JPH08207445A - Recording device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: To improve recording performance and prevent deterioration of electrodes by providing a heat generating body for heating and flying a recording material on a substrate material arranged in a recording material housing section and constituting a predetermined part of the heat generating body such that it becomes highly heated selectively so as to excellently fly the recording material such as a dye. CONSTITUTION: When a recording device is applied to a dye vaporization type printer of a non-contact method, a dye housing section 87 is formed at an insulating plate 73 in a dye vaporization section 77 of a printer head 70. In the housing section 87, a group of small pillars 80 is provided as a part of a vaporizing structure 101 by fine processing of the insulating plate 73. On a surface of a spacer 82 as a substrate material, a heat generating body 75 is provided and a central part 75A of the heat generating body 75 is formed so as to narrow locally. Thus, at the time of energization, a heating value is made to be larger than other parts and to have a high temperature. A signal voltage based on an image signal is placed across electrodes 94 and 95 by matrix driving, so that the heat generating body 75 is heated and a liquified dye 22 is efficiently heated so as to vaporize.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a recording device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, in image recording of video cameras, televisions, computer graphics and the like, there is an increasing need for colorization of hard copy as well as recording of mono color. In response to this, various types of printers have been developed and deployed in various fields.

Among these recording methods, an ink sheet coated with an ink layer in which a high-concentration transfer dye is dispersed in a suitable binder resin, and a dyeing resin that receives the transferred dye are coated. The heat-sensitive recording head located on the ink sheet applies heat according to the image information, and the heat-sensitive recording head located on the ink sheet applies heat according to the image information. There is a method of thermal transfer.

The so-called thermal transfer system, which obtains a full-color image by repeating the above-mentioned operation for each of the image signals decomposed into yellow, magenta, and cyan, which are the three primary colors of subtractive color mixture, is compact and easy to maintain. Therefore, it is attracting attention as an excellent technology that has an immediacy and obtains a high-quality image comparable to a silver salt color photograph.

FIG. 43 is a schematic front view of the main part of such a thermal transfer type printer. According to this printer, a thermal recording head (hereinafter referred to as a thermal head) 1 and a platen roller 3 face each other, and an ink sheet 12 having an ink layer 12a provided on a base film 12b between them,
The recording paper (transferred material) 40 having the dyeing resin layer (dye receiving layer) 40a provided on the paper 40b is sandwiched and pressed against the thermal head 1 by the platen roller 3.

The ink (transfer dye) in the ink layer 12a selectively heated by the thermal head 1 is
The transfer is carried out in a dot shape on the dyeing resin layer 20a of the transfer target 20, and thermal transfer recording is performed. In such thermal transfer recording, generally, a line system in which a longitudinal thermal head is fixedly arranged so as to be orthogonal to the recording paper traveling direction, or a serial head in which the thermal head reciprocates in a direction orthogonal to the recording paper traveling direction is used. The method is adopted.

By the way, the applicant of the present invention has been able to reduce the waste and the transfer energy, and to make the printer small and lightweight while taking advantage of the above-mentioned thermal transfer recording system.
A non-contact type dye vaporization type laser beam printer (LBP) as shown in 44 has already been proposed.

According to this recording method, a heat-fusible dye layer
A recording head (printing paper) 50 having a recording head (for example, a serial type printer head) 40 having 22 in the vaporizing section 17 and a receiving layer 50a for receiving the vaporized (or sublimated) dye 32.
A minute gap 17a in the range of 1 μm to 1 mm is provided between and.

Then, by irradiating the laser beam L, the liquefied dye stored in the dye storing portion 37 of the vaporizing portion 17 of the recording head 40.
22 is selectively heated to near its boiling point to be vaporized, the vaporized dye 32 is caused to fly in the void 17a, and transferred from the vaporization hole 23 onto the photographic printing paper 50 which is a recording medium to obtain continuous gradation. Get the image you have. This operation is the three primary colors of subtractive color, yellow,
Full colorization can be achieved by repeating each of the image signals decomposed into magenta and cyan.

In this recording method, the photographic printing paper 50 is opposed to the recording head 40, for example, on the upper side, and the laser light emitted from the laser 18 and condensed by the lens 19 is near the upper surface of the vaporizing section 17. It is advisable to irradiate L to cause the vaporized dye 32 to fly or move upward.

In this case, the transfer dye is emptied by the heating means.
In order to move 17a, in addition to the vaporization phenomenon, it is often seen when irradiated with a high-power laser, and the bonds of dye molecules are efficiently cut and the energy is used to etch at a very high rate. Phenomena and the phenomenon that gas energy generated by boiling or explosion is used to etch at a very high rate can also be used (a transfer mechanism other than such a vaporization mechanism is referred to as ablation: hereinafter the same).

Further, a head base having a laser beam transmitting property.
A dye reservoir 15 is provided in 14, and a liquefied dye 22 is accommodated between the dye reservoir 15 and a lid 13 fixed on the head base 14, and a dye passage 27 is provided from here.
The liquefied dye 22 is supplied to the vaporizing section 17 via the. In this case, in order to improve the supply efficiency and the vaporization efficiency of the dye to the vaporization unit 17, the dye escape due to the decrease in the surface tension of the dye caused by heat generation is prevented, and the continuous supply and retention of the dye by utilizing the capillary phenomenon. In order to do so, a bead aggregate 20 composed of small beads 21 is provided in the vaporization section 17.

A protective plate (not shown) is fixed on the lid 13 in order to hold the gap 17a and guide the photographic printing paper 50 moving in the X direction (the direction perpendicular to the paper surface). A heater for maintaining the liquefied state of the dye may be embedded in the protective plate. Here, the heater 26 is arranged in the dye containing portion (the passage 27).

The solid powder heat-meltable dye 42 in the solid dye storage tank 41 is supplied from a supply port 43 by a check valve 44,
It is heated to the melting point by the heater 26 and melted (liquefied). The liquefied dye 22 is supplied at a constant rate to the upper surface of the bead aggregate 20 of the vaporization section 17 at a high rate by the capillary phenomenon of the bead aggregate 20.

Further, the entire printer including this printer head is, for example, for full color as shown in FIG.
Yellow, magenta, and cyan dye reservoirs 15Y, 15M,
15C is provided on each common base 14 to form each dye supply section or supply head section 37Y, 37M, 37C, and from there, 12 to 24 dots of each color dye are formed in rows to form a vaporization section 17Y. , 17M, 17C.

For each vaporizing part, a large number of condenser lenses 19 are provided for each laser beam emitted from a multi-laser array 30 in which 12 to 24 corresponding lasers (particularly semiconductor laser chips) 18 are arranged in an array. The light is condensed by the microlens array 31 in which is arranged (36 is a mirror for guiding the laser light L in the perpendicular direction).

As the condenser lens, the illustrated lens system may be used, but a single large-diameter condenser lens 38 indicated by an imaginary line may be used. The lens 38 is formed so that the refraction path changes so that the light emission position corresponds to the vaporization parts 17C, 17M, and 17Y described above according to the light incident position.
The multi-laser array 30 is driven and controlled by the control IC 34 provided on the substrate 33, and the heat sink 35 is also provided.
Is designed to allow sufficient heat dissipation.

In the case of mono-color printing, as shown in FIG. 46, a one-dimensional laser array 30 is produced and each laser element can be operated independently and in parallel. Printing speeds of more than one time can be obtained (for example, 24 times speed is obtained by using a laser array with 24 beams).

Each of the printer heads described above accommodates as many liquefied dyes 22 as the number of recording dots corresponding to the number of recording dots in the dye accommodating portion 37, and the laser 18 also has an array having light emitting points corresponding to the number of recording dots. It is arranged in a shape.
Even with the above thermal transfer printer that does not rely on the laser 18,
The heating units of the thermal head 1 are also arranged in a dot pattern.

As described above, according to this dye vaporization type laser beam printer, regarding the dye consumed for recording, only the lost portion is voluntarily or forcibly in the molten state from the dye reservoir to the vaporization part. By pouring, or
It can be continuously applied onto an appropriate substrate, and the substrate can be continuously supplied to the vaporizing unit by moving to the transfer unit. This is possible because the dye contains little binder resin. Therefore, since the vaporizing section involved in recording can be repeatedly used many times, the ink sheet is disposable only once in the above-mentioned thermal transfer method, which is advantageous in terms of resource saving and environmental protection.

Further, since it is a vaporization type or an ablation type, recording can be carried out without contact between the dye layer and the recording medium (printing paper), so that it can be seen in the above-mentioned thermal transfer system at the time of the second and subsequent printing. The reverse transfer of the dyes and the color mixture do not occur, and the heating portion is only the head including the vaporizing portion, and the power consumption is remarkably reduced as compared with the above-mentioned thermal transfer method. At the same time, the printer can be made smaller and lighter because a small volume dye reservoir is used for supplying the dye instead of the above-described ink sheet.

Further, since this recording system utilizes vaporization or sublimation of the dye, it is not necessary to heat the dye receiving layer of the recording medium as in the above-mentioned thermal transfer system, and the ink sheet and the recording medium are not recorded. It is not necessary to press the body against the body with high pressure, and this is also advantageous in reducing the size and weight of the printer. Since the dye layer in the vaporized portion and the recording medium do not come into contact with each other, heat fusion cannot occur between them, and recording is possible even if the compatibility between the dye and the receiving layer resin is small. Therefore, the range of design and selection of the dye and the resin for the receiving layer is remarkably expanded.

Further, the semiconductor laser 18 is basically used as a light source as a heat energy supply source for vaporizing (or sublimating) the dye, but the semiconductor laser has a high conversion efficiency from electric power to light. Since the dye has excellent directivity and light collecting property, the heat energy transfer efficiency of the dye is also very high. Therefore, the total energy utilization efficiency is markedly higher than that of the conventional method (thermal transfer by the above-mentioned thermal head or ink jet), which is advantageous in downsizing and power saving.

Further, in the conventional ink jet type color printer, it is difficult to express gradation, but since the semiconductor laser can easily control the output power, the pulse width and the like, the above recording method can easily express multi gradation. realizable. That is,
An electric image created by a color video camera or the like can be converted into a dye transfer corresponding to an image signal by a semiconductor laser to form a full-color image having at least 128 gradations per color, which is comparable to silver halide photography. it can.

The head 40, which is a transfer member suitable for the dye vaporization type recording method, has the property of sufficiently withstanding the amount of heat instantaneously applied at the time of transfer, and spontaneously due to the capillary phenomenon to the vaporization part (transfer part). It is preferable to have a structure (20 in FIG. 44) that has a large surface area for supplying a liquid dye and can firmly hold the dye during transfer.
Further, by providing an appropriate heat retaining device, it becomes possible to use a dye or a dye mixture having a melting point of room temperature or higher.

A transfer dye suitable for this recording method is
It has an appropriate vaporization rate or ablation rate, and shows a fluid state at 200 ° C or lower in a single or mixed state,
Any dye may be used as long as it has necessary and sufficient heat resistance. Specific examples thereof include disperse dyes, oil-soluble dyes, basic dyes and acid dyes. In particular, when the ablation mechanism is superior to the vaporization mechanism, a dye having a large molecular weight and a low vaporization rate, such as a direct dye,
Even carbon black and pigments can be transferred. Even for a dye having a melting point of room temperature or higher, the melting point is lowered by mixing the dyes with each other or by mixing the dye and a volatile low molecular weight substance.

Further, the photographic printing paper suitable for this recording method has a proper compatibility with the transfer dye, easily accepts the transfer dye, accelerates the original color development of the dye, and fixes the dye. Any photographic paper can be used. For example, for the disperse dye, a paper having a surface coated with a polyester resin, a polyvinyl chloride resin, an acetate resin, or the like, which has good compatibility with the disperse dye, is preferable. The fixing of the dye transferred onto the printing paper may be performed by heating the transferred image so that the transferred dye on the surface penetrates into the image receiving layer.

The heating means of the dye transfer system is roughly classified into a method using a thermal head, a material that absorbs laser light and a wavelength range including the wavelength range of the laser light, and converts light energy into heat energy (photothermal conversion). A method of combining a body (not shown) and laser light can be mentioned.

When a laser beam is used, the resolution is remarkably improved, and by increasing the laser beam density in the optical system, it becomes possible to perform intensive heating, and the ultimate temperature is increased. As a result, the thermal efficiency is improved. There is a feature called.
Particularly, by using the multi-laser, the time for transferring one screen is significantly shortened.

However, the photothermal converter must be sufficiently heat resistant in order to continuously absorb the laser light of light energy. Therefore, as the photothermal converter used in this system, a thin film type light absorber such as a metal thin film that exhibits absorption matching the emission wavelength of a laser, or a two-layer film of a metal thin film and a ceramic thin film having a high dielectric constant is directly transferred. In addition to being provided on the part, heat resistance such as fine particle type light absorbers such as carbon black and metal fine particles, organic dyes such as phthalocyanine dyes, naphthalocyanine dyes, cyanine dyes, anthraquinone dyes or organometallic dyes A dye or pigment having excellent properties may be used by uniformly dispersing it in a transfer dye.

[0031]

Further, the applicant of the present invention has proposed another sublimation type color video printer, which does not require an ink sheet and a thermal head, and which saves power, is small in size, and is low in cost. , Japanese Patent Application No. 4-300587, Japanese Patent Application No. 5-1124
No. 1 and Japanese Patent Application No. 5-12106.

A similar structure of this printer will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 47 to 51 (however, the portions common to the head of FIG. 44 are designated by the common reference numerals), and the head portion 60 serves as a disperse dye. Dye tank 41 containing solid powder sublimation dye 42
And a wear-resistant protective layer made of high-strength material located underneath
61, a spacer 62 located in the center, and a head base 63 located on the upper side. Fig. 48
Are upside down from FIG. 47.

Further, a liquefied dye introducing section 64 for heating and liquefying the solid powder sublimation dye 42 in the dye storage tank 41, and introducing it.
A plurality of liquefied disperse dyes 22 are arranged along the liquefied dye introducing section 64 at predetermined intervals and are guided from the liquefied dye introducing section 64.
Each vaporizing part 17 for vaporizing the vaporized heat by the vaporization heat, a vaporizing heating element 65 provided below the liquid surface of the dye 22 in the vaporizing portion, a heat insulating material (block) 66 for supporting it, and a dye on the heating element 65. A small pillar that is a porous structure that holds and supplies 22
It has 80 groups. Electrodes 65A and 65B of heating elements are provided on both side surfaces of the heat insulating material 66, and are taken out through a structure not shown (however, an insulating structure with the heater 68 is not shown).

The protective layer 61 has a function of preventing dirt, dust, dust, foreign matter, etc. from entering the vaporization holes 23 of each vaporization section 17 when it comes into contact with the photographic printing paper 50 with a light pressure. It is formed of a metal-based or glass-based material such as tantalum, which has good thermal conductivity and excellent heat resistance and wear resistance. In addition, the protective layer 61
In this case, a plurality of square columnar holes 61a which become a part of the vaporization holes 23 of each vaporization part 17 are formed by fine processing such as an etching technique.

The spacer 62 is made of, for example, a glass-based or ceramic-based resin, a polyethylene-based resin, a metal-based resin such as tantalum, etc., and the melting temperature of the liquefied disperse dye 22 is adjusted and the protective layer 61 is adjusted depending on the material, thickness and combination thereof. It has a function of adjusting the temperature of the dye receiving layer 50a of the photographic printing paper 50 by the heat transfer of.

The photographic printing paper 50 is actually composed of a cellulosic resin or the like, and comprises a dye receiving layer 50a which absorbs disperse dyes, and a base material 50b. The base material 50b is formed by laminating a polypropylene layer having high heat resistance and good non-hygroscopicity, a base paper, and another polypropylene layer for balancing the polypropylene layer and preventing the photographic printing paper 50 from warping. The structure may be different, and a light absorption layer (which can be omitted) may be provided.

As shown in FIG. 47, FIG. 48 and FIG. 50, the spacer 62 is formed with a plurality of square columnar holes 62a each of which is a part of the vaporizing hole 23 of each vaporizing portion 17, and the dye Storage tank 41 (41Y for yellow, 41M for magenta, 41 for cyan
Each vaporizing portion 17 extends from the C) side to the other end side of the head base 63.
A plurality of slots 64 communicating with the vaporization holes 23 are formed.

Further, a dye solution stopping layer 67 is provided between the protective layer 61 and the spacer 62. This dye liquid stop layer 67
Is a liquefied disperse dye formed of a fluorine-based or silicon-based resin material that is heat resistant and chemically stable.
Is prevented from leaking to the outside through the wall surface of the protective layer 61 and adhering to the dye receiving layer 50a of the photographic printing paper 50.

Further, as shown in FIGS. 47, 48 and 49, the liquid stop layer 67 is formed with a plurality of square columnar holes 67a which become a part of the vaporization holes 23 of each vaporization section 17, respectively. There is. The protective layer 61, the dye solution stopping layer 67, and the spacer 62 are adhered to each other with a heat-resistant adhesive.

The head base 63 is formed as thin as possible, for example, glass, ceramics or the like having a high melting point, no thermoformability, and low thermal conductivity. Further, as shown in FIG. 47, on the side of each dye storage tank 41 of the head base 63,
A supply port (connection hole) 43 communicating with each liquefied dye introducing section 64 is formed.

Further, each liquefied dye introducing portion of the head base 63
A plate-shaped heater (heating element) 68 is attached to the surface on the 64 side up to the inside of each dye bath 41. The heater 68 is made of, for example, carbon or a silicon compound, and is heated to 50 ° C.
It has a function of liquefying the disperse dye 42 in the form of a solid powder by generating heat of ˜300 ° C. and keeping the temperature in the liquefied state.

As shown in FIG. 47, one end of the heater 68 is vertically bent upward and inserted into each dye storage tank 41, and the other end is connected to each liquefied dye introducing part. It extends to the terminal end side of 64. Further, as shown in FIG. 51, the heater 68 is arranged on the entire surface of the head base 63 so that the spacer 62 and the protective layer 61 can be kept warm to heat the dye receiving layer 50a of the printing paper 50.

The above printer head shown in FIGS. 47 to 51.
According to 60, in addition to having the features described in the printer head 40 shown in FIGS. 44 to 46, it has the following advantages when compared with this printer head 40.

First, since the heating of the dye for vaporization in each vaporization section 17 is performed not by using the laser light L but by the heat generation of the heating element 65 provided in each vaporization section, an expensive semiconductor laser ( In particular, it is possible to use a low-cost heating element instead of multiple laser arrays that are provided in parallel), and the vaporization efficiency directly uses the heat generated by the heater without depending on the electro-optical conversion efficiency of the laser. , The efficiency as a whole is improved.

However, the present inventor
As a result of examining 60, it was found that the following points to be improved remain.

In the head structure of the printer head 60,
As shown in FIGS. 47 and 48, the heating element 65 in the vaporizing section 17
The heat generated in (3) easily escapes from the pair of electrodes 65A and 65B connected to both ends thereof, and the heat dissipation easily decreases due to heat dissipation. Moreover, there is also a problem that those electrodes are easily deteriorated by the heat of the heating element 65.

[0047]

An object of the present invention is to improve the thermal efficiency of a heating element while sufficiently utilizing the features of the thermal transfer recording system described above, and to sufficiently heat a recording material such as a dye so that the recording material can fly well. It is an object of the present invention to provide a recording apparatus which improves recording performance and also improves reliability by preventing deterioration of electrodes.

[0048]

That is, according to the present invention, a recording material is heated to fly on a base material (especially on a heat insulating material) provided in a recording material accommodation portion facing a recording medium. The present invention relates to a recording apparatus in which a heating element is provided and a predetermined portion of the heating element is selectively heated to a high temperature.

According to the recording apparatus of the present invention, the predetermined portion of the heating element for heating the recording material is selectively heated to a high temperature (in particular, the central portion thereof has the highest temperature). By energizing, the above-mentioned predetermined part becomes higher in temperature than other parts and the heating of the recording material can be performed effectively, and at the same time, the heat generated in the other part is relatively dissipated even if it is dissipated from the electrodes at both ends. It does not affect the heating of the recording material. Therefore, the thermal efficiency of the heating element can be sufficiently maintained.

Further, since the electrodes on both ends of the heating element can be connected to the above-mentioned other parts, they are not deteriorated by heat and their reliability can be maintained.

In order to produce such a remarkable effect,
Although it is necessary to selectively heat a predetermined part of the heating element,
Therefore, for example, the area and / or the thickness of the heating element can be changed (in particular, reduced), and the electric resistance value thereof can be increased at the predetermined portion to increase the amount of heat generated during energization.

Further, according to the recording apparatus of the present invention, since the heat generating element is provided on the base material, if the base material is a heat insulating material, the heat of the heat generating element is less likely to be dissipated to the lower part thereof. Further, the thermal efficiency will be further improved. This effect becomes more remarkable when the heating element is provided on the surface of the base material.

Further, it is desirable that the vaporizing section is provided with a heating element (eg, an electric resistor) and a porous structure (eg, a group of small pillars) for holding and supplying the recording material. .

This porous structure suppresses escape of the recording material by its capillary action, effectively holds and supplies the recording material in a fixed amount, and enables heat to be efficiently transmitted to improve vaporization or ablation efficiency. Further, by supplying the recording material in a fixed amount, the amount of vaporization or ablation can be kept constant and high-quality recording can be obtained.

Since the recording apparatus of the present invention is provided with the heating element for heating the recording material, the recording material can be efficiently heated by energizing the heating element and it is not necessary to use the laser. The cost can be reduced.

Since the recording apparatus of the present invention is of the thermal transfer type in which the recording material is heated and is made to fly to the recording medium, the above-mentioned miniaturization, ease of maintenance, immediacy, and high image quality are achieved. It has features such as high gradation.

In particular, it is desirable that this recording device is constructed so that the recording material is vaporized or ablated by heating and is flown to the recording medium which is arranged so as to face the recording material in a non-contact state. That is, the recording material is preferably configured to fly to the recording medium through the gap, and is suitable for the recording head for the non-contact type dye vaporization printer described above.

The recording apparatus of the present invention is a concept including not only a recording head such as the above-described printer head but also a printer incorporating this recording head (hereinafter, referred to as a printer).
Similar).

In the recording apparatus of the present invention, a recording material flying structure (for example, a heat insulating material, a porous structure such as a group of small pillars, and a heating element) for flying the recording material to the recording medium by heating. And a recording material supply structure for supplying the recording material to the recording material container (for example,
A spacer member having a liquefied dye supply passage) and the recording material flying structure is integrally provided on the recording material supply structure portion.

That is, since such an integrated structure is formed to be thick, the mechanical strength when processing the recording material supply structure and the minute recording material flying structure becomes sufficient,
It is possible to improve handleability, processability and reliability, and also yield and cost performance without causing cracking or breakage.

Further, since the recording material flying structure is formed by patterning on the recording material supply structure and left as it is after this patterning, it is not necessary to fix it individually with an adhesive or the like, and the alignment is performed. The recording characteristics can be improved easily and with high accuracy.

As a method of effectively manufacturing such a recording apparatus, a first material (for example, SiO ₂₎ which becomes a recording material accommodation portion is used.
Layer) and a second material (for example, a quartz glass plate) to be a recording material supply structure part, a step of forming a recording material supply path in the second material, and an opening of the recording material supply path. It is desirable to use a manufacturing method that includes a step of forming a recording material accommodation portion in the first material and a step of forming a recording material flying structure (for example, a group of small columns) in the recording material accommodation portion of the first material. . It is desirable to further fix the recording material supply structure portion having the recording material supply passage to a reinforcing material (for example, a quartz glass plate).

For the same reason as above, the recording material flying structure is arranged in the recording material vaporization or ablation section,
It may be integrally provided on a spacer member having a recording material supply path.

In this case, if the recording material supply structure is further fixed to the reinforcing material, the mechanical strength of the recording apparatus is further improved.

In the recording apparatus of the present invention, the above-mentioned recording material flying structure may be mounted in the recording material accommodation portion formed in the above recording material supply structure portion.

In this case, specifically, the recording material supply structure is fixed to the base material, the recording material accommodation portion is formed on the base material, and the recording material flying on the base material is performed in the recording material accommodation portion. The structure is attached.

[0067]

The present invention will be described in more detail with reference to the following examples, but it goes without saying that the present invention is not limited to the following examples.

1 to 10 show a non-contact type dye vaporization printer according to the present invention (for example, a video printer: hereinafter the same).
1 shows a first embodiment applied to.

First, the characteristic structure of the printer head 70 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.

In the dye vaporizing section 77 of the printer head 70, the thickness of the SiO 2 film is 20 μm or less, for example, 6 to 15 μm.
_The dye containing portion 87 is formed in a concave shape on the insulating plate 73 composed of _two layers, and the width and the diameter of the insulating plate 73 by the fine processing are formed in the containing portion.
10 μm or less (eg 1-2 μm), spacing 20 μm or less (eg 1-2 μm), height 20 μm or less (eg 6-m
15 μm) A group of fine small columnar small columns 80 are vaporized structures.
It is provided as part of 101.

The small pillars 80 are provided at a height from the bottom surface of the accommodating portion 87 to the upper surface thereof, and have minute voids 92 between the small pillars. As a porous structure. The void 92 holds the liquefied dye 22 in the accommodating portion 87 by its capillary action, and at the same time, raises a sufficient amount of the liquefied dye 22 necessary for time-series operation of one dot of the printer (vaporization surface or liquid surface). To supply to.

A heating element 75 having a thickness of 0.2 μm or less is directly provided on the surface of the spacer 82 as a base material, and a central portion 75A thereof is locally narrowed (small in area). Width 10 μm (width of electrodes 94 and 95 is 70 μm)
May be formed in. Therefore, the heating element 75 is
The electric resistance of 75 A is selectively increased, and when energized, the amount of heat generated is larger than that of the other parts and the temperature becomes high.

The heating element 75 is a silicon-based compound such as carbon or polysilicon, and the bottom surface 87A of the dye containing portion 87 or a spacer.
It is formed on the surface 82A of 82, and a pair of aluminum electrodes 94 and 95 are provided on both sides thereof.

A signal voltage based on an image signal is applied between the electrodes 94 and 95 by matrix driving, and the energization by this causes heat generation of 50 to 500 ° C. in the heat generating element 75, so that the central portion 75A has a high temperature. This heat efficiently heats the liquefied dye 22 to vaporize it. Further, since the spacer 82 made of quartz glass is integrally provided under the insulating plate 73, the spacer 82 acts as a heat insulating material, and the heat generated by the heating element 75 is efficiently used for heating the dye.

A supply passage 84 for the liquefied dye 22 is provided in the spacer 82.
Is formed, and this serves as the dye inlet port 84 ′ and the dye containing portion 87.
It has an opening on the bottom of. Therefore, the liquefied dye 22 is continuously introduced into the dye containing portion 87 through the passage 84 and the introduction port 84 ′ and is supplied to the vaporization structure 101.

It should be noted here that, as described above, the central portion 75 having a high resistance to the heating element 75 in the dye containing portion 87 is used.
A is provided.

That is, since a temperature gradient occurs so that the central portion 75A of the heating element 75 selectively reaches the maximum temperature due to the energization between the electrodes 94 and 95, the dye 22 can be effectively heated and at the same time, the central portion of the dye 22 can be heated. The heat generated in portions other than the portion 75A is relatively small even if it is dissipated from the electrodes 94 and 95 at both ends,
It does not affect the heating of the dye 22. Therefore, the thermal efficiency of the heat generating element 75 can be sufficiently maintained.

In this case, since the silicon-based compound forming the heating element 75 has a double-digit thermal conductivity smaller than that of aluminum, the heat of the central portion 75A of the heating element 75 is hard to be transferred as a material. .

Further, the electrodes 94 and 95 at both ends of the heating element 75
Can be connected to the other parts described above (that is, both ends of the heating element 75), so that the heat transferred to these electrodes is reduced,
It is not destroyed or deteriorated by heat, and its reliability can be maintained.

In particular, since the area of the heating element 75 linearly increases toward both ends where the electrodes 94 and 95 are provided, the electric resistance decreases toward these ends and the amount of heat generation also decreases. Therefore, the heat dissipation and the deterioration of the electrodes described above can be effectively prevented.

Further, according to the head of this example, since the heating element 75 is provided on the spacer 82, the spacer 82 functions as a heat insulating material, and the heat of the heating element 75 is less likely to be dissipated to the lower portion thereof. Further, the thermal efficiency will be further improved.

Further, since the above-mentioned porous structure is composed of the group of the small pillars 80, the dye is produced by the capillary action between the small pillars.
The escape of 22 is suppressed, the dye 22 is effectively held and quantitatively supplied to the vaporization region, heat can be efficiently transmitted, and vaporization or ablation efficiency can be improved. High-quality recording can be obtained with a constant vaporization or ablation amount.

When the heating element 75 is not operated and is not heated, the heat of the dye 22 can be released to the surroundings through the porous structure, so that the dye can be effectively cooled.

In the printer head 70 of the present embodiment, the insulating plate 73 is integrated on the spacer 82, so that this integrated structure is thinner than the case where the insulating plate 73 or the spacer 82 is independent. It is thick and has high mechanical strength.

Therefore, the mechanical strength for processing the dye containing portion 87, the columnar body 80, the dye passage 84, etc. is sufficient, and the handling, the workability and the reliability are ensured without cracking or breaking. Furthermore, the yield and cost performance can be improved.

Further, the columnar body 80 and the dye accommodating portion 87 can be formed by patterning the insulating plate 73 on the spacer 82, and the vaporization structure 101 can be formed by leaving it after this patterning. It is not necessary to fix them individually, and only the alignment at the time of patterning is necessary, so the trabecular body 80 and the dye accommodating portion 87, and further the inlet port 84 '
Can be easily and highly accurately aligned, and the recording characteristics can be improved.

Further, since the spacer 82 is further joined and fixed to the bottom plate 102 made of a quartz glass plate, this bottom plate 102 acts as a reinforcing material, and the mechanical strength of the head becomes further sufficient. However, the bottom plate 102 does not necessarily have to be provided, and a dye storage tank (not shown) may be directly attached to the lower surface of the spacer 82.

The electrodes 94 and 95 are provided on the upper surface of the spacer 82 together with the heating element 75. On the upper surface including the electrodes 84 and 85, a dye solution stopping layer 97 made of fluorine-based or silicon-based resin is provided. The liquefied dye 22 is prevented from leaking upward. Further, a protective layer 91 made of tantalum, glass, or the like, which is the same as the protective layer 61 described above, is provided on the liquid stop layer 97. Each layer 91, 97 has a vaporization opening 91a, 97a.
Are formed.

The dye vaporizer 77 having the above-mentioned structure is
Although one dot is shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, in the head 70, a plurality of dots are actually provided for each color (yellow Y, magenta M, cyan C) for full color as in FIGS. 47 to 51. Will be placed. Therefore, in this case, the structures of FIGS. 1 and 2 are arranged in a line. Although not shown,
A liquefied dye of each color is supplied to each of these vaporization sections from each storage tank through a dye supply path 84.

When color printing the photographic printing paper 50,
Heat is generated by the heating element 75 according to the image signal. Due to this heat of vaporization, the dye in each vaporization portion is vaporized and the holes 91 of the protective layer 91 are
It is transferred to the receiving layer 50a of the photographic printing paper 50 in the order of Y, M, and C through the sheet a.

The printer head 70 according to this embodiment is shown in FIG.
Similar to the head 60 shown in (4), it is of a thermal transfer system that heats the dye 22 to fly to the printing paper 50 through the gap,
It has the features of miniaturization, ease of maintenance, immediacy, high-quality images, and high gradation described above. Although illustration of the heater for liquefying the dye, the heater (heater 68 in FIG. 47) and the like is omitted, it may be adopted in the same manner as described in FIG.

Although the pillars 80 and the layers 73, 82 and 102 are made of glass, they can be made of other materials. For example, a polymer material such as polyimide, a ceramic material, a silicon material, a metal material, or a combination thereof can be used. Polymer materials can be used in printer heads
Since the structure is such that 70 is not pressed against the photographic printing paper 50, it is because a large pressure is not applied, and the heat dissipation is small when the heat generating element 75 is activated, and the thermal insulation is good.

Next, an example of a method of manufacturing the head 70 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.

First, as shown in FIG. 3, polysilicon (P-Si) 103 is deposited to a thickness of about 1 μm on a spacer material 82 made of a quartz glass plate by CVD (chemical vapor deposition) or the like.

Then, as shown in FIG. 4, the polysilicon layer 10 is formed.
3 is patterned by photolithography, a heating element 75 having a high-resistance central portion 75A is formed on the spacer material 82, and aluminum is deposited on the entire surface by a vacuum deposition method or the like, and this is patterned by photolithography. A pair of aluminum electrodes 94 and 95 of the heating element 75 are formed.

Then, as shown in FIG. 5, a SiO ₂ layer 73 is formed on the entire surface by a sputtering method or the like to a thickness of 6 to 15 μm.

Then, as shown in FIG. 6, a thin metal film of chromium or the like is formed on the SiO ₂ layer 73 by vacuum deposition or sputtering.
104 is deposited on the entire surface, and this is patterned using a photoresist of a predetermined pattern as a mask to form a pattern 87 'which will be a dye containing portion and a pattern 80' which will be a pillar. Instead of this patterning method, first, a photoresist may be formed into a predetermined pattern, a metal thin film 104 may be deposited thereon, and the metal thin film 104 may be patterned into the shape shown in FIG. 6 by lift-off.

Next, as shown in FIG. 7, the spacer material 82 is processed from the back surface by powder beam etching (PBE) to form the dye supply passage 84 in the surface direction. in this case,
When the spacer material 82 is thick, the passage 84 may be processed after polishing the back surface to adjust the thickness.

Then, as shown in FIG. 8, the dye introducing hole 8 communicating with the dye supply passage 84 is continuously provided at the position of the dye containing portion pattern 87 'by powder beam etching (PBE).
4'is formed through the thickness of the SiO ₂ layer 73.

Then, as shown in FIG. 9, reactive ion etching (RIE) is performed using the metal thin film 104 as a mask to form a dye containing portion 87 and a group of small pillars 80 in the SiO ₂ layer 73. At this time, the group of small pillars 80 is separated from the heating element 75 on both sides of the heating element 75. Also, the dye inlet 84 '
Causes the dye supply passage 84 to open in the dye containing portion 87.

Then, as shown in FIG. 10, the bottom plate 102 made of a quartz plate is fixed to the back surface of the spacer material 82 by fusion bonding.
This fixing can also be performed by using a low melting point glass or an adhesive. After that, necessary layers are formed on the upper surface to complete the head of FIG.

As described above, the small pillar body 80 is finely processed on the SiO ₂ layer 73 provided on the upper surface of the spacer 82, and the spacer 82
A groove is formed on the back surface of the to form a passage 84, and a hole 84 'is formed by fine processing in the thickness direction to form a structure in which it is connected to the passage 84, thereby performing stable and low-cost processing. Further, it is possible to obtain a vaporization part structure which can be performed and is improved in alignment and strength, is highly accurate, and is highly reliable.

11 and 12 show the second embodiment in which the present invention is applied to a non-contact type dye vaporization printer.

In this embodiment, a cutout 75B is formed in the center of the heating element 75, and a high resistance with a narrow width (for example, a width of 10 μm) is formed on both sides of the cutout 75B, as compared with the examples of FIGS. part
75A is formed differently, and the other parts are similarly configured.

Therefore, in this embodiment as well, since the high resistance portion 75A is provided in the heating element 75, the same operation and effect as in the first embodiment described above can be obtained, and the high resistance portion 75A is
Since there are two, the high temperature heating area for the dye is expanded,
Uniform heating can be performed.

13 and 14 show a third embodiment in which the present invention is applied to a non-contact type dye vaporization type printer.

In this embodiment, as compared with the example shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, in the dye accommodating section 87 above the trabecular body 80,
Since the heating element 75 having the high-resistance central portion 75A is provided in a bridge shape, the surface area of the dye 22 can be efficiently heated. Others are similarly configured.

That is, the heating element 75 is provided on the upper surface of the small pillar body 80 with an electrode.
Since 94 and 95 are formed on the upper surface of the insulating plate 73, the columnar body 80 as a porous structure is provided below the heating element 75 (at a position deeper than this). Therefore, the heating element 75 is in contact with the surface of the liquefied dye 22 in the surface area of the liquefied dye 22 in the housing portion 87, or at least partially immersed below this surface, but the latter state is vaporized and It can be said that it is desirable in terms of supply efficiency.

15 and 16 show the fourth and fifth embodiments, respectively, in which the present invention is applied to a non-contact type dye vaporization type printer.

In the example of FIG. 15, the cross section of FIG. 1 (however, the liquid stop layer
97 and the protective layer 91 are not shown), the thickness of the heating element 75 is further reduced from both ends to the central portion 75A. Therefore, the resistance of the central portion 75A can be further increased, so that the heating efficiency of the heating element 75 can be further improved.

In the example shown in FIG. 16, the central portion 75A of the heating element 75 is made thinner, or the height of the pillar 80 is lowered on the central portion to form the recess 110 in the central portion. ing. Therefore, in addition to the good heating efficiency of the heating element 75, the dye 22 can be retained in the recess 110 to suppress the escape thereof and improve the supply efficiency.

17 to 38 show the sixth embodiment in which the present invention is applied to a non-contact type dye vaporization printer.

The printer head 70 according to this embodiment is shown in FIG.
As shown in FIGS. 17 and 18, as compared with the example shown in FIG.
In the vaporization part 17, the heat insulating material 66 and the heating element 75 (further, the small pillar body)
It is similar in that a vaporization structure 101 composed of 80 groups) is formed, but basically the difference is that the central portion 75A of the heating element 75 is provided with a narrow width (for example, 10 μm width). Is.

That is, since the area of the heating element 75 is linearly reduced from both ends to the central portion on the upper surface 66A of the heat insulating material block 66, and the central portion 75A is formed to have the narrowest width, it is similar to the above-mentioned example. In addition, it is possible to efficiently perform heating by the central portion 75A of the heating element 75 and prevent deterioration of the electrodes.

The sizes, intervals, thicknesses, etc. of the small columns 80 and the heating elements 75 may be the same as those described in the first embodiment. Further, in the head 70 of this embodiment, the electrodes 94A and 95A of the heating element 75 extend from the side surface of the heat insulating material 66 to the peripheral region thereof, and the wiring metals 94B and 95B are provided on the electrodes 94A and 95A. Has been.

The heat insulating material block 66 is fixed to the base 63 provided with the dye liquefying heater 68 by the adhesive 111. The spacer 62 on which the dye containing portion 17 is formed is the adhesive 11
It is fixed on the base 63 by means of 2, but the vaporization structure 101 is placed in the dye containing portion 17. Note that the liquid stop layer 67 and the protective layer 61 are provided on the spacer 62, as in the case described with reference to FIG.

Although the pillars 80 and the layers 62 and 63 are made of glass, they can be made of other materials. For example, polymer materials such as polyimide, ceramics, silicon,
It can also be formed of a metal-based material or a combination thereof. The reason why the polymer material can be used is that the printer head 70 is not pressed against the photographic printing paper 50, so that it does not receive a large pressure.
The heat dissipation is small at the time of operation of 75, and the thermal insulation is good.

Next, an example of a method of manufacturing the head 70 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.

First, as shown in FIG. 19, a polysilicon (P-
Si) 75 is formed to a thickness of 0.2 μm or less.

Then, as shown in FIG. 20, a polysilicon layer 10 is formed.
3 and the quartz glass plate 66 are patterned by powder beam etching, and the heat insulating material 66 as a heat insulating portion and the heating element 75 thereon are processed into a predetermined pattern.

Next, as shown in FIG. 21, a photoresist 114 is formed on the periphery of the heat insulating material 66 in a pattern having a recess 113 corresponding to the dye containing portion 17, and aluminum 115 is then deposited by vacuum deposition or the like. Diagonal vapor deposition on the entire surface.

Then, as shown in FIG. 22, the recess 113 is filled with a photoresist 116 to make the surface flat.

Then, as shown in FIG. 23, a photoresist 117 is formed in a predetermined pattern on the surface including the heat insulating material 66 and the heat generating element 75, and this is used as a mask to perform powder beam etching to remove excess of the aluminum layer 115. That portion is removed along with portions of photoresist 116 and 114.

Then, as shown in FIG. 24, resists 117 and 11 are formed.
After removing all 6 and 114, a photoresist 118 is formed into a predetermined pattern as shown in FIG. 25, and the aluminum layer 115 is etched and shaped using this as a mask.

Next, as shown in FIG. 26, the resist 118 is removed, another photoresist 119 is formed in a predetermined pattern, and then aluminum 120 for wiring is deposited on the entire surface by sputtering. This allows the aluminum layer
Aluminum layers 94B and 95B as wiring are formed on 115.

Next, after removing the photoresist 119 and the aluminum layer 120 thereon by lift-off, as shown in FIGS. 27 and 36, the photoresist 122 is formed into a predetermined pattern so as to have the opening 121 on the heat insulating material 66. The aluminum layers 120 and 115 are selectively etched by using this as a mask to separate the aluminum electrodes 94A and 95A on both sides, and the heating element 75 is exposed between them.

Next, after removing the photoresist 122, as shown in FIGS. 28 and 37, a metal mask 123 of chromium or the like is formed in a predetermined pattern for selective etching of the heating element 75, and this is used to heat the heating element. 75 is etched and patterned.

Next, as shown in FIG. 29, a photoresist (polyvinyl alcohol or the like) 124 is filled up to the height of the heat insulating material 66 (actually the height of the aluminum layer 120).

Then, as shown in FIG. 30, a SiO ₂ layer 125 is formed to a thickness of 6 to 15 μm on the entire surface by a sputtering method or the like.

[0130] Then, as shown in FIG. 31, forming a fine metal mask 126 for trabecular body working on the SiO ₂ layer 125 above the thermal insulation material 66, further, as shown in FIG. 32, the SiO ₂ layer
The excess portion of 125 is removed by etching, and then the resist 124 is removed.

Then, as shown in FIGS. 33 and 38, the mask 12
The SiO ₂ layer 125 is etched by using 6 to form the above-described small pillar body (for example, small cylinder body) 80 on the heating element 75, and the vaporization structure portion 101 is manufactured.

Then, after removing the metal mask 123,
As shown in FIG. 34, attach the vaporization structure 101 to the base 63 with the adhesive 11
1 and the like, and further the spacer 62 while aligning so that the vaporizing structure 101 is located in the dye containing portion 17.
Are fixed on the base 63 with an adhesive 112 or the like.

Next, as shown in FIG. 35, the liquid stop layer 67 and the protective layer 61 are formed on the spacer 62, and the printer head 70 as shown in FIG. 12 is completed.

In this way, the head 70 according to this embodiment is
Can be manufactured by fine processing with good reproducibility.

39 and 40 show the seventh embodiment in which the present invention is applied to a non-contact type dye vaporization printer.

The printer head 70 according to this embodiment is
Compared to the example in Fig. 17 and Fig. 18, a cutout 75 is formed in the center of the heating element 75.
B is formed, and a narrow width (for example, width
The difference is that high resistance portions 75A of 10 μm) are formed respectively, and the other portions have the same structure.

Therefore, also in this embodiment, since the heating element 75 is provided with the high resistance portion 75A, the same operation and effect as those of the sixth embodiment described above can be obtained, and two high resistance portions 75A exist. Therefore, the high temperature heating region for the dye can be expanded and uniform heating can be performed.

As shown in FIG. 41, the color video printer 200 having the heads 70 according to the above-described first to seventh embodiments has a vertical (X direction) paper feed and a head in the direction orthogonal to the X direction. The horizontal scanning (Y direction) is used for printing, and the paper feeding in the vertical direction and the head scanning in the horizontal direction are alternately performed.

In this printer 200, the printer head 70 including the head portions Y, M, and C of each color is a serial type head, and a head feed shaft 201 including a feed screw mechanism.
The head support shaft 202 allows the print paper 50 to reciprocate in the head feed direction Y which is orthogonal to the paper feed direction X.

Further, a paper feed roller 203 for supporting the printing paper 50 so as to sandwich the printing paper 50 is rotatably provided to the head 70. In addition, the head 70 is a flexible harness 204
Is connected to a head drive circuit board (not shown) or the like.

When the printing of one line is completed, the printing paper 50 is fed by one line by the paper feed drive roller 203 which also serves as a head support. Printing is started sequentially for each color, but after 3 dots, printing is performed simultaneously. In addition, a plurality of first heating elements
If there are 75, run them alternately and select the heating element 75
Is used for printing, while the non-printing heating element 75 can control the temperature by utilizing the residual heat to liquefy the dye and keep it warm.

FIG. 42 shows a color video printer 200 having a head 70 of a line type, in which head portions Y, M, C of respective colors are arranged side by side in the width direction of the photographic printing paper 50. .

Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the above embodiments can be further modified based on the technical idea of the present invention.

For example, regarding the shape, material, size, etc. of the above-mentioned heating element (heater) 75, various distributions or combinations of resistance values or heat generation amounts should be taken into consideration in accordance with the present invention. You can The area of the heating element 75 may be the same as that shown in FIG. 48, and the heating element 75 may be modified such that its thickness is reduced in the central portion.

As the heating element 75, a poly-Si layer and a metal wiring may be used in combination, or an insulating film such as SiN or SiO ₂ may be appropriately attached to form a protective film. It can also be formed of a metal or a metal system. The base material is made of high thermal conductive material such as aluminum and ceramics,
The thermal characteristics of the head may be adjusted by the heating element 75, the heat insulating material, and the base material.

Further, the porous structure to be formed in the vaporizing part is
Not limited to the above, for example, in the case of a pillar, its height,
The plane or sectional shape, density, etc. may be changed, and
The formation location is also applicable as long as it is required to form a fine pattern or be porous, or to increase the surface area. The porous structure may be, in addition to the columnar body, a wall-shaped body, a bead aggregate shown in FIG. 44, a fibrous body, or the like.

Further, not only the dye vaporization type transfer system but also the transfer system by the ablation described above is possible, and in any case, the dye or the recording material flies and is transferred.

Further, the number of recording material storage portions for storing recording material (dye), the number of dots, and the corresponding number of heating elements and vaporization portions may be variously changed, and the arrangement shape and size thereof may be changed. It is not limited to the above.

Further, the structure and shape of the head and the printer, including the dye containing portion and the dye supply passage, may be an appropriate structure and shape other than those described above, and the material of each part constituting the head may be other suitable. Materials may be used. With respect to the recording dyes, full-color recording can be performed with three colors of magenta, yellow, and cyan (further, black is added), and two-color printing, one-color monocolor, or monochrome recording can be performed.

A heating element and a laser may be combined to heat the dye. In this case, vaporization can be satisfactorily realized even if the power of each heating means is reduced.

Further, as in the above-mentioned example, the solid dye is once made into a liquid state and vaporized to perform recording, or the solid dye is heated by laser light to be directly vaporized (that is, sublimated) to perform recording. In addition, a liquefied dye (liquid at room temperature) can be stored in the dye reservoir. In the printer described above, the laser beam may be irradiated from above the head to perform recording on the recording paper located below the head, or the recording may be performed in the opposite direction (from bottom to top).

In the present invention, a recording liquid containing a recording material and a substance (that is, a carrier) that dissolves or disperses the recording material and that expands in volume by heating is supplied, and the state of the recording liquid is changed by heating. Change to create droplets,
It can also be applied to an ink jet system in which the liquid droplets are transferred to a recording medium arranged opposite to the recording head.

[0153]

As described above, according to the present invention, the heat generated for heating the recording material to fly on the base material (especially on the heat insulating material) provided in the recording material accommodation portion facing the recording medium. Since the body is provided and the predetermined portion of the heat generating element is selectively heated to a high temperature, the predetermined portion becomes higher in temperature than other portions by energization, and the heating of the recording material is effectively performed. At the same time, the heat generated in the other portions is relatively small even if it is dissipated from the electrodes at both ends, and does not affect the heating of the recording material. Therefore, the thermal efficiency of the heating element can be sufficiently maintained.

Further, since the electrodes on both ends of the heating element can be connected to the above-mentioned other portions, they are not deteriorated by heat and their reliability can be maintained.

Since the recording apparatus of the present invention is of the thermal transfer type in which the recording material is heated to fly to the recording medium, the above-mentioned miniaturization, ease of maintenance, immediacy, and high image quality are achieved. It has features such as high gradation.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a plan view of a main part of a printer head according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken along line II-II in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing one stage of a manufacturing process of a main part of the printer head.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing another stage of the manufacturing process.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing another stage of the manufacturing process.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing another stage of the manufacturing process.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing another stage of the manufacturing process.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing another stage of the manufacturing process.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing another stage of the manufacturing process.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing still another stage of the same manufacturing process.

FIG. 11 is a plan view of a main part of a printer head according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

12 is a sectional view taken along line XII-XII in FIG. 11.

FIG. 13 is a plan view of a main part of a printer head according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

14 is a sectional view taken along line XIV-XIV in FIG.

FIG. 15 is a sectional view of a printer head according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention, taken along the line XV-XV in FIG. 1.

16 is a sectional view similar to FIG. 15, of a printer head according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 17 is a sectional perspective view of a main part of a printer head according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention.

18 is a plan view of FIG.

FIG. 19 is a cross-sectional view showing one step of the manufacturing process of the main part of the printer head (a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA of FIG. 17 or FIG.
The same).

FIG. 20 is a cross-sectional view showing another stage of the manufacturing process.

FIG. 21 is a cross-sectional view showing another stage of the manufacturing process.

FIG. 22 is a cross-sectional view showing another stage of the manufacturing process.

FIG. 23 is a cross-sectional view showing another stage of the manufacturing process.

FIG. 24 is a cross-sectional view showing another stage of the manufacturing process.

FIG. 25 is a cross-sectional view showing another stage of the manufacturing process.

FIG. 26 is a cross-sectional view showing another stage of the manufacturing process.

FIG. 27 is a cross-sectional view showing another stage of the manufacturing process.

FIG. 28 is a cross-sectional view showing another stage of the manufacturing process.

FIG. 29 is a cross-sectional view showing another stage of the manufacturing process.

FIG. 30 is a cross-sectional view showing another stage of the manufacturing process.

FIG. 31 is a cross-sectional view showing another stage of the manufacturing process.

FIG. 32 is a cross-sectional view showing another stage of the manufacturing process.

FIG. 33 is a cross-sectional view showing another stage of the manufacturing process.

FIG. 34 is a cross-sectional view showing another stage of the manufacturing process.

FIG. 35 is a cross-sectional view showing yet another stage in the manufacturing process.

FIG. 36 is a plan view showing one stage of the same manufacturing process.

FIG. 37 is a plan view showing another stage of the manufacturing process.

FIG. 38 is a plan view showing still another stage of the same manufacturing process.

FIG. 39 is a sectional view of a main part of a printer head according to a seventh embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 40 is a plan view of FIG. 39.

FIG. 41 is a schematic perspective view of a printer having a printer head according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 42 is a schematic perspective view of another printer having the printer head.

FIG. 43 is a front view of relevant parts of a printer using a conventional thermal recording head.

FIG. 44 is a schematic sectional view of a printer devised before the completion of the present invention.

FIG. 45 is an exploded perspective view of the head of the printer.

FIG. 46 is an exploded perspective view of the head of the other printer.

47 is a schematic cross-sectional view (cross-sectional view taken along line XXXXVII-XXXXVII in FIG. 50) of the printer filed before the invention of the present invention.

FIG. 48 is an enlarged cross-sectional perspective view of a main part of the head of the printer.

FIG. 49 is a perspective view of a part of the head of the printer.

FIG. 50 is a perspective view of another part of the head of the printer.

FIG. 51 is a plan view of a part of the printer head.

[Explanation of symbols]

 22 ・ ・ ・ Liquefied dye 32 ・ ・ ・ Vaporized dye 50 ・ ・ ・ Printing paper 66 ・ ・ ・ Insulation material 70 ・ ・ ・ Printer head 73 ・ ・ ・ Insulation plate 75 ・ ・ ・ Heating element 75A ・ ・ ・ Center part or high Resistance part 75B ・ ・ ・ Notch 77 ・ ・ ・ Vaporization part 80 ・ ・ ・ Small pillar 82 ・ ・ ・ Spacer 84, 84 '・ ・ ・ Dye supply passage or dye inlet 87 ・ ・ ・ Dye accommodating part 91 ・ ・・ Protective layer 92 ・ ・ ・ Voids 94, 95 ・ ・ ・ Electrodes 97 ・ ・ ・ Liquid stop layer 101 ・ ・ ・ Vaporized structure 102 ・ ・ ・ Bottom plate 110 ・ ・ ・ Recess 200 ・ ・ ・ Printer

─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁶ Identification code Office reference number FI technical display location B41J 2/32 B41J 3/04 103 S 3/20 109 A

Claims (14)

[Claims] 1. A heating element for heating and flying the recording material is provided on a base material provided in a recording material accommodation portion facing the recording material, and a predetermined portion of the heating element is selectively formed. A recording device configured to have a high temperature. 2. The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the central portion of the heating element has a maximum temperature. 3. The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the area and / or the thickness of the heating element are changed. 4. The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein electrodes are respectively connected to both ends of the heating element. 5. The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the heating element is provided on the surface of the base material. 6. The recording apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the base material is a heat insulating material. 7. A porous structure for holding and supplying a recording material, according to claim 1.
The recording device described in the item. 8. The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the porous structure comprises a group of small columns and the heating element comprises an electric resistor. 9. A recording material flying structure, comprising a heat insulating material, a porous structure and a heating element, for flying the recording material in the recording material housing portion to a recording medium by heating, and to the recording material housing portion. 9. A recording material supply structure portion for supplying the recording material, wherein the recording material flying structure is integrally provided on the recording material supply structure portion. The recording device described in the item. 10. The recording apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the recording material flying structure is arranged in a recording material vaporization or ablation section and is integrally provided on a spacer member having a recording material supply passage. 11. The recording apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the recording material supply structure is further fixed to the reinforcing material. 12. The recording material flying structure according to claim 9, wherein the recording material flying structure is mounted in a recording material accommodation portion formed in the recording material supply structure portion according to claim 9. The recording apparatus described in any one of items. 13. A recording material supply structure is fixed to a base material, a recording material housing is formed on the base material, and a recording material flying structure is mounted on the base material in the recording material housing. The recording device according to claim 12, 14. The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the recording material is vaporized or ablated, and the recording material is flown to a recording medium that is arranged to face the recording material in a non-contact state.