JPH06143636A - Conduction transfer recorder - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] [Object] According to the present invention, the current path in the ink ribbon 4 from the recording electrode 24 to the return electrode 22 is constant, the amount of heat generation is stable, and a good image without density unevenness can be obtained. Further, since the recording electrode 24 and the resistance layer 4a of the ink ribbon 4 are not separated from each other, there is no discharge between the recording electrode 24 and the resistance layer 4a of the ink ribbon 4, and the ink ribbon 4 is damaged or cut. The purpose is to prevent wear of the recording electrode 24. A conductive transfer recording apparatus according to the present invention comprises a return electrode 22 and an insulating layer 2 on a supporting member 21 in a conductive recording head 2.
3. By stacking the recording electrodes 24 and bringing the ends of the recording electrodes 24 into contact with the resistance layer 4a of the ink ribbon 4, the pressure between the recording electrodes 24 and the resistance layer 4a becomes high, and the contact is stabilized. It was done.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an ink ribbon composed of an ink layer coated with ink which is transferred to an image receiving paper by applying heat and a resistance layer which generates heat when energized, and is provided between a large number of recording electrodes and return electrodes. The present invention relates to an electric transfer recording apparatus for selectively applying an electric current to form an image on an image receiving paper which is superposed on an ink layer.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, thermal transfer recording of a melting type or a sublimation type has no noise, is low in cost, can be easily reduced in size and weight, and is excellent in operability and maintainability. Is widespread. This method uses a thermal transfer ink ribbon (hereinafter referred to as an ink ribbon) in which a heat-meltable or sublimable ink layer is provided on a sheet-shaped support, and the ink ribbon is selectively heated by a thermal head or the like. By melting and sublimating the ink layer and transferring the ink onto a recording medium, an image is recorded according to the heating pattern.

However, in a thermal transfer recording apparatus using a thermal head as a recording heat source, the thermal output of the thermal head is approaching its limit, so that it is necessary to perform high-quality printing on rough paper such as PPC paper or bond paper. It is difficult to achieve high speed in recording using an ink ribbon that requires a large recording energy such as a high melting point ink or a sublimation ink that can obtain a smooth halftone image recording.

Therefore, in response to such a request, a printer of an electric transfer recording system has been put into practical use in which heat is generated in the ink ribbon according to a recording signal and the ink is transferred to the image receiving paper by the heat. In this type of printer, since heat is generated inside the ink ribbon, the generated heat is efficiently transferred to the ink, and it is possible to obtain larger recording energy than before.

FIG. 29 shows a conventional example of the recording principle of this electric transfer recording system. In FIG. 29, the ink ribbon 202
Is composed of a resistance layer 208 and an ink layer 207 that is melted / softened or sublimated by heat. The energization recording head 201 has a recording electrode 204 and a return electrode 205 arranged in parallel to the supporting member 203. The recording electrode 204 and the return electrode 205 are in vertical contact with the resistance layer 208 of the ink ribbon 202. The recording electrode 204 is a recording electrode driving circuit 20 that drives the recording electrode 204 according to a recording signal.
9 is connected.

In this recording apparatus, the recording electrode drive circuit 20
A recording current is injected from the recording electrode 205 into the resistance layer 208 that is in contact with the recording electrode 205 by the action of 9 and flows in the direction indicated by the arrow to reach the return electrode 205, but the recording current is concentrated on the recording electrode 204 and the return electrode 205. The ink layer 20 that is in contact with the heat generating region due to Joule heat generated in the resistance layer 208 therebelow.
7 melts, softens, or sublimes, and the color material of the ink layer 207 is transferred to the image receiving paper 203. Then, the recording electrode 204
Is the ink ribbon 2 that is moved on the recording electrode 204.
An image is formed by injecting a recording current according to a recording signal into the resistance layer 208 of No. 02.

As described above, in the electric transfer recording apparatus, since heat is generated in the ink ribbon 202, the ink layer 20
7 has a high heat transfer efficiency to the heat transfer recording device 7, and can use a high melting point coloring material that cannot be used for high speed recording or conventionally as compared with a thermal transfer recording device using a thermal head which is a conventional external heat source. Further, since the heat generating portion moves with recording, there is no heat storage, cooling time is not required, and high speed recording is possible.

However, such a conventional energization transfer recording apparatus has the following problems.

That is, the energization recording head 201 has a structure in which the recording electrode 204 and the return electrode 205 are surrounded by the supporting member 203. When the energization recording head 201 is vertically pressed against the ink ribbon 202, the entire surface of the energization recording head 201 including the recording electrode 204 and the return electrode 205 is in contact with the resistance layer 208.

Therefore, the recording electrode 204 and the return electrode 20
Since the pressure of No. 5 becomes small, the recording electrode 204 is particularly exposed, and the portion in contact with the resistance layer 208 is as small as about 100 μm in the main scanning direction, so the contact is difficult to stabilize.

In the electric transfer recording system, the recording electrodes 204,
When the return electrode 205 and the resistance layer 208 of the ink ribbon 202 are not in contact with each other, current cannot flow in the resistance layer 208 and recording cannot be performed, but the recording electrode 204, the return electrode 205 and the resistance layer 208 are in contact with each other. Even if the temperature is unstable, the contact resistance value changes, so the amount of heat generated changes, resulting in uneven image density. In addition, when a gap is formed between the recording electrode 204, the return electrode 205 and the resistance layer 208, a spark is generated, which causes abrasion of the recording electrode 204 and the return electrode 205 and cutting of the ink ribbon 202.

Further, since the energization recording head 201 is rubbed by the ink ribbon 202, the tips of the recording electrode 204 and the return electrode 205 are worn. Therefore, the recording electrode 20
4. It is difficult to stabilize the contact between the return electrode 205 and the resistance layer 208 for a long period of time.
The energization recording head 201 has to be replaced every time 5 wears.

An ink ribbon 20 for energizing transfer recording is also provided.
No. 2 is expensive because it has a resistance layer 208 as compared with a conventional thermal transfer type ink ribbon using a thermal head. In order to solve such a drawback, a method has been proposed in which the conveyance speed of the ink ribbon 202 is set lower than the conveyance speed of the image receiving paper 203, or the same ink ribbon 202 is repeatedly used to reduce the running cost. However, in such a case, it is necessary to use a material having high heat resistance for the resistance layer 208 of the ink ribbon 202, the material itself is expensive, and it is not very effective.

[0014]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION A first object of the present invention is to make the contact state between the recording electrode or return path electrode of the energization recording head and the resistance layer of the ink ribbon unstable, resulting in uneven density, and A gap is created between the electrode and the resistance layer of the ink ribbon, and a spark is generated, which eliminates the drawbacks of abrasion of the recording electrode and the return electrode and cutting of the ink ribbon. Another object of the present invention is to provide an electric transfer recording apparatus capable of avoiding instability of the contact state between the return path electrode and the resistance layer of the ink ribbon and recording without causing uneven density.

A second object of the present invention is to eliminate the drawback that the replacement cycle of the energization recording head is short, and an energization transfer recording apparatus capable of extending the replacement cycle of the energization recording head. To provide.

A third object of the present invention is to eliminate the drawback that an expensive material having high heat resistance must be used for the resistance layer of the ink ribbon when the running cost is reduced. An object of the present invention is to provide an electric transfer recording apparatus capable of reducing the running cost without using.

[0017]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An electric transfer recording apparatus according to the present invention includes a transfer sheet to be conveyed and a coloring material to be transferred to the transfer sheet by being heated and conveyed while being superposed on the transfer sheet. An ink ribbon composed of a coated ink layer and a resistance layer that generates heat when energized, and a recording electrode and a return electrode are brought into contact with the resistance layer of this ink ribbon to energize the resistance layer to partially generate heat A recording head for transferring a coloring material corresponding to the formed resistance layer onto the transfer paper, the recording head is laminated on the base material in the order of the return electrode, the insulating layer and the recording electrode, The end surface of the layer, the return electrode, and the base material is an inclined surface with the recording electrode at the lower end, and the inclined surface is provided so as to be parallel to the transport path of the transfer paper. , Above Electrode, the insulating layer is provided to be biased to the end surface of the return electrode, substrate.

The electric transfer recording apparatus according to the present invention conveys a transfer sheet to be conveyed, and conveys the transfer sheet while superposing the transfer sheet on the transfer sheet.
An ink ribbon composed of an ink layer coated with a color material that is transferred to the transfer paper by applying heat and a resistance layer that generates heat when energized, and a recording electrode and a return electrode are brought into contact with the resistance layer of this ink ribbon to energize A recording head that partially heats the resistive layer and transfers the coloring material corresponding to the heated resistive layer onto the transfer paper, wherein the recording head includes a return electrode, an insulating layer, and a recording layer. The electrodes are laminated in this order on the base material, and the end faces of the recording electrode and the return electrode have a step with the recording electrode on the lower side, and the step is inclined so that the step and the transfer sheet transport path are parallel to each other. The ink ribbon is urged toward the end faces of the recording electrode and the return electrode.

The recording head of the present invention is conveyed by a transfer sheet to be conveyed, and is conveyed while being superposed on the transfer sheet, and heat is generated by energization with an ink layer coated with a color material which is transferred to the transfer sheet by applying heat. And a recording electrode and a return electrode are brought into contact with the resistance layer of the ink ribbon to energize the resistance layer to partially generate heat, and the color corresponding to the heated resistance layer is generated. In an electric transfer recording apparatus having a recording head for transferring a material to the transfer paper, a plurality of recording electrodes covered with an insulating layer are arranged on a substrate with a plurality of exposed portions in the sub-scanning direction. A plurality of rows of exposed recording electrodes are formed so that the exposed portions of each recording electrode are linearly arranged.

The energization transfer recording apparatus of the present invention conveys a transfer sheet, an ink layer coated with a coloring material which is transferred by superposing on the transfer sheet, and is transferred to the transfer sheet by applying heat to the transfer sheet. An ink ribbon consisting of a resistive layer that generates heat, a substrate, having a plurality of exposed portions in the sub-scanning direction, a plurality of recording electrodes covered by an insulating layer are arranged, and the exposed portions of each recording electrode are linear. It is formed by a plurality of rows of exposed recording electrodes that are arranged in a line. When the recording electrodes are brought into contact with the resistive layer of the ink ribbon to energize the resistive layer, the resistive layer is partially heated, and the resistive layer is heated. A recording head for transferring a coloring material to be transferred onto the transfer paper,
It comprises a detection means for detecting a change in contact resistance between one recording electrode exposed portion row and the resistance layer of the ink ribbon, and a determination means for determining the worn state of the recording electrode exposed portion row based on the detection result of this detection means. To be done.

The energization transfer recording apparatus of the present invention is energized by a transfer sheet to be conveyed, an ink layer coated with a color material which is transferred by being superposed on the transfer sheet and transferred to the transfer sheet by applying heat. An ink ribbon consisting of a resistive layer that generates heat, a substrate, having a plurality of exposed portions in the sub-scanning direction, a plurality of recording electrodes covered by an insulating layer are arranged, and the exposed portions of each recording electrode are linear. It is formed by a plurality of rows of exposed recording electrodes that are arranged in a line. When the recording electrodes are brought into contact with the resistive layer of the ink ribbon to energize the resistive layer, the resistive layer is partially heated, and the resistive layer is heated. A recording head for transferring a coloring material to be transferred onto the transfer paper,
Detecting means for detecting a change in contact resistance between the two recording electrode exposed portion rows and the resistance layer of the ink ribbon, determination means for determining the wear of the recording electrode exposed portion row based on the detection result of this detecting means, and the recording head Is moved in a direction orthogonal to the recording electrode exposed portion row, and when the judgment means determines that the recording electrode exposed portion row is worn, the moving means moves the recording head to perform the recording. It is composed of control means for bringing another row of exposed recording electrodes on the head into contact with the resistance layer of the ink ribbon.

The energization transfer recording apparatus of the present invention conveys a transfer sheet, an ink layer coated with a color material which is transferred by being superposed on the transfer sheet and transferred to the transfer sheet by applying heat, An ink ribbon consisting of a resistive layer that generates heat, a substrate, having a plurality of exposed portions in the sub-scanning direction, a plurality of recording electrodes covered by an insulating layer are arranged, and the exposed portions of each recording electrode are linear. It is formed by a plurality of rows of exposed recording electrodes that are arranged in a line. When the recording electrodes are brought into contact with the resistive layer of the ink ribbon to energize the resistive layer, the resistive layer is partially heated, and the resistive layer is heated. A recording head for transferring a coloring material to be transferred onto the transfer paper,
A detection means for detecting a change in contact resistance between the one recording electrode exposed portion row and the resistance layer of the ink ribbon; a first determination means for determining the wear of the recording electrode exposed portion row based on the detection result of this detection means; A moving means for moving the recording head in a direction orthogonal to the recording electrode exposed portion row when the first electrode is judged to be worn by the first determination means, and the recording head is moved by the moving means. A second judging means for judging another recording electrode exposed portion row on the recording head according to a change in the contact resistance obtained by the detecting means while moving, and the second judging means. The control means is configured to move the recording head by the moving means according to the determination result, and bring another row of recording electrode exposed portions on the recording head into contact with the resistance layer of the ink ribbon.

In the energization transfer recording apparatus of the present invention, a transfer paper having a resistance layer that generates heat when energized, and conveyed by being superposed on the transfer paper and applying heat, a coloring material to be transferred to the transfer paper is applied. An ink ribbon composed of an ink layer, and a recording electrode and a return electrode are brought into contact with the resistance layer of the transfer paper to energize the resistance layer to partially generate heat, and the ink corresponding to the heated resistance layer. The recording head is configured to transfer the color material of the ribbon onto the transfer paper.

In the energization transfer recording apparatus of the present invention, a transfer paper having a resistance layer which generates heat when energized, and a transfer material which is superposed on the transfer paper and is conveyed, and a color material which is transferred to the transfer paper by applying heat are applied. An ink ribbon composed of an ink layer, and a recording electrode and a return electrode are brought into contact with the resistance layer of the transfer paper to energize the resistance layer to partially generate heat, and the ink corresponding to the heated resistance layer. The recording head is configured to transfer the color material of the ribbon onto the transfer paper, and the transport speed of the ink ribbon is slower than the transport speed of the transfer paper.

[0025]

According to the present invention, the resistance layer of the ink ribbon is always in contact with the recording electrode or the return electrode of the energizing recording head in the above-mentioned structure.

Further, according to the present invention, a plurality of rows of the recording electrode exposed portions are provided in the energizing recording head, and the abrasion of the rows of the recording electrode exposed portions is detected. It is adapted to be brought into contact with the resistance layer of.

Further, according to the present invention, a resistance layer is provided on the transfer paper side, and when the resistance recording layer is energized by the energization recording head,
Recording is performed so that the ink ribbon transport speed is slower than the image receiving paper transport speed.

[0028]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A first embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIG.
9 to FIG.

FIG. 2 is a view for explaining the outline of the electric transfer recording apparatus of the present invention.

That is, the platen drum 1 is arranged at the substantially central portion. The platen drum 1 is composed of an elastic body such as rubber around the platen drum 1 and has a function as a platen roller of the energization recording head 2.

The platen drum 1 winds the paper (transfer paper, image-receiving paper) P around itself by rotating itself in the clockwise direction so that the paper P does not shift during overlay printing. Around the platen drum 1, pressure rollers 3, ... Are provided at predetermined intervals to prevent the paper P from floating above the platen drum 1. The circumference of the platen drum 1 is slightly longer than the length of the maximum paper size in the longitudinal direction.

An energization recording head 2 is arranged below the platen drum 1. Then, an ink ribbon 4 as a transfer medium is interposed between the platen drum 1 and the energization recording head 2.

The ink ribbon 4 is wound around an ink ribbon supply reel 5 and an ink ribbon take-up reel 6, and is conveyed (moved) by a drive roller pair 7. The drive roller pair 7 is connected to a drive shaft of a pulse motor (not shown) via a drive force transmission mechanism (not shown) and is rotationally driven as necessary.

On the left side of the platen drum 1, there is provided a paper feed cassette 8 in which papers P, ... A paper feed roller 9 is provided above the paper feed cassette 8 so as to take out the paper P stored in the paper feed cassette 8 one by one.

The paper P picked up by the paper feed roller 9 is sent to the registration rollers 10 and 10 and the front end of the paper P is aligned.
The sheet is transferred to the platen drum 1 via 11 and is wound around the platen drum 1 by the gripper 12, the pressing roller 3, ... Here, the paper feed cassette 8 is detachable from the side surface of the main body.

The sheet P, the front end of which is fixed by the gripper 12, is wound around the platen drum 1 by the counterclockwise rotation, and after the front end passes through the recording area, the energizing recording head 2 presses the platen drum 1. Is recorded.

When the recording is completed and the sheet is discharged, the platen drum 1 is rotated counterclockwise until the trailing edge of the sheet P reaches the sheet discharge guides 13, 13, and when the sheet P is reached, The platen drum 1 is rotated clockwise, and the rear end of the paper P is separated from the platen drum 1 by a separation claw (not shown) and guided to the paper discharge guides 13, 13. Finally, the front end of the paper P is released from the gripper 12, and the paper P on which recording is carried by the paper ejection guides 13 is ejected onto the paper ejection tray 14.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, the energization recording head 2 has a supporting member 21, a return electrode 22, an insulating layer 23, and
The recording electrodes 24, ... And the circuit board 25 are laminated.

In this energization recording head 2, the return electrode 22 is printed on the flat surface of the ceramic support member 21 by a thick film printing method using a tungsten thick film paste so as to have a thickness of 30 μm, and then baked. On this return electrode 22,
The insulating layer 23 is formed by baking and printing using a glass paste so that the thickness becomes 100 μm. Further, by using a tungsten thick film paste on the insulating layer 23, the recording electrodes 24, ... Have an electrode width of 60 μm and an electrode pitch of 12.
It is formed to have a thickness of 5 μm and a thickness of 30 μm.

After that, the end face is cut and polished, the circuit board 25 is provided on the ceramic support member 21, and the recording electrode control circuits (IC) 26, ... And external connection terminals such as connectors are provided on the circuit board 25. The energization recording head 2 is manufactured by mounting 27.

As a result, in the energization recording head 2, the return electrode 22, the insulating layer 23, and the recording electrode 24 are laminated in this order on the support member 21, and the recording electrode 24, the insulating layer 23, the return electrode 22, and the support member 21 are formed. The end surface is an inclined surface where the recording electrode 24 is the lower end, and the inclined surface and the conveyance path of the paper P are inclined so as to be parallel to each other (FIG. 7).
reference).

An insulating film such as varnish may be applied to the portions other than the end portions of the recording electrodes 24 ,. Each of the recording electrode control circuits 26, ... Has 64 low voltage driving circuits, and all of the recording electrodes 24 are composed of 10 circuits.
... is driven. Recording electrode 24,
The lead portion (not shown) of ... Is the recording electrode control circuit 26,
It is connected to the output terminal of ... by wire bonding. The output terminal of each recording electrode control circuit 26 and the lead portion (not shown) of the return electrode 22 are connected to the circuit board 25.
It is connected to the external connection terminal 27 by a conductive pattern wiring provided above.

Further, in the energization recording head 2, as shown in FIG. 4, the return electrode 22 and the recording electrodes 24, ... May have a step difference. In this case, the return electrode 22
Are higher than the recording electrodes 24, and the height of the insulating layer 23 is the same as the height of the recording electrodes 24 ,.

That is, the energization recording head 2 includes the return electrode 22 and the insulating layer 2 on the plane of the ceramic support member 21.
3, the recording electrodes 24, ... Are sequentially formed by a thick film printing method. Here, the return electrode 22 reaches the end of the support member 21,
The insulating layer 23 and the recording electrodes 24 are formed up to a position 100 μm from the end. The distance between the insulating layer 23 and the tips of the recording electrodes 24, ... Is made shorter than the pitch of the recording electrodes 24 ,.

As a result, in the energization recording head 2, the return electrode 22, the insulating layer 23, and the recording electrode 24 are laminated in this order on the support member 21, and the recording electrode 24, the insulating layer 23, the return electrode 22, and the support member 21 are formed. The end surface has a step in which the recording electrode 24 is on the lower side, and the step is provided so as to be parallel to the transport path of the paper P (see FIG. 8).

Next, the ink ribbon 4 used for energizing transfer recording using the energizing recording head 2 will be described with reference to FIGS.
Will be explained. FIG. 5 shows a sectional view of the ink ribbon 4. The ink ribbon 4 has a structure in which a 1 μm-thick ink layer 4b containing a sublimable coloring material is provided on a 12 μm-thick polycarbonate resistance layer 4a in which conductive particles such as conductive carbon black are dispersed. In FIG. 6, a conductive layer 4c made of an aluminum layer having a thickness of 1000 angstrom is provided between the resistance layer 4a and the ink layer 4b.

In the electric recording head 2 of the present invention, the ink ribbon 4 having either layer structure can be used.

The ink layer 4b is composed of a yellow ink layer 4Y containing a sublimable yellow dye, a magenta ink layer 4M containing a sublimable magenta dye, and a cyan ink layer 4C containing a sublimable cyan dye in a direction opposite to the carrying direction of the ink ribbon 4. The length of the ink layer of one color depends on the length of the recording screen, and is 145 mm in this embodiment. The width of the ink layer 4b is set to 80 mm so as to sufficiently cover the length of the row of recording electrodes 24, ...

As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the ink ribbon 4 has a recording electrode 24 side, that is, a recording electrode 24 side.
.. and the return electrode 22 are urged toward the end face side.

Next, the control circuit of the electric transfer recording apparatus is shown in FIG.
Will be explained.

That is, the CPU 31 is provided as a control unit for controlling the entire electro-transfer printing apparatus. This C
ROM 32, RAM to PU 31 via bus 41
33, drivers 34, 35, 36, 37, a recording signal generation circuit 38, and interfaces 39, 40 are connected. A control program is stored in the ROM 32. RAM33 is used for working and
It has counting units 33a and 33b for counting the number of pulses of the conveyance state by each pulse motor.

The recording head 2 is driven by the driver 34, and the pulse motor 4 is applied to the paper feed roller 9 by the driver 35.
The solenoid 42 for transmitting the rotational force of 3 is driven, and the driver 36 drives the platen drum 1 that conveys the paper P and the ink ribbon 4, the driving roller pair 7, the registration roller 10,
The pulse motor 43 for rotating 10 or the like is driven, and the driver 37 drives the pulse motor 44 for driving a mechanism (not shown) for moving the energization recording head 2 (or the platen drum 1) up and down.

An external personal computer (personal computer) 45 is selectively connected to the interface 39,
The recording code from the external personal computer 45 is accepted. A scanner 46 is selectively connected to the interface 40 to receive a recording signal from the scanner 46.

The recording signal generating circuit 38 is used for the external personal computer 4
The recording code from 5 is converted into a recording signal.

Next, the operation of the energization transfer recording apparatus using the energization recording head 2 of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.

First, the paper P is taken out from the cassette 13 and wound around the platen drum 1, and the leading end of the paper P is fixed and held by the platen drum 1 by the gripper 12.
The ink ribbon 4 is pulled out from the ink ribbon supply reel 5 by the drive roller pair 7 that conveys the ink ribbon 4, and the yellow ink layer 4Y is first cued.

During the series of operations of the paper P and the ink ribbon 4, the energization recording head 2 is separated from the platen drum 1, but the energization recording is performed after the ink ribbon 4 and the paper P are set to the fixed positions. The head 2 is biased by the platen drum 1.

Then, a recording signal of a yellow component is supplied from a color image signal (not shown) to the recording electrode control circuit 26, ... Of the energizing recording head 2, and a recording current is selectively supplied to the recording electrode 6.

The paper P is sent in accordance with the rotation of the platen drum 1, and the recording of the yellow screen is completed.

Next, the energization recording head 2 is separated from the platen drum 1, and the recording screen of the paper P and the ink ribbon 4 are printed.
Of the magenta ink layer 4M is performed, and then the energizing recording head 2 is again energized to the platen drum 1 and a recording current is supplied according to the recording signal of the magenta component of the recording electrode 6 to superimpose it on the yellow image. Then, the magenta image is recorded.

Then, a cyan image is recorded by the same operation.

After the recording of the cyan image, the energization recording head 2 is separated from the platen drum 1, and the ink ribbon 4
However, the paper P is sent out in accordance with the rotation of the platen drum 1, the clips 12 are removed by the paper ejection guides 13 and 13, the leading end of the paper P is released, and the paper P is ejected onto the paper ejection tray 14. To be done.

In the above series of operations, the ink ribbon 4
The current flow from the recording electrodes 24, ... Inside to the return electrode 22 will be described in more detail.

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which the ink ribbon 4 and the paper P are sandwiched between the electric recording head 2 and the platen drum 1 when the electric recording head 2 of FIG. 1 is used. In this example, the ink ribbon 4 is shown in FIG. 5, and is composed of a resistance layer 4a and an ink layer 4b. The recording current injected from the recording electrodes 24, ... To the resistance layer 4a reaches the return electrode 22 through the path indicated by the arrow r, and the current is concentrated at the contact portion between the recording electrodes 24 ,. Joule heat is generated. In addition, the recording electrode 24,
Since the resistance layer 4a comes into contact with the end portion of ..., the pressure is high and the contact is stable.

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which the ink ribbon 4 and the paper P are sandwiched between the energization recording head 2 and the platen drum 1 when the energization recording head 2 of FIG. 4 is used. In the energization recording head 2 of this structure, the recording electrodes 24, ... And the return electrode 22 both come into contact with the resistance layer 4a of the ink ribbon 4 at the ends, so that stable contact can be obtained. The recording current injected from the recording electrodes 24, ... To the resistance layer 4a reaches the return electrode 22 through the path indicated by the arrow r, and the current is concentrated at the contact portion between the recording electrodes 24 ,. Joule heat is generated.

Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

FIG. 10 is a sectional view for explaining the outline of the main part of the electric transfer recording apparatus of this embodiment.

That is, the platen drum 51 is provided at the substantially central portion.
Is provided.

An energization recording head 52 is arranged below the platen drum 51. An ink ribbon 53 as a transfer medium is interposed between the platen drum 51 and the energization recording head 52.

The ink ribbon 53 is composed of a resistance layer 53a and an ink layer 53b, as in the first embodiment.

The ink ribbon 53 is wound around an ink ribbon supply reel 57 and an ink ribbon take-up reel 54, and is conveyed (moved) by a driving roller. A drive shaft of a pulse motor (not shown) is connected to the drive rollers 55 and 56 via a drive force transmission mechanism (not shown), and is rotationally driven as necessary. The drive roller 55 is grounded and is provided in place of the return electrode in the first embodiment.

As a result, a current from a recording electrode 64 (described later) of the energizing recording head 52 flows to the driving roller 55 via the resistance layer 53a of the ink ribbon 53.

On the left side of the platen drum 51, a registration roller 60 to which a sheet 58 as a transfer sheet is conveyed,
60 is provided. The registration rollers 60, 60
The sheet 58 conveyed by the sheet is conveyed toward the platen drum 51, further conveyed by the conveying roller 59 and the driving roller 55, and ejected.

As shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, the energization recording head 52 has an aluminum plate 61 as a supporting member, a ceramics substrate 62, a circuit substrate 63, and an external connection terminal 71.
It is composed by.

A copper film is formed on the flat surface of the ceramic substrate 62 by electroless copper plating, and a thin film is processed to divide it into 630 pieces at a pitch of 125 μm. (The division is performed by removing by etching.) Further, a _CO- W (cobalt tungsten) alloy film is formed on the copper thin film by electrolytic plating to form the recording electrodes 64, .... Of the 630 recording electrodes 64, ..., One at each end is a detection electrode 64a, 64a used to detect the electrode wear state and the position of the energization recording head 52, and the other 628 are used for recording.

An insulating coating layer 67 is formed on the recording electrodes 64, ... In order to obtain a predetermined pixel shape and prevent the recording electrodes 64, ... And the resistance layer 53a of the ink ribbon 53 from coming into contact with each other more than necessary. It is provided.

The coating layer 67 is obtained by melting and coating varnish, inorganic glass, etc., and drying it. The coating layer 67 is orthogonal to the array direction of the recording electrodes 64, ... And the recording electrode exposed portion rows 65a, 65b, 65.
c and 65d are linear and are provided so as to be formed in plural. The coating layer 67 includes the recording electrode exposed portion rows 65a and 65.
Melt while masking parts b, 65c and 65d.
Apply and then remove the mask.

Further, recording electrodes 64, ..., Detection electrodes 64
The exposure width of each of a and 64a is approximately 125 μm, and the interval between the recording electrode exposed portion rows 65a, 65b, 65c, and 65d is approximately 1 mm, which is constant.

Further, as shown in FIG. 13, the recording electrode 6
A structure in which an insulator 72 is provided between 4, ...

Thereafter, a ceramic substrate 62 having the above-described recording electrode exposed portion rows 65a, 65b, 65c, 65d formed on the aluminum plate 61, and a recording electrode control circuit (IC).
69, ..., The detection circuits 70, 70, and the circuit board 63 on which the external connection terminals 71 such as connectors are mounted are adhered to each other, whereby the energization recording head 52 is manufactured.

The recording electrodes 64, ... Are the recording electrode control circuit 6
The output terminals of 9, ... Are connected by wire bonding. Each of the recording electrode control circuits 69, ... Has 64 low-voltage driving circuits, and therefore, it is possible to drive all the recording electrodes 64 ,. The input terminals and external connection terminals (not shown) of the recording electrode control circuits 69, ... Are wired on the circuit board 63. The detection electrodes 64a and 64a are connected to the detection circuits 70 and 70 on the circuit board 63. Detection circuit 70
Will be described later.

14 and 15 are views for explaining the moving mechanism of the energization recording head 52. This moving mechanism includes rails 82 and 82 on a base plate 81 and a stage 8 that slides smoothly on the rails 82 and 82.
0 is provided. The energization recording head 52 is attached to the stage 80. A rack 85 is attached to the aluminum plate 61 of the energization recording head 52, and the gear 84 rotated by the pulse motor 83 and the rack 85 mesh with each other. The driver 119 rotates the pulse motor 83 in response to a signal from the control circuit 111, the power thereof is transmitted to the gear 84 and the rack 85, and the energization recording head 51 moves.

Next, the operation of the electric transfer recording apparatus using the electric recording head 52 of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.

First, since the energization recording head 52 does not have a return electrode on the energization recording head 52, the drive roller 55 for the return electrode which is grounded is used. The drive roller 55 is wider than the ink ribbon 53 and contacts the resistance layer 53a of the ink ribbon 53 downstream of the energization recording head 52.
Paper 58 taken out from a paper feed cassette (not shown)
Is conveyed by the registration rollers 60, 60 and guided to the drive roller 55 from between the platen drum 51 and the energization recording head 52.

While the sheet 58 and the ink ribbon 53 are being conveyed by the driving roller 55, the energization recording head 52 energizes the ink ribbon 53 according to the image signal to form an image,
The paper is conveyed to a paper discharge tray (not shown).

FIG. 16 is a diagram for explaining a configuration example of the detection circuit 69.

The detection circuit 69 includes a resistor R4, an amplifier 91,
It is composed of an A / D converter 92 and an interface 93.

At this time, the detection electrode 64a is the ink ribbon 5
The contact resistance R1 between the detection electrode 64a and the resistance layer 53a, the internal resistance R2 of the resistance layer 53a, the drive roller 55 and the resistance layer 53 are in contact with the resistance layer 53a.
There is a contact resistance R3 of a. The internal resistance R2 can be made constant by controlling the material and the film thickness, and the contact resistance R3 is stable because the contact area is large because the drive roller 55 is used as the return electrode.

The resistor R4 is a voltage detecting resistor for measuring the variation of the contact resistance R1 between the detection electrode 64a and the resistance layer 53a. As recording is performed, the detection electrode 64a wears and the contact resistance R1 between the detection electrode 64a and the resistance layer 53a increases. When the contact resistance R1 increases while the constant voltage V is applied, the voltage applied to the voltage detection resistance R4 decreases.

The amplifier 91 amplifies the voltage applied to the voltage detecting resistor R4, and the A / D converter 92 converts the analog voltage value from the amplifier 91 into a digital value and sends it to the CPU 111 via the interface 93. It is what is output.

Next, when the progress of wear of the recording electrodes 64, ... Of the recording electrode exposed portion row 65a (or 65b, 65c) is detected, the contact state between the recording electrodes 64 ,. The operation of adjusting the recording head 52 to the optimum position will be described.

As the recording is performed, the recording electrode exposed portion array 65 is formed.
The recording electrodes 64, ... (A) (or 65b, 65c) and the detection electrodes 64a are worn, and the contact resistance R1 between the recording electrodes 64, ... (Detection electrode 64a) and the resistance layer 53a increases. Contact resistance R with a constant voltage V applied
When 1 becomes higher, the voltage applied to the voltage detection resistor R4 becomes lower.

The voltage applied to the voltage detecting resistor R4 is amplified by the amplifier 9
1 is amplified and digitized by the A / D converter 92, and the value is sent to the CPU 1 via the interface 93.
Send to 11. The CPU 111 compares a preset value with the applied voltage of the voltage detection resistor R4, and when the applied voltage is low, the detection electrode 64a, that is, the recording electrode exposed portion array 6
It is determined that the recording electrodes 64 of 5a (65b, 65c, 65d) are worn.

Next, the energization of the platen drum 51 and the energization recording head 52 is released, a signal is given to the driver 119, the pulse motor 83 is rotated, and the energization recording head 52 is moved. The distance that the energization recording head 52 moves is determined by the next recording electrode exposed portion row 65b (or 65c, 6).
It is about 1 mm so that 5d) contacts the resistance layer 53a.

At this time, the position of the energizing recording head 52 is finely adjusted so that the recording electrodes 64 ,. As shown in FIGS. 18 and 19, when the recording electrode exposed portion row 65b (or 65c, 65d) is directly below the platen drum 51, FIG.
Since the contact area is wide, the contact resistance R1 is small, but the contact resistance R1 is large in FIG. Therefore, the position where the voltage applied to the voltage detection resistor R4 is the largest is the recording electrode exposed portion row 65b (or 65c, 65).
It can be said that d) is the optimum position directly below the platen drum 51. The position of the energization recording head 52 is moved back and forth, the largest position of the voltage applied to the voltage detecting resistor R4 is detected, and the energization recording head 52 is stopped.

FIG. 17 shows an urging / releasing switching mechanism (vertical movement mechanism) for releasing the urging of the platen drum 51 and the energization recording head 52 when the energization recording head 52 is moved. The platen drum 51 is rotatably attached to the tips of the arms 101, 101, and the arm 101 is rotatable about a stud 103 at the other end.

By pushing the arm 101 by the spring (compression spring) 102, the platen drum 51 is biased by the energization recording head 52. Spring 102 of arm 101
There is a cam 107 on the opposite side to the gear train 106, 10
5, the motor 104 rotates.

In the state shown in FIG. 17, the cam 107 is connected to the arm 10.
However, when the cam 107 rotates in the direction of arrow a by the pulse motor 104, the platen drum 51 is lifted to move in the direction of arrow b and the bias is released.

Next, the control circuit of the electric transfer recording apparatus is shown in FIG.
It will be described using 0.

That is, the CPU 111 is provided as a control unit for controlling the entire electro-conductive transfer recording apparatus. The CPU 111 is connected to the ROM 11 via the bus 110.
2, RAM 113, drivers 114, 115, 116,
117, 118, 119, the recording signal generation circuit 120, the interfaces 121, 122, and the detection circuit 6
9 is connected. A control program is stored in the ROM 112. The RAM 113 is used for working, and counting units 113a and 113 for counting the number of pulses of the conveyance state of each pulse motor.
It has b, 113c and 113d.

The driver 114 controls the energization recording head 52.
Are driven, the driver 115 drives the solenoid 123 that transmits the rotational force of the pulse motor 124 to the paper feed roller (not shown), and the driver 116 drives the paper 58.
Pulse motor 124 for rotating the platen drum 51 for conveying the sheet, the driving roller 59, the registration rollers 60, 60, etc.
Is driven, and the pulse motor 125 that rotates the drive roller 55 that moves the ink ribbon 53 by the driver 117 is driven.
Is driven, and the platen drum 51 is driven by the driver 118.
The pulse motor 104 that drives a mechanism (see FIG. 17) that moves up and down is driven, and the driver 119 drives the pulse motor 83 that drives a mechanism (see FIGS. 14 and 15) that moves the energization recording head 52.

An external personal computer (personal computer) 126 is selectively connected to the interface 121 to receive a recording code from the external personal computer 126. The interface 122 includes a scanner 12
7 is selectively connected to receive a recording signal from the scanner 127.

The recording signal generation circuit 120 converts the recording code from the external personal computer 126 into a recording signal.

The CPU 111 compares the digital value supplied from the A / D converter 92 via the interface 93, that is, the voltage value of the voltage detecting resistor R4 with a preset value (a value for judging wear). When the voltage value of the voltage detection resistor R4 is lower than a preset value, the detection electrode 64a, that is, the recording electrode 6 of the recording electrode exposed portion row 65a (or 65b, 65c).
4, it is judged that the wear has occurred.

Based on this determination, the CPU 111 moves the energization recording head 52 to move to the next recording electrode exposed portion row 65b.
(65c, 65d) is brought into contact with the resistance layer 53a.

When the energizing recording head 52 is moved, C
The PU 111 moves the energization recording head 52 by 1 mm or more, stores the voltage value of the voltage detection resistor R4 in every 0.1 mm or 0.05 mm in the RAM 113, and stores it in the center of the recording electrode exposed portion row 65b (65c, 65d). The position (optimum position) where the center of the platen drum 51 and the center of the platen drum 51 coincide is determined. The CPU 111 moves the energization recording head 52 to this determined position.

In the above embodiment, the case where the energization recording head is provided with the plurality of recording electrode exposed portion rows on the plane has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this, and as shown in FIGS. The leading end of the energization recording head may have an arc-shaped cross section, and a plurality of rows of exposed recording electrodes may be provided along the curved main scanning direction.

That is, the energization recording head 130 is shown in FIG.
As shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 22, it is composed of an aluminum plate 131, a ceramic support 132, a circuit board 133, a glass rod 134, and an external connection connector 137.

The recording electrodes 138, ... And the detection electrodes 138a are arranged on the curved surface of the glass rod 134 having a diameter of 6 mm, and the glass rod 134 and the resin or ceramic support 132 are connected. The recording electrodes 138, ... And the covering layer 139 are made of the same material and manufacturing method as those in the above-mentioned embodiment. This is bonded to the aluminum plate 131 together with the circuit board 133 to form the energization recording head 130. The energization recording head 130 is also provided with recording electrode control circuits 136, ..., Detection circuit 136a and the like.

23 and 24 show moving means (rotating mechanism) of the energizing recording head 130.

The movement of the energization recording head 130 is a rotation movement about the arc center of the head tip. The energization recording head 130 is held on the base 140 so as to rotate about the center of the glass rod 134. A pulley 143 is provided on a shaft 142 passing through the center of an arc of the head end, and a rotary pulley 145 of a pulse motor 146 is connected to the pulley 143 via a belt 144. As a result, the energization recording head 130 can be moved by the rotation of the pulse motor 146, that is, the head end portion can be rotationally moved. The algorithms for detecting the worn state of the recording electrodes 138, ..., Detecting the position of the energized recording head 130, and moving the energized recording head 130 accordingly are the same as those for the energized recording head 51 described above.

Next, regarding the third embodiment of the present invention,
This will be described with reference to FIG.

A paper 151 as a transfer paper is formed by depositing a metal such as Al, Cu or Au on a resistance layer 152 formed by dispersing conductive particles in a thermoreversible or thermosetting binder to form a conductive layer 153. The thermosensitive coloring layer 154 is provided on top of this. The main components of the thermosensitive coloring layer 154 are a basic dye precursor (leuco dye) called a color former and an acidic substance called a color developer. These fine particles are dispersed in a binder and applied.

The recording principle of this embodiment will be described.
At this time, the same energization recording head 2 as in the first embodiment (see FIG.
(See) is used. In the energization recording head 2 of FIG. 25, the aluminum plate 20 is provided below the support member 21.

That is, the resistance layer 152 of the paper 151 is brought into contact with the recording electrodes 24, ..., Return electrode 22 of the energizing recording head 2, and the recording electrodes 151 are energized in accordance with image information while the recording paper 151 is being conveyed. Then, the recording current injected from the recording electrodes 24, ... To the resistance layer 152 (155) reaches the return path electrode 22 through the path as indicated by the arrow r through the conductive layer 153, and near the recording electrodes 24 ,. Heat is generated in the resistance layer 155. The heat raises the temperature of the thermosensitive coloring layer 154, and either the color former or the developer having a lower melting point melts, and the other melts in the melt to cause a color reaction, which causes an image on the thermosensitive coloring layer 154. Is formed. In this case, the recording paper 15
No ink ribbon is required because the color of 1 itself develops.

Next, regarding the fourth embodiment of the present invention,
This will be described with reference to FIG.

The transfer paper 161 is a resistance layer 16 formed by dispersing conductive particles in a thermoreversible or thermosetting binder.
3, a metal such as Al, Cu or Au is vapor-deposited to form a conductive layer 164, and an image receiving layer 165 of a saturated or unsaturated polyester resin is provided thereon.

As shown in FIG. 26, the ink ribbon 162 is used in a thermal transfer system using a thermal head. For example, the thickness of 1 μm containing a sublimable dye on a polyethylene terephthalate substrate 166 having a thickness of 4.5 μm. This is a configuration in which a thick ink layer 167 is provided. .

Also in this case, the recording current injected from the recording electrodes 24, ... To the resistance layer 163 (168) is applied to the conductive layer 164.
It reaches the return path electrode 22 through a path as indicated by the arrow r through and the current is concentrated at the contact portion between the recording electrode 24, ... And the resistance layer 4a, so that Joule heat is generated.

The transfer paper 161 and the ink ribbon 1 having the above structure
FIG. 27 shows the operation of the electric transfer recording apparatus using 62.
Will be explained.

Here, the same energization recording head 2 as that used in the third embodiment is used.

First, the transfer paper 161 is the paper feed roller 181a.
Is taken out of the paper feed cassette 181 by the rotation of, and is conveyed by the conveyance roller 183 after passing over the electric recording head 2. The transport speed of the transfer paper 161 during recording is determined by the speed of the transport roller pair 183.

One end of the ink ribbon 162 is wound around an ink ribbon supply roll 174, sandwiched by a pair of ink ribbon transport rollers 175, the platen drum 171 faces the energization recording head 2, and the other end thereof is located in the ink ribbon recovery roll 1.
It is wound around 76. Ink ribbon transport roller pair 175
Is on the upstream side of the energization recording head 2, and therefore the conveyance speed of the ink ribbon 162 during recording is the ink ribbon conveyance roller pair 1
Determined at a speed of 75.

Further, the ink ribbon collecting roll 176 is given a speed higher than the conveying speed of the ink ribbon 162 via the slip clutch. The ink ribbon transport roller pair 175 and the ink ribbon collecting roll 176 are respectively provided on a drive shaft 178 of a pulse motor 177 with a belt 179,
They are connected via 180. The rotation of the pulse motor 184 is transmitted to the pair of conveying rollers 183. The pulse motors 177 and 184 are rotationally driven by drivers 186 and 187, respectively.

In this state, the transfer paper 161 and the ink ribbon 162 can be transported at independent transport speeds, so that the ink ribbon 162 is transferred to the transfer paper 161.
The recording electrodes 24, ... Of the energizing recording head 2 are energized corresponding to the image information while being conveyed at a slower conveying speed.

As shown in FIG. 26, when the recording electrodes 24, ... Of the energizing recording head 2 are energized during recording, the recording electrodes 2
4, ... From the return electrode 22 to the resistance layer 16 of the transfer paper 161.
3, a current flows through the conductive layer 164. Recording electrode 2
Since the contact areas of Nos. 4, ... Are smaller than that of the return electrode 22, current concentration in the resistance layer 168 near the recording electrodes 24 ,. This heat raises the temperature of the ink layer 167 of the ink ribbon 162, and the dye in the ink layer 167 is transferred to the image receiving layer 165 of the transfer paper 161.

At this time, unlike the case where the thermal head is used, since the ink layer 167 side is heated, less heating energy is required, and since the temperature rise of the base material 166 is small, a material having low heat resistance, such as polyethylene, is used. Terephthalate can be used, and the ink ribbon 162
Cost will be reduced. In addition, the base material 1 having a large film thickness
Since 66 can also be used, the ink ribbon 162 can be easily transported.

The block structure of the above-mentioned electric transfer recording apparatus is as follows.
It is possible to use the same one as in FIG. 20 of the second embodiment. However, the transfer speeds of the transfer paper 161 and the ink ribbon 162 by the CPU 111 are controlled to different speeds, and the transfer paper 161 is transferred faster than the ink ribbon 4. However, the drivers 116 and 117 in FIG.
Corresponding to the drivers 187, 186 of FIG. 20, the pulse motors 124, 125 of FIG.
It corresponds to 77.

Further, a color image may be obtained by providing three or four recording stages and sequentially forming yellow, magenta, cyan and black images on a sheet.

For example, as shown in FIG. 29, for each of the recording stages 191, 192, 193, FIG.
Conductive recording head 2 and ink ribbon 1 as described above.
62 and the platen drum 171.

[0131]

As described above in detail, according to the present invention,
Return electrode on the support member in the recording head for energization transfer,
By stacking the insulating layer and the recording electrode and bringing the end portion of the recording electrode into contact with the resistance layer of the ink ribbon, the pressure between the recording electrode and the resistance layer increases and the contact becomes stable. As a result, the current path in the ink ribbon from the recording electrode to the return electrode is constant, and the heat generation amount is stable, and a good image without density unevenness can be obtained. In addition, since the recording electrode and the resistance layer are not separated from each other, there is no discharge between the electrode and the resistance layer, and it is possible to prevent breakage or cutting of the ink ribbon and abrasion of the electrode.

Further, since a plurality of exposed recording electrode arrays are provided in the energizing recording head and a worn state of the recording electrodes is detected and a new recording electrode array is used when the recording electrodes are worn, the image quality is not deteriorated and one The life of the energization recording head is extended. Further, the optimum positions of the energization recording head and the platen can be automatically adjusted.

Since the recording paper itself generates heat, the same ink ribbon as in the thermal transfer system using the thermal head can be used, and the running cost can be reduced.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the configuration of an electric recording head in an electric transfer recording apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining a schematic configuration of an electric transfer recording apparatus.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a configuration example of an energization recording head.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a configuration example of an energization recording head.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a configuration example of an ink ribbon.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a configuration example of an ink ribbon.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a mounting state of an electric recording head and an ink ribbon.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a mounting state of an energization recording head and an ink ribbon.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a control circuit of an electric transfer recording apparatus.

FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining a schematic configuration of an electric transfer recording apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing the configuration of an energization recording head.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view showing the configuration of an energization recording head.

FIG. 13 is a perspective view showing the configuration of an energization recording head.

FIG. 14 is a diagram for explaining a moving mechanism of the energization recording head.

FIG. 15 is a diagram for explaining a moving mechanism of the energization recording head.

FIG. 16 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of a detection circuit.

FIG. 17 is a perspective view for explaining a vertical movement mechanism of the platen drum.

FIG. 18 is a diagram for explaining the positions of the platen drum and the recording electrodes of the recording electrode exposed portion array.

FIG. 19 is a diagram for explaining the positions of the platen drum and the recording electrodes of the recording electrode exposed portion array.

FIG. 20 is a diagram showing a control circuit of the electric transfer recording apparatus.

FIG. 21 is a perspective view showing the configuration of an energization recording head.

FIG. 22 is a perspective view showing the configuration of an energization recording head.

FIG. 23 is a diagram for explaining a rotating mechanism of the energization recording head.

FIG. 24 is a diagram for explaining a rotating mechanism of the energization recording head.

FIG. 25 is a diagram showing a configuration of an energization recording head and a sheet in the energization transfer recording device.

FIG. 26 is a diagram showing a configuration of an energization recording head, an ink ribbon, and a sheet in the energization transfer recording device.

FIG. 27 is a view for explaining the schematic structure of an electro-transfer printing apparatus according to the third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 28 is a diagram for explaining a schematic configuration of an electro-transfer printing apparatus according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 29 is a diagram for explaining the relationship between an energization recording head, an ink ribbon, and a sheet in a conventional energization transfer recording apparatus.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Platen drum, 2 ... Electric recording head, 4 ... Ink ribbon, P ... Paper (transfer paper), 21 ... Support member, 22 ...
Return electrode, 23 ... Insulating layer, 24 ... Recording electrode.

Claims (8)

[Claims] 1. A transfer sheet to be conveyed, and an ink layer coated with a coloring material to be transferred to the transfer sheet by being heated and transferred to be superposed on the transfer sheet, and a resistance layer which generates heat when energized. The ink ribbon and the resistance layer of the ink ribbon are brought into contact with the recording electrode and the return electrode to energize the resistance layer to partially generate heat, and the coloring material corresponding to the heated resistance layer is applied to the transfer paper. In a current transfer recording apparatus having a recording head for transferring to a recording head, the recording head is laminated on a base material in the order of a return electrode, an insulating layer, and a recording electrode, and the recording electrode, the insulating layer, the return electrode, and the end surface of the base material are The recording electrode is an inclined surface which is the lower end, and the inclined surface is provided so as to be inclined so as to be parallel to the transport path of the transfer paper. The ink ribbon includes the recording electrode, the insulating layer, and the return electrode. ,Base material Energizing transfer recording apparatus characterized by being provided to be biased to the end face. 2. A transfer sheet to be conveyed, and an ink layer coated with a coloring material to be transferred and transferred to the transfer sheet by applying heat, and a resistance layer that generates heat when energized. The ink ribbon and the resistance layer of the ink ribbon are brought into contact with the recording electrode and the return electrode to energize the resistance layer to partially generate heat, and the coloring material corresponding to the heated resistance layer is applied to the transfer paper. In a current transfer recording apparatus having a recording head for transferring to a recording head, the recording head is laminated on a base material in the order of a return electrode, an insulating layer, and a recording electrode, and an end surface of the recording electrode and the return electrode has a recording electrode on a lower side. The ink ribbon is provided so as to be inclined so that the step and the transfer paper conveyance path are parallel to each other, and the ink ribbon is urged toward the end faces of the recording electrode and the return electrode. The Energizing transfer recording apparatus characterized by. 3. A transfer sheet to be conveyed, and an ink layer coated with a coloring material to be transferred to the transfer sheet by being heated and conveyed by being superposed on the transfer sheet, and a resistance layer which generates heat when energized. The ink ribbon and the resistance layer of the ink ribbon are brought into contact with the recording electrode and the return electrode to energize the resistance layer to partially generate heat, and the coloring material corresponding to the heated resistance layer is applied to the transfer paper. In a current transfer recording apparatus having a recording head for transferring to a recording head, a plurality of recording electrodes covered with an insulating layer are arranged on a base material in a state having a plurality of exposed portions in the sub-scanning direction, A recording head having a plurality of recording electrode exposed portion rows in which exposed portions of the recording electrode are linearly arranged. 4. A transfer sheet to be transported, an ink layer coated with a coloring material transferred to the transfer sheet by being heated and transferred to the transfer sheet, and a resistance layer to generate heat when energized. With the ink ribbon and the substrate having a plurality of exposed portions in the sub-scanning direction, a plurality of recording electrodes covered with an insulating layer are arranged, and the exposed portions of the recording electrodes are arranged in a line. The resistive layer of the ink ribbon is formed by a row of exposed recording electrodes, and the resistive layer is partially heated by bringing the recording electrode into contact with the resistive layer of the ink ribbon to energize the resistive layer. A recording head for transferring onto a transfer paper, a detecting means for detecting a change in contact resistance between one recording electrode exposed portion row of the recording head and the resistance layer of the ink ribbon, and the recording result by the detecting means. Electrode exposure Energizing transfer recording apparatus characterized by comprising determination means for determining the state of wear of the column, a. 5. A transfer sheet to be transported, an ink layer coated with a coloring material transferred onto the transfer sheet by being heated and transferred to the transfer sheet, and a resistance layer that generates heat when energized. With the ink ribbon and the substrate having a plurality of exposed portions in the sub-scanning direction, a plurality of recording electrodes covered with an insulating layer are arranged, and the exposed portions of the recording electrodes are arranged in a line. The resistive layer of the ink ribbon is formed by a row of exposed recording electrodes, and the resistive layer is partially heated by bringing the recording electrode into contact with the resistive layer of the ink ribbon to energize the resistive layer. A recording head for transferring onto a transfer paper, a detecting means for detecting a change in contact resistance between one recording electrode exposed portion row of the recording head and the resistance layer of the ink ribbon, and the recording result by the detecting means. Electrode exposure Judgment means for judging wear of the row, moving means for moving the recording head in a direction orthogonal to the row of the recording electrode exposed portions, and when the judgment means judges wear of the row of exposed recording electrodes, An electric transfer recording apparatus comprising: a control unit that moves the recording head by the moving unit to bring another row of recording electrode exposed portions on the recording head into contact with the resistance layer of the ink ribbon. . 6. A transfer sheet to be conveyed, and an ink layer coated with a coloring material to be transferred to the transfer sheet by being heated and transferred to the transfer sheet, and a resistance layer to generate heat when energized. With the ink ribbon and the substrate having a plurality of exposed portions in the sub-scanning direction, a plurality of recording electrodes covered with an insulating layer are arranged, and the exposed portions of the recording electrodes are arranged in a line. The resistive layer of the ink ribbon is formed by a row of exposed recording electrodes, and the resistive layer is partially heated by bringing the recording electrode into contact with the resistive layer of the ink ribbon to energize the resistive layer. A recording head for transferring onto a transfer paper, a detecting means for detecting a change in contact resistance between one recording electrode exposed portion row of the recording head and the resistance layer of the ink ribbon, and the recording result by the detecting means. Electrode exposure A first judging means for judging the wear of the row, and when the first judging means judges the wear of the recording electrode exposed portion row, the recording head is moved in a direction orthogonal to the recording electrode exposed portion row. Moving means for moving, and when the recording head is being moved by the moving means, another recording electrode exposed portion row on the recording head is judged according to a change in contact resistance obtained by the detecting means. The recording head is moved by the moving means according to the second judgment means and the judgment result of the second judgment means, and another recording electrode exposed portion row on the recording head is connected to the resistance layer of the ink ribbon. An electric transfer recording apparatus, comprising: 7. An ink ribbon comprising a transfer paper having a resistance layer which generates heat when energized, and an ink layer coated with a coloring material which is conveyed by being superposed on the transfer paper and transferred to the transfer paper by applying heat. When the recording electrode and the return electrode are brought into contact with the resistance layer of the transfer paper to energize, the resistance layer is partially heated, and the coloring material of the ink ribbon corresponding to the heated resistance layer is An electric transfer recording apparatus comprising: a recording head for transferring onto a transfer paper. 8. An ink ribbon comprising a transfer paper having a resistance layer that generates heat when energized, and an ink layer coated with a coloring material that is conveyed by being superposed on the transfer paper and transferred to the transfer paper by applying heat. When the recording electrode and the return electrode are brought into contact with the resistance layer of the transfer paper to energize, the resistance layer is partially heated, and the coloring material of the ink ribbon corresponding to the heated resistance layer is An electric transfer recording apparatus, comprising: a recording head for transferring onto a transfer paper, wherein the ink ribbon transport speed is slower than the transfer paper transport speed.