JPH08276608A - Recording method and apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: To always perform good recording by providing a plurality of recording material transfer parts in a common recording material supply passage and transferring a recording material from the recording material transfer part to a material to be recorded to efficiently transfer the same to the recording material transfer part. CONSTITUTION: The liquefied dye 22 flowing in a dye supply passage 84 from each dye housing tank is repelled to one end of a liquid stop part 197 to preliminarily flow in so as to be biased to first and second walls 82a, 102a. Rectangular evaporation holes 68a, 97a, 91a are provided to the heater layer 68, liquid stop layer 97 and protective layer 91 on the heating element 75 arranged to the central part of the second wall 102a to form an evaporation part 77. The liquefied dye 122 in the liquefied dye supply passage 84 is heated and evaporated in the vicinity of the upper part thereof by the heat from the heating element 75 to fly upward and bonded to a material to be recorded to perform recording. The liquefied dye on the heating element 75 consumed by evaporation has a recessed part temporarily and partially but the recessed part is immediately supplied with the dye by the surface tension of the liquefied dye 22 and the flow caused by the wettability of the first and second walls 82a, 102a.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a recording method and 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. 32 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 4 having an ink layer 4a provided on a base film 4b between them,
The recording paper (transferred material) 5 having the dyeing resin layer (dye receiving layer) 5a provided on the paper 5b is sandwiched and pressed against the thermal head 1 by the platen roller 3.

The ink (transfer dye) in the ink layer 4a selectively heated by the thermal head 1 is
The dots are transferred to the dyeing resin layer 5a of the transferred material 5, 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 33 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.
The dye reservoir 15 is provided on the head 14, and the liquefied dye 22 is housed between the head 13 and the lid 13 fixed on the head base 14.
The liquefied dye 22 is supplied to the vaporizer 17 via 27. in this case,
In order to improve the efficiency of supplying the dye to the vaporizing section 17 and the vaporizing efficiency, to prevent the dye from escaping due to a decrease in the surface tension of the dye caused by heat generation, and to continuously supply and hold the dye by utilizing the capillary phenomenon. Further, 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 11 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 dye supply path 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.

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. 35, a one-dimensional laser array 30 is manufactured, and each laser element can be operated independently and in parallel, so that the number of beams can be easily changed. 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, although it is difficult to express gradation with a conventional ink jet type color printer, since the semiconductor laser can easily control output power, pulse width and the like, the above recording method can easily express multi gradation. realizable. That is, an electric image produced by a color video camera or the like is converted into a dye transfer corresponding to an image signal by a semiconductor laser,
It is possible to form a full-color image having at least 128 gradations per color, which is comparable to silver halide photography.

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. 33) 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. 36 to 40 (however, the portions common to the head of FIG. 33 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. Note that FIG.
36 is shown upside down from FIG.

Further, a liquefied dye supply path 64 for heating and liquefying the solid powdery dye 42 in the dye storage tank 41 and a plurality of liquefied dye supply paths 64 are arranged at predetermined intervals along the liquefied dye supply path 64.
Each vaporizing section 17 for vaporizing the liquefied disperse dye 22 introduced from the liquefied dye supply path 64 by vaporization heat, a vaporization heating element 65 provided below the liquid surface of the dye 22 in the vaporization section, and supporting it. It has a heat insulating material 66 and a group of pillars 80 which are porous structures for holding and supplying the dye 22 on the heating element 65. 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. In addition, a light absorption layer (which can be omitted) may be provided.

As shown in FIGS. 36, 37, and 39, 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 section 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. 36, 37 and 38, the liquid stop layer 67 is formed with a plurality of square columnar holes 67a each of which is a part of the vaporization hole 23 of each vaporization section 17. 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. 36, 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 supply path 64 is formed.

Further, each liquefied dye supply path 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. 35, 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. 40, 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-mentioned printer head shown in FIGS. 36 to 40.
According to 60, in addition to having the features described in the printer head 40 shown in FIGS. 33 to 35, in addition to the printer head 40, it has the following advantages.

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.

The printer head shown in FIGS. 36, 39 and 40.
In the structure of 60, the liquefied dye supply path 64 does not consider the wettability of the liquefied dye 22 with respect to its wall surface,
The supply of the liquefied dye 22 to the vaporization section 17 may not always be performed efficiently, and therefore, there is sometimes a problem that the liquefied dye in the vaporization section 17 is insufficient and recording is not performed well. It was

[0047]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and efficiently supplies a recording material (for example, the above-mentioned liquefied dye) to a recording-material transition section (for example, the above vaporization section). It is an object of the present invention to provide a recording method and a recording apparatus that are always supplied to a recording medium and that perform good recording.

[0048]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION A first aspect of the present invention provides a common recording material supply path in which a recording material is transferred from a recording material transfer portion facing a recording material to the recording material to perform recording. The present invention relates to a recording method in which a plurality of recording material transfer portions are provided and the recording material is transferred from these recording material transfer portions to the recording medium.

In the first aspect of the invention, it is desirable that the recording material is supplied to the recording material transition portion by utilizing the surface tension of the recording material in the common recording material supply passage.

Further, in the first invention, it is desirable that materials having different wettability with respect to the recording material are arranged in the common recording material supply path along the recording material supply direction.

Further, in the first invention, the recording material can be sucked and held in each recording material transition portion.

In the first aspect of the invention, the recording material transition portion may be opposed to the recording material with a gap therebetween, and the recording material may be transferred from the recording material transition portion to the recording material through the gap. desirable.

In the above, it is desirable that the recording material is vaporized or ablated at the recording material transfer portion and the vaporized or ablated recording material is transferred to the recording medium.

A second aspect of the invention is to transfer a plurality of recording materials from a common recording material supply path when recording is performed by transferring the recording material from the recording material transfer portion facing the recording material to the recording material. A recording method in which the recording material is guided to a recording section, the recording material is held in each of the plurality of recording material transfer sections, and the recording material is transferred from the plurality of recording material transfer sections to the recording medium. Then, materials having different wettability with respect to the recording material are arranged along the recording material supply direction in the common recording material supply path, and surface tension to the recording material is given by the materials having different wettability. The present invention relates to a recording method for supplying the recording material.

In the second invention, it is desirable that the recording material is sucked and held in each recording material transition portion.

In the second aspect of the invention, the recording material transition portion may be opposed to the recording material with a gap, and the recording material may be transferred from the recording material transition portion to the recording material through the gap. desirable.

In the above, it is desirable that the recording material is vaporized or ablated at the recording material transfer portion and the vaporized or ablated recording material is transferred to the recording medium.

A third aspect of the invention has a common recording material supply path for supplying the recording material to a plurality of recording material transition parts facing the recording medium, and a plurality of recording material supply paths are provided in the recording material supply path. The present invention relates to a recording apparatus provided with the recording material transition section.

In the third invention, it is desirable that the recording material holding means utilizing the surface tension of the recording material is provided in the recording material supply path along the recording material supply direction.

In the above, it is desirable that the recording material holding means be formed by wall surfaces that intersect with each other.

Further, in the above, it is desirable that one of the wall surfaces intersecting with each other is provided with a material layer having a lower wettability with respect to the recording material than the other wall surface.

Further, in the above, the material layer having low wettability may be arranged at a position apart from the intersection of the wall surfaces.

Further, in the third invention, it is desirable that the material layer used as described above and having a low wettability is filled in the groove to be formed.

Instead of the above, the material layer having a low wettability may be provided on the wall surface.

Further, in the third invention, a base portion,
A spacer portion integrated with the base portion, and a recording material supply path is provided in contact with the base portion on the spacer portion,
It is preferable that the material layer having low wettability is provided on a part of the base portion.

In the third aspect of the invention, it is desirable that a transfer energy applying portion for transferring the recording material to the recording medium is provided near the material layer having low wettability.

In the above, it is desirable that the transfer energy is applied by a heating element.

Instead of the above, the transfer energy may be applied by a heating beam.

Further, in the third invention, a recording material flying structure for flying the liquid recording material onto the recording medium to perform recording is provided in the common recording material supply path. It is desirable that the recording material transition part be constituted by the structure for use.

Further, in the third invention, it is desirable that the recording material flying structure is provided with a porous structure which causes a capillary phenomenon.

In the above, it is desirable that the porous structure is formed by an aggregate of small pillars.

Further, in the third invention, it is desirable that the liquid recording material is vaporized or ablated to fly to the recording medium facing the liquid recording material in a non-contact state.

A fourth invention has a common recording material supply path for supplying the recording material to a plurality of recording material transition parts facing the recording medium, and the common recording material supply path and each of the above-mentioned recording material supply paths. A recording material transfer section communicates with the recording material introduction path, and recording material holding means utilizing the surface tension of the recording material is provided in the common recording material supply path along the recording material supply direction. Recording device.

In the fourth invention, the recording material holding means is
It is desirable that the recording material supply path is formed by wall surfaces that intersect with each other.

In the fourth aspect of the invention, it is desirable that one of the wall surfaces intersecting each other is provided with a material layer having a wettability lower than that of the other wall surface with respect to the recording material.

In the above, the material layer having low wettability may be arranged at a position away from the intersection of the wall surfaces.

In the above, it is desirable that the groove be filled with the material layer having a low wettability used as described above.

Instead of the above, a material layer having low wettability may be provided on the wall surface.

Further, in the fourth invention, a base portion,
A spacer portion integrated with the base portion, and a recording material supply path is provided in contact with the base portion on the spacer portion,
It is preferable that the material layer having low wettability is provided on a part of the base portion.

Further, in the fourth invention, it is desirable that the recording material transfer portion is provided with a transfer energy applying portion for transferring the recording material to the recording medium.

In the above, it is desirable that the transfer energy is applied by the heating element.

Instead of the above, the transfer energy may be applied by a heating beam.

Further, in the fourth aspect of the invention, it is desirable that the recording material transferring portion is constituted by the recording material flying structure for flying the liquid recording material on the recording medium to perform recording.

Further, in the fourth invention, it is desirable that the recording material flying structure is provided with a porous structure which causes a capillary phenomenon.

In the above, it is desirable that the porous structure is formed by an aggregate of small pillars.

In the fourth aspect of the invention, it is desirable that the liquid recording material is vaporized or ablated to fly to a recording medium facing the liquid recording material in a non-contact state.

[0087]

The present invention will be described in detail below with reference to Examples, but it goes without saying that the present invention is not limited to the following Examples. Examples 1 to 11 below are a recording method based on the first invention and a recording apparatus based on the third invention,
Non-contact dye vaporization printers (eg video printers:
The same applies hereinafter).

<Embodiment 1> FIG. 1 is an enlarged cross-sectional view (cross-sectional view taken along the line I--I of FIG. 4) of a printer head 70 according to this embodiment.
Is a plan view (cross-sectional view taken along the line II-II of FIG. 1), FIG. 3 is a plan view of crushing the same portion, FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line IV-IV of FIG. 3, FIG. 5 is a perspective view of crushing the same portion, and FIGS. FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the recording mechanism.

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

This printer head 70 has a head base 102 located at the lower side; a spacer 82 located at the center; and a dye liquefied / liquefied dye heat retaining heater 68 and a liquid stop layer 97 sandwiched thereon, to provide high strength. A wear-resistant protective layer 91 of material;
Forming a rectangular body. A dye storage tank 41 for storing a solid powder dye 42 as a disperse dye is arranged at one end of the main body in the longitudinal direction to constitute the whole body.

As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the spacer 82 has a common liquefied dye supply passage 84 in the longitudinal direction in the same manner as that shown in FIGS. 33 and 38, for the yellow 84Y and magenta. 84M for cyan and 84C for cyan, and one end thereof communicates with 41Y for yellow, 41M for magenta, and 41C for cyan as the respective dye storage tanks provided in the dye tank 41.

A remarkable feature of this embodiment is that the vaporizing unit 77 (see FIGS. 33 and 37 to 39) in which the printer heads 40 and 60 shown in FIG. ) Is separately provided in the vicinity of the liquefied dye supply path 84 for thermal transfer recording, whereas in the present embodiment, the liquefied dye supply paths 84Y, 84M, 84 are used.
That is, a method in which a dye vaporization portion 77 is formed on C itself and recording is performed.

Next, the principle of recording according to this embodiment will be described. FIG. 1 is a sectional view showing one of the above-mentioned liquefied dye supply paths 84 extracted, and FIG. 2 is a plan view thereof.

The liquefied dye supply passage 84 has the first wall 82a and the other wall 82b formed by the groove formed in the spacer 82, and the upper surface of the base material 102 faces this groove and becomes the bottom of the groove. Two
Wall 102a. Then, as shown in FIG. 1, a liquid stopper 197 is buried in a strip shape on one side of the second wall 102a along the wall surface of the other wall 82b of the spacer 82. Since the liquid stop portion 197 is made of a heat-resistant fluorine-based or silicon-based resin material, it has low wettability and has an action of repelling the liquefied dye 22. But on the contrary, the first
The wall 82a and the second wall 102a are made of a material having high wettability, so that the wall 82a and the second wall 102a are easily immersed in the liquefied dye 22.

The liquefied dyes 22 flowing from the dye storage tanks 41Y, 41M and 41C into the respective dye supply passages 84 are liquefied dye supply passages.
At the inlet of 84, as shown in the plan view of the printer head in FIG. 3, the liquid stopper is repelled by the one end 197a of the liquid stopper and is biased toward the first wall 82a and the second wall 102a side in advance, and the liquefied dye supply path is formed. It flows into 84. Therefore, the liquefied dye 22 in the liquefied dye supply path 84 that has flowed in from the dye storage tank 41 is separated from the liquor stop portion 197 as shown in FIG. As described above, the liquid surface of the liquefied dye 22 is unevenly distributed on the side of the L-shaped wall formed by the first wall 82a and the second wall 102a, and the liquid surface of the liquefied dye 22 forms an inverted parabolic curved surface in cross section.

That is, the liquefying dye 22 is formed by the surface tension imparted to the liquefying dye itself and naturally forms such a cross-sectional shape while having good wettability.
It is held on the 02a surface and forms a flow. The area of the liquefied dye cross section orthogonal to the direction of this flow becomes small, and this flow is promoted by the capillary phenomenon, so that the liquefied dye 22 is efficiently supplied.

A heating element (for example, made of P-Si or the like) 75 is provided substantially in the center of the second wall 102a, and the electrodes 94 and 95 made of aluminum or the like conduct electricity and generate heat. Then, as shown in an enlarged view of the portion A in FIG. 1, the thickness T of the liquid dye layer 22 formed and held in the shape of an inverted parabolic filament is 10 μm at the location of the heating element 75. That is, the heating element 75 is arranged at a position where the thickness T of the liquid dye layer 22 becomes 10 μm. In order to maintain the thickness T of the liquefied dye, the amount of the liquefied dye supplied must be sufficient. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 4, the sensor 43 is arranged at the most upstream part of the liquefied dye supply path 84, and the liquefied dye supply amount is controlled by the control means (not shown) based on the detection result of the sensor 43.

As shown in FIG. 3, a large number (eg, 64) of heating elements 167 are arranged at predetermined intervals on the surface of the first wall 82a of each of the dye supply paths 64Y, 64M, 64C. And heating element
Heater layer 68, liquid stop layer on the place where 75 is installed
Rectangular vaporization holes 68a, 97a, and 91a are formed in the protective layer 91 and the protective layer 91 to form a vaporization portion 77. Fig. 4 (IV- in Fig. 3
IV line sectional view) and FIG. 5 (partially crushed perspective view)
Shows this shape.

Next, the principle of recording according to this example will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 6A is a cross-sectional view in which a main part of the printer head is extracted, and FIG. 6B is a cross-sectional perspective view thereof, in which the liquefied dye held as described above.
FIG. 22 is an enlarged view showing a state of 22 and the like. The liquefied dye 22 in the liquefied dye supply path 84 held in this manner is vaporized by heating the liquefied dye in the vicinity of the upper part thereof by the heat generation of the heating element 75 due to energization. FIG. 7 shows the state. Liquefaction dye
The vaporized dye 22A formed by vaporizing 22 flies upward as shown in the figure and adheres to the recording medium (for example, the dye receiving layer 50a of the photographic paper 50) for recording.

Therefore, the heating element 75 consumed by vaporization
The liquid surface of the upper liquefied dye 22 temporarily forms a partial recess 22b. As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the recess 22b has a ring-shaped raised boundary at the boundaries 22a, 22a between the first liquid surface and the recess, and most of the heating element 75 disappears in the central portion. The formed state is formed. The phantom line shown in this recess in FIG. 7 represents the liquefied dye surface before consumption.

The thermal transfer thus carried out is selectively carried out in the form of dots, and the consumed liquefied dye is immediately replenished by the above-mentioned flow of the liquefied dye 22, so that the liquefied dye will not run short. Such a recording method in this embodiment is a fundamental difference from the conventional recording method.

In this example, by the efficient vaporization method and the supply of the liquefied dye utilizing the capillary phenomenon,
Since a predetermined amount of the liquefied dye is always present on the heating element 75 without excess or deficiency, good recording is always guaranteed. Further, since the heating element that constitutes each vaporization section is provided in the common liquefied dye supply path, the supply of the liquefied dye to these heating elements is not directly due to the absence of the branch path for introducing the liquefied dye. Is efficient and efficient. Furthermore, the structure is simple because no aggregate of beads or aggregate of trabeculae is required.

<Embodiment 2> FIG. 9 is a plan view similar to FIG. 2 of the printer head 70 according to this embodiment, and FIG. 10 is a sectional view taken along line XX of FIG.

In this example, a liquid stopper 197 is provided at the center of the bottom surface of the liquefied dye supply passage 84, and heating elements 75 and vaporizers 77 are alternately provided on both sides of the liquid stopper 197. In this example, Figure 10
As shown in FIG.
1, the liquid surface having the cross section of the inverse parabolic line is formed symmetrically to hold the liquefied dye. In this example,
In addition to the same effect as in the first embodiment,
There is an effect that the density of the vaporization portion becomes high and the resolution of the recording result becomes high.

<Embodiment 3> In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 11, the liquid stopper 197 is replaced with the liquid stopper 197 embedded in the second wall 102a as shown in FIG. It is provided on the second wall 102a at the same position as in 1 so as to be projected by, for example, printing. Therefore, except for this, the configuration is the same as that of the first embodiment, has exactly the same function, and exhibits the same effect. In this example, it is not necessary to process the groove for burying the liquid stopper, and the manufacturing of the device is simplified.

<Fourth Embodiment> In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 12, in addition to the structure of the first embodiment shown in FIG. 1, a first wall 82a is formed.
Another liquid stop 197A is buried at the upper end and added.
The other parts have the same structure as in the first embodiment. Therefore, it has the same function as in the first embodiment, and further has a function of preventing the liquefied dye 22 from flowing out from the upper end of the first wall 82a.

<Embodiment 5> Printer head according to this example
As shown in FIG. 13, the 70 is provided with the protruding type liquid stopper 197 in the fifth embodiment, and is different from the above-mentioned respective embodiments in that the first wall 82a and the second wall 102a are different. A coating layer 182 made of a material having higher wettability than the original wettability of each wall surface (for example, polyester resin) is provided. The other parts are the same as those in the above-mentioned examples.

Therefore, in the case of this example, the supply of the liquefied dye is more efficient than the above-mentioned examples due to the coating layer 182 having good wettability, and the replenishment of the liquefied dye consumed by the vaporization is extremely smooth. Therefore, it is possible to speed up the recording.

<Embodiment 6> This is an example in which the above Embodiment 5 is further improved. That is, as shown in FIG. 14, the printer head 70 according to this example is similar to the printer head 70 of FIG.
In addition to that, only in the region near the intersection of the first wall 82a and the second wall 102a, a coating layer 183 made of a material (for example, polyester resin) having a better wettability than the coating layer 182 having a good wettability is provided. It is composed by.

Therefore, the liquefied dye 22 supplied is a coating layer.
The main stream of the flow is formed in the extremely narrow area that contacts the 161, and the strong capillary action of this narrow area creates a smoother flow, and the liquefied dye is supplied more efficiently, and the recording speed is further increased. It will be.

<Embodiment 7> This embodiment is an example in which the heating element 75 of Embodiment 1 has a meandering shape. As shown in FIG. 15, which is a partial plan view similar to FIG. 2, in the printer head 70 according to this example, the heating element 75 is formed in a meandering pattern, and this pattern is provided on the second wall surface as in the first embodiment. Other points are the same as those in the first embodiment.

Therefore, this example also has the same effect as in Example 1, and since the heating element 75 has a meandering shape, the heating area for the liquefied dye 22 is widened and efficient heating can be performed. .

<Embodiment 8> In this example, the energy for vaporizing the liquefied dye is changed from the heat generated by the heating element to the irradiation of laser light. FIG. 16 is a cross-sectional view similar to FIG. 1 of the vaporization part of the printer head 70 and its periphery according to this example. In this example, the heating element and its electrode are not provided, and instead of these, the semiconductor laser 18 and the lens 19 are arranged outside the base material 102. And
Transparent quartz glass is used for the base material 102.
The other parts have the same structure as that of the first embodiment. In this example, the light is emitted from the semiconductor laser 18 and the lens 19
The laser light L condensed by the
Irradiation is performed on a nearby portion, and the liquefied dye is vaporized at this irradiation position.

This example also has the same function as in Example 1 described above, and it is possible to perform intensive heating by increasing the laser beam density in the optical system (lens 19), which has good vaporization heat efficiency and recording speed. Can be realized.

<Embodiment 9> Printer head according to this example
Reference numeral 70 denotes a heating element in the liquefied dye supply path 84, as shown in FIG.
A group of small pillars 80 as a porous structure is erected on 75 to form a vaporization structure 101. Others are the same as in Example 1 above.
Is the same as in.

In this example, the first and second walls 82a,
The liquefied dye 22 (shown by a broken line) which is supplied by the liquid surface 102a and the liquid stopper 197 in the form of an inverted parabolic cross section is
The capillarity of each trabecular body 80 on the heating element 75 causes the voids 92 between the trabecular bodies to be sucked up to the upper surface of each trabecular body 80.

As a result, the liquefied dye on the heating element 75 is maintained at the same height as the columnar body 80 regardless of the amount of the liquefied dye 22 supplied through the liquefied dye supply passage 84, and the heating element is heated. There will be exactly a fixed amount of liquefied dye on 75. As a result, the heat generated by the heating element 75 is vaporized, and the vaporization structure 10
There is virtually no variation in the recording density per dot of the dye flying from 1 to the photographic paper 50 (shown by phantom lines),
Even better recording results can be obtained.

<Embodiment 10> This is an example in which the vaporization structure of Embodiment 9 shown in FIG. 17 is improved.

According to the printer head 70 of this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 18, as compared with the example shown in FIG. 17, the heating element 75 in the vaporization structure portion 101 has the surface 82A of the spacer 82 as the base material. Is provided on the upper surface 82C of the narrow projecting portion 82B formed by partially projecting, and is therefore provided at the level of the intermediate height h between the small pillar body 80 and the spacer surface 82A. ing. The protruding portion 82B is integral with the spacer 82, and a pair of electrodes 94 and 95 of the heating element 75 are provided at the same height level h as the upper surface 82C thereof. The other components are the same as those in the first embodiment. Each pillar 80 is formed by subjecting the spacer 82 to reactive ion etching (RIE).

Since the heating element 75 is provided on the protruding portion 82B of the spacer 82 as described above, the heat generated from the heating element is transferred only through the narrow protruding portion 82B, so that the heat is generated. The area transmitted to the side is smaller than that in the example of FIGS. 1 and 2. In other words, FIG.
In the case of the above example, since the heating element 75 is directly provided on the surface 82A of the spacer 82, the heat of the heating element 75 is not only directed downward toward the spacer 82 (which acts as a heat insulating material) but also laterally. It is also transmitted to the
Since it passes through 82B, the amount of heat transfer to the spacer 82 side is reduced.

As a result, the above-described function and effect due to the heat generating element 75 being provided separately from the small pillar body 80 (that is, there is no heat radiation through the small pillar body 80, and the heat of the small pillar body 80 is not generated). Of course, it is possible to suppress the mechanical stress, and the workability of the small pillar 80, and the reduction of the amount thereof. However, in addition to this, the above-mentioned protrusion 82B suppresses the heat transfer to generate heat. The heating efficiency of the body 75 can be further improved.

Moreover, the heating element 75 has the upper surface 82 of the protruding portion 82B.
Since it is provided in C and is present near the liquid surface of the dye 22, the heat of the heating element 75 efficiently heats the liquid surface region that directly influences the vaporization of the dye, thereby further increasing the vaporization efficiency of the dye 22. Can be improved. That is, it becomes possible to fully utilize the surface of the heating element 75 (the surface that generates heat).

Further, since the stepped portion 110 is present between the projecting portion 82B and the trabecular body 80, the dye 22 is provided here.
Since the dye can be effectively held and supplied, and the dye can be supplied to the step portion 110 from one direction, only one introduction port 84 'is required and its position is not so limited.

In addition, the capillary action by the group of the small pillars 80 and the action and effect by the vaporization structure 101 can be obtained in the same manner as in the ninth embodiment.

In this embodiment, the width w of the heating element 75 (width of the protruding portion 82B) and the height h thereof may be selected variously, but in view of the above heating efficiency, (2/3) h ≧ w ≧
It is preferable that the relationship of (1/3) h is satisfied. For example, h = 6 μm and w = 3 μm. The height of the pillars 80 is 20 μm or less, the diameter is 10 μm or less, and the gap 92 is 20 μm or less.
It may be μm or less.

<Embodiment 11> This example is based on the laser beam L of FIG.
This is an example in which both the vaporization of the dye by the irradiation of and the group of the pillars 80 of FIG. 18 are adopted. FIG. 19 is a sectional view of the main part of the printer head similar to FIGS. 16 and 18.

In the printer head 70 according to this example, the effects of the eighth and ninth embodiments can be exhibited together, and good recording can be obtained at high speed.

The following Embodiments 12 to 16 are examples in which the recording method according to the second invention and the recording apparatus according to the fourth invention are applied to a non-contact dye vaporization printer. In these embodiments, the vaporizing section is not provided in the liquefied dye supply path, but the vaporizing section is provided in the dye containing section communicating with this.

<Embodiment 12> Printer head according to this embodiment
In 70, as shown in the cross-sectional view in FIG. 20 and the plan view in FIG. 21,
A groove is provided on the lower surface of the spacer 82, and the liquefied dye supply path 84 is formed by the groove and the upper surface of the base material 102.
An insulating plate 73 is attached on the upper surface, and a liquid stop layer 97 and a protective layer 91 are provided on the insulating plate 73 in this order. Then, a part of the insulating plate 73 is RIE-processed to provide a group of small pillars 80, and a void 92 is formed between the small pillars 80. The vaporization structure 101 is formed by providing the protruding portion 82B and the heating element 75 provided there.

The vaporizing structures 101 are provided at a predetermined pitch. The void 92 contains a liquefied dye, and the dye containing portion 87 is formed in the insulating plate 73. The dye containing portion 87 and the liquefied dye supply passage 84 are communicated with each other through a dye introduction port 84 '. In this example, the vaporization structure 101 has the same structure as that shown in FIG. 18 as described above. The liquefied dye supply passage 84 is not provided with a vaporization section,
This is the same as in the first embodiment of FIGS. 1 and 2.

In this example, the same effects as in Example 10 shown in FIG. 18 are obtained, and there is no group of heating elements or trabeculae in the liquefied dye supply passage 84. Therefore, the liquefied dye 22 flows in the liquefied dye supply path 84 without receiving resistance, and the liquefied dye 22 is supplied more efficiently than in the above-described embodiments.

<Embodiment 13> As shown in FIG. 22, the printer head 70 according to this embodiment is the same as the embodiment shown in FIGS.
12 and the basic structure is the same, but in the manufacturing process,
A coating layer 182 having a good wettability (for example, a layer made of polyester resin) similar to that shown in FIG. 13 is provided in a portion extending from the second wall 102a and the first wall 82a to the wall surface of the dye introducing port 84 '. Is different.

Therefore, in the case of this example, as in the case of the above-mentioned Example 5 shown in FIG. 13, the main flow portion of the liquefied dye 22 forms a smooth flow, and the supply of the liquefied dye 22 is made more than that in the above-mentioned Example 12. Will be even smoother and recording will be faster.

In this example, in addition to the above, the first wall 82a
Only the region near the intersection between the second wall 102a and the second wall 102a is formed by the coating layer 183 made of a material having higher wettability (for example, polyester resin). As a result, the supply of the liquefied dye is further improved, and the recording speed can be further increased.

<Embodiment 14> Printer head according to this embodiment
23, as shown in FIG. 23, the vaporization structure 101 has a structure similar to that of the vaporization structure of the ninth embodiment shown in FIG. 17, and the other parts are the same as those of the printer head of the thirteenth embodiment shown in FIG. It has the same structure. That is, the heating element 75 is a spacer
It is provided directly on 82, and a group of small pillars 80 is erected on it.

In this example, it is not necessary to provide the spacer 82 with a protrusion (82B in FIG. 22), and the manufacture of the printer head is easier than in the thirteenth embodiment.

<Embodiment 15> As shown in FIG. 24, in the printer head 70 according to this embodiment, the vaporization structure is made up of a group of small columns 80, and no heating element is provided. Then, a semiconductor laser 18 and a lens 19 are arranged in place of this vaporization heating element, and the laser light L emitted from the semiconductor laser 18 and condensed by the lens 19 is applied to the liquefied dye of the vaporization structure 101. This is vaporized, and is made to fly toward the photographic printing paper 50.

In this example, both the effect of the eighth embodiment shown in FIG. 16 and the effect of the fourteenth embodiment shown in FIG. 23 are exhibited, and good recording is performed at high speed. be able to.

<Embodiment 16> This embodiment has substantially the same structure as the printer head 60 shown in FIGS. 36 to 40, to which the liquefied dye supply according to the embodiment 2 shown in FIGS. 9 and 10 is applied. This is an example of adopting a road structure. 25 to 27 show a printer head according to this example, and FIG. 25 is a sectional view (enlarged sectional view taken along line XXV-XXV in FIG. 26) of the main part of the printer head 70.
26 is a crushed perspective view of the same portion, and FIG. 27 is an enlarged cross-sectional perspective view of the vaporization portion and its periphery.

In this example, the vaporization structures 101 are provided on the heat insulating material block 66, and these are arranged on both sides of the liquefied dye supply passage 64, and are attached to the rectangular holes 62a communicating with the liquefied dye supply passage 64. A liquid stopper 167 made of a material that repels a liquefied dye is provided as a ridge on the center line in the longitudinal direction.

As shown in FIG. 25, the base 63 and the spacer
In the liquefied dye supply path 64 provided in 62, the liquefied dye 22 is
The spacer wall 167 on both sides is repelled by the central fluid stop 167.
b, 62c gets wet and rises along these wall surfaces,
Both sides of 167 are symmetrical with each other, and the capillary action works to efficiently pass through the liquefied dye supply path 64. Liquefied dye here
The liquid surface of 22 is in the shape of an inverted parabolic line symmetrical to each other in cross section to the left and right of the liquid stop 167. Then, the liquefied dye 22 is supplied to the vaporization structure 101 on the heat insulating material block 66 through the dye introduction port 64a shown in FIG. The liquid stopper 167 may be embedded in the groove of the base wall surface 63a as shown by an imaginary line, instead of being provided on the ridge.

Next, referring to FIG. 27, the vaporization unit 17 according to this example will be described.
The structure of will be described. Printer head according to this example
Compared with the example shown in FIG. 37, 70 is similar in that a vaporization structure 101 including a heat insulating material 66 and a heating element 75 (and a group of small pillars 80) is formed in the vaporization section 17. However, what is fundamentally different is that the group of small pillars 80 is provided separately from the heating element 75.

That is, the heating element 75 is locally provided in a rectangular shape from one end to the other end on the upper surface 66A of the heat insulating material block 66, and the group of small pillars 80 generates heat on both sides of the heating element 75. It is provided separately from the body 75.

With such a configuration, as shown in FIG.
As in the twelfth embodiment shown in FIG. 21, the heat of the heating element 75 does not escape via the trabecular body 80, and can be used for heating efficiently, and due to the capillary action of the group of trabecular bodies 80. The dye can be sufficiently vaporized and supplied due to the dye retaining and supplying efficiency and the dye retaining effect at the step portion 110 on the heating element 75.

Moreover, since the heat of the heating element 75 is not directly transmitted to the pillars 80, the pillars 80 are not damaged by thermal stress.

The small columns 80 and the heating elements 75 may have the same size, spacing, thickness, etc. as described in the twelfth 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. Incidentally, the point that the liquid stop layer 67 and the protective layer 61 are provided on the spacer 62 is the same as that described in FIG.

Although the small columns 80 and the layers 62 and 63 are made of glass, they may 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.

Further, according to the printer head 70 of this example, the heating element 75 in the vaporization structure portion 101 partially projects the surface 66A of the heat insulating material block 66 as a base material and has a narrow protruding portion 66B. Is provided on the upper surface 66C, and is therefore provided at an intermediate height level between the columnar body 80 and the heat insulating material surface 66A. The protruding portion 66B is integral with the heat insulating material 66, and the pair of electrodes 94 and 95 of the heating element 75 are provided at the same level as the upper surface 66C thereof.

As described above, since the heating element 75 is provided on the protruding portion 66B of the heat insulating material 66, the heat generated from the heating element is transferred only through the narrow protruding portion 66B, so that the heat is insulated. The area transmitted to the material 66 side is small.

As a result, the above-described function and effect due to the heating element 75 being provided separately from the columnar body 80 (that is, there is no heat radiation through the columnar body 80, and the heat of the columnar body 80 is not generated). Of course, the mechanical stress of the small pillars 80 can be easily processed, and the amount thereof can be reduced. However, in addition to this, by suppressing the heat transfer by the above-mentioned protruding portion 66B,
The heating efficiency by the heating element 75 can be further improved.

Moreover, the heating element 75 is provided on the upper surface 66 of the protruding portion 66B.
Since it is provided in C and is present near the liquid surface of the dye 22, the heat of the heating element 75 efficiently heats the liquid surface region that directly influences the vaporization of the dye, thereby further increasing the vaporization efficiency of the dye 22. Can be improved. That is, it becomes possible to fully utilize the surface of the heating element 75 (the surface that generates heat).

Further, since the step portion 110 exists between the projecting portion 66B and the trabecular body 80, the dye 22 is provided here.
Since the dye can be effectively held and supplied, and the dye can be supplied to the step portion 110 from one direction, only one introduction path 64a is required and its position is not so restricted.

In addition, the action and effect due to the capillary action of the group of trabecular bodies 80 can be obtained in the same manner as in Examples 9 to 15.

In this example, the width (width of the projecting portion 66B) w of the heating element 75 and its height h may be variously selected, but in view of the heating efficiency, (2/3) h ≧ w ≧ (1
/ 3) It is preferable that the relationship h is satisfied. For example, h
= 6 μm and w = 3 μm. The height of the pillars 80 may be 20 μm or less, the diameter may be 10 μm or less, and the gap 92 may be 20 μm or less.

The vaporizing section 17 and the vaporizing structure 101 are not provided on both sides of the liquefied dye supply path 64 as in this example, but are liquefied in the same manner as in Example 12 (see FIGS. 20 and 21). It may be provided only on one side of the dye supply path 64. In this case, for example, if it is provided only on the left side in FIG. 25, one side wall 62c of the liquefied dye supply passage 64 is preferably in a position in contact with the liquid stopper 167, as shown by an imaginary line.

Next, the structure of the recording apparatus (printer) is shown in FIG.
~ It demonstrates by FIG. 28 and 29 are schematic rear views showing the printer head and its scanning state, and FIG. 30 is a schematic perspective view of the printer head as seen from below, both showing examples of serial printers or printer heads. .

In this dye vaporization type printer, in order to perform multi-color printing, for example, three sets of printer head parts (four sets if a black one is prepared separately) are prepared, and each head part is downsized. The heads for multicolor printing are made close to each other. That is, as shown in FIG. 28, the printer heads 70Y, 70M and 70C for the respective colors are arranged side by side in the scan direction Y of the heads.

In the case of mono-color printing, the printer head unit 70 may be one line as shown in FIG.

As shown in FIG. 30, in the printer 200, the printer head 70 including the heads Y, M, and C of each color is a serial type head, and the head feed shaft 201 and the head support shaft 202 that are a feed screw mechanism are formed as a serial type head. Thus, the printing paper 50 can be reciprocally moved in the head feeding direction Y which is orthogonal to the paper feeding direction X.

On the upper side of the printer head 70, a head receiving roller (platen roller) 203 that supports the photographic printing paper 50 so as to sandwich it is rotatably provided. The photographic printing paper 50 is sandwiched between the paper feed drive roller 204 and the driven roller 205 and moved in the paper feed direction X. The printer head 70 is a flexible harness.
It is connected to a drive control unit (not shown) via 206.

When the printing of one line is completed, the printing paper 50 is fed by one line by the paper feed drive roller 204 which also serves as a head support. Printing is started sequentially for each color, but after 3 dots, printing is performed simultaneously. If there are multiple heating elements 75, they are operated alternately, and the selected heating elements 75 are used for printing, while the non-printing heating elements 75 utilize residual heat to liquefy and retain heat of the dye. However, the temperature can be controlled.

FIG. 31 shows a color video printer 200 having a head 70 of a line type, in which head portions Y, M and 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, the liquid stopper provided in the above-mentioned liquefied dye supply path can be changed in its shape, or the buried type can be changed to the protruding type, or the reverse type.

The shape, material, size, etc. of the heating element (heater) 75 described above may be various or in combination, and the poly-Si layer and the metal wiring may be used in combination or appropriately. An insulating film such as SiN or SiO ₂ may be attached to form the protective film.

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. As the porous structure, in addition to the columnar body, a wall-shaped body,
It may be formed of the bead aggregate, the fibrous body or the like shown in FIG.

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

Further, the number of recording material containing portions for containing the recording material (dye), the number of dots, and the corresponding number of heating elements and vaporizing 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 any suitable 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.

Besides using a heating element or a laser for heating the dye, these heating elements and a laser may be combined. 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 and vaporized to perform the recording, and a liquefied dye (liquid at room temperature) can be contained 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.

[0174]

In the recording method according to the first aspect of the invention and the recording apparatus according to the third aspect of the invention, since a plurality of recording material transition portions are provided in the common recording material supply passage, each recording material transition portion is provided. The supply of the recording material to the recording medium is directly and efficiently performed by the absence of the branch path for introducing the recording material, and as a result, good recording is guaranteed.

Further, the recording method according to the second invention and the recording apparatus according to the fourth invention wet the recording material when guiding the recording material from the common recording material supply path to the plurality of recording material transition parts. The materials having different wettability are arranged in the common recording material supply path along the recording material supply direction, and the surface tension is applied to the recording material by the materials having different wettability. The capillary phenomenon occurs in the recording material due to the capillary phenomenon, and the recording material is efficiently supplied to each recording material transition portion by the capillary phenomenon, and as a result, good recording is guaranteed.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view (a cross-sectional view taken along line I-I of FIG. 2) of a main part of a printer head according to a first embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a plan view (cross-sectional view taken along line II-II of FIG. 1) of FIG.

FIG. 3 is a partially crushed plan view of the printer head.

4 is a sectional view of FIG. 3 (a sectional view taken along line IV-IV of FIG. 3).

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of FIG.

FIG. 6 is an enlarged view of a main part of the printer head of FIG.
Is a cross-sectional view and (b) is a perspective view.

FIG. 7 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a main part showing a state of a dye at the same thermal transfer recording.

8 is a plan view of FIG.

FIG. 9 is a plan view showing a main part of a printer head according to a second embodiment.

10 is a sectional view taken along line XX-XX in FIG. 9.

FIG. 11 is a sectional view showing a main part of a printer head according to a third embodiment.

FIG. 12 is a sectional view showing a main part of a printer head according to a fourth embodiment.

FIG. 13 is a sectional view showing a main part of a printer head according to a fifth embodiment.

FIG. 14 is a sectional view showing a main part of a printer head according to a sixth embodiment.

FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a main part of a printer head according to a seventh embodiment.

FIG. 16 is a sectional view showing a main part of a printer head according to an eighth embodiment.

FIG. 17 is a sectional view showing a main part of a printer head according to a ninth embodiment.

FIG. 18 is a sectional view showing a main part of a printer head according to a tenth embodiment.

FIG. 19 is a cross-sectional view showing a main part of a printer head according to an eleventh embodiment.

FIG. 20 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a main part of a printer head according to a twelfth embodiment.

FIG. 21 is a plan view of the printer head.

FIG. 22 is a sectional view showing a main part of a printer head according to a thirteenth embodiment.

FIG. 23 is a sectional view showing a main part of a printer head according to a fourteenth embodiment.

FIG. 24 is a sectional view showing a main part of a printer head according to a fifteenth embodiment.

FIG. 25 is a sectional view showing a main part of a printer head according to a sixteenth embodiment.

FIG. 26 is a partially crushed perspective view of the printer head.

FIG. 27 is an enlarged cross-sectional perspective view showing the vaporization structure.

FIG. 28 is a schematic rear view showing the printer head of the present invention and the scan state thereof.

FIG. 29 is a schematic rear view showing a similar scan state of the other printer head.

FIG. 30 is a schematic perspective view of the printer head as seen from below.

FIG. 31 is a schematic perspective view of another printer having the printer head.

FIG. 32 is a front view of a main part of a printer using a conventional thermal recording head.

FIG. 33 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a printer devised before the completion of the present invention.

FIG. 34 is an exploded perspective view of a head of the printer.

FIG. 35 is an exploded perspective view of the head of the other printer.

36 is a schematic cross-sectional view (cross-sectional view taken along the line XXXVI-XXXVI in FIG. 39) of the printer filed before the invention of the present invention.

FIG. 37 is an enlarged cross-sectional perspective view of a main part of the head of the printer.

FIG. 38 is a perspective view of a part of the head of the printer.

FIG. 39 is a perspective view of another part of the head of the printer.

FIG. 40 is a plan view of a part of the printer head.

[Explanation of symbols]

 17 ... Vaporizer 22 ... Liquefied dye 22A ... Vaporized dye 50 ... Printing paper 61, 91 ... Protective layer 62, 82 ... Spacer 63, 102 ... Base 64, 84 ... ..Liquid dye supply paths 67, 97 ... Liquid stopping layers 68, 75 ... Heater 70 ... Printer head 73 ... Insulation plate 75 ... Heating element 80 ... Small pillar 82a ... -First wall 101 ... Vaporization structure 102a ... Second wall 167, 197 ... Liquid stopper

Claims (39)

[Claims] 1. When a recording material is transferred from a recording material transfer portion facing a recording material to the recording material to perform recording, a plurality of the recording material transfer portions are provided in a common recording material supply path,
A recording method for transferring the recording material from the recording material transferring portion to the recording medium. 2. The recording method according to claim 1, wherein the recording material is supplied to the recording material transition section by utilizing the surface tension of the recording material in a common recording material supply path. 3. The recording method according to claim 2, wherein materials having different wettability with respect to the recording material are arranged in a common recording material supply path along the recording material supply direction. 4. The recording method according to claim 1, wherein the recording material is sucked and held in each recording material transfer portion. 5. The recording material transfer portion is opposed to the recording material with a gap therebetween, and the recording material is transferred from the recording material transition portion to the recording material through the gap. Recording method. 6. The recording method according to claim 5, wherein the recording material is vaporized or ablated at the recording material transferring portion, and the vaporized or ablated recording material is transferred to a recording medium. 7. The recording material is transferred from a common recording material supply path to a plurality of the recording material transferring portions when recording is performed by transferring the recording material from the recording material transferring portion facing the recording material to the recording material. A recording method of guiding a material, holding the recording material in each of a plurality of the recording material transfer portions, and transferring the recording material from the plurality of recording material transfer portions to the recording medium,
Materials having different wettability with respect to the recording material are arranged along the recording material supply direction in the common recording material supply path, and surface tension is applied to the recording material by the materials having different wettability. A recording method for supplying the recording material. 8. The recording method according to claim 7, wherein the recording material is sucked and held in each recording material transfer portion. 9. The recording material transfer portion is opposed to the recording material with a gap, and the recording material is transferred from the recording material transition portion to the recording material through the gap. Recording method. 10. The recording method according to claim 9, wherein the recording material is vaporized or ablated at the recording material transfer portion, and the vaporized or ablated recording material is transferred to a recording medium. 11. A common recording material supply path for supplying a recording material to a plurality of recording material transfer portions facing a recording medium, wherein a plurality of the recording material transfer paths are provided in the recording material supply path. Device provided with a section. 12. The recording apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the recording material holding means utilizing the surface tension of the recording material is provided in the recording material supply path along the recording material supply direction. 13. The recording apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the recording material holding means is composed of wall surfaces intersecting with each other. 14. The recording apparatus according to claim 13, wherein one of the wall surfaces intersecting with each other is provided with a material layer having a lower wettability with respect to the recording material than the other wall surface. 15. The recording apparatus according to claim 14, wherein the material layer having low wettability is present at a position apart from the intersection of the wall surfaces. 16. The recording device according to claim 14, wherein the material layer having low wettability is filled in the groove. 17. The recording apparatus according to claim 14, wherein a material layer having low wettability is provided on the wall surface. 18. A base portion and a spacer portion integrated with the base portion, wherein a recording material supply path is provided in contact with the base portion, and the spacer has a material layer having low wettability. 15. The recording device according to claim 14, wherein the recording device is provided in a part of. 19. The recording apparatus according to claim 14, wherein a transfer energy applying portion for transferring the recording material to the recording medium is provided in the vicinity of the material layer having low wettability. 20. The recording device according to claim 19, wherein the transfer energy is applied by a heating element. 21. The recording device according to claim 19, wherein the transfer energy application is configured to be performed by a heating beam. 22. A recording material flying structure for flying a liquid recording material to a recording medium to perform recording is provided in a common recording material supply path, and the recording material flying structure allows the recording material to fly. The recording device according to claim 11, wherein a transition portion is configured. 23. The recording apparatus according to claim 22, wherein the recording material flying structure is provided with a porous structure that causes a capillary phenomenon. 24. The recording device according to claim 23, wherein the porous structure is formed by an assembly of small pillars. 25. The recording apparatus according to claim 22, wherein the liquid recording material is vaporized or ablated to fly to a recording medium facing the liquid recording material in a non-contact state. 26. A common recording material supply path for supplying a recording material to a plurality of recording material transfer parts facing a recording medium, the common recording material supply path and each of the recording material transfer parts. And a recording material introduction path, and a recording material holding means utilizing the surface tension of the recording material is provided in the common recording material supply path along the recording material supply direction. 27. The recording apparatus according to claim 26, wherein the recording material holding means comprises wall surfaces of the recording material supply path that intersect with each other. 28. The recording apparatus according to claim 27, wherein a material layer having a lower wettability with respect to the recording material than the other wall surface is provided on one wall surface of the wall surfaces intersecting with each other. 29. The recording apparatus according to claim 28, wherein the material layer having low wettability is present at a position apart from the intersection of the wall surfaces. 30. The recording apparatus according to claim 28, wherein the material layer having low wettability is filled in the groove. 31. The recording apparatus according to claim 28, wherein the material layer having low wettability is provided on the wall surface. 32. A base portion and a spacer portion that is integral with the base portion. A recording material supply path is provided in contact with the base portion in the spacer portion, and a material layer having low wettability is formed on the base portion. 27. The recording device according to claim 26, which is provided in a part of the recording medium. 33. The recording apparatus according to claim 26, wherein the recording material transferring portion is provided with a transfer energy applying portion for transferring the recording material to the recording medium. 34. The recording device according to claim 33, wherein the transfer energy is applied by a heating element. 35. The recording device according to claim 33, wherein the transfer energy application is configured to be performed by a heating beam. 36. The recording apparatus according to claim 26, wherein the recording material transfer unit is constituted by a recording material flying structure for flying a liquid recording material on a recording medium to perform recording. 37. The recording apparatus according to claim 36, wherein the recording material flying structure is provided with a porous structure that causes a capillary phenomenon. 38. The recording device according to claim 37, wherein the porous structure is formed by an assembly of pillars. 39. The recording apparatus according to claim 36, wherein the liquid recording material is vaporized or ablated so as to fly to a recording medium facing the liquid recording material in a non-contact state.