WO2013017049A1

WO2013017049A1 - Thermal transfer printer and printing method thereof

Info

Publication number: WO2013017049A1
Application number: PCT/CN2012/079291
Authority: WO
Inventors: 邓少华; 高明; 王鑫; 黄明东
Original assignee: 山东新北洋信息技术股份有限公司; 北京鼎一伟信科技发展有限公司
Priority date: 2011-07-29
Filing date: 2012-07-27
Publication date: 2013-02-07
Also published as: CN102896907B; CN102896907A

Abstract

Disclosed are a thermal transfer printer and printing method thereof, the thermal transfer printer comprising a printing mechanism (100) provided with a print feeding state such that a printing head (111) and a printing rubber roller (12) are tangentially matched, and a separating state such that the printing head (111) and the printing rubber roller (12) are separated; a ribbon mechanism (200) comprising a releasing shaft (210) and a retracting shaft (220), wherein a ribbon is released from the releasing shaft (210), passes through the space between the printing head (111) and the printing rubber roller (12), and is then rewound on the retracting shaft (220); a feeding roller group (300) used to feed printing paper and provided with the print feeding state such that a first roller (310) and a second roller (320) are tangentially matched, and the separating state such that the first roller (310) and the second roller (320) are separated; and a switching device (400) used to switch the printing mechanism (100) from the print feeding state to the separating state when blank data is printed, so as to switch the feeding roller group (300) from the separating state to the printing paper feeding state. The printer only feeds the printing paper without the ribbon when the blank data is printed, thus saving the ribbon and reducing device use costs.

Description

The invention relates to a priority of a Chinese invention patent application filed on July 29, 2011, filed on the Chinese Intellectual Property Office, with the application number 201110216351.2, entitled "Thermal transfer printer and its printing method" The entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to the field of printers, and in particular to a thermal transfer printer and a printing method thereof. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION A structure of a conventional thermal transfer printer is as shown in FIG. 1, and includes a printing mechanism Γ, a ribbon mechanism 2', and a driving mechanism 3', wherein the printing mechanism Γ includes a matching print head 1 and a printing roller 12' The ribbon mechanism 2' includes a dispensing shaft 21' and a recovery shaft 22'. After the unused ribbon is fed from the dispensing shaft 21' to the printhead 1Γ and the printing rubber roller 12', the winding is wound around the recovery shaft 22' The driving motor 3' includes a first motor 3, a second motor 32' and a third motor 33', wherein the first motor 31' is used to drive the printing roller 12' of the printing mechanism to rotate, and the second motor 32 The 'and third motor 33' respectively drive the release shaft 21' of the ribbon mechanism 2' and the recovery shaft 22' to rotate. When printing, the unused ribbon and the printing paper to be printed pass between the print head 1Γ and the printing rubber roller 12', the coated surface of the ribbon contacts the surface of the printing paper, and the non-coated surface of the ribbon The first head motor 3 of the driving mechanism 3' drives the printing rubber roller 12' to rotate, the printing paper and the ribbon are conveyed downstream of the printing mechanism, and the second motor 32' and the third motor 33' respectively drive the dispensing shaft. 21 'and the recovery shaft 22' rotate, the release shaft 21' releases the carbon ribbon, and the recovery shaft 22' recovers the ribbon output from the printing rubber roller 12'. At the same time, the control system heats the heating element of the print head 1Γ, and the ribbon is replaced. The dye on the coated side is transferred to the printing paper to complete the printing. Since the print data includes blank data and non-blank data, when the printer prints blank data, the print head does not generate heat, and the printing paper is conveyed downstream of the printing mechanism, and the ribbon is synchronously conveyed. At this time, the unused ribbon is The print roller 12' is output and wound on the recovery shaft 22', causing waste of the ribbon. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide a thermal transfer printer having a carbon ribbon saving function. It is also an object of the present invention to provide a printing method for a thermal transfer printer to save carbon ribbon. To this end, according to an aspect of the invention, a thermal transfer printer is provided, comprising: a printing mechanism comprising a print head assembly and a printing rubber roller, wherein the print head assembly comprises a print head disposed opposite the printing rubber roller, printing The mechanism has a printing conveyance state in which the printing rubber roller is tangentially matched with the printing head and a separation state in which the printing rubber roller is separated from the printing head; the ribbon mechanism includes a dispensing shaft and a recycling shaft, wherein the carbon ribbon self-issuing shaft passes through the printing head And the printing rubber roller is rewinded on the recycling shaft; the conveying roller group includes a first roller and a second roller, wherein the conveying roller group has a printing paper conveying state of the first roller and the second roller a separation state in which one roller is separated from the second roller; and switching means for switching the printing mechanism from the printing conveyance state to the separation state when the blank data is printed, and switching the conveying roller group from the separated state to the printing paper conveying state. Further, the above print head assembly includes a fixing plate for mounting the print head pivotally attached to the frame and an elastic member biased toward the fixing plate, wherein the fixing plate has a tendency to deflect toward the printing rubber roller. Further, the switching device includes: a first curved rod swinging about an axis of the first shaft on the frame, wherein the second roller of the conveying roller set is connected to the first end of the first curved rod, the first curved The rod has a first rotational position for tangentially engaging the second roller with the first roller and a second rotational position for separating the second roller from the first roller, the second curved lever surrounding the second axis on the frame The axis is oscillating, wherein the print head assembly further includes a support portion abutting the first end of the second curved rod, the second curved rod having a first end pressing support portion for separating the print head from the printing rubber roller a third rotational position and a fourth rotational position for aligning the print head with the printing rubber roller, and a cam having a control wheel abutting against the second end of the first curved rod and the second end of the second curved rod The control wheel surface is configured such that when the first curved lever is in the first rotational position, the second curved lever is in the third rotational position, and when the first curved lever is in the second rotational position, the second curved shape The lever is in the fourth rotational position. Further, the switching device further includes a first elastic returning member that returns the first curved lever to the second rotational position and a second elastic returning member that returns the second curved lever to the third rotational position. Further, the position of the above-described printing rubber roller relative to the printhead assembly is movable. Further, the switching device includes: a first curved rod swinging about an axis of the first shaft on the frame, wherein the second roller of the conveying roller set is connected to the first end of the first curved rod, the first curved The rod has a fifth rotational position that tangentially engages the second roller with the first roller and a sixth rotational position that separates the second roller from the first roller; and a second curved lever that surrounds the second axis on the frame The axis swings, wherein the printing rubber roller is connected to the first end of the second curved rod, and the second curved rod has a seventh rotating position for separating the printing rubber roller from the printing head and the printing rubber roller is matched with the printing head An eighth rotational position; and a cam having a control tread that abuts the second end of the first curved bar and the second end of the second curved bar, wherein the control tread is configured such that the first When the rod is in the sixth rotational position, the second curved rod is in the eighth rotational position, and when the first curved rod is in the fifth rotational position, the second curved rod is in the seventh rotational position. Further, the switching device further includes a third elastic returning member that returns the first curved lever to the sixth rotational position and a fourth elastic returning member that returns the second curved lever to the eighth rotational position. Further, in the printing paper conveying direction, the conveying roller group is located upstream of the printing mechanism, and the second roller and the printing rubber roller are located on the same side of the printing paper. Further, the switching device includes a first switching mechanism that causes the printing mechanism to be selectively in a printing conveyance state or a separated state, and a second switching mechanism that causes the conveying roller group to be selectively in a printing paper conveying state and a separated state. According to another aspect of the present invention, a printing method of a thermal transfer printer is provided, comprising: in a printing process, when a printing length of printed blank data is greater than a set length, causing a printing mechanism of the thermal transfer printer The print head is separated from the printing roller, and the transfer paper set of the thermal transfer printer is used to convey the printing paper in the direction of the printing paper conveyance while stopping the conveyance of the ribbon. The thermal transfer printer provided by the present invention, when printing non-blank data, the switching mechanism drives the printing rubber roller of the printing mechanism to be tangentially matched with the printing head, and drives the first roller and the second roller of the conveying roller group to be separated by the printing rubber roller The printing paper and the used ribbon are conveyed, and the used ribbon is retracted by the recycling shaft; when the blank data is printed, the switching mechanism drives the printing mechanism to separate the printing roller from the printing head, and drives the first roller of the conveying roller group and The second roller is tangentially matched, the printing paper is conveyed by the conveying roller group, and the recovery shaft is controlled to stop the rewinding of the ribbon. Through the switching mechanism, when printing blank data, only the printing paper is conveyed without conveying the ribbon, thereby achieving the purpose of saving the ribbon and reducing the equipment use cost. Other objects, features, and advantages of the invention will be set forth in the <RTIgt; BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in FIG 1 is a schematic structural view of a conventional thermal transfer printer; FIG. 2 is a schematic structural view of a thermal transfer printer according to a first embodiment of the present invention, wherein the switching device is located at the first position; A schematic structural view of a thermal transfer printer according to an embodiment, wherein the switching device is located at the second position; 4 is a perspective view showing a partial structure of a thermal transfer printer according to a first embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 5 is a schematic structural view of a thermal transfer printer according to a second embodiment of the present invention, wherein the switching device is located at the first position; Figure 6 is a schematic view showing the structure of a thermal transfer printer according to a second embodiment of the present invention, wherein the switching device is located at the second position. Description of the reference numerals

100 printing mechanism 200 ribbon mechanism

300 conveyor roller set 400 switching device

11 print head assembly 112 fixed plate

111 print head 12 print rubber roller

13 reels 5 racks

113 elastic element 112a left side board

112b right side panel 112c support board

210 release shaft 220 recovery shaft

310 first roll 320 second roll

2 drive assembly 3 first switching mechanism

4 second switching mechanism 21 motor

22 cam 221 shaft

222 first working face 223 second working face

31 first curved rod 32 first axis

31a first active end 41 second curved rod

41a second active end 41b third active end 112d left support portion 112e right support portion

43 second axis. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The embodiments of the present invention are described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. As shown in FIGS. 2 to 4, the thermal transfer printer includes a printing mechanism 100, a ribbon mechanism 200, a conveying roller set 300, and a switching device 400. The printing mechanism 100 is for printing a predetermined print content on a printing paper. The printing mechanism 100 includes a printhead assembly 11 and a printing blanket 12. The print head assembly 11 is hinged to the frame 5 of the thermal transfer printer via the rotating shaft 13 and is rotatable about the rotating shaft 13; the printing rubber roller 12 is pivotally connected to the frame 5 so as to be freely rotatable about its own axis. When the printhead assembly 11 is rotated about the spindle 13, the printhead 111 in the printhead assembly 11 is separated or tangentially engaged with the print roller 12. Specifically, the printhead assembly 11 includes a printhead 111 and a fixed plate 112, and a resilient member 113. The fixing plate 112 includes a left side plate 112a, a right side plate 112b, and a support plate 112c, wherein the left side plate 112a and the right side plate 112b are disposed in parallel, and the support plate 112c is vertically disposed between the left side plate 112a and the right side plate 112b. The print head 111 is fixedly connected to the support plate 112c, and is located between the left side plate 112a and the right side plate 112b. The rotating shaft 13 hinged to the frame 5 sequentially passes through the end of the left side plate 112a and the right side plate 112b away from the print head 111. The fixing plate 112 and the print head 111 can rotate together around the rotating shaft 13. The elastic member 113 may be a compression spring, a torsion spring or a leaf spring, etc., at least one, located at one end of the support plate 112c to fix the print head 111, and on the side of the support arm 112c away from the print head 111, one end of the elastic member 113 and The support plate 112c is connected, and the other end is connected to the frame 5. Under the action of the elastic member 113, the fixing plate 112 drives the print head 111 to always have a tendency to bias the printing rubber roller 12. When the printing roller 12 is driven, it can be rotated about its own axis, and the printing paper and the carbon ribbon between the printing head 111 and the printing rubber roller 12 can be conveyed downstream in the printing paper conveying direction. The ribbon mechanism 200 includes a dispensing shaft 210 and a recovery shaft 220 disposed axially parallel to the printing blanket 12. Wherein, the dispensing shaft 210 is used to support the unused carbon ribbon, and the recovery shaft 220 is used to wind the carbon ribbon released by the dispensing shaft 210 around its outer circumference. Specifically, when the dispensing shaft 210 is driven to rotate about its own axis, the unused carbon ribbon is released from the dispensing shaft 210, and after the ribbon passes between the printing head 111 and the printing paper, the recovery shaft 220 rotates to rewind the carbon ribbon. On the outer circumference of the recovery shaft 220. The coated side of the ribbon is in contact with the printing paper, and the uncoated side of the ribbon is in contact with the printhead 111. When the printing rubber roller 12 rotates, the carbon ribbon and the printing paper located between the printing head 111 and the printing rubber roller 12 are output to the downstream of the printing mechanism 100, while the recovery shaft 220 is rotated, and the used carbon ribbon is wound around the outer circumference thereof. on. In the printing paper conveying direction, the conveying roller set 300 is located upstream of the printing mechanism 100 for conveying the printing paper downstream of the printing mechanism 100 when the printing head 111 is separated from the printing rubber roller 12. The conveying roller set 300 includes a first roller 310 and a second roller 320 which are disposed oppositely and respectively located on both sides of the printing paper, and the first roller 310 and the second roller 320 are disposed in parallel to the printing rubber roller 12, the first roller 310 and the second roller One of the two is supported by the frame 5 and is free to rotate about its own axis, the other of which is movably coupled to the frame 5, and the first roller 310 is opposite the second roller 320. One of the first roller 310 and the second roller 320 is a driving roller, and the other is a driven roller. When the first roller 310 and the second roller 320 are tangentially matched, the driving roller rotates to drive the driven roller to rotate. The printing paper located between the two is conveyed downstream of the printing mechanism 100. In this embodiment, the first roller 310 of the conveyor roller set 300 is supported by the frame 5, and the second roller 320 is movably connected to the frame 5 as a driving roller. When the first roller 310 and the second roller 320 are tangentially matched, The second roller 320 is driven to drive the first roller 310 to rotate therewith, and the printing paper located between the two can be conveyed downstream of the printing mechanism 100. It should be noted that in other embodiments provided by the present invention, the transport roller set 300 may also be located downstream of the printing mechanism 100 in the direction in which the printing paper is conveyed. The switching device 400 includes a first switching mechanism 3 and a second switching mechanism 4. Wherein, the first switching mechanism 3 causes the first roller 310 and the second roller 320 of the transport roller set 300 to be selectively in a tangentially matched printing paper conveying state or a phase separated separating state, when the first roller 310 of the conveying roller group The first roller 310 and the second roller 320 are capable of driving the movement of the printing paper when the second roller 320 is in a tangentially matched printing paper conveying state, when the first roller 310 and the second roller 320 of the conveying roller group are in phase separation. In the state, the first roller 310 and the second roller 320 cannot drive the paper movement. The second switching mechanism 4 causes the print head 111 of the printing mechanism 100 and the printing blanket roller 12 to be in a tangentially matched print conveyance state or a separated separation state. When the print head 111 of the printing mechanism 100 and the printing rubber roller 12 are in the printing conveyance state, the printing rubber roller 12 can drive the printing paper and the belt movement, and the printing head 111 can be in the printing paper during the movement of the printing paper and the ribbon. Print the set image or text on. When the print head 111 of the printing mechanism 100 is separated from the printing rubber roller 12, the printing rubber roller 12 cannot drive the printing paper and the ribbon movement, and the printing head 111 cannot print on the printing paper. The first switching mechanism 3 includes a first curved lever 31, a first shaft 32, and a drive assembly 2. The drive assembly 2 includes a motor 21 and a cam 22, wherein the motor 21 is fixedly coupled to the frame 5 of the printer while being in driving connection with the cam 22; the cam 22 is hinged to the frame 5 via the rotating shaft 221, and driven by the motor 21, the cam 22 It is possible to rotate about the rotation shaft 221. The outer circumference of the cam 22 includes a first working surface 222 and a second working surface 223, wherein the first working surface 222 is spaced apart from the rotating shaft 221 by a first set distance, and the second working surface 223 is spaced apart from the rotating shaft 221 by a second set distance, A set distance is less than the second set distance. The first curved rod 31 is hinged to the frame 5 through the first shaft 32 and is rotatable about the first shaft 32. One end of the first curved rod 31 is connected to the first roller 310 or the second roller 320 of the conveying assembly 300, and the other end of the first curved rod 31 (hereinafter referred to as a first acting end 31a) and the cam 22 of the driving assembly 2 The first working surface 222 or the second working surface 223 abuts. In this embodiment, the first curved rod 31 is connected to the second roller 320. When the motor 21 of the driving assembly 2 rotates, the driving cam 22 rotates, so that the first working surface 222 of the cam 22 and the first curved rod 31 are first. When the working end 31a is in contact, the first curved rod 31 is rotated by the self-gravity around the first shaft 32, so that the second roller 420 connected to the first curved rod 31 is separated from the first roller 410, and the cam 22 is located at the same time. a location. When the motor 21 drives the cam 22 to continue to rotate about the first shaft 32, and the second working surface 223 of the cam 22 comes into contact with the first acting end 31a of the first curved rod 31, the cam 22 drives the first curved rod 31 around the first The shaft 32 is rotated such that the second roller 320 coupled to the first curved lever 31 is tangentially engaged with the first roller 310, at which time the cam 22 is in the second position. Preferably, in other embodiments provided by the present invention, the first switching mechanism 3 may further include a first elastic member, one end of which is connected to the frame 5 and the other end is connected to the first curved rod 31. Under the action of the first elastic member, the first curved lever 31 always has a tendency to rotate relative to the frame 5, so that the second roller 320 of the transport roller group 300 at one end thereof is separated from the first roller 310. Thus, when the cam 22 is in the first position, the first curved lever 31 rotates relative to the frame 5 under the action of both the first elastic member and the self-gravity of the first curved lever 31, and drives the transport roller set 300. The second roller 320 moves away from the first roller 310 to separate the second roller 320 from the first roller 310; when the cam 22 is in the second position, under the action of the second working surface 223 of the cam 22, the first The curved rod 31 rotates relative to the frame 5 against the elastic force of the first elastic member, so that the second roller 320 is tangentially engaged with the first roller 310. The separation of the first roller 310 and the second roller 320 of the transport roller group 300 is made more reliable by providing the first elastic member. It should be noted that the switching device 400 may include a set of first switching mechanisms 3, and may also include two sets of first switching mechanisms 3. When the switching device includes a set of first switching mechanisms 3, one end of the first curved rod 31 It is connected to an axially intermediate portion of the first roller 310 or the second roller 320 of the transport roller group 300. When the switching device 400 includes two sets of first switching mechanisms 3, the two sets of first switching mechanisms 3 are respectively symmetrically disposed on both sides in the width direction of the printing mechanism 100, and the first curved rods 31 of the two sets of first switching mechanisms 3 are provided. They are respectively connected to both ends of the first roller 310 or the second roller 320 of the transport roller group 300. It should be noted that when the switching device includes two sets of first switching mechanisms 3, the switching device 400 may include a group of driving components 2, and may also include two groups of driving components 2. When the switching device 400 includes a set of driving components 2, the first shafts 32 of the two sets of first switching mechanisms 3 are the same part, and the first curved rods 31 of the two sets of first switching mechanisms 3 pass through the first shaft 32. It is hinged to the side wall of the frame 5. The driving assembly 2 is connected to one of the two sets of first switching mechanisms, and the two first curved rods 31 of the two sets of first switching mechanisms 3 can be synchronously rotated by the first shaft 32, so that the conveying roller set 300 can be Both ends of the first roller 310 or the second roller 320 are simultaneously lifted or lowered to make the printing paper convey more smoothly. The second switching mechanism 4 includes a second curved lever 41, a second shaft 43, and a drive assembly 2. That is, the first switching mechanism 3 and the second switching mechanism 4 share the same drive assembly 2. The number of the second curved rods 41 is two, which are respectively located at two sides of the printing mechanism 100, and the two second curved rods 41 are fixedly connected with the second shaft 43 with respect to the widthwise direction of the printing mechanism 100, and the second The two shafts 43 are hinged to the side walls of the frame 5 so that the two second curved bars 41 can be rotated synchronously with respect to the frame 5. Wherein, the second working end 41a is disposed at one end of the two second curved rods 41, and the second working end 41a can abut the first working surface 222 or the second working surface 223 of the cam 22 of the driving assembly 2, The other ends of the two second curved rods 41 are provided with a third acting end 41b, which is in contact with or separated from the left supporting portion 112d and the right supporting portion 112e of the fixing plate 112, respectively, wherein the left side of the fixing plate 112 The support portion 112d is connected to the left side plate 112a of the fixed plate 112, and the right support portion 112e of the fixed plate 112 is connected to the right side plate 112b of the fixed plate 112. When the cam 22 is in the first position, the first working surface 222 of the cam 22 is in contact with the second acting end 41a of the second curved rod 41. At this time, the fixing plate 112 is rotated by the elastic member 113 around the rotating shaft 13 The printing roller 12 is rotated in the direction until the print head 111 is tangentially engaged with the printing rubber roller 12. The print head assembly 11 is supported by the printing rubber roller 12, and the left support portion 112d and the right support portion 112e of the fixing plate 112 press the third acting end 41b of the second curved rod 41 so that the two second curved rods 41 are opposed to the frame 53 synchronous rotation; when the cam 22 is in the second position, the second working surface 223 of the cam 22 is in contact with the second acting end 41a of the second curved rod 41, driving the two second curved rods 41 to the second shaft 43 The center is synchronously rotated relative to the frame 5 such that the third acting ends 41b of the two second curved bars 41 are in contact with the left support portion 112d of the left side plate 112a of the fixed plate 112 and the right support portion 112e of the right side plate 112b, respectively. . The two second curved rods 41 overcome the elastic force of the elastic member 113, and lift the fixing plate 112 away from the printing rubber roller 12, so that the printing head 111 is separated from the printing rubber roller 12, and the printing head assembly 11 is composed of two. The third acting end 41b of the second curved rod 41 is supported. Preferably, in other embodiments provided by the present invention, the second switching mechanism 4 may further include a second elastic element, one end of which is connected to the frame 5 and the other end is connected to the second curved rod 41. Under the action of the second elastic member, the second curved rod 41 always has a rotation relative to the frame 5, so that the third acting end 41b of the second curved rod 41 moves toward the fixing plate 112, thereby lifting the fixing plate 112. As a result, the movement tendency of the print head 111 to be separated from the printing blanket 12 is made. Thus, when the cam 22 is in the second position, the second curved rod 41 rotates relative to the frame 5 under the action of both the second elastic member and the cam 22, and the two second curved rods 41 overcome the elastic member 113. The elastic force lifts the fixing plate 112 away from the printing rubber roller 12 to separate the printing head 111 from the printing rubber roller 12. By providing the second elastic member, the separation of the print head 111 from the printing rubber roller 12 can be made more reliable. The operation of the thermal transfer printer provided in this embodiment will be described below. The print data received by the thermal transfer printer includes blank data and non-blank data. The blank data means that the print head does not generate heat when the print head performs one line or several lines of printing. At this time, the print head does not form an image on the paper. Or text, that is, one or more lines of blank on the printing paper; non-blank data means that the heating element of the printing head is heated when the printing head prints one line or consecutive lines, and an image or text is formed on the printing paper. When the thermal transfer printer prints non-blank data, the controller of the thermal transfer printer controls the motor 21 of the switching device 400 to rotate, so that the cam 22 of the switching device 400 is in the first position, at this time, the print head 111 and the printing rubber roller 12 With the tangential fit, the first roller 310 and the second roller 320 of the transport roller set 300 are separated, the printing rubber roller 12 and the recovery shaft 220 are respectively driven, and the printing rubber roller 12 transports the printing paper and the ribbon downstream of the printing mechanism 100 to recover the shaft. 220 The used carbon ribbon is wound around its outer circumference, and at the same time, the heating element of the printing head 111 generates heat, and the carbon-coated dye is transferred onto the printing paper to form an image or a character to complete the printing. When printing the blank data, in order to save the ribbon, the controller of the thermal transfer printer controls the motor 21 of the switching device 400 to rotate, so that the cam 22 of the switching device 400 is in the second position, at this time, the print head 111 and the printing roller 12 Separating, the first roller 310 and the second roller 320 of the conveying roller set 300 are tangentially matched, the printing rubber roller 12 and the second roller 320 continue to rotate, and the recovery shaft 220 stops rotating. At this time, the conveying roller group 300 prints the printing paper to the printing. The mechanism 100 continues to convey in the downstream direction. Since the print head 111 is separated from the printing rubber roller 12, and the recovery shaft 220 stops rotating, the carbon ribbon located between the printing head 111 and the printing rubber roller 12 is stopped. Thus, when blank data is printed, only the printing paper is conveyed without conveying the ribbon, thereby saving the ribbon. The embodiment provides a thermal transfer printer having a carbon ribbon saving function. By switching the device 400, the printing paper is conveyed by the printing rubber roller 12 when printing non-blank data, and the used carbon ribbon is recovered by the recycling shaft 220; At the same time, the printing paper is conveyed by the conveying roller set 300, and the recovery shaft 220 stops rotating, thereby saving the carbon ribbon and reducing the use cost of the apparatus. 5 is a schematic structural view of a thermal transfer printer according to a second embodiment of the present invention, wherein the switching device is located at the first position, and FIG. 6 is a schematic structural view of the thermal transfer printer according to the second embodiment of the present invention, wherein the switching device is located Second position. As shown in the figure, the present embodiment is different from the previous embodiment in that the second switching mechanism 4 supports both ends of the printing rubber roller 12 in this embodiment, and the printing rubber roller 12 can be driven to rotate about its own axis. Under the action of the driving assembly 2, the second switching mechanism 4 drives the printing rubber roller 12 to move relative to the frame 5, and is tangentially matched or separated from the printing head 111. Specifically, one end of each of the two second curved levers 41 of the second switching mechanism 4 is respectively connected to both ends of the printing rubber roller 12. When the cam 22 is in the first position, the second working surface 223 of the cam 22 is in contact with the second acting end 41a of the second curved rod 41, and drives the two second curved rods 41 to rotate relative to the frame 5, so that The printing rubber roller 12 connected to the other end of the two second curved levers 41 is tangentially engaged with the printing head 111, at which time the printhead assembly 11 is supported by the printing rubber roller 12. When the cam 22 is in the second position, the first working surface 222 of the cam 22 is in contact with the second acting end 41a of the second curved rod 41, and each of the second curved rods 41 is rotated by the self-gravity against the frame 5, so that The printing rubber roller 12 connected to the other end of each of the second curved rods 41 is moved away from the printing head assembly 11 to separate the printing rubber roller 12 from the printing head 111. At this time, the printing head assembly 11 is subjected to the action of the elastic member 113. The printing head roller 11 is biased in the direction of the printing rubber roller 12 until it is overlapped on the stopper 51 on the frame 5. The thermal transfer printer with the carbon ribbon saving function provided by the embodiment can move the printing rubber roller relative to the printing head through the switching device, and can also achieve the purpose of saving the carbon ribbon, and can be adapted to different customer use requirements. It should be noted that, in other embodiments of the present invention, the driving mechanisms of the first switching mechanism and the second switching mechanism may be replaced by an actuator such as an electromagnet, and the first switching mechanism and the second switching mechanism are also integrally It can be replaced by an actuator such as an electromagnet. The invention also provides a printing method for saving carbon ribbon, that is, in the printing process, when the printing length of the printed blank data is greater than the set length, the printing head and the printing glue of the printing mechanism of the thermal transfer printer are made The rollers are separated, and the printing paper is conveyed in the printing paper conveying direction by the conveying roller group of the thermal transfer printer while stopping the conveyance of the carbon ribbon. Specifically, in the printing process, when the print blank data is encountered, the controller of the thermal transfer printer determines whether the print length of the blank data to be printed is greater than the set length, and switches the working state of the thermal transfer printer according to the judgment result. . When it is larger than the set length, the print head of the printing mechanism of the thermal transfer printer is separated from the printing rubber roller, and the printing paper is conveyed in the printing paper conveying direction by the conveying roller group while stopping the conveyance of the carbon ribbon. When it is not larger than the set length, the original printing state is maintained, even if the print head of the printing mechanism of the thermal transfer printer and the printing rubber roller are tangentially matched, in the printing conveyance state, and the first of the conveying roller group is The roller and the second roller are in a separated state, and the ribbon is in a normal conveying state. Among them, the selection of the length is selected so as not to affect the printing speed and to make the printing smooth. In different use occasions, different setting lengths can be selected to balance the printing efficiency and the ribbon saving. The above is only the preferred embodiment of the present invention, and is not intended to limit the present invention, and various modifications and changes can be made to the present invention. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, improvements, etc. made within the spirit and scope of the present invention are intended to be included within the scope of the present invention.

Claims

Claim

A thermal transfer printer, comprising:

a printing mechanism, comprising a print head assembly and a printing rubber roller, wherein the print head assembly comprises a print head disposed opposite to the printing rubber roller, the printing mechanism having the printing rubber roller tangentially matched with the printing head a printing conveyance state and a separated state in which the printing rubber roller is separated from the printing head; a ribbon mechanism including a dispensing shaft and a recycling shaft, wherein a ribbon is fed from the dispensing shaft, through the printing head, and the printing paste Between the rolls, rewinding on the recovery shaft;

a conveying roller set, comprising a first roller and a second roller, wherein the conveying roller group has a printing paper conveying state in which the first roller and the second roller are tangentially matched, and the first roller is separated from the second roller Separation state;

And switching means for switching the printing mechanism from the printing conveyance state to the separated state when printing blank data, and switching the conveying roller group from the separated state to the printing paper conveying state.

2. The thermal transfer printer according to claim 1, wherein the print head assembly comprises a fixing plate pivotally mounted on the frame and the elastic member biased toward the fixing plate Wherein the fixing plate has a tendency to deflect toward the printing rubber roller.

3. The thermal transfer printer according to claim 2, wherein the switching device comprises: a first curved lever that swings about an axis of the first shaft on the frame, wherein the conveying roller a second roller of the set is coupled to the first end of the first curved bar, the first curved bar having a first rotational position for tangentially engaging the second roller with the first roller and a second rotational position in which the second roller and the first roller are separated,

a second curved rod swinging about an axis of the second shaft on the frame, wherein the print head assembly further includes a support portion abutting the first end of the second curved rod, the The second curved rod has a third rotational position at which the first end abuts the support portion to separate the print head from the printing rubber roller and a fourth tangential fit between the print head and the printing rubber roller Rotating position, and

a cam having a control tread abutting against a second end of the first curved bar and a second end of the second curved bar, the control tread being configured such that the first curved shape The second curved lever is in the third rotational position when the lever is in the first rotational position, and the second curved lever is in the fourth rotational position when the first curved lever is in the second rotational position. A thermal transfer printer according to claim 3, wherein said switching means further comprises a first elastic returning member for returning said first curved lever to said second rotational position and said second The curved rod returns to the second elastic return element in the third rotational position. The thermal transfer printer of claim 1 wherein the position of the printing blanket relative to the printhead assembly is movable. A thermal transfer printer according to claim 5, wherein said switching means comprises: a first curved lever swinging about an axis of said first shaft on said frame, wherein said conveying roller group a second roller coupled to the first end of the first curved rod, the first curved rod having a fifth rotational position that tangentially mates the second roller with the first roller and the second roller a sixth rotational position separated from the first roller;

a second curved rod swinging about an axis of the second shaft on the frame, wherein the printing rubber roller is coupled to the first end of the second curved rod, and the second curved rod has a seventh rotational position at which the printing rubber roller is separated from the printing head and an eighth rotational position in which the printing rubber roller is tangentially matched with the printing head;

a cam having a control tread abutting against a second end of the first curved bar and a second end of the second curved bar, wherein the control tread is configured such that the first curved shape The second curved lever is in the eighth rotational position when the lever is in the sixth rotational position, and the second curved lever is in the seventh rotational position when the first curved lever is in the fifth rotational position. A thermal transfer printer according to claim 6, wherein said switching means further comprises a third elastic returning member for returning said first curved lever to said sixth rotational position and said second The curved lever returns to the fourth elastic returning element of the eighth rotational position. The thermal transfer printer according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein, in the printing paper conveying direction, the conveying roller group is located upstream of the printing mechanism, the second roller and the printing The rubber rollers are located on the same side of the printing paper. A thermal transfer printer according to claim 1, wherein said switching means includes a first switching mechanism for selectively causing said printing mechanism to be in a printing conveyance state or a separation state, and selecting said conveying roller A second switching mechanism in a state in which the printing paper is conveyed and separated. A printing method of a thermal transfer printer according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that it comprises: In the printing process, when the print length of the printed blank data is greater than the set length, the print head of the printing mechanism of the thermal transfer printer is separated from the printing roller, and the transport roller set of the thermal transfer printer is utilized. The paper is conveyed in the direction in which the paper is fed, and the ribbon is stopped at the same time.