Multi-mode switching multicolor thermal transfer printer

Abstract

The invention provides a multicolor thermal transfer printer capable of switching multiple modes, and belongs to the technical field of printers. Comprising a printing module, a mode switching device and a power device. A plurality of printing areas are arranged in the feeding direction of a piece to be printed, a printing module is arranged in each printing area, and each printing module comprises a colored tape and a colored tape transmission mechanism for driving the colored tape to rotate. The mode switching device is used for controlling the printing module to be switched between a first mode and a second mode, and in the first mode, the ribbon is in contact with a to-be-printed piece, and the ribbon transmission mechanism works; and the second mode is that the ribbon is separated from the to-be-printed piece, and the ribbon transmission mechanism stops. The mode switching device provides switching power through the same power device. Power can be provided through the same power source so that working mode switching of the printing modules in different printing areas can be achieved, and the defects of mode switching setting in the related technology are overcome.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of printers, and in particular to a multi-color thermal transfer printer capable of multi-mode switching. Background Art

[0002] Thermal transfer overprinter (TTO) is a printer that uses thermal transfer technology. It uses a special thermal transfer ribbon and works similarly to the print head of a fax machine. The coating on the thermal transfer ribbon is heated and transferred to paper or other types of materials, thereby printing a pattern with higher definition.

[0003] In the related art, a thermal transfer printer is usually provided with multiple printing areas, and the printing modules arranged in different printing areas are used to realize the separate or simultaneous printing of multiple patterns in the feeding direction of the workpiece to be printed. In response to the demand for miniaturization of thermal transfer printers, the requirements for the integration and integration of the ribbon inside the thermal transfer printer and the transmission structure of the workpiece to be printed are becoming increasingly higher. In existing thermal transfer printers, the feed drive for the workpiece to be printed and the rotation of the ribbon in the printing module are often synchronously driven through the same set of gear transmission systems to ensure working synchronization and integration.

[0004] However, the printing modules in multiple printing areas do not need to work at the same time all the time. For example, when a workpiece needs to be printed in multiple colors or different areas need to be printed, different control or drive structures need to be set for different printing modules for separate control and power supply to achieve the switching of working modes. The mode switching setting is not conducive to the miniaturization of the printer and the reduction of energy consumption. Summary of the invention

[0005] The embodiment of the present invention provides a multi-color thermal transfer printer capable of multi-mode switching, which can realize the working mode switching of printing modules in different printing areas by providing power through the same power source, thereby improving the defects of the mode switching setting in the related art. The technical solution is as follows: An embodiment of the present invention provides a multi-mode switchable multi-color thermal transfer printer, comprising a plurality of printing areas arranged along the feeding direction of a to-be-printed piece, each of the printing areas being provided with a printing module, the printing module comprising a ribbon and a ribbon transmission mechanism for driving the ribbon to rotate; A mode switching device, used to control the printing module to switch between a first mode and a second mode, wherein the first mode is that the ribbon contacts the workpiece to be printed and the ribbon transmission mechanism works; and the second mode is that the ribbon separates from the workpiece to be printed and the ribbon transmission mechanism stops. The mode switching device provides switching power through the same power device.

[0006] Optionally, the mode switching device has a n elements in the control set, wherein n is the number of the printing modules and 2 is the situation where the printing module has two modes; the mode switching device selectively controls the corresponding printing module to switch the specified mode based on the elements in the control set.

[0007] Optionally, the mode switching device includes a ribbon displacement mechanism and a ribbon rotation mechanism, the ribbon displacement mechanism is used to control the contact or separation of the ribbon with the to-be-printed object by physical switching; the ribbon rotation mechanism is used to control the operation or stop of the ribbon transmission mechanism by physical switching.

[0008] Optionally, the power device includes a push-pull actuator, which performs linear reciprocating motion relative to the ribbon displacement mechanism and the ribbon rotation mechanism in the printing area to control the contact or separation of the ribbon with the workpiece to be printed, and control the operation or stop of the ribbon transmission mechanism.

[0009] Optionally, the ribbon displacement mechanism is a ribbon rotation mechanism, including a first lifting end cooperating with the push-pull actuator and a first driving end cooperating with the printing module, and the push-pull actuator switches the ribbon close to and away from the print component by driving the ribbon rotation mechanism; the ribbon rotation mechanism is a ribbon displacement mechanism, including a second lifting end cooperating with the push-pull actuator and a second driving end cooperating with the ribbon transmission mechanism, and the push-pull actuator switches the ribbon transmission mechanism to work and stop by driving the ribbon displacement mechanism.

[0010] Optionally, the push-pull actuator includes a mode switching shaft, a first eccentric wheel and a second eccentric wheel, the first eccentric wheel and the second eccentric wheel are coaxially arranged on the mode switching shaft, the first eccentric wheel is in contact with the first lifting end, and the second eccentric wheel is in contact with the second lifting end.

[0011] Optionally, the mode switching device includes a plurality of groups of ribbon displacement mechanisms and ribbon rotation mechanisms arranged corresponding to the plurality of printing areas. In the plurality of groups of the ribbon displacement mechanisms, two of the first eccentric wheels on adjacent mode switching shafts have a first angular phase difference α; The mode switching device divides the switching angles of the m elements in the control set into α by setting a first angular phase difference α. i (i=1, 2, 3…m; m=2 n ); α i Satisfies the following formula: ≤360° Among them, α i is the angle at which the mode switching axis rotates when switching to the i-th element; In the plurality of groups of the ribbon rotating mechanisms, the two second eccentric wheels on the adjacent mode switching shafts also have a second angular phase difference β; The mode switching device divides the switching angles of the m elements in the control set into β by setting the first angular phase difference β j (j=1, 2, 3…m; m=2 n ); β j Satisfies the following formula: ≤360° Among them, β j is the angle at which the mode switching axis rotates when switching to the j-th element.

[0012] Optionally, the first angle phase difference α between the two first eccentric wheels on adjacent mode switching shafts is i (i=1, 2, 3…m; m=2 n ) is 360 / 2 n degrees, the second angular phase difference β between the two second eccentric wheels on the adjacent mode switching shafts j (j=1, 2, 3…m; m=2 n ) is 360 / 2 n Spend.

[0013] Optionally, the push-pull actuator includes a mode switching link that can reciprocate axially, the ribbon rotation mechanism and the ribbon displacement mechanism are arranged side by side along the axial direction of the mode switching link and in contact with the mode switching link, and a plurality of grooves matching the first lifting end and the second lifting end are axially spaced on the side wall of the mode switching link that contacts the ribbon rotation mechanism and the ribbon displacement mechanism.

[0014] Optionally, the power device includes a torsional power actuator, which is connected to the printing module and rotates relative to the printing module in the printing area to control the contact or separation of the ribbon and the workpiece to be printed, and to control the ribbon transmission mechanism to start or stop.

[0015] Optionally, the torsional power actuator includes a rotating arm disposed above the printing module, the rotating arm being configured to rotate around one end thereof, the other end of the rotating arm being connected to a print head in the printing module for driving the print head towards and away from the ribbon; the other end of the rotating arm being connected to the ribbon rotating mechanism for providing or shutting down the power supply to the ribbon transmission mechanism.

[0016] The beneficial effects brought about by the technical solution provided by the embodiment of the present invention include at least: When the thermal transfer printer is working, the workpiece to be printed passes through the printing area along the feeding direction. When the printing module in the printing area is required to implement the printing task, the mode switching device drives the ribbon transmission mechanism to cooperate with the relevant transmission end, drives the ribbon and the workpiece to be printed to rotate synchronously, and drives the heated print head to press down to make the ribbon contact with the workpiece to be printed, and transfers the coating on the ribbon to the workpiece to be printed in a heated manner, so as to switch the printing module to the first mode of the printing condition. When the printing module in the printing area is not required to implement the printing task and the print head stops heating, the mode switching device drives the ribbon transmission mechanism to separate and cancel the cooperation with the relevant transmission end, cuts off the power supply, and drives the print head to move up, so that the ribbon stops rotating and separates from the workpiece to be printed. The whole working process uses the same power device to provide switching power for the mode switching device, realizes the working mode switching of the printing modules in different printing areas, can effectively reduce the number of parts structure configurations and space occupation inside the thermal transfer printer, improve the defects of the mode switching setting in the related technology, and is conducive to the miniaturization of the printer and reducing energy consumption. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0017] In order to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention, the drawings required for use in the description of the embodiments will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of the present invention. For ordinary technicians in this field, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative work.

[0018] Figure 1 is a top view of the structure of a multi-color thermal transfer printer capable of multi-mode switching provided by an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 2 yes Figure 1 Structural cross-section at AA in the middle; Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of the three-dimensional structure of a roller shaft-related transmission structure provided in an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 4 It is a structural schematic diagram of one side of the internal transmission structure of a multi-color thermal transfer printer capable of multi-mode switchability provided by an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 5is a structural schematic diagram of the other side of the internal transmission structure of the multi-color thermal transfer printer capable of multi-mode switchability provided by an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 6 It is a front view of the internal transmission structure of a multi-color thermal transfer printer capable of multi-mode switchability provided by an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 7 yes Figure 6 Structural cross-section at the middle BB; Figure 8 It is a right view of the internal transmission structure of the multi-color thermal transfer printer capable of multi-mode switchability provided by an embodiment of the present invention; Fig. 9 is a schematic diagram of the working state of the mode switching connecting rod provided by an embodiment of the present invention; Fig.10 is a schematic diagram of the working state of the rotating arm provided by an embodiment of the present invention; Fig.11 is a logic relationship block diagram of a power device provided by an embodiment of the present invention; Fig.12 It is a schematic diagram of the coordination structure of the push-pull actuator and the ribbon displacement mechanism under the first working condition; Fig.13 It is a schematic diagram of the coordination structure of the push-pull actuator and the ribbon rotating mechanism under the first working condition; Fig.14 It is a schematic diagram of the coordination structure of the push-pull actuator and the ribbon displacement mechanism under the second working condition; Fig.15 is a schematic diagram of the coordination structure of the push-pull actuator and the ribbon rotating mechanism under the second working condition; Fig.16 It is a schematic diagram of the coordination structure of the push-pull actuator and the ribbon displacement mechanism under the third working condition; Fig.17 It is a schematic diagram of the coordination structure of the push-pull actuator and the ribbon rotating mechanism under the third working condition; Fig.18 is a schematic diagram of the coordination structure of the push-pull actuator and the ribbon displacement mechanism under the fourth working condition; Fig.19 It is a schematic diagram of the coordination structure of the push-pull actuator and the ribbon rotating mechanism under the fourth working condition.

[0019] In the figure: 1-printing module; 1a-roller; 2-modal switching device; 3-power device; 11-ribbon; 12-ribbon transmission mechanism; 13-print head; 14-ribbon transmission gear; 21-ribbon displacement mechanism; 22-ribbon rotation mechanism; 31-push-pull actuator; 32-torsion power actuator; 211-first lifting end; 212-first driving end; 221-second lifting end; 222-second driving end; 311-modal switching shaft; 312-first eccentric wheel; 313-second eccentric wheel; 314-modal switching connecting rod; 321-rotating arm; 3141-groove; 3142-guide bevel; a-printing area; a1-drive roller. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0020] In order to make the objectives, technical solutions and advantages of the present invention more clear, the embodiments of the present invention will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0021] Figure 1 is a top view of the structure of a multi-color thermal transfer printer capable of multi-mode switching provided by an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 2 yes Figure 1 Structural cross-section at AA in the middle; Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of the three-dimensional structure of a roller shaft-related transmission structure provided in an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 4 It is a structural schematic diagram of one side of the internal transmission structure of a multi-color thermal transfer printer capable of multi-mode switchability provided by an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 5 is a structural schematic diagram of the other side of the internal transmission structure of the multi-color thermal transfer printer capable of multi-mode switchability provided by an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 6 It is a front view of the internal transmission structure of a multi-color thermal transfer printer capable of multi-mode switchability provided by an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 7 yes Figure 6 Structural cross-section at the middle BB; Figure 8 It is a right view of the internal transmission structure of the multi-color thermal transfer printer capable of multi-mode switchability provided by an embodiment of the present invention; Fig. 9 is a schematic diagram of the working state of the mode switching connecting rod provided by an embodiment of the present invention; Fig.10 is a schematic diagram of the working state of the rotating arm provided by an embodiment of the present invention; Fig.11 is a logic relationship block diagram of a power device provided by an embodiment of the present invention; Fig.12 It is a schematic diagram of the coordination structure of the push-pull actuator and the ribbon displacement mechanism under the first working condition; Fig.13 It is a schematic diagram of the coordination structure of the push-pull actuator and the ribbon rotating mechanism under the first working condition; Fig.14 It is a schematic diagram of the coordination structure of the push-pull actuator and the ribbon displacement mechanism under the second working condition; Fig.15 is a schematic diagram of the coordination structure of the push-pull actuator and the ribbon rotating mechanism under the second working condition; Fig.16It is a schematic diagram of the coordination structure of the push-pull actuator and the ribbon displacement mechanism under the third working condition; Fig.17 It is a schematic diagram of the coordination structure of the push-pull actuator and the ribbon rotating mechanism under the third working condition; Fig.18 is a schematic diagram of the coordination structure of the push-pull actuator and the ribbon displacement mechanism under the fourth working condition; Fig.19 It is a schematic diagram of the coordination structure of the push-pull actuator and the ribbon rotating mechanism under the fourth working condition.

[0022] like Figures 1 to 19 As shown, an embodiment of the present invention provides a multi-color thermal transfer printer capable of multi-mode switching, including a printing module 1, a mode switching device 2 and a power device 3.

[0023] Among them, a plurality of printing areas a are arranged along the feeding direction of the workpiece to be printed in the housing of the multi-color thermal transfer printer, and a printing module 1 is arranged in each printing area a. Exemplarily, in an embodiment of the present invention, the thermal transfer printer is arranged along the feeding direction of the workpiece to be printed (such as printing paper or other materials to be printed), that is, Figure 3 and Figure 4 There are two printing areas a arranged in sequence in the direction of the arrow shown in . Each of the two sides of the area a to be printed is provided with a transmission roller a1 for driving the workpiece to be printed to move, and two adjacent printing areas a can share the same transmission roller a1, and the printing module 1 includes a ribbon 11 and a ribbon transmission mechanism 12 for driving the ribbon 11 to rotate. The ribbon 11 is wound around a plurality of rollers 1a in the printing module 1, and at least one of the rollers 1a is in transmission connection with the ribbon transmission mechanism 12, so as to rotate under the drive of the ribbon transmission mechanism 12, so as to rotate synchronously with the workpiece to be printed. The ribbon 11 wound and supported by a plurality of rollers 1a is arranged around a print head 13 inside the printing module 1, and the print head 13 is configured as a liftable structure, which can heat up and press the ribbon 11 downward to contact the workpiece to be printed under the control of a corresponding control structure after the workpiece to be printed is conveyed to the bottom to achieve printing. When the print head 13 is not generating heat, it will be lifted to a certain extent under the control of the corresponding control structure, so that the ribbon 11 below is separated from the workpiece to be printed, ensuring its smooth feeding.

[0024] The mode switching device 2 is used to control the printing module 1 to switch between a first mode and a second mode. The first mode is when the ribbon 11 contacts the workpiece to be printed and the ribbon transmission mechanism 12 works; the second mode is when the ribbon 11 separates from the workpiece to be printed and the ribbon transmission mechanism 12 stops. The mode switching device 2 is powered by the same power device 3.

[0025] A multi-color thermal transfer printer capable of multi-mode switching provided by an embodiment of the present invention is adopted. A mode switching device 2 that cooperates with a printing module 1 is provided in the thermal transfer printer. According to the working requirements of the printing module 1 within the printing area, power is provided to the mode switching device 2 through a power device 3 to drive the printing module 1 to switch modes.

[0026] When the thermal transfer printer is working, the workpiece to be printed passes through the printing area a along the feeding direction. When the printing module 1 in the printing area a is needed to implement the printing task, the mode switching device 2 drives the ribbon transmission mechanism 12 to cooperate with the relevant transmission end, driving the ribbon 11 and the workpiece to be printed to rotate synchronously, and at the same time drives the heated print head 13 to press down to make the ribbon 11 contact with the workpiece to be printed, and transfers the coating on the ribbon 11 to the workpiece to be printed in a heated manner, so as to switch the printing module 1 to the first mode of the printing condition. When the printing module 1 in the printing area a is no longer needed to implement the printing task and the print head 13 stops heating, the mode switching device 2 drives the ribbon transmission mechanism 12 to separate and cancel the cooperation with the relevant transmission end, cuts off the power supply, and drives the print head 13 to move upward, so that the ribbon 11 stops rotating and separates from the workpiece to be printed. The entire working process uses the same power device 3 to provide switching power to the mode switching device 2, thereby realizing the working mode switching of the printing modules in different printing areas. This can effectively reduce the number of parts structure configurations and space occupancy inside the thermal transfer printer, improve the defects of the mode switching settings in related technologies, and is conducive to the miniaturization of the printer and reducing energy consumption.

[0027] Optionally, the mode switching device 2 has a n The control set is a control set of elements, where n is the number of printing modules 1, and 2 is the situation where the printing module 1 has two modes. The mode switching device 2 selectively controls the corresponding printing module 1 to switch the specified mode based on the elements in the control set. For example, in the embodiment of the present invention, when there are multiple printing modules 1 in the printer, each printing module 1 may be in the first mode or the second mode, so there are 2 n There are possible situations, and each situation corresponds to an element to form a control set. For example, the printing modules include A, B, and C. The first mode is recorded as 1 and the second mode is recorded as 2. Then the control set has 8 elements: (A1, B1, C1), (A2, B1, C1), (A1, B2, C1), (A1, B2, C2), (A2, B1, C1), (A2, B1, C2), (A2, B2, C1), (A2, B2, C2). Afterwards, the mode switching device 2 can be controlled by a single-chip microcomputer controller integrated in the printer housing, and transmitted to each printing module through an electrical signal to realize the mode switching control of the printing module.

[0028] Optionally, the mode switching device 2 includes a ribbon displacement mechanism 21 and a ribbon rotation mechanism 22. The ribbon displacement mechanism 21 is used to control the contact or separation of the ribbon 11 with the workpiece to be printed by physical switching; the ribbon rotation mechanism 22 is used to control the operation or stop of the ribbon transmission mechanism 12 by physical switching. Exemplarily, in the embodiment of the present invention, in the specific structural composition of the mode switching device 2, in view of the state change of the ribbon 11 during the two mode conversion processes of the printing module 1, a mutually independent ribbon displacement mechanism 21 is set to control the contact state between the switching ribbon 11 and the workpiece to be printed, and a ribbon rotation mechanism 22 is set to control the relative motion state between the switching ribbon 11 and the workpiece to be printed. The ribbon displacement mechanism 21 and the ribbon rotation mechanism 22 operate relatively independently, but both cooperate with the same power device 3 to achieve physical switching of the mode through structural coordination.

[0029] Exemplarily, in a possible implementation of the present invention, the power device 3 includes a push-pull actuator 31, which performs linear reciprocating motion relative to the ribbon displacement mechanism 21 and the ribbon rotation mechanism 22 in the printing area a to control the contact or separation of the ribbon 11 with the workpiece to be printed, and to control the operation or stop of the ribbon transmission mechanism 12. Specifically, in the embodiment of the present invention, the push-pull actuator 31 performs linear reciprocating motion in the horizontal direction relative to the ribbon displacement mechanism 21 and the ribbon rotation mechanism 22 under the drive of the power supply end of the power device 3, thereby realizing the back and forth switching of the printing module 1 between the first mode and the second mode.

[0030] Furthermore, the ribbon displacement mechanism 21 is a ribbon rotating mechanism, which is a swing arm structure rotatably connected to the housing of the thermal transfer printer, and includes a first lifting end 211 in contact with the push-pull actuator 31 and a first driving end 212 in cooperation with the printing module 1 in the extension direction. The push-pull actuator 31 contacts the first lifting end 211 back and forth during the horizontal linear reciprocating motion to drive the ribbon rotation mechanism to switch the ribbon 11 close to and away from the printout. The ribbon rotation mechanism 22 is a ribbon displacement mechanism, which is also a swing arm structure rotatably connected to the housing of the thermal transfer printer, and includes a second lifting end 221 in contact with the push-pull actuator 31 and a second driving end 222 in cooperation with the ribbon transmission mechanism 12 in the extension direction. The push-pull actuator 31 contacts the second lifting end 221 back and forth during the horizontal linear reciprocating motion to drive the ribbon displacement mechanism to switch the ribbon transmission mechanism 12 to work and stop. The ribbon displacement mechanism 21 and the ribbon rotation mechanism 22 serve as relay transmission parts between the push-pull actuator 31 and the ribbon 11 and the ribbon transmission mechanism 12 in the printing module 1. Their modular setting can be easily replaced in time when they are aged or damaged after long-term operation, thereby improving the overall service life.

[0031] Further, the push-pull actuator 31 includes a mode switching shaft 311, a first eccentric wheel 312 and a second eccentric wheel 313. The first eccentric wheel 312 and the second eccentric wheel 313 are coaxially arranged on the mode switching shaft 311. The first eccentric wheel 312 contacts the first lifting end 211, and the second eccentric wheel 313 contacts the second lifting end 221. Exemplarily, in a possible form of the push-pull actuator 31, the mode switching shaft 311 arranged along a horizontal straight line is used as the mechanism body, and the first eccentric wheel 312 and the second eccentric wheel 313 are respectively arranged on the corresponding ribbon rotation mechanism and the ribbon displacement mechanism. When working, the mode switching shaft 311 rotates, driving the first eccentric wheel 312 and the second eccentric wheel 313 thereon to rotate synchronously, and the two rotate back and forth in the rotation cycle, using their respective irregular outer arc surfaces to contact the first lifting end 211 and the second lifting end 221 respectively, so that the ribbon rotation mechanism and the ribbon displacement mechanism swing back and forth between their respective rotation strokes, and then use the first driving end 212 to drive the lifting arm to switch the ribbon 11 close to and away from the print, and use the second driving end 222 to control the ribbon transmission mechanism 12 to work or stop. During the overall mode switching process, the rotation working stroke and occupied space of the push-pull actuator 31 are small, and the mode switching of the printing module 1 can be realized by providing rotational power to the mode switching shaft 311, and the working efficiency is high.

[0032] Optionally, the mode switching device 2 includes a plurality of ribbon displacement mechanisms 21 and a ribbon rotation mechanism 22 arranged corresponding to the plurality of printing areas a. In the plurality of ribbon displacement mechanisms 21, two first eccentric wheels 312 on adjacent mode switching shafts 311 have a first angular phase difference α. The mode switching device 2 divides the switching angles of the m elements in the control set into α by setting the first angular phase difference α. i i=1, 2, 3…m; m=2 n ; α i Satisfies the following formula: ≤360°; Among them, α i is the angle at which the mode switching axis 311 rotates when switching to the i-th element. For example, α1=60°, α2=120°, α3=60°, and α4=120°.

[0033] In the multi-group ribbon rotating mechanism 22, the two second eccentric wheels 313 on the adjacent mode switching shafts 311 also have a second angular phase difference β. The mode switching device 2 divides the switching angles of the m elements in the control set into β by setting the first angular phase difference β. j j=1, 2, 3…m; m=2 n β j Satisfies the following formula: ≤360°; Among them, β j is the angle at which the mode switching axis 311 rotates when switching to the jth element. As above, in this embodiment, β1+β2+β3+β4=360° For example, in one possible implementation of the present invention, when = <360°, The specific state is that the rotation cycle of the mode switching shaft 311 does not exceed 360° when the mode switching shaft 311 is switched. When the mode switching shaft 311 rotates to the limit, the mode switching shaft 311 rotates back. Or when the mode switching shaft 311 needs to switch the state, the mode switching device 2 will control the mode switching shaft 311 to switch with the shortest stroke. For example, when the printing module switches from the second mode to the third mode, the mode switching shaft 311 rotates forward. When the third module switches to the second mode, the mode switching shaft 311 will immediately reverse instead of continuing to rotate forward until the printing modules are switched to the second mode in sequence.

[0034] Exemplarily, in an embodiment of the present invention, by differentially processing the push-pull actuator 31 that drives the ribbon displacement mechanism 21 and the ribbon rotation mechanism 22 in multiple printing areas a arranged along the feed direction under the drive of the same power source, a corresponding angular phase difference is given between the two first eccentric wheels 312 on adjacent mode switching shafts 311, and between the two second eccentric wheels 313, so that the same power source can be used to achieve synchronous transmission control of the two adjacent push-pull actuators 31, while achieving periodic changes in the mode of the printing module 1 in the front and rear printing areas a.

[0035] Furthermore, the first angle phase difference α of the two first eccentric wheels 312 on the adjacent mode switching shafts 311 is i i=1, 2, 3…m; m=2 n 360 / 2 n degrees, the second angular phase difference β between the two second eccentric wheels 313 on the adjacent mode switching shafts 311 j j=1, 2, 3…m; m=2 n 360 / 2 n Spend.

[0036] For example, in the embodiment of the present invention, in the push-pull actuator 31 and the ribbon displacement mechanism 21 and the ribbon rotation mechanism 22 corresponding to the front and rear printing areas a, the second eccentric wheels 313 on the two mode switching shafts 311 and the first eccentric wheels 312 on the two mode switching shafts have an angle phase difference of less than or equal to 90°, and the front and rear mode switching shafts 311 are connected by belts to achieve synchronous transmission. Through the phase difference setting of the eccentric wheel structure, the thermal transfer printer can have four different working states while using the same power source to achieve synchronous transmission control of the two push-pull actuators 31.

[0037] like Fig.12 and Fig.13 As shown, taking the feeding direction from right to left as an example, the right printing module 1 and the mode switching device 2 correspond to the first printing area a, and the left printing module 1 and the mode switching device 2 correspond to the second printing area a. It can be seen that in the first working condition, the print head 13 in the first printing area a is lifted, and the driving end of the ribbon 11, that is, the ribbon driving gear (connected to one end of the roller 1a) as the ribbon transmission mechanism 12 is separated and disconnected from the ribbon transmission gear 14 in the main power gear group as the feeding power supply end of the printed workpiece, and the area is in a non-working state; while the print head 13 in the second printing area a is pressed down, and the driving end of the ribbon 11 is meshed with the ribbon transmission gear through the transmission gear group, and the ribbon 11 will rotate relative to the printed workpiece driven by the ribbon transmission gear 14, and the printing area a is in a printing condition.

[0038] like Fig.14 and Fig.15 As shown, in the second working condition after the first working condition, the two mode switching shafts rotate 90° clockwise under the synchronous drive of the same power source, at which time the print heads 13 in the two printing areas a are in a lifted state, and the driving ends of the ribbon 11 are separated and disconnected from the ribbon drive gear 14. Both printing areas a are in a non-working state.

[0039] like Fig.16 and Fig.17 As shown, in the third working condition after the second working condition, the two mode switching shafts rotate 90° clockwise again under the synchronous transmission of the same power source. At this time, the print head 13 in the first printing area a is pressed down, and the driving end of the ribbon 11 is engaged with the ribbon transmission gear through the transmission gear set. The ribbon 11 will rotate relative to the workpiece to be printed under the drive of the ribbon transmission gear 14, and the printing area a is in the printing condition; and the print head 13 in the second printing area a is lifted, and the driving end of the ribbon 11 is separated and disconnected from the ribbon transmission gear 14, and the area is in a non-working state.

[0040] like Fig.18 and Fig.19 As shown, in the fourth working condition after the third working condition, the two mode switching shafts rotate 90° clockwise under the synchronous transmission of the same power source. At this time, the print heads 13 in the two printing areas a are in a downward state, and the driving ends of the ribbon 11 are meshed with the ribbon transmission gear through the transmission gear set. The ribbon 11 will rotate relative to the workpiece to be printed under the drive of the ribbon transmission gear 14, and the two printing areas a are in the printing condition.

[0041] Afterwards, the two mode switching shafts 311 rotate clockwise by 90° again under the synchronous transmission of the same power source and return to the first working state to complete the cycle.

[0042] Optionally, the push-pull actuator 31 includes a mode switching link 314 that can reciprocate axially, the ribbon rotation mechanism and the ribbon displacement mechanism are arranged in parallel along the axial direction of the mode switching link 314 and in contact with the mode switching link 314, and a plurality of grooves 3141 matching the first lifting end 211 and the second lifting end 221 are axially spaced on the side wall of the mode switching link 314 that contacts the ribbon rotation mechanism and the ribbon displacement mechanism. Exemplarily, in another possible form of the push-pull actuator 31, the push-pull actuator 31 is a horizontally arranged rod-like structure, one end of which can perform horizontal back-and-forth linear motion under the push of a power source, rather than rotation in the previous embodiment. Fig. 9 As shown, a plurality of grooves 3141 matching the first lifting end 211 and the second lifting end 221 are arranged at intervals along the axial direction on the side wall of the mode switching link 314 that contacts the ribbon rotating mechanism and the ribbon displacement mechanism. In the extension direction of the mode switching link 314, both sides of each groove 3141 are provided with guiding bevels 3142. When the mode switching link 314 moves horizontally relative to the ribbon rotating mechanism and the ribbon displacement mechanism, the first lifting end 211 and the second lifting end 221 will be sequentially inserted into the grooves 3141, and slide out of the grooves 3141 through the smooth guidance of the guiding bevels 3142 to abut against the side wall of the mode switching link 314, thereby swinging back and forth between their respective rotation strokes, and then using the first driving end 212 to drive the lifting arm to switch the ribbon 11 to approach and move away from the print, and using the second driving end 222 to control the ribbon transmission mechanism 12 to work or stop.

[0043] In another possible implementation, the power device 3 includes a torsion power actuator 32, which is connected to the printing module 1 and rotates relative to the printing module 1 in the printing area a to control the ribbon 11 to contact or separate from the workpiece to be printed, and to control the ribbon transmission mechanism 12 to work or stop. Specifically, in the embodiment of the present invention, the torsion power actuator 32 is driven by the power supply end of the power device 3 to rotate relative to the printing module 1 in the printing area a, driving the printing module 1 as a whole or the print head 13 therein to perform adaptive posture adjustment, thereby realizing the back and forth switching of the printing module 1 between the first mode and the second mode.

[0044] Optionally, the torsion power actuator 32 includes a rotating arm 321 disposed above the printing module 1, the rotating arm 321 is configured to rotate around one end thereof, and the other end of the rotating arm 321 is connected to the print head in the printing module 1, and is used to drive the print head to approach and move away from the ribbon 11. The other end of the rotating arm 321 is connected to the ribbon rotating mechanism 22, and is used to provide or shut down the power supply to the ribbon transmission mechanism 12. Exemplarily, in the embodiment of the present invention, by driving the rotating arm 321 to rotate relative to the printing module 1, reference Fig.10 , the free end of the rotating arm 321 is raised or lowered relative to the printing module 1 under the drive of its rotating end. When the rotating arm 321 is rotated and raised upward, its free end can be connected to the printing module 1 as a whole through a connecting piece, or directly connected to the print head 13 through a connecting arm, so as to realize the raising and lowering of the print head 13. Furthermore, the free end of the rotating arm 321 can also be connected to the ribbon transmission gear 14 through the connecting arm to connect the lock buckle or clamping mechanism, and the ribbon transmission gear 14 is locked and released by the lifting and lowering control lock buckle or clamping mechanism, so as to realize providing or closing the power supply to the ribbon transmission mechanism 12.

[0045] Unless otherwise defined, the technical terms or scientific terms used herein shall have the usual meanings understood by persons of ordinary skill in the field to which the present invention belongs. The words "first", "second" and similar words used in the patent application specification and claims of the present invention do not indicate any order, quantity or importance, but are only used to distinguish different components. Similarly, words such as "one" or "one" do not indicate a quantity limitation, but indicate the existence of at least one. Words such as "include" or "comprise" and similar words mean that the elements or objects appearing before "include" or "comprise" include the elements or objects listed after "include" or "comprise" and their equivalents, and do not exclude other elements or objects. Words such as "connect" or "connected" and similar words are not limited to physical or mechanical connections, but may include electrical connections, whether direct or indirect. "Up", "down", "left", "right" and the like are only used to indicate relative positional relationships. When the absolute position of the described object changes, the relative positional relationship may also change accordingly.

[0046] The above descriptions are merely optional embodiments of the present invention and are not intended to limit the present invention. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, improvements, etc. made within the spirit and principles of the present invention should be included in the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A multi-color thermal transfer printer capable of multi-mode switching, characterized in that: A plurality of printing areas (a) are arranged along the feeding direction of a workpiece to be printed, each of the printing areas (a) being provided with a printing module (1), the printing module (1) comprising a ribbon (11) and a ribbon transmission mechanism (12) for driving the ribbon (11) to rotate; A mode switching device (2) for controlling the printing module (1) to switch between a first mode and a second mode, wherein the first mode is when the ink ribbon (11) is in contact with the workpiece to be printed and the ink ribbon transmission mechanism (12) is in operation; and the second mode is when the ink ribbon (11) is separated from the workpiece to be printed and the ink ribbon transmission mechanism (12) is stopped. The mode switching device (2) provides switching power through the same power device (3).

2. The multi-color thermal transfer printer capable of multi-mode switching according to claim 1, characterized in that: The mode switching device (2) has a n elements in the control set, wherein n is the number of the printing modules (1), and 2 is the situation where the printing module (1) has two modes; the mode switching device (2) selectively controls the corresponding printing module (1) to switch to a specified mode based on the elements in the control set.

3. The multi-color thermal transfer printer capable of multi-mode switching according to claim 2, characterized in that: The mode switching device (2) comprises a ribbon displacement mechanism (21) and a ribbon rotation mechanism (22); the ribbon displacement mechanism (21) is used to control the contact or separation of the ribbon (11) with the workpiece to be printed by means of physical switching; and the ribbon rotation mechanism (22) is used to control the operation or stop of the ribbon transmission mechanism (12) by means of physical switching.

4. The multi-color thermal transfer printer capable of multi-mode switching according to claim 3, characterized in that: The power device (3) comprises a push-pull actuator (31), wherein the push-pull actuator (31) performs linear reciprocating motion in the printing area (a) relative to the ribbon displacement mechanism (21) and the ribbon rotation mechanism (22), so as to control the contact or separation of the ribbon (11) with the workpiece to be printed, and to control the operation or stop of the ribbon transmission mechanism (12).

5. The multi-color thermal transfer printer capable of multi-mode switching according to claim 4, characterized in that: The ribbon displacement mechanism (21) is a ribbon rotation mechanism, comprising a first lifting end (211) cooperating with the push-pull actuator (31) and a first driving end (212) cooperating with the printing module (1); the push-pull actuator (31) switches the ribbon (11) to approach and move away from the printout by driving the ribbon rotation mechanism; the ribbon rotation mechanism (22) is a ribbon displacement mechanism, comprising a second lifting end (221) cooperating with the push-pull actuator (31) and a second driving end (222) cooperating with the ribbon transmission mechanism (12); the push-pull actuator (31) switches the ribbon transmission mechanism (12) to start and stop by driving the ribbon displacement mechanism.

6. The multi-color thermal transfer printer capable of multi-mode switching according to claim 5, characterized in that: The push-pull actuator (31) comprises a mode switching shaft (311), a first eccentric wheel (312) and a second eccentric wheel (313); the first eccentric wheel (312) and the second eccentric wheel (313) are coaxially arranged on the mode switching shaft (311); the first eccentric wheel (312) is in contact with the first lifting end (211); and the second eccentric wheel (313) is in contact with the second lifting end (221).

7. The multi-color thermal transfer printer capable of multi-mode switching according to claim 6, characterized in that: The mode switching device (2) comprises a plurality of groups of ribbon displacement mechanisms (21) and ribbon rotation mechanisms (22) arranged corresponding to the plurality of printing areas (a). In the plurality of groups of the ribbon displacement mechanisms (21), two of the first eccentric wheels (312) on adjacent mode switching shafts (311) have a first angular phase difference α; The mode switching device (2) divides the switching angles of the m elements in the control set into α by setting a first angular phase difference α. i (i=1, 2, 3…m; m=2 n ); α i Satisfies the following formula: ≤360° Among them, α i is the angle of rotation of the mode switching axis (311) when switching to the i-th element; In the plurality of groups of the ribbon rotating mechanisms (22), the two second eccentric wheels (313) on adjacent mode switching shafts (311) also have a second angular phase difference β; The mode switching device (2) divides the switching angles of the m elements in the control set into β by setting a first angular phase difference β. j (j=1, 2, 3…m; m=2 n ); β j Satisfies the following formula: ≤360° Among them, β j is the angle at which the mode switching axis (311) rotates when switching to the jth element.

8. The multi-color thermal transfer printer capable of multi-mode switching according to claim 7, characterized in that: The first angular phase difference α between the two first eccentric wheels (312) on adjacent mode switching shafts (311) is i (i=1, 2, 3…m; m=2 n ) is 360 / 2 n degrees, a second angular phase difference β between two second eccentric wheels (313) on adjacent mode switching shafts (311) j (j=1, 2, 3…m; m=2 n ) is 360 / 2 n Spend.

9. The multi-color thermal transfer printer capable of multi-mode switching according to claim 5, characterized in that: The push-pull actuator (31) comprises a mode switching link (314) that can reciprocate in the axial direction, the ribbon rotation mechanism and the ribbon displacement mechanism are arranged in parallel along the axial direction of the mode switching link (314) and are in contact with the mode switching link (314), and a plurality of grooves (3141) matching the first lifting end (211) and the second lifting end (221) are arranged at intervals in the axial direction on the side wall of the mode switching link (314) that contacts the ribbon rotation mechanism and the ribbon displacement mechanism.

10. The multi-color thermal transfer printer capable of multi-mode switching according to claim 3, characterized in that: The power device (3) comprises a torsion power actuator (32), which is connected to the printing module (1) and rotates relative to the printing module (1) in the printing area (a) to control the contact or separation of the ribbon (11) and the workpiece to be printed, and to control the operation or stop of the ribbon transmission mechanism (12).

11. The multi-color thermal transfer printer capable of multi-mode switching according to claim 10, characterized in that: The torsion power actuator (32) comprises a rotating arm (321) arranged above the printing module (1), the rotating arm (321) being configured to rotate around one end thereof, the other end of the rotating arm (321) being connected to a print head in the printing module (1) for driving the print head to approach and move away from the ribbon (11); the other end of the rotating arm (321) being connected to the ribbon rotating mechanism (22) for providing or shutting down power supply to the ribbon transmission mechanism (12).

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