JP2595827B2 - Thermal head support structure for thermal transfer printing equipment - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a sublimation-type and fusion-type thermal transfer printing apparatus, and more particularly to a thermal head supporting structure capable of quickly replacing a thermal head.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art An image forming method for printing image information or character information on cards such as an ID card, a prepay card, a telephone card, a cash card, and an IC card is disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. Hei 1-208193.

As shown in FIG. 9, the contents described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 1-208193 are a transfer ribbon 102, which is one of the transfer recording media, and a heat-generating recording member for a card-like recording medium 101. A certain thermal head 103 and a platen roller
104 discloses an image forming method for color printing of image information or character information on a card-shaped recording medium 101. It is also disclosed herein that a magnetic recording layer 101a is provided on a card-shaped recording medium 101 as shown in FIG.

[0004]

In the image forming method shown in FIG. 9, a plurality of heating resistors (not shown) are arranged in a row on the thermal head 103.
The heating resistor is often destroyed by discharge or the like during printing. In this case, there is no method for quickly replacing the thermal head 103, and the replacement of the thermal head 103 is time-consuming and problematic.

According to the present invention, magnetic recording is performed on a recording paper (card).
In a thermal transfer printing apparatus suitable for continuously performing various processes such as printing and overcoating at a high speed, the thermal transfer can quickly replace the thermal head and position the thermal head at a predetermined position on the thermal head support member. An object of the present invention is to provide a thermal head support structure for a printing apparatus.

[0006]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and a first invention is directed to a thermal head auxiliary support member for fixing a thermal head and having an engaging portion; A support portion for detachably supporting the engagement portion of the head auxiliary support member, and a rotating member biased to rotate the engagement portion of the thermal head auxiliary support member supported by the support portion And a thermal head supporting member provided with a thermal head supporting structure for a thermal transfer printing apparatus.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a positioning means for positioning the thermal head at a predetermined position on the thermal head support member between the thermal head support member and the thermal head auxiliary support portion or the thermal head. A thermal head support structure for a thermal transfer printing apparatus, wherein the thermal head support structure is provided.

[0008]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS One embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. 1 to 8 << Configuration of Thermal Transfer Printing Apparatus >>, << Thermal Head Support Structure >>, << Modification of Thermal Head Support Structure >>>>,<< Operation Steps of Thermal Transfer Printing Apparatus >>, in this order.

<< Configuration of Thermal Transfer Printing Apparatus >> First, a thermal transfer printing apparatus system employing a thermal head support structure of a thermal transfer printing apparatus according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 6 and 7. FIG. FIG. 6 is an overall perspective view of a thermal transfer printing apparatus employing the thermal head support structure of the thermal transfer printing apparatus according to the present invention, and FIG. 7 is a plan view showing a transport path of a card between components in the thermal transfer printing apparatus. .

In FIG. 6, a thermal transfer printing apparatus 1 has a card automatic unit having a means for automatically sending out a card C on a base (not shown) in order from an upstream side of a conveying path of a recording paper C (hereinafter, referred to as a card C). A manual feeding / ejecting unit having a supply unit 10, a magnetic encoding unit 20 for magnetically recording a predetermined code, and a unit for manually sending out the card C or ejecting a defective card C from the magnetic encoding unit 20. 30 and a print unit 40 for printing predetermined image information or character information in color
And an overcoat unit 80 for overcoating the card C printed in color by the print unit 40, and a stocker 8 for stocking the cards that have been completely processed.
5 and a card transport unit 90 for transporting the card C between the units. Each of these units is fixed as a unit to a base (not shown) so that it can be easily assembled. Sometimes, when it is not necessary to process the overcoat unit 80 or the like on the card C, the print unit 40 is used. After the color printing, the paper can be directly discharged to the stocker 85.

[0011] Of these units, the automatic card supply unit 10 is disclosed in Japanese Patent Application No. Hei.
The print unit 40 is described in detail in Japanese Patent Application No. Hei.
No. 633, and the overcoat unit 80 is disclosed in Japanese Patent Application No. Hei 1-246 previously proposed by the present applicant.
No. 873, for details, refer to the description in the specification of the previous application.

Here, the detailed structure of each unit will be described with reference to FIGS. 6 and 7. FIG.

The card automatic supply unit 10 has a large number (for example, 250) of unrecorded rectangular cards C stacked vertically in a box-shaped cassette 11, and has a card C at its lower end. And a paper feed roller 12 for taking out the paper. By operating the paper feed roller 12, cards can be automatically and sequentially fed to the next magnetic encoding unit 20.

In the magnetic encoding unit 20, the card C
A predetermined code is magnetically recorded on the upper magnetic recording layer M. The magnetic encoding unit 20 has a magnetic recording unit 21 capable of magnetically recording a predetermined code regardless of whether the magnetic recording layer M is on the front side or the back side, and a magnetically recorded predetermined code is magnetically recorded without any abnormality. And a magnetic recording reading unit 22 for reading and checking whether or not the recording is performed.

The card C magnetically recorded by the magnetic encoding unit 20 is sent to the next print unit 40 via the card transport unit 90 if there is no abnormality in the magnetic recording and reading unit 22.

On the other hand, the manual paper feeding / discharging unit 30 manually inserts the cards C one by one and sends the cards C to the magnetic encoding unit 20 via the rollers 31 and 32,
Sometimes, it can be sent directly to the print unit 40, and furthermore, the magnetic recording and reading unit 2 of the magnetic encoding unit 20
The card C determined to be defective in magnetic recording in 2 can be discharged.

The card C sent to the print unit 40 is supplied onto a flat card stage 41.
The print unit 40 includes, in addition to the card stage 41, a transfer sheet 42 and a thermal head support 50 (50A or 50B) described later. The transfer paper 42 in the form of a tape is stretched between the feed roller 43 and the take-up roller 44, and ink such as yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (Bk) is applied. They are applied in a predetermined sequence at a predetermined pitch. When printing is performed on the card C, the transfer paper 42 is stacked on the card C, and a thermal head support unit 50 described later is stacked on the transfer paper 42.
Press (50A or 50B) thermal head 60,
At the same time, predetermined image information or character information according to the magnetically recorded code is supplied from the data file (FIG. 7) to the thermal head 60, and yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (Bk) The thermal transfer is performed a plurality of times repeatedly in the order of the inks such as (1) and (2), and high-quality color printing is obtained on the card C.

The card C for which color printing has been completed is sent onto the card stage 81 of the overcoat unit 80. The overcoat unit 80 includes a flat card stage 81 similar to the print unit 40, transfer paper 82 impregnated with a transparent hot-melt resin or the like serving as a protective film, and a thermal head support 83 having the same structure as the print unit 40. Have. When overcoating the card C with a transparent resin film, the transfer paper 82 is stacked on the card C, and the thermal head 83a of the thermal head support portion 83 is pressed from above and the transparent resin film is formed by thermal transfer. The structure is overcoated. Thereafter, the overcoated card C is discharged and sequentially stacked on the stocker 85.

A card transport unit 90 for transporting between the units includes a belt 9 stretched over pulleys 91 and 92.
3, the card C can be sent to each unit, or the card C can be discharged to the manual feed / discharge unit 30 by changing the rotation direction of the belt 93 at the position shown in the drawing. The card transport unit 9
Numerals 0 are appropriately arranged between the units, and only one position is shown in the figure, and illustration of other transport paths is omitted. <
<Thermal Head Support Structure> Here, the thermal head support structure as a main part of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to FIGS.

The thermal head support structure which is a main part of the present invention is applied to the thermal head support 50 (50A) provided in the print unit 40 and the thermal head support 83 provided in the overcoat unit 80. However, the thermal head support 50 (50
A) and 83 have the same thermal head support structure, so the thermal head support 50 (50) shown in FIG.
A) will be described.

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view showing a thermal head support structure of a thermal transfer printing apparatus according to the present invention, FIG. 2 is a side view showing an assembled state of the thermal head support structure, and FIG. 3 is a thermal head support structure. And FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining a pressing member of the thermal head in the thermal head supporting structure.

The thermal head support 50 shown in FIG.
In (50A), a thermal head support member 51 (hereinafter, referred to as a thermal head support plate 51) is provided so as to be vertically movable in the apparatus by means not shown. The thermal head support plate 51 is formed in a rectangular shape using an aluminum plate or the like. The thermal head 60 is supported on the left and right sides of the thermal head support plate 51 so that the thermal head 60 can be quickly replaced as described later. Since the left and right sides of the thermal head support plate 51 have a symmetrical support structure, Here, the thermal head support plate 5
1 will be described.

That is, a pair of L-shaped brackets 52 and 53 are fixed to the upper portion on the right side of the thermal head support plate 51, and a shaft 55 is provided between the L-shaped brackets 52 and 53.
A pivot member 54 (hereinafter, referred to as a pivot member) that pivots vertically around
Arm 54) is mounted on the shaft. Arm 5
The U-shaped notch groove 54a is opened downward at the tip of the fourth member 4. Further, a tension spring 56 is stretched between the hook 54b of the arm 54 and the hook 54a of the thermal head support plate 51, and the arm 54 is always counterclockwise about the shaft 55 by the urging force of the tension spring 56. It is urged to rotate in the direction (downward).

Further, a U-shaped notch groove 57 is provided near the lower right side of the arm 54 mounted on the L-shaped brackets 52 and 53.
The L-shaped bracket 57 on which a is formed is fixed,
The U-shaped notch groove 57a is opened toward the front of the drawing.

Further, the L-shaped bracket 5 is disposed substantially directly below the L-shaped bracket 57 and spaced apart from the L-shaped bracket 57.
8 is fixed, and a shaft 59 projecting inward from the L-shaped bracket 58 is fixed.

The U-shaped notch groove 57a of the L-shaped bracket 57 and the shaft 59 of the L-shaped bracket 58 serve as a support for a thermal head auxiliary support member 61 described below.

On the other hand, in the thermal head 60, a plurality of heating resistors (not shown) are arranged in a row in the main scanning direction, and the heating resistors are fixed to a ceramic material by a known technique.
Further, the ceramic material is integrally attached to the metal supporting member, and the thermal head auxiliary supporting members
Steps 60a, 60a for attaching the first member 1 are formed in the shape shown in the figure.

A pair of thermal head auxiliary support members 61 (hereinafter referred to as head auxiliary support brackets 61) are provided on the left and right steps 60a, 60a of the thermal head 60.
) Is fixed. Since the head auxiliary support bracket 61 has a symmetrical structure, the right head auxiliary support bracket 61 will be described here.

The head auxiliary support bracket 61 fixed to the right step portion 60a of the thermal head 60 has L-shaped cut-and-raised portions 61a and 61b formed at upper and lower side ends using a sheet metal material. A shaft 62 protruding outward is fixed to the upper L-shaped cut-out portion 61a, and a U-shaped notch groove 61c opened in the front direction of the drawing is formed in the lower L-shaped cut-up portion 61b. I have.

The shaft 62 of the L-shaped portion 61a and the U-shaped notch 61 of the L-shaped portion 61b
c is a U-shaped notch groove 57a of an L-shaped bracket 57 serving as a support portion provided on the thermal head support plate 51 described above.
And an engagement portion with the shaft 59 of the L-shaped bracket 58.

Next, the operation of detachably supporting the thermal head 60 on the thermal head support plate 51 is as follows. First, the arm 54 is rotated clockwise (upward) against the urging force of the tension spring 56. Then, the U-shaped notch groove 61c formed in the L-shaped cut-and-raised portion 61b on the lower side of the head auxiliary support bracket 61 is fitted to the front side of the back side of the shaft 59 fixed to the lower part of the thermal head support plate 51. . This restricts the U-shaped notch groove 61c formed in the L-shaped cut-and-raised portion 61b from coming out to the front. The lower part of the thermal head support plate 51 has an L-shaped cut-and-raised portion 61 on the lower side of the head auxiliary support bracket 61.
A tapered relief portion 51c is formed so that the thermal head 60 can be easily attached and detached. When the thermal head 60 fixed to the head auxiliary support bracket 61 is mounted, the thermal head 6
The back side of the sheet No. 0 is in contact with the thermal head support plate 51 in its entirety, so that it cannot escape to the rear of the sheet.

Further, a shaft 62 fixed to the L-shaped cut-up portion 61a on the upper side of the head auxiliary support bracket 61
Is inserted into a U-shaped notch groove 57 a formed in an L-shaped bracket 57 fixed to the thermal head support plate 51, and the arm 54 is rotated counterclockwise (downward) by the urging force of the tension spring 56, U-shaped notch groove 54 of arm 54
a fixed to the L-shaped cut-out portion 61a
To fit. As a result, the arm 54 moves the L of the head auxiliary support bracket 61 by the urging force of the tension spring 56.
The shaft 62 fixed to the U-shaped cut-and-raised portion 61a is locked so as not to come off in front of the paper surface.

The above operation is performed almost simultaneously on the left side and on the right side, and the thermal head 60 is quickly supported by the thermal head support plate 51 as shown in FIG. Further, the thermal head 60 can be easily removed from the thermal head support plate 51 by the reverse operation.

Therefore, when the thermal head 60 or the thermal head 83a (FIG. 6) becomes defective due to electrostatic breakdown during printing on the card C by the above-described print unit 40 or overcoat unit 80, the thermal head 6
In this case, the replacement work of the device 0.83a can be performed easily and quickly, and the operation performance of the device 1 is improved, and the serviceability is also significantly improved.

Further, as shown in FIG. 4, a thermal head pressing member 70 is provided near the upper surface 51b of the thermal head support plate 51.

The structure of the thermal head pressing member 70 is such that one end 73 a of an arm 73 is fitted into a shaft 71 a of a solenoid 71 via a compression spring 72 and is regulated by a nut 74. A projection 73 b is formed on the other end of the arm 73 via a shaft 75 that supports the arm 73, and the projection 73 b is attached to the thermal head support plate 51.
Is contacted from above with the upper surface 51b. When the solenoid 71 is not energized, the arm 73 is connected to the compression spring 72.
Is rotated clockwise about the shaft 75 by the urging force of the arm 73, so that the protruding portion 73b of the arm 73 is moved upward, and the thermal head support plate 51 is also moved upward by vertical moving means (not shown). The thermal head 60 supported by the slack thermal head support plate 51 is separated from the card C. In this state, when a pressing pulse is applied to the transistor 76 to energize the solenoid 71, the shaft 71a of the solenoid 71 moves upward against the compression spring 72, and the arm 73 rotates counterclockwise about the shaft 75. I do. By this operation, the protruding portion 73b of the arm 73 moves downward while contacting the upper surface 51b of the thermal head support plate 51 from above, so that the thermal head 60 supported by the thermal head support plate 51 is transferred via the transfer paper 42. The card C can be pressed.

The pressing structure of the thermal head 60 may be a cam-driven pressing structure using a motor (not shown) as a drive source without using the solenoid 71, but a detailed description thereof will be omitted here.

Further, as shown in FIG. 3, when the thermal head 60 is pressed, the upper surface 51b of the thermal head support plate 51 is pressed.
Is applied to the thermal head 60 via the U-shaped notch groove 57a of the L-shaped bracket 57 fixed to the thermal head support plate 51 and the shaft 59 of the L-shaped bracket 58. Support bracket 6
The first shaft 62 and the U-shaped notch groove 61c are transmitted. When the holding angle YOX of the U-shaped notch grooves 57a and 61c is 90 degrees, the reaction force H is applied to the shafts 62 and 59. At this time, the shafts 62 and 59 are
In order not to deviate from 7a, 61c, the holding angle of U-shaped notch grooves 57a, 61c may be set to a holding angle YOZ of 90 degrees or more.

<< Modified Example of Thermal Head Support Structure >>
Here, a modified example of the thermal head support structure which is a main part of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view showing a modification of the thermal head support structure of the thermal transfer printing apparatus according to the present invention.

The thermal head supporting structure 50 (50A) shown in FIG. 5 is different from the thermal head supporting structure 50 (50A) shown in FIG.
In addition to the technical concept that the thermal head 60 is detachably supported, a part of the components of the thermal head support structure 50 (50A) is further improved. The thermal head support member 63 is provided with a gimbal support structure for pressing the thermal head 60, and positioning means for positioning the thermal head 60 at a predetermined position on the thermal head support plate 63 is provided. In the following description, the same components as those of the thermal head support structure 50 (50A) are denoted by the same reference numerals, and only the components having different shapes are denoted by the new reference numerals. The detailed description of the same components as those of the thermal head support structure 50 (50A) is omitted.

In a modification 50 (50B) of the thermal head support structure shown in FIG. 5, a thermal head support member 63 (hereinafter, referred to as a thermal head support plate 63) is used for the thermal head support structure 50 (50A). Only the vertical direction (height direction) is formed longer than the head support plate (thermal head support member) 51. Further, one end of a shaft 64 is axially attached to the upper central portion of the thermal head support plate 63 via E washers 64a, 64a, and the other end of the shaft 64 is supported by a vertical moving means (not shown). By providing the shaft 64, the thermal head support plate 63 can be rotated around the shaft 64 in a clockwise direction or a counterclockwise direction (arrow direction). When the thermal head 60 is mounted on the thermal head support plate 63 as described later, the protrusion formed on the arm 73 of the thermal head pressing member 70 shown in FIG. It is possible for the thermal head support structure 50 (50A) to perform the pressing operation by contacting the upper surface 73b from above, as in the case of the thermal head support structure 50 (50A). At this time, in the thermal transfer printing apparatus 1 (FIG. 6), since the thermal head support plate 63 is rotatable around the shaft 64 in the direction of the arrow, even if the card stage 41 (FIG. 6) is slightly inclined, Numeral 60 can rotate around the shaft 64 following the inclination of the card stage 41, and the thermal head 60 can be pressed uniformly along the card stage 41. This structure is generally called a gimbal support structure of the thermal head 60. Since the thermal head 60 can be pressed uniformly by providing the gimbal support structure, the image quality of the printed card C (FIG. 6) is significantly improved. This can greatly contribute to quality improvement of the device 1 (FIG. 6).

Next, positioning means for positioning the thermal head 60 at a predetermined position on the thermal head support plate 63 will be described. That is, a pair of thermal head auxiliary support members 65, 65 (hereinafter, referred to as a head auxiliary support bracket 65) are fixed to the left and right steps 60a, 60a of the thermal head 60. The head auxiliary support bracket 65 is provided with the thermal head support structure 50 (5
The head auxiliary support bracket (thermal head auxiliary support member) 61 used in the case of O.A.) is partially formed in a different shape. Since the head auxiliary support bracket 65 has a symmetrical structure, the right head auxiliary support bracket 65 will be described here.

The head auxiliary support bracket 65 fixed to the right step portion 60a of the thermal head 60 is formed with L-shaped cut-and-raised portions 65a and 65b at upper and lower side ends using a sheet metal material. A shaft 66 protruding outward is fixed to the upper L-shaped cut and raised portion 65a, and a U-shaped notch groove 65c that opens downward is formed in the lower L-shaped cut and raised portion 65b. Further, a projecting piece 65d is formed substantially at an intermediate portion between the L-shaped cut-and-raised portion 65a and the L-shaped cut-and-raised portion 65b, and a hole 65e is formed in the protruding piece 65d.

On the other hand, a shaft 67 is fixed to the thermal head support plate 63 at a substantially intermediate portion between the right L-shaped bracket 57 and the L-shaped bracket 58 so as to protrude forward. This shaft 67 is used for the head auxiliary support bracket 6.
5 is provided so as to fit into a hole 65e formed in the protruding piece 65d.

Next, the operation of detachably supporting the thermal head 60 on the thermal head support plate 63 is as follows. First, the arm 54 is rotated clockwise (upward) against the urging force of the tension spring 56. Thereafter, the U-shaped notch groove 65c formed in the L-shaped cut-and-raised portion 65b on the lower side of the head auxiliary support bracket 65 is fitted into the shaft 59 fixed to the lower portion of the thermal head support plate 51 from above.
Further, the shaft 66 fixed to the L-shaped cut-and-raised portion 65a on the upper side of the head auxiliary support bracket 65 is fitted into the U-shaped notch groove 57a formed on the L-shaped bracket 57 fixed to the thermal head support plate 63, Hole 6 formed in the protruding piece 65d of the head auxiliary support bracket 65
5e, a shaft 6 fixed to the thermal head support plate 63
7 is fitted. When the above operation is completed, the arm 54 is rotated counterclockwise (downward) by the urging force of the tension spring 56 so that the U-shaped notch groove 54a of the arm 54 is
The shaft 66 fixed to the cut-and-raised portion 65a is fitted. As a result, the arm 54 locks the shaft 66 fixed to the L-shaped cut-and-raised portion 65a of the head auxiliary support bracket 65 by the urging force of the tension spring 56 so as not to be detached to the front of the drawing. Also, a hole 65e formed in the protruding piece 65d of the head auxiliary support bracket 65
Since the shaft 67 fixed to the thermal head support plate 63 is fitted to the thermal head support plate 63, the thermal head 60 attached to the thermal head support plate 63 is
Is reliably positioned at a predetermined position. The fitting of the shaft 67 and the hole 65e serves as positioning means for reliably positioning the thermal head 60 at a predetermined position on the thermal head support plate 63. In addition, without providing the hole 65e formed in the protruding piece 65d of the head auxiliary support bracket 65, for example, the step portions 60 on both left and right sides of the thermal head 60
A hole (not shown) corresponding to the hole 65e is formed in the back surface of each of the thermal head support plates 63a and 60a so as to fit into the holes.
Even if the shaft 67 is fixed to the shaft to form the positioning means, no trouble occurs. By providing the positioning means for the thermal head 60 in this manner, the thermal head 60 which is detachably attached to the thermal head support plate 63 is always positioned at a predetermined position on the thermal head support plate 63 at the time of mounting. Therefore, the reliability of the device 1 is significantly improved.

The above operation is performed on the left side almost simultaneously with the right side. With this operation, the thermal head 60 is quickly supported at a predetermined position on the thermal head support plate 63 as shown in FIG. The thermal head 60 is moved to the thermal head support plate 63 by the reverse operation.
It can also be easily removed from.

Therefore, if the modification 50 (50B) of the thermal head support structure is applied to the print unit 40 or the overcoat unit 80, there is an advantage that the quality and reliability of the apparatus 1 can be greatly improved.

<< Operation Steps of Thermal Transfer Printing Apparatus >> The operation steps of the above-described thermal transfer printing apparatus 1 will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 8 is an operation flow in the thermal transfer printing apparatus.

When printing is started (step 1 in FIG. 8), first, cards C are automatically and sequentially sent from the automatic card supply unit 10 to the magnetic encoding unit 20 (step 2 in FIG. 8). Magnetic encoding unit 20
Then, the predetermined code sent from the data file is supplied to the magnetic recording unit 21, and the predetermined code is written in the magnetic recording layer M (Step 3 in FIG. 8). Next, the written code is read by the magnetic recording reading unit 22, and the quality of the magnetic recording is determined here (step 4 in FIG. 8). In the case of a defect, the sheet is immediately discharged to, for example, the manual feed / discharge unit 30 (step 5 in FIG. 8). On the other hand, in the case of a non-defective product, the card C on which the code is recorded is sent to the print unit 40. Here, image information or character information corresponding to a predetermined code written in the magnetic recording layer M of the card C is supplied from the data file to the thermal head 60, and color-printed on the card C by the method described above (FIG. 8). Step 6). The color-printed card C is sent to the overcoat unit 80. Here, a transparent resin film is overcoated on the card C by the above-described method in order to protect the color printed portion (Step 7 in FIG. 8). When the overcoat is over, the card C is ejected and the stocker 8
5 (step 8 in FIG. 8). Further, the printed card C stored in the stocker 85 is visually inspected,
It is checked whether there is a non-defective product (step 9 in FIG. 8). Then, all processes are completed for the card C which is OK in the visual inspection (Step 10 in FIG. 8).

The card C determined to be defective in step 5 in FIG. 8 or step 9 in FIG.
Are manually inserted one by one from the manual feed / discharge unit 30 and sent to the magnetic encoding unit 20 again (steps 11 and 12 in FIG. 8). Here, the card C returned in step 5 of FIG. 8 is magnetically recorded with a predetermined code again, and is sent to the next print unit 40 if the card is non-defective. On the other hand, the card C returned in step 9 in FIG. 8 has the code already magnetically recorded normally, and the thermal transfer printing process is defective. The defective card C is ejected after the magnetic recording code is read by the unit 22 and the new card C is sent from the automatic card supply unit 10 to the magnetic encoding unit 20 instead. The read code is magnetically recorded, and printing is performed in the same procedure as described above. Further, another magnetic encoding unit 20 is installed outside the apparatus 1 to read the code of the card C having the thermal transfer printing failure and instruct the code to a data file,
There is also a method of sending a new card C from the automatic card supply unit 10 to the magnetic encoding unit 20 without performing manual insertion.

Further, an image inspection process is automatically introduced before the paper is stored in the stocker 85, that is, during the process, without detecting a printing defect by visual inspection. May be.

In the thermal transfer printing apparatus 1 described in detail above, a magnetic encoding unit 20 and a printing unit 40 are provided in the apparatus 1, and after predetermined codes are magnetically recorded on the card C, predetermined image information or characters are printed. The use efficiency of the apparatus 1 for thermally transferring and printing information can be improved. Also, it is determined whether or not the code recorded on the magnetic recording layer M is normal, and thermal transfer printing is performed only when the code is normally magnetically recorded. This has a practical advantage that the printing step is not performed and the use efficiency of the apparatus 1 is further improved.

[0053]

According to the thermal head support structure of the thermal transfer printing apparatus according to the present invention, the thermal head is detachably attached to the thermal head support member via the thermal head auxiliary support member. It is configured to be supported. As a result, when the thermal head becomes defective due to electrostatic breakdown or the like during printing on the recording paper by the print unit or the overcoat unit, for example, the replacement operation of the thermal head becomes easy and can be performed quickly, and the apparatus can be quickly replaced. The operation performance is improved, and the serviceability is also significantly improved.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, the positioning means for positioning the thermal head at a predetermined position of the thermal head support member is provided, so that the thermal head detachably mounted on the thermal head support member can be mounted at the time of mounting. Since the thermal head support member is always positioned and attached to a predetermined position of the thermal head support member, there is an advantage that the reliability of the apparatus can be further remarkably improved.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view showing a thermal head support structure of a thermal transfer printing apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a side view showing an assembled state of the thermal head support structure.

FIG. 3 is a view for explaining a card pressing state of the thermal head in the thermal head support structure.

FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining a pressing member of the thermal head in the thermal head support structure.

FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view showing a modification of the thermal head support structure of the thermal transfer printing apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 6 is an overall perspective view of a thermal transfer printing apparatus employing a thermal head support structure of the thermal transfer printing apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a plan view showing a conveyance path of a card between respective constituent units in the thermal transfer printing apparatus.

FIG. 8 is an operation flow in the thermal transfer printing apparatus.

FIG. 9 is a diagram for explaining a conventional image forming method.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a card with a magnetic recording layer.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Thermal transfer printing apparatus 40 Print unit 42 Transfer paper 50 Thermal head support part 50A Thermal head support part 50B Thermal head support part 51 Thermal head support member (thermal head support plate) 54 Rotating member (arm) 56 Extension spring 57 L-shaped bracket 57a Support portion (U-shaped notch groove) 58 L-shaped bracket 59 Support portion (shaft) 60 Thermal head 61 Thermal head auxiliary support member (head auxiliary support bracket) 61a L-shaped cut-out portion 61b L-shaped cut-and-formed portion 61c engaging portion (U-shaped notch groove) 62 Engagement part (shaft) 63 Thermal head support member (thermal head support plate) 65 Thermal head auxiliary support member (head auxiliary support bracket) 65a L-shaped cut and raised part 65b L-shaped cut and raised part 65c Engagement part (U-shaped notch groove) 65d Projection piece 65e Positioning hand (Hole) 67 positioning means (shaft) 70 thermal head press member 80 overcoat unit 82 the transfer paper 83 thermal head support portion 83a thermal head C recording sheet (card)

Claims (2)

(57) [Claims] A thermal head auxiliary support member for fixing the thermal head and having an engagement portion; a support portion for detachably supporting the engagement portion of the thermal head auxiliary support member; and a support portion supported by the support portion. A thermal head support member provided with a rotating member that is biased to rotate so as to lock the engaging portion of the thermal head auxiliary support member. Construction. And a positioning means for positioning the thermal head at a predetermined position on the thermal head support member between the thermal head support member and the thermal head auxiliary support portion or the thermal head. A thermal head support structure for a thermal transfer printing apparatus according to claim 1.