JPH0740559A - Recording device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To provide a recording device with which high quality recording can be obtained with excellent contact of an ink ribbon and a record head by maintaining conventional high speed recording. CONSTITUTION:A platen 25 is provided for carrying an image receive paper 20 and an ink ribbon 13 which is superposed on the image receive paper 20 and transfers an ink layer 15 to the image receive paper 20 by heating of a resistance layer 14. A recording electrode 9 comes in contact with the resistance layer 14 of the ink ribbon 13 carried by the platen 25 in an approaching manner at its tips and partially heats the resistance layer 14 by being energized so as to transfer the ink in the ink layer 15 to the image receive paper 20. A return electrode 1 is also provided. The return electrode 1 is made of a plate- like elastic body and has a free end which changes its position independent of the tip of the recording electrode 9. The free end is made to contact with the resistance layer 14 of the ink ribbon 13 by the elasticity.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a recording apparatus for outputting a high-quality color image at high speed from a personal computer, a word processor, a video printer or the like.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In this type of recording apparatus, various recording methods are used, but the electric transfer recording method has a good heat transfer efficiency to an ink layer (color material) of an ink ribbon (transfer material). It is widely used because it is capable of high-speed recording and can use colorants with high melting points, which could not be used in the past, so that the selection of colorants is wide.

On the other hand, various sizes of recording paper (transferred material) are used, from postcard size to A3 size, and the recording area is large. In the electric transfer recording system, a wide line type recording head is inevitably required.

However, when the recording head is a line type, it is necessary to control the energization to a large number of recording electrodes as compared with a serial type head having a small recording area. Therefore, the drive circuit needs to be integrated. From this point, it is possible to drive a constant voltage generally used for a thermal head, and to make a recording head that is easy to be integrated into an IC and is compact.

However, in order to drive at a constant voltage, it is necessary to shorten the distance between the recording electrode and the return electrode in order to prevent the recording current from varying depending on the number of recording electrodes energized. It is said that a structure that can have an electrode and a return electrode is preferable.

[0006]

As a conventional recording head, for example, as disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 63-179768, a recording electrode and a return electrode are arranged horizontally on the same plane. There are those which make contact with the ink ribbon, and those which arrange the recording electrode and the return electrode vertically in a state of being parallel to the inside of the supporting member so as to make contact with the ink ribbon.

However, in the former case, since the entire plane of the recording electrode and the return electrode is brought into contact with the ink ribbon, the contact pressure is weak and the image has a low density. In the latter, since the recording electrode and the return electrode are surrounded by the supporting member, the entire surface of the recording head is brought into contact with the ink ribbon, and the contact pressure is weakened. Particularly, in the latter case, the contact portion of the recording electrode with the ink ribbon was as small as about 30 μm in the main scanning direction, and the contact was unstable when the contact pressure was weak. When the contact becomes unstable in this way, the image quality is deteriorated, and when a gap is formed between the recording electrode and the ink ribbon, discharge is generated, which causes significant electrode wear and cutting of the ink ribbon. . Therefore, it has been difficult to keep the recording electrode and the ink ribbon in good contact for a long period of time.

Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to provide a recording apparatus which is excellent in the contact property of the recording electrode and the return electrode with respect to the transfer material and can perform high-quality recording while maintaining the advantages of the conventional high-speed recording. And

[0009]

In order to solve the above problems, the present invention carries a transfer material and a transfer material which is superposed on the transfer material and transfers a colorant to the transfer material by heat generation of a resistance layer. The carrier and the resistance layer of the transfer material carried by the carrier are brought into contact with each other in the state where the tips are in close proximity to each other,
A recording electrode and a return electrode for partially heating the resistance layer to transfer the colorant to a transfer material by being energized are provided, and the return electrode is a plate-like elastic body, and the tip portion thereof is The free end is independently displaced with respect to the tip of the recording electrode, and the free end is brought into contact with the resistance layer of the transfer material by elastic force.

A mounting member for mounting the recording electrode,
The mounting member is provided so as to be pivotally and detachably supported, and also to be capable of detachably holding the base end portion of the return electrode.

Further, with the recording electrodes attached,
It is provided with a mounting member that detachably holds the base end portion of the return electrode, and support means that holds the mounting member in a rotatable and detachable manner.

[0012]

By contacting only the tip portions of the recording electrode and the return electrode with the resistance layer of the transfer material, the contact pressure of the recording electrode and the return electrode with respect to the resistance layer of the transfer material is increased. Also, by making the return electrode a plate having elasticity and making the tip end a free end that can be independently displaced with respect to the tip end of the recording electrode, the tip end of the return electrode can be carried regardless of the position of the recording electrode. It is positioned at a predetermined part of and the mounting is facilitated.

Further, the tip of the return electrode is brought into contact with the resistance layer of the transfer material carried on the carrier by its elastic force, whereby the tip of the return electrode is deformed along the shape of the carrier and transferred. Improve the contactability of the return electrode to the resistive layer of the material. Also, by attaching the return electrode and the recording electrode to the supporting means independently of each other,
It is possible to replace the return electrode and the recording electrode independently.

[0014]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The present invention will be described below with reference to an embodiment shown in FIGS. FIG. 1 shows the configuration of a printer which is an energization transfer type recording apparatus. In the figure, 1A is an apparatus main body, and a platen 2 as a carrier is provided in the apparatus main body 1A.
5 is provided rotatably in the direction of the arrow. A recording head 7 is provided below the platen 25, and the recording head 7 includes recording electrodes 9.

A support portion 22 as support means is integrally formed on the inner bottom portion of the apparatus body 1A. The base end portion of the return electrode 1 is detachably attached to the upper end surface portion of the support portion 22 with a screw 27. The return electrode 1 is attached so that its tip is located at a predetermined portion.

Further, the shaft 28 is provided in the apparatus body 1A.
A fixed base 21 that holds the recording head in a rotatable and detachable manner is attached via the. The recording head 7 is attached to the fixed base 21 with a screw 29 so that the tip of the recording electrode 9 is located at a predetermined portion. The fixed base 21 is urged upward by a compression spring 23, and the tip edge portion of the recording electrode 9 is brought into contact with the resistance layer 14 of the ink ribbon 13 as the transfer material by this urging.

The return electrode 1 is, as shown in FIG. 2, a conductive and elastic SUS631-C having a thickness of 50 μm.
It is formed by a stainless steel plate for spring such as SP. Through holes 2 and 2 are formed in the base end portion of the return electrode 1 for passing the screws 27.

In the recording head 7, as shown in FIG. 3, a copper film having a thickness of 5 μm is formed on an insulating flat surface of a ceramic substrate 8 having a thickness of 0.7 mm by electroless copper plating, and the copper film is processed into a thin film. As a result, 628 recording electrodes 9 having an electrode pitch of 125 μm and an electrode width of 85 μm are formed, and a Ni—P alloy film is further formed thereon by electrolytic plating. The substrate 8 is attached by adhesion to an aluminum support plate 32 as an attachment member for attaching the recording electrodes. Further, the drive IC 10 is attached to the support plate 32.
Alternatively, the recording electrode drive substrate 50 on which the external connection terminals are mounted is attached by adhesion. The support plate 32 is attached to the fixed base 21.

Since the device is driven at a constant voltage, the recording electrode drive substrate 50 can be the one used in the conventional thermal head. The portion of the recording electrode 9 opposite to the tip side used for recording is connected to the output terminal of the control IC 10 via wire bonding. One of the control ICs 10 for the recording electrodes 9 has 64 constant voltage driving circuits, and the ten recording ICs 10 are used to drive the recording electrodes 9.

The output terminal of the control IC 10 is connected to the external connection terminal 11 via a conductive pattern wiring provided on the plane of the substrate 50. In addition, the recording head 7
Through holes 12 for fixing the recording head 7 with screws 29 are provided on both sides of the substrate 50 through support plates 32 (through holes not shown).

FIG. 4 shows the recording head 7 of FIG. 3 and the SU of FIG.
It is a block diagram which shows typically the recording part which consists of the return electrode 1 using the stainless steel plate for S631-CSP springs. An ink ribbon 13 and an image receiving paper 20 as a material to be transferred are interposed between the recording head 7 and the return electrode 1 and the platen 25, and the tip of the return electrode 1 is bent in a convex shape. Further, an insulating layer or an insulating material 26 is interposed between the recording electrode 9 and the return electrode 1 so as not to come into contact with each other and electrically short-circuit. As the insulating material 26, a film made of polyethylene terephthalate having a thickness of 6 μm is used.

By the way, the tip of the return electrode 1 is a free end which is displaced independently of the recording electrode 9, and the free end is elastically applied by the return electrode 1 itself to the resistance layer 14 of the ink ribbon 13.
And make a close contact. As a result, the tip portion of the return electrode 1 maintains a high pressing force at the tip edge portion of the recording electrode 9, and the ink ribbon follows the shape of the platen 25 regardless of the positions of the platen 25 and the recording head 7. The resistive layer 14 of 13 is in surface contact.

The distance between the recording electrode 9 and the return electrode 1 is preferably equal to or less than the electrode pitch of the recording electrode 9, and the platen 25 is mounted at a position of 125 μm when energized.

As shown in FIGS. 5 and 16, the ink ribbon 13 has a resistance layer 14 of polycarbonate having a thickness of 12 μm in which conductive particles such as conductive carbon black are dispersed.
And 1 including a sublimable colorant provided on the resistance layer 14.
and an ink layer 15 having a thickness of μm.

The ink ribbon 13 is shown in FIGS.
As shown in FIG. 7, a conductive layer 16 made of an aluminum layer having a thickness of 1000 angstrom may be provided between the resistance layer 14 and the ink layer 15.

The ink layer 15 includes a yellow ink layer 15Y containing a sublimable yellow dye, a magenta ink layer 15M containing a sublimable magenta dye, and a cyan ink layer 15C containing a sublimable cyan dye in the flow direction of the ink ribbon 13 (conveyance). It is applied sequentially in the opposite direction). The length of the ink layer 15 of one color depends on the length of the recording screen and is 145 mm.
There is. In addition, the width of each dye of the ink layer 15 is set so as to sufficiently cover the column length 80 mm of the recording electrode 9.
It is 4 mm.

Next, the operation of the electric transfer type recording apparatus will be described. When the image recording operation is started, first, the image receiving paper 20 is taken out from the cassette 36 and wound around the platen 25. The tip of the image receiving paper 20 has a clip 37.
The platen 25 is fixed and held by the platen 25.

Further, the ink ribbon 13 is pulled out from the supply roll 39 by a pair of rollers 38 for carrying control, and first, the yellow ink layer 15Y is indexed. During the transfer operation of the image receiving paper 20 and the ink ribbon 13,
The recording head 7 is pulled down by the solenoid 24 against the pushing force of the spring 23 and separated from the platen 25. Then, when the ink ribbon 13 and the image receiving paper 20 are set to the fixed positions, the pulling force of the solenoid 24 is released,
The recording head 7 is moved to the platen 2 by the pressing force of the compression spring 23.
It is urged toward 5. Then, the recording signal of the yellow component is supplied to the control IC 10 of the recording electrode 9 of the recording head 7 by the color image signal (not shown).
A recording current is selectively supplied to. The image receiving paper 20 is fed according to the rotation of the platen 25, and the recording of the yellow screen is completed. Next, the recording head 7 is separated from the platen 25, and the recording screen of the image receiving paper 20 and the magenta ink layer 15M of the ink ribbon 13 are cued. afterwards,
The recording head 7 is again urged by the platen 25, a recording current selectively flows to the recording electrode 9 in accordance with a recording signal of a magenta component, and a magenta image is recorded by superimposing it on the yellow image. Then, a cyan image is recorded by the same operation. After recording the cyan image, the recording head 7
Is separated from the platen 25, and the conveyance of the ink ribbon 13 is stopped. However, the image receiving paper 20 is sent out according to the rotation of the platen 25, the clip is removed by the transport guide 40, the front end of the image receiving paper 20 is released, and the image receiving paper 20 is discharged onto the paper discharge tray.

Next, the ink ribbon 13 by the recording head 7
The operation of transferring the ink from the sheet to the image receiving paper 20 will be described. FIG. 6 shows a state in which the ink ribbon 13 and the image receiving paper 20 are sandwiched between the recording head 7, the return path electrode 1 and the platen 25.

The recording current injected from the recording electrode 9 into the resistance layer 14 of the ink ribbon 13 reaches the return electrode 1 through the path indicated by the arrow, and the current concentrates just below the recording electrode 9,
Joule heat is generated. Due to the generation of this Joule heat,
The ink of the ink layer 15 is transferred and recorded on the image receiving paper 20. The inter-electrode distance between the recording electrode 9 and the return electrode 1 is almost equal to the pitch of the recording electrode 9, and the current flowing from the recording electrode 9 to the return electrode 1 does not spread, and the recording electrode 9 is energized.
Even if the number changes, the current flowing in the ink ribbon 13 near the recording electrode 9 is always constant, so stable recording can be performed.

As described above, the recording electrode 9 is brought into close contact with the resistance layer 14 of the ink ribbon 13 by the urging force of the compression spring 23, and the return path electrode 1 is flexible and is brought into close contact with the return path electrode 1 itself. The tip of the return electrode 1 comes into surface contact along the platen 25 regardless of the positions of the platen 25 and the recording electrode 9.

Therefore, the contact area between the tip of the return electrode 1 and the resistance layer 14 of the ink ribbon 13 is increased, good recording can be carried out, and significant electrode wear due to discharge can be prevented.

If the return path electrode 1 is not flexible, it is difficult to stably urge both the recording electrode 9 and the return path electrode 1 to the platen 25 at the same time, and the recording electrode 9 and the return path to the platen 25 are difficult. The position of the electrode 1 is required to be precise, and the force for urging the platen 25 is also required to be large.

The recording head 7 has an ink ribbon 13
Since the recording electrode 9 comes into close contact with the resistance layer 14 at the edge portion by the urging force of the compression spring 23, the pressing force is higher than when contacting the surface and the urging force is small, so that the urging mechanism can be downsized.

The return electrode 1 is located near the platen 25 and the recording head 7, and the platen 25 and the recording head 7 are provided.
It can also be used as a conveyance guide for guiding the image receiving paper 20 and the ink ribbon 13 on the top.

Further, the return electrode 1 and the ink ribbon 1
Since the contact surface of 3 substantially coincides with the conveying direction of the image receiving paper 20 and the ink ribbon 13, it can be smoothly conveyed.
The vibration of the image receiving paper 20 and the ink ribbon 13 pulled out from the ink ribbon supply roll 39 at the time of entry is suppressed.

Further, since the return path electrode 1 and the recording head 7 are provided so as to be detachable independently of each other, they can be individually replaced at the time of replacement, which is economical. The present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiment, and the return electrode 1 is not shown in FIG.
Alternatively, a flexible plate-shaped fluororubber material 4 may be provided on the stainless steel plate 3 for spring, and the conductive metal layer 5 may be formed on the surface of the fluororubber material 4.

According to this structure, since the return electrode 1 has a metal (layer) at a portion in contact with the resistance layer 14 of the ink ribbon 13, the return electrode 1 has high conductivity, heat resistance, hardness, electrical deterioration and thermal resistance. Resistant to deterioration and mechanical wear.

Further, as shown in FIG. 9, the inclination of the upper end surface of the support portion 22 is inclined in the opposite direction to that of the above embodiment, and the base end of the return electrode 1 is attached to the upper end surface of the support portion 22 which is inclined in the opposite direction. The portion may be detachably attached with the screw 27. In this attached state, the tip of the return electrode 1 is concave and the ink ribbon 1
3 resistance layer 14 is contacted.

Further, the present invention may be constructed as shown in FIG. That is, the return path electrode 1 may be mounted on the recording head 7. In this mounted type, the return electrode 1 is accommodated within the size of the recording head 7, so that the device and the recording head 7 can be made smaller.

In FIG. 10, the return electrode 1 is detachably attached to the spacer 30 adhered on the substrate 50 of the recording head 7 with the screw 31. Further, as shown in FIG. 11, the return path electrode 1 may be detachably attached to the spacer 33 adhered on the support 32 supporting the recording head 7 with the screw 34.

The recording head 7 and the fixed base 21 are provided with screws 35.
It is fixed by. In this mounted type, the return electrode 1 is arranged so as to cover the driving IC 10, so that the fixed base 21
When the recording head 7 is removed from the drive IC 10
It is also possible to serve as a protective cover of the drive IC 10 so that the object does not collide with the object and is not broken, and that it is not rubbed by the ink ribbon 13 or the like when mounted on the fixed base 21.

Therefore, a new conveyance guide or drive IC 10 is added.
Since it is not necessary to provide a protective cover, not only a small device but also an inexpensive device and the recording head 7 can be obtained. The width E ₁ of the return electrode 1 is wider than the width R ₁ of the ink ribbon 13 and smaller than the width P _{1 of the} platen 25, as shown in FIG.

The width R ₁ of the ink ribbon 13 is set to 85 mm so that the column length (78.5 mm) of the recording electrodes 9 can be sufficiently covered. Width E ₁ of the return electrode 1 is a 90mm so that the ink ribbon 13 can be uniformly urged to the platen 25. The width P ₁ of the platen 25 is set to 97.5 mm so that it can be received over the entire surface when the return electrode 1 is energized.

Further, as shown in FIG. 13, the return electrode 1 '
The width dimension E1 ′ of the above may be larger than the width R _{1 of the} ink-drop box 13 and the width dimension P _{1 of the} platen 25. Further, the return electrode 1 may be configured as shown in FIGS. 14 and 15.

That is, the curved surface portions 1a, 1 are provided on both side edge portions of the return electrode 1 along the conveying direction of the ink ribbon 13.
a is formed, and these curved surface portions 1 a and 1 a are formed on the platen 25.
To be contacted with.

As shown in FIG. 12 above, the return electrode 1
If the width E ₁ of the narrower than the width P ₁ of the platen 25 and wider than the width R ₁ of the ink ribbon 13, as shown in FIG. 18, the return electrode 1, the ink ribbon 13 and the image receiving sheet When 20 is urged to the platen 25, the return electrode 1 can urge the ink ribbon 13 to the platen 25 over its entire width. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 21, the ink ribbon 13 does not break at the side edge portion of the return electrode 1 as in the case where the width of the return electrode 1 is narrower than that of the ink ribbon 13.

Therefore, wrinkles do not occur at the side edge portion of the return path electrode 1 of the ink ribbon 13, and image unevenness due to wrinkles does not occur, so that a high quality image can be obtained. Furthermore, since the load resistance of the ink ribbon 13 during transportation is also low, the ink ribbon 13 can enter the recording electrode 9 in a properly stretched state, and the occurrence of wrinkles at the time of invasion can be suppressed. Transportability is also improved.

Further, as shown in FIGS. 14 and 15, since the curved surface portions 1a, 1a are formed at the side edge portions of the return electrode 1, the side of the return electrode 1 with respect to the platen 25 is shown in FIG. The curved surface portions 1a, 1a of the edge portion are in contact with each other. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 18, as compared with the case where the side edge portion of the return electrode 1 is angular, the platen 2
No. 5 is not strongly pressed locally at the side edge portion, and the pressure at the side edge portion of the return electrode 1 can be reduced.

Therefore, there is no uneven wear of the platen 25 at the edge of the return electrode 1, and the life of the platen 25 is extended.
Further, as shown in FIG. 20, when the width dimension of the return electrode 1 is wider than that of the platen 25, the same effect can be obtained, and the side edge portion of the return electrode 1 does not contact the platen 25. The platen 25 has a longer life without uneven wear of the platen 25.

[0051]

As described above, according to the present invention,
Since only the tip portions of the recording electrode and the return electrode are brought into contact with the resistance layer of the transfer material, the entire plane of the recording electrode and the return electrode is brought into contact with the resistance layer of the transfer material as in the conventional case,
The contact pressure of the recording electrode and the return electrode with respect to the resistance layer of the transfer material can be increased as compared with the case where the entire surface of the recording head surrounded by the supporting member surrounds the recording electrode and the return electrode. Therefore, it is possible to record an image with good image quality and prevent abrasion of the electrodes and cutting of the transfer material.

Further, since the return electrode has elasticity and the tip portion thereof is a free end which is independently displaced with respect to the recording electrode, the tip portion of the return electrode can be positioned regardless of the position of the recording electrode. Therefore, as compared with the conventional recording head in which the recording electrode and the return electrode are completely integrated, the positioning of the return electrode and the recording electrode with respect to the carrier becomes easier.

Further, since the return electrode is plate-shaped and the tip of the return electrode is brought into contact with the resistance layer of the transfer material carried on the carrier by the elastic force of the return electrode itself, the tip of the return electrode contacts the carrier. The resistance layer of the transfer material is in contact with the transfer material. Therefore, the contactability of the return electrode with the resistance layer of the transfer material is improved and further stabilized.

Further, since the return electrode and the recording electrode are detachably attached to the supporting means independently of each other, the return electrode and the recording electrode can be independently exchanged. Therefore, it is economical because it is not necessary to wastefully replace both the return electrode and the recording electrode when replacing one of them.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram showing an electric transfer recording apparatus that is an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a return path electrode used in the electric transfer recording apparatus of FIG.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing a recording head used in the electric transfer recording apparatus of FIG.

FIG. 4 is a configuration diagram showing a recording unit of the electric transfer recording apparatus of FIG.

5 is a cross-sectional view showing an ink ribbon used in the electric transfer recording apparatus of FIG.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing a recording operation in the recording unit in FIG.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing a return electrode that is another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a sectional view showing an ink ribbon which is another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a configuration diagram showing a recording unit that is another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a configuration diagram showing a recording unit that is another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a configuration diagram showing a recording unit that is another embodiment of the present invention.

12 is a plan view showing the dimensional relationship of the constituent members of the recording unit in FIG.

FIG. 13 is a plan view showing a dimensional relationship of constituent members of a recording unit which is another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 14 is a plan view showing a return electrode that is another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 15 is a front view showing the return electrode of FIG.

16 is a perspective view showing the ink ribbon of FIG.

FIG. 17 is a perspective view showing the ink ribbon of FIG.

FIG. 18 is a front view showing the recording unit of FIG.

FIG. 19 is a front view showing a state where the return electrode of FIG. 14 is pressed against the platen.

20 is a front view showing the recording unit of FIG. 13. FIG.

FIG. 21 is a configuration diagram showing a conventional recording unit.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 ... Return electrode, 7 ... Recording head, 9 ... Recording electrode, 13 ...
Ink ribbon (transfer material), 14 ... Resistance layer, 15 ... Ink layer, 20 ... Image receiving paper (transfer material), 21 ... Fixing stand (supporting means), 22 ... Supporting part (supporting means), 25 ... Platen (carrying) Body), 32 ... Support plate (mounting member).

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. A carrier for carrying a transfer material and a transfer material which is superposed on the transfer material and transfers a colorant to the transfer material by heat generation of a resistance layer, and a transfer material carried by the carrier. A recording electrode and a return electrode, which are brought into contact with the resistance layer in a state in which their tips are in close proximity to each other, and partially energize to generate heat in the resistance layer to transfer the coloring material to the transfer material; The return electrode is a plate-like elastic body, and the tip end thereof is a free end that is independently displaced with respect to the tip end of the recording electrode, and the free end is brought into contact with the resistance layer of the transfer material by an elastic force. Characteristic recording device. 2. A transfer material and a carrier for supporting a transfer material which is superposed on the transfer material and transfers a coloring material to the transfer material by heat generation of a resistance layer, and a transfer material carried by the support material. A recording electrode and a return electrode that bring the resistive layer into contact with the tip portions in a state of being close to each other and partially heat the resistive layer when energized to transfer the coloring material to the transfer material, and the recording electrode. An attachment member to be attached, a second support unit that holds the attachment member in a rotatable and detachable manner, and a second support unit that detachably holds the base end portion of the return electrode, The electrode is a plate-like elastic body, and its tip is a free end that is independently displaced with respect to the tip of the recording electrode, and the free end is brought into contact with the resistance layer of the transfer material by elastic force. Recording device. 3. A transfer material and a carrier for supporting a transfer material which is superposed on the transfer material and transfers a coloring material to the transfer material by heat generation of a resistance layer, and a transfer material carried by the support material. A recording electrode and a return electrode that bring the resistive layer into contact with the tip portions in a state of being close to each other and partially heat the resistive layer when energized to transfer the coloring material to the transfer material, and the recording electrode. The return electrode is a plate-like elastic body, and is equipped with a mounting member that removably holds the base end portion of the return electrode, and a support means that holds the mounting member in a rotatable and detachable manner. A recording apparatus, characterized in that its tip is a free end that is independently displaced with respect to the tip of the recording electrode, and the free end is brought into contact with the resistance layer of the transfer material by an elastic force. 4. The transfer material is provided so as to be movable, and the return electrode has a width dimension in a direction orthogonal to a traveling direction of the transfer material larger than a width dimension of the transfer material. , 2 or 3 recording apparatus. 5. The carrier is rotatably provided, and the return electrode is formed with curved surface portions on both side edge portions orthogonal to the rotation axis of the carrier, and these curved surface portions are brought into contact with the carrier body. The recording device according to claim 1, 2, or 3. 6. The return electrode has a width dimension larger than that of the carrier.
Or the recording device according to 3.