JPS62222868A - Color image recording apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To perform high speed color recording, by a method wherein the leading end of recording paper is caught at each time when the recording of one color is finished to be moved to the inlet side of a recording head to be held at that position and the holding of said leading end is released at each time when the recording of the rear end of the recording paper is finished to superpose the recording paper to an ink ribbon to hold both of them between thermal recording head and a platen roller under pressure. CONSTITUTION:When the leading end of recording paper 62 impinges against a gripper piece 24a to be bent at a right angle, a grip roller 22 rotates at the same speed as the peripheral speed of a plotter roller 11 to detach the pin opening the gripper piece 24a and grasps the leading end of the recording paper 62 and makes a half turn to stop. However, the recording of a yellow color advances and the paper is fed by the roller 11 to hang down. When the final end of the paper reaches the inlet of a paper feed passage 43, rollers 31, 22 are again rotated and the gripper piece 24a is opened and the roller 31 is once stopped and the leading end of the paper is released by the rotation of the roller 22. Next, the roller 31 is again rotated and the paper is fed by a back tension roller 36 so that the leading end of the paper follows the rear end thereof and, when the leading end of the paper advances between the rotating roller 11 and a fed ink ribbon 91 to be held therebetween, the roller 31 is again separated from the roller 22 and the leading end of a magenta color to be recorded next coincides with the leading end of the paper to be superposed thereto and an image signal is read.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Object of the Invention] (Industrial Application Field) The present invention relates to a color image recording device using a thermal transfer method.

(Prior Art) Conventionally, as means for recording color image information, there are an inkjet recording method, an electrophotographic method, an electrostatic recording method, and a thermal transfer recording method. Among these, the inkjet recording method uses colored ink to eject the ink from small diameter nozzles that are independent for each color according to the image signal to be recorded, and makes the ink adhere to the recording paper for recording. However, since it is difficult to use multiple nozzles, it is not only impossible to increase the speed, but also the nozzles tend to become clogged, resulting in poor reliability of the device. In contrast, electrophotography scans a photoreceptor drum, whose surface is made of a photoconductive material such as amorphous selenium, which has been uniformly charged in a dark place, with a laser beam modulated by an image signal.・
An electrostatic latent image is obtained by exposure, which is selectively coated with color toner, developed, and then transferred onto plain paper. In this method, developing devices with different colored toners are prepared and the steps described in -1- are repeated for each color, making the process extremely complicated, making the equipment large and expensive. There are drawbacks.

Furthermore, the electrostatic recording method uses a multi-styral head to create an electrostatic latent image in accordance with the image signal on the electrostatic recording paper that comes into contact with it, and develops it in the same way as in the electrophotographic method. This process is repeated for each color, making it difficult to miniaturize the device due to the complexity of the process, which is similar to electrophotography.

On the other hand, in the thermal transfer recording method, an ink ribbon with a heat-melting solid ink layer containing a coloring material on a base film such as paper or resin is heated by a thermal recording head that is energized in accordance with an image signal. to melt the ink layer,
The ink is transferred onto plain paper recording paper that comes into contact with the ink ribbon. According to this method, there is no need for development and fixing as in the case of the above-mentioned electrophotographic method or electrostatic recording method, so the process is simplified and the device can be made smaller. To perform color recording using this method, the 10th
As shown in the figure, the three colors cyan, magenta, and yellow,
Alternatively, using an ink ribbon A having an ink layer coated in strips with four colors including black if necessary, the same recording paper is repeatedly scanned and recorded for each color. This is generally called a field-sequential recording method, and the methods shown in FIG. 11 and the method shown in FIG. 12 are conventionally known for conveying the recording paper to realize this method.

In the method shown in Fig. 11, for recording one color, for example, cyan,
A platen roller 201 connected to a stepping motor (not shown), a drive roller 202, and a pinch roller 203 working together transport the recording paper 204, and a transport device (not shown) transports the ink ribbon A at the same speed as the recording paper 204. While conveying the recording paper 204 and the ink ribbon A in cooperation with the platen roller 201,
A cyan color image is obtained on the recording paper 204 by selectively energizing the heat-sensitive recording head 205, which is brought into close and pressure contact with the recording paper 204, in accordance with an image signal. When the recording of the first color is completed in this way, the platen roller 201 and the thermal recording head 2
05 is isolated by means not shown, and the feed roller 202 is rotated in the opposite direction to return the recording paper 204 until the leading edge of the recording paper 204 reaches near the recording position of the thermal recording head 205.

During this time, the ink ribbon A is conveyed in the same direction as during recording until the next color to be recorded, for example magenta, reaches the recording position of the thermal recording head 205.

After that, the platen roller 201 and the thermal recording head 205
are pressed again, and the recording paper 204 is attached in the same manner as described above.
Magenta color recording is performed on top of the cyan color recording. Thereafter, by repeating the overlapping recording in the same way for the number of color circles of the ink ribbon A, that is, three or four times, a color image recording by subtractive color mixture is finally completed and obtained on the recording paper 205. This method has the advantage of being able to record color images in a frame-sequential manner using a relatively simple mechanism, but it requires time to return the recording paper each time one color is recorded.

This is wasted time that has no bearing on the net recording, and therefore limits the recording speed, which is disadvantageous for high-speed recording. Also, when returning the recording paper, it is essential to separate the thermal recording head from the platen roller once. If this is not done, the ink ribbon after being used for recording may be returned together with the recording paper, or the recording paper may When the ink ribbon rubs against the ink ribbon, it becomes dirty and the image quality deteriorates. In order to prevent this, a mechanism must be provided to control the pressure contact and separation between the thermal recording head and the platen roller, resulting in a disadvantage that the apparatus becomes complicated. Furthermore, a long space may be required to temporarily accommodate the reciprocating recording paper, which is a disadvantage for downsizing the apparatus.

In contrast to the above, the method shown in FIG. 12 involves winding the recording paper 302 around a drum-shaped platen 301 connected to a stepping motor (not shown).
The thermal recording head 303 is pressed into contact with the ink ribbon A, which has a circumference approximately equal to the circumference of Color recording is carried out by conveying at the same speed as the circumferential speed of the drum-shaped platen 301.Three or four rotations of the drum-shaped platen 301 produce color by subtractive color mixing, similar to the method shown in FIG. Image recording is completed. The recording paper 302 on which recording has been completed in this manner is transferred to a drum-shaped platen 3.
Peel it off from 01 and take it out. According to the method shown in FIG. 12, it is possible to minimize wasted time that is not directly involved in recording, such as the method shown in FIG. This has the advantage of increasing speed. However, the disadvantage is that the device is expensive because it requires a complicated mechanism to wind and peel the recording paper around a drum-shaped platen, and it requires a specially shaped thermal recording head. There is. Furthermore, since a drum that rotates at a constant speed is used, the time required to record one page is constant regardless of the paper size.In other words, when using short paper, The disadvantage of this method is that it cannot take advantage of its suitability. Furthermore, due to the length of the recording paper, a large-diameter drum-shaped platen (approximately 100 mm in diameter for A4 size recording paper) is required, which is disadvantageous for miniaturizing the device, and its weight increases the load. There are also drawbacks such as the need for a stepping motor with large rotational driving force.

(Problems to be Solved by the Invention) As mentioned above, in the former color image recording device using the thermal transfer recording method (FIG. 11), it is necessary to return the recording paper every time one color is recorded, and In the latter case (Figure 12), a color image recording device using a thermal transfer recording method, the time required to record one color is equivalent to one rotation of a drum-shaped platen, even when recording paper of a small size, and there is a limit to speeding up. Ta.

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a color image recording device that enables high-speed recording.

In addition, in the former color image recording apparatus using the thermal transfer recording method (see FIG. 11), it is necessary to return only the recording paper while stopping or advancing the ink ribbon, so there is a mechanism for separating the thermal recording head and the platen roller. In addition, in the latter color image recording apparatus using the thermal transfer recording method (see FIG. 12), the recording paper is closely held on the drum-shaped platen, and the recording paper is peeled from the drum-shaped platen. Requires a mechanism. Therefore, the device has become complicated and expensive.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a color image recording bag holder that does not require a complicated mechanism and that enables the realization of an inexpensive device.

Furthermore, in the color image recording apparatus using the thermal transfer recording method of the former (FIG. 11), in order to return the recording paper, a space must be secured to accommodate the returned recording paper, and the latter (FIG. 11) The color image recording device using the thermal transfer recording method shown in Fig. 12) requires a drum-shaped platen that has a longer circumference and a wider width than the largest expected recording paper, and the drum-shaped platen is rotated. Requires a large stepper motor to do so.

Therefore, the device is large.

Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a color image recording device that enables miniaturization of the device.

Furthermore, a color image recording apparatus generally requires a large number of functional means, and simply arranging these means would make the inside of the apparatus casing complicated.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide a color image recording apparatus that is easy to maintain and use by organically laying out these functional means.

[Structure of the Invention] (Means and Effects for Solving the Problems) The color image recording device of the present invention stacks recording paper and an ink ribbon, and while conveying them, the ink ribbon is applied to the recording paper by a thermal recording head. a recording means for transferring ink; and a first conveyor for conveying recording paper from the recording paper storage section to the thermal recording head.
a recording paper supply means, a recording paper circulation means for capturing the leading edge of the recording paper discharged from the thermal recording head and sending the leading edge of the recording paper to the entrance side of the thermal recording head; a second recording paper supply means that waits the leading end of the fed recording paper at the entrance of the thermal recording head and feeds the recording paper to the thermal recording head for recording the next color; a recording paper ejecting means for conveying the recording paper ejected from the recording head and on which recording of a predetermined color has been completed to a paper ejection tray; and the recording paper circulating means or the recording paper ejecting means for transporting the recording paper ejected from the thermal recording head. A recording mechanism unit is disposed extending from approximately the center of the device housing to one end thereof, and
A control means having an electronic circuit board and a power supply device is disposed from approximately the center of the apparatus housing to the other end, and the recording paper storage means is disposed below the control means of the apparatus housing; The above object is achieved by forming the paper ejection tray on the top surface of the device housing.

(Embodiment) FIG. 1 conceptually shows a color facsimile receiving device as a color image recording device according to the present invention.

The housing 1 of this device has side plates 2 at the front and back in Fig. 1.
, 3. The side plates 2 and 3 are fixedly installed within the housing 1, and various parts described later are attached to the side plates 2 and 3. Further, the housing 1 of this device has a cover 4. The cover 4 is formed by side plates 4a and 4b arranged at the front and back in FIG. , a stepped portion is formed, and a paper discharge tray 5 is configured there. And this side plate 4a,
4b is engaged with the side plates 2 and 3 by pins 6 at its corners. Therefore, this cover 4 can be rotated counterclockwise about the pin 6 from the position shown in FIG.

In this apparatus, a recording mechanism section is arranged in the left half of FIG. The recording mechanism section includes a recording means 10, a recording paper circulation means 20, a second recording paper supply means 30, a path switching means 50. It is comprised of a first recording paper supply means 70, an ink ribbon conveyance means 90, a recording paper discharge means 120, and the like.

A recording means 10 is arranged in the center of the left half of the device housing 1, a recording paper circulation means 20 is arranged directly below the recording means 10, and a space S is secured below the recording paper circulation means 20. ing. Further, a path switching means 50 and a recording paper supplying means (second recording paper supplying means) 30 are arranged on the left and right sides of the recording paper circulation means 20. Furthermore, in this apparatus, a recording paper storage means 6 is provided at the lower right half in FIG.
0, a recording paper supply means (first recording paper supply means) 70 is arranged between the recording paper storage means 60 and the recording means 10, and an ink ribbon conveying means 90 is arranged above the recording means 10. A recording paper discharge means 120 is arranged from the recording means 10 to the paper discharge tray 5 so as to bypass the ink ribbon conveyance means 90. In addition, the first
In the figure, reference numeral 130 indicates a facsimile control means, and the control means 130 is arranged above the recording paper storage means 60.

The recording means 10 includes a platen roller 11 , a thermal recording head 12 , and a separation mechanism 13 that moves the thermal recording head 12 toward and away from the platen roller 11 .

The platen roller 11 is a rubber roller having a metal shaft 11a at the center, and both ends of the shaft 11a are connected to the side plates 2 of the housing 1,
3 (indicated by two-dot chain lines), and is rotationally driven by a stepping motor 14. Further, the thermal recording head 12 has a predetermined density (for example, 16 pel/w).
), arrange minute heating resistors in a row in a number (e.g., 3456 pieces) corresponding to the recording width (e.g., 216 mm for A4 size), and apply pulse electricity to each one according to the image information to be recorded. By doing so, it has the function of microscopically raising the temperature of the ink ribbon in contact with the ink ribbon, melting the solid ink layer applied to the ink ribbon, and transferring the solid ink layer to the recording paper to form a visible image. This thermal recording head 12 is attached to an arm 15 in the shape of an inverted letter, and a support shaft 16 fixed to a pair of side plates 4a and 4b (shown with two-dot chain lines, or see FIG. 6.7) of the cover 4. It is rotatably supported using the fulcrum as a fulcrum. Further, one end of the inverted arm 15 is biased by a tension coil spring 17 to press the thermal recording head 12 against the platen roller 11 so as to generate the optimum pressure for recording.

Further, the arm 15 having a double letter shape is engaged with the plunger 18a of the electromagnetic solenoid 18. The electromagnetic solenoid 18 described above is energized and excited, and the plunger 1
8a, thereby causing the -1-description-shaped arm 15 to move against the aforementioned tension coil spring 17 and to support the support shaft 1.
The thermal recording head 12 rotates clockwise around 6 as a fulcrum.
is separated from the platen roller 11.

The recording paper circulating means 20 has a function of capturing the leading edge of the recording paper discharged from the thermal recording head 12 and conveying the leading edge to the entrance side of the thermal recording head 12. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, this recording paper circulation means 20 includes a shaft 21 supported by side plates 2 and 3 and driven by a stepping motor 14 via an electromagnetic clutch (not shown); a grip roller 22 fixed to the
and a gripper mechanism 23 disposed within the roller 22. The gripper mechanism 23 grips and holds the leading edge of the recording paper, and has a rod 24 having a gripper piece 24a at one end slidably supported on the shaft 21, and a compression coil spring 25 arranged around the rod 24. The other end of the rod 24 is brought into pressure contact with a pin 26 that is slidably supported in the radial direction within the long hole 22a of the roller 22, and the end of the pin 26 is fixed to the side plates 2 and 3 via a cam follower 28. Cam 2
7.

The gripper piece 24a extends in the circumferential width direction of the grip roller 22, and blocks 24b are fixed to both ends. This block 24b is fitted into a recess 22b formed around the grip roller 22. Therefore, the block 24b of the gripper piece 24a is restrained within the four parts 22b and does not rotate. 1. The pin 26 has a cam follower 28 made of, for example, a ball bearing at both ends,
The sliding surface 27a of the cam 27 via this cam follower 28
is in contact with. Gripper mechanism 2 configured in this way
3, the pin 26 is moved toward the center of the grip roller 22 in the state shown in FIG. The piece 24a is the rod 24
The gripper piece 24a is separated from the circumferential surface of the grip roller 22 via the gripper piece 24a, and a gap 29 is formed between the gripper piece 24a and the periphery of the grip roller 22. When the shaft 21 is rotated by the stepping motor 14, the grip roller 22 also rotates in the direction of the arrow.

-''b- Then, the cam follower 28 separates from the sliding surface 27a of the cam 27, and the force pressing the pin 26 toward the center of the roller 22 is released. Therefore, the rod 24 is slid in the direction of the pin 26 by the biasing force of the compression coil spring 25,
Accordingly, the gripper piece 24a comes into pressure contact with the circumferential surface of the grip roller 22. When the grip roller 22 is further rotated, the cam follower 28 engages with the sliding surface 27a of the cam 27 again. Then, the pin 26 is pushed toward the center of the grip roller 22 via the cam follower 28, and the gripper piece 24a is thereby slightly separated from the circumferential surface of the grip roller 22. That is, the gripper mechanism 23
The recording paper circulating means 20, which is equipped with the following, is on standby at the position shown in FIGS. It is stopped and housed in the gap 29 between the gripper piece 24a and the circumferential surface of the grip roller 22.

Subsequently, when the grip roller 22 is rotated, the gripper piece 24a moves toward the circumferential surface of the grip roller 22, and the gripper piece 24a and the circumferential surface of the grip roller 22 press against and clamp the leading edge of the recording paper. In this state, the grip roller 22 rotates approximately half a turn from the position shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, and releases the leading edge of the recording paper.

The recording paper supply means (second recording paper supply means) 30 includes a feed roller 33 consisting of a drive roller 31 and a pinch roller 32 coaxial with the grip roller 22 (
Figure 4). The drive roller 31 is fixed to a shaft 34 supported by the side plates 2 and 3, and the shaft 34 is driven by a stepping motor (not shown). The pinch roller 32 is the fourth
As shown in the figure, it is disposed between the grip rollers 22 of the shaft 21, and as shown in FIG. This pinch roller 3
An elongated hole 32b is provided through the main portion 32a of No. 2, and the pin 26 described above is inserted into this elongated hole 32b.

Further, a collar 32c is loosely fitted on the circumferential surface of the main portion 32a of the pinch roller 32. And color 3
2c are collars 32d, 32d formed at both ends of the main portion 32a.
This prevents it from falling off from the main portion 32a.

1. The drive roller 31 and the pinch roller 32 are in contact with each other, and when the drive roller 31 is rotated, the pinch roller 32 is also rotated. However, the pinch roller 32 only rotates the collar 32c. The recording paper supply means 30 also includes a pack tension roller 36, as shown in FIG. The pack tension roller 36 is fixed to the support 37. The shaft 37 is rotatably supported relative to the side plates 2 and 3 so that the pack tension roller 36 can move toward and away from the grip roller 22 . This shaft 37 is moved by a spring 38 so that the back tension roller 36 is connected to the grip roller 2.
2, and its rotation is braked by a braking means (not shown).

Further, one end of an arm 39 is engaged with this shoulder 37, and the base end of the arm 39 is implanted in a shaft 40. This shaft 40 is supported by the side plates 2 and 3.

-19= One end of a lever 41 is fixed to the shaft 40, and the other end of the lever 41 is engaged with a plunger 42a of an electromagnetic solenoid 42 fixed to one of the side plates 2 and 3. When the electromagnetic solenoid 42 is in a non-energized state, the pack tension roller 36 is pressed against the grip roller 22 by the urging force of the spring 38.
2 is energized, lever 41 is rotated clockwise about axis 40, thereby causing arm 39 to rotate clockwise about axis 40, thereby separating it from grip roller 22. Furthermore, the recording paper supply means 30 has a recording paper supply path 43 for guiding the recording paper to the thermal recording head 12. This recording paper supply path 4
3 is one end, grip roller 22, pinch roller 32
A guide plate 43a extends between the guide plate 43a, the other end of which is located close to the circumferential surface of the platen roller 11, and a portion of which is located between the drive roller 3 and the guide plate 43a.
1, and a guide plate 43c located opposite to guide plate 43a and guide plate 43b.

An optical detector 44 for detecting recording paper is disposed in this recording paper supply path 43.

The path switching means 50 guides the recording paper discharged from the thermal recording head 12 to either the recording paper circulation means or the recording discharge means 120 described later. This course switching means 50 has a flapper 51, and the flapper 5
1 is rotatably supported by a shaft 52 supported by the side plates 2 and 3. One end of a lever 53 is fixed to the shaft 52 of the flapper 51, and the other end of the lever 53 is rotatably locked to a plunger 54a of an electromagnetic solenoid 54. A compression coil spring 55 is arranged around the plunger 54a, and the biasing force of the compression coil spring 55 positions the above-mentioned flapper 51 in the state shown by the solid line in FIG. It is guided to the circulation means 20.

In addition, by energizing and exciting the electromagnetic solenoid 54,
The flapper 51 moves to the position shown by the two-dot chain line and guides the recording paper to the recording paper discharge means 120.

The recording paper storage means 60 has a paper feed cassette 61 inserted and loaded into the lower part of the housing 1 from the right direction in FIG. A plate 63 on which single sheet recording papers 62 are stacked is housed at the bottom of the paper feed cassette 61, and this plate 63 is biased in one direction by a compression coil spring 64.

The recording paper supply means (first recording paper supply means) 70 transports the recording paper 62 from the recording paper storage means 60 to the recording means 10, and is disposed at the upper left of the paper feed cassette 61, Stepping motor 1 that rotates the
4 through a one-way clutch (not shown), and recording paper supply paths 72 and 73. We are prepared.

The recording paper aligning means 80 includes a drive roller 81 and a pinch roller 8.
It has a foot roller 83 consisting of two. The foot 81a of the drive roller 81 in the feed roller 83 is linked to the above-mentioned stepping motor 14, and is rotationally driven together with the platen roller 11 by the stepping motor 14. On the other hand, the shaft 8 of the pinch roller 82
2a is biased by a spring 84 via a bearing so that the pinch roller 82 comes into pressure contact with the drive roller 81. Further, one end of an arm 85 is engaged with the shaft 82a of the pinch roller 82, and the arm 85 is supported by a pin 85a provided on the pair of side plates 2 and 3 described above. This arm 85 is in contact with a pin 86b of another arm 86 that is similarly supported by a pin 86b provided on the pair of side plates 2 and 3. One end of the arm 86 is connected to a plunger 87a of the electromagnetic solenoid 87.
The plunger 87a is rotatably supported by a tension coil spring 88, and the plunger 87a is urged downward by a tension coil spring 88. On the other hand, the other end 86c of the arm 86 is disposed at a position behind the feed roller 83 to prevent the recording paper from advancing. The electromagnetic solenoid 87 described in -1- is energized and excited to attract the plunger 87a, thereby pulling the arm 86 against the coil spring 88 and rotating counterclockwise about the pin 86a as a fulcrum. At the same time, arm 85
The pinch roller 82 is rotated clockwise by the pin 86b using the pin 85a as a fulcrum, so that the shaft 82a of the pinch roller 82 is pushed up by the left end of the arm 85. Thus, the pinch roller 82 is separated from the drive roller 81, and the other end 86c of the arm 86 is lowered to prevent the recording paper from advancing. When the electromagnetic solenoid 87 is demagnetized, the arm 86 is returned to its original position by the tension coil spring 88, and the other end 86a of the arm 86 rises by 1" to release the recording paper advance block and contact the shaft 82a of the pinch roller 82. As the pin 86b lowers, the pinch roller 82 is moved by the spring 8.
4, it is brought into pressure contact with the drive roller 81. Furthermore, the recording paper aligning means 80 includes a recording paper detector 89 that detects the leading edge of the recording paper. This detector 89 sandwiches the recording paper supply path 72 in front of the feed roller 83 and includes a light emitting element 89a and a light emitting element 89. b. When the recording paper detector 89 detects the leading edge of the recording paper, a timer is activated and the electromagnetic solenoid 87 is demagnetized after a certain period of time has elapsed. Note that the recording paper supply path 72 is configured between the recording paper storage means 60 and the feed roller 83, and is formed by guide plates 72a and 72b.

Further, the recording paper supply path 73 is configured using a part of the guide plates 43b and 43c forming the recording paper supply path 43 of the second recording paper supply means 30 described above. The path 73 joins the recording paper supply path 43 near the recording means 10.

The ink ribbon transport means 90 is for transporting the ink ribbon 91 between the platen roller 11 of the recording means 10 and the thermal recording head 12. ink ribbon 9
1. A heat-melting solid ink layer containing a coloring material corresponding to the color to be recorded is placed on an extremely thin base film such as paper or resin using a field sequential method, and the length of each color is the maximum length for recording. Three colors, for example, as shown in FIG. 10, four colors in addition to yellow, magenta, cyan, or black are painted in strips so that the length is equal to or slightly longer. The width of the ink ribbon 91 is equal to the width of the recording paper 6.
The width is equal to or slightly larger than 2.

This ink ribbon 91 is wound around a supply roll 92, and after being used for recording, is wound up by a take-up roll 93.

As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, these supply rolls 92 and take-up rolls 93 are connected to the pair of opposing side plates 4 described above.
It is loaded inside parts a and 4b.

In FIGS. 6 and 7, a pair of side plates 4a.

4b, two shafts 94, 95 and 96.97 are implanted, and reels 98°99, 100,
101 is loosely fitted. Side plate 4 of these reels
The reel 98, 99 on the side a is provided with one or two protrusions 98a, 99a at its end, and the protrusions 98a, 99
a is fitted into grooves 92a and 93a formed on the end faces of the supply roll 92 and the take-up roll 93, thereby locking the supply roll 92 and the take-up roll 93 to the reels 98 and 99. Further, a joint member 10 is attached to the axis 94°95 between the reel 98,99 and the pair of side plates 4a, 4b described above.
2,103 is loosely fitted. This joint part +4'102
, 103 are provided with disks 102a and 103a at one end, and friction plates 102b and 103b are attached to the disks. The joint members 102 and 103 have compression coil springs 104°10 disposed between the joint members and the side plate 4a.
5, the reel 98.9 is biased to the right in FIGS. 6 and 7 through the friction plates 102b and 103b.
9 is brought into pressure contact with a supply roll 92 and a take-up roll 93. On the other hand, the reel 100.101 has compression coil springs 106.107 disposed between the reel and the side plate 4b.
6 and 7, and the end surfaces of the reels 100 and 101 are pressed against the end surfaces of the supply roll 91 and the take-up roll 92. Further, in such an ink ribbon holding means, a rotary torque transmitting means, such as a timing pulley 108, is fixedly attached to the joint portion 103 on the side of the take-up roll 93. This timing pulley 108 is linked via a timing belt to a stepping motor (not shown) attached to either of the side plates 4a, 4b.

The ink ribbon 91 wound around the supply roll 92 and the take-up roll 93 is guided by a guide bar 109 fixed to the pair of side plates 4a and 4b shown in FIG.
110, the platen roller 11 and the thermal recording head 1
2, and is arranged so as to be in contact with the guide bars 111 and 112. In addition, "1. Ink ribbon conveying means 9
0 is equipped with an ink ribbon detector 113 for detecting the color boundary points of the ink ribbon 91. This ink ribbon detector 113 has a light emitting element 113a and a light receiving element 113b arranged between the ink ribbon 91, and the ink ribbon 91 is divided into strips between the elements 113a and 113b, and the tip of each color is colored differently. Detects that the has arrived. This detection signal, together with the detection signal of the recording paper detector 44 in the recording paper supply means 30 described above, is used to determine the timing of color recording. Note that the position where the ink ribbon detector 113 detects the color boundary point of the ink ribbon 91 is determined by the distance of the ink ribbon from the position to the recording position of the thermal recording head 12 of the recording means 10.
It is set to be equal to the distance of the recording paper from the other end 86c of the arm 86 in the recording paper supply means 70 to the recording position of the thermal recording head 12.

The recording paper discharge means 120 is for guiding the recording paper on which color reception recording has been completed to the outside of the apparatus, that is, conveying it to the paper discharge tray 5 provided at the top of the apparatus. It is composed of paper discharge paths 123 and 124. The feed roller 121 consists of a pair of a drive roller 125 and a pinch roller 126, and a shaft 125a of the drive roller 125 is linked to a stepping motor (not shown).
The shaft 126a of No. 6 is biased by a spring means (not shown) via a bearing so that the pinch roller 126 comes into pressure contact with the drive roller 125. On the other hand, the feed roller 122 is also connected to the drive roller 127 and the pinch roller 12 in the same way.
It consists of 8.

Further, the facsimile control means 130 includes an electronic circuit board 140 and a power supply device 150 for operating the color facsimile receiving device according to the embodiment of the present invention.
Its block configuration is shown in FIG. That is, in FIG. 8, there is a line control section 141 that controls the connection to a color facsimile transmitting device located at a remote location via a transmission line according to a predetermined procedure and inputs facsimile signals; A modem 142 for detecting and demodulating code data to obtain code data; a system control unit 143 centered on a microprocessor that controls the entire device including the operation panel based on the code data; A decoding unit 144 that restores the image signal to be recorded, a color conversion circuit 145 that converts the image signal into color-specific recording signals, and a page memory that temporarily stores the color-specific recording signals described above for frame-sequential recording. 146 and
For example, a recording control unit 147 that includes density pattern conversion for gradation recording and control of the energizing pulse width to the heating resistor of the thermal recording head, and a mechanism control unit that controls stepping motors, electromagnetic solenoids, various detectors, etc. 148
and a power supply 1 that supplies various voltages and currents necessary for the operation of electronic circuits, thermal recording heads, motors, solenoids, etc.
It consists of 50.

Next, the function and operation of the color facsimile receiving apparatus described in item 1 will be explained.

First, a color facsimile transmission device located at a remote location performs necessary color separation, encoding processing, and modulation based on the image signal obtained by scanning a color document, and then sends it through a transmission line. The facsimile signal containing the color information to be sent is received via the line control section 141, demodulated by the modem 142, and decoded under the control of the system control section 143 of the electronic circuit having the block configuration shown in FIG. After being decoded by the unit 144, the image signals separated into colors such as cyan, magenta, and yellow by the color conversion circuit 145 are stored in the page memory 146. Based on the control signal from the system control unit 143, the mechanism control unit 1
48 functions to first energize and excite the electromagnetic solenoid 18 of the recording means 10 and the electromagnetic solenoid 42 of the recording paper supply means 30, and the thermal recording head 12 is mounted rotatably on the plunger 18a. The inverted arm 15 is attached to the support shaft 16 against the tension coil spring 17.
The thermal recording head 12 is separated from the platen roller 11 by pivoting clockwise around the fulcrum, and the back tension roller 36 is moved to the grip roller 22 by the arm 39 via the lever 41 supported by the plunger 42a. distance from At the same time, the stepping motor (not shown) of the ink ribbon conveying means 90 is rotated, and the ink ribbon 91, which has been painted in three colors, for example, yellow, magenta, and cyan, is connected to the stepping motor via the timing pulley 108 as described above. The film is fed through guide bars 109, 110, platen roller 11, and guide bars 111, 112 in order to be wound onto a winding roll 93.

At this time, the take-up roll 93 rotates while slipping due to the joint member 103, and the supply roll 92 is similarly braked by the joint member 102, so that the ink ribbon 91 is fed while maintaining a predetermined tension. Then, the ink ribbon detector 113 detects the leading edge of the first color of the ink ribbon to be printed, for example, the beginning of yellow, using a field sequential method. This detection signal is sent to the system control unit 143.
The rotation of the stepping motor is stopped via the mechanism control unit 148, thereby temporarily stopping the feeding of the ink ribbon 91.

On the other hand, in parallel with the operation of the ink ribbon 91 in item 1, the mechanism control unit 148 controls the electromagnetic solenoid 8 of the recording paper supply means 70.
7 is energized and excited to drive the pinch roller 82 to the drive roller 81.
and the other end 86c of the arm 86.
descend. Further, the stepping motor 14 starts rotating in a certain direction, for example, counterclockwise, and the paper feed roller 71 connected to the stepping motor 14 via a one-way clutch (not shown) also rotates, and the recording paper storage means 60
One of the two-most layers of recording paper 62 stacked in a paper feed cassette 61 is used to utilize the difference in the coefficient of friction between the recording paper, the rubber paper feed roller 71, and the recording paper. As a result, it is separated and sent out, and guided to the recording paper supply path 72 of the recording paper supply means 70. Subsequently, the recording paper is fed by the paper feed roller 71, passes through the recording paper detector 89, and then passes through the drive roller 81.
It passes through the gap between the pinch roller 82 and the tip thereof collides with the other end 86c of the arm 86. In this way, the recording paper is still being fed by the paper feed roller 71, and the inside of the recording paper is bent and swollen upward, that is, the leading edge of the recording paper completely collides with the other end 86c of the arm 86. The posture can be adjusted so that it is perpendicular to the direction of travel. When the recording paper detector 89 detects the leading edge of the recording paper, a timer is activated by the detection signal and starts counting time. This timer is set for a sufficient time to complete the recording paper alignment operation. When the timer finishes counting, the rotation direction of the stepping motor 14 is reversed and rotated clockwise. Then, due to the action of the one-way clutch, the signal 1]O1 is no longer transmitted to the paper feed roller 71.
Then, the rotation of the paper feed roller 71i is stopped. The timer completes counting (accompanied by this, the electromagnetic solenoid 87 is deenergized and deenergized).

As the arm 86 returns due to the tension coil b 881, the other end 86C of the arm 86 rises to release the blocking of the recording paper. is lowered, and the pinch roller 82 is pressed by a spring 84 to the driving roller 81 which rotates in conjunction with the stepping motor 14.
The recording paper, which has been adjusted in its posture, is fed again and guided through the recording paper supply path 721. Furthermore, at the same time as the operation in item 1, the power to the electromagnetic lunoid 18 is cut off and demagnetized, and the inverted-shaped arm 15 is pulled back from the coil spring 171, and the inverted-shaped arm 15 is Attaching the thermal recording head 12 to the platen roller 11 (pressure 1
At the same time, the ink ribbon 91 is fed again by rotating the stepper motor (not shown).

In this way, the ink ribbon 91 and the recording paper are fed simultaneously, but eventually the recording paper reaches the conveyance path 43 of the recording paper supply means 30, and its leading edge is detected by the recording paper detector 44. This detection signal is sent to the system control section 143, and the timer means starts measuring time. While continuing to be fed, the recording paper enters and is held between the rotating platen roller 11 and the ink ribbon 91 that is being fed.

Here, as described above, with reference to the recording position of the thermal recording head 12, the distance of the ink ribbon 91 to the ink ribbon detector 113, and the distance of the recording paper to the other end 86C of the arm 86 in the recording paper supply means 70. are set to be equal, so the yellow leading edge of the ink ribbon 91 and the leading edge of the recording paper coincide and overlap. After a predetermined period of time has elapsed since the start of time measurement by the timer means, the yellow tip of the ink ribbon 91 and the tip of the recording paper are transferred to the heat-sensitive recording section 12, which is the recording position of the heating resistor array. When it reaches a point where it is "true" or has gone a little too far, under the control of the system control unit 143 described above, the 3
Among the image signals separated into colors, the image signal corresponding to the yellow color is first read out and sent to the thermal recording head 12. The image signal is amplified by a driver mounted on the thermal recording head 12, energizes the heating resistor, generates Joule heat, locally heats the ink ribbon 91, and causes the yellow solid ink layer applied thereto to be heated. It is melted and transferred to a recording paper that is pressed against it, and a yellow image is first recorded in dots. The recording paper and the ink ribbon 91 are moved by the platen roller 11 so that they are in close contact with each other and no misalignment occurs.
The paper is fed while being recorded sequentially as described above for each scanning cycle. After the yellow recording is completed, the recording paper and the ink ribbon 91, which are still in close contact with each other, are fed as they are and reach the guide bar 111. Here, the ink ribbon 91 is rotated rapidly as shown in FIG. 1, but the recording paper tends to move straight due to its rigidity and peels off from the ink ribbon 91. The peeled recording paper is transferred to the path switching means 50.
Guided by the flapper 51, the gripper piece 24a of the recording paper circulating means 20 opens and enters the waiting grip roller 22 at the lower side in the figure. As yellow recording continues, the recording paper fed by the platen roller 11 eventually collides with the tip of the boob against the gripper piece 24a and the bottom of the block 24b.

Hereinafter, details of the color recording mechanism using the frame sequential method, which is the gist of the present invention, will be explained using FIG. 9.

In FIG. 9, 62 is recording paper, 91 is an ink ribbon,
11 is a platen roller, 12 is a thermal recording head, 22 is a grip roller, 24a is a gripper piece, 36 is a back tension roller, 31 is a drive roller, and 43 is a recording paper supply path.

In FIG. 9(a), the recording paper 62 is still being fed;
The recording paper is bent and slightly swollen, that is, the leading edge of the recording paper is completely gripped by the gripper piece 24a and the block 24b.
When it collides with the bottom of the platen roller 11 and adjusts its posture to be perpendicular to the direction of travel, an electromagnetic clutch (not shown) attached to the shaft 21 of the grip roller 22 operates, and the grip roller 22 moves between the platen roller 11 and its circle. Start rotating with equal circumferential speed. Then, as shown in FIG. 2 described above, the pin 26, which had been pushed toward the center of the grip roller 22 by the cam 27 via the cam follower 28 and the rod 24, thereby opening the gripper piece 24a, is now opened by the cam follower 28. When the cam 27 is disengaged from the convex portion 27b, the gripper piece 24a returns by the action of the compression coil spring 25, and the gripper piece 24a closes to grip and hold the leading edge of the recording paper 62. The grip roller 22 continues to rotate while holding the leading edge of the recording paper, and stops after rotating approximately half a turn as shown in FIG. 9(b). However, the recording of yellow color still progresses, and the recording paper 62 is fed one after another by the platen roller 11, so as shown in FIG.
As shown in C), the recording paper 62 swells greatly within the space S and hangs down vertically. When the yellow recording approaches the end and the end of the recording paper 62 reaches the vicinity of the recording paper supply path 43, the drive roller 31 and grip roller 22 are rotated again as shown in FIG. 9(d).

Therefore, the leading edge of the recording paper 62 is fed again, but the operation of the gripper piece 24a that is opposite to the above-mentioned gripping and holding of the leading edge of the recording paper, that is, the sliding surface of the cam 27 of the cam 27 in FIG. Cam follower 28 rides on 27a,
Gripper piece 24a opens via pin 26. At this point, the drive roller 31 is temporarily stopped and the grip roller 22 continues to rotate, thereby completely opening the leading edge of the recording paper 62. Next, the excitation current of the electromagnetic solenoid 42 in FIG. 1 is cut off, and the attraction of the plunger 42a is released.
The back tension roller 36 is returned to its original position by the spring 38 and is brought into pressure contact with the grip roller 22, as shown in FIG.
As shown in e), the drive roller 31 is rotated again, and the back tension is applied so that the end of the recording paper 62 where the yellow color is to be recorded follows the leading edge of the recording paper 62 with a narrow interval. The recording paper 62 is fed while applying back tension by the action of the roller 36. Then, as shown in FIG. 9(f), the leading edge of the recording paper 62 enters and is held between the rotating platen roller 11 and the ink ribbon 91 being fed as described above with reference to FIG. The electromagnetic solenoid 42 is energized again, the plunger 42a is attracted, and the lever 41 is
and pack tension roller 36 via arm 39
is separated from the grip roller 22 again. Here, since the length of each color of the ink ribbon 91 is set to be approximately equal to the length of the recording paper, the color to be recorded next,
For example, the leading edge of the magenta color and the leading edge of the recording paper 62 coincide and overlap.

In this way, when the magenta tip of the ink ribbon 91 and the tip of the recording paper 62 reach a position directly above or slightly beyond the heating resistor array, which is the recording position of the thermal recording head 12, the system controller 143 Of the image signals separated into three colors stored in the page memory 146, the image signal corresponding to the magenta color is read out and sent to the thermal recording head 12 under the control of the page memory 146. Then, a driver mounted on the thermal recording head 12 energizes the heating resistor to generate Joule heat, thereby causing the ink ribbon 9
1 is heated to melt the magenta solid ink layer applied thereto and transferred to the recording paper 62 which is pressed against it, thereby recording a magenta color image in the form of dots. Thereafter, in the same process as in the case of yellow color recording, magenta color recording is performed overlapping the yellow image "-" which has already been recorded.

In this way, a color image is sequentially recorded on each color of the ink ribbon 91, and when recording of the last color to be recorded, for example, cyan, is started by the thermal recording head 12, the mechanism control unit 148 By energizing and energizing the electromagnetic solenoid 54 of the course switching means 50 and attracting the plunger 54a, the flapper 51 is moved to the position shown by the two-dot chain line in FIG. 1 via the lever 53 and shaft 52.
The direction of the recording paper 62 toward the advancing grip roller 22 is closed, and the direction of the recording paper discharge means 120 toward the recording paper discharge path 123 is opened. At the same time, the driving rollers 125 and 127 associated with the stepping motor (not shown) of the recording paper ejecting means 120 start rotating, and the two sets of foot rollers 121 and 122 operate. Therefore, when the last color to be recorded, for example, cyan, is recorded on the recording paper 62
is fed in close contact with the ink ribbon 91 and reaches the guide bar 111. Here, since the ink ribbon 91 is rapidly rotated as described above, the leading edge of the recording paper 62 tries to move straight due to its rigidity and peels off from the ink ribbon 91. In this way, the leading edge of the recording paper 62, which has been peeled off to form a complete color received recorded image, is guided by the flapper 51 of the path switching means 50, which is indicated by the two-dot chain line in the figure.
It enters the record discharge path 123. Thereafter, the recording paper 62 is fed by the foot roller 121, and the recording paper ejection path 12
4, the sheet is discharged by the feed roller 122 onto the sheet discharge tray 5 provided in the second section of the apparatus, and placed thereon. When one page of reception recording is completed and sufficient time has elapsed for the end of the recording paper 62 to pass through the flapper 51, the mechanism control unit 148 cuts off the power to the electromagnetic solenoid 54, and uses the biasing force of the compression coil spring 55 to close the flapper 51. is returned to its original position, that is, as shown by the solid line in the figure. At the same time, the recording means 10
The stepping motor 14 and the stepping motor (not shown) of the ink ribbon conveying means 90 also stop rotating.
As a result, the rotation of the platen roller 11 is stopped, and the feeding of the ink ribbon 91 is also stopped. On the other hand, the recording paper 62
When the terminal end of the recording paper 62 passes the feed roller 122 and the recording paper 62 on which the color received recorded image is formed is completely discharged onto the paper discharge tray 5, a step (not shown) of the recording paper discharge means 120 is performed. The motor also stops rotating.

With the above steps, one type of reception and recording operation in color facsimile communication is completed, and a received image identical to that of a color original is obtained.

The principle of subtractive color mixing in color recording is a well-known technique and will not be explained here, but when using the three colors yellow, magenta, and cyan as the solid ink layer colors of the ink ribbon, white, which is the background color of the recording paper, It is well known that eight colors can be reproduced and recorded by adding . Furthermore, if gradation recording is performed using a pseudo-halftone recording method such as the density pattern method, a large number of colors can be reproduced even with the three-color ink ribbon. For example, if the density of the heating element is 16 pal,
When performing gradation recording using the dither method using a 4×4 dot matrix using a thermal recording head of 4 pixels/mm+n, it is possible to record 4096 colors at a resolution of 4 pixels/m+n.

It goes without saying that the color facsimile reception and recording apparatus described in detail of the present invention can be preferably applied to any of the color recording methods described in 1-1 above, and can also be applied to recording apparatuses other than color facsimile, such as color copying machines, etc. The same applies to color printers.

In addition, it is also possible to use multicolor recording methods that do not rely on subtractive color mixing, such as multicolor facsimile, which uses ink ribbons painted in strips to record in two colors, red and black. It goes without saying that the present invention can be preferably applied.

In the gripper mechanism 23 of the grip roller 22 in the recording means 10 of the above embodiment, the gripper piece 24a holds and releases the leading edge of the recording paper by a combination of a compression coil spring 25 and a cam 27. However, it can also be suitably realized using other means, such as an electromagnetic solenoid, and is not limited to the embodiments.

Further, the recording means 10 is provided with a pack tension roller 36, and the pack tension roller 36 is controlled by an electromagnetic solenoid 42 so as to press against or separate from the grip roller 22, or the electromagnetic solenoid 42 is omitted and the pack tension roller 36 is always gripped. It may be made to come into pressure contact with the roller 22. This pack tension roller 36 may be omitted if the precision of the components of the mechanism can be maintained sufficiently and meandering during feeding of the recording paper can be prevented.

Furthermore, the flapper 51 of the path switching means 50 in the recording means 10 opens the direction of the advance of the recording paper toward the recording paper discharge means 120 and closes the direction toward the grip roller 22 by energizing the electromagnetic solenoid 54. However, by energizing the electromagnetic solenoid 54, the grip roller 22 is
Alternatively, the direction toward the recording paper ejecting means 120 may be opened and the direction toward the recording paper ejecting means 120 may be closed.

In order to synchronize the feeding operation of the recording paper, the thermal recording head 12 in the recording means 10 of this embodiment is temporarily separated from the platen roller 11 by an electromagnetic solenoid 18 when receiving a facsimile, or the recording paper This is not necessarily essential, provided that the feeding of the ink ribbon is controlled based on the feeding operation of the ink ribbon. That is, at the start of facsimile reception, the ink ribbon 91 and the recording paper simultaneously start feeding under the control of the mechanism control unit 148, so that the leading edge of the recording paper reaches the other end 86 of the arm 86. When the stepping motor 14 collides with C and adjusts its attitude to be perpendicular to the direction of travel,
When the rotation of the ink ribbon is temporarily stopped and the tip of the first color to be recorded is detected by the ink ribbon detector 113, the power to the electromagnetic solenoid 87 is cut off and demagnetized, and the stepping motor 14 is rotated clockwise. The same operations and functions as described above can be achieved by rotating the recording paper once again to feed the recording paper.

On the other hand, after providing a separation control means for the thermal recording head 12 as in this embodiment, the length of each color of the ink ribbon 91 is
The length is set equal to the length of the longest recording paper to be used, and when using a shorter recording paper, the feeding of the recording paper is temporarily stopped each time the recording color is switched, and the electromagnetic solenoid 18 is energized to The recording head 12 is connected to the platen roller 1.
1 and feed only the ink ribbon 91 at high speed to the position corresponding to the next color to be recorded.Then, the electromagnetic solenoid 18 is demagnetized and the ink ribbon 91 and recording paper 62 are moved to the platen roller 11. It is also possible to record the next color by sandwiching and pressing them together, and in this way it becomes possible to suitably obtain color images even on recording paper of various lengths.

Furthermore, the recording paper can be used not only as a single-sheet recording paper cut into a predetermined size as in this embodiment, but also as a roll-shaped recording paper in the same way as described above. That is,
A recording paper cutting means such as an automatic cutter is provided in the middle of the recording paper supply path 72 or 73 of the recording paper supplying means 70, and the recording paper is cut to the same size as the original to be transmitted via the mechanism control unit 148 according to a command from the system control unit 143. At the same time, the electromagnetic solenoid 18 is controlled as described above to make each color of the ink ribbon 91 accurately correspond to the length of the recording paper, thereby cutting the color of the same size as the original to be sent. It is possible to get the received image.

In addition, although the thermal recording head of this embodiment uses a line scanning type to electronically scan and record, it is also possible to use a flying type thermal recording head to mechanically scan and record across the recording paper. The present invention can also be preferably applied to color recording devices such as color printers.

[Effects of the Invention] As explained in detail above, in the color image recording apparatus according to the present invention, the leading edge of the recording paper is captured every time recording of one color is completed, and the leading edge of the recording paper is moved to the thermal recording head. The recording paper is moved to the entrance side and held there, and all parts other than the leading edge of the recording paper are allowed to slacken, and the leading edge of the recording paper is held at a predetermined timing when the trailing edge of the recording paper finishes recording. At the same time, the recording paper is overlapped with the ink ribbon and pressed between the thermal recording head and the platen roller to perform recording of the next color.

Therefore, the wasted time required for the reciprocating movement of the recording paper each time one color is recorded as described in the conventional example can be extremely reduced, and there is an excellent advantage that color recording can be performed at high speed.

Furthermore, the long space for temporarily accommodating the recording paper during the reciprocation of the recording paper in the conventional example becomes unnecessary by applying the present invention, which is advantageous in terms of miniaturization of the apparatus.

Further, it is also possible to keep the thermal recording head in constant pressure contact with the platen roller without performing separation control. For this reason, as in the conventional case, the ink ribbon may be returned together with the recording paper, or the forcible rubbing against the ink ribbon may cause stains on the surface of the recording paper, impairing the image quality. Therefore, the device can be simplified.

Furthermore, after the start of recording, the leading edge of the recording paper is held by the recording paper circulation means for most of the process.
Since the free period is short, it is possible to reduce the skew of the recording paper and the cumulative error in the stroke, so compared to the conventional method that uses reciprocating movement of the recording paper, color shift is extremely small and high-quality color images can be obtained. It has the advantage of being able to

Furthermore, during color recording, only the leading edge of the recording paper is held, and the rest is not constrained and is allowed to sag naturally, for example, vertically downward, so that the conveyance path for the circulation of the recording paper by a guide plate, etc. It has the advantage that a highly functional device can be constructed in a compact size without requiring other structures. In addition, since the ink ribbon can be fed independently to the platen roller of the thermal recording head, it is possible to use recording paper of any size. Then, if you use a recording paper cutting means such as an auto cutter, -〇 1
- It has the excellent feature of being able to always obtain a color received image of the same size as the transmitted original.

On the other hand, since recording can be performed using a small diameter platen roller,
Circulating the recording paper does not require a specially shaped thermal recording head, unlike the conventional drum platen system similar to the present invention, and furthermore, the circumference does not need to be longer than the length of the recording paper. This eliminates the need for a drum-shaped platen with a certain large diameter, which has the advantage of making the apparatus compact and inexpensive.

In addition, in the color image recording device according to the present invention, the recording mechanism section is integrated into one side of the device casing, and the electrical control means is integrated into the other side of the device casing, so maintenance work is easy. In addition, the operation buttons and the like can be easily arranged, and the paper ejection tray is located on the top of the device housing, making it extremely easy to use.

Further, in the color recording apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention, the pair of side plates constituting the thermal recording head and the ink ribbon conveying means are supported by pivots provided on the pair of side plates constituting the main part of the main body. Since it is rotatably supported so as to open upward, the elements covering the recording means, recording paper supply means, and recording paper ejection means can be removed or easily removed by opening them. It is extremely easy to load and replace the ink ribbon, and recovery processing in the event of a failure such as a recording paper jam can be performed quickly.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a sectional view conceptually showing the configuration of a color facsimile receiving device according to the present invention, FIG. 2 is a partially sectional side view showing a recording paper circulation means of the device, and FIG. 3 is a side view of the recording paper. FIG. 4 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the circulation means, FIG.
FIG. 6 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the pinch roller in the figure, FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view showing the structure for holding the ink ribbon supply roll, and FIG.
8 is a block diagram showing a control system of a color facsimile receiving apparatus according to the present invention, and FIG. 9 is a sectional view showing a structure for holding an ink ribbon take-up roll.FIG. A cross-sectional view schematically showing the process, FIG. 10 is a plan view showing a part of a conventional color recording ink ribbon, and FIGS. 11 and 12 are conceptual diagrams showing the conventional color recording method. It is a diagram. DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1... Device housing, 2.3... Side plate, 4... Cover, 4a, 4b... Side plate, 5... Paper ejection tray, 10...
...Recording means, 11.. Platen roller, 12.. Thermal recording head, 13.. Separation mechanism, 20.. Recording paper circulation means, 22.. Grip roller, 23.. Gripper mechanism, 24a...Gripper piece, 27...Cam,
30... Second recording paper supply means, 33... Feed roller, 36... Pack tension roller, 43...
- Recording paper supply path, 50... Path switching means, 51...
Flapper, 60... Recording paper storage means, 61... Paper feeding cassette, 62... Recording paper, 70... First recording paper supplying means, 71... Paper feeding roller, 72.73. ... Recording paper supply path, 80... Recording paper aligning means, 81... Drive roller, 82... Pinch roller, 83... Feed roller, 84... Spring, 85° 86... Arm ,
86C... End, 87... Electromagnetic solenoid 88...
Spring, 89... Recording paper detector, 90... Ink ribbon conveying means, 91... Ink ribbon, 92... Supply roll, 93... Winding roll, 113... Ink ribbon detector, 120...recording paper ejection means, 121.12
2... Feed roller, 123° 124... Recording paper ejection path, 130... Facsimile control means, 140.
...Electronic circuit board, 150...Power supply device. = 56- Figure 10 Figure 12

Claims (1)

[Claims] A recording means for overlapping a recording paper and an ink ribbon and performing recording by transferring ink from the ink ribbon onto the recording paper using a thermal recording head while conveying them; a first recording paper supply means for feeding the recording paper, and a recording paper circulation unit that captures the leading edge of the recording paper discharged from the thermal recording head after recording and moves the leading edge of the recording paper to the entrance side of the thermal recording head. means and
A second section for causing the leading end of the recording paper sent by the recording paper circulating means to wait at the entrance of the thermal recording head, and for feeding the recording paper to the thermal recording head for recording the next color.
a recording paper supply means for transporting the recording paper discharged from the thermal recording head to a paper discharge tray; and a recording paper circulation means for transporting the recording paper discharged from the thermal recording head to the recording paper circulation means or the recording paper A recording mechanism section having a path switching means for selectively guiding one side of the ejecting means is disposed from approximately the center of the device housing to one end thereof, and a control means having an electronic circuit board and a power supply device is arranged within the device housing. furthermore, the recording paper accommodating means is arranged below the control means of the apparatus housing, and the paper ejection tray is formed at the upper part of the apparatus housing. Characteristic color image recording device.