JP2000141777A - Photosensitive printer - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a noncontact photosensitive printer in which a variety of print patterns can be imaged on an intricate surface. SOLUTION: A photosensitive printer 1 comprises means 20 for positioning a print medium, i.e., a drink can 10, at a photosensitive position and carrying out a printed can 10, means 40 for organizing a print pattern, means 50 for emitting irradiation light L based on an organized print pattern, means 60 for projecting a print image P disposed oppositely to the drink can 10, and means 90 for managing respective means 20, 40-60, all of which are contained in a casing. A means for supplying the drink can 10 (not shown) is disposed in the upstream of the positioning means 20 and the print image P is projected onto the photosensitive surface of the drink can 10 while carrying the drink can 10 downstream from the supply means.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a photosensitive printing apparatus for projecting a print image to expose a desired print pattern to an industrial product or the like.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In general, there is known a thermal printer in which a light emitting element, a heating element and the like are mounted on a print head, and the print head is in contact with a printing medium such as a photosensitive paper or a thermal paper while photosensitive printing numbers, figures and the like. Have been. According to this, if the surface of the print medium has any irregularities, the light emitting element or the like of the print head may be scraped off, and a part of the exposed pattern may be chipped. In particular, in the case of a number such as a price, a product number, and a date of manufacture, it is difficult to read even a slight loss.

On the other hand, various non-contact type photosensitive printing apparatuses for exposing a projected image by a laser beam have been developed. For example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 6-166190 has proposed a "label printing apparatus".
FIG. 3 of the publication is reprinted in the following figure (however, the symbols have been renumbered).

FIG. 11 shows an example of a conventional label printing apparatus. In the label printing apparatus 200, the laser light is transmitted to the cylindrical lens 2 while the oscillation of the laser oscillator 220 is controlled by the system controller 210.
30 and radiate through the mask 2 of the photosensitive pattern.
Irradiate all 40 surfaces. Then, a configuration is adopted in which an image formed by the mask 240 is projected onto the photosensitive position 260 via the focus lens 250. The mask 240 is housed in a mask changer 241 so that it can be replaced.

[0005] According to this, while the printing label 261 of the thermosensitive coloring is sequentially supplied to the photosensitive position 260, it is detected by the reflection type sensor 270 that the printing label 261 is surely supplied. The detection result is the laser oscillator 2
20 is notified, the laser beam irradiation is started, and the timing of the completion of the irradiation of the laser oscillator 220 is reported to the system controller 210 to perform the next printing. Therefore, continuous label printing can be realized.

In this case, unlike printing by a general contact type thermal printer, since the print head is not rubbed against the print label 261, the wear of the print head described above can be essentially prevented. Further, since the print image is configured to be projected from a remote place, the print label 2
It is relatively easy to expose even if the surface 61 is slightly rounded or its surface is swollen by moisture or the like.

[0007]

However, the above label printing apparatus has the following problems. Originally, the mask of the photosensitive pattern is intended for printing on a flat printing medium because it is intended to expose a rigid printed label. For example, special considerations should be given to exposing printed images to the cylindrical surface or concave bottom of a beverage can. Has not been done. Therefore, for example, if the number 1 is applied to the periphery of the curved surface and the head is distorted, it is misread as the number 7 and, in particular, when the commodity number of the general commodity is printed, It was fatal if it became difficult to read with a reader.

In addition, a laser beam is irradiated on a mask of the photosensitive pattern, and an image corresponding to the photosensitive pattern is projected on a print label. Therefore, when it is desired to print a different character or graphic, a different mask from the current mask must be set on the mask changer. For example, when it is desired to print an arbitrary product name or price every time, it is necessary to prepare several different masks in advance.

Further, when performing various label printing,
A large number of masks are preliminarily loaded into a mask changer. Even if printing is continued while replacing them, a large mask changer and a mechanical unit for that are required. In addition, if it takes time to replace the mask each time, even if the print label is supplied without interruption, it becomes difficult to proceed with the printing process without delay, and it is important to remove such a problem. .

It is an object of the present invention to provide a non-contact type photosensitive printing apparatus capable of exposing various printing patterns to a surface having a complicated shape.

[0011]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a knitting means for knitting a desired print item into a print pattern and sending the print pattern, and modulating irradiation light in accordance with the print pattern. A light emitting means that emits light while projecting means for projecting a print image corresponding to a print pattern while reflecting and deflecting the irradiation light, and a photosensitive print medium having an uneven surface or a curved surface for exposing the print image. And a positioning means for positioning the lens at the photosensitive position.

Therefore, since a desired printing pattern can be generated by the knitting means, photosensitive printing of various printing patterns can be performed. Further, since the laser beam is modulated by the converting means in accordance with the printing pattern, printing can be performed in a non-contact manner by projecting a print image without using any optical system such as a lens.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, the print image is a code including an identification pattern of a print medium. As a result, it is possible to print the numbers of general products and industrial products, the date of manufacture, and the like.

According to a third aspect, the projection means is formed by a semiconductor process. Thus, the entire photosensitive printing apparatus can be integrated.

[0015]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a photosensitive printing apparatus according to the present invention. This photosensitive printing apparatus 1
The positioning means 20 for positioning the beverage can 10 serving as a print medium at the photosensitive position and unloading the printed beverage can 10, the knitting means 40 for a print pattern, and the emission of irradiation light L based on the knitted print pattern The means 50, the projection means 60 for the printed image P facing the beverage can 10, and the management means 90 of the respective means 20, 40 to 60 are housed in a casing (not shown).

A supply means (not shown) for the beverage can 10 is arranged upstream of the positioning means 20. While the beverage can 10 is conveyed downstream from the supply means, the printed image P is formed on the photosensitive surface thereof. This is a configuration for projecting. In the following, the case of a label printing machine installed at a completion inspection station in a production line will be described as an example. However, even in the case of industrial products such as bottles and crafts such as pottery, in addition to photosensitive printing in the field of general office equipment. It may be used only as a device.

The beverage can 10 has a printed layer for performing photosensitive printing on a surface of a base material such as a metal, and the printed layer is easily adhered to the base material and is provided with a laser beam. It has a three-layer structure in which a known coloring layer that develops color with heat generated by a laser beam is superimposed on an adhesive layer for transmitting light, and a protective layer is further provided on the surface thereof.

In general, the color-forming layer is formed by dissolving a background color-developing agent, a binder resin, a color-forming agent, a color developer and the like in a solvent as the color-forming ink. For example, the color-forming agent may contain a leuco dye. Instead of forming the printing layer in advance in this way, a first spray means for spraying the coloring ink may be provided upstream of this station. In that case, it is desirable to provide a second spraying means of a protective material for the coloring layer by the coloring ink, and to provide a drying means for the printing layer in the station.

The printed image P is a code composed of an identification pattern indicating the product number, date of manufacture, product description, etc. of the beverage can 10, and includes, for example, mosaic, scattered, concentric, radial, etc. It is a two-dimensional pattern. In addition, a general barcode may be used.

The positioning means 20 is a bucket conveyor for the beverage can 10 with a drive source (not shown). The positioning means 20 repeatedly sends out the beverage can 10 along the transport path and moves the beverage can 10 to a photosensitive position facing the projection means 60. The beverage can 10 is positioned. Each bucket is provided with means for gripping the bottom of the beverage can 10 (not shown) so that the transported beverage can 10 is not displaced at the photosensitive position.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the knitting means shown in FIG. The knitting means 40 includes a well-known MPU (microprocessor unit), its control memory, and peripheral circuits, each of which is connected to a system bus. An image processing unit 41 for organizing desired print items into one print pattern by the dedicated software;
A pattern generator 42 storing these element pattern groups
And an image storage unit 43 of the configured print pattern.

The image processing unit 41 has character editing, enlargement / reduction, vertical / horizontal rotation, serial number insertion, date / time insertion, and other editing functions for printing items.
Reference numeral 2 denotes a ROM (read-only memory) storing a plurality of element patterns such as letters, numbers, symbols, and figures to be printed on the beverage can, and the image storage unit 43 is a bitmap memory. Note that it is desirable to use a dedicated image processor as the MPU, and the pattern generator 42 may be replaced by a dedicated ROM or an external storage database.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of the light emitting means shown in FIG. The light emitting means 50 includes a conversion section 51 for converting a pixel information sequence into a video signal, a light emission drive section 52 for laser oscillation based on the video signal, and a laser oscillator 53 thereof. Hereinafter, an example of converting the monochromatic shading value in the pixel information into the pulse density of the irradiation light L will be described. In addition, color printing using a wavelength-variable laser or a red, blue, or green primary color laser is performed. It may be something.

The conversion section 51 comprises an oscillator having a constant frequency, a frequency divider thereof, and a selector having a plurality of frequency divisions in accordance with a pixel information sequence. Light emission drive unit 5
Reference numeral 2 includes an amplifier for driving the laser oscillator 53 at a predetermined potential and for stabilizing the output of the irradiation light L in accordance with the division frequency from the selector. The laser oscillator 53 emits pulsed laser light (irradiation light L), and is capable of exposing details such as characters with high precision. For example, if a laser diode is used,
Although power consumption can be reduced, other solid or gas lasers may be used.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of the projection means shown in FIG. The projection means 60 includes a basic signal forming unit 61 for two scanning signals along the XY coordinate axes of the print image, a correction pattern generator 62 storing a correction pattern group for each basic signal, A deflection drive unit 63 for rotating current according to the scanning signal and a reflection unit 64 for the irradiation light L are provided.

The forming section 61 comprises another oscillator having a constant frequency, another frequency divider, and another selector for a frequency division according to the scan cycle of each basic signal. Note that the other oscillator and frequency divider may be shared with the converter 51.

The correction pattern generator 62 previously obtains a correction value group corresponding to a cylindrical surface or a spherical surface, a table in which the correction values are arranged in correspondence with the XY coordinates of the print image, and a correction signal group for each basic signal. And a multiplier for multiplying by. In addition, each correction value may be taught to a table from a result of projecting a test pattern of a print image on a standard shape.

As the correction pattern group, there are provided a cylindrical surface correction pattern obtained by converting a print image on plane coordinates into cylindrical coordinates, and a spherical correction pattern obtained by similarly converting coordinates onto spherical coordinates. Thereby, through the knitting means 40 or directly based on an instruction from the management means 90,
A desired product can be selected according to the surface shape of the beverage can 10.

FIG. 5 is a view for explaining a printed image projected on the beverage can shown in FIG. The built-in reflecting means 64 has a reflecting surface 65 opposed to a photosensitive position of the positioning means 20 via an opening 66 of the projecting means 60. The reflecting means 64 preferably has a lightweight and small configuration, and for example, a configuration in which a fine reflecting mirror such as a galvanometer mirror of a galvanometer is repeatedly inclined can be considered. Less than,
As an example, the case where this galvanometer mirror is used will be described, but other reflecting means may be used.

In this case, the two irradiation directions L1, L3 or L2, L4 when the reflecting surface 65 is tilted up and down in the drawing.
Is defined as the vertical irradiation range W in the Y-axis direction, and similarly, the range sandwiched between the other two irradiation directions L1, L2 or L3, L4 when inclined in the front or back direction in the drawing is represented by X. The horizontal irradiation range H is set in the axial direction. Further, the scanning lines SL1 and SL2 and the blanking line BL at the time of blanking are formed on the beverage can 10 by the respective reflected lights L1 to L4, and one print image P can be formed on the photosensitive surface.

For example, as the above-described cylindrical surface correction pattern, the central axis of the cylinder is made parallel to the Y coordinate axis of the print image, and both ends are shortened along the XY coordinate axes with respect to the center of each scanning line SL1, SL2. If a laterally curved one is used, projection can be performed without distortion on the cylindrical surface while correcting the peripheral portion of the print image.

The center axis is made parallel to the X coordinate axis,
A vertical curved line in which the scanning lines at the upper and lower ends are similarly shortened with respect to the central scanning line may be used. In addition, the projection may be performed on the inner surface of the cylinder while correcting the central portion of the print image, or the projection may be performed on a slope inclined with respect to the print image.

The management means 90 is composed of, for example, a microcomputer or the like, in which dedicated software having a ticketing management function is installed in advance. This indicates a desired print item.

FIG. 6 is a configuration diagram of an example of the galvanomirror according to the present invention. The galvanomirror 101 includes a reflective substrate 110 made of a silicon semiconductor and a housing substrate 1 thereof.
60 and the upper lid substrate 170 are sequentially overlapped in a sandwich shape and joined to form a three-layer structure as a whole. The reflective substrate 110 is a planar type semiconductor substrate formed by a semiconductor manufacturing process, and the housing substrate 160 and the upper cover substrate 170 are formed of borosilicate glass or the like.

In the reflecting substrate 110, for example, if a pair of hook-and-bracket-like grooves are cut in and out of the inside and outside by anisotropic etching, and if one pair is opposed to the left and right in the drawing, the pair is orthogonal to this. The other pair is arranged so as to face up and down in the drawing. Then, an outer frame 111 made of a rectangular frame, an inner frame 112 having a rectangular cross section inside on the same plane as the outer frame 111, and a flat plate-shaped oscillator 1 inside the frame.
And 13 are integrally formed of the same material.

On the inner peripheral surfaces of the outer frame 111 and the swinging inner frame 112, two bar-shaped support beams 11 are provided at two opposing points.
4 and 115 are protruded inward, and the leading end thereof is bridged over the opposing portion of the oscillating inner frame 112 or the oscillating body 113.
As a result, each support beam 11 orthogonal to each other
Oscillating inner frame 112 and oscillating body 113 via
Is supported at a substantially central portion of the outer frame 111 or the swinging inner frame 112 to form a so-called gimbal structure used for a compass or the like. Further, the oscillating body 113 and the like are hermetically sealed inside the three-layer structure to shield and protect from outside air and dust.

Further, both support beams 114 and 115 have elasticity in the torsion direction of the rod, and one of the support beams 114
The swing inner frame 112 is used as the rotation axis Y, and the other support beam 115 is supported so as to tilt the swing body 113 as the second rotation axis X orthogonal to the first rotation axis Y. Therefore, the swinging inner frame 112 and the swinging body 113 can be independently inclined with respect to the outer frame 111.

FIG. 7 is a plan view of the silicon semiconductor substrate shown in FIG. On one plate surface of the oscillating inner frame 112, the oscillating inner frame 112 is made to revolve near the periphery thereof, and the first coil 120 is formed by an electroformed coil method. The first coil 120 has its surface covered with an insulating layer, and both ends of the wiring are connected to the outer frame 111 via one support beam 115.
And a pair of first electrode terminals 121 are formed on this surface.

Similarly, the second coil 130 is formed and coated on the same side surface of the oscillating body 113, and both ends thereof are connected to the outer frame via the other supporting beam 115, the oscillating inner frame 112, and the supporting beam 114. A pair of second electrode terminals 131 are formed in the same manner as above.

In the interior surrounded by the second coil 130, a reflecting mirror 140, which will be described later, is provided at a central portion on the oscillator 113,
The reflecting surface is mounted on the intersection of the first rotation axis Y and the second rotation axis X with the reflection surface facing toward the drawing. As a result, the reflecting surface of the reflecting mirror 140 can be tilted around the first and second rotation axes Y and X, so that the line of sight can be scanned throughout the vertical and horizontal directions within a fixed field of view.

FIG. 8 is a sectional view taken along line 8-8 shown in FIG.
FIG. 9 is a sectional view taken along line 9-9 shown in FIG. Storage board 1
A recess 161 or 171 is provided in the center of each of the upper cover substrate 170 and the upper cover substrate 170 by, for example, ultrasonic processing, and these recesses 161 and 171 are opposed to each other. 170
And join. In addition, a light transmitting portion 172 for the irradiation light L and the reflected lights L1 and L2 is provided at the center of the plate surface of the upper lid substrate 170.

On each outer surface of the housing substrate 160 and the upper cover substrate 170, two pairs of disk-shaped permanent magnets 191, 193, 195, 197 or 192, 1
94, 196 and 198 are provided. Then, the upper cover substrate 17
A pair of opposing permanent magnets 191 and 193 and two pairs of opposing permanent magnets 192 and 194 of the housing substrate 160 form a first permanent magnetic field according to the present invention. Further, two pairs of opposing permanent magnets 195 and 197 of the upper lid substrate 170 are provided.
And two pairs of opposing permanent magnets 19 of the housing substrate 160
6, 198 to form a second permanent magnetic field.

At this time, two pairs of permanent magnets 195 and 197 of the upper cover substrate 170 facing in the left-right direction shown in FIG. 6 or the permanent magnets 191 and 193 shown in FIG.
Further, two pairs of permanent magnets 1 of the housing substrate 160 shown in FIG.
96, 198 or the same permanent magnet 19 shown in FIG.
2,194 are mounted with their polarities reversed. For example, the north poles of the permanent magnets 195 and 198 and the south poles of the permanent magnets 197 and 196 shown in FIG.

Further, two pairs of permanent magnets 195, 196 and 197, 198 opposed in the vertical direction shown in FIG. 6 and two pairs of permanent magnets 191, 192, 193, 194 shown in FIG. The direction of the magnetic flux is aligned, and the permanent magnets 195, 196 and 19
7, 198 The relative positions are shifted in the left-right direction of each drawing. For example, the N pole of the permanent magnet 195 or 198 and the S pole of the permanent magnet 196 or 197 are
10 and the two permanent magnets 195, 1
The relative positions of 96, 197, and 198 are shifted in the horizontal direction of the drawing.

With such an arrangement, the first coil 120 of the oscillating inner frame 112 or the second coil 13 of the oscillating body 113
0 on both sides of the reflective substrate 11
0 and the first and second coils 120, 1
30 can be formed to cross both end portions.

Next, the operation of the galvanomirror 1 will be described. When a drive current for the first and second rotation axes Y and X is supplied to the galvanomirror 101, the drive current is applied to the first and second electrode terminals 121, 121, and 13.
1, 131, the first through the printed wiring on the reflective substrate 100
The magnetic field reaches the coil 120 or the second coil 130, and the first and second coils 120 and 130 generate an electromagnetic field associated with the drive current at both ends. Further, the above-mentioned permanent magnetic field is formed by two pairs of permanent magnets 195, 196 and 197, 198 or 191, 192 and 193, 194 in advance.

For this reason, the first and second coils 120,
A magnetic force F acts on both side ends of 130 in accordance with the Fleming's left-hand rule, and a rotational moment about the first rotation axis Y is applied to the swinging inner frame 112 in accordance with the Lorentz force due to the magnetic force F. Then, a rotational moment about the second rotation axis X is generated in the oscillator 113.

These rotational moments are applied to the swinging inner frame 11.
2 and the rocking body 113 are rotated, the two support beams 11
The swinging inner frame 112 and the swinging body 113 are tilted until the swinging inner frame 112 and the swinging body 113 reach a certain tilt angle, in balance with the spring reaction force caused by the twisting of 4, 115. For this reason, if an appropriate drive current is introduced to the first and second coils 120 and 130, the first and second coils 120 and 130 are mutually orthogonal.
Alternatively, the oscillating inner frame 112 or the oscillating body 113 can be inclined to an arbitrary inclination angle with the second rotation axes Y and X as the axis.

Therefore, the reflecting surface of the reflecting mirror 140 is tilted in accordance with the respective tilt angles, and according to the tilt, the line of sight of the reflecting mirror 140 can be directed in a desired direction, and scanning can be performed throughout a fixed field of view. it can. In addition, there is no need to provide any driving means outside the galvanometer mirror 101.

In addition to the above, it is also possible to provide a displacement detecting function for the inclination angles of the oscillating inner frame 112 and the oscillating body 113, and to adjust the respective inclination angles more precisely. According to this, even if some external vibration acts on the installed galvanomirror 101 and the tilt angle causes a delay in following the drive current, the spring reaction force of both support beams 114 and 115 causes a manufacturing reaction. , The influence can be minimized, and the inclination angle can always be adjusted and controlled within a certain range.

Next, an example of the configuration of the displacement detecting function will be described. Two pairs of detection coils L11, L12 or L21, which are arranged on the lower surface of the housing substrate 160 so as to be electromagnetically coupled to the first and second coils 120 and 130, respectively.
Print wiring of L22. Among them, one of the detection coils L11 and L12 is arranged at a symmetrical position with respect to the first rotation axis Y of the swinging inner frame 12, and the other of the detection coils L21 and L12 is
L22 is arranged at a symmetrical position with respect to the second rotation axis X of the oscillator 113.

Each detection coil L11, L12 and L2
1 and L22, the mutual conductance with the first coil 120 changes according to the inclination angle of the oscillating inner frame 112 or the oscillating body 113. Therefore, the amount of change can be detected to calculate the inclination angle. That is, the first or second coil 120, 13
An AC current for detection is supplied superimposed on the drive current of 0, and an induced current is generated in each of the detection coils L11 and L12 or L21 and L22 by the AC current. Then, a change in the mutual conductance is detected based on the change in the induced current, and each inclination angle can be calculated from the result.

FIG. 10 is a circuit diagram of an example of the tilt angle detection circuit of the oscillator shown in FIGS. In this tilt angle detection circuit, each detection coil L11, L12 (in the case of this drawing) or L22, L22 is arranged on two adjacent sides of a quadrilateral, and two resistors R1, R2 are arranged in series on the other two sides. To form a bridge circuit.

In this bridge circuit, an intermediate point between the two detection coils L11 and L12 and an intermediate point between the two resistors R1 and R2 are used as two constant voltage input terminals, and a predetermined AC power supply E is connected to these two input terminals. Further, the two intermediate points between the detection coil L11 or L12 and the resistor R1 or R2 are used as two balanced output terminals, and a known differential amplifier A is connected to these two balanced output terminals.
Connect the two inputs of MP. Then, the wiring directions and values of the detection coils L11 and L12 and the resistors R1 and R2 are determined so that the bridge circuit is balanced when the first coil 120 is at a position parallel to both the detection coils L11 and L12. .

According to this detection circuit, when the mutual conductance of each of the detection coils L11 and L12 changes from an equilibrium state to a relatively unbalanced state, the potential difference between the two intermediate points changes according to this state change. Since the value changes to a balanced value, the output of the differential amplifier AMP changes accordingly, and a positive or negative detection output S corresponding to the inclination angle can be obtained.

Therefore, if the detection output S is fed back to the waveform of the drive current, the rotation direction of the oscillator 13, the amount of load that hinders the tilt of the oscillator 113, or the tilt angle itself is identified, and the drive is performed according to the identification result. The current can be adjusted. That is, it is possible to obtain a detection output S corresponding to the inclination angle from the balanced voltage of the bridge circuit, and configure a circuit capable of accurately controlling the inclination angle of the oscillator 113.

For example, the rotation direction is determined according to the sign of the output value of the differential amplifier AMP to prevent the oscillator 113 from rotating in the opposite direction due to external vibration.
The load amount is estimated according to the magnitude of the output value, and the oscillator 113 can be strongly rotated with respect to an unexpectedly large load. Furthermore, the actual orientation of the reflecting surface of the reflecting mirror 140 can be recognized according to the detected inclination angle, and correction can be performed based on the recognition result, so that the reflecting mirror 140 can be accurately directed to a specific desired direction.

Here, the galvanomirror 10 according to the present invention.
As one example, the oscillating inner frame 112 or the oscillating body 113
The inclination angle of ± 25 degrees and the rotation speed of 2.5 kHz, or the inclination angle of ± 45 degrees and the rotation speed of 1.5 kHz are suitable. Was not overloaded.

A current consumption of 220 mA or less is suitable, and is within a range easily driven by a driver of a general logic circuit. Further, the size is preferably 25 mm or less in length and width and 10 mm or less in thickness, and a weight of 15 g or less is suitable. Thus, for example, it is most suitable for use as a non-contact type print head mounted on a photosensitive printing apparatus incorporated in a label printer or the like.

Although the reflecting mirror 140 is tilted by the first and second rotation axes Y and X, the reflecting mirror 140 may be tilted by either one. Thereby, the circuit of each section can be simplified. Further, each of the permanent magnets 191 to 198 and the first or second coil 120,
In addition to the electromagnetic force of 130, for example, an electrostatic electrode is printed and wired on the housing substrate 160 or the upper lid substrate 170, and a voltage is applied to this electrode to rotate the oscillator 113 by the attraction or repulsion of the static electricity. Is also good.

Next, the operation of the photosensitive printing apparatus 1 according to the present invention will be described. When a manager of the production line designates a desired print item and correction pattern in the management unit 90 by using a ten-key pad or the like of an operation panel (not shown), the print item or the like is instructed to the knitting unit 40 via the management unit 90. In addition, each means 20, 4 is managed by the management means 90 in advance.
A standby state is instructed to 0-50, and the result is confirmed. This is the preparation stage.

First, in the knitting means 40, while the characters and the like according to the printing items are sequentially designated by the image processing section 41 to the pattern generator 42, the arrangement order on the printing pattern corresponding to these is stored in the image storage section. 43,
The printing items are organized into printing patterns suitable for the beverage cans of each ticket. In parallel, when element patterns corresponding to each character and the like are sequentially sent from the pattern generator 42 to the image storage unit 43, the image storage unit 43 converts the pixel information group of each character and the like as a bit image print pattern. Store and store according to the organization.

In conjunction with the knitting of the printing pattern by the knitting means 40, when the beverage can 10 is sent out from the supply means and positioned at the photosensitive position by the transport means 20, the sensor of the beverage can 10 (not shown) detects This is detected and the light emitting means 50 is notified.

When the detection of the beverage can 10 is notified to the light emitting means 50, and when the printing pattern is stored, the image processing section 41 notifies the conversion section 51 of the light emitting means 50 of the completion of knitting. Then, the image storage unit 43 sends a pixel information sequence of a predetermined length to the conversion unit 51 in accordance with the timing of the information request from the conversion unit 51.

The conversion section 51 converts the pulse period into a corresponding pulse period of the laser light, and sends the pulse period to the light emission drive section 52 while notifying the image storage section 43 of the next information request. At the same time, for the projection means 60,
The synchronization signals in the X-axis and Y-axis directions corresponding to the above-described scanning lines SL1 and SL2 are transmitted.

For example, corresponding to the gray value of each information,
What is necessary is just to obtain the pulse period of the laser beam of each part of the print image via the selector. This makes it possible to determine the sensitivity of each part of the printed image by the reflected light L1 and L2, corresponding to the density on the print pattern. The light emission drive unit 52 causes the laser oscillator 53 to emit the irradiation light L in accordance with the introduced pulse period.

When each synchronizing signal is introduced into the projection means 60, the forming unit 61 generates each basic signal in the X-axis and Y-axis directions synchronized with each synchronizing signal via another selector, and generates a correction pattern. A laterally curved cylindrical surface correction pattern is designated for the generator 62. Next, each basic signal is corrected by the multiplier by the correction pattern generator 62 according to the correction pattern. In addition, if a digital-to-analog converter is provided in addition to the correction pattern generator 62, it is possible to transmit each scanning signal directly corrected while synchronizing the correction pattern.

Subsequently, two deflection currents in the X-axis and Y-axis directions according to the corrected scanning signals are sent to the reflection means 63 by the deflection driving unit 62. In other words, each rotating current is supplied to the first and second coils of the galvanomirror 101. Thereby, each scanning line SL1, SL2
Is corrected to a printed image suitable for the surface of the beverage can.

At this time, each reflected light L is controlled by controlling two rotating currents using the above-described displacement detection function.
The directions of 1 and L2 may be adjusted more precisely.

Further, in parallel, the irradiation light L from the laser oscillator 53 of the light emitting means 50 is received on the reflecting surface of the reflecting means 60. In other words, the reflected lights L1 and L2 received at the central portion of the reflecting mirror 140 of the galvanometer mirror 101 and directed in the respective directions.
As a beverage can 10 through the opening 65 of the projection means 60
Irradiate on top. Thereby, the plurality of scanning lines SL1,
The printed image composed of SL2 can be projected on the photosensitive position on the beverage can 10.

When the projection of the print image is completed, the knitting means 40 confirms that the last pixel information sequence has been sent in response to the last information request from the light-emitting means 50. The completion is reported to the management means 90. Subsequently, the management means 90 controls the carrying out of the beverage can 10 based on the completion report.
, And the printed beverage can 1
The bucket of 0 is stepped and the next bucket of the beverage can 10 is positioned at the photosensitive position.

When the conveying means 20 is stepped, the printed beverage can 10 is conveyed to the next station or stored in a not-shown storing means.

[0073]

According to the present invention, the following effects are exhibited by the above configuration. According to the first aspect, an optical system such as a lens or the like can be used to correspond to various print patterns by the knitting means, correct distortion on a complicated shape surface, and form a print image by laser light by the conversion means. Non-contact printing can be performed without using a printer. In addition, the entire device can be reduced in size and weight.

According to the second aspect, since the number of the industrial product, the date of manufacture, and the like can also be subjected to photosensitive printing, it can be made a versatile one suitable for a label printing print pattern.

According to the third aspect, by partially integrating the projection means, it is possible to reduce the size of the apparatus although it is versatile, and to improve the reliability thereof. In addition, since it is not necessary to add a driving unit such as a motor to the projection unit, power saving and weight reduction can be achieved.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a photosensitive printing apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the knitting means shown in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a light emitting unit shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of a projection unit shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a view for explaining a printed image projected on the beverage can shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a configuration diagram of an example of a galvanomirror according to the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a plan view of the silicon semiconductor substrate shown in FIG. 6;

8 is a sectional view taken along line 8-8 shown in FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is a sectional view taken along line 9-9 shown in FIG. 7;

FIG. 10 is a circuit diagram of an example of the oscillator inclination angle detection circuit shown in FIGS. 6 to 9;

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of a conventional label printing apparatus.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Photosensitive printing apparatus, 10 ... Beverage can, 20 ... Transport means,
40 ... knitting means, 50 ... light emitting means, 60 ... projection means, 9
0: management means, 101: galvanometer mirror, L: irradiation light,
L1, L2, L3, L4: reflected light, P: printed image.

Continued on the front page F term (reference) 2C062 RA01 2C362 BA17 CB67 CB71 3E095 AA08 BA10 CA02 DA63 DA69 DA72 DA76 DA85 EA23 EA26 FA30

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A knitting means for knitting a desired print item into a print pattern and sending it out, a light emitting means for emitting irradiation light while modulating the irradiation light according to the print pattern, and printing while reflecting and deflecting the irradiation light. A photosensitive printing apparatus comprising: a projecting means for projecting a printed image corresponding to a pattern; and a positioning means for positioning a photosensitive printing medium having an uneven surface or a curved surface at a photosensitive position in order to expose the printed image. 2. The photosensitive printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the print image is a code including an identification pattern of a print medium. 3. A photosensitive printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said projection means is formed by a semiconductor process.