JPS62263072A - Electrothermal-type printer - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To enable clear printing through increasing dot density while simplifying construction, by connecting switching elements respectively between a supplying electrode and a power source and between each recovering electrode and an earth line, and controlling the ON/OFF operation of the switching elements for a pair of the electrodes adjacent to a given one of the electrodes according to the ON/OFF state of the switching element for the given electrode. CONSTITUTION:A controlling means turns ON every other switching element 19 on the supplying side. A switching element 20A corresponding to one of a pair of recoverying electrodes 16 adjacent to a supplying electrode 15 corresponding to the switching element 19A which is in the ON state is turned ON. As a result, an electric current flows from a power source 17 to an earth line 18 through the switching element 19A in the ON state, the supplying electrode 15, an electric resistance layer of a transfer ribbon 21, the recoverying electrode 16 and the switching element 20A in the ON state. By such a control that the switching elements 19, 20 are turned ON and OFF in a predetermined sequence, a dot density two times the arranging density of the supplying electrodes 15 can be obtained, and clear printing can be performed.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention (Industrial Field of Application) The present invention is capable of forming ink on thermal paper into dots by selectively energizing between a plurality of current supply electrodes and collection electrodes provided in a print head. The present invention relates to an energized printing device that performs printing by developing color or by transferring ink carried on a transfer ribbon in dots onto regular paper.

(Prior art and problems to be solved by the invention) Conventionally,
For example, as shown in FIG. 7, this type of printing device has a printing device that is printed on an insulating substrate 1 through 11? i! By alternately arranging the poles 2 and collection electrodes 3 and selectively applying current between the adjacent current-carrying electrodes 2 and each collection electrode 3, the transfer ribbon 4
There is one in which the ink on the ink rVI6 is transferred in a dot shape to the printing IE7 by generating heat in the electrical resistance layer 5 of the ink.

However, in this conventional device, the negative set of electrodes 2.3
Therefore, in order to increase the number of dots per unit length (dot density) and form clear characters, each electrode is made very small and must be arranged accurately. As a result, combined with the fact that each electric bridge is made of metal with high wear resistance, there is a problem in that machining becomes troublesome and manufacturing costs soar.

In addition, as shown in FIG. 8, a plurality of current-carrying electrodes 2 (only livA is shown) are arranged above and below the print head at predetermined intervals, and a transfer ribbon is placed between the current-carrying electrodes 2 and the printing paper 7. 4, and when the current-carrying electrode 2 is selectively energized, the electric resistance Fi5 of the transfer ribbon 4 generates heat to transfer the ink on the ink layer 6 to the printing paper 7 in a dot shape, and the transfer ribbon 4 There is one in which the flowing current is recovered via the conductive Fi 8 and the recovery electrode 3.

However, this conventional device also has the same problems as the conventional device described above.

(Object of the Invention) This invention was made to solve the above problems, and its purpose is to simplify the structure, make it possible to manufacture it cheaply, and to increase the dot density so that it can be clearly produced. An object of the present invention is to provide an energized printing device capable of printing.

(Means for solving the problem YjL) In order to achieve the above object, in this invention, a supply electrode is provided on one side of a base material made of an electrically insulating material, and a collection electrode is provided on the other side. At the same time, the printing side end surface of each electrode is arranged on a plane parallel to the printing surface, and switching is provided between each supply electrode and the power supply and between each collection electrode and the ground wire. In order to connect the elements and obtain a dot density that is twice the arrangement density of one of the electrodes on the supply side or the recovery side, in response to the on/off state of a switching element corresponding to one of the electrodes, , a control means is provided for switching and controlling the on/off state of the switching elements corresponding to the pair of electrodes adjacent to the - number of electrodes among the other electrodes.

(Function) Therefore, in response to the on/off state of the switching element corresponding to one of the one electrodes, the control means switches the pair of electrodes adjacent to the - number of electrodes among the other electrodes. Switching and controlling the on/off state of the corresponding switching element. Then, by applying electricity between the two electrodes corresponding to the switching element in the on state, the ink on the thermal paper is colored into dots at a dot density that is twice the arrangement density of either the supply side or the recovery side electrode. , the ink carried on the transfer ribbon is transferred onto the paper in dots.

(Embodiment) Hereinafter, a first embodiment in which the present invention is embodied in a line printer will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3.

As shown in FIG. 2, a platen 12 for supporting printing paper 11 is installed on a frame (not shown), and a print head 13 having a length of one printing line is arranged on the negative side of the platen 12. ing. The print head 13 includes a plate-shaped base material 14 made of an electrically insulating material. The upper surface of this base material 14 is made of a wear-resistant metal material, and
A plurality of square rod-shaped current supply electrodes 15 are arranged in a row at the same pitch as the width thereof, and their printing side end surfaces 15a are arranged on a surface parallel to the printing surface on the platen 12.

The base material 1 is located between each of the supply electrodes 15.
A plurality of recovery electrodes 16 having the same material and shape as each supply electrode 15 are arranged in a row at the same pitch as each supply electrode 15 on the lower surface of 4, and the end surface 16a on the printing side is connected to the supply electrode 1.
It is arranged on the same surface as the printing side end surface 15a of No.5.

In addition, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, each supply electrode 15
and the power supply 17 and between each recovery electrode 16 and the ground line 18 are switching elements 19 .
20 are connected to each other. As shown in Figure 1,
Each switching element 19, 20 is controlled on and off in a predetermined order by a control means 25 comprising a CPU or the like.

As shown in FIG. 2, the platen 12 and the printing gutter 13
A transfer ribbon 21 is disposed between the printer and the printer so as to be able to run along the print line. This transfer ribbon 21 is equipped with a thin film-like ribbon base material 22, and on the platen side thereof, ink 1i23 that contacts the normal printing paper 11 on the platen 12 is formed, and the print head 11'l has each type i15 .1
An electrical resistance layer 24 is formed in contact with the printing side end surfaces 15a, 16a of 6.

As shown by the arrow in FIG. The current passing portion generates heat, and the heat causes the ink in the ink layer 23 to be transferred to the printing paper 11 in the form of dots, as shown by broken lines in the figure.

Next, the operation of the line printer configured as described above will be explained. For example, when forming 10IIlil dots on the printing paper 11 as shown in FIGS. 3(a) to 3(d), first, the control means 25 shown in FIG.
As shown in a), every other switching element 19 on the supply side is turned on.

Of the pair of recovery electrodes 16 adjacent to the supply electrode 15 corresponding to the switching element 19A in the on state,
Switching element 20A corresponding to one recovery electrode 16
Turn on.

Then, from the power source 17 to the ground line 18, the switching element 19A in the on state, the supply electrode 15° shown with a plus sign in FIG. 3(a), and the electrical resistance layer 24 of the transfer ribbon 21. A current flows through the recovery electrode 16 shown with a minus sign in FIG. 3(a) and the switching element 20A in the on state.

As a result, as shown in FIG. 3(a), three dots are placed on the printing paper 11 corresponding to the first position, the fifth position, and the ninth position, respectively, at intervals of three times the electrode array pitch. It is formed by

Subsequently, the control means 25 keeps the switching element 19A on the supply side in the on state, and controls one of the recovery electrodes 16 of the pair of recovery electrodes 16 adjacent to the supply electrode 15 corresponding to the switching element 19A in the on state. The switching element 20A corresponding to the other recovery electrode 16 is switched to the OFF state, and the switching element 20B corresponding to the other recovery electrode 16 is switched to the ON state.

Then, the switching element 19A is in the on state.

Supply electrode 15. shown with a plus sign in FIG. 3(b). Electrical resistance layer 24 of transfer ribbon 21 FIG.
), a current flows through the recovery electrode 16 shown with a minus sign and the switching element 20B in the on state,
As shown in FIG. 3(b), three dots are formed on the printing a11 corresponding to the second position, the sixth position, and the first O position at intervals of three times the electrode arrangement pitch. .

Next, the control means 25 switches the switching element 19A of the supply example previously turned on to the OFF state, switches the switching element 19B different from the switching element 19A to the ON state, and also Switching element 20B is held in the on state. Then, switching element 19B in the on state, supply electrode 15. shown with a plus sign in FIG. 3(C). Transfer ribbon 2
1 electrically resistive layer 24. A current flows through the recovery electrode 16 shown with a minus sign in FIG. 3(c) and the switching element 20B in the on state, and corresponds to the third and seventh positions as shown in FIG. 3(c). Printing paper 11
Two dots are formed on the top with a spacing of three times the electrode array pinch.

Finally, the control means 25 controls the switching element 1 on the supply side.
While keeping 9B in the on state, the recovery side switching element 2OA is turned on, and the switching element 20B is turned off. Then, switching element 19B in the on state, supply electrode 15. shown with a plus sign in FIG. 3(d). Transfer ribbon 2
1 electrofishing section anti-layer 24. A current flows through the recovery electrode 16 shown with a minus sign in FIG. 3(d) and the switching element 20A in the on state, and corresponds to the fourth position and the eighth position as shown in FIG. 3(d). Printing paper 11
Two dots are formed on the top with an interval three times the electrode arrangement pitch.

As mentioned above, in this embodiment, by controlling each switching element 19, 20 on and off in a predetermined order, five current supply electrodes 15 are provided per predetermined length.
0 dots can be formed. That is, it is possible to obtain a dot density twice the arrangement density of the supply electrodes 15, and it is possible to perform clear printing with a small number of electrodes, and also to simplify the structure and manufacture it at low cost.

Next, a second embodiment embodying the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. This embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that a current supply electrode 15 and a recovery electrode 16 are disposed facing each other.

Therefore, in this embodiment as well, as in the first embodiment, it is possible to obtain a dot density that is twice the arrangement density of the supply electrodes 15, and the structure can be simplified and manufactured at low cost. It can be performed.

Note that the present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiments (it is also possible to embody it in the following embodiments: (a) As shown in FIG. 5, the base material of the print head 13 14
Current supply electrodes 15 are arranged in a row on one side of the lower surface, and collection electrodes 16 are arranged in a row on the bottom side, and the ends of both electrodes are made to face each other on the transfer ribbon 21, and the printing side end surface 15a, 16a to face the transfer ribbon 21.

(b) As shown in FIG. 6, the base material 14 of the print head 13
The cross section is formed into a roughly V-shape, and current supply electrodes 15 are arranged in rows on one outer surface of the base material 14, and supply electrodes 16 are arranged in rows on the other outer surface, facing the transfer ribbon 21. The electrodes 15.16 are arranged to face each other on the narrow side 14a of the base material 14, and the printing side end surfaces 15a, 16 of each electrode 15.16 are
a to face the transfer ribbon.

(c) In each of the above embodiments and modifications, thermal paper is used instead of the usual combination of printing paper and transfer ribbon.

(d) To be embodied in a serial printer.

(Effects of the Invention) As described in detail above, the present invention has excellent effects in that it can be manufactured at a low cost with a simple structure, and can print clearly by increasing the dot density.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

1 to 3 show a first embodiment embodying the present invention, in which FIG. 1 is a process diagram showing the electrical configuration of a line printer, FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view, Figure 3 (a
) to (d) are explanatory diagrams showing the order in which dots are formed. FIG. 4 shows a second embodiment embodying the present invention, and is a perspective view of the print head. 5 and 6 are perspective views of modified examples. FIGS. 7 and 8 are plan sectional views showing a conventional current-carrying type printing device. In the figure, 11 is printing paper, 13 is a print head, and 14
15 is a base material, 15 is a current supply electrode, 16 is a recovery electrode, 15a
, 16a is a printing side end face, 19 and 20 are switching elements, 21 is a transfer ribbon, and 25 is a control means.

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A plurality of current supply electrodes (
15) and the recovery electrode (16), the ink on the thermal paper can be colored in dots, or the ink carried on the transfer ribbon (21) can be transferred to the regular paper (11). In an energized printing device that prints by transferring dots, a supply electrode (15) is placed on one side of a base material (14) made of an electrically insulating material, and a collection electrode (15) is placed on the other side. 16) are arranged at a predetermined interval, and the printing side end surfaces (15a, 16a) of each electrode (15, 16) are arranged on a plane parallel to the printing surface, and each supply electrode (15) and a power source are arranged. (17) and between each recovery electrode (16) and the ground line (18), connect switching elements (19, 20) with dots that are twice the arrangement density of one electrode on the supply side or recovery side. In order to obtain the density, in response to the on/off state of the switching element (19) corresponding to one of the electrodes (15), said one of the other electrodes (16) electrode (15
) A current-carrying type printing device characterized in that a control means (25) is provided for switching and controlling the on/off state of a switching element (20) corresponding to a pair of electrodes (16) adjacent to the electrodes (16).