JPS6317067A - Color image recorder - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To enable an optimum holding timing to be easily set and the tip of recording paper to be held securely by allowing the tip of recording paper to be held between an electromagnetic solenoid and a gripper piece to be attracted by said electromagnetic solenoid in a recording paper circulation means of a fast color image recorder which circulates the recording paper. CONSTITUTION:A recording paper 62 is fed and its tip hits frames 25, 25 fully. Then its posture is arranged so that the paper may be set at right angles with an advance direction. If this sequential operation is performed, an electromagnetic solenoid 24 is excited, and a gripper piece 26 is attracted, resulting in the holding of the tip of the recording paper 62 between the gripper piece 26 and the solenoid 24. At the same time, an electromagnetic clutch attached to the shaft 21 of a grip roller 22 (not illustrated) is operated, causing the roller 22 to rotate at the same circular velocity as a platen roller 11. The grip roller 22 continues rotating with the tip of the recording paper held, and stops after rotating close to almost semi-circle and when the tip of the recording paper 62 has reached between a drive roller 31 and a pinch roller 32.

Description

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

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

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

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

In the method shown in the m10 diagram, for recording one color, for example, cyan,
A platen roller 201 connected to a stepping motor (not shown), a drive roller 202, and a pinch roller 203 working together transport the recording paper 204, and a transport device (not shown) transports the ink ribbon A at the same speed as the recording paper 204. While conveying the recording paper 204 and the ink ribbon A in cooperation with the platen roller 201,
A cyan color image is obtained on the recording paper 204 by selectively energizing the heat-sensitive recording head 205, which is brought into close and pressure contact with the recording paper 204, in accordance with an image signal. When the recording of the first color is completed in this way, the platen roller 201 and the thermal recording head 2
05 is isolated by means not shown, and the feed roller 202 is rotated in the opposite direction to return the recording paper 204 until the leading edge of the recording paper 204 reaches near the recording position of the thermal recording head 205.

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

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

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

In contrast to the above, the method shown in FIG. 11 involves winding the recording paper 302 around a drum-shaped platen 301 connected to a stepping motor (not shown).
The thermal recording head 303 is pressed into contact with the ink ribbon A, which has a circumference approximately equal to the circumference of Color recording is performed by conveying at the same speed as the peripheral speed of the drum-shaped platen 301, and by making three or four rotations of the drum-shaped platen 301, a color image is created by subtractive color mixing, similar to the method shown in FIG. The record is completed. The recording paper 302 on which recording has been completed in this manner is transferred to the drum-shaped platen 30.
Peel it off from 1 and take it out. According to the method shown in FIG. 11, it is possible to minimize wasted time that is not directly involved in printing, such as returning the recording paper each time one color is finished printing, as in the method shown in FIG. 10 described above. This has the advantage of increasing speed. However, the disadvantage is that the device is expensive because it requires a complicated mechanism for winding and peeling the recording paper around a drum-shaped platen, and it also requires the use of a specially shaped thermal recording head. . Furthermore, since a drum that rotates at a constant speed is used, the time required to record one page is constant regardless of the paper size.In other words, when using short paper, The disadvantage of this method is that it cannot take advantage of its suitability. Also, depending on the length of the recording paper, a large diameter drum-shaped platen (for A4 size recording paper, approximately φ1
00 mm), which is disadvantageous for downsizing the device, and the weight increases the load, which requires a stepping motor with a large rotational driving force.

(Problems to be Solved by the Invention) As described above, in the former color image recording device using the thermal transfer recording method (see FIG. 10), it is necessary to return the recording paper every time recording of one color is completed, and In the latter case (Fig. 11), a color image recording device using a thermal transfer recording method, the time required to record one color is equivalent to one rotation of a drum-shaped platen even when recording paper of a small size, and there is a limit to speeding up. Ta.

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

In addition, in the former color image recording device using the thermal transfer recording method (Fig. 10), since it is necessary to return only the recording paper while stopping or advancing the ink ribbon, a mechanism for separating the thermal recording head and the platen roller is required. In addition, in the latter color image recording apparatus using the thermal transfer recording method (see FIG. 11), the recording paper is closely held on the drum-shaped platen, and the recording paper is peeled from the drum-shaped platen. Requires a mechanism. Therefore, the device has become complicated and expensive.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a color image recording device that does not require a complicated mechanism and can be realized at low cost.

Furthermore, in the color image recording apparatus using the thermal transfer recording method of the former (FIG. 10), in order to return the recording paper, a space must be secured to accommodate the returned recording paper; The color image recording device using the thermal transfer recording method shown in Fig. 11) requires a drum-shaped platen that has a longer circumference and a wider width than the largest possible recording paper, and that drum-shaped platen is rotated. Requires a large stepper motor to do so.

Therefore, the device is large.

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

[Structure of the Invention] (Means and Effects for Solving the Problems) In the present invention, a recording paper and an ink ribbon formed by repeating a plurality of ink layers periodically in a band shape are superimposed, and This is a color image recording device in which ink of each color on an ink ribbon is transferred to recording paper by repeatedly passing the ink ribbon between a thermal recording head and a platen provided opposite to the thermal recording head using a recording paper circulation means. The recording paper circulating means is supported by a base member that is rotatably supported in one direction, and a gripper that is supported to be openable and closable with respect to the podium member and grips the leading end of the recording paper by pinching it with the base member. and an electromagnetic solenoid provided on the base member to open and close the gripper piece, and with the gripper piece open, the recording paper circulating means is placed on standby, and when recording is completed, the thermal recording head receives the leading edge of the recording paper ejected from the recording paper, captures the leading edge of the recording paper by closing the gripper piece, and rotates the base member to move the leading edge of the recording paper to the entrance side of the thermal recording head. The above object is achieved by opening the gripper piece and releasing the leading edge of the recording paper.

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

The housing 1 of this device has side plates 2 at the front and back in Fig. 1.
．． It has 3. The side plates 2 and 3 are fixedly installed within the housing 1, and various parts described later are attached to the side plates 2 and 3. Further, the housing 1 of this device has a cover 4. The cover 4 is formed by side plates 4a and 4b arranged at the front and back in FIG. , a stepped portion is formed, and a paper discharge tray 5 is configured there. And this side plate 4a,
4b is engaged at its corner with the side plate 2.3 by means of pins 6. Therefore, this cover 4 can be rotated counterclockwise about the pin 6 from the position shown in FIG.

In this device, the recording means 1 is located in the center of the left half in FIG.
A recording paper circulation means 20 is arranged directly below the recording means 10, and a space S is secured below the recording paper circulation means 20. A path switching means 50 and a recording paper supplying means (second recording paper supplying means) 30 are arranged on the left and right sides of the recording paper circulation means 20. Further, in this apparatus, a recording paper accommodating means 60 is arranged in the lower right half of FIG. 1, and a recording paper supplying means (a first recording paper supplying means ) 70 is disposed, and an ink ribbon conveyance means 90 is disposed above the recording means 10, and the recording paper ejection means 120 is disposed from the recording means 10 to the paper ejection tray 5 so as to bypass the ink ribbon conveyance means 90. It is located.

In FIG. 1, reference numeral 130 indicates facsimile control means, and the control means 130 is arranged above the recording paper storage means 60.

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

The platen roller 11 is a rubber roller having a metal shaft 11a at the center, and both ends of the shaft 11a are connected to the side plates 2 of the housing 1,
3 (indicated by two-dot chain lines), and is rotationally driven by a stepping motor 14. Further, the thermal recording head 12 has a predetermined density (for example, 16 pel/m
m), arrange the minute heating resistors in a row so that the number (e.g., 3456) corresponds to the recording width (e.g., 216 in the case of A4 size), and record them in accordance with the image information to be recorded in each row. By applying pulsed electricity, it has the function of microscopically raising the temperature of the ink ribbon that comes into contact with it, melting the solid ink layer applied to the ink ribbon, and transferring it to recording paper to form a visible image. . This thermal recording head 12 is attached to an arm 15 in the shape of an inverted letter, and a support shaft 16 fixed to a pair of side plates 4a, 4b (shown with two-dot chain lines, or see FIG. 5.6) of the cover 4. It is rotatably supported using the fulcrum as a fulcrum. Further, one end of the inverted arm 15 is biased by a tension coil spring 17 to press the thermal recording head 12 against the platen roller 11 so as to generate the optimum pressure for recording.

Further, the inverted arm 15 is engaged with a plunger 18a of an electromagnetic solenoid 18. The electromagnetic solenoid 18 described above is energized and excited, and the plunger 18
a is attracted, and as a result, the inverted-shaped arm 15 rotates clockwise about the support shaft 16 against the tension coil spring 17, thereby separating the thermal recording head 12 from the platen roller 11.

The recording paper circulating means 20 has the function of capturing the leading edge of the recording paper discharged from the thermal recording head 12 and conveying the leading edge to the entrance side of the thermal recording head 12. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, this recording paper circulation means 20 includes a shaft 21 supported by side plates 2 and 3 and driven by a stepping motor 14 via an electromagnetic clutch (not shown); It consists of a grip roller 22 as a base member fixed to the roller 22, and a gripper mechanism 23 disposed within a notch 22a of the roller 22. Gripper mechanism 2
3 is for gripping and holding the leading edge of the recording paper, with a notch 22
an electromagnetic solenoid 24 located at the center in the width direction of a, and frames 25 and 25 erected on both sides of the notch 22a in the width direction
It has a gripper piece 26 which is swingably held on the frame 25.25 by a pin 25a, and a spring 27 which urges the gripper piece 56 in the direction of opening.

The electromagnetic solenoid 24 includes band-shaped conductors 21a, 21a, 21a, 21a, 21a, 21a, 21a, 21a, 21a, 21a, 21a, 21a, 21a, 21a, 21a, 21a, 21b, 21a, 21a, 21a, 21a, 21a, 21a, 21a, 21a,
It is connected to facsimile control means 130, which will be described later, via band-shaped conductors 28a, 28a of a slip ring 28 disposed at the end of the shaft 21 and a brush 29. In the gripper mechanism 23 configured in this way, the electromagnetic solenoid 24
When the gripper piece 26 is in a non-energized state, the gripper piece 26 is separated from the electromagnetic solenoid 24 by the biasing force of the spring 27, and by energizing the electromagnetic solenoid 24, the gripper piece 26 is attracted to the electromagnetic solenoid 24.

The recording paper supply means (second recording paper supply means) 30 includes a feed roller 33 consisting of a drive roller 31 and a pinch roller 32 coaxial with the grip roller 22 (
Figure 3). The drive roller 31 is fixed to a shaft 34 supported by the side plates 2 and 3, and the shaft 34 is driven by a stepping motor (not shown). The pinch roller 32 is the third
As shown in the figure, it is disposed between the grip rollers 22 of the shaft 21, and as shown in FIG. 4, the main portion 32a is fixed to the shaft 21 with a set screw 35. This pinch roller 3
A collar 32b is loosely fitted onto the circumferential surface of the main portion 32a of No. 2. The collar 32b is prevented from falling off from the main portion 32a by collars 32C132c formed at both ends of the main portion 32a. The driving roller 31 and the pinch roller 32 are in contact with each other, and when the driving roller 31 is rotated, the pinch roller 32 is also rotated. However, the pinch roller 32 only rotates the collar 32b.

Further, the recording paper supply means 30, as shown in FIG.
A pack tension roller 36 is provided. The pack tension roller 36 is fixed to a shaft 37. The shaft 37 is rotatably supported relative to the side plate 2.3 so that the pack tension roller 36 can move toward and away from the grip roller 22. This shaft 37 is biased by a spring 38 so that the pack tension roller 36 comes into pressure contact with the grip roller 22, and its rotation is braked by a braking means (not shown). Further, one end of an arm 39 is engaged with this shaft 37, and the base end of the arm 39 is connected to the shaft 4.
It is planted at 0. This shaft 40 is supported by the side plates 2 and 3.

One end of a lever 41 is fixed to the shaft 40, and the other end of the lever 41 is engaged with a plunger 42a of an electromagnetic solenoid 42 fixed to one of the side plates 2.3. When the electromagnetic solenoid 42 is in a non-energized state, the pack tension roller 36 is pressed against the grip roller 22 by the urging force of the spring 38.
2 is energized, lever 41 is rotated clockwise about axis 40, thereby causing arm 39 to rotate clockwise about axis 40, thereby separating it from grip roller 22. Furthermore, the recording paper supply means 30 has a recording paper supply path 43 for guiding the recording paper to the thermal recording pad 12. This recording paper supply path 4
3 has a grip roller 22 and a pinch roller 32 at one end.
A guide plate 43a extends between the guide plate 43a, the other end of which is positioned close to the circumferential surface of the platen roller 11, and a portion of the guide plate 43a that extends between the drive roller 3 and the drive roller 3.
1, and a guide plate 43c located opposite to guide plate 43a and guide plate 43b.

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

The path switching means 50 guides the recording paper discharged from the thermal recording head 12 to either the recording paper circulation means or the recording discharge means 120 described later. This course switching means 50 has a flapper 51, and the flapper 5
1 is rotatably supported by a shaft 52 supported on the side plate 2.3. One end of a lever 53 is fixed to the shaft 52 of the flapper 51, and the other end of the lever 53 is rotatably locked to a plunger 54a of an electromagnetic solenoid 54. A compression coil spring 55 is disposed around the plunger 54a, and the biasing force of the compression coil spring 55 positions the above-mentioned flapper 51 in the state shown by the solid line in FIG. 1, thereby circulating the recording paper. Guide to means 20.

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

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

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

The recording paper aligning means 80 includes a drive roller 81 and a pinch roller 8.
It has a feed roller 83 consisting of two. The shaft 81a of the drive roller 81 in the feed roller 83 is linked to the above-described stepping motor 14, and is rotated by the stepping motor 14 together with the platen roller 11. On the other hand, the shaft 8 of the pinch roller 82
2a is biased by a spring 84 via a bearing so that the pinch roller 82 comes into pressure contact with the drive roller 81. Further, one end of an arm 85 is engaged with the shaft 82a of the pinch roller 82, and the arm 85 is supported by a pin 85a provided on the pair of side plates 2 and 3 described above. This arm 85 is in contact with a pin 86b of another arm 86 that is similarly supported by a pin 86b provided on the pair of side plates 2 and 3. One end of the arm 86 is connected to a plunger 87a of the electromagnetic solenoid 87.
The plunger 87a is rotatably supported by a tension coil spring 88, and the plunger 87a is urged downward by a tension coil spring 88. On the other hand, the other end 86c of the arm 86 is connected to the feed roller 8.
It is disposed at a position behind the recording paper 3 to prevent the recording paper from advancing. The electromagnetic solenoid 87 described above is energized and excited to attract the plunger 87a, thereby pulling the arm 86 against the coil spring 88 and rotating counterclockwise about the pin 86a as a fulcrum. At the same time, arm 85
6b rotates clockwise about the pin 85a, so that the shaft 82a of the pinch roller 82 is rotated by the arm 85.
is pushed up by the left edge of Thus, the pinch roller 82 is separated from the drive roller 81, and the other end 86c of the arm 86 is lowered to prevent the recording paper from advancing. When the electromagnetic solenoid 87 is demagnetized, the arm 86
is returned by the tension coil spring 88, and the other end 86a of the arm 86 rises to release the blocking of the recording paper, and the pin 86 that contacts the shaft 82a of the pinch roller 82
As b descends, the pinch roller 82 is pressed against the drive roller 81 by the spring 84. Further, the recording paper alignment means 80 includes a recording paper detector 89 that detects the leading edge of the recording paper.
It is equipped with This detector 89 is connected to the feed roller 83
A light emitting element 89a and a light emitting element 1119b are disposed in front of the recording paper supply path 72, sandwiching the recording paper supply path 72 between them. When this recording paper detector 89 detects the leading edge of the recording paper, a timer is activated, and the electromagnetic solenoid 87 is demagnetized after a certain period of time has elapsed. Note that the recording paper supply path 72 is configured between the recording paper storage means 60 and the feed roller 83, and is formed by guide plates 72a and 72b.

Further, the recording paper supply path 73 is configured using a part of the guide plates 43b and 41c forming the recording paper supply path 43 of the second recording paper supply means 30 described above. The path 73 joins the recording paper supply path 43 near the entrance of the recording means 10.

The ink ribbon transport means 90 is for transporting the ink ribbon 91 between the platen roller 11 and the thermal recording head 12 of the recording means IO. ink ribbon 9
1. A heat-melting solid ink layer containing a coloring material corresponding to the color to be recorded is placed on an extremely thin base film such as paper or resin using a field sequential method, and the length of each color is the maximum length for recording. Three colors, for example, as shown in FIG. 9, four colors including yellow, magenta, cyan, or black are painted in strips so that the length is equal to or slightly longer. The width of the ink ribbon 91 is equal to the width of the recording paper 62.
is made equal to or slightly larger than the width of the This ink ribbon 91 is wound around a supply roll 92, and after being used for recording, is wound up by a take-up roll 93. These supply roll 92 and take-up roll 93 are loaded inside the pair of opposing side plates 4a and 4b, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6. In FIGS. 5 and 6, a pair of side plates 4a.

4b, two shafts 94.95 and 96.97 are implanted, and reels 98°99 and 100, respectively, are installed on these shafts.
101 is loosely fitted. Side plate 4 of these reels
The reel 98,99 on the side a is provided with one or more protrusions 98a, 99a at its end, and the protrusions 98a, 99a
are fitted into grooves 92a, 93a formed in the end faces of the supply roll 92 and take-up roll 93, thereby causing the supply roll 92 and take-up roll 93 to be connected to the reel 98. .

Lock at 99. Further, 1. Joint members 102 and 103 are loosely fitted to the shaft 94°95 between the reel 98 and 99 and the pair of side plates 4a and 4b described above. The joint members 102, 103 are provided with disks 102a, 103a at one end, and friction plates 102b, 103b are attached to the disks. The joint members 102 and 103 are connected to a compression coil spring 104 disposed between the joint member and the side plate 4a.
105 to the right in FIGS. 5 and 6, and the reel 9 is pushed through the friction plates 102b and 103b.
8.99 is brought into pressure contact with the supply roll 92 and the take-up roll 93. On the other hand, the reels 100 and 101 have compression coil springs 106 and 106 disposed between the reels and the side plate 4b.
107 to the left in FIG. 5 and FIG.
and is pressed against the end surface of the take-up roll 92. Furthermore, in such an ink ribbon holding means, the take-up roll 9
A rotational torque transmitting means, for example, a timing pulley 108 is fixed to the joint member 103 on the third side. This timing pulley 10g is linked via a timing belt to a stepping motor (not shown) attached to either of the side plates 4a, 4b.

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

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

Further, the facsimile control means 130 includes an electronic circuit board 140 and a power supply device 150 for operating the color facsimile receiving device according to the embodiment of the present invention.
Its block configuration is shown in FIG. In other words, in FIG. 7, there is a line control section 141 that controls the connection to a color facsimile transmitter located at a remote location via a transmission line according to a predetermined procedure and inputs a facsimile signal, and a line control section 141 that detects the facsimile signal. , a modem 142 for demodulating and obtaining coded data, a system control section 143 centered on a microprocessor that controls the entire device including the operation panel based on the coded data, and a system control unit 143 for converting the coded data into a predetermined system procedure. A decoding unit 144 that restores the image signal to be recorded, a color conversion circuit 145 that converts the image signal into color-specific recording signals, and a page memory that temporarily stores the color-specific recording signals described above for frame-sequential recording. 146 and
For example, the recording control unit 147 includes density pattern conversion for gradation recording and control of the energizing pulse width to the heating resistor of the thermal recording head, and mechanical control that controls the stepping motor, electromagnetic solenoids, various detectors, etc. Section 148
and a power supply 1 that supplies various voltages and currents necessary for the operation of electronic circuits, thermal recording heads, motors, solenoids, etc.
It consists of 50.

Next, the function and operation of the color facsimile receiving apparatus will be explained.

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

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

Meanwhile, in parallel with the operation of the ink ribbon 91, the mechanism control section 148 controls the electromagnetic solenoid 87 of the recording paper supply means 70.
The pinch roller 82 is separated from the drive roller 81 by being energized and excited, and the other end 86c of the arm 86 is lowered. Further, the stepping motor 14 starts rotating in a certain direction, for example, counterclockwise, and the paper feed roller 71 connected to the stepping motor 14 via a one-way clutch (not shown) also rotates, and the recording paper storage means 60 Recording paper 6 stacked on paper feed cassette 61 of
2, one of the top layers is placed between the recording paper and the rubber paper feed roller 71.
By utilizing the difference in the coefficient of friction between the recording sheets, the recording sheets are separated and sent out, and guided to the recording paper supply path 72 of the recording paper supply means 70. Subsequently, the recording paper is fed by the paper feed roller 71, passes through the recording paper detector 89, and then passes through the drive roller 8.
1 and the pinch roller 82, and its tip collides with the other end 86c of the arm 86. In this way, the recording paper is still being fed by the paper feed roller 71, and the inside of the recording paper is bent and slightly swollen, that is, the leading edge of the recording paper completely collides with the other end 86c of the arm 86, and the recording paper continues to advance. You can adjust your posture so that it is perpendicular to the direction.

When the recording paper detector 89 detects the leading edge of the recording paper, the detection signal activates a timer and starts counting time.

This timer is set for a sufficient time to complete the recording paper alignment operation. As the timer finishes counting,
The direction of rotation of the stepping motor 14 is reversed and rotated clockwise. Then, due to the action of the one-way clutch, the rotational force is no longer transmitted to the paper feed roller 71, and the paper feed roller 71 stops its rotation. When the timer completes timing, the electromagnetic solenoid 87 is deenergized and deenergized.

As the arm 86 is returned to its original state by the tension coil spring 88, the other end 86c of the arm 86 rises to release the blocking of the recording paper, and the pin 86b that contacts the shaft 82a of the pinch roller 82 descends. A pinch roller 82 is brought into pressure contact with a drive roller 81 that rotates in conjunction with the stepping motor 14 by a spring 84, and the recording paper, whose posture has been adjusted, is fed again to the recording paper supply path 72.
guided by. Furthermore, at the same time as the above operation, the electromagnetic solenoid 18 is demagnetized while being deenergized, the inverted-shaped arm 15 is returned to its original state by the tension coil spring 17, and the thermal recording head 12 attached to the inverted-shaped arm 15 is is brought into pressure contact with the platen roller 11, and the stepping motor (not shown) is rotated to feed the ink ribbon 91 again.

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

Here, as described above, with reference to the recording position of the thermal recording head 12, the distance of the ink ribbon 91 to the ink ribbon detector 113, and the distance of the recording paper to the other end 86c of the arm 86 in the recording paper supply means 70. are set to be equal, so the yellow leading edge of the ink ribbon 91 and the leading edge of the recording paper coincide and overlap. Then, a predetermined period of time has elapsed since the timer started measuring time. After that, when the yellow tip of the ink ribbon 91 and the tip of the recording paper reach a position directly above or slightly beyond the heating resistor array, which is the recording position of the RAD 12 for thermal recording, the system control described above is performed. 3 stored in the page memory 146 under the control of the section 143.
Among the image signals separated into colors, the image signal corresponding to the yellow color is first read out and sent to the thermal recording head 12. The image signal is amplified by a driver mounted on the thermal recording head 12, energizes the heating resistor, generates Joule heat, locally heats the ink ribbon 91, and causes the yellow solid ink layer applied thereto to be heated. It is melted and transferred to a recording paper that is pressed against it, and a yellow image is first recorded in dots. The recording paper and the ink ribbon 91 are brought into close contact with each other by the platen roller 11 so that no misalignment occurs.
The paper is fed while being recorded sequentially at each scanning pitch as described above. After the yellow recording is completed, the recording paper and the ink ribbon 91, which are still in close contact with each other, are fed as they are and reach the guide bar 111. Here, ink ribbon 9
There, the ink ribbon 91 is rotated rapidly as shown in FIG.
Peel it off. The peeled recording paper is guided by the flapper 51 (; of the path switching means 50) and enters the lower part in the figure, that is, the grip roller 22 where the gripper piece 26 of the recording paper circulation means 20 is open and waiting.The yellow recording continues. As the recording paper progresses and is fed by the platen roller 11, its leading edge eventually collides with the frame 25°25.

The details of the color recording mechanism using the frame sequential method, which is the gist of the present invention, will be explained below with reference to FIG.

In FIG. 8, 62 is recording paper, 91 is an ink ribbon,
11 is a platen roller, 12 is a thermal recording head, 22 is a grip roller, 24 is an electromagnetic solenoid, 26 is a gripper piece, 36 is a pack tension roller, 31 is a drive roller, and 43 is a recording paper supply path. In FIG. 8(a), the recording paper 62 is still being fed, and the recording paper is bent and slightly swollen, that is, the leading edge of the recording paper has completely collided with the frame 25.25, relative to the direction of travel. When the posture is adjusted to be perpendicular, the electromagnetic solenoid 24 is energized, which attracts the gripper piece 26, and the recording paper 62 is held between the gripper piece 26 and the electromagnetic solenoid 24.
Grasp the tip of the

At the same time, an electromagnetic clutch (not shown) attached to the shaft 21 of the grip roller 22 operates, and the grip roller 22 starts rotating at the same circumferential speed as that of the platen roller 11. The grip roller 22 continues to rotate while holding the leading edge of the recording paper, and rotates approximately half a turn as shown in FIG.
It stops when it reaches between the roller 1 and the pinch roller 32.

Here, the electromagnetic solenoid 24 is demagnetized and the gripper piece 2
6 opens to release the leading edge of the recording paper 62.

However, the yellow recording still progresses, and the recording paper 6.
2 are sent one after another by the platen roller 11,
As shown in FIG. 8(c), the recording paper 62 swells greatly within the space S and hangs down vertically. As the yellow recording approaches the end, the end of the recording paper 62 reaches the recording paper supply path 4.
3, the grip roller 22 is rotated again as shown in FIG. 8(d). Next, the excitation current of the electromagnetic solenoid 42 shown in FIG. 1 is cut off, the attraction of the plunger 42a is released, and the pack tension roller 36 is returned to its original position by the spring 38 and is brought into pressure contact with the grip roller 22, as shown in FIG. 8(e). As shown in , the drive roller 31 is rotated again, and the pack tension roller 36 is rotated so that the end of the recording paper 62 on which the yellow color recording is to be made is followed by the leading edge of the recording paper 62 with a narrow interval. The recording paper 62 is fed while applying pack tension. Then, as shown in FIG. 8(f), the leading edge of the recording paper 62 is
As described above with reference to FIG. 1, when the ink ribbon 91 enters between the rotating platen roller 11 and the ink ribbon 91 being fed, the electromagnetic solenoid 42 is energized again, the plunger 42a is attracted, and the lever 41 and arm 39 are activated. The pack tension roller 36 is separated from the grip roller 22 again through the grip roller 22. Here, since the length of each color of the ink ribbon 91 is set to be approximately equal to the length of the recording paper, the leading edge of the next color to be recorded, for example, magenta, and the leading edge of the recording paper 62 are coincide and overlap. In this way, when the magenta tip of the ink ribbon 91 and the tip of the recording paper 62 reach a position directly above or slightly beyond the heating resistor array, which is the recording position of the thermal recording head 12, the system controller 143 under the control of
Of the image signals separated into three colors stored in the page memory 146, the image signal corresponding to the magenta color is read out and sent to the thermal recording head 12. Then, a driver mounted on the thermal recording head 12 energizes the heating resistor to generate Joule heat to heat the ink ribbon 91, melting the magenta solid ink layer applied thereto, and pressing the recording paper. 62, and a dot-like magenta image is recorded. Thereafter, in the same process as in the case of yellow color recording, magenta color recording is performed on top of the already recorded yellow image.

In this way, a color image is recorded while sequentially overlapping each color of the ink ribbon 91, and when recording of the last color to be recorded, for example, cyan, is started by the thermal recording head 12, the mechanism control section 148 By energizing and energizing the electromagnetic solenoid 54 of the course switching means 50 and attracting the plunger 54a, the flapper 51 is moved to the position shown by the two-dot chain line in FIG. 1 via the lever 53 and shaft 52.
The direction of the recording paper 62 toward the advancing grip roller 22 is closed, and the direction of the recording paper discharge means 120 toward the recording paper discharge path 123 is opened. At the same time, the driving rollers 125 and 127 associated with the stepping motor (not shown) of the recording paper ejecting means 120 start rotating, and the two sets of feed rollers 121 and 122 operate. However, the recording paper 62 on which recording of the last color to be recorded, for example, cyan color, has been completed.
is fed in close contact with the ink ribbon 91 and reaches the guide bar 111. Here, since the ink ribbon 91 is rapidly rotated as described above, the leading edge of the recording paper 62 tries to move straight due to its rigidity and peels off from the ink ribbon 91. The leading edge of the recording paper 62, which has been peeled off to form a complete color received recording image, is guided by the flapper 51 of the path switching means 50 shown by the two-dot chain line in the figure.
It enters the record discharge path 123. Thereafter, the recording paper 62 is fed by the feed roller 121, and the recording paper ejection path 12
4, the paper is discharged and placed on a paper discharge tray 5 provided at the top of the apparatus by a feed roller 122. Mechanism control section 14
8, when one page of reception recording is completed and sufficient time has elapsed for the end of the recording paper 62 to pass through the flapper 51, the electromagnetic solenoid 54 is de-energized and the flapper 51 is returned to its original state by the biasing force of the compression coil spring 55. The position is returned to the position shown by the solid line in the figure. At the same time, the stepping motor 14 of the recording means 10 and the ink ribbon conveying means 90
The stepping motor (not shown) also stops rotating, and as a result, the rotation of the platen roller 11 also stops, and the feeding of the ink ribbon 91 also stops. On the other hand, the end of the recording paper 62 passes through the feed roller 122, and the recording paper 62 with the color received recorded image formed on its surface is transferred to the paper output tray 5.
When the recording paper is completely ejected onto the paper, the recording paper ejecting means 12
The rotation of the stepping motor 0 (not shown) also stops.

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

The principle of subtractive color mixing in color recording is a well-known technique and will not be explained here, but when using the three colors yellow, magenta, and cyan as the solid ink layer colors of the ink ribbon, white, which is the background color of the recording paper, It is well known that eight colors can be reproduced and recorded by adding . Furthermore, if gradation recording is performed using a pseudo-halftone recording method such as the density pattern method, a large number of colors can be reproduced even with the three-color ink ribbon, for example, if the density of the heating element is 16 pe.
When performing gradation recording using a dither method in a 4×4 dot matrix using a thermal recording head of 1/2/2, it is possible to record 4096 colors at a resolution of 4 pixels/trundle. It goes without saying that the color facsimile receiving and recording apparatus described in detail of the present invention can be preferably applied to any of the color recording methods described above, and also to recording apparatuses other than color facsimile, such as color copying machines and color printers. The same applies to

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

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

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

The thermal recording head 12 in the recording means 10 of this embodiment is temporarily separated from the platen roller 11 by an electromagnetic solenoid 18 at the start of facsimile reception in order to synchronize with the recording paper feeding operation. This is not necessarily essential, as long as the feeding of the ink ribbon is controlled based on the feeding operation of the paper. That is, when the facsimile reception starts, the ink ribbon 91 and the recording paper start feeding simultaneously under the control of the mechanism control unit 148, and the leading edge of the recording paper collides with the other end 86c of the arm 86, causing the ink ribbon 91 and the recording paper to start feeding in the advancing direction. When the orientation of the stepping motor 14 is adjusted to be at a right angle to If the stepping motor 14 is turned off and demagnetized and the stepping motor 14 is rotated clockwise to feed the recording paper again, the same operation and function as described above can be achieved.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Furthermore, in the color image recording apparatus according to the present invention, in the recording paper circulating means, the leading edge of the recording paper is held between the electromagnetic solenoid and the gripper piece that is attracted to the electromagnetic solenoid, so that the optimal timing for holding the paper is determined. It is easy to set up and can securely hold the leading edge of the recording paper.

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

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a sectional view conceptually showing the configuration of a color facsimile receiving device according to the present invention, FIG. 2 is a partially sectional side view showing a recording paper circulation means of the device, and FIG. 3 is a side view of the recording paper. a plan view showing the arrangement of a grip roller of a supply means, a drive roller and a pinch roller of the recording paper supply means;
Figure 4 is a longitudinal sectional view of the pinch roller in Figure 3, and
FIG. 6 is a sectional view showing a structure for holding an ink ribbon supply roll, FIG. 6 is a sectional view showing a structure for holding an ink ribbon take-up roll, and FIG. 7 is a sectional view of a color facsimile receiving device according to the present invention. FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing the control system; FIG. 8 is a sectional view schematically showing each process of color recording according to the present invention; FIG. 9 is a part of a conventional color recording ink ribbon. The plan view, FIG. 10, and FIG. 11 are conceptual diagrams showing a conventional color recording system. DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1... Device housing, 2.3... Side plate, 4... Cover, 4a, 4b... Side plate, 5... Paper ejection tray, 10...
...Recording means, 11...Platen roller, 12...
Thermal recording head, 13... Separation mechanism, 20... Recording paper circulation means, 22... Grip roller, 23... Gripper mechanism, 24... Electromagnetic solenoid, 25... Frame, 26... ...Gripper piece, 27...Spring, 30
... second recording paper supply means, 33 ... feed roller, 36 ... pack tension roller, 43 ... recording paper supply path, 50 ... path switching means, 51 ... flapper, 60 ...Recording paper storage means, 61... Paper feeding cassette, 62... Recording paper, 70... First recording paper supply means, 71... Paper feeding roller, 72.73... Recording Paper supply path, 80...Recording paper aligning means, 81...Drive roller, 82...Pinch roller, 83...Feed roller, 84...Spring, 85.86...Arm, 86
c... End portion, 87... Electromagnetic solenoid 88... Spring, 89... Recording paper detector, 90... Ink ribbon conveying means, 91... Ink ribbon, 92... Supply roll , 93... Winding roll, 113... Ink ribbon detector, 120... Recording paper discharge means, 121°12
2...Feed roller, 123.124...Recording paper ejection path, 130...Facsimile control means, 140.
...Electronic circuit board, 150...Power supply device. Figure 4 Figure 5 Figure 6 Figure 9 Figure 11

Claims (1)

[Claims] Recording paper and an ink ribbon formed in a band shape by periodically repeating ink layers of multiple colors are superimposed, and the recording paper is circulated between a thermal recording head and a platen provided opposite to the thermal recording head. A color image recording device that transfers ink of each color of an ink ribbon onto recording paper by repeatedly passing it in a fixed direction by a means, the recording paper circulation means comprising:
a base member rotatably supported in one direction; a gripper piece supported on the base member so as to be openable and closable; and gripping the leading edge of the recording paper by pinching it with the base member; and a gripper piece provided on the base member. and an electromagnetic solenoid that opens and closes the gripper piece, and causes the recording paper circulating means to stand by with the gripper piece open, so that the recording paper circulating means is kept on standby when the gripper piece is opened, and the recording paper ejected from the thermal recording head after recording is finished. accept the tip,
The leading edge of the recording paper is captured by closing the gripper piece, the base member is rotated to move the leading edge of the recording paper to the entrance side of the recording head, and the gripper piece is opened there to record. A color image recording device characterized in that the leading edge of the paper is released.