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EP0677396A1 - Ribbon tension changing device, in case of adhering to a printing carrier - Google Patents

Ribbon tension changing device, in case of adhering to a printing carrier Download PDF

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Publication number
EP0677396A1
EP0677396A1 EP95400609A EP95400609A EP0677396A1 EP 0677396 A1 EP0677396 A1 EP 0677396A1 EP 95400609 A EP95400609 A EP 95400609A EP 95400609 A EP95400609 A EP 95400609A EP 0677396 A1 EP0677396 A1 EP 0677396A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
ribbon
finger
modifying
take
per unit
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Granted
Application number
EP95400609A
Other languages
German (de)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP0677396B1 (en
Inventor
Paul Morgavi
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Gemplus SA
Original Assignee
Gemplus Card International SA
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Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Gemplus Card International SA filed Critical Gemplus Card International SA
Publication of EP0677396A1 publication Critical patent/EP0677396A1/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP0677396B1 publication Critical patent/EP0677396B1/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • 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
    • B41J33/00—Apparatus or arrangements for feeding ink ribbons or like character-size impression-transfer material
    • B41J33/14—Ribbon-feed devices or mechanisms
    • B41J33/34—Ribbon-feed devices or mechanisms driven by motors independently of the machine as a whole

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a device for modifying the tension of a ribbon wound on a take-up reel, the ribbon being for example intended for thermal transfer on a dye support occurring sequentially on the ribbon.
  • plastic tape on which are sequentially deposited primary dyes, yellow, magenta, cyan, making it possible to obtain, by combination of the different wavelengths called subtractive, a palette of several million colors or tints.
  • the ribbon is presented wound on a storage reel, whose axis turns freely; another reel, called receiver, is used to wind the ribbon after use, and is provided with a drive motor means.
  • the winding speed expressed in turns of take-up reel, varies with each turn since the diameter of the circumference of the take-up drum increases by the thickness of a new layer.
  • the process of hot transfer of dyes from the ribbon to the card involves modulating the temperature of the thermal head according to the shade: dark colors require a higher temperature than light colors. This technical imperative tends to cause, for the printing of dark colors, a sticking of the ribbon on the card due to the softening of the plastic components, with as a consequence printing defects and an additional and parasitic entrainment of the card by the glued tape causing other printing defects.
  • the amount of plasticizer can vary from 5 to 20% depending on the manufacturer, causing a variation in the softening temperature from 50 to 70 degrees Celsius.
  • a flattening device was used, the function of which is to modify the angle of escape of the ribbon in order to create, during the course of a few millimeters separating the axes of the thermal print head and of the flattener, a zone of least effort on the ribbon, a sort of belly delaying the tearing of the latter during printing, allowing the dye to diffuse into the material of the card, the delay being also taken advantage of for cool card and ribbon.
  • the object of the invention is therefore to produce a device for modifying the tension of the ribbon which overcomes this drawback.
  • the device according to the invention uses a feeler which continuously feels the ribbon after the flattener and, depending on the position of the identified feeler, the device makes corrections to the reel winding speed receptor.
  • the invention relates to a device for modifying the tension of a ribbon which is wound on a take-up reel, said take-up reel being driven in rotation by a stepping motor which is controlled by a control system so as to obtain a linear speed of travel of the ribbon which is constant whatever the diameter of the ribbon on the take-up spool, said ribbon passing between a thermal print head and a card to be printed so as to deposit dyes carried by the ribbon on the card to be to print, characterized in that it comprises: a device for detecting the position of the strip relative to its normal running plane and a device for modifying the number of steps per unit time of the motor (16) when the strip deviates from its normal running plane.
  • the printer to which the invention applies comprises a thermal printing head 20, the lower part of which includes resistors heated by an electric current which is modulated as a function of the colors to be obtained on a printing card 18.
  • the dyes for these colors are carried by a ribbon 12 which passes under the thermal print head at the resistors.
  • the ribbon is stored on a storage reel 30 and is wound up, after passing under the thermal printing head 20 guided by rollers 32, 33, on a take-up reel 17 which is rotated by a motor 16.
  • the motor 16 is of the stepping type and its rotation is controlled by an electronic system 31 so as to obtain a linear speed of travel of the ribbon 12 under the thermal print head which remains constant whatever the diameter of the ribbon on the spool receptor 17.
  • Such an electronic system 31 has been described in patent application No. 94 02118 filed on February 24, 1994 by the Applicant and entitled "SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR DRIVING THE TAPE OF A TAPE ON A RECEIVING COIL".
  • Such an electronic system 31 includes an optical detection device 34 of the displacement of the ribbon 12 and an electronic circuit 35, of the microprocessor type, for calculating the speed of the ribbon 12 and deducing therefrom by calculation the number of steps per unit time of the motor 16 .
  • the print head 20 is associated with a flattening device 19 whose vertical position has been adjusted during assembly to modify the angle of escape of the ribbon under the thermal print head.
  • the device according to the invention comprises a probe 10 which is integral with the thermal printing head 20 and the flattener 19 and which is arranged after these two elements in the direction of scrolling the ribbon 12.
  • This probe 10 consists of a finger 13 which slides freely in a sheath 36 so that its lower end 11 remains in permanent contact with the face of the ribbon 12 which is on the side of the print head 20.
  • the upper end 37 of the finger 13 cooperates with a device 14 for detecting the vertical position of the finger 13 which comprises an optical cell 14A. During the vertical movement of the finger 13, the upper end 37 masks or unmasks these cells separated by a determined distance, which allows an electronic circuit 15, receiving the signals from the cells to calculate the length of the vertical movement of the finger 13. This displacement length information is used in a circuit or device electronics 38 to modify the number of steps per unit time of the motor 16 according to a determined function.
  • this information can be used directly by the microprocessor 35 which will therefore perform the function of the device 38.
  • the flattener 19 determines an angle of escape of the ribbon 12 detected by the finger 13 such that the cell 14A is masked and that it it is not necessary to make a correction to the tension of the tape 12.
  • the electronic circuit 15 calculates the length of the movement of the finger 13, which length is representative of the length of bonding of the tape 12 on the card 18.
  • This vertical displacement length of finger 13 information is transmitted to the modification device 38 (or to the microprocessor 35) of the control system of the stepping motor 16 of the take-up reel 17.
  • the device 38 or the microprocessor 35 modifies the number steps per unit of time to be increased the rotation of the motor 16 to tension the ribbon 12 and bring it back into contact with the flattener 19. This increase is progressive so as not to cause jolts.
  • the device 38 or the microprocessor 35 will gradually increase, according to a predetermined function, the number of steps per unit of time to bring it, for example, to + 33% compared to the value in normal operation.
  • the device 38 or the microprocessor 35 corrects in less the number of steps per unit time of the motor 16 while respecting a progressiveness.
  • the device is therefore able to permanently correct the speed of winding of the strip to compensate for the tension to be given to the strip to combat the phenomenon of sticking and gradually return to normal speed and tension.

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  • Impression-Transfer Materials And Handling Thereof (AREA)
  • Controlling Rewinding, Feeding, Winding, Or Abnormalities Of Webs (AREA)
  • Thermal Transfer Or Thermal Recording In General (AREA)

Abstract

The appts. includes a feeler (10) which is associated with an optical detector (14,15). It senses the displacement of the ribbon used in the thermal printing process. The detection of the ribbon displacement is used to modify the number of steps recorded per unit time, in association with a stepping motor. The device monitors the transfer of the ribbon between supply and take-up spools (30,17), with a control able to modify the stepping motor speed in response to the detected information. <IMAGE>

Description

La présente invention concerne un dispositif de modification de la tension d'un ruban enroulé sur une bobine réceptrice, le ruban étant par exemple prévu pour le transfert thermique sur un support de colorants se présentant séquentiellement sur le ruban.The present invention relates to a device for modifying the tension of a ribbon wound on a take-up reel, the ribbon being for example intended for thermal transfer on a dye support occurring sequentially on the ribbon.

Il est connu la technologie du transfert thermique dans laquelle le colorant n'est pas projeté mais déposé et fixé sur la surface à imprimer grâce aux résistances qui composent une tête d'impression thermique chauffant un ruban, enduit de colorants, par le biais d'un courant électrique modulé.It is known the technology of thermal transfer in which the dye is not sprayed but deposited and fixed on the surface to be printed thanks to the resistors which compose a thermal print head heating a ribbon, coated with dyes, by means of a modulated electric current.

Il est également connu la technologie du ruban plastique sur lequel sont déposés séquentiellement des colorants primaires, jaune, magenta, cyan, permettant d'obtenir, par combinaison des différentes longueurs d'onde dites soustractives, une palette de plusieurs millions de couleurs ou teintes.It is also known the technology of plastic tape on which are sequentially deposited primary dyes, yellow, magenta, cyan, making it possible to obtain, by combination of the different wavelengths called subtractive, a palette of several million colors or tints.

Pour obtenir une qualité haute définition d'impression, en particulier dans les travaux de personnalisation graphique de cartes à mémoire, il est impératif de parfaitement synchroniser la vitesse de défilement du ruban sous la tête d'impression thermique à la vitesse de translation horizontale de la carte à imprimer sous ladite tête.To obtain a high definition print quality, in particular in the graphic personalization work of memory cards, it is imperative to perfectly synchronize the speed of travel of the ribbon under the thermal print head with the speed of horizontal translation of the map to be printed under said head.

Le ruban est présenté enroulé sur une bobine de stockage, dont l'axe tourne librement; une autre bobine, dite réceptrice, est utilisée pour enrouler le ruban après usage, et est dotée d'un moyen moteur d'entraînement. Pour une vitesse de déplacement linéaire constante sous la tête d'impression thermique, la vitesse d'enroulement, exprimée en tours de bobine réceptrice, varie à chaque tour puisque le diamètre de la circonférence du tambour d'enroulement croît de l'épaisseur d'une nouvelle couche.The ribbon is presented wound on a storage reel, whose axis turns freely; another reel, called receiver, is used to wind the ribbon after use, and is provided with a drive motor means. For a constant linear displacement speed under the thermal print head, the winding speed, expressed in turns of take-up reel, varies with each turn since the diameter of the circumference of the take-up drum increases by the thickness of a new layer.

Le procédé de transfert à chaud des colorants du ruban sur la carte implique une modulation de la température de la tête thermique en fonction de la teinte : les couleurs sombres nécessitent une température plus élevée que les couleurs claires. Cet impératif technique a tendance à provoquer, pour l'impression des couleurs sombres, un collage du ruban sur la carte du fait du ramollissement des composants plastiques, avec pour conséquence des défauts d'impression et un entraînement supplémentaire et parasite de la carte par le ruban collé causant d'autres défauts d'impression.The process of hot transfer of dyes from the ribbon to the card involves modulating the temperature of the thermal head according to the shade: dark colors require a higher temperature than light colors. This technical imperative tends to cause, for the printing of dark colors, a sticking of the ribbon on the card due to the softening of the plastic components, with as a consequence printing defects and an additional and parasitic entrainment of the card by the glued tape causing other printing defects.

Ce phénomène de collage prend plus ou moins d'ampleur selon la composition du matériau revêtant les deux faces des cartes. En effet, dans le cas de cartes plastiques, la quantité de plastifiant peut varier de 5 à 20% selon les fabricants, entraînant une variation de la température de ramollissement de 50 à 70 degrés Celsius.This bonding phenomenon becomes more or less extensive depending on the composition of the material coating the two faces of the cards. In fact, in the case of plastic cards, the amount of plasticizer can vary from 5 to 20% depending on the manufacturer, causing a variation in the softening temperature from 50 to 70 degrees Celsius.

Pour pallier ces inconvénients, il a été fait appel à un dispositif aplatisseur dont la fonction consiste à modifier l'angle d'échappement du ruban afin de créer, pendant le parcours de quelques millimètres séparant les axes de la tête d'impression thermique et de l'aplatisseur, une zone de moindre effort sur le ruban, sorte de ventre retardant l'arrachement de celui-ci pendant l'impression, permettant la diffusion du colorant dans le matériau de la carte, le délai étant par ailleurs mis a profit pour refroidir carte et ruban.To overcome these drawbacks, a flattening device was used, the function of which is to modify the angle of escape of the ribbon in order to create, during the course of a few millimeters separating the axes of the thermal print head and of the flattener, a zone of least effort on the ribbon, a sort of belly delaying the tearing of the latter during printing, allowing the dye to diffuse into the material of the card, the delay being also taken advantage of for cool card and ribbon.

Un dispositif de pilotage de la vitesse du ruban est décrit dans la demande de brevet français n° 94 02118 intitulée : "SYSTEME ET PROCEDE DE PILOTAGE DE L'ENROULEMENT D'UN RUBAN SUR UNE BOBINE RECEPTRICE" et déposée le 24 février 1994 par la demanderesse.A device for controlling the speed of the ribbon is described in French patent application No. 94 02118 entitled: "SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR DRIVING THE WINDING OF A TAPE ON A RECEIVING COIL "and filed on February 24, 1994 by the plaintiff.

Mais ce dispositif décrit se révèle insuffisant dès lors que le phénomène de collage devient plus intense du fait de la qualité des cartes et des teintes très foncées des colorants.However, this described device turns out to be insufficient when the bonding phenomenon becomes more intense due to the quality of the cards and the very dark colors of the dyes.

Une solution consiste à augmenter de manière permanente la tension d'enroulement du ruban sur la bobine réceptrice mais alors cela à tendance à provoquer un tassement des spires du ruban déjà enroulées sur la bobine sans que cette variable puisse être détectée par le dispositif décrit.One solution is to permanently increase the winding tension of the ribbon on the take-up reel, but this tends to cause the windings of the ribbon already wound on the reel to settle without this variable being able to be detected by the device described.

L'invention a donc pour but de réaliser un dispositif de modification de la tension du ruban qui pallie cet inconvénient.The object of the invention is therefore to produce a device for modifying the tension of the ribbon which overcomes this drawback.

A cet effet, le dispositif selon l'invention fait appel à un palpeur qui palpe en permanence le ruban après l'aplatisseur et, en fonction de la position du palpeur repérée, le dispositif apporte des corrections à la vitesse d'enroulement de la bobine réceptrice.To this end, the device according to the invention uses a feeler which continuously feels the ribbon after the flattener and, depending on the position of the identified feeler, the device makes corrections to the reel winding speed receptor.

L'invention concerne un dispositif de modification de la tension d'un ruban qui s'enroule sur une bobine réceptrice, ladite bobine réceptrice étant entraînée en rotation par un moteur pas à pas qui est commandé par un système de pilotage de manière à obtenir une vitesse linéaire de défilement du ruban qui soit constante quelle que soit le diamètre du ruban sur la bobine réceptrice, ledit ruban passant entre une tête d'impression thermique et une carte à imprimer de manière à déposer des colorants portés par le ruban sur la carte à imprimer,
caractérisé en ce qu'il comprend :
- un dispositif de détection de la position du ruban par rapport à son plan normal de défilement et un dispositif pour modifier le nombre de pas par unité de temps du moteur (16) lorsque le ruban s'écarte de son plan normal de défilement.The invention relates to a device for modifying the tension of a ribbon which is wound on a take-up reel, said take-up reel being driven in rotation by a stepping motor which is controlled by a control system so as to obtain a linear speed of travel of the ribbon which is constant whatever the diameter of the ribbon on the take-up spool, said ribbon passing between a thermal print head and a card to be printed so as to deposit dyes carried by the ribbon on the card to be to print,
characterized in that it comprises:
a device for detecting the position of the strip relative to its normal running plane and a device for modifying the number of steps per unit time of the motor (16) when the strip deviates from its normal running plane.

D'autres caractéristiques et avantages de la présente invention apparaîtront à la lecture de la description suivante d'un exemple particulier de réalisation, ladite description étant faite en relation avec les dessins joints dans lesquels :

  • la figure 1 est une vue schématique d'une imprimante à tête d'impression thermique et ruban qui comprend un dispositif de modification de la vitesse d'enroulement du ruban sur la bobine réceptrice selon l'invention, le palpeur dudit dispositif étant en position normale, et
  • la figure 2 est une vue similaire à celle de la figure 1 montrant le palpeur du ruban en position de détection d'une amorce de collage.
Other characteristics and advantages of the present invention will appear on reading the following description of a particular embodiment, said description being made in relation to the accompanying drawings in which:
  • Figure 1 is a schematic view of a printer with thermal print head and ribbon which comprises a device for modifying the speed of winding of the ribbon on the take-up spool according to the invention, the feeler of said device being in the normal position , and
  • FIG. 2 is a view similar to that of FIG. 1 showing the feeler of the tape in the position of detection of a bonding initiation.

L'imprimante à laquelle s'applique l'invention comprend une tête d'impression thermique 20 dont la partie inférieure comporte des résistances chauffées par un courant électrique qui est modulé en fonction des teintes à obtenir sur une carte à imprimer 18. Les colorants pour obtenir ces couleurs sont portés par un ruban 12 qui défile sous la tête d'impression thermique au niveau des résistances. Le ruban est stocké sur une bobine de stockage 30 et s'enroule, après être passé sous la tête d'impression thermique 20 guidé par des galets 32, 33, sur une bobine réceptrice 17 qui est entraînée en rotation par un moteur 16. Le moteur 16 est du type pas à pas et sa rotation est commandée par un système électronique 31 de manière à obtenir une vitesse linéaire de défilement du ruban 12 sous la tête d'impression thermique qui reste constante quelle que soit le diamètre du ruban sur la bobine réceptrice 17.The printer to which the invention applies comprises a thermal printing head 20, the lower part of which includes resistors heated by an electric current which is modulated as a function of the colors to be obtained on a printing card 18. The dyes for these colors are carried by a ribbon 12 which passes under the thermal print head at the resistors. The ribbon is stored on a storage reel 30 and is wound up, after passing under the thermal printing head 20 guided by rollers 32, 33, on a take-up reel 17 which is rotated by a motor 16. The motor 16 is of the stepping type and its rotation is controlled by an electronic system 31 so as to obtain a linear speed of travel of the ribbon 12 under the thermal print head which remains constant whatever the diameter of the ribbon on the spool receptor 17.

Un tel système électronique 31 a été décrit dans la demande de brevet n° 94 02118 déposée le 24 février 1994 par la demanderesse et intitulée "SYSTEME ET PROCEDE DE PILOTAGE DE L'ENROULEMENT D'UN RUBAN SUR UNE BOBINE RECEPTRICE". Un tel système électronique 31 comprend un dispositif de détection optique 34 du déplacement du ruban 12 et un circuit électronique 35, du type microprocesseur, pour calculer la vitesse du ruban 12 et en déduire par calcul le nombre de pas par unité de temps du moteur 16.Such an electronic system 31 has been described in patent application No. 94 02118 filed on February 24, 1994 by the Applicant and entitled "SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR DRIVING THE TAPE OF A TAPE ON A RECEIVING COIL". Such an electronic system 31 includes an optical detection device 34 of the displacement of the ribbon 12 and an electronic circuit 35, of the microprocessor type, for calculating the speed of the ribbon 12 and deducing therefrom by calculation the number of steps per unit time of the motor 16 .

A la tête d'impression 20 est associé un dispositif aplatisseur 19 dont la position verticale a été réglée au montage pour modifier l'angle d'échappement du ruban sous la tête d'impression thermique.The print head 20 is associated with a flattening device 19 whose vertical position has been adjusted during assembly to modify the angle of escape of the ribbon under the thermal print head.

Dans l'imprimante qui vient d'être décrite, le dispositif selon l'invention comprend un palpeur 10 qui est solidaire de la tête d'impression thermique 20 et de l'aplatisseur 19 et qui est disposé après ces deux éléments dans le sens de défilement du ruban 12.In the printer which has just been described, the device according to the invention comprises a probe 10 which is integral with the thermal printing head 20 and the flattener 19 and which is arranged after these two elements in the direction of scrolling the ribbon 12.

Ce palpeur 10 est constitué d'un doigt 13 qui coulisse librement dans un fourreau 36 de manière que son extrémité inférieure 11 reste en contact permanent avec la face du ruban 12 qui est du côté de la tête d'impression 20.This probe 10 consists of a finger 13 which slides freely in a sheath 36 so that its lower end 11 remains in permanent contact with the face of the ribbon 12 which is on the side of the print head 20.

L'extrémité supérieure 37 du doigt 13 coopère avec un dispositif de détection 14 de la position verticale du doigt 13 qui comprend une cellule optique 14A. Lors du déplacement vertical du doigt 13, l'extrémité supérieure 37 vient masquer ou démasquer ces cellules séparées par une distance déterminée, ce qui permet à un circuit électronique 15, recevant les signaux des cellules de calculer la longueur du déplacement vertical du doigt 13. Cette information de longueur du déplacement est utilisé dans un circuit ou dispositif électronique 38 pour modifier le nombre de pas par unité de temps du moteur 16 selon une fonction déterminée.The upper end 37 of the finger 13 cooperates with a device 14 for detecting the vertical position of the finger 13 which comprises an optical cell 14A. During the vertical movement of the finger 13, the upper end 37 masks or unmasks these cells separated by a determined distance, which allows an electronic circuit 15, receiving the signals from the cells to calculate the length of the vertical movement of the finger 13. This displacement length information is used in a circuit or device electronics 38 to modify the number of steps per unit time of the motor 16 according to a determined function.

Dans une variante, cette information peut être utilisée directement par le microprocesseur 35 qui réalisera donc la fonction du dispositif 38.In a variant, this information can be used directly by the microprocessor 35 which will therefore perform the function of the device 38.

Le fonctionnement du dispositif est le suivant. Dans le cas où l'impression de la carte 18 se déroule normalement (figure 1), l'aplatisseur 19 détermine un angle d'échappement du ruban 12 détecté par le doigt 13 tel que la cellule 14A soit masquée et qu'il n'est pas nécessaire d'apporter une correction à la tension du ruban 12.The operation of the device is as follows. In the case where the printing of the card 18 proceeds normally (FIG. 1), the flattener 19 determines an angle of escape of the ribbon 12 detected by the finger 13 such that the cell 14A is masked and that it it is not necessary to make a correction to the tension of the tape 12.

Dans le cas où l'impression de la carte 18, en raison de la composition du plastique de sa face 22 et de la température de la tête d'impression thermique 20, est confrontée à un phénomène de collage entre le ruban 12 et la face 22 de la carte 18 (figure 2), l'aplatisseur 19 n'est plus en mesure de jouer son rôle, car il n'est plus en contact du ruban. Le doigt 13 a suivi le ruban dans sa modification de trajectoire, de sorte que l'extrémité 37 du doigt 13 démasque la cellule de détection 14A qui envoie un signal électrique au circuit électronique 15.In the case where the printing of the card 18, due to the composition of the plastic on its face 22 and the temperature of the thermal printing head 20, is confronted with a phenomenon of sticking between the ribbon 12 and the face 22 of the card 18 (Figure 2), the flattener 19 is no longer able to play its role because it is no longer in contact with the ribbon. The finger 13 followed the ribbon in its modification of trajectory, so that the end 37 of the finger 13 unmasks the detection cell 14A which sends an electrical signal to the electronic circuit 15.

En fonction des signaux fournis par la cellule de détection 14A, le circuit électronique 15 calcule la longueur du déplacement du doigt 13, longueur qui est représentative de la longueur de collage du ruban 12 sur la carte 18.As a function of the signals supplied by the detection cell 14A, the electronic circuit 15 calculates the length of the movement of the finger 13, which length is representative of the length of bonding of the tape 12 on the card 18.

Cette information de longueur de déplacement vertical du doigt 13 est transmise au dispositif de modification 38 (ou au microprocesseur 35) du système de pilotage du moteur pas à pas 16 de la bobine réceptrice 17. Le dispositif 38 ou le microprocesseur 35 modifie alors le nombre de pas par unité de temps dont il faut augmenter la rotation du moteur 16 pour tendre le ruban 12 et le ramener en contact avec l'aplatisseur 19. Cette augmentation est progressive pour ne pas provoquer d'à-coups. En prenant pour référence la vitesse normale, c'est-à-dire celle utilisée pour l'impression d'une carte en fonctionnement normal, le dispositif 38 ou le microprocesseur 35 va progressivement augmenter, selon une fonction prédéterminée, le nombre de pas par unité de temps pour le porter, par exemple, à + 33% par rapport à la valeur en fonctionnement normal.This vertical displacement length of finger 13 information is transmitted to the modification device 38 (or to the microprocessor 35) of the control system of the stepping motor 16 of the take-up reel 17. The device 38 or the microprocessor 35 then modifies the number steps per unit of time to be increased the rotation of the motor 16 to tension the ribbon 12 and bring it back into contact with the flattener 19. This increase is progressive so as not to cause jolts. Taking as reference the normal speed, that is to say that used for printing a card in normal operation, the device 38 or the microprocessor 35 will gradually increase, according to a predetermined function, the number of steps per unit of time to bring it, for example, to + 33% compared to the value in normal operation.

Dès que le dispositif de détection 14 détecte une modification de la trajectoire du ruban 12 qui est transmise au doigt 13, le dispositif 38 ou le microprocesseur 35 corrige en moins le nombre de pas par unité de temps du moteur 16 en respectant une progressivité.As soon as the detection device 14 detects a modification in the trajectory of the ribbon 12 which is transmitted to the finger 13, the device 38 or the microprocessor 35 corrects in less the number of steps per unit time of the motor 16 while respecting a progressiveness.

Le dispositif est donc en mesure de corriger en permanence la vitesse d'enroulement de la bande pour compenser la tension à donner à la bande pour lutter contre le phénomène de collage et revenir progressivement à la vitesse et à la tension normales.The device is therefore able to permanently correct the speed of winding of the strip to compensate for the tension to be given to the strip to combat the phenomenon of sticking and gradually return to normal speed and tension.

Claims (5)

Dispositif de modification de la tension d'un ruban (12) qui s'enroule sur une bobine réceptrice (17), ladite bobine réceptrice étant entraînée en rotation par un moteur pas à pas (16) qui est commandé par un système de pilotage (31) de manière à obtenir une vitesse linéaire de défilement du ruban (12) qui soit constante quelle que soit le diamètre du ruban sur la bobine réceptrice (17), ledit ruban passant entre une tête d'impression thermique (20) et une carte à imprimer (18) de manière à déposer des colorants portés par le ruban sur la carte à imprimer,
caractérisé en ce qu'il comprend :
   - un dispositif de détection (10, 14, 15) de la position du ruban (12) par rapport à son plan normal de défilement et un dispositif (38, 35) pour modifier le nombre de pas par unité de temps du moteur (16) lorsque le ruban s'écarte de son plan normal de défilement.Device for modifying the tension of a ribbon (12) which is wound on a take-up reel (17), said take-up reel being driven in rotation by a stepping motor (16) which is controlled by a control system ( 31) so as to obtain a linear speed of travel of the ribbon (12) which is constant whatever the diameter of the ribbon on the take-up spool (17), said ribbon passing between a thermal print head (20) and a card to be printed (18) so as to deposit dyes carried by the ribbon on the card to be printed,
characterized in that it comprises:
- a device (10, 14, 15) for detecting the position of the tape (12) relative to its normal running plane and a device (38, 35) for modifying the number of steps per unit time of the motor (16 ) when the ribbon deviates from its normal running plane. Dispositif selon la revendication 1, caractérisé en ce que le dispositif de détection de la position du ruban comprend : - un palpeur (10) qui est constitué d'un doigt (13) coulissant librement dans un fourreau (36) solidaire de la tête d'impression thermique, une extrémité (11) dudit doigt 13 étant en contact permanent avec une face du ruban 12, - un dispositif indicateur (14) de déplacement du doigt (13), et - un circuit électronique (15) de mesure du déplacement du doigt (13) du palpeur (10) qui fournit cette mesure au dispositif de modification du nombre de pas par unité de temps. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the device for detecting the position of the tape comprises: - a feeler (10) which consists of a finger (13) sliding freely in a sheath (36) integral with the thermal printing head, one end (11) of said finger 13 being in permanent contact with one face of the ribbon 12, an indicator device (14) for movement of the finger (13), and - an electronic circuit (15) for measuring the displacement the finger (13) of the probe (10) which supplies this measurement to the device for modifying the number of steps per unit of time. Dispositif selon la revendication 1 ou 2, caractérisé en ce que le dispositif de modification du nombre de pas du moteur fait partie intégrante du système de pilotage (31, 35) du moteur pas à pas (16).Device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the device for modifying the number of steps of the motor forms an integral part of the control system (31, 35) of the stepping motor (16). Dispositif selon la revendication 1, 2 ou 3, caractérisé en ce que la modification du nombre de pas par unité de temps est réalisée progressivement par rapport à un nombre de pas de référence.Device according to claim 1, 2 or 3, characterized in that the modification of the number of steps per unit of time is carried out gradually with respect to a number of reference steps. Dispositif selon la revendication 1, 2, 3 ou 4, caractérisée en ce que le dispositif de détection (10, 14, 15) de la position du ruban est placé après la tête d'impression thermique (20) dans le sens de défilement du ruban (20).Device according to claim 1, 2, 3 or 4, characterized in that the device (10, 14, 15) for detecting the position of the ribbon is placed after the thermal printing head (20) in the direction of travel of the ribbon (20).
EP95400609A 1994-04-15 1995-03-20 Ribbon tension changing device, in case of adhering to a printing carrier Expired - Lifetime EP0677396B1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
FR9404830A FR2718680B1 (en) 1994-04-15 1994-04-15 Device for modifying the tension of a ribbon wound on a take-up spool if the ribbon is stuck on a printing medium.
FR9404830 1994-04-15

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0677396A1 true EP0677396A1 (en) 1995-10-18
EP0677396B1 EP0677396B1 (en) 1998-09-02

Family

ID=9462388

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Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP95400609A Expired - Lifetime EP0677396B1 (en) 1994-04-15 1995-03-20 Ribbon tension changing device, in case of adhering to a printing carrier

Country Status (6)

Country Link
US (1) US5499878A (en)
EP (1) EP0677396B1 (en)
JP (1) JPH07276760A (en)
DE (1) DE69504397T2 (en)
ES (1) ES2121302T3 (en)
FR (1) FR2718680B1 (en)

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JP2006272883A (en) * 2005-03-30 2006-10-12 Nissha Printing Co Ltd Transfer molding apparatus and transfer molding method
JP4448054B2 (en) * 2005-05-09 2010-04-07 シチズンホールディングス株式会社 Printer
EP2623326A4 (en) * 2010-09-30 2018-03-21 Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha Printer
EP2739480A4 (en) * 2011-08-05 2016-02-24 Datamax O Neil Corp Print station system

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Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
FR2718680B1 (en) 1996-07-05
DE69504397T2 (en) 1999-05-06
US5499878A (en) 1996-03-19
ES2121302T3 (en) 1998-11-16
DE69504397D1 (en) 1998-10-08
JPH07276760A (en) 1995-10-24
EP0677396B1 (en) 1998-09-02
FR2718680A1 (en) 1995-10-20

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