JPS608955B2 - Imaging device - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION This invention relates primarily to printing devices, and more particularly to printing devices that rely on a non-impact imaging process and are somewhat similar in appearance and function to type printing.

Much effort has been devoted to research and development in recent years, resulting in many improvements in printing devices.

Many modern types exhibit complex characteristics that allow them to make excellent copies in both manual and automatic modes.
For example, instead of the usual moving key rack system used in most typewriters, at least one typewriter utilizes a rotating "daisywheel" that moves across the outside of the paper to be printed. and
This eliminates the need to move the lotus rack. Similarly, developments were made to produce quieter typewriters as well as mechanically simpler typewriters that were more reliable.
The further printing speeds now available result in a highly efficient automatic mode.

Peripherals such as magnetic cards and tape units are commonplace. These storage and command units are
Facilitates error correction, data storage, and replay of small line copies. Some currently known typewriters also have the ability to receive and process instructions from a computer. Even with the advent of electronic components such as the keyboard disclosed in U.S. Pat. or other receiving medium used must be struck.

Similarly, although typewriters have become much more reliable, they still use a relatively large number of parts. On top of that,
Commonly used mechanical impact printing devices require a large number of parallel printing elements to obtain high speed printing, thus limiting maximum printing speed or cost. The imaging device according to the present invention includes:
an elongated platen for supporting a receiving medium; a print head running along the length of the platen and mounted adjacent to a surface thereof; and an image of the character to be printed on the print head for forming an image of the marking material. additional imaging means for supplying an image of the marking material to the printhead, means for advancing the printhead along the length of the platen, and a first control means for controlling the operation of the means for advancing the printhead and the means for transferring the image of the marking material to the receiving medium. It consists of control means.

In addition, this print head further determines the intermediate surface (the surface of the ribbon-like or drum-like member) on which the image of the marking material to be transferred onto the receiving medium (such as paper) on the platen is formed, as the image forming position and the transfer surface. and means for imagewise depositing marking material on the intermediate surface, and means for transferring the image of the marking material formed on the intermediate surface to a receiving medium on the platen. Therefore, when an image such as a character to be printed is supplied to the print head from the additional image forming means, the marking material adhering means is applied to the intermediate surface at a predetermined image forming position guided by the intermediate surface guiding means. The action forms an image of marking material corresponding to the applied image, which is then transferred by action of the transfer means onto a receiving medium on the platen as the intermediate surface is guided to the transfer position.

In this case, the operation of the advancing means for advancing the print head and the transfer means for transferring the images of the marking material is controlled by the first control means, whereby images of the marking material are successively transferred to predetermined positions on the receiving medium. be done. In order that the invention and other objects and features may be better understood, various preferred embodiments of the invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Briefly, FIG. 1 is a general diagram of the printing apparatus of the present invention. The typewriter 1 has a keyboard 2, a platen 3 for holding and transporting a receiving medium, and a printhead 4, which may take several forms as described below. Control and operating mechanisms are housed within the housing 5. Also shown in this figure is an optional automatic control unit 6 attached to the typewriter by cable 7.
It is shown. The control unit 6 is generally a storage device in the form well known in the art as a magnetic tape or magnetic card unit, but may also be an electronic storage device or a transmission device from a remote source. Any suitable source of automatic control can be used. From FIG. 2a, a print head drive and generalized exposure device are shown.

Within the housing 5, a cylindrical platen 3 is supported at its ends to regulate rotation and advancement about the axis of a receiving medium partially wrapped around it. The platen may be of any suitable construction well known in the art. The print head 4 is slidably mounted on two shafts 10 and 11 that allow the head to move axially along the length of the platen as commanded by a drive mechanism. The print head 4 can take any of a number of shapes, as described below, but generally uniform transfer of marker material to the receiving medium is desired, so the actual print position is as close as possible to the axis of the platen. It is desirable that the surface be substantially flat. The entire drive mechanism includes an electric motor 12 coupled at one end to an imaging material supply and take-up roll drive 13.
driven by.

The rotational force is transmitted from the motor shaft 14 to the shaft 16 via pulleys 17, 18 and a belt 19. The two clutches adjust the amount of rotational force transmitted to the coaxial shaft 24 under the control of the character feed lever 22, thereby operating a winding wheel (not shown). Rattle wheel 26 controls the outer portion of coax 24 to which an ejection reel (not shown) is attached. When the pawl 28 works, it is the pawl wheel 26.
The reel is moved to uncouple the imaging material, and the delivery reel is placed under tension so that new imaging material can be delivered.
Although the take-up and traverse reels are not shown, they may take any suitable form known in the art and may be mounted in any conventional manner so long as they are controlled by coax 24. The imaging material on the reel is kept under constant tension by a suitable spring and roller system (not shown) attached to the character advance lever 22, so that any slack associated with the supply of new material is taken up by the winder. Activate the module. At the opposite end of electric motor 12, drive shaft 38
is a synchronous cam printhead drive 4, which is described in detail below.
0' is connected.

The output of the printhead drive 40 is primarily focused on a drive pulley 42 that is turned clockwise or counterclockwise. A control cable 5 is fixed at both ends to the print head 4 and slides the print head via fixed pulleys 44-48 along axes 10 and 11 in response to rotation of the drive boot 142. The dial 52 also has a synchronous cam print head drive device 4.
Driven by 0.

The character disk 52 is described in more detail in U.S. Pat. It is a flat disk with alphanumeric parts. The particular character to be printed is placed in the window 54 so that the lamp 56
The illumination from the lenses 58 reflects the image of the letters on the mirror 60. Lamp 56 can take many forms of fast-switching, high-intensity devices, but for purposes of illustration it will be a xenon flash lamp. The image on mirror 60 is transmitted by lens 62 to mirror 64 and then to lens 66. Lenses 62 and 66 are focused at infinity, but have appropriate relative sizes and focal lengths to produce a desired size image on the exposed surface even as the print head 4 is repositioned. Within the print head 4 there are rows that direct the image onto the recording medium either simultaneously with or prior to transfer to the receiving medium.

lamp. Housing 68 has a switching mechanism and electrodes for lamp 56. The printhead drive mechanism shown in FIG. 2A further includes auxiliary devices for moving the print transfer member of the printhead 4 into and out of contact with the receiving medium of the platen 3.

This auxiliary device is shown in detail in FIG. 2B. Many of the embodiments described below include a finger-like print transfer member, generally indicated at 30 in FIG. 28, which is slidably attached to the printhead 4 and
It moves into and out of contact with the receiving medium of the platen 3. The image-bearing material (which constitutes the imaged intermediate surface of the marking material) is slid or moved across member 30 and selectively pressed into contact with the receiving medium to create a transfer. The lever 32 is fixed to the pivot at a fulcrum 33, with one end attached to the member 3 and the other end fixed to a cable 34, so that when the cable is pulled, the member 30 moves into contact with the receiver. The member 30 is biased by a spring device 31 to assist in the return movement. The cable 34 goes around a pulley 39 and returns to the print head 4, where it is fixed. solenoid 36
is attached to one of the pulleys 39 and pulled towards the stop member 35 by the force of the cable by the spring 31. When solenoid 36 is actuated, it pulls the attached pulley outward, overcoming the force of spring 31 and pulling lever 32.
move. Thus, it can be seen that the action of solenoid 36 causes cable 34 to pull lever bar 32, thereby moving print transfer member 30 into contact with platen 3. It also goes without saying that the member 30 is on the top surface of the base;
Preferably, the remaining components are on the underside or inside the base. Referring again to FIG. 2A, it will be appreciated that platen 3 may be rotated by any of a number of structures well known or easily configured by those skilled in the art.

For example, a stepper motor with gears mounted on the platen shaft can provide complete control of the relative positioning of the printhead and receiver medium. By using sufficiently small steps, plotting and subscript printing are easily obtained. Alternatively, various ratchet and solenoid structures can be used. The main function of the synchronous cam printhead drive 40 (see Figure 3) is to ensure synchronous and phased movement between the printhead 4 and the constant speed and relative position of the character disk 52 when printing. It is to be.

As mentioned above, printing occurs when the xenon lamp 56 emits light that is transmitted through the rotating character disk and the correct character is imaged onto the moving printhead. Since the characters on the character disk are displaced in a helical manner, the print head is moved so that the image of the selected character from each character set on the disk is placed in the same lateral position on the paper (receiving medium). The printhead 4 is actually driven by a force spring 7 which is rewound during the printhead return operation.

However, the speed at which the force spring can move the head is limited by an overspeed limiting clutch 72 that is geared directly to dial 52. The force spring and overspeed limiting clutch are identical to the output shaft 74 to which the drive pulley 42 and control ratchet wheel 76 are attached. Control ratchet wheel 76 is actuated by two motorized detent pawls 78 and 80 and a cam actuated pawl 82.

The pawl 82 constantly vibrates under the influence of the cam 84 and the cam follower 86 and, when released by the latch solenoid 88, moves to rotate the ratchet wheel 76 clockwise. When latch solenoid 88 is energized, it places inserter 90 between latch 92 and cam follower arm 94. arm 94
When the latch 92 is pressed against the inserter 90 by the cam 84, the latch 92 is pulled so as to engage the teeth of the ratchet wheel 76.
Press 2 to release the pawl arm 96. The motion imparted to the ratchet by the cam through the pawl causes the ratchet (and thus the printhead) to be up about 11'Z of spaces (the teeth of the ratchet), and then the cam Force spring 7 accelerates the vehicle forward until the speed is limited by overspeed limiting clutch 72. The pull pawl 82 is moved away from the ratchet teeth by a release lever 98 at the same time that the speed of the ratchet wheel is limited by the clutch. This limit is the synchronous speed at which printing occurs while the motion of the character disk and printhead are in phase. The pawls are held apart by their respective electromagnets 100 and 102 until they are released to stop the ratchets, at which point one of the pawls is released by its electromagnet and the teeth of the appropriate ratchet are held apart. engages with each other and stops the claw wheel. The ratchet wheel 76 is comprised of two phase shifting ratchet plates. Detent pawl 78 operates on one disc of ratchet wheel 76 and detent pawl 80 operates on the other ratchet plate. That is, one detent operates on all even character positions and the other detent operates on odd character positions. The tab 82 spans both disks. The ratchet wheel is driven in the return direction when the friction reverse drive 106, energized by the reverse solenoid 104, rewinds the force spring 70. Synchronous cam printhead drive 40 shown in FIGS. 2A and 3! However, a DC step motor can be substituted to obtain suitable and similar results.

Of course, the output shaft of the step motor controls the movement of drive pulley 42 and dial 52. Control Circuit In FIG. 4, the basic connections of the control circuit are shown.

Command signals are supplied through the keyboard 2, the storage device 6, or the communication device 100. Communication device 100 is a communication source such as a telephone, while storage device 6 is typically a magnetic tape, card, or disc recorder or reader. These command signals are in the form of electrical pulses directed to control logic circuit 102. Control logic 102 is the brain of the device and serves as the control center for all activities that occur during the printhead. The logic circuit 102 is, for example, one manufactured by Fairchild Corporation. It can take any form known in the art, such as a computer, or can be constructed by one skilled in the art based on the requirements of the device. Control logic circuit 102 provides electrical pulse signals corresponding to command signals received by a 1/0 (input/output) controller that selectively activates various system elements as shown.

The control logic circuit 102 has an internal clock function, and also includes a memory device for permanently storing the last specified number of command signals, for example, 8 or 1, and an additional memory device for storing another 5 to 1 fixed command signals. It is equipped with the last 8 or 10 command signals whenever the interval between two consecutive signals is greater than a certain minimum time (e.g. 1/4 second);
They are printed all at once, that is, all at once. The 1/4 second delay can be increased to 1-2 seconds at operator selection.

This delay gives the operator an opportunity to eliminate errors of the type detected in real time by erasing the memory prior to the delay time. The time selected will typically be within the normal speed range for a person of ordinary skill in touch typing. Storage for the last 8-10 characters is optional.
Additional storage is used to print one print at a time during normal continuous type operation. This allows for more efficient use of consumable materials, as will be explained later, and also reduces noise, mechanical stress levels and wear. From control logic 102, command signals are directed to the operating elements of the device in the correct order as shown.

Although the circuit elements of the device can take any conventional form,
For convenience and to save cost and space, these are generally solid-state. Additionally, specific circuit elements and arrangements are not shown because there are an infinite number of possible designs and the desired sequential operation is well understood in the art once described. An imaging process known as liquid reprographic printhead reprographic imaging has been described in the prior art (see, eg, US Pat. No. 3,707,368).

In said patent, which is hereby incorporated by reference, a weakly adhesive photosensitive imaging layer (constituting the intermediate surface) is photosensitized by a liquid and sandwiched between two sheets. The imaging layer is then exposed to a pattern of chemical electromagnetic radiation and an exposure field which produces a positive image on one sheet and a negative image on the other sheet upon separation of the sandwich. The actual structure of printhead 200 is shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B.

Ribbon feeding (including two sandwiched sheets);
The base member 201 is illustrated as a generally rectangular plate, although the exposure and transfer mechanisms can all take any suitable shape.
Supported by However, the material for making the base member is not a problem; it is desirable to choose a material with low mass.
A set of guides that can be rotatably mounted on the base member.
Rollers 202, 204, 206, 208, 210, 21
2 and 214 are sized to at least guide and support the ribbon as it is fed through the printhead. Guide roller 214 is larger than the other rollers because it can substantially reverse the direction of the ribbon. Electrodes 216 and corona discharge tube lines 218, also fixedly supported on the substrate, create and maintain an electric field across the ribbon sandwich as it moves through the imaging section of its way to the transfer point. . The shielding member 219 has a corona discharge within desired limits and serves to stabilize the charging current. Electrode 216 is generally constructed of an electrically conductive material, at least along its green in sliding contact with the ribbon opposite corona discharge tube wire 218 . Corona discharge tube wire 218 charges the copying sandwich while allowing images to be transmitted therethrough. The corona discharge tube wire 218 may also precede the exposure step and consist only of pointed electrodes that make light contact with the surface of the copying sandwich. The corona discharge tube line is small and out of the focal plane of the lens system, so it does not interfere with imaging. The print transfer member 220 is the base member 2
01 so that its pressure point 222 can bring the ribbon into and out of contact with the receiving medium of platen 3.

Movement of section 220 is controlled by cable 34 as shown in Figure 2B. An illumination device associated with base member 201 also images the desired alphanumeric characters onto the ribbon for reproduction on the receiving medium.

A lens member 66 is placed on the edge of the base member 201 and holds the image 90.
It is optically connected or combined with a reflecting mirror 230 in the base member for zero reflection. The image then passes through opening 531 and past corona discharge tube line 218 onto mirror 232 which directs the image onto the ribbon. Mirrors 230, 232,
and lens 66 provides an exposed band on the ribbon that is at least two characters wide. This corrects the movement of the printhead while waiting for the desired character on the character disk 52. A liquid application roller 234 is placed in the gap created by separating the ribbon sandwich.
is placed appropriately.

This roller serves to apply the activating liquid to the ribbon and is made of porous metal, plastic or fabric. A variable pressure storage container 236 is attached to loaf 235 via conduit 235 and supplies liquid active agent thereto on command.
In operation, print head 200 is moved along two axes 10 and 11 by command via control cable 50.

The base village is placed at a distance from the platen 3, so that a receiving medium, for example a sheet of paper, can be affixed to the platen and the print head can also be moved unhindered relative to it. The ribbon initially has a receiving layer 238 (forming the intermediate surface) and a donor layer 24.
It is a two-part sandwich with 0. As the sandwich structure passes through rollers 206, it separates into two layers, one layer 238 being directed to rollers 214 and the other layer 238 being directed to rollers 208. The liquid application roller 234 is placed in the gap created by the separation process, and the receiving layer 238 is used as a guide. After passing through rollers 204 and before receiving layer 238 comes into intimate contact with donor layer 240, receiving layer 238 is applied with a layer of active liquid, thereby regenerating the original sandwich structure. Rollers 204, 206 and 208
The relative layering action of causes the ribbon sandwich to advance into snug contact with the electrode 216. Corona discharge tube 21
8 deposits a charge on the outer surface of donor layer 240, thus creating an electric field in the manifold sandwich. The image of the character is focused onto the ribbon through an illumination device, which creates a latent image thereon.

As the ribbon traverses the print transfer member 220 and as the print head 200 moves along the length of the platen, the print transfer member 22 begins to move toward the platen. When the ribbon sandwich is separated again, receiver layer 2
At 38 an image-shaped distribution layer of marking material is formed. Once the marking material reaches the pressure point 222,
It extends the longest and continues to push the marking material onto the receiving medium of platen 3. The movement of the printhead creates a wiping action that deposits the marking material onto the receiving medium. The print transfer member then transfers the next image-shaped marking layer or returns to its rest position. The donor layer is roller 2
08, 210 and 202 to a take-up reel (not shown), which can be the same reel that receives layer 238. Thermal Reproduction Printheads Another form of reproduction described in the prior art is referred to as "thermal" reproduction.

This process is well described in US Pat. No. 3,598,581, the entire disclosure of which is fully incorporated herein by reference. Basically, a sandwich consisting of a donor sheet, a weakly adhesive photosensitive layer, a low melting point layer, and a receiver sheet is heated above the melting temperature of the low melting point layer, uniformly charged, and subjected to static sericulture. A latent image is created in the photosensitive layer and the sheets are separated to create a positive and negative image corresponding to the latent image on two heads. -6th A
6B, a construction of a printhead 300 suitable for use with the imaging process described above is shown.

The ribbon feeding, exposure and transfer mechanisms are all supported by a base member 301 which may take any suitable shape but is illustrated as a generally rectangular plate. The material from which the base member is made does not matter much, but it is desirable to choose one with low mass. A set of guide rollers 302, 304, 306 and 308 rotatably mounted on the base are sized to at least guide and retain the ribbon as it is fed through the printhead. A heated roller 31 is placed close enough to the exposure field to heat activate the ribbon for proper imaging. The heated aura has a contact time of
It is larger than the rest of the guide rollers because of its ability to activate the ribbon with its temperature and contact area. Electrodes 312 and corona discharge tube wires 314, which are also fixedly attached to the substrate, create an electric field across the ribbon sandwich as it moves through the imaging device on its way to the transfer station. . Electrode 312 is generally comprised of a conductive material, at least along its edge that contacts the ribbon facing corona discharge tube wire 314 . Corona discharge tube wire 314 can charge the ribbon while transmitting an image past it. The print transfer village 316 is slidably attached to the base member such that its pressure points 318 can move the ribbon into and out of contact with the receiving medium of the platen 3.

The movement of the material 316 is controlled by the cable 34 as shown in Figure 2B. Also associated with the base member is an illumination device by which the desired alphanumeric characters are imprinted on the ribbon to be reproduced on the receiving medium.

A lens member 66 is placed on the edge of the base member 301 and focuses the image 90
o Optically connected or combined with the reflector 320 in the reflecting base village. The image then passes through closure 322 to mirror 324 which directs the image onto the ribbon at a 900 angle passing by corona discharge tube line 314 which is shielded by member 315. Mirrors 320 and 324 and lens 66 provide an IJ bong exposure zone that is at least two characters wide. This allows for correction of printhead movement while waiting for the desired character to appear on the character disk 52. During operation, print head 30 and control cable 5
0 along two axes 10 and 11.

The base member is moved away from the platen 3 so that a receiving medium, such as a sheet of paper, is affixed to and moved relative to the platen and is not disturbed from the printhead. The ribbon is initially a two-part sandwich consisting of a receiver ribbon 326 (forming the intermediate surface) and a donor ribbon 328. As the ribbon moves from a green output reel (not shown) above the printhead, it is caused to pass around a heated roller 310 that initiates imaging of the ribbon. The ribbon then passes between electrode 312 and corona discharge tube wire 314. Corona discharge tube wire 314 creates an electrostatic field across the ribbon sandwich. When an electrostatic field is created in the ribbon and heated, E
The image of the letter O is focused onto the ribbon through an illumination device.

The ribbon traverses the print transfer member 316 and the print head 3
As 00 moves along the platen, the print transfer member 316 begins to move toward the platen. ribbon. When the sandwich is separated, the receiver layer 3261 has formed an image-shaped distribution layer of marking material. Once the marking material reaches the pressure point 31M, it extends to its longest extent and forces the marking material onto the receiving medium of platen 3. The movement of the print head also produces a wiping action that deposits the marking material onto the receiving medium. The transfer section transfers the next image-shaped marking image or returns to the rest position.The donor layer 328 is connected to the guide bone roller 384-98.
8 and 3Q8 to a take-up reel (not shown), which may be the same reel that receives layer 326. Both copying imaging methods can be used in other printing embodiments showing increased reliability and increased efficiency in the use of imaging materials.

7A and 7B show a non-impact printing device based on the t-liquid copying method. In front of platen 3 is Myra (
There is a closed loop 350 (forming the middle surface) of insulating material, such as DuPont polyester membrane, which is in the form of a ribbon about 1/2 inch wide.

An open roof placed in front of and in contact with the closed loop. 3
52 is a low-adhesive donor ribbon supported by guide mother rollers 354, 356, take-up reel 358, and delivery reel 3601.

Closed loop 35Q is supported by guide rollers 362-365. A liquid activator is applied at or near the point where one IJ bong first makes contact. Liquid application roller 366
fulfills this function. The two IJ bombs are sandwiched together and then charged by a shielded corona discharge tube 368 with a conductive ground roller 367 serving as a counter electrode, exposing the imaging mirror 37M.
The posterior pattern of active radiation is formed by a lens 372 and a mirror 374.
as described in the previous embodiment.
The sandwich is then separated and the developed image on ribbon 350 is directed to the area between platen 3 and transfer member 376. The print transfer member 376 includes a low mass plate 378 that is attached to the bar member 3801 so as to slide against it.

This board is driven by cable 6Q under the control of the logic circuit.
I is moved along the bar. Pressure member 384 also moves into contact with and away from ribbon 350 as shown in FIG. 2B under the commands of the logic circuitry, thereby transferring the image to the receiving medium of platen 3. This operation starts when the ribbon 356 stops after the line of the character t image is formed at the desired position. Continuing around the loop 35Q', you will reach 3 cleaning units, 3 cleaning units, and 6 cleaning units each having something like a paddle to remove untransferred material.

It has therefore been found that the closed loop 35 can be reused, thereby reducing the material costs of the device.

No.? Figure C is a variation of the above device, with a ribbon 352
is shown in closed loop 390.

A cleaning station 392 (wiper 394) must be added thereto and an applicator roller 396 applies photosensitive ink material to the insulating ribbon 390. Examples of this figure are Figures 7A and 7B.
It should be noted that the liquid application roller 366 shown in the figure is not required. The above device shown in FIG. 7A is ~liquid application roller 3
It is further noted that using a heated roller in place of 66 may also be used in thermal copying mode.

Separation Aid Loaf: In one mode of the reprographic imaging apparatus described above, it is necessary for the sandwich to be corona charged for imaging.

Typically this is achieved by corona charging the imaging member to the conductive auxiliary surface or roller. The auxiliary roller of FIG. 8 has been found to significantly improve the charging process in that it greatly reduces any problems with arcing between the corona electrode and the conductive counter electrode. Corona Charging Block 1 Generally, there is a support block 2 and a thin metal wire 3.

The auxiliary roller 4 has insulating end portions 5 and 6 and a conductive central portion 7. The roller 4 is electrically grounded. The tread member 8 closely contacts the guide portion of the roller 4 but is wider than the length of the central portion 7. This closes the arc path between the corona electrode and the central part 7. Flash-Exposed Particle Transfer Printhead In the printing method described in U.S. Patent Application Ser. ing.

This application is fully incorporated herein by reference. The print head 400 using the above image forming process is the 9th A.
and FIG. 9B.

Ribbon feeding, exposure and transfer mechanisms are all based on Base Village 401.
This base village 401 can take any suitable shape, but is shown as a generally rectangular plate. Although the material from which the base member is made does not really matter, it is desirable to choose one with low mass. Guide rollers 402-405, which are rotatably mounted in the base village, are at least sized to guide and hold the ribbon as it is advanced through the print head. Rollers 403 and 404 allow ribbon 406 to be placed on platen 3 to provide a small gap for the marking material to "jump".
It is placed in such a way that it makes light contact with the platen 3 or is placed a little away from the platen 3. The print head 4001 is also combined with an illumination system by which the desired alphanumeric characters are imaged onto the ribbon and reproduced onto the receiving medium.

One end is connected to the character disk 52 (the second
A flexible fiber optic element 408 protrudes through the base 401 adjacent to the fiber optic element 408 (see Figure A) and is directed toward the ribbon 406 (which constitutes the intermediate plane). The fiber optic has a length and deflection that allows the print head to move freely back and forth along its print path. Although a xenon flash tube can be used in this embodiment, it is preferable to use a laser at 56 in FIG. 2A because of its strong energy aggregation.

In operation, print head 40 is moved along two axes 10 and 11 by command via control cable 50. The image is focused onto the ribbon 406 through the illumination system and the marking material is transferred to the receiving medium. The ribbon advances as the printhead and the next image is transferred. Note that the desired printhead movement relative to the ribbon is obtained while the ribbon remains stationary. Additionally, in a related imaging method described in U.S. Pat. Moving.

The complete description of this patent is hereby expressly incorporated by reference. The printhead embodiment shown in FIGS. 9A and 9B is easily modified to use the above principles by adding a dispenser roller in place of guide roller 402, thereby directing liquid onto ribbon 406. It is applied uniformly.

This embodiment is enhanced by the provision of small, closely spaced protrusions on the ribbon 404 to direct liquid away from the surface of the receiving medium (paper). Electrophotographic printheads such as U.S. Pat. No. 2,919,967, 3,02
A large amount of technical material, as represented by Nos. 3,731 and 3,064,25, has been accumulated over many years in the technical field also called electrophotography.

Generally speaking, such electrophotographic devices include an insulating member or sheet between two electrodes, one of which is shaped into a desired shape. When the three are in close contact and the electrodes operate, a charge pattern corresponding to the desired shape is created on the insulation village.

This image is then xerographically or otherwise developed and the image is transferred to a receiving medium. Figures 10A and 10
Figure B shows a new printhead 500 suitable for using the imaging process described above in a useful manner. The various mechanisms for ribbon feeding, image formation, development, and transfer are all connected to the base member 50.
1, this base member can take any suitable shape, but is shown as a generally rectangular plate. The material from which the base member is made does not really matter, but it is desirable to choose one with low mass. A closed loop electrode belt 502 is freely movably suspended between an idler roller and a drive roller (not shown).

The idler roller and drive loaf are placed at opposite ends of the printhead motion path and are actuated by logic circuitry to position the appropriate character electrode between the ribbon 508 (which constitutes the intermediate surface) and the potential source 503. . Controlled by step motor. The electrode belt has an insulating support 503, best seen in FIG. 10C, a letter-shaped conductor member 505, and a conductive connector 507 extending from the back of the ribbon to member 505. Thus, as can be seen, when a potential is applied between the insulating support 503 and the electrode 510, an electrostatic character is deposited on the ribbon 508. The insulating ribbon 508 connects the electrode belt 502 and the electrode 51
0 and is in close contact with the electrode 510, but maintains a distance of 40 microns or less from the belt 502. Ribbon 508 is further placed along the edge of electrode 510, around print transfer member 512, around guide rollers 514, and onto a driven take-up roll (not shown). Control logic directs the appropriate character electrodes of belt 502 to align with electrodes 510 and pulse the electrodes, thereby depositing a static latent image on ribbon 508. The ribbon is advanced and developed into print transfer member 5.
Comes into contact with 12. The print transfer village 512 is slidably attached to the base member 501 so that its pressure points 516 can move the ribbon into and out of contact with the receiving medium of the platen 3.

Movement of member 512 is controlled by cable 34 as shown in Figure 2B. Development can be obtained by any of the well known xerographic methods including touchdown, magnetic brush, etc.

For explanation purposes, a thermal SLIC development method will be described. A rod of developer material 520 within housing 518 is spring loaded into contact with a heated gravure roller 522 . The developer 520' is solid at room temperature but becomes liquid when heated. Gravure is heated. Roller 522 develops a static latent image on the ribbon 508 as it passes in contact therewith. The embodiment shown in FIGS. 10D and 10E is not significantly different from the embodiment shown in FIGS. 10A and 10B.

Heated gravure roller 524 is also an electrode and serves the same function as member 510 of FIG. 10A. The main difference is
The configuration of FIG. 10D has greater electrostatic development forces because the image-shaped electrostatic charge on ribbon 508 must split the respective electric fields between electrode 510 and gravure roller 522. Additionally, a thinner membrane can be used in this embodiment. Xerographic print head with liquid developer Conventional xerography typically produces a charged image on a photoconductive or insulating sheet, which is then deposited according to the electrostatic latent image to produce a visible record. Apply an electrostatic attraction material and develop.

An alternative development method disclosed in U.S. Pat. A static latent image is developed by applying it to the image surface. The above process is now performed by SLIC (SimpleLjgyamadink, C
The new print head of FIGS. 11A, 11B and 11C is also used.

Print head 60 has a base member 601 that supports the necessary exposure, development, and transfer mechanisms. The base member may take any suitable shape, such as the rectangular plate shown, and may be made of any suitable material, preferably a material of low mass. The heart of this xerographic printhead is a photoreceiver 602 containing a photosensitive material in the form of a layer or binder.

Any optical receiver known in the art may be used, such as U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,621,248 and 3,667,945.
I think what is shown in the issue is appropriate. The receiver is drum-shaped and rotated about its axis by a stepper motor 640 (FIG. 11B), thereby sequentially performing imaging steps on the surface. The height of the drum is preferably at least one character, and the diameter is preferably large enough to allow several characters to be attached at once on the circumference. A live portion 604 is placed in front of the exposed portion and is an element well known in the art for depositing a uniform charge on a surface (see U.S. Pat. No. 2,836;725). 661, reflector 60
6, a sekiguchi 608, and an illumination device having a mirror 610 to expose the desired letters and numbers. In the particular embodiment shown in Figures 1A and 11B, a unique development device is used.

Gravure is heated. The roller 612 is connected to the housing 61
8 is contacted with a solid bar of developer material 614 which is pushed into constant contact therewith by a spring 616. The heat from the gravure is sufficient to liquefy the developer rod, causing it to fill the grooves of the gravure. Dr.Freed 6
13 is located within housing 618 and ensures that the liquefied developer is deposited only within the grooves. When the gravure comes into contact with the latent image, the developer is electrostatically attracted from the grooves onto the ribbon. The print transfer member 620 can be slidably attached to the base member 601 such that its pressure points 622 can be brought into contact with and away from the receiving medium of the platen 3 on the ribbon 624 (forming an intermediate surface). can be moved.

Movement of member 620 is controlled by cable 34 shown in FIG. 2B. In operation, print head 60 is moved along two axes 10 and 11 by command via control cable 50 .

Base member 601 is spaced apart from platen 3 so that receiving media (eg, a sheet of paper) can be affixed to the platen and moved relative to the platen without being disturbed by the printhead. Ribbon 624 is a thin insulating material, such as mylar, and is directed from a green reel (not shown) around guide rollers 626 into snug contact with light receiver 602 . The surface of the receiver is charged and exposed, and ribbon 624 is placed between the receiver and gravure roller 612. Gravure roller 612 then develops the image on the side of the ribbon opposite from the receiver. As the ribbon traverses the sides of print transfer member 620 and the print head moves along the platen, print transfer member 620 begins to move toward the platen.

This movement is controlled by the device shown in Figure 2B. When the developed image reaches pressure point 622, it is in its most extended position and forces the marking material against the receiving medium of platen 3. Movement of the printhead creates a wiping action that deposits developer (marking material) on the receiving medium. The print transfer member then transfers the next image or returns to its rest position. Next, the ribbon 624 is attached to the guide loaf 6
28 to a take-up roll (not shown). An alternative development device is shown in Figure 11C.

Gravure roller 612 is supplied with developer from container 630 by application roller 631 and cleaned by doctor edge 632 before passing through the development zone. Xerographic Printhead (Conventional) 1942 U.S. Patent No. 2,297,6 by Carlson
In the electrophotographic printing process as disclosed in No. 91,
The image carrier having a photoconductive insulating layer is charged to a substantially uniform potential to render its surface photosensitive.

This charged photoconductive surface is exposed to the original optical image. Depending on the intensity of the light projected onto the photoconductive surface, charge is selectively dissipated in the illuminated areas. Development of the static latent image deposited on the photoconductive surface is obtained by contacting it with a developer mixture of carrier particles and toner particles. Typically, the toner particles are heat-fixable, dyed or pigmented, thermoplastic powders, and the carrier particles are in turn ferromagnetic particles. Mixed developers are generally used in which the toner particles acquire an appropriate charge relative to the electrostatic tank image recorded on the photoconductive surface, and the greater absorption power of the static haze latent image causes the single toner particle to be transferred from the carrier fine particles there. stick to,
selected as follows. The toner powder image developed on the photoconductive surface is thus transferred to the sheet of support material. Subsequently, the toner powder image transferred to the sheet of support member is permanently affixed thereto by suitable equipment. Many improvements and discoveries have been made in recent years that make the process described above permeable to a wide range of imaging capabilities. For example, as also shown by the previous examples, it has been found that by placing a thin insulating sheet in front of the glans latent image, the image is developed on the side of the sheet opposite the photoconductor. As you will see further below, this is definitely advantageous in some cases. Figures 12A and 12B illustrate an embodiment of a printhead that uses the xerographic process described above.

Printhead 7001 has a base member 701 that supports the necessary exposure, development, and transfer mechanisms. The base village can take any suitable shape, such as the rectangular plate shown, and is made of any suitable material, preferably of low mass. The heart of this xerographic printhead is a photoreceiver 702 containing a photosensitive material in the form of a layer or binder.

Any receiver known in the art may be suitable. The receiver is drum-shaped and has a step motor 740 (12th
It is rotatably mounted on the drive shaft of FIG.

The height of the drum should be at least one letter, and the diameter should be large enough to allow several letters to be attached at once to the circumference. A live portion 704 is placed in front of the exposed portion and is an element well known in the art for depositing a uniform charge on the surface (see US Pat. No. 2,836,725). The charged receiver is
Lens 66, reflector 706, aperture 708 and reflector 7
The desired letters and numbers are exposed through an illumination device consisting of 10. The electrical port image is created by moving the donor belt 712 very close to, or in light contact with, the image.
The marking material is selectively transferred through development through the Bon Aeontsuru (forming the intermediate surface).

The optionally heated print transfer section is attached so that it rubs against the base member of the mackerel, thereby causing its pressure point to conduct electricity and moving the ribbon into contact with and away from the receiving medium of the platen mackerel. I can do it.

The movement of the village officer 8 is controlled by the cable 8, as shown in the diagram. During operation, the print head is moved along the two ridges and ridges by command via the control cable Hakatsuo.

The base plate is placed away from the platen so that even if a receiving medium, such as paper, is pasted on the platen 8, it can be moved relative to the print head without being disturbed. The ribbon is a thin insulator (eg Tedlar) and is guided from a wire reel (not shown). It is directed around the fin of roller 72 and into tight contact with the receiver. Donation belt Raiden board! It may take many forms known in the art, but for purposes of illustration the conductive base L is assumed to be constituted by a conductive screen with a thin insulating layer and a toner layer thereon. The donor belt applies toner to the Seiryu latent image on the ribbon calligraphy umbrella as the ribbon passes closer. The relatively large guide also has at least one flange that keeps the rollers separated from the top of the toner belt and the top of the donor belt. This separation minimizes background. As the ribbon crosses the print transfer member 7 and the print head 7QQ moves along the platen, the print transfer member 7 begins to move toward the platen.

This movement is controlled by a structure such as that shown in Figure 2B. When the toner image reaches the pressure point 7181,
This is in its most extended configuration and forces the marking material (toner) onto the receiving medium of the platen 3. Movement of the printhead produces a wiping action that deposits the donor onto the receiving medium.The EO transfer member then transfers the next image of marking material or returns to its rest position.The insulating ribbon T1
4 is a guide. It is directed to a take-up roll (not shown) via roller 722, which is similar to the way the donor ribbon used passes through rollers 24 and 6.The take-up roll is the same. However, each ribbon should be fed out 1'
ml (not shown) is provided separately. In the alternative development position embodiment shown in Figure C, the marking material (toner) transfers to the charged knife.

Blade Yuseibako is also very helpful. The charged blade concentrates the electric field in the shape of the toner and helps the toner particles when jumping across the gap in the form of an image.The Tomisato Q diagram and the Kanhair E diagram are shown in the To Kamimitsu A diagram and the younger brother diagram. 2 shows another xerographic embodiment that is substantially the same as that shown in FIG.

The main difference is that the photoreceptor drum is not stationary, but rather moves on command into contact with and away from the receiving medium on the platen 8. During operation, the Toko image is created on the drum 2 and is also developed by the donor belt Aoguan Misaki.

As the drum rotates under the control of the electric motor, it also moves into contact with the receiving medium and transfers the developed image thereto.
controlled as follows. The drum then returns to its initial position to receive the next image. Several developed images can be placed on the drum before transfer, thereby reducing the required drum movement. Although other configurations are possible, the electric motor 74G is rigidly combined with the drum. It is convenient to embody it so that it moves along with it to the receiving medium.

This particular embodiment may optionally include a cleaning section in front of the charging section 704 and near the drum. Such cleaning devices are known in the art and their use presents no problems. Xerographic Embodiment with Transparent Receiver The structure shown in FIGS. 3A to 83B also relates to a non-impact printing device based on well-known xerographic imaging methods.

The keyboard's logic circuit and synchronization head drive are the same as those described in the previous embodiment and will therefore not be described in detail.The platen 3 rotates about its horizontal axis by command signals from the logic circuit and prints information. It serves to move the receiving medium (usually paper) that receives the information.

The printing cycle is primarily one in which an electrophotographic member in the form of a flexible ribbon is carried out by an unwinding IJ roll and a driven take-up roll. The photosensitive member 750 (which constitutes the intermediate surface) is sufficiently transparent to transmit the radiation image and may be of any form known in the art, such as a mylar base (approximately 1 mil), a conductive layer (approximately 50 angstrom), and a photoconductive layer (approximately 1 mil or less) (
(usually organic matter) etc. As you will understand in the explanation that follows, it is desirable that the photosensitive area has a small surface energy so that it can be easily released. This is easily achieved by coating the surface with a release agent such as Teflon. Further, although member 760' is generally considered a disposable component, it can be of such a nature that it can be reused more than once. A photosensitive member (ribbon) 7501 is placed with its photoconductive surface facing the platen 3. The photosensitive member itself is sequentially fed through each process section of a charging section 751, an exposure/developing section 752, and a transfer section 7-53. (FIG. 13B). When a letter key is pressed, the ribbon 75 is moved downward, as shown in U.S. Pat. No. 2,836,725 to VWerberg or U.S. Pat. No. 2,779,957 to Walkup. Corona charging device 754, which can take any form well known in the art.
pass through.

When a uniform charge is placed on the photosensitive member, this
It is further lowered to overlap the bridge member 755 shown in detail in Figure C. The bridge member serves several purposes, primarily as a donor belt 756 with attached toner.
and photosensitive member 750 to ensure a gap of 2 to 10 mils. The photosensitive member 75 is sent to each part by a movable frame member 757.

Since a feed reel 758 and a take-up reel 759 are attached above the frame section 757, these reels move up and down together with the frame member, thereby sequentially feeding the photosensitive member to each section. The winding wheel 759 is an electric motor 76
It is driven by 01. Nut 761 is secured to frame member 757 and threaded onto lead screw 762 . The lead screw is rotatably supported on a support at one end and is driven at the other end by a step motor 763 which is also fixed to the support. When electric motor 763 is energized, lead screw 762 turns and moves frame member 757. Guide rod 764 ensures that the frame members move substantially within the desired path without unwanted movement. Exposure and development section 752
The structure provides flash exposure of the photosensitive member and touchdown development of the static latent image formed thereon.

For convenience, assuming that the front side of the photosensitive member is a photoconductive surface, the apparatus provides exposure through the back side and development on the front side. Exposure head 765 is slidably mounted over axes 10 and li and moves therealong under the control of control cable 50. The negative image (dark background) is projected from the illuminator through the lens 66 to the reflector 766, then through the closure 767 and onto the mirror 768, and finally onto the photosensitive member 7501. This is because the image can be superimposed on the photosensitive member 750.
An endless stream held at the same polarity or potential as
It is a loop electrode.

The belt is placed over the guide rollers so as to pass over the bridge member 755 and through the toner fill chamber 769. In chamber 769, toner 772 is applied onto belt 756 by scraper wheel 770 or other suitable device. Torn outlet 774 acts as a seal to prevent unwanted toner from escaping from the chamber and also ensures that no excess toner is deposited on belt 756. The donor belt is driven by a controlled friction drive roller 776 or other suitable device. After one complete line of characters has been printed, the rack return key is pressed and the photosensitive member 750 with the image attached is moved to the 13th A.
It is moved to the transfer position shown in Figures 1 and 13B.

Thermal transfer element 777 is then moved from its rest position, completely separate from photosensitive field 750, to the transfer position shown in FIGS. 13A and 13B. Rotating solenoid 779 is operated by pivot arm 779 to rotate element 777 approximately 900 revolutions around rod 780 to move element 777 into and out of the transfer position. As best shown in Figure 13D, platen 3
The heated transfer element, which can be bent to fit, has conductive wires 78 inside it to heat the surface (e.g. nickel).
4. Made of rubber-like material (e.g. silicone). Although any suitable pattern of heating wires can be used, a zigzag pattern is shown for illustrative purposes. As an alternative,
The transfer process can be carried out using a relatively small horizontally driven heating shoe, but this is somewhat more time consuming. The transfer element comes into close contact with photosensitive member 750 and platen 3 to effect transfer and fusing.

The rubber-like nature and shape of element 777 are selected so that it and the photosensitive area follow the circular contour of platen 3. The solid state control circuit is programmed to keep the member 750 in the low exposure development position until a serial return key is pressed that causes transfer or a specified amount of time (eg, 1/2 second) has elapsed. The time course is generally related to the speed of the operator and can be adjusted. By creating a time lapse, it is possible to view the imaged lines before transfer, for example to check for errors. This is possible because thermal transfer element 777 is not in its transfer position and the photosensitive member is transparent. If an error is discovered before transcription, the exposure head is spaced back to the last correct character before the error;
Then the wrong key is pressed.

This automatically moves an entirely new segment of photosensitive member and donor into the stereotaxic calendar and reprints the correct row portion from storage. The rest of the next line is correctly filled in manually. After a complete line has been typed, the return key is pressed, the developed image is transferred, the platen rotates one line, and the photosensitive and donor members advance one sequence.

The next line then gets ready to type. In some cases, for example if the type is unusually slow, the charge decay rate of the photosensitive member may affect the quality of the printed image.

This is normally not a problem under normal conditions, but since logic circuits have built-in time control circuits,
If transfer is not initiated within a set time, member 750 is recharged. It is also noteworthy that the operating speed of this embodiment is significantly increased in automatic printing mode by modifying the exposure device to include a second exposure head.

The mounting of the two heads is also such that they are moved around a closed loop such that one head is placed in the stereotaxic layer at the left edge and the other head exits from the position at the right edge.
It needs to change.

The elements described above are coordinated to constitute a device for producing alphanumeric characters on a sheet of paper.

Clearly, therefore, the size of the element is generally large enough to receive standard size sheets (usually 27.94 to 40.64 inches wide). Furthermore, it is clear that the photosensitive elements which are not in a visible position must be protected from room light by shielding the lower area.

FIG. 13E shows a particularly effective alternative developer station suitable for use in xerographic embodiments.

This embodiment may be substituted, for example, for the touchdown developer section of FIGS. 13A and 13B. Photosensitive ribbon member 750
As it moves downward through the corona charging device 754, it is uniformly charged to the position shown in FIG. 13E adjacent to the opening □ of the developer chamber 786.

Developer chamber 786 may be of any suitable size, but generally must be at least as long as print path or platen 3. Below the development chamber is a container containing magnetic development media 788. A spiral cone 790 is placed in the container to ensure uniform distribution of the material and prevent it from clumping. After the electrostatic latent image is formed on the photosensitive member 750', a sufficient amount of magnetic developing material (marking material) 7 is applied.
88 is picked up by magnet 792 and sent to the imager for development.

This magnet may be a permanent magnet or an electromagnet depending on the design concept. It is also noted that the chamber 786 must be narrow enough that the delivered material can be swept by the port image and developed by an appropriate amount of developer material. I want to.Magnet 792
can be made to oscillate between capture and development positions by a myriad of structures, but the illustrated arrangement is extremely simple and reliable.

Magnet 792 is fixed to support arm 794 which pivots about point 796 in response to electromagnet 799. 'imitation797
assists magnet 792 in returning from the developing and capturing position. When magnet 792 is in the developing position, arm 79
4 leans on the cam 787 and causes the magnet to lightly shake the developing material next to the latent image. Although many variations on the structure described above are possible, a device that uses a featured magnet such as 792 for each print location has certain advantages.

Each magnet has its own electromagnet 799, but the energization of the electromagnet is related to the position of the exposed head 765. The advantages of such an arrangement are obvious and produce superior characters. In some cases, for example in automatic mode, it is desired to develop one line of characters at a time. This is the electromagnet 7 that spans the entire length of the print line.
This can be obtained by energizing 98. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the logic circuit provides an internal clock function similar to that described above.

For example, a part of a line of characters is developed with 750 sheets of paper, and 1'
If no further writing is done for four seconds, the photosensitive member will move to the deflection transfer position as shown in FIG. 13B. When the next entry is made, the ribbon will be placed in the 13th B.
It moves down to the exposure phenomenon position shown in the figure and is recharged. next,
The logic and storage moves the head 765 back one character space, re-exposing the previously written character, and exposing and developing the newly written character. This procedure ensures that characters being filled in do not exclude neighboring characters. Xerographic Apparatus with Intermediate Part The embodiment described immediately below, which is similar to the previous embodiment, is based on xerographic technology.

Also, the keyboard control circuitry and synchronization head drive mechanisms described for other embodiments are used here. 14th
From Figures A-14C, platen 3 is rotated about its horizontal axis by command signals from a logic circuit and serves to move a receiving medium (usually paper) for receiving printed information.

The printing cycle primarily involves the various steps that create a developed image on the intermediate member 800 (which constitutes the intermediate surface) that is transferred to the receiving medium. Intermediate member 80 consists of a thin transparent insulating ribbon or wrapping paper (e.g.
Mil's Tedler). Member 800 may include any suitable insulating material to permit image development; for example, paper may serve as sufficient insulation at low operating humidity. A "transparent" material includes a partially transparent material so long as the developed image can be viewed through it. As will be seen, it is desirable for the member 80 to exhibit low surface energy to facilitate release. This is easily achieved by making a low surface energy coating such as Teflon. When a character key is pressed, the photosensitive element 801 moves to the left, e.g., U.S. Pat.
It is lowered through a corona charging device 802, which can take any form known in the art, such as that described in the '957 patent.

The downward movement of the roller includes a return to the exposure and development position of FIGS. 14A and 14B. Simultaneously with the movement of the photosensitive element 801, the intermediate portion 80 falls from the resting position of FIGS. 14A and 14B to the resting position of FIG. The photosensitive element 801 can be moved up and down by any of a number of well-known mechanical, liquid, or electrical devices;
It is illustrated as being secured to a rack 803 at one end and to a slide 805 at the end. The step motor 823 is the gear device 8
25 to the rack 803, and as the motor shaft rotates, the rack moves up and down. The photosensitive element 801 is well known in the art of electrophotography and may be organic or inorganic. Bridge member 804 serves several useful purposes, primarily to ensure a gap of 2 to 10 mils between donor belt 806 loaded with toner and intermediate member 800 . The intermediate member (ribbon) 800 is sent to each part by a movable frame member 807.

A green reel 808 and a take-up reel 809 are rotatably attached to the frame member 807 so as to move up and down together with the frame member 807, whereby the intermediate member (ribbon) is sequentially fed to each part. The winding roll 809 is driven by an electric motor 710'. Nut 811 is secured to frame member 807 and threaded onto lead screw 812 .
The lead screw is rotatably supported at one end by a support and is driven at the other end by a stepper motor 813 which is also fixed to the support. When electric motor 813 is energized, lead screw 812 rotates and moves frame member 807. Guide rod 814 ensures that the frame members move substantially within the desired path without unwanted movement.
Exposure head 815 is slidably mounted on axes 10 and 11 and moves therealong under the control of control cable 50.

The negative image (black background) is projected through the lens 66 onto the reflector 816, through the aperture 817 onto the mirror 818, and thus onto the photosensitive element 801. A negative image is required because it allows a character image to be superimposed on the photosensitive element 801. Toner donor belt 806 is an endless loop electrode that is held at the same potential or polarity as the photosensitive element.

The belt is guided over bridge 804 and through toner fill chamber 819 . placed on rollers. A military air force or other suitable device will then apply a toner weight on it. The splintered exit disc acts as a seal to prevent unwanted toner from escaping the chamber, and the donor belt is fitted with controlled friction-driven rollers to ensure that no excess toner is deposited. An AC corona discharge tube box 26 is placed below the photosensitive element Koji 8.

This discharge tube must be placed before the photosensitive element box and the middle part Muramizo Nezukatsuo are separated from the toner donor belt, and before the photosensitive element box, lightning, and intermediate member holding the image are released. energized. The corona discharge tube is moved to the energized position by the solenoid pupil falling out. Without this corona discharge tube, due to the separation of the intermediate member and the photosensitive element, a mutual repulsion exists between the toner particles forming the image, and the edges of the final image become blurred. can be replaced by a DC corona discharge tube that places a neutral charge on the toner image.Even after a complete line of characters has been printed, the lotus rest key is pressed and the next sequential operation is performed. Photosensitive element 8Q official,
The intermediate member Todai ■ and the bridge part Murara fin Nihonbo are separated and the corona discharge tube flea school 8 is energized. The transfer member 828, which has been moved to the heated position, is controlled by the rod 82g and the rotary solenoid attached to the arm 82g, as shown in Figures 8A and 8. (This section is similar to member 777 of the previous embodiment.)
The heated transfer member 8 is moved to the intermediate member 888 so that it is in close contact with the receiving medium of the platen 3.
The printing head moves all the way to the left, and the donor belt box 86 and the intermediate member 8QO move forward by one complete sequence, and the platen moves by only one line. Rotate.

The heated transfer member 828' is moved approximately 900 degrees into and out of the transfer position by the operation of the solenoid 827 caused by the drive lever G arm 3'. solid state control circuit
Transcription occurs when the lotus return key is pressed or at a specific time (
The member 80 is programmed to remain in the lowered position of FIG. 14C until a period of 1'2 seconds has elapsed.

This time course is generally related to the speed of the operator and can be adjusted. By creating a time lapse it is also possible to view the lines of the image before transfer, for example to check for errors. This is also possible because the heat transfer part 2 box is not in the transfer position and the intermediate member type 8 is transparent.If the error is discovered before the transfer, the exposure head light The space is moved back to the last valid character before , and the error key is pressed.

This causes an entirely new segment of intermediate material to be automatically created, moving the donor to the stereotaxic layer, and reprinting the correct portion of the line from the storage device. The rest of the line is then correctly filled in manually. In some cases, for example if the type is abnormally slow, the charge decay rate of the photosensitive element may affect the quality of the printed image.

This is normally not a problem under normal conditions, but since the logic circuit has a built-in time control circuit, it will not recharge if the transfer is not performed within a set time. Ru. It is also noted that the operating speed of this embodiment is significantly increased by modifying the exposure device to include a second exposure head.

The mounting of the two heads must also be modified so that they are moved around a closed loop so that one head is in the left corner stereotaxic pupil and the other head is moved from the right stereotactic pupil.

The above-mentioned elements work together to form a device for producing alphanumeric characters on a sheet of paper.

It is therefore clear that the size of the element is generally large enough to receive a standard size sheet (usually 27Q94 to 40.64K wide).It is also clear that the photosensitive element must be shielded from room light. be.

It goes without saying that the magnetic developing device shown in Figure 3E of the Little Brother Tatami can be easily replaced with the developing device shown in Figure 4 of Gunkakuko and Figure 4B. Two xerographic embodiments rely on touchdown development to create a visible image on the photosensitive element or intermediate village.

The toner donor belt passes through a groove within the bridge member to precisely position the toner relative to the static latent image.
The device described below is an alternative to a cascade dispenser within a toner dispenser chamber. From FIG. 15A, conductive toner donor belt 840 is made in a closed loop as detailed and placed over the various rollers so as to have a surface that never touches any of the rollers.

This contact surface is highly effective and is suitable as a donor belt surface. The belt 840 itself is described in U.S. Pat.
487,775.

It has been found that most methods of applying marking material to a donor belt provide the marking material with a sufficient triboelectrically created electrostatic charge so that the marking material is releasably affixed to the donor belt.

However, separate devices are known in the art to provide additional electrostatic charge to the marking material for adding charge to the applied donor marking material or for renewing the applied donor belt. These same devices are used to pre-charge the electrically insulating donor belt, thereby increasing its capacity to receive and releasably retain marking material. These devices include those that corona charge the insulating layer and those that place a bias on the conductive layer. For convenience of explanation, the belt 84 is assumed to be a thin insulating layer such as Tedlar.

An eccentric drum 84 supported in a toner reservoir 842
4 creates an electrostatic development field that attracts the toner 843 from the grains 842.

The belt is placed over guide rollers 845-850 in such a way that its toner bearing side never touches the rollers. Corona discharge tube 852 charges the toner layer that is then delivered to a position between rollers 847 and 848. It is in this position that the belt rests against the bridge member mentioned above. Drum 844 is driven by logic circuitry and rotates to frictionally advance the donor belt as necessary. Belt 840 is Mobius (moebi)
us). It should be seen from Figures 15A and 15B that it is made from strips.

That is, the belt is 360 mm wide as shown in Figure 15B.
The shape is twisted in the 0-axis direction. Additionally, it will be appreciated that the toner plate 842 is constantly vibrated to prevent particle clumping and promote particle charging. Additionally, the bowl and drum are sealed to prevent contamination of the equipment by clouds. Alternatively and preferably, the toner grain is replaced by a narrow magnetic brush that deposits the toner layer onto the belt by means of a solid portion of the roller 844 that creates a bias.

Donor Belt An improved donor belt for any suitable development device, particularly those just described, is shown in FIGS. 16A, 16B and 1.
Shown in Figure 6C.

A thin conductive base layer 851, approximately 25-125 microns thick, helps generate and maintain the electric field and also serves as support for the belt.

Any suitable conductive material may be used, ie nickel, copper, aluminum, etc. The thin insulating layer 852 is the conductive layer 8
51 and is placed in contact with this.

Layer 852 is approximately 25-50 microns thick and can include any suitable insulating material such as Tedlar, Mylar or polysulfone. A screen-shaped conductive pattern 853 is then placed on the free surface of the insulating layer 852.

The screen has a layer of conductive material as described above with a pattern of substantially square openings in the range of about 250-350 microns on one side. Preferably, the screen is about 7 to 20 microns thick. The pattern itself may be regular or irregular, but preferably takes one of the shapes shown in Figures 16B and 16C, preferably with an open square area of about 50%. This open square area is provided by lands of approximately 50-70 microns. The donor belt described above, when properly charged or biased, produces a maximum amount of toner in a minimum amount of space, resulting in an excellent touchdown developer.

It will be appreciated that many other modifications to the details, materials, processes, arrangement of parts, and usage herein described and illustrated to represent the nature of the invention will occur to those skilled in the art after reading this specification. It is intended that changes such as parentheses be included within the spirit and scope of the invention.

Although specific components and process steps have been described in the above description of the preferred embodiments of the invention, other suitable materials, parts, elements and process steps may be used as described herein. The results are good and the quality varies.
Additionally, ``other materials, existing or discovered, are added to the materials used herein to combine, enhance, or otherwise modify their respective properties.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the general apparatus of the present invention, FIG. 2A is a partial perspective view of a printhead drive suitable for use with the present invention, and FIG. 2B is a perspective view of some embodiments of marking materials. FIG. 3 is a partially exploded view, partially in cross-sectional view, of a device used to bring the image transfer member into contact with and away from the platen; FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the synchronous cam drive mechanism; FIG. is a connection diagram of a control circuit suitable for use in the present invention,
5A and 5B show top and perspective views, respectively, of an embodiment of a printhead using liquid copying imaging;
Figures 6A and 6B show top and perspective views, respectively, of an embodiment of a printhead using thermal copying imaging, and Figures 7A, 7B, and 7C show an implementation of a printhead using copying imaging. FIG. 8 is a solid view of a grounded charging roller, and FIGS. 9A and 9B are a top view and a perspective view of an embodiment of a print head using flash exposure movement imaging. Figures 10A, 10B,
10D and 10E are top and perspective views of an embodiment of a printhead using electrophotographic imaging;
The figures are Figure 10A, Figure 10B, Figure 10D and Figure 10.
11A and 11B are partial sectional views and partial cross-sectional views of a character electrode belt suitable for use in the printhead of FIG. A plan view and a perspective view are shown respectively, and the 11th
Figure C is a partial view of an alternative developer system for Figures 11A and 11B, and Figures 12A, 12B, 12D, and 12E are implementations of printheads using xerographic touchdown development. The top and perspective views of the example are shown respectively.
FIG. 12C is a partial view of a modification of the touchdown developing device of FIGS. 12A and 12B;
Figure B shows a partial perspective and side view, respectively, of another embodiment of a printing device using xerographic imaging with a transparent receiver, and Figure 13C shows a partial side view of the development area of Figures 13A and 13B. FIG. 13D shows a partial solid view and a partial cross-sectional view of the image transfer member shown in FIGS. 13A and 13B, and FIG. 13E shows the printing device shown in FIGS. 13A and 13B. FIGS. 14A and 148 are partial cross-sectional views of a magnetic development apparatus suitable for use with another embodiment of a printing apparatus using xerographic imaging with an intermediate member; 14C shows a partial side view of the development area of FIGS. 14A and 148, and FIG. 5A shows a partial side view of the development area of FIGS. 13 and 14. 15 is a partial actual diagram of an alternative developing device;
Figure B is a perspective view of the donor belt of Figure 15A;
Figures A, 16B and 16C are illustrations of alternative embodiments of the donor belt. List of component parts, 1...typewriter; charged flock, 2...keyboard; support block,
3...Platen; metal wire, 4,200,300,4
00,600,600,700,815...Print head, 5,518,618...Housing, 6...
Control unit, 7, 34, 50... Cable, 5, 6...
...Insulated end portion, 7...Conductive central portion, 10
, 11, 14, 16, 38, 74... Axis, 12, 6
40,740,760,763,810,813,82
3... Electric motor, 13, 40, 106... Drive device, 17, 18, 39, 42, 44-48. ．． ．． ．． ．．・
Pulley, 19,502... Belt, 20, 72...
...Clutch, 22...Character feed lever, 24...Coaxial, 26,76...Pawl wheel, 28,78,
80,82...nail, 30,220,316,376,
512,620,716,828... Image transfer member of marking material, 31,70,616,797...
・...Spring device, 52...Dial board, 54...
Window, 56... Lamp, 58, 62, 66, 37
2,661...lens, 60,64,230,232,
320, 324, 370, 374, 606, 706, 7
10,766,768,816,818...Mirror, 68...
...Lamp housing, 35... Stopping member, 3
6,88,104,779,827...Solenoid, 3
2,98...Lever, 84,787...Rice arm, 86...
Power follower, 90...Insert, 92...Latch, 94,9
6,779,794,830...Arm, 100,10
2,798,799...Electromagnet, 100...Communication device, 102...Logic circuit, 201,301,401,5
01,601,701...Base member, 202,204
,206,208,210,212,214,234,
235,402-405,514,522,524,6
12,626,628,631,720,722,72
4,726,776,824,845-850...
...roller, 216,312,510...electrode, 218,314,368,826,852...corona discharge tube, 219,315...shielding member, 22
2,318,384,516,622,718...
...Pressure point, 236,630...Container, 235
... Conduit, 238, 326 ... Receiving medium (receiving ribbon), 240, 328, 712, 756, 806, 8
40... Donor belt (donor ribbon), 302,
304,306,308,310.354,356,3
62-367,396...Roller, 350,352,3
90...Closed loop, 358,759,809...
... Winding rule, 360,758,808...
・Line output reel, 378...Plate, 380...Bar member, 386, 392...Cleaning section, 388...
...Blade, 394 ...Wiper, 390,406
,508,624,750,714...Ribbon, 408
...Fiber optical element, 503 ... Potential source (insulating support), 505 ... Conductive member, 50
7...Conductor connector, 520,614,788・
...Developer, 613...Doctor Blade, 6
32... Doctor edge, 602, 702... Light receiver, 60
4,704,751...Charging part, 728...
...Knife blade, 762...Exposure and development section,
753... Transfer unit, 754... Corona charging device, 755, 804... Bridge member, 75
7,807... Frame, 762,812...
Lead screw, 761,811...Nut, 764,780,
829...Rod, 765,815,808...Exposed head, 769,819...Toner filling chamber, 77
0,820...wheel, 772,821,843...
・Toner, 774,822...Exit, 777・
...Thermal transfer element, 784... Conductive wire, 786...
...Development chamber, 790...Spiral cone (au bag R), 792
...Magnet, 800...4 Intermediate member (ribbon), 8
01...Photosensitive element, 803...Hand, 8
25...Gear device, 842...Toner tray, 844
... drum, 851 ... conductive base layer, 852 ...
... Insulating layer, 853 ... Conductive pattern. f/6' Meta technique 2 Po'〆G28 'So63 How to hit G4 (So G3 In case N G Ta a Row 6 6 phantom (N G68 'n G slip force] G Ka G inside) Rumor Confinement ? & fin Z after 2 phosphorus after 98 (NG＾りA (NG＾OG strokes G＾○C strokes 6＾ri d line) Gノ 8 FノG Buddha illusion power G〃8 strokes Su G Butsu C Batting force G Po4 (Power G I26 Force G Sohi f7 G20 Whereabouts G'Zodo'34 (So6-/38 'ノ6/3C 'So6^3ri (SuG.'3) Do'6. Sugii Rikisu G Sugi 8 Mundane.'guC (Power G'58 Power 76 meta. Power 76^6o (Ryo Gi 6b Power Su Gno 6C)

Claims (1)

[Claims] ■Claim 1 In an image forming apparatus, (a) an elongated platen 3 for supporting a receiving medium;
(b) a print head 4,200,30 running along the length of said platen and mounted adjacent to its surface;
0, .
350, 406, ... 702 to the image forming position and transfer position.
, 302, . . . 722, and marking material applying means 216, 21 for applying marking material to the intermediate surface in correspondence with the image to form an image of the marking material on the intermediate surface.
8,232,240,...704,708,712, and transfer means 220,316...702 for transferring an image of the marking material formed on the intermediate surface to the receiving medium supported by the platen. print head,
(c) additional imaging means 52 cooperating with said print head for supplying to said print head an image of the character or the like to be printed for forming an image of said marking material on said print head;
, 54, 56, 60, (d) print head advancement means 12 for advancing said print head along the length of said platen;
40, 42, 50, (e) controlling operation of said advancing means for advancing said print head and said transfer means for transferring an image of said marking material to said receiving medium, such that said image of said marking material is transferred to said receiving medium; and a first control means 102 for causing the image to be transferred to a predetermined position of the image forming apparatus. 2. In claim 1, the first control means has a calculation means 102 for controlling the operation of the advancement means and the transfer means, and the calculation means is adapted to respond to an electrical command signal. The image forming device characterized by: 3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising an electronic keyboard 2 connected to the calculation means as a generation source of the electrical command signal. 4. According to claim 3, said additional imaging means for forming an image of marking material on said print head comprises a movable opaque mask 52 having a number of transparent parts in the form of an image.
an illumination means 56 for emitting electromagnetic waves through one of the transparent portions at a time towards the printhead; and moving the opaque mask relative to the illumination means thereby illuminating the remainder of the plurality of transparent portions. moving means 52 for causing selective illumination of the mask; and second control means 40 for moving said moving means relative to said illumination means to said opaque mask, said second control means 40 being connected to said computing means and for causing said first The image forming apparatus further comprises: the second control means cooperating with the control means. 5. According to claim 4, said opaque mask is a substantial disk 52 having said transparent portions in a helical arrangement along its circumference, said disk being moved under the control of said moving means. The image forming device is capable of rotating. 6. In claim 5, the advancement means for advancing the printhead comprises a drive pulley 42 and at least one idler pulley wrapped around a cable and fixed to the printhead at both ends. 48, wherein each pulley is positioned relative to each other and to the print head such that rotation of the drive pulley moves the print head along the length of the platen. image device. 7. In claim 6, the print head comprises: a fixed support 10 that moves along the length of the platen;
, 11, the base member 201, 3 is slidably attached to the base member 201, 3
01, for supporting an elongated wrapping paper-like intermediate surface along the edge of the base member adjacent to the platen so as to guide it;
Guide means 212, 216 attached to the base member
, 302, 312; and additional imaging means attached to the base member for forming an electrostatic latent image on the intermediate surface corresponding to the transparent portion of the opaque mask. Means 216, 218, 232, 234
, 310, 312, 314, 324; said marking material application means comprising means 240 on said base member for depositing marking material over the electrostatic latent image; and said intermediate surface carrying an image of marking material. the transfer means comprising fingers 220, 316 movably attached to the base member for pressing the transfer medium into contact with the receiving medium supported by the platen. The image forming device. 8 In claim 7, the transfer means:
a lever arm 3 pivotally connected to said base member;
2, one end of which is fixed to the finger-like member 30,
said lever arm fixed at its other end to a cable 34 exiting from said base member in a closed loop and fixed at its other end to said base member; and solenoid means 36 in contact with said cable, said solenoid means, when actuated, said cable reduces the effective circumference of said closed loop, actuates said lever arm, and causes said finger member to move toward said platen. The image forming device characterized by: 9. In claim 8, the means for forming an electrostatic latent image corresponding to the transparent portion of the opaque mask on the intermediate surface is rotatably fixed to the base member and is in contact with the intermediate surface. an electrostatic photosensitive drum member 602;
charging means 604 affixed to the base member to charge the surface of the drum member with a substantially uniform charge;
means 610 attached to the base member for receiving an image-shaped illumination pattern from the illumination means and for exposing the photosensitive drum to create an electrostatic latent image. . 10 In claim 9, the marking material adhering means for adhering the marking material onto the electrostatic latent image is placed close to the photosensitive drum member and rotatably fixed to the base member; The image forming apparatus is characterized by comprising: a gravure roller 612 that moves an intermediate surface between the two and brings it into contact with both; and an application means 614 that applies a marking material to the gravure roller. 11. The image forming apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the application means includes a liquid application means 614. 12. According to claim 10, the gravure roller is heated and the application means includes means 61 for forcing soluble solids into contact with the gravure roller.
6. 13. In claim 9, the marking material application means for depositing marking material onto the electrostatic latent image comprises means 712 for depositing marking material in the form of individual particles onto the electrostatic latent image. The image forming device characterized in that. 14. In claim 13, the marking material adhering means for adhering the marking material in the form of individual particles comprises: forming an electrostatic latent image on the intermediate surface;
Or at the same time, the imaging device includes a guide roller 722 that brings the donor member into contact with the intermediate surface. 15 In claim 14, the guide
Rollers are placed on either side of the point of contact between the intermediate surface and the donor member, and electrodes 728 biased to transfer discrete particles of marking material to the electrostatic latent image are placed on either side of the point of contact between the intermediate surface and the donor member. The image forming device is placed next to the image forming device. 16. In claim 3, the print head further comprises a base member 501 slidingly attached to a fixed support member for movement along the length of the platen, and the additional imaging means comprises:
an electrode means 510 attached to said base member, and an imaging means 502 adapted to contact said electrode means and to contact said intermediate surface for forming an electrostatic latent image on said intermediate surface; The imaging means is supported and guided at least in part by support means 504 attached to the base member, and the marking material application means is arranged to apply marking material to the electrostatic latent image on the intermediate surface. means 522 attached to a member, said transfer means comprising a finger movably attached to said base member for pressing said intermediate surface to which an image of marking material is applied into contact with a receiving medium of said platen; shaped member 51
2. The image forming device characterized in that it has: 17 In claim 16, the image attachment means comprises an electrically insulating belt member 5 made in a closed loop.
02, the belt member having a conductive image pattern 505 continuously spaced along the belt with a conductive connector 507 passing through its thickness, opposite ends of the path of the print head. a second control means 40 is supported between a drive roller and an idler roller 504 located on the base member and in contact with the electrode means 510 and the support means; The imaging device is connected to the drive roller, is connected to the calculation means and cooperates with the first control means for controlling the position of the image forming device. 18. In claim 17, the electrode means comprises two adjacent electrodes 510, 503 adapted to receive the insulating belt member and an intermediate surface therebetween, and the marking material application means: a guide member 510 attached to the base member and configured to guide and support a paper wrapper-like intermediate surface between the device for producing and the transfer means; and a guide member 510 attached to the base member close to and separated from the guide member. a gravure roller 522 rotatably fixed so that an intermediate surface can move therebetween and come into contact with them;
The image forming apparatus further comprises a coating means 520 for applying a developing material to the roller. 19. The image forming apparatus according to claim 18, wherein the application means includes a liquid application means 520. 20. The imaging apparatus of claim 18, wherein said gravure roller is heated and said application means includes means for pressing soluble solids into contact with said gravure roller. 21. According to claim 18, the transfer means comprises a lever pivotally connected to the base member.
an arm 32 fixed at one end to the finger 30, at the other end fixed in a closed loop to a cable 34 exiting the base member, and at the other end fixed to the base member; an arm 32; and a solenoid means 36 in contact with the cable, the energization of which reduces the effective circumference of the closed loop, pivots the lever arm, and moves the finger toward the platen. The image forming device characterized in that it has the solenoid means. 22. In claim 17, the electrode device includes an electrode member 510 fixed to the base member,
The marking material processing means includes: a conductive gravure roller 522 rotatably fixed to the base member adjacent the electrode member, thereby moving an intermediate surface between and into contact with the gravure roller; The image forming apparatus further comprises a coating means 520 for applying a marking material. 23. The image forming apparatus according to claim 22, wherein the application means includes a liquid applicator 520. 24. The imaging apparatus of claim 23, wherein the gravure roller is heated and the application means 520 includes means for pressing soluble solids into contact with the gravure roller. 25. According to claim 22, the transfer means is a lever arm 32 pivotally connected to the base member, one end of which is fixed to the finger member 30 and the other end of which is connected to the finger member 30 in a closed loop. said lever arm being secured to an elongate cable 34 extending from said base member in the form of an elongate cable 34 extending from said base member and secured to said base member at the other end; and solenoid means for contacting said cable, thereby causing said solenoid means to said solenoid means being such that upon operation, the effective circumference of said closed loop is reduced, said lever arm pivots, and said finger moves toward said platen. image device.