JP2610304B2 - Recording device using electric viscous ink - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Summary] Generally, the present invention relates to a non-impact printer, which is a non-impact recording apparatus, and more particularly, to a method in which an electrostatic latent image is formed on a rotating photoreceptor using a photoconductive substance. With respect to a recording apparatus that performs recording based on an electrostatic latent image, an object of the present invention is to provide a recording apparatus that uses an electro-viscous ink and that can easily remove static electricity from an electrostatic latent image recording medium. An inner transparent electrode layer, an intermediate photosensitive layer formed of a photoconductive substance, a rotating photosensitive body composed of an outer insulating layer, and a rotating photosensitive body for generating a local electric field with respect to the inner transparent electrode layer. An opposing electrode disposed outside and close to the outer surface of the outer insulating layer, and an optical static electrode disposed inside the rotating photoreceptor facing the opposing electrode to form an electrostatic latent image on the intermediate photosensitive layer. Electrostatic latent image forming means and outer insulation And an electric viscous ink applying means for applying an electric viscous ink to the outer surface of the outer insulating layer, utilizing the fact that the electric viscous ink attached to the electrostatic latent image area on the outer surface of the outer insulating layer becomes a high viscous state. A positive image is transferred to recording paper, and further, a static elimination light source arranged inside the rotating photoreceptor is provided to perform static elimination of the electrostatic latent image on the intermediate photosensitive layer during or after the positive image is transferred. The recording apparatus is characterized.

[Industrial applications]

The present invention relates generally to a non-impact recording apparatus, a so-called non-impact printer, and more particularly, to forming an electrostatic latent image on a photoreceptor using a photoconductive substance and recording based on the electrostatic latent image. It relates to a type of recording device.

[Conventional technology]

As is well known, a rotating photosensitive drum using a photoconductive substance was originally used in an electrophotographic apparatus, and the electrophotographic recording process basically involves charging a rotating photosensitive drum with electric charges. Step, an exposure step of optically projecting document information on the charged area to form an electrostatic latent image, and a developing step of developing the electrostatic latent image with toner.
The method includes a transfer step of transferring the developed toner to the recording sheet and a fixing step of fixing the transfer toner to the recording sheet. Such electrophotographic apparatuses are roughly classified into a dry type and a wet type depending on whether a powder toner or a liquid toner is used in a developing stage.

In a dry type electrophotographic apparatus, as a powder toner,
A one-component toner finely divided by mixing carbon, a dye, a pigment, or the like into a resin, or a two-component toner further including a magnetic carrier is used, but in any case, the powder toner is charged and an electrostatic latent image is formed. Is electrostatically adhered to the surface to form a visible image. After such a visible image toner, that is, a developing toner, is transferred to a recording sheet, the toner is thermally fixed to the recording sheet by a method such as heat melting a resin component of the toner. As such a heat fixing method, a heat fixing method or a flash fixing method is generally used. In the heat fixing method, the developing toner is pressed against a recording sheet by a heat roller and heat-fused. In the flash fixing method, a heating light beam is instantaneously applied to the developing toner to be melted. Disadvantages of the dry type electrophotographic apparatus using the heat fixing method include a large power consumption due to the use of the heat roller, and a so-called warm-up time due to a long time required for heating the heat roller when starting the electrophotographic apparatus. Is relatively long. Disadvantages of the dry-type electrophotographic apparatus using the flash fixing method include a large power consumption due to the use of a heating light beam as a heat source for heat fixing, and removal of an unusual odor generated when the resin melts instantaneously. Deodorizing equipment is needed for
It has been pointed out that this leads to an increase in the cost of the entire apparatus. Further, in the pressure fixing method, a pressure of 30 to 60 kg / cm ² is applied to the recording paper at the time of pressurization, so that wrinkles are generated on the recording paper or gloss is generated on the paper surface of the recording paper, coating, etc. It has been pointed out that in the case of plain paper or the like which has been subjected to a surface treatment, sufficient fixing of the developed toner is not performed.

On the other hand, in a wet-type electrophotographic apparatus, a developer in which charged toner particles are dispersed in an insulating liquid is used, and the charged toner particles migrate in the insulating liquid by an electric field of an electrostatic latent image and become static. Electrostatically attached to the latent image. In the case of such a wet type, the recording paper becomes wet due to the developer, and is dried by an appropriate heat source. At this time, the developing toner is also fixed. Disadvantages of such a wet type electrophotographic apparatus include a large power consumption because a heat source is used for drying the recording paper, and a necessity for a deodorizing device to remove an odor generated when the recording paper is dried. It has been pointed out that this leads to an increase in the cost of the entire apparatus.

Therefore, as another recording technique that can solve the above-mentioned disadvantages associated with the conventional electrophotographic apparatus, in recent years, an electrostatic latent image is formed on a dielectric recording medium, and the electrostatic latent image is developed with an electro-viscous ink. Attention has been paid to a recording technique for transferring the image onto a recording sheet. Such a recording technique is disclosed, for example, in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 58-27157.
And JP-A-58-46359. The electric viscous ink is obtained by mixing carbon black or a pigment or dye for color into a mixture of an electric liquid such as silicone oil, fine zeolite powder, liquid paraffin, and a surfactant. For electric viscous liquids,
For example, it is disclosed in Japanese Patent Publication No. 58-46359, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 61-44998, and the like.As its characteristics, it is usually a liquid, but it can be semi-solidified into, for example, gelatin in the presence of an electric field. Are known. In short, the viscous ink is semi-solid in the presence of an electric field, but becomes liquid in the absence of an electric field.

Referring to FIGS. 6A to 6C, there is shown a basic principle of a recording technique using the above-mentioned electric viscous ink. In FIG. 6A, reference numeral 10 indicates a dielectric recording medium formed of a dielectric material so that an electrostatic latent image can be formed and held, and reference numeral 12 indicates that a charge is injected into the dielectric recording medium 10 to make it static. 1 shows a charge injector for writing an electrostatic latent image. The charge injector 12, for example, based on image data obtained from an image reading device including a photoelectric conversion element such as a CCD, or based on image data and character codes obtained from a word processor or a microcomputer, etc. Electrostatic writing is performed on the dielectric recording medium 10 to form an electrostatic latent image such as an image or a character thereon. A point to be noted here is that the electrostatic latent image is formed as a negative, and the reason will be clarified from the following description. As shown in FIG. 6A, a positive charge is charged in the electrostatic latent image area formed as a negative. FIG. 6B
FIG. 6 shows a developing step for developing such an electrostatic latent image. In this developing step, as shown in FIG. At this time, since the electric charge is charged in the electrostatic latent image area, the ink layer portion 16 (shaded portion) corresponding to the electrostatic latent image area is semi-solidified, and the other ink layer portions 18 It remains in the liquid state. In short, the physical properties of the electric viscous ink change between the charged area and the uncharged area, whereby the development of the electrostatic latent image is achieved. FIG. 6C shows the transfer / fixing step. When the recording paper 20 is applied on the ink layer 14 in the transfer / fixing step, the ink layer portion 18 in the liquid state is transferred to the recording paper 20 and penetrated. On the other hand, since the ink layer portion 16 is in a semi-solid state, it is not transferred and the dielectric recording medium 10 is not transferred.
Will be left on top. In short, only the ink layer portion 18 in the liquid state penetrates the paper 20 and is fixed, so that a positive image is recorded on the recording paper 20.

[Problems to be solved by the invention]

Now, as described above, in the recording technique using the electric viscous ink, unlike the above-described electrophotographic storage technique, neither heating nor pressurizing is required in the transfer / fixing stage. That is, in the recording technique using the electric viscous ink, the advantage that the power consumption can be reduced, the advantage that the recording paper does not generate wrinkles or gloss, and the warm-up time is substantially reduced The advantage is that quick start recording that is not required is possible.

However, it is pointed out that a major problem of the recording technique using the electric viscous ink is that it is very difficult to completely remove the electric charge from the dielectric recording medium after the transfer / fixing step. As is well known, generally, it is very difficult, if possible, and difficult to completely remove the charge once charged in the dielectric material. In short, in order to rewrite the electrostatic latent image on the dielectric recording medium after the transfer / fixing step, it is necessary to discharge the recording medium in order to erase the previous electrostatic latent image neatly,
It is difficult to remove the electric charge, and this is one of the major factors that hinders the practical use of a recording medium using an electro-viscous ink.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a recording apparatus using an electric viscous ink, which can easily remove static electricity from an electrostatic latent image recording medium.

Some of the above-described electrophotographic apparatuses are configured to perform color printing. In such a color electrophotographic apparatus, at least two color originals obtained from an original are used. An electrostatic latent image is formed on the rotating photosensitive drum based on each information, and each electrostatic latent image is developed with a different color toner, and a two-color toner layer is formed in a region where the two electrostatic latent images overlap. The colors overlap so that a mixed color can be obtained. For example, when development is performed with two color toners, yellow toner and magenta toner, as shown in FIG. 7A, the yellow toner particle layer (Y (Shown) and a magenta toner particle layer (shown by M) overlap each other. Even if such two-color toner particle layers are fused by heat and fixed, the two-color toner particles are not melted and mixed with each other, and as shown in FIG. Toner layer M and yellow toner layer Y
Are merely formed separately on top of each other.

Incidentally, since the magenta toner layer M and the yellow toner layer Y are each formed by thermal melting of the toner particles as shown in FIG. 7A, the magenta toner layer M
Not only at the interface between the magenta toner layer M and the recording paper, but also at the interface between the magenta toner layer M and the recording paper.
Is not flat, but becomes a fine uneven surface. For this reason, as shown in FIG. 7B, the natural light incident on the mixed color area is still recorded on the boundary surface between the magenta toner layer M and the yellow toner layer Y and the magenta toner layer M even on the surface of the yellow toner layer Y. It has been pointed out that it is difficult to reproduce a desired mixed color because the light is partially scattered even at the boundary surface with the paper.

Therefore, another object of the present invention is to provide a recording apparatus using an electro-viscous ink, which can easily remove static electricity from an electrostatic latent image recording medium and can reproduce a desired mixed color well. It is.

[Means for solving the problem]

According to one aspect of the present invention, a recording apparatus includes: a rotating photoconductor including an inner transparent electrode layer, an intermediate photosensitive layer formed of a photoconductive substance, and an outer insulating layer; and the inner transparent electrode layer. Forming an electrostatic latent image on a counter electrode disposed close to the outer surface of the outer insulating layer outside the rotary photoconductor to generate a local electric field with respect to the intermediate photoconductive layer of the rotary photoconductor. Optical electrostatic latent image forming means disposed inside the rotary photoreceptor so as to face the counter electrode, and electric viscous ink applying means for applying an electric viscous ink to the outer surface of the outer insulating layer of the rotary photoreceptor. Is provided. The outer surface of the outer insulating layer of the rotating photoreceptor is subjected to a surface treatment so as to be adhered to the electro-rheological ink only when the electro-rheological ink is in a highly viscous state. Field viscous ink in a highly viscous state is adhered only to the electrostatic latent image area on the outer surface of the device. The recording apparatus further includes an intermediate photosensitive layer of the rotating photoconductor when transferring the viscous electric viscous ink adhered to the electrostatic latent image area on the outer surface of the outer insulating layer of the rotating photoconductor to recording paper. A static elimination light source is provided inside the rotating photoconductor to eliminate static electricity from the electrostatic latent image.

It is possible to configure the recording apparatus as described above as a color recording apparatus. In this case, the electric viscous ink applying means for applying the electric viscous ink to the outer surface of the outer insulating layer of the rotating photoconductor is provided. Provided at least two or more,
These electric viscous ink applying means apply electric viscous inks of different colors to the outer surface of the outer insulating layer of the rotary photoreceptor.

According to another aspect of the present invention, a recording apparatus includes: a rotating photoconductor including an inner transparent electrode layer, an intermediate photosensitive layer formed of a photoconductive substance, and an outer insulating layer; An electrostatic latent image is formed on the counter-electrode located close to the outer surface of the outer insulating layer outside the rotating photoconductor to generate a local electric field on the layer, and on the intermediate photosensitive layer of the rotating photoconductor An optical electrostatic latent image forming means disposed inside the rotary photoreceptor so as to face the counter electrode, and an electric viscous ink applying means for applying an electric viscous ink to the outer surface of the outer insulating layer of the rotary photoreceptor And A surface treatment is performed on the outer surface of the outer insulating layer of the rotating photoreceptor so that the viscous ink adheres to the viscous ink regardless of whether the viscous ink is in a high or low viscosity state. As a result, only the viscous ink adhered to the electrostatic latent image area on the outer surface of the outer insulating layer of the rotary photoreceptor is placed in a highly viscous state. The recording device further transfers the low-viscosity, electro-viscous ink adhered to the outer surface of the outer insulating layer on the outer surface of the outer photosensitive layer other than the electrostatic latent image area onto the recording paper, and then transfers the intermediate photosensitive layer of the rotating photoconductor to the intermediate photosensitive layer. And a light source for static elimination disposed inside the rotating photoreceptor to eliminate static electricity of the electrostatic latent image.

(Operation)

As is apparent from the above configuration, in the recording apparatus according to the present invention, the electrostatic latent image is developed by utilizing the property that the viscous ink changes to a high viscous state in the presence of an electric field. Since the electric viscous ink transferred to the recording paper is in a low viscosity state, the positive image is fixed by the permeation of the electric viscous ink into the recording paper.

Further, in the color recording apparatus according to the present invention, at least two colors of the viscous ink penetrate into the recording paper in a low-viscosity state at the time of transfer, so that the two colors of the viscous ink are mixed and fixed together. .

〔Example〕

Next, an embodiment of a recording apparatus according to the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 schematically shows a configuration of a recording apparatus according to one aspect of the present invention. The recording apparatus includes a rotating photosensitive member, that is, a rotating photosensitive drum 22 having a hollow structure. The rotating photosensitive drum 22 includes an inner transparent electrode layer 24, an intermediate photosensitive layer 26, and an outer insulating layer 28. The inner transparent electrode layer 24 is formed by depositing a transparent conductive material such as titanium dioxide on a cylindrical transparent substrate such as a glass material or an acrylic resin material, and the intermediate photosensitive layer 26 is a photoconductive material such as a selenium-based material. The outer insulating layer 28 is formed of an inorganic or organic photosensitive material such as cadmium sulfide or amorphous silicon, and the outer insulating layer 28 is formed of a water-repellent material such as a silicone resin material. The rotating photosensitive drum 22 is driven to rotate in a direction indicated by an arrow 30.

The recording apparatus further includes an electric viscous ink applying means 32 disposed in close proximity to the outer surface of the outer insulating layer 28 of the rotary photosensitive drum 22 so as to apply the electric viscous ink to the outer surface. Reference numeral 32 denotes a reservoir 34 for holding the electric viscous ink, and an electric viscous ink applying drum 36 partially immersed in the electric viscous ink held in the reservoir 34.
It is composed of When the electric viscous ink applying drum 36 is driven to rotate in any direction, the electric viscous ink becomes first.
As shown in the drawing, the viscous ink is entrained by the outer surface of the electric viscous ink applying drum 36, whereby the electric viscous ink is applied to the outer surface of the outer insulating layer 36 of the rotating photosensitive drum 22. An opposing electrode 38 for the inner transparent electrode layer 24 of the rotating photosensitive drum 22 is applied to the inner wall surface of the electric viscous ink applying drum 34, and a power supply is provided between the opposite electrode 38 and the inner transparent electrode layer 24 of the rotating photosensitive drum 22. A predetermined voltage is applied by 40. Therefore, a local electric field is generated on the inner transparent electrode layer 26 during the rotation of the rotating photosensitive drum 22.

Further, the recording device rotates the photosensitive drum 22 so as to face the counter electrode 38 incorporated in the viscous ink applying means 32.
And an electrostatic latent image forming unit 42 disposed inside the image forming apparatus. The optical electrostatic latent image forming unit 42 includes an image obtained from an image reading device (not shown) including a photoelectric conversion element such as a CCD. Based on data, or by irradiating light based on image data or a character code obtained from a word processor or a microcomputer (not shown) or the like, an image or a character is electrostatically written on the intermediate photosensitive layer 26,
An electrostatic latent image such as an image or a character is formed thereon. In short, when the light emitted from the optical electrostatic latent image forming means 42 reaches the intermediate photosensitive layer 26 through the inner transparent electrode 24, photo-generated carriers are generated there. An electric charge corresponding to the polarity of the bias voltage applied between the layer 24 and the counter electrode 38 appears,
As a result, an electrostatic latent image is formed on the intermediate photosensitive layer 26. The optical electrostatic latent image forming means 42 can be constituted by a device such as a semiconductor laser, an LED array, or a liquid crystal shutter.

Further, the recording device includes a platen 44 disposed on the outer surface of the outer insulating layer 28 of the rotating photosensitive drum 22, and a platen 44.
A static elimination lamp 46 disposed in the rotating photosensitive drum 22 so as to face the photoreceptor 44; Platen 44 and outer insulating layer 28
The recording paper 48 is fed in the direction of the arrow 50 between itself and the outer surface of the recording paper. The static elimination lamp 46 is the intermediate photosensitive layer 26
Is illuminated to eliminate the charge from the electrostatic latent image formed in the image.

Next, the operating principle of the recording apparatus shown in FIG. 1 will be described with reference to FIGS. 2A to 2D.

FIG. 2A shows a part of the rotating photosensitive drum 22 in a state developed in a plane.
As shown in FIG. 2B, when the ink passes between the electric viscous ink applying means 32 and the optical electrostatic latent image forming means 42 with the rotation of Electric charges are charged by the electrostatic latent image forming means 42, whereby an electrostatic latent image is written. Since an electric field is generated in such an electrostatic latent image area, the electric viscous ink applied to the electrostatic latent image area by the electric viscous ink applying means 32 becomes a high viscous state, that is, a semi-solid state. , Second
Attached to the outer surface of outer insulating layer 28 as shown in FIG. In short, the electrostatic latent image is developed with the viscous ink in the semi-solid state. On the other hand, since no electric field exists in the non-charged area, that is, the non-electrostatic latent image area, the applied electric viscous ink is in a low viscous state, that is, a liquid state, and the electric viscous ink is applied to the outer insulating layer.
28 will be removed from the outer surface. This is because the outer insulating layer 28 is formed of a water-repellent material such as a silicone resin as described above. When the developing area is moved to the transfer location, that is, the location of the platen 44 with the rotation of the rotating photosensitive drum 22, the semi-solid state viscous ink is illuminated by the neutralizing lamp 46 as shown in FIG. 2D. The charge is removed from the electrostatic latent image, and the semi-solid state electro-rheological ink returns to the liquid state and is transferred to the recording paper 48. However, since the electro-rheological ink is in the liquid state, the recording paper 48 Will immediately penetrate and be established.

In the recording apparatus shown in FIG. 1, the counter electrode 38 is incorporated in the electric viscous ink applying means 32, but the opposing electrode may be provided separately from the electric viscous ink applying means 36.
In other words, in the embodiment of FIG. 1, the writing of the electrostatic latent image and the development thereof are performed simultaneously. However, after the writing of the electrostatic latent image, the development, that is, the application of the electric viscous ink is performed. It may be.

Referring to FIG. 3, there is shown another embodiment of a recording apparatus according to the present invention, which is similar in many respects to the recording apparatus shown in FIG. First, the outer insulating layer 28 'of the rotating photosensitive drum 22 is formed of a hydrophilic material such as Mylar. That is, since the outer surface of the outer insulating layer 26 of the rotating photosensitive drum 22 is hydrophilic, the electric viscous ink can adhere to the outer insulating layer 26 in either a low viscosity state or a high viscosity state. Accordingly, when the electro-viscous ink is applied to the outer surface of the outer insulating layer 28 'by the electro-viscous ink applying means 38, the electro-active ink is applied in a layer form over the whole. Another difference is that in the recording apparatus of FIG. 1, the optical electrostatic latent image forming means 42 is configured to write the electrostatic latent image on the intermediate photosensitive layer 26 of the rotary photosensitive drum 22 as positive. On the other hand, in the recording apparatus shown in FIG. 3, the optical electrostatic latent image forming means 42 'is provided on the intermediate photosensitive layer of the rotating photosensitive drum 22.
26 is configured to write the electrostatic latent image as a negative. Still another difference is that the static elimination lamp 46 ′ is not arranged so as to face the platen 44, and when the platen 44 is used as a starting point in the rotation direction of the rotating photosensitive drum 22, the optical static lamp 46 ′ is located downstream from the position. The point is that it is arranged on the upstream side of the electro-latent image forming means 42 '.

Next, the operating principle of the recording apparatus shown in FIG. 3 will be described with reference to FIGS. 4A to 4D.

FIG. 4A shows a part of the rotating photosensitive drum 22 in a state of being developed in a plane, and this part is shown in FIG.
As shown in FIG. 4B, when the ink passes between the electric viscous ink applying means 32 and the optical electrostatic latent image forming means 42 'with the rotation of The electrostatic latent image forming means 42 'charges the electric charge, whereby the electrostatic latent image is written as a negative. on the other hand,
The electric viscous ink is uniformly applied as an ink layer to the outer surface of the outer insulating layer 28 'of the rotating photosensitive drum 22 by the electric viscous ink applying means 32. Since an electric field is generated in the electrostatic latent image area on the outer surface of the outer insulating layer 28 ', the ink layer portion applied there is in a highly viscous state, i.e., a semi-solid state. Since no electric field exists in the charged area, that is, the non-electrostatic latent image area, the ink layer portion applied thereto is in a low-viscosity state, that is, a liquid state. In short, the electrostatic latent image is developed by changing only the portion of the ink layer applied to the electrostatic latent image area on the outer surface of the outer insulating layer 28 'to a semi-solid state. When such a developing area moves to the position of the platen 44 with the rotation of the rotary photosensitive drum 22, only the electric viscous ink in the non-electrostatic latent image area, that is, the electric viscous ink in a liquid state is shown in FIG. 4C. As described above, the image is transferred to the recording paper 48 and penetrates and is fixed there. On the outer surface of the outer insulating layer 28 'of the rotating photosensitive drum 22, only the electric viscous ink in the electrostatic latent image area, that is, the semi-solid electric viscous ink, is left, but then the intermediate light is applied by the illumination of the neutralizing lamp 46'. Since the charge is removed from the electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive layer, the semi-solid state viscous ink is returned to the liquid state.

In the recording apparatus shown in FIG. 3 as well, the counter electrode 38 can be provided separately from the electro-viscous ink applying means, as in the case of FIG. It will be clear that it may be before writing the latent image or after writing the electrostatic latent image.

Referring to FIG. 5, there is shown a recording apparatus of the type shown in FIG. 1 configured as a color recording apparatus, which comprises three electroviscous ink applying means 32a, 32b and 32c and three optical electrostatic latent image forming means 42a, 42b and 42c.
This is substantially the same as the recording apparatus shown in the figure.

Electric viscous ink applying means 32a, 32b and 32c respectively have reservoirs 34a, 34b and
34c, and electric viscous ink applying drums 36a, 36b partially immersed in electric viscous ink held in these reservoirs.
And 36c are provided. Reservoirs 34a, 34b and 34c
Each hold a different colored field viscous ink. For example, the reservoir 34a holds yellow field viscous ink, the reservoir 34b holds cyan field viscous ink, and the reservoir 34c holds magenta field viscous ink, and the field viscous ink in each reservoir is By the rotation of the application drum, the application is performed on the outer surface of the outer insulating layer 36 of the rotating photosensitive drum 22.

Opposite electrodes 38a, 38b and 38c for the inner transparent electrode layer 24 of the rotary photosensitive drum 22 are applied to the inner wall surfaces of the electric viscous ink applying drums 36a, 36b and 36c, respectively. A power supply 40 is provided between each of the opposed electrodes and the inner transparent electrode layer 24 of the rotating photosensitive drum 22.
A predetermined voltage is applied by a, 40b and 40c. Therefore, a local electric field is generated on the inner transparent electrode layer 26 during the rotation of the rotating photosensitive drum 22.

The optical electrostatic latent image forming means 42a, 42b and 42c
As in the case of the figure, it is obtained based on respective color image data obtained from an image reading device (not shown) including a photoelectric conversion element such as a CCD, or from a word processor or a microcomputer (not shown). An image or a character is electrostatically written on the intermediate photosensitive layer 26 by irradiating light based on color image data or a color character code, and an electrostatic latent image such as an image or a character is formed thereon. ing.

The operation of the color recording apparatus shown in FIG. 5 is substantially the same as that of FIG. 1, but it should be noted here that when a mixed color recording of at least two or more colors is performed, the developing step Although the electroviscous ink layers of each color are stacked in a semi-solid state as shown by reference numerals 52a, 52b and 52c, the recording paper is returned to a liquid state by the neutralization lamp 46 and mixed with each other in the transfer stage. It is a point that is penetrated by 48.

In the color recording apparatus of FIG. 5, the optical electrostatic latent image forming means is provided for each color of the electric viscous ink, but a single optical electrostatic latent image forming means is provided as in the case of FIG. It may be used to displace the electrostatic latent images of the respective colors so as to face the respective counter electrodes at the time of writing. Also,
Instead of incorporating a counter electrode in each of the three electric viscous ink applying means, a common single opposing electrode may be provided separately from the three electrode viscous ink applying means. In the color recording apparatus shown in FIG. 5, development is carried out using three primary color field viscous inks so that various mixed colors can be obtained. It is sufficient if a viscous ink is used.
When it is desired to express achromatic colors clearly, it is also possible to use black electric viscous ink in addition to the three primary color electric viscous inks.

〔The invention's effect〕

As is clear from the above description, in the recording apparatus according to the present invention, since it was possible to achieve the development with the electro-viscous ink on the electrostatic forming medium formed with the photoconductive substance having a reliable static elimination, In other words, since it is possible to fix the developing ink by penetrating the recording paper at the same time as the transfer of the developing ink to the recording paper, the use of a heat source which consumes a large amount of power as in the conventional case is eliminated. The economical advantage is obtained. Further, since a fixing mechanism such as a heat roller is not required, there is obtained an advantage that the entire recording apparatus according to the present invention can be made compact.
Further, a quick start that does not substantially require a warm-up time is also possible.

On the other hand, when the printing apparatus according to the present invention is configured as a color printing apparatus, at least two
When a mixed color is formed from two or more colors, the colors are mixed and fixed in a liquid state at the time of fixing, so that an advantage that a desired mixed color can be reproduced well is also obtained.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic view showing the basic configuration of a recording apparatus according to the present invention, FIGS. 2A to 2D are schematic explanatory views for explaining the recording operation of the recording apparatus of FIG. 1, and FIG. FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing another basic configuration of the recording apparatus according to the present invention, FIG. 4 is a schematic explanatory view for explaining the recording operation of the recording apparatus of FIG. 3A to FIG. 4D, and FIG. FIGS. 6A to 6C are schematic diagrams illustrating a recording operation of a conventional recording device using an electro-viscous ink, and FIGS. FIG. 2 is a schematic explanatory view illustrating the principle of performing color development in a conventional electrophotographic apparatus. 22 ... Rotating photosensitive drum, 24 ... Inner transparent electrode layer, 26 ... Intermediate photosensitive layer, 28 ... Outer insulating layer, 32 ... Electric viscous ink applying means, 34 ... Reservoir, 36 ... Electric viscous ink application Drum, 38: Counter electrode, 40: Power supply, 42: Optical electrostatic latent image forming means, 44: Platen, 46: Static elimination lamp, 48: Recording paper.

Claims (3)

(57) [Claims] A rotary photoconductor (22) comprising an inner transparent electrode layer (24), an intermediate photoconductive layer (26) formed of a photoconductive substance, and an outer insulating layer (28); A counter electrode (38) disposed outside the rotary photoconductor and close to the outer surface of the outer insulating layer to generate a local electric field with respect to the inner transparent electrode layer; An optical electrostatic latent image forming means (42) disposed inside the rotating photoreceptor so as to face the counter electrode to form a latent image;
An electric viscous ink applying means (32) for applying an electric viscous ink to the outer surface of the outer insulating layer, wherein the electric viscous ink is applied to the outer surface of the outer insulating layer only when the electric viscous ink is in a highly viscous state. The surface treatment is performed so as to be adhered to the electro-viscous ink, whereby the electro-viscous ink in a high viscous state is adhered only to the electrostatic latent image area on the outer surface of the outer insulating layer. The rotary photoreceptor for removing the electrostatic latent image of the intermediate photosensitive layer when transferring the highly viscous field viscous ink adhered to the electrostatic latent image area on the outer surface of the outer insulating layer onto recording paper. Light source (4
6) A recording device comprising: 2. The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein at least two or more electric viscous ink applying means (32a, 32b, 32c) for applying an electric viscous ink on the outer insulating layer of the rotary photoreceptor are provided. A recording apparatus, wherein said electric viscous ink applying means applies an electric viscous ink of a different color to the outer surface of said outer insulating layer. 3. An inner transparent electrode layer (24), an intermediate photosensitive layer (26) formed of a photoconductive material, and an outer insulating layer (28 ').
A rotating photoreceptor (22), which is arranged outside of the rotating photoreceptor and close to an outer surface of an outer insulating layer so as to generate a local electric field with respect to the inner transparent electrode layer. A counter electrode (38); and an optical electrostatic latent image forming means (42 ') disposed inside the rotating photoreceptor so as to face the counter electrode to form an electrostatic latent image on the intermediate photosensitive layer.
And an electro-viscous ink applying means (32) for applying an electro-viscous ink to the outer surface of the outer insulating layer, wherein when the electro-viscous ink is in a highly viscous state on the outer surface of the outer insulating layer, Even when it is under a low-viscosity state, a surface treatment is performed so as to be adherent to the electric viscous ink,
As a result, only the viscous ink adhered to the electrostatic latent image area on the outer surface of the outer insulating layer is placed in a high-viscosity state, and further adhered to areas other than the electrostatic latent image area on the outer surface of the outer insulating layer. A light source (46 ') for static elimination disposed inside the rotary photoreceptor for removing the electrostatic latent image of the intermediate photosensitive layer after transferring the applied low-viscosity field viscous ink to recording paper;
A recording device comprising: