WO2013074051A1

WO2013074051A1 - System for moving a print head

Info

Publication number: WO2013074051A1
Application number: PCT/TR2012/000195
Authority: WO
Inventors: Sagbili Mustafa
Original assignee: Sagbili Mustafa
Priority date: 2011-11-14
Filing date: 2012-11-06
Publication date: 2013-05-23
Also published as: TR201111233A2

Abstract

The invention relates to a two-stage motion system that draws the print head in thermal transfer printers close to the printing surface for the printing process and away from it at the end of the printing process.

Description

DESCRIPTION SYSTEM FOR MOVING A PRINT HEAD

TECHNICAL FIELD

PRIOR ART

Thermal transfer printers are devices which are capable of printing by transferring heat onto the carbon ribbon and removing carbon from the ribbon at high speeds and afterwards, fusing such carbon on elastic surfaces again with the help of heat. In these devices that are produced at the present time, two separate pistons are used for setting the print head in printing position. The mounting and back-up of these two pistons and the relations between each other result in the loss of labour, time and money. Furthermore, some problems are experienced regarding the positioning of these two pistons and they occupy much more space than the desired space within the system, thus resulting in keeping thermal printers in large dimensions. On the other hand, with respect to the conventional motion systems of the print head in thermal transfer printers, mechanical tensions are frequently originated due to the existence of connection apparatuses between two pistons and this situation creates a malfunction during long term operations. Under these circumstances, the printing quality is affected. Different forces received from two separate pistons cannot be directly transferred downwards and this causes the loss of force. In such a case, this results in the increase of air consumption.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF INVENTION

In order for the thermal print head in thermal transfer printers to print, it requires to draw close to and away from the surface on which the print shall be applied, together with the carbon film beneath it. This approaching process is conducted in two stages of the system which is developed by us. The first stage is actualized up to 10 mm, whereas the second stage is for up to 4 mm. The so- called first stage, namely the system for major stage drawing close and away processes, is required for mounting the ribbon on the thermal printer together with the cover after placing ribbon on this cover which is so-called cartridge ribbon mounting system. The thermal print head which is held two levels up, in other words which is held 10 mm above, enables the ribbon to be mounted on the thermal printer together with the cover without any damage. The first stage, namely major stage drawing close process, is automatically generated when the cover is mounted on the thermal printer. The major stage system ensures that the thermal print head stays fixed in the range closest to the printing surface without contacting with the ribbon and surface, by constantly being in open position. When the cover is opened, the first stage system moves up and prevents the ribbon being obstructed during the mounting of the cover. The subjacent minor stage system ensures that the carbon and head contact with the surface on which the printing shall be applied by means of constantly drawing close to and away from this surface at any time. The second stage system performs the printing process by moving back and forth only at 4mm stroke which forms the second stage instead of constantly moving back and forth resulting in greater waste of time.

LIST OF FIGURES

Figure 1 . Open View of the Second Stage Piston

Figure 2. Open View of the First Stage Piston

Figure 3. Open Views of the First and Second Stage Pistons

Figure 4. Cross-Sectional View

Figure 5. Burst View

Figure 6. Burst View

Summary of the Reference Numerals.

1 . Connection Plate

2. Piston Bearing Block

3. Piston 3.1. Shaft Cover

3.2. Shaft

3.3. Felt

4. Bearing Bush

5. Bearing Shaft

6. Thermal Print Head Holder

6.1 . Head Holder Shaft

6.2. Spring

6.3. Head Connection Plate

7. Thermal Print Head

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION

The invention is comprised of the following components: connection plate (1 ), piston bearing block (2), piston (3) consisting of shaft cover (3.1 ), shaft (3.2) and felt (3.3), bearing bush (4), bearing shaft (5), thermal print head holder (6) consisting of head holder shaft (6.1 ), spring (6.2) and head connection plate (6.3), and thermal print head (7).

The motion rate of the thermal print head (7) is one of the most important factors influential in the print quality and rate of thermal transfer printers. While the motion of thermal print head provided by the connection of multiple piston bearing blocks to each other with the help of various connection apparatuses causes a malfunction as a result of tensions during long term operations, this motion also results in the occupation of a large space within the printer housing.

This constitutes a hindrance to the efficient use of printers in the long term as well as introducing the requirement for large printer housings. The two-stage motion system for the thermal print head which is developed by us is a motion system that is comprised of two pistons (3) functioning to connect the connection plate (1 ) and the piston bearing block (2), and of the attachment of the same piston bearing block (2) to the thermal print head holder (6) with the help of two pieces of bearing bushes (4), bearing shaft (5) and one piece of piston (3). The pistons (3) connected from the same piston bearing block (2) to the connection plate (1 ) and the thermal print head holder (6) are capable of moving independently of each other. The shaft cover (3.1 ), a part of the piston (3), provides the connection between the piston and the surface on which it shall be mounted, whereas the piston shaft (3.2) is a part that transfers the driven motion and the felt (3.3) is a component which provides impermeability.

The commencing of thermal print head (7) to the printing process is carried out by the two-stage motion of the system. The so-called first stage, namely the system for major stage drawing close and away processes, is required for mounting the ribbon on the thermal printer together with the cover after placing ribbon on this cover which is so-called cartridge ribbon mounting system. At this stage, a major motion of 10 mm is performed. This motion is actualized by the drive of pistons (3) connecting the connection plate (1 ) and the piston bearing block (2). Thus, the thermal print head (7) which is held two levels up, in other words which is held 10 mm above, enables the ribbon to be mounted on the thermal printer together with the cover without any damage. The first stage drawing close process is automatically generated when the cover is mounted on the thermal printer as a result of the drive of the piston (3). The second stage system ensures that the thermal print head (7) stays fixed in the range closest to the printing surface without contacting with the ribbon and surface, by constantly being in open position. When the cover is opened, the first stage pistons (3) move up and prevent the ribbon being obstructed during the mounting of the cover.

The second stage system consists of a stage in which the thermal print head (7) is fixed in the optimum distance to the ribbon and the printing surface, and thus the serial operation of thermal transfer printer for long durations without any tension is enabled. 4 mm of distance is anticipated to be the optimum distance. This motion is actualized by the attachment of the piston bearing block (2) to the thermal print head holder (6) with the help of two pieces of bearing bushes (4), bearing shaft (5) and one piece of piston (3).

Claims

1. The motion system for thermal transfer printer heads is characterized by being comprised of two pistons (3) functioning to connect the connection plate (1 ) and the piston bearing block (2) and of the attachment of the same piston bearing block (2) to the thermal print head holder (6) with the help of two pieces of bearing bushes (4), bearing shaft (5) and one piece of piston (3).

2. The piston (3) functioning to connect to the connection plate (1 ) and the piston bearing block (2) mentioned in claim 1 is characterized by being the mechanism that automatically actives the first stage drawing close process when the cover is mounted on the thermal printer.