JPH06344615A - Thermal transfer printer - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To obtain a thermal transfer printer which is compact and inexpensive without occurring the slack of transfer papers, namely, which can stably transfer and record papers, by executing winding of papers by a wind roll and taking- back of papers by a feed rool by means of a paper driving motor with utilizing the retreating action of a thermal head mechanism part. CONSTITUTION:The printer is provided with a cartridge for accommodating a feed roll and a wind roll for transfer papers, a thermal head mechanism part, a slack removing gear 60 for returning the feed roll, and a winding gear 61 for winding the wind roll via a torque limiter 68 between the gear 60 and a driving shaft of a motor 62. The thermal head mechanism part has turning means 75-for turning the cartridge to retreat from a platen roller when the cartridge is set or detached. Moreover, an idler gear 77 operating in association with the turning means 75-is provided. The idler gear 77 couples the slack removing gear 60 with the driving shaft of the motor 62 when the thermal head mechanism part retreats. Accordingly, the obtained thermal transfer printer is compact and inexpensive without the slack of transfer papers, i.e., capable of stably transferring and recording papers.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a thermal transfer printer, and more particularly to a thermal transfer printer provided with a means for removing slack of a transfer sheet which occurs when the thermal head is retracted.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, color ink (ink) applied to a base film forming a transfer paper is melted or sublimated by heat of a thermal head, and is colored at a predetermined position on the recording paper. -A thermal transfer printer device (hereinafter, also referred to as a thermal transfer printer or device) for transferring ink is generally known. In such a device, the transfer operation as described above is performed, for example, yellow, magenta, cyan. It is possible to print a color image on the recording paper by repeating black and black for each color.

The transfer paper used in this type of thermal transfer printer is in the form of a long sheet, and both ends thereof are wound around a supply roll and a take-up roll and stored in a cartridge. Has been done. The transfer paper loaded in the thermal transfer printer is sent in one direction at the time of transfer recording by a predetermined transfer paper driving device connected to the cartridge and, if necessary, in the reverse direction. At this time, if the transfer paper is loosened or wrinkled, the transfer paper is abnormally conveyed, which causes a problem such as color misregistration or transfer failure. In addition, there is slack in the transfer paper that occurs when the cartridge on which the supply roll and the take-up roll on which the transfer paper is wound is attached and detached. , For example, Shokai 6
As disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 3-41555 and Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 1-267080, there has been proposed a structure in which a rewinding function is provided on the supply roll side of a transfer paper drive system.

A conventional technique will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. First, an outline of a first example of a transfer paper drive system in a conventional thermal transfer printer will be described. FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing a first example of a transfer paper drive system in a conventional thermal transfer printer. In FIG. 11, 201 is a transfer paper and 2 is a transfer paper.
01a and 201b are ink, 206 is a platen roller, 207 is a clamper, 208 is a thermal head,
210 is a transfer paper roll on the supply side, 211 is a gear, 2
12 is a gear motor, 213 is a gear, 214 is an output shaft, 215 is a one-way clutch, 218 is a gear, 219 is a gear motor, 220 is a gear, 22
1 is an output shaft, 222 is a one-way clutch, 223
Is a guide roller, 224 is a guide roller, 225 is a first detection mechanism, and 226 is a second detection mechanism.

First, the structure of the transfer paper drive system will be described.
Transfer paper 2 coated with ink 201a, 201b of each color
01 is a cylindrical transfer-side transfer paper roll 21 at one end thereof.
The other end is wound around a cylindrical transfer paper roll on the winding side (not shown). Transfer paper roll 21 on the supply side
0 and the transfer paper roll on the take-up side (not shown) are spaced apart by a predetermined distance. Transfer paper roll 21 on the supply side
A gear 211 is coaxially connected to 0 so that rotation can be transmitted. A gear 213 is coaxially attached to the output shaft 214 of the geared motor 212 via a one-way clutch 215, and the gears 211 and 213 transmit the rotation of the output shaft 214 of the geared motor 212. It is arranged so as to mesh with each other. The one-way clutch 215 is used for the output shaft 2 of the gear motor 212.
Only when 14 rotates counterclockwise in FIG.
The driving force is transmitted to the gear 213.

A gear 218 is coaxially connected to the take-up side transfer paper roll (not shown) so that the rotation can be transmitted. A gear 220 is coaxially attached to the output shaft 221 of the gear motor 219 via a one-way clutch 222, and the gear 218 and the gear 220 transmit the rotation of the output shaft 221 of the gear motor 219. It is arranged so as to mesh with each other. The one-way clutch 222 is arranged so that the driving force is transmitted to the gear 220 only when the output shaft of the geared motor 219 rotates clockwise in FIG.

A rotatable guide roller for smoothly feeding the transfer paper 201 at a predetermined position between the transfer-side transfer paper roll 210 on the supply side and a transfer-side transfer paper roll (not shown). 223 and 224 are spaced apart from each other at predetermined positions. Between the guide rollers 223 and 224, a platen roller 206 and a thermal head 208 for transferring the inks 201a and 201b to a recording paper (not shown) are provided.
01 is placed at a predetermined position. The platen roller 206 is provided with a clamper 207 for clamping the front end of the recording paper (not shown). Further, at the start of recording, the inks 201a and 201b on the transfer paper 201 are
Of the ink 201a, 201
A first detection mechanism 225 and a second detection mechanism 226 for enabling the heading of b are arranged in proximity to the platen roller 206.

Next, the operation of the transfer paper drive system will be described. The output shaft 221 of the gear motor 219 is rotated clockwise in FIG. 11, and the transfer paper roll on the take-up side (not shown) is rotated counterclockwise in FIG. Of the output shaft 2 of the geared motor 212 when the transfer paper is wound on the transfer paper roll (not shown) on the winding side (travel of the transfer paper in the forward direction).
Reference numeral 14 is faster than the traveling speed of the transfer sheet 201, and rotates in the clockwise direction in FIG. 11. At this time, the one-way clutch 215 slips, and the traveling transfer sheet 201 is not loosened. The load of the winding applied to the winding-side gear motor 219 is reduced to a certain extent.

On the contrary, the output shaft 214 of the geared motor 212 is rotated counterclockwise in FIG. 11, and the transfer paper roll 210 on the supply side is rotated clockwise in FIG. When the transfer paper 201 is rotated and wound around the transfer paper roll 210 on the supply side (running in the opposite direction of the transfer paper), the output shaft 221 of the geared motor 219 is faster than the running speed of the transfer paper 201. It rotates at a high speed in the counterclockwise direction in FIG. 11. At this time, the one-way clutch 222 slips, and the traveling transfer paper 201 is not loosened so that the supply-side gear drive The winding load applied to the taper 212 is reduced.

When the recording paper and the transfer paper 201 (not shown) are set in the thermal transfer printer, the transfer preparation operation is executed by the control circuit. Immediately after being set in the thermal transfer printer, the transfer paper 201 generally has a slack.
First, the geared motor 219 operates, the transfer paper 201 travels in the forward direction, the slack of the transfer paper 201 is removed by the winding load applied to the transfer paper 201, and the first detection mechanism 225 and the second detection mechanism 225 are used. The detection mechanism 226 of the ink 2
The positions of the colors 01a and 201b and the cueing position are detected, and the transfer paper 201 is run in the opposite direction as necessary to hold the transfer paper 201 at a predetermined recording start position.

Next, an outline of a second example of the transfer paper drive system in the conventional thermal transfer printer will be described. FIG. 12 is a perspective view showing a second example of the transfer paper drive system in the conventional thermal transfer printer. In FIG. 12, 251 is a drive motor, 252 is a spur gear, 253 is a spur gear, 254 is a shaft, 255 is a sleeve, and 256 is an idler.
Gear, 257 is a torque limiter, 258 is a take-up roll.
A holding belt, 259 a toothed belt, 260 an idler gear, 261 a spur gear, 262 a transfer paper transport roller, 263 an idler gear and 264 a spring clutch. 265 is an idler gear, 266 is a torque limiter, 267 is a supply roll holding reel,
268 is a sleeve, 269 is an idler gear, 27
0 is a shaft, 271 is a toothed belt, 272 is a shaft, 273 is a spur gear, 274 is a spring clutch, 275 is an idler gear, 276 is a take-up roll, and 277 is a transfer paper. 278 is a supply roll 279
Indicates a one-way clutch, and 280 indicates a one-way clutch.

First, the structure of the transfer paper drive system will be described.
The drive motor 251 is a pulse motor capable of rotating in the forward and reverse directions, and a spur gear 253 is fixed to its output shaft. The spur gear 253 meshes with the spur gear 252 fixed to a shaft 272 rotatably held by a side plate (not shown). A spur gear 273 and a spur gear 261 are fixed to the shaft 272 in this order from the side closer to the spur gear 252, and the tip side thereof is formed to have a large diameter to form a transfer paper transport roller 262. . The idler gears 269, 2 are attached to the shafts 270, 254 which are attached to a side plate (not shown) with a predetermined distance from the shaft 272.
Each 60 is rotatably held. Flat gear 27
3, 261, and the idler gears 269, 260 are connected by toothed belts 271, 259, respectively. The idler gear 269 is a spring clutch 26.
4 is coaxially connected to the idler gear 263, and the idler gear 260 includes the spring clutch 2
It is coaxially connected to the idler gear 275 via 74.

The spring clutch 264 transmits the rotation of the idler gear 269 to the idler gear 263 only when the spring clutch 264 rotates clockwise in FIG. The rotation of the idler gear 260 is transmitted to the idler gear 275 only when it rotates in the counterclockwise direction. Idler gear 2
Reference numeral 63 meshes with an idler gear 265 fixed to a shaft (not shown) of a torque limiter 266, which is mounted at a predetermined distance from the shaft 270. Further, the idler gear 275 is an idler fixed to a shaft (not shown) of a torque limiter 257 which is attached at a predetermined distance from the shaft 254.
It meshes with the gear 256.

The shaft (not shown) of the torque limiter 266 has a sleeve 2 attached to a side plate (not shown).
The shaft 68 is rotatably attached via a liner (not shown), and a one-way clutch 280 is provided on the tip side of the shaft. A shaft (not shown) of the torque limiter 257 is rotatably attached to a sleeve 255 attached to a side plate (not shown) via a liner (not shown), and a one-way clutch 279 is provided on the tip side of the shaft. ing. The one-way clutch 280 prohibits the idler gear 265 from rotating clockwise in FIG. 12, and conversely, the one-way clutch 279.
Prohibits the idler gear 256 from rotating counterclockwise in FIG.

The torque limiter 266 is provided with a supply roll holding reel 267, and the torque limiter 257 is provided with a take-up roll holding reel 258. The supply roll 278 and the take-up roll 276 on which the transfer paper 277 is wound are attached to the supply roll holding roll 267 and the take-up roll holding roll 258, respectively.

Next, the operation of the transfer paper drive system will be described. When the drive motor 251 is driven to rotate clockwise in FIG. 12, the transfer paper transport roller 262 rotates counterclockwise and the toothed belts 271 and 259 both rotate counterclockwise.
The rotation of the toothed belt 259 is performed by rotating the idler gear 260 from the idler gear 260 via the spring clutch 274.
5 and further to the idler gear 256. In addition, the rotation of the toothed belt 271 is controlled by the spring clutch 2
Since 64 is in the cutoff state, it is not transmitted from the idler gear 269 to the idler gear 263. Therefore, the transfer sheet 277 is conveyed from the right side to the left side in FIG. 12 by the counterclockwise rotation of the transfer sheet conveying roller 262 in FIG. At this time, since the spring clutch 264 is disengaged, the driving force of the driving motor 251 is not transmitted to the supply roll 278 side, so the transfer paper 277 is pulled out from the supply roll 278, while The drive force of the drive motor 251 is transmitted to the take-up roll holding reel 258 and rotates in the clockwise direction in FIG.
Is taken up by a take-up roll 276.

Here, the idler gear 265 on the side of the supply roll holding roll 267 is prohibited from rotating because the one-way clutch 280 prohibits the rotation of the shaft (not shown) of the torque limiter 266. ing. Further, since the torque limiter 266 is interposed between the idler gear 265 and the supply roll holding reel 267, when the transfer paper 277 is pulled out from the supply roll 278, the supply roll is supplied. The braking force by the torque limiter 266 acts on the rule holding reel 267. Therefore, when the transfer paper 277 is pulled out from the supply roll 278 to the take-up roll 276 side, back tension is applied to the transfer paper 277 from the supply roll 278 side.
The slack of 7 does not occur. Also, this transfer paper drive system
Since the transfer paper transport roller 262 is symmetrically configured, when the drive motor 251 rotates in the reverse direction (counterclockwise in FIG. 12), the transfer paper 277 moves from the left side to the right side. After being conveyed, a braking force by the torque limiter 257 acts on the take-up roll holding reel 258 to transfer the transfer paper 277.
Does not occur.

[0018]

By the way, in the thermal transfer printer having the above-mentioned means for preventing the slack of the transfer paper, when the transfer paper drive system shown in the first conventional example is adopted, an expensive motor is used. And two one-way clutches are required, which increases the cost of the thermal transfer printer. On the other hand, if the transfer paper drive system shown in the second conventional example is adopted, it is excellent in that one motor is used. However, since two expensive torque limiters are required, cost increase is inevitable, and a large-sized motor with a large driving torque due to the structure in which the winding roll and the supply roll are constantly rotated.
It was necessary to use a printer, which was an obstacle to miniaturization of the thermal transfer printer.

Therefore, the present invention utilizes the retracting operation of the line thermal head mechanism section in the thermal transfer printer,
The transfer paper drive motor enables the winding operation of the winding roll and the rewinding operation of the supply roll, which makes it possible to perform stable transfer recording without sagging of the transfer paper. It is intended to provide a thermal transfer printer.

[0020]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION A thermal transfer printer according to the present invention includes a cartridge for accommodating a supply roll and a take-up roll on which a transfer paper is wound, and a cartridge for detaching the cartridge. A line thermal head mechanism part having a rotating means for rotating the platen roller from a predetermined position close to the platen roller, a rewinding mechanism part for rewinding the supply roll, and a mower.
In a thermal transfer printer provided with a winding mechanism portion that winds up the winding roll via a torque limiter between the line thermal head mechanism portion and the drive shaft of the printer,
Connecting the rewinding mechanism and the drive shaft of the motor,
By providing the connecting means interlocking with the rotating means, the above-mentioned object is achieved.

[0021]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. First, the outline of the thermal transfer printer will be described.
FIG. 3 is a sectional view showing a thermal transfer printer which is an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 shows a server which is an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 6 is a partial cross-sectional view showing the thermal transfer printer when the round head mechanism unit is set. In FIGS. 3 and 4, 1 is a thermal transfer printer, 2 is a recording paper, 3 is a recording paper storage unit, 4 is a mechanism unit, 5 is a signal processing circuit, 6 is a power supply, and 6a is an I / F.
Circuit part, 7 is a platen roller, 8 is a paper ejection port, 9 is a paper ejection tray, 10 is a thermal head mechanism, 11 is a transfer paper, 12 is a cartridge, and 13 is a The holding mechanism section, 14 is a storage section, 15 is a cover, and 16 is a cover.
16a is a cover hinge, 17L and 17R are frame hinges.
20L and 20R are fixing claws, 21L and 21R are fixing pins, 22 is a shaft, 38 is a shaft, 42 is a supply core, 91 is a thermal head, 136 is a head retracting lever, Reference numerals 137 denote head lock levers, respectively.

As shown in FIG. 3, the schematic layout of the thermal transfer printer 1 is as follows. In the thermal transfer printer 1, a mechanical unit 4 having a main recording mechanism in the center thereof.
However, the recording paper storage unit 3 for storing the cut recording paper 2 is on the left side thereof, the signal processing circuit unit 5 is on the bottom side thereof, the power supply unit 6 is on the lower side thereof, and the I / F circuit unit 6a is on the right side thereof. Are arranged. 3 and 4, the thermal transfer printer 1
Displays its front in the left and its back in the right. That is, in both figures, the right side of the thermal transfer printer 1 is displayed in the front and the left side thereof is displayed in the back. Further, the components on the left and right sides will be indicated by adding L and R after the reference numeral, regardless of whether they are shown or not.

As shown in FIG. 3, the mechanism section 4 includes a thermal head mechanism section 10, a cartridge 12 for holding the transfer sheet 11, a holding mechanism section 13 for holding the recording sheet 2, and the recording sheet 2 during recording. The storage unit 14 and the like temporarily store the components, and are arranged at predetermined positions on the frames 17L and 17R.
FIG. 4 shows a set state in which the thermal head 91 is set at a position facing the platen roller 7, and shows a state before the recording operation is started. At this time, the transfer paper 11 mounted on the cartridge 12 is placed in the thermal head mechanism portion 10 which is rotated counterclockwise about the shaft 38 in FIG. 4 during the recording operation. It is pushed by the tip of the thermal head 91, pulled out from the supply core 42, and is arranged at a position facing a predetermined platen roller 7.

The thermal head mechanism portion 10 is rotatable about a shaft 38, and when the thermal head 91 is at the rotational position on the platen roller 7 side, the left and right frames 17 are provided.
The fixing claws 20L and 20R, which are rotatably supported by L and 17R and fixed to the shaft 22, are engaged with fixing pins 21L and 21R provided on both left and right sides of the thermal head mechanism portion 10, thereby supporting the servo. The round head mechanism unit 10 is fixed. The fixed claws 20L and 20R are head retraction levers-1.
The shaft 22 is integrally fixed to the shaft 22 that is connected to the shaft 36 and rotates. Fixed claws 20L and 20R and fixed pins 21L and 21
The engagement with the R is released by the lock release mechanism.
It is performed by rotating 0L and 20R counterclockwise.

FIG. 5 is a partial cross-sectional view showing the thermal transfer printer when the thermal head mechanism unit is retracted, which is an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a partial cross-sectional view showing a thermal transfer printer when the cartridge is removed, which is an embodiment of the present invention.
5 and 6, 24L and 24R are rails, respectively.
7L and 27R are side surfaces, and 35L and 35R are groove portions.
Reference numeral 3 indicates a winding core, and 115L and 115R indicate groove portions, respectively. Note that the reference numerals already used in the above description will be redundant and will not be described. Figure 5 shows
The round head mechanism unit 10 is in a retracted state in which the round head mechanism unit 10 is rotated clockwise around the shaft 38 in FIG. 5, and the slack of the transfer paper 11 mounted on the cartridge 12 is removed. FIG. 6 shows a state in which the cartridge 12 is removed.
The trench 12 is attached and detached along the rails 24L and 24R, and when it is attached, it is disposed in the groove portions 35L and 35R.

Next, the structure of the cartridge 12 will be described. FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing a cartridge in the thermal transfer printer which is an embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 7, 25 is a supply roll, 26 is a take-up roll, 28 is a stay, 49 is a geared flange, 50 is a flange, 51L and 51R are bearings, and 52 is an opening. The 56
Reference numeral a denotes a take-up roll gear portion, 56b denotes a supply roll gear portion, 114L and 114R denote guides, and 116 denotes a pin. Note that the reference numerals already used in the above description will be redundant and will not be described.

The cartridge 12 has right and left side portions 27.
L, 27R and two stations 28, 29 connecting these
And make up the frame. Left and right side parts 27
Guides 114L and 114R are fixed to the outer sides of L and 27R, and are fitted with the groove portions 35L and 35R of the rails 24L and 24R formed on the frames 17L and 17R shown in FIG. We will guide you when attaching and detaching the ridge 12. Each of the supply roll 25 and the winding roll 26 is formed by winding the transfer paper 11 around the outer circumference of a cylindrical supply core 42 and a winding core 43. A geared flange 49 is press-fitted into the right end portions of the cylindrical supply core 42 and the winding core 43,
It is integrated with the supply core 42 and the winding core 43. The supply roll 25 and the winding roll 26 are mounted on the cartridge 12 by bearings 51L and 51R provided on the cartridge 12 side. The bearings 51L and 51R are made of elastic members, one of which is open, and the supply core 42 or the winding core 4 is provided.
3 is rotatably supported. The opening 52 is provided in the supply core 42.
Alternatively, the opening is formed with a width slightly smaller than the core diameter of the winding core 43, and when the supply core 42 or the winding core 43 is pushed in from here, it can be elastically deformed and mounted. After mounting, the geared flange 49 is restricted by the left and right side portions 27L and 27R and does not move in the left and right directions.

In order to load the cartridge 12 at a predetermined position of the thermal transfer printer 1, the guides 11 projecting outward from the left and right side portions 27L and 27R of the cartridge 12.
4L and 11R are groove portions 3 of the left and right rails 24L and 24R provided on the left and right frames of the thermal transfer printer 1 shown in FIG.
It should be dropped from the top according to 5L and 35R. Car
When the tridge 12 is set in place, the winding core 4
Pins 116L and 116R protruding to both outer sides of the flange 49 with a gear and the flange 50 that are press-fitted into the groove 3 are provided in the grooves 24L and 24R shown in FIG.
L and 115R are dropped and positioned. At the same time, the take-up gear (not shown) meshes with the take-up roll gear portion 56a of the geared flange 49 that is press-fitted into the take-up core 43, and the slackening gear (not shown) is press-fitted into the supply core 42 to supply the geared flange 49. It meshes with the roll gear portion 56b.

Next, the schematic structure of the thermal head mechanism will be described. FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing a thermal head mechanism portion in a thermal transfer printer which is an embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 8, 86L and 86R are side plates, 87 is a stay, 89 is a metal bearing, 90 is a shaft, and 98 is a heel.
Tosink and 118 are motors, respectively. Note that the reference numerals already used in the above description will be redundant and will not be described.

The frame structure of the thermal head mechanism section 10 is composed of left and right aluminum die-cast side plates 86L and 86R.
The side plate 86L and the side plate 86R are connected to each other by a station 87. A motor 118 is fixed to the stage 87, and a thermal head is connected via a heat sink 98 connected to a mechanism for converting the rotational movement of the output shaft of the motor 118 into a linear movement. 91 is held.
In the thermal head mechanism section 10, the right side plate 86R has a shaft 9
0, the left side plate 86L is supported by the shaft 38, and the shaft 90 and the shaft 38 are arranged coaxially.
It is configured to be rotatable around these shafts 90 and 38. That is, the right side plate 86R is rotatably supported by the shaft 90 fixed to the right frame 17R of the thermal transfer printer 1 shown in FIG. 3 via the metal bearing 89 press-fitted at one end thereof. The left side plate 86L is a shaft 3 fixed to the left frame 17L of the thermal transfer printer 1 shown in FIG. 3 via a metal bearing (not shown) press-fitted at one end thereof.
8 is rotatably supported.

Next, the retracting operation and the setting operation of the thermal head mechanism will be described. FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a transfer paper winding / rewinding drive system in a thermal transfer printer which is an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a right side partial side view of a mechanical portion in the thermal transfer printer which is an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 9 is a left side view of the thermal head mechanical unit when the thermal head mechanical unit is set in the thermal transfer printer according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 10 is a left side view of the thermal head printer when the thermal head mechanism is retracted in the thermal transfer printer according to the embodiment of the present invention.

In FIG. 1, FIG. 2, FIG. 9 and FIG.
5 is a shaft, 57 is an idler gear, 58 is a gear, 59 is a gear, 60 is a slack eliminating gear, 61 is a take-up gear, 62 is a motor, and 63 is a motor gear. 64 is a gear, 65 is a gear, 66 is a gear, 67 is a gear,
68 is a torque limiter, 75 is a gear, 76 is a gear, 77 is an idler gear, 78 is a shaft, 79 is a shaft, 80 is a switching arm, 101 is a fixed plate, and 125 is an output. An axis, 126 is an axis, 127 is an axis, 128 is an axis, 129 is a shaft, 133 is a cam plate, 134 is a pin, 135 is an elongated hole, 138 is a sheet metal member, and 139.
Is a shaft, 140 is a link, 141 is a shaft, 142 is an elongated hole, 145 is a guide hole, 146 is a stopper, 14
Denoted at 7 are stoppers, respectively. Note that the reference numerals already used in the above description will be redundant and will not be described.

First, the structure of the transfer paper winding / rewinding drive system will be described with reference to FIGS. The fixed plate 101 is arranged at a predetermined position outside the frame 17R. A motor 62 is attached to the fixed plate 101, and a motor gear 63 is fixed to an output shaft 125 of the motor 62. The motor gear 63 meshes with a gear 64 fixed to a shaft 126 that is rotatably held by the fixed plate 101. A gear 65 is fixed to the shaft 126 coaxially with the gear 64, away from the fixed plate 101 from the gear 64. The gear 65 meshes with a gear 66 fixed to a shaft 127 that is rotatably held by the fixed plate 101. A gear 67 is fixed to the shaft 127 coaxially with the gear 66 and closer to the fixed plate than the gear 66.
The gear 67 meshes with a gear 57 fixed to a shaft 128 that is rotatably held by the fixed plate 101. The gear 57 is a gear 58 fixed to a rotatable shaft 129 of a torque limiter 68 attached to the fixed plate 101.
Is meshing with. Shaft 129 right frame 17R
On the side, a winding gear 61 is fixed coaxially with the gear 58. The take-up gear 61 meshes with the take-up roll gear portion 56a mounted on the cartridge 12.

On the other hand, the motor gear 63 is a gear 75 fixed to a shaft 79 rotatably held by the fixed plate 101.
Is meshing with. The shaft 79 is coaxial with the gear 75 and separated from the fixed plate 101 by a gear 76.
Is fixed. The gear 76 meshes with an idler gear 77 fixed to a shaft 78 that is rotatably held on the elbow portion of the switching arm 80. One end of the switching arm 80 is rotatably connected and held to the shaft 79. The switching arm 80 is rotated in a predetermined manner (the thermal head mechanism unit 1
The gear 59 is arranged so that the idler gear 77 and the gear 59 mesh with each other when the retracting operation (0) is performed. On the other hand, when the thermal head mechanism unit 10 is in the set state,
The idler gear 77 and the gear 59 do not mesh. Gear 5
The shaft 55 fixing 9 is rotatably held on the right frame 17R, and a slack eliminating gear 60 is fixed on the right frame 17R side of the shaft 55. The slack eliminating gear meshes with the supply roll gear portion 56b mounted on the cartridge 12.

An elongated hole 135 is formed at the other end of the switching arm 80. A pin 134 penetrates the elongated hole 135, and one end of the pin 134 is fixed to one end of the cam plate 133. At the other end of the cam plate 133, the shaft 2
2 is rotatably held. The shaft 22 passes through the left and right frames 17L and 17R, and
The shafts 17L and 17R are rotatably supported by bearings. Therefore, the rotational movement of the shaft 22 is converted into the rotational movement of the switching arm 80 centering on the shaft 79, and the idler gear 77 and the gear 59 can be engaged and disengaged. Fixed claws 20L and 20R are fixed to the shaft 22 (FIG. 5).

Next, the structure of the mechanism that enables the rotating operation of the shaft 22 will be described with reference to FIGS. 9 and 10. A head retract lever-136 is fixed to the shaft 22 outside the left frame 17L. Head retract lever
Since a counterclockwise torque in FIG. 9 centering on the shaft 22 is applied to 136 by a spring (not shown), it is held at a position where it can be stopped by the stopper 247. At one end of the head retract lever-136, the long hole 1
42 are provided. The long hole 142 has a shaft 141
Is slidably and rotatably pierced and held through the shaft 141.
One end of the link 140 is fixed to one end of the. A shaft 139 is rotatably held at the other end of the link 140. The shaft 139 is fixed to a predetermined position of the sheet metal member 138. The sheet metal member 138 is the thermal head mechanism unit 1.
It is fixed to the left side plate 86L of No. 0. The head lock lever-137 is rotatably held on the shaft 22 outside the head retraction lever-136. Head lock lever
One end of 137 is in contact with the shaft 141.

Next, the retracting operation of the thermal head mechanism section 10 will be described. In FIG. 9, the head retract lever-136
When the upper portion of the head lock lever-137 is pinched, the head retract lever-136 rotates clockwise in FIG. 9 against a spring (not shown), and the shaft 141 has an elongated hole 142.
Move slightly upward along. The thermal head mechanism 10 connected to the link 140 fixed to the shaft 141 also rotates slightly clockwise. As a result, a gap is generated between the fixing pins 21L and 21R (not shown) fixed to the thermal head mechanism section 10 and the fixing claws 20L and 20R (not shown) fixed to the shaft 22, and
The rotation of the shaft 22 accompanying the rotation of the head retract lever-136 also rotates the fixed claws 20L and 20R, and the engagement between the fixed pins 21L and 21R and the fixed claws 20L and 20R is released. As shown in FIG. 9, a head retract lever 13 is further provided.
6 and the upper part of head lock lever-137,
When the head retreat lever-136 continues to rotate in the clockwise direction until it is stopped by the stopper-146, the thermal head mechanism section 10 in this case rotates in the counterclockwise direction by the link 140 and is held at a predetermined position. It By the rotation of the head retract lever-136, the shaft 22 also interlocks, and the switching arm 80 arranged outside the right frame 17R rotates counterclockwise in FIG. The idler gear 77 and the gear 59 mesh with each other (FIGS. 1 and 2).

The setting operation of the thermal head mechanism section 10 may be carried out by reversing the above-mentioned retracting operation. That is, FIG.
At 0, the upper part of the head retracting lever-136 and the head lock lever-137 is pinched, and is rotated clockwise in FIG. 10 until it is stopped by the stopper-147, and the head retracting lever-136 and the head lock lever-137 are rotated. When separated, the fixing claws 20L and 20R and the fixing pin 21 (not shown)
The L and 21R are engaged with each other and the thermal head mechanism section 10 is set at a predetermined position. When the head retract lever-136 rotates, the shaft 22 also rotates in conjunction with the right frame.
The switching arm 80 arranged on the outer side of the frame 17R rotates clockwise in FIG. 2 to disengage the idler gear 77 from the gear 59 (FIGS. 1 and 2).

Next, the operation for preventing the looseness of the transfer paper will be described with reference to FIG. The slack of the transfer paper occurs when the cartridge 12 is newly loaded in the thermal transfer printer 1 and when the thermal head mechanism unit 10 is retracted from the set position after the recording is completed. Both are thermal head mechanism 1
0 is in the retracted state. Therefore, as described above, the idler gear 77 and the gear 59 mesh with each other. Motor 6
When 2 rotates counterclockwise in FIG. 2, the gear 64 that meshes with the gear 63 fixed to the output shaft 125 of the motor 62 rotates clockwise. A gear 66 meshes with a gear 65 that is fixed to the gear 64 and the shaft 126 in the same manner.
Is decelerated and rotates counterclockwise. Gear 66 and shaft 1
The gear 57 meshing with the gear 67, which is also fixed at 27, is decelerated and rotates clockwise. The gear 58 meshing with the gear 57 rotates counterclockwise. Gear 58
The take-up roll gear portion 56a of the geared flange 49 that meshes with the take-up gear 61 that is also fixed with the shaft 129 is decelerated and rotates clockwise. The winding roll 26 connected to the geared flange 49 rotates clockwise, that is, it winds up the transfer paper.

On the other hand, when the motor 62 rotates clockwise in FIG. 2, the gear 75 meshed with the gear 63 fixed to the output shaft 125 of the motor 62 rotates counterclockwise. The idler gear 77 that meshes with the gear 76, which is fixed to the gear 75 and the shaft 79, is decelerated and rotates clockwise. Since the idler gear 77 meshes with the gear 59, the slack eliminating gear 60, which is fixed to the gear 59 and the shaft 55 in the same manner, rotates counterclockwise. Since the slack eliminating gear 60 meshes with the supply roll gear portion 56b of the geared flange 49, the supply roll 25 connected to the geared flange 49 rotates clockwise, that is, the transfer paper is transferred. Roll up. Therefore, in this case, the take-up roll 26 rotates in the direction in which the transfer paper is sent out, but due to the difference in the speed reduction stages of the gears, the supply roll is
Since the transfer paper winding amount on the roll 25 side is larger than the transfer paper feeding amount on the winding roll 26 side, the slack generated on the transfer paper can be reliably taken. At this time, when the load of winding the transfer paper exceeds a certain value, the torque limiter 68 slips, so that the slack of the transfer paper can be appropriately removed.

[0041]

As described above, in the thermal transfer printer of the present invention, a cartridge for accommodating a supply roll and a take-up roll on which a transfer paper is wound, and a cartridge for attaching and detaching the cartridge. Sometimes, a line thermal head mechanism section having a rotating means for rotating the platen roller to retract from a predetermined position, and a rewinding mechanism section for rewinding the supply roll.
In a thermal transfer printer having a winding mechanism portion for winding the winding roll via a torque limiter between the motor and the drive shaft, the rewinding mechanism is provided when the line thermal head mechanism portion is retracted. By using the retracting operation of the line thermal head mechanism section, by providing the connecting means interlocking with the rotating means for connecting the drive section of the motor and the drive shaft of the motor,
The transfer paper drive motor enables the winding operation of the winding roll and the rewinding operation of the supply roll, which makes it possible to perform stable transfer recording without sagging of the transfer paper. We can provide a thermal transfer printer.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a transfer paper winding / rewinding drive system in a thermal transfer printer which is an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a right side view of a mechanical portion of the thermal transfer printer according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view showing a thermal transfer printer which is an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a partial cross-sectional view showing a thermal transfer printer when a thermal head mechanism unit is set, which is an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a partial cross-sectional view showing the thermal transfer printer when the thermal head mechanism unit is retracted, which is an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a partial cross-sectional view showing the thermal transfer printer when the cartridge is removed, which is an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing a cartridge in a thermal transfer printer which is an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing a thermal head mechanism portion in the thermal transfer printer which is an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a left side view of a thermal head printer when the thermal head mechanism is set in the thermal transfer printer according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a left side view of the thermal head mechanical unit in the thermal transfer printer according to the embodiment of the present invention when the thermal head mechanical unit is retracted.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing a first example of a transfer paper drive system in a conventional thermal transfer printer.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view showing a second example of a transfer paper drive system in a conventional thermal transfer printer.

[Explanation of symbols]

 60 Loosening Gear 61 Winding Gear 62 Motor 68 Torque Limiter 78 Idler Gear

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[Procedure amendment]

[Submission date] July 2, 1993

[Procedure Amendment 1]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name] 0026

[Correction method] Change

[Correction content]

Next, the structure of the cartridge 12 will be described. FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing a cartridge in a thermal transfer printer which is an embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 7, 25 is a supply roll, 26 is a take-up roll, 28,
29 is a stay, 49 is a geared flange, 50 is a flange, 51L and 51R are bearings, 52 is an opening, 56a is a take-up roll gear, 56b is a supply roll gear, and 114L and 114R are guides. And 116 are pins, respectively. Note that the reference numerals already used in the above description will be redundant and will not be described.

[Procedure Amendment 2]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Name of item to be corrected] 0027

[Correction method] Change

[Correction content]

The cartridge 12 has left and right side portions 27.
L, 27R and two stays 28, 29 for connecting these
And make up the frame. Left and right side parts 27
Guides 114L and 114R are fixed to the outer sides of the L and 27R, and are engaged with the groove portions 35L and 35R of the rails 24L and 24R formed on the frames 17L and 17R shown in FIG. Give guidance. The supply roll 25 and the take-up roll 26 are formed by winding the transfer paper 11 around the outer circumference of the cylindrical supply core 42 and the take-up core 43. A geared flange 49 is press-fitted into the right end portions of the cylindrical supply core 42 and the winding core 43,
It is integrated with the supply core 42 and the winding core 43. The supply roll 25 and the take-up roll 26 are mounted on the cartridge 12 by bearings 51L and 51R provided on the cartridge 12 side. The bearings 51L and 51R are made of elastic members, one of which is open, and the supply core 42 or the winding core 4 is provided.
3 is rotatably supported. The opening 52 is provided in the supply core 42.
Alternatively, the opening is formed with a width slightly smaller than the core diameter of the winding core 43, and when the supply core 42 or the winding core 43 is pushed in from here, it can be elastically deformed and mounted. After mounting, the geared flange 49 and the flange 50 are on the left and right side surfaces 27.
It is restricted by L and 27R and does not move to the left or right.

[Procedure 3]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name] 0028

[Correction method] Change

[Correction content]

In order to load the cartridge 12 at a predetermined position of the thermal transfer printer 1, the guides 11 projecting outward from the left and right side portions 27L and 27R of the cartridge 12.
4L and 114R may be dropped from above in accordance with the groove portions 35L and 35R of the left and right rails 24L and 24R provided in the left and right frames of the thermal transfer printer 1 shown in FIG. When the cartridge 12 is set at a predetermined position, the geared flange 49 and the flange 50 are press-fitted into the winding core 43.
Pins 116L and 116R protruding to both outer sides of
Groove 11 provided on rails 24L and 24R shown in FIG.
Positioned by dropping to 5L and 115R. At the same time, the take-up gear (not shown) meshes with the take-up roll gear portion 56a of the geared flange 49 that is press-fitted into the take-up core 43, and the slackening gear (not shown) is press-fitted into the supply core 42. Mesh with 56b.

[Procedure amendment 4]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Name of item to be corrected] 0030

[Correction method] Change

[Correction content]

The frame structure of the thermal head mechanism section 10 includes left and right aluminum die-cast side plates 86L and 86R,
The stay 87 for connecting the side plates 86L and 86R is generally configured. A motor 118 is fixed to the stay 87, and a thermal head 91 is held by a heat sink 98 that is connected to a mechanism that converts the rotational movement of the output shaft of the motor 118 into linear motion. The right side plate 86R of the thermal head mechanism unit 10 is supported by the shaft 90, the left side plate 86L thereof is supported by the shaft 38, and the shaft 90 and the shaft 38 are coaxially arranged. It has a rotatable structure.
That is, the right side plate 86R is rotatably supported by the shaft 90 fixed to the right frame 17R of the thermal transfer printer 1 shown in FIG. 86L is rotatably supported by a shaft 38 fixed to the left frame 17L of the thermal transfer printer 1 shown in FIG. 3 via a metal bearing (not shown) press-fitted at one end thereof.

[Procedure Amendment 5]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name] 0033

[Correction method] Change

[Correction content]

First, the structure of the transfer paper winding / rewinding drive system will be described with reference to FIGS. The fixed plate 101 is arranged at a predetermined position outside the frame 17R. A motor 62 is attached to the fixed plate 101, and a motor gear 63 is fixed to an output shaft 125 of the motor 62. The motor gear 63 meshes with a gear 64 rotatably held by a shaft 126 fixed to the fixed plate 101. A gear 65 formed integrally with the gear 64 meshes with a gear 66 rotatably held by a shaft 127 fixed to the fixed plate 101. A gear 67 formed integrally with the gear 66 meshes with a gear 57 rotatably held by a shaft 128 fixed to the fixed plate 101. The gear 57 meshes with a gear 58 fixed to a torque limiter 68 held by the fixed plate 101. The right frame 1 of the shaft 129 via the torque limiter 68
On the 7R side, a winding gear 61 is fixed coaxially with the gear 58. The take-up gear 61 meshes with the take-up roll gear portion 56a mounted on the cartridge 12.

[Procedure correction 6]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name] 0034

[Correction method] Change

[Correction content]

On the other hand, the motor gear 63 is a gear 75 rotatably held by a shaft 79 fixed to the fixed plate 101.
Is meshing with. Gear 7 formed integrally with gear 75
Reference numeral 6 meshes with an idler gear 77 rotatably held by a shaft 78 fixed to the elbow portion of the switching arm 80. One end of the switching arm 80 is rotatably connected and held to the shaft 79. When the switching arm 80 performs a predetermined rotation operation (retraction operation of the thermal head mechanism unit 10), the idler gear 77 and the gear 59 mesh with each other.
The gear 59 is arranged. On the other hand, when the thermal head mechanism unit 10 is in the set state, the idler gear 77 and the gear 59 do not mesh with each other. The shaft 55 fixing the gear 59 is rotatably held by the right frame 17R, and a slack eliminating gear 60 is fixed inside the shaft 55 on the right frame 17R. The slack eliminating gear meshes with the supply roll gear portion 56b mounted on the cartridge 12.

[Procedure Amendment 7]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name] 0039

[Correction method] Change

[Correction content]

Next, the operation for preventing the looseness of the transfer paper will be described with reference to FIG. The slack of the transfer paper occurs when the cartridge 12 is newly loaded in the thermal transfer printer 1 and when the thermal head mechanism unit 10 is retracted from the set position after the recording is completed. Both are thermal head mechanism 1
0 is in the retracted state. Therefore, as described above, the idler gear 77 and the gear 59 mesh with each other. Motor 6
When 2 rotates counterclockwise in FIG. 2, the gear 64 that meshes with the gear 63 fixed to the output shaft 125 of the motor 62 rotates clockwise. The gear 66 meshed with the gear 65 integrated with the gear 64 is decelerated and rotates counterclockwise. Gear 67 integrated with gear 66
The gear 57, which meshes with, is decelerated and rotates clockwise. The gear 58 meshing with the gear 57 rotates counterclockwise. The take-up roll gear portion 56a of the geared flange 49 that meshes with the take-up gear 61 fixed to the shaft 129 via the gear 58 and the torque limiter 68 is decelerated and rotates clockwise. The take-up roll 26 connected to the geared flange 49 rotates clockwise, that is, it winds up the transfer paper.

[Procedure Amendment 8]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name] 0040

[Correction method] Change

[Correction content]

On the other hand, when the motor 62 rotates clockwise in FIG. 2, the gear 75 meshed with the gear 63 fixed to the output shaft 125 of the motor 62 rotates counterclockwise. The idler gear 77 meshed with the gear 76 integrated with the gear 75 is decelerated and rotates clockwise.
Since the idler gear 77 meshes with the gear 59, the slack eliminating gear 60, which is fixed to the gear 59 and the shaft 55 in the same manner, rotates counterclockwise. The slack eliminating gear 60 includes the supply roll gear portion 56 of the geared flange 49.
Since it is meshed with b, the supply roll 25 connected to the geared flange 49 rotates clockwise, that is, it winds up the transfer paper. Therefore, in this case, the take-up roll 25 rotates in the direction in which the transfer paper is sent out, but the transfer paper take-up amount on the supply roll 25 side is the transfer paper send-out amount on the take-up roll 26 side due to the difference in the gear reduction stage. Therefore, the slack generated on the transfer paper can be reliably removed. At this time, when the load of winding the transfer paper exceeds a certain value, the torque limiter 68 slips, so that the slack of the transfer paper can be appropriately removed.

[Procedure Amendment 9]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name] Explanation of code

[Correction method] Change

[Correction content]

[Explanation of symbols] 60 slack eliminating gear 61 winding gear 62 motor 68 torque limiter 77 idler gear

[Procedure Amendment 11]

[Document name to be corrected] Drawing

[Name of item to be corrected] Figure 4

[Correction method] Change

[Correction content]

[Figure 4]

[Procedure Amendment 12]

[Document name to be corrected] Drawing

[Name of item to be corrected] Figure 7

[Correction method] Change

[Correction content]

[Figure 7]

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A supply roll and a take-up roll in which a transfer paper is wound.
A cartridge for accommodating the cartridge and a line thermal head mechanism section for rotating the cartridge so as to be retracted from a predetermined position close to the platen roller when the cartridge is attached and detached, and the supply roller. A line transfer head comprising: a rewinding mechanism for rewinding a reel; and a winding mechanism for winding the winding roll through a torque limiter between a drive shaft of a motor. A thermal transfer printer comprising a connecting means for connecting the rewinding mechanism and the drive shaft of the motor when the mechanism is retracted, the connecting means interlocking with the rotating means.