JPH09193391A - Method and device for recording - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To make it possible to record in high quality without causing stain to various media by applying the voltage of the same polarity as predetermined polarity, and flying the developer particles in held recording liquid on a recording medium. SOLUTION: A recording head is oppositely disposed at an interval of, for example, 500μm on a recording sheet P via a recording belt 26. The bias voltage of the same voltage as the charging polarity of toner particle T, for example, 1000 to 1500V is applied between a conductive rotary drum 16 and the belt 26 or head, and hence the recording liquid L charged in a through hole 26b or particularly toner particles T included in the liquid are migrated to the side of the through hole 26b opposed to the recording sheet to be brought into close contact bu the repelling to the bias voltage as shown in Fig. A. Further, when the signal voltage of 10 to 500V is superposed on a recording electrode 27b in response to the image signal, the particles T in the hole 26b are discharged from the liquid L in the aggregate state against the restraint force of the carrier liquid to arrive at a recording sheet P.

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 apparatus suitable for this recording method, and more particularly to an inkjet type recording method using electrostatic force and a recording method using the recording apparatus.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Ink jet recording methods are generally classified into a continuous jet type and an on-demand type. Further, an electrostatic type (Sweet type, Hertz type) is used for the continuous type, a piezo-piezoelectric type, a thermal inkjet type, and a static type for the on-demand type. A recording method called an electric acceleration type is known.

An on-demand type ink jet system using electrostatic force is disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open Nos. 56-170 and 56-446.
No. 7, 57-151374, etc., a specific configuration is disclosed. These are called electrostatic acceleration type inkjets or slit jets, but they have not been put to practical use. The basic principle of these is that ink is supplied from an ink tank to a slit-shaped ink chamber in which a large number of electrodes are arranged on the inner surface of a slit-shaped ink holding portion, and a high voltage is selectively applied to these electrodes. The ink near the electrodes is ejected onto the recording paper that is in close proximity to the slit for recording.

As another method which does not use a slit-shaped recording head, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 61-211048 discloses that a hole is formed in a film-shaped ink support having a plurality of fine holes and ink is filled therein to form a multi-needle. A means for selectively applying a voltage by electrodes to move the ink in the holes to the recording paper is disclosed.

The ink used in these systems is 10
A material having an electric resistance of about ⁶ to 10 ⁸ ohm · cm is used. Since water has a low electric resistance, a colorant composed of a dye is generally dispersed in an oily solvent with a dispersion aid such as a surfactant to adjust the electric resistance.

The principle of flight of these inks is that the high voltage applied to the arranged electrodes injects a charge into the ink in contact with the electrodes and the ink in the vicinity of the electrodes is charged, so that an electrostatic force is generated. Interpreted as ejecting ink. Therefore, the ink is not normally charged, and only when a voltage is applied, the ink in the vicinity of the electrode is charged by energization to obtain the ejection force.

Therefore, the ink having a high insulating property cannot be used because the required voltage becomes high and the ink cannot be charged. As can be seen from the above description, this ink is a so-called ink in which a dispersion medium and a colorant are uniformly dispersed, and all components in the ink are consumed together.

[0008]

The above-mentioned ink jet technology, especially the on-demand type method, has been remarkably popularized in recent years because of its small size and low energy consumption. On the other hand, these inkjet methods have many problems that are technical problems in common. These are easily clogged because they use nozzles and orifices.

As a countermeasure for this, a dye with little precipitation or aggregation or a dye containing no solid component is used as a coloring component, so that it is markedly faded by sunlight and cannot be used for recording purposes for long-term storage. Is. In addition, although attempts have been made to use extremely minute pigments, there are still unsolved problems in developing all colors.

Further, in order to prevent clogging, a liquid ink having a high fluidity is used, so that an image defect due to bleeding or permeation called feathering occurs on the paper which is an image receptor, so that silica or the like on the recording paper side is generated. An image receiving paper coated with a water-soluble binder must be used, and the paper cannot be freely selected.

Further, since the probability of clogging increases as the number of nozzles increases, it is difficult to put a high-density, wide-width (large number of nozzles) recording apparatus into practical use. Therefore, the present situation is that the recording density is extremely slow and only put to practical use.

Therefore, an object of the present invention is made in view of the above-mentioned circumstances, and an ink jet type recording method capable of performing high quality recording on various media without causing bleeding, and It is to provide a recording apparatus suitable for this recording method.

[0013]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a storage means for storing a recording liquid in which developer particles charged to a predetermined polarity are dispersed in a dielectric liquid, and recording means. A recording liquid holding unit that is provided so as to face the medium and carries the recording liquid contained in the containing unit and moves in a predetermined direction; and a voltage having the same polarity as the predetermined polarity, to the recording liquid holding unit. And a voltage applying unit that causes the developer particles in the recording liquid held by the recording liquid holding unit to fly onto the recording medium by applying the voltage. .

Further, according to the present invention, an accommodating means for accommodating the recording liquid in which the developer particles charged to a predetermined polarity are dispersed in the dielectric liquid, and the recording liquid contained in the accommodating means are held. And a recording liquid holding unit formed of a film-shaped member, and a voltage of a predetermined magnitude having the same polarity as the charging polarity of the developer particles is applied to the recording liquid holding unit. By doing so, there is provided a recording apparatus comprising: a voltage applying unit that causes the developer particles in the recording liquid held by the recording liquid holding unit to fly onto the recording medium.

Further, according to the present invention, a containing means for containing the recording liquid in which the developer particles charged to a predetermined polarity are dispersed in the dielectric liquid, and the recording liquid contained in the containing means are held. A recording liquid holding unit having a recording liquid holding unit and formed of a film-like member, and a predetermined magnitude voltage having the same polarity as the charging polarity of the developer particles are applied to the recording liquid holding unit. Thus, the voltage application unit that causes the developer particles in the recording liquid held by the recording liquid holding unit to fly over the recording medium, and the magnitude of the voltage applied to the voltage application unit corresponding to the image data are set. There is provided a recording device comprising: a control unit for controlling.

Still further, according to the present invention, the containing means for containing the recording liquid in which the developer particles charged to a predetermined polarity are dispersed in the dielectric liquid, and the recording liquid contained in the containing means are provided. A recording liquid holding unit that is formed of a film-like member having a recording liquid holding unit that holds the recording liquid and moves in a predetermined direction by holding the recording liquid; and charging of the developer particles with respect to the recording liquid holding unit. A voltage application unit that causes the developer particles in the recording liquid held by the recording liquid holding unit to fly onto a recording medium by applying a voltage of a predetermined magnitude having the same polarity as the polarity. A featured recording device is provided.

Furthermore, according to the present invention, a containing means for containing a recording liquid in which developer particles charged to a predetermined polarity are dispersed in a dielectric liquid, and a film provided facing the recording medium. A member having a plurality of through-holes, which penetrates from one surface of the film-shaped member facing the recording medium to the other surface, the hole diameter of the one surface side being larger than the hole diameter of the other surface side, The recording liquid holding means for holding the recording liquid by the plurality of through holes and the other surface of the recording liquid holding means are in contact with each other, and have the same polarity as the charging polarity of the developer particles with respect to the recording liquid holding means. A voltage application unit that causes the developer particles in the recording liquid held by the recording liquid holding unit to fly onto the recording medium by applying a voltage of a predetermined magnitude. A device is provided.

Furthermore, according to the present invention, a containing means for containing a recording liquid in which developer particles charged to a predetermined polarity are dispersed in a dielectric liquid, and a dielectric provided opposite to the recording medium. Film-like member, and a plurality of through-holes penetrating from one surface of the film-like member facing the recording medium to the other surface, and the hole diameter of the one surface side is larger than the hole diameter of the other surface side. A recording liquid holding means for holding the recording liquid by the plurality of through holes, and a recording liquid holding means from the other surface side of the recording liquid holding means. Of the recording liquid held in the recording liquid holding means by applying a voltage of a predetermined magnitude having the same polarity as the charging polarity of the developer particles to the recording liquid holding means. Flying developer particles onto the recording medium Recording apparatus is provided, characterized in that it comprises a voltage applying means.

Further, according to the present invention, a containing means for containing the recording liquid in which the developer particles charged to a predetermined polarity are dispersed in the dielectric liquid, and the recording liquid contained in the containing means. A concave-convex surface for holding the recording liquid holding means arranged in such a manner that the concave-convex surface is arranged so as to face the recording medium, and abutting against the recording liquid holding means, On the other hand, by applying a voltage of a predetermined magnitude having the same polarity as the charge polarity of the developer particles, the developer particles in the recording liquid held on the uneven surface of the recording liquid holding means are transferred onto the recording medium. There is provided a recording device characterized in that it has a voltage applying means for causing the flying.

Furthermore, according to the present invention, a containing means for containing a recording liquid in which developer particles charged to a predetermined polarity are dispersed in a dielectric liquid, and a dielectric provided opposite to the recording medium. Film-like member and a plurality of conductive members penetrating and projecting from one surface of the film-shaped member facing the recording medium to the other surface, and the conductive member is provided between the protruding conductive members. By contacting the recording liquid holding means for holding the recording liquid and the recording liquid holding means, and applying a voltage of a predetermined magnitude having the same polarity as the charging polarity of the developer particles to the recording liquid holding means. And a voltage applying unit that causes the developer particles in the recording liquid held between the conductive members of the recording liquid holding unit to fly onto the recording medium. .

Further, according to the present invention, the recording liquid in which the developer particles charged to a predetermined polarity are dispersed in the dielectric liquid is provided in the recording liquid holding means formed of the sheet-shaped material. Filling a plurality of recording liquid holding parts, a step of causing the recording liquid holding part of the recording liquid holding means holding the recording liquid to closely face a recording medium, and By selectively applying a voltage of a predetermined magnitude having the same polarity as the charge polarity of the developer particles, the developer particles in the recording liquid held in the recording liquid holding section are transferred from the recording liquid to the recording medium. And the process of discharging toward
A recording method having

According to the invention, a high resistance, preferably 1
A so-called two-component recording liquid, in which developer particles of a solid component charged to a predetermined polarity are dispersed in a dielectric liquid having an electric resistivity of 0 ⁸ Ω · cm or more, has a high resistance, preferably The recording liquid held in the recording liquid holding means is filled or coated with a dielectric recording liquid holding means having an electric resistivity of 10 ¹⁰ Ω · cm or more, and a voltage having the same polarity as the developer particles is applied to the recording liquid holding means by the voltage applying means. A recording image is formed by selectively applying and ejecting developer particles from the recording liquid toward the recording medium by electrostatic repulsion.

The present invention is different from the one in which the constituent components of the ink are consumed at the same time as the ink in which the dyes and pigments are uniformly dispersed, which has been used in the conventional ink jet recording. The developer particles (solid particles) are ejected after being separated from the recording liquid in an aggregated state. For this reason, the developer particles are mainly consumed, and the dispersion medium in which the developer particles are dispersed is only slightly consumed to the extent that the developer particles are aggregated.

Further, according to the present invention, since the developer particles, which are mainly solid components, are separated from the dispersion medium and reach the recording medium, the developer particles serve as a liquid having fluidity and permeability. Bleeding or feathering due to the property is prevented, and the quality of a recorded image can be improved. For example, even when recording on a recording paper formed by fibers having voids larger than the developer particles, that is, a so-called rough surface paper, since the liquid component causing the flow is hardly contained in the developer particles, bleeding occurs. It is possible to improve the image quality.
Therefore, high-quality images can be recorded on various recording media other than plain paper without bleeding.

Further, according to the present invention, since a nozzle or an orifice as in the conventional ink jet system is not used, there is no possibility of clogging and the reliability is high, so that a wide recording head can be realized. Therefore, high-speed recording, which cannot be realized by the conventional inkjet method, can be realized.

Furthermore, according to the present invention, as in the liquid developer used in the existing electrophotography, there is almost no restriction of the colorant as long as it is smaller than the developer particles, so that a more free colorant can be obtained. It becomes possible to select, and it is possible to improve the storability of color, which is a major drawback of the inkjet method.

[0027]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Hereinafter, embodiments of a recording method of the present invention and a recording apparatus suitable for the recording method will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. As shown in FIG. 1, the recording apparatus 1 includes a paper feed unit 2, a transport unit 3, and a recording unit 4.
It has a device body 5 including.

The paper feeding section 2 is arranged on the upper part of the apparatus main body 5. That is, an opening 12 into which a paper cassette 11 capable of accommodating a predetermined number of recording papers P as a recording medium is inserted is formed on the upper surface of the apparatus body 5, and the paper cassette is inclined at a predetermined angle. A cassette guide 13 capable of holding 11 is formed.

Further, the paper feeding unit 2 takes out the recording papers P stored in the paper cassette 11 one by one at a position facing the paper cassette 11 held by the cassette guide 13 and supplies them to the conveying unit 3 side. The pickup roller 14 is provided. The pickup roller 14 has a cross section formed in a substantially half-moon shape.

The transport unit 3 has a transport path 15 through which the recording paper P fed from the paper feed unit 2 is transported toward a sheet discharge port, and a conductive rotary member rotatably disposed substantially at the center of the transport path 15. It has a drum 16.

The conductive rotary drum 16 is used in the paper cassette 1
1 holds the recording paper P supplied from
It is formed so as to be grounded or to give a predetermined potential if necessary.

In addition, the transport section 3 includes a conductive rotary drum 16
Between the pickup roller 14 and the pick-up roller 14, the inclination of the recording paper P guided along the transport path 15 is corrected, and the leading end of the image recorded by the recording unit 4 is aligned with the recording position of the recording paper P. It has a pair of timing rollers 17 for feeding the recording paper P at the timing.

Further, the transport section 3 includes the conductive rotary drum 1
6, a pair of first paper discharge rollers 18 for transporting the recording paper P passing through the conductive rotary drum 16 toward the paper discharge port 20, and the first paper discharge roller 18 It has a pair of second paper discharge rollers 19 for discharging the recording paper P supplied by the paper from the paper discharge port 20.

The paper discharge port 20 is formed on the upper part of the apparatus main body 5, and is formed so as to be able to discharge the recording paper P on the upper surface of the apparatus main body 5 which also functions as a paper discharge tray and has a predetermined inclination. ing.

The recording unit 4 includes a conductive rotary drum 16
It is arranged at the position facing to. This recording unit 4
Has a tank 21 for storing a liquid developer, that is, the recording liquid L, and a recording liquid storage portion 22 for storing the recording liquid L adjusted to a predetermined concentration.

The tank 21 and the recording liquid container 22 are connected by a supply pipe 24 and a recovery pipe 25 so that the recording liquid L can circulate. The recording liquid L adjusted to have a predetermined concentration in the recording liquid container 22 is sent to the supply pipe 24 by the pump 23 and supplied to the tank 21. A part of the recording liquid L contained in the tank 21 is recovered in the recording liquid container 22 via the recovery pipe 25. As described above, the tank 21 and the recording liquid container 22 are connected so that the recording liquid L contained therein can be circulated.

The recording liquid L is a dielectric liquid having a resistivity of at least 10 ⁸ Ω · cm or more, preferably a transparent dispersion medium (hereinafter referred to as a carrier liquid) made of an isoparaffin solvent which is an insulating liquid. , 0.01 to 5.
Solid resin particles (hereinafter, referred to as toner) having an average particle diameter of about 0 μm, charged to a predetermined polarity in a carrier liquid, and having at least a coloring component and functioning as a developer are dispersed in an amount of about 2 to 5% by weight. Formed by.

With regard to the above-mentioned resistivity, the sample was filled in a cell in which the distance between the parallel plate electrodes was 1 mm, and the applied voltage was 100
It is measured as the direct current electrical resistance at V. Further, as the isoparaffinic solvent, for example, trade name Isopar G,
H, L, etc., and this solvent is 10 ^{12 to} 10 ¹³ Ω.
It has an electrical resistivity of not less than cm.

The recording liquid L has basically the same structure as that of the conventional liquid developer used in electrophotography, but the recording liquid L in this embodiment is the same as that of the conventional liquid developer. A material having a higher electrical resistivity than the agent is used.

The tank 21 has a recording belt 26 functioning as a recording liquid holding means and a recording head 27 functioning as a voltage applying means, and stores the recording liquid L as described above.

The recording belt 26 is formed by forming an insulating film member in a loop shape, as will be described later. The recording belt 26 is stretched around a pair of belt rollers 28a and 28b arranged so as to face each other.

One of the belt rollers 28a and 28b is a driving roller for driving the recording belt 28 at a predetermined speed, and the other is a driven roller which is driven when the recording belt 28 is driven. The recording belt 26 is
The belt rollers 28a and 28b cause the conductive rotary drum 16 to rotate in the same direction as the recording paper P is conveyed.

As shown in FIG. 2, the recording belt 26 is dielectric, preferably insulative, has an electrical resistivity of at least the recording liquid L or more, and preferably 20 to 200 μm.
Is formed by a film-like member having a thickness of. In this embodiment, since the recording belt 28 is required to have elasticity due to the structure of the recording apparatus 1, a resin material such as polyester or polyimide is suitable. Moreover, the following materials are also applicable. For example,
According to “Statistics Society of Japan: Handbook of Static Electricity, Appendix 2,” polystyrene (electrical resistivity: 10 ¹⁶ Ω · cm), polyvinyl butyral (10 ¹⁴ > Ω · cm), polycarbonate (2.1 × 10 ¹⁶ Ω · cm) , Nylon 6 (10
¹² Ω · cm), nylon 66 (10 ¹³ Ω · cm), nylon 11 (10 ¹³ Ω · cm) and the like.

By changing the structure of the recording apparatus 1, it is possible to use a member having low elasticity such as ceramics or plastics. In addition, as shown in FIG. 2, the recording belt 26 includes a recording liquid holding area 26a formed by a plurality of minute through holes for holding the recording liquid.

3 (a) and 3 (b) are an enlarged plan view and a sectional view of a part of the recording liquid holding area 26a, respectively. As shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B, the recording liquid holding area 26 a has a plurality of through holes 26 b that penetrate the front and back of the recording belt 26.

As shown in FIG. 3B, the diameter of the through hole 26b on the front side, that is, on the side facing the conductive rotary drum 16 is slightly smaller than the diameter on the back side, that is, the side in contact with the recording head 27. It is formed to be large. The diameter of the front side of the through hole 26b can be variously selected according to the required minimum pixel, that is, the recording density. In this embodiment, the diameter of the through hole 26b is formed to be about 100 μm, and the size of the recording dot discharged from the through hole 26b and reaching the recording paper P is about 65 μm on the recording paper P.
m. Therefore, the through hole 26b in this embodiment is optimized so that recording can be performed at a recording density of 16 dots per mm.

The through hole 26b is formed in (a) of FIG.
As shown in FIG. 5, the recording belts 26 are arranged in a staggered manner so as to be offset for each row. The distance between the through holes 26b is
It is not necessary to match the recording density. In the case of this embodiment, the through holes 26b are arranged in a plurality of columns by shifting the aperture diameter of the through holes by 1/16 for each column, and one row is recorded in each of the 16 through hole columns. I am trying to do it. It should be noted that there is no problem even if the distance between the through holes is the same as the recording density.

Further, as shown in FIG. 2, the recording belt 2
On the side of the recording liquid holding area 26a in FIG. 6, a synchronization mark 26c for synchronizing the transport timing of the recording paper P and the recording belt 26 is formed.

As shown in FIG. 1, the recording head 27 is arranged at a position in contact with the recording belt 26 and facing the conductive rotary drum 16. The recording head 27 includes the recording paper P held by the conductive rotary drum 16 and the recording belt 26.
Are arranged substantially in parallel with the recording belt 26 and the conductive rotary drum 16 so that the gap between them is in the range of 50 to 2000 μm. The size of this gap depends on the size of the voltage applied to the recording head at the time of recording, and the optimum value differs, but in this embodiment, it is set to about 500 μm.

The recording head 27, as shown in FIG.
Ceramic having a thickness of about 0.1 to 5.0 mm,
Alternatively, the insulating substrate 27a formed of a plastic resin or the like, and a part of the insulating substrate 27a are omitted. The recording electrodes 27b are arranged in a plurality of rows at a desired density in the direction.

The insulating substrate 27a and the recording electrode 27b are
It is preferable to select the material so that the wear due to the contact of the recording belt 26 is substantially the same. Recording electrode 27
The material of b can be variously selected from materials having conductivity such as copper, copper alloy, nickel and tungsten.

Further, the recording head 27 has a signal input port 27c. This signal input port 27c has
A signal corresponding to image data supplied from the outside is input.

Furthermore, the recording head 27 has a signal driving integrated circuit 27d which functions as a control means. This signal driving integrated circuit 27d has a signal input port 27b.
The voltage supplied to each recording electrode 27b is controlled based on the signal input to the recording electrode 27b. Signal driving integrated circuit 2
The signal voltage supplied to the recording electrode 27b by 7d is controlled in the range of 100 to 500V according to the density of the image to be recorded.

The signal driving integrated circuit 27d has one end connected to each of the plurality of recording electrodes 27b and the other end connected to the conductive rotary drum 16. Therefore, a potential difference can be generated between the conductive rotary drum 16 and each recording electrode 27b.

Further, the tank 21 of the recording unit 4 has a recording belt cleaner 29 formed of a sponge or a brush for cleaning the recording belt 26 to prevent clogging.

As shown in FIG. 1, the recording liquid container 22 of the recording unit 4 has a toner supply unit 30 for supplying a solid toner T to the recording liquid L at a predetermined ratio, and a toner T supplied for the recording liquid L. The recording liquid L is accommodated while having a stirrer 31 for stirring so as to disperse the recording liquid L and a concentration sensor 32 for detecting the concentration of the recording liquid L.

Recording liquid L detected by the concentration sensor 32
The output signal corresponding to the density of is transmitted to a control unit (not shown). The control unit controls the amount of toner supplied from the toner supply unit 30 so as to maintain the concentration of the recording liquid L stored in the recording liquid storage unit 22 at a predetermined value according to the concentration signal. In this embodiment, the concentration of the recording liquid L is adjusted so that the toner amount is 2 to 5% by weight with respect to the carrier liquid.

Next, the principle of the image recording method using the recording apparatus 1 will be described. As shown in FIG. 5, the recording head 27 is, for example, 500 μm via the recording belt 26.
The recording sheets P are arranged at an interval of m. Conductive rotating drum 16 and recording belt 26 or recording head 27
By applying the same voltage as the charging polarity of the toner particles T, for example, a bias voltage of 1000 to 1500 V, the recording liquid L filled in the through holes 26b, particularly the toner contained in the recording liquid. As indicated by A in the figure, the particles T are repelled by the bias voltage and migrate to the side of the through hole 26b facing the recording paper to become dense.

Further, by superimposing a signal voltage of 100 to 500 V on the recording electrode 27b according to an image signal input from the outside, the toner particles T aggregated on the recording paper side in the through hole 26b are generated. As indicated by B in the drawing, the recording liquid L is ejected and reaches the recording paper P in a state where the carrier liquid contained in the recording liquid L overcomes the binding force and is aggregated.

At this time, the toner particles T charged to the same polarity are dispersed in a mist form due to the repulsive force of each other and are not ejected. This is because when the toner particles T are ejected from the recording liquid L, the carrier liquid adheres to such an extent as to wet the toner particles T, and the cohesive force of the carrier liquid overcomes the repulsive force between the toner particles T, so that the toner particles T ,
It is considered that the recording liquid L is ejected in an aggregated state. Therefore, according to the principle of this recording method, the recording liquid L
From the recording liquid L, not only the toner particles T are ejected from the recording liquid L but also the carrier liquid is contained to the extent that the toner particles T are aggregated.

The size of the recording dot formed by the toner particles T reaching the recording paper P depends on the magnitude of the signal voltage applied by the recording electrode 27 or the application time of the signal voltage. It can be adjusted to a desired size.

Further, the amount of toner discharged depends on the toner concentration of the recording liquid L, and the higher the concentration of the recording liquid L, the larger the dot size image point can be recorded. Therefore, the recording apparatus 1 has a structure in which the recording liquid container 22 can be adjusted to a predetermined toner concentration as described above.

The application time of the voltage required for ejecting the toner particles T is a bias voltage between the conductive rotary drum 16 and the recording belt 26 or the recording head 27 in advance, that is, the toner particles T migrate to the recording paper side. When the voltage required for this was applied, it took 0.1 milliseconds or more. Further, when applying the discharge voltage corresponding to the bias voltage + the signal voltage instantly, that is, the voltage required to discharge the toner particles T without applying the bias voltage, it is necessary to have about 0.5 milliseconds or more. Met.

In this recording method, in order to record an image on various recording media including plain paper, it is important that the carrier liquid which is transparent and unnecessary for recording is not discharged as much as possible. In addition, as described above, the carrier liquid needs to be ejected together with the toner particles T to the extent that the toner particles T are aggregated.

Therefore, the carrier liquid is required to be a dielectric liquid having a high electric resistivity. The use of the dielectric carrier liquid enables the electric field applied to the recording liquid to reach the toner particles T via the carrier liquid.

On the other hand, when a carrier liquid having a low electrical resistivity is used, the carrier liquid is charged by the charge injection due to the voltage applied by the recording electrode, and therefore electrostatic repulsion force is applied when the signal voltage is applied. There is a risk that discharge will occur from the through hole. Further, the carrier liquid having a low electric resistivity may cause electrical conduction between the adjacent recording electrodes, and is therefore unsuitable for the recording apparatus and the recording method in this embodiment.

As described above, the recording method of the present invention and the recording apparatus suitable for this recording method are different from the conventional electrostatic ink jet system in which all the constituent components of the ink including the dispersion medium and the colorant are ejected. Is. In particular, the present invention does not cause the ink to fly toward the recording medium by applying a force to the liquid (carrier liquid) as in the prior art,
The feature is that the solid component charged toner particles dispersed in the carrier liquid are made to fly by applying force. As a result, the components flying toward the recording medium are mainly toner particles, and the carrier liquid is only ejected to such an extent that the toner particles are wetted and aggregated. Therefore, the components that reach the recording medium are mainly toner particles, and only a small amount of carrier liquid as a fluid component is contained.
An image can be recorded on the recording medium without causing bleeding or flow. Therefore, high-quality recorded images can be obtained on various recording media.

FIG. 6 shows a modification of the above-described embodiment. The recording belt 100 shown in FIG. 6 is formed of the same dielectric or insulating film as the recording belt 26 described above. This recording belt 100
In place of the through hole 26b, a minute groove 101 having the same size as the diameter of the through hole 26b of the recording belt 26 is formed on one surface. The minute groove 101 has a semicircular cross section, for example. Further, the density of the minute grooves 101, that is, the number of grooves per unit area can be variously set according to the desired recording density.

The recording belt 100 as shown in FIG. 6 can also be applied to the recording apparatus 1 described above. That is, in the recording belt 100, the belt rollers 28a and 28b are arranged so that the surface on which the minute grooves 101 are formed faces the recording paper P side.
Attached to. Then, based on the principle described above,
The recording liquid L filled in the minute grooves 101 is supplied to the recording belt 10
By applying the bias voltage and the signal voltage from the back surface of 0, that is, the surface on which the minute groove is not formed, the recording liquid L is transferred to the recording paper P in the state where the toner particles T contained in the recording liquid L are aggregated. It is discharged toward.

As another modification, the recording belt 110 as shown in FIG. 7 may be applied to the recording apparatus 1 as described above. That is, the dielectric recording belt 110
An uneven surface is formed on the surface of, that is, on the surface facing the recording paper P by dispersing and applying the fine particles 111 mixed with the binder. This recording belt 1
The size and density of the unevenness formed in 10 can be variously selected according to the required amount of discharged toner and recording density. In this embodiment, the size of the unevenness is determined by the recording electrode 27.
By setting the width to about 1/4 to 3/4 of the width of b, a good image with less recording loss was obtained.

Next, another embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 8 shows another recording belt applied to the recording apparatus 1. As described above, the recording belt 120 is formed of an insulating film and has a plurality of through holes 121. Similarly, the diameter of the through hole 121 on the front surface side facing the recording paper P is the recording electrode 27b.
It is formed so as to be larger than the diameter of the rear surface side facing the.

The inner wall of each through hole 121 is formed of the conductive member 12
2 coated. Further, each through hole 121 is covered with a conductive member 122 so as to project in a ring shape on the back surface and the front surface side of the recording belt 120. The protrusion of the conductive member 122 protruding on the back surface is formed by the recording electrode 27b.
Is formed so that it can be contacted with.

Therefore, the surface area of the electrode for applying the voltage to the recording liquid L, especially the charged toner particles T, is substantially enlarged. That is, the recording liquid L held on the recording belt 26 shown in FIG. 5 is applied with a voltage from the back surface of the recording belt 26 by the recording electrode 27b. According to the recording belt 120 shown in FIG. 8, the conductive member 122 protruding on the back surface is electrically connected to the recording electrode 27b, so that the conductive member 122 coated on the inner wall of the through hole 121 functions as an electrode. To do. For this reason, when a predetermined voltage is applied from the recording electrode 27b to the toner particles T contained in the recording liquid L, the entire area of the through hole, particularly from the deep part of the through hole 121, moves toward the conductive rotary drum 16 functioning as the counter electrode. This has the effect of increasing the lines of electric force and improving the aggregation efficiency of toner particles and the ejection efficiency.

Further, the projection of the conductive member 122 formed on the surface side of the recording belt 120 carries the recording liquid L held in the through hole 121 to the vicinity of the tip of the projection by the capillary phenomenon, and by the projection. By forming a stronger electric field in the vicinity thereof, the toner particles can be ejected with a lower applied voltage. Therefore, the protrusion is required to have an appropriate size and height. In this embodiment, the conductive member 122 is provided in each through hole 12
The inner wall of No. 1 has a thickness of about 30 μm and is covered with a height of 20 to 80 μm from the front and back surfaces of the recording belt 120. Regarding the height, in principle, the higher the mechanical strength, the more preferable it is.

However, the shape of the above-mentioned projection of the ring-shaped conductive member 122 is not limited to this embodiment as long as the above-mentioned effects can be achieved.

Further, as described above, in order to prevent the discharge of the carrier liquid contained in the recording liquid L, it is effective to prevent the charge from flowing into the recording liquid, that is, preventing the recording liquid from being charged. In order to prevent charging of the recording liquid, the through hole 12
It is effective to further coat the conductive member 122 covering 1 with an insulating member.

As the insulating member which can be covered, for example, T
Examples thereof include metal oxides such as iN and SiO2, and resins such as polyimide and polycarbonate. This insulating member 1
By coating the conductive member with a thickness of 10 to 10 μm, it is possible to prevent the carrier liquid from being discharged even with a higher applied voltage. Further, even when the electric resistivity of the recording liquid is slightly lowered, the ejection of the carrier liquid can be prevented and the stabilization of the modulation of the recording dot size due to the voltage modulation can be improved.

As a modification of the above-described embodiment, FIG.
It is possible to apply the recording belt as shown in FIG. The recording belt 130 shown in FIG. 9 is formed of a dielectric film member.

This film-like member is arranged on the surface of the film-like member at a predetermined density, and has conductive tips 13 having sharpened tips.
One. Similarly, the surface side of the recording belt 130 having the protrusions 131 faces the recording paper P, and the recording liquid is held between the protrusions 131. On the other hand, the recording electrode is brought into contact with the back surface side having no protrusion. A voltage is applied to the recording liquid held on the front surface side by the recording electrodes that are in contact with the rear surface of the recording belt 130.

The protrusion 131 functions to focus the electric field applied from the recording electrode and strengthen it near the tip thereof. Therefore, it is possible to set a low applied voltage required to eject the toner particles contained in the recording liquid,
Low power consumption can be achieved.

Further, the recording belt 130 has the protrusion 13
Since the electric field can be focused by means of 1, it is possible to form it by using a relatively thick film member. Further, as another modification of the above-described embodiment, it is also possible to apply the recording belt as shown in FIG. 10 to the above-described recording apparatus 1. The recording belt 140 shown in FIG. 10 is formed of a dielectric film member.

The recording belt 140 has minute conductive protrusions 141 penetrating through the front and back of the film-shaped member and arranged at a predetermined density. One end of the protrusion 141 protrudes to the surface side of the recording belt 140, and the tip is sharpened. Then, the recording liquid is held on the front surface side of the recording belt 140. Further, the other end of the protrusion 141 has the recording belt 14
It projects to the back side of 0. Then, the recording electrode 27b
Is brought into contact with the back surface of the recording belt 140.

Since the other end of the conductive protrusion 141 protruding to the back side is brought into direct contact with the recording electrode to be electrically connected, one end of the conductive protrusion 141 protruding to the front side functions as an electrode, and a stronger electric field is generated. It can be formed on one end side of the protrusion. Therefore, it is possible to eject the toner particles contained in the recording liquid with a low applied voltage. It also contributes to cost reduction.

At this time, the arrangement interval of the conductive protrusions 141 is selected so that the recording electrode 27b can simultaneously contact at least two conductive protrusions 141 as shown in FIG.

In order to prevent the discharge of the carrier liquid contained in the recording liquid, the surfaces of the conductive protrusions 131 and 141 as shown in FIGS. 9 and 10 are covered with the insulating member as described above. May be.

Further, the conductive protrusions 131 and 141 can be arranged at a predetermined density according to a desired recording density, dot size and the like. As described above, according to the recording method of the present invention and the recording apparatus suitable for this recording method, various problems that the conventional inkjet recording method has can be solved.

That is, an image is recorded on the recording medium by mainly ejecting the toner particles as a solid component contained in the recording liquid. Further, the carrier liquid as a liquid component contained in the recording liquid is only ejected together with the toner particles to the extent that the toner particles are aggregated. Therefore,
There is no risk of image defects such as bleeding and feathering on various recording media, and the quality of recorded images can be improved. In addition, since there is no restriction on the type of colorant, it is possible to obtain a recorded image with good storability of colors with little fading.

[0088]

As described above, according to the present invention, an ink jet type recording method capable of high quality recording without bleeding on various media and a recording apparatus suitable for this recording method. Can be provided.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a sectional view schematically showing an example of a recording apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a plan view schematically showing an example of a recording belt provided in the recording apparatus shown in FIG.

3A is an enlarged plan view of a part of the recording belt shown in FIG. 2, and FIG. 3B is a sectional view of the recording belt.

FIG. 4 is a plan view schematically showing an example of a recording head included in the recording apparatus shown in FIG.

FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining a recording method of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a sectional view schematically showing another embodiment of a recording belt applied to the recording apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a sectional view schematically showing another embodiment of a recording belt applied to the recording apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a sectional view schematically showing another embodiment of a recording belt applied to the recording apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a sectional view schematically showing another embodiment of a recording belt applied to the recording apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing another embodiment of a recording belt applied to the recording apparatus of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Recording device 2 ... Paper feeding part 3 ... Conveying part 4 ... Recording unit 5 ... Device body 11 ... Paper cassette 15 ... Conveying path 16 ... Conductive rotating drum 21 ... Tank 22 ... Recording liquid accommodating part 24 ... Supply pipe 25 ... Recovery pipe 26 ... Recording belt 26b ... Through hole 27 ... Recording head 27b ... Recording electrode 27c ... Signal input port 27d ... Signal driving integrated circuit 30 ... Toner supply unit 31 ... Stirrer 32 ... Density sensor 100 ... Recording belt 101 ... Minute Groove 110 ... Recording belt 111 ... Fine particles 120 ... Recording belt 121 ... Through hole 122 ... Conductive member 130 ... Recording belt 131 ... Conductive protrusion 140 ... Recording belt 141 ... Conductive protrusion L ... Recording liquid P ... Recording paper T ... Toner particles

Claims (9)

[Claims] 1. An accommodating means for accommodating a recording liquid in which developer particles charged to a predetermined polarity are dispersed in a dielectric liquid, and an accommodating means provided so as to face a recording medium and accommodated in the accommodating means. A recording liquid holding unit that carries the recording liquid and moves in a predetermined direction; and a recording liquid held in the recording liquid holding unit by applying a voltage having the same polarity as the predetermined polarity to the recording liquid holding unit. A recording apparatus comprising: a voltage applying unit that causes developer particles in a liquid to fly onto the recording medium. 2. An accommodating unit for accommodating a recording liquid in which developer particles charged to a predetermined polarity are dispersed in a dielectric liquid, and a recording liquid retaining unit for retaining the recording liquid contained in the accommodating unit. The recording liquid holding means having a film-shaped member, and the recording liquid holding means, by applying a voltage of a predetermined magnitude having the same polarity as the charging polarity of the developer particles, to the recording liquid holding means. A recording device, comprising: a voltage applying unit that causes the developer particles in the recording liquid held by the liquid holding unit to fly onto a recording medium. 3. An accommodating unit for accommodating a recording liquid in which developer particles charged to a predetermined polarity are dispersed in a dielectric liquid, and a recording liquid retaining unit for retaining the recording liquid contained in the accommodating unit. The recording liquid holding means having a film-shaped member, and the recording liquid holding means, by applying a voltage of a predetermined magnitude having the same polarity as the charging polarity of the developer particles, to the recording liquid holding means. A voltage applying unit that causes the developer particles in the recording liquid held by the liquid holding unit to fly onto the recording medium; and a control unit that controls the magnitude of the voltage applied to the voltage applying unit corresponding to image data. A recording device comprising: 4. An accommodating unit for accommodating a recording liquid in which developer particles charged to a predetermined polarity are dispersed in a dielectric liquid, and a recording liquid retaining unit for retaining the recording liquid contained in the accommodating unit. A recording liquid holding unit that is formed of a film-shaped member having the recording liquid and moves in a predetermined direction while holding the recording liquid; and a predetermined polarity having the same polarity as the charging polarity of the developer particles with respect to the recording liquid holding unit. A recording apparatus comprising: a voltage application unit that causes a developer particle in the recording liquid held by the recording liquid holding unit to fly onto a recording medium by applying a voltage of a magnitude. 5. An accommodating means for accommodating a recording liquid in which developer particles charged to a predetermined polarity are dispersed in a dielectric liquid, a film-shaped member provided so as to face the recording medium, and the film-shaped member. A member has a plurality of through holes penetrating from one surface facing the recording medium to the other surface, and the one surface side has a plurality of through holes having a larger hole diameter than the other surface side. A recording liquid holding unit for holding the recording liquid, and abutting on the other surface of the recording liquid holding unit, a predetermined voltage having the same polarity as the charging polarity of the developer particles is applied to the recording liquid holding unit. A recording device, comprising: a voltage application unit that causes the developer particles in the recording liquid held by the recording liquid holding unit to fly onto the recording medium by applying the voltage. 6. An accommodating means for accommodating a recording liquid in which developer particles charged to a predetermined polarity are dispersed in a dielectric liquid, and a dielectric film-like member provided so as to face the recording medium. A plurality of through holes penetrating from one surface of the film-shaped member facing the recording medium to the other surface, and a plurality of through holes having a hole diameter on the one surface side larger than the hole diameter on the other surface side, and an inner wall of the through hole. A recording liquid holding means for holding the recording liquid by the plurality of through holes, and a recording material holding means for contacting the recording liquid holding means from the other surface side of the recording liquid holding means, By applying a voltage of a predetermined magnitude having the same polarity as the charge polarity of the developer particles to the liquid holding means, the developer particles in the recording liquid held in the recording liquid holding means are transferred to the recording medium. And a voltage applying means for causing the particles to fly upward. Recording apparatus characterized. 7. An accommodating means for accommodating a recording liquid in which developer particles charged to a predetermined polarity are dispersed in a dielectric liquid, and an uneven surface for retaining the recording liquid contained in the accommodating means. And a film-shaped recording liquid holding means arranged so that this uneven surface is opposed to the recording medium, and abutting against the recording liquid holding means, A voltage application unit that causes the developer particles in the recording liquid held on the uneven surface of the recording liquid holding unit to fly onto the recording medium by applying a voltage of a predetermined magnitude having the same polarity as the charging polarity; A recording device comprising: 8. An accommodating means for accommodating a recording liquid in which developer particles charged to a predetermined polarity are dispersed in a dielectric liquid, and a dielectric film-like member provided facing the recording medium. A recording liquid which has a plurality of conductive members penetrating from one surface of the film-shaped member facing the recording medium to the other surface, and holds the recording liquid between the protruding conductive members. A holding unit and the recording liquid holding unit are brought into contact with each other, and by applying a voltage of a predetermined magnitude having the same polarity as the charging polarity of the developer particles to the recording liquid holding unit, A recording device, comprising: a voltage applying unit that causes the developer particles in the recording liquid held between the conductive members to fly onto the recording medium. 9. A plurality of recording liquid holding means provided with a recording liquid holding means formed of a sheet-like material, for holding a recording liquid in which developer particles charged to a predetermined polarity are dispersed in a dielectric liquid. Part, a step of causing the recording liquid holding part of the recording liquid holding means holding the recording liquid to closely face a recording medium, and a charging polarity of the developer particles with respect to the recording liquid holding means. A step of selectively applying a voltage of a predetermined magnitude having the same polarity to eject the developer particles in the recording liquid held in the recording liquid holding portion from the recording liquid toward the recording medium; A recording method having.