JP3460910B2 - Cylindrical inner surface scanning type 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 a cylindrical inner surface scanning type image recording apparatus for recording an image by scanning a recording medium such as a photosensitive material mounted on the inner surface of a cylindrical drum with a plurality of light beams.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In a cylindrical inner surface scanning type image recording apparatus, an attempt is made to improve an image recording speed by scanning with a plurality of light beams as compared with the case of using a single light beam. ing.

However, in a cylindrical inner surface scanning type image recording apparatus, when a plurality of beams are incident on a rotating deflector to deflect them, a main beam array of a plurality of beams irradiated on a surface of a recording medium installed inside the cylinder. The angle to the scanning direction is
The problem arises that it changes as the deflector rotates. Hereinafter, this problem is referred to as multiple beam point train rotation.

As a method for preventing the rotation of a plurality of beams of point trains, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 5846/1993 and Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 5-2 / 1993 are proposed.
The technique described in Japanese Patent No. 7190 is known.

FIG. 17 is a view showing a cross section of the light beam scanning device disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 5-5846.

A recording medium is installed inside the drum 901. The recording medium is scanned with a light beam. Lens 9
04 and the lens 905 are designed according to the target value of the imaging performance of the light beam and the like. The motor 906 rotates the tilt mirror 902. The rotation axis of the motor 906 coincides with the central axis of the drum 901. When the tilted mirror 902 rotates, a plurality of light beams from the light source are deflected to scan the recording medium. Here, according to the rotation of the tilting mirror 902, the multiple beam point array on the recording surface causes the multiple beam point array rotation as described above. To compensate for this, the trapezoidal prism 903 is ½ of the tilting mirror 902. Rotate at the rotation speed of. By doing so, the rotation of the trapezoidal prism 903 causes the positional relationship of the plurality of beams to rotate with respect to the rotation axis so as to compensate the rotation of the plurality of beam point sequences before entering the tilt mirror 902. The problem of rotation is avoided.

[0007]

By the way, in the above-mentioned inner surface scanning type image recording apparatus, the trapezoidal prism 903 is required as a member for compensating the rotation of a plurality of beam point trains.

In addition, it is difficult to rotate the trapezoidal prism 903 in synchronism with the half rotation speed of the tilted mirror 902 in order to prevent the beam point train rotation as described above.

Further, the trapezoidal prism and the tilt mirror 90
No. 2 has an asymmetrical shape with respect to the rotation axis, and there are problems of rotational instability and air resistance.

The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a cylindrical inner surface scanning type image recording apparatus capable of performing stable scanning without rotation of a plurality of beam point sequences with a simple structure.

[0011]

In order to achieve the above object, an apparatus according to claim 1 of the present invention records an image by scanning a recording medium mounted on the inner surface of a cylindrical drum with a plurality of light beams. In the cylindrical inner surface scanning type image recording device, (a) a light beam irradiation means for irradiating the light beam in a direction in which each of the plurality of light beams intersects with the central axis of the cylindrical drum, and (b) a reflecting member. A deflection element formed of a support member surrounding and supporting the reflection member, and (C) a rotation drive means for rotating the deflection element, at least one surface of the reflection member being a rotation axis of the rotation drive means. The rotation drive means and the support member are connected along the rotation drive means, and the rotation drive means is arranged so that the rotation axis of the rotation drive means and the central axis of the cylindrical drum coincide with each other.
Each of the plurality of light beams of the deflection element
In front of the surface of the reflection member by being obliquely incident on the central axis
The deflection element and the optical beam are reflected so that they are reflected in the vicinity of the central axis.
The relative position of the irradiation unit is set, and the light beam is deflected on the surface by rotating the deflecting element and applied to the recording medium .

[0012] The device according to claim 2 of the present invention has a cylindrical inner surface scanning Kataga image recording apparatus according to claim 1, Hikaribi
The illuminating means is provided with a cylindrical lens .

The device of claim 3 of the present invention is a cylinder
The recording medium mounted on the inner surface of the drum can be
Scanning image on the inner surface of a cylinder that records an image by scanning
In the recording device, (a) each of the plurality of light beams
The optical beam in the direction in which it intersects the central axis of the cylindrical drum.
Two light beam irradiation means for irradiating a beam, and (b) a reflection member
And a support member that surrounds and supports the reflection member.
And a (C) rotation driving means for rotating the deflection element
And at least one surface of the reflecting member is
The rotation drive means and the front side are arranged along the rotation axis of the rotation drive means.
The support member is connected to the rotary shaft of the rotary drive means and the front
Note that the rotation drive hand is adjusted so that the central axes of the cylindrical drums are aligned.
By arranging steps, by rotating the deflection element
The two optical beams are changed in accordance with the changing attitude of the reflecting member.
Select the irradiation of the light beam from each of the irradiation means
The light beam is deflected at the surface while
It is characterized in that it is applied to a recording medium .

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a cylindrical inner surface scanning type image recording apparatus according to any one of the first to third aspects.
A device, wherein at least a portion of the support member is transparent.
Yes, the deflection element has a cylindrical shape .

In the above claims 1 and 3, "along the axis of rotation" means the state of being in the same plane as the axis of rotation and the state of being parallel to the vicinity of the axis of rotation. .

[0016]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0017]

[1. First Embodiment FIG. 1 is a side view of a cylindrical inner surface scanning type image recording apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment. Further, FIG. 2 is a sectional view of the cylindrical inner surface scanning type image recording apparatus 1. A three-dimensional coordinate system XYZ is defined in the drawings other than the drawings showing the timing charts below. Hereinafter, the cylindrical inner surface scanning type image recording apparatus 1 will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2.

The cylindrical inner surface scanning type image recording apparatus 1 is a base 1
0, holding plates 20a and 20b, ball screw 30, sub-scanning motor 40, guide 50, deflector 60, light beam irradiation unit 7
It consists of zero. In this apparatus, the three light beams LB emitted from the light beam irradiator 70 are deflected by a deflector to focus on the surface of the photosensitive material FM mounted on the inner surface 10a of the cylinder for multi-beam scanning. The image is recorded by.

The mechanical structure of each part will be described below.

The base 10 has a semi-cylindrical cylindrical inner surface 10a, and the photosensitive material FM is mounted on the cylindrical inner surface 10a. Rails 11a and 11b are provided on the upper surfaces 10b and 10c of the base 10 in the X-axis direction.

The holding plates 20a and 20b are the base 10 respectively.
Are provided on the positive and negative end surfaces of the X-axis and hold the ball screw 30 about that axis.

The ball screw 30 is held by penetrating the holding plate 20b, and is connected to a sub-scanning motor 40 provided on the surface of the holding plate 20b on the positive side of the X axis.

The sub-scanning motor 40 is a stepping motor and is connected to a control unit (not shown). Then, the ball screw 3 rotates intermittently under the control of the controller.
Rotate 0.

The guide 50 includes a holding plate 20a and a holding plate 20b.
The rollers 51a and 51b, which are respectively screwed in a state where they are penetrated by the ball screw 30 between the guides 5 and 5, are provided at each of both ends of the Y-axis as shown in FIG.
It is supported in a state of being fitted to the 0 rails 11a and 11b. The ball screw 30 can be rotated to move in the positive and negative directions of the X axis.

The deflector unit 60 is provided on the guide 50, and comprises a deflecting element 61, which will be described in detail later, and a main scanning motor 62 connected thereto. Further, the main scanning motor 62 is connected to the control unit, and rotates the deflection element 61 by rotating under the control of the control unit.

The light beam irradiation unit 70 is provided at the end of the guide 50 on the positive side of the Y axis in the same horizontal plane as the central axis of the cylindrical inner surface 10a of the drum 10. FIG. 3 shows the light beam irradiation unit 7.
It is a figure which shows the internal structure of 0, and the optical path of three light beams LB. The light beam irradiation unit 70 includes a light source unit 71 therein as shown in FIG. 3, and the three light beams LB emitted from the light beam irradiation unit 70 are focused by the respective three lenses 72 while being deflected by the deflection element 61. Through the photosensitive material FM
The surface is illuminated.

The main part and image scanning will be described in detail below.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the deflecting element 61 in the cylindrical inner surface scanning type image recording apparatus 1. FIG. 5 is a side view of the deflection element 61 in the cylindrical inner surface scanning type image recording apparatus 1. The configuration of the deflection element 61 will be described below with reference to FIGS. 5 and 6.

The deflection element 61 is provided with a reflection layer 612 included in the cylindrical member 611 so as to vertically cut the transparent glass cylindrical member 611. The reflective layer 612 has a central axis C
One surface including A is a reflection surface 612R on which silver is vapor-deposited, so that the light beam LB can be reflected. That is, a pair of semi-cylindrical members obtained by dividing the cylindrical member 611 in a plane passing through the central axis CA are bonded to both front and back surfaces of the reflective layer 612.
The back surface 6 which is the other surface of the reflective surface 612R of the reflective layer
12B does not reflect the light beam LB. The deflecting element 61 is provided so that its central axis CA coincides with the central axis of the cylindrical inner surface 10a of the base 10 and the rotating axis of the deflecting element 61. Then, after the three light beams LB radiated in parallel with each other by the light beam radiating unit 70 are incident on the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical member 611, the reflecting surface 612R is perpendicular to the central axis CA as shown in FIG. The relative positions of the light beam irradiation unit 70 and the deflector unit 60 are adjusted so that the light beam is incident on the vicinity of the upper central axis CA, is reflected, and then is emitted from the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical member 611 again.

Further, the deflecting element 61 performs main scanning by deflecting the three light beams LB on the reflecting surface 612R while being rotated by the main scanning motor 62 as described above.

As described above, the light beam irradiation unit 70
When the deflector unit 60 is assembled with the light beam LB, the light beam LB emitted from the light beam irradiating section 70 is constantly reflected on the central axis of the cylindrical inner surface 10a and the reflection surface near the rotation axis of the deflection element 61 regardless of the rotation state of the deflection element 61. It is reflected and deflected at 612R. If the deflecting element 61 is not provided with the cylindrical member 611, the reflecting surface 612R and the cylindrical inner surface 10a.
The deflection element 61 and the main scanning motor 62 while satisfying the above-described relationship between the central axis of the deflection element 61 and the rotation axis of the deflection element 61.
It becomes very difficult to connect and. This is because the rotating shaft (not shown) of the main scanning motor 62 has a finite diameter, so that when the rotating shaft is connected to the reflecting layer 612, a considerable thickness is required for the reflecting layer 612, and the above relationship cannot be satisfied. is there. From the above, the cylindrical member 611
In addition to supporting the reflective layer 612,
It can be seen that it has a function of facilitating the connection between 1 and the main scanning motor 62.

The sub-scanning operation is performed by intermittently rotating the sub-scanning motor 40 and moving the deflector 60 together with the guide 50 in the X-axis direction through the rotation of the ball screw 30.

Image scanning is performed on the photosensitive material FM mounted on the inner surface 10a of the cylinder by the above main scanning and sub-scanning.

Next, the image scanning procedure of the cylindrical inner surface scanning type image recording apparatus 1 will be described. FIG. 6 is a timing chart of irradiation with the three light beams LB. As shown in FIG. 2, this is an angle of 45 ° from the center axis of the inner surface 10a of the cylinder.
The timing control of the irradiation of the three light beams LB will be described by taking the case where the photosensitive material FM is mounted in the 135 ° region as an example.

The horizontal axis represents the angle θ of the reflecting surface 612R. Note that, as shown in FIG. 5, the reflective layer 612 is parallel to the XZ plane, and the reflective surface 612R is oriented in the positive direction of the Y axis as a reference (θ = 0 °). The vertical axis indicates the three light beams L by the light beam irradiation unit 70.
The state where B is irradiated is represented as ON, and the state where B is not irradiated is represented as OFF. Each of the three light beams LB emitted in the ON state is modulated according to the image signal. The same applies to the following embodiments. As can be seen from FIG. 6, the three light beams L are generated only when the deflection element 61 has a rotation angle θ of 45 ° to 135 °.
Irradiating B. When the other rotation angles θ are 0 ° to 45 ° and 135 ° to 360 °, the three light beams LB are not emitted. This is the drum 10 due to the reflective surface 612R.
3 in the range where the photosensitive material FM does not exist on the inner surface 10a of the cylinder.
The three light beams LB are not emitted while the position where the book light beams LB are reflected and the back surface 612B side of the reflection layer 612 is facing the light beam irradiation unit 70 side.

It should be noted that while the deflection element 61 is rotated 360 °, the main scanning is performed for three lines while the three light beams LB are turned on and off once, respectively. The rotation of 40 causes the guide 50 and the deflector 60 attached thereto to move by three lines in the X-axis direction. This sub-scanning operation is driven by the rotation of the sub-scanning motor 40. As described above, the sub-scanning motor 40 is a stepping motor that rotates intermittently, and rotates only while the three light beams LB are emitted. However, the rotation is stopped while the three light beams LB are not irradiated. As a result, the movement of the guide 50 and the deflector 60 in the X-axis direction is performed in synchronization with the main scanning.

As described above, in the cylindrical inner surface scanning type image recording apparatus 1 of the first embodiment, the light beam LB is always irrespective of the rotation state of the deflection element 61 and the central axis of the cylindrical inner surface 10a and Since the reflection element 612R near the rotation axis of the deflection element 61 reflects and deflects the light, the multiple beam point train rotation does not occur.

Further, the three light beams LB are reflected by the reflecting surface 612.
Since the light is incident on R substantially perpendicularly to the central axis CA, the cross-sectional intensity distribution of the light beam LB is not deformed on the photosensitive material FM. Therefore, it is necessary to provide a mechanism for preventing the deformation. In addition, good image scanning can be performed with a simple configuration.

Further, since the light beam LB is reflected in the vicinity of the central axis CA and the deflecting element 61 has a columnar shape centering on the central axis CA, when entering and exiting the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical member 611. Since it is perpendicular to the outer peripheral surface, it is easy to control the position of the beam on the photosensitive material FM without being refracted after incidence and emission.

Further, since the deflecting element 61 can perform the main scanning by rotating, unlike the configuration of scanning by vibrating like a galvanometer, the scanning speed does not change in principle and the deflection is performed. Element 6
It is possible to scan at high speed by rotating 1 at high speed.

Furthermore, since the light beam LB is reflected in the vicinity of the central axis of the cylindrical inner surface 10a on the reflecting surface 612R, the main scanning speed can be kept constant in all scanning regions.

Further, since the deflecting element 61 is substantially rotationally symmetric with respect to the central axis CA, the central axis CA substantially passes through the center of gravity of the deflector, so that uneven rotation is unlikely to occur, and the surface of the cylindrical member 611 is also formed. Since it has a cylindrical shape, the air resistance is uniform, so that the rotation speed is stable, and thereby more stable scanning can be performed.

[0043]

[2. Second Embodiment FIGS. 7 and 8 show a deflecting element 61 of a cylindrical inner surface scanning type image recording apparatus 1 according to a second embodiment.
FIG. FIG. 8 shows a state in which the deflection element 61 of FIG. 7 has rotated 180 °. Hereinafter, with reference to FIGS. 7 and 8, the cylindrical inner surface scanning type image recording apparatus 1 according to the second embodiment will be described.
The configuration and characteristics of will be described. The device of the second embodiment has substantially the same mechanical structure as the device of the first embodiment, but only the structure of the deflection element 61 is different. That is, as shown in FIG. 7 and FIG.
The center axis CA of the deflecting element 61 is located at the center of the second reflective layer 612, and both surfaces of the reflective layer 612 are reflective surfaces 612Ra, 61.
It is 2Rb. Here, as in the first embodiment, the central axis CA of the deflection element 61 is installed so as to coincide with the rotation axis of the deflection element 61 and the central axis of the cylindrical inner surface 10a. Then, the three light beams LB incident on the cylindrical member 611 are reflected at the positions closest to the central axes CA of the reflection surfaces 612Ra and 612Rb, and are emitted from the cylindrical member 611 again. Therefore, since the deflecting element 61 has such a configuration, the reflecting surface 612Ra
And 612 Rb respectively, and can be scanned by the three light beams LB reflected.

FIG. 9 is a timing chart of light beam irradiation according to the second embodiment. The rotation angle θ is almost the same as that used in FIG. 6, and the reflection layer 612 is parallel to the XZ plane as shown in FIG.
12Ra is in the positive direction of the Y-axis as a reference (θ = 0
)), And the vertical axis is 3 by the light beam irradiation unit 70.
Turning on the state where the book light beam LB is irradiated,
On the contrary, the state in which no irradiation is performed is represented as OFF.

As can be seen from FIG. 9, the deflection element 61 has 45
The three light beams LB are irradiated during the rotational positions of deg-135 ° and 225-315 °, and are not radiated during other periods. Accordingly, the rotation angle θ of the deflection element 61
612R during the period when the angle is 45 ° to 135 °
The main scanning is performed by the three light beams LB reflected by a, and the main scanning is performed by the three light beams LB reflected by the reflecting surface 612Rb during the period in which the deflection element 61 is in the rotation position of 225 ° to 315 °. Then, the sub-scanning motor 40 is rotated intermittently at the timing shown in FIG. 9 so that the sub-scanning is performed in synchronization with the main scanning.

In the cylindrical inner surface scanning type image recording apparatus 1 according to the second embodiment, the reflective surfaces 6 are formed on both surfaces of the reflective layer 612 as described above.
12Ra and 612Rb are provided, and scanning can be performed by reflecting the light beam LB on both surfaces thereof, so scanning is performed at twice the speed as compared with the cylindrical inner surface scanning type image recording apparatus 1 of the first embodiment. be able to.

The center of the reflection layer 612 is the deflection element 61.
Since the center axis CA and the rotation axis of the deflection element 61 coincide with each other, the deflection element 61 is rotationally symmetric with respect to the center axis CA, so that the rotation speed is stable and thereby the scanning speed is stable.

[0048]

[3. Third Embodiment FIG. 10 is a side view of a cylindrical inner surface scanning type image recording apparatus 1 according to a third embodiment. Also,
FIG. 11 is a sectional view of the cylindrical inner surface scanning type image recording apparatus 1. This device will be described below with reference to FIGS. 10 and 11.

As shown in the figure, the cylindrical inner surface scanning type image recording apparatus 1 is provided with the same structural members as the cylindrical inner surface scanning type image recording apparatus 1 of the first embodiment. However, this device is different from the device of the first embodiment in the following points.

The cylindrical inner surface 10a of the base 10 is 3/4 of the entire circumference.
It is provided with a portion corresponding to a certain degree, and a larger photosensitive material FM than that of the apparatus of the first embodiment can be mounted.

The guide 50 has two columns 53a, 53 below the main body 52 which is screwed and supported by the ball screw 30.
b is provided. The deflector unit 60 is attached to the support column 53a, and the central axis CA of the deflection element 61 is set to the drum 10
It is provided so as to coincide with the central axis of the cylindrical inner surface 10a of the and the rotation axis of the deflection element 61, and the light beam irradiation unit 70 directs the irradiation direction of the three light beams LB to the deflection element 61 on the support column 53b. Is provided. In the deflecting element 61, one surface of the reflective layer 612 is the reflective surface 612R, as in the case shown in FIGS. 4 and 5.

FIG. 12 is a diagram showing the internal structure of the light beam irradiation unit and the optical path of the light beam. 3 as shown
Each of the book light beams LB has a central axis C of the deflection element 61.
The central axis C on the reflecting surface 612R by being obliquely incident on A
The relative position of the deflection element 61 and the light beam irradiation unit 70 is set so as to be reflected in the vicinity of A.

Further, the light beam irradiation unit 70 is the same as the device of the first embodiment in that it is provided with the light source 71 and the lens 72, but the light beam irradiation unit 70 of the device of the third embodiment is different. A cylindrical lens 73 is provided between the light source 71 and the lens 72 on the respective optical paths of the three light beams LB. This is because the three light beams LB reflect the reflection surface 6
Due to the oblique incidence on 12R, the cylindrical inner surface 10a
It is an example of means for preventing the cross-sectional intensity distribution of the three light beams LB from becoming elliptical on the surface of the photosensitive material FM attached to.

By the way, in the apparatus of the first embodiment, when the reflection surface 612R of the deflecting element 61 faces the light beam irradiation unit 70, three light beams LB are emitted.
However, the range of scannability is limited, but in the device of the third embodiment, the three light beams LB are obliquely incident on the reflecting surface 612R. Even when 612R faces the light beam irradiation unit 70, since the three light beams LB do not pass through the position of the light beam irradiation unit 70, the scannable range becomes large, and an image is recorded on a larger photosensitive material FM. It can be performed.
The irradiation period of the three light beams LB and the driving period of the sub-scanning motor 40 for sub-scanning are set according to the scanning range.

Other configurations are the same as those of the cylindrical inner surface scanning type image recording apparatus 1 of the first embodiment.

[0056]

[4. Fourth Embodiment Next, a cylindrical inner surface scanning type image recording apparatus 1 according to a fourth embodiment will be described. The device of the fourth embodiment has substantially the same mechanical structure as the device of the third embodiment, but only the structure of the deflecting element 61 is configured like the device of the second embodiment. . That is, as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the central axis CA is located at the center of the reflective layer 612, and both surfaces of the reflective layer 612 are reflective surfaces 612Ra and 612Rb. Then, the three light beams LB incident on the cylindrical member 611 are reflected at the positions closest to the central axes CA of the reflection surfaces 612Ra and 612Rb, and are emitted from the cylindrical member 611 again. Therefore, since the deflection element 61 has such a configuration, the reflection surfaces 612Ra and 61
Since scanning can be performed by the three light beams LB reflected by each of 2Rb, scanning can be performed at twice the speed as compared with the apparatus of the third embodiment.

The irradiation timing of the three light beams LB and the driving timing of the sub-scanning motor 40 for sub-scanning are almost the same as those in the second embodiment. Also,
Other configurations are similar to those of the third embodiment.

[0058]

[5. Fifth Embodiment Next, a cylindrical inner surface scanning type image recording apparatus 1 according to a fifth embodiment will be described. FIG.
FIG. 9 is a sectional view of a cylindrical inner surface scanning type image recording apparatus 1 according to a fifth embodiment. In this embodiment, as shown in the drawing, the light beam irradiation units 70a and 70b are provided on both sides of the deflection element 61. The deflecting element 61 is similar to that of the device of the second embodiment, and both surfaces of the reflective layer 612 are reflective surfaces 612Ra and 612 as shown in FIG.
It is equipped with Rb. Then, the central axis CA of the deflection element 61
Other mechanical structures such as the vertical incidence of the three light beams LB are similar to those of the device of the first embodiment.

By using the two light beam irradiation units thus provided, a scanning area corresponding to a larger central angle can be obtained, and each of the two photosensitive materials FM is irradiated with the light beam irradiation unit 70a and the light beam irradiation unit 70a. Scanning is performed by each of the beam irradiation units 70b, and one large photosensitive material FM is used.
Can be shared by the light beam irradiation unit 70a and the light beam irradiation unit 70b for scanning. The operation procedure in the latter case will be described below. 14 and 15 are the fifth
FIG. 3 is an operation explanatory diagram of the cylindrical inner surface scanning type image recording apparatus of the embodiment. 16 is a timing chart of light beam irradiation and sub-scanning in the fifth embodiment. Hereinafter, the operation procedure will be described using these figures together. In the following, the rotation angle θ has the same definition as that used in the description of FIG. 6.

First, as shown in FIG. 14A, the light beam irradiation unit 70 is used while the rotation angle θ of the deflection element 61 is 0 to 5 °.
Neither a nor 70b is irradiated with the three light beams LB.

Next, as shown in FIG. 14B, at the timing when the rotation angle θ becomes 5 °, the light beam irradiation unit 70a is irradiated.
Starts irradiation of three light beams LB and continues irradiation of three light beams LB while the rotation angle θ is 5 ° to 45 ° as shown in FIG. 14C, and FIG. As shown in FIG. 5, when the rotation angle θ reaches 45 °, the irradiation of the three light beams LB of the light beam irradiation unit 70a is stopped. During this time, the light beam irradiation unit 70b also stops irradiation of the three light beams LB.

Next, as shown in FIG. 14 (e), while the rotation angle θ is between 45 ° and 135 °, both of the light beam irradiation units 70a and 70b stop irradiation of the three light beams LB. There is. Then, when the rotation angle θ reaches 135 ° as shown in FIG. 14F, the light beam irradiation unit 70b starts irradiation of the three light beams LB, and the light beam irradiation unit 70b rotates as shown in FIG. 14G. While the angle θ is 135 ° to 175 °, the three light beams LB are continuously emitted, and when the rotation angle θ reaches 175 ° as shown in FIG.
0b stops the irradiation of the three light beams LB. During this time, the light beam irradiation unit 70a also stops irradiation of the three light beams LB.

Next, as shown in FIG. 14 (i), when the rotation angle θ is between 175 ° and 185 °, the light beam irradiation unit 70a is used.
And 70b both continue to stop. And FIG.
As shown in FIG. 5 (j), when the rotation angle θ reaches 185 °, the light beam irradiating section 70a again turns into three light beams L.
The irradiation of B is started, and the irradiation of the three light beams LB is continued while the rotation angle θ is 185 ° to 225 ° as shown in FIG. 15 (k). θ is 22
Irradiation of the three light beams LB is stopped at the stage when the angle becomes 5 °. During this time, the light beam irradiation unit 70b also stops irradiation of the three light beams LB.

Next, as shown in FIG. 15 (m), the light beam irradiation unit 70a is used when the rotation angle θ is between 225 ° and 315 °.
And 70b both continue to stop. And FIG.
As shown in FIG. 5 (n), when the rotation angle θ reaches 315 °, the light beam irradiation unit 70b again returns to the three light beams L.
The irradiation of B is started, the irradiation of the three light beams LB is continued while the rotation angle θ is 315 ° to 355 ° as shown in FIG. 15 (o), and the rotation angle is as shown in FIG. 15 (p). θ is 35
Irradiation of the three light beams LB is stopped at the stage when the angle becomes 5 °. During this time, the light beam irradiation unit 70a also stops irradiation of the three light beams LB.

Then, as shown in FIG. 15 (q), both the light beam irradiation units 70a and 70b continue to stop until the rotation angle θ reaches 360 °, and the operation from FIG. 14 (a) is repeated. To go.

The light beam irradiators 70a and 70b perform the main scanning while operating in the above-described operation procedure. The sub-scanning operation accompanying this is similar to that of the apparatus of the first embodiment. This is performed by intermittently rotating the motor 40 and moving the deflector 60 along with the guide 50 in the X-axis direction through the rotation of the ball screw 30. FIG. 16 is a timing chart of the irradiation of the three light beams LB and the operation of the sub-scanning motor 40 in the fifth embodiment.

FIGS. 16A and 16B are timing charts for irradiating the three light beams LB by the light beam irradiators 70a and 70b, respectively. FIG. 16C is a timing chart of the operation of the sub-scanning motor 40.
As shown in the figure, the sub-scanning motor 40 synchronizes with the main scanning, and either the light beam irradiation unit 70a or the light beam irradiation unit 70b irradiates the three light beams LB, that is,
The deflection element 61 has a rotation angle θ of 5 ° to 45 ° and 135 ° to
175 °, 185 ° to 225 ° and 315 ° to 355
It rotates only during °.

As described above, since the cylindrical inner surface scanning type image recording apparatus 1 of the fifth embodiment has the above-mentioned configuration, the scanning is performed within the range of the outer peripheral surface corresponding to the larger center angle. It can be carried out. In FIG. 13, the cylindrical inner surface 10a of the drum 10 is made a cylinder corresponding to a larger central angle, and the light beam irradiation parts 70a and 70b are provided at a higher position of the guide 50, so that the central angle is in principle close to 360 °. It is also possible to scan the corresponding area.

[0069]

[6. Sixth Embodiment In the first to fifth embodiments, multi-channelization of the light beam LB is achieved in the axial direction of the cylindrical inner surface 10a. In the present invention, multi-channelization of the light beam LB can be achieved in the circumferential direction of the inner surface 10a of the cylinder. That is, the light beam LB used for scanning can be made into a two-dimensional multi-channel. Moreover, as is the case with the first to fifth embodiments, the multiple beam point train rotation which is a problem in the scanning inner beam scanning type image recording apparatus having the scanning beam multi-channel does not occur.

FIG. 18 is a sectional view of a cylindrical inner surface scanning type image recording apparatus 1 according to the sixth embodiment. The mechanical configuration of the device of the sixth embodiment is substantially the same as that of the first embodiment, but a plurality of light beams L emitted from the light source unit 71 are used.
Only the sequence of B is different.

In the first embodiment, the plural light beams LB are multi-channelized in the X-axis direction.
In the sixth embodiment, the plurality of light beams LB are multi-channelized not only in the X-axis direction but in the circumferential direction.
Here, the plural light beams LB are reflected in the vicinity of the central axis CA of the deflection element 61. As a result, in the sixth embodiment, the first
Therefore, as in the fifth embodiment, the rotation of the multiple beam point train does not occur.

[0072]

[7. Other Embodiments While the cylindrical inner surface scanning type image recording apparatus 1 according to the six embodiments has been described above, the following cylindrical inner surface scanning type image recording apparatus 1 may be used. it can.

That is, in the cylindrical inner surface scanning type image recording apparatus 1 of the fifth embodiment, the deflecting element 61 having the reflecting surface 612R on one surface of the reflecting layer 612 is provided, and the light beam irradiating portions 70a and 70b are used to alternately switch the three elements. By irradiating the light beam LB of the book, it is possible to scan two photosensitive materials FM or one large photosensitive material FM.

Further, in the cylindrical inner surface scanning type image recording apparatus 1 of the third and fourth embodiments, two light beam irradiation units 70a and 70b are provided as in the apparatus of the fifth embodiment. In the apparatus having the configuration, by alternately irradiating the three light beams LB from the light beam irradiators 70a and 70b, the two photosensitive materials FM are scanned similarly to the apparatus of the fifth embodiment, It is also possible to adopt a configuration in which one large photosensitive material FM is scanned.

[0075]

[8. Modifications In each of the above embodiments, the cylindrical member 61 is used.
1 was a transparent member. Here, the transparent member refers to a member that allows most of the light beam LB to pass therethrough.

Although the cylindrical member 611 is made of transparent glass in each of the above embodiments, it may be made of transparent resin.

The role of the cylindrical member 611 is to facilitate the support of the reflection layer 612 and the connection between the deflection element 61 and the main scanning motor 62, as described in the first embodiment. That's what it means. In order to fulfill these roles, instead of the cylindrical member 611, a member having a different shape may be used to support a part or the whole of the reflective layer, and even in that case, the cylindrical member 611 can achieve the effects of the present application. It is possible to configure the inner surface scanning type image recording apparatus 1.

In each of the above embodiments, the reflecting surface 61
Although 2R, 612Ra and 612Rb are formed by depositing silver on the surface of the reflection layer 612, they may be formed by depositing aluminum.

Further, when a pair of semi-cylindrical members having different refractive indexes are joined to form a cylindrical member 611, light is reflected on the joining surface, and this may be used as the reflecting surface 612R.

Further, although the cylindrical member 611 is entirely transparent in each of the above-described embodiments, the reflecting surface 612R in the first and third embodiments is replaced by the reflecting layer 612.
In the case of the structure provided on only one side surface, the cylindrical member 6
Since it is not necessary to transmit the light beam LB, the half of the reflection layer 612 on the rear surface 612B side may be formed of a material that does not transmit light.

Further, in the above embodiment, the reflective layer 612 is used.
The entire reflecting surfaces 612R, 612Ra and 612Rb of the above can reflect the light beam LB.
It is also possible to have a configuration in which only the portion of the surfaces that reflects the light beam LB near the central axis CA can be reflected, and the other portions are not reflected.

Furthermore, in the first and third embodiments, the central axis CA of the deflecting element 61 passes through the reflection surface 612R, but when the reflection layer 612 is formed sufficiently thin, the center of the reflection layer 612 is formed. May be configured to pass through.
In the second and fourth embodiments, the central axis CA of 61 passes through the center of the reflective layer 612, but the reflective layer 61
When 2 is formed sufficiently thin, it may be configured to pass through the reflecting surface 612Ra or 612Rb.

[0083]

According to the first and second aspects of the present invention, each of the plurality of light beams is directed in a direction intersecting the central axis of the cylindrical drum.
Since the light beams are obliquely irradiated and are reflected and deflected by the surface of the reflecting member of the deflection element near the center axis of the cylindrical drum and the rotation axis of the deflection element, a plurality of beam point arrays on the recording medium Image recording can be performed without causing rotation. Conventionally, in a cylindrical inner surface scanning type image recording apparatus using a plurality of light beams, a mechanism such as a synchronous rotation prism is required so as not to cause a rotation of a plurality of beam point arrays, but in the present invention, the same effect can be obtained with a simple configuration. To be achieved. Further, since the plurality of light beams are deflected on the central axis of the cylindrical drum, a constant main scanning speed can be obtained without any correction of the rotation speed of the deflecting element, and stable and high speed image recording is possible. Also light
Since the beam is incident at an angle, the surface of the reflection member will
Even when facing the beam irradiation means,
Can be scanned without passing multiple light beams through the position
Large range up to about 3/4 of the entire circumference of the inner surface of the cylinder
Larger than at least half of the entire circumference of the inner surface of the cylinder
It is possible to record an image on a larger photosensitive material.
it can.

In the invention of claim 2 , a plurality of optical beads are provided.
Even if the beam enters the surface of the reflecting member at an angle,
The interruption of the plurality of light beams at the surface of the deposited photosensitive material.
The surface intensity distribution does not have an elliptical shape.

[0085] In the inventions of claims 3, two light beam irradiation
Each of the multiple light beams from the means rotates a deflection element.
Select according to the posture of the reflective member
Alternatively, it is irradiated in the direction intersecting the central axis of the cylindrical drum.
It Each of these light beams is the central axis of the cylindrical drum.
And a reflection member of the deflection element near the rotation axis of the deflection element
Since it is reflected and deflected by the surface of the
Images without rotating multiple beam point trains on the body
Records can be made. Conventionally, multiple light beams were used
In a cylindrical inner surface scanning type image recording device, a multiple beam point array
A mechanism such as a synchronous rotation prism is required to prevent rotation
However, in the present invention, the same effect can be obtained with a simple configuration.
Is achieved. In addition, multiple light beams
Deflection at the main axis, so constant main scanning speed
High speed, which can be obtained without any correction of element rotation speed.
This enables stable image recording. Also, the appearance of the reflective member
Selective irradiation of the light beam from the light beam means according to the power
Within the range of the outer peripheral surface corresponding to a large center angle.
Scanning can be performed, which allows two photosensitive materials
Scan by each light beam irradiation means, or 1 sheet
Of light-sensitive material with a large
It can carry and scan. In the invention of claim 4,
Since the deflection element has a cylindrical shape,
The rotation balance is good and the air friction is small.
It

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a side view of a cylindrical inner surface scanning type image recording apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the cylindrical inner surface scanning type image recording apparatus according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an internal structure of a light beam irradiation unit and an optical path of a light beam according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the deflector according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a side view of the deflector according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a timing chart of light beam irradiation according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a side view of a deflector according to a second embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a side view of a deflector according to a second embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a timing chart of light beam irradiation according to the second embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a side view of a cylindrical inner surface scanning type image recording apparatus according to a third embodiment.

FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of a cylindrical inner surface scanning type image recording apparatus according to a third embodiment.

FIG. 12 is a diagram showing an internal structure of a light beam irradiation unit and an optical path of a light beam according to a third embodiment.

FIG. 13 is a sectional view of a cylindrical inner surface scanning type image recording apparatus according to a fifth embodiment.

FIG. 14 is an operation explanatory view of the cylindrical inner surface scanning type image recording apparatus of the fifth embodiment.

FIG. 15 is an operation explanatory view of the cylindrical inner surface scanning type image recording apparatus of the fifth embodiment.

FIG. 16 is a timing chart of the light beam irradiation and the operation of the sub-scanning motor according to the fifth embodiment.

FIG. 17 is a diagram showing a configuration of a conventional device.

FIG. 18 is a cross-sectional view of a cylindrical inner surface scanning type image recording apparatus according to a sixth embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 Cylindrical inner surface scanning type image recording device 10 foundation 10a inner surface of cylinder 60 deflector unit 61 Deflection element 70, 70a, 70b Light beam irradiation unit 611 cylindrical member 612 reflective layer 612B back side 612R, 612Ra, 612Rb Reflective surface CA central axis FM photosensitive material LB light beam

Claims (4)

(57) [Claims] 1. A cylindrical inner surface scanning type image recording apparatus for recording an image by scanning a recording medium mounted on the inner surface of a cylindrical drum with a plurality of light beams, wherein (a) each of the plurality of light beams is A light beam irradiating means for irradiating the light beam in a direction intersecting the central axis of the cylindrical drum; (b) a reflecting member; and a deflection element comprising a supporting member surrounding and supporting the reflecting member, (C) Rotation driving means for rotating the deflection element is provided, the rotation driving means and the support member are connected so that at least one surface of the reflecting member is along the rotation axis of the rotation driving means, and the rotation axis of the rotation driving means. wherein the rotation driving means so that the central axis of the cylinder drum are matched is arranged, and the center of each of the deflection elements of the plurality of light beams and
Incident at an angle with respect to the axis and the inside of the surface of the reflecting member
The deflection element and the light beam are illuminated so that the light is reflected near the axis.
A cylindrical inner surface scanning type image recording apparatus , wherein a relative position of a projection means is set, and the light beam is deflected by the surface by rotating the deflecting element and applied to the recording medium. 2. The light beam irradiating means is a cylindrical carlene.
Cylindrical inner surface scanning type image recording apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that provided's. 3. A recording medium mounted on the inner surface of a cylindrical drum.
Image recording by scanning with multiple light beams
In the cylindrical inner surface scanning type image recording apparatus, (a) each of the plurality of light beams is
Two that irradiate the light beam in the direction intersecting the central axis of the
Light beam irradiating means, (b) a reflecting member, and a support that surrounds and supports the reflecting member
A deflection element composed of members, (C) comprises a rotary drive means for rotating the deflecting element, at least one surface the rotation driving hands of the reflecting member
The rotation drive means and the support part along the rotation axis of the step.
Materials are connected to each other, and the rotary shaft of the rotary drive means and the cylindrical drive
The rotation driving means is arranged so that the central axes of the rams coincide with each other.
The rotation of the deflection element causes the reaction to change.
Depending on the posture of the projecting member, the two light beam irradiation means are
While selectively irradiating the light beam from each,
The light beam is deflected on the surface and applied to the recording medium.
A cylindrical inner surface scanning type image recording apparatus, which is characterized in that 4. The support member is at least partially transparent.
Yes, the deflection element is cylindrical in shape
The cylindrical inner surface running according to any one of claims 1 to 3.
Inspection type image recording device.