JP2004167995A - Image recording method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To perform image recording of a stripe quickly with a good image quality. <P>SOLUTION: When WL<WP is satisfied, assuming WL is the recording width in the subscanning direction of a recording spot array, WP is the width in the sub-scanning direction of a stripe shape, and PP is the pitch in the sub-scanning direction of a stripe pattern, recording is performed while matching a forward end recording spot Sp1 to the upstream end in the sub-scanning recording direction of a next stripe shape if recording data of stripe shape for a recording spot array Sp is not present at the time of next recording in the main scanning direction following to recording in the main scanning direction thus eliminating useless main scanning operation where recording is not performed at all. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an image recording method in which a stripe-shaped pattern is formed by a recording head that records at a plurality of recording spots.
[0002]
[Prior art]
A flat display device capable of color display, such as a liquid crystal display device, has a so-called color in which striped patterns are alternately formed in order of red R, green G, and blue B so as to correspond to one pixel for color display. A filter is used. In this color filter, a black stripe may be formed between the R, G, and B patterns for the purpose of improving the contrast ratio.
[0003]
Conventionally, as a recording method for forming such a stripe pattern image on a recording surface, there is a recording method in which a transfer sheet is superimposed on the recording surface and laser exposure is performed. In this recording method, one type of transfer sheet is selectively supplied from a plurality of types of transfer sheet to a recording surface such as a transparent substrate, and the transfer sheet is applied to the transfer sheet based on image information to be recorded for each color. Laser exposure is performed. In the transfer sheet heated by laser exposure, the toner adheres to the image receiving layer on the recording surface due to adhesive deterioration, melting or sublimation. Next, by peeling off the transfer sheet, the adhered toner becomes an image and remains on the recording surface. As a result, a stripe-shaped pattern image alternately arranged in the order of red, green, and blue and a black stripe pattern image arranged between them can be transferred to the recording surface.
[0004]
The basic content of the recording method is described in, for example, Patent Document 1.
[Patent Document 1]
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 11-123839
[0005]
The stripe shape referred to here is basically one stripe of a stripe pattern in which a plurality of substantially linear recording areas having a predetermined width are arranged in parallel, and the toner layer of the transfer sheet is A plurality of recording patterns arranged at a constant pitch or an arbitrary pitch is referred to as a stripe pattern, but in this specification, one substantially linear recording area is treated as a stripe pattern. The stripe shape may be at least part of the pattern to be recorded, and the entire recording surface does not have to be a stripe.
[0006]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
By the way, when recording an image of a conventional stripe pattern, a main scanning is performed by moving a recording head in which a plurality of recording spots are arranged relative to a transfer sheet in a main scanning direction and a sub scanning direction orthogonal thereto. A stripe pattern having the direction as the major axis is recorded.
For example, when recording stripes at intervals as shown in FIG. 23, after the first scanning in the main scanning direction, the recording head is moved in the sub-scanning direction by the recording width of the recording spot, and the second scanning is performed. Scanning in the main scanning direction is performed, and then this scanning is repeated in order, and all stripe patterns are recorded.
However, for example, when the interval between stripes is larger than the recording width of the recording spot, useless scanning that does not perform recording may occur as in the second scanning in the example of FIG. Recording time will increase.
In addition, stripes that must be recorded by two scans are also generated, and due to differences in individual characteristics for each spot of the print head between the recording locations by different scans, overlap, gaps, etc. There is a risk that a boundary is generated, which causes a reduction in image quality.
[0007]
The present invention has been made in view of the above situation, and an object of the present invention is to provide an image recording method capable of recording stripes very quickly and with good image quality.
[0008]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above object, the image recording method according to claim 1 of the present invention is characterized in that a recording head for recording with a plurality of recording spots is perpendicular to the main scanning direction substantially parallel to the recording direction with respect to the recording medium. An image recording method in which a stripe pattern having a major axis in the main scanning direction is recorded on the recording medium by relatively moving in the sub scanning direction, wherein a recording width in the sub scanning direction by a recording spot row of the recording head is set to WL When the width of the stripe-shaped sub-scanning direction is WP, and WL <WP, when there is no stripe-shaped recording data for the recording spot row during the next main scanning direction recording after the main scanning direction recording. Next, the front end recording spot on the upstream side in the sub-scanning recording direction of the recording spot row is aligned with the upstream end of the stripe-shaped sub-scanning recording direction to be recorded next, and recording is performed in the main scanning direction. It is characterized by that.
[0009]
In this image recording method, when there is no stripe-shaped recording data for the recording spot row at the time of main scanning recording, main scanning in this state is not performed, and recording is performed in the sub-scanning recording direction up to a position where the stripe-shaped recording data exists. Move the head. As a result, it is possible to eliminate a useless main scanning operation that does not perform stripe-shaped recording, and it is possible to shorten the image recording time and increase the efficiency of the recording operation.
[0010]
The image recording method according to claim 2, wherein the recording head for recording with a plurality of recording spots is moved relative to the recording medium in a main scanning direction substantially parallel to the recording direction and a sub-scanning direction perpendicular thereto. An image recording method for recording a stripe pattern having a major axis in a main scanning direction on the recording medium,
When WP ≦ WL ≦ PP when the sub-scanning direction recording width by the recording spot row of the recording head is WL, the sub-scanning direction width of the stripe shape is WP, and the sub-scanning direction pitch of the stripe pattern is PP, the main In the next main scanning direction recording after scanning direction recording, when there is no stripe-shaped recording data for the upstream recording spot in the sub-scan recording direction, the recording is performed at the upstream end of the stripe-shaped sub-scan recording direction to be recorded next. The front end recording spot on the upstream side in the sub-scanning recording direction of the spot row is aligned and recorded in the main scanning direction.
[0011]
In this image recording method, one stripe-shaped image recording can be performed by one scan, and one stripe image recording by two scans can be eliminated, and the quality of the recorded image can be improved. .
[0012]
The image recording method according to claim 3 is characterized in that the recording pitch of the recording spot row in the sub-scanning recording direction is equal to the pitch of the stripe pattern in the sub-scanning direction.
[0013]
In this image recording method, it is possible to always record an image with good image quality by matching the front end recording spot of the recording head with the front end in the sub-scan recording direction of the stripe shape to be recorded.
[0014]
The image recording method according to claim 4, wherein a recording head for recording with a plurality of recording spots is moved relative to a recording medium in a main scanning direction substantially parallel to the recording direction and a sub-scanning direction perpendicular thereto. An image recording method for recording a stripe pattern having a major axis in the main scanning direction on the recording medium, wherein WL is a recording width in the sub scanning direction by a recording spot row of the recording head, and PP is a pitch in the sub scanning direction of the stripe pattern. When PP <WL, the rear end recording spot on the downstream side in the sub-scanning recording direction has stripe-shaped recording data, and the front end recording spot on the upstream side in the sub-scanning recording direction and the rear end recording spot When there is an area without stripe-shaped recording data between, the stripe shape corresponding to the recording data of the trailing edge recording spot is not recorded. That.
[0015]
In this image recording method, when the recording data exists when the trailing edge recording spot reaches the recording position of the stripe shape downstream in the sub-scanning recording direction, the stripe shape corresponding to the recording data of the trailing edge recording spot is set. Since recording is not performed, it is possible to prevent the stripe shape from being recorded a plurality of times and to improve the recording image quality.
[0016]
The image recording method according to claim 5 is characterized in that the recording pitch of the recording spot row in the sub-scanning recording direction is equal to a positive integer multiple of the pitch of the stripe pattern in the sub-scanning direction.
[0017]
In this image recording method, the front end recording spot of the recording head is always aligned with the front end of the stripe shape in the sub-scanning recording direction, and a positive integer number of stripe shapes are formed at once with good image quality by one main scanning operation. Can be recorded.
[0018]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of a recording method and a recording apparatus according to the invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the concept of a recording apparatus according to the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a sectional view of a support.
[0019]
The present invention is characterized by a stripe pattern image recording method. First, the configuration and recording operation of a recording apparatus for performing this image recording will be described.
As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the recording apparatus 21 of the present embodiment has a support 23 as a main configuration and is movable along a plane parallel to the recording surface 25 of the support 23. Recording means (recording) (recording unit) for recording an image with a recording medium holding member (stage) 27 and a plurality of recording spots which are movable to a standby position 65 and a recording origin position 69 and are formed by emitting laser light at the recording origin position 69. A recording medium supply unit 31 that supplies a recording medium (an image receiving sheet or a transfer sheet, which will be described later) to the support member 23 held by the stage 27, and a support member 23 by pressing the recording medium, which will be described in detail later. A pressure roller that is in close contact with the recording surface 25 and a peeling means (peeling roller, peeling groove, peeling claw) for peeling the recording medium from the support 23.
[0020]
Furthermore, in addition to these main components, the recording apparatus 21 includes a support supply unit 33 that stacks and mounts the support 23, and a loading mechanism 49 that conveys the support 23 from the support supply unit 33 to the stage 27. In addition, a discharge mechanism 51 for discharging the support 23 to which the image has been transferred from the stage 27 and a support receiving portion 35 for stacking and mounting the support 23 discharged by the discharge mechanism 51 are additionally provided. Further, reference numeral 37 in FIG. 1 denotes a disposal box for discarding a used recording medium.
[0021]
The recording device 21 desirably covers the outer periphery of the recording unit 39 having the stage 27 and the recording head 29 and the recording medium supply unit 31 with a shielding frame 41 from the viewpoint of safety in preventing laser leakage. The shielding frame 41 is provided with an openable and closable passage opening for carrying in and discharging the support 23 and a passage opening for discharging the used recording medium.
[0022]
When the recording apparatus 21 is used for the purpose of forming a liquid crystal black stripe or a liquid crystal color filter, at least the main body of the recording apparatus 21, the support supply section 33, and the support receiving section 35 are installed in a clean room. .
[0023]
In the present embodiment, the recording object to be recorded is, in particular, a hard material such as a glass substrate, a tile, a stone, or a ceramic, or a metal having a hardness (thickness) that cannot be bent in an elastic region. Is the recording object. In this specification, such a recording object is referred to as a “support”. Even if it is a soft material, it can be applied to this recording apparatus by conventional means such as sticking to a fixed plate.
[0024]
As shown in FIG. 2, a functional layer (that is, an image receiving layer 24 for receiving a toner layer as an image forming layer) may be formed on the recording surface 25 of the support 23 in advance. This improves the transferability of the toner layer and simplifies the recording process. Further, the support 23 may be formed by transferring the image receiving layer 24 in the recording apparatus 21 without having this functional layer. In the present embodiment, an example in which an image receiving layer 80b described later is transferred and formed on the support 23 having no image receiving layer 24 by using the recording apparatus 21 will be described.
[0025]
Next, details of the recording apparatus according to the present embodiment will be sequentially described below.
FIG. 3 is a configuration diagram of the recording apparatus shown in FIG. 1, and FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a loading state of the support in the support supply unit.
The support body supply unit 33 stacks and mounts a plurality of support bodies 23 at a predetermined interval. Usually, the support 23 is placed with the recording surface 25 on the lower side so that dust or the like does not fall. The support 23 is preferably supported by point contact in order to prevent foreign matter from adhering to the recording surface 25 as much as possible. For this point contact support, for example, a pin 45 having a sharp tip shown in FIG. 4 or a pin having a spherical tip is used. When the support body 23 is a quadrangle, at least four pins 45 are arranged so that the four corners can be supported. Further, depending on the size and bending stiffness of the support 23, four or more pins may be provided if necessary.
[0026]
The four pins 45 that support one support 23 project upward from each other by two on each of the two support bars 46, and each support bar 46 has a support supply section as shown in FIG. The pedestals 47 of 33 are arranged in a multistage manner. The pedestal 47 preferably has an elevating mechanism so that the uppermost support 23 has a desired height. In this case, as a height control method of the lifting mechanism, a method of detecting the weight of the support 23 and managing the height constant according to the number of reductions of the support 23, or a position of the uppermost support 23. Can be used to manage the height to be constant, or a method of storing the thickness of the support 23 and managing the height while subtracting the number of sheets to be used.
[0027]
The recording apparatus 21 includes a carry-in mechanism 49 between the support supply unit 33 and the stage 27. In addition, the recording apparatus 21 has a discharge mechanism 51 between the stage 27 and the support receiving part 35. The carry-in mechanism 49 and the discharge mechanism 51 have a vacuum suction type suction cup 53 for holding the support 23. At least three suction cups 53 are provided, preferably four. An air pipe (not shown) is connected to each suction cup 53, and a suction source 55 such as a vacuum pump or a blower is connected to an end of the air pipe. The number of suction cups may be increased as necessary depending on the size of the support 23 and the like.
[0028]
The carry-in mechanism 49 and the discharge mechanism 51 have the suction cup 53 attached to the base 57. The base 57 can reciprocate between the stage 27 and the carry-in mechanism 49 or the discharge mechanism 51 by a slide rail or guide groove (not shown). The base 57 is driven by using any drive source such as an electric motor, an air cylinder, or a hydraulic cylinder. Further, the carry-in mechanism 49 and the discharge mechanism 51 may use a linear motor or a robot arm in which the above-described configuration is integrated.
[0029]
The main body of the recording apparatus 21 includes an image forming circuit for the recording head 29, a driving motor for the recording head 29, a driving motor for the stage 27, a carry-in mechanism 49, a discharge mechanism 51, a suction source 55, and the like. And a power source 61 for supplying power to the suction source 55 and each drive motor. Further, the recording apparatus 21 connects the controller 59 and the host computer 63 via a communication line so that image formation control, control of supply and discharge of the support 23 and the like can be performed by transmission and reception of control signals.
[0030]
Next, the operation of taking out the support 23 from the support supply unit 33 and carrying it into the stage 27 will be described.
FIG. 5 is a plan view for explaining the operation of the recording head and the stage, and FIG. 6 is a sectional view of the stage 27 in which the support is accommodated in the recess.
[0031]
As shown in FIG. 5, in the main body of the recording apparatus 21, the recording head 29 is retracted from the stage 27 to the recording head standby position 65. The stage 27 is moved to the supply position 67 of the support 23. Here, as shown in FIG. 1, the recording unit 39 has a central position at a recording origin position 69 of the recording head 29. The moving range of the stage 27 is a range of the first quadrant, the second quadrant, the third quadrant, and the fourth quadrant each having the same area as the stage 27 with the recording origin position 69 as the center. That is, the stage 27 can move a distance twice as long as the vertical and horizontal sizes. As a result, the recording head 29 positioned at the recording origin position 69 can relatively scan all positions on the stage 27.
[0032]
As shown in FIG. 6, the stage 27 has a plurality of suction holes 77 formed on the periphery of the recess 71 and the bottom surface of the recess 71. The suction hole 77 is connected to the suction source 55 by an air pipe. The stage 27 sucks and fixes the support 23 to the bottom surface of the recess 71 by sucking air from the suction hole 77. A suction hole 77 formed in the periphery of the recess 71 of the stage 27 is for attracting and fixing a recording medium to be described later.
[0033]
The stage 27 configured as described above sucks air from the suction hole 77 by the suction source 55 and sucks and fixes the support 23 to the bottom surface in the recess 71. Thereby, holding | maintenance to the stage 27 of the support body 23 is completed.
[0034]
Further, the stage 27 is provided with the recess 71, so that when the recording medium having a larger area than the support 23 is stacked, the recording medium protruding from the support 23 is placed flat on the periphery of the recess of the stage 27, and is bent due to the step. Wrinkles are less likely to occur on the recording medium, and the adhesion of the recording medium to the recording surface 25 is improved. Moreover, the support body 23 can be easily positioned in the X and Y directions by abutting against the two inner wall surfaces orthogonal to each other in the recess 71. When the recording-completed support 23 is ejected from the recess 71, the pin 23 (not shown) disposed on the bottom surface of the recess 71 is lifted to oppose the recording surface 25 of the support 23. The lower surface on the side can be sucked and held by the suction cup 53 of the discharge mechanism 51.
[0035]
Next, a configuration for recording on the support held on the stage will be described.
FIG. 7 is a main part configuration diagram showing a recording medium supply unit and a recording unit, and FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of (a) an image receiving sheet and (b) a transfer sheet used in the recording apparatus of FIG.
As shown in FIG. 7, the recording medium supply unit 31 includes an image receiving sheet supply unit 81 and a transfer sheet supply unit 83. The image receiving sheet supply unit 81 supplies the image receiving sheet to the recording unit 39. The transfer sheet supply unit 83 can supply a plurality of types of transfer sheets, and selectively supplies one type of transfer sheet to the recording unit 39 from among the plurality of types of transfer sheets.
[0036]
The image receiving sheet supply unit 81 is loaded with an image receiving sheet roll 85. The image receiving sheet roll 85 is obtained by winding an image receiving sheet 80 around a core. As shown in FIG. 8A, the image receiving sheet 80 is formed by laminating a support layer 80a and an image receiving layer 80b in this order. Yes. As the support layer 80a, a PET base, a TAC (triacetyl cellulose) base, a PEN (polyethylene naphthalate) base, or the like can be used. The image receiving layer 80b has a function of receiving the transferred toner.
[0037]
The image receiving sheet supply unit 81 further includes an image receiving sheet conveyance unit 89. The image receiving sheet conveying unit 89 includes a motor (not shown), a drive transmission belt or chain (not shown), conveying rollers 91 and 93, a support guide 95, an image receiving sheet cutting unit 97, and an image receiving sheet. And a detection sensor (not shown) for detecting an end point.
Each of the conveying rollers 91 and 93 has a pair of rollers. By such a driving mechanism, a conveying operation for sending the image receiving sheet 80 to the recording unit 39 or returning it from the recording unit 39 is performed.
[0038]
The image receiving sheet roll 85 is pulled out by the aforementioned driving mechanism such as a motor in a state where the leading end portion is sandwiched between the conveying rollers 91. As a result, the image receiving sheet roll 85 rotates and the image receiving sheet 80 is fed out. The image receiving sheet 80 is further sandwiched between conveying rollers 93 and guided by a support guide 95 to be conveyed.
[0039]
The image receiving sheet 80 conveyed by the image receiving sheet conveying unit 89 is cut into a predetermined length by the image receiving sheet cutting unit 97. A detection sensor such as an optical sensor is used for measuring the length. That is, the front end of the image receiving sheet 80 is detected by a detection sensor, and the length is measured by taking into account the rotational speed of the motor and the like. The image receiving sheet 80 is cut into a predetermined length based on the measurement result and supplied to the recording unit 39. The image receiving sheet cutting part 97 has a support part and a guide in addition to a cutter (not shown). The image receiving sheet 80 fed out from the image receiving sheet roll 85 by the above driving is cut to a predetermined length by a cutter after the conveyance is stopped based on the above-described measurement result of the image receiving sheet length.
As described above, the image receiving sheet supply unit 81 supplies a predetermined length of the image receiving sheet 80 to the recording unit 39 by feeding and cutting a part of the image receiving sheet roll 85.
[0040]
On the other hand, the transfer sheet supply unit 83 has a rotating rack 99, and the rotating rack 99 is rotationally driven around a rotating shaft 101 as described later. In addition, a plurality (six in the figure) of transfer sheet rolls 103 are accommodated in the rotating rack 99 by being arranged “radially” around the rotating shaft 101.
Each transfer sheet roll 103 has a core, a transfer sheet 90 wound around the core, and a flange (not shown) inserted from both sides of the core, and is held rotatably about each core. By making the outer diameter of the flange larger than the diameter of the transfer sheet portion, the transfer sheet portion does not collapse.
[0041]
As shown in FIG. 8B, each transfer sheet 90 has a support layer 90a, a light-to-heat conversion layer 90b, and an image forming layer (toner layer) 90c laminated in this order. As the support layer 90a, any material can be selected from general support materials (for example, the same support material as the support layer 80a of the image receiving sheet 80 described above) as long as the laser beam is transmitted therethrough. The photothermal conversion layer 90b has a function of converting laser energy into heat. The light-to-heat conversion layer 90b can be selected from general light-to-heat conversion materials as long as it is a substance that converts light energy into heat energy, such as carbon, black material, infrared absorbing dye, and specific wavelength absorbing material. Examples of the toner layer 90c include black (K), red (R), green (G), and blue (B), as well as printing cyan (C), magenta (M), and yellow (Y). There are gold, silver, orange, gray, pink and so on called special colors.
[0042]
In the transfer sheet roll 103, the toner layer 90c is wound so as to be outside the support layer 90a. As will be described later, the toner layer 90c has toner ink, and this toner ink is transferred to the image receiving sheet by laser exposure.
[0043]
FIG. 7 shows a case where six transfer sheet rolls 103 are accommodated in the rotating rack 99. The six types of transfer sheets include, for example, the above-described four-color transfer sheets of black (K), red (R), green (G), and blue (B).
[0044]
The rotating rack 99 further has a transfer sheet feeding mechanism 107 corresponding to each of the plurality of transfer sheet rolls 103. The transfer sheet feeding mechanism 107 includes a feed roller 109 and a support guide 111. In the figure, six such transfer sheet feeding mechanisms 107 are provided. The feed roller 109 includes rollers 109a and 109b, and the roller 109a is connected to a motor by a gear mechanism as will be described later, and is driven by the motor. The roller 109a can sandwich the transfer sheet 90 with a predetermined pressure between the roller 109b. The roller 109b conveys the transfer sheet 90 by rotating in the direction opposite to the rotation of the roller 109a. The transfer sheet 90 can be sandwiched between rollers 109a and 109b and sent out or reversed. Further, as the transfer sheet 90 is conveyed, the transfer sheet roll 103 rotates.
[0045]
The transfer sheet 90 is supplied to the recording unit 39 by the transfer sheet feeding mechanism 107 having such a structure. In a state where the leading edge of the transfer sheet 90 is sandwiched between the feed rollers 109, the feed roller 109 is driven by the above-described drive mechanism such as a motor. By this driving, the transfer sheet 90 is fed out. Further, the transfer sheet 90 is further cut into a predetermined length and supplied to the recording unit 39 in a transfer sheet conveyance unit 113 described later.
As described above, the rotating rack 99 that accommodates the plurality of transfer sheet rolls 103 can selectively supply a desired type of transfer sheet 90 to the transfer sheet conveying unit 113.
[0046]
The transfer sheet conveyance unit 113 includes a motor (not shown), a drive transmission belt or chain (not shown), conveyance rollers 115 and 117, a guide 119, a transfer sheet cutting unit 121, and an end of the transfer sheet. And a detection sensor (not shown). Each of the conveying rollers 115 and 117 has a pair of rollers. The rollers 115 and 117 are connected to a motor by a drive transmission belt or chain, and are driven by the motor to convey the transfer sheet 90.
[0047]
By such a drive mechanism, the transfer sheet 90 can be sent out toward the recording unit 39 or returned to the reverse. Further, the transfer sheet 90 conveyed in this way is cut into a predetermined length by the transfer sheet cutting unit 121. For the measurement of the length of the transfer sheet 90, a detection sensor such as an optical sensor is used. That is, the end of the transfer sheet 90 is detected by a detection sensor, and the length is measured by taking into consideration the rotational speed of the motor and the like. The transfer sheet 90 is cut into a predetermined length based on the measurement result and supplied to the recording unit 39. Although not shown, the transfer sheet cutting unit 121 includes a support unit and a guide in addition to the cutter.
As described above, the transfer sheet supply unit 83 can supply the transfer sheet 90 having a predetermined length to the recording unit 39 by feeding and cutting a part of the transfer sheet roll 103.
[0048]
Between the guides 95 and 119 of the recording medium supply unit 31 and the recording unit 39, there is provided a guide plate 123 on which the recording medium (image receiving sheet 80 or transfer sheet 90) sent from the recording medium supply unit 31 is placed. Yes. The guide plate 123 is lifted or folded and retracted so as not to interfere with the movement of the stage 27.
[0049]
Above the guide plate 123, a suction cup row 125 in which a plurality of suction cups are arranged in the width direction of the recording medium (perpendicular to the paper surface of FIG. 7) is disposed. The suction cup row 125 is connected to the suction source 55 by an air pipe, and is supported by a support arm or the like so as to be movable in the up and down direction and in a direction parallel to the stage moving surface. The suction cup row 125 descends from above the guide plate 123, thereby pressing and sucking the end portion of the image receiving sheet 80 placed on the guide plate 123 against the guide plate 123. The suction cup row 125 that sucks and holds the end portion of the image receiving sheet 80 moves to the end portion (starting end side) opposite to the recording medium supply portion 31 side of the stage 27, thereby pulling out the image receiving sheet 80. As a result, the image receiving sheet 80 is superposed on the upper surface of the support 23 held on the stage 27. Here, it is desirable that the width (length in the X direction) of the image receiving sheet 80 substantially matches the width of the support 23.
[0050]
Further, as shown in FIG. 9, the stage 27 is formed with a peeling groove 127 as a peeling means on the periphery of the concave portion 71 on the start end side of the stage 27. The peeling groove 127 is opened on the right side surface of the stage 27, and a later-described peeling claw can be inserted. The end portion of the image receiving sheet 80 drawn out by the suction cup row 125 is put on the stage 27 so as to cover the peeling groove 127.
Further, as shown in FIG. 7, a pressure roller (squeeze roller) 129 is disposed above the stage 27 of the recording unit 39, and the squeeze roller 129 is supported so as to be movable in the up and down direction and the Y direction.
[0051]
The squeeze roller 129 descends in the vicinity of the recording medium supply unit 31 side of the suction cup row 125 moved to the start end side, presses the end of the image receiving sheet 80, and then supplies the recording medium while pressing the image receiving sheet 80. By rolling to the part 31 side, the image receiving sheet 80 is squeezed to the support 23 and operates to stretch the wrinkles of the image receiving sheet 80.
[0052]
The recording unit 39 may include a heat roller in addition to the squeeze roller 129. The heat roller rolls on the image receiving sheet 80 squeezed by the squeeze roller 129 while further heating and pressing. If such a heat roller is provided, the image receiving sheet 80 can be brought into close contact with the support 23 with a higher contact force than when the image receiving sheet 80 is brought into close contact with the support 23 using only the squeeze roller 129. The peel strength can be improved. Further, the squeeze roller 129 may be a heat roller. In addition, the adhesiveness can be improved by pressing the transfer sheet 90 (to be described later) with the squeeze roller 129 or the heat roller in the same manner as the image receiving sheet 80.
[0053]
Next, the image receiving sheet 80 adhered to the support 23 is peeled off to form the image receiving layer 80 b on the recording surface 25 of the support 23. The image receiving sheet 80 is peeled off by first sucking the end of the image receiving sheet 80 by the sucker row 125 and lowering the squeeze roller 129 serving also as a peeling roller to the vicinity of the upstream side in the peeling direction of the sucker row 125. The vicinity of the end is pressed by the squeeze roller 129. Next, the suction cup row 125 is raised a little, and the peeling claw 131 enters the peeling groove 127. Then, the peeling claw 131 is slightly raised, and the suction cup row 125, the image receiving sheet 80, the support 23, and the stage 27 are all moved in a direction away from the squeeze roller 129 (−Y direction). The image receiving sheet 80 is peeled from the support 23 by the peeling claw 131 and the squeeze roller 129.
[0054]
When the image receiving sheet 80 is peeled off from the support 23, the image receiving layer 80b is transferred to the recording surface 25 of the support 23, and only the support layer 80a remains sucked and held by the sucker row 125, and the sucker row 125 is shielded. After passing through the passage opening provided in the frame 41, the support layer 80a that is no longer needed is placed in the disposal box 37 (see FIG. 1) and discarded.
[0055]
Next, the fixing operation of the transfer sheet after the image receiving sheet is peeled will be described.
Here, FIG. 10 is a sectional view of the stage for explaining the fixing operation of the transfer sheet. As shown in FIG. 10, the transfer sheet 90 is supplied from the recording medium supply unit 31 to the upper surface of the support 23 on which the image receiving layer 80 b is formed in the same manner as the image receiving sheet 80. The transfer sheet 90 is supplied from the transfer sheet conveyance unit 113 of the recording medium supply unit 31.
The area of the transfer sheet 90 is assumed to be larger than the area of the recess 71 of the stage 27. The peripheral edge of the transfer sheet 90 protruding from the support 23 is placed on the peripheral edge of the recess 71 of the stage 27. In this state, air is sucked from the suction holes 77, the peripheral edge of the transfer sheet 90 is suction fixed to the peripheral edge of the recess 71, and the transfer sheet 90 is brought into close contact with the support 23.
[0056]
Next, recording is performed by relatively scanning the recording head 29 from above the transfer sheet 90. 11 is a perspective view showing the relative movement direction of the recording head and the support, FIG. 12 is a plan view showing the positional relationship between the recording head fixed at the recording origin position and the stage origin position, and FIG. 13 is formed by the recording head. An explanatory view showing a recorded spot row is shown.
[0057]
As shown in FIG. 11, this recording operation is performed by relatively moving the recording head 29 from the recording origin position 69 of the transfer sheet 90 to the main scanning in the X direction and the sub scanning in the Y direction. . At the start of recording, as shown in FIG. 12, the stage 27 is disposed at the origin position, and the recording head 29 moves from the standby position 65 (see FIG. 1) to the recording origin position 69. During recording, the recording head 29 scans the entire recording surface 25. This scanning is performed by moving only the recording head 29, moving only the stage 27, or moving both the recording head 29 and the stage 27. Either may be sufficient. That is, the recording head 29 and the support 23 need only move relative to each other. In the present embodiment, the case where the recording head 29 is fixed at the recording origin position 69 and the stage 27 is moved in the XY directions will be described as an example.
[0058]
As shown in FIGS. 10 and 13, the recording head 29 forms a recording spot row Sp composed of a plurality of recording spots on the back surface of the transfer sheet 90 by irradiation with laser light. A plurality of the recording spot rows Sp are formed side by side in at least the sub-scanning direction. As shown in the enlarged view of the recording head in FIG. 14, the recording spot row Sp composed of the plurality of recording spots has a front end recording spot Sp1 at the upstream end in the sub-scanning recording direction and a rear end recording spot Sp2 at the downstream end in the sub-scanning recording direction. It is preferable to incline in the direction arranged on the downstream side in the main scanning recording direction. In other words, the spot array is a one-dimensional array, and the front end recording spot Sp1 at the upstream end in the sub-scanning recording direction is inclined so as to be arranged downstream from the rear end recording spot Sp2 at the downstream end in the sub-scanning recording direction. Thus, the gas generated in the recording local area during recording is released to the downstream side in the sub-scanning recording direction. As a result, no gas remains between the toner layer 90c (see FIG. 8B) and the image receiving layer 24 (see FIG. 2) in the recorded region, and the adhesion between the toner layer 90c and the image receiving layer 24 is eliminated. Is maintained, image defects are prevented, and a good image can be obtained.
[0059]
Pattern data such as images and characters is sent from the host computer 63 to the recording head 29 via the controller 59 (see FIG. 3). Further, a movement control signal is sent from the host computer 63 to a drive motor such as the stage 27 via the controller 59. As a result, the recording head 29 and the support 23 are relatively moved and an image is formed on the transfer sheet 90. This recording operation can be a general serial operation described later. In the present embodiment, basically, the entire surface of the recording range is scanned by the above relative operation, and recording is performed by irradiating only the portion where the image data exists with the laser beam Lb.
[0060]
Next, an outline of a series of procedures for recording a desired image on the support 23 by the recording apparatus 21 configured as described above will be described with reference to FIG. In the following description, the operation procedure for recording an image for forming a black matrix or a color filter using four colors of black (K), red (R), green (G), and blue (B) is described. It is.
[0061]
15 is an explanatory diagram conceptually showing the recording process, FIG. 16 is an explanatory diagram showing the recording direction of the recording spot, FIG. 17 is an explanatory diagram of the recording process according to the recording direction of FIG. 16, and FIG. 18 is the recording direction of FIG. It is a top view of the support body which the recording of the 1st line was completed by.
[0062]
As shown in FIG. 15, first, in step 1, the support 23 is supplied from the support supply unit 33 (see FIG. 3) to the recording unit 39 by the carry-in mechanism 49. On the stage 27 of the recording unit 39, the support 23 is fixed to the recess 71 by the above-described operation procedure (see FIG. 6).
Next, in step 2, the image receiving sheet 80 is supplied from the recording medium supply unit 31 to the support 23 on the stage 27, and the image receiving sheet 80 is placed thereon. The image receiving sheet 80 is brought into close contact with the support 23 by the squeeze roller 129 (see FIG. 7). Thereafter, in step 3, the image receiving sheet 80 may be further heat-pressed (ie, laminated) using a heat roller.
[0063]
In step 4, the image receiving sheet 80 is peeled from the support 23 to transfer the image receiving layer 80 b of the image receiving sheet 80 to the support 23. The support layer 80a to which the image receiving layer 80b has been transferred is carried out of the recording unit 39 by the sucker row 125 and discarded in the disposal box 37.
Next, in step 5, the transfer sheet 90 is supplied onto the stage 27 from the transfer sheet supply unit 83 of the recording medium supply unit 31. The transfer sheet 90 cut into a predetermined length is brought into close contact with the support 23 by a squeeze roller 129. Thereafter, as in the case of the image receiving sheet 80, the transfer sheet 90 may be further heat-pressed (ie, laminated) using a heat roller in Step 6.
[0064]
In step 7, on the basis of the image data given in advance, the laser beam Lb is emitted from the recording head 29 onto the transfer sheet 90, and a predetermined recording spot of the recording spot row Sp is controlled on and off, and in synchronization therewith. The stage 27 is moved. That is, the back surface (upper surface in FIG. 10) of the transfer sheet 90 is scanned like an image while the recording spot row Sp is controlled to be turned on and off in a predetermined pattern. 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. As a result, the toner layer 90 c of the transfer sheet 90 is transferred to the image receiving layer 24 of the support 23, and an image in black (K) is formed on the support 23.
[0065]
In the recording method according to the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 11, recording is basically performed while the support 23 and the recording head 29 are relatively moved in the main scanning direction. Then, the support 23 and the recording head 29 are moved relative to each other in the sub-scanning direction at the same time to move to the next recording start end. By repeating this recording and movement, a rectangular shape including the area where the recording data exists is included. Scan the entire area.
[0066]
That is, as shown in FIG. 17, simultaneously with the stage 27 moving in the + X direction, the recording spot row Sp is irradiated from the recording start end 141 at a predetermined timing. As shown in FIG. 18, when the recording spot row Sp reaches the recording end 143, the exposure by the recording spot row Sp is completed, and the stage 27 is stopped.
Next, the stage 27 is moved in the + Y direction and in the −X direction, and the recording origin position 69 is made to coincide with the next recording start end. Thereafter, similarly, the operation of moving the stage 27 in the + X direction and recording is repeated.
[0067]
According to such serial recording, image recording is performed only in one direction of the main scanning direction, and recording is always resumed after the recording head 29 returns to the recording start end. It becomes easy to increase accuracy. In addition, since it is unidirectional recording, it is difficult to produce a difference in recording characteristics due to the spot arrangement.
[0068]
When the black (K) image recording is completed as described above, the black transfer sheet 90 is peeled off from the support 23 in step 8.
[0069]
In this way, the toner sheet 90c is transferred to the recording surface 25 of the support 23 by peeling the transfer sheet 90 from the support 23, and a black pattern is formed on the recording surface 25 (the image receiving layer 24 of the support 23). An image is formed.
[0070]
If it is necessary to supply another type of transfer sheet 90, the above steps 5 to 8 are repeated. That is, the operations from Step 5 to Step 8 are repeated for the transfer sheets 90 of other red, green, and blue colors. As a result, the toner inks KRGB of the four-color toner layer 90c are transferred to one support 23, and a desired image is formed on the recording surface 25 of the support 23.
[0071]
After the recording, the support 23 is discharged from the recording unit 39 by the discharge mechanism 51 and stacked on the support receiving unit 35.
[0072]
By repeating the above operations, a pattern such as a black matrix or a color filter can be continuously formed on the plurality of supports 23.
In the recording procedure shown in FIG. 15, the example in which the black transfer sheet 90 is first used to form an image has been described. However, the recording method according to the present invention does not limit the order of recording of each color.
[0073]
Next, an image recording method corresponding to various stripe patterns to be recorded, which is a feature of the present invention, will be described.
In this recording apparatus 21, as shown in FIG. 19, a stripe pattern with the recording width of the recording spot row Sp of the recording head 29 as WL, the stripe-shaped sub-scanning direction width as WP, and the main scanning direction as the major axis. When the sub-scanning direction pitch is PP, an image is recorded by controlling as follows according to the type of stripe pattern to be recorded.
[0074]
(1) When WL <WP
As shown in FIG. 20, when the sub-scanning direction recording width WL of the recording spot row Sp is smaller than the stripe-shaped sub-scanning direction width WP, the next main scanning direction recording after the main scanning direction recording (sub-scanning direction) When there is no stripe-shaped recording data for all the recording spots of the recording spot row Sp, that is, there is recording data related to the recording of the recording spot row Sp in the stripe shape. If not, the front end recording spot Sp1 is aligned with the upstream end of the stripe-shaped sub-scan recording direction to be recorded next, and recording is performed in the main scanning direction.
[0075]
Specifically, first, during the first main scanning, the front end recording spot Sp1 is aligned with the upstream end in the sub-scanning recording direction of the first stripe shape STR1, which is the first stripe shape to be recorded. Then, recording is performed by moving the stage 27 in the + X direction. In this way, a part of the first stripe shape STR1 is recorded.
Next, (2) in order to perform the second main scanning, the stage 27 is moved in the + Y direction by the sub-scanning direction recording width WL and in the -X direction.
[0076]
At this time, since recording data for recording the remaining recording portion of the first stripe shape STR1 exists in the recording spot row Sp, the front end recording spot Sp1 is located at the upstream end in the sub-scanning recording direction of the remaining recording portion. In this state, the stage 27 is moved in the + X direction to perform recording. In this way, the remaining recording portion of the first stripe shape STR1 is recorded, and the entire first stripe shape STR1 is recorded.
[0077]
Next, (3) to perform the third main scan, the stage 27 is moved in the + Y direction and in the -X direction. At this time, since there is no stripe-shaped recording data in the recording spot row Sp in a portion adjacent to the second scanning portion, in this case, the second stripe shape STR2 to be recorded next is upstream in the sub-scanning recording direction. The front end recording spot Sp1 is aligned with the end, that is, is fed to the STR2 position of the next stripe shape arranged in the sub-scanning direction, and in this state, the stage 27 is moved in the + X direction to perform recording. In this way, a part of the second stripe shape STR2 is started to be recorded.
[0078]
Next, (4) to perform the fourth main scan, the stage 27 is moved in the + Y direction and in the -X direction.
[0079]
At this time, since recording data for recording the remaining recording portion of the second stripe shape STR2 exists in the recording spot Sp, the front end recording spot Sp1 is set at the upstream end in the sub-scanning recording direction of the remaining recording portion. In this state, the stage 27 is moved in the + X direction to perform recording. In this way, the remaining recording portion of the second stripe shape STR2 is recorded, and the entire second stripe shape STR2 is recorded.
Thereafter, the above operation is repeated, and image recording of each stripe shape is sequentially performed.
[0080]
(2) When WP ≦ WL ≦ PP
As shown in FIG. 21, when the sub-scanning direction recording width WL of the recording spot row Sp is not less than the stripe-shaped sub-scanning direction width WP and not more than the sub-scanning direction pitch PP of the stripe pattern, At the time of the next main scanning direction recording after recording, when there is no stripe-shaped recording data for the upstream front end recording spot Sp1 in the sub-scanning recording direction, the next stripe-shaped sub-scanning recording direction upstream is recorded. The front end recording spot Sp1 is aligned and recorded in the main scanning direction.
[0081]
Specifically, at the time of the first scanning, first, the front end recording spot Sp1 is aligned with the upstream end in the sub-scanning recording direction of the first stripe shape STR1, which is the first stripe shape to be recorded, and the stage 27 is moved in this state. Recording is performed by moving in the + X direction. In this way, the entire first stripe shape STR1 is recorded at a time.
[0082]
In order to perform the second scan, the stage 27 is moved in the + Y direction and is moved in the −X direction. At this time, since there is no stripe-shaped recording data in the front end recording spot Sp1 in the portion adjacent to the first scanning portion, in this case, the second stripe shape STR2 to be recorded next is upstream in the sub-scanning recording direction. The front end recording spot Sp1 is aligned with the end, and in this state, the stage 27 is moved in the + X direction to perform recording. In this way, the entire second stripe shape STR2 is recorded at a time.
Thereafter, the above operation is repeated, and image recording of each stripe shape is sequentially performed.
[0083]
(3) When PP <WL
As shown in FIG. 22, when the sub-scanning direction recording width WL of the recording spot row Sp is larger than the sub-scanning direction pitch PP of the stripe pattern, the stripe-shaped recording data exists on the downstream side in the sub-scanning recording direction, and When there is an area without stripe-shaped recording data between the front end recording spot Sp1 and the rear end recording spot Sp2, the stripe shape corresponding to the recording data of the rear end recording spot Sp2 is not recorded.
[0084]
Specifically, at the time of the first scanning, first, the front end recording spot Sp1 is aligned with the upstream end in the sub-scanning recording direction of the first stripe shape STR1, which is the first stripe shape to be recorded, and the stage 27 is moved in this state. Recording is performed by moving in the + X direction. At this time, since the rear end recording spot Sp2 on the downstream side in the sub-scan recording direction of the recording spot row Sp reaches the position of the stripe shape STR2 to be recorded in the second, the recording data exists in the rear end recording spot Sp2. The second stripe shape STR2 corresponding to the recording data of the trailing edge recording spot Sp2 is not recorded. As a result, only the first stripe shape STR2 is recorded.
[0085]
When performing the second scan, the front end recording spot Sp1 is aligned with the upstream end of the second stripe shape STR2 to be recorded in the sub-scan recording direction, and in this state, the stage 27 is moved in the + X direction to perform recording. Only the second stripe shape STR2 is recorded without recording the third stripe shape (not shown) on which the trailing edge recording spot Sp2 comes.
[0086]
Thereafter, the above operation is repeated, and image recording of each stripe shape is sequentially performed.
That is, in this case, the recording of the image is performed with the pitch P in the sub-scanning recording direction of the recording spot Sp set as the pitch PP in the sub-scanning direction of the stripe pattern without performing the recording in the stripe shape where the trailing edge recording spot Sp2 is approaching. .
[0087]
As shown in FIG. 23, when the recording width Sp of the recording spot Sp is larger than the sub-scanning direction pitch PP of the stripe pattern, the stripe-shaped recording is performed on the rear end recording spot Sp2 on the downstream side in the sub-scanning direction. When there is no data, at least two stripe shapes STR1 and STR2 to be recorded exist within the sub scanning direction recording width WL of the recording spot row Sp. In this case, an image is recorded simply by setting the pitch P of the recording spot row Sp in the sub-scanning recording direction to twice the pitch PP of the stripe pattern in the sub-scanning direction. That is, when there are n (n is a positive integer) stripe shape, the pitch P in the sub-scanning direction is set to P = n · PP.
As a result, it is possible to eliminate the recording of both end portions of the plurality of spots having different recording characteristics and other intermediate portions at adjacent positions, and at the boundary between the main scanning in the stripe shape and the next main scanning. Generation of streaks or the like is prevented.
[0088]
In the case of producing a color filter for liquid crystal, the stripe width WP varies depending on the use and type of the liquid crystal panel, but is preferably about 5 to 500 μm, and particularly preferably WP = 50 to 200 μm. The sub-scanning direction pitch PP of the stripe pattern is about three times the stripe width WP, and the sub-scanning direction recording width WL of the recording spot varies depending on the type of the recording head and the number of spots, but is about 0.02 to 10 mm. It is.
[0089]
The recording operation can be reciprocal recording in addition to the above-described one-way recording. In this case, recording in the main scanning direction is performed while the support 23 and the recording head 29 are relatively moved in the main scanning direction, and the support 23 and the recording head 29 are sub-scanned at the recording end position 143 of the recording in the main scanning direction. The recording is performed in the reverse main scanning direction while the support 23 and the recording head 29 are relatively moved in the direction opposite to the main scanning direction. According to such reciprocal recording, recording can be performed in the reciprocating direction opposite to the main scanning direction. This makes it possible to shorten the recording time from the start of image recording to the completion of recording, compared to unidirectional recording in which recording is performed only in the main scanning direction.
[0090]
When the main scanning direction is the Y direction, as shown in FIG. 24, recording is performed so that the major axis direction (extending direction) of the stripe 142 coincides with the Y direction. A plurality of stripes are formed at predetermined intervals to form a stripe pattern.
[0091]
As described above, according to the above recording method, the transfer sheet 90 is brought into close contact with the support 23 supplied onto the stage 27 from the support supply unit 33, and the transfer sheet 90 is irradiated with the laser light emitted from the recording head 29. By recording an image and peeling off the transfer sheet 90 from the support 23, the image can be transferred to the recording surface 25 of the support 23, and a stripe pattern image can be recorded on the support 23 quickly and with good image quality. Yes.
[0092]
In addition, black (K), red (R), green (G), and blue (B) transfer sheets 90, which are transfer sheets 90 of four different colors, are used as transfer sheets 90 of the first color. After recording the stripe using the transfer sheet 90 of B), the transfer sheet 90 of red (R), green (G), and blue (B) is used for each of the unrecorded areas arranged alternately with the black stripe. By recording the color stripes in order, a support 23 in which black stripes are formed between the stripes of the color filter can be obtained. Thereby, it is possible to easily obtain a high-precision color filter with black stripes in which black (K), red (R), green (G), and blue (B) are recorded in a uniform color tone.
[0093]
Further, in the case of the above-described stripe 142, the stripe extends slightly shorter than the length of the support 23 in the Y direction. In addition, as shown in FIG. 25, the stripe 142 may be divided into a plurality of pieces in the extending direction and become discontinuous.
[0094]
As described above, according to the above image recording method, when WL <WP, when there is no recording data for the recording spot Sp during the next main scanning direction recording, the stripe-shaped sub-scan to be recorded next is performed. The front end recording spot Sp1 is aligned with the upstream end in the recording direction and is recorded in the main scanning direction. When WP ≦ WL ≦ PP, the front end recording spot on the upstream side in the sub scanning recording direction is recorded during the next main scanning direction recording. When there is no recording data for Sp1, the front end recording spot Sp1 is aligned with the upstream end of the stripe-shaped sub-scanning recording direction to be recorded next, and recording is performed in the main scanning direction. If PP <WL, sub-scanning recording is performed. There is a region where there is recording data in the rear end recording spot Sp2 on the downstream side in the direction, and there is no recording data between the front end recording spot Sp1 and the rear end recording spot Sp2. In this case, since the stripe shape corresponding to the recording data of the trailing edge recording spot Sp2 is not recorded, it is possible to eliminate useless scanning that does not perform recording at all, and to scan twice with one stripe shape. Recording can be eliminated as much as possible, and various stripe patterns with different intervals and widths can be recorded very quickly and with good image quality.
[0095]
In addition, since the image receiving sheet supply unit 81 is provided separately, the image receiving layer 80b can be easily formed on the recording surface of the support 23 even if the support 23 does not have the image receiving layer 80b.
[0096]
Next, another example of a recording apparatus to which the image recording method according to the present invention can be applied will be described.
26 is a conceptual diagram of a recording apparatus according to another embodiment, and FIG. 27 is a schematic perspective view of the recording unit shown in FIG. In addition, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected to the member same as the member shown in above-mentioned FIGS. 1-11, and the overlapping description shall be abbreviate | omitted.
[0097]
In the present embodiment, the recording object to be recorded can be a recording object such as a resin film or the like, or a metal having a hardness (thickness) that can be bent in an elastic region. .
[0098]
As shown in FIG. 26, the recording apparatus 151 according to the present embodiment includes an image receiving sheet supply unit 81, a transfer sheet supply unit 83, a recording unit 300, and a discharge unit 400 as main components. The recording device 151 is covered with a body cover 510 and supported by legs 520.
[0099]
In the recording apparatus 151, the image receiving sheet supply unit 81 supplies a flexible image receiving sheet 80 to the recording unit 300. The transfer sheet supply unit 83 can supply a plurality of types of transfer sheets 90, and selectively selects one type of transfer sheet 90 from the plurality of types of transfer sheets 90 with respect to the recording unit 300. Can be supplied. In the recording unit 300, the transfer sheet 90 is further wound around the image receiving sheet 80 wound around the drum 310 that is a recording medium fixing member.
[0100]
Two types of sheets, an image receiving sheet 80 and a transfer sheet 90, are wound around the drum 310. First, the image receiving sheet 80 supplied by the image receiving sheet supply unit 81 is wound around the drum 310. A plurality of holes (not shown) are formed on the surface of the drum 310, and the image receiving sheet 80 is sucked by a suction device (not shown) such as a vacuum pump, so that the image receiving sheet 80 is rotated by the drum 310. Along with this, the drum 310 is wound while being adsorbed.
[0101]
The transfer sheet 90 supplied from the transfer sheet supply unit 83 is wound around the image receiving sheet 80. The two types of sheets, the image receiving sheet 80 and the transfer sheet 90, are different in size, and the transfer sheet 90 is larger than the image receiving sheet 80 in both the vertical and horizontal directions. Accordingly, the transfer sheet 90 is adsorbed to the drum 310 by a protruding portion larger than the image receiving sheet 80. The transfer sheet 90 is wound while being attracted to the drum 310 as the drum 310 rotates.
[0102]
In the image receiving sheet 80 and the transfer sheet 90 wound around the drum 310, the toner layer 90 c of the transfer sheet 90 is in contact with the image receiving layer 80 b of the image receiving sheet 80. By having such a positional relationship, the toner ink of the toner layer 90c is laser-exposed by the recording head 350 and transferred to the image receiving sheet 80 as described above.
[0103]
The recording unit 300 includes a drum 310. As shown in FIG. 28, the drum 310 has a hollow cylindrical shape and is rotatably held by the frame 320. In the recording apparatus 151, the pattern is recorded so that the rotation direction of the drum 310 is the main scanning direction and the extending direction of the stripe shape substantially coincides with the rotation of the drum 310.
[0104]
The drum 310 is connected to the rotation shaft of the motor and is driven to rotate by the motor. The recording head 350 emits a laser beam Lb. The toner ink on the transfer sheet 90 at the position irradiated with the laser beam Lb is transferred to the surface of the image receiving sheet 80. Further, the recording head 350 can move 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 recording apparatus 151, this moving direction is the sub-scanning direction.
[0105]
Therefore, a desired position on the transfer sheet 90 covering the image receiving sheet 80 can be laser-exposed by a combination of the rotational movement of the drum 310 and the linear movement of the recording head 350. Therefore, the transfer sheet 90 is scanned with the drawing laser beam Lb, and only the corresponding position is laser-exposed based on the image information so that the extending direction of the stripe shape substantially coincides with the rotation direction of the drum 310. Pattern recording can be performed. Thereby, the pattern image in which the rotation direction of the drum 310 is the extending direction of the stripe shape can be transferred to the image receiving sheet 80.
[0106]
Also in this recording apparatus 151, when WL <WP, when there is no stripe-shaped recording data for the recording spot row Sp during the next main scanning direction recording after the main scanning direction recording, the stripe shape to be recorded next is recorded. The front end recording spot Sp1 is aligned with the upstream end in the sub-scanning recording direction, and recording is performed in the main scanning direction. In the case of WP ≦ WL ≦ PP, when there is no stripe-shaped recording data for the upstream front end recording spot Sp1 in the sub scanning recording direction at the next main scanning direction recording after the main scanning direction recording, The front end recording spot Sp1 is aligned with the upstream end of the stripe-shaped sub-scan recording direction to be recorded, and recording is performed in the main scanning direction. Further, in the case of PP <WL, there is stripe-shaped recording data in the rear end recording spot Sp2 on the downstream side in the sub-scan recording direction, and the stripe-shaped recording is performed between the front end recording spot Sp1 and the rear end recording spot Sp2. When there is an area without data, the stripe shape corresponding to the recording data of the trailing edge recording spot Sp2 is not recorded. As a result, various stripe patterns having different intervals and widths can be recorded very quickly and with good image quality.
[0107]
The recording medium may be a photon mode material having no photothermal conversion layer in addition to the heat mode described in the above embodiment. In other words, the same effect as described above can be obtained even if an arbitrary recording medium is used as long as the recording medium can record a stripe shape.
[0108]
In each of the above-described embodiments, the case where the recording head is a laser system has been described as an example. However, the recording head may be a thermal head system. Furthermore, the recording method of the present invention is not applied only when all of the images have a stripe pattern, but can be applied to an image having at least a stripe pattern.
The spot arrangement of the recording heads in each of the above embodiments is not limited to a one-dimensional arrangement, and may be a two-dimensional arrangement, and the same effects as described above can be obtained.
[0109]
【The invention's effect】
According to the image recording method of the present invention, when the sub scanning direction recording width of the recording spot row of the recording head is WL, the sub scanning direction width of the stripe shape is WP, and the sub scanning direction pitch of the stripe pattern is PP, When WL <WP, when there is no stripe-shaped recording data for the recording spot in the next main scanning direction recording after the main scanning direction recording, the front end recording is performed at the upstream end in the sub-scanning recording direction of the stripe shape to be recorded next. The spot is aligned and recorded in the main scanning direction, and when WP ≦ WL ≦ PP, the stripe shape with respect to the upstream front end recording spot in the sub-scanning recording direction at the time of the next main scanning direction recording after the main scanning direction recording When there is no recording data, the front end recording spot is aligned with the upstream end in the sub-scanning recording direction of the stripe shape to be recorded next and recorded in the main scanning direction. In the case of <WL, there is a stripe-shaped recording data in the rear end recording spot on the downstream side in the sub-scanning recording direction, and there is no region having the stripe-shaped recording data between the front end recording spot and the rear end recording spot. In this case, the stripe shape corresponding to the recording data of the trailing edge recording spot is not recorded. As a result, it is possible to eliminate a wasteful main scanning operation in which recording is not performed at all, and it is possible to eliminate recording by two main scanning operations of one stripe shape as much as possible, and various stripes having different intervals and widths. The pattern can be recorded very quickly and with good image quality.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the concept of a recording apparatus according to the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a support.
FIG. 3 is a configuration diagram of the recording apparatus shown in FIG. 1;
FIG. 4 is a perspective view illustrating a loading state of a support in a support supply unit.
FIG. 5 is a plan view for explaining the operation of a recording head and a stage.
FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of a stage in which a support is accommodated in a recess.
FIG. 7 is a main part configuration diagram showing a recording medium supply unit and a recording unit.
8A is a cross-sectional view of an image receiving sheet, and FIG. 8B is a cross-sectional view of a transfer sheet.
FIG. 9 is an explanatory view showing peeling grooves and peeling claws formed on the stage.
FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of the stage for explaining the fixing operation of the transfer sheet.
FIG. 11 is a perspective view illustrating a relative movement direction of the recording head and the support.
FIG. 12 is a plan view showing a positional relationship between a recording head fixed at a recording origin position and a stage origin position.
FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram showing a recording spot row formed by a recording head.
FIG. 14 is an enlarged view of the recording head.
FIG. 15 is an explanatory diagram conceptually showing a recording process.
FIG. 16 is an explanatory diagram showing a recording direction of a recording spot.
FIG. 17 is an explanatory diagram of a recording process according to the recording direction of FIG. 16;
18 is a plan view of the support after the first line of recording is completed in the recording direction of FIG.
FIG. 19 is an explanatory diagram showing dimensions of a stripe pattern.
FIG. 20 is an explanatory diagram for explaining a stripe pattern recording method when the recording width of a recording spot in the sub-scanning direction is smaller than the stripe-shaped sub-scanning direction width;
FIG. 21 is an explanatory diagram for explaining a stripe pattern recording method when the recording width of the recording spot in the sub-scanning direction is equal to or larger than the stripe-shaped sub-scanning direction width and equal to or smaller than the stripe pattern sub-scanning direction pitch; .
FIG. 22 is an explanatory diagram for explaining a stripe pattern recording method when the recording width of the recording spot in the sub-scanning direction is larger than the pitch of the stripe pattern in the sub-scanning direction.
FIG. 23 shows a stripe pattern recording method when there is no recording data in a trailing edge recording spot on the downstream side in the sub-scanning direction when the recording width of the recording spot in the sub-scanning direction is larger than the pitch of the stripe pattern in the sub-scanning direction. It is explanatory drawing demonstrated.
FIG. 24 is an explanatory diagram showing a recording state when the main scanning direction is the Y direction.
FIG. 25 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of discontinuous stripes.
FIG. 26 is a conceptual diagram of a recording apparatus according to another embodiment.
27 is a schematic perspective view of the recording section shown in FIG. 26. FIG.
FIG. 28 is an explanatory diagram showing a conventional stripe pattern recording method.
[Explanation of symbols]
29 Recording head
Sp recording spot
Sp1 Front end recording spot
Sp2 trailing edge recording spot
WL Sub-scanning direction recording width
WP stripe-shaped width in the sub-scanning direction
PP Stripe pattern pitch in the sub-scanning direction

Claims (5)

A stripe pattern in which a recording head for recording with a plurality of recording spots is moved relative to a recording medium in a main scanning direction substantially parallel to the recording direction and a sub-scanning direction orthogonal to the main scanning direction. An image recording method for recording the image on the recording medium,
When the sub-scanning direction recording width by the recording spot row of the recording head is WL, and the stripe-shaped sub-scanning direction width is WP,
If WL <WP,
In the next main scanning direction recording after main scanning direction recording, when there is no stripe-shaped recording data for the recording spot row, sub-scanning of the recording spot row is performed at the upstream end of the stripe-shaped sub-scanning recording direction to be recorded next. An image recording method, wherein the front end recording spot on the upstream side in the recording direction is aligned and recorded in the main scanning direction. A stripe pattern in which a recording head for recording with a plurality of recording spots is moved relative to a recording medium in a main scanning direction substantially parallel to the recording direction and a sub-scanning direction orthogonal to the main scanning direction. An image recording method for recording the image on the recording medium,
When the sub scanning direction recording width by the recording spot row of the recording head is WL, the sub scanning direction width of the stripe shape is WP, and the sub scanning direction pitch of the stripe pattern is PP,
If WP ≦ WL ≦ PP,
During the next main scanning direction recording after the main scanning direction recording, when there is no stripe-shaped recording data for the upstream recording spot in the sub-scanning recording direction, the stripe-shaped sub-scanning recording direction upstream end of the next recording stripe shape An image recording method, wherein the front end recording spot on the upstream side in the sub-scanning recording direction of the recording spot row is aligned and recorded in the main scanning direction. 3. The image recording method according to claim 2, wherein a recording pitch in the sub-scanning recording direction of the recording spot row is equal to a pitch in the sub-scanning direction of the stripe pattern. A stripe pattern in which a recording head for recording with a plurality of recording spots is moved relative to a recording medium in a main scanning direction substantially parallel to the recording direction and a sub-scanning direction orthogonal to the main scanning direction. An image recording method for recording the image on the recording medium,
When the sub-scanning direction recording width by the recording spot row of the recording head is WL, and the sub-scanning direction pitch of the stripe pattern is PP,
If PP <WL,
An area having stripe-shaped recording data in the rear end recording spot on the downstream side in the sub-scanning recording direction, and no stripe-shaped recording data between the front end recording spot on the upstream side in the sub-scanning recording direction and the rear end recording spot And a stripe shape corresponding to the recording data of the trailing edge recording spot is not recorded. 5. The image recording method according to claim 4, wherein a recording pitch in the sub-scanning recording direction of the recording spot row is equal to a positive integer multiple of a sub-scanning direction pitch of the stripe pattern.

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