JPH05293998A - Thermal recorder - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To obtain a recording image of always uniform density irrespective of decrease in temperature of a surface of an intermediate transfer medium caused by bringing a pressure contact roller, recording papaper, and a thermal head into contact with the intermediate transfer medium or without generating sudden decrease in temperature of the surface of the intermediate transfer medium. CONSTITUTION:A recording energy control circuit 13 speculates variation in temperature of a surface of an intermediate transfer medium 1 by temperature of a pressure contact roller and recording paper 7 which are detected with thermaistors 11, 12. Decrease in density of an recording image to be caused by sudden decrease in temperature of the surface of the intermediate transfer medium 1 by pressure contact with the pressure contact roller 8 and passing through of the recording paper 7, is corrected by determining recording energy to be applied to a thermal head 2 from the result.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a heat-sensitive recording apparatus for recording desired images or characters on recording paper according to an electric signal applied to a thermal recording head.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, thermal recording devices have been used in printers, digital copiers, facsimiles, etc., but any of them cannot perform clear recording unless a dedicated recording paper is used. Therefore, a thermal recording device has been devised which can perform clear recording on plain paper without using a dedicated recording paper.

An example of the above-mentioned conventional thermal recording apparatus will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram of a conventional thermal recording apparatus. In FIG. 6, reference numeral 1 is an intermediate transfer medium in which a silicone rubber layer 1A is formed on the outer periphery of a metal tube 1B. A thermal head 2 is opposed to the intermediate transfer medium 1 with the ink sheet 3 interposed therebetween. A heater 4 is energized and controlled by a thermistor 5 and a temperature control circuit 6 provided in contact with the metal tube 1B to heat and keep the intermediate transfer medium 1 at a predetermined temperature. 7 is a recording sheet, and a pressure roller 8
It is conveyed between the (metal) and the intermediate transfer medium 1. The thermal head 2, the ink sheet 3, and the pressure contact roller 8 are separated from the intermediate transfer medium 1 during non-recording.

The operation of the thermal recording apparatus having the above structure will be described below. First, when a recording command is input, the thermal head 2 is pressed against the intermediate transfer medium 1 via the ink sheet 3. The thermal head 2 melts the ink applied on the ink sheet 3 according to the recording signal, and forms an ink image 3A on the surface of the silicone rubber layer 1A. On the other hand, the pressing roller 8 is pressed against the intermediate transfer medium 1, and then the recording paper 7 is carried between the pressing roller 8 and the intermediate transfer medium 1. Then, the ink image 3A is moved in the direction of the arrow by the rotation of the intermediate transfer medium 1 and transferred onto the recording paper 7 between the pressure contact roller 8 and the intermediate transfer medium 1.
At this time, since the silicone rubber layer 1A formed on the surface of the intermediate transfer medium 1 has flexibility, the ink image 3A is faithfully transferred to the paper surface of the recording paper 7 so that clear recording can be performed. it can. (Japanese Patent Application No. 2-23111).

[0006]

However, in the above-mentioned constitution, the temperature of the surface of the silicone rubber layer 1A is kept constant and uniform at the time of non-recording, but at the time of recording, the pressure contact roller 8 and the recording sheet are used. 7. Since the thermal head 2 and the ink sheet 3 come into contact with the silicone rubber layer 1A, the surface temperature of the silicone rubber layer 1A where these members take heat away from the silicone rubber layer 1A is drastically lowered. Therefore, there is a problem that the density of the ink image 3A formed by the thermal head 2 is extremely lowered on the surface of the silicone rubber layer 1A where the pressure roller 8, the recording paper 7, the thermal head 2 and the ink sheet 3 are in contact. Was.

In view of the above problems, the present invention does not cause a decrease in the density of a recorded image even if a sudden temperature drop occurs on the surface of an intermediate transfer medium, or does not cause a sudden temperature drop on the surface of the intermediate transfer medium. Provided is a thermal recording apparatus capable of always recording an image having a uniform density.

[0008]

In order to solve the above problems, the thermal recording apparatus of the present invention refers to the temperature detecting means for detecting the temperature of the pressure roller and the temperature of the pressure roller detected by the temperature detecting means. A recording energy control means for predicting the temperature change of the surface of the intermediate transfer medium and controlling the recording energy applied to the thermal head is provided.

Further, when the pressure contact roller is in pressure contact with the intermediate transfer medium, a recording sheet is always interposed between the pressure contact roller and the intermediate transfer medium.

Further, the surface of the pressure contact roller contacting the recording paper is made of a material having a heat insulating property.

Further, the pressure contact roller is brought into pressure contact with the intermediate transfer medium to heat and keep the temperature.

Further, by referring to the temperature detecting means for detecting the temperature of the recording paper and the temperature of the recording paper detected by the temperature detecting means, the temperature change of the surface of the intermediate transfer medium is predicted and the recording energy applied to the thermal head is calculated. The recording energy control means for controlling is provided.

Further, the preheating energy determining means for determining the energy for preheating the thermal head with reference to the temperature of the thermal head, and the energy determined by the preheating energy determining means is applied to the thermal head before forming a desired ink image. And a pressure contact roller for transferring only the desired ink image formed on the surface of the intermediate transfer medium to the recording sheet by pressing the intermediate transfer medium through the recording sheet.

Further, the thermal head is provided with recording energy control means for starting formation of an ink image after the thermal head is pressed against the intermediate transfer medium and the thermal head reaches a predetermined temperature.

[0015]

According to the present invention, by controlling the recording energy applied to the thermal head in accordance with the temperature of the pressure contact roller, the present invention compensates for the temperature decrease on the surface of the intermediate transfer medium due to the pressure contact roller and makes the density of the recorded image uniform. Can be

In order to prevent the pressure contact roller from directly contacting the intermediate transfer medium, the pressure contact roller is always pressed through the recording paper, or a heat insulating layer is provided on the surface of the pressure contact roller, or the pressure contact roller is heated and kept warm. The heat of the intermediate medium is less likely to be taken by the pressing roller, and the temperature decrease on the surface of the intermediate transfer medium can be suppressed.

Further, by controlling the recording energy applied to the thermal head according to the temperature of the recording paper, it is possible to compensate for the temperature decrease on the surface of the intermediate transfer medium due to the recording paper and make the density of the recorded image uniform.

Further, by applying energy determined by the temperature of the thermal head before the start of recording to preheat the thermal head, or by forming a desired ink image after the temperature of the thermal head reaches a predetermined temperature. The heat of the intermediate transfer medium is not easily absorbed by the thermal head during the formation of the ink image, and the temperature drop on the surface of the intermediate transfer medium can be suppressed.

[0019]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A thermal recording apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a thermal recording apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 1, 1
Is an intermediate transfer medium in which a silicone rubber layer 1A is formed on the outer circumference of a metal tube 1B. 2 is a thermal head,
It faces the intermediate transfer medium 1 via the ink sheet 3. A heater 4 is energized and controlled by a thermistor 5 and a temperature control circuit 6 provided in contact with the metal tube 1B to heat and keep the intermediate transfer medium 1 at a predetermined temperature. A recording sheet 7 is conveyed between the pressure contact roller 8 (made of metal) and the intermediate transfer medium 1. 11 and 12 are pressure contact rollers 8 respectively
2 is a thermistor for detecting the temperature of 1 and the temperature of the recording paper 7. A recording energy control circuit 13 controls the recording energy applied to the thermal head 2. The thermal head 2, the ink sheet 3, and the pressure contact roller 8 are located apart from the intermediate transfer medium 1 during non-recording.

The operation of the thermal recording apparatus having the above structure will be described below with reference to FIG.

The intermediate transfer medium 1 is rotated in the direction of the arrow, and when a recording command is input, the thermal head 2 is pressed against the intermediate transfer medium 1 via the ink sheet 3. Then, the ink applied to the ink sheet 3 is melted in accordance with the recording signal to start forming the ink image 3A on the surface of the silicone rubber layer 1A. At this time, the recording energy determined by the recording energy control circuit 13 is applied to the thermal head 2 by referring to the temperature of the metal tube 1B detected by the thermistor 5. At this time, the metal tube 1
Since the temperature control circuit 6 controls the temperature of B with reference to the thermistor 5, there is almost no temperature change, and the temperature of the silicone rubber layer 1A also hardly changes.

Next, when the pressure contact roller 8 is pressed against the intermediate transfer medium 1, since the pressure contact roller 8 is made of metal, the silicone rubber layer 1A is deprived of heat, and the silicone rubber layer at the portion in contact with the pressure contact roller 8 is removed. The surface temperature of 1A drops sharply. This temperature drop is local, and since the silicone rubber layer 1A has a large thermal resistance, it hardly appears in the temperature change of the metal tube 1B, and even if the temperature change can be detected, a considerable delay occurs. Therefore, metal tube 1B
Even if the recording energy is controlled by referring only to the temperature of 1, the sufficient effect cannot be expected. When the location where the temperature is lowered is moved to a position facing the thermal head 2, the recording energy control circuit 13 presses the intermediate transfer medium 1 in addition to the temperature of the metal tube 1B detected by the thermistor 5. The temperature of the pressure roller 8 immediately before being set is set to the thermistor 11
Then, the recording energy is determined and applied to the thermal head 2 by estimating the surface temperature of the silicone rubber layer 1A at the portion facing the thermal head 2 by the temperature of these two points. As a method of guessing, the metal tube 1B is previously prepared.
There is a method of obtaining the surface temperature of the silicone rubber layer 1A using a table or an arithmetic expression that obtains the relationship between the temperature of the pressure contact roller 8 and the temperature of the silicone rubber layer 1A.

Next, the pressure roller 8 and the intermediate transfer medium 1
During this period, the recording paper 7 is carried in, and the ink image 3A starts to be transferred onto the recording paper 7. At this time, the pressing roller 8 is pressed against the intermediate transfer medium 1 via the recording paper 7,
Since the recording paper 7 has a high heat insulating property and a small heat capacity with respect to the metal pressure roller 8, the temperature drop on the surface of the silicone rubber layer 1A is reduced. Then, when the position where the recording paper 7 comes in contact with the thermal head 2, the recording energy control circuit 13 causes the recording paper 7 detected by the thermistor 12 instead of the temperature of the pressure roller 8 detected by the thermistor 11. The recording energy is determined by inferring the surface temperature of the silicone rubber layer 1A with reference to the temperature of 1 and applied to the thermal head 2.

After the formation of the ink image 3A is completed, the recording paper 7
When the transfer of the ink image 3A to the end is completed, the pressure roller 8
Is separated from the intermediate transfer medium 1 and a series of recording operations is completed.

As described above, according to this embodiment, the intermediate transfer medium 1 is formed by pressing the pressing roller 8 and passing the recording paper 7.
Even if the temperature of the surface of the recording medium suddenly drops, the temperature of the surface of the intermediate transfer medium 1 is estimated and the recording energy applied to the thermal head 2 is controlled, so that there is no time delay in the control and the density is always uniform. Images can be recorded.

A thermal recording apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the construction of a thermal recording apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 2, 1
Is an intermediate transfer medium, 2 is a thermal head, 3 is an ink sheet, 3A is an ink image, 4 is a heater, 7 is recording paper, 8
Is pressed and separated from the intermediate transfer medium 1 by a pressing mechanism 24 by a pressing roller (made of metal). Reference numerals 21 and 22 are paper detection sensors, and 23 is a mechanical control circuit for mechanically controlling the entire apparatus.

The operation of the thermal recording apparatus having the above structure will be described below with reference to FIG.

During non-recording, the pressure contact roller 8 is located at a position separated from the intermediate transfer medium 1, and the intermediate transfer medium 1
I have not touched. When a recording command is input, the thermal head 2 is pressed against the intermediate transfer medium 1 via the ink sheet 3, and at the same time, the ink on the ink sheet 3 is melted in accordance with the recording signal, so that the surface of the silicone rubber layer 1A is exposed. The formation of the ink image 3A is started. The ink image 3A is moved in the direction of the arrow by the rotation of the intermediate transfer medium 1, and the recording paper 7 is carried in between the pressure contact roller 8 and the intermediate transfer medium 1. The leading edge of the recording paper 7 is the paper detection sensor 2
At the position 1, the mechanical control circuit 23 drives the pressure contact mechanism 24 to press the pressure contact roller 8 against the intermediate transfer medium 1.
Therefore, the pressing roller 8 is pressed against the intermediate transfer medium 1 via the recording paper 7. At this time, since the recording paper 7 has a higher heat resistance than the pressure roller 8 made of metal, the recording paper 7 acts as a heat insulating material, the temperature of the surface of the silicone rubber layer 1A does not suddenly decrease, and the value of the temperature decrease also. small. Then, the ink image 3A is transferred to the recording paper 7 directly below the pressure roller 8. When the formation of the ink image 3A by the thermal head 2 is completed and the end of the recording paper 7 reaches the position of the paper detection sensor 22, the mechanical control circuit 23 causes the mechanical contact circuit 23 to contact the press contact mechanism 2.
4 is driven to separate the pressure contact roller 8 from the intermediate transfer medium 1, and a series of recording operations is completed. Therefore, the pressure roller 8 does not directly contact the surface of the silicone rubber layer 1A, but always contacts the intermediate transfer medium 1 via the recording paper 7.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, by controlling the pressure contact / separation timing of the pressure contact roller 8 so that the pressure contact roller 8 is always in pressure contact with the intermediate transfer medium 1 via the recording paper 7, the pressure contact roller 8 is pressed. Since the roller 8 does not come into direct contact with the surface of the silicone rubber layer 1A, it is possible to suppress a decrease in the surface temperature of the silicone rubber layer 1A due to the pressing roller 8 and obtain a recorded image with a uniform density. Further, even when the ink image 3A is transferred to the recording paper 7, the surface temperature of the silicone rubber layer 1A does not decrease so much that stable transfer can always be performed.

The thermal recording apparatus of the third embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a thermal recording apparatus according to the third embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 3, 1
Is an intermediate transfer medium, 2 is a thermal head, 3 is an ink sheet, 3A is an ink image, 4 is a heater, 7 is recording paper, 8
Is a pressure contact roller, which comprises a metal core material 8A and a heat insulating layer 8B covering the surface thereof.

The operation of the thermal recording apparatus having the above structure will be described below with reference to FIG.

In the conventional structure, since the pressure contact roller 8 is entirely made of metal, the pressure contact of the pressure contact roller 8 with the intermediate transfer medium 1 has been a major cause of the temperature change of the surface of the silicone rubber layer 1A. So pressure roller 8
The heat insulating layer 8B made of a heat insulating material such as rubber, resin, or ceramic is provided on the surface of the metal core material 8A. Therefore, when the pressure contact roller 8 is pressed against the intermediate transfer medium 1, the metal core material 8A is formed on the silicone rubber layer 1A.
Is not in direct contact with the silicone rubber layer 1A
The temperature of the surface of the device does not drop sharply, and the range of temperature drop can be suppressed to a small level if the contact time is short.

As described above, according to this embodiment, by providing the heat insulation layer 8B on the surface of the pressure contact roller 8, it is possible to suppress the decrease in the surface temperature of the silicone rubber layer 1A by the pressure contact roller 8 with a simple and low cost structure. Therefore, it is possible to obtain a recorded image having a uniform density. In addition, the ink image 3A is printed on the recording paper 7
Even when transferring to, the surface temperature of the silicone rubber layer 1A does not decrease so much that stable transfer can always be performed.

The thermal recording apparatus of the fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of a thermal recording apparatus according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 4, 1
Is an intermediate transfer medium, 2 is a thermal head, 3 is an ink sheet, 3A is an ink image, 4 is a heater, 7 is recording paper, 8
Is a pressure roller (made of metal).

The operation of the thermal recording apparatus having the above structure will be described below with reference to FIG.

The pressure contact roller 8 is always in pressure contact with the intermediate transfer medium 1, the heat of the intermediate transfer medium 1 is also supplied from the surface of the silicone rubber layer 1A to the pressure contact roller 8, and the temperature of the pressure contact roller 8 is silicone rubber. The temperature is close to the surface temperature of the layer 1A. Therefore, the thermal head 2
Therefore, even when the ink image 3A is formed, the pressing roller 8 does not affect the surface temperature of the silicone rubber layer 1A.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, the pressure contact roller 8 is always in pressure contact with the intermediate transfer medium 1 and the intermediate transfer medium 1
By heating and retaining the pressure contact roller 8 by means of the current configuration, it is possible to always obtain a recorded image of uniform density without adding a new member and without lowering the surface temperature of the silicone rubber layer 1A by the pressure contact roller 8. be able to.
Further, even when the ink image 3A is transferred onto the recording paper 7, the surface temperature of the silicone rubber layer 1A does not decrease so much that stable transfer can always be performed.

The thermal recording apparatus of the fifth embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 5 shows a block diagram of a thermal recording apparatus in the fifth embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 5, 1
Is an intermediate transfer medium, 2 is a thermal head, 3 is an ink sheet, 3A is an ink image, 4 is a heater, 7 is recording paper, 8
Is a pressing roller (made of metal), 51 is a thermistor for detecting the temperature of the thermal head 2, 52 is a preheating energy determination circuit for determining the preheating energy applied to the thermal head 2, and 53 is recording energy for the thermal head. It is a recording energy applying circuit for applying.

The operation of the thermal recording apparatus having the above structure will be described below with reference to FIG.

During non-recording, the thermal head 2 is located apart from the intermediate transfer medium 1 and is not in contact with the intermediate transfer medium 1. At this time, the intermediate transfer medium 1 is in a stopped state. When a recording command is input, the thermal head 2 is pressed against the intermediate transfer medium 1 via the ink sheet 3. Then, the preheating energy control circuit 52 refers to the temperature of the thermal head 2 by the thermistor 51 to determine the preheating energy to be applied to the thermal head 2. As a method of determining the preheating energy, the temperature of the thermal head 2, the preheating energy to be applied to the thermal head 2, and the thermal head 2 after applying the preheating energy are preliminarily set.
There is a method of calculating the preheating energy by using a table or an arithmetic expression that determines the temperature relationship of the thermal head 2
The lower the temperature, the higher the preheating energy. Then, the recording energy applying circuit 53 preheats the thermal head 2 by applying the preheating energy determined by the preheating energy applying circuit 52 to the thermal head 2. The preheating energy applied to the thermal head 2 at this time may be a value capable of melting the ink of the ink sheet 3 to form the ink image 3A.

After applying the preheating energy, the thermal head 2
When the temperature of the recording medium reaches a predetermined value, the intermediate transfer medium 1 starts rotating, and the recording energy applying circuit 53 causes the thermal head 2 to move.
By applying the recording energy for recording the desired ink image 3A, the ink on the ink sheet 3 is melted and the formation of the ink image 3A is started on the surface of the silicone rubber layer 1A.

After the ink image 3A formed by applying the preheating energy has passed the position facing the pressure contact roller 8, the pressure contact roller 8 is pressed against the intermediate transfer medium 1 and the recording paper 7 is intermediate with the pressure contact roller 8. By passing the paper between the transfer media 1, only the desired ink image 3A is transferred to the recording paper 7. The ink image 3A formed by applying the preheating energy is not transferred to the recording paper 7, but is further moved and reversely transferred to the ink sheet 3 to be removed from the silicone rubber layer 1A.

As described above, according to this embodiment, the thermal head 2 is preheated with the preheating energy according to the temperature of the thermal head 2, and after the temperature of the thermal head 2 reaches the predetermined temperature, the desired image is obtained. By recording, it is possible to suppress a decrease in the surface temperature of the silicone rubber layer 1A due to the thermal head 2 and to keep the temperature of the thermal head in the initial state of recording always constant.
A recorded image with uniform density can be obtained.

In the first embodiment, the position of the thermistor 5 for detecting the temperature of the intermediate transfer medium 1 is the surface of the metal tube 1B. This is because the surface of the silicone rubber layer 1A is a surface on which the ink image 3A is formed, and by providing the thermistor 5 on this surface, scratches or the like may occur, which may lead to deterioration of print quality of the formed ink image 3A. is there.
Therefore, if there is a portion on the silicone rubber layer 1A where the ink image 3A is not formed, and that portion is a portion where the temperature can be detected by a thermistor or the like, that portion (the surface of the silicone rubber layer 1A) is The thermistor 5 may be provided to perform the recording energy control described in the first embodiment. Even in this case, since the surface temperature of the silicone rubber layer 1A detected by the thermistor 5 is delayed due to factors such as the heat capacity of the thermistor 5, the pressure contact roller 8 or the recording paper 7 described in the first embodiment is not detected. A method of estimating the true surface temperature of the silicone rubber layer 1A from the temperature and the temperature detected by the thermistor 5 and controlling the recording energy applied to the thermal head 2 is effective.

Further, in the first embodiment, when the position where the recording sheet 7 in the silicone rubber layer 1A comes in contact with the thermal head 2, the recording energy control circuit 13 causes the pressure contact detected by the thermistor 11. The recording paper 7 detected by the thermistor 12 instead of the temperature of the roller 8.
Although it is assumed that the temperature of the silicone rubber layer 1A is estimated with reference to the temperature of 1., even when the pressure roller 8 is pressed against the intermediate transfer medium 1 via the recording paper 7, the pressure roller 8 has a slight influence, so the thermistor 11 By referring to both the temperature of the pressure contact roller 8 detected in step 1 and the temperature of the recording paper 7 detected in the thermistor 12, the silicone rubber layer 1A
You can guess the temperature of.

In the second embodiment, the pressure contact roller 8 performs the pressure contact / separation operation according to the detection of the recording paper 7 by the paper detection sensors 21 and 22, but without using the paper detection sensors 21 and 22, The recording operation may be controlled in advance by associating the loading timing of the recording sheet 7 with the pressure contact / separation timing of the pressure roller 8. In this case, the effect can be obtained with the current configuration without adding a new member.

In the fourth embodiment, the pressure roller 8 is heated and kept warm by constantly contacting the pressure roller 8 with the intermediate transfer medium 1. However, the pressure roller 8 can be separated and the temperature of the pressure roller 8 can be increased. May be provided with a means (for example, a heater) that heats and keeps the pressure contact roller 8 within ± 20 ° C. around the temperature of the intermediate transfer medium 1, or the temperature of the pressure contact roller 8 and the temperature of the intermediate transfer medium 1 The pressure contact roller 8 may be intentionally pressed against and separated from the intermediate transfer medium 1 so that the difference between the pressure contact roller 8 and the intermediate transfer medium 1 is within 10 ° C.

Although the intermediate transfer medium 1 is stopped until the temperature of the thermal head 2 reaches a predetermined value in the fifth embodiment, it may be rotated.

[0054]

As described above, according to the present invention, the recording energy applied to the thermal head is controlled according to the temperature of the pressing roller. Further, the recording paper is always interposed during the pressure contact of the pressure contact roller so that the pressure contact roller does not directly contact the intermediate transfer medium. A heat insulating layer is provided on the surface of the pressure roller.
Also, heat and heat the pressure roller. Further, the recording energy applied to the thermal head is controlled according to the temperature of the recording paper. Further, energy determined by the temperature of the thermal head is applied before recording starts to preheat the thermal head. Also, an ink image is formed after the temperature of the thermal head reaches a predetermined temperature. With such a configuration, the pressure roller, the recording sheet, and the thermal head are brought into contact with the intermediate transfer medium during recording, so that the temperature of the intermediate transfer medium surface is rapidly reduced regardless of the rapid temperature decrease of the intermediate transfer medium surface. It is possible to always form an image of uniform density.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of a thermal recording apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram of a thermal recording apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a configuration diagram of a thermal recording apparatus according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a configuration diagram of a thermal recording apparatus according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a configuration diagram of a thermal recording apparatus according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram of a conventional thermal recording device.

[Explanation of Codes] 1 Intermediate Transfer Medium 1A Silicone Rubber Layer 1B Metal Tube 2 Thermal Head 3 Ink Sheet 4 Heater 5 Thermistor 6 Temperature Control Circuit 7 Recording Paper 8 Pressing Roller 8A Metal Core Material 8B Thermal Insulation Layer 11, 12 Thermistor 13 Recording Energy Control Circuits 21, 22 Paper detection sensor 23 Mechanical control circuit 24 Pressure contact mechanism 51 Thermistor 52 Preheating energy determination circuit 53 Recording energy application circuit

Front page continuation (72) Masaki Yoshikawa 1006 Kadoma, Kadoma, Osaka Prefecture Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd. (72) Soichiro Mima, 1006 Kadoma, Kadoma City, Osaka Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd. Inventor Nobuyoshi Taguchi 1006 Kadoma, Kadoma City, Osaka Prefecture Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.

Claims (10)

[Claims] 1. An intermediate transfer medium, a means for heating and maintaining the temperature of the intermediate transfer medium, and the intermediate transfer by press-contacting the intermediate transfer medium via an ink sheet and selectively heating the ink sheet. A thermal recording head that forms an ink image on the surface of a medium, and a transfer unit that transfers the ink image formed on the surface of the intermediate transfer medium to the recording sheet by pressing the intermediate transfer medium through the recording sheet. A temperature detecting means for detecting the temperature of the transfer means, and a recording energy control means for controlling the recording energy applied to the thermal recording head with reference to the temperature of the transfer means detected by the temperature detecting means. A thermal recording device characterized by the above. 2. The recording energy control means controls the recording energy applied to the thermal recording head by predicting the temperature change of the surface of the intermediate transfer medium from the temperature of the transfer means detected by the temperature detecting means. The thermal recording apparatus according to claim 1. 3. An intermediate transfer medium, means for heating and maintaining the temperature of the intermediate transfer medium, image forming means for forming an image on the surface of the intermediate transfer medium, and pressure contact with the intermediate transfer medium.
In a heat-sensitive recording apparatus including a transfer unit that is separable and transfers the image to the recording sheet by pressing the intermediate transfer medium through the recording sheet, the transfer unit presses the intermediate transfer medium. The thermal recording apparatus is characterized in that the recording sheet is always interposed between the transfer means and the intermediate transfer medium when the recording medium is in operation. 4. An intermediate transfer medium, means for heating and maintaining the temperature of the intermediate transfer medium, image forming means for forming an image on the surface of the intermediate transfer medium, and pressure contact with the intermediate transfer medium via a recording sheet. Thus, in the heat-sensitive recording apparatus including a transfer unit that transfers the image to the recording sheet, the surface of the transfer unit that is in contact with the recording sheet is made of a material having a heat insulating property. 5. An intermediate transfer medium, means for heating and maintaining the temperature of the intermediate transfer medium, image forming means for forming an image on the surface of the intermediate transfer medium, and pressure contact with the intermediate transfer medium via a recording sheet. As a result, in the thermal recording apparatus provided with the transfer means for transferring the image onto the recording sheet, the temperature of the transfer means is ± 20 ° C. around the temperature of the intermediate transfer medium.
The heat-sensitive recording device is characterized by being heated and kept in the temperature range. 6. A thermal recording apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the transfer means is heated and kept warm by being pressed against the intermediate transfer medium. 7. An intermediate transfer medium, means for heating and maintaining the temperature of the intermediate transfer medium, the intermediate transfer medium being pressed against the intermediate transfer medium via an ink sheet and selectively heating the ink sheet. A thermal recording head that forms an ink image on the surface of a medium, and a transfer unit that transfers the ink image formed on the surface of the intermediate transfer medium to the recording sheet by pressing the intermediate transfer medium through the recording sheet. A temperature detecting means for detecting the temperature of the recording paper, and a recording energy control means for controlling the recording energy applied to the thermal recording head with reference to the temperature of the recording paper detected by the temperature detecting means. A thermal recording device characterized by the above. 8. A recording energy control means controls the recording energy applied to the thermal recording head by predicting a temperature change of the surface of the intermediate transfer medium from the temperature of the recording paper detected by the temperature detecting means. The thermal recording apparatus according to claim 7. 9. A thermal recording head for forming an ink image on the surface of the intermediate transfer medium by being pressed against the intermediate transfer medium via the ink sheet and selectively heating the ink sheet. A preheating energy determining means for determining the energy for preheating the thermal recording head with reference to the temperature of the thermal recording head, and the energy determined by the preheating energy determining means before forming the desired ink image. An energy applying unit for applying to the thermal recording head and a transfer for transferring only the desired ink image formed on the surface of the intermediate transfer medium to the recording sheet by pressing the intermediate transfer medium through the recording sheet. A thermal recording device comprising means. 10. An intermediate transfer medium, means for heating and maintaining the temperature of the intermediate transfer medium, pressure contact with and separation from the intermediate transfer medium via an ink sheet, and selective heating of the ink sheet, A thermal recording head that forms an ink image on the surface of the intermediate transfer medium, and the ink image formed on the surface of the intermediate transfer medium is transferred to the recording sheet by pressure contact with the intermediate transfer medium via the recording sheet. And a recording energy control unit for starting formation of the ink image after the thermal recording head is pressed against the intermediate transfer medium and the thermal recording head reaches a predetermined temperature. Thermal recording device.