JPH04250087A - Ink sheet cartridge and recorder - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To prevent a change in ink sheet transport speed from the start of winding to the end of winding. CONSTITUTION:Before a recorded ink sheet is wound on a take-up reel, a remaining ink is removed from a base film, and only the base film is wound on the take-up reel. A change in take-up roll diameter from the start of an ink sheet winding to the end of the ink sheet winding is minimized. When the ink sheet is fed by rotating the take-up reel, a change in ink sheet transport speed is suppressed to be necessary minimum.

Description

[Detailed description of the invention]

0001

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an ink sheet cartridge containing an ink sheet and a recording apparatus.

0002

[Background Art] Today, with the development of information processing systems,
Various information processing devices have been developed. Among these devices, recording devices such as facsimile machines and printers have come to be widely used not only in offices but also in ordinary homes.

[0003] In order to facilitate miniaturization of these facsimile devices, a so-called thermal recording method using a heat-sensitive sheet that develops color when heated is generally used, but in recent years, a method using an ink sheet has been used. A facsimile device using a so-called thermal transfer recording method has also been developed. For example, as shown in FIG. 11, an ink sheet 50, which is a base film coated with ink, is wound around a supply reel 51 and a take-up reel 52, and loaded into the main body of the apparatus. During recording, a transport roller 53a drives and rotates the ink sheet 50.
At the same time, the recording sheet 54 is conveyed by the rotation of the pinch roller 53b, and the recording sheet 54 is conveyed by the platen roller 55, and recording is performed by causing the recording head 56 to generate heat in accordance with the image signal.

The ink sheet 50 is generally a so-called one-time ink sheet, which is disposable after one recording, but in recent years, so-called multi-print ink sheets, which can be recorded multiple times, have been increasingly used. When this multi-print ink sheet continuously records a recording length L on the recording sheet 54, the conveyance length l of the ink sheet is set smaller than the conveyance length L of the recording sheet 54 (L/
l=n:n>1). As a result, the usage efficiency of the ink sheet is n times that of the one-time ink sheet (recording n value), and a reduction in running costs can be expected.

In the recording, the ink sheet 50 may be conveyed as shown in FIG. 11, in which the ink sheet 50 is pinched and conveyed between a conveyance roller 53a and a pinch roller 53b. If the ink sheet 50 is conveyed by driving and rotating the take-up reel 52 without using the ink sheet, there is an advantage that the conveyance mechanism becomes simple and wrinkles can be prevented from occurring in the ink sheet 50.

[0006]

However, when the multi-print ink sheet is used, the ink layer is thicker than that of the one-time ink sheet, so the ink sheet 50 is thicker and the roll wound around the take-up reel 52 is thicker. The diameter changes greatly between the beginning and the end of winding. Therefore, in a configuration in which the ink sheet 50 is conveyed by rotating the take-up reel 52 at a constant speed, the conveyance speed changes significantly.

Here, the thickness of the ink sheet 50 is t [m
m], the length is L [m], and the outer diameter of the take-up reel 52 is d1.
It is known that the outer diameter d [mm] of the take-up roll is expressed by the following formula. d={(4tL/π)+d1 2 }1/
2...Formula (1) Therefore, for example, in the case of a multi-print ink sheet with a recording n value of 5, its thickness t
= approximately 17 [μm] (base film thickness is approximately 7 μm)
When the ink sheet 50 is wound up to a length L = approximately 63 [m] on a take-up reel 52 with a reel outer diameter d1 = 22 [mm], the roll outer diameter d is approximately 44 [mm].

That is, the roll diameter at the beginning of winding is 22 mm.
], the roll diameter at the end of winding is approximately twice that of 44 [mm]. When the take-up reel 52 is rotated at a constant speed, the conveying speed of the ink sheet 50 is proportional to the diameter of the take-up roll, so in the above example, the ink sheet conveying speed changes by twice between the start and end of winding. .

Further, if the conveying speed of the recording sheet 54 is VP and the conveying speed of the ink sheet 50 is VI, then n
=VP/VI, and the recording n value is inversely proportional to the ink sheet conveyance speed. For this reason, when the ink sheet conveyance speed doubles as described above, the recording n value becomes 1/2, making it impossible to perform accurate multi-printing. For example, in the case of an ink sheet 50 with a recording n value of 5, n=4 to
The optimum image recording is obtained between 6 and 6, but in the above example, n=
Even if the diameter of the take-up roll is doubled to 44 [mm], the recording n value becomes 1/2 (n=3), resulting in image deterioration and the ink sheet 50 being consumed unnecessarily.

Furthermore, as the diameter of the take-up roll increases, the load on the ink sheet conveyance motor increases.
If a motor with a drive torque that takes this into account is used, there are problems such as excessive drive torque when the load is light at the beginning of winding, resulting in vibration and noise of the device.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention solves the above-mentioned conventional problems and provides an ink sheet cartridge and a recording device that can minimize the change in roll diameter between the start and end of winding of an ink sheet take-up roll. It is something to do.

0012

[Means for Solving the Problems] A typical means according to the present invention for solving the above problems is characterized in that ink is removed from a recorded ink sheet.

[0013]

[Operation] In the above means, since the ink has been removed from the ink sheet wound around the second winding member, the ink sheet wound around the second winding member is thinner by the thickness of the ink layer. Become. Therefore, the change in the outer diameter of the second winding member between the beginning and the end of winding the ink sheet is minimized.

[0014]

Embodiment Next, an embodiment of an ink sheet cartridge to which the above means is applied and a recording apparatus using the ink sheet cartridge will be described.

[First Embodiment] A recording device A according to this embodiment is configured as a recording system of a facsimile machine.
FIG. 1 is an explanatory view of the overall structure of the facsimile machine, FIG. 2 is an explanatory perspective view of the external appearance, FIG. 3 is an explanatory cross-sectional view of the ink sheet, and FIG. 4 is an explanatory exploded view of the ink sheet cartridge.

(Explanation of the entire facsimile machine) First, the overall structure of the facsimile machine will be explained with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2. As shown in FIG. 1, this facsimile device is composed of a recording system A as a recording device, a reading system B for reading images written on a document, an operation panel C, and a loaded ink sheet cartridge D. There is. The recording system A records an image on the recording sheet 1 in response to an image signal transmitted from another device or an image signal transmitted from a reading system B described later. That is, the overlapping recording sheet 1 and ink sheet 2 are pressed toward the platen roller 3b by the recording head 3a constituting the recording means 3, and the recording sheet 1 and the ink sheet 2 are pressed against the platen roller 3b.
By rotating the drive in the direction of the arrow in Fig. 1, the recording sheet 1
The ink sheet 2 is conveyed in the direction of arrow a, and the ink sheet 2 is conveyed in the direction of arrow b by a drive mechanism described later. In synchronization with the conveyance of the recording sheet 1 and the ink sheet 2, the recording head 3a is made to generate heat according to the image signal to melt the ink applied to the ink sheet 2 (including sublimation, the same applies hereinafter), and the melted ink is recorded. The image is transferred onto the sheet 1 to form an image. Recording sheet 1 on which a predetermined image is formed
is further conveyed in the direction of arrow a, cut by a cutter 4, and then conveyed by a pair of discharge rollers 5a, 5b and discharged from the apparatus.

The recording sheet 1 is stored in a roll holder 7 provided in the main body 6 of the apparatus, and the roll holder 7, the platen roller 3b, the cutter 4, and the pair of ejection rollers 5a and 5b are respectively mounted on the main body 6 of the apparatus. It is provided. Further, in this embodiment, the ink sheet 2 is housed in an ink sheet cartridge D having a configuration to be described later. The ink sheet cartridge D is removably loaded into a recording cover 9, which is a lid, and which is configured to be rotatable in the main body 6 of the apparatus via a rotation shaft 8. Further, the recording head 3a is provided at a predetermined position on the recording cover 9.

On the other hand, the reading system B irradiates the original 10 with light, converts the reflected light into an electrical signal, and transmits this signal to another device or to its own recording system A depending on the operation mode. It is something. That is, a plurality of originals 10 are placed on the original placing table 9a formed on the upper surface of the recording cover 9, and the originals 10 are
0 is preliminarily conveyed by a preliminary conveyance roller 11a and a pressing piece 11b, and separated and fed one by one by a separation roller 12a and a pressing piece 12b in pressure contact therewith. 14a,
14b and is configured to be transported and discharged onto the discharge tray 15. Then, while the original 10 is being conveyed, light is irradiated from the light source 16 onto the original surface, and the reflected light is reflected onto the mirror 1.
7 and a photoelectric conversion element 19 such as a CCD via a lens 18.
The image signal is transmitted to its own recording system in the copy mode, and to the recording system of another device in the transmission mode. As shown in FIG. 2, the operation panel C is a panel for performing operations such as the mode switching operation, copying operation, and sending operation, and is provided with keys corresponding to various operations. This operation panel C is provided above the document transport mechanism in the reading system B, and is configured to be rotatable with respect to the apparatus main body 6. Incidentally, one end of the operation panel C is equipped with a telephone handset 20 for transmitting and receiving data. In addition, in Figure 1, 21
2 is an electrical equipment board, and 22 is a power supply section.

Next, the configuration of each part such as the recording system A and the ink cartridge D will be specifically explained.

(Recording Sheet) As the recording sheet 1, it is possible to use plain paper, plastic sheet, or other materials to which ink can be transferred. In this embodiment, a long piece of plain paper with a B4 size width or an A4 size width is used as the recording sheet 1. Then, the sheet roll 1a, which is the recording sheet 1 wound into a roll, is transferred to the apparatus main body 6.
Roll holder 7 provided at a predetermined position (approximately in the center of FIG. 1)
It is stored in. Note that since the recording sheet 1 is wound into a roll, curling may occur. Therefore, in order to remove this, a decal shaft 23 is provided near the platen roller 3b side of the roll holder 7. The decurl shaft 23 rotates in response to the tension acting on the recording sheet 1, and decurls the recording sheet 1 in cooperation with a guide shaft 24, which will be described later. Furthermore, in this embodiment, in order to reduce running costs, a so-called multi-printing method is adopted in which recording is performed by transporting the ink sheet 2 slower than the transport speed of the recording sheet 1. This multi-print method is
Recording is performed by setting the transport length l of the ink sheet 2 to be shorter than the transport length L of the recording sheet 1 during recording (L/l=n>1). In this way, the usage efficiency of the ink sheet 2 can be increased n times compared to the conventional recording method (L/l=1) in which the conveyance lengths of the recording sheet 1 and the ink sheet 2 are the same.

(Ink Sheet) The ink sheet 2 is constructed so that n times of ink transfer can be performed on the same portion in order to perform multi-printing as described above. Therefore, in this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3, there are four layers: a first heat-resistant coating layer 2a, a second base film layer 2b, a third ink layer 2c, and a fourth top coating layer 2d. It will be configured.

The heat-resistant coating layer 2a protects the base film 2b from the heat of the recording head 3a, which is a thermal head. This heat-resistant coating layer 2a is formed at the same location.
It is suitable for multi-printing where thermal energy for a line may be applied (when heat generation information is continuous), but whether or not to provide this heat-resistant coating layer 2a should be selected appropriately depending on the recording method. good. Incidentally, it is effective to provide the heat-resistant coating layer 2a on a base film having relatively low heat resistance, such as a polyester film.

The second base film layer 2b serves as a support for the ink sheet 2, and in the case of multi-printing, thermal energy is applied to the same location many times, so
Aromatic polyamide films and capacitor papers with high heat resistance are advantageous, but conventional polyester films can also be used. As for the thickness of these materials, it is advantageous in terms of printing quality to be as thin as possible because of their role as a medium, but strength must be taken into account, and a thickness of about 3 μm to 8 μm is preferable.

Further, the third ink layer 2c is formed on the recording sheet 1.
This layer contains an amount of ink that can be transferred n times. This ink component includes a resin such as EVA as an adhesive,
The main ingredients are carbon black and nigrosine dye for coloring, and carnauba wax and paraffin wax as binding materials, and are formulated to withstand use n times in the same location. Sensitivity and density vary depending on the amount of coating of this ink layer 2c, which can be selected arbitrarily, but is preferably about 4 g/m2 to 9 g/m2.

Further, the fourth top coating layer 2d is coated with the third ink layer 2c on the recording sheet 1 in the non-recording area.
It is used to prevent pressure transfer of images, and is generally made of transparent wax or the like. As a result, only the transparent top coating layer 2d is pressure-transferred onto the recording sheet 1 in the non-recording portion, and scumming of the recording sheet 1 is prevented. Note that the structure of the ink sheet 2 is not limited to that of this example, and may include, for example, a base layer serving as a support and a porous ink-retaining layer containing ink provided on one side of the base layer. Alternatively, a heat-resistant ink layer having a microporous network structure may be provided on a base film, and the ink may be contained in the ink layer.

The material of the base film layer 2b may be, for example, a film made of polyimide, polyethylene, polyester, polyvinyl chloride, triacetylcellulose, nylon, or paper. Further, although the heat-resistant coating layer 2a is not necessarily required, its material may be, for example, silicone resin, epoxy resin, fluororesin, etrocellulose, or the like. Further, as an example of the ink sheet 2 having heat sublimable ink, spacer particles and dyes formed of guanamine-based resin and fluorine-based resin are formed on a base material formed of polyethylene terephthalate, polyethylene naphthalate, aromatic polyamide film, etc. An example is an ink sheet provided with a coloring material layer containing. Note that the ink sheet 2 of this example has the heat-resistant coating layer 2a.
The total thickness of the ink layer 2c and the top coating layer 2 is approximately 7 μm.
The total thickness of the ink sheet is approximately 10 μm, and the total thickness of the ink sheet is approximately 17 μm. Further, in this embodiment, in order to facilitate handling of the ink sheet 2, the ink sheet cartridge D is loaded with the ink sheet 2.

{Ink Sheet Cartridge} As shown in FIG. 4, the ink sheet cartridge D has a structure in which a supply reel 25 serving as a first winding member and a take-up reel 26 serving as a second winding member are placed in predetermined positions on a frame 27. The ink sheet 2 is loaded by attaching the ink sheet 2 to the position and stretching the ink sheet 2 wound around the supply reel 25 to the take-up reel 26 side. By using this ink cartridge D, the ink sheet 2 can be loaded into the recording system A extremely easily and reliably in a stable state. When the ink sheet cartridge D finishes using the ink sheet 2,
The ink sheet 2 is discarded together with the ink sheet 2. That is, since the ink sheet cartridge D is disposable, it is required to be provided at low cost. Next, the configuration of each part of the ink sheet cartridge D will be specifically explained.

(Frame) The frame 27 in this embodiment has a first housing 27a and a second housing 27b that are ultrasonically welded. That is, as shown in FIG. 4, the first housing 27a and the second housing 27
The welded parts 27c1 and 27c2 of the connecting part with b are ultrasonically welded to form the first casing 27a, welded parts 27a1 and 27a4 formed at approximately the tip and side ends of the casing 27a, and the second casing 27b.
Welded parts 27b1 and 27b6 formed at approximately the tip and side ends of
It is constructed by ultrasonic welding. The welded portions 27a1, 27b1 and 27c1, 27c2 may be formed over the entire length, or may be formed intermittently with a predetermined length in the width direction of the ink sheet. The frame body 27
As the molding material, it is possible to use resins such as polypropylene resin and ABS resin. In the frame 27, a window 27d for inserting the recording head 3a is formed in the approximate center of the first housing 27a, as shown in FIG. 4, and a window 27d is formed approximately in the center of the second housing 27b. A window 27e is formed for inserting the platen roller 3b, and this window 27
A notch 27e1 is formed continuously from e to allow the shaft portion 3b1 (see FIG. 1) of the platen roller 3b to escape.

[0029] Also, the first casing 27a and the second casing 27
Side plates 27a2 and 27b2 are formed upright on both sides of b, and curved surfaces of 1/4 circle are formed on the welded portions 27c1 and 27c2 sides and on the open side, respectively. And a welded portion 27a1 formed at the open end of the curved surface of the first housing 27a.
A fitting hole 27a3 is formed in the second housing 27b, and a fitting protrusion 27b3 that fits into the fitting hole 27a3 is formed in a welded portion 27b1 formed at the open end of the curved surface of the second housing 27b. Further, on the open side curved surface of the second housing 27b, there is a locking protrusion 27b4 that engages with a lock latch provided on the cover 9 when the ink sheet cartridge D is attached to the recording cover 9.
is formed. Side plate 27b2 of the second housing 27b
At predetermined positions on both sides, there are guide pins 27 that serve as guides when attaching the ink sheet cartridge D to the recording cover 9.
f is formed.

At predetermined positions of the side plates 27a2 and 27b2, there is a U groove 27g1 that fits into a bearing 28a attached to one end of the supply reel 25, and a U groove 27g1 that fits into the bearing 28a attached to one end of the supply reel 25, as will be described later.
A square groove 27g2 is formed for fixedly supporting the shaft 29a of the slip clutch 29 attached to the other end of the shaft. Further, the side plates 27a2, 27b2 have U grooves 27g3, 2 that fit into bearings 28b, 28c mounted on both ends of the take-up reel 26.
7g4 is formed. Furthermore, side plates 27a2, 27b2
Grooves 27g5 and 2 are provided at predetermined positions for loading a sheet wrapping plate 30a constituting an ink removing means 30, which will be described later.
7g6 is formed. Further, the second housing 27b has an opening 2 for exposing the reel gear 26c of the take-up reel 26.
7h is formed.

(Supply Reel and Slip Clutch) The supply reel 25 is for winding the ink sheet 2. As shown in FIG.
b1 and 25b2, a bearing 28a is loaded on one flange 25b1 side, and a slip clutch 29, which is a means for applying a rotational load to the supply reel 25, is attached to the other flange 25b2 side. The slip clutch 29
is for applying back tension to the ink sheet 2 drawn out from the supply reel 25. The structure of this slip clutch 29 is shown in the exploded view of FIG. 5(a) and the exploded view of FIG.
As shown in the cross-sectional view of b), a spring spring 29b is attached to a shaft 29a having a double-sided end so as to be tightened, and a hook portion 29b1 is formed on this spring 29b. And the shaft 29 to which the spring 29b is attached
a into the through hole 29c1 of the collar 29c, and then
d is attached to the tip of the shaft 29a to prevent it from coming off. At this time, the spring spring 29b is attached so that the hook portion 29b1 is engaged with the recess 29c2 formed in the through hole 29c1. Further, the collar 29c is attached to a hollow reel shaft 25a.
The convex portion 29c3 protruding from the outer periphery of the collar 29c is fitted into and locked into the U-shaped groove 25c formed at the end of the reel shaft 25a.

In the above configuration, when the ink sheet 2 is pulled out with the supply reel 25 attached to the frame 27, the supply reel 25 moves in the direction of the arrow c in FIG. 5(a) (the direction in which the ink sheet 2 is fed out). Rotate to . At this time, the shaft 29
Since a is fitted into the square groove 27g2 of the frame 27 and cannot rotate, the spring spring 29b tightening the shaft 29a receives rotational force in the direction of loosening, causing the outer periphery of the shaft 29a and the inner periphery of the spring spring 29b to A frictional load is generated between the This frictional load causes the ink sheet 2 to receive a conveying force, and when the supply reel 25 receives a rotational force of a predetermined torque or more, the spring spring 29b slides on the outer periphery of the shaft 29a while receiving the predetermined torque. Therefore, when drawing out the ink sheet 2 from the supply reel 25, a constant load is always applied.
This applies back tension to the ink sheet 2. Incidentally, since the loosening torque load of the spring spring 29b has a stable value, stable back tension is applied to the ink sheet 2.

In this embodiment, by incorporating the slip clutch 29 in the supply reel 25, the slip clutch 29
No special space is required for providing 9. Therefore, the arrangement of gears and the like in the design of the drive system can be facilitated, and ease of assembly can be improved. Furthermore, torque is applied to the supply reel 25 by the slip clutch 29 in one step, eliminating uneven transmission. Furthermore, since the clutch 29 is replaced together with the ink sheet cartridge D, the durability for one roll of the ink sheet is sufficient. Furthermore, since the clutch 29 has a simple structure, it has the advantage that it can be manufactured at a lower cost than commercially available powder clutches.

(Take-up Reel) Next, the take-up reel 26 winds up the ink sheet 2 pulled out from the supply reel 25 during recording. As shown in FIG. 4, flanges 26b1 and 26b2 are provided at both ends of a reel shaft 26a having substantially the same length as the width of the ink sheet 2, similar to the supply reel 25 described above.
A bearing 28b is loaded on one side, and a flange 26b on the other side.
A reel gear 26c is attached to the second side. In the above configuration, the reel gear 26 is driven by a drive system to be described later.
The rotational force is transmitted to the ink sheet 2, and the take-up reel 26 rotates in the direction of the arrow d in FIG. 1 to wind up the ink sheet 2.

In this embodiment, when the ink sheet 2 is wound up on the take-up reel 26, the ink sheet 2
The end of the base film 2b is attached to the take-up reel 26a with tape or the like, and the take-up reel 26 is rotated so that the ink-coated surface of the ink sheet 2 faces inside the take-up roll.

(Ink Removal Means) Next, an ink removal means 30 is provided in the frame 27 for removing used ink from the base film 2b of the recorded ink sheet 2. As shown in FIG. 1, the ink removing means 30 is arranged in the ink sheet conveyance path downstream of the recording means 3 in the ink sheet conveyance direction and upstream of the take-up reel 26. . The ink removing means 30 in this embodiment is constructed by attaching a sheet bending plate 30a and a cleaning member 30b to a second housing 27b, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 4.

The sheet bending plate 30a is a plate material having a thickness of about 1 mm, and is attached so that the bending plate 30a contacts the entire ink sheet 2 in the sheet width direction on the base film 2b side. This bending plate 30a guides the ink sheet 2 from the recording means 3 to the take-up reel 26 as shown in FIG. 1, and bends the ink sheet 2 at an acute angle of 90 degrees or less at the edge of the plate. It is. On the other hand, the cleaning member 30b is made of a foamed sponge, and is provided at a position facing the bending plate 30a so as to be in contact with the entire ink layer 2c side of the ink sheet 2 in the sheet width direction. There is.

Since the multi-print ink sheet 2 has a thicker ink layer than the one-time ink sheet, it will crack if it is bent at an acute angle. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 6, the ink sheet 2 transported during recording is transferred to the bending plate 3.
When the ink layer 2c is bent at an acute angle at 0a, cracks appear in the ink layer 2c and it peels off from the base film 2b. This peeled ink layer 2c is transported while remaining on the base film 2b, but as shown in FIG.
b, the film is removed from the base film 2b and falls to the bottom 27i of the frame 27. As a result, the take-up reel 2
6, only the base film 2b is wound up. Therefore, when winding up with the ink layer 2c (
When the ink sheet 2 is wound up with the ink layer 2c removed (thickness approximately 7 μm), the thickness of the ink sheet 2 becomes less than half, which causes a change in the roll diameter of the take-up reel 26. is significantly reduced.

(Assembling the ink sheet cartridge) Next, in order to assemble the ink sheet cartridge D, a bearing 28a is attached to one end of the supply reel shaft 25a around which the ink sheet 2 is wound as shown in FIG. While fitting into the U groove 27g1 formed in the second housing 27b, the shaft 29a of the sliding clutch 29 is inserted into the square groove 27b.
Fits into 2. Furthermore, bearings 2 are provided at both ends of the take-up reel shaft 26a.
8b and 28c, and the bearings 28b and 28c are fitted into the U grooves 27g3 and 27g4 of the second housing 27b. Furthermore, after loading the ink sheet 2 as described above, both ends of the bending plate 30a are inserted into the grooves 27g5 and 27g of the second housing 27b.
6 and attach it. Next, the first housing 27a is made to face the second housing 27b, and the welding parts 27a1 and 27b1 and the welding parts 27a4 and 27b6 are ultrasonically welded, respectively, so that the ink sheet 2 and the ink sheet loaded with the ink removing means 30 are Assemble cartridge D. This ink sheet cartridge D is installed by opening the recording cover 9 in the recording system A as shown in FIG.
The cartridge is loaded into the recording system A by being locked into a locking recess 9a formed in the recording cover 9 and by locking the locking protrusion 27b4 at the tip of the cartridge with a latch member 31 attached to the recording cover 9. be.

{Recording Configuration} For recording in the recording system A, the ink sheet cartridge D is loaded as described above, and the recording means 3 performs thermal transfer recording.

(Recording Means) Next, the recording means 3 will be explained. The recording head 3a used in this embodiment is a line-type thermal head in which a plurality of heating elements that generate heat when energized are arranged in a line.As shown in FIG.
The head support section 3c is swingably attached to the head support section 3c provided in the head support section 3c. Further, the recording head 3a is urged toward the platen roller 3b by a spring 3d disposed between the head 3a and the recording cover 9. This urging force presses the overlapping recording sheet 1 and ink sheet 2 toward the platen roller 3b. Furthermore, fork members (not shown) are provided on both sides of the recording head 3a in the longitudinal direction. This fork member is attached to the shaft portion 3 of the platen roller 3b when installing the ink cartridge D to the recording cover 9.
b1 has a positioning function for engaging and setting the position of the recording head 3a relative to the platen roller 3b. The platen roller 3b has a shaft portion 3b1 rotatably attached to the apparatus main body 6, and a roller portion 3b2 which is longer in the axial direction than the width dimension of the recording sheet 1 is formed at one end of the shaft portion 3b1. The platen gear 32 as shown in
is fixed.

(Drive Transmission Structure) Next, the transport drive mechanism for the recording sheet 1 and ink sheet 2 will be explained with reference to FIG. 8. In FIG. 8, a platen motor 33 and an ink sheet motor 34 are attached to the main body 6 of the apparatus. The platen motor 33 has a motor gear 33.
a is engaged with the platen gear 32, and the motor 3
3, the platen roller 3b is driven and rotated to convey the recording sheet 1.

On the other hand, when the recording cover 9 loaded with the ink sheet cartridge D is closed, the ink sheet motor 3
The reel gear 26c of the take-up reel 26 meshes with the motor gear 34a of No. 4. Therefore, when the ink sheet motor 34 is driven and rotated in the direction of the arrow d in FIG. transported to. The transported ink sheet 2 is then wound onto a take-up reel 26 while being given back tension.

(Description of Control System) Next, a control system for driving and controlling each of the above-mentioned members will be explained with reference to the block diagram shown in FIG. In FIG. 9, 35 indicates a control section of the facsimile machine, which includes a power supply section 36 that supplies power to the entire device, a modem board unit 37, an NCU board unit 39 that connects a telephone 38, and an operation panel C. A display section 40, etc., for displaying contents inputted from the computer, etc., is arranged. The control unit 35 includes a CPU 35a that controls the entire recording apparatus.
and ROM3 that stores various programs and data, etc.
5b, and a RAM 35c which is used as a work area for the CPU 35a and temporarily stores various data such as the number of sheets to be recorded. Further, 35d is a line memory that stores an image of each line of image data, and when transmitting or copying an original, one
Image data for a line is stored, and in the case of receiving image data, decoded data for one line is stored. The various data stored in the line memory 35d are output to the recording system A, thereby performing image recording. Further, 35e is an encoding/decoding unit that encodes image information to be transmitted using MH encoding or the like, and decodes received encoded image data and converts it into image data. 35f is a buffer memory that stores transmitted and received encoded image data.

Next, referring to FIG. 10, the electrical connection between the recording system A and the control section 35 will be explained. The recording head 3a includes a shift register 42 for inputting one line of serial recording data 41a from the control section 35, a latch circuit 43 for latching the data in the shift register 42 using a latch signal 41b, and a heating resistor for one line. It is equipped with a heating element 3a1 consisting of. The above heating element 3
a1 is divided into m blocks and driven. The recording head 3a is also equipped with a temperature sensor 44 for detecting temperature.
The output signal 41c is A/D converted in the control section 35 and input to the CPU 35a. As a result, the CPU 35a detects the temperature of the recording head 3a, and outputs a strobe signal 41d according to the temperature.
The energy applied to the recording head 3a is changed according to the characteristics of the ink sheet 2 by changing the pulse width of the recording head 3a or by changing the driving voltage of the recording head 3a. The type (characteristics) of the ink sheet 2 is selected by inputting it from the operation panel C, but it is also possible to detect marks etc. printed on the ink sheet 2 to determine its type and characteristics. . It is also possible to identify marks, notches, protrusions, etc. attached to the cartridge that houses the ink sheet 2.

Reference numeral 45 indicates the recording head 3a from the control section 35.
This is a print head drive circuit which inputs a drive signal and outputs a strobe signal 41d for driving the print head 3a in units of blocks. The recording head drive circuit 45 controls the recording head 3 by changing the control time of the current output to the power supply line 41e for supplying current to the heating element 3a1 of the recording head 3a, in response to instructions from the control section 35.
The applied energy of a can be changed. Also 46
, 47 are motor drive circuits for rotationally driving the platen motor 33 and ink sheet motor 34, which are the drive means. Although stepping motors are used as the motors 46 and 47, they are not limited to this, and may be DC motors, servo motors, or the like. Further, the control section 35 includes a recording sheet sensor S1 for detecting the presence or absence of the recording sheet 1, an ink sheet presence sensor S2 for detecting the presence or absence of the ink sheet 2, and an ink sheet speed sensor S3 for detecting the conveyance speed of the ink sheet 2, etc. A detection signal is input, and a predetermined display is displayed on the display section 40 according to the detection signal, and the recording operation is controlled.

(Recording operation) During recording, the platen motor 33 and ink sheet motor 34 are driven to transport the recording sheet 1 one line in the direction of arrow a in FIG. Recording is performed by conveying n lines and winding the recording head 3a around the take-up reel 26 while generating heat in accordance with the image signal.

The recorded ink sheet 2 is taken up on a take-up reel 26, and the ink sheet 2 from which the ink layer 2c has been removed from the base film 2b by the ink removing means 30 is on the take-up reel 26. 2 is wound up. Here, we will show specific examples of changes in the take-up roll diameter when the ink sheet 2 is taken up with the ink layer 2c remaining on the take-up reel 26 and when it is taken up with the ink layer 2c removed. explain. In the above equation (1), when d1 = 22 [mm] and L = 63 [m], the roll diameter when the thickness of the ink sheet 2 without removing the ink layer 2c is t = 17 [μm]. d is approximately 44 [mm] as described above. On the other hand, when the thickness t of the ink sheet 2 from which the ink layer 2c has been removed is 7 [μm], the roll diameter d is approximately 32 [mm]. Therefore, the change in roll diameter between the start and the end of winding is approximately twice that when the ink layer 2c remains, whereas
When c is removed, it becomes about 3/2 times smaller.

Therefore, when the ink layer 2c is removed and wound up, the change in the recording n value is inversely proportional to the change in the take-up roll diameter as described above, so it becomes 2/3, and when the ink layer 2c is removed and wound up. The change is smaller than the 1/2 change in the recorded n value when the data is taken. Therefore, for example, when using ink sheet 2 with recording n value = 6, recording n value at the end of winding = 6 × (
2/3) = 4, which means that the recorded n value =
This is within the range (n=4 to 6) in which 6 optimal images can be obtained. As a result, accurate multi-printing can be performed on the recording sheet 1, and the consumption of the ink sheet 2 can be minimized. Furthermore, since the increase in the take-up roll diameter is the minimum necessary,
There is little variation in the load applied to the ink sheet motor 34 at the beginning and end of winding the ink sheet 2, and excessive torque is not applied to the ink sheet motor 34.

[Other Embodiments] Next, other embodiments of each part of the above-described ink sheet cartridge and recording apparatus will be described. In the above embodiment, the ink sheet 2 is made into a cartridge and the ink sheet cartridge D is loaded into the recording apparatus. The reel 26 is directly loaded into the recording system A of the main body of the apparatus, and the ink removing means 3 is installed in the main body of the apparatus.
0 may be provided.

Further, although the ink removing means 30 described above is configured by bending the base film 2b side of the ink sheet 2 inward, the same effect can be obtained by bending the ink layer 2c side inward. Further, the structure of the ink removing means 30 is not limited to the structure in which the ink layer 2c is peeled off from the base film 2b by folding back the ink sheet 2 as in the above-described embodiment, and the ink removal means 30 can be used to remove ink from the support of the ink sheet 2. Any configuration that allows it is fine. For example, a heating member such as a roller may be rubbed against the ink surface to melt the ink and remove it from the support.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, a mechanism for switching the driving speed of the ink sheet motor 34 was not provided, but if a speed switching mechanism for the motor 34 is provided, fluctuations in the recording n value can be further suppressed. It becomes possible to perform more stable image recording. Further, in the above embodiment, an example was shown in which a multi-print ink sheet was used as the ink sheet 2, but even when a one-time ink sheet is used as the ink sheet 2, it is effective to provide an ink removal means.

[0053]

Effects of the Invention As described above, the present invention removes ink from a used ink sheet and winds it up.
Changes in the take-up roll diameter are minimized. This makes it possible to minimize changes in the conveyance speed between the start and end of winding the ink sheet, eliminates the need for a speed change mechanism in the drive means for conveying the ink sheet, and allows the device to be made more compact. Cost reduction can be achieved. Moreover, the load fluctuations applied to the ink sheet conveyance driving means are reduced, and generation of excessive torque can be prevented. Furthermore, since the ink is removed from the ink sheet being wound up, the secret of the used ink sheet is not leaked, and since the diameter of the winding roll is minimized, the device can be made more compact. .

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram of the overall structure of a facsimile machine.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory perspective view of the external appearance of the facsimile machine.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory cross-sectional view of an ink sheet.

FIG. 4 is a developed explanatory diagram of an ink sheet cartridge.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram of the configuration of a slip clutch on the supply reel side.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram of a state in which a crack has occurred in the folded ink sheet.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram of a state in which ink is removed from an ink sheet.

FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram of a drive mechanism.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram of a recording control system.

FIG. 10 is a block diagram of a drive control system.

FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram of a recording configuration of a conventional technique.

[Explanation of symbols]

A is a recording system, B is a reading system, C is an operation panel, D is an ink sheet cartridge, 1 is a recording sheet, 1a is a sheet roll, 2 is an ink sheet, 2a is a heat-resistant coating layer, 2b is a base film layer, 2c is An ink layer, 2d a top coating layer, 3 a recording means, 3a a recording head, 3b a platen roller, 3b1 a shaft part, 3c a head support part,
3d is a spring, 4 is a cutter, 5a and 5b are a pair of discharge rollers, 6 is an apparatus main body, 7 is a roll holder, 8 is a rotating shaft, 9
is a recording cover, 10 is a document, 11a is a preliminary conveyance roller,
11b is a pressing piece, 12a is a separating roller, 12b is a pressing piece, 13a and 13b are conveyance rollers, 14a and 14b are discharge rollers, 15 is a discharge tray, 16 is a light source, 17 is a mirror, 18 is a lens, and 19 is a photoelectric conversion element, 20 is a handset, 21 is an electrical board, 22 is a power supply section, 23 is a decal shaft, 24 is a guide shaft, 25 is a supply reel,
25a is a reel shaft, 25b1, 25b2 are flanges, 2
5c is a U-shaped groove, 26 is a take-up reel, 26a is a reel shaft, 26b1, 26b2 are flanges, 26c is a reel gear, 27 is a frame, 27a is a first housing, 27a1 is a welded part,
27a2 is a side plate, 27a3 is a fitting hole, 27a4 is a welding part, 27b is a second housing, 27b1 is a welding part, 27b2 is a side plate, 27b3 is a fitting protrusion, 27b4 is a locking protrusion, 27b
6 is a welded part, 27c1, 27c2 is a welded part, 27d, 2
7e is the window, 27f is the guide pin, 27g1 is the U groove, 27
g2 is a square groove, 27g3, 27g4 are U grooves, 27g5, 2
7g6 is a groove, 27h is an opening, 27i is a bottom, 28a,
28b and 28c are bearings, 29 is a slip clutch, 29a is a shaft, 29b is a spring spring, 29b1 is a hook portion, 2
9c is the collar, 29c1 is the through hole, 29c2 is the recess, 29c
3 is a convex portion, 29d is an E ring, 30 is an ink removal means,
30a is a sheet folding plate, 30b is a cleaning member, 3
1 is a latch member, 32 is a platen gear, 33 is a platen motor, 33a is a motor gear, 34 is an ink sheet motor, 34a is a motor gear, 35 is a control unit, 35
a is CPU, 35b is ROM, 35c is RAM, 35d
is a line memory, 35e is an encoding/decoding unit, 35f is a buffer memory, 36 is a power supply unit, 37 is a modem, 38 is a telephone, 39 is an NCU, 40 is a display unit, 41a is recorded data, 41b is a latch signal, 41c is the output signal, 41d
41e is a strobe signal, 41e is a power line, 42 is a shift register, 43 is a latch circuit, 44 is a temperature sensor, 45 is a recording head drive circuit, and 46 and 47 are motor drive circuits.

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. A first winding member capable of winding an ink sheet having ink on a support; a second winding member capable of winding the ink sheet; an ink removal means for removing the ink from the ink;
An ink sheet cartridge comprising: a frame body that accommodates the first winding member, the second winding member, and ink removing means. 2. The ink sheet cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the ink sheet removing means is constructed by folding the ink sheet at an acute angle of 90° or less. 3. Ink sheet transport means for transporting an ink sheet having ink on a support; recording sheet transport means for transporting a recording sheet; 1. A recording apparatus comprising: a recording means for transferring ink onto a recording sheet; and an ink removing means for removing ink from the ink sheet that has passed through the recording means from a support. 4. The recording apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the ink sheet removing means is configured by folding the ink sheet at an acute angle of 90° or less. 5. The recording apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the ink sheet conveying means and the recording sheet conveying means convey the ink sheet and the recording sheet in directions facing each other. 6. The ink sheet is a multi-print ink sheet capable of recording n times, and the ink sheet conveying means and recording sheet conveying means reduce the conveyance length of the ink sheet to 1/n of the conveyance length of the recording sheet. 5. The recording device according to claim 3, wherein the recording device is configured to do so.