JPH0876274A - Image recorder - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: To accurately record an image on a photosensitive material. CONSTITUTION: This image recorder 3 is a device for recording image by performing scanning with modulated light in accordance with the image in a main scanning direction orthogonal to the subscanning direction of film F consecutively supplied in the subscanning direction, and is provided with a film supply part 20, a printing roller 22, a suction arm 56, and an exposure device 30. The film supply part 20 consecutively supplies the film F. The printing roller 22 has four pressure reducing chambers divided in the circumferential direction, and the supplied film F is carried in the main scanning direction while being sucked by a carrying surface 45. The suction arm 56 is arranged to be opposed to the side surface 55 of the roller 22 and arranged so that it can communicate with at least one of the pressure reducing chambers facing the exposure device 30 and can not communicate with others in the midst of the rotation of the printing roller 22. The exposure device 30 performs scanning with the modulated light in accordance with the image in the main scanning direction of the film F carried by the printing roller 22.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image recording apparatus, especially
The present invention relates to an image recording device that records an image by irradiating light continuously supplied to a photosensitive material with light modulated according to the image.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In a printing plate making operation, a flat scanner is widely used which electrically processes image information of an original to produce an original film for the purpose of rationalizing a work process and improving image quality. . Generally, a flat scanner is composed of an image reading device, an image processing device, and an image recording device. The image reading device scans a document and optically reads the image of the document. Further, the image processing device performs various image processing such as contour enhancement and color correction on the image information photoelectrically converted by the image reading device. The image recording device records an image on the surface of the photosensitive material according to the image-processed image information.

An image recording apparatus in such a flat scanner comprises an exposure unit for scanning light modulated in accordance with image information in a main scanning direction, a photosensitive material supply section for continuously supplying a photosensitive material such as a film, and the like. A printing roller for moving the supplied photosensitive material in the sub-scanning direction and a pair of guide rollers for bringing the photosensitive material into close contact with the printing roller are provided. The printing roller is arranged so that the photosensitive material on its peripheral surface is located at the focal position of the exposure unit. And
The photosensitive material supplied from the photosensitive material supply unit is brought into close contact with the printing roller by the guide roller, and is conveyed in the sub-scanning direction by rotating the printing roller. Since the photosensitive material is exposed while being conveyed in the main scanning direction, the rotation speed of the printing roller, that is, the conveying speed of the photosensitive material and the scanning speed of the exposure unit are maintained in a constant relationship. Being driven.

[0004]

In the above-mentioned conventional image recording apparatus, when the frictional force generated between the printing roller and the photosensitive material changes, the accuracy of the image printed on the photosensitive material becomes incorrect. For example, when the frictional force between the printing roller and the photosensitive material is small, the recorded image is shorter than the desired one in the transport direction (sub-scanning direction). Further, when the frictional force between the printing roller and the photosensitive material differs in the width direction (main scanning direction) of the photosensitive material, the recording image with the smaller frictional force becomes shorter than that with the larger recording image. This is because when the frictional force between the printing roller and the photosensitive material becomes small, slippage occurs between them and the speed of the photosensitive material in the sub-scanning direction becomes slow. As described above, the conventional configuration has a problem in that the printing roller and the film are likely to slip and the recorded image is deformed or distorted.

An object of the present invention is to suppress slippage between the photosensitive material and the conveying means in an image recording apparatus for exposing the photosensitive material while exposing the photosensitive material, and to accurately form an image on the photosensitive material without causing deformation or distortion. To be able to record.

[0006]

An image recording apparatus according to a first aspect of the present invention is an apparatus for irradiating the surface of a photosensitive material with light modulated according to an image to record the image, and includes a supply unit and a conveyance unit. And exposure means. The supply means continuously supplies the photosensitive material. The transport unit has a transport surface and transports the photosensitive material supplied by the supply unit while adsorbing the photosensitive material on the transport surface. The exposing unit irradiates the surface of the photosensitive material conveyed by the conveying unit with modulated light according to an image.

An image recording apparatus according to a second aspect is the image recording apparatus according to the first aspect.
In the apparatus described in (1), the transporting means sucks the photosensitive material around the exposure position of the exposing means, and releases the photosensitive material at other positions. According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the image recording apparatus according to the first aspect or the second aspect, the conveying means has a plurality of decompression chambers each of which is partitioned and a side surface of which is communicated with the outside, and decompression. A rotatable baking roller having a large number of suction holes communicating with the chamber and a side surface of the baking roller, which is arranged to face the side surface of the baking roller, and is capable of communicating with at least one of the plurality of decompression chambers while the baking roller is rotating and another decompression. And a suction means arranged so as not to communicate with the chamber.

An image recording apparatus according to a fourth aspect is the image recording apparatus according to the first aspect.
Alternatively, in the apparatus according to claim 2, the conveying means has a cylindrical baking roller having a large number of suction holes on a surface serving as a conveying surface and is rotatable, and is disposed inside the baking roller. And a suction means having an opening formed so as to face a partial region in the direction and capable of communicating with a part of the suction hole.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the image recording apparatus according to the third or fourth aspect, the image recording apparatus is arranged at intervals with a printing roller sandwiched in the photosensitive material transport direction, and the printing roller transport surface. 1 to attach the photosensitive material to the
It further comprises a pair of guide rollers.

[0010]

In the image recording apparatus according to the first aspect, when the supplying means continuously supplies the photosensitive material, the conveying means conveys the photosensitive material while adsorbing the photosensitive material on its conveying surface. When the photosensitive material is conveyed by the conveying means, the exposure means irradiates the surface of the photosensitive material with modulated light according to the image, and the image is recorded on the surface of the photosensitive material. Here, since the photosensitive material is conveyed while being adsorbed by the conveying means, slippage between the conveying means and the photosensitive material is unlikely to occur. As a result, the desired position of the photosensitive material can be irradiated with the modulated light, and an image can be recorded on the photosensitive material with high accuracy.

In the image recording apparatus according to the second aspect, the photosensitive material is adsorbed by the conveying means around the exposure position of the exposure means, and the adsorption of the photosensitive material is released at other positions. Here, since the photosensitive material is adsorbed only around the exposure position,
Slip between the photosensitive material and the transport means at the exposure position is unlikely to occur. As a result, the image can be recorded with higher accuracy. Also,
The burden on the exhaust system for adsorbing is reduced.

In the image recording apparatus according to the third aspect, the photosensitive material continuously supplied by the supply means is conveyed by the printing roller. Adsorption holes are formed on the surface of the baking roller, and a plurality of decompression chambers are formed inside the adsorption holes.
During rotation of the printing roller, at least one of the plurality of decompression chambers is
The suction means communicates with the chamber, and the decompression chamber in communication has a negative pressure.
Then, the photosensitive material wound so as to cover the suction holes communicating with the negative pressure reducing chamber is sucked. Here, since the decompression chamber inside the printing roller becomes negative pressure by the suction means,
It is possible to suppress slippage between the photosensitive material and the printing roller in the outer peripheral portion of the decompression chamber which has a negative pressure. Further, since the other decompression chamber is not in communication with the suction means, the photosensitive material is easily peeled off from the conveying surface. Therefore, the image can be recorded with high accuracy and the photosensitive material can be smoothly conveyed. Further, the burden on the exhaust system for exhausting the decompressed gas can be reduced.

In the image recording apparatus according to the fourth aspect, the photosensitive material is conveyed by the printing roller. A large number of suction holes are formed on the surface of the printing roller, and suction means having an opening communicating with the suction holes is provided inside the roller. Therefore, the photosensitive material is conveyed while being adsorbed only by the partial adsorption holes of the printing roller. Here, as in claim 3,
Since the negative pressure is generated only in a specific region to adsorb the photosensitive material, it is easy to peel the photosensitive material from the conveying surface while suppressing slippage between the photosensitive material and the printing roller. Therefore, the photosensitive material can be transported reliably and smoothly. Also, the burden on the exhaust system can be reduced.

In the image recording apparatus according to the fifth aspect, the photosensitive material is brought into close contact with the conveying surface by the guide roller. Then, the closely attached photosensitive material is adsorbed to the transport surface. Here, since the photosensitive material is brought into close contact with the transfer surface of the printing roller and is sucked, slippage of the transfer surface can be prevented more reliably, and an image can be recorded with higher accuracy.

[0015]

【Example】

[Embodiment 1] In FIG. 1, a color flatbed scanner adopting an embodiment of the present invention comprises an image reading apparatus 1 for reading an image, and color correction, contour enhancement, magnification change, etc. for read image information. An image processing device 2 for performing image processing, an image recording device 3 for recording image-processed data on a film (an example of a photosensitive material), and an operating device 4 for operating these.

On the upper surface of the image reading apparatus 1, there is provided a lid 5 for opening a part of the upper surface. The lid 5 is adapted to open and close with one side thereof as a swing center. Inside the lid 5, there is provided a scanning table 6 on which a document holder for mounting a document is placed. The operating device 4 is mainly composed of a personal computer 7 and a color graphic display 8. The personal computer 7 includes a computer body 9, a keyboard 10,
It is mainly composed of a mouse 11 and a color display 12.

As shown in FIG. 2, the image recording apparatus 3 includes a film supply section 20 and a film recovery section 21 which are vertically spaced apart from each other, and a printing roller 2 which is disposed therebetween.
2 and. The printing roller 22 is rotatably supported by a frame (not shown), and can be rotated in the sub-scanning direction indicated by arrow X by a main shaft motor 23 connected to one end of a rotary shaft 22a. The suction device 24 is arranged opposite to the side surface 55 of the printing roller 22. Further, guide rollers 25 and 26 that are pressed against the printing roller 22 are provided. The guide rollers 25 and 26 are provided to bring the supplied film F into close contact with the printing roller 22.

An exposure device 30 is provided so as to face the peripheral surface of the printing roller 22. The exposure device 30 includes a laser diode 31 for irradiating laser light modulated according to image information, and a polygon mirror 3 for deflecting the laser diode 31 in the main scanning direction (axial direction of the printing roller 22).
2 and an f · θ lens 33 for scanning the deflected light at a constant speed in the main scanning direction. Polygon mirror 3
2 is rotated by a polygon motor 34 in the direction of arrow R in synchronization with the spindle motor 23. The spindle motor 23, the polygon motor 34, and the laser diode 31 are connected to a control unit 40 including a microcomputer.

As shown in FIGS. 3 to 5, the baking roller 22 is used.
A large number of suction holes 50 are formed in the peripheral transport surface 45. Further, suction grooves 51 connecting the suction holes 50 are formed (FIG. 5). The diameter of the suction holes 50 and the width dimension of the suction groove 51 are such that the sucked film does not sink (for example, about 1 to 2 mm). Inside the printing roller 22, four decompression chambers 53 are formed, which are divided by four isolation walls 52 in the circumferential direction. Each decompression chamber 53 communicates with the suction hole 50. A communication hole 54 that communicates with each pressure reducing chamber 53 is formed on a side surface 55 of each pressure reducing chamber 53. In addition, in order not to reduce the adsorption pressure more than necessary, the adsorption groove 51 is divided into regions corresponding to the four decompression chambers 53.

The suction device 24 has a bow-shaped suction arm 56 bulging toward the exposure device 30 side, and a vacuum pump 58 connected to the suction arm 56. The suction arm 56 is
As shown in FIG. 3, a suction hole 57 is formed at a position facing the communication hole 54 of the printing roller 22 and facing the side surface 55 of the printing roller 22. This suction hole 5
7 is formed so as to be able to communicate with the communication hole 54 of the decompression chamber 53 facing the exposure position, and is formed in a fan shape as shown in FIG. 4, for example.

Next, the operation of the above embodiment will be described. When the document holder on which the document is set is placed on the scanning table 6, the document is read by the image reading device 1 and the image information is given to the image processing device 2. In the image processing apparatus 2, the read image is subjected to image processing such as color correction, edge enhancement, and magnification change. The image information subjected to the image processing is given to the image recording device 3.

In the image recording device 3, the laser light modulated according to the given image information is emitted by the laser diode 3.
The film F is irradiated with the light from 1. Further, the film F is supplied from the film supply unit 20, and the guide rollers 25, 2
It is brought into close contact with the printing drum 22 by 6. When the vacuum pump 58 is driven during the rotation of the printing roller 22, the inside of the decompression chamber 53 facing the exposure device 30 is decompressed to a negative pressure via the suction hole 57 and the communication hole 54 of the suction arm 56. As a result, the suction holes 50 and the grooves 51 communicating with the decompression chamber 53 facing the exposure device 30 adsorb the film F.

Here, as shown in FIG. 6A, at the position where the film F comes into contact with the printing roller 22 (the position of the guide roller 25), the communication hole 54 of the printing roller 22 starts to face the suction hole 57, The decompression of the corresponding decompression chamber 53 is started. Then, as the printing roller 22 rotates in the transport direction, the communication hole 54 is completely blocked by the suction arm 56 (FIG. 6 (B)), and the air in the decompression chamber 53 becomes close to vacuum,
The degree of adhesion between the film F and the transport surface 45 is maximized. Therefore, slippage between them is unlikely to occur. The position at which the baking roller 22 further rotates and the film F shown in FIG.
Position), the communication hole 54 is disengaged from the suction hole 57, the inside of the decompression chamber 53 approaches atmospheric pressure, and the printing roller 22
The degree of adhesion between the film F and the film F decreases, and the film F begins to peel from the surface of the printing roller 22. The peeled film F is recovered by the film recovery unit 21.

Here, the decompression chamber 5 facing the exposure device 30.
Since 3 is communicated with the suction arm 56 to be a negative pressure, the film F and the printing roller 22 do not slip at the exposure position. The decompression chamber 53 is located at a position other than the exposure position, and
Since it is not in communication with 6, the film F can be easily peeled off from the transport surface 45. Therefore, the image can be recorded with high accuracy and the film can be smoothly conveyed. Furthermore, since only a part of the decompression chamber 53 is decompressed, the load on the vacuum pump 58 is lightened. [Embodiment 2] In FIG. 7 showing Embodiment 2, the configuration is the same as that of Embodiment 1 except for the configurations of the printing roller 22 and the suction device 24, and the description thereof will be omitted.

The printing roller 22 is a cylindrical roller,
Drive gears 60 are formed at both ends of the peripheral surface.
A pair of pinions 61 mesh with the drive gear 60, and the pair of pinions 61 are connected by a drive shaft 62. The main shaft motor 23 is connected to one end of the drive shaft 62. Inside the baking roller 22, a suction drum 63 fixed to a frame (not shown) is arranged.
The suction drum 63 is connected to the vacuum pump 58.

As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the suction drum 63 is a cylindrical member having a bottom, and a rectangular opening 64 is formed on the peripheral surface facing the exposure device 30. Also, the opening 6
A partition plate 65 that divides the inside into two chambers is arranged on the back side of 4. The chamber in which the opening 64 on the front side of the partition plate 65 is formed is a decompression chamber 68, which is connected to the vacuum pump 58. Further, a seal member 66 made of, for example, felt is provided around the opening 64 and the opening 64 and the printing roller 22.
It is provided to seal between the inner peripheral surface and the inner peripheral surface. At both ends of the peripheral surface of the suction drum 63, cylindrical bearings 67 for rotatably supporting the printing roller 22 are provided. In addition, suction holes 50 and suction grooves (not shown) are formed on the transport surface 45 on the surface of the printing roller 22 as in the first embodiment. The suction hole 50 communicates with the opening 64.

Next, the operation of the above embodiment will be described. When the image information read by the image reading device 1 and image-processed by the image processing device 2 is given to the image recording device 3, the laser light modulated according to the image information is emitted from the laser diode 31 to the film F. It Further, the film F supplied from the film supply unit 20 is brought into close contact with the surface of the printing roller 22 by the guide rollers 25 and 26. Then, the decompression chamber 68 of the suction drum 63 is decompressed by the vacuum pump 58, and the film F is adsorbed and conveyed in the adsorption hole 50 facing the opening 64. The opening 64 is fixed and both edges thereof are formed in the vicinity of the contact positions with the upper and lower guide rollers 25 and 26, so that the supplied film F is adsorbed in a state of being closely adhered by the upper guide roller 25. The suction is also released in the state where the close contact is released from the lower guide roller 26. Therefore, during this exposure, the transport surface 45 of the printing roller 22 and the film are less likely to shift, and an image can be recorded with high accuracy. [Other Embodiments] (a) The conveying means is the printing roller 22 and the suction arm 56.
Alternatively, the combination with the suction drum 63 is not limited, and, for example, a pair of rolls vertically spaced apart from each other, a perforated belt wound around the rolls, and a suction disposed inside the perforated belt. Other combinations such as a combination with the mouth may be used. (B) Although the decompression chamber has two and four chambers as an example, other than this, a plurality of chambers such as three chambers and five chambers are also possible. In this case, the guide rollers 25 and 26 are arranged at intervals according to the size of one chamber.

[0028]

In the image recording apparatus according to the first aspect of the invention, since the photosensitive material is conveyed while being attracted by the conveying means, slippage between the conveying means and the photosensitive material does not easily occur. As a result, the desired position of the photosensitive material can be irradiated with the modulated light, and an image can be recorded on the photosensitive material with high accuracy without distortion or deformation.

In the image recording apparatus according to the second aspect, since the photosensitive material is adsorbed only around the exposure position, slippage between the photosensitive material and the conveying means at the exposure position hardly occurs. As a result,
Images can be recorded with higher accuracy. Further, the load on the exhaust system for adsorbing is reduced. In the image recording apparatus according to the third aspect, since the depressurization chamber inside the printing roller is negatively pressured by the suction means, it is possible to suppress slippage between the photosensitive material and the printing roller in the outer peripheral portion of the depressurization chamber which is negatively pressured. Further, since the other decompression chamber is not in communication with the suction means, the photosensitive material is easily peeled off from the conveying surface. Therefore, the image can be recorded with high accuracy and the photosensitive material can be smoothly conveyed. Further, the burden on the exhaust system for exhausting the decompressed gas can be reduced.

In the image recording apparatus according to the fourth aspect, as in the third aspect, since the negative pressure is generated only in a specific area to attract the photosensitive material, the photosensitive material and the printing roller are prevented from slipping while being conveyed. The photosensitive material can be easily peeled from the surface. Therefore, the photosensitive material can be transported reliably and smoothly. Also,
The burden on the exhaust system can be reduced. In the image recording apparatus according to the fifth aspect, since the photosensitive material is brought into close contact with and is sucked by the conveying surface of the printing roller, slipping of the conveying surface can be prevented more reliably, and an image can be recorded with higher accuracy.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a color flatbed scanner adopting an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the configuration of an image recording apparatus.

FIG. 3 is a perspective partial view of a printing drum.

FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken along line III-III of FIG.

FIG. 5 is a partial sectional view of a printing drum.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view showing an operation when a film is adsorbed.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of an image recording apparatus according to a second embodiment.

8 is a sectional view taken along line VIII-VIII of FIG.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a suction drum.

[Explanation of symbols]

 3 image recording device 22 printing roller 24 suction device 25, 26 guide roller 30 exposure device 45 transport surface 50 suction hole 53 decompression chamber 54 communication hole 55 side surface 56 suction arm 57 suction hole 63 suction drum 64 opening

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. An image recording apparatus for irradiating the surface of a photosensitive material with light modulated according to an image to record the image, comprising a supplying means for continuously supplying the photosensitive material, and a conveying surface. Then, a conveying unit that conveys the photosensitive material supplied by the supplying unit while adsorbing the photosensitive material on the conveying surface, and an exposing unit that irradiates the surface of the photosensitive material conveyed by the conveying unit with modulated light according to an image, An image recording device equipped with. 2. The image recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the conveying means adsorbs the photosensitive material around an exposure position of the exposing means and releases the adsorption of the photosensitive material at other positions. 3. The rotatable printing device has a plurality of decompression chambers each of which is partitioned and has side surfaces communicating with the outside, and a plurality of adsorption holes communicating with the decompression chambers on the surface. A roller and a suction means that is disposed so as to face the side surface of the baking roller and that is capable of communicating with at least one of the plurality of depressurizing chambers and is incapable of communicating with another depressurizing chamber during rotation of the baking roller. The image recording apparatus according to claim 1, which is provided. 4. The transport means is a rotatable cylindrical printing roller having a large number of suction holes on the surface serving as the transport surface, and is disposed inside the printing roller, and is arranged in a circumferential direction of the printing roller. A suction means having an opening formed facing a partial region of the suction hole and capable of communicating with a part of the suction hole.
The image recording device according to claim 1. 5. A pair of guide rollers arranged to be spaced apart from each other in the conveying direction of the photosensitive material with the printing roller interposed therebetween, and for adhering the photosensitive material to the conveying surface of the printing roller. The image recording device according to claim 3 or 4.