JP2001228429A - Exposure recorder - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To efficiently detect the light quantity of a light beam outputted from a light source, without turning the photosensitive material useless. SOLUTION: After a laser beam L consisting of the linearly polarized light outputted from a semiconductor laser LD passes a polarizing beam splitter 38 and is converted into the circular polarized light by 1/4 wavelength plates 24a-24d, it is made incident on reflecting plates 22a-22d. After, as for the laser beam L reflected by the reflecting plates 22a-22d, the rotating direction of the polarized light is reversed, it is converted into the linearly polarized light by the 1/4 wavelength plates 24a-24d, is reflected by the polarizing beam splitter 38 to be made incident on a photo-sensor 46, and the light quantity is detected.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an exposure recording apparatus for exposing and recording an image by scanning a photosensitive material mounted on an outer peripheral surface of a drum with a light beam modulated in accordance with image information.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art By rotating a drum having a photosensitive material mounted on its outer peripheral surface in a main scanning direction, a laser beam modulated according to an image is scanned in a sub-scanning direction orthogonal to the main scanning direction. Exposure recording apparatuses for recording a two-dimensional image on the photosensitive material are widely used.

As a photosensitive material used in such an exposure recording apparatus, there is a photosensitive material on which an image is recorded by irradiating a laser beam having a light amount equal to or more than a predetermined coloring threshold. In this case, the light quantity distribution of the laser beam generally has a Gaussian distribution as shown in FIG. Therefore,
When the light amount of the laser beam fluctuates, the coloring range also fluctuates. Therefore, it is necessary to control the laser beam so that the light amount during recording becomes constant. Further, even in the case of a photosensitive material which develops a color at a density corresponding to the light quantity, it is necessary to control the light quantity so that a desired density can be obtained.

Therefore, in a conventional exposure recording apparatus, a test pattern is regularly recorded on a photosensitive material by exposure and the drive current is corrected by estimating the output fluctuation of the light source from the change in the recorded line width. Such a method is adopted. In this case, there is a problem that the photosensitive material is consumed for adjusting the light source. Further, since the confirmation of the exposure state was performed by carefully observing whether or not the line width was uniform and observing it carefully, it was extremely complicated and inefficient.

[0005]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide an exposure recording apparatus capable of efficiently detecting the amount of a light beam output from a light source without wasting photosensitive material. And

Another object of the present invention is to provide an exposure recording apparatus capable of detecting the amount of light beam without increasing the size of the configuration.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an exposure recording apparatus capable of detecting the amount of light beam while exposing and recording an image on a photosensitive material.

It is another object of the present invention to provide an exposure recording apparatus capable of detecting the light amount of a light beam and detecting an exposure position or an exposure spot shape of the light beam on a photosensitive material.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an exposure recording apparatus capable of detecting the amount of light beam supplied to a photosensitive material without wasting energy.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an exposure recording apparatus capable of setting the timing of exposure recording on a photosensitive material with high accuracy based on a point at which the light amount of a light beam is detected.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an exposure recording apparatus capable of detecting the state of the light source from the relationship between the light amount of the light beam and the temperature of the light source.

[0012]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, according to the present invention, a reflection means for reflecting a light beam for recording image information is provided at a portion on the outer peripheral surface of the drum where the photosensitive material is not mounted. The light beam output from the light source is guided to the reflection means via a polarizing beam splitter and a quarter-wave plate.

In this case, the linearly polarized light beam transmitted through the polarizing beam splitter has its polarization characteristics converted into circularly polarized light or elliptically polarized light by a quarter-wave plate, and is incident on the reflecting means. Next, the rotation direction of the polarized light of the circularly polarized light or the elliptically polarized light reflected by the reflection means is reversed, and the light beam enters the quarter-wave plate again. The quarter-wave plate converts this light beam into linearly polarized light having a polarization plane different from the polarization direction of the light beam transmitted through the polarizing beam splitter.

The light beam transmitted through the quarter-wave plate from the reflection plate side is reflected without being transmitted through the polarizing beam splitter and guided to the light amount detector. The light amount detector detects the light amount of the light beam, and the output of the light source is adjusted so that the light amount becomes a predetermined amount.

Here, since the reflecting means is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the drum on which the light beam is condensed, the size of the reflecting means can be minimized. As the reflection means, a reflection plate provided on the outer peripheral surface of the drum, or a mirror whose outer peripheral surface is mirror-finished can be used. When the outer peripheral surface of the drum is mirror-finished, the number of constituent members can be reduced. Further, the reflection means is formed in close contact with the surface of the quarter-wave plate by vapor deposition or lamination, so that the apparatus can be made smaller.

The light beam output from the light source is referred to as CC.
By receiving light with the D sensor, it is possible to detect the amount of light and to detect the irradiation position of the light beam on the photosensitive material from the light receiving position. In this case, if the positional deviation is corrected from the detected irradiation position, highly accurate image recording can be performed.

Further, by making the CCD surface conjugate with the position of the exposure spot on the photosensitive material, the shape of the exposure spot can be detected.

Further, by adjusting the polarization direction of the light beam incident on the polarizing beam splitter from the light source side by a half-wave plate, all the light beams can be transmitted and guided to the photosensitive material, thereby increasing the efficiency. Image recording can be performed.

If a plurality of semiconductor lasers are used as the light source, efficient image recording can be performed. It should be noted that the light amounts of the light beams output from the plurality of semiconductor lasers may be detected by guiding the light beams to a plurality of light amount detectors independently configured, or by guiding the light beams to one light amount detector using an optical fiber or the like. Can be.

Further, a timing signal for performing image recording can be generated from information on a point where the light beam is detected by the light amount detector.

Further, a temperature detector is provided in the light source, the temperature at which a predetermined amount of light beam is output from the light source is detected, and the state of the light source can be determined from the information on the temperature.

[0022]

1 and 2 show a first embodiment of the present invention.
1 shows an exposure recording apparatus 10 according to an embodiment. 1 is a side view and FIG. 2 is a plan view.

The exposure recording apparatus 10 has a photosensitive material 1 on the outer peripheral surface.
2, a drum 14 rotating in the main scanning direction (arrow X direction), and a plurality of exposures disposed on the carrier 16 and moving in the sub scanning direction (arrow Y direction) along the axis of the drum 14. It is basically composed of heads 18a to 18d.

The photosensitive material 12 includes clamps 20a to 20d
As a result, the fixing plates 20 e and 20 f are pressed against both ends of the photosensitive material 12 to be fixed to the drum 14.
As the photosensitive material 12, a film that is exposed by an irradiated light beam, a printing plate coated with a photosensitive agent, or the like can be used. When a printing plate is used, the exposure recording apparatus 10 uses a CT that creates a printing plate directly from image data.
It will function as a P (Computer to Plate) device.

Between the fixed plates 20e and 20f, there is provided a gap along the axis of the drum 14 where the photosensitive material 12 is not mounted.
Reflectors 22a to 22d (reflecting means) corresponding to .about.18d
Is arranged. Instead of using the reflecting plates 22a to 22d, the outer peripheral surface of the drum 14 is mirror-finished,
4 itself may be used as the reflection means.

On the reflection surface side of each of the reflection plates 22a to 22d,
Quarter-wave plates 24a to 24d are provided. The 波長 wavelength plates 24a to 24d are the 波長 wavelength plates 24a to 24d.
Of the drum 14 and 45 ° with respect to the axis of the drum 14.
有 す る It has an optical axis set to be inclined. Quarter wave plate 2
4a to 24d may be formed on the reflecting surfaces of the reflecting plates 22a to 22d or on the outer peripheral surface of the mirror-finished drum 14 as a reflecting means. Further, the reflecting means can be formed by vapor deposition on the quarter-wave plates 24a to 24d. Further, in the present embodiment, the 波長 wavelength plate 24a
To 24d are arranged on the drum 14 side, and the reflection plates 22a to 22d
Although it is configured to rotate integrally with the exposure heads 18a to 18d, the exposure heads 18a to 18d
It may be configured to move integrally with 8d.

The exposure heads 18a to 18d are arranged at predetermined intervals in the sub-scanning direction (arrow Y direction).
A semiconductor laser LD that outputs a laser beam L that is turned on and off in accordance with image information recorded on the photosensitive material 12 is provided. The semiconductor laser LD is set so that the direction parallel to the active layer is parallel to the axis of the drum 14. Therefore,
The laser beam L output from the semiconductor laser LD is linearly polarized light polarized in a direction parallel to the axis of the drum 14. In FIGS. 1 and 2, the polarization direction of the laser beam L is represented by “○ and •”, “double-headed arrow”, and “rotating arrow”, respectively. Note that the semiconductor laser LD
In this embodiment, a refractive index-guided broad area semiconductor laser having a light amount distribution that becomes wide in the sub-scanning direction (arrow Y direction) is used, but a single mode semiconductor having a Gaussian distribution light amount distribution is used. Lasers can also be used.

On the optical axis of the laser beam L output from the semiconductor laser LD, a collimator lens 26, a half-wave plate 28, a cylinder lens 30, an aperture 32, a parallel plate 34, a cylinder lens 36, a cubic polarization beam A splitter 38, a cylinder lens 40, and an imaging lens 42 are sequentially arranged. Further, on the optical axis of the laser beam L reflected by the polarizing beam splitter 38,
An optical sensor 46 (light amount detector) such as a photodiode is provided via a condenser lens 44.

The collimator lens 26 includes a semiconductor laser L
The laser beam L output from D is a parallel light beam. 1
The half-wave plate 28 adjusts the polarization direction of the laser beam L. The half-wave plate 28 has an optical axis parallel to the incident surface of the half-wave plate 28, and is 45 clockwise from perpendicular to the axis of the drum 14.゜ It is set to rotate. Therefore, the laser beam L transmitted through the half-wave plate 28 is converted into a direction in which the polarization plane is orthogonal to the axis of the drum 14. In addition, 1
By rotating the half-wave plate 28 around the optical axis, the polarization direction of the laser beam L can be easily adjusted.

The cylinder lenses 30, 36, and 40 adjust the width of the laser beam L in the sub-scanning direction (arrow Y direction), and the aperture 32 controls the main scanning direction (arrow X direction) and sub-scanning direction (arrow Y direction). Laser beam L for
Adjust the width of. The parallel plate 34 adjusts the irradiation position of the laser beam L on the photosensitive material 12 by adjusting the inclination angle with respect to the optical axis. The imaging lens forms an image of the laser beam L on the photosensitive material 12.

The polarization beam splitter 38 passes the laser beam L incident from the cylinder lens 36 side, reflects a linearly polarized laser beam parallel to the drum axis incident from the cylinder lens 40 side, and guides it to the optical sensor 46 side. To be installed in

FIG. 3 shows a circuit configuration of the exposure recording apparatus 10 configured as described above. Exposure recording device 10 has a CP
The whole is controlled by a control circuit 48 (timing signal generating means) including U. The control circuit 48 includes the drum 14
A drum rotation motor driving circuit 54 that drives a drum rotation motor 52 that rotates the drum in the main scanning direction (the direction of the arrow X);
Move the exposure heads 18a to 18d in the sub-scanning direction (arrow Y direction).
And a head moving motor driving circuit 58 for driving a head moving motor 56 for moving the head. Note that a rotary encoder 50 is connected to the drum rotation motor 52.

An image data storage unit 60 is connected to the control circuit 48. The LD drive circuit 62 connected to the image data storage unit 60 is connected to the image data storage unit 60.
Semiconductor laser LD according to image data read from
On / off control.

Further, a temperature detection circuit 64, a temperature control circuit 66, a light quantity control circuit 68, a light quantity detection circuit 70, and a light emission start timing data storage section 72 are connected to the control circuit 48, respectively.

The temperature detection circuit 64 detects the temperature of the semiconductor laser LD based on a signal from the temperature sensor 74 (temperature detector). The temperature control circuit 66 controls a temperature adjusting element 76 such as a Peltier element to set the temperature of the semiconductor laser LD detected by the temperature sensor 74 to a predetermined temperature. The light amount detection circuit 70 detects the light amount of the laser beam L based on a signal from the optical sensor 46. The light amount control circuit 68 controls a drive current supplied from the LD drive circuit 62 to the semiconductor laser LD so that the light amount of the laser beam L detected by the optical sensor 46 becomes a predetermined light amount. The light emission start timing data storage unit 72 includes a semiconductor laser LD.
This light emission start timing data (timing signal) is generated based on the output of the rotary encoder 50 when the drum 14 is rotated and the optical sensor 46 detects the laser beam L. You.

The exposure recording apparatus 10 of the first embodiment is basically configured as described above. Next, FIGS. 4 and 5
The operation will be described based on the flowchart of FIG.

First, the photosensitive material 12 is mounted on the outer peripheral surface of the drum 14, and is fixed by pressing the fixing plates 20e and 20f by the clamps 20a to 20d (step S).
1). Next, a temperature detection circuit 64 is
The temperature of the semiconductor laser LD is detected via the temperature control circuit 66 to detect the temperature of the semiconductor laser LD through the temperature control circuit 66, so that the temperature of the semiconductor laser LD is kept at a constant temperature, for example, 2.
The temperature is adjusted to 5 ° C. (step S2).

After the above preparations are made, the drum rotation motor drive circuit 54 is controlled to rotate the drum rotation motor 52, and the drum 14 is rotated to the light amount adjustment position (step S3). In this case, the light amount adjustment position is a position where the laser beam L output from the semiconductor laser LD is incident on the reflection plates 22a to 22d as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, and the rotation of the drum 14 from the initial position. The angle can be obtained from the output of the rotary encoder 50.

After the rotation of the drum 14 to the light amount adjustment position, the rotation of the drum 14 is stopped, a drive current is supplied from the LD drive circuit 62 to the semiconductor laser LD, and the light amount of the output laser beam L is detected by the optical sensor 46. And the drive current is controlled so that the light amount becomes a predetermined value (step S4).

That is, test data for turning on the semiconductor laser LD is supplied from the image data storage unit 60 to the LD drive circuit 62. The LD drive circuit 62 supplies a drive current to each semiconductor laser LD based on the test data, thereby outputting a laser beam L. The laser beam L output from the semiconductor laser LD is converted into a parallel light beam by the collimator lens 26 and then transmitted through the half-wave plate 28 so that the polarization direction of the laser beam L is orthogonal to the axis of the drum 14. Becomes Next, the laser beam L is applied to the cylinder lens 30 and the aperture 3.
2. The light enters the polarization beam splitter 38 via the parallel plate 34 and the cylinder lens 36.

The linearly polarized laser beam L orthogonal to the axis of the drum 14 passes through the polarization beam splitter 38 and enters the quarter-wave plates 24 a to 24 d via the cylinder lens 40 and the imaging lens 42. The laser beam L incident on the wavelength plates 24a to 24d reaches the reflection plates 22a to 22d after being converted from linearly polarized light to circularly polarized light. Since the reflection plates 22a to 22d are arranged near the light condensing position on the drum 14, they can be made as small as possible, and the cost can be reduced accordingly.

The reflecting plates 22a to 22d reflect the circularly polarized laser beam L to reverse the direction of polarization, and
It is guided again to the quarter-wave plates 24a to 24d. Therefore, the laser beam incident from the reflection plates 22a to 22d enters the polarization beam splitter 38 as a laser beam whose polarization direction is orthogonal to the laser beam L incident from the polarization beam splitter 38 side. The laser beam that has entered the polarization beam splitter 38 from the quarter-wave plates 24 a to 24 d is reflected by the polarization beam splitter 38 and guided to the optical sensor 46 via the condenser lens 44.

Each of the optical sensors 46 detects the amount of the incident laser beam by a light amount detection circuit 70 and controls the control circuit 4.
8 The control circuit 48 controls the light amount control circuit 6 so that the detected light amount of each laser beam becomes a predetermined light amount.
The drive current supplied from the LD drive circuit 62 to the semiconductor laser LD via the control circuit 8 is controlled.

It is to be noted that the deterioration of the optical sensor 46 due to the irradiation of the laser beam and the decrease in the detection accuracy of the optical sensor 46 due to the incident light amount exceeding the allowable amount are concerned. This can be avoided by setting the reflectance of 22a to 22d small. Further, the positions of the reflection plates 22a to 22d may be set so as to be shifted from the condensing position of the laser beam L on the photosensitive material 12, and the actual exposure light amount on the photosensitive material 12 may be estimated from the detected light amount. . In this case, the deterioration of the reflection plates 22a to 22d due to the laser beam L can be avoided at the same time. Further, the angle of the optical axis of the half-wave plate 28 and the quarter-wave plates 24a to 24d disposed in the optical path of the laser beam L with respect to the laser beam L, the set rotation angle of the polarizing beam splitter 38 with respect to the optical axis, and the like. Can be adjusted appropriately to adjust the light amount of the laser beam incident on the optical sensor 46.

Next, after the light quantity of each laser beam L reaches a predetermined value, the temperature of each semiconductor laser LD is
(Step S5), and it is checked whether the temperature is within a predetermined range (step S6). In this case, the semiconductor laser LD not in the predetermined temperature range is replaced as a deteriorated one (Step S7). Semiconductor laser L
After the exchange of D, the processing of steps S2 to S6 is repeated. In addition, even if it is determined in the check in step S6 that the temperature is within the predetermined temperature range, it is possible to predict the replacement time from the temperature rising tendency.

After the temperatures of all the semiconductor laser LDs have reached the predetermined temperature range, the drum rotation motor 52 is rotated via the drum rotation motor drive circuit 54 (step S).
8) The position where the laser beam L is reflected by the reflection plates 22a to 22d and detected by the optical sensor 46 is obtained as timing data of each of the exposure heads 18a to 18d. From this timing data, each of the exposure heads 18a to 18a
Light emission timing data for starting image recording by causing the 18d semiconductor laser LD to emit light is obtained. The obtained light emission timing data is stored in the light emission start timing data storage unit 7.
2 is set (step S9). By setting the emission start timing data in this way, it is possible to avoid generation of an inappropriate image due to a displacement of the exposure heads 18a to 18d in the main scanning direction (the direction of the arrow X).

After the above-described adjustment processing is performed, setting processing of light quantity control data is performed prior to image recording according to the flowchart shown in FIG. 5 (step S10).

First, the drum 14 is rotated to the light amount adjustment position (step S10a), and the rotary encoder 5 is rotated.
The rotation of the drum 14 is stopped when it is detected that the drum 14 has moved to the light amount adjustment position based on the output from 0 (step S10b). Next, a reference drive current is supplied from the LD drive circuit 62 to the semiconductor laser LD to output a laser beam L (step S10c).
6 (step S10d). Control circuit 48
Determines whether the detected light amount is a predetermined light amount (step S10e), controls the light amount control circuit 68 to increase or decrease the drive current until the detected light amount reaches the predetermined light amount, and controls the laser output from each semiconductor laser LD. The drive current is adjusted so that the light amount of the beam L becomes a predetermined value (step S10f). The adjusted drive current of each of the exposure heads 18a to 18d is set in the light amount control circuit 68 as light amount control data. Here, the predetermined value means that the photosensitive material 1 is irradiated with the laser beam L.
2 is a value at which the size of the pixel recorded becomes constant. After the drive current is adjusted, the drum 14 is driven to rotate and moves to the image exposure position (Step S10g).

After the light quantity control data is set as described above, the exposure processing of the image on the photosensitive material 12 is started (step S11). In this case, the control circuit 48
Based on the light emission start timing data supplied from the light emission start timing data storage unit 72, the image data storage unit 6
0 is supplied to the LD drive circuit 62, and the semiconductor laser L is supplied in accordance with the adjusted light amount control data.
D is turned on and off.

The laser beam L output from each semiconductor laser LD scans the photosensitive material 12 rotating in the main scanning direction (the direction of arrow X), while exposing heads 18a to 18d.
Moves in the sub-scanning direction (direction of arrow Y),
A two-dimensional image is recorded on the photosensitive material 12. In this case, all of the laser beam L output from the semiconductor laser LD passes through the polarizing beam splitter 38, and
The image is recorded without wasting energy.

On the other hand, while the image is being recorded on the photosensitive material 12, the optical sensor 46 detects the light amount of the laser beam in real time and adjusts the light amount as necessary. That is, the drum 14 rotates and the laser beam L is
The amount of light is detected at the time when the light is irradiated on 2a to 22d. If the amount of light is within a predetermined range (step S12), the image recording is continued, and after the image is completely recorded (step S1).
3) Stop the rotation of the drum 14 (Step S1)
4) The photosensitive material 12 is removed from the drum 14 (Step S15). On the other hand, when it is determined that the light amount is not within the predetermined range (step S12), it is determined that an inappropriate image is formed, and the exposure is stopped (step S1).
6). After that, the light amount control data supplied to the LD drive circuit 62 is corrected.

Next, the exposure recording apparatus 80 of the second embodiment shown in FIGS. 6 and 7 will be described. FIG. 6 is a side view, and FIG. 7 is a plan view. The same components as those in the exposure recording apparatus 10 of the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

In the exposure recording apparatus 80, the exposure head 8
The polarization beam splitters 38 constituting 2a to 82d are
Disposed between the half-wave plate 28 and the cylinder lens 30;
While allowing the laser beam L incident from the half-wave plate 28 side to pass, the laser beam L incident from the cylinder lens 30 side is condensed to the optical sensor 46 disposed on the side of the final stage exposure head 82d by the condenser lens 44. Guide through.

In the exposure recording apparatus 80 configured as described above, for example, the semiconductor laser LD of the exposure head 82a is used.
Is reflected by the reflection plate 22a, is reflected by the polarization beam splitter 38, passes through the polarization beam splitters 38 of the exposure heads 82b to 82d, and passes through the condenser lens 44 to the optical sensor L. 4
It is led to 6. Similarly, the other exposure heads 82b to 82d
The laser beam L output from the semiconductor laser LD is also guided to the optical sensor 46.

In this case, by shifting the light emission timing of each semiconductor laser LD, the light amount can be detected almost in the same manner as in the first embodiment. Further, in the second embodiment, the condenser lens 44 and the optical sensor 46 can be used in common for each of the exposure heads 82a to 82d, so that the cost can be reduced accordingly. In order to detect the amount of light in real time while recording an image on the photosensitive material 12, for example,
The positions of the reflection plates 22a to 22d may be set to be shifted by a predetermined amount in the main scanning direction (the direction of the arrow X) so that the laser beam L from the semiconductor laser LD is sequentially incident on the optical sensor 46.

Next, the exposure recording apparatus 90 of the third embodiment shown in FIGS. 8 and 9 will be described. FIG. 8 is a side view, and FIG. 9 is a plan view. The same components as those in the exposure recording apparatus 10 of the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

In the exposure recording apparatus 90, the photosensitive material 12
, An image is recorded by a single exposure head 92. As shown in FIG. 10, the exposure head 92 has a light source having a semiconductor laser group including a plurality of semiconductor lasers LD two-dimensionally arranged at a distance m in the sub-scanning direction (the direction of arrow Y). 94 is provided.

Along the optical axis of the laser beam L output from the semiconductor laser group, a condenser lens 96, a polarizing beam splitter 38, an imaging lens 98 and a quarter-wave plate 100
Are arranged. The relationship between the polarization direction of the laser beam L output from the semiconductor laser group and the direction of the optical axis of the quarter-wave plate 100 is set the same as in the first embodiment. Further, an optical sensor 46 is disposed on the reflection surface side of the polarization beam splitter 38 via a condenser lens 44.

On the other hand, in the gap between the two fixed plates 20e and 20f for holding down the photosensitive material 12 by the clamps 20a and 20b and the clamps 20c and 20d, a long reflecting plate along the sub-scanning direction (the direction of arrow Y) is provided. 1
02 is provided.

In the exposure recording apparatus 90 configured as described above, the photosensitive material 12 rotating in the main scanning direction (the direction of arrow X) is used.
, A plurality of semiconductor lasers LD forming the light source 94
Are simultaneously irradiated with the laser beam L output from, and an image is recorded. On the other hand, the light quantity of each laser beam L can be detected by sequentially emitting light from each semiconductor laser LD when the exposure head 92 is located at a position facing the reflection plate 102.

In this case, as the optical sensor 46, for example,
By using a CCD and measuring the light receiving range of the laser beam L incident on the CCD, the light amount of each laser beam L can be detected, and the positional accuracy of the semiconductor laser LD with respect to the photosensitive material 12 and the exposure spot Shape can be detected.

[0062]

As described above, according to the present invention, the amount of light beam can be detected without irradiating the photosensitive material with a light beam. Therefore, the amount of light can be detected without wasting the photosensitive material. Further, since the light amount can be detected while recording the image on the photosensitive material, it is efficient. Further, since the light quantity for image recording is not reduced by the mechanism for light quantity detection, the energy of the light beam is not wasted.

Further, since the light quantity can be detected by using a part of the optical path of the light beam with respect to the photosensitive material, the apparatus can be easily miniaturized.

Further, the irradiation position of the light beam on the photosensitive material can be obtained from the incident position of the light beam on the light quantity detector. Therefore, by adjusting the obtained irradiation position, highly accurate image recording can be performed.

Further, the timing of the exposure recording on the photosensitive material can be set with high accuracy from the position of the drum when the light quantity detector detects the light beam.

Further, since the relationship between the light amount of the light beam and the temperature of the light source can be obtained, for example, if the temperature at the predetermined light amount is not within the predetermined range, it is determined that the light source is deteriorated. Can be.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a side view of an exposure recording apparatus according to a first embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a plan view of the exposure recording apparatus according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a circuit configuration diagram of the exposure recording apparatus according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of the exposure recording apparatus according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of the exposure recording apparatus according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a side view of an exposure recording apparatus according to a second embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a plan view of an exposure recording apparatus according to a second embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a side view of an exposure recording apparatus according to a third embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a plan view of an exposure recording apparatus according to a third embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a light source in an exposure recording apparatus according to a third embodiment.

FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram showing a relationship between a light amount distribution of a laser beam and a coloring range of a photosensitive material by the distribution.

[Explanation of symbols]

10, 80, 90 Exposure recording device 12 Photosensitive material 14 Drum 18a-18d, 82a-82d, 92 Exposure head 22a-22d, 102 Reflector 24a-24d, 1
00 １ ／ wavelength plate 28 １ ／ wavelength plate 38 polarizing beam splitter 46 optical sensor 48 control circuit 74 temperature sensor 76 temperature adjusting element 94 light source L laser beam LD semiconductor laser

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[Procedure amendment]

[Submission date] March 16, 2000 (200.3.1.1)
6)

[Procedure amendment 1]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name] 0003

[Correction method] Change

[Correction contents]

As a photosensitive material used in such an exposure recording apparatus, there is a photosensitive material on which an image is recorded by irradiating a laser beam having a light amount equal to or more than a predetermined coloring threshold. In this case, the light amount distribution of the laser beam, as shown in FIG. 9, has a generally Gaussian distribution. Therefore, when the light amount of the laser beam fluctuates, the coloring range also fluctuates. Therefore, it is necessary to control the laser beam so that the light amount during recording becomes constant. Further, even in the case of a photosensitive material which develops a color at a density corresponding to the light quantity, it is necessary to control the light quantity so that a desired density can be obtained.

[Procedure amendment 2]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name] 0052

[Correction method] Deleted

[Procedure amendment 3]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name] 0053

[Correction method] Deleted

[Procedure amendment 4]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name] 0054

[Correction method] Deleted

[Procedure amendment 5]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name] 0055

[Correction method] Deleted

[Procedure amendment 6]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name] 0056

[Correction method] Change

[Correction contents]

Next, an exposure recording apparatus 90 according to a second embodiment shown in FIGS. 6 and 7 will be described. FIG. 6 is a side view, and FIG. 7 is a plan view. The same components as those in the exposure recording apparatus 10 of the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[Procedure amendment 7]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name] 0057

[Correction method] Change

[Correction contents]

In the exposure recording apparatus 90, the photosensitive material 12
, An image is recorded by a single exposure head 92. As shown in FIG. 8 , the exposure head 92 has a light source having a semiconductor laser group including a plurality of semiconductor lasers LD two-dimensionally arranged at a distance m in the sub-scanning direction (arrow Y direction). 94 is provided.

[Procedure amendment 8]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name] Brief description of drawings

[Correction method] Change

[Correction contents]

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a side view of an exposure recording apparatus according to a first embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a plan view of the exposure recording apparatus according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a circuit configuration diagram of the exposure recording apparatus according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of the exposure recording apparatus according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of the exposure recording apparatus according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a side view of an exposure recording apparatus according to a second embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a plan view of an exposure recording apparatus according to a second embodiment.

FIG. 8 illustrates a light source in an exposure recording apparatus according to a second embodiment.
It is a block diagram of a.

FIG. 9 shows a light amount distribution of a laser beam and a photosensitive material based on the distribution.
FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing a relationship between a coloring range and a color .

[Procedure amendment 9]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name] Explanation of sign

[Correction method] Change

[Correction contents]

[Reference Numerals] 10, 9 0 ... exposure recording apparatus 12 ... light-sensitive material 14 ... drum 18a to 18d, 9 2 ... exposure heads 22a to 22d, 102 ... reflecting plate 24 a to 24 d, 1
00 １ ／ wavelength plate 28 １ ／ wavelength plate 38 polarizing beam splitter 46 optical sensor 48 control circuit 74 temperature sensor 76 temperature adjusting element 94 light source L laser beam LD semiconductor laser

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Claims (12)

[Claims] 1. An exposure recording apparatus for exposing and recording an image by scanning a photosensitive material mounted on an outer peripheral surface of a drum with a light beam modulated according to image information, wherein the photosensitive material on the outer peripheral surface of the drum is not mounted. A reflecting unit provided at a location and reflecting the light beam output from the light source; a quarter-wave plate provided between the light source and the reflecting unit and converting a polarization characteristic of the light beam; A light amount detector for detecting a light amount of the light beam reflected by the reflection means and transmitted through the 波長 wavelength plate; and a light amount detector provided between the light source and the ４ wavelength plate and output from the light source. A polarizing beam splitter that guides the light beam reflected by the reflecting means and transmitted through the 波長 wavelength plate to the light amount detector while guiding the light beam to the drum outer peripheral surface; Exposure recording apparatus characterized by adjusting by detecting the light quantity of the beam by said light quantity detecting means. 2. An exposure recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said reflection means is a reflection plate provided on an outer peripheral surface of said drum. 3. An exposure recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said reflection means comprises a mirror-finished outer peripheral surface of said drum. 4. An exposure recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said reflection means is formed in close contact with said quarter-wave plate. 5. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the light beam incident on the quarter-wave plate from the light source side is linearly polarized light, and the optical axis of the quarter-wave plate is:
An exposure recording apparatus, which is set by rotating the plane of polarization of the linearly polarized light by a predetermined angle. 6. An exposure recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said light amount detector is a photodiode. 7. The exposure recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the light quantity detector is a CCD sensor that receives the light beam, and detects a light quantity and a light receiving range of the light beam. 8. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said polarization beam splitter is a cubic type polarization beam splitter, and an incident surface is disposed perpendicular to an optical axis of said light beam. Recording device. 9. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a half-wave plate for adjusting a polarization direction of the light beam output from the light source is disposed between the light source and the polarization beam splitter. An exposure recording apparatus characterized in that: 10. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said light source comprises a plurality of semiconductor lasers. 11. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising timing signal generating means for generating a timing signal for recording an image on the photosensitive material based on a point at which the light amount detector detects the light beam. Exposure recording device characterized by the following. 12. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the light source includes a temperature detector for detecting a temperature of the light source when a light amount of the light beam detected by the light amount detector is set to a predetermined value. An exposure recording apparatus, which is provided.