Thermal transfer system

Abstract

A heating device for heating a transferred ink ribbon, and a thermal transfer system having an improved heating device are provided. 【Solution means】A thermal transfer system 10 includes a feeding unit 16 that feeds an ink ribbon 13, a transfer device 17 that transfers the ink 12a of the ink ribbon 13 to a transfer medium 14, a winding unit 21 that winds up the transferred ink ribbon 13, and a heating device 22 provided in the vicinity of the winding unit 21 and having a second heating element 30 that heats the transferred ink ribbon 13. The second heating element 30 has a working surface 30S formed of a split cylindrical surface, a rotating shaft 30a, and a heating wire 31 disposed on the working surface 30S, and is rotatable about the rotating shaft 30a. The heating device 22 heats the transferred ink ribbon 13 by bringing the working surface 30S of the second heating element 30 into contact with the transferred ink ribbon 13 wound by the winding unit 21.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a thermal transfer system that transfers ink in an ink layer to a transfer target using an ink ribbon having a support layer and an ink layer.

Background Art

[0002] Transfer systems that print images such as characters on a transfer target such as a card using an ink ribbon are widely used. The ink ribbon has, for example, a ribbon (support layer) extending in a band shape and an ink layer formed on the ribbon and containing a dye or the like. In printing using an ink ribbon, the ink is transferred to the transfer target in a pattern corresponding to a desired image to be printed.

[0003] In this case, on the ink ribbon after ink transfer, portions where the ink has come off due to transfer to the transfer target exist in a pattern corresponding to the printed image. Therefore, it is possible to identify the printed image from the ink ribbon after ink transfer. Therefore, when printing confidential information such as ID information on a transfer target using an ink ribbon, care must be taken in handling the ink ribbon after ink transfer.

[0004] To address such problems, for example, in Patent Document 1, a thermal transfer system has been proposed in which the outermost peripheral ink ribbon among the ink ribbons after ink transfer wound around a winding unit is welded to the ink ribbon located inside thereof. According to such a thermal transfer system, it is possible to prevent the printed image from being identified from the ink ribbon after ink transfer.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0005]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0006] The above thermal transfer system welds the outermost ink ribbon to the ink ribbon located inside the outermost ink ribbon by bringing a block-shaped heating body having a heater inside into contact with the outermost ink ribbon.

[0007] Thus, in the case of a block-shaped heating body having a heater inside, since its specific heat is relatively large, it takes a certain amount of time to rise from a cold state to a desired temperature. Therefore, at the start of the device, it is necessary to wait for the start of transfer to the object to be transferred until the ink ribbon can be wound. Also, when an abnormality occurs in the winding of the ink ribbon and the device stops, it is necessary to wait for the heating body to cool before performing recovery work, and after that recovery work, it is necessary to wait for the heating body to rise to the desired temperature again.

[0008] In addition, since the block-shaped heating body comes into surface contact with the ink ribbon, the friction between the block-shaped heating body and the ink ribbon increases. For this reason, there is also a problem that the torque fluctuation of winding by the winding unit becomes large due to the melted or broken ink ribbon on the block-shaped heating body, and winding abnormalities are likely to occur.

[0009] In addition, there is also a problem that a relatively large amount of power is required for the block-shaped heating body for heating.

[0010] The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object thereof is to provide a thermal transfer system having an improved heating device, which is a heating device for heating a transferred ink ribbon.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0011] The thermal transfer system according to the present disclosure is a transfer system that transfers ink to a transfer target using an ink ribbon having a support layer and an ink layer, and includes a feeding unit that feeds out the ink ribbon, and a first heating body that is disposed on the downstream side of the feeding unit and is provided on the support layer side of the ink ribbon, and a transfer device that transfers the ink of the ink layer of the ink ribbon to the transfer target, and a winding unit that is disposed on the downstream side of the transfer device and winds up the transferred ink ribbon, and a heating device that is provided in the vicinity of the winding unit and has a second heating body that heats the transferred ink ribbon from the support layer side. The second heating body has a working surface formed of a split cylindrical surface that protrudes outward, a rotating shaft disposed at the center of the split cylindrical surface, and a heating wire disposed on the working surface, and is rotatable about the rotating shaft. The heating device heats the transferred ink ribbon by bringing the working surface of the second heating body into contact with the transferred ink ribbon wound by the winding unit.

[0012] The transfer system may further include a guide roller that is disposed between the transfer device and the winding unit and guides the conveyance of the ink ribbon, and a guide roller position adjustment mechanism that keeps the length of the conveyance path of the ink ribbon from the transfer device to the heating device constant by adjusting the position of the guide roller.

[0013] The heating device may have a biasing means for biasing the second heating body so that the second heating body takes a predetermined posture in a standby state. Further, the heating device may have a fixing mechanism for temporarily fixing the rotation of the second heating body about the rotation axis.

[0014] The transfer system may be such that the second heating body has a working surface formed of a cylindrical surface, a rotating shaft disposed at the center of the cylindrical surface, and a heating wire disposed on the working surface, and is rotatable about the rotating shaft.

Advantages of the Invention

[0015] According to the thermal transfer system of the present disclosure, heating of the transferred ink ribbon can be performed efficiently and stably.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0016]

Figure 1

Figure 2A

Figure 2B

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6A

Figure 6B

Figure 6C

Figure 6D

Figure 6E

Figure 7

Figure 8A

Figure 8B

Figure 9A

Figure 9B

Figure 10

Figure 11

Figure 12A

Figure 12B

Figure 13

Figure 14

Figure 15A

Figure 15B

Figure 15C

Figure 15D

Figure 16

Figure 17

Figure 18

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

[0017] Hereinafter, one of the embodiments of the present disclosure (hereinafter referred to as "this embodiment") will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0018] First, the overall structure of the heat transfer system 10 of this embodiment will be described.

[0019] FIG. 1 is a front view showing the heat transfer system 10 of this embodiment. FIG. 2A is a longitudinal sectional view showing the ink ribbon 13 before transfer. FIG. 2B is a longitudinal sectional view showing the transferred ink ribbon 13.

[0020] The thermal transfer system 10 is a system that transfers the ink 12a of the ink layer 12 to a transfer medium 14 such as an ID card using an ink ribbon 13 having a support layer 11 and an ink layer 12 containing the ink 12a.

[0021] As shown in FIG. 1, the thermal transfer system 10 includes a feeding unit 16, a transfer device 17 disposed downstream of the feeding unit 16, a winding unit 21 disposed downstream of the transfer device 17, a heating device 22 disposed in the vicinity of the winding unit 21, a plurality of guide rollers 15, a plurality of conveyance rollers 15A, a guide roller position adjustment mechanism 40, and a control unit 90.

[0022] The feeding unit 16 feeds out the ink ribbon 13 in the direction indicated by the arrow R1.

[0023] The transfer device 17 has a first heating body 18 provided on the support layer 11 side of the ink ribbon 13 and a platen roller 19 provided on the ink layer 12 side of the ink ribbon 13. The first heating body 18 contacts the ink ribbon 13 and heats the ink ribbon 13. The first heating body 18 is, for example, a thermal head having a heating element that generates heat by energization. The platen roller 19 is disposed opposite to the first heating body 18 with the conveyed ink ribbon 13 and the transfer medium 14 interposed therebetween, and supports the transfer medium 14.

[0024] The winding unit 21 winds up the transferred ink ribbon 13 in the direction indicated by the arrow R2.

[0025] The heating device 22 has a second heating body 30 that heats the transferred ink ribbon 13 from the support layer 11 side. The specific configuration of the heating device 22 will be described later.

[0026] The plurality of guide rollers 15 are arranged at intervals along the conveyance path of the ink ribbon 13 and guide the conveyance of the ink ribbon 13.

[0027] The plurality of conveyance rollers 15A are arranged at intervals along the conveyance path of the transfer medium and convey the transfer medium 14.

[0028] The guide roller position adjusting mechanism 40 is a mechanism that keeps the length of the conveyance path of the ink ribbon 13 being conveyed constant from the transfer device 17 to the heating device 22 by adjusting the position of the guide roller 15 disposed between the transfer device 17 and the winding unit 21. The specific configuration and functions of the guide roller adjusting mechanism 40 will be described later.

[0029]

[0028] The control unit 90 controls these operations, for example, by outputting control signals to the drive units that drive the respective sending unit 16, winding unit 21, transfer device 17, heating device 22, conveyance roller 15A, and guide roller position adjusting mechanism 40.

[0030] Next, the configuration of the ink ribbon 13 will be described.

[0031] As shown in FIG. 2A, the ink ribbon 13 has a support layer 11 and an ink layer 12 laminated on one surface of the support layer 11.

[0032]

[0029] The support layer 11 is a layer that supports the ink layer 12. Since heat is applied to the support layer 11 during thermal transfer, it is preferably made of a material having a mechanical strength such that there is no problem in handling even in a heated state. Examples of such materials for the support layer include polyethylene terephthalate (PET) film, 1,4-polycyclohexylene dimethylene terephthalate film, polyethylene naphthalate film, polyphenylene sulfide film, polystyrene film, polypropylene film, polysulfone film, aramid film, polycarbonate film, polyvinyl alcohol film, cellulose derivatives such as cellophane and cellulose acetate, polyethylene film, polyvinyl chloride film, nylon film, polyimide film, ionomer film, etc. Also, the thickness of the support layer is preferably 2 μm or more and 25 μm or less. Further, when a sublimable ink layer is used as the ink layer 12, the thickness of the support layer 11 is more preferably 5 μm or more and 6 μm or less, and when a heat-fusible ink layer is used, it is more preferably 3 μm or more and 6 μm or less.

[0033] The ink layer 12 is a layer containing the ink 12a. As the ink layer 12, a thermally fusible ink layer or a thermal sublimation ink layer can be used. However, since it has a high density and excellent sharpness and is suitable for recording binary images such as characters and line drawings, it is preferable to use a thermally fusible ink layer. Hereinafter, the case of using a thermally fusible ink layer will be described.

[0034] The ink layer 12 is preferably formed from various colorants, waxes, resins, and the like. Examples of the colorant include black pigments or dyes such as carbon black and oil black, and cyan, magenta, and yellow pigments or dyes. These colorants can be appropriately selected according to the application field or purpose of use of the ink ribbon. Examples of the waxes include carnauba wax, candelilla wax, rice wax, montan wax, paraffin wax, microcrystalline wax, polyethylene wax, ester wax, oxidized wax, and Fischer-Tropsch wax (Sasol wax). Examples of the resins include ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer, styrene-butadiene copolymer, polyester resin, epoxy resin, rosin derivative, terpene derivative, and styrene resin. The coating amount of the ink layer is generally 0.5 g / m 2 or more and 10 g / m 2 or less, preferably 2 g / m 2 or more and 6 g / m 2 or less. Note that the ink layer is not limited to the above.

[0035] As described above, the first heating body 18 is provided on the support layer 11 side of the ink ribbon 13. By this first heating body 18, the ink ribbon 13 is heated in a predetermined pattern corresponding to ID information and the like, whereby the ink 12a of the ink layer 12 of the ink ribbon 13 is transferred to the transfer target 14 in a predetermined pattern.

[0036] As shown in FIG. 2B, in the ink ribbon 13 after ink transfer, the ink layer 12 is composed of the ink 12a that remains without being transferred to the transfer target 14 and the ink missing portion 12b corresponding to a predetermined pattern printed on the transfer target 14, for example, ID information. In this case, as shown in FIG. 2B, the pattern of the ink missing portion 12b in the ink ribbon 13 after ink transfer corresponds to the predetermined pattern in the above-described first heating element 18. Therefore, based on the pattern of the ink missing portion 12b, it is possible to identify a predetermined pattern printed on the transfer target 14, for example, ID information.

[0037] Next, the specific configuration of the heating device 22 will be described.

[0038] FIG. 3 is a front view showing the configuration of the heating device 22. FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing the configuration of the second heating element 30. FIG. 5 is a longitudinal sectional view showing the configuration of the second heating element 30.

[0039] As shown in FIG. 3, the heating device 22 includes a second heating element 30, a moving mechanism 35, a biasing means 36, and a fixing mechanism 37.

[0040] The second heating element 30 is a heating element that heats the transferred ink ribbon 13. As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the second heating element 30 includes a main body portion 30B, an action surface 30S, a rotation shaft 30a, a heating wire 31, and a cover layer 34.

[0041] The main body portion 30B is a portion that constitutes the main body of the second heating element 30. The main body portion 30B is composed of a block-shaped member having an action surface 20S formed as a cylindrical surface. In the example shown in FIGS. 3 to 5, the main body portion 30B has a columnar shape with a substantially fan-shaped bottom surface. The material constituting the main body portion 30B is preferably a non-metallic resin with high heat resistance. In particular, the material constituting the main body portion 30B is preferably PEEK (polyetheretherketone).

[0042] The working surface 30S is the surface that acts on the transferred ink ribbon 13 when the second heating element 30 heats the transferred ink ribbon 13. The working surface 30S is formed as a cylindrical surface on the surface of the main body 30B. In this embodiment, the working surface 30S consists of a split cylindrical surface that bulges outward. The working surface 30S abuts against the transferred ink ribbon when the second heating element 30 heats the transferred ink ribbon 13.

[0043] The rotation axis 30a is the axis that serves as the center of rotation of the second heating element 30. The rotation axis 30a is arranged on the central axis of the cylindrical surface that forms the working surface 30S. The second heating element 30 is rotatable about the rotation axis 30a.

[0044] The heating wire 31 is a linear member for heating the transferred ink ribbon 13. The heating wire 31 is arranged on the working surface 30S. The heating wire 31 is connected to an external power source via the wiring 32 and generates heat when energized. The heating wire 31 is composed of, for example, a nichrome wire. The heating device 22 heats the transferred ink ribbon 13 located on the outermost layer of the winding unit 21 by pressing the heated heating wire 31 against the outer periphery of the winding unit 21. The set temperature during the heat generation of the heating wire 31 is, for example, 200°C. The set temperature during the heat generation of the heating wire 31 is preferably 180°C or more and 220°C or less. The set temperature during the heat generation of the heating wire 31 means the surface temperature of the cover layer 34 when the cover layer 34 is provided, and means the surface temperature of the heating wire 31 when the cover layer 34 is not provided.

[0045] The heating wire 31 is arranged along the conveyance direction of the transferred ink ribbon 13. In this specification, among the heating wire 31, the portion that first abuts against the transferred ink ribbon 13 is referred to as the start end portion 31s, and the portion that finally abuts against the transferred ink ribbon 13 is referred to as the end end portion 31e. Specific examples of the arrangement of the heating wire 31 will be described later.

[0046] The cover layer 34 is a layer laminated on the heating wire 31. The cover layer 34 is a layer for preventing the working surface 30S of the second heating element 30 from sticking to the transferred ink ribbon 13. The cover layer 34 is made of a material having heat resistance and being difficult to fuse with the base material layer 11 of the transferred ink ribbon 13 and the heating wire 31. The cover layer 34 can be formed by a sheet having heat resistance and being difficult to fuse with the base material layer 11 of the transferred ink ribbon 13 and the heating wire 31, or a coating of such a material. The cover layer 34 is constituted by, for example, a fluororesin tape.

[0047] The second heating element 30 is configured to be able to take a retracted position and a contact position. Here, the retracted position is a position away from the ink ribbon 13 where the working surface 30S is located at the outermost layer of the winding unit 21. The contact position is a position where the working surface 30S contacts the ink ribbon 13 located at the outermost layer of the winding unit 21. When the second heating element 30 is in the contact position, the heating wire 31 disposed on the working surface 30S also contacts the transferred ink ribbon 13.

[0048] The moving mechanism 35 is a mechanism for moving the second heating element 30. The moving mechanism 35 moves the second heating element 30 between the retracted position and the contact position. In the example shown in FIG. 3, the moving mechanism 35 is configured as a lifting device that moves the rotation shaft 30a of the second heating element 30 in the vertical direction. However, the moving mechanism 35 is not limited to the configuration shown in FIG. 3, and any mechanism that can move the second heating element 30 may be used.

[0049] The biasing means 36 is a means for biasing the second heating element 30 so that the second heating element 30 takes a predetermined posture when the heating device 22 is in a standby state. Here, the predetermined posture is a posture in which when the second heating element 30 moves from the retracted position to the contact position, the starting end portion 31s of the heating wire 31 contacts the transferred ink ribbon 13 (see FIG. 6B). In the example shown in FIG. 3, the biasing means 36 is constituted by a tension spring connected to the second heating element 30.

[0050] The fixing mechanism 37 is a mechanism that temporarily fixes the rotation about the rotation axis 30a of the second heating element 30 so that the second heating element 30 is not returned to the standby posture by the biasing means 36 when the second heating element 30 is temporarily moved to the retracted position. The specific configuration of the fixing mechanism 37 will be described later.

[0051] Next, the operation of the heating device 22 will be described.

[0052] Figures 6A to 6E are front views showing the operation of the heating device 22.

[0053] When the winding unit 21 is winding the transferred ink ribbon 13, the heating device 22 heats the ink ribbon 13 located at the outermost layer of the winding unit 21. The heating device 22 is controlled by the control unit 90.

[0054] In the standby state of the heating device 22, the second heating element 30 is in the retracted position (Fig. 6A).

[0055] When the heating device 22 starts heating, the heating device 22 moves the second heating element 30 from the retracted position to the contact position (Fig. 6B). At this time, the starting end portion 31s of the heating wire 31 contacts the transferred ink ribbon 13 located at the outermost layer of the winding unit 21.

[0056] Thereafter, the second heating element 30 rotates about the rotation axis 30a due to the frictional force between the second heating element 30 and the transferred ink ribbon 13 wound around the winding unit 21 (Fig. 6C). The rotation of the second heating element 30 is synchronized with the rotation of the winding unit 21. At this time, the transferred ink ribbon 13 is heated by the heating wire 31 that is generating heat. By this heating, the ink 13a of the transferred ink ribbon 13 is melted and destroyed. Also, a part of the support layer 11 of the transferred ink ribbon 13 is melted and destroyed.

[0057] Here, since the rotation of the second heating element 30 is synchronized with the rotation of the winding unit 21, fluctuations in the second heating element 30 and the winding unit 21 due to friction between the working surface 30S of the second heating element 30 and the transferred ink ribbon 13 are suppressed. Further, since the heating is by the heating wire 31 extending linearly, even if the transferred ink ribbon 13 melts and adheres to the heating wire 31, the adhesion is easily eliminated. As a result, an increase in the load of the rotation of the winding unit 21 and the second heating element 30 is suppressed.

[0058] Note that the erasure of the information remaining on the transferred ink ribbon 13 may be performed by transferring the ink 12a of the ink layer 12 of the transferred ink ribbon 13 to the support layer 11 of the transferred ink ribbon 13 located inside, instead of or together with the destruction of the ink 13a and the support layer 11. In this case, by heating with the heating wire 21, the ink 12a of the ink layer 12 of the transferred ink ribbon 13 is transferred to the surface of the support layer 11 of the transferred ink ribbon 13 located inside.

[0059] When the rotation of the second heating element 30 advances and the end portion 31 of the heating wire 31 comes into contact with the transferred ink ribbon 13 (Fig. 6D), the heating device 22 moves the second heating element 30 from the contact position to the retracted position (Fig. 6E). At this time, the second heating element 30 is returned to the standby posture by the biasing means 36.

[0060] The heating device 22 heats the transferred ink ribbon 13 wound around the winding unit 21 by repeating the above-described operations (Figs. 6A to 6E).

[0061] Also, when the winding of the transferred ink ribbon 13 by the winding unit 21 temporarily stops due to the occurrence of an abnormality or the like, the energization of the heating wire 31 is temporarily stopped or the second heating element 30 is temporarily moved to the retracted position. By this operation, smoking and ignition of the transferred ink ribbon 13 are prevented.

[0062] The thermal transfer system 10 of this embodiment typically targets a per-sheet transfer medium 14 such as an ID card. Therefore, the conveyance of the ink ribbon 13 in the thermal transfer system 10 is a fixed-length and intermittent conveyance. In such a thermal transfer system 10, the above-described operations are repeated for each sheet of the transfer medium 14.

[0063] Also, the above-described heating device 22 can be applied even when the ink ribbon 13 is conveyed continuously instead of intermittently. In this case, the heating device 22 repeats the above-described operations (Figs. 6A to 6E) while the wound-up ink ribbon 13 in the take-up unit 21 is being continuously wound up. From this, regarding the area of the wound-up ink ribbon 13 that passes near the heating device 22 when the second heating element 30 is in the retracted position, heating by the heating device 22 is not performed. Therefore, when the ink ribbon 13 is conveyed continuously, the second heating element 30 is adjusted to take the retracted position when the area where the information to be erased in the wound-up ink ribbon 13 is not present is near the second heating element 30.

[0064] Next, the configuration of the fixing mechanism 37 of the heating device 22 will be described.

[0065] FIG. 7 is a front view (left figure) and a side view (right figure) showing the operation of the fixing mechanism 37 of the heating device 22.

[0066] In the example shown in FIG. 7, the fixing mechanism 37 is constituted by a pair of pad members that sandwich the second heating element 30. The fixing mechanism 37 temporarily fixes the rotation of the second heating element 30 when the winding-up of the wound-up ink ribbon 13 by the take-up unit 21 temporarily stops and the second heating element 30 is temporarily moved to the retracted position. By moving the second heating element 30 to the retracted position with the rotation of the second heating element 30 fixed, it is possible to prevent the second heating element 30 from returning to the standby posture by the biasing means 36. Then, after moving the second heating element 30 to the contact position, the fixing mechanism 37 releases the fixing of the rotation of the second heating element 30.

[0067] In this way, by fixing the rotation of the second heating element 30 when moving the second heating element 30 to the retracted position temporarily, when the winding of the transferred ink ribbon 13 by the winding unit 21 is restarted, the heating of the ink ribbon 13 by the second heating element 30 can also be restarted from the state before the restart.

[0068] Next, the arrangement of the heating wires 31 on the working surface 30s of the second heating element 30 will be described.

[0069] FIG. 8A is a plan view showing a first example of the arrangement of the heating wires 31 on the working surface 30S of the second heating element 30. FIG. 8B is a plan view showing the transferred ink ribbon 13 heated by the heating wires 31 of the first example arrangement.

[0070] In this specification, the direction parallel to the conveyance direction of the transferred ink ribbon 13 on the working surface 30S (the left - right direction in FIG. 8A) will be referred to as the "longitudinal direction". Also, the direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction (the up - down direction in FIG. 8A) will be referred to as the "width direction".

[0071] In the example shown in FIG. 8A, a plurality of heating wires 31 extending in the longitudinal direction are arranged side by side in the width direction on the working surface 30S of the second heating element 30. The interval between the heating wires 31 is set to, for example, 2 mm. With the heating wires 31 of this arrangement, the heated portion 135 of the transferred ink ribbon 13 shown in FIG. 8B is heated. And, as shown in FIG. 8B, the heated portion 135 of the transferred ink ribbon 13 overlaps the character information portion 131 and the face photo portion 132. Thereby, the character information portion 131 and the face photo portion 132 of the transferred ink ribbon 13 are heated, and the character information and the face photo are erased.

[0072] FIGS. 9A and 9B are plan views showing a second example of the arrangement of the heating wires 31 on the working surface 30s of the second heating element 30. FIG. 9B is a plan view showing the transferred ink ribbon 13 heated by the heating wires 31 of the second example.

[0073] In the example shown in FIGS. 9A and 9B, the heating wires 31 are arranged only in the regions corresponding to the character information portion 131 and the face photo portion 132 of the transferred ink ribbon 13. Thus, for the regions corresponding to the portions of the transferred ink ribbon 13 where there is no information to be erased, the heating wires 31 may be thinned out.

[0074] Also, for the face photo, the portions of the eyes, nose, and mouth existing in the central part of the face photo are characteristic portions. Therefore, for the region corresponding to the face photo portion 132 of the transferred ink ribbon 13, it is sufficient that the heating wire 31 is arranged in the central part of that region. That is, for the region corresponding to the face photo portion 132 of the transferred ink ribbon 13, the heating wires 31 other than those in the central part of that region may be thinned out.

[0075] As described above, by arranging the heating wires 31 only in the regions corresponding to the portions where the information to be erased exists, the manufacturing cost and power consumption of the heating device 22 can be suppressed.

[0076] FIG. 10 is a plan view showing a third example of the arrangement of the heating wires 31 on the working surface 30S of the second heating element 30. FIG. 11 is a longitudinal sectional view showing a third example of the arrangement of the heating wires 31 on the working surface 30S of the second heating element 30, showing the A-A section of FIG. 10.

[0077] In the example shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, the heating wires 31 are arranged only on one side in the width direction of the working surface 30S, and a convex portion 33 extending in the longitudinal direction is provided on the other side in the width direction of the working surface 30S. Also, the convex portion 33 has the same convex amount as the heating wire 31.

[0078] Due to the presence of such a convex portion 33, even when the heating wires 31 are arranged only on one side in the width direction of the working surface 30S, it is possible to prevent the working surface 30S from tilting in the width direction and contacting the transferred ink ribbon 13. Consequently, it is possible to prevent the biting of the rotation axis of the second heating element 30 that may occur when the working surface 30S tilts in the width direction and contacts the transferred ink ribbon 13.

[0079] Thus, when the heating wire 31 is disposed only on one side in the width direction of the working surface 30S, it is preferable to provide a convex portion 33 extending in the longitudinal direction on the other side in the width direction of the working surface 30S. Further, the convex portion 33 preferably has the same amount of convexity as the heating wire 31.

[0080] FIGS. 12A and 12B are plan views showing still another example of the arrangement of the heating wire 31 on the working surface 30s of the second heating element 30.

[0081] In the example shown in FIG. 12A, a plurality of heating wires 31 extending in a direction inclined from the longitudinal direction are arranged side by side in the width direction on the working surface 30S of the second heating element 30. In the example shown in FIG. 12B, one heating element 31 extending in a non-crossing continuous shape is arranged on the working surface 30S of the second heating element 30. The arrangement of the heating wire 31 may be such as this.

[0082] Next, the configuration of the guide roller position adjusting mechanism 40 of the thermal transfer system 10 will be described.

[0083] FIG. 13 is a front view showing the configuration and operation of the guide roller position adjusting mechanism 40. FIG. 14 is a front view showing the operation when the guide roller position adjusting mechanism 40 does not exist.

[0084] As described above, the guide roller position adjusting mechanism 40 is a mechanism that keeps the length of the conveyance path of the ink ribbon 13 conveyed from the transfer device 17 to the heating device 22 constant by adjusting the position of the guide roller 15 disposed between the transfer device 17 and the winding unit 21.

[0085] In a thermal transfer system 10 without a guide roller position adjustment mechanism 40, as shown in FIG. 14, when the winding diameter of the take-up unit 21 is large, the length of the conveyance path (P0 → P1 → P2 → P3b) is larger than the length of the conveyance path (P0 → P1 → P2 → P3a) when the winding diameter of the take-up unit 21 is small. That is, in the thermal transfer system 10 without the guide roller position adjustment mechanism 40, as the transferred ink ribbon 13 is wound around the take-up unit 21 and the winding diameter of the take-up unit 21 increases, the length of the conveyance path of the ink ribbon 13 from the transfer device 17 to the heating device 22 increases.

[0086] Therefore, in the case of a thermal transfer system 10 for a per-leaf transfer medium 14 such as an ID card, when the conveyance of the ink ribbon 13 is a fixed-length and intermittent conveyance, as the winding diameter of the take-up unit 21 increases, the positional relationship between the heating device 22 and each ink missing portion 12b (character information portion 131 and face photo portion 132) of the transferred ink ribbon 13 that reaches the vicinity of the heating device 22 will shift. Specifically, as the winding diameter of the take-up unit 21 increases, the position of each ink missing portion 12b (character information portion 131 and face photo portion 132) of the transferred ink ribbon 13 will shift upstream in the conveyance direction of the ink ribbon 13.

[0087] A similar problem also occurs when the conveyance of the ink ribbon 13 is continuous conveyance and the information to be erased remains at regular intervals along the conveyance direction of the transferred ink ribbon 13.

[0088] On the other hand, in the thermal transfer system 10 of the present embodiment provided with the guide roller position adjustment mechanism 40, as shown in FIG. 13, by adjusting the position of the guide roller 15, the length of the conveyance path (P0 → P1 → P2b → P3b) when the winding diameter of the take-up unit 21 is large can be made the same as the length of the conveyance path (P0 → P1 → P2a → P3a) when the winding diameter is small. That is, in the thermal transfer system 10 of the present embodiment provided with the guide roller position adjustment mechanism 40, regardless of the size of the winding diameter of the take-up unit 21, the length of the conveyance path of the conveyed ink ribbon 13 from the transfer device 17 to the heating device 22 is kept constant.

[0089] Therefore, in the thermal transfer system 10 of the present embodiment including the guide roller position adjustment mechanism 40, even when the ink ribbon 13 is conveyed at a fixed length and intermittently, regardless of the size of the winding diameter of the winding unit 21, the heating device 22 and each ink missing portion 12b (character information portion 131 and face photo portion 132) of the transferred ink ribbon 13 reaching the vicinity of the heating device 22 can maintain a constant positional relationship therebetween.

[0090] Also, in the thermal transfer system 10 of the present embodiment including the guide roller position adjustment mechanism 40, even when the ink ribbon 13 is conveyed continuously and each ink missing portion 12b (character information portion 131 and face photo portion 132) of the transferred ink ribbon 13 exists at a constant interval along the conveyance direction, regardless of the size of the winding diameter of the winding unit 21, the heating device 22 and each ink missing portion 12b (character information portion 131 and face photo portion 132) of the transferred ink ribbon 13 reaching the vicinity of the heating device 22 can maintain a constant positional relationship therebetween.

[0091] As shown in FIG. 13, the guide roller position adjustment mechanism 40 includes a winding diameter detection means 41 and a guide roller movement means 42. The winding diameter detection means 41 is a means for detecting the winding diameter of the transferred ink ribbon 13 of the winding unit 21. The guide roller movement means 42 is a means for moving the position of the guide roller 15 according to the size of the winding diameter of the winding unit 21 detected by the winding diameter detection means 41.

[0092] FIGS. 15A to 15D are front views showing an example of the configuration of the winding diameter detection means 41.

[0093] The winding diameter detection means 41 shown in FIGS. 15A and 15B includes touch arms 411b, 412b that contact the outer periphery of the winding unit 21, and potentiometers 411a, 412a that measure the displacement of the touch arms 411b, 411b. This winding diameter detection means 41 detects the winding diameter of the winding unit 21 based on the displacement of the touch arms 411b, 412b measured by the potentiometers 411a, 412a.

[0094] The touch arms 411b and 412b have rolls 411c and 412c disposed at their tip ends. The touch arms 411b and 412b come into contact with the winding unit 21 at the portions of these rolls 411c and 412c. The touch arms 411b and 412b are biased by biasing means 411d and 412d so as to come into contact with the winding unit 21.

[0095] In the example shown in FIG. 15A, the touch arm 411b is configured as an arm that moves in a straight reciprocating motion. Also, its potentiometer 411a is configured as a linear potentiometer that measures the moving distance of the touch arm 411b.

[0096] In the example shown in FIG. 15B, the touch arm 411b is configured as an arm that swings. Also, its potentiometer 411a is configured as a rotary potentiometer that measures the rotation angle of the touch arm 411b.

[0097] The winding diameter detection means 41 shown in FIG. 15C has an ultrasonic sensor 413 that measures the distance from the ultrasonic sensor 413 to the outer periphery of the winding unit 21 by utilizing the reflection of ultrasonic waves. This winding diameter detection means 41 detects the winding diameter of the winding unit 21 based on the distance from the ultrasonic sensor 413 to the outermost periphery of the winding unit 21 measured by the ultrasonic sensor 413.

[0098] The winding diameter detection means 41 shown in FIG. 15D has a rotary encoder 414 that measures the rotation speed of the winding unit 21. This winding diameter detection means 41 detects the winding diameter of the winding unit 21 based on the history of the rotation speed measured by the rotary encoder 414. When the discharge speed of the transfer body 14 is not constant, the winding diameter of the winding unit 21 may be detected based on the history of the rotation speed of the winding unit 21 and the discharge speed of the transfer body 14. The discharge speed of the transfer body 14 can be calculated by measuring the rotation speed of the conveyance roller 15A or the platen roller 19.

[0099] The roll diameter detection means 41 and the guide roller moving means 42 are controlled by the control unit 90. The guide roller moving means 42 may be any means for moving the guide roller 15 according to the size of the roll diameter of the winding unit 21 detected by the roll diameter detection means 41.

[0100] FIG. 16 is a front view showing another configuration example of the guide roller position adjusting mechanism 40.

[0101] In the example shown in FIG. 16, the guide roller position adjusting mechanism 40 is constituted by a mechanism that converts the variation of the touch arm 431 in contact with the outer periphery of the winding unit 21 into the variation of the guide roller 15 via a link mechanism.

[0102] In the example shown in FIG. 16, a roller 432 that contacts the outer periphery of the winding unit 21 is arranged at one end of the touch arm 431, and the guide roller 15 is arranged at the other end of the touch arm 431. The touch arm 431 has a rotation axis 431a between its both ends and is rotatable about the rotation axis 431a. With this configuration, according to the size of the roll diameter of the winding unit 21, the touch arm 431 rotates, and the position of the guide roller 15 arranged at the other end also varies.

[0103] Summarizing the above, the thermal transfer system 10 of the present embodiment includes a feeding unit 16 that feeds out the ink ribbon 13, a first heating body 18 provided on the support layer 11 side of the ink ribbon 13, a transfer device 17 that transfers the ink 12a of the ink layer 12 of the ink ribbon 13 to the object to be transferred 14, a winding unit 21 that winds up the transferred ink ribbon 13, and a heating device 22 provided in the vicinity of the winding unit 21 and having a second heating body 30 that heats the transferred ink ribbon 13 from the support layer 11 side.

[0104] The second heating element 30 has a working surface 30S formed by a split cylindrical surface that bulges outward, a rotating shaft 30a disposed at the center of the split cylindrical surface, and a heating wire 31 disposed on the working surface 30S, and is rotatable about the rotating shaft 30a. Further, the heating device 22 heats the transferred ink ribbon 13 by bringing the working surface 30S of the second heating element 30 into contact with the transferred ink ribbon 13 wound by the winding unit 21.

[0105] According to this thermal transfer system 10, the transferred ink ribbon 13 can be heated efficiently and stably. Further, in this thermal transfer system 10, since the heating wire 31 is adopted as the heating element, the time until the heating element rises to a desired temperature and the time until the heating element cools are short.

[0106] Further, the thermal transfer system 10 may include a guide roller 15 disposed between the transfer device 17 and the winding unit 21 for guiding the conveyance of the ink ribbon 13, and a guide roller position adjustment mechanism 40 that keeps the length of the conveyance path of the ink ribbon 13 from the transfer device 17 to the heating device 22 constant by adjusting the position of the guide roller 15. With this configuration, the position of the heating portion 135 on the transferred ink ribbon 13 can be appropriately adjusted.

[0107] Further, the heating device 22 may have a biasing means 36 for biasing the second heating element 30 so that the second heating element 30 takes a predetermined posture in the standby state. Furthermore, the heating device 22 may have a fixing mechanism 37 for temporarily fixing the rotation about the rotation shaft 30a of the second heating element 30. With this configuration, the heating device 22 can be operated only by driving the moving mechanism 35.

[0108] Next, the thermal transfer system 10 of the modification will be described.

[0109] FIG. 17 is a front view showing the heating device 22 of the thermal transfer system 10 of the modification. FIG. 18 is a perspective view showing the configuration of the second heating element 30 of the thermal transfer system 10 of the modification.

[0110] The thermal transfer system 10 of the modified example is different from the thermal transfer system 10 of the present embodiment in that the main body portion 30B of the second heating element 30 of the heating device 22 has a cylindrical shape instead of a columnar shape with a substantially fan-shaped bottom surface.

[0111] The heating device 22 of the modified example includes a second heating element 30 and a moving mechanism 35.

[0112] The second heating element 30 is a heating element that heats the transferred ink ribbon 13. Similar to the present embodiment, the second heating element 30 includes a main body portion 30B, a working surface 30S, a rotation axis 30a, a heating wire 31, and a cover layer (not shown).

[0113] The main body portion 30B has a cylindrical shape. The working surface 30S is formed of a cylindrical surface. The rotation axis 30a is disposed on the central axis of the cylindrical surface that forms the working surface 30S.

[0114] The heating wire 31 is disposed on the working surface 30S. In the example shown in FIG. 18, a plurality of heating wires 31 extending in the longitudinal direction are arranged side by side in the longitudinal direction and the width direction on the working surface 30S. Further, the heating wires 31 are arranged so as to overlap each other so that the gaps between the heating wires 31 in the longitudinal direction do not overlap in the lateral direction (see FIG. 18). Note that a configuration in which a single heating wire 31 is wound around the working surface 30S is also conceivable. However, the longer the heating wire, the lower the heating temperature due to its own resistance value. Therefore, from the viewpoints of efficient heating and power saving, a configuration in which a plurality of heating wires having a relatively short length are arranged is preferable.

[0115] Similar to the present embodiment, the second heating element 30 is configured to be able to take a retracted position and a contact position. The moving mechanism 35 is a mechanism that moves the second heating element 30 and moves the second heating element 30 between the retracted position and the contact position.

[0116] The operation of the heating device 22 in the modification is basically the same as that in the present embodiment. However, since the working surface 30S of the second heating element 30 is not a divided cylindrical surface but a non-divided cylindrical surface, continuous heating is possible.

[0117] Therefore, even when the positions of the ink missing portions 12b (character information portion 131 and face photo portion 132) of the transferred ink ribbon 13 move due to the change in the winding diameter of the winding portion 21, the heating wires 31 can be brought into contact with the respective ink missing portions 12b (character information portion 131 and face photo portion 132) without requiring special control.

[0118] Also, by configuring each heating wire 31 to be energized sequentially at the timing of contacting the transferred ink ribbon 13, power saving can be achieved.

[0119] Thus, the working surface 30S of the second heating element 30 of the thermal transfer system 10 of the present disclosure may be configured by a non-divided cylindrical surface instead of a divided cylindrical surface.

[0120] As described above, an example of the embodiment of the present invention has been described. However, the present disclosure is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications can be made within the scope of the claims.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0121] 10 Thermal transfer system 13 Ink ribbon 11 Support layer 12 Ink layer 12a Ink 12b Ink missing portion 131 Character information portion 132 Face photo portion 135 Heating portion 14 Object to be transferred 15 Guide roller 15A Conveying roller 16 Feeding portion 17 Transfer device 18 First heating element 19 Platen roll 21 Take-up section 22 Heating device 30 Second heating element 30B Main body section 30S Working surface 30a Rotation axis 31 Heating wire 32 Wiring 33 Protrusion 34 Cover layer 35 Moving mechanism 36 Biasing means 37 Fixing mechanism 40 Guide roller position adjusting mechanism 41 Coil diameter detecting means 42 Guide roller moving means 90 Control unit

Claims

1. A transfer system for transferring ink to a transfer target using an ink ribbon having a support layer and an ink layer, comprising: a delivery section for delivering the ink ribbon; a transfer device that is disposed downstream of the delivery section, has a first heating element provided on the support layer side of the ink ribbon, and transfers ink from the ink layer of the ink ribbon to the transfer target; a winding section disposed downstream of the transfer device, for winding up the ink ribbon after the transfer; a heating device provided in the vicinity of the winding section and having a second heating element for heating the ink ribbon after the ink transfer from the support layer side; the second heating element has an operating surface formed of a divided cylindrical surface that is convex outward, a rotation shaft disposed at the center of the divided cylindrical surface, and a heating wire disposed on the operating surface, and is rotatable about the rotation shaft; The heating device heats the ink ribbon on which the transfer has been performed by bringing the working surface of the second heating body into contact with the ink ribbon on which the transfer has been performed and which has been wound up by the winding section. Transcription system.

2. 2. The transfer system of claim 1, a guide roller disposed between the transfer device and the winding unit to guide the ink ribbon during transport; a guide roller position adjustment mechanism that adjusts the position of the guide roller to keep the length of the transport path of the ink ribbon from the transfer device to the heating device constant. Transcription system.

3. 2. The transfer system of claim 1, The heating device has a biasing means for biasing the second heating body so that the second heating body takes a predetermined posture in a standby state. Transcription system.

4. 4. The transfer system of claim 3, The heating device has a fixing mechanism that temporarily fixes the rotation of the second heating body around the rotation axis. Transcription system.

5. A transfer system for transferring ink to a transfer target using an ink ribbon having a support layer and an ink layer, comprising: a delivery section for delivering the ink ribbon; a transfer device that is disposed downstream of the delivery section, has a first heating element provided on the support layer side of the ink ribbon, and transfers ink from the ink layer of the ink ribbon to the transfer target; a winding section disposed downstream of the transfer device, for winding up the ink ribbon after the transfer; a heating device provided in the vicinity of the winding section and having a second heating element for heating the ink ribbon after the transfer from the support layer side; the second heating element has an operating surface formed of a cylindrical surface, a rotation shaft disposed at the center of the cylindrical surface, and a heating wire disposed on the operating surface, and is rotatable about the rotation shaft; The heating wire is arranged on the working surface such that a plurality of the heating wires extending in the longitudinal direction are aligned in each of the longitudinal direction and the width direction, The heating device heats the ink ribbon on which the transfer has been performed by bringing the working surface of the second heating body into contact with the ink ribbon on which the transfer has been performed and which has been wound up by the winding section. Transcription system.

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