JPS62294573A - Thermal transfer printer - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To successively replace an ink film with a necessary color ink film, by constituting a link mechanism so that a thermal head does not collides with take-up and supply rolls constituting the ink film when either one of said rolls passes between the thermal head and a platen. CONSTITUTION:When a main shaft 72 is rotated in a clockwise direction, a head crank arm 91 rotates and a swing arm crank 71 to also rotates together. When the crank 71 reaches the position shown by Fig.7, a film feed roll 47 is drawn out to the position shown by Fig.6. At this time, a thermal head 85 does not almost move upwardly but rapidly moves upwardly after the roll 47 passes above the head 85 to move to a right-hand position to be pressed to a platen 79. When amain shaft 72 rotates in a counterclockwise direction, the head 85 moves downwardly at first and, after said head 85 traverses the part of the passage through which the roll 47 passes, the roll 47 operated in a left-hand direction to be received on a film drum side.

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] 3. Detailed Description of the Invention [Field of Industrial Application] The present invention relates to a thermal transfer printer, and particularly in a printer that uses multiple ink films of different colors, the ink film is automatically replaced. Regarding what can be done.

[Conventional technology]

Traditional multicolor color thermal transfer printers are yellow.

A single ink film having sequentially colored backgrounds such as magenta and cyan was used.

[Two points that the invention is still trying to solve] In the prior art described above, the order of the colored areas is fixed, so the unnecessary colored areas are wound up without being used, resulting in a lot of waste of ink film. . So, yellow and magenta.

By preparing ink films each having a single color background such as cyan, and replacing them with the ink film of the required color one by one, the above-mentioned waste is eliminated, and collision interference between the thermal head and the ink film does not occur when replacing the ink film. The purpose is to provide something.

[Means for solving problems]

To achieve the above object, the ink film is composed of a take-up roll and a supply roll, a roll storage means is provided for storing the take-up roll and the supply roll, and the distance between the thermal head and the platen is set to the maximum distance between the take-up roll and the supply roll. set larger than the thermal diameter, take out one of the rolls from the roll storage means, pass the roll through the gap between the platen and the thermal head while the thermal head is far away from the platen, and then remove the roll from the thermal head. The above transfer is performed with the head in contact with the platen, and after the transfer is completed, the same roll that has been pulled out is moved in the opposite direction beyond the separation between the platen and the thermal head while the thermal head is once again separated from the platen. and let it pass,
Then the same roll is stored in the roll storage section,
This is achieved by configuring a link mechanism that prevents the thermal head from colliding with the roll when the roll passes through the space between the thermal head and the platen.6 [Operation] The link mechanism that moves the thermal head up and down is connected to the drive input shaft. They are always connected, and due to the size and shape of the link mechanism, the vertical movement is slow at the start and end points of the movement, and fast at the intermediate point. On the other hand, the link mechanism that reciprocates the roll moves the roll quickly as each link engages during the first half of the movement of the drive input shaft due to its configuration and dimensions.
In the latter half of the stroke, by using an intermittent motion mechanism in which the rolls do not move due to disengagement, the rolls quickly pass over the thermal head during the period when the vertical movement of the thermal head is slow, and they do not interfere with each other. It's something that doesn't exist.

[Embodiment of the Invention] An embodiment of the present invention will be described below based on the drawings. 1st
As shown in the drawings and FIG. 2, reference numeral 1 denotes a main body of the printer, and a paper feed device 2 is detachably attached to the outside of the main body of the printer. The paper feeding device 2 is provided with an automatic paper feeding means and a manual feeding means. More details will be given later.

The outer case of the printer main body 1 is a rising case 3° and an upper outer case 4. It consists of a door 5. The door 5 is supported by the upper and outer case 4 via a hinge 5A so as to be openable and closable. The door 5 is located on the front side of the printer main body 1, and when the door 5 is opened, the front interior of the printer main body 1 is largely opened.

Inside the outer case are the printer's mechanical parts and electrical control equipment. The mechanical parts are located at the front, and the electrical controls are located at the rear.

The support frame for the mechanical part is the left side plate 6, the right side plate 7, and the bottom plate 8.
It is composed of.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 20, the film drum has the following structure.

Attach the left film roll guide 9 to the left side plate 6.

A right film roll guide 1o is fixedly supported on the right side plate 7, respectively. The left and right side plates 6, 7 are made of steel plates, but both film roll guides 9, 10 are made of plastic. Both film roll guides 9.1
A drum shaft 11 rotatably supported at the center of the drum shaft 11 has a length that can be passed between left and right side plates 6.7, and a drum gear 12 is fixed to the part protruding outward from the right side plate 7. ing. In order to improve the rotation of the drum shaft 11, bearings 13, 13 are provided on both film roll guides 9 and 10.

Both film roll guides 9, 1 are attached to the drum shaft 11.
A left side cassette drum support side plate 14 and a right side cassette drum support side plate 15 are fixedly supported close to the inside of o.

The main structure of the film drum is as described above, and this film drum is provided with a film support device that supports a film cassette, which will be described later. This film supporting device is shown in FIG.

This will be explained with reference to FIGS. 19, 20, and 21. The film support device is composed of two parts: a movable part that can be attached to and removed from the film drum, and a fixed part that remains fixed to the film drum.

First, the fixed part will be explained.

A take-up roll shaft 16.16 is fixedly supported on the double-sided set drum support side plate 14.15. Take-up roll shaft 1
A spring support at the base of 6.16 rotatably supports the seat plate 17.17. A take-up gear 18.18 rotatably supported on a take-up roll shaft 16.16 has a spring support attached to a take-up gear 18.18 which is placed opposite to a seat plate 17.17. The spring receiver has recesses 19, 19 formed in the collar facing the seat plate 17.17. Pressing helical springs 20, 20 are attached between the spring receiver and the recessed portions 19, 19 and the spring receiver and the seat plate 17. A take-up roll holder 22 is installed near the tip of the take-up roll shaft 16#, 16 via a one-way rotation clutch 21.21.
．． 22 is supported. This winding roll holder 2
2.22 fits into the inner tube of the take-up film roll 46, and a protrusion (not shown) of the take-up roll holder 22.22 fits into a notch provided in a portion of the inner tube. There is. A stopper 23.23 is provided at the tip of the take-up roll shaft 16.2 to prevent the take-up roll holder 22.22 from being removed.

The one-way rotation clutch 21.21 is connected to the take-up roll shaft 1.
6. Can be slid in the axial direction of 16. This one-way rotation clutch 21.21 has the function of freely rotating when the take-up roll holder 22.22 rotates in the film winding direction, and preventing rotation when the take-up roll holder 22.22 attempts to rotate in the opposite direction. There is a friction plate 2 between the 0-winding roll holder 22゜22 and the winding gear 18.18.
4°24 is interposed. The friction plates 24.24 are made of a friction sliding material such as cork or synthetic resin felt.

Since this friction plate 24.24 is pressed against the take-up roll holder 22.22 by a pressing coil spring 20.20, the rotation of the first take-up gear 18.18 is caused by the rotation of this friction plate 24.2.
4 to the winding roll holder 22.22. The take-up roll holder 22.22 and the take-up gear 18.18 are also axially slidable relative to the take-up roll shaft 16.16. When replacing the film cassette, the take-up film roll 46 can be attached or removed by sliding the take-up roll holder 22.22 in the axial direction against the helical pressing springs 20, 20.

The fixing part of the film support device has the above-mentioned structure, and this fixing part is made up of two-sided set drum support side plates 14.
15, four locations are provided at equal pitches.

Next, the movable part of the film support device will be explained below.

A film cover 26 is attached to the supply roll shaft 25.25.
is rotatably attached. Film cover 26
has a length spanning the two-sided set drum support side plates 14° and 15. This film cover 26 has the function of supporting the supply roll shaft 25.25.A film cassette roller 27.27 is fixedly supported on the outer end side of the supply roll shaft 25.25. Film cassette gears 28, 28 are formed on the outer periphery of the film cassette rollers 27, 27. Both roll shafts25.
A stopper 29.29 is provided at the outer end of 25 to prevent removal. The film cassette rollers 27, 27 are fixedly supported by a roll shaft 25.25, and a stopper 29.29 is provided to prevent the film from being pulled out even more strongly. A spring support seat is formed on the inner surface of the film cover 26. Supply roll shaft 25.
25, the drive plates 30, 30 are one-sided clutches 31, 31
Supported through. A slider 32.32 is rotatably supported on the cylindrical portion of the drive plate 30.30.

Pressing helical springs 33, 33 are installed between the slider 32° 32 and the spring receiver of the film cover 26, 26 and the seat. A supply roll holder 34.34 is rotatably supported on the inner end side of both supply roll shafts 25.25.A supply roll holder 34 is rotatably supported on the inner light end side of both supply roll shafts 25.25. Stopper 3
5.35.

A driven plate 36.36 arranged adjacent to the supply roll holder 34.34 is rotatably supported on both supply roll shafts 25.25. Spring bearing seats are formed on both opposing surfaces of the driven plate 36.36 and the supply roll holder 34.34. A torsion helical spring 37°37 is interposed between the seats of both spring holders. Friction plate 38.3
8 is interposed between the driving plate 30.30 and the driven plate 36.36. Friction plate 38.38 is made of cork or synthetic resin.

It is made of a friction sliding material such as felt.

The supply roll holder 34.34 has a torsion helical spring 3
It is connected to the driven plate 36, 36 via 7, 37.

For this purpose, the supply roll holder 34.34 cannot be rotated in the film delivery direction relative to the supply roll shaft 25.25 because it is provided with a one-way clutch 31.31; and reverse rotation are arranged such that the supply roll holder 34.34 can rotate relative to the supply roll shaft 25.25. Since this action is important in connection with the movement of the external support of the supply film roll, which will be discussed in more detail below, the effect will be discussed in more detail herein.

One-sided clutch 31, 31. The driven plate 36, 36° supply roll holder 34.34 is connected to the supply roll shaft 25.2
5 is slidably supported in the axial direction. When changing the supply film roll 47, the supply film roll 47 can be attached or removed by moving the supply roll holder 34, 34 axially against the helical pressure spring 33.

The movable parts of the film support device have the above-mentioned structure and are provided at four equal pitches. Since this movable part is supported by the film drum, the structure of the part that supports the movable part of the film drum will be explained again.

Annular film cassette roll guide grooves 39 and 39 are formed on both side surfaces of both film roll guides 9 and 10. The film cassette roller 27 of the movable part of the film supporting device is inserted into this film cassette roll guide groove 39.
, 27 are fitted. Film cassette roller 2
7 and 27 are supported so as to be freely movable within the film cassette roll guide grooves 39 and 39. The film cassette roll guides R39, 39 are formed with entrances and exits 40°4o through which the film cassette rollers 27, 27 enter and exit. The inlet/outlet 40.40 is located in such a manner that a portion of both the film roll guides 9, 10 is cut out to open the film cassette roll guide groove 39.39.

The double-sided set drum support side plate 14.15 has a film unit support groove 41.4 as shown in FIGS. 15 and 16.
1 is formed. This film unit support m41
are provided at equal pitches. The film unit support grooves 41 are arranged 21Ei so as to alternate with the fixed portions of the film support device. Film unit support groove 4
1 is a support portion 42.4 formed on the film cover 26.
2 is supported. The support part 42.42 is provided with a flat part 43 symmetrically. A flat portion 44 for receiving the flat portion 43 is formed deep within the film unit support groove 41. The film unit support groove 41 is provided diagonally to the rain cassette drum support groove 14, 15, and is open to the outside with an opening 45.

When the support portions 42.42 of the film cover 26 are inserted and supported in the film unit support groove 41, the flat portions 43 of the support portions 42.42 are inserted into the film unit support groove 41.
1, the film cover 26 is placed in a state where it cannot rotate.

The movable support portion of the film drum has the structure described above.

Next, the film cassette will be explained.

The film cassette is wound with a device film 48 consisting of a take-up film roll 46 and a supply film roll 47. Four types of film cassettes are available: black, red, blue, and yellow.

The film cassette is attached as follows. That is, one end of the take-up film roll 46 is applied to one side of the take-up roll holder 22, and the take-up roll holder 22 is pushed back against the pressing helical spring 20. While doing this, the take-up film roll 46 is The other end is aligned with the tip of the other winding roll holder 22 and fitted. In a similar manner the supply film roll 47 is attached to the supply roll holder 34.34.

The film cassette is installed in this way, but since there is a film cover 26 on the supply roll holder 34.34 that receives the supply film roller 47, it is difficult to install the supply film roll 47. 34. Film cover 26 containing 34
Preferably, the supply film roll 47 is attached to the supply roll holder 34, 34 before the film is attached to the film drum.

The film cassette is supported by film roll guides 9, 10 and cassette drum support plates 14, 15, as described above. The film drum having such a structure is removably supported by the left and right side plates 6 and 7 of the support frame.

That is, as shown in FIGS. 19 to 21, support grooves 49 are formed in the left and right side plates 6, 7.

A boss portion 50.50 of the film roll guide 9, 1°, is supported in this support groove 49. Film roll guide 9,
Since the film drum 10 is rotatably supported by the left and right side plates 6.degree. 7 with a fulcrum 51, the entire film drum can be pulled out as shown by the chain line in FIG. At this time, the boss portion 50.50 of the film roll guide 9°10 is in the support groove 4.
It is drawn from 9. When replacing the film cassette, you must open the outer case s5 before pulling out the entire film drum.

When inspecting the inside of the printer main body 1, the entire film drum is pulled out.

The entire film drum is normally locked from being pulled out. Film lock lever 5 shown in Figure 3
Reference numeral 2 is for locking, and is rotatably supported on the right side plate 7 with a support shaft 53. When the entire film drum is set inside the printer body 1,
By engaging the hook portion 54 of the film lock lever 52 with the boss portion 50 of the film roll guide 10.

The entire film drum is locked against being pulled out. 55 is a stopper. Film lock lever 5
A detailed explanation of the second operation will be given later.

A supply film roll 47 of cassette film is pulled out from the film drum and supported by a supply film roll external support 56 during operation of the printer. This supply film roll external support section 56 will be explained with reference to FIG. 19.

The supply film roll external support part 56.56 is connected to the left and right side plates 6
, 7, and have arcuate grooves 57. One end of the Ftlt 57 is open, and this open end faces the entrance/exit 40 of the film cassette roll guide groove 39 . A rack 58 is formed on the lower surface of the groove 57. This rank 58 is engaged with the film cassette gear 28. When the supply film roll 47 supported by the supply roll holder 34 moves along the supply film roll external support part 56, the film cassette gear 28 necessarily rolls and moves on the rack 58. This rotation is transmitted to the supply film roll 47, so that when the supply film roll 47 moves to the right on the supply film roll external support 56, the film cassette gear 28 and the supply roll shaft 25 rotate in the direction in which the film 48 is drawn out. However, this amount of rotation is such that the film 48 is rotated between the supply film roll 47 and the take-up film roll 46.
The necessary amount of film 48 to be fed out is generated to keep the film 48 from sagging. The amount of rotation of the supply film roll 47 does not match the amount of rotation (because the diameter of the supply film roll changes depending on the amount of film being pulled out). The one-way clutch 31 is set so as not to transmit the amount of rotation of the roll shaft 25 (to release the connection when the rotation of the supply roll shaft 25 precedes the rotation of the supply fill roll 47). .

Conversely, when moving to the left, the one-sided clutch 31 functions to directly transmit the rotation of the supply roll shaft 25 to the drive plate 30, and this rotation is transferred to the friction plate 38. Driven plate 36. It is transmitted to the supply roll holder 34 via the twisted helical spring 37, and rotates the supply film roll 47 in the direction in which the film 48 is wound. The rotation amount of the supply roll shaft 25 does not match the required winding rotation amount of the supply roll film 47 for the same reason as mentioned above, so the rotation amount of the supply roll shaft 25 is always larger than the required winding rotation amount. Rack 58 and film cassette gear 28
Set the number of teeth ratio. Therefore, the difference in rotation amount is absorbed by the slippage between the friction plate 38 and the driven plate 36.

The supply film roll 47 side passes through the entrance/exit 40 of the film cassette roll guide groove 39 and the open end of the groove 57 to go back and forth between the film drum side and the supply film roll external support part 56 side. Deflector 5 performs this operation.
9 and swing arm 60, this will be explained. Figures 2 and 9.

As shown in FIGS. 11 and 17 to 18, the deflector 59 is rotatably supported by a support shaft 61. As shown in FIGS.

The swing arm 60 is rotatably supported by a support shaft 62. A claw portion 63 is formed on the tip side of the deflector 59. A claw portion 64 is also provided on the tip side of the swing arm 60.
A slope is formed on the inner tip side of each of the two claw parts 63 and 64, which form the clamping part 65. Both slopes are formed to expand outward. The slope is formed deeper at the claw portion 64. A bent sliding portion 66 is formed on the outer surface of the deflector 59, and the length of this sliding portion 66 is sufficiently larger than the length of the claw portion 63, and is almost twice as long.

The swing arm 6o is attached to the left and right side plates 6.7 by the support shaft 62.
A support shaft 61 of the deflector 59 is provided on a swing arm 60. For this purpose, the deflector 59 and the swing arm 60 rotate together. A cutout window 67 is formed in the swing arm 60. Deflector-5
9 is provided with a protruding piece 68. This protruding piece 68 is inserted into the cutout window 67. The deflector 59 can rotate about the support shaft 61 within the range in which the protruding piece 68 can move within the cutout window 67. A helical spring 69 is attached to the support @61.
is attached, and one end of the spring is attached to the deflector 59,
The other end is locked to the swing arm 60. The deflector 59 is biased by the helical spring 69 so that the clamping portion 65 opens. The holding portion 65 opens until the protruding piece 68 comes into contact with the cutout window 67.

The swing arm 60 is operated by a swing arm spring 70, as shown in FIGS. 15, 16, 17, and 18, in the range from the center to the film drum side during the swinging stroke of the swing arm 6o, which will be described later. It is biased so as to be pressed against the film drum side.

As shown in FIG. 15, the gripping portion 65 of the deflector 59° swing arm 60 supports the support portion 42 of the film cover 26 which supports the supply film roll 47. When the swing arm 60 is turned to the right in this state, the support portion 42 is moved to the opening 4 of the film unit support groove 41.
There will be a withdrawal from 5. At the same time, the film roll 27 is pulled out from the entrance 40 of the film cassette roll guide groove 39 and enters the groove 57 of the supply film roll external support part 56. At the same time as this.

The film cassette gear 28 meshes with the rack 58, and the supply film roll 47 moves along the groove 57 while being held on the swing arm 60 side.

When the swing arm 60 is turned to the left, the supply film roll 47 returns along the groove 57. Then, the film cassette roller 27 returns to the film cassette roll guide groove 39 through the entrance/exit 40 . Of course, the support portion 42 returns to the film unit support groove 41.

During the above movement of the supply film roll 47, the holding portion 65 of the swing arm 60 grips the flat portion 43 of the support portion 42, so the film cover 26 does not rotate. The feeding ff1L and winding of the film 48 are performed without any trouble.

Next, the swing arm crank 71 that moves the swing arm 60 will be explained.

Although only the right side of the swing arm crank 71 is shown in FIG. 2, it is fixedly supported by the main shaft 72 on both left and right sides. The main shaft 72 is attached to the left side plate 6 of the support frame.
and is rotatably supported by the right side plate 7. The swing arm crank 71 is fixed to the main shaft 72 by a lock pin 73. A crank pin 74 and a pressing protrusion 75 are formed on the swing arm crank 71.

The crank pin 74 and the pressing protrusion 75 are formed 180 degrees apart. As shown in FIGS. 5 and 7, the crank pin 74 is inserted into a groove 76 of the swing arm 6o. When the swing arm crank 71 rotates clockwise, the swing arm 70 rotates clockwise about the support #I62 against the swing arm spring 70. When rotated to the position shown in FIG. 7, the swing arm spring 70 almost reaches the put point. When the swing arm 6o is further turned to the right beyond this position, the swing spring 70
acts to urge the swing arm 7o to the right. 8 and 9 show a swing arm 60 which will be described later.
This is a diagram when the stroke end point on the right side is reached, and at the same time as the stroke end point is reached, the crank pin 74 separates from the groove 76 of the swing arm 60, and the subsequent swing arm crank 7
1 is not transmitted to the swing arm 60, but is pushed to the above-mentioned stroke end point by the swing arm spring, and the swing arm 60 does not move to the right of this position. This is because, as shown in FIG. 19, the supply film roll This is because the film cassette roller 27 on the 47 side comes into contact with the right end of the groove 57 in the supply film roll external support section 56.

After this, the swing arm crank 71 continues to rotate clockwise. Then, as shown in FIG. 11, the pressing protrusion 75 of the swing arm crank 71 presses the left end surface of the swing arm 60, thereby more reliably pressing the swing arm 60 to the end of its stroke and stopping the rotation of the swing arm crank 71. .

Since the swing arm 60 is pressed by a pressing protrusion 75, when the film 48 is pulled out during printing, which will be described later, the supply film roll 4 receives this pulling force.
7 can be prevented from moving the supply film roll external support part 56 to the left. The swing arm 60 is held at the right side position by the swing arm spring 70, but since holding by the spring is unstable, it is necessary to forcibly hold it down using the pressing protrusion 75 as described above.

When the swing arm crank 71 is turned counterclockwise from the state shown in FIG. 11, the crank pin 74 is inserted into the groove 76 of the swing arm 6o after passing the position shown in FIG. With this insertion, the swing arm crank 71
The swing arm 60 is engaged with the swing arm crank 71, and the swing arm 60 rotates counterclockwise together with the swing arm crank 71. Eventually, the state returns to the state shown in FIG. The supply film roll 47 is returned from the film roll external support 56 to the film drum side.

15, 16, 17 and 18 show how the supply film roll 47 is transferred to the swing arm 60 while being placed on the side of the next film drum.
This will be explained with reference to the figure.

FIG. 15 shows a state in which the support portion 42 of the supply film roll 47 is accommodated in the swing arm 60 and the clamping portion 65 of the deflector 59. The order of completion is as follows. The cassette drum support side plates 14,15, which support a film cassette consisting of a take-up film roll 46 and a supply film roll 47, rotate counterclockwise.

When the film passes the position shown in FIG. 18, the support portion 42 on the supply film roll 47 side comes into contact with the sliding portion 66 of the deflector 59. Furthermore, the cassette drum support side plate 14
．． 15 rotates counterclockwise, the deflector 59 rotates clockwise about the support shaft 61 against the helical spring 69 as shown in FIG. At this time, the swing arm 60 does not rotate because the swing arm 60 is held down by the swing arm crank 71. As described above, the deflector 59 rotates to block the direction of the supply film roll external support part 56 toward the groove 57 as shown in FIG. The cassette roll remains seated in the guide groove 39, 39, and the cassette drum supporting side plate 14, 15 rotates counterclockwise. When the support portion 42 of the supply film roll 47 reaches the point beyond the tip of the deflector 59, the deflector 59 is rotated to the left about the support shaft 61 by the return force of the helical spring 69 and returned to its original position. Return to position. At this time, the supply film roll 47 is
It is located a little more counterclockwise than the state shown in Figure 6. In addition, the deflector 59 is
The protruding piece 68 returns to the point where it abuts the left end of the cutout window 67 of the swing arm 60.

Now, the swing arm 60 and the clamping part 59 of the deflector 59 are open, and the support part 42 of the supply film roll 47 is located slightly counterclockwise from the tip of the clamping part 65, so the cassette drum supporting side plate 14.15 By turning clockwise, the support portion 42 of the supply film roll 47 approaches the entrance/exit of the clamping portion 65, as shown in FIG.

By further turning it clockwise, the support portion 42 of the supply film roll 47 is accommodated in the clamping portion 65 as shown in FIG.

The feeding film roll 47 is received and transferred to the swing arm 60 in this way.
The feeding side film roll 47 of the film cassette at the top shown in the figure is supported by the cassette drum support side plate 1.
By turning 4.15 clockwise, the support part 42 of the supply film roll 47 is housed in the clamp part.

To take out a film cassette of any color among the four film cassettes, rotate the cassette drum counterclockwise, stop when the target supply film roll reaches the position of the 18th supply film roll 47, and then rotate the cassette drum. This is done by rotating the support part 42 in the clockwise direction and placing the support part 42 in the grip part as described above.

Earlier, it was mentioned that the entire film drum was pulled out from the printer main body 1 when replacing the film cassette. Provide additional explanation.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the main shaft 72 is provided with a main gear 77. As shown in FIGS. A lock lever engagement pin 78 is formed on this main gear 77 . When the main gear 77 rotates counterclockwise and pushes the rear end upper surface of the film lock lever 52 downward with the lock lever engagement pin 78, the film lock lever 52 rotates clockwise about the support shaft 53. .

The hook portion 54 of the film lock lever 52 is disengaged from the boss portion 50 of the film roll guide 10.

As mentioned earlier, the entire film drum is the printer body 1.
You can get more out of it.

It should be noted that when the hook portion 54 of the film lock lever 52 is disengaged from the boss portion 50 of the film roll guide 1o, both film cassettes are configured to be stored on the film drum side. That is, when the swing arm 60 is in a position as shown in FIG. 18, for example.

The hook portion 54 can be removed.

Since the supply film roll 47 of the film cassette is not placed on the side of the film roll external support part 56, the first
There is no problem in pulling out the entire film drum from the printer main body 1 as shown in FIG.

The supply film roll 47 is transferred to the film roll external support section 5
When the entire film drum is pulled out from the printer main body while being placed on the 6 side, the film 48 is transferred to the supply film roll 4.
Since it is pulled out longer than 7, it is easily damaged and there is a risk of it breaking.

The supply film roll 47 is connected to the film roll external support part 5
When it is on the 6 side, the entire film drum is locked by the hook portion 54 to prevent it from being pulled from the printer body 1, so that the above-mentioned problems with the film 48 are eliminated.

Next, the related structure of the thermal head and the platen will be explained.

As shown in FIG. 2, the platen 79 is connected to the platen shaft 8.
It is set to 0. The platen shaft 80 is supported by bearings 81 on both side plates 6 and 7 which are rotatably supported by the left side plate 6 and right side plate 7 of the support frame. A sleeve 82 located between the platen 79 and the bearing 81 is fitted onto the platen shaft 80 so that the platen shaft 80 does not move laterally. On the outer periphery of the platen 79, as shown in FIG.
84 is provided so as to be joined.

Auxiliary rollers A and B are placed approximately symmetrically.

The platen 79 and the auxiliary rollers A and B are provided at a position above the film roll external support section 56, and are located so as not to interfere with the passage of the supply film cassette 74 therebelow.

The thermal head 85 is attached to a head base 86 as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. This thermal head 85 has a length close to the length of the platen 79.

This is a so-called line-shaped thermal head.

A head arm 87 is attached to the head base 86. A head stopper 88 is also attached to the head base 86.

The head arm 86 is rotatably supported by a helad arm shaft 89. The head arm shaft 89 is supported by the left side plate 6 and right side plate 7 of the support frame.

Since the thermal head 85 is supported by the helad arm 87, it rotates about the head arm shaft 89 as a fulcrum. The rotation locus of the thermal head 85 is set to cross the arcuate line of the film roll external support section 56. The thermal head 85 is located at the top as shown in FIG. At this position, the thermal head 85 presses the platen 79 with the pressure necessary for transfer. The head stopper 88 comes into contact with the platen shaft 80 via the sleeve 82, and the linear heating element for transfer formed on the thermal head 85 forms a pressing position of the thermal head 85 against the platen 79 on the contact line of the platen 85. regulated to match.

The thermal head 85 is located at the bottom as shown in FIG. The thermal head 85 is shown in Fig. 4 and Fig. 1.
The above-mentioned rotation trajectory is performed within the range shown in FIG.

Further, as shown in FIG. 2, a head pin 90 is attached to the helad base 86 of the thermal head 85. A pair of cut and raised portions are provided on the head base 86, and the head pin 9o is attached thereto.

The head pin 90 is connected to a head crank arm 91 fixedly supported by the main shaft 72 via a connector means. That is, a crankshaft 92 is rotatably supported at the tip of the head crank arm 91. One connector means is composed of a connecting rod A93 and a connecting rod B94, as shown in FIGS. 12, 14, and 15. Both connecting rods A and B are rotatably supported by a connector shaft 95. The tip of the connecting rod A is rotatably supported by the crankshaft 92. With the boss part 96 integrally molded on the head crank arm,
The connecting rod A is restricted from moving in the left and right direction.

The tip of the connecting rod B is rotatably supported by a head pin 9°. Two sleeves 97 fitted into the head pin 90 restrict the connecting rod B from moving in the left-right direction. The connecting rod B is provided so as to be located at the center of the entire length of the thermal head 85. A connector helical spring 98 is attached to the connector shaft 95. This connector single-wound spring 98 is wound over the entire length of the connector shaft 95, and its central portion is engaged with the connecting rod A, and both ends are engaged with the connecting rod A.

Connecting rods A and B are biased open by a connector helical spring 98. Since the connecting rod A is provided with a stopper part 99 and the connecting rod B is provided with a stopper part 100, the contact between the stopper parts 99 and 100 causes both the connecting rods A and B to move as shown in FIG. It does not open as much as it does in the state shown in .

The next rotational operation of the thermal head 85 will be explained.

The thermal head 85 is now located at the bottom as shown in FIG. Here, when the main shaft 72 rotates clockwise, the head crank arm 91 rotates to the position shown in FIG. 6 and further to the position shown in FIG. 8. Even when the head crank arm 91 rotates from the position shown in FIG. 4 to the position shown in FIG. 6, the thermal head 85 hardly moves upward. When the head crank arm 91 rotates from the position shown in FIG. 6 to the position shown in FIG. Move upwards a little. When the head crank arm 91 further rotates from the position shown in FIG. 8 to the position shown in FIG. 10, the thermal head 85 moves slightly upward and presses against the platen 79.

That is, the amount of rotational movement of the thermal head 85 is not proportional to the rotation angle of the head crank arm 91, and the thermal head 85 hardly moves up or down in the rotation angle range of the head crank arm 91 shown in FIGS. 4 and 6. 8th
In the nearby rotation angle range shown in the figure, it moves up and down in a wide range,
The thermal head 85 is mostly shown in FIG.
does not move up or down.

Thermal head 8 is slow in the vertical position and fast in the intermediate position
The supply film roll 47 has the movement form of 5.
This has to be done in relation to the loading and unloading of.

Let me explain about it. When the main shaft 72 is rotated clockwise in the state shown in FIG. 4, the head crank arm 91 rotates and the swing arm crank 71
are fixed on the same axis, so they rotate together. When the head crank arm 91 is in the position shown in FIG. 4, the swing arm crank 71 is in the position shown in FIG. 5, so when the head crank arm 91 is in the position shown in FIG. The arm crank 71 comes to the position shown in FIG.

When the swing arm clamp 71 rotates, the supply film roll 47 is pulled out from the film drum side by the movement of the swing arm 6o, as described above. When the swing arm clamp 71 is in the position shown in FIG. 7, the supply film roll 47 is pulled out by the swing arm 60 to the position shown in FIG.

Even though the head crank arm 91 has rotated, the thermal head 85 hardly moves upward, so it does not interfere even if the supply film roll 47 is pulled out as described above. As shown in FIG. 8, the supply film roll 47 passes above the thermal head 85 and moves to the right position, and then the thermal head 85 moves upward.

FIG. 8 shows the supply film roll reaching its end of travel position. The rotation range from FIG. 8 to FIG. 10 is such that after the supply film roll has already reached the end of its stroke and has cleared the path of the thermal head 85, the thermal head 85 quickly moves upward and holds the platen in the state shown in FIG. Pressed to 79.

When the main shaft 72 rotates counterclockwise, the thermal head 85 first moves downward, traverses the portion of the path through which the supply film roll passes, and then passes the supply film roll 47.
moves to the left and is housed on the film drum side.

In this way, the supply film roll 47 can be loaded and unloaded without interference from the thermal head 85, so that the film cassette of the desired color can be easily replaced.

The thermal head 85 presses the platen 79 at the tenth [
In the state shown in , the crankshaft 92 is located on the right side of the line connecting the hardbin 90 and the main shaft 72. When the crankshaft 92 is in this position, the head crank arm 91 receives a clockwise rotational force due to the reaction force due to the compression of the thermal head 85 and the platen 79 or the force of the connector helical spring 78. At this time, the pressing protrusion 75 of the swing arm crank 71 fixedly supported by the main shaft 72 comes into contact with the left end surface of the swing arm 6o, and the main shaft 72 cannot rotate clockwise any further. Thermal head 8
5 is held pressed against the platen 79, and the thermal head 85 does not naturally separate from the platen 79.

When the thermal head 85 presses against the platen 79, the head pin 9 connects with the thermal head 85 side.
0 is the crankshaft 9 of the head crank arm 91
2 is in the top dead center region, so there is almost no vertical movement. For this purpose, the platen 7 of the thermal head 85
The suppression of 9 is carried out extremely slowly. Not only is there less impact, but the film 48 of the film cassette is pressed against the platen 79 by the thermal head 85 very slowly, so it is not damaged.

Since the thermal head 85 side is connected to the head crank arm 91 through a connector, the stopping position of the head crank arm 91, the operating mechanism of the thermal head 85, and the attachment of the platen 79 as shown in FIG. Even if there are assembly variations such as position, the pressing force of the thermal head 85 against the platen 79 can be kept almost constant.

That is, as shown in FIGS. 12, 13, and 14, one connector means is a connecting rod A.

, BL connector shaft 98. The connector is constructed with a helical spring 98. crankshaft 92
When an upward force as shown by the arrow is applied to the platen 79, a reaction force due to the flat touch of the thermal head 85 to the platen 79 acts on the head pin 90 as a downward force as shown by the arrow.

Connecting rods A and B move with the connector shaft 98 as a fulcrum to narrow the connector against the coiled spring 98. This is shown in FIG. 12, where the stopper part 99 of connecting rod A and the connecting rod The stopper portion 100 of the grod B is separated.

Even when the thermal head 85 touches the platen 79 as shown in FIG. 10, the connecting rods A and B are in a slightly recessed state as shown in FIG. 12.

Even if the amount of recess of the connecting rods A and B changes, the thermal head 85 can be attached to the platen 79 by head touch.
The reason why the pressing force of connecting rod A does not change is that as the amount of constriction increases, the reaction force of the coil spring of the connector increases.

This is because the pressing force becomes approximately constant as a whole as B lies sideways.

Since the pressing force of the thermal head 85 on the platen 79 does not change, uniform transfer can be provided even if there are variations in assembly as described above.

The auxiliary rollers A and B of the platen 79 have been described above, and as shown in FIG. 19, the auxiliary rollers A and B are rotatably supported by support members 101 and 102. The support members 101 and 102 are rotatably supported by support pins 103 provided on the left side plate 6 and right side plate 7 of the support frame.
A tension spring 104 is provided at the tip of the support members 101 and 102. With this tension spring 104, the auxiliary roller A
, B are pressed against the platen 79.

Next, the driving relationship of the take-up film roll 46 will be explained.

As shown in FIGS. 4, 6, and 8, the traction lever 105 is rotatably supported by a support shaft 106 provided on the left side plate 6 and the right side plate 7. As shown in FIGS. The traction lever 105 is biased clockwise by a helical spring 107 wound around the support shaft 106.6 At the tip of the traction lever 105, a drive shaft 1.08 is attached to the traction lever 105 as shown in FIG. Both ends are rotatably supported. As shown in FIG. 3, a traction gear 109 is fixedly supported on the drive shaft 108. This traction gear 109 is the second
Although not shown in the figure, it is attached to the right end of the drive shaft 108.

And, as shown in FIG. 3, it is engaged with a platen gear 110. A long slot 111 is formed in the right side plate 7. The drive shaft 108 passes through this long slot 111. The range of rotation of the traction lever 105 about the support shaft 106 is restricted to the range of the long slot 111. Although the traction gear 109 moves within the elongated slot 111, it always meshes with the platen gear 110. As shown in FIG. 2, a drive gear 112 is fixedly supported on the drive shaft 108.

Although not shown in FIG. 2, the drive shaft 108
A drive gear 112 is also fixedly supported on the right side.

Both drive gears 112 are provided at positions facing outward from the winding gear 18.18. As shown in FIG. 4, a cam follower 113 is provided at the rear end of the traction lever 105. The cam follower 113 has a shaft 1 fixed to each of the traction levers 105.
It is inserted into 14. A cam 115 is formed at the base of the head arm 87. A push-up cam portion 116 is connected to the left side of the cam 115. A head arm stopper 117 is attached to the base of the head arm 89 with a screw to prevent the head arm 89 from coming off the helad arm shaft 89.

As shown in FIG. 4, when the thermal head 85 is on the lower side, the cam follower 113 of the traction lever 1.05 is in contact with the cam 115 of the head arm 89. For this reason, drive gear 112 is kept separate from take-up gear 18. As shown in FIG. 10, the thermal head 85 is located above the platen 79.
When the head arm 89 is pressed, the push-up cam portion 116 of the head arm 89 comes into contact with the cam follower 113.

Therefore, the right side of the traction lever 105 is pushed up using the support shaft 106 as a fulcrum, and conversely, the drive gear 112 on the left side is lowered to mesh with the take-up gear 18.

In this way, the winding film roll 46 side has one winding gear 1.
6. Drive Gayu 12. Drive shaft 108. Since it is connected to the platen gear 110 via the traction gear 109, the take-up film roll 46 slides on the friction plate 24 as the platen 79 rotates, and the platen 7 rotates with a constant friction torque.
The required amount of the film 48 sent out from between the thermal head 9 and the thermal head 85 can be wound up. Supply film roll 4
7, the diameter of the take-up film roll 46 also changes, and the amount of rotation of the take-up film roll required to wind the required amount of film 48 also changes, so no matter what the diameter of the take-up film roll 46, the take-up gear 18 changes. The tooth ratio of the transmission system is determined so that the friction plate 24 is overdriven and slips.

Next, we will discuss the drive system.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the right side plate 7 of the support frame
A motor 118 of the platen system is provided. It is attached to the outside of the right side plate 7 via a support stand 119. The motor 118 is provided with a pinion 120.

A two-stage gear 121 is provided adjacent to the pinion 120. The two-stage gear 121 is rotatably supported by the right side plate 7,
The large gear portion of this meshes with the pinion 120. The platen gear 110 is fixedly supported on the right end side of the platen shaft 80. The large gear portion of the platen gear 110 meshes with the small gear portion of the two-stage gear 121. An intermediate gear 122 is provided adjacent to the platen gear 110. This intermediate gear 122 is rotatably supported by a gear support stand 123 attached to the right side plate 7 and meshes with a small gear portion of the platen gear 110. The paper discharge roller shaft 124 is rotatably supported at both ends by the gear support base 123. A paper discharge roller 125 is provided on the paper discharge roller shaft 124 .

A paper ejection roller gear 1 is located at the right end of the paper ejection roller shaft 124.
26 is fixedly supported. A paper discharge roller gear 126 is meshed with the intermediate gear 122.

The drive system on the platen 79 side has the configuration described above. When the motor 118 rotates, the platen 79 rotates via the gear group, and the paper discharge roller 125 also rotates. Further, as the platen 79 rotates, the thermal head is pressed against the platen 79 and the drive gear 1
12 is meshed with the take-up gear 18, the take-up film roll 46 is also rotated with the sliding of the friction plate 24.

The drive system for the film drum and thermal head has the following configuration. As shown in FIG. 3, the motor 127 on the film drum side is attached to the right side plate 7. A timing belt 129' is passed around a motor pulley 128 and a clutch pulley 129 of the motor 127. The structure of the clutch side including the clutch pulley 129 is shown in FIGS. 23 and 24.

That is, the substrate 130 is attached to the right side plate 7 of the support frame. The bottom plate 132 is fixed to the base plate 130 and the clutch support plate 133 with screws. The clutch support plate 133 is fixed to the base plate 130 with screws. The pulley shaft bearing 134 is attached to the base plate 130 and the clutch support plate 133. Pulley shaft 1 is attached to both pulley shaft bearings 134.
35 is rotatably supported. This pulley shaft 13
The clutch pulley 129 is attached to the tip of the clutch pulley 129. An idle clutch gear 136 and a drum clutch gear 137 are rotatably supported on the pulley shaft 135. The idle clutch gear 136 and the drum clutch gear 137 are supported so as to be movable in the axial direction of the pulley shaft 135.

Idle clutch gear 136 and drum clutch gear 13
A recessed portion having a groove 140 in which a pin 139 engages is formed in the mating surface with 7. Idle clutch gear 13
Ratchet teeth 141 are formed on the left side surface of 6.

A fixed ratchet plate 142 is fixed to the right side surface of the bottom plate 132 with rivets. Fixed ratchet plate 142
A fixed ratchet tooth 143 is formed on the holder. The ratchet teeth 141 of the idle clutch gear 136 engage and disengage from the fixed ratchet teeth 143.

There are ratchet teeth 1 on the right side of the drum clutch gear 137.
44 is formed. A fixed ratchet plate 145 is fixed to the left side surface of the clutch support plate 133 with rivets. Fixed ratchet teeth 146 are formed on the fixed ratchet plate 145.

Drum clutch gear 137 and pulley shaft bearing 134
A clutch spring 147 is placed between the pulley shaft 135 and the pulley shaft 135 .

This clutch spring 147 causes the drum clutch gear 1
37 and the idle clutch gear 136 are pushed leftward. To this end, ratchet teeth 141 of idle clutch gear 136 engage fixed ratchet teeth 143 of fixed ratchet plate 142. At the same time, pulley shaft 1
35 pin 139 is in groove 1 of idle clutch gear 136
40 side, and the groove 140 of the drum clutch gear 136
is engaged in. Along with this, drum clutch gear 1
37 ratchet teeth 144 are disengaged from the fixed ratchet teeth 146 of the fixed ratchet plate 145. That is, the pulley shaft 135 is connected to the drum clutch gear 137 via the pin 139, but the idle clutch gear 137 is not connected to the pulley shaft 135.

A pressing cylinder 148 is located on the left side of the idle clutch gear 136.
is placed. This pressing cylinder 148 is fitted onto the pulley shaft 135. Movable shaft 1 of solenoid 131
A lever 150 is connected to 49 with a connecting pin 151. The lever 150 is connected to the locking portion 15 of the board 130.
It is supported by 2. The tip of the lever 150 is formed with a bifurcated portion 153, as shown in FIG. The pulley shaft 135 is held between the bifurcated portions 153.

Moreover, this bifurcated portion 153 is respectively.

A U-shaped portion is formed, and this U-shaped portion is in contact with the left side surface of the pressing cylinder 148.

The idle gear 154 is engaged with the idle clutch gear 136, and the drum gear 12 is engaged with the drum clutch gear 137. The idle gear 15/1 is rotatably supported by the right side plate 7 of the support frame, and is meshed with a main gear 77 supported on the right end side of the main shaft 72.

When the film drum side motor 27 is operated without energizing the solenoid 131, the timing belt 129
The rotation transmitted to the latch pulley 129 via ' is
The drum gear 12 is rotated via the drum clutch gear 137. In this way, the film drum side is driven to the take-out position of the film cassette of the color required for transfer.

When the solenoid 131 is energized, the movable shaft 149 is attracted, and the lever 150 is placed in the state shown by the chain line in FIG. The idle clutch gear 136 and the drum clutch gear 137 move to the right side against the clutch spring 147 via the pressing cylinder 148 . The ratchet teeth of the drum clutch gear 137 mesh with the fixed ratchet teeth 146 of the fixed clutch plate 145, and the drum clutch gear 137 is restrained. On the other hand, the idle clutch gear 136 is released and the groove of the idle clutch gear 136 engages with the pin 139 of the pulley shaft 135.
and idle clutch gear 136 are connected. With this connection, the rotation of the motor 127 is controlled by the idle clutch gear 1.
37. Idle clutch gear 1
37, the main gear 77 rotates, and the main shaft 72 rotates. When the main shaft 72 rotates, the swing arm 6o rotates as described above, and the supply film roll 47 is pulled onto the supply film roll external support section 56 from the film drum side.

Since the head crank arm 91 is also rotated in conjunction with this pull-out operation, the thermal head 85 is pressed against the platen 79. Supply film roll 47. To return the thermal head 85 to its original state, the motor 127 is reversed.

When the film lock lever 52 is returned to its original state, the upper surface of the rear end of the film lock lever 52 is pressed by the lock lever engagement pin 78 of the main gear 77, as described above.

For this reason, the restraint on the film drum side is released, and the film drum can be pulled out from the printer main body 1 at any time.

Next, position control regarding the rotation of the film drum, the up and down of the thermal head, and the withdrawal of the supplied film roll will be explained.

First, the upper and lower parts of the thermal head and the withdrawal of the supply film roll will be described.

As shown in FIGS. 25 and 26, two shielding plates 156 and 157 located on the right side of the main gear 77 are connected to the main shaft 72.
Fixed support. A sensor 158 of the shielding plate 156 and a sensor 159 of the shielding plate 157 are arranged side by side and attached to one sensor 160, and this one sensor 160 is attached to the right side plate 7. A window 161 is formed in the shielding plate 157. The size of the window 161 is 02. The window 16 is provided on the shielding plate 156.
The size of the window 162 in which 2 is formed is θ1.

OF when the sensor light is blocked by a light shielding plate
F. If the state where the light is not blocked is expressed as ON, the rotation range of the shielding plates 156 and 157 is from ■ to ■.
, sensor 159 is ON, and sensor 15 is ON.
8 is OFF. In ■, sensor 159. Both sensors 158 are ON. In case (2), the sensor 159 is OFF and the sensor 158 is ON. In (2), both sensors 159 and 158 are OFF.

In case (2), the thermal head 85 is at the lowest position. This corresponds to a state in which the supply film roll 47 is placed on the film drum side. 2 corresponds to the range where the thermal head 85 is only slightly raised and the supply film roll 47 has begun to be drawn out and has finished moving to the final end of its stroke. The skip operation is performed at a position corresponding to the transition between this ■ and the next ■. Note that the skip operation is to remove the film from the transfer paper where no transfer is to be performed and transfer only the transferred paper, thereby eliminating waste of the film.

In case (2), the thermal head 85 rises considerably and corresponds to the stroke until it is pressed against the platen.

In case (2), the thermal head 85 is pressing against the platen 79.

This is summarized in the table below.

The operation of the motor 127, which moves the thermal head up and down, takes out and takes out the supplied film roll, and skips is controlled by looking at output signals from two sensors 158 and 159.

Next, let's talk about the film drum.

As shown in FIGS. 27, 28, and 29, reflective plates 163, 164.degree. 165 are provided on the side surface of the drum gear 12. Sensor 166.167°168 is one sensor 16
It is set at 9. This single sensor 169 is supported by the side plate 7.

Three sensors 166, 167, 168 are reflectors 163
．． It faces 164 and 165. Reflector 163.16
The sensor 16 detects the presence or absence of 4,165 reflections and their order.
The position is confirmed by detecting at 6, 167, and 168, and if the positions for each of the four color film cassettes are determined in advance, the cassette film of the required color will be loaded and unloaded without fail. The transfer will be performed in the correct color.

Next, the paper feeding device 2 will be described.

As shown in Fig. 1, Fig. 3, and Fig. 22, the manual feed tray 1
An automatic paper feeder 171 is placed on the back side of the paper 70 . The automatic paper feeder 171 is detachably attached to the back of the manual paper feed tray 170. There are two receiving side plates 17 on the back side of the paper feed table 170.
2 is provided.

On the back side of the bottom plate 173 is a rear wall 174 bent upward.
have. The rear wall 174 is fixed to the left and right side plates 6, 7 with screws 175, and the bottom plate 173 is fixed with screws 175.
' are also fixed at 6°7 with the left and right sides removed. On the back side of the paper feed table 170, there is a receiving side plate 172. Bottom plate 173. The rear wall 174 constitutes a receiving portion for the automatic paper feeder w171.

The automatic paper feeding device 171 is provided with a receiving side plate 177. Support legs 178 are formed on the back surface. Receiver Fi1
A receiving groove 179 is formed at the lower end of 78. By fitting the automatic paper feeder 171 into the receiving portion, the receiving side plate 17
7 receiving grooves 179 are provided in the left and right side plates 6 and 7. The support rod 180 is engaged. Further, the support leg 177 is rested on the upper part of the rising case 3 of the printer main body 1, so that the automatic paper feeder 171 is supported. An automatic paper feed roller 181 is provided on the receiving side plate 177. A push-up plate 182 is provided on the inner bottom side of the case 176. A push-up spring 183 is provided at the back of the push-up plate 182. Paper 183' inserted into case 176 is pressed against automatic paper feed roller 181 by push-up spring 184.

An automatic paper feed separator 184 that is in contact with the lower outer periphery of the automatic paper feed roller 181 is provided within the receiving section of the automatic paper feed device 171. Further, the bottom plate 173 constituting the receiving portion has an automatic paper feed lower guide 185. Automatic paper feed lower guide 185
An automatic paper feeding upper guide 186 is provided opposite to the upper surface of the paper. This automatic paper feed upper guide 186 is supported by a support shaft 187 on the lower rear side of the paper feed tray 170. The paper feed motor 188 is attached to the receiving side plate 177.

The paper feed motor 188 and the automatic paper feed roller 181 are connected to the belt 18
They are connected via 9. Since the automatic paper feed roller 181 is provided with a one-sided clutch 190, the automatic paper feed roller 181 rotates only in the direction to feed out the paper. Even if the paper feed motor 188 rotates in a direction that does not feed paper, the one-sided clutch 190 only idles and the automatic paper feed roller 18
1 does not turn.

Due to the rotation of the automatic paper feed roller 181, the paper 183' in the case 176 is fed out to the automatic paper feed separator 184 (t[,:: The remaining paper will be sent out at the next opportunity.

The left end of the automatic paper feed lower guide 185 is curved downward and extends toward the mating portion of the platen 79 and the auxiliary roller 84 . A window 192 is formed in this curved portion 191 . A paper feed sensor 193 is provided on the back side of the window 192.

A paper guide 194 is provided below the surface of the manual paper feed table 170 with a small gap. This paper guide 194
extends toward the mating portion of the platen 79 and the auxiliary roller 84, and this extended portion faces the curved portion 191 of the automatic paper feed lower guide 185 with a small gap.

Paper fed from the automatic paper feeder 171 or the manual paper feed tray 170 passes between the curved portion 191 and the extension of the paper guide 194, and is bitten into the platen 79 and the auxiliary roller 84. An inclined surface 195 is formed at the lower end corner of 170 . Multicolor transfer will be described in detail later, but in order to prevent the paper returned from passing between the curved part 191 and the extension part during this multicolor transfer from straying into the automatic paper feeder 171 side, the above-mentioned steps are taken. An inclined surface 195 is provided.

A V-shaped paper guide pocket 196 is formed at the lower end of the extension of the paper guide 194. A paper sensor plate 197 is fixed to the upper part of this paper guide pocket 196. The paper sensor plate 197 is provided with a window 199 for one paper sensor 198 to which a paper sensor 198 is attached.

A paper guide 200 is provided slightly below the mating portion of the platen 79 and the auxiliary roller 83. A film guide rod 201 is provided slightly below the mating portion of the platen 79 and the auxiliary roller 84. This film guide rod 201 needs to be supported at least on the thermal head 85 side.

The paper discharge plate 202 is in contact with the upper outer periphery of the paper discharge roller 125. The paper discharge plate 202 is rotatably supported by a support shaft 203 on the rising case 3 of the printer main body.

Next, the transfer operation will be explained.

When paper is fed from the automatic paper feeder or the manual paper feed table 170, the leading edge of the paper is stopped along the curved portion 191 at the meeting point between the platen 79 and the auxiliary roller 84. Since the paper feed sensor 193 detects the passage of paper, the motor 118 of the platen system rotates. Platen 79. Auxiliary rollers A and B.

As the paper discharge roller 125 and the take-up film roll 46 rotate, the paper passes between the platen 79 and the auxiliary roller 84, and between the film 48 pressed by the thermal head 85 and the platen 79, and the paper is removed. The tip of the paper is deflected by the upper side of the paper guide and caught in the joint between the platen 79 and the auxiliary roller 83, and then the leading edge of the paper is pushed to the paper sensor plate 197.
The paper sensor 198 detects that the paper has been sent to a position where it can be transferred. As the platen further rotates from this state, the thermal head 85 receives the transfer signal and generates heat, thereby transferring the ink on the film 48 to the paper. After the transfer, the film 48 also moves to the left together with the paper. In this way, the transfer is performed sequentially. Further, the paper advances between the paper ejection roller 125 and the paper ejection plate 202 while being pushed in the ejection direction by the paper ejection roller 125. After the transfer is completed, the paper is dropped into the paper guide pocket 196 and stored. The paper sensor detects when the trailing edge of the paper has passed.
198, and after this detection, when it is time for the paper to be dropped into the paper guide pocket 196, the motor 118 is stopped.

When performing multicolor transfer, the paper is moved back and forth between the platen 79 and the film 48 many times. In this case, as described above, each time the transferred color is changed, the film cassette is replaced in the same manner as described above. It is desirable that the trailing edge of the paper be kept between the platen 79 and the auxiliary roller 83, and the leading edge of the paper be kept between the platen 79 and the auxiliary roller 84, so that the paper can be reciprocated. During this reciprocation, the power supply sensor 193 detects the position of the paper. A paper sensor 198 is used.

Above - In the examples, four colors, black, Y, M, and C, were described, but it is possible to load some of the four ink cartridges of this machine with a multi-strike ink film, an ink film compatible with rough surface paper, a special ink film with particularly good color tone, etc. for special purposes (
(Can automatically switch from standard usage to special usage)
Effective as a printer.

〔Effect of the invention〕

The effects of the present invention are that with a single drive input, two different types of motion can be realized, the mechanism can be simplified, and even though the trajectories intersect with each other, the link mechanisms between the two are coupled, causing interference. The purpose of the present invention is to provide an inexpensive and highly reliable thermal transfer printer that eliminates the possibility of such occurrence.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

1 to 29 show an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 1 is a central vertical sectional view of the entire printer, Figure 2 is a front vertical sectional view of the entire printer, Figure 3 is a side view of the drive system, and Figure 4 is the thermal head, supply film roll, and traction. An explanatory diagram of the operation of the lever, Figure 5 is the swing arm. An explanatory diagram of the operation of the swing arm crank. Fig. 6 is an explanatory diagram of the operation of the thermal head, supply film roll, and traction lever. Fig. 7 is an explanatory diagram of the operation of the swing arm and swing arm crank. Fig. 8 is an explanatory diagram of the operation of the thermal head and supply film. Fig. 9 is an explanatory diagram of the operation of the roll and traction lever, Fig. 9 is an explanatory diagram of the operation of the swing arm and swing arm crank, and Fig. 10 is an explanatory diagram of the thermal head and supply film roll. An explanatory diagram of the operation of the traction lever, Fig. 11 is an explanatory diagram of the operation of the swing arm and swing arm crank, Fig. 12 is an explanatory diagram of the operation of the swing arm and swing arm crank.
13 and 14 are enlarged views of the connector means, and FIGS. 12 and 13 are operation explanatory views. FIG. 14 is a front view. FIG. 15 is an explanatory diagram of the operation of the supply film roll, swing arm, and deflector. FIG. 16 is an explanatory diagram of the operation of the supply film roll, swing arm, and deflector. FIG. 17 is an explanatory diagram of the operation of the supply film roll, swing arm, and deflector. 18 is an explanatory diagram of the operation of the supply film roll, swing arm, and deflector. FIG. 19 is a diagram showing the relationship between the film drum and the external support of the supply film roll. side sectional view,
FIG. 21 is a side view of the film drum, and FIG. 22 is a paper feed/discharge device. FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of the relationship between a platen, a thermal head, and a film. Fig. 23 is a sectional view of the clutch, Fig. 24 is a front view of the clutch, Fig. 25 is a sectional view of the area around the sensor that detects the rotation angle position of the main shaft, Fig. 26 is a front view of the area around the sensor, and Fig. 27 28 is a cross-sectional view of the area around the sensor that detects the position of the film drum, and FIG. 28 is a view showing the reflector.
FIG. 29 is a sectional view of the area around the sensor that detects the position of the film drum. 14.15...Cassette drum support side plate, 46...
Winding film roll, 47...supply film roll,
48...Film, 79...Platen, 85...
Therma fake′

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. Consisting of a platen, a thermal head that comes into contact with and leaves the platen, and a transfer paper and an ink film that are held between the platen and the thermal head. In an apparatus for transferring ink from an ink film to transfer paper, the ink film is composed of a take-up roll and a supply roll, and a roll storage means for storing the take-up roll and the supply roll is provided, and the separation distance of the thermal head from the platen is adjusted. is larger than the maximum diameter of the take-up roll or supply roll, take out one of the rolls from the roll storage means, and while the thermal head is fully separated from the plantain, place the same roll between the platen and the thermal head. Then, the thermal head is brought into contact with the platen to perform the above transfer, and after the transfer is completed, while the thermal head is fully separated from the platen, the same roll that is being pulled out is moved between the platen and the thermal head. The roll is moved in the opposite direction ahead of the thermal head and passed through, thereby storing the roll in the roll storage section, and has a link mechanism that prevents the thermal head and the roll from colliding when the roll passes through the space between the thermal head and the platen. A thermal transfer printer characterized by the following configurations.