JPH106506A - Recording device and recording unit employed in the device and recording head - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To perform output printing being carried out expeditely with high fineness and high quality, and not needing to select the form of a recording medium in noncontact relation. SOLUTION: The recording device employs a recording head including a head part comprising a transparent electrode 2a formed on the substrate, an optically conductive film 4 formed on the transparent electrode 2a, and means for supplying ink 6 on the optically conductive film 4 and also a counter electrode 1a in the order, the means for supplying ink 6 and the counter electrode 1a being disposed with a sufficient interstice for inserting a medium to be recorded therebetween, and further including an electric source 3 for applying voltage between the transparent electrodes 2a and the counter electrode 1a, and light irradiating means 5 for supplying lights corresponding to a desired image picture element to the optically conductive film, thereby performing output printing with high excellency and high quality.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a printing industry requiring high-speed output of high-quality images, an office, a printer industry based on personal requirements, a low-cost general-purpose output device using various recording media, and the like. The present invention relates to a recording apparatus for obtaining an output image on a recording medium capable of responding to a wide range of needs from the consumer goods industry which requires a recording apparatus, and a recording unit and a recording head used in the recording apparatus.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A slit jet method (Ichinose) which is a kind of electrostatic suction method in conventional ink jet recording.
Susumu et al .: "Slit jet recording method", 1st non-impact printing technology symposium, P1
19-124, 1984), as shown in FIG.
An ink ejection port 101 formed in a slit shape, and an upper plate 102 and a lower plate 103 forming the ink ejection port 101
A recording electrode 104 disposed on the lower plate 103 in recording pixel units; a counter electrode 105 disposed opposite the ink ejection port 101; and a recording medium 110 moving along the counter electrode 105. And a driving power supply 106 for supplying a voltage to a selected one of the recording electrodes 104, the ink 108 is filled in the ink ejection port 101, and the space between the recording electrode 104 and the counter electrode 105 is filled. By applying a voltage pulse 107, the ink 108
Is ejected, and the leap ink 109 adheres to and permeates the recording medium 110, whereby a desired output print or image is obtained.

In such a conventional slit jet system, the resolution of the ink jet port 101 is not restricted by replacing the nozzle used for ink jet recording with the ink jet port 101 having an elongated slit shape. Cleaning can be facilitated.

Further, the slit jet method uses a plurality of ink jet ports 101, and each ink jet port 10
By injecting the inks 108 of different colors into one, it is possible to easily obtain a color output print.

[0005]

The conventional ink jet recording method has the following problems. (1) Since nozzles are used for ejecting ink, it is difficult to improve the resolution. (2) There are two types of inkjet recording systems: continuity type and on-demand type. The continuance type has a high recording speed, but it is difficult to simplify the apparatus for collecting unnecessary ink, and the on-demand type has a simplified apparatus configuration, but it is difficult to increase the recording speed.

The following problems have been encountered in the slit jet method for solving the above-mentioned problems of the ink jet recording method. (1) It is difficult to improve the resolution because a recording electrode corresponding to a recording pixel unit is arranged to make ink jump. (2) When a voltage is applied to the recording electrode, a discharge phenomenon occurs between the selected recording electrode and the non-selected recording electrode when the two electrodes are adjacent to each other. Difficult to control.

Therefore, in the present invention, a recording unit capable of performing high-definition, high-quality printing at high speed and capable of non-contact output printing regardless of the shape of a recording medium, and recording using the recording unit It is an object to provide an apparatus and a recording unit and a recording head used for the recording apparatus.

[0008]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, a recording head according to the present invention comprises a transparent electrode formed on a substrate, a photoconductive film formed on the transparent electrode, and a photoconductive film formed on the transparent electrode. A head portion formed from means for supplying ink onto the conductive film, and a counter electrode in this order, and the means for supplying ink and the counter electrode have a sufficient gap for a recording medium to be inserted. A power supply that applies a voltage between the transparent electrode and the counter electrode, and a light irradiation unit that supplies light corresponding to a desired image pixel to the photoconductive film in a pulsed manner. ing.

Further, in order to solve the above-mentioned problems, a recording unit according to the present invention includes a paper feeding means for supplying a recording medium between an ink supply means of the recording head and a counter electrode. The recording medium is conveyed by a predetermined amount in synchronization with the completion of printing for one line or a predetermined line or one screen.

Further, in order to solve the above-mentioned problems, a recording apparatus according to the present invention controls the adhesion of ink to the recording medium in accordance with a recording signal, and records image pixels on the recording medium. A recording apparatus, comprising the recording head and the recording unit described above.

[0011]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A first structure of a recording head according to the present invention comprises a transparent electrode formed on a substrate, a photoconductive film formed on the transparent electrode, and ink on the photoconductive film. A head unit formed from a supply unit, and a counter electrode in this order, and the ink supply unit and the counter electrode are arranged with a sufficient gap for inserting a recording medium, A power supply for applying a voltage between the transparent electrode and the counter electrode and a light irradiating unit for supplying light corresponding to a desired image pixel to the photoconductive film in a pulsed manner.

The recording head of the first configuration operates as follows. A voltage is applied between the transparent electrode and the counter electrode by using a power supply, and the photoconductive film is irradiated with light from the transparent electrode side using the light irradiating means, so that the photoconductive film in the irradiation area is irradiated. Has a decreased resistance value, and a photocurrent flows through the irradiated area. As a result, a current flows between the ink and the transparent electrode, which are in contact with the irradiation region of the photoconductive film, and charges are charged in the ink on the photoconductive film. Leap toward the electrode side.

A first configuration of the recording unit of the present invention is as follows.
A head formed from a transparent electrode formed on a substrate, a photoconductive film formed on the transparent electrode, a means for supplying ink on the photoconductive film, and a counter electrode are provided in this order. The means for supplying ink and the counter electrode are arranged with a sufficient gap to accommodate a recording medium, and between the ink supply means and the counter electrode without contacting the ink supply means. Paper feeding means for supplying a recording medium to the
A power supply for applying a voltage between the transparent electrode and the counter electrode; and a light irradiating unit for supplying light corresponding to a desired image pixel to the photoconductive film in a pulsed manner.

The recording unit of the first configuration operates as follows. By irradiating the photoconductive film with light from the transparent electrode side using the light irradiating means in a state where a voltage is applied between the transparent electrode and the counter electrode, the resistance value of the photoconductive film in the irradiated area decreases. Then, a photocurrent flows through the irradiation area. As a result, a current is applied between the ink and the transparent electrode, which are in contact with the irradiation area of the photoconductive film, and electric charges are charged in the ink on the photoconductive film, and the ink receives the Coulomb force to cause the opposing The ink jumps toward the electrode side, and the jumped ink moves to the recording medium on the counter electrode, and penetrates and adheres, so that a desired image pixel can be obtained on the recording medium.

After the recording head finishes printing in the predetermined main scanning direction, the paper feeding means conveys the recording medium by a predetermined amount in the sub-scanning direction, and prepares for printing in the next main scanning direction. Then, printing is performed in the main scanning direction, and when this is completed, the recording medium is fed again by a predetermined amount in the sub-scanning direction. By repeating this, recording of one image is completed.

A second structure of the recording head according to the present invention is as follows.
A transparent electrode formed on the substrate, a photoconductive film formed on the transparent electrode, a means for supplying ink on the photoconductive film, and a slit plate provided with a slit for controlling the ejection of ink Having a head portion formed from, and a counter electrode in this order, the means for supplying the ink and the counter electrode are arranged with a sufficient gap for inserting a recording medium, and the transparent electrode and A power supply for applying a voltage between the opposing electrodes; and a light irradiating unit for supplying light corresponding to a desired image pixel to the photoconductive film in a pulsed manner.

The above-described recording head of the second configuration operates as follows. A voltage is applied between the transparent electrode and the counter electrode by using a power supply, and the photoconductive film is irradiated with light from the transparent electrode side using the light irradiating means, so that the photoconductive film in the irradiation area is irradiated. Has a decreased resistance value, and a photocurrent flows through the irradiated area. As a result, a current is applied between the ink and the transparent electrode that are in contact with the irradiation region of the photoconductive film, and electric charge is charged in the ink on the photoconductive film. Directionality is controlled, and it jumps toward the counter electrode side by receiving Coulomb force.

According to a second aspect of the recording unit of the present invention, there is provided a transparent electrode formed on a substrate, a photoconductive film formed on the transparent electrode, and a means for supplying ink to the photoconductive film. And a head portion formed of a slit plate provided with a slit for controlling the ejection of ink, and a counter electrode in this order, and the means for supplying the ink and the counter electrode enter a recording medium. Paper feed means for supplying a recording medium between the slit plate and the opposing electrode, a power supply for applying a voltage between the transparent electrode and the opposing electrode, And a light irradiating means for supplying light corresponding to the image pixel in a pulsed manner to the photoconductive film.

The recording unit of the second configuration operates as follows. A voltage is applied between the transparent electrode and the counter electrode by using a power supply, and the photoconductive film is irradiated with light from the transparent electrode side using the light irradiating means, so that the photoconductive film in the irradiation area is irradiated. Has a decreased resistance value, and a photocurrent flows through the irradiated area. As a result, a current is applied between the ink and the transparent electrode that are in contact with the irradiation region of the photoconductive film, and electric charge is charged in the ink on the photoconductive film. Directionality is controlled and leap toward the counter electrode side under Coulomb force, and the leap ink moves and permeates and adheres to the recording medium on the counter electrode, so that a desired image pixel is formed. It will be obtained on the recording medium. Since the paper feeding means is the same as that already described, the description will be omitted hereafter.

Further, the third aspect of the recording head of the present invention is as follows.
Is composed of a transparent electrode formed on a substrate, a photoconductive film formed on the transparent electrode, a means for supplying ink on the photoconductive film, and a cross section of a slit for controlling ejection of ink. Has a head portion formed from a slit plate processed into a tapered shape, and a counter electrode in this order, and the means for supplying the ink and the counter electrode have a sufficient gap for inserting a recording medium. A power supply for applying a voltage between the transparent electrode and the counter electrode, and a light irradiating unit for supplying light corresponding to a desired image pixel to the photoconductive film in a pulsed manner.

The recording head of the third configuration operates as follows. A voltage is applied between the transparent electrode and the counter electrode by using a power supply, and the photoconductive film is irradiated with light from the transparent electrode side using the light irradiating means, so that the photoconductive film in the irradiation area is irradiated. Has a decreased resistance value, and a photocurrent flows through the irradiated area. As a result, a current flows between the ink and the transparent electrode that are in contact with the irradiation region of the photoconductive film, and charges are charged in the ink on the photoconductive film. At this time, since the slit cross section of the slit plate has a tapered shape, the charges charged in the ink are easily concentrated, and the amount and directionality of the ink are controlled and the Coulomb force is applied to the ink. Leap toward the counter electrode side. Further, a third configuration of the recording unit of the present invention includes a transparent electrode formed on a substrate, a photoconductive film formed on the transparent electrode, and a unit for supplying ink on the photoconductive film. A head portion formed from a slit plate having a slit having a tapered cross section for controlling the ejection of ink, and a counter electrode in this order, and the means for supplying ink and the counter electrode are covered with each other. A paper feeding means for supplying a recording medium between the slit plate and the opposing electrode, and a voltage applied between the transparent electrode and the opposing electrode are arranged between the slit plate and the opposing electrode. It has a power supply and light irradiation means for supplying light corresponding to a desired image pixel to the photoconductive film in a pulsed manner. The recording unit of the third configuration operates as follows.
A voltage is applied between the transparent electrode and the counter electrode by using a power supply, and the photoconductive film is irradiated with light from the transparent electrode side using the light irradiating means, so that the photoconductive film in the irradiation area is irradiated. Has a decreased resistance value, and a photocurrent flows through the irradiated area. As a result, a current flows between the ink and the transparent electrode that are in contact with the irradiation region of the photoconductive film, and charges are charged in the ink on the photoconductive film. At this time,
In the ink, since the slit cross section of the slit plate has a tapered shape, charges charged in the ink are easily concentrated, and the amount and directionality of the ink are controlled and the Coulomb force is applied to the opposite electrode side. Leap toward. Then, the leap ink moves and permeates and adheres to the recording medium on the counter electrode, so that a desired image pixel can be obtained on the recording medium.

Furthermore, the fourth aspect of the recording head of the present invention
The configuration of the transparent electrode formed on the substrate, a photoconductive film having a projection on the transparent electrode to control the ejection of ink,
A head portion formed from a means for supplying ink on the photoconductive film, and a counter electrode in this order; and a means having a sufficient space for inserting the recording medium between the means for supplying ink and the counter electrode. A power supply for applying a voltage between the transparent electrode and the counter electrode, and light irradiation means for supplying light corresponding to a desired image pixel to the photoconductive film in a pulsed manner.

The recording head of the fourth configuration operates as follows. A voltage is applied between the transparent electrode and the counter electrode using a power source, and light is irradiated from the transparent electrode side to a position corresponding to the protrusion of the photoconductive film having the protrusion using the light irradiation unit. By doing so, the resistance of the photoconductive film having the projections in the irradiation area decreases, and a photocurrent flows in the irradiation area. As a result, a current is applied between the ink and the transparent electrode in contact with the irradiation region of the photoconductive film having the protrusions, and electric charges are charged in the ink in the protrusions on the photoconductive film having the protrusions, The amount of ink and the directionality of the ink are controlled by the protrusions on the photoconductive film, and the ink leap toward the counter electrode under Coulomb force.

Still further, according to a fourth aspect of the recording unit of the present invention, there is provided a recording medium comprising: a transparent electrode formed on a substrate; a photoconductive film having a projection on the transparent electrode for controlling ejection of ink; A head portion formed from means for supplying ink onto the film, and a counter electrode in this order, and the means for supplying ink and the counter electrode are spaced apart from each other with a sufficient space for a recording medium. A paper feeder disposed to supply a recording medium between the protrusion formed on the photoconductive film and the counter electrode; a power supply for applying a voltage between the transparent electrode and the counter electrode; Light irradiating means for supplying light corresponding to the pixel to the photoconductive film in a pulsed manner.

The recording unit of the fourth configuration operates as follows. A voltage is applied between the transparent electrode and the counter electrode using a power source, and light is irradiated from the transparent electrode side to a position corresponding to the protrusion of the photoconductive film having the protrusion using the light irradiation unit. By doing so, the resistance of the photoconductive film having the projections in the irradiation area decreases, and a photocurrent flows in the irradiation area. As a result, a state where the ink and the transparent electrode in contact with the irradiation region of the photoconductive film having the projections are in a state of being energized, charges are charged in the ink in the projections on the photoconductive film having the projections, The ink jumps toward the counter electrode side under the Coulomb force, where the ink amount and directionality are managed by the protrusions on the photoconductive film,
The jumped ink moves, permeates and adheres to the recording medium on the counter electrode, so that a desired image pixel can be obtained on the recording medium.

Furthermore, the fifth aspect of the recording head of the present invention
Is a configuration in which the substrate and the transparent electrode formed on the substrate of the recording heads of the recording heads 1 to 4 are integrated. A fifth configuration of the recording unit according to the present invention is a configuration in which the recording heads of the recording units of the first to fourth configurations are the recording heads of the fifth configuration.

The recording head having the fifth configuration and the fifth recording head
The recording unit having the above configuration operates as follows. A voltage is applied between the substrate-integrated transparent electrode and the opposing electrode, in which the substrate and the transparent electrode are integrated, and a voltage is applied using a power supply. By irradiating the conductive film with light, the resistance value of the photoconductive film in the irradiation region decreases, and a photocurrent flows in the irradiation region. As a result, the ink in contact with the irradiation area of the photoconductive film and the substrate-integrated transparent electrode are in a state of being energized, charges are charged in the ink on the photoconductive film, and the ink receives a Coulomb force. Leap toward the counter electrode side,
The jumped ink moves, permeates and adheres to the recording medium on the counter electrode, so that a desired print or image can be obtained on the recording medium. Furthermore,
According to a sixth aspect of the recording head of the present invention, the opposing electrodes and the head portion of the recording heads of the recording heads of the first to fifth aspects are integrated or substantially integrated. In a sixth configuration of the recording unit according to the present invention, the recording heads of the recording units of the first to fifth configuration are the recording head of the sixth configuration.

The recording head of the sixth configuration and the sixth embodiment
The recording unit having the above configuration operates as follows. A voltage is applied between the transparent electrode and the acceleration-type counter electrode using a power supply, and light is irradiated from the transparent electrode side to the photoconductive film using the light irradiating means, so that light in an irradiation area is irradiated. The resistance value of the conductive film decreases, and a photocurrent flows in the irradiation region. As a result, a current flows between the ink and the transparent electrode that are in contact with the irradiation region of the photoconductive film, and charges are charged in the ink on the photoconductive film, and the ink receives the Coulomb force to accelerate the ink. The ink then jumps toward the mold-type counter electrode, and the ink passes through the acceleration-type counter electrode, moves to the recording medium on the paper feeding means, and penetrates and adheres, so that a desired print or image is formed. It will be obtained on a recording medium.

Furthermore, the seventh aspect of the recording head of the present invention
Is a configuration in which the recording head of the present configuration has an ink accelerating means for accelerating the leap of ink in addition to the recording heads of the first to fifth configurations. Further, a seventh configuration of the recording unit according to the present invention includes the recording unit first.
To the fifth configuration, the recording head of the recording unit is the recording head of the seventh configuration.

The recording head having the seventh configuration and the seventh
The recording unit having the above configuration operates as follows. A voltage is applied between the transparent electrode and the counter electrode by using a power supply, and the photoconductive film is irradiated with light from the transparent electrode side using the light irradiating means, so that the photoconductive film in the irradiation area is irradiated. Has a decreased resistance value, and a photocurrent flows through the irradiated area.
As a result, a current flows between the ink and the transparent electrode, which are in contact with the irradiation region of the photoconductive film, and charges are charged in the ink on the photoconductive film. The leap ink jumps to the electrode side, and the leap ink is further accelerated by the acceleration means. By inserting the recording medium from the paper feeding means between the counter electrode and the acceleration means, the leap ink moves to the recording medium. Then, the ink penetrates and adheres, so that a desired print or image can be obtained on the recording medium.

Further, the eighth aspect of the recording head of the present invention
Is a recording head of any of the first to seventh recording heads, wherein the recording head has a line shape corresponding to the print width of the recording medium. An eighth configuration of the recording unit of the present invention is a configuration in which the recording heads of the recording units of the first to seventh recording units are the recording heads of the eighth configuration.

The recording head having the above-described eighth configuration and the eighth recording head
The recording unit having the above configuration operates as follows. A state in which a voltage is applied using a power supply between each transparent electrode and the counter electrode, and light is linearly addressed to the photoconductive film by the light irradiation means from the transparent electrode side of the recording unit. As a result, the resistance value of the photoconductive film in the irradiation area decreases, and a photocurrent flows in the irradiation area. As a result, a current flows between the ink and the transparent electrode, which are in contact with the irradiation region of the photoconductive film, and charges are charged in the ink on the photoconductive film. Leaping toward the electrode side, the leap ink moves and permeates and adheres to the recording medium on the counter electrode, so that a desired image pixel can be obtained on the one-line area recording medium. Become.

Furthermore, the ninth aspect of the recording head of the present invention
Is a recording head having a configuration of the first, second, third, fourth, fifth, seventh and eighth recording heads. The recording head further has a line shape corresponding to the recording medium as the shape of the opposing electrode, and ink is deposited. The counter electrode has a protruding portion. A ninth configuration of the recording unit according to the present invention is configured such that the recording heads of the recording units having the first, second, third, fourth, fifth, seventh, and eighth configurations are the recording heads of the ninth configuration. is there.

The recording head of the ninth configuration and the ninth configuration
The recording unit having the above configuration operates as follows. Between the transparent electrode and the opposing electrode, a voltage is applied using a power supply, and the photoconductive film is irradiated with light from the transparent electrode side using the light irradiating means. The resistance value decreases, and a photocurrent flows in the irradiated area. As a result, a current is applied between the ink and the transparent electrode, which are in contact with the irradiation region of the photoconductive film, and electric charges are charged in the ink on the photoconductive film. By jumping to the protruding raised portion on the electrode side, and inserting the recording medium from the paper feeding means at the location where the ink attachment portion of the counter electrode is protruding, the jumped ink is Since it moves to the recording medium and permeates and adheres, a desired print or image can be obtained on the recording medium in one-line area.

Further, the first aspect of the recording head of the present invention is as follows.
The configuration 0 is the recording head of any one of the recording units 1 to 9, wherein the recording head further has, as the light irradiation unit, a recording sheet on which a negative image is printed on a transparent sheet. In a tenth configuration of the recording unit according to the present invention, the recording heads of the recording units of the first to ninth configurations are the recording heads of the tenth configuration.

The recording head of the tenth configuration and the recording unit of the tenth configuration operate as follows. A voltage is applied between the transparent electrode and the counter electrode by using a power source, and the entire surface of the photoconductive film is irradiated with light from the transparent electrode side via the recording sheet, thereby forming a photoconductive layer in the irradiated area. The resistance of the film decreases, and a photocurrent flows in the irradiated area. As a result, a current flows between the ink and the transparent electrode, which are in contact with the irradiation region of the photoconductive film, and charges are charged in the ink on the photoconductive film. By jumping toward the electrode side and inserting the recording medium from the paper feeding means between the counter electrode and the ink, the jumped ink moves to the recording medium, and penetrates and adheres to the recording medium. Will be obtained on the recording medium for one image.

Further, an eleventh configuration of the recording unit according to the present invention uses a plurality of recording heads of the first to tenth configurations and supplies a means for supplying ink of a different color to each recording head. It is a configuration to have. Eleventh above
The recording unit having the above configuration operates as follows.

Irradiating the photoconductive film with the light irradiating means from the transparent electrode side of the recording unit with a voltage applied between each transparent electrode and the opposing electrode using a power supply. As a result, the resistance value of the photoconductive film in the irradiation area decreases, and a photocurrent flows in the irradiation area. As a result, a current flows between the ink and the transparent electrode, which are in contact with the irradiation region of the photoconductive film, and charges are charged in the ink on the photoconductive film. The jumped ink moves toward the electrode side, and the jumped ink moves, permeates and adheres to the recording medium on the counter electrode, so that a desired image pixel is recorded by one dot or one line or one screen area. Will be obtained above. By repeating the above process with the recording head for each color, a desired color print or color image can be obtained on the recording medium.

Further, the first aspect of the recording head of the present invention
A first aspect is a recording head according to any one of the first to tenth aspects, wherein the recording head is further in a serial shape and has means for supplying inks of different colors on the divided transparent electrodes. It is. Further, a twelfth configuration of the recording unit according to the present invention includes the first to the first recording units.
The recording head of the recording unit having the 0th configuration is the recording head of the 11th configuration.

The recording head and the recording unit of the eleventh configuration operate as follows. Irradiation is performed by irradiating the photoconductive film with the light irradiating means from the transparent electrode side of each color ink region with a voltage applied between each transparent electrode and the counter electrode using a power supply. The photoconductive film has a reduced resistance value, and a photocurrent flows in the irradiated area. As a result, a current flows between the ink and the transparent electrode, which are in contact with the irradiation region of the photoconductive film, and charges are charged in the ink on the photoconductive film. Leap toward the electrode side,
The jumped ink moves, permeates and adheres to the recording medium on the counter electrode, so that a desired image pixel can be obtained on the recording medium. By repeating the above process in the divided area for each color, a desired color print or color image can be obtained on the recording medium.

Further, a thirteenth structure of the recording unit according to the present invention is the recording unit of the first to twelfth structures, wherein the recording unit is further divided into opposing electrodes and individually switches. It is a configuration to have. The recording unit of the thirteenth configuration operates as follows.

A voltage is applied between the transparent electrode and the counter electrode switching means using a power supply, and the switching means in the front of the recording direction is turned on. By irradiating the photoconductive film with light, the resistance value of the photoconductive film in the irradiated area decreases,
A photocurrent flows in the irradiation area. As a result, a current is applied between the ink and the transparent electrode, which are in contact with the irradiation region of the photoconductive film, and electric charges are charged in the ink on the photoconductive film. Jumps toward the opposing electrode in the ON state, and the jumped ink moves to the recording medium on the opposing electrode, and penetrates and adheres, so that a desired print or image is formed on the recording medium. Will be obtained. Then, in synchronization with the irradiation of light onto the photoconductive film by the light irradiating means, the switching means is sequentially turned on in the recording direction, and the switching means on the near side in the recording direction is turned off. Is obtained on the recording medium.

Further, the recording apparatus of the present invention is provided with any one of the recording heads or recording units described above.

[0044]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. (Embodiment 1) FIG. 1 shows a first configuration of a recording head according to the present invention.
It is explanatory drawing which shows an Example. In FIG. 1, the transparent electrode 2
a (substrate not shown) and the counter electrode 1a, a voltage is applied using the power supply 3 and light is applied from the transparent electrode 2a side to the photoconductive film 4 using the light irradiating means 5 in the arrow 7 direction. The irradiation reduces the resistance value of the photoconductive film 4 in the irradiation area, and a photocurrent flows in the irradiation area. As a result, a state in which the ink 6 in contact with the irradiation area of the photoconductive film 4 and the transparent electrode 2a are in a state of being energized, electric charges are charged in the ink 6 on the irradiation area of the photoconductive film 4, and the ink 6 has a Coulomb force In response to this, it jumps toward the counter electrode 1a.

As the photoconductive film 4 of the present invention, Se-based, C
dS based, ZnO-based, BSO (Bi ₁₂ SiO ₂₀₎ photoconductive single crystal material or i-type, pi-type, inorganic photoconductive material such as hydrogenated Amo fastest silicon such as pin-type, or CTM
(Charge Carrier Transport
Material / CGM (Charge Car)
rier Generation Material)
And the like can be used.
As the photoconductive film 4, photoconductivity is important, and it is desirable that the potential difference of the surface potential due to light attenuation is large. The dark resistance of the inorganic photoconductor and the organic photoconductor is 10 ⁹ to 1
0 is ^{14 Ω} · cm, a state in which the photocurrent flows in the irradiated area by the resistance value is reduced to 10 ⁴ ~10 ¹¹ Ω · cm by light irradiation to the photoconductive film 4. Of course, it goes without saying that the resistance value of the photoconductive film 4 and its change due to light irradiation differ depending on the material and its configuration. Also,
The thickness of the photoconductive film 4 is preferably 10 to 50 μm, and the electrical characteristics of the photoconductive film 4 are required to be large in a dark place, high in sensitivity, and fast in photoresponse. This is possible with conductors.

Further, when hydrogenated amorphous silicon is used as the photoconductive film 4, the dark resistance is 10 ⁹ to 1
0 ¹¹ Ω · cm, and by irradiating the photoconductive film 4 with light, the resistance value can be reduced to 10 ⁴ to 10 ⁶ Ω · cm, and a large surface potential difference can be ensured. Needless to say, as the thickness of the photoconductive film 4 increases, the dark resistance increases.
When the thickness is more than m, the resolution is deteriorated, so the film thickness is 5
0 μm or less, preferably about 20 to 30 μm is desirable.

Further, in order to increase the dark resistance value and at the same time minimize the spread of electric charges in the film surface direction and realize a leap of ink with high resolution, it is necessary to use an i-type hydrogen amorphous with an impurity element removed. It is preferable to use silicon. A semiconductor laser can be used as the light irradiating means 5 of the present invention, and a laser light is irradiated from the light irradiating means 5 to a position corresponding to a desired image pixel on the photoconductive film 4 in the direction of arrow 7. On the photoconductive film 4, the resistance value of only the desired image pixel area irradiated decreases. Here, the light sensitivity can be improved by matching the oscillation wavelength of the laser light with the sensitivity coefficient of the photoconductive film 4 to the oscillation wavelength to improve the optical attenuation rate of the photoconductive film 4. In addition, the laser beam 7 is applied to a laser beam emitted from a laser oscillation device such as a semiconductor laser by the light irradiating means 5 when the irradiation light intensity and the shape of the imaging light spot are optimized by an optical lens or the like. It can be composed of a laser beam scanning mechanism composed of a mirror or the like. In the recording head of the present invention, since the laser beam is irradiated from the light irradiation means 5, an image can be formed on the photoconductive film 4 at a position corresponding to a desired image pixel in a non-contact manner and at a high speed. In this embodiment, a semiconductor laser is used as a light emitting source of the light irradiating means 5. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and a He-Ne laser, a semiconductor laser array, an LED array, a halogen lamp, or the like may be used as a light emitting source. Can be used. Needless to say, an optical shutter array or a liquid crystal television may be used instead of the laser scanning optical system.

In this embodiment, the ink 6 is charged by irradiating the photoconductive film 4 with light. The amount of charge is determined by the light irradiation diameter, irradiation light intensity and irradiation light intensity of the light irradiation means 5. It is determined by the pulse width.
As the irradiation diameter increases, the irradiation area of the photoconductive film 4 increases, and the charge amount increases. In addition, by increasing the irradiation light intensity, the resistance value in the photoconductive film 4 is greatly reduced, so that the photocurrent easily flows and the amount charged in the ink 6 also increases. Even when the irradiation pulse width is further increased, the charge amount can be similarly increased. In the recording head of the present invention, by controlling the amount of charge charged to the ink 6, the ink jump speed can be increased. Also, the ink jump speed can be varied according to the recording medium.

As the transparent electrode 2a of the present invention, ITO (I
ndium-Tin-Oxide) or a conductive polymer material, a metal thin film having a thickness small enough to transmit light (for example, an Al thin film having a thickness of 0.03 μm), and ZnO or SnO ₂ or a combination thereof. Compounds can be used. Further, as the counter electrode 1a of the present invention, aluminum, copper,
A highly conductive metal material such as gold can be used.

The power supply voltage applied between the transparent electrode 2a and the counter electrode 1a of the present invention is 500 V to 4 KV, which is the conductivity of the ink 6, the material of the photoconductive film 4, and the head portion and the counter electrode 1a. The appropriate applied voltage changes depending on the distance between them. It is needless to say that the polarity of the power supply 3 is not affected in principle even if the polarity is reversed. However, since many inks are easily charged to the negative electrode, the opposite electrode 1a side may be used as the positive electrode. preferable.

Further, the power supply voltage value may become 500 V or less due to the future improvement of the material of each component. Therefore, the power supply voltage value used for this recording head is not limited to 500 V to 4 KV.
The physical properties of the ink 6 of the present invention that affect the ink leap include surface tension, viscosity, conductivity, and the like. The relationship between the surface tension and the maximum distance of the ink 6 jumped to the counter electrode 1a (the maximum distance at which the ink 6 jumps is referred to as a maximum recording interval) is as follows. The interval is 20-50 dyn in surface tension
/ Cm, it increases as the surface tension decreases. Therefore, as the surface tension is smaller, the resistance in the ink ejection process becomes smaller, and the ink can be ejected even with a weak electric field, so that the maximum recording interval can be increased. The surface tension of the aqueous ink is generally higher than that of the pure water at 72.8 dyn / p.m.
cm (20 ° C.), but the organic solvent is 20 dyn / cm
Since it is 35 dyn / cm, an ink in which a dye is dissolved in an organic solvent can be used as the ink 6 of the present invention. The maximum recording interval can be increased by dissolving an anionic surfactant, a cationic surfactant, a nonionic surfactant, or the like as a surfactant in the ink 6 to improve the surface tension.

The viscosity of the ink solvent can be selected from a wide range. However, since the solvent having a low viscosity has high volatility, the storability of the ink 6 is deteriorated, and the boiling point is about 200 ° C. or more in order to secure the storability. A range of solvents is selected. The relationship between the viscosity and the maximum recording interval is such that when the surface tension and the electrical conductivity are considered to be constant, the maximum recording interval increases as the viscosity decreases. Therefore, when the viscosity is low as in the case of the surface tension, the resistance in the ink ejection process is reduced, and the maximum recording interval can be increased.

In order for the ink 6 to jet, the photoconductive film 4
Since it is necessary to charge the ink 6 with the electric charge, it is desirable that the electric conductivity is low. However, if the electric conductivity is too low, the electric charge charged in the ink 6 may reach the inside of the ink 6 before reaching the tip of the ink meniscus. As a result, the ink is not ejected because the charges are diffused. Therefore, an appropriate range of the ink conductivity according to the present invention is 2 × 10 ⁻⁷ or less.

Incidentally, regarding the above-mentioned ink characteristic setting values,
The possibility of ink jump depends on the light source conditions of the light irradiation means 5, the voltage value supplied between the transparent electrode 2a and the counter electrode 1a, the distance to the counter electrode 1a, the slit width of the slit plate 8 described below, and the like. Needless to say, the characteristic ranges such as the optimum surface tension, viscosity and conductivity are not necessarily limited to the above values.

(Embodiment 2) FIG. 2 is an explanatory view showing an embodiment of a second configuration of the recording head according to the present invention. In FIG. 2, a voltage is applied between the transparent electrode 2a and the counter electrode 1a by using the power supply 3, and light is applied from the side of the transparent electrode 2a to the photoconductive film 4 by the light irradiation means 5 in the direction of arrow 7. Is irradiated, the resistance value of the photoconductive film 4 in the irradiation area decreases, and a photocurrent flows in the irradiation area. As a result, a current is passed between the transparent electrode 2a and the ink 6 that is in contact with the irradiated area of the photoconductive film 4, and charges are charged in the ink 6 on the irradiated area of the photoconductive film 4, and the ink 6 is further slit. Board 8
As a result, the ink amount and directionality are managed, and the ink jumps toward the opposing electrode 1a under the Coulomb force. At this time, the width of the slit provided in the slit plate 8 determines the maximum value of the ink static pressure at the ink ejection port, and the ink 6 which has received the static pressure causes the ink ejection port to have a semi-moon-shaped projection surface, that is, a meniscus. The formed ink supply amount is determined. Furthermore, the smaller the slit width, the smaller the curvature of the ink meniscus, and the greater the Coulomb force for ejecting the ink 6, the better the recording characteristics as the slit width decreases. Therefore, the width of the slit provided in the slit plate 8 should be 100 μm which does not hinder the supply of the ink 6.
A degree or less is preferred. Further, when the ink 6 flows out to the slit plate 8, the ink 6 jumps toward the counter electrode 1a, and it is difficult to continue a desired image pixel. Therefore, the material of the slit plate 8 is the ink 6
It is necessary to use an insulating material which has a large contact angle with respect to the surface and uses a fluororesin or the like, or treats the surface of the slit plate 8 made of an insulating material such as glass or ceramics with a silane coupling agent or the like. As a result, the contact angle can be ensured, and the above-mentioned unstable phenomenon can be canceled if the static pressure of the ink 6 is appropriate. Furthermore, by using the slit plate 8, the jump direction of the ink 6 is controlled, the amount and speed of ink ejection with respect to the distance between the opposing electrodes 1a are stabilized, and the concentration of the ink 6 is controlled by managing the curve of the ink meniscus. The efficiency is increased, and the energy for the ink jump can be reduced.

(Embodiment 3) FIG. 3 is an explanatory view showing an embodiment of a third configuration of the recording head according to the present invention. In FIG. 3, a voltage is applied between the transparent electrode 2a and the opposing electrode 1a by using the power supply 3, and light is applied from the side of the transparent electrode 2a to the photoconductive film 4 by the light irradiating means 5 in the direction of the arrow 7. Is irradiated, the resistance value of the photoconductive film 4 in the irradiation area decreases, and a photocurrent flows in the irradiation area. As a result, a current is applied between the transparent electrode 2a and the ink 6 that is in contact with the irradiated area of the photoconductive film 4, and charges are charged in the ink 6 on the irradiated area of the photoconductive film 4. At this time, since the slit section of the slit plate 8 has a tapered shape, the charges of the ink 6 are easily concentrated. Therefore, charge is efficiently charged into the ink 6, the ink amount and directionality are controlled, and the ink 6 jumps toward the counter electrode 1a by receiving Coulomb force.

The processing shape of the slit cross section of the slit plate 8 is a tapered shape in the present embodiment, but is not limited to this shape, and processing shapes as shown in FIGS. . The maximum value of the static pressure required for the ink 6 to jump to the counter electrode 1a side is determined by the processed shape of the slit cross section. This is because the ink 6 receives a static pressure and forms a half-moon-shaped protruding surface, that is, a meniscus in the cross section of the slit. The supply amount of the ink 6 is determined by the curvature of the meniscus at this time. In addition, the smaller the width of the slit cross section, the smaller the curvature of the ink meniscus can be, and thus the larger the Coulomb force that causes the ink 6 to jump, the better the recording characteristics can be improved as the slit cross section becomes smaller. Further, by changing the processing shape of the slit cross section, it is possible to prevent the ink 6 from flowing out of the slit plate 8. Furthermore, it is possible to reduce the energy for the ink jump by increasing the concentration efficiency of the electric charges charged to the ink 6.

(Embodiment 4) FIG. 5 is an explanatory view showing an embodiment of a fourth configuration of the recording head according to the present invention. In FIG. 5, a voltage is applied between the transparent electrode 2a and the counter electrode 1a by using the power supply 3, and a projection of the photoconductive film 9 having a projection from the side of the transparent electrode 2a using the light irradiation means 5. By irradiating light from above in the direction of arrow 7, the resistance of the photoconductive film 9 having the projections in the irradiation area decreases, and a photocurrent flows through the irradiation area. As a result, a current is passed between the transparent electrode 2a and the ink 6 that is in contact with the irradiated area of the photoconductive film 9 having protrusions, and electric charges are charged in the ink 6 in the protrusions on the photoconductive film 9 having protrusions. The amount of ink and the directionality of the ink 6 are controlled by the protrusions on the photoconductive film 9, and the ink 6 jumps toward the counter electrode 1a under Coulomb force. At this time, the role of the projection on the photoconductive film 9 having the projection is the same as that of the recording head of the second configuration described above. The function of the plate can be provided, so that the cost can be reduced and the size can be reduced. Note that the protrusions on the photoconductive film are preferably formed of an insulator like the slit plate.

(Embodiment 5) FIG. 6 is an explanatory view of a fifth configuration of the recording head according to the present invention. In FIG. 6, a voltage is applied between the transparent electrode 2b and the opposing electrode 1a using the power supply 3, and the photoconductive film 4 is irradiated from the transparent electrode 2b with the light irradiating means 5 using the light irradiating means 5. Is irradiated from the direction of the arrow 7, the resistance value of the photoconductive film 4 in the irradiation area decreases, and a photocurrent flows in the irradiation area. As a result, a state in which the ink 6 in contact with the irradiation region of the photoconductive film 4 and the substrate-integrated transparent electrode 2b are in a state of being energized, charges are charged in the ink 6 on the irradiation region of the photoconductive film 4, and the ink 6 Receives the Coulomb force and jumps toward the counter electrode 1a. As the substrate-integrated transparent electrode 2b of this embodiment, a photoconductive film 4
Are Se, CdS, ZnO, BSO (Bi ₁₂ SiO
₂₀ ) a photoconductive single-crystal material or an inorganic photoconductor such as hydrogenated amorphous silicon such as i-type, pi-type, and pin-type;
Or CTM (Charge Carrier Tra)
nsport Material) / CGM (Char
Ge Carrier Generation Mat
The substrate, the transparent electrode 2a, and the photoconductive film 4 can be formed in a layered manner by using a laminated organic photoconductor such as eria), and the substrate is not necessarily required.

(Embodiment 6) FIG. 7 is an explanatory view showing an embodiment of a sixth configuration of the recording head according to the present invention. In FIG. 7A, a voltage is applied between the transparent electrode 2a and the acceleration-type counter electrode 1b using the power supply 3, and the photoconductive film 4 is applied from the side of the transparent electrode 2a using the light irradiation means 5. Is irradiated from the direction of the arrow 7, the resistance value of the photoconductive film 4 in the irradiation area decreases, and a photocurrent flows in the irradiation area. as a result,
Ink 6 and transparent electrode 2a in contact with the irradiation area of photoconductive film 4
Between the photoconductive film 4 and the ink 6 on the photoconductive film 4.
The ink 6 receives Coulomb force and passes through the cavity of the acceleration-type counter electrode 1b, and jumps in the direction of arrow 13. The shape of the acceleration-type counter electrode 1b of this embodiment is divided into an upper plate and a lower plate as shown in FIG. Is applied, and the ink 6 receives the Coulomb force and passes between the upper plate and the lower plate in the direction of the arrow 13 to leap. According to the above configuration, the acceleration-type counter electrode 1b and the head unit are integrated, and it is possible to make the ink jump only at the head position. In addition, since the counter electrode function is not provided on the paper feeding means 11 side, the phenomenon that the recording medium 10 is pulled by the applied voltage due to the static electricity is released, and the paper feeding means 1 is removed.
1 can be reduced. Furthermore, as the shape of the acceleration-type counter electrode 1b, a core-shaped shape as shown in FIG. Further, as shown in FIG. 7 (c), an upper plate and a lower plate of an acceleration type counter electrode 1b are formed in a parallel and linear manner on a slit plate 8 of a head portion, and a power supply is provided on the upper plate and the lower plate. When the same voltage is applied from 3, the ink 6 receives Coulomb force and jumps in the arrow 13 direction. At this time, the interval between the upper plate and the lower plate of the acceleration type counter electrode 1b is larger than the slit width of the slit plate 8 and the ink 6
Is set to an interval capable of securing a distance required for tearing off from the state of the meniscus when jumping. Furthermore, since the acceleration type counter electrode 1b is formed on the head portion by the above configuration, the structure can be made compact.

(Embodiment 7) FIG. 8 is an explanatory view showing an embodiment of a first configuration of a recording unit using the first configuration of the recording head of the present invention. In FIG. 8, a voltage is applied between the transparent electrode 2a and the counter electrode 1a by using the power supply 3, and the light irradiating means 5 is used to apply light from the transparent electrode 2a to the photoconductive film 4 in the direction of arrow 7. By irradiating the light, the resistance value of the photoconductive film 4 in the irradiation area decreases, and a photocurrent flows in the irradiation area. As a result, a state is established in which the ink 6 in contact with the irradiation area of the photoconductive film 4 and the transparent electrode 2a are energized, electric charges are charged in the ink 6 on the photoconductive film 4, and the ink receives the Coulomb force to face the ink. Jumping in the direction of arrow 13 on the side of the electrode 1a, the paper feeding means 11 is moved between the counter electrode 1a and the ink 6.
By inserting the recording medium 10 from above, the leap ink 12 moves to the recording medium 10 and penetrates and adheres, so that a desired print or image is obtained on the recording medium 10. At this time, the dot size transferred to the recording medium 10 is determined by the distance between the recording medium 10 and the recording head, the voltage value applied between the transparent electrode 2a and the counter electrode 1a, and the amount of jump ink 12. The amount of the flying ink 12 is determined by the amount of light energy given to the photoconductive film 4 from the light irradiation means 5.

With respect to the distance between the recording medium 10 and the head section in this embodiment, if the distance is too short, the recording medium 10 may not be inserted smoothly, and wrinkles may occur. In addition, if the ink 12 is too long,
Drop due to gravity, making it difficult to form a desired image pixel. Therefore, the distance between the recording medium 10 of this embodiment and the head is preferably about 0.2 to 1 mm, and the desired distance is preferably about 0.5 mm.

(Embodiment 8) FIG. 9 is an explanatory view showing an embodiment of a second configuration of the recording unit using the second configuration of the recording head according to the present invention. In FIG. 9, a voltage is applied between the transparent electrode 2a and the counter electrode 1a using the power supply 3, and the light irradiating means 5 is used to apply light from the transparent electrode 2a to the photoconductive film 4 in the direction of arrow 7. By irradiating the light, the resistance value of the photoconductive film 4 in the irradiation area decreases, and a photocurrent flows in the irradiation area. As a result, a state in which a current is applied between the ink 6 in contact with the irradiation area of the photoconductive film 4 and the transparent electrode 2a, and electric charges are charged in the ink 6 on the photoconductive film 4,
The ink amount and directionality are controlled by the slit plate 8, and leap in the direction of the arrow 13 on the side of the counter electrode 1 a by receiving Coulomb force. Is inserted, the leap ink 12 moves to the recording medium 10 and permeates and adheres, so that a desired print or image can be obtained on the recording medium 10. At this time, the dot size transferred to the recording medium 10 is determined by the distance between the recording medium 10 and the recording head, the voltage value applied between the transparent electrode 2a and the counter electrode 1a, and the amount of jump ink 12. Leap ink 1
The amount of light is determined by the amount of light energy applied from the light irradiation means 5 to the photoconductive film 4 and the shape of the slit plate 8. Regarding the distance between the recording medium 10 and the head portion of the present embodiment, if the distance is too short, the recording medium 10 may not be inserted smoothly, and wrinkles may occur. On the other hand, if it is too long, the jumped ink 12 drops due to gravity, making it difficult to form a desired image pixel. Therefore, the distance between the recording medium 10 of this embodiment and the head is preferably about 0.2 to 1 mm, and the desired distance is preferably about 0.5 mm. Example 7
In addition to the recording units shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the recording heads having the third to sixth configurations of the recording heads are used to form the third to sixth recording heads.
The recording unit having the above configuration can be configured.

(Embodiment 9) FIG. 10 is an explanatory view showing an embodiment of a seventh configuration of the recording unit using the seventh configuration of the recording head according to the present invention. In FIG. 10, a voltage is applied between the transparent electrode 2a and the opposing electrode 1a using the power supply 3, and the light irradiating means 5 is used to apply light from the transparent electrode 2a to the photoconductive film 4 in the direction of arrow 7. By irradiating the light, the resistance value of the photoconductive film 4 in the irradiation area decreases, and a photocurrent flows in the irradiation area. As a result, the state where the ink 6 in contact with the irradiation area of the photoconductive film 4 and the transparent electrode 2a are electrically connected,
Electric charges are charged in the ink 6 on the photoconductive film 4, and the ink 6 receives Coulomb force and jumps in the direction of the arrow 13 on the side of the counter electrode 1a. By inserting the recording medium 10 from the paper feeding means 11 with the acceleration means 14, the leap ink 12 moves to the recording medium 10 and penetrates and adheres, so that a desired print or image can be obtained. 10 will be obtained. At this time, the dot size transferred to the recording medium 10 is determined by the distance between the recording medium 10 and the recording unit, the voltage value applied between the transparent electrode 2a and the counter electrode 1a, and the amount of jump ink 12. Leap ink 1
The amount is determined by the amount of light energy applied from the light irradiation means 5 to the photoconductive film 4.

Therefore, the distance between the recording medium 10 and the acceleration means 14 in this embodiment is preferably about 0.2 to 1 mm, and the desired distance is preferably about 0.5 mm. The amount of energy supplied to the photoconductive film 4 by controlling the applied voltage value for the jump of the ink 6 and the light energy given from the light irradiating means 5 by increasing the speed of the leap ink 12 by the acceleration means 14 of this embodiment. Can be reduced.

The accelerating means 14 may be made of a material having good conductivity such as aluminum, copper, gold, etc., and may be a capacitor made of a set of flat plates, or may be a closed tube such as a cylinder. And the like can be used. In the present embodiment, the accelerating means 14 is supplied with a voltage from an electrode on the side of the counter electrode 1a of the power supply 3 via a resistor. However, the application of the potential to the accelerating means 14 is not limited to this. For example, the potential difference between the transparent electrode 2a and the accelerating means 14 is made larger than the potential difference between the transparent electrode 2a and the counter electrode 1a. Is also possible. This is determined by the amount of the flying ink 12 and the distance between the acceleration means 14 and the surface of the ink 6. Further, as shown in FIG.
By using a switch function for “a”, it is possible to make the ink 6 jump by only the acceleration means 14. As a result, the recording unit of this embodiment is integrated and compact. Furthermore, the phenomenon in which the recording medium 10 is pulled by the electrostatic force due to no voltage being applied to the counter electrode 1a side is canceled, and the torque value of the paper feeding means 11 can be reduced. Further, an eighth recording head can be formed in which the recording heads of the first to seventh constitutions have a line shape corresponding to the print width of the recording medium. Also,
The recording unit of the eighth configuration using the recording head of the eighth configuration can be configured.

(Embodiment 10) FIG. 11 is an explanatory view showing an embodiment of a ninth configuration of a recording unit using the ninth configuration of the recording head according to the present invention. In FIG. 11, the transparent electrode 2
A light is applied from the transparent electrode 2a side to the photoconductive film 4 in the direction of the arrow 7 by applying light from the transparent electrode 2a to a state where a voltage is applied between the transparent electrode 2a and the counter electrode 1a. The photoconductive film 4 has a reduced resistance value, and a photocurrent flows in the irradiated area. As a result, a state in which the ink 6 in contact with the irradiation area of the photoconductive film 4 and the transparent electrode 2a are in a state of being energized, charges are charged in the ink 6 on the photoconductive film 4,
The ink 6 receives the Coulomb force and jumps to a protruding portion of the opposing electrode 1a in the direction of arrow 13 to form the opposing electrode 1a.
When the recording medium 10 is inserted from the paper feeding means 11 into the recording medium 10, the leap ink 12 moves to the recording medium 10 and penetrates and adheres, so that a desired print or image can be obtained on the recording medium 10. Becomes At this time, the recording medium 1
The dot size transferred to 0 is determined by the distance between the recording medium 10 and the recording unit, the voltage value applied between the transparent electrode 2a and the counter electrode 1a, and the amount of jump ink 12. The amount of the flying ink 12 is determined by the amount of light energy given from the light irradiation means 5 to the photoconductive film 4.

In the present embodiment, the shape of the counter electrode 1a is a line corresponding to the recording medium 10 and the ink adhering portion protrudes in a protruding manner. However, the present invention is not limited to this. The shape of the counter electrode 1a shown in FIG. In FIG. 12, (a) to (d) show the counter electrode 1a.
The electric field is likely to be concentrated on the portion having the shape of the raised portion, and in (e) to (h), only the hatched portion is made of conductive metal, and the effect of concentrating the electric field more efficiently is obtained. There is. Therefore, by changing the shape of the counter electrode 1a as shown in FIG. 12, the electric field tends to concentrate on the ink jump portion between the head portion and the counter electrode 1a, and the direction in which the ink jumps is stabilized.

(Embodiment 11) FIG. 13 shows a tenth configuration of a recording unit using the tenth configuration of the recording head according to the present invention.
It is explanatory drawing which shows an Example. In FIG. 13, a state in which a voltage is applied between the transparent electrode 2a and the counter electrode 1a using the power supply 3 is applied, and light is transmitted from the transparent electrode 2a side to the photoconductive film 4 via the recording sheet 16 in the direction of the arrow 15. By irradiating the entire surface, the resistance value of the photoconductive film in the irradiation area corresponding to the image information of the recording sheet decreases, and a photocurrent flows in the irradiation area. As a result, an electric current flows between the ink 6 and the transparent electrode in contact with the irradiation area of the photoconductive film, and charges are charged in the ink 6 on the photoconductive film 4, and the ink 6 receives Coulomb force and receives the Coulomb force. By jumping in the direction of the arrow 13 on the side 1a and inserting the recording medium 10 from the paper feeding means 11 between the counter electrode 1a and the ink 6, the leap ink 12 moves to the recording medium 10 and permeates and adheres. As a result, a desired print or image can be obtained on the recording medium 10 for one image area. At this time, the dot size transferred to the recording medium 10 is determined by the distance between the recording medium 10 and the recording unit, the voltage value applied between the transparent electrode 2a and the counter electrode 1a, and the amount of jump ink 12. Leap ink 12
The amount is determined by the amount of light energy given from the light irradiation means 5 to the photoconductive film 4. If the distance between the recording medium 10 and the ink 6 is too short, the recording medium 10
If it is too long, the jumping ink 12 will drop due to gravity, making it difficult to form a desired image pixel.

Therefore, the distance between the recording medium 10 and the ink 6 in this embodiment is preferably about 0.2 to 1 mm, and the desired distance is preferably about 0.5 mm. Further, as the recording sheet 16 of this embodiment, a transparent sheet OHP or the like can be used, and the recording sheet 16 is a recording material in which negative image information is written on the transparent sheet. It is also possible to use recorded materials. As a means for irradiating the entire surface of the recording sheet 16 of this embodiment, a halogen lamp or the like capable of exposing the entire surface can be used.

According to this embodiment, by irradiating the photoconductive film 4 with light through the recording sheet 16, the printing speed is greatly reduced and high-speed printing is performed. Further, by using the recording sheet 16, continuous printing is possible by repeatedly using the negative image, and high-speed printing is performed.

(Embodiment 12) FIG. 14 is an explanatory view showing an embodiment of an eleventh configuration of the recording unit according to the present invention. FIG.
The recording unit of the present invention shown in FIG. 4 is configured by vertically stacking four line-shaped recording heads corresponding to the print width of the recording medium 10, and each recording head has yellow (Y), Magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (Bk) inks 6 are supplied. Hereinafter, these individual recording heads are referred to as a yellow ink recording head, a magenta ink recording head, a cyan ink recording head, and a black ink recording head. As a recording procedure, a voltage is applied between the individual transparent electrode 2a and the opposing electrode 1a using the power supply 3, and the light irradiating means 5 applies light to the photoconductive film 4 from the transparent electrode 2a side of the yellow ink recording head. By irradiating light from the direction of arrow 7, the resistance value of the photoconductive film 4 in the irradiated area decreases, and a photocurrent flows in the irradiated area. As a result, the state where the ink 6 in contact with the irradiation area of the photoconductive film 4 and the transparent electrode 2a are electrically connected,
Electric charges are charged in the yellow ink on the photoconductive film 4, and the yellow ink receives the Coulomb force and receives the counter electrode 1a.
The yellow ink jumps toward the recording medium 10 on the counter electrode 1a and moves, penetrates and adheres, so that the yellow ink of the desired image pixel is recorded in the recording medium 10 by one line area. Will be obtained above. next,
Driving the yellow ink recording head in the direction of arrow 17,
Magenta ink of a desired image pixel is obtained on the recording medium 10 for one line area by a recording procedure using a magenta ink recording head. Next, the magenta ink recording head is driven in the direction of arrow 17, and cyan ink of a desired image pixel is obtained on the recording medium 10 for one line area by a recording procedure using the cyan ink recording head. Next, the cyan ink recording head is driven in the direction of arrow 17 and black ink of a desired image pixel is recorded in the recording medium 1 for one line area by a recording procedure using the black ink recording head.
0 is obtained. Thereafter, the recording medium 10 is driven in the direction of the one-line arrow 19 by a paper feeding means (not shown),
The individual recording heads are driven in the direction of arrow 18 to return to the home position, and the above process is repeated, whereby desired color image pixels for each image are obtained on the recording medium 10.

In the present embodiment, there are four types of inks 6, but by increasing the number of recording heads and supplying multicolored inks 6 individually, full-color high-definition output printing and images with no restrictions on printing colors can be realized. Will be obtained. Further, in the present embodiment, the method of driving the recording head of the present invention each time YMCBk color is transferred to the recording medium 10 has been described. However, a structure for simultaneously accessing the YMCBk pixel information in the light irradiation means 5 is provided. Accordingly, it is needless to say that the recording pixel information of each color of YMCBk can be simultaneously irradiated on the photoconductive film 4.

(Embodiment 13) FIG. 15 shows a twelfth configuration of a recording unit using the eleventh configuration of the recording head according to the present invention.
It is explanatory drawing which shows an Example. In FIG. 15, the recording head is divided into four parts, a photoconductive film 4 is formed on the four divided transparent electrodes 2a, and yellow (Y) and magenta ( M), cyan (C), and black (Bk) inks 6 are supplied. Hereinafter, these are referred to as a yellow ink recording area, a magenta ink recording area, a cyan ink recording area, and a black ink recording area. As a recording procedure, the individual transparent electrodes 2a
A light is applied from the side of the transparent electrode 2a in the yellow ink recording area to the photoconductive film 4 by the light irradiation means 5 in the direction indicated by the arrow 7 in a state in which a voltage is applied between the counter electrode 1a and the power supply 3. As a result, the resistance value of the photoconductive film 4 in the irradiation area decreases, and a photocurrent flows in the irradiation area. As a result, the state where the ink 6 in contact with the irradiation region of the photoconductive film 4 and the transparent electrode 2a are in a state of being energized, charges are charged in the yellow ink on the photoconductive film 4, and the yellow ink receives Coulomb force The yellow ink jumps toward the counter electrode 1a, moves to the recording medium 10 on the counter electrode 1a, and permeates and adheres, so that yellow ink of a desired image pixel is obtained on the recording medium 10. It will be. Next, the recording head is moved from the yellow ink recording area to an arrow 20.
By driving in the direction b, a magenta ink of a desired image pixel is obtained on the recording medium 10 by a recording procedure in the magenta ink recording area. Next, the recording head is driven from the magenta ink recording area in the directions of arrows 21a and 20a, and cyan ink of a desired image pixel is obtained on the recording medium 10 in the cyan ink recording area by a recording procedure. Next, the recording head is driven in the direction of the arrow 20b from the cyan ink recording area, and black ink of a desired image pixel is obtained on the recording medium 10 by a recording procedure in the black ink recording area. Thereafter, the recording head is driven in the direction of arrow 20a, and the above process is repeated.
Desired color image pixels for one line area are obtained on the recording medium 10.

Thereafter, the recording medium 10 is driven in the direction of the arrow 21b by one line by the paper feeding means 11, and the recording head is further driven in the direction of the arrow 21b to return to the home position. A desired color image pixel for each image is obtained on the recording medium 10.

In the present embodiment, there are four types of ink 6 configurations. However, by increasing the number of divisions of the recording head and supplying multicolor inks individually, full-color high-definition output printing and images can be obtained. Become. Further, when the type using the slit plate 8 is used as the recording head of the present invention, it goes without saying that the slit plate 8 is divided into four parts. Furthermore, according to the embodiment of the present invention, since the recording head of the present invention can perform full-color printing in a serial shape, the size can be reduced.

(Embodiment 14) FIG. 16 is an explanatory view for transferring a recording unit to a recording medium using an embodiment shown in the thirteenth configuration of the recording unit of the present invention. In FIG. 16, the transparent electrode 2
In the state where a voltage is applied using the power supply 3 between the switching means 22 and the switching means 22 of the counter electrode 1a, light is transmitted from the transparent electrode 2a side in a state where the switch in the direction of the arrow 23 of the switching means 22 is turned on. By irradiating the photoconductive film 4 with light from the direction indicated by the arrow 7 by the irradiating means 5, the resistance value of the photoconductive film 4 in the irradiation area decreases, and a photocurrent flows in the irradiation area.
As a result, the state where the ink 6 in contact with the irradiation area of the photoconductive film 4 and the transparent electrode 2a are in a state of conduction, the electric charge is charged in the ink 6 on the photoconductive film 4, and the ink is switched by receiving the Coulomb force The leap toward the opposing electrode 1a in a state where the switch of the means 22 is ON, and the opposing electrode 1a
Since the leap ink 12 moves to the upper recording medium 10 and penetrates and adheres, a desired print or image is obtained on the recording medium 10. Then, in synchronization with the irradiation of the light on the photoconductive film 4 from the direction of the arrow 7 by the light irradiating means 5, the switches of the switching means 22 are sequentially turned on in the direction of the arrow 23, and the switching means 22 is positioned on the near side in the recording direction. By setting the switch to the OFF state, one line area of a desired image pixel can be obtained on the recording medium 10.

In this embodiment, the switching of the counter electrode 1a is performed by using the switching means 22.
Can be driven in the direction of the arrow 23 in synchronization with the light irradiation means 5. Further, by using the switching means 22 of this embodiment, it is possible to reduce the power consumption for causing the ink 6 to jump.

(Embodiment 15) FIG. 17 is an explanatory view showing an embodiment of the first configuration of the recording apparatus using the recording units according to the first to thirteenth embodiments of the present invention. In FIG. 17, a recording device 30 receives image data 29 from an external device 28, performs image correction processing and pattern recognition in an image processing circuit 25, performs data conversion for each pixel, and outputs image pixel data 31. . The image pixel data 31 is transferred into the recording unit 24 in synchronization with a trigger signal 36 from the controller 26, and jump ink 32 corresponding to the image pixel data 31 is attached to the recording medium 10 and transferred from the recording unit 24. At this time, the control signal 33 is output from the controller 26 to the paper feeding means 11 to synchronize the flying ink 32 with the recording medium 10. The voltage value 34 in the recording unit 24 is set from the controller 26 to the power supply unit 27,
7 supplies a voltage 35 to the recording unit 24. Further, the output of the light control signal 37 of the light source irradiation light intensity and the irradiation pulse width in the recording unit 24 and the drive processing signal 38 of the optical parts and the like are controlled by the controller 26, and the dots formed on the recording medium 10 are controlled. Manage. By performing the above-described process, the recording unit 24 of the present invention can provide, as the recording device 30, high-definition, high-quality printing at high speed and non-contact output printing regardless of the shape of the recording medium. it can. In the above description, various combinations have not been described in order to avoid complication of description. However, it goes without saying that, for example, the configuration of a recording head in a recording unit using a plurality of recording heads may appropriately employ various recording heads of the present invention.
The same applies to a configuration having an acceleration unit, a configuration having a counter electrode having a projection shape, a configuration of irradiating the entire surface of the photoconductive film, and other configurations and recording apparatuses.

[0080]

As described above, the present invention provides a recording head having a transparent electrode formed on a substrate, a photoconductive film formed on the transparent electrode, and an ink on the photoconductive film. A head portion formed from a means for supplying the ink, and a counter electrode in this order, and the means for supplying the ink and the counter electrode are arranged with a sufficient gap for inserting a recording medium, The following effects are achieved by having a power supply for applying a voltage between the transparent electrode and the counter electrode, and a light irradiation unit for supplying light corresponding to a desired image pixel to the photoconductive film in a pulsed manner. There is.

(1) Since light is irradiated onto the photoconductive film from the light irradiating means, the recording process can be performed at high speed without contact. (2) By controlling the light energy of the light irradiating means, the amount of charge to be charged into the ink can be increased in ink jump speed and can be varied for each recording medium target.

Next, as a configuration of the recording head, a transparent electrode formed on the substrate, a photoconductive film formed on the transparent electrode, a means for supplying ink on the photoconductive film, A head portion formed from a slit plate provided with a slit for controlling ejection, and a counter electrode are provided in this order, and the means for supplying ink and the counter electrode are sufficient for inserting a recording medium. A power supply for applying a voltage between the transparent electrode and the counter electrode and a light irradiating unit for supplying light corresponding to a desired image pixel to the photoconductive film in a pulsed manner are provided. This has the following effects.

(3) No nozzle is required for each image pixel in the recording head, and high resolution and low cost can be achieved by the slit configuration using the slit plate, and cleaning after ink ejection can be easily performed. (4) By providing the slit plate, the direction of ink jump is controlled, the amount of ink ejected and the jump speed with respect to the distance between the opposed electrodes are stabilized, and the ink concentration efficiency is increased by managing the curve of the ink meniscus. The energy for the ink jump can be reduced.

Next, the following effects are obtained by adopting a configuration in which the cross section of the slit provided in the slit plate is cut into a tapered shape as the configuration of the recording head. (5) By changing the cutting shape of the slit cross section,
Ink can be prevented from flowing out of the slit plate.

(6) It is possible to reduce the energy for jumping the ink by increasing the concentration efficiency of the electric charges charged to the ink. Next, as a configuration of the recording head, a transparent electrode formed on the substrate, a photoconductive film having a projection which is a wall for controlling the ejection of ink on the transparent electrode, and ink supply on the photoconductive film A head section formed from the means and a counter electrode in this order, and the means for supplying the ink and the counter electrode are arranged with a sufficient gap for receiving a recording medium, and the transparent electrode And a power supply for applying a voltage between the opposing electrodes and a light irradiating means for supplying light corresponding to a desired image pixel to the photoconductive film in a pulsed manner, have the following effects.

(7) Higher resolution and lower cost can be achieved by providing a wall as a projection on the photoconductive film to provide a slit plate function and control the amount of ink ejected. Next, the following effects are obtained by adopting a configuration in which the substrate and the transparent electrode formed on the substrate are integrated as a configuration of the recording head.

(8) The head portion of the recording head can be formed by laminating the substrate, the transparent electrode, and the photoconductive film, and the size can be reduced. Next, the following effects are obtained by adopting a configuration in which the counter electrode and the head section are integrally formed as a configuration of the recording head.

(9) The counter electrode and the head section are integrated, so that the ink can leap only at the head position section, and the apparatus configuration can be made compact. Next, the following effects can be obtained by using a configuration in which the recording head has an ink accelerating means for accelerating the ink jumped to the recording head.

(10) The leap ink speed is increased by the acceleration means, and high-quality high-speed printing can be performed. (11) It is also possible to make the ink jump by only the head part and the acceleration means, and the device configuration is made compact.

(12) Since no voltage is applied to the opposing electrode side, the phenomenon of poor feeding due to the electrostatic force of the recording medium is eliminated, and the torque value of the paper feeding means is reduced. Next, the following effects can be obtained by forming the recording head into a line shape corresponding to the print width of the recording medium.

(13) By forming the recording heads vertically stacked, a plurality of recording units can be used, that is, there is no limitation on the printing color, and high-definition output printing in full color can be obtained. (14) Since the recording head is configured in a line shape, a printable range in one process can be made corresponding to the document character width of the recording medium, so that the recording speed is greatly reduced and high-speed printing can be performed.

Next, the configuration of the recording head is such that the shape of the counter electrode is a line shape corresponding to the recording medium, and the ink adhering portion is raised in a protruding manner.
The following effects are obtained. (15) By raising the shape of the opposing electrode so that the ink adhering portion protrudes, the electric field between the head portion and the opposing electrode is easily concentrated, and the ink jumping direction is stabilized.

Next, as the configuration of the recording head, the following effects can be obtained by employing a configuration in which the light irradiation means has a recording sheet in which negative image information is recorded on a transparent sheet. (16) By irradiating the entire surface of the photoconductive film with light through the recording sheet as the light irradiating means, the printing speed is greatly reduced and high-speed printing is performed.

(17) By using the recording sheet repeatedly as a negative image, continuous printing becomes possible and high-speed printing is performed. Next, the following effects can be obtained by forming the recording head into a serial shape.

(18) By increasing the number of divisions of the recording head and supplying multicolor inks individually, full-color and high-definition output printing can be obtained. (19) Since the recording head is formed in a serial shape, the recording head can be made compact.

Next, as a configuration of the recording apparatus, a recording unit, an image processing circuit for fetching and processing image data from an external device, a recording medium, and a recording medium between the two electrodes in the recording unit. Paper feeding means for sending
The configuration having the power supply unit and the controller for controlling each of the above functions has the following effects.

(20) Since the amount of ink supplied by the photoconductive film can be controlled while maintaining the high speed of the continuity type, handling similar to the on-demand type is possible. (21) Since the resolution can be restricted by controlling the spot diameter of the light supply means as compared with the ink jet method, the resolution can be as high as that of an electrophotograph.

(22) Compared with the electrophotographic system, the apparatus configuration is simplified and the cost is reduced.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a first configuration of a recording head according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a second configuration of a recording head according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a third configuration of a recording head according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory view showing a slit cross-section processed shape in a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing a fourth configuration of a recording head according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing a fifth configuration of a recording head according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention.

FIGS. 7A, 7B, and 7C are explanatory diagrams showing a sixth configuration of the recording head in the sixth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram showing a first configuration of a recording unit using the first configuration recording head of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram showing a second configuration of the recording unit using the second configuration recording head of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing a seventh configuration of a recording unit using the seventh configuration recording head of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram showing a ninth configuration of a recording unit using a ninth configuration recording head of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is an explanatory view showing a shape of a counter electrode in a tenth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram showing a tenth configuration of a recording unit using the tenth configuration recording head of the present invention.

FIG. 14 is an explanatory diagram of transfer to a recording medium in the eleventh configuration of the recording unit of the present invention.

FIG. 15 is an explanatory diagram showing a twelfth configuration of a recording unit using the eleventh configuration recording head of the present invention.

FIG. 16 is an explanatory diagram for transferring to a recording medium in a thirteenth configuration of the recording unit of the present invention.

FIG. 17 is an explanatory diagram showing a configuration of a recording apparatus using the recording unit according to the first to thirteenth embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 18 is an explanatory diagram showing a configuration of a recording apparatus using a conventional slit jet method.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1a Counter electrode 1b Accelerated counter electrode 2a Transparent electrode 2b Substrate-integrated transparent electrode 3 Power supply 4 Photoconductive film 5 Light irradiating means 6 Ink 8 Slit plate 9 Photoconductive film having projections 10 Recording medium 11 Paper feeding means 12 Flying ink 14 Acceleration unit 16 Recording sheet 22 Switching unit 24 Recording unit 25 Image processing circuit 26 Controller 27 Power supply unit 28 External device 29 Image data 30 Recording device 101 Ink ejection port 102 Upper plate 103 Lower plate 104 Recording electrode 105 Counter electrode 106 Driving power source 107 Voltage pulse 108 Ink 109 Flying ink 110 Recording medium

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuing from the front page (72) Inventor Naoki Kawawada 1-8-1, Nakase, Mihama-ku, Chiba-shi, Chiba Inside Seiko Electronic Industry Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Tadao Iwaki 1-8-1, Nakase, Mihama-ku, Chiba-shi, Chiba Inside Seiko Electronic Industry Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Hiroshi Okano 1-8-1 Nakase, Mihama-ku, Chiba-shi, Chiba Prefecture Inside SIIR D Center Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Seiji Kuwahara 1, Nakase, Mihama-ku, Chiba-shi, Chiba 8th Street Inside SII R.D. Center

Claims (23)

[Claims] 1. A head formed from a transparent electrode formed on a substrate, a photoconductive film formed on the transparent electrode, and a means for supplying ink on the photoconductive film, and a counter electrode. Having a power supply for applying a voltage between the transparent electrode and the counter electrode, wherein the means for supplying the ink and the counter electrode are arranged with a sufficient gap to accommodate a recording medium. And a light irradiation means for supplying light corresponding to a desired image pixel to the photoconductive film. A transparent electrode formed on the substrate, a photoconductive film formed on the transparent electrode, a means for supplying ink on the photoconductive film, and a slit for controlling ejection of the ink. A head portion formed from the provided slit plate,
Having a counter electrode in this order, the means for supplying the ink and the counter electrode are arranged with a sufficient gap for inserting a recording medium, and a voltage is applied between the transparent electrode and the counter electrode. A recording head, comprising: a power supply; and a light irradiation unit that supplies light corresponding to a desired image pixel to the photoconductive film. 3. The recording head according to claim 2, wherein a cross section of the slit provided in the slit plate is processed into a tapered shape. 4. A head formed from a transparent electrode formed on a substrate, a photoconductive film having projections for controlling ejection of ink on the transparent electrode, and means for supplying ink on the photoconductive film. And a counter electrode in this order, the means for supplying the ink and the counter electrode are disposed with a sufficient gap to accommodate a recording medium, and a voltage is applied between the transparent electrode and the counter electrode. And a light irradiation unit for supplying light corresponding to a desired image pixel to the photoconductive film. 5. The substrate according to claim 1, wherein the substrate and the transparent electrode formed on the substrate are integrated.
5. The recording head according to any one of items 1 to 4. 6. The recording head according to claim 1, wherein the counter electrode and the head section are formed integrally. 7. A recording unit using a recording head according to claim 1, further comprising a paper feeding means for supplying a recording medium between said ink supply means and said counter electrode. 8. A recording unit using a recording head according to claim 2, further comprising a paper feeding means for supplying a recording medium between said slit plate and said counter electrode. 9. The recording head according to claim 4, further comprising a paper feeding means for supplying a recording medium between the projection formed on the photoconductive film and the counter electrode. Recording unit. 10. The recording head according to claim 1, wherein an acceleration unit for accelerating the ink is provided between the ink supply unit and the counter electrode. 11. The recording head according to claim 2, wherein an accelerating unit for accelerating the ink is provided between the slit plate and the counter electrode. 12. The recording head according to claim 4, wherein an acceleration unit for accelerating the ink is provided between the protrusion formed on the photoconductive film and the counter electrode. 13. The recording head according to claim 1, wherein the recording head has a line shape corresponding to a print width of the recording medium. 14. The recording unit according to claim 7, wherein the recording head has a line shape corresponding to a print width of the recording medium. 15. The recording head according to claim 1, wherein the counter electrode has a line shape corresponding to a recording medium, and the ink-applied portion is raised in a protruding manner. The recording head according to any one of the above. 16. The recording head according to claim 7, wherein the counter electrode has a line shape corresponding to a recording medium, and the ink-attached portion protrudes in a protruding manner. A recording unit according to Crab. 17. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the light irradiating unit has a recording sheet on which a negative image information is recorded on a transparent sheet. Recording head. 18. The recording unit according to claim 7, wherein the light irradiating unit has a recording sheet on which a negative image information is recorded on a transparent sheet. . 19. The method according to claim 1, wherein the first to sixth, the tenth to the thirteenth, and the
A plurality of recording heads according to any one of 5 and 17, wherein each recording head has means for supplying ink of a different color, and color image pixels are attached to and penetrate the recording medium. And a recording unit. 20. A recording apparatus for recording an image pixel on a recording medium by controlling the adhesion of ink to the recording medium in accordance with a recording signal.
A recording apparatus comprising the recording head according to any one of 3, 15, and 17. 21. A recording apparatus for controlling the adhesion of ink to the recording medium in accordance with a recording signal and recording image pixels on the recording medium.
18. A recording apparatus comprising the recording unit according to any one of 18. 22. A head formed from a transparent electrode formed on a substrate, a photoconductive film formed on the transparent electrode, and a means for supplying ink on the photoconductive film, and an ink droplet. A power source for applying a voltage between the transparent electrode and the counter electrode, and a power source for applying a voltage between the transparent electrode and the counter electrode; A light irradiation means for supplying light to the photoconductive film. 23. A sheet feeding device for supplying the recording medium so that the head section, the counter electrode, and the recording medium are arranged in this order.
A recording unit using the recording head according to 1.