| 摘要 |
PURPOSE:To enhance recording characteristics for recording on a paper having low smoothness, by providing a printing part with an ultrasonic vibration generating means, in a thermal transfer printer for performing thermal transfer printing one a paper by a thermal head while driving an ink ribbon. CONSTITUTION:An ultrasonic vibrating element 5 comprising a piezoelectric element is provided in the interior of a platen 4 provided at a printing part. With a printing signal inputted to a thermal head 2, heat generating elements 2a of the head 2 generate head, whereby an ink 3b at the corresponding parts is softened or melted. Simultaneously, an ultrasonic wave signal is applied to the vibrating element 5 to vibrate the element 5 at a frequency of several tens of kilohertz. As a result, heat is generated at the boundary surface between the ink and a paper 1 due to the vibration and friction, whereby the temperature of the ink 3b is raised, the viscosity of the ink 3b near the boundary surface of the ink 3b and the paper 1 is lowered, and the ink 3b is spread into recessed parts of the surface of the paper 1. In this case, a mechanical pressing action accompanying the ultrasonic vibration also has a favorable effect on the spreading of the ink 3b into the recessed parts. |
