JPH0542694A - Thermal transfer recording apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To enhance the stability and reliability of image quality by realizing effective grinding treatment excellent in operability certainly grasping the state of the foreign matter bonded to a recording electrode. CONSTITUTION:The current value at the time of the electrification of a recording electrode 104 is detected by current detection circuit 202 and the recording electrode 104 is ground on the basis of the threshold level of the current value by a grinding means 206. After grinding treatment, the current of the recording electrode 104 is detected by the current detection circuit 202 and the contact pressure of the recording electrode 104 with an ink sheet 101 is adjusted by a pressure adjusting means 207 so as to make the detected current value constant. Further, the recording electrode 104 is moved and the grinding means 206 is brought into contact with the tip of the recording electrode 104 to be rotationally driven.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a thermal transfer recording device used in an output device such as a computer and a facsimile device. More specifically, the present invention detects an adhering substance deposited on a recording electrode for print formation, The present invention relates to a thermal transfer recording device that removes adhered substances and always obtains a stable printed image.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art The following is a conventional technique related to the present invention. First, a "polishing film cassette" disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 1-216878 discloses a polishing film, a supply core for winding and supplying the polishing film, a winding core for winding the polishing film, and A cam for laterally moving the supply core and the take-up core,
It is composed of a cassette case for accommodating the polishing film, a supply core, a winding core, and a cam. Particularly, a cam is attached to the core of the polishing film cassette, and the recording head is polished while moving the polishing film laterally. ..

Secondly, the "printing device" disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 1-225574 discloses a sheet having at least a resistance layer and an ink layer, a plate-shaped electrode substrate and a plurality of recordings on the resistance layer. A recording head composed of needles is pressure-contacted, a voltage is applied between the recording needles, an electric current is applied to the resistance layer, and the generated Joule heat transfers the ink layer to the transfer paper to obtain recording. In the copying apparatus, a polishing means for polishing at least the recording head,
The recording head of the polishing means has a transfer means for transferring to the transfer paper and a control means for storing the number of transferred transfer papers and sending a feed back signal to the polishing means. The amount of polishing with respect to is adjusted.

In a general thermal transfer recording apparatus, since the resistance layer of the ink sheet is conveyed while being rubbed against the recording electrode during printing, dust such as carbon forming the resistance layer is generated on the recording electrode or in the vicinity thereof. On the recording electrodes, which causes the recording electrodes to wear. If such a state is continued, there is a problem that characteristics due to electrical connection between the recording electrode and the resistance layer are deteriorated. Conventionally, by using a polishing sheet cassette, the above-mentioned problems have been solved by scraping the end faces of the recording electrodes.

[0005]

However, in the above-mentioned printing apparatus, the number of printed sheets is counted and
This is fed back to the polishing means, and the polishing amount of the recording electrode is adjusted by the polishing means based on the fed back number of prints. Since the data of the number of prints is simply the data of the number of prints, one print is printed. Even if the image ratio is different, even if the number is the same, the amount of foreign matter deposited on the recording electrode is greatly different, and as a result, there is a problem that a highly accurate polishing process cannot be performed. This problem results in unstable image quality and reduced reliability.

In a general thermal transfer recording apparatus,
In the process of polishing the recording electrodes by the polishing sheet (film) cassette, the user has to replace the ink sheet cassette with the polishing sheet cassette, which complicates the operation and lowers the operability. There was a point.

The present invention has been made in view of the above, and accurately grasps the situation of foreign matter adhering to the recording electrode,
The objective is to realize an effective and easy-to-use polishing process to stabilize image quality and improve reliability.

[0008]

In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the present invention presses a plurality of recording electrodes against a platen while sandwiching an ink sheet composed of at least a resistance layer and an ink layer and a recording paper, In a thermal transfer recording apparatus that heats the ink sheet to transfer it to a recording sheet by energizing between a resistance layer of the sheet and a common electrode in contact with the sheet, a polishing means for polishing the recording electrode, and an energization of each recording electrode. (EN) A thermal transfer recording apparatus provided with a current detection means for detecting a current value at a time and a control means for controlling the polishing means based on the detection value of the current detection means.

Further, the plurality of recording electrodes are pressed against the platen with the ink sheet composed of at least the resistance layer and the ink layer and the recording paper being sandwiched, and the current is supplied between the common electrode in contact with the resistance layer of the ink sheet. In a thermal transfer recording device that heats an ink sheet to transfer it to recording paper,
Polishing means for polishing the recording electrodes, current detecting means for detecting a current value when each recording electrode is energized, contact pressure adjusting means for adjusting the contact pressure between the recording electrodes and an ink sheet to be constant, and the recording There is provided a thermal transfer recording apparatus comprising: a control unit that controls the contact pressure adjusting unit based on a detection value of the current detecting unit after the electrode is polished by the polishing unit.

Further, a plurality of recording electrodes are pressed against a platen with an ink sheet consisting of at least a resistance layer and an ink layer and a recording paper sandwiched therebetween, and a current is applied between a common electrode in contact with the resistance layer of the ink sheet. In a thermal transfer recording device that heats an ink sheet to transfer it to recording paper,
Polishing means for polishing the recording electrodes, storing means for storing a reference current value corresponding to each recording electrode, current detecting means for detecting a current value when each recording electrode is energized, and reference for the storing means. Comparison means for comparing the current value with the detection current value of the current detection means, and when the detected current value is larger than the reference current value from the comparison result by the comparison means, the printing operation is stopped and the polishing processing by the polishing means is performed. The present invention provides a thermal transfer recording apparatus including: a control unit that performs control to restart the printing operation after executing the above.

Further, it is desirable that the polishing means should rotate a roller-shaped polishing member in contact with the recording electrode separated from the print forming position.

The current detecting means detects the value of the current flowing through each recording electrode either before the start of printing one screen or after the end of printing one screen, and the current value of the current value larger than the reference current value is detected. At this time, it is desirable that the polishing means polishes the end surface of the recording electrode under the control of the control means.

The current detecting means detects the value of the current flowing through each recording electrode either before the start of printing one screen or after the end of printing one screen, and the current value is smaller than the reference current value. At this time, it is desirable that the polishing means polishes the end surface of the recording electrode under the control of the control means.

The current detecting means detects the value of the current flowing through each recording electrode either before the start of printing one screen or after the end of printing one screen, and the current value is larger than the reference current value or When the value is small, it is desirable that the polishing means polish the end surface of the recording electrode under the control of the control means.

[0015]

The thermal transfer recording apparatus according to the present invention detects foreign matter adhering to the recording electrode by the current value flowing through the recording electrode, compares the detected current value with the reference current value, and executes the polishing operation by the polishing means. To do.

Further, by uniformly adjusting the contact pressure between the recording electrode and the ink sheet after the polishing treatment of the recording electrode, the current flowing through the recording electrode becomes constant and the print density becomes stable.

Further, the current value flowing for each line during printing is detected and compared with the current value stored in the memory in advance. As a result, the current value from the current detecting means is compared with the current value of the storing means. When the value is large, the printing operation is stopped, the polishing is performed by the polishing means, and then the printing is restarted.

Further, the work of bringing the polishing roller into contact with the recording electrode and rotating it to surely polish the tip of the recording electrode is automatically executed.

The current value flowing through each recording electrode is detected either before the start of printing one screen or after the end of printing one screen, and the polishing means records the current value according to the comparison value with respect to the reference current value. The end face of the electrode is polished.

[0020]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. FIG. 1 is an explanatory view showing the recording principle of the thermal transfer recording apparatus of the present invention, 101 is a film-like ink sheet comprising a resistance layer 101a, a conductive layer 101b and an ink layer 101c, 102 is a recording paper, and 103 is a pulse voltage. A recording signal source 104 for applying a voltage, a recording electrode 104 for energizing the ink sheet 101 with its tip having a small contact area pressed against the ink sheet 101,
Is a common electrode having a function of a return electrode which becomes a ground side when energized.

In the above configuration, the ink sheet 101 is placed on the recording paper 102, and the recording electrode 104 and the common electrode 105 are pressed against the recording sheet 102 to move continuously between the selected recording electrode 104 and the common electrode 105. Recording signal source 1
When the pulse voltage is applied from 03, the ink sheet 101
A current is mainly applied to the ink layer 101c. On this occasion,
Since the contact area of the recording electrode 104 with respect to the ink sheet 101 is considerably smaller than the contact area of the common electrode 105, the current density immediately below the recording electrode 104 becomes very large and heat is generated in a minute area. The ink of the ink layer 101c is melted or softened and is transferred to the recording paper 102 while being pressed, and the anchoring effect penetrates between the fibers of the recording paper 102 to form a fixed image.

FIG. 2 is a main structural view showing a recording portion of the thermal transfer recording apparatus of the present invention. In the figure, reference numeral 104 denotes a recording electrode which is arranged in a plurality of positions by being energized in pressure contact with the resistance layer 101a of the ink sheet 101, 105 a common electrode which serves as a return electrode, and 201 a voltage application power source for applying a constant voltage to the recording electrode 104. Reference numeral 202 denotes a current detection circuit that detects the value of the current flowing through the recording electrode 104. Reference numeral 203 denotes switching between print formation (on the solid line side in the figure) and current detection by the current detection circuit 202 (on the broken line side in the figure). Changeover switch (S
W), 204 is a control circuit for controlling switching of the transistor 206 provided for each recording electrode 104 according to a recording signal, and 205 executes arithmetic processing based on the recording signal and the output signal of the current detection circuit 202. And a CPU 206 for giving a command to the control circuit 204 by the recording electrode 104.
Each recording electrode 1 is a transistor that controls the energization of
It is connected to 04. Further, 206 is the recording electrode 104.
Polishing means for polishing the tip, 207 is pressure adjusting means for adjusting the contact pressure between the recording electrode 104 and the ink sheet 101.

A plurality of recording electrodes 104 and a common electrode 105 are pressed against the resistance layer 101a of the ink sheet 101. The voltage application by the voltage application power source 201 to the recording electrode 104 is controlled by the transistor 206 connected to the recording electrode 104, and the switching control of the transistor 206 is performed by the control circuit 204 based on the signal from the CPU 205. Executed.

In the thermal transfer recording apparatus configured as described above, the changeover switch 203 is turned on to the solid line side shown in the figure during print formation. Then, in order to print the image data on the recording electrode 104, a print signal is sent from the CPU 205 to the control circuit 204. The control circuit 204 receives a signal based on the recording signal of the CPU 205, and controls each recording electrode 104 to be turned on / off by the transistor 206. As a result, the recording electrode 104 and the resistance layer 101 of the ink sheet 101 are formed.
a, conductive layer 101b, ink layer 101c, common electrode 10
A current flows along the route of 5, and the resistance layer 1 immediately below the recording electrode 104
01a generates heat, and the ink layer 101
The ink c is melted or softened and transferred to the recording paper 102.

When the changeover switch 203 operates as shown by the broken line in the figure, a voltage is applied to the recording electrode 104 via the current detection circuit 202. At this time, the transistor 206 is sequentially turned on, the current value flowing through each recording electrode 104 is measured by the current detection circuit 202, and the measured current value is input to the CPU 205. The CPU 205 compares this current value with a preset current value (threshold current value), and when the measured current value is large with respect to this threshold current value, the corresponding recording electrode leaks. The polishing means 206 is activated,
The tip of the recording electrode 104 is polished.

FIG. 3 is a graph showing an example of the current value measured by the current detection circuit 202 in the above thermal transfer recording apparatus, showing the detected current value corresponding to each recording electrode 104 (1 to n). There is. The broken line in the figure indicates the threshold current value. In this graph, it can be seen that the measured current value of each recording electrode 104 is within the threshold current value or less, and no leakage occurs between the recording electrodes 104. However, since the measured current value of the recording electrode 104 indicated by i and i + 1 exceeds the threshold current value, it is determined that the recording electrode 104 is leaking. Based on the above measurement results, the CPU 205 continues the printing operation as it is when no leak has occurred, and when it determines that the leak has occurred, executes the polishing process of the recording electrode 104 described below.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory view showing a polishing mechanism of the recording electrode 104 of the thermal transfer recording apparatus according to the present invention. 401
Is a head bracket having a fulcrum 401a (the fulcrum 401a is configured to be movable only in the vertical direction) as an axis, and the recording electrode 104 is arranged at the tip end portion, and 402 is the opposite of the recording electrode 104 of the head bracket 401. A head moving cam which contacts the arm portion on the side and moves the recording electrode 104 to and from the ink sheet 101 by its rotation,
3 is a polishing roller for polishing the tip of the recording electrode 104 of the head bracket 401, 404 is a lever for suspending the polishing roller 403 and rotating about a fulcrum shaft 404a, 405.
Is a spring for urging the lever 404 in the direction opposite to the recording electrode 104, and 406 is the polishing roller 403 and the recording electrode 10.
4, a solenoid serving as a drive source for the contact and separation operation with respect to 4, a plunger 407 that performs a suction operation when the solenoid 406 is turned on,
A rod 408 connects the end of the lever 404 on the opposite side of the recording electrode 104 and the tip of the plunger 407.

409 is an unused ink sheet 10
A supply roll around which 1 is wound and supplies in a predetermined direction,
410 is a take-up roll that winds up the ink sheet 101 after the transfer process, 412 is a platen roller having a highly smooth surface that supports the recording paper 102 from below, and 413 applies appropriate tension to the ink sheet 101. While the tension roller 414 conveys the recording paper 1
A feed roller for feeding 02, 415 a feed roller 414
A pinch roller 416 is disposed so as to face the recording electrode 104 of the head bracket 401 and the ink sheet 101.
A spring 417 urges the polishing roller 403 to the side, and a spring 417 suspends the polishing roller 403.

In the thermal transfer recording apparatus constructed as described above, the ink sheet 101 is applied with tension by the tension roller 413 from the supply roll 409,
It passes between the recording electrode 104 and the platen roller 412, passes through the common electrode 105, and is wound up by the winding roll 410. On the other hand, the recording paper 102 is conveyed between the platen roller 412 and the ink sheet 101 by the feed roller 414 and the pinch roller 415. During this printing operation, the head moving cam 402 stops at the position shown in the figure, and the position of the recording electrode 104 of the head bracket 401 is urged by the spring 416 at its tip toward the ink sheet 101 as shown in the figure. It will be in the state of being.

In this thermal transfer recording apparatus, the ink sheet 101 and the recording paper 102 are superposed on each other, and the recording electrode 104 and the common electrode 105 of the head bracket 401 are pressed against the resistance layer of the ink sheet, and a power source (not shown) is provided. When a pulse voltage is applied by, a current mainly flows in the ink sheet 101, and the contact area of the recording electrode 104 is made considerably smaller than that of the common electrode 105. Therefore, the current density directly below the recording electrode 104 is large. Next, heat is generated. This heat causes the ink on the ink sheet 101 to melt and the recording paper 1
Transcript 02.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory view showing a detailed mechanism around the polishing roller 403 shown in FIG. In the figure, 4
Reference numeral 03a denotes a roller shaft of the polishing roller 403, and 501 denotes a bearing which is loosely fitted and supported on the roller shaft 403a, and a spring 417 is hooked on a flange portion thereof. 502 is a driven gear fixedly arranged coaxially with the roller shaft 403a,
3 is a drive motor for rotating the polishing roller, 504 is a drive gear fixedly arranged on the output shaft of the drive motor 503, and this drive gear 504 is engaged with the driven gear 502. The surface of the polishing roller 403 is formed of a polishing material such as a grindstone or diamond.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory view showing the state of the polishing operation of the tip portion of the recording electrode 104, in which the recording electrode 104 of the head bracket 401 moves upward and the polishing roller 40
The recording electrode 104 and the polishing roller 403 are brought into contact with each other by moving 3 to the left.

Next, the polishing operation by the polishing roller 403 at the tip of the recording electrode 104 will be described below with reference to FIGS. First, before or after the printing operation, it is checked whether or not there is a leak in the recording electrode 104, and if a leak occurs in the i and i + 1th recording electrodes 104 as shown in FIG. The solenoid 406 is turned on based on the instruction signal. As a result, the plunger 407 is attracted, and the lever 404 moves via the rod 408 as shown in FIG. As a result, the polishing roller 403 moves to the right. On the other hand, almost simultaneously with this, the head moving cam 402 counter-rotates and moves the head bracket 401 from the printing state to the polishing operation position as shown in FIG. Next, the drive motor 503 is turned on, and the rotation of the drive gear 504 is transmitted to the driven gear 503 as a drive force to rotate the polishing roller 403. By rotating the polishing roller 403 in contact with the recording electrode 104 in this manner, the deposits on the tip of the recording electrode 104 are removed.

Further, in FIG. 2, the changeover switch 203
Is operated as shown by the broken line in the figure, the current detection circuit 202
A voltage is applied to the recording electrode 104 via the. At this time, the transistor 206 is sequentially turned on, the current value flowing through each recording electrode 104 is measured by the current detection circuit 202, and the measured current value is output to the CPU 205. When this current value is different from the current value detected in the initial state, the contact pressure between the recording electrode 104 and the ink sheet 101 is adjusted so that the current value becomes the same as the current value in the initial state. It is adjusted by the means 207.

This pressure adjusting means 207 measures the contact pressure as shown in FIG.
As shown in FIG.
This is performed by adjusting the distance between the ink sheets 101 by vertically moving the. That is, when increasing the contact pressure between the recording electrode 104 and the ink sheet 101, this distance is set short, and conversely, when decreasing the contact pressure, the distance is adjusted long. Alternatively, in addition to the above distance adjustment, the head movement cam 402 can be adjusted by the rotation stop position.

FIG. 7 is an enlarged view of the tip of the recording electrode 104. FIG. 7A shows the state of foreign matter deposited when the recording electrode 104 prints, and FIG. 7B shows the recording electrode 104.
The state in which the accumulated foreign matter is removed by polishing the tip as described above is shown.

FIG. 8 is an explanatory view showing another embodiment of the thermal transfer recording apparatus for FIG. The same parts as those in FIG. 2 are denoted by the same reference numerals and the description thereof will be omitted. Reference numeral 801 denotes a RAM for storing data to be printed, and 802 for storing data of a set current value which is a reference current when the recording electrode 104 leaks.
This is an OM, and the configuration is such that the changeover switch (SW) of FIG. 2 is eliminated and the current of the recording electrode 104 is measured during the printing operation.

The above-mentioned print forming operation will be described. In order to print the image data on the recording electrode 104, the RAM 801
Sends the data stored in the CPU 205 to the CPU 205
A print signal is sent from 05 to the control circuit 204. The control circuit 204 receives a signal based on the recording signal of the CPU 205, and turns on / off each recording electrode 104 by the transistor 206.
FF control. As a result, a current flows through the recording electrode 104, the resistance layer 101a of the ink sheet 101, the conductive layer 101b, the ink layer 101c, and the common electrode 105, and the resistance layer 101a immediately below the recording electrode 104 generates heat. The ink 101c is melted or softened and transferred to the recording paper 102. The current flowing through the recording electrode 104 when transferred onto the recording paper is detected by the current detection circuit 202.
Is detected line by line by the
Output to 5. CPU 205 inputs the input data and RO
The data of the set current value stored in M802 is compared, and if the detected data is lower than the data of the set current value, the printing operation of the next line is executed, and the detected data shows the set current value. When the value is higher than the data, it is determined that the recording electrode 104 is leaking, and the polishing means 20
After performing the polishing operation according to 6, the printing operation of the next line is performed.

Next, another embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. In order to detect the current flowing between the recording electrodes at either the start or the end of one-screen printing, in FIG. 2, the changeover switch 203 is turned on to the broken line side. Control circuit 20
The transistor 206 of each recording electrode 104 is sequentially turned on by 4 to supply a current to each recording electrode 104, and the current flowing at that time is detected by the current detection circuit 202.
The detection signal is sent to the CPU 205. If the current value detected at this time deviates from the upper limit reference current, the lower limit reference current, or a current in a certain range A as shown in FIGS. 9 to 11, it is determined that there is leakage or insulation.

FIG. 9 shows the case where i and i + 1 are leaking, FIG. 10 shows the case where the i-th is in the insulating state, and FIG. 11 shows the case where i and i + 1 leak and the j is in the insulating state. It is an example. In the case of FIGS. 9 to 11, the polishing means 206 starts the polishing operation. After that, one-screen printing is executed. The structure and the polishing operation of the polishing means 206 are as described above with reference to FIGS.

As described above, the thermal transfer recording apparatus according to the present embodiment detects foreign matter adhering to the recording electrode by the current value flowing through the recording electrode, compares the detected current value with the reference current value, and polishes the result. Since the polishing operation is performed by the means, there is an effect that the recording electrode is not excessively shaved and the image stability and the life of the component are extended.

After the recording electrode is polished, the contact pressure between the recording electrode and the ink sheet is adjusted to be uniform, so that the current flowing through the recording electrode becomes constant and the print density is stabilized.

Further, the current value flowing for each line during printing is detected and compared with the current value stored in the memory in advance. As a result, the current value from the current detecting means is compared with the current value of the storing means. When the value is large, the printing operation is stopped, the printing is resumed after the polishing processing by the polishing means is executed, and thus the reliability of the recording electrode is improved.

Further, since the work of reliably abrading the tip of the recording electrode by rotating the abrading roller in contact with the recording electrode is improved, the operability can be improved.

Further, when the current flowing through each recording electrode is detected before or after the start of one screen printing and the above value is obtained, the recording electrode is polished, so that a good image can be stably obtained and the reliability is improved. Can be planned.

[0046]

As described above, according to the thermal transfer recording apparatus of the present invention, the current detection means detects the current value when the recording electrode is energized, and the polishing means records the recording electrode by the threshold level of the detected current value. Further, after the polishing treatment, the current of the recording electrode is detected by the current detecting means, and the contact pressure between the recording electrode and the ink sheet is adjusted by the pressure adjusting means so that the detected current value becomes constant. Further, the recording electrode is moved and the polishing means is brought into contact with the tip of the recording electrode and driven to rotate, so that the situation of foreign matter adhering to the recording electrode can be accurately grasped, which is effective and excellent in operability. The polishing process can be realized to stabilize the image quality and improve the reliability.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing a recording principle of a thermal transfer recording apparatus.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing a recording unit of the thermal transfer recording apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a graph showing a relationship between recording electrodes and a current value measured by a current detection circuit in the thermal transfer recording apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory view showing a polishing mechanism for a recording electrode of the thermal transfer recording apparatus according to the present invention.

5 is an explanatory diagram showing a detailed mechanism of the polishing roller shown in FIG.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing a polishing operation for a recording electrode of the thermal transfer recording apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 7 is an enlarged view showing a tip portion of a recording electrode.

FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram showing another embodiment of the recording unit in the thermal transfer recording apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a graph showing the relationship between the detected current and each recording electrode (upper limit reference current) in the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a graph showing a relationship (lower limit reference current) between a detected current and each recording electrode in the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a graph showing the relationship (range A) between the detected current and each recording electrode in the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

101 ink sheet 102 recording paper 103 recording signal source 104 recording electrode 105 common electrode 202 current detection circuit 203 changeover switch 204 control circuit 205 CPU 206 polishing means 207 pressure adjusting means 401 head bracket 401a fulcrum 402 head moving cam 403 polishing roller 801 RAM 802 ROM

Claims (7)

[Claims] 1. A plurality of recording electrodes are pressed into contact with a platen with an ink sheet composed of at least a resistance layer and an ink layer and a recording paper sandwiched therebetween, and a current is applied between a common electrode in contact with the resistance layer of the ink sheet. In a thermal transfer recording apparatus that heats an ink sheet to transfer it to a recording sheet, a polishing unit that polishes the recording electrodes, a current detecting unit that detects a current value when each recording electrode is energized, and a current detecting unit. A thermal transfer recording apparatus comprising: a control unit that controls the polishing unit based on a detected value. 2. A plurality of recording electrodes are pressed into contact with a platen with an ink sheet composed of at least a resistance layer and an ink layer and a recording paper sandwiched therebetween, and a current is applied between a common electrode in contact with the resistance layer of the ink sheet. In a thermal transfer recording apparatus that heats an ink sheet to transfer it to recording paper, a polishing unit that polishes the recording electrodes, a current detection unit that detects a current value when each recording electrode is energized, the recording electrodes and the ink. A contact pressure adjusting means for adjusting the contact pressure of the sheet to a constant value, and a control means for controlling the contact pressure adjusting means based on the detection value of the current detecting means after the recording electrode is polished by the polishing means. A thermal transfer recording device characterized by being provided. 3. A plurality of recording electrodes are press-contacted to a platen with an ink sheet composed of at least a resistance layer and an ink layer and a recording paper being sandwiched, and a current is applied between a common electrode in contact with the resistance layer of the ink sheet. In a thermal transfer recording apparatus that heats an ink sheet to transfer it to a recording sheet, a polishing unit that polishes the recording electrodes, a storage unit that stores a reference current value corresponding to each recording electrode, and an energization of each recording electrode. Current detecting means for detecting the current value at the time, comparing means for comparing the reference current value of the storing means with the detected current value of the current detecting means, and the detected current value from the comparison result by the comparing means is lower than the reference current value. When the value is large, the control means for controlling the printing operation to be restarted after the printing operation is stopped by the polishing means is executed. Transfer recording device. 4. The thermal transfer recording according to claim 1, wherein the polishing means rotates a roller-shaped polishing member in contact with the recording electrode separated from the print forming position. apparatus. 5. The current detection means detects a current value flowing through each recording electrode either before the start of printing one screen or after the end of printing one screen, and the current value is larger than the reference current value. The thermal transfer recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the polishing means polishes the end surface of the recording electrode under the control of the control means. 6. The current detecting means detects a current value flowing in each recording electrode either before the start of printing one screen or after the end of printing one screen, and the current value is smaller than the reference current value. The thermal transfer recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the polishing means polishes the end surface of the recording electrode under the control of the control means. 7. The current detecting means detects a current value flowing through each recording electrode either before the start of one-screen printing or after the end of one-screen printing, and the current value is larger than a reference current value or The thermal transfer recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein when the value is small, the polishing means polishes the end surface of the recording electrode under the control of the control means.