JP6874391B2 - Recording method and recording device - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a recording method and a recording device.

Conventionally, as a recording method on a heat-sensitive recording medium for recording by causing a change in hue, reflectance, etc. due to heating, for example, a contact-type recording method such as a thermal stamp or a thermal head is generally used. Of these, the thermal head is the most commonly used.

In the recording method using the thermal head, it is necessary to press-contact the thermal head with the heat-sensitive recording medium in order to obtain sufficient heat conduction. For this reason, print omission occurs due to deterioration of the surface of the thermal head due to dirt on the surface of the thermal recording medium or the influence of foreign matter, so maintenance or replacement of the thermal head is required.

On the other hand, there is a laser recording method as a non-contact recording method. As a recording method using this laser, a method of scanning and recording one laser using a galvanometer mirror is common. However, this recording method has a drawback that the recording time becomes longer as the amount of information in the recorded image increases. Therefore, in order to solve the above-mentioned problems, for example, a laser ray exposure means in which a plurality of independently driven laser beams are arranged in a direction orthogonal to the moving direction of the reversible heat-sensitive recording medium is used so as to satisfy a desired relationship. An image replacement method for exposing the reversible heat-sensitive recording medium with a set laser beam has been proposed (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

The present invention provides a recording method capable of recording a high-definition image in which at least a part of drawing units are formed so as to overlap or be adjacent to each other in the main scanning direction and the edges in the sub-scanning direction are smooth. The purpose is to provide.

The recording method of the present invention as a means for solving the above-mentioned problems includes a plurality of laser emitting elements and an emitting means having an optical fiber array in which a plurality of optical fibers for guiding the laser light emitted from the laser emitting element are arranged. A recording method for recording an image consisting of drawing units by irradiating a laser beam from the optical fiber array while relatively moving the recording object and the optical fiber array using the provided recording device.
In an image formed so that at least a part of the drawing unit overlaps or is adjacent to each other in the main scanning direction, the length of 1/2 of the line width in the main scanning direction of the drawing unit is defined as B, and the drawing is performed. The center point of the end portion in the sub-scanning direction of the unit is A, the position advanced from A to the inside of the drawing unit by B is defined as A', and the line LL'including the A'and orthogonal to the drawing unit is defined. If a diagonal line is drawn with the A'as a starting point and the angle formed by the line LL'is 45 °, and the intersection of the diagonal line and the drawing unit is C, the length of the diagonal line A'C is , Longer than B.

According to the present invention, a recording method capable of recording a high-definition image in which at least a part of drawing units are formed so as to overlap or be adjacent to each other in the main scanning direction and the edges in the sub-scanning direction are smooth. Can be provided.

FIG. 1 is a schematic view showing an example of a recording device having the optical fiber array of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a partially omitted enlarged view of the optical fiber array of FIG. FIG. 3 is a partially enlarged view of the optical fiber of FIG. FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining the definition of an ellipse as a drawing unit. FIG. 5A is a diagram showing an example of the arrangement state of the array heads. FIG. 5B is a diagram showing another example of the arrangement state of the array heads. FIG. 5C is a diagram showing another example of the arrangement state of the array heads. FIG. 5D is a diagram showing another example of the arrangement state of the array heads. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of barcodes recorded in Examples 1 to 11 and Comparative Examples 1 and 2. FIG. 7A is a schematic view showing an overlapping state of adjacent drawing units of the first embodiment in the main scanning direction. FIG. 7B is a schematic view showing an elliptical portion in the drawing unit of the first embodiment. FIG. 7C is a schematic diagram showing a definition of an ellipse in the drawing unit of the first embodiment. FIG. 8 is a schematic view showing an overlapping state of adjacent drawing units of the second embodiment in the main scanning direction. FIG. 9 is a schematic view showing an overlapping state of adjacent drawing units of the third embodiment in the main scanning direction. FIG. 10 is a schematic view showing an overlapping state of adjacent drawing units of the fourth embodiment in the main scanning direction. FIG. 11 is a schematic view showing an overlapping state of adjacent drawing units of the fifth embodiment in the main scanning direction. FIG. 12 is a schematic view showing an overlapping state of adjacent drawing units of the sixth embodiment in the main scanning direction. FIG. 13 is a schematic view showing an overlapping state of adjacent drawing units of the seventh embodiment in the main scanning direction. FIG. 14A is a schematic view showing an overlapping state of adjacent drawing units of the eighth embodiment in the main scanning direction. FIG. 14B is a schematic view showing an elliptical portion in the drawing unit of the eighth embodiment. FIG. 14C is a schematic diagram showing a definition of an ellipse in the drawing unit of the eighth embodiment. FIG. 15A is a schematic view showing an overlapping state of adjacent drawing units of the ninth embodiment in the main scanning direction. FIG. 15B is a schematic view showing an elliptical portion in the drawing unit of the ninth embodiment. FIG. 15C is a schematic diagram showing the definition of an ellipse in the drawing unit of the ninth embodiment. FIG. 16A is a schematic view showing an overlapping state of adjacent drawing units of the tenth embodiment in the main scanning direction. FIG. 16B is a schematic view showing an elliptical portion in the drawing unit of the tenth embodiment. FIG. 16C is a schematic diagram showing a definition of an ellipse in the drawing unit of the tenth embodiment. FIG. 17 is a schematic view showing an overlapping state of adjacent drawing units of Comparative Example 1 in the main scanning direction. FIG. 18A is a schematic view showing an overlapping state of adjacent drawing units of Comparative Example 2 in the main scanning direction. FIG. 18B is a schematic diagram showing an elliptical portion in the drawing unit of Comparative Example 2. FIG. 18C is a schematic diagram showing the definition of an ellipse in the drawing unit of Comparative Example 2. FIG. 19A is a schematic view showing an overlapping state of adjacent drawing units of the eleventh embodiment in the main scanning direction. FIG. 19B is a schematic view showing an elliptical portion in the drawing unit of the eleventh embodiment. FIG. 19C is a schematic diagram showing a definition of an ellipse in the drawing unit of the eleventh embodiment. FIG. 20 is a schematic diagram showing the line width and the definition of the image.

(Recording method and recording device)
The recording method of the present invention uses a recording device including a plurality of laser emitting elements and an emitting means having an optical fiber array in which a plurality of optical fibers for guiding laser light emitted from the laser emitting element are arranged. This is a recording method for recording an image composed of drawing units by irradiating a laser beam from the optical fiber array while relatively moving the optical fiber array.
B is a length of 1/2 of the line width in the main scanning direction of the drawing unit, A is the center point of the end of the drawing unit in the sub-scanning direction, and only B is inside the drawing unit from A. Let A'be the advanced position, draw a line LL'including the A'and orthogonal to the drawing unit, draw an oblique line starting from the A'and having an angle of 45 ° with the line LL', and then draw the diagonal line. Assuming that the intersection of the diagonal line and the drawing unit is C, the length of the diagonal line A'C is longer than that of B.

The recording apparatus of the present invention includes a plurality of laser emitting elements and an emitting means having an optical fiber array in which a plurality of optical fibers for guiding laser light emitted from the laser emitting element are arranged, and records an object to be recorded and the optical fiber array. A recording device that records an image composed of drawing units by irradiating laser light from the optical fiber array while moving relatively, and the length of 1/2 of the line width in the main scanning direction of the drawing unit is defined as B. A is the center point of the end of the drawing unit in the sub-scanning direction, A'is the position advanced by B from A to the inside of the drawing unit, and a line including A'and orthogonal to the drawing unit. If LL'is drawn, a diagonal line is drawn starting from the A'and the angle formed by the line LL'is 45 °, and the intersection of the diagonal line and the drawing unit is C, then the diagonal line A'C The length is longer than B.

It is said that the recording method and recording apparatus of the present invention cannot smoothly draw images such as line drawings and characters including the main scanning direction by the conventional method described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2010-52350 (Patent Document 1). It is based on knowledge.

Here, as an image formed by overlapping at least a part of the drawing units in the main scanning direction or adjacent to each other, for example, Mincho typeface and Times New Roman are used to improve the readability of fine sentences. It is a typeface that is generally selected as a suitable character, and these typefaces are characterized by the fact that there are places where the thickness of the line drawing changes continuously, and the typeface including them is smooth and accurate. Expression is important for effectively improving the readability of characters.

There are two scanning directions of the laser, a main scanning direction and a sub scanning direction, and the main scanning direction and the sub scanning direction are orthogonal to each other.
The main scanning direction is a direction in which a plurality of independently driven optical fibers are arranged.
The sub-scanning direction is a direction in which the recording object moves.
In order to record an image on the recording object by relatively moving the optical fiber array and the recording object, the optical fiber array may move with respect to the recording object, and the recording object is the recording object. It may be moved relative to the fiber optic array.

In the present invention, the length of 1/2 of the line width in the main scanning direction of the drawing unit is defined as B, the center point of the end portion of the drawing unit in the sub-scanning direction is defined as A, and the drawing unit is from A to the drawing unit. Let A'be the position advanced by the B inside, draw a line LL'including the A'and orthogonal to the drawing unit, and make an angle of 45 ° with the line LL' starting from the A'. Assuming that a line is drawn and the intersection of the diagonal line and the drawing unit is C, the length of the diagonal line A'C needs to be longer than that of B, and the length of the diagonal line A'C is It is preferably 2% or more longer than the B, and the length of the diagonal line A'C is more preferably 5% or more longer than the B.
Since the length A'C of the diagonal line is longer than 1/2 of the length of the drawing unit in the main scanning direction, the image including the main scanning direction component can be smoothly drawn.

The line width is obtained from the result of the density distribution measurement of the drawing unit. Normally, the recording density is high near the center of the drawing unit, and the recording density is low near the periphery. For the line width of the drawing unit in the main scanning direction, the density profile of the drawing unit in the main scanning direction is measured, and the portion where the density is 50% of the density difference between the maximum recorded density and the unrecorded portion is defined as the contour of the line. Five points with a constant width are measured, and the average value is called the line width.
Here, the maximum recording density indicates the optical density of the portion where the optical change caused by the laser recording is the largest, and the optical density is increased or decreased by the laser recording as compared with the unrecorded portion. included.
A microdensitometer (PDM-7, manufactured by Konica Co., Ltd.) can be used as an apparatus for measuring the density profile of the drawing unit in the main scanning direction. The concept of the line width of the drawing unit is shown in FIG.

With reference to a line perpendicular to the drawing unit, including the overlap point on the most end side in the sub-scanning direction of images formed so that at least a part of the drawing units overlaps or is adjacent to each other in the main scanning direction. Assuming that the convex portion is formed by arranging a plurality of convex portions and the average height T of the convex portions is the shortest distance between the centers of adjacent image units in the image, the following equation is used. It is preferable to satisfy T ≦ 0.4X, more preferably to satisfy the following formula, T ≦ 1 / 3X, and further preferably to satisfy the following formula, T ≦ 1 / 4X.
By satisfying the above T ≦ 0.4X, an image including a main scanning direction component can be drawn smoothly.

Here, the image formed so that at least a part of the drawing units overlaps or is adjacent to each other in the main scanning direction is irradiated from at least two optical fibers adjacent to the main scanning direction constituting the optical fiber array. Means all images drawn by light.

Further, the average height T of the convex portion is, in an image formed so that the drawing units overlap in the main scanning direction, from a line connecting the center points of bulges at the ends in the main scanning direction of the image to a recess. Expressed as a distance. Further, in an image formed so that the drawing units are adjacent to each other in the main scanning direction, the drawing units are closest to the main scanning direction from the line connecting the center points of the bulges at the ends in the main scanning direction of the image. And, it is expressed as the distance to the point (recent contact) closest to the end side in the sub-scanning direction.

The spot diameter in the spot drawing unit of the laser light preferably satisfies the relationship represented by the following mathematical formula 1, and more preferably satisfies the following mathematical formula 2. By satisfying the relationship expressed by the above equation 1, the image including the main scanning direction component can be drawn smoothly.
1.1 ≤ L1 / L2 ≤ 2.0 ・ ・ ・ Equation 1
1.1 ≤ L1 / L2 ≤ 1.5 ... Formula 2
However, in the formula 1 and the formula 2, L1 represents the length of the spot diameter of the laser beam in the main scanning direction, and L2 represents the length of the spot diameter of the laser beam in the sub-scanning direction.

In the present invention, an image is recorded on a recording object by using a recording device having an optical fiber array in which a plurality of independently driven optical fibers are arranged in a main scanning direction orthogonal to a sub-scanning direction which is a moving direction of the recording object. The method is not particularly limited and can be appropriately selected according to the purpose. For example, a method of reducing the light distribution in a specific direction (for example, a sub-scanning direction) by devising the shape of the lens, or a beam. A method using a splitter or a shape having a core diameter other than a circular shape (for example, a polygonal core optical fiber manufactured by Mitsubishi Cable Industries Ltd. (Top Hat Fiber (registered trademark), etc.) may be used.

<Image>
The image is not particularly limited as long as it is visible information, and can be appropriately selected depending on the purpose. For example, a character, a symbol, a line, a figure, a solid image, a combination thereof, or a QR code (registered). Trademarks), barcodes, two-dimensional codes, etc.

<Recorded object>
The recording object is not particularly limited as long as it absorbs light and converts it into heat to form an image, and has a heat-sensitive recording medium and a heat-sensitive recording unit which can be appropriately selected according to the purpose. Examples include laser marking such as engraving on structures and metals. Among these, a structure having a heat-sensitive recording medium and a heat-sensitive recording unit is preferable.
Examples of the heat-sensitive recording unit include a portion where a heat-sensitive recording label is attached to the surface of the structure, a portion where a heat-sensitive recording material is applied to the surface of the structure, and the like.
The structure having the heat-sensitive recording unit is not particularly limited as long as it has the heat-sensitive recording unit on the surface of the structure, and can be appropriately selected depending on the intended purpose. For example, a plastic bag, a PET bottle, or the like. Examples include various products such as canned goods, corrugated cardboard, transport containers such as containers, in-process products, and industrial products.

-Thermal recording medium-
As the heat-sensitive recording medium, a heat-sensitive recording medium that records an image once is preferably used. It is also possible to use a thermoreversible recording medium capable of repeatedly performing image recording and image erasing.

The heat-sensitive recording medium includes a support, a heat-sensitive color-developing layer on the support, and, if necessary, another layer. Each of these layers may have a single-layer structure, a laminated structure, or may be provided on the other surface of the support.

-Thermal color layer-
The heat-sensitive color-developing layer contains a material that absorbs laser light and converts it into heat (photoheat exchange material), a material that causes changes in hue, reflectance, etc. due to heat, and further contains other components as necessary. It becomes.
The material that causes changes in hue, reflectance, etc. due to the heat is not particularly limited and may be appropriately selected depending on the intended purpose. For example, an electron-donating dye precursor and an electron acceptor used in conventional thermal paper. Known substances such as a combination with a sex developer can be used. It also includes a combined heat and light reaction, such as a discoloration reaction associated with solid phase polymerization by heating a diacetylene compound and irradiating with ultraviolet light.
The electron-donating dye precursor is not particularly limited and may be appropriately selected from those usually used for heat-sensitive recording materials according to the purpose. For example, triphenylmethane-based, fluorane-based, and phenothiazine-based. , Leuco compounds of dyes such as auramine-based, spiropirane-based, and indrinovphthalide-based dyes.
As the electron-accepting developer, various electron-accepting compounds that develop a color on contact with the electron-donating dye precursor, an oxidizing agent, or the like can be applied.

The photothermal conversion material can be roughly classified into an inorganic material and an organic material.
Examples of the inorganic material include carbon black, metal boride, and particles of at least one of metal oxides such as Ge, Bi, In, Te, Se, and Cr. Among these, a material having a large absorption of light in the near-infrared wavelength region and a small absorption of light in the visible wavelength region is preferable, and the metal boride and the metal oxide are more preferable. As the metal boride and the metal oxide, at least one selected from, for example, hexaboride, a tungsten oxide compound, antimonthine oxide (ATO), indium tin oxide (ITO), and zinc antimonate is suitable. ..
As the hexaboride, _{e.g., LaB 6, CeB 6, PrB} 6, NdB 6, GdB 6, TbB 6, DyB 6, HoB 6, YB 6, SmB 6, EuB 6, ErB 6, TmB 6, YbB 6 , LuB ₆ , SrB ₆ , CaB ₆ , (La, Ce) B _{6 and the} like.
As the tungsten oxide compound, for example, as described in International Publication No. 2005/037932, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2005-187323, etc., the general formula: WyOz (where W is tungsten, O is oxygen, 2). Fine particles of tungsten oxide represented by .2 ≦ z / y ≦ 2.999), or general formula: MxWyOz (where M is H, He, alkali metal, alkaline earth metal, rare earth element, Mg, Zr. , Cr, Mn, Fe, Ru, Co, Rh, Ir, Ni, Pd, Pt, Cu, Ag, Au, Zn, Cd, Al, Ga, In, Tl, Si, Ge, Sn, Pb, Sb, B , F, P, S, Se, Br, Te, Ti, Nb, V, Mo, Ta, Re, Be, Hf, Os, Bi, and one or more elements selected from I, W is tungsten, O Examples include oxygen and fine particles of a composite tungsten oxide represented by (0.001 ≦ x / y ≦ 1, 2.2 ≦ z / y ≦ 3.0). Among these, cesium-containing tungsten oxide is particularly preferable because it absorbs a large amount of light in the near infrared region and a small amount of absorption in the visible region.
Further, among antimony oxide (ATO), indium tin oxide (ITO), and zinc antimonate, ITO is particularly preferable because it absorbs a large amount in the near infrared region and a small amount in the visible region.
These are formed in layers by a vacuum vapor deposition method or by adhering particulate materials with a resin or the like.
As the organic material, various dyes can be appropriately used depending on the light wavelength to be absorbed, but when a semiconductor laser is used as a light source, a near infrared having an absorption peak in the vicinity of 600 nm to 1,200 nm is used. Absorbent dyes are used. Specific examples thereof include cyanine pigments, quinone pigments, quinoline derivatives of indonaphthol, phenylenediamine nickel complexes, and phthalocyanine pigments.
The photothermal conversion material may be used alone or in combination of two or more.
The photothermal conversion material may be contained in the heat-sensitive color-developing layer, or may be contained in a layer other than the heat-sensitive color-developing layer. When it is contained in a layer other than the heat-sensitive color-developing layer, it is preferable to provide a photothermal conversion layer adjacent to the heat-sensitive color-developing layer. The photothermal conversion layer contains at least the photothermal conversion material and a binder resin.

Examples of the other components include binder resins, thermoplastic substances, antioxidants, light stabilizers, surfactants, lubricants, fillers and the like.

-Support-
The shape, structure, size, etc. of the support are not particularly limited and may be appropriately selected depending on the intended purpose. Examples of the shape include a flat plate shape, and the structure includes a flat plate shape and the like. May have a single-layer structure or a laminated structure, and the size may be appropriately selected depending on the size of the heat-sensitive recording medium and the like.

-Other layers-
Examples of the other layers include a photothermal conversion layer, a protective layer, an under layer, an ultraviolet absorbing layer, an oxygen blocking layer, an intermediate layer, a back layer, an adhesive layer, and an adhesive layer.

The heat-sensitive recording medium can be processed into a desired shape according to its use, and examples of the shape include a card shape, a tag shape, a label shape, a sheet shape, and a roll shape.
Examples of the card-shaped processed card include a prepaid card, a point card, and a credit card. A tag-shaped size smaller than the card size can be used as a price tag. In addition, a tag-shaped size larger than the card size can be used for process control, shipping instructions, tickets, and the like. Since the label-shaped object can be attached, it can be processed into various sizes and attached to a trolley, a container, a box, a container, etc. that are used repeatedly and used for process control, article control, and the like. Further, if the sheet size is larger than the card size, the range for recording an image becomes wide, so that it can be used for general documents, instructions for process control, and the like.

The recording device of the present invention preferably has an optical fiber array and emits light, and further has other means as needed.

<Optical fiber array>
In the optical fiber array, a plurality of optical fibers are arranged in a main scanning direction orthogonal to a sub-scanning direction which is a moving direction of a recording object. The emitting means irradiates the recording object with the emitted laser light via the optical fiber array, and records an image composed of drawing units.
The arrangement of the optical fibers is not particularly limited and may be appropriately selected depending on the intended purpose. Examples thereof include a line shape and a plane shape. Of these, the line shape is preferable.

The shortest distance (pitch) between the centers of the optical fibers is preferably 1.0 mm or less, more preferably 0.5 mm or less, and further preferably 0.03 mm or more and 0.15 mm or less.
When the shortest distance (pitch) between the centers of the optical fibers is 1.0 mm or less, high-resolution recording becomes possible, and a high-definition image can be realized as compared with the conventional case.
The number of arrangements of the optical fibers in the optical fiber array is preferably 10 or more, more preferably 50 or more, and further preferably 100 or more and 400 or less.
When the number of arrangements of the optical fibers is 10 or more, high-speed recording becomes possible, and a high-definition image can be realized as compared with the conventional case.
An optical system such as a lens may be provided in the subsequent stage of the optical fiber array in order to control the spot diameter of the laser beam.
A plurality of the optical fiber arrays may be arranged in a line in the main scanning direction according to the dimensions of the recording object in the main scanning direction.

-Optical fiber-
The optical fiber is an optical waveguide of laser light emitted from the emitting means.
Examples of the optical fiber include an optical fiber.
The shape, size (diameter), material, structure, and the like of the optical fiber are not particularly limited and can be appropriately selected depending on the intended purpose.
The size (diameter) of the optical fiber is preferably 15 μm or more and 1,000 μm or less, and more preferably 20 μm or more and 800 μm or less. When the diameter of the optical fiber is 15 μm or more and 1,000 μm or less, it is advantageous in terms of image definition.
The material of the optical fiber is not particularly limited and may be appropriately selected depending on the intended purpose. Examples thereof include quartz, glass and resin.
The transmission wavelength range of the material of the optical fiber is not particularly limited and may be appropriately selected depending on the intended purpose, but is preferably 700 nm or more and 2,000 nm or less, and more preferably 780 nm or more and 1,600 nm or less.

As the structure of the optical fiber, a structure including a core portion in a central portion through which laser light is passed and a clad layer provided on the outer periphery of the core portion is preferable.
The diameter of the core portion is not particularly limited and may be appropriately selected depending on the intended purpose, but is preferably 10 μm or more and 500 μm or less, and more preferably 15 μm or more and 400 μm or less.
The material of the core portion is not particularly limited and may be appropriately selected depending on the intended purpose. Examples thereof include glass doped with germanium and phosphorus.
The average thickness of the clad layer is not particularly limited and may be appropriately selected depending on the intended purpose, but is preferably 10 μm or more and 250 μm or less, and more preferably 15 μm or more and 200 μm or less.
The material of the clad layer is not particularly limited and may be appropriately selected depending on the intended purpose. Examples thereof include glass doped with boron and fluorine.

<Emission means>
The emitting means is a means for irradiating the recording object with the emitted laser light via the optical fiber array.
The emitting means controls the length of the drawing unit in the sub-scanning direction by the period and duty ratio of the pulse signal based on the spot diameter of the laser beam with respect to the recording object based on the input pulse signal. Then, the edges of the drawing units adjacent to each other in the sub-scanning direction can be overlapped and recorded in the sub-scanning direction.

The emitting means is not particularly limited and may be appropriately selected depending on the intended purpose. Examples thereof include a semiconductor laser and a solid-state optical fiber laser. Among these, a semiconductor laser is preferable because it has a wide wavelength selectivity, the laser light source itself is small as a recording device, and the device can be miniaturized and the price can be reduced.
The wavelength of the laser light is not particularly limited and may be appropriately selected depending on the intended purpose, but is preferably 700 nm or more and 2,000 nm or less, and more preferably 780 nm or more and 1,600 nm or less.
The output of the laser light is not particularly limited and may be appropriately selected depending on the intended purpose, but 1 W or more is preferable, and 3 W or more is more preferable. When the output of the laser light is 1 W or more, it is advantageous in terms of increasing the density of the image.

The shape of the spot drawing unit of the laser beam is not particularly limited and may be appropriately selected depending on the intended purpose. Examples thereof include various polygons such as a circle, an ellipse, a triangle, a quadrangle, a pentagon, and a hexagon. Be done. Of these, a circular shape or an elliptical shape is preferable.
Here, the fact that the spot drawing unit of the laser beam is elliptical means that, as shown in FIG. 4, when a straight line is drawn on the recording object with a single beam with a single energy, it is 1/2 of the line width. Is B, the center point at the left end of the line is A, the point that advances by a distance B from the start point A of the line in the direction of the center point of the line width, and the point that intersects the drawn straight line perpendicularly are L and L', and the line The intersection point when the perpendicular line is drawn from the start point A to the LL'line is A', and the distance A'C from the boundary C of the drawing line is longer than B in the direction of 45 ° diagonally upward to the left from A'. To say. Alternatively, it means that the distance A'D from the boundary D of the drawing line is longer than B in the direction of 45 ° diagonally downward to the left from A'. The difference in distance between A'C and A'D is about the same. The same degree means that the difference in distance is within ± 10%.

The size (spot diameter) of the spot drawing unit of the laser light is not particularly limited and may be appropriately selected depending on the intended purpose, but is preferably 30 μm or more and 5,000 μm or less.
The spot diameter is not particularly limited and can be appropriately selected depending on the intended purpose, and can be measured using, for example, a beam profiler or the like.
The control of the laser is not particularly limited and may be appropriately selected depending on the intended purpose, and may be pulse control or continuous control.

<Other means>
The other means are not particularly limited and may be appropriately selected depending on the intended purpose. Examples thereof include a driving means, a control means, a main control means, a cooling means, a power supply means, and a transport means.

-Drive means-
The drive means outputs the pulse signal generated based on the drive signal input from the control means to the emission means to drive the emission means.
The driving means is provided for each of the plurality of emitting means, and each of the emitting means is independently driven.

-Control means-
The control means outputs a drive signal generated based on the image information transmitted from the main control means to the drive means to control the drive means.

-Main control means-
The main control means includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) that controls each operation of the recording device, and executes various processes based on a control program for controlling the operation of the entire recording device of the present invention.
Examples of the main control means include a computer and the like.
The main control means is communicably connected to the control means, and transmits image information or the like to the control means.

-Cooling means-
The cooling means is arranged in the vicinity of the driving means and the controlling means, and cools the driving means and the controlling means. When the duty ratio of the pulse signal is high, the laser oscillation time becomes long, so that it becomes difficult for the cooling means to cool the driving means and the control means, the irradiation energy of the laser light fluctuates, and the image is stably displayed. It may not be possible to record.

-Power supply means-
The electric power supply means supplies electric power to the control means and the like.

-Transporting means-
The conveying means is not particularly limited as long as the recording object can be conveyed in the sub-scanning direction, and can be appropriately selected depending on the intended purpose. Examples thereof include a linear slider.
The transport speed of the recording object in the transport means is not particularly limited and may be appropriately selected depending on the intended purpose, but is preferably 10 mm / s or more and 10,000 mm / s or less, and 100 mm / s or more 8, More preferably, it is 000 mm / s or less.

Here, an example of the recording device of the present invention used in the recording method of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
In each drawing, the same components may be designated by the same reference numerals, and duplicate description may be omitted. Further, the number, position, shape, etc. of the following constituent members are not limited to the present embodiment, and can be a preferable number, position, shape, etc. for carrying out the present invention.

FIG. 1 is a schematic view showing an example of a recording device having the optical fiber array of the present invention.
As shown in FIG. 1, the recording device 1 includes an optical fiber array 11 in which a plurality of optical fibers 12 are arranged in a main scanning direction orthogonal to a sub-scanning direction indicated by an arrow in the figure, which is a moving direction of a recording object 31, and an optical fiber. Using a plurality of emitting means 13 connected to the optical fibers 12 of the array 11 so as to emit laser light, the laser light is recorded from the optical fiber array 11 while the recording object 31 is conveyed in the sub-scanning direction. Is irradiated to record an image consisting of drawing units.
The optical fiber array 11 has one or a plurality of array heads 11a arranged in a line in the main scanning direction, and controls the spot diameter of the laser light on the optical path of the laser light emitted from the array head 11a. It has an optical system (not shown) that can be used.
The recording device 1 controls the length of the drawing unit in the sub-scanning direction by the spot diameter of the laser beam with respect to the recording object 31 and the period and duty ratio of the pulse signal input by the driving means 14 to the emitting means 13. , The end portions of the drawing units adjacent to each other in the sub-scanning direction are recorded so as to overlap with each other in the sub-scanning direction.

The emitting means 13 is a semiconductor laser, the wavelength of the emitted laser light is 915 nm, and the output of the laser light is 30 W.
The driving means 14 outputs a pulse signal generated based on the driving signal input from the control means 15 to the emitting means 13 to drive the emitting means 13.
The driving means 14 is provided for each of the plurality of emitting means 13, and each of the emitting means 13 is independently driven.
The control means 15 outputs a drive signal generated based on the image information transmitted from the main control means 16 to the drive means 14 to control the drive means 14.
The main control means 16 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) that controls each operation of the recording device 1, and executes various processes based on a control program for controlling the operation of the entire recording device 1.
The main control means 16 is communicably connected to the control means 15 and transmits image information and the like to the control means 15.
The electric power supply means 17 supplies electric power to the control means 15 and the like.
The cooling means 21 is arranged below the drive means and the control means, and cools the drive means and the control means using a liquid having a constant temperature circulated by the chiller 22.
Normally, in the chiller method, only cooling is performed without heating. Therefore, the temperature of the light source does not become higher than the set temperature of the chiller, but the temperature of the cooling unit and the laser light source in contact with the cooling unit may fluctuate from the ambient temperature. On the other hand, when a semiconductor laser is used as the laser light source, a phenomenon occurs in which the laser output changes according to the temperature of the laser light source (the laser output increases as the laser light source temperature decreases), so that the laser output is controlled. The laser light source temperature or the temperature of the cooling unit is measured, and the input signal to the drive circuit that controls the laser output is controlled so that the laser output becomes constant according to the result, and normal image formation is performed. Is preferable.
The transport means 41 transports the recording object 31 in the sub-scanning direction.

FIG. 2 is a partially omitted enlarged view of the array head 11a of FIG.
In the array head 11a, a plurality of optical fibers 12 are arranged in a line in the main scanning direction, and the pitch interval P of the optical fibers 12 is constant.

FIG. 3 is a partially enlarged view of the optical fiber of FIG.
As shown in FIG. 3, the optical fiber 12 is composed of a core portion 12a in the central portion through which the laser beam is passed and a clad layer 12b provided on the outer periphery of the core portion 12a, and the refraction of the core portion 12a is more than the clad layer 12b. By increasing the rate, the structure is such that the laser light is propagated only to the core portion 12a by total reflection or refraction.
The diameter R1 of the optical fiber 12 is 125 μm, and the diameter R2 of the core portion 12a is 105 μm.

5A to 5D are diagrams showing an example of the arrangement state of the array heads. In FIGS. 5A to 5D, X indicates a sub-scanning direction and Z indicates a main scanning direction.
The optical fiber array 11 may be composed of one array head, but in any case of a long optical fiber array head, the array head itself becomes long and easily deformed. As a result, it is difficult to maintain the linearity of the beam arrangement and the uniformity of the beam pitch. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 5A, the plurality of array heads 44 may be arranged in an array in the main scanning direction (Z-axis direction), or may be arranged in a staggered manner as shown in FIG. 5B. In an example of the recording device of the present invention having the optical fiber array shown in FIG. 1, one array head arranged in the main scanning direction is mounted.
As shown in FIG. 5A, it is better to arrange the plurality of array heads 44 in a staggered pattern as shown in FIG. 5B than to arrange the plurality of array heads 44 linearly in the main scanning direction (Z-axis direction) from the viewpoint of assembling property. Is preferable.
Further, the array heads 44 may be arranged so as to be inclined in the sub-scanning direction, or as shown in FIG. 5C, a plurality of array heads 44 may be arranged so as to be inclined in the sub-scanning direction (X-axis direction). By arranging the array head 44 at an angle in the sub-scanning direction (X-axis direction), the pitch P in the main scanning direction (Z-axis direction) of the optical fiber 42 can be narrower than the arrangement shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B. It is possible to increase the resolution.
Further, as shown in FIG. 5D, the array head 44 may be arranged slightly shifted in the main scanning direction (Z-axis direction). By arranging as shown in FIG. 5D, high resolution can be achieved.

Hereinafter, examples of the present invention will be described, but the present invention is not limited to these examples.

(Manufacturing Example 1)
-Preparation of thermal recording material-
(1) Preparation of Dye Dispersion Liquid (Liquid A) The following composition was dispersed with a sand mill to prepare a dye dispersion liquid (Liquid A).
・ 2-Anilino-3-methyl-6-dibutylaminofluorane ・ ・ ・ 20 parts by mass ・ 10% by mass aqueous solution of polyvinyl alcohol ・ ・ ・ 20 parts by mass ・ Water ・ ・ ・ 60 parts by mass

(2) Preparation of Liquid B Liquid B was prepared by dispersing the following composition with a ball mill.
・ 4-Hydroxy-4'-isopropoxydiphenyl sulfone ・ ・ ・ 20 parts by mass ・ 10% by mass aqueous solution of polyvinyl alcohol ・ ・ ・ 20 parts by mass ・ Water ・ ・ ・ 60 parts by mass

(3) Preparation of Solution C Solution C was prepared by dispersing the following composition with a ball mill.
・ Photothermal conversion material (indium tin oxide (ITO)) ・ ・ ・ 20 parts by mass ・ Polyvinyl alcohol aqueous solution (solid content: 10% by mass) ・ ・ ・ 20 parts by mass ・ Water ・ ・ ・ 60 parts by mass

(4) Preparation of Thermal Coloring Layer Coating Liquid The following composition was mixed to prepare a thermal coloring layer coating liquid.
・ Liquid A ・ ・ ・ 20 parts by mass ・ Liquid B ・ ・ ・ 40 parts by mass ・ Liquid C ・ ・ ・ 2 parts by mass ・ Polyvinyl alcohol aqueous solution (solid content: 10% by mass) ・ ・ ・ 30 parts by mass ・ Dioctyl Aqueous sulfosuccinic acid solution (solid content: 5% by mass): 1 part by mass

Next, using a high-quality paper having a basis weight of 60 g / m ² as a support, the thermal color-developing layer coating liquid is applied onto the high-quality paper, and the dry adhesion amount of the dye contained in the thermal color-developing layer coating liquid is 0.5 g / m. It ^{was applied to m 2} and dried to form a heat-sensitive color-developing layer. From the above, a thermal recording medium as a recording object was prepared.

(Examples 1 to 11 and Comparative Examples 1 to 2)
Using the recording devices shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the movement speed relative to the produced recording object was set to 2 m / sec, and the barcode shown in FIG. 6 was recorded.
The recording devices shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 have 100 fiber coupling LDs having a maximum output of 30 W as emitting means. As an optical fiber array, 100 optical fibers (optical fiber diameter 125 μm, core diameter 105 μm) are arranged in the main scanning direction, and the pitch interval X between adjacent optical fibers is 130 μm. The incident energy was 5 W.
In Examples 1 to 11 and Comparative Examples 1 to 2, the laser power and the like are set so as to have "A'C / B", "L1 / L2", and "average height T of the convex portion" shown in Table 1. The bar code was recorded by adjusting the conditions of.
In Examples 1 to 11 and Comparative Examples 1 to 2, the image is measured with a microdensitometer (PDM-7, manufactured by Konica Minolta Co., Ltd.) and has a density of 50% of the difference between the maximum recorded density and the density of the unrecorded portion. It is a part that outlines the part that becomes.
Example 10 was carried out using an optical fiber array having an optical fiber having a cross-sectional shape as shown in FIG. 16B.
7A to 19A are schematic views showing the overlapping states of the vertical bar portions circled in FIG. 6 in the main scanning direction for Examples 1 to 11 and Comparative Examples 1 to 2.
X is the shortest distance (pitch) between the centers of adjacent image units in the image, and the measurement is the average value obtained by measuring the distance between the adjacent centers of the bulges at the edges in the main scanning direction of the image at five points. I asked for it.
In FIGS. 7A to 18A formed so that the drawing units overlap in the main scanning direction, the average height T of the convex portion is recessed from the line connecting the center points of the bulges at the ends in the main scanning direction of the image. Measured as the distance to. Further, in FIG. 19A formed so that the drawing units are adjacent to each other in the main scanning direction, the image drawing unit is most located in the main scanning direction from the line connecting the center points of the bulges at the ends in the main scanning direction of the image. It was measured as the distance to the point (recent contact) that was close and closest to the end side in the sub-scanning direction.
When a semiconductor recording device is used as the laser, the L1 / L2 first uses a laser beam analyzer (Point Grey Research, Corpsion SCOR-0SCM) so that the irradiation distance is at the same position as when recording on a heat-sensitive recording medium. Install and dimming using a beam splitter (BEAMSTAR-FX-BEAM SPLITTER manufactured by OPHIR) that combines a transmission mirror and a filter so that the laser output becomes 3 × ^{10-6, and laser light intensity with a laser beam analyzer.} Was measured. Next, the obtained laser light intensity was graphed three-dimensionally to obtain the laser light intensity distribution. Then, the distance of the beam shape in the main scanning direction was L1 and the distance in the sub-scanning direction was L2, and L1 / L2 was obtained.
In addition, the character "rose" was drawn in Mincho style (6 pt), and the average height T of the convex portion was measured for the line parallel to the main scanning direction in the same manner as the barcode.

Next, the readability of the bar code was evaluated as follows for the vertical bar portion circled in FIG. 6 of the obtained bar code. The results are shown in Table 1.
In addition, the readability of the obtained "rose" characters was evaluated as follows. The results are shown in Table 1.

<Barcode readability>
The obtained barcode was read with barcode information using a barcode reader (device name: Webscan Trucheck 401-RL, manufactured by Munazo), and the readability of the barcode was evaluated according to the following criteria.
[Evaluation criteria]
⊚: Barcode information can be read by one scan ○: Barcode information can be read by multiple scans, which is practical enough ×: Barcode information could not be read

<Easy to read characters>
The obtained "rose" characters were visually observed and the "readability of the characters" was evaluated according to the following criteria.
[Evaluation criteria]
◯: Good readability of characters ×: Poor readability of characters

From the results in Table 1, in Example 1, A'C / B was 1.06, T was 0.3X, the barcode was highly readable, and the characters were easy to read.
In Example 2, A'C / B was 1.06, T was 0.28X, the barcode was highly readable, and the characters were easy to read.
In Example 3, A'C / B was 1.06, T was 0.24X, the barcode was highly readable, and the characters were easy to read.
In Example 4, A'C / B was 1.06, T was 0.2X, the barcode was highly readable, and the characters were easy to read.
In Example 5, A'C / B was 1.06, T was 0.16X, the barcode was highly readable, and the characters were easy to read.
In Example 6, A'C / B was 1.06, T was 0.1X, the barcode was highly readable, and the characters were easy to read.
In Example 7, A'C / B was 1.06, T was 0.08X, the barcode was highly readable, and the characters were easy to read.
In Example 8, A'C / B was 1.03, T was 0.36X, the barcode was highly readable, and the characters were easy to read.
In Example 9, A'C / B was 1.08, T was 0.23X, the barcode was highly readable, and the characters were easy to read.
In Example 10, A'C / B was 1.36 and T was 0.33X, the barcode was highly readable, and the characters were easy to read.
In Example 11, A'C / B was 1.06, T was 0.40X, the barcode was highly readable, and the characters were easy to read.
On the other hand, in Comparative Example 1, A'C / B is 1.00 (the length and length B of the diagonal line A'C are the same), T = 0.45X, and the barcode readability is high. It was low and the characters were inferior in readability.
In Comparative Example 2, A'C / B is 1.00 (the length and length B of the diagonal line A'C are the same), T = 0.41X, the barcode readability is low, and the characters can be read. It was inferior in ease.

Aspects of the present invention are, for example, as follows.
<1> Using a recording device including a plurality of laser emitting elements and an emitting means having an optical fiber array in which a plurality of optical fibers for guiding laser light emitted from the laser emitting element are arranged, a recording object and the optical fiber array are used. It is a recording method that records an image composed of drawing units by irradiating a laser beam from the optical fiber array while moving the fibers relatively.
In an image formed so that at least a part of the drawing unit overlaps or is adjacent to each other in the main scanning direction, the length of 1/2 of the line width in the main scanning direction of the drawing unit is defined as B, and the drawing is performed. The center point of the end portion in the sub-scanning direction of the unit is A, the position advanced by B from the A to the inside of the drawing unit is A', and the line LL'including the A'and orthogonal to the drawing unit is defined. If a diagonal line is drawn with the A'as a starting point and the angle formed by the line LL'is 45 °, and the intersection of the diagonal line and the drawing unit is C, the length of the diagonal line A'C is , A recording method characterized by being longer than B.
<2> The recording method according to <1>, wherein the length of the diagonal line A'C is 2% or more longer than that of B.
<3> A line perpendicular to the drawing unit, including an overlapping point on the most end side in the sub-scanning direction of images formed so that at least a part of the drawing units overlaps or is adjacent to each other in the main scanning direction. Let X be the shortest distance between the centers of adjacent image units in the image, where the average height T of the convex portions has a concavo-convex portion formed by arranging a plurality of convex portions with reference to. The recording method according to any one of <1> to <2>, which satisfies the following formula, T ≦ 0.4X.
<4> The recording method according to any one of <1> to <3>, wherein the shortest distance between the centers of the optical fibers is 1.0 mm or less.
<5> The recording method according to any one of <1> to <4>, wherein the number of arrangements of the optical fibers in the optical fiber array is 10 or more.
<6> The recording method according to any one of <1> to <5>, wherein the recording object is at least one of a heat-sensitive recording medium and a structure having a heat-sensitive recording unit.
<7> Any one of <1> to <6> for recording an image by irradiating the recording object with laser light while transporting the recording object by the recording object transporting means for transporting the recording object. It is a recording method described in.
<8> A plurality of laser emitting elements and an emitting means having an optical fiber array in which a plurality of optical fibers for guiding laser light emitted from the laser emitting element are arranged are provided, and a recording object and the optical fiber array are relatively moved. It is a recording device that irradiates a laser beam from the optical fiber array and records an image composed of drawing units.
In an image formed so that at least a part of the drawing unit overlaps or is adjacent to each other in the main scanning direction, the length of 1/2 of the line width in the main scanning direction of the drawing unit is defined as B, and the drawing is performed. The center point of the end portion in the sub-scanning direction of the unit is A, the position advanced by B from the A to the inside of the drawing unit is A', and the line LL'including the A'and orthogonal to the drawing unit is defined. If a diagonal line is drawn with the A'as a starting point and the angle formed by the line LL'is 45 °, and the intersection of the diagonal line and the drawing unit is C, the length of the diagonal line A'C is , A recording device characterized by being longer than B.
<9> The recording device according to <8>, wherein the length of the diagonal line A'C is 2% or more longer than that of B.
<10> A line perpendicular to the drawing unit, including an overlapping point on the most end side in the sub-scanning direction of images formed so that at least a part of the drawing units overlaps or is adjacent to each other in the main scanning direction. Let X be the shortest distance between the centers of adjacent image units in the image, where the average height T of the convex portions has a concavo-convex portion formed by arranging a plurality of convex portions with reference to. The recording device according to any one of <8> to <9>, which satisfies the following formula, T ≦ 0.4X.
<11> The recording device according to any one of <8> to <10>, wherein the shortest distance between the centers of the optical fibers is 1.0 mm or less.
<12> The recording device according to any one of <8> to <11>, wherein the number of arrangements of the optical fibers in the optical fiber array is 10 or more.
<13> The recording device according to any one of <8> to <12>, wherein the recording object is at least one of a heat-sensitive recording medium and a structure having a heat-sensitive recording unit.
<14> The recording medium transporting means for transporting the recording object is provided, and the recording object is transported by the recording object transporting means while irradiating the recording object with laser light to record an image. > To <13>.

The recording method according to any one of <1> to <7> and the recording device according to any one of <8> to <14> solve the conventional problems and the object of the present invention. Can be achieved.

1 Recording device 11 Optical fiber array head 11a Array head 12 Optical fiber 13 Ejecting means 14 Driving means 15 Control means 16 Main control means 17 Power supply means 21 Cooling means 22 Chiller 31 Recording object 41 Transporting means 42 Optical fiber 44 Array head

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2010-52350

Claims (12)

Using a heat-sensitive recording device including a plurality of laser emitting elements and an emitting means having an optical fiber array in which a plurality of optical fibers for guiding laser light emitted from the laser emitting element are arranged, the recording object and the optical fiber array are relative to each other. It is a heat-sensitive recording method that records an image consisting of drawing units by irradiating a laser beam from the optical fiber array while moving the optical fiber.
The recording object is at least one of a heat-sensitive recording medium and a structure having a heat-sensitive recording unit.
In an image formed so that at least a part of the drawing unit overlaps or is adjacent to each other in the main scanning direction, the length of 1/2 of the line width in the main scanning direction of the drawing unit is defined as B, and the drawing is performed. The center point of the end portion in the sub-scanning direction of the unit is A, the position advanced by B from the A to the inside of the drawing unit is A', and the line LL'including the A'and orthogonal to the drawing unit is defined. If a diagonal line is drawn with the A'as a starting point and the angle formed by the line LL'is 45 °, and the intersection of the diagonal line and the drawing unit is C, the length of the diagonal line A'C is , A heat-sensitive recording method characterized in that it is 5% or more longer than B. With reference to a line perpendicular to the drawing unit, including the overlap point on the most end side in the sub-scanning direction of images formed so that at least a part of the drawing units overlaps or is adjacent to each other in the main scanning direction. Assuming that the convex portion is formed by arranging a plurality of convex portions and the average height T of the convex portions is the shortest distance between the centers of adjacent image units in the image, the following equation is used. The heat-sensitive recording method according to claim 1, wherein T ≦ 0.4X is satisfied. The heat-sensitive recording method according to any one of claims 1 to 2, wherein the shortest distance between the centers of the optical fibers is 1.0 mm or less. The heat-sensitive recording method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the number of arrangements of the optical fibers in the optical fiber array is 10 or more. The method for heat-sensitive recording of a base material according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the heat-sensitive recording medium has a support and a heat-sensitive color-developing layer containing a photoheat exchange material on the support. The heat-sensitive recording method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the recording object is transported by the recording object transporting means, and the recording object is irradiated with laser light to record an image. .. The present invention includes a plurality of laser emitting elements and an emitting means having an optical fiber array in which a plurality of optical fibers for guiding laser light emitted from the laser emitting element are arranged, and the recording object and the optical fiber array are relatively moved. A heat-sensitive recording device that records an image consisting of drawing units by irradiating a laser beam from an optical fiber array.
The recording object is at least one of a heat-sensitive recording medium and a structure having a heat-sensitive recording unit.
In an image formed so that at least a part of the drawing unit overlaps or is adjacent to each other in the main scanning direction, the length of 1/2 of the line width in the main scanning direction of the drawing unit is defined as B, and the drawing is performed. The center point of the end portion in the sub-scanning direction of the unit is A, the position advanced by B from the A to the inside of the drawing unit is A', and the line LL'including the A'and orthogonal to the drawing unit is defined. If a diagonal line is drawn with the A'as a starting point and the angle formed by the line LL'is 45 °, and the intersection of the diagonal line and the drawing unit is C, the length of the diagonal line A'C is , A heat-sensitive recording device characterized in that it is 5% or more longer than B. With reference to a line perpendicular to the drawing unit, including the overlap point on the most end side in the sub-scanning direction of images formed so that at least a part of the drawing units overlaps or is adjacent to each other in the main scanning direction. Assuming that the convex portion is formed by arranging a plurality of convex portions and the average height T of the convex portions is the shortest distance between the centers of adjacent image units in the image, the following equation is used. The heat-sensitive recording device according to claim 7, wherein T ≦ 0.4X is satisfied. The heat-sensitive recording device according to any one of claims 7 to 8, wherein the shortest distance between the centers of the optical fibers is 1.0 mm or less. The heat-sensitive recording device according to any one of claims 7 to 9, wherein the number of arrangements of the optical fibers in the optical fiber array is 10 or more. The heat-sensitive recording device according to any one of claims 7 to 10, wherein the heat-sensitive recording medium has a support and a heat-sensitive color-developing layer containing a photoheat exchange material on the support. Claims 7 to 11 include a recording object transporting means for transporting the recording object, and irradiating the recording object with a laser beam while transporting the recording object by the recording object transporting means to record an image. The heat-sensitive recording device according to any one of.

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