JPH0459259A - Recording device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To prevent fixed toner from being scraped off even with efficiency of a toner recovery means increased, and to maintain the grade of recording images high by providing a pressure-applying means that forcibly thrusts the heated, melted toner into a recording medium. CONSTITUTION:Recording paper 1 is fed, being interposed between a transparent pressure drum 6 and a pressure drum 8. Semiconductor laser is switched on with a light-emitting device 7 in accordance with image signals, and toner is subjected to the light that is emitted and penetrates through a side wall of the transparent pressure drum 6, and thereby the toner is heated and melted. As the recording paper 1 and the toner are compressed with the pressure drum 8, the heated, melted toner is forcibly stuck by pressure to the surface of the recording paper 1, and as the recording paper 1 is made by laying fibers in layers, the toner is thrust into the inside of the recording paper 1 through the fibers and penetration of the toner is made promptly, resulting in satisfactory fixing of the toner. When the recording paper 1 comes to a first toner recovery means 11, unfixed toner that is stuck fast, being compressed with the pressure drum 8, to the surface of the recording paper 1 is mechanically scraped off with a cleaning brush 11, and are recovered into a container 1 2b.

Description

[Detailed description of the invention] [Industrial application fields] The present invention relates to a recording device.

[Prior Art] An image recording device uses a laser beam or the like to form an electrostatic latent image on a photoconductor, uses a mag roller or the like to deposit toner on the electrostatic latent image, and transfers this toner to a recording medium. Some types perform recording by transferring the image to a computer and fixing it using a fixing means.

However, in the above method, since an electrostatic latent image must be formed, the apparatus becomes complicated and large, and maintenance of the latent image forming section is complicated. Therefore, in order to solve this problem, we developed a compact, simple, and low-cost configuration.
As shown in Japanese Patent No. 47977, toner is uniformly distributed and supplied from a toner supply unit onto a recording paper, and the toner is selectively fixed by scanning the recording paper with an exothermic energy beam modulated by an image signal. An image recording apparatus has been disclosed in which unnecessary toner is removed by a cleaner section (toner collection means).

In this way, the toner is uniformly spread on the recording medium by a predetermined means, and the toner on the printed area is heated and fixed by a predetermined heating means such as a laser beam that directly heats the toner on the recording medium in accordance with the image signal. This eliminates the need to form an electrostatic latent image, and also eliminates the need for a transfer means to a recording medium and a fixing means after the transfer.

[Problem to be solved] However, the toner is fixed on the recording medium by heating and melting the toner using a heating means, and then allowing the molten toner to naturally soak into the recording medium. The viscosity of the toner is high, and the surface of the recording medium may be dirty with oil from your hands, so the penetration of the molten toner into the recording medium is insufficient, and therefore, the fixation of the toner is insufficient.
Therefore, the toner that should be fixed by the toner collecting means is peeled off and collected together with the toner, and this peeled toner is supplied to and adheres to the next recording medium, resulting in a problem that sufficient image quality cannot be maintained. .

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a recording device that is capable of sufficiently fixing heated and melted toner onto a recording medium, and thus allowing a toner collecting means to collect only the toner that has not been heated and fixed. It's about doing.

[Means for Solving the Problems] In order to achieve the above object, the recording apparatus of the present invention includes a toner supply means for supplying toner to a recording medium, and a method for selectively heating and melting the toner supplied to the recording medium. a heating device that fixes the toner by heating, a toner pressing device that forcibly presses or pushes the toner heated and melted by the heating device onto the recording medium, and a toner recovery device that collects toner other than the toner that has been heated and fixed on the recording medium. have

[Example] Hereinafter, an example of the present invention will be described in detail based on the drawings.

First, a first embodiment will be described based on FIG.

The recording paper 1 is formed by laminating fibers, and is transported from a recording paper supply device (not shown) provided at the left end position to a charger 2 and a toner supply means 3, which will be described later, by a predetermined recording paper transport means.
．． Between the heating device 5 and the pressure roller 8 2 static eliminator 10. The recording paper tray is conveyed along the first toner collecting means 11 and the second toner collecting means 12 and is provided at the right end position.
(not shown).

The charger 2 charges the recording paper 1 with static electricity from the back side of the recording paper 1, and charges the toner 4 with a polarity opposite to that of the toner 4 in the toner supply means 3, which will be described later.
A predetermined amount of static electricity is charged so as to generate a force that overcomes the magnetic force of a and generates a force that attracts the recording paper 1 side. The charger 2 is configured to cause corona discharge using DC voltage.

The toner supply means 3 is rotatably supported by a magnetic roller 3a or a container 3b, and magnetic toner 4 is stored in the container 3b. A magnet (not shown) is provided inside the mag roller 3a. The toner 4 is rubbed by the rotation of the mag roller 3a, and is charged either positively or negatively depending on the relationship between the material of the toner 4 and the material of the surface of the mag roller 3a. Further, as the mag roller 3a rotates, the toner 4 is bent by an internal magnet, adheres to the surface of the mag roller 3a, and rotates.

As the heating device 5, a transparent pressure drum 6 and a light irradiation device 7 are provided.

The transparent pressure drum 6 is provided in contact with the toner 4 supplied and adhered to the recording paper 1, and is hollow.

The transparent pressure drum herein means that it transmits the wavelength of light necessary to heat the toner 4 among the wavelengths of light emitted from the light irradiation device 7, and is made of, for example, glass, quartz glass, etc. is used. The transparent pressure drum 6 is rotating clockwise. It is desirable that the outer surface of the transparent pressure drum 6 be treated with a treatment such as fluorine coating to prevent toner from adhering to it, and it is also desirable that the outer and inner surfaces be coated with an anti-reflection film.

A light irradiation device 7 uses a heat-generating light source such as a semiconductor laser to illuminate the recording paper 1.
It scans in the width direction of the camera and turns it on and off depending on the image signal.

The transparent pressure drum 6 is provided with cleaning means 9 for the pressure drum consisting of a cleaning brush. The cleaning brush 9 has bristles 9b made of synthetic resin or animal hair planted on the outer peripheral side of a roller 98 that is rotatably supported on the frame of the recording device, etc. By rotating the roller 9a, the bristles 9b are planted. Toner and the like adhering to the surface of the pressure drum 6 are mechanically swept away.

As a toner pressurizing means, a pressure roller 8 is rotatably provided opposite to the transparent pressure drum 6.

The pressure roller 8 is made of rubber or the like, has a predetermined elasticity, and is pressed against the transparent pressure drum 6, so that the recording paper 1 passes between the transparent pressure drum 6 and the pressure roller 8. This is a pressure generator that generates a predetermined pressure on the recording paper 1 and the supplied toner 4 when the pressure is applied. The transparent pressure drum 6 and pressure roller 8 also act as paper transport means.

The static eliminator 10 is designed to cause corona discharge like the charger 2, and in order to eliminate the electrostatic force on the recording paper 1 generated by the charger 2, a strong alternating current voltage is applied, and a strong positive charge and a strong negative charge are generated. is repeatedly supplied to recording paper 1,
As a result, the recording paper 1 is prevented from being charged either positively or negatively.

The first toner collecting means 11 has bristles 11b made of synthetic resin, animal hair, etc. on the outer circumferential side of a roller 11a rotatably supported by the frame of the recording device or a container 12b of the second toner collecting means 12, which will be described later. It is composed of a cleaning brush with flocked bristles, and by rotating a roller 11a, the bristles 11b mechanically sweep away toner other than the toner heat-fixed on the surface of the recording paper 1. Note that the hair 11b is the second
The bristles 11b are in contact with the edge of the container 12b of the toner collecting means 12, and the toner adhering to the bristles 11b is scraped off and removed from the container 12.
It is designed to be collected by b.

The second toner collecting means 12, like the toner supplying means 3, is composed of a mag roller 12a and a container 12b. The toner adhering to the bristles 11b and the toner still adhering to the recording paper 1 are drawn toward the mag roller 12a by the magnet inside the mag roller 12a, move, merge with the toner in the container 12b, and are collected.

Next, the effect will be explained.

When the recording paper 1 is conveyed from the recording paper supply device by a predetermined conveyance means and reaches the position of the charger 2, the recording paper 1 is charged, and when the recording paper 1 reaches the position of the toner supply means 3, this charging is stopped. Due to the electrostatic force caused by this, the toner 4 on the surface of the mag roller 3a transfers and adheres to the surface side of the recording paper 1, forming a uniform thin toner layer.

Next, the recording paper 1 is transferred to a transparent pressure drum 6 and a pressure roller 8.
The semiconductor laser is turned on by the light irradiation device 7 in response to an image signal, and the light passes through the side wall of the transparent pressure drum 6 and hits the toner, heating and melting the toner.

At the same time, since the recording paper 1 and toner 4 are compressed by the pressure roller 8, the heated and melted toner is forcibly adhered to the surface of the recording paper 1 under pressure, and the recording paper 1 is formed by laminating fibers. , are pushed into the recording paper 1 through the gaps between the fibers, and penetrate quickly, resulting in good fixation.

The toner adhering to the surface of the transparent pressure drum 6 is swept away by a cleaning brush 9 to prevent the recording paper 1 from being smeared due to the toner adhering to the surface of the transparent pressure drum 6 re-adhering to the recording paper 1.

Next, when the recording paper 1 reaches the static eliminator 10, an AC voltage is applied to the recording paper 1 so that the recording paper 1 is neither positively nor negatively charged, that is, the toner is attached only by surface force or the like.

Next, when the recording paper 1 reaches the first toner collecting means 11, the unheated and unfixed toner, which has been compressed by the pressure roller 8 and is firmly attached to the surface of the recording paper 1, is removed by the cleaning brush 11. swept away,
It is collected in the container 12b either as it is or after being attached to the mag roller 12a.

The recording paper 1 is then sent to the recording paper tray and output to the user.

In the above embodiment, the light irradiation device 7 turns on the semiconductor laser,
Although the light is turned off, a shutter may be used to partially let light pass through. Further, in the above embodiment, the light irradiation device 7 was provided inside the transparent pressure drum 6, but the light irradiation device 7 was provided outside the transparent pressure drum 6 in the axial direction, and the light was applied from the side to the transparent pressure drum 6. It may also be guided inside the drum 6.

Further, the light emitted from the light irradiation device 7 may be visible or invisible as long as it has a wavelength that can heat the toner.

Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.

The drum 13 rotates clockwise, and the recording paper 1 fed from a recording paper supply device (not shown) provided on the upper right side is wound around the drum 13 and conveyed.
The recording paper tray provided on the upper left side is fed to a stand (not shown). A toner supply device 3 along the outer periphery of the drum 13.
Heating device 15° Static eliminator 10. First toner collection means 11
．． A second toner collecting means 12 is provided, and in order to charge the recording paper 1 from the back side, a charger 2 is provided at a predetermined position before the recording paper 1 is wound around the drum 13.

The drum 13 wraps the recording paper 1 around it and serves as a conveying means for the recording paper 1, and is made of metal, plastic, etc., and is a rigid body. The drum 13 serves as a pressure generator that generates pressure on the recording paper 1 between it and a transparent pressure drum 16, which will be described later.

The charger 2 is charged from the back side of the recording paper 1 as in the first embodiment.
It uses DC voltage to cause corona discharge and charge.

As the heating device 15, a transparent pressure drum 16 and a light irradiation device 17 are provided.

The transparent pressure drum 16 is transparent and hollow in the same way as in the first embodiment, and its outer surface is treated to prevent toner from adhering to it, and its outer and inner surfaces are coated. It is coated with an anti-reflection film. The transparent pressure drum 16 is rotatably pressed against the drum 13 by a biasing means such as a spring.

The laser light irradiation bag fif17 is provided outside the transparent pressure drum 16, and has a laser light source 17a and a polygon mirror 17b. The laser light source 17a generates and stops laser light according to the image signal, and the laser light emitted from the laser light source 17a is deflected and scanned in the width direction of the recording paper 1 by the polygon mirror 17b, and the laser light is scanned by the transparent pressure drum 16. A thin layer of toner in the printed area on the recording paper 1 is selectively heated and fixed through the two side walls.

The transparent pressure drum 16 is provided with cleaning means 9 for the pressure drum consisting of a cleaning brush similar to that shown in FIG.

Toner supply means 3. Static eliminator 10. First toner collecting means 11. The second toner collecting means 12 and the like are the same as those in the first embodiment, so their explanation will be omitted.

Recording paper 1 fed from a recording paper supply device is charged by a charger 2, then wound around a drum 13, and toner 4 is supplied and adhered by toner supply means 3.

The recording paper 1 is attached to a drum 13 and a transparent pressure drum 16.
A laser beam is emitted from the light source 17a according to the image signal, is deflected by the polygon mirror 17b, passes through the transparent pressure drum 16, heats and melts the toner, and simultaneously connects the drum 13 and the transparent pressure drum 16. Since they are in pressure contact, the heated and melted toner is forced into close contact with the surface of the recording paper 1 under pressure, and is also pushed into the recording paper 1, thereby performing fixing.

Then, as in the first embodiment, the charge is removed by the charge remover 1o, the toner other than the heat-fixed toner is collected by the toner collection means 11 and 12, and the recording paper tray is sent away from the drum 13 to the stand.

In this embodiment, since the light irradiation device is provided outside the transparent pressure drum 16, it is possible to use a light irradiation device that cannot be accommodated inside the transparent pressure drum 16, and it is also possible to downsize the transparent pressure drum. Become.

Although the transparent pressure drum 16 is hollow in this embodiment, it may be solid.

Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described using FIGS. 3 and 4.

As in the first embodiment, the recording paper 1 formed by laminating fibers is transferred from a recording paper supply device (not shown) provided at the left end position to a charger 2. Toner supply means 3. Between the heating device 35 and the pressure roller 8, a static eliminator 10. First toner collecting means 11. The toner is conveyed along the second toner collecting means 12, and the recording paper receiver provided at the right end position is sent to a stand (not shown).

The heating device 35 includes a heating drum 36 having a Joule heat generating layer 82 on its surface and a light irradiation device 37.

The heating drum 36 rotates clockwise, and its side cross section is the fourth
As shown in the figure, a cylindrical transparent base 81 made of glass or the like
A Joule heat generating layer 82 is formed on top of the joule heat generating layer 82, and the Joule heat generating layer 82 is made of ITO.

One transparent electrode layer 83 made of 5n02 or the like. A photoconductive material layer (photoreceptor layer) 84 made of heat-resistant hydrogenated amorphous silicon (a-Si) or the like and the other electrode layer 85 made of aluminum, chromium, etc. are laminated in this order, and the surface of the electrode layer 85 is A protective layer 86 made of polyimide or the like is coated to prevent the electrode layer 85 from being scratched. A predetermined voltage 87 is applied between opposing electrodes 83 and 85. The hydrogenated amorphous silicon layer of the photoconductive material layer 84 is formed using a method using a vacuum system such as a plasma CVD method, and is heated to a temperature of 20 to
The layer thickness is 30 microns. One transparent electrode layer 83. The other electrode layer 85 and protective layer 86 are both formed to have a thickness of several thousand angstroms. heating drum 3
When the photoconductive material layer 84 is exposed from the inside of the photoconductive material layer 6, the resistance of the exposed portion of the photoconductive material layer 84 decreases, and the voltage 87 is applied.
Electric current flows through that part, generating Joule heat.

The light irradiation device 37 is provided inside the heating drum 36,
A laser beam emitted from a laser source according to an image signal is deflected by a predetermined means in the generatrix direction of the heating drum 36, and the transparent substrate 81. A predetermined position of the photoconductive material layer 84 is exposed through the transparent electrode layer 83. Further, as shown in the third diagram, the exposure position is a predetermined distance before the contact position with the recording paper 1, and the photoconductive material layer 84 is exposed to the light, its resistance is reduced, current flows, and Joule heat is generated. When the heat is generated and reaches the protective layer 86 through the electrode layer 85,
It just comes into contact with recording paper 1. Since the light irradiation device 37 exposes the photoconductive material layer 84 to change its resistance, it does not require a high output as required when heating and melting the toner directly with a laser beam.

The cleaning means 9 for the heating drum is composed of a cleaning brush like the cleaning means 9 for the pressure drum in the first embodiment, and further includes bristles 9b of the cleaning brush.
Container 9C for scraping and collecting toner attached to the
is the provision.

The pressure roller 8 is made of rubber or the like in the same manner as in the first embodiment, has a predetermined elasticity, and is in pressure contact with the heating drum 36, so that the recording paper 1 is moved between the heating drum 36 and the pressure roller 8. This is a pressure generator that generates a predetermined pressure on the recording paper 1 and the supplied toner 4 when it passes between them. The heated drum 36 and pressure roller 8 also act as paper transport means.

Charger 2. Toner supply means 3. Static eliminator 10. Since the toner recovery devices 11 and 12 are the same as those in the first embodiment, their explanation will be omitted.

Next, the effect will be explained.

A recording paper 1 is transported from a recording paper supply device by a predetermined transport means, charged by a charger 2, and formed into a uniform thin layer of toner by a toner supply means 3.

Next, the recording paper 1 is moved while being sandwiched between the heating drum 36 and the pressure roller 8. Then, the light irradiation device 37
Since the photoconductive material layer 84 on the heating drum 36 at a predetermined distance before the contact point with the drum is irradiated with light, this lowers the resistance of that part, current flows, generates Joule heat, and the Joule heat protects the photoconductive material layer 84. The Joule heat is transferred to the layer 86 and transferred to the toner 4.
and when the state is optimal for transmitting to recording paper 1,
This Joule heat generating portion reaches a contact position with the recording paper 1, and the Joule heat is transmitted to the toner 4 and the recording paper 1 in an optimal state, and the toner 4 is heated and melted.

At the same time, since the recording paper 1 and toner 4 are compressed by the pressure roller 8, the heated and melted toner is forced into close contact with the surface of the recording paper 1 under pressure, and is also pushed into the recording paper 1.
Penetration takes place quickly and this results in good fixation.

Toner transferred from the recording paper 1 and attached to the surface of the heating drum 36 is swept away by a cleaning brush 9 and collected in a container 9C, thereby preventing the recording paper 1 from being stained by the toner attached to the surface of the heating drum 36. Note that since a protective layer 86 is provided on the surface of the heating drum 36, the electrode layer 85 is prevented from being scratched during sweeping with the cleaning brush 9.

Then, the static electricity is removed by the static eliminator 10, and the first toner collecting means 1
After the toner other than the toner heat-fixed on the recording paper 1 is collected by the first and second toner collection means 12, the recording paper 1 is sent to the recording paper tray.

In this embodiment, the toner is heated and melted using Joule heat, so that the toner can be sufficiently heated and melted by obtaining a high amount of heat without increasing the size of the device, and the light source is one that exposes the photoconductive material layer 84. Therefore, high output is not required.

Furthermore, since the light irradiation device 37 sequentially exposes the rotating photoconductive material layer 84 to light and heats the toner using Joule heat from the rotating heating drum 36, the recording speed can be increased.

Furthermore, in this embodiment, the light irradiation device 37 is provided inside the heating drum 36, so that when the light irradiation device 37 is provided outside,
Disturbance of the optically written image due to stains on the surface of the heating drum 36 caused by toner or scratches on the surface of the heating drum 36 caused by the cleaning means 9 can be prevented.

In this embodiment, the Joule heat generated in the photoconductive material layer 84 is used, but by providing a resistance layer at a predetermined position between the transparent electrode layer 83 and the other electrode layer 85, the Joule heat generated in this resistance layer can be used. can also be used.

Further, in this embodiment, a laser beam is used as a light source, and since high output power is not required, an LED, an LC shutter, etc. can be used.

Further, the protective layer 86 of the heating drum 36 may be subjected to a treatment such as fluorine coating that makes it difficult for toner to adhere to the protective layer 86 .

Furthermore, although amorphous silicon is used for the photoconductive material layer 84 in this embodiment, it is also possible to use an organic photoreceptor (OPC) or the like.

Next, a fourth embodiment will be described based on FIGS. 5 to 8.

In this embodiment, the opposing electrode of the Joule heat generating layer is arranged in the circumferential direction of the heating drum.

On the transparent cylindrical base 81 of the heating drum 46, a fifth
, 6, counter electrodes 88 and 89 are formed to face the heating drum 46 in the circumferential direction. That is, as shown in the fifth and seventh figures, peripheral parts 88a and 89a formed circumferentially at the end of the cylindrical base body 81, and peripheral parts gg
The needle-like parts 88b and 89b extend from the periphery parts 39a and 89a toward the other peripheral parts 39a and 88a, and the needle-like parts 88b and 89b are arranged alternately at a constant pitch. The distance between the needle-like part 88b and the needle-like part 89b is 20
It is on the order of μm. The counter electrodes 88 and 89 are made of aluminum, chromium, or the like and are formed to a thickness of about 1000 angstroms.

The peripheral edge portion 88a and the peripheral edge portion 89a are connected to voltage applying means.

The photoconductive material layer 90 is made of amorphous silicon or the like.
By a film forming method using a vacuum system such as plasma CVD method,
Laminated layers are formed to a thickness of about 0.1 to 10 μm. The counter electrodes 88 and 89 are arranged in the circumferential direction of the heating drum 46 as described above, and the distance between the needle-shaped parts 88b and 89b of the picture electrode is about 20 μm. There is no risk of this happening and there is no problem. The photoconductive material layer 90 becomes a heat generating portion when a current flows.

The protective layer 91 is made of a material such as polyimide, and
The photoconductive material layer 90 is coated with a thickness of approximately 1 angstrom, thereby preventing the photoconductive material layer 90 from being damaged.

The present embodiment has the above configuration, and the distance from the light irradiation device 37 placed inside the heating drum 46 is 20 to 100 μm.
Light having a diameter of approximately
The resistivity of the exposed area decreases. Between the needle-shaped portions 88b and 89b where the light spot crosses, the photoconductive material layer 90 has a low resistance in the in-plane direction of the heating drum 46, so that the light does not pass through the photoconductive material layer 90. Electric current flows and Joule heat is generated. Then, when the heating drum 46 rotates and reaches a position where it comes into contact with the recording paper 1, the Joule heat is transmitted to the toner 4 and the recording paper 1, and the toner 4 is heated and melted.

In this example, the counter electrode is formed in the circumferential direction of the heating drum, and the photoconductive material layer is formed between the counter electrodes. Therefore, the photoconductive material layer can be made thinner, and therefore the formation time of the photoconductive material layer is shortened. , it becomes possible to reduce costs.

Other arrangements of the counter electrodes are also possible; for example, as shown in FIG. The protective layer 95 may be formed on the protective layer 95.

Next, a fifth embodiment will be explained based on FIG. 9.10.11.

In this embodiment, in a heating drum having a Joule heat generating layer on its surface on which a photoconductive material layer and a counter electrode are formed, at least one of the counter electrodes is divided into a plurality of blocks in the circumferential direction of the heating drum.

On the transparent cylindrical base 81 of the heating drum 56 is a ninth
, 10, one transparent electrode 99 . is used as the Joule heat generating layer 98 . Photoconductive material layer 100, other electrode 8
5. The protective layers 86 are laminated in this order.

The transparent electrode 99 is made of ITO, 5N02, or the like to a thickness of, for example, several thousand angstroms by sputtering, vapor deposition, or the like. The transparent electrode 99 is divided into 10 blocks at equal intervals with a line parallel to the generatrix line as the boundary. A groove 99a of about 10 to 20 μm is formed at the boundary between each block, so that current cannot flow between each block.

The number of blocks is determined by the voltage being applied through the conductive contact piece 101 (described later) while the exposed portion is in contact with the recording paper 1, and when the block is separated from the conductive contact piece 101 and the current supply is stopped. , rotate once, and when exposing for the next recording or heating and melting the toner at the position of contact with the recording paper 1, the Joule heat has fallen to a predetermined temperature, and this Joule heat causes the next It is designed on the basis that records will not be affected. When forming the transparent electrode 99, a partition piece is set up at each groove position to form the groove 99a.
After forming the transparent electrodes 99, the transparent electrodes 99 at each groove position are removed by removing the partition pieces, and after forming the transparent electrodes 99 continuously.
It can be formed by notching 9.

As shown in FIG. 9, the transparent electrode 99 is exposed at the left end position of the heating drum 56, and in the exposed portion, a conductive contact piece 101 formed of a metal spring or the like is located approximately in the same radial direction as the light irradiation device 37. The other electrode 85 is also in elastic contact with a predetermined conductive contact piece (not shown), and these two conductive contact pieces are connected to a power source 87 (see FIG. 11), and the conductive contact piece 101 A voltage is applied only between the transparent electrode block 99 and the other electrode 85 that are in contact with each other.

The photoconductive material layer 100 is obtained by forming, for example, a hydrogenated amorphous silicon (a-5i) layer having excellent heat resistance and mechanical strength by a method using a vacuum system such as a plasma CVD method.

The other electrode 85. The protective layer 86 is the same as that in the third embodiment, so its explanation will be omitted.

The present embodiment is configured as described above, and as shown in FIG. 11, the photoconductive material layer 100 is exposed to light through the transparent electrode 99 by the light irradiation device 37, thereby reducing the resistance of the photoconductive material layer 100. Since the conductive contact piece 101 is in elastic contact with the block of the transparent electrode 99 through which the light has passed, current flows through the photoconductive material layer 100 in the low-resistance portion due to the potential difference between the block electrode 99 and the other electrode 85. flow, generating Joule heat. When the heating drum 56 rotates and reaches a position where it comes into contact with the recording paper 1, Joule heat is transmitted to the toner side, heating and melting the toner, and the pressure roller 8 forcibly presses the toner against the recording paper 1 and fixes it.

Since the photoconductive material layer 100 has a low resistance for a certain period of time after exposure, current flows through the heating drum 5.
As the conductive contact piece 101 moves to the next transparent electrode block by the rotation of 6, voltage is no longer applied to the transparent electrode block in the area where the Joule heat was generated, the current stops, and therefore the generation of Joule heat stops. The part where this Joule heat was generated begins to cool down. Then, when the heating drum 56 rotates and this portion reaches the position where it comes into contact with the recording paper 1 again (since the temperature has dropped to a predetermined temperature, it will not affect the next recording).

In this example, at least one of the opposing electrodes is divided into a plurality of blocks and voltage is applied in a time-division manner, so that the previous thermal latent image does not appear as a ghost during the next recording, improving image quality. Power consumption is low because it is energized only for a predetermined period of time.

In this embodiment, the grooves 99a between the transparent electrode blocks are lines parallel to the generatrix of the Joule heat generating body 98, but they may be twisted, and various other groove line shapes are possible.

Further, in this embodiment, the transparent electrode 99 is divided, but the other electrode 85 may be divided, or both may be divided, and the number of divisions can also take various values depending on the design. Furthermore, various methods of applying voltage in a time-division manner can be considered other than bringing conductive contact pieces into contact.

Further, in this embodiment, the counter electrode is arranged in the radial direction of the heating drum 56, but it is also applicable to a case where the counter electrode is arranged in the circumferential direction of the heating drum as in the fourth embodiment.

Next, a sixth embodiment will be explained based on FIGS. 12 to 18.

This example is a heating drum having a Joule heat generating layer on its surface on which a photoconductive material layer and a counter electrode are formed, in which the photoconductive material layer is divided by a high-resistance layer.

First, a case will be described in which amorphous silicon is used as the photoconductive material layer and the high resistance layer is formed by ultraviolet irradiation.

On the transparent cylindrical base 81 of the heating drum 66 is a first
2, as the Joule heat generating layer 102, one transparent electrode 83. A photoconductive material layer 103 and the other transparent electrode 104 are laminated in this order.

One transparent electrode 83 is a photoconductive material layer 103 made of ITO, tin oxide, etc., laminated to a thickness of several thousand angstroms.
is hydrogenated amorphous silicon with a thickness of several μm to several tens of μm.
It is laminated to a thickness of .

A lattice-shaped high resistance layer 103a is formed on the photoconductive material layer 103 over the entire height in the vertical direction in FIG.

Photoconductive material layer 10 partitioned by this high resistance layer 103a
The length of one side of 3 is approximately several tens to 100 μm. The high resistance layer 103a is made of 5taebler as described later.
- Formed using the Wronski effect.

The other transparent electrode 104, like the transparent one electrode 83, is made by laminating ITO, tin oxide, etc. to a thickness of several thousand angstroms.

Next, a method for forming the Joule heat generating layer will be explained.

As shown in FIG. 13, one transparent electrode 83 is formed on the photoconductive material layer 103 by a method such as sputtering or vapor deposition on the substrate 81.
The other transparent electrode 104 is sequentially laminated using a method such as sputtering or vapor deposition.

Next, a photomask 106 shown in FIG. 14 is prepared. The photomask 106 has the width and length of the other transparent electrode 104, and has a transparent portion 106a so that ultraviolet rays can pass through the portion that will become the high resistance layer, and a transparent portion 106b that allows ultraviolet rays to pass through the other portion 106b. Predetermined processing has been performed to prevent passage.

Then, as shown in Figure 14, the photomask 106 is wrapped around the surface of the other transparent electrode 104, and the photomask 106 is
UV light 107 is used from above 06 to irradiate ultraviolet light for several hours. Then, the transparent part 106a and the other transparent electrode 10
The ultraviolet rays pass through 4 and irradiate the leading electric material layer 103, and that portion becomes highly resistive due to the Taebler-Wronski effect. After the ultraviolet irradiation is completed, the photomask 106 is removed to complete the heating drum 66 shown in FIG. 12, which has the photoconductive material layer 103 partitioned by the grid-like high-resistance layer 103a. By partially irradiating the hydrogenated amorphous silicon of the photoconductive material layer 103 with ultraviolet rays,
Since the high resistance layer is formed, it is possible to form the high resistance layer very easily.

Therefore, when the heating drum 66 is irradiated with light by the light irradiation device 37 through the transparent cylindrical base 81, the photoconductive material layer 103 is exposed, but even if the light has a certain spread with respect to the original diameter, The portion larger than the original diameter corresponds to the high resistance layer 103a and the photoconductive material layer 10
The part of the original light that does not contribute to the lowering of the resistance of No. 3 and that irradiates parts other than the high-resistance layer 103a is absorbed and then diffuses and scatters within the photoconductive material layer 103. 1
It is blocked by 03a and cannot spread.

Therefore, a current flows through the part where the original light part is absorbed and the resistance is lowered, and Joule heat is generated in that part. Therefore, the thermal latent image is good without bleeding, and when the toner is heated and melted and fixed using this thermal latent image, recording with excellent image quality is performed.

Next, a case where the high resistance layer is formed from a patterned photosensitive resin layer will be described.

As shown in FIG. 15, a Joule heat generating layer 108 is provided on the surface of the transparent cylindrical base 81 of the heating tram 661, and one transparent electrode 83. A photosensitive resin layer 109 (see FIG. 17), a photoconductive material layer 110°, and the other electrode 85 are laminated in this order.

One transparent electrode 83 is made of a photosensitive resin layer 10 made of ITO, tin oxide, etc., laminated to a thickness of several thousand angstroms.
Reference numeral 9 is a layer made of photosensitive polyimide or the like patterned into a lattice pattern to a thickness of several micrometers, and serves as a high resistance layer. The length of one side of each block partitioned by the photosensitive resin layer 109 is approximately several tens to 100 μm. This forming method is as shown in FIG.
are laminated by a method such as dipping, and as shown in FIG. 17, patterning is performed by a method such as exposure and development.

As shown in FIG.
ductor) etc.

The photoconductive material layer 110 is filled and laminated to a thickness of several micrometers to several tens of micrometers by a method such as printing, and the height of the photoconductive material layer 110 is higher than the height of the photosensitive resin layer 109, and the upper surface of the photosensitive resin layer 109 is covered. are doing.

The other electrode layer 85 is a layered layer of aluminum, chromium, and the like.

When the heating drum 661 is irradiated with light by the light irradiation device 37 through the transparent cylindrical base 81, the photoconductive material layer 11
0 is exposed, but even if the light has a certain spread relative to the original diameter, the part larger than the original diameter is
It corresponds to the high resistance layer 109 and does not contribute to lowering the resistance of the photoconductive material layer 110. Note that the original portion of the light that irradiates areas other than the high-resistance layer 103a is absorbed and then diffused and scattered within the photoconductive material layer 110, and since the high-resistance layer 109 is not present in the upper layer, the light is absorbed. It spreads over the area and lowers the resistance of that area. However, since the current cannot flow through the part where the photosensitive resin layer 109 is patterned, the patterned photosensitive resin layer 109
Even if there is a low-resistance part above it, it will not be affected,
The current flows through a portion within each block divided by the photosensitive resin layer 109, and a good thermal latent image without bleeding is obtained.

Since the patterned photosensitive resin layer 109 has high mechanical strength, high durability can be obtained even when a material with relatively low mechanical strength such as OPC is used for the photoconductive material layer 110.

As mentioned above, if a high resistance layer exists in a portion of the total height of the photoconductive material layer, no current can flow through that portion. Therefore, the portion of the high-resistance layer that is divided may be only the upper portion of the total height of the photoconductive material layer, or may be provided in the middle portion with a predetermined vertical width.

In addition, as another case of the partitioned high-resistance layer of this example,
Using a plate with a high-resistance layer formed as a recess, high-resistance ink is filled into the recess, the ink is printed on an electrode layer, and a photoconductive material layer is filled and laminated on top of the ink. But that's fine.

Further, although a protective layer was not provided in this embodiment, the electrode 104
．． A protective layer such as polyimide may be provided on top of the layer 85.

Furthermore, in this embodiment, the counter electrode is the heating drum 66°661
However, it is also applicable to a case where the counter electrode is arranged in the circumferential direction of the heating drum as in the fourth embodiment.

In the third to sixth embodiments (Figures 3 to 18), the light irradiation device f37 was provided inside the heating drum, but the light irradiation device was provided outside the heating drum and exposed from the outside of the heating drum. It's okay.

Next, a seventh embodiment will be explained based on FIG. 19.

The recording paper 1 formed by laminating fibers is transferred from a recording paper supply device (not shown) provided at the left end position to a charger 2. Toner supply means 3. Heating device 75
and pressure roller 78.

Defrost device 10. First toner collecting means 11. The toner is conveyed along the second toner collecting means 12, and the recording paper receiver provided at the right end position is sent to a stand (not shown).

Charger 2. Toner supply means 3. Static eliminator 10. First toner collecting means 11. The second toner collecting means 12 is the same as that in the first embodiment, so a description thereof will be omitted.

The heating device 75 uses a thermal head, and the recording paper 1
It is provided in contact with the side to which the toner is supplied and does not adhere. The thermal head 75 is configured such that heating elements constituting one recording dot are arranged in a direction perpendicular to the conveying direction of the recording paper 1.

The pressure roller 78 is provided opposite the thermal head 75 on the side of the recording paper 1 to which toner is supplied and adhered, and is a rigid body made of metal, plastic, etc., and is attached to the thermal head side with a spring or the like (not shown). Recording paper 1 held in place
It serves as a pressure generator that generates a predetermined compressive force between the thermal head 75 and the thermal head 75. Further, the surface of the pressure roller 78 is treated with a fluorine coating or the like to prevent toner from adhering.

The pressure roller 78 is provided with a cleaning blade (or cleaning pad) 79 as a cleaning means. The cleaning blade 79 is a pressure roller 78
Scrape off the toner that has adhered to the surface.

The present embodiment is constructed as described above, and the recording paper 1, on which toner is evenly supplied and adhered via the charger 2 and the toner supply means 3, passes between the thermal head 75 and the pressure roller 78, and is converted into an image signal. In response, a predetermined heating element of the thermal head 75 heats up, and the heat is transmitted to the toner, heating and melting the toner.

At the same time, a compressive force is generated between the recording paper 1 and the toner 4, so the toner is forced to adhere to the surface of the recording paper 1 under pressure.
It is also pushed into the recording paper 1, thereby performing fixing.

On the other hand, the toner adhering to the surface of the pressure roller 78 is swept away by a cleaning blade 79, thereby preventing staining of the recording paper 1 due to the toner on the pressure roller re-adhering to the recording paper 1. Further, when the recording paper 1 is not present, the thermal head 75 and the pressure roller 78 are in contact with each other, but the thermal head 75 is prevented from being stained by the toner on the pressure roller 78 at this time.

Thereafter, the recording paper 1 is neutralized by the static eliminator 10, toner other than the heat-fixed toner is collected by the first toner collection means 11 and the second toner collection means 12, and the recording paper receiver is sent to the stand. .

Since this embodiment uses a thermal head, there is no need for an optical path, etc., which is required when using a laser beam, so the heating device can be made simple and compact, and the recording device can be downsized.

In this embodiment, if the pressure roller 78 is a heat roller having a predetermined temperature at which the toner does not melt,
It is possible to provide the pressure roller 78 with a bias heating effect to help heat the thermal head 75.

In the present invention, the recording medium (recording paper) may be formed by laminating fibers or may be formed by a method that does not overlap fibers.

The present invention can be used in various devices such as word processors, printers such as personal computers, copying machines, and facsimile machines.

[Effects] Since the present invention is provided with a toner pressurizing means for forcibly pushing the toner heated and melted by the heating device into the recording medium,
It becomes possible to sufficiently fix the heated and melted toner on the recording medium, and therefore the toner collecting means I and the heated and melted toner are collected, and the toner is not supplied and attached to the next recording medium again. Further, since the heated and melted toner is sufficiently fixed on the recording medium, even if the collecting force of the toner collecting means is increased, the fixed toner will not be stripped off. With these, it is possible to maintain high quality of recorded images.

Furthermore, since the heated and melted toner is forced into contact with the recording medium and forced into it, it is possible to increase the recording speed.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

Fig. 1 is a block diagram of the first embodiment of the present invention, Fig. 2 is a block diagram of the second embodiment, Fig. 3 is a block diagram of the third embodiment, and Fig. 4 is a diagram of the heating drum of Fig. 3. 5 to 8 are partial cross-sectional configuration diagrams, FIG. 5 is a plan configuration diagram showing a part of the Joule heat generation layer developed, and FIG. 6 is a diagram showing the Joule heat generation layer in FIG. 5. 7 is an external perspective view of the heating drum showing the external appearance of the electrode arrangement shown in FIG. 5; FIG. 8 is a radial partial sectional view of the Joule heat generating layer showing another example of the electrode arrangement; Figures 9 to 11 show the fifth embodiment, Figure 9 is an external perspective view of the heating drum, Figure 10 is a circumferential partial sectional view of the heating drum, and Figure 11 is the generation of Joule heat in Figure 10. Figures 12 to 18 show the sixth embodiment, and Figure 12 is a perspective view of a part of the heating drum showing the case where amorphous silicon is irradiated with ultraviolet rays to partition a high-resistance layer. 13 and 14 are explanatory diagrams showing the process of dividing the high-resistance layer in this case, and FIG. 15 is a diagram of the heating drum showing the case where the high-resistance layer is formed of a patterned photosensitive resin layer. A partially taken out perspective view, FIGS. 16 to 18 are explanatory diagrams showing the process of forming the high resistance layer and the process of laminating the Joule heat generating layer in this case, and FIG. 19 is a configuration diagram of the seventh embodiment. It is. 1. - Recording medium, 3. Toner supply means, 4. - Toner 5.15.35... Heating device, 6.16. - Transparent pressure drum, 7.17.37... Light irradiation device, 8 .13.78. Toner pressurizing means (pressure generator), 11.12... Toner collecting means, 36.46.56.66.661. - Heating drum, 75... Heating device (thermal head) 81・・Cylindrical transparent substrate, 82 96.97.98, 102, 108... Joule heat generating layer, 83.85.8g, 89,93.94,99°104,
・Counter electrode, 84.90, 92, 100, 103, 110-・Photoconductive material layer, 103a, 109・ψ・High resistance layer. Figure 1 and above

Claims (11)

[Claims] (1) a toner supply means for supplying toner to a recording medium; a heating device for selectively heating and melting the toner supplied to the recording medium and fixing the toner; What is claimed is: 1. A recording apparatus comprising: a toner pressurizing means for forcibly contacting or pushing the toner; and a toner collecting means for collecting toner other than the toner heat-fixed onto the recording medium. (2) In claim 1, the heating device is provided on the side of the recording medium to which toner is supplied and adhered, and the toner pressurizing means is provided on the side of the recording medium to which toner is not supplied and adhered; A recording device characterized in that it is a pressure generator that generates pressure between it and the heating device. (3) In claim 2, the heating device comprises a transparent pressure drum, and the heating device is provided inside the transparent pressure drum and extends to the outside of the transparent pressure drum, or to the outside of the transparent pressure drum. 1. A recording apparatus comprising: a light irradiation device which irradiates light onto the toner supplied and adhered to the recording medium through the transparent pressure drum and heats and fixes the toner. (4) In claim 2, the heating device includes a heating drum having a Joule heat generating layer on its surface, on which a photoconductive material layer and a counter electrode are formed, and irradiating the Joule heat generating layer with light according to an image signal. a light irradiation device, the resistivity of the photoconductive material layer is lowered by light irradiation, a current is passed between the opposing electrodes, and the Joule heat generated by this current heats the toner supplied and adhered to the recording medium. A recording device characterized by: (5) In claim 4, the Joule heat generating layer is arranged in a radial direction of the heating drum.
A recording device comprising a counter electrode layer and a photoconductive material layer stacked therebetween. (6) The recording device according to claim 4, wherein the Joule heat generation layer has a counter electrode formed in the circumferential direction of the heating drum, and a photoconductive material layer formed between the counter electrodes. (7) Claims 4 to 6 are characterized in that the heating drum has the Joule heat generating layer formed on a cylindrical transparent base, and the light irradiation device is provided within the heating drum. recording device. (8) In claims 4 to 7, at least one of the opposing electrodes is divided into a plurality of blocks in the circumferential direction of the heating drum, and a voltage is applied to the plurality of blocks in a time-sharing manner. A recording device characterized by: (9) A recording device according to any one of claims 4 to 8, wherein the photoconductive material layer is divided by a high resistance layer. (10) In claim 9, The photoconductive material layer is formed of amorphous silicon, The above high resistance layer is formed by ultraviolet irradiation. A recording device characterized by: (11) In claim 1, the heating device is a thermal head provided on the side of the recording medium to which toner is not supplied and adhered, and the toner pressurizing means is provided on the side of the recording medium to which toner is supplied and adhered. 1. A recording device characterized in that the recording device is a pressure generator that is installed in a heating device and generates pressure between the heating device and the heating device.