JPS59190869A - Thermal transfer printer - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To prevent the occurrence of wrinkle in a thermal ink sheet by giving it a tension by a method in which a winding torque is applied to a roll on the winding side of thermal ink sheet and also a counter torque is given to a roll on the supply side through a friction transmission mechanism. CONSTITUTION:In the supply side roll 7 and winding side roll 6 of a thermal ink sheet 2, a chain 22 is engaged with sprockets 24 and 25, a winding torque is transmitted to the winding side roll 6 by a motor 21 with a sprocket 26, and a counter torque in the opposite supply direction is transmitted to the supply side roll 7 through a friction transmission mechanism consisting of friction plates provided to both the rolls 6 and 7. Sufficient tension can thus be given to the thermal ink sheet, and therefore, partial thermal shrinkage caused by heat during the recording period can be eliminated and the occurrence of wrinkle can be prevented. The failure of recording due to the occurrence of wrinkle can be avoided.

Description

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

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

In Figure 8, (1) is a thermal head equipped with a plurality of heating elements arranged in rows, and (2) is a thermal head with ink applied to one side that is solid at room temperature and becomes fluid at high temperatures. The ink sheet (+3) is a continuous slip paper with marginal punch holes and horizontal perforations, (4) rotates but its position is fixed, and the thermal head (1) prints the thermal ink sheet (2) and the continuous slip paper (3). ) is a platen roller that receives pressing force through the platen roller. (5) is a tractor that drives a belt having protrusions inserted into marginal punch holes of the continuous slip paper (3) to convey the continuous slip paper (3). (6) is a thermal ink sheet (2)
(7) is a thermal ink sheet winding roll that winds up the thermal ink sheet 22+ after thermal recording. (8) is a thermal ink sheet conveyor that conveys the thermal ink sheet (2). It's Laura.

(9) is a paper guide on the paper feeding side. tlO) is a spring that presses the thermal head () against the fixed grating roller (4) to apply a pressing force. (] I1 is the pressing force of the spring (10) which overcomes the thermal head (
1) from the platen roller (4). (I2) is a guide roller for thermal ink sorting (2). A is the forward running direction of the thermal ink cartridge (2) and the continuous slip paper (3);
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 a marginal punch hole is inserted into the protrusion on the back side of the tractor (5). Insert it and set it so that it does not come off. At this time, change the inclination of the platen roller 141 and the tractor (5) as shown in Figure 3 to make this operation easier. Next, as shown in Figure 1. After returning to the original position shown, wrap the continuous slip paper (3) around the platen roller (4). Then, insert the marginal punch hole again into the protrusion on the front side of the tractor (5) and set it once so that it does not come off. do.

The set of thermal ink cartridge (2) is unwound from the thermal ink supply side roll (6), and then the thermal head (
1) and the platen roller (4).
) is brought into contact with the mediator, and the heat-sensitive ink sheet is fixed on the winding roll (7) after 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 A 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 platen roller 14).
The heat-sensitive ink sheet (2) is rotated at the same circumferential speed as the roller and the tractor (5) to convey the heat-sensitive ink sheet (2) in the direction of the heat-sensitive ink sheet winding side roll (7). With the above functions, the continuous slip paper (3) and the thermal ink sheet (2) can be conveyed in the same direction and at the same speed at the contact point between the thermal head (1) 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 due to the heat generated by the heat generating element of the thermal head (1) (Joule Juku), the solid ink of the thermal ink-12 becomes a fluid only at the heat generating part of the continuous slip paper (3). ) is transcribed. After thermal transfer recording is performed using the continuous slip paper conveyance mechanism of a thermal transfer printer as shown in Fig. 1,
When performing fast forwarding of continuous slip paper (3) alone, multiplex recording, or color recording, a spring is used to push up the thermal head (1) against the platen roller (4) whose position is fixed as shown in Figure 2. (The solenoid (11) generates suction force that overcomes the pressing force of 101, and the pressing force is released by creating a gap between the thermal head (1) and the platen roller 14). By doing this,
The thermal ink sheet (2) and the continuous slip paper (3) can be conveyed separately and independently. Therefore, if the platen roller (4) and tractor (5) are driven in the direction A by the margin of the continuous slip paper (3) in this state, unnecessary running of the thermal ink cartridge (2) can be eliminated and the continuous slip paper can be printed. You can fast forward (skip) only paper (3).

Furthermore, if the thermal ink sheet (2) is driven in the B direction, it can be pulled back to the same starting point as the previous recording, thereby eliminating unnecessary running of the thermal ink sheet (2) and making multiple recording possible. Pale yellow, magenta.

Using a thermal ink sheet (2) coated with three colors of cyan ink in the form of a belt so that the three colors are sequentially replaced by a fixed length at the position of the thermal head (1) during running, continuous slip paper (3) is applied in this state. ) is pulled back in the B direction to the same starting point as the previous recording and the thermal ink sheet (2) is run, color recording is possible.

Furthermore, the thermal head (1) and platen roller (4)
Place one piece of continuous slip paper on the recording part where it comes into contact,
Alternatively, when discharging paper, use a tractor that has protrusions on the inner periphery and at regular intervals on the outer periphery, insert marginal punch holes in the continuous slip paper (3) into the protrusions on the outer periphery, and insert the front and back sides of the tractor (5). Conveys continuous slip paper on both sides.

Although the conventional thermal transfer printer is configured as described above, the thermal ink sheet also partially shrinks due to selective heat generation based on image information of the thermal head during recording. This partial thermal shrinkage made it impossible to convey and wind up the thermal ink sheet as a strip without wrinkles.Furthermore, the areas where these wrinkles occur eventually become unrecordable areas.

This invention was made in order to eliminate the above-mentioned drawbacks of the conventional ones. The winding torque is applied to the thermal ink sheet take-up roll, and the torque in the opposite direction (reverse torque) is applied to the thermal ink sheet supply roll. ), and is equipped with a friction transmission mechanism for transmitting torque to both rolls to apply tension to the thermal ink sheet, thereby preventing the thermal ink sheet from wrinkling during recording (7). ing.

An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

4th. In the figure, (1) is equipped with a plurality of heat generating elements arranged in rows or has a round head, and (2) is equipped with three heating elements arranged at room temperature.
A heat-sensitive ink sheet coated with ink, which is solid at high temperatures and becomes fluid at high temperatures, on one side;
(4) rotates but its position is fixed, and the thermal head (]) prints the thermal ink sheet (2), the continuous slip paper (
3) is a tractor that drives a belt having a protrusion that is inserted into the marginal punch hole of the continuous slip paper (3) and conveys the continuous slip paper (3). (6) is a heat-sensitive ink unit (2
(Thermal ink sheet supply side roll easily rolled, (7)
1 is a thermal ink sheet winding-side roll that winds up the thermal ink sheet (2) after thermal recording, and (8) is a thermal ink sheet conveying roller that conveys the thermal ink sheet (2). Further, (9) is a paper guide on the paper feeding side. (1) is a platen roller 14 that rotates but is fixed in position.
) is a spring that applies pressing force by pressing the thermal head (1) against the thermal head (1). fall is the pressing force of the spring (10) 1
After overcoming this problem, move the thermal head (1) to the platen roller (
4) It is a lenoid that generates sufficient suction force to move it further away. (121 is a guide roller for the heat-sensitive ink sheet (2). A is the forward running direction of the heat-sensitive ink sheet (2) and the continuous slip paper (3), and B is the reverse running direction. C21) is the guide roller for the heat-sensitive ink sheet (2). This is the motor for tension loading of the thermal ink sheet (2) used according to the invention, and is also the chain for transmitting the motor torque.

(23) is a friction plate for torque friction transmission. (The second wheel is a sprocket installed to transmit counter-supply torque (reverse torque) to the heat-sensitive ink supply roll.

■ is a sprocket installed on the thermal ink sheet winding side to transmit the external winding torque.

(26) is a sprocket attached to the motor shaft. +27) is the roll holder, (support)) is the friction plate +23
This is a spring for applying a vertical force to +.

Next, the operation of this embodiment will be explained.

Pass the paper set of continuous slip paper (3), which is recording paper, over the paper guide (9) on the paper feed side, insert it into the marginal punch hole of the protruding number on the back side of the tractor (5), and set it so that it does not come off. do. At this time, set 1 and 3 to make this operation easier.
This is done by changing the inclination of the tractor (5) as shown in FIG. Next, after returning to the original position shown in FIG. 4, the continuous slip paper is wound around the platen roller (4). Then, insert the marginal punch hole again into the protrusion on the front side of the tractor (5) and set it so that it will 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 (
1) and the platen roller 14).
) is inserted into contact with the thermal head +11 side, and the heat-sensitive ink take-up roll (7) is fixed. At this time, a winding torque is applied to the thermal ink sheet winding roll (7), and a winding torque is applied to the thermal ink sheet supply side roll (6). ) (reverse torque) can give tension to the thermal ink sheet (2).

Next, when recording, the platen roller (4) is rotated so that the continuous slip paper (3) moves in the direction of the paper, and the tractor (5) is rotated.
) to transport the continuous slip paper (3). At this time, the thermal ink transport roller (8) is also rotated at the same circumferential speed as the platen roller 14) and the tractor (5).
F21 to the thermal ink sheet winding side roll (7)
Transport in the direction of. With the above functions, at the contact point between the thermal head (1) and platen roller (4) where recording is performed, the continuous slip paper (3) and the thermal ink sheet (2)
can be transported in the same direction and at the same speed. In other words, there is no relative speed difference between the two. Thermal transfer recording is performed under these conditions, and the solid ink on the thermal ink sheet (2) is selectively converted into a fluid based on the image information by the heat generated by the heating element of the thermal head (1) (Joule heat). and transfer it to continuous slip paper (3).

Also, due to the heat during recording, the heat-sensitive ink sheet (2) partially heat-shrinks at the same time. This partial thermal contraction causes wrinkles to occur in the thermal ink sheet 2) during conveyance, and the area where these wrinkles occur eventually becomes an unrecordable area. Supply side roll (7) and thermal ink sheet winding side roll (6)
By connecting each sprocket example ■ with a chain, winding torque is applied to the heat-sensitive ink sheet take-up roll (7), and torque in the opposite supply direction (reverse torque) is applied to the heat-sensitive ink sheet supply roll (6). By providing a friction transmission mechanism through which the torque is transmitted to both rolls via a friction plate 123), both torques can be transmitted to both rolls.
This generates sufficient tension for thermal ink sorting (2).

Due to this tension, partial thermal shrinkage of the front side of the heat-sensitive ink sheet (2) is suppressed, and the generation of wrinkles is prevented.

Next up, +C! The function of the friction plate (C) will be explained in detail with reference to FIG. 5. The friction plate t23 in FIG. It is frictionally joined to the sheet winding side roll (7), and constitutes a torque friction transmission mechanism.

The heat-sensitive ink sheet winding roll (7) tries to wind it up at a speed faster than the transport speed of the heat-sensitive ink sheet (2), but the friction plate causes it to slip only at a speed exceeding the transport speed. Thermal ink sheet (
2) A constant tension is applied to the film, allowing it to be rolled up without wrinkles.

In addition, on the thermal ink/t supply side roll (6),
The structure is exactly the same as that of the thermal ink sheet winding roll (7), but the transport speed of the thermal ink 7-f2) is
By applying a reverse torque in the direction opposite to the supply side within a range that does not affect the speed in the A direction, and constantly slipping during operation, a constant tension is applied to the heat-sensitive ink cartridge (2), causing wrinkles and -4"+ can supply it.

As described above, according to the present invention, the winding torque on the axis of the heat-sensitive ink take-up side roll is applied to the shaft of the heat-sensitive ink feed side roll in the opposite direction of supply (reverse torque).
In order to convey the heat-sensitive ink sheet while applying tension.

There is an effect that the thermal ink sheet is transported without wrinkles even during printing.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

Figure 1 is a schematic front view showing the structure of a conventional thermal transfer printer, and Figure 2 is a thermal head (
1) A partial schematic front view showing the state where the pressing force between the platen rollers (4) has been released;
FIG. 4 is a schematic front view showing the structure of a thermal transfer printer according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 5 shows the torque of the above embodiment. It is a figure showing a friction transmission mechanism. +11...f -marhet, +61...Thermal ink sheet supply side roll, (2)...Thermal ink sheet, +71...Thermal ink sheet winding side roll,
(3)... Continuous slip paper, (23)... Friction plate (friction transmission mechanism), +41... Platen roller, aa
i-...Sprocket%...Chain, (2υ...
·motor. In Figure 8, the same reference numerals indicate the same or equivalent parts. Attorney Daiyu Kasu f, Mei Figure 1 Figure 2 Figure 3 Figure 4 Figure 5 Procedural amendment (spontaneous) Mr. Commissioner of the Japan Patent Office 1, Indication of case Patent application No. 1986-66538 No. 2
Name of the invention Thermal transfer printer 3 Name of the person making the amendment Name (601,) Goryo Electric Co., Ltd. Representative Hitoshi Katayama Department 5 Column 6 for detailed explanation of the invention in the specification subject to the amendment Contents of the amendment (]) “In Figure 4” on page 8, line 6 of the specification
is corrected to "In Figures 4 and 5." (2) Correct "1 marginal hole" in the 10th line to "marginal punch hole". (3) On page 10, line 16, "take-up roll" is corrected to "1 take-up side roll."that's all

Claims (2)

[Claims] (1) A thermal head equipped with a plurality of heating elements arranged in a line perpendicular to the recording paper running direction; a platen roller disposed opposite to the thermal head;
A thermal ink sheet supply means and a recording paper supply means for supplying thermal ink/sheet and recording paper between the thermal head and the platen roller so that the recording paper faces the platen roller side. A thermal ink sheet 8 and a recording paper between the thermal head and the platen roller (suppressing means applying a suppressing force thereto, and thermal head driving means for selectively emitting heat generating elements of the thermal head according to image information) 8, the thermal transfer printer is configured to perform recording by transferring ink from a thermal ink cartridge to a recording paper using the heat generated by the heating element; A thermal transfer printer comprising: an anti-supply torque applying means for applying a torque in an anti-supply direction to a sheet supply roll; and a friction transmission mechanism provided in each of the torque transmission paths to both rolls. (2) The winding torque applying means and the anti-supply torque applying means connect a sprocket attached to each of the winding roll and the supply roll, a chain placed between the sprockets, and a chain that is connected to the sprocket to wind the chain. The thermal transfer printer according to claim 1, further comprising a motor that drives the take-up roll in the winding direction.