JP6874392B2 - 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 problem that the recording time becomes longer as the amount of image information increases. Therefore, in order to solve the above problem, for example, a laser array 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).

An object of the present invention is to provide a recording method capable of suppressing heat generation of a laser apparatus and recording a high-definition image with less occurrence of white streaks.

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 in which a recording device provided is used to irradiate a laser beam from the optical fiber array while relatively moving the recording object and the optical fiber array to record an image composed of drawing units, which is input to the emission means. The maximum length of the drawing unit in the sub-scanning direction is controlled by the duty ratio and period of the pulse signal, the recording energy for the recording object, and the set value of the spot diameter of the laser beam, and the sub-scanning is performed. The ends of the drawing units adjacent to each other in the direction are recorded so as to overlap with each other in the sub-scanning direction.

According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a recording method capable of suppressing heat generation of a laser apparatus and recording an image with few white streaks in high definition and at high speed.

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. 4A is a diagram showing an example of the arrangement state of the array heads. FIG. 4B is a diagram showing another example of the arrangement state of the array heads. FIG. 4C is a diagram showing another example of the arrangement state of the array heads. FIG. 4D is a diagram showing another example of the arrangement state of the array heads. FIG. 5A is a schematic view showing an example of a solid image recording method by pulse control using a conventional thermal head. FIG. 5B is a graph showing the relationship between time and power in FIG. 5A. FIG. 6A is a schematic diagram showing a recording method by pulse control using an optical fiber array based on the pulse signals shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B. FIG. 6B is a graph showing the relationship between time and power in FIG. 6A. FIG. 7A is a schematic view showing a method of recording a drawing unit by pulse control in the present invention. FIG. 7B is a graph showing the relationship between time and power in FIG. 7A. FIG. 7C is a schematic view showing a method of recording a drawing unit by pulse control in the present invention. FIG. 7D is a graph showing the relationship between time and power in FIG. 7C. FIG. 8 is a graph relating to the mathematical formula 3 in the present invention. FIG. 9A is a schematic diagram showing an example of an overlapping state of drawing units. FIG. 9B is a graph showing the relationship between time and power in FIG. 9A. FIG. 9C is a schematic diagram showing an example of an overlapping state of drawing units. FIG. 9D is a graph showing the relationship between time and power in FIG. 9C. FIG. 9E is a schematic diagram showing an example of an overlapping state of drawing units. FIG. 9F is a graph showing the relationship between time and power in FIG. 9E. FIG. 9G is a schematic diagram showing an example of an overlapping state of drawing units. FIG. 9H is a graph showing the relationship between time and power in FIG. 9G. FIG. 9I is a schematic diagram showing an example of an overlapping state of drawing units. FIG. 9J is a graph showing the relationship between time and power in FIG. 9I. FIG. 10A is a schematic diagram showing an example of an overlapping state of drawing units. FIG. 10B is a graph showing the relationship between time and power in FIG. 10A. FIG. 10C is a schematic diagram showing an example of an overlapping state of drawing units. FIG. 10D is a graph showing the relationship between time and power in FIG. 10C. FIG. 11A is a schematic diagram showing an example of an overlapping state of drawing units. FIG. 11B is a graph showing the relationship between time and power in FIG. 11A. FIG. 11C is a schematic diagram showing an example of an overlapping state of drawing units. FIG. 11D is a graph showing the relationship between time and power in FIG. 11C. FIG. 12 is a diagram for explaining the definition of an ellipse as a drawing unit. FIG. 13 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.
The maximum length of the drawing unit in the sub-scanning direction is controlled by the duty ratio and period of the pulse signal input to the emitting means, the recording energy for the recording object, and the set value of the spot diameter of the laser beam. , 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 recording device 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 consisting of drawing units by irradiating a laser beam from the optical fiber array while moving it relatively.
The maximum length of the drawing unit in the sub-scanning direction is controlled by the duty ratio and period of the pulse signal input to the emitting means, the recording energy for the recording object, and the set value of the spot diameter of the laser beam. , 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.

As shown in FIG. 5, the energy control of the conventional thermal head is performed by pulse control from the viewpoint of ease of control, and even when the thermal head is continuously heated such as a solid image, the thermal is described. The duty ratio of the pulse signal is reduced for control so that the head does not store heat and cause the image to trail.
The recording device and recording method of the present invention control the laser device described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2010-52350 (Patent Document 1) by a pulse signal used in a conventional thermal head, as shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B. In addition, since the duty ratio is small, the drawing unit recorded by the laser beam may be shortened, and gaps (white streaks) are generated in the image at each cycle of the pulse signal, so that the readability of the barcode and the characters are reduced. It is based on the finding that the visibility of the laser is reduced.
In the recording method and recording apparatus of the present invention, in the method described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2010-52350 (Patent Document 1), the duty ratio of the pulse signal is set to 1.0 so as not to generate white streaks. Based on the finding that when continuous recording is performed, the laser is constantly oscillated, the emitting means and the like are remarkably generated, and cooling becomes difficult, so that the irradiation energy of the laser beam fluctuates, so that an image cannot be recorded stably. It is a thing.

There are two scanning directions of the laser beam, 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 the optical fibers are arranged.
The sub-scanning direction is a direction in which the recording object is moved relative to the optical fiber array.
In order to record an image on the recording object by moving the recording object relative to the optical fiber array, the optical fiber array may move with respect to the recording object, and the recording object may move. It may move relative to the fiber optic array.
The principle of image formation is that while scanning, heat is generated in the central portion of the region irradiated with the laser, and the heat is heated by the heat diffusion of the heat-generating portion to form an image.
As a method for developing the color of the designated area without streaks, (1) irradiate the designated area with laser light without gaps, or (2) irradiate the designated area with high energy locally in a pulse shape and heat the designated area to a temperature above the specific temperature. There is a method of heating. In the case of (2), problems such as deformation and white spots occur in the portion where the temperature rises excessively because the heated portion cannot be heated uniformly. However, according to the above (1) of the present invention, uniform color development occurs. , It is preferable because it can prevent deformation.

First, the relationship between the set values of the period and duty ratio of the pulse signal input to the emitting means and the drawing unit will be described with reference to FIGS. 7A to 7D.
7A and 7C are schematic views showing a method of recording a drawing unit by pulse control in the present invention, and record the drawing unit shown in FIGS. 7A and 7C based on the pulse signals shown in FIGS. 7B and 7D. It is shown that.
In FIGS. 7A and 7C, A represents the maximum length of the drawing unit in the sub-scanning direction, B represents the maximum overlapping length of the adjacent drawing unit in the sub-scanning direction, and D represents the maximum overlapping length of the adjacent drawing unit in the sub-scanning direction. The duty ratio of the pulse signal is represented, T represents the period of the pulse signal, L represents the distance of irradiating the laser beam to draw the drawing unit, and C represents the irradiation of the laser beam. Represents the maximum length of the bulge of the drawing unit in the sub-scanning direction with respect to the distance L, and W is the distance between the positions where the laser beam for drawing the two drawing units adjacent to the sub-scanning direction is started. Represents.

The maximum length A of the drawing unit in the sub-scanning direction can be measured using a microdensitometer (PDM-7, manufactured by Konica Co., Ltd.) or the like. Specifically, the image density is measured with a microdensitometer (slit width 5 μm), the average density is calculated from the maximum and minimum values of the measured density results, the contour line of the average density is taken out, and the image density is magnified 500 times. And ask. Similarly, the length W can also be obtained.

The distance L irradiated with the laser beam for drawing the drawing unit can be obtained as a distance from the time from turning on the output signal from the laser device to turning it off and the speed at which the recording object is moved. The relative moving speed Vs of the recording object with respect to the optical fiber array in the sub-scanning direction is multiplied by the pulse width DT obtained from the product of the time T for one cycle of the pulse signal and the duty ratio D of the pulse signal. Desired.

The maximum length C of the bulge of the drawing unit in the sub-scanning direction with respect to the distance L irradiated with the laser beam is the laser for drawing the drawing unit from the maximum length A of the drawing unit in the sub-scanning direction. It is the length obtained by subtracting the distance L irradiated with light.

The interval W of the position at which the laser beam for drawing the two drawing units adjacent to the sub-scanning direction is started is the time for one cycle of the pulse signal until the next drawing unit adjacent to the drawing unit is drawn. It can be obtained as a distance from the speed at which the recording object is moved to T, and the relative moving speed Vs of the recording object with respect to the optical fiber array in the sub-scanning direction is the time T for one cycle of the pulse signal. It is the pulse period length of the drawing unit multiplied by.

The on / off timing of laser irradiation and one cycle of the next adjacent drawing unit can be measured using an oscilloscope or the like.

It is preferable that the drawing unit constituting the image satisfies the relationship represented by the following mathematical formula 1.
0 <C- (1-D) T ・ Vs ・ ・ ・ Formula 1
When the above formula 1 is satisfied, the drawing units adjacent to each other in the sub-scanning direction are overlapped, and a continuous drawing image can be obtained. When 0 ≧ C− (1-D) TVs, the drawing units adjacent to the sub-scanning direction do not overlap, and white streaks occur between the drawing units.

The drawing unit constituting the image preferably satisfies the relationship represented by the following mathematical formula 2, and more preferably satisfies the relationship represented by the following mathematical formula 5.
0.1 <1- (1-D) T · Vs / C <0.9 ・ ・ ・ Equation 2
0.15 <1- (1-D) T · Vs / C <0.8 ・ ・ ・ Formula 5
In the formula 2, 1- (1-D) TVs / C indicates the ratio of the overlapping of the adjacent drawing units to the bulge of the drawing unit in the sub-scanning direction.
When the following equation, 1- (1-D) T · Vs / C ≦ 0.1 is satisfied, the overlapping portion of the drawing units is small, so that the image width in the main scanning direction of the overlapping portion of the two adjacent drawing units becomes narrow. Therefore, the line image in the sub-scanning direction has a dent in the main scanning direction. In order to prevent the dented portion from becoming a white-out image, it is necessary to increase the width of the drawing unit in the main scanning direction and increase the overlap of the drawing unit in the main scanning direction. Increasing the width of the unit in the main scanning direction reduces the image resolution. On the other hand, when the following equation, 1- (1-D) T · Vs / C ≧ 0.9, is satisfied, the overlap of the drawing units in the sub-scanning direction is large, and the dents generated in the line image are small, but the laser The extinguishing time (1-D) T becomes short, and heat generation control cannot be sufficiently performed.

The overlapping width E of the drawing unit in the main scanning direction and the width F of the drawing unit in the main scanning direction can be obtained from an image in which two or more adjacent drawing units overlap in the main scanning direction. Further, the drawing pitch P of the drawing unit in the main scanning direction can be obtained by measuring the interval between the apex positions of the bulging portion of each drawing unit in the main scanning direction. When three or more drawing units are adjacent to each other, it is preferable to obtain the average value of the intervals of the vertices in the main scanning direction and use this as the drawing pitch P.
Next, the width in the main scanning direction of an image in which two or more adjacent drawing units overlap in the main scanning direction is measured, and from this value, the drawing unit is drawn at the drawing pitch P in the main scanning direction. By subtracting the value multiplied by the number of units, the overlap width E of the drawing unit in the main scanning direction can be obtained. Further, by adding the pitch width P to the overlap width E of the drawing unit in the main scanning direction, the width F of the drawing unit in the main scanning direction can be obtained.

The width F of the drawing unit in the main scanning direction can be obtained from an image in which two or more adjacent drawing units overlap in the main scanning direction. The distance between the apex positions of the bulging portions of each drawing unit in the main scanning direction is measured, and the drawing pitch of the drawing unit in the main scanning direction is obtained. When three or more drawing units are adjacent to each other, the average value of the intervals of the vertices in the main scanning direction is obtained, and the drawing pitch P of the drawing units in the main scanning direction is used.
Next, the width in the main scanning direction of an image in which two or more adjacent drawing units overlap in the main scanning direction is measured, and from this value, the drawing unit is set to the drawing pitch P in the main scanning direction of the drawing unit. By subtracting the value multiplied by the number of lines, the overlap width E of the drawing unit in the main scanning direction can be obtained. Further, by adding the pitch width P to the overlap width E of the drawing unit in the main scanning direction, the width F of the drawing unit in the main scanning direction can be obtained.

The width F of the drawing unit in the main scanning direction and the maximum length C of the bulge of the drawing unit in the sub-scanning direction are controlled by the recording energy of the laser beam with respect to the recording object and the set value of the spot diameter. can do. By increasing the recording energy of the laser beam with respect to the recording object, the width F of the drawing unit in the main scanning direction and the maximum length C of the bulge of the drawing unit in the sub-scanning direction increase. Further, if the recording energy of the laser beam is sufficient to develop the color of the recording object, the spot diameter is the width F of the drawing unit in the main scanning direction and the drawing unit of the drawing unit as the spot diameter increases. The maximum length C of the bulge in the sub-scanning direction increases. On the other hand, when the recording energy of the laser beam is insufficient to develop the color of the recording object, the width F of the drawing unit in the main scanning direction and the sub of the drawing unit as the spot diameter increases. The maximum length C of the bulge in the scanning direction may decrease.

It is preferable that the drawing unit constituting the image satisfies the relationship represented by the following mathematical formula 3.
0.95 ・ F ・ (2 × (1- (1-D) T ・ Vs / C)-(1- (1-D) T ・ Vs / C) ² ) ^1/2 ≧ P ・ ・ ・ Formula 3
However, in the mathematical formula 3, P represents the drawing pitch of the drawing unit in the main scanning direction, and F represents the width of the drawing unit of the drawing unit in the main scanning direction. D, T, Vs, and C have the same meaning as the above formula 1.
The following equation, 0.95 · F · (2 × (1- (1-D) T · Vs / C)-(1- (1-D) T · Vs / C) ² ) ^1/2 is smaller than P In this case, there may be a gap between unprinted white star-shaped images between the line images adjacent to each other in the main scanning direction, resulting in a decrease in image density and a decrease in visibility. Therefore, at least one of the spot diameter of the laser beam and the energy of the laser beam is adjusted to control the width F of the drawing unit in the main scanning direction, and the spot diameter, duty ratio D, and pulse period. By adjusting at least one of T and controlling it so that it becomes P or more, it is possible to prevent a gap of an unprinted white star-shaped image from being generated between the drawing units adjacent to each other in the main scanning direction. , An image having high image density and good visibility can be obtained.
Further, in FIG. 8, in the above mathematical formula 3, the following equation when F is 1, 0.95 (2 × (1- (1-D) T · Vs / C) − (1- (1-D)) T · Vs / C) ² ) ^{A graph is shown with 1/2} as the vertical axis and 1- (1-D) T · Vs / C, that is, B / C as the horizontal axis.

It is preferable that the drawing unit constituting the image satisfies the relationship represented by the following mathematical formula 4.
Vs ・ DT + C ≦ 3F ・ ・ ・ Formula 4
In the formula 4, Vs · DT + C represents the maximum length of the drawing unit in the sub-scanning direction, and when the drawing unit becomes larger than 3F with respect to the image width F in the main scanning direction, the drawing unit becomes the sub-scanning unit. Since it becomes long in the scanning direction, the ratio of the laser extinguishing interval becomes small, and the heat generation control cannot be sufficiently performed.

<Duty ratio of pulse signal>
The duty ratio of the pulse signal for drawing the drawing unit constituting the image is preferably 0.95 or less, more preferably 0.90 or less, and particularly preferably 0.80 or less. When the duty ratio is 0.95 or less, the on-time DT of the laser is shortened, which is advantageous in that heat generation of the emitting means and the like can be suppressed.

The duty ratio of the pulse signal in the first cycle at the start of recording is preferably larger than the duty ratio of the pulse signal in the second and subsequent cycles, and is 105% or more and 125% of the duty ratio of the pulse signal in the second cycle. The following is more preferable. When the duty ratio of the pulse signal in the first cycle at the start of recording is larger than the duty ratio of the pulse signal in the second and subsequent cycles, it is advantageous in that a decrease in the recording density of the drawing unit at the recording start portion can be prevented. ..

9A to 9J are schematic views showing an example of an overlapping state of drawing units, and FIGS. 9A, 9C, and 9C are based on the pulse signals shown in FIGS. 9B, 9D, 9F, 9H, and 9J. It shows that the drawing units shown in 9E, 9G and 9I are recorded.
In FIGS. 9A to 9J, the width and pulse period length W of the drawing unit in the main scanning direction are constant, and the duty ratios D are 0.3, 0.5, 0.7, 0.75, and 1. The relationship between the pulse signal when it is changed to 0 and the drawing unit recorded based on the pulse signal is shown.
As shown in FIGS. 9A to 9J, when the duty ratio D is small, the drawing units adjacent to the sub-scanning direction are unlikely to overlap, and when the duty ratio D is large, the drawing units adjacent to the sub-scanning direction are likely to overlap. I understand.

<Pulse signal period>
10A to 10D are schematic views showing an example of an overlapping state of drawing units, and in FIGS. 9C and 9D, the period T of the pulse signal is T / 2, 2T, that is, the pulse period of the drawing unit, respectively. It is shown in the same manner as in FIG. 9B except that the lengths W are set to W / 2 and 2 W, respectively.
As shown in FIGS. 10A to 10D and 9C to 9D, when the pulse cycle length W is short, the drawing units adjacent to the sub-scanning direction are likely to overlap, and when the pulse cycle length W is long, the drawing is described. It can be seen that the units are difficult to overlap.

<Spot diameter of laser light>
The spot diameter of the laser beam is not particularly limited and can be appropriately selected depending on the intended purpose.
The spot diameter can be measured using, for example, a beam profiler or the like.

11A to 11D show adjacent drawing units recorded when the pulse period width W and the duty ratio D are constant and the widths of the drawing units in the main scanning direction are changed in FIGS. 9C and 9D. It is a schematic diagram. 11A to 11D are shown in the same manner as in FIGS. 9C and 9D, except that the widths of the drawing units in the main scanning direction are halved and doubled in FIGS. 9C and 9D, respectively.
As shown in FIGS. 11A to 11D and 9C to 9D, when the width of the drawing unit in the main scanning direction is small, the drawing units adjacent to the sub-scanning direction are unlikely to overlap, and the main drawing unit is not easily overlapped. It can be seen that when the width in the scanning direction is large, the drawing units adjacent to the sub-scanning direction tend to overlap.

From FIGS. 9A to 9J, FIGS. 10A to 10D, and FIGS. 11A to 11D, the duty ratio and period of the pulse signal input to the emitting means, and the setting of the spot diameter of the laser beam with respect to the recording object. The maximum length of the drawing unit in the sub-scanning direction can be controlled by the value, and the end portions of the drawing units adjacent to each other in the sub-scanning direction can be recorded so as to overlap with each other 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.
Depending on the dimensions of the recording object in the main scanning direction, a plurality of the optical fiber arrays may be arranged in a line in the main scanning direction to form an optical fiber array head.

-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. 12, 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, and the points that advance 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 points that intersect perpendicularly with the drawn straight line 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 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.

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.

Not all of the emitting means 13 is converted into laser light by the energy applied to the emitting means 13, but usually, the emitting means 13 generates heat by being converted into heat. Therefore, although it is cooled by the cooling means 21, by using the optical fiber array, it is possible to reduce the influence of a plurality of adjacent emissions by arranging the emission means apart from each other, and the cooling of the emission means 13 is efficient. It is possible to avoid the temperature rise and variation of the emitting means 13, and it is possible to reduce the output variation of the laser beam, and as a result, it is possible to improve the density unevenness and the white spot.
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 output of laser light is the average output measured by a power meter, and the output can be controlled by two controls, peak power and duty (= laser emission time / cycle time).
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.

4A to 4D are diagrams showing an example of the arrangement state of the array heads. In FIGS. 4A to 4D, 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. 4A, 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. 4B. 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. 4A, it is better to arrange the plurality of array heads 44 in a staggered pattern as shown in FIG. 4B 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. 4C, 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 Pf in the main scanning direction (Z-axis direction) of the optical fiber 42 can be narrower than the arrangement shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B. It is possible to increase the resolution.
Further, as shown in FIG. 4D, the array head 44 may be arranged slightly shifted in the main scanning direction (Z-axis direction). By arranging as shown in FIG. 4D, 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 18 and Comparative Examples 1 to 5)
Using the recording device shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the focus position is adjusted to fix the spot diameter to 140 μm, and the current applied to the semiconductor laser as the emitting means, the period of the pulse signal, and the duty ratio are changed to obtain the above. 100 drawing units having the sizes shown in Table 1 under the condition that the relative movement speed with respect to the recording object was 2 m / sec were continuously recorded. As the recording medium, the heat-sensitive recording medium of Production Example 1 was used.
The recording device shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 has 32 fiber coupling LDs having a maximum output of 30 W as emitting means. As an optical fiber array, 32 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 127 μm. The peak power of the laser beam was 5 W.

<Image size>
Images were confirmed by scanning the image with a microdensitometer (PDM-7 manufactured by Konica Corporation) and magnifying 100 times with a digital microscope (Keyence Co., Ltd., VHX-1000), and evaluated according to the following criteria. .. The interval in the main scanning direction of the apex position of the bulging portion of each drawing unit was measured, and the drawing pitch P in the main scanning direction of the drawing unit was obtained. Next, the width of the image in which the drawing units adjacent to the main scanning direction overlap in the main scanning direction is measured, and from this value, the drawing pitch P in the main scanning direction of the drawing unit is multiplied by the number of drawing units. The value was subtracted to obtain the overlap width E of the drawing unit in the main scanning direction. Further, the drawing pitch P of the drawing unit in the main scanning direction was added to the overlapping width E of the drawing unit in the main scanning direction to obtain the width F of the drawing unit in the main scanning direction.

<Continuity in the sub-scanning direction>
The obtained image was visually confirmed and evaluated according to the following criteria. The results are shown in Table 2.
[Evaluation criteria]
◯: The drawing unit appears as a continuous line in the sub-scanning direction ×: The drawing unit appears as a broken line discontinuous in the sub-scanning direction

<Evaluation of white spots>
The degree of white spots and the shape of white spots were visually confirmed and evaluated according to the following criteria. The results are shown in Table 2.
-Degree of white spots-
[Evaluation criteria]
5: Uneven density white spots are not visible at all 4: Some density unevenness is visible but not visible as white spots 3: Fine white spots are visible when gazing at 2: White spots are easily visible 1: 2 Missing is clearly observed

-Whiteout shape-
[Evaluation criteria]
-: No white spots Rhombus: White spots in the diamond shape are observed at the ends of the drawing unit in the sub-scanning direction. Streaks: The main scanning at the ends of the drawing unit in the sub-scanning direction. Streaky white spots parallel to the direction are observed Lattice: Streaky white spots parallel to the main scanning direction are observed at the ends of the drawing unit in the sub-scanning direction, and the sub-scanning direction of the drawing unit is observed. At the end of the screen, streaky white spots parallel to the scanning direction are observed, and grid-like white spots are observed.

<Image resolution evaluation>
The fatness of the obtained image was visually confirmed and evaluated according to the following criteria. The results are shown in Table 2.
[Evaluation criteria]
⊚: Almost no image fatness can be recognized even when gazing ○: Image fatness can be felt slightly when gazing, but almost unrecognizable by normal observation △: Image fatness can be recognized by normal observation

<Fever evaluation>
The temperature of the surface of the cooling jacket portion of the emitting means at the time of recording was measured with a non-contact thermometer (FT3700, manufactured by Hioki Electric Co., Ltd.) and evaluated according to the following criteria. The results are shown in Table 2.
[Evaluation criteria]
⊚: No temperature rise ○: Temperature rise is less than 5 ℃ Δ: Temperature rise is 5 ℃ or more and less than 10 ℃ ×: Temperature rise is 10 ℃ or more

Examples of aspects of the present invention are 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.
The maximum length of the drawing unit in the sub-scanning direction is controlled by the duty ratio and period of the pulse signal input to the emitting means, the recording energy for the recording object, and the set value of the spot diameter of the laser beam. The recording method is characterized in that the ends of the drawing units adjacent to each other in the sub-scanning direction are overlapped and recorded in the sub-scanning direction.
<2> The recording method according to <1>, wherein the drawing unit constituting the image satisfies the relationship represented by the following mathematical formula 1.
0 <C- (1-D) T ・ Vs ・ ・ ・ Formula 1
However, in the formula 1, C represents the maximum length of the bulge of the drawing unit in the sub-scanning direction with respect to the distance L irradiated with the laser beam, D represents the duty ratio of the pulse signal, and T represents the duty ratio of the pulse signal. Representing the period of the pulse signal, Vs is the relative moving speed of the recording object with respect to the optical fiber array.
<3> The recording method according to any one of <1> to <2>, wherein the drawing unit constituting the image satisfies the relationship represented by the following mathematical formula 2.
0.1 <1- (1-D) T · Vs / C <0.9 ・ ・ ・ Equation 2
However, in the mathematical formula 2, D, T, Vs, and C have the same meaning as the mathematical formula 1.
<4> The recording method according to any one of <1> to <3>, wherein the drawing unit constituting the image satisfies the relationship represented by the following mathematical formula 3.
0.95 ・ F ・ (2 × (1- (1-D) T ・ Vs / C)-(1- (1-D) T ・ Vs / C) ² ) ^1/2 ≧ P ・ ・ ・ Formula 3
However, in the mathematical formula 3, P represents the drawing pitch of the drawing unit in the main scanning direction, F represents the width of the drawing unit in the main scanning direction, and D, T, Vs, and C are. It has the same meaning as the above formula 1.
<5> The recording method according to any one of <1> to <4>, wherein the drawing unit constituting the image satisfies the relationship represented by the following mathematical formula 4.
Vs ・ DT + C ≦ 3F ・ ・ ・ Formula 4
However, in the mathematical formula 4, D, T, Vs, and C have the same meaning as the mathematical formula 1, and F has the same meaning as the mathematical formula 3.
<6> The recording method according to any one of <1> to <5>, wherein the duty ratio of the pulse signal in the first cycle at the start of recording is larger than the duty ratio of the pulse signal in the second and subsequent cycles. ..
<7> Any of the above <1> to <6> in which the duty ratio of the pulse signal in the first cycle at the start of recording is 105% or more and 125% or less of the duty ratio of the pulse signal in the second and subsequent cycles. It is a recording method described in.
<8> The recording method according to any one of <1> to <7>, wherein the shortest distance between the centers of the optical fibers is 1.0 mm or less.
<9> The recording method according to any one of <1> to <8>, wherein the number of arrangements of the optical fibers in the optical fiber array is 10 or more.
<10> The recording method according to any one of <1> to <9>, wherein the recording object is at least one of a heat-sensitive recording medium and a structure having a heat-sensitive recording unit.
<11> 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.
The maximum length of the drawing unit in the sub-scanning direction is controlled by the duty ratio and period of the pulse signal input to the emitting means, the recording energy for the recording object, and the set value of the spot diameter of the laser beam. The recording device is characterized in that the end portions of the drawing units adjacent to each other in the sub-scanning direction are overlapped and recorded in the sub-scanning direction.
<12> The recording device according to <11>, wherein the drawing unit constituting the image satisfies the relationship represented by the following mathematical formula 1.
0 <C- (1-D) T ・ Vs ・ ・ ・ Formula 1
However, in the formula 1, C represents the maximum length of the bulge of the drawing unit in the sub-scanning direction with respect to the distance L irradiated with the laser beam, D represents the duty ratio of the pulse signal, and T represents the duty ratio of the pulse signal. Represents the period of the pulse signal, and Vs represents the relative moving speed of the recording object with respect to the optical fiber array.
<13> The recording device according to any one of <11> to <12>, wherein the drawing unit constituting the image satisfies the relationship represented by the following mathematical formula 2.
0.1 <1- (1-D) T · Vs / C <0.9 ・ ・ ・ Equation 2
However, in the mathematical formula 2, D, T, Vs, and C have the same meaning as the mathematical formula 1.
<14> The recording device according to any one of <11> to <13>, wherein the drawing unit constituting the image satisfies the relationship represented by the following mathematical formula 3.
0.95 ・ F ・ (2 × (1- (1-D) T ・ Vs / C)-(1- (1-D) T ・ Vs / C) ² ) ^1/2 ≧ P ・ ・ ・ Formula 3
However, in the mathematical formula 3, P represents the drawing pitch of the drawing unit in the main scanning direction, F represents the width of the drawing unit in the main scanning direction, and D, T, Vs, and C are. It has the same meaning as the above formula 1.
<15> The recording device according to any one of <11> to <14>, wherein the drawing unit constituting the image satisfies the relationship represented by the following mathematical formula 4.
Vs ・ DT + C ≦ 3F ・ ・ ・ Formula 4
However, in the mathematical formula 4, D, T, Vs, and C have the same meaning as the mathematical formula 1, and F has the same meaning as the mathematical formula 3.
<16> The recording apparatus according to any one of <11> to <15>, wherein the duty ratio of the pulse signal in the first cycle at the start of recording is larger than the duty ratio of the pulse signal in the second and subsequent cycles. ..
<17> Any of the above <11> to <16> in which the duty ratio of the pulse signal in the first cycle at the start of recording is 105% or more and 125% or less of the duty ratio of the pulse signal in the second and subsequent cycles. The recording device according to the above.
<18> The recording device according to any one of <11> to <17>, wherein the shortest distance between the centers of the optical fibers is 1.0 mm or less.
<19> The recording device according to any one of <11> to <18>, wherein the number of arrangements of the optical fibers in the optical fiber array is 10 or more.
<20> The recording device according to any one of <11> to <19>, which controls the irradiation power of the laser beam according to the temperature of the laser light emitting element.
<21> The recording device according to any one of <11> to <20>, wherein the recording object is at least one of a heat-sensitive recording medium and a structure having a heat-sensitive recording unit.
<22> 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 <21>.

The recording method according to any one of <1> to <10> and the recording device according to any one of <11> to <22> solve the above-mentioned problems in the prior art, 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 (14)

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, the recording object and the optical fiber array are relative to each other. It is a 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 to.
It has an optical fiber array in which a plurality of the optical fibers are arranged in a line in the main scanning direction.
The maximum length of the drawing unit in the sub-scanning direction is controlled by the duty ratio and period of the pulse signal input to the emitting means, the recording energy for the recording object, and the set value of the spot diameter of the laser beam. The edges 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.
A recording method characterized in that the drawing unit constituting the image satisfies the relationship represented by the following formulas 1 to 4.
0 <C- (1-D) T ・ Vs ・ ・ ・ Formula 1
However, in the formula 1, C represents the maximum length of the bulge of the drawing unit in the sub-scanning direction with respect to the distance L irradiated with the laser beam, D represents the duty ratio of the pulse signal, and T represents the duty ratio of the pulse signal. Representing the period of the pulse signal, Vs is the relative moving speed of the recording object with respect to the optical fiber array.
0.1 <1- (1-D) T · Vs / C <0.9 ・ ・ ・ Equation 2
However, in the mathematical formula 2, D, T, Vs, and C have the same meaning as the mathematical formula 1.
0.95 ・ F ・ (2 × (1- (1-D) T ・ Vs / C)-(1- (1-D) T ・ Vs / C) ² ) ^1/2 ≧ P ・ ・ ・ Formula 3
However, in the mathematical formula 3, P represents the drawing pitch of the drawing unit in the main scanning direction, F represents the width of the drawing unit in the main scanning direction, and D, T, Vs, and C are. It has the same meaning as the above formula 1.
Vs ・ DT + C ≦ 3F ・ ・ ・ Formula 4
However, in the mathematical formula 4, D, T, Vs, and C have the same meaning as the mathematical formula 1, and F has the same meaning as the mathematical formula 3. The recording method according to claim 1, wherein the duty ratio of the pulse signal in the first cycle at the start of recording is larger than the duty ratio of the pulse signal in the second and subsequent cycles. The recording method according to any one of claims 1 to 2, wherein the duty ratio of the pulse signal in the first cycle at the start of recording is 105% or more and 125% or less of the duty ratio of the pulse signal in the second and subsequent cycles. The recording method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the shortest distance between the centers of the optical fibers is 1.0 mm or less. The recording method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the number of arrangements of the optical fibers in the optical fiber array is 10 or more. The recording method according to any one of claims 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. 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 recording device that records an image consisting of drawing units by irradiating a laser beam from an optical fiber array.
It has an optical fiber array in which a plurality of the optical fibers are arranged in a line in the main scanning direction.
The maximum length of the drawing unit in the sub-scanning direction is controlled by the duty ratio and period of the pulse signal input to the emitting means, the recording energy for the recording object, and the set value of the spot diameter of the laser beam. , The ends of the drawing units adjacent in the sub-scanning direction are overlaid and recorded in the sub-scanning direction.
A recording device characterized in that the drawing unit constituting the image satisfies the relationship represented by the following formulas 1 to 4.
0 <C- (1-D) T ・ Vs ・ ・ ・ Formula 1
However, in the formula 1, C represents the maximum length of the bulge of the drawing unit in the sub-scanning direction with respect to the distance L irradiated with the laser beam, D represents the duty ratio of the pulse signal, and T represents the duty ratio of the pulse signal. Representing the period of the pulse signal, Vs is the relative moving speed of the recording object with respect to the optical fiber array.
0.1 <1- (1-D) T · Vs / C <0.9 ・ ・ ・ Equation 2
However, in the mathematical formula 2, D, T, Vs, and C have the same meaning as the mathematical formula 1.
0.95 ・ F ・ (2 × (1- (1-D) T ・ Vs / C)-(1- (1-D) T ・ Vs / C) ² ) ^1/2 ≧ P ・ ・ ・ Formula 3
However, in the mathematical formula 3, P represents the drawing pitch of the drawing unit in the main scanning direction, F represents the width of the drawing unit in the main scanning direction, and D, T, Vs, and C are. It has the same meaning as the above formula 1.
Vs ・ DT + C ≦ 3F ・ ・ ・ Formula 4
However, in the mathematical formula 4, D, T, Vs, and C have the same meaning as the mathematical formula 1, and F has the same meaning as the mathematical formula 3. The recording device according to claim 7, wherein the duty ratio of the pulse signal in the first cycle at the start of recording is larger than the duty ratio of the pulse signal in the second and subsequent cycles. The recording apparatus according to any one of claims 7 to 8, wherein the duty ratio of the pulse signal in the first cycle at the start of recording is 105% or more and 125% or less of the duty ratio of the pulse signal in the second and subsequent cycles. The recording device according to any one of claims 7 to 9, wherein the shortest distance between the centers of the optical fibers is 1.0 mm or less. The recording device according to any one of claims 7 to 10, wherein the number of arrangements of the optical fibers in the optical fiber array is 10 or more. The recording device according to any one of claims 7 to 11, wherein the irradiation power of the laser light is controlled according to the temperature of the laser light emitting element. The recording device according to any one of claims 7 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. Claims 7 to 13 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 recording device according to any one of.

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