JPH11330671A - Electrophotographic apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an electrophotographic apparatus in which sheet resistance of a circuit pattern can be prevented from increasing even when it is used for forming a circuit pattern on a ceramic green sheet by electrophotographic method. SOLUTION: The electrophotographic apparatus 10 comprises a photosensitive body 11, a corona charger 12 for charging the surface of the photosensitive body 11, laser light 13 for forming a latent image pattern on the surface of the photoreceptor 11, a unit 15 for feeding charged powder 14 for forming a circuit over the latent image on the photoreceptor 11, a roller 17 for transferring the charged powder 14 on the latent image onto a ceramic green sheet 16, and a flash lamp 18 for forming the circuit pattern onto the ceramic green sheet 16 by fixing the charged powder 14 transferred thereto.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

The present invention relates to an electrophotographic apparatus, and more particularly to an electrophotographic apparatus used for forming a circuit pattern on a ceramic green sheet 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. 5 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, a laser beam 53 for forming a latent image pattern on the surface of the photoconductor 51, A circuit forming chargeable powder supply device 55 for supplying the circuit formation chargeable powder 54 onto the latent image pattern, and a circuit formation chargeable powder 54 on the latent image pattern are transferred onto the ceramic green sheet 56. Corona transfer unit 57 and ceramic green sheet 56
Fix the circuit-forming charged powder 54 transferred above,
And a flash lamp 58 for forming a circuit pattern on the ceramic green sheet 56.

FIGS. 6A to 6E show steps of forming a circuit pattern on a ceramic green sheet using the electrophotographic apparatus 50 shown in FIG. First, FIG. 6A shows a charging step in which the surface of the photoconductor 51 is negatively charged by the corona charger 52. Next, FIG.
Is an exposure step of irradiating the surface of the photoconductor 51 with laser light 53 to form a latent image pattern 59 from which electric charges have been erased on the surface of the photoconductor 51. Next, FIG. 6C shows a developing step in which the negatively charged circuit-forming chargeable powder 54 is attached to the latent image pattern 59 on the surface of the photoconductor 51 by electrostatic force. 6D, a positive charge having a polarity opposite to that of the chargeable powder 54 for circuit formation is given to the ceramic green sheet 56 from the back surface of the ceramic green sheet 56 by the corona transfer device 57, and the latent image pattern 59 This is a transfer step of transferring the chargeable powder 54 for circuit formation developed on the ceramic green sheet 56. Then, FIG.
(E) is a fixing step of fixing the circuit-forming chargeable powder 54 transferred to a desired location on the ceramic green sheet 56 by irradiating a flash lamp 58 to form a circuit pattern 60 on the ceramic green sheet 56. is there.

In the transfer step, an electric field generated between the photoreceptor 51 and the ceramic green sheet 56 is used to charge the circuit-forming chargeable powder 54 developed on the latent image pattern 59 on the surface of the photoreceptor 51. Is transferred onto the ceramic green sheet 56.

[0005]

However, in the conventional electrophotographic apparatus, since the corona transfer device is used in the transfer process, the ceramic green sheet and the corona transfer device are not in contact with each other. However, if the distance between the ceramic green sheet and the corona transfer unit is widened to facilitate the conveyance, the electric charge given to the ceramic green sheet from the corona transfer unit is reduced, so that the photoconductor and the ceramic green sheet can be easily transferred. The electric field generated therebetween becomes weaker. Then
The chargeable powder for circuit formation developed on the latent image pattern on the surface of the photoreceptor does not fly well on the ceramic green sheet, and the circuit pattern on the ceramic green sheet has a spot-like omission. A problem such as disorder occurs.

In addition, since a corona transfer unit is used in the transfer step, there is a problem that the corona discharge of the corona transfer unit inevitably generates ozone in which oxygen molecules in the atmosphere are ionized.

The present invention has been made in order to solve such a problem. Even when the present invention is used to form a circuit pattern on a ceramic green sheet by electrophotography, the sheet resistance of the circuit pattern can be reduced. An object of the present invention is to provide an electrophotographic apparatus capable of preventing an increase.

[0008]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, an electrophotographic apparatus according to the present invention is an electrophotographic apparatus used for forming a circuit pattern on a ceramic green sheet by an electrophotographic method. A photoreceptor; charging means for charging the surface of the photoreceptor; exposure means for forming a latent image pattern on the surface of the photoreceptor; and charging for forming a circuit on the latent image pattern on the photoreceptor Supply means for supplying conductive powder, transfer means for transferring the chargeable powder for circuit formation developed on the latent image pattern onto the ceramic green sheet, and transfer means on the ceramic green sheet. Fixing means for fixing the chargeable powder for forming a circuit, and forming the circuit pattern on the ceramic green sheet. The circuit developed on the latent image pattern using an electric field generated between the photoconductor and the transfer unit by a voltage applied to the transfer unit while being pressed against the back surface of the green sheet. The chargeable powder for formation is transferred onto the ceramic green sheet.

Further, the transfer means is a transfer roller.

Further, the transfer means is a transfer belt.

According to the electrophotographic apparatus of the present invention, the electric field generated between the photoreceptor and the transfer means by the voltage applied to the transfer means pressed against the back surface of the ceramic green sheet is used. In order to transfer the chargeable powder for circuit formation developed on the latent image pattern onto the ceramic green sheet, the electric field generated between the photoreceptor and the transfer means pressed against the back surface of the ceramic green sheet causes the latent image pattern to be transferred. The charged powder for circuit formation developed on the ceramic green sheet is efficiently transferred onto the ceramic green sheet, and the transfer efficiency can be improved.

[0012]

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 photoconductor 11, a corona charger 12 as a charging unit for charging the surface of the photoconductor 11, and a laser as an exposure unit for forming a latent image pattern on the surface of the photoconductor 11. Light 13
A circuit forming chargeable powder supply device 15 which is a supply unit for supplying the circuit formation chargeable powder 14 onto the latent image pattern of the photoreceptor 11; and a circuit formation chargeable powder 14 on the latent image pattern Roller 17, which is a transfer means for transferring the toner onto the ceramic green sheet 16, and the circuit-forming chargeable powder 14 transferred onto the ceramic green sheet 16 are fixed to form a circuit pattern on the ceramic green sheet 16. And a flash lamp 18 as fixing means for performing the fixing.

As the transfer roller 17, a conductive roller using a conductive rubber or the like or a dielectric roller having a dielectric layer provided on the conductive rubber is used, and is connected to the high voltage power supply V.

FIGS. 2 (a) to 2 (e) show respective steps when a circuit pattern is formed on a ceramic green sheet using the electrophotographic apparatus 10 shown in FIG.

First, FIG. 2A shows a charging step in which the surface of the photoconductor 11 is negatively charged by the corona charger 12.
Next, FIG. 2B shows that the laser beam 1
3 is an exposure step of forming a latent image pattern 19 from which electric charges have been erased on the surface of the photoreceptor 11 by irradiating No.3.

Next, FIG. 2C shows a developing step in which the negatively charged circuit-forming chargeable powder 14 is electrostatically applied to the latent image pattern 19 on the surface of the photoconductor 11. 2D, the transfer roller 17 is pressed against the back surface of the ceramic green sheet 16 and the electric field generated between the photoconductor 11 and the transfer roller 17 by the voltage applied to the transfer roller 17 is used. This is a transfer step of transferring the chargeable circuit-forming powder 14 developed on the latent image pattern 19 onto the ceramic green sheet 16.

Next, FIG. 2 (e) 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. 2
This is a fixing step for forming 0.

In the developing step of the electrophotographic apparatus 10 shown in FIG. 1, the carrier is not provided and the chargeable powder 1 for forming a circuit is used.
The latent image 4 on the surface of the photoreceptor 11 is mainly formed by a triboelectric charge obtained by frictional charging caused by friction with a developing roller (not shown) provided inside the circuit-forming charged powder supply device 15. Conveyed onto the pattern 19 and the latent image pattern 19
A dry non-magnetic one-component developing method to adhere to the surface was used.

The ceramic green sheet 16 has a resistivity of 3.5 × 10 ¹² Ω · cm. The preferable value of the resistivity of the ceramic green sheet 16 is in the range of 1 × 10 ^{12 to} 5 × 10 ¹⁴ Ω · cm. This is because when the resistivity is 5 × 10 ¹² Ω · cm or less, the photoconductor 11 and the ceramic green sheet 1
The electric charge having the opposite polarity to the chargeable powder 14 for circuit formation given to the ceramic green sheet 16 by the electric field generated between the ceramic green sheets 16 leaks to the ground side. If the transfer of the powder 14 becomes defective and the resistivity is 5 × 10 ¹⁴ Ω · cm or more, discharge occurs when the photoconductor 11 and the ceramic green sheet 16 are separated, and the transfer onto the ceramic green sheet 16 is performed. This is because the charged circuit-forming charge powder 14 is disturbed in position.

Further, a ceramic green sheet 16 having a thickness of 20 μm is used. And
A preferred value of the thickness of the ceramic green sheet 16 is:
The range is 10 to 300 μm. It has a thickness of 10μ
m or less, the ceramic green sheet 16 sticks to the photoreceptor 11 and the separation of the photoreceptor 11 and the ceramic green sheet 16 becomes impossible, and the thickness is 300 μm.
In the above case, the stiffness of the ceramic green sheet 16 is increased, and the photoconductor 11 and the ceramic green sheet 1 are hardened.
6 cannot be sufficiently adhered to the ceramic green sheet 16 and, as a result, the circuit-forming chargeable powder 14 is not completely fixed to the ceramic green sheet 16.

According to the electrophotographic apparatus of the first embodiment, the electric field generated between the photosensitive member and the transfer means by the voltage applied to the transfer means pressed against the back surface of the ceramic green sheet is used. The electric field generated between the photoreceptor and the transfer means pressed against the back surface of the ceramic green sheet to transfer the circuit-forming charged powder developed on the latent image pattern of the photoreceptor onto the ceramic green sheet. Accordingly, the chargeable powder for circuit formation developed on the latent image pattern is efficiently transferred onto the ceramic green sheet, and the transfer efficiency can be improved.

Therefore, since the spotting of the chargeable powder for circuit formation on the ceramic green sheet can be prevented, an increase in the sheet resistance of the circuit pattern on the ceramic sheet after firing can be prevented. result,
When a multilayer wiring board or the like is formed, problems such as an increase in wiring resistance can be prevented.

Further, since a corona transfer device using corona discharge is not used as the transfer means, generation of ozone can be extremely reduced.

Further, since the transfer roller is used as the transfer means, the size and cost of the transfer means can be reduced.
As a result, the size and cost of the electrophotographic apparatus can be reduced.

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 30 transfers the chargeable powder 14 for circuit formation on a latent image pattern (not shown) onto the ceramic green sheet 16 as compared with the electrophotographic apparatus 10 (FIG. 1) of the first embodiment. The difference is that the transfer means for performing the transfer is a transfer belt 31.

Then, the transfer belt 31 is pressed against the back surface of the ceramic green sheet 16, and a latent image pattern is formed by using an electric field generated between the photoconductor 11 and the transfer belt 31 by a voltage applied to the transfer belt 31. This is a transfer step of transferring the chargeable circuit-forming powder 14 developed onto the ceramic green sheet 16 (not shown).

The transfer belt 31 may be a conductive belt using a conductive rubber or the like, or a dielectric belt having a conductive rubber on which a dielectric layer is provided. Further, the transfer belt 31 drives between the drive roller 32 and a driven roller 33 connected to the ground, and the electrode roller 34 connected to the high voltage power supply V that supplies the voltage applied to the transfer belt 31 comes into contact. I have.

At this time, each step of forming a circuit pattern on the ceramic green sheet 16 using the electrophotographic apparatus 30 is the same as that of the electrophotographic apparatus 10 of the first embodiment (FIG. 2). .

In the developing step, as in the case of the electrophotographic apparatus 10 of the first embodiment, no carrier is provided, and the chargeable circuit-forming powder 14 is mainly charged by friction with the developing roller. The dry non-magnetic one-component developing method in which the toner is conveyed onto the latent image pattern 19 on the surface of the photoreceptor 11 and adhered to the latent image pattern 19 by using the triboelectric charge obtained by the above is used.

According to the electrophotographic apparatus of the second embodiment, the transfer belt is used as the transfer means. Therefore, the electrophotographic apparatus which is composed of one unit for transfer and transport and has excellent transfer and transport performance is provided. Can be realized.

FIG. 4 shows the electrophotographic apparatus 10 shown in FIGS.
The circuit-forming chargeable powder used in Example 1 is shown. The chargeable powder for circuit formation 14 has a structure in which a conductive metal powder 41, a charge control agent 42, and an external additive 43 are uniformly dispersed in a heat-meltable resin 44. The external additive 43 is added to improve the slip between the circuit-forming charged powders 14.

Here, a specific method for manufacturing the chargeable powder 14 for forming a circuit will be described. First, the average particle size is 1.0 μm
Of a conductive metal powder 41 composed of spherical copper particles, a charge control agent 42 composed of an azo-based metal dye, an external additive 43 composed of silica, and a hot-melt resin 44 composed of a styrene-acryl copolymer. The mixture was mixed at a ratio of 80: 1 to 1:18.

Next, the resulting mixture is hot-melt-kneaded by a kneader, and coarsely pulverized by a cutter mill and finely pulverized by a jet mill. Next, the chargeable powder 14 for circuit formation having an average particle size of 11.0 μm is obtained by airflow classification.

The shape of the chargeable powder for forming a circuit is merely an example, and is not limited to this shape.

[0035]

According to the electrophotographic apparatus of the first aspect, by using the electric field generated between the photosensitive member and the transfer means by the voltage applied to the transfer means pressed against the back surface of the ceramic green sheet, In order to transfer the chargeable powder for circuit formation developed on the latent image pattern of the photoreceptor onto the ceramic green sheet, an electric field generated between the photoreceptor and the transfer means pressed against the back surface of the ceramic green sheet,
The chargeable powder for circuit formation developed on the latent image pattern is efficiently transferred onto the ceramic green sheet, and transfer efficiency can be improved.

Therefore, since the spotting of the chargeable powder for circuit formation on the ceramic green sheet can be prevented, an increase in the sheet resistance of the circuit pattern on the ceramic sheet after firing can be prevented. result,
When a multilayer wiring board or the like is formed, problems such as an increase in wiring resistance can be prevented.

Further, since a corona transfer device using corona discharge is not used for the transfer means, generation of ozone can be extremely reduced.

According to the electrophotographic apparatus of the second aspect, since the transfer roller is used as the transfer means, it is possible to reduce the size and cost of the transfer means. As a result, the size and cost of the electrophotographic apparatus can be reduced. Is possible.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, since the transfer belt is used as the transfer means, the transfer and conveyance are constituted by one unit, and an electrophotographic apparatus excellent in transfer and conveyance performance can be realized. it can.

[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 view showing each step when a circuit pattern is formed on a ceramic green sheet 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 circuit-forming chargeable powder used in the electrophotographic apparatus of FIGS. 1 and 3;

FIG. 5 is a configuration diagram showing a conventional electrophotographic apparatus.

FIG. 6 is a view showing each step of forming a circuit pattern on a ceramic green sheet using the electrophotographic apparatus of FIG.

[Explanation of symbols]

 10, 30 Electrophotographic apparatus 11 Photoreceptor 12 Charging means (Corona charger) 13 Exposure means (Laser beam) 14 Chargeable powder for circuit formation 15 Supply means (Chargeable powder supply apparatus for circuit formation) 16 Ceramic green sheet 17, 31 transfer means (transfer roller, transfer belt) 18 fixing means (flash lamp) 19 latent image pattern 20 circuit pattern

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. An electrophotographic apparatus used for forming a circuit pattern on a ceramic green sheet by electrophotography, comprising: a photoreceptor; a charging unit for charging a surface of the photoreceptor; Exposure means for forming a latent image pattern on the surface of the body, supply means for supplying a chargeable powder for circuit formation on the latent image pattern of the photoreceptor, and developing means for developing the latent image pattern on the latent image pattern A transfer unit for transferring the circuit-forming chargeable powder onto the ceramic green sheet; and fixing the circuit-forming chargeable powder transferred onto the ceramic green sheet, and forming the circuit pattern on the ceramic green sheet. Fixing the transfer means against the back surface of the ceramic green sheet, and applying the transfer means to the transfer means. The charged powder for circuit formation developed on the latent image pattern using an electric field generated between the photoreceptor and the transfer unit pressed against the back surface of the ceramic green sheet by the applied voltage. Is transferred onto the ceramic green sheet. 2. The electrophotographic apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said transfer means is a transfer roller. 3. An electrophotographic apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said transfer means is a transfer belt.