JPH0516353B2 - - Google Patents

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention [Field of Industrial Application] The present invention relates to a ribbon lift mechanism and a printing hammer pressing mechanism for an ink ribbon for printing and a collection ribbon for correction of printing in a printing device such as a typewriter or printer. The present invention relates to a thermal transfer printing device equipped with the following.

[Prior Art] Generally speaking, impact type typewriters and printers that use ribbons are equipped with two types of ribbons: a printing ribbon and a correction ribbon for correcting erroneously printed characters. It's getting more and more common. In particular, having two types of ribbons, a printing ribbon and a correction ribbon, eliminates the need to erase accidentally printed characters with an eraser, etc.
By printing the same character in the incorrectly printed position using a correction ribbon,
This is very convenient for the operator because it can automatically erase characters printed by mistake.

Conventional devices of this type include a drive source (solenoid or motor) equipped with a link mechanism that moves the ink ribbon for printing up and down, a drive source such as a solenoid that feeds the ink ribbon, and a drive source for correcting printing. There are ribbon lift mechanisms and feeding mechanisms that include a drive source (solenoid or motor) equipped with a link mechanism etc. that moves the collection ribbon up and down, and a drive source such as a solenoid that feeds the collection ribbon.

On the other hand, typewriters and printers using the thermal transfer method used in office equipment use a display device in conjunction with the display device to confirm the characters, correct any errors in the characters, and then print.

[Problems to be solved by the invention] The conventional ribbon lift mechanism and feeding mechanism for the ink ribbon for printing and the collection ribbon for correction of printing described above are such that the ribbon for printing and the collection ribbon for correction of printing are Since the components are separate, they occupy a large space, and the complexity of the structure of the power transmission mechanism increases the number of related parts, requiring a large number of man-hours for assembly. In a structure in which a ribbon lift mechanism and a ribbon case are mounted on a carriage, economical problems such as an increase in the size of the carriage and high manufacturing costs remain unresolved.

On the other hand, thermal transfer type typewriters and printers require high equipment costs because they also use a display, so thermal transfer type typewriters and printers that use collection ribbons are desired as popular models.

This invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned conventional problems, and includes two support members that move the ink ribbon and the collection ribbon up and down between an operating position and a rest position, which are rotatable around a rotating shaft provided in a carriage. A thermal head support member having a thermal head is rotatably supported on another rotating shaft of the carriage, and the ink ribbon and collection ribbon are rotated in the forward and reverse directions of cam bodies that engage with the respective support members. It is an object of the present invention to provide a compact and inexpensive thermal transfer printing device by lifting each thermal head to an operating position to solve the conventional problems.

[Means for Solving the Problems] The thermal transfer printing device according to the present invention includes a carriage 10 that is movable along a platen.
and a thermal head support member 15 having a thermal head and supporting the thermal head on a carriage so as to be rotatable about a horizontal axis in an operating position facing the platen and a rest position remote therefrom.
and an ink ribbon support member 3 that holds an ink ribbon and supports the ink ribbon on a carriage so as to be rotatable about a horizontal axis between an operating position facing the thermal head and a rest position remote from the thermal head.
and a collection ribbon support member 9 that holds a collection ribbon and supports the collection ribbon on a carriage so as to be rotatable about a horizontal axis in an operating position facing the thermal head and a rest position spaced apart from the thermal head. , a camshaft 2 having a rotational axis along the direction of movement of the carriage, slidably passing through the carriage in the axial direction, and rotatably supported on the frame of the printer body;
7, drive means 24, 25, and 26 fixed to the frame of the printer body and connected to the camshaft so as to be rotatable between forward and reverse rotation positions; a cam body 31 possibly supported on a carriage;
The cam body includes a first cam 28 which is disposed opposite to the ink ribbon support member and is capable of moving and holding the ink ribbon support member in the operating position by rotation of the camshaft to the forward rotation position, and a collection ribbon support member. A second cam body 29 is arranged opposite to the cam body 29 and can move and hold the collection ribbon support member in the operating position by rotating the camshaft to the reverse rotation position.
and a third cam body 30 which is disposed opposite to the thermal head support member and is capable of moving and holding the thermal head support member in the operating position by rotating the camshaft to both forward and reverse rotational positions. .

[Function] The thermal transfer printing device of the present invention includes an ink ribbon support member 3 and a collection ribbon 4 that move the ink ribbon 2 up and down between an operating position and a rest position.
A collection ribbon support member 9 that moves the collection ribbon up and down between an operating position and a rest position is rotatable about a rotating shaft 11 provided in a carriage 10, and a thermal head support member 15 having a thermal head 14 is attached to another part of the carriage 10. It is rotatably supported on a rotating shaft 16.

The camshaft 27 is slidably penetrated through the carriage in the axial direction and is rotatably supported on the printer body frame; A cam body 31 having a first cam 28, a second cam 29, and a third cam 30 that can move and hold the collection ribbon support member and the thermal head support member in the operating position, and a cam body 31 that is connected to the camshaft and can be moved in forward and reverse directions. A rotatable drive means fixed to the frame of the printer body is provided, and the ink ribbon, collection ribbon, and thermal head are each movable by forward and reverse rotation of the camshaft. As a result, only the ink ribbon is lifted during printing, and only the collection ribbon is lifted during collection, and at the same time, the thermal head is brought into contact with each ribbon to perform printing and erasing.

[Example] The thermal transfer typewriter and printer according to the present invention performs printing by sandwiching an ink ribbon between a thermal head and a printing paper (the thermal head presses the ink ribbon in front of the printing paper) and printing on a substrate. In a thermal head having a plurality of heat generating elements made of thermally independent semiconductors or the like, the heat generating elements are driven so that the thermal head generates heat according to a certain information pattern.

The heat generated at this time melts the heat-melting ink applied to the ribbon base (for example, a heat-resistant film such as polyester) onto the printing paper, or prints (transfers) it by baking it. be. This product has excellent features such as low noise due to thermal transfer, simple mechanism, and low cost. Therefore, if you lift the ink ribbon for printing and the collection ribbon for collection (erasing), and attach them separately in front of the printing paper to drive the heating element, the heat transfer of the thermal head will be improved. ,
Clear printing and clear erasing are possible.
Thermal collection is a cover-up type in which hot-melting white ink is pasted, melted or baked onto the printing paper using the heat of a thermal head, and the print is reversely transferred onto a collection ribbon using the heat of a thermal head. There is also a lift-off type.

Identical components are designated by the same reference numerals, and the thermal transfer printing apparatus of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the external appearance of a thermal transfer printing device of the present invention mounted on a carriage;
2 is a side view showing the rest position of those of FIG. 1; FIG.

1 and 2, reference numeral 1 denotes an ink ribbon cassette having an ink ribbon 2 for printing, and the ink ribbon cassette 1 includes a base 3 of an ink ribbon support member 3 having a tongue piece 3b projecting downward.
Detachably attached to a.

Reference numeral 4 denotes a collection ribbon, and the collection ribbon 4 is wound from a collection spool 5 on the delivery side via ribbon guides 6 and 7 to a collection spool 8 on the winding side. However,
The collection spools 5, 8 and ribbon guides 6, 7 on the sending side and winding side have bases 9 on both sides.
It is removably attached to the base 9a of the collection ribbon support member 9, which has a connecting rod 9b connecting the bases 9a thereof. Further, a tongue piece 9c is provided at either end of the base portion 9a. (The base on the right side in FIG. 1) The ink ribbon support member 3 and the collection ribbon support member 9 described above are rotated around rotation shafts 11 as horizontal axes provided on both sides of a carriage frame 10 (hereinafter referred to as the carriage). Rotatably mounted.

Further, the ink ribbon 2 and the collection ribbon 4 described above are arranged between the printing paper 13 in front of the platen 12 and a thermal head to be described later.

Reference numeral 14 denotes a thermal head having a plurality of heating elements, and the thermal head 14 is attached to a thermal head support member 15. The thermal head support member 15 has a sliding ring 15a below it, and a rotating shaft 16 as a horizontal axis provided on the carriage 10.
It is pivotably supported for rotation around the center.

17 is a spring installed between one end of the thermal head support member 15 and the carriage 10; 18 is a spring installed between the ink ribbon support member 3 and the carriage 10; and 19 is a spring installed between the ink ribbon support member 3 and the carriage 10.
is a spring installed between the collection ribbon support member 9 and the carriage 10.

Further, 21 is an ink ribbon feed gear, and the shaft of the ink ribbon feed gear 21 is connected to an ink ribbon roller 20 that winds up the ink ribbon 2 contained in the ink ribbon cassette 1. 22
is a collection ribbon feed gear, and the shaft of the collection ribbon feed gear 22 is connected to the collection spool 8 on the take-up side. The ink ribbon feed gear 21 and the collection ribbon feed gear 22 move together with the carriage 10, which is moved in the direction of the platen 12 by a carriage motor (not shown), and are rotated by meshing with a feed rack 23 fixed to the frame of the printer (not shown). It's getting old.

Therefore, when the carriage 10 moves, the ink ribbon feed gear 21 and the collection ribbon feed gear 22 independently engage with the feed rack 23 to rotate the ink ribbon 2 and the collection ribbon 4. are configured to be wound individually.

On the other hand, 24 is a drive source (hereinafter referred to as a motor) fixed to the frame of the printer main body, 25 is a gear attached to the output shaft of the motor 24, 26 is a gear that meshes with the gear 25, and the gear 26 is a rectangular recessed part. 27a is fixed to one end of a camshaft 27 which is rotatably supported on the printer frame provided in the direction of the platen.
Note that the drive source 24 and the gears 25 and 26 form a drive means.

The camshaft 27 is located between the inner walls of the carriage 10 in the platen direction.
The first cam 2 shown in FIG.
8. A projecting edge 3 extending through the inner circumference of a cam body 31 having a second cam 29 and a third cam 30 arranged side by side on the outer circumference.
While inserting the cam body 31 so that the cam body 1a is engaged with the cam body 31,
The bearings 27b are loosely fitted on both sides of the carriage 10.
When the cam body 31 is pivotally supported by the camshaft 2
It becomes possible to slide and rotate along 7.

Thus, when the driving means is rotated in the forward and reverse directions, the first cam 2 is rotated by the rotation of the camshaft 27.
The outer peripheral edge of 8 is the tongue piece 3 of the ink ribbon support member 3.
b, so that the ink ribbon supporting member can be moved and held in the operating position, and the outer peripheral edge of the second cam 29 is in contact with the tongue piece 9c of the collection ribbon supporting member 9, so that the collection supporting member can be moved and held in the operating position. The outer peripheral edge of the third cam 30 comes into contact with the sliding ring 15a of the thermal head support member 15, so that the thermal head support member can be moved to the operating position. In this way, the contact positions of these cams are set to the home position state (hereinafter referred to as the rest position) shown in FIG.

The shapes of the first cam 28, second cam 29, and third cam 30 described above are shown in FIG. 5b, and
For example, the shape is set to draw the cam timing characteristic diagram shown in FIG. In FIG. 6, 28a
29a is a characteristic diagram of the first cam 28, 29a is a characteristic diagram of the second cam 29, and 30a is a characteristic diagram of the third cam 30. FIG.

The operation of this invention configured in this way will be explained.

There is now a thermal transfer printing device in a rest position before printing or before collection as shown in FIG.

First, the motor 24 shown in FIG. 1 is rotated by a keyboard input (not shown) and an external input (for example, a print input from the outside via an interface), and the camshaft 27 is moved to the forward rotation position shown in FIG. 3 via gears 25 and 26, for example. (hereinafter referred to as counterclockwise). This rotation of the camshaft 27 causes the cam body 31 to move as shown by the solid line arrow (counterclockwise) in FIG.
(The rotation of the motor 24 rotates the cam body 31 about a half turn and then stops). Therefore, as shown in the cam timing characteristic diagram 28a in FIG. 6, from the home position (ink ribbon rest position) to the ink ribbon operating position, and as shown in the cam timing characteristic diagram 30a, the thermal head rest position (home position) to the thermal head operating position. Due to the rotation of the first and third cams 28 and 30, the tongue piece 3b of the ink ribbon support member 3 is pushed up substantially vertically against the elastic force of the spring 18, so that the ink ribbon support member 3 The ink ribbon 2 is rotated clockwise around the rotating shaft 11 to lift the ink ribbon 2 to the operating (printing) position.

At the same time, the sliding ring 15a of the thermal head support member 15 is pulled by the elastic force of the spring 17, rotates counterclockwise about the rotation shaft 16, and moves the thermal head 14 through the ink ribbon 2 to the front of the platen 12. It comes to be pressed against the printing paper 13 located at .

As described above, a printable state is achieved, and this state is shown in FIG. 3 (ink ribbon lifted state).
During this period, when the cam body 31 makes approximately half a rotation in the counterclockwise direction, the second cam 29 is brought into contact with the lowest portion (the outer peripheral portion of the cam body 31) so as not to lift the collection ribbon 4.

Next, when printing is completed, the motor 24 rotates in the opposite direction to when the ink ribbon is lifted. Accordingly, the cam body 31 rotates approximately half a turn in the direction of the dotted arrow (clockwise) shown in FIG. 3 and returns to the rest position shown in FIG. 2.

At this time, the thermal head support member 15 having the thermal head 14 moves from the thermal head operating position to the thermal head rest position as shown in the cam timing characteristic diagram 30a of FIG.
Since the thermal head 14 is forcibly returned to the rest position shown in FIG. 2 against the elastic force of the spring 17 due to the force of 0, the thermal head 14 is separated (released) from the printing paper 13 and the ink ribbon 2. Further, as shown in the cam timing characteristic diagram 28a in FIG. 6, the ink ribbon 2 is returned to the rest position from the ink ribbon operating position to the ink ribbon rest position by the elastic force of the spring 18. Next, the collection (erased)
At times, the motor 24 is rotated by keyboard input and external input, and the cam body 31 is rotated to the reverse rotation position (hereinafter referred to as clockwise) in FIG. 4 by the rotation of the camshaft 27 via the gears 25 and 26.
Due to this rotation of the camshaft 27, the cam body 31
rotates approximately half a turn in the direction of the solid line arrow (clockwise) in FIG. 4 and then stops.

Therefore, the cam timing characteristic diagram 29 in FIG.
From the rest position to the collection ribbon operating position as shown in Fig. 30a, and from the cam timing characteristic diagram 30a.
The thermal head is moved from the rest position to the operating position as shown in FIG. Due to the rotation of the second and third cams 29 and 30, the tongue piece 9c of the collection ribbon support member 9 is pushed up substantially vertically against the elastic force of the spring 19.
The collection ribbon support member 9 rotates clockwise about the rotation shaft 11 to support the collection ribbon 4.
Lift to the active (erasing) position. At the same time, the sliding ring 15a of the thermal head support member 15
is pulled by the elastic force of the spring 17, and the rotating shaft 1
6 in a counterclockwise direction, the thermal head 14 is pressed against the printing paper 13 in front of the platen 12 via the collection ribbon 4.

This state is shown in FIG. 4 (collection ribbon lifted state). During this time, when the cam body 31 rotates approximately half a turn in the clockwise direction, the first cam 28 is brought into contact with the lowest portion (outer circumference of the cam body 31) so as not to lift the ink ribbon 2.

Next, when the collection is completed, the motor 24 rotates in the opposite direction to that during the collection lift. Therefore, the cam body 31 rotates about half a turn in the direction of the dotted arrow (counterclockwise) shown in FIG. 4 and returns to the rest position shown in FIG. 2. At this time, the thermal head support member 15 having the thermal head 14 moves from the thermal head operating position to the thermal head resting position by the elasticity of the third cam 30 and the spring 17, as shown in the cam timing characteristic diagram 30a of FIG. second by force
The thermal head 1 will return to the rest position shown in the figure.
4 is separated from the printing paper 13 and the collection ribbon 4. Further, as shown in the sixth cam timing characteristic diagram 29a, the collection ribbon 4 is returned to the rest position from the collection ribbon operating position to the collection ribbon rest position by the elastic force of the spring 19.

Also, when the carriage moves without performing printing or collection of tabs, carriage returns, back spaces, spacing, etc., the ink ribbon support member 3 and collection ribbon support member 9 are located at the rest position as shown in FIG. In order to do this, the ink ribbon feed gear 21 and the collection ribbon feed gear 22 are separated from the feed rack 23 and are not connected, so that the ink ribbon 2 and the collection ribbon 4 are not fed.

In the above-described configuration, during printing, the cam body 3
1 to the forward rotation position (counterclockwise) about half a turn,
It has been mentioned that the cam body 31 is rotated approximately half a turn to the reverse rotation position (clockwise) during correction, but this rotation direction is also in the normal rotation position (clockwise).
It may also be performed in reverse, such as in a reverse rotation position (counterclockwise). In addition, the square-shaped recessed part 27 of the camshaft 27
The shape a may be any shape, such as a D-cut or a square shape, as long as the cam sleeper 31 can be rotated.

As described above, it goes without saying that some design changes may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention.

[Effects of the Invention] As described above, the thermal transfer printing device of the present invention includes a camshaft that is rotatably supported on the frame of the printer body, and a camshaft that is connected to the camshaft and is rotatable between a forward rotation position and a reverse rotation position. A first cam 2 that can move and hold an ink ribbon support member in an operating position by rotating a camshaft to a forward rotation position and a drive means fixed to the printer frame.
8 and the camshaft rotate to the reverse rotation position, the collection ribbon support member can be moved and held in the operating position.By rotating the second cam body 29 and the camshaft to both forward and reverse rotation positions, the thermal member can be moved and held in the operation position. Since the ink ribbon, collection ribbon, and thermal head are in a position separated from the platen and printing paper at the rest position, printing and erasing are not possible. Can be easily checked by the operator. In addition, the first, second, and third cams are rotated by one motor, thereby lifting the ink ribbon and the collection ribbon, and the winding of the ink ribbon and the collection ribbon is simple. Therefore,
These driving sources are significantly reduced and simplified compared to the conventional example.

In addition, since the drive means is attached to the outside of the carriage, the overall weight of the carriage can be reduced, and the capacity of the carriage's moving motor can also be reduced, and the camshaft also serves as a guide shaft for the carriage. For this reason, each structure is consolidated and the entire device can be downsized, resulting in an excellent economical effect in which manufacturing costs can be reduced.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the external appearance of the thermal transfer printing device of the present invention mounted on a carriage, and FIG.
3 is a side view showing the ink ribbon lift state of the present invention; FIG. 4 is a side view showing the collection ribbon lift state of the present invention. Side view,
5a and 5b are perspective views of the cam body of the present invention and side views showing the shapes of the first, second and third cams, and FIG. 6 is a side view showing the shapes of the first, second and third cams of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a cam timing characteristic diagram of the cam of FIG.

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claims] 1. A carriage 10 movable along the platen, and having a thermal head, the thermal head being rotatable about a horizontal axis between an operating position facing the platen and a rest position remote therefrom. a thermal head support member 15 supported on a carriage; and an ink support member 15 for holding an ink ribbon and supporting the ink ribbon rotatably about a horizontal axis between an operating position facing the thermal head and a rest position spaced apart from the operating position. a ribbon support member 3; a collection ribbon support member 9 that holds a collection ribbon and supports the collection ribbon on a carriage so as to be rotatable about a horizontal axis in an operating position facing the thermal head and a rest position spaced apart therefrom; A camshaft 27 having a rotational axis along the direction of movement of the carriage, slidably passing through the carriage in the axial direction, and rotatably supported on the frame of the printer body.
and driving means 24, 25, 26 which are fixed to the frame of the printer main body and connected to the camshaft so as to be rotatable between a forward rotation position and a reverse rotation position, and drive means 24, 25, 26 which are slidable in the axial direction of the camshaft and rotatable together with the camshaft. and a cam body 31 supported on a carriage, the cam body being arranged opposite to the ink ribbon support member and capable of moving and holding the ink ribbon support member in the operating position by rotation of the camshaft to the forward rotation position. cam 2
8, a second cam body 29 disposed opposite to the collection ribbon support member and capable of moving and holding the collection ribbon support member in the operating position by rotating the camshaft to a reverse rotation position; and a camshaft disposed opposite to the thermal head support member. and a third cam body 30 that can move and hold the thermal head support member in the operating position by rotating the thermal head support member to both forward and reverse rotational positions. 2. A feed rack 23 fixed to the frame of the printer, and an ink ribbon roller 2 that winds up the ink ribbon 2 built into the ink ribbon cassette 1.
an ink ribbon feed gear 21 connected to 0;
a collection ribbon feed gear 22 connected to a take-up side collection spool 8 for winding the collection ribbon 4;
0 movement, the ink ribbon field gear is connected to the feed rack only during printing, and the collection ribbon feed gear is connected to the feed rack only during erasing to wind up the ink ribbon and the collection ribbon. A thermal transfer printing device according to claim 1.