JPH07164653A - Color printer - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To prevent color shift, different color printing, oblique running or jamming caused by the feed irregularity of recording paper brought about at the time of printing or the feed of recording paper. CONSTITUTION:The uppermost recording paper of the recording papers P charged in a recording paper loading part is fed to a horizontal platen 11 through a first auxiliary roller 17a by driving a recording paper feed mechanism part and held in a close contact state by the second auxiliary roller 17b on the upstream side in the feed direction of the horizontal platen 11 and the first auxiliary roller 17a on the donwstream side in the feed direction of the platen 11. The successively different colors of the color ribbon arranged to a printing mechanism part 13 are repeatedly printed on the indicated region of the recording paper P by the printing mechanism 13 parallelly and reciprocally moved with respect to the printing surface of the horizontal platen 11 by a ribbon running mechanism part.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a color printing device,
In particular, the present invention relates to a color printing device that uses a frame-sequential color ribbon and has a printing mechanism that horizontally reciprocates on the surface of a recording paper that is held in close contact with a horizontal platen.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as shown in FIG. 3, a color printing apparatus of this type has a color having a width substantially equal to the printing range on the recording paper P, such as yellow, magenta, light blue, and black. An ink ribbon 9 is used, and a round platen 1, a printing mechanism section 2 for printing on a recording sheet provided in the vicinity of this round platen 1, and a color ribbon 9 are supplied to the printing mechanism section 2. A first unit having a ribbon traveling mechanism section 3 and a pinch roller 5a and a feed roller 5b for conveying the recording paper P via a recording paper conveyance path 4 at a place where the printing mechanism section 2 is arranged.
Pinch roller 6a and feed roller for conveying the recording paper P, which is printed by the recording paper conveying mechanism unit 5 and the printing mechanism unit 2, to the conveying route F and the recording paper P which has not been printed yet to the conveying route E. A second recording paper conveyance mechanism section 6 having a second recording paper conveyance mechanism 6b, and the recording paper P conveyed from the second recording paper conveyance mechanism section 6 to a conveyance route E, and the recording paper for recording by the printing mechanism section 2 again. A third having a pinch roller 7a and a feed roller 7b for transporting P in the transport route F direction
The recording paper transport mechanism 7 is provided (for example, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 3-166963 and Japanese Patent Laid-open No. 60-63177).
issue).

When performing color printing (overlapping of colors) in this color printing apparatus, first the recording paper P loaded on the recording paper stacking section 8 is driven by the first recording paper transport mechanism section 5 being driven.
The uppermost paper of the above is conveyed to the printing mechanism unit 2. On the other hand, the ribbon running mechanism unit 3 runs the color ribbon 9 to place the first color on the printing mechanism unit 2.

After that, in a state where the printing mechanism unit 2 presses the color ribbon 9 and the recording paper P onto the round platen 1, the first color of the color ribbon 9 is melted by the thermal energy of the printing mechanism unit 2 and conveyed. The transfer is performed on the surface of the recording paper P which is being transferred, in synchronization with the rotational drive of the round platen 1, and the transfer route F
The pinch roller 6a and the feed roller 6b, which are arranged in the position, are conveyed to the conveyance route F by the pressure contact force and rotational drive.

The first area of the recording paper P is designated in a designated area within one page.
When the printing of the colors is completed, the recording paper P, which has finished printing, reversely rotates the pinch roller 6a and the feed roller 6b arranged on the conveying route F and records the recording on the pinch roller 7a and the feed roller 7b arranged on the conveying route E. The recording paper P is rotatably driven in a direction to be taken in, the recording paper P is conveyed to the conveyance route E, and the designated amount of the recording paper P is temporarily retracted.

On the other hand, the ribbon traveling mechanism section 3 has a color ribbon 9
The second color of is placed in the printing mechanism section. After that, the pinch rollers 6a and 7a and the feed rollers 6b and 7b are rotationally driven to convey the recording paper P retracted to the conveyance route E toward the printing mechanism unit 2. Then, the second color is transferred to the surface of the recording paper P in the printing mechanism unit 2.

Subsequently, printing of the third and fourth colors is performed in the same procedure as the printing of the second color, and when the predetermined color printing on the recording paper P is completed, the recording paper P is discharged from the conveyance route F. To be paper.

[0008]

However, in the above-mentioned conventional color printing apparatus, the first color to the fourth color are printed on one recording paper P surface.
When repeating the reciprocating motion such as recording paper conveyance and retreat for each printing up to color, the conveyance to the recording paper caused by the distortion of the outer peripheral surface of the round platen 1 and the uneven rotation and the change of the pressure contact force between the pinch roller and the feed roller. If unevenness (fine line feed misalignment) occurs, the prescribed color printing on the recording paper becomes inaccurate, and color misregistration or different color printing easily occurs. There is a problem that it causes conveyance failure such as jam.

Therefore, the present invention solves such a problem, and color misregistration or different-color printing due to uneven conveyance on the recording paper caused at the time of printing or conveyance of the recording paper, and further, skew, jam, etc. An object of the present invention is to provide a color printing device that prevents the occurrence of the above.

[0010]

In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, a color printing apparatus of the present invention comprises a recording paper conveyance mechanism section for conveying recording paper to a recording paper conveyance path which is a recording paper conveyance path.
A horizontal platen horizontally arranged on the recording paper conveyance path, a means for closely holding the recording paper conveyed by the recording paper conveyance mechanism on the horizontal platen, and a means for moving the recording paper in the recording area. Printing mechanism part for printing on a recording paper via a color ribbon, a ribbon running mechanism part for supplying the color ribbon to the printing mechanism part, and a printing surface of a horizontal platen connected to the printing mechanism part. A print head moving mechanism for reciprocating in parallel with each other and a recording paper discharging mechanism for discharging the recording paper printed by the printing mechanism are provided.

[0011]

The present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a printing mechanism section and a print head moving mechanism section of a color printing apparatus showing an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a sectional view of the color printing apparatus showing an embodiment of the present invention.

The color printing apparatus of the present invention is shown in FIGS.
At the recording paper conveyance path 10 which is a conveyance path of the recording paper P.
A recording paper transport mechanism unit 12 for transporting a recording paper P to a horizontal platen 11 arranged horizontally on the recording paper transport path 10.
A first auxiliary roller 17a and a second auxiliary roller 17b for closely holding the recording paper P conveyed by the recording paper conveyance mechanism 12 on the horizontal platen 11, and a recording start position within the recording area of the recording paper P. A printing mechanism unit 13 that moves between A and the printing end position B and prints on the recording paper P via the color ribbon 9, and the color ribbon 9 is printed by the printing mechanism unit 13.
Ribbon feeding mechanism portion 14 for supplying to
3, a print head moving mechanism portion 15 that reciprocates in parallel with the printing surface of the horizontal platen 11, and a recording paper discharging mechanism portion 16 that discharges the recording paper P printed by the printing mechanism portion 13. It is configured with.

The print head moving mechanism 15 includes a pair of moving rods 15a, 15a provided so that the printing mechanism 13 moves in parallel on the horizontal platen 11, and a pair of moving rods 15a, 15a. The belt 15b is configured to reciprocate between the print start position A and the print end position B, and the drive unit 15c for driving the belt 15b.

The printing mechanism unit 13 and the ribbon traveling mechanism unit 14 are driven in synchronization by the print head moving mechanism unit 15, and the ribbon traveling mechanism unit 14 moves together with the printing mechanism unit 13.

Next, the operation of the present invention in this configuration will be described.

First, the uppermost paper of the recording paper P loaded on the recording paper stacking unit 20 by driving the recording paper transporting mechanism 12 is the first
The recording paper conveyance path 1 in the C direction through the auxiliary roller 17a
It is conveyed onto the horizontal platen 11 which is horizontally arranged at 0. The recording paper P is held in close contact with the second auxiliary roller 17b on the upstream side and the first auxiliary roller 17a on the downstream side in the transport direction of the horizontal platen 11. On the other hand, the ribbon running mechanism section 14 runs the color ribbon 9 to run the printing mechanism section 13.
The first color is placed at.

Then, the first color of the color ribbon 9 arranged in the printing mechanism 13 by the ribbon traveling mechanism 14 is
A print mechanism unit 1 connected to a print head moving mechanism unit 15 that reciprocates parallel to the print surface of the horizontal platen 11.
By 3, the printing is performed in the designated area of the recording paper P while moving from the printing start position A of the recording paper P toward the printing end position B.

When the printing of the first color is completed, the print mechanism section 13 connected to the print head moving mechanism section 15 returns to the print start position A.

The printing of the second and subsequent colors repeats the same operation as the above-described printing of the first color.

When the printing operation of the final designated color is completed, the first auxiliary roller 17a is placed on the horizontal platen 11.
The recording paper P, which has been held in close contact with the second auxiliary roller 17b, is moved to the second auxiliary roller 17 by the recording paper unloading mechanism section 16.
It is conveyed in the D direction through b and discharged.

As described above, in the color printing apparatus of the present invention, while the recording paper P is retained in the recording paper conveyance path 10, that is, while being held on the horizontal platen 11,
The printing mechanism unit 13 reciprocates in parallel on the horizontal platen 11, and the different colors of the color ribbon 9 are repeatedly printed on the designated area of the recording paper P. For this reason, the reciprocating conveyance of the recording paper P at the time of performing the color printing on one recording paper P is eliminated, a predetermined color printing on the recording paper P is accurately performed, and the recording paper P can be conveyed easily. improves.

[0022]

As described above, according to the present invention, the printing mechanism unit moves on the horizontal platen while the recording paper is retained in the recording paper transport path, that is, while being held on the horizontal platen. By reciprocally moving in parallel, the different colors of the color ribbon are repeatedly printed on the designated area of the recording paper, and the reciprocating conveyance of the recording paper when performing color printing on one recording paper is eliminated. Distortion and skew of the recording plate due to unevenness of the outer circumference of the round platen used, uneven rotation, and changes in the pressure contact force between the pinch roller and feed roller, etc. It is possible to prevent jams and transport damage.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a printing mechanism unit and a print head moving mechanism unit of a color printing apparatus showing an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view of a color printing apparatus showing an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a configuration diagram of a conventional color printing device.

[Explanation of symbols]

 11 Horizontal Platen 13 Printing Mechanism Section 14 Ribbon Traveling Mechanism Section 15 Print Head Moving Mechanism Section 17a First Auxiliary Roller 17b Second Auxiliary Roller

Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. A recording paper conveyance mechanism section for conveying recording paper to a recording paper conveyance path which is a recording paper conveyance path, a horizontal platen horizontally arranged on the recording paper conveyance path, and the recording paper conveyance mechanism. Means for closely holding the recording paper conveyed by the unit on the horizontal platen, a printing mechanism section for moving in the recording area of the recording paper to print on the recording paper via the color ribbon, and the color ribbon. A ribbon traveling mechanism part for supplying to the printing mechanism part, a print head moving mechanism part which is connected to the printing mechanism part and reciprocates parallel to the printing surface of the horizontal platen, and printing is performed by the printing mechanism part. A color printing apparatus, comprising: a recording paper discharge mechanism section for discharging recording paper. 2. The print head moving mechanism section includes a pair of moving rods provided so that the printing mechanism section moves in parallel on a horizontal platen, and the moving rods move within the recording area of the recording paper. 2. The color printing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a belt for reciprocating and a driving unit for driving the belt.