JPH0545498Y2 - - Google Patents

Description

[Detailed description of the invention] (a) Industrial application field The present invention relates to a thermal transfer recording device capable of performing color recording.

(B) Conventional technology Recently, color printing has been attempted in various recording devices, and in thermal transfer recording devices, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 58
Colorization has been carried out as seen in Publication No. -140266.

A thermal transfer recording apparatus capable of performing color recording uses an ink sheet having a plurality of color inks, and thermal transfer recording is performed by sequentially overlapping the color inks on a recording paper. Therefore, it is necessary to accurately arrange each color ink on the ink sheet at the recording position.

Therefore, a color detection means for detecting the color of the ink on the ink sheet is provided, and the color detection means is composed of a light source and a light sensor that receives light from the light source via the in-sheet.

(c) Problems to be solved by the invention By the way, the color of the ink on the ink sheet does not need to be detected all the time, but only when the ink sheet is aligned. Therefore, turning on the light source all the time is wasteful and results in undesirably shortening the life of the light source.

(d) Means for Solving the Problems The thermal transfer recording device of the present invention includes a light source and a color detection sensor disposed in the conveying path of an ink sheet having a plurality of color elements, and a color detecting sensor that connects the light source to the position of the ink sheet. means for turning on the light only during alignment and detecting each of the color elements by the color detection sensor; and when a desired color element is detected by the color detection sensor, the ink sheet is conveyed until another color element is detected; After that, a first conveying means conveys the ink sheet until the desired color element is detected, and if the desired color element is not detected by the color detection sensor, the first conveying means conveys the ink sheet until the desired color element is detected. A second conveying means for conveying the ink sheet is provided.

(E) Effect According to the present invention, the light source can be used effectively and its lifespan can be extended.

Moreover, the alignment of the ink sheet is reliably performed.

(f) Embodiment FIGS. 1 and 2 are side views showing different states of an embodiment of the present invention.

The ink sheet 2 drawn out from the ink sheet roll 1 has, for example, yellow, magenta, cyan, and black inks repeated in this order in its longitudinal direction. Then, the ink sheet 2 passes through the guide shaft 3 and the first head guide shaft 4, passes between the thermal head 5 and the rotatable platen 6, and then passes through the second head guide shaft 7, the conveyance roll 8, and the pressure roller 9. It reaches the take-up roll 11 via the guide shaft 10 and the contact space between the two.

On the other hand, the recording paper 13 pulled out from the recording paper roll 12 passes through the guide roller 14 and is inserted through the insertion opening 15a of the insertion path 15, which is provided between two plates with a slight gap between them. 1st
After passing through the contact area with the pressure roller 17, it passes through the contact area between the thermal head 5 and the platen 6, and further passes through the contact area between the second conveyance roller 18 and the second pressure roller 19, and then passes through the contact area between the two plates. The discharge port 20a of the discharge path 20 is provided with a slight gap.

3 and 4 are a perspective view and a top sectional view showing essential parts of the conveyance drive system for the ink sheet 2. FIG.

The drive motor 30 can rotate forward and reverse, and the gear 3
1 and 32, a conveyance roller 8 and gears 33 and 34 and gears 35 and 3 provided coaxially with this roller.
The belts 37 and 38 stretched between the belts 37 and 6 are driven.

Gears 35 and 36 are each connected to spring clutch 3.
It is connected to gears 41 and 42 via 9 and 40. The spring clutch 39 transmits this rotational force to the gear 41 only when the gear 35 is rotated counterclockwise in the figure, and conversely, the spring clutch 40 transmits this rotational force to the gear 41 only when the gear 36 is rotated clockwise in the figure. , transmits this rotational force to the gear 42.

Gears 43 and 44 meshing with gears 41 and 42
The shaft 4 is connected to the holding reel body 47 of the take-up roll 11 and the holding reel body 48 of the ink sheet roll 1 through friction rings 45 and 46 made of rubber or the like, respectively.
It is connected on 9,50. In addition, gear 43,
44 have spring clutches 51 and 52, respectively, where spring clutch 51 prohibits rotation of gear 43 in a counterclockwise direction, and spring clutch 52 prohibits rotation of gear 44 in a clockwise direction.

In this configuration, when the ink sheet 2 is conveyed leftward (forward direction) in the figure, the drive motor 30 is rotated in the forward direction (ie, clockwise). This forward rotation causes the conveying roller 8 to rotate counterclockwise, and the belts 37 and 38 to rotate counterclockwise, respectively. The rotation of the belt 37 is transmitted to the gears 41 and 43 through the spring clutch 3.
Therefore, the holding reel body 47 rotates clockwise,
Ink sheet 2 transported by take-up roll 11
Wind up. On the other hand, the rotation of the belt 38 is not transmitted to the gear 42 by the spring clutch 40.
Therefore, the holding reel body 48 rotates clockwise as the ink sheet 2 is pulled out from the ink sheet roll 1, but the friction ring 46 applies a braking force to this rotation, and the holding reel body 48 rotates clockwise as the ink sheet 2 is pulled out from the ink sheet roll 1. Ink sheet 2 pulled out
is given back tension, and ink sheet 2
is conveyed in the forward direction without loosening or wrinkling.

Conversely, the ink sheet 2 is rotated in the right direction (reverse direction) in the figure.
When the sheet is conveyed to the sheet conveying position, the drive motor 30 is rotated in the reverse direction (i.e., counterclockwise), and the operation of each part accompanying such rotation is symmetrical to the above-mentioned case. That is, by the reverse rotation of the drive motor 30, the conveying roller 8 rotates in the clockwise direction, and the holding reel body 48 rotates in the counterclockwise direction.
As the ink sheet 2 is conveyed in the reverse direction,
It rotates counterclockwise against the braking force of the friction ring 45 .

As described above, the ink sheet 2 is conveyed in both directions by the forward and reverse rotation of the single drive motor 30, and furthermore, no slack or wrinkles occur during such conveyance.

5 and 6 are a perspective view and a side sectional view showing peripheral mechanisms of the thermal head 5. FIG.

The thermal head 5 has a pair of plate brackets 60
The platen 6 can be freely moved toward and away from the platen 6.

The plate-shaped bracket 60 has a substantially V-shape consisting of a first branch 61 and a second branch 62, and a connecting portion of each branch is rotatably supported by a shaft 63.
The first branch 61 has a thermal head 5, a first head guide shaft 4, and a second set guide shaft 7 arranged in parallel, and the second branch 62 has a cam pressure shaft 65 having a cam pressure roller 64. It is arranged. Further, the plate-shaped bracket 60 is a second
It is urged to rotate clockwise about the shaft 63 by a spring 67 stretched between the tip of the branch 62 and the shaft 66.

A cam support shaft 70 equipped with a fan-shaped eccentric cam 68 and a sensor shutter 69 is disposed above and parallel to the cam pressure shaft 65, and
The cam pressure roller 64 and the eccentric cam 68 are opposed to each other. Further, a sensor 71 consisting of a photo interrupter is arranged in the movement path of the sensor shutter 69, and the sensor shutter 69 is connected to the sensor 71.
When the sensor shutter 69 is located outside the sensor 71, the sensor 71 outputs a 1 signal, and when the sensor shutter 69 is located outside the sensor 71, it outputs a 0 signal.

Thus, the eccentric cam 68 is connected to the cam support shaft 70.
When positioned higher (FIG. 6), the plate bracket 60 is rotated clockwise about the shaft 63 by the rotation biasing force of the spring 67, and the thermal head 5 is brought into pressure contact with the platen 6. On the other hand, the eccentric cam 68
When the eccentric cam 68 rotates and is positioned below the cam support shaft 70, the eccentric cam 68 comes into contact with the cam pressure roller 64, and therefore the plate-like bracket 60 resists the rotation biasing force of the spring 67 and pushes the shaft 63. The thermal head 5 is rotated counterclockwise around the center, and the thermal head 5 is separated from the platen 6.

Incidentally, in this embodiment, in the initial state such as when the power is turned on to the printer, the thermal head 5 is in pressure contact with the platen 6, that is, the eccentric cam 68 is located above the cam support shaft 70 (hereinafter referred to as the state of 1 state). When the thermal head 5 is to be separated from the platen 6, the eccentric cam 68 is rotated approximately 180 degrees clockwise and moved to a position below the cam support shaft 70 (hereinafter referred to as the second state). Next, when the thermal head 5 is pressed against the platen 6, the eccentric cam 68 rotates approximately 180° counterclockwise.
It is rotated to the first state. It should be noted that while the eccentric cam 68 is moving from the first state to the second state or vice versa, the sensor shutter 69 passes through the sensor 71, and at the end of the movement, that is, the first state and the second state.
In this state, the sensor shutter 69 is located outside the sensor 71.

In this way, the eccentric cam 68 is in the first state and in the second state.
The range to the right of the position of these states is moved between the states. Therefore, there is no need to provide any extra space required for the movement of the eccentric cam 68.

The operation control of the eccentric cam 68 will be described in detail based on the flowcharts of FIGS. 7 and 8.

FIG. 7 shows a sequence for setting the eccentric cam 68 to the first state in an initial state such as when the power of the printer is turned on.

First, the signal content of sensor 71 is determined. When the sensor 71 outputs 1 signal, it indicates that the eccentric cam 68 is located between the first state and the second state. In this case, the eccentric cam 68 is immediately rotationally driven in the direction of the first state (i.e., counterclockwise), and when the sensor 71 starts outputting the 0 signal, from that point on, the eccentric cam 68 is further rotated by a certain angle θ ₂ , for example, 30 The eccentric cam 68 is rotationally driven in the direction of the first state by
8 stops in the first state.

On the other hand, when determining the signal content of the first sensor 71,
When the sensor 71 outputs a 0 signal, it indicates that the eccentric cam 68 is located in the first state, the second state, or in the vicinity of these states. In this case, the eccentric cam 68 is first rotated counterclockwise by a certain angle θ ₁ , for example, 20°. and,
When the sensor 71 outputs one signal due to such rotational drive, the eccentric cam 68 is then rotated counterclockwise and stopped in the first state as described above. Further, by rotationally driving the eccentric cam 68 by an angle θ ₁ , when the sensor 71 continues to output a 0 signal, the eccentric cam 68 is rotationally driven clockwise until the sensor 71 outputs a 1 signal. When the sensor 71 outputs one signal, the clockwise rotation of the eccentric cam 68 is stopped, and the eccentric cam 68 is rotated counterclockwise and stopped in the first state as described above.

Next, in FIG. 8, the thermal head 5 is connected to the platen 6.
The sequence of the eccentric cam 68 as it moves away from the cam 68 is shown.

The eccentric cam 68 is rotationally driven clockwise from the first state, and such rotational driving is performed until the sensor 71 outputs a 0 signal after outputting a 1 signal. When the sensor 71 outputs a 0 signal, the eccentric cam 68 is rotated clockwise by an angle θ ₃ , for example, 30°, and stops in the second state. Therefore, the plate-shaped bracket 60 resists the rotation biasing force of the spring 67 and rotates against the shaft 6.
3 in a counterclockwise direction, and the thermal head 5 separates from the platen 6.

On the other hand, when the thermal head 5 is brought into pressure contact with the platen 6, the eccentric cam 68 is driven to rotate in a manner completely opposite to the operation of the eccentric cam 68 when separating the thermal head 5 from the platen 6 as described above.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, each of the above components includes a pair of fixed side plates 80 and a pair of fixed side plates 80 arranged slightly inside and parallel to these fixed side plates and rotatable about a shaft 81. It is attached to a pair of movable side plates 82.

An ink sheet roll 1, a guide shaft 3, a thermal head 5 and its peripheral portion, a conveyance roller 8, a guide shaft 10, and a take-up roll 11 are attached to a pair of fixed side plates 80.

The pair of movable side plates 82 include the recording paper roll 12,
Guide roller 14, first conveyance roller 16, first pressure roller 17, platen 6, second conveyance roller 18
and a second pressure roller 19 are attached.

As shown in FIG. 2, when the movable side plate 82 is rotated counterclockwise around the shaft 81 to open the ink sheet roll 1 and the ink sheet 2, the ink sheet roll 1 and the ink sheet 2 are largely exposed. Replacement becomes easy.

Incidentally, as the movable side plate 82 rotates, the platen 6 is separated from the thermal head 5 by a large distance, but the rotation of the thermal head 5 in the clockwise direction about the axis 63 by the spring 67 causes the second plate bracket 60 to The branch portion 62 is the cam support shaft 70
Since the thermal head 5 is prevented from coming into contact with the movable side plate 82, the thermal head 5 does not become a hindrance when the movable side plate 82 is opened and closed.

FIG. 9 is a block control circuit diagram for controlling the operation of the thermal transfer recording apparatus in this embodiment.

The CPU90, which consists of a microcomputer,
Operation of each section is controlled via an interface 91 in response to key signals from a keyboard 92. Note that the CPU 90 stores whether the eccentric cam 68 is in the first state or the second state.

Below, regarding the operation of such a block control circuit diagram, as shown in Figures 10 and 11, the CPU
This will be explained with reference to the control program stored in 90.

FIG. 10 shows a control program at the time of initial setting of the recording paper 13.

Prior to setting the initial position of the recording paper 13, the CPU 9
0, it is confirmed that the eccentric cam 68 is in the first state, that is, the thermal head 5 and the platen 6 are in pressure contact, and if they are not in pressure contact,
The eccentric cam 68 is driven to ensure this pressure contact. Then, the recording paper 13 pulled out from the recording paper roll 12 inserted into a predetermined position of the pair of movable side plates 82 is inserted from the insertion opening 15a by the operator, and its leading end is connected to the first conveying roller 16 and the first It is located at a contact point opposite to the pressure roller 17. Therefore, the first sensor 100 consisting of a photo sensor arranged in the insertion path 15 above the first conveyance roller 16 detects the recording paper 13.

When the recording paper conveyance switch on the keyboard 92 is pressed in such a state, the first conveyance roller 16 rotates counterclockwise, the second conveyance roller 18 rotates clockwise, and the recording paper 13 is rotated in the first conveyance direction. From the contact between the roller 16 and the first pressure roller 17, through the contact between the thermal head 5 and the platen 6, to the contact between the second conveyance roller 18 and the second pressure roller 19.
Note that when the recording paper 13 is conveyed, the ink sheet 2
is being transported in the forward direction.

Then, when the recording paper 13 passes through the space between the second conveyance roller 18 and the second pressure roller 19, the recording paper 13 is detected by a second sensor 101 consisting of a photo sensor arranged in the discharge path 20. . From then on,
The recording paper 13 is conveyed by a predetermined amount.

In this way, the recording paper 13 is set at a predetermined printing position.

FIG. 11 shows a control program for aligning the ink sheet 2. As shown in FIG.

The alignment of the ink sheet 2 is to place the leading edge of each ink layer accurately at the recording position (the position where the thermal head 5 and the platen 6 are in contact with each other). This is carried out after the recording by one layer is completed and before recording by the next ink layer.

Such alignment of the ink sheet 2 is performed based on a color detection signal from a color detection means consisting of a lamp 110 and a color sensor 111 which are arranged opposite to each other with the ink sheet 2 interposed therebetween. As the color sensor 111, an amorphous integrated full color sensor as disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 58-125865 is suitable. 2, different 3-bit color detection signals are output corresponding to the colors of each ink.

In FIG. 11, the eccentric cam 68 is driven by the drive motor 93 (FIG. 9) so that the thermal head 5 is separated from the platen 6, and the ink sheet 2 conveyed when setting the recording paper 13 described above is The conveyed amount is returned.

Then, the lamp 110 is turned on, and the ink sheet 2 is conveyed in the forward direction by a predetermined amount (for example, one step of the drive motor 30). After the conveyance is completed, the desired ink (for example, yellow) is selected based on the color detection signal output by the color sensor 111.
It is determined whether or not. Here, even if the color sensor 111 detects the desired yellow ink, the detection position is not necessarily limited to the leading end of the yellow ink, but may be in the middle of the yellow ink. Therefore, the ink sheet 2 is further conveyed in the forward direction by a predetermined amount.

Thereafter, the color sensor 111 begins to detect ink other than yellow ink, and at this time, the ink sheet 2 continues to be transported in the forward direction. When the color sensor 111 detects the next yellow ink, this is the leading edge of the yellow ink, and when this leading edge is conveyed to the space between the thermal head 5 and the platen 6, the ink sheet 2 is conveyed. stops, the lamp 110 is turned off, and the ink sheet 2
The alignment is completed.

As described above, when the recording paper 13 and the ink sheet 2 are placed at a predetermined printing position, the thermal head 5 is pressed against the platen 6, and the recording paper 13 and the ink sheet 2 are conveyed together. In this state,
By driving the thermal head 5 to generate heat,
For example, yellow thermal transfer recording can be performed.

When the yellow thermal transfer recording is completed, the first conveyance roller 16 and the second conveyance roller 18 are rotated clockwise and counterclockwise, respectively, with the thermal head 5 separated from the platen 6, and the recording paper 13 is rotated clockwise and counterclockwise.
is rewound. The amount of rewinding is equal to the amount conveyed during the yellow thermal transfer recording described above.

When the rewinding of the recording paper 13 is completed, the magenta leading edge of the ink sheet 2 is placed at a position facing the thermal head 5 and the platen 6 in accordance with the control program shown in FIG. 11 based on the end detection signal. Then, the thermal head 5 is pressed against the platen 6 again, and magenta thermal transfer recording is performed.

Note that when rewinding the leading edge of the recording paper 13, the second sensor 101 monitors the recording paper 13 so that the recording paper 13 does not come off due to excessive rewinding. 13 is detected, the first conveyance roller 16 and the second conveyance roller 18 are stopped, and the conveyance of the recording paper 13 is stopped.

Thereafter, thermal transfer recording in cyan and black is performed in the same manner, and all thermal transfer recording is completed.

(G) Effects of the invention According to the invention, the light source of the color detection means for detecting the color of the ink on the ink sheet can be effectively used, its lifespan can be extended, and the positioning of the ink sheet can be adjusted. can be done reliably.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

The figures relate to one embodiment of the present invention;
The figures are side sectional views showing different states of the thermal transfer recording device, FIGS. 3 and 4 are perspective views and top sectional views showing the ink sheet conveyance drive system, and FIGS. 5 and 6 show the thermal head mechanism. 7 and 8 are flowcharts showing the operation control of the eccentric cam, FIG. 9 is a block control circuit diagram, and FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing the recording paper setting operation control. FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing ink sheet setting operation control. 1... Ink sheet roll, 5... Thermal head, 6... Platen, 11... Winding roll, 1
2... Recording paper roll, 30... Drive motor, 68
...Eccentric cam, 100...First sensor, 101...
...Second sensor, 110...Light source, 111...Color sensor.

Claims (1)

[Claims for Utility Model Registration] A thermal transfer recording device that performs thermal transfer recording by inserting an ink sheet having multiple color elements and recording paper in a superimposed state between a thermal head and a platen. a light source and a color detection sensor disposed on the conveyance path of the ink sheet; means for turning on the light source only when aligning the ink sheet and detecting each of the color elements by the color detection sensor; When a desired color element is detected by the color detection sensor, the ink sheet is transported until another color element is detected, and then the first transport means transports the ink sheet until the desired color element is detected. and a second conveying means for conveying the ink sheet until the desired color element is detected when the desired color element is not detected by the color detection sensor. Device.