JPH04176664A - Ion generating device for electrostatic recording - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To prevent the deterioration and erosion of an ion generating part due to oxidation by adding 0.1 to 20wt.% of antioxidant to a dielectric layer and an insulator layer in an ion generation device for dielectric recording equipped with the dielectric layer with an opening formed at an area corresponding to a matrix, and the insulator layer. CONSTITUTION:The stainless foils 12a, 12b of a laminated product are etched in one single pattern to form the second electrode 13 and the third electrode 14. After that, an insulator layer 11 is etched with an alkali solution using the second electrode 13 and the third electrode 14 as a mask. As a result, a structural product with an opening 15 running through the second electrode 13 up to the third electrode 14 is obtained. Then pyroridone UV-curable water-soluble resin is injected into the opening 15 in the second electrode 13 of this structural product for curing. Then the same antioxidant as added to the insulator is added to a dielectric paste consisting of titanium oxide as a filler. This mixture is applied to the second electrode 13 and the applied coat is dried and cured. On the other hand, copper foils are applied to an insulating substrate 16 of polyimide FPC and the copper foils are patterned to form the first electrode. In addition, the same dielectric paste is injected into an area between these patterns, and after drying, the dielectric layers are attached together to be thermally pressed. Thus, an ion generating device obtained lasts long and durably.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention [Field of Industrial Application] The present invention relates to an ion generator for electrostatic recording, and more particularly to an ion generator for ion flow electrostatic recording used in electrostatic printing and copying. .

[Conventional technology] In electrostatic printing, etc., ions are generated at a high current density,
A method is known in which this is extracted and selectively applied to a member to be charged to imagewise charge it, and an apparatus for this purpose is disclosed, for example, in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 57-501348. The ion generator used in this method has a plurality of first electrodes fixedly extending in one direction on one surface of the dielectric layer, and a plurality of first electrodes extending in one direction on the other surface of the dielectric layer, and a plurality of first electrodes extending in one direction on the other surface of the dielectric layer. It is made by fixing a plurality of extending second electrodes, and the first electrode and the second electrode constitute a matrix.

When a high voltage is applied alternately between the first electrode and the second electrode corresponding to a selected portion of the matrix, positive and negative ions are generated near the second electrode corresponding to the selected portion. The generated ions are selectively extracted through an opening in an insulating layer interposed between the second electrode and the third electrode, and applied to the charged member, thereby charging the charged member. I can do it. Therefore, electrostatic recording using dots can be performed by selectively driving the electrodes in the matrix structure.

The dielectric material used in such an ion generator is required to not break down even under the high voltage applied for ion generation. In addition, if air bubbles get into the ion generating part that is made up of the first electrode, dielectric layer, second electrode, insulator layer, and third electrode, current leakage will occur between each opening and between each electrode. occurs, causing discharge damage.

Therefore, it is necessary that no air bubbles exist between the dielectric or insulator and the second electrode, that is, the dielectric or insulator needs to have adhesiveness with the second electrode.

JP-A-54-53537 discloses polyimide as a dielectric material, and JP-A-60-196364 discloses a positive photosensitive resin as an insulator.

C Problems to be Solved by the Invention] However, air bubbles occur in a portion of the ion generating section that is configured by the first electrode, the dielectric layer, the second electrode, the insulator layer, and the third electrode and is in contact with the second electrode. If this exists, discharge will occur between each opening and between each electrode, thereby activating oxygen within the bubbles and causing oxidative deterioration of the materials constituting the dielectric layer, the second electrode, and the insulating layer. Organic materials are usually used as dielectric layers and insulators due to their workability and structural flexibility.In particular, insulators also serve as spacers, so they are usually formed into a film of a certain thickness. use something When laminating this on the second electrode,
It is necessary to use a vacuum laminator to prevent air bubbles from entering, and to completely follow the level difference between the second electrode and the dielectric layer so that no air layer remains. However, it is extremely difficult to prevent air layers from remaining at hundreds of steps, and the remaining air layers oxidize the insulator.
It erodes and its durability deteriorates.

Furthermore, the microbubbles remaining near the interface between the second electrode and the insulator oxidize the second electrode, resulting in deterioration in the long term.

An object of the present invention is to provide a durable ion generator for electrostatic recording in which the ion generator is prevented from deterioration and corrosion due to oxidation.

[Means for Solving the Problems] The present invention provides a plurality of first electrodes extending in one direction and parallel to each other, and a plurality of first electrodes extending in a direction crossing the first electrodes. a plurality of second electrodes having openings formed in portions corresponding to the matrix; and a plurality of second electrodes arranged on the opposite side of the second electrodes from the first electrodes, and forming a matrix with the second electrodes. a third electrode with an opening formed in a corresponding portion; a dielectric layer provided between the first electrode and the second electrode; and a third electrode between the second electrode and the third electrode. In the ion generator for dielectric recording, the dielectric layer and/or the insulator layer has an insulating layer provided between the matrices and an insulating layer having an opening formed in a portion corresponding to the matrix. Provided is an ion generator for electrostatic recording, characterized in that it contains 20% by weight of an antioxidant.

As the antioxidant used in the present invention, those normally used for synthetic resins can be used. for example,
2,6-tert-butyl-p-cresol, 2,
Phenolic antioxidants such as 2-methylenebis(4-ethyl-6-tert-butylfwnor), phosphorus antioxidants such as trinonylphenyl phosphite, distearyl pentaerythritol phosphate, distearylthiodipropio Examples include sulfur-based antioxidants such as ester, dilauryl thiodipropionate, and the like.

The content of antioxidant is 0.1 to 20% by weight, preferably 1 to 5% by weight. If it is less than 0.1% by weight, there will be little effect of adding it, and if it exceeds 20% by weight, the physical properties of dielectrics and insulators will deteriorate.

[Operation] In an ion generator composed of a first electrode, a dielectric layer, a second electrode, an insulator, and a third electrode, a high voltage is applied between the first electrode and the second electrode. Then, ions are generated through the air layer at the opening on the dielectric. At this time, the surface of the organic material constituting the dielectric or insulator that is in contact with the air in the opening gradually takes in the air at the interface due to the antioxidant present on the surface, and as a result, the interface is free from oxidation. The activated oxygen involved becomes less likely to exist.

Therefore, even if a high voltage is applied, the surface of the dielectric or insulator is less likely to be oxidized and corrosion due to oxidation is less likely to occur.

The same thing can be said about microbubbles that exist between the insulator and the second electrode. It can make your body less susceptible to oxidation.

[Example] Hereinafter, with reference to the drawings, specific examples of the present invention will be described.
explain.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view schematically showing the entire structure of an ion generator according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a diagram schematically showing a cross section when the opening lower in FIG. 1 is made circular. It is.

In FIGS. 1 and 2, a plurality of first electrodes 2 formed on an insulating substrate 1 extend parallel to a direction perpendicular to the plane of the paper, and in a direction different from the first electrodes 2. A plurality of second electrodes 4 are extended.

A dielectric layer 3 is sandwiched between these first and second electrodes. The second electrode 4 is located at a position corresponding to the first electrode 2,
That is, it has an opening in the intersection area.

A third electrode 6 is located on the opposite side of the second electrode 4 from the first electrode 2.
is arranged, and the third electrode 6 has an opening corresponding to the opening of the second electrode 4. An insulating layer 5 is sandwiched between the second electrode 4 and the third electrode 6, and this insulating layer 5 has an open lower opening corresponding to the opening of the second electrode 4 and the third electrode 6. have.

In the ion generator configured as described above, by selectively applying a voltage between the plurality of first electrodes 2 and the second electrodes 4, the second electrode corresponding to the selected portion is Positive and negative ions are generated near the opening of No. 4. Second
A bias voltage is applied between the electrode 4 and the third electrode 6, and only ions determined by the polarity are extracted from the generated ions. The extracted ions pass through the insulator layer 5 and the opening of the third electrode 6, and selectively charge a member to be charged (not shown) disposed opposite the third electrode 6. In this way, the plurality of first electrodes 2
By selectively driving the second electrode 4, a dot latent image is formed on the charged member.

That is, this ion generator functions as an electrostatic recording head.

Examples for specifically manufacturing the ion generator described above will be described below with reference to FIGS. 3 to 6.

Example 1 An acetylene-terminated addition type polyimide consisting of a copolymer of polyimide and polyisoimide was used as an insulator, and 0.1 to 20% by weight of a phenolic antioxidant was added thereto.
Preferably, 1 to 5% by weight of 2,6-di-tert-butyl-vala-cresol was added to prepare a 60% by weight acetone solution. This solution was applied to each of the stainless steel foils 12a and 12b by screen printing. This was left at room temperature for 5 to 30 minutes to volatilize the solvent and dry the applied solution. Repeat this process from application to drying,
A coating layer with a thickness of 25 to 75 μm was formed.

Next, as shown in FIG. 3, these stainless steel foils 12a
, 12b were vacuum laminated, and both coating layers were joined to form an insulator layer 11 having a thickness of 50 to 150 μm. Next, heat pressing was performed at a temperature of 220° C. for about 1 hour under a pressure of 1 to 3 kg/cm 2 . At this time, insulator layer 1
Pressure conditions were set so that the layer thickness of 1 did not decrease significantly,
Used with spacer. Then, slowly under normal pressure,
The temperature was raised to 70°C and held for 16 hours.

The stainless steel foils 12a, 12 of the laminate thus obtained
b was etched into the same pattern as shown in FIG. 4 to form a second electrode 13 and a third electrode 14.

Thereafter, when the insulating layer 11 is etched with alkali using the second electrode 13 and the third electrode 14 as a mask, the opening 15 is formed from the second electrode 13 to the third electrode 14 as shown in FIG. A penetrating structure was obtained.

A pyrrolidone-based UV hardening type water-soluble phase resin was injected into the opening 15 of the second electrode 13 of this structure, and the resin was cured by irradiation with ultraviolet rays. Next, a dielectric paste containing titanium oxide as a filler was added with the same antioxidant in the same proportion as that added to the insulator, and then a second paste was added by screen printing.
It was applied onto the electrode 13 and dried and cured.

On the other hand, copper foil is attached to an insulating substrate 16 made of polyimide FPC, this copper foil is patterned to form a first electrode 17, and the same dielectric paste as described above is injected between the patterns of this first electrode 17. and dried. Then, as shown in Figure 6, the dielectric layers are pasted together and bonded under heat and pressure.
Obtained an ion generator.

The ion generator manufactured in this way has an ion generating part that is not easily oxidized, so it has a life span that is 2 to 5 times longer than a device that does not contain an antioxidant, and is highly durable.

Example 2 An ion generator was manufactured in the same manner as in Example 1, except that 0.1 to 20% by weight, preferably 1 to 5% by weight, of phosphorus trinonylphenyl phosphite was added as an antioxidant. did.

This ion generator also has an ion generating part that is oxidized.
Like the ion generator of Example 1, it had a long life and was durable.

Example 3 An ion generator was produced in the same manner as in Example 1, except that 0.1 to 20% by weight, preferably 1 to 5% by weight, of sulfur-based distearylthiopropionate was added as an antioxidant. Manufactured.

This ion generator also has an ion generating part that is oxidized.
Like the ion generator of Example 1, it had a long life and was durable.

[Effects of the Invention] As explained above, according to the present invention, at least one of the dielectric layer and the insulating layer contains 0.1 to 20% by weight of antioxidant, so that they are not oxidized. <<, Deterioration and corrosion due to oxidation are less likely to occur. Therefore, an ion generator with long life and durability is provided.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view schematically showing the entire ion generator according to the present invention, FIG. 2 is a diagram schematically showing a cross section when the opening lower in FIG. 1 is made circular, and FIGS. FIG. 6 is a sectional view showing the manufacturing process of an ion generator according to an embodiment of the present invention. DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1... Insulating substrate, 2... First electrode, 3... Dielectric layer, 4... Second electrode, 5... Insulator layer, 6...
...Third electrode, 7...Aperture. Applicant Representative Patent Attorney Atsushi Tsuboi Figure 2

Claims (1)

[Claims] A plurality of first electrodes extending in one direction and in parallel, and a plurality of first electrodes extending in a direction crossing the first electrodes, forming a matrix together with the first electrodes, and forming a matrix in a region corresponding to the matrix. a plurality of second electrodes each having an opening formed therein; and a third electrode disposed on the opposite side of the second electrode from the first electrode and having an opening formed at a portion corresponding to the matrix. an electrode, a dielectric layer provided between the first electrode and the second electrode, and an opening provided between the second electrode and the third electrode, in a portion corresponding to the matrix. In the ion generator for dielectric recording, the dielectric layer and/or the insulator layer contain 0.1 to 20% by weight of an antioxidant. An ion generator for electrostatic recording.