Thermal transfer color recording device

• US 5,898,452 A
• Filed: 09/16/1997
• Issued: 04/27/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 03/08/1993
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Japan Servo Co., Ltd. (Nidec Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Japan Servo Co., Ltd. (Nidec Corporation)
• Inventors: Sugaya, Kenju, Nakahashi, Fumio, Sasaki, Naotaka
• Primary Examiner(s): TRAN, HUAN HUU
• Application Number:
  US08/931,715
• Time in Patent Office: 588 Days
• Field of Search: 400/578, 400/618, 400/617, 271/264, 271/902, 347/215, 347/218, 347/219
• US Class Current: 347/219
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2/325 by selective transfer of ink from ink carrier, e.g. from ink ribbon or sheet

Abstract

A thermal transfer color recording device comprising a recording portion for effecting thermal transfer color recording by clamping and conveying an ink sheet on which ink of two or more colors being applied respectively on areas nearly equal to or larger than desired recording areas and a recording paper between a thermal head having a plurality of rectilinear heating elements and a platen roller adapted to selectively press the heating elements. A grip roller is located downstream side from the recording portion for clamping and conveying the recording paper between a pinch roller being resiliently biassed agaist the grip roller. An auxiliary roller is located upstream side from the recording portion and clamping and conveying the recording paper only between the platen roller. There are provided minute projections on the surface of the grip roller for ensuring the gripping and conveying operation.

Claims

1. A thermal transfer color recording device comprising:

a recording portion for effecting thermal transfer color recording, said recording portion including a platen roller and a thermal head, said thermal head having a plurality of heating elements, means for moving said thermal head to selectively press said platen roller to clamp an ink sheet and a recording paper between said thermal head and said platen roller;

a grip roller located downstream from the recording portion and having minute projections on its surface for clamping and conveying the recording paper between a resiliently biased pinch roller; and

an auxiliary roller located upstream from the recording portion for clamping and conveying the recording paper only between the platen roller and the auxiliary roller for ensuring the conveying operation, wherein the grip roller and the platen roller are driven by a common drive means and connected through speed changing means for driving the grip roller faster than the platen roller when the recording paper is moved in the downstream direction, and driving the grip roller slower than the platen roller when the recording paper is moved in the upstream direction, and wherein the common drive means comprises a first belt wheel having the diameter of D1 and a second belt wheel having the diameters changing between D2 and D3, with the relationship between these diameters being (D2<

D1<

D3).

2. The thermal transfer color recording device according to claim 1, wherein the second belt wheel has a truncated conical surface with the diameters changing between D2 and D3.

3. The thermal transfer color recording device according to claim 1, wherein the second belt wheel has a stepped cylindrical surface having the diameters of D2 and D3.

4. A thermal transfer color recording device comprising:

a recording portion for effecting thermal transfer color recording, said recording portion including a platen roller and a thermal head, said thermal head having a plurality of heating elements, means for moving said thermal head to selectively press said platen roller to clamp an ink sheet and a recording paper between said thermal head and said platen roller;

a grip roller and a resiliently biased pinch roller located downstream from the recording portion in the recording direction of the recording paper;

an auxiliary roller located upstream from the recording portion in the recording direction of the recording paper for clamping and conveying the recording paper between the auxiliary roller and the platen roller;

means for conveying said ink sheet between said thermal head and said platen roller so that ink of two or more colors can be applied to said recording paper as the recording paper is conveyed by the grip roller;

drive means for rotating the grip roller in a clockwise or counter-clockwise rotation; and

means for transferring rotation of said grip roller to said platen roller, said means for transferring rotation including speed changing means for changing a rotational speed of the platen roller with respect to a rotational speed of the grip roller.

5. The thermal transfer color recording device according to claim 4, wherein the speed changing means drives the grip roller faster than the auxiliary roller when the recording paper is moved in the downstream direction, and drives the grip roller slower than the auxiliary roller when the recording paper is moved in the upstream direction.

6. The thermal transfer color recording device according to claim 4, wherein the speed changing means includes a first pulley attached to said grip roller and having a first diameter, and a second pulley attached to said grip roller and having a second diameter portion and a third diameter portion.

7. The thermal transfer color recording device according to claim 6, wherein the diameter of the second diameter portion is less than the first diameter, and the diameter of the third diameter portion is greater than the first diameter.

8. The thermal transfer color recording device according to claim 6, wherein said means for transferring rotation includes a flexible member entrained around said first pulley and said second pulley.

9. The thermal transfer color recording device according to claim 8, wherein the speed changing means includes actuator means for selectively shifting the flexible member between the second diameter portion and the third diameter portion.

10. The thermal transfer color recording device according to claim 6, wherein the second pulley has a truncated conical surface having the second diameter portion and the third diameter portion.

11. The thermal transfer color recording device according to claim 6, wherein the second pulley has a stepped cylindrical surface having the second diameter portion and the third diameter portion.