EP3412469B1 - Bildaufzeichnungsvorrichtung und bildaufzeichnungsverfahren - Google Patents

Bildaufzeichnungsvorrichtung und bildaufzeichnungsverfahren Download PDF

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Publication number
EP3412469B1
EP3412469B1 EP17747611.6A EP17747611A EP3412469B1 EP 3412469 B1 EP3412469 B1 EP 3412469B1 EP 17747611 A EP17747611 A EP 17747611A EP 3412469 B1 EP3412469 B1 EP 3412469B1
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EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
laser light
laser
emission part
laser emission
image
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.)
Active
Application number
EP17747611.6A
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English (en)
French (fr)
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EP3412469A1 (de
EP3412469A4 (de
Inventor
Ichiro Sawamura
Yoshihiko Hotta
Kazuyuki Uetake
Takahiro Furukawa
Tomomi Ishimi
Yasuroh YOKOTA
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Ricoh Co Ltd
Original Assignee
Ricoh Co Ltd
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Application filed by Ricoh Co Ltd filed Critical Ricoh Co Ltd
Priority claimed from PCT/JP2017/004127 external-priority patent/WO2017135460A1/ja
Publication of EP3412469A1 publication Critical patent/EP3412469A1/de
Publication of EP3412469A4 publication Critical patent/EP3412469A4/de
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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
    • B41J2/475—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 for heating selectively by radiation or ultrasonic waves
    • 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
    • B41J2/447—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 arrays of radiation sources
    • 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
    • B41J2/447—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 arrays of radiation sources
    • B41J2/46—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 arrays of radiation sources characterised by using glass fibres

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to an image recording apparatus and an image recording method.
  • Image recording apparatuses which record a visible image on a recording target by irradiating the recording target with laser light to heat the recording target.
  • Patent Literature 1 provides an image recording apparatus including a laser irradiation device such as a laser array in which a plurality of semiconductor lasers serving as laser light-emitting elements are arranged in an array for irradiating positions different from each other in a predetermined direction with laser light emitted from the semiconductor lasers.
  • the image recording apparatus described in Patent Literature 1 irradiates a recording target moving relative to the laser irradiation device in a direction different from the predetermined direction with laser light to record a visible image on the recording target.
  • JP-A-58 148 777 teaches an image recording apparatus configured to irradiate a target with laser light to record an image.
  • the present invention is made in view of the foregoing and is aimed to provide an image recording apparatus and an image recording method capable of suppressing reduction in image density of an image recorded with laser light emitted from an end laser emission part.
  • the present invention provides an image recording apparatus configured to irradiate a recording target with laser light to record an image
  • the image recording apparatus including: a plurality of laser emission parts that are disposed side by side in a predetermined direction and are configured to emit laser light; an optical system configured to collect a plurality of beams of laser light emitted by the laser emission parts onto the recording target moving relative to the laser emission parts in a direction crossing the predetermined direction; and an output control unit configured to perform control such that energy of laser light emitted from an outermost end laser emission part of the laser emission parts is greater than energy of laser light emitted from a center laser emission part, the outermost end laser emission part emitting laser light to be transmitted through vicinity of an end portion of the optical system, the center laser emission part emitting laser light to be transmitted through a portion other than vicinity of the end portion of the optical system.
  • the present invention can suppress reduction in image density of an image recorded with laser light emitted from the end laser emission part.
  • the image recording apparatus irradiates a recording target with laser light to record an image.
  • the image is any information that can be visually recognized and can be selected as appropriate according to the purpose.
  • Examples of the image include characters, symbols, lines, graphics, solid images and combinations thereof, and two-dimensional codes such as barcodes and QR codes (registered trademark).
  • the recording target may be anything recordable with a laser and can be selected as appropriate according to the purpose.
  • the recording target may be anything that can absorb and convert light into heat to form an image, for example, including metal engraving.
  • Examples of the recording target include a thermal recording medium and a structure including a thermal recording part.
  • the thermal recording medium has a support and an image recording layer on the support and further has other layers, if necessary.
  • Each of these layers may be a single layer structure or a multilayer structure or may be formed on the other surface of the support.
  • the image recording layer contains leuco dye and a developer and further contains other components, if necessary.
  • the leuco dye is not limited to a particular dye and can be selected as appropriate from those commonly used in thermal recording materials according to the purpose.
  • leuco compounds such as triphenylmethane-based, fluoran-based, phenothiazine-based, auramine-based, spiropyran-based, and indolinophthalide-based dyes, are preferably used as the leuco dye.
  • a variety of electron-accepting compounds that color the leuco dye when coming into contact therewith or an oxidant can be applied as the developer.
  • binder resin examples include binder resin, photothermal conversion material, thermally fusible substance, antioxidant, photostabilizer, surfactant, slip additive, and filler.
  • the support is not limited to particular shape, structure, size, etc. and can be selected as appropriate according to the purpose.
  • An example of the shape is a flat-plate shape.
  • the structure may be a single layer structure or a multilayer structure.
  • the size can be selected as appropriate according to, for example, the size of the thermal recording medium.
  • Examples of the other layers include photothermal conversion layer, protective layer, underlayer, ultraviolet absorbing layer, oxygen blocking layer, intermediate layer, back layer, adhesive layer, and tacky layer.
  • the thermal recording medium can be processed into a desired shape according to the application.
  • Examples of the shape include card, tag, label, sheet, and roll shapes.
  • Examples of the medium processed into the card shape include prepaid card, discount card, and credit card.
  • the medium processed into a tag size smaller than the card size can be used for, for example, price tags.
  • the medium processed into a tag size larger than the card size can be used for, for example, process management, shipment instructions, and tickets.
  • the medium processed into a label shape that can be affixed is processed into a variety of sizes and affixed to a carriage, a case, a box, a container and the like repeatedly used for process management, product management, and other purposes.
  • the medium processed into a sheet size larger than the card size has a large area for recording an image and therefore can be used for general documents, instructions for process management, and other purposes.
  • thermal recording part of the structure examples are a section where a label-shaped thermal recording medium is affixed on a surface of the structure and a section where a thermal recording material is applied on a surface of the structure.
  • the structure having the thermal recording part may be any structure that has a thermal recording part on a surface of the structure and can be selected as appropriate according to the purpose.
  • Examples of the structure having the thermal recording part include a variety of commercial products, such as plastic bags, PET bottles, and cans, carrying cases such as cardboard boxes and containers, workpieces, and industrial products.
  • An image recording apparatus that records an image on a structure having a thermal recording part as the recording target, specifically, a container C for transportation to which a thermal recording label is affixed as a recording target will be described below by way of illustration.
  • FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of an image recording system 100 serving as an image recording apparatus according to embodiments.
  • the conveyance direction of a container C for transportation is referred to as X-axis direction
  • the vertical direction is referred to as Z-axis direction
  • the direction orthogonal to both of the conveyance direction and the vertical direction is referred to as Y-axis direction.
  • the image recording system 100 irradiates a thermal recording label RL affixed to a container C for transportation as a recording target with laser light to record an image, as will be detailed later.
  • the image recording system 100 includes a conveyor device 10 serving as a recording target conveyance unit, a recording device 14, a system control device 18, a reading device 15, and a shielding cover 11.
  • the recording device 14 irradiates a recording target with laser light to record an image as a visible image on the recording target.
  • the recording device 14 is arranged on the -Y side of the conveyor device 10, that is, the -Y side of the conveyance path.
  • the shielding cover 11 provides a shield from laser light emitted from the recording device 14 to reduce diffusion of laser light and has a surface with a black, anodic oxide coating. A part of the shielding cover 11 that is opposed to the recording device 14 has an opening 11a for allowing laser light to pass through.
  • the conveyor device 10 is a roller conveyor in the present embodiment, it may be a belt conveyor.
  • the system control device 18 is connected with the conveyor device 10, the recording device 14, and the reading device 15 for controlling the entire image recording system 100. As will be described later, the reading device 15 scans a code image such as a two-dimensional code such as a barcode and a QR code recorded on a recording target. The system control device 18 checks whether an image is correctly recorded, based on information scanned by the reading device 15.
  • a code image such as a two-dimensional code such as a barcode and a QR code recorded on a recording target.
  • the system control device 18 checks whether an image is correctly recorded, based on information scanned by the reading device 15.
  • the thermal recording label RL affixed to the container C will now be described.
  • the thermal recording label RL is a thermal recording medium on which an image is recorded by heat changing a color tone.
  • a thermal recording medium subjected to one-time image recording is used as a thermal recording label RL.
  • a thermo-reversible recording medium recordable multiple times may be used as a thermal recording label RL.
  • the thermal recording medium used as a thermal recording label RL in the present embodiment includes a material (photothermal conversion material) that absorbs and converts laser light into heat and a material that develops a change in hue, reflectivity, etc. by heat.
  • the photothermal conversion material can be classified mainly into inorganic material and organic material.
  • the inorganic material include particles of at least one of carbon black, metal borides, and metal oxides of Ge, Bi, In, Te, Se, Cr, etc.
  • the inorganic material is preferably a material having high absorption of light in the near-infrared wavelength region and low absorption of light in the visible light wavelength region.
  • the metal borides and the metal oxides are preferred.
  • the inorganic material is preferably, for example, at least one selected from hexaborides, tungsten oxide compounds, antimony tin oxide (ATO), indium tin oxide (ITO), and zinc antimonate.
  • hexaborides examples include LaB 6 , CeB 6 , PrB 6 , NdB 6 , GdB 6 , TbB 6 , DyB 6 , HoB 6 , YB 6 , SmB 6 , EuB 6 , ErB 6 , TmB 6 , YbB 6 , LuB 6 , SrB 6 , CaB 6 , and (La, Ce)B 6 .
  • tungsten oxide compounds include fine particles of tungsten oxide of general formula: WyOz (where W is tungsten, O is oxygen, 2.2 ⁇ z/y ⁇ 2.999) as described in WO2005/037932 and Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No.
  • MxWyOz (where M is one or more elements selected from H, He, alkali metals, alkaline-earth metals, rare-earth elements, Mg, Zr, Cr, Mn, Fe, Ru, Co, Rh, Ir, Ni, Pd, Pt, Cu, Ag, Au, Zn, Cd, Al, Ga, In, Tl, Si, Ge, Sn, Pb, Sb, B, F, P, S, Se, Br, Te, Ti, Nb, V, Mo, Ta, Re, Be, Hf, Os, Bi, and I, W is tungsten, O is oxygen, 0.001 ⁇ x/y ⁇ 1, 2.2 ⁇ z/y ⁇ 3.0).
  • cesium-containing tungsten oxide is particularly preferred as the tungsten oxide compound in terms of high absorption in the near-infrared region and low absorption in the visible light region.
  • ITO antimony tin oxide
  • ITO indium tin oxide
  • zinc antimonate ITO is particularly preferred as the tungsten oxide compound in terms of high absorption in the near-infrared region and low absorption in the visible light region. These are formed in the form of a layer by vacuum vapor deposition or bonding a particulate material with resin.
  • a variety of dyes can be used as appropriate as the organic material depending on the light wavelengths to be absorbed.
  • a semiconductor laser is used as a light source
  • near-infrared absorbing pigment having an absorption peak in the vicinity of 600 nm to 1200 nm is used.
  • the organic material include cyanine pigment, quinone-based pigment, quinoline derivatives of indonaphthol, phenylenediamine-based nickel complex, and phthalocyanine-based pigment.
  • the photothermal conversion material may be used singly or in combination of two or more.
  • the photothermal conversion material may be provided in the image recording layer or may be provided outside the image recording layer.
  • a photothermal conversion layer is preferably provided adjacent to a thermo-reversible recording medium.
  • the photothermal conversion layer at least contains the photothermal conversion material and a binder resin.
  • the material that develops a change in hue, reflectivity, etc. by heat may be, for example, a known material that includes a combination of an electron-donating dye precursor and an electron-accepting developer for use in conventional thermal paper.
  • the material that develops a change in hue, reflectivity, etc. by heat includes a material that develops a change, such as a complex reaction of heat and light, for example, a color-changing reaction involved with solid phase polymerization by heating a diacetylene-based compound and ultraviolet light radiation.
  • FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view of a configuration of the recording device 14.
  • a fiber array recording device is used as the recording device 14.
  • the fiber array recording device records an image using a fiber array in which the laser emission parts of a plurality of optical fibers are arranged in an array in the main-scanning direction (the Z-axis direction) orthogonal to the sub-scanning direction (the X-axis direction) that is the moving direction of the container C serving as a recording target.
  • the fiber array recording device irradiates a recording target with laser light emitted from laser light-emitting elements through the fiber array to record an image including units of drawing.
  • the recording device 14 includes a laser array unit 14a, a fiber array unit 14b, and an optical unit 43.
  • the laser array unit 14a includes a plurality of laser light-emitting elements 41 arranged in an array, a cooling unit 50 for cooling the laser light-emitting elements 41, a plurality of drivers 45 provided corresponding to the laser light-emitting elements 41 for driving the corresponding laser light-emitting elements 41, and a controller 46 for controlling a plurality of drivers 45.
  • the controller 46 is connected with a power supply 48 for supplying electricity to the laser light-emitting elements 41 and an image information output unit 47 such as a personal computer for outputting image information.
  • the laser light-emitting element 41 can be selected as appropriate according to the purpose and, for example, a semiconductor laser, a solid-state laser, a pigment laser, or the like can be used. Among those, a semiconductor laser is preferably used as the laser light-emitting element 41 in terms of wide wavelength selectivity, compactness which allows size reduction of the device, and low costs.
  • the wavelength of the laser light emitted by the laser light-emitting element 41 is not limited and can be selected as appropriate according to the purpose.
  • the wavelength of the laser light is preferably 700 nm to 2000 nm, more preferably 780 nm to 1600 nm.
  • the applied energy is not entirely converted into laser light.
  • the laser light-emitting element 41 generate heat, as a result of energy not converted into laser light being converted into heat.
  • the laser light-emitting element 41 is cooled by the cooling unit 50 serving as a cooler.
  • the recording device 14 of the present embodiment uses the fiber array unit 14b to allow the laser light-emitting elements 41 to be spaced apart from each other. This arrangement can reduce the effect of heat from the adjacent laser light-emitting elements 41 to enable efficient cooling of the laser light-emitting elements 41, thereby avoiding temperature increase and variations of the laser light-emitting elements 41, reducing output variations of laser light, and alleviating density unevenness and white spots.
  • the output of laser light is the average output measured by a power meter. There are two methods for controlling the output of laser light: controlling the peak power and controlling the light emission ratio (duty: laser light emission time/cycle time) of a pulse.
  • the cooling unit 50 is a liquid cooling system that cools the laser light-emitting elements 41 by circulating a coolant and includes a heat receiver 51 for allowing the coolant to receive heat from each laser light-emitting element 41 and a heat dissipator 52 for dissipating heat of the coolant.
  • the heat receiver 51 and the heat dissipator 52 are connected to each other through cooling pipes 53a and 53b.
  • the heat receiver 51 is provided with a cooling tube formed of a high conductive material for allowing the coolant to flow in a case formed of a high conductive material.
  • a plurality of laser light-emitting elements 41 are arranged in an array on the heat receiver 51.
  • the heat dissipator 52 includes a radiator and a pump for circulating the coolant.
  • the coolant ejected by the pump in the heat dissipator 52 passes through the cooling pipe 53a to flow into the heat receiver 51.
  • the coolant then removes heat of the laser light-emitting elements 41 arrayed on the heat receiver 51 while moving in the cooling tube in the heat receiver 51 to cool the laser light-emitting elements 41.
  • the coolant with temperature increased by heat removed from the laser light-emitting elements 41 flows out of the heat receiver 51, moves through the cooling pipe 53b, and flows into the radiator in the heat dissipator 52 to be cooled by the radiator.
  • the coolant cooled by the radiator is ejected again by the pump to the heat receiver 51.
  • the fiber array unit 14b includes a plurality of optical fibers 42 provided corresponding to the laser light-emitting elements 41 and an array head 44 holding the vicinity of laser emission parts 42a (see FIG. 3-2 ) of the optical fibers 42 in the form of an array in the vertical direction (the Z-axis direction).
  • the laser light entrance part of each optical fiber 42 is attached to the laser light emission face of the corresponding laser light-emitting element 41.
  • the Z-axis direction is an example of the predetermined direction.
  • FIG. 3-1 is an enlarged schematic diagram of the optical fiber 42.
  • FIG. 3-2 is an enlarged view of the vicinity of the array head 44.
  • the optical fiber 42 is an optical waveguide of laser light emitted from the laser light-emitting element 41.
  • the optical fiber 42 is not limited to particular shape, size (diameter), material, structure, etc. and can be selected as appropriate according to the purpose.
  • the size (diameter d1) of the optical fiber 42 is preferably not less than 15 ⁇ m to not more than 1000 ⁇ m.
  • the diameter d1 of the optical fiber 42 is advantageously not less than 15 ⁇ m to not more than 1000 ⁇ m in terms of the fineness of an image.
  • the optical fiber 42 used in the present embodiment has a diameter of 125 ⁇ m.
  • the material of the optical fiber 42 is not limited and can be selected as appropriate according to the purpose. Examples of the material include glass, resin, and quartz.
  • a preferable structure of the optical fiber 42 includes a core at the center to allow laser light to pass through and a cladding layer provided on the outer periphery of the core.
  • the diameter d2 of the core is not limited and can be selected as appropriate according to the purpose.
  • the diameter d2 is preferably not less than 10 ⁇ m to not more than 500 ⁇ m.
  • an optical fiber having a core diameter d2 of 105 ⁇ m is used.
  • the material of the core is not limited and can be selected as appropriate according to the purpose, and examples include glass doped with germanium or phosphorus.
  • the average thickness of the cladding layer is not limited and can be selected as appropriate according to the purpose.
  • the average thickness is preferably not less than 10 ⁇ m to not more than 250 ⁇ m.
  • the material of the cladding layer is not limited and can be selected as appropriate according to the purpose. Examples of the material of the cladding layer include glass doped with boron or fluorine.
  • the vicinity of the laser emission parts 42a of a plurality of optical fibers 42 is held in an array by the array head 44 such that the pitch of the laser emission part 42a of each optical fiber 42 is 127 ⁇ m.
  • the pitch of the laser emission part 42a is 127 ⁇ m such that an image with a resolution of 200 dpi can be recorded.
  • the array head 44 is elongated and easily deformed. As a result, it is difficult to keep the linearity beam arrangement and the evenness of beam pitches with a single array head 44. For this reason, the array head 44 is configured to hold 100 to 200 optical fibers 42. Based on this, in the recording device 14, it is preferable that a plurality of array heads 44 each holding 100 to 200 optical fibers 42 are disposed side by side in the Z-axis direction orthogonal to the conveyance direction of the container C. In the present embodiment, 200 array heads 44 are disposed side by side in the Z-axis direction.
  • FIG. 4-1 to FIG. 4-5 are diagrams illustrating examples of the disposition of the array heads 44.
  • FIG. 4-1 is an example in which a plurality of array heads 44 of the fiber array unit 14b in the recording device 14 are arranged in an array in the Z-axis direction.
  • FIG. 4-2 is an example in which a plurality of array heads 44 of the fiber array unit 14b in the recording device 14 are arranged in a staggered pattern.
  • the arrangement of a plurality of array heads 44 is preferably in a staggered pattern as illustrated in FIG. 4-2 , rather than the linear arrangement in the Z-axis direction as illustrated in FIG. 4-1 , in terms of easiness of assembly.
  • FIG. 4-3 is an example in which a plurality of array heads 44 of the fiber array unit 14b in the recording device 14 are arranged at an angle in the X-axis direction. Arranging a plurality of array heads 44 as illustrated in FIG. 4-3 can reduce the pitch P of the optical fiber 42 in the Z-axis direction, compared with the arrangements illustrated in FIG. 4-1 and FIG. 4-2 , thereby achieving a higher resolution.
  • FIG. 4-4 illustrates an example of the arrangement in which two array head groups, each having a plurality of array heads 44 in a staggered pattern of the fiber array unit 14b in the recording device 14, are arranged in the sub-scanning direction (the X-axis direction), and one of the array head groups is shifted from the other array head group by half the array pitch of the optical fiber 42 in the array head 44 in the main-scanning direction (the Z-axis direction).
  • Arranging a plurality of array heads 44 as illustrated in FIG. 4-4 can also reduce the pitch P of the optical fiber 42 in the Z-axis direction, compared with the arrangements illustrated in FIG. 4-1 and FIG. 4-2 , thereby achieving a higher resolution.
  • the recording device 14 of the present embodiment transmits and records image information in a direction orthogonal to the scanning direction of the thermal recording label RL affixed to the container C for transportation as a recording target, under the control of the system control device 18. Therefore, if there is a difference between scanning of the thermal recording label RL and the transmission timing of image information in the orthogonal direction, the recording device 14 stores the image information into a memory, leading to increase in the amount of stored image.
  • the arrangement example of a plurality of array heads 44 illustrated in FIG. 4-4 can reduce the amount of information stored in the memory of the system control device 18, compared with the arrangement example of a plurality of array heads 44 illustrated in FIG. 4-3 .
  • FIG. 4-5 illustrates an example in which two array head groups, each having a plurality of array heads 44 illustrated in FIG. 4-4 in a staggered pattern, are stacked into a single array head group.
  • Such array heads 44 in two array head groups stacked into a single array head group can be readily fabricated in manufacturing and can achieve a higher resolution.
  • the arrangement example of array heads 44 illustrated in FIG. 4-5 can reduce the amount of information stored in the memory of the system control device 18, compared with the arrangement example of a plurality of array heads 44 illustrated in FIG. 4-4 .
  • the optical unit 43 as an example of the optical system includes a collimator lens 43a for converting divergent beams of laser light exiting from each optical fiber 42 into parallel beams and a condenser lens 43b for collecting laser light onto a surface of the thermal recording label RL serving as a laser irradiated surface. Whether to provide the optical unit 43 can be determined as appropriate depending on the purpose.
  • One of the commonly used recording methods is image-transfer of a plurality of laser light beams emitted from the laser emission parts 42a (see FIG. 3-2 ) onto a recording target at 1:1 by the optical unit 43.
  • the light collecting angle is the same as the spread angle (NA) of laser light.
  • the size of the array head 44 is determined by the number of laser emission parts 42a, and furthermore, the size of the optical system (optical unit 43) irradiated with laser light emitted from the laser emission parts 42a is also determined by the array heads 44.
  • the laser light emitted from the laser emission parts 42a (outermost end laser emission parts) at the outermost ends positioned at both ends of the array head 44, of a plurality of laser emission parts 42a passes through the vicinity of the end portions of the optical unit 43, whereas the laser light emitted from the laser emission parts 42a (center laser emission part) at the center of the array head 44 passes through the vicinity of the center portion of the optical unit 43.
  • the beam shape of laser light emitted from the laser emission part 42a at both ends and the center of the array head 44 may differ from each other due to the effect of lens aberration at the recording position of an image after collecting light. That the beam shape of laser light emitted from the laser emission part 42a at both ends and the center of the array head 44 differs from each other indicates that the beam diameter and the light distribution vary therebetween. If the beam shape of laser light differs in this manner, the energy density changes, and the image density differs between the center and both ends of an image recorded on a recording target. The image density at both ends is generally lower than the image density at the center.
  • a phenomenon also occurs in which the beam diameter at the image recording position is larger at both ends than at the center.
  • the light distribution of the emitted laser light is a top hat distribution.
  • a phenomenon additionally occurs in which the center of image transfer has a top hat distribution but the top hat distribution changes at both ends, so that the image density is significantly reduced at both ends relative to the center. This phenomenon occurs in a configuration in which the array head 44 has many light sources and increases in length and the effect of aberration of the optical system is large accordingly.
  • the image information output unit 47 such as a personal computer outputs image information to the controller 46.
  • the controller 46 generates a drive signal for driving each driver 45 based on the input image information.
  • the controller 46 transmits the generated drive signal to each driver 45.
  • the controller 46 includes a clock generator. When the number of clocks generated by the clock generator reaches a prescribed number of clocks, the controller 46 transmits a drive signal for driving each driver 45, to the driver 45.
  • Each driver 45 drives the corresponding laser light-emitting element 41.
  • the laser light-emitting element 41 emits laser light in accordance with the driving by the driver 45.
  • the laser light emitted from the laser light-emitting element 41 enters the corresponding optical fiber 42 and exits the laser emission part 42a of the optical fiber 42.
  • the laser light emitted from the laser emission part 42a of the optical fiber 42 is transmitted through the collimator lens 43a and the condenser lens 43b in the optical unit 43 and then irradiates the surface of the thermal recording label RL on the container C as a recording target.
  • the surface of the thermal recording label RL irradiated with laser light is heated, whereby an image is recorded on the surface of the thermal recording label RL.
  • a recording device that records an image on a recording target with laser light deflected by a galvano-mirror
  • an image such as character is recorded by emitting laser light so as to draw an image in one stroke with rotation of the galvano-mirror.
  • recording lags behind if the conveyance of the recording target is not stopped.
  • a laser array having a plurality of laser light-emitting elements 41 arranged in an array is used to record an image on a recording target by ON/OFF control of the laser light-emitting element 41 corresponding to each pixel.
  • This configuration enables recording of an image on a recording target without stopping the conveyance of the container C even when the amount of information is large. Accordingly, the recording device 14 of the present embodiment can record an image without reducing the productivity even when a large amount of information is to be recorded on a recording target.
  • the recording device 14 of the present embodiment since the recording device 14 of the present embodiment records an image on a recording target by irradiating and heating the recording target with laser light, it is necessary to use laser light-emitting elements 41 with some high degree of power. For this reason, the amount of generated heat in the laser light-emitting elements 41 is large.
  • the laser light-emitting elements 41 need to be arranged in an array with spacing corresponding to the resolution. It follows that, in the conventional laser array recording device, the laser light-emitting elements 41 are arranged at extremely narrow pitches in order to achieve a resolution of 200 dpi.
  • the conventional laser array recording device heat of the laser light-emitting elements 41 hardly escapes, leading to increase in the temperature of the laser light-emitting elements 41.
  • the wavelength and the light output of the laser light-emitting element 41 vary to prevent the recording target from being heated to a defined temperature, leading to a failure to produce a satisfactory image.
  • the cooling unit 50 usually employs a chiller system. In this system, heating is not performed and only cooling is performed. Thus, although the temperature of the light source does not become higher than the setting temperature of the chiller, the temperature of the cooling unit 50 and the laser light-emitting element 41 serving a laser light source in contact therewith varies depending on the environment temperature.
  • a semiconductor laser is used as the laser light-emitting element 41, a phenomenon occurs in which the laser output changes with the temperature of the laser light-emitting element 41 (the laser output is high when the temperature of the laser light-emitting element 41 is low).
  • the recording device 14 of the present embodiment is a fiber array recording device including the fiber array unit 14b.
  • the fiber array recording device it is only necessary to arrange the laser emission parts 42a of the fiber array unit 14b with pitches corresponding to the resolution, and there is no need for setting the pitch between the laser light-emitting elements 41 of the laser array unit 14a to a pitch corresponding to the image resolution.
  • the pitch between the laser light-emitting elements 41 can be wide enough to sufficiently dissipate heat of the laser light-emitting element 41.
  • the recording device 14 of the present embodiment can prevent the laser light-emitting element 41 from becoming hot and suppress variations of the wavelength and the light output of the laser light-emitting element 41. As a result, the recording device 14 of the present embodiment can record a satisfactory image on a recording target. Further, even when the light emission interval of the laser light-emitting element 41 is short, temperature increase of the laser light-emitting element 41 can be prevented, and the conveyance speed of the container C can be increased, thereby increasing the productivity.
  • the cooling unit 50 is provided to liquid-cool the laser light-emitting element 41, thereby further preventing temperature increase of the laser light-emitting element 41. Consequently, in the recording device 14 of the present embodiment, the light emission interval of the laser light-emitting element 41 can be further reduced, and the conveyance speed of the container C can be increased, thereby increasing the productivity.
  • the laser light-emitting element 41 is liquid-cooled.
  • the laser light-emitting element 41 may be air-cooled, for example, using a cooling fan. Liquid cooling has higher cooling efficiency than air-cooling and has the advantage of cooling the laser light-emitting element 41 well. By contrast, air-cooling is inferior to liquid cooling in cooling efficiency but has the advantage of cooling the laser light-emitting element 41 inexpensively.
  • FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating part of an electric circuit in the image recording system 100.
  • the system control device 18 includes a CPU, a RAM, a ROM, and a nonvolatile memory and controls driving of the devices in the image recording system 100 and performs a variety of arithmetic operations.
  • This system control device 18 is connected with the conveyor device 10, the recording device 14, the reading device 15, the operation panel 181, and the image information output unit 47.
  • the operation panel 181 includes a touch panel display and a variety of keys to display an image and accept a variety of information input through key operation by the operator.
  • first temperature sensor 182 serving as a recording target temperature detection unit for detecting the surface temperature of a recording target
  • second temperature sensor 183 serving as an environment temperature detection unit for detecting the environment temperature.
  • the first temperature sensor 182 is provided on a wall surface of the shielding cover 11 opposed to the thermal recording label RL.
  • the second temperature sensor 183 is provided on a wall surface of the system control device 18.
  • the CPU operates under instructions of a program stored in the ROM or the nonvolatile memory to allow the system control device 18 to function as an output control unit.
  • the output control unit controls the output of the laser light-emitting element 41 corresponding to each laser emission part 42a.
  • the output control unit performs control such that the energy of laser light exiting from the outermost end laser emission part that emits laser light to be transmitted through the vicinity of the end portion of the optical unit 43, of a plurality of laser emission parts 42a, is greater than the energy of laser light exiting from the center laser emission part that emits laser light to be transmitted through a portion other than the end portion of the optical unit 43.
  • the output control unit performs control such that the energy of laser light exiting from the end laser emission part positioned at the end of the array head 44 (laser head unit), excluding the outermost end laser emission part, is greater than the energy of laser light exiting from a laser emission part other than the outermost end laser emission part and the end laser emission part.
  • the output control unit controls output of laser light exiting from each laser emission part 42a in accordance with the distance in the X-axis direction between the array heads 44 and/or the conveyance speed (relative moving speed) of the container C serving as a recording target relative to the laser emission part 42a.
  • the output control unit controls the output of laser light exiting from each laser emission part 42a in accordance with the surface temperature (detection result) of a recording target detected by the first temperature sensor 182 and/or the environment temperature (detection result) detected by the second temperature sensor 183.
  • the output control unit also controls the output of laser light exiting from the laser emission part 42a, based on whether laser light is emitted from the adjacent laser emission part.
  • the output control unit also controls the energy of laser light emitted from the laser emission part 42a in accordance with the temperature of the laser light-emitting element 41.
  • the output control unit allows the laser emission part 42a to emit laser light to record an image on a recording medium while the conveyor device 10 (recording target conveyance unit) conveys the recording target.
  • a container C containing packages is placed on the conveyor device 10 by an operator.
  • the operator places the container C on the conveyor device 10 such that a side surface of the body of the container C with a thermal recording label RL is positioned on the -Y side, that is, such that the side surface is opposed to the recording device 14.
  • the operator operates the operation panel 181 to start the system control device 18, so that a conveyance start signal is transmitted from the operation panel 181 to the system control device 18.
  • the system control device 18, receiving the conveyance start signal, starts driving the conveyor device 10.
  • the container C placed on the conveyor device 10 is then conveyed by the conveyor device 10 toward the recording device 14.
  • the conveyance speed of the container C is, for example, 2 [m/sec].
  • a sensor Upstream from the recording device 14 in the conveyance direction of the container C, a sensor is arranged for detecting the container C conveyed on the conveyor device 10. When this sensor detects a container C, a detection signal is transmitted from the sensor to the system control device 18.
  • the system control device 18 has a timer. The system control device 18 starts counting the time using the timer at a timing when it receives the detection signal from the sensor. The system control device 18 then grasps the timing when the container C reaches the recording device 14, based on the elapsed time since the timing of receiving the detecting signal.
  • the system control device 18 At the timing when the elapsed time since the timing of receiving the detection signal is T1 and the container C reaches the recording device 14, the system control device 18 outputs a recording start signal to the recording device 14 so as to record an image on the thermal recording label RL affixed to the container C passing through the recording device 14.
  • the recording device 14 receiving the recording start signal, irradiates the thermal recording label RL on the container C moving relative to the recording device 14 with laser light having a predetermined power, based on the image information received from the image information output unit 47. An image is thus recorded on the thermal recording label RL in a contactless manner.
  • the image recorded on the thermal recording label RL (image information transmitted from the image information output unit 47) is, for example, a character image such as contents of the packages contained in the container C and destination information, and a code image such as barcode and two-dimensional code (for example, QR codes), which are coded information such as contents of the packages contained in the container C and destination information.
  • a character image such as contents of the packages contained in the container C and destination information
  • a code image such as barcode and two-dimensional code (for example, QR codes)
  • the container C having an image recorded during the course of passing through the recording device 14 passes through the reading device 15.
  • the reading device 15 reads the code image such as barcode and two-dimensional code recorded on the thermal recording label RL and acquires information such as the contents of packages contained in the container C and destination information.
  • the system control device 18 compares information acquired from the code image with image information transmitted from the image information output unit 47 and checks whether the image is recorded correctly. When the image is recorded correctly, the system control device 18 sends the container C to the next step (for example, transportation preparation step) through the conveyor device 10.
  • the system control device 18 When the image is not recorded correctly, the system control device 18 temporarily stops the conveyor device 10 and provides display on the operation panel 181 to indicate that the image is not correctly recorded. When the image is not correctly recorded, the system control device 18 may convey the container C to a prescribed destination.
  • the array heads 44 as an example of the laser head unit are arrayed in the Z-axis direction (predetermined direction) and arranged at positions different from adjacent array heads 44 in the X-axis direction orthogonal to the Z-axis direction, as illustrated in FIG. 4-2 .
  • the image density of dots corresponding to the laser emission parts 42a(1), 42a(n), 42a(n+1), 42a(2n), and 42a(2n+1), 42a(3n) (see FIG. 6 ) of the optical fibers 42 positioned at the ends of the array heads 44 is lower than the prescribed image density. It has been found that this defect occurs for the reasons below.
  • the laser light exiting from the laser emission part 42a of the optical fiber 42 affects not only a dot corresponding to the optical fiber 42 but also a dot corresponding to the optical fiber 42 adjacent to the dot in the Z-axis direction.
  • the temperature of the dot then rises to a coloring temperature K4 due to the effect of laser light exiting from the laser emission part 42a corresponding to the dot and laser light exiting from the adjacent laser emission parts 42a, and color is developed at a prescribed image density.
  • the laser emission part (42a(1), 42a(n), 42a(n+1) ... (see FIG. 6 )) positioned at an end of the array head 44 is adjacent to the laser emission part 42a only on one side.
  • the dot corresponding to the laser emission part 42a(1) (hereinafter referred to as the outermost end laser emission part) positioned at the outermost end in the Z-axis direction illustrated in FIG. 6 , of the laser emission parts 42a positioned at the ends of the array heads 44, is affected only by the laser light emitted from the laser emission part 42a(2) adjacent to the laser emission part 42a(1).
  • the temperature of the recording layer of the thermal recording label RL does not rise to the coloring temperature, and a color is not developed well, resulting in a lower image density.
  • the laser light emitted from the outermost end laser emission part passes through the vicinity of the end portion of the optical unit 43 (see FIG. 2 ).
  • the end laser emission part As for the laser emission part (hereinafter referred to as the end laser emission part) positioned at an end of the array head 44, excluding the outermost end laser emission parts, such as laser emission parts 42a(n) and 42a(n+1) illustrated in FIG. 6 , the end laser emission part of another array head 44 is present at a distance of d [mm] in the X-axis direction at the same pitch as the adjacent laser emission part in the Z-axis direction. Therefore, the dot corresponding to the end laser emission part is affected by the laser light from the adjacent laser emission part and the laser light from the end laser emission part of another array head 44. However, the end laser emission part is spaced apart from the end laser emission part of another array head 44 by d [mm] in the X-axis direction.
  • the array heads 44 need to be arranged such that the distance d in the X-axis direction between adjacent array heads 44 is minimized.
  • the distance in the X-axis direction from the physically adjacent array head 44 is unable to be reduced enough because of the length in the X-axis direction of the array head 44, the length in the X-axis direction of the collimator lens 43a and the condenser lens 43b included in the optical unit 43, and the length in the X-axis direction of the optical system holding member that holds the collimator lens 43a and the condenser lens 43b.
  • the image density is also low at a part of the recording target irradiated with laser light exiting from the laser emission part positioned at the end of the array head 44, in the same manner as in the staggered arrangement in FIG. 4-2 .
  • Patent Literature 2 reduction in image density at an end is suppressed by increasing the core diameter of the optical fiber disposed at the end of the fiber array.
  • the core diameter is increased, the beam diameter of laser light emitted from the laser emission part of the optical fiber increases, and the energy density of laser light decreases. Therefore, the temperature of the dot fails to increase to the coloring temperature, and reduction of the image density fails to be alleviated.
  • the output control unit of the system control device 18 then performs control such that optical energy of laser light exiting from the laser emission part (the outermost end laser emission part and the end laser emission part) positioned at the end of the array head 44 is higher than the optical energy of laser light exiting from other laser emission parts.
  • the outermost end or the end is not applied to a single element but includes a few elements (about 5% of all the elements in one array) inside from there.
  • FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating the outputs of the laser light-emitting elements 41 corresponding to the laser emission parts 42a.
  • the laser emission parts 42a are arranged side by side in the Z-axis direction (predetermined direction).
  • the output of the laser light-emitting element 41 corresponding to the outermost end laser emission part (for example, 42a(1)) positioned at the outermost end in the Z-axis direction, of the laser emission parts 42a positioned at the ends of the array heads 44, is c [W].
  • the output of the laser light-emitting element 41 corresponding to the end laser emission part (for example, 42a(n) and 42a(n+1), excluding the one described above, positioned at the end of the array head 44 is b [W].
  • the output of the laser light-emitting element 41 corresponding to the laser emission part at the center (other laser emission part) adjacent to the laser emission parts on both sides is a [W].
  • the relation of outputs of the laser light-emitting elements 41 is a ⁇ b ⁇ c.
  • the output of the laser light-emitting element 41 corresponding to the outermost end laser emission part or the end laser emission part is higher than the output of the laser light-emitting element 41 corresponding to the laser emission part at the center, so that the optical energy of the laser light exiting from the outermost end laser emission part or the end laser emission part is higher than the optical energy of laser light exiting from the laser emission part at the center.
  • the output control unit performs control such that the energy of laser light exiting from the end laser emission part is not less than 103% to not more than 150% of the energy of laser light exiting from other laser emission parts. That is, in FIG. 6 , the output a is 5.0 [W], and the output b and the output c are set to 103% to 150% of the output a. Setting the output b and the output c to 103% or more of the output a can make the image density unevenness less noticeable. Setting the outputs b and c to 150% or less of the output a prevents the recording target from being heated to the coloring temperature or higher and restrains the recording target from burning. The above-noted range can be set as appropriate, for example, according to the characteristics of the recording target to be used and the characteristics of the laser light-emitting element 41.
  • each laser light-emitting element 41 can be set to a desired output by adjusting voltage and current to be applied to the laser light-emitting element 41.
  • the output b [W] of the laser light-emitting element 41 corresponding to the end laser emission part is set based on, for example, the distance d [mm] in the X-axis direction between the array heads 44 and the conveyance speed v [m/sec] of the container C. That is, as the distance d [mm] decreases, the time decreases taken for laser light to be emitted from the laser emission part 42a arranged in the array head 44 downstream in the conveyance direction (the + X-axis direction side) after laser light is emitted from the laser emission part 42a arranged in the array head 44 upstream in the conveyance direction (the - X-axis direction side).
  • the effect of temperature increase by laser light from the end laser emission part of the array head 44 upstream in the conveyance direction (the - X-axis direction side) still remains. Therefore, the temperature of the corresponding dot can be increased to the coloring temperature without increasing optical energy so much.
  • the distance d [mm] in the X-axis direction between the array heads 44 increases, the effect of the temperature increase decreases, and the temperature of the corresponding dot is unable to be increased to the coloring temperature unless the output of the laser light-emitting element 41 is increased and the optical energy of laser light irradiating the recording target is increased.
  • the temperature of the corresponding dot can be increased to the coloring temperature even when the output of the laser light-emitting element 41 corresponding to the end laser emission part is not so large.
  • the output control unit controls the energy of laser light exiting from the end laser emission part, excluding the outermost end laser emission part, depending on the relative moving speed of a recording target.
  • the output of the laser light-emitting element 41 corresponding to the end laser emission part may be set to a value equal to the output c [W] of the laser light-emitting element 41 corresponding to the outermost end laser emission part, rather than based on the distance d [mm] in the X-axis direction between the array heads 44 and the conveyance speed v (m/s) of the container C.
  • This configuration also enables the temperature of the dot corresponding to the end laser emission part to increase to the coloring temperature.
  • the recording target is irradiated with laser light having optical energy higher than necessary, which may cause reduction of recording density or burning of the recording target.
  • the recording target therefore can be irradiated with laser light with optimum optical energy by setting the output b [W] based on the conveyance speed v (m/s) of the container C and the distance d [mm] in the X-axis direction between the array heads 44.
  • This configuration enables the temperature of the dot corresponding to the end laser emission part to increase to the coloring temperature and suppress reduction of recording density and burning of the recording target.
  • the user can set the conveyance speed v (m/s) of the container C as appropriate. Therefore, when the user operates the operation panel 181 to change the conveyance speed v (m/s) of the container C, the system control device 18 changes the output b [W].
  • the temperature drop in a period from when laser light exits from the laser emission part 42a in the array head 44 upstream in the conveyance direction (the - X-axis direction side) to when laser light exits from the laser emission part 42a of the array head 44 downstream in the conveyance direction (the + X-axis direction side) varies depending on the temperature of the recording target and/or the environment temperature. More specifically, when the temperature of the recording target and the environment temperature are high, heat is less likely to escape, and a temperature drop is suppressed.
  • the output control unit controls the energy of laser light exiting from the end laser emission part, depending on the temperature of the recording target and/or the environment temperature.
  • FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of the control flow of changing the output b [W] of the laser light-emitting element 41 corresponding to the end laser emission part, based on the detection result of the first temperature sensor 182 detecting the surface temperature of a recording target.
  • the output control unit monitors whether the first temperature sensor 182 has detected the surface temperature of the recording target (S1).
  • the temperature of the thermal recording label RL serving as a thermal recording part of the recording target is detected by the first temperature sensor 182.
  • the output control unit checks whether the surface temperature of the recording target detected by the first temperature sensor 182 falls within a prescribed temperature range (S2).
  • the prescribed temperature range is, for example, normal temperature (15 to 25°C).
  • the output control unit sets the output of the laser light-emitting element 41 corresponding to the end laser emission part to b [W] (S3).
  • the output control unit determines whether the surface temperature of the recording target is lower than the prescribed temperature range (S4).
  • the output control unit sets the output of the laser light-emitting element 41 corresponding to the end laser emission part to a value b1 [W] greater than b [W] (S5). The output control unit thus increases the optical energy of laser light compared with the case in which the surface temperature is in the prescribed temperature range.
  • the output control unit sets the output of the laser light-emitting element 41 corresponding to the end laser emission part to a value b1 [W] that is greater than b [W] to increase the optical energy of laser light. Accordingly, even when the recording target has a low temperature, the temperature of the dot corresponding to the laser light-emitting element 41 corresponding to the end laser emission part can be increased to the coloring temperature to achieve a prescribed image density.
  • the output control unit sets the output of the laser light-emitting element 41 corresponding to the end laser emission part to a value b2 [W] that is smaller than b [W] (S6).
  • the output control unit thus reduces the optical energy of laser light compared with the case in which the surface temperature is in the prescribed temperature range.
  • the effect of temperature increase by laser light from the end laser emission part of the array head 44 upstream in the conveyance direction (the - X-axis direction side) still remains when laser light exits from the end laser emission part of the array head 44 downstream in the conveyance direction (the + X-axis direction side), as described above.
  • the output control unit sets a value b2 [W] that is smaller than the output b [W] of the laser light-emitting element 41 (S6) to reduce the optical energy of laser light.
  • This configuration can suppress burning of the recording target and recording density reduction and can increase the temperature of the dot corresponding to the laser light-emitting element 41 corresponding to the end laser emission part to the coloring temperature. As a result, a prescribed image density can be achieved.
  • the output b [W] of the laser light-emitting element 41 corresponding to the end laser emission part is changed based on the surface temperature of the recording target.
  • the output b [W] of the laser light-emitting element 41 corresponding to the end laser emission part may be changed based on the environment temperature detected by the second temperature sensor 183.
  • the output b [W] of the laser light-emitting element 41 may be changed based on the detection result of the surface temperature of the thermal recording label RL by the first temperature sensor 182 and the detection result of the environment temperature by the second temperature sensor 183.
  • the temperature of the thermal recording label RL serving as a thermal recording part of the recording target is detected by the first temperature sensor 182.
  • the temperature of the container C serving as the structure of the recording target may be detected by the first temperature sensor 182, and the output b [W] may be changed based on the temperature of the container C.
  • the output b [W] is changed based on three levels, namely, a prescribed temperature range, temperatures lower than the prescribed temperature range, and temperatures higher than the prescribed temperature range.
  • the temperature range may be divided more finely so that the output b [W] of the laser light-emitting element 41 is changed finely.
  • the temperature of each individual recording target may be detected, and the output b [w] may be changed based on the temperature detection result of each individual recording target. Since the environment temperature or the temperature of the recording target usually does not change abruptly, the output b [W] may be changed based on the temperature detection result when a predetermined time elapses or when the number of times of image recording exceeds a prescribed number.
  • the temperature of the recording target and/ or the environment temperature When the temperature of the recording target and/ or the environment temperature is high, the temperature can be increased to the coloring temperature even with low optical energy of laser light, whereas when the temperature of the recording target and/or the environment temperature is low, the temperature is unable to be increased to the coloring temperature unless the optical energy of laser light is increased. Therefore, the output a [W] of the laser light-emitting element 41 corresponding to the laser emission part at the center adjacent to the laser emission parts on both sides may also be changed based on the temperature of the recording target and/or the environment temperature. Similarly, the output c [W] of the laser light-emitting element 41 corresponding to the outermost end laser emission part may also be changed based on the temperature of the recording target and/or the environment temperature.
  • the output control unit controls the energy of laser light exiting from the laser emission part 42a, based on whether laser light is emitted from the adjacent laser emission part 42a. That is, when laser light is not emitted from the adjacent laser emission part, there is no effect of laser light exiting from the adjacent laser emission part, and the temperature of the dot does not increase to the coloring temperature. Therefore, the output of the laser light-emitting element 41 may be changed based on ON/OFF of the adjacent laser light-emitting element 41. Specifically, when the adjacent laser light-emitting element 41 is OFF and does not emit laser light, the optical energy is increased by increasing the output of the laser light-emitting element 41. Thus, even when laser light is not emitted from the adjacent laser emission part, the temperature of the dot can be increased to the coloring temperature, thereby achieving a prescribed image density.
  • each laser light-emitting element 41 is set higher than in the staggered arrangement in FIG. 4-2 .
  • the output control unit may control the energy of laser light emitted from the laser emission part 42a in accordance with the temperature of the laser light-emitting element 41. This configuration can correct and suppress variations of output of laser light attributed to the temperature of the laser light-emitting element 41 and enables recording of a satisfactory image on the recording target.
  • the output control unit may record an image on a recording target by allowing the laser emission part 42a to emit laser light while allowing the conveyor device 10 (recording target conveyance unit) to convey the recording target.
  • This configuration can increase the productivity compared with when the recording target is temporarily stopped and the recording device 14 is moved to record an image on the recording target.
  • FIG. 8-1 is a diagram illustrating the output of each laser light-emitting element 41 in Example 1 and the distance in the X-axis between the adjacent array heads.
  • FIG. 8-2 is a diagram illustrating the output of each laser light-emitting element 41 in Example 2 and the distance in the X-axis direction between the adjacent array heads.
  • FIG. 8-3 is a diagram illustrating the output of each laser light-emitting element 41 in Example 3 and the distance in the X-axis direction between the adjacent array heads.
  • FIG. 8-4 is a diagram illustrating the output of each laser light-emitting element 41 in Example 4 and the distance in the X-axis direction between the adjacent array heads.
  • FIG. 8-1 is a diagram illustrating the output of each laser light-emitting element 41 in Example 1 and the distance in the X-axis between the adjacent array heads.
  • FIG. 8-2 is a diagram illustrating the output of each laser light-emitting element 41 in Example 2 and the distance in the X-axis direction
  • FIG. 8-5 is a diagram illustrating the output of each laser light-emitting element 41 in Comparative Example and the distance in the X-axis direction between the adjacent array heads.
  • FIG. 8-1 to FIG. 8-5 illustrate the array of a plurality of array heads of the fiber array unit 14b in the recording device 14.
  • Example 1 As illustrated in FIG. 8-1 , in Example 1, the distance d in the X-axis direction between the adjacent array heads 44 was 15 [mm], and the output of the laser light-emitting element 41 corresponding to the laser emission part at the center adjacent to the laser emission parts on both sides was 5.0 W.
  • the output of the laser light-emitting element 41 corresponding to the outermost end laser emission part positioned on the outermost end in the Z-axis direction was set to 6.0 W, which was 120% of the output of the laser light-emitting element 41 corresponding to the laser emission part at the center.
  • Example 2 the laser light-emitting elements 41 corresponding to 50 laser emission parts from the laser emission part adjacent to the end laser emission part of the array head 44 arranged at the left end in the figure were OFF (0 W), and the output of the laser light-emitting element 41 corresponding to the 51st laser emission part was set to 6.0 W.
  • the settings were the same as in Example 1 except that the output of the laser light-emitting element 41 corresponding to the end laser emission part to the immediate right of the group of laser light-emitting elements 41 set OFF (0 W) was set to 6.0 W.
  • Example 3 the settings were the same as in Example 1 except that the output of the laser light-emitting element 41 corresponding to the outermost end laser emission part of the array head 44 arranged on the right end in the figure was set to 5.8 W and the output of the laser light-emitting element 41 corresponding to the laser emission part to the immediate left was set to 5.6 W.
  • Example 4 the settings were the same as in Example 1 except that the distance in the X-axis direction between adjacent array heads 44 was 30 [mm] and the output of the laser light-emitting element 41 corresponding to the end laser emission part was 6.0 W.
  • Comparative Example 1 As illustrated in FIG. 8-5 , in Comparative Example 1, the settings were the same as in Example 1 except that the output of all the laser light-emitting elements 41 was 5.0 W.
  • Example 1 the output of the laser light-emitting element 41 corresponding to the outermost end laser emission part was set to 6.0 W, and the output of the laser light-emitting element 41 corresponding to the end laser emission part was set to 5.5 W, which was greater than the output (5.0 W) of the laser light-emitting element 41 corresponding to the laser emission part at the center, thereby increasing the optical energy of the laser irradiating the recording target.
  • the temperature of the place corresponding to the end of the array head 44 and the end portion in the Z-axis direction of the image can be increased to the coloring temperature, so that the place corresponding to the end of the array head 44 and the end portion in the Z-axis direction of the image achieve a prescribed image density, and the density unevenness is less noticeable.
  • Example 3 in the array head 44 arranged on the right end in the figure, a few laser emission parts (about 5% of all the laser emission parts in one array head 44) inside of the outermost end were set as the outermost end laser emission parts.
  • the outputs of the laser light-emitting elements 41 corresponding to these outermost end laser emission parts were set to 5.6 W and 5.8 W, which were greater than the output (5.0 W) of the laser light-emitting element 41 corresponding to the laser emission part at the center, thereby increasing the optical energy of the laser radiating the recording target.
  • Example 4 the distance in the X-axis direction between adjacent array heads 44 is increased such that the distance in the X-axis direction between adjacent array heads 44 is 30 [mm]. With the distance of 30 [mm], the effect of temperature increase by the laser light from the end laser emission part of the array head 44 upstream in the conveyance direction almost disappears when the end laser emission part of the array head 44 downstream in the conveyance direction emits laser light.
  • the output of the laser light-emitting element 41 corresponding to the end laser emission part was set to 6.0 W, which is equal to the output of the laser light-emitting element 41 corresponding to the outermost end laser emission part. This setting is thought to have increases the temperature to the coloring temperature to achieve a prescribed image density and made density unevenness less noticeable.
  • Example 2 the output of the laser light-emitting element 41 adjacent to the laser light-emitting element 41 set OFF is increased.
  • the outputs of the laser light-emitting elements 41 adjacent to the laser light-emitting element 41 set OFF are increased to increase the optical energy. This setting is thought to have enabled coloring at a prescribed density and made image density unevenness less noticeable.
  • Example 3 has proven that density unevenness can be made less noticeable by changing the output of the laser light-emitting element 41 corresponding to the end laser emission part in accordance with the distance between the array head 44 upstream in the conveyance direction and the array head 44 downstream.
  • Laser emission was carried out with the optical unit 43 changed for the laser emission parts 42a with 127- ⁇ m pitches with 192 fibers in FIG. 4-1 .
  • the beam diameter on the recording target was 135 ⁇ m
  • the pitch width was 127 ⁇ m
  • the moving speed of the recording target was 2 (m/s).
  • the laser power emitted was controlled by controlling the pulse width by emitting laser light with a pulse of 8 kHz with a peak power of 3.5 W.
  • the peak power was set to 3.5 W in order to facilitate evaluation of density unevenness, although the adequate peak power for saturating the density was 5.0 W.
  • Laser light was emitted every 12 laser emission parts in order to eliminate the effect of adjacent laser emission parts 42a.
  • Example 5 Images of 17 lines were recorded under the same conditions as in Example 5 except that the pulse width was set to 95% for both ends and the center. The density and the line width were evaluated by visual inspection. Two lines at both ends had a width thinner than 15 lines at the center and had a low density. The results in Example 5 and Comparative Example 2 described above have proven that the effect of the optical lens is effectively corrected by power of laser light.
  • FIG. 9-1 and FIG. 9-2 are diagrams illustrating an example of the image recording system 100 of a first modification.
  • the recording device 14 moves to record an image on a thermal recording label RL on a container C serving as a recording target.
  • the image recording system 100 of this first modification has a platform 150 on which a container C is placed.
  • the recording device 14 is supported on a rail member 141 so as to be movable in the right-left direction in the figure.
  • the operator sets a container C on the platform 150 such that a surface having a thermal recording label RL affixed on the container C serving as a recording target faces up.
  • the operator operates the operation panel 181 to start an image recording process.
  • the recording device 14 positioned on the left side in FIG. 9-1 moves to the right side in the figure as indicated by the arrow in FIG. 9-1 .
  • the recording device 14 then irradiates the recording target (the thermal recording label RL on the container C) with laser light to record an image while moving to the right side in the figure.
  • the recording device 14 positioned on the right side in FIG. 9-2 moves to the left side as indicated by the arrow in FIG. 9-2 and returns to the position indicated in FIG. 9-1 .
  • the present invention is applied to the recording device 14 that records an image on a thermal recording label RL affixed to a container C.
  • the present invention is also applicable, for example, to an image rewriting system that rewrites an image on a reversible thermal recording label affixed to a container C.
  • an erasing device is provided upstream from the recording device 14 in the conveyance direction of the container C for irradiating a reversible thermal recording label with laser light to erase an image recorded on the reversible thermal recording label. After the erasing device erases an image recorded on the reversible thermal recording label, the recording device 14 records an image.
  • image density unevenness can also be suppressed.
  • laser light-emitting elements may be arranged in an array, and laser light from the laser light-emitting elements may irradiate a recording target to record an image without passing through optical fibers.
  • a plurality of laser light-emitting element arrays each including 100 to 200 laser light-emitting elements arranged in an array are provided, and the laser light-emitting elements are arranged in a staggered pattern as previously illustrated in FIG. 4-2 or arranged at an angle as illustrated in FIG. 4-3 .
  • An image recording apparatus configured to irradiate a recording target with laser light to record an image includes: a plurality of laser emission parts disposed side by side in a predetermined direction (Z-axis direction) for emitting laser light; an optical system (optical unit 43) configured to collect a plurality of beams of laser light emitted by the laser emission parts onto the recording target moving relative to the laser emission parts in a direction (X-axis direction) crossing the predetermined direction; and an output control unit configured to perform control such that energy of laser light emitted from an outermost end laser emission part that emits laser light to be transmitted through the vicinity of an end portion of the optical system, of the laser emission parts, is greater than energy of laser light emitted from a center laser emission part that emits laser light to be transmitted through a portion other than the vicinity of the end portion of the optical system.
  • This configuration can make the density of an image recorded by the outermost end laser emission part equal to the density of an image recorded by the center laser emission part.
  • the image recording apparatus includes a plurality of laser head units (array heads 44) each including the laser emission parts disposed side by side in the predetermined direction.
  • the laser head units are arrayed in the predetermined direction and disposed at positions different from an adjacent laser head unit in the direction crossing the predetermined direction.
  • the output control unit performs control such that energy of laser light emitted from an end laser emission part positioned at an end of the laser head unit, excluding the outermost end laser emission part, is greater than energy of laser light emitted from a laser emission part other than the outermost end laser emission part and the end laser emission part.
  • the density of an image recorded by laser light from the end laser emission part not adjacent to a laser emission part on one side is lower than the density of other images. This problem arises for the reason below.
  • Laser light irradiating the recording target affects not only a dot corresponding to the laser light but also a dot adjacent to that dot and increases the temperature of even the adjacent dot.
  • the dot is then heated to a prescribed temperature due to the effect of the laser light corresponding to the dot and the adjacent laser light, and the dot develops a color at a prescribed image density.
  • the laser light emitted from the end laser emission part is adjacent to laser light only on one side.
  • the dot corresponding to the laser light from the end laser emission part is affected only by the laser light adjacent on one side.
  • the temperature of the dot fails to increase to the prescribed temperature, and the dot develops a color at an image density lower than a prescribed image density.
  • control is performed such that energy of laser light emitted from the end laser emission part is greater than the optical energy of laser light emitted from a laser emission part other than the outermost end laser emission part and the end laser emission part.
  • Increasing the optical energy in this manner can increase the temperature of the dot corresponding to laser light emitted from the end laser emission part to a prescribed temperature and enables the dot to develop a color at a prescribed image density.
  • This configuration can make the density of an image recorded by the end laser emission part equal to the density of other images.
  • the configuration including a plurality of laser head units can suppress elongation of the laser head unit, compared with a configuration including one laser head unit, and can suppress deformation of the laser head unit.
  • Arranging the adjacent laser head units at positions different from each other in the moving direction can improve easiness of assembly of the laser head units.
  • the output control unit controls energy of laser light emitted from the end laser emission part, in accordance with a relative moving speed of the recording target.
  • the time decreases taken for laser light to be emitted from the laser emission part of the laser head unit downstream in the moving direction (+ X-axis direction side) after laser light is emitted from the laser emission part of the laser head unit such as the array head upstream (- X-axis direction) in the moving direction.
  • the temperature of the corresponding dot can be increased to a prescribed temperature even when the optical energy of laser light emitted from the end laser emission part is lower, and the dot can develop a color at a prescribed image density.
  • This configuration can suppress damage to the recording target due to laser light and can suppress image density unevenness.
  • the image recording apparatus includes a recording target temperature detection unit, such as the first temperature sensor 182, configured to detect temperature of the recording target.
  • the output control unit controls optical energy of laser light emitted from the laser emission part in accordance with a detection result of the recording target temperature detection unit.
  • the temperature of the recording target can be increased to a prescribed temperature with smaller optical energy, thereby developing a color at a prescribed image density.
  • This configuration can suppress damage to the recording target due to laser light and achieve a prescribed image density.
  • the image recording apparatus includes an environment temperature detection unit, such as the second temperature sensor 183, configured to detect environment temperature.
  • the output control unit controls energy of laser light emitted from the laser emission part, based on a detection result of the environment temperature detection unit.
  • the output control unit controls energy of laser light emitted from the laser emission part based on whether laser light is emitted from another laser emission part adjacent to the laser emission part.
  • the temperature of the recording target may fail to increase to a prescribed temperature.
  • the image recording apparatus includes: a plurality of laser light-emitting elements configured to emit laser light; and a plurality of optical fibers disposed corresponding to the laser light-emitting elements for guiding laser light emitted from the laser light-emitting elements to the recording target.
  • the laser emission part is provided for each of the optical fibers.
  • energy of laser light emitted from the laser emission part is controlled in accordance with temperature of the laser light-emitting element.
  • This configuration can correct and suppress variations of output of laser light attributed to the temperature of the laser light-emitting element and enables recording of a satisfactory image on the recording target.
  • energy of laser light emitted from the laser emission part positioned at the end is not less than 103% to not more than 150% of energy of laser light emitted from the other laser emission part.
  • This configuration can suppress density unevenness and suppress damage to the recording target due to laser light emission.
  • the image recording apparatus includes a recording target conveyance unit, such as the conveyor device 10, configured to convey the recording target.
  • the output control unit allows the laser emission part to emit laser light to record a visible image (image) on the recording target while allowing the recording target conveyance unit to convey the recording target.
  • This configuration can increase the productivity compared with when the recording target is temporarily stopped and the laser irradiation device such as the recording device 14 is moved to record a visible image on the recording target.
  • An image recording method is performed in an image recording apparatus configured to irradiate a recording target with laser light to record an image.
  • the image recording apparatus includes: a plurality of laser emission parts disposed side by side in a predetermined direction for emitting the laser light; and an optical system configured to collect a plurality of beams of laser light emitted by the laser emission parts onto the recording target moving relative to the laser emission parts in a direction crossing the predetermined direction.
  • the method includes an output control step of performing control such that energy of laser light emitted from an outermost end laser emission part that emits laser light to be transmitted through the vicinity of an end portion of the optical system, of the laser emission parts, is greater than energy of laser light emitted from a center laser emission part that emits laser light to be transmitted through the vicinity of a center portion of the optical system.
  • This configuration can make the density of an image recorded by the outermost end laser emission part equal to the density of an image recorded by the center laser emission part.

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Claims (11)

  1. Bildaufzeichnungsvorrichtung (14), konfiguriert zum Bestrahlen eines Aufzeichnungsziels mit Laserlicht zum Aufzeichnen eines Bilds, umfassend:
    eine Vielzahl von Laseremissionsteilen (41), die Seite an Seite in einer im Voraus bestimmten Richtung angeordnet sind und konfiguriert sind zum Emittieren von Laserlicht;
    ein optisches System (43), konfiguriert zum Erfassen einer Vielzahl von Strahlen von Laserlicht, emittiert durch die Laseremissionsteile auf das Aufzeichnungsziel, das sich relativ zu den Laseremissionsteilen in einer Richtung, die die im Voraus bestimmte Richtung quert, bewegt; und gekennzeichnet durch eine Ausgabesteuereinheit (18), konfiguriert zum Durchführen von Steuerung derart, dass Energie von Laserlicht, emittiert von einem Laseremissionsteil am äußersten Ende der Laseremissionsteile, größer ist als Energie von Laserlicht, emittiert von einem mittleren Laseremissionsteil, wobei das Laseremissionsteil am äußersten Ende Laserlicht emittiert, das durch eine Umgebung eines Endabschnitts des optischen Systems zu übertragen ist, das mittlere Laseremissionsteil Laserlicht emittiert, das durch einen anderen Abschnitt als eine Umgebung des Endabschnitts des optischen Systems zu übertragen ist.
  2. Bildaufzeichnungsvorrichtung nach Anspruch 1, ferner umfassend eine Vielzahl von Laserkopfeinheiten, jede enthaltend die Laseremissionsteile, die Seite an Seite in der im Voraus bestimmten Richtung angeordnet sind, wobei
    die Laserkopfeinheiten in der im Voraus bestimmten Richtung aufgereiht sind und an Positionen angeordnet sind, die von einer angrenzenden Laserkopfeinheit in der Richtung, die die im Voraus bestimmte Richtung quert, verschieden sind, und
    die Ausgabesteuereinheit Steuerung derart durchführt, dass Energie von Laserlicht, emittiert von einem End-Laseremissionsteil, positioniert an einem Ende der Laserkopfeinheit, ausschließlich des Laseremissionsteils am äußersten Ende, größer ist als Energie von Laserlicht, emittiert von einem anderen Laseremissionsteil als das Laseremissionsteil am äußersten Ende und das End-Laseremissionsteil.
  3. Bildaufzeichnungsvorrichtung nach Anspruch 2, wobei die Ausgabesteuereinheit Energie von Laserlicht, emittiert von dem End-Laseremissionsteil, gemäß einer relativen Bewegungsgeschwindigkeit des Aufzeichnungsziels steuert.
  4. Bildaufzeichnungsvorrichtung nach Anspruch 3, ferner umfassend eine Aufzeichnungsziel-Temperaturdetektionseinheit, konfiguriert zum Detektieren einer Temperatur des Aufzeichnungsziels, wobei
    die Ausgabesteuereinheit eine Energie von Laserlicht, emittiert von dem Laseremissionsteil, gemäß einem Detektionsergebnis der Aufzeichnungsziel-Temperaturdetektionseinheit steuert.
  5. Bildaufzeichnungsvorrichtung nach Anspruch 3 oder 4, ferner umfassend eine Umgebungstemperatur-Detektionseinheit, konfiguriert zum Detektieren einer Umgebungstemperatur, wobei
    die Ausgabesteuereinheit eine Energie von Laserlicht, emittiert von dem Laseremissionsteil, gemäß einem Detektionsergebnis der Umgebungstemperatur-Detektionseinheit steuert.
  6. Bildaufzeichnungsvorrichtung nach einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 5, wobei die Ausgabesteuereinheit eine Energie von Laserlicht, emittiert von dem Laseremissionsteil, basierend darauf steuert, ob Laserlicht von einem anderen Laseremissionsteil angrenzend an dem Laseremissionsteil emittiert wird.
  7. Bildaufzeichnungsvorrichtung nach einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 6, umfassend:
    eine Vielzahl von Laserlicht emittierenden Elementen, konfiguriert zum Emittieren von Laserlicht; und
    eine Vielzahl von optischen Fasern, angeordnet korrespondierend mit den Laserlicht emittierenden Elementen zum Leiten von Laserlicht, emittiert von den Laserlicht emittierenden Elementen, zu dem Aufzeichnungsziel, wobei
    das Laseremissionsteil für jede der optischen Fasern vorgesehen ist.
  8. Bildaufzeichnungsvorrichtung nach Anspruch 7, wobei die Ausgabesteuereinheit eine Energie von Laserlicht, emittieren von dem Laseremissionsteil, gemäß einer Temperatur des Laserlicht emittierenden Elements steuert.
  9. Bildaufzeichnungsvorrichtung nach Anspruch 3, wobei die Ausgabesteuereinheit Steuerung derart durchführt, dass Energie von Laserlicht, emittiert von dem an dem Ende positionierten Laseremissionsteil, nicht weniger als 103 % bis nicht mehr als 150 % einer Energie von Laserlicht, emittiert von dem anderen Laseremissionsteil, beträgt.
  10. Bildaufzeichnungsvorrichtung nach einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 9, ferner umfassend eine Aufzeichnungsziel-Beförderungseinheit, konfiguriert zum Befördern des Aufzeichnungsziels, wobei
    die Ausgabesteuereinheit dem Laseremissionsteil gestattet, Laserlicht zu emittieren, um ein Bild auf dem Aufzeichnungsziel aufzuzeichnen, während sie der Aufzeichnungsziel-Beförderungseinheit gestattet, das Aufzeichnungsziel zu befördern.
  11. Bildaufzeichnungsverfahren, durchgeführt in einer Bildaufzeichnungsvorrichtung (14), konfiguriert zum Bestrahlen eines Aufzeichnungsziels (RL) mit Laserlicht zum Aufzeichnen eines Bilds, die Bildaufzeichnungsvorrichtung umfassend:
    eine Vielzahl von Laseremissionsteilen (41), die Seite an Seite in einer im Voraus bestimmten Richtung angeordnet sind und konfiguriert sind zum Emittieren des Laserlichts; und
    ein optisches System (43), konfiguriert zum Erfassen einer Vielzahl von Strahlen von Laserlicht, emittiert durch die Laseremissionsteile auf das Aufzeichnungsziel, das sich relativ zu den Laseremissionsteilen in einer Richtung, die die im Voraus bestimmte Richtung quert, bewegt,
    das Verfahren dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass es einen Ausgabesteuerungsschritt zum Durchführen von Steuerung derart umfasst, dass
    Energie von Laserlicht, emittiert von einem Laseremissionsteil am äußersten Ende der Laseremissionsteile, größer ist als Energie von Laserlicht, emittiert von einem mittleren Laseremissionsteil, wobei das Laseremissionsteil am äußersten Ende Laserlicht emittiert, das durch eine Umgebung eines Endabschnitts des optischen Systems zu übertragen ist, das mittlere Laseremissionsteil Laserlicht emittiert, das durch einen anderen Abschnitt als eine Umgebung des Endabschnitts des optischen Systems zu übertragen ist.
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JPH02192964A (ja) * 1988-07-22 1990-07-30 Ricoh Co Ltd サーマルヘッド駆動用ｉｃ
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