JPH11235836A - Thermal recording device - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] [Problem] To eliminate bending generated in a timing belt,
Provided is a thermal recording apparatus which can always start thermal recording from the same position without narrowing the thermal recording range and without increasing the length of a ribbon pattern of an ink ribbon, thereby enabling high quality printing. SOLUTION: When printing of one line is completed (S5: YE
S), the application to each heating element is stopped (S6), and the carriage CA is moved a predetermined distance in the sub-scanning direction (S7: Y).
ES), the recording head HD and the ink ribbon IR are released (S8). Then, the carriage CA is moved in the return direction until the movement origin is detected (S10: Y).
ES), and further, it is moved by a predetermined length in the return direction and stopped (S11). Next, the carriage CA is moved in the sub-scanning direction to the position for detecting the movement origin, and stopped (S12). And until the print data is gone
The above printing process is repeated (S13).

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a thermal recording apparatus for performing thermal recording on a recording medium while transporting the thermal head in a sub-scanning direction. The thermal head is conveyed a predetermined length from the press-contact start position in the return direction, and then conveyed again in the sub-scanning direction to the press-contact start position, so that the heat-sensitive recordable range is not reduced, and the ribbon pattern of the ink ribbon is reduced. The present invention relates to a thermal recording apparatus that can always start thermal recording from the same position without increasing the length, thereby enabling high-quality printing.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In a thermal recording apparatus in which thermal recording is performed by reciprocating a thermal head in a sub-scanning direction by a conventional timing belt, the thermal head is pressed at a pressure start position on a recording medium to a printing start position. After being pressed and conveyed in the sub-scanning direction, it is conveyed in the sub-scanning direction while performing thermal recording from a print start position to a print end position. And
The thermal recording ends at the printing end position for one line, and is conveyed by pressure to the head release position, and the thermal head is separated from the recording medium at the head release position. Next, the thermal head is transported in the return direction while being separated from the pressing start position, and is again pressed against the recording medium at the pressing start position, and the same thermal recording is performed.

[0003]

However, in the above-described thermal recording apparatus, the thermal head is transported to the press-contact start position upon return and then pressed against the recording medium, so that the thermal head is transported to the press-contact start position. When this occurs, the deflection generated in the timing belt remains on the timing belt, causing a problem that the timing belt is pressed against a position shifted from a predetermined pressure start position. In addition, even when the timing belt is conveyed from the pressing start position to the printing start position, the deflection of the timing belt is not completely eliminated, so that there is a problem that printing is started at a position shifted from a predetermined printing start position. In addition, if the length of the press-contact conveyance from the press-start position to the print start position is increased to eliminate the bending of the timing belt during the press-conveyance from the press-start position to the print start position, the heat-sensitive recordable range becomes narrow. is there. Furthermore, if the press-contact conveyance length to the print start position is increased, the ink ribbon is fed during press-conveyance of the thermal head, so that the ribbon pattern of the ink ribbon becomes longer and the useless portion of the ink ribbon increases. There is.

Accordingly, the present invention has been made to solve the above-described problem. When the thermal head returns, the thermal head is conveyed by a predetermined length in the return direction from the press-contact start position, and is again returned to the press-start position. By transporting in the sub-scanning direction, the deflection generated in the timing belt is eliminated, without reducing the heat-sensitive recordable range, and without increasing the ribbon pattern length of the ink ribbon.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a thermal recording apparatus that can always start thermal recording from the same position and can perform high-quality printing.

[0005]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a thermal recording apparatus, comprising: a thermal head; and a head transport means for reciprocating the thermal head in a predetermined sub-scanning direction. In a thermal recording apparatus that performs thermal recording on a recording medium while transporting the head in the sub-scanning direction, the thermal head is separated from the recording medium at the time of return, and has a predetermined length from the pressure start position to the return direction. After being conveyed, it is conveyed again to the pressing start position.

In the thermal recording apparatus according to the first aspect of the present invention, the thermal head is separated from the recording medium at the time of return, and is conveyed by a predetermined length from the press-contact start position in the return direction. The sheet is conveyed again to the pressing start position. As a result, when the thermal head is transported in the return direction, the timing belt bends.However, after the thermal head is transported a predetermined length from the press-contact start position in the return direction, the return is performed while the thermal head is again transported to the press-contact start position. This deflection can be eliminated by conveying the timing belt a predetermined length in the direction opposite to the direction, so that the thermal head can always be conveyed to the predetermined press-contact start position, thereby narrowing the thermosensitive recording range. This makes it possible to perform high-quality printing without any deviation of the print start position without increasing the ribbon pattern length of the ink ribbon.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the thermal recording apparatus according to the first aspect, the pressing start position is located on the recording medium.

[0008] In the thermal recording apparatus according to the second aspect having such features, in the thermal recording apparatus according to the first aspect, the pressure contact start position is on a recording medium.
Accordingly, the thermal head is smoothly pressed and conveyed on the recording medium without being caught by the step between the recording medium and the platen or the like, so that the recording medium is displaced in the sub-scanning direction. In addition, thermal recording can always be started from a predetermined printing start position, and high-quality printing can be performed without any deviation of the printing start position.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the thermal recording apparatus according to the second aspect, the thermal recording is started after being pressed and conveyed in a sub-scanning direction for a predetermined length from the pressing start position. And

According to a third aspect of the present invention, the thermal head is separated from the recording medium at the time of return to return from the pressure contact start position to the return direction. After being conveyed a predetermined length toward the recording medium, it is conveyed again to the press-contact start position and pressed against the recording medium. After conveyed from the press-start position for a predetermined length in the sub-scanning direction, thermal recording is started.
As a result, when the thermal head is transported in the return direction, the timing belt bends, and while the thermal head is again transported in the sub-scanning direction to the pressure contact start position, the timing belt moves in the direction opposite to the return direction by a predetermined length. By doing so, this bending can be almost eliminated.However, even if the bending remains in the timing belt, the bending is very small, and during the press-contact conveyance from the press-contact start position to the printing start position, this bend is eliminated. Therefore, thermal recording can always be started from a predetermined printing start position, and the printing start position can be shifted without reducing the thermal recording range and without increasing the ribbon pattern length of the ink ribbon. , And high-quality printing becomes possible.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a thermal recording apparatus, comprising: a thermal head; and head transport means for reciprocating the thermal head in a predetermined sub-scanning direction. The first recording position where thermal recording is performed on one recording medium and the second recording medium while the thermal head is stopped and the second recording medium In a thermal recording apparatus having a second recording position for performing thermal recording on a medium, the thermal head is separated from the first recording medium at the time of return, and has a predetermined length from the pressure contact start position to the second recording position. After being conveyed, it is conveyed again to the pressing start position.

In the thermal recording apparatus according to the fourth aspect of the present invention, the thermal head is separated from the first recording medium at the time of return, and the thermal head is moved from the pressing start position to the second recording medium.
After being conveyed to the recording position by a predetermined length, it is conveyed again to the pressing start position. This causes the timing belt to bend when the thermal head is transported in the return direction. However, after the thermal head is transported a predetermined length from the press-contact start position toward the second recording position, it is transported again to the press-contact start position. Since the deflection can be eliminated by conveying the timing belt a predetermined length in the direction opposite to the return direction, the thermal head can always be conveyed to the predetermined press-contact start position at the first recording position. Thus, high-quality printing can be performed without reducing the print start position without narrowing the heat-sensitive recordable range of the first recording medium and without increasing the length of the ribbon pattern of the ink ribbon.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a thermal recording apparatus according to the fourth aspect, wherein the thermal head extends from the first recording position to the middle of a moving path from the first recording position to the second recording position upon return. After being conveyed, it is conveyed again to the pressing start position.

In a thermal recording apparatus according to a fifth aspect having such a feature, in the thermal recording apparatus according to the fourth aspect, the thermal head passes from the first recording position to return to the second recording position from the first recording position upon return. After being transported halfway along the movement path to the recording position, it is transported again to the pressing start position. As a result, the length of movement of the thermal head in the return direction from the pressing start position at the time of return can be increased, and the length of movement from the pressing start position to the pressing start position can be increased again. Can be reliably eliminated, the thermal head can always be conveyed to a predetermined press-contact start position at the first recording position, and the thermal recording area can be reduced without reducing the ribbon pattern of the ink ribbon. High-quality printing can be performed without increasing the length and without any deviation of the printing start position.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the thermal recording apparatus according to the fourth or fifth aspect, the pressing start position is located on the first recording medium. I do.

In the thermal recording apparatus according to the sixth aspect having such a feature, in the thermal recording apparatus according to the fourth or fifth aspect, the pressing start position is on the first recording medium. Accordingly, the thermal head is smoothly pressed and conveyed over the first recording medium without being caught by the step between the first recording medium and the platen or the like. The thermal recording can always be started from a predetermined printing start position on the first recording medium without any deviation of the printing start position, and there is no deviation of the printing start position.
High quality printing is possible.

Further, the thermal recording apparatus according to claim 7 is
7. The thermal recording apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the thermal head starts thermal recording after being pressed and conveyed in the sub-scanning direction by a predetermined length from the pressing start position at the first recording position. I do.

In the thermal recording apparatus according to a seventh aspect of the present invention, the thermal head is separated from the first recording medium at the time of return and returns from the pressure contact start position. After being conveyed by a predetermined length in the direction, it is conveyed again to the press-contact start position and pressed against the first recording medium. To start. Accordingly, when the thermal head is transported in the direction toward the second recording position, the timing belt is bent, and while the thermal head is transported again to the pressing start position of the first recording position, the direction toward the second recording position is This bending can be almost eliminated by moving the timing belt for a predetermined length in the opposite direction. However, even if the timing belt remains bent, it is only a small amount of bending. During the press-contact conveyance up to the point, this bending can be eliminated, so that thermal recording can always be started from a predetermined printing start position, without narrowing the thermal recording range, and reducing the ribbon pattern length of the ink ribbon. Without lengthening, there is no deviation of the print start position, etc.
High quality printing is possible.

[0019]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, a thermal recording apparatus according to the present invention will be described in detail based on embodied embodiments with reference to the drawings. First, the configuration of the thermal recording apparatus according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the thermal recording apparatus according to the present embodiment. FIG. 2 is a front view of a cross section of the main body frame of the thermal recording apparatus according to the present embodiment. FIG. 3 is a plan view of a cross section of the main body frame of the thermal recording apparatus according to the present embodiment. 4A and 4B are diagrams showing a printing state of a wide recording medium of the thermal recording apparatus according to the present embodiment, in which FIG. 4A is a side sectional view including the recording medium, and FIG. 4B is a top view of the recording medium. It is a top view. FIG. 5 is a front view showing a mounting state of the ink cassette of the thermal recording apparatus according to the present embodiment. FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating a control configuration of the thermal recording apparatus according to the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, the thermal recording apparatus according to the present embodiment is capable of recording a large number of characters or marks, such as hiragana, kanji, and symbols, on a wide or narrow recording medium (tape or ordinary image receiving paper or dedicated image receiving medium). This is a thermal recording apparatus 1 for printing on paper. Inside the thermal recording apparatus 1, a tape station TS for recording a narrow recording medium D1 as a first recording medium in a single color, and a wide recording medium D as a second recording medium.
2 is provided with a wide station WS for recording 2 in either color or single color. Thus, after the recording is completed, the width recorded in monochrome in the tape station TS from an outlet (not shown) on one side (left side in FIG. 1) of the main body frame 2 of the thermal recording apparatus 1. While the narrow recording medium D1 is ejected, the wide recording medium D recorded in color or monochrome by the wide station WS is discharged from the exit 2a at the center of the front surface of the main body frame 2.
2 are discharged.

On the keyboard 3, in addition to a plurality of character keys and mark keys for inputting characters such as a line feed key and hiragana, various keys, for example, an edit key such as an execution key and a cancel key. A setting key for vertical writing or horizontal writing is provided. When a cable 4 is connected between the thermal recording apparatus 1 and the keyboard 3, signals such as data input through various keys on the keyboard 3 are transmitted and received via the cable 4. Can be. A display 5 as a display device is provided on the front right side of the main body frame 2. The display 5 displays characters and marks input from the keyboard 3 over a plurality of lines on the screen. Can be displayed.

On the front side of the main body frame 2, a cover case 7 which can be opened and closed on the near side is provided.
The cover case 7 is opened, and either the tape cassette TC or the color or single-color ink cassette RC used at the time of the wide station WS is moved to the carriage CA.
The cover case 7 can be closed by setting it on the upper side (see FIGS. 2 and 3). Thus, the user can use the tape cassette TC or the ink cassette depending on whether the user desires the narrow recording medium D1 recorded in a single color or the wide recording medium D2 recorded in a color or a single color. One of the cassettes RC can be selected and set on the carriage CA in the cover case 7. In the thermal recording apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment, the tape station TS can record only a single color on the narrow recording medium D1, but the recording is not necessarily limited to this mode. It may be changed so that it can be performed.

A printing mechanism for printing on a wide recording medium D2 in the wide station WS will be described with reference to FIGS. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the tape station TS refers to a recording area on the left side of a bottom-side chassis HS extending forward and backward inside the main body frame 2, and the wide station WS refers to the bottom surface. It refers to the recording area on the right side of the side chassis HS.

In the wide station WS, recording is performed in a serial recording mode. In the serial recording mode, the transport direction of the wide recording medium D2 (that is, FIG.
While the print head HD is being conveyed in a direction intersecting with the direction from above to below (hereinafter, referred to as a main scanning direction) (that is, the horizontal direction in FIGS. Recording is performed on the recording medium D2, and after the recording is completed, the recording medium D2 is conveyed by a predetermined amount in the main scanning direction, and is recorded while being conveyed again in the sub-scanning direction.

Specifically, the carriage transport mechanism CH
FIG. 4B shows a state in which the carriage CA is reciprocated in the sub-scanning direction that intersects with the direction in which the wide recording medium D2 is conveyed.
As shown in the figure, the recording head HD performs recording in the sub-scanning direction of the recording medium D2 ("A", "I"
The lines "U", "E", "O" and the lines "KA", "K", "KU", "KE" are simultaneously recorded), and after the recording is completed, the transport mechanism QH of the wide recording medium D2 is The recording medium D2 is conveyed by a predetermined amount (an arrangement L1 of a large number of heating elements (see FIG. 4A)) in a conveying direction from above to below in FIG. Then, the carriage transport mechanism CH returns to the recording medium D2 again.
By transporting the carriage CA in the sub-scanning direction,
The recording head HD records on the recording medium D2 (records “SA”, “SI”, “SU”, “SE”, and “SO” rows as shown), and repeats the same manner.

The carriage transport mechanism CH includes a step motor SM installed at the right end inside the main body frame 2.
And a small-diameter drive gear portion SM2 attached so as to mesh with the upper side of the drive shaft SM1 of the step motor SM.
(See FIG. 2), a large-diameter drive gear portion SM3 meshing with the gear portion SM2 (see FIG. 3), and a drive pulley SP2 for a timing belt that rotates integrally with the gear portion SM3.
A driven pulley SP1 for a timing belt provided at the left end inside the main body frame 2;
P1 and SP2, and the carriage C
Timing belt TB connected to rear end CA1 of A
And a guide shaft GD for supporting the carriage CA that passes through the rear end support portion CA2 of the carriage CA and is bridged inside the main body frame 2.

When the stepping motor SM is driven forward or backward, the driving pulley SP2 is rotated in one direction or the opposite direction via the driving shaft SM1 and the driving gears SM2 and SM3, thereby rotating the timing belt TB. Move in or out direction. Therefore, with the movement of the timing belt TB, the carriage CA on which the recording head HD is mounted can move between the two pulleys SP1 and SP2 along the guide axis GD without using a head rotating mechanism as in the related art. 2 and 3, the tape is fed stepwise in the left-right direction, so that it is arranged at the tape station TS as shown by the solid line in FIGS.
As shown by the two-dot chain line, the wide station WS
Reciprocate in the recording area. The step motor S
Since the control pulse amount of M and the feed amount of the timing belt TB accurately correspond to each other, if the control device CP shown in FIG. The TB is fed by a predetermined amount, and the carriage CA is accurately conveyed. The transport control at the time of return of the carriage CA has a feature of the present invention as described later.

The transport mechanism QH for the wide recording medium D2
Are supporting projections ST1, ST2 for supporting a wound recording medium D2 placed on the rear side inside the main body frame 2.
And paper feed roller units JR1 and JR2 arranged side by side at a predetermined distance in that order in the sub-scanning direction of the recording medium D2.
And Specifically, between the chassis KS and the long-side chassis HS1, supporting projections ST2 and ST1 are attached to the chassis KS and the long-side chassis HS1, respectively. The recording medium D2 is inserted into the center space D2a of the recording medium D2 from both sides to support the recording medium D2. The wound recording medium D2 is stored in a cassette case HS0 indicated by a two-dot chain line in FIG.

In this case, a compression spring AB is attached to the support projection ST1 on the bottom chassis HS side so as to bias the projection ST1 toward the chassis KS. On the other hand, the support projection ST2 on the chassis KS side
Is movable toward the support projection ST1 on the bottom chassis HS side so as to correspond to the sheet width of the recording medium D2, and is indicated by, for example, a solid line or a two-dot chain line in FIG. As described above, even if the recording medium D2 has a different sheet width, the two support projections ST1 and ST2 are not connected to the recording medium D2.
2, the leading end side of the recording medium D2 can be sent out in the direction of the sheet feed rollers JR1 and JR2.

The rollers JR1 and JR2 are rotatably mounted between the long side chassis HS2 in the bottom side chassis HS and the chassis KS on the wide station WS side. The bottom chassis H
Tape station TS of short side chassis HS1 in S
On the side, a step motor SN is fixed. Therefore, the driving force of the forward or reverse rotation of the motor SN is applied to the gears Y1 to Y7, ST3, ST3, which constitute the sheet feeding gear train GY arranged side by side along the long side chassis HS2.
The transmission via ST4 and the like causes the support projection ST1 and the roller portions JR1 and JR2 to rotate clockwise or counterclockwise.

The roller portions JR1 and JR2 have a plurality of sheet feed rollers JR1b and JR2b attached to a pair of upper and lower roller shafts JR1a and JR2a, respectively. Therefore, when the rollers JR1b and JR2b are pressed against each other and the leading end of the wound recording medium D2 is sandwiched between the rollers JR1b and JR2b, and the rollers JR1b and JR2b rotate, the recording is performed. The medium D2 is conveyed forward so as to be pulled out, or conveyed backward so as to be rewound.

A second platen P2 is provided on the bottom surface side of the recording head HD between the paper feed roller portions JR1 and JR2, and the platen P2 has a surface supporting the recording medium D2. It is formed in a substantially flat shape.

A sensor mark SX is provided on the upper surface on the side (left side in FIG. 3) of the platen P2. The mark SX is used when the recording head HD reciprocates in the left-right direction. Head H on the side
It is used to detect the moving origin of D. That is, when the control device CP sends a control pulse to the step motor SM by a predetermined amount to cause the recording head HD to perform recording while moving forward in the sub-scanning direction, the origin of movement of the wide station WS by the mark SX is recorded. This serves as a reference for controlling the position of the head HD.

More specifically, the mark SX is composed of two patterns having a reflection area and a non-reflection area alternately, and the reflection type sensor (not shown) mounted on the carriage CA is mounted on the platen P2. The mark SX as a target attached to the target is detected. Then, the control device CP determines the position at which the reflection sensor detects a change point where the reflection state changes from the reflection state to the non-reflection state twice, as the origin.

Further, a detection sensor SW for detecting the leading end of the recording medium D2 is provided near the downstream side of the roller portion JR2, and the conveyance of the recording medium D2 is performed based on the output signal of the sensor SW. Control is performed. For example, the user sets the recording medium D2 at a predetermined position on the rear side inside the main body frame 2 and sets the leading end side to the sheet feed roller unit J.
The sheet is fed in the R1 and JR2 directions, and the sheet can be fed. Then, the forward rotation drive of the step motor SN is transmitted through the gear train GY, and the both rollers JR are transmitted.
1. The controller CP drives the step motor SN until the sensor SW detects the leading end of the recording medium D2.
Since the control pulse amount of the step motor SN and the feed amount of the recording medium D2 correspond exactly unless there is a feed error such as meandering, the control device CP controls the step motor SN to perform the control. When the pulse is sent by a predetermined amount, the conveyance control of the recording medium D2 is performed.

Further, a cutter device KC for cutting the recording medium D2 is provided downstream of the roller portion JR2, and the cutter device KC is controlled by a predetermined device under the conveyance control of the recording medium D2. By operating at the timing,
The recording medium D2 is cut. The cutter device KC may be of a type in which, for example, the blade portion KC1 of the cutter (see FIG. 4) reciprocates in the width direction of the recording medium D2 (the left-right direction in FIG. 3) and cuts. , Other than that, blade part KC
The one blade may be of a type that moves up and down to cut the recording medium D2 by the width of the recording medium D2. The point is that the recording medium D2 may be cut.

Next, the structure of the carriage CA will be described. On the surface (mounting surface) side of the carriage CA, a tape cassette TC (see FIGS. 2 and 3) storing the narrow recording medium D1 and the ink ribbon IR, or an ink storing only the ink ribbon IR. Cassette RC (FIG. 8)
) Can be selectively placed, while a step motor SL (see FIG. 3) is mounted on the back side thereof. The step motor SL is connected to the ink ribbon I in the ink cassette RC set on the carriage CA.
In addition to being used for feeding the tape such as R, it is used for pressing and separating the recording head HD and the wide recording medium D2 at the time of the wide station WS. The reason why the step motor SL is used as the drive source for the two purposes is to effectively use the driving force of the step motor SL.

A recording head HD is mounted below the carriage CA. On the recording surface side of the recording head HD, a large number of heating elements capable of generating heat in units of one dot are arranged in a line at a predetermined distance (printing distance). It is arranged for the width L1 (see FIG. 4). Then, a tape feed mechanism using a driving force such as a step motor SL moves the ink ribbon IR in the ink cassette RC placed on the carriage CA,
While intersecting with the arrangement direction of the heating elements, the recording head H
Since the sheet is conveyed to the recording surface side of D, the heat generated by the heating element melts the ink of the ink ribbon IR, and the ink can adhere to the recording surface D2b of the recording medium D2 in units of one dot.

As shown in FIG. 5, the ink cassette RC contains a narrow ink ribbon IR used in the wide station WS in a substantially rectangular cassette case.

In order to print on the recording surface D2b of the wide recording medium D2 at the time of the wide station WS (see FIG. 4), the ink cassette RC winds both ends of the ink ribbon IR around the unused ink ribbon. Reel RC1, for
It is wound around a used ink ribbon take-up reel RC2 and stored. Then, the ink ribbon I pulled out from the reel RC1 is rotated by rotation of the reel RC2 according to a ribbon winding mode described later.
R passes through a pair of sensors SE for end detection or color detection, passes through an opening RC3 of the ink cassette RC via a guide member RB1 (see FIG. 5), and further connects the guide member RB2. Via the reel RC2.

When the ink ribbon IR in the ink cassette RC is a color ink, for example, a plurality of inks such as cyan (C), magenta (M), and yellow (Y) are used.
In this order, a fixed length of each line, that is, one line L2 (FIG. 4)
(See (b)) in the length direction of the recording area. This is because, while the recording head HD is being transported in the sub-scanning direction of the recording medium D2, the recording head HD has one line of the ink ribbon IR of one of magenta (M), cyan (C), and yellow (Y). In addition to the recording of one line L2 on the recording medium D2 via the recording medium D2, the recording is performed for one line L2 with a color obtained by mixing these inks.
(Note that the cross line in FIG. 4B indicates a range in which the recording head HD performs sub-scanning and records one line L2). When the ink cassette RC is for a single color, three color inks such as cyan (C), magenta (M), and yellow (Y) are unnecessary.

In order to distinguish the type of the ink medium mounted on the ink cassette RC, the ink cassette R
On the upper right side of C, a plurality (for example, 5) of sign portions RC are provided.
6 are provided, and depending on whether these mark portions RC6 are concave portions or not concave portions, for example, a distinction between a resistant ink medium and a high-definition ink medium, Indicates the type of color.
Then, as shown in FIG. 5, the detection sensor SQ disposed on the marker portion RC6 detects the presence or absence of the concave portion of the marker portion RC6, so that the control device CP determines the type of the ink medium of the ink cassette RC, It can be distinguished between a single color and a color.

Since the sensor SE is set so as to detect the yellow ink of the ink ribbon IR, when the yellow ink is conveyed to the sensor SE, the control device CP must use the yellow ink. Can be determined. This is because, in the case of color recording, the control device CP detects the leading end of the yellow ink and controls the conveyance of the cyan, magenta, and yellow ribbons each having a predetermined length L2, and the recording head HD This is to prevent recording in the wrong color. On the other hand, when the ink ribbon IR is a single color, for example, one color ink such as black is applied to the entire surface of the base material, but a detection mark (not shown) is provided at the end of the ink ribbon IR. Detects the mark for detection and outputs a detection signal to the control device CP, so that the control device CP can determine the end of the ink ribbon IR.

Next, a control system of the thermal recording apparatus 1 will be described with reference to FIG. In FIG. 6, the thermal recording device 1
Is a central control unit (hereinafter referred to as a CPU).
The CPU has a built-in read-only memory (hereinafter referred to as ROM) and a readable / writable memory (hereinafter referred to as RAM). The ROM includes a drive control program for the motors SL, SM, and SN, a display program for displaying characters and the like input through each key of the keyboard 3 on the display 5, and a large number of characters for printing characters such as alphabetic characters and symbols. The dot pattern data for printing is categorized for each typeface (Gothic typeface, Mincho typeface, etc.), and six types (16, 24, 32, 48, 6) are provided for each typeface.
The print character size (4, 96 dot sizes) is stored in association with the code data. Further, graphic pattern data for printing a graphic image including a gradation expression is also stored.
Various programs and the like necessary for the operation of are stored.
The CG-ROM connected to the CPU is a character generator for generating image data at the time of displaying or printing characters or the like. On the other hand, the RAM is provided with a text memory, a print buffer, a counter, and the like. The text memory stores document data and the like input from the keyboard 3. The print buffer stores dot patterns for printing a plurality of characters and symbols as dot pattern data, and the recording head HD performs dot printing according to the dot pattern data stored in the print buffer. The counter has a count value N counted for each heating element in the gradation control process.
Is stored.

The motor driving circuits SLk, SMk, S
Nk is a circuit for driving the step motors SL, SM, SN. Further, the various sensors SQ described above,
SE, SW, etc. are the same as described above.
, The type of ink ribbon IR, the recording medium D
The two types, the presence / absence, etc., are detected, and the signal is sent to the CPU. As described above, the recording head HD has a large number of heating elements formed in a row, and is selectively heated by the heating elements via the CPU to cover the heating elements via the ink ribbon IR. Printing of characters and the like can be performed on the recording medium D2.

Next, the transport control of the recording head HD in the thermal recording on the recording medium D2 by the control device CP will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 7 is a flowchart of a recording head transport control process during thermal recording of the thermal recording apparatus according to the present embodiment. FIG. 8 is a view for explaining the movement of the carriage of the thermal recording apparatus according to the present embodiment. Note that Sn (n is an integer) in FIG. 8 corresponds to each step (hereinafter abbreviated as S) in the flowchart in FIG. 7, and an arrow in FIG. 8 indicates that each step is being executed. Of the carriage. First, when the print key of the keyboard 3 is pressed to start printing,
Print data is created based on the document data stored in the text memory, the print dot pattern data and the graphic pattern data in the ROM, and stored in the print buffer of the RAM. And the step motor S
M is rotated clockwise (hereinafter referred to as CW rotation)
The carriage CA is moved from the tape station TS to the wide station WS in the sub-scanning direction (right direction in FIG. 3) via the timing belt TB until the reflective mark provided on the carriage CA detects the sensor mark SX. It is moved (S1: NO). When the sensor mark SX is detected, the wide station WS
It is determined that the moving origin of the
M is stopped (S1: YES). At the position where the sensor mark SX is detected, each heating element of the recording head HD is located a predetermined length inside the edge of the recording medium D2 (the left end of the recording medium D2 in FIG. 3). Right).

Next, the recording head HD is pressed against the recording medium D2 by rotating the step motor SL CW by a predetermined angle (S2).

Next, the step motor SM is rotated CW by a predetermined rotation angle, and the rotation is performed via the timing belt TB.
The recording head HD is pressed against the recording medium D2, and at the same time, the carriage CA is moved by a predetermined distance in the sub-scanning direction while moving the ink ribbon IR (moving rightward in FIG. 3). Then, when the recording head HD is advanced to a predetermined distance while being pressed against the recording medium D2 to the printing start position (S
3) Based on the print data stored in the print buffer of the RAM, application to the selected heating elements of the recording head HD is started, and printing is started (S4).

Next, while printing by the recording head HD is performed (S5: NO), printing of one line is completed (S5: Y).
ES), the application to the heating elements of the recording head HD is stopped (S6).

Next, the step motor SM is rotated CW to the predetermined rotation angle, the carriage CA maintains the pressure contact state of the recording head HD and the ink ribbon IR.
While being transported in the sub-scanning direction, and is transported from the edge (right end in FIG. 3) of the recording medium D2 to a position of a predetermined length (S7: NO).

Next, the carriage CA is moved to the recording medium D2.
When the sheet is conveyed from the edge portion (right end in FIG. 3) to a position of a predetermined length (S7: YES), the step motor SL is rotated counterclockwise by a predetermined angle (hereinafter, referred to as CCW rotation), and recording is performed. The head HD is released from the recording medium D2 (S8). When the recording head HD is released, the ink ribbon IR is also released, and the ink ribbon IR is released.
Is stopped.

Next, the step motor SM is rotated CCW (S9), and the carriage CA is moved via the timing belt TB in the return direction (left direction in FIG. 3) until the sensor mark SX is detected (FIG. 3). S10: N
O).

Next, when the sensor mark SX is detected (S10: YES), the step motor SM is further rotated CCW by a predetermined angle to move the carriage CA via the timing belt TB in the return direction (FIG. 3).
The motor is moved by a predetermined length (middle, left) to stop the step motor SM (S11).

Next, the step motor SM is rotated CW, and the carriage CA is moved via the timing belt TB in the sub-scanning direction (to the right in FIG. 3) until the sensor mark SX is detected. And the sensor mark SX
Is detected, the CW rotation of the step motor SM is stopped, and the carriage CA is stopped at the position for detecting the movement origin (S12).

Next, if there is print data in the print buffer of the RAM (S13: NO), the step motor SL is again rotated by the predetermined angle CW, and the recording head HD is pressed against the recording medium D2 (S2). , S2 and subsequent steps are repeated.
If there is no print data in the print buffer of RAM,
The printing ends (S13: YES).

As described in detail above, in the thermal recording apparatus 1 of the present embodiment, when a character key or the like of the keyboard 3 is operated to create a sentence containing a graphic image including a gradation expression, the controller CP Is stored in the text memory of the RAM. When the print key of the keyboard 3 is pressed to start printing, print data is created based on the document data stored in the text memory, the print dot pattern data and the graphic pattern data in the ROM, It is stored in the print buffer of the RAM. After the carriage CA is moved in the sub-scanning direction to the movement origin by rotating the step motor SM CW, the recording head H
D is pressed against the recording medium D2. Next, the recording head H
D is pressed and moved in the sub-scanning direction to the printing start position while feeding the ink ribbon IR to start thermal recording. Then, the recording head HD is moved in the sub-scanning direction while performing thermal recording, and when printing for one line is completed, the application to each heating element is stopped, and the recording head HD is pressed to send the ink ribbon IR. After moving the carriage CA by a predetermined length in the sub-scanning direction, the recording head HD and the ink ribbon IR are released from the recording medium D2. Then, the step motor SM is rotated CCW, the carriage CA is moved in the return direction until the sensor mark SX, which is the origin of movement, is detected, and further, the carriage CA is moved by a predetermined length in the return direction. Stop. next,
By rotating the step motor SM CW, the carriage CA
Is moved in the sub-scanning direction to a position where the sensor mark SX, which is the movement origin, is detected and stopped. And RA
The above printing process is repeated until there is no more print data stored in the M print buffer.

As a result, when the carriage CA is conveyed in the return direction (left direction in FIG. 3), the timing belt TB is bent, but the recording head HD is again moved in the sub-scanning direction to the pressure contact start position (FIG. 3). , Rightward), the bending of the timing belt TB can be eliminated, so that the carriage CA can always be conveyed to a predetermined pressure contact start position of the recording head HD.
High-quality printing is possible without any deviation of the printing start position. While the recording head HD is being conveyed in the sub-scanning direction (to the right in FIG. 3) to the pressing start position, the recording medium D2
The recording head HD is smoothly pressed and conveyed on the recording medium D2 in the sub-scanning direction without being caught by the step between the recording medium D2 and the platen P2.
2, the thermal recording can always be started from a predetermined print start position without any deviation in the sub-scanning direction, and high-quality printing without deviation of the print start position can be performed. Further, when the carriage CA is conveyed in the return direction, the timing belt TB bends. However, while the carriage CA is again conveyed in the sub-scanning direction to the pressure contact start position of the recording head HD, the bending generated on the timing belt TB is almost completely eliminated. Although it can be eliminated, even if the deflection remains in the timing belt TB, since it is only a small amount of deflection, during the press-contact conveyance from the press-contact start position of the recording head HD to the print start position,
Since this bending can be eliminated, thermal recording can always be started from a predetermined printing start position, and high-quality printing can be performed without any deviation of the printing start position.

It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and it is needless to say that various improvements and modifications can be made without departing from the gist of the present invention. For example, in the above-described embodiment, the movement origin of the carriage CA is set to the position where the sensor mark SX is provided. However, the sensor mark SX is moved from the movement origin in the embodiment to the tape station TS side by a predetermined length. It is also possible to set at a point and set the point moved to the wide station WS side by a predetermined length after detecting the new sensor mark SX as the movement origin. FIG. 9 shows a flowchart of the recording head conveyance control process in this modification, and FIG. 10 shows the movement of the carriage CA. First, when print start is instructed, print data is created, and then step motor S
By rotating M in the clockwise direction, the carriage CA is moved in the sub-scanning direction until the reflective sensor detects the sensor mark SX (S21: NO). When the sensor mark SX is detected (S21: YES), the carriage CA is further moved a predetermined distance from the detected position in the sub-scanning direction, and then the step motor SM is stopped (S2).
2) The position is set as the movement origin. Next, S2 to S9 are executed in the same manner as in the above embodiment, and printing is performed.
After printing is completed, the carriage CA is moved in the return direction. When the sensor mark SX is detected (S2
3: YES), the step motor SM is stopped, and the S
22, the carriage CA is rotated by a predetermined distance in the sub-scanning direction via the timing belt TB by rotating the step motor SM CW, and then the step motor SM is stopped (S24), and the carriage CA is moved to the moving origin. To stop. Then, S13 and subsequent steps are executed in the same manner as in the above embodiment. In the other embodiment, the carriage C
It is possible to eliminate the deflection of the timing belt TB that occurs when A is conveyed in the return direction, and achieve the same effects as those of the above-described embodiment, such as no deviation of the printing start position and high-quality printing.

[0058]

As described above, in the thermal recording apparatus according to the first aspect, the thermal head is separated from the recording medium at the time of return, and is conveyed by a predetermined length from the pressing start position in the return direction. The sheet is conveyed again to the pressing start position. This causes the timing belt to bend when the thermal head is transported in the return direction.However, after the thermal head is transported for a predetermined length in the return direction from the pressing start position, during the transport to the pressing start position again,
Since the deflection can be eliminated by conveying the timing belt a predetermined length in the direction opposite to the return direction, the thermal head can always be conveyed to the predetermined pressure contact start position, and the heat-sensitive recording range can be reduced. It is possible to provide a thermosensitive recording apparatus capable of high-quality printing without narrowing and without increasing the ribbon pattern length of the ink ribbon and without any deviation of a printing start position.

In the thermal recording apparatus according to a second aspect, in the thermal recording apparatus according to the first aspect, the pressing start position is on a recording medium. Accordingly, the thermal head is smoothly pressed and conveyed on the recording medium without being caught by the step between the recording medium and the platen or the like, so that the recording medium is displaced in the sub-scanning direction. In addition, it is possible to provide a thermal recording apparatus that can always start thermal recording from a predetermined print start position and that can perform high-quality printing without any deviation of the print start position.

In the thermal recording apparatus according to a third aspect, in the thermal recording apparatus according to the second aspect, the thermal head is separated from the recording medium at the time of return, and has a predetermined length in a return direction from the pressing start position. After being conveyed, the sheet is again conveyed to the press-contact start position and pressed against the recording medium. After being conveyed from the press-contact start position for a predetermined length in the sub-scanning direction, thermal recording is started. This allows
When the thermal head is transported in the return direction, the timing belt bends, and during the transport in the sub-scanning direction to the pressing start position again, the timing belt moves by a predetermined length in a direction opposite to the return direction. Although the bending can be almost eliminated, even if the bending remains in the timing belt, during the press-contact conveyance from the press-contact start position to the print start position because it is a very small amount of bending,
Because this bending can be eliminated, thermal recording can always be started from a predetermined printing start position, and printing can be started without narrowing the thermal recording range and without increasing the ribbon pattern length of the ink ribbon. It is possible to provide a thermal recording apparatus capable of performing high-quality printing without displacement or the like.

Further, in the thermal recording apparatus according to the fourth aspect, the thermal head is separated from the first recording medium at the time of return, is conveyed by a predetermined length from the press-contact start position to the second recording position, and then re-enters. The sheet is conveyed to the pressing start position. This causes the timing belt to bend when the thermal head is transported in the return direction. However, after the thermal head is transported a predetermined length from the press-contact start position toward the second recording position, it is transported again to the press-contact start position. Since the deflection can be eliminated by conveying the timing belt a predetermined length in the direction opposite to the return direction, the thermal head can always be conveyed to the predetermined press-contact start position at the first recording position. Thermal recording apparatus capable of high-quality printing without narrowing the printing start position without narrowing the heat-sensitive recordable range of the first recording medium and without increasing the length of the ribbon pattern of the ink ribbon. Can be provided.

In the thermal recording apparatus according to a fifth aspect, in the thermal recording apparatus according to the fourth aspect, the thermal head passes from the first recording position to the second recording position by passing through the pressing start position upon return. After being conveyed halfway along the movement path, it is conveyed again to the pressing start position. As a result, the length of movement of the thermal head in the return direction from the pressing start position at the time of return can be increased, and the length of movement from the pressing start position to the pressing start position can be increased again. Can be reliably eliminated, and the first
The thermal head can be transported to a predetermined pressure contact start position at the recording position, and the deviation of the print start position can be reduced without narrowing the heat-sensitive recordable range and without increasing the length of the ribbon pattern of the ink ribbon. It is possible to provide a thermal recording apparatus that does not require high quality printing.

In the thermal recording apparatus according to the sixth aspect, in the thermal recording apparatus according to the fourth or fifth aspect, the pressing start position is on the first recording medium. Accordingly, the thermal head is smoothly pressed and conveyed over the first recording medium without being caught by the step between the first recording medium and the platen or the like.
High-quality printing without any deviation in the sub-scanning direction of the recording medium, always starting thermosensitive recording from a predetermined printing start position on the first recording medium, and no deviation of the printing start position And a thermosensitive recording device capable of performing the above.

Further, in the thermal recording apparatus according to claim 7, in the thermal recording apparatus according to claim 6, the thermal head is separated from the first recording medium upon return,
After being conveyed by a predetermined length from the pressing start position in the return direction, it is conveyed again to the pressing start position, pressed against the first recording medium, and pressed and conveyed from the pressing start position by a predetermined length in the sub-scanning direction. After that, start thermal recording. Accordingly, when the thermal head is transported in the direction toward the second recording position, the timing belt is bent, and while the thermal head is transported again to the pressing start position of the first recording position, the direction toward the second recording position is This bending can be almost eliminated by moving the timing belt for a predetermined length in the opposite direction. However, even if the timing belt remains bent, it is only a small amount of bending. During the press-contact conveyance up to the point, this bending can be eliminated, so that thermal recording can always be started from a predetermined printing start position, without narrowing the thermal recording range, and reducing the ribbon pattern length of the ink ribbon. It is possible to provide a thermal recording apparatus capable of performing high-quality printing without lengthening the printing start position and the like.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a thermal recording apparatus according to an embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a front view of a cross section of a main body frame of the thermal recording apparatus according to the embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a plan view of a cross section of a main body frame of the thermal recording apparatus according to the embodiment.

4A and 4B are diagrams illustrating a printing state of a wide recording medium of the thermal recording apparatus according to the embodiment, wherein FIG. 4A is a side sectional view including the recording medium, and FIG. FIG.

FIG. 5 is a front view showing a mounting state of an ink cassette of the thermal recording apparatus according to the embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating a control configuration of the thermal recording apparatus according to the embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart of printhead transport control processing during thermal recording of the thermal recording apparatus according to the embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a view for explaining the movement of the carriage of the thermal recording apparatus according to the embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart of printhead transport control during thermal recording of a thermal recording apparatus according to another embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating movement of a carriage of a thermal recording apparatus according to another embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Thermal recording device CA Carriage CP Control device D2 Recording medium HD Recording head IR Ink ribbon SQ Detection sensor SN, SL, SM Step motor SX Sensor mark RC Ink cassette TB Timing belt

Continuation of front page (72) Inventor Atsushi Sugimoto Brother Industrial Co., Ltd. 15-1 Naeshiro-cho, Mizuho-ku, Nagoya

Claims (7)

[Claims] 1. A thermal recording apparatus comprising: a thermal head; and a head transport means for reciprocating the thermal head in a predetermined sub-scanning direction, wherein the thermal recording apparatus performs thermal recording on a recording medium while transporting the thermal head in a sub-scanning direction. In the thermal recording, the thermal head is separated from the recording medium at the time of return, transported by a predetermined length in a return direction from a pressing start position, and then transported again to a pressing start position. apparatus. 2. The thermal recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the pressure contact start position is located on the recording medium. 3. The thermal recording apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the thermal recording is started after being pressed and transported in the sub-scanning direction by a predetermined length from the pressing start position. 4. A thermal head comprising: a thermal head; and head transport means for reciprocating the thermal head in a predetermined sub-scanning direction, wherein thermal recording is performed on a first recording medium while transporting the thermal head in a sub-scanning direction. 1 recording position, and on the extension in the return direction of the thermal head,
A second recording position for performing thermal recording on the second recording medium while transporting the second recording medium in a state where the thermal head is stopped; A thermal recording apparatus, wherein the recording medium is separated from the first recording medium, conveyed by a predetermined length from a pressing start position to a second recording position, and then conveyed again to a pressing start position. 5. The method according to claim 4, wherein the thermal head is conveyed to a middle of a moving path from the first recording position to the second recording position when returning, and then conveyed again to a pressing start position. 4. The thermal recording device according to 1. 6. The pressure contact start position is located on the first recording medium.
4. The thermal recording device according to 1. 7. The thermal head according to claim 6, wherein the thermal head starts thermal recording after being pressed and conveyed in the sub-scanning direction by a predetermined length from the pressing start position at the first recording position. Thermal recording device.