JPH0344539Y2 - - Google Patents

Description

[Detailed description of the invention] [Industrial field of application] The invention consists of an ink ribbon in which multiple different colors of ink are applied in the width direction of the ribbon inside a case;
The present invention relates to a multi-color ink ribbon cartridge provided with a feed roll that presses against and drives the ink ribbon.

[Conventional technology]

Although this type of multi-color ink ribbon cartridge allows multi-color printing with one cartridge, it has the disadvantage that the different color inks applied to the ink ribbon mix with each other as it is used.

The cause of this color mixing is that due to pressure contact between the feed roll and the ink ribbon, liquid ink from the ink ribbon adheres to the ribbon contact surface of the feed roll, and this adhered ink flows on the surface of the feed roll, causing ink of a different color adjacent to This is because the contact surface portion corresponding to the application portion is reached.

Therefore, conventionally, as a measure to suppress such color mixing caused by the feed roll, as shown in FIG. It was divided into a plurality of parts in the direction, and the width w ₄ of each of these divided contact surface parts 50 was configured to be narrower than the ink application width w ₃ of one color to which they correspond (I cannot provide any literature).

[Problem that the invention attempts to solve]

In the case of this conventional multi-color ink ribbon cartridge, the width of the circumferential groove 51 located between the adjacent divided contact surface portions 50, 50 of the feed roll 4, in other words, the width of the circumferential groove 51 located between the adjacent divided contact surface portions 50, 50, and the lower edge of each divided contact surface portion 50, respectively. By configuring the distance _l1 between the lower boundary line of the ink application part that comes into contact with the ink ribbon to be larger than the gap width b between the side of the ink ribbon R and the corresponding inner surface of the case C, the ink ribbon can be Even if R swings in the width direction, and even if the feed roll 4 swings in the direction of its rotation axis, each divided contact surface portion 50 of the feed roll 4 contacts the ink application portion of a different color of the adjacent ink ribbon R. It was believed that this could be prevented.

However, this measure alone was still insufficient, and caused color mixing between the inks applied to the ink ribbon R.

The reason for this is that the width of the ribbon contact surface 50 of the feed roll 4 is short and its maximum outer width dimension w is also smaller than the ribbon width _w0 , so that the end surface of the feed roll 4 and the inner surface of the case C are The end of the ink ribbon R protruding from the ribbon contact surface 50 of the feed roll 4 in the width direction of the ribbon enters the gap that exists between the ribbons and is bent. Therefore, even if the ink ribbon R swings in the width direction, the sides of the ink ribbon R may no longer come into contact with the inner surface of the case C, or even if they do, they may slide along the inner surface of the case C. Put it away. the result,
The action of the inner surface of the case C to prevent the ink ribbon R from swaying had stopped working at all. Due to these reasons, as shown in FIG.
may swing beyond the above-mentioned gap _l1 , and each divided contact surface portion 50 of the feed roll 4 comes into contact with the ink application portion of a different color on the adjacent ink ribbon R, causing color mixing of ink in this portion. Ta.

An object of the present invention is to reliably prevent color mixing of inks applied to an ink ribbon by rationally modifying the feed roll.

[Means for solving problems]

In the multi-color ink ribbon cartridge according to the present invention, the ribbon contact surface of the feed roll is divided into a plurality of parts in the ribbon width direction, and each of the divided contact surface parts has a width smaller than the ink application width of one color to which they correspond. The present invention is characterized in that the ribbon contact surface of the feed roll has a maximum outer width dimension that is approximately the same as or larger than the ribbon width, and the resulting effects and effects are as follows.
The effects are as follows.

[Effect]

Since the maximum outer width dimension of the ribbon contacting surface of the feed roll is configured to be approximately the same as or larger than the ribbon width, when the ink ribbon is in the normal winding posture, the sides of the ink ribbon do not bend. , in a straight line along the ribbon contact surface of the feed roll. When the ink ribbon swings in the width direction in this state, the side portions of the ink ribbon that protrude in the ribbon width direction from the ribbon contact surface of the feed roll are bent by the tension, but the curvature is very large. Therefore, by the time the protruding side portion of the ink ribbon enters between the end face of the feed roll and the inner surface of the case, it comes into contact with the inner surface of the case at a large crossing angle, and the deflection of the ink ribbon is restricted.

[Effect of idea]

As a result, the deflection of the ink ribbon in the width direction can be controlled using the inner surface of the case, and the width of each divided contact surface portion of the feed roll is larger than the corresponding ink application width of one color. The synergistic effect of the narrow configuration makes it possible to reliably prevent color mixing caused by each divided contact surface portion of the feed roll coming into contact with an ink application portion of a different color on an adjacent ink ribbon. Moreover, the above-mentioned object could be achieved by simply modifying the width of the ribbon contact surface of the feed roll as described above.

[Example] Hereinafter, an example of the present invention will be described based on the drawings.

FIG. 4 shows a multicolor ink ribbon cartridge, which consists of a pair of left and right ribbon guide arms 1.
The case C includes a main body case 1 made of synthetic resin, in which the main body case 1 is integrally formed with the main body case 1, and a lid plate 2 made of synthetic resin that closes the upper opening of the main case 1. .

The main body case 1 is formed with a horizontally long rectangular ribbon storage section 3, and a pair of feed rolls 4 and 5 are provided on the entrance side of the ribbon storage section 3. By driving the feed rolls 4 and 5, the ink ribbon R is stored in the ribbon storage section 3 while being folded.

A first holder 6 for backing up a large-diameter drive-side feed roll 4 among the feed rolls 4 and 5 is fixed to the main body case 1. Further, a second holder 7 for backing up the small-diameter idle side feed roll 5 is attached so as to be swingable in the distance direction relative to the drive side feed roll 4 using a pin 8 at one end thereof as a fulcrum. A coil spring 9 is interposed between the other end of the second holder 7 and the side wall of the main body case 1 to urge the idle side feed roll 5 to move toward the drive side feed roll 4 side.

A fixed wall 11 having a ribbon passage 10 through which the ink ribbon R passes is provided on the exit side of the ribbon storage section 3. Further, on the downstream side of the ribbon running path from the fixed wall 11, a leaf spring 1 is provided for applying back tension to the ink ribbon R.
2 is provided.

As shown in FIG. 1, the ink ribbon R is coated with seven different color inks r _{1 to} 7 in the width direction of the ribbon.
It is coated with _R7 and is configured so that it can print in seven colors using a single cartridge.

The drive side feed roll 4 is shown in FIG.
As shown in FIG. 2, a cylindrical body 4A forming the ribbon contact surface 13, a first shaft portion 4B projecting from one end of the body 4A to the outside of the case through the through hole 2a of the cover plate 2, and , a through hole 1b formed in the bottom wall 1a of the main body case 1 from the other end of the body 4A.
A first shaft portion 4C that extends through the case and protrudes outside the case is provided as a main component.

The ribbon contact surface 13 is divided into a plurality of parts in the ribbon width direction. Specifically, the ink application parts r 3 and r 5 of the ink ribbon R at the middle part in the width direction of the ribbon are in contact with every other ink application part r ₁ , _{r 3} , r ₅ , r ₇ of the ink ribbon _R. Intermediate contact surface part 1
3a, 13a, and end contact portions 13b, 13 that contact the ink application portions on both ends of the ribbon width.
It is divided into four parts.

These divided contact surface parts 13a, 13a, 1
The widths w ₁ , w ₁ , w ₂ , w ₂ of 3b, 13b are all configured to be narrower than the ink application width w ₄ of one color to which they correspond, and the widths of the intermediate contact surface portions 13a, 13a Width w ₁ , w ₁ is both end contact surface part 1
It is formed narrower than the widths w ₂ and w ₂ of 3b and 13b.

Further, in a state where the lower side of the ink ribbon R is in contact with the inner surface of the bottom wall 1a of the main body case 1, each divided contact surface portion 13a, 13a, 13b, 1
The distance l ₁ between the lower edge of the ink ribbon R and the lower boundary line of the ink application portions r ₁ , r ₃ , r ₅ , r ₇ with which these contact each other is between the upper side of the ink ribbon R and the inner surface of the lid plate 2. The gap between the two parts is larger than _l2 .

The maximum outer width dimension w of the ribbon contacting surface 13 of the feed roll 4 is formed to be slightly larger than the ribbon width _w0 , and the lower side of the ink ribbon R and the lower end surface of the body 4A are The upper end surface of the body 4A is configured to protrude slightly above the upper side of the ink ribbon R while in contact with the inner surface of the bottom wall 1a.

Further, annular recesses 14, 14 are formed on both upper and lower end surfaces of the body portion 4A from the outer circumferential surface side to the inner side in the rotation radius direction.

The contact surface of the first holder 6 is also divided into a plurality of parts in the ribbon width direction. Specifically, the adjacent divided contact surface portions 13a, 13b and 1 of the feed roll 4
It is divided into three contact surface parts 16 that fit into the circumferential groove 15 located between 3a and 13a.

The ribbon contact surface of the idle side feed roll 5 and the contact surface of the second holder 7 are formed in the same shape as the ribbon contact surface of the drive side feed roll 4 and the contact surface of the first holder 6, so that Explanation will be omitted.

By configuring the ribbon contact surfaces 13 of the feed rolls 4 and 5 as described above, in the normal winding posture where the lower end of the ink ribbon R is in contact with the inner surface of the bottom wall 1a of the main body case 1, the ink ribbon The side edges of the ribbon are not bent and are in a straight line along the ribbon contact surface 13 of the feed roll 4. When the ink ribbon R swings in the ribbon width direction in this state, the ink ribbon R protrudes from the ribbon contact surface 13 of this feed roll 4 in the ribbon width direction.
Although the sides of the blade bend under tension, the curvature is large. Therefore, this ink ribbon R
By the time the protruding side part of the body 4A of the feed roll 4 enters between the upper end surface of the body 4A and the inner surface of the cover plate 2, the cover plate 2
The ink ribbon R comes into contact with the inner surface at a large crossing angle, and the amount of deflection of the ink ribbon R is regulated.

As a result, the deflection of the ink ribbon R in the width direction can be controlled by using the inner surface of the cover plate 2, and the widths w ₁ and w ₂ of the divided contact surface portions 13a and 13b of the feed roll 4 are Combined with the fact that the ink application width of the corresponding one color is narrower than _w3 , each divided contact surface portion 13a, 13b of the feed roll 4 is connected to the ink application portion of a different color of the ink ribbon R adjacent thereto. r ₂ , r ₄ ,
This makes it possible to reliably prevent color mixing caused by contact with _r6 .

Further, as shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the second shaft portion 4C of the drive-side feed roll 4 includes:
A passive gear 17 is fitted in a torque transmitting state. This passive gear 17 is integrally molded in a state in which a boss portion 17A and a gear portion 17B having a larger diameter than the boss portion 17A are connected in a substantially U-shape when viewed in longitudinal section.

An annular locking groove 19 that opens outward in the radial direction of rotation is formed in the fitting surface 18 of the second shaft portion 4C.

Fitting surface 20 of boss portion 17A of passive gear 17
includes a locking pawl 21 that engages with the locking groove 19 from the outside in the rotational radial direction to prevent the passive gear 17 from coming off and moving with respect to the second shaft portion 4C; A cutout portion 22 is formed to allow elastic displacement at.

The inner circumferential surface 21a of the locking pawl 21 is formed into a tapered surface whose diameter increases toward the upper end, and the locking pawl 21 is moved outward in the rotational radial direction as it is fitted into the second shaft portion 4C. It is configured to guide elastic deformation.

The fitting surface 18 of the second shaft portion 4C and the passive gear 1
The fitting surfaces 20 of the boss portions 17A of No. 7 are each formed into oval-shaped surfaces with different diameters capable of transmitting torque.

When the passive gear 17 is assembled to the second shaft portion 4C of the drive side feed roll 4, the boss portion 17A of the passive gear 17 is simply fitted from one end of the second shaft portion 4C, and the locking pawl 21 is attached to the second shaft portion 4C. 2 shaft part 4C
over the fitting surface 18 of and engages with the locking groove 19,
The passive gear 17 is reliably prevented from slipping out and moving with respect to the second shaft portion 4C.

Next, another example will be described.

() In the above embodiment, among the divided contact surface portions 13a and 13b of the feed roll 4, the outer corner portions of the divided contact surface portions 13b and 13b located at both ends of the ribbon width were formed at right angles, but as shown in FIG. The outer corner portions of the divided contact surface portions 13b, 13b may be formed into arcuate surfaces 13c, 13c.

According to this embodiment, the ink ribbon R
When the is about to swing in the width direction, this arc surface 1
Due to the difference in circumferential speed at 3c, the ink ribbon R
Since the component force in the returning direction acts, there is an advantage that this deflection of the ink ribbon R can be suppressed.

() In the above-described embodiment, the ribbon contact surface 13 of the feed roll 4 was divided so as to contact every other ink application portion of the ink ribbon R. It may be divided so that it contacts each part separately.

() In the above embodiment, the structure of the feed roll 4 that drives the ink ribbon R coated with seven different colors of ink was explained. The present invention can be applied to any feed roll 4 that drives an ink ribbon R coated with a different ink.

Note that although reference numerals are written in the claims section of the utility model registration for convenience of comparison with the drawings, the present invention is not limited to the structure of the attached drawings by such entry.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

1 to 4 show an embodiment of a multi-color ink ribbon cartridge according to the present invention, in which FIG. 1 is a vertical sectional view of the main parts, FIG. 2 is an exploded sectional view of the feed roll and passive gear, and FIG. The figure is a cross-sectional view taken along the line -- in FIG. 1, and FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the entire ink ribbon cartridge. FIG. 5 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the main parts showing another embodiment. FIGS. 6 and 7 are a vertical sectional view of a main part of a conventional ink ribbon cartridge and a view of its action when the ribbon runs out. C... Case, R... Ink ribbon, 4... Feed roll, 13... Ribbon contact surface, 13a,
13b...Contact surface part, w...Maximum outer width dimension,
w ₀ ... Ribbon width, w ₁ , w ₂ ... Width of contact surface, w ₃
...Ink application width.

Claims (1)

[Claims for Utility Model Registration] 1. An ink ribbon R coated with a plurality of different color inks in the width direction of the ribbon, and a feed roll 4 that presses against the ink ribbon R and drives it. In the multi-color ink ribbon cartridge provided, the ribbon contact surface 13 of the feed roll 4 is divided into a plurality of parts in the ribbon width direction, and these divided contact surface parts 13a,
The widths w ₁ and w ₂ of the feed roll 13b are configured to be narrower than the ink application width w ₃ of one color to which they correspond, and the maximum outer width dimension of the ribbon contacting surface 13 of the feed roll 4 is set to be the ribbon width w. A multi-color ink ribbon cartridge configured to be approximately the same as or larger than ₀ . 2. The ink ribbon R is coated with three or more different color inks, and the ribbon contact surface 13 of the feed roll 4 is in contact with the ink application part at the middle part in the width direction of the ink ribbon R. A surface portion 13a and an end contact surface portion 13 that contacts the ink application portions located at both ends of the ribbon width.
b, 13b, and the width _w1 of the intermediate contact surface portion 13a is narrower than the width of the both end contact surface portions 13b, 13b. Multi-color ink ribbon cartridge as described. 3. The ink ribbon R is coated with three or more different color inks, and the divided contact surface portions 13a, 13b of the feed roll 4 are in contact with every other ink coated portion of the ink ribbon R. A multi-color ink ribbon cartridge according to claim 1, which is constructed as a utility model.