JPWO2019239512A1 - Thermal transfer type printer and thermal transfer type printing method - Google Patents

Abstract

By effectively increasing the transport capacity of paper, deterioration of print quality is suppressed. The thermal transfer type printer has a platen roller drive unit (105) for transporting the recording paper (3a) and the ink ribbon (12) by rotating the platen roller (5) during printing, and a paper roll (3) and a platen. In the section between the rollers, the grip roller (6) that sandwiches the recording paper together with the first pinch roller (7), and the grip roller drive unit (106) that conveys the recording paper by rotating the grip roller. To be equipped.

Description

The techniques disclosed herein relate to thermal transfer printers and thermal transfer printing methods.

Thermal transfer printers used for printing photographs include panels with heat-resistant plastic film coated with yellow (Y) ink and panels with heat-resistant plastic film coated with magenta (M) ink. There are four types of panels: a panel coated with cyan (C) ink on a heat-resistant plastic film, and a panel coated with an overcoat (OP) made of an abrasion-resistant resin material that protects the printing surface. Ink ribbons arranged in a targeted and repeated manner are used.

When printing is performed on recording paper (hereinafter, simply referred to as paper) using an ink ribbon, the ink ribbon is conveyed together with the paper, and these are pressure-bonded with a thermal head and a platen roller to perform thermal transfer.

When the transfer of one color is completed, the ink ribbon is sent to the next panel, and the paper is repeatedly returned to a predetermined transfer start position each time the transfer of each color is completed.

If the paper transport force is insufficient with respect to the paper transport load during paper transport related to the reciprocating motion of the paper, the printing position of each color on the paper shifts in the transport direction, or the paper meanders. A printing defect called color shift occurs. Then, the print quality is significantly deteriorated.

The paper transporting force is determined by the height of the protrusions of the grip roller, which is a roller for transporting paper, or the arrangement of the protrusions. On the other hand, the paper transport load is determined by the crimping force of the platen roller and the thermal head, the weight of the paper roll, and the acceleration of the paper feed.

If the height of the protrusion of the grip roller is set high, the paper conveying force becomes high. However, protrusion marks appear on the surface of the paper, and the print quality is deteriorated.

A conventional printer is provided with a pressure contact force adjusting means capable of adjusting the pressure contact force of the grip roller in order to maintain the transport force without causing protrusion marks on the surface of the paper. Then, the pressure contact force while the grip roller is stopped is made smaller than the pressure contact force while the grip roller is rotating by the pressure contact force adjusting means (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2008-213180

However, it is not possible to reduce the protrusion marks generated while the grip roller is rotating by reducing the pressure contact force only while the grip roller is stopped.

The technique disclosed in the present specification has been made to solve the problems described above, and is a technique for suppressing deterioration of print quality by effectively increasing the transport capacity of paper. It is intended to be provided.

A first aspect of the technique disclosed in the present specification is a thermal transfer type printer that prints by crimping a conveyed recording paper and an ink ribbon with a thermal head and a platen roller. In the section between the platen roller driving unit that conveys the recording paper and the ink ribbon by rotating the platen roller, the paper roll that supplies the recording paper, and the paper roll and the platen roller. A grip roller that sandwiches the recording paper together with the first pinch roller, and a grip roller driving unit that conveys the recording paper by rotationally driving the grip roller are provided.

A second aspect of the technique disclosed in the present specification is a thermal transfer type printing method in which printing is performed by crimping the conveyed recording paper and ink ribbon with a thermal head and a platen roller. By rotationally driving the platen roller at the time of printing, the recording paper and the ink ribbon are conveyed, and the recording paper is conveyed together with the first pinch roller in the section between the platen roller and the paper roll that supplies the recording paper. The recording paper is conveyed by rotationally driving the grip rollers that sandwich the paper.

A first aspect of the technique disclosed in the present specification is a thermal transfer type printer that prints by crimping a conveyed recording paper and an ink ribbon with a thermal head and a platen roller. In the section between the platen roller driving unit that conveys the recording paper and the ink ribbon by rotating the platen roller, the paper roll that supplies the recording paper, and the paper roll and the platen roller. A grip roller that sandwiches the recording paper together with the first pinch roller, and a grip roller driving unit that conveys the recording paper by rotationally driving the grip roller are provided. According to such a configuration, the recording paper is conveyed by rotationally driving both the platen roller and the grip roller, so that the conveying force of the recording paper can be increased. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the deterioration of the print quality while reducing the protrusion marks.

A second aspect of the technique disclosed in the present specification is a thermal transfer type printing method in which printing is performed by crimping the conveyed recording paper and ink ribbon with a thermal head and a platen roller. By rotationally driving the platen roller at the time of printing, the recording paper and the ink ribbon are conveyed, and the recording paper is conveyed together with the first pinch roller in the section between the platen roller and the paper roll that supplies the recording paper. The recording paper is conveyed by rotationally driving the grip rollers that sandwich the paper. According to such a configuration, the recording paper is conveyed by rotationally driving both the platen roller and the grip roller, so that the conveying force of the recording paper can be increased. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the deterioration of the print quality while reducing the protrusion marks.

The objectives, features, aspects and advantages of the technology disclosed herein will be further clarified by the detailed description and accompanying drawings set forth below.

It is a figure which conceptually shows the example of the structure of the thermal transfer type printer with respect to embodiment. It is a figure which shows typically the example of the structure of the printing mechanism in the thermal transfer type printer with respect to embodiment. It is a perspective view which shows typically the example of the structure of the paper feed part of the paper transport mechanism in the thermal transfer type printer which concerns on embodiment. FIG. 5 is a perspective view schematically showing an example of a configuration of a main transport portion of a paper transport mechanism in the configuration of a thermal transfer type printer according to an embodiment. It is a timing chart which shows the printing sequence and the operation of each roller of the thermal transfer type printer which concerns on embodiment. It is a figure for demonstrating operation at the time of printing of the thermal transfer type printer with respect to embodiment. It is a figure for demonstrating the operation at the time of returning the paper of the thermal transfer type printer with respect to embodiment. It is a figure for demonstrating the operation at the time of paper ejection of the thermal transfer type printer with respect to embodiment. It is a figure which schematically exemplifies the hardware configuration when a part of the printer illustrated in FIG. 1 is actually operated. It is a figure which schematically exemplifies the hardware configuration when a part of the printer illustrated in FIG. 1 is actually operated.

Hereinafter, embodiments will be described with reference to the attached drawings.

It should be noted that the drawings are shown schematically, and for convenience of explanation, the configuration is omitted or the configuration is simplified as appropriate. Further, the interrelationship between the sizes and positions of the configurations and the like shown in the different drawings is not always accurately described and can be changed as appropriate. Further, even in a drawing such as a plan view which is not a cross-sectional view, hatching may be added in order to facilitate understanding of the contents of the embodiment.

Further, in the description shown below, similar components are illustrated with the same reference numerals, and their names and functions are also the same. Therefore, detailed description of them may be omitted to avoid duplication.

Also, in the description described below, a specific position and direction such as "top", "bottom", "left", "right", "side", "bottom", "front" or "back". Even if terms that mean are used, these terms are used for convenience to facilitate understanding of the content of the embodiments and have nothing to do with the direction in which they are actually implemented. It doesn't.

Also, even if ordinal numbers such as "first" or "second" are used in the description described below, these terms should be used to understand the content of the embodiment. It is used for convenience for ease of use, and is not limited to the order that can occur due to these ordinals.

<Embodiment>
Hereinafter, a thermal transfer type printer and a thermal transfer type printing method according to the present embodiment will be described.

<About the configuration of a thermal transfer printer>
FIG. 1 is a diagram conceptually showing an example of a configuration of a thermal transfer type printer according to the present embodiment. Further, FIG. 2 is a diagram schematically showing an example of the configuration of a printing mechanism in the thermal transfer type printer according to the present embodiment. Further, FIG. 3 is a perspective view schematically showing an example of the configuration of the paper feeding portion of the paper transport mechanism in the thermal transfer type printer according to the present embodiment. Further, FIG. 4 is a perspective view schematically showing an example of the configuration of the main transport portion of the paper transport mechanism in the configuration of the thermal transfer type printer according to the present embodiment.

As an example shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the thermal transfer printer 100 receives image data and information related to printing (for example, image processing data) from an external information processing device 60 such as a personal computer. A storage unit 30 that stores information about image data and printing, an image processing unit 40 that processes image data, and a central processing unit that controls the operation of the entire printer according to a control program, that is, a CPU. ), A paper transport mechanism 200 that transports the paper 3a, a thermal head 2 that heats the ink ribbon 12 and transfers it to the paper 3a, and a cutter that cuts the printed paper 3a into a desired size. 1 and a paper ejection unit 15 for ejecting the cut paper to the outside are provided. The transport unit and the transport mechanism related to the ink ribbon 12 are not shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

Here, the storage unit 30 includes a temporary storage memory that stores information related to image data and printing images received by the communication unit 20, and a non-volatile memory that stores a control program and various set values.

Further, the paper ejection unit 15 includes an end roller 15a and a pinch roller 15b for sandwiching the cut paper.

The paper transport mechanism 200 includes a paper roll drive unit 4 that rotationally drives a roll of paper (hereinafter referred to as a paper roll 3) around which the paper 3a is wound, and a platen roller 5 that rotationally drives the paper 3a and the platen roller 5 at the time of printing. The platen roller drive unit 105 that conveys the ink ribbon 12, the grip roller drive unit 106 that conveys the paper 3a by rotationally driving the grip roller 6, and the paper 3a are conveyed by rotationally driving the paper feed roller 8. The paper feed roller drive unit 108, the platen roller moving mechanism 5a for crimping the ink ribbon 12 and the paper 3a by approaching or separating the platen roller 5 from the thermal head 2, and the pinch roller 7 are attached to the grip roller 6. A pinch roller moving mechanism 7a that sandwiches the paper 3a by approaching or separating the paper 3a, a pinch roller moving mechanism 9a that sandwiches the paper 3a by approaching or separating the pinch roller 9 from the paper feed roller 8, and a paper roll drive. A motor 10 such as a DC motor that rotationally drives the unit 4, the platen roller 5, the grip roller 6, and the paper feed roller 8, and a DC motor that drives the platen roller moving mechanism 5a, the pinch roller moving mechanism 7a, and the pinch roller moving mechanism 9a. The motor 11 and the like are provided.

Here, the platen roller 5 crimps the ink ribbon 12 and the paper 3a between the thermal head 2 and conveys the ink ribbon 12. Further, the grip roller 6 sandwiches and conveys the paper 3a between the pinch roller 7 and the paper roll 3 in the section between the paper roll 3 and the platen roller 5.

Further, the paper feed roller 8 sandwiches the paper 3a with the pinch roller 9 and conveys the paper 3a. Further, the paper feed roller 8 sandwiches the paper 3a together with the pinch roller 9 in the section between the paper roll 3 and the grip roller 6.

As an example is shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the driving force of the motor 10 is transmitted to the pulley 6b coaxially fixed to the grip roller 6 via the timing belt 6a. Then, the grip roller 6 conveys the paper 3a by the driving force of the motor 10.

The platen roller 5 is driven by a gear 5b coaxially fixed to the platen roller 5 via a transmission gear 5c, a transmission gear 5d, a transmission gear 5e, a transmission gear 5f, a transmission gear 8b, and a transmission gear 8a. Power is transmitted.

The driving force of the motor 10 is transmitted to the paper feed roller 8 via the transmission gear 8a to the gear 8b coaxially fixed with the paper feed roller 8.

The driving force of the motor 10 is transmitted to the paper roll drive unit 4 to which the paper roll 3 is fixed via the transmission gear 4a, the transmission gear 5e, the transmission gear 5f, the transmission gear 8b, and the transmission gear 8a.

The platen roller 5 is driven by a worm gear (not shown here) coaxially fixed to the motor 11 with the cam 5aa and the cam 5ab, and approaches or separates from the thermal head 2.

In the pinch roller 7, the rotation of the motor 11 is transmitted to the pinch roller moving mechanism 7aa and the pinch roller moving mechanism 7ab via the cam 5aa, the cam 5ab, the cam 7ba and the cam 7bb. As a result, the pinch roller 7 approaches or separates from the grip roller 6.

In the pinch roller 9, the rotation of the motor 11 is transmitted to the pinch roller moving mechanism 9a via the cam 5aa, the cam 5ab, the cam 7ba, the cam 7bb, the pinch roller moving mechanism 7aa, and the pinch roller moving mechanism 7ab (pinch roller 9). The detailed mechanism of the moving mechanism 9a is not shown here). As a result, the pinch roller 9 approaches or separates from the paper feed roller 8.

<About the operation of the thermal transfer type printer>
Next, the operation of the thermal transfer type printer according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 5 to 8.

FIG. 5 is a timing chart showing a printing sequence and the operation of each roller of the thermal transfer printer according to the present embodiment. Further, FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining the operation of the thermal transfer type printer at the time of printing according to the present embodiment. Further, FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining an operation when the paper of the thermal transfer type printer is returned (swingback, hereinafter referred to as S / B) according to the present embodiment. Further, FIG. 8 is a diagram for explaining the operation of the thermal transfer type printer at the time of paper ejection according to the present embodiment.

The printing operation of the printer 100 mainly consists of three modes: printing (transfer), S / B (swingback), and paper ejection. In printing (transfer), the ink ribbon 12 is heated by the thermal head 2 while conveying the ink ribbon 12 and the paper 3a. Then, the yellow (Y) ink is transferred from the panel surface of the ink ribbon 12 coated with the yellow (Y) ink to the paper 3a, and the magenta (Y) ink is transferred from the panel surface coated with the magenta (M) ink to the paper 3a. The ink of M) is transferred, the ink of cyan (C) is transferred from the panel surface coated with the ink of cyan (C) to the paper 3a, and the paper is further transferred from the panel surface coated with the overcoat (OP) material. The overcoat (OP) is transferred to 3a. In this way, printing (transfer) is performed on the paper 3a in the order of Y, M, C, OP.

In S / B, the paper 3a is returned to the transfer start position during the transfer operation of each color described above. At this time, the first S / B operation is also referred to as a cueing operation.

In the paper ejection, the paper 3a after the OP is transferred is sent to the cutter 1. Then, the paper 3a that has been transferred by the cutter 1 is cut into a desired size. Further, the paper ejection unit 15 ejects the paper 3a as a printed matter to the outside of the printer 100.

Next, a detailed printing operation will be described.

<1. Standby for printing>
As an example is shown in FIG. 5, the paper 3a is stopped at the standby position before the printing operation is started. Further, each roller is arranged apart from the paper 3a.

<2. Printing>
(2-1) First, as shown in FIG. 5, the paper 3a is moved to the transfer start position (that is, cueing). Then, the ink ribbon 12 is unwound from the ink bobbin 13 to the transfer start position of the panel surface coated with the yellow (Y) ink.

(2-2) Next, the ink ribbon 12 and the paper 3a are crimped by the thermal head 2 and the platen roller 5. That is, as shown in FIG. 5, the platen roller 5 is brought close to the thermal head 2. Then, while conveying the ink ribbon 12 and the paper 3a, the ink ribbon 12 is heated by the thermal head 2 to transfer the yellow (Y) ink to the paper 3a.

At this time, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the paper 3a is sandwiched between the grip roller 6 and the pinch roller 7 and the paper 3a is conveyed. On the other hand, the paper 3a is not sandwiched between the paper feed roller 8 and the pinch roller 9 after the cueing until the transfer of the yellow (Y) ink is completed.

Further, the speed at which the paper roll drive unit 4 winds up the paper 3a when transferring the yellow (Y) ink is higher than the speed at which the paper 3a is conveyed by the platen roller 5 and the grip roller 6 in the direction of being wound up by the paper roll 3. By slowing down the speed, the paper 3a in the front portion wound around the paper roll 3 is provided with slack, as shown in FIG.

That is, in the section between the grip roller 6 and the paper roll 3 of the paper 3a, back tension (BT) is generated from the cueing until the transfer of the yellow (Y) ink is started, but the yellow (BT) is generated. While the ink of Y) is being transferred, slack is generated and tension is not applied. Here, the back tension is a tension generated by pulling the paper 3a in a section between the grip roller 6 that conveys the paper 3a and the paper roll 3 by applying a conveying load with the torque limiter described above.

(2-3) Next, as shown in FIG. 5, when the transfer of the yellow (Y) ink is completed, the paper 3a is returned to the transfer start position (S / B). Then, the ink ribbon 12 is unwound from the ink bobbin 13 to the transfer start position of the panel surface coated with the magenta (M) ink.

At this time, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 7, the platen roller 5 is arranged apart from the paper 3a. On the other hand, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 7, the grip roller 6 and the pinch roller 7, and the paper feed roller 8 and the pinch roller 9 each sandwich the paper 3a and unwind from the paper roll 3. The paper 3a is conveyed in the direction. Then, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 7, the paper roll driving unit 4 unwinds the paper 3a from the paper roll 3 at the same time.

Further, by making the speed at which the paper roll drive unit 4 unwinds the paper 3a slower than the speed at which the paper 3a is conveyed by the grip roller 6 and the paper feed roller 8, examples are shown in FIGS. 5 and 7. In addition, a torque limiter (not shown here) built in the paper roll drive unit 4 causes back tension (BT) in the paper 3a.

(2-4) Then, as in the case of the yellow (Y) ink, the ink ribbon 12 is heated by the thermal head 2 while transporting the ink ribbon 12 and the paper 3a, and the magenta (M) is applied to the paper 3a. Ink is transferred.

(2-5) Next, as shown in FIG. 5, when the transfer of the magenta (M) ink is completed, the paper 3a is returned to the transfer start position (S / B). Then, the ink ribbon 12 is unwound from the ink bobbin 13 to the transfer start position of the panel surface coated with the cyan (C) ink.

(2-6) Then, as in the case of the yellow (Y) ink, the ink ribbon 12 is heated by the thermal head 2 while conveying the ink ribbon 12 and the paper 3a, and cyan (C) is applied to the paper 3a. Ink is transferred.

(2-7) Next, as shown in FIG. 5, when the transfer of the cyan (C) ink is completed, the paper 3a is returned to the transfer start position (S / B). Then, the ink ribbon 12 is unwound from the ink bobbin 13 to the transfer start position of the panel surface coated with the overcoat (OP) material.

(2-8) Then, as in the case of the yellow (Y) ink, the ink ribbon 12 is heated by the thermal head 2 while conveying the ink ribbon 12 and the paper 3a, and the paper 3a is overcoated (OP). ) Transfer the material.

<3. Paper discharge ＞
(3-1) After transferring the overcoat (OP) material to the paper 3a, the paper 3a is conveyed to the cutter 1 as shown in FIG.

At this time, the platen roller 5 is arranged away from the paper 3a, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 8. On the other hand, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 8, the grip roller 6 and the pinch roller 7, and the paper feed roller 8 and the pinch roller 9 sandwich the paper 3a and unwind from the paper roll 3. Paper 3a is conveyed to. Then, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 8, the paper roll driving unit 4 unwinds the paper 3a from the paper roll 3 at the same time.

Further, by making the speed at which the paper roll drive unit 4 unwinds the paper 3a slower than the speed at which the paper 3a is conveyed by the grip roller 6 and the paper feed roller 8, examples are shown in FIGS. 5 and 8. In addition, a torque limiter (not shown here) built in the paper roll drive unit 4 causes back tension (BT) in the paper 3a.

(3-2) Then, the paper 3a is cut to a desired size with the cutter 1.

(3-3) Further, the cut paper 3a is discharged by the paper ejection unit 15.

(3-4) Next, the paper 3a is conveyed to the standby position and stopped. Then, each roller is separated from the paper 3a to open the paper 3a.

At this time, the thermal head 2, the platen roller 5, the grip roller 6, and the pinch roller 7 are separated from the paper 3a. On the other hand, the paper feed roller 8 and the pinch roller 9 sandwich the paper 3a and convey the paper 3a in the direction of being wound by the paper roll 3. At the same time, the paper roll driving unit 4 winds the paper 3a around the paper roll 3.

Further, the torque limiter built in the paper roll drive unit 4 is built in by making the speed at which the paper roll drive unit 4 winds up the paper 3a faster than the speed at which the paper 3a is conveyed by the paper feed roller 8 and the pinch roller 9. (Not shown here) causes back tension (BT) in the paper 3a.

As described above, at the time of printing, the grip roller 6 and the pinch roller 7 sandwich the paper 3a, but the paper feed roller 8 and the pinch roller 9 do not sandwich the paper 3a. At the time of printing, the paper feed roller 8 and the pinch roller 9 may sandwich the paper 3a.

Then, the platen roller 5 independently applies a conveying force to the paper 3a, so that the conveying force of the grip roller 6 can be suppressed to be relatively low. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the formation of protrusion marks when the grip roller 6 is used for transportation.

Further, the speed at which the paper roll drive unit 4 winds up the paper 3a is made slower than the speed at which the platen roller 5 and the grip roller 6 convey the paper 3a, so that the paper 3a in the front portion wound around the paper roll 3a Can have slack. As a result, the influence (disturbance) of the conveying force generated by the paper roll driving unit 4 on the conveying by the platen roller 5 and the grip roller 6 can be suppressed. Therefore, the position accuracy of the printing operation can be improved.

Further, during S / B and paper ejection, the platen roller 5 is arranged apart from the paper 3a. On the other hand, the grip roller 6, the pinch roller 7, and the paper feed roller 8 and the pinch roller 9 sandwich and convey the paper 3a. At the same time, the paper roll driving unit 4 unwinds the paper 3a from the paper roll 3. It is not necessary for the paper feed roller 8 and the pinch roller 9 to sandwich the paper 3a during S / B and paper ejection.

Further, the speed at which the paper roll drive unit 4 unwinds the paper 3a is made slower than the speed at which the paper 3a is conveyed by the grip roller 6 and the pinch roller 7, so that the torque limiter built in the paper roll drive unit 4 can be used. BT is generated on the paper 3a.

Since the paper 3a is unwound with the BT applied, it is possible to prevent the paper 3a from meandering in the paper width direction. Further, since the paper 3a is unwound with the BT applied, the transfer position to the paper 3a is stable. Therefore, it is possible to output a printed matter having good print quality.

Further, the paper feed roller 8 and the pinch roller 9 sandwich and convey the paper 3a at the time of S / B and the paper ejection, so that the conveying force of the paper 3a at the time of S / B and the paper ejection is increased.

Further, when the paper feed roller 8 and the pinch roller 9 sandwich and convey the paper 3a during S / B and paper ejection, the disturbance caused by the meandering of the paper 3a unwound from the paper roll 3 is generated by the grip roller. The influence of 6 on the transport is suppressed. Therefore, the position accuracy of the printing operation can be improved.

<About the hardware configuration of the thermal transfer printer>
9 and 10 are diagrams schematically illustrating a hardware configuration when a part of the printer illustrated in FIG. 1 is actually operated.

The hardware configurations illustrated in FIGS. 9 and 10 may not be consistent with the configurations illustrated in FIG. 1, but the configuration illustrated in FIG. 1 is a conceptual unit. It is due to the fact that it is shown.

Therefore, at least one configuration illustrated in FIG. 1 comprises a plurality of hardware configurations exemplified in FIGS. 9 and 10, and one configuration exemplified in FIG. 1 is composed of FIGS. 9 and 10. In some cases, it corresponds to a part of the hardware configurations illustrated in FIG. 1, and in addition, a plurality of configurations exemplified in FIG. 1 may be provided in one hardware configuration exemplified in FIGS. 9 and 10. Can be assumed.

Further, the hardware configurations exemplified in FIGS. 9 and 10 embody and exemplify the conceptual configuration of the printer illustrated in FIG. Therefore, in addition to the hardware configuration corresponding to the conceptual configuration of the printer illustrated in FIG. 1, a new hardware configuration may be added to FIGS. 9 and 10, but the new hardware configuration is added. Even if those hardware configurations are not provided, the printer according to the present embodiment can be established.

In FIG. 9, as a hardware configuration for realizing the functions in FIG. 1, a processing circuit 102A that performs an operation and a storage device 103 that can store information are shown.

In FIG. 10, a processing circuit 102B that performs an operation is shown as a hardware configuration for realizing the functions in FIG.

The storage unit 30 is realized by a storage device 103 or another storage device (not shown here).

The storage device 103 may be, for example, a hard disk drive (Hard disk drive, that is, HDD), a random access memory (random access memory, that is, RAM), a read-only memory (read only memory, that is, ROM), a flash memory, or an eraseable memory memory. (EPROM) and memory (storage medium) including volatile or non-volatile semiconductor memory, magnetic disk, flexible disk, optical disk, compact disk, mini disk or DVD, etc., such as electrically erasable program read-only memory (EEPROM). Alternatively, it may be any storage medium used in the future.

The processing circuit 102A may execute a program stored in a storage device 103, an external CD-ROM, an external DVD-ROM, an external flash memory, or the like. That is, for example, it may be a CPU, a microprocessor, a microcomputer, or a digital signal processor (DSP).

When the processing circuit 102A executes a program stored in a storage device 103, an external CD-ROM, an external DVD-ROM, an external flash memory, or the like, the communication unit 20, the image processing unit 40, and the control The unit 50 is realized by the software, the firmware, or the combination of the software and the firmware, in which the program stored in the storage device 103 is executed by the processing circuit 102A. The functions of the communication unit 20, the image processing unit 40, and the control unit 50 may be realized, for example, by linking a plurality of processing circuits.

The software and firmware may be written as a program and stored in the storage device 103. In that case, the processing circuit 102A realizes the above function by reading and executing the program stored in the storage device 103. That is, the storage device 103 may store a program in which the above functions are eventually realized by being executed by the processing circuit 102A.

Further, the processing circuit 102B may be dedicated hardware. That is, for example, a single circuit, a composite circuit, a programmed processor, a parallel programmed processor, an integrated circuit (application specific integrated circuit, or ASIC), a field-programmable gate array (FPGA), or a combination of these. It may be.

When the processing circuit 102B is dedicated hardware, the processing of the communication unit 20, the image processing unit 40, and the control unit 50 is realized by operating the processing circuit 102B. The processing functions of the communication unit 20, the image processing unit 40, and the control unit 50 may be realized by separate circuits or may be realized by a single circuit.

The functions of the communication unit 20, the image processing unit 40, and the control unit 50 are partially realized in the processing circuit 102A that executes the program stored in the storage device 103, and some of them are dedicated hardware. It may be realized in a certain processing circuit 102B.

<About the effect caused by the above-described embodiment>
Next, an example of the effect produced by the above-described embodiment will be shown. In the following description, the effect is described based on the specific configuration shown in the embodiment described above, but to the extent that the same effect occurs, the examples in the present specification. May be replaced with other specific configurations indicated by.

According to the embodiment described above, the thermal transfer type printer prints by crimping the conveyed recording paper and the ink ribbon 12 with the thermal head 2 and the platen roller 5. The thermal transfer type printer includes a platen roller drive unit 105, a paper roll 3, a grip roller 6, and a grip roller drive unit 106. Here, the recording paper corresponds to, for example, paper 3a. The platen roller drive unit 105 conveys the paper 3a and the ink ribbon 12 by rotationally driving the platen roller 5 at the time of printing. The paper roll 3 supplies the paper 3a. The grip roller 6 sandwiches the paper 3a together with the first pinch roller in the section between the paper roll 3 and the platen roller 5. Here, the first pinch roller corresponds to, for example, the pinch roller 7. The grip roller drive unit 106 conveys the paper 3a by rotationally driving the grip roller 6.

According to such a configuration, the paper 3a is conveyed by rotationally driving both the platen roller 5 and the grip roller 6, so that the conveying force of the paper 3a can be increased. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the deterioration of the print quality while reducing the protrusion marks.

In addition to these configurations, other configurations whose examples are shown in the present specification may be omitted as appropriate. That is, if at least these configurations are provided, the effects described above can be produced.

However, when at least one of the other configurations illustrated in the present specification is appropriately added to the above-described configuration, that is, the present application is not mentioned as the above-described configuration. Similar effects can be produced even if other configurations, for example, are added as appropriate.

Further, according to the embodiment described above, the platen roller driving unit 105 rotationally drives the platen roller 5 in the direction in which the paper 3a is wound around the paper roll 3. In that case, the grip roller driving unit 106 rotationally drives the grip roller 6 in the direction in which the paper 3a is wound around the paper roll 3. According to such a configuration, the recording paper is conveyed by rotationally driving both the platen roller and the grip roller, so that the paper conveying force can be increased.

Further, according to the embodiment described above, the thermal transfer type printer includes a paper roll driving unit 4 for rotationally driving the paper roll 3. The paper roll drive unit 4 winds the paper roll 3 so that the paper roll 3 winds the paper 3a at a speed slower than the speed at which the platen roller drive unit 105 and the grip roller drive unit 106 wind the paper 3a at the time of printing. Rotate drive. According to such a configuration, the paper 3a in the front portion wound around the paper roll 3 can be provided with slack. As a result, the influence (disturbance) of the conveying force generated by the paper roll driving unit 4 on the conveying by the platen roller 5 and the grip roller 6 can be suppressed. Therefore, the position accuracy of the printing operation can be improved.

Further, according to the embodiment described above, the grip roller driving unit 106 transfers the paper 3a from the paper roll 3 at the time of non-printing (that is, at the time of S / B or paper ejection other than at the time of printing). The grip roller 6 is rotationally driven in the unwinding direction. In that case, the paper roll drive unit 4 rotationally drives the paper roll 3 so that the paper roll 3a is unwound from the paper roll 3 at a speed slower than the speed at which the grip roller drive unit 106 unwinds the paper 3a. According to such a configuration, since the paper 3a is unwound with the BT applied, it is possible to prevent the paper 3a from meandering in the paper width direction. Further, since the paper 3a is unwound with the BT applied, the transfer position to the paper 3a is stable. Therefore, it is possible to output a printed matter having good print quality.

Further, according to the embodiment described above, the thermal transfer type printer includes a paper feed roller 8 and a paper feed roller drive unit 108. The paper feed roller 8 sandwiches the paper 3a together with the second pinch roller in the section between the paper roll 3 and the grip roller 6. Here, the second pinch roller corresponds to, for example, the pinch roller 9. The paper feed roller drive unit 108 conveys the paper 3a by rotationally driving the paper feed roller 8. The grip roller drive unit 106 rotationally drives the grip roller 6 in the direction of unwinding the paper 3a from the paper roll 3 during non-printing (that is, during S / B or paper ejection other than printing). In that case, the paper feed roller drive unit 108 rotationally drives the paper feed roller 8 in the direction of unwinding the paper 3a from the paper roll 3. According to such a configuration, the paper feeding roller 8 and the pinch roller 9 sandwich and convey the paper 3a, so that the conveying force of the paper 3a at the time of S / B and at the time of paper ejection is increased. Further, the influence of the disturbance caused by the meandering of the paper 3a unwound from the paper roll 3 on the transportation by the grip roller 6 can be suppressed. Therefore, the position accuracy of the printing operation can be improved.

Further, according to the embodiment described above, the thermal transfer type printer includes a paper roll driving unit 4 for rotationally driving the paper roll 3. The platen roller drive unit 105, the grip roller drive unit 106, the paper roll drive unit 4, and the paper feed roller drive unit 108 are driven by the same drive source. According to such a configuration, the drive sources of the platen roller drive unit 105, the grip roller drive unit 106, the paper roll drive unit 4, and the paper feed roller drive unit 108 can be diverted by the motor 10 which is a single drive source. Therefore, it is possible to prevent an increase in the device configuration.

Further, according to the embodiment described above, the thermal transfer type printer includes a platen roller moving mechanism 5a, a first pinch roller moving mechanism, and a second pinch roller moving mechanism. Here, the first pinch roller moving mechanism corresponds to, for example, the pinch roller moving mechanism 7a. Further, the second pinch roller moving mechanism corresponds to, for example, the pinch roller moving mechanism 9a. The platen roller moving mechanism 5a brings the platen roller 5 closer to and further from the paper 3a. The pinch roller moving mechanism 7a brings the pinch roller 7 closer to and further from the paper 3a. The pinch roller moving mechanism 9a brings the pinch roller 9 closer to and further from the paper 3a. The platen roller moving mechanism 5a, the pinch roller moving mechanism 7a, and the pinch roller moving mechanism 9a are driven by the same drive source. According to such a configuration, the drive sources of the platen roller moving mechanism 5a, the pinch roller moving mechanism 7a, and the pinch roller moving mechanism 9a can be diverted by the motor 11 which is a single drive source, so that the device configuration is increased. Can be prevented.

According to the embodiment described above, in the thermal transfer type printing method in which printing is performed by crimping the conveyed paper 3a and the ink ribbon 12 with the thermal head 2 and the platen roller 5, at the time of printing. The paper 3a and the ink ribbon 12 are conveyed by rotationally driving the platen roller 5. At the same time, the paper 3a is conveyed by rotationally driving the grip roller 6 that sandwiches the paper 3a together with the pinch roller 7 in the section between the platen roller 5 and the paper roll 3 that supplies the paper 3a.

According to such a configuration, the paper 3a is conveyed by rotationally driving both the platen roller 5 and the grip roller 6, so that the conveying force of the paper 3a can be increased. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the deterioration of the print quality while reducing the protrusion marks.

In addition to these configurations, other configurations whose examples are shown in the present specification may be omitted as appropriate. That is, if at least these configurations are provided, the effects described above can be produced.

However, when at least one of the other configurations illustrated in the present specification is appropriately added to the above-described configuration, that is, the present application is not mentioned as the above-described configuration. Similar effects can be produced even if other configurations, for example, are added as appropriate.

Further, if there are no particular restrictions, the order in which each process is performed can be changed.

<About the modified example in the above-described embodiment>
In the embodiments described above, the dimensions, shapes, relative arrangement relationships, conditions of implementation, etc. of each component may also be described, but these are examples in all aspects. It is not limited to what is described in the present specification.

Therefore, innumerable variants and equivalents not shown are envisioned within the scope of the techniques disclosed herein. For example, it is assumed that at least one component is modified, added or omitted.

In addition, as long as there is no contradiction, the components described as being provided with "one" in the above-described embodiment may be provided with "one or more".

Further, each component in the above-described embodiment is a conceptual unit, and within the scope of the technique disclosed in the present specification, one component is composed of a plurality of structures. And the case where one component corresponds to a part of a structure, and further, the case where a plurality of components are provided in one structure.

In addition, each component in the above-described embodiment shall include a structure having another structure or shape as long as it exhibits the same function.

In addition, the description in the present specification is referred to for all purposes relating to the present technology, and none of them is recognized as a prior art.

In addition, each component described in the above-described embodiment is assumed to be software or firmware and corresponding hardware, and in both concepts, each component is a "part". Or it is called a "processing circuit" or the like.

Further, the technique disclosed in the present specification may be in the case where each component is distributed and provided in a plurality of devices, that is, in a system-like manner.

1 Cutter, 2 Thermal Head, 3 Paper Roll, 3a Paper, 4 Paper Roll Drive Unit, 4a, 5c, 5d, 5e, 5f, 8a, 8b Transmission Gear, 5 Platen Roller, 5a Platen Roller Moving Mechanism, 5a, 5ab, 7ba, 7bb cam, 5b, 8b gear, 6 grip roller, 6a timing belt, 6b pulley, 7,9,15b pinch roller, 7a, 7aa, 7ab, 9a pinch roller moving mechanism, 8 paper feed roller, 10,11 motor , 12 ink ribbon, 13 ink bobbin, 15 paper ejection unit, 15a end roller, 20 communication unit, 30 storage unit, 40 image processing unit, 50 control unit, 60 information processing device, 100 printer, 102A, 102B processing circuit, 103 Storage device, 105 platen roller drive unit, 106 grip roller drive unit, 108 paper feed roller drive unit, 200 paper transfer mechanism.

The first aspect of the technique disclosed in the present specification is a thermal transfer type printer that prints by crimping a conveyed recording paper and an ink ribbon with a thermal head and a platen roller. In the section between the platen roller driving unit that conveys the recording paper and the ink ribbon by rotating the platen roller, the paper roll that supplies the recording paper, and the paper roll and the platen roller. , A section between the grip roller that sandwiches the recording paper together with the first pinch roller, the grip roller driving unit that conveys the recording paper by rotationally driving the grip roller, and the paper roll and the grip roller. The grip roller drive unit includes a paper feed roller that sandwiches the recording paper together with a second pinch roller, and a paper feed roller drive unit that conveys the recording paper by rotating the paper feed roller. At the time of non-printing, the grip roller is rotationally driven in the direction of unwinding the recording paper from the paper roll, and the paper feed roller driving unit drives the paper feed roller in the direction of unwinding the recording paper from the paper roll. It is driven to rotate to increase the carrying force of the recording paper .

A second aspect of the technique disclosed in the present specification is a thermal transfer type printing method in which printing is performed by crimping the conveyed recording paper and ink ribbon with a thermal head and a platen roller. By rotating the platen roller at the time of printing, the recording paper and the ink ribbon are conveyed, and the recording paper is conveyed together with the first pinch roller in the section between the platen roller and the paper roll that supplies the recording paper. By rotationally driving the grip roller that sandwiches the recording paper, the recording paper is conveyed , and in the section between the paper roll and the grip roller, the paper feed roller that sandwiches the recording paper is rotationally driven together with the second pinch roller. As a result, the recording paper is conveyed, and at the time of non-printing, the grip roller is rotationally driven in the direction of unwinding the recording paper from the paper roll, and the paper feed roller is driven in the direction of unwinding the recording paper from the paper roll. Is driven to rotate to increase the carrying force of the recording paper .

According to a first state like the techniques disclosed herein, for conveying the recording sheet by driving and rotating both the platen roller and the grip roller, it is possible to increase the conveying force of the recording paper. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the deterioration of the print quality while reducing the protrusion marks.

According to a second state like the techniques disclosed herein, for conveying the recording sheet by driving and rotating both the platen roller and the grip roller, it is possible to increase the conveying force of the recording paper. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the deterioration of the print quality while reducing the protrusion marks.

Claims (8)

It is a thermal transfer type printer that prints by crimping the conveyed recording paper (3a) and ink ribbon (12) with a thermal head (2) and a platen roller (5).
A platen roller driving unit (105) that conveys the recording paper (3a) and the ink ribbon (12) by rotationally driving the platen roller (5) at the time of printing.
The paper roll (3) for supplying the recording paper (3a) and
In the section between the paper roll (3) and the platen roller (5), the grip roller (6) sandwiching the recording paper (3a) together with the first pinch roller (7)
A grip roller driving unit (106) that conveys the recording paper (3a) by rotationally driving the grip roller (6) is provided.
Thermal transfer type printer. The platen roller drive unit (105) rotationally drives the platen roller (5) in a direction in which the recording paper (3a) is wound around the paper roll (3).
The grip roller driving unit (106) rotationally drives the grip roller (6) in a direction in which the recording paper (3a) is wound around the paper roll (3).
The thermal transfer type printer according to claim 1. A paper roll drive unit (4) for rotationally driving the paper roll (3) is further provided.
The paper roll drive unit (4) rolls the paper roll at a speed slower than the speed at which the platen roller drive unit (105) and the grip roller drive unit (106) wind up the recording paper (3a) at the time of printing. The paper roll (3) is rotationally driven so that the (3) winds up the recording paper (3a).
The thermal transfer type printer according to claim 1 or 2. The grip roller driving unit (106) rotationally drives the grip roller (6) in the direction of unwinding the recording paper (3a) from the paper roll (3) during non-printing.
In the paper roll drive unit (4), the recording paper (3a) is unwound from the paper roll (3) at a speed slower than the speed at which the grip roller drive unit (106) unwinds the recording paper (3a). The paper roll (3) is rotationally driven so as to be driven.
The thermal transfer type printer according to claim 3. In the section between the paper roll (3) and the grip roller (6), the paper feed roller (8) sandwiching the recording paper (3a) together with the second pinch roller (9)
By rotating the paper feed roller (8), the paper feed roller drive unit (108) for transporting the recording paper (3a) is further provided.
The grip roller drive unit (106) rotationally drives the grip roller (6) in the direction of unwinding the recording paper (3a) from the paper roll (3) during non-printing.
The paper feed roller drive unit (108) rotationally drives the paper feed roller (8) in the direction of unwinding the recording paper (3a) from the paper roll (3).
The thermal transfer type printer according to any one of claims 1 to 4. A paper roll drive unit (4) for rotationally driving the paper roll (3) is further provided.
The platen roller drive unit (105), the grip roller drive unit (106), the paper roll drive unit (4), and the paper feed roller drive unit (108) are driven by the same drive source.
The thermal transfer type printer according to claim 5. A platen roller moving mechanism (5a) that brings the platen roller (5) closer to and away from the recording paper (3a), and
A first pinch roller moving mechanism (7a) that brings the first pinch roller (7) closer to and away from the recording paper (3a), and
Further provided with a second pinch roller moving mechanism (9a) for approaching and separating the second pinch roller (9) from the recording paper (3a).
The platen roller moving mechanism (5a), the first pinch roller moving mechanism (7a), and the second pinch roller moving mechanism (9a) are driven by the same drive source.
The thermal transfer printer according to claim 5 or 6. This is a thermal transfer type printing method in which printing is performed by crimping the conveyed recording paper (3a) and ink ribbon (12) with a thermal head (2) and a platen roller (5).
By rotationally driving the platen roller (5) at the time of printing, the recording paper (3a) and the ink ribbon (12) are conveyed.
A grip roller (6) that sandwiches the recording paper (3a) together with the first pinch roller (7) in a section between the platen roller (5) and the paper roll (3) that supplies the recording paper (3a). The recording paper (3a) is conveyed by being driven to rotate.
Thermal transfer type printing method.