JP2003054034A - Printing head mechanism for optical printer - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To improve the printing accuracy and the maintenance property in a printing head mechanism for an optical printer, for developing the color by exposing a specific wavelength in a medium having a photosensitive member. SOLUTION: In a printing head mechanism for an optical printer, comprising LEDs 77R, 77G, 77B according to the colors for exposing a medium 30 (cycolor medium), and an aperture 10 disposed facing the medium with exposing holes 10e for transmitting light beams from the LEDs 77R, 77G, 77B to the medium 30 formed, projections 20A projecting toward the medium 30 with respect to opening parts 22A of the exposing hole 20e are provide on the surface of the aperture 10 facing the medium 30 such that the opening parts 22A are disposed away from the medium 30 with the projections 20A so as to prevent entrance of dusts 40 adhering on the medium 30 into the exposing holes 10e.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a print head mechanism for an optical printer, and more particularly to a print head mechanism for an optical printer which exposes a specific wavelength on a medium having a photoconductor to develop a color.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as one of methods for producing a color photograph or a color print, a method of exposing a photosensitive paper to form an image such as a picture or a character is known. Also,
As a photosensitive paper, a photosensitive paper called a cycolor medium has been developed (for example, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-767).
No. 06 publication).

Cycolor media are three types of cyan, magenta, and yellow microcapsules (Siris) containing different color-developing substances and photoinitiators.
Is used as a photosensitive material. In this cycolor medium, a surface of a support made of thin polyester or the like is coated with a photosensitive material layer in which a very small number of very small siris are arranged. Then, the siris is cured by exposing the siricolor media to light of the above-mentioned three types of colors, thereby activating only the squirrel of a specific color, and then crushing by applying pressure to develop it. It is configured to be able to form only the image of the color.

Next, the operation in the case of performing color printing on this cycolor medium with a cycolor printer, that is, the coloring principle will be briefly described. First, the exposure light having a wavelength suitable for an image to be formed is irradiated onto the color medium by using the exposure head. The exposure light cures the squirrel that contains a coloring substance (ruco die) that has a complementary color relationship with the wavelength of the exposure light, and inactivates the squirrel contained in the squirrel. For example, when the exposure light is red light, the complementary color of the red light is cyan light, so that the squirrel containing cyan lucodies (hereinafter, referred to as cyan siris) is inactivated.

The area exposed by the print head composed of the exposure head is in the paper feed direction by the paper feed roller, that is,
It is sent in the sub-scanning direction, and the next sheet is fed to the exposure head. The paper feed roller is rotationally driven in the forward direction by the paper feed mechanism.

On the other hand, in the exposed area, the siris is crushed by the pressure roller which is moved along with the exposure head in the carriage movement direction, that is, the main scanning direction. Magenta and yellow squirrels that are active states other than passivated by exposure light, for example, red light, are crushed by a pressure roller, and the ruko die chemically reacts with the image receiving layer formed on transparent polyester. And a red color, which is a desired color, is developed.

In order to accelerate the color development, the color medium is heated by a heater using a heating element so that the printing apparatus can output the printed color medium in a state where the color development is almost completed. ing. From the above-described coloring principle, it can be easily understood that when the exposure light is the red light and the green light, the color is yellow.

As mentioned above, the color medium is
The paper is fed in the paper feeding direction by the paper feeding roller that is rotationally driven in the forward direction by the paper feeding mechanism. The paper feeding operation by the paper feeding mechanism needs to be interlocked with an operation (hereinafter, referred to as a print head operation) in which a carriage carrying a print head including an exposure head moves along the carriage movement direction.

Here, the carriage is movable within the range on both sides. Then, when the carriage reaches at least one of both sides, or immediately before, the paper feeding mechanism starts its operation to rotate the paper feeding roller in the forward direction by a predetermined angle to move the paper. It is necessary to feed a fixed amount in the paper feed direction. The paper feed at this time is forward feed.

When the carriage reaches the other side, or immediately before, the paper feed mechanism starts operating to rotate the paper feed roller in the forward direction by a predetermined angle, so that the paper is moved by a predetermined amount. Alternatively, the paper may be fed in the paper feeding direction. In this case, the paper is fed back and forth.

Whether the paper feed is forward feed or reciprocal feed, this paper feed operation starts from the time when the print head finishes printing one line (scan line) to the next line (scan line). Must be performed during the period until the start of the printing (hereinafter referred to as the print stop period).

By the way, it is also possible to use a dedicated motor as a drive source for the paper feed mechanism. However, in that case, in addition to a motor dedicated to paper feeding, a motor (printing motor) necessary for operating the print head described above.
Also, the printing apparatus becomes expensive because it is required.

Therefore, a printing apparatus has been developed which is capable of performing a print head operation and a paper feed operation by using one motor as a drive source. Such a printing device is referred to as a one-motor drive printing device here.

The components of the carriage are R color, G color
Color and B color light emitting diode elements (hereinafter referred to as LEDs)
Is mounted on a head substrate, and is provided with a panel shade overlapped with a portion corresponding to the LED, and an aperture provided on the panel shade.

[0015]

FIG. 1 shows the vicinity of the aperture 2 of the above-mentioned conventional print head mechanism for an optical printer. As shown in the figure, the aperture 2 is an LED
It is arranged so as to face the LED head 3 in which 4R, 4G and 4B are arranged. Light emitted from each of the LEDs 4R, 4G, and 4B passes through the exposure hole 5 formed in the aperture 2 and is applied to the color medium 1 (hereinafter, referred to as a medium). At this time, the medium 1 is configured to run, for example, rightward in the drawing by a paper feeding mechanism (not shown).

FIG. 12 is an enlarged view showing a position where the medium 1 and the aperture 2 face each other. Dust 6 adheres to the surface of the medium 1 as shown in FIG. Further, the medium 1 runs in a state of being in close contact with the aperture 2 in order to stabilize running and exposure.

Therefore, the dust 6 adhering to the surface of the medium 1 enters the exposure hole 5 formed in the aperture 2 as the medium 1 moves. When the dust 6 enters the exposure hole 5 in this way, the exposure hole 5 is blocked by the dust 6.

When the exposure hole 5 is blocked with dust 6, each L
The light emitted from the EDs 4R, 4G, and 4B is not applied to the medium 1, and the medium 1 cannot be exposed. Therefore, in the conventional print head mechanism for an optical printer, it is necessary to periodically replace the aperture 2 or to wash the aperture 2, and there is a problem that maintenance is poor.

Further, the dust 6 that has entered the exposure hole 5 may be cured while protruding from the exposure hole 5 toward the medium 1. In this case, the dust 6 protruding from the aperture 2 damages the medium 1, which causes a problem that the printing accuracy is reduced.

The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and an object of the present invention is to provide a print head mechanism for an optical printer which can improve printing accuracy and maintainability.

[0021]

In order to solve the above problems, the present invention is characterized by taking the following means.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, a light emitting element corresponding to each color for exposing the photosensitive medium is arranged so as to face the photosensitive medium, and light from the light emitting element is transmitted to the photosensitive medium. In the print head mechanism for an optical printer, which is provided with an aperture formed with a small hole for allowing the light to pass therethrough, the aperture is provided with a separating mechanism for separating the opening of the small hole from the photosensitive medium. It is a thing.

According to the above invention, since the aperture is provided with the separating mechanism for separating the opening portion of the small hole from the photosensitive medium, it is possible to prevent dust and the like adhering to the photosensitive medium from entering the small hole. Thus, the light from the light emitting element can be surely applied to the photosensitive medium to perform the exposure process, and thus good printing can be performed.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the print head mechanism for an optical printer according to the first aspect, the spacing mechanism is formed on a surface of the aperture that faces the photosensitive medium, and the small hole is formed. It is characterized in that it is constituted by a projection protruding toward the photosensitive medium from the opening.

According to the above invention, the separating mechanism is formed by the projection formed on the surface of the aperture facing the photosensitive medium, and the projection is projected toward the photosensitive medium rather than the opening of the small hole. The opening of the small hole can be separated from the photosensitive medium. Therefore, it is possible to prevent dust and the like adhering to the photosensitive medium from entering the small holes.

According to a third aspect of the invention, in the print head mechanism for an optical printer according to the second aspect, the protrusion is formed integrally with the aperture.

According to the above invention, since the projection is formed integrally with the aperture, the number of parts can be reduced and the assembling of the print head mechanism for the optical printer can be facilitated.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the print head mechanism for an optical printer according to the second or third aspect, the protrusion has a hemispherical shape.

According to the above invention, since the protrusion has a hemispherical shape, the contact area between the photosensitive medium and the protrusion can be reduced, and thus the friction generated between the two can be reduced. As a result, it is possible to reduce the load on the running mechanism that runs the photosensitive medium.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the print head mechanism for an optical printer according to the second or third aspect, the projection is arranged so as to surround the opening of the small hole. It is what

According to the above-mentioned invention, since the projection surrounds the opening of the small hole, the opening of the small hole is separated from the photosensitive medium, so that invasion of dust or the like can be prevented.
In addition, since the photosensitive medium is guided to travel by the apertures in a region other than the position where the small holes are formed, the traveling stability of the photosensitive medium can be improved.

[0032]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Next, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a printer 50 to which a print head mechanism for an optical printer (hereinafter, simply referred to as a print head mechanism) according to an embodiment of the present invention is applied. As shown in the figure, the printing device 50 includes an upper case 51 and a lower case 55 which are combined with each other to form an accommodation space.
A drive mechanism 60 accommodated on the bottom plate of the lower case 55, a control board 53 for controlling the drive mechanism 60, and a detachable media case accommodating a plurality of sheet-shaped silico media 30 (hereinafter, simply referred to as media). And 52.

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view showing an enlarged drive mechanism 60 of the printing apparatus 50, and FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the entire structure of the drive mechanism 60. As shown in each drawing, the drive mechanism 60 is roughly configured to have a frame (chassis) 61, a motor 62, a pickup roller 63, a print head mechanism 80, and the like. The motor 62 performs a process of transporting the medium 30, a drive of a carriage 70 provided with an LED head 77 for exposure, and the like.

The pickup roller 63 is a roller for taking out one medium 30 to be exposed from the medium case 52 shown in FIG. Media case 52
The media 30 taken out from the feed roller 65
It is carried by c. The feed roller 65c is also driven by the motor 62.

The print head mechanism 80 has an LED head 77 for exposing the taken-out medium to light, a carriage 70 on which the LED head 77 and the like are mounted and which moves in the width direction.

The carriage 70 mounts the LED head 77 and has a projecting portion projecting downward from the tip of the LED head 77, in which a pressure roller 75 for crushing the photosensitive agent of the medium 30 is provided in the lower portion of the cylinder. It is housed so that the surface is exposed. Further, a fixing metal fitting is provided at the tip of the carriage 70, and an encoder board 74 is attached to the upper surface shown in the drawing by the metal fitting. Further, the carriage 70 accommodates a guide protrusion 78 having a protrusion that engages with a groove provided in the head drive shaft 72, and is rotatably accommodated by a mounting member 79.

The groove provided on the head drive shaft 72 is formed in a spiral shape. Further, the carriage 70 is configured to be movable in the axial direction of the guide roller 73 by the guide rollers 66 and 73. Therefore, when the head drive shaft 72 rotates, the protrusion provided on the carriage 70 and engaged with the groove moves along with the movement of the groove, whereby the carriage 70 moves in the axial direction along the guide rollers 66 and 73. It is configured to reciprocate.

It should be noted that both ends of the shafts of the above-mentioned respective parts are projected from the chassis 61, and gears are respectively provided to drive the respective shafts. The shaft constitutes a drive transmission mechanism for obtaining a desired rotation.

FIG. 4 will now be described with reference to FIG. 4 in addition to FIGS. 2 and 3 for the heating mechanism provided in the drive mechanism 60. The heating mechanism is such that after the exposure, the pressing shaft 10
It is provided to crush the unexposed color former of the medium 30 between 0 and the pressure roller 75, thereby promoting the subsequent color formation. The heater 92 is made of an L-shaped metal piece provided with a heating element (not shown), and the heater fixing portion 9
1, the mounting members 93, 94, 95 and the like are mounted near the ejection side of the medium.

Next, the print head mechanism 80, which is an essential part of the present invention, will be described. FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining the print head mechanism 80, and shows a state in which the carriage 70 is viewed from the rear. As shown in the figure, the print head mechanism 8
Reference numeral 0 has a configuration including an aperture 10, a carriage 70, a panel shade 71, an LED head 77 and the like.

Projecting positioning pins 70c, 70c are provided on both sides of the rear surface of the carriage 70. Further, the carriage pins 70 are provided on both sides of the carriage 70.
d and 70d are provided so as to project laterally.

The LED head 77 has an LED input / output flexible circuit board 77f (hereinafter referred to as FPC 77f).
Are connected. The LED head 77 includes an R color LED 77R, a B color LED 77B, and a G color LED 7.
Three pieces of 7G are provided side by side in the width direction of the medium. Further, the FPC 77f is connected to the LED head 77, and the LEDs 77R, 77B, 7 are connected.
Power is supplied to 7G.

Positioning holes 77c and 77c are formed in the LED head 77. This positioning hole 77
c and 77c are formed corresponding to the positioning pins 70c and 70c. Further, positioning holes 71c, 71c are also formed in a panel shade 71 described later, and the positioning holes 71c, 71c are positioned by the positioning pins 70c, 7c.
It is formed corresponding to 0c. Further, holes 10c and 10c are also formed in the aperture 10 described later, and these holes 10c and 10c are also formed corresponding to the positioning pins 70c and 70c.

The positioning pins 70c, 70c formed in the carriage 70 are positioning holes 77c, 77c formed in the LED head 77, positioning holes 71c, 71c formed in the panel shade 71, and holes formed in the aperture 10. 10c, 10c are sequentially inserted. As a result, the carriage 70, the LED head 77, the panel shade 71, and the aperture 10 are uniquely positioned.

The panel shade 71 has a red (R) LED 77R, a blue (B) LED 77B, and a green (G) LED 77R.
LE) at the position corresponding to each of the (color) LEDs 77G.
A plurality of rectangular guide holes 71R, 71G, 71B into which the D77R, the LED 77B, and the LED 77G are fitted are formed.

On one surface 10a of the aperture 10, there are R-color LED 77R, B-color LED 77BG-color LED 77G.
An exposure hole 10e for transmitting the light from is formed. The exposure hole 10e is provided for each LED 77, LED77.
It is provided corresponding to the positions of the B and LED 77G. The size and shape of the exposure hole 10e are designed according to the print dot.

Both sides of the one surface 10a are bent to form side surfaces 10b, 10b. Both sides 1
Holes 10d for engaging with the carriage pins 70d, 70d are formed in 0b, 10b. The edges of the bent portions, which are the boundaries between the one surface 10a of the aperture 10 and the side surfaces, are cut, and the corners of each surface are rounded.

Here, attention is paid to the vicinity of the position where the exposure hole 10e of the aperture 10 is formed. Then, the exposure hole 10
A protrusion 20A is formed at a position near e. The protrusion 20A will be described with reference to FIGS. 6 and 7. In FIG. 6, the aperture 10 is the medium 3 during printing.
FIG. 7 shows a state in which the projection 20A faces 0, and FIG. 7 shows the formation position of the protrusion 20A in FIG. 6 in an enlarged manner.

The protrusion 20A has a hemispherical shape, for example, and is formed so as to protrude from the surface of the aperture 10 facing the medium 30. In this way, the exposure hole 10e
The protrusion 2 is provided in the vicinity of (corresponding to the small hole described in the claims).
By forming 0A, the opening 22 of the exposure hole 10e is formed.
A and the medium 30 are separated from each other by the height of the protrusion 20A (shown by an arrow H in FIG. 7). That is, the protrusion 20A
Functions as a separating mechanism that separates the opening 22A of the exposure hole 10e from the medium 30.

As in the present embodiment, by providing the projection 20A on the aperture 10 and separating the opening 22A of the exposure hole 10e from the medium 30, even if dust 40 is attached to the surface of the medium 30. As is clear from FIG. 7, the dust 40 can be prevented from entering the exposure hole 10e. As a result, the exposure hole 10e becomes dusty.
It is possible to prevent the light emitted from each of the LEDs 77R, 77G, and 77B blocked by 0 from being blocked by the aperture 10.

Therefore, each LE is surely attached to the medium 30.
Light from D77R, 77G, and 77B can be irradiated, and high-quality printing with high accuracy can be performed.
Further, unlike the conventional case, it is not necessary to frequently perform maintenance for cleaning the aperture 10, and the maintainability can be improved.

Further, since the protrusion 20A has a hemispherical shape, the contact area with the medium 30 can be reduced. Therefore, when the medium 30 moves in sliding contact with the aperture 10, the friction generated between the aperture 10 and the medium 30 can be reduced, and the medium 30 can be reduced.
It is possible to reduce the traveling load. The height of the protrusion 20A is 0.25 μm for the diameter of the exposure hole 10e, and the aperture 1
When the thickness of 0 (the depth of the exposure hole 10e) is 50 μm, it is desirable to set it to about 10 μm. However, this height changes depending on the shape of the exposure hole 10e, the characteristics of the medium 30, and the like, and is not limited to this.

8 to 10 show a separating mechanism (a mechanism for separating the opening 22A of the exposure hole 10e from the medium 30) provided in the print head mechanism which is a modification of the above-described embodiment.

The modification shown in FIG. 8 is characterized in that the lower chamfered portion 23 is formed in the lower portion of the exposure hole 10e formed in the aperture 40A and the upper chamfered portion 24 is formed in the upper portion thereof. The lower chamfered portion 23 has a truncated cone shape, and therefore its cross-sectional shape has an inclined surface as shown in FIG.

Thus, the lower portion of the exposure hole 10e (ie,
By forming the lower chamfered portion 23 on the side facing the medium 30), the one surface 10a and the opening 2 of the exposure hole 10e are formed.
2B can be separated. Therefore, similarly to the above-described embodiment, it is possible to prevent the dust 40 adhering to the medium 30 from entering the exposure hole 10e.

The upper chamfer 24 is also formed on the upper portion of the exposure hole 10e because the LEDs 77R, 77G, 77B are formed.
This is so that the light from the light efficiently enters the exposure hole 10e.

The modification shown in FIG. 9 is characterized in that the projection 20B is formed integrally with the aperture 40B. In this modification, as shown in FIG.
B is pressed by the punch 25 and the protrusion 20B is formed by press working.
An example of forming

Thus, the projection 20B is attached to the aperture 40.
By integrally forming in B, the number of parts can be reduced and the assembling of the print head mechanism can be facilitated. In this modification, the protrusion 20B is formed by pressing, but the method of integrally forming the protrusion 20B on the aperture 40B is not limited to this.
For example, the projection 20B may be formed by etching the aperture 40B.

The modification shown in FIG. 10 has a structure in which a protrusion is formed so as to surround the opening 22C of the exposure hole 10e. In the present modification, the vicinity of the formation position of the exposure hole 10e is recessed upward in the drawing to form the concave portion 27, so that the one surface 10a relatively projects to the opening 22C. Therefore, in this modification, the one surface 10a functions as a protrusion. Further, the one surface 10a functioning as this protrusion is arranged so as to surround the opening 22C of the exposure hole 10e.

Since the one surface 10a (protrusion) surrounds the opening 22C of the exposure hole 10e as described above, the opening 22C can be separated from the medium 30 and the dust 40 Intrusion into the exposure hole 10e can be prevented. In addition, in a region other than the position where the recess 27 is formed, the one surface 10a is in sliding contact with the medium 30 to guide the traveling thereof, so that the traveling stability of the medium 30 can be improved.

[0062]

As described above, according to the present invention, various effects described below can be realized.

According to the first aspect of the present invention, it is possible to prevent dust and the like adhering to the photosensitive medium from entering the small holes, so that the light from the light emitting element is surely applied to the photosensitive medium to perform the exposure process. Therefore, good printing can be performed.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, since the projection is configured to project toward the photosensitive medium rather than the opening of the small hole, the opening of the small hole can be separated from the photosensitive medium. Therefore, it is possible to prevent dust and the like adhering to the photosensitive medium from entering the small holes.

According to the third aspect of the invention, since the projection is formed integrally with the aperture, the number of parts can be reduced and the assembling of the print head mechanism for the optical printer can be facilitated.

Further, according to the invention described in claim 4, since the protrusion has a hemispherical shape, the contact area between the photosensitive medium and the protrusion is reduced, and thus the friction generated between the two is reduced, so that It is possible to reduce the load on the traveling mechanism for traveling the media.

According to the fifth aspect of the invention, since the opening of the small hole is separated from the photosensitive medium, it is possible to prevent dust and the like from entering. In addition, since the photosensitive medium is guided to travel by the apertures in a region other than the position where the small holes are formed, the traveling stability of the photosensitive medium can be improved.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a printing apparatus to which a print head mechanism for an optical printer according to an embodiment of the present invention is applied.

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view showing an enlarged drive mechanism of the printing apparatus shown in FIG.

3 is an enlarged perspective view showing a drive mechanism of the printing apparatus shown in FIG. 1. FIG.

FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view for explaining a heating mechanism of a drive mechanism.

FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view showing a print head mechanism for an optical printer according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a schematic configuration diagram showing a state in which an aperture faces a medium in a print head mechanism for an optical printer which is an embodiment of the present invention. It is a back view.

7 is an enlarged sectional view showing the aperture shown in FIG.

FIG. 8 is a sectional view of an aperture provided in a print head mechanism for an optical printer according to a first modification.

FIG. 9 is a sectional view of an aperture provided in a print head mechanism for an optical printer which is a second modification.

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of an aperture provided in a print head mechanism for an optical printer which is a third modified example.

FIG. 11 is a schematic configuration diagram of a conventional print head mechanism for an optical printer.

12 is an enlarged sectional view showing the aperture of FIG. 11. FIG.

[Explanation of symbols]

10, 40A-40C aperture 10e exposure hole 20A-20C protrusion 22A to 22C opening 22C opening 23 Lower chamfer 25 punch 27 recess 30 media 50 printer 53 control board 60 drive mechanism 61 frame (chassis) 70 carriage 71 panel shade 77 LED head 80 print head mechanism

   ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continued front page    F-term (reference) 2C162 AE12 AE23 AE28 AE48 AE77                       FA04 FA23 FA34 FA59 FA67                 2H106 AA18 AA41 AA71 AB10 AB75                       BG01 BG08                 5C051 AA02 CA08 DA05 DB02 DB21                       DB29 DB31 DC05 DC07

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. A light emitting element corresponding to each color for exposing a photosensitive medium, and a small hole which is arranged so as to face the photosensitive medium and transmits light from the light emitting element toward the photosensitive medium. A printhead mechanism for an optical printer comprising a formed aperture, wherein the aperture is provided with a spacing mechanism for spacing the opening of the small hole from the photosensitive medium. . 2. The print head mechanism for an optical printer according to claim 1, wherein the spacing mechanism is formed on a surface of the aperture that faces the photosensitive medium, and is located closer to the photosensitive medium than the opening of the small hole. A print head mechanism for an optical printer, characterized in that the print head mechanism is configured by a projection protruding toward the front. 3. The print head mechanism for an optical printer according to claim 2, wherein the protrusion is formed integrally with the aperture. 4. The print head mechanism for an optical printer according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the protrusion has a hemispherical shape. 5. The printhead mechanism for an optical printer according to claim 2, wherein the protrusion is arranged so as to surround the opening of the small hole. .