JPS61222785A - Thermal transfer recording device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To enable various control as to a molten ink contained in an ink reservoir part, by a construction wherein a detecting end of a temperature sensor thermally shielded from a heating element for melting an ink by heating is disposed in an ink reservoir part on a predetermined ink liquid level. CONSTITUTION:The temperature sensors 201-203 surrounded by a heat insulator 18 are provided in a hole provided at a predetermined part of a side wall part of a heat-transmitting plate 15 spaced by a predetermined distance from the heating element 16 so that the detecting ends thereof make direct contact with the ink. Two temperature sensors 201, 202 on the side of an ink supplying device 19 ar located at positions corresponding to the lower limit of the ink liquid level, and the temperature sensor 203 on the side of a correcting rod 13 is located at a position corresponding to the upper limit of the ink liquid level at a central part. The heating element 16, the ink-supplying device 19 and the opening and closing of a power source switch are controlled by detection signals from the sensors 201-203, whereby various kinds of control such as control of the temperature of the molten ink, control of liquid quantity and control of inclination can be performed.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Field of Industrial Application] The present invention relates to a thermal transfer recording device that repeatedly applies ink to a transfer medium carrying heat-melting ink, thereby making it possible to reuse the transfer medium. .

"Technology of Prior Application" The present applicant has previously developed an ink reservoir equipped with a heating element that heats the ink that is solidified at room temperature, and supplies the ink stored in the ink reservoir to a transfer medium. A thermal transfer recording device that reuses transfer media and enables smooth and smooth application of ink to the transfer medium by arranging an ink applicator consisting of an ink supply means downstream of the printing position. We are proposing a device. (Special application 1986-2
(No. 74453) The structure will be briefly explained based on FIG. 5. Reference numeral 1 denotes a platen on which the recording paper 2 is interposed, and the platen 1 is intermittently driven in the direction of the arrow by a stepping motor (not shown). Ru.

3 is a print head in which heating resistive elements are arranged in a line along the platen L axis direction at a position facing the platen 1, and a spring 4 arranged on the back side presses the ink sheet 5 and the recording paper 2, Both 2 and 5 follow the intermittent drive.
The recording paper 2 and the ink sheet 5 can be integrally transported intermittently by the frictional force.

The ink sheet 5 is formed into an endless shape using a heat-resistant resin film, and includes a pair of shafts 6 arranged adjacent to the platen 1, a guide roller 7, and a detour roller 81 arranged facing an ink application mechanism 10 to be described later. The printing operation by the pad 3 and the reapplication of ink are repeatedly performed while rotating around a skew correction roller, tension roller, etc. (not shown).

The ink application mechanism 10 includes an ink tank 11 having an ink storage section 14 opened at the top, a supply roller 12 arranged within the ink storage section 14 and rotating at the same circumferential speed as the detour roller 8, and a supply roller. 12 Downstream ink tank 11
It is composed of a straightening rod 13 placed in contact with the outlet side.

A heating element IB is embedded in the ink reservoir 11 at the bottom of the ink reservoir 14 via a heat exchanger plate 15, and heat-melts the ink that is solidified at room temperature stored in the ink reservoir 14. The straightening rod 13 is heated via the heat transfer plate 15.

According to the ink application mechanism 10, the ink that is molten due to the heating of the heating element 16 is carried by the supply roller 12 and conveyed to a position facing the ink sheet 5 which is rotated around the detour roller 8, and is then conveyed at the facing position. After the ink is transferred to the ink sheet 5 side, the remaining ink is carried by the supply roller 12 and further rotated and conveyed, and is returned to the ink tank 11 again, and this process is repeated thereafter.

On the other hand, the ink sheet 5 to which the ink has been transferred is pressed against the peripheral surface of the straightening rod 13 on the downstream side while maintaining the molten state of the ink, and a thin wire 13a is tightly wound around the peripheral surface of the straightening rod 13. Therefore, after scraping off the excess ink to the upstream side, leaving the remaining ink in the gap between the adjacent thin wires 13a and correcting the layer thickness to a thin film, the ink coating mechanism IO is connected to the print head 3 on the downstream side of the ink coating mechanism IO. If the ink layer is smoothed, cooled and solidified before reaching the pressure contact position, and the ink level in the ink reservoir 14 drops, this is detected by a liquid level sensor (not shown), and the ink is replenished. Ink is replenished from the device as appropriate.

"Problems to be Solved by the Invention" According to such a thermal transfer recording device, there are the following: controlling the timing of ink replenishment into the storage section 14, controlling the ink melting temperature, detecting the inclination of the ink liquid level within the storage section 14, Various other detection mechanisms must be individually attached, and as a result, the ink reservoir 14 becomes larger and the control mechanism becomes more complicated, making malfunctions more likely. Other drawbacks arise.

Furthermore, since the heating element 1B is disposed within the ink reservoir 14, it also has the disadvantage that it becomes difficult to accurately detect the ink melting temperature.One technical problem to be solved by the present invention. The system is configured such that all of the various controls described above can be performed using one type of temperature sensor, thereby simplifying the control mechanism.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a thermal transfer recording device that enables accurate detection by the temperature sensor.

"Means for Solving the Problems" In order to achieve the above technical problems, the present invention provides a thermal transfer recording device that enables the reuse of a transfer medium.
An ink storage section provided with a heating element IB for thermally melting the ink, and an ink supply means for supplying the ink conveyed from the ink storage section 14 to the transfer medium, and arranged to be thermally isolated from the heating element. A technical means is proposed in which the detection end of the temperature sensor is positioned above a predetermined ink level in the ink reservoir 14.

Note that the temperature sensor may be arranged to be thermally isolated from the heating element, for example, it may be arranged by surrounding it with a heat insulating material, or it may be arranged within the ink reservoir with air interposed therebetween. good. In any case, it is sufficient that the heat is isolated from the heating element through a member having an insulating effect such as air or a heat insulating material.

Furthermore, the present invention is provided with a heating element 16 for thermally melting the ink, and can be applied to either a line head type or a serial head type recording apparatus.

"Operation" According to this technical means, since the temperature sensor is configured to be located above a predetermined ink liquid level in the ink storage section, the temperature sensor detection end comes into direct contact with the stored ink, and the ink melting temperature can be detected quickly and reliably. Moreover, since the temperature sensor is arranged to be thermally isolated from the heating element, accurate temperature detection is possible without being affected by heat conduction of the heating element.

On the other hand, for example, by configuring the ink replenishing device to operate in conjunction with the detection signal of the temperature sensor, and by arranging the detection end of the temperature sensor at the lower limit position of the ink liquid level in the ink reservoir, the temperature The sensor can function as a liquid level detection sensor and as a safety device.

However, since the temperature drops rapidly, the ink replenishing device is operated in conjunction with the temperature drop of the temperature sensor, so that ink can be replenished quickly and reliably.

Also, when the power supply is initially energized, or when the stored ink does not reach a predetermined temperature or higher due to the number of electrical wheels of the heating element, etc., and the ink is solidified, or even if it is in a molten state, its viscosity is insufficient. By stopping the conveyance of the transfer medium, the thickness of the ink film applied to the transfer medium is stabilized, and tearing of the transfer medium is prevented, thereby serving as a safety device.

Furthermore, in order to use an ink sheet with a width corresponding to the maximum width of the recording paper, especially in a line head type thermal recording device, the ink reservoir must also be formed horizontally long to match this width. Maintaining the level becomes extremely problematic.

Even in such a case, by arranging the temperature sensors at multiple locations at predetermined intervals in the horizontal direction of the ink reservoir, it is possible to easily detect the inclination of the ink within the ink reservoir, and it can be used as a tilt detection sensor. can also be used.

"Embodiments" Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail by way of example with reference to the drawings. However, unless otherwise specified, the dimensions, materials, shapes, and relative arrangements of the components described in this example are not intended to limit the scope of this invention, but are merely illustrative examples. It's nothing more than that.

FIGS. 1 and 2 show lines related to embodiments of the present invention.
This figure shows a type recording device, and will mainly explain the differences from FIG.

On the wall surface forming the ink storage section 14 of the ink tank 11,
As described above, the heat exchanger plate 15 is disposed, and the temperature sensor mounting hole 17 is bored at a predetermined location on the side wall of the heat exchanger plate 15 and is separated from the heating element 16 by a predetermined distance. Temperature sensors 201 and 20 surrounded by a heat insulating material 18
2, 203, and its detection end side is connected to the ink storage section 14.
It is configured to have an opening on the side so that the detection end comes into direct contact with the ink.

Further, an ink replenishing device 19 consisting of a melting heater 19a, solid ink 19b, and a guide plate 19c is disposed above the ink reservoir 14, and melts the solid ink 19b as appropriate and replenishes the solid ink 19b into the ink reservoir 14. .

Next, the installation positions of the temperature sensors 201, 202, 203 will be explained based on FIG.
The two temperature sensors 201 and 202 located on the 8 side are
The correction rods 1 are arranged symmetrically along the axial direction of the supply roller 12 at positions corresponding to the lower limit of the ink liquid level on both the left and right sides.
The other temperature sensors 203 located on the third side are disposed at positions corresponding to the upper limit of the ink liquid level in the central part of the side facing the temperature sensors 201 and 202, respectively.

On the other hand, the heating element 16 embedded in the ink tank 11, the ink replenishing device 18, and the power supply on/off switch determine the ink melting standard upper limit temperature suitable for ink application based on the detection signals of the temperature sensors 201, 202, and 203. TS”O
, assuming that the lower limit temperature is an LSI, the measured temperatures of the temperature sensors 201, 202, and 203 are respectively 201a'
C, 202a'C1203a'0, ■TS>
If 201a = 202a>LS>203a, the ink temperature is normal, the amount of stored ink is sufficient to supply ink, and the device itself is not tilted, and the device is driven normally. Printing operations and ink supply can be performed.

■TS>201a>LS> 202a (203a
) or TS>202a (203a) >LS>201
In case a, it indicates that the device is tilted in the axial direction, and along with an alarm signal, the power is turned OFF, and the drive of the device is stopped.

■ If TS > 203a > LS > 201a = 202a, it indicates that the device is tilted in the rotational direction, and as in case (2), an alarm is issued, the power is turned off, and the drive of the device is stopped.

(2) If LS > 201a = 202a > 203a (7), the amount of ink stored is increased and the printing operation and ink supply are stopped during that time.

That is, if the ink sheet is conveyed in this state, not only will it not be possible to form a good ink film thickness, but in the worst case, the ink will stick to the ink sheet and the ink sheet may be torn.

(2) If LS>201a=202a=203a, it indicates that the ink is below the lower limit of the ink liquid level, and the ink replenishing device 18 replenishes the required amount of ink.

■) Soshite TS> 201a = 202a = 20
3a> Stop replenishing ink from the ink replenishing device 19 when the ink becomes LS. Note that the "=" symbol does not necessarily represent the exact same temperature but approximately the same temperature.

According to this embodiment, as described above, the temperature sensor 2
With only the detection signals 01, 202, and 203, accurate temperature detection, liquid volume detection, tilt detection, etc. in the ink reservoir 14 can be easily performed.

3 and 4 show another embodiment of the invention using a serial head.

FIG. 3 shows a state in which a tape cassette is installed. Reference numeral 51 is a tape cassette, the side wall of which is in the center facing the platen 52 is recessed in a rectangular shape, and the print head 55 is disposed on the main body side of the apparatus.
A head installation space is formed in which the head can swing in the direction toward and away from the platen 52.

On the other hand, inside the tape cassette 51, there is a detour roller 5 connected to a drive shaft 51 protruding from a carriage (not shown).
2, a roller-shaped ink application mechanism 60 disposed facing the detour roller 52, a correction rod 53, a tension roller 54, and the like.

The transfer tape 56 is formed in an endless shape, carries heat-melting ink on the outer circumferential surface side, and is wound around a detour roller 52, a tension roller 54, etc., and after printing is performed by a rad 55, the transfer tape 56 is rotated around the detour roller 52. while the ink application mechanism 60
After the ink is applied, the layer thickness is corrected by a correction rod 53, and the printing operation is performed again.

In FIG. 4, the ink application mechanism 60 includes an ink holder 62 having an ink reservoir 61 in the center, and a link-shaped ink supply section 63 fitted to the outer periphery of the ink reservoir 61. A disk-shaped fixed heater 64 is disposed in contact with both the upper and lower wall surfaces of the storage section 61.

The ink holder 62 has an ink reservoir 81 and a pair of hollow shafts 65 extending vertically on the axis of the ink reservoir 81 . Open your mouth. Further, the ink storage section 81 has a large number of holes ff1a formed on its outer periphery, and supplies ink to the ink supply section 83 side.

The ink supply section 63 is held by porous sintered metal, and is configured so that the ink evenly and gradually oozes out to the outer periphery due to capillary action.As a result, the molten ink that has seeped out to the outer periphery of the ink supply section 63 is Due to surface tension, the thin film is applied to the transfer tape 56 side.

An ink holder 62 is provided above the ink application mechanism 60.
An ink replenishment mechanism 70 that replenishes ink to an ink storage portion 81 inside is provided.

The ink replenishment mechanism 70 includes a disc-shaped melting heater 72, solid ink 74 that is pressed against the melting heater 72 by a compression spring 73, and a funnel-shaped guide 75, and the melting heater 72 is connected to the temperature sensor 66, which will be described later. The device is configured to be energized and de-energized by a signal.

The funnel-shaped guide 75 is made of a metal material with good thermal conductivity, and the melting ink receiver consists of a section and a lower pipe section 75a.The pipe section 75a hangs down inside the ink holder along the axis, and the lower end of the pipe section 75a is arranged to coincide with the lower limit position of the ink liquid level of the ink reservoir θ1.

Furthermore, a temperature sensor 66 is provided on the circumferential surface of the pipe portion 75a without contacting the inner wall surface of the hollow shaft 65 of the ink holder 62.
is located.

According to this embodiment, when the molten ink in the ink storage portion 61 is stored at or above the ink liquid level lower limit position, since the molten ink is in contact with the pipe portion 75a, the melting temperature of the ink is changed to the pipe portion 75a. The temperature can be transmitted to the temperature sensor 6B via the temperature sensor 75a, and heating control of the fixed heater 64 and de-energization of the melting heater 72 can be performed.

On the other hand, when the molten ink in the ink reservoir 61 decreases and the liquid level drops, the pipe portion 75a moves away from the ink liquid level, and the temperature of the pipe portion 75a decreases because heat transfer is cut off. Upon detection by the temperature sensor 66, the melting heater 72 is energized and heated for a certain period of time, and a predetermined amount of the melted solid ink is supplied to the ink reservoir 81 through the funnel-shaped guide 75.

Therefore, even in this embodiment, a single temperature sensor 6B
This makes it possible to easily and reliably control the temperature and liquid amount of the molten ink in the ink reservoir 61.

"Effects of the Invention" As described above, according to the present invention, various controls such as temperature control, liquid volume control, and tilt control of the molten ink stored in the ink storage section can be performed using only the temperature sensor. In addition to simplifying the control mechanism and preventing the possibility of malfunctions, the present invention has various advantages such as allowing the temperature sensor to accurately and quickly detect temperature without being affected by other heat generating members.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

1 and 2 show a line head type thermal transfer recording device according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 1 is a schematic explanatory diagram, and FIG. 2 is a plan view of FIG. 1 showing the arrangement of temperature sensors. It is a diagram. 3 to 4 show another embodiment of the present invention using a serial head, FIG. 3 is a plan view of the main part, and FIG.
-A' sectional view. FIG. 5 is a schematic explanatory diagram showing a line head type thermal transfer recording device according to the prior art. Figure 2 Figure 3 et al. Figure 4 Figure 5 Procedural amendment (voluntary) May 20, 1985

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claims] 1) In a thermal transfer recording device that repeatedly applies ink to a transfer medium carrying heat-melting ink and makes it possible to reuse the transfer medium, the ink that is solidified at room temperature is heated. An ink storage section provided with a melting heating element, and an ink supply means for supplying the ink stored in the storage section to a transfer medium, the detection end of a temperature sensor being disposed thermally isolated from the heating element. 2) A thermal transfer recording device characterized in that the temperature sensor is arranged so as to be located above a predetermined ink level in the storage portion. 3) Thermal transfer recording device according to claim 1, wherein the temperature sensor is disposed in the ink reservoir with air interposed in the thermal transfer recording device 3) A line head type thermal recording device in which the temperature sensor is The thermal transfer recording device according to claim 1, wherein the thermal transfer recording device is arranged at a plurality of locations spaced apart by a predetermined interval, and configured to be able to detect the inclination of the ink level in the reservoir.