JPH11170611A - Image-recording apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image-recording apparatus which eliminates a shift in exposure angle and obtains good images without quality deterioration. SOLUTION: This image-recording apparatus records images with the use of an emission light source having a plurality of recording elements arranged in a plurality of arrays and an image formation lens 101. The apparatus holds a condition θ<=(100/ψ)(1+q/D) wherein θ( deg.) is an angle of a face perpendicular to a recording material face at a recording position and an optical axis from the recording element; ψ( deg.) is an angular aperture of the image formation lens; D is an arrangement pitch of the recording elements; and q is a pitch of write lines.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to image recording for preventing image quality deterioration by defining an angle .theta. (.Degree.) Between a surface perpendicular to a recording material surface at a recording position and an optical axis from a plurality of rows of recording elements. It concerns the device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in an image recording apparatus for performing exposure recording on a silver halide photosensitive material according to image information,
As a system with various advantages that the device is inexpensive, compact, and easy to output large size,
A method using a print head (array head) in which a plurality of recording elements (light sources) are arranged in an array is known.
VFPH (Vacuum) is used as the print head.
An apparatus using a vacuum fluorescent tube light source called Fluorescent Print Head) has been proposed. The vacuum fluorescent tube light source has features such that high brightness can be easily obtained, high-speed response, and thinness. The phosphor is mainly a zinc oxide phosphor from the viewpoint of durability. Is chosen.

In some cases, an LED array light source is used as the print head. In particular, for red, a high-density array such as 300 dpi or 400 dpi can be manufactured by a photomask method or the like. A configuration using the VFPH as a green light source and a blue light source is possible.

The array can be arranged in a single row or in a plurality of rows. In the case of one row, an interval of 10 μm or more between the light sources is required for insulation or the like. In the case of a resolution of 300 dpi, the dot interval is set. Is required to be 85 μm, the area of the light source is reduced by 10% or more, the light emission luminance is lost, and this is disadvantageous for high-speed output.

On the other hand, in the case of a multi-row array,
With a staggered arrangement, a resolution of 300 dpi is possible with a larger-sized light source, and light emission luminance is increased, which is advantageous for high-speed output.

FIG. 10 shows a main part of an apparatus for recording an image of the same magnification using a light emitting light source and a cell hook lens array integrally arranged in a two-row array. In FIG. 10, reference numeral 100 denotes a light source, 101 denotes a cell hook lens array, and an exposure axis 103 is configured to be perpendicular to an exposure surface 102. An image sent from the light source 100 is formed on the exposure surface 102 at an equal magnification. An image 104 is formed. In this case, the image center 105 is located at the center of the light source (light emitting element) 100.

FIG. 10 shows a case where the exposure axis is perpendicular to the exposure surface.
The exposure axis may not be perpendicular to the exposure surface as shown in FIG. In the example shown in FIG.
Shows a case where it is inclined by an angle θ (°) with respect to a vertical plane 106 with respect to
07 is shifted from the exposure surface 102 by an angle θ (°).

Note that the focus is adjusted at a position 108 which is a half of the row interval D so that there is no focus difference in each row.

In such an oblique exposure, the first row of images 1
09, the image center 111 is shifted to the left of the center of the light source,
In the row of images 110, a phenomenon occurs in which the image center 111 shifts to the right of the center of the light source.

The above-described oblique exposure is caused by a change in the mounting angle of the array or a tilt of the recording material surface. If the mounting angle changes, the image center position changes as shown in FIG. There is a disadvantage that the image quality deteriorates.

As described above, since the center position of the image is changed in the adjacent light sources, the positions of the line images are different between the odd and even rows of the formed image, and the quality of the image quality of fine line drawings such as fine characters is reduced. There is a problem that decreases. FIG. 12 shows an example in which the continuity of oblique lines is poor, and FIG. 13 shows a phenomenon in which the continuity of parallel lines is poor.

The inventor of the present invention has made intensive studies in consideration of the above background, and as a result, the relative inclination angle between the mounting direction of the array and the recording material surface is determined by the imaging lens aperture angle, the arrangement pitch of the recording elements, The present invention has been developed by developing an image recording apparatus capable of obtaining a good image without deteriorating the image quality when a certain relational expression is satisfied when the writing line pitch is used as a factor.

[0013]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide an image recording apparatus capable of eliminating a deviation in exposure angle and obtaining a good image without image quality deterioration.

[0014]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image recording apparatus, comprising: a light emitting light source in which a plurality of recording elements are integrally arranged in an array of a plurality of rows; In an apparatus for recording an image using a lens, an angle θ (°) between a plane perpendicular to a recording material surface at a recording position and an optical axis from the recording element is an imaging lens aperture angle: ψ (°). The following formula 1 is satisfied when the array pitch of: D is the writing line pitch: q.

(Equation 2) θ ≦ (100 / ψ) (1 + q / D) In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the recording material surface is a horizontal plane, and the means for restricting the angle θ (°) to a fixed type is provided. In another preferred embodiment, the recording material surface is a horizontal plane, and the light emitting light source is attached using a means for variably adjusting the angle θ (°).

In another preferred embodiment of the present invention,
The optical axis from the recording element is perpendicular, and the angle θ (°) is provided by inclining the recording material surface.

Further, in another preferred embodiment of the present invention,
The printing elements are arranged in a plurality of rows in the array direction, and each row is arranged in a staggered manner. In another preferred embodiment, the printing elements are arranged in a plurality of rows in the array direction, and The columns are arranged at the same position.

Further, as another preferred embodiment of the present invention, the recording elements are arranged in a plurality of rows in the array direction, and the emission colors are different in each row. That is, a plurality of arrays in one row are used, and the plurality of arrays are integrated into an array unit.

[0019]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the structure of an array. In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 denotes a recording element (light source);
₁ and R ₂ are the horizontal and vertical lengths of the recording element, respectively. P is an interval between printing elements, and D is an arrangement pitch of the printing elements.

The recording elements 1 are arranged in two rows in the array direction (X direction) and are arranged in a staggered manner. However, the arrangement is not limited to this, and three or more rows may be arranged in a staggered manner. Y is the transport direction of the recording material.

The arrangement of the recording elements 1 is as shown in FIG.
They may be arranged at the same position in the direction, or may be made into three rows, and each row may have a different emission color so as to have B, G, and R emission colors. Further, it is preferable that the arrays are separately configured, and the separate arrays are integrated into an array unit.

FIG. 3 shows the structure of the formed image. In FIG. 3, reference numeral 2 denotes an image formed on the recording material 3, q denotes a writing line pitch, and
Is transported in the transport direction Y, an image 2 is formed.

FIG. 4 shows an example of mounting an array head.
Reference numeral 4 denotes a lower guide plate, and the recording material 3 is conveyed while being supported by the lower guide plate 4. Reference numerals 5, 5, and 5 denote array heads arranged on the upper surface of the recording material 3. Reference numerals 6, 6 and 7, 7 are transport rolls.

In the present invention, the array head has a structure as shown in FIG. 5, for example. FIG. 5 shows one array head.

In FIG. 5, reference numeral 8 denotes an array mount.
9 is an array mounting body, 10 is a fixing part, and the fixing part 1
Numeral 0 is fixed to the array mounting base 8 by a mounting tool (for example, a bolt or the like) not shown.

The side surface of the array mounting main body 9 is perpendicular to the surface of the recording material 3, and the array (array head) 11 is fixed to the vertical side surface of the array mounting main body 9.

Reference numeral 12 denotes a spacer which is interposed between the array 11 and the array mounting body 9, and is made of, for example, a washer or a plate. Due to the presence of the spacers 12, the mounting direction of the array 11 is adjusted so as to form a predetermined angle with respect to the vertical plane.

The means for adjusting the inclination of the array 11 is not particularly limited, and the angle .theta.
There are means for restricting (°) in a fixed manner, means for variably adjusting the angle θ (°) with respect to a horizontal recording material surface, and the like.

As shown in FIG. 6, the means for restricting the fixed type is a means for inclining to the right by using a spacer 12 having an upward point, and as shown in FIG. There is a means to tilt to the left.

As means for variably adjusting, FIG.
As shown in (1), there is a means for finely adjusting and tilting left and right by two bolts 13 and 13.

Further, as shown in FIG.
There is also a means for restricting the array 11 in a fixed manner by inclining the array mounting surface.

The array mounting angle θ (°) in the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. As the imaging lens 101, a cell hook lens is used, and the aperture angle of the imaging lens is set to ψ.
And When the array pitch of the recording elements is D and the write line pitch (see FIG. 3) is q, the array mounting angle θ (°) satisfies the condition of the above equation 2 so that image deterioration is not caused and good. Image is obtained.

The array mounting angle θ (°) may be a relative inclination angle θ (°) between the recording material surface and the mounting direction of the array, and therefore, as described above, the array may be aligned with respect to the horizontal recording material surface. Rather than the means for setting the mounting angle, the array is mounted in the vertical direction, the recording material surface is inclined, and the angle θ is similarly set.
(°) can be provided. When the recording material surface is inclined, at least the exposed portion may be inclined. The inclination means is not particularly limited.

In the present invention, when the recording material is a photographic color light-sensitive material, when exposing the photographic color light-sensitive material, an array light source of three colors of blue (B), green (G) and red (R) is used. When an array light source arranged in a staggered pattern with at least two rows in one color is used, if the angle θ (°) is large, the color shift of the corresponding color will occur, and the character image or the like will be blurred, Not preferred. Therefore, by suppressing the angle θ (°) within the range of the present invention, the effect is large. In particular, in the case of a green (G) light source, a color shift of magenta color occurs, which is not preferable. Therefore, it is important to keep the angle θ (°) within the range of the present invention.

[0036]

EXAMPLES Examples of the present invention will be described, but the present invention is not limited by these examples.

Using the array and the imaging lens shown in FIG. 5, the following image recording conditions were set.

(Conditions) Imaging lens: Nippon Sheet Glass Co., Ltd. cell hoc lens array “SLA-20B” (imaging lens aperture angle: ψ = 20)
(°) Arrangement pitch of recording elements D: 253.8 μm Write line pitch q: 84.6 μm When this condition is applied to Expression 1 described in claim 1, θ ′ = (100/20) (1 + 84.6 / 253) .8)
= 6.67.

(Image exposure) Array mounting angle θ (°)
Was adjusted to 6 (°) (Example 1) and when the array mounting angle θ (°) was adjusted to 8 (°) (Comparative Example 1), image exposure was performed. Example 1 θ <θ ′ (conditions of the present invention are satisfied) Comparative Example 1 θ> θ ′ (conditions of the present invention are not satisfied)

(Results) As a result, when the image of Example 1 was observed, it was found that there was no unnatural feeling of the continuity of the horizontal lines (the arrangement direction of the recording elements) and the oblique lines, and there was no deterioration in the image quality of character images and the like. all right.

On the other hand, when the image of Comparative Example 1 was observed, it was found that the continuity of the horizontal lines (the arrangement direction of the recording elements) and the oblique lines was poor, the naturalness of the character image and the like was impaired, and the image quality was not good. I understood.

[0042]

As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to provide an image recording apparatus capable of eliminating a deviation in exposure angle and obtaining a good image without image quality deterioration.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of an arrangement of recording elements.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing another example of an arrangement of recording elements.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a structure of a formed image.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of mounting an array head.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing an example of mounting an array.

FIG. 6 is a side view of a main part showing an example of mounting an array.

FIG. 7 is a side view of a main part showing an example of mounting an array.

FIG. 8 is a side view of a main part showing an example of mounting an array.

FIG. 9 is a side view of a main part showing an example of mounting an array.

FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing a main part of an apparatus for recording an image of the same magnification.

FIG. 11 is an explanatory view showing an example in which the light source in FIG. 10 is inclined.

FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram showing an example in which the continuity of oblique lines becomes poor.

FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram showing a phenomenon that continuity of parallel lines is deteriorated.

Claims (8)

[Claims] 1. An apparatus for recording an image by using a light emitting light source and an imaging lens in which a plurality of recording elements are arranged in an array of a plurality of rows, wherein: a surface perpendicular to a recording material surface at a recording position; The angle θ (°) with respect to the optical axis from the imaging lens aperture angle: ψ (°) When the array pitch of the recording elements: D, the writing line pitch: q, the following formula 1 is satisfied. Image recording device. (Equation 1) θ ≦ (100 / ψ) (1 + q / D) 2. An image recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said recording material surface is a horizontal plane, and said light emitting light source is mounted using means for restricting said angle θ (°) in a fixed manner. 3. An image recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said recording material surface is a horizontal plane, and said light emitting light source is mounted using means for variably adjusting said angle θ (°). 4. An image recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein an optical axis from said recording element is vertical, and said angle θ (°) is provided by inclining said recording material surface. 5. The image recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said recording elements are arranged in a plurality of rows in an array direction, and each row is arranged in a staggered manner. 6. An image recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said recording elements are arranged in a plurality of rows in an array direction, and each row is arranged at the same position. 7. The image recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the recording elements are arranged in a plurality of rows in an array direction, and each row has a different emission color. 8. The image recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of arrays in at least one row are used, and the plurality of arrays are integrated into an array unit.