JP4857686B2 - Image printing apparatus and light emitting apparatus - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an image printing apparatus and a light emitting device.

  An electrophotographic image printing apparatus includes an image carrier such as a photosensitive drum, and an exposure head that forms a latent image by irradiating light onto a photosensitive surface of the image carrier. Some exposure heads include a light emitting panel in which a plurality of pixels are elongated along a center line to form a slender light image. Among them, light from the light emitting panel is transmitted to the photosensitive surface. Some have a converging lens array for imaging.

  The converging lens array transmits light traveling from the light emitting panel and emits light that forms an erect image with respect to the light image on the light emitting panel. A plurality of gradient index lenses are elongated along the center plane. It is arranged and arranged. In order to form a highly accurate erect image on the photosensitive surface of the image carrier, it is necessary to perform alignment. The alignment includes distance alignment and center alignment.

  In the distance adjustment, the distance between the light emitting panel and the converging lens array is adjusted to the object distance (L0) corresponding to the thickness (Z) of the converging lens array, and the distance between the converging lens array and the image carrier. Is adjusted to the image plane distance (L1) corresponding to the thickness (Z) of the converging lens array. If the distance alignment accuracy is low, the image formed on the photosensitive surface will be blurred.

  Center alignment is an operation of aligning the center line of the light emitting panel, the center plane of the converging lens array, and the center line of the image carrier. Specifically, it is an operation of positioning the light emitting panel, the converging lens array, and the image carrier so that the center line of the light emitting panel and the center line of the image carrier are included in the central plane of the converging lens array. . The center line of the image carrier is the rotation axis when the image carrier is a photosensitive drum. If the alignment accuracy is low, a part or all of the erect image may be formed at a position different from the position where the latent image should be formed on the photosensitive surface of the image carrier, or a part of the erect image. Or everything gets dark.

  As described above, when the alignment accuracy is low, the print quality of the image printing apparatus is lowered. As a technique for increasing the accuracy of alignment, a method is known in which a plurality of pixels on a light-emitting panel are turned on and alignment is performed while monitoring these pixel images via a converging lens array. However, in this method, the alignment equipment becomes large and the work becomes complicated.

A technique described in Patent Document 1 can be cited as a technique that enables easy alignment. In this technology, adjustment means such as adjustment screws and implantation pins are provided on a base to which the light emitting diode array is attached, and an attachment jig is brought into contact with the adjustment means, whereby the light emitting diode array and the converging lens array are arranged. The distance is made equal to the distance between the photosensitive drum and the converging lens array. Further, Patent Document 1 describes that the adjusting means is used as a guide for centering by arranging the adjusting means on a line that coincides with the light emitting section column of the light emitting diode array or on a line parallel to the column line. Yes.
Japanese Patent No. 2944090

  However, in the above technique, the adjustment means is only a guide. That is, with this technique, center alignment cannot be performed with sufficiently high accuracy. In addition, it is necessary to attach the light emitting diode array to the base or to make an attachment jig contact the adjusting means, which is not a sufficiently simple operation. In addition, considering the fact that there are many parts whose positions are determined by contact with other parts and there are manufacturing errors in the dimensions of the individual parts, it is difficult to perform alignment with sufficiently high accuracy.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described circumstances, and an object thereof is to provide a light-emitting device and an image printing apparatus that can easily perform alignment with sufficiently high accuracy.

The present invention charges the image carrier, forms a latent image on the charged surface of the image carrier, forms a visible image by attaching toner to the latent image, and applies the visible image to another object. In the image printing apparatus to be transferred, a plurality of pixels whose light emission characteristics or transmission characteristics change according to an electrical action are arranged around a straight line, and a light image is formed by the plurality of pixels, thereby forming the light image. Electro-optical panel that emits light and has a panel frame hole for positioning, and focusing that transmits light traveling from the electro-optical panel and emits light that forms an erect image relative to the optical image on the electro-optical panel A converging lens array, the image carrier on which the light traveling from the converging lens array is irradiated onto the charged surface, an array support formed with a through hole and supporting the converging lens array , support the Kizo carrier An image bearing member supporting member bearing hole for positioning is formed, through said through-hole, is one of the tip fitted to the panel frame hole, and as the other tip contacts the bottom of the bearing hole A pin to be fitted, and the pin has a round bar portion having a diameter larger than that of the panel frame hole from the surface of the panel frame hole on the array support side to the surface of the through hole on the electro-optic panel side, and An image printing apparatus having a diameter larger than that of the through hole is provided.

According to the image printing apparatus, it is possible to sufficiently increase the accuracy of position alignment. Therefore, according to this image printing apparatus, it is possible to easily perform alignment with sufficiently high accuracy, and it is possible to easily obtain sufficiently high print quality.

Furthermore, in this image printing apparatus, the through hole has a long cylindrical shape, and the cross section of the through hole has a length in the longitudinal direction of the array support shorter than a length in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction. You may do it .

  Embodiments according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the drawings, the ratio of dimensions of each part is appropriately changed from the actual one.

<First Embodiment>
<Configuration of image printing apparatus>
1 to 3 are views showing a main part of the image printing apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1 is a front view, FIG. 2 is a side sectional view, and FIG. 3 is a plan view. As shown in these drawings, the image printing apparatus according to the present embodiment prints an image by an electrophotographic method, and includes a rotating photosensitive drum 51, a shaft 52 through which a rotation axis C of the photosensitive drum 51 passes, A bearing 53a that supports the shaft 52 and the light emitting device 10 are provided. The peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 51 is a photosensitive surface, and the image printing apparatus according to the present embodiment charges the photosensitive surface T closest to the light emitting device 10. The bearing 53a is fixed to the housing of the image printing apparatus, and a cylindrical bearing hole 531a is opened on the surface of the light emitting device 10 side. The bearing hole 531a does not penetrate the bearing 53a, and its central axis is orthogonal to the rotation axis C.

  The light emitting device 10 forms a latent image by forming a light image on the charged photosensitive surface T of the photosensitive drum 51, forms a light image in an elongated area inside, and forms this light image. The light emitting panel 11 that emits light, the panel frame 12 that supports the light emitting panel 11, and the light that travels from the light emitting panel 11 and transmits light that forms an erect image with respect to the light image on the region are emitted. A converging lens array 13 for forming a standing image on the surface of the photosensitive drum 51, a lens array frame 14 for supporting the converging lens array 13, and a substantially cylindrical pin 15 for alignment are provided. The above region is a part of the optical image forming surface K.

  In the light emitting panel 11, a plurality of pixels P are arranged in a zigzag pattern in two rows around a pixel center line A that is a straight line passing through the optical image forming surface K. The pixel P is a light emitting element whose light emission characteristics change according to an electrical action. In the present embodiment, as such a light emitting element, an organic EL (Electro Luminescent) element that causes the light emitting layer to emit light with luminance according to a given current is used. The organic EL element has a light emitting layer that is formed from an organic EL material and emits light, and an anode side electrode and a cathode electrode that sandwich the light emitting layer, and causes the light emitting layer to emit light with luminance according to a current applied through both electrodes. It is. The aforementioned region passes through the light emitting layers of all the organic EL elements, and a variable light image can be formed on the region by individually controlling the current applied to each organic EL element.

  The electrode on the converging lens array 13 side is made of, for example, ITO (Indium Tin Oxide), and the light forming the optical image is transmitted through the electrode and emitted from the light emitting panel 11. In addition, the light emitting panel 11 is formed with marks 111 indicating the reference positions on the light emitting panel 11 serving as a reference for center alignment at both ends in the longitudinal direction. In this embodiment, the position of the pixel center line A is assumed as the reference position on the light emitting panel 11, and the shape of each mark 111 can specify the pixel center line A when viewed from the converging lens array 13 side. It has a shape. Each mark 111 is formed of the same material (for example, aluminum) as the member of the light emitting panel 11.

  The panel frame 12 is formed with columnar panel frame holes 12a penetrating in the thickness direction of the panel frame 12 at both ends in the longitudinal direction. Further, the light emitting panel 11 is fixed to the panel frame 12 so that the center axis of each panel frame hole 12a and the pixel center line A are orthogonal. This fixing is performed by, for example, adhesion using a thermosetting adhesive or an ultraviolet curable adhesive.

  In the converging lens array 13, a plurality of gradient index lenses 131 are arranged in a zigzag pattern in two rows around a lens center plane B that is a plane passing through the converging lens array 13. As can be seen from the drawing, the gradient index lens 131 is actually a cylindrical optical fiber. A specific example of the converging lens array 13 is, for example, SLA (Selfoc Lens Array) available from Nippon Sheet Glass Co., Ltd. SELFOC \ SELFOC is a registered trademark of Nippon Sheet Glass Co., Ltd.

  The lens array frame 14 is formed with through holes 14 a penetrating in the thickness direction of the lens array frame 14 at both ends in the longitudinal direction. The through hole 14a has a long cylindrical shape, and its cross section is long in the longitudinal direction of the lens array frame 14 and short in the direction perpendicular to the direction. A pin 15 passes through each through hole 14a. The gap between the pin 15 and the lens array frame 14 enables the pin 15 to move in the longitudinal direction of the lens array frame 14.

  The converging lens array 13 is fixed to the lens array frame 14 so that the center axis of the pin 15 passing through each through hole 14a is included in the lens center plane B. This fixing is performed by, for example, adhesion using a thermosetting adhesive or an ultraviolet curable adhesive. Further, the pin 15 is penetrated so that the relative position between the light emitting panel 11 and the converging lens array 13 is appropriate in the longitudinal direction of both.

  The panel frame 12 and the lens array frame 14 are made of a light shielding material. Although not shown in the drawings, members made of a light-shielding material are attached to both of them to prevent external light from entering the light-emitting device 10. Of course, you may change the shape of at least one of both so that at least one of both may block external light.

  Strictly speaking, the shape of the pin 15 is a stepped round bar, and the round bar portion 15a on the bearing 53a side, the round bar portion 15c on the panel frame 12 side, and the round bar portion 15c therebetween are arranged coaxially. The tip of the round bar portion 15a is fitted into the bearing hole 531a and is in contact with the bottom of the bearing hole 531a. Therefore, the lens center plane B includes the rotation axis C. On the other hand, the round bar portion 15c is fitted in the panel frame hole 12a. Therefore, the lens center plane B includes the pixel center line A. The pins 15 are fixed to the panel frame 12 and the lens array frame 14. This fixing is performed by, for example, adhesion using a thermosetting adhesive or an ultraviolet curable adhesive. The pin 15 is fixed to the bearing 53. This fixing is performed, for example, by urging the light emitting device 10 toward the photosensitive drum 51.

  Moreover, the diameter of the round bar part 15b is longer than the round bar part 15a and the round bar part 15c. For this reason, two steps 151 and 152 are formed on the peripheral surface of the pin 15. The step 151 is in contact with the surface of the panel frame 12 on the lens array frame 14 side, and the step 152 is in contact with the surface of the lens array frame 14 on the panel frame 12 side. The distance between the steps, that is, the length of the round bar portion 15b is set such that the distance between the light emitting panel 11 (strictly, the optical image forming surface K) and the converging lens array 13 is equal to the thickness (Z) of the converging lens array 13. It is determined to be equal to the object distance (L0) which is an ideal distance corresponding to the object distance. The distance from the step 151 to the tip of the round bar portion 15a is the distance between the converging lens array 13 and the photosensitive drum 51 (strictly, the photosensitive surface T) is the thickness (Z) of the converging lens array 13. It is determined so as to be equal to the image plane distance (L1) which is an ideal distance corresponding thereto.

  As is clear from the above description, in the image printing apparatus according to the present embodiment, the lens center plane B includes the pixel center line A and the rotation axis C, and the distance between the light emitting panel 11 and the converging lens array 13 is small. The distance between the focusing lens array 13 and the photosensitive drum 51 is equal to the object distance (L0) and equal to the image plane distance (L1), and high-accuracy alignment is possible. Moreover, the relative position of the light emission panel 11 and the converging lens array 13 is appropriate in the longitudinal direction of both. Therefore, according to the image printing apparatus according to the present embodiment, sufficiently high print quality can be obtained.

<Method for Manufacturing Image Printing Apparatus>
Next, a method for manufacturing the image printing apparatus according to the present embodiment will be described.
First, the light emitting panel 11 is manufactured. The manufacturing process of the light emitting panel 11 is the same as the manufacturing process of a general organic EL panel. However, in the manufacturing process of the light emitting panel 11, as shown in FIG. 4, two marks 111 are formed on the pixel center line A so as to sandwich a plurality of pixels P. If at least one of these marks 111 is visually recognized, the position of the pixel center line A can be specified by its shape.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 5, the light emitting panel 11 is fixed to the panel frame 12. Specifically, the light emitting panel 11 is bonded to the panel frame 12 so that the center axis of the two panel frame holes 12a formed in the panel frame 12 and the pixel center line A are orthogonal to each other. In this adhesion, for example, a thermosetting adhesive or an ultraviolet curable adhesive is used. Prior to this fixing, panel frame holes 12a are formed at both ends of the panel frame 12 in the longitudinal direction.

  Next, as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the pin 15 is fixed to the panel frame 12. Specifically, first, the round bar portion 15c of the pin 15 is inserted into the panel frame hole 12a until the step 151 comes into contact with the panel frame 12, and then the pin 15 is bonded to the panel frame 12. In this adhesion, for example, a thermosetting adhesive or an ultraviolet curable adhesive is used. These operations are performed on the two pins 15. As a result, the center axis of the two pins 15 and the pixel center line A are orthogonal.

  Prior to this step, the pin 15 is manufactured. In manufacturing the pin 15, a method of integrally forming the round bar portions 15a, 15b, and 15c is employed instead of a method of joining a plurality of round bar portions manufactured separately. In manufacturing the pin 15, the distance between the step 151 and the step 152, that is, the length of the round bar portion 15b, is set so that the distance between the light emitting panel 11 and the converging lens array 13 is equal to the object distance (L0). The distance from the step 151 to the tip of the round bar portion 15a is determined so that the distance between the converging lens array 13 and the photosensitive drum 51 is equal to the image plane distance (L1).

  Next, as shown in FIG. 8, the converging lens array 13 is fixed to the lens array frame 14. Specifically, the converging lens array 13 is bonded to the lens array frame 14 so that the center axis of the pin 15 is included in the lens center plane B when the pin 15 passes through the through hole 14a of the lens array frame 14. To do. In this adhesion, for example, a thermosetting adhesive or an ultraviolet curable adhesive is used. Prior to this fixing, through holes 14 a are formed at both ends in the longitudinal direction of the lens array frame 14.

  Next, as shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, the lens array frame 14 is supported by the pins 15. Specifically, first, the pin 15 is inserted into the through hole 14a of the lens array frame 14 to penetrate the through hole 14a, and then the relative position between the light emitting panel 11 and the converging lens array 13 is appropriately changed. Next, the lens array frame 14 is fixed to the pins 15. This fixing is performed by adhesion using, for example, a thermosetting adhesive or an ultraviolet curable adhesive. In addition, you may make it perform the operation | work which adhere | attaches the pin 15 to the light emission panel 11 after deform | transforming this embodiment and bonding this.

  The operation of supporting the lens array frame 14 on the pins 15 is performed on the two pins 15. As a result, the step 152 of the two pins 15 is in contact with the lens array frame 14, the distance between the light emitting panel 11 and the converging lens array 13 is equal to the object distance (L0), and the central axis of the two pins 15 is It is included in the lens center plane B. Moreover, the relative position of both becomes appropriate in the longitudinal direction of both. In this step, the external light is blocked, and thereafter, the external light does not enter the light emitting device 10.

  Next, as shown in FIGS. 1-3, the pin 15 is fixed to the bearing 53a. Specifically, the round bar portion 15a of the pin 15 is inserted into the bearing hole 531a until the tip comes into contact with the bottom of the bearing hole 531a, and then the pin 15 is fixed to the bearing 53a. Thus, the image printing apparatus is manufactured. This fixing is performed, for example, by urging the light emitting device 10 toward the photosensitive drum 51 by an elastic body such as a spring. These operations are performed on the two pins 15. As a result, the distance between the converging lens array 13 and the photosensitive drum 51 is equal to the image plane distance (L1), and the central axis of the two pins 15 and the rotational axis C of the photosensitive drum 51 are orthogonal to each other. Therefore, in the manufactured image printing apparatus, high-precision distance alignment and high-precision center alignment are realized.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, the alignment is performed using the mark 111, the panel frame hole 12a, the through hole 14a, the bearing hole 531a, and each part of the pin 15. Therefore, according to the present embodiment, alignment can be easily performed with simple equipment. Further, since the round bar portions 15a, 15b, and 15c, which are the respective parts of the pin 15, are integrally formed, the manufacturing error that affects the relative position between the round bar portions is only the manufacturing error of one member (pin 15). . Therefore, the alignment accuracy in this embodiment is sufficiently high. Therefore, according to this embodiment, alignment with sufficiently high accuracy can be easily performed.

  Further, in this embodiment, since the lens array frame 14 in which the through holes 14a are formed is used, it is easier to manufacture the image printing apparatus than in the case of using the lens array frame in which protrusions corresponding to the pins 15 are formed. It becomes. Further, since there is room in the longitudinal direction of the lens array frame 14 in the through hole 14a, the relative position between the pin 15 and the lens array frame 14 can be changed in the longitudinal direction. Therefore, higher print quality can be achieved.

<Formation of mark 111>
Next, the formation of the mark 111 will be described in detail.
FIG. 11 is a side sectional view of a part of the light emitting panel 11, and FIG. 12 is a virtual view of the same part viewed from the converging lens array 13 side. In these drawings, the structure of the light emitting panel 11 and its equivalent circuit for one pixel P are shown. As shown in FIG. 11, the light emitting panel 11 includes a main substrate 21. In FIG. 12, the insulating layer and the main substrate 21 are not present. The main substrate 21 is made of glass, for example, and the plurality of pixels P are formed on the main substrate 21. On the main substrate 21, a drive transistor TR that drives the pixel P is formed for each pixel P. Details are as follows.

  On the main substrate 21, the active region 22 of the drive transistor TR is selectively formed of amorphous silicon. An insulating layer of silicon oxide is formed thereon, and a gate metal 23 that selectively serves as the gate of the driving transistor TR is selectively formed thereon. A gate line is connected to each gate metal 23. On the gate metal 23, an insulating layer is formed of silicon oxide. In this insulating layer, two contact holes are formed for each pixel P, and a source metal 24 and a drain metal 25 that are in contact with the active region 22 through the contact holes are formed. A drain line 29 is connected to the drain metal 25.

  On the source metal 24 and the drain metal 25, an insulating layer is formed of silicon oxide. One contact hole for each pixel P is formed in this insulating layer. An anode side electrode 26 that is in contact with the source metal 24 through the contact hole is formed, and an insulating layer (bank) that defines a plurality of recesses with the anode side electrode 26 as a bottom is formed thereon. A light emitting layer 27 is formed in each recess, and a cathode electrode 28 is formed thereon. In practice, the plurality of pixels P are sealed by a sealing substrate and protected from the outside air and moisture.

  Although it is possible to form the mark 111 by, for example, printing after manufacturing the light emitting panel having the above-described structure, in the present embodiment, the mark 111 is also formed at the time of manufacturing the light emitting panel. Therefore, there is a possibility that a member of the light emitting panel 111 is disposed between the mark 111 and the converging lens array 13. Therefore, in this embodiment, the member of the light emission panel 111 arrange | positioned between the mark 111 and the converging lens array 13 is formed from the material with high light transmittance.

  Further, in the present embodiment, by forming the mark 111 with the same material as the member of the light emitting panel having the structure shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, the member and the mark 111 can be collectively formed. For this reason, the timing suitable for forming the mark 111 is any one of the timings shown in FIGS. The timing shown in FIG. 13 is after the light emitting layer 27 is formed, that is, when the cathode electrode 28 is formed. The timing shown in FIG. 14 is after two contact holes are formed for each pixel P, that is, when the source metal 24 and the drain metal 25 are formed. The timing shown in FIG. 15 is after the active region 22 is covered with the insulating layer, that is, when the gate metal 23 is formed. At any timing, the material for forming the mark 111 is a metal material such as aluminum.

<Second Embodiment>
16 and 17 are views showing the main part of the image printing apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 16 is a front view, and FIG. 17 is a side sectional view. The image printing apparatus according to this embodiment is greatly different from that according to the first embodiment in that a light emitting device 30 is provided instead of the light emitting device 10. More specifically, a point having the light emitting panel 31 instead of the light emitting panel 11, a point having the bearing 53b instead of the bearing 53a, a point having the pin 32 instead of the pin 15, and the panel frame 12 are not provided. Is a point.

FIG. 18 is a plan view of the light emitting panel 31. As shown in this figure, the mark 111 is not formed on the light emitting panel 31, and a mark 311 is formed instead.
FIG. 19 is a view of the bearing 53b and the like viewed from the light emitting device 30 side. As shown in this figure, the bearing 53b is not formed with a bearing hole 531a. Instead, a mark 531b indicating a reference position on the photosensitive drum 51 serving as a reference for centering is formed. In this embodiment, the position of the rotation axis C is assumed as the reference position on the photosensitive drum 51, and the shape of each mark 531b is a shape that allows the rotation axis C to be specified when viewed from the light emitting device 30 side. ing.

  The pin 32 plays the same role as the pin 15. Strictly speaking, the shape of the pin 15 is a stepped round bar, and the round bar part 32a on the bearing 53b side and the round bar part 32b on the light emitting panel 31 side are arranged coaxially. The diameter of the round bar portion 32 b is longer than that of the round bar portion 32 a, and one step 321 is formed on the peripheral surface of the pin 32. The tip of the round bar portion 32a is in contact with the mark 531b of the bearing 53b, the tip of the round bar portion 32b is in contact with the mark 311 of the light emitting panel 31, and the step 321 is in contact with the surface of the lens array frame 14 on the light emitting panel 31 side. The distance between the step 321 and the tip of the round bar portion 32b, that is, the length of the round bar portion 32b is determined so that the distance between the light emitting panel 31 and the converging lens array 13 is equal to the object distance (L0). . The distance from the step 321 to the tip of the round bar portion 32a is determined so that the distance between the converging lens array 13 and the photosensitive drum 51 is equal to the image plane distance (L1).

  The mark 311 is a figure that is not covered by the round bar portion 32b. The mark 531b is a figure that is not covered by the round bar portion 32a. As such a figure, the figure which consists of two concentric circles is employ | adopted in this embodiment. That is, each mark is configured such that the entire inner concentric circle is hidden and the entire outer circumference of the outer concentric circle is visible.

The manufacturing process of the image printing apparatus according to this embodiment is as follows.
First, the light emitting panel 31 is manufactured. This manufacturing process is the same as the manufacturing process of the light-emitting panel 11. Next, as shown in FIGS. 20 and 21, the pin 32 is fixed to the light emitting panel 31. Specifically, first, the tip of the round bar portion 32 b is overlapped with the mark 311, and then the pin 32 is bonded to the light emitting panel 31. The operation of overlapping the tip of the round bar portion 32b on the mark 311 is performed so that the concentric circle inside the mark 311 is covered with the round bar portion 32b and the entire outer circumference of the concentric circle outside the mark 311 is visible. As a result, the center axis of the two pins 32 and the pixel center line A are orthogonal. In the above bonding, for example, a thermosetting adhesive or an ultraviolet curable adhesive is used.

  Next, the converging lens array 13 is fixed to the lens array frame 14, and the lens array frame 14 is supported by the pins 32. This operation is the same as the operation described in the first embodiment. As a result of this work, the step between the two pins 32 comes into contact with the lens array frame 14, and the distance between the light emitting panel 31 and the converging lens array 13 becomes equal to the object distance (L0), and the central axis of the two pins 32 Is included in the lens center plane B. Further, the relative position between the light emitting panel 31 and the converging lens array 13 is appropriate in the longitudinal direction of both.

  Next, as shown in FIGS. 16 and 17, the pin 32 (strictly, the round bar portion 32a) is fixed to the bearing 53b. This operation is the same as the operation of fixing the pin 32 to the light emitting panel 31. However, bonding is not performed, and the light emitting device 10 is biased toward the photosensitive drum 51 side. These operations are performed on the two pins 32. As a result, the distance between the converging lens array 13 and the photosensitive drum 51 is equal to the image plane distance (L1), and the central axis of the two pins 32 and the rotation axis C of the photosensitive drum 51 are orthogonal to each other. Therefore, in the manufactured image printing apparatus, high-precision distance alignment and high-precision center alignment are realized.

  As described above, in this embodiment, alignment is performed using the mark 311, the through hole 14 a, the mark 531 b, and each part of the pin 32. Therefore, the same effect as the first embodiment can be obtained. Furthermore, according to the present embodiment, since the pins 32 are in direct contact with the light-emitting panel 31, manufacturing errors that affect the alignment can be further reduced.

<Third Embodiment>
22 and 23 are views showing the main part of the image printing apparatus according to the third embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 22 is a front view, and FIG. 23 is a side sectional view. The image printing apparatus according to this embodiment is greatly different from that according to the first embodiment in that a light emitting device 40 is provided instead of the light emitting device 10. More specifically, the light emitting panel 41 is provided instead of the light emitting panel 11, the lens array frame 42 is provided instead of the lens array frame 14 and the pin 15, and the panel frame 12 is not provided.

  A mark 111 is not formed on the light emitting panel 41, and instead, a columnar panel hole 411 penetrating in the thickness direction of the light emitting panel 41 is formed. The panel hole 411 is formed so that the central axis thereof is orthogonal to the pixel center line A of the light emitting panel 41. The lens array frame 42 is not formed with the through hole 14a, and instead, a first protrusion 421 and a second protrusion 422 are formed.

  The first protrusion 421 rises from the lens array frame 42 and extends toward the photosensitive drum 51, and the second protrusion 422 rises from the lens array frame 42 and extends toward the light emitting panel 41. The first protrusion 421 has a cylindrical shape, and the tip thereof is fitted in the bearing hole 531a of the bearing 53a and is in contact with the bottom of the bearing hole 531a. The height of the first protrusion 421 is determined so that the distance between the converging lens array 13 and the photosensitive drum 51 is equal to the image plane distance (L1). On the other hand, the second protrusion 422 is a stepped round bar in which the round bar part 422a on the lens array frame 42 side and the round bar part 422b on the light emitting panel 41 side are arranged coaxially. The diameter of the round bar part 422a is longer than that of the round bar part 422b, and the round bar part 422b is fitted in the panel hole 411. The length of the round bar portion 422a is determined so that the distance between the light emitting panel 41 and the converging lens array 13 is equal to the object distance (L0). The first protrusion 421 and the second protrusion 422 are arranged coaxially, and their central axes are included in the lens center plane B. Therefore, the lens center plane B includes the rotation axis C and the pixel center line A. The first protrusion 421 is fixed to the bearing 53, and the second protrusion 422 is fixed to the light emitting panel 41.

The manufacturing process of the image printing apparatus according to this embodiment is as follows.
First, the lens array frame 42 is manufactured. At this time, the first protrusion 421 and the second protrusion 422 are formed integrally with the lens array frame 42. Next, as shown in FIG. 24, the converging lens array 13 is fixed to the lens array frame 42. Specifically, the converging lens array 13 is bonded to the lens array frame 42 so that the center axes of the first protrusion 421 and the second protrusion 422 are included in the lens center plane B.

  Next, the second protrusion 422 is fixed to the light emitting panel 41. This fixing operation is the same as the operation of fixing the pins 15 to the panel frame 12. As a result, the tip of the round bar portion 422 is in contact with the light emitting panel 41, the distance between the light emitting panel 41 and the converging lens array 13 is equal to the object distance (L0), and the first protrusion 421 and the second protrusion 422 The central axis and the pixel center line A are orthogonal. Of course, prior to this process, it is necessary to manufacture the light emitting panel 41 by forming the panel holes 411 in the light emitting panel having a general structure.

  The subsequent steps are the same as those described in the first embodiment. As a result of such a process, the distance between the converging lens array 13 and the photosensitive drum 51 becomes equal to the image plane distance (L1), and the central axis of the first protrusion 421 and the second protrusion 422 and the photosensitive drum 51. Is perpendicular to the rotation axis C. Therefore, in the manufactured image printing apparatus, high-precision distance alignment and high-precision center alignment are realized.

  As described above, in this embodiment, alignment is performed using the panel hole 411, the bearing hole 531 a, each part of the first protrusion 421, and each part of the second protrusion 422. Therefore, the same effect as the first embodiment can be obtained. Furthermore, according to the present embodiment, since the pins 32 are in direct contact with the light-emitting panel 31, manufacturing errors that affect the alignment can be further reduced. Furthermore, according to the present embodiment, since the first protrusion 421 and the second protrusion 422 are formed integrally with the lens array frame 42, manufacturing errors that affect alignment can be further reduced. .

<Modification>
Note that each of the above-described embodiments may be modified so that the pixel is formed of a light emitting element other than the organic EL element. Further, the electro-optical element is not limited to the light-emitting element, and may be formed of any electro-optical element whose light emission characteristic or transmission characteristic changes according to an electrical action. That is, it is not a light emitting panel but an electro-optical panel in which a plurality of electro-optical elements are arranged. Another example of such an electro-optical element is a light valve element such as a liquid crystal element. In the case of forming with a light valve element, a light source is required.

  In addition, the light emitting panel 31 may be formed by modifying the second embodiment described above so that the mark 311 can be viewed from the side opposite to the converging lens array 13. By doing so, the operation of fixing the pin 32 to the light emitting panel 31 is facilitated. The number of columns of the pixels P and the number of columns of the gradient index lens 31 may be 1 or 3 or more. In addition, a hole or mark for positioning may be provided on either one of the bearing side and the light emitting panel side instead of on either side.

<Overall image printing device>
Next, the entire image printing apparatus will be described. However, the photosensitive drum 51 is appropriately given a different code. Examples of the image printing apparatus include a printer, a printing part of a copying machine, and a printing part of a facsimile.
FIG. 25 is a longitudinal sectional view showing an example of an image printing apparatus using the light emitting device 10, 30 or 40 as a line type exposure head. This image printing apparatus is a tandem type full-color image printing apparatus using a belt intermediate transfer body system.

  In this image printing apparatus, four exposure heads 10K, 10C, 10M, and 10Y having the same configuration are exposed positions of four photosensitive drums (image carriers) 110K, 110C, 110M, and 110Y having the same configuration. Respectively. The exposure heads 10K, 10C, 10M, and 10Y are the above-described light emitting devices 10, 30, or 40.

  As shown in this figure, this image printing apparatus is provided with a driving roller 121 and a driven roller 122, and an endless intermediate transfer belt 120 is wound around these rollers 121 and 122, as indicated by arrows. Thus, the periphery of the rollers 121 and 122 is rotated. Although not shown, tension applying means such as a tension roller that applies tension to the intermediate transfer belt 120 may be provided.

  Around the intermediate transfer belt 120, photosensitive drums 110K, 110C, 110M, and 110Y having photosensitive layers on four outer peripheral surfaces are arranged at predetermined intervals. The subscripts K, C, M, and Y mean that they are used to form black, cyan, magenta, and yellow visible images, respectively. The same applies to other members. The photosensitive drums 110K, 110C, 110M, and 110Y are rotationally driven in synchronization with the driving of the intermediate transfer belt 120.

  Around each photosensitive drum 110 (K, C, M, Y), there is a corona charger 111 (K, C, M, Y), an exposure head 10 (K, C, M, Y), and a developing unit. 114 (K, C, M, Y) are arranged. The corona charger 111 (K, C, M, Y) uniformly charges the outer peripheral surface of the corresponding photosensitive drum 110 (K, C, M, Y). The exposure head 10 (K, C, M, Y) writes an electrostatic latent image on the charged outer peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum. Each exposure head 10 (K, C, M, Y) is installed such that the arrangement direction of the plurality of EL elements is along the bus (main scanning direction) of the photosensitive drum 110 (K, C, M, Y). . The electrostatic latent image is written by irradiating the photosensitive drum with light from the plurality of EL elements. The developing device 114 (K, C, M, Y) forms a visible image, that is, a visible image on the photosensitive drum by attaching toner as a developer to the electrostatic latent image.

  The black, cyan, magenta, and yellow developed images formed by the four-color single-color image forming station are sequentially transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt 120 to be superimposed on the intermediate transfer belt 120. As a result, a full-color visible image is obtained. Four primary transfer corotrons (transfer devices) 112 (K, C, M, Y) are arranged inside the intermediate transfer belt 120. The primary transfer corotron 112 (K, C, M, Y) is disposed in the vicinity of the photosensitive drum 110 (K, C, M, Y), and the photosensitive drum 110 (K, C, M, Y). The electrostatic image is electrostatically attracted from the toner image to transfer the visible image to the intermediate transfer belt 120 passing between the photosensitive drum and the primary transfer corotron.

  A sheet 102 as an object on which an image is to be finally formed is fed one by one from the sheet feeding cassette 101 by the pickup roller 103, and between the intermediate transfer belt 120 and the secondary transfer roller 126 in contact with the driving roller 121. Sent to the nip. The full-color visible image on the intermediate transfer belt 120 is secondarily transferred to one side of the sheet 102 by the secondary transfer roller 126 and fixed on the sheet 102 through the fixing roller pair 127 as a fixing unit. . Thereafter, the sheet 102 is discharged onto a paper discharge cassette formed in the upper part of the apparatus by a paper discharge roller pair 128.

Next, another embodiment of the image printing apparatus according to the present invention will be described.
FIG. 26 is a longitudinal sectional view showing an example of another image printing apparatus using the light emitting device 10, 30 or 40 as a line type exposure head. This image printing apparatus is a rotary development type full-color image printing apparatus using a belt intermediate transfer body system.

  In the image printing apparatus shown in this figure, a corona charger 168, a rotary developing unit 161, an exposure head 167, and an intermediate transfer belt 169 are provided around a photosensitive drum (image carrier) 165.

  The corona charger 168 uniformly charges the outer peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 165. The exposure head 167 writes an electrostatic latent image on the charged outer peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 165. The exposure head 167 is the light emitting device 10 described above, and is installed such that the arrangement direction of the plurality of EL elements is along the bus line (main scanning direction) of the photosensitive drum 165. The electrostatic latent image is written by irradiating the photosensitive drum with light from the plurality of EL elements.

  The developing unit 161 is a drum in which four developing units 163Y, 163C, 163M, and 163K are arranged at an angular interval of 90 °, and can rotate counterclockwise about the shaft 161a. The developing units 163Y, 163C, 163M, and 163K supply yellow, cyan, magenta, and black toners to the photosensitive drum 165, respectively, and attach the toner as a developer to the electrostatic latent image, thereby the photosensitive drum 165. A visible image, that is, a visible image is formed.

  The endless intermediate transfer belt 169 is wound around a driving roller 170a, a driven roller 170b, a primary transfer roller 166, and a tension roller, and is rotated around these rollers in a direction indicated by an arrow. The primary transfer roller 166 transfers the visible image to the intermediate transfer belt 169 that passes between the photosensitive drum and the primary transfer roller 166 by electrostatically attracting the visible image from the photosensitive drum 165.

  Specifically, in the first rotation of the photosensitive drum 165, an electrostatic latent image for a yellow (Y) image is written by the exposure head 167, and a developed image of the same color is formed by the developing unit 163Y. The image is transferred to the transfer belt 169. Further, in the next rotation, an electrostatic latent image for a cyan (C) image is written by the exposure head 167, and a developed image of the same color is formed by the developing device 163C. The intermediate transfer is performed so as to overlap the yellow developed image. Transferred to the belt 169. Then, during the four rotations of the photosensitive drum 9, the yellow, cyan, magenta, and black visible images are sequentially superimposed on the intermediate transfer belt 169. As a result, a full-color visible image is formed on the transfer belt 169. It is formed. When images are finally formed on both sides of a sheet as an object on which an image is to be formed, the same color images of the front and back surfaces are transferred to the intermediate transfer belt 169, and then the front and back surfaces are transferred to the intermediate transfer belt 169. A full-color visible image is obtained on the intermediate transfer belt 169 by transferring the visible image of the next color.

  The image printing apparatus is provided with a sheet conveyance path 174 through which a sheet is passed. The sheets are picked up one by one from the paper feed cassette 178 by the pick-up roller 179, advanced through the sheet transport path 174 by the transport roller, and between the intermediate transfer belt 169 and the secondary transfer roller 171 in contact with the drive roller 170a. Pass through the nip. The secondary transfer roller 171 transfers the developed image to one side of the sheet by electrostatically attracting a full-color developed image from the intermediate transfer belt 169 collectively. The secondary transfer roller 171 can be moved closer to and away from the intermediate transfer belt 169 by a clutch (not shown). The secondary transfer roller 171 is brought into contact with the intermediate transfer belt 169 when a full-color visible image is transferred onto the sheet, and is separated from the secondary transfer roller 171 while the visible image is superimposed on the intermediate transfer belt 169.

  The sheet on which the image has been transferred as described above is conveyed to the fixing device 172 and is passed between the heating roller 172a and the pressure roller 172b of the fixing device 172, whereby the visible image on the sheet is fixed. The sheet after the fixing process is drawn into the discharge roller pair 176 and proceeds in the direction of arrow F. In the case of double-sided printing, after most of the sheet passes through the paper discharge roller pair 176, the paper discharge roller pair 176 is rotated in the reverse direction and introduced into the double-sided printing conveyance path 175 as indicated by an arrow G. The Then, the visible image is transferred to the other surface of the sheet by the secondary transfer roller 171, the fixing process is performed again by the fixing device 172, and then the sheet is discharged by the discharge roller pair 176.

  Although the image printing apparatus has been exemplified above, the light emitting devices 10, 30 and 40 can be applied to other electrophotographic image printing apparatuses. For example, an image printing apparatus that directly transfers a visible image from a photosensitive drum to a sheet without using an intermediate transfer belt, an image printing apparatus that forms a monochrome image, and an image printing that uses a photosensitive belt as an image carrier. It can also be applied to devices.

1 is a front view showing a main part of an image printing apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention. It is a sectional side view of the principal part. It is a top view of the principal part. It is a figure which shows the first process of manufacturing the principal part. It is a figure which shows the next process of FIG. It is a front view which shows the next process of FIG. FIG. 6 is a plan view showing a step subsequent to FIG. 5. It is a figure which shows the next process of FIG. 6 and FIG. FIG. 9 is a front view showing a step subsequent to FIG. 8. FIG. 9 is a plan view showing a step subsequent to FIG. 8. It is a partial sectional side view of the light emission panel 11 of the principal part. It is the virtual figure which looked at the same part from the converging lens array 13 side. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of the formation timing of a mark 111 of the light emitting panel 11. FIG. It is a figure which shows another example of the formation timing of the mark 111. FIG. It is a figure which shows another example of the formation timing of the mark 111. FIG. It is a front view which shows the principal part of the image printing apparatus which concerns on 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a sectional side view of the principal part. It is a top view of the light emission panel 31 of the principal part. It is the figure which looked at the bearing 53b etc. from the light-emitting device 30 side of the principal part. It is a front view which shows the process of manufacturing the principal part. It is a top view which shows the process of manufacturing the principal part. It is a front view which shows the principal part of the image printing apparatus which concerns on 3rd Embodiment of this invention. It is a sectional side view of the principal part. It is a figure which shows the process of manufacturing the principal part. It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view which shows an example of the image printing apparatus which concerns on this embodiment. It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view which shows the other example of the image printing apparatus which concerns on this embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10, 30, 40 ... Light-emitting device 11, 31, 41 ... Light-emitting panel (electro-optical panel), 111, 311, 531b ... Mark, 12 ... Panel frame, 12a ... Panel frame hole (positioning hole), 13 ... Convergence Lens array, 14, 42 ... Lens array frame (array support), 14a ... Through-hole, 15, 32 ... Pin (first projection and second projection), 15a, 15b, 15c, 32a, 32b ... Round bar , 411... Panel hole (positioning hole), 421... First protrusion, 422... Second protrusion, 51, 110K, 110C, 110M, 110Y, 165 .. photosensitive drum (image carrier), 53a, 53b. Bearing (image carrier support), 531a ... bearing hole (positioning hole), P ... pixel.

Claims (2)

Image printing that charges an image carrier, forms a latent image on a charged surface of the image carrier, forms a visible image by attaching toner to the latent image, and transfers the visible image to another object In the device
A plurality of pixels whose light emission characteristics or transmission characteristics change according to an electrical action are arranged around a straight line, and a light image is formed by the plurality of pixels, and the light forming the light image is emitted for positioning. An electro-optic panel in which a panel frame hole is formed ;
A converging lens array that transmits light traveling from the electro-optic panel and emits light that forms an erect image with respect to the light image on the electro-optic panel; and
The image carrier on which the charged surface is irradiated with light traveling from the converging lens array;
An array support having a through hole formed therein and supporting the converging lens array ;
Before supporting the Kizo carrier, and the image bearing member supporting member in which a bearing hole for positioning is formed,
A pin that passes through the through hole, has one tip fitted into the panel frame hole, and the other tip fitted into contact with the bottom of the bearing hole,
In the pin, the diameter of the round bar portion corresponding to the surface of the panel frame hole from the array support side to the surface of the through hole on the electro-optic panel side is larger than the panel frame hole and larger than the diameter of the through hole. large,
An image printing apparatus. The through hole has a long cylindrical shape, and the cross section of the through hole has a length in the longitudinal direction of the array support shorter than a length in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction.
The image printing apparatus according to claim 1.

Images