JPS62244665A - Printer - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To record a dot having a normal shape on paper to be transferred extremely inferior to surface smoothness or a film not high in the compatibility with ink too much, in forming one recording dot, by providing at least two or more heat energy applying means. CONSTITUTION:A printer has a heat energy applying means 11 for applying heat energy to a recording part 13 of thermoplastic magnetic ink and a magnetic attraction force generating means 15 for generating magnetic attraction force in ink and, by controlling the application of heat energy, the recording part of the ink is transferred to a medium 14 to be transferred by magnetic attraction force. The ink is not contacted with the medium to be transferred at an ink non-recording part 12. Because the ink medium is not contacted with the medium to be transferred, the ink recording part deforms or flies regardless of the shape of the medium to be transferred to perform the transfer of the ink and, therefore, even a high density recording dot especially having a small area can be recorded even on the medium to be transferred inferior to surface smoothness like rough paper in a normal shape with good transfer efficiency.

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] [Industrial Field of Application] The present invention is a non-input printing method! More specifically, it relates to a printing device that transfers thermoplastic magnetic ink to a transfer medium by the action of heat and magnetism to obtain a single character or image.

[Conventional technology]

Many methods have been proposed using magnetic ink as a compact, low-cost, non-impact printing method.

For example, the method described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 52-96541.

A magnetic ink is used as the ink of the melting thermal transfer method, and a magnetic means is provided separately from the heat supply means.

A magnetic attraction force is applied to the ink corresponding to the thermal image, and the image is transferred. That is, as shown in FIG. 6(a), the ink medium υ thermoplastic magnetic ink 504 is added to the base film 305 by the thermal head. After applying thermal printing across the surface (directly below the head), it is brought into contact with the transfer paper, and the molten ink is adhered to the transfer paper.

The ink medium is peeled off from the receiving paper and the ink is transferred. The magnetic attraction force has the effect of increasing the probability of contact of the molten ink with the transfer paper, and the effect of increasing the transfer rate to the paper when the ink medium is peeled off.
It was devised so that one literary stroke 11 can be printed with high quality even on rough paper, which has poor surface smoothness.

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention] However, in the above-mentioned prior art, when the ink medium is peeled off, the ink in the recording area to be transferred is in contact with the base film and the ink in the non-recording area. Therefore, a force acts to peel off the ink in the recording area, which has once been melted and adhered to the transfer paper, from the transfer paper together with the base film, causing transfer defects. In FIG. 6(b), in general thermal transfer recording, FA (ink-to-transfer paper adhesion force) and FB (ink cohesive force) are , the force that prevents transfer, ya (ink base film indirect layer force) and yn (
Ki f! cohesive force between the ink part and the non-recording part) υ,
If the relationship of FB, IFA>>IPC or llID is always established, the transcription will be complete.

In the figure, 311 is a base film, 312 is recording part ink, 513 is non-recording part ink, and 514 is transfer paper.

In the above-mentioned conventional technology, when the ink melts, the ink in the recording section is attracted towards the transfer paper by magnetic attraction, so the probability of contact with the transfer paper increases. ) was effective in increasing the transfer efficiency to some extent. However, as usual,
When the ink medium is peeled off, since the base film, ink, and transfer paper are in contact with each other, Pc-? IFD exists.

Therefore, when a droplet is transferred to a transfer paper having very poor surface smoothness, a problem arises in that FA<FOj or FA<FD occurs, resulting in poor transfer.

If the surface condition of the transfer medium is rough, as shown in FIG. 6(C),

When printing the recording dots 321, the portion that does not come into contact with the transfer medium 322 and the magnetic ink 323 (the valley portion 32 in the figure)
4), so recording dots with a normal shape could not be obtained. In particular, when the transfer medium is rough paper with very poor surface smoothness (Beck smoothness of 1 to 2 seconds) as shown in Fig. 33, it is difficult to use magnetic attraction as in the prior art described above. The magnetic ink adhered only to the vicinity of convex portions 551&C like the tips of the fibers on the surface of the magnetic disk, resulting in female-shaped recording dots 332 at 6th ft (a) KL, and a normal-shaped recording dot 1 could not be obtained.

Furthermore, when the recording dots become denser, the same phenomenon is particularly noticeable, and recording dots with a small area cannot have a normal shape.
As shown in a), plastic magnetic ink 54 and transfer paper 305 force 1
Since they were in contact with each other, most of the heat generated by the thermal head 301 passed through the plastic magnetic ink 304 and escaped to the transfer paper 305. During transfer, there were four points in which a large amount of heat was lost as heat loss without melting the plastic magnetic ink 304t (this phenomenon is hereinafter referred to as heat loss). 19 In the method of Jyobei, magnetic ink 3 is used as shown in Figure 6(a).
04 and the transfer paper 305 are in contact with each other.

Force 1, such as friction and heat conduction, is generated between the plastic magnetic material 304 and the transfer paper 305. For this reason, the plastic magnetic ink 30 is printed using a method other than the normal recording method using a thermal head.
The problem is that a phenomenon (hereinafter referred to as character smearing) in which characters 4 are recorded on the non-recorded area of the transfer paper occurs.

In the method of US 119, a large amount of thermal energy is required to obtain recording dots of the same size as the heating element of the thermal head. For this reason, there was a problem that printing using low energy was not possible. Furthermore, when transferring with such a large amount of thermal energy, there are problems in that the base film is thermally destroyed, the ink film itself is destroyed, and the ink film does not adhere to the heat generating element of the thermal head. This solves these problems,
The purpose is to provide a device that can satisfy at least one of the four items listed above.

(1) Transfer paper with very poor surface smoothness! Normally shaped dots can be recorded on a film that does not have a high affinity with ink or ink.

(2) Can prevent smudging of letters (3) Reduce heat loss during printing energy.

(4) Normally shaped dots can be printed even if the recording dot density is increased.

(5) Large dots of normal shape can be printed without thermally destroying the ink film.

[Means for solving problems]

This device has a means for applying thermal energy to a recorded portion of thermoplastic magnetic ink, and transfers the recorded portion of the ink to a transfer medium under control of a thermal energy stamp 710 (1) to create recorded dots. When forming one recording dot, heat is applied using at least two thermal energy applying means (a plurality of applying means c/). Apply one first and then the other. Apply at the same time.

For example, you can selectively use one cut.)

At this time, a means for applying thermal energy to the recorded portion of the thermoplastic magnetic ink and a means for generating a magnetic attraction force to the ink are provided, and by controlling the application of thermal energy, the recorded portion of the ink is applied to the recording portion of the ink by the magnetic attraction force. This is a device that creates recording dots by transferring to a transfer medium, and at least two or more thermal energy applying means may be provided when creating one recording dot.

19. The thermoplastic magnetic ink υ has a means for applying thermal energy to the part e, and a means for generating a magnetic attraction force to the ink a, and by controlling the application of thermal energy, the recorded part of the core ink is subjected to the magnetic attraction force. A device that creates recording dots by transferring them to a transfer medium.

In this case, the ink and the transfer medium do not come into contact with each other in the non-recording portion of the ink, and at least two or more thermal energy applying means may be provided when creating one recording dot.

Of course, the ink and the transfer medium are brought into contact at the recorded and non-recorded areas of the ink □Contact at the recorded area, non-contact at the non-recorded area, non-contact at the recorded and non-recorded areas, non-contact at the La part, and non-recording Either part may be in contact.

Hereinafter, an example will be explained in which the ink recording area is made non-contact.

As shown in FIG. 1, such an inventive printing system includes a means 11 for applying thermal energy to a recording portion 13 of a thermoplastic magnetic ink, and a means 1 for generating a magnetic attraction force on the ink.
5, and is a printing method in which the recorded portion of the ink is transferred to the transfer medium 14 by magnetic attraction force by controlling the application of thermal energy, and the ink and the transfer medium are transferred to the non-recorded portion 12 of the ink. (PM is the magnetic attraction vector) is also υ without contact.

[Effect]

According to the above configuration of the present invention, large dots with a normal shape can be printed without thermally destroying the ink film. Further, if the thermoplastic magnetic ink and the transfer medium are not in contact with each other in the non-recording portion of the ink, the ink is transferred by melting the ink with thermal energy at least in the transfer portion.

When the ink is activated by heat, the ink recording portion is deformed or ejected due to magnetic attraction. In other words, imprinting on the transfer medium is completed almost simultaneously with the application of thermal energy to the ink.

The process of peeling off the reinking media becomes unnecessary. That is, in FIG. 6(b), the FC! at the time of peeling off the ink medium, which was preventing transfer! , F.D.
is absent, so the transcription is complete.

In addition, the ink recording area deforms or flies and transfers the ink without contacting the ink medium and the transfer medium, regardless of the shape of the transfer medium. The transfer effect 54 is good even on a bad transfer medium or even with high-density recording dots with a particularly small area, and a normal shape V recording dot force 1 can be achieved.

Furthermore, since the ink medium and the transfer medium are not in contact with each other, there is no contact between the non-recorded area of the ink and the transfer medium, and no single character stain occurs. In history again.

Since the ink medium and the transfer medium are not in contact with each other, there is no heat loss due to heat conduction from the ink medium to the transfer medium. Among them, a general thermal head is available as a means for applying thermal energy to the above-mentioned printing 417&. Alternatively, it is preferable to uniformly apply thermoplastic magnetic ink on the surface of the heat-resistant 6W resin base film.

Means for generating magnetic attraction include electromagnets, permanent magnets, and the like.

The energy υ applying means is 211 per recording dot transfer! There are more than υ heating elements.

1t, the means for generating magnetic attraction force is to create a magnetic closed circuit using magnetic materials, and leak magnetic flux (or magnetic field).

Magnetism] may be used as a magnetic attraction force to absorb the thermoplastic magnetic ink. In this case, it is preferable to obtain leakage magnetism by providing a protrusion that makes a part of the υ magnetic material in a 1m closed circuit discontinuous. In particular, if a portion of the magnetic material (closed shape) V constituting the magnetic closed circuit is made discontinuous and the leakage magnetism of the warped portion is used, a strong magnetic attraction force can be obtained. By utilizing the edge V leakage magnetic flux, a stronger magnetic attraction force can be obtained.

Example of a case where an electromagnet is used as a magnetic attraction means. [Example] Printing method in a non-example. Figure 0 is shown in Part 21) and (C)
Shown below. 21 is a thermal head, 22 is an ink medium, 2
3 is a transfer paper, 24 is an electromagnetic head or a permanent magnet head, and 25 is an ink medium support 1-126 is a magnetic ink. As shown in the figure, in the present invention, the magnetic ink of the ink medium and the transfer paper are attached without contacting each other. In addition, as shown in the second [g(b)K], the longitudinal direction of the suction part of the IE magnet head or permanent magnet head is the thermal head υ
It is desirable that the length be longer than the length of the thermal element row, that is, the length of the printing section. This is to uniformly apply a magnetic attraction force to the recording part of the magnetic ink.

2J2 layer (a) shows the shape of the heat generating part of the thermal head. ・30 is the main heat generating part name heating element, 31.34 is each element magnetic pole and common electrode, respectively.Here, 24 elements resolution 18G
It was created to become DPI. 32 is the sub-heating part heating element 3
3 is a sub-heating part electrode.

Part 3 regarding the upward placement of the thermal head of the main and sub-heating parts
Here, the 2fi types shown in FIGS. (b) and (c) were created on the substrate 35.

The 21st station (b)-1 to (b)-a shows the recording mechanism. 25 is the support r@, zb is the magnetic ink, 23 is the transfer paper, 24 is the 1-magnetic head, and 21 is the thermal head. . The oblique portion III of the magnetic ink is a portion heated by both the main and sub heating elements of the thermal head υ in response to the signal 11. (b) −1Fi, thermal impression process, (t+) −2
Fi, suction deformation process, (1))-3 is flight process, (bl
-4 indicates the process of completion of transcription. According to observation of the transcription mechanism in false cases, (b)-1→(b)-2→(b)
-a and hi) -1-+(b) -s -e(b)
-4v Two types of process power were possible, but both were excellent in terms of printing quality. Also, since the ink is heated first by the sub-heating element, the main heating element (1)
At the same time, suction deformation starts at the same time as energy is applied.
The entire heat generating area is transferred to the transfer paper during the flight process.

A main sectional view of the electromagnet head in a non-example is shown in the 21st button. The core (29) is nine-shaped with a constricting tip (29'). The material of the core is a high permeability material, namely P
e, Fe-Eii+? e-Ni, Mu-Zu ferrite, N1-Zu ferrite, etc. are suitable. °f⇠ cocoa tip, using Pa-co #υ high saturation magnetic flux density material,
It's even more effective.

Figure 4(a) shows the magnetic field distribution at the tip of the magnet head in m4.
FIG. 4(b) shows an attenuation curve of the magnetic field strength in the X direction of FIG. 4(a). Xl (1=1.2°3) and Hl (1=1.2.3) in both figures correspond to each other. Fourth
41 in the figure (al) indicates magnetic ink in the recording section, which is attracted to both heads 42 by a magnetic attraction force (F'2).The magnetic attraction force F is expressed as F=MO2H/2X. Here, the Md ink V magnetization strength, 2 H/2 X, indicates the magnetic field gradient in the X direction. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 4(b).

The magnetic attraction force increases in the order of IT'S<F2<IFl. The magnetic ink recording part is heated and has fluidity, so that the magnetic ink is heated and has fluidity.
As shown in FIG. 2, in order to deform or fly and transfer onto a piece of paper, the magnetic attraction force needs to exceed a threshold value. 1 liter,
The threshold value also depends on the magnetization strength and flow characteristics of the S-air ink. As a result of examining the actual examples, the desirable shape of the electromagnet head is B in Fig. 2, that is, the gap at the tip.

1000 μm or less, preferably 1 depth, 500 μm or less groove, and A in FIG. 2, that is, the distance mFi between the electromagnetic head and the magnetic ink, 1. ooo μ groove or less.

We concluded that it is preferably 500 μm or less.

Furthermore, the magnetomotive force N of the electromagnet (N is the number of turns, N is the current) is 5
00 or more, preferably 1.000 or more.

Furthermore, as shown in FIGS. 2(f) and (g), if an auxiliary magnetoelectric 27 is provided on the opposite side of the magnetic ink v (Ii magnetic head), it is possible to increase the magnetic field gradient at the recording section ink 28 reed. possible, and is effective in increasing the magnetic attraction force.As the material for the auxiliary magnetic pole, the above-mentioned high permeability 6!1 ratio material and high saturation magnetic flux density material are suitable.Here, the core is
Vermetujur (C.

50) was used, and the magnetomotive force was set to N engineering Vi3000.

The gap (B) at the tip was a 400μ groove.The ink medium was a 4μ thick BIT (polyethylene terephthalate) film with magnetic ink having the composition shown below, which was hot-melted to an ink thickness of 6μ. 90 [Composition] t Magnetite fine particles aowt%2 Carnauba wax 20wt%5 Paraffin wax 50wt44, ETA
5wt'15 dispersant
1wt Nobu & Dye 4wt4
Moreover, the melting point is 70°C±5°C.

FIG. 5 shows a circuit diagram of the main heating section when ink transfer is performed using the above elements and the F4 configuration.

A pulse generator 51 generates a pulse, the inverter (tongue logic) inverts the pulse, connects it to the base of a transistor 53, and applies energy to the thermal head heating element 54.

A similar circuit was used to apply energy to the sub-heating section.◎ Printing was performed using the following hanging conditions.

[Actual N@Example 1] The thermal head shown in Fig. 3 (1)) was used. Apply power of 1.0 WC/) to the auxiliary heating part, and then apply 1.4 W of power to the main heating part after applying 1.0 WC of power to the main heating part. (L5" 5lle casual friend.

[Example 2] Under the same conditions as Example 1, a thermal head was used as shown in FIG. 3(c), and the energy applied to both heat generating parts was also the same as in Example 1.

[Example 3] Under the same conditions as in Example 1, using the same thermal head, the power applied to the sub-heating part was 1. It flowed for I15"Sec in OW.

The energy applied to the main heat generating part should be the same as 1.

[Implementation fI4] Under the same conditions and the same applied energy as in Example row 3, Fig. 3 (c
) Friend using a CD head.

The results of this example are expressed as the transfer efficiency, which is the amount of ink transferred to the transfer paper expressed as a percentage with respect to the amount of ink per area of the main heating element (heating element area ink thickness). As a comparative example shown in Example 1, using the same elements as Example 1,
Figure (a) In the LD configuration, the magnetic ink and the transfer paper are set so that they are in contact with each other when thermal energy is applied, that is, directly below the thermal head. Energy per IJ child, 1.4WC/Jil
This was done by letting the force flow through α5"see.

Other conditions are the same as in Example 1.

Table 1. Transfer evaluation 1 of Sou IIfA series and comparative example - Results There are cases where the same transfer efficiency as Examples 1 to 4 can be obtained under conditions other than these. It is also valid for those υ fields 4#.

Further, the number of sub-heating elements may be further increased to two or three. Further, the arrangement of the heating elements υ may be freely set as long as transfer efficiency can be obtained.

Further, the sub-heating element may be divided and the main heat-generating part and the sub-heating part may be formed on separate substrates.The embodiments described here are merely examples.

Without being limited to this embodiment, the printing method uses thermal energy to transfer a recorded portion of thermoplastic magnetic ink onto a transfer target by magnetic attraction.

Valid for all devices.

[Effects of the Invention] As described above, according to the present invention, large dots with a normal shape can be printed without thermally destroying the ink film. It further includes means for applying thermal energy to the recorded portion of the thermoplastic liaison ink and means for generating a magnetic attraction force to the ink, and by controlling the application of thermal energy, the recorded portion of the ink is subjected to the magnetic attraction force. In a printing device that transfers data to a transfer medium, if the ink and the transferred medium force (, the ink υ does not come into contact with the recorded portion).

The process force 1 needed to peel off the ink medium in the prior art is no longer necessary, and the ink transfer effect St can be greatly increased.

Since 17 is a non-contact type, the ink is transferred regardless of the surface shape of the transfer medium, so recording dots with a normal shape υ and high transfer efficiency can be obtained.

Therefore,! ! High-quality characters even on paper with extremely poor surface smoothness and films with poor affinity for ink and V.

It is possible to form an image.

Assume that there is no contact between the non-recording area and the transfer medium.

There are no smeared letters.

Furthermore, since the heat loss is extremely small, the heat application energy can be reduced and the application time can be shortened, thereby making it possible to speed up printing. Furthermore.

Magnetic attraction means: 1g & attraction force υ using Klat magnet
The power can be controlled, and the power must be turned off when not transferring.
Therefore, it is possible to prevent magnetic dust, ink, etc. from adhering to the electromagnetic head.

In cases where a permanent magnet head is used as the magnetic attraction means,
It is possible to use an energy-saving printing device.

By providing two or more heating elements for each 1t and 11 hard recording dots, it is possible to obtain dots with high transfer efficiency without having to make the ink film adhere to the broken heating element. The invention is not limited to the present embodiment, but is applicable to all printing methods and apparatuses that transfer a recorded portion of thermoplastic magnetic ink to a transfer target by magnetic attraction force through thermal energy control.

4. Drawing vFIB detailed explanation FIG. 1 is a detailed explanatory diagram of the present invention.

Second same (a) Implementation fl11 explanatory diagram of the present invention.

(b) 5j! Embodiment 1 Operation explanatory diagram.

(C) ~(d)ij! 399111 rg@a1 stone structure 1ffiiQ description; threshold.

(ω〜(C) FIG. 3 - Structural diagram of the uninvented thermal head.

FIG. 4 - (a) to (b) are explanatory diagrams of magnetic attraction force vectors of practical columns.

Fig. 5 - Embodiment V (Road configuration example explanatory diagram) 6th +@(a)-re)-Explanatory diagram of the prior art.

Applicant Seiko Epson Corporation Figure 1 Figure 2 Figure 2 (c) jI2 (b) (C) Figure 3 Q XI X2 Xs X CJL&jo
151*'J) (b) Flute l M Fig. 5 NjJM - Low (Q) a Fs (b) Fig. 6 (C) (d) Fig. 6

Claims (3)

[Claims] (1) It has means for applying thermal energy to the recording portion of the thermoplastic magnetic ink, and by controlling the application of thermal energy,
A printing device that creates recorded dots by transferring the recorded portion of the ink to a transfer medium, and is characterized in that at least two or more thermal energy application means are provided when forming one recorded dot. Device. (2) It has a means for applying thermal energy to the recording portion of the thermoplastic magnetic ink and a means for generating a magnetic attraction force to the ink, and by controlling the application of thermal energy, the recording portion of the ink is applied to the recording portion by the magnetic attraction force. The printing device according to claim 1, which is an apparatus for creating recording dots by transferring them to a transfer medium, and having at least two or more thermal energy application means when creating one recording dot. Device. (3) It has a means for applying thermal energy to the recording portion of the thermoplastic magnetic ink and a means for generating a magnetic attraction force to the ink, and by controlling the application of thermal energy, the recording portion of the ink is caused to be caused by the magnetic attraction force. , is a device that creates recording dots by transferring them to a transfer medium, the ink and the transfer medium do not come into contact with each other in the non-recording part of the ink, and at least two or more heat waves are applied when creating one recording dot. 2. The printing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising energy applying means.