Double-head thermal transfer printer

Abstract

The present invention belongs to the field of thermal transfer technology and discloses a dual-head thermal transfer printer. This dual-head thermal transfer printer includes a receiving roller, a feeding roller, and a printing mechanism. The feeding roller can rotate about its own axis, and a ribbon is wound around the feeding roller; the receiving roller can rotate about its own axis; the printing mechanism is located between the feeding roller and the receiving roller, and includes a first print head, a second print head, and a rubber roller. The second print head is located downstream of the first print head, and the rubber roller is located downstream of the second print head and directly opposite the first print head, with the first print head pressed against the rubber roller. The free end of the ribbon is pulled out from the feeding roller, passes in sequence between the first print head and the rubber roller, below the second print head, and on the side of the rubber roller facing the first print head, before being fixed to the receiving roller. This dual-head thermal transfer printer cleverly integrates time resources to achieve an efficient and accurate printing process. Even if the packaging machine is idle for a short time, high-quality print output can be achieved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of thermal transfer, in particular to a double-head thermal transfer printer. Background Art

[0002] A thermal transfer printer is a type of printer that can print images, barcodes, or time information onto thin, flexible packaging labels or smooth card surfaces. A thermal transfer printer uses a print head to press a ribbon against the substrate. Heat generated by the print head's heating element melts the ink on the ribbon and deposits it onto the substrate, completing the print.

[0003] The printing sequence of an intermittent thermal transfer printer is that the packaging machine stops for a period of time after pulling the substrate. The intermittent thermal transfer printer completes the printing action during this period of time when the packaging machine is stationary. That is, during this period of time, the many heating elements inside the print head need to be intermittently and orderly turned on and off under the control of the software to control the time ratio and timing of heating and non-heating, so as to melt the ink on the ribbon and imprint it on the substrate according to printing needs. However, it takes a certain amount of time for the heating elements to heat up enough to melt the ink on the ribbon. If the packaging machine is stationary for a short time or the print file is too long, the print head will not be able to keep up with the printing rhythm due to heating, which will lead to large-area defects in the print.

[0004] Therefore, it is necessary to provide a double-head thermal transfer printer to solve the above problems. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The object of the present invention is to provide a double-head thermal transfer printer, which realizes an efficient and accurate printing process and can achieve high-quality print output even if the packaging machine has a short stationary time.

[0006] To achieve this object, the present invention adopts the following technical solutions:

[0007] Dual-head thermal transfer printer, including:

[0008] A discharge roller is capable of rotating around its own axis, and a ribbon is wound on the discharge roller;

[0009] The receiving roller can rotate around its own axis;

[0010] The printing mechanism is located between the discharge roller and the receiving roller. The printing mechanism includes a first print head, a second print head and a rubber roller. The second print head is located on the downstream side of the first print head. The rubber roller is located on the downstream side of the second print head, and the rubber roller is directly opposite to the first print head. The first print head is pressed against the rubber roller. After the free end of the ribbon is pulled out by the discharge roller, it passes through between the first print head and the rubber roller, under the second print head, and the side of the rubber roller facing the first print head, and is then fixed to the receiving roller.

[0011] Preferably, the dual-head thermal transfer printer further comprises:

[0012] A first elastic member is provided, wherein the first elastic member can press the first print head against the rubber roller.

[0013] Preferably, the dual-head thermal transfer printer further comprises:

[0014] A driving mechanism is configured to drive the second print head to move along the X-axis direction or along the Z-axis direction.

[0015] Preferably, the driving mechanism comprises:

[0016] A slide rail extends along the X-axis direction, and a slider is slidably connected to the slide rail;

[0017] The cam is capable of rotating around its own axis, one end of the connecting rod is pivotally connected to the cam and is eccentrically arranged with respect to the cam, the other end of the connecting rod is pivotally connected to the slider, and the cam is configured to drive the slider to slide back and forth along the slide rail;

[0018] A connecting plate, the second print head is fixed to the connecting plate, one end of the connecting plate is pivotally connected to the slider, and the connecting plate can rotate around the slider to generate displacement along the Z-axis direction to press the ribbon against the substrate.

[0019] Preferably, the driving mechanism further comprises:

[0020] A first driving member is configured to drive the cam to rotate.

[0021] Preferably, the driving mechanism further comprises:

[0022] A second driving member is provided, wherein the second driving member can drive the connecting plate to rotate around the sliding block.

[0023] Preferably, the driving mechanism further comprises:

[0024] A second elastic member, wherein the second elastic member can drive the connecting plate to abut against the output end of the second driving member.

[0025] Preferably, the dual-head thermal transfer printer further comprises:

[0026] A peeling roller is provided on the downstream side of the second print head, the ribbon is passed through the peeling roller and the second print head, and the peeling roller is used to peel the ribbon off the substrate.

[0027] Preferably, the dual-head thermal transfer printer further comprises:

[0028] A third driving member, wherein the output end of the third driving member is connected to the receiving roller, and the third driving member is configured to drive the receiving roller to rotate around its own axis.

[0029] Preferably, the dual-head thermal transfer printer further comprises:

[0030] A mounting plate is provided on which the unwinding roller, the receiving roller and the printing mechanism are all arranged.

[0031] Beneficial effects of the present invention:

[0032] This dual-head thermal transfer printer includes a take-up roller, a discharge roller, and a printing mechanism. The discharge roller, which is capable of rotating about its own axis and carries a ribbon, and the take-up roller, which is capable of rotating about its own axis. The printing mechanism is located between the discharge and take-up rollers and includes a first print head, a second print head, and a rubber roller. The second print head is located downstream of the first print head, and the rubber roller is located downstream of the second print head and directly opposite the first print head, with the first print head pressed against the rubber roller. The free end of the ribbon is pulled from the discharge roller, passes between the first print head and the rubber roller, under the second print head, and on the side of the rubber roller facing the first print head, before being secured to the take-up roller.

[0033] Compared to existing technologies, this dual-head thermal transfer printer transforms the traditional printing process, cleverly managing time resources and achieving an efficient and precise printing process. While the packaging machine is pulling the substrate, the first printhead precisely controls its heating elements to remove the ink from the unused ribbon's non-printable areas, leaving only the ink in the areas to be printed, paving the way for subsequent transfer. When the packaging machine is stationary, only the ribbon carrying the necessary ink enters the second printhead's working area. The second printhead's internal heating elements, eliminating the need for complex timing control and simply heating to the required temperature, immediately press down, melting the ink from the ribbon and precisely imprinting it onto the substrate. Because the packaging machine takes a long time to pull the substrate, the first printhead has ample printing time to accurately and completely transfer the ink from the non-printable areas to the waste ribbon. The second printhead, without the need for internal heating element control, maintains extremely high printing speeds. Therefore, even during short periods of stationary time, this dual-head thermal transfer printer delivers high-quality printouts without significant defects. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0034] Figure 1 It is a structural schematic diagram of the double-head thermal transfer printer provided by the present invention.

[0035] In the picture:

[0036] 100, ribbon;

[0037] 1. Unloading roller;

[0038] 2. Receiving roller;

[0039] 31. First print head; 32. Second print head; 33. Rubber roller;

[0040] 41. Slide rail; 42. Slider; 43. Cam; 44. Connecting rod; 45. Connecting plate;

[0041] 5. Peeling roller;

[0042] 6. Mounting plate;

[0043] 7. Guide roller. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0044] The present invention will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and examples. It will be understood that the specific embodiments described herein are intended only to illustrate the present invention and are not intended to limit the present invention. It should also be noted that, for ease of description, the accompanying drawings only illustrate portions relevant to the present invention, not all structures.

[0045] In the description of the present invention, unless otherwise expressly specified or limited, the terms "connected," "connected," and "fixed" should be understood in a broad sense. For example, they may refer to fixed connections, detachable connections, or integration; mechanical connections or electrical connections; direct connections or indirect connections through an intermediate medium; and internal communication between two components or interaction between two components. Those skilled in the art will understand the specific meanings of the above terms in the present invention in specific circumstances.

[0046] In the present invention, unless otherwise expressly specified or limited, a first feature being "above" or "below" a second feature may include the first and second features being in direct contact, or may include the first and second features being in contact not directly but through another feature between them. Furthermore, a first feature being "above," "above," and "above" a second feature may include the first feature being directly above or obliquely above the second feature, or may simply mean that the first feature is higher in level than the second feature. A first feature being "below," "below," and "below" a second feature may include the first feature being directly below or obliquely below the second feature, or may simply mean that the first feature is lower in level than the second feature.

[0047] In the description of this embodiment, the terms "upper," "lower," "right," and other orientations or positional relationships are based on the orientations or positional relationships shown in the accompanying drawings and are intended solely for ease of description and simplified operation. They do not indicate or imply that the devices or components referred to must have, be constructed, or operate in a specific orientation. Therefore, they should not be construed as limitations on the present invention. Furthermore, the terms "first" and "second" are used solely for descriptive purposes and have no special meanings.

[0048] The printing sequence of an intermittent thermal transfer printer is that the packaging machine stops for a period of time after pulling the substrate. The intermittent thermal transfer printer completes the printing action during this period of time when the packaging machine is stationary. That is, during this period of time, the many heating elements inside the print head need to be intermittently and orderly turned on and off under the control of the software to control the time ratio and timing of heating and non-heating, so as to melt the ink on the ribbon and imprint it on the substrate according to printing needs. However, it takes a certain amount of time for the heating elements to heat up enough to melt the ink on the ribbon. If the packaging machine is stationary for a short time or the print file is too long, the print head will not be able to keep up with the printing rhythm due to heating, which will lead to large-area defects in the print.

[0049] In order to solve the above problems, Figure 1 As shown, this embodiment provides a dual-head thermal transfer printer, which includes a feed roller 1, a take-up roller 2, and a printing mechanism. The feed roller 1 can rotate about its own axis and is wound with a ribbon 100; the take-up roller 2 can rotate about its own axis; the printing mechanism is located between the feed roller 1 and the take-up roller 2 and includes a first print head 31, a second print head 32, and a rubber roller 33. The second print head 32 is located downstream of the first print head 31, and the rubber roller 33 is located downstream of the second print head 32 and directly opposite the first print head 31. The first print head 31 can press against the rubber roller 33. The free end of the ribbon 100 is pulled out from the feed roller 1, passes through between the first print head 31 and the rubber roller 33, below the second print head 32, and on the side of the rubber roller 33 facing the first print head 31, before being fixed to the take-up roller 2.

[0050] During the time when the packaging machine pulls the substrate to move, the first print head 31 performs printing. Specifically, the first print head 31 presses against the rubber roller 33. At this time, there are two layers of ribbon 100 between the first print head 31 and the rubber roller 33. One layer is the unused ribbon full of ink pulled out from the unwinding roller 1, and the other layer is the used waste ribbon. The ribbon 100 is continuously transported downstream. The first print head 31 heats the unused ribbon and transfers all the ink layer except the printed document (hereinafter referred to as the non-printing area) to the waste ribbon. The ink layer in the non-printing area of ​​the unused ribbon is completely peeled off from the ribbon 100, so that only the ink layer required for printing the document (hereinafter referred to as the printing area) remains on the unused ribbon; the ribbon 100 is continuously transported downstream, and the ribbon 100 carrying only the ink layer in the printing area enters the working area of ​​the second print head 32. The heating elements inside the second print head 32 are all heated to the required temperature. When the packaging machine is in a stationary state, the second print head 32 presses the ribbon 100 down to the substrate, using the high temperature to quickly melt and imprint the remaining ink layer onto the substrate, completing the transfer of the printed document.

[0051] Compared to existing technologies, this dual-head thermal transfer printer transforms the traditional printing process, cleverly integrating time resources and achieving an efficient and precise printing process. While the packaging machine is pulling the substrate, the first print head 31 precisely controls the heating element to strip the ink layer from the unused ribbon's non-printing area, retaining only the ink layer in the printing area, paving the way for subsequent rapid transfer. When the packaging machine enters a stationary phase, the ribbon 100, carrying only the ink layer in the printing area, enters the working area of ​​the second print head 32. The internal heating element of the second print head 32 requires no complex timing control; it simply heats to the required temperature. The second print head 32 then immediately presses down, melting the ink layer on the ribbon 100 and precisely imprinting it onto the substrate surface, completing the printing process. Since the packaging machine takes a long time to pull the substrate, the first print head 31 has sufficient printing time and can accurately and completely transfer the ink layer in the non-printing area to the waste ribbon 100; the second print head 32 does not need to start and stop its internal heating element, and the printing speed is extremely fast. Therefore, even if the packaging machine is stationary for a short time, this dual-head thermal transfer printer can achieve high-quality print output without large-area defects.

[0052] Specifically, this dual-head thermal transfer printer also includes a first elastic member (not shown) that presses the first print head 31 against the rubber roller 33. The first elastic member ensures that the first print head 31 consistently applies pressure to the rubber roller 33 during printing. This stable pressure helps ensure uniform and precise transfer of the ink layer to the substrate.

[0053] Specifically, the dual-head thermal transfer printer further includes a drive mechanism configured to drive the second print head 32 to move along the X-axis direction or along the Z-axis direction. The drive mechanism can precisely control the position of the second print head 32 in the X-axis direction and the Z-axis direction according to printing requirements to achieve the printing function.

[0054] In this embodiment, if Figure 1As shown, the driving mechanism includes a slide rail 41, a slider 42, a cam 43, a connecting rod 44 and a connecting plate 45. The slide rail 41 extends along the X-axis direction, the slider 42 is slidably set on the slide rail 41, the cam 43 can rotate around its own axis, one end of the connecting rod 44 is pivoted to the cam 43 and is eccentrically arranged with the cam 43, the other end of the connecting rod 44 is pivoted to the slider 42, and the cam 43 is configured to drive the slider 42 to slide back and forth along the slide rail 41. The second print head 32 is fixed to the connecting plate 45, one end of the connecting plate 45 is pivoted to the slider 42, and the connecting plate 45 can rotate around the slider 42 to generate displacement in the Z-axis direction to press the ribbon 100 to the substrate. The rotation of the cam 43 can drive the connecting rod 44 to swing, that is, the connecting rod 44 will move along the X-axis direction to drive the sliding block to slide along the X-axis direction, so that the second print head 32 will be displaced along the X-axis direction; the connecting plate 45 rotates around the slider 42, that is, the connecting plate 45 will be displaced along the Z-axis direction, so that the second print head 32 fixed on the connecting plate 45 is pressed down, pressing the ribbon 100 to the substrate.

[0055] Specifically, the drive mechanism further includes a first drive member (not shown), which is configured to drive the cam 43 to rotate. The output end of the first drive member is connected to the cam 43. It is understood that the output end of the first drive member is eccentrically arranged with respect to one end of the connecting rod 44.

[0056] In some embodiments, the first driving member is a motor; in other embodiments, the first driving member is a cylinder. In the prior art, any structure capable of driving the cam 43 to rotate can be used as the first driving member of this embodiment, and this embodiment does not limit this.

[0057] Specifically, the drive mechanism further includes a second drive member (not shown) capable of driving the connecting plate 45 to rotate about the slider 42. In some embodiments, the second drive member is a motor; in other embodiments, the second drive member is a cylinder. In the prior art, any structure capable of driving the connecting plate 45 to rotate about the slider 42 can serve as the second drive member in this embodiment, and this embodiment is not limited thereto.

[0058] In some embodiments, the second driving member is fixed on the slider 42 , and its driving end is pivotally connected to the connecting plate 45 , which can meet the degree of freedom requirement to ensure that the second driving member can drive the connecting plate 45 to rotate.

[0059] In other embodiments, the drive mechanism further includes a second elastic member (not shown in the figures). The second elastic member can drive the connecting plate 45 to abut against the output end of the second driving member. The second elastic member can ensure that the driving force of the second driving member is effectively transmitted to the connecting plate 45, making the rotation of the connecting plate 45 more precise and reliable. Specifically, the second elastic member is a spring, one end of which is attached to the connecting plate 45 and the other end is attached to the second driving member.

[0060] In this embodiment, if Figure 1 As shown, this dual-head thermal transfer printer also includes a peeling roller 5, which is positioned downstream of the second print head 32. The ribbon 100 is threaded between the peeling roller 5 and the second print head 32. The peeling roller 5 is used to peel the ribbon 100 from the substrate. During printing, the second print head 32 presses the ribbon 100 against the substrate to transfer the ink layer on the ribbon 100 to the substrate. The peeling roller 5 positions the printed ribbon 100 at an angle to the substrate to smoothly peel the ribbon 100 from the substrate, ensuring that the printed image remains clearly on the substrate. This avoids problems such as blurred printing and ghosting caused by incomplete separation of the ribbon 100 from the substrate, thereby improving print quality.

[0061] Specifically, this dual-head thermal transfer printer also includes a third drive member (not shown). The output end of the third drive member is connected to the take-up roller 2. The third drive member is configured to drive the take-up roller 2 to rotate about its own axis. The third drive member drives the take-up roller 2 to rotate, thereby driving the ribbon 100 forward and causing the waste ribbon 100 to be reeled onto the take-up roller 2.

[0062] In some embodiments, the third driving member is a motor; in other embodiments, the third driving member is a cylinder. In the prior art, any structure that can drive the receiving roller 2 to rotate can be used as the third driving member of this embodiment, and this embodiment does not limit this.

[0063] Specifically, if Figure 1 As shown, the double-head thermal transfer printer further includes a mounting plate 6 , on which the receiving roller 2 , the unwinding roller 1 and the printing mechanism are all arranged.

[0064] Furthermore, if Figure 1 As shown, a plurality of guide rollers 7 are also provided on the mounting plate 6. The plurality of guide rollers 7 are distributed on the conveying path of the ribbon 100 and can accurately guide the ribbon 100 to be conveyed along a preset path, ensuring that the ribbon 100 will not deviate from the path or get entangled, and can enable the ribbon 100 to maintain appropriate tension during the conveying process to ensure printing quality.

[0065] Obviously, the above embodiments of the present invention are merely examples for the purpose of clearly illustrating the present invention and are not intended to limit the embodiments of the present invention. A person skilled in the art would be able to make various obvious changes, readjustments, and substitutions without departing from the scope of protection of the present invention. It is not necessary and impossible to enumerate all embodiments here. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, and improvements made within the spirit and principles of the present invention shall be included within the scope of protection of the claims of the present invention.

Claims

1. Double-head thermal transfer printer, characterized in that, include: A discharge roller (1) is capable of rotating around its own axis, and a ribbon (100) is wound on the discharge roller (1); The receiving roller (2) is capable of rotating around its own axis; A printing mechanism is located between the discharge roller (1) and the receiving roller (2), the printing mechanism comprising a first print head (31), a second print head (32) and a rubber roller (33), the second print head (32) being located on the downstream side of the first print head (31), the rubber roller (33) being located on the downstream side of the second print head (32), and the rubber roller (33) being directly opposite to the first print head (31), the first print head (31) being able to press against the rubber roller (33), the free end of the ribbon (100) being pulled out by the discharge roller (1), sequentially passing between the first print head (31) and the rubber roller (33), below the second print head (32), and the side of the rubber roller (33) facing the first print head (31), and then being fixed to the receiving roller (2); The first print head (31) is pressed against the rubber roller (33), and there are two layers of the ribbon (100) between the first print head (31) and the rubber roller (33), one of which is an unused ribbon fully loaded with ink pulled out from the discharge roller (1), and the other is a used waste ribbon. The first print head (31) is used to heat and transfer all the ink layers of the unused ribbon except for the printed document onto the waste ribbon. The second print head (32) can press the ribbon (100) down to the substrate, and the second print head (32) is used to heat and press the remaining ink layer onto the substrate.

2. The dual-head thermal transfer printer according to claim 1, characterized in that: The double-head thermal transfer printer also includes: A first elastic member, wherein the first elastic member is capable of pressing the first print head (31) against the rubber roller (33).

3. The dual-head thermal transfer printer according to claim 1, characterized in that: The double-head thermal transfer printer also includes: A driving mechanism is configured to drive the second print head (32) to move along the X-axis direction or along the Z-axis direction.

4. The dual-head thermal transfer printer according to claim 3, characterized in that: The driving mechanism comprises: A slide rail (41) extends along the X-axis direction, and a slider (42) is slidably connected to the slide rail (41); The cam (43) is capable of rotating around its own axis, one end of the connecting rod (44) is pivotally connected to the cam (43) and is eccentrically arranged with respect to the cam (43), the other end of the connecting rod (44) is pivotally connected to the slider (42), and the cam (43) is configured to drive the slider (42) to slide back and forth along the slide rail (41); A connecting plate (45), the second print head (32) is fixed to the connecting plate (45), one end of the connecting plate (45) is pivotally connected to the slider (42), and the connecting plate (45) can rotate around the slider (42) to generate displacement along the Z-axis direction to press the ribbon (100) against the substrate.

5. The dual-head thermal transfer printer according to claim 4, characterized in that: The driving mechanism further comprises: A first driving member is configured to drive the cam (43) to rotate.

6. The dual-head thermal transfer printer according to claim 4, characterized in that: The driving mechanism further comprises: A second driving member, wherein the second driving member is capable of driving the connecting plate (45) to rotate around the sliding block (42).

7. The dual-head thermal transfer printer according to claim 6, characterized in that: The driving mechanism further comprises: A second elastic member, wherein the second elastic member is capable of driving the connecting plate (45) to abut against the output end of the second driving member.

8. The dual-head thermal transfer printer according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that: The double-head thermal transfer printer also includes: A peeling roller (5) is provided on the downstream side of the second print head (32), the ribbon (100) is passed between the peeling roller (5) and the second print head (32), and the peeling roller (5) is used to peel the ribbon (100) off the substrate.

9. The dual-head thermal transfer printer according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that: The double-head thermal transfer printer also includes: A third driving member, wherein the output end of the third driving member is connected to the receiving roller (2), and the third driving member is configured to drive the receiving roller (2) to rotate around its own axis.

10. The dual-head thermal transfer printer according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that: The double-head thermal transfer printer also includes: A mounting plate (6), the unwinding roller (1), the receiving roller (2) and the printing mechanism are all arranged on the mounting plate (6).

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