JPH07329322A - Sublimation type recorder - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To efficiently suck and remove dye discharged by sublimation in a recorder in which sublimable dye on the surface of a recording medium is irradiated with a laser light to be sublimated. CONSTITUTION:A suction nozzle 14 is so mounted at the downstream side of the irradiated position P of a laser light 8 by a recording head 7 to a recording medium 1 held on the surface of a drum 2 that an oblique suction port 15a at its end is opposed to the position P to move integrally with the head 7. The dye sublimated and discharged at the position P is sucked to be removed from the port 15a of the end of the nozzle 14.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a recording apparatus of the type in which a recording medium coated with a dye of sublimation type is irradiated with a laser beam for recording, and in particular, recording is performed by holding the recording medium on the outer peripheral surface of a drum. The present invention relates to a sublimation type recording apparatus of a type to be performed.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as a recording method using a sublimation type dye, a transfer film coated with a sublimation type dye is pressed against a recording medium, and the transfer film is heated by a thermal head so that the sublimation type dye is obtained. A general method is to evaporate and transfer to a recording medium. As a recording method instead of the transfer method using such a sublimation dye, the present applicant has applied a sublimation dye to the recording medium itself, and by irradiating the sublimation dye coating surface with laser light, We have developed a method for recording by sublimating a sublimation dye and then ejecting it. As a device for performing this recording, a recording head that holds the recording medium on the outer peripheral surface of a cylindrical drum and rotationally drives the drum, while irradiating the recording medium held on the drum with laser light, is used. We have developed a structure in which an image is recorded on the entire recording medium by moving it along the drum.

[0003]

However, when recording is performed with a sublimation type recording apparatus of this type, dye sublimated by laser light irradiation adheres to the surroundings and stains the machine or adheres to the objective lens of the recording head. It has been found that there is a problem in that the quality of the recorded image is deteriorated by contaminating the objective lens.

The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and in a device for recording by sublimating a sublimation dye applied to a recording medium by laser light irradiation, the sublimed dye is efficiently treated. An object of the present invention is to provide a sublimation type recording apparatus which can be removed by suction to prevent the generation of dirt.

Further, the present invention protects a lens of a recording head which irradiates a laser beam so that the dye sublimated does not adhere to the lens, thereby preventing deterioration of image quality. The purpose is to provide a device.

[0006]

The invention according to claim 1 of the present application is as follows.
In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, a cylindrical drum that holds and rotates a recording medium coated with a sublimable dye, and a laser beam that moves relative to the drum and is recorded on the recording medium held by the drum. In a sublimation type recording apparatus having a recording head for irradiating the recording head with a recording head for recording an image, the recording head is integrated with the recording head on a downstream side in a rotation direction of the drum with respect to a laser light irradiation position of the recording head on the drum. In addition, a suction means for sucking and removing the sublimated dye is additionally provided.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, the suction means includes a suction nozzle having a suction port formed at the tip thereof.
The suction port is arranged so as to face the drum and be inclined.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, a cylindrical drum that holds and rotates a recording medium coated with a sublimation dye and a recording medium that is moved relative to the drum and is held by the drum are used. In a sublimation type recording apparatus provided with a recording head for irradiating a laser beam to record an image, a configuration is provided in which a laser light transmitting lens protection plate is detachably provided between the drum and the recording head. It is a thing.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, the lens protection plate has a circular shape having a gear on its outer periphery, and the lens protection plate is
A recording head unit holding a recording head is rotatably held so that its center is located at a position away from the optical axis of the recording head, and further has a gear meshed with a gear on the outer periphery of the lens protection plate, It is characterized in that a driving means for rotating the lens protection plate is provided.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, a suction force acts on a position regulating surface that regulates the position of one surface of the lens protective plate and one surface of the lens protective plate, and the lens protective plate is applied to the position regulating surface. And a suction means for bringing them into close contact with each other.

[0011]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, with the above-described structure, the recording head irradiates the recording medium on the surface of the rotating drum with laser light to sublimate the sublimation dye on the surface for recording. The dye rides on the airflow generated by the rotation of the drum, flows downward in the rotating direction of the drum, and is sucked and removed by the suction means at that position. Thus, good images can be recorded without the sublimated dye adhering to the vicinity and contaminating the machine or the lens of the recording head. Further, since the suction means is integrally provided with the recording head, no matter which position the recording head moves, it is always located in the vicinity of the laser light irradiation position by the recording head and on the downstream side. With this suction means, the sublimated dye can be efficiently removed by suction.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, the suction means is composed of a suction nozzle having an inclined suction port at the tip thereof, so that the opening area of the suction port can be increased and the suction port can be connected to the drum. By arranging them so as to face each other and be inclined, it is possible to more favorably suck the dye that sublimes and jumps out at the laser light irradiation position.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, as described above, the laser light transmitting lens protection plate is detachably provided between the drum and the recording head, so that the sublimated dye is used as the objective lens of the recording head. Adhesion can be prevented by the lens protection plate, and when the lens protection plate becomes dirty, it can be renewed to eliminate the dirt and a good recorded image can be obtained.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, the lens protection plate is formed into a circular shape having a gear on the outer circumference, and is rotatably held so that its center is located at a position away from the optical axis of the recording head. The lens protection plate protects the objective lens of the recording head at a position other than the center, and when this position becomes dirty, the lens protection plate is slightly rotated by the driving means to record a new clean part. Since it can be positioned in front of the objective lens of the head, a large area of the lens protection plate can be efficiently used.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, a suction force is applied to a position regulating surface that regulates the position of one surface of the lens protective plate and one surface of the lens protective plate, and the lens protective plate is brought into close contact with the position regulating surface. By providing the suction means for causing the lens protection plate to be brought into close contact with the position regulating surface by operating the suction means during recording by the recording head, the incident angle of the laser beam to the lens protection plate is always constant. Therefore, it is possible to record an image of constant quality.

[0016]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT A preferred embodiment of the present invention shown in the drawings will be described below. FIG. 1 is a schematic side view of a sublimation type recording apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIGS. 2 to 4 are schematic sectional views showing enlarged recording portions of the sublimation type recording apparatus, and FIG. 5 is the sublimation type recording apparatus. 6A is an enlarged schematic side view showing the recording portion of FIG. 6, FIG. 6A is a schematic front view of the recording head unit provided in the above embodiment as seen from the drum side, and FIG. It is a schematic front view which removes and shows a component. Figure 1
In FIG. 6, reference numeral 1 is a sheet-shaped recording medium having a surface coated with a sublimable dye, and 2 is a cylindrical drum that holds the recording medium 1. The drum 2 is rotatably held by the frame 3 and is connected to a driving means (not shown) for rotationally driving the drum. Reference numeral 5 is a carriage, 6 is a recording head unit held by the carriage 5, 7 is a recording head provided on the recording head unit 6, and the recording medium 1 held by the drum 2 is irradiated with a laser beam 8. For recording an image. A linear motor 9 moves the carriage 5 in the longitudinal direction of the drum 2. The linear motor 9, the carriage 5 and the like constitute a scanning means for moving the recording head 7 relative to the drum 2 in the longitudinal direction.

Reference numeral 11 is a drum 2 of the recording head unit 6.
The protective cover is provided at a position facing the recording head 7 and is arranged so as to protect the recording head 7. The protective cover 11 is formed with a hole 12 through which the laser light 8 from the recording head 7 passes. Reference numeral 13 denotes a side plate that fixes and holds one end of the protective cover 11, 14 is a suction nozzle that is inserted into a hole formed in the side plate 13 and is attached so as to be located on the outer surface of the protective cover 11, and a suction passage 15
And a suction port 15a opened at the tip. The tip of the suction nozzle 14 is cut into a slanted shape, so that the suction port 15 a is also slanted with respect to the suction passage 15. When the suction port 15a is inclined in this way, the opening area of the suction port 15a can be increased relative to the passage area of the suction passage 15 and the suction capacity can be increased. Reference numeral 16 is a leaf spring for pressing and fixing the suction nozzle 14 inserted at a predetermined position against the outer surface of the protective cover 11. Here, the suction nozzle 14 has a suction port 15a at the tip.
However, the laser beam irradiation position (recording position) P on the surface of the drum 2
On the other hand, the suction port 15a is arranged so as to be located in the vicinity of the downstream side in the rotation direction of the drum, and the suction port 15a faces the drum 2 and is inclined. Thus, the suction port 15a faces the laser light irradiation position P with a wide opening area, and by sucking the suction passage 15, the dye sublimated and ejected at the laser light irradiation position P can be efficiently sucked and removed. Is possible.

Further, as shown in FIG. 3, a suction nozzle 14 'is provided so as to cover the laser beam irradiation position P, and the suction passage 1
By forming the air port 15b at a position opposite to 5, the suction removal efficiency of the dye can be further enhanced.
Further, as shown in FIG. 4, by forcibly injecting the compressed air into the air port 15b, it is possible to further improve the suction / removal efficiency of the dye.

Reference numeral 17 is a suction pipe having one end connected to the protective cover 11, and the other end side is connected to a suction blower (not shown) via a filter (not shown). The connection position of the suction pipe 17 to the protection cover 11 is a position where the suction passage 15 communicates with the suction pipe 17 when the suction nozzle 14 is attached to a predetermined position on the protection cover 11, and therefore the suction nozzle 14 is simply connected. It is possible to connect the internal suction passage 15 to the suction blower only by attaching the suction nozzle 15 at a predetermined position on the protective cover 11, and the replacement of the suction nozzle 14 becomes extremely easy.

Reference numeral 20 denotes a lens protection plate which is disposed between the drum 2 and the recording head 7, and more specifically between the protective cover 11 and the recording head 7, and which is made of a laser light transmitting plate material. As is clear from FIG. 6, the lens protection plate 20 has a circular shape as a whole, and further has a gear 21 on its outer circumference. Reference numeral 23 is a support bracket attached to the back surface of the protective cover 11, 24 is a position regulating plate attached to the support bracket 23, and a gap is formed between the protective cover 11 and the protective cover 11 so that the lens protective plate 20 can be accommodated loosely. It is arranged to. Further, the position regulating plate 24 includes a position regulating surface 24a that regulates the position of the surface of the lens protection plate 20 on the recording head side. The position regulating surface 24a is set at right angles to the optical axis of the recording head 7. Reference numeral 25 denotes a pair of guide pins attached to the position regulating plate 24, and rotatably holds the circular lens protection plate 20 thereon. Here, the holding position of the lens protection plate 20 by the pair of guide pins 25 is determined so that the center of the lens protection plate 20 is located away from the optical axis of the recording head 7. The laser light 8 from the laser light passes through the position away from the center of the laser light protection plate 20. Reference numeral 27 is a gear provided at a position where it meshes with a gear 21 on the outer periphery of the lens protection plate 20, and 28 is a motor that constitutes a driving means for driving the gear 27. Therefore, the lens protection plate 20 can be rotated by the motor 28.

Reference numeral 30 is a suction hole provided so as to penetrate the position regulating plate 24, and reference numeral 31 is a suction pipe connected to the suction hole 30, which is connected to a suction blower (not shown). By applying a negative pressure to the suction hole 30 via the suction pipe 31, the lens protection plate 20 can be sucked and brought into close contact with the position regulation surface 24 a of the position regulation plate 24. Therefore, the suction hole 30, the suction pipe 31, and the like constitute a suction unit that applies a suction force to one surface of the lens protection plate to bring the lens protection plate into close contact with the position regulating surface.

The operation of the sublimation type recording apparatus having the above structure will be described below. After the recording medium 1 is held on the outer peripheral surface of the drum 2 by an appropriate means, the drum 2 rotates in the direction indicated by the arrow A, and the recording head 7 rotates during the rotation.
Image irradiation is performed by irradiating a laser beam to selectively sublimate and remove the sublimation dye on the surface of the recording medium 1. Further, during this recording, the recording head 7 travels in the longitudinal direction of the drum 2 to record an image on the entire surface of the recording medium 1.

During the above recording operation, the suction pipe 1
7, 31 are sucked by a suction blower (not shown), and therefore, the suction port 15 at the tip of the suction nozzle 14
The suction is performed from a, and the lens protection plate 20 is held in close contact with the position regulating surface 24a. Therefore, even if the recording head 7 moves, the lens protection plate 20 is always kept at a right angle to the recording head 7, and the lens protection plate 2 is kept.
The angle of incidence of the laser beam 8 on 0 is always kept constant, the amount of light reflected by the lens protection plate 20 does not change, and image recording of constant quality is performed.

During the recording operation, as described above, the recording medium 1
Since the laser light irradiated on the sublimates the sublimation dye,
The dye sublimes and jumps out from the laser light irradiation position P. At this time, the sublimated dye tends to flow on the airflow generated by the rotation of the drum 2 and flow downward in the rotation direction of the drum. However, since the suction port 15a of the suction nozzle 14 is opened at that position, the Sucked from the suction port 15a,
To be removed. Thus, good image recording can be performed without the sublimated dye adhering to the vicinity and soiling the machine or soiling the objective lens of the recording head 7. Further, the suction nozzle 14 is provided together with the recording head 7 in the recording head unit 6 and always moves integrally with the recording head 7, that is, while maintaining a fixed positional relationship.
Whichever position the drum moves with respect to the drum 2, the suction port 15
Since a is located immediately downstream of the laser beam irradiation position P, the sublimated dye can always be efficiently removed. Most of the dye sublimated at the laser light irradiation position P is sucked and removed from the suction port 15a, but part of the dye may enter the recording head unit 6 through the hole 12 formed in the protective cover 11. However, even if the sublimated dye enters through the hole 12, since the lens protection plate 20 is in front of the recording head 7, it is only attached to the lens protection plate 20 and the objective lens of the recording head 7 is not contaminated. Absent.

After the recording operation is repeated a preset number of times, the suction pipe 3
The suction to 1 is cut off. Therefore, the close contact of the lens protection plate 20 with the position regulation surface 24a is released, and the lens protection plate 2
0 is in a state of easy rotation. In this state, the motor 28 operates to slightly rotate the gear 27 and slightly rotate the lens protection plate 20. As a result, as shown in FIG. 6B, the portion 20a of the lens protection plate 20 that has been soiled by the previous recording moves from the front of the recording head 7, and a new portion that is not soiled is located in front of the recording head 7. To position. In this state, the next recording operation is performed. Thus, the circular lens protection plate 2
A wide area of 0 can be efficiently used, and the replacement cycle of the lens protection plate 20 can be lengthened. In this embodiment, the lens protection plate 20 is rotated after the recording operation is repeated a preset number of times, but instead, the operator visually judges whether the lens protection plate 20 is contaminated, and the lens protection plate 20 is appropriately cleaned. The lens protection plate 20 may be rotated at a certain time. Further, a power monitor for detecting the intensity of the laser light emitted from the recording head 7 through the lens protection plate 20 is provided, and the lens protection plate 20 is determined to be dirty based on the result of the power monitor, and the lens protection plate 20 is determined. May be rotated.

[0026]

As is apparent from the above description, according to the first aspect of the present invention, the dye sublimated is sucked downstream of the laser beam irradiation position of the recording head onto the drum in the rotational direction of the drum. Since the suction means is integrally provided with the recording head, the recording medium on the surface of the rotating drum is irradiated with laser light by the recording head, and the sublimation dye on the surface is sublimated to perform recording. The dye that sublimates from the ink and flies to the surroundings can be efficiently sucked and removed by the suction means provided downstream of the dye, and the dye sublimated adheres to the vicinity and stains the machine or stains the objective lens of the recording head. And a good recorded image can be obtained, and since the suction means moves integrally with the recording head, the dye sublimated can be satisfactorily sucked and removed by a small and simple suction means, Has the effect of such costs can be reduced to simplify the structure of the pull stage.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, the suction means is constituted by a suction nozzle having an inclined suction port at the tip thereof, so that the opening area of the suction port can be increased and the suction port can be formed on the drum. By arranging the dyes facing each other and inclining, the dye that sublimates and jumps out at the laser light irradiation position can be more favorably sucked.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, a laser-transmissive lens protection plate is detachably provided between the drum and the recording head to prevent the sublimated dye from adhering to the objective lens of the recording head. It can be prevented with a protective plate, and if the lens protective plate becomes dirty, it can be renewed,
This has an effect that stains can be eliminated and a good recorded image can always be obtained.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, the lens protection plate has a circular shape having a gear on its outer periphery, and the lens protection plate is
A recording head unit holding a recording head is rotatably held so that its center is located at a position away from the optical axis of the recording head, and further has a gear meshed with a gear on the outer periphery of the lens protection plate, By providing the drive means for rotating the lens protection plate, when the portion of the lens protection plate located in front of the recording head becomes dirty, the lens protection plate is slightly rotated by the drive means and a new dirt This has the effect that the non-existing portion can be positioned in front of the lens of the recording head, and the lens protection plate can be used efficiently.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, a suction force is applied to the position regulating surface that regulates the position of one surface of the lens protective plate and one surface of the lens protective plate so that the lens protective plate is in close contact with the position regulating surface. By providing the means, it is possible to actuate the suction means at the time of recording by the recording head to bring the lens protection plate into close contact with the position regulating surface. Therefore, the incident angle of the laser beam to the lens protection plate is always kept constant. It has an effect that image recording of a constant quality can be performed.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic side view of a sublimation type recording apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

2 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing an enlarged recording portion of the sublimation type recording apparatus shown in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a schematic sectional view showing an enlarged recording portion of the sublimation type recording apparatus shown in FIG.

FIG. 4 is a schematic sectional view showing an enlarged recording portion of the sublimation type recording apparatus shown in FIG.

5 is a schematic side view showing an enlarged recording portion of the sublimation type recording apparatus shown in FIG.

6A is a schematic front view of the recording head unit provided in the embodiment of FIG. 1 as seen from the drum side, and FIG. 6B is a schematic front view showing the recording head unit with some parts removed. Figure

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 Recording Medium 2 Drum 5 Carriage 6 Recording Head Unit 7 Recording Head 8 Laser Light 9 Linear Motor 11 Protective Cover 12 Hole 13 Side Plate 14 Suction Nozzle 14 'Suction Nozzle 15 Suction Passage 15a Suction Port 15b Air Port 16 Leaf Spring 17 Suction Pipe 20 Lens protection plate 21 Gear 24 Position regulation plate 24a Position regulation surface 25 Guide pin 27 Gear 28 Motor 30 Suction hole 31 Suction pipe

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. A cylindrical drum that holds a recording medium coated with a sublimable dye, a recording head that irradiates a laser beam onto the recording medium held by the drum to record an image, and the drum. Driving means for rotationally driving, scanning means for relatively moving the recording head in the longitudinal direction with respect to the drum, and a downstream side in the rotational direction of the drum with respect to a laser light irradiation position on the drum by the recording head. A sublimation type recording apparatus, which is provided integrally with the recording head and has suction means for sucking and removing sublimated dye. 2. The suction means is provided with a suction nozzle having an inclined suction port formed at a tip thereof, and the suction port is arranged so as to face the drum and be inclined. The sublimation type recording apparatus described. 3. A cylindrical drum that holds a recording medium coated with a sublimable dye, a recording head that irradiates a laser beam onto the recording medium held by the drum to record an image, and the drum. Driving means for rotationally driving, scanning means for relatively moving the recording head in the longitudinal direction with respect to the drum, and a laser light transmissive lens detachably provided between the drum and the recording head. A sublimation type recording apparatus having a protective plate. 4. The lens protection plate has a circular shape having a gear on the outer circumference, and the lens protection plate is centered on the recording head unit holding the recording head at a position away from the optical axis of the recording head. 4. The sublimation type according to claim 3, further comprising a drive unit that is rotatably held, has a gear that meshes with a gear on the outer periphery of the lens protection plate, and that rotates the lens protection plate. Recording device. 5. A position regulation surface for regulating the position of one surface of the lens protection plate, and a suction means for applying a suction force to the one surface of the lens protection plate to bring the lens protection plate into close contact with the position regulation surface. The sublimation recording apparatus according to claim 4.