JPH0313355A - Recorder - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To obtain a recorder which can record a clear image having less color muddiness by applying light energy having a predetermined wavelength to a transfer recording medium to form an image, and transferring it to the medium to be recorded. CONSTITUTION:A transfer roller 4a is rotated while applying a torque to a winding roll 6 in a direction of an arrow (c), thereby feeding a transfer recording medium 1 in a direction of an arrow (a). Thermal energy and light energy having a predetermined wavelength are selectively applied to the medium 1 by a recorder 3 in synchronization with the feeding to form an image, superposed with a recording sheet 8 of the medium by a transfer unit 4, and heat and pressure are applied to transfer the image to the sheet 8. Here, light radiating means applies light energy containing a range of 300nm or more of fluorescent peak wavelength to the medium.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION <Field of Industrial Application> The present invention relates to a recording device for recording an image on a recording medium, and more particularly to a recording device that can be used in a printer, a copying machine, a facsimile, or 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 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. By applying pulse-shaped heat according to the image signal and pressing the two together and transferring the molten ink to the recording paper, an ink image corresponding to the heat application is recorded on 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 the image signal and transfer it to a recording medium (Japanese Patent Application No. 1200-1983).
No. 80, No. 60-120081, No. 60-13141
) No. 60-134831, No. 60-150597
No. 60-199926, JP-A-62-1741
No. 95 (published on July 30, 1988), etc.).

According to this technology, 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. (A multicolored image can be obtained.)

The present invention is a further development of the above-mentioned technology, and its object is to provide a recording device that can record clear images with little color turbidity during recording.

Typical means according to the present invention for this purpose include a conveyance means for conveying a transfer recording medium having a transfer recording layer whose transfer characteristics change when thermal energy and light energy are applied, and the conveyance means. heating means provided along the conveyance path of the transfer recording medium conveyed by the transfer recording medium for applying thermal energy to the transfer recording medium;
a recording section having a light irradiation means for applying light energy; and a transfer section for transferring an image formed in the recording section to a recording medium, and the light irradiation means It is characterized by being configured to apply light energy including a fluorescence peak wavelength of 300 rv or more to the phosphor, for example (Ca, Zn) 1 (Po4
) z:Tl (thallium-activated calcium zinc phosphate) is used.

Further, another means is characterized in that the light energy is configured to impart light energy with a fluorescence peak wavelength of 420nm or more, and the phosphor is 5rl.
o(PoJiCI:Eu (europium-activated strontium chlorine phosphate)).

In the above means, when the transfer recording medium and the recording medium are placed in the apparatus and recording is performed, light energy of a predetermined wavelength is applied to the transfer recording medium in the recording section to form an image. , the image is transferred to a recording medium in a transfer section.

In addition, by irradiating the transfer recording medium with light having a fluorescence peak wavelength of 30 On+w or more as the energy imparted to the recording medium during the recording, it is possible to make the glass tube of a fluorescent lamp as a light source inexpensive, for example. Furthermore, as the photopolymerization initiator using the transfer recording medium, one with good wavelength selectivity and high sensitivity can be selected.

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

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

In the figure, l is a long sheet-like transfer recording medium, which is wound into a roll and used as a supply roll 2 on the device 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.

Therefore, first, the leading end of this transfer recording medium is placed on the supply roll 2.
The peeling roller 5. It is directed by the guide roller 12c to reach the take-up roll 6, and its tip is locked to the take-up roll 6 by means such as a gripper (not shown). Thereafter, the transfer recording medium 1 is fed out in the direction of arrow a by rotating the transfer roller 4a while applying torque in the direction of arrow C to the take-up roll 6 using a known drive means.

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 of a predetermined wavelength to the recording paper 8, which is superimposed on the recording paper 8 as a recording medium in the transfer section 4, and the image is transferred to the recording paper 8 by applying heat and pressure. It is structured so that it can be transferred to Further, the transfer recording medium 1 after image transfer is wound up on a take-up roll 6, and the recording paper 8 is discharged onto a discharge tray 1) by a pair of discharge rollers 13a and 13b.

Incidentally, when winding up the transfer recording medium 1, a constant back tension run is applied to the supply roll 2 by, for example, a known means such as a hysteresis brake (not shown).
By means of this tension run 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 configuration of each of the above sections will be explained in detail.

First, as shown in FIG. 2, the transfer recording medium 1 has a transfer recording layer 1 having the property of forming an image when both thermal energy and light energy are applied on a sheet-like support la.
It is made by attaching b.

To explain an example thereof, in this embodiment, the transfer recording layer 1
The core lb of b is the component shown in Table 1 below, the core lb is the component shown in Table 2, and the core 1b is the component shown in Table 2.
A microcapsule-shaped image forming element is formed using the components shown in the table and the method shown below.

(Left below) Table 3 Table 1 (Left below) Table 2 First, 100g of water and 26g of isobutylene-maleic anhydride copolymer (Isopan-10, manufactured by Kureha Chemical Co., Ltd.) were mixed, and 10g of sodium hydroxide was added. After cooling to room temperature, 700 g of pectin 3.1 aqueous solution was mixed therein and stirred for 20 minutes. 200 g of the above isopane-pectin mixture was diluted with 20%
Adjust the pH to 4.0 with a sulfuric acid solution, add 0.2 g of Quadrol (manufactured by BASF), and while stirring this with a homomixer at 3000 rpm, add 20 g of the ingredients shown in Tables 1 to 3 above. A solution prepared by dissolving 30 g of chloroform was added over 10 to 15 seconds, and emulsification was continued for 10 minutes.

Further, the emulsion was transferred to a 500-bar beaker and continued to be stirred using a stirring blade for 1 to 2 hours to distill off the solvent.

Next, 8.3 g of urea solution (50 wt.), 0.4 g of resorcinol dissolved in 5 g of water, and 10.7 g of formalin (
37%) and 0.6 g of ammonium sulfate dissolved in water are added at 2 minute intervals.

After raising the temperature to 60°C and continuing stirring for 3 hours, the temperature was lowered and the pH was adjusted to 12.0 with a 20% caustic soda solution.The capsule liquid was filtered and washed twice with 1000°C water. Drying is performed to obtain a microcapsule-shaped image forming element.

The image forming element is core 1 b+ in Tables 1 to 3.
, 1 bs, 1 bs are coated with a shell lha and are formed to have a particle size of 7 to 15-1 and an average particle size of about Ion.

The image forming element thus formed is adhered onto a support la using an adhesive 1bs to obtain a transfer recording medium l.

To explain the attachment method in more detail, for example, the polyester adhesive Polyester-LP manufactured by Nippon Gosei Chemical Industry Co., Ltd.
An adhesive 1bs prepared by dissolving 3 cc of toluene in -022 (solid content 50%) lee is applied onto a support la made of a 6-thick polyethylene terephthalate film. After that, the solvent is removed by drying to a thickness of about 1-1. Since this adhesive 1BS has a glass transition point of -15°C, a slight tack remains even at room temperature.
The formed image forming element can be easily attached 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 #t/cd and thermal energy of about 80° 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 range (peak wavelength The photoinitiator in the image forming element shown in Table 3 has a wavelength range (peak wavelength) shown in graph C in Figure 3. It absorbs light of 458 ns) and starts a reaction, resulting in a yellow color when forming an image.

Next, the recording section 3 will be explained. In this embodiment, the recording unit 3 includes a heating means for applying thermal energy, which is first energy, to the transfer recording medium 1, and a heating means, which also applies light energy, which is second energy, to the transfer recording medium 1. It consists of a light irradiation means for

The heating means has 1728 line-type heating elements 3b arranged in rows on the surface of the recording head 3a for A-4 size with a width of 0.2 squares and 8 dots/n, which generate heat according to the image signal. As mentioned above, the support l of the transfer recording medium l
The a side is configured to be pressed against the heating element 3b with a predetermined pressure due to back tension during transportation. 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 has the characteristics shown in FIG. 4 as a spectral transmittance, and has a thickness of 2μ.
A rotating body 3C made of a glass cylinder (manufactured by SCHOTT Co., Ltd., product name DIIRAN 50) with an inner diameter of 401 is rotatably supported by three pairs of rollers 3d, 3e, and 3f, and a motor drives the roller 3d. It is configured to rotate at a constant speed by driving and rotating the .

Moreover, three types of phosphors A, B,
In the eight embodiments in which C is coated in stripes of 120 degrees (three equal parts) in the circumferential direction, the main component of the phosphor A is (CaZn)3(POt)t:T1. (Krylam-activated calcium zinc phosphate) is used as the main component of phosphor B (SrMg)□P,O,:I! u (europium-activated strontium magnesium birophosphate) or SrOHSrFg H2BiOs:Eu, and Sr+o(PO4)iclg:[ as the main component of the phosphor C.
! u (europium activated chlorinated strontium phosphate) is used.

A light source 3g is disposed inside the 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 embodiment, a low-pressure mercury lamp is used as the light source 3g, and when this light source 3g is turned on, the phosphor A is emitted from graph A in FIG. 5 (peak wavelength 306 nm).
, phosphor B has graph B in Figure 5 (peak wavelength 390n)
), and phosphor C has graph C in Figure 5 (peak wavelength 446n).
emits light with a spectral distribution of m ). The light emitted by the phosphors A, B, and C passes through a slit 31 with a width of 1.2 fi formed in the light shielding plate 3h and irradiates the transfer recording layer 1b.

Therefore, when the rotating body 3C is rotated and light is irradiated from the light source 3g, the phosphors A, B, and C are excited and emit light in order, and each light with a different spectral distribution passes through the slit 34 and is sequentially irradiated onto the transfer recording layer 1b. be done.

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

As shown in FIG. 1(B), 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, a light emitting member 14b such as an LED is disposed inside the rotating body 3C so as to sandwich the light shielding portion 14a, 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 signal obtained from the light receiving member 14c is as shown in FIG. 6(A).
It will be as shown below. Note that the level "low J" shown in FIG. 6(A) is a state in which the light from the light emitting member 14b passes through the rotating body 3C and is received by the light receiving member 14c, and the level r high 1 is a state in which the light is blocked by the light blocking member f4a. , 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, for phase control, when the integral waveform of FIG. 6 (^) is obtained, it becomes as shown in FIG. 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 "high" of the enable signal is generated. During the period 1, the phosphor A of the rotating body 3C faces the transfer recording layer 1b through the slit 3i, and during the 2nd "high 1" period of the enable signal, the phosphor B faces, and during the 3rd period of the enable signal. The phosphors C may be controlled to face each other during the "r high" period, and this may be repeated sequentially for the enable signal r high 1.

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 PLL1) [system using a block diagram, as shown in FIG.
2B, a phase comparator 27a, and a low-pass filter 27c.
In the figure, the light source motor 28a and FC (Frequency
e Generator) 28b is the VC02B
corresponds to Note that the light source motor 28a is a rotating body 3c.
This is a motor that drives the roller 3d that supports the FG.
28b is the output of the light receiving member 14C.

In this embodiment, the phase comparison output of the output of the FG 28b and the motor clock is 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 multivibrator 27b, and the output and phase are compared. The difference between the outputs of the
It is added to VC02B through d.

Also, in FIG. 7, 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 FC; 28b is the integrator 27
f, and its waveform (corresponding to FIG. 6(B)) 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 as shown in FIG. and a pressure roller 4b that rotates as a result of rotation.

The transfer roller 4a is composed of an aluminum roller whose surface is coated with silicone rubber having a hardness of 70 degrees and has a thickness of 1 square inch, and is maintained at a temperature of 90 to 100 degrees Celsius by a built-in 800 W halogen heater 4C. It is composed of

The pressure roller 4b is made of an aluminum roller coated with silicone rubber having a hardness of 70 degrees to a thickness of one inch, and has a pressing force of 6 to 71 g4/am with the transfer roller 4a by a pressure means (not shown) such as a spring. is set to be.

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 and light is applied uniformly.

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 recording layer 1b has a property that when light and heat of a predetermined wavelength are applied, the softening point temperature increases, that is, the transfer characteristics change irreversibly, and the transfer recording layer 1b is no longer transferred to the recording paper 8. .

Therefore, as shown in the timing chart of FIG. 8, when recording magenta color, among the heating element rows, the heating element 3b corresponding to the complementary color of magenta of the image signal, that is, the green image signal.
At the same time, a light source of 3g was turned on for 10m5.
-3 lights up. At this time, the phosphor A of the rotating body 3C faces the transfer recording layer ji[1b located in the slit 31, and the transfer recording layer lb is uniformly irradiated with light energy having the spectral distribution shown in graph A in FIG. be done.

Next, in cyan color recording, 50-3 after the start of energization to the heating element 3b in the magenta color recording, this time, the portion of the heating element array corresponding to the complementary color of cyan, that is, the red image signal, is ■Turn on electricity in step 3, and at the same time turn on 20m5 of light sources 3g. At this time, the phosphor B of the rotating body 3c is facing the transfer recording layer 1b located at the swan 31, and the light energy of the spectral distribution shown in graph B in FIG. 5 is uniformly applied to the transfer recording layer 1b. be done.

Next, when recording the yellow color, 50-3 after the start of energization to the heating element 3b in the cyan recording, the portion of the heating element array corresponding to the complementary color of yellow, that is, the blue image signal, is Power on the simple 3, and at the same time turn on the light source 3g for 35m3. At this time, the phosphor C of the rotating body 3C is facing the transfer recording layer 1b located in the slit 31, and the light energy of the spectral distribution shown in the graph C in FIG. 5 is uniformly applied to the transfer recording layer 1b. Ru.

As described above, a transfer image is formed on the transfer recording layer 1b by controlling the heat generation of the heating element 3b, the rotation of the rotating body 3C, and the lighting of the light source 3g according to the image signals of complementary colors of magenta, cyan, and yellow. 150s+s/Li for this image formation
The transfer recording medium is conveyed in synchronization with a repetition period of n5.

Here, a control system according to this embodiment for performing the above recording operation will be specifically explained with reference to FIGS. 9 to 15. 9 is a block diagram of the control system, FIG. 10 and FIG. The sequence table, FIG. 14 is a flowchart of the recording operation, and FIG. 15 is a circuit diagram of the temperature control system of the transfer roller 4a.

As shown in FIG. 9, this control system includes a CPU 20a such as a microprocessor, a ROM 20b storing control programs and various data for the CPU 20a, and a CPU 20a such as a microprocessor.
A control unit 20, which is used as a work area for the PU 20a and includes a RAM 20c for temporarily storing various data, etc., an interface 21, an operation panel 22, an image forming timing generator 23, and a feed motor driver 2.
4. Conveyance motor driver 25, registration sensor 2
6, PLL motor driver 27, light source lighting device 29
Consisting of

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, a magenta line synchronization signal generated by the image forming timing generator 23, and a lock detection signal from the PLL motor driver 27. Further, the control unit 20 controls the motor 0N of the feeding motor 30 via the interface 21.
(No. 3, outputs the motor ON signal of the transport motor 31, the page signal, and the light source motor ON signal.

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, (light source ON signal, motor reference clock, etc.).

As shown in Figure 10, the magenta line synchronization signal, cyan line synchronization signal, and yellow line synchronization signal have the following characteristics: 1) The first period is 150m, the duty ratio is 1/3, and the phase is 120m.
The signal is shifted by °. Also, the magenta line synchronization signal is P
It is created based on the rotational phase reference signal from the LL motor driver 27. Then, a 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.

The video clock is a signal that generates a 36 Hz clock from the rising edge of the magenta, cyan, and yellow line synchronization signals, and stops after generating 1728 clocks (approximately 48 m5).

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,
When the yellow line synchronization signal and video clock are received, and the page synchronization signal becomes r high 1, the magenta image signal is transmitted when the magenta line synchronization signal is r high J, and when the cyan line synchronization signal is high 1. Similarly, when the yellow line synchronization signal is high 1, 1728 yellow image signals are sent out in synchronization with the video clock.

Further, a strobe signal is generated which becomes "high 1" during the "r high" 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 "r high", and repeats 10 s, 20 m 5. The page synchronization signal becomes r low and ends with the generation of 35■sr high j within the period of high 1 of the first magenta line synchronization signal.This enable signal is activated by the heating element corresponding to the image signal in It corresponds to the energization signal to 3b.

Further, the image forming timing generator 23 generates a light source ON signal. The light source ON signal starts from the rising edge of the cyan line synchronization signal, and at each rising edge of each enable signal, i
oms, 20*s, 35m5, repeat in this order.

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 6 kHz
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 Pjf unit 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. is latched in a latch register in the head by a strobe signal from the image forming timing generator 23, and then energized to the heating element 3b according to the image signal in the latch register by an enable signal from the image forming timing generator 23, and shifted at the same time as the energization. The next image signal is taken into the register by the video clock.

Further, the lighting device 29 for the light R3g receives an AND signal of the light source 3g (7) ON signal from the image forming timing generator 23 and the light source motor ON signal from the interface 21, and when the signal is r high 1, the light source Turn on 3g.

As shown in FIG. 7, 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. 6 (^)) are synchronized in phase. Further, this PLL motor driver 27 sends a lock detection signal to the control unit 20 via the interface 21 to inform that the phase synchronization is broken, and also sends a line synchronization signal to the rotating body 3c to the image forming timing generator 23. Sends a rotational phase reference signal for synchronization with the

In addition, in this embodiment, the light shielding part 14a14a' on the rotating body 3c
The number of PLL motor drivers is 900, and 27
If the light source motor 28a is in phase synchronization state,
Since the motor clock is 6 kHz as described above, the rotating body 3c rotates at a speed of 150*s per rotation.

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 to the recording paper 8 will be explained.

The feed motor driver 24 is connected to the interface 21
When the feed motor ON signal from the control unit 20 is r high 1, the feed motor 30 is driven, and the feed roller 9 and the registration roller pair 10a, 10b are rotated to rotate the recording paper 8.
is transported at a constant speed.

Further, the conveyance motor driver 25 is configured to turn on the conveyance motor from the control unit 20 via the interface 21.
When the signal is r high J, the conveyance motor 31 is driven to rotate the transfer roller 4a, and the pressure roller 4 rotates as a result of this.
The transfer recording medium 1 and recording paper 8 are conveyed at a constant speed by the cooperative action with b.

Here, the timing of each signal sent by the control section 20 via the interface 21 is as shown in Fig. 1).

Note that the times T and ~T in Figure 1) correspond to the time when the transfer recording medium l or the recording paper 8 is conveyed as shown below, assuming that the distance between each member is LI-Ls as shown in Figure 12. This is the time required for

LI: Conveyance distance of the transfer recording medium 1 from the recording head 3a to the pressure contact portion between the transfer roller 4a and the pressure roller 4b.

L: : 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.

TI: Time required to convey the transfer recording medium 1 a distance of -L.

T-proverb: The time required to transport 8 sheets of recording paper a distance of .

T3: Length of recording paper 8 (for example, 2 for A4 size)
The time required to convey the transfer recording medium 1 by 97 m).

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

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 rotary body 3c rotated by the light source motor 28a is phase-synchronized by the control described above.The zero-order conveyance motor 31 is driven to move the transfer recording medium l along the arrow a in FIG.
The page signal becomes "high" during a time T, 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.

Note that the feed motor 30 is driven for a time T after the transfer recording medium 1 starts to be conveyed, and then is driven for a time T 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 unit 4, and is conveyed by the drive of the conveyance motor 31 while being in close contact with the transfer recording medium I.

Now, to explain the operation of the control unit 20 that sends out each signal as shown in FIG. . That is, since the magenta line synchronization signal has a period of 150 m as described above, the control section 20 can manage time by counting the signal.

The control unit 20 has a sequence table as shown in FIG.
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. 13, and consists of a total of 3217 words from the 0th to the 3216th word, where bit 0 is the feed motor ON signal, corresponds to the transport motor ON signal, and bit 2 corresponds to the page signal.

In addition, the numbers in parentheses at the top of Figure 1) indicate the magenta line synchronization signal at the time when the registration sensor signal becomes r high 1 as number 0, and the number of the magenta line synchronization signal at each time point (signal ).

Next, a series of operations of the control unit 20 having the above-mentioned functions will be explained using the flow chart of FIG. 14. First, in step S1, it is detected whether or not the start button on the operation panel has been pressed. If so, proceed to step S2, send the feeding motor ON signal, and then proceed to step S2.
At step 3, send the light source motor ON signal. Next step S
4, wait for the registration sensor signal to become "high 1", and when the signal becomes "high", proceed to step S5 and wait for the lock detection signal from the PLL motor driver 27 to become r-high. , that is, it waits for phase synchronization of the rotating body 3C. When the lock detection signal becomes r-high 1, the process moves to step S6 and 0 is substituted into R indicating the rask number of the sequence table.

Next, in step S7, the magenta line synchronization signal is set to r low.
, and then waits for the magenta synchronization signal to become "high" in step S8, thereby detecting the rising edge of the magenta line synchronization signal.

When the edge is detected, the process moves to step S9, and the eighth bit of the sequence table is referred to.
Bit 1 and bit 2 are sent as a feed motor ON signal, a transport motor ON signal, and a page signal, respectively.

Next, proceeding to step SIO, 1 is added to the value of R, and in step 31) it is detected whether the value of R is greater than 3216. If the value of R is smaller than or equal to 3216, the process returns to step S7 to continue recording, and if it is larger, the process moves to step S12 to stop the light source motor 27a and end the recording.

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 configuration in the transfer section 4 is configured as shown in FIG. 15.

The thermistor T in FIG. 15 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. E, and the comparator C
Reference voltage E by 0.

compared to The comparison output is relay driver R.

The relay RL controls the energization of the halogen heater 4C from the power source E through the relay RL.

Here, the driving principle of the temperature control configuration will be described. The thermistor T has a property that the resistance value decreases as the temperature rises. Therefore, as the surface temperature of the transfer roller 4a increases, the resistance value of the thermistor T decreases, and the voltage E8 decreases. Conversely, if the surface temperature of the transfer roller 4a decreases, the resistance value of the thermistor T increases and the voltage E□ also increases. Therefore, the value of the reference voltage E is changed to the voltage E corresponding to the transfer roller 4a at 95°C.
By setting the value of t, when the surface temperature of the transfer roller 4a is lower than 95° C., the comparison output becomes r high 1, the halogen heater 4C is energized, and the surface temperature of the transfer roller 4a increases. On the other hand, when the temperature is higher than 95° C., the halogen heater 4C is not energized and the surface temperature decreases. Due to the above control, the surface temperature of the transfer roller 4a is 90 to 100°.
It is held in C. This control system is constantly operating when the power switch of the apparatus is on, and is controlled so that the surface temperature of the transfer roller 4a reaches 90 to 100 DEG C. before the start button on the operation panel is pressed.

As described above, an image is formed on the transfer recording medium 1, and the image is transferred to the recording paper 8 in the transfer section 4 as a color image of magenta, cyan, and yellow.

After the image transfer, the transfer recording medium 1 and the recording paper 8 are separated by the peeling roller 5, and the recording paper 8 on which the image of the desired color has been recorded is discharged onto the discharge tray 1) by the discharge roller pair 13a, 13b. . Further, the transfer recording medium 1 is wound onto a take-up roll 6.

Color recording is performed in one shot as described above.

[Second example]

In the first embodiment described above, an example was shown in which an image is formed by applying light and heat to the transfer recording medium, but as a second embodiment, an example in which an image is formed by applying only light energy is shown in Fig. 16. Explain using.

Incidentally, the same components as those in the first embodiment are given the same reference numerals and the explanation thereof will be omitted.

The transfer recording medium 101 according to this embodiment is constructed by adhering to a support a plurality of types of image forming elements in which coloring agents of different colors and reactive substances that undergo a polymerization reaction in response to light of a specific wavelength are encapsulated. For example, graphs A, B, and C in Figure 3, respectively.
There are three types of polymers: a photo-initiating side that absorbs light with the wavelength shown in , undergoes a polymerization reaction, and hardens; a monomer; a leuco dye as a coloring agent that develops magenta, cyan, and yellow colors; and additives such as stabilizers. Three types of image forming elements are constructed in which a core is formed and the core is covered with a shell to form a microcapsule shape, and these are adhered to a support in the same manner as in the first embodiment to constitute a transfer recording medium. .

The transfer recording medium 101 is conveyed to a first image forming section 103 and is irradiated with light energy according to an image signal.

In this first image forming section 103, the support side of the transfer recording medium 101 is guided by a guide plate 103a, and a light irradiation means is arranged on the side of the transfer recording layer to which the image forming element is attached. The light irradiation means is the light irradiation means used in the first embodiment, with a shutter array 103b and a condensing lens 103C that open and close according to the image signal attached, and thereby the three types of wavelengths shown in FIG. The transfer recording layer can be irradiated with light according to the image signal. As a result, the image forming element irradiated with light of a specific wavelength is cured and an image is formed.

Next, the transfer recording medium 101 on which an image has been formed by light irradiation from the first image forming section 103 is conveyed to a second image forming section 4 having the same structure as the transfer section described in the first embodiment.

At this time, a recording paper 8 whose surface is coated with a color developer is conveyed to the second image forming section 4, and is overlapped with the transfer recording layer and pressure is applied thereto. By applying this pressure, the transfer recording medium 10
The uncured image forming element 1 is destroyed, and the color forming agent and the color developer of the recording paper 8 cause a coloring reaction, and the recording paper 8
A visualized image is recorded on the recording paper 8, and the recording paper 8 after the image recording is discharged onto the discharge tray 1).

In the recording step, it is preferable to provide a fixing section downstream of the second image forming section with respect to the conveyance direction of the recording paper in order to fix the image formed on the recording paper.

[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, it is also possible to transfer and record the image depending on the adhesion characteristics or sublimation characteristics to the recording paper 8, or the recording The transfer recording medium 1 is provided with a layer that imparts color development to the paper 8 and changes the color development characteristics of the recording paper 8, and the image formed on the transfer recording medium 1 is transferred to the recording paper 8, thereby creating an image. It may be configured so that it can be obtained.

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

In the transfer recording medium used in the present invention, the image forming element whose transfer characteristics change upon application of light energy and thermal energy includes at least a photopolymerization initiator and a monomer having an unsaturated double bond. Contains an oligomer or prepolymer (hereinafter referred to as a sensitive component) and a colorant, and optionally a binder, a thermal polymerization inhibitor, a plasticizer,
The surface layer 1'8 contains additives such as additives.

Examples of photopolymerization initiators include carbonyl compounds, halogen compounds, azo compounds, and organic sulfur compounds, such as acetophenone, benzophenone, coumarin, xanthone,
Aromatic ketones and their derivatives such as thioxanthone, chalcone, styryl styryl ketone, diketones and their derivatives such as benzyl, acenaphthenequinone, camphorquinone, anthraquinonesulfonyl, chloride, quinolinesulfonyl chloride, 2.4.6-Tris (
Examples include halogen compounds such as trichloromethyl>-s-triazine, but the present invention is not limited thereto.

Monomers, oligomers, or prepolymers having unsaturated bonds can be produced by polyaddition reaction between polyisocyanates and alcohols or amines containing unsaturated double bonds (which may be reacted with polyols if necessary). Examples include synthesized urethane acrylates or urethane methacrylates, epoxy acrylates synthesized by addition reaction of epoxy resin and acrylic acid or methacrylic acid, polyester acrylates, spinacrylades, polyether acrylates, etc. The present invention is not limited to this.

In addition, as a prepolymer, the main chain has a skeleton of polyalkylene, polyether, polyester, polyurethane, etc., and the side chain has an acrylic group, methacrylic group, cinnamoyl group, cinnamylideneacetyl group, furyl acryloyl group,
Examples include those into which polymerizable and crosslinkable reactive groups such as silicic acid esters are introduced, but the present invention is not limited thereto.

Furthermore, it is desirable that the monomers, oligomers, and prepolymers listed above be in a semi-solid or solid state at room temperature, but even if they are liquid, they may be maintained in a semi-solid or solid state by mixing with the binder described below. Don't be silly.

When the above-mentioned monomer, oligomer or prepolymer having an unsaturated double bond and a photopolymerization initiator are used together with a binder, the binder is a monomer, oligomer or prepolymer having an unsaturated double bond, and a binder that is compatible with the monomer, oligomer or prepolymer having an unsaturated double bond. Any organic polymer may be used.

Such organic polymers include polyacrylic acid alkyl esters such as polymethyl acrylate and polyethyl acrylate, polymethacrylic acid alkyl esters such as polymethyl methacrylate and polyethyl methacrylate, or methacrylic acid copolymers, Acrylic acid copolymer, maleic acid copolymer/or chlorinated polyethylene,
Chlorinated polyolefins such as chlorinated polypropylene, polyvinyl chloride, polyvinylidene chloride, polyacrylonitrile or copolymers thereof, as well as polyvinyl alkyl ether, polyethylene, polypropylene, polystyrene,
Examples include polyamide, polyurethane, chlorinated rubber, cellulose derivatives, polyvinyl alcohol, polyvinylpyrrolidone, etc., but the present invention is not limited to these. These binders may be used alone or in an appropriate ratio. Two or more types may be mixed and used. Furthermore, waxes may be used as binders, regardless of whether they are compatible or incompatible.

The colorant 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 carbon black, yellow lead, molybdenum red, Henkara and other SM II materials, Hansa Yellow, Benzine Yellow, Brilliant Carmine 6B, Lake Red C, Permanent Red F5R, Phthalocyanine Blue, and Victoria Blue. Organic pigments such as lake, fast sky blue, leuco dyes,
Coloring agents such as phthalocyanine dyes and the like can be mentioned.

The monomer, oligomer or prepolymer having an unsaturated double bond contained in one image forming element is 10 to 99% by weight, more preferably 50 to 99% by weight based on the weight of the image forming element.
The amount of the photopolymerization initiator, which is preferably 90% by weight, is 0.1 to 20% by weight, more preferably 0.1 to 1% by weight, based on the weight of the image forming element.
5% by weight, colorant 0.1-30%, and even 1-2
5% by weight, and the binder is preferably 0 to 90% by weight, more preferably 0 to 40% by weight.

Furthermore, additives such as thermal polymerization inhibitors and plasticizers may be added to the image forming element as necessary.

The transfer recording medium used in the present invention is produced by mixing and melting the components constituting the image forming element, and applying the mixed and molten mixture as a minute image forming element onto a base material by a spray drying method, an emulsion granulation method, etc. It can be obtained by doing. Further, in order to prevent a decrease in sensitivity and further improve image resolution, the image forming element may be microencapsulated.

When using microcapsules in the image forming element,
The core portion contains the above-described material.

Materials used for the walls of microcapsules include gelatin, gum arabic, cellulose-based materials such as ethyl cellulose and nitrocellulose, urea-formalin, nylon,
Examples include polymers such as Tetron (registered trademark), polyurethane, polycarbonate, maleic anhydride copolymer, vinylidene chloride, polyvinyl chloride, polyethylene, polystyrene, and polyethylene terephthalate.

The number average particle diameter of the image forming element constituting the transfer recording medium is 1
~2On is preferred, and 3~Ion is particularly preferred. Furthermore, when the image forming element is composed of microcapsules, the number average particle diameter of the microcapsules is preferably 1 to 201, particularly preferably 3 to 10, and the particle size distribution of the microcapsules is It is preferably ±50% or less, particularly preferably ±20% or less. The thickness of the wall material of the microcapsule is preferably 0.1 to 2.0771),
Particularly preferred is 0.1 to 0.5n.

As a method for microencapsulation, any conventionally known method can be applied, such as a simple coacervage method, a complex coacervation method, an interfacial polymerization method, and a 1 nm microcapsule method.
An in situ polymerization method, an interfacial precipitation method, a phase separation method, a spray drying method, an air suspension coating method, a mechanochemical method, etc. are used.

(2) Recording section 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 1b side of the transfer recording medium 1, and the support is Although the configuration is such that heat is applied from the 1a side in accordance with the image signal, another embodiment may be configured in which heat is applied uniformly and a predetermined light is irradiated 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 tb side.

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

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.

Further, the light irradiation means need not be limited to the method using the rotating body 3c described above. For example, a plurality of individual fluorescent lamps capable of emitting light corresponding to each wavelength may be provided, and each fluorescent lamp may correspond to an image signal. They may be turned on individually.

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.

Furthermore, if necessary, a fixing means for fixing the image on the recording medium onto which the image has been transferred by the transfer section 4 may be provided downstream of the peeling roller 5 in the conveying direction of the recording medium.

(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 using a phosphor with a fluorescence peak wavelength within a certain range, it is possible to provide light energy with high output and a narrow wavelength half-value width, and when performing multicolor recording, clear images with less turbidity can be obtained. This has effects such as making it possible to record data.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIGS. 1A and 1B are schematic illustrations of the entire recording apparatus according to the first embodiment, FIG. 2 is an illustration of the configuration of a transfer recording medium,
Figure 3 is a graph showing the light absorption characteristics of the photoinitiator in the transfer recording medium, Figure 4 is a graph showing the light transmission characteristics of the rotating body, and Figure 5 is a graph showing the light transmission characteristics of the rotating body.
The figure is a graph showing the spectral characteristics of the light irradiation means, and Figure 6 shows the signal of the light receiving member that detects the rotation of the rotating body and its integral waveform.
Figure 7 is an explanatory diagram of the configuration of the PLL motor driver, Figure 8
The figure shows a timing chart for applying heat and light, FIG. 9 is a block diagram of the control system, FIGS. FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram of a sequence table for sending each signal, FIG. 14 is a flowchart of the recording operation, FIG. 15 is an explanatory diagram of the temperature control system of the transfer roller 4a, and FIG. 16 is related to the second embodiment. FIG. 2 is a configuration explanatory diagram of a recording device. (2) is a transfer recording medium, 1a is a support, 1b is a transfer recording layer,
1b+, Ibz, lbs is core, lba is '/
x) Lt, Ibs are adhesives, 2 is supply roll, 2a
is the supply roll shaft, 3 is the recording section, 3a is the recording head, 3b
3c is a heating element array, 3c is a rotating body, 3d, 3e, 31 are support rollers, 3g is a light source, 3h is a light shielding plate, 31 is a slit,
4 is a transfer section, 4a is a transfer roller, 4b is a pressure roller, 4
C 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, 10b
is the registration roller, 1) is the ejection tray, 12a+ 12
b+ 12c is a guide roller, 13a and 13b are discharge rollers, 20 is a control unit, 20a is a CPU, 20b is an RO
M, 20c is a RAM, 21 is an interface, 22 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 is a PLL motor driver,
28 is a VCo, 29 is a light source lighting device, 30 is a feeding motor, 31 is a transport motor, 32 is an external image signal generator, T,
is a thermistor, r is a resistor, C0 is a comparator, Re is a relay driver, and RL is a relay.

Claims (6)

[Claims] (1) A conveyance means for conveying a transfer recording medium having a transfer recording layer whose transfer characteristics change when thermal energy and light energy are applied, and a conveyance means for conveying the transfer recording medium conveyed by the conveyance means. a recording section provided along a conveyance path and having a heating means for applying thermal energy to the transfer recording medium and a light irradiation means for applying optical energy; and an image formed by the recording section. a transfer unit for transferring onto a recording medium, wherein the light irradiation means applies a fluorescence peak wavelength of 3 to the transfer recording medium;
A recording device characterized in that it is configured to apply optical energy of 00 nm or more. (2) The light irradiation means is configured to apply light energy having a fluorescence peak wavelength in a range of 300 nm to 310 nm to the transfer recording medium.
1) Recording device as described. (3) The fluorescence peak wavelength is 300 nm or more and 310 nm
(CaZn)_3(PO
_4)_2: The recording device according to claim (2), using Tl (thallium-activated calcium zinc phosphate). (4) The recording apparatus according to claim (1), characterized in that the recording apparatus is configured to apply optical energy having a fluorescence peak wavelength of 420 nm or more. (5) The recording device according to claim (1), wherein Sr_1_0(PO_4)_6Cl:Eu (europium-activated strontium chloride phosphate) is used as the phosphor having a fluorescence peak wavelength of 420 nm or more. (6) In place of the conveyance means, there is provided a conveyance means for conveying a transfer recording medium having a transfer recording layer whose transfer characteristics change when light energy is applied, and in place of the recording section, the a first image forming section for applying the light energy to the transfer recording medium in order to form an image on the transfer recording medium, the first image forming section being provided along the conveyance path of the transfer recording medium conveyed by the conveyance means; and a second image forming section for forming an image on the recording medium in accordance with the image formed on the transfer recording medium by the first image forming section, in place of the transfer section. The recording device according to any one of claims (1) to (5).