Heat transfer printing machine

Abstract

The present application relates to a thermal dye sublimation printer, which comprises a frame, a ribbon drive mechanism, a printing mechanism and a photo paper output mechanism arranged in sequence from front to back on the frame, wherein the ribbon drive mechanism comprises a ribbon roller assembly, a bearing seat, a ribbon roller and a reset member, the photo paper output mechanism comprises a paper feeding motor, a transmission assembly and a sliding block, and the ribbon drive mechanism comprises at least a paper feeding main shaft, a paper feeding gear, a paper feeding swing lever, a ribbon drive assembly and a first clutch gear.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to a printing output device, and more particularly to a thermal sublimation printing device. Background Technology

[0002] Dye-sublimation printers are increasingly used in photo printing. Their general working principle is as follows: Dry solid ink on the ribbon, a mixture of toner and polymer, is thinly coated with three areas—yellow, cyan, and magenta—slightly larger than the size of the photo paper. During printing, the photo paper and ribbon pass simultaneously through a print roller and are heated under the print head. Electricity is applied to the monocrystalline silicon heating elements on the print head, melting the dry solid ink on the ribbon. During heating, the heat separates the polymer molecules. As the print head passes, the temperature drops, and the ink changes from a gaseous state to a solid state, embedding itself into the polymer. The polymer molecules aggregate together, and after one color is printed, the printer automatically moves to the next color, thus sublimating the ribbon onto a single sheet of photo paper to produce a mixture of millions of colors, resulting in high-quality image quality.

[0003] There are three modes to switch between during the printing process: paper feed, paper feed / rewind, and ribbon winding. Only one color is transferred to the photo paper at a time during printing, and after transferring all three colors, a protective layer is usually added. Therefore, the paper feed / rewind and ribbon winding modes and the printing mode need to be repeated four times.

[0004] Existing dye-sublimation printers generally include a paper output mechanism, a printhead assembly, and a ribbon drive mechanism. During printing, a ribbon cassette containing both ribbon and photo paper is mounted on the printer. The paper output mechanism outputs sheets of photo paper from the cassette, the printhead assembly prints the ribbon onto the paper, and the ribbon drive mechanism drives the ribbon to rotate. This ribbon drive mechanism typically uses a single motor to simultaneously drive the ribbon cassette and photo paper forward. However, the ribbon rotates continuously in one direction, while the photo paper needs to retract after each color is printed before printing the next color. Therefore, the ribbon drive and the photo paper's movement are not synchronized in real time. A clutch mechanism is needed between the ribbon motor and the ribbon drive to ensure complete printing of the photo paper. However, existing clutch mechanisms are complex and cumbersome to install, requiring improvement. Furthermore, existing dye-sublimation printers have a risk of paper jams during output, which also needs to be addressed. Utility Model Content

[0005] The first technical problem to be solved by this utility model is to provide a sublimation printer in view of the above-mentioned technical status quo, wherein the ribbon drive mechanism of the sublimation printer has a clutch structure.

[0006] The second technical problem to be solved by this utility model is to provide a compact and ingenious dye-sublimation printer that achieves a ribbon-driven clutch, in view of the above-mentioned technical status quo.

[0007] The technical solution adopted by this utility model to solve the above-mentioned technical problems is as follows: a thermal sublimation printer, including a frame and a ribbon driving mechanism, a printing mechanism, and a photo paper output mechanism arranged sequentially from front to back on the frame. The aforementioned printing mechanism includes a rubber roller assembly and a print head assembly located above the rubber roller assembly. The photo paper is printed through the gap between the aforementioned print head assembly and the rubber roller assembly. The aforementioned rubber roller assembly includes...

[0008] The rubber roller frame is mounted on the aforementioned frame and can move up and down.

[0009] A bearing housing is provided on the aforementioned rubber roller frame and has a bearing built in it. The bearing housing extends outward with a pressing part.

[0010] The rubber roller is rotatably coupled with the aforementioned bearing;

[0011] A reset element is provided on the aforementioned frame and always forces the rubber roller frame to have a downward tendency;

[0012] The aforementioned photographic paper output mechanism includes a paper feed motor, a transmission assembly, and a slider. The aforementioned paper feed motor drives the slider to move back and forth through the transmission assembly. The front end of the aforementioned slider has a drive unit that can drive the rubber roller frame to rise.

[0013] The aforementioned ribbon drive mechanism includes at least the following:

[0014] The paper feed spindle is rotatably mounted on the aforementioned frame;

[0015] The paper feeding gear is located at the end of the aforementioned paper feeding main shaft and can rotate synchronously with the aforementioned paper feeding main shaft;

[0016] A paper feed lever is oscillatingly mounted at the end of the aforementioned paper feed main shaft, and a force-receiving part extends outward on one side of the paper feed lever to cooperate with the aforementioned pressing part;

[0017] A ribbon drive assembly, rotatably mounted on the aforementioned frame and having a ribbon gear; and

[0018] The first clutch gear is rotatably disposed at one end of the aforementioned paper feeding lever and meshes with the aforementioned paper feeding gear, while the other end can be engaged and disengaged with the aforementioned ribbon gear.

[0019] Preferably, the reset component is a torsion spring mounted on the frame, with one end of the torsion spring abutting against the inner wall of the frame and the other end abutting against the upper surface of the rubber roller frame.

[0020] Furthermore, a first damping spring is provided between the first clutch gear and the paper feeding lever, and the first clutch gear can drive the paper feeding lever to rotate through the first damping spring.

[0021] Furthermore, the photographic paper output mechanism also includes

[0022] The paper feed roller is rotatably mounted on the frame and has a paper feed gear at one end. The cross-section of the paper feed roller is fan-shaped.

[0023] The paper feed lever is oscillatingly mounted on the frame. The paper feed lever is equipped with a second clutch gear, which can be engaged or disengaged from the paper feed gear.

[0024] The power output end of the transmission assembly has an output gear, which meshes with the aforementioned second clutch gear.

[0025] The slider is horizontally movable on the frame and has a rack part that meshes with an output gear and a guide part that cooperates with a paper feed lever on one side; the aforementioned rack part meshes with the output gear, and the aforementioned guide part includes a first guide part at a lower position, a second guide part at a higher position, and an inclined transition part in the length direction, which connects the aforementioned first guide part and second guide part.

[0026] When the aforementioned paper feed lever is in contact with the first guide, the aforementioned second clutch gear meshes with the paper feed gear; when the aforementioned paper feed lever is in contact with the second guide, the paper feed lever flips and causes the second clutch gear to disengage from the paper feed gear.

[0027] The forward rotation of the paper feed motor drives the paper feed roller to rotate and the slider to move forward. The reverse rotation only drives the slider to move back to its original position. The position of the slider can be controlled by controlling the number of steps, without the need for an optical coupler to determine the position. This reduces manufacturing costs and ensures precise position control. At the same time, since the paper feed roller has a fan-shaped cross-section, the transmission power of the paper feed roller is interrupted during the slider's retraction, and it does not come into contact with the output photographic paper. Therefore, the photographic paper will not be carried back to the photographic paper slot of the ribbon. Compared with the existing lifting and lowering settings of the paper feed roller, the design is more flexible and simple, further reducing the risk of photographic paper getting stuck.

[0028] Furthermore, a second damping spring is provided between the second clutch gear and the paper feed lever. When the slider is in the retracted state, the second clutch gear can drive the paper feed lever to flip through the second damping spring.

[0029] The frame is equipped with a limiting mechanism. When the second clutch gear and the paper feed gear are disengaged, the paper feed roller is restricted from further rotation by the aforementioned limiting mechanism. When the second clutch gear and the paper feed gear are engaged, the paper feed roller can overcome the aforementioned limiting mechanism and rotate. The limiting mechanism ensures that the paper feed roller is positioned correctly and will not deviate, thus avoiding interference with the photographic paper.

[0030] Preferably, the paper feed roller is rotatably mounted on the frame via a roller shaft, and a positioning pin is provided on one side of the roller shaft. The limiting mechanism includes an elastic element and a positioning block. The two ends of the elastic element abut against the positioning block and the frame, respectively, and the positioning block has a limiting groove that cooperates with the positioning pin.

[0031] Preferably, the port of the limiting groove is flared and the two sides form inclined surfaces for the positioning pin to slide out or slide in.

[0032] Furthermore, the paper feed gear extends axially with a sleeve, which is mounted on the rubber roller shaft, and the positioning pin is formed on one side of the sleeve.

[0033] The sleeve, paper feed gear, and positioning pin are integrated into one piece, which facilitates manufacturing.

[0034] Compared with the prior art, the advantages of this utility model are as follows: The slider moves forward under the drive of the paper feed motor. The driving part of the slider acts on the rubber roller bracket, causing the rubber roller bracket to lift the bearing seat. The pressing part on the bearing seat releases its force on the paper feeding lever. The paper feeding lever drives the first clutch gear to swing towards the ribbon gear, thus engaging the first clutch gear with the ribbon gear, completing the ribbon winding. The paper feed motor rotates in the opposite direction, the slider retracts, and the rubber roller bracket descends under the action of the reset component, causing the pressing part on the bearing seat to descend. The pressing part acts on the force on the paper feeding lever, causing the paper feeding lever to swing away from the ribbon gear, thus disengaging the first clutch gear from the ribbon gear, stopping the ribbon winding. The overall clutch structure is ingeniously designed, low in cost, and easy to implement. Attached Figure Description

[0035] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of an embodiment.

[0036] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the structure from another perspective of the embodiment.

[0037] Figure 3 for Figure 1 The exploded diagram.

[0038] Figure 4 This is an enlarged view of the ribbon driving mechanism and printing mechanism combination in the embodiment.

[0039] Figure 5 for Figure 4 A structural diagram from another perspective.

[0040] Figure 6 for Figure 4 Partially exploded diagram.

[0041] Figure 7 This is an enlarged view of the photographic paper output mechanism.

[0042] Figure 8 for Figure 7 The exploded diagram.

[0043] Figure 9 for Figure 8 A magnified view of the paper feed lever from another angle.

[0044] Figure 10 This is an enlarged view of the combination of the rubber roller shaft and the limiting mechanism.

[0045] Figure 11 for Figure 10 The exploded diagram.

[0046] Figure 12 This is an enlarged side view of the embodiment after the rack has been removed.

[0047] Figure 13 This is a schematic diagram showing the position of the slider. Detailed Implementation

[0048] The present invention will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments.

[0049] like Figure 1 , Figure 2 and Figure 3 As shown, the dye-sublimation printer includes a frame 1 and, from front to back, a ribbon drive mechanism, a printing mechanism, and a photo paper output mechanism, all arranged sequentially on the frame 1. The printing mechanism includes a rubber roller assembly 5a and a printhead assembly 4a located above the rubber roller assembly 5a. The photo paper is printed by passing through the gap between the printhead assembly 4a and the rubber roller assembly 5a. A paper support 7a is also elastically provided at the bottom front end of the frame 1. The paper support 7a is used to compress the photo paper in the ribbon cartridge, facilitating its exit by the paper feed roller 2.

[0050] Combination Figure 4 , Figure 5 , Figure 6 and Figure 12 As shown, the rubber roller assembly 5a includes a rubber roller frame 52a, a bearing seat 53a, a rubber roller 51a, and a reset member 11. The rubber roller frame 52a is movably mounted on the frame 1. There are two bearing seats 53a, located on both sides of the rubber roller frame 52a. Each bearing seat 53a has a bearing (not shown in the figure) built into it. One of the bearing seats 53a extends outward with a pressing part 54a. The rubber roller 51a rotates with the bearing. The reset member 11 is mounted on the frame 1 and always forces the rubber roller frame 52a to have a downward tendency. In this embodiment, the reset member 11 is a torsion spring mounted on the frame 1. One end of the torsion spring abuts against the inner wall of the frame 1, and the other end abuts against the upper surface of the rubber roller frame 52a.

[0051] The ribbon drive mechanism includes a ribbon motor 1a, a transmission gear set 2a, a paper feeding sub-shaft assembly 3a, a paper feeding main shaft 6a, a paper feeding gear 83, a paper feeding swing arm 8, a ribbon drive assembly 8a, and a first clutch gear 82.

[0052] The paper feed auxiliary shaft assembly 3a is located above the paper feed main shaft 6a. The two work together to complete the forward feeding of photographic paper. The paper feed main shaft 6a is rotatably mounted on the frame 1. One end of the paper feed main shaft 6a is provided with an input gear 61a. The ribbon motor 1a is driven and connected to the input gear 61a through the transmission gear set 2a, thereby driving the paper feed main shaft 6a to rotate.

[0053] The paper feeding gear 83 is located at the end of the paper feeding main shaft 6a and can rotate synchronously with the paper feeding main shaft 6a; the paper feeding swing arm 8 is oscillatingly located at the end of the paper feeding main shaft 6a, and one side of the paper feeding swing arm 8 extends outward to have a force-receiving part that cooperates with the pressing part 54a.

[0054] The ribbon drive assembly 8a is rotatably mounted on the frame 1 and has a ribbon gear 81a; a first clutch gear 82 is rotatably mounted on one end of the paper feed lever 8 and meshes with the paper feed gear 83, and the other end can be engaged with the ribbon gear 81a. Specifically, refer to... Figure 6 As shown, a first damping spring 821 is provided between the first clutch gear 82 and the paper feeding lever 8. The first clutch gear 82 can drive the paper feeding lever 8 to rotate through the first damping spring 821.

[0055] Combination Figure 7 , Figure 8 and Figure 9 As shown, the photographic paper output mechanism in this embodiment includes a paper feed motor 4, a transmission assembly, a slider 3, a paper feed roller 2, and a paper feed lever 5. The paper feed motor 4 drives the slider 3 to move back and forth through the transmission assembly. The front end of the slider 3 has a driving part that can drive the roller frame 52a to rise. In this embodiment, the transmission assembly 6 is a gear set.

[0056] The paper feed roller 2 is rotatably mounted on the frame 1 and has a paper feed gear 22 at one end. The cross-section of the paper feed roller 2 is fan-shaped. The paper feed swing arm 5 is oscillatingly mounted on the frame 1. The paper feed swing arm 5 is provided with a second clutch gear 7, which can be engaged and disengaged from the paper feed gear 22. The power output end of the transmission assembly has an output gear 61, which is engaged and connected to the second clutch gear 7.

[0057] The slider 3 is horizontally movable on the frame 1 and has a rack portion 31 that meshes with the output gear 61 and a guide portion 32 that cooperates with the paper feed lever 5 on one side; the rack portion 31 meshes with the output gear 61, and the guide portion 32 includes a first guide portion 321 at a low position, a second guide portion 322 at a high position and an inclined transition portion 323 in the length direction, which connects the first guide portion 321 and the second guide portion 322;

[0058] When the paper feed lever 5 is in contact with the first guide 321, the second clutch gear 7 engages with the paper feed gear 22 for transmission; when the paper feed lever 5 is in contact with the second guide 322, the paper feed lever 5 flips and causes the second clutch gear 7 to disengage from the paper feed gear 22.

[0059] A second damping spring 71 is provided between the second clutch gear 7 and the paper feed lever 5. When the slider 3 is in the retracted state, the second clutch gear 7 can drive the paper feed lever 5 to flip through the second damping spring 71.

[0060] like Figure 10 and Figure 11 As shown, the frame 1 is provided with a limiting mechanism. When the second clutch gear 7 and the paper feed gear 22 are in a disengaged state, the paper feed roller 2 is restricted from continuing to rotate within the limiting mechanism. When the second clutch gear 7 and the paper feed gear 22 are in a meshed state, the paper feed roller 2 can overcome the limiting mechanism and rotate.

[0061] The paper feed roller 2 is rotatably mounted on the frame 1 via a roller shaft 21. A positioning pin 26 is provided on one side of the roller shaft 21. The limiting mechanism includes an elastic element 24 and a positioning block 25. The two ends of the elastic element 24 abut against the positioning block 25 and the frame 1, respectively. The positioning block 25 has a limiting groove 251 that cooperates with the positioning pin 26. The port of the limiting groove 251 is flared, and the two sides form inclined surfaces for the positioning pin 26 to slide out or slide in. A sleeve 23 extends axially from the paper feed gear 22. The sleeve 23 is assembled on the roller shaft 21, and the positioning pin 26 is formed on one side of the sleeve 23. In this embodiment, the sleeve 23, the paper feed gear 22, and the positioning pin 26 are integrated into one piece.

[0062] like Figure 13 As shown, slider 3 moves through four positions: C, O, A, and B. Between positions O and C, a damping spring engages the clutch; when moving forward, the clutch gear meshes with the paper feed gear, and when moving backward, the clutch gear disengages from the paper feed gear. During the movement from position O to position B, whether moving forward or backward, the slider is forced to engage / disengage with the paper feed gear via the paper feed lever and the clutch gear.

[0063] like Figure 12As shown, the slider moves forward under the drive of the paper feed motor. The driving part of the slider acts on the rubber roller bracket, causing the rubber roller bracket to lift the bearing seat. The pressing part on the bearing seat releases the force on the paper feeding lever. The paper feeding lever drives the first clutch gear to swing towards the ribbon gear, and then the first clutch gear meshes with the ribbon gear, completing the ribbon winding. The paper feed motor rotates in the opposite direction, the slider retracts, and the rubber roller bracket descends under the action of the reset component, causing the pressing part on the bearing seat to descend. The pressing part acts on the force on the paper feeding lever, causing the paper feeding lever to swing away from the ribbon gear, and then the first clutch gear disengages from the ribbon gear, stopping the ribbon winding. The overall clutch structure is ingeniously designed, low in cost, and easy to implement.

[0064] To print a complete photo, the machine needs to perform the following steps:

[0065] ① Ribbon positioning: To achieve a situation where the photographic paper remains stationary while the ribbon moves forward, the ribbon is positioned after the black mark is detected;

[0066] ② Photo paper positioning: To achieve a situation where the ribbon remains stationary while the photo paper advances, and the photo paper is positioned after the photocoupler senses when there is a paper shortage;

[0067] ③ First print: The photo paper and ribbon must move forward together and print simultaneously;

[0068] ④ Photo paper retraction: To achieve the goal of keeping the ribbon stationary while retracting the photo paper to its initial position;

[0069] ⑤ Ribbon positioning: To achieve simultaneous advancement of the photographic paper and ribbon, positioning is achieved after the black mark is sensed;

[0070] ⑥ Photo paper positioning: To achieve successful positioning, the ribbon must remain stationary while the photo paper moves backward. The backward movement must equal the forward movement.

[0071] ⑦ Second printing: Repeat the first printing action;

[0072] ⑧ Third printing: Repeat the first printing action;

[0073] ⑨ Fourth lamination: Repeat the first printing action.

Claims

1. A dye-sublimation printer, comprising a frame (1) and a ribbon driving mechanism, a printing mechanism, and a photo paper output mechanism arranged sequentially from front to back on the frame (1), wherein the printing mechanism comprises a rubber roller assembly (5a) and a print head assembly (4a) located above the rubber roller assembly (5a), and the photo paper is printed through the gap between the print head assembly (4a) and the rubber roller assembly (5a), characterized in that... The aforementioned rubber roller assembly (5a) includes The rubber roller frame (52a) is mounted on the aforementioned frame (1) and can move up and down. A bearing housing (53a) is provided on the aforementioned rubber roller frame (52a) and has a bearing built in it. The bearing housing (53a) extends outward to have a pressing part (54a). The rubber roller (51a) rotates in conjunction with the aforementioned bearing; The reset member (11) is provided on the aforementioned frame (1) and always forces the rubber roller frame (52a) to have a downward tendency; The aforementioned photographic paper output mechanism includes a paper feed motor (4), a transmission assembly, and a slider (3). The aforementioned paper feed motor (4) drives the slider (3) to move back and forth through the transmission assembly. The front end of the aforementioned slider (3) has a drive unit that can drive the rubber roller frame (52a) to rise. The aforementioned ribbon drive mechanism includes at least the following: The paper feed spindle (6a) is rotatably mounted on the aforementioned frame (1); Paper feed gear (83) is provided at the end of the aforementioned paper feed main shaft (6a) and can rotate synchronously with the aforementioned paper feed main shaft (6a); The paper feed lever (8) is oscillatingly disposed at the end of the aforementioned paper feed main shaft (6a), and a force-receiving part that cooperates with the aforementioned pressing part (54a) extends outward on one side of the paper feed lever (8). A ribbon drive assembly (8a) is rotatably mounted on the aforementioned frame (1) and has a ribbon gear (81a); and The first clutch gear (82) is rotatably disposed at one end of the aforementioned paper feeding lever (8) and meshes with the aforementioned paper feeding gear (83), while the other end can be engaged and disengaged with the aforementioned ribbon gear (81a).

2. The thermal sublimation printer according to claim 1, characterized in that... The reset component (11) is a torsion spring provided on the frame (1). One end of the torsion spring abuts against the inner wall of the frame (1), and the other end abuts against the upper surface of the rubber roller frame (52a).

3. The thermal sublimation printer according to claim 1, characterized in that... A first damping spring (821) is provided between the first clutch gear (82) and the paper feeding lever (8), and the first clutch gear (82) can drive the paper feeding lever (8) to rotate through the first damping spring (821).

4. The thermal sublimation printer according to claim 1, characterized in that... The photographic paper output mechanism also includes The paper feed roller (2) is rotatably mounted on the frame (1) and has a paper feed gear (22) at one end. The cross section of the paper feed roller (2) is fan-shaped. The paper feed lever (5) is oscillatingly mounted on the frame (1). The paper feed lever (5) is provided with a second clutch gear (7), which can engage and disengage with the paper feed gear (22). The power output end of the transmission assembly has an output gear (61), which meshes with the aforementioned second clutch gear (7); The slider (3) is horizontally movable on the frame (1) and has a rack (31) meshing with an output gear (61) and a guide (32) cooperating with the paper feed lever (5) on one side; the aforementioned rack (31) meshes with the output gear (61), and the aforementioned guide (32) includes a first guide (321) at a low position, a second guide (322) at a high position and an inclined transition (323) in the length direction, and the transition (323) connects the aforementioned first guide (321) and second guide (322); When the aforementioned paper feed lever (5) is in contact with the first guide (321), the aforementioned second clutch gear (7) meshes with the paper feed gear (22); when the aforementioned paper feed lever (5) is in contact with the second guide (322), the paper feed lever (5) flips and causes the second clutch gear (7) to disengage from the paper feed gear (22).

5. The thermal sublimation printer according to claim 4, characterized in that... A second damping spring (71) is provided between the second clutch gear (7) and the paper feed lever (5). When the slider (3) is in the retracted state, the second clutch gear (7) can drive the paper feed lever (5) to flip through the second damping spring (71).

6. The thermal sublimation printer according to claim 4, characterized in that... The frame (1) is provided with a limiting mechanism. When the second clutch gear (7) and the paper feed gear (22) are in a disengaged state, the paper feed roller (2) is restricted from continuing to rotate within the aforementioned limiting mechanism. When the second clutch gear (7) and the paper feed gear (22) are in a meshed state, the paper feed roller (2) can overcome the aforementioned limiting mechanism and rotate.

7. The thermal sublimation printer according to claim 6, characterized in that... The paper feed roller (2) is rotatably mounted on the frame (1) via the roller shaft (21). A positioning pin (26) is provided on one side of the roller shaft (21). The limiting mechanism includes an elastic element (24) and a positioning block (25). The two ends of the elastic element (24) abut against the positioning block (25) and the frame (1) respectively. The positioning block (25) has a limiting groove (251) that cooperates with the positioning pin (26).

8. The thermal sublimation printer according to claim 7, characterized in that... The port of the limiting groove (251) is flared and the two sides form inclined surfaces for the positioning pin (26) to slide out or slide in.

9. The thermal sublimation printer according to claim 7, characterized in that... The paper feed gear (22) extends axially with a sleeve (23), which is mounted on the rubber roller shaft (21), and the positioning pin (26) is formed on one side of the sleeve (23).

10. The thermal sublimation printer according to claim 9, characterized in that... The sleeve (23), paper feed gear (22) and positioning pin (26) are an integral piece.

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