JPS59184674A - Multicolor recorder - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To perform clear multicolor printing with uniform printed density at a high speed, by a method wherein a plurality of thermal heads provided in parallel with each other are independently provided for a platen, and pressing members are provided through an ink ribbon and a recording paper. CONSTITUTION:When positions in a line where images are to be printed in yellow Y, magenta M and cyan C are previously stored, overlap printing in multiple colors is completed by one-time scanning of a carriage 17, and color recording can be performed at a high speed. In this case, each of ink ribbons 23, 33, 43 is independently moved and taken up, so that each of the ribbons can be stopped at positions where it is not used for printing, and wasteful consumption of the ribbons can be prevented. In addition, since recording parts 20, 30, 40 (thermal heads 21, 31, 41 of the like) are provided for a single platen 16, the recorder can be reduced in size.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Technical Field The present invention relates to a multicolor recording device using a thermal head.

BACKGROUND ART In general, a recording device using a thermal head has a thermal head, which is made up of a plurality of heating resistors arranged on a substrate made of ceramic or the like, mounted on a carriage. Recording is performed by melting the heat-melting material of the ribbon and transferring it to recording paper.

Various types of multicolor recording devices using such thermal heads have been proposed.

As shown in Figure 1, the ribbon is yellow
There is an ink ribbon (3) using a multicolor ink ribbon (3) on which heat-fusible materials of each color (magenta, M, cyan, C) are sequentially applied in the direction of movement. As a result, each time one line of printing in a certain color is completed, the ink ribbon (3) is moved to face the recording paper (4) for the next color, and the thermal head (2) is scanned one line to print. This operation is repeated three times to complete one line of color printing. However, with this method, it takes up to 3 lines to print one line.
Since it requires multiple scans, it is not possible to increase the speed.

In addition, even if the ribbon part is of a color that is not necessary for printing, each
Because each line is wound, there is wasteful consumption.
Ribbon life is also shortened.

In addition, as shown in Fig. 2, yellow Y, magenta M,
Using an ink ribbon (5) on which cyan C heat-fusible material is applied in parallel in three stages: upper, middle, and lower, the ink ribbon (5) is shifted up and down each time the printing color is changed to create a heating resistor. Some models are designed to print by moving it to a position opposite to (1). However.

Even with this method, three scans are required to print one line, and high speed cannot be achieved. The same goes for wasted use of the ink ribbon (5). Furthermore, as the variety of ribbon colors increases and the ribbon width increases, the amount of ribbon shift also causes distortion, twisting, twitching, loosening, etc. of the ink ribbon (5).
There is a risk that normal printing may not be possible.

In this regard, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, while using the same ink ribbon (5), the thermal head (6) is equipped with a heating resistor (7) in a direction perpendicular to the carriage movement direction.
The ink ribbon (5) was arranged in three rows, and each color of the ink ribbon (5) faced each heating resistor row.
This is proposed in Japanese Patent No. 7-91282. According to this, it is not necessary to shift the ink ribbon (5). However, like this, a single thermal head (6)
When three or more rows of heat-generating resistors are arranged in a row, pressing the heat-generating resistors (7) in each row against the platen (8) with the same pressure is difficult for the platen (8) or the thermal head (6).
This is extremely difficult due to flatness, parallelism, installation errors, etc. Moreover, even if it were realized, the cost would be extremely high due to parts precision, adjustment work time, etc. These drawbacks become more noticeable as the number of printing colors increases. Such unevenness in the pressing force on the platen (8) appears as uneven print density, which deteriorates print quality.

Furthermore, as shown in Figure 5, a thermal head (
9Y) (9M) (9S, Ink Ribbon (IOY) (I
OM) (100), platen (txy) (um) (no
), etc., and the record fa(4) is passed through, as proposed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 57-69065. However, in the case of this method, it is the same as having three recording devices, and the device becomes larger.

OBJECTS The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and an object of the present invention is to provide a multicolor recording device that is small, high-speed, and capable of performing clear multicolor printing without uneven print density.

Construction A first embodiment of the present invention will be described based on FIGS. 6 and 7. First, the carriage a-t+ is moved to the platen α facing the two-laten QQ on which the recording paper 09 is set.
It is provided so that it can move back and forth along G. There are three recording units (A) and (G) on the carriage α7.
00 is set. First, there are 3
The carriage α
They are spaced apart from each other along the direction of force movement.

These thermal heads QηG◇01) have a plurality of heating resistors arranged in a row in a direction perpendicular to the direction of movement of the carriage α force, although not particularly shown in the drawings, as in FIG.

Further, a ribbon cassette (c)02(6) is provided for each thermal head ez961)Go). This ribbon cassette 020■ is ink ribbon (G) C3
3Q3 is fed out from the supply roll (c) HH and passed through the front surface of the thermal head ■I0θυ while the take-up roll (c) (
ql It is wound on Qq. Here, for example, the ink ribbon 03 is coated with a yellow Y heat-fusible material, the ink ribbon 03 is coated with a magenta M heat-fusible material, and the ink ribbon θ is coated with a cyan C heat-fusible material. Thermal head al
) 01) (/4η Each moves independently along the moving direction of the carriage αη at the front. Therefore, each ribbon cassette (c) 0) (6) is equipped with a ribbon feed motor (c) ( (Others are not shown) (However, it is also possible to use only one motor and turn on and off the transmission of driving force to each ribbon using an independent clutch or the like). In addition, ribbon cassette (a) 0 (6
) is integrally provided with a ribbon guide @ Oa Q'6, which improves the stable running of the ink ribbon's (3) wheels and the operability when attaching and detaching the ribbon cassette (a). Thus, the thermal heads (c) 0ηαη are independently pressed toward the platen αd by springs (c) (to) θ→ serving as pressing members.

In such a configuration, yellow Y1 within the l line
If the printing position for Mazenk M1 Cyan C is stored in advance, multicolor overlapping printing can be completed with one scan of the carriage αη, and color recording can be performed at high speed. In this case, each ink ribbon 03 (6) is moved and wound up independently of each other, so ribbon movement can be stopped in areas where printing is not performed in that color, preventing unnecessary ribbon consumption and ribbon It can lead to an improvement in lifespan.

Further, there is no need for ribbon shifting, and there are no problems such as ribbon twisting. Furthermore, when looking at the entire apparatus, since the recording sections (a), (g), and θ0 (thermal heads 0η0 and ←η, etc.) are arranged for one platen 0υ, the apparatus can be made smaller. Then, each of the thermal heads 0■e(1)Glυ having one row of heat generating resistors independently splashes(c)0
→0→ Since the ink ribbon (c) 03 I43 is pressed against the platen 06 via the recording paper 09, there is no variation in the pressing force of each thermal head 01) ell) 61), and it is constant. , uniform print density is obtained, and print quality is improved.

FIGS. 8 and 9 show modified examples in which the ribbon force set) HO2 (6) is made more compact and the dimensions of the kina 964 are made smaller. In other words, if we take a ribbon cassette as an example, the axes of the supply roll (c) and take-up roll (c) should be coaxially aligned horizontally instead of vertically, and the belt (c) etc. should be connected to the motor (a). They are connected via Then, the surface of the ink ribbon is rotated by a relay roller (27a) provided diagonally on the way to the ribbon guide @, so that the surface of the thermal head Qυ is along the moving direction of the carriage α. It is.

Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described in FIGS. 10 and 1.
This will be explained with reference to Figure 1. First, two recording units 1!4H are provided on the carriage αη. That is, on the carriage αη, two thermal heads Gυ (6υ) are arranged apart from each other along the moving direction of the carriage αη. are arranged in two rows in a direction perpendicular to the moving direction of the carriage αη.
Each thermal head 05υ (6υ has a row of heating resistors (52
α)(52-7′)(62cL) (624) is formed. And the thermal head (51) (6])
The ink ribbons facing each other are housed in a ribbon cassette (b) and driven independently by a motor.
(53/)) (63, -) (63 phrases are formed in two rows. Here, the heat-melting material rows (53a) (531+)
(630) (638) are always the same heating resistor row (52
a) (524) (62") (6ZA) The ink ribbon 6]- moves in a diagonal direction intersecting the moving direction of the carriage αη, and the ribbon cassette (goods) (with no ties) The back of the thermal head (5η (6υ) is equipped with a row of heating resistors (5
2a) (524) (62cL) (This thermal head +51 in the middle of the 62nd season) (A spring wheel acting as a pressing member that presses 6n toward the platen αG side is provided.

According to this embodiment as well, each heating resistor array (
52cm) (524) (62α) (62 clauses and each row of heat-melting material (53α) (534) (63α) (63
Since the printer and printer are exclusively opposed to each other, one line of multicolor printing can be completed by one carriage α-scanning, and high speed printing can be achieved. Furthermore, since there is no need to shift the ink ribbon Q, there are no problems such as twisting, twitching, or loosening of the ribbon. In addition, there are 2 in each thermal head (9) (6I).
Heating resistor row (52tL) (524) (62a) (
When 62 rows are lined up, the uniformity of suppression becomes a problem, but since the platen 00 and the thermal head (!i]) (6υ) touch each other at two points, it is different from when there are 3 or more rows.
It is not that difficult to press these two rows with the same pressure; all you have to do is set the suppression position of the spring f4M to an appropriate position relative to the thermal head (5) (6ρ).
Uniform print density can be obtained as well as printing, improving print quality. By the way, this embodiment is particularly effective when it is desired to use the red and black printing mode of a normal typewriter and the multicolor graphic mode as a block. That is, the heat-fusible material row (53tL) (53-It) (
63α) (By assigning red, black, blue, and yellow to each of the 63 phrases, the ink cassette (
Use only the ink cassette (goods) and thermal head (5]), and both ink cassettes (goods) (to) in graphic mode.
and a thermal head (5U (+iJ)) can be used depending on the purpose.

Therefore, for example, when the red and black typewriter mode is frequently used, the blue and yellow ink ribbon I63
It is possible to use it in an extremely efficient manner without wasting it.

In these embodiments, a plurality of thermal heads were arranged along the moving direction of the carriage with respect to the platen, but they were distributed in the circumferential direction of the platen.

You may.

Effects As described above, the present invention has a plurality of thermal heads arranged side by side on the platen, and each thermal head is pressed independently by the suppressing member, so it can be made small and fast, and there is no uneven printing density. Clear multicolor printing can be performed, and the printing quality is improved.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

Fig. 1 is a front view showing the first conventional example, Fig. 2 is a front view showing the second conventional example, Fig. 3 is a perspective view showing the third conventional example, and Fig. 4 shows a part of it. 5 is a side view showing the fourth conventional example, FIG. 6 is a plan view showing the first embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a part thereof, and FIG. Figure 8 is a plan view showing a modified example, Figure 9 is a perspective view of a part of it, and Figure 1.
0 is a perspective view showing a second embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 11 is a partially enlarged rear view thereof. 15...Recording paper, 16...Platen, 17...IJ Tsuji, 21, 31, 41...Thermal head clip ribbon, 28, 38, 48...Splash (sound suppression material), 51. 61...Thermal head, 53.63...Ink 1
Nobon, 56, 66...Spring (suppressing member) Applicant Ricoh Co., Ltd.! Mo6K] q Figure procedural amendment (1 Vision 1. Indication of the case Patent Application No. 58-59014 2, Name of the invention Multicolor recording device 3, Person making the amendment Relationship with the case Patent applicant address Ota-ku, Tokyo Nakamagome 1-3-6-4, Agent 〒107 Address 5-9-15 Minami-Aoyama, Minato-ku, Tokyo None Tokutsu-1tljj i'il'l-5!HJ I 4
Number? +ii City il) Regarding this application, particulars i
The description in I) will be supplemented to one of the items in item 1-. 111i, page 1, line 3, column 1 to page 2, page 71-'r14, '4, I1 claims, as attached.
+! do. 2. On page 2, line 18, 1, "melting the thermofusible material of the ink ribbon" is corrected to "the transfer layer of the ribbon, such as a thermofusible material." 3. On page 6, line 19, 1 column, "Here," [Ink ribbon 2: s, z3. Then, add j. Attachment 2, Claim 1, A plurality of heating resistors are arranged on a base body, and a thermal head mounted on a carriage is sequentially driven and transferred onto a high quality recording paper to perform recording. In the multicolor recording apparatus, a plurality of the thermal spatulas 1- are arranged in parallel with respect to the platen, and a suppressing member is provided for suppressing these thermal heads from the platen via a ribbon or recording paper. Recording device. 2. The multicolor recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the thermal heads are arranged apart from each other along the moving direction of the carriage. 3. The heating resistors of each thermal head are arranged in a row in a direction perpendicular to the direction of carriage movement, and each thermal head has a plurality of ribbons of different colors that move independently along the movement of the carriage. 2. The multicolor recording device according to claim 1, wherein the multicolor recording device is arranged opposite to the recording device. 4. The heating resistor of each thermal head is moved in the direction perpendicular to the moving direction of the carriage - 2 rows, and the heating resistor of each thermal head is moved in the direction perpendicular to the moving direction of the carriage. Two colors of φ facing 7.1 on the heating resistor row: i8
vAt (:) A multicolor recording device according to claim 1, in which a plurality of rows of materials A each having a row of materials are arranged in a cut plane on a glue head is defined as ￥ff2+Mgi.

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A thermal head mounted on a carriage is sequentially driven while a plurality of heating resistors are disposed on a substrate to transfer the heat-fusible material on the ink ribbon onto recording paper for recording. In a multi-color recording device that performs this, a plurality of the thermal heads are arranged in parallel to the platen, and a suppressing member is provided to press each of these thermal heads independently against the platen via an ink ribbon and a recording paper. Features a multi-color recording device. 2. The multicolor recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the thermal heads are arranged apart from each other along the moving direction of the carriage. 3 The heating resistors of each thermal head are arranged in a line in a direction perpendicular to the direction of carriage movement, and a plurality of ink ribbons of different colors each move independently along the direction of movement of the carriage are arranged in each thermal head. 2. The multicolor recording device according to claim 1, wherein the multicolor recording device is arranged opposite to the recording device. 4. The heating resistors of each thermal head are arranged in two rows in a direction perpendicular to the direction of carriage movement, and two colors of heat are generated facing each row of heating resistors by moving in a direction perpendicular to the direction of carriage movement. 2. The multicolor recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of ink ribbons having bath-meltable material rows are arranged to face each thermal head.