JPH09131911A - Thermal transfer printer - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To perform recording, using an ink film in which a thermal-melting ink is applied to a base and an ink ribbon in which a thermal-sublimating ink is applied to a base. SOLUTION: A thermal transfer printer 1 which is equipped with a controlling means 70 which switches between the first recording mode in which recording to paper is performed by using a thermal-melting ink film 17a and the second recording mode in which a thermal-sublimating ink film 17b is used for recording to paper, and a separation position controlling means 54 which changes separation time for separating the ink film from paper after recording in both recording modes in accordance with a recording mode to be run.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a thermal transfer printer for transferring ink from an ink film to a sheet by selective heat generation of a heating element of a thermal head for recording, and more particularly to recording on a wide variety of sheets. In addition, the present invention relates to a thermal transfer printer capable of performing high-quality recording comparable to silver-lead photographs by using special paper.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In general, the thermal transfer printer supports a sheet in front of a platen and also mounts a thermal head having a plurality of heating elements on a carriage, and mounts a thermal head on the substrate between the thermal head and the platen. An ink ribbon, which is an example of an ink film coated with a desired ink, and the paper are sandwiched, and while the thermal head is reciprocally moved along with a carriage along a platen, the ink ribbon is fed out, and a heating element of the thermal head is recorded. An image such as a desired character is recorded on a sheet by selectively causing heat to be generated based on information. Such a thermal transfer printer has high recording quality,
It is widely used as an output device for computers, word processors, etc. because of its low noise, low cost, and ease of maintenance.

A conventional thermal transfer printer of this type is one that records on paper using an ink ribbon (thermofusible ink ribbon) in which a fusible ink is applied to a substrate such as a plastic film. Although it is known, there is also known one in which recording is performed on a sheet using an ink ribbon (thermally sublimable ink ribbon) having a substrate coated with thermally sublimable ink.

Of these, a thermal transfer printer (hereinafter referred to as a thermal fusion type thermal transfer printer) for recording on a sheet using a thermal melting ink ribbon is capable of recording on a wide variety of sheets such as plain paper, cardboard, postcards and the like. It is easy to use and has excellent usability.

On the other hand, a thermal transfer printer (hereinafter referred to as a thermal sublimation type thermal transfer printer) for recording on a sheet by using a thermal sublimation ink ribbon uses silver-lead paper using a surface-treated special paper. It is possible to obtain a high quality recorded image comparable to a photograph.

[0006] Since the thermal transfer type thermal transfer printer and the thermal sublimation type thermal transfer printer have different characteristics of inks used, conventionally, they have been practically used individually as different types of thermal transfer printers.

[0007]

However, in the above-described conventional thermal transfer printers, since the thermal fusion type thermal transfer printer and the thermal sublimation type thermal transfer printer are each put into practical use individually, general recording on paper is not possible. If it is necessary to record a high-quality recorded image comparable to that of a silver lead photograph, two thermal transfer printers having different methods of a thermal fusion type thermal transfer printer and a thermal fusion type thermal transfer printer must be used. However, there is a problem that a large installation space is required and an economic burden is increased.

Therefore, it is desired that a single thermal transfer printer can perform recording using a heat-meltable ink ribbon and recording using a heat-sublimable ink ribbon.

The present invention has been made in view of these points, and uses recording using an ink film having a substrate coated with a hot-melt ink, and an ink ribbon having a substrate coated with a thermally sublimable ink. An object of the present invention is to provide a thermal transfer printer capable of recording.

[0010]

In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the thermal transfer printer according to the present invention is characterized in that a first recording mode for recording on a sheet using a heat-meltable ink film or a thermal sublimation method. Control means capable of selectively switching the second recording mode in which recording is performed on the paper using the ink film, and peeling time until the ink film after recording in both recording modes is peeled from the paper in accordance with the recording mode to be executed And peeling position control means for changing By adopting such a configuration, in the first recording mode using the heat-meltable ink, the ink film is peeled from the paper immediately after the recording of the paper, so that the melted ink is removed from the ink film. In the second recording mode in which the ink can be satisfactorily transferred to the paper and the heat sublimable ink is used, recording is performed using the heat sublimable ink that requires more heat energy than in the case of the heat fusible ink. Since the ink film is peeled off from the paper after the heat energy applied from the heat generating element to the base of the ink film disappears, good recording can be performed without damaging the base.

The thermal transfer printer according to the present invention is characterized in that the peeling time when recording is performed in the second recording mode using the heat sublimation ink, and the first recording mode using the heat melting ink. According to the above, there is a peeling guide member that functions so as to be longer than the peeling time when recording is performed. By adopting such a configuration, the peeling guide member sets the peeling time in correspondence with the recording mode, so that the ink ribbon can be peeled from the paper in the peeling time according to the recording mode.

Further, a thermal transfer printer according to a third aspect of the present invention is characterized in that a film cassette accommodating an ink film can be mounted on the carriage capable of reciprocating along the printer to detect the type of ink and to output the detection signal. The point is that an ink type detection means for outputting to the control means is provided. By adopting such a configuration, when the film cassette is mounted on the carriage, the ink type is detected by the ink type detecting means and this detection signal is output to the control means, so that the recording control according to the ink type can be performed. It can be done automatically.

[0013]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of the present invention. A thermal transfer printer 1 of the present embodiment has a flat platen 2 at a desired position of a frame (not shown). The recording surface 2a is arranged so as to be substantially vertical, and the guide shaft 3 is provided below the front side of the platen 2.
Are arranged parallel to the platen 2. A vertically divided carriage 4 is attached to an appropriate position of the guide shaft 3, and one of the carriages 4a shown below is a lower carriage attached to the guide shaft 3 and an upper portion. The other carriage 4b shown in the drawing is attached with a ribbon cassette 5 which will be described later, and the lower carriage 4a.
On the other hand, the upper carriage is capable of contacting and separating in the vertical direction. These carriages 4 are driven along a guide shaft 3 by driving an appropriate driving belt 6 wound around a pair of pulleys (not shown) by driving means (not shown) such as a stepping motor. It can be reciprocally driven. Further, the carriage 4 can be selected by the control unit 70, which will be described later, from one of two movement speeds, high speed and low speed.

A well-known head moving mechanism (both not shown) which can oppose the platen 2 and can be operated by a driving force of a motor 25 described later to the platen 2 can be brought into and out of contact with the carriage 4. A thermal head 7 is provided for recording on a sheet (not shown) on the platen 2 in a pressure contact state (head down state) in which the sheet 2 is in contact with the sheet. And this thermal head 7
Includes a plurality of heat generating elements (not shown) arranged in an array to selectively generate heat based on desired recording information input by an appropriate input device (not shown) such as a keyboard. Further, the thermal head 7 includes a control unit 7 which will be described later.
0 makes it possible to select either the strong pressure contact or the weak pressure contact as the pressure contact force with respect to the platen 2, and the thermal energy of the thermal head 7 as two levels (more specifically, the energization time to the heating element). 2 for long time and short time
Either of the steps) can be selected.

The carriage 4 will be described in more detail. In the carriage 4, a plate-shaped upper carriage 4b which is substantially parallel to the upper surface of the lower carriage 4a attached to the guide shaft 3 is moved by the parallel crank mechanism 8 to the lower carriage 4a. It is attached so as to be movable in parallel so as to come into contact with and separate from. This parallel crank mechanism 8 is shown in FIG.
As shown in FIG. 1, a pair of links 9a and 9b are provided on the left and right ends of the carriage 4 and intersect each other in an X-shape. The intersection position of these links 9a and 9b is pivotally attached by a pin 10a. The ends of the links 9a, 9b are slidably engaged with the long holes (not shown) formed at the left and right upper ends of the lower carriage 4a and the upper carriage 4b by the pins 10b, 10c, 10d, 10e, respectively. It has been stopped.

A rotary crank mechanism 11 is arranged on the lower carriage 4a, and the rotary crank mechanism 11 allows the upper carriage 4b to move in parallel. This rotary crank mechanism 11
The lower carriage 4a is rotatably supported by a rotary plate 12 that forms a rotary member, and the eccentric position of the rotary plate 12 includes a connecting link 14 that forms a connecting member that is pivotally mounted by a pin 13a. The tip of 14 is pivotally attached to the upper carriage 4b by a pin 13b.
Then, the rotating plate 12 is rotatably driven by a suitable driving means (not shown) such as a motor.

Returning to FIG. 1, plate-like arms having engaging portions 15a on both left and right sides of the upper carriage 4b, the tips of which are gently curved inward with each other and projections are formed on the upper and lower ends thereof. Numerals 15 stand upright at an interval substantially equal to the width of the ribbon cassette 5. A pair of rotatable bobbins 16 are disposed at a central portion of the upper carriage 4b so as to protrude upward at a predetermined interval from each other.
The bobbin 16 allows the ink ribbon 17 to travel in a predetermined direction. One of the pair of bobbins 16 is a take-up bobbin 16 a for winding the ink ribbon 17, and the other is a delivery bobbin 16 for sending the ink ribbon 17.
It is assumed to be b. Further, a first optical sensor 18 as a sensor for detecting the type of the ink ribbon 17 accommodated in the ribbon cassette 5 is arranged on the end edge of the carriage 4 on the side far from the platen 2. As the optical sensor 18, a reflection type is used in the present embodiment. The first optical sensor 18 is connected to a control unit 70, which will be described later, which serves as control means for controlling the recording operation of the thermal transfer printer 1 arranged at a desired position of the thermal transfer printer 1.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, above the carriage 4, there is provided a substantially plate which is openably and closably supported by a frame (not shown) at an appropriate interval as indicated by a double-headed arrow A in FIG. A canopy 19 having a shape is arranged. The canopy 19 functions as a paper presser on the exit side of a paper feed mechanism (not shown) in the closed state, and is disposed so as to face the carriage 4. The length is almost the same.

A plurality of cassette holders (not shown) for holding the ribbon cassettes 5 are provided at a predetermined position on the lower surface of the canopy 19 which faces the carriage 4 in parallel. Ribbon cassettes 5a and 5b as an example of two film cassettes in the embodiment are arranged in a line in the moving direction of the carriage 4. In these ribbon cassettes 5a and 5b, an ink ribbon (heat-melting ink ribbon) 17a as an example of an ink film in which a heat-melting ink is applied to a substrate such as a plastic film is housed inside. And an ink ribbon (thermally sublimable ink ribbon) 17b as an example of an ink film in which a thermally sublimable ink is applied to a substrate such as a plastic film is a ribbon cassette 5b. ing. The ribbon cassettes 5a and 5b are moved between the canopy 19 and the upper carriage 4b by the operation of the parallel crank mechanism 8 which operates in association with the rotary crank mechanism 11, as indicated by a double-headed arrow B in FIG. Delivery is selectively carried out.

Each ribbon cassette 5a, 5 of this embodiment
Regardless of the type of the ink ribbon 17, all of b are formed in the same shape and the same size, and are rotatably supported in a case main body 20 which is a pair of upper and lower sides and is substantially rectangular. A pair of reels, a pair of rotatably supported ribbon feed rollers, and a plurality of guide rollers facing the rotatably supported ribbon path are arranged. The ink ribbon 17 is provided between a pair of reels.
Is wound, and the intermediate portion of the ribbon path of the ink ribbon 17 is led out to the outside. When the ribbon cassette 5 is mounted on the upper carriage 4b, one of the pair of reels serves as a take-up reel that winds the ink ribbon 17 of the portion used for recording, and the other reel delivers the ink ribbon. It is used as a delivery reel. A plurality of key grooves are formed on the inner peripheral surface of each reel in a spline shape at intervals in the circumferential direction, and the winding bobbin 16a is engaged with the inner peripheral surface of one reel. The take-up hole 21a is formed, and the inner peripheral surface of the other reel is formed as a delivery hole 21b with which the delivery bobbin 16b is engaged. Further, a concave portion 22 facing the thermal head 7 is formed on the surface of the ribbon cassette 5 which faces the platen 2 when mounted on the carriage 4, and the intermediate portion of the ink ribbon 17 is led out in the concave portion 22. ing.

An identification mark 23 for identifying the type of the ink ribbon 17 accommodated in each ribbon cassette 5 is provided on the rear surface of the ribbon cassette 5 extending in parallel with the surface in which the recess 22 is formed. It is arranged. The identification mark 23 of the present embodiment is formed by a reflective seal 24 having a different number of striped non-reflective portions 24a depending on the type of the ink ribbon 17.

Then, the identification mark 23 is detected by the optical sensor 18a provided on the carriage 4, and the detection signal is output to the control unit 70 of the printer. In the control unit 70, the identification mark 23 of each ribbon cassette 5 is detected. By counting the number, the type of the ink ribbon 17 accommodated in the ribbon cassette 5 is determined.

That is, a reflection seal 24A having four non-reflective portions 24a is arranged as an identification mark 23 on the ribbon cassette 5a shown on the left side in FIG. 1, and the ribbon cassette 5b shown on the right side in FIG. A reflection sticker 24B having two non-reflecting portions 24a is disposed as the identification mark 23. And the ribbon cassette 5
In FIG. 1, the left end of the rear surface shown on the near side is a reference position BP for detecting the identification mark 23, and the identification mark 2
3, the distance L to the right end surface of the non-reflective portion 24a located at the right end is the same for all the identification marks 23, and a desired distance L for identifying the type of the ink ribbon 17 within this distance L. The non-reflection part 24a is formed. The carriage 4 can be stopped when the optical sensor 18a detects the identification mark 23 to be used. When the carriage 4 is stopped, the ribbon cassette 5 stored in the cassette holder is moved to the upper carriage 4b. It has been handed over.

As shown in FIGS. 4 to 7, the lower carriage 4a of the carriage 4, which is reciprocally movable along the platen 2, moves the thermal head 7 toward and away from the platen 2 and the ink ribbon. A motor 25 for winding control is provided, and a transmission gear 27 is meshed with an output pinion gear 26 of the motor 25. A gear portion 29 formed on the outer peripheral surface of the cam 28 meshes with the transmission gear 27, and the head contact / separation cam groove 30 and the head contact / separation cam groove 30 are formed on the upper surface of the cam 28.
The ribbon winding cam groove 31 is formed to be wider and shallower.

The platen 2 of the lower carriage 4a
A support shaft 32 is disposed in the vicinity of, and in the present embodiment, the support shaft 32 is formed so as to project from the upper surface of the upper carriage 4b as shown in FIG. A substantially T-shaped head lever 33 is attached to the support shaft 32 so as to be swingable about the support shaft 32, and a portion of the head lever 33 near the platen 2 faces the platen 2. The head mount 34 is fixed by screwing. This head mount 34
The thermal head 7 is mounted on the surface of the platen 2 facing the platen 2 and the stopper 3 is mounted on the head mount 34.
5 are provided so as to protrude from the back surface of the head mount 34 with a predetermined distance.

A substantially L-shaped head pressure contact lever 36 is attached to the support shaft 32 so as to be swingable about the support shaft 32.
The head contact / separation cam groove 30 of the cam 28 is provided at one end of the
Is formed with a pin 37 that is engaged with. The other end of the head pressure contact lever 36 is arranged between the back surface of the head mount 34 of the head lever 33 and the stopper 35. The other end of the head pressure contact lever 36 has a spring holding portion 38. Is erected. Further, the spring holding portion 3
8 and the head mount 34, a strong pressure contact spring 39 is interposed, and the head pressure contact lever 36 is brought into contact with the stopper 35 of the head lever 33 by the urging force of the strong pressure contact spring 39. The head pressure contact lever 36 and the head lever 33 are integrally rotated by the rotation of the cam 28 when the head is moved up and down.

A drive gear 41 meshing with a rack 40 formed in the printer is rotatably disposed on the carriage 5 about a support shaft 42. The support shaft 42 and the head lever 33 are provided. A weak pressure contact spring 43 having a spring pressure weaker than that of the strong pressure contact spring 39 is provided between the head lever 33 and the platen 2 so that the head lever 33 always applies a biasing force to the platen 2. There is.

A swing plate 44 is attached to the support shaft 42 so as to be swingable about the support shaft 42.
A pin 45 that engages with the ribbon winding cam groove 31 of the cam 28 is formed at one end of the swing plate 44. Here, the pin 45 of the oscillating plate 44 is formed thicker than the width of the head contact / separation cam groove 30.
Does not fall into the head contact / separation cam groove 30. A support shaft 46 is provided on the other end of the swing plate 44 so as to project therefrom, and a transmission gear 47 meshing with the drive gear 41 is rotatably attached to the support shaft 46. .

Further, as described above, the ink ribbon take-up bobbin 16a and the delivery bobbin 16b are provided on the carriage 4, respectively. As shown in FIG. A winding gear 48 meshing with the transmission gear 47 is coaxially attached via a friction mechanism (not shown). Further, in the present embodiment, the carriage 4 is provided with a second winding bobbin 49 and a second feeding bobbin 50, respectively, and the winding portion is provided below the second winding bobbin 49. A second winding gear 52 meshed with the winding gear 48 of the bobbin 16a via a transmission gear 47 is coaxially mounted via a friction mechanism (not shown). The take-up bobbin 16 a and the second take-up bobbin 49 include the swing plate 4
The transmission bobbin 16b and the second delivery bobbin 50 can be freely rotated.

A peeling lever 53 is rotatably attached to the rotary shaft of the second winding bobbin 49 so as to be urged in a direction of separating from the platen 2 by a spring (not shown). A peeling roller 54, which is a peeling guide member, is provided at the tip of the so as to project upward. In addition, the peeling roller 5 of the peeling lever 53
4, an engaging pin 55 is attached so as to be vertically movable, and the engaging pin 55 is provided on the upper surface side of the peeling lever 53 and on the outer peripheral portion of the engaging pin 55, as shown in FIG. A spring 56 for urging the dowel pin 55 upward is provided.
The engagement pin 55 is held by the biasing force of the spring 56 such that the lower end portion thereof does not project below the peeling lever 53, and the engagement pin 55 is pushed downward against the biasing force of the spring 56. By pressing and projecting the lower end portion thereof below the peeling lever 53, the engagement pin 55 is engaged with the tip end portion of the head lever 33.

Further, a second optical sensor 57 for detecting the end of the ink ribbon to be used is arranged on the upper surface of the carriage 4.

Returning to FIG. 1, notches 58 into which the peeling rollers 54 are inserted are formed at symmetrical positions on both sides of the recess 22 formed in each ribbon cassette 5 and facing the thermal head 7. As shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, the ribbon cassette 5 is provided with a pair of hubs 59, 59 which are engaged with the take-up bobbin 16a and the delivery bobbin 16b and around which the ink ribbon 17 is wound. The second winding bobbin 49 and the second winding bobbin
A pair of guide rollers 60, 60 engaged with the delivery bobbin 50 to guide the ink ribbon 14 are provided.

Further, the ribbon cassette 5 shown in FIG.
In the heat-meltable ink ribbon 17a housed in a, it is necessary to perform heat peeling for peeling the ink ribbon 17a from the paper while the ink of the ink ribbon 17a is in a molten state during recording. On the other hand, the thermally sublimable ink ribbon 1 housed in the ribbon cassette 5b shown in FIG.
In 7b, it is necessary to perform cold peeling for peeling the ink ribbon 17b from the paper after the ink of the ink ribbon 17b is solidified during recording. The engaging pin 55 of the carriage 4 is provided in each of the cutout portions 58 of the ribbon cassette 5b in which the ink ribbon 17b for cold peeling is stored.
A pushing plate 61 is formed to push downward. Then, the ribbon cassette 5 for peeling during cold is attached to the carriage 5
When it is mounted on the head lever 33, the pushing plate 61 pushes the engaging pin 55 downward so that the engaging pin 55 is engaged with the head lever 33. Also, a ribbon cassette 5 containing an ink ribbon 17a for peeling at the time of heat is stored.
No pressing plate 61 like the ribbon cassette 5b for cold peeling is formed in the notch portion 58 of a. Therefore, the ribbon cassette 5a for hot peeling is mounted on the carriage 4. However, the engaging pin 55 is not pressed, and the engaging pin 55 and the head lever 33 are not engaged.

In this embodiment, the so-called multi-time ink ribbon cassette 17 that can be used upside down is shown. Therefore, two notches are formed at symmetrical positions of the recess 22 into which the thermal head 7 is inserted. Although 58 is formed, in the case of a so-called one-time ink ribbon, the notch 58 may be formed at only one place.

The control unit 70 includes a memory (not shown), C
The control unit 70 is formed of PU or the like, and
As shown in FIG. 3, at least the heat-meltable ink ribbon 17 is generated based on the mode signal sent from the mode changeover switch 71 arranged at a desired position of the frame (not shown).
A mode for determining whether the first recording mode in which recording by heat fusion transfer is performed on a sheet such as plain paper using a is performed or the second recording mode in which recording by thermal sublimation transfer is performed on dedicated paper by using the thermal sublimation ink ribbon 17b is performed. Based on the discrimination results of the discriminating unit 72 and the mode discriminating unit 72, the moving speed of the carriage 4, the energization time to the thermal head 7, the pressure contact force of the thermal head 7 with respect to the platen 2, the ribbon cassette 5, etc. are corresponded to each mode. It has a first recording mode control unit 73 and a second recording mode control unit 74 which are controlled as described above. The control unit 70 also controls the first optical sensor 1 according to the movement of the carriage 4.
8, the presence or absence of the ribbon cassette 5 and the ink ribbon 17 stored in the ribbon cassette 5 are detected.
Type, the moving distance of the carriage 4 with respect to the home position, the open / close state of the canopy 19, the distance between the ribbon cassettes 5, and the like, and based on the end detection signal of the ink ribbon 17 from the second optical sensor 57, The drive of the carriage 4 and the like is controlled.

Next, the operation of this embodiment having the above-mentioned structure will be described.

The thermal transfer printer 1 of the present embodiment is driven, and the operator operates the mode changeover switch 71 so as to match the recording purpose, and heats the paper such as plain paper using the hot-melt ink ribbon 17a. First to record by melt transfer
The recording mode selection operation is performed by selecting either the recording mode or the second recording mode in which recording is performed by thermal sublimation transfer on a dedicated paper using the thermal sublimation ink ribbon 17b.

When the recording mode selecting operation is performed, a mode signal corresponding to one of the selected modes is sent from the mode changeover switch 71 to the control unit 70, and the mode discriminating unit of the control unit 70. Reference numeral 72 determines whether the mode signal sent from the mode changeover switch 71 is the first recording mode or the second recording mode, and either the first recording mode control unit 73 or the second recording mode control unit 74 is determined based on the determination result. One of them is operated to start the selection operation of the ribbon cassette 5 in which the ink ribbon 17 corresponding to either the first recording mode or the second recording mode is stored.

Next, when the selection operation of the ribbon cassette 5 is started, a command from the control unit 70 (more specifically, either the first recording mode control unit 73 or the second recording mode control unit 74) The carriage 4 located at the home position is moved (traveled), and the first optical sensor 18 provided on the carriage 4 detects the identification mark 23 of the ribbon cassette 5. Then, the first optical sensor 18 sends a unique detection signal of each identification mark 23 due to the arrangement and pitch of the non-reflecting portions 24a to the control unit 70, and the identification corresponding to the command issued by the control unit 70. The identification mark 23 corresponding to the command is judged by judging whether it is the mark 23 or not.
In the case of, the movement of the carriage 4 is stopped, and if the identification mark 23 corresponding to the command is not detected, the movement of the carriage 4 is continued until the identification mark 23 corresponding to the command is detected. That is, in the present embodiment, the reflection seal 24 of the ribbon cassette 5 depends on the type of the ink ribbon 17.
The ribbon cassette 5 (specifically, the ink ribbon 17) can be surely discriminated by detecting the difference.

Then, the ribbon cassette 5 containing the ink ribbon 17 corresponding to the selected recording mode therein.
The canopy 19 is moved by the parallel crank mechanism 8 and the rotary crank mechanism 11 as shown by a double-headed arrow B in FIG.
And the upper carriage 4b is selectively transferred, the ribbon cassette 5 is mounted on the carriage 4, and the operation of selecting the ribbon cassette 5 ends.

When the ribbon cassette 5 selecting operation is completed, a sheet corresponding to the selected recording mode is set between the platen 2 and the thermal head 7 manually or by a sheet feeding device (not shown), and the sheet is melted by heat. The thermal peeling of the volatile ink ribbon 17a and the cold peeling of the thermally sublimable ink 17b are switched.

First, as shown in FIG. 4, when the cam 28 is rotated in the leftmost direction in the drawing, the pin 37 of the head pressure contact lever 36 is located at the outermost periphery of the head contact / separation cam groove 30. 2, the head pressure contact lever 36 is swung to the leftmost side in FIG.
Is brought into contact with the stopper 35 of the head lever 33 by the urging force of the strong pressure contact spring 39, and the head mount 34 is operated together with the head pressure contact lever 36. Therefore, the swing of the head pressure contact lever 36 causes the thermal head 7 to platen. Two
It is kept in a head-up state, which is separated from.

On the other hand, by the ribbon winding cam groove 31,
The oscillating plate 44 is oscillated to the left, the transmission gear 47 supported by the oscillating plate 44 is meshed with the take-up gear 51, and the carriage 4 moves along the platen 2 to move the rack 4. When the drive gear 41 meshed with 40 is rotationally driven, the take-up gear 51 is passed through the transmission gears 47 and 48.
The second winding gear 52 is rotationally driven, and the winding bobbin 16a and the second winding bobbin 49 are rotationally driven, so that the ink ribbon 17 is wound.

At the position of the cam 28, recording is not performed, but color sensing is performed by the photosensor 57 when the color ink ribbon 17 is used, or slack removal operation is performed when the ink ribbon 17 sags.

Then, as shown in FIG. 7, when the cam 28 is rotated rightward by driving the motor 22 from the state of FIG. 6, the head pressure contact lever 36 is not rocked and the thermal head 6 is moved to the platen 2. The rocking plate 44 is rocked rightward by the ribbon winding cam groove 31 while being held in a head-up state in which the rocking plate 44 is separated from, and the transmission gear 47 of the rocking plate 44 is separated from the winding gear 51. In this state, even if the carriage 4 moves, the rotation of the drive gear 41 is not transmitted to the winding bobbin 16a and the second winding bobbin 49, and the winding operation of the ink ribbon 14 is not performed. Used for return operation or ribbon save operation.

Further, when the ribbon cassette 5a containing the heat-meltable ink ribbon 17 for peeling at the time of heating is mounted on the carriage 4 to record on a sheet such as plain paper, as shown in FIG. From the state shown in FIG. 5, by further driving the motor 22 to rotate the cam 28 to the right, the head pressure contact lever 36 is swung to the right, and along with this, the head lever 33 via the strong pressure contact spring 39. Is also rocked together. In this state, since the pin 37 of the head pressure contact lever 36 is located at the position closest to the center of rotation of the head contact / separation cam groove 30, the head pressure contact lever 36 moves in the rightmost direction about the support shaft 32. The head pressure contact lever 36 is oscillated, so that the head pressure contact lever 36 is separated from the stopper 35 of the head mount base 34, and the spring holding portion 38 of the head pressure contact lever 36 presses the head mount base 34 via the strong pressure contact spring 39. In this state, since the biasing force of the weak pressure contact spring 43 is applied to the head lever 33, the strong pressure contact spring 39 is applied to the head mount 34.
The pressing force, which is the sum of the urging force of No. 1 and the urging force of the weak pressure contact spring 43, is applied, and the thermal head 4 is pressed against the platen 2 with a strong pressing force.

At this time, since the pressing plate 57 is not formed on the ribbon cassette 5 accommodating the heat-meltable ink ribbon 17a shown in FIG. 9, the engaging pin 55 of the carriage 5 cannot be pressed. , The engagement pin 55 and the head lever 33 are not engaged, and as a result, the head lever 33
Even when is rotated, the peeling lever 53 is not rotated and the peeling roller 54 is held at the same position.

Further, in the present embodiment, the support shaft 3 which forms the center of rotation of the head lever 33 and the head pressure contact lever 36 that press the thermal head 6 against the platen 2.
2 has a long size so as to project from the upper surface of the carriage 5, the head lever 33
And there is no rattling of the fulcrum of the head pressure contact lever 36,
The head lever 33 and the like can be supported extremely accurately, and the pressure contact operation of the thermal head 6 can be stably performed.

On the other hand, the oscillating plate 44 is rotated leftward from the state shown in FIG. 5, the transmission gear 47 of the oscillating plate 44 is again meshed with the take-up gear 51, and the ribbon is moved by the movement of the carriage 5. The winding operation is performed.

In this state, by moving the carriage 4, the drive gear 41 is rotationally driven via the rack 40, and the winding gear 51 and the second winding gear 52 are rotated via the transmission gears 47 and 48. Let's take up bobbin 1
6a and the second winding bobbin 49 are driven to rotate, and while the ink ribbon 14 of the ribbon cassette 5 is being wound, the thermal head 7 is driven based on a desired recording signal to perform recording on a predetermined sheet. It has become. At this time, since the thermal head 5 is pressed with a strong pressing force, good recording can be performed.

Further, unlike ordinary recording, when the ribbon cassette 5b accommodating the thermally sublimable ink ribbon 17b that needs to be peeled off under cold conditions is mounted on the carriage and high-quality recording is performed on special paper, As shown in FIG. 7, by driving the motor 22 from the state shown in FIG. 5 and rotating the cam 28 further leftward after passing through the state of FIG. 6, the head pressure contact is performed as in the case of FIG. The lever 36 is rocked rightward together with the head lever 33. In this state, the pin 37 of the head pressure contact lever 36 causes the head contact / separation cam groove 30 to move.
Of the head contact / separation cam groove 30 at the innermost position of the head contact / separation cam groove 30.
Is formed between them. As a result, the head pressing lever 36 causes the stopper 3 to move by the urging force of the strong pressing spring 39.
Since it is rotated so as to come into contact with 5, the thermal head 7
Is pressed against the platen 2 by the urging force of only the weak pressure contact spring 43, and recording can be performed with a weak pressure contact force as compared with the case of normal recording.

The ribbon cassette 5 accommodating the ink ribbon for cold peeling is provided with a pushing plate 57, which pushes the engaging pin 55 downward. Since the engagement pin 55 is engaged with the head lever 33, when the head lever 33 is swung, the peeling lever 5 is moved through the engagement pin 55.
3 is rotated, the peeling roller 54 is pressed against the platen 2, and it is possible to form a long peeling distance from the recording medium to the ink ribbon 14.

On the other hand, even when the cam 28 is rotated, the transmission gear 47 of the oscillating plate 44 is held in the state of being meshed with the winding gear 51, and therefore, as in the case of the hot peeling, The ink ribbon 17b is moved by the movement of the carriage 4.
The winding operation can be performed.

By selecting the position of the cam 28 according to the required situation in this way, various operations required for the thermal transfer printer can be performed.

In the above description, the operation of sequentially selecting the position of the cam 28 from the state shown in FIG. 4 to the state shown in FIG. 7 has been described, but the state shown in FIG. 7 changes to the state shown in FIG. To do so, the cam 28 may be driven in the opposite direction to the above description.

Next, when the recording operation is actually started,
In the first recording mode, the thermal head 7 for the platen 2 in the head-down state is instructed by the controller 70 (specifically, the first recording mode controller 73).
The pressure contact force of 0.5 to 3.0 kg, and the moving speed (recording speed) of the carriage 4 (thermal head 7) to 10 to 50 kg.
cm / sec, thermal head 7 (specifically heating element)
The energization time for each dot is controlled to about 50 to 2000 μsec, whereby recording by thermal fusion transfer can be reliably performed on a sheet such as plain paper using the thermal fusion ink ribbon 17a.

Further, in the second recording mode, the pressure contact force of the thermal head 7 with respect to the platen 2 in the head-down state is set to 0.degree. By a command from the control unit 70 (specifically, the second recording mode control unit 74). 2 to 1.5 kg, the moving speed (recording speed) of the carriage 4 (thermal head 7) is about 0.2 to 25 cm / sec, and the energization time per dot of the thermal head 7 (specifically, the heating element) is 150. It is possible to reliably perform high-quality recording by thermal sublimation transfer on a dedicated paper surface-treated by using the thermal sublimation ink ribbon 17b by controlling for about 30,000 microseconds or by repeating energization a plurality of times. it can.

Furthermore, as described above, the pressure contact force of the thermal head 7 with respect to the platen 2 in the second recording mode using the heat sublimable ink ribbon 17b is larger than that in the first recording mode using the heat melting ink ribbon 17a. The weakening reduces the wear of the thermal head 7 in the second recording mode in which more energy is applied to the thermal head 7 than in the first recording, thereby ensuring the overall durability of the thermal head 7. Can be improved.

The moving speed (recording speed) of the carriage 4 (thermal head 7) in the second recording mode is set slower than that in the first recording mode, and the thermal head 7 (more specifically, the heating element) in the second recording mode is set. ), The energization time per dot is made longer than that in the first recording mode, or is repeated a plurality of times, thereby requiring larger thermal energy than in the first recording mode in which the heat-meltable ink is melted and transferred to the paper. Since it is possible to reliably perform the recording in the second recording mode in which the thermally sublimable ink is sublimated and transferred to the paper, it is possible to obtain a high image quality recording quality comparable to that of a silver lead photograph.

Further, by energizing the thermal head 7 (specifically, the heating element) per dot a plurality of times in the second recording mode, the heating element of the thermal head 7 generates heat when the energization time is simply lengthened. It is possible to reliably prevent the risk that the temperature exceeds the allowable temperature and is damaged.

Further, the thermal transfer printer 1 of the present embodiment
Is a first recording mode in which recording is performed by thermal fusion transfer on a wide variety of papers by using the thermal fusion ink ribbon 17a by switching the mode changeover switch 71 according to the recording purpose, and the thermal sublimation ink ribbon 17b. Since it is possible to easily select the second recording mode for performing high-quality recording comparable to a silver lead photograph by thermal sublimation transfer on a dedicated paper and perform recording, a single thermal transfer printer 1 can be used to print on paper. It is possible to surely perform general recording and recording of a high-quality recorded image comparable to a silver lead photograph, and it is possible to surely reduce the installation space as compared with the conventional case.

Further, in the present embodiment, the pushing plate 57 formed on the ribbon cassette 5 pushes the engaging pin 55 of the peeling lever 53 to engage the engaging pin 55 with the head lever 33. The head lever 3
By rotating the peeling lever 3, the peeling lever 53 is operated to bring the peeling roller 54 into and out of contact with the platen 2. Therefore, a separate drive device for operating the peeling lever 53 is not required, and the driving device The control can be easily performed, and further, it is not necessary to secure a large installation space for the carriage 5, the overall size of the apparatus can be reduced, and further, the cost of parts can be reduced and the cost can be reduced. You can

Further, since the pushing plate 57 for pushing the engaging pin 55 is formed only on the ribbon cassette 5 of the ribbon cassette 5 in which the ink ribbon 14 for cold peeling is stored. The peeling lever 53 can be selectively operated only when the ribbon cassette 5 of the ink ribbon 14 for cold peeling is mounted.

The present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, but can be modified as necessary. For example, although the ink ribbon is used as the ink film in the above-described embodiment, the ink film is not limited to the ink ribbon as long as it is housed in the cassette, and other kinds of ink films can be used.

[0065]

As described above, according to the thermal transfer printer of the present invention, the recording using the ink film coated with the heat-melting ink and the recording using the ink film coated with the heat sublimation ink are performed in one. It has an extremely excellent effect that it can be surely performed on a table.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a main part of an embodiment of a thermal transfer printer according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic side view showing a main part of the thermal transfer printer according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a schematic side view of a carriage of the thermal transfer printer according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a configuration diagram showing an ink ribbon sensing operation state of the thermal transfer printer according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a configuration diagram showing a carriage return operation state of the thermal transfer printer according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a configuration diagram showing a first recording state of the thermal transfer printer according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a configuration diagram showing a second recording state of the thermal transfer printer according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing configurations of a peeling lever and a head lever in the thermal transfer printer according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a plan sectional view showing a ribbon cassette of a heat-meltable ink ribbon used in the thermal transfer printer according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a plan sectional view showing a ribbon cassette of a thermally sublimable ink ribbon used in the thermal transfer printer according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a control system of the thermal transfer printer according to the present embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 Thermal Transfer Printer 2 Platen 4 Carriage 5 Ribbon Cassette 5a (Ink Ribbon Coated with Thermofusible Ink Stored Inside) Ribbon Cassette 5b (Ink Ribbon Coated with Thermal Sublimation Ink Stored Inside) Ribbon cassette 7 Thermal head 17 Ink ribbon 17a (Heat-melting ink applied) Ink ribbon 17b (Heat-sublimable ink applied) Ink ribbon 18 First optical sensor 23 Identification mark 25 Motor 28 Cam 30 Head contact / separation Cam groove 31 ribbon winding cam groove 33 head lever 34 head mount 36 head pressure contact lever 39 strong pressure contact spring 43 weak pressure contact spring 44 swing plate 49 second winding bobbin 52 second winding gear 53 stripping lever 54 stripping Roller 55 Engagement pin 57 Second optical sensor 61 Push plate 7 Controller 71 mode switch 72 the mode determination unit 73 first recording mode control unit 74 second recording mode control unit

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[Procedure amendment]

[Submission date] March 5, 1996

[Procedure amendment 1]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name] Claims

[Correction method] Change

[Correction contents]

[Claims]

[Procedure amendment 2]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name] 0010

[Correction method] Change

[Correction contents]

[0010]

In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the thermal transfer printer of the present invention according to claim 1 is characterized by a first recording mode for recording on a sheet using a heat-meltable ink film or a thermal sublimation property. Main control means capable of selectively switching the second recording mode for recording on the paper using the ink film, and peeling the ink film after recording in both recording modes from the paper corresponding to the recording mode to be executed And a peeling position control means for changing the peeling time until the peeling. By adopting such a configuration, in the first recording mode in which the heat-meltable ink is used, the ink film is peeled from the paper immediately after the recording of the paper, so that the melted ink is removed from the ink film. In the second recording mode in which the ink can be satisfactorily transferred to the paper and the heat sublimable ink is used, recording is performed using the heat sublimable ink that requires more heat energy than in the case of the heat fusible ink. Since the ink film is peeled off from the paper after the heat energy applied to the substrate of the ink film from the heating element disappears, good recording can be performed without damaging the substrate.

[Procedure 3]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name] 0012

[Correction method] Change

[Correction contents]

Further, a thermal transfer printer according to a third aspect of the present invention is characterized in that a film cassette accommodating an ink film can be mounted on the carriage capable of reciprocating along the printer to detect the type of ink and to output the detection signal. lies in that provided an ink type detection means for outputting the main system <br/> control means. By adopting such a configuration, when the film cassette is mounted on the carriage, the ink type is detected by the ink type detecting means, and this detection signal is output to the main controlling means. The recording control according to can be automatically performed.

[Procedure amendment 4]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name] 0017

[Correction method] Change

[Correction contents]

Returning to FIG. 1, a plate-like arm is formed on both left and right sides of the upper carriage 4b as engaging portions 15a having tips gently curved inward with each other and projections formed on the upper and lower ends thereof. Numerals 15 stand upright at an interval substantially equal to the width of the ribbon cassette 5. A pair of rotatable bobbins 16 are disposed at a central portion of the upper carriage 4b so as to protrude upward at a predetermined interval from each other.
The bobbin 16 allows the ink ribbon 17 to travel in a predetermined direction. One of the pair of bobbins 16 is a take-up bobbin 16 a for winding the ink ribbon 17, and the other is a delivery bobbin 16 for sending the ink ribbon 17.
It is assumed to be b. Further, a first optical sensor 18 as a sensor for detecting the type of the ink ribbon 17 accommodated in the ribbon cassette 5 is arranged on the end edge of the carriage 4 on the side far from the platen 2. As the optical sensor 18, a reflection type is used in the present embodiment. The first optical sensor 18 is connected to a control unit 70, which will be described later, which serves as a main control unit that controls the recording operation of the thermal transfer printer 1 arranged at a desired position of the thermal transfer printer 1.

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A thermal head having a plurality of heating elements formed thereon is moved along the platen while being pressed against the platen via an ink film and a sheet of paper, and the heating element of the thermal head is driven to transfer the ink of the ink film to the sheet. A thermal transfer printer for transferring to and recording on a substrate, wherein a heat-meltable ink film having a substrate coated with a heat-meltable ink is used to record on a sheet in a first recording mode or a substrate coated with a heat-sublimable ink. Control means capable of selectively switching the second recording mode in which recording is performed on the paper using the sublimable ink film, and the ink film after recording in both the recording modes is peeled from the paper in correspondence with the recording mode to be executed. And a peeling position control means for changing the peeling time up to. 2. The peeling position control means sets the peeling time when recording is performed in the second recording mode to the first peeling time.
The thermal transfer printer according to claim 1, further comprising a peeling guide member that functions so as to be longer than the peeling time when recording is performed in a recording mode. 3. A film cassette accommodating said ink film is mountable, and an ink type detecting means for detecting said ink type and outputting a detection signal to said control means is provided on a carriage capable of reciprocating along said printer. The thermal transfer printer according to claim 1, wherein the thermal transfer printer is provided.