JPH01178468A - Multicolor recording apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To obtain color recording free from color shift, by providing a drive controlling means to drive an intermediate transfer medium at a prescribed angular velocity of rotation. CONSTITUTION:Ink 4a applied uniformly on the surface of an ink transfer roller 6a is given an electric energy selectively in the shape of an image pattern by an energy impressing head 5a, an ink image 4 to which an adhesion is given is formed thereby, and it is transferred onto the surface of an intermediate transfer medium 3. An angular velocity of rotation of the intermediate transfer medium 3 is detected by an encoder 12 and transmitted to a controller 14. The controller 14 checks up a difference between the angular velocity of rotation of the intermediate transfer medium 3 and a prescribed angular velocity of rotation and maintains the angular velocity of rotation of the intermediate transfer medium 3 at a prescribed value constantly, and the ink image 4 of the fluid ink 4a transferred onto the peripheral surface of the intermediate transfer medium 3 is transferred onto a medium 2 to be recorded. Even when the shape of the intermediate transfer medium 3 is distorted, the ink image of fluid ink 4b is transferred onto the same place of the intermediate transfer medium 3 quite in the same way, and when the image is transferred onto the medium 2 to be recorded, it is transferred onto the same position with the image of the fluid ink 4a. Thus, a clear color image free from color shift can be obtained.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention [Field of Industrial Application] The present invention relates to a multicolor recording device that is capable of color recording on a recording medium at low cost using fluid ink, and particularly relates to a multicolor recording device that uses fluid ink to perform color recording on a recording medium at low cost. The present invention relates to a multicolor recording device that records color images using the multicolor recording device.

[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 this ink ribbon in an image pattern with a recording head, and transfers the molten ink to recording paper. Therefore, there are advantages such as low noise, relatively small size of the device, and low device cost.

[Problems to be solved by the invention] However, in the above-mentioned conventional thermal transfer method,
When manufacturing ink ribbons, hot-melt ink must be applied on a heat-resistant base sheet in a complicated process, and the ink ribbons are used only once for recording and must be thrown away. However, there were problems such as high running costs.

Therefore, as a means to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present applicant has developed a method of transferring fluid ink in the form of a film using an ink transfer means, and selectively applying a predetermined energy to this ink to form an image pattern. We proposed a recording device that forms an ink image with adhesive properties and transfers this ink image onto a recording medium (Japanese Patent Application No. 175191/1983;
2-125973).

According to this recording device, there is no need to use an ink ribbon as in conventional thermal transfer methods, and only ink that has formed an ink image is transferred to the recording medium, and ink that does not form an ink image can be repeatedly used. I can do it.

Fluid ink as described above, that is, fluid ink that has fluid film-forming properties, but has a property of being substantially sticky as it is, and becomes sticky when energy is applied (Japanese Patent Application No. 1983- No. 175191, patent application 1986-36
No. 904, etc.), a recording device that forms a color image by using a plurality of ink units using ink mixed with pigments or dyes has not yet been provided. As shown in FIG. 2, a plurality of fluid inks 4a are arranged around the rotating intermediate transfer medium 3.
4b.

The ink units 4c and 4d are arranged radially, and different fluid inks are sequentially applied to the transfer medium 2, which is supported by the recording medium support 1 and rotated, through the intermediate transfer medium 3 every rotation. A conceivable configuration is such that a multicolor image is formed by transferring and overlapping each color on the transfer medium 2.

By the way, in order to obtain a color image without color shift,
Y (yellow) 1M (magenta), C (cyan) BK (
Each of the fluid inks 48 to 4d (black) must be sequentially transferred onto the recording medium 2 through the same circumferential position of the intermediate transfer medium 3 in exactly the same manner.
In the configuration shown in the figure, each ink unit is arranged radially along the circumferential surface of the intermediate transfer medium 3, so if there is any distortion in the intermediate transfer medium 3, each fluid ink is accurately applied to the intermediate transfer medium 3. Since it is actually extremely difficult to transfer to the same location of 3, it is considered that color shift is likely to occur.

Therefore, in view of the above-mentioned points, the present invention provides multicolor recording that allows color recording without color shift on a recording medium using a plurality of fluid inks even when the shape of the intermediate transfer medium is distorted. The purpose is to provide equipment.

[Means for Solving the Problems] In order to achieve the above object, the first invention uses a plurality of fluid inks that have fluid film-forming properties and can be imparted with adhesive properties by applying energy. In a multicolor recording device that sequentially forms a multicolor image on a recording medium that is conveyed to a recording medium support via a rotating intermediate transfer medium, the intermediate transfer medium is driven at a constant rotational angular velocity. It is characterized by having a drive control means.

Further, in order to achieve the above object, the second invention provides a rotating method using sequentially a plurality of fluid inks that have fluid film forming properties and can be imparted with adhesive properties by applying energy. In a multicolor recording device that forms a multicolor image on a recording medium that is conveyed to a recording medium support via an intermediate transfer medium, a detection means that detects a moving position of the recording medium;
Timing control means for controlling the output timing of an image signal to be supplied to each of the plurality of energy application means that executes energy application according to the detection output of the detection means;
The present invention is characterized by comprising a drive control means for driving the intermediate transfer medium at a constant rotational angular velocity.

[Function 1] According to the present invention, the intermediate transfer medium is driven and controlled at a constant angular velocity by the above-described configuration, so that even when the shape of the intermediate transfer medium is distorted, a plurality of fluid inks are applied to the intermediate transfer medium. can be transferred with high precision onto the same circumferential surface of the image forming apparatus, and high-quality color image recording without color shift can be obtained.

Further, the present invention controls the driving of the intermediate transfer medium at a constant angular velocity, and also controls the timing of applying energy to each fluid ink in accordance with the detection of the moving position of the recording medium on the recording medium support. As a result, registration can be obtained with high precision, and color image recording with less color shift can be obtained.

[Embodiment 1] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

FIGS. 1 and 2 show a schematic configuration of a multicolor recording apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. However, FIG. 1 shows only one ink unit out of a plurality of ink units, and FIG. 2 omits the intermediate transfer medium drive mechanism. Third
The figure shows an enlarged view of the ink unit.

First, explanation will be given first starting from FIG. 2, which shows the overall positional relationship.

In this figure, 1 is a cylindrical or cylindrical recording medium support (for example, a platen roller made of an elastic member) that rotates in the direction of arrow P in the figure, and 2 is a support supported on the outer peripheral surface of the recording medium support 1. A sheet-shaped recording medium (for example, recording paper) 3 is a cylindrical or cylindrical intermediate transfer medium that rotates in the direction of arrow Q, which is opposite to the recording medium support 1 .

The intermediate transfer medium 3 contacts the recording medium 2 at a relative speed on its transfer surface, and transfers the ink portion adhering to the transfer surface to the recording medium 2. In order to contact the intermediate transfer medium 3 at this relative speed τ, for example, the recording medium support 1 is pressed against the intermediate transfer medium 3 to transmit rotation, or the rotation axis of the intermediate transfer medium 3 and the rotation axis of the recording medium support 1 are connected. Either the rotation of the intermediate transfer medium 3 is changed in the rotational direction and transmitted to the recording medium 1 by connecting with a transmission means with relatively little slippage or play, such as a timing belt, a gear train, or a friction transmission. Alternatively, a synchronous motor (for example, a sershin motor) may be provided on the rotating shaft of the recording medium support 1, and the motor may be rotated in synchronization with the later-described motor of the intermediate transfer medium 3 (see FIG. 1). do it.

Further, A, B, C, and D are ink units (recording units) that form images using fluid ink, respectively.
They are independent units with the same structure. The ink units A, B, C, and D are installed at predetermined positions radially at equal intervals on a concentric circle around the intermediate transfer medium 3, and are individually controlled by actuators 22a to 22d using solenoids, air, hydraulic cylinders, etc. It is movable in the radial arrow X direction, and as a result of this movement, it sequentially contacts and leaves the intermediate transfer medium 3 every cycle, and during the contact, the ink image is transferred to the intermediate transfer medium 3.

In the above-mentioned ink units A, B, C, and D, 4a,
4b, 4c, 4d are fluid inks, 5a, 5b, 5c,
5d is an energy application head that selectively applies energy to the fluid ink; 6a, 6b, 6c, and 6d are ink transfer rollers that rotate and transport the ink in the direction of arrow P in the figure; and 7a, 7b, 7c, and 7d are ink This is an ink film thickness control roller that controls the film thickness of ink transported by the transfer roller.

Next, explaining FIG. 1, lO~14 is the intermediate transfer medium 3
This constitutes a drive mechanism (drive control means). 10 is a driven transmission device (for example,
11 is a drive transmission device (for example, a driving gear) that contacts the driven transmission device IO to transmit rotation; 13 is a transmission device 11. This is a motor that rotates the intermediate transfer medium 3 in the direction of the arrow Q in the figure through the IO. 12 is an encoder that detects the rotational angular velocity of the intermediate transfer medium 3, and 14 is a servo drive circuit (controller) that controls the rotational speed of the motor 13 to a predetermined constant rotational angular velocity in accordance with the detection output of the encoder 12.

Further, the intermediate transfer medium 3 is driven by the above-mentioned motor 13 that rotates at a higher speed than the intermediate transfer medium 3 via a gear train 11.10 that reduces the speed by an integral multiple of the speed of the motor, and is The diameter of the media support 1 is the same as that of the intermediate transfer medium 3.
The recording medium 2 is designed to be an integral multiple of the diameter of the intermediate transfer medium 3 so that the recording medium 2 contacts the intermediate transfer medium 3 at a relative speed O.

In the above configuration, each ink unit A, B, C, and D is separated from the intermediate transfer medium 3 before recording starts. In response to the recording start instruction, the recording medium 2 is set at the mounting position on the recording medium support 1, and the intermediate transfer medium 3
When the recording medium support 1 rotates and reaches steady rotation at a constant angular velocity, the intermediate transfer medium 3 of the actuator 22a
Due to the extension in the direction (X), only the most upstream unit A moves to a position where it comes into contact with the intermediate transfer medium 3. and,
The tip of the recording medium 2 on the recording medium support 1 is the sensor 2
When the position 3 is reached, the supply of image signals to the energy application head 5a of the ink unit A is started. Here, the sensor 23 detects Pl' Po=P+P in the rotation direction.
, and will be installed at a position where

Next, with reference to FIG. 3, as a representative ink unit A.
The recording operation when the recording medium 3 is in contact with the intermediate transfer medium 3 will be explained.

First, to explain the general configuration of the whole, an ink transfer roller 6-a serving as an ink transfer means is partially inserted into an ink container 8 containing fluid ink (for example, yellow fluid ink) 4a. is arranged so as to be submerged in the ink 4a (in FIG. 3, the ink transfer roller 6a appears to be submerged in the ink 4a because the recording operation is in progress), and the ink 4a in the container 8 is , while moving arrow P
It is provided so as to be rotatable in the direction (counterclockwise).

The above-mentioned ink 4a has fluid film-forming properties and does not normally have adhesive properties as described later, but when given a predetermined amount of energy,
For example, it has adhesive properties when electrical energy is applied. Therefore, when the ink transfer roller 6a rotates, the ink 4a becomes a constant layer thickness on the surface of the ink transfer roller 8a due to the rotation of the ink film thickness control roller 7a, which is a layer thickness regulating means, in the direction of arrow Q (clockwise). arrow P
transported in the direction.

The ink 4a uniformly applied in a certain layer on the surface of the ink transfer roller 6a is selectively applied with electrical energy in an image pattern by an energy application head 5a controlled by a control means to be described later. An ink image 4 imparted with tackiness is formed by selective application. That is, in response to the application of a voltage pattern in accordance with an image signal to the energy application head 5a, current flows from the electrode element to the ink transfer roller 6a via the ink 4a, and for example, the electricity in the ink 4a The crosslinked structure changes due to the chemical reaction, and selective tackiness is imparted to the ink 4a. This sticky ink image 4
contacts the intermediate transfer medium 3 rotating in the direction of arrow Q (clockwise) and is transferred onto the surface of the intermediate transfer medium 3. On the other hand, the ink that has not been transferred to the intermediate transfer medium 3 is stored again in the ink container 8 as the ink transfer roller 6a rotates, and is stirred by, for example, a stirring roll (not shown) and used again.

At that time, the rotational angular velocity of the intermediate transfer medium 3 is determined by the encoder 1
2 and transmitted to the controller 14.

In the controller 14, the transferred intermediate transfer medium 3
The difference between the rotational angular velocity data and a predetermined rotational angular velocity is checked, and if the transmitted rotational angular velocity is larger than the predetermined rotational angular velocity, the rotational speed of the motor 13 is slowed down so that the transmitted rotational angular velocity reaches the predetermined rotational angular velocity. When the rotational angular velocity is smaller than the rotational angular velocity, the rotational speed of the motor 13 is increased. As a result, the rotational angular velocity of the intermediate transfer medium 3 is always kept constant. The ink image 4 of the fluid ink 4a transferred to the circumferential surface of the intermediate transfer medium 3 rotating in this state is that the recording medium 2 is the intermediate transfer medium 3.
The image is transferred to a recording medium 2 (for example, a plastic sheet for plain paper) 2 at a transfer position P0 that is in contact with the image.

As described above, when the formation and transfer of the ink image onto the intermediate transfer medium 3 by the ink unit A is completed, the actuator 22c is shortened and the ink unit A is separated from the intermediate transfer medium 3 and returns to the original standby position. After the tail end of the ink image 4 on the intermediate transfer medium 3 passes the position of the ink unit B, the actuator 22b extends in the forward direction, and only the ink unit B comes into contact with the intermediate transfer medium 3. After that, after the leading edge of the recording medium 2 reaches the position of the sensor 23,
Supply of the image signal to the energy application head 5b of the ink unit B is started at a time delay timing corresponding to the transfer position E of the ink unit A and the ink unit B. The subsequent image recording operation is the same as that for ink unit A, so its explanation will be omitted.

When energy is selectively applied to the fluid ink 4b, the intermediate transfer medium 3 rotates at a constant angular velocity in the manner described above, so even if the shape of the intermediate transfer medium 3 is distorted, the fluid ink Just as in case 4a, the ink image of fluid ink 4b will be transferred to the same location on intermediate transfer medium 3. Furthermore, the transferred fluid ink 4b
When the image of is transferred to the recording medium 2, the recording medium 2
comes into contact with the intermediate transfer medium 3 at a relative speed of zero, so the image of the fluid ink 4b is transferred to the same position in exactly the same way as the image of the fluid ink 4a, and the fluid ink (e.g. magenta fluid ink)
The image formed by 4b is accurately superimposed on the image formed by fluid ink (for example, yellow fluid ink) 4a on the recording medium without any color shift.

That is, by controlling the rotational speed of the intermediate transfer medium 3, the speed fluctuation at any point on the circumference of the intermediate transfer medium 3 during one rotation of the intermediate transfer medium 3 is always the same every rotation of the intermediate transfer medium 3. In other words, the intermediate transfer medium 3 at the transfer position
The speed fluctuations at each point in the same manner as above are exactly the same as when transferring the fluid ink 4a, and therefore, the current fluid ink 4b also has a speed change relative to the location where the previous fluid ink 4a was transferred. transcribed in exactly the same way. The diameter of the recording medium support 1 is an integral multiple of the diameter of the intermediate transfer medium 3, and the recording medium 2 contacts the intermediate transfer medium 3 at a relative speed to control the timing of the transfer start position. Therefore, the recording medium 2 always starts contacting the intermediate transfer medium 3 from the same place, and the fluid ink 4b on the intermediate transfer medium 3 is different from the previously transferred fluid ink 4a on the recording medium. The images will be transferred to the correct position and will be superimposed without any color shift.

After that, when the ink unit finishes recording the image,
Since the actuator 22b is shortened and the actuator 2'2c is extended, only the ink unit C comes into contact with the intermediate transfer medium 3, and the leading edge of the recording medium 2 is brought into contact with the sensor 2.
3, after a delay of time corresponding to the distance a P IP s, energy application to the fluid ink (for example, cyan fluid ink) 4C of the ink unit C is started, and transfer by the fluid ink 4C is performed. Since the operation is performed in exactly the same manner as described above, the ink image of the fluid ink C is transferred onto the fluid inks 4a and 4b on the recording medium 2 in a superimposed manner without any color shift.

When the image recording by this ink unit C is completed, the actuator 22c is shortened and the actuator 22d is extended, and only the last ink unit D is transferred to the intermediate transfer medium 3.
The transfer operation using the last fluid ink (for example, black fluid ink) 4d is started in the same manner as described above. When the image recording operation by the ink unit D is completed, the recording medium 2 is moved from the recording medium support l to j.
It is twisted and discharged outside.

As described above, since the transfer is started at the same position on the intermediate transfer medium 3 and the intermediate transfer medium 3 is rotated at a constant angular velocity, a clear color image without color shift can be obtained.

FIG. 4 shows an example of the circuit configuration of the control unit in the embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. 43 is a timer for measuring time; and 44 is a page buffer that stores image signals for each page and each color. Reference numeral 45 denotes an external device such as a document reading device or an external storage device that supplies image signals. In addition,
In the case of a readout method in which image signals are sequentially read out from the external device 45 for each color, the page buffer 44 is not required.

46 connects the actuators 22a to 22d to the print controller 4! An actuator driver 47 is a motor driver that controls the ink transport rollers 6a to 6d and ink film thickness control rollers 7a to 7d based on control signals from the print controller 41. 48 is an energy applying head 5a to 5 based on the image signal supplied from the print controller 4t.
A head driver 49 is a switching circuit that selectively outputs the output signal of the head driver 48 to one of the energy application heads 58 to 5d in response to a switching signal from the print controller 41. In addition, the setting time of the timer 43 can be made variable in accordance with switching of the recording speed or changes in the positions of the ink units A to P.
A manual switch may also be provided.

FIG. 5 shows the output timing of the signal in the circuit of FIG. In the next transfer cycle, the %M image signal is applied to the energy application channel 1 of the next ink unit B one hour after the generation of the sensor output of the sensor 23. As mentioned above, during this hour,
It is set to the time it takes for the intermediate transfer medium 3 to move the moving distance 11 P IP 2 between the position a P t of the ink unit A and the position 12 of the ink unit B. Also, since each ink unit A to D is arranged at equal intervals, similarly,
In the next transfer cycle, the C image signal is applied to the energy application means 5c of the ink unit C 2T hours after the generation of the sensor output. Further, in the next transfer cycle, the print controller 41 performs timing control of 0 or more so that the Bk image signal is applied to the energy application means 5d of the ink unit D 3T time after the generation of the sensor output.

Further, the timing signal (22) is applied to the actuator 22
This signal determines the timing of driving a to 22d, and is output at a predetermined time T after the sensor output from the sensor 23 is generated. This 71 hours is set, for example, based on the time it takes for the trailing ink image of the fluid ink 4c on the intermediate transfer medium 3 to pass through the position of the ink unit D to be driven last.

This is to prevent the transferred ink image from coming out due to contact of the downstream ink unit with the intermediate transfer medium 3.

FIG. 6 shows an example of a control procedure of the print controller 41 shown in FIG. 4. First, when a print start instruction is given from the keyboard of the operation console (step 51), the recording medium 2 is set on the recording medium support 1, and step S
2) A flag F indicating the number of transfer cycles is set to 1 (step S3).

Next, it is determined whether or not F is 5, that is, recording has been completed (step S4), and if recording has been completed, the recording medium 2 is
is removed from the recording medium support 1 and ejected (step S5), and the process returns to step Sl, where the start key wait is performed. On the other hand, when F does not reach 5, one of the actuators (solenoids) 22a to 22d in the order indicated by the flag F is turned off.
It is set to N (step S6). Initially, F is 1, so
Since the first actuator 22a is turned on and extends, the fluid ink 4a of the ink unit A comes into contact with the intermediate transfer medium 3.

Next, when the output of the sensor 23 turns ON (step S
7), the timer 43 starts counting T1 (step S8).
). Next, it is determined whether F=1 or not, and if it is affirmative (
Step S9), the process proceeds to step 513, and the F-th image signal, in this case, the first image signal, is sent to the ink unit A.
The energy is output to the energy application head 5a. After that, T1
When the time is up (step 514), F
The second actuator, that is, the first actuator 22a, is turned off (step 515), the value of the flag F is incremented by 1 (step 516), and the process returns to step S4. Therefore,
Next, the second actuator 22b is turned on, and the process advances from step S9 to step 510. In step 510, the value of T is set by calculating Tx (F-1). For example, if F=2, it will be T, if F=3, it will be 2T, and if F=4, it will be 3T (see Figure 5). Here, T is a fixed value. next,
When the timer 43 starts counting T (Step 5ll), when the timer runs out (Step 512), Step 513
Go to and execute the F-th image output. Thereafter, the same process as described above is repeated.

Next, the arrangement position of the sensor 23 that detects the position of the recording medium 2 will be explained. In FIG. 2, a recording medium support 1
The diameter of the intermediate transfer medium 3 is kD (k is an integer), the diameter of the intermediate transfer medium 3 is D, and the speed of the outer circumference during rotation is v, v'
Then, since the relative speed difference is;, v=v'. Further, if the angular velocity of the recording medium support l is ω, and the angular velocity of the intermediate transfer medium 3 is ω'ω',ω;-. The time T from the position P1' of the sensor 23 to the transfer position P0 along the rotational direction P is given by the following equation (1), and the time T from the transfer position P1 of the ink unit A of the intermediate transfer medium 3 to the rotational direction Q
along the transcription position P. The time Tx' until
is given by and T,=T', then sensor 2
The angle Q, , with respect to the transfer position P0 of 3 is determined by the following equation (3). Ql is the angle between transfer positions P0 and 21.

T', = (2π-θ+)-(2) v For example, if k-1,01-1, then θg-. Further, in the above-described embodiment, a case was described in which a plurality of ink units A to D were installed radially on the intermediate transfer medium 3 as shown in FIG. 2, but the present invention is not limited to this.
As shown in the figure, by arranging a plurality of ink units A-D on a rotary table (not shown) and rotating the rotary table by a predetermined angle for each transfer cycle, a plurality of ink units A-D are sequentially printed in the same manner. It can also be applied to a case where the ink image is transferred by contacting the intermediate transfer medium 3 at the transfer position.

Next, in order to further facilitate understanding of the present invention, the configuration of the main parts of the above-mentioned multicolor recording apparatus and modifications thereof will be explained in detail one after another.

(1) Intermediate transfer medium The intermediate transfer medium 3 is a medium to which the above-mentioned energy is applied and the sticky ink image 4 is transferred, and the cylindrical member (roller) moves each It is placed at a position that maintains a distance of about 0.1 to 3 mm from the surfaces of the ink transfer rollers 6a to 6d, contacts the ink layer formed on the ink transfer rollers 6a to 6d, and is moved in the direction of arrow Q by a driving means (not shown). It is configured to be rotatable.

The surface of the intermediate transfer medium 3 may be made of the same material as the surface of the ink transfer rollers 6a to 6d, but the surface of the intermediate transfer medium 3 may be made of chrome plating or the like. It is preferable to improve smoothness, stain resistance, or ease of cleaning by plating or coating with silicone resin, fluororesin, polyethylene resin, or the like. Further, in order to improve the transferability of the ink 4 at the ink transfer position, it is preferable that the surface of the intermediate transfer medium 3 has higher smoothness than the surfaces of the ink transfer rollers Sa to 6d.

Further, at an ink transfer position where the adhesive ink image 4 is transferred to the intermediate transfer medium 3, this intermediate transfer medium 3
It is also desirable to apply an appropriate shearing force to the layers of ink 4a to 4d sandwiched between the ink transfer rollers 6a to 6d. Therefore, the peripheral speed of the intermediate transfer medium 3 is preferably set to be equal to or smaller than the peripheral speed of the surface layer of the ink layer on the ink transport rollers 6a to 6d. Depending on the characteristics of the non-adhesive ink, the circumferential speed of the intermediate transfer medium 3 may be set to be approximately equal to or slightly larger than the circumferential speed of the surface layer of the ink layer, taking into account the elastic deformation of the ink. Also good.

Further, in the embodiment described above with reference to FIG. 1, the roller 3 was used as the intermediate transfer medium, but it does not have to be roller-shaped like the ink transport means, and the metal or plastic film can be transferred in one direction. Alternatively, it may be used as an endless belt.

(2) Fluid ink Next, the fluid ink 48 to 4d transported by the ink transport rollers 6a to 6d will be explained.
-4d have fluid film-forming properties that flow under the application of a constant external force to form an ink film, and specifically, as the ink transfer rollers 6a-6d rotate, the rollers 6a-4d 6
An ink layer is formed on the surface of d and has the property of being transferred. Further, the inks 4a to 4d preferably have a property of being able to restore their adhesiveness over time after being cut by an external force. That is, it is preferable that when the ink souls come into contact with each other, the interface disappears and they become one.

Inks 48 to 4d having such properties include inks having a gel state in a broad sense in which the solvent is held by a cross-linked structure substance, or inks having a relatively high viscosity (preferably 5000c).
ps or more) in a solvent with a particle size of preferably 0.1
An ink having a sludge state obtained by dispersing particles (1 to 100 μm, more preferably 1 to 20 μm) is preferably used. Inks having properties of both gel-like inks and sludge-like inks are more preferably used. As a specific example of this ink, the ink described in Japanese Patent Application No. 175191/1982 or Japanese Patent Application No. 36904/1982 previously filed by the applicant is preferred.

Although such inks 4a to 4d have fluid film forming properties,
A predetermined amount of energy (e.g., electrical energy, thermal energy, etc.) that is substantially sticky as it is.
When is applied, only the area to which it is applied becomes sticky. Note that the term "adhesiveness" used herein refers to selective adhesiveness, and when the inks 4a to 4d are brought into contact with an object such as the intermediate transfer medium 3, the inks 48 to 4
A part of d is separated from the whole ink and attached to an object, and it does not matter whether the whole ink is sticky or not.

Therefore, when the ink layer formed on the surface of the ink transfer rollers 6a to 6d is not applied with energy, even if the ink 48 to 4d comes into contact with another medium, for example, the intermediate transfer medium 3, the ink layer formed on the surface of the ink transfer rollers 6a to 6d is The image is not substantially transferred to the transfer medium 3. The reason for this is that in gel ink, the solvent is held in a crosslinked structure (except for a small amount of solvent), so the ink is not transferred to the intermediate transfer medium 3, and the ink is in a sludge state. In this case, it is thought 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 medium 3, and thus not being transferred to the intermediate transfer medium 3.

On the other hand, when energy such as electricity is applied to the above-mentioned gel-like ink or sludge-like ink, the crosslinking structure of the gel-like ink changes, and the particle arrangement state of the sludge-like ink changes. It is thought that these fluid inks are given tackiness in response to the above energy application.

Furthermore, the above-mentioned inks 48 to 4d are transferred to the ink transport roller 6.
When coated on a to 6d, it has properties as a plastic body, and conversely, after being applied with energy by the energy application heads 58 to 5d, it has properties as an elastic body before reaching the intermediate transfer medium 3. It is preferable.

Therefore, the inks 48 to 4d of this embodiment preferably have a certain degree of viscoelasticity (complex elasticity having an elastic term and a viscous term).

The range of the viscoelasticity is, for example, as shown in FIG. 9(A),
As shown in (B), the inks 4a to 4d are coated with a diameter of 25 m.
m, thickness 2+nm, and a sinusoidal strain γ at an angular velocity of 1 rad/sec in the arrow direction (shear direction) shown in the figure.
is given, and the stress σ and phase shift δ are detected to find the complex modulus of elasticity G'', then G''=σ/γmiG'+iG''G': Storage modulus G'': Loss modulus Storage modulus The value of the ratio G''/G' between the modulus G' and the loss elasticity G'' is approximately 0.1.
~IO is preferably used.

In this complex modulus of elasticity, if G''/G' is less than 0.1, the behavior as a plastic body will be insufficient, and the ink coating on the ink transfer rollers 6a to 6d will be insufficient, and the G ″/G′ exceeds 10, the behavior as an elastic body is insufficient, and the energy application head 5
This is because the elastic recovery from 8 to 5d to the intermediate transfer medium 3 is insufficient.

It should be noted that the above-mentioned sample size and method of applying distortion are values that are considered appropriate for the recording apparatus.

In addition, the above-mentioned inks 48 to 4d contain colorants of different colors, and examples of such ink colorants preferably used in the present invention include the dyes and pigments described below. These may be used alone or in a mixture of two or more. The pigment or dye is suitably used in an amount sufficient to highly pigment the ink and form a distinct visible image. For example, as dyes and pigments, pigments are used in an amount of about 1% to 40% by weight of the total weight of the ink, while dyes are used in substantially lower amounts, such as 30% by weight. Used below.

(a) Black coloring agents include carbon black, magnetite, iron oxide, nigrosine dye, chrome yellow,
Examples include ultramarine blue, DuPont oil red, methylene blue chloride, and phthalocyanine blue.

(b) Colorants for magenta include 2,9-dimethyl-substituted quinacridone and CI 60 in the color index.
Anthraquinone dye described as 710, CI
Disbirds Dread 15, C in color index
Diazo dye described as I 26050, CI
Examples include Solvent Red 19.

(C) As a cyan colorant, copper tetra-4 (octadecylsulfonamide) phthalocyanine, X-
Copper phthalocyanine pigments, CI pigment blue, anthradan threne blue listed as CI 89810 in the color index, special blue X-2137, and the like can be mentioned.

(d) Colorants for yellow include 3,3-dichlorohenzidine acetoacetanilide, which is cyanilide yellow, a monoazo pigment listed as CI 12700 in the Color Index, and CI Solvent Yellow 16, in the Color Index. ni Holon Yellow 6E
Nitrophenylamine sulfonamide, listed as /GLN, CI Disbursed Yellow 33.2.
5-dimethoxy-4-sulfonanilide phenyl-4
'-chloro-2,5-dimethoxyacetoacetanilide, permanent yellow FGL and the like.

(e) Other colorants for orange include red yellow lead, molybdenum orange, permanent orange GTR1 pyrazolone orange, palkan orange, indanthrene brilliant orange RK1 benzidine orange G1 indanthrene brilliant orange GK.

°If red, Red Garla, Cadmium Red, Red Lead, Mercury Cadmium Sulfide, Permanent Red 4R, Lysol Red, Pyrazolone Red, Watchdared Calceum Salt, Lake Red D1 Brilliant Carmine 6B
, eosin lake, rhodamine lake B, alizarin lake, and brilliant carmine 3B.

For purple, manganese purple, fast violet B1
Examples include methyl violet lake.

Examples of blue include navy blue, cobalt blue, alkali blue lake, Victoria blue lake, phthalocyanine blue, metal-free phthalocyanine blue, partially chlorinated phthalocyanine blue, fast sky blue, and indanthremble-BC.

Examples of green include chrome green, chrome oxide, picment green B1 malachite green lake, and final yellow green G.

In the case of white, examples include zinc white, titanium oxide, antimony white, and zinc sulfide.

In addition, in the above-mentioned embodiment, adhesiveness was imparted by applying energy, and an ink image was formed using the ink imparted with this adhesiveness. so that it has
An ink image may be formed using ink in a portion to which no energy is applied.

(3) Ink transfer roller The ink transfer rollers 6a to 6d are fluid ink 48 to 4d.
In this example, a conductor made of a metal such as stainless steel, aluminum, or iron is formed into a cylindrical shape, and
It is configured to be rotatable at a constant speed in the direction of arrow P by a driving means.

The surfaces of the ink transfer rollers 6a to 6d (7) made of the above-mentioned materials may be smooth, but the fluid ink 4a to 44
In order to further improve the feeding properties of d, it is preferable that the surface be appropriately roughened.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, an example was shown in which cylindrical ink transport rollers 6a to 6d were used as the ink transport means, but a belt or sheet-like ink transport member may also be used as the ink transport means. Also good. This belt or sheet-like ink transport member is fed out from one side, and
On the other hand, it may be wound up, but it is preferable to use it repeatedly by making it move endlessly.

Further, in the above-mentioned embodiment, the ink rollers 6a to 6d are made of a conductive material, but if the rollers 6a to 6d are not part of a current-carrying circuit, they do not need to be made of a conductive material, but resin, etc. It may be composed of an insulator.

(4) Ink film thickness control roller Next, ink film thickness control roller 7a as layer thickness regulating means.
-7d are arranged upstream of the energy application heads 58-5d with respect to the rotation direction of the ink transfer rollers 6a-6d, and coat the inks 4a-4d on the surfaces of the ink transfer rollers 6a-6d with a constant layer pressure. In this embodiment, the ink film thickness control rollers 7a to 7
d and the surfaces of the ink transfer rollers 6a to 6d by about 0.
They are spaced apart by 3 to 3 mm.

The layer thickness is regulated by the ink film thickness control rollers 7a to 7d, and the thickness of the ink layer formed on the surface of the ink transfer rollers 6a to 6d is determined by the balance effect peculiar to the viscoelastic material.
Ink film thickness control rollers a to 7d and ink transfer roller 6
The distance is slightly larger than that between a to 6d. Therefore, the ink film thickness control rollers a to 7d and the ink transfer rollers 6a to
6d is desirably set to be slightly smaller than the thickness of the ink layer. However, when the ink transfer rollers 6a to 6d are at high speed (for example, circumferential speed of 50 mm/s or more), the thickness of the coated ink layer is larger than the distance between the ink film thickness control rollers 7a to 7d and the ink transfer rollers 6a to 6d. may also become smaller. In this case, it is desirable to set the interval to be slightly larger than the thickness of the coating ink layer.

Further, the layer thickness of the fluid inks 4a to 4d formed on the surfaces of the ink transfer rollers 6a to 6d is as follows.
d fluidity or viscosity, the material or roughness of the surface of the ink transfer rollers 6a to 6d, or the rollers 6a to 6d.
Although it varies depending on the rotation speed of the ink transfer roller 6a, etc.
~6d is approximately 0.1~5 mm, more preferably 0.5~3 m at the ink transfer position facing the intermediate transfer medium 3.
It is preferable that it is about m.

The layer thickness of this ink is 0. If it is less than bn+n, it will be difficult to form a uniform ink layer on the ink transfer rollers 6a to 6d, and if the layer thickness exceeds 5 mm, it will be difficult to form a uniform ink layer on the ink transfer rollers 6a to 6d. It becomes difficult to transport, and the energy applying heads 5a~
5d to the ink transfer roller 6 via the ink 4a to 4d.
This makes it difficult to energize a to 6d.

Further, in the above-mentioned embodiment, the ink layer thickness regulating means was constituted by the rotating rollers 7a to 7d, but instead of these rollers, a blade member whose tip was arranged at a constant interval from the ink transport rollers 6a to 6d was used to control the layer thickness. It may also constitute a regulating means.

Note that the rotational speed of the ink transfer rollers 6a to 6d and the ink 4
Due to the viscoelastic properties of a to 4d, the ink transfer rollers 6a to 6d
The ink transfer rollers 6a to 6d having an ink layer are replaced when the ink can be coated with a constant layer thickness on the ink transfer rollers 6a to 6d, or when the ink layer previously formed on the ink transfer rollers 6a to 6d runs out. In this configuration,
It is not always necessary to provide the layer thickness regulating means 7a to 7d.

(5) Energy application head Next, the energy application heads 58 to 5d will be explained. Although these may be configured to apply thermal energy using a conventional thermal head, in this embodiment, from the point of view of energy efficiency, Recording electrodes are used to apply electrical energy.

As shown in FIG. 8, each of the recording electrodes 5a to 5d has a structure in which a plurality of electrode elements 5B made of metal such as copper are arranged in a line 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 electrode element 5B other than the tip, that is, a portion other than the portion contacting the ink 4a to 4b, and the ink transfer roller 6a described above is provided with an insulating film 5C made of polyimide or the like. ~6d is grounded with earth 9 and its rollers 6a~6d and electrode element 5B
The configuration is such that electricity can be applied through the inks 4a to 4d between them. 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.

Further, when the recording electrodes 58 to 5d are arranged, as shown in FIG.
It is preferable to arrange it so that it slightly penetrates into the ink layer formed thereon. This intrusion Nk is about 0~1 mm
, more preferably about 0.1 to 0.5+nm.

By slightly penetrating the ink layer in this way, the energizing effect can be further enhanced. Note that even if the electrode element 5B penetrates into the ink layer as described above, there is no problem because the inks 48 to 4d have viscoelasticity.

Furthermore, when the electrode element 5B is inserted into the ink layer as described above, the level difference between the end surface A of the substrate 5A and the end surface B of the electrode element 5B in FIG. 8 may be in the range of approximately 0 to 100 μm. Preferably, if possible, it is desirable that both end surfaces have no step and are formed on the same surface. This is because if the level difference is large, the ink image 4 formed by energization from the electrode element 5B will be rubbed and destroyed by the end surface of the substrate 5A, and there is a risk that the recorded image will be smeared.

Further, the amount of current applied to the recording electrodes 58 to 5d may be determined by, for example, when using guar gum crosslinked with borate ions as the crosslinked structure material of the inks 48 to 4d, this crosslinked structure is destroyed to cause an electrochemical change. The amount of current required to do this is sufficient. Therefore, the amount of current required to transfer electrons to and from the crosslinking agent, which is added in a small amount of about several hundred ppm to the inks 4a to 4d, is sufficient, and the current flow when applying thermal energy with a thermal head in thermal transfer, etc. is sufficient. Compared to the amount, it is sufficient to apply a low energy of about 1710, and this application of electrical energy makes the ink sticky.

Furthermore, in the above-mentioned example, when energizing the inks 48 to 4d, the ink feed rollers 6a to 6d were energized from the recording electrodes 5a to 5d via the inks 4a to 4d. A current may be passed between the arranged electrode elements 5B. In this case, the electrochemical changes in the inks 4a to 4d caused by energization are caused by the formation of areas with particularly high pH and areas with particularly low pH adjacent to each other on the surface of the ink layer, so that the stirring by the stirring means only affects the surface layer of the ink layer. It is effective because it is sufficient.

In addition, when electricity is applied between the recording electrodes 5a to 5d and the ink transport rollers 6a to 6d as in the above-described embodiment, in the chemical change of the inks 48 to 4d, there are areas where 91 (is particularly high and areas where 91 is particularly low). In this case, when the recording electrodes 58 to 5d are energized in accordance with the image signal, immediately after passing the current from one direction, a voltage is applied in the opposite direction to cause the current to flow. Immediately after the part where the pH of the image area changes greatly and the crosslinked structure is destroyed, a non-image area where the pH changes greatly in the opposite direction is formed.Therefore, when stirred by a stirring means (not shown), This method is effective because the pH is more quickly relaxed by ion diffusion.Furthermore, this method of energization is effective in reducing image trailing caused by the recording electrodes 58 to 5d rubbing against the image area where the viscosity has decreased. This will also help prevent the phenomenon.

Further, 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, it is necessary to A fast 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 medium 3 is relaxed by cooling and recovers the crosslinked structure again. However, when it is stirred by a stirring means (not shown), the development residue, which has become a sol, is mixed 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 a conductive phase (often black) to impart conductivity (Japanese Patent Publication No. 59-40.62
No. 7), the color of ink is limited to black in most cases, whereas inks 4a to 4d according to this embodiment are imparted with electrical conductivity through ionic conduction as described above, so inks of any color can be used. can be obtained freely.

(6) Recording medium support Next, the recording medium support (also referred to as a transfer roller) 1 transfers the ink image 4 transferred onto the intermediate transfer medium 3 onto the recording paper 2.
A roller 1 made of nitrile rubber, silicone rubber, etc. formed into a cylindrical shape on a metal shaft is moved by a spring or the like (not shown).
The ink image 4 formed on the intermediate transfer medium 3 is brought into contact with the intermediate transfer medium 3 with a pressing force of about 0゛, 1 to 5 kgf/cm, and rotates in the direction of arrow P as the intermediate transfer medium 3 rotates. is configured to be transferred onto recording paper 2.

As mentioned above, the electrochemical action of electricity imparts tackiness to the fluid ink to perform predetermined recording, so it is possible to record on plain paper, etc. with a small amount of electrical energy and without wasting ink. It becomes possible. 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 is compatible with the generally known electrochemical recording method. That is, compared to the electrolytic recording method, which uses color development based on an oxidation-reduction reaction caused by electricity, it is possible to record images with superior stability and durability.

Furthermore, the electrical conductivity of the ink is provided by ionic conduction, and a wide range of ionic substances (many solutions are transparent) can be used as electrolytes for this purpose.

Therefore, as in this embodiment, it is possible to easily obtain ink of any color tone using the dyes and pigments mentioned above.

[Effects of the Invention] As explained above, according to the present invention, multiple units of fluid ink are sequentially superimposed and transferred onto a recording medium conveyed by a recording medium support via an intermediate transfer medium. Since the rotation of the intermediate transfer medium is controlled at a constant angular velocity when doing so, even if the shape of the intermediate transfer medium is distorted, a color image without color shift can be formed.

Further, according to the present invention, in addition to controlling the rotation of the intermediate transfer medium, the timing of applying energy to each fluid ink is controlled in accordance with the detection of the position of the recording medium.
High-precision registration can be obtained, and high-quality color image recording without color shift can be obtained.

Furthermore, in the present invention, since an ink image is formed by applying a predetermined energy to the fluid ink, there is no need for an ink sheet (ink ribbon) having a solid ink layer as in the past, and running costs are reduced. Extremely low recording processing is possible. In addition, if energy is applied by electricity, the throughput N f is about 1/10 of that of thermal transfer recording using a conventional thermal head.
Recording is possible at 7N, and running costs can be reduced in terms of energy consumption.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the arrangement of a multicolor recording apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a schematic sectional view thereof, and FIG. 3 is an enlarged sectional view showing a part of FIG. 2 on an enlarged scale. , Fig. 4 is a block diagram showing the circuit configuration of the embodiment shown in Fig. 1, Fig. 5 is a timing chart showing the signal output timing of the circuit shown in Fig. 4, and Fig. 6 is a control procedure of the print controller shown in Fig. 4. Flowchart showing one example; FIG. 7 is a schematic sectional view showing another example of the configuration of the present invention; FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing an example of the configuration of the energy application head in FIG. 1; FIGS. 9(A) and CB ) is an explanatory diagram showing a method for measuring the viscoelasticity of fluid ink applicable to the present invention. DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1... Recording medium support, 2... Recording medium, 3... Intermediate transfer medium, 48-4d... Fluid ink, 58-5d... Energy application head, 68-6d.
...Ink transfer roller, 7a-7d...Ink film thickness control roller, 8...Case, 9...Ground, A, B, C, D...Ink unit, 10.11...
- Rotation transmission means, 12... Encoder, 13... Motor, 14... Servo drive circuit (controller), 21...
- Guide, 22a to 22d...Actuator, 23...Sensor, 41...Print controller, 46.47.48...Driver. j Yukiya Wataru Kojii゛-Uu to Ichitomo Ei line/) Energy 㢢P addition to Ato! 7) Remaining Island Map Figure 8 Pods and Flowers in a Row ・) Ru Ink Lost 5 Car Throat Branches
Figure 9

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claims] 1) A plurality of fluid inks having fluid film-forming property and capable of imparting tackiness by applying energy are sequentially used to record on a rotating intermediate transfer medium. A multicolor recording device for forming a multicolor image on a recording medium conveyed to a medium support, the multicolor recording device comprising a drive control means for driving the intermediate transfer medium at a constant rotational angular velocity. 2) The drive control means includes: a drive means for rotationally driving the intermediate transfer medium; a detection means for detecting a rotational angular velocity of the intermediate transfer medium; and a comparison between a detection output of the detection means and the constant rotational angular velocity. 2. The multicolor recording apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising servo control means for controlling said drive means to have said constant rotational angular velocity. 3) The multicolor recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the diameter of the recording medium support is an integral multiple of the diameter of the intermediate transfer medium. 4) The multicolor recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the intermediate transfer medium is driven by a motor rotating at high speed via a gear train whose reduction ratio is an integral multiple of that of the motor. 5) The multicolor recording apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a driving means for driving the recording medium support so that the recording medium contacts the intermediate transfer medium at a relative speed of zero. . 6) A plurality of fluid inks that have fluid film-forming properties and can be imparted with tackiness by applying energy are sequentially used to transport the recording medium to the recording medium support via a rotating intermediate transfer medium. A multicolor recording device that forms a multicolor image on a recording medium, comprising: a detection means for detecting a moving position of the recording medium; and a plurality of energies for applying the energy according to a detection output of the detection means. A multicolor recording device comprising: timing control means for controlling the output timing of image signals supplied to each of the application means; and drive control means for driving the intermediate transfer medium at a constant rotational angular velocity. 7) The drive control means is configured such that the speed fluctuation at any point on the circumference of the intermediate transfer medium during one rotation of the intermediate transfer medium is repeated in the same manner every rotation of the intermediate transfer medium. 7. The multicolor recording apparatus according to claim 6, further comprising the step of driving said intermediate transfer medium.