JPH049056A - Image forming device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To obtain an image of stable quality by adjusting color of a color image by controlling a multiple number of filters of differing hues according to temperature inside a heat fixing means. CONSTITUTION:A latent image is formed on a photosensitive recording medium 12, after this latent image is visualized on a recording sheet 28 as the color image, the recording sheet 28 is heated by the heat fixing means 32 and the image is fixed. Then, the photosensitive recording medium 12 is irradiated with beam through the multiple number of filters 6 of differing hues, and the color of the color image is adjusted by controlling the filter 6 according to the temperature inside the heat fixing means 32. Thus, even when the temperature inside the heat fixing means 32 is varied, the image is not influenced by it, and the image of the stable quality can be obtained.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention [Field of Industrial Application] The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus, and more particularly, to a method for adjusting the amount of exposure and the amount of filter insertion according to the temperature in a heat fixing device equipped with the image forming apparatus. It's about control.

U. Prior Art] Conventionally, a photosensitive pressure-sensitive recording medium having a surface coated with photocurable microcapsules containing a chromogenic dye is known, for example, from US Pat. No. 4,399,209. Although a detailed explanation will not be given here, this type of photosensitive and pressure sensitive recording medium is such that, for example, light from a light source irradiated onto an image is reflected by the image, and a latent image of the image is formed by exposure with the reflected light. After being superimposed on the recording sheet, the uncured microcapsules are crushed to form an image on the recording sheet. Thereafter, the image on the recording sheet "2" is fixed by a heat fixing means, and has the characteristic that a good image resembling a photograph can be obtained.

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention] However, the gradation of the image on the recording sheet differs depending on the temperature within the heat fixing means.

For this reason, the image on the second recording sheet has a problem in that it is difficult to obtain an image of stable quality if the temperature during heat fixing changes.

The present invention was made in order to solve the above-mentioned problems, and the image on the recording sheet "2" is not affected by changes in the temperature inside the heat fixing means, and the image is of stable quality. The object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus that can be obtained.

Means for Solving the First Problem] In order to solve the two problems, the image forming apparatus of the present invention forms a latent image on a photosensitive recording medium, and manifests the latent image as a color image on a recording sheet. The recording sheet is then heated by a heat fixing means to fix the image, and includes an exposure means for irradiating light onto the photosensitive recording medium through a plurality of filters having different hues, and the heat fixing means. and a control means that controls the filter according to the temperature inside the heat fixing means to adjust the color of the color image.

Further, it is desirable to control the amount of light from the exposure means depending on the temperature within the heat fixing means.

[Function] The image forming apparatus of the present invention controls the filter to adjust the color of the color image according to the temperature within the heat fixing means controlled by the temperature control means, and further adjusts the light amount according to the controlled temperature. control.

"Example] DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The present invention will be described below with reference to embodiments embodying the present invention.

FIG. 1 shows a light- and pressure-sensitive copying machine to which the exposure control of the present invention is applied.

In the photosensitive and pressure sensitive copying machine 1 of this embodiment, as shown in FIG.
A photosensitive paper consisting of a color developer paper 28 and a color developer paper 28 is used.

Note that the microcapsule paper 12 used in this example
The surface of the support is coated with microcapsules, and the microcapsules contain dye precursors and the like that react with the color developer described below. A color developer is coated on the surface of the support of the color developer paper 28 and develops color by reacting with a dye precursor.
It is described in the specification of No. 9, etc., and is omitted here.

At the top of the copying machine 1, there is a document table glass 2 and a document table cover 3.
A desired document 4 is placed face down on the document table glass 2, and then the document table cover 3 is closed. Below the document table glass 2, a light source section 5, which is an exposure means, includes a halogen lamp 5a, a reflector 5b, a reflective mirror 8, etc.
is disposed so as to be able to reciprocate along a shaft 13 extending parallel to the document table glass 2. The light source section 5 irradiates light onto the document table glass 2 in a line in a direction perpendicular to the movement direction. The irradiated light passes through the transparent document platen glass 2 and is reflected downward by the document 4 placed thereon.

Below the document table glass 2 is a reflective mirror 9a.

A mirror portion 9 including a mirror portion 9b is movably disposed separately from the light source portion 5, and the light reflected from the original document 4 is reflected by the reflecting mirror 8.
．． The light beams 9a and 9b are reflected in this order and guided in parallel to the moving direction of the light source section 5.

A projection lens 7, which is normally fixed, and a filter 6, which will be described later, are arranged below the document table glass 2 to adjust the color tone of the copied image, and the light reflected by the reflection mirror 9b passes through the projection lens. 7. The light emitted from the lens 7 is reflected by reflection mirror groups 10a and 10b.

Microcapsule paper 12 is placed below the reflective mirror 10b.
An exposure table 11 for exposing the light is provided, and a reflecting mirror 1
A reflecting mirror 10c for switching the optical path is disposed between 0b and the exposure table 11.

Image information on the document 4 is formed on the microcapsule paper arranged along the exposure table 11. A sub-exposure unit 80, which will be described later, is provided below the exposure table 11 to expose the microcapsule paper 12 after main exposure.

Further, the reflecting mirrors 10a and 10b are normally fixed, but are set when enlarging or reducing the size of the latent image formed on the microcapsule paper 12, and change the optical path length according to a change in the projection magnification 13. Therefore, the structure is such that the support 13 can be moved integrally in the axial direction.

A cartridge 15 is disposed in the center of the copying machine 1, and a long microcapsule paper 12 is wound around a cartridge shaft 14 and stored in the cartridge 15, which can be removed from the main body of the apparatus and used for DJing. ing. Cartridge 15
is set at a predetermined position within the main body of the apparatus, the leading end of the microcapsule paper 12 is pulled out toward the exposure table 11. A feed roller 19 and a dancer roller 21 for tension adjustment are provided below the exposure table 11. To the right of the dancer roller 21, a pressure developing device 22 including a large diameter pressure roller 22a, a small diameter pressure roller 22b and a back up roller 22c is disposed. As will be described later, a separation roller 23 is disposed to separate the microcapsule paper 12 and color developer paper 28 that are in close contact with each other, and the microcapsule paper 12 is inserted between the separation roller 23 and the cartridge 15.
A winding shaft 24 for holding is provided.

The microcapsule paper 12 ejected from one part of the cartridge 15 is guided by a tension roller 19 to the exposure stage 1.
After passing above the dancer roller 2]-9, the film passes through a pressure developing device 22, is further guided to a separation roller 23, and is then wound onto a winding shaft 24. Furthermore, cartridge 1
The unexposed microcapsule paper 12 after leaving the microcapsule paper 5 is maintained in an unexposed state by a light-shielding cover. Pressure developing device 2
2, there is a paper feed cassette 29 containing developer paper 28.
is installed. A suction cup type paper feeding mechanism 30 that sucks the paper using negative pressure suction is disposed on one side of the paper feeding cassette 29, and the developing paper 28 is taken out one by one by the paper feeding mechanism 30. Between the paper feeding mechanism 30 and the pressure developing device 22, a feed guide 3], a feed roller 31. a, 31b
, 31c are arranged, and the color developing paper 28 is fed by the feed roller 3.
1a, 31. b.

31, c, and is conveyed by a feed guide 31d and carried into the pressure developing device 22.

On the right side of the pressure developing device 22, a heat fixing device 32, which is a heat fixing means, is arranged.
A conveyor belt 32c1 stretched between the paper ejecting roller 32b and the conveyor belt 32c1 is provided with a temperature sensor 32d that detects the temperature. A paper discharge tray 33 is provided for storing a heat roller 32a. A deodorizing filter 37 for removing the odor of gas generated during heat fixing and a deodorizing fan 38 for guiding the gas to the deodorizing filter 37 are disposed above the heat fixing device 32.

The copying machine 1 also has an autoloading function that automatically sets the microcapsule paper 12 on a predetermined transport path within the apparatus.

This will stick to the tip of the microcapsule paper 12]
This function automatically pulls out the leader film portion into the device, transports it inside the device, and winds it onto the winding member 24. As a result, the microcapsule paper 12 following the leader film portion is also wound up on the winding shaft 24, and the process of being rolled into the apparatus is completed.

For this automatic loading, a half-moon roller 17 is provided between the roller 19 and the cartridge 15 for pulling out the leader film portion, and a separation slide 27 is rotatable for guiding it to the take-up shaft 24. Tori (1)
It is being taken. Around the winding shaft 24, a mantle guide 25 and a manure guide shutter 26 are arranged for winding the leader film.

Next, the operation of this copying machine will be explained.

When the cartridge 15 is set in the copying machine 1, autoloading is started. The half-moon roller 17 is O1-
Only at the start of loading, it rotates once to several times in the conveyance direction and feeds out the leader film section "-8" to the roller 20. Thereafter, the conveyance is stopped, and subsequent conveyance is performed by driving the rollers 20.

Makitori guide sea urchin 25. When the automatic loading is completed, the mantle guide shutter 26 and the separation chute 27 are rotated to the position shown by the - dotted chain line, and the leader film section 18 attached to the tip of the microcapsule paper 12 is wound around the winding shaft 24. Makitori guide sea urchin 25. The machining guide seat 261 separation chute 27 returns to the position shown by the solid line and copying is possible.

When the copy start key is operated, the exposure control circuit corrects the color development characteristics due to the difference in heat fixing temperature stored in advance, depending on whether the mode required for the image at that time is gloss mode or non-glossy mode. As in, halogen lamp 5
The amount of light a and the amount of insertion of the filter 6 are controlled.

The above reflecting mirror 8. The light source section 5 is made of microcapsule paper 12
If the conveyance speed is V and the projection magnification is m, then the moving speed V
/ m, and the reflecting mirrors 9a and 9b move at a moving speed of V
/ Move at 2 m. Since the conveyance speed of the microcapsule paper 12 is synchronized with the movement speed of the mirror groups 8.9a and 9b as described above, the microcapsule paper 12 has a predetermined line of latent data on the original 4 as it passes through the exposure table 11. Images are formed sequentially.

Note that the predetermined speed ratio in Section 2 is predetermined based on the setting of the magnification.

The microcapsule paper 12 on which the latent image has been formed is transported,
The topmost color developing paper 28 of the paper feed cassette 29 is fed to the paper feed mechanism 30.
, conveyed by feed rollers 31a, 31b, 310, etc.

The pressure developing device 22 is supplied with the microcapsule paper 12 and the color developer paper 28 in close contact with each other and integrated, and the microcapsule surface on which the latent image of the microcapsule paper 12 is formed and the color developer of the color developer paper 28 are supplied. With the agent-applied surface in contact with the inside, the roller is sandwiched between the large-diameter pressure roller 22a and the small-diameter pressure roller 22b, and pressure is applied. This pressure destroys the unexposed microcapsule paper, and the developer paper 28''
Second, an image is formed.

After the microcapsule paper 12 and the color developer paper 28 from which the pressure developing device 22 has come out are separated by a separation roller 23, the color development of the color developer paper 28 is promoted by the heat fixing device 32 and an image is formed. The paper is carried out to the paper discharge tray 33 by the paper discharge roller 32b. Note that the separated microcapsule paper 12 is wound up on a winding shaft 24 via a separation roller 23e.

Next, the configuration of the filter 6 will be described in detail with reference to FIG. Inside the filter 6, there are optical filters 61, 62, .
A total of three movable filters 64, 65, and 66 each having a movable filter 63 on its tip side are arranged at predetermined intervals in the unidirectional direction. In this example, the color of the upper optical filter 61 is yellow, and the color of the middle optical filter 6
The color of the second optical filter is magenta, and the color of the lower optical filter 63 is cyan. And each optical filter 61, 6
By interposing 2.63 singly or in combination in the optical path, the color tone of the light emitted from the radiation surface area 32 is changed.

Each movable filter 64, 65, 66 is supported so as to be able to reciprocate by a guide frame (not shown), and the position where each optical filter 61, 62, 63 completely opens the optical path, .62 and 63 can reciprocate between a position where the optical path is completely blocked. or,
On the two sides of the proximal end of each movable filter 64, 65, 66,
The filters 61 to 63 are each formed with a rack extending in the same reciprocating direction. Furthermore, each movable filter 64°6
5.66, each movable filter 64
Step motors 7172.73 are arranged near 65.66, and each step motor 71, 72.73
A pinion attached to the output shaft of each movable filter 64,
65. It is drive connected to a rack of 66. Each step motor 71, 72, 73 is electrically connected to a filter control circuit 106, which will be described later.
It is configured to rotate a predetermined amount based on the signal 06. Therefore, by driving each step motor 7172.73, each movable filter 6465.66 is reciprocated, and the optical path is blocked by intervening optical filters 61, 62.63. Moreover, each step motor 71, 72 .
By adjusting the driving amount of 73, each movable filter 6
4, 65, and 66 are adjusted, and the shielding positions of the optical filters 61, 62, and 63 are adjusted.

Next, with reference to FIG. 3, a configuration example and a control example of the sub-exposure unisos 1 to 80 will be described.

FIG. 3 shows an example of the configuration where >J=l~. The sub-exposure unit 80 includes a light emitting section 81, a filter section 83, and a diffusion plate 85. The light emitting unit 81 includes a reflector (=j) a halogen lamp 87 for light source, and a halogen lamp 8
The lamp control circuit 89 controls the lighting of the lamp 7 and the amount of light.

The filter section 83 includes a plurality of filters 91 .
, a, 91b, and 91c, and can insert any 18 or more filters between the halogen lamp 87 and the diffusion plate 85, and an actuator drive circuit 95 therefor. Filters 91a, 91b, and 91c have the same configuration as filter 6 described above, and filters 91. The color of a is yellow,
The color of the filter 91b is magenta, and the color of the filter 91c is magenta.
The color is cyan.

The diffusion plate 85 diffuses the colored light so that the colored light transmitted through the filter 91 is evenly irradiated onto the microcapsule paper 1-2.

The lamp control circuit 89 and the actuator drive circuit 95 operate based on instructions from the sub-exposure light source control circuit 108.

FIG. 4 shows a block diagram showing the electrical configuration of this embodiment.

CPU (central processing 2 nits) 10
3 includes a heat fixing control circuit 10 that controls the heat fixing device 32.
1, a key panel 109 equipped with a scoot key for instructing copy start, a control key for manually inputting each filter/exposure setting, etc., and a key panel 109 for inserting each filter corresponding to high/low temperature. A memory 102 that stores the exposure amount of each light source, a halogen lamp control circuit 104, a sub-exposure light source control circuit 108, and a filter control circuit 106 are connected. These constitute the aforementioned exposure control circuit. Further, a halogen lamp control circuit 104 is connected to the halogen lamp 5a, and controls the exposure amount of the halogen lamp 5a. Further, the sub-exposure light source control circuit 108 is connected to the sub-exposure unit 80. A filter control circuit 106 is connected to the filter 6 and controls the insertion of each filter j-i1j. Further, a temperature sensor 32d provided in the heat fixing device 32 is connected to the heat fixing control circuit]-01, and detects the temperature when heat fixing the recording sheet.

Hereinafter, the exposure control operation of this embodiment will be explained in detail with reference to FIG.

The gloss switch of key panel 1.09 J=, which is operated by the sound used, sends a signal of either gloss mode or non-glossy mode to the heat fixing control circuit 01 by toggle operation. The heat fixing control circuit 101 controls the heater 32e depending on which of the two modes is used to heat fix the recording sheet.
When in the non-glossy mode, the heat fixing temperature is controlled to be approximately 1-50° C.; however, when the user desires the glossy mode, by pressing the gloss switch, the heat fixing control circuit 101 The heat fixing temperature is controlled to be about 170'C. The heat fixing temperature is set by the temperature sensor 32d detecting the temperature and feeding it back to the heater 32e. The heat fixing temperature set at this time is input as temperature data to the CI (CI) U 103, and the CPU 103 determines the optimum light intensity of the halogen lamp 5a and the filter 6 based on the color development characteristics due to the difference in heat fixing temperature stored in the memory 102 in advance. Decide on color balance and sub-exposure.

The determined data is sent to the halogen lamp control circuit 1.
04 to the halogen lamp drive circuit 105, the filter control circuit 106 to the filter drive circuit 107, and the sub-exposure light source control circuit 1-08 to the sub-exposure unit 80. Color balance by 6 and light % of sub-exposure unit 8o
exposed to light.

For example, if the temperature during heat fixing is high, the density of the image on the recording sheet will be high. So, exposure! CP, U 103 or halogen lamp control circuit 1 to increase j1:
04 to control the halogen lamp 5a.

Furthermore, if the temperature during heat fixing is high, the output image tends to become yellowish. Therefore, the amount of yellow filters inserted is reduced. Furthermore, as the amount of exposure increases, the color temperature of the halogen lamp 5a increases, so the proportion of blue increases compared to green, and the proportion of red decreases compared to green. Therefore, the amount of yellow filters to be inserted is increased and the amount of cyan filters to be inserted is decreased. Further, when the temperature during heat fixing is lowered and the exposure amount is decreased, the above-mentioned control is reversed.

Further, when the gradation changes depending on the temperature during thermal fixing, the CPU 10.3 causes the sub-exposure light source control circuit 108 to control the sub-exposure unit 80 to control the gradation.

The present invention is not limited to the embodiments detailed above,
Various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention.

For example, the memory 102 may store in advance the optimal amount of filter insertion and light amount in accordance with the temperature detected by the temperature sensor 32d, and the amount of filter insertion and light amount of the light source to obtain the user's preferred color tone. Alternatively, the information may be entered manually using the control keys on the key panel 109.

In addition, the amount of insertion of each of the filters 61 to 63, the amount of exposure of the halogen lamp 5a, and the amount of insertion of the filter 91 of the sub-exposure unit 80 are determined in advance so as to be able to correct the influence of the temperature inside the heat fixing device 32 on the sensitivity of one gradation. , the sub-exposure amount of the halogen lamp 87 is measured for each temperature, and the value is stored in the memory 102 in correspondence with each temperature. Then, the insertion amount and exposure amount of each filter corresponding to the temperature detected by the temperature sensor 32d may be read from the memory 102, and each filter light source may be controlled to correct the influence of temperature during thermal fixing.

Further, in this embodiment, the hue is controlled by controlling the amount of filter insertion, but a light source may be provided for each filter, and the hue may be controlled by controlling the amount of light from the light source.

[Effects of the Invention] As is clear from the detailed description above, according to the present invention, the image on the recording sheet is not affected by changes in the temperature within the heat fixing means and has stable quality. This has a significant effect on the industry in that it is possible to provide an image forming apparatus that can obtain images of approximately 100%.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

1 to 4 show an embodiment embodying the present invention. FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of the entire apparatus, FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a filter, and FIG. 3 is a sub-exposure unit. FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the electrical configuration. In the figure, 5a is a halogen lamp, 6 is a filter, 12 is microcapsule paper, 32 is a heat fixing device, 32d is a temperature sensor, 80 is a sub-exposure unit, 101 is a heat fixing control circuit, and 103 is a CPU.

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claims] 1. An image in which a latent image is formed on a photosensitive recording medium, the latent image is manifested as a color image on a recording sheet, and then the recording sheet is heated by a heat fixing means to fix the image. In the forming apparatus, an exposure means for irradiating light onto the photosensitive recording medium through a plurality of filters having different hues, a temperature control means for controlling the temperature in the heat fixing means, and a temperature control means for controlling the temperature in the heat fixing means. an image forming apparatus comprising: a control means for adjusting the color of a color image by controlling the filter according to the color image forming apparatus. 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the amount of light from the exposure means is controlled depending on the temperature within the heat fixing means.