JPH01200979A - Cassette for ink donor sheet - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To enable an ink donor sheet to be easily mounted, by a method wherein when the ink donor sheet is mounted, two doors of a cassette are opened, and an ink donor sheet is pulled out with a cassette roller. CONSTITUTION:An ink donor sheet 232 is wound on reels 235a, 235b, and is engaged with cassette rollers 236a, 236b provided to one ends of doors 231a, 231b. Then, when the ink donor sheet 232 contained in a cassette 230 is mounted on an apparatus, by opening the doors 231a, 231b to both sides, the ink donor sheet 232 is also pulled out together with the cassette rollers 236a, 236b. At that time, a thermal head 152 and a driving roll 155 are respectively released from a back roll 153 and a pinch roll 224. When the cassette 230 is inserted, a head stand 222 rises by a throttle lever 221 mechanism, and thermal recording becomes possible. Besides, when the cassette is taken out, the head stand 222 is lowered by a Scott Russell mechanism of the lever 221 to be opened.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION (Industrial Application Field) The present invention relates to an ink donor sheet cassette, and more particularly to an ink donor sheet cassette suitable for use in a color copying machine applying transfer type thermal recording technology.

(Prior Art) As a conventional color copying machine, there is one using a dry type copying machine (xerography).

However, this type of color copying machine has the disadvantage that it requires maintenance due to excessive dirt and stains on the photoreceptor. Furthermore, since the entire process from reading the original to copying is handled optically, it is difficult to perform processes such as image editing. Further, since a large amount of power is required for the fixing device and the like, there are disadvantages in that the power consumption is large and the size of the color copying machine is also large.

Other conventional color copying machines include those shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. This color copier is
A counter roll 303 is provided opposite the thermal recording head 301, and the ink donor sheet 302 is configured to pass between the two.

The ink donor sheet 302 has yellow, cyan, and magenta ink layers 310 as shown in FIG.
．． 320. 330 is periodically and repeatedly applied to the entire sheet 302 in the above sequence. Furthermore, the length l of each color ink layer is made equal to the length on the outer periphery of the opposing roll 303. This ink donor sheet 302 is wound up on a take-up roll 307 . The speed at which the ink donor sheet 302 is wound up by the winding roll 307 is higher than that of the opposing roll 303.
It is made to be equal to the circumferential velocity of.

The opposing roll 303 has a retaining clip 3 for holding the recording paper 306 wound around the surrounding surface of the opposing roll 3030.
04 is provided. Also, near the surface of the opposing roll 3030, there is a strip finger/paper bath guide 3.
05 is provided.

Now, the operation of the conventional device having such a configuration is performed as follows. The recording paper 306 passes through the IJ knob finger/vapor bus guide 305 and is transferred to the opposing roll 303.
Can be wrapped around K. Then, the recording paper 306 is fastened to the surface of the opposing roll 303 by a fastening clip 304. Next, the yellow part 3 of the ink donor sheet 302
10 is brought into contact with a recording paper 306 wound around the outer peripheral surface of a facing roll 303, and while the facing roll 303 rotates once, a yellow image is recorded by the thermal recording head 301.

Next, the cyan portion 3 of the ink donor sheet 302
20 in contact with the recording paper 306, and the opposing roll 3
03 is rotated once again, and a cyan image is recorded by the thermal recording head 301.

Next, in the same manner as described above, the marienta portion 330 is overwritten on the recording paper 306.

As mentioned above, the ink donor sheet can be printed in yellow, cyan,
When configured with magenta three colors, the thermal recording head 30
Apply 3 cycles of image information to 1, and apply 3 cycles of image information to the opposing roll 3.
Color recording is completed by rotating 03 three times.

When recording is completed, the retaining clip 304 of the recording paper 306
is released, and the recording paper 306 is peeled off from the opposing roll 303 by the strip/paper bus guide 305 and removed.

(Problems to be Solved by the Invention) The conventional apparatus described above has the disadvantage that it is mechanically complex because it is necessary to wrap the recording paper around the opposing roll and fix it to the circumferential surface of the opposing roll using a fastening clip. In addition, since one color recording is completed by rotating the facing roll three times, the copying speed is slow. Furthermore, the ink donor sheet must be made by repeating ink layers of three colors whose length is exactly equal to the length of the circumferential surface of the opposing roll, which has the disadvantage of making the ink donor sheet difficult (and expensive). Another drawback was that it was difficult to attach the ink donor sheet to a color copying machine.

An object of the present invention is to provide a color copying machine that requires less maintenance, has a simple mechanism, is compact, and is inexpensive.
To provide an ink donor sheet cassette that is inexpensive and easy to install.

(Means and Effects for Solving the Problems) The present invention provides an ink donor sheet cassette containing an ink donor sheet used for color copying, including a supply reel for supplying the ink donor sheet, and a supply reel for winding the ink donor sheet. a take-up reel for taking up the ink donor sheet, and two doors that can be opened double-sidedly provided on the surface that becomes the drawer section of the ink donor sheet;
The door is characterized by a cassette roller attached to the open end of each door.

According to the present invention, when the ink donor sheet is loaded into a color copying machine, when the two double doors are opened, the cassette roller opens at the same time, and the ink donor sheet is guided by the cassette roller automatically. It is unfolded toward the drawer section. Therefore, the ink donor sheet can be easily installed in a color copying machine.

(Example) The present invention will be explained below by way of examples.

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of a color copying machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. This copying machine includes an image reading section 1 for reading image information from a document, and a color recording section 2 for obtaining color recorded images based on the image information.

The image reading section 1 includes a fixed grating 6 on which a document is placed, and a scanner unit 3 that reciprocates on a rail 12 attached parallel to the platen 6. Inside the scanner unit 3, three fluorescent lamps 14, 15, 16, which are slightly longer than the width of the platen 60, are arranged at predetermined intervals in a direction perpendicular to the movement direction of the scanner unit 3 (main scanning direction). has been done. These fluorescent lamps 14. Below Is, 16 are plane mirrors 18a, 18b for guiding the reflected light from the document surface.
, 18c, a lens 4 for forming an image of the guided reflected light, and an image sensor 5 for converting the optical image into a corresponding electric signal. In this embodiment, the image sensor 5 reads image information of R (red), G (green), and B (f).

The scanner unit 3 is arranged so as to be able to reciprocate along the rail 12.

On the other hand, the color recording section 2 includes a black supply roll 55 in which a black ink donor sheet 51 is wound in a roll around a paper tube for recording black color, and a seven color ink supply roll 55 for recording yellow (Y) color. A Y color supply roll 56 in which a donor sheet 52 is wound in a roll shape around a paper tube, and an M color supply roll 56 in which an M color ink donor sheet 53 for recording magenta (M) color is wound in a roll shape around a paper tube. Four sets of supply rolls are provided: a roll 57 and a 0-color supply roll 58 in which a C-color ink donor sheet 54 for recording cyan (C) is wound around a paper tube. Here, the recording section has four ink donor sheets of black, cyan, yellow, and magenta, but of course only three of cyan, yellow, and magenta may be used. However, when recording black, cyan,
Black color reproduction is not very good in yellow and magenta.

Additionally, there is a drawback that bleeding may occur due to color shift.

Next, the configuration of the transfer section of the recording section 2 will be explained in detail using a black transfer section as an example. Note that it is clear that the configurations of the transfer portions of other colors are the same or equivalent to the configuration of the black transfer portion.

FIG. 4 shows a detailed structural diagram of the black transfer section.

This bag opening is connected to a black supply roll 55 and a take-up roll 151.
The long ink donor sheet 51 is continuously supplied from the black supply roll 55 to the recording section A', and is collected onto the take-up roll 151 after use. The recording section A' consists of a thermal head 152 and a pack roll 1532-. back roll 153
Then, the ink donor sheet 51 and the recording paper 154 overlapped in front of the recording section A' are pressed against the thermal head 152.

The ink donor sheet 51 has a base paper coated with thermofluid or thermosublimation ink on one side, and when the thermal head 152 is selectively driven, the fluidized or sublimated ink is transferred to the recording paper 154. Then, thermal transfer recording is performed. After this, the ink donor sheet 51 and the recording paper 154 continue to move on the same surface as the back roll 153 rotates. When the pack roll 153 and the drive roll 155 reach opposing positions, they are separated and the ink donor sheet 51 is wound up on the take-up roll 151K.

The recording paper 154 is fed in the direction of the dotted line in the figure.

In each recording section, the recording paper 154 is conveyed by frictional force with the ink donor sheet.

Further, the ink donor sheet 51 is conveyed by a drive roll 155 by a stepping motor (not shown).
This is done by driving the

The driving source of the scanner unit 3 similarly uses a stepping motor.

Returning again to FIG. 3, this embodiment will be explained.

The recording paper is placed in the trays 61, 62 and sent out by the feed roller 63.
64 to the black recording section, where black information is printed. Thereafter, it is sent to the yellow recording section and yellow information is printed. Then, magenta and cyan are recorded in this order. After the recording paper has been recorded in all four colors, it is sent to the ejection tray 60 by the ejection roller 59.

Here, the recording order is black, yellow, magenta, and cyan, but the order may be black, yellow, cyan, magenta, or black, cyan, yellow, magenta, or black, magenta, yellow, and cyan. Also, PWBA in the figure
indicates the printed circuit board on which the signal processing circuit and recording circuit are made, and P/S indicates the power supply.

FIG. 5 shows a detailed view of section A surrounded by the dotted line in FIG.

In the figure, 31 indicates a switching plate. This switching plate 31
is used to select between color recording and black recording.

That is, during color recording, the switching plate 31 is placed at the dotted line position. Then, after being peeled off from the black ink donor sheet, the recording paper fed in the direction of arrow a passes through the path that is not closed by the switching plate 3 and passes through the second color in the direction of the arrow. (e.g., Yellow's recording unit).

On the other hand, when only black is to be recorded, the switching plate 31 is switched to the solid line position. Therefore, after the recording paper is peeled off from the black ink donor sheet, it is transferred to the switching plate 31.
Arrow to change its path. direction, and is sent to the discharge tray 60 without passing through the recording sections of other colors. By doing so, ink donor sheets can be saved.

Next, the configuration and operation of the image reading section 1 will be explained. 6th
The figure is a schematic diagram of the image reading section 1. The image reading section l is the sixth
As shown in the figure, it mainly consists of a fixed platen 76 on which a document is placed, and a scanner unit 73 that reciprocates on a rail 82 mounted parallel to the platen 76.

The scanner unit 73 is fixed to a part of a timing belt 81 stretched by pulleys 79 and 80K, and is arranged to be able to reciprocate on a rail 82 by rotation of a stem motor 80 that rotates the pulley 79.

In this embodiment, since the platen 76 is fixed, there is no risk of damage to the document compared to a movable platen. Here, the platen is fixed and the scanner is movable, but of course the platen may be movable and the scanner fixed.

The sequence control section of the scanner energizes the motor bi 241 circuit at a predetermined timing to rotate the motor 78 forward or reverse, causing the scanner unit 73 to reciprocate.

When copying only one sheet, the sequence control section causes the scanner unit 73 to run at the speed necessary for reading on the outward trip, and on the other hand, runs the scanner unit 73 at a speed faster than the speed required for the reading section on the return trip. The motor 78 is controlled to return to the home position.

On the other hand, in the case of multiple copying, image information is read not only on the outward pass but also on the return pass. Therefore, the scanner unit 73 drives the forward and backward paths at the same reading speed.

At this time, the read image signal is reversed on the return trip. Therefore, it is necessary to convert the image signal into a normal image before sending it to the recording section or processing section.

The conversion method will be explained with reference to the block diagram of FIG.

Image information is read by an image sensor 161. One raster read by the image sensor 161 is converted into a digital signal by the A/D converter 162 and stored in the memory 163.
is stored in

When reading the image information on the outward trip, switch the switching circuit 164 to the position shown in the figure, and set the count-up address counter 1.
65. The image information read from the memory 163 is sent to an image processing section or a recording section 166.

When reading the image information on the return trip, the switching circuit 164 is switched to the opposite position as shown. In order to convert the image information read during the return trip into original data, the address counter 167 may be counted down in units of rows in the memory 163.

The memory 163 is preferably a 4k×1 bit memory. It is of course possible to use other memory, such as a 1k×4 pit memory, but in that case the circuit needs to be slightly modified.

When making multiple copies from a single document, scanning on the return trip also saves time for returning the scanner, which has the advantage of increasing the copying speed.

Furthermore, in the scanner, a plurality of VC reflecting mirrors 8 are used to downsize the scanner unit 3, and a plurality of image sensors are used to shorten one optical path length. In FIG. 3, only one image sensor 5 is shown, but in reality, a plurality of image sensors are provided in the direction perpendicular to the plane of the paper.

A stepping motor is suitable as the drive motor 78 (see FIG. 4) of the scanner unit 3.

By using this motor, it is possible to drive incrementally one rask at a time in the sub-scanning direction, and it becomes easier to synchronize with the recording section. Another advantage is that reading can be easily started or stopped in response to commands from an external device. Although a rotary stepping motor is used here, a linear stepping motor may also be used.

Additionally, the original size, recording paper size, and reduction ratio can be set using switches on the panel. These settings determine the moving area reading sequence of the scanner. The document size can also be automatically detected. One method is to make the platen cover black, for example, and scan the document once at high speed before reading the document information.The size of the document can be read.

The scanner unit uses three fluorescent lights, red, green, and blue, as light sources. In this embodiment, the red fluorescent light with a long afterglow and poor photoresponsiveness is kept on during the reading period, and the blue and green fluorescent lights with a short afterglow and good photoresponsiveness are blinked.

FIGS. 8(a) to 8(e) show the reading operation with time plotted on the horizontal axis. FIG. 5A shows that the image sensor scans three times when reading one line. In the figure, (b) to (dl) respectively indicate that only the red fluorescent light is turned on during the first scan, the red and green lights are turned on during the second scan, and the red and blue lights are turned on during the third scan.

In the figure (el represents red, red-green, and red-blue photoelectric conversion output signals obtained with a delay of one scanning period).

FIG. 9 shows a block diagram of a signal processing circuit for obtaining red, blue, and green signals from the photoelectric conversion output signal shown in FIG. 8(e).

Image information of red (R), red-green (RG), and red-blue (RB) light is input to the image sensor 161 . The image sensor 16 converts the image information of dazzling light into an electrical signal and outputs it. This electrical signal is amplified by an amplifier 171, inputted to an A/D converter 172, and converted into a digital signal.

The signal converted into a digital signal by the A/D converter 172 is switched by a switch 173, and the red signal is stored in the 1-line memory 174, and the red-green signal is stored in the 1-line memory 1J17.
It is stored in 5. When the red and blue signals are input to the switch 173, the switch 173 sends the red and blue signals to the color separation circuit 176.

1 line memory 174. 175 is read out in synchronization with this red and blue signal.

The color separation circuit 176 separates and outputs red, green, and blue signals from the input red, red-green, and red-blue signals. That is, the -color separation circuit 176 outputs green and blue signals by calculating (red-green)-(red)=green and (red-blue)-(red)=blue, and also outputs the input red signal. Output.

As the color separation circuit 176, it is preferable to use, for example, a ROM. In this case, the above-mentioned three inputs, that is, red, red-green, and red-blue, may be used as addresses to extract the red, green, and blue data previously stored in the ROM.

FIG. 8ff) shows the color separation signal which is the output of the color separation circuit 176.

Although FIG. 8 shows only one line reading operation for convenience, it is clear that this operation is actually repeated continuously.

As mentioned above, the image information of the original is transferred to the image sensor (COD).
) is subjected to A/D conversion.

At this time, for example, if a 4-bit A/D converter is used,
Be able to read 16 gradations. Therefore, the more gradations there are, the better the reproducibility of the original will be. However, since the read image signal is an R2O and B image signal and is an additive color mixture, it is necessary to perform subtractive color mixture cyan (C), magenta (M), yellow (Y)K conversion. Furthermore, in order to improve the image quality, recording will be performed using a black ink donor sheet for black.

However, even if recording is performed as described above, when recording blue using, for example, M and C ink donor sheets, thermal transfer recording with the same applied power results in a blue color with low brightness. Therefore, in order to faithfully reproduce each color, recording is performed by changing the applied power, the number of recording pixels, or both, rather than the usual one.

Therefore, when R=G=B=O (that is, black) is black (Bk
) on the ink donor sheet.

Further, the following color conversion is performed for R, G, and B.

Here, ki is applied power data or regeneration number data.

Furthermore, since each color (y, M, c, Bk) is recorded in a separate recording section, these colors cannot be recorded at the same time. Therefore, such color image information is temporarily stored in a memory, read out after a predetermined time (delay time), and sent to the recording section for recording.

FIG. 10 shows a block diagram of a recording section incorporating the above-described method. Here, the recording colors of the third to sixth recording sections are black, yellow, cyan, and magenta.

First, regarding black color, as shown in FIG. 10, it is sent directly to the shift register 181a without being stored in the memory.
Sent to the black recording section. That is, a black thermal head driver 182a and a thermal head 183
Sent to a.

The image information converted into Y, M, and C by the RGB→YMC conversion circuit 184 is sent to the following circuit. The yellow image information is first stored in the memory 185a. When the position of the recording paper to be recorded reaches the yellow recording section, the yellow image information is read out from the memory 185a for the first time, and the signal read out b is transferred to the shift register 18.
Send to 1b. Next, the thermal head driver 182
The power is sent to the recording unit consisting of a thermal head 183b and a thermal head 183b, and recording is performed. Therefore, the capacity of the yellow image information storage memory 185a is at least from the first recording section to the second recording section.
82, which corresponds to the distance to the recording section, is required.

The same applies to cyan and magenta. 18
Reference numerals 5b, 181c, 182c, and 183c represent a magenta memory, a shift register, a thermal head driver, and a thermal head, respectively.

Further, 185c, 181d, 182d, and 183d indicate a cyan memory, a shift register, a thermal head driver, and a thermal head, respectively.

In addition, in the figure, φ1. φ2 indicates the timing signal・186
a to 186c indicate write-read timing control circuits. Also, in place of Memo 'J185a-185C,
Of course, page memories for each color may be used.

The above method allows image signals to be read faithfully. However, even if the image signal is faithfully read, it cannot be faithfully reproduced unless the recording characteristics during recording are good.

A major factor that prevents faithful reproduction is heat accumulation in the thermal head. The effect of heat accumulation becomes greater as the recording speed becomes higher.

FIG. 11 is a graph showing the state of heat storage.

As shown in Figure 11, the temperature of a certain heating element is now 10
℃, when an application pulse is applied to the heating element, the temperature rises to 11℃ and then gradually cools down. After the tc waiting time, the heating element is still at the original temperature T. 'If you apply the same pulse again without GK returning, the temperature will rise to 72.
It becomes ℃. This 72°C is higher than T+'C. The shorter the printing cycle tc, the greater its influence.

Therefore, in this embodiment, in order to quickly cool down the heat generating element, a fan is attached to the base of the thermal head or forced air cooling is performed using a fan. However, if this is still insufficient, check the heat storage state of each heating element,
Depending on the state, the applied energy is changed to correct heat accumulation in each heating element.

FIG. 12 shows a block diagram of the heat storage correction device.

Print image signal information is stored in a line buffer memory. For example, when trying to print the nth line,
The information on that line, the nl-th line, and the n2-th line are stored in the respective line buffer memories 191a, 191b, and 191.
A time measurement counter 193 is provided to measure the time from the previous line printing to the current line printing, and its output is input to the heat storage state calculator 192 from c to the heat storage state calculator 192. The signal is supplied to the arithmetic unit 192. The heat storage state calculation unit 192 calculates the heat storage state based on the above data information and time information, and inputs the calculation result to the pulse calculation unit 194.

The pulse width calculator 194 stores the output signal of the heat storage state calculator 192, the pulse width memory 195 that stores the pulse duration of the previous line, the output information of the thermal head substrate temperature detector 196, and the pulse 1 ratio. table 1
The output signal of 97 is used to determine the pulse in the line currently being recorded. Pulse width calculator 194
The output is sent to the next stage recording control section. Further, the determined pulse is stored again in the pulse width memory 195 for printing the next line.

Note that pixel information to be recorded this time is input to the pulse width ratio storage table 197. Here, the pulse width ratio storage table 197 is required when performing halftone recording by the ternary dither method. For example, a 2x2 matrix 3
When performing mesodic recording using the value dither method, one moving bed is represented by a 2 x 2 dot matrix, and each dot is divided into three levels (1) as shown in Figure 13.
The pulse width is set so that any one of the colors (blind, white, black, and anything in between) can be printed. By combining the three sizes of dots and arranging them in a 2x2 matrix, halftone recording becomes possible.

FIG. 14 shows the relationship between the combination and the reflexivity.

Therefore, if the heat accumulation correction and halftone recording described above are performed in each recording section, the original can be faithfully reproduced.

Next, each color's ink donor sheet is conveyed by the respective color's drive roll, as already explained in FIG. Therefore, the amount of feed of the ink donor sheet depends on the diameter, surface condition, load, etc. of those drive rolls. Further, as explained in FIG. 4, the recording paper is conveyed by the frictional force between the back roll 153 and the ink donor sheet between the thermal head 152.

Therefore, in order to keep the conveyance speed of the recording paper constant,
It is necessary to detect the feed amount of the ink donor sheet in each recording section and control the feed amounts so that they are constant or equal.

However, since the drive roll 155 conveys the ink donor sheet 51, slippage occurs due to the load on the ink donor sheet and the load during recording. For this reason,
In a method in which the drive roll 155 is controlled to rotate at a constant rate, the amount of conveyance of the ink donor sheet and recording paper is not constant, resulting in color misregistration. However, since the back roll 153 is rotated by the movement of the recording paper, there is a load.

It is small and has very little slippage between the recording paper and the back roll. Therefore, by detecting the rotation angle of the back roll, the amount of movement of the recording paper can be determined.

Next, the total feed control system for keeping the amount of movement of the recording paper constant will be explained. A disk having elongated through holes provided radially from the center of the pack roll 153 at regular intervals is attached to the shaft of the pack roll 153.

A light emitting diode is provided on one side of the disk, and a phototransistor is provided on the other side of the disk. In this way, pulses are output due to the rotation of the enjo, and by counting the pulses, the rotation angle of the back roll can be detected. Also, if you know this rotation angle, you can determine the diameter of the pack roll and the amount of paper movement.

As the drive method of the motor that drives the drive roll 155, a microstep drive force type is used.

This system is a mechanism or drive system that feeds in fine steps that are - (n is a positive number) times the standard feed amount.

FIG. 15 shows a block diagram of the feed amount control circuit when the set feed amount is used as the reference. A motor driver 201 drives a motor 203 based on a control signal generated from a control signal generator 202 . For example, the control signal generator 2
When 4 pulses are output from 02, motor 203
feeds the recording paper by a distance of one raster. The pulse counter 204 counts the number of pulses of the control signal output from the control signal generator 202. This count value is sent to the ideal forward view calculation section 205 and converted into an ideal forward amount. For example, considering the above example, when four pulses are counted, the calculation unit 205 outputs the distance between rusks.

On the other hand, the pulse signal obtained by the rotation of the disk 206 is shaped into a clean rectangular wave by a waveform shaper 207, and the number of pulses is counted by a pulse counter 208. The count value of the pulse counter 208 is sent to a movement amount calculating section 209 and converted into the movement amount of the recording paper.

The outputs of the calculation units 205 and 209 are sent to a comparison calculation circuit 210, where the difference between the two is determined.

For example, if the ink donor sheet slips and does not travel sufficiently even though the drive blow 2155 is rotating, the recording paper also moves by the same amount as the ink donor sheet, so that the calculation unit 209 The output value of is smaller than the output value of the calculation unit 205.

The output of the comparison calculation circuit 210 is the motor driver 201K.
The sent motor driver 201 applies a correction to the motor 203 according to the output value of the comparison calculation circuit 210.

As a result, the motor 203 is corrected so that the recording paper feed amount always approaches the ideal feed amount.

In addition, in the above example, the angle detection disk was attached to the back roll, but it may be attached to the auxiliary roller. Further, instead of this, a means capable of optically detecting the amount of paper movement may be used.

By doing the above, by controlling the movement s and i of the recording paper, it is possible to realize high-quality recording without color shift.

Next, the relationship between the recording paper and the ink donor film in each recording section will be explained.

Figure 16 shows the pack roll 153 and the thermal head 1.
52, the recording paper 154 and the ink donor sheet 51 are overlapped. When the width of the ink donor sheet 51 is set to be less than the middle of the recording paper 154 as shown in the figure, the end surface of the ink donor sheet 51 becomes the width of the recording paper 154.
When rubbed, a thin line is recorded on the recording paper 154 extending in the longitudinal direction of the recording paper. For this reason, in this embodiment, the width of the ink donor shift 51 is made several widths (more than 2 inches) larger than the width of the recording paper.

As explained earlier, in transfer-type thermal recording, ink is melted by heat, transferred to recording paper, and then the recording paper and ink donor film must be peeled off. However,
Static electricity is generated by the peeling, and it reaches more than 10 KV. Therefore, this static electricity causes malfunction of the electric circuit. Therefore, it is necessary to eliminate static electricity after peeling.

As a method for eliminating static electricity, after peeling the recording paper from the ink donor sheet, a static elimination brush is brought into contact with both the recording paper and the ink donor sheet. As the static elimination brush, a grounded conductive brush is suitable.

Also, a negative image remains on the ink donor sheet after it is peeled off. For this reason, it is necessary to erase the negative image in order to prevent leakage of confidential information, and a heat roll is pressed against the ink donor sheet after peeling. The surface temperature of the heat roll is 1 higher than the melting point of the ink.
If the temperature is raised by 0 to 30 degrees Celsius, the negative image will no longer be decipherable, and there will be no need to worry about leaking confidential information. Note that a posistar or other heat roller may be used in place of the heat roll.

Furthermore, when performing color recording, cyan, magenta, and yellow are layered, so the ink does not completely penetrate the recording paper. Therefore, by reheating the recording paper after transfer, the fixing performance can be improved.

It is preferable to use radiant heat as the heating means because the heating means will not be contaminated by the transferred ink.

The used ink donor sheet is wound up by a take-up roll. If all the ink donor sheets are wound up on the take-up roll, the recording paper cannot be conveyed, resulting in a jam. Therefore, when the ink donor sheet comes near the end,
A means to detect this is required. To that end, the 15th
As shown in the figure, near the end of the ink donor sheet 51, inks of different colors are applied to the ink donor sheet 510.
About 30 medium-sized bodies 220 are made, and their length is longer than the length of recording paper.

For example, if the recording paper is A3, the long side is 42011 m.
Therefore, here, the length of the band is set to 500 mm or more.

The reason for this length is to enable printing to the end on a sheet of recording paper that is in the middle of recording even if the end of the ink donor sheet is detected during recording.

In addition, by doing so, when receiving information from other computers, it is possible to record up to the last sheet, and there is no need to worry about information being lost.

This copying machine has four recording sections, so if the recording paper is jammed, it will be easier to remove the jam if it is displayed in which section the jam occurred. As a sensor for reading the presence or absence of recording paper, for example, a reflective photosensor may be used.

It is also possible to read the movement of a cantilever using a microswitch or the like. In this way, a recording paper jam can be detected by reading the presence or absence of paper on the paper path.

FIG. 18 shows the recording unit 2 for explaining the jam detection means.
A schematic diagram is shown. As shown in the figure, reflective photosensors 81 to s7 are arranged on the paper conveyance path. In this system, the recording paper is sent out from the tray 61 or 62, and is conveyed in close contact with the ink donor sheet.

Here, when the recording operation is started, the recording paper is placed in the tray 61.
Or it is sent out from 62, passes through sensor S1%, and is conveyed to the first recording section. Next, to the second to fourth recording sections,
It is transported and passes through each sensor S2 to S6. At this time, if the recording paper is normally conveyed at a constant speed, each sensor will detect the leading edge of the paper at time intervals corresponding to the distance intervals. It goes without saying that the trailing edge of the paper can also be detected as the paper is conveyed.

However, if the paper gets jammed or is not conveyed correctly, the paper will not be detected by the next sensor even after the scheduled time has passed, making it possible to detect the jam. Furthermore, whether or not the paper has been transported to the paper ejection tray 60 can be detected by a sensor S7 located at the entrance of the paper ejection tray.

Therefore, when the recording paper jams, the position can be detected and displayed on the display to notify the operator.

Next, a mechanism that can easily remove jammed recording paper will be described. Generally, the pressure between the thermal head and the back roll is high, so it is not possible to easily remove jammed recording paper.

Therefore, a means for releasing the pressure is required, and one such means will be described below.

In FIG. 19, the recording paper 154 is attached to the thermal head 152.
This is a diagram showing a mechanism when ink is being transferred from a melted ink donor sheet 51.

In the figure, when the recording paper 154 becomes jammed,
The recording paper 154 cannot be removed because it is pressed against the back roll 153 and the thermal head 152.

Figure 20 shows the process when removing jammed recording paper.
A diagram of the mechanism is shown. The same symbols as in FIG. 19 indicate the same parts.

If the recording paper becomes jammed, use the slot lever 2.
21, the head stand 222 is lowered. Therefore, the jammed recording paper 154 can be taken out. In this way, jammed recording paper can be easily taken out.

In Figures 19 and 20, 155 is a drive roll, 223 is a guide roll, 224 is a pinch roll, and 225 is a chassis. Also, the same reference numerals as in FIG. 4 indicate the same parts.

Second, with conventional devices, it is difficult and time-consuming to replace the ink donor sheet when it runs out. In the apparatus of this embodiment, the ink donor sheet can be stored in a cassette and replaced easily. The cassette and detachment mechanism will be explained below.

FIG. 21 shows a plan view of the cassette with one side of the cassette case housing the ink donor sheet removed. Moreover, FIGS. 22 and 23 are explanatory diagrams of the operation when installing the ink donor sheet in the recording section.

In FIG. 21, an ink donor sheet 232 is wound around reels 235a and 235b, and a door 231
a, cassette ronia installed at one end of 231b
236a and 236b. this door 2
31a and 231b can be opened with double doors.

Ink donor sheet 232 contained in the cassette 230
When installing the cassette 230 into the device, as shown in FIG.
Open it on both sides. When the doors 231a and 231b are opened on both sides, the ink and donor sheets 232 are also pulled out together with the cassette rollers 236a and 236'b.

At that time, the thermal head 152 and drive roll 155 in the apparatus are released from the back roll 153 and pinch roll 224, respectively. Cassette 23
When 0 is inserted into the apparatus, as shown in FIG. 22, the Scott Russell mechanism of the Slot Reno ζ-221 raises the 1 head stand 222, making it possible to perform thermal recording.

On the other hand, when taking out the cassette 230, the head stand 222 is lowered and the ink donor sheet 232 is opened by operating the Scott Russell mechanism of the slot lever 221.

By the above-described operation, the cassette 230 can be easily attached and detached.

The copying machine of this embodiment has two recording paper storage trays. However, the number is not limited to this, and more numbers may be provided. However, using a large number of trays increases the size of the machine, and in normal use, two types are often sufficient.

Sometimes, I use two 7i-1.degree. sheets of recording paper of a size that is not normally used, or I use irregular-sized paper. In such a case, a manual paper feeder (MPF) 65 is provided in this embodiment so that the tray can be used without having to take the trouble of replacing the tray (see No. 18). 18th
As shown in the figure, when recording paper is put into the MPF section 65, the sensor S8 detects it. By this, M.P.
The F roller 66 rotates and preferentially feeds the manually loaded recording paper to the first recording section.

Alternatively, the selection may be made using a button on the panel instead of being read by the slack sensor 88.

Since the apparatus of this embodiment converts document information into digital signals and transfers and processes them, it is possible to synthesize external information and information on the document.

FIG. 24 shows a block diagram of an example of a device for synthesizing original information and external information. The circuit surrounded by the dotted line in the figure is a circuit corresponding to one color (here, yellow Y), and the circuit corresponding to the other color CM.
, C, black) indicates that similar circuits are provided corresponding to K. Conversely, circuits not surrounded by dotted lines are common regardless of color.

The document information is optically read by the reading section 240, converted into an electrical signal, and then A/D converted. Image processing section 2
Sent to 41. The image processing unit 241 performs color separation processing, etc., and sends the 1st information to the address counter 242, as well as RGB-4MMC black and RG to the conversion circuit 243.
Send information on B. The details are as explained in FIG.

The signals converted into Y, M, C, and black information by the RGC-MMC black conversion circuit 243 are stored in the memory 245 through the 1-synthesizer 244 . The address of memory 245 is designated by address counter 242.

On the other hand, information from the outside, such as information sent from a computer, passes through an interface 246 and is input to the recognition circuit 247. The recognition circuit 247 recognizes what type of information is received from the outside, and recognizes color information and position designation information. First, it is determined to which color data selector the external information is to be sent, based on the color information in the external information. Of the information from the outside, information regarding yellow is sent to the data selector 249. Information regarding other colors is sent to the data selector corresponding to that color.

Next, if the information from the outside is code type information,
An address is sent to the character generator 248, and the character generator 248 is activated. On the other hand, if the information from the outside is a video type, this information is sent to the data selector 249. The recognition circuit 247 also receives a signal from the address counter 242. Then, using this signal and external position designation information, the character generator 248 transfers the food type or video type information at a predetermined timing so that the external information is synthesized at a predetermined position 1 of the document information. Or output to the data selector 249.

The data selector 249 selects the character generator 24 according to the select signal sent from the recognition circuit 247.
8 or the output from the recognition circuit 247. The selected character information or video information is written into the memory 245 via the synthesis section 244. As a result, the original ff1fi information and information from the outside are combined.

The information synthesized in the memory 245 is sent to the recording control circuit 25
0 and sent to the thermal head 251 Vc.

Then, the thermal head 251 is selectively heated in accordance with the information. Note that since this part of the apparatus is the same as that described in FIG. 8, detailed explanation will be omitted.

In this manner, the apparatus of this embodiment can combine information on a document with information from outside, and therefore has a wider range of applications. In addition to external information, read-only memo IJ (FRO)
If you enter fixed internal information (for example, company name, brand name, etc.) in M), etc., and combine this with the manuscript information, the internal fixed information will overlay the contents of the manuscript.
The value of use increases. The external interface is Centronics, R3232C, CP-IB.
etc.

FIG. 25 shows a block diagram in which the apparatus of this embodiment can be used as a facsimile.

The document information read by the reading section 261 is transmitted to the modulator/demodulator 262.
K send, modulate and send to outside. On the other hand, signals sent from the outside are demodulated by a modem 262 and stored in a memory 263. Then, the information in the memory 263 is read out and recorded in the recording section 264. If used in this manner, the apparatus of this embodiment can be used as a facsimile.

Also, if the original information @i read by the reading section 261 is sent to the memory 263 and further sent to the recording section 264 for recording, it can be used as a normal transfer type copying machine. moreover,
Interface 26 for information from outside such as a computer
5 into the memory 263 and synthesized with the original information read by the reading section 261, as explained earlier,
It is possible to record a combination of original information and external information.

FIG. 26 shows a perspective view of the external appearance when the reading section 1 and the recording section 2 are housed in different housings.

In the color copying machine shown in Figure 3, the reading section 1 and the recording section 2
are housed in the same casing; however, they may be separated, housed in separate casings, and connected to each other with a connecting cable 271, as shown in FIG.

In FIG. 1, 2.72 is a platen, 273 is a platen cover, and 274 is a panel. Also, 275.
276 indicates a paper feed tray, and 277 indicates a discharge tray.

When the reading section and the recording section are housed in two separate bodies in this way, the reading section and the recording section can be used for different purposes. For example, the reading section can be used as an input terminal for a computer, and the recording section can be used as a printer. Alternatively, there is the advantage that each can be connected to a recording section or a reading section of the device.

(Effects of the Invention) According to the present invention, when an ink donor sheet is installed in a color copying machine, the door facing the drawer portion of the ink donor sheet is opened double-door, and the ink donor sheet is automatically moved toward the drawer portion. Since the ink donor sheet is expanded into a color copying machine, the ink donor sheet can be easily installed in a color copying machine.

Furthermore, since the color copying machine copies only one color in each recording section, it is possible to increase the copying speed (faster and use an inexpensive ink donor sheet).

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a conventional copying machine, FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an ink donor sheet used in the color copying machine of FIG. 1, and FIG. 3 is an example of the present invention. Schematic diagram of I, 4th
The figure is a detailed structural diagram of the transfer section, Figure 5 is a detailed diagram of the switching plate,
Fig. 6 is a schematic diagram of the image reading unit, Fig. 7 is a block diagram of a device that converts the information read during the backward operation into a normal image, Fig. 8 is an explanatory diagram of multiple document reading operations, and Fig. 9 is a block diagram of the signal processing circuit, and Figure 10 is a block diagram of the recording section.
Figure 1 is a graph showing the state of heat storage, Figure 12 is a block diagram of the heat storage correction device, Figure 13 is an explanatory diagram of the ternary dither method, Figure 14 is a diagram showing the relationship between intermediate recording and reflection density, and Figure 14 is a diagram showing the relationship between intermediate recording and reflection density. 15
The figure is a block diagram of the feed amount control circuit, and Figure 16 is a diagram showing the relationship between the recording paper and the ink donor sheet during transfer.
FIG. 17 is a plan view of the vicinity of the end of the ink donor sheet, FIG. 18 is a schematic diagram of the recording section to explain the jam detection means, and FIG. 19 is a configuration showing the relationship between the pack roll and the thermal head in the transfer state. Fig. 20 is a configuration diagram showing the relationship between the pack roll and the thermal head during jam removal, Fig. 21 is a plan view of the cassette with one side of the cassette case that stores the ink donor sheet removed, and Fig. 22 , Fig. 23 is an explanatory diagram of the operation when an ink donor sheet is installed in the recording section, Fig. 24 is a block diagram of a device for synthesizing original information and external information, and Fig. 25 is a diagram showing the use of this embodiment as a facsimile machine. FIG. 26 is a block diagram showing the external appearance when the reading section and the recording section are housed in independent casings. 1... Image reading section, 2... Color recording section, 3.
...Scanner unit, 6...Platen% 51
゜52.53.54... Ink donor sheet, 5
5゜56.57.58...supply roll, 152.
... Thermal head, 153... Pack roll, 155... Drive roll Patent attorney Michihito Hiraki and 1 other person Figure 1 Figure 4 Figure 5 Figure 28 Figure 9 Figure 16 Figure 1 Densu No. Figure 19 Figure 20 Figure 22 Figure 23

Claims (1)

[Claims] (1) An ink donor sheet cassette containing an ink donor sheet used for color copying, comprising a supply reel for supplying the ink donor sheet, a take-up reel for winding the ink donor sheet, and the ink donor sheet. comprising two double-opening doors provided on the surface that becomes the drawer part, and a cassette roller attached to the open end of each of the doors, and opening the two doors when the ink donor sheet is installed; A cassette for an ink donor sheet, characterized in that the ink donor sheet is easily mounted by pulling out the ink donor sheet with the cassette roller.