JP3006644B2 - Image recording device - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image recording apparatus using a wet electronic method.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In this type of image recording apparatus, generally, a recording paper corresponding to the size of a recording image is loaded on a cylindrical rotating drum, and charged over the entire width of the recording paper by a charger.
A beam corresponding to an image signal from a light source such as a semiconductor laser is scanned over the image area of the recording paper to obtain a charge latent image on the recording paper.
The toner is adhered by a developing device, and then excess toner is removed by a removing means.

There is also a configuration in which a pre-bath means is provided in a process before development to eliminate unevenness in density and to improve the finish of development.

When a recording sheet on which an image is formed by the above-described method is used as a printing plate, the size of the printing plate is generally considerably larger than the actual image area. When an image is formed on a recording paper having a considerably larger area than the image area to be formed, the non-image area is also exposed in advance to erase the charged electric charges, and the non-image area is developed. (See Japanese Patent Publication No. 15874/1990).

[0005]

However, the construction in which the non-image area is exposed before development is particularly difficult for the exposure laser.
The scanning unit is equal to the recording width, or requires an optical system with a scanning width wider than that, or because a separate discharge device is required, the device becomes larger, and the unit cost increases. There was a problem. Also, in any of the above-described apparatuses, an image portion (register marks for registration arranged outside the image or character, a color chart for color adjustment, a gray scale for density adjustment, a resolution (Including a recording area for various management data such as a check resorchart).
There was also a problem that it became expensive.

[0006]

The object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus having the following constitutions 1) to 5) as means for eliminating the above problems. That is, 1) at least a charging unit for charging the recording paper for electrophotography loaded on the rotating drum, and a charge image for forming an image on the charged recording paper for electrophotography. Exposure means, pre-bath treatment means for causing the electrophotographic recording paper to perform a pre-bath solution treatment, and development means for supplying a developer to the charge image serving as the image to perform development. In an image recording apparatus provided to obtain a recorded image, an exposure width capable of removing charge is charged by charging means having a charging width narrower than that of the electrophotographic recording paper, using an exposure means narrower than the width of the electrophotographic recording paper. An image recording apparatus for forming a charge image on the recording paper for electrophotography.

2) At least a charging means for charging the recording paper for electrophotography loaded on the rotating drum, and forming a charge image as an image on the charged recording paper for electrophotography. An exposure means for performing, a prebath processing means for performing a prebath liquid treatment on the electrophotographic recording paper, and a developing means for performing development by supplying a developer to the charge image serving as the image. In an image recording apparatus that obtains a recorded image, the exposure width that can be charged is removed using an exposure unit that is narrower than the width of the electrophotographic recording paper, and the electrophotographic recording paper charged by the charging unit is used. An image recording apparatus which records a charge image and develops the charge image by a developing unit having a developing width smaller than a smaller one of the charging width of the charger and the exposure width.

3) At least a charging means for charging the recording paper for electrophotography loaded on the rotating drum, and a charge image to be an image formed on the charged recording paper for electrophotography. An exposure means for performing, a prebath processing means for performing a prebath liquid treatment on the electrophotographic recording paper, and a developing means for performing development by supplying a developer to the charge image serving as the image. In the image recording apparatus for obtaining a recorded image, the exposure width capable of being charged is removed by using an exposure unit having a width smaller than the width of the electrophotographic recording paper, and charged by a charging unit having a charging width smaller than the exposure width. An image recording apparatus, comprising: forming a charge image on the electrophotographic recording paper; and developing the charge image with a developing unit having a developing width narrower than the exposure width and wider than the charging width.

4) At least a charging means for charging the recording paper for electrophotography loaded on the rotating drum, and forming a charge image as an image on the charged recording paper for electrophotography. An exposure means for performing, a prebath processing means for performing a prebath liquid treatment on the electrophotographic recording paper, and a developing means for performing development by supplying a developer to the charge image serving as the image. In the image recording apparatus for obtaining a recorded image, the exposure width capable of being charged is removed by using an exposure unit having a width smaller than the width of the electrophotographic recording paper, and charged by a charging unit having a charging width smaller than the exposure width. An image recording apparatus, wherein a charge image is formed on the electrophotographic recording paper, and the charge image is developed by a developing unit having a developing width wider than the exposure width and narrower than the electrophotographic recording paper.

5) At least a charging means for charging the recording paper for electrophotography loaded on the rotating drum, and forming a charge image as an image on the charged recording paper for electrophotography. An exposure means for performing, a prebath processing means for performing a prebath liquid treatment on the electrophotographic recording paper, and a developing means for performing development by supplying a developer to the charge image serving as the image. In the image recording apparatus which obtains a recorded image by comprising, on the subsequent step side of the development processing, a blower is provided, and the excess developer of the developer attached to the electrophotographic recording paper is blown by the blower from the blower. An image recording apparatus, further comprising a surplus agent removing means for removing the air, wherein the air is blown in the inner width direction of the recording paper for electrophotography.

[0011]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The specific contents of the image recording apparatus of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. FIG. 1 is a side view showing a schematic configuration of an image recording apparatus of the present invention (a part is a cross-sectional view).
2 is an enlarged partial view of FIG. 1. In these figures, reference numerals 1 and 2 denote side plates of the body of the image recording apparatus, and a roll-shaped recording device for electrophotography is provided above the side plate 1 of the body. Two bearing plates 3 for rotatably supporting one end of a rotating shaft 4 of paper (hereinafter simply referred to as recording paper) 5 are fixedly attached (in the figure, the rotating shaft 4 The bearing plate for supporting the other end is not shown). The above-mentioned roll-shaped recording paper 5 is
A recording paper, a zinc oxide paper, or an OPC (organic photoreceptor) recording paper comprising a photosensitive layer formed by dispersing photoconductive titanium dioxide in an insulating resin binder on a conductive support; , Which are shielded from light by a covering member 6 as shown in phantom in the figure.

The control device 11 controls operating conditions in the subsequent steps, for example, the length of the recording paper, the charging potential, the amount of developer supply,
Initial settings of the bias potential and other necessary conditions are performed. When an operator inputs a command to start image recording to an input unit (not shown) in order to start image recording by the image recording apparatus, the operator is pulled out and passes between the guide plates 7 and 8 to supply rollers 9 and 10. The recording paper 5 sandwiched between
It is sent to the rotating drum 13 by the supply rollers 9 and 10 whose rotation is controlled under the control of the control device 11. That is, one of the supply rollers 9, 10 is a drive roller, and the other supply roller 10 is a passive roller, and the passive roller 10 is in the direction of arrow A in the figure. It is supported so that it can move,
The supply roller 9 rotates when power is transmitted from a drive motor whose operation timing is controlled by the control device 11, and the recording paper 5 pinched between the supply roller 9 and the supply roller 10 is deactivated. It is transferred to the rotating drum 13 through the cutting device 12 in the state. The supply roller 9 described above,
10 and its drive motor are integrally configured as a single block component, and the block component can be easily pulled out from the apparatus to the near side. Further, as the cutting device 12, a known device having a rotary blade and a fixed receiving blade can be used. The cutting device 12 performs a cutting operation of the recording paper 5 as described later when power is transmitted from a driving motor whose operation timing is controlled by the control device 11. The cutting device 12 is also blocked, and can be easily pulled out from the inside of the device toward the front.

When the supply of the recording paper 5 is started by the supply rollers 9 and 10 as described above, the starting end position regulating member 14 provided above the rotary drum 13 is driven by the cam which operates under the control of the control device. Due to this (not shown), the leading end of the rotating drum 13 shows the reference rotation phase in this state and descends to the surface of the rotating drum 13 which is stopped. When the leading end of the recording paper 5 advancing by the rotation of the supply rollers 9 and 10 comes into contact with the start end position regulating member 14, a signal generated by a sensor (not shown) is output to the control device 11. And the pressing roller 1
5 moves downward as indicated by an arrow B by the operation of a cam (not shown), and the vicinity of the leading end of the recording paper 5 is pressed against the rotating drum 13. On the surface of the rotary drum 13 at a portion covered by the vicinity of the leading end of the recording paper 5, shallow grooves are provided in the generatrix direction of the rotary drum 13, and a large number of through holes 16 are provided in the grooves. Is provided so as to communicate with a suction port 17 of a suction device provided in the internal space of the rotary drum 13, and the suction port 17 passes through a pipe 18 and the inside of a hollow rotary shaft 19 of the rotary drum 13. It is connected to a vacuum pump (not shown).

When the leading end of the recording paper 5 comes into contact with the above-mentioned starting end position regulating member 14, the control unit 11 controls the vacuum pump at a predetermined timing based on a signal generated from a sensor (not shown). The suction operation is started so that the leading portion of the recording paper 5 is brought into close contact with the peripheral surface of the rotating drum 13. The timing at which the leading portion of the recording paper 5 is brought into close contact with the peripheral surface of the rotary drum 13 by the suction operation performed from the suction port 17 of the suction device through the large number of through holes 16 is determined by This is performed after the pressing roller 15 contacts the start end position regulating member 14 and presses the recording paper 5 against the peripheral surface of the rotating drum 13.

As described above, when the leading end position of the leading end of the recording paper 5 is regulated by the starting end position regulating member 14, the leading end of the recording paper 5 is moved to the suction port 17 of the suction device.
Through a large number of through holes 16 through
Immediately after the rotating drum 13 is brought into close contact with the peripheral surface of the rotating drum 13, after the start position regulating member 14 moves up as shown by the arrow C under the control of the controller 11, the rotating drum 13 is controlled by the controller 11. The rotation starts in the direction of arrow R in the figure below, and the winding operation in a state where the recording paper 5 is in close contact with the outer periphery of the rotating drum 13 is started. That is, the leading end of the recording paper 5 is brought into close contact with the surface of the rotating drum 13 by the suction operation as described above, and is pressed by the pressing roller 15 against the surface of the rotating drum 13. Therefore, as the rotating drum 13 rotates, the rotating drum 1
3 is wound on the surface of the rotating drum 13
The recording paper 5 wound around the surface of the rotating drum 13 can be brought into a state of being in close contact with the surface of the rotating drum 13. Note that the starting end position regulating member 14, the pressing roller 15, and the elevating mechanism thereof are blocked, and can be pulled out from the inside of the apparatus.

The recording paper 5 to be wound on the rotary drum 13 as described above is cut to a length necessary for image recording by the cutting operation of the cutting device 12 operated under the control of the control device 11 described above. Then, the rear end of the recording paper 5 is brought into close contact with the peripheral surface of the rotating drum 13 by a suction operation performed from the suction port 20 of the suction device through many through holes 21. That is, in the outer circumferential direction on the surface of the rotary drum 13 in the area to be covered by the vicinity of the rear end of the recording paper 5,
Corresponding to the various sizes of the plurality of types of recording paper 5 to be used, shallow grooves in the generatrix direction of the rotary drum 13 are provided at positions near the respective rear ends of the recording papers 5 of the respective sizes. A plurality of through holes 21 are provided in the groove so as to communicate with a suction port 20 of a suction device provided in the internal space of the rotating drum 13. Is the movable tube 22 and the rotating drum 13
The inside of the hollow rotary shaft 19 is evacuated by a vacuum pump (not shown), so that the rear end of the recording paper 5 passes through a large number of through holes 21 from the suction port 20 of the suction device. Depending on the intake operation performed,
This is brought into close contact with the peripheral surface of the rotating drum 13. In the drawing, reference numeral 23 denotes a number of through holes in a shallow groove in the generatrix direction of the rotary drum 13 existing near the rear end of the recording paper 5 determined according to the size of the recording paper 5 to be used. At the corresponding position, the suction port 2 provided at the tip of the movable tube 22
This is a mechanism for moving 0.

As described above, when the rotating drum 13 keeps rotating with the recording paper 5 of a predetermined size adhered to the outer peripheral surface, the recording paper 5 wound around the rotating drum 13 is rotated. , Uniform charging is performed by the chargers 24 and 25. That is, the timing of the operation of the chargers 24 and 25 is determined by the control device 11. For example, the chargers 24 and 25 such as a corotron or a scorotron operate at the second rotation of the rotating drum 13. Discharge is started, and uniform charge is applied to the recording paper 5 from the leading end of the recording paper 5 wound closely on the rotating drum 13.
Given to. In this case, in the conventional charger, charging is performed over the entire width in the horizontal width direction (the depth direction in FIG. 1) regardless of the type of the size of the recording paper 5,
In the present embodiment, even if the exposure width described later is the maximum exposure width, since the area inside the entire width of the recording paper 5 is exposed, the width of the chargers 24 and 25 is set to the width of the recording paper. 5 is narrower. And these chargers 2
4, 25, not shown corona wire cleaner,
The driving source and the like are blocked, and are configured to be able to be pulled out from the inside of the apparatus to the near side.

Reference numeral 26 denotes a motor, and reference numeral 27 denotes a rotary mirror wheel. The rotary mirror wheel 27 is rotated by the motor 26 at a predetermined rotational speed in the direction of arrow D in FIG. (Light source) The laser light emitted from the light source 28 is deflected and scanned in a predetermined direction. The semiconductor laser 28 emits a laser beam intensity-modulated by predetermined exposure data including halftone image digital data to be recorded, and the laser beam is emitted from a lens 29, reflecting mirrors 30, 31, and the like. The above-mentioned uniformly charged recording paper 5 is radiated to a predetermined range through an optical system, and the recording paper 5 is irradiated with predetermined exposure data including halftone image digital data to be recorded.
Is exposed, and a charge image corresponding to the image information to be recorded is formed on the photoconductor of the recording paper 5.

The control of the scanning range for exposing the recording paper 5 will be further described with reference to FIG. FIG. 3 is a schematic partial perspective view partially showing only an optical path system from the reflecting mirror 30 to the rotating drum 13. In FIG.
The laser light scanned from 7 is transmitted to a lens 29 and a reflecting mirror 30.
Is incident on the reflecting mirror 31 via. The laser beam from the reflecting mirror 31 is applied to the rotating drum 13 from here, but the scanning is started from a position outside the rotating drum 13 at the start of scanning. Then, the scanning further proceeds to scan in the direction of the rotating drum 13, and a photo sensor 31 a is provided at a position in front of the rotating drum 13, and irradiation position information is supplied from the photo sensor 31 a to a control circuit (not shown). Here, after a predetermined scanning period based on the information, a control signal for starting and ending data output is supplied to a drive circuit (not shown) to drive the semiconductor laser (light source) 28. Like that. In this manner, the scanning width for one line, that is, the exposure width is determined.

The exposure width may be determined by any of the methods shown in FIGS. 4A to 4D, which will be described below. In FIG. 4A, the recording paper 5 is connected to the charger 2 described above.
4, 25, which is narrower than the recording paper 5 and a developing unit 52 to be described later.
Are charged to the width of the charged portion a which is slightly wider than the developing width of the developing portion c by .about.56. In this exposure process, the light is further exposed to the width of the exposed portion c which is slightly wider than the width of the charged portion a. Note that the exposure portion c described in this specification refers to an exposure region where charge can be removed. In the mode shown in FIG. 4B, the width of the charging section a is smaller than that of the recording paper 5 and the charging section a is charged with a width slightly larger than the developing width of the developing section c. Is an exposure part c. In the mode shown in FIG. 4C, the width of the charging section a is smaller than the width of the recording paper 5 and the developing section c, and the width wider than the width of the developing section c is the exposure section c. FIG.
In the mode shown in (D), the width of the charging section a is smaller than the width of the recording paper 5 and the developing section c, and the intermediate width between the charging section a and the developing section c is the exposure section c. As described above, at least the exposure unit b and the charging unit a are made narrower than the recording paper.
The scanning angle of the laser beam can be narrowed, the light diameter of the lens 29 used in the optical path system of the laser beam, the reflecting mirrors 30 and 31
Can be reduced in size as compared with the conventional apparatus, and the optical path can be shortened. Similarly, the chargers 24 and 25 can be reduced in size and cost.

The exposure area of the exposure section c in the direction of travel of the recording paper 5 is, for example, shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B by the method of the exposure mode shown in FIG. May be started from the front end of the recording paper 5 and ended at a position short of the end of the recording paper 5, and as shown in FIG. For the first time, the recording paper 5 may end at a position past the end position. For controlling the start position and the end position in this case, a pulse motor (not shown) for generating a pulse in synchronization with the rotation of the rotary drum 13 is provided, and this pulse information is supplied to the control device. The exposure timing is converted into the number of pulses in advance, and the exposure is started by the semiconductor laser 28 through a driver (not shown) at the time when the predetermined number of pulses is counted by a counter (not shown). And 32 provided downstream from this,
This is a surface voltmeter for measuring the surface potential of the recording paper 5, and the measured value of the surface potential by the surface voltmeter 32 is supplied to the control device 11 and used for setting the operating conditions of the image recording device. .

A component for performing a pre-bath treatment is provided between a portion where the recording paper 5 is exposed by the laser beam and a portion immediately below the rotary drum 13. Next, this component will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 6 is a partial plan view of the components (roller 38, tank 34, etc.) for performing the pre-bath as viewed from the upper surface of the rotary drum 13, FIG. 7 is a schematic left side view of FIG. 6, and FIG. 9 is a partially enlarged view of the right side in the direction of arrow A in FIG.
FIG. 10 is a sectional view taken along line XX ′ of FIG. 8.

In these figures, the pre-bath liquid is contained in a container 35 fixed to a bottom plate 47 of the machine body, and is supplied to a supply pipe 36a through a pipe 36. The pre-solution is a liquid having a high insulating property, which is compatible with an electrically insulating liquid used in a wet developer for electrophotography (hereinafter, referred to as a unit in a unit). , 36a-n formed at predetermined intervals in the supply pipe 36a, and poured into an outer peripheral surface of a roller 38 disposed diagonally below. -La 38
The pre-bath solution is applied to the recording paper 5 via the roller 38 when is contacting the rotating drum 13. The width pre-bathed by the roller 38 is set slightly wider than the development width described later. This is because if the pre-bath width is narrower than the development width,
The development is performed over the portion where the pre-bath solution is applied and the portion where the pre-bath solution is not applied, so that the developer may not be able to be removed cleanly from the outside where the pre-bath solution is applied. It is a configuration devised for the purpose.

The outer surface of the roller 38 has a recording paper 5
It is made of a material that has elasticity so as to be evenly and evenly applied, has a large number of holes, and has an appropriate water absorption. The length of the roller 38 is the same as that of the hole 36a-1,
36a-n are formed slightly longer than the width in which 36a-n is provided. The roller 38 is rotatably held by levers 71a and 71b on both sides by a support shaft 73.
The springs 71a and 71b are urged in a direction pressed by the rotating drum 13 by a spring 74a stretched between the pins 75a and 76a and a spring 74b stretched between the pins 75b and 76b. In contrast, the eccentric roller 158 is pivotally moved to a position separated from the rotary drum 13 by an eccentric roller 158 supported by a support shaft 157. These levers 71a and 71b are provided on support plates 34a and 34b of the tank 34 so as to be rotatable about a support shaft 72.

The movement of the roller 38 to the rotary drum 13 is performed by a driving motor 155 (see FIG. 9).
FIGS. 7 and 9 are views showing the state in which the roller 38 contacts the rotating drum 13. For example, the motor 155 rotates in a predetermined direction at a timing designated by the control device 11, and the driving force is reduced. The transmission is transmitted to the eccentric roller 158 mounted on the support shaft 157 via the gear box 156, and based on this, the roller 158 presses the roller 38 from the pressing position indicated by the two-dot chain line with the roller 159. It is rotated in the direction of the arrow that is released. As a result, the rollers 38 move the springs 74.
Due to the action of a and 74b, it is moved to the position in contact with the rotating drum 13 shown in FIGS. The eccentric roller 1
When the lever 58 is rotated to the position where the contact piece 160a of the limit switch 160 is pressed, the motor 155 is stopped. Similarly, reference numeral 161 denotes a limit switch. When the roller 159 is moved in a direction away from the rotary drum 13 by the eccentric roller 158 and the contact piece 161a is pressed, the motor 159 is closed.
This is provided to stop the operation of the data 155.

When the roller 38 is pressed against the rotating drum 13, the operator inputs the length information of the recording paper 5 in advance when setting the operation mode, and the control device 11 determines the pressing timing according to the information. Supplied. On the other hand, the rotating drum 1
The pulse motor 3 is provided with a pulse motor (not shown) that generates a pulse in synchronization with the rotation of the rotary drum 13, and this pulse information is also supplied to the control device 11. In this control device 11, the start timing of the pressing of the roller 38 onto the rotating drum 13 is converted into the number of pulses in advance, and when the predetermined number of pulses is counted by a counter (not shown), a driving signal to the motor 155 is provided. To press the roller 38 against the rotating drum 13. The pressing time is converted into a pulse number corresponding to the length information of the recording paper 5 in the control device 11 based on the length information of the recording paper 5. The driving signal is supplied to the roller 38 to move the roller 38 away from the rotating drum 13. The rotating drum 13 of the roller 38
The timing for pressing the recording paper 5 is performed when the leading end of the recording paper 5 slightly passes through the roller 38, and the end timing is performed at a position slightly before passing the roller 38.

As a result, the pre-bath liquid supplied to the roller 38 is wetted only on the recording paper 5 without being applied to an extra portion, and the surplus pre-bath liquid is dropped into the tank 34. Then, the dropped pre-bath is passed through the pipe 37 to the bottom plate 4 of the body.
7 is collected in a container 35 fixed to. In this container 35, an electrodeposition plate is put in the pre-bath liquid to attract the mixed extra toner 35b, so that the turbid pre-bath liquid can always be supplied from the pipe 78 to the pipe 36a. Like that. When the pre-bath solution is applied to the recording paper 5 and there is a concern that bubbles may be generated due to a small amount of application, for example, stoppers 77a for locking the reservoirs 71a and 71b may be used. 77b may be provided so that the roller 38 has a gap of, for example, several + micron with respect to the surface of the recording paper 5, and a thick (many) pre-bath solution may be applied through the gap. . Therefore, according to the pre-bath treatment having such a configuration, the pre-bath liquid is dropped onto the roller 38 once, and then the pre-bath liquid is applied to the recording paper 5 by the roller 38. Thus, the coating thickness can be made uniform and a constant amount of liquid can be supplied to the recording paper 5 at all times.

Then, the recording paper 5 subjected to the pre-bath treatment is
Next, it is developed by a developing unit. FIG.
11A is a schematic top partial view showing the relationship between the upper surface of FIG. 10A and the rotating drum 13, and FIG.
FIG. 3 is a schematic partial cross-sectional view showing the relationship with 0, and will be described with reference to these drawings. In these figures, the developing device 5
The developing unit 56 is selectively used from among 2 to 56 and is moved to a position immediately below the rotating drum 13. These developing devices 52
Each of the developing devices 56 to 56 has the same configuration. When the developing device 56 is described, a developing electrode 56a is mounted on a spring 56c in a receiving plate 56b. The developing electrode 56a is formed with a through hole 56d, and the tip end (through hole) 56e of the developing electrode 56a is slightly spaced from the surface of the recording paper 5 wound around the rotary drum 13. Face to face. These developing devices 52 to 56 are configured to be selectively moved below the rotating drum 13 by a configuration described later, and the upper end position thereof is regulated by a locking member 56f provided on a receiving plate 56b.
The shoulder of the developing electrode 56a is locked to the rotating drum 13 at the tip end (hole) 56e of the developing electrode 56a.
It is configured such that the interval with respect to the recording paper 5 wound thereon is kept constant.

At the time of development, the developer is supplied from a developer container 46 disposed on the bottom plate 47 of the machine body to a tube 85.
Is supplied to the inside of the through hole 56d, and the developer flows out or blows out from the through hole 56e, and the developer is supplied to the surface of the recording paper 5 wound around the rotating drum 13. The toner corresponding to the charge amount of the charge image on the recording paper 5 is attached to the surface of the recording paper 5 to develop the charge image. The developing method in this case is described in FIG.
Any of the methods shown in (A) to (D) may be used,
There are the following features according to the correspondence. FIG.
4A and 4B, the chargers 24,
25 and price reduction, and developing devices 52 to 56
It is possible to reduce the size and cost of the device. In the case of the mode shown in FIG. 4C, the developing width of the developing devices 52 to 56 can be made relatively small, and the development at both ends of the image is stabilized. In the case of the mode shown in FIG. 4D, the sizes of the developing devices 52 to 56 have a degree of freedom, which makes it easy to control the supply width of the developer and stabilizes the development at both ends of the image.

Since the surface of the developing electrode 56a has an inclination corresponding to the inclination of the surface of the recording paper 5 wound in close contact with the rotary drum 13, the through hole 56
The developer that has flowed out or spouted out of the developing electrode 56
a in the state where the gap between the surface of the recording paper 5 and the surface of the recording paper 5 is filled,
Collected inside. The developer collected in the receiving plate 56b is collected in a developer container 46 by a tube 90.

In FIG. 1, the developer containers 42 to 46 arranged on the bottom plate 47 of the machine body are respectively composed of different types of developers (colorant, binder, etc. in an electrically insulating liquid). For example, a developer container 42 contains a lipophilic material used for obtaining a recorded recording paper used as a printing plate (lithographic plate). Are stored in the developer containers 43 to 46. The developer for each color (yellow, magenta, cyan, black) used for obtaining the recorded recording paper for calibration is individually stored in the developer containers 43 to 46. . From the developer containers 42 to 46 that individually store the different types of developers that are individually provided as described above, the developing devices 52 to 56 that are individually provided, Different developers are supplied to the individual developing units 56 via the individual tubes 81 to 85, respectively, and the individual tubes 86 to 85 are supplied from the developing units 52 to 56, respectively.
Excess developer is returned to the individual developer containers 42 to 46 via the above-described container 90 to be collected.

As described above, one of the developing units 52 to 56 is one of the developing units 52 to 56 that is positioned just below the rotating drum 13 in the vicinity of the portion immediately below the rotating drum 13. The developing electrodes are arranged so that all or most of the developing electrodes are positioned closer to the upstream side of the rotation of the drum than in the image recording apparatus shown in FIG. Is placed on two transfer belts (for example, chains, belts, etc.) stretched in parallel at a predetermined interval, and the above-described transfer belts are moved in the direction of arrow E in the figure. With the lifting device provided between the two transfer zones, one developing device on the transfer zone is raised to the above-mentioned predetermined position so that it can be used for the development processing operation. Development in the raised position The is lowered, by or back onto the transport belt, so that those given for one of the plurality of developing devices 52 to 56 are selectively used. The arrow F in the figure indicates the moving direction of the above-described lifting device. The developing units 52 to 56 are mounted on two transfer bands stretched in parallel at a predetermined interval with the position being regulated by the interval pieces 91 to 96. However, each of the developing devices 52 to 56 can be pulled out from the inside of the apparatus to the front side by using the above-mentioned spacing piece as a guide.

In FIGS. 1 and 2, reference numerals 48 and 49 denote transfer belts 50, for example, belts or chains (in the following description,
It is assumed that a chain is used as the transfer band 50. However, in the figure, the shape of the chain is not shown for simplicity of the drawing).
One sprocket 48 is a driving sprocket and the other sprocket 49 is a driven sprocket. The driving force is transmitted to the sprocket 48 under the control of the control device 11, or the supply of the driving force is cut off. Reference numeral 51 denotes a plate for preventing the chain from being loosened or meandering. It should be noted that, of the two chains stretched in parallel at a predetermined interval in the drawing, the front chain and the sprocket are not illustrated and described, and the chain 50 shown in the drawing is not illustrated. And the sprockets 48 and 49 on which the chain 50 is stretched are those provided on the inner side of the body.

Reference numerals 91 to 96 denote spacing pieces provided to connect the two chains together.
Is also used to regulate the position of the bottom of each of the developing devices 52 to 56 in a state where each one end of the bottom of each of the developing devices 52 to 56 is placed on one of the two chains. Used. The control device 11 controls the supply state of the driving force to the driving sprocket 48 to transfer one selected one of the developing units 52 to 56 to the position of the lifting device. The lifting device is the control device 1.
Under the control of 1, the rotational force is transmitted to the cam shaft 61 to which the cam plate 62 is fixed, so that the cam plate 62 is rotated to slide on the cam surface of the cam plate 62. The substrate 67 of the elevating member to which the rotating shaft 65 of the roller 66 is fixed is raised or lowered. Reference numeral 60 denotes a support. Below the board 67 of the elevating member, guide portions 63 and 64 having holes for fitting two guide rods 58 and 59 fixed to the mounting plate 57 are fixed. Connecting members 68 and 6 are provided above the member substrate 67.
A support base 70 is provided through the support 9.

Thus, the support table 70 of the above-described lifting device
Rises by the rotation of the cam plate 62 from a position lower than the height position of the chain 50 in a state where the developing devices 52 to 56 are mounted, and The developing device located above 70 is raised to the position of the developing device illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, and the predetermined developing operation as described above can be performed at that position. The developing device that has completed the developing operation is a cam plate 62 controlled under the control of the controller 11.
Is lowered with the lowering of the support base 70 of the elevating device due to the rotation of. In this manner, the plurality of developing devices 52 to 56 can be selected one by one and used sequentially for the developing operation.

The recording paper 5, which has been subjected to the developing process in the developing section, moves with the rotation of the rotary drum 13 in a state where the surplus developer that has not completely dropped at the developing electrode portion adheres. In the image recording apparatus of the present invention, as described above, the position of the developing electrode is provided in a portion closer to the upstream side of the rotation of the drum than the position immediately below the rotating drum 13, and the excess developer moved as described above is rotated. When the developer reaches the portion immediately below the drum 13, most of the surplus developer is dropped and collected in the developing device. By the way, if some surplus developer is adhered to the surface of the recording paper 5 due to the viscosity of the developer and is carried to the next fixing unit as the rotating drum 13 rotates, fogging and uneven development may occur. Because of the problem, it is necessary to obtain a good drainage state.

Therefore, in the image recording apparatus of the present invention, excess developer is removed at a position closer to the downstream side of the rotation of the drum than the position immediately below the rotating drum 13 and close to the developing electrode provided in the developing section. A surplus developer removing section that can be removed by air pressure is provided. The surplus developer removing section is provided in the blast chamber 40 with, for example, a white fan 40a.
Is provided, and an air guide pipe 39 for guiding the air blown from the white fan 40a toward the rotating drum 13 is provided. Further, wind direction guide plates 39a and 39b and wind direction guide plates 39c and 39d are provided at both corners in the air guide tube 39, respectively. These wind direction guide plates 39a, b and wind direction guide plate 3
9c and 9d are provided inward so as to guide the airflow to the inside, respectively. As a result, it is possible to prevent the developer from flowing outward and flowing out of the area where the pre-bath liquid is applied. At this time, it is more effective if the length of the outlet is wider than the width of the pre-bath treatment.
The surplus developer is blown toward the portion immediately below the rotating drum 13 while being transported to the next fixing section as the rotating drum 13 rotates while being attached to the surface of the recording paper 5 as described above. Thus, the surplus developer can be satisfactorily dropped at a portion directly below the rotating drum 13.

As described above, after the toner image corresponding to the charge image is formed on the surface of the recording paper 5 by the developing process in the developing section, the recording medium in which the surplus developer is removed in the surplus developer removing section is used. The paper 5 is fixed by being heated and dried in the fixing unit 80, and then the residual potential of the recording paper 5 is removed in the charge eliminating unit 102 configured using, for example, a lamp, and the recording paper 5 is recorded. You. When the image recording is a one-color image recording, the leading end of the recorded recording paper 5 wound tightly around the rotating drum 13 and rotating integrally with the rotating drum 13 is If the recording and development have been completed up to the rear end of the recording paper 5 when approaching the position immediately above, in order to bring the vicinity of the leading end of the recorded electrophotographic recording paper 5 into close contact with the surface of the rotating drum 13. Since the suction side and the exhaust side of the vacuum pump operating under the control of the control device 11 are switched so that air is ejected from the suction port 17 of the used suction device, the above-described recording is performed. The vicinity of the leading end of the completed electrophotographic recording paper 5 is separated from the surface of the rotating drum 13. If the recording / development is not completed up to the rear end of the recording paper 5, the recording paper 5 is peeled off after one extra rotation.

As described above, the rotating drum 13 is located near the head.
The trailing end of the recorded electrophotographic recording paper 5 peeled off from the surface of the rotating drum 13 is still in close contact with the surface of the rotating drum 13 by the suction action of the suction port 20. Recorded electrophotographic recording paper 5 that advances with rotation of rotary drum 13 with the vicinity of the leading end separated from the surface of rotary drum 13
Is placed on the bottom plate 101 of the paper discharge unit and then proceeds on the bottom plate 101, and is pinched by the rotating paper discharge rollers 99 and 100, so that the head of the paper Going exhausted. The above-described paper discharge rollers 99 and 100 and their driving sources are blocked, and can be attached and detached above the apparatus. Further, only the above-described paper discharge roller 100 can be independently attached and detached upward. When the rear end of the recorded recording paper 5 rotating integrally with the rotating drum 13 approaches a position immediately above the rotating drum 13, the rear end of the recorded electrophotographic recording paper 5 described above is reached. The suction side of the vacuum pump operating under the control of the control device 11 so that air is ejected from the suction port 20 of the suction device used to make the vicinity close to the surface of the rotating drum 13. Since the switching to the exhaust side is performed, the vicinity of the rear end of the recorded electrophotographic recording paper 5 is peeled off from the surface of the rotary drum 13 and the recorded electrophotographic recording paper 5 is switched.
To be discharged. Under the control of the control device 11, the rotating drum 13 stops at the position of its initial rotational phase.

The recorded recording paper 5 obtained by the above-described one-color image recording operation is a lithographic plate (recorded recording paper by a one-color image recording operation for a printing plate), and is formed using an oleophilic developer. If the developing process has been performed, a strong heat fixing device 9 disposed in the middle of the above-described paper discharging process is used.
7, 98, the heat fixing may be performed. Thus, it is possible to eliminate the step of performing the heat fixing again after the sheet is discharged out of the machine body. Note that the fixing unit 80 described above is configured to be capable of switching between two levels, without providing the above-described heating fixing devices 97 and 98. When a planographic plate (recorded recording paper by a one-color image recording operation for a printing plate) is obtained, strong heat fixing may be performed.

When the image recording is a multi-color image recording, after the various steps from the charging step to the charge eliminating step in the first one-color image recording are completed, the paper is not discharged, and
Until all the image recording operations for each color including the development process for each color performed using predetermined different types of developers to be used for multicolor image recording are completed, After such an image recording operation is repeatedly performed, the above-described sheet discharging operation is performed. In addition, each time the various image recording processes for each color in the case of multi-color image recording are completed, the initial rotational phase of the rotary drum 13 is regulated to the reference rotational phase position, and then the next one-color image is formed. It is a preferred embodiment that the recording operation is started. After all image recording operations have been performed, the rotating drum 13
By providing a mechanism for cleaning dirt due to the developer or the like adhering to the upper portion, it is possible to prevent a reduction in the ability of the rotary drum 13 to adsorb recording paper, color mixing of recorded images, and the like. Note that, as described above, the respective components such as the paper feed roller unit, the cutting unit, the leading end regulating unit, the charger, the pre-bath processing unit, the developing unit, and the paper discharge roller unit are individually block-formed, respectively. If each of the blocks is configured to be detachable from the device, it is easy to assemble the image recording device at the time of manufacture, it is also easy to check the performance of each block, and from the ease of maintenance and inspection. Serviceability can be improved, and fault repairability and user maintenance can be improved.

[0042]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, even when the width of the recording paper is wide, an exposure unit having a narrow scanning width may be used, and the charging width may be narrower than in the conventional case. Cost reduction and miniaturization can be achieved.

According to the second aspect of the invention, even when the width of the recording paper is wide, an exposure unit having a narrow scanning width may be used, and the developing means may be small, so that the cost and size of the apparatus can be greatly reduced. I can do it. Also, since only the necessary portions are developed, the developer does not adhere to the unnecessary portions, and the development finish is made clear. In addition, there is no need for a dedicated removing means for removing the developer from attaching to the unnecessary portions. Becomes

According to the third aspect of the invention, in addition to the effects of the first and second aspects, in particular, development at both ends of the image is stabilized.

According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, in addition to the effect of the first aspect, the size of the developing means has a degree of freedom, the supply width of the developer can be easily controlled, and the development at both ends of the image is stable. I do.

According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, it is possible to prevent the developer from spreading around (spreading out of the width of the pre-bath solution) and eliminate the necessity of a removing means dedicated to the spread portion, so that the development finish can be clean. It has effects such as becoming.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a side view (partially a cross-sectional view) illustrating a schematic configuration of an image recording apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged side view of a part of the image recording apparatus shown in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a schematic partial perspective view showing a part of an optical path system for performing exposure.

FIG. 4 is a drawing for explaining a charging width, an exposure width, and a developing width for a recording sheet.

FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining an exposure area in a traveling direction of a recording sheet.

FIG. 6 is a partial plan view of a component for performing a pre-bath as viewed from the upper surface of a rotary drum.

FIG. 7 is a schematic left side view of FIG. 6;

8 is a partially enlarged view of a schematic right side in the direction of arrow A in FIG. 6;

FIG. 9 is a sectional view taken along line XX ′ of FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 is a schematic top partial view showing a relationship between an upper surface of an electrode section 56a and a rotating drum.

FIG. 11 is a schematic partial cross-sectional view showing a relationship among an electrode section 56a, a rotating drum, and a draft chamber 40.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1, side plate of body of image recording apparatus 3 bearing plate 4 rotating shaft 5 recording paper for electrophotography 6 covering member 7, 8 guide plate 9, 10 supply roller 11 control device 12 cutting device 13 rotating drum 14 starting end position regulating member 15 Holding roller 16, 21 Through hole 17, 20 Suction port 18 Tube 19 Hollow rotating shaft of rotating drum 22 Movable tube 24, 25 Charger 26 Motor 27 Rotating mirror wheel 28 Semiconductor laser 29 Lens 30, 31 Reflecting mirror 33 Support plate 34 Tank 35 Container for liquid for prebath treatment 36a Supply pipe 38 Roller 39,41 Baffle tube 40 Blasting chamber 42-46 Container for electrophotographic wet developer 47 Body bottom plate 48,49 Sprocket 50 Chain 52-56 Development Containers 52a to 56a Developing electrode 62 Cam plate 63, 64 Mounting plate 67 Substrate of elevating member 68, 69 Connecting body 70 Support Pedestal 71 lever 72 rotation axis 75 and 76 pin 74 spring 80 fixing units 97, 98 fuser 99, 100 discharge rollers 101 bottom plate 102 discharger 103 the discharge port of the discharge unit

Claims (5)

(57) [Claims] At least a charging means for charging an electrophotographic recording paper loaded on a rotating drum, and forming a charge image as an image on the charged electrophotographic recording paper. An exposure means for performing, a prebath processing means for performing a prebath liquid treatment on the electrophotographic recording paper, and a developing means for performing development by supplying a developer to the charge image serving as the image. An image recording apparatus for obtaining a recorded image comprising: an exposure width capable of removing charge, using an exposure unit narrower than the width of the electrophotographic recording paper, and a charging unit having a charging width narrower than the electrophotographic recording paper. An image recording apparatus, wherein a charge image is formed on the charged recording paper for electrophotography. 2. A charging means for charging at least an electrophotographic recording paper loaded on a rotating drum, and forming a charge image as an image on the charged electrophotographic recording paper. An exposure means for performing, a prebath processing means for performing a prebath liquid treatment on the electrophotographic recording paper, and a developing means for performing development by supplying a developer to the charge image serving as the image. An image recording apparatus that obtains a recorded image by using an exposure unit having a charge-removable exposure width that is narrower than the width of the electrophotographic recording paper, using the electrophotographic recording paper charged by the charging unit. An image recording apparatus which records a charge image and develops the charge image by a developing unit having a developing width smaller than a smaller one of the charging width of the charger and the exposure width. 3. A charging means for charging at least an electrophotographic recording paper loaded on a rotating drum, and forming a charge image as an image on the charged electrophotographic recording paper. An exposure means for performing, a prebath processing means for performing a prebath liquid treatment on the electrophotographic recording paper, and a developing means for performing development by supplying a developer to the charge image serving as the image. In the image recording apparatus for obtaining a recorded image, the exposure width capable of removing the charge is charged by the charging means having a charging width smaller than the exposure width by using the exposure means narrower than the width of the electrophotographic recording paper. Forming a charge image on the electrophotographic recording paper, this charge image is narrower than the exposure width, and,
An image recording apparatus, wherein development is performed by a developing unit having a developing width wider than the charging width. 4. A charging means for charging at least an electrophotographic recording paper loaded on a rotating drum, and forming a charge image as an image on the charged electrophotographic recording paper. An exposure means for performing, a prebath processing means for performing a prebath liquid treatment on the electrophotographic recording paper, and a developing means for performing development by supplying a developer to the charge image serving as the image. In the image recording apparatus for obtaining a recorded image, the exposure width capable of removing the charge is charged by the charging means having a charging width smaller than the exposure width by using the exposure means narrower than the width of the electrophotographic recording paper. Forming a charge image on the electrophotographic recording paper, this charge image is wider than the exposure width, and,
An image recording apparatus, wherein the image is developed by a developing unit having a developing width narrower than that of the electrophotographic recording paper. 5. A charging means for charging at least an electrophotographic recording paper loaded on a rotating drum, and forming a charge image as an image on the charged electrophotographic recording paper. An exposure means for performing, a prebath processing means for performing a prebath liquid treatment on the electrophotographic recording paper, and a developing means for performing development by supplying a developer to the charge image serving as the image. An image recording apparatus that obtains a recorded image by providing a blower on the post-process side of the developing process, and by using a blower from the blower, the surplus developer of the developer attached to the electrophotographic recording paper is blown by the blower. An image recording apparatus, further comprising a surplus agent removing means for removing the air, wherein the air is blown in the inner width direction of the recording paper for electrophotography.