JPS63191659A - Optical head for optical write - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To decrease the number of drivers required for driving an optical head, by a method wherein an optical head for optical write is so constructed that one piece of a common electrode is assigned to an optional number of discrete electrodes selected by each electrode block. CONSTITUTION:When N1 light emitting parts are formed in an optical head in which one driver is connected to one discrete electrode 15, the total E of drivers is 2NT (E=2NT pieces). For this optical head, one electrode block 19 is constituted by arranging N discrete electrodes 15 to one electrode 17. When electrode block 19 are installed by M pieces thereof, a total piece number F of drivers required for this optical head becomes F=(N+1)XM pieces. Since the total number NT of emitting parts is NT=NXM, E=2NXM pieces and then E>F hold. That is, the optical head is constituted by a small total number of drivers, and a simplification of a driving circuit can be achieved.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION (Field of Industrial Application) This IJJ relates to an optical writing optical head used in, for example, an optical head of an electrophotographic printer.

(Prior art) Conventionally, a ptesmer display Φ panel (hereinafter referred to as FDP) is constructed using plasma discharge light emitted from a discharge gas as a display pixel.
) has been proposed, and its research and development is progressing as a two-dimensional display panel to replace CRT.

The structure of FDP is AC type FD due to the difference in its driving method.
There are two types of structures: P or DC type FDP. Although AC-type and DC-type FDPs have some structural differences, they are the same in that either structure usually performs discharge light emission by matrix drive.

In the most typical FDP structure, a plurality of cathode electrodes are provided on one substrate and a plurality of anode electrodes are provided on the other substrate to form a group of parallel electrodes on each substrate. One and the other substrates are bonded so that the surfaces on which these electrodes are formed face each other so that the electrodes cross each other. A discharge gas sealed region is formed between the two bonded store boards, and the discharge gas, for example, an inert gas, is sealed in the sealed region at an arbitrary suitable gas pressure.

Further, a driving driver is connected to each electrode.

When performing matrix driving of an FDP having such a configuration, a data signal is inputted to a driving driver (hereinafter also simply referred to as a driver) connected to an anode electrode, and a clock signal is inputted to a driver connected to a cathode electrode, respectively.
A voltage is applied to the intersection region of the anode and cathode electrodes selected according to these input signals. As a result, gas discharge generates light in the intersection area where the voltage is applied, and based on this light, for example, characters or figures are displayed.

The FDP configured as described above is an example of using plasma discharge light emission for a two-dimensional display panel (image display device). In plasma discharge light emission, wavelength bands that match the wavelength sensitivity characteristics of various photoreceptors are Since the composition of the filler gas can be selected, it is convenient to configure the FDP as an optical head of an electrophotographic printer, for example.

(Problems to be Solved by the Invention) When an FDP is used as an optical head of an electrophotographic printer, for example, a configuration in which a plurality of light emitting parts are arranged in a line in the main scanning direction may be used. ,
For example, at the time of optical writing speed, the photoreceptor is rotated in the sub-scanning direction, and the light emitted from the electrically driven and controlled light emitting section is scanned in the main scanning direction via the optical system.
By repeating the process of forming a 47-minute latent image, it is possible to form a two-dimensional latent image on the photoreceptor.

In this case, in order to print one line or form a latent image within a practically preferable time range of, for example, several 5 ec-several mSec, it may be possible to add more drivers as required.

However, as the number of drivers increases, the number of drive circuits such as shift registers also increases, and as a result, the circuit configuration of the optical head becomes more complex. There was a problem that got in the way.

Furthermore, since the driver used to drive the optical head requires an expensive high-voltage driver, there is a problem in that an increase in the number of drivers required to create the optical head increases manufacturing costs.

An object of the present invention is to provide an optical writing head that can be driven with a smaller number of drivers.

(Means for Solving the Problems) In order to achieve this object, the optical head for optical writing of the present invention uses a discharge gas sealed between a first and a second substrate sealed to each other to emit plasma discharge light. It comprises a plurality of individual electrodes and a plurality of common electrodes provided for the purpose of Furthermore, an electrode block is formed from one common electrode and an arbitrary number of individual electrodes selected from the plurality of electrodes arranged in correspondence with this one common electrode, and this electrode block is used as the main electrode of the optical head. The configuration is such that they are arranged in the scanning direction.

In carrying out the present invention, it is preferable to provide a configuration in which wiring is provided to commonly connect individual electrodes selected one by one for each electrode block.

(Function) According to the optical head having such a configuration, one common electrode is assigned to an arbitrary number of individual electrodes selected for each electrode block, and a driver is used to connect these individual electrodes and common electrodes. By applying a signal voltage, a required light emitting section is caused to emit light, thereby driving the optical head. By allocating one common electrode to an arbitrary number of individual electrodes selected in this manner, it is possible to reduce the number of drivers required to drive the optical head.

(Example) Examples of the present invention will be described below with reference to five drawings. It should be noted that the drawings are only schematic representations to the extent that the present invention can be understood, and therefore the arrangement relationships, shapes, and
The materials of construction and dimensions are not necessarily limited to those associated with the illustrated example.

Embodiment 1 FIGS. 1 and 2 are a plan view and a perspective view of a main part mainly showing the pole configuration of a first embodiment of an optical head for optical writing according to the present invention.

In these figures, reference numerals 11 and 13 respectively indicate first and second substrates that are sealed to each other, and a discharge gas is filled in these substrates 1ift. Further, L5 and 17 indicate an individual electrode and a common electrode, respectively, and a plurality of individual electrodes 15 and a plurality of common electrodes 17 are provided to cause the discharge gas to emit plasma discharge light.

Reference numeral 19 denotes an electrode block, and each electrode block 19 includes one common electrode 17 and an arbitrary suitable number of electrodes arranged in correspondence with this one common electrode 17 and selected from the plurality of individual electrodes 15. The individual electrodes 15 are included. The electrode blocks 19 configured in this manner are arranged in the main scanning direction P of the optical head shown by the arrow in the figure.

The configuration of the optical head of this example will be explained in more detail.

In this embodiment, a plurality of individual electrodes 15 having a generally linear shape are provided on the first substrate 11 to form a group of parallel electrodes.

Further, each common electrode 17 has an opposing portion 17a disposed facing the tip portions 15a of a plurality of selected adjacent individual electrodes 15, and a substantially central portion or one end portion of this opposing portion 17a. Extending portion 17 coupled to and extending to opposing portion 17a
Therefore, the overall shape of the common electric wire J4i17 of this embodiment is roughly T-shaped or L-shaped. As described above, since the common electrode 17 is arranged so that its opposing FiR 17a faces the tip portion 15a of the individual electrode 15 (see FIG. 1), the electrode 15 and the opposing portion 1
A discharge cell (hereinafter referred to as a light emitting section) is formed in a region between the opposing portions of 7a. By arranging the electrode block 18 in the main scanning direction P, one light emitting section is aligned in the main scanning direction P.
The configuration is such that they are arranged in one row.

The first substrate 11 and the second substrate 13 are aligned with their respective electrode forming surfaces facing each other, and then hermetically sealed.
Thereafter, the separation pressure flag (gap g) between the individual electrodes 15 and the common electrode 17, particularly the facing portion 17a, between which the discharge gas is sealed between the substrates, is set arbitrarily and suitably as required.

In driving the optical head of this embodiment, for example, the common electrode 17 is used as an anode electrode and the individual electrode 15 is used as a cathode electrode, and a data signal is sent to the driver connected to the common electrode 17, and a clock signal is sent to the driver connected to the individual electrode 15. By inputting a signal and performing matrix driving, any light emitting section can emit light as in the case of conventional matrix driving.

In addition, individual electrodes! 5 and the common electrode 17 may be used as an anode electrode or a cathode electrode, and as for the driving method, any suitable driving method other than conventional matrix driving can be used.

Next, the effect of the first embodiment will be explained by giving an example.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view for explaining the effects of the embodiment, and in the same figure, for convenience of explanation, an optical head configured using plasma discharge light emission as a light source including light S is shown in the most purified form. This figure mainly shows the electrode configuration when configured as follows. In this figure, constituent components corresponding to those shown in FIG. 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals.

In the optical head shown in FIG. 5, for example, N1 individual electrodes 15 are arranged on the opposing surfaces of the first substrate 11 and the second substrate 13 in the main scanning direction P.
and 13, a parallel electrode group consisting of Nr individual electrodes 15 electrically isolated from each other is formed. In this electrode configuration, since the individual electrodes 15 of the parallel electrode group provided on each substrate 11 and 13 need to be electrically driven individually, a configuration in which one driver is connected to one individual electrode 15 is required. It becomes an optical head.

Therefore, in the optical head shown in FIG. 5, since N+ light emitting parts are formed, in order to make these light emit individually, N1 light emitting parts are formed for the individual electrodes 15 of the first substrate 11 and N1 light emitting parts are formed for the individual electrodes 15 of the second substrate 13. 81 drivers are also required for the electrode 15, so the total number of drivers E required for the optical head of FIG. 5 in this case is E=2Nr.

On the other hand, in the optical head of the first embodiment of the invention described above, N individual electrodes 15 are arranged for one common electrode 17 to form one electrode block 19.
Assuming that only M electrode blocks 19 are provided,
The total number F of drivers required for this optical head is F= (
N+1)XM pieces.

Therefore, when the same number of light emitting parts are formed in the optical head of FIG. 5 and the first embodiment, the total number of drivers E
Comparing F and F, the total number of light emitting parts in the first embodiment NT
Since NT = NXM, E = 2NXM,
Therefore, it becomes ELF.

In other words, according to the optical head of the first embodiment, it is possible to configure the optical head with a smaller total number of drivers, simplifying the drive circuit, and therefore making it possible to downsize the optical head and reduce manufacturing costs. .

In the above description, in order to simplify the explanation, an example of the first embodiment is used in which a fixed number (N) of individual electrodes 15 are arranged for one common electrode 17 in any electrode block 19. Although this 51gA is not necessarily limited to this, for example, an electrode block 19 in which N1 individual electrodes 15 are arranged for one common electrode 17, and one common electrode 17 are used. N2 pieces (
The optical head of the first embodiment may be constructed from an electrode block 19 formed by disposing individual electrodes 15 (N+≠N2).

Second Embodiment In this second embodiment, an example in which the present invention is applied to a DC type FDP will be explained.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of main parts mainly showing the electrode structure of the second embodiment of the optical head for optical writing according to the present invention, and the second substrate is omitted. Components corresponding to those shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 are designated by the same reference numerals, and detailed explanation thereof will be omitted.

In FIG. 3, 21 indicates a wiring, and this wiring 21 commonly connects the individual electrodes 15 selected for each electrode block 19.

In this embodiment, a fixed number of individual electrodes I5 are allocated to each electrode block 19, and these fixed number of individual electrodes 15 are
The same number of wiring lines 21 are connected to the individual electrodes 15 of the first substrate 11.
It is installed on the same side as the side where it is installed. The wiring 21 is connected to one end of the individual electrode 15. The connecting portion 22 between the wiring 21 and the individual electrode 15 is shown with diagonal lines in the figure, and the opposing portion 17a of the common electrode 17 provided on the second substrate (not shown) is connected to the other side of the individual electrode 15. A light emitting portion is arranged so as to partially face the individual electrode 15 on the end side, and is formed approximately in a region between the facing portions of the electrode 15 and the opposing portion 17a.

Further, 23 and 25 indicate an auxiliary discharge anode and a cathode, and in this embodiment, in order to improve the switching characteristics (response characteristics) of the light emitting part, the auxiliary discharge anode 23 and the auxiliary discharge cathode 2
These electrodes 23 and 25 are provided partially facing each other.
An auxiliary cell is formed in the area between the facing portions of the cell. The auxiliary discharge anode 23 is placed on the same side as the common electrode 17 of the second substrate (not shown), and the auxiliary 1rL cathode 25 is placed on the individual electrode 15 of the first substrate 11. Installed on the same side as the other side. Further, these electrodes 23 and 25 are provided on the respective substrates at an arbitrary suitable distance from the common electrode 17 and the individual electrodes 15, and the auxiliary discharge cell and the light emitting section are arranged at an arbitrary suitable distance. .

In the optical head of the second embodiment configured in this way, 1
A combination of common electrodes 17 and N individual electrodes 15 corresponding to these electrodes 17 constitutes one electrode block 18, and M electrode blocks 19 are provided.

In this case, one driver is provided for each common electrode 17 and one driver is provided for each wiring 21, and a data signal (filling signal) and a clock signal are sent to the common electrode 17 and the individual electrodes 15 through the driver. By inputting each, matrix driving of the second embodiment can be performed.

Therefore, the total number G of drivers in the second embodiment is M drivers for the common electrode 17, and N drivers for the individual electrodes since the individual electrodes 15 are commonly connected by the wiring 21. Therefore, the total G = (
M+N) pieces. That is, in the second embodiment, the total number @G
= (M+N) drivers can drive the optical head.

On the other hand, in the optical head of FIG. 5, for example, the first substrate I
Individual electrode on I side! 5, one driver is provided for each electrode 15, and for the individual electrodes 15 of the second substrate 13, one driver is provided that connects all these individual electrodes 15 in common, and the number of drivers is as described above. Consider a case in which it is reduced more than in the case of comparative explanation. In this case, if N7 light emitting parts are formed, the total number H of drivers required to drive the electrodes of the optical head shown in FIG. 5 is H=(NT+1
) pieces.

Therefore, the total number of drivers G when the same number of light emitting parts are formed in the optical heads of the second embodiment and FIG.
Comparing H and H, the total number Nl of light emitting parts in the second embodiment is N,=NXM, so H= (NXM+1
), and therefore H>G. That is, according to the optical head of the second embodiment, it is possible to configure the optical head with a smaller total number of drivers, simplifying the drive circuit, and therefore making it possible to downsize the optical head and reduce manufacturing costs. . According to the second embodiment, the number of drivers can be further reduced than in the first embodiment.

In the above description, in order to simplify the explanation, an example of the second embodiment is used in which a fixed number (N) of individual electrodes 15 are arranged for one common electrode 17 in any electrode block 18. Although the present invention is not limited to this, for example, one common electrode 1
The electrode block 19 has N3 individual electrodes 15 arranged for one common electrode 17, and N4 individual electrodes 15 for one common electrode 17.
The optical head of the second embodiment may be constructed from the electrode block 18 formed by disposing the individual electrodes 15 (3>N4).In this case, since N3>N4, the wiring 21 is connected to N3. You only need to provide one.

FIG. 4 is a sectional view of a main part showing a more specific example of the configuration of the light emitting part and the auxiliary electrode part of the optical head of the second embodiment,
FIG. 4 shows the main configuration of the second embodiment as shown in FIG.
It is shown in a cross section taken along line IV. Components corresponding to those shown in FIG. 3 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed explanation thereof will be omitted.

In the figure, 31 is an auxiliary discharge light emission regulating layer and 33 is a pie hole layer. The auxiliary discharge cathode 25 and the individual electrodes 15 as cathode electrodes are laminated by, for example, thick film printing technology. Thereafter, each component is similarly formed using, for example, thick film printing technology.

Next, the auxiliary discharge light emission regulating layer 31 [hereinafter simply referred to as the light emission regulating layer 3
A first layer 31a (referred to as 1) and a pie hole layer 33 are laminated. These layers 31a and 33 are formed of an insulating material, such as a glass tip.

The via hole layer 33 includes via holes 35,
The wiring 21 and the individual electrodes 15 are connected through the joint portion 22 provided in the pie hole 35 . Wiring 2
1 and the individual electrodes 15 are formed only at the joints 22.

By forming the first layer 31a and the pie hole layer 33,
At least a portion of the individual electrode I5 facing the common electrode 17 and a portion of the auxiliary discharge cathode 25 facing the auxiliary discharge anode 23 are exposed, and the other electrodes 17, anode 23, and the surface of the substrate 11 are covered with a via hole layer. 33 and first layer 31
covered with a. These pie hole layers 33 and -Mth
31. The size of the light-emitting area of the light-emitting portion and the auxiliary discharge cell is regulated by this.

Next, the wiring 21 is formed on the bonding portion 22 in the via hole 35 and on the via hole layer 33. In this example, individual electrode 15
．． Although the configuration is such that the wire hole layer 33 and the wiring 21 are sequentially provided on the first substrate ll, the wire 21, the wire hole layer 33, and the individual electrodes 15 may be provided sequentially.

Next, the second layer 31b of the emission regulating layer 31 is laminated on the first layer 31a, and the insulating layer 37 is laminated on the pie-hole layer 33 and the wiring 21. In this example, the partition wall 3 to be formed in the next step is
8, the emission regulating layer 31 is formed as the first layer 3.
1a and the second layer 31b, the height from the substrate surface to the surface of the insulating layer 37J and the height from the top surface of the emission regulating layer 31 are almost the same. The heights may be different, and the emission regulating layer 31 may have different heights.
It may also have a layered structure.

Next, a partition wall 39 is formed on the emission regulating layer 31 and at any suitable position on the insulating layer 37)z. At this time, at least the exposed portions of the individual electrodes 15 and the auxiliary discharge cathode 25 are
1 and the partition wall 39 on the insulating layer 37 .

On the other hand, an insulating substrate such as a transparent GA substrate made of glass is used as the second substrate 13 as an anode substrate, and an auxiliary discharge anode 23 is placed on this substrate at a position corresponding to the auxiliary discharge cathode 25, and a common electrode as an anode electrode is used. The electrodes 17 are laminated at positions corresponding to the individual electrodes 15 . Thereafter, an insulating layer 41 that partially covers the auxiliary discharge anode 23 and an insulating layer 43 that partially covers the common electrode 17 are formed.

By forming the insulating layers 41 and 43, at least the portion of the auxiliary discharge anode 23 facing the auxiliary Fti cathode 25 and the portion of the common electrode 17 facing the individual electrodes 15 are exposed, and the other portions of the auxiliary discharge anode 23 are exposed. and common electrode 17
area is covered. In addition, electrodes 15, 17, 25 and 2
Exposure 7 may be performed as desired depending on the design.

First and second substrates provided with each component as described above! 1 and 13 are sealed by aligning the auxiliary discharge anode 23 and the F3 pole 25, as well as the individual electrode 15 and common electrode 17. First and second substrates 11 and 1
3 is maintained at an arbitrary suitable gap g via the partition wall 38. The discharge gas is mainly confined in a sealed region formed by the substrates 11 and 13 and the partition wall 39.

The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and various changes can be made depending on the design.

For example, the shapes of the individual electrodes and the common electrode may be any suitable shape, and the number of individual electrodes provided in one electrode block can also be set arbitrarily and suitably.

Further, the present invention can be applied to AC type FDPs as well as DC type FDPs.

Furthermore, in the above-mentioned embodiment, an example was shown in which each component was laminated using only thick film printing technology, but the Mi layer of each component was layered using thick film printing technology and S film (formation) technology. Or thin 1! It is also possible to use only the i (r&) technology.

(Effects of the Invention) As is clear from the above description, according to the optical writing head of the present invention, the optical head can be configured with a smaller number of drivers, and the drive circuit can be simplified. Therefore, the optical head can be made smaller and the manufacturing cost can be reduced.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of the main parts showing the structure of the first embodiment of the optical writing head of the present invention, and FIG. 2 shows the structure of the first embodiment of the optical writing optical head of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing the configuration of a second embodiment of the optical writing head of the present invention; FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the second embodiment of the optical writing head of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of main parts showing the configuration more specifically. FIG. 5 is a perspective view for explaining the effects of the optical head for optical writing according to the present invention. 11.13...Substrate, 15...Individual electrode 17
... common electrode, 19 ... electrode block 21
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Claims (2)

[Claims] (1) In an optical head for optical writing, a plurality of individual electrodes and a plurality of common electrodes are provided to generate plasma discharge light from the discharge gas sealed between the first and second substrates that are sealed to each other. An electrode block is configured from one common electrode and an arbitrary number of individual electrodes selected from a plurality of electrodes arranged in correspondence with the one common electrode, and the electrode block is scanned by an optical head in the main scanning direction. An optical head for optical writing characterized by being arranged in a direction. (2) The optical head for optical writing according to claim 1, further comprising a wiring that commonly connects the individual electrodes selected for each electrode block.