JPS61267021A - Light valve device - Google Patents

Light valve device

Info

Publication number
JPS61267021A
JPS61267021A JP60108683A JP10868385A JPS61267021A JP S61267021 A JPS61267021 A JP S61267021A JP 60108683 A JP60108683 A JP 60108683A JP 10868385 A JP10868385 A JP 10868385A JP S61267021 A JPS61267021 A JP S61267021A
Authority
JP
Japan
Prior art keywords
light
liquid crystal
slits
endless belt
shutter
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Pending
Application number
JP60108683A
Other languages
Japanese (ja)
Inventor
Takashi Suzuki
隆史 鈴木
Toshinao Shinpo
俊尚 新保
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Seiko Epson Corp
Original Assignee
Seiko Epson Corp
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Seiko Epson Corp filed Critical Seiko Epson Corp
Priority to JP60108683A priority Critical patent/JPS61267021A/en
Publication of JPS61267021A publication Critical patent/JPS61267021A/en
Pending legal-status Critical Current

Links

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  • Printers Or Recording Devices Using Electromagnetic And Radiation Means (AREA)
  • Liquid Crystal (AREA)
  • Mechanical Light Control Or Optical Switches (AREA)

Abstract

PURPOSE:To prevent completely light from leaking while holding the area of each dot as small as possible and to form high-contrast images by scanning an electrooptic light valve through slits. CONSTITUTION:The light valve device 14 has a linear light source A arranged on the back surface of a liquid crystal shutter 6 and is arranged so that the moving direction of an endless belt is made coincident with the axial direction of a photosensitive drum B driven by a motor which turns in synchronism with a main scanning signal from a host device. When the linear light source A is turned on, light beams facing slits 3, 3... of a shutter member 1 among light beams transmitted through transmission windows 9, 9... of the liquid crystal shutter 6 illuminate the photosensitive drum B and light facing the endless belt 2 except at the shutter is cut off completely by the endless belt 2 and never leaks out. When a belt driving motor is driven, the slits 3, 3... of the shutter member 1 move as shown by an arrow U to scan the same positions of the respective light transmission windows 9, 9... of the surface of the liquid crystal shutter 6.

Description

【発明の詳細な説明】 (技術分野) 本発明は、静電写真式プリンタ装置やディジタル型複写
装置に適したライトバルブ装置に関する。
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION (Technical Field) The present invention relates to a light valve device suitable for an electrostatographic printer device or a digital copying device.

(従来技術) 静電写真式プリンタ装置やディジタル型複写装置は、ホ
スト装置からの信号により開閉するライトバルブを介し
て感光体表面にドツトパターン状の潜像を形成し、この
潜像をトナーにより顕像化して用紙に転写するものであ
る。
(Prior Art) Electrostatic printers and digital copying machines form a latent image in the form of a dot pattern on the surface of a photoreceptor through a light valve that opens and closes in response to a signal from a host device, and then uses toner to transfer this latent image. It is visualized and transferred onto paper.

このライトバルブは、長尺状ガラス基板の表面に複数ド
ツト長分の長さを持つ共通電極を形成してなる一方の基
板と、1ドツト分毎に分割された信号′21!極を形成
してなる他方の基板間に液晶化合物をサンドイッチ状に
挟んで長袖方向にドツト窓を配設し、各電極に対して信
号を入力して液晶物質を明状態、または暗状態に切換え
ながら光源からの光を透光、または遮光するように構成
されている。
This light valve consists of one substrate formed with a common electrode having a length equal to the length of multiple dots formed on the surface of a long glass substrate, and a signal '21! A liquid crystal compound is sandwiched between the other substrate forming the electrode, and a dot window is arranged in the long sleeve direction, and a signal is input to each electrode to switch the liquid crystal substance into a bright state or a dark state. However, it is configured to transmit or block light from the light source.

しかしながら、液晶物質は、暗状態にあっても明状態の
1割程度の光を透過してしまうため、形成される画像の
コントラストが低くなるという問題があった。
However, since liquid crystal materials transmit about 10% of the light even in a dark state than in a bright state, there is a problem in that the contrast of the formed image is low.

(目的) 本発明はこのような問題に鑑み、非選枳状態にある透光
窓からの漏光を可及的に少なくしてコントラストの高い
画像形成を可能にする新規なライトバルブ装置を提供す
ることを目的とする。
(Objective) In view of these problems, the present invention provides a novel light valve device that minimizes leakage of light from a light-transmitting window in a non-selective state and enables high-contrast image formation. The purpose is to

(発明のiN嬰) すなわち1本発明が特徴とするところは、電気光学的光
弁とスリット走査を併用した点にある。
(Invention of the Invention) That is, one feature of the present invention lies in the combined use of an electro-optical light valve and slit scanning.

(実施例) そこで、以下に本発明の詳細を図示した実施例に基づい
て説明する。
(Example) The details of the present invention will be described below based on illustrated examples.

第1図は、本発明の一実施例を示すものであって、図中
符号1は、シャッタ部材で、遮光性を持つ無端状ベルト
2に移動方向(図中矢印U)に直交するスリット3.3
.3・・・・を等間隔見、で設けるとともに、この無端
状ベルト2を駆動モータの回転軸に取付けられた駆動ロ
ーラー4とフイドルローラ5.5.5に張設し、無端状
ベルト2により囲まれた空間に光源を収容可能に構成さ
れている。これらのスリット3.3.3・・・・は、後
述する液晶シャッタ6の透光窓9.9.9・・・・をス
リット3.3.3・・・・が走査するに要する時間中に
被照射体、例えば感光体ドラムの移動距離に相当する長
さ文2と、1ドツト分の幅を持つように形成されている
。6は、前述の液晶シャッタで、第2図に示したように
、シャッタ部材1に設けもだスリット3.3.3・・・
・のピッチ文、を1区間とし、始端と終端が立2だけず
れるように斜め方向に延長されて1ドツト分の幅を持つ
透明信号電極7.7.7・・・・を平行に形成する一方
、透明信号電極7.7.7、・・・・以外の領域を遮光
部8として長尺状の透光窓9(第3図)を設けた第1の
基板10と、透明共通電極を形成した!g2の基板11
の間に液晶物質12を介装するとともに、両基板10.
11の表面に偏光板13.13を配設して構成されてい
る。この液晶シャッタ6は、第3図に示したようにシャ
ッタ部材1の無端状ベルト2の裏面に対向させて平行に
配設されている。
FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of the present invention, and reference numeral 1 in the figure is a shutter member, which has slits 3 in an endless belt 2 having light-shielding properties perpendicular to the moving direction (arrow U in the figure). .3
.. 3... are provided at equal intervals, and this endless belt 2 is stretched around a drive roller 4 and a fiddle roller 5, 5, 5, which are attached to the rotating shaft of a drive motor, and is surrounded by the endless belt 2. The structure is such that the light source can be accommodated in the space provided. These slits 3.3.3... are used during the time required for the slits 3.3.3... to scan the transparent windows 9.9.9... of the liquid crystal shutter 6, which will be described later. It is formed to have a length 2 corresponding to the moving distance of the object to be irradiated, for example, a photosensitive drum, and a width corresponding to one dot. 6 is the aforementioned liquid crystal shutter, and as shown in FIG. 2, the shutter member 1 is provided with additional slits 3, 3, 3...
The pitch sentence of ・ is taken as one section, and transparent signal electrodes 7, 7, 7, etc., extending diagonally and having a width of 1 dot, are formed in parallel so that the starting end and the ending end are shifted by 2 vertical points. On the other hand, a first substrate 10 is provided with a long light-transmitting window 9 (FIG. 3) with the area other than the transparent signal electrodes 7, 7, 7, . . . as a light-shielding portion 8, and a transparent common electrode Formed! g2 board 11
A liquid crystal material 12 is interposed between both substrates 10.
Polarizing plates 13 and 13 are disposed on the surface of 11. As shown in FIG. 3, the liquid crystal shutter 6 is disposed in parallel with and opposite to the back surface of the endless belt 2 of the shutter member 1.

次に、このように構成したライトバルブ装置の動作を、
静電写真式プリンタ?1.置に適用した場合を例に採っ
て説明する。
Next, the operation of the light valve device configured in this way is as follows.
An electrostatographic printer? 1. This will be explained using an example where the method is applied to a specific location.

図中符号14は、前述のライトバルブ装置で、液晶シャ
ッタ6の背面に線状光源Aを配置するとともに、図示し
ないホスト装置からの主走査信号に同期して回動するモ
ータにより駆動される感光体ドラムBの軸方向に無端状
ベルトの移動方向を一致させて配設されている。
Reference numeral 14 in the figure is the aforementioned light valve device, in which a linear light source A is arranged on the back side of the liquid crystal shutter 6, and a photosensitive device driven by a motor that rotates in synchronization with a main scanning signal from a host device (not shown). The endless belt is arranged so that its moving direction coincides with the axial direction of the body drum B.

このように構成された装置において、線状光源Aを点灯
すると、液晶シャッタ6の透過窓9.9.9・・・・を
透過した光の内、シャッタ部材lのスリット3.3.3
・・・・に対向する光は、感光体ドラムbを照射し、ま
たスリット以外の箇所、つまり無端状ベルト2本体に対
向する光は、無端状ベルト2により完全に遮光され、外
部に出ることはない。
In the device configured as described above, when the linear light source A is turned on, some of the light transmitted through the transmission windows 9,9,9,... of the liquid crystal shutter 6 is transmitted through the slits 3,3,3 of the shutter member l.
The light facing the... irradiates the photoreceptor drum b, and the light facing the parts other than the slits, that is, the body of the endless belt 2, is completely blocked by the endless belt 2 and does not exit to the outside. There isn't.

このような状態において、ベルト駆動モータを駆動する
と、シャッタ部材1のスリット3.3.3・・・・が矢
印U方向に移動して液晶シャッタ6面の各透光窓9.9
,9・・・・の同一箇所を走査する。各スリット3.3
.3・・・・が液晶シャッタ6の透光窓9.9.9・・
・・の始端に位置した時点で図示しないホスト装置から
これらの部分に形成すべき画像に対応する信号を入力す
ると(第5図1 、 袴晶シャッタ6の各透光窓9.9
.9・・・・は、始端位置に対応する透明度を形成して
線状光源Aからの光を透過する。透光窓9.9.9・・
・・を透過した光は、スリット3.3.3・・・・と交
差する部分を透過して感光体ドラムBの表面を照射する
(第5図工)、これにより、感光体ドラム8表面には、
液晶シャッタ6の透光窓9.9.9・・・・と無端状ベ
ルト2のスリット3,3.3・・・・が一致する部分の
面積を持つスポット、つまりドツトが形成される。この
ようにして無端状ベルト2が一定速度により移動を続け
ると、スリット3.3.3・・・・の位置に対向する箇
所、つまりドツト形成匍域が感光体ドラムの画像形成ラ
インv−v上を無端状ベルト2の移動方向Uに移しなが
ら移動する(同図Iり、ところで、この無端状ベルト2
による走査中にも感光体ドラムBが主走査方向(図中矢
印W)に移動するが、液晶シャッタ6の透光窓9.9.
9・・・・が傾斜しているため、無端状ベルト2に直交
する方向にも走査点が移動してlラインの走査が終了す
るまでは、画像形成ラインv−v上を移動する。このよ
うにして1ラインの走査が終了すると(m)、画像形成
ラインを1ドツ]・分だけずらせ  光弁て再び透光窓
9.9,9・・・・の始点から走査を開   1ド始す
る(T)、                  光を
以下′、このような過程を縁返しながら、ドツト   
が高パターンにより画像を形成する。        
  4゜なお、ト述した実施例においては、液晶シャツ
   第りの光透過窓を複数に分割しているが、1本の
連  図、続する形状に形成しても同様の作用を奏する
。ま  の−た、この実施例においては、液晶シャッタ
の光透  シャ過電の形状を電極により規定しているが
、眞光部  4図材にスリットを形成しても同様の作用
を奏する。   を示液晶シャッタを使用しているが、
他の電気光学的  1・・シャッタ素子、例えばカー効
果3011−を用いても同  3、様の効果を奏するこ
とは云うまでもない。さら  6・・に、この実施例に
おいては、液晶シャッタを光源  8・・側に配置して
いるが、無端状ベルトの手前側に配   10置するよ
うにしても同様の作用を奏することは云うまでもない。
In this state, when the belt drive motor is driven, the slits 3, 3, 3, etc. of the shutter member 1 move in the direction of the arrow U, and the transparent windows 9, 9 on the surface of the liquid crystal shutter 6 move.
, 9, etc. are scanned. Each slit 3.3
.. 3... is the transparent window 9.9.9 of the liquid crystal shutter 6.
When the signal corresponding to the image to be formed on these parts is inputted from a host device (not shown) at the starting end of ... (FIG. 5, 1, each transparent window 9.
.. 9... forms transparency corresponding to the starting end position and transmits the light from the linear light source A. Translucent window 9.9.9...
The light that has passed through the slits 3, 3, 3, and so on passes through the portions that intersect with the slits 3, 3, 3, and so on and irradiates the surface of the photoreceptor drum B (Fig. 5). teeth,
A spot, that is, a dot, is formed with an area corresponding to the area where the transparent windows 9,9,9,... of the liquid crystal shutter 6 and the slits 3, 3,3,... of the endless belt 2 coincide. As the endless belt 2 continues to move at a constant speed in this manner, the portions opposite to the positions of the slits 3, 3, 3, etc., that is, the dot-forming areas are located along the image forming line v-v of the photoreceptor drum. The endless belt 2 moves while moving the upper part in the moving direction U of the endless belt 2 (see I in the same figure, by the way, this endless belt 2
Although the photosensitive drum B moves in the main scanning direction (arrow W in the figure) during scanning, the light-transmitting windows 9, 9, .
9... are inclined, the scanning point moves also in the direction perpendicular to the endless belt 2, and moves on the image forming line vv until the scanning of the 1 line is completed. When one line of scanning is completed in this way (m), the image forming line is shifted by 1 dot]. The light valve starts scanning again from the starting point of the transparent window 9.9, 9... 1 dot. Start (T), let the light below, repeat this process, and make a dot.
forms an image with a high pattern.
4. In the embodiment described above, the liquid crystal light transmitting window is divided into a plurality of parts, but the same effect can be achieved even if the window is formed into a continuous shape. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the shape of the light-transmitting current of the liquid crystal shutter is defined by the electrodes, but the same effect can be achieved even if slits are formed in the reflective portion 4 material. Although it uses an LCD shutter,
It goes without saying that even if other electro-optical shutter elements such as the Kerr effect 3011- are used, the same effect as in 3 can be obtained. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the liquid crystal shutter is placed on the side of the light source 8, but the same effect can be achieved even if it is placed on the front side of the endless belt. Not even.

(効果) 以上述べたように本発明によれば1Mt気光常光学的リ
ットにより走査するようにしたので、ット当の面積を可
及的に小さく維持しつつ漏完全に防1卜することができ
て、コントラス(・い画像を形成することができる。
(Effects) As described above, according to the present invention, since scanning is performed using a 1Mt air-light ordinary optical lit, it is possible to completely prevent leakage while keeping the area per lit as small as possible. It is possible to create images with high contrast.

【図面の簡単な説明】[Brief explanation of drawings]

1図は、本発明の一実施・例を示す装置の斜視第2図は
、同上装置に使用する液晶シャッタ実施例を示す分解斜
視図、第3図は、液晶ツタとシャッタ部材の関係を示す
斜視図、第は、本発明装置を第5図は、同上装置の動作
す説明図である。 ・・シャッタ部材   2・・・・無端状ベルト3.3
・・・・スリッl−4・・・・駆動ローラ・・液晶シャ
ッタ   7・・・・信号電極・・遮光部      
9・・・・透光窓、11・・・・基板   12・・・
・液晶化合物第3図 第5図 手続補正書(自発) ヨゎ鴨 8.228 1、事件の表示 昭和6Q年特許願第108685号 2、発明の名称 ライトパルプ装置 3、補正をする者 (257)エプソン株式会社 〒104 東京都中央区京橋2丁目6番21号5、補正
により増加する発明の数 手続補正書(自発) 1、 明細書中5ページ上から12行目から13行目に
かけて「アイドルローラー5」とあるのを。 「従動ローラー5」と訂正する。 2 回申4ページ上から1行目から2行目にかけて「設
けら几」とあるのを「設けられ友」と訂正する〇 工 同中7ページ下から8行目の「カー効果阻止を」と
あるのを「カー効果素子を」と訂正する。 以上
Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a device showing one embodiment/example of the present invention. Fig. 2 is an exploded perspective view showing an embodiment of a liquid crystal shutter used in the above device. Fig. 3 shows the relationship between the liquid crystal ivy and the shutter member. The first is a perspective view of the apparatus of the present invention, and FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram of the operation of the same apparatus. ...Shutter member 2... Endless belt 3.3
... Slit l-4 ... Drive roller ... Liquid crystal shutter 7 ... Signal electrode ... Light shielding part
9...Translucent window, 11...Substrate 12...
・Liquid Crystal Compound Figure 3 Figure 5 Procedural Amendment (Voluntary) Yowakamo 8.228 1. Indication of the case Showa 6Q Patent Application No. 108685 2. Name of the invention Light pulp device 3. Person making the amendment (257 ) Epson Corporation 2-6-21-5 Kyobashi, Chuo-ku, Tokyo 104 Number of inventions increased by amendment Procedural amendment (voluntary) 1. From line 12 to line 13 from the top of page 5 of the specification: It says "Idle Roller 5". Corrected to "driven roller 5." 2. Correct the phrase "set up" from the first line to the second line from the top of page 4 to "set up friend" 〇Work "Prevent the Kerr effect" on page 7, line 8 from the bottom of the same circular Correct the statement to read ``Kerr effect element''. that's all

Claims (1)

【特許請求の範囲】[Claims] 移動方向に直交するスリットを等間隔に形成され、一定
速度により駆動される遮光性無端状ベルトからなるシャ
ッタ部材と、前記スリットの配列ピッチに相当する長さ
を持ち電気信号により光透過度が制御される電気光学的
光弁手段を対向配設してなるライトバルブ装置。
A shutter member consisting of a light-shielding endless belt with slits formed at equal intervals perpendicular to the direction of movement and driven at a constant speed, and a shutter member having a length corresponding to the arrangement pitch of the slits and whose light transmittance is controlled by an electrical signal. A light valve device comprising electro-optical light valve means arranged opposite to each other.
JP60108683A 1985-05-21 1985-05-21 Light valve device Pending JPS61267021A (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
JP60108683A JPS61267021A (en) 1985-05-21 1985-05-21 Light valve device

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
JP60108683A JPS61267021A (en) 1985-05-21 1985-05-21 Light valve device

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
JPS61267021A true JPS61267021A (en) 1986-11-26

Family

ID=14491018

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
JP60108683A Pending JPS61267021A (en) 1985-05-21 1985-05-21 Light valve device

Country Status (1)

Country Link
JP (1) JPS61267021A (en)

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JP2009149405A (en) * 2007-12-20 2009-07-09 Toyota Motor Corp Parts feeding device

Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JPS5337445A (en) * 1976-09-18 1978-04-06 Hitachi Koki Kk Method of generating optical character
JPS57160668A (en) * 1981-03-30 1982-10-04 Seiko Epson Corp Printing device
JPS5993427A (en) * 1982-11-18 1984-05-29 Seiko Epson Corp Liquid crystal light valve

Patent Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JPS5337445A (en) * 1976-09-18 1978-04-06 Hitachi Koki Kk Method of generating optical character
JPS57160668A (en) * 1981-03-30 1982-10-04 Seiko Epson Corp Printing device
JPS5993427A (en) * 1982-11-18 1984-05-29 Seiko Epson Corp Liquid crystal light valve

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JP2009149405A (en) * 2007-12-20 2009-07-09 Toyota Motor Corp Parts feeding device

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