53, 54, engaging parts 53a, 53b, 54a, 54b are engaged with the engaging parts 30a, 30b of the core 30, and thus, the heat transfer ink ribbon 13 is wound.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Field of Industrial Application] The present invention relates to a thermal transfer printer that is equipped with a line-type thermal head and records on recording paper while melting or sublimating ink on a thermal transfer ink ribbon.

[Conventional technology]

Conventionally, there has been a thermal transfer printer that includes a winding mechanism for a thermal transfer ink ribbon as shown in the schematic diagram of FIG.

Thermal transfer ink ribbon 102 is wound around a core 101 made of paper, plastic, etc., which includes bearings 104 and 105 supported on a shaft 103, a winding means 106 that transmits winding force to the core 101, and a core 101. Holding means 1
07.108, it is held by a compression spring 109 that urges the holding means 107 inward in the thrust direction. The held thermal transfer ink ribbon 102 is set on the frame 110 via bearings 104 and 105. Thermal transfer ribbon 1
02 is replaced after rotating the holding means 108 in the radial direction and then pulling it out in the thrust direction.

The winding means 106 obtains a driving force from the winding drive gear 111, engages the engaging part 106a with the engaging part 101a of the winding core 101, transmits the winding force, and rotates the thermal transfer ink ribbon 102.
wind up.

[Problem to be solved by the invention]

However, with the means in the above technology, settings are made such that an appropriate winding force is applied to a single thermal transfer ink ribbon or to the same type of thermal transfer ink ribbon. However, in thermal transfer recording devices that use multiple types of thermal transfer ink ribbons, the appropriate winding force applied to the thermal transfer ink ribbons to ensure appropriate recording quality may differ, and it is not possible to do this using the same means. could not.

An object of the present invention is to provide a thermal transfer printer that allows the use of multiple types of thermal transfer ink ribbons by the same means.

[Means to solve the problem]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the thermal transfer printer of the present invention includes a thermal transfer ink ribbon that selectively has interlocking portions at both ends of the core, and a winding force is transmitted to one end of the core on the winding side of the thermal transfer ink ribbon. It is characterized by comprising a first winding means and a second winding means for transmitting a winding force to the other end.

〔Example〕

Embodiments of a thermal transfer printer capable of monochrome and color thermal transfer recording according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a thermal transfer printer according to the present invention during monochrome and color thermal transfer recording.

First, monochrome thermal transfer recording will be explained with reference to FIG.

When a recording start signal is input, a plurality of sheets of recording paper 2 set in the hopper 1 are rotated counterclockwise by a feed roller 3 made of a rubber material with a high friction coefficient, and the recording paper 2 is moved along the upper surface of a paper guide 4 to the right in the figure. Paper is fed in the direction. Furthermore, the paper path selection plate 5 that overlaps with the upper surface of the paper guide 4 is pushed up by its own weight, and after passing through the BOF sensor 6 which is the detection means of the recording paper 2, the second paper feed roller 7, which is stationary and in a pressed state, and the second The recording paper 2 collides with the paper presser roller 8 and comes to rest in a slightly buckled state.
Align the tips of the

At the same time or immediately after that, the stepping motor 9 starts rotating, and the recording paper 2 (including the stacked recording paper) is separated from the feed roller 3.

The rotation of the stepping motor 9 is transmitted to the second paper feed roller rough via the paper feed gear 10, and the rotation is transmitted to the second paper feed roller rough through the paper feed gear 10.
The recording paper 2 is conveyed a predetermined number of steps between the thermal transfer ink ribbon 13 housed and supported in the ink ribbon cassette 12 and the recording head 15 which receives pressure from a head pressure spring 14. Paper feeding operation in monochrome mode ends.

Here, the platen 11 and the platen pressure roller 16 that presses and releases the recording head 15 of the platen 11
The pose position is (a) in the pose state diagram in Figure 2.
This is the pose state shown in FIG. 1 and the position indicated by the chain double-dashed line in FIG.

The recording operation then begins, and the platen pressure roller 16, whose rotating shaft is eccentric to the central axis, receives driving force from a DC motor (not shown), and the platen 11 moves to the position shown by the solid line, as shown in FIG. 2(b). It stands still in the pose state and at the position shown by the solid line in the figure. A constant pressure is applied to the recording head 15 through the recording paper 2 and the thermal transfer ink ribbon 13, power supply to the recording head 15 is started, and recording is executed.

During this recording, the thermal transfer ink ribbon 13 is conveyed using a stepping motor 9, which is a ribbon driving means, as a driving source.
18. Performed by a train of ribbon gears 19. In other words, the drive source for conveying the recording paper 2 and the drive source for conveying the thermal transfer ink ribbon 13 are shared.

Further, the drive transmission of the thermal transfer ink ribbon 13 is carried out by engaging the engaging portions 30a and 30b of the winding core 30 shown in FIGS. 8 and 9 with the winding means 51, 52 including the ribbon gear 19. (Details will be described later) As recording progresses, the leading edge of the recording paper 2 is moved by the first paper feed roller 20, which serves as the main paper transport means during color recording, and the paper presser auxiliary roller 21, which constantly generates pressing force.
The first paper pressing roller 2 stands still in the pose state shown in FIG. 2(b) and the position indicated by the two-dot chain line in the figure while
A paper ejection roller 2 rotates counterclockwise while being guided by a paper ejection guide 23 which passes between the paper ejection guide 23 and is fixed above the paper ejection roller 2.
It is transported between 4 and 4.

When recording is completed, the platen 11 and the first paper presser roller 2
2 moves to the position shown in FIG. 2(a) and the two-dot chain line,
The sheet is scooked onto the stacker 25 by counterclockwise rotation of the sheet discharge roller 24, and a series of recording operations is completed.

Here, the stacker 25 performs face-down cooking in which the recording paper 2 is stacked with the recording surface facing down by tilting it in the direction of the arrow in the figure, and stacking the recording paper 2 with the recording surface facing up by tilting it in the direction of the arrow B in the figure. It is possible to form two states of face-up stacking.

Next, color thermal transfer recording will be explained.

The paper feeding operation of the recording paper 2 is carried out from the hopper 1 to the second paper feed roller 7.
The steps up to this point are the same as those during monochrome thermal transfer recording, and the second paper feed roller 7 and the second paper press roller 8 buckle and stand still. At the same time or immediately after that, the stepping motor 9 starts rotating, while the recording paper 2 (including the stacked recording paper)
It is separated from the feed roller 3. stepping motor 9
2 (a
) and the platen 11 in the pose state shown by the two-dot chain line in the figure.
and a recording head 15 which is biased by a head pressure spring 14 via a thermal transfer ink ribbon 13 supported by an ink ribbon cassette 12, and is further constantly pressed by a first paper feed roller 20. Paper presser auxiliary roller 2
1, the paper is conveyed between the first paper press roller 22 and the first paper feed roller 20. Further, the leading edge of the recording paper 2 is guided by the paper discharge guide 23 and detected by the TOF sensor 26, which is recording paper leading edge detection means, and the rotation of the stepping motor 9 is stopped. Now, the state changes to the state shown in FIG. 2(d), and the recording paper 2
is gripped by the first paper holding roller 22, and then in order to minimize the recording start position on the recording paper 2, the stepping motor 9 is reversed, and the leading edge of the recording paper 2 is transferred to the first paper feeder, which is the main paper conveying means. The paper is returned to the contact area between the roller 20 and the first paper pressing roller 22. This completes the paper feeding operation of the recording paper 2, and then moves on to the recording operation.

Color recording starts from this point, but first the color thermal transfer ink ribbon 13 is located. Thermal transfer ink ribbon 13 for color recording is coated with heat-melting ink in yellow, magenta, and cyan in order.Transparent parts are provided at the boundaries of each color to identify the beginning of the ink, and Black markings of different shapes are applied to each transparent part, and these are detected by a reflective marker sensor (not shown) to locate the beginning of the ribbon. To transport the ribbon at the beginning of the ribbon, the rotation of the DC motor 27 is controlled by the ribbon reduction gear C28, the ribbon reduction gear D29, and the ribbon gear 1.
9 and starts winding at a speed higher than the recording speed. During this ribbon cueing, the ribbon reduction gear 18, which is the ribbon drive means during recording, is released from the gear train with the ribbon gear 19 by a drive release means (not shown).

When the ribbon cue for the first color is completed, the pause state changes to the second color.
The state shifts to the state shown in Figure (C), and the printing head starts to be energized and printing of the first color is started. At this time, the thermal transfer ink ribbon 13 is conveyed by the stepping motor 9. Note that during recording, the wheel train for transmitting drive from the DC motor 27 is released.

When the recording of the first color is completed, the state shifts to the state shown in FIG. Although the rotation is stopped, the second color cue of the thermal transfer ink ribbon 13 is being executed at the same time as the paper return operation. After this, the pause state returns to the state shown in FIG. 2(c) and the second color recording begins. Thereafter, recording of the third color is executed in the same manner. When the sequential recording of the three color planes is completed in this way,
The state shifts to the state shown in FIG. 2(a), and the ejecting operation of the recording paper 2 similar to monochrome recording is performed, and color recording is completed.

Further, this thermal transfer printer can perform thermal recording using thermal paper as the recording paper 2 by detaching the ink ribbon cassette 12 containing the thermal transfer ink ribbon 13 from the thermal transfer printer main body. Thermal recording is performed using the same sequence as the monochrome thermal transfer recording described above except for the thermal transfer ink ribbon 13.

The outline of the recording operation of the thermal transfer printer according to the embodiment of the present invention has been described above. Next, the thermal transfer ink ribbon 13
For the installation of the mechanism, see Figures 3, 4, 5, and 6.
This will be explained in detail using FIGS.

FIG. 3 is a schematic view showing a first embodiment of the attachment mechanism on the supply side of the thermal transfer ink ribbon 13.

The thermal transfer ink ribbon 13 is wound around a winding core 30 and stored in an ink ribbon cassette 12. Both ends of the winding core 30 are interlocking portions (cutout portions) 30a.

30b (see FIG. 7(a)), holding means 31.3
Interlock with 2. FIG. 4 shows a perspective view of the holding means 31,32. The holding means 31 and 32 are made of plastic molding and have occlusal parts 31a, (3) having spring properties in the radial direction.
There are 2a), 31b, and (32b). In Figure 3,
When the engaging parts 31a, b and 32a, b of the holding means 31, 32 do not engage with the engaging parts 30a, b of the winding core 30, they bend and engage as shown by the two-dot chain line. The rotation of the winding core 30 causes the two to interlock.

The holding means 31.32 is supported by a shaft 35.36 fixed to a lever 33.34 for attaching and detaching the thermal transfer ink lipo 213. Brake means 37, 38 for applying tension to the thermal transfer ink ribbon 13 are provided on the outer periphery of the holding means 31, 32.
is inserted. The braking force of the braking means 37, 38 is set to different values as required. Lever 3
3.34 is supported by the frame 39 while being biased by a spring 40.41, and rotates in the direction of the arrow when the thermal transfer ink ribbon 13 is attached or detached. Further, the lever 33 is stabilized in two positions by the springs 40 and 41 on the left side in FIG. 3 and the lever 34 position on the right side in FIG.

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram showing another embodiment of the holding means.

In the holding means 42, two occlusal members 44 are attached to a holding means main body 43 while being biased in the radial direction by a spring 45. FIG. 6 shows a perspective view of the holding means 42. The engagement member 44 of the holding means 42 is connected to the winding core 3
When they are not engaged with the occlusal portion 30a of 0, they are retracted against the spring 45 and the winding core 30 rotates, so that they engage with each other. Other mechanisms are the same as in the previous embodiment.

Next, the tension of various thermal transfer ink ribbons 13 will be described. As mentioned above, this thermal transfer printer is capable of monochrome and color thermal transfer recording. In each case, the thermal transfer ink ribbon 13 is different, and in the monochrome case, a thermal transfer ink ribbon that can be used many times,
Further, in OHP paper recording, a thermal transfer ink ribbon for OHP paper recording is used.

Different tensions are applied to these various thermal transfer ink ribbons 13 in order to ensure appropriate printing quality.

FIG. 7(a) is a perspective view showing a state in which the thermal transfer ink ribbon 46, which can be used many times, is wound around the winding core 30. The thermal transfer ink ribbon 46, which can be used many times, needs to be sufficiently tensioned to prevent wrinkles due to deformation of the ink ribbon due to repeated use. Therefore, the winding core 30
is provided with occlusal parts 30a and 30b at both ends, and the holding means 3
1.32 by engaging the braking means 37
．． A combined braking force of 600 to 1000 g (220 mm width of thermal transfer ink ribbon) of 38 acts as a tension force.

FIG. 7(b) is a perspective view showing a general monochrome thermal transfer ink ribbon 47 and a color thermal transfer ink ribbon 48 wound around a winding core 49.

The winding core 49 is provided with an engaging portion 49b at one end, and by engaging with the holding means 32, a braking force of 400 to 600 g of the brake means 38 acts as tension. The other end 49a has no interlocking part and the holding means 31 is 2 in FIG.
It deforms as shown by the dotted chain line and spins idly, and no braking force is applied.

FIG. 7(c) is a perspective view showing a state in which the OHP paper recording thermal transfer ink ribbon 50 is wound around the winding core 49. FIG. The thermal transfer ink ribbon 50 for OHP paper recording has a weak bonding force with the OHP paper during printing, so it is likely to be misaligned with the OHP paper. Therefore, the thermal transfer ink ribbon 50 for OHP paper recording needs to have the minimum necessary tension. The ends of the four winding cores are reversed from those shown in FIG. 7(b), the engaging portions 49b engage with the holding means 31, and the braking force of 200 to 400 g of the braking means 37 acts as tension. The other end 49a has no interlocking portion, and the holding means 31 is deformed and idles as shown by the two-dot chain line in FIG. 3, so that no braking force is applied.

Next, a mechanism on the winding side of the thermal transfer ink ribbon 13 will be explained using a schematic diagram in FIG. 8 and a perspective view in FIG. 9. The thermal transfer ink ribbon 13 is wound around a core 30 after printing is completed. Both ends of the winding core 30 have interlocking parts (notches) 30a.
, 30b, and mesh with the first winding means 51 and the second winding means 52. The first winding means 51 and the second winding means each include a holding means 53, 54, a torque transmitting means 55, 56 inserted therein, and a ribbon gear 19 inserted therein, respectively. .

As described above, each ribbon gear 19 receives a driving force and rotates at the same time, and the driving force is transmitted from the notch 19a to the bent portions 55a, 56a of the torque transmitting means 55, 56, and further to the transmitting means. 55.56 and retaining means 53.5
4, a predetermined torque is applied to the holding means 53.
54.

The holding means 53.54 have the occlusal parts 53a, 53b, 54a
, 54b engage with the engagement portions 30a, 30b of the winding core 30, and wind up the thermal transfer ink ribbon 13. Occlusal part 53a,
53b, 54a, 54b and the occlusal parts 30a, 30b do not interlock, the occlusal parts 53a, 5 of the holding means 53.54
3b, 54a.

54b are bent and engaged as shown by the two-dot chain line in the figure, and as the ribbon gear 19 rotates, the two come into engagement.

The other mechanisms on the take-up side are the same as those on the supply side, and the holding means 53, 54 can also be replaced with the holding means 42.

Next, correspondence to various thermal transfer ink ribbons shown in FIG. 7 will be explained.

Thermal transfer ink ribbon 4 that can be used many times as shown in FIG. 7(a)
6, both ends of the winding core 30 at the front in the drawing
0a, 30b interlock with the retaining means 53.54. By rotation of the ribbon gear 19, the torque transmission means 55,56
The torque at the set position is transmitted to the holding means 53,54 and winds up the thermal transfer ink ribbon 46. The winding force at this time is 1800 g to 3
000g works.

General monochrome thermal transfer ink ribbon 4 in FIG. 8(b)
7. When using the color thermal transfer ink ribbon 48,
Only one end 49b of the winding core 49 on the near side of the figure engages with the holding means 51, and the winding force of 1200 by the torque transmission means 53 is
g to 1800 g acts. The other end 49a has no interlocking part, and the holding means 54 is deformed as shown by the two-dot chain line in FIG.
It spins idly and no winding force is applied.

Thermal transfer ink ribbon 5 for OHP paper recording shown in FIG. 7(c)
0, only one end 49b of the winding core 49 on this side of the drawing engages with the holding means 54, and a winding force of 600 g to 1200 g by the torque transmitting means 56 is applied. Other end 49
In case a, there is no interlocking part, and the holding means 53 is deformed as shown by the two-dot chain line in FIG. 8, rotates idly, and no winding force is applied.

The mechanisms on the supply side and winding side for each polar thermal transfer ink ribbon have been described above. Regarding the core of each thermal transfer ink ribbon, a core 30 having interlocking portions at both ends is used.
Although the experiments were carried out on two types of cores 49, 1 and 49 having an interlocking part at only one end, cores having no interlocking parts at both ends may also be used.Furthermore, it is also possible to freely combine the cores in various thermal transfer ink ribbons. It is. Furthermore, the braking force and winding force can be freely set by changing the braking means 37, 38 and the torque transmitting means 55, 56.

〔Effect of the invention〕

As described above, the present invention includes a thermal transfer ink ribbon having selectively engaged portions at both ends of the core, and a first winding means and a second winding means for winding the ribbon. Even when using multiple types of thermal transfer ink ribbons with different characteristics, by selectively interlocking them, an optimal winding force can be obtained, and appropriate recording quality without wrinkles or recording unevenness of the thermal transfer ink ribbon can be obtained.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of the thermal transfer printer of the present invention during monochrome and color thermal transfer recording. FIG. 2 is a pose state diagram of the thermal transfer printer. Figure 3 shows the first part of the supply side attachment mechanism of the thermal transfer ink ribbon.
FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing an example. FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the holding means therein. FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram showing another embodiment of the supply side attachment mechanism for the thermal transfer ink ribbon. FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the retaining means therein. FIG. 7 is a perspective view of various thermal transfer ink ribbons. FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram showing an embodiment of a winding mechanism for a thermal transfer ink ribbon. FIG. 9 is an exploded perspective view of the winding means therein. FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram of a winding mechanism for a thermal transfer ink ribbon of a conventional thermal transfer printer. 12... Ink ribbon cassette 13... Heat transfer ink ribbon 30... Winding core 31... Inside holding means 32... 〃 37... Brake means 38...・・・・・・ // 42... Holding means 43... Conflict φ 〃 44... Articulating member 46... Thermal transfer ink ribbon 47... 〆1 48φ...・ /1 Four... Winding core 50... Thermal transfer ink ribbon 51... First winding means 52... Second 〃 53.54... Holding means 55.56...Torque transmission means Fig. 1 Fig. 2 0-m Gu-no-s Gu Gugu

Claims (1)

[Claims] In a thermal transfer printer that can use multiple types of thermal transfer ink ribbons, there is a thermal transfer ink ribbon that selectively has interlocking portions at both ends of the core, and a winding force is transmitted to one end of the core on the winding side of the thermal transfer ink ribbon. 1. A thermal transfer printer comprising a first winding means and a second winding means for transmitting a winding force to the other end.