JP2008168479A - Image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image forming apparatus capable of suppressing increase in the number of parts, surely pressing a printing head to an ink sheet by an appropriate pressing force during printing, and suppressing generation of warpage in the width direction on the ink sheet when the printing is not performed. <P>SOLUTION: This sublimation type printer 100 (the image forming apparatus) comprises a printing head 2 which can print an image on a paper 60 with the ink sheet 51, head part pressing members 7 and 8 for pressing the printing head 2 onto the ink sheet 51 by pressing an upper face of a head part 2b of the printing head 2 by a specified pressing force during printing, an engaging member 30 fitted to the head part 2b of the printing head 2 and comprising an engaging part 30b for engaging the head part pressing members 7 and 8 and moving vertically the printing head 2, and an ink sheet guiding part 30e which is integrally provided with the engaging member 30, in which a flat part 30f is formed in seeing in plan in a convex shape toward a winding direction (arrow mark A direction) of the ink sheet 51, and which guides conveying the ink sheet 51 during printing. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus, and more particularly to an image forming apparatus provided with a print head capable of printing an image on a sheet with an ink sheet.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, an image forming apparatus having a print head capable of printing an image on a sheet with an ink sheet and an ink sheet cartridge in which an ink sheet is stored are known (see, for example, Patent Documents 1 to 5).

  In the above-mentioned Patent Document 1, thermal transfer in which a guide bar for defining the transport direction of the ink donor film (ink sheet) that has passed through the heating resistor on the thermal head is provided at the rear end of the thermal head (printing head). A recording apparatus (image forming apparatus) is disclosed. In the thermal transfer recording apparatus (image forming apparatus) described in Patent Document 1, the contact surface of the guide bar that contacts the ink donor film during printing has a downward slope from the center in the width direction of the guide bar toward both ends. The ink donor film is configured to be conveyed while being curved in the same direction as the contact surface of the guide bar by being formed into a shape that is curved while having.

  Further, in Patent Document 2, a guide that is integrally formed on a substrate provided with a heating element having a predetermined print width and a support plate to which the substrate is attached and guides the transfer operation of the thermal transfer ribbon (ink sheet). A thermal transfer printing apparatus (image forming apparatus) including a thermal head including a printing unit is disclosed. In the thermal transfer printing apparatus (image forming apparatus) described in Patent Document 2, the support plate is connected to the first portion to which the back surface of the substrate is attached, and the first portion is connected to the first portion to swing the entire support plate. It consists of two parts. And it is comprised so that a board | substrate and a heat generating body may be pressed with respect to a thermal transfer ribbon by rotation of the rocking | fluctuation shaft provided in the edge part of the 2nd part of a support plate.

  Further, Patent Document 3 has a recess into which the print head is inserted, and four ribbon guide walls with which the ink ribbon abuts on both sides of the recess, and is mounted on a printer (image forming apparatus) so that the front and back can be reversed. An ink ribbon cassette (ink sheet cartridge) is disclosed. The ink ribbon cassette (ink sheet cartridge) described in Patent Document 3 is formed such that the center portion of the top portion of the ribbon guide wall with which the ribbon abuts in the width direction is lower than both ends. Further, the ink ribbon is configured to always contact the top of the ribbon guide wall in a state where the ink ribbon is stretched by a predetermined pulling force by a slack removing spring.

  Further, in Patent Document 4, a printing apparatus (image forming apparatus) having a ribbon cartridge mounted thereon and including a print head, a platen roller, and a guide roller for preventing ribbon kinking disposed on a travel path of the printing ribbon. Is disclosed. In the printing apparatus (image forming apparatus) described in Patent Document 4, when the tension of the printing ribbon is biased during printing, the roller body of the guide roller for twisting the ribbon rotates while tilting the rotation shaft. Is configured to be possible.

  Further, in Patent Document 5, a printer ink ribbon cassette (ink sheet cartridge) that is provided with a pair of arm-shaped ribbon guide portions provided with a guide groove for an ink ribbon at the tip portion and is mounted on a printer (image forming apparatus). Is disclosed. In the ink ribbon cassette (ink sheet cartridge) for a printer described in Patent Document 5, the ink ribbon is brought into contact with each other, and the guide groove in which the ink ribbon travels at the time of printing is formed from the center in the width direction of the guide groove to both ends. The ink ribbon is configured to be conveyed while being curved in the same direction as the contact surface of the guide groove by being formed into a shape that curves while having a downward slope toward the bottom.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 7-156487 Patent Registration No. 3832097 Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 5-74854 Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-1000051 JP-A-6-135106

  However, in the thermal transfer recording apparatus described in Patent Document 1, it is considered that the guide bar is provided as a separate member from the thermal head. Therefore, there is a problem that the number of parts constituting the thermal transfer recording apparatus (image forming apparatus) increases.

  Further, in the thermal transfer printing apparatus described in Patent Document 2, the rotation operation of the support plate is performed by the rotation of the second portion provided at a position away from the substrate that presses the thermal transfer ribbon and the heating element. Therefore, it is considered that printing is performed in a state where the heating element (print head) is not directly pressed. In this case, there is a problem that a heating element having a horizontally long shape and a predetermined print width in the longitudinal direction cannot be reliably pressed against the printing mercy heat transfer ribbon (ink sheet) with an appropriate pressing force.

  Further, in the ink ribbon cassette described in Patent Document 3, the ink ribbon cassette is always in contact with the concave top portion of the ribbon guide wall regardless of whether or not a printing operation is performed. In this case, the ink ribbon (ink sheet) is warped in the width direction.

  Further, the printing apparatus described in Patent Document 4 has a problem in that the number of parts constituting the printing apparatus increases because the guide roller for twisting the ribbon is provided as a separate member from the print head.

  Further, in the ink ribbon cassette for a printer described in Patent Document 5, since the ink ribbon is always in contact with the curved shape of the guide groove regardless of whether or not printing is performed, the ink ribbon cassette is left for a long time when not printing. In this case, the ink ribbon (ink sheet) is warped in the width direction.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and one object of the present invention is to suppress an increase in the number of parts, and the print head is attached to an ink sheet during printing. An image forming apparatus capable of reliably pressing with an appropriate pressing force and capable of suppressing the occurrence of warping in the width direction of the ink sheet during non-printing is provided.

Means for Solving the Problems and Effects of the Invention

  An image forming apparatus according to a first aspect of the present invention includes a printing unit that is housed in an ink sheet cartridge and that is in contact with an ink sheet wound by a winding bobbin of the ink sheet cartridge during printing. In an image forming apparatus provided with a print head capable of printing an image, a head portion pressing member for pressing the print head against an ink sheet by pressing an upper portion of the print head with a predetermined pressing force during printing, and a head portion A spring member for transmitting the pressing force of the pressing member to the print head through the engaging member, and a member attached to the print head by the fixed portion and engaged with the head pressing member to move the print head up and down. An engagement member made of a sheet metal including a joint portion and capable of fixing the spring member; and provided integrally with the engagement member The central portion is formed in a convex shape in the winding direction of the ink sheet when seen in a plan view, and is disposed between the printing portion of the print head and the winding bobbin to guide the conveyance of the ink sheet during printing. An engagement portion for connecting the fixing portion and the central portion of the ink sheet guide portion, and the ink sheet guide portion has an end in the width direction when seen in a plan view. The inclined portion of the ink sheet guide portion is a position corresponding to the vicinity of the end portion in the width direction of the ink sheet, and has an inclined portion that is inclined toward the print portion side from the take-up bobbin side. The contact portion of the ink sheet guide portion, which is provided on the end side in the width direction where the connecting portion of the ink sheet guide portion is not connected and contacts the ink sheet, is formed by bending the end portion of the engaging member. Sectional shape along the conveying direction of the is formed in a U-shape.

  As described above, the image forming apparatus according to the first aspect includes a head portion pressing member for pressing the print head against the ink sheet by pressing the upper portion of the print head with a predetermined pressing force during printing. With this configuration, the pressing force by the head portion pressing member can be directly transmitted to the print head by pressing the upper portion of the print head by the head portion pressing member. Therefore, a print head having a horizontally long shape and a predetermined print width in the longitudinal direction can be reliably pressed against the ink sheet with an appropriate pressing force. An engagement member that is attached to the print head and includes an engagement portion that engages with the head portion pressing member to move the print head up and down, and is provided integrally with the engagement member to convey the ink sheet. Unlike the case where the ink sheet guide part is provided separately from the engaging member, the increase in the number of parts constituting the print head can be suppressed by configuring the ink sheet guide part to guide. it can. In addition, an ink sheet guide portion that guides the conveyance of the ink sheet during printing is provided integrally with an engagement member that includes an engagement portion for engaging the head portion pressing member to move the print head up and down. Thus, during printing, the ink sheet guide unit guides the conveyance of the ink sheet along with the pressing operation of the print head, while in the non-printing state, the ink sheet guide unit is separated from the ink sheet together with the print head. Unnecessary external force is not applied. Therefore, even when the ink sheet cartridge is left for a long time during non-printing, it is possible to prevent the ink sheet from warping in the width direction. In addition, the ink sheet guide portion is configured so that the central portion is formed in a convex shape in the winding direction of the ink sheet when viewed in plan, so that the ink sheet guide portion is the center in the width direction of the ink sheet. The guide is performed at different positions in the front and rear with respect to the winding direction of the ink sheet at the portion and the end portion. That is, since the ink sheet is guided in the conveyance operation from the end of the ink sheet toward the center, it is possible to preferentially suppress wrinkles that are likely to occur at the end of the ink sheet in the width direction.

  In the image forming apparatus according to the first aspect, the print head is configured to include a print unit that contacts the ink sheet during printing, and ink disposed between the print unit of the print head and the winding bobbin. By configuring the sheet guide portion to have an inclined portion that is inclined from the take-up bobbin side toward the print portion side on the end portion side in the width direction when viewed in a plan view, the ink sheet is provided with the ink sheet guide portion. Since the end portion in the width direction of the ink sheet is guided from the position closer to the printing portion by the inclined portion, the print head can more reliably press the ink sheet in which the generation of wrinkles is suppressed. Further, the inclined portion of the ink sheet guide portion is provided at a position corresponding to the vicinity of the end portion in the width direction of the ink sheet, so that the inclined portion of the ink sheet guide portion is the end portion in the width direction of the ink sheet. Since the conveyance of the ink sheet can be guided at a position corresponding to the vicinity, it is possible to easily suppress wrinkles from occurring at the end portion in the width direction of the ink sheet due to the inclined portion of the ink sheet guide portion.

  In the image forming apparatus according to the first aspect, the abutting portion of the ink sheet guide portion that abuts on the ink sheet has a cross-sectional shape along the conveyance direction of the ink sheet by bending the end portion of the engagement member made of sheet metal. By forming the ink sheet into a U-shape, when the ink sheet is wound up at the time of printing, the ink sheet guide portion can smoothly contact the ink sheet at the contact portion. Generation of wrinkles due to scratches caused by the ink sheet guide portion or friction with the contact surface can be suppressed. Further, the engaging member in which the ink sheet guide portion is integrally formed is configured to include a fixed portion attached to the print head, and a connecting portion that connects the fixed portion and the central portion of the ink sheet guide portion. In addition, the connecting portion of the ink sheet guide portion is not connected by forming the inclined portion of the ink sheet guide portion on the end side in the width direction where the connecting portion of the ink sheet guide portion is not connected. Since the portion can be easily bent by bending the plate member, the inclined portion of the ink sheet guide portion can be easily formed. In addition, a spring member for transmitting the pressing force of the head portion pressing member to the print head via the engaging member is provided, and the engaging member is configured to be able to fix the spring member. As a result, it is not necessary to separately provide a member for fixing the spring member on the engaging member, so that an increase in the number of components constituting the print head can be suppressed.

  An image forming apparatus according to a second aspect of the present invention includes a print head capable of printing an image on a sheet with an ink sheet, and pressing the upper portion of the print head with a predetermined pressing force during printing, thereby forming the print head on the ink sheet. A head portion pressing member for pressing, an engagement member attached to the print head and including an engagement portion for engaging the head portion pressing member to move the print head up and down, and the engagement member integrally And an ink sheet guide part that is formed in a convex shape in the winding direction of the ink sheet as viewed in a plan view and that guides the conveyance of the ink sheet during printing.

  As described above, the image forming apparatus according to the second aspect includes a head portion pressing member for pressing the print head against the ink sheet by pressing the upper portion of the print head with a predetermined pressing force during printing. With this configuration, the pressing force by the head portion pressing member can be directly transmitted to the print head by pressing the upper portion of the print head by the head portion pressing member. Therefore, a print head having a horizontally long shape and a predetermined print width in the longitudinal direction can be reliably pressed against the ink sheet with an appropriate pressing force. An engagement member that is attached to the print head and includes an engagement portion that engages with the head portion pressing member to move the print head up and down, and is provided integrally with the engagement member to convey the ink sheet. Unlike the case where the ink sheet guide part is provided separately from the engaging member, the increase in the number of parts constituting the print head can be suppressed by configuring the ink sheet guide part to guide. it can. In addition, an ink sheet guide portion that guides the conveyance of the ink sheet during printing is provided integrally with an engagement member that includes an engagement portion for engaging the head portion pressing member to move the print head up and down. Thus, during printing, the ink sheet guide unit guides the conveyance of the ink sheet along with the pressing operation of the print head, while in the non-printing state, the ink sheet guide unit is separated from the ink sheet together with the print head. Unnecessary external force is not applied. Therefore, even when the ink sheet cartridge is left for a long time during non-printing, it is possible to prevent the ink sheet from warping in the width direction. In addition, the ink sheet guide portion is configured so that the central portion thereof is formed in a convex shape in the winding direction of the ink sheet when viewed in a plan view, so that the ink sheet guide portion is connected to the end portion of the ink sheet. The guide is performed at different positions in the front and rear with respect to the winding direction of the ink sheet. That is, since the ink sheet is guided in the conveyance operation from the edge of the ink sheet toward the center, it is possible to preferentially suppress wrinkles that are likely to occur at the edge of the ink sheet.

  In the image forming apparatus according to the second aspect, it is preferable that the print head includes a print unit that comes into contact with the ink sheet during printing, and the ink sheet is stored in the ink sheet cartridge and is wound by a take-up bobbin of the ink sheet cartridge. The ink sheet guide portion is wound and disposed between the printing portion of the print head and the winding bobbin, and the ink sheet guide portion is provided on the end side in the width direction when seen in a plan view. An inclined portion that is inclined from the side toward the print portion side. According to this configuration, the ink sheet is guided by the inclined portion of the ink sheet guide portion at the end in the width direction of the ink sheet from a position closer to the print portion. The ink sheet whose generation is suppressed can be pressed.

  In the image forming apparatus according to the second aspect, preferably, the inclined portion of the ink sheet guide portion is provided at a position corresponding to the vicinity of the end portion in the width direction of the ink sheet. With this configuration, the inclined portion of the ink sheet guide portion can guide the conveyance of the ink sheet at a position corresponding to the vicinity of the end portion in the width direction of the ink sheet. It is possible to easily suppress wrinkles from occurring at the end in the width direction of the ink sheet.

  In the image forming apparatus according to the second aspect described above, preferably, the engaging member on which the ink sheet guide portion is integrally formed is made of a sheet metal, and the contact portion of the ink sheet guide portion that contacts the ink sheet is a sheet metal. A cross-sectional shape along the ink sheet conveyance direction is formed in a U shape by bending the end of the made engaging member. According to this configuration, when the ink sheet is wound up during printing, the ink sheet guide portion can smoothly come into contact with the ink sheet at the contact portion, so that the ink sheet may be scratched or damaged by the ink sheet guide portion. Generation of wrinkles due to friction with the contact surface can be suppressed.

  In the image forming apparatus according to the second aspect, it is preferable that the engaging member on which the ink sheet guide portion is integrally formed includes a fixing portion attached to the print head, a fixing portion, and a central portion of the ink sheet guide portion. And an inclined portion of the ink sheet guide portion is provided on an end side in the width direction where the connection portion of the ink sheet guide portion is not connected. According to this configuration, the portion of the ink sheet guide portion where the connecting portion is not connected can be easily bent by bending the plate member, so that the inclined portion of the ink sheet guide portion can be easily formed. it can.

  The image forming apparatus according to the second aspect preferably further includes a spring member for transmitting the pressing force of the head portion pressing member to the print head via the engaging member, and the engaging member fixes the spring member. It is possible to be formed. If comprised in this way, since it is not necessary to provide the member which fixes a spring member in an engaging member separately, the increase in the number of parts which comprise a print head can be suppressed.

  DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Embodiments embodying the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view showing the overall configuration of a sublimation printer according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the sublimation printer according to the embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. FIG. 3 is a sectional view showing the internal structure of the sublimation printer according to the embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. 4 to 12 are diagrams for explaining the details of the sublimation type printer according to the embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. First, the structure of a sublimation printer 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. In the present embodiment, a case where the present invention is applied to a sublimation printer which is an example of an image forming apparatus will be described.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the apparatus main body 90 of the sublimation printer 100 according to the embodiment of the present invention is disposed so as to face the metal chassis 1, the print head 2 for performing printing, and the print head 2. Platen roller 3 (see FIG. 4), metal feed roller 4 (see FIG. 4), metal presser roller 5 (see FIG. 4) for pressing the feed roller 4 with a predetermined pressing force, and metal A support rod 6 made of paper, head portion pressing members 7 and 8 for pressing the upper portion of the print head 2 with a predetermined pressing force, a drive gear 9 made of resin, a feed roller gear 10 (see FIG. 5), and a resin A lower paper guide 11a made of resin, an upper paper guide 11b made of resin (see FIG. 4), a rubber paper feed roller 12, a paper feed roller gear 13 (see FIG. 2), and a rubber paper discharge roller 14. , Paper discharge roller gear 15 (see FIG. 2) and winding A reel 16 (see FIG. 2), a motor bracket 17 (see FIG. 2), a stepping motor 18 (see FIG. 2) for transporting the paper 60, and a stepping that becomes a drive source when the print head 2 is rotated. An ink sheet cartridge 50 in which a motor 19 (see FIG. 2), a swingable swinging gear 20 (see FIG. 5), a plurality of intermediate gears 21 to 24 (see FIG. 5), and an ink sheet 51 are stored. And a cartridge support portion 25 for supporting. Further, as shown in FIG. 3, the apparatus main body 90 is configured to be disposed inside the resin casing 26. Further, in the sublimation printer 100 according to the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3, the ink sheet cartridge 50 and the paper feed cassette 70 for storing the paper 60 supplied to the apparatus main body 90 can be attached to and detached from the apparatus main body 90. It is attached to.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 1, the chassis 1 has one side surface 1a, the other side surface 1b, and a bottom surface 1c arranged so as to face each other. Further, the above-described motor bracket 17 (see FIG. 2) is attached to one side surface 1a of the chassis 1. A cartridge insertion hole 1 d for inserting the ink sheet cartridge 50 is provided on the other side surface 1 b facing the one side surface 1 a of the chassis 1. Further, as shown in FIG. 1, a support hole 1e for rotatably supporting a support bar 6 to which head portion pressing members 7 and 8 are attached is provided on one side surface 1a and the other side surface 1b of the chassis 1, respectively. It has been. Further, as shown in FIG. 4, paper sensors 27a and 27b are provided on the bottom surface 1c of the chassis 1 for detecting the front and rear ends of the paper 60 during printing.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the two platen roller bearings 3a are respectively attached to one side surface 1a and the other side surface 1b of the chassis 1, and the platen roller 3 (see FIG. 4) is attached to the two platen roller bearings 3a. Reference) is rotatably supported. Further, as shown in FIG. 5, the feed roller 4 has a feed roller gear insertion portion 4 a that is inserted into the feed roller gear 10. The feed roller 4 is configured to be rotatably supported by a feed roller bearing (not shown) attached to the chassis 1. The pressing roller 5 (see FIG. 4) is configured to be rotatably supported by a pressing roller bearing (not shown). Further, as shown in FIG. 4, the feed roller 4 and the pressing roller 5 are rotated in a state where the paper 60 is sandwiched therebetween, thereby feeding the paper 60 in the paper feeding direction (arrow T1 direction) or the paper discharging direction (arrow). U1 direction). Further, as shown in FIG. 3, the paper feed roller 12 has a function of conveying the paper 60 stored in the paper feed cassette 70 (see FIG. 1) into the chassis 1. Further, as shown in FIG. 3, the paper discharge roller 14 has a function of conveying the paper 60 after printing to the outside of the chassis 1.

  Moreover, as shown in FIG. 7, the support part 6a is provided in the one end and the other end part of the support bar 6, respectively. Then, as shown in FIG. 7, one and the other support portions 6a of the support rod 6 are rotatably inserted into the support holes 1e on the one side surface 1a of the chassis 1 and the support holes 1e on the other side surface 1b, respectively. It is configured to be. Further, as shown in FIG. 7, head portion pressing members 7 and 8 are attached to the inside of the one end and the other end of the support rod 6 without spinning around the support rod 6, respectively.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 1, the head portion pressing member 7 is integrally formed with a pressing portion 7a and a gear portion 7b. As shown in FIG. 2, the head portion pressing member 8 is integrally formed with a pressing portion 8 a and a protruding portion 8 b that protrudes in the direction in which the support bar 6 extends.

  The head pressing members 7 and 8 are formed with insertion holes 7c and 8c processed into a D-shape, respectively, and in each of the insertion portions 6b provided in the vicinity of both ends of the support bar 6. The insertion holes 7c and 8c are fitted. Thereby, it is comprised so that the support bar 6 and the head part press member 8 can be rotated with rotation of the head part press member 7. FIG. Further, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the head pressing members 7 and 8 are disposed on the one side surface 1a and the other side surface 1b side of the chassis 1, respectively.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 4, the print head 2 includes a support shaft 2a, a head portion 2b arranged to face the platen roller 3 (see FIG. 4), a support shaft 2a, and a head portion 2b. A pair of arm portions 2c, an aluminum heat radiating portion 2d for radiating heat of the head portion 2b during printing, and a printing portion 2e provided so as to protrude from the lower surface of the head portion 2b. It is out. As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the print head 2 has a resin sheet conveyance guide 28 attached as a separate member to the head portion 2b from below. Further, as shown in FIG. 6, a plurality of heating elements 29 (outer shape is indicated by broken lines) along the width direction of the head portion 2b (the direction of the arrow X in the figure) inside the print portion 2e of the head portion 2b. Is embedded. As shown in FIG. 4, the print head 2 has a vertical direction (in the direction of the arrow P1 and the arrow Q1) about a pair of support shafts 2a attached to the inner side of the one side surface 1a and the other side surface 1b of the chassis 1, respectively. In a direction).

  Here, in the present embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 8, a sheet metal engaging member 30 is attached to the upper surface of the heat radiating portion 2 d of the print head 2 by screws 31. Further, as shown in FIG. 8, the engagement member 30 is engaged with the notch 30a and the protrusion 8b (see FIG. 4) of the head pressing member 8 (see FIG. 4) to engage the print head 2 (see FIG. 8). 4) and a fixing portion 30c fixed to the upper surface of the portion corresponding to the head portion 2b of the heat radiating portion 2d, and in the width direction (direction of arrow X in the figure). A connecting portion 30d having the same dimensions as the fixing portion 30c (corresponding to the length L1 in FIG. 10) and extending from the fixing portion 30c to the front surface portion 2f side of the print head 2 by being bent substantially vertically downward. An ink sheet guide portion 30e disposed so as to extend from the coupling portion 30d along the width direction of the print head 2 (the arrow X direction in the drawing) is integrally provided.

  In the present embodiment, the ink sheet guide portion 30e is provided in a predetermined region in the center in the width direction (arrow X direction) of the print head 2, as shown in FIGS. The flat portion 30f is provided at both ends of the print head 2 in the width direction (arrow X direction), and is bent toward the front surface portion 2f side of the head portion 2b from the extending direction of the flat portion 30f. It is comprised from the inclination part 30g formed so that it may incline at angle (alpha). The flat portion 30f is an example of the “central portion” in the present invention. Further, as shown in FIGS. 6 and 11, the ink sheet guide portion 30e is disposed between the print portion 2e of the print head 2 and a take-up bobbin 53 (see FIG. 6) of the ink sheet cartridge 50 described later. It is comprised so that. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 10, the ink sheet guide portion 30e has a convex shape in the winding direction of the ink sheet 51 (in the direction of arrow A in the figure) by the flat portion 30f and the inclined portion 30g as shown in FIG. It is formed to become.

  In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 10, the flat portion 30f of the ink sheet guide portion 30e is substantially the same length L1 as the connecting portion 30d (the width direction of the print head 2 (arrow X direction)). The inclined portion 30g has an end portion in the width direction (arrow X direction) that is not connected to the connecting portion 30 (corresponding to both end portions of the flat portion 30f) of the ink sheet guide portion 30e. It is formed so as to extend toward the outside (the end in the width direction of the ink sheet 51). Further, as shown in FIG. 10, when the print head 2 rotates (rotates from the position shown in FIG. 4 to the position shown in FIG. 11) to perform printing, the flat portion of the ink sheet guide portion 30e. 30f is disposed at a position corresponding to the central region 51a in the width direction of the ink sheet 51, and the inclined portion 30g of the ink sheet guide portion 30e is disposed at a position corresponding to the end region 51b of the ink sheet 51. It is configured as follows.

  Further, in the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 11, the contact portion 30h of the ink sheet guide portion 30e that contacts the ink sheet 51 from above during printing is formed by folding the sheet metal member substantially 180 degrees. In addition, the cross-sectional shape of the abutting portion 30h along the transport direction of the ink sheet 51 (the direction of the arrow A in the figure) has a U-shape so that the ink sheet 51 can smoothly abut. Is formed. Accordingly, as shown in FIG. 11, the ink sheet 51 at the time of printing is supplied from the supply bobbin 52, and immediately after passing through the printing part 2e of the printing head 2 in the direction of arrow A, the contact part of the ink sheet guide part 30e. By 30h, the conveying direction (winding direction) is changed from a substantially horizontal direction to an obliquely upward direction, and is wound around the winding bobbin 53 (see FIG. 4). At that time, as shown in FIG. 12, the central region 51a (shown by a solid line) of the ink sheet 51 is caused by the contact portion 30h at a position R1 (shown by a circle) in the flat portion 30f of the ink sheet guide portion 30e. While the conveying direction is changed obliquely upward, an end region 51b (indicated by a two-dot chain line) of the ink sheet 51 is positioned at a position R2 (circle) in an inclined portion 30g (indicated by a two-dot chain line) of the ink sheet guide portion 30e. The conveying direction is changed obliquely upward by the contact portion 30h. Accordingly, the ink sheet 51 is moved in the width direction of the ink sheet 51 from the central region 51a in contact with the flat portion 30f of the ink sheet guide portion 30e toward the end region 51b in contact with the inclined portion 30g (in the direction indicated by the arrow X in FIG. 10). ) Is formed so as to pass through the contact portion 30h of the ink sheet guide portion 30e.

  Further, in the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 8, a first spring fixing portion 30i and a second spring fixing portion 30j are integrally provided in a region located above the head portion 2b of the engaging member 30. ing. The first spring fixing portion 30i and the second spring fixing portion 30j include a first torsion coil spring 32 and a second torsion coil spring for urging the head portion 2b toward the platen roller 3 (see FIGS. 7 and 11). 33 are arranged in regions corresponding to the head pressing members 7 and 8 (see FIG. 7), respectively. Each of the first torsion coil spring 32 and the second torsion coil spring 33 is an example of the “spring member” in the present invention. Further, as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the first spring fixing portion 30i and the second spring fixing portion 30j of the engaging member 30 are spaced apart from each other by a predetermined interval in the axial direction of the platen roller 3 (see FIG. 7). Has been placed. As shown in FIG. 8, the first torsion coil spring 32 and the second torsion coil spring 33 are respectively fixed to the first spring fixing portion 30 i and the second spring fixing portion 30 j of the engaging member 30. Further, as shown in FIG. 8, the first spring fixing portion 30 i of the engaging member 30 is provided with a locking portion 30 k and a protruding portion 301. Further, as shown in FIG. 8, the second spring fixing portion 30j of the engaging member 30 is provided with a locking portion 30m and a protruding portion 30n.

  Moreover, in this embodiment, as shown in FIG.7 and FIG.8, when the head part press member 7 (refer FIG. 7) rotates below, the 1st torsion coil spring 32 is the head part press member 7 (FIG. 7) (see FIG. 7) one end portion 32a pressed by the pressing portion 7a (see FIG. 7), and the urging force generated by pressing the one end portion 32a is applied to the upper surface of the head portion 2b via the fixing portion 30c (see FIG. And the other end 32b that transmits to the upper part. As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the second torsion coil spring 33 presses the head pressing member 8 (see FIG. 7) when the head pressing member 8 (see FIG. 7) rotates downward. One end portion 33a pressed by the portion 8b (see FIG. 7) and the urging force generated by pressing the one end portion 33a are transmitted to the upper surface (upper portion) of the head portion 2b via the fixed portion 30c. And the other end 33b. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 6 and FIG. 7, the printing portion 2e of the head portion 2b is moved to the platen roller by the urging force of the first torsion coil spring 32 and the second torsion coil spring 33 transmitted to the upper surface (upper portion) of the head portion 2b. It is configured to be able to be pressed to the 3 side with a predetermined pressing force.

  As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, one end 32a of the first torsion coil spring 32 is locked to the locking portion 30k of the engaging member 30, and the other end 32b is connected to the engaging member. It is fixed to 30 protrusions 30l. As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, one end 33a of the second torsion coil spring 33 is locked to the locking portion 30m of the engaging member 30, and the other end 33b is connected to the engaging member. It is being fixed to 30 protrusion part 30n.

  In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4, when the head pressing member 8 rotates upward (in the direction of the arrow Q2), the protrusion 8b of the head pressing member 8 and the notch of the engaging portion 30b. The head portion 2b is also configured to rotate upward (in the direction of arrow P2) by engaging with 30a. As a result, as shown in FIG. 4, when the head portion pressing member 8 rotates upward (in the direction of the arrow Q <b> 2), the head portion 2 b pressed by the platen roller 3 is separated upward from the platen roller 3. It is configured. Note that chamfering is performed on the opening side of the notch 30a in order to facilitate engagement with the protrusion 8b.

  1 and 6, the drive gear 9 and the intermediate gear 34 (see FIG. 6) transmit the driving force of the stepping motor 19 (see FIG. 2) to the head portion pressing members 7 and 8, It is provided to rotate the head pressing members 7 and 8. The drive gear 9 is attached to the inside of the one side surface 1 a of the chassis 1. Further, as shown in FIG. 2, the intermediate gear 34 and the stepping motor 19 are attached to the outside on the one side surface 1 a side of the chassis 1 via the motor bracket 17. Further, as shown in FIG. 6, the small-diameter gear portion 9a of the drive gear 9 is meshed with the gear portion 7b of the head portion pressing member 7, and the large-diameter gear portion 9b of the drive gear 9 is connected to the intermediate gear 34 ( 6)). Further, the large-diameter gear 34b of the intermediate gear 34 is meshed with the motor gear 35 of the stepping motor 19 as shown in FIG. As a result, the driving force of the stepping motor 18 can be transmitted to the head pressing members 7 and 8 via the intermediate gear 34 and the driving gear 9.

  As shown in FIG. 5, a motor gear 36 is attached to the shaft portion of the stepping motor 18 attached to the motor bracket 17. Further, the stepping motor 18 has a function as a drive source for driving the gear portion 16 a of the take-up reel 16, the paper feed roller gear 13, the paper discharge roller gear 15, and the feed roller gear 10.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 5, the take-up reel 16 engages with a take-up bobbin 53 disposed inside a take-up bobbin storage portion 54 b of the ink sheet cartridge 50 described later. It is configured to wind up the wound ink sheet 51. Further, as shown in FIG. 5, the gear portion 16 a of the take-up reel 16 is arranged so as to mesh with the swinging gear 20 swinging.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 4, the lower sheet guide 11 a is installed in the vicinity of the feed roller 4 and the pressing roller 5. The upper paper guide 11b is attached to the upper part of the lower paper guide 11a. The upper paper guide 11b guides the paper 60 to the feeding path to the printing unit so that the paper 60 passes the lower surface side during paper feeding, and discharges the paper 60 so as to pass the upper surface side when paper is ejected. It is configured to be able to guide the paper path.

  Moreover, the housing | casing 26 contains the cover members 26a and 26b and the pushbutton switch 26c, as shown in FIG. Further, as shown in FIG. 3, the lid members 26 a and 26 b are provided on the outer side of the housing 26 so as to be rotatable around the lower end portion. Further, as shown in FIG. 3, the lid member 26 a of the housing 26 is provided so as to be openable and closable for mounting the paper feed cassette 70 on the apparatus main body 90. In the state in which the paper feed cassette 70 is removed, the lid member 26a is closed to prevent dust and the like from entering the apparatus main body 90. Further, as shown in FIG. 3, the lid member 26 b of the housing 26 is provided so as to be openable and closable for mounting the ink sheet cartridge 50 to the apparatus main body 90. In addition, except when the ink sheet cartridge 50 is attached / detached, the lid member 26b is closed to prevent dust and the like from entering the apparatus main body 90. Further, the push button switch 26c of the housing 26 is provided as an operation button when the user starts printing, as shown in FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the ink sheet cartridge 50 includes a supply bobbin 52 for supplying the ink sheet 51 and a take-up bobbin 53 for winding the supplied ink sheet 51 in the arrow A direction. ing. Further, as shown in FIG. 1, the cartridge case 54 constituting the ink sheet cartridge 50 includes a supply bobbin storage portion 54a that rotatably stores the supply bobbin 52 and a winding bobbin 53 that rotatably stores the take-up bobbin 53. The intake bobbin storage part 54b is composed of a pair of connection parts 54c and 54d that connect the supply bobbin storage part 54a and the take-up bobbin storage part 54b with a predetermined distance therebetween. 1 and 4, when the supply bobbin 52 and the take-up bobbin 53 are stored in the supply bobbin storage 54a and the take-up bobbin storage 54b, respectively, the supply bobbin 52 and the take-up bobbin The ink sheet 51 wound around 53 is exposed to the outside between a predetermined distance between the supply bobbin storage portion 54a and the take-up bobbin storage portion 54b. The ink sheet 51 is configured by sequentially connecting three color ink sheets, a Y (yellow) ink sheet, an M (magenta) ink sheet, and a C (cyan) ink sheet. A compression coil spring (not shown) is provided in each of the supply bobbin storage portion 54a and the take-up bobbin storage portion 54b of the ink sheet cartridge 50. With this compression coil spring, the ink sheet cartridge 50 is always urged in the direction of taking out the ink sheet cartridge 50 (in the direction of arrow B in FIG. 1) while being attached to the apparatus main body 90.

  13 to 15 are diagrams for explaining the printing operation of the sublimation printer according to the embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. Next, a printing operation of the sublimation type printer 100 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 1, 3 to 7, and 12 to 15.

  First, in the state before the start of printing, as shown in FIG. 4, the head portion 2 b of the print head 2 is held at a position spaced upward from the platen roller 3. Further, in this case, the head portion 2b is engaged with the engaging portion 30b (strictly, the notch portion 30a) of the engaging member 30 in which the protruding portion 8b of the head portion pressing member 8 is provided above the head portion 2b. As a result, the rotation of the head portion 2b in the direction of the arrow P1 is suppressed.

  When the user presses the push button switch 26c (see FIG. 3) to start the printing operation, the stepping motor 19 (see FIG. 6) is driven as shown in FIG. The driving force of the intermediate gear 34 (see FIG. 6) is pressed through the large diameter gear 34b (see FIG. 6), the small diameter gear 34a (see FIG. 6) and the driving gear 9 (see FIG. 6). By being transmitted to the gear portion 7b (see FIG. 7) of the member 7 (see FIG. 7), the head portion pressing member 7 (see FIG. 7) is rotated in the arrow Q1 direction with the support rod 6 as a fulcrum. At this time, since the head portion pressing members 7 and 8 (see FIG. 7) do not rotate freely with respect to the support rod 6, the head portion pressing member 8 also moves in the direction of the arrow Q1 together with the head portion pressing member 7 (see FIG. 7). It is rotated. Then, the protrusion 8b of the head pressing member 8 rotates in the direction of the arrow Q1, so that the head 2b whose rotation in the direction of the arrow P1 is suppressed by the protrusion 8b rotates in the direction of the arrow P1. Thereby, as shown in FIG. 13, from the state shown in FIG. 4, the head portion 2b begins to gradually descend from a position spaced upward from the platen roller 3, and moves toward the platen roller 3 side (press side). The movement is started.

  Further, as the print head 2 rotates in the direction of the arrow P1, the paper 60 is transported (feeded) from the state shown in FIG. 13 toward the printing start position, and the front edge and rear of the paper 60 are also fed. As shown in FIG. 14, the paper 60 is cued by the paper sensors 27a and 27b for detecting the edge. When feeding paper, as shown in FIG. 5, as the stepping motor 18 is driven, the motor gear 36 attached to the stepping motor 18 rotates in the direction of the arrow C3 and passes through the intermediate gears 21 and 22. The feed roller gear 10 rotates in the arrow C1 direction. Thereby, the feed roller 4 rotates in the arrow C1 direction. Further, the paper feed roller gear 13 and the paper feed roller 12 rotate in the direction of arrow C4 via the intermediate gears 23 and 24. Thus, the paper 60 (see FIG. 13) is conveyed in the paper feeding direction (the direction of arrow T1 in FIG. 13). At this time, the swingable rocking gear 20 (see FIG. 5) is not meshed with the gear 16a (see FIG. 5) of the take-up reel 16 (see FIG. 5), and the take-up reel 16 (see FIG. 5). ) Gear 16a (see FIG. 5) does not rotate. As a result, the ink sheet 51 wound around the supply bobbin 52 (see FIG. 13) is not taken up by the take-up bobbin 53 during paper feeding.

  Then, as shown in FIG. 14, after the cueing of the paper 60 is completed, the head pressing members 7 and 8 are further moved in the direction of the arrow Q1 in a state where the print head 2 has been moved to a position for pressing the ink sheet 51 and the paper 60. Is rotated. Accordingly, as shown in FIG. 7, the one end portion 32 a of the first torsion coil spring 32 attached to the first spring fixing portion 30 i of the engaging member 30 is pressed by the pressing portion 7 a of the head portion pressing member 7. . Further, the one end portion 33 a of the second torsion coil spring 33 attached to the second spring fixing portion 30 j of the engaging member 30 is pressed by the pressing portion 8 a of the head portion pressing member 8. At this time, an urging force is generated in the first torsion coil springs 32 and 33, and the urging force is applied to the upper portion of the head portion 2 b via the other end portions 32 b and 33 b of the first torsion coil spring 32 and the second torsion coil spring 33. Is transmitted to. As a result, as shown in FIG. 14, the printing unit 2 e of the head unit 2 b is pressed against the platen roller 3 via the ink sheet 51 (Y color ink sheet) and the paper 60. Then, when the heating element 29 of the printing unit 2 e generates heat, the ink of the ink sheet 51 (Y color ink sheet) is melted and sublimated, and the ink is transferred to the paper 60.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 5, as the stepping motor 18 is driven, the motor gear 36 attached to the stepping motor 18 rotates in the direction of arrow D3, and the feed roller gear 10 is interposed via the intermediate gears 21 and 22. Rotates in the direction of arrow D1. As a result, as shown in FIG. 14, the feed roller 4 is rotated in the direction of arrow D1 in FIG. 5 with the rotation of the feed roller gear 10 (see FIG. 5). It is conveyed in the direction (arrow U1 direction). Further, as shown in FIG. 5, the swingable swing gear 20 is swung in a direction (arrow D2 direction) that meshes with the gear portion 16a of the take-up reel 16, and the gear portion 16a of the take-up reel 16 is swung. Is engaged. As a result, the gear portion 16 a of the take-up reel 16 is rotated in the direction of the arrow D 4, so that the ink sheet 51 wound around the supply bobbin 52 (see FIG. 14) is taken up on the take-up bobbin 53. In this way, as shown in FIG. 14, the paper 60 and the ink sheet 51 are both conveyed in the paper discharge direction (the direction of the arrow U1), and the ink of the ink sheet 51 (Y color ink sheet) is continuously supplied to the paper. 60.

  Here, in this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 12, when the ink sheet 51 immediately after the ink is transferred to the paper 60 is conveyed in the direction of arrow A, the central area 51a of the ink sheet 51 (shown by a solid line). The ink sheet guide portion 30e changes the conveying direction from a substantially horizontal direction to an obliquely upward direction by a contact portion 30h at a position R1 (indicated by a circle) in the flat portion 30f of the ink sheet guide portion 30e, while the end region 51b ( For the ink sheet guide portion 30e, the conveying direction is changed obliquely upward by the contact portion 30h at a position R2 (indicated by a circle) at an inclined portion 30g (indicated by a two-dot chain line) of the ink sheet guide portion 30e. Accordingly, the ink sheet 51 is moved in the width direction of the ink sheet 51 from the central region 51a in contact with the flat portion 30f of the ink sheet guide portion 30e toward the end region 51b in contact with the inclined portion 30g (in the direction indicated by the arrow X in FIG. 10). ) While passing the contact portion 30h of the ink sheet guide portion 30e and being wound on a winding bobbin (see FIG. 14).

  Next, when printing of the Y (yellow) ink sheet is completed, the stepping motor 19 (see FIG. 5) is driven, and the driving force of the stepping motor 19 is changed to the intermediate gear 34 (see FIG. 7) and the driving gear. 9 (see FIG. 1) is transmitted to the gear portion 7b (see FIG. 1) of the head portion pressing member 7. Then, as shown in FIG. 15, the head portion pressing member 7 (see FIG. 6) is rotated in the direction of the arrow Q <b> 2 around the support bar 6. At this time, since the head portion pressing members 7 and 8 (see FIG. 6) do not idle with respect to the support rod 6, the head portion pressing member 8 is also rotated in the direction of the arrow Q2. Then, when the protrusion 8b of the head pressing member 8 is rotated in the direction of the arrow Q2, the engagement member 30 of the print head 2 engaged with the protrusion 8b by the protrusion 8b of the head pressing member 8 is engaged. The joining portion 30b (strictly, the cutout portion 30a is shown) is lifted upward, and the head portion 2b of the print head 2 is rotated in the direction of arrow P2. As a result, the head portion 2 b of the print head 2 is moved to a position separated from the platen roller 3.

  Then, as shown in FIG. 5, as the stepping motor 18 is driven, the motor gear 36 attached to the stepping motor 18 is rotated in the direction of the arrow C3 and is fed via the intermediate gears 21 and 22. The roller gear 10 is rotated in the direction of arrow C1. Thus, as shown in FIG. 15, the feed roller 4 is rotated in the direction of the arrow C1 in accordance with the rotation of the feed roller gear 10 (see FIG. 4), so that the paper 60 is fed in the paper feed direction (arrow T1). The paper 60 is cueed by the paper sensors 27a and 27b. Further, the swingable swing gear 20 (see FIG. 5) swings in a direction away from the gear portion 16a of the take-up reel 16 (see FIG. 5) (in the direction of arrow C2 in FIG. 5). Accordingly, the ink sheet 51 wound around the supply bobbin 52 is not taken up by the take-up bobbin 53 and only the paper 60 is conveyed in the paper feeding direction.

  Thereafter, for the M color (magenta) ink sheet and the C color (cyan) ink sheet, the same operation as the printing operation when the Y color (yellow) ink sheet shown in FIGS. 13 to 15 is printed. Is repeated.

  Here, in the present embodiment, the M color (magenta) ink sheet and the C color (cyan) ink sheet of the ink sheet 51 (see FIG. 14) are respectively wound by the winding bobbin 53 (see FIG. 14). Even when printing is repeated on the paper 60 (see FIG. 14), as shown in FIG. 12, the central region 51a (shown by a solid line) of the ink sheet 51 is positioned at the position R1 in the flat portion 30f of the ink sheet guide portion 30e. While the conveyance direction is changed from a substantially horizontal direction to an obliquely upward direction by the contact portion 30h (shown by a circle), the end region 51b (shown by a two-dot chain line) of the ink sheet 51 is formed on the ink sheet guide portion 30e. Since the conveying direction is changed obliquely upward by the contact portion 30h at the position R2 (indicated by a circle) at the inclined portion 30g (indicated by a two-dot chain line), the ink The ink sheet guide portion 30e forms a shape that warps obliquely upward from the central region 51a with which the flat portion 30f of the ink sheet guide portion 30e abuts toward the end region 51b that abuts with the inclined portion 30g. While passing through the contact portion 30h of 30e, it is wound around the winding bobbin 53 (see FIG. 14).

  When the printing of the ink sheets 51 of all colors is completed, the paper 60 is conveyed in the paper discharge direction (the direction of the arrow U1 in FIG. 15) and discharged outside the apparatus main body 90. Then, as shown in FIG. 4, the head portion 2b of the print head 2 is rotated in the direction of the arrow P2 to a position spaced upward with respect to the platen roller 3, and the printing operation on the paper 60 is completed.

  In the present embodiment, as described above, the head portion pressing member 7 for pressing the print head 2 against the ink sheet 51 by pressing the upper portion of the head portion 2b of the print head 2 with a predetermined pressing force during printing, and 8 is configured such that the pressing force by the head portion pressing members 7 and 8 is directly transmitted to the print head 2 by the pressing of the head portion pressing members 7 and 8 to the upper portion of the print head 2. it can. Therefore, the print head 2 having a horizontally long shape and a predetermined print width in the longitudinal direction can be reliably pressed against the ink sheet 51 with an appropriate pressing force. Further, the print head 2 is attached to the upper surface side of the heat radiating portion 2d and engages with the head portion pressing members 7 and 8 to move the print head 2 in the direction of the arrow P1 (see FIG. 4) and the direction of the arrow P2 (see FIG. 4). By including an engagement member 30 including an engagement portion 30 b for moving up and down, and an ink sheet guide portion 30 e provided integrally with the engagement member 30 and guiding the conveyance of the ink sheet 51. Unlike the case where the ink sheet guide portion 30e is provided separately from the engaging member 30, an increase in the number of parts constituting the print head 2 can be suppressed.

  Further, in the present embodiment, the engaging portion 30b for engaging the head portion pressing members 7 and 8 to move the print head 2 up and down in the arrow P1 direction (see FIG. 4) and the arrow P2 direction (see FIG. 4). The ink sheet guide part 30e is provided integrally with the engagement member 30 including the ink sheet 51 so as to guide the conveyance of the ink sheet 51 during printing. As the operation guides the conveyance of the ink sheet 51 in the direction of arrow A (see FIG. 11), the ink sheet 51 is separated from the ink sheet 51 together with the print head 2 when not printing. External force cannot be applied. Therefore, even when the ink sheet cartridge 50 is left for a long time during non-printing, it is possible to prevent the ink sheet 51 from warping in the width direction.

  Further, in the present embodiment, the ink sheet guide portion 30e is configured such that the flat portion 30f is formed in a convex shape in the winding direction of the ink sheet 51 (in the direction of arrow A in FIG. 10) when viewed in plan. Accordingly, the ink sheet guide portion 30e is wound in the winding direction of the ink sheet 51 (the direction of arrow A in FIG. 12) in the central region 51a (see FIG. 12) and the end region 51b (see FIG. 12) of the ink sheet 51. On the other hand, the guides are respectively performed at different positions R1 (see FIG. 12) and R2 (see FIG. 12). That is, since the ink sheet 51 is guided in the conveyance operation from the end region 51b (corresponding to the position R2) of the ink sheet 51 toward the central region 51a (corresponding to the position R1), the end region of the ink sheet 51 is guided. It is possible to preferentially suppress wrinkles that are likely to occur in 51b. Further, as shown in FIG. 12, the ink sheet 51 warps obliquely upward from the central region 51a where the flat portion 30f of the ink sheet guide portion 30e contacts to the end region 51b which contacts the inclined portion 30g. Since the ink sheet guide portion 30e can be passed while forming the shape, the ink sheet 51 generates tension not only in the winding direction (direction of arrow A in FIG. 10) but also in the width direction. Occurrence of wrinkles in the entire area of the sheet 51 can be suppressed.

  In the present embodiment, the head portion 2b of the print head 2 is configured to include the print portion 2e that comes into contact with the ink sheet 51 during printing, and between the print portion 2e of the print head 2 and the winding bobbin 53. The ink sheet guide portion 30e disposed on the side is provided on the end side in the width direction when seen in a plan view, and is inclined at a constant inclination angle α from the take-up bobbin 53 side toward the print portion 2e side. The ink sheet 51 has an end portion in the width direction of the ink sheet 51 (in the direction of arrow X in FIG. 6) from a position closer to the printing unit 2e by the inclined portion 30g of the ink sheet guide unit 30e. Since the region 51b is guided, the print head 2 can more reliably press the ink sheet 51 in which the generation of wrinkles is suppressed. In particular, as shown in FIG. 12, the ink sheet guide portion 30e warps in the width direction of the ink sheet 51 from the central region 51a of the ink sheet 51 toward the end region 51b (arrow X direction in FIG. 6). Can be continued from the ink sheet guide part 30e along the inclined part 30g in the direction toward the printing part 2e (the direction opposite to the conveying direction of the ink sheet 51). The ink sheet 51 can be more reliably pressed.

  In the present embodiment, the inclined portion 30g of the ink sheet guide portion 30e is provided at a position corresponding to the vicinity of the end region 51b in the width direction of the ink sheet 51, whereby the inclination of the ink sheet guide portion 30e. The portion 30g can guide the conveyance of the ink sheet 51 in the end region 51b in the width direction of the ink sheet 51 (the direction of the arrow X in FIG. 6), so the ink sheet 51 is inclined by the inclined portion 30g of the ink sheet guide portion 30e. Generation of wrinkles in the end region 51b in the width direction can be easily suppressed. In particular, as shown in FIG. 12, the inclined portion 30g of the ink sheet guide portion 30e is an end region of the ink sheet 51 in the end region 51b in the width direction of the ink sheet 51 (the arrow X direction in FIG. 6). Since 51b can be warped in the width direction of ink sheet 51 (arrow X direction in FIG. 6), the occurrence of wrinkles in end region 51b of ink sheet 51 can be further reliably suppressed.

  In this embodiment, the engaging member 30 with which the ink sheet guide portion 30e is integrally formed is made of sheet metal, and the contact portion 30h of the ink sheet guide portion 30e that contacts the ink sheet 51 is made of sheet metal. By configuring the end of the engagement member 30 to be substantially 180 degrees, the cross-sectional shape along the transport direction of the ink sheet 51 (the direction of arrow A in FIG. 11) is formed in a U shape. When the ink sheet 51 is wound up in the direction of arrow A (see FIG. 11) during printing, the ink sheet guide portion 30e can smoothly contact the ink sheet 51 at the contact portion 30h. Generation | occurrence | production of the wrinkles by the abrasion with the sheet | seat guide part 30e and the friction with the contact part 30h can be suppressed.

  In the present embodiment, the engaging member 30 in which the ink sheet guide portion 30e is integrally formed includes a fixing portion 30c attached to the heat radiating portion 2d on the upper surface side of the print head 2, and the fixing portion 30c and the ink sheet guide. The connecting portion 30d is connected to the flat portion 30f of the portion 30e, and the inclined portion 30g of the ink sheet guide portion 30e is arranged in the width direction (not connected to the connecting portion 30d of the ink sheet guide portion 30e). By being provided on the end side (in the direction of arrow X in FIG. 6), the inclined portion 30g to which the connecting portion 30d of the ink sheet guide portion 30e is not connected can be easily bent by bending the plate member. Therefore, the inclined portion 30g of the ink sheet guide portion 30e can be easily formed.

  In the present embodiment, the first torsion coil spring 32 and the first torsion coil spring 32 for transmitting the pressing force of the head pressing members 7 and 8 to the upper surface (upper part) of the head 2b of the print head 2 via the engaging member 30. The first torsion coil spring 32 and the second torsion coil spring 33 are configured by including the two torsion coil springs 33 and the engaging member 30 so that the first torsion coil spring 32 and the second torsion coil spring can be fixed respectively. Since it is not necessary to separately provide the engaging member 30 with a member for fixing the torsion coil spring, an increase in the number of parts constituting the print head 2 can be suppressed.

  The embodiment disclosed this time should be considered as illustrative in all points and not restrictive. The scope of the present invention is shown not by the above description of the embodiment but by the scope of claims for patent, and includes all modifications within the meaning and scope equivalent to the scope of claims for patent.

  For example, in the above-described embodiment, an example in which the present invention is applied to a sublimation type printer as an example of an image forming apparatus has been described. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and a print head capable of printing an image on a sheet with an ink sheet is provided. Any other image forming apparatus other than the sublimation printer can be used as long as the image forming apparatus is provided.

  In the above embodiment, the example in which the ink sheet guide portion 30e is formed with the inclined portions 30g having the constant inclination angle α at both ends of the flat portion 30f is shown. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and the flat portion You may make it form the inclination part which has a curved inclination surface other than a fixed inclination angle, for example in the both ends of 30f.

  Moreover, although the example which makes the engaging member 30 sheet metal was shown in the said embodiment, this invention is not restricted to this, You may make it comprise the engaging member 30 by the integrally molded product by a resin member.

  Further, in the above embodiment, the first torsion coil spring 32 and the second torsion coil spring 33 are configured to transmit the pressing force of the head portion pressing members 7 and 8 to the upper portion of the print head 2 via the engaging member 30. Although an example is shown, the present invention is not limited to this, and the pressing force of the head pressing members 7 and 8 may be transmitted to the upper portion of the print head 2 by a spring member other than the torsion coil spring.

1 is an exploded perspective view showing an overall configuration of a sublimation printer according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a sublimation printer according to the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1. FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view showing the overall configuration of the sublimation printer according to the embodiment shown in FIG. 1. It is sectional drawing which showed the internal structure of the sublimation type printer by one Embodiment shown in FIG. It is the figure which showed the arrangement position of the gear of the sublimation type printer by one Embodiment shown in FIG. FIG. 2 is a top view of the sublimation printer according to the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1. It is a front view of the sublimation type printer by one Embodiment shown in FIG. FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a detailed structure of a print head of the sublimation type printer according to the embodiment shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 2 is a bottom view of the print head of the sublimation printer according to the embodiment shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a positional relationship between a print head and an ink sheet of the sublimation printer according to the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1. It is the figure which showed the state at the time of the printing head of the sublimation type printer by one Embodiment shown in FIG. 1 pressing a platen roller. FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of the vicinity of an ink sheet guide portion when a print head of a sublimation printer according to the embodiment shown in FIG. 1 presses a platen roller. It is a figure for demonstrating the printing operation | movement of the sublimation type printer by one Embodiment shown in FIG. It is a figure for demonstrating the printing operation | movement of the sublimation type printer by one Embodiment shown in FIG. It is a figure for demonstrating the printing operation | movement of the sublimation type printer by one Embodiment shown in FIG.

Explanation of symbols

2 Print head 2e Print part 7, 8 Head part pressing member 30 Engagement member 30b Engagement part 30c Fixing part 30d Connection part 30e Ink sheet guide part 30f Flat part (central part)
30g Inclined portion 30h Contact portion 32 First torsion coil spring (spring member)
33 Second torsion coil spring (spring member)
50 Ink sheet cartridge 51 Ink sheet 53 Winding bobbin 60 Paper

Claims (7)

An image comprising a print head that is stored in an ink sheet cartridge and includes a print unit that abuts at the time of printing with an ink sheet wound by a take-up bobbin of the ink sheet cartridge, and capable of printing an image on a sheet by the ink sheet. In the forming device,
A head portion pressing member for pressing the print head against the ink sheet by pressing the upper portion of the print head with a predetermined pressing force during printing;
A spring member for transmitting the pressing force of the head portion pressing member to the print head via the engagement member;
A sheet metal that is attached to the print head by a fixing portion, includes an engaging portion for engaging the head portion pressing member to move the print head up and down, and capable of fixing the spring member An engagement member made of
Provided integrally with the engaging member, the central portion is formed in a convex shape in the winding direction of the ink sheet as viewed in plan, and the printing portion of the print head and the winding bobbin An ink sheet guide portion disposed between and for guiding the conveyance of the ink sheet during the printing,
The engaging member further includes a connecting portion that connects the fixing portion and a central portion of the ink sheet guide portion,
The ink sheet guide portion is provided on an end portion side in the width direction when seen in a plan view, and has an inclined portion that is inclined from the winding bobbin side toward the printing portion side,
The inclined portion of the ink sheet guide portion is a position corresponding to the vicinity of the end portion in the width direction of the ink sheet, and on the end portion in the width direction where the connecting portion of the ink sheet guide portion is not connected. Provided,
The abutting portion of the ink sheet guide portion that abuts on the ink sheet has a U-shaped cross-sectional shape along the ink sheet conveyance direction by bending an end portion of the engaging member. Forming equipment. A print head capable of printing an image on paper with an ink sheet;
A head portion pressing member for pressing the print head against the ink sheet by pressing the upper portion of the print head with a predetermined pressing force during printing;
An engagement member that is attached to the print head and includes an engagement portion for engaging the head portion pressing member to move the print head up and down;
An ink sheet that is provided integrally with the engaging member and has a central portion that is convex in the winding direction of the ink sheet when viewed in plan, and that guides the conveyance of the ink sheet during printing An image forming apparatus comprising a guide unit. The print head includes a print unit that contacts the ink sheet during printing,
The ink sheet is housed in an ink sheet cartridge and wound by a winding bobbin of the ink sheet cartridge,
The ink sheet guide portion is disposed between the print portion of the print head and the winding bobbin,
The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the ink sheet guide portion includes an inclined portion that is provided on an end portion side in a width direction when seen in a plan view and is inclined from the take-up bobbin side toward the print portion side. apparatus.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the inclined portion of the ink sheet guide portion is provided at a position corresponding to the vicinity of an end portion in the width direction of the ink sheet. The engagement member with which the ink sheet guide part is integrally formed is made of sheet metal,
The abutting portion of the ink sheet guide portion that abuts on the ink sheet is formed in a U-shaped cross section along the transport direction of the ink sheet by bending an end portion of the engagement member made of the sheet metal. The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 2 to 4. The engaging member in which the ink sheet guide part is integrally formed further includes a fixing part attached to the print head, and a connecting part that connects the fixing part and a central part of the ink sheet guide part. ,
The said inclined part of the said ink sheet guide part is provided in the edge part side of the width direction in which the said connection part of the said ink sheet guide part is not connected, The any one of Claims 2-5. Image forming apparatus. A spring member for transmitting the pressing force of the head portion pressing member to the print head via the engagement member;
The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the engaging member is formed to be able to fix the spring member.

Images