Card issuance device

Abstract

To provide a card issuance device which can inhibit rubbing of prints of an outer peripheral edge in a width direction of a card when the card is printed by a thermal head.SOLUTION: A card issuing device 1 includes: a thermal head 64 that prints onto a card 2 by heating; a circular platen roller 53 that is disposed opposite to the thermal head 64 and conveys the card 2 by rotating while sandwiching the card 2 with the thermal head 64; and an ink ribbon 66 which is conveyed while being superposed on the card 2 between the thermal head 64 and the platen roller 53. In the platen roller 53, outer diameter dimensions of both end portions are larger than an outer diameter dimension of a central portion.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a card issuing device equipped with a thermal head for printing on a medium. [Background technology]

[0002] A card issuing device equipped with a thermal head for printing on cards is described in Patent Document 1. The card issuing device in this document has a thermal head that prints on cards, a platen roller located directly below the thermal head that transports the card, and an ink ribbon that is transported between the thermal head and the platen roller and overlaps the card. The thermal head is pressed against the card from above the ink ribbon to print on the card. The thermal head is capable of printing on the entire surface of the card. The platen rollers are all circular and have the same diameter. The platen roller supports the card from below when the card is printed by the thermal head. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2020-179616 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In the card issuing device of Patent Document 1, when printing a card, the force with which the thermal head presses the card via the ink ribbon tends to be concentrated in the center of the card, resulting in a problem that the force with which the thermal head presses the card via the ink ribbon is weaker at the outer edge of the card in the width direction perpendicular to the card transport direction, causing the print to be rubbed off.

[0005] In view of the above, an object of the present invention is to provide a card issuing device that can prevent the printing on the outer peripheral edge of a card in its width direction from being rubbed off when the card is printed using a thermal head. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to solve the above problems, the card issuing device of the present invention has a thermal head that prints on a medium by heating, a circular platen roller that faces the thermal head and transports the medium by rotating with the medium sandwiched between it and the thermal head, and an ink ribbon that is transported overlapping the medium between the thermal head and the platen roller, and is characterized in that the outer diameter dimension of the platen roller at both ends is larger than the outer diameter dimension of a central portion.

[0007] According to the present invention, the outer diameter of the platen roller at both ends is larger than that at the center. Therefore, when the thermal head prints a card, the force with which the thermal head presses the card via the ink ribbon at both ends of the platen roller where a reaction force acts is stronger than with a platen roller having the same diameter. This makes it easier for the force with which the thermal head presses the card via the ink ribbon to be uniform across the entire surface of the card, making it possible to prevent the printing on the outer edge from being rubbed off at the outer edge in the width direction of the card.

[0008] In the present invention, the platen roller can include first cylindrical portions located at both ends, and a second cylindrical portion located in the center and having an outer diameter smaller than that of the first cylindrical portions.

[0009] In the present invention, the platen roller has an outer diameter dimension that gradually changes from the both ends toward the center. The modulus can be made to gradually decrease.

[0010] In the present invention, it is preferable that the printer has a first guide roller that is disposed downstream of the thermal head in the transport direction of the ink ribbon and rotates with the transport of the ink ribbon to support the ink ribbon, and that the outer diameter of both ends of the first guide roller is smaller than the outer diameter of the center. In this way, the first guide roller generates a tensile force on the center of the ink ribbon, making it difficult for wrinkles to occur in the ink ribbon. This allows the thermal head to stably print on the card.

[0011] In the present invention, it is preferable that the second guide roller is disposed upstream of the thermal head in the transport direction of the ink ribbon and rotates with the transport of the ink ribbon to support the ink ribbon, and that the outer diameter of both ends of the second guide roller is smaller than the outer diameter of the center. In this way, the second guide roller generates a tensile force in the center of the ink ribbon, making it difficult for wrinkles to occur in the ink ribbon. This allows the thermal head to print stably on the card.

[0012] In the present invention, it is preferable that the outer peripheral surface of the first guide roller is a curved arc surface in a direction along the rotation axis of the first guide roller, which makes it more difficult for wrinkles to occur in the ink ribbon, allowing the thermal head to perform more stable printing on cards.

[0013] In the present invention, it is preferable that the outer peripheral surface of the second guide roller is a curved arc surface in a direction along the rotation axis of the second guide roller, which makes it more difficult for wrinkles to occur in the ink ribbon, allowing the thermal head to print on the card more stably. Effect of the Invention

[0014] According to the present invention, the outer diameter of the platen roller at both ends is larger than that at the center, so that when the thermal head prints a card, the force with which the thermal head presses the card via the ink ribbon is stronger at both ends of the platen roller, which makes it easier for the force with which the thermal head presses the card via the ink ribbon to be uniform across the entire surface of the card, making it possible to prevent the printing on the outer edge from being rubbed off at the outer edge in the width direction of the card. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0015] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional perspective view of the card issuing device of the first embodiment. [Diagram 2] 5A and 5B are diagrams illustrating the relationship between a guide roller and an ink ribbon. [Diagram 3] 6 is a diagram showing the relationship between the printing unit and the platen roller when the thermal head is in the retracted position. FIG. [Figure 4] 5A and 5B are diagrams illustrating the relationship between the printing unit and the platen roller when the thermal head is in the printing position. [Diagram 5] FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. 11 is a plan view of a platen roller according to a first modified example. [Figure 7] FIG. 11 is a plan view of a platen roller according to a second modified example. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0016] An embodiment of a card issuing device of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. In the following description, three mutually orthogonal directions are defined as the X direction, the Y direction, and the Z direction. One side of the X direction is defined as the X1 direction, and the other side is defined as the X2 direction. One side of the Y direction is defined as the Y1 direction, and the other side is defined as the Y2 direction. One side of the Z direction is defined as the Z1 direction, and the other side is defined as the Z2 direction. The X direction is the direction in which the card is issued. The X1 direction is the front-to-back direction of the card issuing device. The X1 direction is the front, and the X2 direction is the rear. The Y direction is the width direction of the card issuing device. The Y1 direction is one side in the width direction. The Y2 direction is the other side in the width direction. The Z direction is the up-down direction of the card issuing device. The Z1 direction is the downward direction, and the Z2 direction is the upward direction.

[0017] (Embodiment 1) (Overall composition) FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional perspective view of a card issuing device 1 of the first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the relationship between a guide roller and an ink ribbon. The card issuing device 1 shown in FIG. 1 is used while being communicably connected to a higher-level device (not shown). The card issuing device 1 issues a new card 2 as a medium based on a card issuance command from the higher-level device. The card 2 has a card size defined by a predetermined ISO standard (e.g., ID-1 of ISO / IEC7810) and is substantially rectangular with a thickness defined as 0.76 mm. The card 2 is made of plastic. More specifically, the card 2 is a PVC card or a PET-G card. The card 2 includes a magnetic stripe on which magnetic data is recorded, a printing section on which thermal printing is performed, and an IC chip on which electronic data is stored.

[0018] As shown in Figure 1, the card issuing device 1 has a card storage section 3 that stores multiple cards 2 before being issued, a card ejection mechanism 4 that ejects the card 2 from the card storage section 3, a card transport mechanism 5 that transports the card 2 ejected from the card ejection mechanism 4 toward a card discharge port 10, and a processing section 6 that performs processing on the card 2.

[0019] (Card storage section) As shown in Fig. 1, the card storage section 3 includes a card stack section 31. The card stack section 31 is shaped like a rectangular parallelepiped and extends in the Z direction. A plurality of cards 2 are stored inside the card stack section 31. The cards 2 are stored in the card stack section 31 from the Z2 direction.

[0020] (Card ejection mechanism) The card ejection mechanism 4 is provided in the Z1 direction of the card storage unit 3. The card ejection mechanism 4 includes a ejection claw that engages with the bottom card 2 in the card stack unit 31 to eject the card 2 to the outside of the card stack unit 31, and a claw feed mechanism that moves the ejection claw. The card ejection mechanism 4 ejects the card 2 stored in the card stack unit 31 in the X1 direction.

[0021] (Card transport mechanism) 1, the card transport mechanism 5 transports the card 2 along a card transport path 50 connected to the card ejection opening 10. The card ejection opening 10 is disposed in the X1 direction of the card transport mechanism 5. The card transport path 50 extends in the X direction from the X1 direction side of the card sending mechanism 4 to the card ejection opening 10.

[0022] The card transport mechanism 5 includes a plurality of drive rollers 51 arranged along the card transport path 50, a plurality of driven rollers 52 arranged along the card transport path 50, and a circular platen roller 53. The drive roller 51 is located in the Z2 direction of the card transport path 50. The driven roller 52 is located in the Z1 direction of the card transport path 50 and faces the drive roller 51. The platen roller 53 is located in the Z1 direction of the card transport path 50. The platen roller 53 is located directly below the thermal head 64. The outer periphery of the platen roller 53 is made of rubber or the like. A motor, which is a drive source of the card transport mechanism 5, is connected to the drive roller 51 and the platen roller 53 via a power transmission mechanism. The drive roller 51 and the platen roller 53 rotate, causing the card 2 to move along the card transport path 50.

[0023] (Processing section) 1, the processing unit 6 includes a printing unit 61 that prints on the surface of the card 2, an IC contact 62 that contacts the IC chip of the card 2, and a magnetic head 63 that performs at least one of reading magnetic data recorded on the card 2 and recording magnetic data onto the card 2. The IC contact 62 and the magnetic head 63 are arranged along the card transport path 50.

[0024] The printing unit 61 includes a thermal head 64 that prints on the card 2 by heating, a head moving mechanism 65, and an ink ribbon cartridge 67 having an ink ribbon 66. The thermal head 64 faces the platen roller 53 in the Z2 direction. The head moving mechanism 65 includes a motor and a transmission mechanism that transmits the driving force of the motor to the thermal head 64. The head moving mechanism 65 moves the thermal head 64 between a printing position where the thermal head 64 comes into contact with the top surface of the card 2 via the ink ribbon 66, and a retracted position where the thermal head 64 is retracted in the Z2 direction from the top surface of the card transport path 50.

[0025] The ink ribbon cartridge 67 is detachably attached to the main body frame of the card issuing device 1. The ink ribbon cartridge 67 includes an ink ribbon 66, a supply roll 68 around which the ink ribbon 66 is wound before the ink is transferred to the card 2, and a take-up roll 69 around which the ink ribbon 66 is wound after the ink is transferred to the card 2. The supply roll 68 is located in the X1 direction relative to the thermal head 64. The take-up roll 69 is located in the X2 direction relative to the thermal head 64. That is, the X2 direction is the transport direction of the ink ribbon 66, and the ink ribbon 66 moves in the X2 direction.

[0026] Here, the printing unit 61 includes a first guide roller 81 disposed in the X2 direction from the thermal head 64, and a second guide roller 82 disposed in the X1 direction from the thermal head 64. The first guide roller 81 is rotatably supported by a shaft member 83. The first guide roller 81 supports the ink ribbon 66 by rotating in association with the transport of the ink ribbon 66. The first guide roller 81 is made of resin or metal, and extends in the Y direction. As shown in FIG. 2, the width of the first guide roller 81 in the Y direction is larger than the width of the ink ribbon 66 in the Y direction. The outer diameter of both ends of the first guide roller 81 is smaller than the outer diameter of the center. An outer peripheral surface 810 of the first guide roller 81 is a curved arc surface in the Y direction along the rotation axis of the first guide roller 81.

[0027] The second guide roller 82 is rotatably supported by the shaft member 83. The second guide roller 82 supports the ink ribbon 66 by rotating in accordance with the transport of the ink ribbon 66. The second guide roller 82 is made of resin or metal and extends in the Y direction. As shown in FIG. 2, the width of the second guide roller 82 in the Y direction is larger than the width of the ink ribbon 66 in the Y direction. The outer diameter of both ends of the second guide roller 82 is smaller than the outer diameter of the center portion. The outer peripheral surface 820 of the second guide roller 82 is a curved arc surface in the Y direction along the rotation axis of the second guide roller 82. In this embodiment, the second guide roller 82 has the same shape as the first guide roller 81.

[0028] (Relationship between the printing unit and the platen roller) FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the relationship between the printing unit 61 and the platen roller 53 when the thermal head 64 is in the retracted position. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the relationship between the printing unit 61 and the platen roller 53 when the thermal head 64 is in the printing position. FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the platen roller 53. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the width of the ink ribbon 66 in the Y direction is greater than the width of the card 2 in the Y direction and the width of the thermal head 64 in the Y direction. The width of the platen roller 53 in the Y direction is greater than the width of the card 2 in the Y direction. Here, as shown in FIGS. 3 to 5, the platen roller The platen roller 53 has a first tube portion 71 located at both ends and a second tube portion 72 located at the center. The first tube portion 71 and the second tube portion 72 have a coaxial circular shape. The second tube portion 72 has a smaller outer diameter than the first tube portion 71. That is, the outer diameter of the platen roller 53 is larger at both ends than at the center. The first tube portion 71 contacts the outer periphery of the card 2, which is both ends in the Y direction, when the platen roller 53 transports the card 2. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3 and FIG. 4, the first tube portion 71 contacts the card 2 at about 5 mm from each of the outer periphery of the card 2 in the Y direction.

[0029] In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3, if the outer diameter dimension of the first cylindrical portion 71 is G1 and the outer diameter dimension of the second cylindrical portion 72 is G2, the following conditional formula is satisfied. 0.1mm < G1-G2 < 1.0mm Moreover, it is preferable that the following conditional expression be satisfied: 0.1mm < G1-G2 < 0.5mm More preferably, the following conditional expression is satisfied: 0.1mm < G1-G2 < 0.2mm

[0030] Next, the printing operation of the card issuing device 1 will be described. When the card transport mechanism 5 transports the card 2 from the card dispensing mechanism 4 in the X1 direction, the thermal head 64 is located in the retracted position as shown in Fig. 3. In this case, the ink ribbon 66 is separated from the card 2 in the Z1 direction. Next, the card transport mechanism 5 transports the card 2 from the thermal head 64 in the X1 direction.

[0031] The card transport mechanism 5 transports the card 2 from the thermal head 64 in the X1 direction, and then stops transporting the card 2. Next, as shown in FIG. 4, the head moving mechanism 65 moves the thermal head 64 to the printing position. After that, the card transport mechanism 5 transports the card 2 from the thermal head 64 in the X2 direction. At this time, the thermal head 64 brings the ink ribbon 66 into contact with the upper surface of the card 2 to print on the upper surface of the card 2. Here, the force with which the head moving mechanism 65 presses the thermal head 64 against the card 2 is stronger at both ends of the card 2 in the Y direction that are in contact with the first tube portion 71. When the head moving mechanism 65 presses the thermal head 64 against the card 2, the center portion of the card 2 may bend slightly in the Z2 direction. When the center portion of the card 2 is bent, the center portion of the card 2 may come into contact with the second tube portion 72.

[0032] (Action and effect) According to this embodiment, the platen roller 53 includes a first cylindrical portion 71 located at both ends, the outer diameter of which is larger than that of the central portion, and a second cylindrical portion 72 located at the central portion and having an outer diameter smaller than that of the first cylindrical portion 71. Therefore, when the thermal head 64 prints the card 2, the force with which the thermal head 64 presses the card 2 via the ink ribbon 66 at the first cylindrical portions 71, which are both ends of the platen roller 53 where a reaction force acts, is stronger than that of a platen roller having the same diameter. As a result, the force with which the thermal head 64 presses the card 2 via the ink ribbon 66 is uniform over the entire surface of the card 2, so that it is possible to prevent the printing on the outer periphery of the card 2 from being rubbed off at the outer periphery in the Y direction.

[0033] In this embodiment, the card 2 is a PVC card or a PET-G card with a thickness dimension of 0.76 mm specified by a predetermined ISO standard. If the outer diameter dimension of the first cylindrical portion 71 is G1 and the outer diameter dimension of the second cylindrical portion 72 is G2, the following conditional formula is satisfied. 0.1mm < G1-G2 < 1.0mm In this way, it is possible to prevent the printing on the outer periphery from being rubbed off at the outer periphery in the Y direction of the card 2. When the conditional expression is below the lower limit, the difference between the outer diameter G1 of the first cylindrical portion 71 and the outer diameter G2 of the second cylindrical portion 72 is too small, so the force with which the thermal head 64 presses the card 2 via the ink ribbon 66 is unlikely to be strong at both ends of the platen roller 53. As a result, it is not possible to prevent the printing on the outer periphery of the card 2 in the Y direction from being rubbed off. If the conditional expression exceeds the upper limit, the force of the thermal head 64 pressing the card 2 via the ink ribbon 66 causes the center of the card 2 to bend and come into contact with the second tube portion 72, resulting in a large curvature of the card 2. As a result, the printing on the card 2 by the thermal head 64 becomes unstable, and there is a possibility that some areas of the print will be rubbed off due to the large curvature of the card 2.

[0034] The card issuing device 1 of this embodiment has a first guide roller 81 that is disposed downstream of the thermal head 64 in the transport direction of the ink ribbon 66 and rotates as the ink ribbon is transported to support the ink ribbon. The outer diameter of both ends of the first guide roller 81 is smaller than the outer diameter of the central portion. In this way, the first guide roller 81 generates a tensile force on the central portion of the ink ribbon 66, making it less likely for wrinkles to form in the ink ribbon 66. This allows the thermal head 64 to perform stable printing on the card 2.

[0035] The card issuing device 1 of this embodiment has a second guide roller 82 that is disposed upstream of the thermal head 64 in the transport direction of the ink ribbon 66 and rotates as the ink ribbon 66 is transported to support the ink ribbon 66. The second guide roller 82 has an outer diameter smaller at both ends than at the center. In this way, the second guide roller 82 generates a tensile force on the center of the ink ribbon 66, making it less likely for wrinkles to form in the ink ribbon 66. This allows the thermal head 64 to perform stable printing on the card 2.

[0036] In this embodiment, the outer circumferential surface 810 of the first guide roller 81 is an arcuate surface curved in the Y direction along the rotation axis of the first guide roller 81. The outer circumferential surface 820 of the second guide roller 82 is an arcuate surface curved in the Y direction along the rotation axis of the second guide roller 82. In this way, wrinkles are less likely to occur in the ink ribbon 66, and the thermal head 64 can print on the card 2 more stably.

[0037] (Modification) FIG. 6 is a plan view of the platen roller of the first modification. FIG. 7 is a plan view of the platen roller of the second modification. The platen roller 53 of the modification may be configured so that the outer diameter dimension gradually decreases from both ends toward the center. As shown in FIG. 6, the platen roller 53A of the first modification includes a first cylindrical portion 71 located at both ends and a second cylindrical portion 72A located at the center. The outer peripheral surface 720 of the second cylindrical portion 72A is a circular arc surface curved in a concave shape toward the center. As shown in FIG. 7, the platen roller 53B of the second modification includes a first cylindrical portion 71 located at both ends and a second cylindrical portion 72B located at the center. The outer peripheral surface 720 of the second cylindrical portion 72B is a tapered surface inclined toward the inner diameter side toward the center. The platen rollers of the first modification and the second modification can obtain the same effects as the platen roller 53 of the above-mentioned embodiment.

[0038] Furthermore, the platen roller in the above modified example has the first cylindrical portion 71 with the same diameter at both ends, but it does not have to have the first cylindrical portion 71. Specifically, the platen roller may be configured so that the outer diameter dimension gradually decreases from both ends toward the center without having a portion with the same diameter. In this case, the outer circumferential surface of the platen roller is only an arc surface that is curved in a concave shape toward the center. Alternatively, the outer circumferential surface of the platen roller is only a tapered surface that is inclined toward the inner diameter side toward the center.

[0039] The card 2 used in the card issuing device 1 is not limited to a card having a thickness of 0.76 mm as specified by a predetermined ISO standard. can be printed on a variety of cards.

[0040] The present technology can be configured as follows.

[0041] (1) A thermal head that prints on a medium by heating; a circular platen roller that faces the thermal head and rotates with the medium sandwiched between the platen roller and the thermal head to transport the medium; an ink ribbon that is transported between the thermal head and the platen roller and overlaps the medium; The platen roller has an outer diameter at both ends which is larger than an outer diameter at a central portion.

[0042] (2) The card issuing device described in (1) is characterized in that the platen roller has a first cylindrical portion located at both ends and a second cylindrical portion located in the center and having an outer diameter dimension smaller than that of the first cylindrical portion.

[0043] (3) The card issuing device according to (1), wherein the platen roller has an outer diameter that gradually decreases from the both ends toward the center.

[0044] (4) a first guide roller that is disposed downstream of the thermal head in a transport direction of the ink ribbon and that supports the ink ribbon by rotating in association with the transport of the ink ribbon; The card issuing device according to any one of (1) to (3), wherein the first guide roller has an outer diameter dimension at both ends smaller than an outer diameter dimension at a center portion.

[0045] (5) a second guide roller that is disposed upstream of the thermal head in a transport direction of the ink ribbon and that supports the ink ribbon by rotating in association with the transport of the ink ribbon; The card issuing device according to any one of (1) to (4), wherein the second guide roller has an outer diameter dimension at both ends smaller than an outer diameter dimension at a center portion.

[0046] (6) The card issuing device according to (4), wherein the outer peripheral surface of the first guide roller is a curved arc surface in a direction along the rotation axis of the first guide roller.

[0047] (7) The card issuing device according to (5), wherein the outer peripheral surface of the second guide roller is a curved arc surface in a direction along the rotation axis of the second guide roller. [Explanation of symbols]

[0048] 1...card issuing device, 2...card, 3...card storage section, 4...card sending mechanism, 5...card transport mechanism, 6...processing section, 10...card discharge port, 31...card stack section, 50...card transport path, 51...driving roller, 52...driven roller, 53, 53A, 53B...platen roller, 61...printing section, 62...IC contact, 63...magnetic head, 64...thermal head, 65...head moving mechanism, 66...ink ribbon, 67...ink ribbon cartridge, 68...supply roll , 69...winding roll, 71...first cylindrical portion, 72, 72A, 72B...second cylindrical portion, 81...first guide roller, 82...second guide roller, 83...shaft member, 720...outer peripheral surface, 810...outer peripheral surface, 820...outer peripheral surface.

Claims

1. A thermal head that prints on a medium by heating; a circular platen roller that faces the thermal head and rotates with the medium sandwiched between the platen roller and the thermal head to transport the medium; an ink ribbon that is transported between the thermal head and the platen roller and overlaps the medium; The platen roller has an outer diameter at both ends which is larger than an outer diameter at a central portion.

2. 2. The card issuing device according to claim 1, wherein the platen roller comprises a first cylindrical portion located at both ends and a second cylindrical portion located in the center and having an outer diameter smaller than that of the first cylindrical portion.

3. 2. The card issuing device according to claim 1, wherein the platen roller has an outer diameter that gradually decreases from the both end portions toward the center portion.

4. a first guide roller that is disposed downstream of the thermal head in a transport direction of the ink ribbon and that supports the ink ribbon by rotating in association with the transport of the ink ribbon; 2. The card issuing device according to claim 1, wherein the outer diameter of the first guide roller at both ends is smaller than the outer diameter of the central portion.

5. a second guide roller that is disposed upstream of the thermal head in the ink ribbon transport direction and that supports the ink ribbon by rotating in association with the transport of the ink ribbon; 2. The card issuing device according to claim 1, wherein the second guide roller has an outer diameter at both ends which is smaller than an outer diameter at a central portion.

6. 5. The card issuing device according to claim 4, wherein an outer peripheral surface of the first guide roller is a curved arc surface in a direction along the rotation axis of the first guide roller.

7. 6. The card issuing device according to claim 5, wherein an outer circumferential surface of the second guide roller is a curved arc surface in a direction along the rotation axis of the second guide roller.

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