WO2014000584A1

WO2014000584A1 - Carbon ribbon recovery mechanism and thermal transfer printer using same

Info

Publication number: WO2014000584A1
Application number: PCT/CN2013/077345
Authority: WO
Inventors: 高明; 姜天信; 袁勇; 文志华
Original assignee: 山东新北洋信息技术股份有限公司
Priority date: 2012-06-29
Filing date: 2013-06-17
Publication date: 2014-01-03
Also published as: CN103507449A; CN103507449B

Abstract

A carbon ribbon recovery mechanism and a thermal transfer printer using same. The carbon ribbon recovery mechanism comprises a recovering component and a driving component. The recovering component comprises: a friction element (1), transmissively connected with the driving component and having a first and a second sleeves (13, 14) which are arranged coaxially; a first and a second torsion springs (4, 5), respectively held on the second sleeve (14) and the first sleeve (13) and having different torque value while overload sliding; a first supporting seat (2), used for spliced matching with a carbon ribbon core reel having a first external diameter, rotatably supported on the friction element (1) and connected with a first torsion beam (41) of the first torsion spring (4); a second supporting seat (3), used for spliced matching with a carbon ribbon core reel having a second external diameter, rotatably set in a center bore of the first supporting seat (2) and connected with a first torsion beam (51) of the second torsion spring (5). The second external diameter is less than the first one. The carbon ribbon recovery mechanism is able to provide different rewinding force for two kinds of the carbon ribbon coils having different external diameters, therefore enhancing the medium adaptability of the thermal transfer printer.

Description

Carbon ribbon recycling mechanism and thermal transfer printer using the same The present application claims to be submitted to the China Intellectual Property Office on June 29, 2012, the application number is 201210223417.5, the name is "carbon ribbon recycling mechanism and thermal transfer using the mechanism" The priority of the Chinese Patent Application, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to a ribbon recovery mechanism and a thermal transfer printer using the same. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION As shown in FIG. 1a, a conventional thermal transfer printer includes a printing mechanism 100' and a ribbon mechanism 200', and a drive mechanism 300'. The printing mechanism 100' includes a tangent print head 1 and a printing rubber roller 12'; the ribbon mechanism 200' includes a dispensing shaft 21' and a recycling shaft 22', and the ribbon is taken out by the dispensing shaft 2, through the printing head 1 and the printing glue. After the rollers 12' are wound, they are wound on the recovery shaft 22'; the driving mechanism 300' is respectively coupled to the recovery shaft 22' and the printing rubber roller 12' for driving the two to rotate. When printing, the unused ribbon and the printing paper to be printed pass between the tangent print head 1Γ and the printing rubber roller 12', the coated side of the ribbon contacts the surface of the printing paper, and the non-coated carbon ribbon The layer is in contact with the print head 1 ,, and the driving mechanism 300' drives the printing rubber roller 12' and the recycling shaft 22' to rotate at the same time, and the conveying paper and the ribbon are synchronously moved to the downstream of the printing mechanism 100', and at the same time, the controller of the printer controls The heat generating element of the print head 1 heats up, and transfers the dye on the coated side of the ribbon to the printing paper. Generally, the driving torque of the driving mechanism 300' acting on the recovery shaft 22' is constant, and the rewinding force required for the recovery shaft 22' varies with the diameter of the ribbon winding. As the printing progresses, the ribbon is continuously distributed by the dispensing shaft. 2Γ is released and rewinded around the recovery shaft 22', and the outer diameter of the ribbon roll on the recovery shaft 22' is gradually increased, so that the retracting force of the constant driving torque acting on the recovery shaft 22' is gradually reduced. Small, in order to ensure that the entire roll of carbon ribbon can be completely recovered, the driving torque of the drive mechanism 300' is generally set to match the maximum rewinding force required for the recovery shaft 22', however, this arrangement is for the initial recovery shaft 22 When the outer diameter of the upper ribbon roll is small, the rewinding force is large, and the ribbon may be broken. Therefore, in order to avoid breaking the ribbon, it is necessary to provide a clutch mechanism on the recovery shaft, and the pulling force acting on the recovery shaft. When the value is larger than the predetermined value, the recovery shaft and the driving mechanism are slipped, so that the recovery shaft stops rotating, thereby avoiding breaking the ribbon. Figure lb is a schematic view of the structure of a conventional carbon ribbon recovery mechanism of a thermal transfer printer. As shown in the figure, one end of the support shaft of the ribbon recovery mechanism can support the carbon ribbon, and the other end is sleeved with a gear 2', a friction plate 3', a sleeve 4', The compression spring 5', the plug 6', and the pin T inserted into the positioning hole 11A for preventing the above-mentioned components from coming off the support shaft, wherein the sleeve 4' is fixedly coupled to the support shaft 1'. When the drive mechanism (not shown) drives the gear 2' to rotate, friction between the friction plate 3' and the gear 2', between the friction plate 3' and the sleeve 4' is generated by the pressure of the compression spring 5'. The force drives the sleeve 4' to rotate with the gear 2', so that the support shaft 共同 rotates together, and the magnitude of the friction is determined by the pressure provided by the compression spring 5' to the sleeve. When the resistance required to be overcome when the support shaft Γ recovers the carbon ribbon is greater than the friction between the friction lining 3 ′ and the gear 2 ′ or the friction lining 3 ′ and the sleeve 4 ′, the friction lining 3 ′ relative to the gear 2 ′ or the sleeve 4'slip, the support shaft Γ stops rotating, avoiding the problem of being broken due to excessive force on the ribbon. In order to meet the needs of different users, the ribbons are available in various sizes depending on the length. Among them, there are two kinds of commonly used carbons. The first one is a carbon ribbon for users who consume a large amount of daily consumption, and the inner diameter of the core tube 1 inch, the total length of the ribbon is 300 meters, and the second is a ribbon for users who use less daily consumption. The inner diameter of the core tube is 0.5 inches and the total length of the ribbon is 90 meters. Since the maximum outer diameter of the ribbon roll formed by the different sizes of the carbon ribbon wound on the core barrel is different, the rewinding force required to drive the carbon ribbon coils having different outer diameters to be rotated is different, and the existing ribbon recovery mechanism The rewinding force is determined by the compression spring 5'. When the specification of the compression spring 5' is determined, the rewinding force of the ribbon recovery shaft is fixed. Therefore, the existing ribbon recovery mechanism can only adapt to one specification of the ribbon. Recycling, its adaptability is poor. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide a ribbon recovery mechanism that can accommodate two different sizes of ribbon core cartridges. Further, it is an object of the invention to provide a thermal transfer printer using the mechanism. To this end, the present invention provides a carbon ribbon recovery mechanism comprising a recovery assembly for mating with a ribbon cartridge to recover a used ribbon and a drive assembly for driving rotation of the recovery assembly, the recovery assembly comprising: friction And a driving assembly connected to the driving component, comprising a first sleeve and a second sleeve disposed coaxially, a first torsion spring and a second torsion spring, wherein the first torsion spring is hung on the second sleeve, the second The torsion spring is hung on the first sleeve, and the first torsion spring and the second torsion spring respectively have different torque values when the overload is slipping; the first support base is used for inserting the ribbon core with the first outer diameter Cooperating, the first support base is rotatably supported on the friction member and connected to the first twist arm of the first torsion spring, and the second support base is configured to be mated with the carbon ribbon core tube having the second outer diameter. The second support seat is rotatably supported on the friction member through the core hole of the first support base and connected to the first twist arm of the second torsion spring, wherein the second outer diameter is smaller than the first outer diameter. Further, the friction member further includes a third sleeve for supporting the first support base and a first mandrel for supporting the second support base. Further, the first support base includes a first end plate, a fourth sleeve extending on one side of the first end plate, and a fifth sleeve extending on the other side of the first end plate; the second support base includes a second end plate, a sixth sleeve extending on one side of the second end plate, and a seventh sleeve extending on the other side of the second end plate, wherein the fifth sleeve and the third sleeve are sleeved, the seventh The sleeve is sleeved with the first mandrel, the second end plate is located in the stepped hole of the fourth sleeve, and the fourth sleeve and the sixth sleeve are respectively for inserting and mating with the ribbon core cartridges having different outer diameters. Further, the first support base has a cover extending on an outer circumference of the friction member. Further, the friction member further includes a friction plate, wherein the first sleeve, the second sleeve and the third sleeve are sequentially spaced radially apart along the first mandrel and are located on the same side of the friction plate. Further, the above drive assembly includes a gear that drives the rotation of the friction member. Further, a third torsion spring is disposed between the gear and the friction member, wherein the first torsion arm of the third torsion spring is coupled to the gear, and the second torsion arm is coupled to the friction member. Further, a felt pad is disposed between the gear and the friction member. Further, the gear includes a third end plate and a gear portion on a side of the third end plate. According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a thermal transfer printer comprising a base, an upper cover and a ribbon holder each pivotally coupled to the base, a ribbon mechanism disposed on the ribbon holder, and a paper disposed on the base A roll support mechanism, and a printing mechanism for transferring the dye on the coated side of the carbon ribbon onto the printing paper, the ribbon mechanism including a ribbon dispensing mechanism and a ribbon recovery mechanism according to the above. The carbon ribbon recovery mechanism provided by the present invention can be mated with two different sizes of ribbon core cartridges. When the recovered carbon ribbon roll has a large outer diameter, the core tube (hereinafter referred to as the core tube) for winding the used carbon ribbon may be inserted into the first support seat, and the driving assembly drives the friction member to rotate, and the friction member passes through the first a torsion spring drives the first support seat to rotate, so that the core barrel that is mated with the first support seat rotates to rewind the used carbon ribbon on the core barrel; when the recovered carbon ribbon roll has a smaller outer diameter, The core tube and the second support base can be inserted, the driving component drives the friction member to rotate, and the friction member drives the second support base to rotate by the second torsion spring, so that the core tube that is mated with the second support base rotates, Rewind the ribbon on the core barrel. According to the carbon ribbon recovery mechanism of the present invention, when the carbon ribbon between the printing mechanism and the ribbon recovery mechanism is tensioned, the torque of the first torsion spring and the second torsion spring are smaller than the carbon between the printing head and the roller With the received print head and the friction of the printing paper against the ribbon, the frictional force prevents the first torsion arm of the first torsion spring or the first torsion arm of the second torsion spring from rotating, and the friction member is driven to continue Rotate to enlarge the inner diameter of the first torsion spring or the second torsion spring, and to rub The second sleeve or the first sleeve of the piece is separated. At this time, the first torsion spring or the second torsion spring is overloaded and slipped, and the first support base or the second support base stops rotating, thereby preventing the ribbon from being pulled too much. The problem. According to the carbon ribbon recovery mechanism provided by the present invention, the torque values of the first torsion spring and the second torsion spring are different when the load is slipped, so that it is possible to provide different rewinding forces for the two carbon ribbon reels having different outer diameters, thereby improving The media adaptability of the thermal transfer printer. Other objects, features, and advantages of the invention will be set forth in the <RTIgt; BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in FIG In the drawings: Figure la is a schematic structural view of a conventional thermal transfer printer; Figure 1b is a schematic structural view of a conventional carbon ribbon recovery mechanism of a thermal transfer printer; Figure 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a first embodiment of the thermal transfer printer provided by the present invention Figure 3 is a schematic view showing the structure of the first embodiment of the thermal transfer printer provided by the present invention when the upper cover is opened; Figure 4 is a first exploded view of the first embodiment of the carbon ribbon recovery mechanism provided by the present invention; BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view showing a first embodiment of a carbon ribbon recovery mechanism according to the present invention; FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view showing an embodiment of a carbon ribbon recovery mechanism according to the present invention; FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view showing the structure of a second support base of the carbon ribbon recovery mechanism provided by the present invention; FIG. 9 is a second embodiment of the carbon ribbon recovery mechanism provided by the present invention. Figure 1 is a second exploded view of the second embodiment of the ribbon recovery mechanism of Figure 9; and Figure 11 is an exploded view of a third embodiment of the ribbon recovery mechanism provided by the present invention. Description of the reference numerals 100, base; 200, upper cover;

300, ribbon holder; 400, printing mechanism; 500, ribbon mechanism; 600, paper roll support mechanism;

101, pivot shaft; 410, print head; 420, roller; 510, ribbon issuing mechanism;

520, a ribbon recovery mechanism; 1, a friction member;

2. The first support base; 3. The second support base; 4. The first torsion spring; 5. The second torsion spring; 6. The gear; 7. The third torsion spring; 8. The washer; 9. The screw;

11, the friction plate; 12, the first mandrel; 13, the first sleeve; 14, the second sleeve; 15, the third sleeve; 16, the second mandrel; 17, the stop; 18, the positioning sleeve a second end plate; 22, a fourth sleeve; 23, a fifth sleeve; 24, a first card slot; 25, a cover;

211, core hole; 221, rotation stop portion; 31, second end plate; 32, sixth sleeve; 33, seventh sleeve; 34, second card slot; 121, threaded hole; 161, threaded hole;

301, a sleeve; 311, a core hole; 321 , the rotation stop portion; 41, the first torsion arm of the first torsion spring;

Stop portion; 62, third end plate;

71. Felt pad; elastic element. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The embodiments of the present invention are described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing an embodiment of a thermal transfer printer provided by the present invention, and FIG. 3 is a schematic structural view of an embodiment of the thermal transfer printer provided by the present invention when the upper cover is opened. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the thermal transfer printer includes a base 100, an upper cover 200, a ribbon holder 300, a printing mechanism 400, a ribbon mechanism 500, and a paper roll supporting mechanism 600. The upper cover 200 and the ribbon holder 300 are pivotally connected to the base 100 via the pivoting shaft 101, and can be rotated or opened relative to the base 100. In the opening and closing direction of the upper cover 200, the ribbon holder 300 is located at the base 100 and the upper cover 200. between. The printing mechanism 400 is for printing predetermined contents on the printing paper. The printing mechanism 400 includes a print head 410 and a drum 420, wherein the print head 410 is disposed on the ribbon holder 300, and the drum 420 is disposed on the base 100. The axis of the drum 420 extends in the width direction of the printing paper, and the driving mechanism of the printer ( The drive connection is not shown. When the ribbon holder 300 is closed relative to the base 100, the print head 410 is tangential to the drum 420, and under the drive of the drive mechanism, the drum 420 is rotated about its own axis, thereby driving the printing paper between the print head 410 and the drum 420 and The carbon ribbon is transported downstream. When the drum 420 is not rotated, the ribbon and the printing paper between the print head 410 and the drum 420 are subjected to pressure between the print head 410 and the drum 420, and cannot move back and forth; when the ribbon holder 300 When the base 100 is opened, the print head 410 is separated from the drum 420. In the printing paper conveying direction, the paper roll supporting mechanism 600 is located upstream of the printing mechanism 400 and is disposed on the base 100 for accommodating and supporting the paper roll for printing. The paper roll support mechanism 600 may be a paper roll or a paper roll support frame. In this embodiment, the paper roll support mechanism 600 is a paper roll support frame. The ribbon mechanism 500 is disposed on the ribbon holder 300 and includes a ribbon dispensing mechanism 510 and a ribbon recovery mechanism 520. Among them, the ribbon issuing mechanism 510 is used to support the unused carbon ribbon, and the ribbon recovery mechanism 520 is used to support and rewind the used ribbon. The unused ribbon is mounted on the ribbon dispensing mechanism 510, and is taken out from the ribbon dispensing mechanism 510, passed between the printhead 410 and the drum 420, and wound around the ribbon recovery mechanism 520. Figure 4 is a first exploded perspective view of the first embodiment of the carbon ribbon recovery mechanism provided by the present invention, Figure 5 is a second exploded view of the first embodiment of the carbon ribbon recovery mechanism provided by the present invention, and Figure 6 is provided by the present invention. A cross-sectional view of a structure of an embodiment of a ribbon recovery mechanism. The ribbon recovery mechanism 520 is mated with the sleeve 301 on the ribbon holder 300, and the ribbon recovery mechanism 520 is coupled to the ribbon holder 300 by the gasket 8 and the screw 9. As shown in FIGS. 4 to 6, the ribbon recovery mechanism includes a recovery assembly and a drive assembly. The recycling assembly includes a friction member 1, a first support base 2, a second support base 3, a first torsion spring 4, and a second torsion spring 5. The friction member 1 is supported by the ribbon holder 300 and is free to rotate about its own axis. One end of the friction member 1 is mounted with a first support base 2, a second support base 3, a first torsion spring 4, and a second torsion spring 5, and the other end is coaxially fixedly coupled to the gear 6 of the drive assembly. The first support base 2 is used for supporting and rewinding the first type of carbon ribbon after use, and the second support base 3 is used for supporting and rewinding the second specification carbon ribbon after use, wherein the first specification The total length of the ribbon is greater than the total length of the ribbon of the second specification. Usually, in order to avoid excessive change of the ribbon rewinding force caused by excessive change of the outer diameter of the ribbon roll when rewinding a full roll of the ribbon, the outer diameter of the recovered ribbon roll is excessively large. , because the rewinding force is small, the problem of the carbon ribbon cannot be completely recovered, or when the outer diameter of the recovered ribbon coil is too small, the ribbon is broken due to the large rewinding force, and the total length of the ribbon is long. Generally, a core tube with a larger inner diameter is used. Therefore, the ribbon of the first specification is wound on the first core after use, and the ribbon of the second specification is wound on the second core after use, wherein the inner diameter of the first core is larger than the inner diameter of the second core The maximum outer diameter of the ribbon roll formed by the first specification of the carbon ribbon wound on the first core barrel after use is greater than the carbon formed when the carbon ribbon of the second specification is wound on the second core barrel after use. The maximum outer diameter of the coil. Since the outer diameter of the ribbon roll is larger, the rewinding force required to drive the ribbon roll is larger, so the rewinding force required to recover the first type of ribbon is greater than the recovery of the second type of ribbon. The required rewinding force. The first torsion spring 4 is simultaneously connected with the first support base 2 and the friction member 1, and the second torsion spring 5 is simultaneously connected with the second support base 3 and the friction member 1. When the drive gear 6 rotates, the gear 6 drives the friction member 1 to rotate. Therefore, the friction member 1 drives the first support base 2 to rotate by the first torsion spring 4, and the second support base 3 rotates by the second torsion spring 5 to connect with the first support base 2 or the second support base 3. The ribbon core barrel rotates and rewinds the ribbon. The friction member 1 includes a friction plate 11 having a set thickness, a first mandrel 12, a first sleeve 13, a second sleeve 14, a third sleeve 15, a second mandrel 16, and a stopper portion 17. Wherein, the first mandrel 12, the first sleeve 13, The second sleeve 14 and the third sleeve 15 are concentrically arranged, each extending from the surface of the friction plate 11 side, extending in a direction perpendicular to the friction plate 11, each having a set height, and the first sleeve 13 The heights of the second sleeve 14 and the third sleeve 15 are both smaller than the height of the first mandrel 12. Meanwhile, the outer diameter of the first mandrel 12 is smaller than the inner diameter of the first sleeve 13, the outer diameter of the first sleeve 13 is smaller than the inner diameter of the second sleeve 14, and the outer diameter of the second sleeve 14 is smaller than the third sleeve 15 The inner diameter, that is, the first mandrel 12, the first sleeve 13, the second sleeve 14, and the third sleeve 15 have a set spacing therebetween; the second mandrel 16 and the stop portion 17 are located in the friction The other side of the plate 11, wherein the second mandrel 16 is coaxial with the first mandrel 12, extends from the surface of the other side of the friction plate 11, and extends perpendicularly to the friction plate 11 in a direction away from the first mandrel 12. The second mandrel 16 is supported in the sleeve 301 of the ribbon holder 300; preferably, the friction member 1 further comprises a positioning sleeve 18 for defining the axial position of the gear 6, the other The sleeve 301 of the ribbon holder 300 is inserted therein; the stopper portion 17 is located on the surface of the friction plate 11 and spaced apart from the second spindle 16 by a predetermined distance. Figure 7 is a cross-sectional view showing the structure of a first support base of the carbon ribbon recovery mechanism provided by the present invention. As shown in the figure, the A side of the first support base 2 is inserted into the friction member 1 so as to be freely rotatable relative to the friction member 1, and the B side of the first support base 2 is inserted into the first core barrel wound with the used carbon ribbon. Cooperate, used to support and rewind the ribbon of the first specification after use. The first support base 2 includes a first end plate 21, a fourth sleeve 22 and a fifth sleeve 23, and a first card slot 24 (see Fig. 5). The first end plate 21 has a set thickness, and a core hole 211 is disposed at a center thereof. The diameter of the core hole 211 is larger than the outer diameter of the first mandrel 12 of the friction member 1; the fourth sleeve 22 is located at the first support base. The B side of 2, coaxial with the core hole 211, extends in a direction perpendicular to the first end plate 21, has a set height, and has an outer diameter adapted to the inner diameter of the first core barrel wound with the used carbon ribbon, The inner diameter of the core hole 211 is larger than the diameter of the core hole 211 of the first end plate 21, and the outer wall of the fourth sleeve 22 is provided with a rotation stop portion 221 extending radially along the fourth sleeve 22, and the rotation stop portion The width of 221 is adapted to the width of the positioning groove on the first core barrel. When the first core barrel is mounted on the first support base 2, the first end plate 21 is in contact with the end surface of the first core barrel, which can restrict the movement of the carbon ribbon along the axial direction thereof, and the fourth sleeve of the first support base 2 The first core tube is inserted and mated with the first core tube The sleeve 23 and the first card slot 24 are located on the B side of the first support base 2, wherein the fifth sleeve 23 projects from the surface of the first end plate 21 and is perpendicular to the first end plate 21 away from the fourth sleeve 22 The direction of the extension, having a set height, the outer diameter of the fifth sleeve 23 is adapted to the inner diameter of the third sleeve 15 of the friction member 1; the first card slot 24 is located in the sleeve of the fifth sleeve 23, It has a long groove shape and extends in the direction of the fifth sleeve axis and has a set groove width. When the first support base 2 is mated with the friction member 1, the outer wall of the fifth sleeve 23 is in contact with the inner wall of the third sleeve 15, and the fifth sleeve 23 is located between the third sleeve 15 and the second sleeve 14. , the core hole 211 and the first mandrel 12 sets The first support base 2 is freely rotatable relative to the axis of the first mandrel 12 of the friction member 1, and the first retaining groove 24 is located in a space formed between the fifth sleeve 23 and the second sleeve 14. The first torsion spring 4 is located in a space formed between the second sleeve 14 of the friction member 1 and the fourth sleeve 22 of the first support base 2, and the inner diameter of the first torsion spring 4 is slightly smaller than the second sleeve of the friction member 1. The outer diameter of the cylinder 14 (ie, the first torsion spring 4 is hung on the second sleeve 14 of the friction member 1), the length of the first torsion spring 4 is smaller than the height of the second sleeve 14, the spring of the first torsion spring 4 The wire is matched with the groove width of the first card slot 24 of the first support base 2, and the first torsion arm 41 of the first torsion spring is mated with the first card slot 24 of the first support base 2, the first torsion spring The second torsion arm of 4 is free to hang. The torque of the first torsion spring 4 is smaller than the friction between the print head and the printing paper on the ribbon between the print head 410 and the drum 420, which is greater than when the ribbon of the first specification is wrapped around the first specification. The rewinding force required for the outer diameter of the carbon ribbon roll formed on one core barrel is the largest. Preferably, the first torsion arm 41 of the first torsion spring 4 and the first card slot 24 are hook-shaped, and the first torsion spring 4 is hooked on the first card when being inserted into the first card slot 24 . On the groove 24, the connection between the first torsion spring 4 and the first support base 2 is made more reliable. Preferably, the first support base 2 has a cover 25 extending on the outer circumference of the friction member 1, and the inner friction member 1, the first torsion spring 4 and the second torsion spring 5 are protected, and the structure is beautiful and elegant. Figure 8 is a cross-sectional view showing the structure of a second support base of the carbon ribbon recovery mechanism provided by the present invention. As shown in the figure, the second support base 3 is inserted into the first support base 2 and the friction member 1 in sequence, and can be freely rotated relative to the first support base 2 and the friction member 1 for supporting and rewinding the second after use. A variety of ribbons. The second support base 3 includes a second end plate 31, a sixth sleeve 32, a seventh sleeve 33, and a second card slot 34 (see Fig. 5). The second end plate 31 has a circular shape and a thickness greater than or equal to the height of the fourth sleeve 22 of the first support base 2, and the outer diameter thereof is less than or equal to the inner diameter of the fourth sleeve 22 of the first support base 2, in the second The center of the end plate 31 is provided with a core hole 311, and the inner diameter of the core hole 311 is matched with the outer diameter of the first mandrel 12 of the friction member 1; the sixth sleeve 32 is located at one side of the second end plate 31, and the core The hole 311 is coaxial, extending in a direction perpendicular to the second end plate 31, and has a set height, the outer diameter of which is adapted to the inner diameter of the second core barrel wound with the used carbon ribbon, and the inner diameter thereof is larger than that of the core hole 311. The diameter, on the outer wall of the sixth sleeve 32, is provided with a rotation preventing portion 321 extending radially along the sixth sleeve 32, the width of which is adapted to the width of the positioning groove of the second core barrel. When the second core barrel is mounted on the second support base 3, the second end plate 31 of the second support base 3 is in contact with the end of the second core barrel, which can restrict the movement of the carbon ribbon along the axial direction thereof, and the second support The sixth sleeve 32 of the seat 3 is mated with the ribbon core barrel, and the rotation stop portion 321 is mated with the positioning groove of the second core tube. When the second support base 3 rotates, the second core tube can be driven. Rotating together; the seventh sleeve 33 and the second slot 34 are located on the other side of the second end plate 31, wherein the seventh sleeve 33 projects from the surface of the second end plate 31, perpendicular to the second end plate 31 Extending away from the sixth sleeve 32, the height of the seventh sleeve 33 is smaller than the height of the first sleeve 13 of the friction member 1, and the outer diameter thereof is The inner diameter of the first sleeve 13 of the wiper 1 is adapted, and the inner diameter thereof is adapted to the outer diameter of the first mandrel 12 of the friction member 1; the second slot 34 is located on the surface of the second end plate 31, and is located at the The outer wall of the seven sleeves 33 has a long groove shape and extends in the radial direction of the seventh sleeve 33 to have a set groove width. When the second support base 3 is simultaneously mated with the first support base 2 and the friction member 1, the first support base 2 is located between the second support base 3 and the friction member 1, and the seventh sleeve of the second support base 3 33 is inserted into the first sleeve 13 of the friction member 1 through the core hole 211 of the first support base 2, and the second end plate 31 of the second support base 3 is located in the fourth sleeve 22 of the first support base 2. The step of the inner wall of the fourth sleeve 22 restricts its axial movement, the sixth sleeve 32 of the second support base 3 protrudes from the fourth sleeve 22 of the first support base 2, and the second card of the second support base 3 The groove 34 is located in a space formed between the inner wall of the core hole 311 of the first support base 2 and the outer wall of the first sleeve 13 of the friction member 1. The second torsion spring 5 is located in the space between the first sleeve 13 and the second sleeve 14 of the friction member 1, and the inner diameter of the second torsion spring 5 is slightly smaller than the outer diameter of the first sleeve 13 of the friction member 1 (ie, The second torsion spring 5 is hung on the first sleeve 13 of the friction member 1 ), the length of the second torsion spring 5 is smaller than the height of the first sleeve 13 , and the spring wire of the second torsion spring 5 and the second support base 3 The slot width of the second slot 34 is adapted, the first torsion arm 51 of the second torsion spring is engaged with the second slot 34 of the second support base 3, and the second torsion arm of the second torsion spring 5 is free. Hanging. The torque of the second torsion spring 5 is smaller than the friction between the print head and the printing paper on the ribbon between the print head 410 and the drum 420, and is greater than that when the second type of ribbon is wrapped in the first The rewinding force required for the outer diameter of the carbon ribbon roll formed on the two core barrel is the largest, and at the same time, the torsion force of the second torsion spring 5 is smaller than the torsion force of the first torsion spring 4. The drive assembly includes a gear 6 that is coupled to the recovery assembly. The gear 6 is rotatably supported on a sleeve 301 of the ribbon holder 300, and the gear 6 includes a third end plate 62 and a gear portion 63 on one side of the third end plate. The gear 6 is drivingly coupled to a drive mechanism of the printer for driving the recovery assembly to rotate. The ribbon recovery mechanism also includes fasteners for limiting the position between the recovery assembly and the drive assembly, and for attaching the ribbon recovery mechanism to the ribbon holder. The fastener may be a screw, a washer or an open retaining ring or the like. When the fastener is a screw, a threaded hole is provided at the end of the first mandrel 12 and the second mandrel 16 of the friction member 1 of the recovery assembly. For threaded connection with the screw; when the fastener is an open retaining ring, a card slot is provided at the end of the first mandrel 12 and the second mandrel 16 of the friction member 1 for engaging with the opening retaining ring Cooperate. In this embodiment, the fastener includes a screw 9 and a washer 8. The end of the first mandrel 12 is provided with a threaded hole 121, and the end of the second mandrel 16 is provided with a threaded hole 161, wherein one screw 9 passes through The washer 8 is screwed to the threaded hole 121, the other screw 9 passes through the washer 8, the sleeve 301 of the ribbon holder 300, and the gear 6 is screwed to the threaded hole 161, thereby fixing the ribbon recovery mechanism to the ribbon holder 300. . The operation of the thermal transfer printer provided by the present invention will now be described. When printing, the controller of the printer (not shown) controls the heating element of the print head 410 to heat up as required, transfers the toner on the ribbon coating onto the printing paper, generates predetermined images and characters, and controls at the same time. The driving mechanism drives the drum 420 and the gear 6 of the ribbon recovery mechanism 520 to rotate, the drum 420 rotates, and the printing paper and the ribbon are conveyed downstream, and the gear 6 of the ribbon recovery mechanism 520 rotates to drive the friction member 1 to rotate. If the ribbon core cartridge is mated with the first support base 2, since the torsion force of the first torsion spring 4 is larger than the ribbon of the first type after use, the outer diameter of the ribbon roll formed on the first core barrel is the largest. The required rewinding force, so that the first torsion spring 4 connected to the first support base 2 drives the first support base 2 to rotate, rewinding the carbon ribbon, at this time, if located between the printing mechanism 400 and the ribbon recovery mechanism 520 The ribbon is tensioned, because the torque of the first torsion spring 4 is smaller than the friction of the print head and the printing paper against the ribbon between the print head 410 and the drum 420, the friction prevents the first torsion spring The first torsion arm 41 of the 4 rotates. At this time, since the gear 6 drives the friction member 1 to continue to rotate, the inner diameter of the first torsion spring 4 is enlarged, and is separated from the second sleeve 14 of the friction member 1, and the first support base 2 stops rotating. Therefore, the problem that the ribbon is too strong to be broken is avoided. If the ribbon core barrel is mated with the second support base 3, since the torsion force of the second torsion spring 5 is larger than the second-sized carbon ribbon wound after use, the outer diameter of the ribbon roll formed on the second core barrel is the largest. The required rewinding force, so that the second torsion spring 5 connected to the second support base 3 drives the second support base 3 to rotate, rewinding the carbon ribbon, at this time, if located between the printing mechanism 400 and the ribbon recovery mechanism 520 The ribbon is tensioned, because the torque of the second torsion spring 5 is smaller than the friction between the print head and the printing paper on the ribbon between the print head 410 and the drum 420, so the friction prevents the second The first torsion arm 51 of the torsion spring rotates. At this time, since the gear 6 drives the friction member 1 to continue to rotate, the inner diameter of the second torsion spring 5 is enlarged, and is separated from the first sleeve 13 of the friction member 1, and the second support base 3 is stopped. Rotating, thus avoiding the problem that the ribbon is too strong to be broken. The carbon ribbon recovery mechanism provided by the present invention comprises a recycling component and a driving component, wherein the recycling component is inserted into the ribbon core cartridge for recycling the used ribbon, and the driving component is drivingly connected with the driving mechanism for driving The recycling assembly rotates. The recycling assembly includes a friction member, a first support base, a second support base, a first torsion spring, and a second torsion spring. The first torsion spring is hung on the second sleeve of the friction member, and the first torsion arm is connected to the first support base; the second torsion spring is hung on the first sleeve of the friction member, and the first torsion arm is The second support base is connected, the torque of the first torsion spring is greater than the torque of the second torsion spring, and the torque of the first torsion spring and the second torsion spring are smaller than the print head of the carbon ribbon between the print head and the roller The friction of the paper against the ribbon. When the recovered carbon ribbon roll has a large outer diameter, the core tube (hereinafter referred to as the core tube) for winding the used carbon ribbon may be inserted into the first support base, and the driving assembly drives the friction member to rotate, and the friction member passes through the first a torsion spring drives the first support base to rotate, so that the core barrel that is mated with the first support base rotates to rewind the used carbon ribbon on the core barrel; when the recovered carbon ribbon roll has a smaller outer diameter, Can be the core tube and the second support The socket is inserted, the driving component drives the friction member to rotate, and the friction member drives the second support base to rotate by the second torsion spring, so that the core tube inserted and matched with the second support base rotates, and the used carbon ribbon is rolled back in the core tube. on. When the ribbon between the printing mechanism and the ribbon recovery mechanism is tensioned, the torque of the first torsion spring and the second torsion spring are smaller than the print head and the printing paper of the ribbon between the printing head and the roller. The frictional force of the carbon ribbon, therefore, the frictional force prevents the first torsion arm of the first torsion spring or the first torsion arm of the second torsion spring from rotating, and at this time, the friction member is driven to continue to rotate, so that the first torsion spring or the first The inner diameter of the two torsion springs is enlarged, and is separated from the second sleeve or the first sleeve of the friction member, and the first support base or the second support base stops rotating, thereby avoiding the problem that the ribbon is excessively pulled by the force. The carbon ribbon recovery mechanism provided by the present invention can provide different rewinding forces for two kinds of carbon ribbon reels having different outer diameters by providing two torsion springs having different torsional forces, thereby improving the medium adaptability of the thermal transfer printer. 9 and 10 are exploded views of a second embodiment of the carbon ribbon recovery mechanism provided by the present invention. As shown in FIG. 9 and FIG. 10, the embodiment is different from the first embodiment in that the driving assembly further includes a third torsion spring 7 in the third embodiment, and the third torsion spring is sleeved on the friction member 1. The second mandrel 16 is located between the friction member 1 and the gear 6. The first torsion arm of the third torsion spring 7 is connected to the stop portion 17 of the friction member 1, and the second torsion arm of the third torsion spring is connected to the stop portion 61 of the gear 6. In the initial state, The three torsion springs are mounted between the gear 6 and the friction member 1 with a certain preload force, and the length of the third torsion spring 小于 is smaller than the height of the stopper portion 17 of the friction member 1 and the height of the stopper portion 61 of the gear 6 When the gear 6 is rotated in the set direction under the driving of the driving mechanism, the stopping portion 61 of the gear 6 drives the second torsion arm of the third torsion spring to rotate, so that the third torsion spring 7 is entangled with the rotation. When the two torsion arms of the third torsion spring 7 are in contact with the stopper portion 17 of the friction member 1, the two torsion arms of the third torsion spring 共同 jointly push the friction member 1 to rotate, and then, as the gear 6 continues in the direction When rotating, the gear 6 and the friction member 1 are rigidly connected by the third torsion spring ,, and the friction member 1 and the third torsion spring 7 rotate with the gear 6. When the printer is retracting the printing paper, under the action of the printing rubber roller, the carbon ribbon retreats with the printing paper to drive the friction member 1 to rotate, because a third torsion spring 7 is disposed between the gear 6 and the friction member 1, After one twisting arm of the three torsion spring 7 rotates one turn with respect to the other twisting arm, the driving gear 6 is rotated. In this embodiment, by providing a third torsion spring in the friction member and the gear, energy is stored when the carbon ribbon is recovered, and when the outer diameter of the carbon ribbon supported by the ribbon recovery mechanism is small, when the printer retracts the printing paper, the third torsion spring is released. Energy storage avoids the large pulling force acting on the ribbon when suddenly retreating, thus affecting the printing effect, producing black marks, and even breaking the ribbon when it is severe. Figure 11 is an exploded view of a third embodiment of the ribbon recovery mechanism provided by the present invention. As shown in FIG. 11, this embodiment is different from the first embodiment in that the driving assembly of the carbon ribbon recovery mechanism provided by the present embodiment includes a gear 6, a felt pad 71, and an elastic member 72. Wherein, the felt pad 71 is located between the friction member 1 and the gear 6, and one end of the elastic member 72 is connected to the ribbon holder, and the other end is connected to the gear 6, and the elastic member 72 is In the following, the gear 6, the felt pad 71, and the friction member 1 are kept in close contact, and the friction between the gear 6 and the felt pad 71 and the friction between the felt pad 71 and the friction member 1 is greater than the recovery first. The rewinding force required for a ribbon roll of a specification is less than the friction of the print head and the printing paper against the ribbon of the ribbon between the print head 410 and the drum 420. When the thermal transfer printer prints, the driving mechanism drive gear 6 rotates, and the friction member 1 can be driven to rotate by the friction between the gear 6 and the felt pad 71, the felt pad 71 and the friction member 1, and the friction member 1 is subjected to the gear 6 The frictional force drives the first torsion spring 4 or the second torsion spring 5 to rotate, thereby driving the first support base 2 or the second support base 3 to rotate, and rewinding the carbon ribbon. The above is only the preferred embodiment of the present invention, and is not intended to limit the present invention, and various modifications and changes can be made to the present invention. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, improvements, etc. made within the spirit and scope of the present invention are intended to be included within the scope of the present invention.

Claims

Claim

A ribbon recovery mechanism comprising a recovery assembly for mating with a ribbon cartridge to recover a used ribbon and a drive assembly for driving rotation of the recycling assembly, wherein the recycling assembly The utility model comprises: a friction member (1), which is drivingly connected with the driving assembly, comprising a first sleeve (13) and a second sleeve (14) disposed coaxially;

a first torsion spring (4) and a second torsion spring (5), wherein the first torsion spring (4) is hung on the second sleeve (14), the second torsion spring (5) Holding on the first sleeve (13), the first torsion spring (4) and the second torsion spring (5) respectively have different torque values when overloading and slipping;

a first support base (2) for matingly engaging with a ribbon core cartridge having a first outer diameter, the first support base (2) being rotatably supported on the friction member (1) and Connecting the first torsion arm (41) of the first torsion spring (4);

a second support base (3) for matingly engaging with a ribbon core cartridge having a second outer diameter, wherein the second support base (3) is rotatable through a core hole of the first support base (2) Supported on the friction member (1) and coupled to the first torsion arm (51) of the second torsion spring (5), wherein the second outer diameter is smaller than the first outer diameter.

2. The ribbon recovery mechanism according to claim 1, wherein the friction member (1) further comprises a third sleeve (15) for supporting the first support base (2) and A first mandrel (12) supporting the second support base (3).

The ribbon recovery mechanism according to claim 2, wherein the first support base (2) comprises a first end plate (21) extending on a side of the first end plate (21) a fourth sleeve (22), and a fifth sleeve (23) extending on the other side of the first end plate (21); the second support base (3) includes a second end plate (31), a sixth sleeve (32) extending laterally on the second end plate (31), and a seventh sleeve (33) extending on the other side of the second end plate (31), wherein a fifth sleeve (23) is sleeved with the third sleeve (15), the seventh sleeve (33) is sleeved with the first mandrel (12), and the second end plate (31) Located in the stepped hole of the fourth sleeve (22), the fourth sleeve (22) and the sixth sleeve (32) are respectively used for plugging with the ribbon cores having different outer diameters Cooperate.

The ribbon recovery mechanism according to claim 3, wherein the first support base (2) has a cover (25) extending around an outer circumference of the friction member (1). The ribbon recovery mechanism according to claim 3, wherein the friction member (1) further comprises a friction plate (11), wherein the first sleeve (13) and the second sleeve (14) The third sleeve (15) is sequentially spaced radially along the first mandrel (12) and is located on the same side of the friction plate (11). A ribbon recovery mechanism according to claim 1, wherein said drive assembly comprises a gear (6) for driving rotation of said friction member (1). The ribbon recovery mechanism according to claim 6, wherein a third torsion spring (7) is disposed between the gear (6) and the friction member (1), wherein the third torsion spring The first torsion arm of (7) is coupled to the gear (6), and the second torsion arm is coupled to the friction member (1). The ribbon recovery mechanism according to claim 6, wherein a felt pad (71) is provided between the gear (6) and the friction member (1). The ribbon recovery mechanism according to claim 6, wherein the gear (6) includes a third end plate (62) and a gear portion (63) on the side of the third end plate (62). A thermal transfer printer comprising a base (100), an upper cover (200) and a ribbon holder (300) each pivotally connected to the base (100), and carbon disposed on the ribbon holder (300) a belt mechanism (500), a paper roll support mechanism (600) disposed on the base (100), and a printing mechanism (400) for transferring a dye on a coated side of the carbon ribbon onto the printing paper, The ribbon mechanism (500) includes a ribbon dispensing mechanism (510) and a ribbon recovery mechanism (520) according to any one of claims 1-9.