JP2005313418A - Thermal transfer printer - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a thermal transfer printer which can prevent a spool from rotating over an engagement range by a greatly simple configuration at the time of setting an ink ribbon cartridge into a cartridge setting part. <P>SOLUTION: There are set a spool engagement part 55 to which the spool 22 of an ink cartridge 2 is fitted, and a compression coil spring for the engagement part 56 interposed between the spool engagement part 55 and a clutch plate 513. A torque limiter 51 is fitted together with a compression coil spring for clutching 54 into a supporting shaft 53. A positioning member 57 is set at a groove 53a formed in this supporting shaft 53, thereby performing positioning of an axial direction of the torque limiter 51. Moreover, in a state with one end side of the compression coil spring 56 inserted in a cylindrical groove 55a formed in the spool engagement part 55, this spool engagement part 55 is fitted in the supporting shaft 53. The spool engagement part 55 is urged to the tip side of the supporting shaft 53 by the compression coil spring 56. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a thermal transfer printer, and more particularly to a thermal transfer printer including a take-up side cartridge mounting portion having a torque limiter that removably supports the take-up side of an ink ribbon cartridge having an ink ribbon.

  As is well known, in a thermal transfer printer, a take-up spool of an ink ribbon cartridge having an ink ribbon is attached to a take-up cartridge mounting portion having a torque limiter provided in the main body, and a supply spool is connected to a supply side. Mounted on the cartridge mounting part, the thermal head is lowered with respect to the platen roller on the recording medium such as paper fed between the thermal head and the platen roller, and the ink ribbon and the paper are pressed against the platen roller. In this state, the conveyance roller is rotated to convey the recording medium to the downstream side of the thermal head, whereby the ink on the ink ribbon is thermally transferred to the recording medium, and a desired image is printed.

  Here, the torque limiter refers to a mechanism having a function capable of interrupting transmission of torque exceeding a predetermined value. This torque limiter can reduce the load on the driven side of the device by preventing the torque more than a predetermined multiple generated on the driving side from being transmitted to the driven side downstream from the torque limiter. is there. In the thermal transfer printer, the winding-side cartridge mounting portion having such a torque limiter is used to wind up the thermal transfer ink ribbon stored in the ink ribbon cartridge. The torque limiter causes the ink ribbon to loosen due to a difference in winding length based on a change in the rotation diameter of the supply-side spool and the winding-side spool during winding of the ink ribbon, that is, during printing. And so on.

In the thermal transfer printer as described above, as a configuration in which the ink ribbon cartridge having the ink ribbon is mounted on the main body, conventionally, the spool of the ink ribbon cartridge is used.
A support shaft is rotatably mounted on a support plate provided on the main body frame, and a friction coupling that forms a torque limiter on the support shaft and a spool engaging portion on which a take-up spool of the ink ribbon cartridge is fitted are mounted. (For example, refer to Patent Document 1).
JP-A-11-105364

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However, in the configuration described in Patent Document 1, since the support shaft is rotatably attached to the support plate, the ink ribbon cartridge is formed in the concave portion of the spool of the ink ribbon cartridge when the cartridge is mounted on the cartridge mounting portion. When the groove portion and the protruding rib and positioning rib formed on the spool engaging portion of the cartridge mounting portion do not mesh with each other, the spool rotates beyond the meshing range, resulting in slack in the ink ribbon There were inconveniences such as generation of wrinkles and wrinkles, which adversely affected the finish of printing.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and prevents the spool from rotating beyond the meshing range with an extremely simple structure when the ink ribbon cartridge is mounted on the cartridge mounting portion. It is an object of the present invention to provide a thermal transfer printer capable of performing the above.

  In order to achieve such an object, according to the first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a main body frame, an ink ribbon cartridge having an ink ribbon, and a winding side having a torque limiter which removably supports a winding side of the ink ribbon cartridge. In a thermal transfer printer comprising a take-up side cartridge mounting portion and a drive mechanism for driving the main gear in the torque limiter to wind up the ink ribbon, the take-up side cartridge mounting portion is fixed to the main body frame. A support shaft, a torque limiter including a clutch plate disposed on the main gear via a clutch adjustment unit, a clutch compression coil spring disposed between the main body frame and the main gear, A spool engaging portion into which the spool of the ink cartridge is fitted, and the spool engaging portion and the clutch. A compression coil spring for the engaging portion interposed between the plate and the torque limiter together with the compression coil spring for the clutch, and a positioning member mounted in a groove provided on the support shaft. The torque limiter is positioned in the axial direction, and the spool engaging portion is inserted into a cylindrical groove formed in the spool engaging portion with one end of the compression coil spring for the engaging portion inserted. The spool engaging portion is fitted to the support shaft, and the spool engaging portion is urged toward the distal end side of the support shaft by the compression coil spring for the engaging portion.

In the invention described in claim 2, a main body frame, an ink ribbon cartridge having an ink ribbon, a winding side cartridge mounting portion having a torque limiter that removably supports the winding side of the ink ribbon cartridge, and In a thermal transfer printer comprising a drive mechanism that drives a main gear in the torque limiter to drive the ink ribbon to wind up,
The winding side cartridge mounting portion includes a support shaft fixed to the main body frame, a torque limiter including a clutch plate disposed on the main gear via a clutch adjustment portion, the main body frame, and the main gear. A compression coil spring for a clutch disposed between the spool engagement portion, a spool engagement portion in which a spool of the ink cartridge is fitted, and a compression for an engagement portion interposed between the spool engagement portion and the clutch plate A coil spring, and the torque limiter is fitted on the support shaft together with the clutch compression coil spring and positioned at a predetermined position.

  The invention according to claim 3 is characterized in that the friction force is adjusted by changing the diameter of the compression coil spring for clutch on the main body frame side with respect to the main gear side. Thermal transfer printer.

  In the invention of claim 4, a main body frame, an ink ribbon cartridge having an ink ribbon, a winding side cartridge mounting portion having a torque limiter that removably supports the winding side of the ink ribbon cartridge, and In a thermal transfer printer comprising a drive mechanism that drives a main gear in the torque limiter to wind up the ink ribbon, the winding-side cartridge mounting portion is supported by a support shaft fixed to the main body frame, and A torque limiter comprising a clutch plate disposed on a main gear via a clutch adjustment portion; a clutch compression coil spring disposed between the clutch base disposed on the main body frame and the main gear; A spool engaging portion into which the spool of the ink cartridge is fitted, and the spool engaging portion and the clutch And a engaging portion for a compression coil spring interposed between the Chipureto, the torque limiter is fitted on the support shaft together with the clutch base and the compression coil spring clutch is configured to position at a predetermined position.

  According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, a surface for adjusting the frictional force is formed on the main body frame side of the clutch base.

  According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, the friction force is adjusted by changing the diameter of the clutch compression coil spring on the clutch base side with respect to the main gear side.

  In the invention according to claim 7, the diameter of the compression coil spring for clutch is made smaller on the main body frame side than on the main gear side.

  In the present invention, the diameter of the clutch compression coil spring is formed smaller on the clutch base side than on the main gear side.

  According to the ninth aspect of the present invention, the spool engaging portion is formed with a cylindrical groove into which one end side of the engaging portion compression coil spring is inserted.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, the support shaft of the winding side cartridge mounting portion is fixed to the main body frame, and the torque limiter is biased to a predetermined position by the clutch compression coil spring. Free movement of the entire side cartridge mounting portion is limited. Therefore, when the ink ribbon cartridge is mounted on the cartridge mounting portion, the groove portion formed in the concave portion of the spool of the ink ribbon cartridge and the protruding rib and the positioning rib formed on the spool engaging portion of the cartridge mounting portion are misaligned. Even in this case, it rotates only within the meshing range, meshes well, the spool does not rotate beyond the meshing range, and there is no occurrence of slack or wrinkles on the ink ribbon, so always print cleanly Can do. In addition, there is little processing of the support shaft, the configuration is extremely simple, and the cost can be reduced. In addition, since one end side of the engagement portion compression coil spring is inserted into a cylindrical groove formed in the spool engagement portion, the engagement portion compression coil spring can be easily attached. As a result, it is possible to reduce the thickness of the film and reduce the weight.

  According to the configuration of the second aspect of the present invention, the support shaft of the winding side cartridge mounting portion is fixed to the main body frame, and the torque limiter is biased to a predetermined position by the clutch compression coil spring. Free movement of the entire side cartridge mounting portion is limited. Therefore, when the ink ribbon cartridge is mounted on the cartridge mounting portion, the groove portion formed in the concave portion of the spool of the ink ribbon cartridge and the protruding rib and the positioning rib formed on the spool engaging portion of the cartridge mounting portion are misaligned. Even in this case, it rotates only within the meshing range, meshes well, the spool does not rotate beyond the meshing range, and there is no occurrence of slack or wrinkles on the ink ribbon, so always print cleanly Can do. In addition, there is little processing of the support shaft, and the configuration thereof is extremely simple, and effects such as cost reduction can be achieved.

  According to the configuration of the third aspect of the present invention, it is only necessary to change the diameter of the compression coil spring for the clutch on the main body frame side with respect to the main gear side, and the frictional force between the main body frame and the compression coil spring for the clutch is very simple. Can be adjusted as small as possible, so that the winding operation of the ink ribbon becomes smooth and the durability can be improved.

  According to the configuration of the fourth aspect of the invention, the support shaft of the winding side cartridge mounting portion is fixed to the main body frame, and the torque limiter is urged to a predetermined position by the clutch compression coil spring, and the main body frame and the clutch Since the clutch base is disposed between the compression coil spring for use, the free movement of the entire winding side cartridge mounting portion is limited within an appropriate range. Therefore, when the ink ribbon cartridge is mounted on the cartridge mounting portion, the groove portion formed in the concave portion of the spool of the ink ribbon cartridge and the protruding rib and the positioning rib formed on the spool engaging portion of the cartridge mounting portion are misaligned. Even in this case, it rotates only within the meshing range, meshes well, the spool does not rotate beyond the meshing range, and there is no occurrence of slack or wrinkles on the ink ribbon, so always print cleanly Can do. In addition, there is little processing of the support shaft, the configuration is extremely simple, and the cost can be reduced. Furthermore, since the frictional force between the main body frame and the clutch base and the clutch base and the compression coil spring for the clutch can be adjusted to the minimum necessary, the winding operation of the ink ribbon becomes smooth and the durability can be improved. There is an effect.

  According to the configuration of the fifth aspect of the invention, when adjusting the frictional force to an appropriate range, it is only necessary to change the size of the surface of the clutch base on the main body frame side, and the adjustment is extremely simple and convenient. good.

  According to the configuration of the sixth aspect of the present invention, the diameter of the clutch compression coil spring may be changed on the clutch base side with respect to the main gear side, and the friction between the main body clutch base and the clutch compression coil spring can be very easily performed. Since the force can be adjusted as small as necessary, the winding operation of the ink ribbon is smooth, and the durability can be improved.

  According to the configuration of the seventh aspect of the invention, when adjusting the frictional force to an appropriate range, the diameter of the clutch compression coil spring may be made smaller on the main body frame side than on the main gear side. Simple and convenient.

  According to the configuration of the eighth aspect of the invention, when adjusting the frictional force to an appropriate range, the diameter of the clutch compression coil spring may be made smaller on the clutch base side than on the main gear side. Simple and convenient.

  According to the configuration of the ninth aspect of the present invention, the one end side of the engagement portion compression coil spring is inserted into the cylindrical groove formed in the spool engagement portion, so that the engagement portion compression coil spring is mounted. In addition to the ease of work, the thickness of the spool engaging portion can be reduced correspondingly, and the weight can be reduced.

  A main body frame, an ink ribbon cartridge having an ink ribbon, a winding side cartridge mounting portion having a torque limiter that removably supports the winding side of the ink ribbon cartridge, and a main gear in the torque limiter. In a thermal transfer printer having a driving mechanism for driving and winding the ink ribbon, the winding-side cartridge mounting portion is attached to a support shaft fixed to the main body frame and a double-sided adhesive tape to the main gear. A torque limiter including a clutch plate disposed via the clutch adjustment portion, a clutch compression coil spring disposed between the main body frame and the main gear, and a spool of the ink cartridge are fitted. Between the spool engaging portion and the clutch plate. A compression coil spring for the engaging portion, and the torque limiter is fitted to the support shaft together with the compression coil spring for the clutch, and a positioning member is mounted in a groove provided in the support shaft, and the axial direction of the torque limiter is The spool engaging portion is fitted to the support shaft in a state where one end side of the engaging portion compression coil spring is inserted into a cylindrical groove formed in the spool engaging portion. The spool engaging portion is biased toward the distal end side of the support shaft by the engaging portion compression coil spring.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a schematic configuration of a thermal transfer printer according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is an enlarged view showing a winding side cartridge mounting portion of the thermal transfer printer according to the embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. FIG. 3 is a schematic partial sectional view, and FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a part of an ink ribbon cartridge and a take-up side cartridge mounting portion of the thermal transfer printer according to the embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG.

  In a thermal transfer printer according to an embodiment of the present invention, an ink ribbon cartridge 2, a transport roller 3 for transporting a recording medium, a thermal head (not shown), a platen roller, and the like are disposed on the inner surface side of a metal main body frame 1. . The drive mechanism 4 that drives the take-up side cartridge mounting portion 5 includes a motor 41 that is a drive source provided on one outer wall 11 of the main body frame 1, one outer wall 11 of the main body frame 1, and an inner frame of the main body frame 1. 12, and a plurality of intermediate gears 42 that transmit the driving force from the motor 41 to the main gear 511 in the torque trim limiter 51. Further, in a region formed between the outer wall 11 and the inner frame 12, a conveyance roller side gear 31 that transmits a rotational force to the conveyance roller 3 is disposed.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the ink ribbon cartridge 2 has a spool 22 on the side for winding the ink ribbon 21 having a recess 22a in which three grooves 22b are formed, and a recess in which a groove is similarly formed. It comprises a supply-side spool (not shown) around which an ink ribbon 21 is wound.

  In accordance with the present invention, the take-up side cartridge mounting portion 5 to which the ink ribbon cartridge 2 is mounted is a metal that is attached and fixed by a caulking portion 52 that is caulked to the outer wall 11 of the main body frame 1 as shown in FIG. And a torque limiter 51 including a clutch plate 513 disposed on the main gear 511 via the clutch adjustment unit 512, and disposed between the outer wall 11 of the main body frame 1 and the main gear 511. The clutch compression coil spring 54, the spool engagement portion 55 into which the spool 22 of the ink cartridge 2 is fitted, and the engagement portion compression coil spring 56 interposed between the spool engagement portion 55 and the clutch plate 513. It consists of and.

  The torque limiter 51 can rotate the support shaft 53 together with a clutch compression coil spring 54 having one end inserted into a locking portion 511a formed of a cylindrical groove formed on the outer wall 11 side of the main body frame 511 of the main gear 511. The positioning member 57 is mounted in a groove 53 a provided in the support shaft 53 and positioned in the axial direction. Therefore, the torque limiter 51 is biased toward the positioning member 57 by the clutch compression coil spring 54. The clutch adjustment unit 512 is made of, for example, felt and is attached to the side surface of the main gear 511 with, for example, a double-sided adhesive tape. By attaching with the double-sided adhesive tape in this way, the attaching operation of the clutch adjusting portion 512 is very simple, and the workability is improved, which is convenient.

  Further, the spool engaging portion 55 is fitted in a cylindrical groove 55a formed in the spool engaging portion 55 so that the support shaft 53 can be rotated together with the engaging portion compression coil spring 56 having one end inserted therein. A claw portion 55 b formed at the tip of the spool engaging portion 55 is inserted into a groove 53 b formed near the tip of the support shaft 53. Therefore, the spool engaging portion 55 is urged toward the tip end side of the support shaft 53 by the engaging portion compression coil spring 56, and the movement range thereof is limited by the groove portion 53b and the protrusion 53c formed at the tip end of the support shaft 53. ing. The spool engaging portion 55 is formed of, for example, synthetic resin, and has three protrusions that engage with a groove portion 22b formed on the spool 22 of the ink ribbon cartridge 2 at a portion that engages with the spool 22 of the ink ribbon cartridge 2. The rib 55c and the three positioning ribs 55d are integrally formed. In the example shown in FIG. 2, the ink ribbon cartridge 2 (not shown) is mounted, that is, the spool 22 is inserted into the spool engaging portion 55, and the spool engaging portion 55 is located on the outer wall 11 side (left side) of the main body frame 1. The state where it is pressed is shown.

  In the embodiment having the above configuration, the support shaft 53 of the winding side cartridge mounting portion 5 is fixed to the outer wall 11 of the main body frame 1 by the caulking portion 52, and the torque limiter 51 is attached to a predetermined position by the clutch compression coil spring 54. As a result, the free movement of the entire winding side cartridge mounting portion 5 is limited. Therefore, when the ink ribbon cartridge 2 is mounted on the cartridge mounting portion 5, the spool 22 of the ink ribbon cartridge 2 is fitted into the spool engaging portion 55 of the take-up side cartridge mounting portion 5 and is engaged with the main body frame 1 side. It is mounted while resisting the compression coil spring 56 for the part. At this time, even when the groove 22b formed in the concave portion 22a of the spool 22 of the ink ribbon cartridge 2 and the protruding rib 55c and the positioning rib 55d formed in the spool engaging portion 55 of the cartridge mounting portion 5 are shifted, If it is formed so as to mesh at three locations within the meshing range, for example, as in this embodiment, it will mesh well with only 1/3 rotation at maximum, and the spool will rotate beyond the meshing range. There is nothing. Therefore, no slack or wrinkle is generated on the ink ribbon 21, and printing can always be performed cleanly. In addition, the processing portion of the support shaft 5 is small, and the configuration thereof is extremely simple, and the cost can be reduced. In addition, since one end side of the engaging portion compression coil spring 56 is inserted into a cylindrical groove 55a formed in the spool engaging portion 55, the engaging portion compression coil spring 56 can be easily attached. The thickness of the spool engaging portion 55 can be reduced correspondingly, and the weight can be reduced.

  Of course, the take-up cartridge mounting portion 5 rotates except for the support shaft 53 in order to take up the ink ribbon 21 during printing. In this power transmission, the main gear 511 of the torque limiter 51 is urged toward the main body frame 1 by the clutch compression coil spring 54, so that the driving force transmitted to the main gear 511 is transmitted via the clutch adjustment unit 512. Since the torque is transmitted to the clutch plate 513, the torque limiter 51 and the clutch compression coil spring 54 including the main gear 511, the clutch adjustment unit 512, and the clutch plate 513 rotate integrally. The spool engaging portion 55 is urged toward the distal end side of the support shaft 53 by using the engaging portion compression coil spring 56 with the clutch plate 513 side as a fulcrum, so that the engaging portion compression is compressed as the torque limiter 51 rotates. It rotates integrally with the coil spring 56. As a result, when the driving force is transmitted from the driving mechanism 4 to the main gear 511 of the torque limiter 51, the spool engaging portion 55 rotates and the spool 22 of the ink ribbon cartridge 2 rotates in the same manner, whereby the ink ribbon. 21 is wound on the spool 22. In this case, when a load torque equal to or greater than a predetermined torque is applied to the spool engaging portion 22, the clutch adjusting portion 512 attached to the main gear 511 slides with respect to the clutch plate, and the clutch plate 513 does not move even when the main gear 511 rotates. Of course, it will not rotate.

  Next, another embodiment of the present invention shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 will be described. FIG. 4 is a schematic partial cross-sectional view showing, on an enlarged scale, a winding side cartridge mounting portion of a thermal transfer printer according to another embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 5 is a plan view of the clutch base shown in FIG. 4 and 5, the portions denoted by the same reference numerals as those in FIGS. 1 to 3 are substantially the same. Hereinafter, the difference will be mainly described.

  In this embodiment, in order to wind up the ink ribbon 21 at the time of printing, the frictional force when the winding side cartridge mounting portion 5 rotates is slippery within an appropriate range, and when the ink ribbon cartridge 2 is mounted. Is designed so that it can be finely adjusted so as not to rotate freely. That is, in order to adjust the frictional force between the main body frame 1 and the clutch compression coil spring 54, a clutch base 58 is disposed between the outer wall 11 of the main body frame 1 and the clutch compression coil spring 54. is there. By changing the area and material of the clutch base 58 that are in contact with the outer wall 11, the clutch base 58 is selected so as to have a desired frictional force. The material of the clutch base 58 may be made of metal or synthetic resin.

  Further, a surface 58a for adjusting the frictional force may be provided at a portion of the clutch base 58 that contacts the outer wall 11 of the main body frame 1, and the size of the surface 58a may be adjusted. This is convenient because the frictional force can be finely adjusted by processing the size of the surface 58a without changing the clutch base 58 itself.

  In the embodiment having the above-described configuration, the support shaft 53 of the take-up side cartridge mounting portion 5 is fixed to the main body frame 1, the torque limiter 51 is urged to a predetermined position by the clutch compression coil spring 54, and the main body frame 1 Since the clutch base 58 is disposed between the clutch coil spring 54 and the clutch compression coil spring 54, the free movement of the entire winding side cartridge mounting portion 5 is limited within an appropriate range. Accordingly, when the ink ribbon cartridge 2 is mounted on the cartridge mounting portion 5, the groove portion 22 b formed in the concave portion 22 a of the spool 22 of the ink ribbon cartridge 2 and the spool engaging portion 55 of the winding side cartridge mounting portion 5 are formed. Even when the protruding rib 55c and the positioning rib 55d are misaligned, they rotate only within the meshing range, engage well, and the spool 22 does not rotate beyond the meshing range. No wrinkles occur, and you can always print beautifully. In addition, there is little processing of the support shaft 53, and its configuration is extremely simple, and cost can be reduced. Further, since the frictional force between the main body frame 1 and the clutch base 58 and between the clutch base 58 and the clutch compression coil spring 54 can be adjusted as small as necessary, the winding operation of the ink ribbon 21 becomes smooth and the durability is improved. It has the effect of being able to.

  Next, still another embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. 6 will be described. FIG. 6 is a schematic partial cross-sectional view showing an enlarged main part of a take-up side cartridge mounting portion of a thermal transfer printer according to still another embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 6, the same reference numerals as those in FIGS. 1 to 5 denote substantially the same parts. Hereinafter, the difference will be mainly described.

  In this embodiment, as in the above-described embodiment 2, in order to wind up the ink ribbon 21 during printing, the frictional force when the winding side cartridge mounting portion 5 rotates is easily slipped within an appropriate range, and the ink When the ribbon cartridge 2 is mounted, it can be finely adjusted so as not to rotate freely. That is, in order to adjust the frictional force between the main body frame 1 and the clutch compression coil spring 54, the diameter of the outer wall 11 side of the main body frame 1 of the clutch compression coil spring 54 is set so that the clutch base side is closer to the main gear 511 side. It is a change, that is, a small one. Of course, the clutch base 58 may be disposed or omitted between the outer wall 11 and the compression coil spring 54 for clutch as shown in the figure.

  In the embodiment with the above configuration, in addition to the same effects as the above-described embodiment 2, a plurality of types of clutch compression coil springs 54 may be prepared, and the optimum one may be selected at the final stage of manufacture. The effect is that the adjustment is easy.

  Each of the above-described embodiments is a preferred embodiment of the present invention, but the present invention is not limited to this, and various modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention.

  For example, in the above-described embodiment, an example is shown in which three protruding ribs are formed on the receiving reel. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and one or more protruding ribs may be formed. In this case, it is preferable that the number of groove portions of the reel on the ink ribbon cartridge side is the same as the number of protruding ribs.

1 is a perspective view showing a schematic configuration of a thermal transfer printer according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a schematic partial cross-sectional view showing an enlarged view of a winding side cartridge mounting portion of the thermal transfer printer according to the embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a part of an ink ribbon cartridge and a take-up side cartridge mounting portion of the thermal transfer printer according to the embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. 1. It is a general | schematic fragmentary sectional view which expands and shows the winding side cartridge mounting part of the thermal transfer printer by the other Example of this invention. FIG. 5 is a plan view of a clutch base used in a winding side cartridge mounting portion according to another embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. 4. It is a schematic sectional drawing which expands and shows the principal part of the winding side cartridge mounting part of the thermal transfer printer by further another Example of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Main body frame 2 Ink ribbon cartridge 21 Ink ribbon 22 Spool 4 Drive mechanism 5 Winding side cartridge mounting part 51 Torque limiter 511 Main gear 512 Clutch adjustment part 513 Clutch plate 52 Caulking part 53 Support shaft 53a Groove 54 Clutch compression coil spring 55 Spool engagement Joint portion 55a Cylindrical groove 56 Compression coil spring 57 for engaging portion Positioning member 58 Clutch base 58a Surface for adjusting friction force

Claims (9)

A main body frame, an ink ribbon cartridge having an ink ribbon, a winding side cartridge mounting portion having a torque limiter that removably supports the winding side of the ink ribbon cartridge, and a main gear in the torque limiter. In a thermal transfer printer provided with a drive mechanism that drives and winds up the ink ribbon,
The winding side cartridge mounting portion includes a support shaft fixed to the main body frame, a torque limiter including a clutch plate disposed on the main gear via a clutch adjustment portion, the main body frame, and the main gear. A compression coil spring for a clutch disposed between the spool engagement portion, a spool engagement portion in which a spool of the ink cartridge is fitted, and a compression for an engagement portion interposed between the spool engagement portion and the clutch plate A coil spring, the torque limiter is fitted to the support shaft together with the clutch compression coil spring, a positioning member is attached to a groove provided in the support shaft, and the torque limiter is positioned in the axial direction; and The spool engaging portion is inserted into a cylindrical groove formed in the spool engaging portion, and one end side of the compression coil spring for the engaging portion is inserted. In state, the fitted on the support shaft, a thermal transfer printer, characterized in that biasing the spool engaging portion on the tip side of the support shaft by the engaging portion for the compression coil spring. A main body frame, an ink ribbon cartridge having an ink ribbon, a winding side cartridge mounting portion having a torque limiter that removably supports the winding side of the ink ribbon cartridge, and a main gear in the torque limiter. In a thermal transfer printer provided with a drive mechanism that drives and winds up the ink ribbon,
The winding side cartridge mounting portion includes a support shaft fixed to the main body frame, a torque limiter including a clutch plate disposed on the main gear via a clutch adjustment portion, the main body frame, and the main gear. A compression coil spring for a clutch disposed between the spool engagement portion, a spool engagement portion in which a spool of the ink cartridge is fitted, and a compression for an engagement portion interposed between the spool engagement portion and the clutch plate A thermal transfer printer comprising: a coil spring; wherein the torque limiter is fitted to the support shaft together with the clutch compression coil spring and positioned at a predetermined position.   3. The thermal transfer printer according to claim 1, wherein the friction force is adjusted by changing the diameter of the compression coil spring for the clutch on the main body frame side with respect to the main gear side. A main body frame, an ink ribbon cartridge having an ink ribbon, a winding side cartridge mounting portion having a torque limiter that removably supports the winding side of the ink ribbon cartridge, and a main gear in the torque limiter. In a thermal transfer printer provided with a drive mechanism that drives and winds up the ink ribbon,
The winding side cartridge mounting portion is provided in contact with the main body frame, a support shaft fixed to the main body frame, a torque limiter including a clutch plate disposed on the main gear via a clutch adjusting portion, and the main body frame. A clutch compression coil spring disposed between the clutch base and the main gear, a spool engaging portion into which the spool of the ink cartridge is fitted, and interposed between the spool engaging portion and the clutch plate A thermal transfer printer comprising: the engagement portion compression coil spring, wherein the torque limiter is fitted to the support shaft together with the clutch base and the clutch compression coil spring and positioned at a predetermined position.   5. The thermal transfer printer according to claim 4, wherein a surface for adjusting a frictional force is formed on the main body frame side of the clutch base.   6. The thermal transfer printer according to claim 4, wherein the friction force is adjusted by changing the diameter of the compression coil spring for the clutch on the clutch base side with respect to the main gear side.   The thermal transfer printer according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein a diameter of the compression coil spring for the clutch is formed smaller on the main body frame side than on the main gear side.   7. The thermal transfer printer according to claim 4, wherein a diameter of the compression coil spring for the clutch is formed smaller on the clutch base side than on the main gear side.   9. The thermal transfer printer according to claim 2, wherein a cylindrical groove into which one end of the engagement portion compression coil spring is inserted is formed in the spool engagement portion.

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