JP2886116B2 - Recording device - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a recording apparatus in which a recording medium coated with a sublimation dye is irradiated with a laser beam for recording, and more particularly to a recording apparatus in which the recording medium is held on the outer peripheral surface of a rotary drum. And a recording device that performs

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as a recording method using a sublimation type dye, a transfer film coated with a sublimation type dye is pressed against a recording medium and the transfer film is heated by a thermal head to evaporate the sublimation dye. In general, a method of transferring the image data to a recording medium is used. However, the transfer method has a problem that a transfer film different from the recording medium must be used. Therefore, as a recording method that replaces such a transfer method using a sublimation dye, the present applicant has
A method has been developed in which a sublimation dye is applied to the recording medium itself, and the sublimation dye is sublimated, scattered and removed by irradiating the sublimation dye application surface with a laser beam to perform recording. As an apparatus for performing this recording, FIG.
As shown in the figure, the recording medium 1 is held on the outer peripheral surface of a cylindrical rotary drum 2, the rotary drum 2 is driven to rotate, and further, the recording medium 1 held on the rotary drum 2 is irradiated with laser light. A head having a structure in which the head 3 is moved along the rotating drum 2 to record an image on the entire recording medium 1 has been developed.

[0003]

However, when recording was performed with this recording apparatus, the dye released by sublimation and scattering by laser light irradiation adhered to the objective lens 4 of the recording head 3 and was relatively short. There is a problem in that the objective lens is stained with time and the quality of the recorded image is degraded.
There is also a problem that the released dye adheres to members around the recording head 3 and soils the machine.

To solve this problem, it is considered sufficient to remove the dye emitted by the irradiation of the laser beam by suction. Therefore, the tip opening of the suction hose 10 is located near the objective lens 4 of the recording head 3. The recording was performed while performing suction from the opening. However, the suction hose 10
It has been found that merely placing the opening in the vicinity of the objective lens 4 has a certain degree of effect, but cannot sufficiently prevent the objective lens and the surrounding machinery from being stained.
If the suction capacity of the suction pump connected to the suction hose 10 is increased, the suction amount itself increases,
The effect of sucking out the dye that has been released and spread is not so great, and cannot be said to be advantageous.

The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an apparatus for recording by removing a sublimation dye applied to a recording medium by irradiating a laser beam to efficiently discharge emitted dye. It is an object of the present invention to provide a recording apparatus capable of preventing a dirt on an objective lens and a dirt on surrounding machines by suction and removal.

[0006]

According to the present invention, to solve the above-mentioned problems, a suction member is attached to a recording head so as to surround an objective lens, suction means is connected to the suction member, and suction of dye or the like is performed through the suction member. A configuration for performing the removal, and further, the suction member, an arc surface formed so as to be close to the surface of the rotary drum, over both the upstream side and the downstream side in the rotation direction of the rotary drum with respect to the objective lens,
The apparatus has a lens front space formed in front of the objective lens so as to open to the arc surface, and a suction passage for communicating the lens front space with the suction means.

Here, it is preferable that the suction passage formed in the suction member extends from the space in front of the lens toward the downstream in the rotation direction of the rotary drum.

It is preferable that an air passage extending from the upstream of the lens front space to the lens front space is further formed in the suction member. In this case, it is preferable that the cross-sectional area of the air passage is determined so as to become smaller as approaching the space in front of the lens.

Further, it is preferable that the air passage formed in the suction member is configured to be opened immediately before the objective lens in the lens front space and to be inclined toward the rotating drum.

[0010]

According to the present invention, when the recording head performs the recording by irradiating the recording medium on the surface of the rotating rotating drum with the laser beam, the dye irradiated with the laser beam is discharged into the space in front of the lens by sublimation or the like. However, since the space in front of the lens is surrounded by a narrow gap between the arc surface and the surface of the rotating drum, the released dye hardly leaks to the outside through the narrow gap. The dye is not scattered around and the suction means sucks the space in front of the lens, so even if the suction force is small, the air in the space in front of the lens can be sucked well and the dye released into the space in front of the lens Can be efficiently removed by suction. Thus, excellent image recording can be performed for a long period of time without the discharged dye adhering to the vicinity and soiling the machine or the objective lens of the recording head.

If the suction passage for communicating the space in front of the lens with the suction means is arranged so as to extend downstream in the rotation direction of the rotary drum, the rotation of the rotary drum causes the suction passage from the space in front of the lens to the suction passage. An air current is generated, and therefore, the suction effect of the suction means is extremely high.

Further, if an air passage extending from the upstream of the lens front space toward the lens front space is further formed in the suction member, the rotation of the rotary drum causes suction from the air passage through the lens front space through the lens front space. The flow of air reaching the passage is stably generated, and the dye released by the irradiation of the laser beam can be more efficiently guided to the suction means through the suction passage.

In this case, if the cross-sectional area of the air passage is set to be smaller as approaching the front space of the lens, the air flowing through the air passage is accelerated and enters the front space of the lens. The flow velocity is increased, and the discharged dye is immediately sent to the suction passage along with the airflow, so that the chance of contact with the objective lens is reduced, and the contamination of the objective lens can be prevented for a longer period.

Further, if the air passage is formed so as to open just before the objective lens in the space in front of the lens and to be inclined toward the rotating drum, the space in front of the lens passes through the air passage. Since the flowing air is in a direction away from the objective lens, the dye released from the recording medium is less likely to move toward the objective lens, and the contamination of the objective lens can be prevented for a longer period.

[0015]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Preferred embodiments of the present invention shown in the drawings will be described below. FIG. 1 is a schematic sectional view showing a recording head of a recording apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention and the vicinity thereof, FIG. 2 is a schematic front view of the recording head and a suction member attached thereto, and FIG.
To make the main part of the recording device easy to understand,
FIG. 11 is a schematic perspective view showing the rotary drum separated from the recording head, and the same or similar parts as those in the conventional example shown in FIG. 10 are denoted by the same reference numerals. 1 to 3,
Reference numeral 1 denotes a sheet-shaped recording medium having a surface to which a sublimable dye is applied, and 2 denotes a cylindrical rotating drum for holding the recording medium 1, which is rotatably held by a frame (not shown).
Driving means 5 such as a motor for rotationally driving the rotating drum 2
It is connected to. Reference numeral 3 denotes a recording head which has an objective lens 4 at a position facing the rotating drum 2 and irradiates the recording medium 1 held on the rotating drum 2 with laser light through the objective lens 4 to record an image. The recording head 3 is held by a carriage 7, and the carriage 7 is
And is held by a linear motor 8 provided in parallel along. Thus, the recording head 3 is driven by the linear motor 8.
Can travel in the longitudinal direction of the rotating drum 2 and scan the recording medium 1 in the longitudinal direction of the rotating drum 2.

Reference numeral 11 denotes a lens barrel holding the objective lens 4 of the recording head 3, and 12 denotes a suction member provided so as to surround the objective lens 4, which is detachably held to the recording head 3. The mouth member 12 has an arc surface 13 formed close to the surface of the rotary drum 2 over both the upstream side and the downstream side in the rotation direction of the rotary drum 2 with respect to the objective lens 4, and the arc surface 13, a lens front space 14 formed in front of the objective lens 4 so as to open to the objective lens 4, a suction passage 15 provided to communicate with the lens front space 14, a suction chamber 16 following the suction space, and a suction hose port. 17 and the like. The interval between the arc surface 13 and the rotating drum 2 is such that the recording medium 1 does not contact the arc surface 13 when the recording medium 1 is held on the surface of the rotating drum 2, but the recording medium 1 and the arc surface 13 Is set to be extremely small, for example, about 0.5 to 1.0 mm. This prevents the dye released into the front space 14 of the lens from leaking outside through a narrow gap between the recording medium 1 and the arc surface 13. The suction passage 15 is formed so as to extend from the lens front space 14 to the downstream in the rotation direction of the rotating drum 2. In this configuration, the air in the lens front space 14 is moved by the airflow generated by the rotation of the rotating drum 2 to the suction passage 15.
This is preferable because it enables the transfer to In the embodiment of the drawing, the suction passage 15 is shown as a hole formed inside the arcuate surface 13, but the suction passage 15
Is not limited to this configuration, and may be a groove shape in which the arc surface 13 side is open.

Reference numeral 20 denotes a suction hose connected to the suction hose port 17, and a suction blower (not shown) is connected to the suction hose 20 via a filter (not shown). Thus, by operating the suction blower, the suction chamber 16 of the suction member 12 is sucked through the suction hose 20.
The suction force acts on the lens space, and the lens front space 14 can be sucked through the suction passage 15. The suction hose 20, the suction blower, and the like constitute a suction unit connected to the suction member.

The operation of the recording apparatus having the above configuration will be described below. After the recording medium 1 is held on the outer peripheral surface of the rotating drum 2 by vacuum suction or electrostatic suction, etc.,
The rotating drum 2 rotates in a scanning direction (main scanning direction) indicated by an arrow A, and the recording head 3 irradiates a laser beam during the rotation to selectively sublimate and remove the sublimation dye on the surface of the recording medium 1. Thus, image recording is performed. Further, during this recording, the recording position is moved by moving the recording head 3 in the longitudinal scanning direction (sub-scanning direction) of the rotary drum 2 indicated by the arrow B, and the image is recorded on the entire surface of the recording medium 1. Is performed.

During the above recording operation, the suction hose 2
0 is always sucked by a suction blower (not shown), and the air in the lens front space 14 in the suction member 12 is always sucked into the suction passage 15. Furthermore, an airflow is generated around the rotary drum 2 due to the rotation of the rotary drum 2, and the air in the lens front space 14 is efficiently sucked into the suction passage 15 by this airflow. During the recording operation, as described above, the laser light applied to the recording medium 1 causes the sublimation dye to sublime, so that the dye is emitted into the lens front space 14 from the laser light irradiation position. This lens front space 1
4 is surrounded by a narrow gap between the arc-shaped surface 13 and the recording medium 1, so that the dye released into the front space 14 of the lens leaks outside through the narrow gap. It is rare. Further, as described above, since the lens front space 14 is constantly sucked, the released dye is immediately sucked through the suction passage 15 on the air and removed. Thus, the released dye does not stain the objective lens 4 and good image recording is performed, and the dye does not leak to the surroundings and stain the surrounding machinery.

FIG. 4 is a schematic sectional view showing a recording head of a recording apparatus according to another embodiment of the present invention and its vicinity, and FIG. 5 is a schematic front view of the recording head and a suction member attached thereto. Parts that are the same as or similar to the embodiment shown in FIG. The mouth member 12A shown in the embodiment of FIGS. 4 and 5 has a groove-shaped air passage 22A extending toward the lens front space 14 on the upstream side in the rotation direction of the rotary drum 2 from the lens front space 14. I have. Other configurations are the same as those of the embodiment of FIGS. When the suction member 12A is used, the air flow generated by the rotation of the rotary drum 2 and the suction through the suction passage 15 cause the air passage 22A to move from the air passage 22A to the lens front space 14 as shown by the arrow in FIG.
Is generated, and the dye emitted from the recording medium 1 by the irradiation of the laser beam is immediately introduced into the suction passage 15 along the flow of the air. Therefore, the suction of the released dye is more reliably performed, and the attachment of the dye to the objective lens 4 can be more effectively prevented.

FIGS. 6 and 7 show a suction member 12B of still another embodiment. In this suction member 12B, an air passage 22 provided upstream of the lens front space 14 is provided.
B is groove-shaped, and its depth becomes shallower as it approaches the lens front space 14, and thus the cross-sectional area of the air passage 22 B decreases as it approaches the lens front space 14. Other configurations are the same as those of the above-described embodiment. In the embodiment of FIGS. 6 and 7, the flow velocity of the air flowing through the air passage 22B is accelerated as approaching the front space of the lens 14, so that a high-speed air flow is generated in the front space of the lens 14 and discharged from the recording medium 1. The dye to be removed can be efficiently discharged from the front space 14 of the lens, and the contamination of the objective lens 4 can be prevented well.

FIGS. 8 and 9 show a suction member 12C of still another embodiment. In the mouth member 12C, a hole-shaped air passage 22C penetrating upstream of the lens front space 14 is opened immediately before the objective lens 4,
Further, it is formed so as to be inclined toward the rotating drum 2. Other configurations are the same as those of the above-described embodiment. 8 and 9, the air flow from the air passage 22C flows in front of the objective lens 4 in an oblique direction and in a direction away from the objective lens 4, so that the air flow is emitted from the recording medium. The dye hardly moves toward the objective lens 4 and the stain on the objective lens 4 can be more reliably prevented.

[0023]

As is apparent from the above description, according to the present invention, a suction member is attached to a recording head so as to surround an objective lens, suction means is connected thereto, and suction and removal of dyes and the like are performed through the suction member. The suction member is further provided with an arc surface formed so as to be close to the surface of the rotary drum over both the upstream side and the downstream side in the rotation direction of the rotary drum with respect to the objective lens; A lens front space formed in front of the objective lens so as to open to the objective lens, and a suction passage for communicating the lens front space with the suction means. Prevents the dye released into the space from scattering around and prevents the dye from adhering to nearby machines.Furthermore, the space in front of the lens is suctioned to efficiently remove the dye. Can, thus, has the effect that the dye without that contaminate adhering to the objective lens of the recording head, it is possible to perform good image recording for a long period of time.

Here, if the suction passage for communicating the space in front of the lens with the suction means is arranged so as to extend downstream in the rotation direction of the rotary drum, the rotation of the rotary drum causes the suction passage from the space in front of the lens to the suction passage. An air flow is generated, and the effect that the suction effect by the suction means can be extremely increased is obtained.

Further, if an air passage extending from the upstream of the lens front space toward the lens front space is further formed in the suction member, suction from the air passage through the lens front space by the rotation of the rotary drum. The flow of air reaching the passage is generated stably, and the dye emitted by the laser beam irradiation can be more efficiently guided to the suction means through the suction passage, and the contamination of the objective lens can be prevented for a longer period. The effect is obtained.

In this case, if the cross-sectional area of the air passage is determined so as to become smaller as approaching the front space of the lens, the air flowing through the air passage is accelerated and enters the front space of the lens. The flow velocity is increased, and the released dye is immediately sent to the suction passage along with the air flow, so that the chance of contact with the objective lens is reduced, and the effect of preventing the objective lens from being stained for a longer period is obtained. .

Further, if the air passage is formed so as to open just before the objective lens in the space in front of the lens and to be inclined toward the rotary drum, the air passage is formed in the space in front of the lens through the air passage. Since the flowing air is in a direction away from the objective lens, the dye released from the recording medium is less likely to move toward the objective lens, and the effect of preventing contamination of the objective lens for a longer period is obtained. Can be

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic sectional view showing a recording head of a recording apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention and the vicinity thereof;

FIG. 2 is a schematic front view of the recording head of the embodiment shown in FIG. 1 and a suction member attached thereto.

FIG. 3 is a schematic perspective view showing a main part of the recording apparatus of the embodiment of FIG. 1 with a rotary drum separated from a recording head.

FIG. 4 is a schematic sectional view showing a recording head of a recording apparatus according to another embodiment of the present invention and the vicinity thereof;

FIG. 5 is a schematic front view of the recording head shown in FIG. 4 and a suction member attached thereto.

FIG. 6 is a schematic sectional view showing a recording head of a recording apparatus according to still another embodiment of the present invention and the vicinity thereof;

7 is a schematic front view of the recording head shown in FIG. 6 and a suction member attached thereto.

FIG. 8 is a schematic sectional view showing a recording head of a recording apparatus according to still another embodiment of the present invention and the vicinity thereof;

9 is a schematic front view of the recording head shown in FIG. 8 and a suction member attached thereto.

FIG. 10 is a schematic perspective view showing a main part of a conventional recording apparatus in a state where a rotary drum is separated from a recording head.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Recording medium 2 Rotating drum 3 Recording head 4 Objective lens 11 Lens barrel 12, 12A, 12B, 12C Suction member 13 Arc surface 14 Lens front space 15 Suction passage 16 Suction chamber 20 Suction hose 22, 22A, 22B, 22C Air passage

Claims (5)

(57) [Claims] 1. A rotary drum for holding a recording medium coated with a sublimable dye, and an objective lens at a position facing the rotary drum, and a laser beam passing through the objective lens on the recording medium held by the rotary drum. A recording head for irradiating and recording an image, a suction member attached to the recording head so as to surround the objective lens, and suction means connected to the suction member, wherein the suction member is An arc surface formed so as to be close to the surface of the rotary drum over both the upstream side and the downstream side in the rotation direction of the rotary drum with respect to the lens, and a front side of the objective lens so as to open to the arc surface. And a suction passage for communicating the front space of the lens with the suction means. 2. The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the suction passage is formed so as to extend from a space in front of the lens toward a downstream side in a rotation direction of the rotary drum. 3. The recording apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the suction member further has an air passage extending from upstream of the lens front space toward the lens front space. 4. The recording apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the cross-sectional area of the air passage decreases as approaching the space in front of the lens. 5. The recording apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the air passage is formed so as to open just before the objective lens in the space in front of the lens and to be inclined toward the rotating drum.