JPH01139282A - Recording apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To enable repeated use of ink after being restored to an original state by applying an energy to meet the requirements of an image signal to form an ink image with changed transfer characteristics and allowing ink not transferred to be stirred with the rotation of a rotating member. CONSTITUTION:A stirring roll 10 is arranged in an opposite position to an ink transfer roll 1 against the rotary direction of the latter with a coating roll 4 and on the upstream side of an ink well 3 formed upstream from the coating roll 4. Further, the stirring roll is constituted so that it is driven to rotate clockwise, and is provided for stirring the ink 2 which is smeared on an ink transport roll 1 and again is returned to the ink well 3. Therefore, the clearance between the surface of the ink transport roll 1 and that of the stirring roll 10 is smaller than the thickness of an ink layer. In addition, an ink scraping- off effect from the ink transport roll 1 and an ink spread prevention effect can be obtained by forming a predetermined spiral groove in the stirring roll 10.

Description

[Detailed description of the invention] <Industrial application field> The present invention relates to a recording device capable of recording at low cost.

<Prior art> Today, various types of information processing recording methods have been developed that can record on plain paper, such as impact printers, electrophotography, laser beam printers, and thermal transfer printers. ing.

Among these, thermal transfer type recording devices are widely used because they have low noise and can be miniaturized. This recording method uses an ink ribbon made by coating hot-melt ink on a base sheet, heats the ink ribbon in an image pattern with a recording head, and transfers the molten ink to recording paper. This method has the advantage that a relatively small-sized device is used and the cost of the device can be reduced.

<Problems to be Solved by the Invention> However, in the conventional thermal transfer method described above, when manufacturing an ink ribbon, it is necessary to apply heat-melting ink onto a heat-resistant base sheet in a complicated process. Furthermore, this ink ribbon is used only once for recording and has to be disposed of, which poses problems such as high running costs.

Means for Solving the Problems> Therefore, in order to solve the above problems, the applicant has developed a method in which fluid ink is transferred in the form of a film by an ink transfer means, and a predetermined amount of energy is applied to this ink. A recording apparatus has been proposed that selectively applies pressure to form an ink image imparted with tackiness in an image pattern, and transfers this ink image onto a recording medium (Japanese Patent Application No. 175191/1984, etc.).

According to this recording device, there is no need to use an ink ribbon as in the conventional thermal transfer method, and only the ink that forms an ink image is transferred to the recording medium, and the ink that does not form an ink image can be repeatedly used. This is something that can be done.

The present invention further develops the recording device, and includes:
It is an object of the present invention to provide a recording device that can reduce running costs and prevent image omissions, image distortions, etc. from occurring.

For this purpose, the means according to the embodiments described below is a recording apparatus capable of transferring fluid ink to a recording medium in response to selective application of energy, and includes an ink transporting means for transporting the fluid ink. an energy applying means for selectively applying energy to the ink transferred by the ink transporting means; and a transfer means for transferring the ink, the transfer characteristics of which have changed in accordance with the selective application of the energy, to a recording medium. means for supplying ink onto the ink transport means, the coating means being disposed upstream of the energy applying means in the direction of ink transport by the ink transport means, and the direction of transport of the ink relative to the coating means. The present invention is characterized in that a rotating member for stirring the ink is provided on the upstream side and is arranged opposite to the ink transporting means.

<Operation> According to the above means, an ink image with changed transfer characteristics is formed by transporting the fluid ink by the ink transporting means and applying energy corresponding to the image signal to the ink. Predetermined recording is performed by transferring it to a recording medium.

In addition, the ink that has not been transferred is agitated by the rotation of the rotating member, returns to the initial state of ink, and can be used repeatedly. Furthermore, if a predetermined spiral groove is formed in the rotating member, the ink can be removed from the ink transfer means. It becomes possible to obtain the ink stripping effect and the ink spreading prevention effect.

<Example> Next, an example of a recording apparatus to which the above means is applied will be described with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional explanatory diagram of the recording device according to the first embodiment, and FIG.
The figure is a perspective explanatory view thereof.

First, to explain the overall general configuration, an ink transfer roll 1 serving as an ink transfer means is provided so as to be rotatable in the direction of arrow A (counterclockwise) while transferring fluid ink 2 contained in an ink reservoir 3. ing.

The ink 2 has fluid film-forming properties and is substantially non-adhesive under normal conditions, but becomes adhesive when a predetermined energy such as electrical energy is applied. Therefore, when the ink transfer roll 1 rotates, the coating means 4 coats the surface of the ink transfer roll 1 with ink 2 to a constant thickness, and the ink 2 is transferred as the ink transfer roll 1 rotates.

The ink 2 formed in a certain layer on the surface of the ink transport roll 1 is applied with electrical energy or the like in an image pattern by an energy applying means 5 controlled by a control system, and this energy application imparts tackiness to the ink 2. An ink image 2a is formed. This ink image 2a comes into contact with an intermediate transfer roll 6, which is an intermediate transfer medium, rotating in the direction of arrow B (clockwise direction) in FIG. 1, and is transferred onto the surface of the roll 6.

The ink image 2a transferred to the intermediate transfer roll 6 is transferred to a transfer roll 7 constituting a transfer means provided in pressure contact with the intermediate transfer roll 6 and rotatable in the direction of arrow C (counterclockwise direction) in FIG. The recording paper 8 on which a predetermined image has been recorded is transferred to a recording medium (for example, plain paper, plastic sheet, etc., hereinafter referred to as "recording paper") 8 that is conveyed between the intermediate transfer roll 6 and the conveyance roll pair 9a. , 9b in the direction of the arrow (to the right in FIG. 1).

On the other hand, the ink 2 that has not been transferred to the intermediate transfer roll 6 is transferred to the ink reservoir 3 as the ink transfer roll 1 rotates.
The liquid is re-housed in the container, stirred by the rotation of the stirring roll 10, which is a rotating member, and used again.

Next, the configuration of each part of the recording apparatus will be explained in detail.

First, the ink transfer roll 1 is made of a material that can transfer fluid ink 2, which will be described later, by forming a layer on its surface.
In this embodiment, a conductor made of metal such as stainless steel, aluminum, or iron is formed into a cylindrical shape,
It is constructed so that it can be driven and rotated in the direction of arrow A at a constant speed.

The surface of the ink transport roll 1 made of the above-mentioned material may be a smooth surface, but it is suitable for transporting the fluid ink 2.

! In order to further improve durability, it is preferable that the surface be appropriately roughened.

Next, the fluid ink 2 transported by the ink transport roll 1 will be explained. This ink 2 has a fluid film-forming property that flows under the application of a certain external force and forms an ink film. Specifically, as the ink transport roll 1 rotates, an ink layer is formed on the surface of the roll 1 and is transported. Further, it is preferable that the ink 2 has a property of being able to restore its adhesiveness over time after being cut by an external force. That is, it is preferable that the ink lumps have such a property that when they come into contact with each other, the interface disappears and they become one piece.

The ink 2 having the above-mentioned properties may be an ink having a gel state in a broad sense in which the solvent is held by a cross-linked structure substance, or particles (preferably having a particle size of 0.5 cps) in a relatively high viscosity (preferably 5000 cps or more) solvent. 1-100 pII,
More desirably, an ink having a sludge state in which 1 to 20 n) is dispersed is preferably used. Inks having properties of both gel-like inks and sludge-like inks are more preferably used. This ink 2
Specific examples include, for example, Japanese Patent Application No. 61-175191 or No. 62-36904 previously filed by the applicant.
Preferably, the inks described in No. 1, etc.

Although such ink 2 has fluid film-forming properties, it does not substantially have tackiness, and has the property of becoming tackified when electrical energy is applied. Furthermore, here, r
Adhesion j refers to selective adhesion, and means that when the ink 2 is brought into contact with an object such as the intermediate transfer roll 6, a part of the ink 2 separates from the entire ink and adheres to the object.
It doesn't matter whether the entire ink is sticky or not.

Therefore, when the ink layer formed on the surface of the ink transport roll 1 is in a state where no energy is applied, even if the ink 2 comes into contact with another medium, for example, the intermediate transfer roll 6, the ink layer is not applied to the intermediate transfer roll 6. is not substantially transferred. This is because the gel-like ink is thought to not be transferred to the intermediate transfer roll 6 because the solvent is held in a cross-linked structure (with the exception of some solvents), and the ink in the sludge state is If so, it is considered that the particles are arranged closely at the interface, making it difficult for the solvent bones in the ink to come into contact with the intermediate transfer roll 6, and thus not being transferred to the intermediate transfer roll 6.

On the other hand, when electrical energy is applied to the gel-like ink or sludge-like ink, the crosslinked structure of the gel-like ink and the particle arrangement state of the sludge-like ink change, resulting in changes in these properties. It is thought that adhesiveness is imparted to the fluid ink according to the application of energy.

Furthermore, when the ink 2 is coated on the ink transfer roll 1, it has properties as a plastic body, and conversely, after it is applied with energy by the energy application means 5, it becomes an elastic body between when it is applied to the intermediate transfer roll 6. It is preferable to have the following properties.

For this reason, the ink 2 of this embodiment preferably has a certain degree of viscoelasticity (complex elasticity having an elastic term and a viscous term).

The range of viscoelasticity is shown in FIG. 3(A), for example.

As shown in (B), ink 2 has a diameter of 25 m and a thickness of 2
Take a dragon sample and move it in the direction of the arrow shown (sliding direction)
When a sinusoidal strain T with an angular velocity of 1 rad/sec is applied to , and the stress σ and phase shift δ are detected to obtain a complex modulus of elasticity of 0, G8=σ/y=c'+ic"G': Storage elasticity Rate G#: Loss elastic modulus Ratio between storage elastic modulus G' and loss elastic modulus G# The value of G'/G' is approximately 0.
Those having a value of 1 to 10 are preferably used.

In the complex modulus of elasticity, the value of G''/G' is 0.1
If the value of G'/G' exceeds 10, the behavior as a plastic body will be insufficient, and the coating on the ink transfer roll 1 will be insufficient.
This is because the behavior as an elastic body is insufficient, and elastic recovery from the energy application means 5 to the intermediate transfer roll 6 becomes insufficient.

The size of the sample and the method of applying distortion are values that are considered appropriate for the recording apparatus.

In this example, the fluid ink 2 was composed of the following components.

After heating the A component to 70'C and mixing it uniformly, B
A gel-like fluid ink 2 was obtained by adding the ingredients and leaving it at room temperature.

Next, the coating means 4 is arranged upstream of the energy application means 5 with respect to the rotational direction of the ink transport roll l, and is for coating the surface of the ink transport roll 1 with the ink 2 in a constant layer thickness. be. In this embodiment, the coating means 4 is provided with a rotatable coating roll 4 as shown in FIG. 1, and rotates the coating roll 4 in the direction of arrow E (clockwise) in FIG. The surface of the ink transport roll 1 is coated by rotating the roll in the direction of rotation.

An ink transfer roller 1 is provided by the coating roller 4.
(7) Layer thickness C of the ink 2 formed on the surface, the ink 2
Although it varies depending on the component, the gap between the ink transfer roll 1 and the coating roll 4, the rotational peripheral speed of both, etc., at the ink transfer position where the ink transfer roll 1 faces the intermediate transfer roll 6, the , more preferably 0.5
It is preferable that the number is about 3 to 3 cranes.

In this example, the circumferential speed of the ink transfer roll 1 is 20 ryuhachi ec, and the circumferential speed of the coating roll 4 is 1.

The gap between both as/5acs is 2. By setting it to On, a layer thickness of 1.8 to 2.
An ink layer of 0 dragons is now formed.

Next, the energy application means 5 will be explained. Although it may be possible to selectively apply thermal energy using a conventional thermal head, in this embodiment, from the point of view of energy efficiency, the recording electrode 5 is used to apply electrical energy. It is configured to apply .

As shown in FIG. 4, the recording electrode 5 has a structure in which a plurality of electrode elements 5b made of metal such as copper are arranged in a row on a base 5a made of glass epoxy, alumina, glass, etc. An insulating film 5C made of polyimide or the like is provided on a portion of the element 5b other than the tip, that is, a portion other than the portion that contacts the ink 2, and the ink transfer roll 1 is grounded with a ground wire 11. Roll 1 and electrode element 5
The structure is such that electricity can be applied between the ink 2 and the ink 2 between the ink 2 and the ink 2. The portion of the electrode element 5b exposed from the insulating film 5c is preferably plated with gold, platinum, rhodium, or the like, and from the viewpoint of durability, platinum plating is more preferable.

When the recording electrode 5 is arranged, it is preferable to arrange it so that the electrode element 5b is slightly submerged in the ink layer formed on the ink transport roll 1, as shown in FIG. The amount of immersion is set to about 0 to 1 mws, more preferably about 0.1 to 0.5 mws.

By slightly immersing it in the ink layer in this way, the energizing effect can be further enhanced. In addition, as mentioned above, the electrode element 5
Even if ink 2 is immersed in the ink layer, it recovers elastically because ink 2 has viscoelasticity.

For example, when using guar gum crosslinked with borate ions as the crosslinked structure material of the ink 2, the amount of current applied to the recording electrode 5 is the amount required to destroy this crosslinked structure and cause an electrochemical change. The amount of current applied is sufficient. Therefore, the amount necessary to transfer electrons to and from the crosslinking agent added in a small amount of about several hundred ppm to ink 2 is sufficient, and compared to the amount of current applied when applying thermal energy with a thermal head in thermal transfer, etc. Therefore, it is sufficient to apply a low energy of about 1/10, and this energy application makes the ink 2 sticky.

Next, the intermediate transfer roll 6 is used to transfer the ink image 2a that has been given adhesiveness by applying the energy, and has a cylindrical member that contacts the surface of the ink transfer roll 1 by approximately 0.1 to 3 It is arranged above the ink transport roll 1 with an interval of 1 mm, is in contact with the ink layer formed on the ink transport roll 1, and is configured to be rotatable in the direction of arrow B by a driving means.

The material constituting the surface of the intermediate transfer roll 6 is as follows:
Although it is possible to use a material similar to the material forming the surface of the ink transfer roll 1, the surface of the intermediate transfer roll 6 may be plated with chrome plating or the like, or made of silicone resin, fluororesin, polyethylene resin, etc. It is preferable to improve smoothness, stain resistance, or ease of cleaning by coating. In addition, in order to improve the transferability of the ink 2 at the ink transfer position, the surface of the intermediate transfer roll 60 is
It is preferable to make the surface smoother than that of the surface.

Furthermore, at the ink transfer position where the sticky ink image 2a is transferred to the intermediate transfer roll 6, an appropriate shearing force is applied to the layer of ink 2 sandwiched between the intermediate transfer roll 6 and the ink transport roll 1. It is also advisable to put it on. Therefore, the circumferential speed of the intermediate transfer roll 6 is preferably set to be equal to or smaller than the circumferential speed of the surface layer of the ink layer on the ink transport roll 1. Depending on the characteristics of the non-adhesive ink, the circumferential speed of the intermediate transfer roll 6 may be set to be approximately equal to or slightly greater than the circumferential speed of the surface layer of the ink layer, taking into account the elastic deformation of the ink. Also good.

Further, the transfer roll 7 constitutes a transfer means for transferring the ink image 2a transferred and formed on the intermediate transfer roll 6 onto the recording paper 8, and has a metal shaft made of nitrile rubber, silicone rubber, etc. The transfer roll 7 formed into a cylindrical shape is connected to the intermediate transfer roll 6 by a spring (not shown) or the like.
The recording paper 8 is pressed with a pressing force of about 0.1 to 5 kgf/cs, and is driven to rotate in the direction of arrow C as the intermediate transfer roll 6 rotates, so that the recording paper 8 is moved by the cooperative action with the intermediate transfer roll 6. The ink image 2a formed on the intermediate transfer port 6 is transferred onto the recording paper 8 while being conveyed in the direction indicated by the arrow.

In FIG. 1, reference numerals 9a, 9J, 9c, and 9d are conveyance rolls that convey the recording paper 8.

Reference numeral 12 denotes a registration sensor consisting of a light emitting element 12a and a light receiving element 12b, which detects the recording paper 8 being conveyed. A cleaning means 13 is provided in contact with the surface of the intermediate transfer roll 6 on the downstream side in the rotational direction of the intermediate transfer roll 6 than the pressure contact position of the transfer roll 7, and is used to clean the device environment during recording. Depending on the material, etc., when transferring the ink image 2a to the recording paper 8,
If any residual ink remains after transfer, this residual ink is removed from the intermediate transfer roll 6.

Next, the stirring roll 10 is arranged opposite to the ink transport roll 1 on the upstream side of the coating roll 4 and the ink reservoir 3 formed upstream of the coating roll 4 with respect to the rotational direction of the ink transport roll 1. It is configured to be rotatable in the direction of arrow F (clockwise direction). This stirring roll 1
0 is for stirring the ink 2 that is coated on the ink transfer roll 1 and returns to the ink reservoir 3. For this purpose, a gap between the surface of the ink transfer roll 1 and the surface of the stirring roll IO is required. It is configured to be smaller than the ink layer thickness, and specifically, it is preferable to arrange it so that it is about 1/2 of the ink layer thickness.
Further, the peripheral speed of rotation is preferably set to be faster than the transport speed of the ink layer transported by the ink transport roll 1.

In this embodiment, a roll made of metal such as stainless steel, resin, etc. and having a diameter of 20 mm is used as the stirring roll 10, and the roll is set at a diameter of 0.8 mm with respect to the ink transfer roll l.
They are arranged with a gap of 1 to 2 mm between them, and are configured to rotate in the direction of arrow F at a circumferential speed of about 3Qw8ec.

Here, a control system for driving each member of the recording apparatus will be explained.

As shown in FIG. 5, this control system includes a CPU 20a such as a microprocessor, a ROM 20b storing control programs and various data for the CPU 20a, and a CPU 20a such as a microprocessor.
A control unit 20, which is used as a work area for the PU 20a and includes a RAM 20c for temporarily storing various data, etc., an interface 21, an operation panel 22, each motor (an ink transfer roll drive motor 23, a coating roll drive motor 24, an intermediate transfer roll drive motor 25, an agitation roll drive motor 26, a driver 28 for driving the recording paper 8 transport motor 27), and a recording electrode drive driver 29.

The control section 20 receives various information (for example, recording density, number of recording sheets,
(recorded size, etc.), and a signal from the registration sensor 12 and an image signal from the external device 30 are input. Further, the control unit 20 controls motor ON/OFF for driving each motor 23 to 27 via an interface 21.
A signal and an image signal are output, and each member is driven by the signal.

Next, the operation of recording using the recording apparatus having the above configuration will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 6.

First, the transport motor 27 is driven to transport the recording paper 8 until the leading edge of the recording paper 8 reaches the position of the registration sensor 12, and then stops (S1-S3).

Next, when a recording start signal is input from a recording start swifter or the like (S4), each motor 23 to 27 is driven to move the ink transport roll 1, coating roll 4, intermediate transfer roll 6, stirring roll 10, and transport roll. The recording electrodes 5 are rotated in the directions of the respective arrows in FIG. 1, and at the same time, the recording electrodes 5 are energized in accordance with both signals, thereby forming a sticky ink image 2a. This ink image 2a is transferred to the intermediate transfer roll 6, and when the leading edge of the ink image reaches the pressure contact area between the intermediate transfer roll 6 and the transfer roll 7, the recording paper 8 is conveyed so that the leading edge reaches the pressure contact area. (35-5
10).

The recording process from step 85 to SIO is repeated until the recording is completed, and when recording is completed, the operation of the recording electrodes is stopped, and after the ink image is transferred to the recording paper 8, each motor 23 to 2
7 is stopped (311-513).

Here, to explain the recording process in more detail, when the coating roll 4 rotates in the direction of arrow E while the ink transport roll 1 rotates in the direction of the arrow, the fluid ink 2 forms a layer on the surface of the ink transport roll 1. coated,
The ink is transferred as the ink transfer roll l rotates.

The transferred ink 2 is applied with a patterned voltage according to an image signal from the recording electrode 5 controlled by a control system at an energy application position where the ink 2 contacts the recording electrode 5. In response, a current flows from the electrode element 5b to the ink transfer roll 1 via the ink 2, and, for example, the crosslinking structure in the ink 2 changes due to an electrochemical reaction, thereby imparting selective tackiness to the ink 2. An ink image 2a is formed.

The selectively adhesive ink image 2a is further transferred in the direction of arrow A from the contact portion of the recording electrode 5, and when this ink image 2a comes into contact with the intermediate transfer roll 6, it moves in the direction of arrow B based on the adhesiveness described above. Intermediate transfer roll 6 rotating in the direction
The ink image 2a is transferred and developed on the surface of the roll 6.

The ink image 2a transferred onto the intermediate transfer roll 6 is
The ink is conveyed as the roll 6 rotates, and is transferred onto the recording paper 8 by pressure contact with the recording paper 8 conveyed to the ink image transfer position. Furthermore, the recording paper 8 on which the ink image 2a has been transferred and recorded is discharged in the direction of the arrow. If the fixing properties of the ink image 2a are not sufficient, a known fixing means such as heating or pressure may be provided on the downstream side of the ink image transfer position on the recording paper 8.

On the other hand, of the ink 2 transferred by the ink transfer roll 1, the part of the ink to which no energy is applied and the part of the ink 2 a l to which energy is applied on the surface of the ink are transferred to the intermediate transfer roll 6. The ink is conveyed in the direction of arrow A without being transferred, and is again accommodated in the ink reservoir 3.

Here, if the transfer development is not complete as described above, the undeveloped ink, that is, the ink 2a1 remaining after development returns to a non-adhesive fluid state due to recovery of the crosslinked structure by the interphase. However, since this continuous phase phenomenon requires some time, when the recording speed is high, that is, when the rotation speed of the ink transport roll 1 is high, the ink 2a' remaining after development recovers the crosslinked structure. It is conceivable that as the ink transport roll 1 rotates, the ink may come into contact with the intermediate transfer roll 6 again and be developed as a ghost on the intermediate transfer roll 6.

In this regard, in this embodiment, as described above, before being re-accommodated in the ink reservoir 3, the ink is stirred by the stirring roll 10, the ions in the ink are diffused, and the interphase is promoted, and the ink remaining after development is mixed with the ink without the application of energy. The pH difference between the part and the ink decreases due to the continuous phase, and the ink quickly returns to its initial fluid ink without tackiness. Therefore, even if the ink 2 re-accommodated in the ink reservoir 3 is used repeatedly, the ghost etc. will not occur.

As mentioned above, in the recording apparatus of this embodiment, predetermined recording is performed by imparting tackiness to the fluid ink 2 through the electrochemical action caused by electricity supply, so that the ink can be used with small electrical energy. It becomes possible to record on plain paper etc. without waste. Furthermore, since the ink using the crosslinked structure has elasticity, it can significantly reduce image distortion at the area where energy is applied, and it does not require chemical coloring, so it cannot be used for generally known electrochemical recording. This method enables recording with superior image stability and durability compared to the electrolytic recording method, which uses color development based on an oxidation-reduction reaction caused by energization.

Furthermore, the conductivity of ink 2 is imparted by ionic conduction, and since a wide range of ionic substances can be used as the electrolyte for this purpose (the solution is transparent), ink of any color can be created using dyes and pigments. It is something that can be easily obtained.

Furthermore, even if there is undeveloped ink that is not transferred to the intermediate transfer roll 6, it is stirred and mixed by the stirring roll 10, so that there is always a homogeneous ink 2 in the ink reservoir 3.
This ink 2 forms an ink layer on the surface of the ink transfer roll 1, thereby making it possible to transfer and record a stable image.

Other Embodiments Next, other embodiments of each part in the above-mentioned embodiment will be described.

(1) Ink transport means In the above embodiment, a cylindrical ink transport roll l was used as the ink transport means, but a belt or sheet-like transport member may also be used as the ink transport means. May be used. This belt or sheet-like ink transport member may be fed out from one side and wound up from the other, but it is preferable to use it repeatedly by making it move endlessly.

Further, in the above-mentioned embodiment, the ink transport roll 1 was made of a conductive material, but as will be described later, if the roll 1 is not to be part of a current-carrying circuit, it is not necessary to make it of a conductive material, and resin, etc. It may be composed of an insulator.

(2) Fluid ink In the above embodiments, tackiness was imparted by applying energy, and an ink image was formed using the ink to which tackiness was imparted, but the ink portions to which no energy was applied Alternatively, the ink may be made to have adhesive properties, and an ink image may be formed using the ink in the areas to which no energy is applied.

(3) Coating means In the above embodiment, the coating roll 4 was rotated in the direction of the arrow E in FIG. 1, but this rotation direction may be set in the opposite direction. The thickness of the ink layer formed on one surface can be made thinner than when rotating in the direction of arrow E.

(4) Energy application means In the above-mentioned embodiment, when energizing the ink 2, the ink transport roll l was energized from the recording electrode 5 through the ink 2. In this case, the electrochemical change in the ink 2 due to the current flow occurs because a particularly high pH area and a particularly low pH area are formed adjacent to each other on the surface of the ink layer. The stirring by the stirring roll 10 is effective because it is sufficient to cover only the surface layer of the ink layer.

Further, when electricity is applied between the recording electrode 5 and the ink transport roll 1 as in the above-mentioned embodiment, as shown in FIG. In particular, the lower portion 2C is formed relatively apart. In this case, when the recording electrode 5 is energized according to the image signal, immediately after passing the current from one direction, applying a voltage from the opposite direction and causing the current to flow, as shown in FIG. 7(B). 2d, where the pH of the image area has changed significantly and the crosslinked structure has been destroyed.
Immediately after, the pH increases in the opposite direction (changed non-image area 2e
is formed. Therefore, when the mixture is stirred by the stirring roll 10, the phase linkage due to pH ion diffusion occurs more quickly, which is effective.

Furthermore, such an energization method also prevents the trailing phenomenon of the image that occurs when the recording electrode 5 rubs the image area where the viscosity has decreased.

Furthermore, although the energy applying means described above applies electrical energy, it may also apply thermal energy. In this case, it is sufficient to apply Joule heat using a conventionally used thermal head, but if it is necessary to prevent electrochemical electrode reactions, the cycle is sufficiently fast compared to the signal application period. An alternating signal may be applied.

When forming an image by applying thermal energy as described above,
The development residue that has not been transferred to the intermediate transfer roll 6 is cooled and phase-linked to restore the crosslinked structure, but when stirred by the stirring roll 10, the development residue sol-like ink mixes with other gels. It comes into good contact with the shaped ink, and the recovery of the crosslinked structure is accelerated.

In addition, when electricity is applied to ink to generate heat, conventionally the ink contains conductive powder (mostly black) to give it conductivity (Japanese Patent Publication No. 59-40627). In most cases, the ink is limited to black, but since the ink 2 according to this embodiment is imparted with conductivity through ionic conduction as described above, an ink of any color can be used.

(5) Intermediate transfer medium In the above-mentioned embodiment, the intermediate transfer roll 6 was used as the intermediate transfer medium, but like the ink transfer means, this also transfers a metal or plastic film in one direction even if it is not in the form of a roll. Alternatively, it may be used as an endless belt.

Further, as shown in FIG. 8, the ink may be directly transferred from the ink transport roll 1 to the recording paper 8 without providing an intermediate transfer medium.

(6) Stirring means In the above embodiment, the stirring roll IO whose surface is not specially treated was used, but if the surface of the stirring roll 10 is roughened, the effect of scraping the ink 2 is enhanced, and the stirring of the ink 2 is Improves effectiveness.

The surface roughening method may be any method such as mechanical processing such as knurling or turning, chemical processing such as etching, or metal spraying methods such as sandblasting or plasma coating, and is particularly limited. It's not something.

When roughening the surface of the stirring roll 10 as described above, the ten-point average surface roughness Rz (JIS BO601-1982
) is preferably 1 to 1000-, more preferably 10 to
It is desirable to set it to 500n. According to the experiments of the present inventor, in the above-mentioned embodiment, the surface of the stirring roll 10 was formed by sandblasting to have the above-mentioned surface roughness Rz -Ion, and the surface roughness was formed to Rz = 5004. When recording was carried out using these methods, all showed excellent effects on ink agitation, and a homogeneous ink layer was formed on the surface of the ink transport roll 1, making it possible to obtain recorded images without fogging, ghosting, or image distortion. done.

Further, as shown in FIG. 9, a stirring roll 10 having a spiral groove 10a on its surface may be used.

In this way, when the stirring roll 10 rotates, the spiral groove 10a advances in the longitudinal direction of the roll IO, and the ink 2 is carried along with the progression of the spiral groove 10a, thereby improving the stirring effect.

Further, in providing the spiral grooves as described above, a plurality of spiral grooves 10b, 10c, 10d, and 10e may be combined in the longitudinal direction of the stirring roll 10 as shown in FIG. In this case, when the stirring roll IO rotates in the direction of arrow P in FIG. 10, each of the spiral grooves 10b=loe advances in the directions of arrows Q, R, S, and T in FIG. 1θ, respectively,
The ink 2 is also carried in the direction of the arrow. The ink transported in the directions of the arrows Q and R and in the directions of the arrows S and T are mixed, so that the stirring effect is further improved.

Furthermore, when a plurality of spiral grooves are combined as described above, the spiral grooves at both longitudinal ends of the stirring roll 10 (grooves 10b and grooves 108 in FIG. Forming the ink in the direction inward is effective because it can prevent the ink 2 from spreading outward from both longitudinal ends of the stirring roll 10 when the ink 2 is stirred.

Further, the stirring means does not have to be a roll-shaped member, but may be a rotating member such as a rotating belt.

(7) Cleaning means In the above-mentioned embodiment, an example was shown in which the cleaning means 13 was provided in order to remove the remaining ink transferred to the recording paper 8 from the intermediate transfer roll 6.
When the image is completely transferred, it is not necessary to provide the cleaning means 13.

(7) Recording medium In the configuration in which the ink image 2a on the ink transport roll 1 is directly transferred to the recording medium without providing the intermediate transfer roll 6 as described above, when paper is used as the recording medium. It is preferable to use smooth coated paper whose surface is coated to prevent the solvent of ink 2 from penetrating. In addition, from the viewpoint of facilitating the selection of the material for the fluid ink 2, plastics such as polyester, or films made of metals such as aluminum are more preferably used in view of their surface characteristics.

In the configuration in which the intermediate transfer roll 6 is provided as in the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, there is no problem in using so-called plain paper as the recording medium, and there are no particular restrictions on the paper quality.

<Effects of the Invention> As described above, the present invention forms an ink image by applying a predetermined energy to fluid ink.
There is no need for an ink sheet having a solid ink layer as in the past, making it possible to perform recording at extremely low running costs.

In addition, if energy is applied by energizing, it becomes possible to record with about 1/10 the amount of energization compared to thermal transfer recording using a conventional thermal head, reducing running costs in addition to energy consumption. I can do it.

Furthermore, untransferred ink such as residual development is agitated by the rotation of the rotating member, returning to the initial state of ink and making it possible to use it repeatedly, thereby producing recorded images without fogging, ghosting, or distortion. You can get it.

Furthermore, by forming a spiral groove on the surface of the rotating member, it is possible to obtain an effect of scraping ink from the ink transport means and an effect of preventing the spread of ink.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is an explanatory cross-sectional view of a recording apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is an explanatory perspective view thereof, and FIG. 3 (A). (B) is an explanatory diagram showing the method of measuring viscoelasticity, FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of the configuration of the recording electrode, and FIG. 5 is a block diagram of the drive control system.
Fig. 6 is a flowchart of the operation, Fig. 7 is an explanatory diagram of the state of chemical change in ink due to energization, Fig. 8 is an explanatory diagram of an embodiment without an intermediate transfer roll, and Figs. 9 and 10 are the surface of the stirring roll. FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram of an embodiment in which a spiral groove is provided. 1 is an ink transport roll, 2 is ink, 2a is an ink image,
3 is an ink reservoir, 4 is a coating roll, 5 is an energy application means, 5a is a substrate, 5b is an electrode element, 5c is an insulating film, 6 is an intermediate transfer roll, 7 is a transfer roll, 8 is a recording paper, 9a, 9b, 9c. 9d is a conveyance roll, 10 is a stirring roll, lOa to 10e
is a spiral groove, 11 is ground, 12 is a resist sensor, 1
2a is a light emitting element, 12b is a light receiving element, 13 is a cleaning means, 20 is a control unit, 20a is a CPU, 20b is an RO
M, 20c is RA-M, 21 is interface, 22
23 to 27 are motors, 28 and 29 are drivers, and 30 is an external device.

Claims (7)

[Claims] (1) A recording device capable of transferring fluid ink to a recording medium in response to selective application of energy, comprising: an ink transport means for transporting the fluid ink; and an ink transport means for transporting the fluid ink. energy applying means for selectively applying energy to the ink; a transfer means for transferring the ink, the transfer characteristics of which have changed in accordance with the selective application of energy, to a recording medium; a coating means for supplying ink onto the ink transport means, disposed upstream in the ink transport direction by the ink transport means; and a coating means for supplying ink onto the ink transport means, upstream of the coating means in the ink transport direction; Arranged facing each other,
A recording device comprising: a rotating member for stirring the ink. (2) The recording device according to claim 1, wherein minute irregularities are provided on the surface of the rotating member. (3) The recording device according to claim 2, wherein the surface unevenness of the rotating member is 1 to 1000 μm in ten-point average roughness R_z. (4) The recording device according to claim 1, wherein a spiral groove is formed in the longitudinal direction of the surface of the rotating member. (5) The recording device according to claim 4, wherein a plurality of spiral grooves are formed in the longitudinal direction of the surface of the rotating member, and the spiral directions of the adjacent spiral grooves are opposite to each other. (6) The spiral groove formed at both ends of the surface of the rotating member in the longitudinal direction is formed such that the spiral direction of the spiral groove extends inward in the longitudinal direction of the rotating member as the rotating member rotates. recording device. (7) The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the ink to which energy is selectively applied by the energy applying means is transferred onto a recording medium via an intermediate transfer medium.