JPH10114102A - Image exposing device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To obtain a desired quantity of exposure and to enhance an operation efficiency without lowering a scanning speed. SOLUTION: An R(red color)-LD chip is used instead of an R-LED chip of which emission intensity is low and the characteristic of output current-emission intensity is roughly equal to that of each of other LED chips adapted to the other colors so that it is possible to obtain the sufficient emission intensity of each color without limiting the output current. That is, it is possible to obtain emission intensity PH at output current IH by each color so that it is unnecessary to provide a limit of the current value. In terms of differences between characteristics of output current-emission intensity in the LED and LD (differences between emission intensities at an intermediate current value), it is preferable that the characteristics are stored in a memory as an LUT(look- up table) by activating the LEDs and LD to be adapted in the testing beforehand.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image exposing apparatus for recording an image on a photosensitive material by controlling light emission of three colors from a light source in accordance with an image data signal.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art
Many image recording apparatuses equipped with a digital exposure system have been developed. Generally, in a digital exposure system, image data is placed on a light beam output from a semiconductor laser, and the polygon mirror is rotated at a high speed to deflect the light beam (main scanning) and to be reflected by the polygon mirror by a galvanometer mirror or the like. Sub-scan the light beam further, or
An image is recorded on a recording medium by repeating main scanning while moving the recording medium (or stepwise). Here, the recording medium may be a photosensitive drum charged by corona discharge or a photosensitive material. Further, the light source may be another light emitting body such as an LED without using a semiconductor laser.

Here, when forming a full-color image,
A light source of three colors (RGB) is required as a light source, and a desired image (full-color image) can be obtained by controlling the light amounts of these light sources and performing overlapping exposure.

However, the light sources of the respective colors have different light emission amounts and light emission change rates. Normally, one light source for each color is used.If three colors are scanned at the same speed and the same light amount is obtained at the same exposure point, the light amount must be adjusted to the light source with the least light amount. No.

Therefore, in order to obtain a desired exposure amount,
It is necessary to reduce the scanning speed, which causes a reduction in working efficiency.

In view of the above, it is an object of the present invention to provide an image exposure apparatus which can obtain a desired exposure amount without lowering a scanning speed and can improve work efficiency.

[0007]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image exposing apparatus for recording an image on a photosensitive material by controlling light emission of three colors from a light source according to an image data signal. The light source is composed of three color light emitting elements, one for each color.
The light emitting elements of three colors of the light source have two or more kinds of light emitting mechanisms, and are used to form light from the plural light emitting elements on a photosensitive material. An optical system, a main scanning drive system for moving a unit in which the light source and the optical system are integrated in a predetermined main scanning direction, and a direction orthogonal to the main scanning direction for each single main scanning of the photosensitive material. And a sub-scanning optical system for step-moving.

According to the first aspect of the present invention, by forming the light emitting element with two or more kinds of light emitting mechanisms, it becomes easy to make the light emission intensity balance of each color uniform.

For example, it is possible to obtain a predetermined light emitting intensity without increasing the number by changing the light emitting device corresponding to the color having the lowest light emitting intensity among light emitting devices of the same type to a light emitting device having a high light emitting intensity. Become.

The invention according to claim 2 is characterized in that the light emitting elements of the three colors are elements having the same light emitting mechanism within the same color.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, in the three color light emitting elements, the same light emission mechanism is used within the same color, so that it is not necessary to adjust the peak wavelength, and the color reproducibility can be maintained. . The invention according to claim 3 is characterized in that the optical system is configured such that the image forming spot diameters of the three color light emitting elements by the optical system have the same shape.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, since the image spot is reflected in the resolution, even if the light-emitting elements of different types have the same shape by the optical system, the image quality can be improved. Can be stabilized.

[0013]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

(Overall Configuration “Appearance”) FIGS. 1 to 3 show an image recording apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment.

The image recording apparatus 100 is a CD-ROM
This is an apparatus that reads image data recorded on an optical disc 102 and an FD 104 (see FIG. 3), exposes the photosensitive material 106, and transfers an image recorded on the photosensitive material 106 to an image receiving paper 108 for output.

The upper portion of the front surface (left side in FIG. 3) of the box-shaped casing 110 has an inclined surface, and an operation display unit 112 is provided.

As shown in FIG. 2, the operation display unit 112
Are classified into a monitor unit 114 located on the right side and an input unit 116 located on the left side, and the monitor unit 114 is configured to project the read image.

The input unit 116 has a plurality of operation keys 1.
18 and an input data confirmation display unit 120, so that it is possible to input data necessary for image recording, such as input of the number of prints, size setting, color balance adjustment, negative / positive selection, and the like. I have.

Below the operation display section 112, a deck section 1 is provided.
22 are provided. The deck section 122 includes an optical disk deck section 124 located on the right side in FIG. 3 and an FD deck section 126 located on the left side.

The optical disk deck 124 can open and close the tray 130 by pressing an open / close button 128. By placing the optical disk 102 on the tray 130, the optical disk 10
2 can be loaded inside the device.

On the other hand, the FD deck section 126 is provided with an FD insertion throttle 132, and when the FD 104 is inserted, a drive system inside the apparatus operates to draw in the FD 104. When the FD 104 is taken out, the operation button 134 is pressed to
D104 can be pulled out.

The optical disk deck 124 and the FD
Access lamps 136,
138 are provided, and the access lamps 136 and 138 are turned on during access in the apparatus.

A discharge tray 140 is provided below the deck 122. This discharge tray 140
Is usually housed in the device, and can be pulled out by putting a finger on the grip portion 142 (FIG. 1).
reference).

The image receiving paper 108 on which the image is recorded is discharged onto the discharge tray 140.

The image receiving paper 108 is stored in a tray 144 in a layered form in advance.
0 is provided in the tray loading port 146 provided on the upper surface of the tray. The image receiving paper 108 is taken out one by one from the tray 144 loaded in the tray loading port 146, the image is transferred, and then guided to the discharge tray 140.

Two circular cover members 148 and 150 are attached to the right side surface (the front side in FIG. 1) of the casing 110. The cover members 148, 150
The cover members 148 and 148 are individually detachable.
As shown in FIG. 3, a supply reel 152 and a take-up reel 154 for winding the photosensitive material 106 in a roll form are arranged inside the apparatus along the axial direction of 150. It can be taken out or loaded with the members 148 and 150 detached. (Receiver paper transport system) As shown in FIG.
The upper surface of the tip end of the tray 144 loaded in 46 is opposed to the half-moon roller 156.

The semicircular roller 156 has a part of its peripheral surface cut in a tangential direction. Usually, the notch 158 faces the uppermost image receiving paper 108 in the tray 144 at a predetermined interval. I have. Here, when the half moon roller 156 rotates, the uppermost image receiving paper 108 and the half moon roller 156 are rotated.
When the semicircular roller 156 makes one rotation, the image receiving paper 108 is slightly pulled out. The pulled-out image receiving paper 108 is nipped by the first roller pair 160,
The driving force of the first roller pair 160 causes the tray 1
44 to be completely drawn out.

On the downstream side of the first roller pair 160, a second roller
Roller pair 162, guide plate 164, third roller pair 1
66 are arranged in order, and the image receiving paper 108 is nipped by the first roller pair 160, is nipped by the second roller pair 162, is guided by the guide plate 164, and is received by the third roller pair 166. Be pinched.

The third roller pair 166 also overlaps the photosensitive material 106. That is, the third roller pair 166 is also used as a transport path for the photosensitive material 106. (Photosensitive material transport system) The photosensitive material 106 is supplied to the supply reel 15.
It is loaded into the device in the form of a long roll wound in two layers. The supply reel 152 is formed by removing the cover member 150 (rear side of the apparatus) and inserting the cover member 150 in the axial direction.
It can be loaded in place.

With the photosensitive material 106 loaded at a predetermined position, the outermost layer is pulled out and loaded along a predetermined conveyance path as an initial setting. In the loading procedure, the outermost layer is pulled out from the supply reel 152, and the fourth roller pair 1 near the loading position of the supply reel 152
68, via the reservoir 170 and the guide plate 172, between the third roller pair 166, around the heat roller 174, and around the take-up reel 154. In this case, a leader tape of a length necessary for loading may be provided at the leading end of the photosensitive material 106 wound around the supply reel 152.

In the conveying path of the photosensitive material 106,
An exposure section 176 is provided between the fourth roller pair 168 and the reservoir section 170. In addition, the reservoir 170
A water application unit 178 is provided between the guide plate 172 and the guide plate 172. The details of the exposure unit 176 and the water application unit 178 will be described later. However, after the image is exposed on the photosensitive material 106 by the exposure unit 176, the third step is performed in a state where water is applied to the emulsion surface (exposed surface). Receiving paper 1 with roller pair 166 of
08 is superimposed. (Heat Roller) The heat roller 174 is a thermal development transfer section of the present apparatus, and includes a cylindrical roller main body 180 and a heater 182 provided along an axis inside the roller main body 180. The surface of the roller body 180 is heated by the operation of the heater 182, and has a role of applying heat to the members (the photosensitive material 106 and the image receiving paper 108) wound around the roller body 180. By this heating, a thermal development transfer process is performed, and the image recorded on the photosensitive material 106 is transferred to the image receiving paper 108.

A peeling roller 184 and a peeling claw 186 are provided near the lower right of the heat roller 174. The image receiving paper 108 wound around the heat roller 174 by about 1/3 is peeled off from the photosensitive material 106, and a discharge tray is provided. The image receiving paper 108 is guided in a 140 direction.

On the other hand, the photosensitive material 106 is
The take-up reel 154 is wound by about 、, is turned by 180 °, and is guided to a position where the take-up reel 154 is loaded. (Water application unit) As shown in FIG.
Water as an image forming solvent is applied to the photosensitive material 106 or the image receiving paper 108, and the superposed surfaces of the two are brought into close contact with each other, and have a role of heat development. Application piece 188 and tank 190 for storing water
It is composed of

The coating piece 188 is made of a highly absorbent material such as felt or sponge and has an appropriate hardness.
The photosensitive material 106 comes into contact with a predetermined pressure during transportation. The water in the tank 190 always transfers an appropriate amount to the coating piece 188 by utilizing the capillary phenomenon. When the photosensitive material 106 and the coating piece 188 come into contact with each other, the water is exposed by the coating piece 188. Water is applied to the surface (emulsion side) of the material 106.

Further, since the coated piece 188 is in contact with the photosensitive material 106 at an appropriate pressure, the water is uniformly applied.

The water in the tank 190 is replenished by removing the entire water application section 178. However, water may always be supplied from outside the apparatus by providing a pipe.

In this embodiment, water is used as a solvent for forming an image. However, the water is not limited to pure water, but includes water in a widely used sense. Further, it may be a mixed solvent of water and a low boiling point solvent such as methanol, DMF, acetone and diisobutyl ketone. Further, a solution containing an image formation accelerator, an antifoggant, a development terminator, a hydrophilic heat solvent and the like may be used. (Exposure Unit) FIG. 4 shows an exposure unit 176 according to the present embodiment.
It is shown.

The light exposure unit 176 mainly includes a light source unit 200 provided above the conveyance path of the photosensitive material 106.
It is connected to the controller 202. Controller 2
02 stores an image signal (an image signal read from the optical disk 102 or the FD 104), and according to the image signal, the light source unit 20 in the light source unit 200.
4 is turned on. Light source unit 200
Can be moved in the width direction (main scanning direction) of the photosensitive material 106 by driving a main scanning unit 206 described later, and the main scanning is performed when the photosensitive material 106 is stopped when the exposure unit 176 is step-driven. It has become.

The light source unit 200 of the exposure unit 176 is covered by a box-shaped exposure casing 214, and a light source unit 204 is disposed on the upper end surface of the exposure casing 214. 214
Pointed inward. On the light emitting surface side of the light source unit 204,
An aperture 216 is provided to limit the spread of light from a plurality of light emitting elements (in the present embodiment, the LED chip 208 and the semiconductor laser chip 209). Note that a configuration without the aperture 216 is also possible.

On the downstream side of the aperture 216, telecentric lenses 212 and 213 are provided for different types of light emitting elements at the central portion of the exposure casing 214 to collect light from the light source 204 and It has a function of forming an image. The resolution of the light to be imaged is
It is about 250 to 400 dpi.

Here, the telecentric lens 212,
Reference numeral 213 denotes a lens composed of a plurality of lenses and an aperture, and having a characteristic that the magnification does not change even if the height of the image plane changes. It is possible to absorb the difference due to the state of attachment of the device. The telecentric lenses 212 and 213 have the same function as described above, and a plurality of telecentric lenses 212 and 213 are formed so that the light emitted from each light emitting element has the same image spot shape when the image is formed on the photosensitive material 106. Are combined. Therefore, even when different types of light emitting elements are used, the photosensitive material 1
On 06, there is no effect other than the emission intensity.

The focus is always adjusted by an auto focus mechanism (not shown). Alternatively, adjustment may not be required by using a lens system having a deep focal depth.

The light source unit 204 is composed of a pair of parallel guide shafts 21 that constitute a part of the main scanning unit 206.
8 supported. The guide shaft 218 is disposed along the width direction of the photosensitive material 106 (the direction of the arrow W in FIG. 4), and the light source unit 204 is connected to the guide shaft 2.
The photosensitive material 106 is movable in the width direction of the photosensitive material 106 by being guided by the photosensitive material 18.

A part of the endless timing belt 220 is fixed to the exposure casing 214 of the light source unit 204. Both ends of the timing belt 220 are wound around sprockets 222 located near both ends of the guide shaft 218, respectively. One sprocket 2
The rotation shaft of the stepping motor 226 is connected to the rotation shaft of the stepping motor 226 via a transmission 224.
It is reciprocated along the guide shaft 218.

The driving of the stepping motor 226 is controlled by the controller 202, and is synchronized with the step driving of the photosensitive material 106. That is, in a state where the photosensitive material 106 has moved one step and stopped, the stepping motor 226 starts rotating, and the light source unit 204 moves on the photosensitive material 106 along the width direction of the photosensitive material 106. After confirming the predetermined pulse, the stepping motor 22
By reversely rotating 6, the light source unit 204 returns to the original position. The next movement of the photosensitive material 106 is started simultaneously with the return operation of the light source unit 204.

The light output side of the light source unit 204, the photosensitive material 106
A photodiode 228 is provided on the surface facing the light emitting device and outputs a signal corresponding to the light amount of the light source from the light source unit 204. The photodiode 228 is connected to the light amount correction unit 230, and the signal is input to the light amount correction unit 230.

The light quantity correction unit 230 compares the detected light quantities from the LED chips 208 of the respective colors to determine the density,
It has a role of performing color balance adjustment and outputting a correction value to the controller 202. The image signal sent to the light source unit 204 is corrected based on the correction value, and each LED chip 208 is turned on with an appropriate light amount.

As shown in FIG. 5, the light source unit 204 has an L
An ED chip 208 and a semiconductor laser chip (hereinafter referred to as an LD chip) are collectively configured, and the LED chip 208 emits B (blue) and G (green) light,
The chip emits light in R (red). In the case where the LED chips 208 are individually described for each color, the LED chips that emit B light are referred to as B-LED chips 208B,
The G-LED chip 208 is used to form an LED chip that emits G color.
G. Hereinafter, since the LD chip emits R light, it is referred to as an R-LD chip 209R.

The B-LED chip 208B, the G-LED chip 208G, and the R-LD chip 209R are disposed on the substrate 210 in the width direction (main scanning direction) of the photosensitive material 106.
Along with the same arrangement rule. The wavelength of each color is 660 ± 20 nm for the R-LD chip 209R and 530 for the G-LED chip 208G.
± 30 nm, B-LED chip 208B is 470 ± 20
nm.

At the right end of the substrate 210 in plan view, ten B-LED chips 208B are arranged in two rows and in a staggered manner, and at the left end, ten R-LD chips 209R are provided.
It is arranged in two rows and in a staggered pattern, and in the center, 10 G-
The LED chips 208G are arranged in two rows and in a staggered manner, and a total of six rows of LED chips are arranged.

A predetermined wiring is formed on the substrate 210 by an etching process or the like. The wiring is covered with a metal so as to prevent a short circuit between the wirings, and has a heat radiation function. For this reason, heat generation due to lighting of the LED chip 208 and the LD 209 can be suppressed, and fluctuation of the light emission amount can be suppressed.

The dimensions of each section of the light source section 204 applied in this embodiment will be described below. First, the horizontal (X) × vertical (Y) dimensions of the substrate 210 are 5 × 5 mm (maximum),
The outer dimensions of the LED chip 208 and the LD chip 209 (x
× y) is about 360 × 360 μm. The pitch P between columns of the same color is 600 μm, and the row pitch L of each column is 520 μm.
m, the step size D in a staggered shape is 260 μm. The gap G between the colors is the telecentric lens 21
2, and cannot be determined uniquely, but it is preferable that the gap dimensions G between R and G and between G and B are the same.

The LED chips 208 and L shown in FIG.
The hatched portion of the D chip 209 is a region that actually emits light, and as shown by a chain line in FIG. 5, the boundaries between adjacent light emitting regions in a staggered row are aligned.

By the light source unit 204 having the above-described structure, ten main scanning lines can be recorded on the photosensitive material 106 by one main scanning for each color. Therefore, the photosensitive material 1
The step movement of 06 is controlled so that driving and stopping are repeated at a pitch 10 times the main scanning line width recorded on the photosensitive material 106. (Reservoir section) The reservoir section 170 is disposed between the exposure section 174 and the water application section 178 as described above, and includes two pairs of nipping rollers 192 and 194 and one dancer roller 196. Have been. The photosensitive material 106 is stretched over two pairs of nipping rollers 192 and 194, and a substantially U-shaped slack is provided in the photosensitive material 106 between them.
The dancer roller 196 moves up and down in response to the slack, and holds the slack portion of the photosensitive material 106.

In the exposure unit 176, the photosensitive material 106 moves stepwise, but in the water application unit 178, it is necessary to convey the photosensitive material 106 at a constant speed for uniform application of water. For this reason,
The photosensitive material 106 is disposed between the exposure unit 176 and the water application unit 178.
The difference in the conveying speeds is caused. To absorb this speed difference,
The dancer roller 196 is moved up and down to adjust the slack amount of the photosensitive material 106 so that the photosensitive material 106 can be simultaneously moved stepwise and at a constant speed.

The operation of the present embodiment will be described below. First, the overall flow for image recording will be described.

The tray 144 is loaded in the tray loading port 146, and the supply reel 152 with the photosensitive material 106 wound thereon and the empty take-up reel 154 are loaded at predetermined positions, respectively, and the loading is completed. When the print start key of the operation display unit 112 is operated, the controller 202 causes the optical disk 102 or the FD 104 to operate.
And reads and stores the image data.

When the controller 202 stores the image data, the supply reel 152 is driven, and the conveyance of the photosensitive material 106 is started.

When the photosensitive material 106 reaches a predetermined position of the exposure unit 176, the photosensitive material 106 stops temporarily, and an image signal is output from the controller 202 to the light source unit 204. This image signal is output every 10 lines,
Is guided by the guide shaft 218 by the driving of the stepping motor 226 and moves along the width direction of the photosensitive material 106 (main scanning). Before the output of the image signal starts, the light amount of each color from the light source unit 204 is detected by the photodiode 228, and the light amount correction unit 230 supplies a correction value for adjusting the density, the color balance, and the like to the controller 202. , The image signal is corrected. This correction value is executed for each image.

Here, the light from the light source 204 is a B light
And G light are LED chip 208, and R light is LD chip 209.
Are output by emitting light. At this time,
Based on image data signals of the same level for each color
Conventionally, when emitting light, the same type of light emitting element for each color (eg,
(For example, only LED chips).
As a means to obtain, the color with the lowest emission intensity at the same output current
(R light) to limit the output current value of other colors.
Was. That is, as shown in FIG. _HDeparture at
The light intensity is P in the R-LED chip._LWhereas
Other colors (B-LED chip 208B and G-LED chip
208G), P_HYou can get up to. Current value
Is I_H, The intensity of the R-LED chip is
Since it cannot be raised, other colors (B-LED chip
208B and the G-LED chip 208G).
The flow value is I_LThe emission intensity P equivalent to three colors_LToshina
I had to.

However, in the present embodiment, the R-LD chip 209 is used instead of the R-LED chip having a low light emission intensity, and the output current-light emission intensity characteristic is equivalent to that of the LED chip 208 applied to other colors. Therefore, the emission intensity of each color can be obtained without limiting the output current. That is, as shown in FIG. 6, the emission intensity P _H can be obtained for all three colors with the output current I _H , and there is no need to limit the current value.

The difference between the output current and the light emission intensity characteristic of the LED and the LD (the difference in the light emission intensity at the intermediate current value) is determined by performing the test light emission of the LED and the LD to be applied in advance, and using a LUT (look-up table). What is necessary is just to memorize as.

When one main scan is completed, the photosensitive material 10
6 moves 1 step (10 line pitch) and stops,
A second main scan is performed. By repeating this, an image for one frame is recorded on the photosensitive material 106. The photosensitive material 106 on which recording has been completed is wound around the dancer roller 196 by driving only the pair of nipping rollers 192 on the upstream side of the reservoir 170 (the pair of nipping rollers 194 on the downstream side is stopped).
, So as not to reach the water application section 178.

When the length of the photosensitive material 106 for one image is accumulated in the reservoir 170, the pair of nipping rollers 194 on the downstream side of the reservoir 170 starts driving. As a result, the photosensitive material (image recorded) 106 is transported to the water application unit 178. In the water application section 178, the photosensitive material 106 is conveyed at a constant speed, and water is uniformly applied by the application piece 188.

The coating piece 188 is constantly supplied with water from the tank 190 and is supplied with the photosensitive material 10 at a predetermined pressure.
6 is pressed, an appropriate amount of water is applied to the photosensitive material 106.

The photosensitive material 106 to which water has been applied is guided by a guide plate 172 and conveyed to a third roller pair 166.

On the other hand, the image receiving paper 108 is a half-moon roller 156.
Makes one rotation, the peripheral surface of the half-moon roller 156 and the leading end of the image receiving paper 108 come into contact with each other, and the uppermost layer of the image receiving paper 108
Is pulled out, and the first roller pair 160 is pinched. The driving of the first roller pair 160 causes the image receiving paper 108
Is pulled out of the tray 144 and the second roller pair 162
Wait for the photosensitive material 106 to arrive.

The first roller pair 160 and the second roller pair 1 are synchronized with the passage of the photosensitive material 106 through the guide plate.
The driving of the image receiving paper 108 is started.
4 and is conveyed to a third roller pair 166.

In the third roller pair 166, the photosensitive material 10
6 and the image receiving paper 108 are pinched in a superposed state, and sent out to the heat roller 174. At this time, the photosensitive material 10
Both are brought into close contact with each other by the water applied to 6.

The superposed photosensitive material 106 and the image receiving paper 108 are wound around a heat roller 174, receive heat from a heater 182, and undergo a thermal development transfer process. That is, the image recorded on the photosensitive material 106 is transferred to the image receiving paper 108 and visualized.

The heat development transfer is completed with the heat roller 174 wound around about 約, and the image receiving paper 108 is
The photosensitive material 1 is separated by the peeling roller 184 and the peeling claw 186.
, And is discharged onto a discharge tray 140 so as to be wound around a peeling roller 184.

On the other hand, the photosensitive material 106 is
After being wrapped about 1/2 by 74, it moves tangentially and is taken up by the take-up reel 154.

According to the present embodiment, image recording can be performed with a compact structure, and since the optical disk deck 124 and the FD deck 126 are mounted in the apparatus, image data can be quickly captured. be able to. Further, since the image to be recorded can be confirmed by the monitor unit 114, the adjustment of the density and the color balance is easy.

Since the discharge tray 140 is of a retractable type, the tray 144 containing the image receiving paper 108 can be stored when not in use.
By removing the outer shape, the outer shape has less irregularities, and the working space can be effectively used.

Further, in the apparatus of the present embodiment, the water application section 178 and the exposure section 176 are fixed in the transport direction of the photosensitive material 106, and the relative movement with respect to the photosensitive material 106 is
Since all the operations are performed by moving the photosensitive material 106, the moving mechanism is simplified.

In this embodiment, the optical disk deck 124 and the FD deck 126 are mounted on the apparatus. However, other recording media (for example, a magneto-optical disk (M
O), a phase change disk (PD), a video tape, etc.). Further, an image input terminal for receiving an image signal from the outside (for example, a personal computer or a television) may be provided.

In this embodiment, a light emitting element having two kinds of light emitting mechanisms of an LED and an LD is used as a light source. However, the present invention is not limited to this combination, and an LED and an EL (electroluminescence), an LD and an EL, etc. Or three or more combinations of LED, LD, EL and the like.

[0077]

As described above, the image exposure apparatus according to the present invention has an excellent effect that it is possible to obtain a desired exposure amount without lowering the scanning speed and improve the working efficiency.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an image recording apparatus according to an embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a front view of the image recording apparatus according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a side sectional view showing an internal configuration of the image recording apparatus according to the embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a front view illustrating a schematic configuration of an exposure unit.

FIG. 5 is a plan view showing a light source unit of the exposure unit.

FIG. 6 is an output current-emission intensity characteristic diagram when an LED and an LD are used for R light and when an LED is used for B light and G light.

[Explanation of symbols]

 REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 100 Image recording device 106 Photosensitive material 108 Image receiving paper 174 Heat roller 176 Exposure unit 178 Water application unit 200 Light source unit 202 Controller 204 Light source unit 208 LED chip

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. An image exposure apparatus that controls light emission of three colors from a light source according to an image data signal to record an image on a photosensitive material, wherein the light source comprises a light emitting element of three colors, One or a plurality of light-emitting elements of the three colors of the light source have two or more light-emitting mechanisms, and form an image of light from the plurality of light-emitting elements on a photosensitive material. An optical system, a main scanning drive system for moving a unit in which the light source and the optical system are integrated in a predetermined main scanning direction, and the photosensitive material is orthogonal to the main scanning direction for each main scanning. And a sub-scanning optical system for step-moving in a direction. 2. The image exposure apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the light emitting elements of the three colors have the same light emitting mechanism in the same color. 3. The optical system according to claim 1, wherein the optical system is configured such that the image forming spots of the three color light emitting elements formed by the optical system have the same shape. The image exposure apparatus according to claim 1.