JPS58117569A - Recording method - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To reduce the discontinuous part of image formation, by writing an image twice with different light emitting elements when the light from a light emitting element array is converged on the surface of a photoreceptor to write the image and moving a light shielding member synchronously with elements. CONSTITUTION:An image forming device 3 has plural light emitting diode (LED) array chips parallel with the axial line of a drum-shaped photoreceptor 1, and in these chips, LEDs 111-154 are arranged at equal pitches on a virtual line B parallel with the axial line of the photoreceptor 1. LEDs 151, 152, 153, and 154 are provided in just middle positions between LEDs 111 and 112, LEDs 112 and 113, LEDs 113 and 114- adjacent to each other on the virtual line B, and lenses 121-164 are arranged in accordance with LEDs 111-154. A light shielding member 17 is moved back and forth while interlocking with the lens 121 or 164. The same image due to first LEDs 111-114 is written on the surface of the photoreceptor by second lenses 161-164.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention focuses light emitted from a plurality of light emitting elements arranged in a row onto the surface of a photoreceptor using a plurality of imaging elements. The present invention relates to a recording method for writing an image according to an information signal on the surface of a photoreceptor by moving at least one of the image elements substantially parallel to the photoreceptor.

The above-mentioned recording method using a solid-state light-emitting element such as a light-emitting diode or semiconductor laser that emits light by itself or an indirect light-emitting element such as a PLZT optical switching element that does not emit light by itself has already been proposed by the applicant. . According to this recording method, it is possible to obtain excellent effects such as being able to prevent a decrease in resolution even if the distance between each light emitting element is relatively large.

However, according to this conventional recording method, if each optical element is not properly attached at a predetermined position, one imaging element is formed entirely on the surface of the photoreceptor.
One image is formed at the joint between the next image and the image formed on the surface of the photoreceptor through the adjacent imaging element, and a blank area is created where the discontinuous part of the image is formed. 1. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide a recording method capable of reducing the above-mentioned drawbacks.

Next, in order to understand the present invention, an example of a recording device to which the method according to the present invention can be applied and a conventional configuration example will be explained with reference to the drawings, and the above-mentioned conventional drawbacks will be made clearer.
Advantageous embodiments of the invention will also be described in full detail.

FIG. 1 shows an example of a recording apparatus to which the present invention can be applied. In this apparatus, a photoreceptor 1 serving as a recording medium is formed into a drum shape. The photoreceptor 1 is rotated clockwise in the figure.

A charger 2 charges the surface of the photoreceptor to a predetermined polarity. The thus charged photoreceptor portion is irradiated with light by the imaging device 3 in accordance with the information signal, and an image (electrostatic latent image) is formed thereon. This imaging device 3 has conventionally been constructed as shown in FIG. 2, and in the present invention it is constructed as shown in FIG. 4, but details regarding these will be described later. The electrostatic latent image formed as described above is visualized by toner in the developing device 4, and the visible image is transferred to the transfer paper 6 by the transfer device 5, and thus the transferred image is The resulting visible image is fixed onto the transfer paper by a fixing device 7. 8 is a cleaning device for cleaning toner remaining on the surface of the photoreceptor 10, and 9 is a static eliminator for erasing the latent image. .

The general configuration of the recording apparatus shown in FIG. 1 is as described above. Next, an explanation will be given of the imaging device 3 shown in FIG. 2, which is constructed according to a conventional recording method. This imaging device 3 includes a first
As shown in the figure, there are a plurality of light emitting diode array chips IO arranged parallel to the axis A of the photoreceptor 1, and these chips 10 have diode array chips IO. A large number of light emitting diodes (light emitting elements) are arranged parallel to the axial direction of the light body 1 at equal intervals. FIG. 2 shows these light emitting diodes (hereinafter referred to as LEDs) 11. , 112.
+1. , 114... are extracted and shown.

These LEDs are.

All rows are arranged along an imaginary line marked with the symbol B, and this imaginary line B is relative to the surface of the photoreceptor 10, or more precisely, to the axis A of the photoreceptor 1 (FIG. 1). and parallel to each other. Photoreceptor 1 and L E l) 11. , 112..., each L E D 11. , 112..., a plurality of L/7s 12. , 122.123.12.・
... is provided, and these lenses +2. , 122... are arranged in a row along a second imaginary line C parallel to the imaginary line B. Moreover, these lenses are 121.122.
... are all integrally supported so as to be able to reciprocate a predetermined stroke Dy along the virtual line CVc.

That is, each lens 12. ．． 12□..., the reciprocating motion is repeated from the initial position shown by the chain line, through the intermediate position shown by the solid line, to the terminal position shown by the broken line, and then back to the initial position.

Now, as explained earlier, the surface of the photoreceptor is charged, and this charged portion reaches a position facing the imaging device 3. At this time, each lens 12. , 12□... are reciprocating as described above, and each L E D 11. .

At 112..., the light emitting or non-emitting state is controlled according to an information signal from a control section (not shown). The luminous flux from the emitted LED is transmitted through lenses 121, 12, . . . corresponding to each LED. ... is focused on the surface of the photoreceptor, thereby exposing the photoreceptor 1.

The image (electrostatic latent image) described above in connection with FIG. 1 is written on the surface of the photoreceptor according to the information signal. More specifically, for example, when the lens 122 is in the initial position shown by the chain line, the L E corresponding to this lens 122 is
D 112, for example, emits light.

The emitted light beam is focused on the surface of the photoreceptor by a lens 122, and the surface of the photoreceptor is exposed to light in a dot shape, thereby forming a first pixel 13. is written n1 then this lens 12. When L E D moves slightly to the right in FIG. 2, L E D 11. If it is emitting light, a second pixel 13. will appear on the surface of the photoreceptor. is formed.

Of course, if the LED does not emit light at these times, the portions of the first and second pixels 131 and 132 will not be exposed.

As the lens 12□ moves in this way, the LEDn□ selectively emits light according to the information signal as one hour passes, and by the time the lens 12□ reaches the terminal position, the information signal is transmitted to the range indicated by E2. Image (latent image) corresponding to
is written. Images can be written in the same manner when the lens 122 moves backward. Such an operation is performed by other L E D 111.113.11. ... and the lenses 121°, 123h, 124..., and this operation is performed continuously as the photoreceptor l rotates, so a predetermined two-dimensional image is formed on the photoreceptor. You will be robbed. 14 in Figure 2 is one LE.
This is a fixed light shielding member for preventing the emitted light flux from D from reaching the surface of the photoreceptor via a lens that is not compatible with this LEI.

According to the configuration described above, each lens 121.12□...
Since recording can be performed while moving the light emitting diode array chips, high resolution can be obtained, and the space between the LEIJs in each chip can be made large. This can prevent problems such as an increase in the pitch between the LEDs. However, as explained above, in the configuration according to the conventional proposal shown in FIG.
If the synchronization between the drive of the lens and the operation of the lens were slightly out of sync, there was a risk that discontinuities would occur in the image formed on the surface of the photoreceptor. That is, one L E D shown in FIG.
n, and a lens 12 corresponding to this lens. and by.

An image is formed on the surface of the photoreceptor in the area indicated by E.

Kono L E D 11. Ic adjacent -+7. L E D
11. , Trace 12. An image is formed in the range shown by E2 from the image data, but if the LED1ll or the lens 121 is not attached even slightly, the rightmost pixel 13n of the range E, as shown in FIG. and range E
, the leftmost pixel 13. A slight gap F is created between the two, and this has the disadvantage of creating a discontinuous part in the image. Although it is possible to eliminate such inconveniences by, for example, accurately positioning and mounting each optical element at a predetermined position, it is difficult to do so due to the manufacturing technology or the equipment. (Manufacturing) This causes a significant increase in Th.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of an imaging device configured according to the recording method according to the present invention, and since this imaging device 3 can also be used by being attached to the recording device shown in FIG. When explaining the device 3, reference will be made to FIG. 1 as necessary).

The imaging device 3 shown in FIG. 4 also has a plurality of light emitting diode array chips 10 (FIG. 1) parallel to the axis A of the photoreceptor 1, and these chips IO also have L E D 11. .

15,,112.15□+"3+...154 are arranged at equal pitches on an imaginary line B parallel to the axis A of the photoreceptor.
ing. In this case, the code 111.112.11 in FIG.
3.114 (LEI), and the corresponding lenses 121.12□, +231124,
As shown in FIG. 2, the lenses L E D 111 to 114 and the lenses 21 to 124 are provided in exactly the same arrangement relationship. The configuration shown in FIG. 4 is different from that in FIG.
．． , 112 and 118, +1. and I+4... exactly in the middle position.

1 other ED 15. ．． 15□, 15. , IT)
4 are provided respectively.

L power 4 fL1-, LED15. , 152.153th
1541c compatible jrut, 'ns 161.162.163
．． 16. are respectively cast, and instead of the fixed light shielding member 14 shown in FIG.
A light shielding member 17 that reciprocates in conjunction with the light shielding member 17 is provided. And lens 16. , 16. .

+6. , '16. are also located on a second imaginary line C parallel to the imaginary line B, and each of these lenses has other lenses 121 and 12 . that are adjacent to each other. ．． 122 and 123.12. and 124..., and all lenses 12. 164 to 164 integrally reciprocate by a predetermined stroke Di.

For the sake of simplicity, the operation of the apparatus shown in FIG. 4 will now be described assuming that the light shielding member 17 is not provided.

As mentioned above, L E D n,, n2 shown in FIG.
．． l1sa114 and corresponding lens 12. ,
12□m 123a 124 (hereinafter, this will be referred to as the first LED as necessary) is:
It has exactly the same structure as the LED and lens shown in FIG. ? -La 1 L E D Ill, 1
12.113.114 (!: 7jg I L' depending on the second
An image is written on the surface of the photoreceptor 1 in exactly the same manner as described above with reference to FIG. Therefore, in this case as well, Runs 12. to 12. moves forward to the right in FIG. 4, and at this time, the first LEI)11. From 114vc,
Considering the case where n images are respectively formed in the ranges shown by s El+ E2i Ei E4 on the surface of the photoreceptor,
When this operation is performed, the other LED 15. ,1
s2. +5. , +54 (hereinafter I 2nd LE as necessary)
D) corresponding to the lens 16. to 164 (also referred to as second lenses).

Runs 12. It integrally moves to the right together with 124 to 124.

At that time, the second L E D 15. 154 also control their light emitting/non-light emitting states according to the information signal, and the emitted light flux is controlled by the second lens +6. Photoreceptor 1 by 164 to 164
However, nVcJ- is focused on the surface of the first LED.
11° to 11. The same image is written on the surface of the photoreceptor. In other words, photoreceptor 1 is the first LE.
I) lt, thru 114 and 2nd L E D 15. to 15. and 1 for example 1 second LED+5
2t - two first L E D 112 located in between
．． 113, n to the ranges indicated by E2 and E, respectively.
An image is written to the right half of the range E2, E2', and the left half of the other range E3, the two first LP;

The second L E D 152 located between 113 and the first L E D 112. II, FCj
D An image having exactly the same form as the written image is written overlappingly. On the contrary.

In order to avoid such duplicate writing, the second L
This limits the emission and non-emission of ED152.

Such an operation is also performed for the other 1st LED and 2nd LED, so that the same image is written twice on one line on the surface of the photoreceptor.

In both end regions of the photoreceptor, an image is written once, but this writing will be explained later).

This kind of writing for one line (main scanning) is performed on the photoconductor l.
As the light is continuously rotated in the sub-scanning direction, a two-dimensional image is formed on the surface of the photoreceptor by two exposures. It goes without saying that an image can be written even when the lens moves forward from 12 degrees to +64 degrees.

As mentioned above, write the image twice on the surface of the photoreceptor.
As described above with reference to FIG. 3, two adjacent pixels 13n, 13. generated by two adjacent first pixels 13n, 13. or slightly apart
Even if a situation arises that could result in
), pixels 13m and 13m+1 are formed, so
Both images 131, 13. formed by the first LED. There are no discontinuities in between, or there are no noticeable discontinuities like in the past! The quality of 1ll1 images is improved.

By the way, the light shielding member 17 described above is provided with a plurality of light passing holes 18 arranged at six equal pitches as shown in FIG. It reciprocates in a direction parallel to the axis of the photoreceptor in synchronization with the movement of the photoreceptors 154 to +64, and at this time, the light from each LED 154 passes through the light passage hole 18 in the form described above. Images can be written on the photoreceptor.

The reason why the light shielding member 17 is not fixed and is moved back and forth in synchronization with the lenses 121 to 164 is that if the entire image is written on the photoreceptor 1 multiple times, the pitch p between the lenses 12 to 164 will be reduced. is smaller than the pitch P between the elements in Fig. 2, and in the fi'i'l constant light shielding member, the light from one ], E l) is adjacent to this L E
]) It becomes difficult to prevent the light from being incident on the lens corresponding to the photoreceptor l, and there is a possibility that unnecessary light may be incident on the photoreceptor l. A narrow light passage hole 18 as shown in FIG.
Let only the necessary light pass through.

This light shielding member 17 and the lens 12. If I move it in synchronization with 164, will unnecessary light reach the photoreceptor? This can be reliably prevented.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 4, the light shielding member 17 is placed close to the photoreceptor 1, but the light shielding member 17 is not limited to this position, but can be placed at an appropriate position in the optical path between the LEIs 111 to 154 and the photoreceptor 1. A member can be provided. In this case, the movement stroke of the light-shielding member differs depending on the position where the light-shielding member is provided, so the movement stroke of the light-shielding member is set each time so that an image can be written on the photoreceptor 1 in the form described above. Of course it should be done.

In addition, lenses 121 to 16. For example, ordinary lenses made of glass or the like may be used, and a large number of lenses may be arranged as shown in FIG. 4, but as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7,
A large number of lenses 12 are formed by molding the plastic material 1 (e.g.)' MMA (polymethylmethacrylate) into one piece.
．． Lens array 19 integrally formed into a plate shape from 164 to 164
You can also use wo. Or, instead of the usual q) lens, a focusing light transmitter (rod lens) facing the LED.
Of course, it is also possible to use a full array of convergent light transmitters.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 4, the number of times an image is written in both end areas of the photoreceptor l is 1, so a little explanation will be added regarding this point.

Now, to simplify the explanation, as shown in Figure 4, the rightmost l of the hole is
) E IJ 15. Assuming that is the rightmost LED of all the LEDs, there is no 1・l> 1) in the outer sac 1 than this LED 154, and therefore in the range E5 to the right of the range shown by E4. Since there is no pixel to the right of the rightmost pixel in the range E due to only the LED 154, this pixel does not have the problem shown in Figure 3, that is, the problem of gaps between pixels. This does not occur at all, and therefore, even if the number of times that an image is written in range E is one, the inconvenience as in the conventional case does not occur. Kon
is the leftmost 1. ET) The same is true for the image formed by K-shape formation.

However, the visible image of the image f' formed by one exposure is 2
The density is lower than the visible image of the image formed by the light of the second time, so this is the best! Although there is a risk of causing density unevenness,
When this cannot be ignored, the range E at the right end of the photoreceptor l
, and write a valid image only on the portion of the photoreceptor that receives two exposures, without using the leftmost range.

Now, in the above-mentioned embodiment, lens 12. to 1
The photoreceptor 64 is moved in a direction parallel to the axis AI/c of the photoreceptor 1, and the photoreceptor lf is continuously rotated at a constant speed in the sub-scanning direction. However, with this configuration, there is a risk that the following inconvenient noises may occur.

FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram showing the magnificence body 1 developed and schematically showing the pixels formed on the surface thereof.5. Photoreceptor 1
moves in the sub-scanning direction indicated by arrow G, and the lens moves in a direction 11VC perpendicular to this sub-scanning direction G. In this case, an example is two runns 122m 124. (Fig. 4) Preservation of the image that is formed when it goes back and forth ■2. ■, and
These lenses 123.13. Assuming that the image formed when the second lens 162 between
If the moving speed of I2.3 is relatively slow, each surface image I2. J.
(3) has a relatively large inclination (angle θ) in the sub-scanning direction G, and the interval K between each image in one scanning direction G becomes relatively large.
・However, in reality, the lens movement speed is usually made much larger than the movement speed of the photoreceptor 1 in the sub-scanning direction G. Therefore, the above-mentioned interval is It becomes negligibly small and the image can be written twice on the photoreceptor with virtually all the pixels overlapping each other. However, in some cases, the above-mentioned interval K may become so large that it cannot be completely ignored.
E T) When one line of image is written by steps 111 to 154, the photoconductor l is stopped, and when this writing is completed, the photoconductor is rotated by this one line (this (No image is written during rotation.) Next, VC is applied to stop the photoreceptor 1 and write the next line of image.
As shown in FIG. 9, the misalignment can be avoided by writing images that are aligned in the axial direction of the photoreceptor 1 twice, one over the other. Alternatively, each lens 12. The moving direction H of 164 to 164 is 2. Second. A predetermined image can be formed by tilting the imagers 2, J, and I by an angle θ in a direction opposite to the tilt direction shown in FIG. 10 (see FIG. 10).

In the configuration shown in FIG. 4, an image is written twice on the photoreceptor 1c, but the number of times of writing is not limited to two times, but may be three times or more. The discontinuous portion of the image described above can be made less noticeable.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 11, each of the first L P, D
11. , 112..., the 21st of the five
EI) +s1.152... are provided, and these L
N lenses are provided corresponding to E and I), and the photoreceptor l is exposed six times. In this case as well, each LEDH is controlled to emit light or not to emit light in accordance with the information signal divided according to the number of times the images are superimposed.

Images are overlapped six times on the photoreceptor.

Various advantageous embodiments of the present invention have been described above.

The present invention can be constructed by further modifying the above embodiments. For example, instead of using an LED as a solid-state light-emitting element, a semiconductor laser may be used, or instead of a direct light-emitting element like this, an indirect light-emitting element that does not itself emit light, such as an L'LZi' optical switching element, may be used. etc. can also be used. Furthermore, instead of reciprocating an imaging element such as a lens, it is also possible to move a light emitting element such as an LEI, or to move the imaging element and the light emitting element together.

Further, when a light shielding member is used, the light passing hole may be simply formed of a simple through hole, but it is also possible to attach a filter or the like to the light passing hole as required. Also, recording devices other than the device shown in FIG. 1, such as devices in which the photoreceptor is formed in the form of a belt or sheet, direct copying type recording devices that use the photoreceptor as a final copy sheet, etc. The present invention can also be applied in accordance with the same idea as in the embodiment described above. , furthermore, when using LED7 as one light emitting element, 50μ
It is also possible to use a small LED 2 of about 50μ x and form an image on the photoreceptor at the same magnification, but in the recording method that is the subject of the present invention, the distance between each light emitting element can be increased, so for example, 300μ x It is also possible to use a dog-sized LED-6 with a diameter of about 300μ, which is easy to manufacture. For example, resolution can be improved by using such a large-sized LED.

As can be seen from the above description, according to the present invention, the intended purpose can be achieved with a simple configuration.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a recording device to which the present invention can be applied, and FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a configuration according to a conventional recording method.
An example of a conventional imaging device is shown in FIG. 3, which is a schematic diagram schematically showing pixels or images formed on a photoreceptor by the device in the entire image. FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram similar to FIG. 2 of an imaging device constructed in accordance with the method according to the invention. Fig. 5 is a plan view showing an example of a light shielding member, Fig. 6 is a plan view showing a lens array in which a plurality of lenses are integrally constructed, Fig. 7 is a front view of Fig. 6, and Fig. 8 is a drum. FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram similar to FIG. 7 showing that a uniform image is formed on the photoconductor;
FIG. 0 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a state in which the moving direction of the lens is tilted, and FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram similar to FIG. 4 showing an embodiment in which an image is written on a photoreceptor at 6 degrees. ■...Photoreceptor; 17...Light shielding member; 18...Light passing hole; To the representative patent attorney Norio Hoshino) Figure 1 Figure 2 Figure 3 Figure 5 Figure 6 Figure 7 figure

Claims (2)

[Claims] (1) The luminous flux from a plurality of light emitting elements arranged in a row is focused on the surface of a photoreceptor using a plurality of imaging element consonants, and at the time of focusing, at least one of the light emitting elements or the imaging element is exposed to light. In a recording method in which an image according to an information signal is written on the surface of a photoreceptor by moving it approximately parallel to the body. The recording method described above, characterized in that an image is written at least twice on at least a portion of the surface of the photoreceptor on which the image is written, using different light emitting elements. (2) The luminous flux from the plurality of light emitting elements arranged in a row is focused on the surface of the photoreceptor using a plurality of imaging elements, and at this time, at least one of the light emitting elements or the imaging element is In a recording method in which an image is written on the surface of a photoreceptor in accordance with an information signal by moving the photoreceptor substantially parallel to the photoreceptor. writing the image on at least a portion of the photoreceptor surface on which the image is to be written at least twice by different light emitting elements; and a plurality of lights capable of passing the light to the photoreceptor surface on which the image is to be written. The recording method characterized in that a light shielding member having a passage hole is moved in synchronization with movement of at least one of the light emitting element and the imaging element.