JPS63302075A - Electrothermal recorder - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To restrain unstable heat generation in a conductor layer, by providing return circuit electrodes on both sides of a recording electrode, and passing an electric current between the return circuit electrode on the upstream side of the recording electrode and the recording electrode as the recording electrode is reciprocated. CONSTITUTION:A recording electrode 31 is slidden in the direction of an arrow A on the surface of a resistive base 32 of a resistive ink ribbon 21. A recording electrode-driving circuit 33 is operated according to a recording signal, whereby a recording current is supplied into the resistive base 32 through the recording electrode 31. The recording current 33 thus supplied flows through a conductor layer 34, and flows to a return circuit electrode 19a through the resistive base 32 making contact with the electrode 19a. At this time, a return circuit electrode 19b disposed on the downstream side of the recording electrode 31 with respect to the moving direction of the recording electrode 31 is separate from the base 32, so that the recording current does not flow to the side of the return circuit electrode 19b. The Joule heat generated in the base 32 beneath the recording electrode 31 on which the current is centralized is transmitted to a porous ink layer 35, and a melted ink is transferred onto a recording paper 30. In this case, the recording current constantly flows through an unused part of the conductor layer 34, the resistance of which is constantly fixed, so that a constant thermal inertia effect can be obtained.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Object of the Invention] (Industrial Application Field) The present invention relates to a current transfer recording device, and more particularly to a current transfer recording device capable of bidirectional recording by reciprocating movement of recording electrodes.

(Prior art) Thermal transfer recording devices have features such as plain paper recording, noiseless printing, high reliability, and maintenance-free operation, and are suitable for personal computers,
It is widely used as an OA-related hard copy device such as a word processor printer or a color printer. However, it has been difficult to make high-quality records on paper with a rough surface, such as PPC paper or bond paper. Recently, an electric transfer type printer has been put into practical use that allows high-quality recording even on paper with such a rough surface. The recording principle of this printer is shown in FIG. 1 is a resistive ink ribbon.

The resistive ink ribbon 1 consists of a resistive support 2, a conductive layer 3 made of Al, and a coloring material layer 4 that melts or softens with heat. 5 is a recording electrode.

The recording electrode 5 is connected to a recording electrode drive circuit 6 that drives the recording electrode 5 according to a recording signal. 7 is the return electrode,
The relative movement direction of the recording electrode 5 and the resistive ink ribbon 1 (
(indicated by the arrow ←) are provided at the lower ff1i and l1il. The return electrode 7 is grounded and engages with a follower roller 8 to transport the resistive ink ribbon 1 by an ink ribbon transport drive means (not shown). By the action of the recording electrode drive circuit 6, a recording current is injected from the recording electrode 5 into the resistive support 2 in contact with it. The recording current flows through the resistive support 2, through the conductive turtle layer 3 in the direction indicated by the arrow, through the resistive support 2, and into the return electrode 7. Due to Geel heat generated in the resistive support of the recording electrode 5 where the recording current is concentrated, the coloring material layer 4 in contact with the heat generating area
The coloring material is softened or melted and transferred to the recording paper 9.

Even under the return electrode 7, the recording current passes through the resistive support 2 and generates Joule heat, but since the contact area is wider than that with the recording electrode 5, the temperature does not reach the point where the coloring material layer 4 is softened or melted. . The recording electrode 5 moves on the resistive support 2 in the direction of the arrow ← and injects a recording current into the resistive support 2 in accordance with the recording signal, thereby transferring the coloring material 4.

As is clear from the above explanation, in this printer, heat is generated within the ink ribbon 1, so the heat transfer efficiency to the coloring material layer 4 is good, and it is different from the conventional thermal transfer recording printer using a thermal head, which is the heat source of the IA section. In comparison, high-speed recording or hues with high melting points and high sublimation points, which were previously unavailable, can be used.

However, with this printer, recording is performed only when the recording electrode is moving in one direction, and only recording is possible when the recording electrode is moving in the opposite direction.This wasted time increases the overall recording time. There was a drawback. On the other hand, there is a printing device fft (Unexamined Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2003-130001) that uses a recording head that has recording electrodes on both sides of a plate-shaped electrode substrate to perform recording on one side at a time when the recording head moves in both directions. 6O
-192656), or has two serial head recording units, and has two serial head recording units, and
A printing device that enables bidirectional printing by alternately using two serial head recording sections (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 6O-192660)
) has been proposed. In these printing devices, as shown in FIG. 7, electricity is applied to a pair of recording electrodes 14a and 14b that are in contact with the resistance layer 10 of the energized transfer ink film 13 consisting of a resistance layer 10, a base layer 11, and an ink layer 12. Layer I
Geel heat is generated in the resistor 11h10 by the recording current 15 flowing through O, and this heat is transmitted to the ink layer 12 via the base layer 11, melts the ink, and is transferred and recorded on the recording paper 16.

(Problems to be Solved by the Invention) As is clear from the above description, in the above printing device, heat is generated in the resistance layer between the recording electrodes, or heat is transmitted to the ink layer via the base layer. The drawback is that heat smudges become larger and high-resolution recording is not possible. Also,
The current transfer printer shown in FIG. 6 has a disadvantage in that the ink ribbon tends to break, as will be explained below.

As shown in FIG. 6, in this current transfer recording printer, the recording current injected from the recording electrode 5 flows through the conductive layer 3 of the resistive ink ribbon portion that has already been used, and then flows through the return electrode 7.
leading to. Some portions of the resistive support 2 of the resistive ink ribbon portion that have already been used generate heat due to energization. The temperature of this heat generation is 200 degrees C or higher. For this reason, the heat-generating portion of a resistive support mainly composed of synthetic resin generally shrinks, and the boundary with the non-heat-generating portion is therefore subject to large distortions.

The conductive layer 3 adjacent to the heat generating part is affected by the heat and strain of the heat generating part, and various changes occur, such as oxidation or the occurrence of cracks. Therefore, the resistance value of the conductive layer 3, which serves as the return path of the recording current, becomes larger than the initial state, and the resistance value becomes unstable with large variations. This tendency becomes more pronounced as the recording energy increases, as the temperature also increases. This increase in the resistance value of the conductive layer 3 promotes the generation of heat due to the feedback recording current. The heat generated in the conductive layer 3 prevents the temperature of the resistive support in the current-carrying portion from decreasing, and increases the temperature of the coloring material in the unused portion, causing the coloring material to become sticky.

Due to the tension applied to the resistive ink ribbon 1 between the recording electrode 5 and the return electrode 7, the temperature of the energized part of the resistive support does not drop, and the longer the temperature remains above the softening point, the more the temperature increases due to plastic deformation. The resistive ink ribbon may break, or the adhesiveness of the coloring material may cause the resistive ink ribbon to sag or break.

[Structure of the invention]

(Means for Solving the Invention) This invention uses an ink ribbon consisting of a resistive support/conductive layer/ink layer, and provides return electrodes on both sides of a recording electrode to follow the reciprocating movement of the recording electrode. So, by applying current between the return electrode on the upstream side in the direction of movement of the recording electrode and the recording* pole,
The resistive support under the recording electrode is made to generate heat, and the heat is transferred to the ink layer through an extremely thin conductive layer, melting, softening, or elevating the ink, selectively? By transferring and recording onto recording paper, it is possible to record in both directions. In addition, using a reusable ink ribbon that can record n times if necessary,
After recording in one direction is completed, the ink ribbon is let out in a fixed direction by the effective recording length L/n, and following the above recording operation, bidirectional recording is possible.

(Function) In the current transfer recording device capable of bidirectional recording according to the present invention, regardless of the moving direction of the recording electrode (recording direction), the feedback recording current is passed through and heats up, causing the resistance value to vary from the initial state and change in resistance value depending on the location. Since the conductive layer does not pass through the conductive layer, excessive and unstable heat generation in the conductive layer can be suppressed.

Furthermore, since the internal resistance of the ink ribbon is stabilized by passing a feedback recording current through the conductive layer before use, constant voltage electrode driving is possible and an appropriate preheating effect can be obtained.

(Example) Next, an example of the present invention will be described in detail using the drawings.

FIG. 2 shows a serial printer which is an embodiment of the current transfer recording apparatus according to the present invention. A recording head 17 is provided with 50 recording electrodes (not shown) at an electrode density of 12 electrodes/ITIm. Each recording electrode is connected to a cable (not shown)
Due to the external notation, the electrode constant current drive circuit (not shown)
It is connected to the. The recording head 17 is biased toward the platen 18 by a recording head biasing means (not shown) when recording, and is separated from the platen 18 when not recording.

19a and 19b are grounded return electrodes that connect the recording head 17.
are provided on both sides. Return path electrode 19a, 1
9b engages with the follower rollers 20a and 120b, respectively, by the action of a cam (not shown), and the resistive ink ribbon 2
1, and the return hook λ is the resistive ink ribbon 21.
abuts against a resistive support (t (4 not shown)). However,
When one return electrode is in contact with the resistive ink ribbon, the other return electrode is separated from the resistive ink ribbon, and both return electrodes do not contact the resistive ink ribbon at the same time during recording. The resistive ink ribbon 21 is approximately 16 μm made of polycarbonate with carbon powder dispersed therein.
0.1 μm thick k on m thick resistive support (not shown)
A conductive layer (not shown) is provided on which 10
It has a structure in which a porous ink layer (not shown) containing a μm-thick thermofusible ink is provided. This ink layer allows image recording to be repeated 10 times at an image density of 1.2 or higher.

Reference numeral 22 denotes a ribbon cartridge that houses the resistive ink ribbon 21. The ink print reels 23a123b are each engaged with a one-way clutch (not shown), including the recording head 17, return electrode 19a119b, 7. ? Cl-o
-520az 20b% +)Bo:y cartridge 22
These are known as ink ribbon take-up reels in conjunction with the movement of the carriage 24 carrying the ink ribbon in the left and right directions. 25
A carriage drive motor moves the carriage 24 via the timing belt 26. Carriage motor 2
5 can change its direction of rotation and is controlled by a carriage motor drive circuit (not shown).

27 is a bar that guides the carriage 24 along the platen 18. A platen drive motor 28 rotates the platen 18 via a timing belt 29. 3
0 is recording paper, which is PPC paper with a Beck smoothness of about 20 seconds. Also, if necessary, a ribbon peeling bar or roller can be used between the recording head and the follow roller.

Next, the recording operation of this printer will be explained.

The carriage 24 located at the home position at the left end of the guide bar 27 moves to the recording start position in response to recording start No. 11. During this time, the recording head 17 is urged against the platen 18 by the action of the recording head urging means, and the recording electrode, the resistive ink ribbon 21, and the recording paper 3° platen 18 are brought into close contact with each other. Further, the return current Th19a located on the upstream side in the direction of movement of the recording head 17 (direction of arrow entry) is urged by the follower roller 2°a by the action of a cam, and the resistive ink IJ&n 21
The resistive ink ribbon 21 is sandwiched between the resistive ink ribbon 21 and the resistive support. At this time, the return electrode 19b located downstream in the moving direction of the recording head 17 is separated from the resistive ink ribbon 21 by the action of the cam. The ink ribbon 21 is wound onto the ink ribbon reel 23b at the same speed as the moving speed of the carriage 24 by the action of the one-way clutch. A recording current supplied from the recording electrode drive circuit is injected from the recording electrode into the resistive support in contact with the recording electrode. Hereinafter, the recording current path and the process of ink transfer to recording paper will be explained in detail with reference to FIG. Components in FIG. 1 that are the same as those in FIG. 2 are designated by the same numbers and their explanation will be omitted.

The resistive ink ribbon 21 and the recording paper 30 are overlapped and supplied to the recording hole 73zp. The recording electrode 31 slides on the surface of the resistive support 32 of the resistive ink ribbon 21 in the direction indicated by the arrow. According to the recording signal, the recording electrode 31 is activated by the function of the recording electrode drive circuit 33 connected to the recording electrode 31.
A recording current is injected into the resistive support 32. The injected recording current 33 passes through the conductive layer 34 and reaches the return electrode 19a.
to the return electrode 19a through the resistive support in contact with the return electrode 19a. At this time, since the return electrode 19b located on the downstream side in the moving direction of the recording electrode 31 is separated from the resistive support 32, the recording current does not flow to the return electrode 19b side. Geel heat generated in the resistive support under the recording electrode 31 where the current is concentrated is transmitted to the porous ink layer 35, melting the ink,
The melted ink is transferred to the recording paper 30. As is clear from FIG. 1, in the serial printer of the present invention, the recording current always flows through the conductive layer of the resistive ink ribbon in the unused portion. Therefore, in the conventional current transfer recording device, the resistance value of the conductive layer varies depending on the driving conditions of the recording electrode made in advance, that is, the number of simultaneous drives, the energization interval, or the magnitude of the recording current, and the degree of heat generation of the conductive layer also differs. Compared to the above configuration, the resistance value of the conductive layer is always stable, and a certain residual heat effect can be obtained. Furthermore, since a heat generating area corresponding to the diameter of the recording electrodes can be obtained, it is easier to achieve high resolution compared to a method in which heat is generated between the recording electrodes.

When the carriage 24 reaches the right end, which is the end point of the effective recording length, after recording for -digits in this manner, the recording head 17 is separated from the platen 18 by the action of the recording head urging means. Thereafter, the platen drive motor 28 operates, and the platen 18 rotates to advance the recording paper 30 by one line. During this time, the reel drive motor (
(not shown), the resistive ink ribbon is
Length, Sunawachi effective recording length L = 180mm, n = 1
Since it is 0 times, only 113 mm is wound onto the ribbon reel 23b. After this operation is completed, the recording head 17 is urged against the platen 18 again. At the same time, the return electrode 19b is now moved so as to come into contact with the resistive ink ribbon 21, and cooperates with the follower roller 20b to sandwich the resistive ink ribbon 21. The other return electrode 19a is separated from the resistive ink ribbon.

While the carriage 24 moves in the direction of arrow B, recording is performed according to the recording principle shown in FIG. The recording signal supplied at this time is supplied to the recording electrode drive circuit with the order of writing of the previous row reversed. Due to the action of the one-way clutch, the resistive ink ribbon 21 now has the ribbon reel 23a on the take-up reel side, and the carriage 2
It is wound onto the take-up reel 23a at the same speed as the moving speed of No. 4. When the carriage 24 reaches the left end which is the end point (start point) on the -' side of the effective recording length, recording of the second line is completed and the recording head 17 leaves the platen 18 again. After that, the recording paper 3o is fed by one line in the same way as before, while the resistive ink ribbon 21 is fed by 18 mm onto the ribbon reel 23b.
Roll it up. Thereafter, by repeating this operation, all recording is completed.

In this case, the ink ribbon is used as shown in Figure 3. After one digit has been recorded, the next line is recorded with an effective recording length of 1.
/n new portions are supplied, thus the resistive ink ribbon can be used repeatedly up to n times. Of course, the length of the newly supplied portion may be longer than L/n, but the closer the length is to L/n, the more effectively the ink ribbon can be used. In this way, this printer can record high-quality characters with a resolution of 12 dots (7 mm) at a recording speed of 60 CP S on rough paper such as PPC paper, which is faster than conventional one-way recording and printers. Compared to the previous version, the time required for complete recording was reduced by about 50%, resulting in faster speed.

Next, another embodiment of the invention will be described with reference to FIG.

Components in FIG. 4 that are the same as those in FIG. 2 are designated by the same numbers, and their explanation will be omitted. 36 is an ink ribbon supply reel, 37a, 37b
38 is a pair of glue pin guide rollers, and 38 is an ink ribbon take-up reel.

The ink ribbon supply reel 36 is provided with a back tension so that the resistive ink ribbon 21 does not slacken between the recording head 17 and the ink ribbon supply reel. The ink ribbon take-up reel 38 has its ink ribbon take-up operation controlled by a ribbon take-up reel control means (not shown). Next, the recording operation of this printer will be explained. When the printer is powered on, the carriage 24 moves to the leftmost home position with the recording head 17 separated from the platen 18. During this time, new ink ribbons for effective recording branches are supplied from the ink ribbon repeating reel by the action of the ink ribbon take-up reel supply unit 1. Following the recording start signal, the recording head 17 prints the ink ribbon 21 and the recording paper 3.
0 to the platen 18. Recording head 17
The ink ribbon 21 is sandwiched between the return electrode 19a and the follow roller 20a on the upstream side in the direction of movement (in the direction of the arrow), and the return electrode 19a is brought into contact with a resistive support (not shown) of the resistive ink ribbon 21. The return electrode 19'b on the downstream side in the direction of movement of the recording head 17 (in the direction of the arrow) is separated from the resistive ink ribbon.

Transfer recording is performed while the cartridges 2 and 4 move in the direction indicated by the arrow. The recording principle at this time is the same as that explained using FIG. 1, so a description thereof will be omitted. The difference from the printer shown in FIG. 2 is that the resistive ink ribbon 21 is fixed during this -line recording. When the carriage 24 reaches the right end, which is the end of the effective recording length, the recording head 17 is 1iflt away from the platen 18, and the recording paper 3
0 is sent for one line. Next, the recording head 17 is again urged against the platen 18, and the return current @ 19a is released from the contact state with the resistive ink ribbon 21, and is moved upstream in the moving direction of the recording head 17 (direction of arrow B). A certain return train s=
19b contacts the resistive ink ribbon 21.

Here, the resistive ink ribbon 21 is held as it is without moving. Recording is performed while the carriage 24 moves in the direction of arrow B. In this way, recording of 10 lines was performed by switching the recording of the forward and return trips, the return trip tM, and the poles 19a and 19b. After recording 10 lines, go to record 17
The ink ribbon take-up reel control means is operated while the resistive ink ribbon 2 is separated from the platen 18.
1 is wound up by the recording effective branch, and a new resistive ink ribbon is supplied to the recording area. A feature of this printer is that the resistive ink ribbon is moved every time 10 lines are recorded to supply a new ink ribbon. That is, when the resistive ink ribbon is repeatedly used n times [+■], after being used for transfer recording once, the ribbon is moved for the first time to supply a new resistive ink ribbon to the entire effective recording length.

In the embodiments described above, the recording electrodes were provided individually, but they may be provided integrally with the recording spatula 1'. FIG. 5 shows an example in which the recording electrode and the return electrode are integrated. 39 is a recording head. 40 is a record m
A plurality of recording electrodes are arranged in a row in a pole row. 41a
, 41b are return path electrodes which are grounded via switches 42a and 42b, respectively. 43 is a recording electrode drive circuit. When the recording head 39 moves in the direction of arrow A,
! i! Close the switch 422 connected to the L electrode 41a (
By opening the off path' (switch 421 connected to the IL pole 41b), the recording current applied to the recording electrode array by the recording electrode drive circuit 43 flows to the return electrode 41a on the upstream side in the recording electrode moving direction. Furthermore, when the recording head 39 moves in the direction of arrow B, the switch 42b connected to the return path electrode 41b is closed, and the switch 42a connected to the return path electrode 41a is opened.

In this way, using a recording head in which return electrodes are provided on both sides of the recording electrode array in the - column, depending on the direction of movement of the recording head,
By configuring the circuit to use only the return electrode on the upstream side in the moving direction, the same effects as in the previous embodiment can be obtained.

(Effects) According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a bidirectional recording current transfer recording device that is highly reliable without fear of ink pin breakage, has excellent high-speed recording characteristics, and is capable of high-resolution recording. Further, it is possible to provide a bidirectional recording current transfer recording device that can efficiently use a repeatedly usable current transfer recording ribbon.

Further, it is possible to provide a highly reliable bidirectional recording current transfer recording device that can record high-quality records at high speed even on rough paper with a rough surface such as PPC paper.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining the recording source LI principle of the current transfer device according to the present invention, FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the configuration of a serial printer which is an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 41 is a diagram showing how an ink ribbon is used in the serial printer shown in FIG. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating the recording principle of a conventional electric transfer recording printer, and FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a conventional bidirectional recording printing device. 5.31...Recording electrode, 19a, 19b, 41a, 41b-Return electrode, 21...
・Resistive ink lip pin that can be recorded repeatedly ・32...
Resistive support Rγ, 33... Conductive turtle layer, 34... Porous ink layer. Agent Patent Attorney Noriyuki Chika Yudo Mitsuyuki Matsuyama (2) Figure 3 Figure 5 Figure 7

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claims] A recording electrode and a return electrode are brought into contact with a resistive layer of a resistive ink ribbon in which a thermally transferable ink layer is provided on one side of a conductive layer and a resistive layer is provided on the other side, An electric transfer recording device capable of bidirectional recording, in which an electric current is applied between both electrodes while reciprocating the recording electrode, and an ink layer is selectively transferred to a recording paper using Joule heat generated in a resistance layer under the recording electrode to obtain a record. An electric transfer recording device characterized in that return electrodes are provided on both sides of the recording electrode, and only the return electrode on the upstream side in the direction of movement of the recording electrode is selected and used according to the reciprocating movement of the recording electrode. .