JPS58183281A - Heat sensitive transfer recording apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To prevent the generation of wrinkle in an ink carrier, by providing a friction means to one end of an ink carrier supply roll to make tensile force added to the ink carrier constant along the width direction thereof. CONSTITUTION:In the supply side of an ink film, a rotation stop 130 is provided to a shaft 123 and the rotation of an ink film supply roll 34a is controlled. For example, when springs 128L, 128R are shortened, the elastic force of each spring becomes large and friction plates 127L, 127L2, 127R1, 127R2 are strongly pressed to pressure control segments 126L, 126R and core presses 129L, 129R to increase friction force. By this friction force, the rotation of the roll 34a is controlled. Therefore, by adjusting the springs 128L, 128R, the generation of wrinkle of the ink film 33 can be prevented.

Description

[Detailed description of the invention] [Technical field to which the invention pertains] The present invention relates to a thermal transfer recording device.

[Prior art of the invention and its problems]

Recording devices are becoming increasingly important as terminal equipment for information processing devices. Among recording devices, thermal transfer recording has recently attracted attention. This thermal transfer recording device has advantages such as being able to record on plain paper, having a simple device, and being tamper-proof.

Most conventional thermal transfer recording devices are serial type printers, and as shown in Figure 1, an ink ribbon (11) as an ink carrier housed in a cassette is installed vertically in a thermal head (12). Recording is performed by applying heat from seven heating elements. The ink ribbon (11) is coated with heat-melting ink or heat-sublimable ink, and the ink is applied to the recording paper (
13).

At this time, the width of the ink ribbon (11) is generally about several mm. Ink ribbon like this (11)
is fed out from the supply reel (14), and then fed out from the take-up reel (15).
). The supply reel (14) carries the ink ribbon (11
) to apply appropriate tension to the ink ribbon (11).
It provides a restraining force. As a result, wrinkles do not occur on the ink ribbon (11), and ink transfer is performed reliably.

On the other hand, a line printer configured by such a thermal transfer recording device has been proposed.

The line printer at this time is A as shown in Figure 2.
Recording is performed by applying heat from nine heating elements arranged in a row over the same length as this width W to an ink film (16) as an ink carrier having a width W comparable to the width of a 4-size paper. . The heating element is provided in the thermal head (17). The ink heated by the heating element is thermally softened and transferred to the recording paper (18).

The problem with this line printer is that the ink film (16
). When wrinkles occur on the ink film (16), the ink film (16) and recording paper (18)
) do not come into close contact with each other, creating an air layer.

Then, the ink transfer does not occur properly in this area.
So-called transfer gaps occurred, resulting in poor recording.

The wrinkles in the ink film (16) are caused by the properties of the ink film (16) itself. That is, firstly, the ink film (16) has a structure in which several micrometers of ink is applied on a base film, which is usually about 10 micrometers thick, and is so-called weak. Second, as you record,
This is because parts of the ink film (16) that are heated and parts that are not heated occur randomly, resulting in partial imbalance in tension and partial expansion and contraction due to heat. Therefore, the ink film (16) in a thermal transfer recording device is inherently prone to wrinkles.

Furthermore, once wrinkles occur, the width of the ink film (16) is long, so the wrinkles cannot escape, and as recording progresses, the wrinkles only increase.

This situation becomes clearer when compared with the case of serial printers. That is, even if wrinkles were to occur on an ink ribbon with a width of several mm, they would quickly escape to both ends, so the wrinkles did not pose much of a problem. However, even in serial type thermal transfer recording devices, in order to increase the recording speed and improve the resolution, thinner base films are used and the pitch of the heating elements is reduced. Occurrence becomes a problem.

[Purpose of the invention]

It is an object of the present invention to eliminate the above-mentioned drawbacks and provide a thermal transfer recording device in which wrinkles do not occur in the ink carrier.

[Summary of the invention]

This invention makes it possible to apply braking to the rotation of the winding core of the ink carrier supply roll at both ends of the ink carrier supply roll on the side from which the ink carrier is fed out in the scissor holder of a thermal transfer recording device, and furthermore, the amount of braking is variable. The invention is characterized in that a friction means is provided on at least one of both ends of the ink carrier supply roll.

〔Effect of the invention〕

In this invention, the force applied to both ends of the ink carrier supply roll can be adjusted, and the tension applied to the ink carrier is kept constant along the width direction, so that wrinkles do not occur.

Further, even if there are manufacturing errors or misalignments when installing the ink carrier, the tension can be kept constant to prevent wrinkles from occurring.

[Embodiments of the invention]

Next, embodiments of the invention will be described with reference to the drawings. As shown in FIG. 3, the thermal transfer recording device in this embodiment includes an ink film (not shown) and a thermal head (not shown).
The upper lid part (21) and the bottom part (20) are composed of the upper lid part (21) containing the recording paper (20) and the bottom part (23) containing the recording paper (22).
3) is a kind of metal box. The top lid part (21) and the bottom part (23) are always connected via a bearing on the back side, with the side from which the recording paper (23) is sent out being the front side.

There is a locking hook (2) on the front side of the top lid (21).
4a) and (24b), which are paired with protrusions (25a) and (25b) provided on the front side of the bottom (23), and when recording, the top cover (21) and the bottom (23)
) can be fixed, and when not recording, the upper lid part (21) can be rotated around the bearing on the back side. When fixed, the heating resistor (26) of the thermal head (20) provided on the top lid (21)
) is in pressure contact with the recording paper (22). To remove the ink film (not shown), remove the locking hooks (24a) and (24b) as described later, and attach the top cover (2
1) is raised so that it can be worn without wrinkles.

Each part will be explained in more detail. The upper lid part (21) has a fourth
As shown in the figure, a thermal head (30) including a heating resistor (26), a drive system (32) for vertically moving this thermal head (20), an ink film (33), and ink film winding shafts (34a) and (34b). ), a traveling guide roller (35), and an ink film traveling drive system (not shown) are installed. Of these, the thermal head (20) and the ink film (33) are movable.

As shown in FIG. 5, the thermal head (20) includes a ceramic plate (4) containing a heating resistor (26).
1) and a metal plate (42) on which this ceramic plate (41) is held. This holding is done by screwing at three points (P), (Q), and (R). The heating resistor (26) needs to be in contact with the recording paper (22) at right angles to the conveying direction, and its adjustment can be done at three points (
This is done by loosening the screws P), (Q), and (R).

A heating resistor (26) is mounted on the ceramic plate (41).
, the IC package (43) of the circuit that drives the heat generating resistor (26), the terminal (44) that provides the operating force for the heat generating resistor (26), the ground terminal (45), and the IC package (44). A terminal (46) for supplying a signal is provided. The signals supplied to the IC package (43) include a picture signal, a clock pulse, an enable signal,
It is a latch signal.

The heating resistors (26) have a total length of about 215 mm and are arranged in one line at a density of 8 to 12 pieces/mm. This embodiment is designed to be able to record up to A4 size.

Structurally, this heating resistor (26) is biased toward one end of the ceramic plate (41), and in this embodiment,
The recording paper (22) is biased towards the side from which it is sent out. For convenience of explanation, the side where the heating resistor (26) is located will be referred to as the front side. The heating resistor (26), IC package (43), etc. are commercially available.

The metal plate (41) is made of aluminum,
On the surface opposite to the surface on which the heating resistor (26) and the like are provided, unevenness (47) is provided to increase the heat dissipation effect. Further, the side surface of the metal plate (42) has protrusions (48a) and (48b) on the front side, and the metal plate (42) on the rear side.
2) Supporting metal fittings (49g) and (49b) that serve as the center of rotation
are arranged symmetrically on both sides. Support metal fittings (49
a), (49b) are the upper lid part (2) as shown in FIG.
1) and a thermal head (20) are connected and fixed.

Bearings are provided around the axes of the support fittings (49a) and (49b), and the thermal head (20) can precisely rotate around the axis that connects the support fittings (49a) and (49b). There is.

On the other hand, the straight line connecting the protrusions (48a) and (48b) is directly above the heating resistor (26). This protrusion (48a), (
48b) each of two sets of a pair of levers (50a)
, (50b), (50c), and (50d). Each lever (50a), (50b), (5
0c) and (50d) are approximately L-shaped. A pair of levers (50a), (50b) and (50c), (50d
) are fixed at one point along the way by shafts (54a) and (54b), and have a kind of scissors-like structure, and are designed to sandwich the protrusions (48a) and (48b).

As also shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the levers (50a), (50c) are connected to the plates (52a), (52b) at the ends not in contact with the protrusions (48a), (48b).
It is dynamically connected to electromagnets (51a) and (51b) via. The electromagnets (51a) and (51b) only move against the plates (52a) and (52b) when energized.
Apply force from front to rear as shown by arrow (53). This force is applied to the shafts (54a), (54b) and the lever (
Due to the L-shaped shapes of 50a) and (50c), the protrusion (4
Apply upward force to 8a) and (48b).

This is 3K per electromagnet (51a) and (51b)
g·f(29N).

On the other hand, springs (55a) and (55b) are connected to one ends of the levers (50b) and (50d). This spring (
The other ends of 55a) and (55b) are fixed to the upper lid part (21). These springs (55a) and (55b) constantly apply force from the rear of the thermal head (20 to the front) to the lever (
50b) and (50d). This force is applied to the axis (54a
), (54b), the protrusions (48a), (48b)
) gives a downward force to This force is 2Kg・f (19.
6N). Since the protrusions (48a) and (48b) are integrally provided on the metal plate (42), the above-mentioned force causes the thermal head (20) to rotate. Therefore, a downward force is always applied to the thermal head (20), and an upward force is applied when the electromagnet is energized. In this example, the thermal transfer printer has a heating resistor (
26), recording is performed while the ink film (33) and recording paper (22) are stacked and pressed against each other. In particular, the heating resistor (26
) side to achieve pressure contact between the ink film (33) and the recording paper (22), the thermal head (2
The line of action of the force on the heating resistor (26) and the recording paper (2
2) It coincides with a straight line connecting the upper printing section and the center of a platen roller (72), which will be described later. Therefore, the line of action of the force coincides with the direction of maximum heat transfer from the heating resistor (26) to the ink film (33) and the recording paper (22).

Thereby, ink transfer is performed accurately and stably. Furthermore, since the point of application of force and the fulcrum are sufficiently long, rotation of the thermal head (20) can be performed efficiently with minimal force. On the other hand, the electromagnet (51a), (
51b) is energized, an upward force is generated on the thermal head (20), and the ink film (33) and recording paper (2) are energized.
2) is released. Therefore, the ink film (33) and the recording paper (22) can move freely relative to each other.

As shown in FIG. 3, a pinch roller (57) is attached to the front surface of the metal plate (42) via an arm (56). As will be described later, this pinch roller (57) does not immediately separate the recording paper (22) and ink film (33) after ink transfer, but runs tt while keeping them in close contact with each other for a while, thereby ensuring uniform ink transfer. It is provided to smoothly perform transfer and uniform peeling.

Next, the ink film traveling drive system will be explained. It is important to note here that the ink film (
33) is very thin and wide, which makes it prone to wrinkles. Moreover, in the thermal transfer recording apparatus of this embodiment, if wrinkles occur in the ink film (3), transfer gaps will occur. The following configuration is used for rounding to eliminate this. The driving force behind this driving voice is the rotational force of the pulse motor (71), as shown in FIG. This rotational force is transmitted via the toothed belt (121) to the sprocket (122) that drives the ink film winding shaft (34b). The sprocket (122) has a cylindrical side surface, this surface is provided with a groove, and the toothed belt (121)
They are interlocked. The sprocket (122) is integrally provided with a shaft (123) passing through its center.

This shaft (123) has bearings (124a), (124b)
is fixed to the upper lid part (21). This bearing (1
Ink film (33) between 24a) and (124b)
As the ink film winding shaft (34b) winds up the used ink film (33), its radius continues to increase. So, the pulse motor (
If the rotation speed of 71) is kept constant, the ink film (
33) The conveyance speed is not constant. Therefore, the rotation speed of the pulse motor (77) may be changed as the radius changes, but this would complicate the circuit. In this embodiment, in order to prevent this, the shaft (123
) The ink film winding core (125) causes a difference in angular velocity with respect to the rotation of the ink film core (125). For this purpose, the following configuration is adopted.

That is, the rotational force from the pulse motor (77) is applied to the ink film winding core (125) via the spring (128L).
). The rotational speed of the ink film winding core (125) is adjusted using the elasticity of the spring (128L).

For that purpose, first, the pressure adjustment piece (126L), (126
R) into the shaft (123). At this time, the upper lid part (2
1) Bearings (124a), (124b)
located on the opposite side. This pressure adjustment piece (126L), (
126R) is connected to the shaft (123) by a set screw (131).
) is fixed. Also, if this set screw (131) is loosened, the pressure adjustment pieces (126L) and (126R) can be adjusted to the shaft (
123).

Next to the pressure adjustment pieces (126L) and (126R), first friction plates (127L1) and (127R1) are fitted. This first friction plate (127L1), (127R1)
has a small coefficient of friction with respect to the shaft (123). That is,
Even if the shaft (123) rotates, the first friction plates (127L1) and (127R1
) does not rotate. This first friction plate (127L1), (
127R1) is a pressure adjustment piece (126L), (126R
) rotates due to friction.

One end of a spring (128L) is fixed to the first friction plates (127L1) and (127R1). The other end of this spring (128L) is connected to the friction plate (1
27L) and (127R).

The second friction plates (127L2) and (127R2) are connected to the shaft (
123) does not directly rotate due to the rotational force. The first friction plate (127L1), (
The second friction plate (127R1) receives the rotational force of the second friction plate (127R1).
L2) and (127R2) rotate.

Next to the second friction plates (127L2) and (127R2), the tail pressers (129L) and (129R) are fitted onto the shaft (123). The tail pressers (129L) and (129R) rotate only by friction with the second friction plates (127L2) and (127R2), and do not receive the rotational force of the shaft (123) directly.

With this configuration, the driving force of the pulse motor (77) is first transmitted to the shaft (123). This axis (123)
The rotational force transmitted to the pressure adjustment piece (126L), (1
26R). Up to this point, the driving force is transmitted without attenuation.

The driving force transmitted to the pressure adjustment pieces (126L) and (126R) is transmitted to the first and second friction plates (127Ll) and (12
7R1), (127L2), (127R2) and springs (128L), (128R), and is transmitted to the tail pressers (129L), (129R). The number of rotations of the tail pressers (129L) and (129R) is equal to the number of rotations of the ink film winding core (125).

The amount of attenuation thus generated corresponds to the amount (weight) of the ink film (33) wound around the ink film winding core (125). When a large amount of ink film (33) is wound up and the weight of the ink film winding core (125) increases, the frictional force increases and the core presser (129L), (
129R)'s rotational speed decreases. However, since a large amount of the ink film (33) is wound up, the radius at the ink film winding core (125) increases.

Therefore, the transport speed of the ink film (33) remains constant regardless of the amount of winding of the ink film (33).

Moreover, the pressure adjustment pieces (126L) and (126R) are shown in FIG. 6(a).

As shown in (b), the shaft (
123). Therefore, this set screw (13
1) using pressure adjustment pieces (126L), (126R)
Change the position of the spring (128L), (128
The length of R) can be changed.

By changing the lengths of the springs (128L) and (128R), the force transmitted to the ink film winding core (125) can be adjusted.

As shown in FIG. 7(a), when the spring (128L) is lengthened, the number of rotations of the tail presser (129L), that is, the ink film take-up roll (34b), is significantly greater than the number of rotations of the shaft (123). decreases to On the other hand, as shown in Fig. 7(b), if the spring (128L) is shortened, the 6th
Compared to the case in Figure (a), a large amount of frictional force is generated, and the rotational speed of the tail presser (129L) does not decrease much.

On the other hand, on the ink film supply side, a rotation stopper (130) is provided on the shaft (123) instead of the pulse motor (77) to suppress rotation of the ink film supply roll (34a). This ink film supply roll (3
The structure around 4a) is the same as the structure around the ink film winding roll (34b) on the ink film winding side.

Therefore, when the pressure adjustment pieces (126L) and (126R) are moved, the lengths of the springs (128L) and (128R) change. The rotation of the ink film supply roll (34a) can be controlled accordingly. For example, a spring (
128L) and (128R), the spring (
128L) and (128R) become larger. This elastic force causes friction plates (127L1), (127L2
), (127R1), (127R2) are pressure adjustment pieces (
126L), (126R) and tail presser (129L), (
129R), and the frictional force increases. This frictional force causes the ink film supply roll (34a
) rotation is controlled. Ink film supply roll (3
4a) becomes difficult to rotate.

Conversely, if the springs (128L) and (128R) are lengthened, the ink film supply roll (34a) will rotate more easily.

Such adjustment of the springs (128L) and (128R) is performed to prevent wrinkles from forming in the ink film (33). First, the ink film supply roll (34a)
, on both the left and right sides of the ink film take-up roll (34b),
The elastic force of the springs (128L) and (128R) and
In order to equalize the aforementioned frictional forces, a set screw (131)
Adjust the positions of the pressure adjustment pieces (126L) and (126R) using the .

If the above-mentioned forces are even slightly unbalanced, wrinkles will occur in the ink film (33) in this embodiment.

Furthermore, if the tension applied to the ink film (33) becomes too large, the ink film (33) will be damaged. On the other hand, if the tension is too small or too large, the effect of smoothing out wrinkles will be insufficient. This tension can also be adjusted using the pressure adjustment piece (126
L), (126R).

In this way, the pressure adjustment pieces (126L), (126R
) by adjusting the position of the ink filter (33
) wrinkles are prevented. Furthermore, as will be described later, in the non-distribution state, with the thermal head (20) and the platen roller (72) released from the pressure contact state, the ink film (33) is held under the above-mentioned constant tension. By conveying only (33), wrinkles can be smoothed out.

However, at this time, in order to ensure the running of the ink film (33), the frictional force on the ink film roll (34a) on the side that supplies the ink film (33) is greater than the frictional force on the ink film roll (34b) on the winding side. It is also preferable to make it larger. This adjustment also has a pressure adjustment piece (12
6L), (126R).

Next, the bottom portion (23) will be explained. This bottom (23)
As shown in FIG. 4, there is a platen that applies running force to a roll of recording paper (11) and a recording paper (22) fed out from this roll of recording paper (71), and transports the recording paper to the outside after ink transfer. roller (72), this platen roller (
In order to reliably transmit the running force from 72) to the recording paper (22), it consists of pinch rollers (73a) and (73b) that bring the recording paper (22) into close contact with the platen roller (72).

The recording paper roller (71) is housed in a container (76) as shown in FIG. Rotational force is applied to the platen roller (72) from a pulse motor (74) via a toothed belt (75). The platen roller (72) is
Rotates in two directions. In this embodiment, at least two pieces of recording paper (2) are provided between the roller (72) and the rolled recording paper (71).
2) Provide a space where it can sag by approximately 30 cm.

Next, the ink film (33) will be explained. The ink film (33) has a thickness of 6 as shown in FIG.
A capacitor paper or polyester film (81) of ~12 μm and width W=220 mm was coated with black ink over the entire surface at a coating weight of 4 g/m 2 .

This ink melts or becomes sticky when heated. As mentioned above, such an ink film (33) is very thin and more prone to wrinkles.

The installation of such an ink film (33) will be explained. When starting to use the device, as shown in FIG. 3, the upper lid (21) and the bottom (23) are unlocked and the upper lid (21) is raised. Then, the ink film supply roll, the winding core of the ink film take-up rolls (34a) and (34b), and the pinch rollers (33) and (57), which are the ink film running system, come out. The ink film (33) is taken out from the ink film supply roll (34a), hooked on the outside of the pinch rollers (33) and (57), and taken out to the front of the ink film take-up roll (34b).

A tape is attached to the tip of the ink film (33), which is peeled off and attached to the ink film winding core (125). In this way, the ink film (33) can be easily installed, and wrinkles do not occur during installation.

When the ink film (33) is attached in this manner, recording is started. During recording, the electromagnets (51a), (
51b) is not supplied with current. Therefore, the thermal head (20) and the platen roller (72) are in pressure contact.

When recording the first sheet from this state, first, as shown in FIG. 10(b), the electromagnet (51a) is
(51b) at the same time to release the thermal head (20) and the platen roller (72) from their pressed state. When the pressure contact state is released, the recording paper (22) and ink film (33)
) is released, and the recording paper (22) and the ink film (33) can each independently move relative to each other. After energizing the electromagnets (51a) and (51b), the spring (55a)
), (55b) and the weight of the thermal head (20) to actually release the pressure contact state usually requires about 50 msec, so there is a delay of time T1 corresponding to this time. Then, as shown in FIG. 10(d), a driving pulse is supplied to the pulse motor (77) to cause the ink film (33) to travel a certain distance. In this way, tension is applied to the ink film (33), and as a result, the wrinkles are smoothed out. With the wrinkles stretched out, the electricity to the electromagnets (51a) and (51b) is stopped, and the natural head (20)' and platen roller (72) are brought into pressure contact again. While the heating resistor (26) is energized, a drive pulse is supplied to the pulse motor (74) to rotate the platen roller (72) as shown in FIG.
22) and the ink film (33) are in close contact with each other and are not allowed to travel in the same direction at the same speed before recording. Furthermore, at the same time, as shown in No. 10(d), a driving pulse is supplied to the pulse motor (77) to wind up the transferred ink film (33) onto the winding shaft (34b).

In addition, in this embodiment, a pulse motor (74
), (77) are used, however, for example, a DC motor or the like may also be used.

In addition, in this embodiment, the ink film (33) is allowed to run freely, and prior to recording, a drive pulse is supplied to the pulse motor (77) to cause the ink film (33) to run a certain distance. Smoothing out wrinkles. In addition to the tension generated by this pulse motor (77), there is a spring (128L) built into the shaft, (1
The tension based on the elastic force of 28R) also contributes to smoothing out the wrinkles. Therefore, the important point is that the ink film (
33) is allowed to run freely and tension is applied to the ink film (33).

The process of smoothing out wrinkles is shown in Figure 11 (b) and (d).
As shown in FIG. 3, this may be performed after recording on one sheet of recording paper is completed. Further, a step of smoothing out wrinkles may be performed before and after recording.

Next, a circuit configuration for realizing the above electrical signals will be explained.

As shown in Fig. 12, this electric circuit receives information from the outside and receives command signals and image information from an input/output control unit (91) that is the center of control of the entire device. and a mechanical control section (92) that actually supplies control signals to the mechanical section (11) based on the above.

The input control unit (91) is a control system centered on a CPU (93). The CPU (93) takes in image information from an external information processing device (not shown) to this control system via an interface. Next, the CPU (93) stores this image information in the image memory (95). The image information supplied from the information processing station is an image signal for one page or an image signal for one line. Naturally, these signals are "0"
” is a binary signal of “1”. Such signals are two-dimensionally stored in an image memory (95).

In normal image reading and scanning, signals are read in the main scanning direction and sub-scanning is performed in the paper feeding direction. These signals are stored in the image memory (95) in the order in which they were read, while clearly maintaining the differences between main scanning lines. For example, a flag is set and stored at the beginning or end of the image information for each main scanning line.

Once the image information has been stored, the CPU (93) supplies control signals and image information to the machine control unit (92) via the internal interface (96) to start recording.

The mechanical control unit (92) includes a circuit that controls electromagnets (51a) and (51b) that move the thermal head (20) up and down, and a system motor (74) that transports the recording paper (22) and ink film (33). ), (77), and a circuit that supplies signals according to image information to the thermal head (20).

The circuit that controls the electromagnets (51a) and (51b) consists of a solenoid controller (97) and a driver (98).

The CPU (93) sends pulse signals to the solenoid controller (20) only when moving the thermal head (20) up and down.
). The solenoid controller (97) is composed of a flip-flop, and has two inputs from the CPU (93).
A pulse having a time width corresponding to the interval between two pulse signals is supplied to the driver (98). The driver (98) converts the voltage into enough voltage to drive the electromagnets (51a) and (51b), and supplies the voltage to the electromagnets (51a) and (51b).

This is the signal shown in FIG. 10(b) and FIG. 11(b).

The circuit that controls the pulse motor (74) that conveys the recording paper (22) includes a pulse generator (99a), a comparator (100), a counter (101), and an AND circuit (1
02) and a driver (103). CPU (9
3) performs the following control in order to convey the recording paper (22) by a length corresponding to the size of the area to be recorded. First, C
The PU (93) sets a number to the comparator (100). Then, the comparator (100) becomes the counter (1
01) to start counting. This counter (101
) is supplied with a constant pulse signal from a pulse generator (99) and performs counting. At the same time, the counter (101) outputs a signal "1" as long as it is counting. This signal "1" and the pulse signal from the pulse generator (99) are multiplied by an AND circuit (102). Therefore, the output of this AND circuit (102) is a pulse signal synchronized with the pulse signal from the pulse generator (99a), as long as the counter (101) is counting.

The number counted by the counter (101) is calculated by the comparator (
100) is also supplied. In the comparator (100), the number counted by the counter (101) and the CPU (93)
If the number set by
For 1), stop the counting operation. Then, the counter (
The output from the AND circuit (101) becomes "0", and the output from the AND circuit (10
The output from 2) also becomes zero. The pulse signal at this time is the signal shown in FIG. 10(c) and FIG. 11(c).

The output of the AND circuit (102) is the driver (103)
supplied to Based on this signal, the driver (103) converts it into a voltage sufficient to rotate the pulse motor (74) and supplies it to the pulse motor (74).

A pulse motor (7) transports the ink film (33).
The circuit controlling 7) has almost the same configuration as the circuit controlling the pulse motor (74) that conveys the recording paper (22).

Pulse generator (99b), counter (104),
It consists of a comparator (105), an AND circuit (106), an OR circuit (107), and a driver (108).

The output of the AND circuit (106) is similar to that of the AND circuit (102), and outputs a pulse signal at a time interval corresponding to the length of the area to be recorded. This output and the ink film (
33), a counter (109) and a comparator (11
0) and the output signal of the AND circuit (111).

OR circuit (107), the output of this OR circuit (107) is supplied to a pulse motor (77) through a driver (108). The signal applied to the pulse motor (77) is the first
This is a pulse signal corresponding to FIG. 0(d) and FIG. 11(d).

On the other hand, the image signals shown in FIGS. 10(a) and 11(a) are supplied to the heating resistor (26) of the thermal head (20) through the signal controller (112), and recording is performed.

Although the embodiments have been described in detail above, the present invention is not restricted to the embodiments in any way. The ink carrier may be coated with inks of a plurality of colors, and the ink may be one that melts with heat, one that has adhesiveness, one that sublimates, or the like. Further, the ink carrier may be supplied from a roll in close contact with the recording paper.

The press-contacting means may not only be one that uses an electromagnet, but also a mechanical one that uses a cam or the like.

The driving means does not have to be a pulse motor, but may be a direct current motor.

The friction means are not limited to the embodiments. Any material may be used as long as it generates a frictional force on the end face or near the end of the winding core.

For example, the ink carrier roll may be rotated via a plurality of friction plates. In addition, the first friction plate (127L1
), (127R1), second friction plate (127L2), (
127R2) may be used alone.

Furthermore, the first friction plates (127L1) and (127R1) may be fixed to the shaft (123). The cores of the ink carrier supply roll and the ink carrier take-up roll do not have to be cylindrical and may be rod-shaped.

In short, any modification is included as long as it does not depart from the spirit of the invention.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of main parts showing a conventional serial type thermal transfer recording device, Fig. 2 is a perspective view of main parts showing the principle of Line's thermal transfer printing device, and Figs. 3 to 12 are examples of embodiments. 3 is a perspective view of the thermal transfer recording device, FIG. 4 is a schematic side view of the main parts, FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the thermal head, and FIG. 6 is a diagram of the drive system. 7 is an enlarged view of the main parts showing the friction means, FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing the recording paper drive system, FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing the ink film, and FIG.
0 to 12 are diagrams for explaining electrical control. (22)...Recording paper, (24)...Heating element, (3
3)...Ink film, (34a)...Ink film supply roll, (34b)
...Ink film take-up roll. (7317) Representative Patent Attorney Kensuke Norichika (and 1 other person) Figure 1 Figure 8 Figure 8 75 Hisashi Figure 7 (Q-), Mu, 3 Figure 8 1 Figure 9? l〃

Claims (3)

[Claims] (1) An ink carrier coated with an ink that dissolves or sublimes when heated, an ink carrier supply roll around which this ink carrier is wound, and the ink carrier fed out from this ink carrier supply roll are selectively heated. a heating element group to be applied; a pressure contact means for pressing the heating element group, the ink carrier, and the recording medium at least when the ink is transferred to the recording medium by heating the heating element group; and pressure contact by the pressure contact means. an ink carrier winding roll that winds up the ink carrier after ink is selectively transferred from the ink carrier while receiving the ink carrier, and a driving means that applies rotational force to the ink carrier winding roll, the ink carrier A thermal transfer recording apparatus characterized in that a friction means capable of adjusting the amount of braking applied to the rotation of the roll is provided on at least one of both ends of the core of the ink carrier supply roll. (2) The thermal transfer recording device according to claim 1, characterized in that when not recording, the pressure contact by the pressure contact means is released. (3) The friction means includes a first plate-shaped friction plate provided in pressure contact with the end surface of the winding core, an elastic body whose one end is pressed against the first friction plate, and other parts of the elastic body. A second friction plate whose ends are in contact with each other, and a pressure adjustment piece to which the second friction plate is pressed. 2. The thermal transfer recording apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a fixing means for adjusting and fixing the position of the pressure adjusting piece.