JP2017140833A - Recording method and recording device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a recording method capable of recording a solid image with little density unevenness when performing the recording using an optical fiber array.SOLUTION: Provided is a recording method for recording an image comprising drawing units by emitting a laser beam from an optical fiber array 11 while relatively moving an object to be recorded and the optical fiber array 11, using a recording device 1 comprising a plurality of laser emitting elements 13 and the optical fiber array 11 including a plurality of optical fibers 12 leading laser beams emitted from laser emitting elements. When recording a solid image comprising the plurality of drawing units, at least a part of which overlaps with each other in a main-scanning direction by emitting laser beams from the plurality of optical fibers 12 adjacent to each other in the main-scanning direction, to an object to be recorded, the recording device reduces emission energy of laser beams for recording drawing units other than those at both end parts to be lower than emission energy of laser beams for recording drawing units at both end parts in the main-scanning direction.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to a recording method and a recording apparatus.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as a recording method on a thermal recording medium that performs recording by causing changes in hue, reflectance, and the like by heating, for example, a contact-type recording method such as a thermal stamp or a thermal head is generally used. Among these, the thermal head is most commonly used.

  In the recording method using the thermal head, it is necessary to press the thermal head against a thermal recording medium in order to obtain sufficient heat conduction. For this reason, the thermal head surface deteriorates due to the dirt on the surface of the thermal recording medium or the influence of foreign matter, and printing omission occurs. Therefore, the thermal head needs to be maintained or replaced.

  On the other hand, there is a laser recording method as a non-contact recording method. As a recording method using this laser, a method of recording by scanning one laser using a galvanometer mirror is generally used. However, this recording method has a drawback that the recording time becomes longer as the information amount of the recorded image increases. In order to solve the above problem, for example, a laser array exposure unit in which a plurality of independently driven laser beams are arranged in a direction orthogonal to the moving direction of the reversible thermosensitive recording medium is used to satisfy a desired relationship. An image replacement method for exposing the reversible thermosensitive recording medium with a set laser beam has been proposed (for example, see Patent Document 1).

  An object of the present invention is to provide a recording method capable of recording a solid image with little density unevenness when recording using an optical fiber array.

The recording method of the present invention as means for solving the above problems includes a plurality of laser light emitting elements and an emitting means having an optical fiber array in which a plurality of optical fibers for guiding laser light emitted from the laser light emitting elements are arranged. A recording method using a recording apparatus, and recording an image composed of drawing units by irradiating a laser beam from the optical fiber array while relatively moving the recording object and the optical fiber array,
When irradiating the recording object with the laser light from a plurality of optical fibers adjacent in the main scanning direction and recording a solid image composed of a plurality of the drawing units at least partially overlapping in the main scanning direction,
The laser that records the drawing units other than the both ends than the irradiation energy of the laser light that records the drawing units at the both ends in the main scanning direction among the plurality of the drawing units constituting the solid image. Recording is performed with the light irradiation energy reduced.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a recording method capable of recording a solid image with little density unevenness when recording using an optical fiber array.

FIG. 1 is a schematic view showing an example of a recording apparatus having an optical fiber array of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a partially omitted enlarged view of the optical fiber array of FIG. FIG. 3 is a partially enlarged view of the optical fiber of FIG. FIG. 4A is a diagram illustrating an example of an array state of the array head. FIG. 4B is a diagram showing another example of the array state of the array head. FIG. 4C is a diagram illustrating another example of the array state of the array head. FIG. 4D is a diagram illustrating another example of the array state of the array head. FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the density distribution of drawing units in the recording method of the present invention. FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a density distribution of a solid image in a conventional recording method. FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a density distribution of a solid image in the recording method of the present invention. FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram showing another example of the density distribution of a solid image in the recording method of the present invention. FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram showing a method for measuring the line width of the superimposed drawing units. FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining the definition of a drawing unit ellipse. FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram showing the definition of line width and image.

(Recording apparatus and recording method)
The recording method of the present invention uses a recording apparatus comprising a plurality of laser light emitting elements and an emitting means having an optical fiber array in which a plurality of optical fibers for guiding laser light emitted from the laser light emitting elements are arranged. A recording method of recording an image composed of drawing units by irradiating a laser beam from the optical fiber array while relatively moving the optical fiber array,
When irradiating the recording object with the laser light from a plurality of optical fibers adjacent in the main scanning direction and recording a solid image composed of a plurality of the drawing units at least partially overlapping in the main scanning direction,
The laser that records the drawing units other than the both ends than the irradiation energy of the laser light that records the drawing units at the both ends in the main scanning direction among the plurality of the drawing units constituting the solid image. Recording is performed with the light irradiation energy reduced.

The recording apparatus of the present invention comprises a plurality of laser light emitting elements and an emitting means having an optical fiber array in which a plurality of optical fibers for guiding laser light emitted from the laser light emitting elements are arranged, and a recording object and the optical fiber array A recording apparatus for recording an image composed of drawing units by irradiating laser light from the optical fiber array while relatively moving,
When irradiating the recording object with the laser light from a plurality of optical fibers adjacent in the main scanning direction and recording a solid image composed of a plurality of the drawing units at least partially overlapping in the main scanning direction,
The laser that records the drawing units other than the both ends than the irradiation energy of the laser light that records the drawing units at the both ends in the main scanning direction among the plurality of the drawing units constituting the solid image. Recording is performed with the light irradiation energy reduced.

  In the recording apparatus and the recording method of the present invention, when recording the solid image, among the plurality of drawing units constituting the solid image, the density of the drawing units at both ends in the main scanning direction, and other than both ends This is based on the knowledge that a difference occurs in the density of the drawing units and density unevenness occurs. The density unevenness of the solid image that occurs when the solid image is recorded using the optical fiber array will be described with reference to FIGS.

There are two scanning directions of the laser beam, the main scanning direction and the sub scanning direction, and the main scanning direction and the sub scanning direction are orthogonal to each other.
The main scanning direction is a direction in which a plurality of the optical fibers are arranged.
The sub-scanning direction is the direction in which the recording object moves.
In order to record the image on the recording object by relatively moving the optical fiber array and the recording object, the optical fiber array may move relative to the recording object, and the recording object It may move relative to the optical fiber array.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the density distribution when one drawing unit is recorded. FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a density distribution when a solid image composed of a plurality of drawing units is recorded.
As shown in FIG. 5, there is no drawing unit to be recorded in the surroundings, and the drawing unit recorded by itself is the light intensity distribution in the cross section of the laser beam irradiated to the recording object. If the center is the strongest distribution, a density distribution also exists in the drawing unit as shown on the right side in FIG.

  On the other hand, in order to record an image at a high speed in the recording method using the optical fiber array, as shown in FIG. 6, when recording the solid image, the laser light is emitted from a plurality of adjacent optical fibers to the recording object. Simultaneously irradiate and record multiple drawing units simultaneously. In this case, in order to record a solid image without density unevenness, the width in the main scanning direction of the drawing unit drawn by each laser beam is appropriately controlled, and drawing is performed so as not to cause a gap between adjacent drawing units. In addition, it is necessary to control so that excessive energy is not applied due to excessive overlap between adjacent drawing units. In addition, in the drawing units at the both ends of the solid image, there are drawing units that are adjacent only in the center direction of the solid image, so that more recording energy than in the drawing units other than the both ends. Necessary for recording, and with the same recording energy as the drawing unit other than the both end portions, color development is insufficient, and uneven density and obscured outlines are likely to occur. On the other hand, if excessive recording energy is applied in order to prevent density unevenness and unclearness of the outline at both ends, the image becomes thick.

In a medium that changes color when the temperature exceeds a specified temperature as a recording object, a solid image is generated by simultaneous emission of laser light, and there is no cooling due to thermal diffusion in the center of the solid image compared to both ends. It becomes possible to obtain a uniform temperature by applying a lower laser energy than the both ends as the internal laser beam irradiation. In the present invention, the laser irradiation power for achieving a uniform temperature in the image forming portion Proposed control.
In the image formation by the thermal head, it was difficult to deform by heating due to the image formation by contact with the thin film, but in the non-contact method by the laser beam of the present invention, the thin film having a thickness of 50 μm or less is not in contact. Image formation is possible. However, when heating at a non-uniform temperature due to heating by image formation on a thin film, film deformation occurs even without contact with a laser. Therefore, uniform temperature heating is a particularly important technique for image formation on a thin film. .

Accordingly, as shown in FIG. 7, in the recording method of the present invention, when the solid image is recorded using the optical fiber array, drawing units other than both ends and both ends are previously considered in consideration of heat. By appropriately controlling the irradiation energy of the laser beam to be recorded, the density increase in the color development portion and the image thickness are eliminated, and a solid image with little density unevenness can be recorded.
According to the present invention, the density of the solid image to be recorded becomes uniform, the density unevenness at both ends is eliminated, and the solid image can be recorded at the target density.

The density of the image can be measured using, for example, a microdensitometer (PDM-7, manufactured by Konica Corporation). The line width in the main scanning direction of the overlapping drawing units is measured by measuring the image density with a microdensitometer (slit width of 5 μm), and calculating the average density from the maximum and minimum values of the measured density results. The contour line can be taken out and enlarged by 500 times.
The standard of the irradiation energy of laser light is 100% of the irradiation energy that reaches the pitch width of each of the plurality of laser irradiations at the position where the line width forms an image.
The maximum length A of the drawing unit in the sub-scanning direction can be measured using a microdensitometer or the like. Specifically, the image density is measured with a microdensitometer (slit width 5 μm), the average density is calculated from the maximum and minimum values of the measured density result, and the contour line of the average density is taken out and magnified 500 times. And ask. Similarly, the length W can be obtained.

To form the solid image by a plurality of drawing units, as shown in the left diagram of FIG. 8, the width of the drawing units in the main scanning direction is controlled, and the plurality of drawing units are overlapped in the main scanning direction, respectively. It is preferable to match.
The ratio (E1 / E2) of the irradiation energy Eo of the laser beam that records the drawing unit Do at both ends in the main scanning direction of the solid image to the irradiation energy Ei of the laser beam that records the drawing unit Di other than the both ends. When Y, it is preferable to satisfy the following formula: 1.0 <Y <2.0. When the following expression, 1.0 <Y, is satisfied, the laser beam irradiation energy Eo for recording the drawing unit at the both ends of the solid image and the laser beam for recording the drawing unit other than the both ends of the solid image. This is advantageous in that the difference from the irradiation energy Ei becomes large and density unevenness of the solid image can be suppressed. Further, satisfying the following formula, Y <2.0, is advantageous in that density unevenness due to overheating of both end portions and image thickness can be suppressed.

  For the line width Wi in the main scanning direction of the drawing unit adjacent to the both ends constituting the solid image, except for the drawing unit Do of the both ends constituting the solid image and the both ends adjacent to the both ends. When the ratio (Lo / Wi) of the overlap width Lo in the main scanning direction of the drawing unit Di is Xo, it is preferable to satisfy the following expression: 0 <Xo <0.6. When the following expression, 0 <Xo <0.6 is satisfied, an overlap between the drawing unit at the both ends of the solid image and a drawing unit other than the both ends adjacent to the both ends becomes appropriate, and both the drawing units This is advantageous in that density unevenness can be suppressed.

  The overlapping width Li in the main scanning direction of the drawing units Di other than the adjacent both ends constituting the solid image with respect to the line width Wi in the main scanning direction of the adjacent drawing units Di other than the both ends constituting the solid image. When the ratio (Li / Wi) is Xi, it is preferable to satisfy the following formula: 0 <Xi ≦ 0.4. When the following expression, 0 <Xi ≦ 0.4 is satisfied, it is advantageous in that overlapping of drawing units other than the both ends of the solid image becomes appropriate, and density unevenness other than the both ends can be suppressed. .

  The line width W in the main scanning direction of the drawing units superimposed in the main scanning direction is the same as that for drawing the solid image except that only a single laser beam is emitted. Is drawn and the concentration thereof is measured by a microdensitometer, and can be obtained as shown in FIG. Specifically, the image density is measured with a microdensitometer (slit width 5 μm), the average density is calculated from the maximum value and the minimum value of the measured density result, the contour line of the average density is taken out, and magnified 500 times And ask. Similarly, the length W can be obtained.

The overlapping width L of two adjacent drawing units A and B is obtained by the following formula 1 from the line widths WA and WB of the drawing units A and B obtained by the measurement method and the interval P between the optical fiber arrays.
L = WA / 2 + WB / 2−P Equation 1

  A plurality of the drawing units constituting the solid image has a higher density when recorded by gradually reducing the irradiation energy of the laser beam in the central direction in a certain range from both ends in the main scanning direction to the central direction. The effect of reducing unevenness is obtained, which is preferable. In this case, the drawing unit constituting the solid image is the drawing unit Dn (n is 1 in the drawing units at both ends in the main scanning direction) recorded by gradually reducing the irradiation energy of the laser beam in the central direction. And an integer following 2 in the order of arrangement in the center direction), and the irradiation energy of the laser beam that records the drawing unit Dn. Is larger than the drawing unit Di. The ratio (E1 / Ej) of the irradiation energy E1 of the laser beam for recording the drawing unit Dn (n represents 1) at both ends in the main scanning direction of the solid image to the irradiation energy value Ej for recording the drawing unit Dj. ) Is Z, it is preferable to satisfy the following formula: 1.0 <Z <2.0. When the following expression, 1.0 <Z <2.0, is satisfied, the laser beam irradiation energy E1 for recording the drawing unit at both ends of the solid image and the drawing unit other than the both ends of the solid image are recorded. This is advantageous in that the difference from the irradiation energy Ej of the laser light becomes large, and density unevenness of the solid image can be suppressed. Further, satisfying the following expression, Z <2.0, is advantageous in that density unevenness due to overheating of both end portions and image thickness can be suppressed.

  When the ratio (Ln / Ws) of the overlapping width Ln of the drawing unit Dn and the drawing unit Ds to the line width Ws of the drawing unit Ds adjacent to the center side in the main scanning direction of the drawing unit Dn is Xn, , 0 <Xn <0.6 is preferably satisfied. Here, n in Xn is the same as n in the drawing unit Dn. When the following equation, 0 <Xn <0.6, is satisfied, the overlapping of the drawing units recorded by gradually reducing the irradiation energy of the laser beam in the central direction becomes appropriate, and density unevenness between the drawing units is suppressed. This is advantageous in that it can.

  When the ratio (Lj / Wj) of the overlapping width Lj in the main scanning direction to the line width Wj in the main scanning direction between the main drawing units Dj is Xj, it is preferable to satisfy the following expression: 0 <Xj ≦ 0.4. . When the following formula, 0 <Xj ≦ 0.4 is satisfied, the overlapping of the drawing units positioned on the center side from the drawing units recorded by gradually reducing the irradiation energy of the laser beam in the central direction becomes appropriate, This is advantageous in that density unevenness can be suppressed.

  In the present invention, an image is recorded on a recording object using a recording apparatus having an optical fiber array in which a plurality of independently driven optical fibers are arranged in a main scanning direction orthogonal to a sub-scanning direction that is a moving direction of the recording object. The method is not particularly limited and can be appropriately selected according to the purpose. For example, by devising the shape of the lens, the light distribution in a certain specific direction (for example, the sub-scanning direction) can be reduced. A method using a splitter, or a shape having a core diameter other than circular (for example, a polygonal core optical fiber (Top Hat Fiber (registered trademark), etc.) manufactured by Mitsubishi Electric Industries, Ltd.) may be used.

<Image>
The image is not particularly limited as long as it is visually recognizable information, and can be appropriately selected according to the purpose. For example, characters, symbols, lines, figures, solid images, or a combination thereof, QR code (registered) Trademark), barcode, two-dimensional code, and the like.

<Recording object>
The recording object is not particularly limited as long as it can absorb light and convert it into heat to form an image, and can be appropriately selected according to the purpose. Laser marking such as engraving on structures, metals and the like can be mentioned. Among these, a thermal recording medium and a structure having a thermal recording part are preferable.
Examples of the thermal recording part include a part where a thermal recording label is attached to the surface of the structure, and a part where a thermal recording material is applied to the surface of the structure.
The structure having the heat-sensitive recording part is not particularly limited as long as it has a heat-sensitive recording part on the surface of the structure, and can be appropriately selected according to the purpose. For example, a plastic bag, a PET bottle, Various products such as canned goods, transport containers such as cardboard and containers, work in process, industrial products, and the like can be mentioned.

-Thermal recording media-
As the heat-sensitive recording medium, a heat-sensitive recording medium that performs image recording once is preferably used. A thermoreversible recording medium capable of repeatedly performing image recording and image erasing can also be used.

  The heat-sensitive recording medium has a support and a heat-sensitive color forming layer on the support, and further has other layers as necessary. Each of these layers may have a single layer structure, a laminated structure, or may be provided on the other surface of the support.

-Thermosensitive coloring layer-
The thermosensitive coloring layer contains a material that absorbs laser light and converts it into heat (a photothermal exchange material) and a material that changes in hue, reflectance, etc. due to heat, and further contains other components as necessary. It becomes.
The material that causes changes in hue, reflectance, and the like due to heat is not particularly limited and may be appropriately selected depending on the purpose. For example, the electron-donating dye precursor and the electron-accepting dye used in conventional thermal paper Known products such as a combination with a color developer can be used. In addition, a complex reaction of heat and light, for example, a color change reaction accompanying solid phase polymerization by heating a diacetylene compound and irradiating with ultraviolet light is included.
The electron donating dye precursor is not particularly limited and can be appropriately selected according to the purpose from those usually used in heat-sensitive recording materials. For example, triphenylmethane, fluorane, phenothiazine And leuco compounds of dyes such as auramine, spiropyran, and indinophthalide.
As the electron-accepting developer, various electron-accepting compounds that cause the electron-donating dye precursor to develop a color upon contact, or an oxidizing agent can be applied.

The photothermal conversion material can be roughly classified into an inorganic material and an organic material.
Examples of the inorganic material include particles of carbon black, metal borides, and metal oxides such as Ge, Bi, In, Te, Se, and Cr. Among these, a material that absorbs light in the near infrared wavelength region and absorbs light in the visible wavelength region is preferable, and the metal boride and metal oxide are more preferable. As the metal boride and metal oxide, for example, at least one selected from hexaboride, tungsten oxide compound, antimony tin oxide (ATO), indium tin oxide (ITO), and zinc antimonate is suitable. .
Examples of the hexaboride include LaB ₆ , CeB ₆ , PrB ₆ , NdB ₆ , GdB ₆ , TbB ₆ , DyB ₆ , HoB ₆ , YB ₆ , SmB ₆ , EuB ₆ , ErB ₆ , TMB ₆ and TMB _6. , LuB ₆ , SrB ₆ , CaB ₆ , (La, Ce) B _{6 and the} like.
Examples of the tungsten oxide compound include a general formula: WyOz (where W is tungsten, O is oxygen, 2), as described in, for example, International Publication No. 2005/037932 pamphlet, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2005-187323, and the like. .2 ≦ z / y ≦ 2.999) or fine particles of tungsten oxide represented by the general formula: MxWyOz (where M is H, He, alkali metal, alkaline earth metal, rare earth element, Mg, Zr) , Cr, Mn, Fe, Ru, Co, Rh, Ir, Ni, Pd, Pt, Cu, Ag, Au, Zn, Cd, Al, Ga, In, Tl, Si, Ge, Sn, Pb, Sb, B One or more elements selected from F, P, S, Se, Br, Te, Ti, Nb, V, Mo, Ta, Re, Be, Hf, Os, Bi, and I, W is tungsten, O Oxygen, and the like particles of 0.001 ≦ x / y ≦ 1,2.2 ≦ z / y ≦ 3.0 is) composite tungsten oxide expressed by. Among these, cesium-containing tungsten oxide is particularly preferable because it has a large absorption in the near infrared region and a small absorption in the visible region.
Among antimony tin oxide (ATO), indium tin oxide (ITO), and zinc antimonate, ITO is particularly preferable because it has a large absorption in the near infrared region and a small absorption in the visible region.
These are formed in layers by bonding a vacuum deposition method or a particulate material with a resin or the like.
As the organic material, various dyes can be appropriately used according to the light wavelength to be absorbed. When a semiconductor laser is used as the light source, a near infrared having an absorption peak in the vicinity of 600 nm to 1,200 nm. Absorbing dyes are used. Specific examples include cyanine dyes, quinone dyes, quinoline derivatives of indonaphthol, phenylenediamine nickel complexes, and phthalocyanine dyes.
The said photothermal conversion material may be used individually by 1 type, and may use 2 or more types together.
The photothermal conversion material may be contained in the thermosensitive coloring layer or in a layer other than the thermosensitive coloring layer. When it is contained in a layer other than the thermosensitive coloring layer, it is preferable to provide a photothermal conversion layer adjacent to the thermosensitive coloring layer. The photothermal conversion layer contains at least the photothermal conversion material and a binder resin.

  Examples of the other components include a binder resin, a thermofusible substance, an antioxidant, a light stabilizer, a surfactant, a lubricant, and a filler.

-Support-
The support is not particularly limited in its shape, structure, size and the like, and can be appropriately selected according to the purpose. Examples of the shape include a flat plate shape, May have a single-layer structure or a laminated structure, and the size can be appropriately selected according to the size of the thermal recording medium.

-Other layers-
Examples of the other layers include a photothermal conversion layer, a protective layer, an under layer, an ultraviolet absorption layer, an oxygen blocking layer, an intermediate layer, a back layer, an adhesive layer, and a pressure-sensitive adhesive layer.

The heat-sensitive recording medium can be processed into a desired shape according to the application, and examples of the shape include a card shape, a tag shape, a label shape, a sheet shape, and a roll shape.
As what was processed into the said card form, a prepaid card, a point card, a credit card etc. are mentioned, for example. Tag size smaller than card size can be used for price tags. A tag size larger than the card size can be used for process management, shipping instructions, tickets, and the like. Since labels can be attached, they are processed into various sizes and can be attached to carts, containers, boxes, containers, etc. that are repeatedly used and used for process management, article management, and the like. In addition, since the image recording range becomes wide at a sheet size larger than the card size, it can be used for general documents, process management instructions, and the like.

  The recording apparatus of the present invention preferably has an optical fiber array and preferably has an emitting means, and further has other means as necessary.

<Optical fiber array>
In the optical fiber array, a plurality of optical fibers are arranged in the main scanning direction orthogonal to the sub-scanning direction, which is the moving direction of the recording object. The emitting means irradiates the recording object with the emitted laser light via the optical fiber array, and records an image composed of drawing units.
There is no restriction | limiting in particular as an arrangement | sequence of the said optical fiber, According to the objective, it can select suitably, For example, line shape, plane shape, etc. are mentioned. Among these, a line shape is preferable.

The shortest distance (pitch) between the centers of the optical fibers is preferably 1.0 mm or less, more preferably 0.5 mm or less, and still more preferably 0.03 mm or more and 0.15 mm or less.
When the shortest distance (pitch) between the centers of the optical fibers is 1.0 mm or less, high-resolution recording is possible, and a high-definition image can be realized as compared with the related art.
The number of the optical fibers arranged in the optical fiber array is preferably 10 or more, more preferably 50 or more, and still more preferably 100 or more and 400 or less.
When the number of the optical fibers is 10 or more, high-speed recording is possible, and a high-definition image can be realized as compared with the conventional case.
In order to control the spot diameter of the laser beam, an optical system such as a lens may be provided at the subsequent stage of the optical fiber array.
Depending on the size of the recording object in the main scanning direction, an optical fiber array head in which a plurality of optical fiber arrays are arranged in a line in the main scanning direction may be configured.

-Optical fiber-
The optical fiber is an optical waveguide of laser light emitted from the emitting means.
Examples of the optical fiber include an optical fiber.
The shape, size (diameter), material, structure and the like of the optical fiber are not particularly limited and can be appropriately selected according to the purpose.
The size (diameter) of the optical fiber is preferably 15 μm or more and 1,000 μm or less, and more preferably 20 μm or more and 800 μm or less. When the diameter of the optical fiber is 15 μm or more and 1,000 μm or less, it is advantageous in terms of image definition.
There is no restriction | limiting in particular as a material of the said optical fiber, According to the objective, it can select suitably, For example, quartz, glass, resin etc. are mentioned.
The transmission wavelength range of the material of the optical fiber is not particularly limited and may be appropriately selected depending on the intended purpose. It is preferably 700 nm or more and 2,000 nm or less, and more preferably 780 nm or more and 1,600 nm or less.

As the structure of the optical fiber, a structure including a core part at the center part through which laser light passes and a clad layer provided on the outer periphery of the core part is preferable.
There is no restriction | limiting in particular as a diameter of the said core part, Although it can select suitably according to the objective, 10 micrometers or more and 500 micrometers or less are preferable, and 15 micrometers or more and 400 micrometers or less are more preferable.
There is no restriction | limiting in particular as a material of the said core part, According to the objective, it can select suitably, For example, the glass etc. which doped germanium or phosphorus are mentioned.
There is no restriction | limiting in particular as average thickness of the said clad layer, Although it can select suitably according to the objective, 10 micrometers or more and 250 micrometers or less are preferable, and 15 micrometers or more and 200 micrometers or less are more preferable.
There is no restriction | limiting in particular as a material of the said cladding layer, According to the objective, it can select suitably, For example, the glass etc. which doped boron and fluorine are mentioned.

<Ejecting means>
The emitting means is means for irradiating the recording object with the emitted laser light via the optical fiber array.
The emission means controls the length of the drawing unit in the sub-scanning direction based on the input pulse signal, based on the spot diameter of the laser beam with respect to the recording object, and based on the period and duty ratio of the pulse signal. In addition, it is possible to record the end portions of the drawing units adjacent in the sub-scanning direction so as to overlap in the sub-scanning direction.

There is no restriction | limiting in particular as said emitting means, According to the objective, it can select suitably, For example, a semiconductor laser, a solid optical fiber laser, etc. are mentioned. Among these, a semiconductor laser is preferable because of its wide wavelength selectivity, a small laser light source itself as a recording apparatus, and a reduction in size and cost of the apparatus.
There is no restriction | limiting in particular as a wavelength of the said laser beam, Although it can select suitably according to the objective, 700 nm or more and 2,000 nm or less are preferable, and 780 nm or more and 1,600 nm or less are more preferable.
There is no restriction | limiting in particular as an output of the said laser beam, Although it can select suitably according to the objective, 1W or more is preferable and 3W or more is more preferable. When the output of the laser light is 1 W or more, it is advantageous in terms of increasing the image density.

The shape of the laser beam spot drawing unit is not particularly limited and can be appropriately selected according to the purpose. Examples thereof include various polygons such as a circle, an ellipse, a triangle, a quadrangle, a pentagon, and a hexagon. It is done. Among these, a circle and an ellipse are preferable.
Here, the spot drawing unit of the laser beam is elliptical, as shown in FIG. 10, when a straight line is drawn on a recording object with a single beam with a single energy, as shown in FIG. , B is the center point of the left end of the line, A is a point that is a distance B from the start point A of the line in the direction of the center point of the line width, and L and L ′ are points that intersect the drawn straight line perpendicularly. Let A 'be the intersection when the perpendicular is lowered from the starting point A to the LL' line, and the distance A'C from the border C of the drawing line is longer than B in the direction of 45 ° diagonally left upward from A '. Say. Alternatively, it means that the distance A′D from the boundary D of the drawing line is longer than B in the direction of 45 ° diagonally to the left from A ′. The difference in distance between A′C and A′D is about the same. The same level means that the difference in distance is within ± 10%.

The line width is obtained from the result of the density distribution measurement of the drawing unit. Usually, the recording density is high near the center of the drawing unit, and the recording density is low in the peripheral part. For the line width in the main scanning direction of the drawing unit, the density profile of the drawing unit in the main scanning direction is measured, the average density is calculated from the maximum value and the minimum value of the measured density result, and the contour line of the average density is extracted. Here, the maximum value (maximum recording density) indicates the optical density of the portion where the optical change caused by laser recording is the largest, and the optical density compared with the unrecorded portion by laser recording. Both cases where the concentration increases and decreases are included.
A microdensitometer (PDM-7, manufactured by Konica Corporation) can be used as an apparatus for measuring the density profile of the drawing unit in the main scanning direction. In addition, the concept of the line width of the drawing unit is shown in FIG.

There is no restriction | limiting in particular as the magnitude | size (spot diameter) of the spot drawing unit of the said laser beam, Although it can select suitably according to the objective, 30 micrometers or more and 5,000 micrometers or less are preferable.
The spot diameter is not particularly limited and can be appropriately selected depending on the purpose. For example, the spot diameter can be measured using a beam profiler or the like.
There is no restriction | limiting in particular as control of the said laser, According to the objective, it can select suitably, A pulse control or a continuous control may be sufficient.

<Other means>
There is no restriction | limiting in particular as said other means, According to the objective, it can select suitably, For example, a drive means, a control means, a main control means, a cooling means, an electric power supply means, a conveyance means etc. are mentioned.

-Driving means-
The drive means outputs the pulse signal generated based on the drive signal input from the control means to the emission means, and drives the emission means.
The driving means is provided for each of the plurality of emitting means, and independently drives the emitting means.

-Control means-
The control means outputs a drive signal generated based on the image information transmitted from the main control means to the drive means to control the drive means.

-Main control means-
The main control means includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) that controls each operation of the recording apparatus, and executes various processes based on a control program for controlling the operation of the entire recording apparatus of the present invention.
Examples of the main control means include a computer.
The main control unit is communicably connected to the control unit, and transmits image information and the like to the control unit.

-Cooling means-
The cooling means is disposed in the vicinity of the driving means and the control means, and cools the driving means and the control means. When the duty ratio of the pulse signal is high, the laser oscillation time becomes long. Therefore, it becomes difficult to cool the drive means and the control means by the cooling means, and the irradiation energy of the laser light fluctuates, and the image is stably displayed. Recording may not be possible.

-Power supply means-
The power supply means supplies power to the control means.

-Conveying means-
The transport unit is not particularly limited as long as the recording object can be transported in the sub-scanning direction, and can be appropriately selected according to the purpose. Examples thereof include a linear slider.
The conveying speed of the recording object in the conveying means is not particularly limited and can be appropriately selected according to the purpose, but is preferably 10 mm / s or more and 10,000 mm / s or less, preferably 100 mm / s or more and 8,8. 000 mm / s or less is more preferable.

Here, an example of the recording apparatus of the present invention used in the recording method of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
In addition, in each drawing, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected to the same component and the overlapping description may be abbreviate | omitted. In addition, the number, position, shape, and the like of the following constituent members are not limited to the present embodiment, and can be set to a preferable number, position, shape, and the like in carrying out the present invention.

FIG. 1 is a schematic view showing an example of a recording apparatus having an optical fiber array of the present invention.
As shown in FIG. 1, the recording apparatus 1 includes an optical fiber array 11 in which a plurality of optical fibers 12 are arranged in a main scanning direction orthogonal to a sub-scanning direction indicated by an arrow in the drawing, which is a moving direction of a recording object 31. Using a plurality of emitting means 13 connected to the optical fibers 12 of the array 11 so as to be able to emit laser beams, the recording targets 31 are conveyed in the sub-scanning direction while the laser targets are emitted from the optical fiber array 11. And an image composed of drawing units is recorded.
The optical fiber array 11 has one or a plurality of array heads 11a arranged in a line in the main scanning direction, and controls the spot diameter of the laser light on the optical path of the laser light emitted from the array head 11a. It has an optical system (not shown).
The recording apparatus 1 controls the length of the drawing unit in the sub-scanning direction based on the spot diameter of the laser beam with respect to the recording object 31 and the period and duty ratio of the pulse signal input by the driving unit 14 to the emitting unit 13. The end portions of the drawing units adjacent in the sub-scanning direction are recorded so as to overlap in the sub-scanning direction.

The emitting means 13 is a semiconductor laser, the wavelength of the emitted laser light is 915 nm, and the output of the laser light is 30 W.
The drive unit 14 outputs a pulse signal generated based on the drive signal input from the control unit 15 to the emission unit 13 to drive the emission unit 13.
The driving means 14 is provided for each of the plurality of emitting means 13 and independently drives the emitting means 13.
The control unit 15 outputs a drive signal generated based on the image information transmitted from the main control unit 16 to the drive unit 14 to control the drive unit 14.
The main control means 16 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) that controls each operation of the recording apparatus 1 and executes various processes based on a control program for controlling the operation of the entire recording apparatus 1.
The main control means 16 is communicably connected to the control means 15 and transmits image information and the like to the control means 15.
The power supply unit 17 supplies power to the control unit 15 and the like.
The cooling unit 21 is disposed below the driving unit and the control unit, and cools the driving unit and the control unit using a liquid having a constant temperature circulating through the chiller 22.
Usually, in the chiller system, only cooling is performed without heating. Therefore, the temperature of the light source does not become higher than the set temperature of the chiller, but the temperature of the cooling unit and the laser light source in contact therewith may vary from the environmental temperature. On the other hand, when a semiconductor laser is used as the laser light source, a phenomenon occurs in which the laser output changes according to the temperature of the laser light source (the laser output increases as the laser light source temperature becomes low), so that the laser output is controlled. Measures the temperature of the laser light source or the temperature of the cooling unit, and controls the input signal to the drive circuit that controls the laser output so that the laser output becomes constant according to the result, thereby performing normal image formation It is preferable.
The transport unit 41 transports the recording object 31 in the sub-scanning direction.

FIG. 2 is a partially omitted enlarged view of the array head 11a of FIG.
In the array head 11a, a plurality of optical fibers 12 are arranged in a line in the main scanning direction, and the pitch interval P of the optical fibers 12 is constant.

FIG. 3 is a partially enlarged view of the optical fiber of FIG.
As shown in FIG. 3, the optical fiber 12 is composed of a core part 12a through which a laser beam passes and a clad layer 12b provided on the outer periphery of the core part 12a, and the refraction of the core part 12a rather than the clad layer 12b. By increasing the rate, the laser beam is propagated only to the core portion 12a by total reflection or refraction.
The diameter R1 of the optical fiber 12 is 125 μm, and the diameter R2 of the core portion 12a is 105 μm.

4A to 4D are diagrams illustrating an example of an array state of the array head. 4A to 4D, X indicates the sub-scanning direction, and Z indicates the main scanning direction.
The optical fiber array 11 can be configured by a single array head, but in any case of a long optical fiber array head, the array head itself is long and easily deforms. As a result, it is difficult to maintain the linearity of the beam arrangement and the uniformity of the beam pitch. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 4A, a plurality of array heads 44 may be arranged in an array in the main scanning direction (Z-axis direction), or may be arranged in a staggered manner as shown in FIG. 4B. In the example of the recording apparatus of the present invention having the optical fiber array shown in FIG. 1, one array head arranged in the main scanning direction is mounted.
As shown in FIG. 4A, a plurality of array heads 44 are arranged in a zigzag pattern as shown in FIG. 4B rather than in a linear pattern in the main scanning direction (Z-axis direction). To preferred.
Further, the array head 44 may be arranged to be inclined in the sub-scanning direction, and as shown in FIG. 4C, a plurality of array heads 44 may be arranged to be inclined in the sub-scanning direction (X-axis direction). By arranging the array head 44 so as to be inclined in the sub-scanning direction (X-axis direction), the pitch P of the optical fiber 42 in the main scanning direction (Z-axis direction) can be made narrower than the arrangement shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B. And high resolution can be achieved.
Further, as shown in FIG. 4D, the array head 44 may be arranged slightly shifted in the main scanning direction (Z-axis direction). By arranging as shown in FIG. 4D, high resolution can be achieved.

  Examples of the present invention will be described below, but the present invention is not limited to these examples.

(Production Example 1)
-Production of thermal recording material-
(1) Preparation of Dye Dispersion (Liquid A) The following composition was dispersed with a sand mill to prepare a dye dispersion (Liquid A).
-2-anilino-3-methyl-6-dibutylaminofluorane ... 20 parts by mass-10% by weight aqueous solution of polyvinyl alcohol ... 20 parts by mass-water ... 60 parts by mass

(2) Preparation of B liquid The following composition was disperse | distributed with the ball mill and B liquid was prepared.
· 4-hydroxy-4'-isopropoxydiphenylsulfone ... 20 parts by mass · 10% by weight aqueous solution of polyvinyl alcohol ... 20 parts by mass · water ... 60 parts by mass

(3) Preparation of C liquid The following composition was dispersed with a ball mill to prepare C liquid.
Photothermal conversion material (indium tin oxide (ITO)) 20 parts by mass Polyvinyl alcohol aqueous solution (solid content: 10% by mass) 20 parts by mass Water 60 parts by mass

(4) Preparation of thermosensitive coloring layer coating solution The following composition was mixed to prepare a thermosensitive coloring layer coating solution.
・ A liquid: 20 parts by mass ・ B liquid: 40 parts by mass ・ C liquid: 2 parts by mass ・ Polyvinyl alcohol aqueous solution (solid content: 10% by mass): 30 parts by mass ・ Dioctyl Sulfosuccinic acid aqueous solution (solid content: 5% by mass): 1 part by mass

Next, using a high-quality paper having a basis weight of 60 g / m ² as a support, the above-mentioned heat-sensitive color-developing layer coating solution is applied onto the fine-quality paper, and the dry adhesion amount of the dye contained in the heat-sensitive color-forming layer coating solution is 0.5 g / It was applied to m ² and dried to form a thermosensitive coloring layer. As described above, a thermosensitive recording medium as a recording object was produced.

  The recording apparatus shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 has 32 fiber coupling LDs with a maximum output of 30 W as the emitting means. As the optical fiber array, 32 optical fibers (optical fiber diameter 125 μm, core diameter 105 μm) are arranged in the main scanning direction, and the pitch interval X between adjacent optical fibers is 127 μm.

(Drawing examples 1-17)
Using the recording apparatus shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the relative moving speed with respect to the manufactured recording object is set to 2 m / second, and the incident energy is changed with respect to the thermal recording medium as the recording object. An image composed of 32 drawing units having a length of 100 mm in the sub-scanning direction was recorded, and energy E0 at which the line width reached 127 μm was obtained and used as a reference energy. Next, of the 32 fiber coupling LDs, one fiber coupling LD was used, an image was recorded with the irradiation energy shown in Table 1 with the energy E0 as a reference, and the line width at each energy was obtained. . The results are shown in Table 1.

(Examples 1-11 and Comparative Examples 1-13)
The recording apparatus shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 is used to measure the length in the sub-scanning direction for the heat-sensitive recording medium as the recording object according to the conditions shown in Table 2-1, Table 2-2, and Table 3. An image composed of 32 drawing units of 100 mm was recorded.

<Evaluation of density unevenness>
Density values were obtained by microdensitometers (PDM-7, manufactured by Konica Corporation) at both ends and the center in the main scanning direction of the obtained image, and density unevenness was evaluated according to the following criteria. The results are shown in Table 2-1, Table 2-2, and Table 3.
[Evaluation criteria]
A: The density difference between the darkest part and the lightest part was less than 0.1, and density unevenness was not visible at all.
◯: The density difference between the darkest part and the lightest part is 0.1 or more and less than 0.2, and density unevenness is slightly visible, but the level is sufficient.
(Triangle | delta): The density difference of the darkest part and the lightest part was 0.2 or more and less than 0.4, and it was an inadequate level which density | concentration unevenness can be visually recognized easily.
X: The density difference between the darkest part and the lightest part was 0.4 or more, the density unevenness was severe, and the level was not practical.

As an aspect of this invention, it is as follows, for example.
<1> Using a recording apparatus including a plurality of laser light emitting elements and an emitting unit having an optical fiber array in which a plurality of optical fibers for guiding laser light emitted from the laser light emitting elements are arranged, a recording object and the optical fiber array A recording method of recording an image composed of drawing units by irradiating a laser beam from the optical fiber array while relatively moving,
When irradiating the recording object with the laser light from a plurality of optical fibers adjacent in the main scanning direction and recording a solid image composed of a plurality of the drawing units at least partially overlapping in the main scanning direction,
The laser that records the drawing units other than the both ends than the irradiation energy of the laser light that records the drawing units at the both ends in the main scanning direction among the plurality of the drawing units constituting the solid image. The recording method is characterized in that recording is performed while reducing the irradiation energy of light.
<2> In the above <1>, the drawing unit constituting the solid image satisfies all of the relationship represented by the following Equation 1, the relationship represented by the following Equation 2, and the relationship represented by the following Equation 3. The recording method described.
1.0 <Y <2.0 Formula 1
0 <Xo <0.6 Formula 2
0 <Xi ≦ 0.4 Formula 3
However, in Formula 1, Y is a laser beam that records a drawing unit Di other than the both ends of the irradiation energy Eo of the laser beam that records the drawing unit Do at both ends in the main scanning direction of the solid image. Represents the ratio (Eo / Ei) to the irradiation energy Ei, and in Equation 2, Xo represents the solid to the line width Wi in the main scanning direction of the drawing unit adjacent to the both ends constituting the solid image. The ratio (Lo / Wi) of the overlap width Lo in the main scanning direction between the drawing units Do at the both ends constituting the image and the drawing units Di other than the both ends adjacent to the both ends, Xi represents the two adjacent images constituting the solid image with respect to the line width Wi of the adjacent drawing unit Di other than the both ends constituting the solid image in the main scanning direction. Overlap in the main scanning direction of the imaging unit Di each other than parts representing the ratio of the width Li (Li / Wi).
<3> A plurality of the drawing units constituting the solid image are recorded by gradually reducing the irradiation energy of the laser beam in the central direction within a certain range from both ends in the main scanning direction to the central direction. The drawing unit Dn (n represents 1 in the drawing units at both ends in the main scanning direction, and represents an integer subsequent to 2 in the order of arrangement in the central direction), and is located closer to the center than the drawing unit Dn. The recording method according to <1>, wherein the recording unit Dj is configured by a drawing unit Dj, and the irradiation energy of the laser beam for recording the drawing unit Dn is larger than the drawing unit Di.
<4> In the above <3>, the drawing unit constituting the solid image satisfies all of the relationship represented by the following formula 4, the relationship represented by the following formula 5, and the relationship represented by the following formula 6. The recording method described.
1.0 <Z <2.0 Formula 4
0 <Xn <0.6 Formula 5
0 <Xj ≦ 0.4 Expression 6
In Equation 4, Z is the drawing unit Dj of the irradiation energy E1 of the laser beam for recording the drawing unit Dn (n represents 1) at both ends of the solid image in the main scanning direction. Is the ratio (E1 / Ej) to the irradiation energy value Ej for recording. In Equation 5, Xn is the ratio of the overlap width Ln of the drawing unit Dn and the drawing unit Ds to the line width Ws of the drawing unit Ds adjacent to the center side of the drawing unit Dn in the main scanning direction (Ln / Ws). Here, n in Xn is the same as n in the drawing unit Dn. In Expression 6, Xj represents the ratio (Lj / Wj) of the overlapping width Lj in the main scanning direction to the line width Wj in the main scanning direction between the main drawing units Dj.
<5> The recording method according to any one of <1> to <4>, wherein the shortest distance between the centers of the optical fibers is 1.0 mm or less.
<6> The recording method according to any one of <1> to <5>, wherein the number of the optical fibers in the optical fiber array is 10 or more.
<7> The recording method according to any one of <1> to <6>, wherein the recording object is at least one of a thermal recording medium and a structure having a thermal recording unit.
<8> Any one of <1> to <7>, wherein an image is recorded by irradiating the recording object with a laser beam while conveying the recording object by a recording object conveying unit that conveys the recording object. The recording method described in 1.
<9> Equipped with a plurality of laser light emitting elements and an emitting means having an optical fiber array in which a plurality of optical fibers for guiding laser light emitted from the laser light emitting elements are arranged, and relatively moves the recording object and the optical fiber array. A recording apparatus for recording an image composed of drawing units by irradiating a laser beam from the optical fiber array,
When irradiating the recording object with the laser light from a plurality of optical fibers adjacent in the main scanning direction and recording a solid image composed of a plurality of the drawing units at least partially overlapping in the main scanning direction,
The laser that records the drawing units other than the both ends than the irradiation energy of the laser light that records the drawing units at the both ends in the main scanning direction among the plurality of the drawing units constituting the solid image. The recording apparatus is characterized in that recording is performed while reducing the irradiation energy of light.
<10> In the above <9>, the drawing unit constituting the solid image satisfies all of the relationship represented by the following formula 1, the relationship represented by the following formula 2, and the relationship represented by the following formula 3. It is a recording apparatus of description.
1.0 <Y <2.0 Formula 1
0 <Xo <0.6 Formula 2
0 <Xi ≦ 0.4 Formula 3
However, in Formula 1, Y is a laser beam that records a drawing unit Di other than the both ends of the irradiation energy Eo of the laser beam that records the drawing unit Do at both ends in the main scanning direction of the solid image. Represents the ratio (Eo / Ei) to the irradiation energy Ei, and in Equation 2, Xo represents the solid to the line width Wi in the main scanning direction of the drawing unit adjacent to the both ends constituting the solid image. The ratio (Lo / Wi) of the overlap width Lo in the main scanning direction between the drawing units Do at the both ends constituting the image and the drawing units Di other than the both ends adjacent to the both ends, Xi represents the two adjacent images constituting the solid image with respect to the line width Wi of the adjacent drawing unit Di other than the both ends constituting the solid image in the main scanning direction. Overlap in the main scanning direction of the imaging unit Di each other than parts representing the ratio of the width Li (Li / Wi).
<11> The irradiation energy of the laser beam is stepwise in a certain range from the drawing units at both ends in the main scanning direction to the drawing unit in the center direction, in the plurality of drawing units constituting the solid image. The irradiation energy of the laser beam for recording the drawing unit in the range is low in the range where the drawing unit on the central direction side is 1% or more and 30% or less with respect to the drawing unit on both ends. The recording apparatus according to any one of <9> to <10>.
<12> In the above <11>, the drawing unit constituting the solid image satisfies all of the relationship represented by the following formula 4, the relationship represented by the following formula 5, and the relationship represented by the following formula 6. It is a recording apparatus of description.
1.0 <Z <2.0 Formula 4
0 <Xn <0.6 Formula 5
0 <Xj ≦ 0.4 Expression 6
In Equation 4, Z is the drawing unit Dj of the irradiation energy E1 of the laser beam for recording the drawing unit Dn (n represents 1) at both ends of the solid image in the main scanning direction. Is the ratio (E1 / Ej) to the irradiation energy value Ej for recording. In Equation 5, Xn is the ratio of the overlap width Ln of the drawing unit Dn and the drawing unit Ds to the line width Ws of the drawing unit Ds adjacent to the center side of the drawing unit Dn in the main scanning direction (Ln / Ws). Here, n in Xn is the same as n in the drawing unit Dn. In Expression 6, Xj represents the ratio (Lj / Wj) of the overlapping width Lj in the main scanning direction to the line width Wj in the main scanning direction between the main drawing units Dj.
<13> The recording apparatus according to any one of <9> to <12>, wherein a shortest distance between centers of the optical fibers is 1.0 mm or less.
<14> The recording apparatus according to any one of <9> to <13>, wherein the number of the optical fibers in the optical fiber array is 10 or more.
<15> The recording apparatus according to any one of <9> to <14>, wherein the irradiation power of laser light is controlled according to a temperature of the laser light emitting element.
<16> The recording apparatus according to any one of <9> to <15>, wherein the recording object is at least one of a thermal recording medium and a structure having a thermal recording unit.
<17> The recording medium transporting means for transporting the recording object, and recording an image by irradiating the recording object with a laser beam while transporting the recording object by the recording object transporting means. > To <16>.

  The recording method according to any one of <1> to <8>, and the recording apparatus according to any one of <9> to <17> solve the conventional problems, and the object of the present invention Can be achieved.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Recording device 11 Optical fiber array head 11a Array head 12 Optical fiber 13 Output means 14 Drive means 15 Control means 16 Main control means 17 Power supply means 21 Cooling means 22 Chiller 31 Recording target 41 Conveyance means 42 Optical fiber 44 Array head

JP 2010-52350 A

Claims (17)

A recording apparatus comprising a plurality of laser light emitting elements and an emitting means having an optical fiber array in which a plurality of optical fibers for guiding laser light emitted from the laser light emitting elements are arranged, and a recording object and the optical fiber array are relatively A recording method of recording an image composed of drawing units by irradiating a laser beam from the optical fiber array while being moved to,
When irradiating the recording object with the laser light from a plurality of optical fibers adjacent in the main scanning direction and recording a solid image composed of a plurality of the drawing units at least partially overlapping in the main scanning direction,
The laser that records the drawing units other than the both ends than the irradiation energy of the laser light that records the drawing units at the both ends in the main scanning direction among the plurality of the drawing units constituting the solid image. A recording method, wherein recording is performed by reducing light irradiation energy. The recording method according to claim 1, wherein the drawing unit constituting the solid image satisfies all of the relationship represented by the following formula 1, the relationship represented by the following formula 2, and the relationship represented by the following formula 3. .
1.0 <Y <2.0 Formula 1
0 <Xo <0.6 Formula 2
0 <Xi ≦ 0.4 Formula 3
However, in Formula 1, Y is a laser beam that records a drawing unit Di other than the both ends of the irradiation energy Eo of the laser beam that records the drawing unit Do at both ends in the main scanning direction of the solid image. Represents the ratio (Eo / Ei) to the irradiation energy Ei, and in Equation 2, Xo represents the solid to the line width Wi in the main scanning direction of the drawing unit adjacent to the both ends constituting the solid image. The ratio (Lo / Wi) of the overlap width Lo in the main scanning direction between the drawing units Do at the both ends constituting the image and the drawing units Di other than the both ends adjacent to the both ends, Xi represents the two adjacent images constituting the solid image with respect to the line width Wi of the adjacent drawing unit Di other than the both ends constituting the solid image in the main scanning direction. Overlap in the main scanning direction of the imaging unit Di each other than parts representing the width ratio Li (Li / Wi).   A plurality of the drawing units constituting the solid image are recorded with the laser beam irradiation energy gradually reduced in the central direction in a certain range from both ends in the main scanning direction to the central direction. Dn (n represents 1 in the drawing units at both ends in the main scanning direction, and represents an integer subsequent to 2 in the order of arrangement in the central direction), and the drawing unit Dj located on the center side from the drawing unit Dn. The recording method according to claim 1, further comprising: an irradiation energy of a laser beam for recording the drawing unit Dn being greater than the drawing unit Di. The recording method according to claim 3, wherein a drawing unit constituting the solid image satisfies all of a relationship represented by the following formula 4, a relationship represented by the following formula 5, and a relationship represented by the following formula 6.
1.0 <Z <2.0 Formula 4
0 <Xn <0.6 Formula 5
0 <Xj ≦ 0.4 Expression 6
In Equation 4, Z is the drawing unit Dj of the irradiation energy E1 of the laser beam for recording the drawing unit Dn (n represents 1) at both ends of the solid image in the main scanning direction. Is the ratio (E1 / Ej) to the irradiation energy value Ej for recording. In Equation 5, Xn is the ratio of the overlap width Ln of the drawing unit Dn and the drawing unit Ds to the line width Ws of the drawing unit Ds adjacent to the center side of the drawing unit Dn in the main scanning direction (Ln / Ws). Here, n in Xn is the same as n in the drawing unit Dn. In Expression 6, Xj represents the ratio (Lj / Wj) of the overlapping width Lj in the main scanning direction to the line width Wj in the main scanning direction between the main drawing units Dj.   The recording method according to claim 1, wherein the shortest distance between the centers of the optical fibers is 1.0 mm or less.   The recording method according to claim 1, wherein the number of optical fibers arranged in the optical fiber array is 10 or more.   The recording method according to claim 1, wherein the recording object is at least one of a thermal recording medium and a structure having a thermal recording unit.   The recording method according to claim 1, wherein an image is recorded by irradiating the recording object with a laser beam while conveying the recording object by a recording object conveying unit that conveys the recording object. A plurality of laser light emitting elements, and an emitting means having an optical fiber array in which a plurality of optical fibers for guiding laser light emitted from the laser light emitting elements are arranged, and while moving the recording object and the optical fiber array relatively, A recording apparatus that records an image composed of drawing units by irradiating a laser beam from an optical fiber array,
When irradiating the recording object with the laser light from a plurality of optical fibers adjacent in the main scanning direction and recording a solid image composed of a plurality of the drawing units at least partially overlapping in the main scanning direction,
The laser that records the drawing units other than the both ends than the irradiation energy of the laser light that records the drawing units at the both ends in the main scanning direction among the plurality of the drawing units constituting the solid image. A recording apparatus, wherein recording is performed by reducing light irradiation energy. The recording apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the drawing unit constituting the solid image satisfies all of the relationship represented by the following formula 1, the relationship represented by the following formula 2, and the relationship represented by the following formula 3. .
1.0 <Y <2.0 Formula 1
0 <Xo <0.6 Formula 2
0 <Xi ≦ 0.4 Formula 3
However, in Formula 1, Y is a laser beam that records a drawing unit Di other than the both ends of the irradiation energy Eo of the laser beam that records the drawing unit Do at both ends in the main scanning direction of the solid image. Represents the ratio (Eo / Ei) to the irradiation energy Ei, and in Equation 2, Xo represents the solid to the line width Wi in the main scanning direction of the drawing unit adjacent to the both ends constituting the solid image. The ratio (Lo / Wi) of the overlap width Lo in the main scanning direction between the drawing units Do at the both ends constituting the image and the drawing units Di other than the both ends adjacent to the both ends, Xi represents the two adjacent images constituting the solid image with respect to the line width Wi of the adjacent drawing unit Di other than the both ends constituting the solid image in the main scanning direction. Overlap in the main scanning direction of the imaging unit Di each other than parts representing the ratio of the width Li (Li / Wi).   A plurality of the drawing units constituting the solid image reduce the irradiation energy of the laser light stepwise within a certain range from the drawing units at both ends in the main scanning direction to the drawing units in the central direction. 10. The irradiation energy of the laser beam that is recorded and records the drawing unit in the range is lower than the drawing unit on the both end portions side when the drawing unit on the central direction side is in the range of 1% to 30%. To 10. The recording apparatus according to any one of 10 to 10. The recording apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the drawing unit constituting the solid image satisfies all of a relationship represented by the following formula 4, a relationship represented by the following formula 5, and a relationship represented by the following formula 6. .
1.0 <Z <2.0 Formula 4
0 <Xn <0.6 Formula 5
0 <Xj ≦ 0.4 Expression 6
In Equation 4, Z is the drawing unit Dj of the irradiation energy E1 of the laser beam for recording the drawing unit Dn (n represents 1) at both ends of the solid image in the main scanning direction. Is the ratio (E1 / Ej) to the irradiation energy value Ej for recording. In Equation 5, Xn is the ratio of the overlap width Ln of the drawing unit Dn and the drawing unit Ds to the line width Ws of the drawing unit Ds adjacent to the center side of the drawing unit Dn in the main scanning direction (Ln / Ws). Here, n in Xn is the same as n in the drawing unit Dn. In Expression 6, Xj represents the ratio (Lj / Wj) of the overlapping width Lj in the main scanning direction to the line width Wj in the main scanning direction between the main drawing units Dj.   The recording apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the shortest distance between the centers of the optical fibers is 1.0 mm or less.   The recording apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the number of the optical fibers arranged in the optical fiber array is 10 or more.   The recording apparatus according to claim 9, wherein an irradiation power of laser light is controlled according to a temperature of the laser light emitting element.   The recording apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the recording object is at least one of a thermal recording medium and a structure having a thermal recording unit.   The recording medium transporting means for transporting the recording object, and recording the image by irradiating the recording object with laser light while transporting the recording object by the recording object transporting means. The recording device according to any one of the above.

Images