JPH08300779A - Ink ribbon cassette - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: To prevent the contamination of paper caused by the abrasion of a ribbon protector and the generation of the running inferiority of an ink ribbon. CONSTITUTION: An ink ribbon cassette has a ribbon cassette main body 11a, the first member 35 attached to the front of the ribbon cassette main body 11a and composed of a highly flexible film having a hole at the position corresponding to a printing part and the second member 36 attached to the front of the first member 35 and composed of a highly abrasion-resistant plate having a hole at the position corresponding to the printing part. In this case, since the second member is formed of the highly abrasion-resistant plate, the contact surface with paper of the second member 36 is not abraded. A deformation region deformed by external force is formed between the lower edges of the first and second members 35, 36.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an ink ribbon cassette.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a reinking type ink ribbon cassette used in a dot impact printer is made of a thin polyester film or a metal so as not to contact a portion other than the printing portion of the ink ribbon to stain the paper. A ribbon protector can be attached.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a conventional ink ribbon cassette. In the figure, 11 is a reinking type ink ribbon cassette, 11a is a ribbon cassette body, and 1 is a ribbon cassette body.
2 is the ink ribbon loaded in the ribbon cassette body 11a, and 13 is the ribbon cassette body 11
It is a ribbon protector made of a thin polyester film or metal attached to the front surface of a. A hole 14 is formed in the center of the ribbon protector 13.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view of a printing mechanism of a conventional dot impact printer, and FIG. 4 is a sectional view of a printing unit of a conventional dot impact printer. In the figure, 11 is an ink ribbon cassette mounted on a carriage (not shown),
Reference numeral 12 is an ink ribbon, 13 is a ribbon protector, 15 is a platen, 16 is a sheet that is conveyed in accordance with the rotation of the platen 15, 18 is a print head that is arranged so as to face the platen 15, and 21 is a sheet feed not shown. A plate spring made of resin that presses the paper 16 conveyed from the mechanism against the platen 15, and 22 is the paper 16 conveyed.
Is a paper guide that guides the print head 18, the ink ribbon cassette 11, and a printing portion formed on a straight line connecting the platen 15, and a paper discharge mechanism (not shown).

In the printing mechanism having the above construction, first, the paper 16 is conveyed from the paper feeding mechanism (not shown) along the platen 15, passes through between the tip of the leaf spring 21 and the platen 15, and is guided by the paper guide 22. And sent to the printing unit. When the paper 16 reaches the printing unit, the control unit (not shown) receives a print command signal from a host computer (not shown) and drives the print head 18. The print head 18 moves along the platen 15 while striking the paper 16 via the ink ribbon 12, and prints on the paper 16.

By the way, the shorter the distance from the print head 18 to the platen 15 in the printing section, the higher the printing speed can be made. Therefore, the ink ribbon 1
2. Print head 1 with ribbon protector 13 and paper 16
The position of the print head 18 is set so that a slight gap (clearance) remains when it is placed between the platen 8 and the platen 15.

[0007]

However, in the conventional ink ribbon cassette described above, when the conveyed paper 16 has a deformed portion 16a such as perforations or folds, the paper 16 is floated from the platen 15. There is no space between the print head 18 and the platen 15, and pressure is applied to the surface of the ribbon protector 13 that contacts the paper 16.

Therefore, when the ribbon protector 13 made of a thin polyester film is used, the printing duty becomes high, and if the printing operation becomes more than usual,
The surface of the ribbon protector 13 that contacts the paper 16 is significantly worn. As a result, the distance between the ink ribbon 12 and the paper 16 is shortened by that amount, and the ink ribbon 12 often contacts the paper 16.
To make it dirty.

On the other hand, when the metal ribbon protector 13 is used, the following problems occur. That is, the leaf spring 21 is formed of an elastic resin in order to smoothly feed the conveyed paper 16 to the printing unit,
The tip is arranged so as to be pressed against the platen 15 at the point P1 in FIG. Therefore, the conveyed sheet 1
If the deformed portion 16a is present at 6, the leaf spring 21 is pushed to the position shown by the solid line in FIG. 4 when the sheet 16 passes the point P1, and the lower end portion of the ribbon protector 13 is pushed to the print head 18 side.

In this case, since the ribbon protector 13 is made of metal and has high rigidity, the ink ribbon 12 is pressed between the ribbon protector 13 and the print head 18. As a result, defective running of the ink ribbon 12 occurs. In particular, as the paper 16 is a copy paper and the deformation in the deformation portion 16a is larger, the ink ribbon 1 between the ribbon protector 13 and the print head 18 becomes larger.
The force for pressing 2 becomes large, and defective running of the ink ribbon 12 is likely to occur.

The present invention solves the problems of the conventional ink ribbon cassette, and provides an ink ribbon cassette in which the ribbon protector is not worn and the paper is soiled, and the defective running of the ink ribbon does not occur. The purpose is to do.

[0012]

Therefore, in the ink ribbon cassette of the present invention, a ribbon cassette main body and a hole attached to the front surface of the ribbon cassette main body at a position corresponding to a printing portion and having flexibility And a second member which is attached to the front surface of the first member and has a hole at a position corresponding to the printing portion and which is a plate having high abrasion resistance.

A deformation region is formed between the lower edge of the first member and the lower edge of the second member, which is deformed by an external force.

[0014]

According to the present invention, as described above, in the ink ribbon cassette, the ribbon cassette main body and the front side of the ribbon cassette main body are provided with the holes at the positions corresponding to the printing portions, and the flexibility is high. It has a first member made of a film, and a second member attached to the front surface of the first member, having a hole at a position corresponding to the printing portion, and made of a plate having high abrasion resistance.

In this case, since the second member is formed of a plate having high abrasion resistance, even if the ink ribbon cassette and the print head mounted on the carriage move left and right along the platen, the second member is The surface that contacts the paper does not wear. Further, a deformation region that is deformed by an external force is formed between the lower edge of the first member and the lower edge of the second member.

In this case, when the deformed portion of the conveyed sheet passes between the platen and the plate spring, the tip of the plate spring hits the deformed region. However, since the deformed region is formed on the first member and is made of a highly flexible film,
Only the deformation area is deformed.

[0017]

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the drawings. 1 is a perspective view of an ink ribbon cassette according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 5 is a plan view of a first member of a ribbon protector according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 6 is a second member of a ribbon protector according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 7 is a plan view of the ribbon protector according to the embodiment of the present invention.

In the figure, 11 is a reinking type ink ribbon cassette, 11a is a ribbon cassette body,
Reference numeral 12 is an ink ribbon loaded in the ribbon cassette body 11a, and 33 is a ribbon protector attached to the front surface of the ribbon cassette body 11a. The ribbon protector 33 includes a first member 35 for attaching the ribbon protector 33 to the ribbon cassette body 11a, and a first member 35 on the print head side of the first member 35.
A second member 36 fixed to the second member 36, and a hole 37 is formed in the center of the second member 36.

The first member 35 is made of a resin film having a high flexibility, and the second member 36 is made of a metal plate having a high abrasion resistance. next,
The ribbon protector 33 will be described with reference to FIGS. One lower locking portion 41 is provided at the center of the lower edge of the second member 36, and one lateral engaging portion 4 is provided at the center of each side edge.
2, but one pressing portion 43 is formed on each of the upper portions of both side edges. Further, a hole 37 for passing a print wire of a print head (not shown) is formed in the center of the second member 36, and a plurality of cylindrical protrusions 51 having a slight height are formed around the hole 37. To be done. The cylindrical protrusion 51 is
The second sheet is the paper (print medium) not shown after the printing.
It prevents the surface of the member 36 from rubbing and causing print stains, and also prevents both ends of the paper from interfering with the peripheral edge of the hole 37 when the carriage (not shown) is moved to move the print head left and right. To do.

An inclined area AR1 is formed on the lower edge of the second member 36, and the inclined area AR1 is directed toward the print head side (in the figure, the plane of the paper surface) so as not to interfere with the conveyed sheet. It is tilted (towards the back). Further, the inclined area AR1 is formed with a taper that gradually widens upward so as not to interfere with the conveyed sheet.

On the other hand, one locking groove 46 is formed in the center of the lower portion of the first member 35, and the lower locking portion 41 is locked in the locking groove 4.
After being inserted in 6, the second member 36 can be fixed to the first member 35 by bending upward. The width w1 of the lower locking portion 41 is set to be sufficiently narrow so that the leading edge of the conveyed sheet does not hit. Further, a hole 47 is formed in the center of the first member 35, and notches 48 having a shape and size corresponding to the lateral locking portion 42 are formed on both side edges of the hole 47, respectively. Therefore, the second member 36 can be fixed to the first member 35 by inserting the lateral locking portions 42 into the notches 48. Therefore, the width w2 of the second member 36 and the width w2 of the first member 35 are made equal. Further, the width h1 of the hole 47 is made equal to the width of the ink ribbon 12, and the hole 47 can guide the ink ribbon 12.

When the second member 36 is fixed to the first member 35, the pressing portion 43 spreads left and right to cover the front surface of the first member 35. In this case, a taper is formed on the lower edge of the pressing portion 43 so that the leading end of the conveyed sheet and the pressing portion 43 do not interfere with each other. Further, when the second member 36 is attached to the first member 35, as shown in FIG. 7, the second member 36 is deformed by an external force between the lower edge of the second member 36 and the lower edge of the first member 35. A deformation area AR2 is formed.

Reference numeral 50 is a hole for attaching the ribbon protector 33 to the ribbon cassette body 11a. Next, the operation when the ribbon protector 33 having the above structure is attached to the ribbon cassette body 11a will be described. 8 is a first state diagram of the printing unit in the embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 9 is a second state diagram of the printing unit in the embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 10 is a first state of the paper in the embodiment of the present invention. 11 is a plan view showing a conveyance state, FIG. 11 is a side view showing a first conveyance state of a sheet in the embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 12 is a plan view showing a second conveyance state of a sheet in the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 13 is a side view showing the second conveyance state of the sheet in the embodiment of the invention.

In the figure, reference numeral 15 is a platen, 16 is a sheet conveyed by the rotation of the platen 15, 18 is a print head arranged to face the platen 15, 11
Is an ink ribbon cassette mounted on a carriage (not shown) surrounding the print head 18, 21 is a leaf spring made of resin for pressing the sheet 16 conveyed from a sheet feeding mechanism (not shown) to the platen 15, and 22 is conveyed. A paper guide 33 for guiding the paper 16 to a print head 18, a printing portion formed on a straight line connecting the ink ribbon cassette 11 and the platen 15, and a paper discharge mechanism (not shown), and a ribbon protector 33.

In the printing mechanism having the above-described structure, first, the paper 16 is conveyed from the paper feeding mechanism along the platen 15, passes between the tip of the leaf spring 21 and the platen 15, and is guided by the paper guide 22 to be guided by the paper guide 22. It is sent to the printing section. Then, when the paper 16 reaches the printing unit,
A control unit (not shown) receives a print command signal from a host computer (not shown) and drives the print head 18. The print head 18 receives the paper 1 via the ink ribbon 12.
While striking 6, it moves along the platen 15 and the paper 1
Print on No. 6.

By the way, the leaf spring 21 is pushed toward the print head 18 when the sheet 16 passes,
If there is a deformed portion 16a such as a perforation line or a fold line at 6, the tip of the leaf spring 21 contacts the deformation area AR2. The deformation area A
Since R2 is formed on the first member 35 and is made of a thin resin film having high flexibility, as shown in FIG.
Only the deformation area AR2 is deformed in the direction of the arrow E, and the other parts are not deformed.

Therefore, the first member 35 and the print head 1
Since a sufficient gap can be maintained between the paper 16 and the paper 8, even if the paper 16 is a copy paper and the deformation in the deformation portion 16a is large, the defective running of the ink ribbon 12 does not occur. Further, since the paper 16 and the second member 36 are in contact with each other, the printing duty is high, and even if the printing operation is increased more than usual, the surface of the second member 36 that comes into contact with the paper 16 is not worn. Therefore, the ink ribbon 12
Since it is possible to secure a distance separating the sheet 16 from the sheet 16, the ink ribbon 12 does not contact the sheet 16 and the sheet 16 is not soiled.

Next, based on FIGS. 10 to 13, the paper 16
The state of the printing unit when the sheet is conveyed will be described. As described above, the width w1 (FIG. 5) of the lower locking portion 41 is set to be narrow, and the width of the locking groove 46 is also set to be narrow accordingly, so that even if the leading edge of the paper 16 hits, the paper is conveyed. It does not get in the way. Further, since the inclined area AR1 is inclined, the paper running line formed by the deformation area AR2 pressed by the leaf spring 21 and the inclined area AR1 is smoothly connected. Therefore, the paper 16 is conveyed to the printing unit without colliding with any part.

During the printing operation, the ink ribbon cassette 11 and the print head 18 are moved left and right along the platen 15 by a carriage (not shown). At this time, both side edges of the paper 16 repeatedly pass in front of the second member 36. However, since the plurality of cylindrical projections 51 are formed around the hole 37, the paper 16 bounces toward the platen 15 side. Be kicked. Therefore, the paper 16 and the hole 3
No interference with 7. Moreover, since the ink ribbon 12 does not contact the paper 16, the paper 16 is not soiled.

Next, the carrying state when the paper 16 is carried in the reverse direction will be described. FIG. 14 is a side view showing a conveyance state when the sheet is conveyed in the reverse direction in the embodiment of the present invention. In the figure, reference numeral 15 is a platen, 16 is a sheet conveyed as the platen 15 rotates, 16a
Is a deformable portion, 35 is a first member, and 36 is a second member.

In this case, since the distance x between the upper edge of the second member 36 and the straight line connecting the ink ribbon cassette 11 (FIG. 8) and the platen 15 is sufficiently large, the paper 16 is in the reverse direction (arrow G in the drawing). Direction), and the deforming portion 16a
When the sheet is sent between the platen 15 and the second member 36, the deforming portion 16a and the upper edge of the second member 36 do not interfere with each other.

Next, the mounting state of the second member 36 when the ink ribbon cassette 11 and the print head 18 move left and right will be described. FIG. 15 is a diagram showing a mounting state of the second member in the embodiment of the present invention. In the figure, 3
Reference numeral 5 is a first member, and 36 is a second member. In this case, when the ink ribbon cassette 11 (FIG. 8) and the print head 18 are moved left and right during the printing operation, the second member 36 is in contact with the paper 16 between the print head 18 and the platen 15, A force F due to friction is applied in the left and right directions. However, the lateral locking portion 42 (Fig. 6) is cut out 48 (Fig. 5).
By inserting the second member 36 into the first member 35.
Since the second member 36 is attached to the first member 35, the second member 36 does not shift from the first member 35.

Next, the relationship between the second member 36 and the paper guide 22 will be described. FIG. 16 is a diagram showing the relationship between the second member and the paper guide in the embodiment of the present invention. In the figure, 11 is an ink ribbon cassette, 22 is a paper guide, 22a is a window formed corresponding to the printing portion, 35 is a first member, and 36 is a second member.

In this case, since the maximum width of the second member 36, that is, the width w3 between the tips of the pressing portions 43 (FIG. 6) is set wider than the width of the window 22a, the ink ribbon cassette 11 is replaced. At this time, the ribbon protector 33 (FIG. 8) does not get caught in the window 22a. Therefore, replacement of the ink ribbon cassette 11 becomes easy.

The present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiments, but can be variously modified within the scope of the present invention, and these are not excluded from the scope of the present invention.

[0036]

As described above in detail, according to the present invention, in the ink ribbon cassette, the ribbon cassette body and the hole attached to the front surface of the ribbon cassette body and corresponding to the printing portion are provided. And a first member made of a highly flexible film, and a second member attached to the front surface of the first member, having a hole at a position corresponding to the printing portion, and made of a plate having high abrasion resistance. Have.

In this case, since the second member is formed of a plate having high wear resistance, the surface of the second member that comes into contact with the paper is not worn. Therefore, since the distance separating the ink ribbon and the paper can be secured, the ink ribbon does not contact the paper and the paper is not soiled. The lower edge of the first member and the second
A deformation region that is deformed by an external force is formed between the lower edge of the member and the lower edge.

In this case, when the deformed portion of the conveyed sheet passes between the platen and the plate spring, the tip of the plate spring hits the deformed region. However, since the deformed region is formed on the first member and is made of a highly flexible film,
Only the deformation area is deformed. Therefore, since a sufficient gap can be maintained between the second member and the print head, even if the paper is a copy paper and the deformation in the deforming portion is large, defective running of the ink ribbon may not occur. Absent.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an ink ribbon cassette according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a conventional ink ribbon cassette.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view of a printing mechanism of a conventional dot impact printer.

FIG. 4 is a sectional view of a printing unit of a conventional dot impact printer.

FIG. 5 is a plan view of the first member of the ribbon protector in the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a plan view of a second member of the ribbon protector in the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a plan view of a ribbon protector according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a first state diagram of the printing unit in the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a second state diagram of the printing unit in the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a plan view showing a first conveyance state of a sheet in the embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 11 is a side view showing the first conveyance state of the sheet in the embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 12 is a plan view showing a second conveyance state of the sheet in the embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 13 is a side view showing the second conveyance state of the sheet in the embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 14 is a side view showing a conveyance state when a sheet is conveyed in the reverse direction in the example of the present invention.

FIG. 15 is a view showing a mounting state of the second member in the example of the present invention.

FIG. 16 is a diagram showing the relationship between the second member and the paper guide in the embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 11 Ink Ribbon Cassette 11a Ribbon Cassette Main Body 15 Platen 18 Print Head 35 First Member 36 Second Member 37, 47, 50 Hole 41 Lower Locking Part 42 Side Locking Part 46 Locking Groove 48 Notch 51 Cylindrical Protrusion AR1 Inclined Area AR2 Deformation area w1, w2 width

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A ribbon cassette body, comprising: (a) a ribbon cassette body; and (b) a first member which is attached to a front surface of the ribbon cassette body, has a hole at a position corresponding to a printing portion, and is made of a highly flexible film. And (c) a second member which is attached to the front surface of the first member, has a hole at a position corresponding to the printing portion, and is composed of a plate having high wear resistance, and (d) the first member. An ink ribbon cassette, wherein a deformation region that is deformed by an external force is formed between the lower edge and the lower edge of the second member. 2. A lower locking portion is formed on a lower edge of the first member and lateral locking portions are formed on both side edges of the first member, respectively, and the lower locking portion is formed on a lower portion of the second member. The locking groove to be inserted is
The ink ribbon cassette according to claim 1, wherein notches into which the lateral locking portions are inserted are formed at both side edges of the hole. 3. The ink ribbon cassette according to claim 1, wherein a lower edge of the first member is gradually widened upward, and an inclined region inclined toward the print head side is formed. 4. The ink ribbon cassette according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of cylindrical protrusions having a slight height are formed around the hole of the second member.