JPH0885221A - Recording device and manufacturing method thereof - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] [Structure] A recording material container (for example, a region including the dye vaporization unit 77) and a recording medium that opposes the recording medium (for example, photographic paper 50) to the recording material container. The recording medium has a supporting means (for example, the paper feed roller 103) and a heating means (for example, a heating element 175) for heating the recording material to transfer it to the recording medium. A printer head 70 and a printer, each of which is composed of a heating element 175A extending at least in the depth direction of the accommodating portion, and the heating element forms a porous structure (for example, a columnar body) for holding and supplying the recording material. 100. [Effect] While taking advantage of the features of the thermal transfer recording method, it is possible to efficiently transfer heat to a recording material such as a dye to improve vaporization efficiency, and suppress heat escape to improve heating efficiency ( If the heat still escapes, this residual heat can be used for liquefying the dye.), And the cost can be reduced by reducing the cooling fins and the like.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

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

[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. 33 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.

On the other hand, as an image recording method using a sublimable dye, various methods have been conventionally proposed. As one example thereof, the one disclosed in Japanese Patent Publication No. 62-162593 is proposed. An apparatus using such a system is shown in FIG. 34. The sublimable dye 4 is heated by the primary heater 5 to liquefy the dye 4. This liquefied dye is applied to the primary heater 5 and the print head 6.
The dye is supplied to the secondary heating section 7 by the capillary structure of the dye supply path 10 constituted by, and the dye is further heated there, and the dye vapor is transferred to the photographic paper 50. In the figure, 2 is a thermal plate, 11A is an electrode, and 11B is a protective layer.

However, in this method, the liquefied dye enters the nozzle 9 due to the capillary phenomenon, but its efficiency is poor,
The dye may leak out of the nozzle 9. Also, as is generally known, when a liquid (dye) is heated,
As shown in Fig. 35, the surface tension varies depending on the temperature, so
16 occurs. This structure is also the same as the phenomenon shown in FIG. 43 described later, as shown in FIG. 35, the dye escapes to the low temperature side,
Almost no dye vapor is generated.

[0009] By the way, the applicant of the present invention uses the advantages of the thermal transfer recording method as described above, reduces waste and transfer energy, and reduces the size and weight of the printer.
A non-contact type dye vaporization type laser beam printer (LBP) as shown in 36 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, in order to move the transfer dye through the gap 17a by the heating means, it is often observed when a high-power laser is irradiated in addition to the vaporization phenomenon, and the bond of the dye molecule is efficiently cut to utilize its energy. It is also possible to use the phenomenon of etching at a very large rate, and the phenomenon of etching at a very large rate using the energy of gas generated by boiling or explosion (a transfer mechanism other than such a vaporization mechanism is called ablation). : Below, 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 11 and guide the photographic printing paper 50 moving in the X direction (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 vaporization section, 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 (especially 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 condensing lens, the illustrated lens system may be used, but a single large-diameter condensing lens 38 shown 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. 38, a one-dimensional laser array 30 is manufactured, and each laser element can be operated independently and in parallel. 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).

In each of the printer heads described above, an array having the dye containing portions 37 as many as the liquefied dyes 22 in a dot shape corresponding to the number of recording dots, and the laser 18 also has an array of 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 section. 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 by the above-mentioned thermal transfer method 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.

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. However, the semiconductor laser has a high conversion efficiency from electric power to light, and 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 a property of sufficiently withstanding the amount of heat momentarily applied during transfer, and spontaneously due to a capillary phenomenon to the vaporization part (transfer part). It is preferable to have a structure (20 in FIG. 36) 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, promotes 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 one that sufficiently satisfies the heat resistance 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.

[0032]

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. 39 to 41 (however, the same parts as those in the head of FIG. 36 are designated by the same reference numerals), and the head part 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.

Further, a liquefied dye introducing portion 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.
It has vaporization parts 17 for vaporizing the liquid by heat of vaporization, a vaporization heating element 65 provided below the liquid surface of the dye 22 in the vaporization part, and a heat insulating material 66 for supporting it.

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, or a metal-based resin such as tantalum. 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.

As shown in FIG. 44, the photographic printing paper 50 is actually formed of a cellulosic resin or the like and has a dye receiving layer 50a which absorbs a disperse dye and a high heat resistance and a high non-hygroscopic property. Polypropylene layer 50b, base paper 50c,
Balance the polypropylene layer 50b with photographic paper
It has a structure in which a polypropylene layer 50d for preventing the warp of 50 is laminated. In addition, 50e is a light absorption layer (this can be omitted).

As shown in FIGS. 39 and 40, the spacer 62 is formed with a plurality of square columnar holes 62a which become a part of the vaporizing holes 23 of each vaporizing section 17, and the dye storing tank 41.
A plurality of slots 27 are formed which extend from the (yellow 41Y, magenta 41M, cyan 41C) side to the other end side of the head base 63 and communicate with the vaporization holes 23 of each vaporization section 17.

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. In addition, as shown in FIGS. 39 and 41, the liquid stop layer 67 is provided with a plurality of square columnar holes 67 a that are a part of the vaporization holes 23 of each vaporization section 17. Incidentally, the protective layer 61 and the dye liquid stop layer
The 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. 39, on the side of each dye storage tank 41 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. 39, one end of the heater 68 is bent vertically upward and inserted into each dye storage tank 41,
The other end extends to the end side of each liquefied dye introducing section 64. Further, as shown in FIG. 42, the heater 68 is arranged on the entire surface of the head base 63 so that the spacer 62 and the protective layer 61 can be kept warm to heat the dye receiving layer 50a of the printing paper 50.

The above-mentioned printer head shown in FIGS. 39 to 42.
According to 60, in addition to having the features described in the printer head 40 shown in FIGS. 36 to 38, in addition to the printer head 40, it has the following advantages.

First, since the dye heating for vaporization in each vaporizing section 17 is performed not by using the laser beam L but by the heat generation of the heating element 65 provided in each vaporizing 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.

That is, in the head structure of the printer head 60, since the heating element 65 is arranged below the liquid surface of the liquefied dye 22 (that is, near the surface of the dye), the temperature rise of the dye due to heat generation is It does not occur sufficiently in the depth direction, and in particular, the dye liquid surface (surface) tends to be insufficient. Moreover, the dye 22 and the heating element
Since the contact area with 65 is small and the heat transfer efficiency is insufficient, bumping is likely to occur and stable vaporization of the dye may not be performed.

As shown in FIG. 43, when heat is locally applied to the dye 22 by the heating element 65, the surface tension changes with temperature, so that the dye 22 is attracted to the lower temperature and the dye 22 is attracted to the lower temperature. Can easily escape in the direction of arrow 16. Therefore, the vaporization efficiency may deteriorate.

Then, along with the escape 16 of the dye 22, the disperse dye
The liquid surface of the vaporization part 17 of 22 is not constant, and further, heat is radiated to the heat insulating layer 66, so that the efficiency is deteriorated, and since a large amount of heat is radiated, it is possible to sufficiently perform cooling by a cooling fin or the like. There are also problems such as need.

[0048]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to improve the vaporization efficiency by making it possible to efficiently transfer heat to a recording material such as a dye while taking advantage of the features of the thermal transfer recording method described above. In addition, a recording device that suppresses the escape of heat to improve the heating efficiency (if the heat still escapes, this residual heat can be used for liquefying the dye), the cooling fins and the like can be made small, and the cost can be reduced, and It is to provide the manufacturing method.

[0049]

That is, according to the present invention, a recording material accommodating portion (for example, a region including a dye vaporizing portion 77 described later) facing a recording medium (for example, a printing paper 50 described later), A heating means (for example, a heating element 175 described later) for heating the recording material in the recording material accommodation portion to transfer it to the recording medium, and this heating means is at least in the depth direction of the recording material accommodation portion. A heating element (for example, a columnar heating element to be described later.
It relates to a recording device consisting of A).

According to the recording apparatus of the present invention, since the heating element extending at least in the depth direction of the recording material accommodation portion is arranged, the recording material can be quickly heated not only in the surface area but also in the depth direction. It is possible to raise the temperature and increase the heating efficiency by heat generation, and improve the transfer efficiency of the recording material by vaporization or the like. Moreover, since it is not necessary to use a laser, the cost can be reduced. In this case, it is not only advantageous for the heating element and the recording material to contact each other with a sufficient area in the depth direction in order to increase the temperature of the recording material, but also it is difficult for bumping to occur and stable flight is performed. You can

When the heating element has a porous structure such as a large number of columnar bodies, small spheres (beads), and porous bodies, this porous structure is recorded by its capillary action. The material is held and supplied, thereby suppressing escape of the recording material, effectively holding and supplying the recording material in a fixed amount, and enabling efficient transfer of heat by the heating element,
The vaporization efficiency can be improved, and high-quality recording can be obtained with a constant vaporization amount by the constant supply of the recording material.

The capillary structure suppresses the escape of heat to improve the heating efficiency (if the heat still escapes,
This residual heat can be used for liquefying the dye, or can be used for heating the recording medium as a heat source for fixing the recording material, so that the fixing energy can be reduced. ), It is possible to reduce the cost by reducing the size of the cooling fins.

Since the recording apparatus of the present invention is of the thermal transfer type in which the recording material is heated and transferred 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. The recording apparatus of the present invention is a concept that includes the printer head described above and a printer incorporating the printer head (hereinafter,
Similar).

In the recording apparatus of the present invention, the heating element may be formed in a columnar shape, but the columnar element is formed by the heating element itself, or the heating element is attached to the surface of the columnar insulator. May be. In this case, if the columnar heating element or the insulating material is made of the same material as the constituent layer of the recording material accommodating portion (for example, the polysilicon layer 83 or the silicon layer 73 described later), its processing or formation becomes easy.

Further, when the specific resistance of the heating element changes in the depth direction or the surface direction of the recording material accommodation portion, the heating efficiency at the outermost surface side and the optimum position for determining the flying efficiency of the recording material is increased. be able to.

When the heating element is a columnar heating element,
Electrodes for supplying current may be provided on the upper part and the lower part, respectively. In this case, the upper electrode and the lower electrode common to a large number of columnar heating elements may be provided in the recording material accommodating portion over a predetermined width and length.

It is preferable that a recording material passage hole (for example, a passage hole 150 described later) is formed in the upper electrode as a vaporization hole. If the size or distribution of the passage holes of the recording material changes in the depth direction or the surface direction of the recording material accommodation portion,
It is possible to control the flight direction and the flight amount of the recording material.

If a recording material backflow prevention mechanism (for example, a ball valve 121 described later) is provided in the recording material supply passage to the recording material accommodation portion, the recording material is prevented from escaping from the vaporizing portion. It can be effectively prevented and the supply to the vaporization section can be performed stably.

The recording apparatus of the present invention is constructed so that the heating element generates heat when energized, and the recording material is vaporized or ablated by this heat, and flies to the recording material which is arranged opposite to the recording material in a non-contact state. Is desirable. That is, it is preferable that the recording material is configured to move (especially fly) to the recording medium through the gap, which is suitable for the recording head for the non-contact type dye vaporization printer.

In this case, a plurality of recording material accommodating portions are arranged,
Each of these is configured to heat the recording material, and among the heating elements provided in the plurality of recording material accommodation portions, while the selected heating element is used for vaporization or ablation of the recording material, An unselected heating element can be used to keep the recording material warm or liquefy. However, the recording material can be originally liquefied by a separately provided heating element.

The above-mentioned porous structure can take various forms such as columnar bodies, wall-shaped bodies, aggregates of fine particles, porous substances, fibrous bodies, etc. A columnar body or a wall-shaped body extending inward is desirable from the viewpoint of fine workability (lithography can be applied).

A support (for example, a support for supporting the above-mentioned heating element)
The base 73) described later can be formed of glass, but can be formed of other materials. For example, it can be formed of a polymer material, but this is because a large pressure is not applied if the recording device is not pressed against the recording medium. Less (heat dissipation) and good thermal insulation.

The solidified disperse dye, the liquefied disperse dye, the vaporized disperse dye and the disperse dye which can be used as the recording material in the present invention are collectively referred to as "vaporizable dye", and the definition thereof is as follows.

That is, a dye having a temperature range in which the vapor pressure is 0.01 Pascal or more in the temperature range from 25 ° C. to the decomposition temperature is defined as a “vaporizable dye”. However, when the dye molecules are associated with the average number of associations n in the gas phase, the value obtained by dividing the vapor pressure by the average number of associations is 0.01.
Those that are equal to or greater than Pascal are volatile dyes. These vaporizable dyes become vaporized dyes when heated,
Examples of practical dyes according to the above definition include HSR-2031, ESC-155, ESC-655 and the like which are commercially available.

The present invention further comprises, as a method of manufacturing each of the recording devices of the present invention, a step of forming a heating element by processing a heating element material into a predetermined pattern by lithography at the position of the recording material accommodation portion, A method of manufacturing a recording device is also provided.

In this manufacturing method, after the lower electrode is formed at the position of the recording material accommodating portion, the heating element material is deposited on the lower electrode, and the heating element material is processed into a predetermined pattern by lithography, An upper electrode can be formed by lithography on the heating element formed by.

[0067]

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.

Embodiment 1 FIGS. 1 to 17 show a first embodiment in which the present invention is applied to a non-contact type dye vaporization printer (for example, a video printer: hereinafter the same).

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

In the dye vaporization section 77 of the printer head 70, the dye containing section 87 is formed in a concave shape in the polysilicon layer 83 on the glass base 73, and the poly-Si made of the same material as the constituent layer 83 is formed in this containing section. A large number of fine columnar bodies 175A composed of, for example, 1 to 20 μm (especially 6 to 10 μm) as a heater portion with a diameter of 1 to 10 μm (especially 1 to 2 μm) and intervals
μm) and constitutes the heater 175. Pillar
When 175A has a prismatic shape, the diameter is 5 μm or less, especially 2
It is preferable that the thickness is not more than μm.

The thickness of the dye layer 22 of the dye containing portion 87 is the columnar body 1.
When the height is less than 75 A, the dye is soaked over the entire columnar body due to the capillary phenomenon.
When the dye layer 22 is thicker than the columnar body 175A, the heater is embedded in the dye.

This columnar body 175A is provided at a height from the bottom surface of the accommodating portion 87 to its upper surface, and
Narrow voids 82 are alternately provided between 175A, and the voids form a porous structure as a whole. The voids 82 are liquefied dyes in the housing portion 87 due to their capillary action.
It holds 22 and simultaneously supplies a sufficient amount of the liquefied dye 22 necessary for time-series operation of one dot of the printer.

Electrodes 84 and 85 are formed on the upper and lower ends of the heater portion (columnar body) 175A, respectively, by metal thin films (Au, Al, etc.) formed by vapor deposition, for example.
It forms an ohmic electrode for 175 A of poly-Si. By passing an electric current between these electrodes 84-85,
The poly-Si columnar body 175A is made to act as a minute heater.
The heating area (columnar assembly area) by this minute heater is
10 to 200 μm size (especially 10 to 100 μm size)
It is desirable from the viewpoints of vaporization efficiency and dot size, but this can be selected depending on the required definition as described later.

The electrode 85 as the upper electrode has a diameter of 1 to 1 between the heater portions 175A in the width direction of the heater 175.
A large number of 2 μm through holes 150 are formed. These through-holes 150 allow the dye vaporized by the heater 175 to pass upward, and also contribute to the retention and supply of the dye, like the porous structure described above.

An insulating layer 86 such as SiO ₂ may be provided on the poly-Si layer 83. This electrically insulates the electrodes, but it may also have a thermal insulating effect. Further, a dye liquid stop layer 97 made of a fluorine-based or silicon-based resin may be provided on the insulating layer 86, but this prevents the liquefied dye 22 from leaking upward. Furthermore, this liquid stop layer
A protective layer 81 made of tantalum, glass, or the like, which is equivalent to the protective layer 61 described above, may be provided on the 97. Each layer 81, 86, 97
The openings 81a, 86a, 97a for vaporization are formed in the.

When the head 70 configured as described above is operated as an actual vaporizer, the columnar body of the minute heater 175 is used.
The molten / liquid dye 22 sucked up from the side surface of the 175A by the capillary phenomenon has a columnar heater portion 1 over the entire depth direction.
It is heated to 50 to 300 ° C. at 75 A, vaporized from the hole 150 in the upper part of the electrode 85 and the periphery of the electrode 84, adheres to the recording material, and can be printed on photographic paper without contact. At that time, the dye 22 infiltrating the periphery of the columnar body 175A is efficiently vaporized by heating without escaping. In addition, this heat is applied to the dye containing portion 87.
Since it is due to the columnar heating element 175A extending in the depth direction, the dye is sufficiently held in the entire dye, and there is almost no influence due to the emission to the base 73.

Further, the dye 22 can be supplied from the dye replenishing path 64 'through the side of the columnar body 175A, and a sufficient amount of replenishment is made for one dot time series operation of the printer.

The poly-Si heater portion in this example is used.
Although the 175A is formed as an extremely fine columnar body, since the head 70 is not in contact with the printing paper, it does not need to have high mechanical strength as in the conventional thermal transfer printer, and the top surface as shown in FIG. By providing a suitable protective lid 81 on the, it can be sufficiently put to practical use. The heater
The mechanical strength of poly-Si, which constitutes 175, is unexpectedly large, as seen in recent studies of micromachines.
Stability during the fabrication process is not a problem even for m-thick heaters.

The dye vaporizer 77 having the above-described structure is
In the head 70, a plurality of dots are actually arranged for each color (yellow Y, magenta M, cyan C) for full color as shown in FIGS. Each of these vaporization units 77Y, 77M, 77C has a corresponding storage tank 41Y, 41M, 41C.
To the dye introduction part 64Y, 64M, 64C, and the dye drawing path
A liquefied dye of each color is supplied through 64Y ′, 64M ′, 64C ′ and each inlet 64 ″.

In this head 70, the wirings 84 'and 85' from the electrodes 84 and 85 of the heating element 175 in each vaporization section are routed on the base 73, respectively, and then the control board (tab) 88 on one end side. To be connected at the connection portion 90 such as high temperature solder. At the intersection 92 of the wirings 84 'and 85' of the electrodes 84 and 85, the two wirings are insulated and separated via the poly-Si layer 83. The control IC 89 mounted on the control board is configured to supply a predetermined drive signal by matrix drive.

By this drive signal, in each vaporizing part, the selected heating element 175 is turned on to generate heat to vaporize the dye, while the heating element 175 not turned off is kept warm by the residual heat of the liquefied dye. It can be used for liquefaction. That is, by alternately driving the heating elements 175,
By controlling the residual heat, either liquefaction or cooling of the dye can be efficiently performed. However, although not shown, the heater 68 shown in FIG. 39 can be provided on each vaporizing part or base for liquefying the dye. The head 70 is formed by joining the dye bath main body 41A to the head main body 70A, and the joint surfaces are indicated by 93 and 94.

As described above, according to the printer head 70 of the present embodiment, as the dye vaporizer, the heating element 175 is provided over the entire depth of the liquefied dye 22 in the dye container 87.
Since A is arranged, it is possible to raise the temperature of the liquefied dye 22 not only in the surface area but also in the depth direction thereof rapidly, thereby increasing the heating efficiency by heat generation and improving the transfer efficiency of the dye by vaporization. Moreover, since it is not necessary to use a laser, the cost can be reduced. In addition, the heating element 175
Since the A and the dye 22 are in contact with each other over a sufficient area, a rapid temperature rise of the dye can be obtained, and at the same time, bumping hardly occurs and stable vaporization can be performed.

Moreover, a columnar heating element is formed in the depth direction of the dye 22.
175A is provided, and a capillary structure is provided in the vaporizing part 77 as a fine porous structure for holding and supplying the dye 22, and the escape of the dye is suppressed by this capillary action, and the dye is effectively supplied. By holding and supplying a fixed amount of heat, it is possible to efficiently transfer the heat from the heating element 175 to improve the vaporization efficiency, and the constant supply of the dye makes it possible to obtain a high-quality image with a constant vaporization amount.

This capillary structure suppresses the escape of heat to improve the heating efficiency (if the heat still escapes,
This residual heat can be used for liquefying the dye, or can be used as a heat source for fixing the dye by heating the photographic printing paper 50, and fixing energy can be reduced. ), It is possible to reduce the cost by reducing the size of the cooling fins.

According to the head structure of this embodiment, as in the case shown in FIG. 39, the solid powder disperse dye 42 in each dye storage tank 41 is heated to the melting point by the heating element 68 in each dye storage tank 41. It may be heated and melted. Each of the liquefied disperse dyes 22 is guided to each of the vaporization parts 77 by the capillary phenomenon of each of the liquefied dye introduction parts 64.

In this case, since the liquid stop layer 97 is provided on the protective layer 81 side, a fixed amount of the liquefied dye is always stored in the dye containing portion of each vaporizing section 77 and does not flow to the protective layer 81. .
Further, when the dye is heated by the heating element 175, the dye is held by the finely processed columnar body 175A, so that the dye does not escape even if a difference in surface tension occurs.

The heating element 175 (further, the heating element 68) heats and heats the spacers (not shown here) which form a part of each liquefied dye introducing portion 64. And photographic paper 50
When color printing is performed, heat is generated by the heating element 175 according to the image signal. Due to this heat of vaporization, the dye around the heating element 175 of each vaporization portion is vaporized and passes through the through hole 150 of the electrode 85 and the hole 81a of the protective layer 81, and Y, M, and M on the receiving layer 50a of the printing paper 50. Transferred in the order of C.

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.

The base 73 supporting the heating element 175 is
Although it is made of glass, it can be made of other materials. For example, it may be formed of a polymer material such as polyimide, but this is because the printer head 70 has a structure in which it is not pressed against the photographic printing paper 50, and therefore is not subject to large pressure. Heat dissipation is small when the heating element 175 is activated, and thermal insulation is improved.

In the printer according to this example, 300 dpi 1
It has been empirically known that the dye required to form the dot density is about 600 μm ³ , and it is necessary that the dye filled in the voids 82 of the heater portion 175A be sufficiently above this amount. is there. For example, if the voids are 2 × 2 μm ² and the depth is 6 μm, the number of voids 82 is 25.
Individual pieces (that is, a capacity of 5 × 5 holes) will suffice.

However, considering the supply of the dye,
In order to have a more sufficient filling amount, the number of voids about twice the above is required. Actually, if the volume ratio of the void 82 and the heater 175 is 50/50%, the size of one dot is 20 × 20.
It becomes a heater of μm ² , which can be sufficiently realized to achieve a high definition of 300 dpi (at intervals of 83 μm).
The diameter of the heating element 175A of the heater 175 and the arrangement of the voids 82 shown in FIGS. 1 to 4 need to be designed so as to satisfy the conditions shown here.

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. 5, a RIE is performed on a thick glass substrate 73 having a thickness of about 2 mm (this may be Si or an insulator).
(Reactive ion etching) or machining is performed to form the dye supply paths 64 and 64 '(see FIGS. 3 and 4).

Next, as shown in FIG. 6, this groove is filled with a photoresist 95 or the like, and further, as shown in FIG. 7, a lower electrode material 84 of a metal (Al, Ti / Au, etc.) which becomes an ohmic electrode of the heater. 'Is deposited by vapor deposition to a thickness of several μm.

Next, as shown in FIG. 8, this electrode material layer 84 '
Is patterned by photolithography to form a lower electrode 84.

Next, as shown in FIG. 9, an amorphous silicon layer 83 '(this is heated by heating the polysilicon (poly-S)
i) Not only a semiconductor but also a metal or the like may be used as long as it is to be the resistance layer 83 and is a stable material. Is deposited to a film thickness of about 6 to 10 μm by means such as CVD or sputtering. In this case, for the annealing of amorphous silicon,
Not only furnace heating at a high temperature but also a method using laser or infrared ray is possible, and its resistivity can be designed arbitrarily. Alternatively, the doped poly-Si can be deposited using thermal CVD.

Next, as shown in FIG. 10, the above-mentioned groove (introduction part)
The photoresist 95 in 64 and the drawing path 64 ') is dissolved and removed by supplying a solvent from the opening of the groove.

Next, as shown in FIG. 11, the poly-Si layer 83 is patterned by photolithography and etching,
Along with the dye container 87, a large number of poly-
A minute columnar heater portion 175A of Si is formed. Since each of the heater portions 175A has a minimum pattern size of about 1 to 2 μm, poly-Si etching is patterned by dry etching such as RIE (reactive ion etching). It is effective to use a thin metal, and it is preferable to provide a metal such as Ni, Pd, or Al as an etching stop layer below the poly-Si layer 83.

The lower electrode 84 can also serve as this etching stop layer. By the processing of the poly-Si layer 83, not only the dye containing portion 87 but also a part of the dye supply path 64 'is formed.

Next, FIGS. 12 to 15 show a method of forming the upper electrode 85. Here, since the dye accommodating portion 87 has a step height of several μm, the upper electrode 85 is well controlled by the semiconductor planar process. Forming 85.

That is, first, as shown in FIG. 12, a photoresist 200 is uniformly applied to the entire surface including the dye containing portion 87, and then,
As shown in FIG. 13, poly-S is obtained by uniform surface exposure and dissolution.
Only the photoresist 200 on the i layer 83 is removed, and the photoresist 200 is selectively left in the dye containing portion 87.

Next, as shown in FIG. 14, metal (Al, Ti / Au, etc.) for the upper electrode is vapor-deposited on the entire surface, and the thickness is several μm
Electrode material layer 85 '(which is also deposited on the columnar heating element 175A) is formed, and the electrode material layer 85' is patterned by photolithography as shown in FIG. Top electrode 85 with through hole 150 as shown in Fig.
And the exposed photoresist 200 in the dye containing portion 87 is dissolved and removed. After this patterning, annealing is performed to alloy between the electrodes 84 and 85 and the poly-Si heating element 175A to make ohmic contact.

Next, the dye bath main body 41A is adhered and fixed to the head main body 70A shown in FIG. 15 to manufacture the head 70 having the vaporizing section 77 having the structure shown in FIGS.

In this way, the head 70 according to this embodiment is
In particular, in order to manufacture the vaporizing section 77, the columnar heating element 175A can be finely processed by a processing technique generally used in a semiconductor manufacturing process such as lithography in the dye containing section (vaporizing section). Then, for example,
High-definition printer (1200
~ 300dpi) can be manufactured.

The color video printer having the head 70 according to the present embodiment has a vertical direction (X direction) as shown in FIG.
Printing is performed by the paper feeding and the horizontal scanning (Y direction) of the head in the direction orthogonal to the X direction, and the vertical paper feeding and the horizontal head scanning are alternately performed. Has been done.

In the printer 100 of this embodiment, the printer head 70 composed of the head portions Y, M, and C of each color is a serial type head, and the photographic printing paper 50 is composed of the head feed shaft 101 and the head support shaft 102 which are feed screw mechanisms. Paper feed direction X
It is reciprocally movable in the head feeding direction Y which is orthogonal to.

Further, a paper feed roller 103 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 104.
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 103 which also serves as a head support. Printing is started sequentially for each color, but after 3 dots, printing is performed simultaneously. In addition, multiple heating elements 175
If there are, run them alternately and select heating element 175
Is used for printing, while the non-printing heating element 175 can control the temperature by utilizing the residual heat to liquefy the dye and keep it warm.

FIG. 17 shows a color video printer 100 having a line-type head 70, in which head portions Y, M, C of the respective colors are juxtaposed in the width direction of the printing paper 50. .

Embodiment 2 FIG. 18 shows a second embodiment in which the present invention is applied to a non-contact type dye vaporization printer.

In this embodiment, compared with the example shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the resistivity of the poly-Si layer forming the heating element 175A is distributed in the height direction (depth direction of the dye containing portion). It has the same structure except that it is provided (however, in FIG. 18, the insulating layer 86, the liquid stop layer 97, the protective layer 81, and the through hole 150 shown in FIG. 1 are omitted in the drawing: As well).

That is, when the poly-Si layer 83 is formed by thermal CVD, a predetermined amount of impurity gas (for example, PH ₃ ) is supplied and decomposed, so that the impurity-doped poly-
It is possible to form a Si layer, but at this time, by controlling the concentration of the doping gas, poly-S
When the impurity concentration (doping amount) is changed in the thickness direction of the i layer 83, the resistivity is changed in the thickness direction (specific resistance ρ is
It can be changed within the range of 10 ⁺⁶ to 10 ^-3 Ω-cm).

By doing so, heat is increased particularly in the upper part (the surface area of the dye 22: the surface side that influences the vaporization efficiency of the dye) of the columnar body 175A made of the poly-Si layer, and the vaporizer with high thermal efficiency is obtained. Can be configured.

Embodiment 3 FIG. 19 shows a third embodiment in which the present invention is applied to a non-contact type dye vaporization printer.

In this embodiment, as compared with the example shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the glass substrate 73 is processed by lithography to form a large number of columnar bodies 73A having a capillary action in the dye accommodating portion 87. Thin film resistors 175 on surfaces, including the surface of pillars
B (for example, amorphous silicon or metal) is uniformly and continuously deposited by vapor deposition, and electrodes 84 and 85 are provided on both ends thereof.
Are provided by vapor deposition.

Therefore, a columnar heating element composed of a thin film resistor 175B is provided on the surface of each columnar element 73A, and each columnar heating element is formed by passing a current between both electrodes 84-85. 175B generates heat at least in the depth direction of the dye 22, and the temperature of the entire dye 22 can be uniformly and sufficiently raised, and vaporized efficiently.

In the case of this example, the columnar heating element 175
Since B is formed on the surface of the columnar body 73A by processing the glass substrate 73 itself, and the dye containing portion 87 is formed by the glass substrate 73, the head structure can be simplified and at the same time, the heating element 175B is It can be easily formed because it is simply vapor-deposited.

Reference numeral 201 in the figure is an insulator, for example, a glass layer, which forms the dye containing portion 87 together with the glass substrate 73. Further, as shown by the alternate long and short dash line in the figure, each of the electrodes 84 and 85 can be extended over almost the entire region where the columnar heating element 175B exists. Each columnar heating element in the height direction
Current can be simultaneously (parallelly) applied to the 175B, and heat generation efficiency is improved.

Embodiment 4 FIG. 20 shows a fourth embodiment in which the present invention is applied to a non-contact type dye vaporization printer.

In this embodiment, as compared with the example shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the silicon substrate 73 is processed by lithography to form a large number of columnar bodies 73A having a capillary action in the dye accommodating portion 87. Use the body itself as a resistor, and
An electrode 84 is provided on the back surface of the silicon substrate 73 by vapor deposition, and an electrode 85 is formed on the front surface side by the same steps as shown in FIGS. 11 to 15.
Are provided via an insulating layer 202 (for example, a SiO ₂ layer).

Therefore, each columnar body 73A is made of silicon and functions as a heating element.
Each columnar heating element 73A is dyed by passing an electric current between them.
Heat is generated in the depth direction of the dye 22, and the entire dye 22 can be uniformly and sufficiently heated to be efficiently vaporized.

In the case of this example, the columnar heating element 73A is used.
Is formed by processing the silicon substrate 73 itself, and since the dye containing portion 87 is formed by the silicon substrate 73,
The head structure can be further simplified as compared with the third embodiment described above, and at the same time, the heating element 73A is simply formed by processing the substrate 73, so that its formation is further facilitated.

Embodiment 5 FIG. 21 shows a fifth embodiment in which the present invention is applied to a non-contact type dye vaporization printer.

In this embodiment, in particular the upper electrode 85 of the heater
The shapes and distributions of the through-holes 150 and the columnar heating elements 175A provided in the above are not limited to the distribution patterns shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, but the distributions shown in FIGS.
Various shapes and deformation patterns such as slits, rectangles, and hexagons can be adopted. Alternatively, those having different distribution densities and sizes are also shown in FIG. Embodiment 6 FIG. 22 shows a sixth embodiment in which the present invention is applied to a non-contact type dye vaporization printer (however, only the upper electrode is shown in the drawing).

In this embodiment, as compared with the above-mentioned example, the upper electrode 85 provided on the columnar heating element 175A has a tapered shape in which the diameter is gradually reduced in the thickness direction from the dye supply side to the dye vapor discharge side. Through hole with wall 150A
The only difference is that 150 is formed.

As described above, since the size of the through hole 150 is gradually reduced in the dye vapor discharge direction, the supply amount of the liquefied dye can be secured, and the vaporized vapor 32 is discharged in the center direction of the through hole 150. Since the dye vapor 32 flies axially and has a directional property (particularly a vertical directional property), the dots on the printing paper can be formed with a desired diameter and a high density.

Embodiment 7 FIGS. 23 and 24 show a seventh embodiment in which the present invention is applied to a non-contact type dye vaporization printer.

This example is the same as the example shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 except that the structure of the heater provided in the dye containing portion 87 is different.

That is, one surface of the glass substrate 73 is processed by lithography to form a thin wall-like body 73A having a substantially S-shaped plane pattern (for example, a thickness of 1 to 2 μm) at a height of 6 to 10.
The thickness of the heating element thin film 175B such as polysilicon is formed on at least the side surface of the wall 73A. Also, electrodes 84 and 85 for passing an electric current through the heating element thin film 175B.
Is provided on the substrate 73, and is covered with an insulator 203.

Therefore, according to this example, the heating element thin film 175
By passing an electric current through B, heat is generated in the height direction (that is, in the entire depth direction of the dye 22), vaporization efficiency can be improved, and a narrow void 82 is formed in the wall 73A. Exist in the height direction, and the capillary action by this prevents the dye 22 from escaping, and the dye 22 can be held and supplied well. Further, the wall-shaped body 73A improves the mechanical strength of the heater.

Embodiment 8 FIGS. 25 and 26 show an eighth embodiment in which the present invention is applied to a non-contact type dye vaporization printer.

This example is the same as the example shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, except that the heater provided in the dye containing portion 87 is different in structure.

That is, a columnar body 73A having a thickness of 1 to 2 μm (for example, a heat insulating material made of the same glass as the substrate 73) having a thickness of 6 to 10 μm is formed on one surface of the glass substrate 73 by lithography. A heating element thin film 175B made of polysilicon or the like is formed in a linear pattern (a polygonal line in a cross section) with a width of 3 to 5 μm so as to cover 73A. In addition, an electrode 84 for passing an electric current through the heating element thin film 175B.
And 85 are provided on the substrate 73 and further covered with the insulator 203. Also, there are many glass columns 20 on both sides of this heater 175.
4 are provided at narrow intervals.

Therefore, also in this example, the heating element thin film 1
By passing an electric current through 75B, heat is generated in the height direction (that is, in the entire depth direction of the dye 22) (the width of the thin film 175B is narrow and the amount of heat generated is large), and vaporization efficiency is improved. You can However, since the width of the heating element 175B is narrow, the dye 22 easily escapes to both sides of the heating element 175B, but a narrow void 82 exists in the height direction in the columnar body 73A, and a narrow void 205 is placed on both sides of the heating element 175B. Since the glass column 204 is provided, it is possible to prevent the dye 22 from escaping by the capillary action of these 73A and 204, and to hold and supply the dye 22 well.

Embodiment 9 FIGS. 27 to 29 show a ninth embodiment in which the present invention is applied to a non-contact type dye vaporization printer.

In this embodiment, the dye containing portion 87 is made to have a narrow size having substantially the same width as the dye supply passages 64, 64 'or 64 "to cause a capillary action, and the dye containing portion 87 is opposed to the base 73. A polysilicon heating element 175C is adhered from the wall surface to the bottom surface, and electrodes 84 and 85 are provided on both sides thereof.

Therefore, also in this example, the heating element thin film 1
By passing an electric current through 75C, heat is generated in the entire depth direction of the dye 22 in the dye containing portion 87, vaporization efficiency can be improved, and the dye 22 escapes due to the capillary action of the narrow dye containing portion 87. Can be prevented, and its holding and supply can be performed well.

Also, this embodiment is different from the above-mentioned embodiment in that the check valve mechanism is provided in the dye supply path (specifically, 64 ″).
It is characteristic that 120 is provided.

The check valve mechanism 120 has a valve accommodating space 122 in which a ball valve 121 is accommodated in a part of the introduction path 64 ″, and when the ball valve 121 supplies a dye (when it is not heated), a pair of crescent moons. The valve seats 123 and 124 are in contact with each other as shown in phantom lines, and the dye 22 is introduced into the container 87 through the passage hole 125 between them, but the dye is heated and vaporized in the container 87. At that time, the ball valve 121 is forced into the space 122.
The inside is moved to the position indicated by the solid line, and the circular passage hole 126 is contacted therewith to completely close it.

Thus, the dye 22 is heated by the dye introducing part 6 when heated.
When trying to escape to the 4'side, this is blocked by the valve 121, and when not heated, the valve 121 opens and the dye introducing part 64 '
Is supplied to the accommodation section 87 from the. In this case, the escape rate of the dye during heating is about 100 times that during non-heating, but the check valve mechanism 120 can more fully prevent the backflow phenomenon.

As the check valve mechanism, other than the above, a diaphragm valve, a rotary disc valve or the like can be adopted, and the position thereof may be, for example, in the introduction portion 64 '. Further, the check valve mechanism may be adopted in other embodiments described later.

Embodiment 10 FIGS. 30 and 31 show a tenth embodiment in which the present invention is applied to a non-contact type dye vaporization printer.

In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 31, through holes 219 and the like are formed in a base (glass or the like) 73, and individual and common electrodes 210 and 211 and holes 6 for dye introduction are formed therein.
4 ″ is provided, and the individual electrode conductor 212 and the common electrode conductors 213 and 214 made of Si are provided on the upper surface of the base 73, and an insulator 215 (SiO ₂ etc.) and a conductor (Si) for insulating them.
Etc.), columnar bodies 216 and 217, an insulator 218 provided to insulate these columnar bodies, and a heating element (polysilicon type) 175D thereon are formed by a semiconductor film forming process and lithography, respectively. Further, the columnar body 216, the conductor 212 and the heating element 175D are electrically connected.

Further, around each columnar body 216, 217, there is a concave portion (dye accommodating portion 87) for accumulating a dye.
FIG. 30 shows a state in which a columnar body 216 and a large number of columnar bodies 217 are provided and a minute void 82 is formed between each columnar body.

According to this structure, the heating element 175D deposited on the surface of the columnar body 216 is selectively electrified between the electrode 210, the conductor 212 and the columnar body 216 and the conductors 213, 214 and the electrode 211. Since the heat is generated in the depth direction of the dye 22, the dye 22 can be heated and vaporized efficiently by heating (however, the heating portion such as the columnar body 216 is the same. Can be further widened by providing a plurality of columnar bodies). Moreover, the fine columnar bodies 216 and 217
Due to the voids 82 around it and its capillary action, the escape of the dye is prevented and the dye is retained and supplied well, and the heating element is
The escape of heat due to 175D can also be effectively prevented.

Embodiment 11 FIG. 32 shows an eleventh embodiment in which the present invention is applied to a non-contact type dye vaporization printer.

This embodiment is different from the tenth embodiment in that the common electrode (negative electrode) 211 is provided on the base 73 side and the individual electrode (positive electrode) 210 is provided on the heating element 175D side. Thereby, the electrode 210 and the conductor 213 and the columnar body 216,
A heating element 175D can be connected between the conductor 212 and the electrode 211 to easily form a portion where heat is selectively generated.

That is, the insulators 220 and 221 are provided between the heating element 175D and the conductors 213 and 214, and a part of the insulator 220 is removed at the columnar body 216 to open the through hole 222. Through the heating element 175D and the conductor 213
Connect only at 216 points. These insulators 220 and 22
1 can be formed by surface oxidation of the silicon layers 213 and 214. Further, the insulators 220 and 221 can prevent heat from escaping to the electrode side.

Further, the region of the conducting columnar body 216 and the region of the non-conducting columnar body 217 can be freely selected by the insulator 215. Temperature can be controlled by changing the thickness and thermal conductivity of the insulator. In addition, in order to improve the heat insulating effect, the heat insulating effect can be improved by further dividing the conductor portion of the pillar into a conductor portion and an insulator and by making the inside an insulator. In this case, the conductor 214 may be formed of the same material as the insulator inside the column. In the drawings, a structure such as an anti-oxidation film for insulating the Si layer and maintaining the resistance of the heating element, and a heating element for keeping the liquefaction of the dye warm are omitted.

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 element (heater) 175,
Especially regarding the shape, material, size, etc. of the columnar structure,
Various kinds or combinations can be adopted, and the poly-Si layer and the metal wiring can be used in combination and Si can be appropriately used.
It is also necessary to attach an insulating film such as N or SiO ₂ to form a protective film.

Further, as the constituent material of the head, not only the above-mentioned system but also various combinations, for example, the materials shown in A to D below can be used. A) Glass substrate / metal heater (W, silicide, Ni
A metal, such as Cr, which is relatively hard and is unlikely to be plastically deformed and whose resistivity can be controlled is desirable. ) / Electrode metal B) Si substrate / Insulating film / Poly-Si columnar heater (a-S)
Similar semiconductor materials such as i and SiGe: B can be used. )
/ Metal electrode C) plastic (polyimide etc.) substrate / columnar glass with poly-Si heater film / metal electrode D) Si substrate / Si columnar heater

It is necessary to reduce the thermal strain due to the difference in the coefficient of thermal expansion of each head constituent material, to employ a material system which has a stable heater structure and is easy to handle. An etching stopper film is attached between the heater and the substrate if necessary. Further, if a material having a low thermal conductivity such as SiO ₂ or polyimide is provided on the base of the heater, thermal insulation can be achieved.

In the heater (heating element), if the resistivity distribution is provided in the thickness direction of the heater by changing the amount of impurity doping or the thickness of the heater, the heating (hence vaporization) of the dye on the outermost surface can be performed efficiently. Similarly, if the resistivity is changed in the surface direction so that the heat generation is sufficient especially in the central portion of the heater, the vaporization efficiency can be improved, or the calorific value distribution can be made uniform over the entire area of the heater. Can be prevented from disassembling. The through-holes of the upper electrode can also have various sizes and shapes, and the size can be changed in the thickness direction of the heater or in the plane direction to efficiently heat and supply and hold the dye.

The head and printer according to the present invention are characterized in that the heating element is used for heating the dye and the laser is not used. However, these heating elements and laser can be combined. . In this case, vaporization can be satisfactorily realized even if the power of each heating means is reduced.

Further, the porous structure (heater) to be formed in the vaporization section is not limited to the above-mentioned one, and, for example, in the case of a column, its height, plane or sectional shape, density, etc. may be changed. Further, the formation location can be applied as long as it is required to form a fine pattern or be porous, or to increase the surface area. As the porous structure, in addition to the columnar body or the wall-shaped body, a bead aggregate, a fibrous body or the like shown in FIG. 36 is formed, and these are formed with a heating element or coated with a heating element. May be.

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

Further, the number of recording material accommodating portions for accommodating recording materials (dye), the number of dots, and the number of heating elements corresponding thereto may be variously changed, and the arrangement shape and size thereof are also those described above. It is not limited to.

The structure and shape of the head and printer are
It may have an appropriate structure and shape other than the above (the vaporizing section may be configured in the same manner as the vaporizing section shown in FIGS. 37 to 42), and other appropriate materials may be used for the material of each part constituting the head. 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.

Further, as in the above-described example, the solid dye is once made into a liquid and vaporized for recording, or the solid dye is heated by laser light to be directly vaporized (that is, sublimated) to perform recording. It is also possible to store a liquefied dye (liquid at room temperature) in the dye reservoir. Further, the recording material can be transferred to the printing paper by a phenomenon other than the above-mentioned flight (for example, vaporization).

[0161]

As described above, the present invention is a recording apparatus in which the heating means for the recording material is composed of a heating element extending at least in the depth direction of the recording material accommodating portion. That is, the temperature can be rapidly increased in the depth direction, the heating efficiency by heat generation can be increased, and the transfer efficiency of the recording material by vaporization or the like can be improved. Moreover, since it is not necessary to use a laser, the cost can be reduced. In this case, it is not only advantageous for the heating element and the recording material to contact each other with a sufficient area in the depth direction in order to increase the temperature of the recording material, but also it is difficult for bumping to occur and stable flight is performed. You can

When the above-mentioned heating element has a porous structure such as a large number of columnar bodies, small spheres (beads), and porous bodies, this porous structure is recorded by its capillary action. The material is held and supplied, thereby suppressing escape of the recording material, effectively holding and supplying the recording material in a fixed amount, and enabling efficient transfer of heat by the heating element,
The vaporization efficiency can be improved, and high-quality recording can be obtained with a constant vaporization amount by the constant supply of the recording material.

The capillary structure suppresses the escape of heat to improve the heating efficiency (if the heat still escapes,
This residual heat can be used for liquefying the dye, or can be used for heating the recording medium as a heat source for fixing the recording material, so that the fixing energy can be reduced. ), It is possible to reduce the cost by reducing the size of the cooling fins.

Since the recording apparatus of the present invention is of the thermal transfer type in which the recording material is heated and transferred 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.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view (a cross-sectional view taken along line I-I of FIG. 2) and a plan view of a main part of a printer head according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a main part of the printer head.

FIG. 3 is a schematic plan view of the entire printer head.

4 is a sectional view taken along line IV-IV in FIG.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view showing a step in the manufacturing process of the main part of the printer head.

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 still another stage of the same manufacturing process.

FIG. 16 is a schematic perspective view of a printer having the printer head.

FIG. 17 is a schematic perspective view of another printer having the printer head.

FIG. 18 is a sectional view of a main part of a printer head according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 19 is a sectional view of a main part of a printer head according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

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

FIG. 21 is a plan view of various heater upper electrodes of a printer head according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 22 is a sectional view of a main part of a heater upper electrode of a printer head according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 23 is a plan view of a main part of a printer head according to a seventh embodiment of the present invention.

24 is a sectional view taken along the line XXIV-XXIV of FIG. 23.

FIG. 25 is a plan view of a main part of a printer head according to an eighth embodiment of the present invention.

26 is a sectional view taken along the line XXVI-XXVI of FIG. 25.

FIG. 27 is a plan view of a main part of a printer head according to a ninth embodiment of the present invention.

28 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line XXVIII-XXVIII of FIG. 27.

FIG. 29 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a part of the main part of the printer head.

FIG. 30 is a plan view of a main part of a printer head according to a tenth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 31 is a cross-sectional view of the main part of the printer head (XX in FIG. 30.
XI-XXXI line sectional view).

FIG. 32 is a sectional view of a main part of a printer head according to an eleventh embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 33 is a front view of the main parts of a printer using a conventional thermal recording head.

FIG. 34 is a cross-sectional view of a main part of another conventional printer.

FIG. 35 is a similar cross-sectional view showing a situation when the printer is operating.

FIG. 36 is a schematic sectional view of a printer devised before the completion of the present invention.

FIG. 37 is an exploded perspective view of a head of the printer.

FIG. 38 is an exploded perspective view of the head of the other printer.

39 is a schematic cross-sectional view (cross-sectional view taken along line XXXIX-XXXIX in FIG. 40) of the printer filed before the invention of the present invention.

FIG. 40 is a perspective view of a part of the head of the printer.

FIG. 41 is a perspective view of another part of the head of the printer.

FIG. 42 is a plan view of a part of the head of the printer.

FIG. 43 is an explanatory diagram showing a dye escape phenomenon.

FIG. 44 is a schematic sectional view of a part of the printing paper.

[Explanation of symbols]

22 ... Liquefied dye 32 ... Vaporized dye 41, 41A ... Dye tank (main body) 50 ... Printing paper 64, 64 '... Dye introduction part or dye drawing path 70 ... Printer head 73・ ・ ・ Substrate 73A ・ ・ ・ Columnar body 77 ・ ・ ・ Vaporized portion 81 ・ ・ ・ Protective layer 82 ・ ・ ・ Void 83 ・ ・ ・ Poly-Si layer 84, 85, 84 ', 85', 210, 211 ・ ・・ Electrode or wiring 86 ・ ・ ・ Insulation layer 87 ・ ・ ・ Dye accommodating part 97 ・ ・ ・ Liquid stop layer 100 ・ ・ ・ Printer 120 ・ ・ ・ Check valve mechanism 121 ・ ・ ・ Ball valve 150 ・ ・ ・ Through hole 175 ... Heating element (heater) 175A, 175B, 175C, 175D ... Columnar body (heater section)

 ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of front page (72) Inventor Junetsu Seto 6-735 Kita-Shinagawa, Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo Within Sony Corporation (72) Kenji Shinozaki 6-7-35 Kita-Shinagawa, Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo No. Sony Corporation

Claims (16)

[Claims] 1. A recording material accommodating portion facing a recording material and a heating means for heating the recording material in the recording material accommodating portion to transfer the recording material to the recording material. A recording device comprising a heating element extending at least in the depth direction of a recording material container. 2. The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the heating element is formed in a columnar shape. 3. The recording apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the columnar body is formed by the heating element itself. 4. The recording apparatus according to claim 2, wherein a heating element is attached to the surface of the columnar insulator. 5. The recording apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the columnar heating element or the insulating material is made of the same material as the constituent layer of the recording material accommodating portion. 6. The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the heating element is formed as a porous structure that holds and supplies the recording material. 7. The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the specific resistance of the heating element changes in the depth direction or the surface direction of the recording material accommodation portion. 8. The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein electrodes for supplying a current are provided on an upper portion and a lower portion of the heating element, respectively. 9. The recording apparatus according to claim 8, wherein an upper electrode and a lower electrode common to a large number of columnar heating elements are provided in a recording material accommodating portion over a predetermined width and length. 10. The recording apparatus according to claim 9, wherein a recording material passage hole is formed in the upper electrode. 11. The size or distribution of the passage holes of the recording material changes in the depth direction or the surface direction of the recording material accommodation portion.
The recording device described in 10. 12. The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a recording material backflow prevention mechanism is provided in a recording material supply passage to the recording material container. 13. The heating element generates heat when energized, and the recording material is vaporized or ablated by the heat, and the recording material is caused to fly to a recording object that is arranged opposite to the recording material in a non-contact state. The recording apparatus described in any one of 1. 14. A plurality of recording material accommodating portions are arranged, each of which is configured to heat the recording material, and among the heating elements provided in the plurality of recording material accommodating portions,
14. The recording apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the non-selected heating element is used for heat retention or liquefaction of the recording material while the selected heating element is used for vaporization or ablation of the recording material. 15. When manufacturing the recording apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 14, the heating element material is processed into a predetermined pattern by lithography at the position of the recording material accommodation portion to form a heating element. A method of manufacturing a recording apparatus, the method including a step. 16. A lower electrode is formed at the position of the recording material accommodating portion, a heating element material is deposited on the lower electrode, and the heating element material is processed into a predetermined pattern by lithography and formed by this. 16. The manufacturing method according to claim 15, wherein the upper electrode is formed on the heating element by lithography.