JP4412913B2 - Ink ribbon apparatus and image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an ink ribbon apparatus suitable for a thermal transfer type printer.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Thermal transfer printers transfer thermal transfer of ink such as dye applied to one side of an ink ribbon onto photographic paper using a thermal head that has multiple heating elements that selectively generate heat according to input image data. By doing so, images such as characters and figures are formed on the photographic paper.
[0003]
There are several types of ink ribbons depending on the size and the presence or absence of lamination. Further, even if the same type of ink ribbon is used, even if the same image is printed due to manufacturing variations, the density and hue are slightly different for each manufacturing lot.
[0004]
Therefore, when a plurality of types of ink ribbons are used properly in one printer, it is necessary to change the printer settings each time the ink ribbon is replaced. In order to automatically change the printer settings, a so-called IC tag including a semiconductor memory in which information on the type of ink ribbon and information for correction of manufacturing variations is written and an antenna for communication with the outside are wound around the ink ribbon. There is also a printer that is attached to a mounted ink bobbin so that the printer body reads information from the IC tag at the time of printing (for example, see Patent Document 1).
[0005]
In addition, the thermal transfer printer unwinds the unused ink ribbon from the supplied ink bobbin for each printing, transfers the ink to the photographic paper with the thermal head, and then winds the used ink ribbon with the winding ink bobbin. Therefore, the wound outer diameter of the unused ink ribbon of the supplied ink bobbin is gradually reduced, and the wound outer diameter of the used ink ribbon of the wound ink bobbin is gradually increased. For this reason, even when the winding torque of the winding ink bobbin is controlled to be constant, the tension acting on the ink ribbon of the supplied ink bobbin may change, and printing defects such as printing wrinkles may occur.
[0006]
By storing the remaining amount of ink ribbon in the above IC tag and rewriting the semiconductor memory of the IC tag so that the printer body reduces the remaining amount by one screen each time the ink ribbon for one screen is consumed. Therefore, it is possible to adjust the winding torque of the winding ink bobbin according to the current remaining amount of the ink ribbon, and it is possible to prevent the occurrence of printing defects.
[0007]
[Patent Document 1]
JP 2000-355152 A (FIG. 6)
[0008]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
The ink ribbon device includes a supply ink bobbin around which an unused ink ribbon is wound, and a take-up ink bobbin that winds up the ink ribbon that is fed from the supply ink bobbin and used for transferring the ink. Each ink bobbin includes a winding core portion around which the ink ribbon is wound and a flange portion having a substantially disc shape provided at both ends of the winding core portion. A support shaft supported by the bearing portion of the printer main body is implanted in the center of the collar portion.
[0009]
In Patent Document 1, the IC tag has a ring shape and is attached to the collar surface. This IC tag includes a loop-shaped antenna centering on the support shaft of the collar portion and an IC chip electrically connected to the antenna. It is advantageous in terms of manufacturing cost to use a generally rectangular IC tag (hereinafter referred to as a general-purpose IC tag) that is generally widely distributed as an IC tag to be attached to the ink ribbon device. However, when the IC tag is configured to be adhered to the surface of the buttock as described in Patent Document 1, since a support shaft is implanted at the center of the buttock, it is not possible to use a rectangular general-purpose IC tag. There is a problem that it is difficult to use a dedicated IC having a shape that matches the shape of the buttock, which increases the manufacturing cost. In addition, when the sticking force is insufficient, the IC tag may fall off the ink bobbin during transportation or use.
[0010]
Also, since the antenna of the IC tag and the antenna of the printer main body need to face each other, when the IC tag is provided on the surface of the collar, the antenna of the printer main body is placed on a surface perpendicular to the rotation axis of the ink bobbin. There is also a problem that there is a great restriction on the structure of the printer.
[0011]
The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide an ink ribbon device and an image forming apparatus in which a general-purpose IC tag can be used and the IC tag does not fall off during transportation or use. That is. Another object of the present invention is to provide an ink ribbon device and an image forming apparatus that can use a general-purpose IC tag and have a high degree of freedom in arrangement of antennas on the main body side.
[0012]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above object, an ink ribbon device according to the present invention has a first ink bobbin that winds an ink ribbon and a second ink bobbin that winds an ink ribbon fed out from the first ink bobbin. Each of the first and second ink bobbins includes a core portion around which the ink ribbon is wound, and collar portions provided at both ends of the core portion, and each collar portion is applied to the ink ribbon. An ink ribbon device in which a shaft supported by a bearing of the image forming apparatus is implanted when the ink is mounted on an image forming apparatus having means for forming an image on the medium by transferring the ink to the medium;
One of the flanges includes a first member having one surface fixed to the core portion, the shaft is implanted on one surface, and at least a part of the other surface is the first member. A second member in contact with the other surface of the member,
On the other surface of the first member that is perpendicular to the axis, a recess is formed at a position where an axis defined by the center of the axis passes,
The recess includes a communication unit that can transmit data to and from the image forming apparatus in a non-contact manner and that does not have a hole at a position where the axis passes. The communication unit stores It has the means .
[0013]
In order to achieve the other object, the first and second ink bobbins around which the ink ribbon is wound and a second ink bobbin that winds up the ink ribbon fed out from the first ink bobbin are provided. Each of the ink bobbins 2 includes a winding core portion around which the ink ribbon is wound, and flanges provided at both ends of the winding core portion, and the ink applied to the ink ribbon is transferred to the medium on each flange portion. Accordingly, another ink ribbon device of the present invention in which a shaft supported by a bearing of the image forming apparatus is installed when mounted on an image forming apparatus having means for forming an image on the medium.
An annular member is rotatably attached to a shaft implanted in one of the collars, and communication means is capable of transmitting data to and from the image forming apparatus in a non-contact manner on the outer peripheral surface of the annular member. Is fixed.
[0014]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, the present invention will be specifically described with reference to the drawings showing embodiments thereof.
Embodiment 1 FIG.
FIG. 1 shows a configuration of a printer including an ink ribbon device according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. The ink ribbon device according to the first embodiment includes a supply ink bobbin 24, a take-up ink bobbin 27, and an ink ribbon 28 wound around the supply ink bobbin 24. One end of the ink ribbon is fixed to the supply ink bobbin 24 and the other end is fixed to the take-up ink bobbin 27 with double-sided tape or the like.
[0015]
The supply ink bobbin 24 is rotatably and detachably supported by a first bearing 22 provided in the printer main body 21 and a second bearing 23 provided at a position facing the first bearing. The take-up ink bobbin 27 is rotatably and detachably supported by a third bearing 25 provided in the printer main body 21 and a fourth bearing 26 provided at a position facing the third bearing.
[0016]
The printer main body 21 is provided with a gear 29 to drive the winding ink bobbin 27 to rotate. The printer main body 21 is provided with an antenna 30, and the printer main body 21 can communicate with a general-purpose IC tag mounted on the supply ink bobbin 24 by the antenna 30.
[0017]
FIG. 2 shows the configuration of one end of the supply ink bobbin 24. The supply ink bobbin 24 includes a core portion 40 around which the ink ribbon 28 is wound and two flange portions provided at both ends of the core portion 40. As shown in the figure, one flange 31 includes an inner member 31A fixed to the core 40 and an outer member 31B having a support shaft 112 planted at the center.
[0018]
A rectangular recess (recess) 110 is formed on the surface of the inner member 31 </ b> A, and the general-purpose IC tag 1 is accommodated in the recess 110. The outer member 31B and the inner member 31A can be fixed to each other by a rotary snap fit. Specifically, the inner member 31A has four convex portions 111 formed at equal intervals on the peripheral portion, and the outer member 31B has four concave portions 113 formed at equal intervals on the peripheral portion. 111 is made to enter from the notch of the outer member 31B, and is then rotated to engage with the recess 113. Positioning and fixing by snap fitting are performed by the engagement of the convex portion 111 and the concave portion 113. A snap fit is a positioning method and a fixing method using a convex portion on one side and a concave portion on the other, and one or both members bend until each convex portion and the concave portion are engaged. means.
[0019]
According to the present embodiment, the collar portion 31 is divided into the inner member 31A and the outer member 31B, the rectangular recess 110 is formed on the surface of the inner member 31A, and the IC tag is accommodated in the recess 110. A general-purpose product having a rectangular shape can be used for the IC tag. Further, the IC tag does not fall off during transportation or use due to lack of sticking force as in the past.
[0020]
Embodiment 2. FIG.
FIG. 3 shows the configuration of one end of the supply ink bobbin 24 of the ink ribbon apparatus according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention. The supply ink bobbin 24 includes a core portion 40 around which the ink ribbon 28 is wound and two flange portions provided at both ends of the core portion 40. As shown in the drawing, one of the flange portions 32 includes an inner member 32A fixed to the core portion 40 and an outer member 32B having a support shaft 122 planted at the center.
[0021]
A rectangular recess 120 is formed on the surface of the inner member 32 </ b> A, and the general-purpose IC tag 1 is accommodated in the recess 120. The outer member 32B and the inner member 32A have a structure that can be fixed to each other by an insertion-type snap fit. Specifically, the inner member 32A has four claw portions 121 formed at regular intervals on the peripheral portion thereof, and the outer member 32B has four openings 123 inserted at equal intervals on the peripheral portion thereof. The claw portion 121 and the opening 123 are formed and fixed by positioning and snap fitting.
[0022]
Also in this embodiment, the collar portion 32 is divided into the inner member 32A and the outer member 32B, the recess 120 is formed on the surface of the inner member 32A, and the IC tag is accommodated in the recess 120. In addition, a general-purpose product having a rectangular shape can be used. Further, the IC tag does not fall off during transportation or use due to lack of sticking force as in the past.
[0023]
Embodiment 3 FIG.
FIG. 4 shows the configuration of one end of the supply ink bobbin 24 of the ink ribbon apparatus according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention. The supply ink bobbin 24 includes a core portion 40 around which the ink ribbon 28 is wound and two flange portions provided at both ends of the core portion 40. As shown in the figure, one flange 33 includes an inner member 33A fixed to the core 40 and an outer member 33B having a support shaft 132 planted at the center.
[0024]
A rectangular recess 130 is formed on the surface of the inner member 33 </ b> A, and the general-purpose IC tag 1 is accommodated in the recess 130. Four protrusions 131 are formed at equal intervals on the inner member 33A, and four openings 133 are formed at equal intervals on the outer member 33B. The outer member 33B is positioned by these protrusions 131 and openings 133, and further welded and fixed.
[0025]
Also in this embodiment, the flange portion 33 is divided into the inner member 33A and the outer member 33B, the recess 130 is formed on the surface of the inner member 33A, and the IC tag is accommodated in the recess 130. In addition, a general-purpose product having a rectangular shape can be used. Further, the IC tag does not fall off during transportation or use due to lack of sticking force as in the past.
[0026]
Embodiment 4 FIG.
FIG. 5 shows the configuration of one end of the supply ink bobbin 24 of the ink ribbon apparatus according to Embodiment 4 of the present invention. The supply ink bobbin 24 includes a core portion 40 around which the ink ribbon 28 is wound and two flange portions provided at both ends of the core portion 40. As shown in the figure, an annular member 35 is rotatably attached to a support shaft 142 planted on one collar 34.
[0027]
The general-purpose IC tag 1 is attached to the outer peripheral surface of the annular member 35, and a weight portion 36 having a relatively large mass is provided on the inner peripheral surface of the annular member 35. Since the annular member 35 is fixed at a position where the weight portion 36 is always directly below regardless of the rotation of the core portion 40 due to the gravity acting on the weight portion 36, the IC tag is attached as shown in FIG. If the position is set appropriately, the antenna 38 of the printer main body can always be almost directly opposed to the general-purpose IC tag 1.
[0028]
In the present embodiment, the weight member 36 is provided on the annular member 35, and the general-purpose IC tag 1 and the antenna 38 of the printer main body are opposed to each other using the gravity acting on the weight portion 36. Alternatively, a magnetic member such as a magnet may be provided so that the general-purpose IC tag 1 and the antenna 38 of the printer main body face each other using magnetic force.
[0029]
In the present embodiment, the annular member 35 is rotatably attached to the support shaft 142 of the collar portion 34, and the IC tag is fixed to the outer peripheral surface of the annular member 35. Therefore, a rectangular general-purpose product is used for the IC tag. can do. In the present embodiment, in addition to this, since it is not necessary to provide the antenna 38 on the main body on a surface perpendicular to the rotation axis of the ink bobbin, the degree of freedom in arrangement of the antenna of the printer main body is increased.
[0030]
In addition, although the number of the convex part, recessed part, nail | claw part, processus | protrusion, and opening which are used for snap fitting in Embodiment 1-3 is each 4, it is not limited to this, The number as needed These shapes are not limited to those shown in the drawings. Further, the general-purpose IC tag may be fixed or temporarily fixed to the recess with an adhesive. In the first to fourth embodiments, the general-purpose IC tag is mounted on the supply ink bobbin, but may be mounted on the winding ink bobbin.
[0031]
【The invention's effect】
According to the present invention, a general-purpose IC tag is included as an IC tag mounted on an ink ribbon apparatus, including a semiconductor memory in which information on the type of ink ribbon and information for correction of manufacturing variations are written and an antenna for communication with the outside. The IC tag can be used, and there is no risk of the IC tag dropping off during transportation or use. According to the present invention, the degree of freedom in arrangement of the antenna on the main body side can be increased.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a structure of a printer including an ink ribbon device according to a first embodiment of the invention.
FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating the structure of a collar portion that accommodates an IC tag of a supply ink bobbin of the ink ribbon device according to the first embodiment.
FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating the structure of a collar portion that accommodates an IC tag of a supply ink bobbin of an ink ribbon device according to a second embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating the structure of a collar portion that accommodates an IC tag of a supply ink bobbin of an ink ribbon device according to a third embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a structure of an annular member that is rotatably attached to a support shaft of a collar portion of a supply ink bobbin of an ink ribbon device according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.
6 is a diagram illustrating a state in which an IC tag provided on a supply ink bobbin of an ink ribbon apparatus according to Embodiment 4 and an antenna on a printer main body face each other. FIG.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 General-purpose IC tag, 21 Printer main body, 22, 23, 25, 26 Bearing, 24 Supply ink bobbin, 27 Winding ink bobbin, 28 Ink ribbon, 30 Printer main body side antenna, 31, 32, 33, 34 collar part, 35 Annular member, 36 weight part, 38 printer body side antenna, 40 winding core part.

Claims (7)

A first ink bobbin that winds the ink ribbon, and a second ink bobbin that winds up the ink ribbon fed out of the first ink bobbin, each of the first and second ink bobbins having an ink ribbon A winding core portion to be wound and flanges provided at both ends of the core portion are formed, and an image is formed on the medium by transferring the ink applied to the ink ribbon to the medium on each flange portion. In an ink ribbon apparatus in which a shaft supported by a bearing of the image forming apparatus is mounted when the image forming apparatus is mounted on the image forming apparatus.
One of the flanges includes a first member having one surface fixed to the core portion, the shaft is implanted on one surface, and at least a part of the other surface is the first member. A second member in contact with the other surface of the member,
On the other surface of the first member that is perpendicular to the axis, a recess is formed at a position where an axis defined by the center of the axis passes,
The recess includes a communication unit that can transmit data to and from the image forming apparatus in a non-contact manner and that does not have a hole at a position where the axis passes. The communication unit stores an ink ribbon unit being characterized in that a means.   A plurality of convex portions are formed on the other surface of the first member, a plurality of concave portions are formed on the other surface of the second member, and the convex portions and the concave portions are rotated to engage with each other. The ink ribbon device according to claim 1, wherein the first member and the second member are fixed to each other.   A plurality of claw portions are formed on the other surface of the first member, a plurality of openings are formed on the other surface of the second member, and the claw portion is inserted into the opening to The ink ribbon device according to claim 1, wherein the first member and the second member are fixed to each other.   A plurality of protrusions are formed on the other surface of the first member, a plurality of openings are formed on the other surface of the second member, and the protrusions are inserted into the openings and welded to The ink ribbon device according to claim 1, wherein the first member and the second member are fixed to each other.   The ink ribbon device according to claim 1, wherein the communication unit has a substantially rectangular shape. The communication means comprises a semiconductor integrated circuit including an antenna for communicating with the outside via radio waves and a memory as the storage means for storing data to be transmitted to the image forming apparatus. Item 6. The ink ribbon device according to any one of Items 1 to 5.   The ink ribbon apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the memory stores data relating to specifications of the ink ribbon.

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