JPS61279581A - Printer head - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To enable printing to be performed by using an ink-retaining part of an ink ribbon used one time, by providing a plurality of heating elements arranged in a row, a heat-emitting element, and a plurality of light-receiving sensors arranged in a row parallel to the row of the heating elements so as to detect light emitted from the light-emitting element and transmitted through the ink ribbon parts deprived of an ink in the previous printing, the number of the sensors being equal to the number of the heating elements. CONSTITUTION:A printer head comprises a plurality of heating elements 1 arranged in a row in the direction substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the ink ribbon, and the light-receiving sensors 2 arranged in a row on the front side of the heating elements 1. Prior to generation of heat by the heating elements 1, the sensors 2 detects whether or not an ink is present at a position corresponding to each of the heating elements 1. The light emitted from the light-emitting element 7 and transmitted through the ribbon parts 4 deprived of the ink is detected by the sensors 2, whereby information that the ink is absent on the ink ribbon 3 can be obtained. Prior to printing on a printing paper 8, the presence or absence of the ink on the ribbon 3 is detected, and when the ink is present, printing is readily conducted. When the ink is absent on the ribbon, the ribbon is fed until an inked part thereof is set in position.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Field of Industrial Application] The present invention relates to a printer head used in a thermal transfer printer.

[Conventional technology]

This conventional printer head uses a heating element to print on printing paper.

[Problems that the invention helps solve]

If an ink ribbon that has been used once and the part used for printing has peeled off is used again to print, the part of the ink ribbon where the ink has peeled off tends to be used again, which has the disadvantage that the printing in that part becomes unclear. .

[Means for solving problems]

In an undiscovered printer, a plurality of heating elements and light emitting elements arranged in a row are arranged in one row parallel to the row of the heating elements, and light is emitted from the light emitting elements, and the ink ribbon is heated. Detects light that has passed through areas where ink has peeled off during previous printing. It is characterized by comprising the same number of light receiving sensors as the heating elements.

〔Example〕

FIG. 1 is a front view of one embodiment of the present invention. In the printer shown here, a plurality of heating elements 1 are arranged in a line in a direction substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the ink ribbon 3. 04 is a part where the ink was peeled off from the previous printing, and 5 is a part where the ink was peeled off from the current printing. In this figure, a dot pattern consisting of 4 (1, !i+ dots) indicating a period is printed this time. Detects whether ink is present at a position corresponding to IK.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken along the line A-A in FIG. 1, and the light receiving sensor 2 detects the light emitted from the light emitting element 7 and transmitted through the peeled part 4, thereby obtaining information that there is no ink on the ink ribbon 3. When the light receiving sensor 2 cannot detect light, it is possible to obtain information that there is ink on the ink ribbon 3. Therefore, before printing on the printing paper 8, it is possible to know whether or not there is ink on the ink ribbon 3. If there is ink, it is possible to print as is, and if there is no ink, it is possible to skip feeding to the part where there is ink. It can be applied to printers that print.

〔Effect of the invention〕

As explained above, the present invention can detect whether or not there is ink in the area corresponding to each dot to be printed.
Even if you use ii2I and fC-1 ink ribbon, you can print using only the part where ink remains.

The advantage of the ink ribbon's special mission being longer is 0.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a front view of an embodiment of the invention, and FIG. 2 is a plane view taken along line A-AWr in FIG. 1... Heating element, 2... Light receiving sensor, 3
... Ink ribbon, 4 ... Peeling part, 5 ... Peeling part, 7 ... Luminous water child, 8
・・・・・・Printing paper.

Claims (1)

[Claims] A plurality of heating elements arranged in a row, a light emitting element, and a light emitting element arranged in a row parallel to the row of the heating elements, the light emitted from the light emitting element transmitting through the part of the ink ribbon where the ink was peeled off in the previous printing. A printer head comprising the same number of light-receiving sensors as the heating elements, each of which detects the generated light.