JP3580093B2 - Image forming device - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus that can be used for a copying machine, a facsimile, a printer, and the like.
[0002]
[Prior art]
In the image forming process of the conventional electrophotographic technology, several factors overlap and a pixel position shift occurs. The pixel misalignment referred to here is misalignment of one toner particle, that is, scattering and spilling of toner, movement in faithful to the latent image electric field, micro-capturing method in which transfer is not performed, and copying machine that generates color misregistration. And a systematic macro perception relating to the entire printer device.
[0003]
First, the electric charge q held by the toner, the electrostatic force due to the electric field applied between the photosensitive member and the developing electrode, the paper and the intermediate transfer member, and the problem of transfer to the target medium by F = qE will be described. I do. The spatial electric field generated between the regular rectangular latent image on the photoreceptor and the developing electrode is shown, for example, in FIG. 24 (Journal of the Electrophotographic Society of Japan, No. 104, Vol. 32).
No. 3, 1993).
[0004]
In FIG. 24, the lines of electric force are such that the actual photoconductor and the developing electrode are not perfectly parallel electrodes, and the lines of electric force are deflected with a curvature due to the edge effect at the edge of the rectangular latent image. , Is not completely parallel to the surface of the developing electrode. FIG. 25 shows the profile of the contrast potential when shifted from the center of the latent image by X in the process direction (photoconductor rotation direction) and by Y in the target electrode direction (gap). FIG. 25 shows that the maximum point of the contrast potential decreases as the distance from the center of the latent image increases in the process direction, and the point shifts between the photoconductor and the target electrode. In the actual development process, development does not start at the central portion of the latent image (X = 0) shown in FIG. 24, but the effective electric field threshold in the development nip (electric field of the photoconductor, toner charge, and development electrode bias) Actual development starts when the effective electric field threshold value (determined effective electric field threshold value) is reached, and therefore, it is equal to development with X shifted as shown in FIG. If, for example, X = 100 μm in the process direction, the toner receives an electrostatic force for transferring and moving, but its contrast potential is lowered and the position is also shifted, so that the toner is surely transferred to the original pixel position. It cannot be adhered. This is an essential problem of the conventional electrophotographic technology in that components for forming an image, such as a photoconductor and a transfer drum, have a certain curvature in an actual copying machine or printer.
[0005]
There are problems of color misregistration and color registration as a macro way of capturing. This largely depends on the rotation or movement accuracy (hereinafter referred to as motion quality) of a photoconductor, a transfer drum usually used in a copying machine or a printer, and a paper conveyance belt. In several bands, it occurs as a stripe pattern in a regular process direction (hereinafter referred to as banding). The color shift and banding caused by the poor motion quality appear as image defects in high-definition halftone reproduction or color character reproduction, and significantly degrade image quality.
[0006]
For this reason, in conventional copiers and printers, in order to improve the motion quality of photoconductors and conveyor belts, it has been necessary to control feedforward and feedback, or to improve the mechanical accuracy of components and assembly. Was. In addition, changes in the amount of light of the recording information writing device due to changes over time and changes in the environment, particularly changes in temperature, and deviations in the synchronicity of each mechanical configuration (for example, the diameter of the roll driving the transport belt in a tandem-type copying machine or printer) In addition, it is necessary to deal with various problems such as an example in which the distance between the photoconductors and the photoconductor becomes an integer due to the temperature expansion of the apparatus frame and the roll. This causes problems such as an increase in size, complexity, and cost of the apparatus, and can be said to be a limit to the reliability of the conventional electrophotographic technology.
[0007]
Pixel displacement in the field of printing technology has an aspect of achieving higher accuracy in exchange for higher price of the apparatus. Since this printing technique basically has a plate, no pixel position shift occurs in an image writing process such as electrophotography. Also, in color printing of yellow, magenta, cyan, and black, printing can be stably performed from a plate cylinder to a blanket cylinder and paper by "thixotropic property" which is a physical phenomenon peculiar to printing ink. Further, the plate cylinder, blanket cylinder, and paper support / conveyance cylinder have high reliability and durability, and are driven by a high-precision helical gear or the like. Further, the adjustment of the pixel position shift is performed by a specialized operator. For this reason, the pixel displacement in high-quality printing can be set to an average value of about 15 to 30 μm. However, there remains a problem that an increase in the size and cost of the entire apparatus is unavoidable, and that the on-demand property is not sufficiently supported as a recording technique aimed at business and office use.
[0008]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
The recording technique by the image forming apparatus Oce3125C published in CeBIT'96 (The hard copy Observer, pp. 29-30, April, 1996) visualizes toner by bias development without using an electrostatic latent image by a photoconductor. It is characterized by points. FIG. 26 shows a cross section of the imaging drum of the image forming apparatus. A ring-shaped electrode 70 is arranged in the insulating layer 71 at a resolution of 400 dpi in the axial direction, and the surface is covered with a dielectric layer 69. A fixed electrode group arranged in a matrix for transmitting recording information from a slip ring (not shown) is provided in the imaging drum 72, and toner from the developing roll 74 to which an electric field is applied in accordance with the recording information is used for imaging. It moves on the drum 72 to form an image.
[0009]
FIG. 27 shows the configuration of the entire conventional image forming apparatus. Imaging drums 72 are arranged around the intermediate transfer drum 73 in tandem from yellow 72Y to black 72K, and developing rolls 74 are also arranged on each imaging drum from yellow 74Y to black 74K. In the recording process, each of the seven colors from the black development to the yellow development is formed on the imaging drum 72 sequentially in a single-layer configuration. Next, the toner of each color is transferred onto the intermediate transfer drum 73 without overlapping, and the paper is conveyed from the paper storage cassette 58 so as to match the timing with the leading end of the image on the intermediate transfer drum 73. The image on the intermediate transfer drum 73 is transferred to the sheet by the secondary transfer roll 75 and is discharged to the discharge tray 62.
[0010]
This technique does not develop individual particles on a pixel-by-pixel basis, and thus the pixel position for each toner within a 63.5 μm (400 dpi) pixel is not controlled. In addition, since the recording process has a single toner layer, that is, a color image structure of a juxtaposition type, pixel misregistration (color registration) between pixels has a large effect on image quality deterioration, particularly on a color space reproduction area (color gamut). Bring.
[0011]
As another recording technique, there is a toner jet recording technique represented by Array Printers AB. This is to form a color image by directly flying a non-magnetic one-component color toner (black is a magnetic one-component toner) on a developing sleeve onto paper. A two-dimensionally arranged mesh-like control electrode is provided between the developing sleeve and the paper, and a uniform back electrode is provided on the back of the paper. The 1500 V voltage applied between the developing sleeve and the back electrode and the control electrode voltage ( (At the time of printing 275 V / at the time of non-printing −50 V), the toner is caused to fly on the paper according to the recording information. The problem with this technique is that the mesh has a hole diameter of about 100 to 150 μm, and the toner flies as a lump, causing rebound on the paper, resulting in a high background, that is, a paper background stain occurs. It is to do.
[0012]
This is, of course, not only a rebound phenomenon but also a weak point of the recording process itself in which the toner is caused to fly in an aggregate, and is a major factor that deteriorates the graininess. Another problem is that the toner is clogged and adhered to the control electrode. The toner / jet recording technique requires a cleaning device for the control electrode, which leads to an increase in size and cost of the device. On the other hand, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 4-83658 discloses a technique for preventing a back surface stain due to toner adhesion by applying an AC voltage to the back surface of the aperture electrode. In any case, an extremely small gap of about 200 μm is required. This problem of electrode contamination in recording technology in which a control electrode is inserted between the maintained developing sleeve and the back electrode and toner passes through a hole in the control electrode is an unavoidable technical problem.
[0013]
As described above, in a recording technique of forming a color image by moving, flying, transferring, and attaching particles or droplets containing a pigment or a dye coloring material to a recording medium, for example, the particles move to a desired pixel position on the recording medium. When transferred to a displaced position, deterioration of image quality such as scattering of particles and the like, deterioration of graininess due to spillage, narrowing of a color space reproduction area (color gamut), and occurrence of color registration and banding are caused.
[0014]
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus which does not cause such image quality deterioration and does not have a pixel position shift in a recording process itself.
[0015]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The purpose of the above is to provide an electric field, a magnetic field, a moving, a flying, a transfer, and an attachment to a recording medium (intermediate or paper) from a supply device (supplier) for forming particles (color material) or droplets in a uniform and thin layer. The back device (receiver) of the recording medium, which receives driving force such as pressure, on a pixel-by-pixel basis acts on the synchro, so that even if the supplier and the receiver are misaligned, particles (color materials) or droplets remain on the recording medium. This is achieved by an image forming apparatus capable of moving, flying, transferring, and attaching to a pixel position to be set.
[0016]
According to the present invention, since the recording is performed while synchronizing the supply device of the particles and the back device of the sheet or the intermediate transfer member, the particles (coloring material) can be generated without causing the pixel position deviation of the particles (coloring material) or the droplet. ) And droplets can be moved, fly, transferred and adhered in pixel units.
[0017]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
An image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. The technology used in the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment can be applied to businesses such as black-and-white copying machines, printers, facsimile and color copying machines, printers, facsimile machines, and proofers, offices, and proofer use. is there. Of course, it can be fully utilized for personal use that can be provided at high reliability and at a low price. Further, the applicability to mass production CRD use as an on-demand printing machine can be expanded.
[0018]
First, the basic operation principle of the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. Particles (coloring materials) or droplets (hereinafter, typically described as particles) are uniformly thin-layered on the particle supply device 1 by a uniform thin-layer forming means (not shown). The particles 4 are arranged so as to correspond to the electrodes 5 arranged in the lattice structure of the supply device 1 (the electrodes 5 correspond to one desired pixel and are buried in the dielectric layer 6). I have. Although the surface of the electrode 5 is exposed here, it may be completely covered in the dielectric layer 6. Also, the size of the electrode 5 and the size of the particle 4 do not necessarily have to match, and the size of the electrode 5 may be relatively smaller than the particle 4 as a matter of course. It suffices that at least the distance between the particles when the particles 4 are uniformly and closely packed and the pitch of the electrodes 5 are substantially equal. Alternatively, if the size of the particle 4 is sufficiently smaller than the required size of one pixel, the electrode 5 may have a size of one pixel. On the other hand, a back device 2 in which electrodes 5 are also arranged in a lattice structure is provided on the back surface of a recording medium 3 such as paper or an intermediate body.
[0019]
The function and structure of the particles 4 according to the present embodiment will be described. Basically, an electric field (in this case, the particles 4 must have a charge. In this case, the particles 4 must have a charge. For example, polarization due to internal polarization is used as a force for moving, flying, transferring, and attaching the particles 4 to a recording medium (hereinafter, referred to as driving force). The charge may be any of charge, induced charge due to charge injection, frictional charge with a material member having a significantly different charging sequence, an externally applied adhesion charge, or the like.), A magnetic field (in this case, a magnetic force acts on the particles 4 in the magnetic field. It is necessary to have the characteristics of a magnetic substance, especially when forming a color image, there is a concern about the turbidity of the magnetic substance particles. A layer in which a coloring material is dispersed may be formed as an outer shell layer.), Pressure, and the like.
[0020]
Further, a necessary condition is that the particles 4 have a function of easily detaching from the supply device 1 upon receiving various external stimuli. FIG. 2 shows the basic structure of the particles 4. The particle 4 has a coloring material 51 layer such as a dye or a pigment dispersed in a polymer binder 52 at the center, and its outer shell receives an external stimulus such as light, heat, light-to-heat conversion, pressure, and Joule heat due to energization. This has a multilayer structure in which the outer shell layer 50 that can reduce the adhesive force with the supply device 1 is provided. Needless to say, instead of the coloring material 51 dispersed in the polymer binder 52 in the particles 4, the coloring material 51 may be constituted only. In the color material 51, the particles 4 are transferred onto the recording medium 3 to form a color. The outer shell layer 50 may be, for example, a material that reduces or eliminates the adhesive force with the surface of the supply device 1 by being melted by receiving a thermal stimulus, for example, a wax-based coat layer. If the material is thermally melted in a temperature range of 60 to 350 ° C., a change in viscosity of about 1 to 3 mPa · s of water from a solid can be obtained.
[0021]
In addition, even if the viscosity is not low as described above, the outer shell layer 50 having a viscosity of about 1000 to 3000 mPa · s is moved, fly, and transferred between the supply device 1 and the back device 2 by a driving force acting on the synchro. , May be attached. Further, as another outer shell layer 50, a polymer material such as polyurethane or polyurea may be encapsulated and sublimated with thermal energy of about 20 to 60 mJ / mm2. The outer shell layer 50 that causes ablation (burst) by shocking light irradiation may be used. In a standard color electrophotographic toner, a pigment component is dispersed in a polyester resin, but ablation occurs at an irradiation energy (60 to 100 mJ / cm 2) on the order of several W for a pixel equivalent to 2400 dpi. . According to the preliminary report of the 42nd Joint Lecture on Applied Physics (No. 3 in the spring of 1995), an example in which a flash exposure energy of 0.73 J / cm2 was completely flown with an irradiation time of 0.43 msec (half width) was reported. Have been.
[0022]
FIG. 3 shows an example in which the outer shell layer 50 has a porous structure. This has the effect of reducing the heat capacity when the outer layer 50 undergoes a phase change of solid-liquid change (thermal melting, heat softening) or sublimation (solid → gas) when the external stimulus is heat. The detachment from the surface of the supply device 1 can be easily performed with less heat energy. In addition, there is an effect that the load when utilizing the increase in the adhesive force due to the pressure can be reduced. FIG. 4 shows the coloring material 4 having a uniform thin film structure instead of the particle layer. That is, the film is a film-like thin film uniform layer, and the coloring material 4 (for example, dispersed in a polymer binder) is separated for each pixel by the high melting point partitioning portion 53. The one described with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3 is used. Of course, the partition 53 is not limited to the high-melting-point material, but has a function of facilitating detachment from the surface of the particle supply device 1 by receiving an external stimulus so as not to affect other unnecessary pixels. , If it has a function.
[0023]
FIG. 5 shows a structure similar to that of FIG. 4 in which the material around the color material divided for each pixel is transformed by an external stimulus. For example, FIG. 5 shows a structure in which an ultraviolet curing layer 54 is provided around a coloring material 51. When the uniform thin layer 4 is irradiated with the light stimulus 13, here the ultraviolet light 13 corresponding to the recorded information, the layer around the coloring material in the irradiated pixel portion is cured by ultraviolet light, for example, the adhesive strength is reduced (or increased). By doing so, the particles can be easily detached (adhered) from the particle supply device 1. FIG. 6 shows a particle 4 having a photoconductive shell 55. An applied voltage 12 is applied between the supply device 1 and the electrode 5 of the rear device 2, and a recording signal from the recording information signal processing unit 7 is conveyed to the divided signal synchronizing unit 8, and is synchronized with one light stimulus. A desired pixel electrode 5 is activated (applied voltage 12 acts on electrode 5). The charge 15 flows through the photoconductive outer shell 55 of the particle 4 by receiving the light stimulus 13, thereby generating Joule heat, thereby melting the photoconductive outer shell 55, and supplying the particle 4. 1 can be easily separated. The particle supply device 1 may be, for example, a transparent electrode obtained by vacuum-depositing ITO (indium tin oxide) on glass, an optical semiconductor, or the like.
[0024]
Returning to FIG. 1, the recording information is transmitted from the recording information signal processing unit 7 to the division signal synchronizing unit 8 as shown in the signal transmission / reception direction 10 to the supply device 1 and the rear device 2, and recorded as synchronized image signals. It is divided and output from the information signal output unit 9 via the matrix drive circuit 11. As a result, the electrodes corresponding to the desired pixels of the supply device 1 and the back device 2 are synchronously activated (the detachment action of the particles 4 from the supply device 1 and the driving of moving, flying, transferring, and attaching the particles 4 to the recording medium 3). Force acts). For example, if the supply device 1 and the rear device 2 are shifted by Δx, the image is transferred to the position shifted by Δx on the recording medium in the conventional electrophotographic process.
[0025]
However, in the present embodiment, in order to easily detach the particles 4 from the supply device 1 and transfer the particles 4 to a desired position on the recording medium 3, there is provided a pixel unit electrode portion 5 'which acts while synchronizing the driving force. Thus, the particles 4 can move, fly, transfer, and adhere from the position of the mark to 4 ′ to 4 ″, so that a deviation of Δx can be prevented from being generated on the recording medium 3. In FIG. 1, the object to be activated in pixel units has been described as the supply device 1 having a lattice structure and the electrode 5 of the rear device 2, but this is a structure that can be activated in pixel units in response to an external stimulus or has such a function. The supply device 1 and the back device 2 may be made of any material.
[0026]
FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram in which the particles 4 are arranged on the supply device 1. The electrode portions 5 in the pixels of the lattice structure 1 in the particle supply device 1 are arranged to have substantially the same size as the particles 4. When moving, flying, transferring and attaching the particles 4 by applying an electric field to the electrode portion 5, the periphery of the electrode portion 5 is surrounded by the dielectric layer 6 and is configured to be electrically insulated. .
[0027]
FIGS. 8 and 9 show an image forming apparatus using a recording process in which light and an electric field act in synchronization with each other as an external stimulus so that pixel displacement does not occur. First, the particles 4 used in FIG. 8 are in a molten state in the particle supply hopper 16, and are separated and divided into a substantially spherical shape from the tip of the hopper 16 by the light stimulus 17 for forming particles. As a coloring material, a wax-based material is typical, and if a coloring material such as a dye or a pigment is dispersed in a wax-based material, the particles 4 discharged from the tip of the hopper 16 are deposited on the surface of the supply device 1. It is solidified into a roughly spherical shape by being quickly deprived of heat. The uniform layer of the particles 4 thus formed on the supply device 1 is transported to a particle moving section between the supply device 1 and the back device 2.
[0028]
On the other hand, as an external stimulus according to the recorded information, a light stimulus 13 is guided into the supply device 1 by a light transmission unit (not shown), and is irradiated from the inside of the supply device 1 having a transparent support layer according to the recorded information. . On the other hand, the voltage application by the electric field application voltage 12 provided outside acts on the electrode portion 5 provided in the back electrode 2 at the timing synchronized with the light stimulus 13. The back electrode 5 is stationary with respect to the rotating back device 2, and the applied voltage can be supplied via slip rings provided at both ends of the back device 2 (not shown). In FIG. 8, the rear device 2 is configured as an intermediate transfer drum that once transfers a particle image corresponding to recording information and then transfers the particle image to a sheet as a final recording medium. Even if the motion quality is poor, it is possible to apply a driving force so that the particles 4 can be moved to the original pixel position. The unnecessary particle image that has passed through the particle moving unit is conveyed to the color material regenerating device 18, scraped off by the squeeze roll 19, reheated and melted, passes through the color material conveying pipe 21, and passes through the particle supply hopper 16. Is returned to. The surface of the squeeze roll 19 is in contact with a scraping blade 20 so as to be constantly cleaned.
[0029]
The movement mechanism of the particles 4 will be described with reference to FIG. A signal corresponding to the image information is processed by the recording information signal processing unit 7 and transmitted to the divided signal synchronization unit 8. Among the synchronous stimuli, the particles 4 on the supply device 1 that have received the light stimulus 13 absorb heat due to photothermal conversion, are easily detached from the surface of the supply device 1 due to the above-described material characteristics, and have an externally applied voltage 12. , A + (plus) charge 15 is induced. Of course, the particles need not be charge injection type particles, and may be charged particles that act by an electric field. On the other hand, the electrode unit 5 of the rear device 2 is in a state where only the desired electrode unit 5 ′ is activated, and − (minus) charges 14 are induced. The electric field generated by the + and − charges accurately moves the particles 4 having induced the + charges 15 onto the recording medium 3.
[0030]
FIG. 10 shows a recording process in a case where the supply device 1 and the back device 2 do not have the electrode portions 5 having a lattice structure. The higher the electrode density of the electrode portion 5 is 1200 to 2400 dpi or higher, the higher the manufacturing cost. In order to solve this, it is necessary not to have pixels having a lattice structure. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 10, the light stimulus 13 is divided into a light stimulus 13 ′ and a light stimulus 13 ″. On the other hand, the back device 2 also has a structure in which the support layer has transparency and the optical semiconductor layer 24 is provided as a surface layer. With such a basic configuration, only a region corresponding to a desired pixel position is activated by receiving synchronized two-division light stimulation.
[0031]
Further, a recording process using pressure can be used as a driving force for moving, transferring, flying, and attaching the particles 4 to the recording medium 3. 11 and 12 show an image forming apparatus and an image forming process utilizing the cis-trans photoisomerization phenomenon of an azo-benzene group, for example. FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram showing the cis-trans photoisomerization of an azo-benzene group, which is a photosensitive material having the property of photoisomerization by synthesizing a photosensitive molecule and a polymer monomer such as polyethyl acrylate. Is obtained. The average intermolecular distance in the trans state is 9 angstroms, but the ultraviolet light wavelength hν ₁ In response to this, the intermolecular distance shrinks to an average of 5.5 Å and isomerizes to the cis state. By utilizing the photomechanical effect, the pressure can be converted into mechanical pressure and applied to a recording process. Regarding the fast response, the cis-trans photoisomerization time of a single molecule was 10 times on average. ^-7 sec, the time until the stress imbalance in each part of the polymer is equalized is 10 on average. ^-4 -10 ^-3 By optimizing the conditions so as to be sec, the pressure actuator can be sufficiently configured in the recording process. In addition, this cis-trans photoisomerization has a visible light wavelength hν ₂ Irradiates the element to the original transformer state and has reversibility.
[0032]
11 transports four layers of color material having a step having a thickness corresponding to recording information on the supply device 1 to a nip portion with the back device 2, and the inside of the supply device 1 through the recording medium 3. Then, only the color material corresponding to the raised image area portion is transferred onto the recording medium 3 by being heated by the uniform heat applying device 29. FIG. 12 shows the steps of this recording process. First, the rotary color material supply device 28 shown in FIG. 11 is provided with a plurality of developing units filled with a plurality of color materials having a cis-trans photoisomerization property of yellow, magenta, cyan, and black. The color material 4 is supplied from the color material supply device 28 onto the surface of the support 33 of the supply device 1, and first, a uniform thin film layer is formed (Step S1). Next, the thickness of the color material 4 is reduced and decreased by applying the uniform ultraviolet light irradiation 26 (step S2). Next, visible light irradiation 27 according to the recorded information is performed. For example, in the case of image writing writing in which only the image portion is irradiated with visible light, only the image portion region returns to the original thickness again (step S3). Thereby, a mechanical color material step (unevenness) between the image portion and the non-image portion can be formed.
[0033]
The following steps S4 and S5 using the color material step will be described in more detail with reference to FIG. In FIG. 14, the light stimulus 13 'acting on the supply device 1 out of the two divided light stimuli acts to make the color material 4 easily detachable. The surface layer of the other rear device 2 is composed of a material layer having cis-trans photoisomerization properties, and can receive only the light stimulus 13 ″ to protrude only in that region, and the recording medium 3 Pressure can be applied from the back. Even in the fixing process in ordinary electrophotographic technology, a toner composed of a polyester-based polymer resin and a pigment cannot be fixed on paper only by heat energy. Since the polymer resin whose viscosity is reduced by applying pressure together with heat can be completely fixed by penetrating into the gaps of the paper fibers together with the pigment, it can be understood that the action of pressure is important. Needless to say, the cis-trans photoisomerization surface layer of the rear device 2 in FIG. 14 may be provided on the supply device 1 side.
[0034]
FIG. 15 shows another example, in which the optical response of lead lanthanum zirconate titanate (PLZT) by ultraviolet light is used. This feature is that strain and heat are used simultaneously. Ultraviolet light 34 is radiated from the back surface of the transparent support layer of the supply device 1 whose surface layer is made of PLZT according to the recorded information. PLZT ceramics generate a light distortion effect and a heat generation phenomenon due to absorption of 365 nm ultraviolet light 34, thereby generating mechanical distortion. Factors that may cause distortion include four superpositions of the optical distortion effect, thermal expansion, remanent polarization (Pr) change, and piezoelectric effect due to pyroelectric current. For example, there is a report that the time required to obtain a distortion of 2.5 μm by irradiating ultraviolet light of 120 mW / cm 2 or more is about 5 minutes or less (Proceedings of the Spring Meeting of the Japan Society of Precision Engineering, 1996). If the conditions are optimized, it can be used as a light distortion actuator.
[0035]
FIGS. 16, 17, and 18 show a surface unevenness forming apparatus that applies pressure to the color material 4 by using a pixel-by-pixel member that slides mechanically. In particular, FIG. 18 shows a case where a temperature-sensitive magnetic material that changes in response to the light stimulus 13 is used as a sliding member. First, the color material pressing unit 35 in FIG. 16 has a structure including an optical actuator portion 36 capable of absorbing pulse-like shock light energy and capable of minute deformation and a sliding piston 37 (FIG. 16A). For example, when pulse-like impact light energy is applied to a minutely deformed portion having a thickness of about 50 μm × width of 120 μm × height of 100 μm, rapid thermal expansion is generated in the minutely deformed portion and the object can be deformed and moved (FIG. 16B). If an appropriate shape and material are determined, a deformation of the order of several mm is possible with an optical output of about 3.7 W. By using this deformation to apply the movement of the sliding piston according to the recording information to the color material 4 as pressure, an image contrast is obtained as the image portion or the non-image portion color material 4 ″ shown in FIG. When the transfer of the color material onto the recording medium 3 (not shown) is completed, the tip of the sliding piston is immersed again in the color material tank 39 to form a uniform thin layer color material (FIG. 16 (c)). )).
[0036]
FIGS. 17A to 17C show a structure in which a gas or a fluid is filled in a chamber 40 divided for each pixel, and a bubble 41 is generated by the heat energy of the light generating layer 22 that converts the light stimulus 13 into heat. belongs to. In FIGS. 18A and 18B, the temperature-sensitive magnetic body 42 and the permanent magnet 43 are set to have a magnetic pole relationship that repels when the temperature-sensitive magnetic body 42 has a magnetic force. The temperature-sensitive magnetic body 42 can be divided and slid in units of pixels. When the temperature-sensitive magnetic body 42 is converted into heat by receiving the light stimulus 13, the temperature of the temperature-sensitive magnetic body 42 rises and the magnetization attraction force crosses the Curie point. To decline. Then, the repulsive force is reduced, and the color material 4 can be pressed by a force acting in a pulling direction by a spring connecting the temperature-sensitive magnetic body 42 and the permanent magnet 43 (not shown) (FIG. 18A). Actually, the optical stimulus 13 is applied to the electromagnetic coil 44 instead of the temperature-sensitive magnetic body 42 and is slid in the direction 45 (FIG. 18B). There is no problem if the magnetic force relationship in FIG. 18 is such that the temperature-sensitive magnetic body 42 and the permanent magnet 43 are attractive forces and the spring assisting force is a repulsive force.
[0037]
FIG. 19 shows a particle flight recording process using ablation (burst) by shocking light irradiation. The supply device 1 includes a transparent support layer, a deflection element unit 47 and a protective layer 48, and an externally applied voltage 12 acts between the supply device 1 and the back device 2 via the recording medium 3. Simultaneously with the irradiation of the uniform shock light stimulus 38, a voltage from a deflection element drive circuit (not shown) is applied to the deflection element 47 according to the recorded information. For example, when the deflecting element in the image area is opened, the particles in that area fly in the direction of 49, and the particles 4 are charged by the electric charges in advance by applying an electric field to the particles 4 by charging the particles 4 in advance. It can be moved to a desired position on the recording medium. Needless to say, the back device 2 has a structure and a function that can apply a driving force to the particles 4 in pixel units according to the present embodiment.
[0038]
FIGS. 20, 21, 22, and 23 show an image forming apparatus in which the recording process according to the present embodiment is applied to an actual copying machine or printer. FIG. 20 shows a monocolor image forming apparatus. In FIG. 20, a predetermined voltage is applied between the supply device 1 and the electrode unit 5 of the rear device 2 from the divided signal synchronization unit 8. The recording medium 3 is sent from the sheet storage cassette 58 to the supply device 1 and the back device 2 via a paper feed roll 59 and a registration roll 60. The supply device 1 is supplied with the particles 4 from the particle unit 57. With the rotation of the supply device 1, the particles 4 are carried to a predetermined position of the recording medium 3 between the supply device 1 and the back device 2, separated from the supply device 1 by the optical stimulus 13 from the supply device 1, and 3 adheres to a predetermined position. Thereafter, the recording medium 3 is sent to a fixing device 61, where the particles 4 are fixed on the recording medium 3, and are discharged from a discharge tray 62.
[0039]
The monocolor image forming apparatus shown in FIG. 21 differs from the monocolor image forming apparatus shown in FIG. An electrode portion 5 is provided inside the intermediate body 2 and has a function as a back device. The particles 4 supplied from the particle unit 57 to the supply device 1 are transported to a predetermined position between the supply device 1 and the intermediate body 2 with the rotation of the supply device 1, and are supplied by the light stimulus 13 from the supply device 1. And adheres to a predetermined position of the intermediate 2. Then, the adhered particles 4 move with the rotation of the intermediate body 2, and adhere to predetermined positions of the recording medium 3 supplied between the intermediate body 2 and the secondary transfer roll 63.
[0040]
Naturally, the recording process according to the present embodiment can also be applied to a color image forming apparatus. FIG. 22 shows a multiple transfer type color image forming apparatus, and FIG. 23 shows a tandem type color image forming apparatus. . The color image forming apparatus illustrated in FIG. 22 is basically the same as the configuration illustrated in FIG. 20 except that the particle units 57K to 57Y of the respective colors are arranged around the supply device 1. In the tandem type color image forming apparatus shown in FIG. 23, the paper transport belt 66 transports the recording medium 3 along a belt transport direction 67 by a belt drive roll 68 or the like. The supply devices 1C, 1M, and 1Y are provided for each color along the paper transport belt 66, and the electrode units 5C, 5M, and 5Y of the rear device 2 are arranged at positions facing each other across the paper transport belt 66. The recording medium 3 is placed on a paper transport belt 66 by a paper feed roll 59 and a registration roll 60 and moves with the movement of the paper transport belt 66 to sequentially feed the supply devices 1C, 1M, 1Y and the opposing electrode units 5C, 5M. , 5Y and particles 4Y, 4M, 4C are attached.
[0041]
As described above, according to the present embodiment, it is possible to provide a recording technique that does not require pixel position control as performed in a conventional electrophotographic apparatus. In particular, individual particles (coloring materials) or droplets can be accurately attached to desired positions on a recording medium such as paper or an intermediate. Further, the action of the force for driving the particles or the like can be made to function in units of one pixel such as one particle or droplet. Therefore, the present invention can be applied to black-and-white and color copying machines, printers and facsimile machines as a recording technique capable of high-accuracy pixel alignment, and can also be applied to a mass printing (CRD) printer. On the other hand, it also has the ability as a color proofer where high image quality is important.
[0042]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, the following effects can be obtained.
1. The particles (coloring material) or droplets can move, fly, transfer and adhere to a desired position on the recording medium, so that high-definition image quality can be obtained.
2. Unlike the conventional electrophotographic process, the photoconductor is not used, and the supplier and receiver record data directly on the recording medium in synchro. This improves the stability of the process. That is, the reliability can be improved, and the size and size of the device can be reduced. Price can be increased.
3. It is not necessary to make the movement and rotation accuracy of the particle supply device and the recording medium rear device strict. Since the accuracy of the component parts and the accuracy of the assembly may be the general accuracy, it is suitable for mass production, and therefore the cost can be reduced.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a basic operation principle of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a particle structure in an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a diagram showing another example of the particle structure in the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 4 is a diagram showing another example of the particle structure in the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 5 is a diagram showing another example of the particle structure in the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example utilizing energized Joule heat in particles in the image forming apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 7 is a diagram showing particles placed in a cell for one pixel of a lattice structure in the image forming apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example using a photostimulation and a lattice structure rear device in the image forming apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example using a photostimulation and a lattice structure rear device in the image forming apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example in which a light stimulus is divided into two parts in the image forming apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example using color material surface irregularities in the image forming apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating a recording process using color material surface irregularities in the image forming apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram showing cis-trans photoisomerization in the image forming apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 14 is a diagram showing an example using cis-trans photoisomerization in the image forming apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 15 is a diagram showing an example in which the color material surface unevenness due to the photoreaction of PLZT is used in the image forming apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 16 is an explanatory view of a color material surface unevenness forming device by shock light absorption.
FIG. 17 is a diagram illustrating a color material surface unevenness forming apparatus using a bubble pressure generated by photothermal conversion.
FIG. 18 is a diagram showing a color material surface unevenness forming apparatus using a temperature-sensitive magnetic material utilizing a Curie point demagnetization phenomenon by photothermal conversion.
FIG. 19 is a diagram showing an example in which a particle rupture phenomenon due to shock light and a deflection element are combined in the image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 20 is a diagram illustrating a monocolor image forming apparatus as one example of an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 21 is a diagram illustrating a mono-color image forming apparatus via an intermediate medium as another example of an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 22 is a diagram showing a multiple type color image forming apparatus as another example of one embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 23 is a diagram showing a tandem-type color image forming apparatus as another example of one embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 24 is a diagram showing an electric field formed by a ladder pattern latent image in the form of a photoconductor.
FIG. 25 is a diagram showing a change in contrast potential due to a spatial field.
FIG. 26 is a diagram showing an imaging drum structure.
FIG. 27 is a diagram showing a schematic structure of a conventional printer.
[Explanation of symbols]
1 Supply device
2 Back device
3 Recording medium
4. Particles (coloring materials) or droplets
4 'movement, flight, transfer, adhesion direction
4 '' Move, fly, transfer, adhered particles (colorant) or droplets
5. Electrode part in one pixel of lattice structure
5 'working electrode
6 Dielectric layer
7 Recorded information signal processing unit
8 division signal synchronization section
9 Recorded information signal output section
10. Signal transmission / reception direction
11 Matrix drive circuit
12 applied voltage
13 Light stimulation
14 Negative charge
15 Positive charge
16 Particle supply hopper
17 Photostimulation for particle formation
18 Color material reproduction device
19 Squeeze Roll
20 Scraping blade
21 Color material transfer pipe
22 Light heating layer
23 Heating area
24 Optical semiconductor layer
25 Negative charge dielectric region
26 Uniform UV light irradiation
27 Visible light irradiation
28 Rotary color material supply device
29 Uniform heating device
30 Paper feed roll
31 Registration Roll
32 Recording medium transport direction
33 Feeder support
34 Recording information writing with ultraviolet light
35 Color material pressing unit
36 Optical Actuator
37 sliding piston
38 Recording information writing by shock light
39 color material tank
40 chambers
41 bubbles
42 Temperature-sensitive magnetic material
43 permanent magnet
44 Electromagnetic coil
45 Moving direction of electromagnetic coil
46 Fixing roll
47 Deflection element unit
48 Protective layer
49 Particle flight direction
50 outer shell layer
51 color materials
52 binder
53 High melting point partition
54 UV curable layer
55 Photoconductive outer shell
57 Particle (Coloring Material) Unit
58 Paper storage cassette
59 Paper feed roll
60 Registration Roll
61 Fixing unit
62 discharge tray
63 Secondary transfer roll
64 Supply drum rotation direction
65 Back drum rotation direction
66 Paper transport belt
67 Belt transport direction
68 belt drive roll
69 Dielectric surface layer
70 Ring electrode
71 Insulation layer
72 Imaging Drum
72Y-72K Yellow-Black Imaging Drum
73 Intermediate transfer drum
74Y-74K yellow-black developing unit
75 Secondary transfer roll
76 Paper transport direction

Claims (7)

In an image forming apparatus for forming an image by moving, flying, transferring, and attaching powder particles (coloring material) or droplets to a recording medium such as a paper or an intermediate,
Supply means for uniformly forming and supporting a thin layer of the particles (coloring material) or droplets;
A back surface for generating an action force for moving, flying, transferring and attaching the particles (color material) or droplets for each pixel in synchronism with the supply means while holding the recording medium between the supply means and the recording medium. Means,
An external electric field is applied to the supply unit and the back surface unit, and a light stimulus according to recording information in which a size and a diameter of the particle (color material) or the droplet is one pixel unit is divided into two by an optical unit, By applying the same signal in synchronization with the supply unit and the back surface unit, the acting force due to the applied external electric field acts on the particles (color material) or droplets having a charged charge,
The supply unit and the back surface unit each include a transparent electrode plate or a hollow transparent electrode cylinder provided with a light heating element layer for converting light into heat on the surface, and the supply unit includes light corresponding to the recording information. An image forming apparatus, wherein the light heating element layer generates heat by receiving a stimulus to release the particles (coloring material) or droplets. In an image forming apparatus for forming an image by moving, flying, transferring, and attaching powder particles (coloring material) or droplets to a recording medium such as a paper or an intermediate,
Supply means for uniformly forming and supporting a thin layer of the particles (coloring material) or droplets;
A back surface for generating an action force for moving, flying, transferring and attaching the particles (color material) or droplets for each pixel in synchronism with the supply means while holding the recording medium between the supply means and the recording medium. Means,
The supply means has a transparent electrode plate or a hollow transparent electrode cylinder provided with a light-generating layer for converting light into heat on the surface, and receives light stimulus according to recorded information to generate heat in the light-emitting layer. Then, the particles (coloring material) or droplets are released, and the back surface means has a transparent electrode plate or a hollow transparent electrode cylinder provided with a surface layer which receives light stimulus on its surface to form irregularities. Image forming apparatus. 3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein said surface layer of said back means is formed of a photoisomerizable material. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the back surface unit has a light receiving unit that undergoes rapid thermal expansion and deformation by receiving light stimulus on the surface layer, and the light receiving unit is the particle (color material) or the droplet. An image forming apparatus having a lattice structure having a size and a diameter of one pixel unit. 3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the back unit uses a pressing force of a bubble generated in the fluid by heat generated by receiving the light stimulus, the size of the particle (color material) or the droplet, An image forming apparatus having a lattice structure including a sliding mechanism having a diameter of one pixel unit. 3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the back means changes a magnetization attraction force at a boundary of a Curie point of the temperature-sensitive magnetic material by heat generated by receiving the optical stimulus, or attracts the optical stimulus to an electromagnetic coil. An image forming apparatus, wherein the image forming apparatus has a lattice structure including a sliding mechanism unit in which a size and a diameter of the particles (coloring material) or droplets are replaced by a force change. In an image forming apparatus for forming an image by moving, flying, transferring, and attaching powder particles (coloring material) or droplets to a recording medium such as a paper or an intermediate,
Supply means for uniformly forming and supporting a thin layer of the particles (coloring material) or droplets;
A back surface for generating an action force for moving, flying, transferring and attaching the particles (color material) or droplets for each pixel in synchronism with the supply means while holding the recording medium between the supply means and the recording medium. Means,
The particles (coloring material) are composed of a coloring material layer made of a pigment or a dye and a surface layer, and the surface layer is melted and softened by light, heat, light-to-heat conversion, or supplied by receiving shock light. A layer that efficiently absorbs and converts light into heat so as to rapidly rupture air and moisture held by the surface layer in the vicinity of a contact portion with the surface of the means, and a current flowing through an external voltage applied between the supply means and the back means. An image forming apparatus comprising one of a layer which is melted and softened by Joule heat.

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