WO2011037163A1 - 印刷装置および印刷方法 - Google Patents
印刷装置および印刷方法 Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- WO2011037163A1 WO2011037163A1 PCT/JP2010/066504 JP2010066504W WO2011037163A1 WO 2011037163 A1 WO2011037163 A1 WO 2011037163A1 JP 2010066504 W JP2010066504 W JP 2010066504W WO 2011037163 A1 WO2011037163 A1 WO 2011037163A1
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- WIPO (PCT)
- Prior art keywords
- intermediate transfer
- mark
- printing
- ink ribbon
- unit
- Prior art date
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B41—PRINTING; LINING MACHINES; TYPEWRITERS; STAMPS
- B41J—TYPEWRITERS; SELECTIVE PRINTING MECHANISMS, i.e. MECHANISMS PRINTING OTHERWISE THAN FROM A FORME; CORRECTION OF TYPOGRAPHICAL ERRORS
- B41J2/00—Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed
- B41J2/315—Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed characterised by selective application of heat to a heat sensitive printing or impression-transfer material
- B41J2/32—Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed characterised by selective application of heat to a heat sensitive printing or impression-transfer material using thermal heads
- B41J2/325—Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed characterised by selective application of heat to a heat sensitive printing or impression-transfer material using thermal heads by selective transfer of ink from ink carrier, e.g. from ink ribbon or sheet
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B41—PRINTING; LINING MACHINES; TYPEWRITERS; STAMPS
- B41J—TYPEWRITERS; SELECTIVE PRINTING MECHANISMS, i.e. MECHANISMS PRINTING OTHERWISE THAN FROM A FORME; CORRECTION OF TYPOGRAPHICAL ERRORS
- B41J17/00—Mechanisms for manipulating page-width impression-transfer material, e.g. carbon paper
- B41J17/02—Feeding mechanisms
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B41—PRINTING; LINING MACHINES; TYPEWRITERS; STAMPS
- B41J—TYPEWRITERS; SELECTIVE PRINTING MECHANISMS, i.e. MECHANISMS PRINTING OTHERWISE THAN FROM A FORME; CORRECTION OF TYPOGRAPHICAL ERRORS
- B41J2/00—Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed
- B41J2/005—Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed characterised by bringing liquid or particles selectively into contact with a printing material
- B41J2/0057—Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed characterised by bringing liquid or particles selectively into contact with a printing material where an intermediate transfer member receives the ink before transferring it on the printing material
Definitions
- the present invention relates to a printing apparatus and a printing method, and in particular, printing in which a thermal head and a platen are pressed against each other via an ink ribbon to form an image on a film-like intermediate transfer medium, and the formed image is transferred to the print medium.
- the present invention relates to an apparatus and a printing method.
- a film-like intermediate transfer medium (intermediate transfer medium) is brought into contact with a thermal head and a platen roller via an ink ribbon.
- Such a printing apparatus generally has a thermal head and a platen roller, and is movable between a retracted position where the thermal head and the platen roller are separated from each other and a printing position where the thermal head and the platen roller are in pressure contact with each other.
- Configured image forming section printing section
- intermediate transfer film transport section for transporting intermediate transfer film
- ink ribbon transport section for transporting ink ribbon
- marks formed on intermediate transfer film and ink ribbon at predetermined intervals
- a microcomputer for controlling the entire apparatus in accordance with a print command for forming an image on the intermediate transfer film and output information from the sensor.
- FIG. 11 shows a typical example of the microcomputer control operation when an image is formed on the intermediate transfer film. That is, it waits until there is a print command (transfer request) (step 202), and when there is a print command, the intermediate transfer film and the ink ribbon are cueed (step 204), and this occurs on the back tension side of the intermediate transfer film.
- the slack is removed (step 206), the thermal head is pressed against the platen roller (step 208), and the intermediate transfer film and the ink ribbon are conveyed while the heating elements constituting the thermal head are selectively heated.
- An image is formed on the intermediate transfer film (step 210), and the intermediate transfer film and the ink ribbon are rewound (step 212) to prepare for the next printing command.
- an image is formed while the intermediate transfer film is wound up, and a stepping motor is generally used for driving the winding of the intermediate transfer film.
- a stepping motor is generally used for driving the winding of the intermediate transfer film.
- the printing speed was slow, it was possible to maintain a constant speed from the initial printing speed to the end of printing (see FIG. 14), but when the printing speed increased, the motor once accelerated and then the rotational speed stabilized. (See FIG. 15). For this reason, once the intermediate transfer film and the ink ribbon are positioned, the conveyance of the intermediate transfer film and the ink ribbon is once stopped, and then the printing is started. There is a problem that the printing density after the rotation of the motor becomes stable changes.
- an object of the present invention is to provide a printing apparatus and a printing method with high print quality.
- a first aspect of the present invention is to press a thermal head and a platen through an ink ribbon to form an image on a film-like intermediate transfer medium, and to form the formed image on a printing medium.
- the thermal head and the platen are provided, and the thermal head and the platen can be moved between a retracted position and a printing position where the thermal head and the platen are pressed against each other.
- a printing unit configured as described above, an intermediate transfer medium conveyance unit that conveys the intermediate transfer medium, an ink ribbon conveyance unit that conveys the ink ribbon, and a first mark that is formed on the intermediate transfer medium.
- the printing unit, the intermediate transfer medium conveyance unit, and the ink ribbon conveyance unit are controlled according to output information from the one mark detection unit and the first mark detection unit.
- a control unit wherein the control unit controls the intermediate transfer medium conveyance unit and the ink ribbon conveyance unit to convey the intermediate transfer medium and the ink ribbon, and outputs the first mark detection unit.
- the printing unit is moved so that the first mark is moved to the printing position in the undetected state of the first mark located upstream of the arrangement position of the first mark detection unit.
- the printing unit is controlled so as to selectively heat the heating elements constituting the thermal head.
- the apparatus further includes a second mark detection unit that detects a second mark formed on the ink ribbon, and the control unit monitors output information of the first and second mark detection units,
- the intermediate transfer medium conveyance unit and the ink ribbon conveyance unit are controlled so that the predetermined position of the ink ribbon is positioned at the predetermined position of the intermediate transfer medium, and then the printing unit is controlled to move the printing unit to the printing position.
- the printing unit may be controlled to selectively heat the heating elements constituting the thermal head.
- control unit is configured to perform pre-energization on the thermal head after the first mark detection unit detects the first mark and before selectively heating the heating element constituting the thermal head. Is preferably controlled.
- the ink ribbon is configured by arranging a plurality of colors of ink in a surface sequential manner, and the control unit controls the printing unit to move the ink ribbon to the retracted position after the printing of one color is completed. By monitoring the output information of the first and second mark detection units, the first mark is intermediate until it reaches the upstream side in the transport direction during image formation on the intermediate transfer medium from the arrangement position of the first mark detection unit.
- the intermediate transfer medium conveyance unit is controlled to reversely convey the transfer medium, and the ink ribbon conveyance unit is controlled so that the predetermined position of the ink of the next color of the ink ribbon is positioned at the predetermined position of the intermediate transfer medium. It may be.
- the second mark may be composed of at least one color ink among a plurality of colors of ink arranged in the frame order.
- the second aspect of the present invention is formed by forming an image in a printing area of a film-like intermediate transfer medium by pressing a thermal head and a platen through an ink ribbon.
- a printing apparatus that transfers the image to a printing medium, the thermal head and the platen, a retreat position where the thermal head and the platen are separated from each other, and a printing position where the thermal head and the platen are pressed against each other
- a printing unit configured to be movable between the intermediate transfer medium, an intermediate transfer medium transport unit that transports the intermediate transfer medium, an ink ribbon transport unit that transports the ink ribbon, and a first formed on the intermediate transfer medium.
- a first mark detection unit for detecting a mark, and the printing unit, the intermediate transfer medium transport unit, and the ink ribbon according to output information from the first mark detection unit.
- a control unit that controls a conveyance unit, wherein the control unit moves the printing unit to the printing position after the first mark detection unit detects the first mark, and then the intermediate transfer medium.
- the first mark detection unit detects the first mark in a state where the ink ribbon is conveyed toward the printing unit
- printing is started while conveying the intermediate transfer medium and the ink ribbon.
- the printing unit, the intermediate transfer medium conveyance unit, and the ink ribbon conveyance unit are controlled as described above.
- the control unit sets the distance from the front end of the printing area to the printing unit to L1 and the first before moving the printing unit to the printing position after the first mark detection sensor detects the first mark.
- the distance from the mark to the first mark detection unit is L2
- the printing unit and the intermediate transfer medium conveyance unit are controlled so that the intermediate transfer medium is conveyed to a position where the relationship of L1> L2 is established. Also good.
- the image processing apparatus further includes a second mark detection unit that detects a second mark formed on the ink ribbon, and the control unit moves the printing unit to a printing position after the first mark detection sensor detects the first mark.
- the ink ribbon is configured by arranging a plurality of colors of ink in a surface sequential manner, and the control unit controls the printing unit to move it to the retracted position after printing of one color is completed.
- the intermediate transfer medium is reversely conveyed until the first mark passes the first mark detection unit, and from the printing start position of the next color of the ink ribbon to the printing unit according to the output information of the second mark detection unit
- the intermediate transfer medium conveyance unit and the ink ribbon conveyance unit may be controlled so that the ink ribbon is conveyed to a position where the distance is equal to L1.
- the second mark may be composed of at least one color ink among a plurality of colors of ink arranged in the frame order.
- the third aspect of the present invention is to press the thermal head and the platen through an ink ribbon to form an image on a film-like intermediate transfer medium, and to form the formed image.
- a re-detection step for re-detecting the first mark formed on the recording medium, and the thermal head and the platen in a state of being pressed against each other according to detection information of the first mark detected in the
- the mark re-detecting step and the image forming step are executed without any processing.
- an alignment step of detecting the second mark formed on the ink ribbon and aligning the intermediate transfer medium and the ink ribbon may be further included before the press-contacting step.
- the ink ribbon is provided with a plurality of colors of ink for forming a plurality of colors on the intermediate transfer medium in a surface sequential manner, and a second mark for position detection is formed.
- the pressure contact releasing step for releasing the pressure contact between the thermal head and the platen;
- the intermediate transfer medium is moved upstream from the pressure contact position where the thermal head and the platen are pressed, and the first mark and the ink ribbon formed on the intermediate transfer medium
- An alignment step for detecting the formed second mark and aligning the intermediate transfer medium and the ink ribbon;
- a re-pressing step in which one of the thermal head and the platen is again pressed against the other via the ink ribbon and the intermediate transfer medium in accordance with detection information of the first mark detected in the setting step, and the thermal head and the platen
- the heating element constituting the thermal head is selectively heated when the intermediate transfer medium and the ink ribbon are conveyed to the printing start position or thereafter (without stopping the conveyance). Since the image is formed on the intermediate transfer medium, the printing start position of the intermediate transfer medium is not shifted by changing the trajectory due to the pressure contact between the thermal head and the platen, and the conveyance of the intermediate transfer medium and the ink ribbon is stopped until the image is formed. Therefore, the transport speed of the intermediate transfer medium transport section and the ink ribbon transport section is stabilized, and the intermediate transfer medium and the ink ribbon are not loosened and the back tension is constant, thereby improving the printing quality. Obtainable.
- FIG. 1 is a front view schematically showing a configuration of a printing apparatus according to an embodiment to which the present invention is applicable. It is a front view which shows the structure of the printing apparatus of embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows the detail of the control part of the printing apparatus of embodiment. It is explanatory drawing of an ink ribbon and an intermediate transfer film, (A) is a front view which shows an ink ribbon typically, (B) is sectional drawing which shows an intermediate transfer film typically. It is a flowchart of the printing routine which the microcomputer of the control part of the printing apparatus of embodiment performs. FIG.
- FIG. 7 is an operation explanatory view schematically showing the conveyance of the intermediate transfer film and the ink ribbon
- (A) is a conveyance when the first mark formed on the intermediate transfer film is image-formed (printed) more than the first mark detection sensor.
- the first mark detection sensor is on the upstream side in the direction and the first mark has not been detected
- (B) is the first mark is upstream of the first mark detection sensor in the transport direction during image formation and thermal.
- C) is a state in which the head is moved to the printing position
- (C) is a state in which after the first mark is detected by the first mark detection sensor, the intermediate transfer film is in front of the printing start position and preliminary energization of the thermal head is started.
- (D) is a state where the intermediate transfer film and ink ribbon are further conveyed from (C) and has reached the printing start position
- (E) is a state where printing is completed
- (F) is a state where the thermal head is moved to the retracted position. Shows a state in which rewinding the intermediate transfer film and ink ribbon after. It is explanatory drawing which shows typically the relationship between the printing start position of an ink ribbon, and the printing start position of an intermediate transfer film, (A) is the printing start position for one screen of an intermediate transfer film, and Y (yellow) of an ink ribbon.
- (B) shows the relationship between the print start position for one screen of the intermediate transfer film and the print start position of M (magenta) arranged in the surface sequence next to Y of the ink ribbon. .
- It is explanatory drawing which shows the relationship between preliminary energization and energization to a thermal head, with time on the horizontal axis and temperature of the thermal head on the vertical axis.
- It is a front view which shows typically the structure of the principal part of the printing apparatus of other embodiment which can apply this invention.
- It is a flowchart of the printing routine which the microcomputer of the control part of the conventional printing apparatus performs.
- FIG. 1 It is a top view which shows the process of forming the mark for cueing the 1st mark and the next printing area
- (A) is the initial state of an intermediate transfer film
- ( B) shows a first mark forming process
- (C) shows a mark forming process for cueing the next printing area.
- a printing apparatus 1 mainly includes a card supply unit 3 serving as a card supply source and a card supplied from the card supply unit 3 in a casing 2 serving as a housing.
- a card transport unit for transporting along a straight card transport path, and a card turn for rotating a predetermined angle in a state where the card is nipped (clamped) and disposed at an end opposite to the card supply unit 3 of the card transport unit.
- An image forming unit as a printing unit configured to include a moving unit 4, a thermal head 9 and a platen roller 12, an intermediate transfer film conveyance unit that conveys an intermediate transfer film F as an intermediate transfer medium, and an ink ribbon R
- a control unit 40 configured to include a moving unit 4, a thermal head 9 and a platen roller 12, an intermediate transfer film conveyance unit that conveys an intermediate transfer film F as an intermediate transfer medium, and an ink ribbon R
- An ink ribbon transport unit an image transfer unit for transferring an image formed on the intermediate transfer film F to a card, various sensors for acquiring position information, and the printing apparatus 1 as a whole.
- a control unit 40 a control unit 40.
- the card supply unit 3 has a card stacker that accommodates a plurality of blank cards in a stacked form.
- a stacker side plate 26 (see FIG. 2) having an opening slot that allows passage of only one card is disposed at a position facing the card transport path of the card stacker, and rotates at the bottom of the card stacker.
- the card supply roller 18 is arranged so as to press-contact the blank card positioned at the bottom of the plurality of blank cards stacked and accommodated in the card stacker one by one to the substantially horizontal linear card transport path.
- the card transport unit includes a first card transport roller including a drive card transport roller 19 disposed on the lower side and a driven card transport roller 19 disposed on the upper side in order to transport the card along the card transport path.
- the second card transport roller pair disposed on the downstream side of the pair of first card transport rollers and the second card transport roller pair composed of the driven card transport roller 19 and the driven card transport roller 19 are disposed on the downstream side of the second card transport roller pair.
- a platen roller 27 (which also constitutes an image transfer unit) and a drive card conveying roller 19 disposed on the downstream side of the platen roller 27 are configured.
- the driven card transport roller 19 of the first card transport roller pair has a cleaning roller 30 (FIG. 2) in which the driven card transport roller 19 (and hence the surface of the card) is cleaned and an adhesive substance is applied to the surface. ) Is press-contacted.
- the card supply sensor 15 is located in the vicinity of the upstream side of the first card transport roller pair in the card transport direction
- the card positioning sensor 16 is disposed in the vicinity of the downstream side of the second card transport roller pair in the card transport direction, and the most downstream of the card transport unit.
- a card rotation position detection sensor 17 is disposed upstream of the card rotation unit 4.
- These sensors can be constituted by, for example, a transmission integrated type or a reflection integrated type sensor, and detect a card end of a card conveyed on a card conveyance path.
- the card rotating part 4 is composed of two pinch roller pairs that sandwich both ends of the card and a driven roller pair that sandwich the center part. These roller pairs rotate together with the card to displace the card. In order to prevent this, the rotation of the entire card rotation unit 4 and the rotation of the pinch roller pair are driven independently.
- FIG. 2 also shows a state in which the card is rotated by 90 ° (or 270 °).
- the shaded roller is a drive roller, and the non-slashed roller is a driven roller.
- the magnetic writing unit 23 stores the electronic information in the built-in IC and reads and verifies the stored electronic information. The verification causes the magnetic card or the IC card to be defective.
- an eject box 25 for disposing of a defective card is disposed.
- the card rotation unit 4 is rotated by a predetermined angle to position the sandwiched card toward the receiving port of the magnetic writing unit 23, the IC writing unit 24, and the eject box 25, and rotationally drive the two pinch roller pairs. Therefore, it can be conveyed toward each receiving port.
- the receiving ports of the magnetic writing unit 23 and the IC writing unit 24 are formed at positions on a straight line from the center of the card rotation unit 4.
- the image forming unit includes a separation position (state shown in FIG. 1) separated from the platen roller 12 in which the thermal head 9 is rotatably arranged at a fixed position, and the thermal head 9 moves to the platen roller 12. It is configured to be movable between the press-contact printing positions (the positions at which the thermal head 9 is pressed against the outer periphery of the platen roller 12 via the intermediate transfer film F and the ink ribbon R, for example, see FIG. 6B). . As shown in FIG. 1, an intermediate transfer film F and an ink ribbon R described later are interposed between the platen roller 12 and the thermal head 9.
- the image forming unit moves the thermal head 9 against the ink ribbon R at the printing position in accordance with a command from the control unit 40 (printing command for image information such as images and characters stored in the buffer memory 40G (see FIG. 3)).
- An image is formed on the intermediate transfer film F by selectively heating the constituent heating elements.
- the intermediate transfer film transport unit includes a film supply unit 5 that supplies the intermediate transfer film F, a film winding unit 6 that winds up the intermediate transfer film F, and a part of the intermediate transfer medium transport unit that transports the intermediate transfer film F with high accuracy.
- a main film transport roller 13 As a main film transport roller 13.
- the spool shaft of the film supply unit 5 is a DC motor M1 capable of forward / reverse at high speed
- the spool shaft of the film take-up unit 6 is a DC motor M2 capable of forward / reverse at high speed
- the film main transport roller 13 is stepping capable of forward / reverse at high speed.
- the motor M3 is used as each rotational drive source. In these high-speed motors, as shown in FIG.
- the main film transport roller 13 not only transports the intermediate transfer film F during image formation (printing) onto the intermediate transfer film F by the image forming unit, but also uses the image formed on the intermediate transfer film F by the image transfer unit as a card. It is also used for managing the back tension of the intermediate transfer film F during transfer.
- the intermediate transfer film transport unit includes a plurality of rollers 22 for changing the transport direction when transporting the intermediate transfer film F, a nip position that is in pressure contact with the film main transport roller 13 via the intermediate transfer film F, and the film. It has two nip rollers 21 that are movable between a separation position separated from the main conveyance roller 13.
- a magnetic plunger can be used as the movement drive source between the nip position and the separation position of the nip roller 21.
- a first mark detection unit that detects a mark formed on the intermediate transfer film F (hereinafter, this mark is referred to as a first mark).
- a first mark detection sensor 10 as a part is arranged.
- the intermediate transfer film F is conveyed substantially vertically between the roller 22 and the nip roller 21 of the nip rollers 21 close to the roller 22. Further, the intermediate transfer film F is also conveyed substantially vertically between the other nip roller 21 and the roller 22 disposed below the other nip roller 21. Between them, a transfer positioning sensor 14 for detecting a mark on the intermediate transfer film when an image formed on the intermediate transfer film F is transferred to a card is disposed.
- the intermediate transfer film F is transported substantially horizontally between the rollers 22 and the rollers 22 disposed in the vicinity of the film supply unit 5 (the portions where the intermediate transfer film F is transported approximately horizontally are referred to as horizontal transport locations for convenience). That said.)
- the first mark detection sensor 10 and the transfer positioning sensor 14 can also be composed of, for example, a transmission integrated type or a reflection integrated type sensor, as in the case of the above-described sensor.
- the intermediate transfer film F protects the base film Fa, the back coat layer Fb formed on the back side of the base film Fa, the receiving layer Fe that receives ink, and the surface of the receiving layer Fe.
- An overcoat layer Fd that is formed on the surface side of the base film Fa, and a release layer Fc that promotes the peeling from the base film Fa by heating the overcoat layer Fd and the receiving layer Fe as a unit.
- the base film Fa, the release layer Fc, the overcoat layer Fd, and the receiving layer Fe are laminated in this order.
- the intermediate transfer film F is conveyed substantially vertically so that the receiving layer Fe side faces the ink ribbon R and the back coat layer Fb side can contact the platen roller 12.
- the first mark described above is formed on the intermediate transfer film F at predetermined intervals for one screen with respect to the card, for example, as shown in FIG. It is formed linearly in a direction that intersects the longitudinal direction.
- the ink ribbon transport unit includes a ribbon supply unit 7 that supplies the ink ribbon R and a ribbon winding unit 8 that winds up the ink ribbon R.
- the spool shafts of the ribbon supply unit 7 and the ribbon take-up unit 8 use DC motors M4 and M5 that can rotate forward and backward at high speeds as their respective rotational drive sources. In these high-speed motors, as with the motors M1 to M3, positioning is performed when the motor is accelerated, and printing is performed at a constant speed.
- a position detection mark (hereinafter, this mark is referred to as a second mark) formed on the ink ribbon R.
- ink is used as the second mark.
- a second mark detection sensor 11 is disposed as a part of a second mark detection unit that detects Bk of the ribbon R.).
- the second mark detection sensor 11 can also be constituted by, for example, a transmission integrated type or a reflection integrated type sensor, similarly to the above-described sensor.
- the position of the ink ribbon R is managed by detecting the second mark by the second mark detection sensor 11. In the schematic diagram of FIG. 1, the ink ribbon R can be grasped so as to be conveyed obliquely.
- the ink ribbon R is actually composed of a plurality of colors as described below, image formation is performed.
- the sheet is transported substantially vertically as in the case of the intermediate transfer film F as shown in FIG.
- the ink ribbon R has a width slightly longer than the longitudinal length of the card C on the film, for example, Y (yellow), M (magenta), C (cyan), and Bk ( Black) ink is applied, and has a belt-like shape in which these are repeated in the surface order.
- the image transfer unit is arranged on the upstream side of the drive card conveying roller 19 arranged independently, not the roller pair at the horizontal conveying portion described above.
- the image transfer unit includes a platen roller 27 that supports the card when the intermediate transfer film F is transferred to the card, and a heat roller 20 that is disposed so as to be movable back and forth between the advanced position and the retracted position with respect to the platen roller 27. ing.
- the heat roller 20 incorporates a heating lamp (not shown) for heating the intermediate transfer film F.
- the platen roller 27 and the heat roller 20 are disposed across the intermediate transfer film F. For example, a cam can be used to advance and retract the heat roller 20.
- the control unit 40 includes a microcomputer 40 ⁇ / b> A that performs control processing of the printing apparatus 1.
- the microcomputer 40A connects a CPU that operates with a high-speed clock as a central processing unit, a ROM that stores control operations of the printing apparatus 1, a RAM that functions as a work area for the CPU, a nonvolatile memory such as a flash memory and an EEPROM, and the like. It consists of an internal bus.
- the external bus 40B is connected to the microcomputer 40A.
- the external bus 40B includes a touch panel display operation control unit 40C that controls display of a touch panel (input display unit) (not shown) and an input command, a sensor control unit 40D that controls signals from various sensors, and controls driving of each motor. Controls the thermal energy of the motor head 40E, the external input / output interface 40F for communicating with an external device such as a host computer, the buffer memory 40G for temporarily storing image information to be printed on the card, and the thermal head 9 Thermal head control units 40H are connected to each other. Further, although omitted in FIG. 3, an actuator control unit for controlling a moving actuator or the like between the nip position and the separation position of the nip roller 21 is also connected.
- the printing apparatus 1 operates according to the command from the touch panel described above, but can also operate according to the command from the external apparatus described above via the external input / output interface 40F.
- the printing apparatus 1 is connected to the power supply unit that supplies operating power to the above-described units, and the operation for writing necessary information in the nonvolatile memory after the supply of commercial power is cut off. It has an electricity storage device (for example, a button-type lithium ion battery) serving as a power source for securing time.
- an electricity storage device for example, a button-type lithium ion battery
- the external device When the device is not contained or loaded, a warning sound is generated, and this is displayed on the touch panel described above.
- the external device When operating in response to a command from the external device, the external device is notified accordingly, Confirmation process for confirming whether the toner is contained or loaded, the intermediate transfer film F with reference to the non-volatile memory After conveying the fine ink ribbon R to the available initial position, it executes a printing routine shown in FIG.
- the image information and control information that have been separated into three colors Y, M, and C received from the external device via the external input / output interface 40F are stored in the buffer memory 40G of the control unit 40. In the following description, it is assumed that the thermal head 9 is in the retracted position and the print command is issued from an external device.
- step 102 the process waits until there is a printing command (transfer request), and when there is a printing command, the motor M1 is driven to carry the intermediate transfer film F so as to be taken up by the film winding unit 6. At the same time, the motor M5 is driven to start the conveyance so that the ink ribbon R is taken up by the ribbon take-up unit 8 (removed in FIG. 5). At this time, the first mark for cueing (position detection) formed on the intermediate transfer film F passes through the first mark detection sensor 10, and the first mark is positioned upstream in the conveyance direction of the intermediate transfer film during image formation.
- the thermal head 9 is located at the retracted position (the thermal head 9 and the platen roller 12 are not in pressure contact), and the first mark is more image forming than the first mark detection sensor 10.
- the first mark detection sensor 10 is not detected (in the cueing operation of the intermediate transfer film F at the time of image formation) (see FIG. 6A). 6 (A) to (F), the first mark forming portion for one screen of the intermediate transfer film F is indicated by a thick line.
- the ink ribbon R is positioned so that the Y-color leading end portion of the ink ribbon R corresponds to the printing start position of the intermediate transfer film F ( This position is called the initial position of the ink ribbon R). That is, the distance from the pressure contact position where the thermal head 9 and the platen 12 are pressed to each other to the image forming position (broken line portion in FIG. 7) at the initial position of the intermediate transfer film F and the distance from the Y color leading end portion of the ink ribbon R. Are set to be the same, the initial positions of the intermediate transfer film F and the ink ribbon R are set.
- the thermal head 9 is moved to the printing position. Even in this state, the first mark is located upstream of the first mark detection sensor 10 in the transport direction during image formation, and the first mark detection sensor 10 has not detected the first mark (FIG. 6B). reference).
- the first mark detection is performed by monitoring the output information (output signal) of the first mark detection sensor 10 while conveying the intermediate transfer film F and the ink ribbon R (in the conveyance direction during image formation).
- the sensor 10 determines whether or not the first mark has been detected. If the determination is negative, the monitoring is continued. If the determination is affirmative, the intermediate transfer film F and the ink ribbon R are further moved by a predetermined distance. Do. The ink ribbon R and the intermediate transfer film F are simultaneously conveyed by the same distance. In this state, the intermediate transfer film F (strictly speaking, the position of the intermediate transfer film F for one screen that is the object of image formation) is the print start position (the heating element that constitutes the thermal head 9 with respect to the ink ribbon R).
- the thermal head 9 By selectively heating, the thermal head 9 is on the upstream side from the position where image formation is started on the intermediate transfer film F), and preliminary energization of the thermal head 9 is started (see FIG. 6C).
- each heater element is heated to the vicinity of the upper limit of the temperature at which the ink on the ink ribbon R cannot be transferred to the intermediate transfer film F with respect to the thermal head 9 by preliminary energization, that is, the color cannot be developed.
- Such pre-energization prevents the print quality from deteriorating because the heating element cannot follow even if the heating element constituting the thermal head 9 is selectively heated immediately after the intermediate transfer film F reaches the printing start position. To be done.
- Step 106 while the intermediate transfer film F and the ink ribbon R are continuously conveyed, both the intermediate transfer film F and the ink ribbon R reach the print start position as shown in FIG.
- the motor control unit 40E can grasp that the intermediate transfer film F has reached the printing start position by performing time management for the DC motor and pulse management for the stepping motor.
- the heating element is selectively heated to start image formation on the intermediate transfer film F (see also FIG. 8).
- FIG. 6E shows this state.
- the ink ribbon R is arranged in the order of Y, M, C, and Bk, strictly speaking, in the middle of one screen.
- the cueing position of the transfer film F and the cueing position of Y of the ink ribbon R reach the printing start position. Such an alignment process will be described later.
- the intermediate transfer film F and the ink ribbon R are continuously conveyed, and when the image on the intermediate transfer film F for one screen is completed (the state shown in FIG. 6E, see also FIG. 8), the next step Proceed to 108.
- the printing routine shown in FIG. 5 shows an example of a routine using one Bk color.
- the thermal head 9 is moved to the retracted position (thermal The pressure contact between the head 9 and the platen roller 12 is released), and the output information of the first mark detection sensor 10 and the second mark detection sensor 11 is monitored, so that the first mark is positioned at the first mark detection sensor 10.
- the intermediate transfer film F is reversely conveyed until it reaches the upstream side in the conveying direction when forming an image on the intermediate transfer film F, and the leading edge of the next color ink (M color) of the ink ribbon R is the intermediate transfer film F.
- the ink ribbon R is reversely conveyed so as to correspond to the initial position (see FIG. 6F).
- step 108 the position of the intermediate transfer film F for one screen and the position of the ink (M) of the next color of the ink ribbon R are reversely conveyed until they reach the initial position shown in FIG. At that time, in the state shown in FIG. 6D, the intermediate transfer is performed so that the position of the intermediate transfer film F for one screen and the position of the ink (M) of the next color of the ink ribbon R overlap the print start position. The distance from the initial position of the film F to the printing start position is calculated, and the sheet is reversely conveyed accordingly.
- the first mark is conveyed until it is detected (repositioned to the initial position of the intermediate transfer film F described above). Then, the initial position of the ink ribbon R at the time of M printing is determined so that the printing position of the next color ink M and the printing start position of the intermediate transfer film F overlap in the state of FIG. 6D (alignment is performed). . Then, the thermal head 9 and the platen roller 12 are pressed against each other again, and the ink ribbon R and the intermediate transfer film F are conveyed in the pressed state again, the first mark is detected again, and printing by M following Y (image) Formation). The same applies to the next C. Since the ink ribbon R detects the Bk by the second mark detection sensor 11 to manage the absolute position of the ink ribbon R, if the positioning of the intermediate transfer film F is not misaligned, the print quality is deteriorated. Do not invite.
- the printing routine returns to Step 102.
- the CPU executes a transfer process in which the image formed on the intermediate transfer film F is conveyed to the image transfer unit, and the image is transferred to the card in the image forming unit.
- the card supply roller 18 is rotationally driven to send the blank card to the card transport path.
- the first and second card transport roller pairs, the platen roller 27, and the drive card transport roller 19 disposed on the card transport path are driven to rotate simultaneously with the drive of the card supply roller 18 so that the card is rotated in the card transport path of the blank card.
- the conveyance to the moving part 4 is promoted.
- the CPU stops the rotation of the card supply roller 18.
- the two pinch roller pairs of the card rotation unit 4 are driven to rotate.
- the rotational drive of the two pinch roller pairs 4 is stopped. As a result, the blank card is sandwiched between the two pinch roller pairs of the card rotation unit 4.
- the CPU refers to the control information stored in the buffer memory 40 to determine whether the blank card is a magnetic card or an IC card, and rotates the card rotation unit 4 by a predetermined angle according to the determination result.
- the blank card is sent out toward the magnetic writing unit 23 or the IC writing unit 24, and the card after information recording on the blank card is received from the magnetic writing unit 23 or the IC writing unit 24, and according to the verification result.
- it is determined whether to convey toward the eject box 25 or to reversely convey the card on the card conveyance path toward the first card conveyance roller.
- the transfer process described above is performed again from the beginning after the conveyance to the eject box 25.
- the two pinch roller pairs of the card rotation unit 4 and the rollers disposed on the card conveyance are driven in reverse to convey the card.
- the card is transported in reverse.
- the card rotation position detection sensor 17 detects the rear end of the card in the reverse conveyance direction
- the reverse rotation driving of the two pinch roller pairs of the card rotation unit 4 is stopped
- the card supply sensor 15 detects the tip of the card in the reverse conveyance direction.
- the reverse rotation driving of the roller disposed on the card conveyance is stopped. As a result, the card is once held between the first and second card transport roller pairs.
- the CPU rotationally drives a roller disposed on the card transport, and transports the card sandwiched between the first and second card transport roller pairs to the downstream side again on the card transport.
- the card positioning sensor 16 detects the leading edge in the card conveyance direction, the rotation of the roller disposed on the card conveyance is stopped. As a result, the card is sandwiched between the first and second card transport roller pairs.
- the intermediate transfer is performed by the local pressurization by the nip roller 21 when the conveyance is resumed.
- the CPU moves the nip roller 21 to the nip position to the image transfer portion of the intermediate transfer film F on which an image for one screen is formed in the image forming portion. Transport toward. This conveyance is performed while driving the motor M2 and the stepping motor M3 and confirming the detection of the first mark by the transfer positioning sensor 14. Prior to this transport process, the CPU causes the heat lamp of the heat roller 20 to generate heat and advance to the advance position.
- the CPU rotates the roller disposed on the card transport to transfer the card sandwiched between the first and second card transport roller pairs to the image transfer. Transport toward the part.
- the intermediate transfer film F and the card are conveyed toward the image transfer unit at the same speed, the card is supported by the platen roller 27 rotating on the lower side (back side), and the upper side (front side) thereof is the intermediate transfer.
- the heat lamp 20 By heating the heat lamp 20 through an image forming position for one screen of the film F, an image for one screen of the intermediate transfer film F is transferred to the card.
- the card After the image transfer is completed, the card is still conveyed downstream, and when the card rotation position detection sensor 17 detects the front end in the card conveyance direction, the CPU rotates and drives the two pinch roller pairs of the card rotation unit 4.
- the card rotation position detection sensor 17 detects the rear end in the card conveyance direction, the rotation driving of the two pinch roller pairs of the card rotation unit 4 and the rollers on the card conveyance path is stopped. As a result, the card is again held by the card rotation unit 4.
- the CPU rotates the card rotation unit 4 holding the card by 180 °.
- the card is positioned with its lower side (back side) reversed to the front side. Then, it is reversely conveyed to the first card conveying roller pair side and is sandwiched between the first and second card conveying roller pairs, but since this control has already been described, it is omitted.
- the intermediate transfer film F has a single color. An image for the screen is formed. In this respect, it is different from the contents of the printing routine already described, but the other processing contents are the same, and the description thereof will be omitted.
- the transfer process is different in that no blank card is supplied from the card supply unit 3 and no magnetic or electronic information is recorded on the blank card.
- the card is already sandwiched between the first and second card conveying roller pairs. Therefore, it is only necessary to transfer the intermediate transfer film F to the back surface side in the image transfer portion, and the description thereof will be omitted.
- the card After the image transfer to the back side is completed, the card is still conveyed downstream, and when the card rotation position detection sensor 17 detects the front end in the card conveyance direction, the CPU detects the pair of pinch rollers of the card rotation unit 4. Is driven to rotate. As a result, the card is discharged out of the printing apparatus 1 through the card rotation unit 4 and through the discharge port formed in the vicinity of the card rotation unit 4 of the housing 2. In this position, a tray for receiving a card onto which an image has been transferred is generally arranged.
- the CPU stops the rotation of the roller on the card conveyance path and the two pinch roller pairs of the card rotation unit 4. Then, the motor M1 is driven to rewind the intermediate transfer film F to a predetermined position (the initial position shown in FIG. 6A), and the position information on the unused screen of the intermediate transfer film F is stored in the nonvolatile memory. Thereby, printing on one card is completed.
- the intermediate transfer film F and the ink ribbon R are conveyed when conveyed to the printing start position (or after that if necessary).
- the heating elements constituting the thermal head 9 are selectively heated to form an image on the intermediate transfer film F.
- the print start position of the intermediate transfer film F is not shifted due to the trajectory change due to the pressure contact between the thermal head 9 and the platen roller 12, and the conveyance of the intermediate transfer film F and the ink ribbon R is not stopped until image formation.
- the conveyance speeds of the intermediate transfer medium conveyance unit and the ink ribbon conveyance unit are stabilized, and the intermediate transfer film F and the ink ribbon R are not slackened, and the back tension is constant, so that the print quality can be improved.
- the printing apparatus 1 of the present embodiment includes the second mark detection sensor 11 that detects the second mark (Bk) formed on the ink ribbon R, and conveys the intermediate transfer film F and the ink ribbon R.
- the thermal head 9 is moved to the printing position without detecting the first mark, and the first mark is the first mark.
- the thermal head 9 is configured when the first mark downstream of the arrangement position of the mark detection sensor 10 is detected and the intermediate transfer film F and the ink ribbon R are both positioned at the print start position. Since the heating element to be selectively heated is used, the print quality during color printing can be improved.
- the printing apparatus 1 after the first mark detection sensor 10 detects the first mark and before the heating element constituting the thermal head 9 is selectively heated, Since preliminary energization is performed, printing can be started immediately when the intermediate transfer film F reaches the print start position, and the print quality is not deteriorated.
- the ink ribbon R is provided with a plurality of colors of ink in the surface order, and after the printing of one color is completed, the thermal head 9 is moved to the retracted position, and the first mark
- the first mark is upstream of the arrangement position of the first mark detection sensor 10 in the conveyance direction when forming an image on the intermediate transfer film F.
- the intermediate transfer film F is reversely conveyed until the ink reaches the ink ribbon, and the ink ribbon R is reversed until the ink of the next color of the ink ribbon reaches the upstream side in the conveying direction at the time of image formation from the arrangement position of the second mark detection sensor. Transport.
- the absolute position of the ink ribbon R is configured by configuring the second mark with Bk ink of a plurality of colors arranged in the surface order of the ink ribbon R. By managing this, it is possible to position the next ink in accordance with the intermediate transfer film F, and it is not necessary to provide a positioning mark for each ink.
- the present invention is not limited to this, and as shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, the film supply unit 5 And the position of the film winding unit 6 may be interchanged.
- the intermediate transfer film F is conveyed in the direction of the arrow, and when the first mark passes the first mark detection sensor 10, it is conveyed once in the opposite direction, and the first mark is again the first mark.
- the conveyance of the intermediate transfer film F is stopped.
- a second first mark detection sensor 50 is added, the intermediate transfer film F is conveyed in the direction of the arrow, and the first mark passes through the second first mark detection sensor 50 to a predetermined distance. When transported, transport of the intermediate transfer film F is stopped.
- the printing area of the intermediate transfer film F is the first printing area. It may be on the upstream side of one mark (see FIG. 16).
- the distance from the printing start position of the intermediate transfer film F to the platen roller 12 is L1 (10 mm in this embodiment), and the distance from the first mark to the first mark detection sensor 10 is L2 (5 mm in this embodiment). ),
- the first mark, the print region, and the first mark detection sensor 10 may be set at positions where the relationship of L1> L2 is established.
- the first mark may be formed on the intermediate transfer film F using Bk of the ink ribbon R.
- the first mark m1 is first formed when the printer receives a print command (FIG. 17B). )). Thereafter, the mark m1 is used to cue the intermediate transfer film F to form an image in the image forming area A1 for transfer to the card.
- a mark m2 to be used for cueing the next printing area is formed on the upstream side of the printing area (upstream side in the intermediate transfer film conveyance direction during image formation). (FIG. 17C).
- the printing start position of the intermediate transfer film F is a position where the mark m2 is printed
- the printing area in this case is not the image forming area A1 for transferring to the card but includes the image forming area A1 from the mark m2.
- This is the print area A2 (FIG. 17C). Therefore, the above-described distance L1 is a position from the printing start position (printing position of M2) of the printing area A2 to the platen roller 12.
- the initial position of the ink ribbon R is set according to this distance L1. Thereby, the intermediate transfer film F does not need to form the first mark in advance, and the cost can be reduced.
- the thermal head 9 is pressed against the platen roller 12
- the present invention is not limited to this, and the platen roller 12 may be pressed against the thermal head 9. Need not be a rotating body, and those that do not affect the conveyance of the intermediate transfer film F and the ink ribbon R are preferable.
- the second mark detection sensor 20 detects Bk (black) as the second mark.
- Bk black
- ink is not used as the second mark.
- various detectable marks such as points and lines may be used.
- any mark can be used.
- the present invention provides a printing apparatus and a printing method with high print quality, it contributes to the manufacture and sale of the printing apparatus, and thus has industrial applicability.
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Abstract
Description
図1に示すように、本実施形態の印刷装置1は、ハウジングとなる筐体2内に、主として、カードの供給源となるカード供給部3、カード供給部3から供給されたカードを略水平直線状のカード搬送路に沿って搬送するカード搬送部、カード搬送部のカード供給部3とは反対の端部に配置されカードをニップ(挟持)した状態で所定角度回動させるためのカード回動部4、サーマルヘッド9とプラテンローラ12とを有して構成された印刷部としての画像形成部、中間転写媒体としての中間転写フィルムFを搬送する中間転写フィルム搬送部、インクリボンRを搬送するインクリボン搬送部、中間転写フィルムFに形成された画像をカードに転写するための画像転写部、位置情報を取得するための各種センサおよび印刷装置1の全体を制御する制御部40で構成されている。
カード供給部3は、複数のブランクカードを積層状に収容するカードスタッカを有している。カードスタッカのカード搬送路に臨む位置には、1枚のみのカードの通過を許容する開口スロットを有したスタッカ側板26(図2参照)が配置されており、カードスタッカの底部には、回転することでカードスタッカに積層収容された複数のブランクカードのうち最底部に位置するブランクカードを1枚ずつ略水平直線状のカード搬送路に送り出すカード供給ローラ18が圧接配置されている。
カード搬送部は、カードをカード搬送路に沿って搬送するために、下側に配置された駆動カード搬送ローラ19と上側に配置された従動カード搬送ローラ19とで構成された第1カード搬送ローラ対、第1カード搬送ローラ対の下流側に配置され駆動カード搬送ローラ19と従動カード搬送ローラ19とで構成された第2カード搬送ローラ対、第2カード搬送ローラ対の下流側に配置されたプラテンローラ27(画像転写部をも構成する。)、プラテンローラ27の下流側に配置された駆動カード搬送ローラ19で構成されている。
カード回動部4は、カードの両端部を挟持する2つのピンチローラ対および中央部を挟持する従動ローラ対で構成されており、これらのローラ対がカードとともに共回りしてカードを変位させてしまうことを防止するために、カード回動部4全体の回動とピンチローラ対の回転とは独立して駆動される。なお、図2には、カードを90°(または270°)回動させた状態も示されており、斜線を付したローラが駆動ローラであり、斜線のないローラが従動ローラである。
図1に示すように、画像形成部は、サーマルヘッド9が固定位置で回転可能に配置されたプラテンローラ12から離間した離間位置(図1に示す状態)と、サーマルヘッド9がプラテンローラ12に圧接した印刷位置(サーマルヘッド9が中間転写フィルムFおよびインクリボンRを介してプラテンローラ12の外周に圧接した位置、例えば、図6(B)参照)との間を移動可能に構成されている。図1に示すように、プラテンローラ12とサーマルヘッド9との間には後述する中間転写フィルムFとインクリボンRとが介在している。画像形成部は、制御部40の命令(バッファメモリ40G(図3参照)に格納された画像・文字等の画情報の印刷命令)に従って、印刷位置において、インクリボンRに対してサーマルヘッド9を構成する加熱素子を選択的に加熱することで、中間転写フィルムFに画像(鏡像)を形成する。
中間転写フィルム搬送部は、中間転写フィルムFを供給するフィルム供給部5、中間転写フィルムFを巻き取るフィルム巻取部6、中間転写フィルムFを高精度で搬送する中間転写媒体搬送部の一部としてのフィルム主搬送ローラ13を有している。フィルム供給部5のスプール軸は高速で正逆転可能なDCモータM1、フィルム巻取部6のスプール軸は高速で正逆転可能なDCモータM2、フィルム主搬送ローラ13は高速で正逆転可能なステッピングモータM3をそれぞれの回転駆動源としている。なお、これらの高速モータでは、図15に示すように、モータ加速時に位置出し、定速時に印刷が行われる。フィルム主搬送ローラ13は、画像形成部による中間転写フィルムFへの画像形成(印刷)時の中間転写フィルムFの搬送のみならず、画像転写部による中間転写フィルムFに形成された画像をカードに転写する際の中間転写フィルムFのバックテンションの管理にも使用される。
図4(B)に示すように、中間転写フィルムFは、ベースフィルムFa、ベースフィルムFaの背面側に形成された背面コート層Fb、インクを受容する受容層Fe及び受容層Feの表面を保護するオーバーコート層Fd、ベースフィルムFaの表面側に形成され加熱によりオーバーコート層Fd及び受容層Feを一体としてベースフィルムFaからの剥離を促進する剥離層Fcが、下側から背面コート層Fb、ベースフィルムFa、剥離層Fc、オーバーコート層Fd及び受容層Feの順で積層されて形成されている。中間転写フィルムFは、受容層Fe側がインクリボンRと対向し、背面コート層Fb側がプラテンローラ12に当接可能なように略垂直に搬送される。なお、図4(B)では捨象しているが、上述した第1のマークは、カードに対する一画面分の所定間隔毎に、例えば、図7(A)に示すように、中間転写フィルムFの長手方向と交差する方向に直線状に形成されている。
図1に示すように、インクリボン搬送部は、インクリボンRを供給するリボン供給部7およびインクリボンRを巻き取るリボン巻取部8を有している。リボン供給部7およびリボン巻取部8のスプール軸は高速で正逆転可能なDCモータM4、M5をそれぞれの回転駆動源としている。なお、これらの高速モータでも、モータM1~M3と同様、モータ加速時に位置出し、定速時に印刷が行われる。
図4(A)に示すように、インクリボンRは、例えばフィルム上にカードCの長手方向の長さより若干長い幅で、Y(イエロー)、M(マゼンダ)、C(シアン)、及びBk(ブラック)のインクが塗着されており、これらが面順次に繰り返された帯状の形状を有している。
図1に示すように、画像転写部は、上述した水平搬送箇所のローラ対ではなく単独で配置された駆動カード搬送ローラ19の上流側に配置されている。画像転写部は、カードへの中間転写フィルムFの転写時にカードを支持するプラテンローラ27およびプラテンローラ27に対して進出位置と退避位置との間で進退可能に配置されたヒートローラ20を有している。ヒートローラ20には、中間転写フィルムFを加熱する図示しない発熱ランプが内蔵されている。プラテンローラ27とヒートローラ20とは中間転写フィルムFを跨いで配置されている。ヒートローラ20の進退には、例えば、カムを用いることができる。
図3に示すように、制御部40は、印刷装置1の制御処理を行うマイコン40Aを有して構成されている。マイコン40Aは、中央演算処理装置として高速クロックで作動するCPU、印刷装置1の制御動作が記憶されたROM、CPUのワークエリアとして働くRAM、フラッシュメモリやEEPROM等の不揮発性メモリおよびこれらを接続する内部バスで構成されている。
次に、フローチャートを参照して、本実施形態の印刷装置1の動作について制御部40のマイコン40AのCPU(以下、CPUと略称する。)を主体として説明する。なお、制御部40に電源が投入されると、CPUはROMからRAMにプログラムおよびプログラムデータを展開し、上述した各部をホームポジションに位置付ける初期設定処理や、図示しないエンプティセンサからの出力情報を監視することでカード供給部3にカードが収容されているかを確認するとともに、上述した各種センサからの出力情報を監視することで中間転写フィルムFやインクリボンRが装填されているかを確認し、いずれかが収容ないし装填されていない場合には警告音を発生させ、上述したタッチパネルにその旨を表示するとともに、外部装置からの命令で動作する場合には、外部装置にその旨を通知し、いずれもが収容ないし装填されたかを確認するための確認処理、不揮発性メモリを参照して中間転写フィルムFおよびインクリボンRを使用可能な初期位置に搬送した後に、図5に示す印刷ルーチンを実行する。また、説明を簡単にするために制御部40のバッファメモリ40G内には、外部装置から外部入出力インターフェース40Fを介して受信したY、M、C三色分解済みの画情報や制御情報が格納されており、サーマルヘッド9は退避位置にあり、印刷命令は外部装置から行われるものとして説明する。
次に、本実施形態の印刷装置1の作用等について説明する。
Claims (14)
- インクリボンを介してサーマルヘッドとプラテンとを圧接してフィルム状の中間転写媒体に画像を形成し、形成された画像を印刷媒体に転写する印刷装置において、
前記サーマルヘッドと前記プラテンとを有し、前記サーマルヘッドと前記プラテンとが離間した退避位置と、前記サーマルヘッドと前記プラテンとが圧接した印刷位置との間を移動可能に構成された印刷部と、
前記中間転写媒体を搬送する中間転写媒体搬送部と、
前記インクリボンを搬送するインクリボン搬送部と、
前記中間転写媒体に形成された第1のマークを検出する第1マーク検出部と、
前記第1マーク検出部からの出力情報に従って、前記印刷部、前記中間転写媒体搬送部および前記インクリボン搬送部を制御する制御部と、
を備え、
前記制御部は、前記中間転写媒体および前記インクリボンを搬送するように前記中間転写媒体搬送部および前記インクリボン搬送部を制御しつつ、前記第1マーク検出部の出力情報を監視することで、前記第1のマークが前記第1マーク検出部の配置位置よりも上流側にある前記第1のマークの未検出状態において前記印刷位置に移動させるように前記印刷部を制御し、
前記第1のマークが前記第1マーク検出部の配置位置よりも下流側にある前記第1のマークの検出済状態であって前記中間転写媒体が印刷開始位置に位置したときまたはその後に、前記サーマルヘッドを構成する加熱素子を選択的に加熱させるように前記印刷部を制御することを特徴とする印刷装置。 - 前記インクリボンに形成された第2のマークを検出する第2マーク検出部をさらに備え、
前記制御部は、前記第1および第2マーク検出部の出力情報を監視することで、前記未検出状態において前記インクリボンの所定位置が前記中間転写媒体の所定位置に位置付けられるように前記中間転写媒体搬送部および前記インクリボン搬送部を制御し、その後前記印刷部を前記印刷位置に移動させるように前記印刷部を制御し、前記第1のマークが前記第1マーク検出部の配置位置よりも下流側にある前記第1のマークの検出済状態であって前記中間転写媒体および前記インクリボンがともに印刷開始位置に位置したときまたはその後に、前記サーマルヘッドを構成する加熱素子を選択的に加熱させるように前記印刷部を制御することを特徴とする請求項1に記載の印刷装置。 - 前記制御部は、前記第1マーク検出部が前記第1のマークを検出した後かつ前記サーマルヘッドを構成する加熱素子を選択的に加熱させる前に、前記サーマルヘッドに対して予備通電を行うように前記印刷部を制御することを特徴とする請求項1に記載の印刷装置。
- 前記インクリボンは複数色のインクが面順次に配設されることで構成されており、
前記制御部は、一色の印刷が終了した後に、前記退避位置に移動させるように前記印刷部を制御し、前記第1および第2マーク検出部の出力情報を監視することで、前記第1のマークが前記第1マーク検出部の配置位置よりも前記中間転写媒体への画像形成時の搬送方向における上流側に到るまで前記中間転写媒体を逆搬送するように前記中間転写媒体搬送部を制御するとともに、前記インクリボンの次色のインクの所定位置が前記中間転写媒体の所定位置に位置付けられるように前記インクリボン搬送部を制御する、
ことを特徴とする請求項2に記載の印刷装置。 - 前記第2のマークは、前記面順次に配設された複数色のインクのうちの少なくとも一色のインクで構成されたことを特徴とする請求項4に記載の印刷装置。
- インクリボンを介してサーマルヘッドとプラテンとを圧接してフィルム状の中間転写媒体の印刷領域に画像を形成し、形成された画像を印刷媒体に転写する印刷装置において、
前記サーマルヘッドと前記プラテンとを有し、前記サーマルヘッドと前記プラテンとが離間した退避位置と、前記サーマルヘッドと前記プラテンとが圧接した印刷位置との間を移動可能に構成された印刷部と、
前記中間転写媒体を搬送する中間転写媒体搬送部と、
前記インクリボンを搬送するインクリボン搬送部と、
前記中間転写媒体に形成された第1のマークを検出する第1マーク検出部と、
前記第1マーク検出部からの出力情報に従って、前記印刷部、前記中間転写媒体搬送部および前記インクリボン搬送部を制御する制御部と、を備え、
前記制御部は、前記第1マーク検出部が前記第1のマークを検出した後に前記印刷部を前記印刷位置に移動させ、
その後、前記中間転写媒体および前記インクリボンを前記印刷部に向けて搬送している状態で前記第1マーク検出部が前記第1のマークを検出した後に、
前記中間転写媒体および前記インクリボンの搬送を行いながら印刷を開始するように前記印刷部、前記中間転写媒体搬送部および前記インクリボン搬送部を制御することを特徴とする印刷装置。 - 前記制御部は、前記第1マーク検出センサが前記第1マークを検出した後で前記印刷部を前記印刷位置に移動させる前に、前記印刷領域の先端から前記印刷部までの距離をL1、前記第1のマークから第1マーク検出部までの距離をL2としたときに、L1>L2の関係が成り立つ位置に前記中間転写媒体を搬送するように、前記印刷部および前記中間転写媒体搬送部を制御することを特徴とする請求項6に記載の印刷装置。
- 前記インクリボンに形成された第2のマークを検出する第2マーク検出部をさらに備え、
前記制御部は、前記第1マーク検出センサが前記第1マークを検出した後で前記印刷部を前記印刷位置に移動させる前に、前記印刷領域の先端から前記印刷部までの距離をL1、前記第1のマークから第1マーク検出部までの距離をL2、前記インクリボンの印刷開始位置から前記印刷部までの距離をL3としたときに、L1>L2およびL1=L3の関係が成り立つ位置に前記中間転写媒体および前記インクリボンを搬送するように、前記中間転写媒体搬送部および前記インクリボン搬送部を制御することを特徴とする請求項6に記載の印刷装置。 - 前記インクリボンは複数色のインクが面順次に配設されることで構成されており、
前記制御部は、一色の印刷が終了した後に、前記退避位置に移動させるように前記印刷部を制御し、前記第1のマークが第1マーク検出部を通過するまで前記中間転写不媒体の逆搬送を行い、
前記第2マーク検出部の出力情報に応じて、前記インクリボンの次色の印刷開始位置から前記印刷部までの距離が前記L1と同一となる位置に前記インクリボンの搬送を行うように前記中間転写媒体搬送部および前記インクリボン搬送部を制御することを特徴とする請求項8に記載の印刷装置。 - 前記第2のマークは、前記面順次に配設された複数色のインクのうちの少なくとも一色のインクで構成されたことを特徴とする請求項9に記載の印刷装置。
- インクリボンを介してサーマルヘッドとプラテンとを圧接してフィルム状の中間転写媒体に画像を形成し、形成された画像を印刷媒体に転写する印刷方法であって、
前記サーマルヘッドと前記プラテンとを圧接しない状態で前記中間転写媒体を搬送し、前記中間転写媒体に形成された第1のマークを検出する検出ステップと、
前記検出ステップで検出した第1のマークの検出情報に応じて、前記インクリボンおよび前記中間転写媒体を介して前記サーマルヘッドおよび前記プラテンのいずれか一方をいずれか他方に圧接する圧接ステップと、
前記サーマルヘッドと前記プラテンとを圧接した状態で前記インクリボンおよび前記中間転写媒体を搬送する搬送ステップと、
前記中間転写媒体に形成された第1のマークを再度検出する再検出ステップと、
前記再検出ステップで検出した第1のマークの検出情報に応じて、前記サーマルヘッドと前記プラテンとを圧接した状態で前記中間転写媒体に画像形成を開始する画像形成ステップと、
を含み、
前記搬送ステップにおいて前記インクリボンおよび前記中間転写媒体の搬送が開始された後、前記中間転写媒体および前記インクリボンの搬送を停止させることなく前記マーク再検出ステップおよび前記画像形成ステップが実行されることを特徴とする印刷方法。 - 前記圧接ステップの前に、前記インクリボンに形成された第2のマークを検出して前記中間転写媒体と前記インクリボンとの位置合わせを行う位置合わせステップをさらに含むことを特徴とする請求項11に記載の印刷方法。
- 前記インクリボンは、前記中間転写媒体に複数色の画像を形成するための複数色のインクが面順次に配置されているとともに、位置検出用の第2のマークが形成されており、
前記画像形成ステップにおいて、
前記中間転写媒体に前記インクリボンの複数色のインクのうち一色のインクによる画像形成が終了した後、前記サーマルヘッドと前記プラテンとの圧接を解除する圧接解除ステップと、
前記サーマルヘッドと前記プラテンとの圧接が解除された状態で、前記中間転写媒体を前記サーマルヘッドと前記プラテンとが圧接する圧接位置より上流側に移動させる移動ステップと、
前記中間転写媒体に形成された第1のマークおよび前記インクリボンに形成された第2のマークを検出して前記中間転写媒体と前記インクリボンとの位置合わせを行う位置合わせステップと、
前記位置合わせステップで検出した第1のマークの検出情報に応じて、前記インクリボンおよび前記中間転写媒体を介して前記サーマルヘッドおよび前記プラテンのいずれか一方をいずれか他方に再度圧接する再圧接ステップと、
前記サーマルヘッドと前記プラテンとを再圧接した状態で前記インクリボンおよび前記中間転写媒体を搬送する搬送ステップと、
前記中間転写媒体に形成された第1のマークを再度検出する再検出ステップと、
前記再検出ステップで検出した第1のマークの検出情報に応じて、前記サーマルヘッドと前記プラテンとを再圧接した状態で前記中間転写媒体に前記インクリボンに面順次に配置された複数色のインクのうち前記一色のインクの次のインクによる画像形成を開始する次インク画像形成ステップと、
を含むことを特徴とする請求項11に記載の印刷方法。 - 前記第2のマークは、前記面順次に配設された複数色のインクのうちの少なくとも一色のインクで構成されたことを特徴とする請求項13に記載の印刷方法。
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