JPH08216442A - Recording device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: To smoothen the supply of a recording material to a recording section and carry out the smooth recording at all times by providing a recording material accelerating means for accelerating the supply of recording material to an introduction section and/or its vicinity. CONSTITUTION: A couple of protruded lines 185, 185 are formed toward a dye introduction opening 84' on a bottom wall face 84a of a dye supply line 84, and a narrow channel 184 is formed between the protruded lines. Side wall faces 84b and 84c of the dye supply line 84 are formed into inclined faces, and a couple of protruded lines 285, 285 are formed toward the dye introduction opening 84' respectively on the wide wall faces 84b and 84c, and a channel 284 is formed between the protruded lines. The protruded lines 285 (channel 284) are extended to above the bottom wall face 84a, and the channel 284 is formed to be narrower as it goes closer to the dye introduction opening 84, and a dye is guided to the dye introduction opening 84 by the capillary action. Even when the wetting properties of the dye is not good for a spacer 82, the dye is drawn into the dye introduction opening 84 by the capillary action of the channels 184 and 284.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

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

[0002]

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

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

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

FIG. 52 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.

Then, the ink (transfer dye) in the ink layer 12a which is selectively heated by the thermal head 1 is transferred in a dot shape to 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 long thermal head is arranged orthogonally to the recording paper traveling direction and fixed and a serial system in which the thermal head reciprocates in a direction orthogonal to the recording paper traveling direction. Has been adopted.

By the way, the applicant of the present invention has been able to reduce the waste and the transfer energy, and to make the printer small and lightweight while taking advantage of the above-mentioned thermal transfer recording system.
We have already proposed a non-contact type dye vaporization type laser beam printer as shown in 53.

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

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

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

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

Further, a head base having a laser beam transmitting property.
The dye reservoir 15 is provided on the head 14, and the liquefied dye 22 is housed between the head 13 and the lid 13 fixed on the head base 14.
The liquefied dye 22 is supplied to the vaporizer 17 via 27. in this case,
In order to improve the efficiency of supplying the dye to the vaporizing section 17 and the vaporizing efficiency, to prevent the dye from escaping due to a decrease in the surface tension of the dye caused by heat generation, and to continuously supply and hold the dye by utilizing the capillary phenomenon. Further, a bead aggregate 20 composed of small beads 21 is provided in the vaporization section 17.

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

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

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

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

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

In the case of mono-color printing, as shown in FIG. 55, 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).

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

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

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

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

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

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

The head 40, which is a transfer member suitable for the dye vaporization type recording method, has the property of sufficiently withstanding the amount of heat instantaneously applied at the time of transfer, and spontaneously due to the capillary phenomenon to the vaporization part (transfer part). It is preferable to have a structure (20 in FIG. 53) that has a large surface area for supplying a liquid dye and can firmly hold the dye during transfer.
Further, by providing an appropriate heat retaining device, it becomes possible to use a dye or a dye mixture having a melting point of room temperature or higher.

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

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

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

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

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

[0031]

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

A similar structure of this printer will be concretely described with reference to FIGS. 56 to 61 (however, common parts to those in the head of FIG. 53 are designated by common 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. Fig. 57
Is shown upside down from FIG. 56.

Further, a liquefied dye supply path 64 for heating and liquefying the solid powder sublimation dye 42 in the dye storage tank 41 to guide it.
A plurality of liquefied disperse dyes supplied from the liquefied dye supply passage 64 are arranged at predetermined intervals along the liquefied dye supply passage 64.
On each vaporization section 17 for vaporizing 22 by the heat of vaporization, a vaporization heating element 65 provided below the liquid surface of the dye 22 in this vaporization section, a heat insulating material (block) 66 for supporting it, and on the heating element 65 And a group of trabecular bodies 80 which are porous structures for holding and supplying the dye 22. Electrodes 65A and 65B of heating elements are provided on both side surfaces of the heat insulating material 66, and are taken out through a structure not shown (however, an insulating structure with the heater 68 is not shown).

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

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

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

As shown in FIGS. 56, 57 and 59, the spacer 62 is provided with a plurality of square columnar holes 62a each of which is a part of the vaporizing hole 23 of each vaporizing portion 17, and the dye 62 Storage tank 41 (41Y for yellow, 41M for magenta, 41 for cyan
Each vaporizing portion 17 extends from the C) side to the other end side of the head base 63.
A plurality of slots (dye supply paths) 64 communicating with the vaporization holes 23 are formed.

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

Further, as shown in FIGS. 56, 57 and 58, the liquid stop layer 67 is formed with a plurality of square columnar holes 67a which become a part of the vaporization holes 23 of each vaporization section 17. There is. The protective layer 61, the dye solution stopping layer 67, and the spacer 62 are adhered to each other with a heat-resistant adhesive.

The head base 63 is formed as thin as possible, for example, glass, ceramics or the like having a high melting point, no thermoformability, and low thermal conductivity. Further, as shown in FIG. 56, on the dye storage tank 41 side of the head base 63,
A supply port (connection hole) 43 communicating with each liquefied dye supply path 64 is formed.

Further, each liquefied dye supply path 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. 56, one end of the heater 68 is bent vertically upward and inserted into each dye storage tank 41, and the other end is connected to each liquefied dye supply path. It extends to the terminal end side of 64. Further, as shown in FIG. 61, the heater 68 is arranged on the entire surface of the head base 63 so that the spacer 62 and the protective layer 61 are kept warm so that the dye receiving layer 50a of the photographic printing paper 50 can also be heated.

The above-mentioned printer head shown in FIGS. 56 to 61.
According to 60, in addition to having the features described in the printer head 40 shown in FIGS. 53 to 55, it has the following advantages in comparison with the printer head 40.

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

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

In the head structure of the printer head 60,
As shown in FIG. 51, which is an enlarged view of the phantom line portion of FIG. 50, the dye introduction path 64a that connects the liquefied dye supply path (groove hole) 64 and each hole 62a is narrow, and the groove 64 and the dye introduction path 64a The dye is not smoothly supplied to each hole 62a via the.
Therefore, there is a problem that recording is not performed quickly.

This is because the constituent material of the printer head is inorganic, whereas the organic dye does not have good wettability, and the dye is repelled and is difficult to be drawn into the dye introducing passage 64a.

Further, the dye tank 41 for storing the solid dye is a cartridge type replaceable type and a fixed amount (for example,
There is a type that stores a quantity corresponding to the recording of about 1000 sheets) and fixes it to the head, and discards it together with the head when the dye is exhausted. In the latter type, the dye remaining in the corners of the slot 64 is wasted together with the head and is wasted.

[0049]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and the recording material is smoothly and sufficiently supplied to the recording portion to always perform smooth recording, and The object is to provide an economical recording apparatus in which the recording material not used for recording is reduced.

[0050]

According to the present invention, there is provided a recording section for accommodating a recording material, and a recording material supply path having an introduction section for introducing the recording material into the recording section, and at least the introduction section. The present invention relates to a recording apparatus in which a recording material supply promoting means for promoting the supply of the recording material to the introduction section is provided in the section and / or in the vicinity thereof.

In the present invention, the recording material supply promoting means is
It is desirable that it is formed in a structure or shape that causes a capillary phenomenon.

In the above, the recording material supply promoting means can be formed in a groove shape.

Further, in the above description, the recording material supply promoting means can be formed between the pair of ridges.

Further, in the above, it is desirable that the recording material supply promoting means is narrowed on the recording material introducing portion side in order to introduce the recording material into the recording material introducing portion by utilizing the capillary phenomenon.

Further, in the present invention, the recording material supply promoting means can be constituted by a material having good wettability with respect to the recording material.

Further, in the present invention, the recording material supply promoting means may be formed so as to have a rough surface.

Further, in the present invention, it is desirable to provide the recording material supply promoting means in the recording material supply passage.

In the above description, the recording section and the recording material supply path are communicated with each other by the recording material introduction path, and the tip of the recording material supply promoting means is located in contact with or near the recording material introduction path. desirable.

Further, in the above description, it is desirable that the recording material supply promoting means is provided on the level surface of the recording material supply path which is equivalent to the recording material introducing portion.

Further, in the above, it is more preferable that the recording material supply promoting means is also provided on another surface continuous with the level surface equivalent to the recording material introducing portion.

Further, in the present invention, it is desirable that the recording portion is configured as a recording material flying structure so that the liquid recording material can fly to the recording medium to perform recording.

Further, in the present invention, it is advantageous in manufacturing the apparatus that the recording material flying structure is integrally provided on the recording material supply structure.

Further, in the present invention, the recording material flying structure may be attached to the inside of the recording material accommodating portion.

In the present invention, it is desirable that the heating element for heating the liquid recording material to fly is provided in the recording material flying structure.

In the present invention, the liquid recording material of the recording material flying structure may be heated by a heating beam to fly.

Further, in the present invention, it is desirable that the recording material flying structure is constructed so as to supply and hold the liquid recording material to the opening side by the capillary phenomenon.

Further, in the present invention, it is desirable that the recording material flying structure is provided with a porous structure which causes a capillary phenomenon.

Further, in the present invention, it is desirable that the porous structure is formed of an aggregate of small pillars.

In the present invention, it is desirable that the liquid recording material is vaporized or ablated so as to fly to a recording medium which is arranged so as to face the liquid recording material in a non-contact state.

[0070]

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

<First Embodiment> FIG. 1 is a bottom view of the printer head (a sectional view taken along the line I--I of FIGS. 2 and 3), and FIG.
II-II line sectional view of FIG. 3, FIG. 3 is an enlarged partial perspective view of the spacer before the bottom plate is attached, and FIG. 4 is a plan view of the spacer shown by partially removing the bottom plate.

The liquefied dye 22 is supplied from the dye supply path 84 to the vaporization section 77 via the dye introduction port 84 '. Dye supply path 84
The dye inlet port 84 'is formed in the spacer 82.

A dye inlet is provided on the bottom wall surface 84a of the dye supply passage 84.
A pair of ridges 185, 185 are provided toward 84 ', and a narrow groove 184 is formed between them. The side wall surfaces 84b and 84c of the dye supply passage 84 are inclined surfaces,
84c also has a pair of ridges 285, respectively, toward the dye inlet 84 '.
285 are provided, and a groove 284 is formed between them. The ridges 285 (hence, the grooves 284) are extended to the bottom wall surface 84a. The groove 284 becomes narrower as it gets closer to the dye introducing port 84 ', and the dye 22 is introduced by the capillary action into the dye introducing port 8'.
I am trying to lead to 4 '. It is desirable that the groove 184 is also narrowed as it approaches the dye inlet port 84 '.

Even if the dye 22 does not have good wettability with respect to the spacer 82, the dye 22 has a capillary action due to the grooves 184 and 284.
As shown by the arrow, it will be drawn into the dye introducing port 84 ', and along with this, the dye around the tip of the groove will also be drawn into the dye introducing port 84'.
Will be drawn to. As a result, the wettability of the dye with respect to the spacer is apparently improved, and the dye is smoothly supplied to the vaporizing section 77 via the dye introducing port 84 '. Further, in the case of a type of head that is disposable after recording a fixed amount, the amount of dye remaining in the dye supply path 84 and discarded is small, and the waste of dye is greatly reduced.

In the dye vaporization section 77 of the printer head 70, the SiO 2 having a thickness of 20 μm or less, for example, 6 to 15 μm.
_The dye containing portion 87 is formed in a concave shape on the insulating plate 73 composed of _two layers, and the width and the diameter of the insulating plate 73 by the fine processing are formed in the containing portion.
10 μm or less (eg 1-2 μm), spacing 20 μm or less (eg 1-2 μm), height 20 μm or less (eg 6-m
15 μm) A group of fine small columnar small columns 80 are vaporized structures.
It is provided as part of 101.

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

The group of the small columns 80 is divided into left and right two groups, and a heating element 75 having a thickness of, for example, 1 μm is locally formed on the bottom surface of the dye accommodating portion 87 in a region where there is no small column in the middle. Are provided in a rectangular shape. Therefore, the heating element 75 is a pillar.
It is provided in a separate area from the area 80. The heating element 75 is arranged at the following position.

That is, in the vaporization structure 101, the heating element 75
Is provided on the upper surface 82C of the narrow protruding portion 82B formed by partially protruding the surface 82A of the spacer 82 as the base material. Therefore, it is provided at the level of the intermediate height h between the columnar body 80 and the spacer surface 82A. The protruding portion 82B is integral with the spacer 82, and a pair of electrodes 94 and 95 of the heating element 75 are provided at the same height level h as the upper surface 82C thereof.

The heating element 75 is a silicon compound such as carbon or polysilicon, and a pair of aluminum electrodes 94 and 95 are provided on both sides thereof.

A signal voltage based on an image signal is applied between the electrodes 94 and 95 by matrix driving, and the energization causes heat to be generated at 50 to 500 ° C. in the heating element 75, and this heat efficiently heats the liquefied dye 22. To vaporize.
Further, since the spacer 82 made of quartz glass is integrally provided under the insulating plate 73, the spacer 82 acts as a heat insulating material, and the heat generated by the heating element 75 is efficiently used for heating the dye.

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

On the spacer 82, a group of small columns 80, which is a porous structure, and a heating element 75 are provided separately from each other (in addition, there is a spacer 82 that also functions as a heat insulating material in the base. Therefore, the heat generated from the heating element 75 does not substantially escape to the porous structure (heat dissipation or heat release to the surroundings does not occur), and the surface of the heating element 75 is above it. Dyes due to the absence of porous structures
It will be used directly for heating 22 and will be fully utilized. As a result, the heating efficiency of the heating element 75 with respect to the dye 22 can be increased, and the vaporization efficiency thereof can be increased to improve the recording performance.

Further, when the heating element 75 is not operating and is not heated, the heat of the dye 22 can be released to the surroundings through the porous structure, so that the dye 22 can be effectively cooled.

Since the porous structure (group of small pillars 80) is separated from the heating element 75, even if they are arranged adjacent to each other, thermal stress due to heating is applied to the porous structure. Substantially no addition, no damage occurs, and reliability can be improved. In addition, the occupied area or amount of the porous structure is reduced, and its processing and the like becomes easier.

Since the above-mentioned porous structure is composed of a group of trabecular bodies 80, the escape of the dye 22 is suppressed by the capillary action between the trabecular bodies, and the dye 22 is effectively retained in the vaporized region. In addition, it is possible to supply heat in a fixed amount, to efficiently transfer heat, and to improve vaporization or ablation efficiency.
High-quality recording can be obtained with a constant vaporization or ablation amount by the constant supply of 22.

Further, since the heating element 75 is provided on the surface of the spacer 82 (bottom surface of the dye accommodating portion 87), the heating element 75 is recessed from the porous structure (group of small pillars 80). The recessed portion (stepped portion) 110, that is, the heating element 75
The dye 22 from the inlet 84 'can be smoothly supplied to the top. Therefore, even if there is only one inlet 84 ', the dye
Sufficient supply of 22. As shown in FIG. 57, if the pillars 80 are uniformly provided on the heating element 75, it becomes difficult to supply the dye 22 from one side.
As shown in 57, it is necessary to supply the heat from the four sides, or it is necessary to have two or more dye introducing ports and supply grooves.

Further, the dye 22 can be smoothly supplied to the step portion 110 and easily held therein. Depending on the pattern of the step portion (for example, the periphery thereof is surrounded by the pillars 80). In addition, the dye can be retained more sufficiently and its escape can be sufficiently prevented.

Further, when the heating element 75 is not operating and is not heated, the heat of the dye 22 can be released to the surroundings through the porous structure, so that the dye can be effectively cooled.

Further, as described above, since the heating element 75 is provided on the protruding portion 82B of the spacer 82, the heat generated from the heating element is transferred only through the narrow protruding portion 82B. The area transmitted to the spacer 82 side is small. When the heating element is provided directly on the surface of the spacer 82, the heat of the heating element is transferred not only to the side of the spacer 82 (which acts as a heat insulating material) but also in the lateral direction. The amount of heat transferred to the spacer 82 side is reduced because of the interposition of the protruding portion 82B.

As a result, the above-described operation and effect due to the heat generating element 75 being provided separately from the small pillar body 80 (that is, there is no heat radiation through the small pillar body 80, and the heat of the small pillar body 80 is not generated). It is of course possible to suppress the dynamic stress and to facilitate the processing of the small pillar body 80 and reduce the amount thereof, but in addition to this, by suppressing the heat transfer by the above-mentioned protruding portion 82B,
The heating efficiency by the heating element 75 can be further improved.

Moreover, the heating element 75 has the upper surface 82 of the protruding portion 82B.
Since it is provided in C and is present near the liquid surface of the dye 22, the heat of the heating element 75 efficiently heats the liquid surface region that directly influences the vaporization of the dye, thereby further increasing the vaporization efficiency of the dye 22. Can be improved. That is, it becomes possible to fully utilize the surface of the heating element 75 (the surface that generates heat).

Further, since there is a step portion 110 between the pillar portion 80 and the projecting portion 82B, the dye 22 is present here.
Since the dye can be effectively held and supplied, and the dye can be supplied to the step portion 110 from one direction, only one introduction port 84 'is required and its position is not so limited.

In this embodiment, the width w of the heating element 75 (width of the protruding portion 82B) and the height h thereof may be variously selected, but in view of the above heating efficiency, (2/3) h ≧ w ≧
It is preferable that the relationship of (1/3) h is satisfied. For example, h = 6 μm and w = 3 μm. The height of the pillars 80 is 20 μm or less, the diameter is 10 μm or less, and the gap 92 is 20 μm or less.
It may be μm or less.

In the printer head 70 of this example, the insulating plate 73 is integrated on the spacer 82. Therefore, this integrated structure is more effective than the insulating plate 73 or the spacer 82 alone. It is thick and has high mechanical strength.

Therefore, the mechanical strength when processing the dye containing portion 87, the columnar body 80, the dye passage 84, etc. is sufficient, and the handling, the workability and the reliability are ensured without cracking or breaking. Furthermore, the yield and cost performance can be improved.

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

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

The electrodes 94 and 95 are provided on the upper surface of the spacer 82 together with the heating element 75. On the upper surface including the electrodes 84 and 85, a dye solution stopping layer 97 made of fluorine-based or silicon-based resin is provided. The liquefied dye 22 is prevented from leaking upward. Further, a protective layer 91 made of tantalum, glass, or the like, which is the same as the protective layer 61 described above, is provided on the liquid stop layer 97. Each layer 91, 97 has a vaporization opening 91a, 97a.
Are formed.

The dye vaporizer 77 having the above-described structure is
Although one dot is shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, in the head 70, a plurality of dots are actually provided for each color (yellow Y, magenta M, cyan C) for full color as in FIGS. 56 to 61. Will be placed. Therefore, in this case, as shown in FIG. 4, the structures of FIGS. 1 and 2 are arranged in a line. Each of these vaporizers has a dye supply path 84 from each storage tank.
The liquefied dye of each color is supplied via the.

When color printing the photographic printing paper 50,
Heat is generated by the heating element 75 according to the image signal. Due to this heat of vaporization, the dye in each vaporization portion is vaporized and the holes 91 of the protective layer 91 are
It is transferred to the receiving layer 50a of the photographic printing paper 50 in the order of Y, M, and C through the sheet a.

The printer head 70 according to this embodiment is shown in FIG.
Similar to the head 60 shown in (4), it is of a thermal transfer system that heats the dye 22 to fly to the printing paper 50 through the gap,
It has the features of miniaturization, ease of maintenance, immediacy, high-quality images, and high gradation described above. Although the illustration of the heater for liquefying the dye and the heat retention (heater 68 in FIG. 56) and the like is omitted, it may be adopted in the same manner as described in FIG.

Although the pillars 80 and the layers 73, 82 and 102 are made of glass, they can be made of other materials. For example, a polymer material such as polyimide, a ceramic material, a silicon material, a metal material, or a combination thereof can be used. Polymer materials can be used in printer heads
Since the structure is such that 70 is not pressed against the photographic printing paper 50, it is because a large pressure is not applied, and the heat dissipation is small when the heat generating element 75 is activated, and the thermal insulation is good.

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

Then, as shown in FIG. 6, the polysilicon layer 10 is formed.
3 is patterned by photolithography to form a heating element 75 on the spacer material 82, aluminum is further deposited on the entire surface by a vacuum deposition method or the like, and this is patterned by photolithography to form a pair of aluminum electrodes of the heating element 75.
94 and 95 are formed (see Figure 16). Further, a SiO ₂ film 127 for insulation is sputtered on the entire surface to a thickness of about 1 μm (however, this SiO ₂ film 127 may be omitted in the following figures).

Then, as shown in FIG. 7, a metal mask 128 for selective etching of the heating element portion and the wiring portion is formed in a predetermined pattern. This can be formed by forming a film of chromium or the like on the entire surface by sputtering or the like and processing it by photolithography.

Then, as shown in FIGS. 8 and 17, the mask 12
The SiO ₂ film 127 is etched by 8 and the heating element 75 is thinly processed, and the surface area of the spacer 82 is also etched. As a result, the protruding portion 82B shown in FIG.
To form.

Next, as shown in FIGS. 9 and 18, a SiO ₂ layer 73 having a thickness of 1 to 15 μm is formed on the entire surface by a sputtering method or the like.

Next, as shown in FIG. 10, a metal thin film 104 of chromium or the like is deposited on the entire surface of the SiO ₂ layer 73 by a vacuum deposition method or a sputtering method, and this is patterned using a photoresist of a predetermined pattern as a mask. A pattern 87 'serving as a dye containing portion and a pattern 80' serving as a pillar are formed respectively. Instead of this patterning method, first, a photoresist is formed in a predetermined pattern, and then the metal thin film 10 is formed thereon.
4 may be deposited and the metal thin film 104 may be patterned into the shape of FIG. 10 by lift-off.

Next, as shown in FIG. 11, the spacer material 82 is processed from the back surface by powder beam etching (PBE) to form the dye supply passage 84 in the surface direction. in this case,
When the spacer material 82 is thick, the passage 84 may be processed after polishing the back surface to adjust the thickness.

Then, as shown in FIG. 12, a dye introduction hole 84 'communicating with the dye supply passage 84 is formed at the position of the dye containing portion pattern 87' by SiO 2 by powder beam etching (PBE).
It is formed so as to penetrate the thickness of the _two layers 73.

Then, as shown in FIG. 13, a pair of ridges 185, 18
5, 285, 285 are provided to form the grooves 184, 284. The protrusions 185, 185, 285, 285 are formed by CVD or the like.
This is done by depositing a _second film 180 (shown in phantom) and patterning it.

Next, the mask metal 128 is removed by etching, and a part of the SiO ₂ layer 73 thereon is lifted off, as shown in FIG. It is not always necessary to remove this mask metal.

Then, as shown in FIGS. 14 and 20, a metal thin film is formed.
Reactive ion etching (R
IE), and the SiO ₂ layer 73 is provided with a dye containing portion 87 and a pillar 80.
And a group of. At this time, the group of small pillars 80 is separated from the heating element 75 on both sides of the heating element 75. Further, the dye introducing port 84 ′ opens the dye supply passage 84 to the dye containing portion 87.

Then, as shown in FIG. 15, a bottom plate 102 made of a quartz plate is fixed to the back surface of the spacer material 82 by fusion bonding.
This fixing can also be performed by using a low melting point glass or an adhesive. After that, necessary layers are formed on the upper surface to complete the head of FIG.

As described above, the small pillar body 80 is finely processed on the SiO ₂ layer 73 provided on the upper surface of the spacer 82, and the spacer 82
A groove is formed on the back surface of the to form a passage 84, and a hole 84 'is formed by fine processing in the thickness direction to form a structure in which it is connected to the passage 84, thereby performing stable and low-cost processing. Further, it is possible to obtain a vaporization part structure which can be performed and is improved in alignment and strength, is highly accurate, and is highly reliable. Also heating element
The step portion 110 between 75 and the small column 80 can be determined by the selective etching amount in FIG. 8 and the sputtering amount in FIG.

In this example, in the process of FIG.
However, the protrusion may be provided after the dye supply path 84 is provided. That is, after the step of FIG. 11, as shown in FIG. 21, a SiO ₂ film 180 (shown by a virtual line) is formed by CVD or the like.
The ridges 185 and 285 can be formed by forming a film on the substrate.

Also, as shown in FIG. 23 and FIG. 23 which is a sectional view taken along the line XXIII-XXIII in FIGS. 22 and 22, each protrusion 185, 285 has a portion from the bottom wall surface 84a of the dye supply passage 84 to the inside of the dye introduction port 84 '. When the extension ridges 385 are extended on the peripheral surface, narrow grooves are formed between the extension ridges 385.
By forming 384, the effect of drawing the dye by the capillary action is further promoted, the supply of the dye to the vaporizing section 77 is further speeded up, and the effect of this example becomes more remarkable. Even if only the protrusion 385 in the dye inlet 84 'is provided as the protrusion, the dye supply is promoted by the same action as described above.

<Second Embodiment> In this embodiment, the protrusion on the side wall surface of the dye supply passage in the first embodiment is omitted. FIG. 24 is an enlarged partial perspective view of a spacer similar to FIG. 3 in this example. As shown in this example, only the groove 184 formed by the pair of ridges 185 on the bottom surface of the dye supply path is used.
The effect of drawing the dye into the 4'is exhibited. Even in this example, as in the example of FIGS. 22 and 23, the dye inlet
It goes without saying that an extension ridge 385 (shown in phantom) may be provided on the inner peripheral surface of 84 '.

<Third Embodiment> In this example, as shown in FIG. 25, a pair of protrusions is not provided, and the bottom wall surface 84 of the dye supply path 84 is not provided.
Grooves 84d and 84e are provided in a concave shape on a and the side wall surfaces 84b and 84c, respectively. Even in this example, the same effect as in the first embodiment can be obtained. In this example, as compared with the first embodiment, the step of forming a film by CVD or the like is unnecessary, and the formation of the groove is simplified. In this example as well, similar to the above-described respective examples, the grooves 84d and 84e may be extended (indicated by imaginary lines) on the inner peripheral surface of the dye introducing port 84 '.

<Fourth Embodiment> In this example, the first,
Instead of forming the grooves in the third embodiment, as shown in FIG. 26, a layer 484 made of a material having a good dye wettability is provided. A suitable material for layer 484 is, for example, unglazed ceramic. In this example, the wettability of the dye is not apparently improved, but the wettability is actually improved and the same effect as in each of the above-described examples is exhibited. Even in this example, the above-mentioned layer is also formed on the inner peripheral surface of the dye inlet port 84 '.
It goes without saying that 484 may be provided.

In order to make the effect of this example more remarkable, as shown in FIG. 27, the layer 484 can be provided around the dye introducing port 84 'of the bottom wall surface 84a of the dye supplying passage.

In the examples of FIGS. 26 and 27, the layers described above are used.
Instead of 484, this portion is etched to obtain a rough surface 485, and the same effect can be obtained.

<Fifth Embodiment> In this example, as shown in FIG. 28, the heating element 75 is formed directly on the surface of the spacer 82. Other examples are the same as those in the first embodiment. In this example, the heat energy emitted from the heating element 75 to the spacer 82 is larger than that in the first embodiment, but the manufacturing process of the recording apparatus is simplified. This is because the spacer has a protruding portion for forming a heating element (82 in FIG. 1).
This is because the step of forming B) becomes unnecessary.

<Sixth Embodiment> As shown in FIG. 29, as shown in FIG.
Compared to the example of, the heating element 75 is formed in a meandering pattern,
The difference is that the pillars 80 are provided between and around the patterns, and the other portions are similarly configured.

Therefore, in this example as well, since the heating element 75 and the pillars 80 are provided separately from each other, the same operational effects as those of the third embodiment can be obtained and the heating element can be obtained. Since 75 is meandering, the heating area for the dye can be expanded and uniform heating can be performed.

<Seventh Embodiment> In this example, as shown in FIG. 30 which is a bottom view similar to FIG. 1 and FIG. 31 which is a sectional view taken along the line XXXI-XXXI of FIG. Compared to the example shown in FIG. 28, above the trabecular body 80 in the dye containing portion 87,
A heating element 75 having a vaporization hole 75a is provided in the shape of a bridge, except that the heating element 75 has the same structure.

That is, the heating element 75 is provided on the upper surface of the columnar body 80 with the electrodes.
Since 94 and 95 are formed on the upper surface of the insulating plate 73, the columnar body 80 as a porous structure is provided below the heating element 75 (at a position deeper than this). Therefore, the heating element 75 is in contact with the surface of the liquefied dye 22 in the surface area of the liquefied dye 22 in the housing portion 87, or at least partially immersed below this surface, but the latter state is vaporized and It can be said that it is desirable in terms of supply efficiency.

In this case, the heating element 75 has a space between the pillars 80.
A large number of vaporization holes 75a are formed in the area where 92 does not exist, and in addition to the capillary action of the voids 92 of the trabecular body 80, the vaporization holes 75a are formed.
Since the capillary action of is also exhibited, the dye can be effectively retained and supplied, and further heated and vaporized.

<Eighth Embodiment> This embodiment relates to a printer of the heating type by laser light irradiation.
33, and as shown in FIG. 33, as compared with the example shown in FIG. 1 and FIG.
The second embodiment is different in that heating is performed by the laser light L from the laser 18 without disposing a heating element, and the other configurations are the same.

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

Therefore, the mechanical strength when processing the dye containing portion 87, the columnar body 80, the dye passage 84, etc. is sufficient, and the handling, the workability and the reliability are ensured without causing cracking or breakage. Furthermore, the yield and cost performance can be improved.

Further, since the columnar body 80 and the dye accommodating portion 87 can be formed by patterning the spacer 82, only the alignment at the time of patterning is required. Therefore, the columnar body 80 and the dye accommodating portion 87, and further the inlet port 84 '. Can be easily and highly accurately aligned, and the recording characteristics can be improved.

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

<Ninth Embodiment> In this embodiment, unlike each of the above-described embodiments, a vaporizing section structure similar to the vaporizing section structure described above with reference to FIGS. 56 to 59 is used. That is, FIGS.
As shown in, a plurality of square pillar-shaped holes that will be part of the vaporization part
The vaporization structure 101 is attached to the inside of 62a together with the heat insulating material 66.

On the bottom wall surface of each dye supply passage 64, a pair of protrusions 18
5 is provided, and an opening is provided at a position closest to the dye introduction path 64a 1
85a is provided. Due to the capillary action of the groove 184 formed between the pair of ridges 185, 185, the dye is drawn into the hole 62a via the dye introduction path 64a, and along with this, the dye supply path 64
The dye outside the inner groove is supplied to the hole 62a. Also in this example, the protrusion 185 may be extended from the opening 185a into the dye introducing passage 64a as shown by an imaginary line.

As shown in FIG. 36, the printer head 70 according to this example is different from the example shown in FIG. 57 in that the heat insulating material 66 and the heating element 75 (and the group of the small pillars 80) in the vaporizing part 17 are removed. The vaporization structure 101 is similar to the above, but the fundamental difference is that the group of small pillars 80 is provided separately from the heating element 75.

That is, the heating element 75 is locally provided in a rectangular shape from one end to the other end on the upper surface 66A of the heat insulating material block 66, and the group of small pillars 80 generates heat on both sides of the heating element 75. It is provided separately from the body 75.

With this structure, as in the first embodiment described above, the heat of the heating element 75 does not escape through the small pillars 80 and can be efficiently used for heating. The dye can be sufficiently vaporized and supplied by the holding and supplying efficiency of the dye by the capillary action of the group of columns 80 and the dye holding effect at the step portion 110 on the heating element 75.

Moreover, since the heat of the heating element 75 is not directly transmitted to the small pillars 80, the small pillars 80 are not damaged by thermal stress.

The sizes, intervals, thicknesses, etc. of the small columns 80 and the heating elements 75 may be the same as those described in the first embodiment. Further, in the head 70 of this embodiment, the electrodes 94A and 95A of the heating element 75 extend from the side surface of the heat insulating material 66 to the peripheral region thereof, and the wiring metals 94B and 95B are provided on the electrodes 94A and 95A. Has been.

The heat insulating material block 66 is fixed to the base 63 provided with the dye liquefying heater 68 by the adhesive 111. The spacer 62 on which the dye containing portion 17 is formed is the adhesive 11
It is fixed on the base 63 by means of 2, but the vaporization structure 101 is placed in the dye containing portion 17. Note that the liquid stop layer 67 and the protective layer 61 are provided on the spacer 62, as in the case described with reference to FIG.

Although the small pillar 80 and the layers 62 and 63 are made of glass, they can be made of other materials. For example, polymer materials such as polyimide, ceramics, silicon,
It can also be formed of a metal-based material or a combination thereof. The reason why the polymer material can be used is that the printer head 70 is not pressed against the photographic printing paper 50, so that it does not receive a large pressure.
The heat dissipation is small at the time of operation of 75, and the thermal insulation is good.

Further, according to the printer head 70 of this example, the heating element 75 in the vaporization structure portion 101 partially projects the surface 66A of the heat insulating material block 66 as the base material, and the narrow protruding portion 66B. Is provided on the upper surface 66C, and is therefore provided at an intermediate height level between the columnar body 80 and the heat insulating material surface 66A. The protruding portion 66B is integral with the heat insulating material 66, and the pair of electrodes 94 and 95 of the heating element 75 are provided at the same level as the upper surface 66C thereof.

As described above, since the heating element 75 is provided on the protruding portion 66B of the heat insulating material 66, the heat generated from the heating element is transferred only through the narrow protruding portion 66B, so that the heat is insulated. The area transmitted to the material 66 side is small.

As a result, the above-described function and effect due to the heating element 75 being provided separately from the small pillar body 80 (that is, there is no heat radiation through the small pillar body 80, and the heat of the small pillar body 80 is not generated). Of course, the mechanical stress of the small pillars 80 can be easily processed, and the amount thereof can be reduced. However, in addition to this, by suppressing the heat transfer by the above-mentioned protruding portion 66B,
The heating efficiency by the heating element 75 can be further improved.

Moreover, the heating element 75 is provided on the upper surface 66 of the protruding portion 66B.
Since it is provided in C and is present near the liquid surface of the dye 22, the heat of the heating element 75 efficiently heats the liquid surface region that directly influences the vaporization of the dye, thereby further increasing the vaporization efficiency of the dye 22. Can be improved. That is, it becomes possible to fully utilize the surface of the heating element 75 (the surface that generates heat).

Further, since there is a step portion 110 between the projecting portion 66B and the trabecular body 80, the dye 22 is provided here.
Since the dye can be effectively held and supplied, and the dye can be supplied to the step portion 110 from one direction, only one introduction path 64a is required and its position is not so restricted.

In addition, the action and effect due to the capillary action of the group of the rods 80 can be obtained in the same manner as in the above-mentioned embodiments.

In this example, the width (width of the projecting portion 66B) w of the heating element 75 and its height h may be variously selected, but in view of the above heating efficiency, (2/3) h ≧ w ≧ (1
/ 3) It is preferable that the relationship h is satisfied. For example, h
= 6 μm and w = 3 μm. The height of the pillars 80 may be 20 μm or less, the diameter may be 10 μm or less, and the gap 92 may be 20 μm or less.

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

First, as shown in FIG. 37, a polysilicon (P-
Si) 75 is deposited to a thickness of about 1 μm.

Next, as shown in FIG. 38, the polysilicon layer 10
3 and the quartz glass plate 66 are patterned by powder beam etching, and the heat insulating material 66 as a heat insulating portion and the heating element 75 thereon are processed into a predetermined pattern.

Next, as shown in FIG. 39, a photoresist 114 is formed on the peripheral portion of the heat insulating material 66 in a pattern having a recess 113 corresponding to the dye accommodating portion 17, and then aluminum 115 is deposited by vacuum deposition or the like. Diagonal vapor deposition on the entire surface.

Next, as shown in FIG. 40, the recesses 113 are filled with a photoresist 116 to flatten the surface.

Next, as shown in FIG. 41, a photoresist 117 is formed in a predetermined pattern on the surface including the heat insulating material 66 and the heat generating element 75, and powder beam etching is performed using this as a mask to remove the excess of the aluminum layer 115. That portion is removed along with portions of photoresist 116 and 114.

Then, as shown in FIG. 42, the resists 117 and 11 are formed.
After removing all 6 and 114, a photoresist 118 is formed in a predetermined pattern as shown in FIG. 43, and the aluminum layer 115 is etched and shaped using this as a mask.

Next, as shown in FIG. 44, the resist 118 is removed, another photoresist 119 is formed in a predetermined pattern, and then aluminum 120 for wiring is deposited on the entire surface by sputtering. This allows the aluminum layer
Aluminum layers 94B and 95B as wiring are formed on 115.

Then, after removing the photoresist 119 and the aluminum layer 120 thereon by lift-off, a photoresist 122 is formed in a predetermined pattern on the heat insulating material 66 so as to have an opening 121, as shown in FIG. Using this as a mask, the aluminum layers 120 and 115 are selectively etched, the aluminum electrodes 94A and 95A are separated on both sides, and the heating element 75 is exposed between them.

Next, as shown in FIG. 46, the metal mask 123
The heating element 75 is selectively etched by using, and the surface of the heat insulating material 66 underlying the heating element 75 is also etched.
To form.

Next, as shown in FIG. 46, a photoresist (polyvinyl alcohol, etc.) 124 is filled up to the height of the heat insulating material 66 (actually the height of the aluminum layer 120), and then SiO ₂ is deposited on the entire surface by sputtering or the like. Layer 125 with a thickness of 6-15μ
The film is formed on m.

Next, as shown in FIG. 47, a fine metal mask 126 for processing the pillars is formed on the SiO ₂ layer 125 above the heat insulating material 66.

[0163] Then, unnecessary portions of the SiO ₂ layer 125 is removed by etching, the resist 124 is removed thereafter, the SiO ₂ layer by using a mask 126 as shown in FIG. 48
125 (both are shown by imaginary lines) are etched to form the above-mentioned small pillars (for example, small cylinders) 80 on both sides of the heating element 75, and the vaporization structure portion 101 is manufactured.

Then, after removing the metal mask 123,
As shown in FIG. 49, attach the vaporization structure 101 to the base 63 with the adhesive 11
1 and the like, and further the spacer 62 while aligning so that the vaporizing structure 101 is located in the dye containing portion 17.
Are fixed on the base 63 with an adhesive 112 or the like. The spacer 62 is preformed with the pair of protrusions 185 described in FIG. The ridges 185 are formed by forming a SiO ₂ layer by CVD or the like and patterning the same as in the first embodiment.

Next, the liquid stop layer 67 and the protective layer 61 are formed on the spacer 62, and the printer head 70 as shown in FIG. 37 is completed.

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

Although not shown in this embodiment, as in the case shown in FIG. 28, the heating element 75 may be directly provided on the surface 66A of the cross-section material block (without the protrusion 66B). As in the case shown in FIG. 29, the heating element 75 may be provided in a meandering manner.

Layer having good wettability according to the third embodiment
When the 484 and the rough surface 485 are provided in, for example, the grooves 184 and 284 of FIG. 3, the grooves 184 of FIG. 24, the grooves 84d and 84e of FIG. 25, and the grooves 184 of FIG. 34, a synergistic effect of the capillary action and the improvement of wettability. Thereby, the effect of promoting the dye supply becomes remarkable. For example, even if the width of each groove is large and the capillary action is weakened, the dye supply is sufficiently promoted, the dimensional accuracy of groove formation is moderated, and the productivity is improved.

As shown in FIG. 50, the color video printer 200 having the heads 70 according to the above-described first to ninth embodiments has a vertical (X direction) paper feed and a head in the direction orthogonal to the X direction. The horizontal scanning (Y direction) is used for printing, and the paper feeding in the vertical direction and the head scanning in the horizontal direction are alternately performed.

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

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

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

FIG. 51 shows a color video printer 200 having a head 70 of a line type, in which head portions Y, M and C of respective colors are arranged side by side in the width direction of the photographic printing paper 50. .

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

For example, as the arrangement of the groove and the layer or surface for improving the wettability, an appropriate arrangement may be adopted to make the drawing of the liquid dye good.

The shape, material, size, etc. of the above-mentioned heating element (heater) 75 may be various or in combination, and the poly-Si layer and the metal wiring may be used together or appropriately. An insulating film such as SiN or SiO ₂ may be attached to form the protective film. The base material may be formed of a high heat conductive material such as aluminum or ceramics, and the thermal characteristics of the head may be adjusted by the heating element 75, the heat insulating material, and the base material.

Further, the porous structure to be formed in the vaporization part is
Not limited to the above, for example, in the case of a pillar, its height,
The plane or sectional shape, density, etc. may be changed, and
The formation location is also applicable as long as it is required to form a fine pattern or be porous, or to increase the surface area. In addition to the columnar body, the porous structure may be a wall-shaped body, a bead aggregate shown in FIG. 53, a fibrous body, or the like.

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

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

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

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

Further, as in the above-mentioned example, the solid dye is once made into a liquid and vaporized to perform recording, or the solid dye is heated by laser light to directly vaporize (that is, sublimate) to perform recording. In addition, a liquefied dye (liquid at room temperature) can be stored in the dye reservoir. In the printer described above, the laser beam may be irradiated from above the head to perform recording on the recording paper located below the head, or the recording may be performed in the opposite direction (from bottom to top). The same applies when the heating element 75 is used.

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

[0184]

The present invention has an introducing portion for introducing the recording material into the recording portion, and promotes the supply of the recording material to the introducing portion at least in the introduction portion and / or in the vicinity thereof. Since the recording material supply promoting means is provided, the recording material supply promoting means facilitates the introduction of the recording material into the introducing portion. Therefore, the supply of the recording material to the recording unit via the introduction unit is smoothly and sufficiently performed, and as a result, recording is always performed smoothly and high quality recording is guaranteed.

Further, in particular, in the case of a recording apparatus of a type in which a fixed amount of recording material is stored and the stored recording material is discarded after being consumed, the recording material supply path having the introduction portion Substantially all of the recording materials are supplied to the recording section via the introduction section, and when the recording apparatus is discarded, a small amount of the recording material remains in the recording material supply path and is discarded. Is significantly reduced and economical.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a bottom view of a main part of a printer head according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken along line II-II in FIG.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged partial perspective view of the spacer.

FIG. 4 is a partially crushed plan view of a printer head showing the spacer.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing one stage of a manufacturing process of a main part of the printer head.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing another stage of the manufacturing process.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing another stage of the manufacturing process.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing another stage of the manufacturing process.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing another stage of the manufacturing process.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing another stage of the manufacturing process.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing another stage of the manufacturing process.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view showing another stage of the manufacturing process.

FIG. 13 is a perspective view showing another stage of the manufacturing process.

FIG. 14 is a perspective view showing another stage of the same manufacturing process.

FIG. 15 is a perspective view showing still another stage of the same manufacturing process.

16A and 16B are a plan view and a cross-sectional view (a cross-sectional view taken along the line BB: the same applies below) showing one stage of the manufacturing process.

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

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

FIG. 19 is a plan view and a cross-sectional view showing another stage of the same manufacturing process.

FIG. 20 is a plan view and a cross-sectional view showing still another stage of the manufacturing process.

21 is a perspective view similar to FIG. 9 in which the process of FIG. 9 is modified.

FIG. 22 is a bottom view of the main part of the printer head similar to FIG. 1 in which the first embodiment is modified.

23 is a sectional view taken along line XXIII-XXIII of FIG. 22.

FIG. 24 is an enlarged partial perspective view of a spacer according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 25 is an enlarged partial perspective view of a spacer according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 26 is an enlarged partial plan view of a spacer according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 27 is an enlarged partial plan view of the spacer obtained by modifying FIG. 26.

FIG. 28 is a sectional view of a main part of a printer head according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 29 is a bottom view of the main part of the printer head according to the sixth embodiment of the present invention.

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

31 is a sectional view taken along line XXXI-XXXI of FIG. 30.

FIG. 32 is a bottom view of the main part of the printer head according to the eighth embodiment of the present invention.

33 is a sectional view taken along the line XXXIII-XXXIII in FIG. 32.

FIG. 34 is an enlarged partial perspective view of a main part of a printer head according to a ninth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 35 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the printer head.

FIG. 36 is a cross-sectional perspective view of a main part of the printer head.

FIG. 37 is a cross-sectional view (cross-sectional view taken along the line CC of FIG. 36: the same applies hereinafter) showing a step in the manufacturing process of the main part of the printer head.

FIG. 38 is a cross-sectional view showing another stage of the same manufacturing process.

FIG. 39 is a cross-sectional view showing another stage of the same manufacturing process.

FIG. 40 is a cross-sectional view showing another stage of the manufacturing process.

FIG. 41 is a cross-sectional view showing another stage of the manufacturing process.

FIG. 42 is a cross-sectional view showing another stage of the manufacturing process.

FIG. 43 is a cross-sectional view showing another stage of the manufacturing process.

FIG. 44 is a cross-sectional view showing another stage of the manufacturing process.

FIG. 45 is a cross-sectional view showing another stage of the manufacturing process.

FIG. 46 is a cross-sectional view, a plan view, and a cross-sectional view showing another stage of the manufacturing process of the main part of the printer head (this cross-section is taken along the line D-D of the plan view: the same hereinafter).

FIG. 47 is a cross-sectional view, a plan view, and a cross-sectional view showing another stage of the manufacturing process.

FIG. 48 is a cross-sectional view, a plan view, and a cross-sectional view showing another stage of the manufacturing process.

FIG. 49 is a cross-sectional view, a plan view, and a cross-sectional view showing still another stage of the manufacturing process.

FIG. 50 is a schematic perspective view of a printer having a printer head according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 51 is a schematic perspective view of another printer having the printer head.

FIG. 52 is a front view of the main parts of a printer using a conventional thermal recording head.

FIG. 53 is a schematic sectional view of a printer devised before the completion of the present invention.

FIG. 54 is an exploded perspective view of the head of the printer.

FIG. 55 is an exploded perspective view of the head of the other printer.

FIG. 56 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a printer filed before the invention of the present invention.

FIG. 57 is an enlarged cross-sectional perspective view of the main part of the head of the printer.

FIG. 58 is a perspective view of a part of the head of the printer.

FIG. 59 is a perspective view of another part of the head of the printer.

FIG. 60 is a partially enlarged view of FIG. 59.

FIG. 61 is a plan view of a part of the printer head.

[Explanation of symbols]

 18 ... Semiconductor laser 22 ... Liquefied dye 32 ... Vaporized dye 50 ... Printing paper 62, 82 ... Spacer 62a ... Dye storage part (hole) 64, 84 ... Dye supply path 64a, 84 '... Dye inlet 66 ... Insulation material 70 ... Printer head 73 ... Insulation plate 75 ... Heating element 77 ... Vaporizer 80 ... Small pillar 84a ...・ Bottom wall surface 84b, 84c ... Side wall surface 84d, 84e, 184, 284, 384 ... Groove 91 ... Protective layer 92 ... Void 94, 95 ... Electrode 101 ... Vaporization structure 185 285, 385 ridges 185a ridge openings 200 ・ ・ ・ printer 484 ・ ・ ・ wettability improving layer 485 ・ ・ ・ rough surface L ・ ・ ・ laser light

Claims (22)

[Claims] 1. A recording section for accommodating a recording material, and a recording material supply path having an introducing section for introducing the recording material to the recording section are provided, and at least the introducing section and / or its vicinity, A recording apparatus provided with a recording material supply promoting means for promoting the supply of the recording material to the introduction section. 2. The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the recording material supply promoting means is formed in a structure or shape that causes a capillary phenomenon. 3. The recording apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the recording material supply promoting means is formed in a groove shape. 4. The recording apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the recording material supply promoting means is formed between the pair of protrusions. 5. The recording apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the recording material supply promoting means is narrowed on the recording material introducing portion side. 6. The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the recording material supply promoting means is made of a material having good wettability with respect to the recording material. 7. A recording material supply promoting means is formed in a groove shape,
The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein at least the groove-shaped portion is made of a material having good wettability with respect to the recording material. 8. The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the recording material supply promoting means is formed by a rough surface. 9. A recording material supply promoting means is formed in a groove shape,
The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein at least this groove-shaped portion is formed by a rough surface. 10. The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the recording material supply promoting means is provided in the recording material supply passage. 11. The recording material and the recording material supply passage communicate with each other through a recording material introduction passage, and the tip of the recording material supply promoting means is located in contact with or near the recording material introduction passage. Recording device described in. 12. The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the recording material supply promoting means is provided on a level surface of the recording material supply path that is equivalent to the recording material introducing portion. 13. The recording material supply promoting means is also provided on another surface continuous with the level surface equivalent to the recording material introducing portion,
The recording device according to claim 12. 14. A recording material flying structure for flying a liquid recording material to a recording medium to perform recording is provided in a recording section.
The recording device according to claim 1. 15. The recording apparatus according to claim 14, wherein the recording material flying structure is integrally provided on the recording material supply structure portion. 16. The recording apparatus according to claim 14, wherein the recording material flying structure is mounted in the recording material accommodation portion. 17. The recording material flying structure is provided with a heating element for heating and flying the liquid recording material.
Recording device described in 14. 18. The recording apparatus according to claim 14, wherein the liquid recording material of the recording material flying structure is heated by a heating beam to fly. 19. The recording apparatus according to claim 14, further comprising a recording material flying structure that supplies and holds the liquid recording material to the opening side by a capillary phenomenon. 20. The recording apparatus according to claim 19, wherein a porous structure that causes a capillary phenomenon is provided in the recording material flying structure. 21. The recording apparatus according to claim 20, wherein the porous structure is formed by an assembly of pillars. 22. The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the liquid recording material is vaporized or ablated to fly to a recording medium facing the liquid recording material in a non-contact state.