JP2006187919A - Light source device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To surely prevent fixing light from being applied to an unrecorded area adjacent to a recorded area. <P>SOLUTION: Respective LED arrays L1-L6 for Y are controlled to be turned out when deviating from a position to face an end of the recorded area 3a. Dousers 23, which blocks a light from the LED array for Y, facing the recorded area 3a, are each provided on both the sides of the respective LED arrays L1-L6 for Y. The LED arrays for Y, which face a back end of the recorded area 3a of the color thermal recording paper 3, are sequentially turned out in synchronization with the sequential passage of the back end of the recorded area 3a of the color thermal recording paper 3 through the respective LED arrays L1-L6 for Y. When the back end of the recorded area 3a passes through a light-emitting diode array 10 for Y, all the LED arrays L1-L6 for Y are turned out. This can make the whole surface of the recorded area 3a subjected to uniform light fixing, and can prevent fixing light for Y from being leaked to the unrecorded area 3b. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to an optical fixing device including a light emitting element array in which a plurality of light emitting element rows arranged in the main scanning direction are arranged in the sub scanning direction.

  Light source device such as a light fixing device having a light emitting element array in which a plurality of light emitting elements are arranged in the main scanning direction and a plurality of light emitting element arrays are arranged in the sub scanning direction, and conveyance of an irradiated object such as color thermal recording paper There is a color thermal printer placed on the road. In this color thermal printer, for example, a recording paper roll in which a long color thermal recording paper is wound in a roll shape is used, and the recording paper and the light emitting element array are moved relative to each other in the sub-scanning direction while being moved on the recording paper. A thermal head arranged along the main scanning direction is pressed against the specific area, and thermal recording is performed. Then, light fixing is performed by irradiating light from an optical fixing device. When a full-color image is recorded by repeating the thermal recording and light fixing processes, the recording area is cut into a sheet. The separated sheet is discharged out of the printer, while the unrecorded area remaining on the conveyance path is rewound onto the recording paper roll.

In order to optically fix the recording area uniformly, it is necessary to irradiate the fixing light until the rear end of the recording area passes through the optical fixing device. At this time, the fixing light is also applied to the unrecorded area adjacent to the recording area. Will be irradiated. For this reason, in synchronization with the conveyance of the recording paper, a shutter mechanism (for example, refer to Patent Document 1 below) that allows a light shielding plate to enter between the optical fixing device and the recording paper, and a plurality of rows are arranged along the sub-scanning direction. By providing a liquid crystal shutter mechanism (for example, refer to Patent Document 2 below) that switches each of the shutter rows between an open state that transmits the fixing light from the optical fixing unit and a blocked state that blocks the fixing light, The fixing light is not irradiated to the unrecorded area. In addition, a control mechanism for sequentially turning on / off each of the plurality of lamps arranged in the sub-scanning direction in synchronization with the conveyance of the recording paper is provided so that the lamp facing the unrecorded area does not turn on. (For example, refer to Patent Document 3 below).
Japanese Patent Application No. 8-176251 Japanese Patent Application No. 2002-32535 JP 2002-59576 A

  However, if a shutter mechanism is provided as in Patent Documents 1 and 2, the configuration becomes complicated and the cost increases. Further, as in Patent Document 3, only turning off the lamp facing the unrecorded area can reduce the amount of light irradiated to the unrecorded area, but can reliably block the fixing light from the lit lamp. Can not.

  The present invention is for solving the above-described problem, and ensures that light (fixing light) is irradiated to a non-light receiving area (unrecorded area) adjacent to the light receiving area (recording area). An object of the present invention is to provide a light source device for prevention at a low cost.

  The light source device of the present invention includes a light emitting element array in which a plurality of light emitting element arrays arranged in the main scanning direction are arranged in the sub scanning direction, and the light emitting element array and a long object to be irradiated are provided. Light is emitted to a specific light receiving area having a substantially rectangular shape on the irradiated object while being relatively moved along the sub-scanning direction, and is arranged on both sides of each light emitting element row. A plurality of light shielding plates that prevent light from each light emitting element array facing the light receiving area from leaking out of the light receiving area when the end part sequentially passes through each light emitting element array, and an end of the light receiving area A control unit that controls lighting of each light emitting element row so that the light emitting element rows that are out of the position facing the end of the light receiving area in each light emitting element row are sequentially turned off when passing through each light emitting element row; Is provided.

  The light shielding plate has a reflection surface that reflects light emitted from each light emitting element array toward a light receiving area.

  The light shielding plate is provided so that the plate surface is perpendicular to the arrangement surface of the light emitting elements.

  The light shielding plate is arranged so that the distance between the tip of the light shielding plate and the light receiving surface of the irradiated object is about 3 mm.

  The long irradiated object is a long thermal recording paper having a light fixing property in which the coloring ability disappears by irradiation with fixing light having a specific wavelength, and the light emitting element emits fixing light. To do.

  According to the present invention, the light emitting element rows that have deviated from the position facing the end of the light receiving area are sequentially turned off, and the light from the light emitting element rows facing the light receiving area is received by the plurality of light shielding plates. Since light leakage outside the area is prevented, light to areas other than the light receiving area can be reliably blocked. Further, without providing a separate light shielding means such as a shutter mechanism, the drive source is unnecessary, and the light source device can be configured at low cost.

  Since the light emitted from each light emitting element row is reflected by the reflecting surface toward the light receiving area, the light emission amount of each light emitting element can be suppressed, and the light source device can be configured to save energy.

  The color thermal printer 2 shown in FIG. 1 performs thermal recording of a full-color image and light fixing on the thermally recorded area while reciprocating the color thermal recording paper 3 in the forward direction and in the opposite direction.

  The color heat-sensitive recording paper 3 is formed by laminating on a support at least three heat-sensitive color-developing layers: a yellow heat-sensitive color-developing layer that develops yellow, a magenta thermo-sensitive color-developing layer that develops magenta, and a cyan thermo-sensitive color-developing layer that develops cyan. Yes. Each thermosensitive coloring layer is arranged in the order of yellow, magenta, and cyan from the uppermost layer, and the thermal sensitivity of the lower thermosensitive coloring layer is lower.

  Further, the yellow thermosensitive coloring layer and the underlying magenta thermosensitive coloring layer are each provided with fixing properties by light in a specific wavelength range. The yellow thermosensitive coloring layer is photofixed when irradiated with Y fixing light having a wavelength of about 420 nm, while the magenta thermosensitive coloring layer is photofixed when irradiated with M fixing light having a wavelength of approximately 365 nm.

  The color thermal printer 2 is set with a recording paper roll 4 in which the color thermal recording paper 3 is wound in a roll shape. The recording paper roll 4 is rotated by driving of the paper feed roller 5, and the color thermal recording paper 3 is fed onto the conveyance path.

  A thermal head 6 and an optical fixing device 9 are disposed on the conveyance path. As is well known, the thermal head 6 includes a heating element array 6a in which a large number of heating elements are arranged in a line along the main scanning direction. The heating element array 6a is pressed against the color thermal recording paper 3 to perform thermal recording. Each heating element generates thermal energy corresponding to the density of the pixel, and thermally records an image of each color of yellow, magenta, and cyan on each thermosensitive coloring layer. A platen roller 7 that supports the color thermal recording paper 3 is disposed at a position facing the thermal head 6.

  A conveyance roller pair 8 is disposed between the thermal head 6 and the optical fixing device 9. The conveyance roller pair 8 nips the fed color thermal recording paper 3 and conveys it in the sub-scanning direction. During this conveyance, the color thermal recording paper 3 passes through the thermal head 6 and the optical fixing device 9, and thermal recording and optical fixing are performed. The color thermal recording paper 3 that has undergone thermal recording and light fixing is cut into a sheet of a predetermined size by a cutter (not shown), and is discharged out of the color thermal printer 2 through a discharge port.

  The transport roller pair 8 and the paper feed roller 5 are driven by a transport motor 12. As the transport motor 12, for example, a pulse motor that rotates by a predetermined amount according to the number of applied drive pulses is used.

  An optical fixing device 9 is disposed downstream of the thermal head 6 in the forward direction. Of the color thermal recording paper 3, the recording area 3 a (see FIG. 2) thermally recorded by the thermal head 6 is sequentially sent to the optical fixing device 9 and optically fixed. At the time of this optical fixing, the color thermal recording paper 3 is conveyed in the forward direction until the rear end of the recording area 3a passes through the optical fixing device 9, and uniform fixing light is irradiated over the entire surface of the recording area 3a. Is done.

  The light fixing device 9 includes a light emitting device array 10 for Y and a light emitting device array 11 for M, which are light fixing devices for yellow and magenta, and a light emitting diode control unit (hereinafter referred to as LED control) that drives the light emitting device arrays 10 and 11. 16). In each of the light emitting element arrays 10 and 11, the light emitting surface faces the recording surface of the color thermal recording paper 3. The light emitting element array 10 for Y is a fixing light source that emits near ultraviolet light having an emission peak of 420 nm to fix the yellow thermosensitive recording layer, and the light emitting element array 11 for M emits ultraviolet light having an emission peak of 365 nm to magenta. A fixing light source for fixing the thermosensitive coloring layer.

  A tip detection sensor 17 is disposed between the thermal head 6 and the Y light emitting element array 10. The leading edge detection sensor 17 is a reflection type photosensor having a light projecting part and a light receiving part, detects the leading edge of the fed color thermal recording paper 3, and inputs the detection signal to the controller 13.

  The controller 13 is connected to the motor driver 14, the head driver 15, the LED control unit 16, and the like, and drives the transport motor 12, the thermal head 6, and the optical fixing device 9 through these 14 to 16.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the Y light emitting element array 10 includes a plurality of Y light emitting diodes (hereinafter abbreviated as Y LEDs) 22 arranged on a substrate 21 in the main scanning direction. L6 is arranged in six columns in the sub-scanning direction. Each Y LED 22 emits near ultraviolet rays having a light emission peak of 420 nm radially.

  In the present embodiment, light shielding plates 23 are provided on both sides of each of the Y LED rows L1 to L6. As shown in FIG. 3, each light shielding plate 23 is provided so as to be perpendicular to the arrangement surface of the Y LEDs 22 and so that the distance S1 between the tip and the recording surface of the color thermal recording paper 3 is about 3 mm. It has been. The side surface of each light shielding plate 23 is a reflection surface that reflects light emitted from the side surface of each Y LED 22 toward the recording area 3 a facing each Y LED 22. The interval S1 is about 3 mm, but this is an example, and the interval S1 is appropriately determined according to the illumination angle of the LED and the like.

  The plurality of light shielding plates 23 are formed from the Y LED rows L1 to L6 facing the recording area 3a when the rear end portion of the recording area 3a sequentially passes through the Y LED rows L1 to L6. The fixing light is shielded so that the fixing light does not leak outside the recording area 3a, that is, to the unrecorded area 3b.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the plurality of Y LEDs 22 constituting each of the Y LED rows L1 to L6 are connected in series. The energization switching circuits 31 to 36 are incorporated in the Y LED rows L1 to L6, respectively, and switch on / off of the current flowing through the Y LEDs 22 in the Y LED rows L1 to L6.

  In response to the detection signal from the leading edge detection sensor 17, the controller 13 counts up and down the drive pulses of the carry motor 12 to control the forward and reverse carry amounts of the color thermal recording paper 3. In light fixing, in addition to this control, it is determined which of the six Y LED rows L1 to L6 the recording area 3a of the color thermal recording paper 3 faces. This determination result is input to the LED control unit 16.

  The LED control unit 16 sends a drive signal to turn on the energization to the row facing the recording area 3a among the energization switching circuits 31 to 36 according to the determination result from the controller 13, A drive signal for turning off the energization is sent to the row not facing the recording area 3b.

  When the rear end portion of the recording area 3a sequentially passes through the Y LED rows L1 to L6 by the input of drive signals to the energization switching circuits 31 to 36, the recording area of the Y LED rows L1 to L6 is recorded. The LED rows for Y that deviate from the position facing the rear end of 3a are sequentially turned off. In the present embodiment, when the leading end portion of the recording area 3a sequentially passes through the Y LED rows L1 to L6, the Y LED row facing the leading end portion of the recording area 3a is sequentially turned on. In this case, the power consumption for light fixing can be suppressed to power saving.

  Up to this point, the light emitting element array 10 for Y has been described as an example. However, the light emitting element array 11 for M has the same configuration, and the light fixing is similarly performed. Therefore, the description of the M light emitting element array 11 is omitted.

  The operation of the above embodiment will be described below with reference to FIG. When printing a full color image with the color thermal printer 2, when the recording paper roll 4 is set and printing is instructed, the color thermal recording paper 3 is fed onto the transport path, and the yellow image is formed on the yellow thermal coloring layer by the thermal head 6. Thermally recorded. The thermally recorded area 3a is sequentially sent to the Y light emitting element array 10 and the yellow light fixing is started.

  Before the start of the yellow light fixing, all of the six LED rows L1 to L6 for Y are turned off, and all the LEDs for Y22 are turned off (the state shown in FIG. 5A). In this state, light fixing is started. The LED control unit 16 synchronizes with the leading end of the recording area 3a of the color thermal recording paper 3 passing through the Y LED rows L1 to L6 in sequence, and selects the Y LED row facing the leading end. The lights are sequentially turned on (state shown in FIG. 5B).

  Eventually, in synchronization with the rear end portion of the recording area 3a of the color thermal recording paper 3 sequentially passing through the Y LED rows L1 to L6, the Y LED rows facing the rear end portion are sequentially turned off. (State shown in FIG. 5C). When the rear end of the recording area 3a passes through the Y light emitting element array 10, all the six LED rows L1 to L6 for Y are turned off, and the light fixing is finished (state shown in FIG. 5D).

  In this way, the Y LED rows L1 to L6 are controlled, and the Y fixing light from the Y LED row that is turned on facing the recording area 3a is shielded by the plurality of light shielding plates 23, so that recording is performed. It is possible to uniformly fix the entire surface of the area 3a and to prevent the Y fixing light from leaking to the unrecorded area 3b.

  When yellow thermal recording and light fixing are completed, the color thermal recording paper 3 is rewound in the reverse direction. During this time, a magenta image is thermally recorded. The thermally recorded area 3a is sequentially sent to the M light emitting element array 11 and light fixing is started.

  In the magenta light fixing, as in the case of the yellow light fixing, in synchronization with the leading end of the recording area 3a of the color thermal recording paper 3 passing through the M LED rows L1 to L6, The LEDs are lit in order from the LED row L1. Eventually, in synchronization with the rear end of the recording area 3a passing through the M LED rows L1 to L6, the M LED rows L1 are sequentially turned off.

  When magenta thermal recording and light fixing are completed, the color thermal recording paper 3 is rewound in the reverse direction again, and cyan image thermal recording is performed during this conveyance. When the cyan image thermal recording is completed, the recording area 3a of the color thermal recording paper 3 is cut into a sheet and discharged. On the other hand, the unrecorded area 3b is rewound onto the recording paper roll 4 and used for the next printing.

  In the above embodiment, the light shielding plate 23 is provided perpendicular to the arrangement surface of the Y LEDs 22. However, the light shielding plate 23 may be provided with an inclination so that the cross section in the main scanning direction is V-shaped. good.

  In the above embodiment, a light emitting device array in which a large number of light emitting diodes are arranged is described as an example of the light source device. However, for example, in order to connect electronic components by irradiating light onto a printed board. The light source device of the present invention may be applied to an exposure device that exposes and forms the wiring pattern.

It is a block diagram of a color thermal printer. It is explanatory drawing which shows the arrangement | sequence of LED. It is explanatory drawing which shows the effect | action of a side plate. It is explanatory drawing of an electricity supply switching circuit. It is explanatory drawing which shows the electricity supply ON / OFF state of each row | line | column of a light emitting element array.

Explanation of symbols

2 color thermal printer 3 color thermal recording paper 3a recording area 4 recording paper roll 9 optical fixing device 10 light emitting element array for Y 11 light emitting element array for M 8 transport roller pair 13 controller 16 LED controller 22 LED for Y
23 Shading plate

Claims (5)

A light-emitting element array in which a plurality of light-emitting elements arranged in the main scanning direction are arranged in a plurality of rows in the sub-scanning direction is provided, and the light-emitting element array and a long object to be irradiated are relatively aligned in the sub-scanning direction. In a light source device that irradiates light to a specific light receiving area having a substantially rectangular shape on the irradiated object while moving,
The light from each light emitting element array facing the light receiving area is disposed outside the light receiving area when the end of the light receiving area sequentially passes through each light emitting element array. A plurality of light shielding plates for preventing light leakage;
When each end of the light receiving area passes through each light emitting element array, each of the light emitting element arrays out of the position facing the end of the light receiving area is sequentially turned off. A light source device comprising: a control unit that controls lighting of the light emitting element array.   The light source device according to claim 1, wherein the light shielding plate has a reflection surface that reflects light emitted from each light emitting element array toward the light receiving area.   The light source device according to claim 1, wherein the light shielding plate is provided such that a plate surface thereof is perpendicular to an arrangement surface of the light emitting elements.   The light source device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the light shielding plate is arranged so that a distance between a tip of the light shielding plate and a light receiving surface of the irradiated body is about 3 mm. The long object to be irradiated is a long heat-sensitive recording paper having a light fixing property in which a coloring ability is lost by irradiation with fixing light having a specific wavelength, and the light emitting element emits the fixing light. The light source device according to claim 1, wherein:

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