JPH1016270A - Thermal head, manufacture thereof and thermal printer employing it - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To realize a high print quality by defining the position of a heating element in a glaze layer strictly for the outline dimensions thereof. SOLUTION: Deviation of the top line of a planar substrate 31 is checked by means of a θ table 81 and a viewer 82. When the deviation of the top line is within a preset distance between electrode layers, the planar substrate 31 is accepted and employed in the assembling. A mask for forming the electrode layer is then positioned such that the center line thereof matches with a maximum load line along the actual top line of the glaze layer in the planar substrate 31 thus forming an electrode layer. A paper is printed, at first, with a head where the center line between electrode layers is located within one half of the distance between electrode layers for the maximum load line and subsequently printed with heads where the center line between electrode layers is located within one half of the distance between electrode layers for the maximum load line.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a thermal head unit for transferring ink on an ink ribbon to a print medium, a thermal head unit assembling jig, and a thermal printer using the thermal head unit.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art FIG. 26 is a sectional front view showing a conventional four-head type thermal print head disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. Sho 59-188452. The thermal print head unit has print units 101, 102, 103 for yellow, magenta, cyan, and black, respectively.
104 are sequentially arranged on a straight transport path 105 of the sheet.

For example, a print unit 1 for yellow
Reference numeral 01 denotes a yellow ink ribbon containing yellow ink on a heating surface of a thermal line head 101-1 and a heating resistor forming the thermal line head 101-1.
An ink ribbon mechanism provided with a spool 101-3 for supplying 01-2, and a roller 101-4 for rolling pressure are provided. The other print units 102 to 104 have exactly the same structure except that the colors of the ink ribbons used are magenta, cyan, and black. Therefore, the description is omitted here. The paper 106 is transported by the feeder roller 107 in the direction from the print unit 101 for yellow to the print unit 104 for black.
5, for example, each printing unit 101-1
At 04, the ink ribbon passes between the ink ribbons 101-2 to 104-2 and the spools 101-3 to 104-3.

At the time of printing, the paper 106 is moved from the print unit 101 for yellow to the print unit 10 for black.
First, the yellow print unit 1
01, yellow printing is performed, and the printing of each color is sequentially superimposed in synchronization when the printed portion comes to the heating surface of each of the thermal line heads 102-1 to 104-1 of the other printing units 102 to 104. Do it. At this time, the inks overlap and mix colors to perform printing of a predetermined hue. As described above, in the thermal transfer type color recording method of the 3-4 head type having one thermal line head for each color, a single thermal head superimposes a plurality of colors for each color printing. Compared with the paper, the paper 106 does not reciprocate repeatedly, so that high-speed printing is possible. By the way, in a thermal transfer printer, the print quality can be improved by appropriately setting the contact position (contact state) between the print medium and the heating resistor.

FIG. 27 is an enlarged side view of a principal part showing a pressing contact state between an end face type thermal head, a recording medium and a rotating roller at the time of recording of a thermal recording apparatus disclosed in JP-A-61-10468. . The end-face type thermal head of this printer has a heating resistor 1 from a vertex of an end face having a curvature.
The center of the recording medium 11 is located at the supply side of the recording medium. When the rotating roller is rotated in the direction of the arrow, the center of the pressure action between the end face type thermal head and the rotating roller moves to the recording medium supply side, and the pressing force effectively acts on the heating resistor, thereby generating the heating resistance. The heat of the body works efficiently and the print quality is improved.

FIG. 28 is a sectional view showing a thermal head disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 57-103863. In this thermal head, the formation position of the heating element 112 is shifted from the center of the convex region to the "deflection phenomenon", thereby exhibiting an excellent effect in improving printing quality by increasing printing efficiency. Is described. The arrow P in the drawing indicates the printing direction (the direction of conveyance of the recording medium is reversed). However, FIG.
In a thermal transfer type color printer of the 3-4 head type as shown in FIG. 6, a thermal head having excellent thermal responsiveness is required in order to convey paper in a straight line and perform color printing at high speed. In the case of high-speed printing, it is necessary to shorten the drive cycle of energizing the thermal head, and make the temperature rising and falling speeds of the head follow this drive cycle. The glaze layer formed below the heating resistor has a great effect on the temperature rising rate and the temperature decreasing rate. If the thickness of the glaze layer is too small, the heat radiation effect is increased and the rate of temperature rise of the head is reduced. Conversely, if the thickness of the glaze layer is too large, the heat radiation effect will be low, and the temperature drop rate will be low. The rate of temperature rise can be improved by increasing the electric energy applied to the heating resistor, but the rate of temperature decrease is generally adjusted by adjusting the thickness of the glaze layer. Becomes

Incidentally, the shape of the glaze layer having a curved surface is often used. This is to reduce the contact area of the heating resistor formed on the surface of the glaze layer with the ink ribbon and the print medium, increase the surface pressure, and improve the printing quality. Therefore, the smaller the radius of curvature of this curved surface, the greater this effect. However, when the radius of curvature is reduced, the thickness of the glaze layer increases, and the temperature drop rate of the head decreases. As a method of improving the decrease in the temperature drop rate of the head, there is a method of narrowing (shortening) the width (length) of the glaze layer and reducing the thickness of the glaze layer. In the case of the end face type thermal head as shown in FIG. 27, in order to reduce the width of the glaze layer, the thickness of the flat substrate on which the glaze layer is formed must be reduced in manufacturing. However, when the thickness of the substrate is reduced, the strength of the substrate is reduced, so that the cost of the thermal head is increased, and the handling of the thermal head becomes difficult.

[0008] Therefore, a thermal head in which a slope (in a chamfered shape) is formed at one corner of an end surface of a flat substrate and a glaze layer having a curved surface is formed on the slope is known as a corner type thermal head. In such a corner-type thermal head, the width of the glaze layer can be adjusted by adjusting the width of the slope, regardless of the thickness of the substrate. Can be formed.

[0009]

However, in the glaze layer having a small radius of curvature of the curved surface, the contact area is small, the pressure distribution is steep, and the thickness of the glaze layer is small. The distribution also becomes steep. Therefore, in order to obtain high print quality, the contact position relationship between the heating resistor and the ink ribbon and the printing medium must be strictly controlled so that the heat action of the heating resistor accurately acts on the ink ribbon and the printing medium. Must.

For this purpose, it is necessary to optimally arrange the positions of the heating resistors in the glaze layer. In particular, high-speed thermal transfer color printers not only print at high speed, but also transfer ink onto ink, so printing conditions must be more strictly controlled. Need to be more strictly managed. However, in conventional examples such as JP-A-61-10468 and JP-A-57-103863, it is disclosed that the end face is shifted from the vertex, but the shift amount is different from the shape and size of the glaze layer. Is not clearly defined. Therefore, in a high-speed thermal transfer type color printer, the conventional technology is insufficient for practical implementation, and it is necessary to strictly define the position of the heating resistor in the glaze layer with respect to the shape and size of the glaze layer. is there.

Therefore, the present invention enables a precise definition of the position of the heating resistor in the glaze layer with respect to the shape and size of the glaze layer, and ensures a high printing quality and a thermal head. An object of the present invention is to provide a method of manufacturing a thermal head and a thermal printer using the thermal head.

[0012]

The invention corresponding to claim 1 is:
A flat rectangular substrate, a chamfered slope formed at one end of the rectangular substrate, an insulating layer having a predetermined curved surface formed on the slope, and an insulating layer on the insulating layer. A plurality of pairs of electrodes arranged at a predetermined distance apart in the inclination direction of the slope are arranged, a heating resistor connected between each of the pair of electrodes is provided, and a platen or a print medium is first provided. The width of deflection of the top line of the curved surface of the insulating layer that is in contact is smaller than the distance between the electrodes, and the center line between the electrodes is between the electrodes on both sides of the maximum load line of the assumed pressure action of the curved surface of the insulating layer. It is located within a range of less than half of the distance.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the thermal printer using the thermal head according to the first aspect, when the thermal head is pressed into contact with a stationary platen, the curved surface of the insulating layer of the thermal head has a platen or a curved surface. The distance between the electrodes of the thermal head is within one-half the distance between the electrodes of the thermal head on both sides of the maximum load line of the pressure action that shifts to the supply side of the print medium with respect to the top line that first contacts the print medium. The thermal head is mounted so that the center line of the head is positioned.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a thermal printer according to the second aspect, wherein a plurality of the thermal heads according to the first aspect are arranged in series along a transport path of a print medium. The thermal head used for the second and subsequent overprints should be less than the displacement of the center line between the electrodes with respect to the maximum load line of the pressure action of the insulating layer of the head. The one in which the shift amount of the center line between the electrodes is small is arranged.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a thermal printer according to the second aspect, wherein a plurality of the thermal heads according to the first aspect are arranged in series along a transport path of the print medium. In accordance with the order of printing, the thermal heads are arranged in ascending order of the displacement of the center line between the electrodes with respect to the maximum load line of the pressure action of the insulating layer, in ascending order.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a first stage head comprising an insulating layer having a predetermined curved surface formed on a chamfered slope formed at one end of a flat rectangular substrate. In a method of manufacturing a thermal head for forming a heating resistor in a unit, a curved line of an insulating layer is irradiated with light from a predetermined direction, and a peak line confirming step of confirming a peak line by reflected light from the curved surface of the insulating layer; Based on the top line swing confirmed in the confirmed top line confirmation process, the deviation between the center line between the electrodes and the top line becomes equal to the center line of the top line swing before and after in the paper transport direction. A mask exposure for forming an electrode by positioning and exposing a center line of a mask for forming an electrode at a position shifted by a shift amount from a top line in an insulating layer estimated in advance to a maximum load line of pressure action. Process

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the fifth aspect of the invention, in the mask exposure step, the center line of the mask is positioned so as to pass through a point substantially at the center of the top line. According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the invention according to the fifth aspect, in the mask exposure step, the center line of the mask is positioned so as to pass through two predetermined top lines.

[0018]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a schematic main part configuration of a color printer to which the present invention is applied and which prints by superimposing and printing four colors of black (K), magenta (M), cyan (C), and yellow (Y). . Thermal head 1 for K, thermal head 2 for M, thermal head 3 for C, Y
The thermal head 4 is composed of a plurality of heat-generating resistors and a rectangular parallelepiped.
An end face thermal line head arranged in a line on an end face having an inch length, having a resolution of 12 dots / mm, a load per unit length (unit area) in the main scanning direction of 0.4 kg / cm, and a paper transport path. 5 are arranged in series in order. The distance between these thermal heads 1 to 4 is 100
mm.

The K thermal head 1 to the Y thermal head 4 have a K platen 6 to a Y platen 9 facing each other, and ribbon magazines 10 to 13 are detachably set. It has become so. Each of the ribbon magazines 10 to 13 has a feed roller 10-1 around which an unused ink ribbon is wound.
13-1 and take-up rollers 10-2 to 13-2 on which the used ink ribbon is wound. Each of these ribbon magazines 10 to 13 has a black (
A black ink ribbon, a magenta ink ribbon, a cyan ink ribbon, and a yellow ink ribbon are set, and these ink ribbons are supplied from the ribbon magazines 10 to 13 to the thermal heads 1 to 4, respectively.

The K thermal head 1 in the transport path 5
A paper transport roller 14 for controlling the transport speed of the paper and an auxiliary roller 15 provided opposite to the paper transport roller 14 are arranged on the paper supply side at the position where the paper is transported. The paper transport roller 14 and the K
A sensor unit 16 including a gap sensor for detecting a gap between labels on a sheet and a marker sensor for detecting a mark printed on the sheet is disposed on the transport path 5 between the thermal head 1 and the paper. Further, a paper end sensor 17 composed of an optical transmission sensor for detecting the end of the paper is disposed near the paper supply port 5-1 of the transport path 5 on the paper supply side of the paper transport roller 14. Have been.

A paper holder 18 is fixed outside the paper supply port 5-1 of the transport path 5, and a long paper 19 is wound and set on the paper holder 18.
On the opposite side of the paper feed port 5-1 of the transport path 5, a paper discharge port 5-2 for discharging printed paper is formed. Therefore, the ink ribbons from the ribbon magazines 10 to 13 and the paper 19 from the paper holder 18 are transported at a constant speed between the thermal heads 1 to 4 and the platens 6 to 9. That is, in this color printer, black, magenta, cyan,
Desired images are formed in the order of yellow.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a circuit configuration of a main part for controlling the thermal heads 1 to 4 of the color printer. Reference numeral 21 denotes a central control unit that constitutes a control unit main body, and includes a CPU (central processing unit) and a ROM (read o
nly memory), RAM (random access memory) and the like. The K thermal head controller 22 for controlling the K thermal head 1, the M thermal head controller 23 for controlling the M thermal head 2, and the C thermal head according to the control signal from the central controller 21. A thermal head control unit 24 for C controls the thermal head 3 and a thermal head control unit 25 for Y controls the thermal head 4 for Y.

Each of the thermal head controllers 22 to 25
Controls the duty ratio of the drive pulse supplied to each of the thermal heads 1 to 4 or controls the voltage of the drive current in accordance with a control signal from the central control unit 21. Further, the M thermal head controller 23
Is the ON pulse width (or drive voltage) of the drive pulse for the M thermal head 2, and the K thermal head controller 22 is the ON pulse width (or drive voltage) of the drive pulse supplied to the K thermal head 1. Voltage). Similarly, the C thermal head control unit 24 and the Y thermal head control unit 25 control the ON pulse width (or the voltage of the drive current) of the drive pulse of the corresponding thermal heads 3 and 4, respectively.

FIG. 3A is a cross-sectional view showing a schematic configuration of a main part of a tip portion of each of the thermal heads (corner type thermal line heads) 1 to 4. FIG. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a schematic configuration of a main part of a heating element formed in a part of the part. An inclined surface 31-3 is formed between a main surface 31-1 and an end surface 31-2 of a flat substrate 31 formed of a material such as alumina. The width t of the slope 31-3 is
0.4 mm.

A radius of curvature of 0.5 m is provided on the slope 31-3.
m, a glass glaze layer 32 as an insulating layer having a thickness of 5 to 50 μm. This glass glaze layer 32
On the top (apex), a heating resistor layer 33 made of Ta-SiO ₂ or the like, an electrode layer 34 made of Al or the like is formed by a vacuum thin film forming method typified by a sputtering method or a vacuum evaporation method.
A heating element 36 is formed by forming a protective layer 35 made of Si ₃ N ₄ or SiC.

A driving IC (
A circuit such as an integrated circuit is, for example, the main surface 3.
1-1 and is connected to the electrode layer 34.
Therefore, the paper can be transported linearly while being in contact with the heating elements 36 (glass glaze layer 32) of the thermal heads 1 to 4. Further, the distance from the time when the ink ribbon is heated to the time when the ink ribbon is separated from the recording medium can be shortened.

FIG. 4 is a view showing a printing surface of each of the thermal heads 1 to 4. The heating resistor layer 33 and the pair of electrode layers 34 opposed to each other are arranged in parallel so that the heating elements 36 are arranged in a line corresponding to each pixel. Here, the distance between each of the electrode layers 34 (the length of the heating element) is L.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view (b) showing the actual configuration of the heating element formed at a part of the tip of each of the thermal heads (corner-type thermal line heads) 1-4 at the actual print medium supply side. ) And a top view (a) showing a positional relationship in this cross-sectional view. The arrow P in the figure indicates the transport direction of the print medium, and FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view (b) showing the configuration of the print medium discharge side limit and a top view (a) showing the positional relationship in this cross-sectional view. It is. Incidentally, the diameter of each of the platens 6 to 9 is 50 mm.

The vertex S in the drawing is actually a continuous top line in the main scanning direction, but when the platens 6 to 9 are stopped rotating, the thermal heads 1 to 4 are moved to the up position. (The point where the thermal head and the platen are separated from each other) to the down position (the contact position where the thermal head is pressed against the platen) and the point where the thermal head first comes into contact with each of the platens 6 to 9 when pressed. (Line).
Here, when the platens 6 to 9 are actually rotated to supply the print medium and the ink ribbon, the pressure distribution near the heating element 36 of the thermal heads 1 to 4 is examined. (Actually, a maximum pressure load line continuous in the main scanning direction) is located at a position shifted by about 10 μm in the supply direction of the printing medium and the ink ribbon. In addition,
The maximum pressure load point was applied to the head surface with oil-based ink, and the thermal head and the platen were slid via the print medium and the ink ribbon in the same manner as in normal printing, and set as the center line of the strip of oil-based ink. It is obtained by a simple method.

At this time, the center (center line) of the heating element 36 is, that is, the center (center line) between the electrode layers 34.
Is, as shown in FIG. 5, from a position shifted from the maximum pressure load point G by 1/2 of the electrode interlayer distance L to the print medium supply side.
As shown in FIG. 6, the first condition (definition) for realizing high print quality is that the print medium is within a range up to a position shifted by half of the electrode interlayer distance L to the print medium discharge side.

Further, the above-mentioned definition is based on the platens 6 to
9 is rewritten based on the top line S that first comes into contact with FIG.
As shown in FIG. 6, from the position shifted from the distance (10 μm + (L / 2)) obtained by adding の of the electrode interlayer distance L to the distance of 10 μm from the vertex S to the printing medium supply side to the maximum pressure load point G. As shown in (2), the distance from the printing medium discharge side to a position shifted by a distance ((L / 2) −10 μm) obtained by subtracting a distance of 10 μm from the half of the electrode interlayer distance L to the maximum pressure load point G. That is. Incidentally, as shown in FIG. 7, the top line T of the glass glaze layer 32 is ideally a straight line as shown by a dotted line R, and is formed parallel to the slope and the tip side of the flat substrate 31. Is required in order to achieve high printing quality, but actually it slightly meanders as shown by the solid line. In this color printer,
As shown in FIG. 8, a top line T of the glass glaze layer 32 is formed.
A thermal head having a swing (meandering) width B of less than the distance L between the electrode layers 34 is used, and a thermal head having a top line swing width B of L or more is not used. The electrode layer 34 is formed such that the center line S between the electrode layers 34 approaches the meandering top line T of the glass glaze layer 32 as shown in FIG. .

FIG. 9 is a front view showing a schematic configuration of a head block centering on the thermal head 1 for K, and FIG. 10 is a side view showing a schematic configuration of the head block. The other thermal heads 2 to
The head block centered on 4 has the same configuration, and the description thereof is omitted here.

In the thermal head 1 for K, a heat radiating plate 41 made of aluminum is attached to the flat substrate 31, and a head positioning plate 42 and a head pressing plate 43 as head side positioning members are attached to the heat radiating plate 41. To form a head unit. The flat substrate 31
Is mounted on the lower slope of the radiator plate 41, the head positioning plate 42 is provided on both side surfaces of the radiator plate 41, and the head pressing plate 43 is provided on the upper surface of the radiator plate 41.

A fitting hole is formed in the head pressure plate 43 so that a head pressure shaft 44 of a color printer is fitted. The head pressing shaft 44 is housed in a U-shaped shaft receiving portion formed at the tip of the head pressing arm 45 and opened at the top, and is always housed in the shaft receiving portion. A head pressing spring 46 for pressing the head in the direction of the K thermal head 1 (downward in FIGS. 9 and 10) is attached to the lower surface of the head pressing arm 45 by welding (spot welding) or the like.

Therefore, the head pressure shaft 44 is
The head pressure arm 45 is rotatably supported on the shaft receiving portion of the head pressure arm 45 by the head pressure spring 46 without play.

The head pressure arm 45 is rotatably supported by a head frame 48 by a head pressure arm rotation shaft 47, and the head pressure arm rotation shaft 47.
Is fixed at one end of a first torsion spring 49 attached thereto. This first torsion spring 49
The other end of the main frame 5 of the head frame 48
It is fixed to a first head side frame 51 provided on the 0 side (the left side in FIG. 10).

Accordingly, the head pressure arm 45 is always urged by the first torsion spring 49 in a direction (upward) to rotate counterclockwise about the head pressure arm rotation shaft 47. Is done. The head frame 48 is formed in a substantially H-shape by extruding an aluminum material or the like, and its upper end serves as a guide when the ink ribbon magazine 10 is mounted, and its upper surface is indicated by a dotted line. A fan or the like for cooling the thermal head can be attached at the position.

A head pressing cam 52 is in contact with the upper surface of the head pressing arm 45, and the head pressing cam 52 is fixed to a head release shaft 53. To rotate the head pressing arm 45 to the platen 6.
Or moved in a direction away from the platen 6. A stopper 54 is formed on the lower surface of the head pressing arm 45 to limit the elevation of the upper surface of the K thermal head 1 on the main frame 50 side. That is, when the head is released by the head release shaft 53, the K thermal head 1 is supported only by the head pressure shaft 44, so that the K thermal head 1 is raised while maintaining a substantially horizontal state. 45 is the head pressing arm rotating shaft 47
The stopper 54 comes into contact with the K thermal head 1, and the main frame 50 side of the K thermal head 1 faces the platen 6.
, The opposite side of the main frame 50 of the K thermal head 1 is further separated from the platen 6,
The K thermal head 1 is opened and inclined in a direction in which the ink ribbon magazine 10 is inserted.

One end of the head release shaft 53 is rotatably supported by the first head side frame 51, and the other end is provided on a side of the head frame 48 opposite to the main frame 50. Is rotatably supported by the head side frame 55, and a head release lever 56 is further protruded and attached to the end thereof.

The first side frame 51 includes a head block mounting member 5 rotatably supported by a fulcrum shaft 57.
8 is fixed. One end of a second torsion spring 59 mounted on the fulcrum shaft 57 is fixed to the head head block mounting member 58. The other end of the second torsion spring 59 is fixed to the main frame 50. Although not shown,
The head block mounting member 58 is provided with a damper so that the rotation speed of the head block is limited so that a smooth movement can be obtained. Therefore,
By the second torsion spring 59, the head block mounting member 58, that is, the head block,
It is always urged in a direction (upward) to rotate counterclockwise about the fulcrum shaft 57.

The plunger 6 of the solenoid 60 fixed to the main frame 50 via a mounting member (not shown)
1, one end of a ribbon save plate 62 is slidably attached. A substantially center of the ribbon save plate 62 is rotatably provided on the head frame 48 via a ribbon save shaft 63, and the other end is provided. , The head pressure shaft 44
Is in contact with the bottom. Therefore, when the plunger 61 is pulled into the solenoid 60, the other end of the ribbon save plate 62 turns counterclockwise (turns upward) to push up the head pressure shaft 44, The thermal head 25 is made to float from the platen 6.

The one end of the ribbon save plate 62 attached to the plunger 61 is formed in an arc shape so that the head block does not come off even when the head block rotates about the fulcrum shaft 57.

The main frame 50 is provided with a magnet 64 at a position corresponding to the lowermost position of the first head side frame 51 when the head block is located at the closed position (lowermost position). Magnet 6
4, the head block 7 is held at the closed position. Further, the first head side frame 51 is formed with a vertically long elliptical head positioning hole 65 for positioning the head block 7 in the transport direction, and a head positioning pin that fits into the head positioning hole 65 is formed. 66 is provided on the main frame 50.

On the other hand, one end of the platen 6 is rotatably supported by the main frame 50, and the other end is open at the top of a side frame 67 positioned with high accuracy to the main frame 50. While being accommodated in the groove, the other end of the other end is rotatably supported by a platen frame 68 positioned with high precision by pins and fitting holes in the side frame 67. The main frame 50 and the platen frame 6
8 is formed of the same punched material. Therefore,
The main frame 50 and the platen frame 68 are positioned with respect to each other via the side frame 67, and the platens 6 are set at the same height and in parallel with each other.

The head positioning plate 42 attached to both sides of the heat radiating plate 41 of the K thermal head 1 is formed with a fitting groove 42-1 which is opened downward. A head positioning pin 69 accommodated in the groove fitting groove 42-1 is provided on the main frame 50 and the platen frame 68. In addition, the main frame 50 includes the ink ribbon magazine 10.
A magazine positioning pin 70 for positioning is provided. In the second head side frame 55, a head magazine positioning hole 71 for positioning with the ink ribbon magazine 10 is formed.
The platen frame 68 is provided with a platen magazine positioning pin 72 for positioning with the ink ribbon magazine 10.

9 and 10, the head pressure plate 4
FIG. 11 is a structural view when the heat-dissipating plate 3 is directly fixed to the heat radiating plate 41, but the present invention is not limited to this. As shown in the front view showing the configuration and the side view showing the schematic configuration of the head block in FIG. 12, the head pressing plate 43 is not fixed to the heat radiating plate 41, and the head positioning plate 42 is formed in an L-shape. The head pressing plate 43 may be fixed to the head positioning plate 42. Note that the heat sink 4 shown in FIGS.
1, the head positioning plate 42, the head pressing plate 43
11 and 12, the heat radiating plate 41, the head positioning plate 42, and the head pressing plate 43 are different in shape, but have the same function and action, and the head positioning plate 42 Since it serves as a reference, confusion does not cause a problem, and the same reference numerals are given so as to be able to explain without distinction.

In this embodiment having such a configuration, first, various parts are sorted into acceptable products and rejected products based on a predetermined dimensional standard. In particular, with respect to the flat substrate 31, the top line is observed and the top line swings (meandering).
) Of which the width B is less than the distance L between the electrode layers 34 is regarded as a pass product, and is used for assembling the head unit below, and the width B of the top line is greater than or equal to the predetermined distance L between the electrode layers 34. The rejected product is not used for assembling the following head unit. Further, the passed flat substrates 31 are sorted into those having a top line deflection width B of 30 μm or less and those having a width B of 30 μm or more. This flat substrate 3 within 30 μm
1, the parallelism with respect to the main scanning direction is
1 are sorted into those having a size of 20 μm or less at both ends and those having a size larger than 20 μm. When the sorting of the acceptable parts and the unacceptable parts is completed, the radiating plate 41 is placed on the flat substrate 31.
Is attached by an adhesive or the like, and the head first stage unit is assembled.

Next, a step of forming the electrode layer 34 is performed. For this purpose, FIG. 13 shows an apparatus for positioning a mask for forming the electrode layer 34 on the glass glaze layer 32 formed on the slope of the flat substrate 31 with respect to the glass glaze layer 32.
A head first-stage unit in which a radiator plate 41 is temporarily attached to the flat substrate 31 as a fixing base is provided on the upper surface of the radiator plate 41 (
It is mounted on the installation table 81-1 on the θ table 81 with the surface on which the head pressure plate 43 is mounted in a later assembly) down.
Therefore, the glass glaze layer 32 formed on the slope of the flat substrate 31 faces upward. This θ table 81
Is adapted to rotate around the installation table 81-1 about a predetermined center point (center line). The height of the mounting table 81-1 is designed such that the center point of this rotation coincides with the center (center line) of the curved surface of the glass glaze layer 32 of the flat substrate 31 on the mounting table 81-1. .

An observation device 82 is disposed above a center line in a direction orthogonal to the rotation direction of the θ table 81. The observation device 82 is perpendicular to the head first stage unit mounted on the θ table 81. Is irradiated with light, and the reflected light is observed. A mask 8 for forming the electrode layer 34 between the observation device 82 and the head first stage unit.
3 are arranged. The observation device 82 may be capable of observing the entire glass glaze layer of the flat substrate 31 of the head first unit placed on the setting table 81-1 of the θ table, or may be a device capable of observing a predetermined number of locations. (Including one place)
Can be observed.

FIG. 14 is a diagram showing the positional relationship among the glass glaze layer 32 formed on the inclined surface of the flat substrate 31 above the first stage unit of the head, the mask 83, and the observation device 82. Since the surface of the glass glaze layer 32 has a curved surface, the surface portion (linear portion) of the glass glaze layer 32 that reflects light emitted from the observation device 82 vertically to the observation device 82 is in an inclined state. The top line. That is, when the observation apparatus 82 observes the glass glaze layer 32 of the head first stage unit, the top line of the glass glaze layer 32 can be confirmed as a line having particularly strong reflected light.

Then, the inclination of the head first-stage unit (glass glaze layer 32) is adjusted by the θ table 81 so that the top line of the glass glaze layer 32 is just at the center of the slope of the flat substrate 31 or as shown in FIG. Upstream side (Fig. 14
Adjust so that the position is shifted by 10 μm to the center left side (imaginary maximum load line position). With this inclination, the observation device 8
2 while observing with the mask 2, the mask 8 is moved closer to the top line, which is the portion where the reflected light from the glass glaze layer 32 is strong.
The center line of 3 is aligned, and a mark for positioning is placed on the glass glaze layer 32 (head first stage unit) or the mask 83 so that this state can be reproduced.

An exposing device for forming the electrode layer 34, the glass glaze layer 32 and the mask 83 based on the mark described above.
Is reproduced, and the electrode layer 34 is formed using a mask. Then, the electrode layer 34 is formed such that the center line between the electrode layers 34 approaches the top line of the glass glaze layer 32. Thereafter, the protective layer 35 is formed, and the process of manufacturing the thermal head ends.

A method of aligning the center line of the mask 83 so as to asymptotically approach the top line, which is the portion where the reflected light from the glass glaze layer 32 is strong, is as follows. In addition, when the parallelism in the main scanning direction is within 20 μm at both ends of the flat substrate 31, the center line of the mask is aligned so as to pass through one point at the center of the vertical line, and Is less than 30 μm, but if the parallelism in the main scanning direction is larger than 20 μm at both ends of the flat substrate 31, pass through two appropriately selected points on the top line, or move the entire area of the top line. Observe and align the center line of the mask. The flat substrate 31
If the width of the top line is larger than 30 μm, the center line of the mask should be aligned through two or more appropriately selected points on the top line or by observing the entire area of the top line. In the subsequent steps, the shake must be corrected, so that various adjustments need to be made while paying attention to that point.

Next, a head unit assembling process is started. Next, a process for assembling the head second stage unit by attaching the head positioning plate 42 to the head first stage unit in which the heat dissipation plate 41 is attached to the flat substrate 31 is started. A head unit assembling jig for assembling the head second stage unit will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG.
6 (a) is a top view showing the head unit assembling jig 85, FIG. 16 (b) is a side view showing the head unit assembling jig 85, and FIG.
It is a side sectional view showing the AA section of head unit assembly jig 85 in (a).

The head unit assembling jig 85 includes a head mounting table 85-1, a head assembling positioning member 85-2,
It comprises a pin holding member 85-3, a positioning pin 85-4, and a clamp member 85-5. Head mounting table 85
-1 is a plate-shaped member, as shown in FIG. 17 and FIG.
Upper surface of the heat radiating plate 41 of the head unit (head pressing plate 43
Is placed with its side) facing down. The head mounting table 85-1 has a clearance groove 85-6 for releasing a protruding portion on the installation side of the head unit for completely mounting the head unit, a head assembly positioning member 85-2, and a pin holding member 85. -3 and a storage groove 85-7 for positioning and fixing the clamp member 85-5. Further, at both ends of the portion where the head unit is placed between the escape groove 85-6 and the storage groove 85-7, a head positioning plate (formed of iron material) 42 is temporarily fixed. A magnet 85-10 is embedded.

The head assembling positioning member 85-2 is the same as that shown in FIG.
19, the inclined surface of the flat substrate 31 of the head unit is not formed (the glass glaze layer 32
The contact portion is formed with high dimensional accuracy to contact the corner immediately adjacent to the corner where the is formed. For example, although not shown, the head assembling positioning member 85-2 is provided by a combination of a through hole and a screw.
Is fixed in the storage groove 85-7. At this time, since there is sufficient play in the through hole, as shown in FIG. 17, the position in the P direction can be adjusted with high accuracy by the position adjusting spacer 85-8. Here, the P direction corresponds to the transport direction of the sheet with respect to the thermal head, and the positional relationship between the top line of the glass glaze layer 32, the center line between the electrode layers 34, and the platen is determined by the position in the P direction. .

When the contact portion of the head assembly positioning member 85-2 is in contact with one corner of the flat substrate 31, the glass glaze layer 32 formed on the flat substrate 31
The top line of
It will be accurately positioned with high accuracy. The pin holding member 85-3 holds the positioning pin 85-4 so that the distance between the center axis of the positioning pin 85-4 and the mounting surface of the head unit on the head mounting base 85-1 becomes the first set distance, and The positioning and holding is performed with high accuracy so that the distance between the center axis and the position of the tip of the contact portion of the head assembly positioning member 85-2 becomes the second set distance.

The positioning pin 85-4 is connected to the magnet 85-1.
The position of the fitting portion of the head positioning plate 42 is determined by fitting the fitting portion of the head positioning plate 42 temporarily fixed at 0. Accordingly, the fitting portion of the head positioning plate 42 also has a large distance from the mounting surface of the head unit on the head mounting base 85-1 and a distance from the position of the tip of the contact portion of the head assembly positioning member 85-2. Positioned with precision. As shown in FIG. 18, the clamp member 85-5 includes a head mounting table 85-1.
The flat substrate 31 of the head unit mounted thereon is pressed in the direction of the head mounting table 85-1 (substantially downward), and the head assembly positioning member 85-2 is brought into contact with one corner of the flat substrate 31. The head unit is moved to the head mounting table 8 with the parts in contact.
Temporarily fix on 5-1.

At this time, a part of the heat radiating plate 41 of the head unit is changed to an angle adjusting spacer 85-9 having various inclination angles θ (including a reference spacer having an inclination angle of 0 °) shown in FIG.
The heat sink 41 and the head mounting base 85-1
If the head unit is temporarily fixed by the clamp member 85-5 with the angle adjusting spacer 85-9 interposed therebetween,
Glass glaze layer 3 of flat substrate 31 of head unit
The position of the top line 2 can be finely adjusted. In other words, by using the angle adjusting spacer 85-9, as shown in FIG. 21, the flat substrate 31 on which the heat radiating plate 41 is mounted is moved to the head positioning plate 42 and the head pressing plate 4 as shown in FIG.
3, the angle can be adjusted to a predetermined angle with the center of the curved surface of the glass glaze layer 32 as the center of rotation. In the head unit used in the color printer according to this embodiment, there is an adjustment width of 6 ° left and right from the basic position.

As described above, the head first stage unit in which the heat radiating plate 41 is attached to the flat substrate 31 and the head positioning plate 42 are each positioned with high precision, and the head first stage unit is mounted on the head first stage unit. For example, as shown in FIG. 21, a screw is attached through a through hole (an oval hole) formed in the head positioning plate 42 (
Or attach with strong adhesive etc.)
Assemble the stage unit. Since there is sufficient play in the through hole of the head positioning plate 42, the position is changed by adjusting the position of the flat substrate 31 (heat radiating plate 41) by the position adjusting spacer 85-8 and the angle adjusting spacer 85-9. Therefore, the head positioning plate 42 can be accurately attached to the heat radiating plate 41.

The flat substrate 31 to which the heat radiating plate 41 is attached
To the head positioning plate 42 and the glass glaze layer 3
Another method of adjusting the center of rotation of the second curved surface to a predetermined angle with the center of rotation as the center of rotation will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 22 is a front view showing a jig for adjusting the angle, and FIG. 23 is a side view showing the jig. A heat radiator plate 41 (here, a heat radiator plate in which the above-described angle adjustment spacer portion is separated and independent is used for the flat substrate 31)
The head first stage unit with the heat sink 41
Is placed on an installation table 86-2 above the θ table 86-1 with the upper surface of the device (the surface on the side to which the head pressure plate 43 is attached) facing downward. The height of the mounting table 86-1 is designed such that the center point of the rotation of the θ table coincides with the center (center line) of the curved surface of the glass glaze layer 32 of the flat substrate 31 having the mounting table 86-1. ing.

An observation device (CCD device) is provided at both ends above a center line in a direction orthogonal to the rotation direction of the θ table 86-1.
The observation device 86-3 vertically irradiates the head first stage unit mounted on the θ table 86-1 with light, observes the reflected light, and observes the reflected light. While confirming the top line of 32, the position of the electrode layer 34 formed in the glass glaze layer (the center line between the electrode layers 34,
Check the position of the center line of the heating resistor.

Therefore, the setting table 8 is set by the θ table 86-1.
The angle of 6-2 is set so that the top line is 10 μm from the center line between the electrode layers 34.
Adjust so as to match the position shifted to the side corresponding to the m-sheet supply side (the position of the maximum load line). When the above adjustment is completed, the head positioning plate 42 that has already been positioned and temporarily fixed is attached to the heat radiating plate 41 of the head first stage unit.
For example, the head second-stage unit is assembled by attaching screws through through holes (elliptical holes) formed in the head positioning plate 42. The head positioning plate 42 shown in FIG. 23 is formed in an L-shape so as to directly fix the head pressing plate 43 to the head positioning plate 42 without fixing the head pressing plate 43 to the heat radiating plate 41. As another method, the head positioning plate 42 and the head pressing plate 43 may be formed as one integrated component.

Next, the head unit is assembled by attaching the head pressing plate 43 to the head second stage unit in which the heat radiating plate 41 and the head positioning plate 42 are attached to the flat substrate 31. A method of assembling the head unit will be described with reference to FIG.

With respect to the head second stage unit, the reference surface (reference side) of the fitting portion of the head positioning plate 42 is placed on the first installation table 87-1 as a head installation table, while the head is One side surface (reference surface) of the pressure plate 43 is placed on a second installation table 87-2 as a head pressure transmission member installation table. Between the first installation table 87-1 and the second installation table 87-2, a protrusion on the installation side of the head second-stage unit is relieved to completely mount the head second-stage unit. An escape groove 87-3 is formed. First installation table 87-1
And the second installation table 87-2, the difference in height is formed with high precision, and the difference in height is exactly the distance from the reference surface of the head positioning plate 42 to the center of the fitting portion. And the distance from one surface of the head pressing plate 43 to the center line of the head pressing plate 43 is equal to the center line of the head pressing plate 43 and the center line of the fitting portion of the head positioning plate 42. It has become. The head pressure plate 43 is aligned with the head second stage unit thus installed, and attached with screws or the like to complete the assembly of the head unit.

When the heat radiating plate 41 of the head second stage unit separates and separates a part of the angle adjusting spacer 85-9, the angle adjusting spacer 85-9 is used.
Is fixed to the heat radiating plate 41 in advance, or the heat radiating plate 41 and the head pressing plate 4
3 to be mounted. When the L-shaped head positioning plate 42 is used to directly fix the head pressing plate 43 as shown in FIG. 23, the above-described first installation table 87-1 and the second As shown in FIG. 25, the mounting table 87-2 is not used, and the head pressing plate 43 is directly used for the head positioning plate 42, and the positioning (not shown) provided for positioning the head positioning plate 42 and the head pressing plate 43. The holes and the bosses corresponding to the holes may be fixed together with screws or the like. In this case, it is not necessary to attach the angle adjusting spacer 85-9. The head positioning plate 42 and the head pressing plate 43 may be formed in advance as an integral type if high shape accuracy can be obtained.

The head unit assembled as described above is attached to a head block for test printing, and test printing is performed. The evaluation results of the test printing are shown in Tables 1, 2 and 3. In this test printing, the width of the slope is 0.4 mm, the radius of curvature of the curved surface of the glass glaze layer is 0.5 mm, and the heating resistor size of 300 dpi is 70 μm × 85 μm in length (type 1
), 400 dpi heating resistor size width 50 μm × length 6
2 μm (Type 2), 600 dpi heating resistor size width 33 μm × length 43 μm (Type 3)
In the line type thermal head having an inch width, the load per unit length in the head main scanning direction is 0.4 kg / cm. Recording paper as a print medium has a Beck smoothness of 1000
Seconds of coated paper was used. The printing order was magenta, cyan, and yellow.

Item 1 is 100 mm × 100 on recording paper.
mm color and color square pattern at intervals
Print 5 times at a paper feed speed of 6 inch / sec. In this item 1, the transfer state of the ink was observed as the overall image quality, and the state of the transfer was evaluated as excellent (excellent).
A, A for good, B-1 for some voids (out of ink), B-2 for some reverse transfer, C-1 for some void, C-1 What is seen is rated on a scale of C-2.

Item 2 is 80 mm × 10 mm on the recording paper.
Is printed five times at a paper feed speed of 6 inches / sec with a space between the monochrome and color bar patterns. In this item 2, the sharpness of the pattern edge was observed, and the sharpness was AA for excellent (excellent), A for almost straight, B for slightly blurred, and significantly blurred. Is evaluated in four steps of C.

Item 3 is a paper feed speed of 6 inches / sec. First, 8 dots × 8 magenta inks are used to check the image quality when the ink is transferred onto the previously printed ink.
An image point composed of dots is printed, and then an image point composed of 10 dots × 10 dots is printed with cyan ink. Similarly, at a paper feed speed of 6 inches / sec, an image dot composed of 8 dots × 8 dots is printed with magenta ink, and then an image dot composed of 8 dots × 8 dots with cyan ink is superimposed ( (Double) printing, and furthermore, superimposing (triple) printing with 10 dots × 10 dots of yellow ink.

The above printing was performed 50 times, and 36 dots (8 dots × 8 dots) on the outer periphery of 10 dots × 10 dots of the printing result were obtained.
Observe the number of dots that are 90% or more and 110% or less of the regular pixel size for dots except for the printing of 8 dots), and the number of times that the predetermined number at which the number is stabilized is 46 to AA for 50 times, A for 41 to 45 times, B for 36 to 40 times, 35
The following items were evaluated on a 4-point scale with C.

Table 1 summarizes the evaluation of the results of the experiments performed on the items 1, 2, and 3 using the type 1 line type thermal head. Table 2 shows items 1 and 2 using a type 2 line thermal head.
9 summarizes the evaluation of the results of the experiment performed on item 3. Table 3 summarizes the evaluation of the experimental results performed on the items 1, 2, and 3 using the type 3 line type thermal head. The distance a between the center (center line) between the pair of electrode layers 34 and the apex of the curved surface of the glass glaze layer 32 (line that first contacts the platen = top line) is 4 in the line direction of the line type thermal head. At the division points (5 places) when divided into divisions, each center line is measured by a surface shape measuring device using a stylus or laser light.
(A step of the protective layer 25 was detected, and the center between the steps was defined as a center line) and a distance between the top line was measured, and the measured value having the maximum absolute value was defined as a.

[0073]

[Table 1]

[0074]

[Table 2]

[0075]

[Table 3]

As is apparent from the results, the distance a between the center line between the pair of electrode layers 34 and the top line of the curved surface of the glass glaze layer 32 is determined by the following condition with respect to the distance L between the electrode layers 34. When satisfied, all types of line-type thermal heads have been evaluated as good or better for single-color printing (printing directly on paper) for any item. −10 μm− (1/2) · L <a ≦ −10 μm + (1 /
2) · L That is, if the maximum pressure load line G for the platens 6 to 9 is rewritten, the distance b between the center line between the pair of electrode layers 34 and the maximum pressure load line G can be expressed as follows: − (1/2 ) · L <b ≦ + (1/2) · L

Further, in the case of overlay printing (printing on paper printed by the preceding printing block, printing on ink printed on paper), −10 μm− (1/4) · L <a ≦ −10 μm + (1 /
4) · L That is, if the maximum pressure load line G for the platens 6 to 9 is rewritten, the distance b between the center line between the pair of electrode layers 34 and the maximum pressure load line G can be expressed as: − (1/4 ) · L <b ≦ + (1/4) · L

Therefore, a head unit that has been evaluated as good or better in the overlay printing by this test printing is used in a block for printing the second and subsequent prints. That is, they are used as the M thermal head 2, the C thermal head 3, and the Y thermal head 4. Further, the head unit evaluated lower than good in the overlay printing by the test printing is used in the printing block that performs the first printing if the head unit is evaluated better than the good in the single color printing. That is, it is used as the K thermal head 1.

In addition to the above, a similar experiment was performed by changing the order of color superposition, and here the experimental results are not shown.
In each case, similar results were obtained. The load per unit length in the main scanning direction (linear pressure) applied to the line type thermal head
) Other than 0.4 kg / cm, 0.2, 0.3, 0.
Although experiments were performed at 5, 0.6, 0.7, and 0.8 kg / cm, the positional relationship between the center line between the pair of electrode layers 34 and the top line or the maximum pressure load line G was within the above range. For some, good printing results were obtained.

When the linear pressure is low, the heat transfer efficiency from the heating element 36 to the recording paper decreases, so that it is necessary to increase the electric energy applied to the line type thermal head. Since the abrasion of the protective layer 35 of the head increases (is accelerated), the linear pressure applied to the line-type thermal head should be 0.
It is determined that 3 to 0.6 kg / cm is optimal. Note that 0.
When a linear pressure of 8 kg / cm or more was applied, there was also a problem that the base film of the ink ribbon was shaved.

The width of the heating resistor (heating resistor layer 33)
No experimental results are shown for the width) W and the length (distance between the electrode layers 34) L, but if the width W is 1, the length L is 0.
In the range of 9 to 2.0, good printing results were obtained when the positional relationship between the center line between the pair of electrode layers 34 and the top line or the maximum pressure load line G was within the above range. In this regard, since the electrode layer 34 is formed of a metal having a high thermal conductivity, if the length L is too short, the length direction (sub-scanning direction = recording paper transport direction) is passed through the electrode layer 34. Is dissipated, and the connection of the transfer dots in the length direction deteriorates. Conversely, if the length L is too long, the transfer dots are deformed vertically in high-speed printing. If W is 1, the length L is preferably in the range of 1 to 1.6.

Regarding the curvature radius of the curved surface of the glass glaze layer 32, the width t of the slope 31-3 is set to 0.15 mm to 1.50 m.
A printing experiment was conducted with a m-type thermal head. Slope 31
If the width t of -3 is too large, the thickness of the glass glaze layer 32 immediately below the heating element 36 increases, and the color image quality tends to deteriorate due to the heat storage effect of the glass glaze layer 32 immediately below the heating element 36 in high-speed printing. is there. Conversely, slope 31
If the width t of -3 is too small, the production (formation) of the glass glaze layer 32 becomes difficult, resulting in an increase in cost. Therefore, in terms of balance, the width t of the slope 31-3 is 0.2 mm.
It can be determined that 0.8 mm is preferable.

At this time, an experiment was performed on the radius of curvature of the curved surface of the glass glaze layer 32 in the range of 0.2 mm to 2 mm. The surface of the heat generating portion (protective layer 35) of the line type thermal head was Although there is a step due to the boundary between the end and the heating resistor layer 33, the thermal efficiency toward the ink ribbon at the time of transfer is reduced. However, the thermal efficiency is improved due to the protrusion due to the curved surface. However, if the radius of curvature is too large, the curved surface becomes flat, and the effect of improving the thermal efficiency decreases. In particular, when the second color and the third color are overprinted (transferred) in color printing, a phenomenon such as blurred printing occurs. Conversely, if the radius of curvature is too small, the curved surface becomes extremely protruding, and the contact between the ink ribbon and the line-type thermal head is not linear but linear (dot-like).
The transfer becomes unstable because the pressure distribution changes steeply around the contact line. Furthermore, the step at the boundary between the glass glaze layer 32 and the main surface 31-1 and the end surface 31-2 of the flat substrate 31 becomes large, and the stress applied to that portion is large. There is a possibility that the electrode layer 34 connected to the formed circuit is disconnected. Therefore, in order to realize high-quality color printing, it is determined that the curvature radius of the curved surface of the glass glaze layer 34 is optimally 0.3 mm to 1.5 mm in terms of balance.

The paper feed speed is set at 0.5
inch / sec, 1inch / sec, 2inch / sec, 4inch / se
c, print evaluation was performed at 8 inch / sec. At any speed, good results were obtained when the positional relationship between the center line between the pair of electrode layers 34 and the top line or the maximum pressure load line G was within the above range. Printing results were obtained. In particular, when the paper feed speed is 2 inches / sec or more, the effect of the above-described conditions is remarkably exhibited.

As described above, according to this embodiment, the width of the top line of the flat substrate 31 is inspected by the apparatus for positioning the mask composed of the θ table 81 and the observation device 82, Those whose run-out width is less than a predetermined distance between the electrode layers 34 are regarded as acceptable and used for assembling, and the fitting portions of the positioning plate 42 and the electrode layers 34 of the glass glaze layer 32 formed on the flat substrate 31 are used. The center line between the electrode layers 34 is within a half of the distance between the electrode layers 34 on both sides of the maximum load line of the pressure action of the glass glaze layer 32 on the platen of the thermal printer. By using the head second stage unit in which the head positioning plate 42 is attached to the heat radiating plate 41 attached to the flat substrate 31 so that the positional relationship of Contents can range (approximately (10μm
However, since there is an error in the area of the heating resistor, the pressure unevenness acting on the paper on the flat substrate 31 is small, and the print unevenness that deteriorates the print quality does not occur. Therefore,
With respect to the shape and size of the glass glaze layer 32, it is possible to strictly define the position of the center line of the heating resistor layer 33 in the glass glaze layer 32, that is, the position of the center line between the electrode layers 34. It can be realized reliably.

Further, the top line of the glass glaze layer 32 of the actual flat substrate 31 is confirmed, and the center line of the mask for forming the electrode layer 34 coincides with the maximum load line along the top line. By forming the electrode layer 34 in such a manner that the mask is positioned without confirming the actual top line of the glass glaze layer 32, the thermal layer becomes defective compared to the conventional method of forming the electrode layer 34. The number of heads can be significantly reduced, and the yield of thermal heads can be improved. The glass glaze layer 3
The number of thermal heads that are ideally defective is zero, excluding those whose run-out width of the top line of 2 is greater than or equal to a predetermined distance between the electrodes.

In the K thermal head 1 used for the first printing, the distance a between the center line between the pair of electrode layers 34 and the top line of the curved surface of the glass glaze layer 32 is -10 μm- ( 1/2) · L <a ≦ −10 μm + (1 /
2) · L is used. A pair of electrode layers 34 is used for the M thermal head 2, the C thermal head 3, and the Y thermal head 4 to be used for the second and subsequent superimposed printing. The distance a between the center line between the center line and the top line of the curved surface of the glass glaze layer 32 is −10 μm− (1/4) · L <a ≦ −10 μm + (1 /
4) By using a flat substrate satisfying the stricter range condition of L, high printing quality can be reliably realized even in overprinting.

A device for positioning a mask comprising a θ table 81 and an observation device 82 irradiates a glass glaze layer 32 of a flat substrate 31 with light from a predetermined direction, and reflects the glass from the glass glaze layer 32 by reflected light. The top line of the curved surface of the glaze layer 32 is confirmed, and the center line of the mask for forming the electrode layer 34 is displaced from the assumed maximum load line along the center line of deflection of the confirmed top line. 10μ
The center line between the electrode layers 34 (the center line of the heating resistor) is actually positioned at a position shifted by m to the paper feeding / supplying side and exposed to form a pair of electrode layers 34. Since the electrode layer 34 is formed such that the center line between the electrode layers 34 is positioned along the center line of the maximum load line swing of the maximum load line 34, the confirmed top line is actually first placed on the platen of the color printer. If incorporated so as to be in contact with the top line, the heat from the heating resistor is conducted uniformly and with the highest efficiency to the ink ribbon (or paper including photosensitive paper) over the entire area of the flat substrate 31. That is, it is possible to manufacture a thermal head having excellent thermal responsiveness without printing unevenness.

[0089]

As described in detail above, according to the present invention,
A thermal head capable of strictly defining the position of the heating resistor in the glaze layer with respect to the shape and size of the glaze layer, reliably realizing high print quality, a method of manufacturing the thermal head, and a thermal head A thermal printer using a head can be provided.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a schematic main configuration of a color printer according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a main circuit configuration for controlling each thermal head of the color printer according to the embodiment;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a schematic configuration of a main part of a tip of a thermal head of the color printer according to the embodiment, and a schematic configuration of a heating element formed in a part of the tip. Sectional view.

FIG. 4 is a view showing a printing surface of each thermal head of the color printer according to the embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view showing the actual configuration of the print element supply side limit of a heating element formed at a part of the tip of each thermal head of the color printer according to the embodiment, and the positional relationship in this cross-sectional view. FIG.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view showing the actual configuration of the print medium discharge side limit of a heating element formed at a part of the tip of each thermal head of the color printer according to the embodiment, and the positional relationship in this cross-sectional view. FIG.

FIG. 7 is a view showing an example of a state of a top line of a glass glaze layer at the tip of each thermal head of the color printer according to the embodiment;

FIG. 8 is a diagram for explaining the width of the top line of the glass glaze layer at the tip of each thermal head of the color printer according to the embodiment.

FIG. 9 is an exemplary front view showing the configuration of a head block of the color printer according to the embodiment;

FIG. 10 is a side view showing the configuration of the head block of the color printer according to the embodiment.

FIG. 11 is an exemplary front view showing another example of the configuration of the head block of the color printer according to the embodiment;

FIG. 12 is a side view showing another example of the configuration of the head block of the color printer according to the embodiment.

FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of an apparatus for positioning a mask for forming an electrode layer with respect to the glass glaze layer of the embodiment.

FIG. 14 is a diagram showing a positional relationship among a glass glaze layer, a mask, and an observation device on an upper part of a head first stage unit according to the embodiment.

FIG. 15 is a view showing a shift amount of 10 μm in consideration of a maximum load line position when a mask is fitted to the glass glaze layer of the embodiment.

FIG. 16 is a top view, a side view, and an A in the top view showing a head unit assembling jig for assembling a head second stage unit including the flat substrate, the heat radiating plate, and the head positioning plate of the embodiment. -A sectional drawing.

FIG. 17 is a side sectional view of the head unit assembling jig showing a head assembling positioning member during assembling of the head unit assembling jig of the embodiment.

FIG. 18 is a side sectional view of the head unit assembling jig showing a clamp member during assembling of the head unit assembling jig of the embodiment.

FIG. 19 is a diagram showing a relationship between a flat substrate of the head first stage unit, a contact portion of the head assembly positioning member 85-2, and a positioning pin during assembly of the head unit assembling jig of the embodiment.

FIG. 20 is a diagram showing an inclination angle of an angle adjusting spacer used in the head unit assembling jig of the embodiment.

FIG. 21 shows that the flat substrate on which the heat radiating plate of the embodiment is attached is adjusted to a predetermined angle with respect to the head positioning plate and the head pressing plate, with the center of the curved surface of the glass glaze layer as the center of rotation. FIG.

FIG. 22 is an outline of a jig for adjusting a flat substrate on which a heat sink is mounted to the head positioning plate to a predetermined angle with the center of the curved surface of the glass glaze layer as the center of rotation. FIG.

FIG. 23 is an outline of a jig for adjusting a flat substrate on which the heat radiating plate of the embodiment is attached to a head positioning plate to a predetermined angle with the center of the curved surface of the glass glaze layer as the center of rotation. FIG.

FIG. 24 is a side sectional view showing a jig for assembling the head unit by attaching a head pressure plate to the head second stage unit of the embodiment.

FIG. 25 shows L of the head second-stage unit of the embodiment.
The figure which shows the head unit which fixed the head pressurizing plate directly to the character-shaped head positioning plate.

FIG. 26 shows a first conventional example of Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. Sho 59-188452.
FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional front view showing a conventional four-head type thermal print head unit disclosed in US Pat.

FIG. 27 is an enlarged view of a main part showing a pressing contact state between an end face type thermal head, a recording medium, and a rotating roller during recording of a thermal recording apparatus disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 61-10468 of a second conventional example. Side view.

FIG. 28 is a third conventional example of Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. Sho 57-103863.
FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing a thermal head disclosed in Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 10-11095.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1-4 thermal head, 6-9 platen, 31 flat substrate, 32 glass glaze layer, 33 heating resistor layer, 34 electrode layer, 41 heat sink, 42 head positioning plate, 43 Head press plate, 81, 86-1 ... θ table, 82, 86-3 ... observation device, 83 ... mask, 85 ... head unit assembly jig, 85-1 ... head installation table, 85-2 ... head assembly position Member, 85-3: Pin holding member, 85-4: Positioning pin, 85-5: Clamp member, 85-8: Spacer for position adjustment, 85-9: Spacer for angle adjustment, 85-10: Magnet, 87- 1 ... First installation stand, 87-2 ... Second installation stand.

Continued on the front page (72) Inventor Hiroyuki Kushida 6-78, Minamimachi, Mishima-shi, Shizuoka Inside TEK Mishima Plant

Claims (7)

[Claims] 1. A flat rectangular substrate, a chamfered slope formed at one corner of one end of the rectangular substrate, and an insulating layer having a predetermined curved surface formed on the slope. A plurality of pairs of electrodes arranged on the insulating layer at a predetermined distance in the direction of inclination of the slope, and a heating resistor connected between each pair of the electrodes; and a platen. Alternatively, the width of the top line of the curved surface of the insulating layer that first comes into contact with the print medium is smaller than the distance between the electrodes, and the center line between the electrodes is the predetermined pressure of the curved surface of the insulating layer. A thermal head, wherein the thermal head is located within a half of the distance between the electrodes on both sides of a maximum load line of action. 2. The thermal printer using the thermal head according to claim 1, wherein when the thermal head is pressed against the stationary platen, the curved surface of the insulating layer of the thermal head is applied to a platen or a print medium. The distance between the electrodes of the thermal head is within a half of the distance between the electrodes of the thermal head on both sides of the maximum load line of the pressure action which shifts to the supply side of the printing medium with respect to the top line that contacts first. Wherein the thermal head is mounted such that the center line of the thermal printer is positioned. 3. A thermal printer in which a plurality of thermal heads according to claim 1 are arranged in series along a conveying path of a print medium, wherein a maximum load line of a pressure action of an insulating layer of the thermal head used for at least first printing. The thermal head used for the second and subsequent overprints has a smaller displacement of the center line between the electrodes with respect to the maximum load line of the pressure action of the insulating layer than the displacement of the center line between the electrodes. The thermal printer according to claim 2, wherein the thermal printer is disposed. 4. A thermal printer in which a plurality of thermal heads according to claim 1 are arranged in series along a transport path of a print medium, wherein each of said thermal heads is arranged along a printing order of said thermal heads on a print medium. 3. The thermal printer according to claim 2, wherein the heads are arranged in ascending order of displacement of the center line between the electrodes with respect to the maximum load line of the pressure action of the insulating layer. 5. A heating resistor is mounted on a first stage head unit made of an insulating layer having a predetermined curved surface formed on a chamfered slope formed at one end of a flat rectangular substrate. In the method of manufacturing a thermal head to be formed, a step of irradiating a curved surface of the insulating layer with light from a predetermined direction and confirming a top line by reflected light from the curved surface of the insulating layer; Based on the swing of the top line confirmed in the line checking step, the amount of deviation between the center line between the electrodes and the top line is uniform along the center line of the swing of the top line before and after in the paper transport direction. A mask for forming an electrode by positioning and exposing a center line of the mask for forming the electrode to a position shifted from a presumed top line in the insulating layer to a maximum load line of the pressure effect by exposure; Exposure process A thermal head manufacturing method characterized by. 6. The method according to claim 5, wherein, in the mask exposing step, the center line of the mask is positioned so as to pass through one point substantially at the center of the top line. 7. The thermal head manufacturing method according to claim 5, wherein in the mask exposure step, a center line of the mask is positioned so as to pass through two predetermined points of the top line.