EP0098013B1 - Imprimante optique utilisant des éléments commutateurs de lumière - Google Patents

Imprimante optique utilisant des éléments commutateurs de lumière Download PDF

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Publication number
EP0098013B1
EP0098013B1 EP83200923A EP83200923A EP0098013B1 EP 0098013 B1 EP0098013 B1 EP 0098013B1 EP 83200923 A EP83200923 A EP 83200923A EP 83200923 A EP83200923 A EP 83200923A EP 0098013 B1 EP0098013 B1 EP 0098013B1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
light
light switching
switching elements
mask
self
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired
Application number
EP83200923A
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
Other versions
EP0098013A2 (fr
EP0098013A3 (en
Inventor
Bernhard Dr. Hill
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Philips Intellectual Property and Standards GmbH
Koninklijke Philips NV
Original Assignee
Philips Patentverwaltung GmbH
Philips Gloeilampenfabrieken NV
Koninklijke Philips Electronics NV
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Philips Patentverwaltung GmbH, Philips Gloeilampenfabrieken NV, Koninklijke Philips Electronics NV filed Critical Philips Patentverwaltung GmbH
Publication of EP0098013A2 publication Critical patent/EP0098013A2/fr
Publication of EP0098013A3 publication Critical patent/EP0098013A3/de
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP0098013B1 publication Critical patent/EP0098013B1/fr
Expired legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B41—PRINTING; LINING MACHINES; TYPEWRITERS; STAMPS
    • B41J—TYPEWRITERS; SELECTIVE PRINTING MECHANISMS, i.e. MECHANISMS PRINTING OTHERWISE THAN FROM A FORME; CORRECTION OF TYPOGRAPHICAL ERRORS
    • B41J2/00—Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed
    • B41J2/435—Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed characterised by selective application of radiation to a printing material or impression-transfer material
    • B41J2/465—Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed characterised by selective application of radiation to a printing material or impression-transfer material using masks, e.g. light-switching masks

Definitions

  • the invention relates to an optical printer with a light source, a light switching mask with light switching elements and an optical imaging system arranged between the light switching mask and the light-sensitive recording medium for transmitting the light spot patterns generated in the light switching mask on the recording medium.
  • Such an optical printer is known for example from DE-OS 28 12 206 and is shown in principle in FIG. 1.
  • a magneto-optical line of light switching elements is used as the light switching mask, the structure and mode of operation of which are described in DE-OS 26 06 596.
  • Other optical printheads contain rows of light switching elements that are manufactured using the technique of liquid crystals.
  • Yet another technique uses ceramic electro-optical materials to build a light switch line.
  • Optical print heads are used for. B. in electrophotographic printers for line-wise exposure of an optically sensitive recording medium or intermediate carrier, from which z. B. an optical image is produced by a photographic process or in the case of electrophotography by an electrophotographic process.
  • Electrophotographic printers in particular are of increasing importance for printing and office technology for the production of text or graphics on normal paper with high quality.
  • the highest possible density of electronically switchable light points is aimed at in optical printheads in order to increase the image quality.
  • the aim is at least 10 light points per millimeter.
  • a resolution of up to 16 light points per millimeter is already achieved with so-called laser beam print heads.
  • the point density can reach the required size, but the absolute length of a light switch line is limited by the manufacturing technology.
  • the magneto-optical light switching masks described above are manufactured using a photolithographic mask technique. You can only reach lengths of a maximum of a few centimeters.
  • Z. B. light switching masks according to the magneto-optical principle which contain up to 512 switching elements integrated on a carrier with a density of 16 switching elements / mm. Point densities of 20 switching elements / mm can also be achieved without difficulty using today's technology.
  • an optical printer In order to expose a line on a paper page of A4 format in an optical printer, it is then necessary to assemble several such light-switching masks with a line of light-switching elements in a modular manner.
  • an optical printer has been proposed in which a plurality of light switching lines are arranged next to one another and each light switching line is imaged on the recording medium with its own lens.
  • a disadvantage of this design of an optical printhead is that the imaging distance between the object plane of the light switch mask and the image plane of the recording medium is relatively large, since when using single lenses for imaging a line that is several centimeters long, the opening and focal length are limited are.
  • Typical imaging distances for the imaging of approx. 500 light points with a grid of 16 dots / mm are 15 to 20 cm.
  • the diameter of the lenses must also be relatively large so that a large aperture ratio is achieved and as much light as possible from the object points is detected. The relatively high costs for such individual lenses are also disadvantageous.
  • a reduction in the claimed imaging volume can in principle be achieved by dividing it into shorter light switching masks with a correspondingly larger number of imaging lenses.
  • the reason for this is that the focal length of lenses can be chosen to be shorter with a smaller object field to be imaged.
  • a disadvantage of this solution is that the assembly costs increase. Since a larger number of light switching masks and lenses are used, all of which must be positioned exactly one below the other, so that a gapless and straight line of light points is created on the record carrier in the image plane.
  • the invention has for its object to provide an optical printer of the type mentioned, in which on the one hand the lines with the highest possible degree of integration, d. H. high number of pixels are recorded on a substrate, which on the other hand only requires simple and inexpensive imaging optics with a small imaging volume.
  • the light switching elements arranged in a row on the light switching mask are combined into groups which are each separated by an equidistant space in which no light switching elements are provided, and which is opaque and larger than the spacing of the light switching elements within one
  • the group is that the optical imaging system consists of a series of self-focusing lenses of the same dimensions and arranged at regular intervals The same imaging properties exist and that each group of light switching elements is assigned to a self-focusing lens, which maps the associated light spot patterns in a slightly enlarged manner in such a way that in the image plane all of the image points mapped along the entire line are at the same distance.
  • the invention has the advantage that, despite the different distances between the light switching elements, which are caused by the gaps between the individual element groups, a grid is achieved which has the same distances between each grid point.
  • FIG. It contains a linear light source L, which is preceded by a light switching mask S, which consists of a solid support T, on which a row of magneto-optical light switching elements LZ is applied.
  • a light switching mask S can be produced, for example, from a round solid-state disk, as shown in FIG. 4, in which a large number of light switch elements are applied in a known manner in a square division and which is then sawn into strips along the side lines of the squares.
  • the optical imaging system A for transmitting the image patterns generated in the light switching elements LZ is arranged between the recording medium Z and the light switching mask S. This imaging system A thus generates an imprint point on the recording medium for each switched light switching element. The distances between these impression points thus correspond to the distances between the light switching elements.
  • self-focusing lenses or gradient lenses LS are used as imaging system A.
  • These known lenses consist of a glass cylinder in which a concentric refractive index gradient is generated. This refractive index gradient achieves a light-focusing effect that can be used to image light spot patterns.
  • a gradient lens has flat entry and exit surfaces.
  • the length of the lens and the size of the refractive index gradient determine the imaging properties, such as. B. the effective focal length.
  • the lens can be dimensioned such that, in the limit case, the object plane is in the entry plane of the lens and the image plane is in the exit plane, that is to say the beam path for imaging is entirely within the glass rod.
  • a matrix or line-shaped arrangement of many such lenses can be produced as a coherent, compact component.
  • a coherent series of gradient lenses LS are used, which are dimensioned such that the object plane is located a short distance from the entry surface of the lens, and this distance is the optical thickness of the carrier T of the light switching mask S corresponds.
  • the light switching cells LZ are located on the surface of the carrier T.
  • a group M of light switching elements LZ is arranged inside the opening of a gradient lens LS and covers a width that is smaller than the diameter of a lens.
  • the associated light spot pattern is slightly enlarged so that a width R is covered in the image plane of the lens and thus on the recording medium Z, which corresponds to the width of the lens LS.
  • R also determines the pitch of the lenses LS1 to LSn.
  • the focal length of the lenses is only a few millimeters, so that there is a short distance between the object plane of the light switching mask S and the image plane Z.
  • a larger number of gradient lenses LS1, LS2, etc. are arranged next to one another in accordance with the desired width of the print head.
  • Such lenses are known per se and are used for the image scale of 1: 1 in image scanning in copiers.
  • the light switching elements LZ are arranged in groups M in the light switching mask S in such a way that the center distance of the groups M corresponds to the pitch R of the gradient lenses LS.
  • the free, unused space a between the individual groups of light switching elements LZ determines the magnification that is necessary so that in the image plane Z the light points shown abut each other without gaps and form a line of light points at equidistant intervals.
  • each light switch mask S is chosen to be as large as possible so that as few light switch masks as possible have to be positioned relative to one another.
  • the free space a between the groups of light switching elements LZ of a light switching mask is selected to be so large that the spacing b of the light switching masks is selected when a plurality of light switching masks S1, S2 can that the groups M of different light switching masks S are also arranged in an equidistant grid dimension R.
  • the minimum width of the spaces a is determined from the width which is required for the saw cut. This then makes it possible to produce the groups M of many light-switching masks S in the context according to FIG. 4 on a solid-state disk, and then to cut out a certain number of groups M in connection in each case as a light-switching mask S in accordance with optimal technological aspects. This results in an optimal use of the disc area during manufacture.
  • Each group M represents a square on the solid-state disk, which is designated by numbers. A saw cut can be made along these square sides so that light switching masks S of different lengths can be created.
  • the described structure of the optical printhead with the light switching masks mentioned can in principle also be applied to printheads which contain rows of light-emitting diodes (LEDs).
  • LEDs light-emitting diodes
  • the beam path sketched by way of example in FIG. 2 during imaging through a gradient lens produces a positionally inverted image of the object points of a group M.
  • the number of light switching elements LZ in a group M 32 and the length of the group M 1.6 mm, 32 pixels are shown on the recording medium Z, the total length R being 2.0 mm.
  • gradient lenses can also be produced in such a way that the object points are imaged twice with an intermediate image within the lens. This results in a non-inverted image. This can offer advantages for the data organization when controlling the light switch mask.

Landscapes

  • Printers Or Recording Devices Using Electromagnetic And Radiation Means (AREA)

Claims (6)

1. Imprimante optique comportant une source lumineuse, un masque commutateur de lumière muni d'éléments commutateurs de lumière et un système optique de reproduction disposé entre le masque commutateur de lumière et le support d'enregistrement photosensible pour transmettre au support d'enregistrement la configuration de spots engendrée dans le masque commutateur de lumière, caractérisée en ce que les éléments commutateurs de lumière (LZ) arrangés par lignes sur le masque commutateur de lumière (S) sont réunis en groupes (M) séparés par des intervalles égaux (a) dans lesquels ne sont pas prévus d'éléments commutateurs de lumière, intervalles qui sont opaques et qui sont plus grands que la distance séparant les éléments commutateurs de lumière (LZ) d'un groupe (M), en ce que le système optique de reproduction (A) est constitué d'un alignement de lentilles à focalisation automatique (LS) disposées à des distances régulières les unes des autres et présentant des dimensions et des propriétés de reproduction égales et en ce que chaque groupe (M) d'éléments commutateurs de lumière (LZ) est associé à une lentille à focalisation automatique (LS) qui reproduit la trame correspondante de spots de lumière légèrement agrandie, de telle manière que, dans le plan d'image, tous les spots reproduits soient séparés par la même distance sur toute la ligne.
2. Imprimante optique selon la revendication 1, caractérisée en ce que le masque commutateur de lumière (S) muni des éléments commutateurs de lumière (LZ) est monté directement sur les surfaces d'entrée de lumière de la lentille à focalisation automatique (LS), et cela de préférence au moyen d'une colle.
3. Imprimante optique selon les revendications 1 et 2, caractérisée en ce que les lentilles à focalisation automatique (LS) forment une image simple inversée du groupe associé (M) d'éléments commutateurs de lumière (LZ) sur le support d'enregistrement (Z).
4. Imprimante optique selon les revendications 1 et 2, caractérisée en ce que les lentilles à focalisation automatique (LS) forment une image double du groupe associé (M) d'éléments commutateurs de lumière (LZ), image double qui comporte une image intermédiaire située à l'intérieur de chaque lentille à focalisation automatique (LS), de sorte qu'on obtient sur le support d'enregistrement (Z) une position non inversée des points d'image.
5. Imprimante optique selon les revendications 1 à 4, caractérisée en ce que plusieurs masques commutateurs de lumière (S) munis des lentilles à focalisation automatique associées (LS) sont disposés côte à côte et en ce que la distance (b) entre les masques commutateurs de lumière (S) est choisie de façon que la distance comprise entre le dernier élément commutateur de lumière (LZ) d'un masque commutateur de lumière (S1) et le premier élément commutateur de lumière (LZ) du masque commutateur de lumière suivant (S2) corresponde à la distance (a) entre les groupes (M) des éléments commutateurs de lumière (LZ).
6. Imprimante optique selon les revendications précédentes, caractérisée en ce que la structure formée par le masque commutateur de lumière et la source lumineuse est constituée par des alignements intégrés de diodes électroluminescentes.
EP83200923A 1982-06-30 1983-06-22 Imprimante optique utilisant des éléments commutateurs de lumière Expired EP0098013B1 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
DE3224356 1982-06-30
DE19823224356 DE3224356A1 (de) 1982-06-30 1982-06-30 Optischer drucker mit lichtschaltelementen

Publications (3)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0098013A2 EP0098013A2 (fr) 1984-01-11
EP0098013A3 EP0098013A3 (en) 1984-07-04
EP0098013B1 true EP0098013B1 (fr) 1987-11-11

Family

ID=6167193

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP83200923A Expired EP0098013B1 (fr) 1982-06-30 1983-06-22 Imprimante optique utilisant des éléments commutateurs de lumière

Country Status (6)

Country Link
US (1) US4480257A (fr)
EP (1) EP0098013B1 (fr)
JP (1) JPS5912877A (fr)
AU (1) AU558949B2 (fr)
CA (1) CA1204617A (fr)
DE (2) DE3224356A1 (fr)

Families Citing this family (11)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JPS58114978A (ja) * 1981-12-28 1983-07-08 Seiko Epson Corp 液晶光学的印写装置
DE3321346A1 (de) * 1983-06-13 1984-12-13 Philips Patentverwaltung Gmbh, 2000 Hamburg Optischer druckkopf sowie drucker mit einem derartigen druckkopf
DE3435425A1 (de) * 1984-09-27 1986-04-03 Philips Patentverwaltung Gmbh, 2000 Hamburg Magnetooptischer druckkopf
US4639127A (en) * 1985-12-10 1987-01-27 Itt Corporation Exposure apparatus for printing system
US4692016A (en) * 1986-03-14 1987-09-08 Fondation Suisse Pour La Recherche En Microtechnique Process for electrophotographic matrix printing and device for carrying out the process
ATE58605T1 (de) * 1986-07-11 1990-12-15 Siemens Ag Thermo-transfer-druckeinrichtung.
GB8700765D0 (en) * 1987-01-14 1987-02-18 Wiggins Teape Group Ltd Laser apparatus
GB8803560D0 (en) * 1988-02-16 1988-03-16 Wiggins Teape Group Ltd Laser apparatus for repetitively marking moving sheet
DK300689A (da) * 1988-06-21 1989-12-22 Rohm Co Ltd Apparat til optisk skrivning af informationer
US5352495A (en) * 1989-02-16 1994-10-04 The Wiggins Teape Group Limited Treatment of a surface by laser energy
US4967265A (en) * 1989-04-04 1990-10-30 Xerox Corporation Color correction system for an electrophotographic copying machine

Family Cites Families (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE2461253A1 (de) * 1974-12-23 1976-07-01 Berkel Patent Nv Vorrichtung zum aufzeichnen von daten, insbesondere bei einer waage
DE2445150B1 (de) * 1974-09-20 1975-12-04 Max Planck Gesellschaft Abbildungssystem mit einem Wellenleiter
DE2606596C2 (de) * 1976-02-19 1982-05-13 Philips Patentverwaltung Gmbh, 2000 Hamburg Integrierte Lichtmodulationsmatrix für die Bilddarstellung und Bildprojektion
DE2812206A1 (de) * 1978-03-20 1979-10-04 Philips Patentverwaltung Optischer drucker
JPS552254A (en) * 1978-06-20 1980-01-09 Ricoh Co Ltd Focusing type optical transmission body array
US4258978A (en) * 1978-12-05 1981-03-31 American Optical Corporation Image reversing array utilizing gradient refractive index elements
DE2938224A1 (de) * 1979-09-21 1981-04-09 Siemens AG, 1000 Berlin und 8000 München Optische vorrichtung zum beruehrungslosen schreiben

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
EP0098013A2 (fr) 1984-01-11
JPS5912877A (ja) 1984-01-23
DE3374468D1 (en) 1987-12-17
US4480257A (en) 1984-10-30
EP0098013A3 (en) 1984-07-04
AU558949B2 (en) 1987-02-12
DE3224356A1 (de) 1984-01-12
AU1633483A (en) 1984-01-05
CA1204617A (fr) 1986-05-20

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