JPH024529A - Recorder - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To record a sufficient image even on a medium to be recorded and having relatively low surface smoothness by setting a recording medium to be transferred and the medium to be recorded in a recorder, and forming an image by selectively applying optical and thermal energies to the recording medium to be transferred to record it thereon. CONSTITUTION:In a recording unit 3, a recording medium 1 to be transferred from a supply roll 2 is radiated with optical energy from a light source 3g by selectively driving the heat generating element row 3b of a recording head 3a. The medium 1 is formed with a transfer recording layer 1b made of microcapsule formed by covering magenta, cyan and yellow cores 1c-1e with shell 1f on a support 1a. The softening point temperature of the shell 1f is raised by the light and heat, and the shell starts coloring reaction with the light. It is then superposed with a recording sheet 8 fed by a sheet feed roller 9, pressurized while being applied with thermal energy by a transfer unit 4 to form a multicolor image. Thus, the satisfactory multicolor image can be recorded even on the medium to be recorded having relatively low surface smoothness.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION <Field of Industrial Application> The present invention relates to a recording device that can be used in printers, copying machines, facsimile machines, and the like.

<Prior Art> In recent years, with the rapid development of the information industry, various information processing systems have been developed, and recording devices suitable for each information processing system have also been developed.

One of the above-mentioned recording devices is a thermal transfer recording device. In this method, recording is performed on a recording paper using an ink ribbon made by coating a ribbon-shaped support with a heat-melt ink made by dispersing a colorant in a heat-melt binder.

That is, the ink ribbons are stacked so that their heat-melting ink layers are in contact with the recording paper, and the ink ribbon and the recording paper are conveyed between a thermal head and a platen, and the ink ribbon is transferred from the support side of the ink ribbon to the thermal head. The ink image corresponding to the applied heat is recorded on the recording paper by applying pulsed heat corresponding to the image signal and pressing the two together and transferring the molten ink to the recording paper. .

The above recording apparatus has been widely used in recent years because it is small and lightweight, makes no noise, and can record on plain paper.

<Problems to be Solved by the Invention> However, conventional thermal transfer recording devices are not without problems.

The reason is that in conventional thermal transfer recording devices, the transfer recording performance, that is, the image quality, is greatly affected by the surface smoothness of the recording paper.
Although good image recording is performed on recording paper with high smoothness, there is a possibility that the quality of image recording will deteriorate when recording paper with low smoothness is used.

Furthermore, when attempting to obtain a multicolor image with a conventional thermal transfer recording device, it is necessary to repeat transfer to overlap the colors. For this purpose, it is necessary to install multiple thermal heads or make complicated movements such as stopping and reversing the recording paper, which not only makes color misalignment unavoidable, but also makes the entire device large and complicated. There are challenges.

<Means for solving the problem> Therefore, the present applicant uses a photothermal sensitive material, and when thermal energy and light energy are applied, the reaction of the material rapidly proceeds and the transfer characteristics change irreversibly. proposed a technology to form an image based on the difference in characteristics according to both signals and transfer it to a recording medium (Japanese Patent Application No. 1200-1983).
No. 80, No. 60-120081, No. 60-13141
No. 1, No. 60-134831, No. 60-150597
No. 60-199926, etc.).

According to this technique fJi, it is possible to record high-quality images even on recording media with low surface smoothness, and when applied to multicolor recording, it is possible to make complex movements on the recording medium. This allows you to obtain multicolor images without any problems.

An object of the present invention is to further develop the above-mentioned technology, and to further reduce image noise by attenuating a predetermined bright line from a light source that excites a phosphor to emit light in a light irradiation means that imparts light energy. An object of the present invention is to provide a recording device capable of obtaining high-quality images with a small number of images.

Means for achieving the above object includes a conveyance means for conveying a transfer recording medium having a transfer recording layer whose transfer characteristics change when applied with light energy and thermal energy, and a transfer recording medium conveyed by the conveyance means. the transfer recording layer, the transfer recording layer having a light source disposed in a conveyance path of the transfer recording medium to excite a phosphor to emit light; and a means for attenuating a predetermined bright line emitted by the light source between the light source and the transfer recording layer; a recording section having a light irradiation means for applying light energy to the transfer recording layer; and a heating means for applying thermal energy to the transfer recording layer; and an image formed on the transfer recording layer by the recording section is recorded. It is characterized in that it is provided with a transfer section for transferring onto a medium.

Effect> According to the above means, when the transfer recording medium and the recording medium are set in the apparatus and recording is performed, optical energy and thermal energy are selectively applied to the transfer recording medium to form an image. At this time, since light energy in which a predetermined bright line from the light source is attenuated is applied, a high-quality image with less image noise can be obtained.

<Example> Next, an example of the present invention to which the above means is applied will be described in detail.

[First Embodiment] FIG. 1(A) is a schematic cross-sectional explanatory view of a recording apparatus according to a first embodiment, and FIG. 1(B) is a perspective explanatory view.

In the figure, reference numeral 1 denotes a transfer recording medium in the form of a long sheet, which is wound into a roll and used as a supply roll 2 in the apparatus main body M.
It is removably incorporated into the.

That is, this supply roll 2 is removably loaded onto a rotatable shaft 2a provided in the main body M of the apparatus.

First, the leading edge of the transfer recording medium 1 is transferred to the supply roll 2.
From between the transfer roller 4a and pressure roller 4b via the guide roller 12a, recording head 3a and guide roller 12b! ,ll 1%iI roller5. Guide roller 12c
The winding roller 6 is turned to the winding roll 6, and its tip is locked to the winding roll 6 by a means such as a gripper (not shown). Thereafter, the winding roll 6 is driven by a known drive means.
By rotating the transfer roller 4a while applying torque in the direction of arrow C, the transfer recording medium 1 is fed out in the direction of arrow a.

In synchronization with this feeding, the recording unit 3 transfers the transfer recording medium l.
An image is formed by selectively applying thermal energy and light energy to the recording paper 8, which is overlapped with a recording paper 8 as a recording medium in the transfer section 4, and the image is transferred onto the recording paper 8 by applying heat and pressure. . Further, the transfer recording medium 1 after the image transfer is wound up on a take-up roll 6, and the recording paper 8 is taken up by a pair of ejection rollers 1.
3a and 13b are configured to discharge to the discharge tray 11.

Incidentally, when winding up the transfer recording medium 1, a certain hack tension is applied to the supply roll 2 by, for example, a known means such as a hysteresis brake (not shown).
Due to this tension and the guide rollers 12a and 12b, the transfer recording medium 1 is conveyed while being pressed against the recording pad 3a with a constant pressure and at a constant angle.

Next, the structure of each part will be explained in detail. First, as shown in FIG. 2, the transfer recording medium 1 forms an image when both thermal energy and light energy are applied to the sheet-like support 1a. Transfer recording layer 1 having properties that can
It is made by attaching b.

To explain an example thereof, as shown in FIG. 2, the transfer recording layer 1b has the components shown in Table 1 below as the core IC, the components shown in Table 2 as the core ld, and the components shown in Table 3 as the core 1e. A microcapsule-shaped image forming element is formed using the following method.

Table 2 Table 3 In other words, 10 g of the ingredients shown in Tables 1 to 3 above are first mixed with 20 parts by weight of methylene chloride, and a surfactant having an HLB value of at least 10, such as a cation or nonion, and gelatin Ig are mixed. Mix the dissolved water to 200℃ and heat at 60°C.
8,000-10. OO
Emulsify by stirring with Orpm to obtain oil droplets with an average particle size of 26tITn.

Stirring is continued for an additional 30 minutes at 60''C, and the methylene chloride is distilled off to give an average particle size of about 10 μm.

Add 20m2 of water in which 1g of gum arabic was melted,
After cooling slowly, add N114011 (ammonia) water and adjust the pH to 11 or higher to obtain a microcapsule slurry.
Liquid 1. Slowly add Oml to harden the capsule wall.

After that, solid-liquid separation is performed using a Nunche filter, and 3 times using a vacuum dryer.
It is dried at 5° C. for 110 hours to obtain a microcapsule-shaped image forming element.

This image forming element has cores lc and l shown in Tables 1 to 3.
Microcapsules d and le are coated with a seal If, and are formed to have a particle size of 7 to 15 μm and an average particle size of about 10 −.

The image forming element thus formed is adhered onto a support 1a with 1 g of adhesive to obtain a transfer recording medium 1. To explain this in more detail, for example, Nippon Synthetic Chemical Industry G.
@Polyester adhesive Polyester-LP-011
1 g of an adhesive prepared by dissolving 3 cc of toluene in lee (solid content 50%) is applied onto a support la made of a 6-thick polyethylene terephthalate film.

Thereafter, the solvent is removed by drying to a thickness of about 1 μm. Since 1 g of this adhesive has a glass transition point of 4° C., a slight tack remains even at room temperature, making it possible to easily adhere the image forming element formed as described above to the support 1a.

Next, a microcapsule-shaped image forming element using the materials shown in Tables 1 to 3 as core materials obtained as above was prepared.
Mix at a ratio of 1:1 and sprinkle this on to adhere.

Thereafter, when excess image forming elements are brushed off, the image forming elements are arranged on the adhesion layer in approximately one layer and at a rate of 90%.

Thereafter, a pressure of about 1 kgf/cd and thermal energy of about 110° C. are applied to firmly fix the image forming element onto the support la, thereby forming the transfer recording medium 1.

The photoinitiator in the image-forming element shown in Table 1 has the absorption characteristics shown in FIG. 3 in the band of graph A (peak wavelength 29
The photoinitiator in the image forming element shown in Table 2 has a wavelength of 389 nm (peak wavelength of 389 nm) and starts a reaction by absorbing light of 389 nm). ), the reaction starts, and the color becomes cyan when forming an image.The photoinitiator in the image forming element shown in Table 3 has a wavelength of 458 nm (peak wavelength: 458 nm). ) absorbs light and starts a reaction, resulting in a yellow color when forming an image.

Next, the recording section 3 will be explained. The recording unit 3 includes heating means for applying thermal energy to the transfer recording medium 1;
It also comprises a light irradiation means for applying light energy to the transfer recording medium l.

The heating means is a 0.2-layer wide layer that generates heat in accordance with the image signal on the surface of the recording head 3a, and has 1728 line-type heating elements 3b arranged in rows for A-4 size with 8 dots per square. As described above, the support la side of the transfer recording medium 1 is configured to be pressed against the heat generating element 3b with a predetermined pressure by the back tensilegon during conveyance. The image signal is generated from a control unit of a facsimile, an image scanner, an electronic blackboard, or the like, depending on the purpose.

On the other hand, a light irradiation means is provided on the transfer recording layer lb side facing the recording layer 3a. This light irradiation means is a rotating body 3c made of a cylinder made of glass (manufactured by 5CHOTT in West Germany, product name: DURAN 50) with a thickness of 2 mm and an inner diameter of 40 fl, which has the characteristics shown in FIG. 4 as a spectral transmittance.
is rotatably supported by three pairs of rollers 3d, 3e, and 3f, and is configured to rotate at a constant speed by driving and rotating the rollers 3d by a motor.

Three types of phosphors A are provided on the inner surface of the rotating body 3c.

B and C are applied at 120 degrees (3 equal parts) each in the circumferential direction. In this example, the main component of the phosphor A is Ca(P
On)z: Tl (thallium-activated calcium phosphate) is used, and (Sr, Mg) is used as the main component of phosphor B.
wPt07:Eu (europium activated strontium magnesium pyrophosphate) is used, and the main components of the phosphor C are Ba, MgAl+aOz, :El (europium activated barium magnesium aluminate).

When each of the phosphors is excited by light with a wavelength of 253.7 nm, phosphor A will be excited by graph A in Figure 5 (peak wavelength 335 nm), and phosphor B will be excited by graph B in Figure 5 (peak wavelength 390 nm). ), the phosphor C emits light having the spectral distribution of graph C (peak wavelength 450n+i) in FIG.

In this embodiment, a light source 3 that excites the phosphors A, B, and C is used.
g is disposed inside a rotating body 3c, and the phosphors A, B, and C are configured to emit light when the light source 3g is turned on.

In this example, the light source 3g is a germicidal lamp GL manufactured by 01 Toshiba, which has a spectral distribution as shown in the graph of FIG.
-20 is used, and this light source 3g is 253.7ryu m
Although most of the light has wavelengths of , there is also some light of other wavelengths. Therefore, when the light source 3g is turned on, phosphor A emits light with a spectral distribution as shown in graph A of FIG. 7, phosphor B emits light with a spectral distribution as shown in graph B of FIG. 7, and phosphor C emits light with a spectral distribution as shown in graph C of FIG. emits,
Compared to the spectral distribution in Figure 5, it is 3651 m, 366.3
Contains bright line light of nm407.4r+n+ and 435.9nm.

Therefore, as a means for attenuating the bright line light, in this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1(8), a filter 3j is provided on the outer surface of the portion of the rotating body 3C coated with the phosphor A. This filter 3j has an absorption maximum of 373 as an absorbent.
Coumarin 1 (manufactured by Eastman Kodank)
The film is composed of a film having a thickness of approximately 5 μm containing 2% by weight of triacetylcellulose as a binder, and is adhered to the outer surface of the coated phosphor A.

Therefore, the light emitted by the phosphor A by the light a3g is filtered by the filter 3j to the 365r+m, 366.3
The bright line lights of 407.4 nm, 407.4 nm, and 435.9 nm are attenuated, resulting in light with a spectral distribution shown in graph A' in FIG.

Therefore, when the light i14X3g is turned on, the rotating body 3
When c is rotated, graphs A' and B in FIG.

Light having a spectral distribution of C is sequentially irradiated onto the transfer recording layer 1b through a 0.5 mm wide slit 31 formed in the light shielding plate 3h.

Here, a control configuration for controlling the rotational speed and phase of the rotating body 3c will be explained.

As shown in FIG. 1 ([1), the rotating body 3C has a large number of light shielding parts 14a formed in stripes at regular intervals on the circumference near the end, and one of the light shielding parts 14a' is It is formed wider than the other light shielding parts 14a. Further, an LED is installed inside the rotating body 3c so as to sandwich the light shielding part 14a.
A light emitting member 14b such as the above is disposed, and a light receiving member 14c such as a photodiode is disposed on the outside.

From the above configuration, when the rotating body 3c is rotating at a constant speed, the light moon obtained from the light receiving member 14c is as shown in FIG. 8 (8).
It will be as shown below. Note that the level r low j shown in FIG. , the light is not received by the light receiving member 14c.

Therefore, since the frequency of the rising edge of the signal appears as the rotational speed of the rotating body 3C, it is possible to control the rotational speed of the rotating body 3C by detecting and controlling this.

In addition, in phase control, when the integral waveform of FIG. 8(A) is obtained, it becomes as shown in FIG. 8(B), and since one of the light shielding parts 14a (14a') is wide, the integral wave height of that part is becomes higher. Therefore, the magenta line synchronization signal, cyan line synchronization signal, yellow line synchronization signal, video clock, strobe signal, enable signal, etc., which will be described later, are created based on the timing when the peak value becomes high, and the first r high of the enable signal is generated. During the period j, the phosphor A of the rotating body 3C faces the transfer recording layer 1b through the slit 31, and during the second r high A period of the enable signal, the phosphor B faces, and during the third period of the enable signal. During the high j period, the phosphors C should be controlled so that they face each other, and this may be sequentially manipulated in response to the high j period of the enable signal.

Therefore, in this embodiment, PLL (Phase Lo) is used to rotate the rotating body 3c at a constant speed and phase.
cked Loop) motor driver 27 is used.

To explain this PLL control method using a block diagram,
As shown in FIG. 9, V CO (Vol Lage C
onjrol 0scillator) 28, a phase comparator 27a, and a low-pass filter 27c.
nce Generator) 28b is the VC0
Corresponds to 2B. Note that the light source motor 28a is a motor that drives a roller 3d that supports a rotating body 3c,
FG28b is the output of the light receiving member 14C.

In this embodiment, the output of the FC 28b and the phase comparison output of the motor clock are obtained from the phase comparator 27a, and in order to further stabilize the system, the output of the FG 28b is integrated by the monostable multi-vibration break 27b, and the output and phase are compared. Vessel 27
The difference between the outputs of a is applied to VC028 through a low-pass filter 27c and a power amplifier 27d.

Also, in FIG. 9, the lock detector 27e is the phase comparator 27a.
This is to detect whether the system is in a synchronous state from the signals from the Also, the output of FC28b is the integrator 27f
The waveform (corresponding to FIG. 8 (8)) is shaped by a waveform shaper 27g to obtain a rotational phase reference signal.

Next, the transfer section 4 will be explained. The transfer section 4 is disposed downstream of the recording section 3 in the conveyance direction of the transfer recording medium 1, and is in pressure contact with a transfer roller 4a that rotates in the direction of the arrow as shown in FIG. and a pressure roller 4b that rotates as a result of rotation.

The surface of the transfer roller 4a is made of silicone rubber with a thickness of 11 cm and a hardness of 70 degrees. Built-in 800W halogen heater 4 made of 1ffl aluminum roller
c so that the surface is maintained at 90 to 100°C.

The pressure roller 4b is made of an aluminum roller coated with a 1-1 thickness of silicone rubber having a hardness of 70 degrees, and the pressing force with the transfer roller 4a is 6 to 7 kgf/1 by a pressure means (not shown) such as a spring. cm.

Further, as shown in FIG. 1(A), recording paper 8, which is a recording medium, is loaded in the cassette 7, and this recording paper 8 is transferred to the feeding roller 9. Registration roller pair 10a.

10b, the leading edge of the fed recording paper 8 is detected by a registration sensor 26 consisting of an LED 26a and a phototransistor 26b, and the feeding timing is controlled.
The transfer unit 4 is moved in synchronization so that the image area of the recording paper 8 overlaps with the image area of the recording paper 8.
It is configured so that it can be fed to.

Therefore, in the transfer section 4, pressure and heat are applied to the transfer recording medium 1 and the recording paper 8 when they pass between the rollers 4a and 4b.

Next, a recording method when recording is performed using the recording apparatus configured as described above will be explained.

Note that this embodiment shows an example in which heat is applied in accordance with an image signal.

An image is formed by driving the motor to sequentially feed out the transfer recording medium 1 from the supply roll 2, and applying light and heat to the transfer recording layer 1b of the transfer recording medium 1 in the recording section 3 according to the image signal. . The transfer record j51b has a property that when light of a predetermined wavelength and heat are applied, the softening point temperature increases, that is, the transfer characteristics change irreversibly, and the transfer record j51b is no longer transferred to the recording paper 8.

Therefore, as shown in the timing chart of FIG.
When recording magenta color, the heating element 3 corresponding to the complementary color of magenta of the image signal, that is, both green signals, is selected from among the heating element rows.
25 m5 of electricity is applied to b, and at the same time, light source 3g is turned on to 3
0m5 lights up. At this time, the phosphor A of the rotating body 3C is facing the transfer recording layer 1b located in the slit 31,
The light energy of the spectral distribution shown in graph A' in FIG.
b is uniformly irradiated. The attenuation of the bright line light reduces crosstalk in magenta recording.

Next, for cyan color recording, 50 m5 after the start of energization to the heating element 3b in the magenta color recording, 20111s of current is applied to the complementary color of cyan, that is, the part corresponding to the red image signal in the heating element array. At the same time, 3g of light sources are turned on for 25m5. At this time, Slint 3i
The phosphor B of the rotating body 3c faces the transfer recording layer 1b located at , and light energy having a spectral distribution shown in graph B in FIG. 7 is uniformly applied to the transfer recording layer 1b.

Next, for yellow color recording, 50m5 after the start of energization to the heating element 3b in the cyan color recording, 15m5 of current is applied to the complementary color of yellow, that is, the part corresponding to the blue image signal in the heating element array. At the same time, 20 m5 of light sources 3g are turned on. At this time, the phosphor C of the rotating body 3c is facing the transfer recording layer 1b located in the slit 7 31, and the light energy of the spectral distribution shown in the graph C in FIG. 7 is uniformly applied to the transfer recording layer 1b. Granted.

In the manner described above, the heat generation of the heating element 3b, the rotation of the rotating body 3c, and the lighting of the light source 3g are controlled according to the image signals of complementary colors of magenta, cyan, and yellow, and a transferred image is formed on the transfer recording layer b. 150m5/Lin for this image formation.
The transfer recording medium is conveyed synchronously with a repetition period of 5.

Here, a control system according to this embodiment for performing the above recording operation will be specifically explained with reference to FIGS. 11 to 17. In addition, FIG. 11 shows the block diagram of the control system, FIGS. 12 and 13 show the timing chart of the recording operation, and FIG. 14 shows the timing chart of the recording operation.
15 is a sequence table for sending each signal, FIG. 16 is a flowchart of the recording operation, and FIG. 17 is a circuit diagram of the temperature control system of the transfer roller 4a.

As shown in FIG. 11, 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 work area for the CPU 20a.
A control unit 20 including a RAM 20c for temporarily storing various data, an interface 21, an operation panel 22,
Image forming timing generator 23, feeding motor driver 24, transport motor driver 25, registration sensor 26, PLL motor driver 27, light source lighting device 2
Consists of 9.

The control unit 20 receives various information (for example, recording density, number of recording sheets,
(recording size, etc.), a signal from the registration sensor 26, and a magenta line synchronization signal generated by the image forming timing generator 23. The control unit 20 also generates a motor ON signal for the feeding motor 30, a motor ON signal for the transport motor 31, and a page signal through the interface 21.

The image forming timing generator 23 divides the clock of the internal crystal oscillator and generates various signals (magenta line synchronization signal, cyan line synchronization signal, yellow line synchronization signal, page synchronization signal, video clock, enable signal, strobe signal, (optical FAON signal, motor reference clock, etc.).

The magenta line synchronization signal, cyan line synchronization signal, and yellow line synchronization signal have a period of 15 as shown in FIG.
At 0m5, the duty ratio is 1/3 and the phase is 120°.
The signal is out of sync. Also, the magenta line synchronization signal is PL
It is created based on the rotational phase reference signal from the L motor driver 27. The page signal sent from the control unit 20 via the interface 21 is latched at the rising edge of the magenta line synchronization signal to generate a page synchronization signal. This is a signal that generates a clock and stops after generating 1728 clocks (approximately 43ff+s).

Further, an external image signal generator (for example, a facsimile, an image scanner, an electronic blackboard, etc.) 32 receives a page synchronization signal from the image forming timing generator 23, magenta, cyan,
After receiving the yellow line synchronization signal and video clock, from the time the page synchronization signal becomes r high J, when the magenta line synchronization signal is "high", both magenta signals are
Further, when the cyan line synchronization signal is r high, 1728 cyan image signals are sent out, and similarly, when the yellow line synchronization signal is r high j, 1728 yellow image signals are sent out in synchronization with the video clock.

Furthermore, it generates a strobe signal which becomes "r high" during the r high 1 period of the magenta, cyan, or yellow line synchronization signal and the video clock is at rest.

The enable signal starts from the first cyan line synchronization signal when the page synchronization signal becomes "high", and repeats r high 1 of 25m5. The process ends with the occurrence of 15m3 r-high within the first magenta line synchronization signal's r-high period when the signal becomes r-low.

This enable signal corresponds to the energization signal to the heating element 3b corresponding to both signals in FIG.

Further, the image forming timing generator 23 generates a light source ON signal. The ON signal of the light source 3g starts from the rise of the first enable signal, and goes "high" in the order of 30+ms, 25m5, 20m5 at each rise of each enable signal.
repeat.

Furthermore, the image forming timing generator 23 generates a motor reference clock for creating a motor clock to be given to the PLL motor driver 27. This clock is 6kll
The motor clock is a continuous clock of Z and is given to the PLL motor driver 27 via a switch controlled by a light source motor ON signal sent from the control section 20 via the interface 21.

The recording head 3a takes in an image signal from an external image signal generator 32 into a shift register inside the head using a video clock from an image forming timing generator 23. This captured image signal is launched into a latch register in the head by a strobe signal from the image forming timing generator 23, and then is launched into a latch register in the head by an enable signal from the image forming timing generator 23 according to the image signal in the launch register. The heating element 3b is energized, and at the same time, the next image signal is taken into the shift register by the video clock.

Further, the lighting device 29 for the light a3g receives the ON signal for the light B3g from the image forming timing generator 23, and lights the light 'rA3g when the light source ON signal is jhigh J.

As shown in FIG. 9, the PLL motor driver 27 drives the light source motor 28a so that the input motor clock and the output from the light receiving member 14c (FIG. 8(A)) are synchronized in phase. Furthermore, this PLL motor driver 27 sends a lock detection signal to the control unit 20 via the interface 21 to notify that phase synchronization is applied, and also sends a lock detection signal to the image forming timing generator 23 in synchronization with the raw line synchronization signal of the rotating body 30. A rotational phase reference signal is sent to match the rotational phase.

Incidentally, the number of light shielding parts 14a and 14a' on the rotating body 3c is 90.
0, and if the light source motor 28a is in a phase synchronized state by the PLL motor driver 27, the motor clock is 6 kllz as described above, so the rotating body 3
c rotates at a speed of 150 m5 per revolution.

An image is formed on the transfer recording medium 1 by the control described above.

Next, conveyance control of the transfer recording medium 1 and the recording paper 8 for transferring the image formed on the transfer recording medium 1 onto the recording paper 8 will be explained.

The feed motor driver 24 is connected to the interface 21
When the feed motor clock from the control unit 20 is high J, the feed motor 30 is driven, and the feed roller 9 and registration roller pair 10a, 10b are rotated to move the recording paper 8 at a constant speed. Transport by.

Further, when the transport motor clock from the control unit 20 via the interface 21 is "high j", the transport motor driver 25 drives the transport motor 31 to rotate the transfer roller 4a, and the pressure roller rotates as a result of this. 4
The transfer recording medium] and recording paper 8 are conveyed at a constant speed by the cooperation with b.

Here, the timing of each signal sent by the control section 20 via the interface 21 is as shown in FIG.

Incidentally, if the times T and -T in FIG. 13 are the distances between the respective members as shown in FIG. This is the time it takes to

Ll X From the recording head 3a to the transfer roller 4a,!
: Conveyance distance of the transfer recording medium 1 to the pressure contact portion with the pressure roller 4b.

L2: Conveyance distance of the transfer recording medium 1 from the pressure contact portion to the peeling roller 5.

L: Conveyance distance of the recording paper 8 from the Ni-registration sensor 26 to the pressure contact portion.

T: Time required to convey the transfer recording medium l a distance of L + L-.

T2: Time required to convey the recording paper 8 a distance of .

T: Length of recording paper 8 (for example, 29 for A4 size)
The time required to convey the transfer recording medium 1 by 7 cranes.

T4: Time required to transport the transfer recording medium 1 a distance of +L.

That is, when the operator presses the start button on the operation panel 22, the feeding motor 30 is driven, feeds the recording paper 8, and stops driving when the leading edge of the recording paper 8 touches the registration sensor 26. At this point, the rotating body 3C rotated by the light source motor 28a is phase-synchronized by the control described above. Next, the conveyance motor 31 is driven to move the transfer recording medium 1 toward the direction indicated by the arrow a in FIG.
At the same time, the page signal becomes "rhigh" during time T3, and a transfer image forming process is performed in the recording section 3.

The conveyance motor 31 stops after the image forming time T has elapsed and further after a time T4 has elapsed.

The feed motor 30 is driven for a time T2 after a time T has elapsed since the start of conveyance of the transfer recording medium 1, to convey the recording paper 8 at the same speed as the transfer recording medium 1, and then stops. As a result, the leading edge of the recording paper 8 matches the leading edge of the transfer image formed on the transfer recording medium 1 in the transfer section 4, and is conveyed by the drive of the conveyance motor 31 while being in close contact with the transfer recording medium 1.

Here, the operation of the control section 20 that sends out each signal as shown in FIG. 13 will be explained. The control section 20 inputs the magenta line synchronization signal via the interface 21, and counts the number of signals using a software counter. That is, although the magenta line synchronization signal has a period of 150 m5 as described above, the control section 20 can manage the time by counting the signal.

The control unit 20 has a sequence table as shown in FIG. 15 inside, and when the registration sensor signal is r high.
Then, while counting magenta line synchronization signals, sequentially refer to the sequence table
Sends N signal, transport motor ON signal, page signal,
The drive of each member is controlled by each signal.

In this embodiment, the sequence table has a 3-bit structure as shown in FIG. 15, and consists of a total of 3217 words from the 0th to the 3216th word, where bit 0 is the feed motor ON signal and bit 1 is the feed motor ON signal. The transport motor ON signal, bit 2, corresponds to the page signal, respectively.

In addition, the numbers in parentheses at the top of Fig. 13 indicate the magenta line synchronization signal at the time when the registration sensor signal becomes "r high" as number 0, and the number of the magenta line synchronization signal at each time point (signal number). number).

Next, a series of operations of the control unit 2o having the above-mentioned functions will be explained using the flowchart of FIG.
L), when pressed, sends out a feeding motor ON signal and a light source motor ON signal (S2, S3). Next, wait for the registration sensor signal to become ``high'', and then turn on the PLL.
Wait until the lock detection signal from the motor driver 27 becomes rhigh 1, that is, wait for the phase synchronization of the rotary body 3c, and then substitute 0 into R indicating the rask number of the sequence table (34 to 36).

Next, wait for the magenta line synchronization signal to be r low j (S7), and then wait for it to become r high 1 (S8)
. This detects the rising edge of the magenta line synchronization signal. When the edge is detected, the Rth position of the sequence table is referred to and bits 0 to 2 are sent out as a feed motor ON signal, a transport motor ON signal, and a page signal, respectively (S9). Next, add 1 to the value of R (SIO) to determine whether the value of H is greater than 3216 (5ll), and if the value of R is less than or equal to 3216, return to step S7. If the difference is large, the light source motor 27a is stopped (312) and the recording is ended.

The image formed as described above is transferred to the recording paper 8 by applying heat and pressure in the transfer section 4.

Here, the temperature control structure in the transfer section 4 is constructed as shown in FIG. 17.

The thermistor 33 in FIG. 17 is arranged so as to be in contact with the surface of the transfer roller 4a, and its resistance value changes depending on the surface temperature of the transfer roller 4a. It is converted into E2 and compared with reference voltage E0 by comparator 35. The comparison output is connected to the power supply E via the relay driver 36 and by the relay 37.
, controls the energization of the halogen heater 4c.

Here, the driving principle of the temperature control configuration will be described. The thermistor 33 has a property that its resistance value decreases as the temperature rises. Therefore, as the surface temperature of the transfer roller 4a increases, the resistance value of the thermistor 33 decreases, and the voltage E2 decreases. Conversely, if the surface temperature of the transfer roller 4a decreases, the thermistor 33
The resistance value of increases and the voltage E2 also increases. Therefore, the value of the reference voltage E0 is changed to the voltage E corresponding to the transfer roller 4a at 95°C.
By setting the value to 2, when the surface temperature of the transfer roller 4a is lower than 95°C, the comparison output becomes "high", the halogen heater 4C is energized, and the surface temperature of the transfer roller 4a increases. Conversely, if the temperature is higher than 95°C, no electricity is applied to the nozzle heater 4C, and the surface temperature decreases.

Due to the above control, the surface temperature of the transfer roller 4a is 90 to 10
The control system is kept at 0"C. This control system is constantly operating when the power switch of the device is on, and the surface temperature of the transfer roller 4a reaches 90 to 100 degrees before the start button on the operation panel is pressed. It is controlled to become C.

After the image has been transferred as described above, the transfer recording medium 1 and the recording paper 8 are separated by 71 by the peeling roller 5, and the recording paper 8 on which the image of the desired color has been recorded is transferred to the discharge roller pair 13a, 1.
3b to the discharge tray 11. Further, the transfer recording medium l is wound up on a winding roll 6.

Color recording is performed in one shot as described above.

In addition, on the outer surface of the part of the rotating body 3C coated with the phosphor A, 365 nm, 366.3r+n+, 40
By providing the filter 3j as a means for attenuating the bright line light of 7.4 nm and 435.9nn+, crosstalk is reduced compared to the case where the filter 3j is not provided during magenta recording, and clear recording without color turbidity is achieved. is to be carried out.

[Other Examples]

Next, other embodiments of each section, such as the transfer recording medium 1 and the recording section 3 described above, will be described.

(1) Transfer recording medium In each of the above-mentioned embodiments, the transfer recording layer 1b of a polymeric material containing a colorant is transferred by light energy and thermal energy.
Although an example has been shown in which the image is transferred and recorded onto the recording paper 8 by changing the softening point temperature of the recording paper 8, the image may also be transferred and recorded based on the difference in adhesive properties or sublimation properties to the recording paper 8. Alternatively, by providing the transfer recording medium 1 with a layer that imparts color development to the recording paper 8 and changing the color development characteristics of the recording paper 8, and transferring the image formed on the transfer recording medium 1 to the recording paper 8. It may be configured to obtain an image.

In addition to the above-mentioned polyethylene terephthalate, as the material for the support 1a, for example, polyamide, polyimide, condenser oxide, Shichirono terephthalate, etc. can also be used.

Further, the image forming element forming the transfer recording layer 1b contains a sensitive component and a coloring component, and the sensitive component starts to respond to changes in physical properties when light and thermal energy is applied. Alternatively, it is preferable to use a material whose reaction rate for changing physical properties changes rapidly.

The polymerization component included in the sensitive component includes a component that causes a polymerization reaction or a cross-Pi reaction, such as a monomer, an oligomer, or a polymer.

Examples of the monomer or germinated sesame include polyvinyl cinnamate, p-methoxycinnamic acid succinic acid half ester, etc., or those having a reactive group at the terminal or side chain of epoxy resin, unsaturated polyester resin, etc. Can be mentioned.

Examples of the polymerizable monomer include ethylene glycol diacrylate and propylene glycol diacrylate.

Further, when using the above polymerizable monomer or oligomer, cellulose acetate succinate, methyl methacrylate-hydroxyethyl methanelylate copolymer, etc. may be included in order to improve layer-forming properties.

A reaction initiator is added as necessary to cause the polymerization component to react. As the reaction initiator, radical initiators such as azo compounds, organic sulfur compounds, carginyl compounds, and halogen compounds are preferable.

In particular, in the structure of the transfer recording layer when a transferred image is formed by receiving both light and thermal energy, the reaction speed is determined by the reaction between the reaction initiator and the polymerization component, which act in response to the above-mentioned light energy. The type of reaction initiator and polymerization component should be selected so that the combination has a large temperature dependence.

For example, polymerizable prepolymers with functional groups such as methacrylic esters or acrylic ester copolymers,
Examples include a combination of a photosensitive crosslinking agent such as tetraethylene glycol diacrylate and a reaction initiator such as hensifhenone and Michael's ketone.

The coloring component is a component contained in order to form an optically recognizable image, and various pigments and dyes are used as appropriate. Examples of such pigments and dyes include inorganic pigments such as carbon blank and yellow lead, organic pigments such as Victoria Blue Lake and Fast Sky Blue, and colorants such as leuco dyes and phthalocyanine dyes.

In addition, the transfer recording layer 1b may contain stabilizers such as hydroquinone and p-methoxyphenol.

Further, the transfer recording layer may contain an enhancer such as p-nitroaniline or 1,2-hencyanthraquinone to enhance the energy activation of the reaction initiator.

Further, in addition to the coloring agent and the sensitive component, a resin, wax, or liquid crystal may be mixed as a binder in the transfer recording layer 1b.

Examples of the resin used as the binder include polyester resins, polyamide resins, and the like, and these resins may be used alone or in combination of two or more.

Examples of wax binders include vegetable waxes such as candelilla wax and carnauba wax;
Animal waxes such as spermaceti wax, mineral waxes such as montan wax, or synthetic waxes made of fatty acids, fatty acid amides, esters, etc. can be used, and one or more of the above waxes may be mixed. May be used.

Further, examples of the liquid crystal used as a binder include cholesterol hexanoate, cholesterol decanoate, and the like.

When microcapsules are used in the image forming element constituting the transfer recording layer 1b, the core portion contains the above-mentioned materials, but the materials used for the wall material of the microcapsules include gelatin, gum arabic, Examples include cellulose-based materials such as nitrocellulose and ethylcellulose, and polymer-based materials such as polyethylene and polystyrene.

(2) Recording section In the first embodiment described above, a film-like filter 3j is used as a means for attenuating bright line light of a predetermined wavelength by a rotating body 3C.
However, the same effect can be obtained by mixing an absorbent having the same components into a similar binder and applying it to the outer surface of the rotating body 3c where the phosphor A is coated.

Moreover, as shown in FIG. 18, instead of using the rotating body 3c as in the first embodiment as a light irradiation means, the above-mentioned phosphor A
, B, C. Three fluorescent lamps 3k.

3C3m is housed in the housing 3n, and the fluorescent lamp 3 using the phosphor A is connected to the fluorescent lamp 1-30 of the housing 3n.
In between, a filter 3j made of the same components as in the first embodiment
and the three fluorescent lights 3k.

37! , 3m may be configured to blink at the timing shown in the timing chart of FIG. 19 to obtain the same effect.

Furthermore, in the first embodiment, an example was shown in which only the filter 3j was provided to attenuate the bright line light in the phosphor A, but similarly, the 365 nm, 366 nm, 366 .
Filters for attenuating the bright line light of 3 nm, 407.4 nm, and 435.9 nm, as well as filters for attenuating the similar bright line light of the phosphor C (not shown in graph C of FIG. 7), are provided respectively. For example, crosstalk can be reduced more effectively and a clearer image with less turbidity can be obtained.

Further, in the first embodiment described above, in the recording section 3, light of a predetermined wavelength corresponding to a desired color is uniformly irradiated from the transfer recording layer tb side of the transfer recording medium 1, and an image is formed from the support 1a side. Although the configuration has been described in which heat is applied in accordance with the signal, as another embodiment, a configuration may be adopted in which heat is applied uniformly and a predetermined light is irradiated with 1ζ in accordance with the image signal.

Furthermore, if the support 1a is made of a translucent material, the support 1a can be made of a transparent material.
A configuration may be adopted in which light is irradiated from the a side and heat is applied from the transfer recording layer 1b side.

Furthermore, in the first embodiment described above, light irradiation and heat application were performed with the support 1a in between, but image formation is also possible by performing both light irradiation and heat application from one side of the support 1a. It is.

Further, as the heating means, in addition to the method using the recording head 3a described above, a method of selectively heating using a YAG laser and a polygon mirror, etc. may be used.

In addition to the fluorescent lamp, for example, a method using an LED array, a method using a xenon lamp and a filter matching the light absorption characteristics of the material, etc. may be used.

In the above-mentioned embodiment, light energy and thermal energy were applied to the transfer recording layer 1b at the same time. However, even if the optical energy and thermal energy are applied separately, the result is that both energies are applied separately. Any configuration that is given is acceptable.

In the first embodiment described above, an example of color recording in magenta, cyan, and yellow was shown, but the characteristics of the transfer recording medium 1,
By selecting the heat and light energy application characteristics in the recording section 3, it is of course possible to perform one-color recording or two-color recording.

(3) Transfer section In the above-described embodiment, heat and pressure are applied to the transfer section 4, but it is also possible to apply only pressure to the transfer section 4.

The transfer section 4 is not limited to a roller-like structure such as the transfer roller 4a and the pressure roller 4b, but may be any structure that can obtain a desired pressure, such as a rotating belt.

Further, if necessary, a fixing means for fixing the image of the recording medium onto which the image has been transferred by the transfer section 4 may be provided in the conveyance direction of the recording medium and on the downstream side of the all-ra 5. .

(4) Recording medium The recording medium is not limited to the above-mentioned recording paper; for example, an overhead projector (OHP)
Of course, plastic sheets etc. can also be used.

<Effects of the Invention> As described above, the present invention sequentially performs the formation of an image on a transfer recording medium and the transfer of this image to a recording medium, so that an image can be formed even on a recording medium with a relatively low surface smoothness. Recording can be performed well. Furthermore, when the present invention is applied to multicolor recording, a multicolor image can be obtained without making any complicated movements on the recording medium.

In addition, by attenuating a certain amount of radiant light between the light source that makes the phosphor emit light and the transfer recording layer, crosstalk in multicolor recording is reduced, making it possible to obtain clear images with less color turbidity. It is something.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

Fig. 1 (^) + (B) is an overall schematic explanatory diagram of an embodiment of the present invention, Fig. 2 is an explanatory diagram of the structure of a transfer recording medium, and Fig. 3 is a light absorption characteristic of a photoinitiator in the transfer recording medium. Figure 4 is a graph showing the light transmission characteristics of a rotating body, Figure 5 is the spectral distribution when the phosphor is excited by light with a wavelength of 253.7 nm, Figure 6 is the spectral distribution of the light source, and Figure 6 is the spectral distribution of the light source. Figure 7 shows the spectral distribution when the phosphor is excited by a light source, Figure 8 shows the signal of the light receiving member that detects the rotation of the rotating body and its integrated waveform.
Figure 9 is an explanatory diagram of the configuration of the PLL motor driver.
Figure 0 is a timing chart for applying heat and light, No. 11
The figure is a block diagram of the control system, Figures 12 and 13 are timing charts of the recording operation, Figure 14 is an explanatory diagram showing the relationship between each member, and Figure 15 is an explanation of the sequence table for sending out each signal. 16 is a flowchart of the recording operation, FIG. 17 is an explanatory diagram of the temperature control system of the transfer roller 4a, FIG. 18 is an explanatory diagram of an embodiment using three fluorescent lamps, and FIG. 19 is an explanatory diagram of an embodiment using three fluorescent lamps. It is a timing chart showing the blinking timing of a fluorescent lamp. 1 is a transfer recording medium, 1a is a support, 1b is a transfer recording layer,
lc, ld, le are the core, 1f is the shell, 1g is the adhesive, 2 is the supply roll, 2a is the supply roll shaft, 3 is the recording section,
3a is a recording head, 3b is a heating element array, 3c is a rotating body,
3d, 3e, 3f are support rollers, 3g is a light source, 3h is a light shielding plate, 31 is a slit, 3j is a filter, 3, 31
1.3m is a fluorescent lamp, 3n is a housing, 3nI is a slit, 4 is a transfer section, 4a is a transfer roller, 4b is a pressure roller, 4c is a heater, 5 is a peeling roller, 6 is a take-up roll, 7
is a cassette, 8 is a recording paper, 9 is a feeding roller, 10a, 1
0b is a registration roller, 11 is an ejection tray, 12al
12b+12c is a guide roller, 13a and 13b are discharge rollers, 20 is a control unit, 20a is a CPU, 20b is R
OM, 20c is RAM, 21 is interface, 22
23 is an operation panel, 23 is an image forming timing generator, 24 is a feed motor driver, 25 is a transport motor driver, 26 is a registration sensor, 26a is an LED, 26b
is a phototransistor, 27.28 is a fluorescent lamp lighting device,
30 is a feed motor, 31 is a transport motor, 32 is an external side (No. 3 generator, 33 is a thermistor, 34 is a resistor, 35
is a comparator, 36 is a relay driver, and 37 is a relay.

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claims] A conveyance means for conveying a transfer recording medium having a transfer recording layer whose transfer characteristics change by application of light energy and thermal energy, and the transfer recording conveyed by the conveyance means. A light source is provided in the transport path of the medium to excite a phosphor to emit light, and a means for attenuating a predetermined bright line produced by the light source is provided between the light source and the transfer recording layer, and light energy is applied to the transfer recording layer. a recording section having a light irradiation means for applying heat energy and a heating means for applying thermal energy to the transfer recording layer; and a recording section for transferring an image formed on the transfer recording layer by the recording section to a recording medium. A recording device characterized by having a transfer section for.