JPH03173664A - Recorder - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] This bulletin contains application data before electronic filing, so abstract data is not recorded.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION <Field of Industrial Application> The present invention relates to a recording device for recording an image on a recording medium, and more particularly to a recording device that can be used in a printer, a copying machine, a facsimile, or the like.

<Prior Art> In recent years, with the rapid development of the information industry, various information processing systems have been developed, and recording devices suitable for each information processing system have also been developed.

One of the above-mentioned recording devices is a thermal transfer recording device. In this method, recording is performed on a recording paper using an ink ribbon made by coating a ribbon-shaped support with a heat-melt ink made by dispersing a colorant in a heat-melt binder.

That is, the ink ribbons are stacked so that their hot-melt ink layers are in contact with the recording paper, and the ink ribbon and the recording paper are conveyed between a thermal head and a platen, and the ink ribbon is transferred from the support side of the ink ribbon to the thermal head. The ink image corresponding to the heat application is recorded on the recording paper by applying pulsed heat corresponding to the image signal and pressing the two together and transferring the molten ink to the recording paper. .

The above recording apparatus has been widely used in recent years because it is small and lightweight, makes no noise, and can record on plain paper.

<Problems to be Solved by the Invention> However, conventional thermal transfer recording devices are not without problems.

The reason is that in conventional thermal transfer recording devices, the transfer recording performance, that is, the image quality, is greatly affected by the surface smoothness of the recording paper.
Although good image recording is performed on recording paper with high smoothness, there is a possibility that the quality of image recording will deteriorate when recording paper with low smoothness is used.

Furthermore, when attempting to obtain a multicolor image with a conventional thermal transfer recording device, it is necessary to repeat transfer to overlap the colors. For this purpose, it is necessary to install multiple thermal heads or make complicated movements such as stopping and reversing the recording paper, which not only makes color misalignment unavoidable, but also makes the entire device large and complicated. There are challenges.

<Means for solving the problem> Therefore, the present applicant uses a photothermal sensitive material, and when thermal energy and light energy are applied, the reaction of the material rapidly proceeds and the transfer characteristics change irreversibly. proposed a technology to form an image based on the difference in characteristics according to the image signal and transfer it to a recording medium (Japanese Patent Application No. 1200-1983).
No. 80, No. 60-120081, No. 60-13141
) No., Go-134831, Go-60-150597
No. 60-199926, JP-A-62-1741
No. 95 (published on July 30, 1988), etc.).

According to this technology, it is possible to record high-quality images even on recording media with low surface smoothness, and when applied to multicolor recording, it is possible to make complex movements on the recording medium. It is possible to obtain multi-colored images without any problems.

An object of the present invention is to further develop the above-mentioned technology, and to maintain the conveyance speed of the transfer recording medium in the recording section constant regardless of load fluctuations, thereby preventing disturbances in image formation in the recording section. The aim is to provide a recording device that never fails.

A typical means according to the present invention for this purpose is a transfer record having a transfer recording layer whose transfer characteristics change by applying a first energy and a second energy different from the first energy. A first energy applying means provided along a medium conveyance path for applying the first energy to the transfer recording medium, and a second energy applying means for applying the second energy. a recording section; a transfer section for transferring the image formed by the recording section onto a recording medium; and a transfer section provided upstream of the transfer section in the conveying direction of the transfer recording medium and for conveying the transfer recording medium. a first conveyance means, a second conveyance means provided downstream of the first conveyance means in the conveyance direction of the transfer recording medium and for conveying the transfer recording medium, and a transfer recording medium by the second conveyance means. and a detection means for detecting the amount of slack in the transfer recording medium between the first general transport means and the second transport means, The conveyance speed of the transfer recording medium by the second general conveyance means is set higher than the conveyance speed of the transfer recording medium by the first conveyance means, and the amount of slack of the transfer recording medium between the first conveyance means and the second conveyance means. becomes less than a predetermined value, the speed relationship between the first conveyance means and the second conveyance means is temporarily reversed, and the transfer recording medium is transferred by a predetermined amount or more between the front box and the conveyance means and the second conveyance means. This feature is characterized in that the conveyance is controlled to have an amount of slack.

<Operation> According to the above means, when the transfer recording medium and the recording medium are set in the apparatus and recording is performed, multiple types of energy are applied to the transfer recording medium in the recording section to form an image. The image is transferred to the recording medium in the transfer section.

Furthermore, since the transferred recording medium has a predetermined amount or more of slack between the first conveying means and the second conveying means, even if conveyance load fluctuation occurs when the recording medium enters the transfer section, In some cases, there is no change in the conveyance force of the transfer recording medium in the recording section. Therefore, in the recording section, a faithful image is formed on the transfer recording medium in accordance with the image signal, and a clear image is recorded.

<Example> Next, an example of the present invention to which the above means is applied will be described in detail.

[First example]

FIG. 1(8) is a schematic cross-sectional explanatory view of the recording apparatus according to the first embodiment, and FIG. 1(B) is a perspective explanatory view.

(Overall Configuration) In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 denotes a long sheet-like transfer recording medium, which is wound into a roll and is removably incorporated into the apparatus main body M as a supply roll 2. That is, this supply roll 2 is removably loaded onto a rotatable shaft 2a provided in the main body M of the apparatus.

First, the leading edge of the transfer recording medium 1 is transferred to the supply roll 2.
Guide roller 12a3 Recording head 3 forming the recording section 3
a to the first conveying means 14 via the guide roller 12b.
From between the conveyance roller 14a and the driven roller 14b constituting the detection means 15, the transfer roller 4a and the pressure roller constituting the transfer section 4 which also serves as the second conveyance means are passed through the pressure roller 15a and guide roller 12c constituting the detection means 15. 4b, the peeling roller 5 having a peeling claw 5a and a guide roller 12d change its direction to reach the take-up roll 6, and its tip is locked to the take-up roll 6 by a means such as a gripper (not shown). do. Thereafter, while applying torque in the direction of arrow C to the take-up roll 6 by a known driving means, the relationship between the circumferential speed v1 of the conveyance roller 14a and the circumferential speed v2 of the transfer roller 4a is determined by VI=
The transfer recording medium 1 is conveyed in the direction of the arrow a by driving and rotating it at a voltage of 0.99V2.

In synchronization with the conveyance of the transfer recording medium 1, the recording section 3 selectively applies thermal energy and light energy of a predetermined wavelength to the transfer recording medium 1 to form an image, and the transfer section 4 transfers the recording medium to the recording medium. The recording paper 8 is overlapped with the recording paper 8 and the image is transferred to the recording paper 8 by applying heat and pressure. Further, the transfer recording medium 1 after image transfer is wound up on a take-up roll 6, and the recording paper 8 is transferred to a pair of discharge rollers 13a, 13b.
The structure is such that the paper is discharged onto the discharge tray 1).

Incidentally, when winding up the transfer recording medium 1, a certain bank tension is applied to the supply roll 2 by, for example, a known means such as a hysteresis brake (not shown).
Due to this tension and the guide rollers +2a and 12b, the transfer recording medium 1 is conveyed while being pressed against the recording heel F'3a with a constant pressure and at a constant angle.

Next, the configuration of each part will be explained in detail.

(Transfer recording medium) First, as shown in FIG.
It is formed by depositing a transfer recording layer 1b which has the property of forming an image when applied.

To explain an example thereof, in this embodiment, the transfer recording layer 1
The core 1b1 of b contains the components shown in Table 1 below, the core lbz contains the components shown in Table 2, and the core 1b3 contains the components shown in Table 2.
A microcapsule-shaped image forming element is formed using the components shown in the table and the method shown below.

Table 2 First, 100 g of water and 26 g of isobutylene maleic anhydride copolymer (Isopan-10, manufactured by Kureha Chemical Co., Ltd.) were mixed, 10 g of thorium hydroxide was added, and the mixture was stirred at 80° C. for 6 hours. After further cooling to room temperature, 700 g of pectin 3.1 aqueous solution was mixed therein.
Stir for 0 minutes. Said isohashi pectin mixture 200
Adjust pu to 4.0 with 20% sulfuric acid solution and make 0.2g
Quadrol (manufactured by BASF) was added, and while stirring at 3000 rpm with a homomixer, a solution of 20 g of the components shown in Tables 1 to 3 above dissolved in 30 g of chloroborum was dissolved for 10 to 15 seconds. Add the mixture and emulsify for 10 minutes.

Further, the emulsion was transferred to a 500-bar beaker and continued to be stirred using a stirring blade for 1 to 2 hours to distill off the solvent.

Next, add 8.3g of urea solution (50% by weight) to 5g of water?
0.4 g of dissolved resolucin, 10.7 g of Polmarin (37%) and LOm1! Add 0.6 g of ammonium sulfate dissolved in water at 2 minute intervals.

After raising the temperature to 60'C and continuing stirring for 3 hours, the temperature was lowered and the pH was adjusted to 12.0 with 20% caustic soda solution.The capsule liquid was filtered and washed twice with 1000mβ water. Drying is performed to obtain a microcapsule-shaped image forming element.

4 The image forming element is the core shown in Tables 1 to 3] bl
, 1. Microcapsules coated with llz, 1 b3 or soel l) 4 are formed to have a particle size of 7 to 15 μm, with an average particle size of about 10 μm.

The image forming element formed in this manner is placed on a support 1al.
A transfer recording medium 1 is obtained by applying the adhesive 1bs to the transfer recording medium 1.

To explain in more detail the above-mentioned method A, for example, the polyester adhesive polyester manufactured by Memoto Gosei Kagaku Gyokuyosumi 1 is used.
1. Toluene 3 to P-022 (solid content 50%) lee
Adhesive 1b5, which is dissolved at a rate of cc, is added to a thickness of 6 μm.
The mixture is coated on a support 1aj2 made of a polyethylene terrestrial film of 500 mm. Thereafter, the solvent is removed by drying to a thickness of about 1 μm. Since this adhesive 1bs has a glass transition point of 115°C, a slight tank remains even at room temperature, and the image forming element formed as described above can be easily attached to the support 1a. .

Next, 14 microcapsule-shaped image-forming elements having cores as shown in Tables 1 to 3 obtained as described above were prepared.
Mix at a ratio of 1:1 and sprinkle this on to adhere.

Thereafter, when excess image forming elements are brushed off, the image forming elements are arranged on the adhesion layer in approximately one layer and at a rate of 90%.

Thereafter, the image forming element is firmly fixed onto the support la by applying a pressure of about 1 kgf/c% and thermal energy of about 80° C. to form the transfer recording medium 1.

The photoinitiator in the image-forming element shown in Table 1 has the absorption characteristics shown in FIG. 3 in the band of graph A (peak wavelength 29
The photoinitiator in the image forming element shown in Table 2 has a wavelength of 389 nm (peak wavelength of 389 nm) and starts a reaction by absorbing light of 389 nm). ), the reaction starts, and the color becomes cyan when forming an image.The photoinitiator in the image forming element shown in Table 3 has a wavelength of 458 nm (peak wavelength: 458 nm). ) absorbs light and starts a reaction, resulting in a yellow color when forming an image.

(Recording Unit) Next, the recording unit 3 for forming an image on the transfer recording layer 1b of the transfer recording medium 1 will be described.

In this embodiment, the recording unit 3 includes a heating means for applying thermal energy, which is first energy, to the transfer recording medium 1, and also applies light energy, which is second energy, to the transfer recording medium 1. and a light irradiation means.

The heating means has a width of 0.2 mm and generates heat on the surface of the recording pent "3a" in response to the image signal.
1,728 line-type heating elements 3b for 4-Zais are arranged in rows, and as described above, the support 1a side of the transfer recording medium 1 is pressed against the heating elements 3b with a predetermined pressure by the bank tension during conveyance. It is configured as follows. The image signal is generated from a control unit of a facsimile, an image scanner, an electronic blackboard, or the like, depending on the purpose.

On the other hand, a light irradiation means is provided on the transfer recording layer lb side facing the recording head 3a. This light irradiation means has the characteristics shown in Fig. 4 as a spectral transmittance, and has a thickness of 2 cm.
L with an inner diameter of 40 layers and 10 glass (West
A rotating body 3C made of a cylinder made by Company T, product name DURAN 50) is rotatably supported by three pairs of rollers 3d, 3e, and 3f, and is rotated at a constant speed by driving and rotating the rollers 3d by a motor. It is configured as follows.

Moreover, three types of phosphors AB and C are on the inner surface of the rotating body 3C.
is applied in stripes of 120 degrees (three equal parts) in the circumferential direction. In this example, Ca(PO4)z:Tl (thallium phosphate) is used as the main component of the phosphor, and (Sr,
Mg)2P207:Using Eu (europium activated strontium magnesium pyrophosphate), phosphor C
The main components of Ba, MgAlz, Oz7:Eu (
europium activated barium magnesium aluminate)
is used.

A light source 3g is disposed inside the rotating body 3C, and the phosphors A, B, and C are configured to emit light when the light source 3g is turned on. In this example, a low-pressure mercury lamp is used as the light 1) 3g, and when this light source 3g is turned on, the phosphor A emits light from graph A in FIG. 5 (peak wavelength 335 nm).
, phosphor B has graph B in Figure 5 (peak wavelength 3900
m), phosphor C is graph C in Figure 5 (peak wavelength 450
It emits light with a spectral distribution of nanometers (nm). Then, the light emitted by the phosphors A, B, and C passes through a 1.21 mm wide slit 3i formed on the light shielding plate 3h and irradiates the transfer recording layer 1b.

Therefore, when the rotating body 3c is rotated and light is irradiated from the light B3g, the phosphors A, B, and C are excited and emit light in order, and each light with a different spectral distribution passes through the slit 31 and is sequentially irradiated onto the transfer recording layer 1b. be done.

Here, a control configuration for controlling the rotational speed and phase of the rotating body 3c will be explained.

As shown in FIG. 1(B), the rotating body 3c has a large number of light shielding parts 17a formed in stripes at regular intervals on the circumference near the end, and one of the light shielding parts 17a' is different from the other light shielding parts 17a. It is formed wider than the light shielding part 17a. Further, I and ED are placed inside the rotating body 3C so as to sandwich the light shielding portion 17a.
A light emitting member 17b such as the like is disposed, and a light receiving member 17c such as a photodiode is disposed on the outside.

From the above configuration, when the rotating body 3c is rotating at a constant speed, the signal obtained from the light receiving member 17c is as shown in FIG. 6(A).
It will be as shown below. Note that the level "R Low" shown in FIG. 6 (8) is a state in which the light from the light emitting member 17b passes through the rotating body 3c and is received by the light receiving member 17c, and the level "High" is a state in which the light is blocked by the light blocking member 17a. , the light is not received by the light receiving member 17c.

Therefore, since the frequency of the rising edge of the signal appears as the rotational speed of the rotating body 3c, it is possible to control the rotational speed of the rotating body 3c by detecting and controlling this.

In addition, in phase control, when the integral waveform of FIG. 6 (8) is obtained, it becomes as shown in FIG. becomes higher. Therefore, the magenta line synchronization signal, cyan line synchronization signal, yellow line synchronization signal, video clock, strobe signal, enable signal, etc., which will be described later, are created based on the timing when the peak value becomes high, and the first "high" of the enable signal is generated. During the period J, the phosphor A of the rotating body 3c faces the transfer recording layer 1b through the slit 31, during the second "high" period of the enable signal, the phosphor B faces, and during the third "high" period of the enable signal. The phosphors C may be controlled to face each other during the "high" period, and this may be repeated sequentially for each "high" enable signal.

Therefore, in this embodiment, PLL (Phase Lo) is used to rotate the rotating body 3c at a constant speed and phase.
cked Loop) motor driver 27 is used.

To explain this PLL control method using a block diagram,
As shown in Fig. 7, V CO (Voltage Co
ntrol 0scillator) 28, a phase comparator 27a, and a low-pass filter 27c.
In the figure, the light source motor 28a and F
ce Generator) 28b is the VC02
Corresponds to B. Note that the light source motor 28a is connected to the rotating body 3.
This is a motor that drives the roller 3d that supports F.
C28b is the output of the light receiving member 17C.

In this embodiment, the phase comparison output of the output of the FG 28b and the motor clock is obtained from the phase comparator 27a, and in order to further stabilize the system, the output of the FG 28b is integrated by the monostable multi-bi break 27b, and the output and phase are compared. The difference between the outputs of the
It is added to VC02B through d.

Also, in FIG. 7, the lock detector 27e is the phase comparator 27a.
This is to detect whether the system is in a synchronous state from the signals from the Also, the output of FG28b is the integrator 27f
The waveform (corresponding to FIG. 6(B)) is shaped by a waveform shaper 27g to obtain a rotational phase reference signal.

(First Conveying Means) Next, the first conveying means 14 for conveying the transfer recording medium 1 will be explained.

The first conveyance means 14 according to the present embodiment is constituted by a roller pair including a conveyance roller 14a provided downstream of the recording section 3 in the conveyance direction of the transfer recording medium l, and a driven roller 14b that presses against the conveyance roller 14a. There is.

The conveyance roller 14a has a stainless steel roller with a hardness of 6 on the circumferential surface.
Made of 0 degree neoprene rubber coated with a thickness of IIIm.

This conveyance roller 14a comes into contact with the support 1a side of the transfer recording medium 1, and is transferred to the transfer recording medium 1 via a drive transmission means (described later) as shown in FIG. 1(A).
It is driven and rotated in the direction of arrow d to apply a conveying force to the transfer recording medium.

Further, as shown in the cross section of FIG. 8, the driven roller 14b is
A silicone sponge (
14bz (hardness 20 degrees, thickness 2.5 mm) and silicone rubber (hardness 40 degrees, thickness 1 m) 14b:+. This driven roller 14b is pressed against the conveying roller 14a by a pressing means such as a spring (not shown) with zero pressing force.
．． It is attached so as to be in pressure contact with each other at a pressure of 7 to 0.8 kg f/cm, and is configured to rotate following the rotation of the conveyance roller 14a.

Note that the pressing force between the conveying roller 14a and the driven roller 14b is set to a smaller value than the pressing force between the transfer roller 4a and pressure roller 4b in the transfer section 4, which will be described later, and is in contact with the transfer recording layer 1b. The surface of the driven roller 14b is configured to have a surface roughness R2 of 15 μm or less, so as not to destroy the image forming element of the transfer recording medium 1 conveyed between the rollers 14a and 14b.

As shown in FIG. 1(B), the driving force is transmitted to the conveyance roller 14a by transmitting the driving force from the conveyance motor 16a to a gear 16b4 attached to the shaft of the conveyance roller 14a via gear trains 16b1 to 16b3. and said motor 1
6a is driven, the conveyance roller 14a is driven to rotate, and the driven roller 14b is driven to rotate, so that both rollers 14a
, 14b, the transfer recording medium 1 is conveyed in the direction of arrow a in FIG.

(Detection Means) Next, the detection means 15 for detecting the amount of slack in the transfer recording medium 1 between the first conveyance means 14 and the transfer means (second conveyance means) 4 will be described.

In FIG. 1, reference numeral 15a denotes a pressure roller for preventing the transferred recording medium 1 from loosening between the first conveyance means 14 and the transfer section 4 serving as the second conveyance means, and It is disposed downstream of the means 14 in the transport direction of the transfer recording medium 1 and is configured to press the transfer recording medium 1 over its entire width.

Specifically, as shown in FIG. 1, both ends of a pressure roller 15a made of a stainless steel roller longer than the width of the transfer recording medium I are rotatably supported by one end of an arm 15b, and the other end of the arm 15b is It is rotatably attached around a roller shaft 14a1, which is the shaft of the conveyance roller 14a. Further, the arm 15b is fixed to the position shown in FIG. 1 (
A biasing force is applied in the direction of arrow e in A), and the pressure roller 15
A is configured to lightly press the transfer recording medium 1 over the entire width direction. In this embodiment, the pressing force is set to about 50 gf/cm.

Further, the configuration is such that when the arm 15b rotates within a certain angle range, this is detected. The configuration for this is the first
As shown in Figure (B), a light shielding plate 15c that rotates integrally with the arm 15b is attached to one end of the arm 15b, and a position sandwiching the light shielding plate 15c when the arm 15b rotates within a predetermined angle range. A detection sensor 15d consisting of an LED 15dl and a phototransistor 15d2 is disposed.

Therefore, the transfer recording medium 1 is transferred between the first conveyance means 14 and the transfer section 4.
When the arm 15b is loosened in between, the arm 15b rotates corresponding to the amount of slack, and when the arm 15b rotates within a predetermined angle range, the light shielding plate 15c blocks the light from the LED 15d, and the detection sensor 15d is turned on. This is detected as follows. That is, when the amount of slack in the transfer recording medium 1 reaches a predetermined amount, the detection sensor 1
5d is configured so that it can be detected.

The light-shielding plate 15c is formed in a fan shape and maintains the sensor 15d in an on state when the transfer recording medium l maintains a certain range of slack.

(Transfer Section) Next, the transfer section 4 will be explained. The transfer unit 4 according to this embodiment has a function of transferring the image formed on the transfer recording medium 1 by the recording unit 3 onto the recording paper 8, and also has a function of transferring the image formed on the transfer recording medium 1 by the recording unit 3 to the recording paper 8. It has two functions as a conveyance means.

This transfer section 4 is more sensitive to the transfer recording medium 1 than the detection means 15.
The transfer roller 4a is disposed on the downstream side in the conveyance direction and is driven to rotate in the direction of the arrow as shown in FIG. .

As shown in FIG. 9, the transfer roller 4a has a drum-shaped aluminum roller whose outer diameter at the center in the axial direction is slightly larger than the outer diameter at both ends. Covered with silicone rubber. Here, to specifically explain the drum shape, in this embodiment, x-
The y coordinate is set to have the following relationship.

(x −1)8) 2+ (y−b) 2= (16,
4-b) 2b-6946, I O+ = D3
D2 DI-2 Also, the pressure roller 4b is an aluminum roller with a straight outer shape, and PTFE is coated on the circumferential surface to a thickness of 25 mm.
[mu]m coating, and the pressing force against the transfer roller 4a is set to 6 to 7 kgf/cm by means of pressure means such as springs (not shown). The pressure roller 4b has a built-in 800W halogen heater 4c, and is configured to maintain the roller surface at 120 to 130°C by the heater 4c.

Therefore, in the transfer section 4, pressure and heat are applied to the transfer recording medium 4 and the recording paper 8 when they pass between the rollers 4a and 4b.

Next, the configuration for the transfer unit 4 to function as a second conveyance means will be explained. As shown in FIG. 1 (1)), the driving force from the conveyance motor 16a is transmitted to
16bz, and is configured to be transmitted from the gear 161) 2 to the transfer roller 4a via the electromagnetic clutch 16c. That is, when the electromagnetic clutch 16c is turned on, the driving force of the motor 16a is applied to the transfer roller 4a.
, the roller 4a rotates in the direction indicated by the arrow, and the pressure roller 4b rotates as a result, and both rollers 4a, 4b
The transfer recording medium 1 and the recording paper 8 are conveyed by the cooperative action of the transfer recording medium 1 and the recording paper 8.

Here, the relationship between the peripheral speed V of the transport roller 14a and the peripheral speed v2 of the transfer roller 4a when the transport motor 16a is driven and the electromagnetic clutch 16c is turned on is V
, =0.99V2, that is, the peripheral speed of the transfer roller 4a is slightly increased.
A gear ratio of b4 is set. On the other hand, when the electromagnetic clutch 16c is turned off, the gear 16b2 is connected to the transfer roller 4.
Does not transmit driving force to a. Therefore, the second conveyance means variably controls the conveyance speed of the transfer recording medium 1 by turning on and off the electromagnetic clutch 16c by the conveyance speed control means.

The electromagnetic clutch 16c operates depending on whether the detection sensor 15d is turned on or off.

(Recording Paper Feeding) Also, as shown in FIG. 1 (8), recording paper 8, which is a recording medium, is loaded in the cassette 7, and this recording paper 8 is transferred to the feeding roller 9. The sheets are fed one by one by a pair of registration rollers 10a10b, and the LED 26a and phototransistor 2
By detecting the leading edge of the recording paper 8 being fed by a registration sensor 26 consisting of a registration sensor 6b and controlling the feeding timing, the image area of the transfer recording medium 1 and the recording paper 8 are synchronously overlapped. It is configured such that it is fed to the transfer section 4.

(Image Forming Step) First, the operations of the first conveyance means 14 and the second conveyance means 4 before the start of recording will be explained. With the electromagnetic clutch 16c turned off, the conveyance motor 16a is driven, and only the first conveyance means 16 is driven. The transfer recording medium 1 is conveyed by the transfer recording medium 1 to cause slack in the transfer recording medium 1 between the first conveyance means 14 and the second conveyance means 4. At this time, the transfer recording medium 1 is pressed with a constant force by the pressing force of the pressing roller 15a, and the angle of the arm 15b changes.

When the angle of the arm 15b reaches a predetermined angle, that is, when the amount of slack in the transfer recording medium 1 reaches a predetermined amount, the detection sensor 15d detects this and stops driving the transport motor 16a, and turns on the electromagnetic clutch 16c. do.

During image formation, the transfer recording medium 1 is conveyed by the first conveyance means 14 and the second conveyance means 4 by driving the conveyance motor 16a, and the transfer recording layer 1b of the transfer recording medium 1 is transferred to the recording section 3.
An image is formed by applying light and heat to the image signal in accordance with an image signal. In this embodiment, heat is applied in accordance with the image signal, and light is applied uniformly.

The transfer recording layer 1b has a property that when light of a predetermined wavelength and heat are applied, the softening point temperature increases, that is, the transfer characteristics change irreversibly, and the layer is no longer transferred to the recording paper 8. There is.

Therefore, as shown in the timing chart of FIG.
When recording Masenk color, heating element 3 corresponding to the complementary color of the macenter of the image signal, that is, the green image signal, is selected from among the heating element rows.
10 m5 of current is applied to b, and at the same time, 1 light #3g is applied.
0m5 lights up. At this time, the transfer recording layer 1b located in the slit 31 faces the phosphor of the rotating body 3C,
The transfer recording layer 1b is uniformly irradiated with light energy having a spectral distribution shown in graph A in FIG.

Next, for cyan color recording, 50 m5 after the start of energization to the heating element 3b in the Masenku color recording, 20 m5 of current is applied to the complementary color of cyan, that is, the part corresponding to the red image signal in the heating element array. At the same time, light a3g is turned on for 20m5. At this time, the phosphor B of the rotating body 3C is facing the transfer recording layer 1b located in the slit 3i, and the light energy of the spectral distribution shown in graph B in FIG. 5 is uniformly applied to the transfer recording layer 1b. Ru.

Next, when recording the yellow color, 50 m5 after the start of energization to the heating element 3b in cyan color recording, 35 m5 is applied to the complementary color of the heating element row, that is, the part corresponding to the blue image signal. At the same time, 35m5 of light sources 3g are turned on. At this time, the slit 31
The phosphor C of the rotating body 3c faces the transfer recording layer 1b located at , and light energy having a spectral distribution shown in graph C in FIG. 5 is uniformly applied to the transfer recording layer 1b.

As described above, a transfer image is formed on the transfer recording layer 1b by controlling the heat generation of the heating element 3b, the rotation of the rotating body 3c, and the lighting of the light source 3g according to the image signals of complementary colors of magenta, cyan, and yellow. 150 m5/Li for this image formation
The transfer recording medium is conveyed in synchronization with a repetition period of n5.

The transfer recording medium 1 is conveyed by the first conveyance means 14 and the second conveyance means 4 by turning on the electromagnetic clutch 16c at the start of image formation. At this time, the circumferential speed V of the conveyance roller 14a
Since the circumferential speed v2 of the transfer roller 4a is slightly higher than , the slack in the transfer recording medium 1 between the first conveyance means 14 and the second conveyance means 4 decreases. When setting the amount of slack mentioned above, by first providing a sufficient amount of slack, the transfer recording medium 1 will not be in a tensioned state between the two feeding means 14, 4.

Therefore, during image formation, the transfer recording medium 1 is always in a slack state between the first conveyance means 14 and the second conveyance means 4, so that when the leading edge of the recording paper 8 enters the transfer section 4, it is conveyed. Even if there is a load variation, the variation does not affect the conveyance speed of the transfer recording medium 1 in the recording section 3.

(Image Formation Control) Here, a control system according to this embodiment for performing the above recording operation will be specifically explained with reference to FIGS. 1) to 17. Note that Figure 1) is a block diagram of the control system, Figures 12 and 13 are timing charts of recording operation, and Figure 14 is a block diagram of the control system.
15 is a sequence table for sending each signal, FIG. 16 is a flowchart of the recording operation, and FIG. 17 is a circuit diagram of the temperature control system of the transfer roller 4a.

As shown in Figure 1), this control system includes a CPU 20a such as a microprocessor, a ROM 20b storing control programs and various data for the CPU 20a, and a work area for the CPU 20a.
A control unit 20 including a RAM 20c for temporarily storing various data, an interface 21, an operation panel 22,
Image forming timing generator 23, feeding motor driver 24, transport motor driver 25, electromagnetic clutch 16
c, detection sensor 15d, resist sensor 26, PL
It consists of an L motor tri-bar 27 and a light source lighting device 29.

The control unit 20 receives various information (for example, recording density, number of recording sheets,
recording size, etc.), a detection sensor 15d, a signal from a registration sensor 26, a magenta line synchronization signal generated by an image forming timing generator 23, and a lock detection signal from a PLL motor driver 27. The control unit 20 also outputs an electromagnetic clutch ON signal, a motor ON signal for the feed motor 30, a motor ON signal for the transport motor 16a, a page signal, and a light source motor ON signal via the interface 21.

The image forming timing generator 23 divides the frequency of the internal crystal oscillator and generates various signals (magenta line synchronization signal, cyan line synchronization signal, yellow line synchronization signal, page synchronization signal, video clock, enable signal, strobe signal). , optical tXON signal, motor reference clock, etc.).

The magenta line synchronization signal, cyan line synchronization signal, and yellow line synchronization signal have a period of 15 as shown in FIG.
At 0m5, the duty ratio is 1/3 and the phase is 120°.
The signal is out of sync. Also, the magenta line synchronization signal is PL
It is created based on the rotational phase reference signal from the L motor driver 27. Then, a page signal sent from the control unit 20 via the interface 21 is latched at the rising edge of the magenta line synchronization signal to generate a page synchronization signal.

The video clock is a signal that generates a 36 KHz clock from the rising edge of the magenta, cyan, and yellow line synchronization signals, and stops after generating 1728 clocks (approximately 48 m5).

Further, an external image signal generator (for example, a facsimile, an image scanner, an electronic blackboard, etc.) 31 receives page synchronization signals from the image forming timing generator 23, magenta, cyan,
After receiving the yellow line synchronization signal and video clock, from the time the page synchronization signal becomes "high J", when the magenta line synchronization signal is "high", a magenta image signal is transmitted, and when the cyan line synchronization signal is "high", a magenta image signal is transmitted. Similarly, when the yellow line synchronization signal is "high J", 1728 yellow image signals are sent out in synchronization with the video clock.

Furthermore, a strobe signal is generated that is "r high during the high j period of the magenta, cyan, or yellow line synchronization signal and the video clock is at rest".

The enable signal starts from the first cyan line synchronization signal when the page synchronization signal becomes high J, and repeats 10m5. 35 m5 [1] within the "high" period of the first magenta line sync signal when the signal went r low J
The process ends when "high" occurs. This enable signal is the 10th
This corresponds to the energization signal to the heating element 3b corresponding to the image signal in the figure.

Further, the image forming timing generator 23 generates a light source ON signal. The optical JrAON signal starts from the rising edge of the cyan line synchronization signal (-) and repeats "high A" in the order of 10 m5, 20 m5, 35 m5 every two enable signals.

Further, the image forming timing generator 23 generates a motor reference clock for creating a motor clock to be applied to the PLL motor driver 27. This clock is 6 kHz
The motor clock is supplied to the PLL motor driver 27 via a switch controlled by a light source motor ON signal sent from the control unit 20 via the interface 21.

The recording head 3a takes in an image signal from an external image signal generator 31 into a shift register inside the head using a video clock from an image forming timing generator 23. This captured image signal is latched into a latch register in the head by a strobe signal from the image forming timing generator 23, and then is latched by an enable signal from the image forming timing generator 23 according to the image signal in the latch register. The heating element 3b is energized, and at the same time as the energization, the next image signal is taken into the shift register by the video clock.

Further, the lighting device 29 of the light source 3g receives an AND signal of the ON signal of the light source 3g from the image forming timing generator 23 and the light source motor ON signal from the interface 21,
When the signal is "high", the light source 3g is turned on.

As shown in FIG. 7, the PLL motor driver 27 drives the light source motor 28a so that the input motor clock and the output from the light receiving member 17c (FIG. 6 (8)) are synchronized in phase. Furthermore, this P L 1. ,
The motor driver 27 sends out a lock detection signal to the control unit 20 via the interface 21 to notify that phase synchronization is applied, and also sends out a lock detection signal to the control unit 20 via the interfinis 21, and also sends out a lock detection signal to the control unit 20 via the interface 21.
3, a rotational phase reference signal for synchronizing the rotating body 3C with a line synchronization signal is sent.

In this embodiment, the light shielding portion 17a17a' on the rotating body 3C
If the light source motor 28a is in a phase synchronized state by the PLL motor driver 27, the motor clock is 6 kHz as described above, so the rotating body 3C rotates at a speed of 150 m5 per revolution. .

An image is formed on the transfer recording medium 1 by the control described above.

(Conveyance Control) Next, conveyance control of the transfer recording medium 1 and the recording paper 8 for transferring the image formed on the transfer recording medium 1 onto the recording paper 8 will be explained.

The feed motor driver 24 drives the feed motor 30 when the feed motor clock from the control unit 20 via the interfunior 2 is high, and drives the feed roller 9 and the ratio I-roller pair 10a, Rotate 10b to remove recording paper 8
is transported at a constant speed.

Further, the first general feed motor driver 25 is configured to turn on the transfer motor from the control unit 20 via the interface 21.
When the signal is "high j", the conveyance motor 16a is driven to rotate the conveyance roller 14a and the transfer roller 4a, and the driven roller 14b and the pressure roller 4b, which rotate in accordance with this, respectively.
The transfer recording medium 1 and the recording paper 8 are conveyed at a constant speed by the cooperative action of the transfer recording medium 1 and the recording paper 8.

Further, the electromagnetic clutch 16c is an electromagnetic clutch from the control section 20,
Turns on when the CH○N signal is r high, and the transport motor 16
The driving force of a is transmitted to the transfer roller 4a and the conveying roller 14
a and the transfer roller 4a.

On the other hand, when the electromagnetic clutch ON signal is rrowj, the electromagnetic clutch 16c is turned off and only the conveyance roller 14a is rotated by the drive of the conveyance motor 16a.

Here, the timing of each signal sent by the control section 20 via the interface 21 is as shown in FIG.

Note that during times T1 to T5 in FIG. 13, the transfer recording medium 1 or the recording paper 8 is conveyed as shown below, assuming that the distance between each member is l-I-1-3 as shown in FIG. This is the time it takes to

Ll: Conveyance distance of the transfer recording medium 1 from the recording head 3a to the pressure contact portion between the transfer roller 4a and the pressure roller 4b.

L2: Conveyance distance of the transfer recording medium 1 from the recording head 3a to the conveyance roller 14a.

I73 Conveyance distance of the recording paper 8 from the registration sensor 26 to the pressure contact portion.

T1: Time required to convey the transfer recording medium 1 a distance of -1-.

T2: Time required to convey the recording paper 8 a distance of L3.

T3: Length of recording paper 8 (for example, 2 for A4 size)
The time required to convey the transfer recording medium 1 by 97 mm).

T: Time required to transport the transfer recording medium 1 a distance of Ll.

T5: Time required to convey the transfer recording medium 1 a distance of I-2.

That is, when the operator presses the start button on the operation panel 22, the transport motor 16a is driven for a predetermined time with the electromagnetic clutch 16c turned off as described above, and the first transport means 1
4 and the second conveying means 4, the transfer recording medium 1 is slackened by a predetermined amount. Next, the feed motor 30 is driven to feed the recording paper 8, and when the leading edge of the recording paper 8 touches the registration sensor 26, the drive is stopped.

At this point, the rotating body 3C rotated by the light source motor 28a is phase-synchronized by the control described above.

At the same time as the recording paper 8 is fed, the electromagnetic clutch 16c is turned on and the transport motor 16a is driven to transport the transfer recording medium 1 in the direction of arrow a in FIG. At this time, in synchronization with the conveyance of the transfer recording medium 1, the page signal becomes "high A" for a time T3, and the transfer image forming process is performed in the recording section 3. Then, after the image forming time T3 has elapsed, the conveyance motor 16a is activated. It stops after a further time T4 has elapsed.

Therefore, the transfer recording medium 1 is transported by the driving of the -1st fastest means 14 and the second transport means 4 until the rear end of the image formed in the recording section 3 passes the transport roller 14a. At this time, since the circumferential speed of the conveyance roller 14a is slightly slower than the circumferential speed of the transfer roller 4a, the amount of slack in the transfer recording medium between the rollers 14a and 4a gradually decreases. Because the amount of slack is ensured sufficiently,
In the transfer recording medium 1, a certain amount or more of slack is ensured between both rollers 14a and 4a. Therefore, even if there is a conveyance fluctuation when the leading edge of the recording paper 8 enters the transfer unit 4 or when the trailing edge of the recording paper 8 exits the transfer unit 4, the transfer of the recording medium in the recording unit 3 Speed is not affected.

Incidentally, after the time T1 has elapsed since the transfer recording medium 1 started to be conveyed, the feeding motor 30 is driven for a time T2 to convey the recording paper 8 at the same speed as the transfer recording medium 1, and then stops. As a result, the leading edge of the recording paper 8 matches the leading edge of the transfer image formed on the transfer recording medium I in the transfer section 4, and is conveyed by the drive of the conveyance motor 31 while being in close contact with the transfer recording medium I.

Now, to explain the operation of the control section 20 which sends out each signal as shown in FIG. In other words, since the magenta line synchronization signal has a cycle of 15 On+s as described above, the control section 20 can manage time by counting the signal.

The control unit 20 has a sequence table as shown in FIG.
Then, while counting magenta line synchronization signals, sequentially refer to the sequence table
Sends N signal, transport motor ON signal, page signal,
The drive of each member is controlled by each signal.

In this embodiment, the sequence table has a 3-bit structure as shown in FIG. 15, and has a total of 3217 words from the 0th to the 3216th word, where bit 0 is the feed motor ON signal and bit 1 is the feed motor ON signal. The transport motor ON signal, bit 2, corresponds to the page signal, respectively.

In addition, in Figure 13, the numbers in parentheses in the second part indicate the magenta line synchronization signal at the time when the register I/sen signal becomes high A, and the magenta line synchronization signal at each time point. This shows the signal number (number of signals).

Next, a series of operations of the control unit 2o having the above-described functions will be explained using flowchart 1 in FIG. 16. First, in step St, it is detected whether or not the start button on the operation panel has been pressed; If the button is pressed, the process moves to step S2, and the transport motor 16a is driven to move the transfer recording medium l.
transport. At this time, the electromagnetic clutch 16c is in the off state, the transfer recording medium 1 is transported by the first transport means 14, and slack is created between the first transport means 14 and the second transport means 4.

When the slack reaches a certain amount or more, the detection sensor 15 is turned on in step S3. In response to the ON signal from the sensor 15, step S4. The process moves to S5, and the drive of the transport motor 16.3 is stopped, and the electromagnetic clutch 16.3 is stopped.
Turn on c.

Next, the process moves to step S7 to send out a feeding motor ON signal, and further, in step S3, a light source motor ON signal is sent out. Next, the process moves to step S8 and waits for the ζ register 1-sensor signal to become "high", and then waits for the signal to become "high".
Then, the process moves to step S9 and waits for the lock detection signal from the P L,L motor driver 27 to become "high J". In other words, it waits for phase synchronization of the rotating body 3c. Then, the lock detection signal changes to "high J". Then, step S10
, and substitutes O for R without indicating the rask number of the sequence table.

Next, in step Sll, it waits until the magenta line synchronization signal is "r low", and then in step S12, it waits for the magenta synchronization signal to become "high J".Thereby, the rising edge of the magenta line synchronization signal is detected. When the edge is detected, the process moves to step S13, refers to the Rth position in the sequence table, and sends bit 0, bit 1, and bit 2 as a feed motor ON signal, a transport motor ON signal, and a page signal, respectively. .

Next, the process moves to step S14, where 1 is added to the value of R, and in step S]5, it is detected whether the value of R is greater than 3216. If the value of R is smaller than or equal to 3216, the process returns to step Sll to continue recording, and if it is larger, the process moves to step S16 to stop the light source motor 27a and end the recording.

The image formed as described above is transferred to the recording paper 8 by applying heat and pressure in the transfer section 4.

(Transfer Section Temperature Control) Here, the temperature control structure in the transfer section 4 is constructed as shown in FIG. 17.

The thermistor T1) in FIG. 17 is arranged so as to be in contact with the surface of the transfer roller 4a, and its resistance value changes depending on the surface temperature of the transfer roller 4a.
and a reference voltage E by a comparator C8.

compared to Comparison output beam rate driver R.

The relay RL controls the energization of the halogen heater 4C from the electric currents ti and E3.

Here, the driving principle of the temperature control configuration will be described. The thermistor T1) has a property that the resistance value decreases as the temperature rises, and therefore, as the surface temperature of the transfer roller 4a rises, the resistance value of the thermistor T1+ decreases, and the voltage E2 decreases. Conversely, if the surface temperature of the transfer roller 4a decreases, the resistance value of the thermistor Tl+ decreases, and the voltage E2 also increases. Therefore, the reference voltage E. By setting the value of the voltage E2 corresponding to the transfer roller 4a at 95°C, the transfer roller 4a
When the surface temperature of the transfer roller 4a is lower than 95°C, the comparative output becomes "high J", and the halogen heater 4c is energized, increasing the surface temperature of the transfer roller 4a.On the other hand, when it is higher than 95°C, the halogen heater 4c is turned on. is not energized, and the surface temperature decreases.The surface temperature of the transfer roller 4a decreases to 90℃ due to the above control.
-100°C. This control system is constantly operating when the power switch of the apparatus is on, and is controlled so that the surface temperature of the transfer roller 4a reaches 90 to 100°C before the start button on the operation panel is pressed. Wholesale.

As described above, an image is formed on the transfer recording medium 1, and the image is transferred to the recording paper 8 in the transfer section 4 as a color image of magenta, cyan, and yellow.

After the image transfer, the transfer recording medium 1 and the recording paper 8 are separated by the peeling claw 5a and the peeling roller 5, and the recording paper 8 on which the image of the desired color has been recorded is transferred to the discharge tray 1 by the discharge roller pair 13a, 13b. ).

Further, the transfer recording medium 1 is wound onto a take-up roll 6.

As described above, color recording is performed in one shot.

[Second Embodiment] In the first embodiment described above, an example was shown in which the driving force of one transport motor 16a was transmitted to the first transport means 14 and the second transport means 4 via the electromagnetic clutch 16c. However, as shown in FIG. 18 as a second embodiment, the first conveying means 1
An example is shown in which DJ 4 and second conveyance means 4 are each provided with individual motors.

Incidentally, the same parts as in the first embodiment are given the same reference numerals and the explanation will be omitted.

In this embodiment, a first conveyance motor 18a is connected to a shaft 14a1 of a conveyance roller 14a, and a gear train 1 is connected to a transfer roller 4a.
The second (fastest motor 18c) is connected via 8b1.18b2.

The difference in conveying speed of the transfer recording medium 1 between the first conveying means 14 and the second first general conveying means 4 is detected by the angle change of the arm 15b, and the drive control of the motors 18a and 18c is performed in steps 31 to S7 in FIG. The conveying speeds of the first conveying means 14 and the second conveying means 4 are varied by controlling as shown in FIG.

To explain this specifically, as shown in FIG. 20, when the transfer recording medium 1 is loosened from the tense state between the first conveyance means 14 and the second conveyance means 4, the arm 15b
rotates counterclockwise, and its rotation angle θ is detected by a potentiometer 15e attached to the shaft 14a1, which detects the rotation angle of the arm 15b.

Therefore, when the angle of the arm 15b when the transfer recording medium 1 is slightly loosened is θ1, and the angle of the arm 15b when the transfer recording medium 1 is further loosened is 02 (θ1<θ2),
When recording, first step 31. In S2, the motor 18a is driven so that the conveyance speed V of the transfer recording medium 1 by the first conveyance means 14 is constant, and the transfer recording medium 1 is made to have a slack of more than a certain value (Am angle θ>θ2). Then, the process moves to step S3, and the motor 1.8c is driven so that the conveyance speed v2 of the transfer recording medium 1 by the second conveyance means 4 becomes V, <V2. As a result, the transfer recording medium 1 is conveyed between the first conveying means 14 and the second conveying means 4 while gradually reducing slack.

Next, in step S4, when the arm angle reaches θ, the process moves to step S5, and the transfer motor 18c
, and the conveyance speed Vz' of the transfer recording medium 1 is reduced.
The transfer recording medium l is transported such that v, >v2'. Furthermore, in step S6, the arm angle θ≧
When the slack reaches θ2, the process moves to step S7, and if recording is to be continued, the process returns to step S3, where the sheet is conveyed so as to reduce the slack.

The motor 18 drives the transfer roller 4a as described above.
By controlling the rotation of c, the conveyance speed of the transfer recording medium 1 in the recording section 3 can always be maintained constant even if there is a conveyance fluctuation when the recording paper 8 enters the transfer section 4. .

Therefore, even if the conveyance is controlled as described above, a clear image without image blur can be recorded.

[Third Example]

In the first embodiment described above, an example was shown in which an image is formed by applying light and heat to the transfer recording medium, but as a second embodiment, an example in which an image is formed by applying only light energy is shown in FIG. Explain using.

In this case as well, the same components as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals and the explanation thereof will be omitted.

The transfer recording medium 101 according to this embodiment is constructed by adhering to a support a plurality of types of image forming elements in which color formers of different colors and reactive substances that polymerize in response to light of a specific wavelength are encapsulated. ing. For example, graphs A, B, and C in Figure 3, respectively.
There are three types of polymers, including a photoinitiator that absorbs light with the wavelength shown in , polymerizes, and hardens, a monomer, a leuco dye as a coloring agent that develops magenta, cyan, and yellow colors, and additives such as stabilizers. Three types of image forming elements are constructed in which a core is formed and the core is covered with a shell to form a microcapsule shape, and these are adhered to a support in the same manner as in the first embodiment to constitute a transfer recording medium. (See US Pat. Nos. 4,399,209 and 4,416,966).

The transfer recording medium 101 is conveyed to a first image forming section 103 and is irradiated with light energy corresponding to both signals.

This first image forming unit 103 guides the support side of the transfer recording medium 101 with a guide plate 103a, and moves the image forming element into an image.
A light irradiation means is arranged on the side of the deposited transfer recording layer. In the light irradiation means used in the first embodiment, the light irradiation means has the following characteristics:
Shutter array 103 that replaces phosphors A, B, and C with phosphors A', B', and C', and opens and closes according to image signals.
b and a condensing lens 103C are attached, whereby the transfer recording layer is irradiated with three types of wavelength light shown in FIG. 22 in accordance with the image signal.

In this example, Ba is used as the main component of the phosphor A'.
MaA1) 60z7:Eu (europium-activated barium magnesium aluminate) is used, LaPo4:Ce, Tb (selenium 2 terbium-activated lanthanum phosphate) is used as the main component of the phosphor B', and the main component of the phosphor C is "/zo, :Eu (europium-activated indolium oxide) is used as a component. And each of the phosphors A'B',
The spectral distribution of the light emitted at C' is shown in graph A in Figure 22.
' (peak wavelength 451nm), B' (peak wavelength 543nm), C' (peak wavelength 61nm)
become that way.

As a result, the image forming element irradiated with light of a specific wavelength is cured and an image is formed.

Next, the transfer recording medium 101 on which an image has been formed by light irradiation from the first image forming section 103 passes through a first conveying means 14 and a detecting means 15, and then passes through a first conveying means 14 and a detecting means 15, and then passes through a first conveying means 14 and a detecting means 15. The two images are transported to the image forming section. In this case, as in the first embodiment, the second image forming section also serves as the second conveyance means.

A recording paper 8 whose surface is coated with a color developer is conveyed to the second image forming section, and is overlapped with the transfer recording layer and pressure is applied thereto. This application of pressure destroys the uncured image forming element of the recording medium 101 in the transfer section, and the color forming agent and the color developing agent of the recording paper 8 cause a coloring reaction to form on the recording paper 8. The visualized image is recorded, and the recording paper 8 after the image recording is discharged to the discharge tray 1).

Even in a recording apparatus that forms an image using light energy as described above, the transfer recording medium 1 is made to have slack between the first conveying means 14 and the second conveying means 4, as in the first embodiment.
By controlling the feed, even if the transport load of the transfer recording medium 1 changes when the leading edge of the recording paper 8 enters the second image forming section 4 or when the trailing edge of the recording paper 8 escapes, the transfer The recording medium 1 always maintains a constant speed in the first image forming section 103, and an image faithful to the image signal can be formed.

In the travel process, it is preferable to provide a fixing section downstream of the second image forming section with respect to the conveyance direction of the recording paper in order to fix the image formed on the recording paper.

[Other Embodiments] Next, other embodiments of each section, such as the transfer recording medium 1 and the recording section 3 described above, will be described.

(1) Transfer recording medium In each of the above embodiments, the transfer recording layer 1b is made of a polymeric abrasive material containing a coloring agent by light energy and thermal energy.
Although an example has been shown in which the image is transferred and recorded onto the recording paper 8 by changing the softening point temperature of the recording paper 8, the image may also be transferred and recorded based on the difference in adhesive properties or sublimation properties to the recording paper 8. Alternatively, by providing the transfer recording medium 1 with a layer that imparts color development to the recording paper 8 and changing the color development characteristics of the recording paper 8, and transferring the image formed on the transfer recording medium 1 to the recording paper 8. It may be configured to obtain an image.

In addition, the first energy and the second energy applied to the transfer recording layer 1b are applied to the transfer recording layer 1b.
The energy is not limited to the above-mentioned heat and light energy; for example, the image may be formed using ground energy such as pressure energy.

In addition to the above-mentioned polyethylene terephthalate, for example, polyamide, polyimide, capacitor paper, cellophane paper, etc. can also be used as the material for the support 1a.

In the transfer recording medium used in the present invention, the image forming element whose transfer characteristics change upon application of light energy and thermal energy includes at least a photopolymerization initiator and a monomer having an unsaturated double bond. Contains an oligomer or prepolymer (hereinafter referred to as a sensitive component) and a colorant, and optionally a binder, a thermal polymerization inhibitor, a plasticizer,
Contains additives such as surface smoothing agents.

Examples of photopolymerization initiators include carbonyl compounds, halogen compounds, azo compounds, and organic sulfur compounds, such as acetophenone, hensifenones, coumarin, xanthone,
Aromatic ketones and their derivatives such as thioxanthone, chalcone, styryl styryl ketone, diketones and their derivatives such as hensyl, acenaphthenequinone, camphorquinone, anthraquinone sulfonyl, chloride, quinolinesulfonyl chloride, 2,4.6- )squirrel(
Examples include halogen compounds such as (trichloromethyl)-3-1-riazine, but the present invention is not limited thereto.

Monomers, oligomers or prepolymers having unsaturated bonds include polymers of polyisocyanun-1 and alcohols and amines containing unsaturated double bonds (which may be reacted with polyols if necessary). Examples include urethane acrylates or urethane methacrylates synthesized by addition reaction, epoxy acrylates synthesized by addition reaction of epoxy resin and acrylic acid or methacrylic acid, polyester acrylates, spinacrylads, polyether acrylates, etc. However,
The present invention is not limited to this.

In addition, as a prepolymer, the main chain has a skeleton of polyalkylene, polyether, polyester, polyurethane, etc., and the side chain has an acrylic group, methacrylic group, cinnamoyl group, cinnamylideneacetyl group, furyl acryloyl group,
Examples include those into which polymerizable and crosslinkable reactive groups such as silicic acid peel esters are introduced, but the present invention is not limited thereto.

Furthermore, it is desirable that the monomers, oligomers, and prepolymers listed above be in a semi-solid or solid state at room temperature, but even if they are liquid, they may be maintained in a semi-solid or solid state by mixing with the binder described below. Don't be silly.

When the aforementioned monomer, oligomer or prepolymer having unsaturated double bonds and a photopolymerization initiator are used together with a binder, the binder is compatible with the monomer, oligomer or prepolymer having unsaturated double bonds. Any organic polymer may be used.

Such organic polymers include polyacrylic acid alkyl esters such as polymethyl acrylate and polyethyl acrylate, polymethacrylic acid alkyl esters such as polymethyl methacrylate and polyethyl acrylate, or methacrylic acid copolymers, Acrylic acid copolymers, maleic acid copolymers/or chlorinated polyolefins such as chlorinated polyethylene and chlorinated polypropylene, polyvinyl chloride, polyvinylidene chloride, polyacrylonitrile or copolymers thereof, as well as polyvinyl alkyl ethers, polyethylene, Examples include polypropylene, polystyrene, polyamide, polyurethane, chlorinated rubber, cellulose derivatives, polyvinyl alcohol, polyvinylpyrrolidone, etc., but the present invention is not limited thereto. These binders may be used singly or in combination of two or more in an appropriate ratio. Further, as the binder, waxes which are limited to compatible or incompatible waxes may be used.

The colorant is a component contained in order to form an optically recognizable image, and various pigments and dyes are used as appropriate. Examples of such pigments and dyes include carbon blank, yellow lead, molybdenum red, inorganic pigments such as Hengara, Hansa Yellow, Henjin Yellow, and brilliant carmine 6.
B, Lake Red C8 Permanent Red F5R,
Examples include organic pigments such as Fuclocyanine Blue, Villa 1 to Rear Blue Lake, and Fast Sky Blue, and colorants such as leuco dyes and phthalocyanine dyes.

The monomer, oligomer or prepolymer having an unsaturated double bond contained in one image forming element is 10 to 99% by weight, more preferably 50 to 99% by weight, based on the weight of the image forming element.
90% by weight is preferred. The photopolymerization initiator is 0.1 to 20% by weight, more preferably 0.1 to 1% by weight, based on the weight of the image forming element.
5% by weight, colorant 0.1 to 30% by weight, and even 1 to 2% by weight.
The binder is preferably 0 to 90% by weight, more preferably 0 to 40% by weight.

Furthermore, additives such as thermal polymerization inhibitors and plasticizers may be added to the image forming element as required.

The transfer recording medium used in the present invention is produced by mixing and melting the components constituting the image forming element, and applying the mixed and molten mixture as a minute image forming element onto a base material by a spray drying method, an emulsion granulation method, etc. It can be obtained by doing. Further, in order to prevent a decrease in sensitivity and further improve image resolution, the image forming element may be microencapsulated.

When using microcapsules in the image forming element,
The core portion contains the above-described material.

Materials used for the wall materials of microcapsules include cellulose-based materials such as ceratin, gum arahia, ethyl cellulose, and nitrocellulose, urea-pormarine, nylon,
Examples include polymers such as Tetron (registered trademark), polyurethane, polycarbonate, maleic anhydride copolymer, vinylidene chloride, polyvinyl chloride, polyethylene, polystyrene, and polyethylene terephthalate.

The number average particle diameter of the image forming element constituting the transfer recording medium is 1
~20 pm is preferred, particularly 3~1OIJm. Also, when the image forming element is composed of microcapsules, the number average particle size of the microcapsules is 1 to 20μ.
m is preferred, and 3 to Ion is particularly preferred. Further, the particle size distribution of the microcapsules is preferably ±50% or less, particularly preferably ±20% or less with respect to the number average diameter. The thickness of the wall material of the microcapsule is 0.1 to 2. OIlm is preferred, particularly 0.1-0.5J1m.

As the microencapsulation method, any conventionally known method can be applied, such as the simple core cell hesion method, the combination core cell hesion method, the interfacial polymerization method, and the 1n-
An in situ polymerization method, an interfacial precipitation method, a phase separation method, a spray drying method, an air suspension coating method, a mechanochemical method, etc. are used.

(2) Recording section In the first embodiment described above, in the recording section 3, light of a predetermined wavelength corresponding to a desired color is uniformly irradiated from the transfer recording layer 1b side of the transfer recording medium 1, and the support is Although the configuration is such that heat is applied from the 1a side in accordance with the image signal, another embodiment may be configured in which heat is applied uniformly and a predetermined light is irradiated in accordance with the image signal.

Furthermore, if the support 1a is made of a translucent material, the support 1a can be made of a transparent material.
A configuration may be adopted in which light is irradiated from the a side and heat is applied from the transfer recording layer 1b side.

Furthermore, in the first embodiment described above, light irradiation and heat application were performed with the support 1a in between, but image formation could also be achieved by separately performing both light irradiation and heat application from one side of the support 1a. It is possible.

Further, as the heating means, in addition to the above-mentioned method using the recording head 3a, a method of selectively heating using a YAG laser and a polygon mirror, etc. may be used.

Furthermore, the light irradiation means need not be limited to the method using the rotating body 3c described above. For example, a plurality of individual fluorescent lamps capable of emitting light corresponding to each wavelength may be provided, and each fluorescent lamp may be individually turned on in response to both signals. Furthermore, in addition to the fluorescent lamp, for example, a method using an LED array, a method using a xenon lamp and a filter matching the light absorption characteristics of the material, etc. may be used.

Incidentally, in the above-mentioned embodiment, light energy and thermal energy were simultaneously applied to the transfer recording layer 1b, but even if the structure is such that the optical energy and thermal energy are applied separately, both of them may be applied as a result. Any configuration that imparts energy may be used.

In the first embodiment described above, an example of color recording in magenta, cyan, and yellow was shown, but the characteristics of the transfer recording medium 1,
Naturally, it is also possible to perform one-color recording or two-color recording by selecting the characteristics of applying heat and light energy in the recording section 3.

(3) Conveyance Means In the above embodiment, the first conveyance means 14 is constructed of a pair of rollers consisting of the conveyance roller 14a and the driven roller 14b, but this need not be limited to the roller-shaped one. For example, it may be configured with a rotating hel I- or the like.

Furthermore, it goes without saying that the materials constituting the rollers 14a and 14b need not be limited to those of the embodiments described above.

Further, the relative conveying speed difference between the first conveying means 14 and the second conveying means 4 described above may be divided into several stages or times.

Further, the driving force for transporting the transfer recording medium 1 and the driving force for feeding the recording paper 8 may be supplied by the same driving source (such as a motor).

(4) Detection means In the embodiment described above, the first conveyance means I4 and the second conveyance means 4
Although the transfer recording medium 1 in between is pressed by the pressing roller 15a, the pressing need not necessarily be in the form of a roller.

(5) Transfer section (second conveyance means) In the above embodiment, heat and pressure were applied in the transfer section 4 (or second image forming section), but in this transfer section 4 only pressure was applied. Alternatively, the voltage may be applied.

The transfer section 4 is not limited to roller-shaped rollers like the transfer roller 4a and the pressure roller 4b, but may be of any configuration that can obtain a desired pressure, such as a rotating heald.

Further, the peripheral speed of the transfer roller 4a is determined by the gear ratio of the gears 16bl to 16b4 forming the drive transmission system and the electromagnetic clutch 16c.
The peripheral speed of the transfer roller 4a is increased by the cooperation with the conveyance roller 14.
It can be set arbitrarily within a range greater than the circumferential speed of a.

Furthermore, if necessary, a fixing means for fixing the image on the recording medium onto which the image has been transferred by the transfer section 4 may be provided downstream of the peeling roller 5 in the conveying direction of the recording medium.

(4) Recording medium The recording medium is not limited to the above-mentioned recording paper; for example, an overhead projector (OHP)
Of course, plastic sheets etc. can also be used.

<Effects of the Invention> As described above, the present invention includes forming an image on a transfer recording medium,
Since this image is sequentially transferred to the recording medium, the image can be recorded satisfactorily even on the recording medium with relatively low surface smoothness. Furthermore, when the present invention is applied to multicolor recording, a multicolor image can be obtained without making any complicated movements on the recording medium.

Furthermore, since the transfer recording medium conveyance means is provided upstream of the transfer section in the conveyance direction of the transfer recording medium, and recording is performed with the transfer recording medium slackened between the first conveyance means and the second conveyance means, the transfer Fluctuations in conveyance load when a recording medium rushes into the recording section do not affect the conveyance speed of the transfer recording medium passing through the recording section. As a result, an image without image blur is formed in the recording section, and a clear image can be obtained.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIGS. 1A and 1B are schematic illustrations of the entire recording apparatus according to the first embodiment, FIG. 2 is an illustration of the configuration of a transfer recording medium,
Figure 3 is a graph showing the light absorption characteristics of the photoinitiator in the transfer recording medium, Figure 4 is a graph showing the light transmission characteristics of the rotating body, and Figure 5 is a graph showing the light transmission characteristics of the rotating body.
The figure is a graph showing the spectral characteristics of the light irradiation means, and Figure 6 shows the signal of the light receiving member that detects the rotation of the rotating body and its integral waveform.
Figure 7 is an explanatory diagram of the configuration of the PLL motor driver, Figure 8
Figure 9 is an explanatory diagram of the configuration of the conveyance roller, Figure 9 is an explanatory diagram of the shape of the transfer roller, Figure 10 is a timing chart for applying heat and light, Figure 1) is a block diagram of the control system, Figures 12 and 13. The figure is a timing chart of the recording operation, FIG. 14 is an explanatory diagram showing the relationship between each member, FIG. 15 is an explanatory diagram of the sequence table for sending out each signal, FIG. 16 is a flowchart of the recording operation, and FIG. 17 18 is an explanatory diagram of the temperature control system of the transfer roller 4a, FIGS. 18 to 20 are explanatory diagrams of the configuration of the recording apparatus according to the second embodiment, and FIGS. 21 and 22 are explanatory diagrams of the recording apparatus according to the third embodiment. It is a configuration explanatory diagram. 1 is a transfer recording medium, 1a is a support, 1b is a transfer recording layer,
1 b+, 1 bz, 1 bi is core, 1b4
is a shell, lbs is an adhesive, 2 is a supply roll, 2a is a supply roll shaft, 3 is a recording section, 3a is a recording head, 3b is a heating element array, 3c is a rotating body, 3d, 3e, 3f are support rollers, 3g 3h is a light source, 3h is a light shielding plate, 31 is a transfer unit 1-14, 4a is a transfer roller, 4b is a pressure roller, 4c is a heater, 5 is a peeling roller, 6 is a winding roll, 7 is a cassette, 8 is a Recording paper, 9 is a feed roller, 10a, ]Ob is a registration roller, 1) is an output tray, 12a, 12b, 1
2c is a guide roller, 13a and 13b are discharge rollers, 1
4 is a first general feeding means, 14a is one general feeding roller, 14b is a driven roller, 15 is a detection means, 15a is a pressing roller, 1
5b is an arm, 15c is a light shielding plate, 15d is a detection sensor, 15d1 is an LED, 15d2 is a phototransistor,
15e is a potentiometer, 16a is a transport motor, 1
6bl ~ 16b4 are gears, 16c is an electromagnetic clutch, +
7a and 17a' are light shielding parts, 17b is a light emitting member, 17c is a light receiving member, 20 is a control part, 20a is a CPU, 20b is R
OM, 20c is RAM, 21 is ink-face, 22
23 is an operation panel, 23 is an image forming timing generator, 24 is a feed motor driver, 25 is a conveyance motor driver, 26 is a registration sensor 26a is L E D, 26
b is a phototransistor, 27 is a PLL motor driver, 28 is ■C0129 is a light source lighting device, 30 is a feeding motor, 31 is an external image signal generator, T is a thermistor, r is a resistor, Co is a comparator, R9 The relay driver, RL, is a relay.

Claims (5)

[Claims] (1) Provided along the conveyance path of a transfer recording medium having a transfer recording layer whose transfer characteristics change by applying a first energy and a second energy different from the first energy. , a recording section having a first energy applying means for applying the first energy to the transfer recording medium and a second energy applying means for applying the second energy; a transfer section for transferring the transferred image onto a recording medium; a first conveyance means provided upstream of the transfer section in the conveyance direction of the transfer recording medium and for conveying the transfer recording medium; a second conveyance means provided downstream in the conveyance direction of the transfer recording medium than the first conveyance means for conveying the transfer recording medium; and a second conveyance means for making the conveyance speed of the transfer recording medium by the second conveyance means variable. a speed control means; and a detection means for detecting the amount of slack in the transfer recording medium between the first conveyance means and the second conveyance means; Also, the conveyance speed of the transfer recording medium by the second conveyance means is set high, and when the slack amount of the transfer recording medium between the first conveyance means and the second conveyance means becomes less than a predetermined value, the The speed relationship between the first conveying means and the second conveying means is reversed, and the conveyance is controlled so that the transfer recording medium has a predetermined amount or more of slack between the first conveying means and the second conveying means. recording device. (2) Claim (
1) Recording device as described. (3) The recording device according to claim (1), wherein the first energy is heat and the second energy is light. (4) Provided along the conveyance path of a transfer recording medium having a transfer recording layer whose transfer characteristics change when energy is applied, and applying the energy to the transfer recording medium in order to form an image on the transfer recording medium. a first image forming section for forming an image on a recording medium corresponding to the image formed on the transfer recording medium in the first image forming section; a first conveyance means provided upstream in the conveyance direction of the transfer recording medium from the second image forming section and for conveying the transfer recording medium; and a first conveyance means provided on the downstream side in the conveyance direction of the transfer recording medium from the first conveyance means. a second conveyance means for conveying the transfer recording medium; a speed control means for varying the conveyance speed of the transfer recording medium by the second conveyance means; the first conveyance means and the second conveyance means; and a detection means for detecting the amount of slack of the transfer recording medium between the transfer recording medium, and setting the conveyance speed of the transfer recording medium by the second conveyance means to be higher than the conveyance speed of the transfer recording medium by the first conveyance means. and temporarily reverse the speed relationship between the first conveying means and the second conveying means when the amount of slack of the transfer recording medium between the first conveying means and the second conveying means becomes less than a predetermined value. . A recording apparatus, characterized in that conveyance is controlled so that the transfer recording medium has a predetermined amount or more of slack between the first conveyance means and the second conveyance means. (5) The recording device according to claim (4), wherein the energy is light.