JPS6349477A - Printer - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To contrive reductions in the weight, the number of component parts and the cost of a device, by causing a reflective member for a light sensor to serve also as a member for connecting and fixing a left lower plate and a right lower plate. CONSTITUTION:A light sensor 15 is fixed to a support member 5, whereas a reflective member 18 for the light sensor is fixed to a left lower plate 19 and a right lower plate 20, and serves also as a member for connecting and fixing the plates 19, 20. A left upper plate 23 and a right upper plate 24 are so arranged that they can be turned with an upper and lower plate connecting member 22 as a fulcrum and can be stopped at an arbitrary position. Therefore, at the time of loading a thermal transfer ink film 4 into a thermal transfer type multicolor printer, the upper plates 23, 24 are moved upward, and are stopped, whereby the ink film 4 can be easily loaded. In addition, a recording medium can be set in position simply by leading the medium from a recording medium roll 11, passing the medium over a recording medium guide member 12 and a platen 2, and inserting the medium between the platen 2 and rubber rollers 10. Accordingly, reductions in the number of component parts, the size, the weight and the cost of the device can be contrived.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a printing device such as a thermal transfer multicolor printing device used in facsimiles, printers, and the like.

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a sensor member in a thermal transfer ink film leading means of a thermal transfer multicolor printing device has a configuration shown in FIG. In FIG. 6, reference numeral 15 denotes an optical sensor with a built-in light emitting/light receiving element, and 16 denotes an optical sensor board to which the optical sensor 15 is attached.Although not shown, it is connected to the control circuit of the thermal transfer ink film leading means. . 1 is an optical sensor board fixing member that completely fixes the optical sensor board; 3o is an optical sensor reflecting member that reflects the signal output from the light emitting element of the optical sensor 15 and inputs it to the light receiving element; and 4 is an optical sensor 15 and an optical sensor. A thermal transfer ink film exists between reflective members 30. At least two sets of long-length members used in the thermal transfer ink film leading means of a thermal transfer multicolor printing device must be used, each of which includes the optical sensor 15 and the optical sensor reflecting member 30, and At least 2 to fix one photosensor reflecting member 3o
All screws must be used. Furthermore, the method of attaching the optical sensor board fixing member 17 and the optical sensor reflecting member 3° is as follows.
If the two members are both jointly attached to the supporting member,
There are two cases in which the two members are attached to separate support members.

Problems to be Solved by the Invention In a thermal transfer type multicolor printing device having such a configuration, the number of parts required for assembly is only the optical sensor reflecting member 30, two optical sensor reflecting members and four screws, and the work time is reduced. It takes. Next, when the optical sensor board fixing member 17 and the optical sensor reflecting member 30 are attached to the same support member (not shown), this support member itself becomes larger and when the thermal transfer ink film 4 is replaced. , this optical sensor 1
It was difficult to pass a thermal transfer ink film supply roll or a thermal transfer ink film winding roll between the optical sensor reflecting member 30 and the optical sensor reflecting member 30.

In addition, the optical sensor board fixing member 17 and the optical sensor reflecting member 3
0 is attached to a different support member (not shown), either the support member to which the optical sensor reflection member 3o is attached becomes larger, or this member alone is attached to protrude from the support member. If the former is the case, the entire device will be large and heavy, and if the latter is the case, there is a risk of injury due to accidental contact with the operator's hands.

Means for Solving All Problems In order to solve these problems, the present invention has been developed by attaching the entire sensor to a supporting member, which is the mounting of the thermal head, and reflecting the signal output from the optical sensor length to the optical sensor. An optical sensor reflecting member consisting of a round rod-shaped shaft having at least one horizontal surface portion for inputting a signal again is provided, and the optical sensor reflecting member shares a member for connecting and fixing the entire left and right lower plates. This is what I did. The portions near both ends of the optical sensor reflecting member have second horizontal surface portions in the same direction as the first horizontal surface portion, and the diameter of the second horizontal surface portion is larger than the diameter of the first horizontal surface portion. Thin holes with the same shape as the second horizontal surface part are provided in the left and right lower plates, and the holes are inserted into the holes. Moreover, the cross-sectional shape of these horizontal surface portions is a cross-sectional shape.

According to the above-described structure, the present invention eliminates the need for separate parts for fixing the left and right lower plates of the thermal transfer multicolor printing device, thereby making the printing device more compact.

Weight reduction and number of parts reduction 1. It is possible to reduce the number of work processes, improve the ease of use, improve safety, and reduce the cost of equipment.

Example Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

1 to 4 are diagrams showing a thermal transfer type multicolor printing device according to an embodiment of the present invention. In the figure, 1 is a thermal head as a print head having a plurality of heating elements;
Reference numeral 2 denotes a platen located opposite to the thermal head 1, which is not shown in this embodiment, but is rotated by the forward and reverse rotations of a stepping motor. Reference numeral 3 denotes a recording medium disposed between the thermal head 1 and the platen 2. The platen 2 rotates due to the normal and reverse operation of the stepping motor, and as the thermal head 1 is driven 1, the recording medium 3 rotates in one direction. It is forwarded by one screen, and after the recording of one screen is completed, it is sent back by one screen. Reference numeral 4 denotes a thermal transfer ink film having a color band on which monochromatic ink is coated in an area approximately corresponding to one screen recorded on the recording medium 3, and a plurality of monochromatic inks are coated. Since the thermal transfer ink film 4 is coated with a plurality of monochrome inks, markings are provided to set predetermined monochrome inks at predetermined positions. 5 is thermal head 1
A support member 6 is fixed to the support member 5 and is a peeling member that separates the recording medium 3 and the thermal transfer ink film 4 after recording. 7 is a pressing member that presses the thermal head 1 against the platen 2 during recording, and 8 is a thermal head up/down cam that is used to separate the thermal head 1 that has been pressed against the platen 2 from the platen 2 after recording is completed. However, its rotation is performed by a DC motor. The lower end of the stripping member 6 is at a position lower than the top of the platen 2 during recording, and after the recording is finished, the thermal head 1 moves up, that is, the thermal head up/down cam 8 rotates and the stripping member 6 The lower end of the stripping member e is raised to a higher position than the top of the platen 2 by this action. Figure 2 (!L>, (b
).

The thermal head up/down cam consists of two horizontal surfaces and two curved surfaces.
The width of the apex of the curved surface portion is wider, and when the peeling member 6 is pushed up, one of these two curved surface portions is in contact. Moreover, there are two parts having this shape, and between them there is a recording medium 3 and a thermal transfer ink film 4 having a width narrower than these widths. FIG. 2(a) shows the state in the recording section, and FIG. 2(b) shows the state in which the head up-down cam 8 is pushing up the stripping member 6 after the end of recording. That is, during recording, the recording medium 3 and the thermal transfer ink film 4 are in surface contact between the top of the platen 2 and the stripping member 6, but when the stripping member 6 is raised by the rotational movement of the head up-down cam after recording is completed, , the recording medium 3 and the thermal transfer ink film 4 do not come into contact with each other. 9 is a shaft that supports the support member 5 fixed to the peeling member 6;
The up and down movement of the stripping member 6 is performed using this as a fulcrum. 1o is located at a different position from the thermal head 1,
a rubber roller disposed at a position facing the platen 2;
Reference numeral 11 denotes a recording medium roll that supplies all of the recording media 3; 12 a recording medium guide member whose upper end is at the same height as the platen 2 and the top or at a lower position, and whose maximum diameter is the same as that of the platen 2; It is located at a higher position than the top of the recording medium roll 11 at the time. The recording medium guide member 12 also includes a left lower plate 19. Right lower plate 2
0, and here a round rod-shaped shaft is used, and is fixed with a screw 21. 13 is a thermal transfer ink film supply roll; 1
4 is a thermal transfer film winding roll, and 15 is an optical sensor. This optical sensor 15 has a built-in light emitting element and a light receiving element, and recognizes the marking made on the thermal transfer ink film 4,
In this embodiment, a signal is transmitted to a control circuit (not shown). Reference numeral 17 denotes an optical sensor board fixing member, which is fixed to the support member 5 with screws or the like. Reference numeral 18 denotes an optical sensor reflecting member, which has a horizontal surface portion 18a'i sufficient to reflect the signal output from the light emitting element built into the optical sensor 15 and input the signal again to the light receiving element built into the optical sensor 16. The left lower plate 19. The members that connect the right lower plate 2o are also shared. Further, the portions near both ends of the optical sensor reflecting member 18 have a horizontal surface portion 18 in the same direction as the horizontal surface portion 182L sufficient to reflect the signal output from the optical sensor 16 and input the signal to the all-optical sensor 15 again.
b, and the round rod-like diameter of the horizontal surface portion 18b is smaller than the round rod-like diameter of the horizontal surface portion 18L. In this embodiment, the horizontal surface portion IEHL.

The horizontal surface portion 18b has a cross-sectional shape.

Further, the diameters of the round rods of the recording medium guide member 12 and the optical sensor reflecting member 18 are the same, and the screws 2o that connect and fix the left lower plate 19 and the right lower plate 2o are also the same part. FIG. 3 is a top view of the horizontal surface portion I El , 1 sb. As described above, the optical sensor member is composed of at least the optical sensor 15 and the optical sensor reflecting member 18. Figure 4e), (b) shows the left lower plate 19. It is a figure showing the right lower plate 20.

Figure 4 (8L) and (b) are parts manufactured using the same mold, but the holes or screw holes used in the left lower plate 19 are
Person is for the platen 2, B is for the thermal head up/down cam 8, C is for the recording medium guide member 12, and D is for the recording medium guide member 12.

d, , a2. d5 is for the recording medium feeding means, E is for the upper and lower plate connecting member 21, F is for the optical sensor reflecting member 18,
G9g+! g2+ gs is for the cutter that cuts the recording medium 3, H is for the upper and lower plate connection and fixing members, work is for the bottle, J is for the rubber roller 10 fixing member, K is for the spring, L +
1r1r N2 + As +β4 is for DC motor, ml, J is for sensor fixing member for recording medium 3, "I +
n2 is for the main fixing member for the cam 8 for length-marhesod up-down, and is a hole fitted in the right lower plate 20, or
The screw holes are the holes explained in the left lower plate 19, and the ones that are shared with the screw holes. ol, ol, 05,04 are for the stepping motor, P+ p1+ p2 + ps are for the first idler gear, and Q + q+ + qz are for the second idler gear. R is the left lower plate 19. Although the right lower plate 20 is not shown, the cross section of the fixing screw for fixing it to the bottom plate is as shown in FIG. For this reason, the bottom plate and the left lower plate 19. A right angle is maintained with respect to the right lower plate 2o. This fixing screw R is bent alternately by a press, and then two threads are cut with a tap.

With these configurations, the optical sensor 16 is fixed to the support member 5, the optical sensor reflection member 18 is fixed to the left lower plate 19, the right lower plate 20, and a member that connects and fixes the left lower plate 19 and the right lower plate 20 is provided. It is also something to share. Therefore, when the thermal transfer ink film 4 is mounted on a thermal transfer type multicolor printing device, although not shown, the left upper plate 23. The right side upper plate 24 is provided so that the upper and lower plate connecting members 22 rotate around all the fulcrums and stop at any position, so that the thermal transfer ink film 4 can be attached in order to be lifted upward and stopped. easily done. Also, from the recording medium roll 11 through the recording medium guide member 12 and the top of the platen 2,
It is only necessary to insert it between the platen 2 and the rubber roller 1o.

Effects of the Invention As described above, in the printing device of the present invention, the optical sensor reflecting member also shares the connecting fixing member between the left and right lower plates, and the recording medium guide member also shares the connecting fixing member between the left and right lower plates. Since the left and right bottom plates can be manufactured using the same mold, the number of parts is reduced, the work process is reduced, and the product is more compact.

The weight can be reduced and the cost of the device can be reduced.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

Fig. 1 is a side view showing an embodiment of the thermal transfer type multicolor printing device of the present invention, Fig. 2 (2L) is a plan view showing the state during recording, and Fig. 2 (b) is for thermal head up-down. FIG. 3 is a top view showing the lower plate 2 in FIG. 1; FIG. 4 e) is a plan view showing the left lower plate; FIG. b) is a plan view showing the right lower plate, FIG. 5 is a sectional view of the threaded portion, and FIG. 6 is a plan view showing the main parts of a conventional thermal transfer type multicolor printing device. DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1... Thermal head, 2... Platen, 3... Recording medium, 4... Thermal transfer ink film, 6... Support member, 13・・・・・・
...Thermal transfer ink film supply roll, 14...
・Thermal transfer ink film take-up roll, 15...
Optical sensor, 18... Optical sensor board, 17...
... Optical sensor board fixing member, 18... Optical sensor reflecting member, 182L... Horizontal surface part, 18b...
...Horizontal surface part, 19...Left side lower plate, 2o.
・・・・・・Bottom plate on the right side. Name of agent: Patent attorney Toshio Nakao and 1 other person 1st
Figure/Brother 7) Rihayaugou Figure 2 (Kyu) Figure 3 Figure 4

Claims (3)

[Claims] (1) It is equipped with an ink film leading means for moving the ink film to a predetermined position, and a sensor member that supplies a signal for operating the ink film leading means to a control circuit, and this sensor member includes at least a light sensor and a light sensor. The optical sensor is attached to a support member that supports the print head, and the optical sensor reflective member reflects the signal output from the optical sensor and sends the signal to the optical sensor again. A printing device comprising a round bar-shaped shaft having at least one horizontal surface portion for inputting information, and having a common member as a member for connecting and fixing left and right lower plates for fixing a recording medium feeding means. (2) The optical sensor reflecting member has a second horizontal portion in the same direction as the first horizontal portion, which reflects the signal output from the optical sensor and inputs the signal to the optical sensor again. It is characterized by having a surface part, the diameter of the second horizontal part being smaller than the diameter of the first horizontal part, and holes having the same shape as the second horizontal part in the left and right lower plates for insertion. A printing device according to claim 1. (3) The printing device according to claim 1, wherein the optical sensor reflecting member has a horizontal surface portion having a D-shaped cross section.