JPH01235647A - Image printer - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To allow a recording dot image to be fixed constant regardless of the quality and thickness of recording paper and thereby not allow the image to soil any other component or recording paper itself when the image is fixed by keeping a fixing mechanism using an infrared heater as a heat-generating means in a non-contact state and causing the recording dot image to be heated. CONSTITUTION:A recording dot image 105 is created on recording paper 104 by an image printer 106, and a specified amount of infrared beam 601 is radiated by an infrared heater 102 through an ON/OFF circuit when the recording paper passes through under a fixing mechanism 101. The radiated beam is further reflected to a reflector 103 and is radiated in parallel to the recording paper 104 and the recording dot image 105 through a gap. As the recording dot image 105 contains magnetite particles, it heats and again melts by absorption of infrared beam, resulting in the penetration of ink in the recording paper. Subse quently, the ink is fixed to provide completely fixed dots 602. At that time, the recording paper 104 is white, so that it does not absorb much of infrared beam 601. Therefore, the recording paper 104 does not heat significantly and as much, neither vaporization of moisture nor change of paper quality and form occur.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Industrial Application Field 1] The present invention relates to a printing apparatus, and more particularly, to a printing apparatus having a ta structure for fixing recorded dot images using heat. related to.

[Prior Art 1] Many printing devices having a fixing mechanism use toner or wax, such as an electrophotographic method or a wax inkjet method. This is because it is necessary to firmly fix the toner images and wax dots formed on the recording paper, so especially when documents are created using a printing device, the printed matter may disappear during storage or viewing. It is required not to stain other people's property. In general, fixing methods include methods that use heat, pressure, and solvents, but heat roller fixed fixing devices are most commonly used. This uses a heated roller and a pressure roller to fuse the recording dots to the recording paper through heat conduction and pressure.

There are also methods of fixing using only pressure, and non-contact methods of fixing using a halogen lamp or xenon flashlight, converting the emitted light energy into radiation and ambient temperature.

[Problem to be solved by the invention 1ffll] However, in the above-mentioned printing apparatus, when heat roller type fixing is used, heat is taken away by the recording paper, so the fixing speed depends on the quality and thickness of the recording paper. There was a problem that the degree changed.

Further, in the method using pressure, there is a problem that the dot shape is crushed and the quality of the dot printing deteriorates.

Further, in the case of a heat roller, there is a problem in that the wax component of the recorded dot image adheres to the heat roller.

In addition, since the recording paper itself is heated and pressurized, it may be deformed such as curling, deterioration such as becoming brittle due to loss of moisture, and dew condensation inside the device due to evaporation of moisture. There was a problem.

Another problem is that the mechanism including the heat roller mechanism is extremely complicated and expensive, such as a mechanism for inserting paper into the heat roller and a high-torque drive for rotating the pressure roller.

Further, in the case of a contact type, heat is used for purposes other than fixing the recording paper, rollers, etc., and even in the case of an optical system, there is a problem that a considerable amount of the total output is lost due to loss of light emission, etc.

Furthermore, the optical system has a problem in that it requires a large-scale concealment device such as a light shielding device.

Furthermore, when filaments are used in halogen lamps, xenon flashes, etc., there are major problems in terms of storage stability, durability, safety, etc.

The present invention is intended to solve this problem, and its purpose is to obtain a constant fixation of the recorded dot image regardless of the quality and thickness of the recording paper, and to fix the recorded dot image by using a heat roller or the like when fixing the recorded dot image. The recording paper transport mechanism, including the fixing mechanism, must not adhere to other parts and stain other parts or stain the recording paper itself.The recording paper must not be deformed or deteriorated during fusing, and the water must not evaporate. It satisfies the following requirements: it is simple and inexpensive, it has low heat loss, it does not emit light, and it has excellent storage stability, durability, and safety.

[Means for Solving the Problem J] An infrared heater is used as a heat generating means for the fixing mechanism, and the fixing mechanism is not in contact with the fixing surface on the recording paper.

[Operation] Infrared rays radiated from a non-contact infrared heater hit the recording paper's fixing surface, and the recording dot image is heated and fixed, creating recording dots on the recording paper. be done.

[Example 1 (Example 1) Fig. 1 shows an I+ diagram of Example 1 of the present invention. A fixing mechanism 101 includes an infrared heater 102 and a reflector 103. 104 is a recording dot image on which 105 is printed on recording paper. At this time, the fixing mechanism 101, the recording paper 104, and the recording dot image 105 are not in contact with each other, and there is a gap a between them. Here, a=10 mm.

Reference numeral 106 denotes a printing mechanism which employs a thermomagnetic inkjet system. That is, 107 is a thermal head, 108 is a magnetic head, and 109 is an ink ribbon coated with thermoplastic magnetic ink.

The thermal head 107 has a resolution of 300 dots/inch,
The effective printing width was 210 mm (A4 short side width), and the heating element resistance value was 700 Ω per element.

The maximum energy applied per dot is 0.3 mJ.
I set it to be.

The magnetic head 108 used was a samarium-cobalt magnet with a maximum energy product of 30 M Gauss Oersted and a pure iron yoke attached thereto.

The ink film 109 is PE with a thickness of 4 to 6 μrrl.
A thermoplastic magnetic ink having the following composition was applied to T (polyethylene terephthalate) to a thickness of 10 μm.

(Thermoplastic magnetic ink composition) 1. Magnetite fine particles...40% by weight (particle size 0.
1 μm to 1.6 μm) 2. Carnauba wax...20% by weight 3. Paraffin wax...30 weight% 4. EVA
...7% by weight5, dispersant ...
Approximately 100 meters of this 3% by weight ink film was wound around the core.

That is, the printing principle of the printing mechanism 106 will be briefly explained as follows. First, the heating element of the thermal head 107 generates heat in response to the recording information, and the heat is conducted to the ink +7 cylinder 109, so that the thermoplastic magnetic ink is thermally melted. Next, the thermoplastic magnetic ink that has been thermally melted and becomes free is magnetically attracted to the magnetic head 108.
A recording dot image 105 is formed on the recording paper 104 along the way.

Figure 2 is an external view of the red-smell heater with the reflector plate 103 removed.
was used. Diameter 20 mm, heat generating effective length 220 mm (
The external dimensions are 'A4 short side width), and the maximum output is 250W (at 100 AC input).

Also, power is supplied to connectors 2 at both ends of the infrared heater 102.
It is supplied from the heater power supply circuit 201 via 02.203. Also, at this time, a thermistor 204 was attached to monitor the amount of infrared radiation.

This is fed back to the heater power supply circuit 201.

FIG. 3 shows an example of a heater drive circuit, in which 301 is an AC power source, in this case a 100-inch household power source is directly connected. Also, 302 is a fuse for overcurrent prevention, 303 is a transformer for voltage adjustment, 304 is an analog switch, and 305 is an analog switch.
is a heater 0N10FF circuit, and the temperature information of the thermistor 204 is input manually. This is for adjusting the amount of infrared radiation of the infrared heater, and an example thereof is shown in FIG. Here, the heater-0N10FF circuit includes a memory 401, a thermistor power supply 402, and a constant resistance for measurement 403.
, an AD converter 404, a comparator 405, and an analog switch driver 406.

To explain its operation, first, the amount of infrared radiation from the infrared heater 102, that is, the surface temperature of the infrared heater 102, is monitored by changes in the thermistor resistance 204. This thermistor resistor 204 is 711.940 for thermistor.
2 and the thermistor resistor 204 and a constant resistance for measurement 403, the voltage value is converted into a voltage value between the measurement resistance 403. This voltage is converted into a digital value by an AD converter 404, and compared with the set temperature/jFI information stored in the memory 401 in advance by a comparator 405. When the thermistor temperature information is higher, a positive logic is transmitted from the comparator 405 to the infrared analog switch driver 406, and the driver 406 drives the analog switch 304.
turns off. Conversely, when the thermistor temperature information is lower, a negative logic is transmitted to the driver 406, the driver 406 is short-circuited, and the analog switch is turned on. In other words, when the amount of infrared radiation from the infrared heater 102 exceeds the set value, the analog switch 304 turns OFF.
F, the power supply to the infrared heater 102 is automatically stopped, and when the value falls below the set value, the analog switch 304 is turned ON, and the power supply is started and resumed. Here, the set temperature stored in the memory 401 was set to 300°C.

In addition to digital control and feedback other than thermistor feedback, of course, the contents of the memory 401 and the addition of a comparator can be used to control the infrared heater 102 at 0N10F.
F control is possible.

Figure 5 shows the shape of the qualitative mechanism. The reflector plate 103 was made of stainless steel. The interior is mirror finished and has a concave mirror shape. Infrared heater 1
02 is set approximately at the center of the concave mirror, the infrared rays radiated from the infrared heater 102 are radiated approximately parallel to the recording paper.

FIG. 6 illustrates the operation of the present invention using these devices.

First, a recording dot image 105 is created on recording paper 104 by printing device 106 . Next, the recording paper 104 is conveyed, and the recording dot image 105 passes under the fixing mechanism 101. At this time, the infrared heater 102 is the heater -0N1.
A fixed amount of infrared rays 601 is radiated by the 0FF circuit, which is further reflected by the reflector 103 and is transmitted in parallel to the recording paper 104 and the recording dot image 105 through a gap (a==10 mm) as shown by the dotted line in the figure. radiated. Since the recorded dot image 105 contains fine magnetite particles, when it absorbs infrared rays, it generates heat and melts again, and the ink penetrates into the recording paper 104 and is fixed, resulting in a completely fixed dot 60.
2 is obtained. At this time, since the recording paper 104 is white, it does not absorb much infrared rays 601, so it does not get very hot, so the moisture in the recording paper 104 does not evaporate, and the paper does not deteriorate or become deformed.

In addition, unlike a heat roller, there is no need to nip the recording paper 104, and the effective heating area is wide, so fixing can be performed even if there is some misalignment or wobbling in the conveyance system, so the recording paper conveyance tank is extremely Moreover, since it does not emit light like a halogen lamp, no light shielding device is required.

Further, although the gap a between the fixing mechanism 101 and the recording paper 105 shown in FIG. 1 was set to 10 mra, it may be any size as long as fixing is possible. In this apparatus, a is approximately 30 mm, although it depends on the conveyance speed of the recording paper and the output of the infrared heater 102.

Further, although the printing mechanism 106 uses a thermomagnetic inkjet line printing method here, any printing device that requires fixing may be used, and of course, a serial printing method may also be used as long as it requires fixing.

Further, the combination of the thermal head 107, the magnetic head 108, and the ink ribbon 1090 is merely an example, and any combination can be used as long as the recording dots 105 can be created.

Further, as for the infrared heater 102, a ceramic heater manufactured by Asahi Glass Co., Ltd. was used here, but any heater that emits infrared rays, especially far infrared rays, may be used. Also, reflector 1
03 is also unnecessary if the infrared heater 102 has a high output, and any shape may be used as long as there is no problem with reflection efficiency.

Furthermore, if the thermistor 204 is unnecessary, it may be removed, and the heater drive circuit 201 may be of any type as long as the infrared heater emits infrared radiation necessary for fixing.

As described above, the present invention is only one example of the embodiment, and any device that operates in the same manner may be used.

(Embodiment 2) FIG. 7 is a configuration diagram of Embodiment 2 of the present invention. Fixing mechanism 1
01 was placed on the opposite side of the recording paper 104 to the recording dot 105 side. At this time, the order was set so that the gaps b=5. The rest was exactly the same as in Example 1.

FIG. 8 illustrates the operation of the second embodiment of the present invention.

First, a recording dot image 105 is created on recording paper 104 by printing device 106 . Next, the recording paper 104 is conveyed, and the recording dot image 105 passes under the fixing frame 101. At this time, the infrared heater 102 is the heater -0N1.
A fixed amount of infrared rays 801 is radiated by the 0FF circuit, which is further reflected by the reflection plate 103 and is transmitted to the recording paper 104 and the recording dot image 105 in parallel as shown by the dotted line in the figure through the gap (a=10 order). It is radiated from the back side of the recording paper 104. In the white or nearly white recording paper 104, infrared rays 801, especially far infrared rays, are not absorbed and reach the recording dot image 105 on the back side. Since the recorded dot image 105 contains fine magnetite particles, when it absorbs infrared rays, it generates heat and melts again, and the ink permeates into the recording paper 104 and is fixed, resulting in a completely fixed dot 802. At this time, since the recording paper 104 is white, it does not absorb much infrared rays 801, so it does not get very hot, so the moisture in the recording paper 104 does not evaporate, and the paper does not deteriorate or become deformed.

In addition, unlike a heat roller, there is no need to nip the recording paper 104, and since the heat generation effective area is wide, fixing can be performed even if there is some misalignment or play in the conveyance system.
The recording paper transport mechanism becomes extremely simple.

Also, since it does not emit light like a halogen lamp, no light shielding device is required.

Further, although the gap between the fixed-4 mechanism 101 and the recording paper 105 shown in FIG. 2 was set to 5 mm, it may be any size as long as fixing is possible. In this device, the conveyance speed of the recording paper (although it is a
It is approximately 20mm.

Furthermore, although the printing mechanism 106 uses a thermomagnetic inkjet line printing method here, this example can be applied to any printing device that requires fixing, and of course, it is also possible to apply a serial method to any printing device that requires fixing. be.

Further, the combination of the thermal head 107, the magnetic head 108, and the ink ribbon 109 is merely an example, and any combination can be used as long as the recording driver I-105 can be produced.

Further, as for the infrared heater 102, a ceramic heater manufactured by Asahi Glass Co., Ltd. was used here, but any heater that emits infrared rays, particularly far infrared rays, may be used. Also, the reflector 10
3 is also unnecessary if the infrared cotton heater 102 has a high output, and any shape may be used as long as there is no problem with reflection efficiency.

Furthermore, if the thermistor 204 is unnecessary, it may be removed, and the heater drive circuit 201 may be of any type as long as the infrared heater emits infrared radiation necessary for fixing.

As described above, the present invention is only one example of the embodiment, and any device that operates in the same manner may be used.

[Effects of the Invention] As described above, according to the present invention, since only the recording dots are heat-fixed, it is possible to obtain recording dots that are fixed to a certain degree regardless of the quality and thickness of the recording paper.

Furthermore, since the recording dots are formed and fixed without any pressure being applied, the dot shape is not crushed and the recording dot image does not adhere to the roller, making it possible to print and record with extremely high quality.

Furthermore, since the recording paper generates almost no heat and is not pressurized, fixing can be performed without deforming or deteriorating the recording paper or causing moisture in the recording paper to evaporate.

In addition, since the recording paper is not pressurized, there is no need for a pressure roller, a mechanism for feeding the recording paper into the pressure roller, and a high-torque drive for rotating the pressure roller, which eliminates the need for a heat fixing mechanism. Including this, the paper feeding system can be made extremely simple and inexpensive.

In addition, since the heat source does not come into contact with the recording paper or rollers, and does not emit light, the amount of heat lost through fixing is extremely small compared to other methods.
The overall output itself can be reduced.

Furthermore, since it does not emit light, there is no need for a concealing mechanism such as a light shielding device.

In addition, unlike infrared lamps, which do not use filament l-, they have excellent storage stability, durability, and safety. They do not burn out even with excessive 0N10FF, do not require precision power supply, and can be used continuously. (You can sweat the sad effect.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

Figure 1 is a configuration diagram of an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 2 is an infrared heater (ceramic heater) diagram of an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 5 is a fixing mechanism of the present invention. 6 is an explanatory diagram of the operation of the present invention, FIG. 7 is a configuration diagram of the second embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram of the operation of the second embodiment of the present invention. Applicant: Seiko Epson Co., Ltd. Fig. 1 702: Piece 1 outer limit heater 303: 'r-run 304: ga rodisuizona C relay) 305: Ji-dar ρs/θ is connected t 4 () 2 305: Ji-tar 0
NlOFF circuitry Fig. 4 707: Joseki Fig. 5 Fig. 6

Claims (3)

[Claims] (1) In a printing device including a fixing mechanism that fixes a recorded dot image printed on a recording paper onto the recording paper using a heat generating means, the fixing mechanism A printing device that does not make contact with paper, and wherein the heat generating means is an infrared heater. (2) Paragraph 1, characterized in that the printing device is a printing device having a thermoplastic magnetic ink, a means for applying heat to a recorded portion of the ink, and a magnetism generating means for applying a magnetic attraction force to the ink. The printing device described. (3) The printing device according to claim 1, wherein the printing device is an electrophotographic printing device.