JP4523725B2 - Optical printer - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an optical printer that exposes an instant film, and more particularly, to an optical printer that varies the transport speed of an instant film in accordance with the characteristics of the instant film.
[0002]
[Prior art]
On the surface of the instant film containing the self-developing liquid, there are irregularities due to the storage portion for storing the self-developing liquid. Therefore, in such an optical printer that exposes and develops an instant film, when the developing device squeezes out the self-developing solution from the storage unit, if the carrying speed of the instant film is increased, the carrying speed is disturbed by the unevenness. Therefore, the instant film was transported at a constant speed while keeping the transport speed low.
[0003]
However, if the self-developing solution is squeezed out, the unevenness of the surface of the instant film is almost eliminated, and there is a non-photosensitive part at the rear end part in the conveyance direction of the instant film. Does not affect the image even if the conveyance speed is disturbed. However, since the instant film was conveyed at a constant speed with a low pressure, there was a problem that it took a long time until the instant film was exposed and developed and discharged.
[0004]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide an optical printer that solves the above-described problems and can discharge an instant film that has been exposed and developed in a shorter time.
[0005]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, in the optical printer according to the present invention, a film storage section for storing an instant film containing a self-developing solution, an optical head for irradiating exposure light on the instant film, A developing unit for squeezing out the self-developing solution, a transport unit for transporting the instant film, and a control unit for changing the transport speed of the instant film by the transport unit during the transport of the instant film. .
[0006]
In addition, the instant film preferably has a developing solution storage portion containing a self-developing solution and a photosensitive surface, and the self-developing solution squeezed from the developing solution storage portion develops the photosensitive surface.
Furthermore, it is preferable that the control means make the transport speed when the developing means is located in the developer storage section smaller than at least when transporting other parts of the instant film.
[0007]
Furthermore, it is preferable that the control means reduce the conveyance speed when the exposure of the instant film on the photosensitive surface by the optical head is performed as compared with the case where the exposure of the instant film on the photosensitive surface is completed.
Furthermore, it is preferable that the developing unit is a developing roller and the conveying unit is a conveying roller.
[0008]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
First, an instant film 100 and a film cartridge 120 containing a plurality of instant films 100, which are photoreceptors used in the optical printer according to the present invention, will be described.
FIG. 1 shows the appearance of the instant film 100. The instant film 100 has a developer pack 101 containing a self-developing solution, a photosensitive material 102, a surface cover 103, and a developer pool 104 at one end portion. Further, the front cover 103 has a transparent opening facing the photosensitive material 102, and certain portions such as the developer pack 101 and the developer pool 104 are made of an opaque material.
[0009]
In the dark place, the photosensitive material 102 is exposed through the opening of the front cover 103, the developer pack 101 is squeezed, the self-developing solution is spread over the entire photosensitive material 102, and development is performed to develop a full-color image.
FIG. 2 shows the appearance of the film cartridge 120. The film cartridge 120 has a large opening 121 and a small opening 122, and the small opening 122 is configured to be able to come into contact with the rear end portion of the stored instant film 100. Further, edge portions 123 and 124 are provided on both sides of the film cartridge 120, and a battery 127 is provided at the lower portion in the drawing. Electric power can be supplied from the battery 127 via the electrodes 125 and 126. Further, the instant film 100 is taken out from the film cartridge 120 using the small opening 122 and then transported by a transport unit 220 described later for development or the like.
[0010]
An optical printer 200 according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 3 is a schematic central sectional view of the optical printer 200. The optical printer 200 includes an optical head unit 210, a transport unit 220, a storage unit 260, a control circuit 600, and the like.
The optical head unit 210 includes an LED unit 211 in which LEDs of three colors (approximately red, approximately green, and approximately blue) as light sources are arranged side by side, a toroid lens 213 having a planar and cylindrical lens surface, and a fan shape from the light source. The parabolic mirror 212 that reflects the light beam 217 radiated on the light beam as a substantially parallel light beam and then passes again through the toroidal lens 213, and is converged into a sharp line at the exposure point P on the photosensitive surface 102. A reflecting mirror 214 that reflects the light beam 217 downward by 90 degrees, a liquid crystal light shutter array 215 for selectively transmitting or blocking the light beam 217 from the light source, and a mask member 216 are provided. The liquid crystal optical shutter array 215 is configured to be able to form a color latent image of 640 pixels × 640 lines on the photosensitive surface 102 of the instant film 100. In the present embodiment, the vertical and horizontal lengths of one pixel are each 162 μm. The latent image forming method will be described later.
[0011]
The transport unit 220 is provided adjacent to the storage unit 260 in which the film cartridge 120 is stored, and the instant film 100 that is a photosensitive member is moved in the direction of the arrow Z by the transport roller pair 221a and 221b and the developing roller pair 222a and 222b. Transport to and discharge. While the instant film 100 is conveyed, the photosensitive material 102 is exposed at the exposure point P by the optical head unit 210 to form a latent image.
[0012]
The developer pack 101 described above is disposed at the leading end of the instant film 100 in the transport direction, and the developer pack 101 is squeezed by the pair of developing rollers 222a and 222b, so that the self-developer is supplied from the developer pack 101 to the instant film. It is configured to gradually spread over the photosensitive material 102 after 100 exposures. Therefore, the instant film 100 discharged from the optical printer 200 completes the development of the latent image after a predetermined time has elapsed, and a color image is developed.
[0013]
Since the development starts when the self-developing solution reacts with the photosensitive material 102, it is important that the self-developing solution does not come into contact with the unexposed photosensitive material 102. Therefore, as will be described later, the conveyance roller pairs 221a and 221b are configured such that the diameters of the central portions thereof are small, and the developer pack 101 is not restricted by the conveyance roller pairs.
[0014]
In addition, a rotary encoder 250 is provided on the shaft of the transport roller 221a, and an exposure timing by the optical head 210 is configured to use an encoder pulse generated from the rotary encoder 250.
The conveying roller pair 221a and 221b and the developing roller pair 222a and 222b are configured to be driven by a motor M. An M rotary encoder 255 is provided on the drive shaft of the motor M, and rotation control of the motor M is performed using an M encoder pulse generated from the M rotary encoder 255.
[0015]
The storage unit 260 is configured to store the film cartridge 120 held by the holder 261.
4 shows an encoder pulse (a) generated using the rotary encoder 250, a data transfer timing (b), an LED light emission pulse (c) supplied to the LED unit 211, and each liquid crystal supplied to the liquid crystal shutter array 215. It is the figure which showed LCS pulse (d)-(f) for performing opening / closing control of a shutter element.
[0016]
The liquid crystal shutter array 215 includes only one row of 640 liquid crystal shutter elements that can be opened and closed independently in a direction perpendicular to the transport direction of the instant film 100 (the direction of arrow Z in FIG. 3). Each liquid crystal shutter element is formed of a so-called normally white type liquid crystal that transmits light when no voltage is applied (0 V) and blocks light when a predetermined voltage is applied.
[0017]
Each LED of the LED unit 211 emits RGB in a time-sharing manner, and the exposure light beam generated by each LED passes through the liquid crystal shutter element of the liquid crystal shutter array 215, and is predetermined at different positions on the photosensitive surface 102. Images are formed at pitch intervals.
As shown in FIG. 4B, image data for driving each liquid crystal shutter element is transferred to the liquid crystal shutter array 215 in correspondence with the previous encoder pulse. Then, in synchronization with the encoder pulse (a), as shown in FIG. 4 (c), an LED light emission pulse is generated, and the LED unit is repeated at a predetermined time interval while repeating the order of R, G, B. Each LED 211 is caused to emit light. Further, in synchronization with the encoder pulse (a), an LSC pulse based on image data transferred in advance is generated to control the opening / closing operation of each liquid crystal shutter element.
[0018]
Since the rotary encoder 255 is provided coaxially with the transport roller 211a, the encoder pulse is synchronized with the transport of the instant film 100. Therefore, by generating the LED light emission pulse and the LCS pulse in synchronization with the encoder pulse, it is possible to prevent image quality deterioration due to uneven conveyance.
[0019]
The LCS pulse in FIG. 4 (d) is a signal for closing a liquid crystal shutter element by applying a predetermined voltage during the entire period when each color LED emits light. In this case, the photosensitive material 102 of the instant film 100 develops black after development. The LCS pulse in FIG. 4E is a signal that closes the liquid crystal shutter element by applying a predetermined voltage during a half period of light emission of each color LED. In this case, the photosensitive material 102 of the instant film 100 develops a gray color after development. The LCS pulse in FIG. 4 (f) is a signal that opens the liquid crystal shutter element without applying a voltage during the entire period of light emission of each color LED. In this case, the photosensitive material 102 of the instant film 100 develops white color after development. Thus, by controlling the application time of the voltage applied to each liquid crystal shutter element of the liquid crystal optical shutter array 215, in this embodiment, it is possible to express 64 gradations for each color.
[0020]
At the end of each color exposure, a pair of positive and negative pulses is applied to all the liquid crystal shutter elements of the liquid crystal light shutter array 215 so as not to be affected by the image history immediately before each liquid crystal shutter element. Furthermore, in order to prevent deterioration of the liquid crystal, the polarity of the voltage applied to the liquid crystal optical shutter array 215 is inverted every time. It is assumed that the opening / closing operation of each liquid crystal shutter element does not change even if the polarity of the voltage applied to the liquid crystal shutter array 215 changes.
[0021]
FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining a latent image forming process on the instant film 100. Here, it is assumed that the instant film 100 is transported in the direction of the arrow Z by the transport unit 220 at a predetermined transport speed. The instant film 100 includes an R layer that forms a latent image in response to R light, a G layer that forms a latent image in response to G light, and a B layer that forms a latent image in response to B light. It shall have. As shown in FIG. 5A, each of the R, G, and B lights irradiated by the optical head unit 210 forms an image having a width W at an exposure point P on the photosensitive material 102 of the instant film 100. Images are formed at pitch intervals.
[0022]
FIG. 5A shows a point in time when exposure with R light is started.
FIG. 5B shows a point in time when the G light exposure is started. Note that the exposure of the section A in the R layer by the R light is completed by turning on the R light for a predetermined time and moving the instant film 100.
FIG. 5C shows a point in time when the exposure to the B light is started. Note that exposure of the section B in the G layer by the G light is completed by turning on the G light for a predetermined time and moving the instant film 100.
[0023]
FIG. 5D shows a point in time when the R light exposure is started again. Note that the exposure of the section C in the B layer by the B light is completed by turning on the B light for a predetermined time and moving the instant film 100.
Similarly, in FIG. 5E, the exposure of the section D with the R light is completed, and in FIG. 5F, the exposure of the section E with the G light is completed. By repeating the same procedure, a latent image is formed on the instant film 100.
[0024]
Next, the detailed structure of the optical printer 200 according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 6 shows a perspective view of the optical printer 200, and FIG. 7 shows a plan view seen from above in FIG.
M is a motor that is rotated forward and backward by the control circuit 600. The motor M rotates the gear 232 forward and backward via the gear box 234. 230 is a gear provided coaxially with the conveying roller 221b, and 231 is a gear provided coaxially with the developing roller 222a. As shown in the figure, the gear 232 is meshed with the gear 231, and the gear 231 is meshed with the gear 230. By the forward / reverse rotation of the motor M, the developing roller pair 222 a and 222 b are driven via the gear 232 and the gear 231, and the conveying roller pair 221 a and 221 b are further driven via the gear 230.
[0025]
Reference numeral 250 denotes a rotary encoder provided coaxially with the conveying roller 221a, and reference numeral 251 denotes an encoder pulse generating means. The encoder pulse generator 251 is configured to generate an encoder pulse (see FIG. 4A) in response to the rotary encoder 250 rotating in synchronization with the rotation of the transport roller 221a. Note that other configurations may be employed as long as accurate pulses synchronized with the conveyance of the instant film 100 can be generated.
[0026]
120 is the above-described film cartridge, and 125 and 126 are electrodes of the battery 127 provided in the film cartridge 120. The electrodes 125 and 126 are connected to the contact 607 to supply power to the control circuit 600 and the like.
The holder 261 holds the film cartridge 120 and is configured to be rotatable about shafts 206 a and 206 b provided in the housing 201. A locking member 262 is provided on the upper surface of the holder 261, and the front end portions 264 and 265 of the locking member 262 are engaged with the protrusions 203 a and b provided on the housing 201, so that the holder 261 is held. Locked to the body 201.
[0027]
The locking member 262 can rotate in the counterclockwise direction in FIG. 7 about the shaft 263, and by rotating, the leading end portions 264 and 265 and the protruding portions 203a and b of the locking member 262 are rotated. Is released, and the holder 261 can be rotated about the shafts 206a and 206b. Further, the housing 201 is provided with protrusions 204a and 204b, and engages with the engaging members 271a and 271b provided on the holder 261 so that the holder 261 does not rotate beyond a predetermined range. It is configured. Further, the film cartridge 120 can be easily attached and detached by rotating the holder 261.
[0028]
The protrusion 266 is fixed to the locking member 262 and is engaged with the tip of a leaf spring 267 provided on the holder 261. Therefore, the locking member 262 receives a urging force in the clockwise direction in FIG. 7 from the leaf spring 267 via the protrusion 266. The locking member 262 cannot be rotated clockwise from the position shown in FIG. 7 by the stopper 268 provided on the holder 262. Here, when the locking member 262 rotates counterclockwise in FIG. 7, a biasing force is applied by the leaf spring 267, and a force that rotates the locking member 262 clockwise is applied. Therefore, even if the locking member 262 is rotated counterclockwise in order to release the engagement between the leading end portions 264 and 265 of the locking member 262 and the protrusions 203a and 203b, the leaf spring 267 The member 262 is automatically returned to the position of FIG.
[0029]
Reference numeral 300 denotes a take-out member, which takes out the instant film 100 from the film cartridge 120 by a pickup member 400 provided at one end. The other end of the take-out member 300 is provided with a clutch mechanism described later. The clutch mechanism cooperates with the protrusion 235 provided on the surface of the gear 230 to reciprocate the extraction member 300 in the direction of the arrow Y in accordance with the forward / reverse rotation of the gear 230.
[0030]
The extraction member 300 is provided with an opening 320, and regulates the reciprocation of the extraction member in cooperation with the protrusion 202 of the housing 201. The take-out member 300 is provided with a turning member 350 that is rotatable about a shaft 340. Further, the extraction member 300 is provided with a protrusion 330, and a spring 340 is attached between the protrusion 330 and the turning member 350. Furthermore, the turning member 350 is configured to be able to turn while being regulated by a circular protrusion 205 provided on the housing 201.
[0031]
FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing an outline of the control circuit 600 of the optical printer. In FIG. 10, 601 is a printer CPU, 602 is a first DC / DC converter, 603 is a second DC / DC converter, 604 is a home sensor for detecting the home position of the take-out member 300, and 605 is a film cartridge 120. 606 is a voltage sensor for detecting the voltage of the battery 127 of the film cartridge 120. Also, 211 is an LED unit, 215 is a liquid crystal optical shutter array, M is a motor, 256 is an M encoder pulse generating means for generating an M encoder pulse from an encoder 255 provided on the drive shaft of the motor M, and 251 is a rotary encoder 250. Encoder pulse generation means for generating a roller encoder pulse from the encoder.
[0032]
The first DC / DC converter 602 converts the voltage of the battery 127 of the film cartridge 120 into the drive voltage (3 V) of the printer CPU 601 and applies it to the printer CPU 601. The second DC / DC converter 603 converts the voltage of the battery 127 of the film cartridge 120 into driving voltages for the LED unit 211, the liquid crystal optical shutter array 215, and the motor M, and applies them to the respective devices. The application of voltage from the second DC / DC converter 603 to each device is controlled by a control signal 630 from the printer CPU 601.
[0033]
The printer CPU 601 controls the motor M to rotate at a predetermined rotational speed based on the M encoder pulse from the M encoder pulse generating unit 256. The printer CPU 601 controls the LED unit 211 and the liquid crystal optical shutter array 215 based on the encoder pulse from the rotary encoder pulse generator 251 (see FIG. 4).
[0034]
The conveyance control of the instant film 100 will be described with reference to FIG. In the figure, the instant film 100 is conveyed in the direction of arrow Z by a pair of conveying rollers 221a and 221b and a pair of developing rollers 222a and 222b.
FIG. 9A shows a situation in which the instant film 100 is pushed out of the film cartridge 120 by the take-out member 300 and is conveyed by the conveying roller pair 221a and 221b. As described above, since the diameter of the central portion of the transport roller pair 221a and 221b is smaller than both ends, the developer pack 101 is squeezed by the transport roller pair 221a and 221b and the self-developing liquid protrudes. There is no.
[0035]
FIG. 9B shows a situation in which the instant film 100 is further fed in the direction of the arrow Z from the state of FIG. In FIG. 9B, the tip of the instant film is sandwiched between the developing roller pair 222a and 222b, and the developer pack 101 starts to be deformed. Since the pair of developing rollers 222a and 222b is not stepped like the pair of conveying rollers 221a and 221b, when the instant film 100 passes, the developer pack 101 is squeezed and the self-developing solution protrudes. It will be.
[0036]
The printer CPU 601 controls the motor M to convey the instant film 100 at the first speed until the situation shown in FIG. 9B, that is, until the instant film 100 is conveyed to the position of the pair of developing rollers 222a and 222b.
FIG. 9C shows a situation in which the instant film 100 is further fed in the direction of arrow Z from the state of FIG. 9B, and the portion of the developer pack 101 has just passed the developing roller pair 222a and 222b. Yes. In this situation, the self-developing solution 101 ′ is almost squeezed out of the developing solution pack 101.
[0037]
The printer CPU 601 controls the motor M from the state shown in FIG. 9B to the state shown in FIG. 9C, that is, while the developer pack 101 passes the developing roller pair 222a and 222b, from the first speed. The instant film 100 is transported at a slow second speed. This is because the developer pack 101 is thick and requires a force to squeeze out the self-developing solution from the developer pack 101, so that transport unevenness may occur when transported at high speed.
[0038]
FIG. 9D shows a situation in which the instant film 100 is further fed in the direction of arrow Z from the state of FIG. Further, as the instant film 100 passes through the pair of developing rollers 222a and 222b, the self-developing solution 101 ′ spreads over the entire surface of the photosensitive material 102 while gradually moving.
[0039]
The printer CPU 601 controls the motor M to convey the instant film 100 at the second speed from the state of FIG. 9C to the state of FIG. 9D, that is, until the end of exposure. Therefore, the instant film is transported at the second speed from the start of exposure until the end of exposure. This is because if the speed fluctuates during the exposure, unevenness of conveyance occurs at that point, which may adversely affect image formation.
[0040]
FIG. 9E shows a situation in which the instant film 100 is further fed in the direction of arrow Z from the state of FIG. 9D and discharged from the developing roller pair 222a and 222b. The self-developing solution 101 ′ spreads over the entire surface of the photosensitive material 102, and the accumulated self-developing solution 101 ′ is in the developing solution pool 104.
The printer CPU 601 controls the motor M to convey the instant film 100 at the first speed from the state shown in FIG. 9D to the state shown in FIG. 9E, that is, from the end of exposure to the discharge. Therefore, after the exposure is completed, the instant film is transported at a faster speed than during the exposure, and the instant film 100 is discharged earlier.
[0041]
The speed switching between the first speed and the second speed described above is performed when the printer CPU 601 counts encoder pulses from the start of the rotation of the motor M and counts a predetermined count value. Controlled to do. However, an appropriate sensor may be arranged to detect the instant film, and control may be performed so as to switch according to the output of the sensor.
[0042]
In the embodiment of FIG. 9, the transport speed between FIGS. 9A to 9B and the transport speed from FIG. 9D to FIG. 9E are higher than the transport speed during exposure. Although the speed is set to 1, it may be set to different speeds. In the embodiment of FIG. 9, the exposure starts while the developer pack 101 passes through the developing roller pair 222a and 222b. However, after the developer pack 101 completely passes through the developing roller pair 222a and 222b, the exposure is started. In such a case, it is possible to set the conveyance speed during exposure to a third conveyance speed that is slower than the first conveyance speed and faster than the second conveyance speed.
[0043]
In the above description, the instant film 100 is used as the photoconductor. However, the photoconductor is not limited thereto, and various photoconductors such as conventional photosensitive materials (negative or positive film, negative or positive paper) can be used. . In that case, it is desirable to appropriately change the exposure process according to the photoconductor.
[0044]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, since the transport speed of the instant film is controlled to be changed according to the configuration of the instant film 100 and the exposure state, the instant film is discharged without affecting the image formation. It became possible to shorten the time until.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a view showing the appearance of an instant film.
FIG. 2 is a view showing an appearance of a film cartridge.
FIG. 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a recording medium conveying apparatus according to the present invention.
4A is a diagram showing an encoder pulse, FIG. 4B is a data transfer timing, FIG. 4C is a LED light emission pulse, and FIGS. 4D to 5F are LSC pulses.
FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an outline of an image process.
FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a recording medium transport device according to the present invention.
FIG. 7 is a plan view of a recording medium transport device according to the present invention.
FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing an outline of a control circuit.
FIG. 9 is a diagram for explaining a photosensitive member transport method;
[Explanation of symbols]
100 ... Instant film
120 ... Film cartridge
200 ... Recording medium conveying apparatus
210: Optical head
211 ... LED light source
215 ... Liquid crystal optical shutter array
220 ... Conveying section
221a, 221b ... conveying rollers
222a, 222b ... developing roller
251 ... Rotary encoder pulse generation means
256 ... M encoder pulse generation means
260 ... storage section
261 ... Holder
300 ... Extraction member
400 ... nail
M ... Motor

Claims (6)

A developer storage section storing a self-developing solution, a film storage section storing an instant film having a photosensitive surface, and
An optical head for irradiating exposure light on the instant film;
Developing means for squeezing out the self-developing solution;
Conveying means for conveying the instant film;
Control means for changing the transport speed of the instant film by the transport means during transport of the instant film ,
The control means reduces the transport speed when the developing means is located in the developer storage unit, as compared to at least transporting the other part of the instant film.
An optical printer characterized by that. When the exposure to the instant film by the optical head is started after the developing unit has passed through the developing solution storage unit, the control unit is provided when the developing unit is located in the developing solution storage unit. The optical printer according to claim 1, wherein a conveyance speed is reduced as compared with a case where exposure to the instant film is performed. When exposure of the optical film to the photosensitive surface of the instant film is started by the optical head while the developing unit is passing through the developing solution storage unit, the control unit is configured so that the developing unit is positioned in the developing solution storage unit. 2. The optical printer according to claim 1, wherein a conveyance speed at the same time as that when the exposure is performed on the photosensitive surface of the instant film. A developer storage section storing a self-developing solution, a film storage section storing an instant film having a photosensitive surface, and
An optical head for irradiating exposure light onto the instant film;
Developing means for squeezing out the self-developing solution;
Conveying means for conveying the instant film;
Control means for changing the transport speed of the instant film by the transport means during transport of the instant film ,
The control means reduces the conveyance speed when the exposure to the photosensitive surface of the instant film is performed by the optical head as compared to when the exposure to the photosensitive surface of the instant film is completed.
An optical printer characterized by that.   The optical printer according to claim 1, wherein the developing unit is a developing roller.   The optical printer according to claim 1, wherein the transport unit is a transport roller.

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