JPH11298117A - Electronic camera device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To prevent the adhesion of charged powder to the place excluding a pattern and the falling off by equipping a camera device with first and second photoreceptors, and charging the place excluding the circuit pattern of the second photoreceptor with charge reverse to the charged powder for circuit formation. SOLUTION: The surface of the first photoreceptor 11a is charged into negative with the first corona charge 12a. The surface of the first photoreceptor 11a is irradiated with the first laser beam 13a, and a latent image pattern where charge is eliminated is made on the surface. The charged powder 14 for circuit formation charged into negative is stuck onto the latent image pattern onto the latent image pattern at the surface of the first photoreceptor 11a by electrostatic power. Positive charge of reverse polarity to the charged particle 14 is given to it from the rear of a ceramic green sheet 16 with a first transcriber 17a. Image is developed on the latent image pattern with it, and the charge powder 14 is transcribed onto the ceramic green sheet 16. The surface of the second photoreceptor 11b is charged into positive with the second corona charger 12b. The unnecessary charged powder charged in negative and transcribed on the ceramic green sheet 16 is sucked and removed to the place charged in positive with the second photoreceptor 11b.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an electrophotographic apparatus, and more particularly, to an electrophotographic apparatus used for forming a circuit pattern on a printing substrate by an electrophotographic method.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art An electrophotographic apparatus used for forming a chargeable powder for forming a circuit as a desired circuit pattern on a ceramic green sheet by utilizing electrostatic force, as in a usual electrophotographic method, is disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. HEI 2 (1994) -207. No. 257696. FIG. 7 shows a configuration diagram of a conventional electrophotographic apparatus used when forming a circuit pattern on a ceramic green sheet. The electrophotographic apparatus 50 includes a photoconductor 51, a corona charger 52 for charging the surface of the photoconductor 51, and a laser beam for forming a desired latent image pattern (not shown) on the surface of the photoconductor 51. 53, a circuit forming chargeable powder supply device 55 for supplying a circuit formation chargeable powder 54 on the latent image pattern of the photoconductor 51, and a circuit formation chargeable powder 54 on the latent image pattern Sheet 5
A transfer device 57 for transferring the image onto the ceramic green sheet 56;
And a flash lamp 58 for forming a circuit pattern on the ceramic green sheet 56.

[0003]

However, in the conventional electrophotographic apparatus, the charge of the circuit-forming chargeable powder is applied to a portion other than the circuit pattern called fogging.
After firing, the conductive metal powder constituting the chargeable powder for circuit formation adheres to an unnecessary portion, and thus, when a multilayer wiring board or the like is formed, there has been a problem that the function such as a short circuit is significantly impaired.

[0004] In addition, the charge of the circuit-forming chargeable powder is lost in the circuit pattern, and after baking, the sheet resistance of the circuit pattern increases or, in extreme cases, the circuit pattern is cut. When formed,
There is also a problem that the function is significantly impaired, such as an increase in wiring resistance.

The present invention has been made in order to solve such a problem. Even when the present invention is used for forming a circuit pattern on a printing substrate by an electrophotographic method, it can be applied to portions other than the circuit pattern. An object of the present invention is to provide an electrophotographic apparatus in which the charge of the circuit-forming chargeable powder does not adhere and the circuit-form chargeable powder does not drop off in the circuit pattern.

[0006]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, an electrophotographic apparatus according to the present invention employs an electrophotographic method.
An electrophotographic apparatus used when forming a circuit pattern on a printing medium, comprising: a first photosensitive member; first charging means for charging a surface of the first photosensitive member; First exposure means for forming a latent image pattern on the surface of the photoreceptor, first supply means for supplying a chargeable powder for circuit formation on the latent image pattern of the first photoreceptor, A first forming apparatus including a first transfer unit configured to transfer the chargeable circuit-forming powder developed on the latent image pattern onto the substrate, a second photoconductor, and a second photoconductor. A second charging unit for charging the surface of the second photoconductor, a second exposure unit for forming a latent image pattern on the surface of the second photoconductor, and the image transferred on the printing medium. Fixing the chargeable powder for forming a circuit, and forming the circuit pattern on the substrate; Characterized in that it consists of a fixing means and a second forming device including a.

A second supply unit for supplying a chargeable powder for forming a circuit onto the latent image pattern on the second photosensitive member; and a developing unit on the latent image pattern. And a second transfer unit for transferring the charged powder for forming a circuit onto the substrate.

[0008] Further, between the first forming apparatus and the second forming apparatus, a portion where the chargeable powder for circuit formation transferred onto the printing substrate by the first forming apparatus is removed. Detection means for detecting a latent image pattern on the surface of the second photosensitive member of the second forming apparatus corresponding to a location where the chargeable powder for circuit formation has come off according to a signal from the detection means. Is formed.

According to the electrophotographic apparatus of the present invention, since the first photoreceptor and the second photoreceptor are provided, a portion other than the circuit pattern of the second photoreceptor is charged with the circuit forming chargeable powder. By charging with the opposite charge, the chargeable powder for circuit formation attached to portions other than the circuit pattern can be removed.

[0010]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 shows a configuration diagram of a first embodiment of an electrophotographic apparatus according to the present invention. The electrophotographic apparatus 10 includes a first forming device 10a and a second forming device 10b.

The first forming apparatus 10a includes a first forming apparatus 10a.
And a first corona charger 12 as a first charging unit for charging the surface of the first photoconductor 11a
a, a first laser beam 13a as first exposure means for forming a desired latent image pattern (not shown) on the surface of the first photoconductor 11a, and a latent image on the first photoconductor 11a. A first circuit forming chargeable powder supply device 15a, which is a first supply unit for supplying the circuit formation chargeable powder 14 onto the image pattern, and a latent image pattern on the surface of the first photoconductor 11a; And a first transfer unit 17a as a first transfer unit for transferring the circuit-forming chargeable powder 14 onto the ceramic green sheet 16 as a printing substrate.

The second forming apparatus 10b includes a second photoconductor 11b and a second corona charger 12b serving as a second charging unit for charging the surface of the second photoconductor 11b.
A second laser beam 13b as second exposure means for forming a desired latent image pattern (not shown) on the surface of the second photoconductor 11b; and the first and second forming devices 10
A flash lamp 18 as fixing means for fixing the circuit-forming chargeable powder 14 transferred onto the ceramic green sheet 16 by the steps a and b to form a circuit pattern on the ceramic green sheet 16 is provided.

FIGS. 2A to 2H show steps of forming a circuit pattern on a ceramic green sheet using the electrophotographic apparatus 10 shown in FIG. 2 (a) to 2 (d) are steps performed by the first forming apparatus 10a, and FIGS. 2 (e) to 2 (h) are steps performed by the second forming apparatus 10b.

First, FIG. 2A shows a first charging step in which the surface of the first photosensitive member 11a is negatively charged by the first corona charger 12a. Next, FIG. 2B shows that the surface of the first photoconductor 11a is irradiated with a first laser beam 13a to form a latent image pattern 1a from which electric charges have been erased on the surface of the first photoconductor 11a. This is the first exposure step.

Next, FIG. 2 (c) shows a first developing step in which the negatively charged chargeable powder 14 for forming a circuit is attached to the latent image pattern 1a on the surface of the first photosensitive member 11a by electrostatic force. is there. Next, FIG. 2D shows that the first transfer unit 17a transfers the chargeable powder 1 for circuit formation from the back surface of the ceramic green sheet 16 to the ceramic green sheet 16.
4 is a first transfer step of applying a positive charge having a polarity opposite to that of the circuit pattern 4 and transferring the circuit-forming charged powder 14 developed on the latent image pattern 1 a onto the ceramic green sheet 16.

FIG. 2E shows a second charging step in which the surface of the second photoconductor 11b is positively charged by the second corona charger 12b. Next, FIG.
This is a second exposure step of irradiating the surface of the photoconductor 11b with the second laser beam 13b to form a latent image pattern 1b from which electric charges have been erased on the surface of the second photoconductor 11b.

Next, FIG. 2 (g) shows the first of FIG. 2 (d).
The unnecessary negatively charged chargeable powder 14 for circuit formation transferred onto the ceramic green sheet 16 in the transfer step of
This is a removal step of sucking a positively charged portion of the second photoconductor 11b where the latent image pattern 1b is not formed, and removing unnecessary chargeable powder 14 for circuit formation. Then
FIG. 2H shows the fixing of the chargeable circuit-forming powder 14 transferred to a desired location on the ceramic green sheet 16 by irradiation of a flash lamp 18 to form the circuit pattern 2 on the ceramic green sheet 16. It is a process.

According to the above-described electrophotographic apparatus of the first embodiment, since the apparatus includes the first photosensitive member and the second photosensitive member,
A portion of the second photoreceptor other than the circuit pattern is charged with a charge opposite to that of the chargeable powder for circuit formation, thereby removing the chargeable powder for circuit formation adhering to a portion other than the circuit pattern on the ceramic green sheet. be able to.

Accordingly, after firing, the conductive metal powder constituting the chargeable powder for forming a circuit does not adhere to unnecessary portions on the ceramic sheet, so that a problem such as a short circuit occurs when a multilayer wiring board or the like is formed. Can be prevented.

FIG. 3 shows a second embodiment of the electrophotographic apparatus according to the present invention.
1 shows a configuration diagram of an embodiment of FIG. The electrophotographic apparatus 20 is different from the electrophotographic apparatus 10 of the first embodiment in that the second forming apparatus 20b supplies the chargeable powder 14 for circuit formation on the latent image pattern of the second photoconductor 11b. A second circuit-forming charged powder supply device 15b, which is a second supply means for performing
The difference is that a second transfer unit 17b, which is a second transfer unit for transferring the chargeable circuit-forming powder 14 on the latent image pattern onto the ceramic green sheet 16, is provided.

FIGS. 4 (a) to 4 (i) show respective steps in forming a circuit pattern on a ceramic green sheet using the electrophotographic apparatus 20 shown in FIG. FIGS. 4A to 4D show steps using the first forming apparatus 20a, and FIGS. 4E to 4I show steps using the second forming apparatus 20b.

FIG. 4A shows a first charging step in which the surface of the first photosensitive member 11a is negatively charged by the first corona charger 12a. Next, FIG. 4B shows that the surface of the first photoconductor 11a is irradiated with a first laser beam 13a to form a latent image pattern 3a from which electric charges have been erased on the surface of the first photoconductor 11a. This is the first exposure step.

Next, FIG. 4C shows a first developing step in which the negatively charged circuit-forming chargeable powder 14 is adhered to the latent image pattern 3a on the surface of the first photosensitive member 11a by electrostatic force. is there. Next, FIG. 4D shows that the chargeable powder 1 for circuit formation is applied to the ceramic green sheet 16 from the back surface of the ceramic green sheet 16 by the first transfer unit 17a.
This is a first transfer step of giving a positive charge having a polarity opposite to that of No. 4 and transferring the circuit-forming chargeable powder 14 developed on the latent image pattern 3 a onto the ceramic green sheet 16.

FIG. 4E shows a second charging step in which the surface of the second photosensitive member 11b is negatively charged by the second corona charger 12b. Next, FIG.
This is a second exposure step of irradiating the surface of the photoconductor 11b with the second laser beam 13b to form a latent image pattern 3b from which electric charges have been erased on the surface of the second photoconductor 11b.

Next, FIG. 4 (g) shows a second developing step in which the negatively charged circuit-forming chargeable powder 14 is electrostatically applied to the latent image pattern 3b on the surface of the second photosensitive member 11b. is there. Next, FIG. 4H shows that the chargeable powder 1 for forming a circuit is placed on the ceramic green sheet 16 from the back of the ceramic green sheet 16 by the second transfer unit 17b.
This is a second transfer step of applying a positive charge having a polarity opposite to that of No. 4 and transferring the chargeable powder 14 for circuit formation developed on the latent image pattern 3 b onto the ceramic green sheet 16.

Next, FIG. 4 (i) shows that the chargeable circuit-forming powder 14 transferred to a desired location on the ceramic green sheet 16 is fixed by irradiating a flash lamp 18 to form a circuit pattern on the ceramic green sheet 16. 4
Is a fixing step for forming

According to the above-described electrophotographic apparatus of the second embodiment, the second forming apparatus includes a second chargeable powder supply apparatus for forming a circuit as the second supply means, and a second transfer means. And the second transfer unit as described above, the chargeable powder for circuit formation can be printed a plurality of times at the formation position of the circuit pattern on the ceramic green sheet.

That is, the omission of the chargeable powder for circuit formation formed in the first transfer step by the first forming apparatus can be completely corrected in the second transfer step by the second forming apparatus.

Accordingly, the chargeable powder for forming a circuit on the ceramic green sheet can be prevented from coming off, so that an increase in the sheet resistance of the circuit pattern on the ceramic sheet after firing can be prevented, and a multilayer wiring board or the like can be prevented. In the case where is formed, problems such as an increase in wiring resistance can be prevented.

FIG. 5 shows a third embodiment of the electrophotographic apparatus according to the present invention.
1 shows a configuration diagram of an embodiment of FIG. The electrophotographic apparatus 30 is different from the electrophotographic apparatus 20 of the second embodiment in that the first transfer by the first forming apparatus 30a is performed between the first forming apparatus 30a and the second forming apparatus 30b. Circuit-forming chargeable powder 1 transferred onto ceramic green sheet 16 by the process
4 in that an image recognizing device 31 is provided as a detecting means for detecting the missing portion of No. 4.

FIGS. 6 (a) to 6 (i) show respective steps in the case of forming a circuit pattern on a ceramic green sheet using the electrophotographic apparatus 30 shown in FIG. FIGS. 6A to 6D show steps by the first forming apparatus 30a, and FIGS. 6F to 6I show steps by the second forming apparatus 30b.

First, FIG. 6A shows a first charging step in which the surface of the first photosensitive member 11a is negatively charged by the first corona charger 12a. Next, in FIG. 6B, the surface of the first photoconductor 11a is irradiated with the first laser beam 13a to form a latent image pattern 5a from which electric charges have been erased on the surface of the first photoconductor 11a. This is the first exposure step.

Next, FIG. 6C shows a first developing step in which the negatively charged circuit-forming chargeable powder 14 is adhered on the latent image pattern 5a on the surface of the first photosensitive member 11a by electrostatic force. is there. Next, FIG. 6D shows that the chargeable powder 1 for circuit formation is applied to the ceramic green sheet 16 from the back of the ceramic green sheet 16 by the first transfer unit 17a.
4 is a first transfer step of applying a positive charge having a polarity opposite to that of the circuit pattern 4 and transferring the chargeable powder 14 for circuit formation developed on the latent image pattern 5 a onto the ceramic green sheet 16.

Next, FIG. 6E shows an image recognition device 31.
As a result, the chargeable powder 1 for circuit formation transferred onto the ceramic green sheet 16 in the first transfer step of FIG.
This is a detection step for detecting the missing portion of No. 4.

Next, FIG. 6F shows a second charging step in which the surface of the second photosensitive member 11b is negatively charged by the second corona charger 12b. Next, FIG. 6 (g) shows the second
The surface of the photoreceptor 11b is irradiated with the second laser beam 13b to form a latent image pattern 5b in which the charge has been erased only at the portion of the surface of the second photoreceptor 11b where the chargeable powder 14 for circuit formation has come off. This is a second exposure step to be formed.

FIG. 6H shows a second developing step in which the negatively charged circuit-forming chargeable powder 14 is electrostatically applied to the latent image pattern 5b on the surface of the second photosensitive member 11b. is there. Next, FIG. 6 (i) shows that the chargeable powder 1 for forming a circuit is formed on the ceramic green sheet 16 from the back of the ceramic green sheet 16 by the second transfer unit 17b.
4 is a second transfer step of applying a positive charge having a polarity opposite to that of the circuit pattern 4 and transferring the chargeable powder 14 for circuit formation developed on the latent image pattern 5 b onto the ceramic green sheet 16.

Next, FIG. 6 (j) shows that the chargeable circuit-forming powder 14 transferred to a desired portion on the ceramic green sheet 16 is fixed by irradiation of a flash lamp 18, and the circuit pattern is formed on the ceramic green sheet 16. 6
Is a fixing step for forming

According to the electrophotographic apparatus of the third embodiment described above, between the first forming apparatus and the second forming apparatus, the place where the chargeable powder for circuit formation on the ceramic green sheet is removed is formed. An image recognizing device is provided as a detecting means for detecting, and a signal from the image recognizing device is used to correspond to a position where the chargeable powder for circuit formation has come off, and a surface of the second photosensitive member of the second forming device is provided. In order to form a latent image pattern on the
The circuit forming chargeable powder can be printed only on the portion of the ceramic green sheet where the circuit formation chargeable powder is missing.

Therefore, it is possible to prevent the chargeable powder for circuit formation from coming off on the ceramic green sheet, and to print the chargeable powder for circuit formation thinly as a whole without being double printed. Therefore, when a multilayer wiring board or the like is formed, it is possible to reduce the wiring resistance and to prevent the circuit pattern from peeling off from the ceramic sheet.

In the first to third embodiments,
Although the case where the printing substrate is a ceramic green sheet has been described, a similar effect can be obtained with a fired ceramic substrate such as an alumina substrate.

In the second embodiment, the same circuit-forming chargeable powder is used in the first and second forming apparatuses. However, different circuit-formable chargeable powders are used. Is also good. For example, if the first forming apparatus uses a chargeable powder for forming a circuit including an adhesion enhancer, after firing, the adhesive strength between the conductive metal powder forming the circuit pattern on the print and the print is improved. This can prevent problems such as peeling of the circuit pattern from the substrate.

Further, the particle diameter of the conductive metal powder constituting the chargeable powder for forming a circuit used in the second forming apparatus is adjusted by changing the particle diameter of the conductive metal powder constituting the chargeable powder for forming a circuit used in the first forming apparatus. If it is smaller than the particle size of the metal powder, after firing,
Since the conductive metal powder forming the circuit pattern becomes dense, the sheet resistance of the circuit pattern can be further reduced.

[0043]

According to the electrophotographic apparatus of the first aspect, the first
And the second photoreceptor, a portion of the second photoreceptor other than the circuit pattern is charged with a charge opposite to that of the chargeable powder for circuit formation, so that the circuit on the print substrate is charged. It is possible to remove the chargeable powder for circuit formation adhering to portions other than the pattern.

Therefore, after firing, the conductive metal powder constituting the chargeable powder for circuit formation does not adhere to unnecessary places on the printing material, and thus a problem such as a short circuit occurs when a multilayer wiring board or the like is formed. Can be prevented.

According to the electrophotographic apparatus of the present invention, since the second forming apparatus includes the second supply means and the second transfer means, the circuit is provided at the position where the circuit pattern is formed on the printing substrate. The forming chargeable powder can be printed multiple times.

That is, the omission of the chargeable powder for circuit formation formed in the first transfer step by the first forming apparatus can be completely corrected in the second transfer step by the second forming apparatus.

Therefore, it is possible to prevent the chargeable powder for circuit formation from coming off on the substrate, and to prevent an increase in sheet resistance of the circuit pattern on the substrate after firing. In the case of forming, a problem such as an increase in wiring resistance can be prevented.

According to the electrophotographic apparatus of the third aspect, an image for detecting a portion where the chargeable powder for forming a circuit is removed on a printing substrate is provided between the first forming device and the second forming device. A recognition device for forming a latent image pattern on the surface of the second photoconductor of the second forming device in accordance with a signal from the circuit forming chargeable powder by a signal from the image recognition device; In the second forming apparatus, the chargeable circuit-forming powder can be printed only on the portion where the chargeable circuit-forming powder on the printing medium is missing.

Therefore, it is possible to prevent the charged powder for circuit formation from coming off on the substrate, and to print thinly as a whole without charging the charged powder for circuit formation twice. In addition, when a multilayer wiring board or the like is formed, the wiring resistance can be reduced, and the problem that the circuit pattern is peeled off from the printing substrate can be prevented.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of a first embodiment of an electrophotographic apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing each step in the case of forming a circuit pattern on a printing substrate using the electrophotographic apparatus of FIG.

FIG. 3 is a configuration diagram of a second embodiment of the electrophotographic apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing each step in the case of forming a circuit pattern on a printing substrate using the electrophotographic apparatus of FIG.

FIG. 5 is a configuration diagram of a third embodiment of the electrophotographic apparatus according to the present invention.

6 is a diagram showing each step in the case of forming a circuit pattern on a printing substrate using the electrophotographic apparatus of FIG.

FIG. 7 is a configuration diagram showing a conventional electrophotographic apparatus.

[Explanation of symbols]

10, 20, 30 Electrophotographic apparatus 10a, 20a, 30a First forming apparatus 10b, 20b, 30b Second forming apparatus 11a, 11b Photoconductor 12a, 12b Corona charger (charging means) 13a, 13b Laser light (exposure) Means) 14 Chargeable powder for circuit formation 15a, 15b Charger powder supply device for circuit formation (supply means) 16 Ceramic green sheet (substrate to be printed) 17a, 17b Transfer unit (transfer unit) 18 Flash lamp (fixing unit) 31 Detection Means 1a, 1b, 3a, 3b, 5a, 5b Latent image pattern 2, 4, 6 Circuit pattern

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. An electrophotographic apparatus used for forming a circuit pattern on a printing material by electrophotography, comprising: a first photosensitive member; and a first photosensitive member for charging a surface of the first photosensitive member. A first charging means, a first exposure means for forming a latent image pattern on the surface of the first photoconductor, and a chargeable powder for forming a circuit on the latent image pattern of the first photoconductor. A first forming device including a first supply unit for transferring the chargeable powder for circuit formation developed on the latent image pattern onto the substrate; A second photoconductor, a second charging unit for charging the surface of the second photoconductor, and a second exposing unit for forming a latent image pattern on the surface of the second photoconductor Fixing the chargeable powder for circuit formation transferred onto the printing medium, Electrophotographic apparatus characterized by comprising a second forming device including the fixing means for forming the circuit pattern thereon. 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said second forming device supplies second chargeable powder for forming a circuit onto the latent image pattern of said second photosensitive member, and develops said latent image pattern onto said latent image pattern. 2. The electrophotographic apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: a second transfer unit configured to transfer the charged powder for forming a circuit onto the substrate. 3. 3. A portion between the first forming device and the second forming device, where the chargeable powder for circuit formation transferred onto the printing substrate by the first forming device is removed. Detection means for detecting a latent image pattern on the surface of the second photosensitive member of the second forming apparatus corresponding to a location where the chargeable powder for circuit formation has come off according to a signal from the detection means. The electrophotographic apparatus according to claim 2, wherein: