JP2004276607A - Image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image forming apparatus which can appropriately form a clear image on an image recording area of a photosensitive recording medium. <P>SOLUTION: A protrusion 23a abutting the photosensitive recording medium 4 is provided in a print head 2 of the image forming apparatus X so as to offset against the lens 22a in the sub scanning direction CD and protrude toward the photosensitive recording medium 4 compared with the lens 22a. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus that forms an image by exposing a photosensitive recording medium to light.

  As an example of a conventional image forming apparatus, there is one described in Patent Document 1. The image forming apparatus described in Patent Document 1 includes an image sensor module, a case for housing a photosensitive film, and a print head. The image sensor module is for photographing a subject. The case has an opening for exposing the photosensitive film. The print head has a condensing lens, and irradiates light to an image recording area of the photosensitive film through the condensing lens based on image data of a subject photographed by the image sensor module. belongs to. According to such a configuration, a latent image of the subject is formed in the image recording area of the photosensitive film.

  However, in the image forming apparatus, the photosensitive film has a small thickness and is soft, so that undulation may occur. When such undulations occur, the distance between the photosensitive film and the condenser lens is not constant. Then, the focus of the condensing lens becomes out of focus on the photosensitive film, and it becomes difficult to form a clear image on the photosensitive film.

  In this type of image forming apparatus, it is desirable that an image can be printed over the entire image recording area of the photosensitive film. Therefore, in manufacturing the image forming apparatus, it is necessary to consider such points.

JP 2001-111876 A

  The present invention has been conceived in view of such circumstances, and suppresses deterioration of image quality due to undulation of a photosensitive recording medium, and provides a clear image on a photosensitive recording medium. It is an object of the present invention to provide an image forming apparatus capable of appropriately forming the image.

  An image forming apparatus provided by the present invention has a case for accommodating a photosensitive recording medium and having an opening for exposing the photosensitive recording medium, a lens for condensing light, and a photosensitive recording medium. A print head for irradiating the medium with light, wherein the print head is movable in the sub-scanning direction relative to the case, and the print head includes A projection is provided offset from the lens in the sub-scanning direction, and protrudes from the lens toward the photosensitive recording medium and contacts the photosensitive recording medium.

 According to such a configuration, the movement of the print head at the time of exposure is performed in a state where the projection and the photosensitive recording medium are in contact with each other. Therefore, even if the photosensitive recording medium has undulation, the undulation can be corrected and the distance between the photosensitive recording medium and the condensing lens can be kept constant. Therefore, the image forming apparatus according to the present invention can appropriately focus the focusing lens on the photosensitive recording medium, and can form a clear image.

  Preferably, the case has a pair of side walls located on both sides of the photosensitive recording medium in the sub-scanning direction, and discharges the photosensitive recording medium to the outside on one of the pair of side walls. The protrusion is disposed at a position opposite to the discharge port with the lens interposed therebetween.

  According to such a configuration, when the print head moves to the side wall side where the discharge port is not formed in the sub-scanning direction (hereinafter, referred to as “first direction”), and the protrusion comes into contact with the peripheral edge of the opening of the case, The focusing lens cannot be moved further in the first direction. However, the width of the projections can be reduced, so that the condensing lens can be made closer to the peripheral edge of the opening to perform exposure over a wider area on the first direction side of the photosensitive recording medium. It becomes possible. Further, since the photosensitive recording medium does not shift by more than a predetermined amount toward the first direction due to contact with the side wall where the discharge port is not formed, the position of the photosensitive recording medium toward the first direction is reduced. Exposure to the photosensitive recording medium does not become difficult due to the displacement.

  When the print head moves toward the side wall (hereinafter, referred to as “second direction”) where the discharge port is formed in the sub-scanning direction, the condensing lens does not come into contact with the peripheral edge of the opening of the case. Can be brought closer to the periphery of the opening. Therefore, the image forming apparatus according to the present invention can perform exposure over a wider range on the second direction side of the photosensitive recording medium even when the photosensitive recording medium is relatively displaced in the second direction. Become.

  Preferably, the photosensitive recording medium has an air vent for discharging air existing inside the photosensitive recording medium, and the projection has a notch for avoiding interference with the air vent. ing. According to such a configuration, the movement of the print head in the sub-scanning direction is not restricted due to the interference between the protrusion and the air vent portion. Therefore, in the image forming apparatus according to the present invention, exposure to the photosensitive recording medium does not become difficult due to interference between the protrusion and the air vent.

  Preferably, the size of the protrusion in the main scanning direction is smaller than the size of the opening of the case in the main scanning direction, and is equal to or larger than the size of the image recording area of the photosensitive recording medium in the main scanning direction. According to such a configuration, it is possible to correct the undulation that occurs over the entire area of the image recording area, and it is possible to appropriately form a clear image over the entire area.

  Preferably, the lens and the protrusion are adjacent to each other in the sub-scanning direction. According to such a configuration, exposure to the photosensitive recording medium can be performed immediately after the undulation of the photosensitive recording medium is corrected by the protrusion. Therefore, the image forming apparatus according to the present invention can more accurately focus the focusing lens on the image recording area of the photosensitive recording medium.

  Preferably, a supporting member for supporting the lens is provided, and the projection is formed integrally with the supporting member. According to such a configuration, the number of components can be reduced as compared with the case where the projection is formed on a member different from the support member.

  Preferably, a supporting member having a slit into which the lens is fitted and a concave portion connected to the slit, and an auxiliary member separate from the supporting member are provided, and a part of the auxiliary member is fitted into the concave portion. Accordingly, another part of the auxiliary member is configured as the protrusion. More preferably, there is provided a lens holder that surrounds and supports the lens and is fitted in the slit, and the auxiliary member is in contact with the lens holder. According to such a configuration, the focusing lens can be positioned and fixed to the support member by the auxiliary member having a part formed as a protrusion. Therefore, it is not necessary to use a dedicated member separate from the auxiliary member as a means for fixing the condenser lens.

  Preferably, the image forming apparatus according to the present invention includes a transparent member that covers a light exit surface of the lens, and the protrusion is provided on the transparent member. According to such a configuration, it is possible to protect the condenser lens.

  Preferably, there is provided a lens holder that surrounds and supports the lens and is fitted into the slit, and the transparent member is in contact with the lens holder. According to such a configuration, similarly to the case of the above-described auxiliary member, it is possible to rationally fix and fix the focusing lens.

  Other features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following description of embodiments of the invention.

  Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be specifically described with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of an image forming apparatus according to the present invention. The image forming apparatus X according to the present embodiment includes a case 1, a print head 2, and a housing 3.

  The case 1 is made of a synthetic resin having a light-shielding property. As shown in FIG. 2, the case 1 houses therein a plurality of laminated photosensitive films 4 and a leaf spring member 5. A pair of openings 12 are provided in the upper surface 11 of the case 1. An opening 14 for exposing the lowermost photosensitive film 4 is provided in the lower surface portion 13 of the case 1. The case 1 has a pair of side walls 15 and 16 spaced apart in the sub-scanning direction CD and extending in the main scanning direction AB. The side wall 15 is provided with a discharge port 17 for discharging the photosensitive film 4. The outlet 17 is covered with a curtain 18 for preventing dust and the like from entering the inside of the case 1. A notch 19 is provided in the side wall 16.

  The photosensitive film 4 has a substantially rectangular sheet shape. As shown in FIG. 3, a photosensitive layer 41, two transparent covers 42, 43, a mask sheet 44, a developer pack 45, a trap material 46, , An air vent portion 47. The photosensitive layer 41 is sandwiched between two transparent covers 42 and 43. The mask sheet 44 has an intermediate portion in the sub-scanning direction CD laminated on the transparent cover 42, and both end portions 44 a and 44 b in the sub-scanning direction CD are folded back and adhered to the transparent cover 43. An opening 44c is provided in the intermediate portion of the mask sheet 44, and a portion of the photosensitive layer 41 facing the opening 44c is an image recording area 41a. The image recording area 41a is formed to have a size smaller than the opening 14 of the case 1 (see FIG. 2) so that the entire area can be exposed. The developer pack 45 is provided at one end 4 a of the photosensitive film 4 in the sub-scanning direction CD, and is wrapped by one end 44 a of the mask sheet 44. The trap member 46 is provided at the other end 4 b of the photosensitive film 4 in the sub-scanning direction CD, and is an elongated rod-shaped member surrounded by the other end 44 b of the mask sheet 44. The air vent 47 is for discharging air that may exist between the photosensitive layer 41 and the transparent cover 43, and is provided at the other end 44 b of the mask sheet 44. The air vent 47 is formed by, for example, not bonding the center of the other end 44 b of the mask sheet 44 in the main scanning direction to the transparent cover 43.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the leaf spring member 5 is for pressing the plurality of stacked photosensitive films 4 downward, and is disposed between the uppermost photosensitive film 4 and the upper surface 11 of the case 1. Have been.

  As shown in FIG. 4A, the print head 2 includes a light emitting unit 21, a rod lens array 22, an auxiliary member 23, a frame 24, and a shutter unit 25, and is located below the photosensitive film 4. I have.

  The frame 24 is for supporting the light emitting unit 21, the rod lens array 22, the auxiliary member 23, and the shutter unit 25, and is connected to the slit 24a into which the rod lens array 22 is fitted and the slit 24a. And a stepped portion 24c for supporting the lower end of the rod lens array 22. The frame 24 can reciprocate in the sub-scanning direction CD by a driving mechanism (not shown) including a motor.

  The light emitting unit 21 has, for example, a red light emitter, a green light emitter, and a blue light emitter, and can perform exposure for forming a color image. Examples of these light emitters include a light emitting diode and an organic EL light emitting element.

  The rod lens array 22 includes a plurality of rod lenses 22a arranged in the main scanning direction, and a lens holder 22b that surrounds and supports the plurality of rod lenses 22a, and is located above the light emitting unit 21. The rod lens 22a faces the lowermost photosensitive film 4 via the opening 14 of the case 1 with a space therebetween. The lower end of the lens holder 22b is in contact with the step 24c.

  The auxiliary member 23 is formed separately from the frame 24, and its lower end is fitted into the concave portion 24 b of the frame 24. A part of the auxiliary member 23 is a projection 23 a protruding from the upper surface of the frame 24 toward the photosensitive film 4. The auxiliary member 23 is arranged at a position opposite to the discharge port 17 of the case 1 with the rod lens array 22 interposed therebetween, is offset in the sub-scanning direction CD with respect to the rod lens array 22, and is adjacent to the rod lens 22a. ing. The lower end of the auxiliary member 23 is in contact with the upper surface of the lens holder 22b. As shown in FIG. 4B, the projection 23a extends in the main scanning direction AB, and has a notch 23b formed at the tip thereof. The notch 23b is for avoiding interference between the protrusion 23a and the air vent 47 (see FIG. 3), as described later. The dimension of the projection 23a in the main scanning direction is smaller than the dimension of the opening 14 in the main scanning direction so that the projection 23a can enter the opening 14 of the case 1, and the dimension of the projection 23a in the image recording area 41a of the photosensitive film 4 is small. It is larger than the dimension in the scanning direction. The projection 23a has such a height that the focus of the rod lens 22a is on the photosensitive layer 41 when the projection 23a is in contact with the photosensitive film 4.

  The shutter unit 25 is for selectively transmitting light emitted from the light emitting unit 21 in accordance with image data of a captured subject, and includes, for example, a liquid crystal panel. The light passing through the shutter 25 is focused on the photosensitive film 4 by the rod lens 22a.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the housing 3 has an opening 32 that can be opened and closed by a lid 31 connected to the housing 3, and through the opening 32, inside and outside of the housing 3. The case 1 can be taken in and out. The lid 31 has a pair of convex portions 33 for fixing the case 1 by fitting into the pair of openings 12 of the case 1. The one end wall 34 of the housing 3 has a discharge port 35 for discharging the photosensitive film 4 subjected to the exposure and development processing to the outside of the housing 3.

  As shown in FIG. 2, a pair of platen rollers 6 and a push bar 7 are provided inside the housing 3. The pair of platen rollers 6 are for transporting the photosensitive film 4 while pulling it out from the inside of the case 1 and discharging the photosensitive film 4 to the outside of the housing 3 through a discharge port 35 (see FIG. 1). Further, when the photosensitive film 4 is transported, the pair of platen rollers 6 applies a pressing force to the developer pack 45 of the photosensitive film 4, and the developer is supplied from the developer pack 45 to the photosensitive layer 41 and the transparent cover 43. In the image recording area 41a.

  The push bar 7 is movable in the sub-scanning direction CD through the notch 19 of the case 1 and pushes the photosensitive film 4 out of the case 1 through the discharge port 17.

  The image forming apparatus X further includes an image sensor module (not shown) and a control unit (not shown). The image sensor module is for photographing a subject, and can output image data of the photographed subject. The control unit is for performing drive control and various data processing of the print head 2 and the image sensor module, and is configured by mounting a CPU and various memory chips on a printed wiring board, for example. ing.

  Next, the operation of the image forming apparatus X will be described.

  First, a subject is photographed by using the image sensor module. The image data of the subject is stored in the control unit. Thereafter, the print head 2 is moved in the sub-scanning direction CD under the control of the control unit, and the image recording area 41a of the photosensitive film 4 is exposed. As a result, a latent image of the subject is formed on the photosensitive layer 41 in the image recording area 41a.

  Next, the push bar 7 and the pair of platen rollers 6 are driven under the control of the control unit. The photosensitive film 4 is pushed out of the case 1 through the outlet 17 of the case 1 by the push bar 7. Thereafter, the photosensitive film 4 is fed between the pair of platen rollers 6, and is discharged to the outside of the housing 3 through the discharge port 35 by driving the platen roller 6.

  In the above-described discharging process, when the photosensitive film 4 is nipped by the pair of platen rollers 6, the developing solution is pushed out from the developing solution pack 45. After that, the developer enters between the photosensitive layer 41 and the transparent cover 43 and spreads toward the other end 4 b of the photosensitive film 4. Excess developer is captured by the trap material 46. In this way, by performing the developing process of the latent image, the subject image is appropriately formed in the image recording area 41a of the photosensitive film 4, and can be visually recognized from the outside via the transparent cover. Even when air is accumulated between the photosensitive layer 41 and the transparent cover 43, when the photosensitive film 4 is nipped by the pair of platen rollers 6, the air gradually escapes from the air vent 47 of the photosensitive film 4. To go. For this reason, the developing solution spreads on the photosensitive layer 41 without being hindered by the air, and the developing process is smoothly performed.

  In the image forming apparatus X according to the present embodiment, the movement of the print head 2 at the time of exposure is performed in a state where the projection 23a of the auxiliary member 23 and the photosensitive film 4 are in contact. Therefore, even if the photosensitive film 4 has undulation, the image forming apparatus X can correct the undulation and keep the distance between the photosensitive film 4 and the rod lens 22a constant.

  Since the dimension of the projection 23a in the main scanning direction is equal to or larger than the dimension of the photosensitive film 4 in the image recording area 41a in the main scanning direction, the undulation of the photosensitive film 4 can be corrected over the entire area of the image recording area 41a. Therefore, the distance from the rod lens 22a to the photosensitive film 4 is constant, and the rod lens 22a is focused on the image recording area 41a of the photosensitive film 4, and a clear image can be formed in the image recording area 41a. . In particular, since the exposure to the image recording area 41a is performed immediately after the swell of the photosensitive film 4 is corrected near the projection 23a, it is possible to more accurately focus the rod lens 22a on the image recording area 41a. Become.

  The auxiliary member 23 positions and fixes the rod lens array 22 with respect to the frame 24 by contacting the upper end of the lens holder 22b. Therefore, it is not necessary to use a dedicated member different from the auxiliary member 23 as a means for fixing the rod lens array 22.

  In the image forming apparatus X, since the projection 23a of the auxiliary member 23 has entered the opening 14 of the case 1, when the print head 2 moves in the sub-scanning direction D, the projection 23a as shown by the symbol N1 in FIG. 23a comes into contact with the opening peripheral portion 14b of the case 1. With such contact, the rod lens 22a cannot be moved further in the sub-scanning direction D. However, the width W of the auxiliary member 23 can be reduced, so that the rod lens 22a is brought closer to the opening peripheral portion 14b to appropriately expose the end region of the image recording region 41a. be able to. The photosensitive film 4 is not displaced by a certain amount or more in the sub-scanning direction D by abutting on the side wall 16 of the case 1, so that the photosensitive film 4 is displaced in the sub-scanning direction D. Exposure to the image recording area 41a does not become difficult.

  When the print head 2 moves in the sub-scanning direction C, the rod lens 22a can be made to approach the opening peripheral portion 14a without bringing the projection 23a into contact with the opening peripheral portion 14a of the case 1. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 5B, even when the photosensitive film 4 is relatively displaced in the direction in which the photosensitive film 4 enters the discharge port 17, the rod lens 22a can be disposed substantially immediately below the opening peripheral portion 14a. Therefore, the image forming apparatus X can more appropriately perform image printing even on the portion near the opening peripheral portion 14a in the image recording area 41a.

  The projection 23a is provided with a notch 23b to avoid interference between the projection 23a and the air vent 47. Therefore, the movement of the print head 2 due to interference with the air vent 47 is not limited.

  Although the specific embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to these embodiments, and various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 6, the print head 2 includes a transparent member 26 covering the light emitting surface of the rod lens array 22 instead of the auxiliary member 23, and the projection 23a is formed by the transparent member 26. It may be configured. According to such a configuration, it is also possible to protect the rod lens 22a. Further, when the transparent member 26 is brought into contact with the lens holder 22b of the rod lens array 22, the positioning and fixing of the rod lens array 22 can be rationalized similarly to the above-described embodiment. The protrusion 23a may be provided integrally with the frame 24 instead of using a member separate from the frame 24. The auxiliary member and the transparent member for providing the protrusion are not limited to those formed of one member, but may be formed of a plurality of members.

  The rod lens array 22 is not limited to being entirely fitted into the slit 24 a of the frame 24, but may be arranged so that a part thereof projects from the surface of the frame 24. According to such a configuration, the size of the frame 24 can be reduced, and the manufacturing cost can be reduced. The lens is not limited to a rod lens.

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view illustrating an example of an image forming apparatus according to the present invention. FIG. 2 is a sectional perspective view of a main part of the image forming apparatus shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a photosensitive film used in the image forming apparatus shown in FIG. 2A and 2B are diagrams illustrating a print head used in the image forming apparatus illustrated in FIG. 1, wherein FIG. 2A is a schematic cross-sectional view, and FIG. FIGS. 2A and 2B are explanatory diagrams of the operation of a print head used in the image forming apparatus shown in FIG. FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of a main part showing another example of the image forming apparatus according to the present invention.

Explanation of reference numerals

X Image Forming Apparatus 1 Case 2 Printhead 3 Case 4 Photosensitive Film 14 Openings 15 and 16 (for a pair of) Sidewalls 17 Outlet 22 Rod Lens Array 22a Rod Lens 22b Lens Holder 23 Projection 23a Notch 41 Photosensitive layer 41a Image recording area 47 Air vent

Claims (10)

A case containing a photosensitive recording medium and having an opening for exposing the photosensitive recording medium,
Having a lens for light collection, and a print head for irradiating light toward the photosensitive recording medium,
The print head is an image forming apparatus that is movable in the sub-scanning direction relative to the case,
The print head is characterized by being provided with a projection that is offset in the sub-scanning direction with respect to the lens, and that protrudes toward the photosensitive recording medium from the lens and contacts the photosensitive recording medium. Image forming apparatus. The case has a pair of sidewalls located on both sides of the photosensitive recording medium in the sub-scanning direction, and one of the pair of sidewalls is for discharging the photosensitive recording medium to the outside. An outlet is formed,
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the protrusion is arranged at a position opposite to the discharge port with the lens interposed therebetween. The photosensitive recording medium has an air vent for discharging air present inside the photosensitive recording medium,
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the protrusion has a notch for avoiding interference with the air vent.   The dimension of the projection in the main scanning direction is smaller than the dimension of the opening of the case in the main scanning direction, and is equal to or larger than the dimension of the image recording area of the photosensitive recording medium in the main scanning direction. An image forming apparatus according to any one of the above.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the lens and the protrusion are adjacent to each other in the sub-scanning direction. A supporting member for supporting the lens,
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the protrusion is formed integrally with the support member. A supporting member having a slit into which the lens is fitted and a concave portion connected to the slit, and an auxiliary member separate from the supporting member;
The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein a part of the auxiliary member is fitted in the recess, so that another part of the auxiliary member is configured as the protrusion. A lens holder that surrounds and supports the lens, and is fitted in the slit;
The image forming apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the auxiliary member is in contact with the lens holder. A transparent member that covers the light exit surface of the lens,
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the protrusion is provided on the transparent member. A lens holder that surrounds and supports the lens, and is fitted in the slit;
The image forming apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the transparent member is in contact with the lens holder.

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