JP3289306B2 - Multi-axis polarizing film production equipment - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an apparatus for producing a multiaxially polarizing film for producing a multiaxially polarizing film used as a material for a three-dimensional image print or the like.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In general, natural light has an amplitude component in all directions in a plane perpendicular to the traveling direction. When such natural light is incident on the polarizing film, only the component in the direction of a certain fixed axis (hereinafter, referred to as a polarizing axis) among the amplitude components included in the natural light transmits through the polarizing film. Now, there is a so-called multiaxial polarizing film having a different polarization axis depending on each value in the film plane. The following are known applications of this type of multiaxial polarizing film.

<First application example> Application to a three-dimensional image printed matter Generally, a human observes an object with both eyes. At this time, the image of the object seen by the right eye is different from the image of the object seen by the left eye. The observer recognizes the stereoscopic effect of the object from the two images captured through these left and right eyes. Considering such a human stereoscopic image recognition method, a plane image is created by combining the image of the object seen by the right eye and the image of the object seen by the left eye on a plane, and the left and right eyes 2. Description of the Related Art A three-dimensional image printed matter capable of capturing only an image corresponding to an eye is known. This type of three-dimensional image print is manufactured, for example, as described below.

First, an image of an object viewed by the right eye is decomposed into pixels for the right eye, and an image of the object viewed by the left eye is decomposed into pixels for the left eye. Then, the left-eye pixel and the right-eye pixel are drawn on the flat sheet (see FIG. 8). Here, a right eye pixel 11a is drawn, and a left eye pixel 11b is drawn next to the right eye pixel.
Each is formed in a stripe shape. Here, a polarizing film having a polarization axis in a certain direction may be laminated on the upper surface of the right-eye pixel 11a. In this case, a polarizing film having a polarization axis in a direction different from that for the right eye is laminated on the upper surface of the left eye pixel 11b. The right-eye lens has a polarizing film having the same polarization axis as the polarizing film stacked on the right-eye pixel 11a, and the left-eye lens has a polarizing film stacked on the left-eye pixel 11b. The eyeglasses provided with a polarizing film having a polarizing axis in the same direction as the above are prepared.

[0005] In the stereoscopic image printed matter and polarized glasses manufactured in this manner, the light reflected on the right-eye pixel 11a is polarized in a direction corresponding to the right eye.
The light enters only the right eye of the observer via the right eye lens only. Similarly, light reflected on the left-eye pixel 11b enters only the left eye. As a result, the viewer recognizes the three-dimensional image printed on the three-dimensional image print. In addition,
This type of three-dimensional image printed matter is disclosed in, for example, Japanese Patent Application No. 3-1421.
No. 48.

<Second Application> In FIG. 5, reference numeral 6 denotes a light source, and the light vibrates (arrow 7) in all directions. Reference numeral 1c denotes a rotating polarizing plate, which is a linear polarizing film having a function of transmitting light of only a component in a certain polarization axis direction. Reference numeral 1b denotes a multiaxial polarizing film, which has different polarizing axes (arrows a, b, c, d) as shown in FIG.
. First, non-directional light emitted from the light source 6 is incident on the rotating polarizer 1c and is linearly polarized. The light linearly polarized in the certain polarization axis direction enters the multiaxial polarization film 1b. Here, the rotating polarizer 1
When the polarization axis of c is the vertical direction as shown in FIG. 5, since the light transmitted through the rotating polarizer 1c is polarized in the direction of arrow 8, the angle between the transmitted light and the plane of polarization is the smallest. The part of A looks brightest. When the rotating polarizer 1c rotates, the position where the light is incident on the rotating polarizer 1c changes, and the plane of polarization (arrow 8) of the light transmitted through the rotating polarizer 1c rotates. Then, when the polarization plane of the transmitted light of the rotating polarizing plate 1c becomes the arrow 8 ', the portion of the polarization axis shown by the arrow B looks brightest. As explained above,
With the rotation of the rotating polarizing plate 1c, the bright portion of the multi-axial polarizing film 1b moves.

<Third Application> FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing a blind constituted by using a multiaxial polarizing film. In this figure, reference numerals 10 and 10 denote multi-axial polarizing films, respectively, and each multi-axial polarizing film 10 is formed by alternately striping a region 10a having a vertical polarization axis and a region 10b having a horizontal polarization axis. It has a configuration arranged in a shape. Here, the regions 10a and 10a of one multiaxial polarizing film 10
0b overlaps with the regions 10a and 10b of the other multiaxial polarizing film 10. In this case, the light transmitted through the region 10a of the first multiaxial polarizing film 10 is
2 which transmits through the region 10a and has the same polarization axis
The light passes through the region 10a of the multiaxial polarizing film 10 as it is. The same can be said for the region 10b of the multiaxial polarizing film 10. That is, in this case, the blinds by the multiaxial polarizing films 10 and 10 are fully opened, and the amount of light transmitted through the blinds is maximized. When the user moves either one of the multiaxial polarizing films 10 in the direction of arrow A, when viewed from the observer, the region 10a of the front multiaxial polarizing film 10 and the region 10b of the rear multiaxial polarizing film 10 are seen. And appear to overlap. Similarly, the region 10b of the front multiaxial polarizing film and the region 10a of the rear multiaxial polarizing film 10 appear to partially overlap. Thus, the region 10 of the multiaxial polarizing film 10
When a and the region 10b overlap, the light incident on that portion is not transmitted. Then, the multiaxial polarizing film 10 moves in the direction of arrow A, and the region 10a of one multiaxial polarizing film 10 and the region 10a of the other multiaxial polarizing film 10 are moved.
The amount of light that passes through the blind decreases as the portion where b overlaps increases. In this way,
The user can adjust the amount of transmitted light to achieve a desired brightness.

Next, with reference to FIG. 7, a process for manufacturing a conventional multiaxial polarizing film will be described. First, a polymer substrate 1 is prepared (FIG. 7A). Next, the process proceeds to a masking step shown in FIG. 1B, and a mask 2a having an opening pattern of a predetermined shape is placed on the surface of the substrate 1. Next, the process proceeds to a rubbing step (c).
Rubbing the surface of. Here, the roller 3 is made of a cloth, such as cotton or felt, which is an abrasive, or abrasive powder.
Its outer peripheral surface is covered. Then, the roller 3 is rolled on the surface of the substrate 1 in the arrow X direction. As a result, 4 of (d)
a, 4a. . . As shown in FIG. 5, the surface of the substrate 1 that is not covered by the mask 2a of the substrate 1 is rubbed. Next, returning to the masking step shown in (b), a mask 2b having an opening pattern having a shape different from that of the mask 2a is placed on the surface of the substrate 1. Then, the process proceeds to a rubbing step, in which the roller 3 is rolled on the surface of the substrate 1 in the arrow Y direction. As a result, 4b, 4b. . . As shown in (1), the surface of the substrate 1 which is not covered by the mask 2b is rubbed. In this manner, the masking step and the rubbing step are repeatedly performed on one substrate 1, and each region on the surface of the substrate 1 is subjected to the rubbing process in one of the arrow X direction and the Y direction. When the rubbing treatment is performed in this manner, the abrasive on the outer peripheral surface of the roller 3 adheres to the surface of the substrate 1. Therefore, this abrasive is applied to the substrate 1
A step of removing from the surface is performed. First, the abrasive adhered to the surface of the substrate 1 in the rubbing step is washed away with water (e). Then, the washed substrate 1 is dried by blowing air (f). Next, proceed to the coating step (g),
The surface of the substrate 1 is coated with the dye ink by the coater 5. Here, the dye ink is made of a liquid crystal material whose molecular alignment state is uniform and stable. Most of the molecules constituting the liquid crystal material have an elongated rod shape or a flat plate shape. For this reason, the major axis direction of the liquid crystal molecules is arranged parallel to the rubbing direction (the direction rubbed in the rubbing step) in the process of changing from the solution state to the solid state. Through the steps described above, the substrate 1
A multi-axis polarizing film having a plurality of different polarizing axes disposed on the surface is formed.

[0009]

However, in the above-mentioned conventional method for producing a multiaxial polarizing film, there is a drawback that the production time becomes extremely long because drying takes time. The present invention has been made under such a background, and an object of the present invention is to provide a multiaxial polarizing film manufacturing apparatus capable of manufacturing a multiaxial polarizing film in a short time.

[0010]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a multi-axial polarizing film manufacturing apparatus, comprising: a printing paper feeding mechanism for feeding a printing paper to a transfer unit; and a heating device for heating the printing paper to a predetermined temperature higher than a normal temperature. Melts from the solid phase to the liquid crystal phase, and, when an electric field is applied in the molten state, a material to be transferred whose polarization axis is arranged in a direction corresponding to the direction of the electric field is applied to the ribbon substrate. An ink ribbon that comes into contact with the sent printing paper, a plurality of electrodes that apply an electric field in a predetermined direction to each area of the ink ribbon, and a plurality of heat generating units that apply heat to each area of the ink ribbon. It is characterized by having. According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the multiaxial polarizing film manufacturing apparatus, the transfer material contains a dye arranged in a direction corresponding to a crystal axis direction.

[0011]

According to the above arrangement, the material to be transferred in each region of the ink ribbon is melted into a liquid crystal phase by being heated by the heat generating portion. In this state, an electric field in a predetermined direction is applied to each region of the ink ribbon from the plurality of electrodes. As a result, the polarization axis of the transfer material in each region of the ink ribbon is oriented in the direction of the electric field. In this way, a multi-axial polarizing film is formed on the surface of the printing paper. Further, according to the second aspect of the present invention, the dye is molecularly oriented depending on the crystal axis of the material to be transferred.

[0012]

An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a three-dimensional image printing apparatus which is one embodiment of a multiaxial polarizing film manufacturing apparatus according to the present invention. The present embodiment has substantially the same configuration as a thermal printer of a hot-melt type or a sublimation type. FIG.
, 21 is a printing paper. Reference numeral 22 denotes an ink ribbon on which a transfer material is applied on a ribbon substrate. The transfer material will be described later. Reference numeral 23 denotes a thermal head provided in the transfer unit, which has a heating resistor that generates heat by energization, and heats the heating resistor to melt the transfer target material applied to the ink ribbon 22 and perform printing. Transfer to paper. This thermal head 23
Indicates that the ink ribbon 22 and the printing paper 21
Is pressed against the outer peripheral surface of the platen roller 24 and is separated from the platen roller 24 during transfer. FIG. 2 is a circuit diagram showing a configuration of a head drive circuit of the thermal head 23. In this figure, 23a, 23a '. . .
Are NPN transistors, and each collector is connected to a power supply. Of these NPN transistors, NPN transistors 23a, 23a. . . Is a driving unit provided for printing a dot corresponding to the pixel for the right eye, and a printing pulse corresponding to the pixel for the right eye is supplied to each base. The NPN transistors 23a ', 23a'. . . Is a driving unit provided for printing a dot corresponding to the pixel for the left eye, and a printing pulse corresponding to the pixel for the left eye is supplied to each base. 23b, 23b '. . . Is a heating resistor,
One end of each is connected to NPN transistors 23a, 23
a '. . . , And the other end is grounded. 23c, 23c '. . . Are electrodes. Here, the electrodes 23c, 23c. . . The electric field generated by the electrodes 23c ', 23c'. . . And the electric field generated by the electric field. These electrodes 23c, 23c '. . . And the heating resistor 2 described above
3b, 23b '. . . Are provided corresponding to the dots of one line, and are arranged at positions corresponding to the dots on the thermal head 23. FIG. 3 is a vertical sectional view of the ink ribbon 22. In this figure, 2
2a is a ribbon substrate, whose material is a PET film or the like. Reference numeral 22b denotes a material to be transferred, and the ribbon substrate 2
2a, and is pressed against the printing paper 21 during thermal transfer. The transfer material 22b is a solid-phase material having a temperature higher than room temperature.
The main material is a liquid crystal having a transition point between liquid crystals. Further, in order to perform color printing, a liquid material in which dichroic dyes or the like arranged in the crystal axis direction are dissolved is used as the transfer material 22b. Further, in FIG. 3, each mark “○” indicates the electrode 23c, and each mark “X” indicates the electrode 23c ′ in a direction perpendicular to the direction of the electrode 23c.

In such a configuration, when an instruction to start printing is given from the user, a printing pulse is sent from a control unit (not shown) to the head drive circuit. Then, the thermal head 23 is pressed against the platen roller 24. And
NPN transistors 23a, 23a '. . . Among them, a printing pulse is inputted to each base corresponding to a dot to be printed. As a result, the NP where the print pulse is input
N transistors 23a, 23a '. . . Current flows through each of the emitters. And these NPN transistors 2
3a, 23a '. . . Heating resistors 23b, 2 corresponding to
3b '. . . Generate heat when energized. As described above, each heating resistor 23b, 23b '. . . Are selectively driven to generate heat, and the heat causes the transfer material 22 of the ink ribbon 22 to move.
Each region of b transitions from a solid phase to a liquid crystal phase. On the other hand, the electrodes 23c, 23c '. . . As a result, an electric field is generated. These electric fields are applied to the transfer material 22 b of the ink ribbon 22. As a result, the liquid crystal molecules are oriented in a direction corresponding to the direction of the electric field due to the electro-optic effect. Similarly, the dichroic dye is aligned with the crystal axis of the liquid crystal. Next, NPN
The transistors 23a, 23a '. . . Are turned off, and the heating resistors 23b, 23b '. . . Current is cut off. As a result, the electrodes 23c, 23c '. . . The transfer material 22b is transferred to the printing paper 21 while the electric field is kept applied, and is cooled. Therefore, the polarization axis of the liquid crystal is maintained even after the transfer. In this way, printing of the right-eye pixels and the left-eye pixels for one line is performed. D shown in FIG.
In this way, the polarizing film for one dot is transferred to the printing paper. Further, in the figure, D1 and D2 indicate the arrangement directions of the liquid crystal and the dichroic dye, respectively. Here, when light indicated by R1 having a polarization plane orthogonal to the polarization axis of the liquid crystal D for one dot enters the liquid crystal D, the incident light R
1 does not transmit as shown in FIG. On the other hand, when the light R3 having a polarization plane parallel to the polarization axis of the liquid crystal D is incident on the liquid crystal D, the incident light R3 is transmitted as it is. Then, while the platen roller 24 rotates in the direction of arrow B, the printing paper 21 is fed by one line, and the same printing as described above is repeated.

In the above-described embodiment, an example is shown in which a multi-axial polarizing film is transferred to the upper surface of a printed matter to produce a stereoscopic image printed matter utilizing binocular parallax. It is needless to say that the present invention can be applied to an apparatus for performing the above.

[0015]

As described above, according to the present invention,
A printing paper feed mechanism that sends printing paper to the transfer unit, and by heating to a predetermined temperature higher than room temperature, melts from the solid phase to the liquid crystal phase, and when an electric field is applied in the molten state, the polarization axis Is applied to a ribbon substrate, the transfer material arranged in a direction corresponding to the direction of the electric field, and an ink ribbon in contact with the printing paper sent to the transfer section, and a predetermined area for each area of the ink ribbon. Since a plurality of electrodes for applying a direction electric field and a plurality of heat generating portions for applying heat to each region of the ink ribbon are provided, there is an effect that a multiaxial polarizing film can be manufactured in a short time.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a multi-axial polarizing film manufacturing apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a circuit diagram showing a configuration of a head drive circuit of a thermal head of the multiaxial polarizing film manufacturing apparatus according to the embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view of an ink ribbon of the multiaxial polarizing film manufacturing apparatus according to the embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a state diagram of light showing polarization planes before and after being polarized by the multiaxial polarizing film according to the example.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing an example of use of a conventional first type of multiaxial polarizing film.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing an example of use of a second type of conventional multiaxial polarizing film.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing a state of a multiaxial polarizing film in a conventional multiaxial polarizing film manufacturing process.

FIG. 8 is a plan view of a conventional three-dimensional image print on which a multiaxial polarizing film is laminated.

[Explanation of symbols]

 21 Printing paper 22 Ink ribbon 22a Ribbon substrate 22b Transfer material 23 Platen roll 23a 23a 'NPN transistor 23b 23b' Heating resistor 23c 23c 'Electrode 24 ... thermal head

Claims (2)

(57) [Claims] 1. A printing paper feeding mechanism for feeding printing paper to a transfer unit, and by heating to a predetermined temperature higher than room temperature, a solid phase is melted to a liquid crystal phase, and an electric field is applied in a molten state. In this case, a transfer material whose polarization axis is arranged in the direction corresponding to the direction of the electric field is applied to the ribbon substrate, and the ink ribbon that comes into contact with the printing paper sent to the transfer section, On the other hand, a multi-axial polarizing film manufacturing apparatus comprising: a plurality of electrodes for applying an electric field in a predetermined direction; and a plurality of heating units for applying heat to each region of the ink ribbon. 2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the transfer material contains a dye arranged in a direction corresponding to the crystal axis direction.