JPH08197760A - Recording device - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] [Structure] On the base material (particularly on the heat insulating material 66) provided in the recording material accommodation portion facing the recording medium (for example, the printing paper 50),
A recording apparatus provided with a porous structure (for example, a group of pillars 80) for holding and supplying a recording material,
Around the surface, at least a part of the side of the base material except for the introduction position of the recording material into the recording material accommodation portion is closely attached to or integrated with a frame body forming the recording material accommodation portion. Printer head or printer. [Effect] While utilizing the features of the thermal transfer recording method, it can be provided with high yield and low cost, has high reliability, and sufficiently supplies and heats a recording material such as dye to improve recording performance by flying well. You can

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a recording device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, in image recording of video cameras, televisions, computer graphics and the like, there is an increasing need for colorization of hard copy as well as recording of mono color. In response to this, various types of printers have been developed and deployed in various fields.

Among these recording methods, an ink sheet coated with an ink layer in which a high-concentration transfer dye is dispersed in a suitable binder resin, and a dyeing resin that receives the transferred dye are coated. The heat-sensitive recording head located on the ink sheet applies heat according to the image information, and the heat-sensitive recording head located on the ink sheet applies heat according to the image information. There is a method of thermal transfer.

The so-called thermal transfer system, which obtains a full-color image by repeating the above-mentioned operation for each of the image signals decomposed into yellow, magenta, and cyan, which are the three primary colors of subtractive color mixture, is compact and easy to maintain. Therefore, it is attracting attention as an excellent technology that has an immediacy and obtains a high-quality image comparable to a silver salt color photograph.

FIG. 37 is a schematic front view of the main part of such a thermal transfer type printer. According to this printer, a thermal recording head (hereinafter referred to as a thermal head) 1 and a platen roller 3 face each other, and an ink sheet 12 having an ink layer 12a provided on a base film 12b between them,
The recording paper (transferred material) 40 having the dyeing resin layer (dye receiving layer) 40a provided on the paper 40b is sandwiched and pressed against the thermal head 1 by the platen roller 3.

The ink (transfer dye) in the ink layer 12a selectively heated by the thermal head 1 is
The transfer is carried out in a dot shape on the dyeing resin layer 20a of the transfer target 20, and thermal transfer recording is performed. In such thermal transfer recording, generally, a line system in which a longitudinal thermal head is fixedly arranged so as to be orthogonal to the recording paper traveling direction, or a serial head in which the thermal head reciprocates in a direction orthogonal to the recording paper traveling direction is used. The method is adopted.

By the way, the applicant of the present invention has been able to reduce the waste and the transfer energy, and to make the printer small and lightweight while taking advantage of the above-mentioned thermal transfer recording system.
A non-contact type dye vaporization type laser beam printer (LBP) as shown in 38 has already been proposed.

According to this recording method, a heat-fusible dye layer
A recording head (printing paper) 50 having a recording head (for example, a serial type printer head) 40 having 22 in the vaporizing section 17 and a receiving layer 50a for receiving the vaporized (or sublimated) dye 32.
A minute gap 17a in the range of 1 μm to 1 mm is provided between and.

Then, by irradiating the laser beam L, the liquefied dye stored in the dye storing portion 37 of the vaporizing portion 17 of the recording head 40.
22 is selectively heated to near its boiling point to be vaporized, the vaporized dye 32 is caused to fly in the void 17a, and transferred from the vaporization hole 23 onto the photographic printing paper 50 which is a recording medium to obtain continuous gradation. Get the image you have. This operation is the three primary colors of subtractive color, yellow,
Full colorization can be achieved by repeating each of the image signals decomposed into magenta and cyan.

In this recording method, the photographic printing paper 50 is opposed to the recording head 40, for example, on the upper side, and the laser light emitted from the laser 18 and condensed by the lens 19 is near the upper surface of the vaporizing section 17. It is advisable to irradiate L to cause the vaporized dye 32 to fly or move upward.

In this case, the transfer dye is emptied by the heating means.
In order to move 17a, in addition to the vaporization phenomenon, it is often seen when irradiated with a high-power laser, and the bonds of dye molecules are efficiently cut and the energy is used to etch at a very high rate. Phenomena and the phenomenon that gas energy generated by boiling or explosion is used to etch at a very high rate can also be used (a transfer mechanism other than such a vaporization mechanism is referred to as ablation: hereinafter the same).

Further, a head base having a laser beam transmitting property.
A dye reservoir 15 is provided in 14, and a liquefied dye 22 is accommodated between the dye reservoir 15 and a lid 13 fixed on the head base 14, and a dye passage 27 is provided from here.
The liquefied dye 22 is supplied to the vaporizing section 17 via the. In this case, in order to improve the supply efficiency and the vaporization efficiency of the dye to the vaporization unit 17, the dye escape due to the decrease in the surface tension of the dye caused by heat generation is prevented, and the continuous supply and retention of the dye by utilizing the capillary phenomenon. In order to do so, a bead aggregate 20 composed of small beads 21 is provided in the vaporization section 17.

A protective plate (not shown) is fixed on the lid 13 in order to hold the gap 17a and guide the photographic printing paper 50 moving in the X direction (the direction perpendicular to the paper surface). A heater for maintaining the liquefied state of the dye may be embedded in the protective plate. Here, the heater 26 is arranged in the dye containing portion (the passage 27).

The solid powder heat-meltable dye 42 in the solid dye storage tank 41 is supplied from a supply port 43 by a check valve 44,
It is heated to the melting point by the heater 26 and melted (liquefied). The liquefied dye 22 is supplied at a constant rate to the upper surface of the bead aggregate 20 of the vaporization section 17 at a high rate by the capillary phenomenon of the bead aggregate 20.

The entire printer including this printer head is, for example, for full color as shown in FIG.
Yellow, magenta, and cyan dye reservoirs 15Y, 15M,
15C is provided on each common base 14 to form each dye supply section or supply head section 37Y, 37M, 37C, and from there, 12 to 24 dots of each color dye are formed in rows to form a vaporization section 17Y. , 17M, 17C.

For each vaporizing part, a large number of condenser lenses 19 are provided for each laser beam emitted from a multi-laser array 30 in which 12 to 24 corresponding lasers (particularly semiconductor laser chips) 18 are arranged in an array. The light is condensed by the microlens array 31 in which is arranged (36 is a mirror for guiding the laser light L in the perpendicular direction).

As the condenser lens, the illustrated lens system may be used, but a single large-diameter condenser lens 38 indicated by an imaginary line may be used. The lens 38 is formed so that the refraction path changes so that the light emission position corresponds to the vaporization parts 17C, 17M, and 17Y described above according to the light incident position.
The multi-laser array 30 is driven and controlled by the control IC 34 provided on the substrate 33, and the heat sink 35 is also provided.
Is designed to allow sufficient heat dissipation.

In the case of mono-color printing, as shown in FIG. 40, a one-dimensional laser array 30 is produced, and each laser element can be operated independently and in parallel, so that the number of beams can be easily changed. Printing speeds of more than one time can be obtained (for example, 24 times speed is obtained by using a laser array with 24 beams).

Each of the printer heads described above accommodates as many liquefied dyes 22 as the number of recording dots corresponding to the number of recording dots in the dye accommodating portion 37, and the laser 18 also has an array having light emitting points corresponding to the number of recording dots. It is arranged in a shape.
Even with the above thermal transfer printer that does not rely on the laser 18,
The heating units of the thermal head 1 are also arranged in a dot pattern.

As described above, according to this dye vaporization type laser beam printer, regarding the dye consumed for recording, only the lost portion is voluntarily or forcibly in the molten state from the dye reservoir to the vaporization part. By pouring, or
It can be continuously applied onto an appropriate substrate, and the substrate can be continuously supplied to the vaporizing unit by moving to the transfer unit. This is possible because the dye contains little binder resin. Therefore, since the vaporizing section involved in recording can be repeatedly used many times, the ink sheet is disposable only once in the above-mentioned thermal transfer method, which is advantageous in terms of resource saving and environmental protection.

Further, since it is a vaporization type or an ablation type, recording can be carried out without contact between the dye layer and the recording medium (printing paper), so that it can be seen in the above-mentioned thermal transfer system at the time of the second and subsequent printing. The reverse transfer of the dyes and the color mixture do not occur, and the heating portion is only the head including the vaporizing portion, and the power consumption is remarkably reduced as compared with the above-mentioned thermal transfer method. At the same time, the printer can be made smaller and lighter because a small volume dye reservoir is used for supplying the dye instead of the above-described ink sheet.

Further, since this recording system utilizes vaporization or sublimation of the dye, it is not necessary to heat the dye receiving layer of the recording medium as in the above-mentioned thermal transfer system, and the ink sheet and the recording medium are not recorded. It is not necessary to press the body against the body with high pressure, and this is also advantageous in reducing the size and weight of the printer. Since the dye layer in the vaporized portion and the recording medium do not come into contact with each other, heat fusion cannot occur between them, and recording is possible even if the compatibility between the dye and the receiving layer resin is small. Therefore, the range of design and selection of the dye and the resin for the receiving layer is remarkably expanded.

Further, the semiconductor laser 18 is basically used as a light source as a heat energy supply source for vaporizing (or sublimating) the dye, but the semiconductor laser has a high conversion efficiency from electric power to light. Since the dye has excellent directivity and light collecting property, the heat energy transfer efficiency of the dye is also very high. Therefore, the total energy utilization efficiency is markedly higher than that of the conventional method (thermal transfer by the above-mentioned thermal head or ink jet), which is advantageous in downsizing and power saving.

Further, in the conventional ink jet type color printer, it is difficult to express gradation, but since the semiconductor laser can easily control the output power, the pulse width and the like, the above recording method can easily express multi gradation. realizable. That is,
An electric image created by a color video camera or the like can be converted into a dye transfer corresponding to an image signal by a semiconductor laser to form a full-color image having at least 128 gradations per color, which is comparable to silver halide photography. it can.

The head 40, which is a transfer member suitable for the dye vaporization type recording method, has the property of sufficiently withstanding the amount of heat instantaneously applied at the time of transfer, and spontaneously due to the capillary phenomenon to the vaporization part (transfer part). It is preferable to have a structure (20 in FIG. 38) that has a large surface area for supplying a liquid dye and can firmly hold the dye during transfer.
Further, by providing an appropriate heat retaining device, it becomes possible to use a dye or a dye mixture having a melting point of room temperature or higher.

A transfer dye suitable for this recording method is
It has an appropriate vaporization rate or ablation rate, and shows a fluid state at 200 ° C or lower in a single or mixed state,
Any dye may be used as long as it has necessary and sufficient heat resistance. Specific examples thereof include disperse dyes, oil-soluble dyes, basic dyes and acid dyes. In particular, when the ablation mechanism is superior to the vaporization mechanism, a dye having a large molecular weight and a low vaporization rate, such as a direct dye,
Even carbon black and pigments can be transferred. Even for a dye having a melting point of room temperature or higher, the melting point is lowered by mixing the dyes with each other or by mixing the dye and a volatile low molecular weight substance.

Further, the photographic printing paper suitable for this recording method has a proper compatibility with the transfer dye, easily accepts the transfer dye, accelerates the original color development of the dye, and fixes the dye. Any photographic paper can be used. For example, for the disperse dye, a paper having a surface coated with a polyester resin, a polyvinyl chloride resin, an acetate resin, or the like, which has good compatibility with the disperse dye, is preferable. The fixing of the dye transferred onto the printing paper may be performed by heating the transferred image so that the transferred dye on the surface penetrates into the image receiving layer.

The heating means of the dye transfer system is roughly classified into a method using a thermal head, a material that absorbs laser light and a wavelength range including the wavelength range of the laser light, and converts light energy into heat energy (photothermal conversion). A method of combining a body (not shown) and laser light can be mentioned.

When a laser beam is used, the resolution is remarkably improved, and by increasing the laser beam density in the optical system, it becomes possible to perform intensive heating, and the ultimate temperature is increased. As a result, the thermal efficiency is improved. There is a feature called.
Particularly, by using the multi-laser, the time for transferring one screen is significantly shortened.

However, the photothermal converter must be sufficiently heat resistant in order to continuously absorb the laser light of light energy. Therefore, as the photothermal converter used in this system, a thin film type light absorber such as a metal thin film that exhibits absorption matching the emission wavelength of a laser, or a two-layer film of a metal thin film and a ceramic thin film having a high dielectric constant is directly transferred. In addition to being provided on the part, heat resistance such as fine particle type light absorbers such as carbon black and metal fine particles, organic dyes such as phthalocyanine dyes, naphthalocyanine dyes, cyanine dyes, anthraquinone dyes or organometallic dyes A dye or pigment having excellent properties may be used by uniformly dispersing it in a transfer dye.

[0031]

Further, the applicant of the present invention has proposed another sublimation type color video printer, which does not require an ink sheet and a thermal head, and which saves power, is small in size, and is low in cost. , Japanese Patent Application No. 4-300587, Japanese Patent Application No. 5-1124
No. 1 and Japanese Patent Application No. 5-12106.

A similar structure of this printer will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 41 to 45 (however, common portions to those in the head of FIG. 38 are designated by common reference numerals), and the head portion 60 serves as a disperse dye. Dye tank 41 containing solid powder sublimation dye 42
And a wear-resistant protective layer made of high-strength material located underneath
61, a spacer 62 located in the center, and a head base 63 located on the upper side. Note that FIG.
41 is shown upside down from FIG. 41.

Further, a liquefied dye introducing section 64 for heating and liquefying the solid powder sublimation dye 42 in the dye storage tank 41, and introducing it.
A plurality of liquefied disperse dyes 22 are arranged along the liquefied dye introducing section 64 at predetermined intervals and are guided from the liquefied dye introducing section 64.
Each vaporization part 17 for vaporizing the heat of vaporization by the vaporization heat, the vaporization heating element 65 provided under the liquid surface of the dye 22 in the vaporization part, the heat insulating material (block) 66 for supporting it, and the heat generation of about 1 μm in thickness It has a group of trabecular bodies 80 which are porous structures for holding and supplying the dye 22 on the body 65. Electrodes 65A and 65B of heating elements are provided on both side surfaces of the heat insulating material 66, and are taken out through a structure not shown (however, an insulating structure with the heater 68 is not shown).

The protective layer 61 has a function of preventing dirt, dust, dust, foreign matter, etc. from entering the vaporization holes 23 of each vaporization section 17 when it comes into contact with the photographic printing paper 50 with a light pressure. It is formed of a metal-based or glass-based material such as tantalum, which has good thermal conductivity and excellent heat resistance and wear resistance. In addition, the protective layer 61
In this case, a plurality of square columnar holes 61a which become a part of the vaporization holes 23 of each vaporization part 17 are formed by fine processing such as an etching technique.

The spacer 62 is made of, for example, a glass-based or ceramic-based resin, a polyethylene-based resin, a metal-based resin such as tantalum, etc., and the melting temperature of the liquefied disperse dye 22 is adjusted and the protective layer 61 is adjusted depending on the material, thickness and combination thereof. It has a function of adjusting the temperature of the dye receiving layer 50a of the photographic printing paper 50 by the heat transfer of.

The photographic printing paper 50 is actually composed of a cellulosic resin or the like, and comprises a dye receiving layer 50a which absorbs disperse dyes, and a base material 50b. The base material 50b is formed by laminating a polypropylene layer having high heat resistance and good non-hygroscopicity, a base paper, and another polypropylene layer for balancing the polypropylene layer and preventing the photographic printing paper 50 from warping. The structure may be different, and a light absorption layer (which can be omitted) may be provided.

As shown in FIGS. 41, 42, and 44, the spacer 62 is formed with a plurality of square columnar holes 62a each of which is a part of the vaporizing hole 23 of each vaporizing section 17, and the dye Storage tank 41 (41Y for yellow, 41M for magenta, 41 for cyan
Each vaporizing portion 17 extends from the C) side to the other end side of the head base 63.
A plurality of slots 64 communicating with the vaporization holes 23 are formed.

Further, a dye solution stopping layer 67 is provided between the protective layer 61 and the spacer 62. This dye liquid stop layer 67
Is a liquefied disperse dye formed of a fluorine-based or silicon-based resin material that is heat resistant and chemically stable.
Is prevented from leaking to the outside through the wall surface of the protective layer 61 and adhering to the dye receiving layer 50a of the photographic printing paper 50.

Further, as shown in FIGS. 41, 42 and 43, the liquid stop layer 67 is formed with a plurality of square columnar holes 67a each of which is a part of the vaporization hole 23 of each vaporization section 17. As shown in FIG. There is. The protective layer 61, the dye solution stopping layer 67, and the spacer 62 are adhered to each other with a heat-resistant adhesive.

The head base 63 is formed as thin as possible, for example, glass, ceramics or the like having a high melting point, no thermoformability, and low thermal conductivity. Further, as shown in FIG. 41, on the dye storage tank 41 side of the head base 63,
A supply port (connection hole) 43 communicating with each liquefied dye introducing section 64 is formed.

Further, each liquefied dye introducing portion of the head base 63
A plate-shaped heater (heating element) 68 is attached to the surface on the 64 side up to the inside of each dye bath 41. The heater 68 is made of, for example, carbon or a silicon compound, and is heated to 50 ° C.
It has a function of liquefying the disperse dye 42 in the form of a solid powder by generating heat of ˜300 ° C. and keeping the temperature in the liquefied state.

As shown in FIG. 41, one end of the heater 68 is bent vertically upward and inserted into each dye storage tank 41, and the other end is connected to each liquefied dye introducing part. It extends to the terminal end side of 64. Further, as shown in FIG. 45, the heater 68 is arranged on the entire surface of the head base 63 so that the spacer 62 and the protective layer 61 are kept warm to heat the dye receiving layer 50a of the printing paper 50.

The above printer head shown in FIGS. 41 to 45.
According to 60, in addition to having the features described in the printer head 40 shown in FIGS. 38 to 40, in addition to having the advantages described below, the printer head 40 has the following advantages.

First, since the heating of the dye for vaporization in each vaporization section 17 is performed not by using the laser light L but by the heat generation of the heating element 65 provided in each vaporization section, an expensive semiconductor laser ( In particular, it is possible to use a low-cost heating element instead of multiple laser arrays that are provided in parallel), and the vaporization efficiency directly uses the heat generated by the heater without depending on the electro-optical conversion efficiency of the laser. , The efficiency as a whole is improved.

However, the present inventor
As a result of examining 60, it was found that the following points to be improved remain.

In the head structure of the printer head 60,
As shown in FIGS. 41 to 44, in the vaporizing part 17, the vaporization structure 81 including the heat insulating material 66 and the heating element 65 (further, a group of small pillars 80 of several μm size) is provided in the spacer 62 in each hole 62 a. The vaporization structures 81, which are individually formed in the (dye containing portion),
Particularly, the heat insulating material 66 is provided at a constant height, and a considerably deep groove 62a 'exists between the heat insulating material 66 and the spacer 62 (frame).

Therefore, from the dye passage 64 to each inlet 64 '(see FIG.
When the dye 22 is supplied to each vaporization section 17 through each of the vaporization units 17 (see 44), the dye 22 entering from the inlet 64 'is distributed around the heat insulating material 66 through the groove 62a', and the pillars 80 from three directions. Will be supplied to the group of.

Therefore, the area of the heat insulating material 66 or the vaporization structure 81 (specifically, the area corresponding to the area of the groove 62a 'around the periphery) is secured.
The bottom area) becomes smaller, and the depth of the vaporization portion (dye accommodating portion) becomes larger due to the height of the heat insulating material, and it is not easy to attach the vaporization structure 81 to each vaporization portion, This makes head manufacturing difficult.

Further, since the vaporization structure 81 becomes small,
The mechanical strength is weakened and the head is easily damaged, the reliability of the head is deteriorated, the manufacturing yield is deteriorated in combination with the above, and the cost is easily increased.

Moreover, since the dye is supplied through the groove 62a ', the dye may not be sufficiently distributed to the group of the pillars 80, the flow of the dye may be disturbed, and
There is also a problem that the pillars 80 do not penetrate sufficiently into the inside.

[0051]

An object of the present invention is to provide a recording material such as a dye, which can be provided with high yield and low cost while utilizing the characteristics of the thermal transfer recording system described above, and which has good reliability. It is an object of the present invention to provide a recording apparatus that can be heated and flies well to improve recording performance.

[0052]

That is, according to the present invention, a recording material is held and supplied on a base material (particularly on a heat insulating material) provided in a recording material accommodating portion facing a recording medium. A recording device provided with a porous structure (for example, a group of small pillars), in which the bottom surface of the recording material container is located at the same height level as the surface, the recording material container Relates to a recording device in which a frame is formed.

In the recording apparatus of the present invention, at least a part of the side of the base material is formed around the surface of the base material except for the introduction position of the recording material into the recording material accommodating portion. A groove-shaped recess that is in close contact with or integrated with a frame forming the recording material accommodation portion and that guides the recording material to the recording material accommodation portion is formed between the porous structure and the frame. It is desirable that

According to the recording apparatus of the present invention, the bottom surface of the recording material accommodating portion is positioned at the same height level as the surface on the base material provided with the porous structure, and especially, the introduction position of the recording material is excluded. Since at least a part of the side surface (specifically, the side surface) of the base material on which the porous structure is provided is in close contact with or integrated with the frame body (for example, the spacer member), the size of the vaporization part (and therefore Even if the bottom area of the base material) becomes small, the porous structure will be provided in the frame body while making the height itself low (thus making the recording material accommodating portion shallow),
The side surface of the base material is supported by the frame body and is in a position-regulated state. Therefore, when the base material (and the vaporization structure including the base material) is attached, the positioning becomes easy, and the attachment can be surely performed.

Further, even if the base material becomes small, the height of the porous structure becomes low, and especially when the base material is supported by the frame, its mechanical strength is maintained and the rate of damage is reduced. Therefore, the yield and reliability can be improved and the cost can be reduced.

These remarkable effects are obtained by making the bottom surface of the recording material accommodating portion at the same height level as the above-mentioned surface of the base material, and in particular, on the side surface of the base material, the recording material introduction position has no frame. ,
With the structure in which the recording material is selectively introduced from here, the recording material can be surely obtained. Moreover, since a groove-shaped recess for guiding the recording material is formed between the porous structure and the frame on the base material, the recording material introduced in one direction from the inlet through this recess is sufficiently distributed. In addition, since the concave portion is formed shallow on the base material and exhibits a certain capillary action, it is possible to sufficiently secure the supply of the recording material to the porous structure.

In the recording apparatus of the present invention, specifically, the recording material introduction position is present on one side of the recording material accommodating portion, and the introduced recording material has a groove-like shape above the surface on the base material. It is supplied into the recess.

The above-mentioned porous structure suppresses escape of the recording material by its capillary action, effectively holds and supplies the recording material in a fixed amount, enables efficient heat transfer, and improves vaporization or ablation efficiency. It is possible to improve the quality of the recording material, and by supplying the recording material in a fixed amount, the amount of vaporization or ablation can be kept constant to obtain high quality recording.

The recording apparatus of the present invention comprises a recording material flying structure (for example, a heat insulating material and a porous structure such as a group of small pillars on the recording material) for flying the recording material to the recording medium by heating. A minute vaporization structure) and a recording material supply structure portion (for example, a spacer member having a liquefied dye supply passage) for supplying the recording material to the recording material container, At least a part of the side of the heat insulating material, which is mounted in the recording material accommodation portion formed in the recording material supply structure, can be closely attached to or integrated with the spacer member having the recording material supply passage.

Alternatively, the recording material flying structure may be provided integrally with the recording material supply structure portion. In this case, the heat insulating material forming the recording material flying structure may be a spacer member provided integrally with the recording material accommodating portion.

Since such an integrated structure is formed to have a large thickness, the mechanical strength at the time of processing the recording material supply structure and the minute recording material flying structure becomes sufficient, and cracks or breakage occur. Without handling, processability and reliability,
Furthermore, the yield and cost performance can be improved.

Further, since the recording material flying structure is formed by patterning on the recording material supply structure and left as it is after this patterning, it is not necessary to fix it individually with an adhesive or the like, and the alignment is performed. The recording characteristics can be improved easily and with high accuracy.

As a method for effectively manufacturing such a recording apparatus, a first material (for example, SiO ₂₎ which becomes a recording material accommodation portion is used.
Layer) and a second material (for example, a quartz glass plate) to be a recording material supply structure part, a step of forming a recording material supply path in the second material, and an opening of the recording material supply path. It is desirable to use a manufacturing method that includes a step of forming a recording material accommodation portion in the first material and a step of forming a recording material flying structure (for example, a group of small columns) in the recording material accommodation portion of the first material. . It is desirable to further fix the recording material supply structure portion having the recording material supply passage to a reinforcing material (for example, a quartz glass plate).

The recording apparatus of the present invention actually has a heating means for heating the recording material and causing it to fly to the recording medium. Such heating means is composed of a heating element provided on the base material. In this case, the recording material can be efficiently heated by energizing the heating element, and the cost can be reduced because there is no need to use a laser. However, a heating beam irradiation source such as a laser may be used.

Since the recording apparatus of the present invention is of the thermal transfer type in which the recording material is heated to fly to the recording medium, the above-mentioned miniaturization, ease of maintenance, immediacy, and high image quality are achieved. It has features such as high gradation.

In particular, it is desirable that this recording device is constructed so that the recording material is vaporized or ablated by heating and is flown to the recording medium which is arranged so as to face the recording material in a non-contact state. That is, the recording material is preferably configured to fly to the recording medium through the gap, and is suitable for the recording head for the non-contact type dye vaporization printer described above.

The recording apparatus of the present invention is a concept including not only a recording head such as the above-mentioned printer head but also a printer incorporating this recording head (hereinafter, referred to as a printer).
Similar).

[0068]

The present invention will be described in more detail with reference to the following examples, but it goes without saying that the present invention is not limited to the following examples.

FIGS. 1 to 19 show a non-contact type dye vaporization printer according to the present invention (for example, a video printer: hereinafter the same).
1 shows a first embodiment applied to.

First, the characteristic structure of the printer head 70 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.

The printer head 70 according to this embodiment is shown in FIG.
41 and the example shown in FIG. 42 are similar in that the vaporization structure 81 formed of the heat insulating material 66 and the heating element 65 (further, a group of small pillars 80) is formed in the vaporization section 17, but The fundamental difference is that the bottom surface of the vaporization section (dye accommodating section) is at the same depth level as the top surface of the heat insulating material 66 (the surface on which the pillars 80 are provided), and the heat insulation is performed around the vaporization structure 81. That is, the side surfaces of the material 66 are three sides (or three sides) and are closely attached to or integrated with the spacer 62 as a frame body. An adhesive (not shown) may be used for this integration.

Specifically, three side surfaces of the heat insulating material 66 (actually the electrodes 65A and 65B provided on the surfaces) are spacers.
Integrated into 62, there is no gap between them. The other side surface of the heat insulating material 66 is the dye inlet 64 '.
The liquefied dye 22 from the dye passage 64 is introduced into the vaporization section 17 through the introduction port 64 ′.

The heat insulating material 66 (specifically, the heating element 65)
A groove for guiding the liquefied dye 22 introduced from the inlet 64 ′ between the group of small pillars 80 provided above and the wall surface of the spacer 62 and the hole 67 a of the liquid stop layer 67 above this. 130 is concavely formed (see arrow 22 in FIG. 2).

In this way, the printer head 70 of this embodiment is
According to the above, the bottom surface of the dye containing portion is positioned at the same height level as the surface of the heat insulating material provided with the porous structure 81, and in particular, except for the dye introduction port 64 ′, the heat insulation provided with the vaporization structure 81 is provided. Since the three sides on the side of the material 66 (specifically, the side surface thereof) are in close contact with or integrated with the spacer 62, even if the size of the vaporization portion 17 (and therefore the bottom area of the heat insulating material 66) is reduced, The porous structure will be provided in the frame with a low height (and therefore a shallow dye containment), and in particular with the insulation 66
The side surface of is supported by the spacer 62, and its position is regulated. Therefore, when the heat insulating material 66 (and the vaporization structure 81 including the same) is attached, the positioning thereof is facilitated, and the heat insulating material 66 can be surely attached.

Further, even if the heat insulating material 66 becomes small, the height of the porous structure becomes low, and when the heat insulating material 66 is supported by the spacer 62, its mechanical strength is maintained and the rate of damage is reduced. Therefore, the yield and reliability can be improved and the cost can be reduced.

These remarkable effects are that the bottom surface of the dye containing portion is at the same level as the top surface of the heat insulating material 66, and the spacers 61 do not exist at the introduction position of the dye 22 on the side surface of the heat insulating material 66.
With the structure in which the dye 22 is selectively introduced from here, the dye 22 can be reliably obtained. Moreover, since a groove-shaped recess 130 that guides the dye 22 is formed between the group of small pillars 80 and the spacer 62 on the heat insulating material 66, the dye 22 is unidirectionally drawn from the inlet 64 'through this recess. Introduce a vaporization structure
Since it can be distributed over the entire circumference of 81 and the concave portion is formed shallow on the heat insulating material 66 and exhibits a certain capillary action, the dye can be sufficiently supplied to the group of trabecular bodies 80. Can be secured.

Further, at the position of the dye introducing port 64 ', the distance between the introducing port 64' and the group of the pillars 80 can be made as close as possible, so that the dye 22 can be easily sucked from the dye passage 64 to the vaporizing section 17. In this respect also, the dye can be stably supplied. On the other hand, in the structure of FIGS. 41 to 45, since it is necessary to guide the dye 22 to the entire circumference of the heat insulating material 66 of the vaporization structure 81, the introduction port 64 ′ and the group of trabecular bodies 80 Can't get so close.

The dye can be sufficiently vaporized and supplied by the effect of holding and supplying the dye by the capillary action of the group of the small pillars 80.

The small column 80 and the heating element 55 may have the same size, interval, thickness, etc. as those described with reference to FIGS. 41 to 44. Further, in the head 70 of this embodiment, the heating element
The electrodes 65A and 65B of 65 extend from the side surface of the heat insulating material 66 to the peripheral region thereof, and wiring metal is provided on the electrodes 65A and 65B.
65A 'and 65B' are provided.

The heat insulating material block 66 is fixed to the base 63 provided with the dye liquefying heater 68 by the adhesive 111. The spacer 62 on which the dye containing portion 17 is formed is the adhesive 11
Although it is fixed on the base 63 by 2, the vaporization structure 81 is placed in the dye containing portion 17. Note that the liquid stop layer 67 and the protective layer 61 are provided on the spacer 62, as in the case of FIG. 42.

The pillar 80 and the layers 62 and 63 are made of glass, but can be made of other materials. For example, polymer materials such as polyimide, ceramics, silicon,
It can also be formed of a metal-based material or a combination thereof. The reason why the polymer material can be used is that the printer head 70 is not pressed against the photographic printing paper 50, so that it does not receive a large pressure.
The heat dissipation during the operation of 65 is small and the thermal insulation is good.

The dye vaporizing section 17 constructed as described above is
Actually, as shown in FIGS. 43 to 45, a plurality of dots are arranged for each color (yellow Y, magenta M, cyan C) for full color. Therefore, in this case, the structures of FIGS. 1 and 2 are arranged in a line as shown in FIG.

When color printing the photographic printing paper 50,
Heat is generated by the heating element 65 according to the image signal. Due to this heat of vaporization, the dye in each vaporization portion is vaporized, and the holes 61 of the protective layer 61 are
It is transferred to the receiving layer 50a of the photographic printing paper 50 in the order of Y, M, and C through the sheet a.

The printer head 70 according to this embodiment is shown in FIG.
Similar to the head 60 shown in (4), it is of a thermal transfer system that heats the dye 22 to fly to the printing paper 50 through the gap,
It has the features of miniaturization, ease of maintenance, immediacy, high-quality images, and high gradation described above. A heater 68 is used for liquefying the dye and keeping it warm.

Next, an example of a method of manufacturing the head 70 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.

First, as shown in FIG. 4, a polysilicon (P-
Si) 65 is deposited to a thickness of about 1 μm.

Then, as shown in FIG. 5, a polysilicon layer 65 is formed.
The quartz glass plate 66 and the quartz glass plate 66 are patterned by powder beam etching.
65 and are processed into a predetermined pattern.

Next, as shown in FIG. 6, a photoresist 114 is formed in the peripheral portion of the heat insulating material 66 in a pattern having a recess 113 corresponding to the dye accommodating portion 17, and then aluminum 115 is vacuum-deposited or the like. Diagonal vapor deposition on the entire surface.

Then, as shown in FIG. 7, the recess 113 is filled with a photoresist 116 to make the surface flat.

Next, as shown in FIG. 8, a photoresist 117 is formed in a predetermined pattern on the surface including the heat insulating material 66 and the heat generating element 65, and this is used as a mask to perform powder beam etching to remove excess of the aluminum layer 115. That portion is removed along with portions of photoresist 116 and 114.

Then, as shown in FIG. 9, resists 117 and 11 are formed.
After removing all 6 and 114, a photoresist 118 is formed in a predetermined pattern as shown in FIG. 10, and the aluminum layer 115 is etched and shaped using this as a mask.

Then, as shown in FIG. 11, the resist 118 is removed, another photoresist 119 is formed in a predetermined pattern, and then aluminum 120 for wiring is deposited on the entire surface by sputtering. This allows the aluminum layer
Aluminum layers 65A 'and 65B' as wiring on 115
To form.

Next, after removing the photoresist 119 and the aluminum layer 120 thereon by lift-off, a photoresist 122 is formed in a predetermined pattern on the heat insulating material 66 so as to have an opening 121, as shown in FIG. Using this as a mask, the aluminum layers 120 and 115 are selectively etched, the aluminum electrodes 65A and 65B are separated on both sides, and the heating element 65 is exposed between them.

Then, as shown in FIG.
After removing 2, remove another photoresist (such as polyvinyl alcohol) 124 to the height of insulation 66 (actually aluminum layer 12
Fill to 0 height).

Then, as shown in FIG. 14, a SiO ₂ layer 125 is formed to a thickness of 6 to 15 μm on the entire surface by sputtering or the like.

[0096] Then, as shown in FIG. 15, forming a fine metal mask 126 for trabecular body working on the SiO ₂ layer 125 above the thermal insulation material 66, further, as shown in FIG. 16, the SiO ₂ layer
The excess portion of 125 is removed by etching, and then the resist 124 is removed.

Then, as shown in FIG. 17, the SiO ₂ layer 125 is etched using the mask 126 to form the above-mentioned small pillars (for example, small cylinders) 80 on both sides of the heating element 65, and the vaporization structure portion 81. To make.

Then, after removing the metal mask 123,
As shown in FIG. 18, the vaporization structure 81 is provided on the base 63 with the adhesive 111.
And the like, and further, the vaporization structure part in the dye containing part 17
The spacer 62 is fixed on the base 63 with an adhesive 112 or the like while aligning so that the 81 is positioned.

Next, as shown in FIG. 19, the liquid stop layer 67 and the protective layer 61 are formed on the spacer 62, and the printer head 70 as shown in FIG. 1 is completed.

In this way, the head 70 according to this embodiment is
Can be manufactured by fine processing with good reproducibility.

20 and 21 show a second embodiment in which the present invention is applied to a non-contact type dye vaporization printer.

According to this example, the pillars 80 on the heating element 65 are divided into four groups, and the groove 130 for guiding the dye is formed in a concave shape between the groups. Unlike the example of
Others are similarly configured.

Therefore, in this example, the same effects as those described in the first embodiment can be obtained, and since the number of the grooves 130 is increased, the dye from the inlet 64 'can be guided to the vaporizing section more satisfactorily. be able to.

FIG. 22 shows a third embodiment in which the present invention is applied to a non-contact type dye vaporization printer.

According to this example, a region 80A in which the pillars 80 are not provided is formed in the central portion of the group of pillars 80 on the heating element 65, which is different from the first embodiment. , Etc. are similarly configured.

Therefore, in this example, the same effect as that described in the first embodiment can be obtained, and the dye contained in the group of the pillars 80 can be stored in the area 80A. It is possible to increase the supply liquid amount (thus the vaporization amount or speed) by this amount and increase the voltage applied to the heating element 65 to improve the recording speed.

23 to 32 show a fourth embodiment in which the present invention is applied to a non-contact type dye vaporization printer.

In the dye vaporizing section 77 of the printer head 70 of this embodiment, the thickness is 20 μm or less, for example, 6 to 15 μm.
The dye containing portion 87 is formed in a concave shape on the insulating plate 73 as a frame body made of the SiO ₂ layer, and the width and the diameter of the insulating plate 73 by the fine processing are 10 μm or less (for example, 1 to 2 μm).
Distance is 20μm or less (for example 1-2μm), height is 20μm
The following (for example, 6 to 15 μm) fine columnar small columnar body 80
Is provided as part of the vaporization structure 101.

The small pillars 80 are provided at a height from the bottom surface of the accommodating portion 87 to the upper surface thereof, and have small voids 92 between the small pillars. As a porous structure. The void 92 holds the liquefied dye 22 in the accommodating portion 87 by its capillary action, and at the same time, raises a sufficient amount of the liquefied dye 22 necessary for time-series operation of one dot of the printer (vaporization surface or liquid surface). To supply to.

Under the group of the small pillars 80, a heating element 75 having a thickness of 1 μm, for example, is provided. This heating element
75 is a silicon-based compound such as carbon or polysilicon and is formed on the bottom surface of the dye containing portion 87 or the surface of the spacer 82, and a pair of aluminum electrodes 94 and 95 are provided on both sides thereof.

A signal voltage based on an image signal is applied between the electrodes 94 and 95 by a matrix drive, and the energization causes heat generation of 50 to 500 ° C. in the heating element 75, and this heat efficiently heats the liquefied dye 22. And is vaporized (this is the same in each of the embodiments described above). Further, since the spacer 82 made of quartz glass is integrally provided under the insulating plate 73, the spacer 82 acts as a heat insulating material, and the heat generated by the heating element 75 is efficiently used for heating the dye.

A supply passage 84 for the liquefied dye 22 is provided in the spacer 82.
Is formed, and this serves as the dye inlet port 84 ′ and the dye containing portion 87.
It has an opening on the bottom of. Therefore, the liquefied dye 22 is continuously introduced into the dye containing portion 87 through the passage 84 and the introduction port 84 ′ and is supplied to the vaporization structure 101.

It should be noted here that, as described above, the insulating plate 73 is used as a frame in the dye containing portion 87, and the spacer 82 as a heat insulating material of the vaporization structure 101 is integrated with the insulating plate 73. That is.

Also in the printer head 70 of this example, the surface on which the pillars 80 are provided in the vaporizing portion (that is, the upper surface of the spacer 82) is at the same depth level as the bottom surface of the dye accommodating portion. It is clear that the same effect as that described in the embodiment can be obtained. In FIG. 24, the dye 22 from the inlet port 84 ′ is distributed through the groove 130 between the group of trabecular bodies 80 and the insulating plate 73.

Further, since the insulating plate 73 and the spacer 82 are integrated, this integrated structure is thicker than the case where the insulating plate 73 or the spacer 82 is independent, and the mechanical structure is mechanical. The strength is increasing.

Therefore, the mechanical strength when processing the dye containing portion 87, the columnar body 80, the dye passage 84 and the like becomes sufficient, and cracking and breakage do not occur, and handling, workability and reliability are ensured. Furthermore, the yield and cost performance can be improved.

Further, the columnar body 80 and the dye accommodating portion 87 can be formed by patterning the insulating plate 73 on the spacer 82, and can be left as it is after this patterning to form the vaporization structure 101. It is not necessary to fix them individually, and only the alignment at the time of patterning is required, so that the trabecular body 80 and the dye accommodating portion 87, and further the introduction port 84 '.
Can be easily and highly accurately aligned, and the recording characteristics can be improved.

Further, since the spacer 82 is further joined and fixed to the bottom plate 102 made of a quartz glass plate, this bottom plate 102 acts as a reinforcing material, and the mechanical strength of the head becomes further sufficient. However, the bottom plate 102 does not necessarily have to be provided, and a dye storage tank (not shown) may be directly attached to the lower surface of the spacer 82.

Since the electrodes 94 and 95 are provided on the upper surface of the spacer 82 together with the heating element 75, their formation is facilitated. Further, a dye liquid stop layer 97 made of a fluorine-based or silicon-based resin is provided on the upper surface including the electrodes 94 and 95 to prevent the liquefied dye 22 from leaking upward. Further, a protective layer 91 made of tantalum, glass, or the like, which is the same as the protective layer 61 described above, is provided on the liquid stop layer 97. Each layer
Vaporization openings 91a and 97a are formed in 91 and 97, respectively.

Next, an example of a method of manufacturing the head 70 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.

First, as shown in FIG. 25, a polysilicon (P-Si) 103 is deposited to a thickness of about 1 μm on a spacer material 82 made of a quartz glass plate by CVD (chemical vapor deposition) or the like.

Next, as shown in FIG. 26, the polysilicon layer 10
3 is patterned by photolithography to form a heating element 75 on the spacer material 82, aluminum is further deposited on the entire surface by a vacuum deposition method or the like, and this is patterned by photolithography to form a pair of aluminum electrodes of the heating element 75.
94 and 95 are formed.

Then, as shown in FIG. 27, a SiO ₂ layer 73 is formed on the entire surface by a sputtering method or the like to a thickness of 6 to 15 μm.

Then, as shown in FIG. 28, a metal thin film of chromium or the like is formed on the SiO ₂ layer 73 by vacuum deposition or sputtering.
104 is deposited on the entire surface, and this is patterned using a photoresist of a predetermined pattern as a mask to form a pattern 87 'which will be a dye containing portion and a pattern 80' which will be a pillar. Instead of this patterning method, first, a photoresist may be formed into a predetermined pattern, a metal thin film 104 may be deposited thereon, and the metal thin film 104 may be patterned into the shape shown in FIG. 28 by lift-off.

Then, as shown in FIG. 29, the spacer material 82 is processed from the back surface by powder beam etching (PBE) to form the dye supply passage 84 in the surface direction. in this case,
When the spacer material 82 is thick, the passage 84 may be processed after polishing the back surface to adjust the thickness.

Then, as shown in FIG. 30, the dye introduction hole 8 communicating with the dye supply passage 84 is continuously provided at the position of the dye containing portion pattern 87 'by powder beam etching (PBE).
4'is formed through the thickness of the SiO ₂ layer 73.

Then, as shown in FIG. 31, reactive ion etching (RIE) is performed using the metal thin film 104 as a mask to form the dye accommodating portion 87 and the group of small pillars 80 in the SiO ₂ layer 73. At this time, the group of small pillars 80 is separated from the heating element 75 on both sides of the heating element 75. Also, the dye inlet 84 '
Causes the dye supply passage 84 to open in the dye containing portion 87.

Next, as shown in FIG. 32, a bottom plate 102 made of a quartz plate is fixed to the back surface of the spacer material 82 by fusion bonding.
This fixing can also be performed by using a low melting point glass or an adhesive. After that, necessary layers are formed on the upper surface to complete the head of FIG.

As described above, the small pillar body 80 is finely processed on the SiO ₂ layer 73 provided on the upper surface of the spacer 82 to form the spacer 82.
A groove is formed on the back surface of the to form a passage 84, and a hole 84 'is formed by fine processing in the thickness direction to form a structure in which it is connected to the passage 84, thereby performing stable and low-cost processing. Further, it is possible to obtain a vaporization part structure which can be performed and is improved in alignment and strength, is highly accurate, and is highly reliable.

FIGS. 33 and 34 show a fifth embodiment in which the present invention is applied to a non-contact type dye vaporization printer.

This embodiment relates to a printer of a heating type by laser light irradiation, in which the dye containing portion 87 is directly provided on the spacer 82 as compared with the examples shown in FIGS. 23 and 24, and It is different in that heating is performed by the laser beam L from the laser 18 without disposing a heating element, and the others are configured in the same manner. A laser light absorbing material or the like may be provided on the bottom surface of the accommodating portion 87, but it is not shown.

That is, the spacer 82 is provided with the dye supply passage 84 and the introduction port 84 ', and the dye containing portion 87 is provided on the upper surface thereof.
And the pillars 80 are formed. In this structure as well, the spacers 82 themselves are thickened, and the mechanical strength is increased.

Therefore, the mechanical strength when processing the dye containing portion 87, the columnar body 80, the dye passage 84, etc. becomes sufficient, and the handling property, the workability, and the reliability, without the occurrence of cracks or breakage, Furthermore, the yield and cost performance can be improved.

Since the columnar body 80 and the dye accommodating portion 87 can be formed by patterning the spacer 82, only the alignment at the time of patterning is required. Can be easily and highly accurately aligned, and the recording characteristics can be improved.

Further, since the spacer 82 is further joined and fixed to the bottom plate 102 made of a quartz glass plate, this bottom plate 102 acts as a reinforcing material, and the mechanical strength of the head becomes further sufficient.

As shown in FIG. 35, the color video printer 200 having the heads 70 according to the above-described first to fifth embodiments has a vertical (X direction) paper feed and a head in the direction orthogonal to the X direction. The horizontal scanning (Y direction) is used for printing, and the paper feeding in the vertical direction and the head scanning in the horizontal direction are alternately performed.

In this printer 200, the printer head 70 including the head portions Y, M, and C of each color is a serial type head, and the head feed shaft 201 including a feed screw mechanism.
The head support shaft 202 allows the print paper 50 to reciprocate in the head feed direction Y which is orthogonal to the paper feed direction X.

Further, a paper feed roller 203 for supporting the printing paper 50 so as to sandwich the printing paper 50 is rotatably provided to the head 70. In addition, the head 70 is a flexible harness 204
Is connected to a head drive circuit board (not shown) or the like.

When the printing of one line is completed, the printing paper 50 is fed by one line by the paper feed drive roller 203 which also serves as a head support. Printing is started sequentially for each color, but after 3 dots, printing is performed simultaneously. In addition, a plurality of first heating elements
If there are 75, run them alternately and select the heating element 75
Is used for printing, while the non-printing heating element 75 can control the temperature by utilizing the residual heat to liquefy the dye and keep it warm.

FIG. 36 shows a color video printer 200 having a head 70 of a line type, in which head portions Y, M and C of respective colors are arranged side by side in the width direction of the photographic printing paper 50. .

Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the above embodiments can be further modified based on the technical idea of the present invention.

For example, the above-mentioned heating elements (heaters) 65 and 75
Regarding the shape, material, size, etc., various types or combinations can be adopted, and the poly-Si layer and the metal wiring are used for both, and an insulating film such as SiN or SiO _{2 is} appropriately attached to protect the layer. A film can also be formed. The heating element may be provided in a pattern (for example, the area other than the groove 130 or the area of the groove 130 in the example of FIG. 1) matched with the groove 130 described above. The base material may be formed of a high heat conductive material such as aluminum or ceramics, and the thermal characteristics of the head may be adjusted by the heating element, the heat insulating material, and the base material.

The heat insulating material 66 is not limited to the case where the entire side surface is in close contact with the frame body as in the example of FIG. Good. The porous structure to be formed in the vaporization section is not limited to the above,
For example, in the case of a columnar body, its height, plane or cross-sectional shape, density, etc. may be changed, and the formation site may be a fine pattern or porous structure, or a site requiring expansion of the surface area or the like. If applicable. The porous structure may be a wall-shaped body, a bead aggregate shown in FIG. 38, a fibrous body, or the like, in addition to the columnar body.

Further, not only the dye vaporization type transfer system but also the transfer system by ablation described above is possible, and in any case, the dye or the recording material flies and is transferred.

Further, the number of recording material storage portions for storing recording material (dye), the number of dots, and the corresponding number of heating elements and vaporization portions may be variously changed, and the arrangement shape and size thereof may be changed. It is not limited to the above.

Further, the structure and shape of the head and the printer, including the dye containing portion and the dye supply passage, may be any suitable structure and shape other than those described above, and the material of each part constituting the head may be other suitable. Materials may be used. With respect to the recording dyes, full-color recording can be performed with three colors of magenta, yellow, and cyan (further, black is added), and two-color printing, one-color monocolor, or monochrome recording can be performed.

A heating element and a laser may be combined to heat the dye. In this case, vaporization can be satisfactorily realized even if the power of each heating means is reduced.

Further, as in the above-mentioned example, the solid dye is once made into a liquid and vaporized for recording, or the solid dye is heated by laser light and directly vaporized (that is, sublimated) to perform recording. In addition, a liquefied dye (liquid at room temperature) can be stored in the dye reservoir. In the printer described above, the laser beam may be irradiated from above the head to perform recording on the recording paper located below the head, or the recording may be performed in the opposite direction (from bottom to top).

In the present invention, a recording liquid containing a recording material and a substance (that is, a carrier) that dissolves or disperses the recording material and expands in volume by heating is supplied, and the state of the recording liquid is changed by heating. Change to create droplets,
It can also be applied to an ink jet system in which the liquid droplets are transferred to a recording medium arranged opposite to the recording head.

[0150]

As described above, according to the present invention, the bottom surface of the recording material accommodating portion is positioned at the same height level as the surface on the base material provided with the porous structure, and in particular, the recording material introduction position. Except for, at least a part of the side (specifically, the side surface) of the base material on which the porous structure is provided is in close contact with or integrated with the frame body (for example, a spacer member). Therefore, even if the bottom area of the base material) becomes small, the height of the porous structure is lowered (and therefore the recording material accommodating portion is made shallow) and the porous structure is provided in the frame body.
The side surface of the base material is supported by the frame body and is in a position-regulated state. Therefore, when the base material (and the vaporization structure including the base material) is attached, the positioning becomes easy, and the attachment can be surely performed.

Further, even if the base material becomes small, the height of the porous structure becomes low, and especially when the base material is supported by the frame body, its mechanical strength is maintained and the rate of damage is reduced. Therefore, the yield and reliability can be improved and the cost can be reduced.

These remarkable effects are obtained by making the bottom surface of the recording material accommodating portion at the same height level as the above-mentioned surface of the base material, and in particular, on the side surface of the base material, the recording material introduction position has no frame. ,
With the structure in which the recording material is selectively introduced from here, the recording material can be surely obtained. Moreover, if a groove-shaped recess for guiding the recording material is formed between the porous structure and the frame on the base material, the recording material introduced in one direction from the inlet through this recess is sufficiently distributed. In addition, since the concave portion is formed shallow on the base material and exhibits a certain capillary action, it is possible to sufficiently secure the supply of the recording material to the porous structure.

Since the recording apparatus of the present invention is of the thermal transfer type in which the recording material is heated to fly to the recording medium, the above-mentioned miniaturization, ease of maintenance, immediacy, and improvement of image quality are achieved. It has features such as high gradation.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a sectional perspective view of a main part of a printer head according to a first embodiment of the invention (corresponding to line I-I in FIG. 3).
Is.

FIG. 2 is a plan view of FIG.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a main part of the printer head.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing a step in the manufacturing process of the main parts of the printer head.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view showing another stage of the manufacturing process.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view showing another stage of the manufacturing process.

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view showing another stage of the manufacturing process.

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view showing another stage of the manufacturing process.

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view showing another stage of the manufacturing process.

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view showing another stage of the manufacturing process.

FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view showing another stage of the manufacturing process.

FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view showing another stage of the manufacturing process.

FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view showing another stage of the manufacturing process.

FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view showing another stage of the same manufacturing process.

FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view showing another stage of the manufacturing process.

FIG. 16 is a cross-sectional view showing another stage of the manufacturing process.

FIG. 17 is a cross-sectional view showing another stage of the manufacturing process.

FIG. 18 is a cross-sectional view showing another stage of the same manufacturing process.

FIG. 19 is a cross-sectional view showing still another stage in the manufacturing process.

FIG. 20 is a sectional perspective view of a main part of a printer head according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

21 is a plan view of FIG. 20.

FIG. 22 is a plan view of a main part of a printer head according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 23 is a cross-sectional view (cross-sectional view taken along the line XXIII-XXIII in FIG. 24) of the main part of the printer head according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 24 is a plan view of FIG. 23.

FIG. 25 is a perspective view showing one stage of a manufacturing process of a main part of the printer head.

FIG. 26 is a perspective view showing another stage of the manufacturing process.

FIG. 27 is a perspective view showing another stage of the manufacturing process.

FIG. 28 is a perspective view showing another stage of the manufacturing process.

FIG. 29 is a perspective view showing another stage of the manufacturing process.

FIG. 30 is a perspective view showing another stage of the same manufacturing process.

FIG. 31 is a perspective view showing another stage of the manufacturing process.

FIG. 32 is a perspective view showing still another stage of the same manufacturing process.

FIG. 33 is a cross-sectional view (cross-sectional view taken along the line XXXIII-XXXIII in FIG. 34) of the main part of the printer head according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention.

34 is a plan view of FIG. 33.

FIG. 35 is a schematic perspective view of a printer having a printer head according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 36 is a schematic perspective view of another printer having the printer head.

FIG. 37 is a front view of the main parts of a printer using a conventional thermal recording head.

FIG. 38 is a schematic sectional view of a printer devised before the completion of the present invention.

FIG. 39 is an exploded perspective view of a head of the printer.

FIG. 40 is an exploded perspective view of a head of the other printer.

41 is a schematic cross-sectional view (cross-sectional view taken along the line XXXXI-XXXXI in FIG. 44) of the printer filed before the invention of the present invention.

FIG. 42 is an enlarged cross-sectional perspective view of the main part of the printer head.

FIG. 43 is a perspective view of a part of the head of the printer.

FIG. 44 is a perspective view of another part of the head of the printer.

FIG. 45 is a plan view of a part of the printer head.

[Explanation of symbols]

 17, 77 ... Vaporizer 22 ... Liquefied dye 32 ... Vaporized dye 50 ... Printing paper 60, 70 ... Printer head 61, 91 ... Protective layer 64, 64 ', 84, 84 '... Dye supply passage or dye inlet 65, 75 ... Heating element 65A, 65B, 94, 95 ... Electrode 66 ... Insulation material 67, 97 ... Liquid stop layer 73 ... Insulation Plate 80 ... Pillar 81,101 ... Vaporization structure 82 ... Spacer 87 ... Dye accommodating part 102 ... Bottom plate 130 ... Groove 200 ... Printer

─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁶ Identification code Office reference number FI technical display location B41J 3/04 103 S

Claims (12)

[Claims] 1. A recording apparatus in which a porous structure for holding and supplying a recording material is provided on a surface of a base material provided in a recording material accommodation portion facing a recording medium. ,
A recording apparatus in which the recording material container is formed by a frame in a state in which the bottom surface of the recording material container is located at a height level equivalent to that of the surface. 2. A frame forming a part of the recording material accommodating portion, at least a part of a side of the base material, excluding a position where the recording material is introduced into the recording material accommodating portion, around a surface of the underlying material. The groove-shaped concave portion which is in close contact with or integrated with the body and which guides the recording material to the recording material accommodation portion is formed between the porous structure and the frame body. Recording device. 3. The recording material introducing position is present on one side of the recording material accommodating portion, and the introduced recording material is supplied into the groove-shaped recess at the upper part of the surface on the base material. Recording device described. 4. The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the porous structure comprises a group of small pillars. 5. A recording material flying structure for flying a recording material in a recording material housing portion to a recording medium by heating, comprising a heat insulating material and a porous structure on the heat insulating material, and the recording material housing. The recording apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a recording material supply structure section for supplying the recording material to the recording section. 6. A heat insulating material is mounted in a recording material accommodating portion formed in a recording material supply structure, and at least a part of a side of the heat insulating material is in close contact with or integral with a spacer member having a recording material supply passage. The recording device according to claim 5, wherein the recording device is embodied. 7. The recording apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the recording material flying structure is integrally provided in the recording material supply structure portion. 8. The recording apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the heat insulating material forming the recording material flying structure comprises a spacer member provided integrally with the recording material accommodating portion. 9. The recording apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising heating means for heating the recording material and causing the recording material to fly to a recording medium. 10. The recording apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the heating means comprises a heating element provided on the base material. 11. The recording apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the heating means comprises a heating beam irradiation source. 12. The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the recording material is vaporized or ablated so as to fly to a recording medium that is arranged to face the recording material in a non-contact state.