JPH0585653U - Color printer - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Abstract] [Purpose] To provide a color printer capable of printing at a low running cost using the same ink ribbon when the paper size of the thermal transfer printer is different. [Structure] In the case of printing a normal paper, the ink ribbon is fed in the same direction as the paper transport direction, and when printing on a large size paper, the ink ribbon is angled with respect to the paper and the thermal head. And

Description

[Detailed description of the device]

[0001]

[Industrial applications]

 The present invention relates to a color printer capable of printing with the same ink ribbon when the thermal transfer printer has different paper sizes.

[0002]

[Prior Art]

 A conventional general printer prints a paper having a width corresponding to the width of the ink ribbon. Alternatively, it was possible to print only on paper of a size smaller than the ink ribbon width.

[0003]

[Problems to be solved by the device]

 However, with a general-purpose printer like the one described above, it is impossible to print on paper of a size larger than the width of the ink ribbon, and therefore a large-scale device had to be requested separately. In addition, when the ink ribbon width is wide, there is a problem that when printing on a standard size paper, there is a waste area on the ink ribbon where printing is not performed.

[0004]

[Means for Solving the Problems]

 In order to solve the above problems, in the present invention, in the case of normal printing, the ink ribbon is fed in the same direction as the paper conveyance direction, and when printing on a large size paper, the ink ribbon is applied to the paper and the thermal head. Characterized by having an angle.

[0005]

[Action]

 With the above configuration, the print width can be made larger than the ink ribbon width.

[0006]

【Example】

 Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a color printer according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a side view showing a configuration for rotating the ink ribbon. FIG. 3 is the same front view. FIG. 4a is a layout view of a thermal head and an ink ribbon in a state where an image is printed on a normal paper. FIG. 4b is a layout drawing showing a state in which printing is performed on a sheet of the same large size.

In the figure, the paper 18 held in the paper feed case 21 is supplied to the printing unit by the paper feed roller 17. The paper 18 supplied (in the direction of arrow C) is printed through the paper conveyance path 29. The conveying path is bent by the paper guide 14 on the way, and passes through the platen roller 11, the capstan roller 12, the pinch roller 13, and the paper discharge roller 15.

The ink ribbon 3 is arranged in the ink ribbon cassette 2, wound around the ribbon supply bobbin 3a, and wound around the ribbon winding bobbin 3b. The ink ribbon cassette 2 is configured to be held by a ribbon rotating frame 4, and the ribbon rotating frame 4 is designated by a guide roller 5. A ribbon winding gear 24 and a ribbon motor 25 are provided in the ribbon rotating frame 4 to drive the ink ribbon 3.

The ribbon rotating frame can be driven to rotate in a direction indicated by an arrow B by a frame rotating motor 8 and a frame rotating gear 6. By this rotation drive, it becomes possible to print from the A4 size paper 18a to the B4 size paper 18b with the A4 size ink ribbon 3 as shown in FIGS. 4a and 4b.

The thermal head 9 is fixed to the head indicating arm 9 and performs an up-down operation in the platen roller 11 direction (arrow A direction) around the head drive shaft 22.

The paper 18 is reciprocated three or four times on the thermal head 1 to print three or four colors of yellow, magenta, cyan, and sometimes black to form a color image. Let At this time, it is the capstan roller 12 and the pinch roller 13 that drive the paper 18. The printed paper 18 is sent to the paper output tray 28 by the paper output roller 15. (Direction of arrow D).

[0012]

[Effect of the device]

 According to the above invention, it is possible to print on paper of different paper sizes with a single device, and it is possible to print without waste of the ink ribbon at the time of normal printing. You can also get a printer that can print.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a device configuration diagram of a color printer according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a side view showing a configuration for rotating an ink ribbon.

FIG. 3 is a front view showing a configuration for rotating an ink ribbon.

FIG. 4a is a layout diagram of a thermal head and an ink ribbon in a state where an image is printed on a normal sheet.

FIG. 4b is a layout drawing of a state in which printing is performed on the same large-sized sheet.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 Thermal Head 2 Ink Ribbon Cassette 3 Ink Ribbon 3a Ribbon Supply Bobbin 3b Ribbon Winding Bobbin 4 Ribbon Rotating Frame 5 Guide Roller (Rotating Member) 6 Frame Rotating Gear (Rotating Member) 7 Worm Gear (Rotating Member) 8 Frame Rotating Motor (Rotating Member) ) 9 Head support arm 10 Ribbon cassette insertion port 11 Platen roller 12 Capstan roller 13 Pinch roller 14 Paper guide 15 Paper ejection roller 16 Feed roller 17 Paper feed roller 18 Paper 18a A4 paper 18b B4 paper 19 Hopper 20 Claw 21 Paper feed case 22 Head Drive Shaft 23 Printing Head Position 24 Ribbon Winding Gear 25 Ribbon Motor 26 Heat Sink 27 Hopper Spring 28 Paper Ejection Tray 29 Paper Transport Path Arrow A Head Up / Down Direction Arrow B Ribbon Rolling frame rotating direction of arrow C feeding direction arrow D discharge direction.

Claims (2)

[Scope of utility model registration request] 1. An ink ribbon having a predetermined width, a ribbon cartridge for accommodating the ink ribbon and having an opening capable of coming into contact with the ribbon from the outside, and holding the cartridge, capable of coming into contact with the ribbon from the outside. Cartridge holder having such an opening, a rotating member for rotating the cartridge holder within the opening surface, and an ink ribbon in the ribbon cartridge held by the cartridge holder, which has a width larger than the ink ribbon width, is passed through the opening. A color printer having a thermal head in contact with the ink ribbon and selectively applying heat energy to the ink ribbon. 2. The rotating member is a guide roller which is positioned on a peripheral surface of the ribbon rotating frame and which rotates and holds in the rotating direction, a first rotating portion which is rotated by an arbitrary rotating means, and 2. A second rotating member that is in contact with the rotating portion of the first rotating member, is located on the peripheral surface of the ribbon rotating frame, and rotates the frame in the rotating direction.
The listed color printer.