JP2816180B2 - Printer - Google Patents

Description

Description: BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a thermal transfer printer using, for example, a thermal recording head, and more particularly to a printer that scans a recording head to print on an external recording medium.

(Prior art)

Conventionally, thermal transfer printers are roughly classified into two types.

That is, one is a type that incorporates paper to be transferred into the apparatus main body, and the other is a type that does not incorporate paper.

In the former, paper is fed out of the apparatus main body through a position where the paper comes in contact with the thermal recording head from a paper roll mounted in the apparatus main body, and performs thermal transfer at the contact position with the thermal head (in the apparatus main body). is there.

The latter has a configuration in which the thermal transfer film is fed out in synchronization with the following sliding speed, the apparatus main body is directly placed on the surface of an external transfer object (container) instead of paper, and the apparatus main body is slid in the direction to be transferred. The transfer is performed by causing the transfer.

[Problems to be solved by the invention]

In the former printer, since the storage capacity of the paper roll and the configuration for feeding the paper roll are required in the apparatus main body, the apparatus itself becomes large, and the relationship between the size of the paper that can be stored in the apparatus main body is large. Therefore, the transfer size was limited.

Also, in the latter printer, when performing the transfer, the apparatus body must slide along the surface of the external transfer target,
At this time, some skill was required for the contact force, sliding speed, and the like, and there was a difficulty in operability.

The present invention has been made in view of the above, and an object of the present invention is to provide a printer which can reduce the size and simplification of an apparatus main body and has excellent operability.

[Means for solving the problem]

A printer according to the present invention includes a transfer ink sheet transfer unit for sequentially transferring a transfer ink sheet, an opening formed in a bottom surface of the main body so as to expose the transfer ink sheet, and a recording device that supports a recording head toward the bottom surface of the main body. A head support member, a print head scanning means for scanning the print head in the opening, a memory for storing print contents, and a transfer means for transferring the print contents in the memory to the print head. is there.

Preferably, a roller for feeding the transfer ink sheet is provided before and after the recording head in the scanning direction, or at least one of the rollers is made detachable.

In addition, a mechanism for preventing the transfer ink sheet from being loosened is provided on the feeding side of the transfer ink sheet.

On the other hand, the printer according to the present invention can directly print from a recording head to an external recording medium without using a transfer ink sheet.

The recording head may be rotated in a plane perpendicular to the scanning direction, or may be urged from the inside of the main body toward the opening, and further, the print content may be changed according to the scanning direction of the recording head. Can be transferred from either the forward or reverse line.

On the other hand, the printer can be provided with a lid for covering at least the opening.

Alternatively, the recording head may be housed in the body from the opening at both ends before and after scanning.

Furthermore, the printer according to the present invention has, in addition to the printer part,
The optical system reader is configured to scan and temporarily store the read content in a memory, and then read and print the content (claim 11).

The printer may be provided with a window on a surface facing the opening.

[Action]

According to the first aspect, the recording head scans the upper surface of the transfer ink sheet facing the bottom opening of the main body. During the scanning, the recording head receives the print content from the memory and prints it on the external recording medium prepared in the opening.

Further, the transfer ink sheet is easily peeled off from the external recording medium by the roller, and the exchange and loading of the transfer ink sheet becomes easy by removing one of the rollers.

Further, if the transfer ink sheet is prevented from being slackened, the transfer ink sheet will not be unnecessarily fed out.

On the other hand, according to the third and fourth aspects, the recording head directly contacts the external recording medium to perform printing.

During printing, the recording head is inclined according to the inclination of the external recording medium, and accurately contacts the external recording medium. Also, the recording head is brought into contact with the external recording medium, while printing is performed from both front and rear directions.

Also, the recording head is protected by a lid that covers the opening,
Alternatively, it is protected even if it is stored in the main body at both ends before and after scanning.

〔Example〕

 FIG. 12 is an overall perspective view of the printer according to the present invention.

In the figure, 101 is a printer main body, 102 is an operation section on which various operation keys are arranged, 103 is a grip section, and 104 is a printer main body.
An opening formed at an appropriate position on the bottom surface of 101, 105 is the opening 104
A window, which is covered with a transparent material such as glass formed as necessary, is provided on the surface facing the device, and an operation panel display section 106 displays the contents of operation instructions.

It should be noted that, for the sake of explanation, each member provided inside the printer main body 101 is omitted in FIG. That is, in the printer body 101, as described below, a recording head, a recording head support member, a recording head scanning member and a transfer ink sheet provided as necessary, a transfer ink sheet transfer unit,
An optical system reading device, each driving means for driving them, and a control unit for controlling the operation and driving of each unit are provided.

FIG. 1 shows a system configuration diagram of a printer according to the present invention.

Reference numeral 1 denotes a control unit (hereinafter, referred to as a CPU) that controls the operation of the printer as a whole. Reference numeral 2 denotes a thermal head for thermal transfer, for example, which has a long dimension in, for example, one axial direction.
Reference numeral 3 denotes a frame memory in which the content to be printed by the thermal head 2 is stored. Reference numeral 4 denotes a scanning motor that scans the thermal head 2 in the front-rear direction. Reference numeral 5 denotes a scanning motor drive circuit that supplies a drive excitation signal to the scanning motor 4. Reference numerals 6 and 7 denote position sensors for detecting that the thermal head 2 is located at the front and rear ends of the scanning. The position sensors 6 and 7 are constituted by, for example, a photo interrupter or a magnet and a reed switch.

Reference numeral 8 denotes a take-up motor for transferring a transfer ink film (transfer ink sheet) described later in a predetermined direction, and reference numeral 9 denotes a take-up motor drive circuit for supplying a drive excitation signal to the take-up motor 8. The winding motor 8 transports the transfer ink film so that a new portion is fed out by the width of the opening every time the thermal head 2 scans once or every predetermined number of times. The transfer ink film is synthesized using a single color film or a film in which, for example, four colors of cyan, magenta, yellow, and black are sequentially formed with dimensions equal to or larger than the width of the opening 104. Color printing using colors may be used. Reference numeral 10 denotes a film sensor that detects a difference in color in the case of a color transfer ink film and controls the feeding amount of each color. The film sensor 10 is not necessarily required when the transfer ink film is of a single color, but is adapted to control the feeding size. If the transfer ink film is provided with a film length or color identification mark on one side line, the mark may be read to control feeding.

Reference numeral 11 denotes an operation key circuit that detects a key operation of various operation keys 102 provided on the operation unit and outputs the key operation to the CPU 1, and 12 denotes an operation state by the operation keys, for example, during printing, during transfer ink film feeding, or image by CCD. This is a display circuit that causes the operation panel display unit 106 to display “during reading” or the like.

Reference numeral 13 denotes a personal computer (hereinafter, referred to as a personal computer) or a word processor (hereinafter, referred to as a word processor) connected to the CPU 1, which is capable of printing, via the CPU 1, print contents directly created by the personal computer or a word processor.

Reference numeral 14 scans the inside of the opening 104 in synchronism with the thermal head 2 and optically reads characters, figures, and the like prepared so as to face the opening 104, as will be described later. For example, a CCD (solid-state imaging device) Reference numeral 15 denotes a CCD data input circuit which scans the CCD 14 and transfers read data to the CPU 1 in time series. Reference numeral 16 denotes a fluorescent tube for a light source which gives a suitable luminance to the reading position of characters and figures by the CCD 14.

 FIG. 2 is a schematic sectional side view of the printer main body 101. FIG.

In the figure, reference numeral 20 denotes a printer support frame provided in the printer main body, and two parallel (see FIG. 4) guide shafts 21 are fixed below the printer support frame along the left and right ends of the opening 104. I have. Reference numeral 22 denotes a pair of carriages connected by a cymbal support frame 23 which will be described later. The guide shaft 21 penetrates through a hole 221 formed at an appropriate position.
Are reciprocally slidable in the front-rear direction (left-right direction in the figure) along the guide shaft. Further, the thermal head 2 and the like are mounted on the cymbal support frame 23 as described with reference to FIG.

On the other hand, reference numeral 24 denotes an endless timing belt stretched between pulleys 25, 25 disposed at the front and rear positions of the printer support frame 20, and one point thereof is, for example, as shown in FIG. The lower surface of the carriage 22 is fixed at an appropriate position by a connecting member 222 such as a screw. One of the pulleys 25 is connected to a drive shaft of the scanning motor 4, and by rotating the scanning motor 4, the cymbal support frame 23, that is, the thermal head 2 is moved in the front-back direction (the depth direction in the drawing). It is scanned back and forth.

Reference numerals 26 and 27 denote appropriate positions before and after the print support frame 20, and a transfer roller and a take-up roller for the transfer ink film 28 which are disposed so that the transfer ink film 28 faces the opening 104. The drive shaft of the above-described winding motor 8 is meshed with, and the transfer ink film 28 is wound around the winding roller 27 by the rotation of the winding motor 8. The winding amount of the transfer ink film 28 is controlled based on the detection output from the film sensor 10 disposed in proximity.

Reference numerals 29 and 29 'denote film guide rollers which are rotatably disposed below the cymbal support frame 23 at front and rear positions in the scanning direction of the thermal head 2. Transfer ink film 28
After being fed from the feed roller 26, it passes above the roller 29 ′, below the thermal head 2 and above the roller 29, and is taken up by the take-up roller 27.

Reference numeral 30 denotes a spring which always urges the thermal head 2 downward, which will be described later in detail, so that the thermal head 2 is fixed to an external recording medium (not shown) prepared so as to face the opening 104. A preferable printing operation can be performed by contact with pressure.

3A and 3B illustrate the operation of the spring 30. FIG. 3A shows the case where there is no external recording body below the thermal head 2, and FIG. In the case of FIG. 7A, the thermal head 2 protrudes downward at the maximum due to the compressive force of the spring 30, and in the case of FIG. 7B, the thermal head 2 contacts the external recording medium 31 with an appropriate contact force.

Next, the basic operation of the printer according to the present invention will be described based on the configuration shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.

When the user starts the printing operation by operating the operation keys of the operation unit 102, the operation instruction content is displayed on the operation panel display unit 106. Next, prior to the printing operation, the CPU 1 receives the detection signals from the position sensors 6 and 7, and returns the thermal head 2 to the reference position, that is, one of the predetermined positions at the front and rear scanning ends.

When the film sensor 10 is provided,
In response to this sensor output, the transfer ink film 28 is wound up by a predetermined amount, and a new portion is exposed to the opening 104.

After the initialization, the print contents are sequentially output from the frame memory 3 to the thermal head 2 line by line. At the same time, the CPU 1 controls the scanning motor 4 so that the scanning of the thermal head 2 in the opening 104 is synchronized with the output timing of the print content.

The scanning is performed, for example, from the position sensor 7 side to the position sensor 6 side.
(Forward scanning), and the thermal head 2 pushes the transfer ink film 28 outward as shown in FIG. The thermal head 2 performs printing by sequentially slidingly contacting different positions on the transfer ink film 28 in accordance with scanning. At this time, the transfer ink film 28 is heated and shows a tendency to adhere to the external recording medium. However, the transfer ink film 28 is appropriately peeled off from the external recording medium by a roller 29 ′ (roller 29 ′ at the time of reverse scanning) arranged behind the scanning.

The scanning of the thermal head 2 ends when the print content in the frame memory 3 is read out for one surface. When confirming the end, the CPU 1 drives the scanning motor 4 in the reverse direction to return the thermal head 2 to the original reference position.
Then, it waits at this reference position until the next print command is input. In this way, scanning from the same direction is always repeated. That is, the CPU 1 outputs the print contents stored in the frame memory 3 in the same procedure for each print command.

On the other hand, even if the CPU 1 confirms the end of the scanning, the CPU 1 can continue to rotate the scanning motor 4 and slide the thermal head 2 to the end position in the scanning direction.
When performing the printing operation in the reciprocating process, the CPU 1 determines the position of the thermal head 2, that is, the next scanning direction by the position sensors 6 and 7, and performs the forward scanning from the first line of the frame memory 3. The print contents are sequentially read out, and in the case of the backward scanning, the print contents are alternately instructed to sequentially read the print contents from the last line to the first line.

When the scanning of the thermal head 2 is completed once or a predetermined number of times, the winding motor 8 rotates the winding roller 27 to feed out the transfer ink film 28 by a predetermined amount. When the color transfer ink film 28 is used, the control is performed so that the ink portion of the next color appears each time one scan is completed. Then, when the printing operation for four colors is completed, printing for one surface in the composite color is completed.

Next, the configuration of each part of the printer will be described with reference to FIGS.
This will be described with reference to FIG.

FIG. 4 is a detailed perspective view of the thermal head 2, its support member and the transfer means.

In the drawing, the same reference numerals as those in FIG. 2 denote the same components.

As is clear from the figure, the thermal head 2 has a long dimension in the (substantially) horizontal direction orthogonal to the scanning direction, and can print one line or several lines at a time.

Numeral 40 denotes a thermal head support frame which also penetrates a gimbal support shaft 41 penetrated at the center position of the gimbal support frame 23 and is rotatably connected to the gimbal support frame 23.
The thermal head 2 is connected to, for example, both ends of the thermal head support frame 40 via a track base 42 and a track base 43 which will be described later, and rollers 29 and 29 ′ are rotatable around both ends of the thermal head support frame 40. It is connected to. Therefore, the thermal head 2 and the rollers 29 and 29 'are rotatable about the gimbal support shaft 41 in a plane orthogonal to the scanning direction. As a result, the external recording body 31 is perpendicular to the scanning direction. The contact with the external recording medium 31 is reliably maintained even when the recording medium is inclined in any direction.

The track base 42 and the track base 43 form a pair structure and are relatively slidable. Rail base
Reference numerals 42 are fixed at both end positions of the thermal head support frame 40 as described above, while the way 43 is fixed at both end positions of the thermal head 2. Therefore, the thermal head 2 can be freely moved in the direction of arrow A in FIG. 4 with respect to the thermal head support frame 40. Therefore, the thermal head 2 is slid downward by the contraction force of the spring 30 as shown in FIG. 3A, and is slid to a position where it contacts the external recording body 31 as shown in FIG. It is moved. The vertical movement of the thermal head 2 is not limited to the track base 42 and the track base 43,
A general guide rail structure can also be used.

Next, FIG. 5 is a projection view or a cross-sectional view of the configuration shown in FIG. 4 viewed from each direction, and FIG.
(B) is a right side view of the thermal head 2 viewed from the timing belt 24 side, and FIG.
Is a side sectional view cut by the gimbal support shaft 41, and FIG.

In the drawings, the same reference numerals as those in FIGS. 2 and 4 denote the same components.

5A, a reference numeral 50 denotes a locking member for locking the lower end of the spring 30, and a reference numeral 51 denotes a locking member for locking the upper end of the spring 30 and, as shown in FIG. It is a stop member. That is, the thermal head 2
Is urged downward by the contraction force of the spring 30 acting via the locking member 51.

Reference numeral 52 denotes an upper end stopper for restricting the upward movement of the thermal head 2 by the contact of the locking member 51 as shown in FIG. 9C, and 53 similarly restricts the downward movement of the thermal head 2. This is the lower end stopper.

FIG. 7B shows a fixed state of the timing belt 24 and the carriage 22 by the connecting member 222. Accordingly, the carriage 22, that is, the thermal head 2 is scanned in conjunction with the driving of the timing belt 24 by the scanning motor 4.

In FIG. 4D, the thermal head support frame 40 around the gimbal support shaft 41, that is, the thermal head 2 and the roller
29, 29 'show a configuration in which they can rotate integrally in a plane orthogonal to the scanning direction.

FIG. 6 shows another embodiment of the configuration shown in FIG. 5. FIGS. 6A and 6D correspond to FIGS. 5A and 5D.

That is, in the figure (A), rollers 29 and 29 ′ are connected to both side surfaces of the gimbal support frame 23. on the other hand,
As shown in FIG. 4D, the thermal head 2 is connected to a thermal head support frame 40 through a gimbal support shaft 41. Therefore, when the external recording medium is inclined, only the thermal head 2 can be inclined in accordance with this inclination, and the rollers 29 and 29 'are fixed in posture.

Next, FIG. 7 shows a configuration of a winding portion of the transfer ink film 28.

In the drawing, reference numeral 70 denotes a rotating shaft which is penetrated to a right end of the printer unit support frame 20 and rotatably supports the take-up roller 27.The inner end of the rotary shaft 70 prevents the take-up roller 27 from running idle. A tapered portion 71 is formed. On the other hand, a rotary shaft 72 is rotatably penetrated at an appropriate position on the left end of the printer support frame 20, and a gear 73 and a transmission plate 74 for transmitting the rotational force of the gear 73 are provided at an inner end thereof. Reference numeral 75 denotes a rotating shaft loosely fitted to the rotating shaft 72. A friction plate 76 is provided at a position in contact with the transmission plate 74, and a tapered portion 71 is formed at the other end side like the rotating shaft 70.

The transmission plate 74 and the friction plate 76 function as a torque limiter as described later. 77 is a rotating shaft 70 in order to prevent the take-up roller 27
It is a spring wound around.

Reference numeral 78 denotes a gear provided on the drive shaft of the winding motor 8, which is configured to mesh with the gear 73 of the rotary shaft 72. Therefore, when the winding motor 8 is driven, this rotational force is transmitted to the friction plate 76 via the gears 78 and 73 and the transmission plate 74 to rotate the winding roller. On the other hand, when the winding load becomes large and a large load is applied to the winding motor 8, the friction plate 76 is caused to idle so that a load exceeding a certain level is not applied to the transfer motor 8. Designed.

In addition, although the winding motor 8 is shown for winding the transfer ink film 28, a configuration in which the motor is not provided and the winding can be simply performed manually may be employed. Further, even if the winding motor 8 is locked at the time of the backward scanning of the thermal head 2, the occurrence of bending due to the backward movement is prevented.

FIG. 8 shows the configuration of the feeding portion of the transfer ink film 28.

In the figure, reference numeral 80 denotes a rotating shaft which is penetrated to a suitable position on the right end of the printer frame 20 and rotatably supports the feeding roller 26. Is formed. On the other hand, a rotating bearing 82 is fixedly provided at an appropriate position on the left end of the printer support frame 20,
A friction plate 83 is attached to the inner end. Reference numeral 84 denotes a rotary shaft loosely fitted to the rotary bearing 82, and a transmission plate 85 is provided at a position in contact with the friction plate 83, and a tapered portion 81 is formed at the other end side like the rotary shaft 80.

The rotary bearing 82, the friction plate 83 and the transmission plate 85 function as a brake mechanism as described later. Reference numeral 86 denotes a rotary shaft in consideration of prevention of removal of the feeding roller 26 and easy replacement.
It is a spring wound around 80.

In the above configuration, when the winding motor 8 is driven to start winding the transfer ink film 28, the winding force overcomes the friction force between the friction plate 83 and the transmission plate 85, and rotates the feeding roller 26. Then, the transfer ink film 28 is fed out. When the feeding of the predetermined amount is completed, the rotation of the winding motor 8 is stopped, but the feeding roller 26 tends to rotate slightly due to its inertia.
28 will bend. The brake mechanism uses a frictional force to prevent the bending from occurring, and
Prevents rotation due to inertia. In addition, the above-mentioned brake mechanism is configured such that during the scanning by the thermal head 2, the transfer ink film 28 from the feeding side due to the reaction of the force for peeling off the adhesion between the transfer ink film 28 and the external recording medium 31 by the roller 29 '.
Of the transfer ink film 28, thereby providing a stable tension.

As another method for applying a stable tension to the transfer ink film 28, a back tension may be constantly applied using a spring or the like.

FIG. 9 is a view corresponding to FIG. 2 and shows a configuration for accommodating the thermal head 2.

Reference numeral 202 denotes a thermal head 2 provided at an appropriate position on both sides.
A pair of projections (only the near side is shown in the figure) is a projection guide piece 90 which slides on the projections 202 arranged at a scanning end position with a desired gradient and sequentially guides them upward. Only the middle and near sides are shown).

That is, the scanning motor 4 is driven to drive the carriage 22
Is returned to the scanning end position by, for example, reverse feeding, the projection 202 'indicated by a broken line in the figure is guided upward by sliding the projection guide 90' against the contraction force of the spring 30 '. Thus, the thermal head 2 'is also moved upward together. As a result, the thermal head 2 ′ is housed in the printer main body 101 from a state protruding from the opening 104.

If the projection guides 90 are provided at both scanning end positions, for example, in the case of a type in which the printing operation by the thermal head 2 is performed during reciprocating scanning, the thermal head 2 can be stored at any end position.

Next, FIG. 10 corresponds to FIG. 4, and shows a configuration in which the replacement and loading work of the transfer ink film 28 is facilitated.

Both sides of the thermal head support frame 40 are partially cut off, for example, by wavy cuts, and the lower side 401 is provided with the rollers 29, 29 '. In the figure, the configuration of the right side surface is omitted.

291 are support shafts provided at both ends of the roller 29, and a pair of guide rails 10 provided on both sides in parallel with the scanning direction.
It rotates or slides between 0 and 100. The lower guide rail 100 is cut slightly outside the position where the support shaft 291 is located at both ends of the scanning for removing the roller 29.

In the above configuration, the loading operation of the transfer ink film 28 will be described. First, the support shaft 291 is moved manually or by a special drive of the scanning motor 4 by a specially provided operation key so as to reach this cutting position. And the rollers 29, 29 'from the thermal head support frame 40.
To release. In this state, the transfer ink film 28 is fed from the feeding roller 26 and is loaded on the take-up roller 27. After the loading is completed, the lower side portion 401 is again fitted into the cutout on the lower side of the side of the thermal head support frame 40, and the direction of the original position (in the drawing,
(Indicated by arrow B). Therefore, the rollers 29 and 29 'do not interfere with the loading operation of the transfer ink film 28, and the loading can be performed easily and quickly. Then, by making the above-mentioned cuts wavy, the lower portion 401 does not come off from the thermal head support frame 40 during scanning.

Note that the thermal head support frame 4 is so formed that the lower portion 401 is formed only on one side of the roller 29 (or the roller 29 'side).
0 may be divided on both sides. Also, guide rail 100
May have an L-shaped cross section.

FIG. 11 shows the configuration of a printer to which a scannable CCD 14 is added.

In the drawing, the same reference numerals as those in FIG. 2 denote the same components.

In the drawing, reference numeral 110 denotes a guide roller support frame fixed to carriages 22 and 22 at both ends, and a guide roller 11 is interposed therebetween.
1 is rotatably provided. Also, the feeding roller 26
Is disposed on the take-up roller 27 side, and the transfer ink film 28
Are the guide roller 111, roller 2
It is configured to be wound around a winding roller 27 via a roller 9 'and a roller 29. Thereby, the opening 104 by the CCD 14
The original can be read, and the reading location can be confirmed from the window 105.

Reference numeral 112 denotes a CCD carriage which slides and moves on the guide shaft 21, and a CCD supporting frame 114 is fixed to an appropriate position on a lower surface of the CCD carriage 114 by a connecting member 113 such as a screw. On the lower surface of the CCD support frame 114, similarly to the thermal head 2, a CCD 14 in which CCD elements are arranged in a horizontal direction perpendicular to the scanning direction is fixed and attached.
A fluorescent tube 16 for providing a desired luminance to the original is disposed in the vicinity of the front and rear positions of the CCD 14. Reference numeral 115 denotes a connecting member such as a pin for connecting the thermal head 2 side and the CCD 14 side. The connection with the thermal head 2 side is released at the time of reading a document, and the scanning of the document surface is performed independently. ) And move together with scanning on the thermal head 2 side. In the type in which the connection can be released, a magnetizing current is supplied to and cut off from the electromagnet manually or by operating an operation key for CCD scanning using an electromagnet or the like. Further, the connection may be released each time the operation key is operated, and the document may be automatically connected at both scanning end positions (by the position sensors 6 and 7) after the document reading is completed.

The contents of the document read by the scanning of the CCD 14 are sent to the CPU 1 and then transferred to the frame memory 3 for storage.
Then, the content read from the frame memory 3 at the time of printing is output and printed on the external recording medium 31. The scanning of the thermal head 2, the transfer of the transfer ink film 28, and the winding by the CPU 1 in the printing operation are performed as follows.

That is, when the thermal head 2 scans in the direction of arrow C for printing as shown in the figure, the transfer ink film 28 is forcibly fed out from the feeding roller 26 in accordance with the scanning, and the winding roller 27 The rotation is regulated by the above-described torque limiter mechanism or by locking of the winding motor. On the other hand, when the scanning is completed and the thermal head 2 returns to the original reference position (the direction opposite to the arrow C), the CPU 1 controls the winding roller.
The take-up motor 8 is driven and controlled so that the take-up motor 27 takes up the transfer ink film 28 in synchronization with the return speed. In this case, the winding motor 8 is driven so that the winding speed of the winding roller 27 is slightly higher than the above-mentioned return speed, and the winding is performed in a state where the slip of the winding motor 8 and the torque limiter are operated. By doing so, it becomes easy to control the winding speed.

The printer according to the present invention can have the following configuration.

(1) In this embodiment, a thermal head has been described as an example of a recording head. However, a thermal head, a sublimation head, a heat melting head, a dot head, and an ink jet head may be used. Also, the transfer ink film may be in a so-called sheet shape, and includes a ribbon shape.

(2) In this embodiment, printing is performed using a transfer ink film. However, in the case of the above-mentioned dot system, ink jet system, or when thermal paper is used as an external recording medium, direct printing is possible. A transfer ink film is not required, and components for that purpose can be omitted, and the size can be further reduced.

(3) In FIG. 4, the roller 29 (or 2
9 ') can be configured to be detachable from the side surface of the thermal head support frame 40, and the other end can have a ball-shaped connection structure. Thus, when the transfer ink film 28 is exchanged or loaded, the rollers 29 and 29 'are rotated about the other end side (the ball-shaped structure side) and the thermal head 2 is rotated.
And loading work becomes easier.

This configuration can also be implemented with the configuration of FIG.

(4) In a printer configured to add an optical reading device,
Although the connecting member 115 is used, after the optical system reading device independently performs the reading scan without using the connecting member 115, it is possible to store the thermal head 2 further deeper than the scanning end position. The guide shaft 21 may be extended in advance, and the drive may be controlled by the scanning motor 4. Further, a separate guide shaft and a reading / scanning motor can be provided for the optical system reading device.

(5) By using a lid as a mounting table for covering the opening 104 for protection of the thermal head 2,
Can be protected easily and easily.

(6) As a mechanism for protecting the thermal head 2, the printer unit support frame 20 may be moved up and down in the printer main body 101. That is, a guide rail structure is used for a connection portion between the printer unit support frame 20 and the printer main body 101, or a rack and a pinion are used manually (by releasing a locking claw that restricts rotation of the pinion gear), or In addition, by providing a driving means such as a motor, vertical movement is possible.

〔The invention's effect〕

As described above, according to the present invention, no recording paper and a mechanism for transporting the recording paper are required inside, so that the overall configuration of the printer can be reduced in size and cost can be reduced. Also, since the recording head scans the upper surface of the transfer ink sheet facing the opening at the bottom of the main body and prints on the external recording medium,
There is no need to slide the printer body in accordance with the printing operation, and printing to a relatively large size can be performed accurately and easily. Further, when the transfer ink sheet is not required, a mechanism for the transfer ink sheet is not required, and the size and cost can be further reduced. Also, by installing an optical reader. A desired image can be taken into the memory and printed easily.

Further, since the recording head is made rotatable, the recording head can be accurately brought into contact with the external recording medium according to the inclination of the external recording medium. Further, since the rollers are disposed before and after the recording head, the adhesion between the transfer ink sheet and the external recording medium due to the heat of printing can be effectively removed. Also, since this roller can be released from the recording head,
Exchange and loading of the transfer ink sheet is easy and quick.

Further, since a mechanism for preventing the transfer ink sheet from being slackened is provided, the transfer ink sheet is not unnecessarily fed out, and a stable printing operation is ensured.

Further, since the scanning direction of the recording head is detected and the stored contents of the frame memory can be read from any line direction according to the scanning direction, quick printing can be performed by reciprocating scanning.

Since the cover for covering the opening is provided, the recording head can be protected. Further, since the recording head can be stored in the main body at both ends before and after scanning, the recording head can be protected.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a system configuration diagram of a printer according to the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a schematic sectional side view of the printer main body 101. FIG. 3 illustrates the operation of the spring 30. FIG. 3A shows the case where there is no external recording body below the thermal head 2, and FIG. FIG. 4 shows the case where the body 31 is present, FIG.
FIG. 5 is a perspective view or a cross-sectional view of the structure shown in FIG. 4 viewed from various directions, and FIG. 5A is a front view of the state where the thermal head 2 is removed. FIG. 6B is a right side view of the thermal head 2 viewed from the timing belt 24, FIG. 6C is a sectional side view taken along the gimbal support shaft 41, FIG. 6D is a plan view, and FIG. FIG. 5A shows another embodiment of the configuration shown in FIG.
FIG. 7 is a diagram corresponding to (D), FIG. 7 is a configuration diagram of a winding portion of the transfer ink film 28, FIG. 8 is a configuration diagram of a feeding portion of the transfer ink film 28, and FIG. 9 corresponds to FIG. FIG. 10 corresponds to FIG. 4 and shows the configuration of a roller unit for facilitating replacement and loading operations of the transfer ink film 28. FIG. 11 shows a scannable CCD 14. Configuration of the printer with
FIG. 1 is an overall perspective view of a printer according to the present invention. 1 ... CPU, 2 ... Thermal head, 202 ... Protrusion, 3 ...
... Frame memory, 4 ... Scan motor, 6,7 ... Position sensor, 8 ... Transport motor, 11 ... Operation keys, 13 ...
PC, word processor, 14 CCD, 20 printer support frame, 21 guide shaft, 22 carriage, 222, 113
... Coupling member, 23 ... Gimbal support frame, 24 ... Timing belt, 25 ... Pulley, 26 ... Painting roller, 27 ... Winding roller, 28 ... Transfer ink film, 29,29 '...
Roller, 291: Support shaft, 30: Spring, 31: External recording body, 40: Thermal head support frame, 401: Lower side, 41: Gimbal shaft, 42: Track base, 43 ... ... Track, 51 fixing member, 52 ... Top stopper, 53 ... Bottom stopper, 74,85 ... Transmission plate, 76,83 ... Friction plate, 82 ...
Rotary bearings, 90 ... Projection guide, 100 ... Guide rail, 1
11… Guide roller, 112… CCD carriage, 115…
Connecting member, 104, opening, 105, window

Claims (6)

(57) [Claims] A transfer ink sheet transferring means for sequentially transferring a transfer ink sheet; an opening formed in a bottom surface of the main body so as to expose the transfer ink sheet; and a recording head support for supporting the recording head toward the bottom surface of the main body. Member, recording head scanning means for scanning the recording head in the opening,
A memory for storing print contents, and a transfer unit for transferring the print contents in the memory to the recording head,
A printer according to claim 1, wherein said recording head support member includes a roller for feeding a transfer ink sheet at a position before and after the recording head in the scanning direction, and at least one of said rollers is detachable. 2. The printer according to claim 1, wherein said transfer ink sheet transfer means has a slack preventing mechanism provided on a transfer ink sheet feeding side. 3. A transfer ink sheet transferring means for sequentially transferring a transfer ink sheet, an opening formed in the bottom surface of the main body to expose the transfer ink sheet, and a print head support for supporting the print head toward the bottom surface of the main body. Member, recording head scanning means for scanning the recording head in the opening,
A memory for storing print contents, and a transfer unit for transferring the print contents in the memory to the recording head,
The printer according to claim 1, wherein the printhead support member includes a storage member that stores the printhead at least at the front and rear ends of the printhead from the opening toward the inside of the main body. An opening formed in the bottom surface of the main body to expose the recording head; a recording head support member for supporting the recording head toward the bottom surface of the main body; and a recording head scanning means for scanning the head in the opening. A memory for storing print contents, and transfer means for transferring the print contents in the memory to the print head, wherein the print head support member moves the print head at least at the front and rear ends of the scan from the opening toward the inside of the main body. A printer comprising: a storage member for storing in a printer. 5. A transfer ink sheet transferring means for sequentially transferring a transfer ink sheet, an opening formed in a bottom surface of the main body so as to expose the transfer ink sheet, and a recording head support for supporting the recording head toward the bottom surface of the main body. Member, recording head scanning means for scanning the recording head in the opening,
A memory for storing print contents, and a transfer unit for transferring the print contents in the memory to the recording head,
A printer, wherein a cover for covering a bottom surface of the main body is provided to protect the recording head. 6. An opening formed in the bottom surface of the main body to expose the recording head, a recording head support member for supporting the recording head toward the bottom surface of the main body, and a recording head scanning means for scanning the head in the opening. And a memory for storing print contents, and transfer means for transferring the print contents in the memory to the recording head, and a lid for covering the bottom surface of the main body is provided to protect the recording head. .