JP2775780B2 - Printer head - Google Patents

Printer head

Info

Publication number
JP2775780B2
JP2775780B2 JP29412888A JP29412888A JP2775780B2 JP 2775780 B2 JP2775780 B2 JP 2775780B2 JP 29412888 A JP29412888 A JP 29412888A JP 29412888 A JP29412888 A JP 29412888A JP 2775780 B2 JP2775780 B2 JP 2775780B2
Authority
JP
Japan
Prior art keywords
waveguide
output
laser light
main
end side
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired - Lifetime
Application number
JP29412888A
Other languages
Japanese (ja)
Other versions
JPH02139261A (en
Inventor
泰明 額田
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
NEC Corp
Original Assignee
Nippon Electric Co Ltd
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Nippon Electric Co Ltd filed Critical Nippon Electric Co Ltd
Priority to JP29412888A priority Critical patent/JP2775780B2/en
Publication of JPH02139261A publication Critical patent/JPH02139261A/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of JP2775780B2 publication Critical patent/JP2775780B2/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

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Description

【発明の詳細な説明】 〔産業上の利用分野〕 本発明はプリンタヘッドの構造に関する。The present invention relates to a structure of a printer head.

〔従来の技術〕[Conventional technology]

従来、プリンタはインパクトプリンタ,熱転写プリン
タ,光プリンタなどがあるが、インパクトプリンタは印
字スピード,騒音などで劣っており、熱転写プリンタは
専用用紙が必要なことから、近年では光プリンタが多く
なってきている。
Conventionally, printers include impact printers, thermal transfer printers, optical printers, and the like. Impact printers are inferior in printing speed, noise, and the like, and thermal printers require special paper. I have.

光プリンタに用いる光プリンタ用ヘッドには液晶プリ
ンタヘッド,レーザプリンタヘッド及び発光ダイオード
プリンタヘッドの3方式がある。
There are three types of optical printer heads used in optical printers: a liquid crystal printer head, a laser printer head, and a light emitting diode printer head.

〔発明が解決しようとする課題〕[Problems to be solved by the invention]

上述した従来の光プリンタ用ヘッドのうち液晶プリン
タヘッドは小型で低コストであるが、印刷スピードが遅
いという欠点を有しており、レーザプリンタヘッドは高
速印刷が可能であるが、ポリゴンミラー等の機械的可動
部があるため、ヘッドが大きくなるばかりでなく、信頼
性,コスト面に欠点がある。
Among the above-mentioned conventional optical printer heads, the liquid crystal printer head is small and low-cost, but has the disadvantage that the printing speed is slow, and the laser printer head can perform high-speed printing. Since there are mechanically movable parts, not only the head becomes large, but also reliability and cost are disadvantageous.

一方、発光ダイオードプリンタヘッドは上記のような
問題はないが、現状では発光ダイオードアレイの光量の
バラツキが大きく、また欠陥がある部分では発光しない
など製造上の問題がある。
On the other hand, the light emitting diode printer head does not have the above-mentioned problem, but at present, there is a problem in manufacturing such that the light amount of the light emitting diode array greatly varies, and no light is emitted in a defective portion.

本発明の目的は前記課題を解決したプリンタヘッドを
提供することにある。
An object of the present invention is to provide a printer head that solves the above-mentioned problems.

〔発明の従来技術に対する相違点〕[Differences of the Invention from the Prior Art]

上述した従来の光プリンタ用ヘッドに対し、本発明は
電子式光スイッチを用いてプリンタヘッドを構成したと
いう相違点を有する。
The present invention is different from the above-described conventional optical printer head in that the printer head is configured using an electronic optical switch.

〔課題を解決するための手段〕[Means for solving the problem]

前記目的を達成するため、本発明に係るプリンタヘッ
ドは、第1の発光部から発せられるレーザ光を一端側か
ら受け入れ第2の発光部から発せられるレーザ光を他端
側から受け入れる主導波路と、 該主導波路に隣接して一定ピッチで複数設けられ、基
板の一主面に第1の端面を有し前記一端側のレーザ光を
前記第1の端面から外部の所定の出力箇所に伝搬する一
方向の出力用導波路と、 前記主導波路に隣接して前記一定ピッチで複数設けら
れ、前記基板の前記一主面に第2の端面を有し前記他端
側のレーザー光を前記第2の端面から外部の前記所定の
出力箇所と同一の出力箇所に伝搬する他方向の出力用導
波路と、 前記主導波路と前記一方向の出力用導波路及び前記他
方向の出力用導波路との間に前記一定ピッチで複数設け
られ、印字データに基づいて前記主導波路のレーザ光を
前記一方向の出力用導波路及び前記他方向の出力用導波
路とに伝搬する薄膜光導波路形光スイッチとを有するも
のである。
In order to achieve the above object, a printer head according to the present invention has a main waveguide that receives laser light emitted from a first light emitting unit from one end side and receives laser light emitted from a second light emitting unit from the other end side, A plurality of laser beams are provided adjacent to the main waveguide at a constant pitch, have a first end surface on one main surface of the substrate, and transmit the laser light on the one end side from the first end surface to a predetermined external output point. A plurality of output waveguides in the same direction, the plurality of waveguides being provided adjacent to the main waveguide at the constant pitch, the second main surface of the substrate having a second end face, and the laser light of the other end side being the second end. An output waveguide in the other direction propagating from the end face to the same output location as the predetermined output location outside, between the main waveguide, the output waveguide in the one direction, and the output waveguide in the other direction. Are provided at a constant pitch, Those having a thin film optical waveguide type optical switch for propagating a laser beam of the main waveguide and the output waveguide of the output waveguide and the other direction of the one direction based on.

〔実施例〕〔Example〕

以下、本発明の実施例を図により説明する。 Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

(実施例1) 第1図は本発明の実施例1を示す構成図である。(First Embodiment) FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram showing a first embodiment of the present invention.

図において、本発明はレーザ光を発光する半導体レー
ザ1と、半導体レーザ1から発せられるレーザ光の光路
中に設置した光スイッチ3と、半導体レーザ1からのレ
ーザ光を光スイッチ3に導入するレンズ2とを装備して
いる。
In the drawings, the present invention provides a semiconductor laser 1 that emits laser light, an optical switch 3 installed in the optical path of the laser light emitted from the semiconductor laser 1, and a lens that introduces the laser light from the semiconductor laser 1 into the optical switch 3. It is equipped with 2.

前記レーザ光のスイッチング作用を行う光スイッチ3
はレンズ2からのレーザ光を受け入れる主導波路4と、
主導波路4に隣接させて一定ピッチで設けた出力用導波
路5と、印字データに基づく電圧の印加により主導波路
4のレーザ光を出力用導波路5に分岐出力させる電極6
とを含み、例えばLiNbO3基板上に薄膜光導波路形光スイ
ッチとして構成される。前記出力用導波路5は基板の一
主面に直角に向けて形成されており、一方前記主導波路
4は基板内を水平方向に沿って形成されている。
Optical switch 3 for performing a switching operation of the laser light
Is a main waveguide 4 for receiving laser light from the lens 2,
An output waveguide 5 provided adjacent to the main waveguide 4 at a constant pitch, and an electrode 6 for branching and outputting the laser light of the main waveguide 4 to the output waveguide 5 by applying a voltage based on print data.
And configured as a thin-film optical waveguide optical switch on a LiNbO 3 substrate, for example. The output waveguide 5 is formed at right angles to one main surface of the substrate, while the main waveguide 4 is formed in the substrate along the horizontal direction.

実施例において、半導体レーザ1からのレーザ光はレ
ンズ2を通って光スイッチ3に入力される。入力された
レーザ光は主導波路4を伝搬していくが、電極6に印字
データに基づく電圧を印加することにより、レーザ光は
出力用導波路5を伝搬し、その端面から外部に出力さ
れ、このレーザ光を受けて印字が行われる。
In the embodiment, laser light from the semiconductor laser 1 is input to the optical switch 3 through the lens 2. The input laser light propagates through the main waveguide 4, but by applying a voltage based on the print data to the electrode 6, the laser light propagates through the output waveguide 5 and is output from the end face to the outside. Printing is performed by receiving this laser beam.

(実施例2) 第2図は本発明の実施例2を示す構成図である。Embodiment 2 FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram showing Embodiment 2 of the present invention.

図において、1a,1bは半導体レーザ、2a,2bはレンズ、
3は光スイッチ、4a,4bは主導波路、5は出力用導波
路、6は電極を示す。
In the figure, 1a and 1b are semiconductor lasers, 2a and 2b are lenses,
Reference numeral 3 denotes an optical switch, 4a and 4b denote main waveguides, 5 denotes an output waveguide, and 6 denotes an electrode.

本発明において基本動作は実施例1と同様であるが、
本実施例では同一出力箇所に左右両方向からレーザ光を
伝搬させることができるので、たとえ一方向の出力用導
波路に不具合が生じてももう一方の出力用導波路を使用
することで歩留りの向上を図ることができるという利点
がある。
In the present invention, the basic operation is the same as in the first embodiment,
In this embodiment, laser light can be propagated to the same output location from both the left and right directions. Therefore, even if a failure occurs in the output waveguide in one direction, the yield can be improved by using the other output waveguide. There is an advantage that can be achieved.

〔発明の効果〕〔The invention's effect〕

以上説明したように本発明は光導波路形光スイッチを
用いることにより、小型で超高速で、しかもパターン構
成により冗長性を持たせられるため、製造歩留りの良い
光プリンタ用ヘッドを提供できる効果がある。
As described above, according to the present invention, by using the optical waveguide type optical switch, it is possible to provide an optical printer head with high manufacturing yield because it is small, ultra-high-speed, and has redundancy due to the pattern configuration. .

【図面の簡単な説明】[Brief description of the drawings]

第1図は本発明の実施例1を示す構成図、第2図は本発
明の実施例2を示す構成図である。 1,1a,1b……半導体レーザ、2,2a,2b……レンズ 3……光スイッチ、4,4a,4b……主導波路 5……出力用導波路、6……電極
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a second embodiment of the present invention. 1, 1a, 1b ... semiconductor laser, 2, 2a, 2b ... lens 3 ... optical switch, 4, 4a, 4b ... main waveguide 5 ... output waveguide, 6 ... electrode

───────────────────────────────────────────────────── フロントページの続き (58)調査した分野(Int.Cl.6,DB名) B41J 2/447──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (58) Field surveyed (Int.Cl. 6 , DB name) B41J 2/447

Claims (1)

(57)【特許請求の範囲】(57) [Claims] 【請求項1】第1の発光部から発せられるレーザ光を一
端側から受け入れ第2の発光部から発せられるレーザ光
を他端側から受け入れる主導波路と、 該主導波路に隣接して一定ピッチで複数設けられ、基板
の一主面に第1の端面を有し前記一端側のレーザー光を
前記第1の端面から外部の所定の出力箇所に伝搬する一
方向の出力用導波路と、 前記主導波路に隣接して前記一定ピッチで複数設けら
れ、前記基板の前記一主面に第2の端面を有し前記他端
側のレーザー光を前記第2の端面から外部の前記所定の
出力箇所と同一の出力箇所に伝搬する他方向の出力用導
波路と、 前記主導波路と前記一方向の出力用導波路及び前記他方
向の出力用導波路との間に前記一定ピッチで複数設けら
れ、印字データに基づいて前記主導波路のレーザ光を前
記一方向の出力用導波路及び前記他方向の出力用導波路
とに伝搬する薄膜光導波路形光スイッチとを有するもの
であることを特徴とするプリンタヘッド。
1. A main waveguide for receiving laser light emitted from a first light emitting portion from one end side and receiving laser light emitted from a second light emitting portion from the other end side, at a constant pitch adjacent to the main waveguide. A plurality of one-way output waveguides having a first end surface on one main surface of the substrate and transmitting the laser light on one end side from the first end surface to a predetermined external output location; A plurality of the laser beams are provided adjacent to the wave path at the constant pitch and have a second end surface on the one main surface of the substrate, and the laser light on the other end side is externally provided from the second end surface at the predetermined output point. An output waveguide in the other direction that propagates to the same output location, and a plurality of the waveguides are provided at the fixed pitch between the main waveguide, the output waveguide in the one direction, and the output waveguide in the other direction, and printed. The laser light of the main waveguide based on the data Printer head, wherein those having a thin film optical waveguide type optical switch which propagates in the direction of the output waveguide and the output waveguide of the other direction.
JP29412888A 1988-11-21 1988-11-21 Printer head Expired - Lifetime JP2775780B2 (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
JP29412888A JP2775780B2 (en) 1988-11-21 1988-11-21 Printer head

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
JP29412888A JP2775780B2 (en) 1988-11-21 1988-11-21 Printer head

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
JPH02139261A JPH02139261A (en) 1990-05-29
JP2775780B2 true JP2775780B2 (en) 1998-07-16

Family

ID=17803661

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
JP29412888A Expired - Lifetime JP2775780B2 (en) 1988-11-21 1988-11-21 Printer head

Country Status (1)

Country Link
JP (1) JP2775780B2 (en)

Family Cites Families (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JPS546536A (en) * 1977-06-16 1979-01-18 Canon Inc Recorder
JPS6022330B2 (en) * 1977-06-17 1985-06-01 キヤノン株式会社 Recording device using multiple semiconductor lasers
JPS56151913A (en) * 1980-04-26 1981-11-25 Canon Inc Wide-angle deflecting device
JPS61182369A (en) * 1985-02-07 1986-08-15 Seiko Epson Corp Printer
JP2629170B2 (en) * 1985-06-08 1997-07-09 ブラザー工業株式会社 Laser printer
JPS62289809A (en) * 1986-06-10 1987-12-16 Brother Ind Ltd Picture recorder

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
JPH02139261A (en) 1990-05-29

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