JPS59190868A - Thermal transfer printer - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To feed a thermal ink sheet without causing any wrinkle even during the printing period by giving a winding torque to the roll shaft on the winding side of the thermal ink sheet and also giving the torque in the opposite direction to the supply direction to the roll shaft on the supply side. CONSTITUTION:In a roll 7 on the winding side of a thermal ink sheet, winding is made at faster speeds than feeding speed, but only the portion of speed exceeding the feeding speed is absorbed by the slipping of a friction plate 23 and a constant tension is applied to the thermal ink sheet. In a roll 6 on the supply side on the other hand, since one-way clutch 26 is provided, inverse torque is loaded to the opposite direction to the supply direction in a range not to affect the feeding speed of the thermal ink sheet, slipping is caused all the time during the operation period, and a fixed tension is applied to the sheet. Even during the printing period, the feeding of thermal ink sheet can be attained without causing any wrinkle.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a thermal transfer printer that performs transfer recording on recording paper using a thermal ink sheet.

A conventional device of this type has a schematic structure shown in FIG.

In the figure, the mountains are a thermal head equipped with a plurality of heating elements arranged in a row, (2) is a thermal ink sheet coated with ink that is solid at room temperature and becomes fluid at high temperatures, and (3) ) is continuous slip paper with marginal punch holes and horizontal perforations; (4) is rotatable or fixed in position; thermal spatula l; (5) is a platen roller that receives a suppressing force. (5) drives a belt (5a) having a protrusion inserted into the marginal hole (edge hole) of the continuous slip paper (3), and drives the continuous slip paper (3).
3) is a tractor that transports.

(6) is a thermal ink sheet supply side roll that simply winds the thermal ink sheet (2); (7) is a thermal ink sheet winding side roll that winds up the thermal ink sheet (2) after thermal recording; (8) is a thermal ink sheet conveying roller that conveys the thermal ink sheet (2). (9) is a paper guide on the paper feeding side. 00) is a spring that presses the thermal head (1) against the platen row y (41jc), which is set at 16, and applies a pressing force. (1υ is the spring (]O
(12) is a solenoid that generates sufficient suction force to separate the thermal head (1) from the platen roller (4) by overcoming the pressing force of the thermal ink sheet (2).
This is a guide roller. A is the forward running direction of the thermal ink sheet (2) and the continuous slip paper (3), and B is the reverse running direction.

Next, the operation (I will explain the trick.The paper set of continuous slip paper (3), which is recording paper, is passed over the paper guide (9) on the paper feed side, and the protrusion on the back side of the tractor (5) (this marginal punch Align the hole and set it so that it will not come off.At this time, change the inclination of the platen roller (4) and tractor (5) as shown in Figure 3 to make this operation easier.Next, After returning to the original position shown in Figure 1, wrap the continuous form (3) around the platen roller (4). Then, punch a marginal hole in the protrusion on the front side of the tractor (5) again. Set it so that it does not come off.

The set of thermal ink sheet (2) is unwound from the thermal ink sheet supply roll (6), and then the thermal ink sheet (2) is set by the thermal head (
Continuous slip paper (3) is placed in the darkness between 1) and platen roller (4).
) are pressed into contact with each other, and the thermal ink sheet is fixed on the winding roll (7) by passing through the thermal head (1) side.

Next, during recording, the platen roller (4) is rotated so that the continuous slip paper (3) advances in the opposite direction, and the tractor (5) is rotated.
) to transport the continuous slip paper (3). At this time, the thermal ink sheet conveyance roller (8) is also connected to the platen roller (4).
The thermal ink sheet (2) is conveyed in the direction of the thermal ink take-up side roll (7) by rotating at the same circumferential speed as the roller and the tractor (5). With the above functions, the continuous slip paper (3) and the thermal ink sheet (2) can be conveyed in the same direction at the same speed at the contact point between the thermal spatula (11) and the platen roller (4) where recording is performed. In other words, there is no relative speed difference between the two. Thermal transfer recording is performed under these conditions, and the heat generated by the heating element of the thermal head (1) is
Due to the Joule heat, the solid ink on the heat-sensitive ink sheet (2) becomes a fluid only in the heat-generating areas, and the continuous slip paper (3)
transcribed into. In this way, after performing thermal transfer recording with the continuous slip paper transport mechanism of a thermal transfer printer as shown in Figure 1, when performing single fast forwarding, single multiplex recording, or color recording of only one continuous slip paper (3), the second As shown in the figure, the solenoid (11) generates a suction force that overcomes the pressing force (of the spring 00) that pushes up the thermal head (1) against the platen roller +41 which is fixed at 6 positions as shown in the figure. ) and the platen roller (4) to release the pressing force.By doing this, the thermal ink sheet (2) and the continuous slip paper (3)
It is possible to carry it separately or by itself. Therefore,
In this state, the platen roller (4) and tractor (5) are driven in the direction of traveling A1 times by the margin of the continuous slip paper (3), thereby eliminating the wasted 1j run of the thermal ink sheet (2) and moving the continuous slip paper. You can fast forward (skip) only (3).

Furthermore, if the thermal ink sheet (2) is driven in the direction of traveling 80,000 times, it can be pulled back to the same starting point as in the previous recording, thereby making it possible to perform multiple recording without wasting the thermal ink sheet (2). Furthermore, three colors of ink (yellow, magenta, and cyan) are sequentially applied to the thermal head (1) over a fixed length during travel.
Using a strip of thermal ink sheet (2) so as to replace it at the position of
Color recording is possible by pulling back in direction B to the same starting point as the previous recording and running the thermal ink sheet (2).

Furthermore, the thermal head (1) and platen roller (4)
In order to feed continuous slip paper to the recording part that comes into contact with the paper, or to eject the paper, a tractor (5) having teeth on the inner periphery and protrusions at regular intervals on the outer periphery is used. , a marginal punch hole is made in the continuous slip paper (3) on the protrusion on its outer periphery, and the continuous slip paper is conveyed on both the front and back sides of the tractor (5).

Conventional thermal transfer printers are constructed as described above, and the heat-sensitive ink sheet simultaneously (partially heat-shrinks) due to selective heat generation based on the image information of the thermal head during recording. It has become impossible to convey and wind up the heat-sensitive ink sheet, which is a band-like material, without wrinkles.Furthermore, the occurrence of wrinkles makes it impossible to record the appearance of withered fruit.

This invention was made in order to eliminate the drawbacks of the conventional ones as described above.The heat-sensitive ink sheet winding roll has a winding torque, and the ink-sensitive ink sheet supply side roll has a winding torque. An object of the present invention is to provide a thermal transfer printer that can prevent wrinkles of a thermal ink sheet during recording by applying tension to the thermal ink sheet by applying (reverse torque) and providing tension to the thermal ink sheet by providing a friction transmission mechanism for transmitting torque to both rolls. It is said that

An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. Fourth
In the figure, (1) is a thermal head equipped with a plurality of heating elements arranged in rows, and is a thermal head with ink coated on one side, which is solid but becomes fluid at high temperatures. Ink sheet, (31[!?-
Continuous slip paper with sill holes and horizontal perforations, (4
) rotates but its position is fixed, so...
+ t Koyori thermal ink sheet t121. JM slip paper (
3) A platen roller that receives pressing force through the platen roller. (5) is a tractor that drives a belt having protrusions that fit into the marginal punch holes of the continuous slip paper (3) to convey the continuous slip paper (3). (6) is a thermal ink sheet (
Thermal ink sheet supply side roll - (
7) is a thermal ink sheet winding side roll that winds up the thermal ink sheet (2) for thermal recording, and (8) is a thermal ink sheet conveyance roller that conveys the thermal ink sheet (2). Further, (9) is a paper guide on the paper feeding side. (1
0) is a spring that presses the thermal spatula I'u+ against the platen roller (4), which rotates but is fixed in position, and applies a pressing force to the platen roller (4). OD is a solenoid that generates suction force sufficient to overcome the suppressing force of the spring (10) and separate the thermal spatula 1 (1) from the platen roller (4). (12) is an idle roller for a heat-sensitive ink sheet. A is a thermal ink sheet (2) and continuous slip paper (
3) is one forward run, and B is the reverse run.

(21) is a thermal ink sheet (2) used according to the present invention.
) is a tension load motor, and the chain is also a chain for transmitting motor torque.

(23) is a friction plate for torque friction transmission. 1.24
1 is a sprocket provided to transmit a counter-supply torque (reverse torque) to the heat-sensitive ink sheet supply roll (6).

(25) is the thermal ink sheet winding side roll (7] 1
The sprocket provided to transmit the winding torque is the sprocket attached to the motor shaft. (5) is a roll holder, □□□) is a friction plate o3)
This is a spring for applying a vertical force to one piece. c9) is equipped with a thermal ink sheet supply roll (6), which rotates freely on the supply side (in the direction of the flow of the thermal ink sheet (2)) and rotates in one direction in the supply direction (the thermal ink sheet ( In the flow of 2), direction B) is a one-way clutch that transmits torque.

Next, the operation of this embodiment will be explained. The paper set for continuous slip paper (3), which is recording paper, is set in the paper guide (9) on the paper feed side.
Pass through the top of the tractor (5), punch a marginal hole in the protrusion on the back side of the tractor (5), and set it so that it does not come off.

At this time, change the inclination of the tractor (5) as shown in Figure 3 to make this operation easier.Next, after returning to the original position as shown in Figure 4, move the continuous slip paper to the platen roller. Wrap it around (4). Then, insert the protrusion (this marginal punch hole) on the front side of the tractor (5) again and set it so that it does not come off.

The set of thermal ink sheet (2) is unwound from the thermal ink sheet supply roll (6), and then the thermal ink sheet (2) is set by the thermal head (
Continuous slip paper (3) is placed in the darkness between 1) and platen roller (4).
), and pass through the thermal head (11 side f) and fix the thermal ink sheet winding roll (7). Tension can be applied to the heat-sensitive ink sheet (2) by applying a torque and a counter-feeding torque (reverse torque) to the heat-sensitive ink sheet supply roll (6).

When recording missing numbers, the platen roller (4) is rotated so that the continuous slip paper (3) moves in the opposite direction, and the continuous slip paper (3) is transported by the tractor (5). The thermal ink sheet conveyance roller (8) is also rotated at the same circumferential speed as the platen roller (4) and the tractor (5), and the thermal ink sheet (2) is rolled up by the side roll (
7). With the above functions, the continuous slip paper (3) and the thermal ink sheet (
2) can be transported in the same direction at the same speed Jf. In other words, there is no relative speed difference between the two. Thermal transfer recording is performed under these conditions, and the heat generated by the heating element of the thermal head (1) (Joule heat) selectively applies body ink to the heat-sensitive ink sheet (2) based on the image information. It is made into a fluid and transferred onto a continuous slip form (3).

Also, due to the heat during recording, the heat-sensitive ink sheet (2) partially heat-shrinks at the same time. This partial heat shrinkage causes wrinkles to occur in the heat-sensitive ink sheet (2) during conveyance, and both areas where these wrinkles occur become unrecordable areas due to dryness. Now, by drying the sprockets of the thermal ink sheet supply side roll (7) and the thermal ink sheet winding side roll (6) in succession with the chain ta, the thermal ink sheet winding roll (7) is The winding torque is applied to the heat-sensitive ink sheet supply roll (6), and the torque (reverse torque) for one time of supply is applied to the heat-sensitive ink sheet supply roll (6) by a motor having a sprocket (support) at the tip, and the torque to both rolls is applied. By using a friction transmission mechanism via a friction plate 123), sufficient tension is generated in the thermal ink sheet (2) by 10 torque.This tension causes the thermal ink sheet (2) to
) is eliminated, and the occurrence of wrinkles is prevented.

Next, the function of the friction plate (23) will be specifically explained with reference to FIGS. 5 and 6. In FIGS. 5 and 6, the friction plate (c) is loaded with a vertical blade by a spring and frictionally joined with the heat-sensitive ink sheet supply side roll (6) and the heat-sensitive ink sheet take-up side roll (7). It constitutes a friction transmission mechanism.

The thermal ink sheet winding roll (7)l tries to wind the thermal ink sheet (2) at a faster speed than the transport speed, but only the speed exceeding the transport speed is rolled up by the friction plate (c). By slipping, a constant tension is applied to the thermal ink sheet (2), and it can be rolled up without wrinkles.

In addition, in the thermal ink sheet supply side roll (6),
The configuration is the same as that of the heat-sensitive ink sheet winding roll (6) except that one side is equipped with a latch, but it does not affect the conveyance speed (same speed on all six sides) of the heat-sensitive ink sheet (2). Apply a reverse torque to the same number on the opposite side of the supply,
By constantly slipping the heat-sensitive ink sheet (2) during operation, a constant tension is applied to the thermal ink sheet (2), preventing wrinkles (
That's what we can provide.

The one-way clutch (29) is a heat-sensitive ink sheet (2)
In order to facilitate the work of unwinding the heat-sensitive ink sheet from the supply roll (6) when loading the heat-sensitive ink sheet, a device is provided to freely rotate the roll toward the supply side.

As described above, 1. According to the present invention, a winding torque is applied to the shaft of the thermal ink sheet winding side roll, and a counter-feeding torque (reverse torque) is applied to the shaft of the thermal ink sheet supplying roll. Since the thermal ink sheet is conveyed while applying tension during printing (this also has the effect of conveying the thermal ink sheet without wrinkles), the supply side roll (which is equipped with a clutch between The work of unwinding the ink sheet from the roll can be performed extremely easily.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic front view showing the structure of a conventional thermal transfer printer; FIG. 2 is a partially schematic front view of the operating state shown in FIG. 1;
3 is a schematic front view of another operating state of FIG. 1, FIG. 4 is a schematic front view showing the structure of a thermal transfer printer according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention, and FIGS. 5 and 6 are respectively the same. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing the l4Mm transmission mechanism on the take-up roll side and the supply roll side of the device. (],)...→Normal head, (2)...Thermal ink sheet, (3)...For 4 consecutive slips, (4)...
...Platen roller, (6)...Thermal ink sheet supply side roll, (7)...Himethermal ink sheet winding side roll, (c)...Friction plate (friction transmission mechanism), (21
Door...one-way clutch, ■Kan...sprocket, (su...chain, 12I)...motor. In the figures, the same reference numerals indicate the same or equivalent parts. 11 people Masuo Oiwa (C) Figure 1, Figure 5 \ Figure 2, Figure 3, Figure 4, Figure 5 Procedural amendment (voluntary) 1981 8Yj5 to 1, Name of the invention Thermal transfer printer 3, Amendment Name of person (601) Mitsubishi Electric Co., Ltd. Representative Hitoshi Katayama 4, Agent 5, Detailed explanation of the invention in the specification subject to amendment 6, Contents of the amendment (1) Specification, page 8 7 lines, “In Figure 4,” 1
In FIGS. 4, 5, and 6, the following is corrected. (2) In the second line of page 11, "1 winding roll" is corrected to "1 winding side roll."that's all

Claims (2)

[Claims] (1) A thermal head equipped with a plurality of heating elements arranged in a row perpendicular to the recording paper running direction, a platen roller disposed opposite to the thermal spatula F, and the thermal head and the platen roller. A thermal ink sheet supply means and a recording paper supply means that supply a thermal ink sheet and a recording paper so that the recording paper faces the platen roller, and a thermal ink sheet and a recording paper between the thermal head and the platen roller. The apparatus includes a suppressing means for applying a pressing force, and a thermal head driving means for selectively generating heat from the heating element of the thermal head according to image information, and the ink is transferred from the thermal ink sheet to the recording paper by the heat generated by the heating element for recording. In a thermal transfer printer that performs the A torque transmission path (a friction transmission mechanism provided in each of these paths) and a one-way clutch provided on the heat-sensitive ink sheet supply side roll and between the supply side of the roll to allow the roll to rotate freely. Thermal transfer printer. (2) The winding torque imparting means and the anti-supply torque imparting means connect a sprocket attached to each of the winding roll and the supply roll, a chain placed between the sprockets, and the chain to the winding The thermal transfer printer according to claim 1, further comprising a motor that drives the take-up roll in the winding direction.