JPS5968285A - Thermal printer - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To facilitate replacing a used printing ribbon, by openably providing a ribbon-replacing cover at an upper part of a ribbon-containing part of a ribbon cassette, in a thermal printer using a transfer ribbon. CONSTITUTION:The printing ribbon 53 is supported by a main body 48 of the cassette 48 separately from a carrier 20, and is stretched over the entire part of the moving range of a thermal head 22. In the cassette 47, the ribbon-replacing cover 84 provided with a finger-engaging part 83 is openably fitted to the upper part corresponding to the ribbon-containing part 52. To replace the used printing ribbon 53 with a new one, the cover 84 is opened, the leading end of a roll form new printing ribbon 53 is jointed to a trailing end part of the used ribbon 53, and is set onto a winding shaft 54. Then, a driving motor 38 is driven to pass the new ribbon 53 on the front side of the thermal head 22 in a circulating manner, the leading end of the new ribbon 53 is separated from the used ribbon 53, and is connected to a take-up shaft 55.

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] [Technical Field] The present invention relates to a thermal printer, and in particular, a printing ribbon coated with heat-melting ink is disposed on the surface of a recording medium so as not to move relative to the recording medium. The present invention also relates to a thermal printer in which a thermal head equipped with a plurality of heat-generating elements is run to transfer heat-melting ink.

[Technical background and problems]

Traditionally, thermal printers have used thermal paper as the recording medium, but since using thermal paper limits the paper available, printers have started printing on plain paper using a printing ribbon. has been proposed. This uses a printing ribbon coated with heat-melting ink as a base, and transfers the image by melting the ink with a thermal head and then peeling the printing ribbon from the recording medium. In this method,
There is a condition that there should be no relative movement between the recording medium and the printing ribbon during printing.

Therefore, the carrier that holds the thermal head is equipped with a mechanism for supplying the print ribbon and a mechanism for winding it up, and the print ribbon is bonded to the recording medium via a roller, and the print ribbon that is in contact with the recording medium when the carrier is moved is thermally There is one in which the printing ribbon is fed in the opposite direction relative to the head, thereby preventing relative movement between the recording medium and the printing ribbon. This type of printer has the problem that it is difficult to perform high-speed printing due to the large number of parts mounted on the carrier and its heavy weight. In addition, the printing ribbon is fed by moving only the thermal head while joining the printing ribbon to the recording medium during printing, so the printing ribbon can only be fed when the carrier is fed in one direction. The carrier cannot be sent, and movement in the other direction can only be used for the purpose of returning the carrier. Therefore, the ratio of effective printing time is low, resulting in low efficiency.

For this reason, we have developed a system in which a printing ribbon supply mechanism and a winding mechanism are provided outside the carrier, the feeding of the printing ribbon is stopped when the thermal head is running, and the required amount of printing ribbon is fed when the thermal head is stopped. I can think of things. However, the structure of the main body frame becomes complicated by providing a supply mechanism and a winding mechanism for the printing ribbon, and providing various guides for determining the running path of the printing ribbon. There is a problem in that the setting operation when replacing the printing ribbon becomes extremely difficult.

[Purpose of the invention]

According to the present invention, the printing ribbon is disposed outside the carrier to reduce the weight of the carrier and enable high-speed printing, and the printing ribbon is stored in a ribbon cassette to simplify the structure of the main body frame. To provide a thermal printer whose ribbon can be replaced extremely easily.

[Embodiments of the invention]

First, the printer body (1) is composed of several parts mounted on a body frame (2). This main body frame (2) has side surfaces (3) facing each other at a predetermined interval.
), and the front side has a ribbon cassette face (4) suspended between these sides (3). Said side (
3) A flat platen (5) for printing is suspended and fixed in between, and behind this platen (5) is a round platen (6) for paper feeding that constitutes the recording medium feeding mechanism. is held rotatably. This round platen for paper feeding (6
) is a pinch roller (7) held by an arm (not shown) and pressed against the paper feeding round platen (6).
is provided. A paper feed drive platen gear (8) is fixed to the left end of the paper feed round platen (6), and a paper feed drive platen gear (8) is attached to the paper drive platen gear (8). The paper feed drive gear αO of the feed 9 motor (9) is engaged. Further, above the rear part of the side surface (3), a paper guide plate mounting shaft α force is passed and fixed, and this paper guide plate mounting shaft 0→
There are several paper guide plates αJ for feeding the paper 09 as a recording medium between the platen (5) and the pinch roller (7).

Next, the side surface (
3) Between the main carrier shaft α fathom and the platen (5
) is installed parallel to the This main carrier shaft α
Both ends of → are support shaft parts 09 protruding from the side surface (3).
Each of the support shafts α9 is provided with a lever-shaped carrier rotating portion 06 for rotating the carrier, which will be described later. These rotating members OQ for rotating the carrier are urged by a thermal head pullback spring αη in a direction to move the thermal head, which will be described later, away from the platen (5).

Further, a movable carrier shaft guide groove is formed in the side surface (3), and the movable carrier shaft guide groove is passed through and both ends of the movable carrier shaft guide groove are connected to the rotary part for rotating the carrier.
A moving carrier shaft θ is provided which is fixed at zero. A carrier rod is attached to the movable carrier shaft α and the main carrier shaft Q4 so as to be slidable left and right. At the center of the top of this carrier is a heat sink Q.
This thermal head (A) is provided with a thermal head (C) that faces the platen (5) via υ.
Ribbon pressing rollers (C) with a height greater than the width of the printing ribbon (described later) are rotatably provided on both sides of the ribbon, and in front of these ribbon pressing rollers (C), a pair of ribbon feeding rollers (H) are installed. ) is rotatably mounted. A carrier drive motor (c) is fixed to the lower right side of the ribbon cassette mounting surface (4) with a screw (c), and this carrier drive motor (c) A carrier drive pulley (C) is formed around which the carrier drive wire (2) is wound. Four wire guide rollers are rotatably attached to the lower surface of the ribbon cassette mounting surface (4), and among these, the two wire guide rollers (C) located on the platen (5) side are Ribbon cassette mounting surface (
4) located at both ends. The carrier drive wire (A) wound several times around the carrier drive pulley (C) is changed direction by the wire guide roller (C), and its end is fixed to the carrier wire by the wire fixing screw (G). has been done.

Furthermore, a carrier rotation drive shaft guide groove 01) is formed in the side surface (3), and the carrier rotation drive shaft guide groove G is passed through and both ends are fixed to the carrier rotation drive rotation member a0. A carrier rotation drive shaft 0→ is provided. Then, a solenoid Oj is attached to the lower center surface of the ribbon cassette attachment surface (4),
This solenoid (l) solenoid drive Il+H is connected to approximately the center of the carrier rotation driving rotating member θG.

Furthermore, a print start position setting switch 0→ for setting the home position of the carrier wire is provided on the inner surface of the left side surface (3). Further, elongated cassette identification holes 00 are formed at both ends of the ribbon cassette face (4). Further, a photointerabutment 0 as a photoelectric detector is mounted slightly to the left of the center of the ribbon cassette mounting surface (4) so as to protrude upward.

A ribbon retraction drive motor 08 is mounted by a screw 01 between the solenoid 03 and the carrier drive motor (c) on one surface of the ribbon cassette mounting surface (4). A ribbon retraction drive pulley θ0 is rotatably attached to the right side of the ribbon retraction drive motor 0→, and the upper part of the ribbon retraction drive pulley θ1 protrudes upward from the ribbon cassette mounting surface (4) to form four cross-shaped parts. The coupling θ is used as a ribbon retraction drive shaft with a Further, a ribbon winding drive pulley 0 is provided on the left side of the ribbon retraction drive motor OQ, and the upper end of this ribbon winding drive pulley (6) protrudes upward from the ribbon cassette mounting surface (4). A ribbon winding drive shaft Q3 is provided.A rotary guide shaft O is rotatably mounted at a predetermined distance to the left of the ribbon winding drive shaft 01. A timing belt 0 (9) is wound around the timing belt drive shaft a of the motor shaft, the ribbon retraction drive pulley θ(), and the ribbon winding drive pulley (/4). The outer surface of the belt is polished smooth and is set so that the timing belt (+(e) slips when the load increases.

Next, a ribbon force set (6'/l) is provided which is attached to the ribbon cassette attachment surface (4). This ribbon cassette 07) consists of a cassette body O→ and a cassette lid θ.
It depends on the place. The cassette body 0→ has the cassette fixing hole bt! Two cassette setting claws are formed to engage with the cassette set claws, and a cassette support protrusion that partially projects is formed on the lower surface.

A ribbon storage section 6→ is formed approximately in the center of the cassette body 0→. This ribbon storage part qψ
The winding shaft 1'5◆ for winding and holding the unused printing ribbon (T) in a roll is installed on the left side, and the used printing ribbon (→ on the winding shaft for winding it) is installed on the right side. It is set in. These winding shafts 4a and 4 have fitting holes II fi? which are fixedly spaced in the rotational direction from the rotation guide shaft 0 and the ribbon winding drive shaft 4a, respectively. ) is formed.

Next, guides ←9 for guiding the printing ribbon (A) between it and the support wall 6e on the front side are provided at intervals on the left side of the wharf of the ribbon storage section h11, and this guide F
An insertion hole for a photointerceptor 07) is formed on the bottom surface between qi1. A ribbon guide roller 6tυ is rotatably attached to one end of the guide.
A curved guide is formed between 5 and 5.

A ribbon guide roller I◆ is formed at the ribbon exit fi, and a tension plate spring is provided to elastically clamp the printing ribbon attached to the guide and provide running resistance. ing. Furthermore, a ribbon guide member having a channel-shaped cross section is fixedly attached at at least two points to the outer surface of the supporting wall of the cassette body O→.

Although this ribbon guide member Oη may be integrally molded at the same time as the cassette main body, in this case twisting, bending, curving, etc. are likely to occur in the guide portion. Therefore, by forming the ribbon from a separate member and attaching it, there is no occurrence of cracks, twists, etc., and linearity of ribbon running can be obtained. Two cutouts are formed on the left side of the ribbon guide member along with the support wall. Continuing from these cutout sections, a guide member consisting of two pairs of threads is formed parallel to each other,
A ribbon extrusion part Uf1 whose central part is a connecting part C* is provided at a place where it can freely protrude from the support wall (2) while being guided by the guide member (-).

Next, a ribbon inlet Q→ is opened at the right end of the ribbon guide member (2), and a ribbon guide roller (71) is rotatably attached to this ribbon inlet (79).

A guide f4 for guiding the printing ribbon (to) is formed facing each other between the ribbon guide roller I7 and the ribbon storage section 6. A tension leaf spring fFJ that is connected to the printing ribbon (to) is provided immediately before this guide. A ribbon retraction drive roller f0 is rotatably attached to one of the intermediate portions of the guide q4, and the ribbon retraction drive roller (the coupling 01 at the lower end of 20)
) is formed on the fitting protrusion that fits with the fitting protrusion. An auxiliary roller f barrel is provided facing such a ribbon drawing drive roller f.

This auxiliary roller f pass is a block-shaped support member VO that reciprocates in a direction perpendicular to the running direction of the printing ribbon (2).
This support member (71) is biased toward the side of the bon retraction drive roller f by a pressure contact spring (2) that is integrated with the tension plate spring (F).

A plurality of protrusions (B) are formed on the lower surface of the cassette lid 0, and these protrusions are inserted into the cassette lid fixing hole (2) formed in the cassette body O→. A ribbon replacement lid f3♦ having a finger hook is attached to the upper portion corresponding to the ribbon storage portion 6 so as to be openable and closable. Further, a knob guide groove is formed at the upper part of the ribbon extrusion member f.

At the top of the knob guide groove (■) of the cassette lid (4→), there is provided a ribbon pressing member (A) having a long hole (■) that matches the shape of the knob guide groove (■).This ribbon pressing member (B) is fixed at the front side to the cassette lid θ, and is curved at the middle part so that its tip rises upward, and its tip is slightly outside the width of the ribbon holding member (B). The two ribbon holding tongues (C) located at are bent.Then, the tab guide groove (H) and the elongated hole (A) are passed through the ribbon holding member (B) on the upper surface. A knob (to) located on the top surface is provided so as to be slidable back and forth, and a holding part (a) for holding the connecting part G'0 of the ribbon extrusion member Qρ is formed inside this knob. Further, a guide member Oυ for guiding the upper edge of the ribbon extrusion member fρ is integrally formed on the lower surface of the cassette lid.These guide members 6)υ are formed on the cassette body decoy. It has the same shape as the above-mentioned guide member.

Note that the electrical control of the thermal head (a), the carrier drive motor (c), and other electrical controls is performed by an electronic control circuit (not shown), and a keyboard is used to control the operation of this electronic control circuit. etc. are also provided.

In such a configuration, the basic method of printing operation will be explained first. The printing ribbon (to) is a film base coated with heat-melting ink on one side, and the printing ribbon is stretched out along the paper, α2, and set so that it does not move relative to the paper α■. After that, the thermal head (b) is moved while being joined, and as it moves, the multi-thermofusible ink is melted by locally generating heat intermittently in the plurality of heating elements. Paper α
The image is transferred onto the paper θ and then visualized by peeling the printing ribbon (G) from the paper θ■. When adopting such a printing method, the printing ribbon (2) is pressed against the paper Q9 by the thermal head (A), and even if the thermal head is moved, the printing ribbon (2)
It is necessary that no relative movement occurs between the ink and the paper θ2, and that the printing ribbon rim be peeled off from the paper α immediately after the ink is transferred by thermal melting. The printing ribbon is a one-time ribbon, and the portion used for printing cannot be reused. Therefore, after scanning the thermal head Q2, the printing ribbon
There must be no unused parts in the area where it should be removed and printed.

Next, the operation of each part will be explained.

First, the paper Oa is inserted by driving the paper feed motor (9) to rotate the paper feeding round platen (6), which automatically inserts the paper a after sliding the paper guide plate α3. is fed to the front of the platen (5). At this time, since the solenoid 0 is not energized, the rotating member 0Q for rotating the carrier is pulled by the thermal head pullback spring a, and the carrier wing is the main body when viewed from the right. It rotates counterclockwise in one direction around the carrier shaft a◆, and the thermal head (c) is separated from the platen (5). Therefore, nine sheets of paper can be inserted without any hindrance. Once inserted, the paper α side is moved to a round platen (for paper feeding) based on the drive of the paper feeding motor (9).
Due to the rotation 6), line feed is performed during the printing operation.

Next, the movement of the carrier wire, that is, the movement of the thermal head (c), is caused by the rotation of the carrier drive motor (c), which rotates the carrier drive wire (b). It moves along the shaft a4 and the moving carrier shaft α.

The carrier drive motor (e) is capable of forward and reverse rotation, and the thermal head can move any desired length in either direction while being accurately synchronized.

Also, when printing starts, the carrier wire is automatically sent to the left end, presses the print start position setting switch Qe to set the reference position, and moves to the right by a predetermined distance from this reference position to set the print start position. . This is set by applying a predetermined number of pulses to the carrier drive motor C9, such as a pulse motor.

Further, solenoid GjK is energized to bring the moving carrier (E) into the printing state as described above. As a result, the rotating part 106 for rotating the carrier is connected to the lensoid drive shaft 0 and the carrier rotating drive shaft 02.
rotates clockwise when viewed from the right, the position of the movable carrier shaft a changes, and the thermal head Q9 is moved to the platen (
5) Force to the side. of course.

Since the paper 0 and the printing ribbon exist on the surface of the platen (5), the thermal head (b) is pressed against the printing ribbon. By moving in this state, printing is performed using the method described later.

Next, the installation of the ribbon cassette @no will be explained. Under normal conditions, the printing ribbon is stretched in a straight line from the ribbon outlet to the ribbon entrance, and its upper and lower edges are guided by the ribbon guide member. When setting the printing ribbon cassette Q'I), as shown in Figures 3 and 4,
) must be wound around the ribbon pressure roller and positioned in front of the thermal head, and must also be wound around the ribbon feeding roller (c). In order to obtain such a state, first, the carrier (E) is kept stationary at the printing start position. Next, the ribbon cassette (knob 6I of /471
Push out.

This state is shown in FIG. First, if the item was in the state of Figure 6 (a+), turn the knob - as shown in Figure 6 (J).
By advancing, the ribbon presser part (■) is pressed down, and the ribbon presser tongue piece (C) is positioned on the outside of the printing ribbon (goods). Furthermore, as shown in Fig. 6 (0), the knob (2)
When the print ribbon 6 is advanced, the ribbon extrusion section IQρ that is interlocked with the knob (to) partially extrudes the printing ribbon 6. The extrusion range is limited to the inside of the portion held by the ribbon holding tongue (c). After preparing in this way, the ribbon cassette@force is attached to the ribbon cassette mounting surface (4), and the position is determined accurately by fitting the cassette set claw into the cassette fixing hole 0→, as shown in Figure 7. As shown, the printing ribbon (to) is positioned from the inside of the ribbon feeding roller (c) to the outside of the ribbon pressure contact roller (to) and the thermal head (a). After the ribbon cassette is set, move the knob back. As a result, the ribbon pushing member Q〃 enters inside, and the ribbon pressing member 0 rebounds upward by its own elasticity, causing the ribbon pressing member 0 to release the ribbon pressing member 0 from the printing ribbon (A).

At this time, some loosening occurs, but it is tightened by feeding the ribbon as described later.

Next, the feeding of the printing ribbon → will be explained.

The winding shaft G◆ on which the unused printing ribbon is wound is fitted into the rotation guide shaft 0, but is in a free rotation state.

The winding shaft wheel around which the used printing ribbon (2) is wound is fitted onto the ribbon winding drive shaft 03. In addition, the fitting protrusion of the ribbon retraction 1 drive roller (71) is connected to the coupling (1υ) of the ribbon retraction drive pulley 0@. The retraction drive motor 08 rotates.As a result, the ribbon retraction drive pulley 00 and the ribbon take-up drive pulley (6) receive driving force via the timing belt 0.At this time, the ribbon retraction drive pulley θ1 It is synchronized with the drive motor O→,
The ribbon retraction drive roller //l is rotated via the coupling 0]) to retract the printing ribbon 61. At the same time, the ribbon winding pulley θO is also driven, and the ribbon winding drive shaft (c) drives the winding shaft to wind up the drawn-in printing ribbon 6. In this part, the winding shaft q
) The rotation ratio is set so that even when the printing ribbon d'40 wound with a diameter of As the diameter increases, the tension between it and the ribbon retraction drive roller (ILj) increases. However, if tension is generated in this area, the load increases, and the timing bell [1→ Therefore, only the drawn-in printing ribbon Q is wound up smoothly.

Next, based on FIG. 8, the relationship between the feeding of the printing ribbon () and the movement of the thermal head (a) in the case of actual printing will be explained. First, in the portion labeled Print 1, the portion A to the left of the symbol P1 is an unused portion, and the portion B to the right of Pl is a used portion. It is assumed that the thermal head (c) is at the leftmost print start position. Here, if the print command for this line is for 7 characters, the printing ribbon will be shortened to 7 characters pl-+Ql
The signal is sent to the right by the range of 9. Then, printing for seven characters is performed. The portion marked with an x indicates the printing state in this line. This completes printing one line, and paper Q2
is vertically fed by one line, and the second line of print 2 is now in a state where it can be moved. If there is a command indicating that printing of this second line is necessary for 14 characters, the right end of the unused part will be
What was in position 2 is sent to position Q2. Therefore, the print ribbon (2) is set so that the left side from Q2 is the unused part A, and at the same time the print ribbon (2) is set to the left of Q2.
will move to the right side of Q2 and use this as the starting position. Then, the thermal head (a) moves from right to left and
Print the row in the opposite direction. In this way, the thermal head (b) returns to the print starting position at the left end. Furthermore, in printing the third line of Print 3, if we assume that 7 characters are printed with a space of 5 characters from the left side, the right end P3 of the unused portion will be
Feed 12 characters to reach position 3. Then, move the thermal head (b) from left to right and Q3
The third line is printed until it reaches the right side of the position.

Next, in the fourth line of printing 4, it is assumed that five characters are printed with a space for two characters on the left side. At this time, since the right end of the unused portion of the print ribbon (to) is at position P4, it is sufficient to feed it by two characters to position Q4. Therefore, along with the line feed of paper Q, the printing ribbon 63 is fed by two characters, and the thermal head υ is moved from right to left to print the fourth line from the opposite direction. Furthermore, in printing 5, the printing on the 5th line only requires two characters, and the right end of the unused portion of the printing ribbon (a) is already at position P5, so paper α
If the line feed is performed, two characters will be printed without having to feed the printing ribbon.

In this way, printing is done in both directions when the thermal head (on the thermal head) moves from left to right and from right to left, and at this time, the printing ribbon race changes its size according to the number of printed characters in the next line. Because you only need to send only one item, the amount of consumption is reduced.

Note that this printing method shows the most preferable example, and in order to be able to print from any direction during the reciprocation of the thermal head 22, the printing ribbon is attached to the print ribbon regardless of the number of characters to be printed. It is also possible to send the entire range. Also, from another point of view, if the purpose is to reduce the amount of consumption of the printing ribbon (g), printing by the thermal head 02 should only be done in one direction from left to right. The feed of the printing ribbon (a) for each j can be controlled as described above according to the number of characters to be printed.

When such printing is performed, when the solenoid 03 is energized, the carrier wing rotates and urges the thermal head (a) toward the platen (5). In the state shown in Fig. 3, the solenoid G is still
When the HC is not energized, the thermal head device is separated from the printing ribbon (g). In this state, even if the carrier wire reciprocates, the print ribbon () does not move and only the carrier wire moves. However, when solenoid 0: ( is energized, it moves not only the RAD (a) but also the ribbon pressure roller wire). Since the printing ribbon (Y) is pressed against the paper θη, even if the thermal head (A) moves, there will be no relative movement at all between the paper 02 and the printing ribbon ■.Therefore, the thermal head Q Even when the ink (on the printing ribbon) is thermally melted by the heating element →, there is no movement in that part, and when the printing ribbon is peeled off from the paper α2 at the ribbon pressure roller (2), Heat-melted ink is paper α
The image is transferred onto η and printed.

Also, the ribbon feed roller (c) is the printing ribbon (to).
into the groove of the ribbon guide member (2). The pace of the printing ribbon (on the printing ribbon) is generally static, such as polyester film.
Ribbon Guide Monthly 67, made with a monthly interest rate that is easy to generate energy.
) and is attached to the inner wall of the groove.

This prevents the printing ribbon from twisting or bending even if it is stretched over a long distance.

Furthermore, as mentioned above, the printing ribbon sheath is intermittently fed by the driving force from the ribbon retraction drive roller (70). It is becoming weaker.

Therefore, if a sudden tensile force is applied, there is a risk of the printing ribbon Q being cut, but the presence of the tension plate spring IQ VD will soften the strong tensile force, thereby protecting the printing ribbon Q.

The printing ribbon consumed in this way is
It is unraveled from the shaft 6◆ and wound onto the take-up shaft (to), but at both ends of the printing ribbon (g), that is, at the connecting part between the winding shaft and the take-up +11+1 f4, a predetermined length is There are only a few transparent parts. Under normal conditions, when the ribbon cassette 07) is set on the cassette number face (4), the photo implant plug 0~ marked on the cassette mounting face (4) will fit into the insertion hole of the ribbon cassette (/471). ...and enters inside the ribbon and is located on both sides of the printing ribbon holder as shown in Fig. 5. At this time, the printing ribbon 6)
If there is, the light between the light-emitting part and the light-receiving part is blocked, thereby making it possible to confirm that the ribbon cassette (including the printing ribbon) is inside. Therefore, printing ribbon C→
You will never forget to use Seratra.

Also, when the printing ribbon ends and the transparent part at the end reaches the photointerrupter position 0~, a photoelectric detection signal is generated, which generates a signal that the printing ribbon has finished. let

When the printing ribbon is finished in this way, it is a one-time ribbon and must be replaced with a new one. When replacing the ribbon, the ribbon replacement lid is opened while the ribbon cassette 0 remains attached to the main body frame (2). Then, the leading end of the new printing ribbon wound into a roll is connected to the terminal end of the used printing ribbon, and set at the winding shaft position. At this time, remove the used portion with a large diameter that is wound around the winding shaft. After doing this, the ribbon retraction drive motor 0→ is driven to feed the printing ribbon. As a result, the new printing ribbon (a) passes through the front of the thermal head and its leading end is fed into the ribbon storage section 6. Then, separate the tip of the printing ribbon (to) from the end of the used printing ribbon puller, discard the used one, and connect the tip of the new printing ribbon (to) to the winding shaft (g). let Therefore, the printing ribbon opening can be easily replaced without removing the ribbon storage section 171.

〔Effect of the invention〕

In the present invention, as described above, the ribbon cassette that holds the printing ribbon is attached to the main body case provided with the carrier, so that the weight of the carrier can be reduced and the speed can be increased. The structure can be simplified, and in particular, the ribbon storage section that stores the printing ribbon can be opened and closed with a ribbon replacement lid, so you can take out the used printing ribbon and set an unused one. It has the advantage of being easy to use.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

The drawings show one embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view, FIG. 2 is a plan view with the cassette lid removed, FIG. 3 is a plan view of the carrier portion, and FIG. 4 is a plan view of the carrier portion. Fig. 5 is a plan view of a part of the photointerabutment part, Fig. 6 (/1.) (G) shows the state of the ribbon cassette when the knob is operated. A vertical sectional side view of a part, FIG. 7 is a horizontal sectional plan view of a state corresponding to FIG. 6 (0), and FIG. 8 is an explanation showing the relationship between the feeding of the printing ribbon and the movement of the thermal head for printing. 2... Main body frame, 4... Ribbon cassette mounting surface, 5... Platen, 6... Round platen for paper feeding (
recording medium transport mechanism), 20...carrier, 22...
Thermal head, 41... Coupling (ribbon retraction drive shaft), 43... Ribbon winding drive shaft, 47...
・Ribbon cassette, 52... Ribbon storage section, 53...
・Printing ribbon, 55... Winding shaft, 76... Ribbon retraction drive roller, 84... Ribbon replacement lid Applicant: Tokyo Electric Co., Ltd. (Ql (e-) Figure 17 (C)'' Figure 6

Claims (1)

[Claims] forming a ribbon cassette receiving surface on a main body frame to which a recording medium feeding mechanism, a platen and a carrier that holds the thermal head and reciprocates along the platen are attached;
A ribbon retracting drive shaft and a ribbon winding drive shaft are provided on the ribbon cassette mounting surface, and the ribbon retracting drive shaft is connected to the ribbon retracting drive shaft to hold the printing ribbon stretched over the entire movement range of the thermal head. A ribbon cassette is installed on the ribbon cassette mounting surface and includes a drive roller and a take-up shaft connected to the ribbon take-up drive shaft. A thermal printer comprising: a ribbon storage section provided with a winding shaft for winding a printing tape; and a ribbon replacement lid for opening and closing the ribbon storage section.