JPH10217515A - Image-recording apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To make an optical head and a drum compact by setting either one of a writing light source and a sub heating light source inside the drum and at a shaft supporting the drum rotatably, and guiding a laser light from the light source to an inner circumferential face of the drum by a reflecting mirror and a lens inside the drum. SOLUTION: A sub heating light source 7 for outputting a heating laser light is set inside a shaft 8 of a drum 1. A laser light from the sub heating light source 7 is guided to an inner circumferential face by a reflecting mirror 10 and a lens 11 set inside the drum 1. A recording medium 2 is mounted on the inner circumferential face of the drum 1. A writing laser light is projected to the recording medium 2 from inside of the drum 1. On the other hand, the heating laser light is projected from outside of the drum 1 to a position on an outer circumferential face of the drum 1 confronting to a position where the recording medium 2 is written. An optical head is made compact. At the same time, since the sub heating light source 7 is set inside the shaft 8 of the drum 1, the drum 1 becomes furthermore compact.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a method for writing images, patterns, characters, etc. on a thermal paper using a semiconductor laser beam or the like as a writing light source.
The present invention relates to an image recording apparatus that records on a recording medium such as a medical film and a printing film.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, the above-described image recording apparatus has a structure shown in FIG.
The recording medium 2 is mounted on the metal drum 1 as shown in FIG.
There is a method of irradiating the recording medium 2 with laser light by moving the optical head 3 in the axial direction while rotating the drum 1. In this type of image recording apparatus, the optical head 3 is mounted on the stage 4 such that the center axis thereof coincides with the normal of the recording medium 2 mounted on the drum 1.

As shown in FIG. 8, the optical head 3 is provided with a writing light source 5 using a semiconductor laser, a YAG laser, a CO2 laser, or the like, and a sub-heating light source 6 for outputting a semiconductor laser for heating. ing. Light source 6 for sub-heat
Is used to prevent a decrease in recording sensitivity and a non-uniform heat transfer (image unevenness) due to a decrease in temperature of a writing portion on the recording medium 2 to which the writing laser beam is irradiated.
That is, it is possible to prevent a decrease in the temperature of the writing portion due to a part of the heat supplied to the recording medium 2 from the writing light source 5 or the heat generated by the recording medium 2 being transmitted to the drum 1. The writing part is pre-heated or pre-heated by the sub-heating light source 6. Note that a low output laser such as a semiconductor laser cannot provide sufficient thermal energy for writing an image or the like, and thus a recording medium having a medium for converting light energy into thermal energy is used.

As a method for preventing the heat from radiating from the recording medium 2, there is a method for heating the drum 1. However, this method is very poor in heat efficiency as compared with the above-mentioned method in which the writing destination is partially heated. Due to the disadvantage that the device is also large, it has not been widely adopted recently. Incidentally, as a method of warming, there are a method of arranging a heating element such as a nichrome wire inside the drum, a method of flowing hot water, a method of using a lamp such as an infrared ray, an incandescent lamp, and a mercury lamp.

On the other hand, in a conventional image recording apparatus, as shown in FIG. 9, a writing light source 5 is provided inside a drum 1 and a recording medium 2 mounted on the inner peripheral surface of the drum 1 is irradiated with laser light. There is also a method of doing it. This method has an advantage that high-speed recording can be performed. In this type of image recording apparatus having a light transmissive drum, the recording medium 2 is mounted on the outer peripheral surface of the drum.

[0006]

However, in the above-mentioned conventional image recording apparatus, there is a problem that the optical head cannot be made compact by providing the sub-heating light source 6. Further, when the writing light source 5 is provided inside the drum 1, there is a limit in downsizing the drum 1. That is, since the distance between the inner peripheral surface of the drum 1 and the writing light source 5 becomes shorter inside the drum 1, a short focal length lens is required. Therefore, the writing light source 5 cannot be provided inside the drum 1 unless the diameter of the drum 1 is at least equal to the total length of the lens and the writing light source 5.

Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide an image recording apparatus capable of reducing the size of an optical head and a drum.

[0008]

The concept of the present invention will be described below. According to the present invention, either one of the writing light source and the sub-heating light source is provided inside the drum. Further, in the present invention, the one provided on the drum of the writing light source or the sub-heating light source is provided on a shaft which rotatably supports the drum, and a laser beam from this is provided inside the drum by a reflecting mirror and a lens. It is intended to be guided to the peripheral surface. Therefore, by providing either the writing light source or the sub-heating light source inside the drum, the optical head can be made compact. In addition, by providing the portion provided on the drum on the shaft of the drum, the size of the drum can be reduced.

According to the first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image recording apparatus comprising: a drum on which a recording medium is mounted on an outer peripheral surface; and a laser beam for writing applied to the recording medium from outside the drum. A light source for writing, a light source for sub-heating that emits laser light on the axis of the drum or in parallel with the axis toward the center of the drum, and a laser from the light source for sub-heating provided inside the drum. Reflection / condensing means for irradiating light onto the inner peripheral surface of the drum; and a position on the inner peripheral surface of the drum opposite to a writing position of the writing light source on the recording medium. Moving means for supporting the reflecting / condensing means so that the laser light is emitted and moving the reflecting / condensing means in the drum in conjunction with the writing light source. A.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image recording apparatus comprising a light transmitting material, a drum having a recording medium mounted on an outer peripheral surface thereof, and a recording medium for writing to the recording medium from outside the drum. A writing light source for irradiating laser light, a sub-heat light source for emitting laser light on the axis of the drum or in parallel with the axis toward the center of the drum, and the sub-heat source provided inside the drum. Reflection / condensing means for irradiating the laser light from the light source for use on the outer peripheral surface of the drum, and so that the laser light from the sub-heat light source is applied to the writing position of the writing light source on the recording medium. Moving means for supporting the reflection / light collection means and moving the reflection / light collection means in the drum in conjunction with the writing light source.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the image recording apparatus, the sub-heat light source is provided on a shaft that rotatably supports the drum.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image recording apparatus comprising: a drum on which a recording medium is mounted on an inner peripheral surface; and a laser beam directed to an axis of the drum or parallel to the axis toward a center of the drum. A light source for writing, which is provided inside the drum, a reflecting / light collecting means for irradiating a laser beam from the writing light source onto the inner peripheral surface of the drum, and a reflecting / light collecting means. First moving means for moving the drum in the axial direction, a sub-heat light source for irradiating a heating laser beam to the recording medium from outside the drum, and writing of the writing light source on the recording medium The sub-heat light source is supported so that the laser light from the sub-heat light source is irradiated to a position on the outer peripheral surface of the drum opposite to the position, and the sub-heat light source is moved by the reflection / condensing means. And second moving means for moving in conjunction with the first moving means that are those comprising a.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image recording apparatus comprising a light-transmitting material, a drum on which a recording medium is mounted on an outer peripheral surface, and the drum mounted on or parallel to the axis of the drum. A writing light source that emits laser light toward the center of the drum, and a writing light source that is arranged outside the drum and with the laser light output surface facing the inside of the drum,
A reflection / condensation unit provided inside the drum and configured to irradiate a laser beam from the writing light source onto an outer peripheral surface of the drum; and a second unit for moving the reflection / condensation unit in an axial direction of the drum. 1 moving means, a sub-heating light source for irradiating the recording medium with a laser beam for heating from outside the drum, and a laser from the sub-heating light source at a writing position of the writing light source on the recording medium. And a second moving means for supporting the sub-heating light source so that light is emitted and moving the sub-heating light source in conjunction with the first moving means for moving the reflection / condensing means. It is.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the image recording apparatus, the writing light source is provided on a shaft that rotatably supports the drum.

[0015]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. (I) First Embodiment FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a recording system according to a first embodiment of the image recording apparatus of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a side view showing a schematic configuration of the recording system according to the first embodiment, and FIG. FIG. 1 is a plan view showing a schematic configuration of a recording system according to the first embodiment. The image recording apparatus according to the first embodiment mounts a recording medium 2 on an outer peripheral surface of a metal drum 1 and irradiates the recording medium 2 with laser light for writing from outside the drum 1, A laser beam for heating is irradiated from the inside of the drum 1 to a position on the inner peripheral surface of the drum 1 opposite to the writing position of the recording medium 2.

The writing light source 5 is a semiconductor laser or CO 2
It outputs laser light for writing by a laser, and is provided on the optical head 9 of the stage 4 arranged outside the drum 1. The stage 4 reciprocates in the axial direction of the drum 1 to irradiate the laser light from the writing light source 5 in the lateral direction of the recording medium 2. The sub-heat light source 7 outputs a laser beam for heating by a semiconductor laser or a CO2 laser, and a shaft 8 for rotatably supporting the drum 1.
It is provided inside. In this case, the sub-heating light source 7 emits laser light toward the center of the drum on the axis of the drum or in parallel with the axis.

The laser light from the sub-heating light source 7 is reflected at right angles by a reflecting mirror 10 provided inside the drum 1, and further condensed by a lens 11 to reach the inner peripheral surface of the drum 1. In this case, the position of the lens 11 is adjusted so that the focal point is near the inner peripheral surface of the drum 1. The reflecting mirror 10 and the lens 11 are mounted on a stage 12 provided inside the drum 1. The stage 12 reciprocates in the axial direction in the drum 1 in conjunction with the stage 4 on which the optical head 9 is mounted. That is, the stage 12 operates so that the laser light from the sub-heating light source 7 can be applied to a position on the inner peripheral surface of the drum 1 opposite to the writing position of the writing light source 5 on the recording medium 2.

As described above, in the first embodiment, the subheating light source 7 for outputting the heating laser beam is
And a light source 7 for the sub-heat.
Since the laser beam from the optical head 9 is guided to the inner peripheral surface by the reflecting mirror 10 and the lens 11 provided inside the drum 1, the optical head 9 can be made compact. When the sub-heat light source 7 is provided inside the shaft 8 of the drum 1,
The drum 1 can be made more compact.

In the first embodiment, the sub-heating light source 7 is provided inside the shaft 8 of the drum 1, but may be provided on the stage 12. In addition, although the metal drum 1 is used, a drum 15 (see FIG. 4) made of a light-transmitting material such as glass may be used. By using this, it is possible to directly irradiate the recording medium 2 with the laser light from the sub-heating light source 7, so that efficient heating can be performed. That is, it is possible to irradiate the laser beam with an output smaller than that of the metal drum 1. By using the drum 15 having optical transparency, the recording medium 2 can be mounted on the inner peripheral surface of the drum 15. In this case, the focal point of the writing light source 5 and the lens 11
The focus needs to be adjusted.

When using the drum 15 having light transmittance, the laser light from the writing light source 5 and the writing light source 5
Since there is a possibility that the laser light from the sub-heating light source 7 which is opposed to the light source may interfere, measures such as tilting the writing light source 5 or the sub-heating light source 7 may be taken. Conversely, the use of the drum 15 having no light transmission makes it unnecessary to tilt the writing light source 5,
Even a semiconductor laser can be used without any problem. In the case where a semiconductor laser is used as the writing light source 5, it is not possible to give sufficient heat energy to the recording medium 2 by inclining the writing light source 5, but this can be solved by using a CO 2 laser.

(II) Second Embodiment FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of an image recording apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention. The image recording apparatus according to the second embodiment includes:
A recording medium 2 is mounted on the inner peripheral surface of a metal drum 1, and the recording medium 2 is irradiated with laser light for writing from the inside of the drum 1, while the recording medium 2 is written from outside the drum 1. A position on the outer peripheral surface of the drum 1 opposite to the position is irradiated with a laser beam for heating.
That is, the writing light source 5 and the sub-heating light source 7 are arranged in reverse. Also in the second embodiment, similarly to the first embodiment, the optical head 9 can be downsized. Further, by providing the writing light source 5 inside the shaft 8 of the drum 1, the size of the drum 1 can be reduced.

Although the writing light source 5 is provided inside the shaft 8 of the drum 1 in the second embodiment, it may be provided on the stage 12. Also, in the second embodiment,
Drum 15 made of light transmissive material such as glass
(See FIG. 6). By using this, it is possible to directly irradiate the recording medium 2 with the laser light from the sub-heating light source 7, so that efficient heating can be performed. That is, it is possible to irradiate the laser beam with an output smaller than that of the metal drum 1. Further, by using this, the recording medium 2 can be mounted on the outer peripheral surface of the drum 15. In this case, it is necessary to adjust the focal point of the sub-heating light source 7 and the focal point of the lens 11 on the writing light source 5 side.

When the light-transmitting drum 15 is used,
Since the laser light from the writing light source 5 and the laser light from the sub-heating light source 7 facing the writing light source 5 may interfere with each other, the sub-heating light source 7 or the writing light source 5 is inclined. May be performed. In this case, if a semiconductor laser is used as the sub-heating light source 7, it is not possible to give sufficient heat energy to the recording medium 2 by inclining the sub-heating light source 7, but this can be solved by using a CO2 laser.

[0024]

As described above, according to the first aspect of the present invention, the subheat light source for outputting the laser beam for heating is provided on the drum, so that the optical head can be made compact. According to the second aspect of the present invention, since the subheating light source for outputting the heating laser light is provided on the drum, the optical head can be made compact. In addition, since the recording medium has a drum made of a light-transmitting material, the recording medium can be directly irradiated with laser light from the sub-heating light source.
Efficient heating is possible. According to the third aspect of the present invention, since the subheating light source for outputting the heating laser light is provided on the shaft of the drum, the drum can be made compact.

According to the fourth aspect of the invention, since the writing light source for outputting the writing laser light is provided on the drum, the optical head can be made compact. According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, since the writing light source for outputting the writing laser light is provided on the drum, the optical head can be made compact. Further, since the recording medium has a drum made of a light-transmitting material, laser light from the sub-heating light source can be directly applied to the recording medium, so that efficient heating can be performed.
According to the invention of claim 6, since the writing light source for outputting the writing laser light is provided on the shaft of the drum, the size of the drum can be reduced.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a recording system according to a first embodiment of an image recording apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a side view illustrating a schematic configuration of a recording system according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a plan view illustrating a schematic configuration of a recording system according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a plan view showing a schematic configuration of an application example of the recording system of the first embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a side view showing a schematic configuration of a recording system according to a second embodiment of the image recording apparatus according to the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a side view showing a schematic configuration of an application example of the recording system of the second embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing a recording system of a conventional image recording apparatus.

FIG. 8 is a side view illustrating a schematic configuration of a recording system of a conventional image recording apparatus.

FIG. 9 is a side view showing a schematic configuration of a recording system of another conventional image recording apparatus.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1, metal drum 2, recording medium 4, 12 stage 5, writing light source 7, sub-heating light source 8, axis 9, optical head 10, reflecting mirror 11, lens 15, light transmitting drum

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. A drum on which a recording medium is mounted on an outer peripheral surface, a writing light source for irradiating a laser beam for writing to the recording medium from outside the drum, A subheating light source that emits laser light toward the center side of the drum in parallel with an axis; and a reflection / light source that is provided inside the drum and irradiates the laser light from the subheating light source onto the inner peripheral surface of the drum. Condensing means; and the reflecting / condensing means such that laser light from the sub-heating light source is applied to a position on the inner peripheral surface of the drum opposite to a writing position of the writing light source on the recording medium. And a moving means for moving the reflecting / condensing means in the drum in conjunction with the writing light source. 2. A drum made of a light-transmitting material and having a recording medium mounted on an outer peripheral surface thereof; and a writing light source for irradiating the recording medium with laser light for writing from outside the drum. A sub-heat light source that emits laser light on the axis of the drum or toward the center of the drum in parallel with the axis; and a laser light from the sub-heat light source provided inside the drum, A reflecting / condensing means for irradiating the outer peripheral surface, and supporting the reflecting / condensing means so that a laser beam from the sub-heat light source is irradiated to a writing position of the writing light source on the recording medium. And a moving means for moving the reflection / condensing means in the drum in conjunction with the writing light source. 3. The image recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the sub-heat light source is provided on a shaft that rotatably supports the drum. 4. A drum for mounting a recording medium on an inner peripheral surface thereof; a writing light source for emitting laser light on an axis of the drum or in parallel with the axis toward a center of the drum; A reflecting / condensing means for irradiating a laser beam from the writing light source onto an inner peripheral surface of the drum; and a first moving the reflecting / condensing means in the axial direction of the drum. Moving means, a sub-heat light source for irradiating a heating laser beam to the recording medium from outside the drum, and an outer peripheral surface of the drum opposed to a writing position of the writing light source on the recording medium. The sub-heat light source is supported so that the laser light from the sub-heat light source is irradiated to the position, and the sub-heat light source is moved in conjunction with the first moving means for moving the reflection / condensing means. The image recording apparatus characterized by comprising: a second moving means. 5. A drum which is made of a light-transmitting material and has a recording medium mounted on an outer peripheral surface thereof, and emits a laser beam on the axis of the drum or in parallel with the axis toward the center of the drum. A light source for writing, a light source for writing arranged outside the drum and with the laser light output surface facing the inside of the drum, and a laser provided inside the drum and emitted from the light source for writing Reflection / condensing means for irradiating light onto the outer peripheral surface of the drum; first moving means for moving the reflection / condensing means in the axial direction of the drum; A sub-heat light source for irradiating a laser beam for heating, and supporting the sub-heat light source so that the laser light from the sub-heat light source is irradiated to a writing position of the writing light source on the recording medium. An image recording apparatus comprising: a second moving unit that moves a sub-heat light source in conjunction with a first moving unit that moves the reflection / condensing unit. 6. The image recording apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the writing light source is provided on a shaft that rotatably supports the drum.