JPH10100516A - Ribbon cassette - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a ribbon cassette wherein a partial ink excess supply to a transfer roller is prevented, and printing which is free from generation of irregularity in light and shade of printing can be carried out. SOLUTION: The ribbon cassette is so constituted that ink with which an ink impregnated material 11 for supplying ink is impregnated, is transferred to an ink ribbon 2 via a transfer roller 12 arranged in a traveling route of the endless ink ribbon 2. In this case, it is used that tension of the ink ribbon 2 varies largely between in traveling of the ink ribbon 2 and in stop of the traveling, for example, by using a freely movable separation component 22, the separation component 22 is retreated with tension of the ink ribbon 2 in traveling of the ink ribbon 2, and the ink impregnated material 11 is brought in contact with the transfer roller 12. However, in stop of traveling of the ink ribbon 2, the separation component 22 is advanced between that and a contact component 24 with an energizing means 25 of a weak energizing force, and the ink impregnated material 11 is brought in non-contact with the transfer roller 12.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention [0002] The present invention relates to a re-ink type ribbon cassette used in printing equipment such as a wire dot printer and a typewriter.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as a ribbon cassette used in this type of printing equipment, an ink replenishing mechanism is provided inside the cassette in order to extend the printing life of an ink ribbon, and printing is performed while replenishing ink to an endless ink ribbon. There is a re-ink type which is provided for the above-mentioned.

A conventional example of the re-ink type ribbon cassette will be described with reference to FIGS. First, a ribbon storage section 3 for storing an endless ink ribbon 2 in a zigzag folded state is formed in a central portion of the cassette case 1. The left and right arm portions 5 projecting forward from both sides of the cassette case 1 to form a head space 4 in which a print head (not shown) and the like are provided. , 6 in a loop. Therefore, the ink ribbon 2 is disposed in the printing section between the tips of the arms 5 and 6.
A gear pair of a ribbon take-up gear 7 and a driven gear 8 is provided in the cassette case 1 at the ribbon entrance side of the ribbon storage section 3. When the cassette case 1 is mounted on a printer, the ribbon take-up gear 7 is configured to be fitted to a drive gear 9 on the printer side and to transmit the rotational driving force thereof.

On the other hand, an ink replenishing mechanism 10 is built in the cassette case 1 between the ribbon outlet side of the ribbon storage section 3 and the arm section 5. The ink replenishing mechanism 10 includes an ink impregnated body 11 impregnated with ink, and a transfer roller 12 that receives ink from the ink impregnated body 11 and transfers the ink to the ink ribbon 2. The ink impregnated body 11 is a sponge-shaped ink occluding body 14 housed in an ink housing section 13 formed in a part of the cassette case 1, and transfers the ink impregnated in the ink occluding body 14 to the ink occluding body 14 It is formed by a felt-shaped ink supply piece 15 protruding from the ink storage section 13 so as to supply the roller 12. The transfer roller 12 is located at a position where the transfer roller 12 contacts the ink supply piece 15, is disposed in a traveling path of the ink ribbon 2, and is rotatably mounted on a shaft 16. The transfer roller 12 transfers ink to the ink ribbon 2 while being driven to rotate as the ink ribbon 2 travels, and applies a tension to the downstream side of the transfer roller 12 when the ink ribbon 2 travels. A brake plate 17 made of a leaf spring is provided in contact with the guide rib 18. 19 is a lid of the cassette case 1.

When such a ribbon cassette is mounted on a printing section of a printer, and the driving gear 9 rotates the ribbon winding gear 7 in the winding direction shown by the arrow in FIG. Rotate in the direction indicated by. Thus, the ink ribbon 2 sandwiched between the gears 7 and 8 is sequentially wound up toward the ribbon storage unit 3 side. Therefore, the arms 5, 6
The ink ribbon 2 runs from left to right between the leading ends.
At this time, looking at the portion of the ink ribbon 2 pulled out from the ribbon storage section 3, the brake is applied to the ink ribbon 2 traveling toward the arm 5 at the contact portion between the brake plate 17 and the guide rib 18, so that the ink ribbon 2 2 is the transfer roller 1
2, the transfer roller 12 is in a tensioned state between the ribbon take-up gear 7 and the brake plate 17. Since the ink ribbon 2 travels in this state, the transfer roller 12 also rotates while following the ink supply piece 15.
The ink supplied from the side is transferred to the ink ribbon 2. Thus, the printing operation is performed while replenishing the ink to the ink ribbon 2 toward the printing unit.

[0006]

However, according to such a conventional ribbon cassette, ink is always supplied from the ink supply piece 15 to the transfer roller 12 even when printing is stopped or during storage. Excessive ink replenishment occurs. That is, when printing is stopped, the ink ribbon 2 is not fed, and the transfer roller 12 does not rotate. Therefore, the contact portion between the transfer roller 12 and the ink supply piece 15 is fixed, and the ink is continuously applied only to this contact portion. Is supplied, a partial over-replenishment occurs. If the ink is partially replenished to the transfer roller 12, the ink is supplied to the ink ribbon 2 during the printing operation in a state where the ink transfer amount is partially too large, and the printing density is extremely high. This may be a factor in deteriorating the print quality, for example, causing a portion.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide a ribbon cassette capable of preventing a partial oversupply of ink to a transfer roller and performing a printing operation without causing uneven printing density.

[0008]

According to the first aspect of the present invention,
In a ribbon cassette for transferring ink impregnated in an ink impregnating body for ink supply to the ink ribbon via a transfer roller disposed in a travel path of an endless ink ribbon, when the ink ribbon runs and stops running The ink impregnated member and the transfer roller are brought into contact with each other when the ink ribbon runs, and the ink impregnated member and the transfer roller are brought into a non-contact state when the ink ribbon stops moving based on the change in tension between the time and the time. I tried to make it.

During printing, the ink ribbon is wound and travels, so that the ink ribbon is in a stretched state, and the tension of the ink ribbon acts on the transfer roller disposed in the travel path, so that the ink ribbon travels. Accordingly, the transfer roller also rotates. On the other hand, when printing is stopped, the running of the ink ribbon is also stopped, so the tension of the ink ribbon is released,
It has some looseness due to the elongation of the ribbon fabric itself. That is, since the tension state of the ink ribbon greatly changes between traveling and when the traveling is stopped, the ink impregnated member and the transfer roller are rotated by bringing the ink impregnated member into contact with the transfer roller during traveling of the ink ribbon based on the change in the tension. Ink can be replenished to the transfer roller, and the ink impregnated body and the transfer roller are kept out of contact with each other when the ink ribbon stops running. There is no.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a ribbon cassette for transferring ink impregnated in an ink impregnating body for replenishing ink to the ink ribbon via a transfer roller disposed in a traveling path of an endless ink ribbon. In the above, the separation member which is capable of moving forward and backward with a stroke penetrating between the contact portion between the ink impregnated body and the transfer roller, and the tension is applied to a position where the tension is applied when the ink ribbon travels. And a biasing means for urging the separation member in a forward direction in which the separation member enters between the contact portions with a force weaker than a tension during traveling of the ink ribbon. Equipped.

The separation member is urged by an urging means with a weak force in an advancing direction in which the separation member enters the contact portion between the ink impregnated member and the transfer roller. Since the ink impregnated member and the transfer roller are brought into a non-contact state by the interposed separating member, the transfer roller in the rotation stopped state is not partially replenished with the ink. On the other hand, at the time of printing in which the tension of the ink ribbon accompanying the ribbon feed is applied, the tension acting portion receives this tension, so that the separation member retreats from the contact portion against the urging force of the urging means, and the ink impregnated body is removed. Since the transfer roller is brought into contact with the transfer roller, ink can be supplied to the rotating transfer roller.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a ribbon cassette for transferring ink impregnated in an ink impregnating body for replenishing ink to the ink ribbon via a transfer roller disposed in a traveling path of an endless ink ribbon. A holding mechanism that holds the ink impregnated body so as to be able to freely contact and separate from the transfer roller, and a position where a tension is applied when the ink ribbon travels and the ink impregnated body is actuated when the tension is applied. And a biasing means for biasing the ink impregnated body in a direction away from the transfer roller with a force weaker than a tension during traveling of the ink ribbon.

The ink impregnated body which can come into contact with and separate from the transfer roller is urged by an urging means with a small force in a direction away from the transfer roller. Since the ink impregnated body is not in contact with the roller, the transfer roller in the rotation stopped state is not partially replenished with ink. On the other hand, at the time of printing in which the tension of the ink ribbon is
When the tension applying section receives this tension, the ink impregnated body is displaced so as to come into contact with the transfer roller against the urging force of the urging means, so that the ink can be supplied to the rotating transfer roller.

[0014]

FIG. 1 shows a first embodiment of the present invention.
A description will be given based on FIG. The same portions as those shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof is omitted (the same applies to the following embodiments). In the present embodiment, the transfer roller 12 rotatably held by the shaft 16
Is formed with a shaft hole 21 having a diameter larger than the diameter of the shaft 16, whereby the transfer roller 12 is loosely fitted to the shaft 16. Further, the transfer roller 12 and the ink supply piece 1
In the vicinity of 5, a separation plate 22 serving as a separation member is provided. The separation plate 22 is provided with a stroke such that the leading end can enter between contact portions 24 between the transfer roller 12 and the ink supply piece 15 by a guide support portion 23 formed in a part of the cassette case 1 so that the ink supply piece 15 Are provided so as to be able to advance and retreat in a direction along the line. A curved arm 25 serving as an urging means having an elastic deformation force for urging the separation plate 22 in the forward direction toward the contact portion 24 is integrally formed on the base side of the separation plate 22. ing. This curved arm 25
Is set to be smaller than the pull-out force of the ink ribbon 2 by the brake plate 17, that is, the tension generated when the ink ribbon 2 runs. Further, the separation plate 2
Numeral 2 is disposed across the travel path of the ink ribbon 2 from the brake plate 17 toward the transfer roller 12, and the intermediate portion of the separation plate 22 allows the ink ribbon 2 to pass through with sufficient margin to function as a tension applying section. A through hole 26 is formed. In order to insert the endless ink ribbon 2 into the through hole 26, a notch 27 is formed in the separation plate 22 to communicate from the leading end side to the through hole 26. The through hole 26 is a state in which the leading end side of the separation plate 22 is retracted from the contact portion 24 between the transfer roller 12 and the ink supply piece 15 when the ink ribbon 2 is stretched between the brake plate 17 and the transfer roller 12. It is formed in the position which becomes.

In such a configuration, when the ink ribbon 2 is stopped running such as when printing is stopped or the ribbon cassette is being stored, the winding force of the ribbon winding gear 7 does not act, and the ribbon winding gear 7 and the brake plate 17 are not actuated. In between, the ink ribbon 2 is somewhat slack due to the stretching force of the fabric itself of the ink ribbon 2 and the like.
The ink ribbon 2 is in a state where no tension is applied as in the case of traveling. Therefore, the tension from the ink ribbon 2 side does not act on the through hole 26 of the separation plate 22 traversed by the ink ribbon 2, and the elastic deformation force of the curved arm 25 as shown in FIG. As a result, the leading end of the separation plate 22 enters a state between the contact portions 24. Therefore, the transfer roller 12 is maintained in a non-contact state with the ink supply piece 15. In the advancing operation of the separation plate 22, the stopped transfer roller 12 is loosely fitted to the shaft 16 by the large-diameter shaft hole 21 and can be displaced in a direction to escape from the ink supply piece 15 side. The tip of 22 is easy to enter between the contact portions 24. As described above, when printing is stopped, the leading end of the separation plate 22 enters between the contact portions 24 to bring the transfer roller 12 and the ink supply piece 15 out of contact with each other. There is no partial oversupply of ink to 12. If the notch 27 is narrow in a state where the leading end of the separation plate 22 enters between the contact portions 24, ink is partially supplied from the ink supply piece 15 side to the transfer roller 12 side by capillary action. However, in the present embodiment, the notch 27 is formed wide as shown in FIG. 2, and there is no adverse effect due to the capillary phenomenon.

On the other hand, during the printing operation, the ribbon take-up gear 7 is driven to take up the ink ribbon 2. As a result, the ink ribbon 2 moves between the ribbon take-up gear 7 and the brake plate 17 (from the ribbon take-up gear 7 to the arms 6,5 to the transfer roller 1).
2 to the brake plate 17), the ink ribbon 2 is in a stretched state without slackening, and tension is applied to the ink ribbon 2;
Also rotate. At this time, the tension of the ink ribbon 2 is
2 acts on the through hole 26, but since this tension is stronger than the elastic deformation force of the curved arm portion 25, the separation plate 22 is connected to the brake plate 1 as shown in FIG.
7. The ink ribbon 2 is displaced between the transfer rollers 12 to a position where the ink ribbon 2 is in a linear state. At this position, the leading end of the separation plate 22 comes off from between the contact portions 24, so that the transfer roller 12 and the ink supply piece 15 come into contact with each other. Also in the retreat operation of the separation plate 22, the transfer roller 12 is loosely fitted to the shaft 16 by the large-diameter shaft hole 21, and the rotation direction of the transfer roller 12 is changed as shown in FIG. 22 acts in the direction of retreating, so that the retreat operation is reliably performed. During printing, the separation plate 22
Retreats from between the contact portions 24 and maintains the transfer roller 12 and the ink supply piece 15 in contact with each other, so that the rotating transfer roller 12 reliably supplies ink from the ink supply piece 15, Ink ribbon 2 by 12
The ink can be transferred onto it.

In the present embodiment, the transfer roller 12 is easily displaced by making the diameter of the shaft hole 21 larger than that of the shaft 16, but the transfer roller 12 side is fixed in position and generally deforms flexibly. The obtained ink supply piece 15 may be deformed by the separation plate 22 so as to be separated from the transfer roller 12 side. In addition, the curved arm portion 25 serving as the urging means and the through hole 26 serving as the tension acting portion are formed integrally with the separation plate 22, but need not necessarily be integrated.

FIGS. 3 and 4 show a second embodiment of the present invention.
It will be described based on. First, in the present embodiment, the transfer roller 12 side has a fixed position, and the ink ribbon 2 wound by the ribbon winding gear 7 is stretched over a wider area to apply tension. A spring brake plate 31 is attached to the ribbon outlet 32 of the ribbon storage 3. For this reason, the brake plate 17 is omitted, and the guide rib 18 is simply used as a guide.

On the other hand, the ink impregnated body 11 is unitized as an ink storage unit 33 and is attached so as to be freely rotatable. That is, the ink storage unit 33 is formed separately from the cassette case 1 and
, A storage case 34 and a storage lid 35, which are integrally provided with the ink supply piece 15, and the ink occluding body 14 stored in the storage case 34, and an axial center on each outer surface of the storage case 34 and the storage lid 35. Are formed so as to coincide with each other, and are formed by the cassette case 1 and support shafts 37a and 37b rotatably supported by support holes 36a and 36b on the lid 19 side. These support shafts 37a and 37b and support holes 36
The holding mechanisms a and 36b hold the ink storage unit 33 (therefore, the ink impregnated body 11) so as to be rotatable and displaceable. A substantially L-shaped arm portion 38 protruding toward the ribbon storage portion 3 is formed in a part of the storage case 34, and a pin 39 serving as a tension application portion is provided at a tip end of the arm portion 38. Is provided. The pin 39 is connected to the guide rib 18 from the ribbon outlet 32.
Between the ribbon outlet section 32 and the guide rib 18.
When the arm is in a stretched state, the arm 3 receives the tension.
The ink supply piece 15 is positioned so as to be in contact with the transfer roller 12 by displacing 8 in a clockwise direction about the support shafts 37a and 37b. A guide pin 40 is rotatably provided near the pin 39. The arm portion 38 is urged in a counterclockwise direction by a tension spring 41 serving as an urging means, that is, in a direction in which the ink supply piece 15 is separated from the transfer roller 12. The urging force of the tension spring 41 is set smaller than the pulling force of the ink ribbon 2 by the brake plate 31, that is, the tension generated when the ink ribbon 2 travels.

In such a configuration, when the running of the ink ribbon 2 is stopped, such as when printing is stopped or the ribbon cassette is being stored, the winding force of the ribbon winding gear 7 does not act, and the ribbon winding gear 7 and the brake plate 31 are not actuated. In between, the ink ribbon 2 is somewhat slack due to the stretching force of the fabric itself of the ink ribbon 2 and the like.
The ink ribbon 2 is in a state where no tension is applied as in the case of traveling. Therefore, no tension is applied to the pin 39 from the ink ribbon 2 side, and as shown in FIG. 4B, the arm portion 38 and, therefore, the entire ink storage unit 33 are supported by the support shaft 37a by the urging force of the tension spring 41. , 37b in the counterclockwise direction. Therefore, the ink supply piece 15 is maintained in a separated state in which the ink supply piece 15 is not in contact with the transfer roller 12. As described above, when printing is stopped, the ink supply piece 15 is separated from the transfer roller 12 so as not to be in contact with the transfer roller 12, so that the transfer roller 12 in the stopped state is partially replenished with ink. It will not be done.

On the other hand, during the printing operation, the ribbon take-up gear 7 is driven to take up the ink ribbon 2. As a result, the ink ribbon 2 moves between the ribbon take-up gear 7 and the brake plate 31 (from the ribbon take-up gear 7 to the arms 6,5 to the transfer roller 1).
2 to the guide ribs 18 to the brake plate 31), there is no slack and the tension is applied to the ink ribbon 2;
The transfer roller 12 also rotates. At this time, the tension of the ink ribbon 2 acts on the arm portion 38 at the pin 39 portion. However, since this tension is stronger than the urging force of the tension spring 41, as shown in FIG. The arm 38 (accordingly, the entire ink storage unit 33) is supported by the shafts 37a and 37 by the tension applied to the pin 39 from the ink ribbon 2.
Rotationally displaces clockwise about b. As a result, the ink supply piece 15 comes into contact with the transfer roller 12.
During printing, the ink storage unit 33
Since the whole is rotated and displaced based on the tension of the ink ribbon 2 and the ink supply piece 15 is kept in contact with the transfer roller 12, the ink supply from the ink supply piece 15 to the rotating transfer roller 12 is performed. Transfer roller 1
2 allows the ink to be transferred onto the ink ribbon 2.

In the present embodiment, the ink impregnated body 1
1. Although the ink storage unit 33 is integrally formed including the pin 39 serving as a tension acting part, the ink storage unit 33 is not necessarily integrated, and the essential point is that the ink supply piece of the ink impregnated body 11 follows the movement of the pin 39. Any structure may be used as long as 15 is in contact with or separated from the transfer roller 12.

[0023]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, the ink impregnated in the ink impregnating body for ink replenishment is transferred to the ink ribbon via the transfer roller disposed in the traveling path of the endless ink ribbon. The ribbon cassette
Utilizing the point where the tension greatly changes between when the ink ribbon is running and when the running is stopped, the ink impregnated body and the transfer roller are brought into contact with each other when the ink ribbon is running, but when the ink ribbon is stopped running, the ink impregnated body is transferred. Since the roller is brought into a non-contact state, the ink is supplied from the ink impregnated body side to the transfer roller side during the rotation of the transfer roller, so that the ink transfer to the ink ribbon can be performed evenly. In the state where the running of the roller is stopped, it is possible to prevent the transfer roller in the rotation stopped state from being partially replenished with the ink, thereby performing printing without uneven density.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, the separation member is provided with a stroke which enters between the contact portions between the ink impregnated member and the transfer roller and is capable of moving back and forth, and is provided at a position where a tension is applied when the ink ribbon travels. A tension acting portion for retracting the separation member from the contact portion when the tension is applied, and urging the separation member into the contact portion with a force weaker than the tension during travel of the ink ribbon. Since the urging means is provided, when printing is stopped, for example, when the tension of the ink ribbon does not act, the separating member enters into the contact portion with the urging force of the urging means to bring the ink impregnated member and the transfer roller into a non-contact state. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the ink from being partially replenished to the transfer roller in the rotation stopped state, and the tension applying section receives this tension during printing in which the tension of the ink ribbon accompanying the ribbon feeding is applied. This causes the separating member to retreat from the contact portion against the urging force of the urging means, thereby bringing the ink impregnated body and the transfer roller into contact with each other. Ink can be supplied to the side to transfer the ink to the ink ribbon evenly.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, the holding mechanism for holding the ink impregnated body so as to be able to contact and separate from the transfer roller, and the ink ribbon is located at the position where the tension is applied when the ink ribbon runs, and the tension is reduced. A tension acting portion for displacing the ink impregnated body so as to contact the transfer roller when actuated; and a biasing means for biasing the ink impregnated body in a direction away from the transfer roller with a force smaller than the tension during traveling of the ink ribbon. Since the ink impregnated body is separated from the transfer roller in a non-contact state by the urging force of the urging means when printing is stopped, etc., where the tension of the ink ribbon does not act, ink is transferred to the transfer roller in the rotation stopped state. Partial oversupply can be prevented, and during printing when the tension of the ink ribbon accompanying the ribbon feed acts, the tension acting portion receives this tension to resist the urging force of the urging means. The displacement is allowed to contact the ink absorbing member to the transfer roller, during rotation of the transfer roller can be performed evenly the ink transfer to the ink ribbon ink is supplied to the transfer roller side from the ink-impregnated body side.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 shows a main part of a first embodiment of the present invention,
(A) is a plan view in a state during traveling, and (b) is a plan view in a state when traveling is stopped.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a separation plate.

FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view showing a second embodiment of the present invention.

4 (a) is a plan view of a state during traveling, and FIG. 4 (b) is a plan view of a state when traveling is stopped.

FIG. 5 is a plan view showing a conventional example.

FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view thereof.

[Explanation of symbols]

 2 Ink Ribbon 10 Ink Impregnated Body 12 Transfer Roller 22 Separation Member 24 Contact Part 25 Biasing Means 26 Tension Working Section 39 Tension Working Section 41 Biasing Means

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A ribbon cassette for transferring ink impregnated in an ink impregnating body for ink supply to the ink ribbon via a transfer roller disposed in a traveling path of an endless ink ribbon, wherein Based on the change in the tension between when the running and when the running is stopped, the ink impregnated body and the transfer roller are brought into contact with each other when the ink ribbon runs, and when the ink ribbon is stopped, the ink impregnated body and the transfer roller are moved. Characterized in that the ribbon cassette is brought into a non-contact state. 2. A ribbon cassette for transferring ink impregnated in an ink impregnating body for replenishing ink to the ink ribbon via a transfer roller disposed in a traveling path of an endless ink ribbon, wherein the ink impregnating body is provided. And a separation member which is capable of moving forward and backward with a stroke entering between the contact portions of the ink roller and the transfer roller, and the separation member is located at a position where tension is applied when the ink ribbon travels and the separation member is actuated when the tension is applied. A tension acting portion for retreating from the contact portion, and urging means for urging the separation member in an advance direction in which the separation member enters the contact portion with a force weaker than a tension during traveling of the ink ribbon. Ribbon cassette. 3. A ribbon cassette for transferring ink impregnated in an ink impregnating body for ink replenishment to the ink ribbon via a transfer roller disposed in a traveling path of an endless ink ribbon, wherein the ink impregnating body is provided. And a holding mechanism for holding the ink ribbon so as to be able to freely contact and separate from the transfer roller, and contacting the ink-impregnated body with the transfer roller when the tension is applied when the ink ribbon travels. And a biasing means for biasing the ink-impregnated body in a direction away from the transfer roller with a force weaker than the tension during travel of the ink ribbon. .