JPH07276701A - Image recorder - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To obtain a recorded image wherein an outline of a plotted dot to be recorded becomes smooth by providing a reducing optical means wherein a laser beam inputted from an output means is transmitted, and the laser beam outputted from an output end part by the transmission is converged into a recording medium. CONSTITUTION:A plurality of LD arrays 6 are provided so that a plurality of pixels can be simultaneously recorded with an LD package, and a laser beam is transmitted to an optical fiber 9 from the LD array 6. The transmitted laser beam is converged into a recording medium via a reducing optical system 12 wherein each output end part of the optical fiber 9 held with an optical fiber holder 10 is moved at uniform intervals in a sub scan direction, and the interval of the laser beam from a micro lense array is narrowed thereby, and recorded. A recorded image wherein an outline of a plotted dot to be recorded becomes smooth, can be obtained thereby.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a recording medium, and more particularly to an image recording apparatus for recording on a recording medium such as a sublimable film or a heat-melting film with a laser beam.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In a conventional image recording apparatus using a laser, laser light output from a single laser diode (hereinafter referred to as LD) is used as a recording medium (for example, mounted on a drum surface) using an optical fiber, a lens or the like. A laser beam spot for recording was formed by condensing on a film or the like). Then, the recording medium is scanned with the laser beam spot, and the output of the LD is controlled according to the image signal to perform recording on the recording medium.

[0003]

However, since the laser light output from the optical fiber in the image recording apparatus using the conventional laser is circular, the laser light shown in FIGS. 9 (a), 9 (b) and 10 (a) ) And the contour of the image formed as shown in FIG. 10B had irregularities. Figure 9
When the resolution is high as shown in (a), the contours of the drawn dots to be recorded are uneven (see FIG. 9B),
Further, if the resolution as shown in FIG.
The influence is further increased (see FIG. 10B), and the contours of the drawn dots to be recorded are more uneven.

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to realize an image recording apparatus capable of obtaining a recorded image in which the contours of the drawn dots to be recorded are smooth in order to solve the above-mentioned problems.

[0005]

In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the present invention comprises an output means for outputting a laser beam indicating a drawing pixel and an output end formed in a shape having flat surfaces at the upper and lower ends. The optical transmission device is provided with a light transmission device for transmitting the laser light input from the output device and a reduction optical device for condensing the laser light output from the output end of the light transmission device on the recording medium.

Further, in order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the present invention is provided with an output means for outputting a plurality of pixels of laser light indicating a drawing pixel, and an output end formed in a shape having flat surfaces at both upper and lower ends. A plurality of light transmitting means for transmitting the laser light outputted from the means, a reduction optical means for condensing the laser light outputted from the output end of the light transmitting means onto a recording medium, and a plurality of the light transmitting means. In addition to vertically arranging the output end portions of the above, the resolution changing means for moving the output end portions in the horizontal direction and evenly is provided.

[0007]

According to the present invention, the output end of the light transmitting means is formed in a flat surface by the above-mentioned structure, and an image is formed on the recording medium through the reduction optical means in this formed shape.

Further, according to the present invention, the plurality of output end portions of the light transmitting means are arranged so as to overlap in the vertical direction with respect to the sub-scanning direction and the output end portions are moved uniformly in the sub-scanning direction. By doing so, the resolution of the image can be changed.

[0009]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An image recording apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of an image recording apparatus of the present invention. In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 is a medium on which an image is recorded, and for example, a sublimable film or a hot melt film is used. Reference numeral 2 denotes a recording head that emits a laser beam according to an image to be recorded, and 3 is a linear motor that moves the recording head 2 in a B direction which is a sub-scanning direction of the recording image. Although a linear motor is used in this embodiment, it can be realized by a structure such as a ball screw. Reference numeral 4 is a drum motor for rotating the drum 16, and reference numeral 5 is a base for holding the recording head 2. Then, the drum 16 rotates in the direction of arrow A, and the recording head 2 moves in the direction of arrow B with this rotation, whereby recording is performed on the recording medium 1 held by the drum 16.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the main parts of the optical system in the apparatus of FIG. In FIG. 2, reference numeral 6 denotes an LD package, which has a plurality of L's so that a plurality of pixels can be simultaneously recorded.
It is equipped with a D array. Reference numeral 7 is a monitor photodiode for detecting the amount of laser light, 8 is a cooler for radiating heat generated by each LD array and maintaining a constant temperature, 9 is an optical fiber for transmitting the laser light emitted from the LD package 6, and 10 is an optical fiber. An optical fiber holder that holds each of the output ends of the optical fiber 9 so as to have a flat surface at both upper and lower ends, and 11 is an optical fiber holder that holds each of the output ends of the optical fiber 9 held by the optical fiber holder 10. A side plate that holds the optical fiber holder 10 that can be moved in the sub-scanning direction at intervals, 12 is a reduction optical system for narrowing the interval of the laser light from the microlens array 11, and 13 is the resolution of pixels by the optical fiber 9. Resolution change gear that tilts the side plate 11 when changing the 15 is a cover glass for protecting the objective lens 14, 17 is a resolution changing motor for driving to tilt the side plate 11 via the resolution changing gear 13, and 18 is an encoder for indicating the tilt of the side plate 11. , 19 are sensors for reading the inclination angle of the side plate 11.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of the essential parts of the optical fiber 9 and the optical fiber holder 10 holding it. As shown in FIG. 3, the optical fiber 9 having a circular cross section is formed by the optical fiber holder 10 so as to have flat surfaces at both upper and lower ends. Here, it is preferable that the upper and lower ends of the optical fiber 9 are substantially flat, and at least only the output end portions should have the flat surfaces formed on the upper and lower ends as described above. Therefore, the upper and lower ends of the drawing dot can be made flat. Although the optical fiber 9 is arranged substantially at the center of the optical fiber holder 10, the arrangement position is not particularly limited. However, it goes without saying that by arranging the optical fibers 9 at the same position, the same optical fiber holder 10 may be stacked, which contributes to cost reduction. On the contrary, if the positions of the optical fibers 9 arranged in the optical fiber holder 10 are sequentially and evenly displaced, it is possible to perform recording without tilting the side plate 11 in a state where the optical fiber holder 10 is aligned. It is possible to reduce the space in the device in consideration of the inclination of 11 and contribute to downsizing of the device.

The operation of the image recording apparatus having the above structure will be described below. As shown in FIG. 4, the laser light 20 output from the LD array 6 is the optical fiber 9,
The light is condensed and recorded on the recording medium 1 through the reduction optical system 12 including a lens and the like. At this time, by tilting the side plate 11, it is possible to change the intervals of the laser beams output from the respective optical fibers 9, so that the resolution can be changed.
At this time, it is important to move the optical fiber 9 in the sub-scanning direction and to move the respective laser lights at equal intervals.

Here, the operation of changing the resolution will be described. 5 (a) and 6 (a) are diagrams showing the movement of the resolution changing gear 13 and the side plate 11 tilted in accordance with the operation of the gear, and FIGS. 5 (b) and 6 (b) are the same as those described above. It is a figure which shows the state which the optical fiber holder 10 corresponding to the figure of FIG. And these,
Pixels recorded on the recording medium 1 by condensing the laser light output from the optical fiber 9 in the states of FIGS. 5B and 6B are shown in FIGS. 7B and 8B, respectively. .

As shown in FIG. 5A, the side plate 11 is tilted by θa degrees to the right through the resolution changing gear 13 by the driving force of the resolution changing motor 17. At this time, the inclination angle is measured by the encoder 18 and the sensor 19 provided on the back surface of the motor 17, and the operator can determine the arbitrary inclination angle, that is, the resolution.

As described above, when the side plate 11 is tilted, each optical fiber holder 10 can be moved at equal intervals in the sub-scanning direction (FIG. 5).
(See (b)). Here each optical fiber holder 1
0 has moved by the distance a. In FIG. 6A, the side plate 11 is tilted to the right by θb (θb> θa) degrees. Then, similarly to the above, the optical fiber holder 10 is moved by the side plate 11 at equal intervals in the sub-scanning direction. Here, each optical fiber holder 10 is moved by the distance b (see FIG. 6B). Note that the relationship of distance b> distance a is satisfied.

FIGS. 7A and 7B are diagrams showing drawing dots corresponding to the tilted state of the side plates 11.
8 (a) and 8 (b). The state of FIG.
The drawing dot 21 of FIG. 6A is the drawing dot 21, and the state of FIG. 6A is the drawing dot 21 of FIG. Thus, even if the distance between the respective drawing dots is increased from the distance a ′ to the distance b ′, the shape of the output end of the optical fiber 9 is formed so as to have a flat surface in the sub-scanning direction. The contour becomes smooth, and the recorded image becomes good regardless of the resolution (see FIGS. 7B and 8B).

5 (b) and 6 (b), the position of the optical fiber 9 in the optical fiber holder 10 is arranged substantially at the center of the optical fiber holder 10, and the resolution changing gear 13 makes the position of the optical fiber 9 uniform. Although it is possible to move at intervals and record at different resolutions, as described above, the positions of the optical fibers 9 of the optical fiber holder 10 may be arranged at positions with equal intervals in advance. . However, in this case, the arrangement position of the optical fiber 9 must be determined so as to have a resolution suitable for recording, but it is possible to reduce the necessary space in the device that is generated by tilting the side plate 11.

[0018]

As described above, according to the first aspect of the present invention, since the upper and lower ends of the output end of the optical fiber are formed to have flat surfaces, it is possible to form a recorded image having no irregularity in the contour of the recorded image. .

Further, according to the second aspect, a plurality of pixels are provided, so that a plurality of pixels can be formed at one time, and a recorded image can be satisfactorily recorded.

Further, in claim 3, even if the density of the image is changed by using the resolution changing means, the forming means forms the output end of the light transmitting means so as to have flat surfaces at the upper and lower ends thereof. It is possible to improve the defect of the recorded image due to the resolution of.

Further, in the present invention, since the same forming means is used in a plurality of layers, the same recorded image can be realized by an image recording apparatus having a low cost.

Further, according to the present invention, the output ends of the light transmitting means are arranged at evenly spaced positions, and the forming means is formed so as to have flat surfaces at the upper and lower ends of the output ends at the positions. In addition, it is possible to reduce the space required due to the inclination angle of the forming means associated with the change in the resolution, and it is possible to reduce the size of the device.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of an image recording apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram showing a main part of an optical system in the image recording apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of a main part of the optical fiber holder of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a side view showing a reduction optical system path of the present invention.

5 (a) is an explanatory view when the optical fiber of the present invention and the optical fiber holder are moved at equal intervals. (B) An enlarged view of the optical fiber holder in the state of FIG. 5 (a).

FIG. 6 (a) is an explanatory view when the optical fiber of the present invention and the optical fiber holder are further moved at equal intervals. (B) An enlarged view of the optical fiber holder in the state of FIG. 6 (a).

FIG. 7A is an explanatory diagram showing an image formed on a recording medium corresponding to FIG. 5B of the present invention. FIG. 7B is a diagram recorded on the recording medium at the pixel intervals shown in FIG. 7A.

8A is an explanatory diagram showing an image formed on a recording medium corresponding to FIG. 6B of the present invention. FIG. 8B is a diagram recorded on the recording medium at the pixel intervals shown in FIG. 8A.

9A is an explanatory diagram showing an image formed on a recording medium by a conventional device. FIG. 9B is a diagram recorded on the recording medium at the pixel intervals shown in FIG. 9A.

FIG. 10A is an explanatory diagram showing an image formed on a recording medium with a resolution changed by a conventional device. FIG. 10B is a diagram recorded on the recording medium at the pixel intervals shown in FIG.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 recording medium 2 recording head 3 linear motor 4 drum motor 5 base 6 LD array 7 monitor photodiode 8 cooler 9 optical fiber 10 optical fiber holder 11 side plate 12 reduction optical system 13 resolution changing gear 14 objective lens 15 cover glass 16 drum 17 resolution change Motor 18 Encoder 19 Sensor 20 Laser light 21 Laser light spot 22 Drawing dot 23 Drawing dot

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. Output means for outputting laser light indicating a drawing pixel, and light transmission means for transmitting laser light input from said output means, the output end being formed in a shape having flat surfaces at both upper and lower ends. An image recording apparatus comprising: reduction optical means for condensing the laser light output from the output end of the light transmission means onto a recording medium. 2. The output means and the light transmission means are capable of independently driving a plurality of pixels, and output ends of the plurality of light transmission means are arranged in a vertically overlapping manner. The image recording apparatus described. 3. Output means for outputting a plurality of pixels of laser light indicating a drawing pixel, and a plurality of output ends formed in a shape having flat surfaces at both upper and lower ends and transmitting the laser light output from the output means. The light transmitting means, the reducing optical means for condensing the laser light outputted from the output end portion of the light transmitting means onto the recording medium, and the plurality of output end portions of the light transmitting means are arranged in a vertically overlapping manner. And an image recording apparatus including a resolution changing unit that moves the output end portion laterally and evenly. 4. An image recording apparatus according to claim 3, further comprising a plurality of holding means for holding the light transmitting means, wherein the plurality of holding means are vertically stacked. 5. A plurality of holding means for holding the light transmitting means at mutually different positions are provided, and the holding positions of the plurality of holding means are sequentially stacked at equal intervals in the vertical direction. Item 3. The image recording device according to item 3.