JP2010076270A - Pattern drawing apparatus and image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To smoothly form an edge in a photosensitive area when drawing a pattern by irradiating a photosensitive surface with light. <P>SOLUTION: In the image forming apparatus, since a plurality of LED elements in a latent image forming section are controlled with an irradiation controlling section, a plurality of first photosensitive spots 336a each having a diameter smaller than a reference diameter are formed in a plurality of first drawing positions 3122a along a design edge 811, and a plurality of second photosensitive spots 336b each having a larger diameter than the reference diameter are formed in a plurality of second drawing positions 3122b adjacent to the insides of the plurality of first drawing positions 3122a, in a drawing of a figurative element 81 having the design edge 811 inclined to the first and second arrangement directions of the drawing positions 3122. The figurative element 81 having a smoothly shaped photosensitive edge 812 along the design edge 811 is then drawn by the plurality of first photosensitive spots 336a and the plurality of second photosensitive spots 336b. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a pattern drawing apparatus that draws a pattern by irradiating light onto a photosensitive surface, and an image forming apparatus that includes the pattern drawing apparatus and forms a toner image on an object.

  Conventionally, an electrostatic latent image is formed by irradiating light onto a photosensitive object by electrophotography, and a toner image is formed by applying toner (that is, developing) to the electrostatic latent image. The technology to do is known. For example, in Patent Document 1, an electrostatic latent image is formed by irradiating a rotating photosensitive drum with pulsed light from an LED head having a plurality of LED (Light Emitting Diode) elements arranged linearly. A color electrophotographic printer for transferring a toner image formed by applying toner to the electrostatic latent image onto a recording sheet is disclosed.

  In the color electrophotographic printer of Patent Document 1, a plurality of subdots arranged in the vertical direction along the rotation direction of the photosensitive drum (hereinafter referred to as the “scanning direction”) (here, the plurality of subdots rotate). One pixel is expressed by a plurality of dots drawn on the photosensitive drum by repeating irradiation of pulse light from the LED element a plurality of times to the photosensitive drum. The gradation of the pixel is changed by changing the size. In such a color electrophotographic printer, when an LED head that is scheduled to be mounted perpendicular to the scanning direction is mounted at an inclination, in order to correct the deviation of the irradiation position due to the inclination, the irradiation timing of some of the plurality of LED elements is corrected. However, Patent Document 1 further discloses a technique for correcting the displacement of the irradiation position with high accuracy by switching the size of the sub-dots only between two sizes of large and small.

  In Patent Document 2 and Non-Patent Document 1, when drawing is performed by irradiating light to an irradiation region that is centered on each position on the photosensitive member and partially overlaps another adjacent irradiation region. By reducing the irradiation area in the vicinity of the edge of the photosensitive area on the photosensitive member, the variable unit of the position of the edge of the photosensitive area is made smaller than the distance between the centers of the adjacent irradiation areas (that is, address (position)). A technique for increasing the resolution) is disclosed.

On the other hand, Patent Document 3 relates to an ink jet printer that performs printing by discharging fine ink droplets from a plurality of ink discharge nozzles, and is formed on a recording sheet by controlling the discharge amount from the ink discharge nozzles. A technique for expressing gradation by changing the size of the dots is disclosed. In the ink jet printer of Patent Document 3, when a graphic element having an edge inclined with respect to the moving direction of the printing paper is drawn, a step between pixels in which the maximum dots are formed along the edge (so-called jaggies) is generated. The edges are smoothed by interpolation using small dots for gradation expression.
JP 2007-245537 A US Pat. No. 4,879,605 Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 11-5298 Michael L. Rieger, 2 others, “Image quality enhancements for raster scan lithography”, Optical / Laser Microlithography, SP SPI (Epi), 1988, Vol. 922, p. 55-64

  By the way, when the pattern is drawn by irradiating the photosensitive member with light, if the edge of the photosensitive region corresponding to the pattern is inclined with respect to the scanning direction of the irradiation region with respect to the photosensitive member, a plurality of irradiations near the edge When the area is reduced along the edge, the gap between the plurality of irradiation areas becomes large, and the smoothness of the edge decreases.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to smoothly form an edge of a photosensitive region when a pattern is drawn by irradiating light to a photosensitive surface.

  According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a pattern drawing apparatus for drawing a pattern by irradiating light onto a photosensitive surface, wherein the pitches are predetermined in a first arrangement direction and a second arrangement direction perpendicular to each other on the photosensitive surface. A light irradiator that emits pulsed light toward each of the plurality of drawing positions arranged in, and individual intensity of light emitted toward the plurality of drawing positions by controlling the light irradiator To each of the plurality of drawing positions, an irradiation control unit that forms a substantially circular photosensitive spot having a size corresponding to the intensity of the irradiated light, and the first arrangement direction and the first When a graphic element having an inclined edge inclined with respect to two arrangement directions is drawn, each of a plurality of first drawing positions along the inclined edge among the drawing positions in the graphic element is drawn by the irradiation control unit. In The diameter of one photosensitive spot is equal to or less than a reference diameter equal to twice the pitch, and the diameter of the second photosensitive spot at each of a plurality of second drawing positions adjacent to the inside of the plurality of first drawing positions is the reference diameter. The edge of the photosensitive area in the vicinity of the inclined edge is made smoother by the plurality of second photosensitive spots than when the edges are formed only by the plurality of first photosensitive spots.

  A second aspect of the present invention is the pattern drawing apparatus according to the first aspect, wherein an inclination angle of the inclined edges with respect to the first arrangement direction is not less than 30 ° and not more than 60 °.

  A third aspect of the present invention is the pattern drawing apparatus according to the second aspect, wherein the inclination angle is 45 °.

  A fourth aspect of the present invention is the pattern drawing apparatus according to any one of the first to third aspects, wherein the plurality of light irradiation sections are equidistant on the photosensitive surface with respect to the first arrangement direction. And a moving mechanism that moves the plurality of irradiation positions in the second arrangement direction relative to the photosensitive surface.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image forming apparatus for forming a toner image on an object, wherein the pattern drawing apparatus according to any one of the first to fourth aspects and the pattern drawing apparatus are used on a photoconductor. A developing unit that develops the pattern by applying toner to a pattern drawn as an electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive surface to form a toner image before transfer, and a toner image transfer unit that transfers the toner image to an object With.

  In the present invention, when the pattern is drawn by irradiating the photosensitive surface with light, the edge of the photosensitive region can be formed smoothly. According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, when the toner image is formed on the object, the edge of the toner image can be formed smoothly.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of a pattern forming system 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The pattern forming system 100 is an apparatus that forms a wiring pattern on a film-like object 9. The object 9 is a flexible substrate (that is, a film substrate) having flexibility, and the specific resistance formed on the entire main surface of one of the film-like insulating base material and the insulating base material is 10 ^−. A conductive layer (copper foil (Cu) in this embodiment) of ⁶ Ω · cm to 10 ³ Ω · cm is provided. In the pattern forming system 100, a circuit board sheet, which is a sheet-like member in which a plurality of flexible circuit boards are continuous, is formed by forming a copper wiring pattern on the object 9.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the pattern forming system 100 transfers (that is, forms) a toner image onto the surface of the conductive layer of the object 9, and fixes the toner image on the conductive layer to form a resist pattern. The forming apparatus 1 is etched by applying an etching solution to a portion exposed from the resist pattern of the conductive layer (that is, a portion not covered with the toner image) to remove the portion from the insulating substrate. Etching device 61, first cleaning device 62 for cleaning object 9 after etching, image removing device 63 for peeling and removing a resist pattern as a toner image from on object 9, and resist pattern removed A second cleaning device 64 for cleaning the object 9 is provided. In the following description, the surface 91 of the conductive layer of the object 9 onto which the toner image is transferred by the image forming apparatus 1 is referred to as a “transfer surface 91”.

  FIG. 2 is an enlarged view showing the image forming apparatus 1. As shown in FIG. 2, the image forming apparatus 1 holds a target 9 having an insulating base 93 and a conductive layer 94 and moves in a (+ Y) direction that is a moving direction along the transfer surface 91. 2. A process unit 3 for forming a toner image on the photosensitive drum 31 by electrophotography, a first potential applying unit 4 for applying a predetermined potential to the outer peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 31 from the toner image, and an object 9 A second potential applying unit 5 that contacts and applies a predetermined potential to the transfer surface 91 and a control unit 7 that controls these configurations are provided. The control unit 7 stores a pattern data storage unit 71 that stores rasterized pattern data of the design pattern data of the toner image, and a latent image (described later) of the process unit 3 based on the pattern data stored in the pattern data storage unit 71. An irradiation control unit 72 that controls the forming unit 33 and the drum rotation mechanism 313 is provided.

  The process unit 3 includes a photosensitive drum 31 connected to a motor (not shown) via a speed reducer, and a clockwise rotation in FIG. 2 around the photosensitive drum 31 about a rotation shaft 310 parallel to the X direction in FIG. A drum rotating mechanism 313 is provided. The photosensitive drum 31 is formed of a metal such as aluminum and has a drum main body 311 having a rotation shaft 310 as a center, and the drum main body 311 is electrically grounded. On the outer peripheral surface of the drum body 311, for example, a single layer type organic photoreceptor having a phthalocyanine pigment (hereinafter simply referred to as “photoreceptor 312”) is uniformly applied (or deposited). The photoconductor 312 may be formed of an inorganic photoconductor such as amorphous silicon, for example, in addition to the single-layer organic photoconductor having a phthalocyanine pigment.

  The process unit 3 is also provided on the (+ Z) side of the photosensitive drum 31 so as to face the photosensitive drum 31 to charge the photosensitive member 312 and the outer peripheral surface of the charged photosensitive member 312 (hereinafter referred to as “photosensitive”). A latent image forming portion 33 for forming an electrostatic latent image by irradiating the surface 3121 with a light for image formation; and a liquid toner having etching resistance (for example, an isoparaffin-based insulating solvent (carrier liquid)). (Wet toner dispersed) is applied to a pattern drawn as an electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive surface 3121 of the photoreceptor 312 to develop the pattern, and the toner before transfer onto the photosensitive surface 3121 of the photoreceptor 312. A developing unit 34 that forms an image, a cleaner 35 that cleans the surface of the photoconductor 312, and a static eliminator 36 that discharges light to neutralize the photoconductor 312.

  In the process unit 3, the latent image forming unit 33, the developing unit 34, the cleaner 35, and the static eliminator 36 are arranged along the rotation direction of the photosensitive drum 31 from the charger 32 (that is, clockwise in FIG. 2). A toner supply unit (not shown) that supplies liquid toner that is a developing solution is connected to the developing unit 34. In the image forming apparatus 1, the first potential applying unit 4 is also disposed around the photosensitive drum 31 between the developing unit 34 and the cleaner 35.

  FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of a part of the latent image forming unit 33 as viewed from the photosensitive drum 31. As shown in FIG. 3, the latent image forming unit 33 includes two LED (Light Emitting Diode) element rows 332 arranged adjacent to each other, and each LED element row 332 is arranged in the X direction (photosensitive drum in FIG. 2). A plurality of LED elements 331 which are a plurality of light emitting portions arranged at equal pitches in parallel to (the direction parallel to the 31 rotation shafts 310). The plurality of LED elements 331 in one LED element array 332 are arranged at positions shifted from the plurality of LED elements 331 in the other LED element array 332 by half the pitch with respect to the X direction. In other words, the LED elements 331 of the two LED element rows 332 are arranged in a so-called staggered pattern.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an irradiation area of light irradiated on the photosensitive surface 3121 of the photosensitive member 312 of the photosensitive drum 31 from the plurality of LED elements 331 of the latent image forming unit 33 shown in FIG. In the process unit 3, as shown in FIG. 4, Selfoc lenses are provided from a plurality of LED elements 331 (see FIG. 3) at a plurality of irradiation positions 335 arranged at equal pitches in the X direction on the photosensitive surface 3121. A pulsed light beam is irradiated to each of the two, and a substantially circular photosensitive spot 336 is formed at each irradiation position 335. The photosensitive spot 336 here means a region where the intensity of light emitted from the latent image forming unit 33 (see FIG. 2) is equal to or higher than the photosensitive threshold value of the photosensitive member 312. In the following description, the X direction in which the plurality of irradiation positions 335 are arranged on the photosensitive surface 3121 is referred to as “first arrangement direction”.

  In the process unit 3 shown in FIG. 2, the photosensitive drum 31 is rotated by the drum rotating mechanism 313, so that the photosensitive surface 3121 of the photosensitive member 312 is located at the portion of the photosensitive surface 3121 facing the latent image forming unit 33. It moves in a circumferential direction perpendicular to one arrangement direction (that is, a circumferential direction in a cross section perpendicular to the rotation axis 310 in the part, and hereinafter referred to as “second arrangement direction”). As a result, the plurality of irradiation positions 335 shown in FIG. 4 move relative to the photosensitive surface 3121 in the second arrangement direction, and in advance in the first arrangement direction and the second arrangement direction perpendicular to each other on the photosensitive surface 3121. Pulsed light is emitted toward each of a plurality of drawing positions 3122 arranged at a predetermined pitch.

  In FIG. 4, in order to facilitate understanding of the drawing, a virtual line (indicated by a thin solid line or a broken line in the drawing) that faces the first arrangement direction or the second arrangement direction connecting the plurality of drawing positions 3122 is also shown. (The same applies to FIGS. 8.A, 8.B, 9.A, 9.B, 10.A, and 10.B). In the process unit 3 shown in FIG. 2, the drum rotating mechanism 313 is a moving mechanism that relatively moves a plurality of irradiation positions 335 (see FIG. 4) in the second arrangement direction. The LED element 331) and the drum rotating mechanism 313 serve as a light irradiation unit that irradiates a plurality of drawing positions 3122 on the photosensitive surface 3121 (see FIG. 4).

  In the image forming apparatus 1, the irradiation control unit 72 of the control unit 7 illustrated in FIG. 2 controls the plurality of LED elements 331 (that is, the light irradiation unit) of the drum rotation mechanism 313 and the latent image forming unit 33. The intensity of light emitted from the plurality of LED elements 331 (see FIG. 3) toward the plurality of drawing positions 3122 on the photosensitive surface 3121 is individually changed, and the light emitted to each of the plurality of drawing positions 3122 is changed. A photosensitive spot 336 having a size corresponding to the intensity is formed.

  Each photosensitive spot 336 shown in FIG. 4 indicates a photosensitive spot when light of a reference intensity is emitted from the corresponding LED element 331, and the diameter of each photosensitive spot 336 in the reference state (hereinafter referred to as “reference diameter”). Is equal to twice the pitch of the drawing positions 3122 in the first arrangement direction and the second arrangement direction. The diameter of the photosensitive spot 336 on the photosensitive surface 3121 can be changed to a value smaller than or larger than the reference diameter (for example, up to twice the reference diameter) by controlling the latent image forming unit 33 by the irradiation control unit 72. It is said.

  The first potential applying unit 4 shown in FIG. 2 is a corona charging mechanism that generates ions by corona discharge and charges the photosensitive member 312 by applying the ions to the photosensitive member 312. A scorotron is used as the 1 potential applying unit 4 to apply a potential (hereinafter referred to as “first potential”) to the photoconductor 312. Further, the charger 32 of the process unit 3 is also a corona charging mechanism that charges the photoconductor 312 by corona discharge, like the first potential applying unit 4.

  The 2nd electric potential provision part 5 is provided with the two contactors 51, and the contactor 51 has a brush (for example, a carbon brush and a conductive bristle brush) formed with an electroconductive material. Each contact 51 is supported by a support member (not shown) and directly contacts the conductive transfer surface 91 of the object 9. Since the electrode of each contact 51 is electrically grounded, the transfer surface 91 of the object 9 is also electrically grounded. In other words, a potential which is a ground potential (hereinafter referred to as “second potential”) is applied to the transfer surface 91 of the object 9 by the contact 51 of the second potential applying unit 5.

  In the image forming apparatus 1, on the (−Z) side of the photosensitive drum 31, the transfer target surface 91 of the object 9 that moves to face the photosensitive drum 31 by the moving mechanism 2 includes the first potential applying unit 4, the cleaner 35, and the like. Between the photosensitive surface 3121 of the photosensitive drum 31. The photosensitive drum 31 and the transfer target surface 91 of the object 9 are positioned at a position where the photosensitive drum 31 and the object 9 are closest to each other by applying the potentials by the first potential applying unit 4 and the second potential applying unit 5. A predetermined transfer voltage acts between them, and the toner image on the photosensitive surface 3121 of the photosensitive drum 31 is transferred onto the transfer surface 91 of the object 9. In the following description, a position where the photosensitive surface 3121 of the photosensitive drum 31 and the transfer target surface 91 of the object 9 are closest to each other is referred to as a “transfer position”. The transfer position is a position fixed relative to the process unit 3. In the image forming apparatus 1, the first potential applying unit 4 and the second potential applying unit 5 apply a predetermined transfer voltage between the photosensitive drum 31 and the transfer surface 91 of the object 9 at the transfer position, and thereby the toner image. Is a toner image transfer portion for transferring the toner to the object 9.

  The image forming apparatus 1 is arranged on the downstream side (that is, (+ Y) side) of the transfer position in the moving direction of the object 9 by the moving mechanism 2 and is transferred to the transfer surface 91 of the object 9. Is further fixed to the transfer surface 91. In the image forming apparatus 1, the toner image is fixed on the transfer surface 91 to be a resist pattern by heating the transfer surface 91 of the object 9 in a non-contact manner by the fixing unit 52.

  The moving mechanism 2 holds the roll-shaped object 9 before the toner image is transferred and supplies the object 9 to the transfer position. The object supply unit 203 supplies the object 9 to the transfer position. The transfer roller 204 that is supported from the (−Z) side, which is the side opposite to the transfer surface 91, and the fixing mechanism 52 are disposed downstream of the fixing unit 52 in the moving direction of the object 9 by the moving mechanism 2. An object recovery unit 205 that winds and recovers the object 9 on which the toner image is fixed by the unit 52 is provided. In FIG. 2, other devices such as the etching device 61 disposed between the fixing unit 52 and the object recovery unit 205 are not shown.

  As shown in FIG. 1, in the pattern forming system 100, the etching device 61, the first cleaning device 62, the image removing device 63, and the second cleaning device 64 are arranged in the image forming apparatus in the moving direction of the object 9 by the moving mechanism 2. 1 is arranged in order between the fixing unit 52 and the object recovery unit 205. When attention is paid to one part on the object 9, the part is moved from one device to another by the moving mechanism 2. It is conveyed in order. In other words, the moving mechanism 2 that moves the object 9 is an object conveyance mechanism shared by the image forming apparatus 1, the etching apparatus 61, the first cleaning apparatus 62, the image removing apparatus 63, and the second cleaning apparatus 64. ing.

The etching apparatus 61 is a plurality of sprays that spray an etching liquid mainly composed of iron chloride (FeCl ₃ ), copper chloride (CuCl ₂ ), and the like toward the transfer surface 91 of the object 9 on which the toner image is formed. The first cleaning device 62 includes a plurality of sprays 621 that spray a cleaning liquid such as pure water toward the transfer surface 91 of the object 9. In addition, the image removing device 63 includes a plurality of sprays 631 that eject a peeling liquid for separating the toner image from the object 9 toward the transfer surface 91 of the object 9, and the second cleaning device 64 includes the first cleaning device 64. Similar to the device 62, a plurality of sprays 641 for spraying a cleaning liquid such as pure water toward the transfer surface 91 of the object 9 is provided.

  Next, the flow of forming a wiring pattern by the pattern forming system 100 will be described with reference to FIG. Note that steps S11 to S15 show the flow of processing focusing on a part of the photoconductor 312, and these steps are actually performed almost in parallel on the entire photoconductor 312. Steps S16 to S20 show the flow of processing focusing on a part of the object 9, and these steps are actually performed almost in parallel on the entire object 9.

  In the pattern forming system 100, first, the photosensitive drum 31 of the image forming apparatus 1 starts rotating at a constant rotational speed in the clockwise direction in FIG. As the 203 and the object recovery unit 205 rotate counterclockwise, the movement of the object 9 in the (+ Y) direction is started at a constant speed. In the process unit 3, the photosensitive drum 31, which is a cylindrical drum-shaped annular member centered on the rotation shaft 310, is rotated by the rotation of the photosensitive drum 31, and each peripheral configuration (that is, the charger 32, latent image forming unit) 33, the developing unit 34, the first potential applying unit 4, the cleaner 35, and the charge eliminator 36) are continuously circulated along the photosensitive surface 3121 of the photosensitive member 312 and are moved relative to the photosensitive member 312 by these peripheral configurations. Processing begins.

  In the charger 32, electric charges are sequentially applied to a part of the photoconductor 312 (hereinafter referred to as “target part”) that reaches the facing position, and the surface of the target part is applied at, for example, +700 V (volts). Charge uniformly (step S11). The target site after charging continuously moves to the light irradiation position by the latent image forming unit 33.

  In the latent image forming unit 33, the plurality of LED elements 331 (see FIG. 3) are controlled by the irradiation control unit 72 based on the pattern data stored in advance in the pattern data storage unit 71 of the control unit 7. Each time the irradiation position 335 (see FIG. 4) of the plurality of LED elements 331 overlaps the plurality of drawing positions 3122 (see FIG. 4) arranged in the X direction, which is the first arrangement direction, in the target portion of the photoreceptor 312. Then, pulsed light is emitted toward the photosensitive surface 3121 to form a photosensitive spot 336 (see FIG. 4). Details of the control of the latent image forming unit 33 by the irradiation control unit 72 will be described later.

  In the portion where the photosensitive spot 336 is formed on the photosensitive surface 3121 (that is, the photosensitive region), the surface potential is reduced to +100 V by the movement of the charge on the photosensitive surface 3121 into the photosensitive member 312, and the photosensitive spot is not formed. The charged state is maintained as it is. As a result, an electrostatic latent image that is an image based on the distribution of charges is formed on the photoreceptor 312 (step S12).

  The part (target part) where the electrostatic latent image is formed on the photosensitive drum 31 moves to a position facing the developing unit 34. In the developing unit 34, the developing roller 341 is connected to a developing bias power source 343, and a potential of +500 V is applied by the developing bias power source 343. Then, a wet voltage (that is, dispersed in the solvent of the liquid toner and the photosensitive surface 3121 of the photoreceptor 312 is positively charged in the liquid toner by the bias voltage between the developing roller 341 and the electrostatic latent image. (Wet toner charged to the same polarity as that) is applied to the electrostatic latent image (step S13). In this embodiment, a wet toner having a particle size of 0.1 μm or more and 2 μm or less (more preferably 0.1 μm or more and 0.5 μm or less) is used.

  FIG. A thru | or FIG. C is a diagram conceptually showing a potential distribution on the photosensitive surface 3121 of the photoreceptor 312 to which the wet toner 92 is applied by the developing unit 34 (see FIG. 2). FIG. A thru | or FIG. In C, the potential of the photosensitive surface 3121 of the photoconductor 312 is drawn by a solid line 301, and the case where the solid line 301 is located on the opposite side of the drum body 311 from the photoconductive surface 3121 of the photoconductor 312 is positive. The vertical distance between the solid line 301 and the photosensitive surface 3121 represents the magnitude of the potential.

  FIG. As shown in A, the positively charged wet toner 92 having the same polarity as the photosensitive surface 3121 of the photoconductor 312 is surfaced by the latent image forming unit 33 (see FIG. 2) at the target portion on the photoconductor 312. It adheres only to the part where the electric potential is reduced, thereby developing the electrostatic latent image. That is, a toner image before transfer with the wet toner 92 is formed on a target portion on the photosensitive surface 3121 of the photoreceptor 312. In the image forming apparatus 1 shown in FIG. 2, the photosensitive drum 31 and the drum rotating mechanism 313 serve as a toner image holding unit that holds the toner image before transfer on the photosensitive surface 3121 of the photosensitive member 312 and circulates and moves the photosensitive member 312. ing.

  In the developing unit 34, unnecessary liquid toner on the target portion is scraped off by the squeegee roller 342 located on the (−Z) side of the developing roller 341 (that is, on the downstream side of the circulation movement of the photosensitive drum 31). 34 is returned. The squeegee roller 342 is connected to a squeegee power supply 344, and a potential of +500 V is applied by the squeegee power supply 344. Then, the squeegee roller 342 rotates clockwise in FIG. 1 to scrape off the liquid toner, so that excess liquid toner on the photoreceptor 312 (that is, on the portion where the surface potential is reduced by the latent image forming unit 33). The liquid toner applied excessively and the liquid toner applied on the background, which is the portion where the surface potential was not reduced, are collected.

  Next, wet toner is applied to the photosensitive surface 3121 of the photoconductor 312 from the toner image developed on the photoconductor 312 by the first potential applying unit 4 disposed before the transfer position in the circulating movement of the photoconductive drum 31. A positive first potential having the same polarity as the charging polarity is applied (step S14). As a result, FIG. As shown in B, the entire target portion of the photosensitive surface 3121 of the photosensitive member 312 is charged to a potential that is the same as that of the charging by the charger 32 or a large absolute value (in this embodiment, about +800 V). Note that, in the target portion, the potential in the adhesion region of the wet toner 92 and the potential in the non-adhesion region are slightly different, but this level of potential difference hardly affects the transfer of the wet toner 92 described later. Further, the potential difference is eliminated by lengthening the application time of the first potential by the first potential application unit 4.

  When the application of the first potential by the first potential applying unit 4 shown in FIG. 2 is completed, the target portion of the photosensitive drum 31 is closest to the transfer surface 91 of the target 9 that moves in synchronization with the rotation of the photosensitive drum 31. At the transfer position, the target portion is accurately (+ Y) at a speed corresponding to the rotation speed of the photosensitive drum 31 (that is, a tangential speed in a cross section perpendicular to the rotation axis 310 of the photosensitive surface 3121). ) Move in the direction. Further, the object 9 is moved by the moving mechanism 2 at the same speed as the target part of the photoconductor 312 at the transfer position, with the same (+ Y) direction as the moving direction of the target part as the moving direction. As a result, the position of the object 9 (part facing the target part) is fixed relatively to the target part in the immediate vicinity of the transfer position.

  At this time, the object 9 is electrically grounded via the two contacts 51 of the second potential applying unit 5 arranged on the (+ Y) side and the (−Y) side of the transfer position (in other words, In this case, the ground potential is applied to the transfer surface 91 of the object 9 by the second potential applying unit 5), and between the transfer surface 91 of the object 9 and the target portion of the photoreceptor 312 at the transfer position. A predetermined transfer voltage acts on the. That is, an electric field is generated from the target portion toward the transfer surface 91, and FIG. As shown in C, the force in the direction from the photoconductor 312 toward the transfer surface 91 of the object 9 (the direction in which the arrow labeled 302 in FIG. 6.C faces) acts on the wet toner 92. As a result, the positively charged toner image attached on the target portion of the photoconductor 312 is sequentially transferred to the transfer surface 91 of the target 9 (step S15).

  The target portion of the photoconductor 312 after the transfer of the wet toner continuously moves to the position of the cleaner 35 shown in FIG. In the cleaner 35, the cleaning liquid is applied to the target portion by the spray nozzle 351, so that unnecessary matter (hereinafter referred to as “residual toner”) such as wet toner remaining on the target portion without being transferred to the target 9 is moistened. Is done. As a result, the residual toner fixed to the target portion swells, and the fixing force of the residual toner to the photoreceptor 312 is reduced.

  Subsequently, the target portions of the photosensitive member 312 are rubbed by the sponge rollers 352, 353, and 354 that rotate clockwise in FIG. 2 (that is, in the same direction as the rotation direction of the photosensitive drum 31). It adheres to the sponge roller and is removed from the photoreceptor 312. The residual toner adhering to the sponge roller is sucked together with the cleaning liquid by the suction nozzle and removed from the sponge roller.

  When the photosensitive surface 3121 of the photosensitive member 312 is cleaned by the cleaner 35 and the photosensitive member 312 is mechanically returned to the initial state, light is applied to the target portion by a combination of a lamp and a filter, or a static eliminator 36 having an LED or the like. Irradiation removes the charge of the photoconductor 312 and it is electrically returned to the initial state.

  As described above, the processes in steps S11 to S15 are performed almost in parallel with each part on the photoconductor 312, and the processes are continuously performed on each part of the photoconductor 312 that sequentially reaches the transfer position. Done. For this reason, the entire toner image on the photosensitive surface 3121 of the photoreceptor 312 is transferred onto the object 9 at the transfer position, and this is repeated, so that a plurality of objects are finally formed on the object 9 which becomes a plurality of flexible circuit boards. A toner image corresponding to the wiring pattern of the flexible circuit board is formed.

  In the image forming apparatus 1, the portion of the object 9 where the toner image is formed is moved from the transfer position to the (+ Y) side by the moving mechanism 2 and passes below the fixing unit 52, so that the transfer surface 91 is transferred. The toner image on the transfer surface 91 is heated by the fixing unit 52, and the toner image is fixed on the transfer surface 91 to form a resist pattern (step S16).

  The portion of the object 9 on which the toner image is fixed is moved from the image forming apparatus 1 to the etching apparatus 61 by the moving mechanism 2 shown in FIG. 1, and an etching solution is applied in the etching apparatus 61, whereby the conductive layer 94. The portion exposed from the toner image (that is, the resist pattern) of (see FIG. 2) is etched, and the portion is removed from the insulating base material 93 (see FIG. 2) (step S17). As a result, only the portion of the conductive layer 94 formed of copper that is covered with the toner image is left on the insulating base material 93 to form a wiring pattern (that is, a copper electrode and a copper wiring) of the flexible circuit board. .

  The portion where the object 9 has been etched is moved from the etching device 61 to the first cleaning device 62 by the moving mechanism 2, and pure water is jetted in the first cleaning device 62, thereby cleaning the object 9. Then, the etching solution on the object 9 is removed (step S18).

  The portion where the cleaning of the object 9 has been completed is moved from the first cleaning device 62 to the image removing device 63 by the moving mechanism 2, and the toner on the object 9 is applied by the application of the release liquid in the image removing device 63. The image (that is, the resist pattern on the wiring pattern formed on the insulating base material 93) is peeled off from the wiring pattern and removed (step S19). Thereby, the flexible circuit board which has the wiring pattern formed in copper on the insulating base material 93 and the insulating base material 93 is formed.

  The portion of the object 9 from which the toner image has been peeled is moved from the image removing device 63 to the second cleaning device 64 by the moving mechanism 2, and pure water is jetted by the second cleaning device 64, thereby the object 9. Is removed and the stripping solution on the object 9 is removed (step S20). And the site | part which completed washing | cleaning of the target object 9 is carried out from the 2nd washing | cleaning apparatus 64 by the moving mechanism 2, and after drying by heating, ventilation, etc. as needed, the target object collection part 205 of the moving mechanism 2 is used. It is wound up and collected. Thereby, a circuit board sheet in which a plurality of flexible circuit boards are continuous is formed.

  Next, when the electrostatic latent image is formed on the photosensitive surface 3121 of the photoreceptor 312 in the above-described step S12 (that is, the pattern indicated by the pattern data stored in the pattern data storage unit 71 is the electrostatic latent image). The details of the control of the latent image forming unit 33 by the irradiation control unit 72 will be described.

  FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a part of the graphic element 81 included in the pattern drawn on the photosensitive surface 3121. In order to facilitate understanding of the figure, the graphic element 81 is given a parallel oblique line. In FIG. 7, the left-right direction in the figure corresponds to the first arrangement direction (that is, the X direction) described above, and the up-down direction in the figure corresponds to the second arrangement direction (FIGS. 8.A, 8.B, The same applies to Fig. 9.A, Fig. 9.B, Fig. 10.A and Fig. 10.B). As shown in FIG. 7, the edge 811 of the graphic element 81 is an inclined edge inclined with respect to the first arrangement direction and the second arrangement direction, and in this embodiment, the inclination angle of the edge 811 with respect to the first arrangement direction. Is 45 °.

  FIG. FIG. 8A is an enlarged view showing the vicinity of the edge 811 of the graphic element 81. FIG. In A, a plurality of drawing positions 3122 on the photosensitive surface 3121 are indicated by black circles. On the photosensitive surface 3121, the actual edge of the graphic element 81 is formed in the vicinity of the edge 811 by a plurality of photosensitive spots 336 formed at a plurality of drawing positions 3122 in the graphic element 81. In the following description, the edge 811 is referred to as a “design edge 811” in order to distinguish it from the actual edge (ie, the edge of the photosensitive region). The actual edge of the graphic element 81 is referred to as “photosensitive edge”.

  When the graphic element 81 is drawn by the image forming apparatus 1, the irradiation control unit 72 controls the plurality of LED elements 331 (see FIG. 3) of the latent image forming unit 33. As shown in A, among the drawing positions 3122 in the graphic element 81 (that is, the drawing position 3122 located at the upper right of the design edge 811 in FIG. 8.A), a plurality of first drawing positions along the design edge 811 The diameter of the photosensitive spot (hereinafter referred to as “first photosensitive spot 336 a”) in each of 3122 a is set to be equal to or smaller than the above-described reference diameter so that the first photosensitive spot 336 a is in contact with the design edge 811. FIG. In A, for comparison with the first photosensitive spot 336a, a photosensitive spot having a reference diameter centered on the first drawing position 3122a is drawn with a broken line (the same applies to a second drawing position 3122b described later). The diameter of the first photosensitive spot 336a is less than the reference diameter.

  In addition, among the drawing positions 3122 in the graphic element 81, it is adjacent to the inside of the plurality of first drawing positions 3122a (that is, a position farther from the design edge 811 than the plurality of first drawing positions 3122a). A plurality of first drawing positions 3122a arranged along the arrangement direction of the plurality of first drawing positions 3122a at positions shifted in the first arrangement direction by a half of the reference diameter from the plurality of first drawing positions 3122a on the upper right side in the middle). The diameter of the photosensitive spot (hereinafter referred to as “second photosensitive spot 336b”) at each of the two drawing positions 3122b is set larger than the reference diameter so that the second photosensitive spot 336b is in contact with the design edge 811.

  Of the drawing positions 3122 in the graphic element 81, the diameter of the photosensitive spot 336 at the drawing positions 3122 other than the first drawing position 3122a and the second drawing position 3122b is made equal to the reference diameter. In A, only a part of the photosensitive spot 336 is drawn for easy understanding of the drawing. Further, a photosensitive spot is not formed at the drawing position 3122 outside the graphic element 81 (that is, the drawing position 3122 located at the lower left of the design edge 811).

  Here, assuming an image forming apparatus in which the diameter of the photosensitive spot can be changed only to a reference diameter or less by control by the irradiation control unit, such an image forming apparatus (hereinafter referred to as a “comparative image forming apparatus”). FIG. When drawing a graphic element 88 similar to the graphic element 81 shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. B, only the diameter of the first photosensitive spot 336a formed at the first drawing position 3122a is made smaller than the reference diameter so that the first photosensitive spot 336a is in contact with the design edge 881. The diameter of the photosensitive spot 336 formed at the other drawing position 3122 is made equal to the reference diameter, so that the actual edge 882 (ie, the photosensitive edge 882) of the graphic element 88 is only the plurality of first photosensitive spots 336a. It is formed by. For this reason, FIG. As indicated by a bold line in B, the photosensitive edge 882 is largely separated from other parts of the design edge 881 that partially touch the design edge 881, and has a shape with large irregularities.

  On the other hand, in the image forming apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment, as described above, the plurality of first photosensitive spots 336a each having a diameter smaller than the reference diameter, and each having a diameter larger than the reference diameter. A plurality of second photosensitive spots 336b having FIG. By forming the photosensitive edge 812 of the graphic element 81 indicated by a bold line in A, the design edge 811 approximates the photosensitive edge 882 (see FIG. 8B) formed by the image forming apparatus of the comparative example. A graphic element 81 having a smooth photosensitive edge 812 can be drawn. In other words, the photosensitive edge 812 in the vicinity of the design edge 811 of the graphic element 81 has a plurality of first photosensitive spots 336a in the image forming apparatus of the comparative example by a plurality of second photosensitive spots 336b each having a diameter larger than the reference diameter. Only when the photosensitive edge 882 is formed is smoothed.

  In addition, FIG. A and FIG. As shown in FIG. B, the graphic elements 81 and 88 are shown in FIG. A and FIG. Similarly, when the image forming apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment moves from the position shown in B to the (−X) side in the first arrangement direction (that is, the X direction) by a distance smaller than the pitch of the drawing position 3122. A plurality of photosensitive edges 812 (see FIG. 9A) in the vicinity of the design edge 811 of the drawn graphic element 81 are plural in the image forming apparatus of the comparative example by a plurality of second photosensitive spots 336b each having a diameter larger than the reference diameter. Only the first photosensitive spot 336a smoothes the photosensitive edge 882 (see FIG. 9B) in the vicinity of the design edge 881.

  FIG. A and FIG. B shows that the graphic elements 81 and 88 are shown in FIG. A and FIG. FIG. 10B is a diagram showing the photosensitive surface 3121 when it is moved from the position shown in B to the (+ X) side in the first arrangement direction by a distance smaller than the pitch of the drawing position 3122. FIG. As shown in FIG. 8B, when the graphic element 88 is drawn by the image forming apparatus of the comparative example, FIG. B and FIG. The drawing position on the (+ X) side by a distance equal to the pitch of the drawing position 3122 from the first drawing position 3122a shown in B is the first drawing position 3122a, and the drawing is adjacent to the (−X) side of the first drawing position 3122a. The position is the second drawing position 3122b, and the diameters of the first photosensitive spot 336a formed at the first drawing position 3122a and the second photosensitive spot 336b formed at the second drawing position 3122b are larger than the reference diameter. It is made smaller.

  In the image forming apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment, FIG. As shown in FIG. 8A, no photosensitive spot is formed at a plurality of drawing positions 3122c closest to the design edge 811 in the graphic element 81, as shown in FIG. A and FIG. A first photosensitive spot having a diameter smaller than the reference diameter at a first drawing position 3122a similar to A (that is, a drawing position on the (−X) side of a plurality of drawing positions 3122c by a distance equal to the pitch of the drawing positions 3122). 336a is formed, FIG. A and FIG. By forming a second photosensitive spot 336b having a diameter larger than the reference diameter at the second drawing position 3122b similar to A, a photosensitive edge 882 formed in the vicinity of the design edge 881 by the image forming apparatus of the comparative example (FIG. 10B), a graphic element 81 having a smooth photosensitive edge 812 approximated by the design edge 811 can be drawn.

  In other words, the photosensitive edge 812 in the vicinity of the design edge 811 of the graphic element 81 is smaller than the reference diameter in the image forming apparatus of the comparative example by the plurality of second photosensitive spots 336b each having a diameter larger than the reference diameter. The plurality of first photosensitive spots 336a and the plurality of second photosensitive spots 336b having a diameter are smoothed as compared with the case where the photosensitive edge 882 is formed. Further, as a matter of course, in the image forming apparatus 1, the photosensitive edge 812 is more than the case where the photosensitive edge 882 is formed by only the plurality of first photosensitive spots 336 a each having a diameter smaller than the reference diameter in the comparative image forming apparatus. Is also smoothed.

  As described above, in the image forming apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment, the graphic element 81 having the design edge 811 that is inclined with respect to the first arrangement direction and the second arrangement direction on the photosensitive surface 3121 of the photoconductor 312. Is drawn, the diameter of the first photosensitive spot 336a at each of the plurality of first drawing positions 3122a along the design edge 811 is set to be equal to or smaller than the reference diameter, and a plurality of adjacent ones inside the plurality of first drawing positions 3122a The diameter of the second photosensitive spot 336b at each of the second drawing positions 3122b is made larger than the reference diameter, so that the position of the photosensitive edge 812 of the graphic element 81 can be changed in units smaller than the pitch of the drawing positions 3122 ( That is, while increasing the address (position) resolution of the photosensitive edge 812), the first arrangement direction and the second arrangement method The photosensitive edge 812 which is inclined can be smoothly formed with respect. As a result, the edge of the toner image can be smoothly formed on the object 9 while accurately positioning the position of the toner image.

  Accordingly, the configuration of the image forming apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment is such that the graphic elements that are likely to have a shape with large irregularities on the photosensitive edge in the drawing by the image forming apparatus of the comparative example, specifically, the first arrangement of the drawing positions 3122. The image forming apparatus 1 is particularly suitable for drawing a graphic element having a design edge whose inclination angle with respect to the direction is 30 ° or more and 60 ° or less (ie, formation of an electrostatic latent image). Is smoothed efficiently. Further, since the configuration of the image forming apparatus 1 has a design edge whose inclination angle with respect to the first arrangement direction is 45 °, there is a possibility that the unevenness of the photosensitive edge may be larger in the drawing by the image forming apparatus of the comparative example. Is more suitable for drawing.

  In the latent image forming unit 33, instead of the plurality of LED elements 331, a polygon mirror that scans light emitted from one light source on the photosensitive surface 3121 of the photoconductor 312 in the first arrangement direction may be provided. However, as described above, the structure of the latent image forming unit 33 is simplified by adopting the structure including the plurality of LED elements 331, and the structure of the light irradiation unit (that is, the latent image forming unit 33 and the drum rotation mechanism 313) is simplified. It can be simplified. In the latent image forming unit 33, for example, a semiconductor laser or a combination of a lamp and a liquid crystal shutter may be used as the light emitting unit instead of the LED element.

  As mentioned above, although embodiment of this invention has been described, this invention is not limited to the said embodiment, A various change is possible.

  In the latent image forming unit 33 of the image forming apparatus 1 according to the above-described embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3, the two LED element rows 332 do not necessarily have to be arranged close to each other in a staggered manner, for example, the photosensitive surface 3121. The plurality of irradiation positions 335 may be disposed so as to be spaced apart from one side and the other side in the second arrangement direction. In this case, light is irradiated from the two LED element rows 332 obliquely toward the plurality of irradiation positions 335 at the same time. Further, the plurality of irradiation positions 335 on the photosensitive surface 3121 are not necessarily arranged linearly in parallel with the first arrangement direction of the drawing positions 3122, and may be equally spaced with respect to the first arrangement direction. For example, when the plurality of irradiation positions 335 are linearly arranged in a direction inclined with respect to the first arrangement direction, the irradiation timing of each LED element 331 is shifted according to the inclination angle.

  The electrostatic latent image formed by the latent image forming unit 33 may be a negative type or a positive type. In the developing unit 34, liquid toner containing a negatively charged wet toner may be applied to the photoconductor 312. In this case, the photoconductor 312 (or intermediate transfer) is performed by the charger 32 and the first potential applying unit 4. The potential applied to the body 251) is also negative with the same polarity. In the developing unit 34, the electrostatic latent image may be developed with dry toner instead of wet toner.

  In the image forming apparatus 1, the transfer of the toner image from the photosensitive drum 31 to the object 9 is not necessarily limited to electrostatic transfer using a transfer voltage. For example, the toner image is formed on the photosensitive drum 31 with hot melt toner. The toner image may be transferred by hot melt transfer in which the toner image is heated and the molten toner image is pressed toward the object 9.

  In the image forming apparatus 1, an intermediate transfer member 251 that is a flat belt-like annular member formed of a dielectric material may be provided between the photosensitive drum 31 and the target 9. In this case, the toner image on the photosensitive drum 31 is transferred and held on the outer peripheral surface of the intermediate transfer member 251 that circulates and the toner image on the intermediate transfer member 251 is transferred onto the object 9.

  The image forming apparatus 1 described above may be used independently of other apparatuses of the pattern forming system 100 as an apparatus for forming a toner image on the object 9. In addition, a pattern drawing in which an apparatus having a configuration corresponding to each of the photoreceptor 312, the drum rotation mechanism 313, the latent image forming unit 33, and the irradiation control unit 72 in the image forming apparatus 1 draws a pattern by irradiating the photosensitive surface with light. It may be used independently as a device. Even in this case, similarly to the image forming apparatus 1 described above, it is possible to smoothly form photosensitive edges that are inclined with respect to the first arrangement direction and the second arrangement direction of a plurality of drawing positions on the photosensitive surface.

  In the image forming apparatus 1, toner images may be formed on various objects such as a plate-like glass substrate in addition to a film-like flexible substrate. Toners of various materials, such as pixel forming materials for color filters for devices, may be transferred onto the object. However, since the image forming apparatus 1 can smoothly form the inclined edges while arranging the graphic elements with high positional accuracy, the configuration of the image forming apparatus 1 is to form a fine pattern such as the wiring pattern of the printed circuit board described above. Especially suitable for.

It is a figure which shows the structure of the pattern formation system which concerns on one embodiment. 1 is a diagram illustrating an image forming apparatus. It is a figure which shows a latent image formation part. It is a figure which shows the photosensitive spot on the photosensitive surface of a photoreceptor. It is a figure which shows the flow of formation of a wiring pattern. It is a figure which shows the electric potential distribution of a photosensitive surface. It is a figure which shows the electric potential distribution of a photosensitive surface. It is a figure which shows the electric potential distribution of a photosensitive surface. It is a figure which shows some graphic elements contained in the pattern drawn on a photosensitive surface. It is a figure which expands and shows the edge vicinity of a graphic element. It is a figure which expands and shows the edge vicinity of the graphic element drawn by the image forming apparatus of a comparative example. It is a figure which expands and shows the edge vicinity of a graphic element. It is a figure which expands and shows the edge vicinity of the graphic element drawn by the image forming apparatus of a comparative example. It is a figure which expands and shows the edge vicinity of a graphic element. It is a figure which expands and shows the edge vicinity of the graphic element drawn by the image forming apparatus of a comparative example.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Image forming apparatus 4 1st electric potential provision part 5 2nd electric potential provision part 9 Object 34 Development part 72 Irradiation control part 81 Graphic element 92 Wet toner 312 Photoconductor 313 Drum rotation mechanism 331 LED element 335 Irradiation position 336 Photosensitive spot 336a 1st 1 photosensitive spot 336b second photosensitive spot 881 design edge 882 photosensitive edge 3121 photosensitive surface 3122 drawing position 3122a first drawing position 3122b second drawing position S11 to S20

Claims (5)

A pattern drawing device for drawing a pattern by irradiating light on a photosensitive surface,
A light irradiation unit that emits pulsed light toward each of a plurality of drawing positions arranged at a predetermined pitch in a first arrangement direction and a second arrangement direction perpendicular to each other on the photosensitive surface;
By controlling the light irradiating unit and individually changing the intensity of light emitted toward the plurality of drawing positions, each of the plurality of drawing positions has a size corresponding to the intensity of the irradiated light. An irradiation control unit for forming a substantially circular photosensitive spot;
With
When a graphic element having an inclined edge inclined with respect to the first arrangement direction and the second arrangement direction is drawn, the irradiation control unit
Of the drawing positions in the graphic element, the diameter of the first photosensitive spot at each of the plurality of first drawing positions along the inclined edge is not more than a reference diameter equal to twice the pitch,
A diameter of a second photosensitive spot at each of a plurality of second drawing positions adjacent to the inside of the plurality of first drawing positions is larger than the reference diameter;
The pattern drawing apparatus characterized in that the edge of the photosensitive region in the vicinity of the inclined edge is smoothed by the plurality of second photosensitive spots as compared with the case where the edges are formed only by the plurality of first photosensitive spots. The pattern drawing apparatus according to claim 1,
The pattern drawing apparatus, wherein an inclination angle of the inclined edge with respect to the first arrangement direction is not less than 30 ° and not more than 60 °. The pattern drawing apparatus according to claim 2,
The pattern drawing apparatus, wherein the inclination angle is 45 °. The pattern drawing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
The light irradiation unit is
A plurality of light emitting portions that respectively irradiate light to a plurality of irradiation positions that are equally spaced with respect to the first arrangement direction on the photosensitive surface;
A moving mechanism for moving the plurality of irradiation positions relative to the photosensitive surface in the second arrangement direction;
A pattern drawing apparatus comprising: An image forming apparatus for forming a toner image on an object,
A pattern drawing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
A developing unit that develops the pattern by applying toner to the pattern drawn as an electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive surface on the photosensitive member by the pattern drawing device to form a toner image before transfer;
A toner image transfer portion for transferring the toner image to an object;
An image forming apparatus comprising:

Images