JPH026176A - Thermal transfer printer - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To facilitate a cartridge detaching operation and a replacement of recording paper or the like by a method wherein a cartridge holding mechanism mounted on an upper cover is made openable so that the cartridge can be loaded on a device body as well as being held on the upper cover. CONSTITUTION:When a cartridge 30 is loaded on a predetermined position of a device body and an upper cover 50 is closed, an engaging part 42 is engaged to an engaging piece 52 and, in this condition, a rotatable lock lever 51 serving as a cartridge holding mechanism is engaged with a lock pin 41. By operating an upper cover release button 62 the upper cover 50 is released. At this time, the cartridge 30 is still loaded on the upper cover 50. Therefore, the cartridge 30 cannot interfere with a replacement of recording paper 21 or a processing operation after the occurrence of jam of the recording paper 21. By operating a cartridge release button 61 simultaneously with the button 62 the cartridge 30 is also unlocked from the upper cover 50 and remains on the device body side, thus being easily detached.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Field of Industrial Application] The present invention relates to a thermal transfer printing device suitable for application to recording means of printers and facsimile machines.

[Background of the Invention] In a facsimile machine, it is necessary to record the received electric number 43 as a visible image on recording paper (roll paper). In this case, ordinary copy paper may be used as the recording paper provided within the apparatus main body, and when ordinary recording paper is used, a thermal transfer printing device is often used as the recording means.

A thermal transfer printing device is a device that records an image by pressing a thermal head onto a recording paper via a transfer film and driving the thermal head in accordance with a print signal.

Therefore, the transfer film can be used in this thermal transfer printing device, but a cartridge type transfer film is also used. This cartridge containing the transfer film is removably loaded into the main body of the facsimile machine.

In this case, there are cases in which the cartridge is fixed within the main body of the apparatus, and cases in which it is fixed in relation to an upper cover that covers the cartridge.

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention] By the way, in a thermal transfer printing device using a transfer film as described above, there are two cases in which the cartridge is fixed to the main body of the device and when it is fixed to the upper cover as described above. Two types are possible.

In the former case, when replacing the recording paper or when a jam occurs in the recording paper, it is necessary to remove the cartridge and perform the corresponding post-processing, which is extremely troublesome.

On the other hand, in the latter case, the cartridge rotates together with the top cover, which has the advantage of making it easier to clean up when replacing the recording paper or when a jam occurs in the recording paper. be.

However, if the cartridge is fixed to the upper cover, it becomes very troublesome to attach and detach the cartridge.

In this way, each configuration has its advantages and disadvantages.

Therefore, the present invention proposes a thermal transfer printing device which easily solves these conventional problems, and which is easy to attach and detach, and in which recording paper and the like can be easily replaced.

[Means for Solving the Problems] In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention uses a cartridge in which a transfer film is stored, and
In a thermal transfer printing device equipped with an openable/closable top cover that covers a cartridge, the top cover has a cartridge holding mechanism so that the cartridge can be placed on the main body of the device and held on the top cover. , the holding mechanism can be opened and closed.

[Function] The upper cover 50 is provided with a rotatable lock lever 51 configured as a cartridge holding mechanism and an engaging element 52. Cartridge 30 containing transfer film 33
, the lock bin 41 corresponds to the lock lever 51,
Engaging portions 42 are provided corresponding to the engaging elements 52, respectively.

When the cartridge 30 is loaded into a predetermined position in the main body of the apparatus and the upper cover 50 is closed, the lock lever 51 is engaged with the lock bin 41 with the engaging part 42 being engaged with the engaging element 52.

When the upper cover release button 62 is operated, the upper cover 50 can be completely opened. At this time, the cartridge 30 is attached to the upper cover 5.
0 (see Figure 5). Therefore, this operation is required when replacing the recording paper 21 or when a jam occurs in the recording paper 21. The cartridge 3°0 does not interfere with post-processing operations.

When the cartridge release button 61 is operated at the same time, the lock of the cartridge 30 with respect to the upper cover 50 is also released, and the cartridge 30 remains in the main body of the apparatus (see FIG. 4). This operation is performed when replacing the cartridge 30, and the operation of attaching and detaching the cartridge 30 is extremely easy.

[Example] Next, an example of the thermal transfer printing device according to the present invention, when applied to the recording means in the above-mentioned facsimile machine, will be described in detail with reference to FIG. 1 and subsequent figures.

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing the entire facsimile machine to which the present invention is applied.

In the facsimile device 1 shown in the same figure, 2 indicates a device housing (case) in the form of a flat device, and a mounting table 73 on which a document is placed is formed in the upper center of the case. By being retracted into the inside of the device housing 2,
The image information is converted into an electrical signal by the image reading means 10 (see FIG. 2), and the electrical signal 48 is sent to the other party via a communication line. The manuscript is
Paper is ejected from the lower front side of the housing 2.

A display device 80 functioning as an operation display section is provided on the upper front side of the casing 2.

The display device 80 includes an operation section 81 consisting of a numeric keypad, etc.
A display section 82 for displaying telephone numbers and the like is also provided adjacent to the display section 82 . As the display section 82, a liquid crystal or the like is normally used.

The display device 80 is provided with a plurality of dial keys (direct dial keys) 83 that are used when using abbreviated numbers, etc., and these dial keys are arranged adjacent to the plurality of dial keys 83. An index sheet 84 displaying the destination of the transmission is attached corresponding to each of the numbers 83.

As shown in FIG. 2, the facsimile apparatus 1 includes a case (main body) 2 housing an optical document reading means 10 and a recording means 20 for recording received image data on recording paper.

Document (including identification sheet) 1 placed on document table 73
9 is fed to the optical reading means 10.

The document 19 that has entered the main body of the apparatus is first fed downward by the feed roller 4. And JJI: paper roller 5
During the period from 7 to 7, the paper type is determined and the document image is read.

Therefore, a fluorescent lamp 11 is provided between the feed roller 4 and the discharge rollers 5 to 7, and its light illuminates the surface of the document. The reflected light (optical image information) obtained by this
A pair of mirrors 12 and 13 arranged on the bottom side of the case 2
, the light is guided to the image reading element 15 via the lens system 14.

In the image reading element 15, the optical image information can be converted into an electric number 43, that is, an image signal. The image signal passes through an image processing system (not shown), is stored in memory, or is sent out to a communication line.

As the image reading element 15, a line sensor made of a charge transfer element such as a CCD or the like may be used.

Reference numeral 17 indicates a board on which the CCD 15 is mounted.

The document is fed downward at a predetermined speed, and in the embodiment, image information is read line by line and sequentially converted into image signals.

The document fed out at a predetermined speed is held between paper discharge rollers 5 to 7, and is discharged from the front bottom side of the case 2 to a tray (not shown) for a document tray in this example.

Next, the recording means 20 will be explained.

The recording means 20 is a means for reproducing the information as a visible image on recording paper based on the received image No. 48.

The recording means 20 is provided above the rear of the case 2.

Therefore, there is a roll paper (recording paper) 2 in the center of case 2.
1 is rotatably stored, and this recording paper 21 is sent out to the platen roller 22 side.

A recording element 23 is arranged on the upper surface of the platen roller 22 so as to be in sliding contact with the outer peripheral surface of this roller. As the recording element 23, a linear thermal head is used.

Therefore, when the recording paper 21 that has been conveyed to the upper surface of the platen roller 22 passes the thermal head 23, the incoming image information is recorded.

When the recording paper 21 on which image information has been recorded has been fed a predetermined length, the automatic cutter device 24 is driven to automatically cut the rear end of the recording paper 21. Therefore, this automatic cutter device 24 has blades 26a and 26b for cutting paper.

The automatically cut recording paper 21 is discharged onto a paper discharge tray (not shown) attached to the rear of the case 2.

The above-mentioned recording paper 21 is a normal recording paper, and therefore the recording means 20 is configured as a thermal transfer printing device.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, this printing device 20 is composed of a cartridge 30 containing a transfer film 33 and a thermal head (transfer head) 23, and a loading section for a cartridge 3o is provided at the rear upper part of the housing 2. 29 (FIG. 5) is provided.

As the transfer film 33, an ink film coated with heat-fusible ink or sublimation ink can be used.

As shown in FIG. 4, the thermal head 23 is fixedly attached to the lower surface of the upper cover (receiving door) 50 at approximately the center thereof. 55 is a means for attaching the heat sensitive head 23, and a spring 56 is interposed between the means 55 and the thermal head 23, so that the heat sensitive head 23 is applied almost uniformly over the entire circumferential surface of the platen roller 22. It is designed to make pressure contact.

Guide plates 57 are provided on both sides of the thermal head 23.
An engagement recess 57a as shown in the figure is formed approximately in the center thereof. The engagement recess 57a is configured to engage with the rotating shaft of the platen roller 22, thereby positioning the thermal head 23 with respect to the platen roller 22.

The above-mentioned cartridge 30 is installed in the sixth position so that the thermal head 23 can face the platen roller 22 from the top side of the cartridge 30.
It is constructed as shown in FIG.

The case 36 of the cartridge 30 is formed as a flat body with a hollow central body 35, and as is clear from FIG.
and a take-up reel shaft 32 are pivotally supported, and these shafts 31 .
A transfer film 33 is stretched between 32.

Each shaft 31, 32 has a shaft cylinder portion 37.3, respectively, as shown in FIG.
8, but there are window holes 37a and 38a in each.
are formed, and these window holes 37a.

The transfer film 33 is run through 38a.

As a result, the transfer film 33 runs on the lower surface side of the case 36. Further, the lower surface side is cut off with a recess 34 so as not to collide with the platen roller 22 (FIG. 4).

Further, a reference abutment surface is formed on the cartridge 30 so that the cartridge 30 is always loaded in a predetermined position. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4, one shaft cylindrical portion 37 is formed with an abutting recess 44, and the other shaft cylindrical portion 38 has its outer surface used as a reference surface.

On the other hand, abutting pins 45 and 46 are installed in the main body of the device, and when loaded as shown in the figure, by abutting against each other,
The cartridge 30 is loaded while being reliably positioned at a predetermined position.

The cartridge 30 is loaded as shown in FIG. 4, but when the upper cover 50 is closed, the upper cover 50 is
A portion of the cartridge holding mechanism is provided so that the cartridge 30 is locked. When the upper cover 50 is in the closed state, the case 3 of the cartridge 30 is
6 is pressed toward the main body of the apparatus, the cartridge 30 is loaded into the main body of the apparatus without play.

When the upper cover 50 is opened, the mounting state of the cartridge 30 differs depending on the purpose.

In this example, when the cartridge is replaced, the lid is opened as shown in FIG. 4, and when the recording paper is replaced or when a jam occurs in the recording paper 21, the lid is opened as shown in FIG. 5.

Therefore, first, in the case 36 of the cartridge 30,
A lock bin 41 is pivotally supported at a predetermined position on the upper surface thereof, in this example, at a predetermined position on the left rain side surface as shown in FIG. 4, so as to protrude outward. Engagement portions 42 each having a cut structure as shown in the drawings are formed at predetermined positions on the right rain side surface.

On the other hand, the upper cover 50 is provided with a date lever 51, which is a part of the cartridge holding mechanism, and an engaging member 52, which is a bent piece, at corresponding positions.

Then, a predetermined position of the apparatus main body, in this example, the upper cover 501
1/) Place the lock lever at a position close to the opposite side of the co-moving fulcrum.
47, and a lock bin 58 is installed on the upper cover 50 opposite to this.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 1, a cartridge release button 61 is provided on the top surface of the case 2, which is interlocked with one of the lock levers 51 provided on the upper cover 50. -47 is provided with an opening/closing button 62 for the upper cover. Note that 63 is an opening/closing button for opening/closing the front panel on which the display bag fif80 is provided.

When the thermal transfer printing device 20 is configured in this way, when loading the cartridge 30, the upper cover opening/closing button 6 is pressed.
2 to unlock the upper cover 50, the upper cover 50 opens as shown in FIG. In this state, the cartridge 30 is loaded into the loading section 29. At this time,
The action of the abutment pins 45 and 46 ensures that the cartridge 30 is loaded in place.

When the ball cover 50 is closed after loading, the engaging portion 42 is engaged with the engaging element 52, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3.
The lock bin 41 is completely locked to the own lever 51. At the same time, the lock bin 58 comes into contact with the lock lever 47 and is locked, so that the upper cover 50 itself is locked to the main body of the apparatus.

In this state, the thermal head 23 is attached to the transfer film 33.
Since the recording paper 21 comes into contact with the platen roller 22 through the recording paper 21, predetermined information is printed on the recording paper 21. At this time, the transfer film 33 is wound up at a predetermined speed.

Next, when the upper cover opening/closing button 62 is operated, the lock lever 47 is operated and the upper cover 50 is completely unlocked, so that the upper cover 5o is opened.

At this time, since the cartridge 3o is not unlocked, the lid is opened as shown in FIG.

Therefore, when replacing the recording paper 21 or when a jam occurs in the recording paper 21, close the upper cover 5 as shown in FIG.
If the lid is opened, these processes can be carried out without any problems.

When the cartridge opening/closing button 61 is operated at the same time as the upper cover opening/closing button 62, the lock lever 51 also rotates, so that the lock of the cartridge 30 with respect to the upper cover 50 is released at the same time.

Therefore, the subsequent lid open state will be as shown in FIG.

This operation mode is a cartridge 30 exchange mode. Since the cartridge 30 can be removed once without being obstructed by the upper cover 50, it can be easily replaced.

[Effects of the Invention] As described above, according to the present invention, a thermal head is attached to the upper cover, and a rotatable a lever and an engaging portion are provided at a predetermined position of the upper cover.
A lock bin is installed in the case facing the lock lever, and an engaging member is provided at a position facing the engaging portion.

According to this, when replacing the cartridge, the cartridge can be easily replaced without being disturbed by the upper cover.

Further, when replacing the recording paper or when a jam occurs in the recording paper, it is extremely easy to replace the recording paper because it is not obstructed by the cartridge. It has features not available in the past, such as being able to smoothly clear jams.

Therefore, the thermal transfer printing device according to the present invention is extremely suitable for application to recording means used in the above-mentioned facsimile machine.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an outline of a facsimile machine to which a thermal transfer printing device according to the present invention is applied, FIG. 2 is a sectional view thereof, FIG. 3 is an enlarged sectional view of the main parts thereof, and FIGS. 4 and 5. 6 is an enlarged sectional view of the main part showing the upper bar in an open state, FIG. 6 is a partial sectional view of the cartridge, and FIG. 7 is a sectional view taken along line A-A. 1... Facsimile device 2... Case 10... Reading means 20... Thermal transfer printing device (recording means) 21... Recording paper 22... Platen roller 23... Thermal head 29... Loading section 30... Cartridge 33... Transfer film 41 + 58... Lock bin 42... Engagement element 52... Engagement section 47.51... Lock lever 50... Upper cover patent applicant Konica Co., Ltd.

Claims (1)

[Claims] (1) In a thermal transfer printing device that uses a cartridge containing a transfer film and is equipped with an openable and closable upper cover that covers the cartridge, the upper cover has a cartridge holding mechanism and the cartridge is placed on the main body of the device. A thermal transfer printing device characterized in that the holding mechanism is made openable and closable so as to enable both placement and holding on the upper cover.