JP2002144610A - Recording method and recorder - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To prevent image defect by providing a recording method and a recorder in which gas generated at a recording station does not stand at a recorded area between a toner layer and an image receiving layer. SOLUTION: The toner layer in a transfer sheet 240 of a heat mode sensitive material and the image receiving layer in an image receiving sheet 140 are laid in layer and secured to a recording medium fixing member 310 which is then moved in the main scanning direction, and the transfer sheet 240 is exposed with a plurality of laser light spots arranged linearly while moving in the sub-scanning direction orthogonal to the main scanning direction, thus recording a desired image on the image receiving sheet 140. In this regard, the transfer sheet 240 is exposed with laser light spots of convex arrangement where the central spots in the sub-scanning direction are located on the downstream side in the main scanning direction. The ratio (a:b) between the distance (a) in the sub-scanning direction and the distance (b) in the main scanning direction of the convex arrangement is preferably in the range of (a:b)=(1:3)-(3:1).

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a recording method and a recording apparatus for recording information such as images and characters, particularly information such as color images and characters using KCMY toners, on a recording medium.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art For recording images and characters, there is a recording method in which an image receiving sheet and a transfer sheet are superposed and fixed on a drum, and laser exposure is performed. In this case, the image receiving sheet is wound around the drum with the image receiving layer facing upward, and the transfer sheet is wound around the drum with the toner layer superimposed on the image receiving layer. A recording head that performs laser exposure reciprocates in a direction parallel to the rotation axis of the drum. A laser beam is emitted from the recording head and irradiated as a plurality of spots. The plurality of spots 1 are one-dimensionally arranged in the moving direction of the recording head as shown in FIG. In this recording method, the rotating direction of the drum is the main scanning direction, and the moving direction of the recording head is the sub-scanning direction. Therefore, by combining the rotational movement of the drum and the linear movement of the recording head, the spot can be scanned on the transfer sheet and a desired image can be transferred to the image receiving sheet.

[0003]

In the recording method described above, the light energy of the laser light is converted to heat energy in the light-to-heat conversion layer in the recording local area irradiated with the laser spot.
The heat is generated instantaneously, and the water and the organic solvent contained in the light-to-heat conversion layer and the toner layer volatilize, generating a so-called gas. For this reason, in the case of the above-described recording method in which the image receiving sheet and the transfer sheet are overlapped and the working layer with the laser beam is sandwiched between these two sheets, the generated gas is difficult to escape into the air, and the image receiving sheet and the transfer sheet are transferred. It remains between the sheets. At both ends of the spot array, the generated gas easily escapes in the sub-scanning direction (the right side or the left side in FIG. 7), but at substantially the center of the spot array, the generated gas hardly escapes in the sub-scanning direction. Will remain at the approximate center. Then, the generated gas enters between the toner layer and the image receiving layer at a substantially central portion of the spot arrangement, and as a result, the toner layer and the image receiving layer do not adhere to each other. In such a state, the toner layer is not transferred to the image receiving layer even in the portion irradiated with the laser beam,
That portion of the final image may not be colored, or the color may be lightened. When this is viewed macroscopically (visually), as shown in FIG. 7, streaks (vertical streaks) 3 having a spot arrangement width are seen in the drum rotation direction, resulting in image defects.

For example, the distance between adjacent spots is 10 μm
When 32 spots are aligned at (2540 dpi), the spot array width is 32 μm. When the distance between adjacent spots is 10 μm (2540 dpi) and 256 spots are arranged, the spot array width is 2560.
μm (2.56 mm). The larger the spot array width, the more difficult it is for the gas in the center to escape,
Even in the case of visual observation, the image becomes uneven and it becomes easy to recognize. Furthermore, when the gas accumulates at the substantially central portion of the spot array and the toner layer and the image receiving layer do not adhere to each other, the heat generated in the light-to-heat conversion layer of the transfer sheet does not flow to the image receiving layer side as usual, and the heat is transferred to the transfer sheet side. As a result, the photothermal conversion layer and the toner layer of the transfer sheet become hotter than usual. In this way, when the temperature of the light-heat exchange layer or the toner layer is increased to a temperature at which the light-heat exchange layer or the toner layer is decomposed, further gas is generated, and the light-heat conversion layer or the toner layer is melted and decomposed, and becomes out of a normal state. In such a state, the density was reduced at the center, or even the light-heat exchange layer, which should not be transferred, was transferred to the image receiving layer, resulting in a more serious image defect.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and provides a recording method and a recording apparatus in which gas generated in a recording local portion does not accumulate in a recorded area between a toner layer and an image receiving layer. It is an object of the present invention to prevent image defects depending on the arrangement.

[0006]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a recording method according to the present invention, wherein a toner layer of a transfer sheet, which is a heat mode photosensitive material, and an image receiving layer of an image receiving sheet are overlapped. By moving the combined recording medium in the main scanning direction and exposing the recording medium while moving the plurality of laser light spots arranged in the sub-scanning direction orthogonal to the main scanning direction, In the recording method for recording an image described above, the exposure is performed by the laser light spot in a convex array in which a spot at a substantially central portion in the sub-scanning direction is located on the downstream side in the main scanning recording direction.

[0007] In this recording method, gas generated at a recording local portion is exposed by performing exposure using a laser light spot in a convex arrangement in which a spot substantially at the center in the sub-scanning direction is located downstream in the main scanning recording direction. The light is separated into the upstream side and the downstream side in the sub-scanning direction and is released to the upstream side in the main scanning recording direction. Thus, the gas reservoir is not entangled in the recorded area between the toner layer and the image receiving layer at the center in the arrangement direction of the laser light spots. Therefore, the adhesion between the toner layer and the image receiving layer is maintained, image defects depending on the spot arrangement are prevented, and a good image can be obtained.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the recording apparatus, a recording medium in which a toner layer of a transfer sheet, which is a heat mode photosensitive material, and an image receiving layer of an image receiving sheet are fixed and moved in the main scanning direction. A recording apparatus comprising: a fixing member and a recording head that is moved in a sub-scanning direction orthogonal to the main scanning direction while exposing each of the arrayed laser light spots to the recording medium according to image information. The plurality of laser light spots are arranged in a convex shape such that the spot substantially at the center in the sub-scanning direction is located on the downstream side in the main scanning recording direction.

In this recording apparatus, a plurality of laser light spots are arranged in a convex shape in which a spot substantially at the center in the sub-scanning direction is located on the downstream side in the main scanning recording direction. When the rotational movement of the recording medium fixing member and the linear movement of the recording head are combined, the gas generated in the recording local portion is separated and released upstream and downstream in the sub-scanning direction. That is, the gas generated in the recording local portion is not entangled in the central portion in the arrangement direction of the laser light spot, and the gas is prevented from being accumulated between the toner layer and the image receiving layer in the recorded area.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the recording apparatus, the convex shape is V
Characteristic.

In this recording apparatus, the laser beam spot is V
The spots at the approximate center of the sub-scanning direction and the spots at both ends in the sub-scanning direction are linearly inclined in the opposite direction, and the gas generated in the recording local area is rotated by the rotation of the drum. The movement makes it easier to be sent to the upstream side in the main scanning recording direction.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the recording apparatus, the convex shape is U-shaped.
Characteristic.

In this recording apparatus, the laser beam spot is U
The spots at the center in the sub-scanning direction are arranged in a gentle curve, and the gas generated in the recording local area is dispersed over a wide distance in the sub-scanning direction at a short distance in the main scanning direction. As a result, the gas density is reduced, and gas accumulation is less likely to occur.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the recording apparatus, a ratio (a: b) of the convex distance a in the sub-scanning direction and the distance b in the main scanning direction is provided.
Are in the range of (a: b) = (1: 3) to (3: 1).

In this recording apparatus, the ratio (a: b) between the convex sub-scanning direction distance a and the main scanning direction distance b is (a: b) =
(1: 3) to (3: 1), (a: b) is smaller than (1: 3), and (a: b) is (3: 3).
1) Exclude larger ranges. That is, when (a: b) is smaller than (1: 3), the convex array has an acute angle V
It becomes U-shaped or U-shaped, and it becomes impossible to perform high-speed recording using a plurality of desired spots. Also, (a: b)
Is greater than (3: 1), the convex arrangement becomes an obtuse V-shaped or U-shaped, and the gas cannot be sufficiently separated in the left-right direction. Therefore, (a: b) =
(1: 3) to (3: 1) enable high-speed recording,
In addition, the range is an optimum range in which the gas can be sufficiently separated in the left-right direction.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the recording apparatus, the protruding tip is disposed upstream of the substantially central portion in the sub-scanning direction in the sub-scanning direction.

In this recording apparatus, the protruding protruding tip is disposed on the upstream side in the sub-scanning direction from the substantially central portion in the sub-scanning direction. The sequence length becomes longer. When the convex shapes are arranged in, for example, a V-shape, the inclination of the left and right arrays sandwiching the protruding tip is opposite. In this case, the inclined array on the downstream side in the sub-scanning direction faces the unrecorded portion, so that the gas is easily released. The inclined array on the upstream side in the sub-scanning direction, facing the recorded portion, makes it difficult for the gas to escape. Therefore, by increasing the length of the inclined array on the downstream side in the sub-scanning direction, gas accumulation at the central portion in the sub-scanning direction is eliminated, and the gas releasing effect in the entire convex array is enhanced.

[0018]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Preferred embodiments of a recording method and a recording apparatus according to the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a recording apparatus according to the present invention, FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of an image receiving sheet and a transfer sheet used in the recording method and the recording apparatus according to the present invention, and FIG. FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing the state of a laser beam spot emitted from the recording head. FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing a modification of the laser beam spot emitted from the recording head.
FIG. 4 is an explanatory view conceptually showing a recording step.

As shown in FIG. 1, the recording apparatus 1 includes an image receiving sheet supply unit 100, a transfer sheet supply unit 200, a recording unit 300, and a discharge unit 400. The recording apparatus 1 has a surface covered by a main body cover 510 and a leg 5.
20 supported.

In the recording apparatus 1, the image receiving sheet supply unit 1
00 supplies an image receiving sheet to the recording unit 300.
The transfer sheet supply unit 200 can supply a plurality of types of transfer sheets, and can selectively supply one type of transfer sheet from the plurality of types of transfer sheets to the recording unit 300. Can be. In the recording unit 300, a transfer sheet is further wound on the image receiving sheet wound on the drum 310 as a recording medium fixing member. Then, the transfer sheet superposed on the image receiving sheet is subjected to laser exposure based on image information to be recorded. An image is formed on the image receiving sheet by the toner of the portion of the transfer sheet heated by the laser exposure being adhered to the image receiving sheet and transferred by deterioration of adhesion, melting or sublimation. Further, a color image can be formed on the image receiving sheet by attaching toners of transfer sheets of different colors (for example, black, cyan, magenta, and yellow) to the same image receiving sheet. This means that the image receiving sheet is transferred to the drum 3 as described later.
This is achieved by exchanging the exposed transfer sheet with a transfer sheet of a different color sequentially while performing the laser exposure while winding the transfer sheet around the sheet.

The image receiving sheet on which the image has been formed is ejected via the ejection section 400 and taken out of the recording apparatus. Then, in an image transfer unit (not shown) provided separately, the image receiving sheet is heated and pressed while the surface on which the image is formed is overlapped with the actual paper to be printed. As a result, the toner is transferred onto an arbitrary sheet of paper (printing paper) and an image is formed. The above is the outline of the recording apparatus 1. Next, each of the image receiving sheet supply unit 100, the transfer sheet supply unit 200, the recording unit 300, and the discharge unit 400 will be described in order.

The image receiving sheet supply section 100 has an image receiving sheet roll 130. The image receiving sheet roll 130 is formed by winding an image receiving sheet 140 around a core. As shown in FIG. 2, the image receiving sheet 140 has a support layer 140a, a cushion layer 140b, and an image receiving layer 140c, and the cushion layer 140b and the image receiving layer 1
40c are sequentially stacked. As the support layer 140a, PET (polyethylene terephthalate) base, T
AC (triacetyl cellulose) base, PEN (polyethylene naphthalate) base, or the like can be used. The image receiving layer 140c has a function of receiving the transferred toner. The cushion layer 140b has a function of absorbing a step when a plurality of toners are stacked. In the image receiving sheet roll 130, the image receiving layer 140
The image receiving sheet roll wound in such a manner that c is located outside the support layer 140a (hereinafter, the image receiving sheet roll wound in this manner is referred to as an “outwardly wound” image receiving sheet roll). Further, the image receiving sheet roll 130 is installed so as to be rotatable around the center axis of the core.

The image receiving sheet supply section 100 further has an image receiving sheet transport section 150. Image receiving sheet transport section 1
50 is a motor (not shown), a drive transmission belt or chain (not shown), and transport rollers 154 and 15.
5, support guide 156, and image receiving sheet cutting section 160
And a detection sensor (not shown) for detecting an end point of the image receiving sheet. Each of the transport roller 154 and the transport roller 155 has a pair of rollers. With such a driving mechanism, the image receiving sheet 140 is transferred to the recording unit 3.
00 or return from the recording unit 300.

First, the image receiving sheet 140 is pulled out by the above-described driving mechanism such as a motor in a state where the leading end of the image receiving sheet roll 130 is sandwiched between the conveying rollers 154. Thereby, the image receiving sheet roll 130 rotates,
The image receiving sheet 140 is fed out. Image receiving sheet 14
0 is further sandwiched between the transport rollers 155 and the support guide 1
It is guided by 56 and transported.

The image receiving sheet 140 conveyed by the image receiving sheet conveying section 150 in this manner is cut into a predetermined length by the image receiving sheet cutting section 160. A detection sensor is used for measuring the length. The length can be measured by, for example, detecting the leading end of the image receiving sheet 140 with a detection sensor and considering the number of rotations of the motor and the like. The image receiving sheet 140 is cut into a predetermined length based on the measurement result, and is supplied to the recording unit 300. Although not shown, the image receiving sheet cutting unit 160 has a cutter, a support unit, and a guide. The image receiving sheet roll 1 is driven by the above drive.
The image receiving sheet 140 fed out from 30 is cut into a predetermined length by a cutter after the conveyance of the image receiving sheet 140 is stopped based on the measurement result of the image receiving sheet length described above. As described above, the image receiving sheet supply unit 100 feeds out and cuts a part of the image receiving sheet roll 130,
The image receiving sheet 140 having a predetermined length can be supplied to the recording unit 300.

Next, the transfer sheet supply unit 200 will be described. The transfer sheet supply unit 200 has a rotating rack 210. The rotating rack 210 is driven to rotate about a rotating shaft 213 as described later. Further, a plurality of (six in the figure) transfer sheet rolls 2 are
30 are accommodated and arranged “radially” about the rotation shaft 213. Each transfer sheet roll 230
It has a core, a transfer sheet 240 wound around the core, and flanges (not shown) inserted from both sides of the core.
Each transfer sheet roll 230 is held rotatably about each core. By setting the outer diameter of the flange to be larger than the diameter of the transfer sheet portion, the transfer sheet portion does not collapse.

As shown in FIG. 2, each transfer sheet 240 has a support layer 240a, a light-to-heat conversion layer 240b, and a toner layer 240c. The light-to-heat conversion layer 240b and the toner layer 240c are formed on the support layer 240a. They are sequentially stacked. As the support layer 240a, any material can be selected from general support materials (for example, the same support material as the above-described support layer 140a) as long as the material transmits laser light. The light-to-heat conversion layer 240b has a function of converting laser energy into heat. The light-to-heat conversion layer 240b is made of carbon, a black substance,
Any substance can be selected from general light-to-heat conversion materials as long as they convert light energy into heat energy, such as an infrared absorbing dye or a specific wavelength absorbing substance. As the toner layer 240c, for example, toner sheets of each color of black (K), cyan (C), magenta (M), and yellow (Y) are prepared.

In the transfer sheet roll 230, the toner layer 240c is wound so as to be outward with respect to the support layer 240a (hereinafter, the transfer sheet roll wound in this manner is referred to as an "outer winding" transfer sheet). Roll). As described later, the toner layer 240c has toner ink, and this toner ink is transferred to the image receiving sheet by laser exposure.

In FIG. 1, six transfer sheet rolls 230
Is stored in the carousel 210. As the six types of transfer sheets, for example, a transfer sheet of four colors of black, cyan, magenta, and yellow and a transfer sheet of a special color of two colors (for example, gold and silver) can be used.

The rotating rack 210 further has a transfer sheet feeding mechanism 250 corresponding to each of the plurality of transfer sheet rolls 230. The transfer sheet feeding mechanism 250 includes a feed roller 254 and a support guide. 256. In the figure, 6
One transfer sheet feeding mechanism 250 is provided. The feed roller 254 has rollers 254a and 254b. The roller 254a is connected to a motor by a gear mechanism as described later, and is driven by the motor. The transfer sheet 240 can be held between the roller 254a and the roller 254b with a predetermined pressure. The roller 254b conveys the transfer sheet 240 by rotating in a direction opposite to the rotation of the roller 254a. The transfer sheet 240 has rollers 254a and 254b.
Can be pinched, sent out, or reversed. The transfer sheet roll 230 rotates with the transfer of the transfer sheet 240.

The transfer sheet 240 is transferred to the recording unit 300 by the transfer sheet feeding mechanism 250 having such a structure.
Supplied to In a state where the leading end of the transfer sheet 240 is sandwiched between the feed rollers 254, the feed rollers 254 are driven by the aforementioned driving mechanism such as a motor. By this driving, the transfer sheet 240 is fed out. Further, the transfer sheet 240 is further cut to a predetermined length in a transfer sheet transport unit
00 is supplied. As described above, the rotating rack 210 accommodating the plurality of transfer sheet rolls 230 can selectively supply a desired type of transfer sheet 240 to the transfer sheet transport unit 270.

The transfer sheet supply section 200 further has a transfer sheet transport section 270. Transfer sheet transport unit 2
70 is a motor (not shown), a drive transmission belt or chain (not shown), and transport rollers 274 and 27.
5, a guide 276, a transfer sheet cutting unit 280, and a detection sensor (not shown) for detecting an end of the transfer sheet. Each of the transport rollers 274 and 275 has a pair of rollers. Rollers 274 and 275
Is connected to a motor by a drive transmission belt or chain, and is driven by the motor to convey the transfer sheet 240.

With such a driving mechanism, the transfer sheet 240 can be sent out toward the recording unit 300, or can be returned. The transfer sheet 240 conveyed in this manner is cut to a predetermined length by the transfer sheet cutting unit 280. A detection sensor is used for measuring the length of the transfer sheet 240. Transfer sheet 24
The length can be measured, for example, by detecting the end of 0 with a detection sensor and considering the number of rotations of the motor and the like. The transfer sheet 240 is cut into a predetermined length based on the measurement result, and is supplied to the recording unit 300. Although not shown, the transfer sheet cutting unit 280 has a cutter, a support unit, a guide, and the like. As described above, the transfer sheet supply unit 200 feeds out and cuts a part of the transfer sheet roll 230 to thereby transfer the transfer sheet 2 having a predetermined length.
40 can be supplied to the recording unit 300.

When the transfer sheet 240 is consumed, it is necessary to remove the used transfer sheet roll 230 and replace it with a new transfer sheet 240. The exchange of the transfer sheet roll 230 can be performed by opening the lid 511. At this time, by rotating the rotating rack 210, the transfer sheet roll 230 to be replaced is
Is moved to a predetermined replacement position corresponding to. On the other hand, replacement of the image receiving sheet roll 130 is also performed by opening the lid 511.

Next, the recording section 300 will be described. The recording unit 300 has a drum 310. As shown in FIG. 3, the drum 310 has a hollow cylindrical shape, and is rotatably held by the frame 320. Main recording device 1
In, the rotation direction of the drum 310 is the main scanning direction. The drum 310 is connected to a rotating shaft of a motor and is driven to rotate by the motor. A plurality of holes are formed on the surface of the drum 310. This hole is connected to a suction device such as a blower or a vacuum pump (not shown). The image receiving sheet 140 and the transfer sheet 240 are transferred to the drum 31
When the suction device is operated while placed on the drum 0, these sheets are adsorbed on the drum 310.

The drum 310 has a plurality of grooves (not shown), and the plurality of grooves are provided in parallel with the rotation axis of the drum 310 and on a straight line. Also,
Above the drum 310, a plurality of peeling claws (not shown) are provided in parallel with the rotation axis of the drum 310 and on a straight line.

Further, the recording unit 300 includes a recording head 350
Having. The recording head 350 can emit the laser light Lb. The toner ink on the transfer sheet 240 at the position irradiated with the laser light Lb is transferred to the surface of the image receiving sheet 140. The recording head 350 can be moved linearly in a direction parallel to the rotation axis of the drum 310 along the guide rail 322 by a driving mechanism (not shown). In the printing apparatus 1, this moving direction is the sub-scanning direction. Accordingly, a desired position on the transfer sheet 240 that covers the image receiving sheet 140 can be subjected to laser exposure by a combination of the rotational movement of the drum 310 and the linear movement of the recording head 350. Therefore, a desired image can be transferred to the image receiving sheet 140 by scanning the transfer sheet 240 with the drawing laser light Lb and performing laser exposure only on the corresponding position based on the image information.

Here, the laser beam Lb emitted from the recording head 350 will be described in more detail. The recording head 350 has a light emitting element (not shown) for irradiating the laser light Lb, or has a light modulation element for modulating the laser light emitted from the light emitting element. This allows
By arranging a plurality of light emitting elements at desired positions or arranging the modulation window of the light modulation element at desired positions, the laser light spot can be arranged in a desired manner. Then, as shown in FIG. 4, the laser light Lb emitted from the recording head 350 includes a plurality of laser light spots L arranged linearly.
The transfer sheet 240 is irradiated as s.

The recording apparatus 1 uses the laser light spot L
s is characterized in that the spot Ls1 substantially at the center in the sub-scanning direction is located on the downstream side in the main scanning recording direction. That is, as shown in FIG. 4, the laser light spots Ls are arranged in a V-shaped convex shape in which the spot Ls1 substantially at the center in the sub-scanning direction is located on the downstream side in the main scanning recording direction. Further, as shown in FIG. 5, spots Ls1 at the substantially central portion in the sub-scanning direction may be arranged in a U-shaped convex shape located on the downstream side in the main scanning recording direction. In the recording situation shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the area above the laser light spot Ls is a recorded area, and the area below the laser light spot Ls is an unrecorded area.

In such an arrangement of the laser light spot Ls, the rotational movement of the drum 310 and the recording head 3
When combined with the 50 linear movements, the gas generated in the recording local portion is separated upstream and downstream in the sub-scanning direction and escaped upstream in the main scanning recording direction. That is, the gas generated in the recording local portion is not particularly entangled in the central portion in the arrangement direction of the laser light spots Ls, and the gas is prevented from being accumulated between the toner layer 240c and the image receiving layer 140c in the recorded area. You.

The laser light spots Ls are arranged in a V-shaped convex shape as shown in FIG. 4 so that the spot Ls1 at the substantially central portion in the sub-scanning direction and the spot Ls at both ends in the sub-scanning direction.
Since s2 and Ls2 are linearly inclined and arranged, the gas generated in the recording local portion is easily sent to the upstream side in the main scanning recording direction by the rotational movement of the drum 310.

The laser light spots Ls are arranged in a U-shaped convex shape as shown in FIG. 5, so that a spot group at a substantially central portion in the sub-scanning direction is arranged in a gentle curve shape. The generated gas is dispersed over a wide range in the sub scanning direction at a short distance in the main scanning direction. As a result, the gas density tends to decrease, and gas accumulation hardly occurs.

In this convex shape, the ratio (a: b) of the distance a in the sub-scanning direction to the distance b in the main scanning direction is (a: b) = (1: 3).
To (3: 1). Therefore, the range where the ratio (a: b) is longer than (1: 3) in the main scanning direction and the range where the ratio (a: b) is longer than (3: 1) in the sub-scanning direction are excluded. . That is, when the ratio (a: b) is longer than (1: 3) in the main scanning direction, the convex arrangement becomes an acute V-shaped or U-shaped, and high-speed recording using a desired plurality of spots can be performed. Will be gone. When the ratio (a: b) is longer than (3: 1) in the sub-scanning direction, the convex arrangement becomes an obtuse V-shaped or U-shaped, and the gas is separated in the left-right direction (distribution function). ) Is not fully exhibited. Therefore, (a: b) = (1:
The range of 3) to (3: 1) enables high-speed recording while
In addition, the range is an optimum range in which the gas can be sufficiently separated in the left-right direction.

The protruding end (that is, the spot Ls1 at the substantially central portion in the sub-scanning direction) may be disposed on the upstream side in the sub-scanning direction from the substantially central portion in the sub-scanning direction. . In this case, the array length on the downstream side in the sub-scanning direction becomes longer among the left and right arrays sandwiching the protruding tip. When the convex shapes are arranged in a V-shape, for example, the inclination of the left and right arrangements sandwiching the protruding tip is opposite. Since the inclined array on the downstream side in the sub-scanning direction faces the unrecorded portion, it is easy to escape gas,
Since the inclined array on the upstream side in the sub-scanning direction faces the recorded portion, it is difficult for gas to escape. Therefore, by increasing the length of the inclined array on the downstream side in the sub-scanning direction, gas accumulation at the central portion in the sub-scanning direction is eliminated, and the gas releasing effect in the entire convex array is enhanced.

Next, the image receiving sheet 140 and the transfer sheet 2
The operation of winding the drum 40 around the drum 310 will be described. Two types of sheets, an image receiving sheet 140 and a transfer sheet 240, are wound around the drum 310. Drum 3
First, the image receiving sheet 140 supplied by the image receiving sheet supply unit 100 is wound around the sheet 10. As described above, the surface of the drum 310 has a plurality of holes (not shown).
Is formed, and the image receiving sheet 140 is sucked by a suction device (not shown).
The image receiving sheet 1
The drum 40 is wound while being attracted to the drum 310 as the drum 310 rotates.

Next, one transfer sheet 240 supplied from the transfer sheet supply unit 200 is wound on the image receiving sheet 140. Image receiving sheet 140 and transfer sheet 2
The two types of sheets 40 have different sizes, and the transfer sheet 240 is larger than the image receiving sheet 140 in both the vertical and horizontal directions.
Therefore, the transfer sheet 240 is attracted to the drum 310 by a portion larger than the image receiving sheet 140. As the drum 310 rotates, the transfer sheet 240
It is wound while being adsorbed by 10.

The image receiving sheet 140 and the transfer sheet 240 wound around the drum 310 are the same as the image receiving layer 140 c of the image receiving sheet 140.
Exists in contact with The toner ink of the toner layer 240c having such a positional relationship is laser-exposed by the recording head 350 and transferred to the image receiving sheet 140 as described above. The transfer sheet 240 on which the transfer operation has been completed is separated from the drum 310.

Next, the peeling operation will be described. First, the drum 310 is rotated to a predetermined position for peeling. Then, the position of the tip of the peeling claw described above is
It moves from a standby position where it does not contact the drum 10 to a position where it contacts the drum 310. During this movement, the tip of the peeling claw is prevented from contacting the transfer sheet 240. With the rotation of the drum 310, the peeling claw relatively moves on the drum 310 in the circumferential direction along the surface of the drum 310.
The tip of the peeling claw relatively moves on the surface of the drum 310 along the shape of the groove, and sinks below the transfer sheet 240. The transfer sheet 240 moves along the upper surface of the peeling nail. The transfer sheet 240 is separated from the drum 310.

Then, before coming into contact with the image receiving sheet 140, the peeling claw further rises in the direction away from the drum 310 and moves to the standby position. After the leading end of the transfer sheet 240 is peeled off, the drum 310 continues to rotate.
10 and the image receiving sheet 140. At this time, since the image receiving sheet 140 is still attracted to the drum 310 by the suction force of the suction device, the transfer sheet 24
Only 0 can be peeled off. The transfer sheet 240 peeled by the above operation is further discharged to a discharge unit 4 described later.
00 is discharged to the outside of the apparatus.

Next, a transfer sheet 240 of another color is wound on the image receiving sheet 140 wound around the drum 310 in the above-described procedure. Then, after the toner ink of the transfer sheet 240 is transferred to the image receiving sheet 140 by laser exposure by the above-described operation, the transfer sheet 240 is peeled and discharged. The same operation is repeated for a plurality of types of transfer sheets 240. For example, a color image is transferred to the image receiving sheet 140 by repeating the above operation for four types of transfer sheets 240 of black, cyan, magenta, and yellow.

Finally, the image receiving sheet 140 onto which the plural types of toner inks have been transferred is peeled off.
The peeling of the image receiving sheet 140 is performed in the same manner as the peeling of the transfer sheet 240. At this time, the peeling claw approaches the plurality of grooves and peels the image receiving sheet 140 from the drum 310. Moreover, since the same peeling claw as that used when peeling the transfer sheet 240 can be used, the structure can be simplified. Therefore, the reliability of the machine can be improved. Image receiving sheet 1 peeled as described above
40 is discharged to the discharge unit 400.

Next, the discharge section 400 will be described. The discharge unit 400 includes a sheet common transport unit 410, a transfer sheet discharge unit 440, and an image receiving sheet discharge unit 450.
The sheet common conveyance unit 410 includes a motor (not shown), a drive transmission belt or chain (not shown), conveyance rollers 414, 415, 416, a support guide 418,
419 and a detection sensor (not shown). In addition, the sheet common conveyance unit 410 further has a movable guide unit, which includes a guide plate 438 and a drive mechanism (not shown). Guide plate 438
Can be moved between two positions to be described later by a driving mechanism.

The transfer sheet discharge section 440 discharges the processed transfer sheet 240 to the transfer sheet collection box 540. The image receiving sheet discharge section 450 includes an image receiving sheet discharge port 451, rollers 454 and 455, and a guide 4.
58. Image receiving sheet 140 on which an image has been transferred
Is supplied to the tray 550 via the image receiving sheet discharging section 450.
Is discharged. Each transport roller 414, 415, 41
6, 454 and 455 are configured as a set of two rollers similarly to the other transport rollers described above.
The image receiving sheet 140 and the transfer sheet 240 can be conveyed by being rotated by being sandwiched between two rollers. The discharge unit 400 having such a mechanism performs discharge of the image receiving sheet 140 and discharge of the transfer sheet 240 by the following operation.

First, the discharge of the transfer sheet 240 will be described. The transfer sheet 240 that has become unnecessary after the laser exposure in the recording unit 300 is transferred to the drum 3 as described above.
Peeled from 10. The peeled transfer sheet 240 is
Peeling claw, support guides 418, 419, guide plate 4
While being supported by the transfer rollers 414, 41
It is conveyed by being pinched and sent out by 5, 416.

Next, the discharge of the image receiving sheet 140 will be described. The image receiving sheet 140 is separated from the drum 310 as described above after the toner ink is transferred and processed by the recording unit 300. The peeled image receiving sheet 140 is conveyed by being held by the peeling claws, the support guides 418, 419, and the guide plate 438, nipped by the conveying rollers 414, 415, 416, and sent out.

The sheet common conveyance section 410 is common to the case where the transfer sheet 240 is discharged, and can have a simpler structure than the case where a conveyance section is provided for each sheet. Note that the sheet common transport unit 410
, The transfer sheet 240 is transported with the toner layer facing down, and the image receiving sheet 140 is transported with the image receiving layer facing upward. Therefore, even if the image receiving sheet 140 and the transfer sheet 240 are sequentially transported using the same transport path, there is no possibility that the image formed on the image receiving layer of the image receiving sheet 140 is contaminated.

The image receiving sheet 140 is transported by the transport rollers 41.
4, 415, and 416, and are once discharged to the outside of the apparatus. However, not all of the image receiving sheet 140 is discharged to the outside. Image receiving sheet 14
In a state where the rear end of the image receiving sheet 140 is on the guide plate 438 and is sandwiched between the conveying rollers 416, the driving by the motor is temporarily stopped, and the image receiving sheet 140 is discharged by rotating the motor in the reverse direction. Exit 451
Pull back in the direction. That is, a “switchback” operation is performed.
The drive stop timing is determined using a signal from the detection sensor. The detection sensor detects that the rear end of the image receiving sheet 140 has passed the position of the detection sensor, and then stops driving the motor 412 when the image receiving sheet 140 is transported and reaches a predetermined position.

The predetermined position means a position where the rear end of the image receiving sheet 140 is on the guide plate 438 and is in a state where the image receiving sheet 140 is sandwiched between the conveying rollers 416. Whether or not the image receiving sheet 140 has moved a predetermined distance until reaching this position can be determined from the number of rotation pulses of the motor from the time of detection of the rear end by the detection sensor.

The guide plate 438 of the movable guide portion is
Driven by a drive mechanism (not shown),
You can move between solid lines. The guide plate 438 is moved by this driving mechanism. When the stopped motor rotates in the reverse direction, each transport roller 4 is rotated.
16, 454, 455, etc. are driven in the opposite direction. By this reverse rotation, the image receiving sheet 140 is pulled back. Then, the image receiving sheet 140 is further conveyed by the conveying rollers 454 and 455 while being further supported by the guide 458, and sent out to the tray 550. As described above, after the image receiving sheet sent to the tray 550 is taken out of the recording apparatus, additional processing is performed in a separate image transfer unit. As a result, printing is performed on any printing paper.

The above operation is controlled by a control unit (not shown). The control unit controls the image receiving sheet supply unit 100, the transfer sheet supply unit 200, the recording unit 300, the discharge unit 400, and the like. The control unit controls a driving unit having a motor and the like in each of the above units, and particularly in the recording unit 300, further controls an air unit such as a suction device, an image processing unit that processes image data, and the like. The drive unit of the transfer sheet supply unit 200 transfers the transfer sheet 240 from the rotation drive system of the rotating rack 210 and the transfer sheet roll 230 to the drum 3
10 and a sheet transport drive system provided for the drive system 10. Among them, regarding the motor driving of the sheet transport driving system, the driver for driving the motor is shared by the plurality of transfer sheet feeding mechanisms as described above. The drive circuit system is simplified.

With the recording apparatus as described above, a desired color image can be formed on the image receiving sheet 140. Hereinafter, an operation procedure will be described for a case where a color image is formed using four colors of black, cyan, magenta, and yellow.

As shown in FIG. 6, first, in step 1, the image receiving sheet supply section 100 supplies the image receiving sheet 140 to the drum 310. The image receiving sheet 140 is provided by a part of the externally wound image receiving sheet roll 130 being fed out and cut, and is wound around the drum 310.

Next, in step 2, the transfer sheet supply unit 200 supplies the black (K) transfer sheet 240 to the drum 310. As the rotating rack 210 of the transfer sheet supply unit 200 rotates, the black transfer sheet roll 230 is moved to a position facing the transfer sheet conveyance path 270. The transfer sheet 240 is provided by a part of the outer transfer sheet roll 230 being fed out and cut, and is wound around the drum 310. At this time, the leading end of the transfer sheet 240 fed from the transfer sheet roll 230 is near the cutter 280 outside the rotating rack 210. At this time, after supplying the transfer sheet 240, the transfer sheet unwinding mechanism 250 drives the feed roller 254 in the reverse direction to rotate the transfer sheet roll 230.
Can be stored inside the outer peripheral portion of the rotating rack 210. However, even in this case, the feed roller 254 sandwiches the tip.

In the next step 3, the transfer sheet 240 is laminated by heating and pressing. This laminating step may be omitted in some cases. In the next step 4, based on the image data given in advance, the image receiving sheet 1
The image is transferred and output on 40. Here, the given image data is further color-separated into images for each color, and laser exposure is performed based on the color-separated image data for each color. The recording head 350 irradiates the transfer sheet 240 with the drawing laser light spot Ls based on the image data for each color after the color separation. The toner ink on the transfer sheet 240 is transferred to the image receiving sheet 140, and an image is formed on the image receiving sheet 140.

Then, in step 5, only (K) the transfer sheet 240 is peeled off from the drum 310. The transfer sheet 240 peeled from the drum 310
Then, the sheet is discharged to the transfer sheet collection box 540 via “0”.

Here, it is determined whether the transfer has been completed for the transfer sheets 240 of all colors. Then, when it is necessary to supply another type of transfer sheet 240, the processing of steps 2 to 5 is repeated. That is, the transfer sheets 240 for the other colors cyan, magenta, and yellow
, The respective operations of steps 6 to 17 are repeated. As a result, the toner ink KCM of the transfer sheet of four colors
Y is transferred to one image receiving sheet 140 and the image receiving sheet 1
A color image is formed on 40.

When the above processing is completed, it is determined that the laser exposure on the last transfer sheet 240 has been completed. Then, the image receiving sheet 140 is separated from the drum 310. The peeled image receiving sheet 140 is placed in the discharge section 40
0 along with the switchback operation via the tray 55
Discharged to zero. In the discharged image receiving sheet 140, the toner ink on the image receiving sheet 140 is further transferred to any printing paper by a separate image transfer unit. Thus, color printing for proofing is performed.

Therefore, according to the above-described recording method, the laser beam spot Ls is shifted from the spot Ls substantially at the center in the sub-scanning direction.
1 are arranged in a convex shape located upstream in the main scanning direction.
When the linear movement is combined with the above, the gas generated in the recording local portion is separated and discharged to the upstream side and the downstream side in the sub-scanning direction. This prevents the gas generated in the recording local portion from being trapped in the central portion in the arrangement direction of the laser light spots Ls, and the toner layer 240c and the image receiving layer 1 in the recorded area are not entangled.
40c can be prevented from accumulating in the gas.

[0069]

As described above in detail, according to the recording method of the present invention, the laser beam spot having a convex arrangement in which the spot at the substantially central portion in the sub-scanning direction is located on the downstream side in the main scanning recording direction. The gas generated in the recording local portion is separated and released to the upstream side and the downstream side in the sub-scanning direction, and the recorded area between the toner layer and the image receiving layer at the central part in the arrangement direction of the laser light spots. In addition, the gas reservoir is not embraced. As a result, the adhesion between the toner layer and the image receiving layer is maintained, and an image defect depending on the spot arrangement can be prevented to obtain a good image.

According to the recording apparatus of the present invention, the plurality of laser light spots are arranged in a convex shape with the spot substantially at the center in the sub-scanning direction positioned downstream in the main scanning recording direction. When the rotational movement of the member and the linear movement of the recording head are combined, the gas generated in the recording local portion is separated and released to the upstream side and the downstream side in the sub-scanning direction,
The laser beam spot is not embraced at the center in the arrangement direction. As a result, accumulation of gas between the toner layer and the image receiving layer in the recorded area can be prevented.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram schematically showing a recording apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of an image receiving sheet and a transfer sheet used in the recording method and the recording apparatus according to the invention.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged perspective view of a recording unit.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a state of a laser beam spot irradiated from a recording head.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a modified example of a laser beam spot irradiated from a recording head.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory view conceptually showing a recording step.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing a state of a laser beam spot irradiated by a conventional recording method.

[Explanation of symbols]

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 recording apparatus 100 image receiving sheet supply section 130 image receiving sheet roll 140 image receiving sheet 140a support layer 140c image receiving layer 150 image receiving sheet transport section 154, 155 transport roller 156 support guide 160 image receiving sheet cutting section 200 transfer sheet supply section 210 rotating rack 213 rotation Axis 230 Transfer sheet roll 240 Transfer sheet 240a Support layer 240c Toner layer 250 Transfer sheet feeding mechanism 254 Feed roller 256 Support guide 270 Transfer sheet transport section 274, 275 Transport roller 276 Guide 280 Transfer sheet cutting section 300 Recording section 310 Drum (recording) Medium fixing member) 325 sub-scanning axis 350 recording head 400 discharge unit 410 sheet common conveyance unit 414, 415, 416, 454, 455 conveyance rollers 418, 419 support guide 438 Guide plate 440 Transfer sheet discharge section 450 Image receiving sheet discharge section 451 Image receiving sheet discharge port 458 Guide 510 Body cover 511 Lid 5 520 Leg section 540 Transfer sheet collection box 550 Tray a Convex sub-scanning direction distance b Convex main scan Direction distance Ls Laser beam spot Ls1 Spot at approximately center in sub-scanning direction

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. A recording medium in which a toner layer of a transfer sheet, which is a heat mode photosensitive material, and an image receiving layer of an image receiving sheet are moved in a main scanning direction, and a plurality of laser light spots arranged are moved by the main scanning direction. In a recording method for recording a desired image on the recording medium by exposing the recording medium while moving the recording medium in a sub-scanning direction orthogonal to a scanning direction, a spot at a substantially central portion in the sub-scanning direction is located downstream of the main scanning recording direction. Wherein the exposure is performed by using the laser light spots arranged in a convex array. 2. A recording medium fixing member arranged to fix a recording medium on which a toner layer of a transfer sheet as a heat mode photosensitive material and an image receiving layer of an image receiving sheet are superimposed and move in a main scanning direction. A recording head that is moved in a sub-scanning direction perpendicular to the main scanning direction while exposing each of the plurality of laser light spots to the recording medium in accordance with image information; Are arranged in a convex shape in which spots substantially in the center in the sub-scanning direction are positioned on the downstream side in the main-scanning recording direction. 3. The recording apparatus according to claim 2, wherein said convex shape is V-shaped. 4. The recording apparatus according to claim 2, wherein said convex shape is U-shaped. 5. A ratio (a: b) between the convex distance a in the sub-scanning direction and the distance b in the main scanning direction is in the range of (a: b) = (1: 3) to (3: 1). The recording apparatus according to any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein: 6. The recording apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the protruding protruding tip is disposed upstream of the substantially central portion in the sub-scanning direction in the sub-scanning direction. apparatus.