JPS6124482A - Image former - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To obtain an image former capable of easily knowing the kinds of transfer mediums and also of making the exchange of transfer mediums easier by a method in which a displayer to show the kinds of ribbons is provided on the surface of a ribbon cassette in a visual manner through a window provided in an automatic changer unit. CONSTITUTION:Plural ribbon cassettes 35 are housed in an automatic changer unit 143. The ribbon cassettes 35 are selected according to needs and set to an image former 1. A displayer 178 to show the kinds of thermal transfer ribbons housed is provided on the surface of the ribbon cassettes 35 in a visual manner through a window 179 provided in the automatic changer unit 143.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Technical Field of the Invention] The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus having an autochanger for a reden cassette.

[Technical background of the invention and its problems]

Recently, thermal transfer type image forming apparatuses have been developed. In this image forming apparatus, a thermal transfer transfer material as a transfer material is housed in a transfer cassette, and a Y-link cassette is also attached to the image forming apparatus. Therefore, there are the following problems.

(1) Since the amount of thermal transfer resin stored in the ribbon cassette is fixed, it is not suitable for large-volume transfer.

(2) Thermal transfer 1) Conversion had to be performed according to the color combination and size of the z, making it difficult to operate.

(3) It is difficult to easily know the type of thermal transfer resin stored in the lLk'n cassette, and it is difficult to read or write it. When the link cassette was installed in the image forming apparatus, it was completely unknown.

[Purpose of the invention]

This BAFi was created based on the above circumstances, and its purpose is to make it easy to replace the transfer material.
It is an object of the present invention to provide an image forming apparatus that is capable of performing large-scale transfer and also allows easy identification of the type of transfer material.

[Summary of the invention]

This invention stores a plurality of ribbon cassettes in an autochanger unit, selects the ribbon cassette as necessary, and attaches it to an image forming apparatus. A display section is provided to show the autochanger unit, and this display section can be visually viewed through a window provided in the autochanger unit.

[Embodiments of the invention]

An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

゛ First, the main body of the image forming apparatus will be explained.

FIG. 14 shows the external appearance of the image forming apparatus, and FIG. 15 shows its schematic configuration. In FIGS. 14 and 15, reference numeral 1 indicates a main body of the image forming apparatus, and an operation panel section 1a is formed on the upper front surface of the apparatus main body 1. As shown in FIG. Further, a document table 2 having a document cover 3 on the left side is provided on the upper surface of the apparatus body 1, and the lower side of the document table 2 inside the apparatus body 1 is set on the document table 2. A document scanning section (scanner section) 4 is configured to scan a document, and an image forming section (print link section) 5 is located on the right side of the main body 1 of the apparatus.

On the operation panel section 1a, a copy number setting section consisting of a display section 6 and a numeric keypad 7, buttons 8, etc. are arranged.

Further, as shown in FIG. 15, the document scanning section 4 optically scans the document set on the document table 2 by reciprocating the movable scanning section 9 of the exposure optical system along the lower surface of the document table 2. This optical information is then photoelectrically converted and input to the image forming section 5.

Further, the image forming section 5 has a configuration as shown in FIGS. 15 and 16. That is, the image forming section 5
The platen 10 is located approximately in the center of the platen 10, and in front of the platen 10 (toward the left in the state shown in FIG. 16).
A thermal head 11 serving as a recording head is arranged so as to be movable toward and away from the platen 10.

Further, a thermal transfer resin (ink ribbon) 15 as a transfer material is interposed between the thermal head 11 and the platen JO.

Then, with this thermal transfer litia 15 interposed, the paper P
is pressed against the platen 1o, and in this state, a heating element (not shown) formed in the shape of a line on the thermal head 1 generates heat according to the image information, thereby transferring the colorant (ink) on the bomb 15 which is thermally transferred. ) is heated and melted and transferred onto the paper P.

Further, a paper feed row 216 is provided diagonally below the platen 10, and is adapted to sequentially take out sheets of paper P as a transfer material stored in the paper feed cassette 17 one by one. The leading edge of the taken out paper P is aligned by a registration row 218 disposed diagonally above the paper feed roller 16, and then transported toward the platen 10 and wound around the platen 10 by pressing rollers 19 and 20. The item will be sent correctly.

On the other hand, is the thermal head 11 a thermal transfer material?
The paper P is pressed against the platen 10 via the pin 15.
As shown in FIG. 17, the ink 21 as a colorant on the thermal transfer ribbon 15 is heated and melted and transferred onto the paper P.

The thermal transfer ribbon 15 has approximately the same size as the paper P, as shown by range A in FIG.
c side by side, or yellow (A), magenta (B), cyan (C), and black (B) as shown in the range opening.
Each ink portion 21a.

21b, 21c, and 21t1 are arranged side by side,
After transferring one color at a time, the paper P is returned to its original position 7, and the sheets are overlapped one after another accurately.

A thermal transfer ribbon containing a black ink portion 21d is used when it is desired to produce black clearly, and even a ribbon without a black ink portion 21d can produce approximately black by overlapping three colors.

In this way, the paper P is reciprocated by the number of colors by the rotation of the platen 1o, but the path of the paper P at this time is the first one that is sequentially arranged along the lower surface of the paper ejection tray 22. It will be guided onto the second guide 23.24.

That is, the explanation will be made with reference to FIGS.

First, the paper P supplied from the paper feed cassette 17 passes through the arrangement portion of the registration roller 18 and the first distribution guide 25, and is wound around the platen 1o. (No. 19
(See Figure (A)) Next, the platen 10 rotates using a pulse motor (not shown) as a drive source to transport the paper P at a predetermined speed, and a thermal head formed in a line tod shape along the axial direction of the grating 1o. 1 heating element (
(not shown) generates heat according to the image information, and the thermal transfer reden 1
The ink 21 of No. 5 is transferred onto the paper P.

Furthermore, the leading edge of the paper P that has passed through the 10 parts of Silaten is placed in the second
The paper is sent onto a first guide 23 provided along the lower surface of the paper discharge tray 22 by a sorting guide 26 . (19th
(See Figure (B)) In this way, the paper P onto which two inks of one color have been transferred is transported backwards by reversing the platen 1o, and by the rotational displacement operation of the first distribution guide 25. It is sent onto a second guide 24 provided along the lower surface of the first guide 23. (See FIG. 19(c)) In this way, by reciprocating the paper P a plurality of times, a plurality of colors are transferred.

Finally, the paper P to which all the colors of ink 21 have been transferred is
The paper is guided by the second sorting guide 26 to two pairs of paper discharge rows 22 and discharged onto the paper discharge tray 22. (See FIG. 19) Furthermore, the image forming apparatus includes an original scanning section 42, a color conversion section 12, and a color converting section 12, as shown in FIG. Memory section 13° Image forming section 5. and an overall control section 14.

Then, the green (G) detected by the document scanning unit 4
), yellow (A), and cyan (C), the color conversion unit 12 converts the color component values of magenta (
B), yellow (A), and cyan (C) K colors are converted, and the color-converted values are stored in the memory unit 13 for each color together with position information on the document. In the image forming section 5, magenta (B), yellow (A), cyan (C), black (
13) Transfer the printing medium (black is the result of magenta (B), yellow (A), and cyan (C)) onto the paper P.

The overall control section 14 includes an original scanning section 41, a color conversion section 12.
Memory section 13. and controls the entire image forming section 5.

In addition, a pair of paper ejection rollers 27. Paper ejection tray 22° 1st. Second
The guides 23, 24 are unitized, and this unit can be removed if necessary.

Further, as shown in detail in FIG. 21, the thermal head 11 is attached to a head holder 31 which also serves as a heat sink and whose back is surrounded by a member 30 attached to a frame block 29.

Further, the thermal transfer reden 15 is assembled into a cassette together with the winding cores 32 and 33 around which both ends are wound.
It is removably attached to the The frame block 29 is formed integrally with a substantially U-shaped cross section using Guicast or plastic, and is designed to provide sufficient strength and to store one of the winding cores of the ribbon cassette 35 in this U-shaped portion. By fitting the parts, the positioning accuracy of the ribbon cassette 35 is increased.

Further, as shown in FIG. 22, the head holder 31 to which the thermal head 27 is attached is configured to be movable by a distance X in the direction toward and away from the platen 10. And thermal transfer between Rechin Guide 61.61 and Graten 10? The configuration is such that a gap δ into which the ribbon cassette 35 is inserted can be secured as necessary, so that the reciprocating operation of the paper P and the attachment/detachment of the ribbon cassette 35 can be easily and reliably performed.

That is, as shown in FIGS. 23 and 24, guide shafts 313.39 are attached to the head holder 31 via stays J6.37, and these guide shafts 38.3
9 is formed in the frame block 29 in the middle.

It is configured to be pivotally supported by a linear bearing embedded in 29b.

Further, the head holder 31 supported so as to be reciprocally movable in this manner has its movement towards and away from the platen 10 controlled by the head moving mechanism 40. That is, as shown in FIG. 24, a head motor 42 is attached to a motor frame 41, and a drive shaft 4 of this motor 42 is attached to a motor frame 41.
As shown in FIG. 25, an arm 43 is attached to the 2ta, and this arm 43 has a connecting rod 44 connected at one end to the head holder 3. In addition, the ends are connected so that the rotational motion of the arm 43 is converted into reciprocating motion and transmitted to the head holder 31.

Further, the motor frame 41 to which the head motor 42 is attached is provided with a platen motor 45 made of nozzle smoke as shown in FIG. 6, a belt 47, and a pulley 48 to transfer the platen 10, which also serves as transfer material transfer means, in the forward or reverse direction. In addition, Sugain cassette 3
Ribbon motors 57 and 51 each having a coupling 50 attached to a drive shaft are attached at a position corresponding to the cassette attachment part 49 to which the ribbon ribbon 5 is attached.

On the other hand, retenkase! ) The driving force receiving ends 32m and 33m of the winding cores 32 and 33, around which both ends of the thermal transfer ribbon 15 housed in the case 34 are wound, are connected to the outer surface through a through hole formed in the end surface of the case 34. As shown in FIG. 26, engagement recesses 52 and 52 are formed in this exposed tip.

But, Su? When the hook set 35 is completely installed in the predetermined position, the coupling 50.50 engages with the engagement recess 52.52 of the winding core 32.33, and the thermal transfer ribbon 15 can be wound. .

Also, Su? As shown in FIGS. 21 and 25, the hook set 35 has two parallel winding cores 32 and 33 around which both ends of the thermal transfer ribbon 715 are wound, and the middle part of the thermal transfer ribbon 15 is connected to a platen. The thermal head 10 and the thermal head 11 are enclosed in a case 34 with a portion thereof exposed so as to be interposed therebetween.

A slit 53 is formed between the core accommodating portions J4a and 34b of the case 34 along the axial direction of the cores 32 and 33 and is open at one end.
As shown in FIG. 14, driving force receiving ends 32h and 33h of the winding cores 32 and 33 are provided on the open end side of the winding cores 32 and 33, respectively.

Furthermore, the case 34 of the ribbon cassette 35 is the 21st case.
25 and 26, the thermal head 11 attached to the door holder 31 is housed in the thermal head 31 integrally formed between the back surface of the exposed part of the thermal transfer retin 15 and the case 34. The cross section forming the hollow space is shaped like a rectangle.

The width dimension of the thermal transfer thread 15 is larger than the large diameter of the winding amount by the winding cores 32 and 33, and the cutting depth of the slit 53 formed in the case 34 is larger than the diameter of the winding core 32 and 33. It is set to be more than half of the width of the tube 15.

9 like this? The entire length of the case 34 is L.
Then, it consists of a range tl where the upper and lower parts are connected and a range t2 which is divided into upper and lower halves by the slit 53. Furthermore, the width t of the slit 53 is set to be slightly wider than the thickness of the cassette fitting portion 29c of the frame block 29, and the cutting depth t2 of the slit 53 is approximately the same as the width of the cassette fitting portion 29c. is set to .

Therefore, when attaching the ribbon cassette 35, the opening end surface of the slit 53 is opposed to the end surface of the cassette fitting part 29c, and the ribbon cassette 35 is pushed in along its longitudinal direction (the axial direction of the f latin) as shown in FIG. It is sufficient to engage the cassette fitting portion 29c and the slit 53 as shown in FIG.

Insertion and removal of the resin cassette 35 is performed by opening the door body 55 to open the cassette insertion/ejection port 54 formed on the front surface of the main body 1 of the apparatus. (See FIG. 14) FIGS. 1 to 6 show an auto-change unit, which is the main part of the present invention, and is designed to automatically replace the reden cassette. That is, in this embodiment, a rotary table having at least two cassette storage sections is provided on the side of a cassette mounting section facing the image forming section, and a spare ribbon cassette is stored in the cassette storage section of the rotary table. When replacing the ribbon cassette, the ribbon cassette is pulled into an empty cassette storage section of the turntable by the cassette transfer mechanism installed in the cassette mounting section, and the spare ribbon cassette is transferred to the cassette by rotation of the turntable. The cassette is sent to a position facing the cassette mounting section and pushed into the cassette mounting section by the cassette transfer mechanism, and specifically has the following configuration.

In FIG. 1, reference numeral 143 denotes a spare cassette storage unit 6 arranged side by side with the image forming apparatus main body 1.
D. In this spare cassette storage unit 143, there is a third
As shown in the figure, a rotating table 144 and a cassette transfer mechanism 145
and is provided. The rotary table 144 is positioned on the side of the frame block 29 (shown in FIG. 2) in the image forming apparatus main body 1 when the spare cassette storage unit 143 is arranged on the side of the image forming apparatus main body 1. The turntable 144 is provided in the direction in which the ribbon cassette is attached to the frame block 29 (ribbon cassette 3
A rotating shaft 14 provided parallel to the drawer pushing direction (No. 5)
6 is supported. The rotary table 144 is rotationally driven by a rotary table drive motor 147 via a deceleration mechanism 148. In addition, this rotary table 144 has
At least two (four in this embodiment) cassette storage portions 149 are formed, and the cassette storage portions 149 are connected to each other. The shape is such that the hook set 35 can be pushed out and held in a retractable manner.

'Furthermore, the cassette transfer mechanism 145 is connected to the rotary table 1.
44, a guide rail 150 provided parallel to the rotating shaft 146 of the rotating table 144, and this guide rail 150.
It consists of a supporting cassette feeding member 15 movably, and a drive mechanism for moving this cassette feeding member 151 along a guide rail 1.50. The drive mechanism consists of a timing belt 154 wound between belt rollers 152 and 153 provided at both ends of the guide rail 150, and a reversible rotary motor 155 that drives the timing belt 154. The cassette feeding member 151 is connected to a portion of the timing belt 154 and is moved back and forth by the forward and reverse feeding of the timing belt 154.

The cassette feeding member 151 is provided with a hook 156 that is hooked onto the end of the ribbon cassette 35. As shown in FIG. 4, this latch claw 156 is retracted from the cassette feed member 151 by a solenoid 157 attached to the cassette feed member 15, and is attached to the end surface of the ribbon cassette 35. The cassette feeding member 1 is inserted into the claw receiving hole 159 of the provided hooking member 158.
51 and R hook set 35 are engaged with each other. In addition, the rotary table 144 and the cassette feeding mechanism 14
The spare cassette storage unit 143 having a cassette 5 can be separated from the image forming apparatus main body 1 when not in use.

Therefore, the attachment of the ribbon cassette 35 to the 7-frame block 29 in the image forming apparatus main body 1 is performed on the rotary table 1.
When the cassette 35 is stored in each of the 44 cassette storage sections 149 or is to be attached to the frame block 29 of the cassette 35, the cassette 35 is sent to a position facing the frame block 29 by rotating the rotary table 144. Then, the hooking claw 156 of the cassette feeding member 161 is engaged with the cassette 35, and the cassette feeding member 151 is moved forward toward the image forming apparatus main body 1 as shown in FIG. By pushing this ribbon cassette 35 into the frame block 29 in the image forming apparatus main body 1 through the spare cassette storage unit 143 and the cassette insertion/ejection openings (not shown) provided on the opposite sides of the image forming apparatus main body 1, respectively. It is done.

Is it still attached to the frame block 29 inside the image forming apparatus main body 1? The cassette set 35 is stored in the spare cassette storage unit 143 on the turntable 144. /When replacing the cassette 35, first replace the cassette 35 that is attached to the frame block 29.
After pulling the ribbon cassette 35 into the empty cassette storage section 149 of the rotating table 144 by the cassette transfer mechanism 145 and removing the latch claw 156 of the cassette feeding member 151 from the ribbon cassette 35, the rotating table 144 is rotated to replace the ribbon cassette. Preliminary glue? The hook set 35 is attached to the frame block 2.
Send it to the position opposite to 9 and set the glue and yin force 35
The cassette transfer mechanism 145 may push the cassette into the frame block 29 in the same manner as described above.

FIG. 6 shows the control circuit of the autochanger. vinegar? The selection of the hook set 35 can be done using the operation panel 160, for example.
This is done by operating cassette selection buttons 161 to 164 provided in the. That is, this cassette selection button 16
When buttons 1 to 164 are operated, the control unit 165 detects which button was operated.

On the other hand, each one? As shown in FIG. 7, a code protrusion 166 indicating the type of thermal transfer ribbon stored in the IJ, Y hook set 35 is provided on the drive side side surface of the hook set 35. This code protrusion 166 is composed of three bits, and the type of thermal transfer ribbon is set depending on the protruding position of the protrusion 166.

In addition, each cassette storage section 1-9 of the turntable 144 has a seventh
As shown in the figure, sensor switches 1i7 to 170 are provided to detect cord protrusions 166 provided on the ribbon cassette 35, and output signals from these sensor switches 167 to 170 are supplied to the control section 165. therefore,
When the cassette selection buttons 161 to 164 are operated, the position of the corresponding cassette 35 with respect to the cassette insertion/ejection opening is determined, and the rotary table drive motor 147 is rotated according to the result of this determination. The ribbon cassette 35 is moved to a position facing the cassette insertion/ejection opening. After this, the solenoid 157 and the reversible rotary motor 155 are driven. A hook set 35 is attached to the frame block 29.

Incidentally, if a ribbon cassette is installed in the 7 frame block 29 in advance, this IJ, P cassette is first stored in the empty cassette storage section 149 of the rotary table 144, and then the ribbon cassette selected by the above operation is stored. A ribbon cassette is installed.

Further, when the ribbon cassette 35 is inserted, the corresponding sensor switch is moved to a position where movement of the ribbon cassette 35 is not hindered.

In addition, the automatic selection button (A) of the operation panel 160 shown in FIG.
By operating the UTO) 772, a ribbon cassette can be selected and set according to the type of paper stored in the paper feed cassette 17. That is, as shown in FIG. 6, a code protrusion 173 indicating the type of stored paper is provided on the front end surface of the paper feed cassette 17.
is detected by a sensor switch 174 provided within the device main body 1. This detection output is supplied to the control section 165, which stores the thermal transfer ribbon corresponding to the paper size or detects a full cassette, and this ribbon cassette is mounted on the frame block 29 by the above-described operation.

Next, Su? The display section provided on the hook set 35 will be explained. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 8, a label 17 as a display section is provided on the non-drive side side of the ribbon cassette 35.
8 is provided. Various types of labels 178 are used, as shown in FIGS. 9(a) to 9(a), depending on the type of thermal transfer printing, for example. That is, in the case shown in FIG. 9(A), the color types of the thermal transfer ribbon are yellow (to), magenta), cyan (C), and black (B), and the size corresponding to the paper P is A4. It shows that there is. Also, the one shown in Figure 9 (b) is yellow (a).

The one shown in Figure 9e has only black (B) and is A4 in size, and the one shown in Figure 9e has only black (B) and is A4 in size. The one shown has only black (B) and shows the size Bs.

In addition, on the side of the spare cassette storage unit 143,
Label 178 of each link cassette 35 as shown in FIG.
Window portions 179 are provided at positions corresponding to the respective windows. Therefore, the type of ribbon cassette 35 stored inside the spare cassette storage (22) 14s can be determined by
It can be easily recognized by visually observing the label 178 from 9.

Figure 10 shows another embodiment of the autochanger unit.
It shows. This autochanger unit differs from the previous embodiment in that a plurality of ribbon cassettes 35 are stored in a straight line in a spare cassette storage unit 180.

The spare cassette storage unit 18 is arranged in a unit 181 as shown in FIGS. 11 and 12. A cassette insertion/removal means 182 for inserting and removing the cassette 35 into and out of the image forming section of the apparatus main body 1;
It is provided with a cassette moving means 183 that supports the ribbon cassette 35 and moves the ribbon cassette 35 to the feeding position to the image forming section.The cassette insertion/removal means 182 has the following configuration. It has become. That is,
11 and 12, 184 is the unit 18
1, a guide rail 185 is a cassette feeding member supported movably in the length direction under the guide rail 184; The guide rail 184 is connected to a part of a feed belt 186 provided along the guide rail 184, and is moved back and forth along the guide rail 184 by driving the feed belt 186 by a belt drive motor 187. As shown in FIG. 13, the cassette feeding member 185 is provided with a cassette latching claw 189 that is moved up and down by a solenoid 188VC, and this cassette latching claw 189 is provided on the top surface of the end of the ribbon cassette 35. The pawl receiver is inserted into the hole 190.

On the other hand, as shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, the cassette moving means 183 has cassette receivers 191 of the same number as the number of ribbon cassettes (three in this embodiment) accommodated in the spare cassette storage unit 18. a cassette support stand 192 formed on its upper surface, and a support stand for reciprocating the cassette support stand 192 in a direction perpendicular to the feeding direction (the length direction of the idle rail 184) of the ribbon cassette 35 by the cassette insertion/removal means 182. It consists of a moving mechanism,
Each refill cassette 35 housed in the spare cassette storage unit 181 is supported by each cassette receiving portion 191 of the cassette support stand 192 so as to be slidable in the feeding direction of the ten cassette 35 by the cassette insertion/removal means 182. There is. Further, the support table moving mechanism includes a support table feed belt 193 and its drive motor 194, and the cassette support table 192 is connected to a part of the belt 193 to drive the feed of the belt 193. It is designed to be moved back and forth.

Therefore, when loading the adhesive cassette 36 into the image forming section of the apparatus main body 1, the adhesive cassette 36 to be loaded into the image forming section is selected from among the three reproducing cassettes 35 supported by the cassette support base 192. 35 is at the position of the cassette insertion/removal means 182, and then the claw receiver Irj of this ribbon cassette 35 is
This is done by inserting the cassette retaining claw 189 of the cassette feeding member 185 into the hole i 9 o and moving the cassette feeding member 185 toward the main body j of the apparatus. The cassette 35 sent to the apparatus main body 1 in this way is inserted into the apparatus main body 1 through the cassette insertion/ejection port 54 (the door body 55 of this cassette insertion/ejection port 54 is opened in advance) shown in FIG. It is inserted by the locking member 185 and is fitted and loaded into the frame lock 29.

In addition, when replacing the adhesive cassette 35 loaded in the image forming section in the main body 1 with another adhesive cassette 35, first, the adhesive cassette 35 loaded in the image forming section,
The pawl receiver of the cassette feed member 185 is made by inserting the cassette feed member 1850 and the cassette retaining pawl 189 into the hole 190.
By moving backward, the cassette 35 for the image forming unit is pulled out and returned to the vacant cassette receiving portion 191 of the cassette support stand 192, and then the cassette support stand 192 is moved laterally to load it into the image forming unit. The ribbon cassette 35 to be used may be loaded into the image forming section of the apparatus main body 1 in the same manner as described above.

Further, as shown in FIG. 10, a label 178 as a display section is provided on the upper surface of each rechin cassette 35 on the non-drive side, as shown in FIG. For example, five windows 195 are provided at positions corresponding to the labels 178, and the labels 178 are visible through the windows 195. Therefore, the type of thermally transferred lithine stored in the unit 181 can be easily recognized.

According to the embodiment described above, a plurality of ribbon cassettes 35 are housed in the autochanger unit, and a desired ribbon cassette 35 among them can be automatically attached to the transfer section of the main body 1 of the apparatus.

Therefore, the retin cassette 35 can be easily replaced.

Also, if you store multiple ten cassettes made of the same type of thermal transfer lithine in the autochanger unit,
It is possible to perform large amounts of transfer.

Furthermore, a label 178 indicating the type of thermal transfer ribbon stored in a predetermined portion of the retin cassette 35 is provided, and this label 178 is provided in the spare cassette storage unit 143° 181.
Windows 179 and 195 are provided through which the images can be viewed visually. Therefore, it is convenient to be able to easily recognize the types of cassettes (thermal transfer ribbons) stored in the spare cassette storage units 143 and 181.

Furthermore, this issue is E! It goes without saying that A is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiments, and that various modifications can be made without changing the gist.

〔Effect of the invention〕

As described in detail above, according to the present invention, it is easy to replace the transfer material, it is possible to perform a large amount of transfer, and
It is possible to provide an image forming apparatus that allows the type of transfer material to be easily known.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view showing the image forming apparatus, FIG. 3 is a schematic perspective view showing the autochanger unit, and FIG. 4 is a cassette transport mechanism of the cassette transport mechanism. 5 is a perspective view showing the state in which the ribbon cassette is pushed out from the cassette storage section of the rotary table, and FIG. 6 is for explaining the control system of the autochanger unit. Fig. 7 is a perspective view shown to explain the type detection means of the beam cassette, Fig. 8
Figure 9 is a perspective view shown to explain the labels provided on the cassette; Figure 9 is a plan view showing various labels;
0 to 13 show other embodiments of the present invention, in which FIG. 10 is a schematic perspective view showing a state in which an autochanger unit is connected to the main body of an image forming apparatus, FIG. 11,
Fig. 12 is a schematic perspective view showing the configuration of the autochanger unit, Fig. 13 is an enlarged perspective view showing the cassette feeder 9 member of the cassette insertion/removal means and the ribbon cassette, and Figs. 14 to 26 are FIG. 14 is an external perspective view of the image forming apparatus, FIG. 15 is a partially cutaway schematic perspective view, and FIG. 16 is a schematic perspective view of the image forming apparatus to which the present invention is applied. A longitudinal side view, FIG. 17 is a perspective view for explaining the transfer operation state, FIG. 18 is a plan view showing the ink application state of thermal transfer litin, and FIG. 19 (A)
) is an explanatory diagram explaining the movement of paper during multicolor transfer, FIG. 20 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the control device, and FIG.
Figure 1 is an enlarged sectional view of the image forming section, Figure 22 is a perspective view showing a state in which the thermal head and retinoid are separated from the grating, and Figure 23 is a supported state of the head holder with the thermal head attached. FIG. 24 is a perspective view showing the arrangement of the drive systems of the platen, thermal transfer receptacle, and thermal head. FIG. 25 is a schematic side view showing the mechanism of the thermal head approaching and separating from the grating. FIG. 26 FIG. 3 is a schematic perspective view showing a state in which the beam cassette is attached. 1゛...Image forming apparatus main body, 5...Image forming section, 1
5...Thermal transfer receptacle, 35...Ribbon cassette, 1
43.181... Spare cassette storage knit, 144
... Turntable, 145 ... Cassette transfer mechanism, 147
... Turntable drive motor, 178 ... Label, 179
．． 195... window section, 182... cassette insertion/removal means,
18°3...Cassette moving means. Applicant's Representative Patent Attorney Takehiko Suzue Figure 2 Figure 3 Figure 9 Figure 13 Figure 14 Figure 17 Figure 18 A Figure 19

Claims (3)

[Claims] (1) In an image forming apparatus that forms an image on a transfer material using a transfer material installed in an image forming section, there is a cassette in which the transfer material is stored, and a cassette provided on the side of the image forming section and inside the cassette. an autochanger unit in which a plurality of cassettes are disposed, and for selectively inserting and removing the cassettes into the image forming section; and a display section provided on the surface of the cassette to indicate the type of transfer material stored therein; An image forming apparatus comprising: a window provided in the autochanger unit through which the display section can be viewed. (2) The autochanger unit includes a rotary table on which a plurality of the cassettes are arranged, means for rotationally driving the rotary table to move a desired cassette to a position corresponding to the image forming section, and the moved cassette. 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising means for inserting and removing the image forming section into and from the image forming section. (3) The autochanger unit includes a support base on which a plurality of the cassettes are arranged, a means for linearly driving the support base to move a desired cassette to a position corresponding to the image forming section, and a means for linearly driving the support base to move a desired cassette to a position corresponding to the image forming section; 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising means for inserting and removing the cassette into and from the image forming section.